“Bones and All” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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I like the poster and trailer for Bones and All.  Based on the novel by Camille Deangelis, Bones and All is a strange story.  I have a feeling that it will either be very good or very bad,  Hoping for the best…

You can’t run from who you are. From acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino and starring Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, and Mark Rylance – watch the #BonesAndAll trailer now and see the movie only in theaters this November.
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Starring: Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet and Mark Rylance
Based on the novel by: Camille DeAngelis
Screenplay By: David Kajganich

Stephen King’s Storm of the Century (1999) / Z-View

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Storm of the Century (1999)

Director:  Craig R. Baxley

Screenplay:  Stephen King

Stars:  Tim Daly, Debrah Farentino, Colm Feore, Jeffrey DeMunn, Casey Siemaszko and Stephen King

Tagline: Give him what he wants and he’ll go away.

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

As the residents of the small remote Little Tall Island off the coast of Maine, prepare for a blizzard that is predicted to be the storm of the century, a murderer is discovered sitting in a chair, eating cookies next to the corpse of the old woman that he beat to death with a cane.  Mike Anderson (Daly), store owner and part-time constable and his deputy bring the stranger in to the jail cell located in the back of Anderson’s store.  Because of the storm, all transportation to the island is shut down.  They’ll have to hold him until the storm passes.

The man gives his name as André Linoge (Feore). He tells Anderson and those watching, “Give me what I want, and I’ll go away.”  Linoge has information about Anderson and others that no one could possibly know.  He also seems to have ability to make folks do things against their will.  When two people commit suicide and “Give me what I want and I’ll go away” is found written beside them, they start to believe that Linoge is a demon.  As the storm worsens, Linoge displays more powers, inflicting hallucinations and causing people to commit murder.  If they give Linoge what he wants, will he really go away?  And what could he possibly want?

Storm of the Century is a three part mini-series that creates a slow burn as we’re introduced to Linoge and come to realize that he may be more than an evil man.  Tim Daly was excellent as the level-headed, moral part time constable/store owner.  Jeffrey DeMunn was perfect as the unlikable town manager.  Equally as good was Colm Feore as the menacing  André Linoge.  As a viewer, you cannot help but think about what you would do in that situation.  Would you give him what he wants?

Storm of the Century earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Most Dangerous Game” (2020) Starring Liam Hemsworth and Christoph Waltz / Z-View

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Most Dangerous Game (2020)

Director:  Phil Abraham

Screenplay:  Nick Santora

Stars:  Liam Hemsworth, Sarah Gadon, Christoph Waltz, Zach Cherry and Chris Webster

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

When Dodge Tynes (Hemsworth) learns that he has an inoperable brain tumor, his only worry is providing for his pregnant wife after he’s gone.  A nurse gives Dodge a card for the Tiro Fund, a foundation that helps people with terminal illnesses.  Trio CEO, Miles Sellars (Waltz), meets Dodge and tells him he’s a perfect candidate for assistance.  As a former athlete who still jogs daily, Dodge is in shape and this will help if he agrees to the deal.

The deal is Dodge agrees to be prey for five hunters.  Every hour that Dodge is alive, money will be wired into his account.  If he survives 24 hours, he wins the hunt and his family will have over 24 million dollars.  If he is killed before the game ends, his wife will keep all money in the account.  Once the game starts, there is no stopping it.  If Dodge tells anyone about the game, he will become prey forever.  He cannot leave the city and he must carry a phone that will give his location for 15 seconds every hour.

Ultimately Dodge agrees to play the game… and the race is on.  But can Sellars truly be trusted?  What information is he hiding from Dodge… and how will that impact the game?

Most Dangerous Game is based on the short story The Most Dangerous Game written by Richard Connell in 1924.  It has been adapted many, many times and when done right, never gets old.  Most Dangerous Game gets it right.  Originally seen on the Roku channel as 7 or 8 minute episodes, it has now been compiled into a 2 hour and 7 minute film.  Since each episode had to get the viewer to want to see the next, there are a ton of great action scenes, cliffhangers and twists.

Liam Hemsworth is believable as the former athlete trying to stay alive.  Christoph Waltz brings the right amount of cocky arrogance to his part.  Sure, the hunters are cliches (the Englishman who plays by the rules, the martial arts chick, the cowboy, the priest, and an aging hippie), but that’s part of the fun.  I had a blast watching Most Dangerous Game and wish more movies followed the format.

Most Dangerous Game earns 4 of 5 stars.

Rob Zombie’s “The Munsters” (2022) / Z-View

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The Munsters (2022)

Director:  Rob Zombie

Screenplay:  Rob Zombie based on the television show The Munsters by Allan Burns, Chris Hayward

Stars:  Cassandra Peterson, Sheri Moon Zombie, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Richard Brake, Daniel Roebuck, Dee Wallace, Sylvester McCoy, Pat Priest, Jorge Garcia, Catherine Schell and Butch Patrick

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

The Munsters was a television comedy that ran for two seasons from September 1964 to May 1966.  The show featured a family of monsters living in the suburbs.  The family consisted of Herman Munster, based on Frankenstein’s monster; his vampire wife, Lilly; their son Eddie (a werewolf); Lilly’s father, Grandpa who was a vampire and their niece, Marilyn who was pretty by conventional standards (but the family thought of her as unattractive).  The comedy came from neighbors’ reactions to the Munsters and the family’s interactions with each other and normal folks.

