I like the looks of The Birthday Cake. It has an interesting mystery, a crime story background and how about the cast? Shiloh Fernandez, Val Kilmer, Lorraine Bracco, Ewan McGregor, Vincent Pastore and Luis Guzmán! I plan to check it out.
On the 10th anniversary of his father’s mysterious death, Gio (Shiloh Fernandez) brings a birthday cake prepared by his mother (Lorraine Bracco) to a memorial celebration hosted by his uncle Angelo (Val Kilmer), a Brooklyn mafia boss. Gio’s life begins to change as he pieces together what really happened to his father all those years ago, coming face to face with a kind of violence he has been trying to avoid his whole life.
In ‘Snyder School,’ Zack Snyder takes us on a four episode journey into his groundbreaking creative process as a filmmaker. In Episode 1, Zack discusses his approach to creating a title sequence, from storyboard sketches to special effects, in Army of the Dead, as well as 300, Watchmen, and Justice League.
In this episode Zack Snyder talks about the steps he takes to filming his action sequences. We learn about his storyboard process, blocking out scenes with his stunt team and actors and the tools that he uses. Snyder is truly an artist who thinks about the process and isn’t afraid to take chances. I love that he repurposed camera lenses that were over 60 years 0ld into modern housings to film Army of the Dead.
The Theatrical Opening Was Netflix’s Biggest Ever. (I think it is cool that Army of the Dead was given a limited theatrical release, and cooler still that it ended up with Netflix’s biggest opening ever. Hopefully this will help guarantee a sequel or three. – Craig)
There’s A Making-Of Documentary For The First Movie. (I always love to go behind the scenes on movies to get a look at the thoughts that go into making them. The Making-Of Army of the Dead is available on Netflix. I’ve seen it and it is worth a look. – Craig)
The Main Cast Will Reprise Their Roles For The Animated Series. (This is a cool idea. Not only will the original cast voice their characters, but Zack Snyder is set to direct a couple of the episodes! – Craig)
How often do we get a thoughtful, subtle poster like the one above for Lansky? The trailer looks good and Harvey Keitel is always a plus. Deal me in.
David Stone (Sam Worthington), a renowned but down-on-his-luck writer, desperately needs a break. His luck changes when he receives a surprise call from Meyer Lansky (Academy Award®-nominee Harvey Keitel), the Jewish Godfather of organized crime. The retired gangster spins a dizzying tale, revealing the untold truth about his life as the notorious boss of Murder Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate. For decades, authorities have been trying to locate Lansky’s alleged fortune, hundreds of millions gone. This is their last chance to capture the aging gangster before he dies; but Lansky, as always, is one step ahead of the FBI, sending them on a wild chase, evading and outsmarting them at every turn.
Starring: Harvey Keitel, Sam Worthington, Annasophia Robb, Minka Kelly, John Magaro, Jackie Cruz
Directed by: Eytan Rockaway
In ‘Snyder School,’ Zack Snyder takes us on a four episode journey into his groundbreaking creative process as a filmmaker. In Episode 1, Zack discusses his approach to creating a title sequence, from storyboard sketches to special effects, in Army of the Dead, as well as 300, Watchmen, and Justice League.
The video is interesting because it takes us behind the scenes to see not only Zack Snyder’s thought process going into the production of his title sequences, but the storyboards he creates and the tools that he uses. I wish more directors put thought into their title sequences since they can really set the mood for a movie.
When you think back to the great title sequences, what movies come to mind? For me it is The Great Race, A, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, all of the wonderful Saul Bass title sequences, S7ven, as well as Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead, 300 and Army of the Dead.
Check out this very nice Rocky poster created by Thobias Daneluz. If you click over to Thobias’ Instagram you can see behind the scenes shop as he created the piece. You can also see more of Thobias’ art at his website.
I like both the poster and trailer for The Tomorrow War. So deal me in on July 2nd.
In The TOMORROW WAR, the world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester (Chris Pratt). Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) and his estranged father (J.K. Simmons) in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.
Directed by Chris McKay Written by Zach Dean Produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Jules Daly, David Goyer, Adam Kolbrenner Executive Produced by Rob Cowan, Chris Pratt, Brian Oliver, Bradley J. Fischer Starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, Jasmine Mathews, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Keith Powers
The poster and trailer for An Unknown Compelling Force are here.
The Dyatlov Pass Incident really happened. In 1959, 9 experienced Russian hikers were found dead, inadequately dressed for the snowy, freezing mountain temperatures. Investigation revealed that they had cut their way out of the tent and fled their camp site. From their remains, it was determined that six died from hypothermia, while three met strange, violent deaths. Two had major damage to their skulls, two had severe chest trauma, two bodies were missing their eyes, one of the bodies had its tongue removed, one was missing its eyebrows. The initial investigation determined that a “compelling natural force” was the cause of the hikers’ deaths. Speculation grew that there had been a coverup… that it was a Yeti, or aliens, a Russian government experiment or, well, you get the idea.
