Category: Celebs

“Assault on VA-33” (2021) starring Sean Patrick Flabery with Mark Dacascos and Michael Jai White / Z-View

Posted on by

Assault on VA-33 (2021)

Director: Christopher Ray

Screenplay: Scott Thomas Reynolds

Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Michael Jai White, Mark Dacascos, Weston Cage, Gina Holden, Abigail Hawk, Brittany Underwood, Rachel True, Max Adler and Rob Van Dam.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jason Hill plans to have lunch with his wife at the Veteran’s Affairs hospital where she works.  After lunch Jason is going to take his daughter to soccer practice.  But that all changes when terrorists take over the hospital.  They’re after a General being treated there.  With the General and several staff as hostages, the terrorists have the upper hand.

Jason manages to not get caught during the takeover.  When local police believe his call for help to be a prank, Jason realizes it’s up to him to save the day.

I think Jason’s daughter may be late to practice.  Jason to the rescue – STAT.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sean Patrick Flanery and Gina Holden play husband and wife in Assault on VA-33.  They also played a married couple in Saw 3D.

Pro wrestler Rob Van Dam plays the terrorist who stays in the van.  He is never shown being killed or driving away.  His character just disappears.  It would have been funny if after the credits rolled, at the very end they should him still sitting in the van.

Assault on VA-33 (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster Created by Sahin Düzgün!

Posted on by

This very cleverly designed Reservoir Dogs alt poster was created by Sahin Düzgün?. Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist  and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design: Sharp suits, sharp dialogue, and a story that changed indie cinema forever. Happy Reservoir Dogs day, Mr. Tarantino!

Mr. Pink: Why can’t we pick our own colors?
Joe: No way, no way. Tried it once, it doesn’t work. You get four guys all fighting over who’s gonna be Mr. Black, but they don’t know each other, so nobody wants to back down. No way. I pick. You’re Mr. Pink. Be thankful you’re not Mr. Yellow.

“Dylan Dog: Dead of Night” (2010) starring Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington, Anita Briem, Peter Stormare, and Taye Diggs / Z-View

Posted on by

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)

Director: Kevin Munroe

Screenplay: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer; based on Dylan Dog by Tiziano Sclavi

Stars: Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington, Anita Briem, Peter Stormare, Taye Diggs, Mitchell Whitfield, Laura Spencer, Laura Spencer, Marco St. John, Kyle Clements and Kurt Angle.

Tagline: Living investigator. Undead clients. Zombie partner.

The Plot…

Dylan Dog at one time fought the things that go bump in the night.  He gave it up when his wife was killed by vampires.  Since then Dylan has worked as a private eye on normal cases.

That all changes when Elizabeth Ryan comes to Dylan for help.  Her father was killed by something strange.  Now Dylan is back… and the case will bring him into contact with vampires, werewolves, zombies and something worse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One of the vampires is named Sclavi. Tiziano Sclavi created Dylan Dog.

At one point a character calls Dylan Dog, “Superman”.  Brandon Routh who plays Dylan Dog of course played Superman in an earlier film.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night leans a bit more into comedy than I’d prefer.  Even still I would have liked to have seen a sequel.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)  rates 2 of 5 stars.

Doug Dabbs Makes Sly Stallone Expendable!

Posted on by

I first met Doug Dabbs in 2011 at Heroes Con. I was heading out from the show and saw his art. If there had been time, I’d have got a sketch on the spot.

I told Doug I would get a piece from him in 2012 and I did. Two in fact. This piece is Doug’s take on Sly as Barney Ross from The Expendables.  I love Dabb’s use of white and negative space, plus his figure work is on point.

RIP: Neil Sedaka

Posted on by

Neil Sedaka died yesterday at the age of 86.  No cause of death was given.

Neil Sedaka was a singer and songwriter who graduated high school at the age of 17 and began his professional career in music the following year.  Although Neil Sedaka was a founding member of The Tokens, he soon departed for a solo career.  Hits quickly followed.  From 1958 to 1963, Mr. Sedaka charted 14 top 30 hits.  During this same period, Neil Sedaka wrote or co-wrote hits recorded by other artists including Connie Francis, The Everly Brothers, The Monkees, The 5th Dimension and Tom Jones just to name a few.

Although Mr. Sedaka’s singing career in the US dipped in the mid 60s, he continued to have a strong career as a songwriter and singer overseas.  In 1975, Neil Sedaka returned to the US charts with the #1 hit, “Laughter in the Rain”.

