“Naked Ambition” (2023) starring Bunny Yeager / Z-View!

Naked Ambition (2023)

Director: Dennis Scholl, Kareem Tabsch

Writer: Dennis Scholl

Stars: Bunny Yeager, Dita Von Teese, Larry King.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Bunny Yeager started her career as a model.  She transitioned to behind the camera and became one of the most popular cheesecake photographers working.  Bunny’s work with Bettie Page sent both into the popular culture stratosphere.

This is her story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bunny was one of the first photographers for Playboy and even discovered Playboy’s first Playmate of the Year.  Bunny then went on to have her photos in more mainstream magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Redbook to name a few.  Bunny’s photos of Ursula Andress exiting the water on the beach for the James Bond film Dr. No are perhaps her most famous shots.

When magazines became more graphic, Bunny refused to follow the trend and her photos became less in demand.  Bunny Yeager’s photos saw a resurgence of popularity in the 1990s.

Naked Ambition (2023) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Night of the Hunter” by Mat Peg!


I love Mat Peg’s art.  Look at the thought put into this Night of the Hunter poster.

It’s in the style of an old time photograph.  Mitchum, the serial killer preacher has his love/hate finger tats in view.  He’s holding both his knife and the little girl he threatens with it.  She’s holding the doll that secretly carries the money Mitchum’s character is willing to kill for.  The title of the movie and stars’ names are scratched in as if with the knife.

 Brilliant.

“Bad Faith” aka “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy” (2024) / Z-View

Bad Faith aka Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy (2024)

Director: Stephen Ujlaki, Chris Jones

Written by: Alec Baer, Chris Jones, Stephen Ujlaki

Narrated by: Peter Coyote

Tagline: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy

The Plot…

Bad Faith explores the history of Christian Nationalism in the United States from it’s start as the Moral Majority to the current Make America Great Again movement.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s interesting to see how the Religious Right movement has morphed and how the long game was played.  Abortion wasn’t initially THE issue used to galvanize the movement.  Years after Roe vs Wade it was seen to be advantageous to make THAT the number one issue.  It was also interesting to chart how more political the movement became, how and why they were able to attract millionaires / billionaires to the cause.

The long term game plan was to frame the politics as good vs evil.  They wanted to take control of 7 areas: Family, Religion, Entertainment, Media, Education, Business and Government.  Then they would weaken, tear down and destroy these institutions and then rebuild to fit their mindset.

Bad Faith aka Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy (2024) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Mike Mignola’s “Blade 2” Storyboards!

Blade 2 is my favorite movie of the Blade franchise.  It’s also one of my favorite horror movies.  Most folks know it was directed by Guillermo del Toro.  Not as many realize that del Toro’s artist on the storyboards was none other than Hellboy creator, Mike Mignola.  Below are some examples.

Guillermo del Toro and Mike Mignola would reteam two years later for the movie adaptation of Hellboy.

A book of Mignola’s storyboards would be a welcome addition to my book shelf.

Click on the photos to see biggie-versions or each.  If you want to see even bigger versions check out our source for this post — Marco Foderà.

“Tura!” (2024) starring Tura Santana / Z-View

Tura! (2024)

Director: Cody Jarrett

Screenplay: Cody Jarrett

Stars: Tura Satana, John Waters, Margaret Cho, Dita Von Teese and Pamela Des Barres.

Tagline: How One Woman’s Quest for Revenge Changed Hollywood and the World Forever

The Plot…

Tura Satana, the actress best known for her role as Varla in the cult classic Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! had a life that is hard to believe.  Raped as a child, Tura learned the martial arts in order to get revenge on the men who abused her since justice was denied in the courts.  As an adult, Tura got revenge on each individual who had assaulted her.

But that would come later in life.

At fifteen, Tura ran away to California.  She lied about her age and began working as a burlesque dancer.  Soon Tura was making big money as a stripper.  This led to a friendship with Harold Lloyd (yes, THAT Harold Lloyd of silent movie fame).  Tura became a nude model for Lloyd (and others).

Then came her acting career with roles in Irma la Douce staring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine and Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed? starring Dean Martin and Elizabeth Montgomery.  Television roles on Burke’s Law and The Man from UNCLE followed.  Then came Tura’s breakout role in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.  After that Tura appeared in just four more films and one television appearance before retiring from acting.

