“Bang!” – Jack Carter by Tommy Lee Edwards!
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) / Z-View
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) directed by William Dieterle; starring Edward Arnold and Walter Huston / Z-View
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…
- Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Walter Huston
- Winner for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture – Bernard Herrmann
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 J.D. Rhodes / Z-View
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, Gayle & Miho by Frank Miller!
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.
“Predator: Badlands” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
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.
Rocky Balboa by Dave Dorman!
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) directed by Sergio Leone; starring Clint Eastwood / Z-View
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
Tony DeZuniga Draws Rambo Too!
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) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger / Z-View
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
“The Creature from the Black Lagoon” by Andrew Robinson!
Andrew Robinson takes us to the Black Lagoon! And I’m here for it.
“Emperor of the North” (1973) directed by Robert Aldrich; starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine / Z-View
Emperor of the North (1973)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay: Christopher Knopf
Stars: Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Keith Carradine, Charles Tyner, Malcolm Atterbury, Simon Oakland, Harry Caesar, Hal Baylor, Matt Clark, Joe Di Reda, Liam Dunn, Robert Foulk, Jim Goodwin, Sid Haig, Karl Lukas and Elisha Cook Jr.
Tagline: You can ride Shack’s train and live you will be Emperor of the North
The Plot…
The Great Depression is in full swing. A sub-culture of hobos travel the country by freight-hopping. That is, they jump on trains without paying and hide in freight cars. These vagabonds would often help themselves to whatever was being transported.
In an effort to keep the drifters off their trains, the railroad companies hired thuggish conductors. These de facto enforcers would throw the hobos off the trains usually after a good beating. If the bums were lucky they lived with just bruises or broken bones.
The meanest and toughest of all railroad conductors was a brute known as Shack. No hobo ever was able to ride the #19. Most didn’t even try. Shack carried a hammer as a matter of course. He also had other tricks he used to maim or kill anyone who dared try to ride his train. His reputation was perfect.
Then A-#1 came along. Word was A-#1 got the best of Shack and rode the #19. Of course no one was sure. Especially since a young drifter, who called himself Cigaret was claiming it wasn’t A-#1 who outsmarted Shack. It was him.
Now A-#1 has put out word that he’s going to ride the #19 all the way to Portland. Shack’s heard. He and his hammer will be waiting.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Emperor of the North was originally titled Emperor of the North Pole. The title was changed because studio execs thought people would think it was a Christmas movie. Emperor of the North Pole was a hobo term explained in the movie.
Some posters for the movie had the tagline “Lee Marvin & Ernest Borgnine meet in the fight of the century”. Their fight lives up to the tagline. It is one of the most brutal movie fights up to that time.
Emperor of the North is underrated.
Emperor of the North (1973) rates 4 of 5 stars
Barry Windsor Smith’s Beautiful Cover Art for Conan Saga #1!
This is the cover art (without the cover dressing) used for Conan Saga #1 by legendary Conan artist Barry Windsor Smith. Here’s what part of what Smith said about the piece:
“I consider this work my definitive Conan. The strange background edifice and the mystical decoration are hallmarks of my early Conan comics stories…”
You can see the rest of the quote (and a larger version of the art) here.
“Deadsight” (2018) / Z-View
Deadsight (2018)
Director: Jesse Thomas Cook
Screenplay: Liv Collins, Kevin Revie
Stars: Liv Collins, Adam Seybold.
Tagline: You’ll never see them coming.
The Plot…
A man with no memory how he got there, wakes up handcuffed to a gurney in an ambulance. No one else is in the vehicle. Worse still, the man’s eyes are bandaged. When he pulls back the wraps, his vision is practically nothing.
The man works himself lose although still handcuffed to a rail of the gurney. He’ll have to use it for a cane. When he exits the ambulance, he discovers that a zombie apocalypse has started. Through sheer luck the man comes across a deserted (he hopes) farm house.
Meanwhile, pregnant police officer Mara Madigan is looking for shelter. She spots a deserted (she hopes) farm house.
Soon a pregnant woman and blind man will join forces in an effort to survive the zombie apocalypse.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I tapped out after about thirty minutes. Your mileage may vary.
Deadsight (2018) rates 1 of 5 stars
