“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1920) / Z-View

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The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Director: Robert Wiene

Screenplay:  Carl Mayer, Hans Janowitz

Stars: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt and Lil Dagover.

Tagline: Dr. Caligari and his mysterious slave – the black and white phantom who lives in a cabinet and goes forth in his sleep to do his master’s bidding. the weirdest characters ever seen on the screen and the most daringly different picture ever seen.

The Plot…

Dr. Caligari has brought his strange sideshow to the town carnival.  Caligari places a coffin on stage which he then opens.  Inside is a sleeping man named Cesare.  Dr. Caligari speaks a command and Cesare awakens to take questions from the audience.  A man asks, “How long shall I live?”  To everyone’s surprise Cesare says the man will be dead before dawn.

The next morning the man is found murdered in his bed.  This is the second murder since Caligari came to the small town.  Is Cesare the murderer?  Caligari?  Or is something more sinister at play?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is considered by many to be the first horror film.  

The sets and cinematography are amazing especially considering the film was made in 1920.  All of the sets are given odd angles and perspectives which contributes to a feeling of unease.  Buildings are interconnected with tilting walls, strange shadows and alleys that create odd intersections.  Plus The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari features a great twist ending.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) rates 5 of 5 stars.

The Bristol Board’s Batman vs Predator Gallery

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The Mike Mignola piece above is just one of ten pieces in The Bristol Board’s Batman vs Predator Gallery.  The others are by (artist and colorist)…

  • Art Adams and Gregory Wright
  • John Byrne and Gregory Wright
  • Adam Hughes and Gregory Wright
  • Michael Kaluta and Chris Chalenor
  • Sam Keith and Chris Chalenor
  • Joe Kubert and Adam Kubert
  • Steve Rude and Lovern Kindzierski
  • Tim Sale and Gregory Wright
  • Walt Simonson and RIchard Lewis

IT DIES WITH YOU by Scott Blackburn / Z-View

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IT DIES WITH YOU by Scott Blackburn

Hardback: ‎ 304 pages
Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books (June 7, 2022)

First sentence…

I was bouncing at the Red Door Taproom on a Friday night in January, which all but guaranteed I’d be earning every last cent of my paycheck.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Hudson Miller’s promising career as a boxer is on hold.  Suspended for a fight outside the ring, Miller now works as a bouncer as he waits for the commission to decide his future.  Late one night, Miller ignores a phone a call from his estranged father.  The next morning Miller learns that his dad was murdered in a robbery gone bad.  At least that’s what the cops are saying.

After the funeral, Miller is surprised to learn he is the new owner of his dad’s salvage yard.  Figuring it will pay more than bouncing, Miller decides to give it a try… at least until he can fight again.  Things go sideways when Miller learns that the salvage yard was the hub of illegal activities that may have played a part in his dad’s murder.  As Miller digs deeper, he finds himself alone and unsure of who he can trust.  His father’s only employee, Charlie Shoaf, a Viet Nam vet who doesn’t rattle easily warns Miller to leave it alone.  The cops are no help.  Miller is going to get answers even if it kills him.

IT DIES WITH YOU is Scott Blackburn’s debut novel.  He had me hooked from the first sentence.  He creates characters that feel real and you care about.  The mystery of who killed Miller’s dad propels them through a world that you can see outside your window if you live in the rural south.  I look forward to whatever Blackburn writes next.

Rating:

The Twilight Zone’s Scariest Monsters!

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The MeTV staff came up with their list of The 7 Scariest Monsters That Spooked Us On ‘The Twilight Zone”.  I decided to play along.  I’ve commented on each of their choices and provided my list of the seven best Twilight Zone monsters.

MeTV

Zablo

1. “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” (Excellent choice. Also made my list. – CZ)

2. “The Eye of the Beholder” (Great design, but were they really monsters? Misguided, yes. But monsters? – CZ)

3. “The Fear” (Scary at first, maybe. Then you find out what the “alien” really is. – CZ)

4. “The Invaders” (Almost made my list. – CZ)

5. “The Living Doll” (This episode didn’t resonate with me. The doll was just irritating. – CZ)

6. “Hocus-Pocus and Frisby” (Loved the alien design but the episode was a comedy so not scary. – CZ)

7. “The Masks” (The faces were well designed. The people getting the new faces weren’t nice, but were more victims than monsters. – CZ)

1. “The Howling Man” (Great design. What monster is scarier than the devil? – CZ)

