Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
It’s Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson Week – Day Five! Dusty Star…
It’s a different time and a strange place. It’s burlesque shows and all-night poker games, robots and flying ships, tattooed horses and new wave cowboys and cowgirls with bad attitudes. This is the world of Dusty Star, a tough-as-nails gunslinger with a steely-eyed gaze and a draw as fast as greased lighting! An appealing blend of western, science fiction, adventure and humor.
Can you believe Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer turns 75 this year? He does and to celebrate a new Mike Hammer book, Kill Me If You Can, is coming! Here’s the lowdown…
Mike Hammer hits his 75th anniversary hard, after the disappearance of Velda, in this brand new case between Kiss Me, Deadly and The Girl Hunters, based on an unproduced screenplay from Mickey Spillane’s archives.
Mike Hammer is on the case, this time hunting the murderer of his old friend and bootlegger-turned-legit-businessman Edward G. Robinson. Already torn up by the disappearance of Velda, his beloved secretary, Mike Hammer carves a brutal path for vengeance. Drinking heavily, his relationships fraying, his behavior self-destructive, Hammer has to track down Robinson’s black book, with the names of every corrupt official in town. With deception everywhere, and a whole host of reasons to want the ledger, Hammer has to pull himself together and solve the case before all hell breaks loose.
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Mike Hammer, and including five brand new short stories, read the lost story of Velda’s disappearance after Kiss Me, Deadly. A thrilling ride for fans new and old.
Pre-orders are available now.
It’s Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson Week – Day Four! Dusty Star…
It’s a different time and a strange place. It’s burlesque shows and all-night poker games, robots and flying ships, tattooed horses and new wave cowboys and cowgirls with bad attitudes. This is the world of Dusty Star, a tough-as-nails gunslinger with a steely-eyed gaze and a draw as fast as greased lighting! An appealing blend of western, science fiction, adventure and humor.
I love the energy in “Yo, Adrian! I DID IT!!” by Joel Tesch. Joel posted this on his Instagram page with a few process pics and a video. You can see more of Joel’s art at his site.
It’s Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson Week – Day Three! Dusty Star…
It’s a different time and a strange place. It’s burlesque shows and all-night poker games, robots and flying ships, tattooed horses and new wave cowboys and cowgirls with bad attitudes. This is the world of Dusty Star, a tough-as-nails gunslinger with a steely-eyed gaze and a draw as fast as greased lighting! An appealing blend of western, science fiction, adventure and humor.
Click on the pic below to get a gander at it’s full-sized beauty.
When I was a kid Peanuts (especially Snoopy) was all the rage. I know for a fact I’ve read the strips above many times over the years.
I am also a long time comic book and Walt Simonson fan. I read the story below when it was first released (and many more times over the years).
But…
…It wasn’t until last night that (thanks to a Tweet from Blake Scott Ball) that I learned that Len Wein/Walt Simonson actually turned Snoopy’s story into a Batman tale! I knew the “Dark and stormy night” was Snoopy’s famous first sentence, but I’d forgotten the rest. Seeing the Peanuts strips alongside the Batman tale brought a smile to my face and made me love ’em both even more.
Click on the art above and below to see them biggie-sized. Thanks to Blake Scott Ball for his Tweet!
It’s Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson Week – Day Two! Dusty Star…
It’s a different time and a strange place. It’s burlesque shows and all-night poker games, robots and flying ships, tattooed horses and new wave cowboys and cowgirls with bad attitudes. This is the world of Dusty Star, a tough-as-nails gunslinger with a steely-eyed gaze and a draw as fast as greased lighting! An appealing blend of western, science fiction, adventure and humor.
Click on the pic below to get a gander at it’s full-sized beauty.
One of the comics that I’d love to see more of is Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson. It’s been a while since there have been any new stories featuring this tough as nails gunslinger and I wish that would change. If we can’t get new Dusty Star stories, how about a nice trade compilation of the past ones with previously unpublished art, sketches and guest pin-ups? Yeah, baby!
If you’re unfamiliar with Dusty Star, here’s how it was advertised…
It’s a different time and a strange place. It’s burlesque shows and all-night poker games, robots and flying ships, tattooed horses and new wave cowboys and cowgirls with bad attitudes. This is the world of Dusty Star, a tough-as-nails gunslinger with a steely-eyed gaze and a draw as fast as greased lighting! An appealing blend of western, science fiction, adventure and humor.
I’m designating this Dusty Star by Andrew Robinson Week and each day will share a piece or two of beautiful Andrew Robinson Dusty Star art. Click on the pic below to get a gander at it’s full-sized beauty.
Earlier this week I watched The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story, a documentary on arguably the great world’s greatest caricaturist. I wondered if Mr. Hirschfeld had ever drawn Sly Stallone. As it turns out, Hirschfeld did at least twice. Below are the images I found with Sylvester Stallone. If you’d like to see more art, signed books, lithographs and more, click over to the Al Hirschfeld Foundation Shop.