After the filming of The Doll Squad, Tura was shot by a former lover.  Her acting career was finished… for now.  Over the years Tura earned a living working in a hospital and later as a dispatcher.  When Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! gained new popularity as a cult hit, Tura Santana’s popularity also surged.  She began to occassionally act and make appearances at fan conventions.

Tura is her life story.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

It’s hard to believe Tura’s life story… even the parts that are easily proven.  So we’ll go with the famous saying, (and I’m parphrasing), “When the legend is better than the truth, go with the legend.”

Tura! (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Assault on VA-33” (2021) starring Sean Patrick Flabery with Mark Dacascos and Michael Jai White / Z-View

Assault on VA-33 (2021)

Director: Christopher Ray

Screenplay: Scott Thomas Reynolds

Stars: Sean Patrick Flanery, Michael Jai White, Mark Dacascos, Weston Cage, Gina Holden, Abigail Hawk, Brittany Underwood, Rachel True, Max Adler and Rob Van Dam.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Jason Hill plans to have lunch with his wife at the Veteran’s Affairs hospital where she works.  After lunch Jason is going to take his daughter to soccer practice.  But that all changes when terrorists take over the hospital.  They’re after a General being treated there.  With the General and several staff as hostages, the terrorists have the upper hand.

Jason manages to not get caught during the takeover.  When local police believe his call for help to be a prank, Jason realizes it’s up to him to save the day.

I think Jason’s daughter may be late to practice.  Jason to the rescue – STAT.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sean Patrick Flanery and Gina Holden play husband and wife in Assault on VA-33.  They also played a married couple in Saw 3D.

Pro wrestler Rob Van Dam plays the terrorist who stays in the van.  He is never shown being killed or driving away.  His character just disappears.  It would have been funny if after the credits rolled, at the very end they should him still sitting in the van.

Assault on VA-33 (2021) rates 2 of 5 stars.

“Reservoir Dogs” Alt Poster Created by Sahin Düzgün!

This very cleverly designed Reservoir Dogs alt poster was created by Sahin Düzgün?. Sahin is a graphic designer, poster artist  and movie lover from Berlin, Germany.

Here is what Sahin had to say about his design: Sharp suits, sharp dialogue, and a story that changed indie cinema forever. Happy Reservoir Dogs day, Mr. Tarantino!

Mr. Pink: Why can’t we pick our own colors?
Joe: No way, no way. Tried it once, it doesn’t work. You get four guys all fighting over who’s gonna be Mr. Black, but they don’t know each other, so nobody wants to back down. No way. I pick. You’re Mr. Pink. Be thankful you’re not Mr. Yellow.

Eerie Archives Volume 13!

Eerie Archives Volume 13 is available!  It is a double-sized giant and contains 608 pages of horrific fun! Here’s what we get…

A DOUBLE SHOT OF TERROR: TWO HORRIFYING VOLUMES IN ONE!

LEGENDARY CREATORS OF LEGENDARY TERROR!

Collecting eleven issues of Warren Publishing’s legendary Eerie horror anthology, previously compiled in Dark Horse’s hardcover volumes 15 and 16.

This double-volume paperback edition includes jaw-dropping work from Howard Chaykin, Bernie Wrightson, Richard Corben, Carmine Infantino, Jim Starlin, and a host of other fan-favorite talents! Thrill to the ongoing, brutal adventures of Hunter, El Cid, and Coffin! From fanciful freaks to downright disturbing demons, Eerie Archives has something for every horror devotee!

Collects Eerie magazine #70–78, #80, and content from the special reprint issue #79 not collected in previous Eerie Archives volumes.

 Deal me in.

Creepy Archives Volume 13!

CREEPY Archives Volume 13 is coming!  It is a double-sized giant and contains 544 pages of horrific fun! Here’s what we get…

A DOUBLE SHOT OF TERROR: TWO HORRIFYING VOLUMES IN ONE!

LEGENDARY CREATORS OF LEGENDARY TERROR!

Collecting eight full issues and nine covers of Warren Publishing’s legendary Creepy horror anthology, previously compiled in Dark Horse’s hardcover volumes 15 and 16.

In this double-sized volume, Creepy teams up with Edgar Allan Poe, the founding father of short-form horror himself. This volume includes all original Creepy magazine letters columns and features are included alongside stories by legendary creators like Alex Toth, Wally Wood, Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson, and Richard Corben!

Collects Creepy magazine #69–#73 and #75–#77, and the cover to Creepy #74, a reprint issue of stories that were collected in past Creepy Archives volumes.

 Pre-orders are available now.   Deal me in.

THE BLACK BEETLE Deluxe Omnibus by Francesco Francavilla!

Francesco Francavilla’s Black Beetle is getting a deluxe omnibus!  Here are the details…

FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA’S BLACK BEETLE RETURNS — IN A STUNNING GRAPHIC NOVEL OMNIBUS CELEBRATION OF PULP, PERIL, AND PURE STYLE!

From the mind and pen of Eisner Award–winning author Francesco Francavilla comes the complete saga of the mysterious masked crime-fighter who stalks the shadows of Colt City — The Black Beetle!

Now, for the first time ever, every thrilling tale of The Black Beetle from Dark Horse Comics is collected in one deluxe omnibus, featuring:

The pulse-pounding full-length adventures No Way Out and Kara Böcek.
The moody, hard-hitting one-shot Night Shift.
A treasure trove of never-before-seen bonus content including concept art, layouts, character studies, vintage-style lobby cards, and behind-the-scenes material straight from Francavilla’s sketchbook.
Plus: An all-new painted cover by Francesco Francavilla, created exclusively for this volume!

With its intoxicating blend of pulp noir, supernatural intrigue, and explosive action, The Black Beetle is a love letter to classic crimebusters — and a masterclass in visual storytelling.

Step into the shadows. Fight for justice. Discover the legend. Perfect for longtime fans and newcomers alike — this is the definitive Black Beetle collection.

Pre-orders available now!  Deal me in.

Eerie Archives Volume 12!

Eerie Archives Volume 12 is out now!  It is a double-sized giant and contains 536 pages pages of horrific fun! Here’s what we get…

A DOUBLE SHOT OF TERROR—TWO HORRIFYING VOLUMES IN ONE!

LEGENDARY CREATORS OF LEGENDARY TERROR!

Now in a packed-full double volume with twice as many ghoulish stories, previously collected in Dark Horse’s hardcover volumes 13 and 14.

Collecting eight issues and nine covers of Warren Publishing’s legendary Eerie horror anthology, this double-volume paperback edition features dark and dystopian tales from talents like Wally Wood, Alex Toth, Bernie Wrightson, Richard Corben, and more. Revel in the vengeful exploits of favorite recurring characters Coffin, Exterminator One, and others!

This volume also includes all original letters columns, haunting full-color painted covers by Ken Kelly and Sanjulian, and introductions by modern horror pioneer and painter Tom Neely (The Blot, The Wolf) and prolific Warren writer Budd Lewis!

Collects Eerie magazine #61–#68 and the cover for Eerie #69, a reprint issue of Hunter stories that were collected in past Eerie Archives volumes.

  Deal me in.

“Dylan Dog: Dead of Night” (2010) starring Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington, Anita Briem, Peter Stormare, and Taye Diggs / Z-View

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)

Director: Kevin Munroe

Screenplay: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer; based on Dylan Dog by Tiziano Sclavi

Stars: Brandon Routh, Sam Huntington, Anita Briem, Peter Stormare, Taye Diggs, Mitchell Whitfield, Laura Spencer, Laura Spencer, Marco St. John, Kyle Clements and Kurt Angle.

Tagline: Living investigator. Undead clients. Zombie partner.

The Plot…

Dylan Dog at one time fought the things that go bump in the night.  He gave it up when his wife was killed by vampires.  Since then Dylan has worked as a private eye on normal cases.

That all changes when Elizabeth Ryan comes to Dylan for help.  Her father was killed by something strange.  Now Dylan is back… and the case will bring him into contact with vampires, werewolves, zombies and something worse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

One of the vampires is named Sclavi. Tiziano Sclavi created Dylan Dog.

At one point a character calls Dylan Dog, “Superman”.  Brandon Routh who plays Dylan Dog of course played Superman in an earlier film.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night leans a bit more into comedy than I’d prefer.  Even still I would have liked to have seen a sequel.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)  rates 2 of 5 stars.