Bounty Hunter by Jeff Wamester!
I still love this vintage bounty hunter piece by Jeff Wamester. Would have loved to have seen a series with this character.
“Black Gravel” (1961) directed by Helmut Käutner / Z-View
Black Gravel (1961)
Director: Helmut Käutner
Screenplay: Helmut Käutner, Walter Ulbrich
Stars: Helmut Wildt, Ingmar Zeisberg, Wolfgang Büttner, Anita Höfer and Peter Nestler.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Post-World War II West Germany. The population struggles with shortages of jobs, and life’s necessities such as food, water and housing. The major source of revenue for the small village of Sohnen is the nearby American Air Force base. The soldiers spend their money on booze and broads. The black market flourishes.
Robert Neidhardt has always made his way on the outskirts of the law. Now he owns a huge truck and drives for Air Base construction projects. Neidhardt makes extra cash working with a group diverting black gravel from the construction sites to a private buyer.
One evening Neidhardt stops to assist (for a price) a couple stranded on the side of the road. The car belongs to American Air Force Major John Gaines. Neidhardt offers to tow the car into town for ten bucks. Major Gaines agrees. He and his wife get into Neidhardt’s truck. Neidhardt is shocked. The Major’s wife, Inge, is Neidhardt’s former lover. She left one day with no explanation.
The next morning Neidhardt calls on Inge. Although they are still attracted to each other, Inge wants no part of Neidhardt. She knows they’re bad for each other. But the attraction is too strong.
Soon Neidhardt’s affair, his illegal trucking activities, and the death of two young lovers will put his life at risk. Despite his best efforts, the noose is tightening…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Black Gravel is extremely dark. It features adult themes. Black Gravel was edited and shown with a more upbeat ending during the initial release. In 2009, the film was restored to the version shown now. It’s hard hitting and not for everyone.
I’m surprised Black Gravel is better known among fans of noir.
Black Gravel (1961) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Kevin Matchstick by Matt Wagner!
Kevin Matchstick by Matt Wagner!
“Gunga Din” (1939) directed by George Stevens, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Sam Jaffe / Z-View
Gunga Din (1939)
Director: George Stevens
Screenplay: Joel Sayre, Fred Guiol; story by Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur; based on Gunga Din from BARRACK ROOM BALLADS by Rudyard Kipling
Stars: Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Sam Jaffe, Eduardo Ciannelli, Montagu Love, Robert Coote, Abner Biberman and Lumsden Hare.
Tagline: Armies and elephants!…Love and laughter!…Breathless adventure inspired by Kipling’s heroic odyssey of fighting in India!…Astride its eye-staggering scenes, three lusty sons of the sword…reckless in love, ruthless in war and dauntless in peril!
The Plot…
In the 1880s, India’s Northwest frontier was dangerous in the best of times. When all contact is lost with the Tantrapur British outpost, a squad of 25 soldiers is sent to investigate. The colonel includes his three best men: Sergeant Archibald Cutter (Grant), Sergeant MacChesney (McLaglen) and Sergeant Ballantine (Fairbanks). The three are cutups, and discipline problems, but veterans that can be counted on when things go sideways. Also accompanying the squad is Gunga Din (Jaffe). Din is of low status regulated to carrying water or other such menial tasks. Din dreams of someday being a soldier.
The squad finds the outpost deserted. Before they can fix the telegraph, they are attacked. Although most of the team is wiped out, the three Sergeants, Gunga Din and a few others escape. They are shocked to learn that a murderous cult known as the Thuggee have returned. Thought to have been wiped out decades ago, the Thuggee have secretly been organizing.
The Thuggee plan to kill all nonbelievers. They are on the move.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Only Gone with the Wind earned more at the box office in 1939 than Gunga Din.
The giant gong used in the opening sequence was the same gong used in King Kong.
Gunga Din was the most expensive film RKO had produced up to that point. Even still it went over budget by a half a million dollars.
The Thuggees were an actual religious cult. They would gain the confidence of travelers. Later they would strangle the poor soul and steal their good. Thuggees were the inspiration for the word “thug”.
Gunga Din (1939) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“1923” Season 2 – The Trailer is Here!
The 1923 Season 2 trailer is here. Loved the first season.
Deal me in.
1923 season 2 premieres February 23, only on Paramount+.
“Warfare” directed by Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Warfare directed by Ray Mendoza & Alex Garland – The poster and trailer are here.
Deal me in.
Written and directed by Iraq War Veteran Ray Mendoza and Civil War’s Alex Garland, and starring D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, Michael Gandolfini, Adain Bradley, Noah Centineo, Evan Holtzman, Henrique Zaga, with Joesph Quinn, and Charles Melton.
WARFARE – In Theaters 2025.
SCARECROW RETURNS by Matthew Reilly / Z-View
SCARECROW RETURNS by Matthew Reilly
First sentence…
The plane hurled down the airstrip, chased by furious machine-gun fire, before it lifted off with a stomach-lurching swoop and soared out over the vast expanse of Artic sea ice that stretched away to the north.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Dragon Island, located near the Artic circle, was a Russian possession. There the best Russian scientists conducted cutting-edge experiments with no guardrails. When Russia collapsed in 1991, so did the program. Since then only a skeleton crew of scientists have lived and worked there.
Until today.
Today, a terrorist group that calls themselves the Army of Thieves let it be known that they have control of the island. They have set in motion something that will literally burn the atmosphere above the USA, Russia and every country along that latitude/longitude. The only way to stop the process is with boots on the ground. Neither Russia nor the US has military ships/planes close enough.
There is one hope. Marine Captain Shane “Scarecrow” Schofield is on site about 100 miles north of Dragon Island. Schofield, a couple of marines and a few civilians have been testing extreme cold weather gear. They could get to the island before the deadline. Once there the odds would be overwhelmingly against their survival, let alone stopping the Army of Thieves.
When there is only one chance to save the world, you take it. Even if it’s a suicide mission.
+++++
Matthew Reilly is the king of page turning nonstop action. His villains are truly evil. Shane “Scarecrow” Schofield although outmanned and outgunned never gives up. Each cliffhanger will push you forward. Reilly shocks and surprises readers with outlandish situations and roller-coaster thrills.
Rating:
Marv by Stephen Segovia!
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 Stephen Segovia.
“Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane” (2007) / Z-View
Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007)
Director: Scott Thomas
Screenplay: Scott Thomas, Mark Onspaugh, Sidney Iwanter
Stars: David Chisum, Kristen Kerr, Kevin J. O’Connor, Richard Tyson, Todd Babcock, Derek Webster, Siena Goines, Mieko Hillman, Raymond J. Barry, Serah D’Laine, Brian Ames, Ashley Bashioum, Laura Cayouette, Dale Midkiff, Brian Thompson, Tucker Smallwood and Erick Avari.
Tagline: If it’s in your blood, you’re just plane dead!
The Plot…
The Concorde is full of passengers flying from LA to Paris. Also onboard in the cargo hold is an armed guard sitting by a refrigerated tank. The scientists responsible for the experiment in the hold are topside. These renegade researchers have created a virus that reanimates the dead. Once revived the corpses are stronger, faster and more durable. The idea was to create a super-soldier who could fight even after dead. The scientists succeeded with one drawback. Once the dead come back, they have an insatiable thirst for human blood.
What could go wrong.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane was originally titled Plane Dead. Both aren’t bad titles considering the film. I prefer the one they went with.
Flight of the Living Dead is a low budget fun ride that throws logic out the window (with some of the victims). I’ve never seen so many people firing guns, setting off explosions and starting fires on a plane. Also the air vents are large enough to easily crawl through. Even the airplane bathroom ones. If you’re willing to just sit back and go with the flow, Flight of the Living Dead might be for you.
Flight of the Living Dead: Outbreak on a Plane (2007) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“The Devil and the Daylong Brothers” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers — we have the poster and trailer. This is one I want to see.
Deal me in.
The Daylong Brothers are on a quest to reclaim their souls, sold to the Devil by their father. When the Devil’s broker, offers them a deal in exchange for their father’s whereabouts they hunt the wicked across the South.
Cast: Brendan Bradley, Nican Robinson, Jordon Bolden, Rainey Qualley, Keith Carradine
The Devil and the Daylong Brothers in select US theaters and VOD starting January 31st, 2025
Nick Fury – Don’t Interrupt His Cigar Break – by the legend, Steranko!
Nick Fury – Don’t Interrupt His Cigar Break – by the legend, Steranko!
“Speak No Evil” (2024) starring James McAvoy / Z-View
Speak No Evil (2024)
Director: James Watkins
Screenplay: James Watkins; based on Speak No Evil by Christian Tafdrup and Mads Tafdrup
Stars: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler and Dan Hough.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The Daltons, Louise, Ben and their daughter Agnes are on vacation in Italy. The family has gone through a rough patch and needed a break. While there they meet Paddy, Ciara and their son Ant.
Ant and Agnes are both pretty shy, so their parents are happy to see how well the kids get along. Ben and Paddy really hit it off as well. The families end up spending time together. When vacations are over and everyone is to return home, Paddy invites the Dalton’s to come visit any time.
Back at home things aren’t improving for the Dalton’s. So when they get a postcard invite from Paddy, they decide to take the offer. Louise isn’t big on the idea, but agrees because Ben really wants to go.
At Paddy and Ciara’s house, Louise gets vibes that things aren’t right. She feels uneasy but says nothing. As the weekend progresses, Louise and Ben realize coming was a mistake.
But it is too late.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Based on the 2022 Danish film of the same name.
James McAvoy is perfect as the alpha male. Mackenzie Davis is believable as the mother who slowly realizes the danger that her family is in. When she turns into mama bear it works. She’s tough but not a superhero. Dan Hough (in his feature film debut) more than holds his own.
Speak No Evil is a fun ride.
Speak No Evil (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“The Mask of Dimitrios” (1944) starring Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet and Zachary Scott / Z-View
The Mask of Dimitrios (1944)
Director: Jean Negulesco
Screenplay: Frank Gruber; based on THE MASK OF DIMITRIOS by Eric Ambler
Stars: Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott, Steven Geray, Eduardo Ciannelli, Kurt Katch, John Abbott, Monte Blue, David Hoffman and Vince Barnett.
Tagline: Thrilling successor to “The Maltese Falcon”
The Plot…
Cornelius Leyden, a mystery writer, is spending a night in Istanbul. Leyden meets Colonel Haki, a Turkish police offical. Haki is a fan of Leyden’s books. Haki shares the story of Dimitrios Makropoulos, a famous international criminal who was recently found murdered. Leyden is intrigued. Colonel Haki allows Leyden to see Makropoulos’ corpse. Haki also gives Leyden background info on the dead man.
Leyden decides to interview those who knew Dimitrios Makropoulos and perhaps write a book about the criminal mastermind. As Leyden digs deeper he learns just how cunning and brutal Dimitrios Makropoulos was.
Maybe cunning enough to fake his own death. Maybe cunning enough to kill anyone looking into his life.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Peter Lorre had the most screen time of anyone in the film. Yet, he was given fourth billing. Lorre was listed behind Sydney Greenstreet, Zachary Scott (in his first feature film) and Faye Emmerson (who had a small role). Lorre felt that his lowered status was because Jack L. Warner (one of the studio heads) was not a fan.
Orson Welles played Colonel Haki in Journey into Fear.
The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Bruce Lee by Marshall Rogers!
Bruce Lee in a rarely seen pinup by Marshall Rogers!
We Need More DUSTY STAR Stories by Andrew Robinson!
We need more Dusty Star stories by Andrew Robinson.
