Rocky Art Boxing Glove by Patrick Ganino!
Patrick Ganino created the huge Rocky mural on the back of the Sly Stallone Shop located at the Rocky Steps in Philly. But before that, he painted the art for the Rocky glove above!
“In the Shadow of the Moon” (2019) starring Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman & Bokeem Woodbine / Z-View
In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)
Director: Jim Mickle
Screenplay: Gregory Weidman, Geoff Tock
Stars: Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine, Michael C. Hall, Tony Craig and Rachel Keller.
Tagline: Some Crimes Defy Time
The Plot…
The year is 1988. Three people in different locations bleed from their ears and eyes and then die. Police officers Lockhart (Holbrook) and Maddox (Woodbine) along with Detective Holt (Hall) are assigned to the case. Lockhart discovers similar wounds on each victim. The trail leads Lockhart and Maddox to a suspect in the subway. She is a young, African-American female who tells Lockhart details she shouldn’t know about his life. She tells him the date his wife will have a baby. She further predicts her own death. When Lockhart attempts to arrest her, a struggle ensues. She is thrown in front of subway car and dies.
Nine years later people begin dying after bleeding from their ears and eyes. Lockhart, now a Detective, believes that a copy cat killer is at large. But when he locates a suspect, he is shocked to discover it is the same woman as before. She didn’t die and hasn’t aged.
Why are these people being killed? Is the killer a time traveler?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The film has an interesting premise and starts off well enough. Along the way I began to lose interest. I finished the movie but just found it to be okay.
Boyd Holbrook, Cleopatra Coleman, Bokeem Woodbine deserved better.
In the Shadow of the Moon (2019) earns 2 of 5 stars.
Dan Panosian Gallery at The Bristol Board!
The Bristol Board has a Dan Panosian Gallery where you can see a much bigger version of the above art and several other pieces by Dan.
“Pickup” (1951) directed by Hugo Haas, starring Hugo Haas & Beverly Michaels / Z-View
Pickup (1951)
Director: Hugo Haas
Screenplay: Hugo Haas, Arnold Phillips based on GUARD No. 47 by Josef Kopta
Stars: Hugo Haas, Beverly Michaels, Howland Chamberlain, Art Lewis and Bernard Gorcey.
Tagline: Easy to “pick-up” – but you won’t – if you know what’s good for you!
The Plot…
Jan “Hunky” Horak (Haas) is a middle-aged widowed railroad dispatcher who works alone at an isolated water stop. When Hunky takes his first day off in a year, he heads in to town. He’s surprised to find a carnival set up. As Hunky walks through the amusements, he is targeted by Betty (Michaels), an attractive blonde.
Betty figures to get a free meal and maybe a couple of bucks from the old guy. Betty is broke and about to be evicted. When she learns Hunky has several thousand in his savings account she works him into marrying her. Betty knows that if Hunky dies… or is killed, the money is hers.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Pickup has a classic set-up. A gold-digger has plans to end her older husband’s life to take sole possession of all he owns. Along the way we’re treated to an interesting twist that alerts Hunky to his wife’s plans. Up until the very end it felt like we were getting a poor man’s The Postman Always Rings Twice or Double Indemnity. The ending isn’t bad, just not quite in line with the noir that had been set up.
Hugo Haas is perfect as Hunky. Beverly Michaels is also just right as Betty, the girl that’s easy to pick-up at your own risk. Watch for Bernard Gorcey (of The Bowery Boys fame) in a small role.
Pickup (1951) earns 3 of 5 stars.
“The Prince of Pennsylvania” (2015) / Z-View
The Prince of Pennsylvania (2015)
Director: Jesse Vile
Stars: Mark Schultz, John du Pont, Robbie Calabrese, Dave Schultz.
Tagline: None
The Plot…
Multimillionaire, John DuPont wanted to create a mecca for US amateur wrestlers. He recruited the best and they were on their way. Then DuPont killed their best athlete.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
DuPont created a training facility that was state of the art. He invited the best wrestlers from across the country to live and train there for free. Using filmed interviews and never-before-seen footage we get access to life there and DuPont’s gradual decline that lead to murder.
The Prince of Pennsylvania (2015) earns 4 of 5 stars.
RIP: Norman Jewison
Norman Jewison died on January 20, 2024. He was 97.
Norman Jewison served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, After the war, Mr. Jewison attended Victoria College in the University of Toronto. He graduated with a B.A. in 1949.
He then moved to London where he worked as a bit actor and script writer for children’s programing. He moved back to Canada in 1951. He got work as a writer, director and producer of musicals, comedy-variety shows, dramas, and specials for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
In 1958, Norman Jewison began working for NBC, directing Your Hit Parade and The Andy WIlliams Show. Specials for Harry Belafonte, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye and Judy Garland followed. The first feature film that Mr. Jewison directed was 40 Pounds of Trouble starring Tony Curtis, Phil Silvers and Suzanne Pleshette. For the remainder of his career, Norman Jewison alternated between television projects and feature films.
Norman Jewison was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director three times. Films he directed were nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award four times.
Television projects directed by Norman Jewison include: The Big Review; Your Hit Parade (2 episodes); The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams (3 episodes); The Big Party (2 episodes); An Hour with Danny Kaye; Belafonte, New York 19; The Judy Garland Show and Dinner with Friends.
Feature films directed by Norman Jewison include: 40 Pounds of Trouble; The Cincinnati Kid; The Russians Are Coming the Russians are Coming; In the Heat of the Night; The Thomas Crown Affair; Fiddler on the Roof; Jesus Christ Superstar; Rollerball; F.I.S.T.; And Justice For All; Best Friends; A Soldier’s Story; Agnes of God; Moonstruck and The Hurricane.
Norman Jewison could direct any genre of movie. My favorite Norman Jewison films are In the Heat of the Night, F.I.S.T., And Justice for All and A Soldier’s Story. They are so good, it’s tough to pick just one and don’t sleep on any of his films!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Jewison’s family, friends and fans.
“Ripley” – The Teaser is Here!
Ripley looks promising.
Deal me in.
Andrew Scott stars in the new limited series Ripley, only on Netflix April 4th.
Marv by Marc Lapierre!
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 by Marc Lapierre.
“The Outlaw Josey Wales” Alt Poster by Yan Quinet
I’m diggin’ Yan Quinet’s alt poster for The Outlaw Josey Wales starring Clint Eastwood. Quinet is selling two variants in a very limited edition. You know what to do if you want one.
“Rolling Thunder” (1977) starring William Devane & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View
Rolling Thunder (1977)
Director: John Flynn
Screenplay: Paul Schrader, Heywood Gould; story by Paul Schrader
Stars: William Devane, Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Haynes, James Best, Lisa Blake Richards, Luke Askew, James Victor, Cassie Yates and Dabney Coleman.
Tagline: CHARLES RANE: EXECUTIONER! The war had turned him into a machine for murder. He had nothing to live for…except revenge
The Plot…
After seven years in a prisoner of war camp, Major Charles Rane (Devane) returns home. The years a prisoner were brutal. Rane was repeatedly tortured. Adjustment to his new freedom will be difficult. Making it worse, his son, who was a baby when Rane was captured, doesn’t remember him. His wife now loves another man,
Although his hometown considers him a hero, Rane doesn’t feel like one. At a ceremony honoring his return, Rane is presented with a new Cadillac and 2,555 silver dollars – one for every day he was captive, plus one for luck. Later three lowlifes break into Rane’s house to steal the money. They torture Rane but he refuses to tell them where he hid the cash. Even when they force Rane’s hand into a garbage disposal, he won’t talk.
When Rane’s wife and son enter the house, the thugs threaten them. Rane’s son tells where the silver dollars are hidden. The thieves then shoot Rane, his wife and son.
Only Rane survives. He awakens in a hospital, His mangled hand had to be removed, replaced by a hook. Rane reaches out to Johnny Vohden (Jones), another soldier from his unit that also was a POW with him. Rane plans to get revenge on three murderers who killed his son, wife and left him for dead. Johnny doesn’t hesitate to join him.
Major Charles Rane has come home to war.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m not a fan of the movie’s poster shown above. It makes Rolling Thunder look like a cheap horror film.
Paul Schrader who co-wrote the film originally had Rane written as a “white-trash racist”. He wanted Rane’s killing spree to be metaphor for Vietnam. The rewritten screenplay takes out that aspect and makes Rane a hero.
James Best known as the bumbling Sheriff Roscoe Coltrane on The Dukes of Hazzard plays one of the three murderers. If you only know him from The Dukes, it’s odd seeing him play a tough guy thug. In Rolling Thunder, Best’s character always seems to be sweating. He achieved his effect by placing ice cubes under his hat.
Rolling Thunder (1977) earns 3 of 5 stars.
4 Pieces of Concept Art for “King Kong” (1933)!
Here are 4 pieces of concept art for King Kong (1933). Looks like the big ape and a few bare breasts helped sell the concept. If you’d like to see bigger versions of each piece click on the source below.
Source: @realwackyguy
“The Boy Who Cried Werewolf” (1973) / Z-View
The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973)
Director: Nathan Juran
Screenplay: Bob Homel
Stars: Kerwin Mathews, Robert J. Wilke, George Gaynes, David S. Cass Sr., Tim Haldeman
Tagline: Possible in this day and age? Those who didn’t believe… are dead!
The Plot…
It’s Ritchie’s weekend with his dad. They decide to camp out. That night while walking back to the cabin, they are attacked by a werewolf. Dad is bitten, but manages to impale the creature. When police arrive they find a dead man on the fence. Later when Dad starts acting strange, Ritchie knows his dad is becoming a werewolf. Even worse no one believes him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Like a bad 1970s tv movie, but we don’t even get the benefit of commercials.
The Boy Who Cried Werewolf (1973) earns 1 of 5 stars.
“The Equalizer 3” (2023) directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington & Dakota Fanning / Z-View
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Screenplay: Richard Wenk based on The Equalizer by Michael Sloan, Richard Lindheim
Stars: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning
Tagline: Justice knows no borders.
The Plot…
Robert McCall (Washington) finds himself in the small Italian town of Altamonte while he recovers from a gunshot wound, McCall’s road to recovery is a slow one. As time passes, McCall is accepted and treated with kindness by the locals. He begins to think that Altamonte may become his new home. McCall loves the pace and peacefulness.
When a crime boss and his gang begin to move in on the town businesses, McCall decides to get involved.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Equalizer 3 is the fifth teaming of Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua. Their other collaborations are Training Day (2001), The Equalizer (2014), The Magnificent Seven (2016) and The Equalizer 2 (2018).
The Equalizer 3 is the second teaming of Denzel Washington and his co-star Dakota Fanning. They first appeared together in Man on Fire (2004).
The Equalizer 3 is a worthy follow-up to the first two films.
The Equalizer 3 (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.
“Bad Hombres” starring Hemky Madera, Thomas Jane, Luke Hemsworth, Tyrese Gibson, Nick Cassavettes and Diego Tinoco – Two Posters & a Trailer are Here!
Here we have two poster and a trailer for Bad Hombres starring Hemky Madera, Thomas Jane, Luke Hemsworth, Tyrese Gibson, Nick Cassavettes and Diego Tinoco. It premieres January 26th!
