“Parasyte: The Grey” – The First Full Trailer is Here!
The first full trailer for Parasyte: The Grey is here!
When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.
“Alien: Romulus” The Teaser Trailer & Poster are Here!
Deal me in.
The sci-fi/horror-thriller takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
The film stars Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), David Jonsson (“Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), Aileen Wu. Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) directs from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.
“Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott (“Napoleon”), who directed the original “Alien” and produced and directed the series’ entries “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” Michael Pruss (“Boston Strangler”), and Walter Hill (“Alien”), with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (“Charlie’s Angels”), Brent O’Connor (“Bullet Train”), and Tom Moran (“Unstoppable”) serving as executive producers.
“American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders” (2024) / Z-View
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders (2024)
Director: Zachary Treitz
Stars: Christian Hansen
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Danny Casolaro was a freelance writer obsessed with a story that he had worked on for years. Casolaro believed he’d uncovered evidence of a powerful international cabal of eight individuals involved in everything from government spyware, manipulating Iran to hold hostages to ensure Ronald Reagan became President, the Iran-Contra scandal and more. Casolaro referred to this cabal as The Octopus.
In 1991, Casolaro was found in the bathtub of a hotel room. His wrists had been cut multiple times and blood covered the bathroom walls and floor. One of the first paramedics on scene didn’t believe it to be a suicide because Casolaro’s tendons were cut in the multiple slices across his wrists and the blood everywhere. Still, his death was ruled a suicide.
Christian Hansen gained access to all of Casolaro’s journals, notes and interviews. Hansen then re-interviewed people Casolaro had identified as having knowledge of the cabal. This documentary explores the results of Hansen’s investigation.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
While we’re given much information, there is no “aha moment” where we get a definitive answer. Casolaro did uncover several shady characters and dealings. But was there enough evidence to make the leap to an international cabal?
One of the people providing evidence said she was shown a film of President Kennedy’s assassination where the driver of his limo turned and shot him. She believes the film she saw was unedited and the word has only seen a cover-up version.
When Casolaro died he was deep in debt and his house was about to be lost in foreclosure. Was this enough to push him over the edge to commit suicide? But how could he cut himself so many times (and still hold the blade) if his tendons were severed?
After viewing American Conspiracy, I was left with more questions than answers. It was an interesting ride, if you value the ride more than the destination.
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Interview with the Vampire: Season 2” – An Extended Trailer is Here!
Loved the first season. Here’s an an extended look at Interview with the Vampire: Season 2.
Picking up from the bloody events in New Orleans in 1940 when Louis and Claudia conspired to kill Lestat, Louis tells of his adventures in Europe, a quest to discover Old World Vampires, and the Theatre Des Vampires in Paris. It is in Paris that Louis first meets the Vampire Armand. Their courtship and love affair will prove to have devastating consequences both in the past and in the future, and Molloy will probe to get to the truths buried within the memories.
Season 2 of #InterviewWithTheVampire premieres May 12 on AMC and AMC+.
“FURIOSA : A MAD MAX SAGA” The OFFICIAL TRAILER #2 is Here!
Deal me in!
She will return with a vengeance. Furiosa : A Mad Max Saga – Only in theaters May 24.
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award-winning mastermind George Miller’s “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the much-anticipated return to the iconic dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the seminal “Mad Max” films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Oscar-winning global smash “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
The new feature from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures is produced by Miller and his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated producer Doug Mitchell (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Babe”), under their Australian-based Kennedy Miller Mitchell banner.
As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
Taylor-Joy stars in the title role, and along with Hemsworth, the film also stars Alyla Browne and Tom Burke. Miller penned the script with “Mad Max: Fury Road” co-writer Nico Lathouris. Miller’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes first assistant director PJ Voeten and second unit director and stunt coordinator Guy Norris, director of photography Simon Duggan (“Hacksaw Ridge,” “The Great Gatsby”), composer Tom Holkenborg, sound designer Robert Mackenzie, editor Eliot Knapman, visual effects supervisor Andrew Jackson and colorist Eric Whipp. The team also includes other longtime collaborators: production designer Colin Gibson, editor Margaret Sixel, sound mixer Ben Osmo, costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt, each of whom won an Oscar for their work on “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, in Association with Village Roadshow Pictures, A Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production, A George Miller Film, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters only nationwide on May 24, 2024 and internationally beginning on 22 May, 2024.
“Fallout” – The First Scene is Here!
This looks like fun!
Deal me in!
This first scene from FALLOUT that finds Lucy (Ella Purnell) at odds with The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a little out of her depth attempting to address a Wasteland conflict using Vault Dweller tactics. As her efforts to de-escalate the situation fail and tensions arise, Lucy finds additional support from a member of the Brotherhood of Steel. All episodes of FALLOUT arrive April 11th on Prime Video.
“The Abyss” (1989) written & directed by James Cameron, starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio & Michael Biehn / Z-View
The Abyss (1989)
Director: James Cameron
Screenplay: James Cameron
Stars: Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn, Leo Burmester, Todd Graff, John Bedford Lloyd, J.C. Quinn, Kimberly Scott, Adam Nelson, Dick Warlock, Jimmie Ray Weeks, J. Kenneth Campbell, Ken Jenkins and Chris Elliott.
Tagline: Deep below the blue surface, there lies a place no one has ever dreamed of…..
The Plot
A United States military nuclear submarine has an encounter with something deep in the ocean and sinks. The sub comes to rest near the Cayman Trough, the deepest point in the Caribbean Sea. Soviet Ships are heading to the location to try to salvage whatever they can. In an effort to beat the Russians, the US sends in a Navy SEAL team to work with Deep Core crew members. Deep Core is a civilian company developing deep water vehicles for drilling. To complicate matters a hurricane will hit the area in hours.
The civilian crew and the Navy Seals form an uneasy alliance that begins to fray when they reach the ocean floor. The Seals have a hidden agenda… and there is something down there that no one was expecting.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
By all account The Abyss was a difficult shoot. Tensions were high. The actors did most of the stunts. Both Ed Harris and James Cameron were in danger of drowning in different situations. Both Ed Harris and Elizabeth Mastrantonio have not spoken highly about their experience making the film.
Fluid breathing is a real thing. The rats used in the movie’s scenes actually breathed the specially treated fluid and were not harmed in the process.
The Abyss features an excellent cast from the stars to the supporting actors. I was surprised by the turn of Michael Biehn’s character.
The Abyss was nominated for four Academy Awards (Best Cinematography: Mikael Salomon; Best Art Direction-Set Decoration: Leslie Dilley, Anne Kuljian; Best Sound: Don J. Bassman, Kevin F. Cleary, Richard Overton, Lee Orloff and won one for Best Effects, Visual Effects: Hoyt Yeatman, Dennis Muren, John Bruno, Dennis Skotak.)
The Abyss (1989) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Matt Ferguson’s Awesome “The Crow” Limited Edition Print!
Matt Ferguson created this awesome limited edition print (as well as three variants for The Crow. They go on sale tomorrow at Bottleneck Gallery.
“Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I enjoyed part one and think that part two will be even better.
REBEL MOON — PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER continues the epic saga of Kora and the surviving warriors as they prepare to sacrifice everything, fighting alongside the brave people of Veldt, to defend a once peaceful village, a newfound homeland for those who have lost their own in the fight against the Motherworld. On the eve of their battle the warriors must face the truths of their own pasts, each revealing why they fight. As the full force of the Realm bears down on the burgeoning rebellion, unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge, and legends are made.
From Zack Snyder, the filmmaker behind 300, Man of Steel, and Army of the Dead, REBEL MOON is a 2-part movie event decades in the making.
REBEL MOON — PART ONE: A CHILD OF FIRE is now playing on Netflix.
REBEL MOON — PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER premieres on Netflix April 19, 2024.
“Road House” (1989) Trivia
Rob Hunter at Film School Rejects posted 29 Things We Learned from the ‘Road House’ Commentary. Sadly the post is no longer available, but here are three of my favorites from it…
The script called for a blind guitarist who played the instrument in his lap, and it was a direct reference to Jeff Healey who writer David Lee Henry had seen perform in Canada. The film’s music supervisor actually brought in Healey to audition, and he obviously got the job. (It was a plus and added to the film that they were able to get Healey for the film. – Craig)
Elliott initially declined the role of Wade as he felt it was too similar to the one he played in Mask (1985), but Herrington brought him in for a meeting to talk more about the character, and he changed his mind. “I can’t imagine this picture without Sam Elliott.” (Sam Elliott was definitely a plus. He added gravitas to the film and it wouldn’t have worked as well without him. – Craig)
Keith David plays the new bartender, Ernie, and his original introductory scene — he comes to the bar with his girlfriend, gets into a fight with some rednecks, and is helped by Dalton — was cut from the film as it was already running too long. (Other scenes that were cut include Swayze fighting and Wade explaining his rose tattoo. An extended cut would be interesting. – Craig)
Marv by Mirko Fascella!
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 Mirko Fascella.
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“Death and Other Details” (2024) starring Violett Beane & Mandy Patinkin / Z-View
Death and Other Details (2024)
Created by: Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss
Director: Marc Webb (ep 1); David Petrarca (ep.2); Alrick Riley (eps. 3 – 4); Yangzom Brauen (eps. 5 – 6); James Griffiths (eps. 7 – 8); Dinh Thai (eps. 9 – 10)
Teleplays: Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss (ep. 1); Ryan Maldonado & Eduardo Javier Canto (ep.2); Nick Bragg (ep. 3); Mike Weiss (ep. 4); Jess Kimball Leslie (ep.5); Louisa Levy & Paul Alan Cope (ep.6); Myung Joh Wesner (ep. 7); Heidi Cole McAdams & Angela Zhou (ep. 8); Louisa Levy (ep. 9); Heidi Cole McAdams & Mike Weiss (ep.10)
Stars: Violett Beane, Lauren Patten, Angela Zhou, Hugo Diego Garcia, Pardis Saremi, Linda Emond, Mandy Patinkin, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Danny Johnson, Karoline, Jayne Atkinson and Jere Burns.
Tagline: All suspects aboard.
The Plot…
When Imogene (Beane) was a young girl, her mother was killed in a car explosion. Although Rufus Cotesworth (Patinkin), who many consider the world’s greatest detective, investigated, the killer was never found.
Now Imogene finds herself along with Rufus and a luxury cruise liner full of wealthy guests. When a murder at sea takes place, Rufus is tasked with finding the murderer. The problem is that everyone has secrets and possible motives for the killing,
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Death and Other Details starts off well enough. It has a nice cast, an interesting backstory and a mystery or two to solve. As the series continues it spirals out more characters, more backstories, and nothing is as it seems. My interest in Death and Other Details dwindled as the storyline became more outlandish.
Death and Other Details (2024) earns 2 of 5 stars.
“Secret Agent” (1936) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring John Gielgud, Madeline Carroll, Robert Young, & Peter Lorre / Z-View
Secret Agent (1936)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Screenplay: Charles Bennett, Alma Reville, Ian Hay, Jesse Lasky Jr. based on the story by W. Somerset Maugham and the play by Campbell Dixon
Stars: John Gielgud, Madeline Carroll, Robert Young, Peter Lorre, Sebastian Cabot, Michael Redgrave, Michael Rennie.
Tagline: Dead Women Tell No Tales Was The Motto of This Charming Lady Killer!
The Plot…
British Captain Edgar Brodie (Gielgud) is recruited for a secret mission to to identify and eliminate a German agent. Brodie is given a fake identity as Richard Ashenden. He is also given a “wife” named Elsa to assist with the mission. Ashenden and Elsa are teamed with a foreign agent (Lorre) called “The General” (also known as “the hairless Mexican – although he isn’t a general, hairless or a Mexican).
As Ashenden and Elsa move forward with the mission, they will encounter double agents, secret messages, and lines that they are unwilling to cross that The General will without hesitation.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Seeing John Gielgud and Robert Young looking so, uh, young is a hoot. Especially since I knew them from Arthur and Marcus Welby, MD.
Sebastian Cabot, Michael Redgrave and Michael Rennie appear in uncredited roles.
Another Alfred Hitchcock winner.
Be aware that the copyright lapsed and there are many bootleg and low quality versions on the market.
Secret Agent (1936) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Stephen King’s “Rose Red” starring Nancy Travis / Z-View
Rose Red (2002)
Director: Craig R. Baxley
Screenplay: Stephen King
Stars: Nancy Travis, Matt Keeslar, Kimberly J. Brown, David Dukes, Judith Ivey, Matt Ross, Julian Sands, Kevin Tighe, Julia Campbell, Emily Deschanel and Stephen King.
Tagline: If Some Houses Are Born Bad, This One Was Created In Hell.
The Plot…
Dr. Joyce Reardon (Travis), a university psychology professor with an interest in the supernatural, has put together a diverse team of psychics that will stay in a famous mansion that legend says is haunted. The mansion, named Rose Red, got it’s reputation because of 23 people who died or disappeared while there. The team will discover the legend is true…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I’m not a huge fan of haunted house movies. If you are, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy Rose Red more than I did.
Rose Red (2002) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Black Dragons” starring Bela Lugosi & Clayton Moore / Z-View
Black Dragons (1942)
Director: William Nigh
Screenplay: Robert Kehoe, Harvey Gates
Stars: Bela Lugosi, Clayton Moore and Keye Luke
Tagline: See him pit his terror against Japan’s treacherous agents in the U.S.A.!
The Plot…
Prior to World War II Japan and Germany secretly killed and replaced six top US business leaders. They did this by murdering the men and replacing them with Japanese agents who had facelifts performed by a Nazi doctor. The Japanese agents could destroy the USA’s war efforts and provide information to assist the Axis. When one of the spies is killed, Detective Dick Martin (Moore) is assigned to the case and discovers the evil plan. It is up to Detective Martin and an unknown ally to bring down the foreign agents.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Filming on Black Dragons began about one and one half months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor making it one of the first movie responses.
If you buy the fact that the plastic surgery made the Japanese spies look exactly like the men they replaced, you still have to believe that they had perfect voice matches and knew each man’s personal history (including secrets) so they could fool friends and family.
It’s cool to see The Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore) paired with Dracula (Bela Lugosi).
Keye Luke who played Charlie Chan’s son in several films (and went on to a long Hollywood career) has a small role as one of the agents that Bela Lugosi operates on.
Black Dragons (1942) rates 2 of 5 stars.
