Lee Weeks’ Batman!
Man, Lee Weeks can draw anything well. Click over and see what I mean (if that Batman piece doesn’t convince you).
“Woman in Hiding” (1950) starring Ida Lupino, Howard Duff & Stephen McNally / Z-View
Woman in Hiding (1950)
Director: Michael Gordon
Screenplay: Oscar Saul, Roy Huggins (adaptation) based on the story “Fugitive from Terror” by James Webb
Stars: Ida Lupino, Stephen McNally, Howard Duff, Peggy Dow, Irving Bacon, Don Beddoe and Joe Besser
Tagline: Hounded for money … pursued for love … hunted by a KILLER.
The Plot…
After her father falls to his death at his mill, Deborah (Lupino) decides to marry Selden Clark (McNally), her father’s second-in-command. Soon Deborah learns that Seldon married her for her father’s business. Seldon has a girl on the side and may have killed her father.
Realizing that Seldon has plans to kill her, Deborah goes on the run… with Seldon in hot pursuit.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Ida Lupino didn’t want to work with co-star Howard Duff. She thought he was arrogant. They married a year after the film’s release.
Look for Joe (The Three Stooges) Besser in a small but important role.
Woman in Hiding (1950) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Rocky” First Mock Cover for Imaginary Maxie-Series by Dave Santia!
Dave Santia created this cool mock-up cover for an imaginary Rocky movie maxie-series. Santia says he is planning on doing 4 covers for each ROCKY movie! I cannot wait to see them.
“Nefarious” (2023) starring Sean Patrick Flanery & Jordan Belfi / Z-View
Nefarious (2023)
Director: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon
Screenplay: Chuck Konzelman, Cary Solomon based on A Nefarious Plot by Steve Deace
Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Jordan Belfi, Jordan Belfi, Mark De Alessandro and Glenn Beck
Tagline: Speak of the devil.
The Plot…
Edward Wayne Brady (Flanery), an infamous serial killer, is on death row, soon to be executed. Brady claims that he’s possessed by a demon (maybe the devil himself). In an effort to determine Brady’s sanity, Dr. Alan Fischer met with the killer and was ready to declare Brady insane. After the interview, but before Dr. Fischer could render his official determination, he committed suicide.
Dr. James Martin (Belfi) is brought in to the prison to interview and determine if Brady is sane enough to be executed. Dr. Martin goes in thinking that Brady is acting possessed in an effort to avoid the electric chair. As the interview progresses, Brady tells Dr. Martin things he should have no way of knowing. Then strange things begin to occur. Brady tells Dr. Martin that before the day is over Martin will kill three people.
Is Brady insane or possessed. Time will tell…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Nefarious was such a pleasant surprise. It is so good and yet I haven’t heard much buzz about it.
Sean Patrick Flanery gives a performance throughout the film that is simply first rate.
As the interview progresses it’s interesting to see Dr. Martin’s opinion and confidence change. He comes in thinking that Brady is trying to pull a scam to save his life. Then he’s not so sure. One of the best exchanges between the two (and there are many) occurs when Dr. Martin says, “I didn’t know I was in a fight.” Flannery responds, “That’s why you’re losing.”
Nefarious (2023) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” – The Trailer is Here!
Deal me in!
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is directed by Wes Ball (the “Maze Runner” trilogy) and stars Owen Teague (“IT”), Freya Allan (“The Witcher”), Kevin Durand (“Locke & Key”), Peter Macon (“Shameless”), and William H. Macy (“Fargo”). The screenplay is by Josh Friedman (“War of the Worlds”) and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (“Avatar: The Way of Water”) and Patrick Aison (“Prey”), based on characters created by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, and the producers are Wes Ball, Joe Hartwick, Jr., p.g.a. (“The Maze Runner”), Rick Jaffa, p.g.a., Amanda Silver, p.g.a., Jason Reed, p.g.a. (“Mulan”), with Peter Chernin (the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy) and Jenno Topping (“Ford v. Ferrari”) serving as executive producers.
Marv by Gabriele Dell’Otto!
