Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I was diggin’ through the Zablo vault and came across this digital sketch of Sly Stallone that John Beatty gifted me waaay back in 2006. I love the bold lines and use of just two colors. This Beatty kid is gonna go places.
Shade (2003)
Director: Damian Nieman
Screenplay: Damian Nieman
Stars: Stuart Townsend, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith, Sylvester Stallone, Dina Merrill, George Tovar, Frank Medrano, Jason Cerbone, Mark De Alessandro, Glenn Plummer, Carl Mazzocone, Bo Hopkins, Mark Boone Junior, Tony Burton, Michael Dorn and Hal Holbrook.
Tagline: When gambling your life, leave nothing to chance.
The Plot…
Tiffany and Miller are card hustlers and con artists. They are pulling off scams to get enough money to get Vernon into a high stakes underground poker game. Vernon is a card shark as well as a sleight of hand artist. With a $250,000.00 buy-in, there will be enough money in the game to set the three for life… if Vernon can win.
The main obstacle will be Dean “the Dean” Stevens. His poker skills are legendary. Of course if Vernon can’t beat the Dean fairly, there are other ways to win… if he’s willing to bet his life and those of Tiffany and Miller.
Let’s deal.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Damian Nieman, the writer/director of Shade is also a professional card magician. Nieman taught the cast the skills needed to perform their tricks on camera.
Shade (2003) rates 4 of 5 stars
It was announced that Hulk Hogan died today from cardiac arrest at the age of 67.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, he was discovered by Jack and Jerry Brisco when they saw Mr. Bollea playing with his band at a local Tampa club. Impressed by his size, they spoke to Terry about trying out as a professional wrestler. Terry agreed and began training.
Terry had his first match in 1977, after a little more than a year of training for the CWF (Championship Wrestling from Florida). Terry often appeared as a masked wrestler called The Super Destroyer. After about a year Terry decided to quit wrestling. He managed a club and opened a gym. In his spare time Mr. Bollea worked out with his buddy Ed Leslie (later known as Brutus the Barber Beefcake). It occurred to Terry that because both he and Ed were big and muscular, they might make a good wrestling team.
The two began wrestling as The Boulder Brothers. It was during this time that Terry was on a talk show with Lou “The Hulk” Ferrigno. Terry was bigger than Lou and so he was given the wrestling name Terry “The Hulk” Boulder. During this time Terry also wrestled under the name Sterling Golden.
In 1979, Vince McMahon, owner and promoter of the WWF, signed Terry to a contract. McMahon gave Terry the name Hulk Hogan. For his initial run with the WWF, Hogan was cast as a villain. When Hulk Hogan was offered a role in Rocky III, he accepted. Mr. McMahon was against the idea and cut Hulk Hogan from the WWF roster. Hulk Hogan’s role in Rocky III gave him more nation and world-wide recognition than professional wrestling.
After filming was completed, Hulk Hogan signed with the American Wrestling Association. He was initially given the role of a bad guy, but proved to be so popular with fans, Hogan soon became a babyface (good guy).
In 1983, Vince McMahon had plans to take his WWF promotion nation-wide. He had secured television time and just needed a superstar to be the face of the company. Mr. McMahon decided that Hulk Hogan was the wrestler he needed. McMahon offered Hogan a contract. In short order, Hogan was made champion.
“Hulkamania” ran wild. Fans loved him. Hulk Hogan was at the top of the card for eight of the first nine Wrestlemania pay-per-views. He was a five time WWF champion. He was the first wrestler to win back to back Royal Rumble matches. Hulk Hogan’s match with André the Giant on February 5, 1988, still holds the American television viewership record for professional wrestling. It scored a 15.2 Nielsen rating with 33 million viewers.
Hulk Hogan’s popularity gave him opportunities outside of wrestling. He starred in several movies, a couple of television series and made guest appearances on television shows as well.
