“The Terminator” Faux Paperback Cover by Tom Ralston!
Tom Ralston nailed his faux paperback cover for The Terminator.
RIP: Joe Don Baker
It was announced today that Joe Don Baker died on May 7, 2025. No cause of death was given. Mr. Baker was 89.
Joe Don Baker was a high school standout in football and basketball. He attended North Texas State College on a sports scholarship. Mr. Baker graduated with a BA in Business Administration. Joe Don Baker then served two years in the US Army. After his enlistment, Mr. Baker moved to New York City to attend the Actors Studio.
Joe Don Baker began getting stage work as well as guest appearances on television shows. Mr. Baker’s big break came when he played Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. By this point, Joe Don Baker was alternating between feature films and television roles, but Walking Tall was the film that made him famous.
Some of the television projects that feature Joe Don Baker include: Honey West; Iron Horse; Judd for the Defense; The Felony Squad; Bonanza; Gunsmoke (2 episodes); The Big Valley; Mod Squad; Bracken’s World; Lancer (3 episodes); The F.B.I.; The Most Deadly Game; The High Chaparral; Mission Impossible; Welcome Home Soldier Boys; Ironside; That Certain Summer; Doc Elliott; The Streets of San Francisco; To Kill a Cop; Power; Eischied (13 episodes); Edge of Darkness (6 episodes); In the Heat of the Night (4 episodes); Citizen Cohen; The Wild West; Traps; The Siege at Ruby Ridge; George Wallace; Poodle Springs and The Cleaner.
Some of Joe Don Bakers’ feature film appearances include: Cool Hand Luke; Guns of the Magnificent Seven; Wild Rovers; Junior Bonner; The Valachi Papers; Walking Tall; Charley Varrick; The Outfit; The Natural; Fletch; The Living Daylights; Cape Fear; Reality Bites; Congo; Goldeneye; Mars Attacks!; Tomorrow Never Dies; Joe Dirt; The Commission; The Dukes of Hazzard and Mud.
It’s impossible for me to pinpoint when I first saw Joe Don Baker because he appeared in so many of the shows I watched as a kid. I do remember how much buzz he got for starring as Buford Pusser in Walking Tall. I always enjoyed seeing Joe Don Baker show up in a show or movie, because he made everything he was in better.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Don Baker’s family, friends and fans.
“Count the Hours” (1953) directed by Don Siegel, starring Teresa Wright & Macdonald Carey / Z-View
Count the Hours (1953)
Director: Don Siegel
Screenplay: Doane R. Hoag, Karen DeWolf; story by Doane R. Hoag
Stars: Teresa Wright, Macdonald Carey, Dolores Moran, Adele Mara, Edgar Barrier, Ralph Dumke and Jack Elam.
Tagline: Strange things happen in the night!
The Plot…
Late one night, Fred Morgan and his live-in housekeeper are killed during a home invasion/robbery. The next morning the bodies are discovered and the police arrive. George and Ellen Braden are the first to be questioned.
George and Ellen Braden live in a small house on the farm and assist with the chores. George says they didn’t hear anything. His wife says she heard gunshots and told George. This makes the police suspicious. The couple are brought in for more questioning. Sixteen hours later George says he’ll sign anything to get them to let up on his wife.
George is charged with the murder of Fred Morgan and his housekeeper. Doug Madison is assigned to serve as George’s defense counsel. Doug starts out believing George is guilty. Slowly as Doug digs into the case, he changes his mind. With all the evidence pointing to guilt and George’s life on the line, the clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Count the Hours is a low budget thriller made in just 9 days!
John Alton, the Director of Photography, was given a budget of $4,000.00 for all of the equipment for rigging (overhead lighting, cables, brackets, piping, etc.). Alton told the Producer that if he was given a raise of $2,000.00 to his salary, he would do it without rigging. The lack of traditional studio lighting greatly contributes to the film’s atmosphere.
Director Don Siegel’s sixth outing as a feature film director. His excellent direction (along with John Alton’s lighting) help make this low budget thriller a winner.
Count the Hours (1953) rates 3 of 5 stars
If Crime is a Disease, Ethan Pro Would Like You to Meet the Cure!
If crime is a disease, Ethan Pro would like you to meet the cure.
“Brawl in Cell Block 99” (2017) written & directed by S. Craig Zahler, starring Vince Vaughn and Don Johnson / Z-View
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)
Director: S. Craig Zahler
Screenplay: S. Craig Zahler
Stars: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Victor Almanzar, Willie C. Carpenter, Mustafa Shakir, Clark Johnson, Michael Medeiros, Jonathan Lee and Tom Guiry.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Bradley Thomas is a 6’5″ bruiser with an anger problem. When Bradley is laid off and unable to get work, he turns to dealing drugs. Things go well for a while. Then Bradley’s boss gets a new partner named Eleazar. When Bradley is sent on a delivery with two of Eleazar’s thugs, things go sideways. After a shootout with the police, Bradley is arrested, tried and sentenced to seven years in a medium-security prison.
