Marv by Jimbo Salgado!
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 Jimbo Salgado!
THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno / Z-View
THE WAKE-UP by Robert Ferrigno
First sentence…
The Engineer’s bodyguard gave Frank Thorpe the jitters.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Frank Thorpe was an operative for the shop. But three months ago a job went sideways. Their target, known as The Engineer, got the best of them. Good people died. The shop needed a scapegoat, so Frank got the boot.
Frank decides to get away and clear his head. Traveling through the airport, Frank is jostled by an arrogant business man as he pushes past. Frank almost starts after the jerk, but catches himself. In his current mood, Frank knows he’d take it too far. Frank watches as the self-absorbed jerk pushes his way through the crowd. A young boy who obviously needs money is selling candy and gum from a tray he’s holding. The boy says something to the hotshot. The man, without breaking stride swings his crocodile briefcase, knocking the boy’s tray to the ground and striking the kid in the head.
As the jerk strides off, Frank moves to the kid. Frank makes sure the boy is okay and then heads off to confront Mr. Big Shot. Frank gets outside in time to see the man get into a Porsche driven by a beautiful blonde. Frank decides Mr. Entitled needs a wake-up. Nothing too extreme. Just enough to get his attention.
Using skills from his past, Frank easily learns the man is an art dealer. It’ll be a breeze to teach this cat a lesson. Unfortunately, Frank’s plan unleashes an unexpected response. Soon a laid back creator of designer drugs and his psychopathic wife are involved. Frank’s wake-up puts him in line for a payback. Vlad (a Romanian Frankenstein if there ever was one) and Arturo are hired killers working for the crazy wife.
Frank’s expertise will be put to the ultimate test. And that’s before The Engineer returns for another round.
+++++
Robert Ferrigno has created another winner.
Rating:
“The Champion” (1949) starring Kirk Douglas / Z-View
The Champion (1949)
Director: Mark Robson
Screenplay: Carl Foreman; based on Champion by Ring Lardner
Stars: Kirk Douglas, Arthur Kennedy, Marilyn Maxwell, Paul Stewart, Ruth Roman, Ruth Roman, Harry Shannon, John Daheim, Esther Howard, Sam Balter (voice), Polly Bergen (voice), Mushy Callahan and Bill Baldwin.
Tagline: Fighting or loving, he was the… CHAMPION
The Plot…
Michael “Midge” Kelly (Douglas) and his brother, Connie (Kennedy) are down on their luck. They hitched-hiked across country after sending their entire savings to become partners in a diner. Only to find out they had been scammed.
When a local boxing promotor needs a fighter at the last minute, he offers Midge $35 to step in. Midge does. Although outclassed, Midge shows heart and that he can take a punch. Boxing manager, Tommy Hailey (Stewart) offers to become Midge’s manager. Midge declines.
Later when Midge realizes that professional boxing might provide the kind of life he dreams of, he reconnects with Tommy Hailey. Midge is a fast learner and tough. Midge climbs in the rankings beating everyone put in front of him. Outside the ring, Midge sees every woman as a conquest. Fame is going to his head.
As Midge gets closer to a title fight, he gets farther away from the people who truly care for him. What is Midge willing to give up to become the Champion?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Champion was nominated for six 1950 Academy Awards, winning one…
- Nominee for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture – Dimitri Tiomkin
- Nominee for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Franz Planer
- Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay – Carl Foreman
- Nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Arthur Kennedy
- Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Kirk Douglas
- Winner – Best Film Editing: Harry Gerstad
Most folks know that Champion made Kirk Douglas a star. He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar. The film led to Warner Bros. signing him to a seven year contract. Director Mark Robson, co-stars Lola Albright and Ruth Roman were also signed to studio contracts.
The Champion (1949) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Escape from L.A.” Alt Poster by Gokaiju!
Gotta love this alt poster for Escape from L.A. by Gokaiju.