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 Gabriele Dell’Otto.
“The Strain”: Season 3 (2016) / Z-View
The Strain: Season 3 (2016)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: GJ. Miles Dale (eps. 1 – 2); Ken Girotti (eps. 3 – 4); Deran Sarafian (eps. 5 – 6); T.J. Scott (eps. 7 – 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9); Carlton Cruse (ep. 10);
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (eps. 1, 10); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (eps. 2, 6); Chuck Hogan (ep. 3); Regina Corrado (ep. 4); Liz Phang (ep. 5); Chuck Hogan, Glen Whitman (ep. 7); Regina Corrado, Liz Phang (ep. 8); Vincenzo Natali (ep. 9)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The battle with the strigoi is in full effect. Police, military and citizens have united. The virus is spreading across the country and throughout the world. Eldritch Palmer considers joining Eph, Fet and Setrakian against the Master.
When the stigoi begin winning the battle, police force prisoners, even those who committed misdemeanors into battle. Gus and Angel find themselves in a no-win situation when they are placed in one of the groups forced to go underground into a strigoi stronghold.
The Ancients, who fear the Master’s reach is growing make an uneasy alliance with Quint. The Master reveals himself as the battle nears the end. Humanity may not survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. In different episodes, different characters get the spotlight but viewers don’t get the feeling that it is by the numbers. David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde continue to shine. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte continue to be great villains. Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan makes a great anti-hero.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 3 (2016) earns 5 of 5 stars.
“Grandma’s Boy” (1922) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View
Grandma’s Boy (1922)
Director: Fred C. Newmeyer
Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor, Jean Havez, H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young
Tagline: See the boy who shied at his shadow shake off his fear and capture a desperate criminal, subdue a bully and—oh, most courageous thing of all!—win the girl of his heart
The Plot…
Grandma’s Boy aka Harold Lloyd has grown up believing he’s a coward. He’s afraid to tell His Girl (Davis) that he loves her. He’s even more afraid of the rival for her affection. When a tramp comes to town causing trouble, the men of the town go looking for him. Grandma tells Harold a story about his Grandpa. She then gives him Grandpa’s lucky charm that will provide him with courage. Harold then goes off to prove himself a hero by confronting the tough tramp. Little does Harold know that Grandma made up the story about Grandpa and the lucky charm
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Grandma’s Boy was Harold Lloyd’s first full length feature. It was one of the top grossing movies of 1922.
Grandma’s Boy (1922) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Why Files”: Season 3 (2022) / Z-View
The Why Files: Season 3 (2022)
Creator: Andrew Gentile
Stars: Andrew Gentile
Tagline: Where Cool Nerds Laugh and Learn
The Plot…
The Why Files started as a weekly Youtube podcast where the host, Andrew Gentile looked at myths, legends, strange phenomena and more. Gentile approaches each subject with respect and the right touch of humor. After explaining the subject he then explains what part is true, debunks parts that can be and admits if the truth isn’t known.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Andrew Gentile is an excellent host. His sidekick is a Hecklefish that adds humor.
Some of my favorite episodes from season three include: Dyatlov Pass Mystery Solved; Edgar Cayce – The Coming Storm; Computer Predicts the End of the World; The Dodleston Time Travel Mystery; The Dead Internet Theory; Alien Bases on the Moon; Why Ancient People Didn’t See the Color Blue; Legend of the Immortal – The Count of Saint Germaine and How a UFO Caused the Battle of Los Angeles.
The Why Files: Season 3 (2022) earns 5 of 5 stars.
“The Andromeda Strain” (1971) / Z-View
The Andromeda Strain (1971)
Director: Robert Wise
Screenplay: Nelson Gidding based on THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN by Michael Crichton
Stars: James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid, Paula Kelly, George Mitchell, Ramon Bieri, Kermit Murdock, Peter Hobbs, Eric Christmas and Mark Jenkins
Tagline: Rated G…But May Be Too INTENSE For Younger Children
The Plot…
Shortly after a US satellite crashes near Piedmont, New Mexico, all of the residents, except for a baby and an old alcoholic are found dead. The survivors are rushed to a secret underground military facility. Top scientists are brought in. They determine that the satellite brought back an alien organism that has been released into the atmosphere. The clock is ticking as the scientists need to find a way to kill the organism before it spreads throughout the world.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Andromeda Strain is filmed in a serious documentary tone. Keeping with that idea, the casting is excellent. Instead of a 1971 superstar we are given solid actors. I can imagine some directors saying, “For the female scientist we need a Raquel Welch-type”. Instead they went with a middle-aged, grumpy type.
The Andromeda Strain (1971) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Night Shift” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster is okay, but I think the trailer works. Even gave me a scare.
Deal me in!
NIGHT SHIFT Trailer (2024) Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris
“Son of Dracula” (1943) starring Lon Chaney, Jr. / Z-View
Son of Dracula (1943)
Director: Robert Siodmak
Screenplay: Eric Taylor story by Curt Siodmak
Stars: Lon Chaney Jr., Evelyn Ankers, Frank Craven, Samuel S. Hinds
Tagline: LON CHANEY — MORE THRILLING! MORE TERRIFYING! As History’s Blackest Curse Strikes Again!
The Plot…
Katherine Caldwell, the daughter of a rich New Orleans plantation owner, has fallen under the spell of Count Alucard (Chaney). Little does anyone know that Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards and more importantly, Alucard is a vampire!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
When I was a kid, I thought that Dracula going by the name Alucard was so clever. As an adult, not so much. When I was a kid, I didn’t much care for Lon Chaney, Jr. as Dracula. As an adult I still feel that way.
Son of Dracula shows the first man-into-bat transformation ever seen on screen.
Son of Dracula (1943) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Tony Stella’s Alt Poster for “Rocky IV”
How about Tony Stella’s alt poster for Rocky IV? You can see more of Mr. Stella’s amazing art here.
“The Strain”: Season 2 (2015) / Z-View
The Strain: Season 2 (2015)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: Gregory Hoblit, Guillermo del Toro (ep. 1); T.J. Scott (ep. 2); Guy Ferland (ep. 3); PJ. Miles Dale (eps. 4 – 5); Howard Deutch (eps. 6 – 7); Kevin Dowling (ep. 8 – 9); Phil Abraham (ep. 10 – 11); Vincenzo Natali (eps. 12 – 13)
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 13); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 2, 8, 12); Regina Corrado (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 4, 7); Liz Phang (ep. 5, 10); Carlton Cruse, Regina Corrado (ep. 11); Justin Britt-Gibson, Chuck Hogan (ep. 11); Carlton Cruse, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 12)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Mía Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza and Sean Astin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
As the strigoi (vampire) virus spreads, most of the world remains clueless. Eph and Nora continue to search for a biological response to kill the virus. The Master has a plan to use Eph’s son to get to Eph. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear surrounding buildings.
Gus and Vaun rebel against Eldritch Palmer. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo realizes the strigoi threat is real. She uses her security force to fight the strigoi as she rallies the community to join their efforts. Eph and Nora have success with a biological response to the strigoi, but will anyone in power outside of New York City believe the threat is real?
Setrakian and Fet learn the whereabouts of an ancient book known as the Lumen that may have the answer on how to kill the strigoi. They attempt to purchase it, but learn that Eichhorst is also trying to get it.
As the strigoi’s numbers increase, the Master’s plans move forward. The team becomes aware of Quinlan, a half-vampire, who claims he wants to destroy the Master. Can he/it be trusted?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather played by Corey Stoll is the lead. It isn’t often the “star” is given so many character flaws. Several members of the supporting cast have lived up to the title co-star. Kudos to David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde for playing characters that make the show sing. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer, the sickly billionaire who aides the Master and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte who has served the Master for decades deserve kudos as well. Season two welcomes Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan and Samantha Mathis as Justine Feraldo the tough councilwoman who refuses to run from the crisis.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 2 (2015) earns 5 of 5 stars.