Eleazar reaches out to Bradley. Eleazar threatens to kill Bradley unborn child unless Bradley kills another inmate. The problem is the other inmate is in Redleaf, a maximum security prison reserved for the worst of the worst.
Bradley does what he must to get transferred to Redleaf. Once there, Bradley is the target of Warden Tuggs and the guards. Worse still, Bradley learns that Eleazar and his gang on inmates of the prison. Bradley has been set up for execution.
With no options and only a desire to save his wife and unborn child, Bradley prepares for what comes next.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you only know Vince Vaughn from comedies, check out Brawl in Cell Block 99. You’ll believe he’s a thug. He put on 15 pounds of muscle working out for the role.
Don Johnson is excellent.
S. Craig Zahler wrote Brawl in Cell Block 99 before Bone Tomahawk.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017) rates 5 of 5 stars
“Predator” Overseas Poster by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella shows once again, with this Predator poster, why is he one of the best in the business.
“Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018) written/directed by Drew Goddard, starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthis Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman and Chris Hemsworth / Z-View
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Director: Drew Goddard
Screenplay: Drew Goddard
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Mayo Methot, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Cailee Spaeny, Lewis Pullman, Nick Offerman, Mark O’Brien, Charles Halford and Shea Whigham.
Tagline: Seven strangers. Seven secrets. All roads lead here.
The Plot…
1959. The El Royale used to be THE place to stay. Now it’s luster is gone. Felix O’Kelly checks in and hides a bag of money under the floorboards of a room. Not long after, O’Kelly’s partner shows up.
And kills O’Kelly.
Ten years pass. The El Royale is a dump.
One night four strangers arrive separately and check into separate rooms. The four are: a priest named Daniel Flynn, a singer named Darlene Sweet, a salesman named Laramie Seymour Sullivan and a free spirit who calls herself Emily Summerspring. Some of the four are not as they appear. Among them is an FBI agent on a mission for J. Edgar Hoover. One is looking for the missing bag of money. The night will also involve a kidnapping, a cult and murder(s).
This night will be full of bad times at the El Royale.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bad Times at the El Royale is under-rated. Kudos to writer/director Drew Goddard and his great cast.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) rates 4 of 5 stars
Marv by Shawn Crystal!
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 Shawn Crystal.
Source: Joe Atalla.
The Blood Brothers Mother by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso!
The Blood Brothers Mother by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso is getting a hardcover treatment. I bought the comics when they came out, but I’m still springing for this new edition. The Blood Brothers Mother drops on July 22, 2025.
Here’s the lowdown followed by a few pages of preview art…
NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL DEBUT FROM THE TEAM BEHIND 100 BULLETS!
In the old West, three children set off across the wild Texas frontier to rescue their mother–kidnapped by ruthless outlaws who gunned down their preacher father. Throughout their journey, they’ll face the harsh elements of an unforgiving landscape, deadly animals hungry for blood, merciless bounty hunters, and so much more… all in a relentless quest to rescue their family.
They’ll learn the terrible cost of revenge―not just in lives, but in how it stains a soul. While revenge may be satisfying in the moment, it leaves a yearning behind that lasts a lifetime. And once you taste it, nothing else is ever so sweet.
In the tradition of The Searchers and Blood Meridian comes a brutal new western series from the Eisner award-winning team behind 100 BULLETS and MOONSHINE!
“The Eternaut”: Season 1 (2025) created, co-written & directed by Bruno Stagnaro; based on “The Eternaut” by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López / Z-View
The Eternaut: Season 1 (2025)
Created by: Bruno Stagnaro, based on The Eternaut by Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Francisco Solano López
Director: Bruno Stagnaro
Teleplay by: Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Gabriel Stagnaro (Eps. 1-2, 6), Bruno Stagnaro and Ariel Staltari (Eps. 3, 5), Bruno Stagnaro, Ariel Staltari, and Martín Wain (Ep. 4)
Starring: Ricardo Darín, Carla Peterson, César Troncoso, Andrea Pietra.
Tagline: None
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
One summer evening snow begins to fall. Juan Salvo and some friends move to the window to check it out. They’re shocked to see anyone outside suddenly drop dead as the snow touches them. The snow falls though the night. Juan rigs together a suit with gas mask so that he can venture out to search for his daughter.
As the days go on, it becomes clear that few have survived. Many of those who did are just as dangerous as the snow. Then they learn about the arriving aliens. Juan and his friends will need to band together in order to live.
