“Batman” (2022) / Z-View

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Batman (2022)

Director:  Matt Reeves

Screenplay:  Matt Reeves, Peter Craig, based on Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, John Turturro  and Andy Serkis

Tagline:  Unmask The Truth

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

A sadistic, extremely intelligent psycho killer is murdering political figures in Gotham City.  At each murder scene, the killer who has been dubbed The Riddler, leaves a message for Batman (Pattison).  Meanwhile Selena Kyle aka Catwoman (Kravitz) is investigating the disappearance of one of her friends.  When Batman and Selena realize that their investigations overlap, they form an uneasy alliance.  As the Riddler’s body count goes up, it becomes clear that the corruption goes deep… perhaps all the way to the Wayne Foundation and Batman’s father.

The Batman doesn’t feel like a super hero movie.  Instead it plays out more like a mystery or a noir thriller.  That’s a good thing.  Even the music doesn’t scream SUPER HERO.  Let’s break it down…

The Story: I liked the story and was surprised that Bruce Wayne’s dad was shown in a different light.

Batman:  Robert Pattison makes an excellent Batman.  I liked that they played up the “strike fear into the hearts of criminals” aspect.  Criminals would hear Batman’s heavy footsteps coming closer in the dark before they could see him.  This is a more violent Batman but not (usually) excessively so.

Bruce Wayne:  The way they portrayed Bruce Wayne threw me a bit.  A times I thought he looked like a young John Cazale or  Cesare from The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Having Bruce Wayne as a recluse does help to explain why he isn’t seen in public more often.

Selina Kyle aka Catwoman:  Zoë Kravitz owns this role.  She’s tiny but believable as a tough woman.  The screen loves her and she stole every scene she was in.

The Riddler:  The new take on this character is money.  He was smart, frightening and crazy.  The Zodiac Killer on steroids.  Paul Dano deserves an ovation!

The Penguin: Colin Farrell is unrecognizable under the make-up and latex, but his character doesn’t look made-up.  Farrell did a fine job.

Carmine Falcone: John Turturro was amazing.  He had the crime boss / godfather part down pat.  Turturro’s role was one of my favorite parts of the movie.

Alfred:  I like the new direction they took with Alfred.  No longer the old man with amusing quips, this is the Alfred that served as Bruce Wayne’s bodyguard and mentor from childhood to adult.  Andy Serkis nailed the part.

Jim Gordon:  Jeffrey Wright  makes a great Jim Gordon.  Wright is such an under-rated actor, I was glad to see him in The Batman.

The Batmobile:  Batman’s car didn’t look like any of the previous Batmobiles.  It looked like a built up car that could do what needed to be done.  I liked that and the fact it was never referred to as “the Batmobile.”  I also loved the scene where the criminals could hear the monstrous motor revving, before they saw it.  Again playing up the strike fear into the criminals.

The Batcave:  I loved the brief look we got at it.  All of those bats flying around was a great touch.

The Batman exceeded my expectations.  I hope the entire team returns for a sequel.  The Batman earned 4 of 5 stars.

RIGHTEOUS by Joe Ide / Z-View

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Righteous by Joe Ide

Hardcover: ‎ 336 pages
Publisher: ‎Mulholland Books

First sentence…

Isaiah was seventeen years old when his older brother, Marcus, was killed in a hit-and-run..

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Isaiah Quintabe, who everyone calls IQ because of his superior intellect, is back.  Ten years have passed since IQ’s brother, Marcus, was killed.  Isaiah gets by taking on “cases the police can’t or won’t touch.”  They don’t pay much, but Isaiah doesn’t need much.

Out of the blue IQ gets a call from Sarita Van.  Sarita was Marcus’ girlfriend back in the day.  IQ and Sarita haven’t spoken in years.  Now she needs IQ’s help.  Sarita’s sister, Janine and her boyfriend Benny, are degenerate gamblers.  Not only are loan sharks closing in, but they’ve done something to get a Chinese crime cartel after them as well.  IQ agrees to go to Vegas to rescue Sarita’s sister and try to work out something with the Chinese cartel.

In IQ’s mind, he’ll save Sarita’s sister, come back the hero and maybe have a life with Sarita.  If only.

Lucky for IQ, his occasional partner (and former gang banger), Dodson agrees to accompany him.  Things are much worse than IQ could imagine.  Soon he finds himself at odds with a loan shark and his seven foot enforcer, the Chinese cartel and Seb, a crime lord who uses a cane made from a human femur and whose intellect rivals IQ’s.   Janine and Benny are on the run and it is up to IQ to find and save them.  He’ll be lucky if he can save himself.  Oh, and now he has information that his brother was targeted to be killed.  It wasn’t a simple hit-and-run!

Joe Ide has another winner.  Righteous rates 5 of 5 stars.