2. “It’s a Good Life” (Little Billy Mumy is one of the scariest monsters ever in this episode. – CZ)

3. “To Serve Man” (Nine foot tall aliens that eat humans? Yeah, that’s scary. – CZ)

4. “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” (Features The Twilight Zone‘s best jump scare! – CZ)

5. “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” (One of the scariest Twilight Zone episodes because we are the monsters. – CZ)

6. “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” (Although this episode features humor, it’s scary to think that an invading alien force is already living among us. – CZ)

7. “Nick of Time” (A fortune telling maching that may provide you a glimpse of the future. Do you dare look? – CZ)

Midnight Mass (2021) directed by Mike Flanagan / Z-View

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Midnight Mass (2021)

Written by: Mike Flanagan (eps. 1 & 7); Mike Flanagan and James Flanagan and Elan Gale (ep. 2); Mike Flanagan and James Flanagan (eps. 3 & 5); Mike Flanagan and Dani Parker (ep. 4); Mike Flanagan and James Flanagan and Jeff Howard (ep. 6)

Directed by: Mike Flanagan

Stars: Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan, Annarah Cymone, Annabeth Gish, Alex Essoe, Michael Trucco, Henry Thomas and Hamish Linklater

Tagline: Be Not Afraid

The Plot…

Riley Flynn (Gilford) has returned to his hometown of Crockett Island after four years in prison for killing a woman in a drunk driving accident.  Flynn is at rock bottom.  Being home hasn’t helped much.  Father Paul Hill (Linklater) a charismatic new priest has also just arrived on the island.

When strange and miraculous things begin to happen on the island, the small town is divided.  Some see the miracles as messages from God, while others aren’t so sure…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I loved every episode of Midnight Mass.  Don’t sleep on this one!

Midnight Mass (2021) earns 5 of 5 stars.

THE LAST ACTION HEROES: THE TRIUMPHS, FLOPS, AND FEUDS OF HOLLYWOOD’S KINGS OF CARNAGE by Nick de Semlyen

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The Last Action Heroes: The Triumphs, Flops, and Feuds of Hollywood’s Kings of Carnage by Nick de Semlyen

Hardback: ‎ 352 pages
Publisher: ‎ Crown (June 6, 2023)

First sentence…

They came from the sky.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

I was sent an advance copy of THE LAST ACTION HEROES: THE TRIUMPHS, FLOPS, AND FEUDS OF HOLLYWOOD’S KINGS OF CARNAGE by Nick de Semlyen.  I’d like to thank whoever put me on the list because THE LAST ACTION HEROES is a winner.

Nick de Semlyen takes us back to the time that action heroes ruled movie theaters around the world.  Fans eagerly waited for the next outing by Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Van Damme, Chan, Lundgren and Seagal.  The movies (and stars paychecks) kept getting bigger and bigger as each new outing had to outdo the last.  de Semlyen focuses on the careers of each of these super stars, taking us behind the scenes to reveal the truth behind the rumors and legends.

de Semlyen did extensive research to create a book that’s easy to read and feels like you’re listening to a conversation.  I’m old enough to remember when these action heroes ruled the box office.  de Semlyen took me back to that time.  He confirmed some stories I’d heard and presented many that were new to me.  I love that the book includes an index of sources that were used.  Fans will love the behind the scenes stories.

THE LAST ACTION HEROES: THE TRIUMPHS, FLOPS, AND FEUDS OF HOLLYWOOD’S KINGS OF CARNAGE by Nick de Semlyen rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“The Descent” (2005) written & directed by Neil Marshall / Z-View

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The Descent (2005)

Director: Neil Marshall

Screenplay:  Neil Marshall

Stars: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza and Saskia Mulder.

Tagline: Face Your Deepest Fear

The Plot…

A group of six women get together for an annual adventure.  This year they’ve decided to explore unmapped caves in the Appalachian Mountains.  The women quickly find they are, pardon the expression, in over their heads. A narrow passage collapses, one of the women is badly injured… and the group is targeted by creatures living deep within the caves.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kudos to Neil Marshall for writing and directing this gem.  The film is filled with action, characterization, and scares.  Marshall knows when to give us a brief second to catch our breath before the next danger.  If you’re not claustrophobic or afraid of the dark, you may be after viewing this film.  The creatures are realistic and frightening.