I like the poster and the trailer isn’t bad either. I’m familiar with the The Dyatlov Pass Incident and what really happened, but I just may give An Unknown Compelling Force a view to see if I can learn more.
The truth of Russia’s greatest unsolved mystery, the Dyatlov Pass Incident, is uncovered in this compelling documentary. Available June 15th. Order Now: https://geni.us/Watch_UCF
In 1959 a group of nine student hikers were attempting a difficult winter expedition in the remote Ural Mountains of Russia, when a mysterious event lead to their horrific deaths, shocking the nation.
The Soviet Government and fellow students uncovered the grizzly remains of the hikers. Found a mile from their shredded tent, the hikers seemingly fled into the freezing temperatures without their winter clothes or boots. Adding to the mystery, many of their bodies had suffered brutal and inexplicable injuries, and some even showed traces of radiation.
The investigators at the time closed the case, stating that the hikers died from “An Unknown Compelling Force.” For more than 60 years the story has been shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories, suggesting everything from UFOs and murder to a Soviet Government cover-up.
This documentary features interviews with Russian investigators, a former Moscow Times journalist, and friends of the hikers. Adding new perspective to the case, the film also interviews U.S. experts including a former FBI Agent, to finally reveal the stunning truth of The Dyatlov Pass Incident.
DIRECTED BY Liam Le Guillou
FEATURING Liam Le Guillou, Svetlana Oss, Yuri Kuntsevich, Oleg Demyanenko, Natalia Sakharova & Mick Fennerty
The poster and trailer for Last Night in Soho are here. I’m not 100% sold on either, but because the movie is co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, I’ll give it a shot. Wright’s work in creating Baby Driver was so cool and innovative, I’ll trust him on Last Night in Soho.
When the past lets you in, the truth will come out. Directed by Edgar Wright, watch the trailer for #LastNightInSoho. In theaters this October.
Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller about a young girl, passionate in fashion design, who is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it appears, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences…
The poster and trailer for Gunpowder Milkshake are here. I like the title and poster. The trailer is action-packed and sets up and interesting story. The cast (Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Carla Gugino, and Paul Giamatti) is excellent.
You hear a “but” coming, don’t you?
But… everything about Gunpowder Milkshake screams John Wick but with Women. Keanu becomes Karen. Ian McShane becomes Paul Giamatti. The Continental hotel becomes a library. The High Table becomes the Firm. Scene after scene looks adapted/lifted from John Wick movies. Heck, they even use the same color schemes.
Is it homage or ripoff? Will Gunpowder Milkshake be good? I guess we’ll have to watch to see.
Sam (KAREN GILLAN) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (LENA HEADEY), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman.
But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl – Emily (CHLOE COLEMAN). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates, The Librarians (MICHELLE YEOH, ANGELA BASSETT and CARLA GUGINO).
These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them.
Army of the Dead: A Film by Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film is the official companion to Zack Snyder’s latest zombie film.
From the director of Dawn of the Dead, Watchmen, and Man of Steel, comes Army of the Dead, Zack Snyder’s eagerly awaited return to the zombie scene, starring Dave Bautista. Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Army of the Dead: A Film By Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film takes readers behind the scenes of this much-anticipated film and reveals the locations, characters, and zombies. The book is full to the brim with exclusive on-set photography, costume designs, storyboards by Zack Snyder, and more, and accompanied by cast and crew interviews.
Screenplay: Zack Snyder & Shay Hatten and Joby Harold.
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Tig Notaro, Raúl Castillo, Huma Qureshi and Richard Cetrone.
Tagline: Always Bet on Dead.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Las Vegas has been overrun by zombies. The President has ordered the city walled off and set for nuclear destruction in 48 hours. The clock is ticking…
Scott Ward is ex-military. Most of his team survived the zombie outbreak in Vegas when they were sent in to save high ranking government officials. Ward was given a medal for his efforts. Now he flips burgers in a diner. So when super-rich Bly Tanaka offers Ward $50 million to put together a team to enter the city and get $200 million from Bly’s casino vault, Ward accepts the offer.
Ward brings together his crew: former members of his military squad plus a helicopter pilot to fly them out, an adrenaline junkie, a safe cracker and a “coyote” who knows how to get into the city. Odds are they will all die, but the team agrees the risk is worth the reward.
Tanaka provides them with schematics of the safe, weapons and his security captain who will go along to make sure that they don’t run off with all the cash should they survive.
As the team moves into the city they learn that not all zombies are created equal. Some are fast moving, with the ability to think and communicate with the other zombies. There is almost a hive mentality about them.
Not everyone on Ward’s team has the same outcome in mind. There are plot twists and betrayals. Friendships form, relationships are tested and most will not survive.
Thoughts…
I love Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. The action starts immediately. The opening scenes hint at how the zombie apocalypse started and how deadly the zombies are. Snyder uses the credits to creatively show the fall of Vegas. This is definitely a Zack Snyder movie — if you’re not a fan of his work, you probably won’t like this. If you are a fan, then there’s a lot to love.
The cast is excellent. Because there are so many characters, each with a unique personality, it is important to get the right actors for each role. Several standout: Bautista, Purnell, Hardwick & Schweighöfer, Rossi, Dillahunt and Notaro shine.
Snyder isn’t just making a movie, he’s creating a universe. There are two Army of the Dead prequels in development (one animated!) and there is the possibility of a sequel. Snyder doesn’t give us all the answers — instead he provides us with enough information to fill in the blanks. There are nods to other movies (Aliens, Planet of the Apes, etc.). The soundtrack is excellent.
If you’re just looking for a fun ride, Army of the Dead provides one. However, if you like to look deeper into the film. there’s a lot there to discuss. Were those UFOs in the opening credits? What about the robot zombie? What was it doing there? Where did it come from? (And the exposition of the robot is so subtle, I missed it on the first viewing.) How did the first zombie get created? And THAT ending!!
Tig Notaro replaced Chris D’Elia when allegations of D’Elia’s sexual misconduct surfaced. Notaro was digitally inserted into many scenes. Although she often shares the screen with Bautista, they two never actually met.
Kacie Lillejord, at ScreenRant created her list of the 10 Best Underrated Sylvester Stallone Characters. I love lists, so I decided to play along. Using just Lillejord’s choices, I ranked the same characters. (Please note that the higher on the list, the more underrated.) Afterwards I mention four Stallone characters that didn’t make her list, but would have made mine.
10/10 Sergeant Joseph “Joe” Bomowski from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
10/10 Sheriff Freddy Heflin from Cop Land
9/10 Sergeant Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks
09/10 Sergeant Deke DaSilva from Nighthawks
8/10 Judge Joseph Dredd from Judge Dredd
08/10 Gabriel “Gabe” Walker from Cliffhanger
7/10 Frank The Repairman from Las Vegas
07/10 Lieutenant Marion Cobretti from Cobra
6/10 Sheriff Freddy Heflin from Cop Land
06/10 Frank The Repairman from Las Vegas
5/10 Gabriel “Gabe” Walker from Cliffhanger
05/10 Lincoln Hawk from Over the Top
4/10 Lieutenant Marion Cobretti from Cobra
04/10 Ray Tango from Tango & Cash
3/10 Sergeant John Spartan from Demolition Man
03/10 Sergeant John Spartan from Demolition Man
2/10 Ray Tango from Tango & Cash
02/10 Judge Joseph Dredd from Judge Dredd
1/10 Lincoln Hawk from Over the Top
01/10 Sergeant Joseph “Joe” Bomowski from Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
Characters that didn’t make Lillejord’s list that would have made mine:
Jack Carter from Get Carter: Jack Carter has so much potential plus Sly had scenes that showcased some of his best acting.
Cosmo Carboni from Paradise Alley: Wise-cracking and cynical but with a kind heart.
Robert Rath from Assassins: Sly played an intelligent assassin who wanted out. This character had a lot of potential.
Jimmy “Bobo” Bonomo from Bullet to the Head: Sly played an assassin who came up from the streets and wasn’t ready for the “modern” world. I liked the character and would have liked to have seen more.
If you like Seinfeld and you like trivia, do I have a post for you! Jennifer M. Wood at Mental Floss posted 41 Facts About Seinfeld. Before you click over, here are three of my favorites and my thoughts on each…
JASON ALEXANDER DIDN’T THINK SEINFELD HAD A CHANCE. (Isn’t that exactly what George would have thought as well? – Craig)
THE REAL SOUP NAZI SAYS SEINFELD RUINED HIS LIFE. (I never met the real Soup Nazi, but I did see the guy who played him signing at a comic convention. Interestingly enough, he didn’t appear to like having his photo taken (perhaps because he was selling autographed ones). What happened next is kind of funny. – Craig)
“THE CONTEST” WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL-LIFE CONTEST LARRY DAVID HAD WITH A FRIEND. (So, the funniest episode of the series was based on a real-life contest. I feel pretty confident my buddy, who I won’t name to protect the guilty, would lose, uh, hands-down, to ANYONE in that type of contest, – Craig)
