Marc Lafon’s Very Clever “Predator” Poster!
Marc Lafon is the artist behind this very clever Predator alt poster. You can see more of Marc’s art here.
RIP: Norman Lloyd
Norman Lloyd, actor, director and producer with a career that spanned over 70 years, died yesterday in his sleep at the age of 106.
Mr, Lloyd began his career as a spy in Alfred Hitchcock’s Saboteur. He acted in Charlie Chaplin’s classic Limelight. Throughout his career Norman Lloyd alternated between acting in feature films and television, directing and producing.
In addition to Saboteur and Limelight, some of my other favorite Norman Lloyd roles could be found on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, St. Elsewhere, and Wiseguy. In addition Mr. Lloyd could be found acting in Night Gallery, Audrey Rose, Kojak, Dead Poets Society, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Modern Family just to give you an idea of the range he played. What a career. What a life!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Lloyd’s family, friends and fans.
Ranking the Films of Stanley Kubrick
Robert Vaux at ComicBook.com decided to look at the Rotten Tomatoes ranking of every film by Stanley Kubrick. I enjoy this kind of thing and decided to see how I would rank Kubrick’s films.. Here’s how the rankings compare.
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Rotten Tomatoes |
Craig |
13. Fear And Desire |
*** Fear And Desire*** Lolita*** Barry LyndonI haven’t seen the above films so my rating will be for my top 10 Kubrick films. |
12. Eyes Wide Shut |
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11. Killer’s Kiss |
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10. The Shining |
10. 2001: A Space Odyssey: I’ve watched this several times over the decades, but it is just not for me. |
9. A Clockwork Orange |
9. Eyes Wide Shut: I didn’t care for it. I plan to give it another shot some day to see if my opinion changes. |
8. Lolita |
8. Killer’s Kiss: I liked it. Another viewing might even move it higher on my Kubrick list. |
7. Barry Lyndon |
7. Paths Of Glory: I liked Paths of Glory, but not as much as most folks. Perhaps a new viewing will give me a new opinion. |
6. Full Metal Jacket |
6. The Shining: I think the, uh, shine has come off this one over the years. I still like it although it is more Kubrick than King. |
5. 2001: A Space Odyssey |
5. A Clockwork Orange: Such a strange film. I look forward to seeing it again since it has been a while. |
4. Spartacus |
4. Full Metal Jacket: One of my favorite war films. |
3. Paths Of Glory |
3. Spartacus: Perhaps the greatest epic of them all! |
2. The Killing |
2. The Killing: If you like crime/noir, The Killing is for you (and me, too). |
1. Dr. Strangelove |
1. Dr. Strangelove: I love Dr. Strangelove. The perfect mix of humor and drama. |
The Monkees: Behind the Music and Farewell Tour Coming!
I was the perfect age to enjoy The Monkees. They already had a #1 single (Last Train to Clarksville) when their series premiered in September 1966. I was a month away from turning 8. The Monkees were instant stars. In 1967, The Monkees sold more records than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined.
Little did fans know that behind the scenes there was turmoil. The Monkees had some of the best song writers (Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Neil Diamond, Carole King to name a few) and studio musicians (Glen Campbell!) playing on their songs, but The Monkees weren’t allowed creative control or even allowed to play instruments for their records. They were told what to sing, and when to sing. Of course this didn’t sit well with them. Tensions grew after The Monkees went on a sold out tour where they did sing and play their own instruments.
Despite a popular television show, a feature film, and three number one albums in a row things were about to come off the rails.
The Monkees: Behind the Music is an extremely well done short documentary that looks at the rise and fall of The Monkees. It’s interesting to note the number of comebacks the group has made over the years with different combinations of Davy, Mickey, Mike and Peter… as well as one outing with Davy, Mickey and song writers Boyce & Hart (who wrote some of the Monkees’ biggest hits).
The Monkees (Mickey and Mike, Davy died in 2012, and Peter passed in 2019) are doing a farewell tour that starts in September 2021, runs for over 30 performances and concludes on November 14th. I just might have to see them live. I know that would thrill the 7 year old in me.
“Cuddles – A Last Chance Crime Story” by Jed McPherson, Marco Perugini and Shan Bennion is on Kickstarter Now!
Cuddles – A Last Chance Crime Story by JED MCPHERSON (writer/ letterer), MARCO PERUGINI (artist) and SHAN BENNION (colorist) is running on Kickstarter through June 6th. CUDDLES is an oversized crime comic one-shot that will run 44 pages (32 page story plus additional content). Here’s the synopsis…
Cuddles’ life ain’t too difficult. He’s got a cushy job collecting protection money for a local crime boss, but after he’s partnered up with the boss’ son, things start to go sideways. First, he finds out that his partner has been skimming off the top. Even worse, the FBI are hot on their trail. Cuddles quickly finds that he has to play all sides against each other in order to survive.
The Cuddles’ Kickstarter offers digital and physical options, prints, and add-ons which include other comics. Below you can click on the images to see a page from Cuddles as well as the Deadbeat crime comic I added on for my order. If you use the Cuddles’ Kickstarter link, you can check out more pages and get the full picture. I love crime comics and am happy to support Cuddles – A Last Chance Crime Story by JED MCPHERSON, MARCO PERUGINI and SHAN BENNION.
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Snake Plissken by Chandra Hope
Candra Hope is a Scottish artist who created the Snake Plissken piece above. She not only captured Kurt Russell’s likeness, but also I love how she turned his cigarette smoke into a snake. You can check out more of Candra’s art on Twitter. Candra also sells prints of her art here.
RIP: Tawny Kitaen
Tawny Kitaen, the model and actress, died yesterday at the age of 59. No cause of death has been released.
Born Julie Kitaen, she began using the nickname Tawny while still in junior high. Kitaen, who was dating Ratt band member Robbin Crosby while she was still in high school, appeared on Ratt’s first two album covers. In 1984, she earned a part in the Tom Hanks’ comedy, Bachelor Party. In 1987, Kitaen rocketed to fame after appearing in three Whitesnake music videos.
Tawny Kitaen’s career spanned 36 years with 45 acting credits. She was a regular on The New WKRP in Cincinnati which ran for 2 seasons. Other notable roles included characters on Seinfeld, Married with Children, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Tawny Kitaen’s private life got as much press as her professional career. In 1989, she married Whitesnake lead singer, David Coverdale. They divorced in 1991. She had an affair with O.J. Simpson while he was married to Nicole Brown Simpson. In 1997, she married professional baseball player, Chuck Finley. They had two daughters during their five year marriage which ended in 2002.
I’ll always remember Tawny Kitaen from her appearances in the Whitesnake videos. I was teaching junior high at the time and 9 out of 10 boys had pictures of her on their notebooks and in their lockers. According to Marty Callner, who directed the famous Whitesnake videos: “She (Tawny Kitaen) had so much magic, so much charisma, so sexy, so sweet, I loved her immediately, and I knew, and was right that she would be not only the first, but the ultimate video vixen.” Who can argue with that?
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tawny Kitaen’s family, friends and fans.
The Greatest 1 Hit Wonders
Ellen Gutoskey decided to take a look at The 50 Most Streamed One Hit Wonders. Using just her list here are my five favorites and five more that didn’t make the list but would have made mine.
First up my fav five from the top 50…
- “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
- “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
- “Escape (Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes
- “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn
- *Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede
And now the five that didn’t make the list…
- “Born to be Alive” by Patrick Hernandez
- “Me and Mrs, Jones” by Billy Paul
- “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas
- “Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc.
- “Venus” by Shocking Blue
Watch Director Zack Snyder Dissect the “Army of the Dead” Trailer
Having Zack Snyder (co-writer and director of Army of the Dead) watch and discuss the trailer is a cool idea!
Director Zack Snyder dissects the trailer for his new film Army of the Dead, shot by shot. Hear the behind the scenes detail about some of those epic shots ahead of the Army of the Dead launch on Netflix 21 May
“Xtreme” – The Trailer is Here!
XTreme sounds and looks like something I’d like. Check out the synopsis and trailer, XTreme may be something you’d like as well.
Two years after the murder of his son and father, a retired hitman plots his revenge against the murderer: his own brother.
With Teo García, Óscar Jaenada, Óscar Casas and Andrea Duro.
“The Penny Black” – Poster and Trailer for the Documentary Noir!
I like both the poster and trailer for The Penny Black. At first I didn’t realize that this a documentary. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. I look forward to seeing The Penny Black.
The Penny Black is a non-fiction investigative thriller that begins with Will, the estranged son of a conman, his mysterious neighbor, and a million-dollar stamp collection. A provocative exploration of Will’s fear and integrity, the documentary follows a hunt to find the owner of the collection. When a significant piece of the stamp collection goes missing, the filmmakers are forced to reexamine Will’s capacity for honesty.
Eric Beetner Drops a Dime to Jason Bovberg
I learned about Eric Beetner through his book reviews. Beetner (and I) share a love of crime fiction, His reviews, for books that I’d read, were directly in line with my thoughts. So, I picked up some of Beetner’s recommendations. I liked them.
Then I learned Eric Beetner was a writer of crime fiction and his books earned great reviews. I ordered one and never looked back. Beetner quickly moved to my must-read author list. His latest, Two in the Head, is my favorite Beetner tale yet.
Jason Bovberg is an Eric Beetner fan as well. He recently interviewed Beetner and says, Eric Beetner Has Been Flying Under Your Crime-Fiction Radar … but Not Anymore. I hope he’s right.
RIP: Frank McRae
It is just being reported today that Frank McRae died on April 29th, from a heart attack. Mr. McRae was 77.
Frank McRae was a gifted athlete who played college football at the University of Tennessee and upon graduation went into the NFL where he was a Defensive Tackle for the Chicago Bears. When his playing days were over, McRae’s focus turned to acting.
Frank McRae’s career spanned 34 years with over 60 acting credits on his resume. Mr. McRae held his on own screen with many of the greats: Charles Bronson, James Garner, Sally Field, Kurt Russell, Nick Nolte, Peter Falk and Arnold Schwarzenegger to name just a few. Stanley Kramer, Steven Spielberg, John Milius, Robert Zemeckis and John McTiernan were some of the directors who wanted Frank McRae in their films. Frank McRae appeared in four films starring Sylvester Stallone: FIST, Paradise Alley, Lock Up and Rocky II. Mr. McRae’s best known role may be Sharkey, James Bond’s friend, in Licence to Kill.
I was (and remain) a huge fan of Frank McRae. He made every film he was in at least a little bit better. My favorite Frank McRae role was when he played Big Glory in Paradise Alley. Big Glory was a professional wrestler whose better days were long past. It’s a funny, yet sad supporting role that Frank McRae completely owned. Another memorable role was his brief but impactful part in Red Dawn… and Lock Up… and well, you get the idea.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Frank McRae’s family, friends and fans.
“Feral State” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I like both the poster and trailer for Feral State and it is on my watch list now.
Tucked far away from the white sandy beaches and amusement parks is a Florida that few outsiders ever see. Nestled alongside the gator infested swamps and rundown trailer parks lives a charismatic grifter and self-proclaimed ‘father of the forgotten’ named Mack Monroe (Ronnie Gene Blevins.) He takes in orphans and runaways as his own, giving them the only semblance of a home they’ve ever known… but at what cost? Mack trains his ragtag gang in the art of thievery and crime, filling their vulnerable minds with vigilante gospels and together they knock off drug dealers and meth labs. Hot on their tail is Detective Ellis (AnnaLynne McCord), a tough-as-nails cop with demons of her own. Mack and the gang’s world is flipped upside down with the arrival of a mysterious young girl, who at first seems like the perfect new recruit but turns out being something far more dangerous than anyone could have imagined.
Starring: AnnaLynne McCord, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Octavio Pisano
Directed by: Jon Carlo
“A Quiet Place Part 2” – Poster and the Final Trailer is Here!
It seems like we’ve been waiting for A Quiet Place Part II forever. Weill, the wait is almost over. Today we have a poster and the final trailer. Make sure you save me a seat!
Following the deadly events at home, the Abbott family (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) must now face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. Forced to venture into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.
