Blade by Gabriele Dell’Otto
I absolutely love this Blade piece by Gabriele Dell’Otto. That may be the best Blade piece I’ve ever seen.
Source: Longbox of Darkness.
“The Big Bang” (2010) directed by Tony Krantz, starring Antonio Banderas & Sam Elliott / Z-View
The Big Bang (2010)
Director: Tony Krantz
Screenplay: Erik Jendresen
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Thomas Kretschmann, William Fichtner, Sienna Guillory, Delroy Lindo, Autumn Reeser, James Van Der Beek, Jimmi Simpson, Bill Duke, Rebecca Mader, Robert Maillet, Snoop Dogg and Sam Elliott.
Tagline: The search for the ultimate missing person ends… at the beginning of time.
The Plot…
Late one evening private eye Ned Cruz (Banderas) is in his office after a rough day. When Anton ‘The Pro’ Protopov (Maillet) suddenly appears in front of his desk, Cruz is shocked. Who wouldn’t be? Anton is a solid, 7 foot tall ex-prize fighter, ex-con. Anton’s career ended when he killed an opponent in the ring.
Anton wants Cruz to find Lexie. Lexie wrote Anton regularly while he was in prison. Anton didn’t know Lexie, but wants to meet her. And he’s willing to pay.
As Cruz follows leads, people turn up dead. Then Cruz realizes he’s being followed. Cruz isn’t surprised since there’s $30 million in diamonds at the center of the case.
Soon Cruz is pressured by Anton and three crooked cops. Cruz is in over his head and that’s before the trail leads to a genius/crazy physicist on the verge of discovering the “God particle”.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Big Bang owes a lot to Farewell, My Lovely. It’s more of a love letter than rip off.
If you’re into physics, you’ll get a kick out of the Easter eggs in this film.
The Big Bang (2010) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Canary Black” starring Kate Beckinsale – Two Posters and a Trailer are Here!
We have two posters and a trailer for Canary Black. The first poster might be for the German release and the second the US. I prefer the first. The trailer has me interested enough to check out the film.
Deal me in.
Canary Black is streaming on Prime Video October 24.
A top CIA operative, Avery Graves, is blackmailed by terrorists into betraying her own country to save her kidnapped husband. Cut off from her team, she turns to her underworld contacts to survive and help locate the coveted intelligence that the kidnappers want. Betrayed at every turn, she must rely on her cutting-edge training and primitive fighting skills in a deadly race to deliver a ransom that could trigger a global crisis.
“Sinners” directed by Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Check out the poster and trailer for Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler, starring Michael B. Jordan.
I cannot remember the last time a trailer had me this hyped to see a film.
Deal me in.
A new vision of fear from director Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan. #SinnersMovie – Only in theaters March 7. #ShotWithIMAXFilmCameras
From Ryan Coogler — director of “Black Panther” and “Creed” — and starring Michael B. Jordan comes a new vision of fear: “Sinners.”
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
“You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home.”
Written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Coogler, “Sinners” stars Jordan (the “Black Panther” and “Creed” franchises) in a dual role, joined by Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld (“Bumblebee,” “True Grit”), Jack O’Connell (“Ferrari”), Wunmi Mosaku (“Passenger”), Jayme Lawson (“The Woman King”), Omar Benson Miller (“True Lies”) and Delroy Lindo (“Da 5 Bloods”).
The film is produced by Coogler and frequent collaborators Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler. The executive producers are Ludwig Göransson, Will Greenfield and Rebecca Cho.
Coogler’s behind-the-camera artisans include his “Black Panther” franchise collaborators: director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver, Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson, and Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents A Proximity Media Production, A Ryan Coogler Film: “Sinners.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on March 7, 2025, and internationally beginning March 2025.
“Eyes Without a Face” (1960) / Z-View
Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Director: Georges Franju
Screenplay: Boileau-Narcejac, Jean Redon, Claude Sautet; dialogue by Pierre Gascar; based on Les Yeux sans visage by Jean Redon
Stars: Pierre Brasseur; Alida Valli; Juliette Mayniel; Alexandre Rignault; Béatrice Altariba; François Guérin and Édith Scob.
