Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
One of my favorite scenes from any of the Rambo movies is the stick fight scene in Rambo III. It’s hard to find many photos from it. Above is a rare shot from the scene. Click on the image for a arena-sized version.
Nick Levy has not only created a kick ass Universal Monsters poster, but he speaks the absolute truth when he says…
Hollywood has been chasing this universe for 90 years and still hasn’t caught it.
Before shared universes were a billion dollar strategy, Universal built one in black and white. No CGI. No post credit scenes. Just pure monster mythology that rewired the entire language of horror.
Dracula. Frankenstein. The Wolf Man. Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Mummy. Bride of Frankenstein. Phantom of the Opera. Nosferatu. The Invisible Man.
Nine icons. One legacy. Untouchable.
Massacre Mafia Style (1974)
Director: Duke Mitchell
Screenplay: Duke Mitchell
Stars: Duke Mitchell, Vic Caesar, Lorenzo Dodo, Peter Milo, Louis Zito, Cara Salerno, Jimmy Williams and George ‘Buck’ Flower.
Tagline: You’re IN… or… you’re IN THE WAY!
The Plot…
Mimi Miceli’s father known as The Padrone, was once a powerful and respected mafia crime boss. That was before The Padrone was tried, convicted and deported. Mimi tried to live a good life. But when Mimi’s wife unexpectantly dies something in him snaps.
Mimi decides to get back into “the life”. He heads to LA where he reconnects with his old time crime partner Jolly Rizzo. Together Mimi and Jolly plan a move to take over west coast organized crime. Step one: kidnap west coast Godfather Chucky Tripoli.
After that it’s top of the world, ma!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Duke Mitchell co-produced, wrote, directed and starred in Massacre Mafia Style. Before this, Mitchell was best known as the cartoon singing voice of Fred Flinstone or one half of the Mitchell / Petrillo nightclub act. Mitchell and Petrillo were a knockoff of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Mitchell sang and Petrillo acted goofy. Mitchell and Petrillo appeared with Bela Lugosi in the low-budget Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla.
Mitchell went on to have a solo nightclub career. Mitchell often crossed paths with many celebrities including Frank Sinatra. Mitchell would use money he saved from singing in an attempt to make low-budget movies. Most were never completed or released. Massacre Mafia Style was the exception.
Duke Mitchell died in 1981. In 2011, a work print of Mitchell’s next film Gone with the Pope, was discovered. It was restored and released on dvd by Grindhouse Releasing. Grindhouse Releasing was co-founded by Academy Award winner Bob Murawski and Sage Stallone (Sylvester Stallone’s son). Grindhouse Releasing also remastered and released Massacre Mafia Style in 2011.
Massacre Mafia Style was released under the following titles: The Executioner, Massacre Mafia Style and Like Father, Like Son. Mitchell preferred Massacre Mafia Style.
Frank Sinatra reportedly responded to Mitchell’s request to appear in his film by saying, “Duke, I love you, but I get real money to make real films.”
Massacre Mafia Style (1974) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Rich Hennemann is one of the first artists I look to commission each year at HeroesCon (and also a couple of times through the year). At HeroesCon 2026, I gave Rich a request of Jack Carter and one of three other characters. He would make his pick and surprise me at the show.
Rich chose to pair Carter with John Wick and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re a sketch collector, you owe it to youself to have a piece by Rich in your collection.
High and Dizzy (1920)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis.
Tagline: The Cleverest and Most Rollicking Comedy Ever Produced
The Plot…
Harold is a young doctor with a new practice. He goes to great lengths to appear busy. When an older man brings his grown daughter in, Harold is smitten. So is the young lady. She needsa cure for sleepwalking. Unfortunately her father isn’t impressed with Harold. Dad and his daughter leave.
Harold decides to take out his frustration with a few (too many drinks). After a few close calls with a cop, Harold ends up in a high rise. Wouldn’t you know it, the sleepwalking beauty lives there.
Rise and shine!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Harold Lloyd and his co-star, Mildred Davis were married three years after the release of High and Dizzy. They would have three children and remain married until her death on August 18, 1969. Harold Lloyd died on March 8, 1971.
High and Dizzy (1920) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Take a Chance (1918)
Director: Alfred J. Goulding
Screenplay: Alfred J. Goulding
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Harold sees a girl (Bebe) and is smitten. Before he can make any headway, Bebe’s boyfriend, Snub, pulls up. She gets in the front seat while Harold sneaks in the back.
Harold secretly influences Bebe and Snub into an argument. They arrive at the park. Harold continues to try to woo Bebe. When two escaped convicts show up, one knocks Harold out and exchanges clothes with him as well. Then the police chasing the escaped cons show up, they see Harold in prison clothes.
The chase is on!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Don’t go in to Take a Chance looking for a sensible story… even by early film standards. Take a Chance feels like two partial films stuck together. The first, a romantic comedy and the second, a slapstick chase. It’s not Harold Lloyd’s finest but at this stage in his career, Harold Lloyd wasn’t yet Harold Lloyd the silent film star.
Take a Chance (1918) rates 3 of 5 stars.
Zack Snyder’s remake of George R. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead, doesn’t get enough love. I’m a huge fan of Snyder’s riff. From the looks of Jack C. Gregory‘s alt poster, he is as well.
When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.
Leo Leibelman is a freelance artist who has provided art for comics, trading cards, novels, instructional materials, film storyboards and more. Leo Leibelman takes commissions.
The Terminator / Terminator: Dark Fate by Leo Leibelman.
“My name is Sarah Connor. When I was about her age… a Terminator was sent to kill me to stop the birth of my son, John. Leader of the Resistance.” – Sarah Connor
The Marathon (1919)
Director: Alfred J. Goulding
Screenplay: H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard, Bud Jamison.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
A rich young woman has her pick of possible suitors. Her stern father, a retired heavyweight boxer, oversees her choices. When a slick potential boyfriend butters up to her daddy, he becomes the father’s choice. Harold, another suitor, is willing to fight for his chance to date the young lady.
Put up your dukes and may the funniest man win!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The mirror gag appears in this film. Harold and his brother Gaylord (who also plays the Chief of Police) pull off the famous routine. It’s interesting to note, that Charlie Chaplin was the first to do the mirror comedy skit on film in Floorwalker (1916). But it was Duck Soup starring The Marx Brothers that made the routine famous.
Bud Jamison, co-star of dozens of Three Stooges shorts, appears uncredited as The Rich Girl’s Father. Jamison was just six years older than Bebe Daniels, the actress who played his daughter.
The Marathon (1919) rates 3 of 5 stars.
The Mobland Season 2 trailer has arrived. I loved season 1. Looking forward to season 2.
Deal me in.
The Harrigans, heads of North London’s largest criminal empire, are on the brink of civil war, and their rivals are starting to notice. As tensions within the Harrigan family intensify, their ‘fixer’ Harry Da Souza is the only one that can keep them from falling apart.
Bumping Into Broadway (1919)
Director: Hal Roach
Screenplay: Hal Roach, Harold Lloyd; titles by H.M. Walker
Stars: Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, ‘Snub’ Pollard.
Tagline: Two thousand feet of girls and giggles with a kick like moonshine.
The Plot…
A “girl” dreams of being an actress. The “boy” in the room next door dreams of being a playwright. Neither have found success. When the boy learns that the girl is going to be evicted for not paying her rent, he gives her the last of his money. All he has to do now is avoid his tough landlady and her big bouncer until he can raise the cash for his rent.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bumping into Broadway is the final film made/released before the accident that cost Harold Lloyd is right thumb and forefinger. During a photo shoot a prop bomb exploded causing Lloyd’s injury. In his future films Lloyd wore a glove or keep his right hand hidden.
Bumping into Broadway is the first two-reel film that featured Lloyd’s “glasses” character.
Bumping Into Broadway (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Luiz Tavares presents Sly Stallone as Cobra, The Long Arm of the Law!
“I don’t deal with psychos. I put ’em away.” – Marion Cobretti
The full international trailer for Hope is here and we get a clear view of the aliens. This film looks to be all out action.
Deal me in.
In the remote South Korea village of Hope Harbor, police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min) and officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon) are called to find a mysterious creature that has wreaked havoc on the village.
In the nearby forest, a coterie of hunters, including Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead.
But all is not as it seems, and perceptions can be misleading. What begins as ignorance plants the seed of disaster, escalating through human conflict into a tragedy of cosmic proportions.
A Night in the Show (1915)
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin
Stars: Charlie Chaplin, Charlotte Mineau, Dee Lampton, Edna Purviance, Leo White and
Tagline: Uproariously Funny Charley Chaplin As a Dude and a Bum A Double Portion of Comedy
The Plot…
A Night in the Show follows two theater-goers: Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy (both played by Charlie Chaplin). Mr. Pest is well-dressed man who has a great seat right up front. Pest is rudely oblivious to all around him. Mr. Rowdy watches from a cheap balcony seat. Rowdy has had too much too drink and disrupts in his own way.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Chaplin adapted A Night in the Show from one of his stage plays.
Bud Jamison who appeared in nearly 40 Three Stooges shorts appears uncredited in the balcony.
A Night in the Show (1915) rates 3 of 5 stars.
