Category: Z-View

Master Minds (1949) / Z-View

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Master Minds (1949)

Director: Jean Yarbrough

Screenplay: Charles R. Marion and Bert Lawrence (additional dialogue)

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Garbriel Dell, Alan Napier and Glenn Strange.

The Pitch: “Hey, let’s put the East Side Kids in with a mad scientist and a monster!”

Tagline: THE CHILLS WILL ELECTRIFY YOU When The Bowery Boys Meet The Monster.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The Bowery Boys find themselves in another creepy, old house when a mad scientist kidnaps Satch [Hall] because of his extraordinary brain!  Wha- what?

When a bad tooth gives Satch the power to predict the future, Slip [Gorcey] puts him in a sideshow in order to make some fast cash.  Mad scientist, Dr. Druzik [Napier] sees first-hand Satch’s ability and decides that Satch’s brain would be perfect for a transplant into his monster [Strange].   The usual hi-jinks ensue when the Boys set out to rescue Satch.

Master Minds is a cut above the previously reviewed East End Kids/Bowery Boys movies!

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Ghosts on the Loose (1943) / Z-View

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Ghosts on the Loose (1943)

Director: William Beaudine

Screenplay:  Kenneth Higgins

Stars: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Bela Lugosi and Ava Gardner.

The Pitch: “Hey, let’s put the East Side Kids in a creepy deserted mansion with a killer ghosts on the loose.”

Tagline: You’ll yell with glee when these happy-go-lucky hooligans invade the shivery domain of the Man of a Thousand Horrors! It’s Chill-arious!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The East Side Kids (who would later grow into The Bowery Boys) find themselves in another creepy, old house with strange things going on.  When the boys decide to surprise newlywed friends by fixing up their new house, they get confused on the address and end up in a haunted house.

If you’ve seen Spooks Run Wild you’re in for more of the same.  I expected more from a horror comedy with Bela Lugosi, a spooky old house, Ava Gardner and the East Side Kids.  Perhaps because I’ve seen the same gags done better with The Three Stooges and Abbott & Costello, my sights were set too high.

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Some Like It Hot (1959) / Z-View

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Some Like It Hot (1959)

Director: Billy Wilder

Screenplay: Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

Stars: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft, Pat O’Brien and Joe E. Brown.

The Pitch: “Hey, Billy Wilder has an idea for a Marilyn Monroe comedy with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon!”

Tagline: The movie too HOT for words!

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

When musicians Joe [Curtis] and Jerry [Lemmon] witness a gangland execution and are seen by the killers, they know their days are numbered.  The mob has placed a price on their heads and they have to get out of town.  So Joe becomes Josephine, Jerry becomes Daphne and they join an all girl band headed for Florida by train.

Things become even more complicated when Joe falls for Sugar [Monroe] and millionaire Osgood Fielding the third, goes ga-ga for Daphne.  The only way things could get worse is if the gangsters find them and guess what?  Yep.  The gangsters find them.

Monroe looks great. This is my favorite Jack Lemmon role.  You won’t be disappointed.

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Spooks Run Wild (1941) / Z-View

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Spooks Run Wild (1941)

Director: Phil Rosen

Screenplay: Carl Foreman & Charles R. Marion …  Jack Henley (additional dialogue)

Stars: Bela Lugosi, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall and Angelo Rossitto.

The Pitch: “Hey, let’s put the East Side Kids in a creepy deserted mansion with a killer on the loose.”

No Tagline

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The East Side Kids (who would later grow into The Bowery Boys) find themselves sent to a rural summer camp.  When the boys sneak out one night looking for some fun they find themselves in a creepy old house where the sinister looking Nardo (Lugosi) and his diminutive servant Luigi [Rossitto] live.  They will soon learn that a killer is on the loose and closer than they can imagine.

I expected more from a horror comedy with Bela Lugosi, a spooky old house and the East Side Kids.  Perhaps because I’ve seen the same gags done better with The Three Stooges and Abbott & Costello, my sights were set too high.

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Fury (2014) / Z-View

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Fury (2014)

Director: David Ayer

Screenplay: David Ayer

Stars:  Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena  and Jon Bernthal.

The Pitch: “Hey, David Ayer wants to make a war movie with Brad Pitt!”

Tagline:  “War never ends quietly.”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

In the latter days of World War II, tank commander  Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier [Pitt] wants nothing more than to keep his highly battle-tested crew alive.  Returning from a battle with a dead crew member, Collier is immediately given a raw recruit and ordered to have his tank commandos join up on a mission vital to the success of the war.

Writer / director David Ayer has brought together an excellent cast to give us a unique perspective on war — from a tank crew’s view.  Although most would think that being in a tank would be one of the safest places during a battle, that was far from true.  It has been said that the average life expectancy of an allied tank crew was just six weeks.

Ayer is great at creating heroes and villains that aren’t black and white and he doesn’t let us down here. Although a first glance there are several stereotypical characters, the actors chosen make them real.  Ayers movies always leave the viewer with a lot to think about and Fury is no exception.  Right now, I’m thinking that it might be time for another viewing.

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American Monster #4 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #4 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan DoeRegular
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The smallest of towns oft times make for the biggest happenings… and the small burg that Theo Montclaire has decided to call home is no exception. Shotguns, betrayal, perversion and explosions. Just a few of the ingredients that make up the ass-kicking meal known as AMERICAN MONSTER.

There’s a lot going on in issue three.  Felix’s gun-running gang is at odds with the Reverand’s 2nd Amendment gun-toting Christians, the honest Deputy is being told to stand down on his investigation, and Theo is making a deal for explosives and looking to buy a bar.

Azzarello and Doe continue to impress.  With American Monster they’ve laid the ground work for a great on-going crime series for those wanting a story that isn’t wall to wall fights, the traditional good guys in white hats or stories that are simply told.   American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language, but it is for folks who enjoy a well crafted and well drawn comic.

 

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American Monster #3 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #3 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan DoeRegular
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The war both home and abroad. The struggle between man and monster. The epic fight between good and evil. All of these battles and more waging within the soul of one man…and all in one small town.

In American Monster #3 we learn the source of Theo’s disfigurement, attend a wake and learn that Felix’s gang isn’t the only group in town with guns and a beef and more.

Azzarello and Doe are taking us on a fun ride.  If you’re into crime fiction, like great writing and art then American Monster could be for you.  American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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American Monster #2 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #2 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

A man’s country can be both something to fight for…and to fight against. Just one of many difficult decisions punching Theo Montclair square in the face. Betrayal and rage are just some the easier emotions that Theo will suffer through on his long hard road towards redemption.

In American Monster #2 we begin to learn more about the characters and their relationships.  Thanks to Deputy Downs (a honest cop?) we learn that the disfigured man is Theodore Montclaire and that he sports the same back tats as the local gang leader.  And speaking of the local gang leader… somebody murdered his dog…

Azzarello and Doe are once again in top form.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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American Monster #1 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

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American Monster #1 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals–nobody knows him–or do they? It’s impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man’s intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town’s impression of the man changes, and he’s seen as a hero…until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn’t there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he’s just getting started.

American Monster is a winner.  Not a done-in-one or by the numbers mini-series, American Monster is instead a crime/mystery story created by a talented team.  There are a lot of questions set up in this issue and my guess is that as the answers play out over the course of this yarn, they won’t always be what we’re led to believe.

Is the disfigured man, a war hero, a criminal or both?  Who blew up his vehicle?  Was that bank robbery money the disfigured man flashed?  And how does he tie in to the local gang leader who just brutally murdered two people?

Azzarello and Doe make for a great creative team.  It’s nice to have a comic with both a high level of artistry in the writing and art.  I’m looking forward to more of the same in each issue.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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The Twilight Children #4 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #4 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The mysteries have been piling up for 3 previous issues and while we get some of them answered, many of the answers are going to be left to reader interpretation.  That could be a good or bad thing depending on your, uh, interpretation.

The story ends with the mysterious woman on the beach with the young scientist, one of the CIA agents, and Nicholas.  One of them is not what he seems.  If you’re looking for a totally satisfying happy ending, I didn’t find it… although it wasn’t a totally sad or terrible ending either.  I have no doubt I will find more hints of what’s to come and things to like with each re-reading of the series.  Then again, it could be one of those stories where the journey to the ending is more important than the ending itself.  I guess it is all in how you interpret it.

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Rough Trade by Todd Robinson / Z-View

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Rough Trade by Todd Robinson

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Polis Books

First sentence…

We were bored as ****.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Rough Trade is the sequel to Robinson’s The Hard Bounce (which I loved) featuring Boo and Junior.  Boo and Junior have been best buds since their childhood days in a group home.  Although grown, neither has really matured.  By night they are bouncers at The Cellar (a local tavern / music venue ) and by day (and nights they’re not bouncing), they hire out as security for other bars, finding runaways, or whatever will pay some bills.

When Boo is asked by a waitress at the Cellar to scare off ex-boyfriend, Byron, you know that Junior is going to tag along.  One thing leads to another and Byron is left beaten, bloody but in no danger of taking the big sleep.  So when Byron is found dead all evidence points to our boys.

