“Runaway Train” (1985) directed by Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts & Rebecca DeMornay / Z-View

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Runaway Train (1985)

Director: Andrey Konchalovskiy

Screenplay: Djordje Milicevic, Paul Zindel, Edward Bunker based on a story by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni (uncredited),Ryūzō Kikushima

Stars: Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner, John P. Ryan, T.K. Carter, Kenneth McMillan, Edward Bunker, Reid Cruickshanks, John Bloom, Danny Trejo, Tom ‘Tiny’ Lister, Dennis Franz and Hank Worden.

Tagline: Once it starts, nothing can stop it!

The Plot…

Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison is located in the remote Alaskan wilderness.  “Manny” Manheim (Voight) is a hardened convict. For the last three years Manny has lived in solitary confinement at the order of  Warden Ranken (Ryan).  Rankin hates Manny because he is a hero to the other inmates, is an escape risk (two attempts so far) and he cannot be broken.  When a court order forces Rankin to release Manny from solitary, Rankin’s hatred for Manny grows.

Soon Manny has a plan for escape.  Manny and a young convict named Buck (Roberts) make it out.  In a rail yard, they see a train of four cars slowly pulling away.  Once on board, Manny and Buck think they’re home free.  When the engineer has a heart attack, the train continues to pick up speed, burning off the brakes in the process.  Now Manny, Buck and one other person yet to be discovered are on a runaway train.  There’s no way to stop it,  Jumping from the train would be suicide.

Let the action begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Runaway Train was nominated for three Academy Awards:

  • Best Actor in a Leading Role: Jon Voight
  • Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Eric Roberts
  • Best Film Editing: Henry Richardson

Akira Kurosawa originally planned to make Runaway Train in the 1960s!  His intended stars were Lee Marvin and Henry Fonda.  The script was dusted off in 1982 and Cannon Films backed the revised movie.

Runaway Train features the film debuts of Danny Trejo and Tim “Tiny” Lester.  Dennis Franz also appears uncredited as a cop.

Danny Trejo got the job thanks to Eddie Bunker.  Bunker recognized Trejo who was on set visiting a production assistant.  Both Trejo and Bunker (who co-wrote and appears in the film) served time together at San Quentin. Bunker got Trejo a job as an extra and boxing coach to Eric Roberts.  Trejo said that the $320 a day salary was more than he ever made from any of his robberies.

Runaway Train features my favorite performances by Jon Voight, Eric Roberts and Rebecca De Mornay.  John P. Ryan is great as the sadistic warden.  Kudos also to Andrey Konchalovskiy for his amazing job in helming a dramatic action-thriller with heart.

Runaway Train (1985) rates 5 of 5 stars.

RIP: David McCallum

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David McCallum died yesterday at the age of 90.

David McCallum’s parents were professional musicians. For a while it appeared that David might follow in their footsteps.  He studied music for a short time.  After serving in the British Army’s 3rd Battalion (he was born in Glasgow, Scotland), Mr. McCallum attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

David McCallum had been getting roles in both television and feature films when his breakout role came. He was cast as Russian agent Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Although the show was conceived as a showcase for Robert Vaughn to play a James Bond-like spy, the audience loved the chemistry between Vaughn and McCallum.  David McCallum was elevated from occasional guest to the show’s co-star.  Critics also loved Mr. McCallum in this role.  He was nominated for two Emmy awards during the series four year run.  The Man from U.N.C.L.E remained so popular that in 1983, David McCallum returned to the role for a television movie titled, The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E..

David McCallum’s popularity was such that he released four record albums during the run of The Man from U.N.C.L.E..  Unlike many stars of the era, Mr. McCallum did not sing on his records.  Instead he wrote some of the compositions, conducted their arrangements and played various instruments as well.

After The Man from U.N.C.L.E ended Mr. McCallum continued to act on television and in feature films.  In 2003, he earned the role of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the popular series NCIS.  He was a cast member until his death.

Some of David McCallum’s television appearances include: The Rose and the Ring (3 episodes); Our Mutual Friend (10 episodes); The Eustace Diamonds (6 episodes); Emma (5 episodes); Armchair Theater (2 episodes); The Travels of Jamie McPheeters; Perry Mason; The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (105 episodes); The Outer Limits (2 episodes); Please Don’t Eat the Daises; Night Gallery; Marcus Welby; The Six Million Dollar Man; Frankenstein: The True Story; Colditz (26 episodes); The Invisible Man (13 episodes); Kidnapped (13 episodes); Sapphire & Steel (34 episodes); Hart to Hart; The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.; As the World Turns; The A-Team; Matlock; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Return of Sam McCloud; Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes); Masterpiece Mysteries (3 episodes); Cluedo (6 episodes); Trainer (23 episodes); Law & Order; The Outer Limits; Sex and the City; The Education of Max Bickford (9 episodes); JAG (2 episodes); The Replacements (67 episodes); NCIS: New Orleans (2 episodes) and NCIS (457 episodes).

Some of David McCallum’s feature film appearances include: Hell Drivers; A Night to Remember; Billy Budd; The Great Escape; The Greatest Story Ever Told; The Spy with My Face; The Spy in the Green Hat and The Watcher in the Woods.

My favorite David McCallum role is on The Man from U.N.C.L.E..  Like all the kids my age, we thought he was the coolest.  The fact that Mr. McCallum was so popular playing a Russian spy at the height of the cold war is amazing.  I am also in awe of the fact that David McCallum was able to stay a working actor for decades. That is a testament to his acting ability.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to David McCallum’s family, friends and fans.

“The Out-Laws” (2023) starring Adam Devine, Nina Dobrev, Pierce Brosnan & Ellen Barkin / Z-View

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The Out-Laws (2023)

Director: Tyler Spindel

Screenplay: Evan Turner, Ben Zazove

Stars: Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery, Dean Winters and Mo Gallini.

Tagline: None

The Plot…

Owen Browning (Devine) is about to marry the love of his life, Parker McDermott (Dobrev).  The plans are set when Owen and Parker learn that Parker’s estranged parents are going to be able to attend after all.  While there can be difficulty when two families come together, the greater the differences, the more likely the problems.  Owen’s parents are straightlace, a bit out of touch and like Owen, a bit nerdy.  Parker’s parents are hip, cool and thrillseekers.

Things are complicated when Owen’s bank (he’s the manager) is robbed by the famous Ghost Bandits duo.  Unfortunately for Owen he begins to believe his future in-laws are out-laws.  And he ain’t wrong!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

The Out-Laws is a high concept film.  Think Meet the Parents meets Bonnie and Clyde.  It has an excellent cast with Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. And they help make The Out-Laws an okay way to spend an hour and a half.  The truth is the cast deserved better… as did the audience.

The Out-Laws (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Rebel” Director’s Cut starring Sylvester Stallone Gets Theatrical Premiere!

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About a year ago, Robert Schnitzer informed me of his plans to remaster Rebel which starred a very young Sylvester Stallone.  Mr. Schnitzer even came to the StalloneZone message boards to interact with fans and answer questions about the movie (which was originally titled No Place to Hide). Mr. Schnitzer is proud to announce that Rebel has been recut, restored, remastered and will get its theatrical premiere on October 7th.

A TURKEY DANCED DEATH: ANOTHER ROCK COBBLER CASE by Whiskey Leavins is now available!

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Great news for Whiskey Leavins and Rock Cobbler fans – A TURKEY DANCED DEATH: ANOTHER ROCK COBBLER CASE is now available!

Most times I like crime fiction to be hardboiled and serious. But once in a while a bigger helping of humor is what the bartender offers.  You know, books like Whiskey Leavins’  MURDER IN GREASEPAINT (described as “equal parts Chandler, Christopher Moore, Bozo, and Bourbon”) or Leavins’ THE DEVIL’S OWN PISS AND OTHER STORIES‘.  I’ve read ’em both and each earned a 5 star rating – my highest recommendation.

