Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Every art collector should have at least one piece from Dan Panosian in their collection. The Rocky sketch above is my third. Hopefully a fourth is in my future.
“I just wanna say one thing to my wife who’s home: YO, ADRIAN! I DID IT!” — Rocky
The original Highlander remains one of my all-time favorite theater viewing experiences. Sophie Bland has created a worthy poster for the 40th(!) Anniversary.
Being Eddie (2025)
Director: Angus Wall
Stars: Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Charlie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Elvis Mitchell,
John Landis, Pete Davidson, Jerry Bruckheimer and Kevin Hart.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Eddie Murphy, friends and those who have worked with him, sit for interviews to discuss Eddie’s amazing career.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Some of the awards Eddie Murphy has won over the course of his career include: an Emmy, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Murphy also earned an Academy Award nomination for for Best Supporting Actor. Murphy has had success as a comedian, television star, movie star, and singer.
While at times Eddie does seem to have a bit of an ego, who wouldn’t with all that he has achieved. There was a tv show that I watched as a kid, it was about an old gunfighter. He had a catchphrase: “No brag, just fact.” I think of Eddie now as that old gunfighter. He’s not bragging, just stating facts about his career.
I was surprised at how personable and down-to-earth Eddie comes off as. So many stars, especially who attain superstar status at an early age, self-destruct. Eddie Murphy seems to be in a great place.
I look forward to where Eddie Murphy’s career leads next.
Being Eddie (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Last Showgirl (2024)
Director: Gia Coppola
Screenplay: Kate Gersten
Stars: Pamela Anderson, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, Linda Montana, Jason Schwartzman and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Shelley Gardner has been a showgirl at the Las Vegas Le Razzle Dazzle Revue for thirty years. At one time the Vegas shows were top line entertainment. But times have changed. They no longer have the prestige or class they once held. Worse still, attendance has declined.
When Shelley learns that her show is closing, she’s not sure what’s next. All she has known is the Le Razzle Dazzle Revue. There’s not much demand for a 57 year old dancer. Her last audition was three decades ago. Dance styles have changed. So have dancer expectations.
How will Shelley survive?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jamie Lee Curtis appears as a former showgirl who drinks too much.
Dave Bautista is excellent.
The Last Showgirl (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Tony Stella created this intense album cover for the release of The Planet of the Apes overseas soundtrack.
George Taylor: It’s a mad house! A mad house!
O.G. (2018)
Director: Madeleine Sackler
Screenplay: Stephen Belber
Stars: Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner, Boyd Holbrook, Mare Winningham, Yul Vazquez, Ryan Cutrona, Ato Essandoh, Kevin Jackson and David Patrick Kelly.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Louis has spent the last 24 years in prison for murder. Over time, Louis turned his life around. He distanced himself from prison gangs. He worked to make his life a positive contribution. Louis’ good behavior and true rehabilitation has earned him parole in the next few weeks…
… if nothing changes.
Gang tensions are rising. When a new young inmate is brought into the prison, Louis sees the kid being set up to take a fall. If Louis intervenes he risks his own release. If he does nothing, the kid could be killed or worse.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Jeffrey Wright is an amazing actor.
O.G. was filmed at the Indiana Pendleton Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. Many of the prisoners and guards were actual prisoners and guards.
O.G. (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.
36 Hours (1964)
Director: George Seaton
Screenplay: George Seaton; story by Carl K. Hittleman, Luis Vance; based on “Beware of the Dog” by Roald Dahl
Stars: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Taylor, Werner Peters, Russell Thorson, Alan Napier, Oscar Beregi Jr., Ed Gilbert, Sig Ruman, Celia Lovsky, Karl Held, Martin Kosleck, Marjorie Bennett, Henry Rowland, Otto Reichow, James Doohan and John Banner.
Tagline: “Give Me Any American for 36 Hours And I’ll Give You Back a Traitor”
The Plot…
The Nazis know that the Allies are preparing a massive attack.
But where?
German Major Walter Gerber has devised an elaborate plan to get the needed info. U.S. Army Major Jeff Pike is drugged and kidnapped. The Nazis know Pike has been in meeting about the planned invasion.
When Pike awakens he appears to be in a U.S. Army hospital. Major Gerber, posing as a US Army Doctor tells Pike that the year is 1950, and that the U.S. won the war back in 1944. Pike is tricked into believing that since the war he has suffered from bouts of amnesia.
Gerber tells Pike that they need Pike to remember back as far as he can and they will slowly work to bring his memory back. Pike’s last memory is leaving a meeting.
“Excellent. And what was the meeting about?…”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
36 Hours is an under-rated classic. I’m surprised more folks don’t know about this one.
Three actors who gained fame in television series shortly after their appearances in 36 Hours include:
36 Hours (1964) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Here we have the poster and trailer for Hulk Hogan: Real American.