Although Mr. Sedaka officially retired from songwriting in 2022 and sold his music catalog in 2024, he continued to make live appearances and perform on social media with his last outing taking place in December 2025.

Some of Mr. Sedaka’s greatest hits include: Breaking Up is Hard to Do; Bad Blood; Laughter in the Rain and Calendar Girl.

Hits written or co-written for others include: “Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille; “Ring Ring” by ABBA; “Where the Boys Are” – Connie Francis; “Lonely Night (Angel Face)” – Captain & Tennille; “Crying in the Rain” – The Everly Brothers; “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” – The 5th Dimension; “Puppet Man” – Tom Jones; “When Love Comes Knockin’ (At Your Door)” – The Monkees; “The Girl I Left Behind Me” – The Monkees; “I Go Ape” – The Monkees and “Rainy Jane” – Davy Jones.

What an amazing career!  Neil Sedaka was a wonderful singer and songwriter.  His performances always left me smiling.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Neil Sedaka’s family, friends and fans.

“Street Smart” (1987) starring Christopher Reeve, Kathy Baker, Mimi Rogers and Morgan Freeman / Z-View

Posted on by

Street Smart (1987)

Director: Jerry Schatzberg

Screenplay: David Freeman

Stars: Christopher Reeve, Kathy Baker, Mimi Rogers, Jay Patterson, Andre Gregory, Anna Maria Horsford, Erik King, Michael J. Reynolds, Rick Aviles, Leslie Carlson and Morgan Freeman.

Tagline: A reporter is using the streets to get ahead. A killer is using the reporter to get even.

The Plot…

Jonathan Fisher, is a writer for a New York magazine.  Fisher has been on a dry spell, unable to get any of his story pitches approved.  Then Fisher comes up with the idea to profile a NY City pimp’s life on the street.  The editor approves the story, but needs it in just a few days.

Fisher, under pressure and unable to meet a real pimp, fabricates the story.  He creates a pimp persona he calls Tyrone.  Surprisingly, the story goes viral.  Fisher becomes a media sensation.

Leo “Fast Black” Smalls, Jr. is an actual New York City pimp.  Many who know Smalls think the article was written about him.  Fischer’s article accidentally got many things right about Smalls. Despite Fischer’s denials, everyone thinks Smalls was the pimp the article portrayed.

Then Smalls is arrested for killing a man.  Smalls’ lawyer gets the bright idea to us Jonathan Fisher as his albi.  If he was meeting with Fischer about the article, he couldn’t have been where the murder took place.  Suddenly, Fisher is being pressured by his editor, the police and Smalls.

The police want Fisher’s notes created for the article from interviews with the pimp.  Of course there are none.  If Fisher is proved to be a fraud, his career is over.  Smalls wants Fisher to lie for his aliby.  If Fisher refuses, Smalls will make sure Fisher’s life is over.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

If you only know Christopher Reeve as Superman, check out Street Smart.  Reeves got financing for the film by agreeing to star in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.

Morgan Freeman earned well deserved nominations for an Oscar®, a Golden Globe and won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role as  Leo “Fast Black” Smalls, Jr.

Reeve and Kathy Baker also deserve kudos for the performances.

Miles Davis performs the movie’s score.

Street Smart (1987) rates 4 of 5 stars.

HOW NOT TO DIE IN PRISON: A SURVIVAL GUIDE by Taylor Sheridan and Tom Nelson!

Posted on by

HOW NOT TO DIE IN PRISON: A SURVIVAL GUIDE by Taylor Sheridan and Tom Nelson is coming!  Here’s the lowdown…

The debut book from Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Taylor Sheridan, creator of Landman and cocreator of Yellowstone — a no-bullsh*t, darkly funny survival guide to life inside a maximum-security prison, cowritten with prison-hardened ex-con Tom Nelson.

So, you f*cked up. Can’t talk your way out of it, buy your way out of it, or beg your way out of it.

You are going to prison. You will be living under a set of rules made up by men who have demonstrated to society that they need a big ol’ time out. There is no book of these rules. Nobody will tell them to you. But when you break one—boy, will you know it. For the newbie, the fish, the fresh meat—this book is your survival guide. How to mind your business without becoming a target. When to walk away. When to stand your ground.

