Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
The poster and trailer for Billy Joel: And So It Goes is here.
Back in the 70s/80s I was a huge Billy Joel fan. Still am.
Deal me in.
There’s always a message in the music.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes premieres July 18 and 25 on HBO Max. #BillyJoelHBO
Total Recall (1990)
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Screenplay: Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Gary Goldman; story by Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Jon Povill; based on “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, David Knell, Alexia Robinson, Debbie Lee Carrington, Lycia Naff, Robert Costanzo and Dean Norris.
Tagline: How would you know after memory implantation if your mind is yours?
The Plot…
The year is 2084. Mars is now a colonized planet. The leader of the planet is Vilos Cohaagen. Cohaagen is a dictatorial ruler who came to power thanks to his management of the mining of turbinium ore. Cohaagen rules with an iron hand.
Douglas Quaid is a construction worker on Earth. Quaid continues to have recurring nightmares about being on Mars. In his dreams Quaid is involved with a woman and on a mysterious mission. Quaid realizes that a trip to Mars is out of the question. So he decides to check out Rekall.
Rekall uses the latest technology to implant memories that are no different than one would actually have experienced. Quaid decides to purchase a memory of Mars. Because the memories are implanted a customer can be or do anything. Quaid decides to be a secret agent sent on a mission to save Mars. Once the memory is implanted, he will believe that everything he remembers is true.
During the implant stage, Quaid begins struggling. The Rekall techs see that Quaid has had a procedure to repress memories. Concerned that unlocking these memories would put them at odds with Cohaagen, the Rekall workers shut down the process.
On the way home Quaid is attacked. Quaid is surprised to discover he is able to kill his attackers. Now he’s confused. Is he a former spy? Is it just a memory? If he is a spy, and his cover is blown, who can he trust? What was his mission?
A trip to Mars will be required to discover the truth. But can Quaid ever really be sure?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Total Recall (1990) was nominated for three 1991 Academy Awards and won one…
Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to star in Robocop, directed by Paul Verhoeven. But the deal fell through. When Schwarzenegger saw Robocop, he was determined to do a film with Verhoeven. Verhoeven was in talks to direct Black Rain. When the film was delayed, Schwarzenegger lobbied to get Verhoeven on board to helm Total Recall. Since Verhoeven also wanted to work with Schwarzenegger, he passed on Black Rain.
Patrick Swayze was originally set to star with Bruce Beresford as director. When Dino De Laurentis’ company went bankrupt Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco to buy the rights. In early drafts the Quaid character was called Quill and was an accountant. Once Arnold was on board the named changed as did the occupation. Quaid was now a muscular construction worker.
Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy had been in talks to direct Total Recall. Sylvester Stallone wanted Mulcahy to direct Rambo III (1988). Stallone won out. Ironically, Mulcahy was fired just a few weeks into filming due to creative differences with Stallone. Peter MacDonald (Rambo III‘s second-unit director) took over.
DC published a Total Recall comic book adaptation written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by Tom Lyle.
Total Recall (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars
Who does love a great looking Creature from the Black Lagoon painting? You know, like the kind created by Greg Staples!
Source: Body Snatchers
28 Days Later (2002)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer, David Schneider, Toby Sedgwick, Noah Huntley, Kim McGarrity, Luke Mably, Stuart McQuarrie and Brendan Gleeson.
Tagline: Day 1: Exposure – Day 3: Infection – Day 8: Epidemic – Day 15: Evacuation – Day 20: Devastation
The Plot…
Jim awakens after being in a coma for 28 days. He’s in a hospital bed, but the hospital is deserted. Jim throws on some clothes and heads out into the street. Broad daylight and no one is seen.
Jim goes into a church. In the sanctuary are dozens of people. Most show signs of major physical trauma. They appear to be sleeping. When a priest sees Jim and begins to attack, the infected come out of their slumber and attack as well.
Jim barely escapes. Jim comes to realize that while he was in a coma, a fast-acting virus turned normal people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines. There are few survivors in a city that once held over 7 million souls. Jim meets and befriends three who have endured: Selena, a young woman about his age, Frank, a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter Hannah.
A radio broadcast repeats the message that protection can be found at a location outside of Manchester. The four debate if there is truly salvation there. The broadcast could be outdated. Everyone there could be dead. The people there could be as dangerous as the infected. The journey will require them to pass through multiple congested areas.
Ultimately the group decides to go. Unexpected dangers await. Not all will survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Megan Burns, who plays Frank’s teenage daughter Hannah, had appeared in only one other film prior to 28 Days Later. Megan retired from acting after 28 Days Later to pursue a career as a musician. Her stage name is Betty Curse.
28 Days Later re-invigorated the zombie genre. Although some argue that the infected aren’t zombies, since they have lost control of their bodies and reasoning, I think they fit the definition.
