“A Savage Art: The Life and Cartoons of Pat Oliphant” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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A Savage Art: The Life and Cartoons of Pat Oliphant – the poster and trailer are here!

Deal me in.

In theaters September 5.
https://asavageart.com/

Patrick Oliphant was a giant slayer. In addition to being a fearless stunt pilot, executing dangerous maneuvers just to blow off a little steam, he bravely took on presidents, popes and the American corporate class with his mighty pen.

An Australian transplant, Oliphant was America’s most renowned and feared political cartoonist for five decades. With his biting wit and masterful drawing skills he attacked individual and institutional corruption, collusion, greed, hypocrisy and arrogance, no matter the size or status of his enemies.

A Savage Art is the story of Oliphant’s life and celebrated career, told in interviews with Pat, his family, friends and colleagues, in archival footage, and featuring hundreds of his cartoons.

A Savage Art also outlines the history of political cartoons, showing how important and impactful political cartoonists have been throughout the ages, and how, in our current climate of political partisanship and corporate control of the media, political cartoonists like Oliphant are critical to checking the powers that be.

Directed by Bill Banowsky

“Heads of State” (2025) starring Idris Elba, John Cena and Priyanka Chopra Jonas / Z-View

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Heads of State (2025)

Director:  Ilya Naishuller

Screenplay: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Harrison Query; story by Harrison Query

Stars: Idris Elba, John Cena, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles, Katrina Durden, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Sharlto Copley,  Steven Cree and Stephen Root.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

British Prime Minister Sam Clarke and Will Derringer, the newly elected US President, don’t like each other.  Unfortunately their disdain becomes obvious during a joint press conference.  In order to present solidarity, the two decide to fly together to the NATO summit on Air Force One.

When terrorists attempt to kill Clarke and Derringer, they found themselves forced to trust each other in order to survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Heads of State was a better film than I was expecting.  I attribute much of that to the chemistry between Elba and Cena.

Heads of State (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Superman” (1978) by Tony Stella!

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I have no interest in seeing the new Superman movie.  Not to worry, I think it will do just fine without my few dollars spent on a ticket.  Also, I am not in the targeted audience demographic for the new film.

Now the Richard Donner directed outing with Christopher Reeve… well, that was a different story.

Targeted demographic or not, I think that Tony Stella‘s Superman poster is just… super.

THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 by Frank Zafiro / Z-View

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THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 by Frank Zafiro

First sentences…

“Jack-a-reno!”

Sam hated that.  Even if Jack had been his real name, he would have hated it…”

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Sam and Rachel are lovers.  On the run.  That’s because they’re also grifters who conned the wrong folks.  Mafia folks.  Now Sam and Rachel have to keep moving.  And they have to keep scamming to pay the cost of a life on the run.

Their latest mark is Jacobson.  He owns a concrete company.  Jacobson thinks some folks want to buy his business. Jacobson has done his due diligence.  The folks buying have an opportunity to make millions, but their timeline is running thin. And they need Jacobson’s company to make it happen.

So Jacobson thinks he has the upper hand.  He’ll buy THEIR BUSINESS and he’ll make the millions.  One of the first rule of a con — make the mark want to give you their money.  Sam and Rachel have the hook in.  They just need a few more days.

Then the pair discover that they’ve been discovered.  They need to blow town before the mob’s hitman zeroes in on them.  Sadly, they need the score more.

The clock is ticking… tick… tick… tick…

+++

THE CONCRETE SMILE: A GRIFTER’S SONG 1 is a fast, fun read.  Clocking in at just 71 pages, Zafiro has laid the foundation for a fun crime series.  I look forward to more Grifter Songs.

Rating:

“The Fool Killer” (1965) starring Anthony Perkins and Edward Albert / Z-View

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The Fool Killer (1965)

Director:  Servando González

Screenplay: Morton S. Fine, David Friedkin; based on THE FOOL KILLER by Helen Eustis

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Edward Albert, Henry Hull, Salome Jens, Dana Elcar, Arnold Moss and Lana Wood.

Tagline:  All the secret joys, the sudden terrors of being young and free and far from home

The Plot…

Life after the civil war could be tough.  For George Mellish who is twelve years old and an orphan, it is unbearable.  George’s foster parents took him so he could help with chores.  When George accidentally knocks over the butter churn, his step-father beats him.

That’s the final straw for George.  He gathers his few possessions and runs away.  When George hears a train approaching, he attempts to board it.  He throws his few goods onto a car and attempts to follow them.  The train is just too fast.  George trips and falls down as the train speeds away.

