Category: Movies

“Species” (1995) starring Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker and Marg Helgenberger / Z-View

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Species (1995)

Director:  Roger Donaldson

Screenplay: Dennis Feldman

Stars: Natasha Henstridge, Michael Madsen, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Forest Whitaker, Marg Helgenberger, Jordan Lund, Don Fischer, Virginia Morris, Esther Scott, William Utay, Roger Donaldson and Whip Hubley.

Tagline: For three million years, the human race has been at the top of the evolutionary ladder. Nothing lasts forever

The Plot…

SETI (Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence) scientists are elated when they receive a transmission. The message contains alien DNA.  So the government funds a laboratory to splice the DNA with that of female human.  Scientists are shocked when the baby “girl” begins growing at a rapid rate.  They name the child Sil.

Within a short time Sil is the size of a pre-teen.  Super smart and strong, the scientists become concerned when Sil displays violent outbursts while sleeping.  The decision is made to terminate Sil before she reaches full strength.  When the execution fails Sil escapes.  Soon she will reach adulthood.  At that point, she will be infinitely more dangerous.

The government pulls together a team that includes anthropologist Dr. Stephen Arden, molecular biologist Dr. Laura Baker, “empath” Dan Smithson, and mercenary Preston “Press” Lennox.  They are to track and kill SIL.  A backup squad will be on standby to assist.

The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sil was designed by Swiss artist H. R. Giger.  Giger also designed the creatures in Alien.  Giger created the “nightmare train” effects used when Sil is dreaming.  Interestingly enough, Giger had been attached to an alien on a train film titled Isobar.  Isobar was to star Sylvester Stallone, but the film was never made due to Carolco Pictures’ financial troubles.

Species features the theatrical movie debut of  Natasha Henstridge who played Sil.

Dennis Feldman, Species screenwriter, followed up with a four-issue comic book adaptation drawn by Jon Foster as well as two alternate comic book continuations: Species: Human Race and a one-shot Species: Offspring. Feldman also wrote the sequel film, Species II.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reportedly showed interest in the script but moved on due to budget restrictions.

I loved the idea of the team of diverse talents that included an empath.

Species (1995) rates 4 of 5 stars

Sly Stallone as Deke DaSilva from “Nighthawks” by Dan Brereton!

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I’ve been a Dan Brereton fan since I first saw his work in The Black Terror decades ago.  [Someone should publish a nice trade edition of The Black Terror, but we’ll save that for another post.]

When I was lucky enough to get on Dan’s sketch list in 2003.  I asked him to pick the Stallone character he’d like to draw.  As you can see he chose Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks.  Awesome choice to go with Dan Brereton‘s awesome art.

“Bullet to the Head” (2012) directed by Walter Hill, starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa, Christian Slater and Sung Kang / Z-View

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Bullet to the Head (2012)

Director:  Walter Hill

Screenplay: Alessandro Camon; based on the comic Du plomb dans la tête by Matz 

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Momoa, Christian Slater, Sung Kang, Sarah Shahi, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Holt McCallany, Brian Van Holt, Weronika Rosati, Dane Rhodes, Marcus Lyle Brown and Jon Seda.

Tagline: Revenge never gets old.

The Plot…

James Bonomo, a.k.a. Jimmy Bobo, and Louis Blanchard are hitmen hired to take out a dirty cop named Hank Greely.  After the successful mission, an attempt is made on Bobo and Blanchard by a large killer.  Blanchard is murdered, but Bobo survives.

Washington Police Detective Taylor Kwon is sent to investigate the execution of Hank Greely.  When corrupt cops attempt to kill Kwon, he is saved by Jimmy Bobo.  Kwon’s a police officer and Bobo is a killer.  Neither trusts the other, but Bobo and Kwon will have to work together if they want to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bullet to the Head is based on the French comic Du Plomb Dans La Tête (“Lead in the Head”).

Wayne “Running Scared” (2006) Kramer was originally set to direct.  He dropped out because he wanted a darker film than Sly Stallone.  Stallone then reached out to Walter Hill.