This is how you don’t die. Follow the advice in this book, and you just might make it out alive.

Pre-orders are available now.

RIP: Robert Carradine

Posted on by

Robert Carradine died yesterday at the age of 71, the result of suicide.  Mr. Carradine battled bi-polar disorder for two decades.

Both of Robert Carradine’s parents were actors.  His mother was Sonia Sorel (née Henius) and his father, John Carradine.  In addition, Robert’s brothers, Christopher and Keith, as well as his step-brothers, Bruce, David and Michael were also actors.  Robert’s parents divorced when he was two.  He lived with his father and step-mother until high school.  At that point Robert moved in with his step-brother David.

In addition to acting, Robert loved auto racing and music.  His first professional role was a guest appearance on Bonanza.  The following year Mr. Carradine got his first feature role in John Wayne’s The Cowboys.  After that Robert Carradine continued to act on television and in feature films for the next 50 plus years.

Some of the television projects that feature Robert Carradine acting include: Bonanza; Footsteps; Kung Fu; The Cowboys (12 episodes); The Hatfields and McCoys; Police Story (2 episodes); Tales of the Klondike; The Fall Guy; The Sun Also Rises; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Twilight Zone; Faerie Tale Theater; As Is; The Magical World of Disney; Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago Eight; Totally Minnie; The Hitchhiker; The Incident; Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture; Doublecrossed; Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation; The Tommyknockers (2 episodes); Body Bags; Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love; Sirens; ER; Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman; Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (2 episodes); Humanoids of the Deep; Dark Skies; The Pretender; NYPD Blue; The Practice; Fast Track (2 episodes); Vengeance Unlimited; Nash Bridges (2 episodes); Express Yourself (2 episodes); Monte Walsh; The Lizzie McGuire Movie; Lizzie McGuire (65 episodes); Law & Order: Criminal Intent; Jane Doe: Ties that Bind; Robot Chicken; Workers’ Comp; Jesse Stone: Benefit of Doubt; James Blondes; Tales of the Wild West (2 episodes); Lizzie McGuire (2 episodes) and Medinah.

Some feature films that Robert Carradine acted in include: The Cowboys; Go Ask Alice; Mean Streets; Aloha Bobby and Rose; Jackson County Jail; Cannonball!; Orca; Coming Home; The Long Riders; The Big Red One; Revenge of the Nerds; Number One with a Bullet; Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise; The Player; Escape from LA; Ghosts of Mars; Fancypants; Django Unchained; Was Once a Hero and Skate to Hell.

I first saw Robert Carradine acting in The Cowboys.  After that I loved seeing him pop up on television and films.  My favorite movie that he appeared in is The Cowboys, but The Long Riders is also a favorite.  Robert Carradine’s long career is a testament to his talent.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Carradine’s family, friends and fans.

“Safe House” (2025) starring Lucien Laviscount, Hannah John-Kamen, Ethan Embry, Lewis Tan and Holt McCallany / Z-View

Posted on by

Safe House (2025)

Director: Jamie Marshall

Screenplay: Leon Langford

Stars: Lucien Laviscount, Hannah John-Kamen, Ethan Embry, Lewis Tan, Adam Levy, Markina Brown, Brett Cullen, Lorenzo Orozco, Brian Van Holt and Holt McCallany.

Tagline: Betrayal is the ultimate weapon.

The Plot…

When a well planned terrorist attack takes out the Vice President’s motorcade, killing several government officials, secret service agents and civilians, a “shelter in place” order is initiated.  All government politicans and operatives are to get to the nearest secure location.  Choi, one of the secret service agents from the VP’s motorcade makes it to a nearby safe house.  Choi is in possession of the Vice President’s “football” which can access the US nuclear arsenal.

Choi isn’t the only one to make it to this safe house.  Agents Owens and Reeves from the Department of Defense, Agent Sorello from Homeland Security, Agent Halton from the CIA as well as the Safe House operator, Anderson are there.  That’s six people in lockdown.

Only problem is, before communications are blown, they learn that only five people should be there.  Tensions mount as more attacks take place.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a sucker for stories where a small group of strangers are thrown together in life or death situations and no one is sure of the right move.

Holt McCallany is always a great addition to any cast.

While Safe House suffers from a low budget, I enjoyed it. Safe House would have been a great second feature at a drive-in… if we still had drive-ins.