Now with just the clothes on his back, George continues walking.  What lies ahead is an incredible journey that may not end well. George will meet strange characters and possibly the legendary serial murderer known as The Fool Killer.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Edward Albert stars and it is his first credited role.  Edward Albert is the son of Eddie Albert. (Funny, but it would seem their names should be switched.)

The Fool Killer feels like a childhood fable.  It has a dreamlike quality with strange characters and a unique pace.  It’s part boyhood adventure, part mystery and part horror.

The Fool Killer (1965) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Night of the Hunter” (1955) directed by Charles Laughton; starring Robert Mitchum, Lillian Gish, Shelley Winters, Billy Chapin and Sally Jane Bruce / Z-View

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                                  Night of the Hunter alt poster by Laurent Carbonelle

Night of the Hunter (1955)

Director:  Charles Laughton

Screenplay: James Agee; based on THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER by Davis Grubb

Stars: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason, Evelyn Varden, Don Beddoe, Billy Chapin, Sally Jane Bruce, Gloria Castillo, Corey Allen, Paul Bryar and Peter Graves.

Tagline: The scenes…the story…The stars BUT ABOVE ALL – THE SUSPENSE!

The Plot…

The Great Depression has a stranglehold on the country.

Harry Powell is the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Powell claims to be a traveling preacher.  In truth Powell is a psychotic serial killer.

Powell’s hatred for women consumes him.  He says to himself, “There are things you do hate, Lord. Perfume-smellin’ things, lacy things, things with curly hair…There’s too many of them. I can’t kill the world.”  Powell travels the countryside taking advantage of the weak.  He steals and kills without regret.  Then moves on to find the next victim.

Powell is caught in a stolen car.  Sent to prison, he is celled with Ben Harper.  Harper and a friend, unable to find jobs become desperate enough to rob a bank.  Two men and Harper’s friend were killed in the theft.  Harper made it home to hid the bank’s $10,000.  As the police came to arrest him, he told his two small children where the money was hidden, and made them swear to never tell.

Harry Powell learns of the $10,000 robbery and attempts to get Harper to tell where he hid the loot.  Harper takes the secret to his grave when he is hanged for his crimes.  When Powell is released from prison he decides to call on Harper’s widow.

Powell plans to woo and wed widow Harper.  Once he finds the hidden cash, he’ll kill the woman and her little children too.

“It’s a hard world for little things.”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Night of the Hunter is based on Davis Grubb’s novel THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER.

Night of the Hunter is sadly the only film ever directed by Charles Laughton.

When Mitchum’s character is seen in silhouette in the distance riding a horse, it is actually a dwarf on a pony.  The scene was filmed in forced perspective.

Robert Mitchum said that Charles Laughton was his favorite director and Night of the Hunter was the favorite film that he starred in.

The Harry Powell character was based on a real serial killer named Harry Powers.  Powers found his victims through “lonely hearts” advertisements.  Powers killed women and their children then stole their money and valuables.  When Powers was caught, police found many letters from women wanting to meet him.  Powers was convicted and hung for his crimes.

There’s a shot of Winters that is haunting.  It will stay with you forever.

Stephen King has called Night of the Hunter the scariest film of all time.

Night of the Hunter is a classic.  Everyone should watch it at least once.

Night of the Hunter (1955) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Total Recall” (1990) directed by Paul Verhoeven; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin and Ronny Cox / Z-View

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Total Recall (1990)

Director:  Paul Verhoeven

Screenplay: Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Gary Goldman; story by Ronald Shusett, Dan O’Bannon, Jon Povill; based on “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” by Philip K. Dick

Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin, Ronny Cox, Marshall Bell, Mel Johnson Jr., Michael Champion, Roy Brocksmith, Ray Baker, David Knell, Alexia Robinson, Debbie Lee Carrington, Lycia Naff, Robert Costanzo and Dean Norris.

Tagline: How would you know after memory implantation if your mind is yours?

The Plot…

The year is 2084.  Mars is now a colonized planet.  The leader of the planet is Vilos Cohaagen.  Cohaagen is a dictatorial ruler who came to power thanks to his management of the mining of turbinium ore.  Cohaagen rules with an iron hand.

Douglas Quaid is a construction worker on Earth.  Quaid continues to have recurring nightmares about being on Mars.  In his dreams Quaid is involved with a woman and on a mysterious mission.  Quaid realizes that a trip to Mars is out of the question.  So he decides to check out Rekall.

Rekall uses the latest technology to implant memories that are no different than one would actually have experienced.  Quaid decides to purchase a memory of Mars.  Because the memories are implanted a customer can be or do anything.  Quaid decides to be a secret agent sent on a mission to save Mars.  Once the memory is implanted, he will believe that everything he remembers is true.