“Amber Alert” (2024) starring Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams / Z-View
Amber Alert (2024)
Director: Kerry Bellessa
Screenplay: Kerry Bellessa, Joshua Oram
Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Tyler James Williams, Kevin Dunn, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Dinora Walcott, Kruz Valero and Claire Slemmer.
Tagline: Two Strangers Are Her Only Hope.
The Plot…
Jaq (Panettiere) is running late. She offers a nice tip to Shane (Williams), an Uber driver who was quitting for the day to get to his son’s birthday. During the drive an Amber Alert comes across. At the next stop light, Jaq believes the car ahead is holding the kidnapped little girl. Shane isn’t so sure. As they try to get a closer look, the driver runs the light and jumps on the highway.
Jaq and Shane follow the speeding car. Jaq calls 911 but are put on hold since so many calls about the alert are coming in. As the driver heads away from the city, the little girl’s only hope are two strangers.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The writers and director made a film in 2012 titled Amber Alert. The 2024 film is a bigger budget re-working.
My favorite scene is when the driver confronts Jaq and Shane in a deserted lot on the highway.
Amber Alert (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Jack Carter by Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig!
Sam Banchard aka Shlepzig had a unique style. I loved it. In addition to being an artist, Sam was a teacher, a fencer, a husband and so much more. I met Sam in 2022 at HeroesCon. I got the commission above, went back for another and introduced my friends to his art. They got pieces and all commented on how humble and nice Sam was.
Sadly Sam passed away at the end of 2024. He was way too young. Thankfully his art will live on.
“The Third Man” (1949) written by Graham Greene; directed by Carol Reed; starring Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten / Z-View
The Third Man (1949)
Director: Carol Reed
Screenplay: Graham Greene
Stars: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Paul Birch, Martin Boddey and Bernard Lee.
Tagline: HUNTED…By a thousand men! Haunted…By a lovely girl!
The Plot…
World War 2 is over. Vienna is divided into five occupation zones—one zone for each of the Allied powers and one international zone. The black market thrives.
Holly Martins (Cotten) comes to Allied-occupied Vienna. Martins has been promised a job by his good friend, Harry Lime (Welles). Martins is shocked to learn that Harry was killed crossing the street when he was hit by a car. Still reeling from the news, Martins attends Harry’s funeral.
Afterwards, Martins talks to different people and their stories don’t add up. Martins then goes to the Allied Authority, Major Calloway (Howard) and demands an investigation into Harry’s death. Major Calloway informs Martins that Harry Lime was involved in the black market. Lime was behind the theft of penicillin from military hospitals. Lime diluted the medicine until it had to curative effect. Lime then sold it on the black market at outrageous prices. Because of the dilution, dozens of people, many children died. If Lime had lived he was about to be arrested.
At first Martins doesn’t believe Major Calloway… but the evidence is there. His childhood friend, Harry Lime had become a despicable person responsible for the death of many including little children. That night as Martins walks a deserted street across the way he sees Harry Lime. Martins calls out, but Harry runs away.
Determined to get to the bottom of this Martins makes it his mission to find Harry… even if it kills him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Third Man was nominated for three 1951 Academy Awards and won one…
- Nominee for Best Film Editing – Oswald Hafenrichter
- Nominee for Best Director – Carol Reed
- Winner for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White – Robert Krasker
Orson Welles was concerned that filming in real sewers would make him sick. His close-ups were done in a studio with long shots in a sewer feature a body double.
Welles was offered a straight salary or a percentage of the profits. He opted for a straight salary. Because the film was so successful, Welles would have made much more with a percentage of profits.
The film was popular during it’s initial release, was nominated for three Academy Awards and remains popular to this day. It currently has an 8.1/10 score on IMDb. At RottenTomatoes it has a 99% rating from reviewers and 93% from all users.
Although Orson Welles is the film’s star, he finished his part in one week of filming. He doesn’t show up in the movie until the movie is 2/3 over.
The Third Man is a classic. Well written, well directed, well cast and well acted. Well… what do you expect, I said, “It’s a classic.”
I love the final scene when Holly Martins waits for Anna to catch up to him. He’s hoping they have a chance at romance. She walks by without even looking his way.
The Third Man (1949) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Arcadian” (2024) starring Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell & Maxwell Jenkins / Z-View
Arcadian (2024)
Director: Benjamin Brewer
Screenplay: Michael Nilon
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall and Samantha Coughlan.
Tagline: The next sunset might be their last
The Plot…
Fifteen years ago the world as we know it ended. Now the few who survived live in fortified houses away from cities. Paul (Cage) and his twin sixteen year old sons, Joseph and Thomas, live in a remote farmhouse. They scavenge during the day, but make sure they are behind locked doors and windows before nightfall. It’s not safe to be outside when the nocturnal killing creatures begin to hunt.
One day when Thomas doesn’t make it home before dark, Paul makes sure Joseph is safely locked in. Paul then heads out to find Thomas before the monsters do.
This will not end well.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like the originality of the monsters. When their jaws start clacking it’s dinner time!
Arcadian (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
“Shadow of the Wolf” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Deal me in.
Shadow of the Wolf – Watch the trailer now!
On Demand and On Digital March 25. Starring Raniero Monaco Di Lapio, Marianna Di Martino, Elisabetta De Vito, Fabrizio Vona, Simone Riccioni, Ettore Belmondo, Massimiliano Vado, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, and Christopher Lambert.
Christopher Lambert and Maria Grazia Cucinotta star in a chilling tale of horror. When Nico returns from overseas to say farewell to his ailing mother, he discovers something monstrous is happening in the small town he once called home. As the list of grizzly murder victims begins to grow and the authorities fear the killer is a beast unlike anything they have ever seen, Nico senses a savage transformation within himself and uncovers the terrifying secret his family could never reveal.
“The Accountant 2” starring Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!
The Accountant was surprisingly good. Today we have two posters and a trailer for The Accountant 2. It looks even better.
Deal me in/
Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are back in The Accountant 2. Watch the new trailer now and see the movie only in theaters April 25. #Accountant2
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has a talent for solving complex problems. When an old acquaintance is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic message to “find the accountant,” Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax (Jon Bernthal), to help. In partnership with U.S. Treasury Deputy Director Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson), they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
“Nosferatu” Alt Poster by TheBoysInTheLab!
This Nosferatu alt poster by TheBoysInTheLab is fire!
“12 Angry Men” (1957) written by Reginald Rose; directed by Sidney Lumet; starring Henry Fonda / Z-View
12 Angry Men (1957)
Director: Sidney Lumet
Screenplay: Reginald Rose based on his 1954 teleplay for Studio One.
Stars: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Edward Binns, Jack Warden, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, Robert Webber and Rudy Bond.
Tagline: Life Is In Their Hands — Death Is On Their Minds!
The Plot…
On the hottest day of the year, twelve jurors enter the jury room to determine the verdict in a capital murder case. A teenage boy is accused of stabbing his father to death. A guilty verdict results in a mandatory death penalty. Eleven jurors see the accused as guilty. One isn’t sure.
Tempers will flare and motivations bared as deliberations proceed. A young man’s life hangs in the balance.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
12 Angry Men was nominated for three 1958 Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Reginald Rose
- Nominee for Best Director – Sidney Lumet
- Nominee for Best Picture – Henry Fonda, Reginald Rose
12 Angry Men is considered a classic. It currently has a 9 out of 10 rating on IMDb. It has an 100% reviewers rating and 97% user rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Surprisingly, 12 Angry Men was a box office disappointment. Henry Fonda had deferred part of his salary and the film didn’t earn enough to pay off. Still, Fonda considered 12 Angry Men one of his best films.
12 Angry Men was Sidney Lumet’s feature film directing debut.
An all star cast (although not all were stars at the time), an exceptional screenplay and a director who knew how to film in tight quarters and get the tension on screen from men talking make for a film classic.
12 Angry Men (1957) rates 5 of 5 stars.
