Marv by Ardian Syaf!
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 a Marv by Ardian Syaf.
“Kiss Me Deadly” (1955) directed by Robert Aldrich; starring Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart and Juano Hernandez / Z-View
Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay: A.I. Bezzerides, Robert Aldrich (uncredited); based on KISS ME DEADLY by Mickey Spillane.
Stars: Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart, Juano Hernandez, Marjorie Bennett, Strother Martin and Jack Elam.
Tagline: Blood red kisses! White hot thrills! Mickey Spillane’s latest H-bomb!
The Plot…
Driving home late one evening, Mike Hammer nearly runs over a woman in the middle of the road. She’s barefoot and wearing just a trenchcoat. Hammer stops. The woman is running from someone but doesn’t say who.
Hammer gives her a lift, but soon thugs catch up to them. The last thing Hammer hears is the woman’s scream. When he wakes up, he’s in the hospital. The goons killed the woman, then threw her and Hammer’s unconscious body in the car before pushing it over the cliff.
Hammer believes whatever the woman was involved in was “something big”. Plus he wants payback.
Hammer’s going to get answers he couldn’t have imagined and find himself the target of a crime syndicate after the result of a top secret government experiment.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although based on Mickey Spillane’s novel of the same name, the film makes changes to Hammer as well as the plot. In the film, Hammer is a sleazy LA PI who never uses a gun; instead of a fearless NY private eye. In the film, Hammer finds himself in international intrigue with a suitcase containing stolen atomic material. In the book, Hammer is up against the Mafia after a suitcase of heroin.
Kiss Me Deadly features Cloris Leachman’s first theatrical film role.
The haunting ending will stay with you long after the film ends.
Kiss Me Deadly (1955) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Day of the Fight” (1951) directed by Stanley Kubrick / Z-View
Day of the Fight (1951)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Narration: Robert Rein
Stars: Walter Cartier, Vincent Cartier.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Day of the Fight is a sixteen minute short. It begins with a brief history of boxing and then follows professional middleweight boxer Walter Cartier from morning through his main card fight.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Walter Cartier was not only a professional boxer, but a professional actor as well. He is best known for his role as Private Claude Dillingham on The Phil Silvers Show.
Stanley Kubrick can be seen as the camera operator. It cost Kubrick $3,900.00 to make this short and he sold it to RKO for $4,000.00.
House of Numbers (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Big Trouble in Little China” Alt Poster by Michael Rogers!
Check out this alt poster for Big Trouble in Little China by Michael Rogers.
” When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol’ Jack Burton always says at a time like that: “Have ya paid your dues, Jack?” “Yessir, the check is in the mail.”” – Jack Burton
“Rocky” – The Must-Have Popcorn Bucket!
The perfect theater popcorn bucket has not been invent– … never mind.
To help celebrate Rocky’s 50th anniversary, this awesome popcorn bucket will be available in theaters for the re-release of Rocky this November!
“Nocturne” starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster and trailer to Nocturne starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham are here!
Deal me in.
Catching a killer means crossing the line.
Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, and Stephen Graham star in Nocturne, premiering October 30 on Apple TV.
When does Nocturne premiere?
Nocturne premieres October 30 on Apple TV.Where can I watch Nocturne?
Watch Nocturne on Apple TV.Who stars in Nocturne?
Nocturne features Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, Stephen Graham, Rory Culkin, Poorna Jagannathan, Bill Camp, Chrissy Metz, Gary Carr, and Landon Valentin.What is Nocturne about?
In Nocturne, when a victim of notorious serial killer Jurek Walter unexpectedly turns up alive, detective Jonah Lynn races against time to find the one person still missing, while his protégé Saga Bauer goes undercover to get answers from the killer himself.What genre is Nocturne?
Nocturne is a crime thriller.What are other shows and movies like Nocturne?
Shows and movies similar to Nocturne are Black Bird, Lucky, and Presumed Innocent.
“Tulsa King” Season 4 – The Poster & Trailer are Here!