Thomas Jane was originally set to play the cop who teams with Jimmy Bobo.  Producer Joel Silver wanted a more “ethic” actor to increase overseas sales.  Jane was replaced by Sung Kang.

Sly Stallone’s character’s name is James “Jimmy Bobo” Bonomo.  In the film Oscar, Stallone’s gangster character says that he once worked with James “Jumpin’ Jimmy” Bonomo.

Bullet to the Head (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Running Scared” (2006) written & directed by Wayne Kramer, starring Paul Walker / Z-View

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Running Scared (2006)

Director:  Wayne Kramer

Screenplay: Wayne Kramer

Stars: Paul Walker, Cameron Bright, Chazz Palminteri, Vera Farmiga, Karel Roden, Johnny Messner, Ivana Milicevic, Michael Cudlitz, Bruce Altman, Arthur J. Nascarella, John Noble, Idalis DeLeon, David Warshofsky, Jim Tooey, Thomas Rosales Jr. and Elizabeth Mitchell.

Tagline: Its Find The Gun, Or Death…

The Plot…

When a drug deal goes bad, a shootout occurs.  Several people are killed.  Tommy Perello and his crew are the only survivors.  Perello orders Joey Gazelle, an up-and-comer, to get rid of the guns his gang used in the drug deal.

Joey takes the guns, but heads home before ditching the weapons.  Once home, Joey hides the arms in the basement.  Joey doesn’t realize that his son Nicky and Nicky’s friend from next door, Oleg, saw where the weapons were hidden.  Oleg steals one of the revolvers.

As soon as Oleg gets home his abusive stepfather, Anzor, starts in.  Oleg has had enough and shoots his stepdad.  Oleg runs off taking the gun with him.

Hearing the shot, Joey next door. Anzor is wounded. He explains Oleg shot him.  Joey realizes that Oleg used a gun that Joey was supposed to have ditched.  That gun will link Joey and Perello’s crew to the drug deal’s multiple murders.

The police will be out in full force looking for Oleg.  Joey’s got to find Oleg before the cops.  If they find Oleg first, Joey and his crime partners will get life in prison.  If they’re lucky.  If Tommy Perello or the crew discover what happened, the end result will be even worse.

Oleg is on the move.  So is Joey.  Both are running scared.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Running Scared has more twists than a rollercoaster. The movie starts in the middle of a drug deal that suddenly goes bad. An insane shootout takes place and we’re off an running. Along the way we’ll meet drug dealers, pimps, crooked cops, child molesters, and Russian mobsters.

The movie maintains momentum as Joey [Paul Walker] attempts to retrieve a stolen gun used in a mob killing. Then finds himself on a mission to save a kid.

Paul Walker does a fine job in the starring role.  The supporting cast is first rate: Chazz Palminteri, Vera Farmiga, Michael Cudlitz, Arthur J. Nascarella, John Noble, Elizabeth Mitchell, Bruce Altman and David Warshofsky shine.

Writer/director Wayne Kramer is a talent to keep an eye on.  His direction of the action scenes is inventive.  His story doesn’t take us on the expected journey.  Kudos to him.

Paul Walker’s brother appears in the scene retracing the path of a bullet and Walker’s character is shown in both houses.  It is actually Paul’s brother sitting at the kitchen table.

Running Scared is an underrated gem.

Running Scared (2006) rates 5 of 5 stars

Jack Carter vs John Wick by Andrew Farago!

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When I saw artists were doing commissions in support of The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. How could I pass on a chance to get a new commission for my Stallone-themed Sketch Collection AND support a good cause at the same time?

I couldn’t.

I looked at the list and decided to go with Andrew Farago. Andrew is not only an artist and author but also the Chairman of the Northern California chapter of the National Cartoonists Society and the curator of the Cartoon Art Museum! I asked for Jack Carter and John Wick and Andrew came through like a champ!

