Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Colman Domingo continues to pick interesting projects and he’s such a good actor… deal me in!
From director Greg Kwedar and starring Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, and Sean San José, and Paul Raci. SING SING – In Theaters July 2024.
RELEASE DATE: July 2024
DIRECTOR: Greg Kwedar
CAST: Colman Domingo, Paul Raci, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
Director: Sidney Lanfield
Screenplay: Ernest Pascal based on THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Arthur Conan Doyle
Stars: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Lionel Atwill and John Carradine
Tagline: SPINE-CHILLING! The adventures of Sherlock Holmes on the ghostly moor!
The Plot…
The great detective Sherlock Holmes (Rathbone) and his assistant, Dr. Watson (Bruce) are called to the Baskerville Estate. The Baskervilles seemed to be cursed. Over the years many family members have died under unusual circumstances. The estate is said to be prowled by a huge supernatural hound. When Sir Charles Baskerville’s corpse was found, there was a giant pawprint near the body. Now Sir Henry Baskerville has been warned he will be next to die.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Hound of the Baskervilles was Basil Rathbone’s first outing as Sherlock Holmes. 20th Century Fox was so unsure of his star power Richard Greene was given top billing! Rathbone as Holmes with Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson proved so popular that they not only returned for 13 more Sherlock Holmes films, they also appeared together on the radio in The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Deal me in.
Los Angeles. Private investigator. Missing person. Mystery person. Colin Farrell is John Sugar. Sugar premieres April 5.
“Sugar” is a contemporary, unique take on one of the most popular and significant genres in literary, motion picture and television history: the private detective story. Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell stars as John Sugar, an American private investigator on the heels of the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel, the beloved granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel. As Sugar tries to determine what happened to Olivia, he will also unearth Siegel family secrets; some very recent, others long-buried.
The series also stars Kirby (“The Sandman”), Amy Ryan (“The Wire”), Dennis Boutsikaris, Nate Corddry (“Mindhunter”), Alex Hernandez (“Invasion”), and James Cromwell (“Succession”), with guest stars Anna Gunn (“Breaking Bad”) and Sydney Chandler (“Don’t Worry Darling”).
“Sugar” is created by Mark Protosevich who also executive produces. Audrey Chon and Simon Kinberg executive produce for Genre Films, marking their second series with Apple TV+ under Kinberg’s overall deal following “Invasion.” Colin Farrell, Sam Catlin, Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich also serve as executive producers. The series was directed by Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “Two Popes”), who also executive produces, and Adam Arkin (“The Offer”), who also co-executive produces.
Clay McCormack is going through the alphabet with drawings of movie monsters. Each new addition is an awesome drawing and it’s fun following along. You can too by joining McCormack’s Twitter.
Batman is almost always seen in Gotham city. Bernie Wrightson places Batman in a tree and it works.
Source: Wrightson.
Savage Sword of Conan #1 is out and it is a winner.
It features five covers to choose from. I selected the one with art by Gerardo Zaffino (shown above). Other cover-featured artists include Joe Jusko (two versions), Mac von Fafner and Douglas Klauba.
Roy Thomas provides an introduction, Savage Tales of Savage Swords.
Sacrifice in the Sand is a prose tale by Jim Zub.
Solomon Kane, An Essay by Jeffrey Shanks explores the history and influences of Solomon Kane.
Pinups included are: Conan by Roberto De La Torre, Belit b Rebeca Puebla, Conan and the Road Kings by Gerado Zaffino with a poem by Robert E. Howard and Solomon Kane by Howard Chaykin.
The issue features a full-length Conan story, Conan and the Dragon Horde by John Arcudi (writer) and Max von Fafner (artist). Conan has agreed to lead an army of “mercenaries and hangers-on who have a greater thirst for gold than for combat.” Their goal is to reclaim a city for a deposed king. The kicker is the city rests on a gold mine and all warriors will share equally in the spoils. Expect the unexpected, giant warrior twins, prehistoric beasts, crosses and double-crosses, a beautiful warrior woman and plenty of Conan doing what Conan does. I wasn’t familiar with von Fafner’s art prior to this, but he is an artist I’ll watch for.
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The second story features Solomon Kane in Master of the Hunt, Part One by writer/artist Patrick Zircher. Solomon Kane becomes involved in a search for a missing man and his son. Fear abounds that an ancient beast is on the prowl. Most folks know Zircher as an accomplished artist, but since he’s added writer to his resume the title needs to become accomplished writer/artist. I want to give kudos to Zircher for making his background characters interesting. They may not have dialogue, but you can tell what they’re thinking from body language and facial expressions. I look forward to Part Two.