Tagline: Beautiful women were the victims of his FIENDISH FACIALS!!!
The Plot…
Dr. Génessier is a brilliant surgeon. His work with skin grafts is cutting edge. When Génessier causes an accident that destroys his adult daughter’s face, he is determined to repair it with skin grafts. But to do that he will need young women’s faces!
When women begin disappearing, the police are baffled… until…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Eyes Without a Face was not well received when first released. Over the years it has become a cult classic.
Eyes Without a Face is a stylish horror film with a nightmarish quality.
Eyes Without a Face (1960) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Gladiator II” directed by Ridley Scott, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal & Denzel Washington – New Poster & New Trailer are Here!
Here we have the new poster and trailer for Gladiator II. I have to admit I didn’t have much hope for this being a good film when it was announced. The trailers have won me over.
Deal me in.
From director Ridley Scott, watch the New Trailer for #GladiatorII starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger – Only in theatres November 22.
“Apollo 13: Survival” (2024) / Z-View
Apollo 13 Survival (2024)
Director: Peter Middleton
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Apollo 13 was halfway to the moon when catastrophe struck. An explosion disabled the electrical system and life-support system. NASA’s Mission Control needed to formulate a plan to use the tools and items on board to find a way to safely bring the Apollo 11 crew back. Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise lives hung in the balance.
“Houston, we have a problem.”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Apollo 13 Survival provides never before seen footage as well as behind-the-scenes access to one of the greatest comeback triumphs in NASA’s history.
Apollo 13 Survival (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Marv by Klaus Janson!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my favorite characters. I love seeing different artist’s take on the big lug. Today we have an awesome Marv piece by frequent Miller collaborator, Klaus Janson.
“American Me” (1992) directed by Edward James Olmos, starring Edward James Olmos & William Forsythe / Z-View
American Me (1992)
Director: Edward James Olmos
Screenplay: Floyd Mutrux, Desmond Nakano; story by Floyd Mutrux
Stars: Edward James Olmos, William Forsythe, Pepe Serna, Lopez, Dyana Ortelli, Lance August, Cody Glenn, Don Pugsley and William Smith.
Tagline: In prison they are the law. On the streets they are the power.
The Plot…
American Me follows three friends, Montoya Santana (Olmos), JD (Forsythe) and Mundo (Serna) from their days of youthful crime to their leadership of the powerful La Eme gang.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
American Me is based on real people and events, but was fictionalized. Some of the choices made were not well received. Reportedly at least three of the consultants for the film were murdered after the movie’s release. Danny Trejo talks about the problems and the people who were killed in this interview (start at 24:32).
Several scenes were shot at Folsom State Prison and the California Institution for Men. Real gang members, prisoners and guards are seen on screen.
Edward James Olmos’ debut as a director.
American Me (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars.
THERE AND BACK by Eric Beetner / Z-View
THERE AND BACK by Eric Beetner
First sentence…
THE ROCK SLID from the hand and turned twice in the air, the edge serrated in a peak like a mountain range, blood filling the cracks and fissures.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Eight junior executives at a tech company are selected to attend a wilderness retreat. The trip is billed as a team building exercise. Not everyone believes it. There are four opportunities for promotion coming up. There are eight employees attending. Do the math.
The drive takes them six and a half hours into the wilderness. We’re talking remote. No cell reception. No other people. No roads once they’re in. Although there will be guides going along, no one could have foreseen the accident. And who would have guessed that the guides would be killed?
The eight are lost. Little water. Few supplies. They won’t be missed for days. They may not survive that long. As the hours pass, civility is gone. No one knows the right thing to do. Move on. Wait for help? Tension mounts as tempers rise.
Eight went in. Five came out. What happened to the three that didn’t make it? The survivors have a secret. And you know what they say about a secret… “Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.” Five, not three came back.
+++++
I’m a huge fan of Eric Beetner’s novels. Each new novel is an automatic pick-up. Most of his stories are crime yarns. THERE AND BACK involves crime, but at it’s heart is the mystery of what happened and the survivors’ secret. THERE AND BACK is an ambitious work and Beetner pulls it off.
