Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
I like the looks of Untamed starring Eric Bana. The fact that it’s on Netflix makes giving it a shot a no-brainer.
Eric Bana stars as a special agent for the National Parks Service whose murder investigation sends him on a collision course with the dark secrets within the park, and in his own past.
Coming to Netflix July 17.
Vindicta (2023)
Director: Sean McNamara
Screenplay: Ian Neligh; story by Steven Paul
Stars: Elena Kampouris, Jeremy Piven, Travis Nelson, Daniel Cudmore, Bradley Stryker, Robin Atkin Downes and Sean Astin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
As riots rage across Seattle, a serial killer begins taking victims. The killer’s prey are first responders… police, fire and rescue workers. The maniac leaves Latin phrases by each mutilated body.
Lou is a rookie paramedic. Her proficiency in Latin allows her to decipher the killer’s message. Detective Russo will rely on Lou to assist with future clues. As the bodies pile up, Lou realizes that the killer is taking vengeance and those close to her may be next.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely would qualify for a drive-in movie. There are worse ways to spend an hour and 27 minutes.
Vindicta (2023) rates 2 of 5 stars
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have Marv by John Bivens.
Source: Jacob Pickthall.
Andrew Charipar is a Florida artist that I met going to conventions throughout the state. Andrew was always friendly. In addition to his work as an artist, Andrew owns and manages Misfit Corner Comics in Jacksonville, Florida.
Andrew’s take on Sly Stallone as Cobra was the first sketch I got from him.
28 Years Later (2025)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Alex Garland
Stars: Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis-Parry, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
Tagline: Time didn’t heal anything.
The Plot…
2002. In Britain a fast spreading infection turns people into mindless, frenzied, killing machines. The source is called the Rage Virus. The virus is passed through bites, blood or saliva. There is no cure.
As a horde attacks, Jimmy, a twelve-year-old boy sees his mother taken down. Jimmy runs to the church where his father is minister. The swarm of infected follows closely behind. Jimmy’s father gives the boy a small cross and tells him to “run!”. As the infected burst into the church, Jimmy’s father allows himself to be taken so that Jimmy may escape.
28 years later. The Rage Virus is contained to the British Isles which are now quarantined from the rest of the world. Military vessels patrol to make sure no one gets in or out. The virus has mutated. Some infected have grown bigger, faster and have limited reasoning.
Survivors either live alone or in small fortified villages. One such refuge is on a coastal island connected to the mainland by a causeway that is underwater except at low tide. Sentries stand watch 24 hours a day.
Jamie, his wife Isla and their twelve-year-old son Spike live on this island. Jamie is a scavenger for the community. Isla has been sick. She’s started to hallucinate. She’s weak and getting worse.
From time to time Jamie goes back to the mainland to search for needed items. Timing is crucial. He must leave at low tide and return before the water rises. If he fails to do so, tides are too strong and deep. Getting back to the island is then impossible.
Jamie believes that Spike is mature enough for his first trip to the mainland. The minimum age is usually fifteen. Going against convention, Jamie takes Spike over. When Spike learns that a doctor used to live within traveling distance, he wants to take his mother there. Jamie tells Spike the trip would be much too dangerous. Worse still, the doctor is out of his mind.
If Spike survives his first trip to the mainland, he is determined to take his mother to the doctor.
That is IF he survives…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
28 days later upped the ante with the zombie genre. (And let’s not quibble if the rage-infected are zombies.)
There is a nice surprise twist near the end of the film.
The final scenes have a different feel than the rest of the film. Many will find/have found the change jarring. These scenes set up the next film in the series.
I’ve always contended that the best part of zombie/apocalyptic films is at the very beginning when people are unsure of what is happening or how to best respond. Having the virus mutate and having Spike make the mainland journey for the first time was a smart move. The audience is learning about the changes along with Spike. I hope the next film doesn’t make the infected blasé.
28 Years Later (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
Fatima Camiloza is an artist known for her work in board games and illustration. Back around 2012, I was surfing the net. I saw Camiloza was taking water color commissions. Her prices were very reasonable, so I decided to go for one. Above is her take on Sly Stallone as Jack Carter.
THE BOUNCER by David Gordon
First sentence…
When the drunken football player went berserk and tried to steal a stripper, everyone yelled to get the bouncer.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Joe Brody was expelled from Harvard. So he joined the military. Joe was calm under pressure and had brains. So it’s not surprising his path led to Special Forces. Once out of the service, Joe got into contact with his childhood friend, Gio Caprisi. Caprisi gave Joe a job bouncing at one of his strip joints.
On the surface, Caprisi is a family man who runs a few clubs. Dig deep enough and you’ll find Caprisi is the crime boss of one of the New York families. Dig deeper and you’ll find Caprisi has even darker secrets.
When the FBI raids one of Caprisi’s strip clubs, Joe is brought in for questioning. Joe’s arresting officer is Agent Donna Zamora. No denying there’s chemistry between the two. Joe is released in short order. Still the club is going to be shut down until the feds finish their investigation.
So when Joe is offered good money to drive on an arms deal, he accepts. Things go sideways almost from the start. Joe is able to make it out taking a thug named Clarence with him. Clarence is impressed with Joe’s coolness under pressure.
Clarence offers Joe the opportunity to come in on a job that’s about to kick off. If Joe joins in, five guys will split a million bucks. All they have to do is steal a vial… of perfume. A very special well guarded vial indeed. Joe decides to join in. The payoff is worth the risk.
Meanwhile Caprisi is dealing with the feds and problems with other crime families. Thinking he’s a step or two ahead Caprisi makes a secret deal.
+++
THE BOUNCER is the first in the series. I enjoyed the ride and look forward to more.
Rating:
BURN TO SHINE by Jonathan Maberry
First sentence…
“You’re going to want to take that call,” I said.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Joe Ledger is an ex-Army Ranger and ex-Baltimore police detective. Ledger was recruited into the United States’ several-levels-above-top-secret Department of Military Sciences. This organization dealt with threats to the US,. Most of their missions involved stopping terrorists using advanced technology to create bio-weapons. Some of Ledger’s assignments ventured into the realm of the supernatural… and while Ledger might not believe in that “stuff” — his team had to deal with it. Ultimately because of threats to the world, Rogue Team International was formed.
The man calls himself Mr. October. He’s been known by other names. Mr. October is fine… for now. Mr. October has plans to change the world. Chaos will reign.
She should be dead. She was dead. She remembers that much. Slowly her memory is coming back. Mr. October calls her Mother Mary. Mother Mary’s IQ is on a genius level scale that is off the charts. As intelligent as she is, Mary is just as insane. She wants to see the world burn. It has to burn to shine.
Mr. October has the financial resources to get Mary whatever she needs to make a virus strain more potent than ever seen before. The virus will infect people across the country. The infected will become “bombs” spreading the plague. The US… and then the world will fall.
Joe Ledger and his team are sent to Pine Deep. From past experience Ledger knows to count on strange things. Groups of heavily armed men, gearing up for battle, usually indicate a militia. The “soldiers” look like skinheads. But the mission they’re preparing for is much more sinister. And even the “soldiers” have no idea how they’re being used.
It’s been said it’s impossible to stop an assassin willing to die. How do you stop an army of those assassins?
Joe Ledger and his team are going to find out. Or die trying.
+++
Fans of Jonathan Maberry’s Pine Deep series/characters will get a kick out of their inclusion in BURN TO SHINE.
Jonathan Maberry has another winner! I love the Joe Ledger tales.
Rating:
There have been many great artists who’ve drawn the Punisher. I like many of their interpretations. But for me, the Punisher by Mike Zeck and John Beatty always comes to mind first.
The splash page above is from Punisher: Circle of Blood (Vol.1 #2 page 2). If you click over to The Bristol Board, you can see a much larger version of the page, plus a copy of Mike’s original pencils and John’s inks. It is definitely worth a look.
Lockout (2012)
Director: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather
Screenplay: Stephen Saint Leger, James Mather, Luc Besson; story by Luc Besson; based on Escape from New York by John Carpenter, Nick Castle and Escape from L.A. by John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Kurt Russell
Stars: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan, Joe Gilgun, Tim Plester, Peter Hudson, Nick Hardin and Lennie James.
Tagline: Take no prisoners.
The Plot…
2079. When Agent Snow discovers an unknown operative within the CIA is selling government secrets, he is framed for murder. Sentenced to 30 years, Snow will be sent to the United States first space prison. The worst killers, deviants and psychos are sent to MS One, where they spend their sentences in suspended animation.
Critics of this form of punishment claim the prolonged periods of stasis leads to mental psychosis and derangement. The President’s daughter Emilie has come to MS One to check out conditions at the prison.
As Snow is prepped for transport to MS One, word comes that a riot at the penitentiary has left the convicts in charge. The leader of the prisoners has warned that if an armed response is mounted, all the hostages will be killed. The inmates don’t yet know that the President’s daughter is one of their captives.
Soon they will.
It is determined that the best chance to rescue Emilie is to sneak in one well-trained soldier. Chance fits the bill. If Snow is successful in getting Emilie safely out, he’ll receive a full pardon.
What chance does one man have against a prison full of the worst of the worst?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you think the plot of Lockout sounds like John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and Escape from LA, you’re not alone. John Carpenter thought so as well. He sued for plagiarism and won.
The prisoners who lead the takeover are brothers named Alex and Hydell. Lee Harvey Oswald, the assassin who killed John F. Kennedy, used the alias Alex Hydell.
At the end of the film, Snow’s first name is revealed to be Marion. In Sylvester Stallone’s Cobra, we learn Cobretti’s first name is also Marion. No wonder they go by their last names (or a variation).
Lookout is so underrated. A bulked-up Guy Pearce has the look and attitude of a great anti-hero. I would have loved to have seen more films with this character.
Peter Stormare and Lennie James are always welcome additions to any project. Lockout is no exception.
When I first saw Lockout I rated it as a solid 4. Over the years it has grown on me. Every time I revisit the film, I enjoy the ride. Therefore I am upping my rating to a 5. Your mileage may vary.
Lockout (2012) rates 5 of 5 stars
Men in Black: Neuralize This written and directed by Martin Sofiedal is one of the best fan films I’ve seen in a very long time. Heck, even the poster is better than many that major studio releases get.
Sofiedal needs to be given a major feature film assignment. Check out Men in Black: Neuralize This and I’m sure you’ll agree.
Source: FirstShowing.net.
When the alien explodes, the neuralizer fails, and a little girl sees everything…
“NEURALIZE THIS!” is a fan-made Men in Black short film — a gooey, action-comedy tribute where nothing goes according to MIB protocol.
Two agents try to contain an alien incident, but end up dealing with a malfunctioning neuralizer, a Nerf gun, a confused child, and a very angry Polish muscle man.
🎬 Directed & Written by: Martin Sofiedal
🎭 Starring:
• Torgny Gerhard Aanderaa
• Cecilie Svendsen
• Eirik Hallert
• Lijana Brahimi📍 Shot in Oslo, Norway
⏱ Runtime: 7 minutes
🎥 Practical effects, VFX, real stunts, and lots of slime
🎞 View on IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21618634💬 Not affiliated with Sony or the official Men in Black franchise. This is a not-for-profit fan film made with love, humor, and one completely dead neuralizer.
📸 Follow me for more shorts and behind-the-scenes fun: [@MartinSofiedal ]
📥 Contact: [post@martinsofiedal.com]Don’t forget your sunglasses.
I met Jacen Burrows at the 2003 AtlantaCon. I’d never seen his art before, but he was doing some really cool sketches. I was able to get on his sketch list. As you can see above, Jacen chose to do a young Rambo.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025)
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen; based on Mission Impossible by Bruce Geller.
Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Angela Bassett, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Rolf Saxon, Katy O’Brian, Sydney Cole Alexander and Shea Whigham.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Ethan Hunt is contacted by the President of the United States. The Entity (a powerful artificial intelligence) has started taking control of each country’s nuclear arsenal. In just a short period of time, the Entity will command every nuclear weapon in the world. Including all those held by the United States.
The Entity, once secure in a bunker safe from nuclear and electromagnetic fallout will launch every country’s nuclear bomb. This will wipe out almost all of humanity. The few who survive will restart the world under the direction of the Entity.
Ethan Hunt has a key to the Entity’s source code. But that is just part of the potential solution. The President wants the source code key.
Ethan has another plan. A plan that, if it works, would render the Entity powerless. But, and this is a HUGE (pardon the pun) but, the odds of Ethan’s plan working are minute. The lives of every person on the planet hang in the balance.
Light the fuse…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
With Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise earned his second Guinness World Record. The first was for being the actor with the most consecutive $100-million grossing movies. The second was for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual (16).
The action is all-out and way over the top. It matches the plot. The expectation for every Mission Impossible movie is it ups the ante on both. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning succeeds. Unless Ethan Hunt was to save the entire universe, it is appropriate that the series ends here.
Esai Morales makes a great villain. He’s one cocky scoundrel.
Shea Whigham is always good.
Congratulations to Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie the driving forces behind the success of the Mission Impossible franchise. It was a great run.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning features breathtaking stunts, repeated last minute “saves”, a lot of running, ever mounting problems and death-defying solution after death-defying solution. Too much of a good thing? Maybe for some. But just what I expected for the franchise finale. They stuck the landing.
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars
It was announced that Michael Madsen died today from cardiac arrest. Mr. Madsen was 67.
Michael Madsen’s mother Elaine Madsen was an author and Emmy-winning filmmaker. Michael and one of his sisters, Virginia went into showbusiness. Virginia Madsen became an award-winning actress. Mr. Madsen’s other sister, Cheryl became a business woman.
Michael began his career at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. There he appeared in a a production of Of Mice and Men. In 1982, Mr. Madsen began to get roles in television and feature films. The roles kept coming for the rest of his career which was still going strong at the time of his death. Michael Madsen had over 325 roles on his acting resume.
Some of the television projects that feature Michael Madsen include: St. Elsewhere (2 episodes); Special Bulletin; Diner; Cagney & Lacey; Miami Vice; The Hitchhiker; Our Family Honor (13 episodes); Crime Story (2 episodes); War and Remembrance; Almost Grown; Tour of Duty; Jake and the Fatman; Quantum Leap; The Outsiders; Gabriel’s Fire; Vengeance Unlimited (16 episodes); 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout; Tilt (9 episodes); Big Bug Man; CSI: Miami; 24 (4 episodes); Bob’s Burgers; Blue Bloods; The Mob Doctor (3 episodes); Golden Boy (2 episodes); Axe Cop; Hawaii Five-O; Telltale’s the Walking Dead (3 episodes); Big Time in Hollywood, FL. (5 episodes); Real Detective; Those Who Can’t; Powers (10 episodes) and Explosion Jones.
Some of Michael Madsen’s feature film appearances include: Against All Hope; War Games; Racing with the Moon; The Natural; Kill Me Again; The Doors; Thelma & Louise; Reservoir Dogs; Free Willy; The Getaway; Wyatt Earp; Species; Free Willy 2; Mulholland Falls; Donnie Brasco; Species 2; Die Another Day; Kill Bill Vol. 1; Kill Bill Vol. 2; Sin City; Scary Movie 4; Hell Ride; Desperate Endeavors; The Hateful Eight; Papa; Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood; Outlaw Johnny Black and A Christmas Gamble.
I probably first saw Michael Madsen when he appeared on St. Elsewhere. If not there, then it would have been Miami Vice. My favorite Michael Madsen roles were in Reservoir Dogs; The Getaway and both Sin City movies. I loved seeing Mr. Madsen’s name in the credits of any movie or television show. With well over 300 acting credits on Michael Madsen’s resume, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Madsen’s family, friends and fans.
The poster and trailer are here for She Rides Shotgun starring Taron Egerton and Ana Sophia Heger. The film is based on Jordan Harper’s novel. I’ve read the book. It gets my highest recommendation. I cannot wait for the movie.
Deal me in.
She Rides Shotgun – Watch the trailer now! In Theaters August 1.
Starring Taron Egerton, Ana Sophia Heger, Rob Yang, and John Carroll Lynch.
Where can you run when there’s nowhere to hide? Taron Egerton stars as newly released ex-con Nate in this gritty, explosive action-thriller. Marked for death by unrelenting enemies, Nate must now protect his estranged 11-year-old daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger) at all costs.
Shy, precocious, and wary of her father, Polly is swept up in Nate’s dangerous plight as they flee to evade the corrupt sheriff and brutal leader of a gang who will stop at nothing to protect his criminal interests. With scant resources and no one to trust, Nate and Polly form a bond forged under fire as he shows her how to fight and survive — and she teaches him what unconditional love truly means in this intense, moving story about loyalty, strength, and redemption.
