CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid & Rodolphe Guenoden / Z-View

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CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist)

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Vinent and Gaby Rocket are unlikely partners in crime.  At least they plan to be.  Their get rich scheme is to knock over an armored truck.  The thing is neither of them are criminals.  The only reason they’d dare such an outrageous crime is they need the money.

Gaby needs the cash to get off the booze and finally live a better life.  Vincent plans to use his cut to return to Senegal, the home of his true love and their baby that he’s never seen.  Vincent also wants to give a share of the loot to armored truck’s driver.  The guy isn’t in on the robbery.  He’s just a down on his luck schmo that Vincent feels sorry for.  Gaby’s not sure he’s okay with that.

Despite the best laid plans, things go sideways in ways no once could imagine.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lupano Wilfrid and Rodolphe Guenoden have created an unconventional crime story.  The characters are flawed and their motivations are real.  The twists are not those expected in a crime story, but are believable thanks to the set-up of Wilfrid’s story.  Guenoden’s art is on the mark.  I love how he has just the right touch of cartoony-ness.

CURTAIN CALL by Lupano Wilfrid (writer) and Rodolphe Guenoden (artist) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Rating:

“Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos – The poster and trailer are here.

Deal me in.  Badda-bing!

The man behind the cultural phenomenon.

In Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos, a new 2-part HBO Original Documentary, #TheSopranos creator offers a unique look into his work on the iconic series. #WiseGuyHBO premieres September 7 at 8 pm ET on ‪@StreamOnMax‬.

“Damaged” starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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Here are the poster and trailer for Damaged starring Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel.

How do you catch a brilliant monster? When a sadistic murderer surfaces in Scotland, terrified local authorities call on a Chicago police detective who investigated a killing spree with the same horrific pattern five years earlier. Samuel L. Jackson and Vincent Cassel star in this shocking thriller about two detectives with tortured pasts trying to stop a merciless serial killer before he claims his next victim.

“Long Gone Heroes” starring Frank Grillo & Andy Garcia – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The poster and trailer for Long Gone Heroes starring Frank Grillo with Andy Garcia is here.

Gunner, a special forces soldier who has witnessed the darkest side of country and combat, is forced back into the field of battle to save his niece, who is being held in South America. As the fight intensifies, Gunner and his team discover that her disappearance is part of a corrupt private operation that hits way too close to home. Acclaimed actors Andy Garcia, Melissa Leo, Josh Hutcherson and Frank Grillo star in a non-stop action thriller that will leave you breathless.

Long Gone Heroes – Watch the trailer now! In Select Theaters, on Digital, and On Demand September 20. Starring Frank Grillo, Josh Hutcherson, Eden Brolin, Mekhi Phifer, Melissa Leo, and Andy García.

“Open Range” (2003) directed by Kevin Costner, starring Robert Duvall & Kevin Costner / Z-View

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Open Range (2003)

Director: Kevin Costner

Screenplay: Craig Storper; based on THE OPEN RANGE MEN by Lauran Paine

Stars: Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Diego Luna, Abraham Benrubi, Annette Bening, Michael Gambon, Michael Jeter, James Russo, Peter MacNeill, Cliff Saunders, Julian Richings, Ian Tracey, Diego Diablo Del Mar and Kim Coates.

Tagline: No place to run. No reason to hide.

The Plot…

“Boss” Spearman (Duvall) and Charley Waite (Costner) are cattlemen driving their herd across country.  Along with them are Mose and Button, two young hired hands.  They decide to bed down for a few nights.  Mose is sent into a nearby town for supplies.

When Mose doesn’t return, Boss and Charley ride into town.  They find Mose in jail and badly beaten.  It turns out that rancher Denton Baxter (Gambon) doesn’t tolerate cattlemen crossing his land.  Baxter has the Sheriff on his payroll and the town afraid to do anything.  Baxter and the Sheriff release Mose with the warning to Boss and Charlie to be gone by nightfall.

That ain’t going to happen.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Costner got the project going, starred in and directed it.  Touchstone gave him top billing until he requested that Robert Duvall be credited first.

Open Range is just about perfect.  Great story, cast, acting, and direction.  Robert Duvall is a national treasure.  I rank Open Range higher than Dances with Wolves.  It’s that good.

Open Range (2003) rates 5 of 5 stars.

CREEPY Archives Volume 9 featuring Richard Corben, T. Casey Brennan, Tom Sutton & Steve Skeates!

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CREEPY Archives Volume 9 will be released on November 26, 2024.  It will contain 256 pages of horror, science fiction and fantasy! Here’s what we get…

Now available in a value-priced paperback edition, Creepy Archives Volume 9 features the prime cuts fresh from the chopping block of horror, fantasy, and science fiction served up by a sterling set of slaughterhouse chefs including Richard Corben, T. Casey Brennan, Tom Sutton, Steve Skeates, and many more.

This era of Creepy featured the influx of talented Spanish artists such as José Bea, Jaime Brocal, Luis Garcia, Martin Salvador, and Felix Mas, whose work would bring the standard of illustration in comics to new highs. Take the stake from your heart, climb out of your casket, and take a bite of Creepy Archives!

Collects Creepy issues #42–#45.

“Twisters” (2024) directed by Lee Isaac Chung, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell & Anthony Ramos / Z-View

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Twisters (2024)

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Screenplay: Mark L. Smith; story by Joseph Kosinski; based on characters created by Michael Crichton, Anne-Marie Martin

Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, Kiernan Shipka, David Corenswet, Katy O’Brian, David Born and James Paxton.

Tagline: Chase. Ride. Survive.

The Plot…

Kate Carter (Edgar-Jones) was a young scientist/storm-chaser on the verge of a way to quickly reduce the intensity of a tornado.  But that was five years ago.  Kate quit her research when a tornado chase went sideways.  Three of her friends were killed.  Only Kate and Javi (Ramos) survived.

Now Kate works at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in New York City.  She monitors conditions from the safety of a control center.  Kate is surprised one day when Javi shows up unannounced.  He is part owner of a new company, Storm Par, that uses cutting edge technology to predict the paths/strengths of tornadoes.  Although hesitant at first, Kate agrees to work with Javi for one week since the new technology could save lives.

Back in Oklahoma, in tornado alley, Kate experiences a panic attack.  She’s worried how she’ll respond when the team closes in on a tornado.  Another problem is a competing group of tornado chasers.  Tyler Owens (Powell) aka The Tornado Wrangler along with his team are an internet sensation.  They’re all about the “views” and their hotdogging is liable to get people killed.

This is a bad mixture as the worst tornado weather in years is predicted.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Twisters isn’t a direct sequel to Twister, but Bill Paxton’s son, James Paxton has a cameo as the upset hotel guest.

Twisters works because of the direction of Lee Isaac Chung, the charm of Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell and Anthony Ramos, the chemistry between Edgar-Jones and Powell and the special effects.

Twisters (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Drago from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!

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Drago from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY IV
  • Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
  • Also includes “VS.” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
  • IVAN DRAGO as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY IV
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs Figures

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Rocky is also available the same day as Drago!

Rocky Balboa from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!

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Rocky Balboa from ROCKY IV is coming from McFarlane Toys!  Here’s the lowdown…

  • Incredibly detailed, highly decorated 6” scale figure based on the movie ROCKY IV
  • Accessories include an extra head, printed backdrop, environmental base, collectible art card and a secret bonus item
  • Also includes “VS.” display piece to re-create your favorite ROCKY boxing contest or create your own ultimate dream match! It also can be used as an art card holder
  • ROCKY BALBOA as featured in the theatrical film ROCKY IV
  • Preorders now for a drop date of Tuesday, October 8th
  • Collect all McFarlane Toys Movie Maniacs Figures

Click here for more details or to pre-order!

Drago is also available the same day as Rocky!

“Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies” (2001) / Z-View

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Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Director: Ray Greene

Screenplay: Ray Greene

Stars: Ray Greene, Roger Corman, Maila Nurmi, Dick Miller, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Forrest J. Ackerman and Peter Bogdanovich.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Movies that qualify as “schlock” are low-budget, genre films that usually focus on horror, sex and/or violence.  These films were made quickly and usually the second feature on a double bill or drive-in fare.  Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies explores (as the title suggests) the history of these types of movies.  It’s an interesting topic to see how these movies changed over time and influenced popular culture.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you have any interest in schlock cinema, this one is for you.

Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001) rates 5 of 5 stars.

EERIE Archives Volume 7 featuring Tom Sutton, Ken Kelly, Richard Corben, Doug Moench, Basil Gogos, Carlos Garzon, Nicola Cuti & more!

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EERIE Archives Volume 7 will be released on September 24, 2024.  If you wonder what the 288 pages will contain, here’s the lowdown…

Take a ride on the river Styx with your jovial boatman Cousin Eerie in the panic-packed Eerie Archives Volume 7, now in a value-priced paperback edition.

Remove the pennies from your eyes long enough to take in the dastardly dramas from creators Tom Sutton, Ken Kelly, Richard Corben, Doug Moench, Basil Gogos, Carlos Garzon, Nicola Cuti, and more. Also includes an illustrated foreword by comics creator Guy Davis and the first US appearance of comic great Esteban Maroto!

Collects Eerie magazine issues #32–#36.

  Deal me in.  Pre-Orders are available now.