Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Rich Hennemann is a freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich. This Sly as Rambo is one from my collection. I already have another commission from Rich in the works.
THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos
First sentence…
He called the place Pappas and Sons Coffee Shop.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
1972. When Alex’s plans to hangout with his girlfriend get cancelled, he decides to go riding with his buddies, Billy and Pete. Cruising with the guys and some beer isn’t as fun as he’d have had with Karen, but it’s something to do.
As they drive aimlessly, trading jokes and insults, the boys end up near Heathrow Heights. The black kids at their school were bussed in from Heathrow. Billy, behind the wheel, starts talking about driving through Heathrow Heights. Alex is ready to go home, but to say so now would mark him as “chicken”. Instead Alex asks, “What are we gonna do when we get in there?” “Raise a little hell” is the answer. Alex doesn’t want to, but keeps quiet.
When they see a few black kids near the street, Billy slows the car. Pete hits one with a Hostess pie as he yells racial slurs. Billy guns the car. He thinks a turnaround is straight ahead.
It’s a dead end.
One of the boys jumps out of the car and runs. The other two see the black kids angry and coming toward them fast. Each are punched. Then a shot rings out.
Thirty-five years later. Everyone involved in the incident has been affected. One kid was killed. One kid sent to prison. Thirty-five years later and they’re no longer kids. One of the survivors contacts another he hasn’t seen since the incident. If they meet would it be for revenge or healing? Does it have anything to do with the boy, now a bitter man, that was sent to prison? Are they aware he’s now out? Do they even know that the ex-con plans on getting restitution, one way or another?
George Pelecanos has written another winner.
Rating:
BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1 created by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene
Coloring: Matt Herms
Lettering: Hasson Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Image Comics
Going back as far as can be told the Sangeryes have been Jinoo hunters. Jinoo were once human. They became so poisoned by greed, hate, racism and other evils that the Jinoo became monsters. Some could be cured. Others had to be killed. But the cost to the Sangerye family was heavy.
Now, in the year 1964, the United States government say the Jinoo have been eliminated. The Sangerye family knows differently.
When a bus load of young civil rights activists are brutally murdered in Mississippi, government agents are sent down. The agents discover the destroyed bus. The corpses, at least those that they can find, were butchered. Recent attacks in Tennessee, Alabama and Louisiana were increasingly brutal. This is even worse.
The lead agent is unwilling to say Jinoo have returned. Meriah Manigo, a member of the Sangerye family knows differently. And she’s now on site.
The original BITTER ROOT series received my highest recommendation. I love that the original creative team of writers David F. Walker and Chuck Brown along with artist Sanford Greene have returned. They haven’t missed a beat as they continue the BITTER ROOT story. Kudos also to colorist Matt Herms and letterer Hasson Otsmane-Elhaou.
Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t read the original series. You don’t need it to enjoy BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT. (But I do encourage you to seek out the original series as well!)
BITTER ROOT: THE NEXT MOVEMENT #1 gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
FULLY LOADED #1: THERE GOES THE FUTURE Part 1 created, written, illustrated and lettered by Jimmy Broxton
Publisher: Verity/Scratch Comics
The year is 2065. Ten years ago Carson Blake betrayed the only “family” he ever knew. And the only woman he ever loved. So he left the city. No reason to go back.
Then Blake gets a call.
It’s from Austin Roper. The one man who knew how to get in touch. Austin Roper. The bravest and most loyal soldier Blake knew. Austin Roper. The man who saved Blake’s life.
Roper tells Blake, “Atticus and his crew have kidnapped my wife and kids. If I can’t get you to come back –” Roper doesn’t even finish the sentence. Blake is on his way.
Now Blake has a reason to return. Better buckle up.
Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded checks all the right boxes. It has a vibe that feels like Broxton took the best parts of Blade Runner, Frank Miller’s Sin City, The Road Warrior, classic gangster movies and filtered them all through his sensibilities.
Broxton introduces us to the Fully Loaded world while moving the story forward. There’s a mystery to exactly what Blake did that put him at odds with the family and cost him the love of his life. Broxton has created a story with all the makings of a fun ride. Honor, betrayal, loyalty, are all coming into play.
