Category: Movies

Mike Mignola’s “Blade 2” Storyboards!

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Blade 2 is my favorite movie of the Blade franchise.  It’s also one of my favorite horror movies.  Most folks know it was directed by Guillermo del Toro.  Not as many realize that del Toro’s artist on the storyboards was none other than Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola.  Below are some examples.

Guillermo del Toro and Mike Mignola would reteam two years later for the movie adaptation of Hellboy.

A book of Mignola’s storyboards would be a welcome addition to my book shelf.

Click on the photos to see biggie-versions or each.  If you want to see even bigger versions check out our source for this post — Marco Foderà.

“Tura!” (2024) starring Tura Santana / Z-View

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Tura! (2024)

Director: Cody Jarrett

Screenplay: Cody Jarrett

Stars: Tura Satana, John Waters, Margaret Cho, Dita Von Teese and Pamela Des Barres.

Tagline: How One Woman’s Quest for Revenge Changed Hollywood and the World Forever

The Plot…

Tura Satana, the actress best known for her role as Varla in the cult classic Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! had a life that is hard to believe.  Raped as a child, Tura learned the martial arts in order to get revenge on the men who abused her since justice was denied in the courts.  As an adult, Tura got revenge on each individual who had assaulted her.

But that would come later in life.

At fifteen, Tura ran away to California.  She lied about her age and began working as a burlesque dancer.  Soon Tura was making big money as a stripper.  This led to a friendship with Harold Lloyd (yes, THAT Harold Lloyd of silent movie fame).  Tura became a nude model for Lloyd (and others).

Then came her acting career with roles in Irma la Douce staring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine and Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? starring Dean Martin and Elizabeth Montgomery.  Television roles on Burke’s Law and The Man from UNCLE followed.  Then came Tura’s breakout role in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.  After that Tura appeared in just four more films and one television appearance before retiring from acting.

After the filming of The Doll Squad, Tura was shot by a former lover.  Her acting career was finished… for now.  Over the years Tura earned a living working in a hospital and later as a dispatcher.  When Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! gained new popularity as a cult hit, Tura Santana’s popularity also surged.  She began to occassionally act and make appearances at fan conventions.

Tura is her life story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s hard to believe Tura’s life story… even the parts that are easily proven.  So we’ll go with the famous saying, (and I’m parphrasing), “When the legend is better than the truth, go with the legend.”

Tura! (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

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

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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!

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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

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

Brick (2025) starring Matthias Schweighöfer and Ruby O. Fee / Z-View

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Brick (2025)

Director: Philip Koch

Screenplay: Caroline Bruckner, Philip Koch, Chris Ryden

Stars: Matthias Schweighöfer, Ruby O. Fee, Sira-Anna Faal.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Tim and Olivia wake up to find their entire apartment building covered by strange blocks.  Every window.  Every wall.  Every door.  Unable to break through, they decide to go through the floor and down.  Each new level provides more danger as their neighbors are in the same situation.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brick is okay… but if you start to feel trapped at least you can escape to another movie.

Brick (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“The Creature from the Black Lagoon” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!

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The Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of my all-time favorite horror films.  Although the movie spawned two sequels, neither came close to the original.  I continue to hold out hope we will get an updated Creature from the Black Lagoon film… and that it will be as good as the original.

If we do get the CFTBL reboot, I nominate Chris Koehler  to make the poster.  Until that time, we have Koehler’s CFTBL print to hold us over.

RIP: Robert Carradine

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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.

“The Night Eats the World” (2018) / Z-View

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The Night Eats the World (2018)

Director: Dominique Rocher

Screenplay: Jérémie Guez, Guillaume Lemans, Dominique Rocher; based on La nuit a dévoré le monde by Pit Agarmen

Stars: Anders Danielsen Lie, Golshifteh Farahani, Denis Lavant, Sigrid Bouaziz.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

When Sam goes to his ex-girlfriend’s apartment to pick up his belongings, a huge party is going on.  Sam is finally able to catch up to his ex and she tells him his things are in a back room.  Sam goes in and closes the door to get away from the crowd.  He sits down and falls asleep.

When Sam wakes the apartment is empty.  But there are signs of a massacre.  Blood on the walls… the floors.  Thankfully Sam is alone.  He locks the door.

As he looks out the window he see more bloodshed and destruction.  Then he spots a family running to a parked car.  Before they can escape the family is swarmed and killed.

The zombie apocalypse is well underway… and Sam is trapped in the apartment.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Night Eats the World (2018) is a SLOW burn.  If you’re into that, you’ll like it more than me.  I prefer more action in zombie movies.

The Night Eats the World (2018) rates 2 of 5 stars.