Righteous Hardcover
Righteous Trade Paperback
Righteous Kindle

RIP: Jim Seals

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Jim Seals, one half of the mega-selling recording duo, Seals & Crofts, died yesterday at the age of 80.  No cause of death was given.

Jim Seals met Dash Crofts when both were in a Texas band called Dean Beard and the Crew Cats.  They later joined Glen Campbell in his band, Glen Campbell and the GCs.  After a couple of years the band broke up and everyone went their separate ways.  Seals and Crofts met up again when both joined a band called The Dawn-Breakers.

In 1969, Seals and Crofts decided to become a duo.  They had moderate success until their fourth album, which contained the single Summer Breeze (also the name of the album).  The single shot up the charts selling over a million copies and earning Seals & Crofts their first Gold Record. Hummingbird was another hit song from the album.

Diamond Girl was Seals & Crofts follow-up album and single proving lightning could strike twice. Diamond Girl became their second Gold record.  We May Never Pass This Way Again was another chart topper from the Diamond Girl album.

Seals & Crofts had two more big hits, I’ll Play for You and Get Closer.  In 1980, Seals & Crofts decided to take a break.  In 1991, Seals & Crofts reunited for a one year tour.  In 2004, Seals & Crofts came together to create their last album, Traces.

Jim Seals’ brother, Dan was better known as England Dan of the singing duo, England Dan & John Ford Coley!  From 2000 – 2008, Jim and his brother Dan toured under the name Seals & Seals.

I am a huge fan of Seals & Crofts (and England Dan & John Ford Coley for that matter).  I remember hearing Diamond Girl when I was a little kid out to eat with my grandparents and asking for juke box money to play the song again.  We May Never Pass This Way Again was the theme for one of the graduating classes when I was in high school.  Jim Seals’ music had a positive impact on my life and the lives of millions.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jim Seals family, friends and fans.

“Rocky” – The Greatest Underdog Story of Our Time by Mike Lynaugh

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Click on the poster above by Mike Lynaugh and admire the detail that he put in it.  Mike captured Rocky’s story from Rocky through Creed.  All of Rocky’s opponents are there including Spider Rico and Thunderlips.  Butkus is shown.  Rocky’s address and Mighty Mick’s gym appear.

Click over to Mike’s Instagram where he writes of the time he spent on the painting.  What a true Rocky fan!!

“Bullet Train” – Two TV Teasers!

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Here are two tv spots for Bullet Train!

Director: David Leitch
Screenwriter: Zak Olkewicz
Cast: Brad Pitt , Joey King , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada , Michael Shannon, Bad Bunny, Zazie Beetz, Logan Lerman , Karen Fukuhara, Masi Oka , and Sandra Bullock
Distributor: Columbia Pictures ( Sony Pictures Releasing )
US Theatrical Release Date: August 5, 2022

“Black Crab” (2022) / Z-View

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Black Crab (2022)

Director: Adam Berg

Screenplay:  Adam Berg, Pelle Rådström  based on the novel by Jerker Virdborg

Starring:  Noomi Rapace and Jakob Oftebro

Tagline: Hope Burns Brightest in The Cold

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

In a world at war, Caroline Edh (Rapace) is one of six soldiers selected for a secret mission.  The team is to skate across frozen waters where the ice is too thin for vehicles (and often people) to deliver a mysterious package to an island research base.  If Edh survives the mission she has been told she will be reunited with her missing daughter.

Black Crab has an interesting plot and the set-up looks like we’re in for a good (maybe even very good) movie.  I kept thinking, “This film is about to take off.”  We’d get cool scenes like retrieving the backpack from the woman under the ice or all the bodies frozen in the ice, but between the cool scenes were lots of shots of soldiers skating or hiding from a helicopter that could almost find them.  Bah!  The movie’s tagline is Hope Burns Brightest in the Cold.  My hope that the movie would get better was left out in the cold.

Black Crab rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities” Trailer is Here!

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Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities trailer is here and it looks good!

The maestro of horror – Guillermo Del Toro – presents 8 blood-curdling tales of horror. This anthology of sinister stories is told by some of today’s most revered horror creators, including the directors of The Babadook, Splice, Mandy, and many more.

CAST: Andrew Lincoln, Ben Barnes, Charlyne Yi, Crispin Glover, Eric Andre, Essie Davis, Kate Micucci, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Rupert Grint, Sofia Boutella

Mike Flannigan’s “The Midnight Club” Teaser is Here!

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Normally, The Midnight Club wouldn’t be high on my list, but Mike “Midnight Mass” Flannigan is behind this!

To those after.
To us now.
And to those beyond.
Seen or unseen.
Here but not here.

At a manor with a mysterious history, the 8 members of the Midnight Club meet each night at midnight to tell sinister stories – and to look for signs of the supernatural from the beyond. Based on the beloved Christopher Pike book series, and brought to life by the creators of The Haunting of Hill House.

“The Predator” (2018) / Z-View

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The Predator (2018)

Director:  Shane Black

Screenplay:  Fred Dekker, Shane Black based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas

Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Jake Busey and Yvonne Strahovski

Tagline:   You’ll never see him coming.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

While on a rescue mission, Quint McKenna (Holbrook) and his team are attacked by a Predator.  Against all odds, McKenna escapes with his life as well as a Predator faceplate and armor.  McKenna is sure no one will believe his story about an alien encounter so he mails the Predator gear to himself.  McKenna’s plan is to get home and collect the package before his estranged wife, Emily ( Strahovski) gets to it.

McKenna’s plan is foiled when he is picked up for debriefing.  Meanwhile at home, McKenna’s son opens the package and accidentally triggers the alien technology.  At his debriefing McKenna tells about his team’s encounter with the Predator. He is then placed in a group of soldiers with mental issues.  Meanwhile in another part of the facility, a sedated Predator is being prepped for examination.  The Predator wakes up, breaks it’s bonds and kills anyone in it’s way as it escapes.

McKenna is telling the other soldiers about his run-in with the Predator and they’re all laughing at the “real” nut among them… until they see the Predator jumping out of a lab window.  McKenna and the crazy soldiers take-over a bus and give chase.  The Predator escapes and McKenna realizes it is after the armor he mailed to himself.  McKenna and the “loonie” soldiers are the kid’s only chance for survival.

Man, I really had high expectations for The Predator.  Shane Black as the director and co-writer of the screenplay!  It had a good cast (Boyd Holbrook, Sterling K. Brown and Thomas Jane to name three).  What could go wrong?

The Predator starts out okay.  But as the movie rolls along it comes off the rails.

  • We get bad joke after bad joke.
  • The Predator gets into a van and kills a soldier in the back.  When the driver asks his partner if he’s okay, the Predator picks up the man’s severed arm which is in a “thumbs up” position and shows it to the driver.
  • There are Predator dogs with dreadlocks… that play fetch.
  • Two of the “loonie” soldiers get impaled across from each other.  Despite mortal injuries and great pain, they shoot each other in the head to end the other’s misery.
  • We learn that the Predators keep coming back to earth because of climate change and they will thrive as we die off.  What?
  • We learn that McKenna’s autistic son is seen as the next stage of human evolution.
  • We see our heroes jump on the surface of a Predator space ship and those who don’t get cut in half by the ship’s force field will have the chance to bring the ship down by jumping into one of it’s turbines?!
  • Oh, and there’s good Predators and bad Predators… and some are really BIG.

What a mess.  The Predator rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Fatty’s Plucky Pup” (1915) / Z-View

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Fatty’s Plucky Pup (1915)

Director:  Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Screenplay:

Starring:  Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Tagline:  None

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Fatty’s girlfriend is kidnapped and it’s up to Fatty, his dog and the Keystone Cops to save her.  Thank goodness for the dog!

Fatty’s best moments: when he slowly realizes he’s set his bed on fire (and how he deals with it), hanging up his mother’s clean wash, dealing with dog catchers and getting revenge on amusement park con men.  There’s a lot of other stuff in between, but once it comes down to saving his girlfriend, Fatty’s dog becomes the star!

Fatty’s Plucky Pup rates 3 of 5 stars.

Movie Snacks – National Survey Results!

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Fandango, the nation’s largest ticketing service surveyed 2,500 film goers across the U.S. about movie concession snacks.  Above we see a summary of the results.

  • 83% said that movie theater popcorn tastes better than popcorn made at home.  (100% agree.)
  • 53% says nachos are the best hot snack, but 77% avoid messy snacks when on a date.  (I agree with the 53% and pity the 77%  – of course I’m married, so she expects me to be messy).
  • 47% buy concessions even if they are late to a movie.  (If I’m late, I don’t go.  There will be other showings.  And to that 47% – shame on you for disrupting the movie for others!)
  • 48% like to mix candy in their popcorn.  (Genius! I’ve eaten popcorn and candy at the same time, but never mixed the candy into the popcorn!  Genius, I say again!)

Survey: Top Five Candies Mixed into Popcorn

Zablo’s Choices

1. M&Ms / Peanut M&Ms

1. M&Ms / Peanut M&Ms

2. Reese’s Pieces

2. Reese’s Pieces

3. Rasinets

 3. Goobers

4. Goobers

 4. Rasinets

5. Milk Duds

 5. I do not want Milk Duds in my popcorn!

Source:  /Film.

“Fatty’s New Role” (1915) / Z-View

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Fatty’s New Role (1915)

Director:  Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Screenplay:

Starring:  Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Tagline:  None

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Fatty (Arbuckle) is a hobo who gets thrown out of a bar for trying to mooch some hooch.  Some of the regulars at the bar decide to play a joke on the bar’s owner and they convince him that Fatty is a mad bomber who will be back to blow up the bar.  What sounds like a potentially great set-up falls short of greatness.

Fatty’s New Role rates 2 of 5 stars.