Broxton’s art is amazing. Printed in beautiful black and white. Jaw-dropping double-page spreads. Atmosphere oozes off every page. And let’s not forget Broxton’s use of lettering as sound effects.
Jimmy Broxton’s Fully Loaded was offered as a trade edition on Zoop. I supported the campaign, but couldn’t pass on issue one when I saw it was available. In addition to the story, Broxton gives us four pages that appear as ads from 2065 plus one page hinting at next issue. I cannot wait!
FULLY LOADED #1 gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare, story by Dan Trachtenberg, Micho Robert Rutare, based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Stars: Voices of Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Rick Gonzalez, Lauren Holt, Lindsay LaVanchy, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael and Andrew Morgado.
Tagline: Hunt the enemy, before they hunt you!
The Plot…
In the year 841, Vikings, led by warrior woman Ursa, have just defeated the Krivich clan. The Krivich’s leader, Zoran killed Ursa’s father when she was a child. Now Ursa and her son Anders will have revenge. A Predator is invisibly watching. Once a victor has been determined, the Predator will attack. It will be a vicious battle to the death.
In the 1629, Kenji returns to confront his brother. Twenty years prior, Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi had been boys. Each child was given a sword. Ordered to battle. The winner would become the clan’s new Warlord. Kenji refused to fight, even as Kiyoshi attacked. Rather than battle his brother, Kenji ran off.
Now Kenji sneaks into his brother’s fortress. As the brothers battle, a Predator, undetected, silently watches. The predator will fight the winner to the death.
The year is 1941. World War II rages. A small group of US Airmen take off to engage the enemy in aerial battle. On the ground, mechanic John Torres sees a strange craft destroying both US and enemy planes. Torres gets a beat-up plane working. He takes off to warn his squad. When Torres arrives, he and Captain Vandy are the only survivors. The Predator space ship is ready to engage them. It will be a fight to the death.
Ursa, Kenji and Torres are awakened from suspended animation. They are on a foreign planet. Predators led the three to the center of an arena. A large Predator incites the crowd. Ursa, Kenji and Torres will fight to the death. The winner will face the Predator gladiator/warlord. To make it even more interesting, a giant dragon-like beast is released. Who/what will survive?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Michael Biehn now joins Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as the only actors to have roles in Alien, Terminator and Predator films.
Predator: Killer of Killers has many Easter eggs that are open to speculation. Is the Gladiator Predator wearing a cape made of Xenomorph tails? In one of the Predator cryo-tanks we get a glimpse of a muscular make human. Is he Dutch from Predator? Maybe it is Royce from Predators? Naru from Prey is definitely in one of the cryo-tanks. The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey makes an appearance.
I liked Predator: Killer of Killers, but not as much as most folks. It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and at Rotten Tomatoes in has a 95% rating from reviewers and 90% from viewers. There were too many unanswered questions (including the final resolution) for my taste. Still, I enjoyed the film, just not as much as most everyone else. Your mileage may vary.
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars
It was announced today that Harris Yulin died on June 10, 2025, from cardiac arrest. Mr. Yulin was 87.
Mr. Yulin appeared on stage, television and in feature films. He made his theater debut in 1963 (Next Time I’ll Sing to You). His feature film (End of the Road) and television debut (Neither Are We Enemies) both came in 1970. Throughout his career Mr. Yulin alternated between stage, television and feature films. Mr. Yulin also taught at The Juilliard School for eight years.
In 1996 Harris Yulin was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Frasier. In 1997, Mr. Yulin was nominated for a CableAce Award as Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series for his appearance in La Femme Nikita. In 2019, Harris Yulin was nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his performance in Ozark.
Some of the television projects that feature Harris Yulin include: Neither Are We Enemies; Incident at Vichy; The ABC Afternoon Playbreak; Kojak; Melvin Purvis G-Man; Barnaby Jones; The Greatest Gift; The F.B.I. Story: The FBI Versus Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy Number One; The Missiles of October; Parker Adderson, Philosopher; Little House on the Prairie; Caribe; Barnaby Jones; SWAT; Police Woman; Ironside; Insight; Most Wanted; Wonder Woman; When Every Day Was the Fourth of July; As the World Turns (2 episodes); Robert Kennedy and His Times; Cagney & Lacey; Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago Eight; Traitor in My House; WIOU (18 episodes); Civil Wars; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Truman; Frasier; Le Femme Nikita; Screen One; American Masters; Vengeance Unlimited; The X-Files; American Experience (2 episodes); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3 episodes); Mister Sterling (3 episodes); 24 (9 episodes); Third Watch (2 episodes); Law & Order; Entourage; Cashmere Mafia (2 episodes); Canterbury’s Law; Law & Order (2 episodes); Loving Leah; Damages; Rubicon (2 episodes); Pan Am; Nikita (3 episodes); Forever; The Blacklist; Veep (2 episodes); Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (5 episodes); Ozark (12 episodes); Murphy Brown (2 episodes); For the People; Billions (3 episodes); Divorce (4 episodes); I Know This Much is True and FBI: Most Wanted.
Some of Harris Yulin’s feature film appearances include: End of the Road; Doc; The Midnight Man; Night Moves; St. Ives; Scarface; The Believers; Another Woman; Ghostbusters 2; Narrow Margin; Final Analysis; Clear and Present Danger; Cutthroat Island; Murder at 1600; Bean; Cradle Will Rock; The Hurricane; Rush Hour 2; Training Day; The Place Beyond the Pines and Omni Loop.
Harris Yulin was so good in so many roles it is impossible to pick just one. Whenever I saw his name in the credits I knew the film or television show just got more interesting.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Harris Yulin’s family, friends and fans.
Brian Wilson’s family announced that he died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wilson was 82.
Brian Wilson’s musical aptitude was noted by his family when he was still a baby. In high school, Brian was a three sport athlete (football, baseball and cross country). After school he obsessively played piano. Brian would listen to records, deconstruct the songs and recreate the harmonies. In 1961, Brian wrote what would become The Beach Boys first song, Surfer Girl. The Beach Boys consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl, plus their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.
In 1962, Capitol Records signed The Beach Boys. In January 1963, the band had their first top ten single Surfin’ U.S.A.. In May 1964, their first #1 single I Get Around topped the charts. The pressure of writing, producing and traveling to perform at live concerts took a toll on Mr. Wilson. Glen Campbell replaced Brian Wilson for some of the December tour dates. In January 1965, Brian Wilson announced he was withdrawing from touring. He wanted to become a full-time studio musician so he could focus on taking The Beach Boys’ music to another level.
Brian Wilson continued to write, produce and perform on Beach Boys albums, but with them touring and him in the studio, their comradery was strained. The Beach Boys released over two dozen albums with Brian Wilson as a key member. Brian Wilson also released 12 solo studio albums, three solo live albums, one compilation album under his name, plus many Beach Boys compilation albums that feature Brian Wilson.
Some of Brian Wilson’s most popular songs include: I Get Around (#1); Help Me, Rhonda (#1); Good Vibrations (#1); California Girls (#3); Surfin’ U.S.A. (#3); Wouldn’t It Be Nice (#8); Fun, Fun, Fun (#5); Surfin’ Safari (#14); In My Room (23); Little Saint Nick (#3); Don’t Worry Baby (#24 as a B side) and God Only Knows (#39 as a B-side).
I don’t remember the first song that I heard by Brian Wilson. My uncle had several (all?) of their albums. My favorites of his songs are Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Don’t Worry Baby.
Brian Wilson was a musical genius. One of my favorite quotes about Brian Wilson is that the Beatles weren’t overly impressed by many contemporary artists, but Brian Wilson was one of them.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Brian Wilson’s family, friends and fans.
Tin Soldier starring Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Tin Soldier has the makings of another fun drive-in movie.
Deal me in.
Jamie Foxx will put you under his spell in this cult compound extraction thriller.