28 Days Later is a classic. Well written, well directed and well acted. <Chef’s kiss>
28 Days Later (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars
How cool is Tony Stella‘s Rocky II poster?
I’d love to see a book of all of Mr. Stella’s Stallone-centric paintings and prelims.
Source: The Retro Reminiscer
Check out the poster for Caught Stealing. If the movie is as good as the novel, we’re in for a great ride… and maybe a trilogy!
Reign of Fire (2002)
Director: Rob Bowman
Screenplay: Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka, Matt Greenberg; story by Gregg Chabot, Kevin Peterka
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Christian Bale, Izabella Scorupco, David Kennedy,
Alexander Siddig, Terence Maynard, Alice Krige and Gerard Butler.
Tagline: Fight Fire With Fire
The Plot…
In 2002, workers drilling in the London Underground opened a passage into an undiscovered cave. A gigantic dragon awoke. Soon it and other dragons emerged. In short order, cities and the people living in them were destroyed. A young boy named Quinn witnessed the first dragon emerging from the underground when it killed his mother.
2020. Most of the world’s population is long gone. The few survivors have banded together in small communities. Quinn is now a leader of a group that took refuge in Bamburgh Castle. The group is barely hanging on. The food supply is low. Crops won’t come to harvest for a few weeks. A dragon recently attacked and destroyed part of the crop when it attacked and killed a community member.
Quinn and the community are shocked when a heavily armored military squad pulls up to the castle entrance. They request entrance. The convoy contains a tank, a helicopter and many armed soldiers. The leader of the troop is Van Zan. Quinn isn’t sure if the new arrivals are true military or raiders looking to steal whatever they can. One thing Quinn knows is his community has no chance in a firefight.
He allows them in. Soon all hell will break loose.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bale did an excellent job in his role but McConaughey OWNED every scene he was in. The direction, production values, special effects were all top notch.
Gerard Butler has a supporting role as Bale’s friend. Four years later Butler would become an international star with the release of 300.
Reign of Fire (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars
Vindicta (2023)
Director: Sean McNamara
Screenplay: Ian Neligh; story by Steven Paul
Stars: Elena Kampouris, Jeremy Piven, Travis Nelson, Daniel Cudmore, Bradley Stryker, Robin Atkin Downes and Sean Astin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
As riots rage across Seattle, a serial killer begins taking victims. The killer’s prey are first responders… police, fire and rescue workers. The maniac leaves Latin phrases by each mutilated body.
Lou is a rookie paramedic. Her proficiency in Latin allows her to decipher the killer’s message. Detective Russo will rely on Lou to assist with future clues. As the bodies pile up, Lou realizes that the killer is taking vengeance and those close to her may be next.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely would qualify for a drive-in movie. There are worse ways to spend an hour and 27 minutes.
Vindicta (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars
Andrew Charipar is a Florida artist that I met going to conventions throughout the state. Andrew was always friendly. In addition to his work as an artist, Andrew owns and manages Misfit Corner Comics in Jacksonville, Florida.
Andrew’s take on Sly Stallone as Cobra was the first sketch I got from him.
28 Years Later (2025)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Stars: Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis-Parry, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
Tagline: Time didn’t heal anything.
The Plot…
2002. In Britain a fast spreading infection turns people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines. The source is called the Rage Virus. The virus is passed through bites, blood or saliva. There is no cure.
As a horde attacks, Jimmy, a twelve-year-old boy sees his mother taken down. Jimmy runs to the church where his father is minister. The swarm of infected follows closely behind. Jimmy’s father gives the boy a small cross and tells him to “run!”. As the infected burst into the church, Jimmy’s father allows himself to be taken so that Jimmy may escape.
28 years later. The Rage Virus is contained to the British Isles which are now quarantined from the rest of the world. Military vessels patrol to make sure no one gets in or out. The virus has mutated. Some infected have grown bigger, faster and have limited reasoning.
Survivors either live alone or in small fortified villages. One such refuge is on a coastal island connected to the mainland by a causeway that is underwater except at low tide. Sentries stand watch 24 hours a day.
Jamie, his wife Isla and their twelve-year-old son Spike live on this island. Jamie is a scavenger for the community. Isla has been sick. She’s started to hallucinate. She’s weak and getting worse.
From time to time Jamie goes back to the mainland to search for needed items. Timing is crucial. He must leave at low tide and return before the water rises. If he fails to do so, tides are too strong and deep. Getting back to the island is then impossible.
Jamie believes that Spike is mature enough for his first trip to the mainland. The minimum age is usually fifteen. Going against convention, Jamie takes Spike over. When Spike learns that a doctor used to live within traveling distance, he wants to take his mother there. Jamie tells Spike the trip would be much too dangerous. Worse still, the doctor is out of his mind.