Tulsa King Season 4 premieres October 16, only on Paramount+.
Dwight fights to legitimize his empire and protect his crew as corrupt politicians, dangerous new enemies, and a crushing personal loss hit from every direction. However, every hard-won gain comes with even harder truths: about loyalty, leadership and the cost of ambition. Each move drags Dwight deeper into the street instincts he left behind in New York – turning Tulsa into a battleground and Dwight into the one threat no one can afford to underestimate.
“Red Dawn” (1984) directed by John Milius; starring Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron O’Neal, William Smith, Frank McRae, Lane Smith and Powers Boothe / Z-View
Red Dawn (1984)
Director: John Milius
Screenplay: Kevin Reynolds, John Milius; story by Kevin Reynolds
Stars: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron O’Neal, William Smith, Frank McRae, Lane Smith and Powers Boothe.
Tagline: In our time, no foreign army has ever occupied American soil. Until now.
The Plot…
The United States is surprised by a sneak attack. The combined forces of the Soviet Union, Cuba and Nicaragua did the unthinkable. Foreign paratroopers land across the midwest. One groups touches down outside the small town of Calumet, Colorado. The invaders come in blasting.
A group of teenagers, with a small amount of supplies and weapons escape into the mountains. From their vantage point, they see their town taken over and learn that the World War III has begun.
As supplies run low, they learn that the war is raging. The US military responded and turned back the advancement of foreign powers. There is a current stalement and the nearest safe zone is 40 miles away.
When a couple of soldiers accidentally come across a few of the teens, they respond by killing the foreign fighters. When the invaders discover their dead comrades, they respond by executing several townsfolk.
The teens decide they are through with just hiding. They launch guerilla attacks on the invaders. They leave “Wolverines” signs behind after each attack. The Wolverines are surprisingly successful. Word spreads and provides hope to the oppressed. The leaders occupying the town decide that the Wolverines must be caught and executed.
As World War III rages, what chance of survival do a ragtag group of teens have against the combined invading armies of three countries?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Red Dawn was the first film released with a MPAA PG-13 rating.
In the original screenplay there was a love story subplot between Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Toni (Jennifer Grey). The subplot was cut. Swayze and Grey later appeared as lovers in Dirty Dancing.
A love scene between Lea Thompson and Powers Boothe’s characters was cut after preview audiences found the age difference uncomfortable.
Red Dawn features Charlie Sheen’s feature film debut.
I saw Red Dawn when it was first released. I was a first year teacher. The scene of the invading paratroopers landing outside the school was chilling. I’ve watched the film several times over the years (and recently) — it still provides chills.
Red Dawn (1984) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“The Mask of Zorro” Alt Poster by Sahin Düzgün!
Sahin Düzgün created this awesome alt poster for The Mask of Zorro.
“There is a saying, a very old saying: when the pupil is ready the master will appear.” – Don Diego de la Vega
Hulk Hogan: Real American (2026) / Z-View
Hulk Hogan: Real American (2026)
Director: Bryan Storkel
Stars: Hulk Hogan, Linda Hogan, Jimmy Hart, Jessie Ventura, Vince McMahon, Gene Okerland, Nick Hogan, Bruce Prichard, Bret Hart, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhoads, Kevin Nash, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Ric Flair and Paul Levesque.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Hulk Hogan: Real American documents Terry Bollea’s (Hulk’s real name) life…
- from before his entry into professional wrestling
- his early days trying to find his way
- his rise to become the biggest star in professional wrestling
- to a Hollywood leading man
- to a wrestling veteran no longer a fan favorite
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Hulk Hogan became a wrestling star so big, it can truly be said that he took sports entertainment to levels it had never achieved.
I attribute a lot of Hulk Hogan’s popularity to his role as Thunderlips in Rocky III. This brought Hogan to the attention of millions of people who never watched wrestling. It’s also interesting to note that Hogan and Mr. T (another co-star in Rocky III) headlined Wrestlemania 1.
Hulk Hogan’s daughter refused to participate in this documentary. She and her father were estranged.
Hulk Hogan: Real American (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Interview with the Vampire” Alt Poster by Shawn Mansfield!
The first two seasons of Interview with the Vampire were fire and inspired Shawn Mansfield to create this cool alt poster.
“”I have two centuries walked this earth…” – Lestat de Lioncourt
“Dirty Harry” Alt Poster by Yvan Quinet!
Yvan Quinet made my day with his alt Dirty Harry poster.
“Yeah, well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard – that’s my policy.” – Harry Callahan
“The Bluff” (2026) starring Priyanka Chopra & Karl Urban / Z-View
The Bluff (2026)
Director: Frank E. Flowers
Screenplay: Joe Ballarini, Frank E. Flowers
Stars: Priyanka Chopra, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green and Temuera Morrison
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Captain Connor and his buccaneers have arrived at the small island community of Cayman Brac. They’ve come for Ercell Bodden. Ercell is a housewife and mother, but in her past life Ercell was known as the pirate Bloody Mary. She was also Captain Connor’s lover… until she stabbed him, stole his gold and disappeared.
Connor and his crew will kill anyone and everyone to get Ercell and the treasure. They came for Ercell, but they’re going to get Bloody Mary.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Zoe Saldaña was originally set to star. Although Saldaña didn’t end up in the picture, she stayed on as an Executive Producer for the film.
Karl Urban is always good. This role is no exception.
The Bluff (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
HANGING AND BURNING: A KING OLIVER NOVEL by Walter Mosley!
A new Walter Mosley tale is always welcome. We have one coming on October 20th when HANGING AND BURNING: A KING OLIVER NOVEL drops. Here’s the scoop…
A dying gangster’s plea sends Joe King Oliver on a quest for a missing woman across America’s coasts ― unraveling a dark and violent family history along the way―in this engrossing new novel from one of the most celebrated and acclaimed crime writers at work today.
Joe King Oliver is the big man you call to solve the most delicate and dangerous of problems. Fresh off unraveling the mystery of his own parents’ fates, King finds himself accepting (again at his grandmother’s request) a case from Arman Babylon, a powerful Los Angeles gangster now dying from cancer.
Babylon’s granddaughter, Twyla Mann, has been missing for years, and he’s desperate to find her before he passes. The search pulls King into the Babylons’ stained past and the cold case of Dalia Shorts, a torch singer who vanished without a trace and whom Arman was once suspected of killing.
As King follows her trail from L.A. to New York and back, he’ll realize nothing is what it seems as he uncovers a pattern of violence that has targeted the women around Babylon for decades. How much will King be willing to risk to finally set things right?
Pre-orders are available now.
“The Green Pastures” (1936) / Z-View
The Green Pastures (1936)
Director: Marc Connelly, William Keighley
Screenplay: Sheridan Gibney; based on OL’ MAN ADAM AN’ HIS CHILLUN by Roark Bradford and Ol’ Man Adam an’ His Chillun by Marc Connelly.
Stars: Rex Ingram, Oscar Polk, Eddie Anderson, Ernest Whitman.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A group of six young black children are listening to an elderly black man during Bible study. One of the little girls begins to visualize her perception of the stories…
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Green Pastures was one of only six feature films in the Hollywood Studio era to feature an all-black cast. They were Hallelujah! (1929); Hearts in Dixie (1929); The Green Pastures (1936); Cabin in the Sky (1943); Stormy Weather (1943) and Carmen Jones (1954).
The Green Pastures was banned in Australia, Finland and Hungary because in the film God is shown as dark-skinned.
The Green Pastures was based on the novel OL’ MAN ADAM AN’ HIS CHILLUN by Roark Bradford and the Ol’ Man Adam an’ His Chillun Pulitzer Prizing winning Broadway stage play by Marc Connelly.
At times the film comes off as a bit patronizing.
The Green Pastures (1936) rates 3 of 5 stars.