Some of the television projects that feature Hulk Hogan include: CWA Wrestling (2 episodes – Terry “The Hulk” Boulder); WWF World Championship Wrestling (1 episode – Sterling Golden); Wrestling at the Chase; Spectrum Wrestling (3 episodes); The War to Settle the Score; Goldie and the Bears; Search for Tomorrow (2 episodes); Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling (2 episodes); The Love Boat; The A-Team; WWF Championship Wrestling (29 episodes); WWF All-Star Wrestling (10 episodes); Dolly; The All New Mickey Mouse Club; WWF Prime Time Wrestling (6 episodes); WWF Challenge (14 episodes); WWF on MSG Network (14 episodes); WWF Superstars (32 episodes); Thunder in Paradise (22 episodes); Baywatch; WCW Saturday Night (6 episodes); WCW Bash at the Beach; Assault on Death Mountain; Suddenly Susan (2 episodes); WCW Thunder (23 episodes); WCW Monday Nitro (176 episodes); Biography; Walker, Texas Ranger; American Dad; TNA Impact Wrestling (131 episodes); China, IL (19 episodes); WWE Next (2 episodes); Robot Chicken (4 episodes); The Goldbergs; WWE Smackdown! (35 episodes) and WWE Raw (47 episodes).
Some of Hulk Hogan’s feature film appearances include: Rocky III; No Holds Barred; Gremlins 2: The New Batch; Suburban Commando; Mr. Nanny; Spy Hard; Santa with Muscles; The Ultimate Weapon and Muppets from Space.
Hulk Hogan is arguably the All-Time most well-known and popular professional wrestler. He came at a time when professional wrestling broke away from regional territories and went nation-wide. Hogan’s charisma and ability to talk when given a microphone outweighed his wrestling ability, but it didn’t matter. Fans loved him. As he got older, Hogan was able to stay at the top of the card when he switched from babyface to heel. He had a long career and professional wrestling was better for it.
I saw Hulk Hogan wrestle at live events twice. The first was in Indianapolis. Hogan thrilled the fans in the sold out venue. The second time was in Daytona Beach, Florida. My wife and I took our two sons and nephew. The crowd was shocked when Hogan turned heel. The next day, I taught summer school. Everyone (kids and adults) were talking about Hogan’s reversal. No one could believe it. Which is just what Hogan wanted.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Hulk Hogan’s family, friends and fans.
The teaser for The Last Frontier is here and I like it. The concept reminds me of a mash-up of Con Air with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Stand (hopefully minus the comedy). Sam “Extraction” Hargrave directs!
The Last Frontier premieres October 10th.
Deal me in.
The only thing scarier than a plane crash is a plane crash full of violent inmates.
The Last Frontier premieres October 10 on Apple TV+ https:/apple.co/TheLastFrontier
The Last Frontier follows Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside-down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates. Tasked with protecting the town he’s vowed to keep safe, he begins to suspect the crash wasn’t an accident, but the first step of a well-crafted plan with far-reaching and devastating implications.
In addition to Clarke, the ensemble cast includes Dominic Cooper (“The Gold”), Haley Bennett (“The Magnificent Seven”), Simone Kessell (“Yellowjackets”), Dallas Goldtooth (“Reservation Dogs”), and Tait Blum (“For All Mankind”), with Academy Award Nominee and multi-Emmy winner Alfre Woodard (“Clemency”).
Hailing from Apple Studios, The Last Frontier is executive produced by Bokenkamp and D’Ovidio, who also serve as writers, alongside Jason Clarke, Laura Benson (“The Big C”), Glenn Kessler (“Bloodlines”), Albert Kim (“Nikita”), and series episodic director Sam Hargrave (“Extraction”).
Bang! Jack Carter by Tommy Lee Edwards. There are so many things I love about this art. Tommy Lee Edwards is such a talented artist. I was thrilled to get a piece from him for my collection.
I Trapped the Devil (2019)
Director: Josh Lobo
Screenplay: Josh Lobo
Stars: Scott Poythress, AJ Bowen, Susan Burke, Jocelin Donahue and Chris Sullivan.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Steve’s got a lot going on. He’s stressed and unsure of what to do next.
Things get worse when his brother, Matt and Matt’s wife Karen, show up unannounced. Steve knows that Matt and Karen have been worried about him. They think that his mental state is deteriorating. Steve knows he’s not crazy.
But how is he going to explain to them that the man trapped in his basement is actually the devil?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I Trapped the Devil has a great concept. Sadly the movie never comes close to reaching the potential presented. I made it through the whole thing, so I’ll give it two out of five stars. Truthfully, you’d be better off to watch the Twilight Zone episode, The Howling Man.
I Trapped the Devil (2019) rates 2 of 5 stars
The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)
Director: William Dieterle
Screenplay: Dan Totheroh, Stephen Vincent Benét; based on The Devil and Daniel Webster by Stephen Vincent Benét
Stars: Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, Jane Darwell, Simone Simon, Gene Lockhart, John Qualen and H.B. Warner.
Tagline: What would YOU give for seven years of power, luxury, wealth…all the thrills you ever wanted and never dared to seek?
The Plot…
Jabez Stone has been going through a string of bad luck. Newly married, Jabez has struggled making a go as a farmer. Worried he won’t have enough money to care for his new wife and mother, in a fit of rage Jabez declares he’d sell his soul for two cents. Suddenly a man appears.
The man calls himself Mr. Scratch. Scratch says that if Jabez would like seven years of riches and prosperity, it will only cost him his soul. Before Jabez can answer, Scratch makes a bag of gold coins appear. Jabez thinks the gold would solve all of his problems. And seven years is a long time away… surely he can think of a way to break the deal.
Jabez signs the contract.
Jabez’s luck changes immediately. His personality does as well… just not as fast. Jabez becomes greedy. Scratch manipulates things from behind the scenes.
Seven years passes quickly. Scratch will be collecting Jabez’s soul soon. Then Jabez gets an idea… perhaps the great lawyer Daniel Webster can find a way to break the contract.
Daniel Webster meets Mr. Scratch and realizes Jabez has made a deal with the devil. Webster takes the case… but what chance does a mere mortal have against Mr. Scratch?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Devil and Daniel Webster was nominated for two 1942 Academy Awards and won one…
The Devil and Daniel Webster was first released with the title All That Money Can Buy. In different territories it was released as Mr. Scratch or Here is a Man or Daniel and the Devil.
Thomas Mitchell was originally cast as Daniel Webster. He was injured during a carriage ride scene. He was thrown from the carriage and was hospitalized for months before recovering. Edward Arnold was then cast as Webster. All of Mitchell’s scenes has to be reshot.
The effects shots of Mr. Scratch and others called up from hades are pretty cool. Especially for the time.
The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) rates 4 of 5 stars
PEOPLE LIKE US ( A GRIFTER’S SONG, BOOK 2) by JD Rhodes
First sentence…
Aunt Sally was the real deal, Sam said.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Sam and Rachel are lovers. On the run. That’s because they’re also grifters who conned the wrong folks. Mafia folks. Now Sam and Rachel have to keep moving. And they have to keep scamming to pay the cost of a life on the run.
When Sam is contacted by his former mentor, Aunt Sally, she says that she needs his help with a big money scam she’s set up. A rich Civil War memorabilia collector needs to be reeled in. Sam’s ready to join Sally on the score. Rachel isn’t so sure.
Aunt Sally could be scamming them. Luring Sam and Rachel in where the mob can punch their tickets. THAT would put big money in Sally’s hands. Sam says Sally would never do that. Sally can be trusted.
The need for quick cash outweighs Rachel’s fears. They agree to help Aunt Sally. Soon Sam and Rachel will know if Sally can be trusted. They’ll also learn that a mob hitman is in town, closing in on them. Coincidence?
Rating:
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, Gayle & Miho by the legend his own bad self Frank Miller.
Here we have the poster and trailer for Predator: Badlands.
First hunt. Last chance.
From the director of Prey, watch the brand-new trailer for Predator: Badlands, in theaters November 7.
“Predator: Badlands,” which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg and produced by John Davis, Dan Trachtenberg, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, Brent O’Connor.
Dave Dorman has a different times in his career been known as THE artist for Dungeons and Dragons, G.I. Joe, Indiana Jones, Star Wars and more.
Dorman created an amazing cover for The Expendables Go to Hell but nearly 15 years before that I commissioned Mr. Dorman for his take on Rocky Balboa. As you can see, it’s a knockout.
A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
Director: Sergio Leone
Screenplay: Víctor Andrés Catena, Jaime Comas Gil, Sergio Leone, Fernando Di Leo (uncredited), Duccio Tessari (uncredited) Tonino Valerii; written by Adriano Bolzoni, Mark Lowell, Víctor Andrés Catena, Sergio Leone; based on Yojimbo (1961) by Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima
Stars: Clint Eastwood
Tagline: In his own way he is, perhaps, the most dangerous man who ever lived!
The Plot…
When a gunfighter rides into the frontier town of San Miguel, he learns that two crime families are at war. Seeing an opportunity to get rich, the gunslinger decides to play both sides of the street.
It’s a plan that could cost him his life.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
A Fistful of Dollars was seen as overly violent when first released. Critics said The Man with No Name was just another gun thug willing to kill anyone for money. In fact before A Fistful of Dollars was shown on ABC in 1975, a prologue was added. It featured a stand-in for Eastwood, a couple of shots of Eastwood’s eyes and Harry Dean Stanton as a government official. Eastwood’s character is offered a pardon if he goes to San Miguel and cleans up the town. Now instead of a greedy coldblooded killer, Eastwood is a man on a mission for justice. Bah!
Akira Kurosawa sued since A Fistful of Dollars is basically Yojimbo as a western. Leone settled out of court, reportedly for 15% of the worldwide receipts of A Fistful of Dollars. What’s funny is that Yojimbo is an adaption of Dashiell Hammett’s gangster novel RED HARVEST. The lone gunfighter becomes a ronin going against samurai for Yojimbo.
Clint Eastwood was offered the role after it was turned down by Steve Reeves, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Charles Bronson and Richard Harrison. The role was then offered to the star of the television series Rawhide, Eric Fleming. Fleming turned it down, but suggested his Rawhide co-star, Clint Eastwood. The rest is history.
A Fistful of Dollars (1964) rates 4 of 5 stars
Antony de Zuñiga who worked primarily under the name Tony DeZuniga, was an exceptional comics artist and illustrator. Mr. DeZuniga was the co-creator of Jonah Hex and Black Orchid. He was the first Filipino artist to work for Marvel or DC Comics. He paved the way for other talented artists.
Most folks know Tony DeZuniga for his beautiful inking. As you can see above, with the Rambo commission I was fortunate to get from Mr. DeZuniga, he was a consummate penciler as well.
Commando (1985)
Director: Mark L. Lester
Screenplay: Steven E. de Souza; story by Joseph Loeb III, Matthew Weisman, Steven E. de Souza
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, James Olson, David Patrick Kelly, Alyssa Milano, Drew Snyder, Michael DeLano,
Bob Minor, Michael Adams, Gary Carlos Cervantes, Chelsea Field, Bill Paxton and Bill Duke
Tagline: Somewhere, somehow, someone’s going to pay.
The Plot…
John Matrix, a retired Special Forces Commando, is the single parent of a young daughter. They live in a remote mountain house. Life is great.
When a military helicopter flies in unannounced, Matrix knows bad news is coming. Matrix’s former commander informs him that every member of his former squad has been executed.
Just then shots ring out.
A team of mercenaries attacks. Matrix puts up a valiant fight, but his daughter is kidnapped. The kidnappers work for Arius, the former dictator of Val Verde. Matrix is told that if he kills Val Verde’s current leader, Matrix’s daughter will be released. If not, she will be killed. Matrix has less than twelve hours to complete his assignment.
The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Commando is a classic 80s action movie. It features over-the-top scenes, a hero who quips as he performs feats of strength and kills countless bad guys without breaking a sweat… all to a cool soundtrack.
Harold Lloyd’s Beverly Hills mansion was used for the final shootout with Arias’ soldiers. If it looks familiar it could be because the mansion was also used in the final shootout in Beverly Hills Cop.
Val Verde is a fictional country, but the name has also appeared in Predator and Die Hard II.
Arnold’s line, “I lied” still makes me smile no matter how many times I’ve seen it delivered.
Commando (1985) rates 4 of 5 stars
