“Silent Night” – John Woo directs Joel Kinnaman! – The Trailer is Here!
John Woo directs Joel Kinnaman.
Deal me in.
“Leave The World Behind” starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali & Myha’la – The Trailer is Here!
Deal me in!
A family’s (Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke) vacation is upended when two strangers (Mahershala Ali and Myha’la) arrive at night, seeking refuge from a cyberattack that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.
Marv by Freddie Williams II!
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 Freddie Williams II.
Chris Hack Draws “First Blood”!
Wow! Chris Hack draws First Blood and gets it right!
“Mad Max: Fury Road” starring Mel Gibson by Ted Hammond!
Mad Max: Fury Road was a hit with critics and the viewing public, but there were some who felt bad that Mel Gibson didn’t return. While nothing can change that, Ted Hammond came up with an alt poster for Fury Road which puts Mel font and center. You can see more of Hammond’s art here. You can even buy prints of his Mad Max: Fury Road!
“Reptile” (2023) starring Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone & Domenick Lombardozzi / Z-View
Reptile (2023)
Director: Grant Singer
Screenplay: Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer, Benicio del Toro from a story by Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer
Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian, Alicia Silverstone, Domenick Lombardozzi, Frances Fisher, Ato Essandoh, Mike Pniewski, Catherine Dyer, Michael Beasley, James Devoti and Matilda Lutz.
Tagline: Shed the Lies
The Plot…
When real estate agent Summer Elswick (Lutz) is brutally murdered, Detective Tom Nichols (del Toro) and his partner, Detective Dan Cleary (Essandoh) get the case. As they dig into the murder several suspects begin to appear. There’s Summer’s boyfriend, Will Grady (Timberlake), co-owner of the real estate company she worked for. The murder victim’s ex-husband also looks good for it. Then there’s the guy who thinks Grady was responsible for his father’s death. Maybe he did it to get revenge.
The twisted truth is there. Nichols will just have to dig through the lies and alibies. He won’t like what he discovers.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Reptile features an excellent cast.
- Benicio del Toro always brings his “A” game.
- Justin Timberlake surprised me. He plays the boyfriend of the murder victim. The guy’s just drained due to her death… or is he?
- Alicia Silverstone is great as del Toro’s sexy wife. She appears to be devoted and in love. But is she?
- I love when Domenick Lombardozzi shows up in a movie/series. I first took notice of him in Tulsa King. Then I went, “Yeah, that’s the guy from…” Lombardozzi is always solid.
- Eric Bogosian, Frances Fisher and Mike Pniewski are in smaller, but important roles. They are welcome additions to the cast.
Hats off to director and co-writer Grant Singer for creating a murder mystery populated by characters that all feel real. Singer handles the action and quiet moments well. I look forward to his next project.
Reptile (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“North By Northwest” Alt Poster by Paul Mann!
I love Paul Mann‘s alt poster for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic North By Northwest. (Note that Mann stuck Hitch on Mount Rushmore!)
ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby / Z-View
ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby
Hardback: 352 pages
Publisher: Flatiron Books (June 6, 2023)
First sentence…
Charon County was founded in bloodshed and darkness.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in Charon County, Virginia. Titus grew up there. He then served ten years as a F.B.I. agent. Now he’s come home. Hopefully to do some good. Although elected by a majority, there are still some who can’t get past Titus’ skin color.
When an active shooter call comes in, Titus and his deputies rush to the local high school. They arrive to find one of the community’s most beloved teachers murdered by a former student. As the young killer walks out, gun in hand, Titus attempts to take him in to custody without more bloodshed. Unfortunately, one of Titus’ deputies fatally shoots the kid.
Titus’ investigation into the teacher’s murder uncovers evidence of more crimes. The beloved teacher, a pillar of the community, was involved in sadistic crimes against children. As Titus digs deeper it becomes clear that three people were torturing and killing children. Two are dead. But one is still alive. Hiding in plain sight among the people of Charon County.
Things become even more complicated. Evidence surfaces that Titus’ Deputy may have had a secret reason to kill the kid.
