“Dracula” by Kevin Wilson!
Today we follow-up yesterday’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi print by Chris Weston with Dracula by Kevin Wilson! Kevin’s print comes in two versions, a gray-toned (shown above) and a color version shown here.
RIP: James Caan
James Caan died yesterday at the age of 82. No cause of death was given. Mr. Caan’s family released the following statement:
“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Jimmy on the evening of July 6. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
James Caan attended Michigan State University for two years where he played football. He then transferred to Hofstra University in New York. This is where he developed his interest in acting. Mr. Caan’s first roles were in off-Broadway plays. Soon he was getting guest appearances on television. Some of James Caan’s roles included parts on Naked City, Route 66, The Untouchables, Dr. Kildare, Combat!, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and Get Smart.
James Caan’s first feature film appearance was in Lady in a Cage. More film roles followed. A few of his appearances include Red Line 7000, El Dorado, Countdown and The Rain People.
In 1971, James Caan starred as Brian Piccolo in Brian’s Song. Brian’s Song was a tv movie that co-starred Billy Dee Williams as Gayle Sayers. Piccolo and Sayers played for the Chicago Bears and became good friends before Piccolo tragically died from cancer. The movie was a huge success.
The following year Mr. Caan appeared as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. After that there was no looking back. James Caan racked up over 135 credits on his resume including films such as The Gambler, Rollerball, The Killer Elite, Thief, Alien Nation, Misery, Eraser, Poodle Springs, The Way of the Gun and Elf. James Caan also starred in the television series Las Vegas from 2003 – 2007.
I probably first saw James Caan on one of his many television appearances since he appeared on many shows that I watched. But it was his role as Brian Piccolo that got my attention. Everyone was talking about the movie the next day at school. James Caan was cool! Then he followed that role up as Sonny Corleone, the hothead brother in The Godfather! What a one-two punch.
Many people are listing their favorite James Caan roles in films such as Misery, Thief and The Godfather. Those were all great Jimmy Caan roles, but I wish more folks were recognizing his part as Joe Sarno in The Way of the Gun. Sarno was my favorite character in the film and Caan was perfect as the tough, old guy, (years before Jonathan Banks became a fan favorite as Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul). Caan as Sarno had the perfect delivery on lines such as, “The only thing you can guess about a broken down old man is that he is a survivor” and “I promise you a day of reckoning that you won’t live long enough to never forget.”
I was glad to see Sly Stallone and James Caan acting together in two episodes of Caan’s series Las Vegas.
James Caan was not only an excellent actor, he was a legit tough guy and athlete. He did many of his own stunts. As a young man he participated in rodeos. He played college football. And perhaps the thing I admired most about James Caan was that what you saw is what you got. He came across the same in all his interviews as a guy who enjoyed life.
James Caan has one final film in post-production. It’s called Fast Charlie. The screenplay is based on Victor Gischler’s Gun Monkeys. (I’ve read the book and highly recommend it!) Pierce Brosnan is the lead. I’m happy that we have one more James Caan film coming and it should be a banger! Of course anything that James Caan was in was better because of him.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to James Caan’s family, friends and fans.
“The Last Movie Stars” – Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward Documentary – The Poster & Trailer are Here!
The Last Movie Stars looks interesting. HBOMax makes it an easy choice. Deal me in.
The Last Movie Stars is an epic 6-part documentary from CNN Films and HBO Max that chronicles Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s iconic careers and decades-long partnership. Director Ethan Hawke brings life and color to this definitive history of their dedication to their art, philanthropy and each other. Through long lost transcriptions of interviews with Paul, Joanne and those close to them, brought to life by the voices of contemporary actors, we’re given an intimate front row seat to the lives and careers of the couple that would go on to forge an unmatched cultural legacy. Academy Award-winning director, writer and producer Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer. #TheLastMovieStars
“Dracula” Starring Bela Lugosi by Chris Weston!
It’s no secret that we love movies and art, especially when they go together as well as Chris Weston’s Dracula Starring Bela Lugosi print!
“The Open House” (2018) / Z-View
The Open House (2018)
Director: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Screenplay by: Matt Angel, Suzanne Coote
Starring: Dylan Minnette, Piercey Dalton, Patricia Bethune and Sharif Atkins
Tagline: You can’t lock out what’s already Inside.
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
When her husband is hit by a car and dies, Naomi (Dalton) and her son, Logan (Minnette) are left in a financial bind. Naomi’s sister allows them to live in her secluded house that is up for sale.
During the day, it is an open house which creeps out Logan. He hates the idea that strangers roam through the house that he and his mother sleep in at night. Soon after Naomi and Logan move in, weird things begin to happen. Objects are moved, someone telephones but doesn’t speak, the pilot light on the water heater keeps going out and more. Logan and his mom realize that it could be one of the strange people that they’ve met in the neighborhood… but is this person a prankster or dangerous? They will soon find out.
The Open House sets up an excellent premise for a horror film. It provides a supporting cast of possible folks who could be responsible for the weird stuff going on. Then it makes the two leads fairly unlikable and gives us an ending that (my wife) and I absolutely hated. In all fairness up until the ending, The Open House was on track to a two star rating, but that ending brought it down to one star of five.
“Emily the Criminal” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The Emily the Criminal poster and trailer are here. This looks good, so deal me in!
Emily (Aubrey Plaza) is saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a minor criminal record. Desperate for income, she takes a shady gig as a “dummy shopper,” buying goods with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to bring their business to the next level in Los Angeles.
“Amsterdam” Starring Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Taylor Swift, Rami Malek and Robert De Niro! The Trailer is Here!
Wow! Just look at this cast: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Taylor Swift, Rami Malek and Robert De Niro. Deal me in!
A lot of this actually happened.
Amsterdam, a new film from David O. Russell, arrives in theaters November 2022.
“You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928) Starring Laurel & Hardy / Z-View
You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928)
Director: Edgar Kennedy
Screenplay by: H.M. Walker (titles), Hal Roach (story)
Starring: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
Tagline: None
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Stanley (Laurel) and Ollie (Hardy) are already behind in their rent when they are fired from a band. Desperate to raise money they begin playing on the street, hoping for donations. Things take a turn for the worst when they raise the ire of a local policeman. Soon enough they’re having problems with uncovered manholes, sewer workers, and each other!
The final scene is Laurel and Hardy at their best. They are upset and strike out at each other. Before it is over they’ve caused a riot with everyone getting de-pantsed!
“Bone Tomahawk” Print by Nick Charge!
Nick Charge created an excellent alternate movie poster for S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk. If you’d like to see more of Nick Charge’s art, you can on his Instagram.
“Do Detectives Think?” (1927) Starring Laurel & Hardy / Z-View
Do Detectives Think? (1927)
Director: Fred Guiol
Screenplay by: H.M. Walker (titles), Hal Roach (story)
Starring: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Viola Richard and Noah Young
Tagline: None
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Ferdinand Finkleberry (Laurel) and Sherlock Pinkham (Hardy) are the world’s two worst detectives. When a killer (Young) who has vowed to slit the throat of the judge (Finlayson) who sentenced him escapes prison, Finkleberry and Pinkham are assigned to protect him.
This early Laurel and Hardy film features the first time they wore the derby hats that became one of their trademarks. It also features their famous derby hat mix-up routine. James Finlayson as the scared judge gets his share of laughs. Do Detectives Think? is a solid Laurel & Hardy film and rates 3 of 5 stars.
HELL of a MESS (A Love & Bullets Hookup, Book 4) by Nick Kolakowski is Coming!
Hell of a Mess by Nick Kolakowski is set to be released on August 26, 2022. This is a must-buy for me. I’ve read and loved the other stories in the Love & Bullets series. Hell of a Mess sounds like a great sequel…
The heist should have been a simple one: infiltrate the top floor of a luxury New York City penthouse, steal a server with compromising data from under the noses of the unsuspecting guards, and slip back out. Fiona, master thief and occasional assassin, has pulled off similar jobs dozens of times. But with a massive hurricane bearing down on the East Coast, the timing is tight and the escape routes are limited-and that’s before she discovers something horrific in the penthouse’s master bedroom.
Now Fiona’s on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of rising floodwaters and an army of hired assassins. Her husband Bill, the finest hustler between Florida and Maine, can’t help her: he’s been kidnapped by a group of dirty cops who want the secret millions left by his former employer. The night will take the two of them from the heights of money and power in Lower Manhattan to a haunted island in the East River where no secrets stay buried forever.
It’s going to be one hell of a night… and one hell of a mess.
If this sounds like your jam pre-orders are available now.
“The Man from Toronto” (2022) Starring Kevin Hart & Woody Harrelson / Z-View
The Man from Toronto (2022)
Director: Patrick Hughes
Screenplay by: Robbie Fox, Chris Bremner from a story by Robbie Fox, Jason Blumenthal
Starring: Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Jasmine Mathews, Kaley Cuoco, Pierson Fode and Ellen Barkin
Tagline: Hitman Meets Dead Man
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Teddy (Hart), a mild mannered man, is mistaken for an elite assassin/torturer known as The Man from Toronto (Harrelson). The FBI convince Teddy to continue playing as The Man from Toronto in an effort to stop an upcoming hit on a visiting dignitary. Everything goes sideways when the real Man from Toronto shows up…
The Man from Toronto has a great premise. Kevin Hart is the right choice to play Teddy and Woody Harrelson makes a convincing hitman. Director Patrick Hughes knows his way around action scenes. The movie starts off well enough, but the last act went way over the top (some may say that it happened even sooner). Still there were enough laughs to rate 3 of 5 stars.
“How to Make a Monster” (1958) / Z-View
How to Make a Monster (1958)
Director: Herbert L. Strock
Screenplay by: Herman Cohen. Aben Kandel
Starring: Robert H. Harris, Paul Brinegar, Gary Conway and Gary Clarke
Tagline: See the ghastly ghouls… IN FLAMING COLOR!
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Pete Dumond (Harris) has been a monster movie make-up man for American International Pictures for decades. When the studio is sold, the new owners decide that monster movies are on the way out. They fire Dumond and his long-time assistant, Rivero (Brinegar). Dumond uses mind control to get the actors playing the teenage werewolf (Clarke) and teenage Frankenstein (Conway) to kill the new owners one-by-one. When the clues begin to point towards Dumond all bets are off on who will be the next to die!
How to Make a Monster is more clever than good. It’s clever because…
- It brings back monsters (Teenage Frankenstein and Teenage Werewolf) from their past movies for a team-up.
- It uses American International Pictures (the real movie studio that released the film) as the studio in the movie.
- It takes us behind the scenes on the studio of American International Pictures when in reality AIP didn’t own a studio! They rented space from other studios.
- The monster head props and movie posters that appear in the background of scenes are from past AIP monster movies.
- The ads say that you will see the monsters (Teenage Frankenstein and Wolfman) in color for the first time, but only the last scenes were shot in color to save money!
How to Make a Monster rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Near Dark” (1987) / Z-View
Near Dark (1987)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Screenplay by: Eric Red, Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, Joshua John Miller and James Le Gros
Tagline: At dawn they hide. At dark they wake. At night they search for blood…pray for daylight.
The Overview: Beware of spoilers
Unknown to Caleb (Pasdar), his new girlfriend (Wright) is vampire. When she turns him, Caleb reluctantly joins her coven which consists of their leader, Jesse Hooker (Henriksen), Diamondback (Goldstein), Severen (Paxton) and Homer (Miller). Each night the group goes out to hunt and feed. Sickened by what he has become, but with nowhere to turn, Caleb goes with them. When things go sideways, the coven finds the police as well as Caleb’s father closing in on them. Caleb will be forced to make a choice… but at what cost?
This modern day vampire tale is a blast. Bill Paxton fills the screen as a vampire who enjoys his undead life. It’s a thrill to see the Aliens trio (Henriksen, Goldstein and Paxton) together again. The scene in the roadside bar still terrifies while at the same time makes audiences smile. This movie’s influence can be see in many films that followed it. Near Dark is so entertaining it easily rates 4 of 5 stars.
RIP: Joseph Turkel
Joseph “Joe” Turkel, best known for his roles in The Shinning and Blade Runner died on Monday, June 27, 2022. He was 94 years old. When he was 16 years old, Joe Turkel enlisted in the US Army and served during World War II. After the war, Mr. Turkel decided on an acting career.
Joe Turkel’s resume contains over 140 credits of television and feature film roles. Some of the television shows that Mr. Turkel appeared on include: The Lone Ranger, Highway Patrol, Sky King, Dragnet, Bat Masterson, Wagon Train, The Untouchables, Combat!, The Andy Griffith Show, The Rat Patrol, Bonanza, Ironside, Land of the Giants, Adam-12, SWAT, Police Story, Kojak, Fantasy Island and Miami Vice.
Some of the feature films in which Joe Turkel appeared include: The Killing, Paths of Glory, The Sand Pebbles, The Shinning and Blade Runner to name just a few.
Joseph Turkel had a face you couldn’t forget. As a kid, I remember seeing Mr. Turkel show up on many of the shows I watched. As an adult I began seeing him in films. Usually, Mr. Turkel played a bad guy, but I knew he was a good guy to see in the credits.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joseph Turkel’s family, friends and fans.