The Descent (2005) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Razorback” (1984) / Z-View

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Razorback (1984)

Director: Russell Mulcahy

Screenplay:  Everett De Roche based on Razorback by Peter Brennan

Stars: Gregory Harrison, Arkie Whiteley

Tagline: No nightmare will prepare you for it…

The Plot…

When his wife is killed covering a story, Carl Winters (Harrison) travels to the Australian outback to find the cause.  Soon Winters is caught up in the hunt for a giant Razorback that has been terrorizing the area for years.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I had wanted to see Razorback for years because it was directed by Russell Mulcahy.  I’m a huge fan of Mulcahy’s direction of Highlander.  Sadly, Razorback fell waaaay short of my expectations.

Razorback just didn’t resonate with me at all.  I didn’t care much for the characters. The story had several dead spots.  The way the Razorback was killed came off as just plain silly.  Of course your mileage may vary.

Razorback (1984) rates 1 of 5 stars.

Old Dog, Redact One by Declan Shalvey

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Old Dog, Redact One by Declan Shalvey will drop on September 19, 2023.  Here’s the lowdown…

Jack Lynch was a once-promising C.I.A. operative. On the eve of retirement, looking back at a failed career he is tasked with one final mission…that goes horribly wrong. He wakes years later to a changed world with deeper changes within him. When a shadow group offers Lynch a second chance at a life of adventure, he’s paired with the last person he could ever imagine.

In this collection of six high octane adventures, an old dog learns some new tricks…

OLD DOG is a striking new spy-fi series by Declan Shalvey, the accomplished and innovative creator behind books such as Moon Knight, X-Men Unlimited, Injection and Time Before Time. Winter Soldier meets Mission Impossible in this Bourne-esque action/espionage blowout.

Collects OLD DOG [REDACT ONE] #1-6

“Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” (2004) starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law & Angelina Jolie / Z-View

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Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

Director: Kerry Conran

Screenplay:  Kerry Conran

Stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law,  Angelina Jolie and Giovanni Ribisi.

Tagline: The world will tremble.

The Plot…

The year is 1939.  Ace reporter Polly Perkins (Paltrow) is investigating the disappearance of five prominent scientists.  During a secret meeting with one of her sources the city comes under attack by giant flying robots! Soon Sky Captain arrives to assist with the defense of the city.  Reports come in from around the world of similar attacks.

Polly meets with Sky Captain and convinces him to allow her to assist with his investigation into the source of the robots.  Soon they will be involved in an adventure to save the world!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kerry Conran, the writer/director created Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow as a love letter to the comics, films and serials that he grew up loving.  He perfectly captured the feel of these adventures from his youth.  Most of the sets were computer generated using blue screens.

I saw Sky Captain during its initial release and rated it 4 of 5 stars.  I recently rewatched the film and have revised my rating to 3 of 5.  My feeling this time was the film was a little long, but it could be that I knew the story.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Bad City” – Two Posters and Trailers are Here!

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Today we have two posters and two trailers for Bad City.  I like the first poster and trailer best, but the second poster and trailer would still be enough to get me on board.  Deal me in!

BAD CITY: Watch on Digital August 1, 2023 |
Long plagued by poverty and crime, Kaiko City has been torn apart by rampant corruption and growing violence between the local Yakuza faction and a notorious Korean crime boss. But when a mafia-connected businessman runs for mayor and begins systematically eliminating his opponents, a former police captain imprisoned for a brutal murder is released in a final desperate effort to reclaim the city.

Directed by: Kensuke Sonomura
Cast: Hitoshi Ozawa, Akane Sakanoue, Katsuya, Masanori Mimoto, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Yasukaze Motomiya, Tak Sakaguchi, Kazuki Namioka, Mitsu Dan, Masaya Kato, Lily Franky, Rino Katase.

If you’re in the mood for breathtaking street fights, martial arts madness, compelling tales of gangsters, thrilling action sequences, and phenomenal acting, then come on over to Bad City. This is where you’ll find it all.

Welcome to Bad City, but beware: once you step in, you’re in for a wild ride of Japanese action-thriller mayhem, courtesy of director Kensuke Sonomura (known for his work on “Hydra,” “Baby Assassins,” and “I Am a Hero“). With his impressive background in stunts and action coordination, Sonomura delivers a hard-hitting tribute to V-Cinema, featuring the legendary Hitoshi Ozawa.

I’m a big fan of the first season of Interview with a Vampire.  Bring on season 2!


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