The police bring Junior in for questioning and Boo knows it won’t be long before the cops will pick him up.  The clock is ticking and it is up to Boo to figure out not only why Byron was killed but who did it.  Along the way there will be beatings, shootings, mysteries and secrets revealed and a lot of fun.

Fun for the reader that is. Robinson has a unique voice and turns the tough guy cliches into humorous situations without writing down to the genre.  I loved The Hard Bounce and think Rough Trade is an even better book.

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The Twilight Children #3 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #3 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

Ok.  The mysteries continue to pile up.  Who is the beautiful woman?  Why does Tito go from man to man? What are the beautiful woman’s powers?  Where is she from?  Why did she freeze the CIA (are they?) agents?  Why did those that touch the agents also become frozen?  When the orbs appear and drop people off why do they quickly teleport them away again… and where do they go? What cause the town people appear to be sleep walking/talking at night?  When the beautiful woman says she’s here to save us, can we trust her?

The plot grows ever thicker.  I’m hoping for an ending that will satisfy the many questions that have been raised throughout the series.  Darwyn Cooke’s art continues to highly entertain.

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The Twilight Children #2 by Hernandez and Cooke / Z-View

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The Twilight Children #2 is part of a four-issue mini-series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Gilbert Hernandez
Artist: Darwyn Coole
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Darwyn Cooke

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The town sheriff has his hands full this issue — there’s the new beautiful woman in town, who just may be an alien.  Then there’s two guys who just arrived and we’re pretty sure they’re CIA.  Tito (who was cheating with the fisherman) is now coming on to the young scientist.  Her husband Nicholas is more upset over that than Tito’s cheating with Anton so he enlists Anton’s aid to kill the scientist.  The children blinded by the orb last issue can remarkably see again, and for some reason (that we know) the scientist ends high up in a tree unconscious and in the nude.

The plot thickens as orbs secretly appear, people disappear and a murder attempt is set in motion.

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The Frozen Ghost (1945) / Z-View

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The Frozen Ghost (1945)

Director: Harold Young

Screenplay: Bernard Schubert and Luci Ward from an original story by Harrison Carter and Henry Sucher

Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers and Milburn Stone.

The Pitch: “It is time for another Inner Sanctum Mystery!”

Tagline:  “Nameless Terror!..creeping from the walls of a Museum for Murder!”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

The famous Hypnotist Gregor the Great [Chaney] mistakenly believes he killed an audience member during his act by using his mental powers.  When it is shown that the man died of natural causes, Gregor is still shaken.

Gregor ends up at a woman friend’s wax museum where things really get strange… his woman friend disappears and is thought to be dead and Gergor is the main suspect.  Will Gregor find the person(s) behind her disappearance and clear his name?  Will those watching the movie even care?

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Rocky (1976) / Z-View

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Rocky (1976)

Director: John G. Avildsen

Screenplay: Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith, Tony Burton, Joe Spinell, Thayer David, Frank Stallone and Stan Shaw.

The Pitch: “Hey, the screenwriter wouldn’t sell without starring in it, but for a million bucks we should be able to make a small profit.”

Tagline:  “His whole life was a million to one shot.”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Rocky Balboa [Stallone] is a collector for a neighborhood loan shark [Spinell] and a small-time boxer.  Rocky has a thing for Adrian [Shire], the sister of his best friend Paulie [Young] but she’s so shy, he’s getting nowhere fast.

When the Heavyweight Champion of the World, Apollo Creed [Weathers] learns that his scheduled opponent won’t be able to fight him in Philadelphia and no other top contenders are ready to take the fight on short notice, Creed comes up with a gimmick.  He’ll give a local fighter a shot at the title.  Because Creed likes Balboa’s Italian Stallion moniker, he decides to give Rocky the title shot.

Rocky reluctantly takes the fight — no one has ever gone the distance with Creed — and feels even if loses but is standing at the end, then he’ll have proved he isn’t just another bum from the neighborhood.

On the surface Rocky is a boxing movie but at the heart is a love story, a tale of relationships and a man’s desire to prove his worth.

Rocky premiered at the perfect time for me.  I was 17 years old and had followed Stallone’s career since Lords of Flatbush.  To see Sly getting his shot (after turning down a huge payday for the screenplay and not starring in the film), and to see the film be the perfect combination of cast, director, editing and score resonated with me.  Rocky became my all-time favorite movie on the first viewing and has remained so.

Often when reviewing or rating Stallone films I have to qualify my rating because of Stallone being my favorite actor.  I don’t have to do that with Rocky.  Rocky is that great of a movie winning the Academy Award for  Best Picture of the Year as well as many other awards and nominations.

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