Rob Zombie’s reboot explores how Herman and Lilly first fell in love.  I wanted to like The Munsters.  While I wasn’t a huge fan of the original series, I did watch it as a child.  My wife who is just a few months younger than me was a huge fan.  She had high hopes for the reboot.  We started watching and she was ready to bail after the first few scenes.  Ultimately we stuck with it for about 30 minutes before tapping out.

Part of the problem is the movie starts with several scenes and no Munster in sight.  Instead we have a mad scientist and his halfwit hunchback, Floop (I kid you not.  His name is Floop.  Is that supposed to get a cheap laugh?) robbing graves.  When Floop is sent to retrieve the brain of one of the world’s smartest men, he instead brings back the man’s brother’s brain.  The world’s smartest man and his brother, who happens to be one of the world’s dumbest men both conveniently (for the joke to work) died within hours of each other.

Meanwhile Grandpa is trying to hook Lilly up with a Nosferatu-looking vampire.  We get to see them on a date.  Lilly’s brother (a werewolf) is trying to get Grandpa to sell the house.  Meanwhile the mad scientist is creating Herman.  Oh, and there’s scenes of Grandpa watching Transylvania tv talk shows.

Does this sound like fun or anything even remotely funny?  If you think so, then give The Munsters a go.  It wasn’t for me… or my wife who is a Munster‘s fan.  Of course your mileage may differ.

The Munsters earns 1 of 5 stars.

Francesco Francavilla’s Poster for the Limited Release of George Romero’s Classic “Night of the Living Dead”!

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Francesco Francavilla was asked to design/illustrate a poster for a limited German theatrical release of George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.  Francesco hit a home run!  I love that Ben is given center stage and we see him surrounded by the living dead. Walking zombies in the foreground and hands seen through the boards over the window.  Bravo!

Source:  Francesco Francavilla 

“Corrective Measures” (2022) Starring Bruce Willis and Michael Rooker / Z-View

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Director:  Sean Patrick O’Reilly

Screenplay:  Sean Patrick O’Reilly based on Corrective Measures by Grant Chastain and Fran Moyano

Stars:  Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker and Tom Cavanagh

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Overseer Devlin (Rooker) is Warden of a maximum security prison for super powered villains.  When Payback, a vigilante is sent there, things heat up.  Payback sees himself as an avenger who kills super powered villains and the prison is full of them.  In addition as Devlin works out his plan for an early retirement, Lobe (Willis), an evil genius with secret powers is working on his own plan for an early release.

Corrective Measures is a low budget film.  And the amount and type of effects used throughout the film are evidence of it.  Willis and Rooker aren’t given much to do and the film would probably benefited from having their salaries go to unknown actors and a bigger effects budget.  Then again, having Willis and Rooker’s names on the poster probably got more eyes on the film.

State of Emergency earns 2 of 5 stars.

“Lou” (2022) Starring Allison Janney & Jurnee Smollett / Z-View

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Lou (2022)

Director:  Anna Foerster

Screenplay:  Maggie Cohn, Jack Stanley

Stars: Allison Janney, Jurnee Smollett, Logan Marshall-Green, Ridley Asha Bateman, Matt Craven and Daniel Bernhardt

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Hannah (Smollett) lives on a small, remote island with her daughter Vee (Bateman).  The island is sparsely populated with much of it wilderness.  Hannah’s nearest neighbor is her landlord, Lou (Janney).  Lou is a grumpy, older woman who keeps to herself.

While a storm rages, Vee is kidnapped by her former special forces psycho father (Marshall-Green).  All phone lines are down so Hannah runs to Lou’s place for help.  Surprisingly, Lou seems to come alive.  She arms herself with a pistol and rifle.  Lou tells Hannah she will track and bring back Vee.  Hannah says that her ex-husband is former special forces and he’s crazy.  Lou says she can handle it and starts off.  Hannah follows.  There’s more to Lou than Hannah realized, but can Lou really save her daughter?

Who’d have thought Allison Janey could be an action star?  Surprisingly, she pulls it off!  The fight scenes and action beats are believable.  Janey’s best acting occurs when she comes off as a tired old lady lost in the woods and then takes on two men!  Logan Marshall-Green maintains the right balance as the crazy dad/pitiful son.  Jurnee Smollett and Ridley Asha Bateman are perfect for their roles and look like they could actually be mother and daughter.  If you’re a fan of action movies, you should enjoy Lou.  I did.

Lou earns 3 of 5 stars.

“State of Emergency” (2011) / Z-View

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State of Emergency (2011)

Director:  Turner Clay

Screenplay:  Turner Clay

Stars: Jay Hayden

Tagline: When the dead walk, the living… run.

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

When a chemical plant explodes, a toxin is released that turns people into blood thirsty cannibals.  The area is put on a military lockdown and survivors are to hunker down until help arrives.  Jim (Hayden) makes it to a farmhouse where three others have sought shelter.  Will they survive each other and the cannibals until help arrives?

State of Emergency is a low-budget, but well done film.  It is helped by a likeable cast, a decent story and able direction.  If you’re a fan of the genre, you should enjoy State of Emergency.

State of Emergency earns 3 of 5 stars.

JAEGER Written and Illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa / Z-View

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Jaeger is a 48 page graphic novel written and illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa, with letters by Nate Peikos of BLAMBOT,  Jaeger was first published as a web comic where it was nominated for an Eisner Award.

Idris Morel was a freedom fighter captured and tortured in a Nazi prisoner of war camp during World War II.  Now Morel is a  French-Algerian spy who tracks down and eliminates Nazi war criminals who have escaped justice.  Nazis speak in hushed whispers of the silent avenger they call “Der Jaeger” (the Hunter).  They live in fear that Der Jaeger will come for them.  As his body count grows, Morel’s obsession with revenge pushes him to the brink… will he become what he fights?

Ibrahim Moustafa has created what could have been a traditional World War II revenge tale and added twists to make it his own.  Nazis are easy targets, but the ones in Moustafa’s tale aren’t one dimensional bad guys.  I also like that Moustafa’s hero of the tale isn’t American or British.  He’s put the World part of the War back into the mix.

I really enjoyed Moustafa’s art.  It isn’t over rendered and the colors that Moustafa uses enhance each page.  The storytelling is straightforward with excellent use of inset panels to draw the reader’s eye to what’s most important.  The graphic novel comes with a choice of three different cover artists:  Dennis Calero, Phil Hester or Ibrahim Moustafa.  The graphic novel also contains a five page bonus section with character studies, page and cover roughs and a Jaeger commission.  I enjoyed Jaeger and could see additional tales of The Hunter.

Jaeger earns 4 of 5 stars.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022) / Z-View

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The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)

Director:  Emma Cooper

Appearances: Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmy Hoffa, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Peter Lawford

Tagline: The brighter the star, the darker the truth.

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Anthony Summers, who wrote the Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe, shares snippets of some of the 650 interviews he did while researching the book. The documentary uses actors/actresses to lip sync to the recordings.  I found this distracting. It gave the movie a tabloid feel.  I was hoping for some new information, but if you know Marilyn’s story as well as the most popular theories of her death, there’s nothing new here.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes earns 2 of 5 stars.

Into the Ashes (2019) Written & Directed by Aaron Harvey, Starring Luke Grimes, James Badge Dale, Frank Grillo & Robert Taylor / Z-View

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Into the Ashes (2019)

Director:  Aaron Harvey

Screenplay:  Aaron Harvey

Starring: Luke Grimes, Frank Grillo, Marguerite Moreau, James Badge Dale, Rob Mello and Robert Taylor

Tagline: None

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Nick Brenner (Grimes) used to run with a rough crew.  But he got smart and got away.  He moved to another town, found the woman of his dreams and married.  Nick’s holding down a job at a furniture store and making things work with his father-in-law, the local sheriff (Taylor).  The past is behind him… or so he thinks.

When his crime partners show up unexpectedly the unthinkable happens.  Nick is plunged back into his criminal past.  Both Nick and his father-in-law will have to decide how far their willing to go when nothing can fix what’s been done.

Hats off to Aaron Harvey for writing, producing and directing Into the Ashes.  What could be a simple revenge film was instead a layered tale that respected the audience’s intelligence.  The film features a strong cast of relative unknowns outside of the always good Frank Grillo and Robert Taylor.  Rob Mello and Marguerite Moreau deserve special praise for their small but impressive roles.  I’m surprised I haven’t heard more about Into the Ashes and look forward to Aaron Harvey’s next film.

Into the Ashes earns 4 of 5 stars.

“Morbius” (2022) / Z-View

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Morbius (2022)

Director:  Daniel Espinosa

Screenplay:  Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless

Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Tyrese Gibson and Michael Keaton

Tagline: The line between hero and villain will be broken.

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Michael Morbius (Leto) is a brilliant doctor who uses vampire bat blood to cure himself from a rare degenerative blood disease.  The process also gives Morbius powers associated with vampires (heightened senses, super speed and strength), but also a need for human blood.  When Morbius hungers, he loses control and all around him are in danger.

When Morbius’ friend Milo (Smith), who suffers from the same rare blood disease realizes that Morbius has found a cure, he goes through the process and becomes a vampire.  While Morbius sees himself as a monster and looks for a cure; Milo embraces being a vampire.  He sees himself as the next step in evolution and enjoys feeding on humans.  The police believe that Morbius is responsible for Milo’s murders.  Morbius struggles to find a cure with the police and Mio out to kill him…

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Morbius.  While the movie is set within the Marvel Universe, it played out pretty much as a standalone film.  Leto is perfect as the slightly strange Dr. Morbius.  When the movie started I felt it carried a vibe similar to the under-rated television show The Passage (which is a good thing).  I’m not a big superhero movie fan, but I enjoyed this one.

Morbius earns 4 of 5 stars.