Safe House (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Albino Alligator” (1996) directed by Kevin Spacey; starring Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, Gary Sinise, William Fichtner, Viggo Mortensen, John Spencer, Skeet Ulrich, M. Emmet Walsh and Joe Mantegna / Z-View

Posted on by

Albino Alligator (1996)

Director: Kevin Spacey

Screenplay: Christian Forte

Stars: Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, Gary Sinise, William Fichtner, Viggo Mortensen, John Spencer, Skeet Ulrich, M. Emmet Walsh, Joe Mantegna, Melinda McGraw, Doug Spinuzza, Spencer Garrett, Enrico Colantoni and Frankie Faison

Tagline: They Planned The Perfect Crime… Until It All Went Perfectly Wrong!

The Plot…

When their robbery goes sideways, brothers Dova and Milo and their sociopathic partner Law find themselves on the run from the cops.  They’ve already killed three people.  One of them a cop. Plus Milo is badly wounded.

It’s well past midnight and the streets are empty.  If they keep running, they know they’ll get caught.  So the three take refuge in a bar that’s closing.  Inside they find five people: Janet, her boss Dino, an older man at the bar, a young man at the pool table and business man alone at one of the tables.

Dova and Law pull their guns and order everyone to stay seated.  Law is ready to blast away.  It won’t take much to send him over the edge.  Dova just wants to patch his brother up and hide out until they can slip away in the morning.

What nobody inside knows is the FBI has the bar staked out.  It is surrounded by agents ready to close in.

Why was the FBI already there?  What will happen if they charge in?

It’s late.  Last call before the action starts…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Albino Alligator showcases Kevin Spacey’s debut as a director.  It also features my favorite Faye Dunaway performance.

Albino Alligator (1996) rates 3 of 5 stars.

Sly Stallone as Rambo by Jarrod “The Yardsale Artist” Alberich!

Posted on by

Jarrod Alberich aka The Yard Sale Artist created the Sly Stallone as Rambo piece for pick-up at HeroesCon.  I’ve known Jarrod for years.  He’s a fun guy and an easy artist to deal with.

Jarrod calls himself The Yard Sale Artist because he uses materials that he finds at yard sales, thrift stores and so on. When Jarrod comes across books that with torn covers, missing pages, etc., instead of discarding them, he repurposes the pages for art.  This drawing came from a Rambo movie adaptation novel.

“The In-Laws” (1979) starring Peter Falk & Alan Arkin / Z-View

Posted on by

The In-Laws (1979)

Director: Arthur Hiller

Screenplay: Andrew Bergman

Stars: Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Richard Libertini, Nancy Dussault, Penny Peyser, Arlene Golonka, Paul L. Smith, Carmine Caridi, James Hong, David Paymer and Ed Begley Jr.

Tagline: While the Father of the Bride was extracting a molar from Mrs. Cohen, the Father of the Groom was extracting $20 Million from the U.S. Mint. And this was only the beginning.

The Plot…

Dr. Sheldon “Shelley” Kornpett’s daughter is about to marry the son of Vince Ricardo.  Shelley likes his future daughter-in-law and her mother.  He has concerns about Vince though.  Shelley thinks Vince tells tall tales (to put it politely) and might even be crazy.

So when Vince comes to Shelley’s office and asks a favor, he’s hesitant.  Vince promises it will just take five minutes.  Not wanting to create waves Shelley agrees.  Soon he’s involved with money stolen from the US Mint, and chased by crooks and the CIA.  Oh, and the wedding is tomorrow.

Serpentine!  Serpentine!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The In-Laws showcases David Paymer’s feature film debut.

Fran Drescher, who gained fame in The Nanny, was originally cast as the daughter but was fired shortly after filming began.  The part was recast with Penny Peyser.

I saw The In-Laws during it’s original theatrical run and loved it.  I re-watched it recently and am happy to say it holds up.

The In-Laws (1979) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Normal” starring Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler and Lena Headey – The Trailer is Here!

Posted on by

The trailer for Normal is here and I’m on board.

Deal me in!

In theaters April 17
http://normalthemovie.com/

The latest collaboration between Bob Odenkirk, JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad and NOBODY producer Marc Provissiero, director Ben Wheatley’s (FREE FIRE, HIGH RISE) kinetic neo-Western stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.

For Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake.

Starring Bob Odenkirk, Lena Heady and Henry Winkler

Directed by Ben Wheatley