Rating:
Spidey vs Doc Ock by Joshua Hixson!
Spidey vs Doc Ock by Joshua Hixson is just what we need right now. To see a King-Size Annual sized version check out this post at The Bristol Board.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) directed by Robert Mulligan, starring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham and Phillip Alford / Z-View
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Director: Robert Mulligan
Screenplay: Horton Foote; based on TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee
Stars: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Brock Peters, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Collin Wilcox Paxton, James Anderson, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale and Robert Duvall.
Tagline: The most beloved and widely read Pulitzer Prize Winner now comes vividly alive on the screen!
The Plot…
Summer is always the best time for Scout (Badham), her older brother Jem (Alford) and their friend Dill (Megna). Like most kids, they play games, stay out until dark and share stories. Often their tales involve Boo Radley who lives in the scary house just down the way. Since no one has ever seen Boo, imaginations run wild. Scout’s Dad, Atticus (Peck) warns the children to stay away from the Radley house. This just makes the stories more exciting.
Atticus is a widowed lawyer and well respected in the town. That is until, he agrees to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. Taking on this case in Alabama in the early 1930s sets off a certain segment of the population. Unfortunately, even Scout and Jem aren’t safe from taunts and threats.
As the case progresses, tension throughout the small town escalates. Before it is over, the powder keg will blow and the truth about Boo Radley will be known.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three…
- nominee Best Music, Score – Substantially Original: Elmer Bernstein
- nominee Best Cinematography, Black-and-White: Russell Harlan
- nominee Best Director: Robert Mulligan
- nominee Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Mary Badham
- winner Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White: Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead, Oliver Emert
- winner Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: Horton Foote
- winner Best Actor in a Leading Role: Gregory Peck
- winner Best Picture: Alan J. Pakula
Brock Peters, who played Tom Robinson the man accused of rape in the film, gave Gregory Peck’s eulogy at his funeral.
First credited role of Robert Duvall and film debut of William Windom.
The character Dill was based on Truman Capote, a childhood friend of author Harper Lee.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Tarzan by Rafael Kayanan!
I first met Rafael Kayanan when he was about 15 years old. We were at OrlandoCon and Raf had his portfolio with him. You could tell even then this kid was destined for great things.
Raf became not only an exceptional artist (working for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and many other companies) but also a Master-level edged weapons expert and instructor in Sayoc Kali. Raf has choreographed and trained actors for feature films and television. He has served as set illustrator and story board artist on Broadway and major motion pictures. In other words, Raf can do it all.
“Conan the Barbarian” (1982) directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger & James Earl Jones / Z-View
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Director: John Milius
Screenplay: John Milius, Oliver Stone; based on CONAN THE BARBARIAN by Robert E. Howard
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman, Ben Davidson, Cassandra Gava, Gerry Lopez, Mako, Valérie Quennessen, Franco Columbu, Nadiuska, Sven-Ole Thorsen, Ron Cobb and William Smith.
Tagline: Slave. Barbarian. Warrior. Thief… Conan.
The Plot…
When Conan (Scwarzenegger) was a boy, his parents and entire village were massacred by a cult led by Thulsa Doom (Jones). Conan was sold into slavery to work on the Wheel of Pain at a remote mill. He grows into manhood. The wheel has made Conan huge and muscular. A passing traveler, buys Conan to turn him into a gladiator.
Conan is undefeated in the gladiator pits. After countless wins, Conan earns his freedom.
Over the years, the cult of Thulsa Doom has grown. Surrounded by warriors and his own mystical powers, Doom continues his heartless rule. But now Conan has plans to avenge his parents.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Arnold was perfectly cast as Conan.
Sven-Ole Thorsen who appears as the warrior Thorgrim would go on to appear in a total of 15 films with Arnold Schwarzenegger either as an actor or stuntman.
Arnold was signed for three sequels. Only one was made and it fell far short of the original.
Conan the Barbarian (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars.