Deal me in.
Before he was Hulk Hogan, he was Terry Bollea. Uncover the man behind the legend in this unfiltered documentary featuring his very last interview.
Before becoming a Hollywood star, thanks to the 1931 movie Dracula, Bela Lugosi was a Broadway star. Bela Lugosi and his Dracula film co-star, Edward Sloan, also appeared in Dracula on Broadway at the Fulton Theater for 261 performances.
Above is a rare publicity shot for the Dracula Broadway run featuring Edward Van Sloan, Terence Neill, Bela Lugosi, Herbert Bunston, and Bernard Jukes.
Source: Universal Monsters Universe
The Curse of the Werewolf is my favorite wolfman. He (It?) has always been a favorite of Frederick Cooper as well! Click over and read what Cooper has to say about this piece.
“Father, the bullet. Pepe the watchman has a silver bullet. Get it and use it. Use it on me, father! You must use it — do you hear? You must use it! You must!” – Leon
Vincent N Roxxy (2016)
Director: Gary Michael Schultz
Screenplay: Gary Michael Schultz
Stars: Emile Hirsch, Zoë Kravitz, Emory Cohen, Kid Cudi, Jason Mitchell, Jeff Gum, Jared Bankens, Lance Tafelski, Hunter Burke and Beau Knapp.
Tagline: Love is a Crime
The Plot…
Vincent is driving through a small town when he sees a man beating a woman. Vincent rams the man with his car. Then the woman jumps in Vincent’s car and they speed away.
Vincent learns the young woman’s name is Roxxy. He says that he is returning home for the first time in a while and offers her a place to stay until she gets on her feet. Vincent’s brother is happily surprised at Vincent’s return. He is getting ready to open a garage and offers Vincent a partnership. Vincent agrees.
Things are going well with the garage, and Roxxy’s job as a bartender. Vincent and Roxxy are falling in love.
And then a secret from Vincent’s past surfaces… and the man who beat Roxxy learns where she’s at.
Things are about to take a turn for the very worst.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m a Zoë Kravitz fan.
Beau Knapp is very good as the jealous ex-boyfriend of Roxxy’s friend.
Vincent N Roxxy (2016) rates 2 of 5 stars.
I dig how creepy this Psycho alt poster is. Not only does it showcase the two very different sides of Norman Bates, but it also includes mother’s house. This beauty was created by Sahin Düzgün. Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.
Here is what Sahin had to say about his design:🔪 A shadow, a scream, a moment that redefined suspense. A personal design tribute to Hitchcock’s chilling masterpiece.
Norman Bates: I think I must have one of those faces you can’t help believing.
Alex Ogle’s riff on Sly Stallone as Jack Carter is a banger.
Alex Ogle is a freelance artist and storyteller. I love Ogle’s use of stark contrast and negative space. He says, “My favorite part of my illustrations are the sections I don’t draw.” That reminds me of Alex Toth’s famous quote: “Strip it all down to essentials and draw the hell out of what’s left.” That’s not easy to do, but Ogle has mastered it.
You can see more of Alex Ogle’s art at his website and his Instagram page.
Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965)
Director: Joseph Cates
Screenplay: Arnold Drake, Leon Tokatyan; story by Arnold Drake
Stars: Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse, Jan Murray, Elaine Stritch, Frank Campanella, Bruce Glover, Tom Aldredge, Rex Everhart and Daniel J. Travanti.
Tagline: Recommended for Mature Audiences
The Plot…
Norah Dain dreams of being an actress. In the meantime she works as a nightclub dj. Norah’s life is turned upside down, when she begins receiving obscene phone calls. The caller knows what she is doing daily. It’s frightening to think that he’s stalking her. Norah gets the police involved when a decapitated teddy bear is left in her apartment.
Detective Dave Madden is assigned to the case. When Madden suggests that anyone, including himself could be the caller, Norah becomes concerned. She learns that Madden is still dealing with the loss of his wife who was raped and murdered.
Could Detective Madden be Norah’s stalker? Or someone even worse?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Arnold Drake who came up with the story and co-wrote the screenplay for Who Killed Teddy Bear had a career writing comic book stories. Drake was the co-creator of many characters including The Guardians of the Galaxy, Deadman, The Doom Patrol, Havok, Polaris and others.
The camera loves Juliet Prowse. Sadly Who Killed Teddy Bear? would be the last time she would appear in a feature film. For the remainer of her career she performed on television and stage.
The film straddles the line between noir and exploitation. And features some suprising scenes for its time.
Watch for a young Daniel J. Travanti, who would in 16 years gain fame for his role as Captain Frank Furillo on Hill Street Blues.
Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Francisco Francavilla presents Dracula!
