Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
From time to time I enjoy surfing YouTube to see what gems I can find from my childhood. Today I present the opening to The Rifleman. Over 40 years later and it’s still cool.
I just found out earlier this week that my buddy, Rafael Kayanan, will be a guest at this year’s Heroes Con. I first met Raf about 30 years ago! He was just a kid wanting break in comics. Since then he’s gone on a successful career in both the comic and film industry.
Raf’s not only an extremely talented artist [as in creating artwork], but also a highly accomplished martial artist [as in can kick some butt]. In the comic field he’s worked on everything from Conan to Star Wars. In the film industry he’s done everything from storyboards and conceptual art to serving as technical adviser and fight choreographer on major films. You just know he’s got some great stories.
Raf will be at a table next to Big John Beatty. You just know that this is going to be THE place to be. Hope to see you there!
Chuck Liddell, the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has only lost three times in his career. He has avenged two of those losses and hopes to do it again this Saturday night when he takes on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The last time these two met, Jackson won fairly easily with a TKO in round 2. I wouldn’t be surprised if the fight ends in much the same manner as before… only this time with Liddell getting the victory!
Most ZONErs have a love for the zombie genre. We dig all things Romero. We can’t wait for each new issue of The Walking Dead. We knew about Zack Snyder [he directed the Dawn of the Dead re-make] way before 300. If you fall into this category [emphasis on gory], then you may want to check out The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks.
I say you may want to check it out because, unlike his highly recommended World War Z, the Zombie Survival Guide is just that… a survival guide. Where World War Z focused on well written stories of survival in a world of zombies, the Survival Guide is what it claims to be… a manual. There’s no doubt that it’s a cool idea. Brooks should be commended for creating a fun handbook for zombie fanatics. The guide is a well thought out and entertaining… manual.
I think that fans of the genre are going to really enjoy the ZSG, but I don’t want to mislead anyone into thinking that it’s a prequel to Brook’s highly rated World War Z or even a novel about zombies. It’s survival guide… a manual.
The Zombie Survival Guide rates a C+.
Alex is from Belgium and regularly visits the StalloneZone and my blog here. Alex sent me a surprise “snail mail” package. In it were three autographed photos:
Ain’t It Cool News scored 3 minutes and 29 seconds of premiere footage of “John Rambo.” Although it is amazing… it is exciting… it is NOT for all ages. Sly assembled the footage to show overseas distributors.
Click HERE or HERE to see it. Big props to Harry at Ain’t It Cool News for getting the ball rolling!
It’s a great time to be a Stallone fan! – Craig
Ron Decker was on top of the world. Barely old enough to be considered an adult, yet he had it all — money, cars, a woman, and a thriving drug business. Thriving that it until he was busted. Suddenly it was all gone. What didn’t go to his lawyers was taken by his girl and soon enough she was gone too.
Decker ends up in San Quentin where he’s got a shot at getting out in two years if he can stay out of trouble. Trouble is, he’s young and not built for prison. Now he’s surrounded by hardened cons who can’t be trusted. A race war is brewing and Decker realizes that he’s in way over his head. When a powerful older con offers his friendship, Decker isn’t sure how to react. One wrong move and his two year stint will become a death sentence.
Animal Factory was written by real-life ex-con Eddie Bunker who not only wrote several critically acclaimed books [No Beast So Fierce and Education of a Felon, to name two], but also had a career as an actor.[probably best known for his role as Mr. Blue in Reservoir Dogs].
Interestingly enough, the book was also made into a movie starring Edward Furlong, Willem Dafoe, Danny Trejo, Mickey Rourke and Eddie Bunker and directed by Steve Buscemi.
Animal Factory the book rates a B
Animal Factory the movie rates a C+
I loved “28 days later.” So when “28 weeks later” was announced, along with the fact that the original writer [Alex Garland], the original director [Danny Boyle] and the original cast were not returning, I felt we might be in for a letdown.
“28 weeks later” has an ambitious screenplay by Rowan Joffe, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Jesus Olmo and Enrique Lopez Lavigne. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo takes the director’s chair and does an admirable job of retaining the feel and style of the original. Robert Carlyle [who is always good] is the biggest name actor in the new cast although many will recognize Harold Perrineau, from “Lost” in a small but important role.
Spoilers will follow…
The movie opens with perhaps the best scenes in the film. A band of survivors [including a husband and wife who hope that their children are still alive] have barricaded themselves in a remote farm house. As they settle down for dinner, it is obvious that their situation is wearing them down. When a child is heard yelling to be let in the house, the theme of the movie comes into play… who/how many will you sacrifice to save yourself? There’s hesitation, but they let the boy in and soon enough all of the “infected” that were chasing the boy, are breaking into the house. They succeed and the survivors run and fight for their lives. A horrible moment occurs when the husband makes it to the window and his wife hesitates so that she can bring along the boy. A group of infected get between them and the husband is faced with a choice: try to save his wife and the boy or himself. He chooses to save himself. The last image that he sees as he runs from the farm house is of his wife being pulled from the window.
The husband makes his way to safety and is part of a group brought in to repopulate London. The virus is gone, and the military are everywhere insuring a quick end should it return. And return return it does…
The Good: “28 weeks” retains much of the feel of “28 days.” Robert Carlyle. Jeremy Renner who almost steals the show in his role as Doyle. The way that the virus is brought back into play. The infection spreading through the crowded underground safe haven. No one is safe… no one! The potential for “28 months later!”
The Bad: The way that Robert Carlyle is always able to find the survivors who are on the run. The killing of Jeremy Renner’s character.
The Ugly: The helicopter taking out “the infected” with it’s blades and not crashing.
“28 weeks later”
Rating:
Doug TenNapel created the Earthworm Jim video game and is the genius behind Nickelodeon’s Catscratch cartoon series. TenNapel has also written and illustrated five graphic novels. I’ve never played the video game, watched the tv show or read any of his graphic novels. 
My best bud, John Beatty has a post over at his blog that I think will interest most ZONErs. Big John presents storyboards that he’s created for another of Wild Bill Black’s low budget cheese-o-ramas. Not only has John done the storyboards, but he will also return in the film as the evil “Patch.”
My buddy, Chad Hunt, just e-mailed to say: “AICN is reporting that Jericho will not be back next season. I call shenanigans on CBS. AAAARRRGGGH!” You can read the Variety report Thanks to Chad for the tip and we join him in calling
shenanigans on CBS.
Jason Statham. 
Last night’s Survivor episode made Earl a millionaire, Dreamz a villain, and Yau-Man a hero. It’s interesting that up until the finale, I hadn’t really heard anyone talking about this season’s Survivor. Sure, it was interesting watching Yau make just the right move at just the right time. Still, the season lacked anyone that you could REALLY root for or against.
Until last night that is. When Dreamz broke his promise to give Yau the immunity necklace, he sealed their fate and handed the million dollar prize to Earl. Yau was voted off the island. That left Dreamz [who everyone now cast in the role of Judas], Cassandra [who had no athletic or survival abilities other than laying low] and Earl [who everybody liked]. In fact, a poll of the jury proved that had Dreamz kept his word, Yau would have won the vote against Earl.
So… I’ve been struggling with my thoughts on Dreamz’s decision to break his word. First left me say that I don’t believe Dreamz when he says that his plan was to always keep the immunity if he won it. Dreamz struggled with his decision. In fact there were tears running down his face when he said he was keeping the immunity necklace. Had it been his plan all along to keep the immunity, he wouldn’t have struggled with his decision. I believe that Dreamz had meant to give the immunity to Yau, but the chance at being one of three to win a million dollars was just too much.
So… here’s my dilemma: knowing that it’s a game where the idea is to outwit, outlast and outplay your opponents… was it wrong for Dreamz to keep the immunity? On one hand, I say, “Of course not. That’s the nature of the game. People do it all the time.” On the other mitt, I say, “But Dreamz promised to God on his children. Doesn’t that take it a step deeper? Also Dreamz accepted a $60,000+ truck. Doesn’t that make it a deal? Didn’t these things make it more than just a promise made in a game??”
I’m not really sure how I feel other than to say:
4] I think that Dreamz is being untruthful when he says that he never planned to keep his deal… greed to hold of him.
5] I think if you “promise to God on your children” you’d better stick to your word… even if you’re playing a game.
Am I wrong?
The season finale of “Survivor Fiji” is on tonight. We’re down to:I’m pulling for Yau-Man to win it all. If not Yau, then Earl or Boo. Cassandra and Dreams are just lucky to be around this late in the game.
It’s never to early to start talking up one of the best comic book convention’s in the world! Heroes Con, in its 26th year, is stronger than ever. This year’s guest list continues to grow. Despite the impressive size of the guest list, the show retains a small con feel. Due to a packed schedule of activities, there’s something for everyone. The show is perfect for families [in fact, for years we’ve made Heroes a part of our family vacation]. If you have any interest in comics, art, or just having a great weekend, then you should come to the con!