The Bokushi preaches to hundreds of war veterans, drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn – recruits Nash Cavanaugh, an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi. Nash agrees to use his vulnerable past and insider knowledge of the enigmatic leader to finally get revenge on the man who took everything from him, including the love of his life.
Starring Jamie Foxx (Collateral), Robert De Niro (Cape Fear), Scott Eastwood (Suicide Squad), John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge!), Joey Bicicchi (No Way Out) and Rita Ora (Fifty Shades of Grey), Tin Soldier is directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer) from a script co-written with Jess Fuerst.
Bang starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
If like me, you enjoy a fun drive-in movie (even if there are no more drive-ins), then Bang looks to fit the bill.
Deal me in.
Bang, one of the most feared hitmen, questions his violent life after a near-death experience. Seeing a future beyond bloodshed, he wants out—but his crime boss won’t let go without a fight.
The film will be released in select theaters, digital, and on demand on July 11th.
The Accountant 2 (2025)
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Screenplay: Bill Dubuque, based on characters created by Bill Dubuque
Stars: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Alison Wright, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan, Grant Harvey, Andrew Howard, Yael Ocasio, Lombardo Boyar, Michael Tourek, Fernando Chien, Talia Thiesfield and J.K. Simmons.
Tagline: He sees what others can’t. He does what others won’t.
The Plot…
Raymond King, the retired director of the Financial Crimes Division of the US Treasury is found murdered. King was working a case. Before he was killed, King was able to write on his arm, “Find the Accountant”. Marybeth Medina, King’s former protégé, and current FCD director, knows the meaning. She and King had worked with Christian Wolf aka The Accountant on a case eight years prior.
Marybeth reaches out to Wolf and informs Wolf of King’s murder. King and Marybeth meet. She has access to all of the data King was using, but can’t decipher it’s meaning. In short order Wolf determines the links. King was working on bringing down an international human trafficking cartel.
Realizing that he’s going to need help, Wolf contacts his estranged hitman brother, Braxton. Things are about to heat up.
Let’s go!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Accountant was released in 2016. This sequel was announced in 2017. A third film is a possibility. At one point a television series was also considered.
Affleck and Bernthal have real chemistry as brothers. The scene at the cowboy bar is a highlight.
The Accountant 2 (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
Happy Face (2025)
Created by: Jennifer Cacicio; based on Happy Face by Melissa Moore and SHATTERED SILENCE by Moore and M. Bridget Cook
Director: Michael Showalter (Eps 1), Jennifer Getzinger (Ep. 2), Steven Piet (Ep. 3); Laurel Parmet (Ep. 4); Ramaa Mosley (Ep. 5); Darren Grant (Ep. 6); Samira Radsi (Ep. 7); Darren Grant (Ep. 8)
Teleplay by: Jennifer Cacicio (Eps. 1, 8); Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 2); Adam Toltzis & Sal Calleros (Ep. 3); Sarah Beckett (Ep. 4); Erica Saleh & Inda Craig-Galván (Ep. 5); Bam Johnson, story by Andrew Gettens & Lauren Mackenzie (Ep. 6); Tiffany Ezuma & Brandi Nicole Payne (Ep. 7)
Starring: Annaleigh Ashford, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Khiyla Aynne, Benjamin Mackey, David Harewood, Damon Gupton, Michael O’Neill, Charles Zuckermann, Marci T. House and Dennis Quaid.
Tagline: Melissa, You Can’t Hide Forever
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Melissa is happily married to Ben. They have two children. They also have a secret. Melissa is the daughter of the infamous serial killer known as Happy Face. Melissa and Rex have kept Melissa’s dad a secret. No one at their work knows. Their friends are unaware. Even Melissa and Max’s children are unaware that grandpa is a serial killer. Melissa’s dad has written her dozens of letters from prison. She never reads them. She won’t accept his calls.
Melissa works as a make-up artist on The Dr. Greg Show. One day she is called into the office. The Happy Face Killer contacted Dr. Greg. Happy Face informed Dr. Greg that Melissa is his daughter. Further, he said that he is ready to confess to an additional murder, but will only make the confession to his daughter.