Thoughts
The Eternaut is an Argentine television series created by Bruno Stagnaro. It is based on the comic strip The Eternaut created by Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López. The strip ran from 1957 through 1959. In 1977, Héctor Germán Oesterheld, along with his four daughters were taken into custody by Argentina’s last military dictatorship. Oesterheld’s writings against the military junta made him a target. He and his daughters were never seen in public again.
I liked the pacing of season one.
Bring on season 2!
“Dark Winds” Season 3 (2025) starring Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison and A. Martinez / Z-View
Dark Winds Season 3 (2025)
Created by: Graham Roland
Director: Chris Eyre (Eps 1, 4, 8), Michael Nankin (Eps 2, 3), Billy Luther (Ep. 5); Erica Tremblay (Ep. 6); Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 7)
Teleplay by: John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 5, 8), Rhiana Yazzie (Ep. 2), Max Hurwitz & Billy Luther (Eps. 3, 6), Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 4, 7) // Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez, Tonantzin Carmelo, Alex Meraz, Derek Hinkey, Terry Serpico, Jenna Elfman, Flora Amanda, Raoul Max Trujillo, Christopher Heyerdahl, Carly Roland, Joseph Runningfox, Bodhi Okuma Linton, Robert Knepper, Ryan Begay, Bruce Greenwood and Jeri Ryan.
Tagline: None
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Sheriff Joe Leaphorn (McClarnon) and his deputy Jim Chee (Gordon) are trying to locate a missing Navajo boy. Leaphorn and Chee learn the missing boy witnessed a murder. The killer is on the kid’s trail as well. Matters are complicated when FBI agent Sylvia Washington shows up to investigate a murder case. Joe Leaphorn is her main suspect. Leaphorn’s marriage begins to fall apart when Special Agent Washington informs Leaphorn’s wife that her husband may be a murderer.
Bernadette Manuelito is settling in to her new job as a border patrol cop. Any job is hard when you’re the rookie. Manuelito is put into a tough situation when she discovers that an influential, rich landowner may be involved with drug running. Advised to back off, she digs deeper. Learning that at least one person in her department is on the take, Manuelito doesn’t know who to trust. Her time is running out, since she’s now a target of a former CIA assassin.
Thoughts
Dark Winds: Season 3 builds on the actions Joe Leaphorn took in season 2. It’s not often we see the ramifications of a character impacting others. The relationship between Joe and Emma seems real.
I liked the dual mysteries presented this season.
Dark Winds provides the best creep/scary villains. Raoul Max Trujillo as Budge Baca continues the tradition.
Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten and Deanna Allison have real chemistry. I look forward to Season 4.
“Marked Woman” (1937) starring Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart / Z-View
Marked Woman (1937)
Director: Lloyd Bacon, Michael Curtiz (uncredited)
Screenplay: Robert Rossen, Abem Finkel, Seton I. Miller (uncredited)
Stars: Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Isabel Jewell, Mayo Methot, Eduardo Ciannelli, Raymond Hatton, William B. Davidson, Kenneth Harlan, Robert Strange and Allen Jenkins.
Tagline: A Star Teaming You’ll Never Forget!
The Plot…
Johnny Vanning (Ciannelli) controls all the rackets. Vanning owns all the city’s hot spots. If you want a night out with booze, gambling and women, Vanning will be getting a kickback. Vanning’s latest purchase is a night club he names Club Intimate. Before the club reopens Vanning meets with the “hostesses” – Mary, Gabby, Emmy Lou, Florrie, and Estelle. Vanning makes it clear he expects the girls to push the booze, encourage the gambling and give the men whatever they want.
Mary (Davis) doesn’t like the new direction or Vanning. She needs the money though, since she’s putting her kid sister through college. One of Mary’s dates drinks waay to much (and orders drinks for the group). He then tops it off by losing big time at the craps table. At the end of the evening he writes a check for his loses and the booze.
On the way to dropping Mary off, the man laughs, telling her the check will bounce and he’s had a great time. Mary is shocked. This rube thinks he’ll catch a plane back home and all will be forgotten. Mary makes it clear that Vanning has killed for a lot less. The man’s only hope is to leave right away. He agrees.
The next morning, the police show up at Mary’s door. Her “date” was found murdered. David Graham (Bogart), the District Attorney, knows that Mary could be the witness that finally brings down Vanning. Mary knows how Vanning deals with snitches. Plus there’s her sister she needs to worry about.