If you’re a sketch collector, The Cartoon Museum’s Sketch-A-Thon gets my highest recommendation. The prices are super reasonable, there are several artists to choose from and there is even a digital sketch option!

Thanks again to Andrew Farago for the cool sketch and super service!

“War of the Worlds” starring Ice Cube & Eva Longoria – The Poster and Trailer is Here!

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The poster and trailer for a re-imagined War of the Worlds (based on H.G. Wells classic novel) is here.   War of the Worlds stars Ice Cube and Eva Longoria.

While it hasn’t sold me completely, I’d give it a shot.  Who doesn’t love a story about invading aliens trying to take over the world?

War of the Worlds premieres on Prime Video streaming on July 30th.

Ice Cube fights aliens to save his family and the world.

Premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on July 30, 2025.

“Shade” (2003) written & directed by Damian Nieman; starring Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith and Sylvester Stallone / Z-View

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Shade (2003)

Director:  Damian Nieman

Screenplay: Damian Nieman

Stars: Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith, Sylvester Stallone, Dina Merrill, George Tovar, Frank Medrano, Jason Cerbone, Mark De Alessandro, Glenn Plummer, Carl Mazzocone, Bo Hopkins, Mark Boone Junior, Tony Burton, Michael Dorn and Hal Holbrook.

Tagline: When gambling your life, leave nothing to chance.

The Plot…

Tiffany and Miller are card hustlers and con artists.  They are pulling off scams to get enough money to get Vernon into a high stakes underground poker game.  Vernon is a card shark as well as a sleight of hand artist.  With a $250,000.00 buy-in, there will be enough money in the game to set the three for life… if Vernon can win.

The main obstacle will be Dean “the Dean” Stevens.  His poker skills are legendary.  Of course if Vernon can’t beat the Dean fairly, there are other ways to win… if he’s willing to bet his life and those of Tiffany and Miller.

Let’s deal.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Damian Nieman, the writer/director of Shade is also a professional card magician. Nieman taught the cast the skills needed to perform their tricks on camera.

Shade (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars

RIP: Hulk Hogan

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It was announced that Hulk Hogan died today from cardiac arrest at the age of 67.

Born Terry Gene Bollea, he was discovered by Jack and Jerry Brisco when they saw Mr. Bollea playing with his band at a local Tampa club.  Impressed by his size, they spoke to Terry about trying out as a professional wrestler.  Terry agreed and began training.

Terry had his first match in 1977, after a little more than a year of training for the CWF (Championship Wrestling from Florida). Terry often appeared as a masked wrestler called The Super Destroyer.  After about a year Terry decided to quit wrestling.  He managed a club and opened a gym.  In his spare time Mr. Bollea worked out with his buddy Ed Leslie (later known as Brutus the Barber Beefcake).  It occurred to Terry that because both he and Ed were big and muscular, they might make a good wrestling team.

The two began wrestling as The Boulder Brothers.  It was during this time that Terry was on a talk show with Lou “The Hulk” Ferrigno.  Terry was bigger than Lou and so he was given the wrestling name Terry “The Hulk” Boulder.  During this time Terry also wrestled under the name Sterling Golden.

In 1979, Vince McMahon, owner and promoter of the WWF, signed Terry to a contract.  McMahon gave Terry the name Hulk Hogan.  For his initial run with the WWF, Hogan was cast as a villain.  When Hulk Hogan was offered a role in Rocky III, he accepted.  Mr. McMahon was against the idea and cut Hulk Hogan from the WWF roster.  Hulk Hogan’s role in Rocky III gave him more nation and world-wide recognition than professional wrestling.

After filming was completed, Hulk Hogan signed with the American Wrestling Association.  He was initially given the role of a bad guy, but proved to be so popular with fans, Hogan soon became a babyface (good guy).

In 1983, Vince McMahon had plans to take his WWF promotion nation-wide.  He had secured television time and just needed a superstar to be the face of the company.  Mr. McMahon decided that Hulk Hogan was the wrestler he needed.  McMahon offered Hogan a contract.  In short order, Hogan was made champion.

“Hulkamania” ran wild.  Fans loved him.  Hulk Hogan was at the top of the card for eight of the first nine Wrestlemania pay-per-views.  He was a five time WWF champion.  He was the first wrestler to win back to back Royal Rumble matches.  Hulk Hogan’s match with André the Giant on February 5, 1988, still holds the American television viewership record for professional wrestling.  It scored a 15.2 Nielsen rating with 33 million viewers.

Hulk Hogan’s popularity gave him opportunities outside of wrestling.  He starred in several movies, a couple of television series and made guest appearances on television shows as well.

Some of the television projects that feature Hulk Hogan include: CWA Wrestling (2 episodes – Terry “The Hulk” Boulder); WWF World Championship Wrestling (1 episode – Sterling Golden); Wrestling at the Chase; Spectrum Wrestling (3 episodes); The War to Settle the Score; Goldie and the Bears; Search for Tomorrow (2 episodes); Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling (2 episodes); The Love Boat; The A-Team; WWF Championship Wrestling (29 episodes); WWF All-Star Wrestling (10 episodes); Dolly; The All New Mickey Mouse Club; WWF Prime Time Wrestling (6 episodes); WWF Challenge (14 episodes); WWF on MSG Network (14 episodes); WWF Superstars (32 episodes); Thunder in Paradise (22 episodes); Baywatch; WCW Saturday Night (6 episodes); WCW Bash at the Beach; Assault on Death Mountain; Suddenly Susan (2 episodes); WCW Thunder (23 episodes); WCW Monday Nitro (176 episodes); Biography; Walker, Texas Ranger; American Dad; TNA Impact Wrestling (131 episodes); China, IL (19 episodes); WWE Next (2 episodes); Robot Chicken (4 episodes); The Goldbergs; WWE Smackdown! (35 episodes) and WWE Raw (47 episodes).

Some of Hulk Hogan’s feature film appearances include: Rocky III; No Holds Barred; Gremlins 2: The New Batch; Suburban Commando; Mr. Nanny; Spy Hard; Santa with Muscles; The Ultimate Weapon and Muppets from Space.

Hulk Hogan is arguably the All-Time most well-known and popular professional wrestler.  He came at a time when professional wrestling broke away from regional territories and went nation-wide.  Hogan’s charisma and ability to talk when given a microphone outweighed his wrestling ability, but it didn’t matter.  Fans loved him.  As he got older, Hogan was able to stay at the top of the card when he switched from babyface to heel.  He had a long career and professional wrestling was better for it.

I saw Hulk Hogan wrestle at live events twice.  The first was in Indianapolis.  Hogan thrilled the fans in the sold out venue.  The second time was in Daytona Beach, Florida.  My wife and I took our two sons and nephew.  The crowd was shocked when Hogan turned heel.  The next day, I taught summer school.  Everyone (kids and adults) were talking about Hogan’s reversal.  No one could believe it.  Which is just what Hogan wanted.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Hulk Hogan’s family, friends and fans.

“I Trapped the Devil” (2019) / Z-View

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I Trapped the Devil (2019)

Director:  Josh Lobo

Screenplay: Josh Lobo

Stars: Scott Poythress, AJ Bowen, Susan Burke, Jocelin Donahue and Chris Sullivan.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Steve’s got a lot going on.  He’s stressed and unsure of what to do next.

Things get worse when his brother, Matt and Matt’s wife Karen, show up unannounced.  Steve knows that Matt and Karen have been worried about him.  They think that his mental state is deteriorating.  Steve knows he’s not crazy.

But how is he going to explain to them that the man trapped in his basement is actually the devil?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I Trapped the Devil has a great concept.  Sadly the movie never comes close to reaching the potential presented.   I made it through the whole thing, so I’ll give it two out of five stars.  Truthfully, you’d be better off to watch the Twilight Zone episode, The Howling Man.

I Trapped the Devil (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars