Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Disney World is a magical park. They say it’s the happiest place on earth. Soon it will be even more fun! [Thanks and a tip of my mouse ears to Mark Evanier!]
Bettie Page, the legendary 1950’s pin-up model has passed away at the age of 85. Ms. Page who quit modeling at the height of her popularity and disappeared from public view [although not our imagination] went on to become a pop culture icon inspiring generations of fans. Fans like Mark Evanier, Christopher Mills, Rafael Kayanan, Steve Thompson, Ivan Shreve have all written remembrances, but they need not worry… Bettie Page will live forever.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and fans.
I just read over at Ivan Shreve’s site that character actor, Robert Prosky, has died at the age of 77. Mr. Prosky was a star of the stage, television and movies.
I first saw Mr. Prosky in “Thief” [his feature film debut] with James Caan. Mr. Prosky owned every scene he was in. Mr. Prosky worked continuously alternating roles in films, television and stage. He made every thing he was in just a bit, and sometimes a lot better. [And that includes “Eye See You” with Sylvester Stallone.]
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Prosky’s family, friends and fans.
Back in October of this year I posted a piece about “Dead Irons” the genre bending mini-series about werewolves, vampires and bounty hunters in the old west. Today Newsarama posted a look at some of cover artist Jae Lee’s character sketches and more. I especially liked when “Dead Irons” artist Jason Alexander said:
“This is seriously the darkest book I’ve ever worked on… it’s so well thought out, it really feels like a classic Sergio Leone’ film, with werewolves and vampires.
If you’re a fan of “Frailty” or “Shaun of the Dead” then you might want to check out the three issue mini-series “Killer of Demons” by Chris Yost [writer] and Scott Wegener [artist]. Yost summarizes the series by saying:Dave Sloan, who wakes up to see that there are actual literal demons from hell among us,” he told CBR, “and a heavenly cherub angel is telling him to kill them all. Which he does, with swords, axes, guns and even a pen. But Dave starts to realize that things aren’t necessarily as they seem.
I think the series looks like fun and plan to order it. CBR.com has a preview of the first issue and a brief interview with Yost and Wergner. Check it out and maybe you’ll want to give it a chance too.
If you’re a fan of Ed Brubaker and/or Sean Phillips then here’s something worth checking out — CBR.com has an extensive first look at the premiere issue of INCOGNITO. Before you click over, know that this is for mature audiences!
Despite earlier reports that announced he was ready to, Clint Eastwood 
We’ve been hearing a lot of talk about bailouts lately. [Lord knows I could use one. Bet you could too.] Barack Obama is proposing a bailout. So is President Bush. The problem with both of their proposals is that politics gets in the way, slows things down and gums up the works.
That’s why I’m happy to say that the third fellow pictured above is proposing a different kind of bailout. His name is John Beatty and he’s proposing a Christmas Bailout that is guranteed to help those the bailout is for [namely John and his family] PLUS it offers something back to those doing the bailing [Namely a sweet comission at a really decent price AS WELL AS a free sketchbook should your piece be included]. You can read the full details here.
Man, if only our country’s economic woes could be solved so quickly and with everyone coming out a winnah!
I don’t know anything about the new A&E show Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force other than I really like the poster promoting it. The poster is better than most created for today’s feature films. In fact, if the show is as good as the poster it’ll be worth viewing. I think I’ll tune in and see. [In other words the poster did it’s job.]
Harry over at Ain’t It Cool News posted a link to a trailer for “Dead Snow” — a zombie movie that was screened at the 09 Sundance Film Festival. Knowing how much ZONErs love horror movies, and the zombie genre, I thought a link here would be appropriate… but first a few words… there’s violence [zombies eating, killing and being killed] and strong [subtitled] language — this is not appropriate for younger readers. As I watched the trailer with the Nazi zombies I kept thinking, “Boy, do they need Hellboy to show up!”
With that said, if you’re age appropriate and want to see some Nazi zombie action, then click here.
Forrest J Ackerman has died at the age of 92. Probably best known as the founding editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Ackerman made his living as a literary agent, magazine editor and occasional actor.I grew up loving monster movies and of course Famous Monsters of Filmland. Although it was chock full of movie stills, interviews with the folks behind those movies, and more — it wasn’t until I was in my late teens/early twenties that I discovered that nearly all of those things that I enjoyed about the magazine came from Forrest Ackerman. His collection of memorabiliai ncluded many original movie props, autographs, over 50,000 books and much, much more. He kept it all in his house. Fans were often invited in to hear classic anecdotes as they toured. Sadly, in his later years Mr. Ackerman was forced to sell off his collection piece by piece.
Mr. Ackerman is said to have discovered Ray Bradbury and to have coined the term “sci-fi.” And while both of those are “definite claims to fame” — I don’t think that my childhood would have been as fun without Mr. Ackerman’s influence on Famous Monsters of Filmland.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his fans around the world.
O.J. Simpson was sentenced today to at least 15 years in prison.
All I really have to say about that is, what kind of person must you be if you’re convicted of a dozen felonies, including
armed robbery, kidnapping, burglary, conspiracy and assault and those aren’t the worst crimes you’ve ever been charged with?