Melissa thinks her dad is just playing for attention. She initially refuses to meet. Then she learns that a man sits on death row for the murder her father is ready to admit he committed. Reluctantly, Melissa agrees to meet with her dad. Dr. Greg loves the story. His ratings are going through the roof as The Happy Face Killer slowly doles out information about the murder.
As the clock ticks down and an innocent man’s execution date draws near, Melissa marriage, her relationship with her children suffer. Melissa is compelled to try to save the man on death row… but what if her dad is truly playing everyone?
Expect twists.
Thoughts…
Happy Face is based on a true story.
Dennis Quaid is more creepy than menacing. Which makes him even scarier as a serial killer.
Happy Face (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Selme Angulo at Listverse posted 10 Presidential Mysteries That Are Still Unsolved. It’s a really interesting and fun article that looks at…
Click over and find the answers to these mysteries. Kudos to Selme Angulo and Listverse for a fun read.
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by Chris Visions.
Source: Rezwanul Mahmood.
Sly Stone’s family announced that he died today. The cause of death was said to be COPD and other underlying health issues. Mr. Stone was 82.
At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer. Along with his brother, Sly started the band Sly and the Family Stone. At the time the group was unique because of its make-up (men and women, multiple races). Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.
Sly and the Family Stone’s popularity was on the rise. They were selling out concerts. They had multiple hit records. Then Sly became addicted to drugs. This led to him being late or even missing show dates. His output dwindled. So did the band’s popularity. Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency followed.
Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time. Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.
Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era. Then a younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music. It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.
The first song that I remember hearing from Sly and the Family Stone was Dance to the Music. Of course that was the band’s first hit. If you’re the right age, it was probably the song that introduced you to the band too.
My sentimental favorite of Sly Stone’s songs is Family Affair. I was riding in the car with my grandfather. I was probably 13. Family Affair came on the radio. I was bopping to it and my grandpa started singing mimicking Sly Stone’s deep voice… “It’s a family affair!” I busted out laughing. So did he. What a great memory.
It’s unfortunate that drugs shortened Sly Stone’s career. But not even years of struggle could cancel out Sly Stone’s impact. I’m glad that Sly Stone is remembered for the genius he was.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Sly Stone’s family, friends and fans.
The Vanishing (1988)
Director: George Sluizer
Screenplay: George Sluizer, Tim Krabbé, based on The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbé
Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets and Johanna ter Steege.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Rex and Saskia are young and in love. While on vacation in France, they stop at a busy gas station. They stretch their legs and take a break in a nearby grassy area. As Rex waits at the car, Saskia heads in to get drinks for the road.
She never returns.
When Rex realizes Saskia should have been back, he searches the gas station and surrounding area. Nobody saw anything. Rex goes to the police. Searches and appeals to the public turn up no clues.
Rex is obsessed with finding Saskia. He makes sure posters with Saiska’s picture and information about her disappearance are always up. He follows up on even the smallest possibility. Rex realizes Saskia is probably not alive. Still, it torments Rex to not know what happened to her.
Three years after her disappearance, Rex is contacted by Saiska’s kidnapper. He wants to meet.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Stanley Kubrick reportedly considered The Vanishing the most terrifying film he’d ever seen. Entertainment Weekly listed The Vanishing as one of the all-time scariest films ever made. The Vanishing is a movie that doesn’t have jump scares. There is no unstoppable killer or traditional monsters. And that makes it even more frightening.
The Vanishing will stay with you. You’ll think about the movie long after you finish watching it. THAT ending. The killer alone practicing his moves. The fact that Rex gets his wish.
The success of The Vanishing, the Dutch film was optioned to be remade in the United States. George Sluizer, who co-wrote and directed the original, was brought on to direct the American remake. Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis and Sandra Bullock were brought on to star. The budget was set at $20 million dollars (over ten times the budget of the original). The ending was changed because “American audiences don’t like sad endings.” Change the ending and you’re making a totally different film. Why bother? Audiences and critics overwhelmingly prefer the original.
The Vanishing (1988) rates 4 of 5 stars