Another person is murdered. The killer stages the body to let the world (and Sheriff Crown) know it is related to the murders of the children. The killer begins taunting Titus. Publicity about the gruesome murders puts the town on edge. It also gives those who oppose Titus as Sheriff a reason to remove him from office.
As Titus continues to dig into the evidence, he uncovers dark secrets hidden for decades. Of course Titus has a secret of his own. The real reason he left the F.B.I..
Thoughts…
S.A. Cosby is one of my must-buy authors. He won the Anthony Award for Best Novel two years in a row for BLACKTOP WASTELAND and RAZORBLADE TEARS. Both get my highest recommendation. As does Cosby’s MY DARKEST PRAYER.
ALL SINNER’S BLEED is another winner. Titus Crown is a great lead character. I was surprised by the ending, but it felt right. Especially Crown’s last act.
Each novel that Cosby has created made me hope for a sequel. Yet, each new book brought new lead characters that I come to love. Perhaps a crossover is due. Truth is, it doesn’t matter what Cosby writes. I, like many, many others will be in line to buy it.
Rating:
Jack Carter by Nate Niles!
Sly Stallone as Jack Carter by Nate Niles. He’s a young artist to watch for. Nate was “introduced” to me by Jarrod Alberich, The Yard Sale Artist. The two of them created Hamilton Vs. Burr: A Werewolf Tale!
“Scarface” Alt Poster by Matthew Essom!
Give it up for Matthew Essom and his cool alt Scarface poster.
“No One Will Save You” (2023) written & directed by Brian Duffield, starring Kaitlyn Dever / Z-View
No One Will Save You (2023)
Director: Brian Duffield
Screenplay: Brian Duffield
Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Zack Duhame, Geraldine Singer, Dane Rhodes.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Brynn (Dever) is a young woman living on the outskirts of a small town. A tragic event turned many of those in town against Brynn. Now she suffers from anxiety and is a bit of a recluse. When Brynn wakes one night to discover that aliens are invading, she realizes that to survive, she will have to save herself.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)
Hats off to Brian Duffield who wrote and directed No One Will Save You. The film is engaging from the start. Duffield knows how to tell a story. He chooses interesting camera angles and shots. Duffield’s scares don’t rely on jump takes and he knows how to create tension.
No One Will Save You is basically a one woman show. Thankfully, Kaitlyn “Justified” Dever is up to the task. She was excellent. Dever’s performance is even more impressive taking into account there are less than ten words spoken in the entire movie.
Stephen King said this about “NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU: Brilliant, daring, involving, scary. You have to go back over 60 years, to a TWILIGHT ZONE episode called ‘The Invaders’ to find anything remotely like it. Truly unique.”
I agree with everything Stephen King wrote. If you feel a “but” coming, you’re right. No One Will Save You is all that Mr. King said…
…BUT, movies are sometimes like trips. It’s not about the destination, but the journey. Where No One Will Save You fell short is the ending. I didn’t hate how the film concluded, but for me, it was a step below everything that came before. The ending provides plenty to think about and discuss. I loved everything up to the end. I hope that doesn’t put potential viewers off watching No One Will Save You, because the journey is worth the trip.
No One Will Save You (2023) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Blood and Snow” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I like the concept, the poster and trailer for Blood and Snow. Yes, I get that it looks like a poor man’s version of John Carpenter’s The Thing. So call me a poor man and deal me in.
Two scientists uncover a meteorite impact site in the Arctic tundra, but it kills one scientist and infects the other. A nearby base takes in the lone survivor whilst trying to understand what happened. The lone survivor may not be the person they think she is.
Sin City Marv by Michael Batista!
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 Michael Batista.
Batman by Ken Lashley!
One of the things I love about Instagram is finding a new (to me) artist to follow. Check out Ken Lashley’s riff on Batman. The look at the other art Lashley’s posted. My guess is, if you’re not already following, you’ll hit that “Follow” button. I sure did.
Nosferatu Takes a Victim by Frank Cho!
Can you imagine a full Nosferatu story with art by Frank Cho? I can and it is amazing. Too bad it’s not real. Ah, but you can see more of Frank Cho’s art if you’re so inclined.