Marlon Brando, Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Dolly Parton, Dustin Hoffman, Sally Field, Richard Pryor, Sean Connery and Gene Wilder.
Christie Brinkley, Billy Joel, Cher, Claus von Bülow, Don Johnson, John Irving, Hulk Hogan, Princess Diana, Sly Stallone, Grace Jones, Ronald Reagan and Madonna. 1985
Sidney Poitier, actor, director, and writer died last night at the age of 94.
Mr. Poitier was the first Black to win an Academy Award for Best Actor. In 1967, had a year most actors only dream about; he starred in three hits (To Sir, with Love; In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who is Coming to Dinner)! In 1972 he directed his first feature film (Buck and the Preacher). In 1977, after a career that saw him with over 40 acting and/or directing credits in 30 years, Sidney Poitier took a break that lasted eleven years! When Sidney Poitier returned he alternated between acting in feature films and television movies.
In 2001, Mr. Poitier retired from acting/directing. He wrote a well-received memoir The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography. In 2009, Mr. Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
My favorite Sidney Poitier film is In the Heat of the Night. It’s because the character he played was a calm man of intelligence and dignity… and he resonated “cool”. Cool, not as in hip, but cool as in control of himself and every situation. I was always impressed when I heard Sidney Poitier in interviews. We’ve lost a legend.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sidney Poitier’s family, friends and fans.
Al Hirschfeld lived a long and interesting life. His career spanned over 80 years and Mr. Hirschfeld continued to create art until his death from natural causes at the age of 99.
At 17, Al Hirschfeld was named the Art Director of Selznick Pictures where he created or oversaw the making of all the company’s movie posters. In his 20s he traveled the world to study and refine his art style. When he returned to the US a chance conversation led to his art appearing in the New York Times. After that there was no looking back.
Hirschfeld went on to become one of the world’s most popular and influential artists. His art appeared regularly in the New York Times (for 70 years), and could be seen in The New Yorker, Colliers, TV Guide, Playbill and Rolling Stone (just to name a few). This documentary does an excellent job of presenting Al Hirschfeld’s life and art — both of which are extraordinary. I really liked The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story and it rates 4 of 5 stars.
The video below isn’t a trailer for The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story because I couldn’t find one. Instead this is a profile from CBS Sunday Morning of a Hirschfeld Art Exhibit.
Peter Bogdanovich died today at the age of 82 from natural causes. Mr. Bogdanovich immersed his life in the world of cinema where he excelled as a writer, director, actor, producer and more.
Like so many others, Peter Bogdanovich’s career began working for Roger Corman. A few years later Corman produced Targets, written/directed by Peter Bogdanovich with Boris Karloff in the starring role. While Targets gave some attention to Mr. Bogdanovich’s talents, it was The Last Picture Show that made him a household name.
The Last Picture Show featured an all-star cast (many before they became well known actors/actresses) directed by Peter Bogdanovich in a story that he co-wrote with Larry McMurtry. The film was a hit with critics, the public and earned multiple nominations and awards from The Academy Awards, The Golden Globes, The Directors’ Guild and more.
After The Last Picture Show, Peter Bogdanovich would go on to write, act, and direct projects that interested him. Some of the films he directed include: What’s Up, Doc?, Paper Moon, and Mask. He also wrote and directed a well-received documentary The Great Buster about silent film star Buster Keaton. Last year Peter Bogdanovich along with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, began a documentary podcast about Bogdanovich’s life in Hollywood. Mr. Bogdanovich was a hit on talk shows because of his extensive knowledge of film history and his friendships with top Hollywood celebrities.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Bogdanovich’s family, friends and fans.
Wow! This trailer for Ozark Season 4 really sets the tone. I cannot wait for January 21st!
Freedom from the cartel is seemingly within reach, but fraying familial bonds may prove to be the Byrdes’ ultimate undoing.
No one gets out clean. Season 4 Part 1 premieres January 21, 2022.
I like the looks of The Ledge and plan to check it out (even if the trailer gives away a bit too much).
A rock climbing adventure between two friends turns into a terrifying nightmare. After Kelly (Brittany Ashworth) captures the murder of her best friend on camera, she becomes the next target of a tight-knit group of friends who will stop at nothing to destroy the evidence and anyone in their way. Desperate for her safety, she begins a treacherous climb up a mountain cliff and her survival instincts are put to the test when she becomes trapped with the killers just 20 feet away.
Featuring: Brittany Ashworth, Ben Lamb, Louis Boyer, Nathan Welsh, Anaïs Parello, David Wayman
Pursuit starring Emile Hirsch and John Cusack has all the makings of a fun drive-in movie. I’d watch.
John Cusack and Emile Hirsch star in this action thriller about a troubled cop’s hunt for a ruthless hacker, who’s committing savage violence as he searches for his kidnapped wife.
