Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Bruce Lee by Óscar Calibos!
Enter the Dragon was set to be the breakout film for Bruce Lee. And it was. Even though Bruce Lee died just one month before the film premiered. Bruce Lee’s fame continued to grow with each passing year.
“Boards don’t hit back.” – Lee
Vito Corleone aka The Godfather by Guilherme Matos.
“My father is no different than any powerful man, any man with power, like a president or senator.” – Michael
“Do you know how naive you sound, Michael? Presidents and senators don’t have men killed.” – Kay
“Oh. Who’s being naive, Kay?” – Michael
How to start a story? At the ending. Know your ending. I repeat: Know your ending.The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
If you know of Frank Miller, it could be for any number of reasons. Perhaps it was because of the comics he took to new heights (Daredevil; The Dark Knight Returns; Batman: Year One) or those groundbreaking comics that he created (Ronin; Sin City; 300) to name just a few. Maybe you know Miller from his work as a writer and/or director on feature films (Sin City; 300; Robocop 2 and Robocop 3; The Spirit). Miller revolutionized comics. Then he went to Hollywood. He’s considered a living legend.
PUSH THE WALL is Miller’s memoir. Through stories and remembrances he takes us back to his childhood in Vermont. Wanting to be a comic artist from an early age. Coming to New York City and discovering he’s not ready. Getting work. Getting lucky. Honing his craft. Getting better and wanting to be better still. Success that took him to the stratosphere. Expectations that rose as well. Falling short. Going to Hollywood. Again success… and failure. Getting back to what he loves… comics. With more stories to tell.
Miller set the book up as a series of lessons. These are lessons that he learned and can be used by other writers/artists to improve their craft. Miller’s anecdotes are both entertaining and enlighting. We get a glimpse behind the curtain of Miller’s thought processes, as well as the artists, comics, books and movies that influenced him. All told in a writing style that makes you feel as he’s talking to you.
The more of a Frank Miller fan you are, the more you will like the book.
Rating:
When Steven Sanchez announced that he was taking on double headsketch commissions, I jumped on board. As you can see I requested Sly Stallone as Jack Carter (from Get Carter) and Keanu Reeves as John Wick. I couldn’t be happier with Sanchez’s finished art.
What made it even cooler is that Sanchez sent a prelim rough for approval. In the rough he used a photo from Lock Up for Stallone reference.
I pointed out that I wanted Stallone as Jack Carter and Sanchez made the change with a new prelim for approval. He then created the prelim piece above. I loved it.
Sanchez then moved on to another marker prelim before tackling the finished pencil art.
This is my second commission from Steven Sanchez. I cannot recommend him highly enough to sketch collectors.
When I think of barbarian art these days, Gerardo Zaffino is usually the first name that comes to mind.
Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa by Rich Conley!
Here’s what Rich had to say about his drawing…
My latest sketch of Rocky. I feel like this is him at his lowest point. He’s nearly broken by life, and when he says , ‘it wasn’t supposed to be this hard “ I think we’ve all felt that way at some point in our lives. Amazing scene from Rocky Balboa. I wanted to keep this sketch loose and raw like the moment it was capturing.
Here’s what I have to say about his drawing…
Nailed it!
“Are you angry because Adrian left you?” – Paulie
“She didn’t leave, she died.” – Rocky
Sly Stallone as John Rambo by Kara Kalemdesen!
“Murdock… I’m coming to get you!” – Rambo
The design of this The Thing alt poster by Michael Rogers conveys the claustraphobic feel of the film. Diggin’ the layout and colors. Take a bow, Michael Rogers.
” If we’ve got any surprises for each other, I don’t think we’re in much shape to do anything about it.” – MacReady
Based on Joshua Budich’s Reservoir Dogs alt poster, I’d love to see a graphic novel adaptation by him.
” All right ramblers, let’s get rambling!” – Joe
Sahin Düzgün created a sinister looking poster for Cape Fear. Love the colors, the tilt of the head, the evil smile and those eyes! Take a bow, Sahin!
Kudos to Yvan Quinet on his alt First Blood poster. Quinet picked a scene from First Blood that flashes across the screen in an instant, but provides so much backstory.
“Whaddya know?… Old Harry here’s a soldier…”Rambo, John J?… He’s tough. Shave him dry.” – Deputy Gault
Sinners is one of my all-time favorite movies. I love the number of really sweet alt posters the film has inspired, like this one from Shawn Mansfield.
“You keep dancing with the devil… one day he’s gonna follow you home.” – Jedidiah
Interesting choices that Yvan Quinet made for his Platoon alt poster. Instead of going for explosions and color, Quinet goes for understated poses and color… and it works!
” I love this place at night, the stars. There’s no right or wrong in them. They’re just there.” – Sgt. Elias
World War Z gets a worthy alt poster by Mike Empleado! I love the distressed borders.
“Every person we save is one less zombie to fight.” – Jurgen Warmbrunn
Highlander (the original) is such a fun 80s film. Nuno Sardanas has created a tribute poster that is worthy of it.
” I am Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I was born in 1518 in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel. And I am immortal.“ – Connor MacLeod
