Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa by Gagnu!
“It really don’t matter if I lose this fight. It really don’t matter if this guy opens my head, either. ‘Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I’m still standin’, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.” – Rocky Balboa
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay: A.I. Bezzerides, Robert Aldrich (uncredited); based on KISS ME DEADLY by Mickey Spillane.
Stars: Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart, Juano Hernandez, Marjorie Bennett, Strother Martin and Jack Elam.
Tagline: Blood red kisses! White hot thrills! Mickey Spillane’s latest H-bomb!
The Plot…
Driving home late one evening, Mike Hammer nearly runs over a woman in the middle of the road. She’s barefoot and wearing just a trenchcoat. Hammer stops. The woman is running from someone but doesn’t say who.
Hammer gives her a lift, but soon thugs catch up to them. The last thing Hammer hears is the woman’s scream. When he wakes up, he’s in the hospital. The goons killed the woman, then threw her and Hammer’s unconscious body in the car before pushing it over the cliff.
Hammer believes whatever the woman was involved in was “something big”. Plus he wants payback.
Hammer’s going to get answers he couldn’t have imagined and find himself the target of a crime syndicate after the result of a top secret government experiment.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although based on Mickey Spillane’s novel of the same name, the film makes changes to Hammer as well as the plot. In the film, Hammer is a sleazy LA PI who never uses a gun; instead of a fearless NY private eye. In the film, Hammer finds himself in international intrigue with a suitcase containing stolen atomic material. In the book, Hammer is up against the Mafia after a suitcase of heroin.
Kiss Me Deadly features Cloris Leachman’s first theatrical film role.
The haunting ending will stay with you long after the film ends.
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Day of the Fight (1951)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Narration: Robert Rein
Stars: Walter Cartier, Vincent Cartier.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Day of the Fight is a sixteen minute short. It begins with a brief history of boxing and then follows professional middleweight boxer Walter Cartier from morning through his main card fight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Walter Cartier was not only a professional boxer, but a professional actor as well. He is best known for his role as Private Claude Dillingham on The Phil Silvers Show.
Stanley Kubrick can be seen as the camera operator. It cost Kubrick $3,900.00 to make this short and he sold it to RKO for $4,000.00.
House of Numbers (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Check out this alt poster for Big Trouble in Little China by Michael Rogers.
” When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol’ Jack Burton always says at a time like that: “Have ya paid your dues, Jack?” “Yessir, the check is in the mail.”” – Jack Burton
The perfect theater popcorn bucket has not been invent– … never mind.
To help celebrate Rocky’s 50th anniversary, this awesome popcorn bucket will be available in theaters for the re-release of Rocky this November!
Red Dawn (1984)
Director: John Milius
Screenplay: Kevin Reynolds, John Milius; story by Kevin Reynolds
Stars: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron O’Neal, William Smith, Frank McRae, Lane Smith and Powers Boothe.
Tagline: In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.
The Plot…
The United States is surprised by a sneak attack. The combined forces of the Soviet Union, Cuba and Nicaragua did the unthinkable. Foreign paratroopers land across the midwest. One groups touches down outside the small town of Calumet, Colorado. The invaders come in blasting.
A group of teenagers, with a small amount of supplies and weapons escape into the mountains. From their vantage point, they see their town taken over and learn that the World War III has begun.
As supplies run low, they learn that the war is raging. The US military responded and turned back the advancement of foreign powers. There is a current stalement and the nearest safe zone is 40 miles away.
When a couple of soldiers accidentally come across a few of the teens, they respond by killing the foreign fighters. When the invaders discover their dead comrades, they respond by executing several townsfolk.
The teens decide they are through with just hiding. They launch guerilla attacks on the invaders. They leave “Wolverines” signs behind after each attack. The Wolverines are surprisingly successful. Word spreads and provides hope to the oppressed. The leaders occupying the town decide that the Wolverines must be caught and executed.
As World War III rages, what chance of survival do a ragtag group of teens have against the combined invading armies of three countries?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Red Dawn was the first film released with a MPAA PG-13 rating.
In the original screenplay there was a love story subplot between Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Toni (Jennifer Grey). The subplot was cut. Swayze and Grey later appeared as lovers in Dirty Dancing.
A love scene between Lea Thompson and Powers Boothe’s characters was cut after preview audiences found the age difference uncomfortable.
Red Dawn features Charlie Sheen’s feature film debut.
I saw Red Dawn when it was first released. I was a first year teacher. The scene of the invading paratroopers landing outside the school was chilling. I’ve watched the film several times over the years (and recently) — it still provides chills.
Red Dawn (1984) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sahin Düzgün created this awesome alt poster for The Mask of Zorro.
“There is a saying, a very old saying: when the pupil is ready the master will appear.” – Don Diego de la Vega
Yvan Quinet made my day with his alt Dirty Harry poster.
“Yeah, well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard – that’s my policy.” – Harry Callahan
The Bluff (2026)
Director: Frank E. Flowers
Screenplay: Joe Ballarini, Frank E. Flowers
Stars: Priyanka Chopra, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green and Temuera Morrison
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Captain Connor and his buccaneers have arrived at the small island community of Cayman Brac. They’ve come for Ercell Bodden. Ercell is a housewife and mother, but in her past life Ercell was known as the pirate Bloody Mary. She was also Captain Connor’s lover… until she stabbed him, stole his gold and disappeared.
Connor and his crew will kill anyone and everyone to get Ercell and the treasure. They came for Ercell, but they’re going to get Bloody Mary.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Zoe Saldaña was originally set to star. Although Saldaña didn’t end up in the picture, she stayed on as an Executive Producer for the film.
Karl Urban is always good. This role is no exception.
The Bluff (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The Green Pastures (1936)
Director: Marc Connelly, William Keighley
Screenplay: Sheridan Gibney; based on OL’ MAN ADAM AN’ HIS CHILLUN by Roark Bradford and Ol’ Man Adam an’ His Chillun by Marc Connelly.
Stars: Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie Anderson, Ernest Whitman.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A group of six young black children are listening to an elderly black man during Bible study. One of the little girls begins to visualize her perception of the stories…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Green Pastures was one of only six feature films in the Hollywood Studio era to feature an all-black cast. They were Hallelujah! (1929); Hearts in Dixie (1929); The Green Pastures (1936); Cabin in the Sky (1943); Stormy Weather (1943) and Carmen Jones (1954).
The Green Pastures was banned in Australia, Finland and Hungary because in the film God is shown as dark-skinned.
The Green Pastures was based on the novel OL’ MAN ADAM AN’ HIS CHILLUN by Roark Bradford and the Ol’ Man Adam an’ His Chillun Pulitzer Prizing winning Broadway stage play by Marc Connelly.
At times the film comes off as a bit patronizing.
The Green Pastures (1936) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Steven Fain is a fan artist who occasionally takes commissions. I first saw Fain’s art on a bookmark for Anthony Neil Smith’s character Billy Lafitte (I highly recommend the Lafitte novel series if you like crime/hardboiled fiction). I subscribed to Steven Fain’s substack and saw more of his art which I liked.
So I reached out to request a sketch. I suggested two characters (Stallone from Tulsa King or Get Carter). Steven liked both ideas, so I ordered both!
Check out this cool Aliens alt poster by Mike Empleado!
“My mommy always said there were no monsters – no real ones – but there are.” – Newt
Night and the City (1950)
Director: Jules Dassin
Screenplay: Jo Eisinger, Austin Dempster, William E. Watts based on NIGHT AND THE CITY by Gerald Kersh.
Stars: Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Googie Withers, Hugh Marlowe, Francis L. Sullivan, Herbert Lom and Mike Mazurki.
Tagline: The inside story of London after dark.
The Plot…
Harry Fabian is a hustler and con man. Fabian believes he is one big idea away from riches. Only his ideas never pan out. Fabian’s a hustler. His enthusiasm has brought others along only to see him fail. Fabian has worn out his chances with the few folks with money to invest.
Then Fabian gets THE idea that will TRULY make him wealthy.
Through a chance encounter Fabian befriended, Gregorius the famous Grecko-Roman wrestler. Although older now, Gregorius is still a tough man. Gregorius’ son, Kristo is a professional wrestling promoter. Kristo’s star attraction makes him a lot of money. Gregorius cannot stand fake professional wrestling.
Fabian’s plan is to promote a professional wrestling match. It will put him at odds with Kirsto; which is a dangerous place to be. But Fabian will maneuver Gregorius to take his side. A match between Kristo’s star and Gregorius will be a huge money-maker.
Fabian borrows money from a few dangerous people. Then puts his plan in motion. If it doesn’t work perfectly… if Kristos doesn’t kill him, the loansharks will.
“The best laid plans of mice and men…”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Mike Mazurki is one of my old-time chacter actors. Here he plays a professional wrestler called the Strangler. Mazurki was once a professional wrestler in real life.
Stanislaus Zbyszko, who plays Gregorius, the Greco-Roman wrestler was a Greco-Roman wrestler in real life … and this was his only film role.
Richard Widmark is perfect as Harry Fabian. This is my favorite Widmark film.
Night and the City is one of the classic noirs.
Night and the City (1950) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Pulp Fiction was a game-changer. After it so many filmmakers tried to copy Tarantino. Hard to believe the film was released over 30 years ago. Check out this tribute poster by Nuno Sardanas.
“If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions.“ – Jules