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Savage Sword of Conan #1 (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Ripley looks interesting. Take a gander at the poster and trailer. See if you don’t agree.
He’s a liar. It’s his profession.
Andrew Scott stars as Tom Ripley in the new limited series Ripley, only on Netflix April 4, 2024.
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 Raymond Leonard.
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Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937)
Director: Eugene Forde
Screenplay: Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Robert Ellis, Helen Logan
Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, Virginia Field and Sidney Blackmer
Tagline: Triple murder for high stakes! A new high in mystery excitement! And laughs, too!
The Plot…
Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in Monte Carlo. When their cab comes upon a murder scene, they become involved in the investigation. A messenger has been killed and the $200,000 in bonds he was delivering is missing.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This was Warner Oland’s 16th and final outing as Charlie Chan. It was also Oland’s last film.
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Check out this rare poster for Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman. Any idea makes it so rare? The poster advertised that Lon Chaney would play both the monster and the wolfman. That never happened. As it turned out, Bela Lugosi joined the cast and ended up playing the monster.
Source: Hammer Horror Films.
Wil (2023)
Director: Tim Mielants
Screenplay: Carl Joos, Tim Mielants, Jeroen Olyslaegers
Stars: Stef Aerts, Annelore Crollet
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
1942. World War rages. Nazis occupy Belgium. With two weeks training, Wilfried Wils (Aerts) and other young police officers in Antwerp are the buffer between Nazi occupation and citizens. Personal survival will test their morals and their willingness to follow Nazi orders in order to survive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Wil is an excellent drama that explores the lines that some are willing, or not to cross.
Wil (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Hart Hanson has a new novel coming out on May 21st. As you can see from the photo above, it’s titled THE SEMINARIAN. I am a huge fan of Hanson’s first novel, THE DRIVER, so I’m looking forward to his follow-up with new characters. Here’s the lowdown for THE SEMINARIAN…
“If you like your detectives hard-boiled but with a redeeming soft center then step forward Xavier Priest, your newest PI hero. In The Seminarian, Hart Hanson has sent his gloriously unforgettable characters into a wondrously twisty-turny mystery that the reader will never want to end. More please!” —Stephen Fry
From the creator of the TV show Bones, THE SEMINARIAN is a twisty murder mystery perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen.
Xavier “Priest” Priestly is a snarky former seminarian turned private investigator. Dusty Queen is a hard-as-nails professional stuntwoman and freelance bodyguard. When Dusty’s girlfriend suddenly disappears, a woman in a strange blue wig tries to assassinate Priest, and a twelve-year-old boy shows up claiming to be his son, the two friends are thrown into a maelstrom of intrigue and high-stakes violence that’s as convoluted and dangerous as it is hilarious.
Thankfully, Priest and Dusty don’t have to navigate these tangled mysteries alone. Aided by a lawyer, who’s underwhelmed by their extra-legal methods; a straight-laced detective, who doesn’t trust them as far as he can throw them; and Priest’s father, a notorious bank robber, they are well equipped to deal with potential kidnapping and attempted murder. But whether Priest is up to the challenge of a son with a gun, a backpack full of weed, and a major attitude problem … well, that’s a different story.
With its unforgettable cast, parade of twists and turns, and breakneck pace, THE SEMINARIAN showcases Hart Hanson at his best. Packed with action and glistening with snappy dialogue, surprising tenderness, and (mostly) good people doing some exceptionally bad things, this distinctive thriller is as entertaining as it is insightful.
THE SEMINARIAN hardcover
THE SEMINARIAN paperback
THE SEMINARIAN Kindle
El Conde (2023)
Director: Pablo Larraín
Screenplay: Pablo Larraín, Guillermo Calderón
Stars: Jaime Vadell
Tagline: Things are about to get bloody…
The Plot…
El Conde is a 250 year old vampire who is ready to die. His children who aren’t vampires are ready to help him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I tapped out after 42 minutes. Your mileage may vary. El Conde currently has a 6.4/10 rating, while on Rotten Tomatoes it is at 82% out of 116 reviews and a65% audience score.
El Conde (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.
I think this poster for The Strangers Chapter 1 is pretty clever. The tag line is also spot on.
I’m a big fan of Jordi Bernet’s art. It’s hard to top his Torpedo drawings and this is one of coolest. It’s so iconic.
Source: Marco Finnegan.