Mary’s in a tough spot and it’s about to get worse.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
For a hospital scene, Bette Davis’ character is to have been badly beaten. Her face is bruises and her head bandaged. The make-up department didn’t want to obscure Davis’ face. So few bandages were used. When the crew broke for lunch, Bette Davis went to her personal doctor. She described the damage her character was to have. The doc then put on appropriate coverings. When Davis returned to the lot, the gate guard saw her and phoned Hal B. Wallis (the film’s executive producer) to say Miss Davis had been in an accident.
Although married, Humphrey Bogart fell in love with Mayo Methot during filming. Once Bogart divorced his second wife, he married Methot. That marriage lasted until 1945 when he fell in love with Lauren Bacall during filming of To Have and Have Not.
Michael Curtiz filmed some scenes when director Lloyd Bacon was on his honeymoon.
Bette Davis shines in this role.
Marked Woman (1937) rates 3 of 5 stars
“Catch-22” (1970) directed by Mike Nichols, starring Alan Arkin / Z-View
Catch-22 (1970)
Director: Mike Nichols
Screenplay: Buck Henry based on CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
Stars: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Bob Balaban, Susanne Benton, Norman Fell, Charles Grodin, Austin Pendleton, Peter Bonerz, Philip Roth, Bruce Kirby, Richard Libertini and Orson Welles.
Tagline: The nice thing about war is that the person who kills you really has nothing against you. Personally.
The Plot…
Captain John Yossarian is a U.S. Army Air Force B-25 bombardier during World War II. A bombardier’s job is dangerous enough, but Yossarian’s commanding officer, Colonel Cathcart, is making it worse. Normally once a bombardier has flown 25 missions, he’s rotated out. Colonel Cathcart keeps raising the required number of missions before rotation out. It now stands at 80. Which is basically a death sentence.
Yossarian decides if a doctor agrees he is no longer fit for duty, he will be taken from the flight rotations. When Yossarian talks to the doctor, he learns of Catch-22. Because bombing flights are so dangerous, you’d have to be crazy to do them. But if you ask to be relieved of duty because of the danger, it shows you’re not crazy, just prudent. If you’re not crazy, you have to fly.
Yossarian is haunted by the bloody death of a young turret gunner who was killed on a flight with Yossarian. But that doesn’t make him crazy, just someone who cares. As Yossarian looks around he sees the madness of war. Their squadron commander, Major Major has never flown a single bombing mission. Further, Major Major refuses to see people while he’s in his office. They must see him when he’s out. But they must make their appointments when he is in. Colonel Cathcart is more concerned with getting good press than the safety of his men. And those are just tips of the iceberg.
But Yossarian has a plan. He’ll prove he’s insane. But how do you look crazy among all the madness?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Catch-22 features Art Garfunkle and Bruce Kirby film debuts.
Bob Newhart, Peter Bonerz, and Jack Riley all appear in the film. Bonerz and Riley would go on to be regulars in The Bob Newhart Show.
Stacey Keach originally had the role of Colonel Cathcart. Director Mike Nichols fired him over creative differences and brought in Martin Balsam to fill the role.
Paula Prentiss has a scene with full frontal nudity. It was one of the first times a major Hollywood actress bared all in a Hollywood production.
John Jordan, the second unit director, refused to wear a harness during a bomber scene. Jordan died when he slipped out of the open tail turret and fell 4,000 feet into the ocean.
Catch-22 (1970) rates 4 of 5 stars
RIP: James Foley
It was announced today that James Foley died earlier this week after a long battle with brain cancer. Mr. Foley was 71.
James Foley graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Mr. Foley then earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in film study and production from USC (the University of Southern California). It was there Hal Ashby saw one of James Foley’s student films and asked him to submit something to Ashby’s production company. Unfortunately the production company folded before anything came of the offer. Still, word was out about James Foley, a young director to keep an eye on.
Because of the buzz created by Hal Ashby, James Foley secured his first feature film, Reckless starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah. James Foley would continue to direct feature films, television projects and music videos for the rest of his career.
Some of James Foley’s television and video projects include: Madonna: Dress You Up (Opening Sequence); Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour (Opening Sequence); Madonna: Live to Tell; Madonna: Papa Don’t Preach; Madonna: True Blue; Madonna: Who’s That Girl; Madonna: The Look of Love; Deep Purple: King of Dreams; Twin Peaks; Gun; Hannibal; Red Zone; House of Cards (12 episodes); Wayward Pines; Billions (2 episodes); Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Free.
Some of the feature films directed by James Foley include: Reckless; At Close Range; Who’s That Girl; After Dark, My Sweet; Glen Garry Glen Ross; Fear; The Chamber; The Corrupter and Confidence.
My favorite James Foley film is Glen Garry Glen Ross. Foley’s direction made a film that lacked physical action, fights or gun battles and instead focused on dialogue exciting and tension filled.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to James Foley’s family, friends and fans.
