Monsters by Barret Chapman!
Monsters by Barret Chapman! This beauty is available as a limited edition fine art Giclee print.
Marv by Alex Ogle!
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 a Marv by Alex Ogle.
“The Big Steal” (1949) directed by Don Siegel; starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and William Bendix / Z-View
The Big Steal (1949)
Director: Don Siegel
Screenplay: Gerald Drayson Adams, Daniel Mainwaring (as Geoffrey Homes) based on “The Road to Carmichael’s” by Richard Wormser
Stars: Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, William Bendix, Patric Knowles, Ramon Novarro, Don Alvarado and John Qualen.
Tagline: It’s a tough, terrific adventure in grand larceny! But, there’s more than money on his mind…when he mixes with this gal with the million dollar figure!
The Plot…
$300,000 was robbed from a U.S. military payroll. Army lieutenant Duke Halliday wants the money. He knows Jim Fiske has it, but Fiske is on the lam. Duke is in pursuit. Duke’s superior, Captain Blake is after both Duke and Fiske. Blake intends to get the money back.
Fiske makes it across the US/Mexican border with both Duke and Blake not far behind. In Mexico, Duke meets Joan Graham. Fiske scammed her for $2,000.00. Duke and Joan reluctantly agree to work together.
Fiske is desperate. He’s come too far to lose the money. And he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way. Duke and Joan are in his way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Don Siegel, who would go on to helm classics such as Dirty Harry and Invasion of the Body Snatchers does a fine job in his third outing as a feature film director.
The film’s shooting schedule was disrupted by Robert Mitchum’s 50-day prison sentence for marijuana possession.
Jane Russell was up for the female lead, but Howard Hughes was worried that Mitchum’s marijuana arrest would reflect badly on her. Russell was RKO Studios biggest female star and Hughes nixed her for the role. Lizabeth Scott refused the part, because she was also afraid it would tarnish her career. Jane Greer, who had worked with Mitchum in Out of the Past, got the role.
The Big Steal is the 1940s version of a chase movie.
There’s a couple of unexpected twists at the end. The Big Steal is a fun ride.
The Big Steal (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, The Tulsa King by Tony Nasa Gramegna!
Sly Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, The Tulsa King by Tony Nasa Gramegna.
“The Iron Claw” written & directed by Sean Durkin; starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons with Holt McCallany and Lily James / Z-View
The Iron Claw (2023)
Director: Sean Durkin
Screenplay: Sean Durkin
Stars: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Lily James, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Garrett Hammond, Cazzey Louis Cereghino, Kevin Anton, Michael Papajohn and Holt McCallany.
Tagline: Sons. Brothers. Champions.
The Plot…
The Von Erich family is known in professional wrestling circles not only for their legendary rise to the top, but also the multiple tragedies they suffered along the way.
Fritz Von Erich, although a successful professional wrestler, never became champion. This left him bitter. Fritz had five sons. One died tragically at an early age. The four others were given a strict upbringing and became professional wrestlers. Fritz pinned his dream of winning a championship on his sons. This brought the boys closer together.
A championship was in the family’s future, but also the tragedies of three more sons dying along the way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Iron Claw is the true story of the Von Erich family. Some changes were made to timeline of events, which is expected since the film isn’t a documentary. The family was said to be cursed. There were even more family deaths than appear in the film.
Holt McCallany is excellent as Fritz Von Erich.
I have never seen a part more miscast than that of Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair.
The Iron Claw (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Creature from the Black Lagoon” Reboot Designs by Miles Teves!
There have been several attempts to revive The Creature from the Black Lagoon. (And I wish someone would get it done!) John Carpenter was involved with a reboot for a while, but that project never crossed the finish line.
What we see here today is concept art created by Miles Teves. Teves has worked in film/television as a concept artist, illustrator, and makeup FX sculptor since 1984. The illustrations here were created for a possible Creature from the Black Lagoon reboot around 1997. At that time Carpenter had moved on and Ivan Reitman was leading the charge. Sadly, Reitman’s movie never made it to filming.
It’s interesting to note the changes Teves made from the original CFTBL design. Note the tail and a more lizard-like appearance.
Source: Body Snatchers.
The “Bounty Law” with Cliff Booth Poster by Mat Peg!
I love Mat Peg’s art. It’s not that just Peg’s so talented. It is also the creativity. Check out the Bounty Law with Cliff Booth (Brad Pit) poster above. What a cool choice to go with the stunt man (Booth) in the middle of a shootout.
Brilliant.
“Dick Dynamite: 1944” (2023) / Z-View
Dick Dynamite: 1944 (2023)
Director: Robbie Davidson
Screenplay: Robbie Davidson
Stars: Snars, Olly Bassi, Irvine Welsh.
Tagline: Dick Dynamite and his Nazi-killing commandos must stop depraved German scientists from turning New Yorkers into flesh-eating zombies.
The Plot…
World War II is heading into its final days. The Nazis realize they will lose unless a desperation plan works.
And it does!
The Nazis have developed a way to turn people into zombies! This will give them access to unlimited soldiers. In order to stop the Nazis, Dick Dynamite will lead a team of Nazi-Zombie-Killing-Commandos behind enemy lines. Heaven help anyone who gets in Dick’s way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Dick Dynamite: 1944 trailer made the movie look like zany, over-the-top fun. It was zany. It was over-the-top. It was NOT fun.
The movie was made through crowd-funding and self-financing. This in itself isn’t bad. Microbudget movies can have a certain charm… when well done. Dick Dynamite: 1944 had a promising start, but quickly grew tiresome. The jokes were bad. The pacing was off. The acting and direction didn’t help. I tapped out at about 22 minutes. As always, your mileage may vary.
Dick Dynamite: 1944 (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.
“Just the Boatman…” – Sly Stallone from “Rambo” by Evan Bryce Cranston!
I’ve been a fan Evan Bryce Cranston aka artgantuan’s art for years. I call this piece Just the Boatman… What a great scene with Stallone playing one of his signature characters in 2008’s Rambo.
“Laws of Man” (2024) written & directed by Phil Blattenberger; starring Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene / Z-View
Laws of Man (2024)
Director: Phil Blattenberger
Screenplay: Phil Blattenberger
Stars: Jacob Keohane, Jackson Rathbone, Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine, Richard Brake, Forrie J. Smith, James Urbaniak, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Johnny Hoeft, Greg Kriek, David DeLao, Ashley Gallegos, Alaina Warren Zachary and Graham Greene.
Tagline: No One Is Innocent
The Plot…
1963. US Marshalls Frank Fenton and Tommy Morton are sent to Nevada to bring in some bad hombres. Frank is straight-laced and uptight. His partner, Tommy is younger and hip. While their outlooks on life are different they make a good team. During the course of an assignment to bring in a murderer they stumble on to a conspiracy.
Outgunned and over-their-heads, the pair refuse to back down.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Laws of Man plays out like a low-budget Tarantino movie. Interesting and outlandish characters in over-the-top conflicts and a twist that takes the danger to the extreme. The plot plays out like a fever dream set in 1963.
Jacob Keohane and Jackson Rathbone are excellent as the mismatched US Marshalls. Dermot Mulroney, Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and Graham Greene led a supporting cast with the ability to play unbridled scenes straight.
While Laws of Man isn’t a great film, it is a fun one. I enjoyed the characters and outlandish plot… even the twist at the end. As always, your mileage may vary.
Laws of Man (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Lone Samurai” (vs Cannibals!) – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Action fans get ready! The poster and trailer for Lone Samurai are here!
A violent, reckless samurai is shipwrecked on a desolate island, stripped of any outlet for his rage. As he embarks on a punishing spiritual journey to quiet his turbulent mind, the line between meditation and madness begins to blur. When external demons — manifesting as flesh-hungry cannibals — abduct him, his grip on reality and mastery of the blade are tested in ways he never imagined.
The cast includes Shogen, Keigo Sunagawa, Yuma Sunagawa, and Sumire Ashina.
The film is written, directed and produced by Josh C. Waller. Well Go USA will release Lone Samurai in select theaters and available via Video On Demand on December 12, 2025.
Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa from “Rocky” by Andrew Charipar!
Andrew Charipar is a Florida artist that I met going to conventions throughout the state. Andrew was always friendly. Getting a sketch at any show Andrew attended was mandatory.
In addition to his work as an artist, Andrew owns and manages Misfit Corner Comics in Jacksonville, Florida.
Here we have Andrew’s take on Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa from Rocky!
“Detective Story” (1951) directed by William Wyler; starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix and introducing Lee Grant / Z-View
Detective Story (1951)
Director: William Wyler
Screenplay: Robert Wyler, Philip Yordan based on Detective Story (1949 play) by Sidney Kingsley
Stars: Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, William Bendix, Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Horace McMahon, Gladys George, Lee Grant, Gerald Mohr, Frank Faylen, Michael Strong, Luis Van Rooten, Bert Freed, Warner Anderson, Grandon Rhodes and Joseph Wiseman.
Tagline: The love story of a man whose wife was more woman than angel!
The Plot…
New York City Detective Jim McLeod has no tolerance for law-breakers. McLeod’s dad was one and it literally drove McLeod’s mother insane. McLeod’s tough on everyone. Everyone except his beautiful wife, Mary.
One night, as other cops work their cases in the station house, McLeod has a breakthrough. The other officers are dealing with shoplifters, burglars and even a potential psycho-rapist. McLeod has been working a case involving Dr. Karl Schneider. Schneider is a black market doctor who is responsible for at least one death.
Dr. Schneider’s lawyer warns McLeod to back off or else. McLeod refuses. He doesn’t know what the lawyer’s threats hold. But he’s going to find out.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Detective Story was nominated for four 1952 Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Philip Yordan, Robert Wyler
- Nominee for Best Director – William Wyler
- Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Lee Grant
- Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role – Eleanor Parker
In the original play, Dr. Schneider’s crimes were explicitly stated. Due to Film Production Codes, in Detective Story they code only be hinted at. Audiences could read between the lines.
Detective Story features Lee Grant’s film debut and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance!
Detective Story is one of the best play adaptations I’ve ever seen. Lee Grant is superb. William Bendix is always awesome. Kirk Douglas was the perfect choice to play the hard-nosed Detective McLeod.
Detective Story (1951) rates 5 of 5 stars.
The Bat-Man Swings Into Action by Matt Wagner!
I love Batman stories set in this era. Matt Wagner must as well. Just look at that beautiful art. Bat-Man is just starting out. We have castles, evil scientists and assistant plus The Bat-Man!