During the implant stage, Quaid begins struggling.  The Rekall techs see that Quaid has had a procedure to repress memories.  Concerned that unlocking these memories would put them at odds with Cohaagen, the Rekall workers shut down the process.  

On the way home Quaid is attacked.  Quaid is surprised to discover he is able to kill his attackers.  Now he’s confused.  Is he a former spy?  Is it just a memory?  If he is a spy, and his cover is blown, who can he trust?  What was his mission?

A trip to Mars will be required to discover the truth.  But can Quaid ever really be sure?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Total Recall (1990) was nominated for three 1991 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – Stephen Hunter Flick
  • Best Sound – Nelson Stoll, Michael J. Kohut, Carlos Delarios, Aaron Rochin
  • Winner for Special Achievement Award – Eric Brevig, Rob Bottin, Tim McGovern, Alex Funke

Arnold Schwarzenegger was supposed to star in Robocop, directed by Paul Verhoeven.  But the deal fell through.  When Schwarzenegger saw Robocop, he was determined to do a film with Verhoeven.  Verhoeven was in talks to direct Black Rain. When the film was delayed, Schwarzenegger lobbied to get Verhoeven on board to helm Total Recall.  Since Verhoeven also wanted to work with Schwarzenegger, he passed on Black Rain.

Patrick Swayze was originally set to star with Bruce Beresford as director. When Dino De Laurentis’ company went bankrupt Schwarzenegger convinced Carolco to buy the rights. In early drafts the Quaid character was called Quill and was an accountant.  Once Arnold was on board the named changed as did the occupation.  Quaid was now a muscular construction worker.

Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy had been in talks to direct Total Recall.  Sylvester Stallone wanted Mulcahy to direct Rambo III (1988).  Stallone won out.  Ironically, Mulcahy was fired just a few weeks into filming due to creative differences with Stallone. Peter MacDonald (Rambo III‘s second-unit director) took over.

DC published a Total Recall comic book adaptation written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by Tom Lyle.

Total Recall (1990) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Chief of War” starring Jason Mamoa – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!

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Here we have two posters and the trailer for Chief of War starring Jason Mamoa.

Before the Kingdom, there was war. Chief of War premieres August 1 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_ChiefOfWar

Chief of War follows the epic and unprecedented telling of the unification and colonization of Hawai‘I in the late 18th century. Told from an indigenous perspective, Chief of War is a passion project for creators Jason Momoa and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett, who both share native Hawaiian heritage.

The series features a predominantly Polynesian cast, led by Momoa alongside Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale’o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka,Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes.

“28 Days Later” written by Alex Garland; directed by Danny Boyle; starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brenden Gleeson and Megan Burns / Z-View

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28 Days Later (2002)

Director:  Danny Boyle

Screenplay: Alex Garland

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer, David Schneider, Toby Sedgwick, Noah Huntley, Kim McGarrity, Luke Mably, Stuart McQuarrie and Brendan Gleeson.

Tagline: Day 1: Exposure – Day 3: Infection – Day 8: Epidemic – Day 15: Evacuation – Day 20: Devastation

The Plot…

Jim awakens after being in a coma for 28 days.  He’s in a hospital bed, but the hospital is deserted.  Jim throws on some clothes and heads out into the street.  Broad daylight and no one is seen.

Jim goes into a church.  In the sanctuary are dozens of people.  Most show signs of major physical trauma.  They appear to be sleeping.  When a priest sees Jim and begins to attack, the infected come out of their slumber and attack as well.

Jim barely escapes.  Jim comes to realize that while he was in a coma, a fast-acting virus turned normal people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines.  There are few survivors in a city that once held over 7 million souls.  Jim meets and befriends three who have endured: Selena, a young woman about his age, Frank, a middle-aged man and his teenage daughter Hannah.

A radio broadcast repeats the message that protection can be found at a location outside of Manchester.  The four debate if there is truly salvation there.  The broadcast could be outdated.  Everyone there could be dead.  The people there could be as dangerous as the infected.  The journey will require them to pass through multiple congested areas.

Ultimately the group decides to go.  Unexpected dangers await. Not all will survive.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Megan Burns, who plays Frank’s teenage daughter Hannah, had appeared in only one other film prior to 28 Days Later.  Megan retired from acting after 28 Days Later to pursue a career as a musician.  Her stage name is Betty Curse.

28 Days Later re-invigorated the zombie genre.  Although some argue that the infected aren’t zombies, since they have lost control of their bodies and reasoning, I think they fit the definition.

28 Days Later is a classic.  Well written, well directed and well acted.  <Chef’s kiss>

28 Days Later (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars