“When Worlds Collide” (1951) produced by George Pal / Z-View

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When Worlds Collide (1951)

Produced by: George Pal

Director: Rudolph Maté

Screenplay: Sydney Boehm; based on When Worlds Collide stories published in Blue Book Magazine in 1933 by Edwin Balmer, Philip Wylie

Stars: Richard Derr, Barbara Rush, Peter Hansen, John Hoyt, Larry Keating, Rachel Ames, Stephen Chase, Hayden Rorke, Sandro Giglio, Kirk Alyn, Stuart Whitman and Frank Cady.

Tagline: 44 Men and Women in Desperate Getaway Flight…To Escape Earth’s Destruction!

The Plot…

Scientists learn that Bellus, a recently discovered star, and Zyra, a planet being pulled along by Bellus, are on a collision course with Earth.  In just over eight months, Zyra will pass by Earth.  Nineteen days later, Bellus’ impact will destroy our planet.

Dr. Cole Hendron has a plan to build a spaceship to carry 44 people to Zyra as it passes Earth.  These 44 will repopulate the new planet and humanity will survive.  Two wealthy humanitarians agree to put up the money, but the project still needs more.  Sidney Stanton, a shrewd businessman agrees to put up the rest of the funds, if he can choose the people that get to go.  Dr. Hendron refuses the offer since Stanton isn’t qualifed to make the decision.  Staton agrees to put up the money if he is guaranteed a seat on the ship.

Panic throughout the world spreads as doomsday approaches.  Other countries are making plans to build their own rockets, but time is short.  As Zyra hurtles closer to Earth, massive earthquakes, tidal waves and volcanic eruptions wreak havok on the world.  Many countries declare martial law.  Dr. Hendron and his team work to make-up time, but as the day of launch approaches, and workers realize that not everyone can make the trip, tempers flare.

 As the clock ticks down, so too do the odds of humanity’s survival.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

When Worlds Collide was nominated for two 1952 Academy Awards and won one…

  • Nominee for Best Cinematography, Color – John F. Seitz, W. Howard Greene
  • Winner for Best Effects, Special Effects

Producer, George Pal hoped to film a sequel based on the stories of the struggles on the new planet, but the film never happened.

Some of the shots used in When Worlds Collide would be reused in other George Pal films such as War of the Worlds, The Time Machine and Atlantis: The Lost Continent.

Features Stuart Whitman’s uncredited film debut.

Also features the film debut of Rachel Ames (aka Judith Ames).  Rachael Ames and co-star Peter Hanson would go on to act on General Hospital together for decades.

Kirk Alyn, best known as the actor to first play Superman, appears uncredited as a rioter.

If you enjoy 1950s sci-fi, When Worlds Collide should be on your viewing list.

When Worlds Collide (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“They Will Kill You” directed by Kirill Sokolov, starring Zazie Beetz, Heather Graham & Patricia Arquette – The Posters and Trailer are Here!

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Here we have three posters and a trailer for They Will Kill You directed by Kirill Sokolov, starring Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette.  This looks like crazy fun.

Deal me in!

From New Line Cinema and Nocturna comes THEY WILL KILL YOU. The film unleashes a blood-soaked, high-octane horror-action-comedy in which a young woman must survive the night at the Virgil, a demonic cult’s mysterious and twisted death-trap of a lair, before becoming their next offering in a uniquely brazen, big screen battle of epic kills and wickedly dark humor.

THEY WILL KILL YOU stars Zazie Beetz, Myha’La, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, Heather Graham, and Patricia Arquette.

Directed by Kirill Sokolov and written by Sokolov & Alex Litvak, the film is produced by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Dan Kagan, and executive produced by Russell Ackerman, John Schoenfelder, Carl Hampe, Litvak and Sokolov.

Behind the camera, Sokolov is joined by director of photography Isaac Bauman, production designer Jeremy Reed, editor Luke Doolan, costume designer Neil McClean and visual effects supervisor Marc Smith. The composer is Carlos Rafael Rivera, the music supervisor is Andrea von Foerster and the casting director is Richard Delia.

New Line Cinema and Nocturna present THEY WILL KILL YOU, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, only in theaters in North America on March 27, 2026, and internationally beginning on 25 March 2026.

ANTIHEREO: AN OPRHAN X NOVEL by Greg Hurwitz is Coming!

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There’s a new Greg Hurwitz Orphan X novel that will drop on February 10th.  It’s the 11th in the series and it’s titled ANTIHERO.  Here’s the synopsis…

In the next book in this New York Times best-selling series, Evan Smoak takes on his most complex mission yet―one where he not only has to protect but also avenge, and find a way to balance vengeance with mercy.

Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.

When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world, has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to help him. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help―and sets out finding the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods―no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice with a measure of mercy.

ANTIHERO: AN ORPHAN X NOVEL  Hardcover

ANTIHERO: AN ORPHAN X NOVEL  Kindle

New Trailer for “The Rip” starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck & Directed by Joe Carnahan!

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Check out the new trailer for The Rip starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck & Directed by Joe Carnahan.

Deal me in!

Trust has a price… Who will pay?

The Rip is only on Netflix, January 16.

Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno & Kyle Chandler.

Directed by Joe Carnahan.

 

“I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not” (2026) / Z-View

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I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not (2026)

Director: Marina Zenovich

Stars: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Ryan Reynolds, Goldie Hawn, Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, Kevin Nealon, Paul Shaffer and Lorne Michaels.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975, and it was obvious from the start that Chevy Chase was going to be the breakout star.  When Chase anchored the “News Update” segments viewership would spike.  He came off as funny, goofy, personalble, girls thought he was cute and guys liked him as well.  And man, could he take a pratfall.

The only surprise when Chase left Saturday Night Live for Hollywood was how quickly it happened. He didn’t even complete the show’s second season.

Chase’s first starring role in a feature film (Foul Play) hinted at great things to come.  But his films were hit (Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation) or miss (Oh! Heavenly Dog; Under the Rainbow).  The misses started to outnumber the hits.  Rumors surfaced that Chase was “hard to work with” or worse still, just an ass.

I‘m Chevy Chase and You’re Not explores Chase’s life warts and all.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

I was a Chevy Chase fan at the start of his career.  I thought Chase was going to be a big star.  And he was for a bit. Chase would have been on top longer, if not for his behavior. Maybe it was the drugs (which he discusses).  Maybe it was his ego.  Maybe it was unresolved issues from his childhood.  More likely it was a combination of all of these things.

I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is interesting and informative even without the participation of folks who declined to be interviewed (Steve Martin, Martin Short, the entire cast and crew of Community – except for Jay Chandrasekhar who directed one episode with Chase).  Their silence says a lot.

After seeing I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not, I have a better understanding of the man and his career.  He often appears to be his own worst enemy.  Yet, at 82, Chase still has a quick (often inappropriate) wit even if he can no longer take a pratfall.

I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not (2026)

“Frankenstein” (1931) Alt Poster by Sahin Düzgün!

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This alt Frankenstein poster was created by Sahin Düzgün, a graphic designer and poster artist from Berlin, Germany.  Sahin is also a movie enthusiast with great taste.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design: From the lab’s shadows to the silver screen — a design honoring one of cinema’s most iconic creations.

Dr. Frankenstein: Look! It’s moving. It’s alive. It’s alive… IT’S ALIVE!

“Security” (2017) starring Antonio Banderas and Ben Kingsley / Z-View

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Security (2017)

Director: Alain DesRochers

Screenplay: Tony Mosher, John Sullivan

Stars: Antonio Banderas, Ben Kingsley, Liam McIntyre, Cung Le, Chad Lindberg, Gabriella Wright, Shari Watson.

Tagline: It’s going to be a long night.

The Plot…

Eddie Deacon, a former US Marine Captain has been out of work for too long.  When Deacon is offered a job as a security guard at a remote mall, he accepts.  There he finds a security detail lead by a cop wanna-be and a team of slackers.  The hardest part of most nights is staying awake.

That all changes late one night when a young girl shows up banging and screaming to get inside.  Deacon brings her in.  The girl is terrified and claims that people are coming to kill her.  A man shows up and says he’s there to bring the girl home.  He’s calm and has answers for every question.  But Deacon senses something is not right.

The man changes tactics.  He offers money for the girl.  When that is refused he says that he has an elite squad of mercenaries that are going to break in, kill everyone  and then take the girl.  Communications to the mall are jammed and the mercenaries are seen prepping to attack.

It’s going to be a long night.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Lillian Blankenship, in her film debut, plays Antonio Banderas’ daughter.  Later in the same year, she would again play Banderas’ daughter in the film Acts of Vengeance.

Security is a fun, action-packed ride.  Banderas is perfect as the former marine unwilling to give up the child.  Ben Kingsley plays the villain with such calm it’s creepy.  Liam McIntyre’s character has an unexpected arc that he makes work.

If you like action films, then give Security a try.

Security (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Osiris” (2025) directed by William Kaufman, starring Max Martini and Linda Hamilton / Z-View

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Osiris (2025)

Director: William Kaufman

Screenplay: William Kaufman, Paul Reichelt

Stars: Max Martini, Linda Hamilton, Brianna Hildebrand, LaMonica Garrett, Michael Irby, Linds Edwards, Jaren Mitchell and Tyler Galpin.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

One night in the middle of an intense fire fight, a US Special Forces squad led by Sergeant Kelly, is suddenly transported away.  Kelly and his team awaken aboard an alien craft.  As they come to grips with what occurred, they see skinned corpses and strange weapons all around.

As the soldiers gather their weapons and scavange others, aliens attack.  The creatures are huge, armored, eyeless beings with sharp teeth, claws and energy weapons with shields.  Kelly leads his soldiers as they retreat.  Suddenly Ravi, a Russian soldier appears to direct the team to a safe location.

Ravi explains that she has survived by hiding throughout the ship.  The aliens collect humans for food… but she has a plan to kill them all as well as their ability to communicate with their home planet.  If they can live long enough to pull it off.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)… 

Osiri draws inspiration from Aliens, Predator and even Planet of the Apes.  Sadly, it falls far short of all of them. (And the Planet of the Apes nod, made me groan.)

Osiris (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Red Eye”: Season 2 – The Trailer is Here!

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The Red Eye: Season 2 trailer is here!

Deal me in!

The conspiracy deepens. The danger rises.

Red Eye returns this New Year as ITV’s hit thriller takes flight once again.

Jing Lusi is back as DS Hana Li, this time forced to team up with Martin Compston’s Clay Brody when a deadly threat traps the US Embassy in lockdown and a British government plane is targeted mid-flight. With lives on the line and trust in short supply, the race to uncover the truth takes Hana deeper into a world of political tension and hidden agendas.

Season 2 also features Lesley Sharp, Jemma Moore, Jonathan Aris, Robert Guilbert, Cash Holland and Steph Lacey, along with new cast members Isaura Barbe-Brown, Nicholas Rowe, Danusia Samal, Trevor White and Guy Williams.

Red Eye is produced by Bad Wolf and written by Peter A Dowling, with Jingan Young contributing one episode. Kieron Hawkes and Camilla Strøm Henriksen direct the six-part series.

FRONT SIGHT: THREE SWAGGER NOVELLAS by Stephen Hunter / Z-View

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FRONT SIGHT: THREE SWAGGER NOVELLAS by Stephen Hunter

City of Meat

First sentence…

Chicago 1934

The bickering got so bad, finally, that the director called both Sam Cowley and Mel Purvis to Washington to talk out the command difficulties in the productive but messed-up Chicago field office of the Justice Department’s glamorous Division of Investigation.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

J. Edgar Hoover is basking in the attention that his Division of Investigation is getting from the capture killing of John Dillinger.  Hoover wants more of the same.  The next big-name gangster Hoover wants to bring down is Baby Face Nelson.  Who better to get the job done, than the man who killed Dillinger?

Not the federal agent who was creditied with doing the deed.  No, Hoover wanted the man who actually pulled the trigger. Charles Swagger.  Swagger was smart.  Equally important he was cool and calm when bullets flew.  And Swagger hit what he aimed at.

So when word reached Washington that Baby Face Nelson was seen around the Chicago Union Stock Yards, Charles Swagger was sent down to investigate.

Alone, in the dark, Swagger is walking the stockyard when he is attacked by a lunatic.  Forced to defend himself, Swagger kills the man.  When the stockyard police arrive, they’re ready to sweep the event under the rug.  A white police office killed a “coon” in self-defense.  Nothing to see here.

So Swagger investigates.  Turns out the man he killed was hopped up on a new drug.  So far it was only found in the  7th District of Chicago.  Although several murders could be tied to people under the influence of the drug, the people killed didn’t rate.  The local cops wrote off the murders as business as usual for the area.

Swagger feels differently.  His investigation shifts.  Swagger plans to find the source of the drug and bring them to justice.  He knows it involves powerful people somehow associated with the stockyard.  He’s getting pressure from local cops and stockyard officals to back off.  His bosses in Washington want results on Baby Face Nelson.

But Swagger won’t quit.  Even if it kills him.

+++

Johnny Tuesday

First sentence…

It was February 1945, and in the cities of America, small or large, town, burg, village, or hamlet, everybody smoked.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Earl Swagger is, like his father Charles, a former soldier and lawman known for his brains, toughness and marksmanship.  Earl’s undercover investigation into a successful bank robbery that resulted in two murders is going nowhere.  His resistance from the local officials indicate the robbery is tied to something bigger than a couple of thugs looking for an easy score.

But what could it be?

Perhaps it’s the money laundering or the gambling ring or the two gangs looking to get on top? Earl knows that he’s being manipulated by a fem fatale.  But to what end?

And what could be worse than being trapped in a remote, deserted house with a cold blooded hitman?

+++

Five Dolls for the Gut Hook

First sentence…

Hot Springs,
Arkansas,
1978

I am improving.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Bob Lee Swagger is like his grandfather and father a decorated soldier.  Bob’s war was Viet Nam.  There he was a sniper.  One of the best.  But Bob’s not a lawman.  And since the war, he’s struggled with drinking too much and survivor’s guilt over lost men.

Bob is surprised when he’s approached by an old friend from Hot Springs, Arkansas.  A serial killer has been brutally butchering young women there.  The police are stuck.  No leads.  No progress.  And the murders keep occuring.  Five so far.

Bob is confused.  He’s a sniper, not a detective.  And that’s exactly why they want him.  He’s told, “We need somebody smart who can look at stuff from different angles and maybe see something that our best people have missed… you are the son and grandson of two of the greatest detectives this state has ever produced.”

Bob agrees to assist with the investigation.  They know the killer will strike again soon.  The clock is ticking.

+++

Stephen Hunter’s Swagger novels are automatic buys for me.  I love the family history.  Hunter is an excellent story teller.  FRONT SITE provides three tales and each is a banger.  FRONT SITE gets my highest recommendation.

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