Now Whiskey Leavins is back. A TURKEY DANCED DEATH: ANOTHER ROCK COBBLER CASE is out.  Here’s the lowdown…

Early morning. A wooded clearing. The body surrounded by a conga line of head-bobbing wild turkeys. Then Detective Rock Cobbler’s Thursday really starts to get weird. Before he can begin to dig into this turkey-murder, his attention is diverted by a soft-spoken young woman filing a run-of-the-mill missing person report. Santa Lacrimosa PD’s crack detective knows he should focus on the murder, but unexplainably finds his interest being drawn towards the routine case. The dual investigations will lead Cobbler through seedy residential motels, close encounters with local burlesque royalty Caramel Slice, and on to interactions with a bizarre mountain cult, its charismatic leader, and his bulldog-like henchman. Will the bourbon-loving Cobbler get to the bottom of both cases? Will he figure out the turkey angle? Or will he wind up getting stuffed?

A TURKEY DANCED DEATH combines equal parts Chandler, Christopher Moore, Carl Hiaasen, and a dash of Jim Jones into a quirky, tawdry, Whiskey’d up cocktail.

My order is in,

EERIE Archives Volume 6 featuring Tom Sutton, Ken Kelly, Richard Corben, Doug Moench, Basil Gogos, Carlos Garzon, Nicola Cuti & Doug Moench!

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EERIE Archives Volume 6 will be released on June 4, 2024.  If you wonder what the 248 pages will contain, here’s the lowdown…

Let Cousin Eerie lead you through the shadows into total darkness in EERIE Archives Volume 6, now in a value-priced paperback edition.

Feel the fear of the frightening fables from creators Tom Sutton, Ken Kelly, Richard Corben, Doug Moench, Basil Gogos, Carlos Garzon, Nicola Cuti, and more. Also includes an in-depth interview with longtime Warren Publishing scribe Doug Moench.

Collects EERIE magazine issues #28–#31.

  Deal me in.  Pre-Orders are available now.

“Joe Pickett”: Season 2 (2023) / Z-View

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Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023)

Written by: John Erick Dowdle (ep. 11, 20 ); Stacy Chbosky (eps. 12, 18); Isaac Gomez (ep. 13); Nelson Greaves (eps. 14, 19); Sarah Marie Masson (ep. 15); Diego D. Moreno (ep. 16); Alice Dennard (ep. 17);

Directed by: Stephen Woolfenden (eps. 11 – 12); Blackhorse Lowe (eps. 13 – 14); Drew Dowdle (eps. 15 – 16); Janice Cooke (eps. 17 – 18); Shana Stein (eps. 19 – 20)

Stars: Michael Dorman, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Skywalker Hughes, Kamryn Pilva, David Alan Grier, Chad Rook, Aadila Dosani, Patrick Gallagher, Emily Alabi, Sean Wei Mah, Alex Breaux and Chris Gauthier

Tagline: None

The Plot…

When a hunter doesn’t return home, Joe (Dorman) rides out in a remote section of wilderness to look for him.  Joe happens on Caleb and Camish Grimmengruber aka the Grim brothers.  The two live off the grid and are distrustful of the government.  One thing leads to another and the Grim brothers attempt to kill Joe.  Although they succeed in killing Joe’s horse, and badly wounding Joe, he barely makes it out alive.

In the mean time the hunter has been found… murdered.  He was decapitated and left hanging upside down from a tree.  Because the man was wealthy and of some importance, the Governor flies in.  He meets with the Sheriff and head of the area’s Fish and Game commission.  The Governor demands that the two groups work together to quickly find the murderer.

Not totally healed from the Grim Brothers’ attack, Joe finds himself thrust into an investigation that is going to lead to corruption and more murders by people in high places.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Joe Pickett: Season One was surprisingly good.  Season 2 is even better.

The series features some of the best acting you will find anywhere.  Standouts include: Michael Dorman (Joe Pickett), Julianna Guill (Marybeth Pickett), Sharon Lawrence (Missy, Marybeth’s mother), Mustafa Speaks (Nate Romanowski), Skywalker Hughes (Sheridan, one of the Pickett’s daughters) and Chad Rook (Deputy McLanahan).

Kudos to this season’s writers:

  • I love that events from season one had major ramifications in season two.
  • Joe and Marybeth’s relationship is so well written (and acted).
  • Each episode ended with a cliffhanger making us want to move on to the next episode.
  • All of the characters are given backstory without hindering the main focus of the season.
  • It was cool to see David Alan Grier get a cameo that has a major impact going forward.
  • The Grim Brothers are two of the creepiest bad guys you can imagine.  They get an interesting character arc.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) ends with some great twists.  I hope we get a third season.

Joe Pickett: Season 2 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.

EERIE Archives Volume 5 featuring Steranko, Frank Frazetta, Archie Goodwin, Tom Sutton, Angelo Torres, & Reed Crandall!

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EERIE Archives Volume 5 will be 272 pages of horror when it is released on April 9, 2024.  Here’s the lowdown…

Take a ride in the back of Cousin Eerie’s hearse and head for the cemetery in EERIE Archives Volume 5, now in value-priced paperback.

Join legendary creators Frank Frazetta, Archie Goodwin, Jim Steranko, Tom Sutton, Angelo Torres, Reed Crandall, and more as they devise the most dastardly tales in the heinous history of horror. Foreword by CREEPY author, screenwriter, and director Don Glut.

Collects EERIE magazine issues #23–#27.

  Deal me in.  Pre-Orders are available now.

“District B13” (2004) directed by Pierre Morel, starring David Belle & Cyril Raffaelli / Z-View

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District B13 (2004)

Director: Pierre Morel

Screenplay: Luc Besson, Bibi Naceri

Stars: David Belle, Cyril Raffaelli, Tony D’Amario and Dany Verissimo-Petit.

Tagline: Welcome to District B13 Welcome to the future

The Plot…

Three years ago crime became so bad in some Paris suburbs the government built high guarded walls around the troubled districts.  Heavily armed police man checkpoints in and out.  District B13 is one of them.

Leïto (Belle) lives in the district.  He does what he can to oppose the gangs.  After Leïto destroyed one of their drug shipments, the gang targeted him for execution.

When a nuclear bomb is stolen and tracked to District B13, Damien Tomaso (Raffaelli), an undercover cop, is sent in.  The bomb will explode in 24 hours.  Once in, Tomaso finds himself in an uneasy alliance with Leïto.  Millions of lives are at stake and the clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

I’m surprised District B13 doesn’t get more love.  It’s a fun action film with charismatic leads. The fight scenes are inventive.  Oh, and did I mention it features parkour?  That should be no surprise since it stars David Belle who is credited with being one of the fathers of the sport.

District B13 spawned a sequel, District 13: Ultimatum and an American remake, Brick Mansions which starred Paul Walker with David Belle (reprising his role).  It was Paul Walker’s final film.

District B13 was directed by Pierre Morel in his directorial debut.  Morel followed District B13 by helming Taken and From Paris with Love, both movies that I recommend.

District B13 (2004) rates 4 of 5 stars.

EERIE Archives Volume 4 featuring Archie Goodwin, Frank Frazetta, Reed Crandall, Tom Sutton, Al Williamson, Ambrose Bierce & Edgar Allan Poe!

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EERIE Archives Volume 4 will be 256 pages when it is released on February 6, 2024.  Here’s the lowdown…

Follow your Cousin Eerie on a funeral march through the haunted halls of comics history in EERIE Archives Volume 4, now in a value-priced softcover format!

Join an all-star lineup of comics creators—Archie Goodwin, Frank Frazetta, Reed Crandall, Tom Sutton —as they mine your nightmares for ghoulish gold. Includes the adaptations of “The Death of Halpin Frayser” by Ambrose Bierce and “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe and a lengthy interview with legendary comics illustrator Al Williamson.

Collects EERIE magazine issues #16–#22.

  Deal me in.  Pre-Orders are available now.

“Hard Times” (1975) directed by Walter Hill, starring Charles Bronson & James Coburn / Z-View

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Hard Times (1975)

Director: Walter Hill

Screenplay: Walter Hill, Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell from a story by Bryan Gindoff, Bruce Henstell

Stars: Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jill Ireland, Strother Martin, Margaret Blye, Michael McGuire, Michael McGuire, Bruce Glover, Robert Tessier, Nick Dimitri, Maurice Kowalewski, Naomi Stevens, Brion James and Frank McRae.

Tagline: New Orleans, 1933. In those days words didn’t buy much.

The Plot…

1933.  The depression rages.  A man known only as Chaney (Bronson) travels the rails from town to town.  He makes some money and moves on.  In New Orleans, Chaney happens on a warehouse where underground fights are taking place.  High rollers bet on the outcomes of each match.

Chaney watches with interest.  Chaney later meets with Spencer “Speed” Weed.  Weed manages fighters.  Chaney offers Weed the opportunity to manage him. They agree on percentages and head back to the warehouse.  When a promoter offers odds for anyone to take on his fighter, Chaney accepts. Odds are given and bets placed.  Chaney has six dollars to his name and bets it all on himself.  When he easily knocks out the other fighter, Speed sees dollar signs.

Speed tells Chaney he has a plan. If Chaney can beat a well known undefeated fighter, they stand to make a lot of money.  Chaney agrees.  Little do they know the double crosses that await.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)

Hard Times was Walter Hill’s directorial debut.  Hill followed Hard Times by directing The Driver, The Warriors, The Long Riders, Southern Comfort, 48hrs. and Streets of Fire.  What other director came out of the shoot with so many hits?

Hill’s original idea was for Chaney to be a younger actor. Someone like Jan Michael Vincent.  While that would have worked, when Charles Bronson expressed interest, it was pretty much a done deal.  I think that having Chaney be an older guy (Bronson was 53 at the time) works to the film’s benefit.

Bronson and Hill got along well, but never made another film together.  Bronson wasn’t happy with Hill’s opinion of Jill Ireland’s (Bronson’s wife) acting.  He also didn’t like that some of her scenes were cut.

Hard Times is one of my favorite Charles Bronson films.  It’s gets better with each new viewing.

Hard Times (1975) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Fargo | Installment 5 Teaser is Here! – Dot Lyon (Juno Temple) is a Homemaker

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It’s about to get saucy. Installment 5 of FX’s Fargo premieres 11.21 on FX. Stream on Hulu. 

| Visit Official Site https://fx.tv/Fargo

The latest installment of Fargo is set in Minnesota and North Dakota, 2019. After an unexpected series of events lands “Dorothy ‘Dot’ Lyon” (Juno Temple) in hot water with the authorities, this seemingly typical Midwestern housewife is suddenly plunged back into a life she thought she had left behind.

Frank Miller’s Very Limited Signed & Numbered SIN CITY: Marv & Nancy Callahan Lithographs!

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Frank Miller has teamed with MEL Publisher for a very limited set of two signed and numbered SIN CITY lithographs.

  • SIN CITY – MARV , 2022
    Lithograph in black on BFK Rives 400 grams paper.
    Numbered edition of 60 copies
    Signed in pencil by the artist
    160 x 107 cm
    Printed on the presses of the Idem workshop, Paris.
    Cost is approximately  $3,729.39
  • SIN CITY – NANCY CALLAHAN , 2022
    Screen printing in 3 colors on BFK Rives 300 grams paper.
    Numbered edition of 50 copies
    Signed in pencil by the artist
    90 x 62 cm
    Printed on the presses of the Tchikebe workshop in Marseille.
    Cost is approximately  $1,278.68

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial Official Trailer directed by William Friedkin, starring Keifer Sutherland – The Trailer is Here!

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This looks good.  Deal me in!

Caine Mutiny Court-Martial follows a U.S. naval first officer who’s standing trial for orchestrating a mutiny after his captain shows signs of becoming unhinged and jeopardizes the lives of his crew. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy, Monica Raymund, Lewis Pullman, Jay Duplass, Tom Riley And Lance Reddick. Streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan. The stars have aligned. Paramount+ is the streaming home of SHOWTIME. Try Paramount+ for free today: https://prmntpl.us/PPlusYT

Subscribe to the SHOWTIME YouTube channel: http://goo.gl/esCMib

About The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial: Barney Greenwald, a skeptical lawyer, reluctantly defends an officer of the navy who took control of the Caine from its captain, Lt. Philip Francis Queeg (Kiefer Sutherland), while caught in a violent sea storm. As the court-martial proceeds, however, Greenwald increasingly questions if it was truly a mutiny or rather the courageous acts of a group of sailors who could not trust their unstable leader. Written and directed by Academy Award®-celebrated filmmaker William Friedkin and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Herman Wouk of the same name. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial streaming October 6 with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan.