“Dirty Harry” by Tony Stella!
Tony Stella posted this very cool Dirty Harry painting used for a Special Edition cover. To paraphrase Harry, “That made my day.”
“Space Ship Sappy” (1957) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View
Space Ship Sappy (1957)
Director: Jules White
Writer: Jack White
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe Besser, Marilyn Hanold and Emil Sitka.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Our guys think they’ve taken jobs as sailors. They have, but as sailors on a spaceship heading to a planet inhabited by women cannibals. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
This is one of the few Stooges shorts where Moe and Larry wear hair more in tune with their off screen styles.
Space Ship Sappy (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“One Day As a Lion” starring Scott Caan, Frank Grillo & J.K. Simmons – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
nw
One Day as a Lion looks to be a fun ride. Scott Caan wrote the screenplay and is joined by Frank Grillo, J.K. Simmons and Virginia Madsen.
Jackie Powers (Scott Caan) is a nice guy but a lousy hitman sent to take out a crafty debtor (J.K. Simmons) Jackie only pisses him off. Fleeing the scene Jackie takes bored waitress Lola as a hostage. Jackie needs money to get his son out of jail Lola cooks up a scheme for them to get cash from her dying mother (Virginia Madsen). Meanwhile, a thug sent to kill him is sleeping with Jackie’s ex. Also starring Frank Grillo, this crime comedy is a witty homage to Tarantino and the Coen brothers.
Scripted by Scott Caan and directed by John Swab, One Day As a Lion will be available in select theaters on April 4, 2023, and On Digital and On Demand on April 7, 2023.
“The Last of Us” – Season 1 (2023) starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey / Z-View
The Last of Us: Season 1 (2023)
Teleplay by: Craig Mazin & Neil Druckmann (episodes 1 & 9); Craig Mazin (episodes 2 – 6, 8); Neil Druckmann (episode 7)
Directed by: Craig Mazin (episode 1); Neil Druckmann (episode 2); Peter Hoar (episode 3); Jeremy Webb (episodes 4 & 5); Jasmila Žbanić (episode 6); Liza Johnson (episode 7); Ali Abbasi (episodes 8 & 9)
Stars: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Merle Dandridge, Keivonn Woodard, Jeffrey Pierce, John Getz, Scott Shepherd, Storm Reid, Ashley Johnson, Nick Offerman, John Hannah, Terry Chen, Ian Rozylo, Graham Greene, Sonia Maria Chirila, Andy McDermott, Christopher Heyerdahl, Nelson Leis, Elaine Miles, Marcus Aurelio and Adrian Hein
Tagline: Save who you can save.
The Plot…
2023. Twenty years ago a pandemic caused by a bizarre easily transmitted fungal infection turned most of the world’s population into mindless mutant killing machines. Society collapsed.
Joel (Pascal) currently lives in a city under military rule. Joel and his partner Tess (Torv) plan to escape the quarantine zone and head into the wilderness. Joel’s brother is there somewhere with a group of freedom fighters. As Joel and Tess make plans for their escape they encounter Marlene (Dandridge). She can provide them with needed equipment if they will take Ellie (Ramsey) with them. Ellie is an orphaned fourteen year old with a lot of attitude… and she just may be the key to a cure.
Joel, Tess and Ellie head out. They will quickly discover the infected aren’t the worst thing they will have to deal with.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Last of Us is based on the popular video game of the same name. I’ve never played it and didn’t know the story ahead of seeing the show.
Every episode contains twists, but none as brutal as in the first episode. It should have been obvious looking at the posters, but I had avoided everything I could in regard to press for the show. I was gobsmacked by how much I came to care for a character I had never seen before.
It’s interesting how time is played with throughout the series. The first episode features a scene on a talk show that takes places 30 to 40 years before the start of the pandemic. A scientist is talking about the dangers to humans that fungi could present with minor changes to the environment. That was clever. Each episode features flashbacks to strengthen the present story.
The characters are well cast, well written and well played. Of course not enough can be said about Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. They are supported by an amazing supporting cast. Standouts include Anna Torv, Nico Parker, Merle Dandridge, Jeffrey Pierce, Storm Reid, Nick Offerman, Graham Greene and Elaine Miles. Some of these characters appear in just one episode or a few scenes in one episode. The attention to detail in getting the right person in each role, no matter how small pays off.
Joel (Pascal) and Ellie (Ramsey) are the heart and soul of the series. Yet sometimes the people they meet take center stage. In episode three, titled Long, Long Time, Joel and Ellie become supporting characters, but this chapter remains essential viewing to The Last Of Us story. Long, Long Time ranks with the best single episode of any continuing drama ever. With each new outing we learn more about Joel, Ellie and the world they live in. I wouldn’t want that reality, but I sure love visiting it.
The Last of Us is making the right choices in every department. I look forward to season two.
The Last of Us: Season 1 (2023) earns 5 of 5 stars.
“Pest Man Wins” (1951) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View
Pest Man Wins (1951)
Director: Jules White
Writer: Felix Adler
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Vernon Dent, Emil Sitka, Symona Boniface, Heinie Conklin, Mary Forbes, Ethelreda Leopold and Al Thompson
Tagline: They’re Their Own Pest Customers – In the Pest Control Business!
The Plot…
Our guys are pest exterminators and they need work. They get the bright idea to plant ants, mice, spiders, and other bugs in a mansion during a fancy party. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Pest Man Wins is a remake of Ants in the Pantry and uses a small amount of footage from the original. The concluding pie fight scene borrows from In the Sweet Pie and Pie and Half-Wits Holiday.
Pest Man Wins (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Frankenstein” Alt Poster by Sara Deck!
Sara Deck created the cool alt Frankenstein poster above. On Wednesday it will be released as a limited edition, officially licensed print from Vice Press and Bottleneck Gallery. You can see more of Sara Deck’s art at her Instagram page.
Andy Kaufman Soon To Be a WWE Hall of Fame Wrestler!
Today Joe Otterson at Variety posted Andy Kaufman to Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame. Good for Andy and good for the WWE. I say that without any hint of sarcasm. While I was never a fan of Kaufman’s comedy, nor a pro wrestling fan when Kaufman’s career led him to the squared circle, I do believe he should be in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Andy Kaufman’s humor was always a bit too bizarre for me. I hadn’t watched professional wrestling since I was a kid in Indiana. Yet, when there was an Andy Kaufman / Pro Wrestling crossover, something special happened. Remember this was a time when everyone involved in professional ‘rasslin’ went to great lengths to make sure fans believed all that happened inside and outside the ring was real.
Andy Kaufman began showing up at professional wrestling arenas where he would declare himself the Women’s Champion of the World. While one would normally think that was stupid-funny (and it was), what it did was enrage fans. Kaufman began getting matches against women and of course he beat them, which only made people more upset.
Then Kaufman appeared on David Letterman’s show with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler was a babyface, aka a favorite of professional wrestling fans. Kaufman and Lawler got into an argument. Lawler ending up slapping Kaufman out of his chair. Letterman appeared to be shocked as Lawler stormed off set and Kaufman needed medical assistance. The encounter blew up and was reported everywhere. Kaufman actually checked himself into a hospital and stayed there for several days! Of course this led to a series of sold out arenas where Kaufman and Lawler would battle. Behind the scenes the two were buddies and raking in bank.
If you talk to professional wrestling fans, probably 99% know about the Andy Kaufman/Jerry Lawler/David Letterman incident. What’s even crazier is the high percentage of non-wrestling fans who know about it over 40 years later. So yeah, I say, Andy Kaufman deserves to be in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hats off to the WWE for making it happen.
“The Last Lullaby” (2008) starring Tom Sizemore / Z-View
The Last Lullaby (2008)
Director: Jeffrey Goodman
Writer: Peter Biegen, Max Allan Collins
Stars: Tom Sizemore, Sasha Alexander, Sprague Grayden, Bill Smitrovich, Ray McKinnon and Jerry Hardin
Tagline: There comes a time in your life when you want to be exactly who you are.
The Plot…
Price (Sizemore) is a retired hitman bored with his new life. When a high-priced contract with a tight completion date falls into his lap, Price takes it. The target is pretty, small-town librarian named Sarah (Alexander). One night as Price is watching her, Sarah is attacked. Price saves her. One thing leads to another, and soon Price is falling for his mark. As the deadline approaches Price will need to make a decision.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Price is based on Max Allan Collins’ hitman Quarry. Collins has written several novels featuring this character.
Tom Sizemore was such a talented actor.
Ray McKinnon is billed as Ominous Figure and he is! I wish that they had done more with him. McKinnon is so good at being creepy.
Sprague Grayden has a small role. I always like her film/tv appearances and this is no exception.
The Last Lullaby (2008) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“How High Is Up?” (1940) starring The Three Stooges / Z-View
How High Is Up? (1940)
Director: Del Lord
Writer: Elwood Ullman
Stars: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Bruce Bennett, Vernon Dent and Cy Schindell
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
The boys are repairmen who decide to drum up business by poking holes in some workers’ lunchboxes. When the laborers catch on to the ruse, our guys run away. Looking to ditch the irate mob, Larry, Curly and Moe take jobs working construction on the top levels of a high rise. What could go wrong?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Curly gets the best laughs trying to walk on a greased girder. There are also the expected chuckles when the boys try handling hot rivets.
How High Is Up? (1940) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Rarely Seen Barry Windsor-Smith Concept Art for “Conan II”
Barry Windsor-Smith created this unused and rarely seen poster concept for Conan II. It’s worth clicking over to The Bristol Board to see a biggie-sized version.
EERIE ARCHIVES VOLUME 3 is Coming!
Eerie Archives Volume 3 is available for pre-order now. It’ll be 256 pages and feature one of my favorite Frank Frazetta covers. It drops on October 10, 2023. Here’s the lowdown…
Cousin Eerie is back with a casket full of blood-chilling tales of terror and the macabre!
Eerie magazine was one of the finest horror comics magazines ever published, and the original issues are expensive and hard to find. Eerie Archives Volume 3 presents another collection of fearful fables in a value-priced softcover format by a host of comics greats, including Archie Goodwin, Joe Orlando, Angelo Torres. Jeffrey Jones, and more. Includes adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” and “Masque of the Red Death.” Foreword by Gail Simone.
Collects Eerie magazine issues #11–#15.
Deal me in. Pre-Orders are available now.
“Pandora’s Box” (1929) starring Louise Brooks / Z-View
Pandora’s Box (1929)
Director: Georg Wilhelm Pabst
Writer: G.W. Pabst, Ladislaus Vajda based on Die Büchse der Pandora (“Pandora’s Box”) and Erdgeist (“Earth Spirit”) by Frank Wedekind
Stars: Louise Brooks, Fritz Kortner, Francis Lederer, Carl Goetz, Gustav Diessl and Michael von Newlinsky
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Lulu (Brooks) is a beautiful woman who uses her charms to get whatever she wants. Lulu is currently the mistress of Dr. Ludwig Schön (Kortner). When Schön announces he is going to marry a woman of his same social class, Lulu’s actions set in motion a tragic series of events that will lead to multiple murders.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Lulu is Louise Brooks most famous role. The part almost went to Marlene Dietrich. Brooks was the director’s first choice, but didn’t think he could get her. Dietrich was in Pabst’s office to sign the contract when word came that Brooks was available. Years later Dietrich was understandably miffed.
It is easy to see why Louis Brooks created such a sensation in this role. The camera loves her. She projected both innocence and sexuality. Sadly, Brooks would only make 9 more films and she hit hard times in later years. When Pandora’s Box was rediscovered in the late 70s, Brooks was redisovered as well.
Fritz Kortner reminds me so much of Kelsey Grammer in this film.
SPOILER WARNING:
+
+
+
The ending with Jack the Ripper was a surprising and bold move.
Pandora’s Box (1929) earns 4 of 5 stars.
Rocky by Dean Beattie!
Rocky by Dean Beattie is one of the commissions I got from Dean when he opened up a commission list. I jumped on board, got this beauty, a Jack Carter & John Wick piece a Rambo head sketch and two of his sketchbooks. I’ll post the other art soon. If you’d like to see more of Dean’s art you can at his webpage or his Instagram.
RIP: Hal Dresner
Hal Dresner died yesterday from cancer. He was 85.
Mr. Dresner was a writer and producer of television programs and feature films. He was an uncredited writer on the Paul Newman classic, Cool Hand Luke. One of the most famous lines in movie history, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” is attributed to Hal Dresner.
Some of Hal Dresner’s television work includes: Night Gallery (3 episodes); The Harvey Korman Show (creator & writer – 3 episodes); Husbands, Wives & Lovers (creator & writer – 10 episodes) and Poor Richard.
Some of Hal Dresner’s feature film work includes: .Cool Hand Luke (uncredited writer); The April Fools (screenplay); Catch 22 (screenplay); Sssssss (screenplay); The Eiger Sanction (screenplay) and Zorro: The Gay Blade (screenplay).
I probably first saw Hal Dresner’s work on a Night Gallery episode. My favorite Hal Dresner screenplay is The Eiger Sanction. It’s interesting to note that if he did nothing more than come up with the Cool Hand Luke line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”, his place in movie history would be assured.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hal Dresner’s family, friends and fans.
CREEPY ARCHIVES VOLUME THREE is Coming!
Creepy Archives Volume Three will drop on September 6, 2023. It’ll be 288 pages of comic greatness topped by an awesome Frank Frazetta cover.
Cast your bloodshot eyes and feed your fetid imagination on the deliciously deranged tales of terror unearthed from the spine-chilling pages Creepy magazine!
Featuring virtuoso turns by comics legends Archie Goodwin, Frank Frazetta, Steve Ditko, Neal Adams, Gray Morrow and other masters of the macabre, Creepy proves that fear can be fun!
Collects Creepy issues #11–#15 in a value-priced paperback edition and includes original letters pages, text features, and ads.
Deal me in. Pre-Orders are available now.