If Spike survives his first trip to the mainland, he is determined to take his mother to the doctor.
That is IF he survives…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
28 days later upped the ante with the zombie genre. (And let’s not quibble if the rage-infected are zombies.)
There is a nice surprise twist near the end of the film.
The final scenes have a different feel than the rest of the film. Many will find/have found the change jarring. These scenes set up the next film in the series.
I’ve always contended that the best part of zombie/apocalyptic films is at the very beginning when people are unsure of what is happening or how to best respond. Having the virus mutate and having Spike make the mainland journey for the first time was a smart move. The audience is learning about the changes along with Spike. I hope the next film doesn’t make the infected blasé.
28 Years Later (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
Fatima Camiloza is an artist known for her work in board games and illustration. Back around 2012, I was surfing the net. I saw Camiloza was taking water color commissions. Her prices were very reasonable, so I decided to go for one. Above is her take on Sly Stallone as Jack Carter.
Lockout (2012)
Director: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather
Screenplay: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather, Luc Besson; story by Luc Besson; based on Escape from New York by John Carpenter, Nick Castle and Escape from L.A. by John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Stars: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan, Joe Gilgun, Tim Plester, Peter Hudson, Nick Hardin and Lennie James.
Tagline: Take no prisoners.
The Plot…
2079. When Agent Snow discovers an unknown operative within the CIA is selling government secrets, he is framed for murder. Sentenced to 30 years, Snow will be sent to the United States first space prison. The worst killers, deviants and psychos are sent to MS One, where they spend their sentences in suspended animation.
Critics of this form of punishment claim the prolonged periods of stasis leads to mental psychosis and derangement. The President’s daughter Emilie has come to MS One to check out conditions at the prison.
As Snow is prepped for transport to MS One, word comes that a riot at the penitentiary has left the convicts in charge. The leader of the prisoners has warned that if an armed response is mounted, all the hostages will be killed. The inmates don’t yet know that the President’s daughter is one of their captives.
Soon they will.
It is determined that the best chance to rescue Emilie is to sneak in one well-trained soldier. Chance fits the bill. If Snow is successful in getting Emilie safely out, he’ll receive a full pardon.
What chance does one man have against a prison full of the worst of the worst?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you think the plot of Lockout sounds like John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and Escape from LA, you’re not alone. John Carpenter thought so as well. He sued for plagiarism and won.
The prisoners who lead the takeover are brothers named Alex and Hydell. Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin who killed John F. Kennedy, used the alias Alex Hydell.
At the end of the film, Snow’s first name is revealed to be Marion. In Sylvester Stallone’s Cobra, we learn Cobretti’s first name is also Marion. No wonder they go by their last names (or a variation).
Lookout is so underrated. A bulked-up Guy Pearce has the look and attitude of a great anti-hero. I would have loved to have seen more films with this character.
Peter Stormare and Lennie James are always welcome additions to any project. Lockout is no exception.
When I first saw Lockout I rated it as a solid 4. Over the years it has grown on me. Every time I revisit the film, I enjoy the ride. Therefore I am upping my rating to a 5. Your mileage may vary.
Lockout (2012) rates 5 of 5 stars
Men in Black: Neuralize This written and directed by Martin Sofiedal is one of the best fan films I’ve seen in a very long time. Heck, even the poster is better than many that major studio releases get.
Sofiedal needs to be given a major feature film assignment. Check out Men in Black: Neuralize This and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Source: FirstShowing.net.
When the alien explodes, the neuralizer fails, and a little girl sees everything…
“NEURALIZE THIS!” is a fan-made Men in Black short film — a gooey, action-comedy tribute where nothing goes according to MIB protocol.
Two agents try to contain an alien incident, but end up dealing with a malfunctioning neuralizer, a Nerf gun, a confused child, and a very angry Polish muscle man.
🎬 Directed & Written by: Martin Sofiedal
🎭 Starring:
• Torgny Gerhard Aanderaa
• Cecilie Svendsen
• Eirik Hallert
• Lijana Brahimi📍 Shot in Oslo, Norway
⏱ Runtime: 7 minutes
🎥 Practical effects, VFX, real stunts, and lots of slime
🎞 View on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21618634💬 Not affiliated with Sony or the official Men in Black franchise. This is a not-for-profit fan film made with love, humor, and one completely dead neuralizer.
📸 Follow me for more shorts and behind-the-scenes fun: [@MartinSofiedal ]
📥 Contact: [post@martinsofiedal.com]Don’t forget your sunglasses.
I met Jacen Burrows at the 2003 AtlantaCon. I’d never seen his art before, but he was doing some really cool sketches. I was able to get on his sketch list. As you can see above, Jacen chose to do a young Rambo.
