“The Outpost” (2019) starring Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry-Jones and Orlando Bloom / Z-View

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The Outpost (2019)

Director: Rod Lurie

Screenplay: Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson; based on  THE OUTPOST: AN UNTOLD STORY OF AMERICAN VALOR by Jake Tapper

Stars: Scott Eastwood, Caleb Landry Jones, Jack Kesy, Cory Hardrict, Milo Gibson, Jacob Scipio, Taylor John Smith, Jonathan Yunger and Orlando Bloom,.

Tagline: The mission was survival.

The Plot…

During the war in Afghanistan, Camp Keating, a US army base is situated in a valley surrounded on all sides by steep mountains.  It is the absolute worst location to defend.

So when hundreds of Taliban soldiers attack from all sides… the mission becomes survival.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The lead actors in the film played real soldiers who survived the actual battle.  Some of the background soldiers were actual soldiers.

Stars Scott Gibson and Milo Gibson are the sons of Clint Eastwood and Mel Gibson.

The Outpost (2019) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Brother Orchid” (1940) starring Edward G. Robinson, Ann Southern and Humphrey Bogart / Z-View

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Brother Orchid (1940)

Director: Lloyd Bacon

Screenplay: Earl Baldwin; Jerry Wald (uncredited); Richard Macaulay (uncredited); based on Brother Orchid by Richard Connell

Stars: Edward G. Robinson, Ann Sothern, Humphrey Bogart, Donald Crisp, Ralph Bellamy, Cecil Kellaway, John Ridgely and Tom Tyler.

Tagline: Not Since “A Slight Case of Murder” has there been such a hysterical homicide, such mad mirth!

The Plot…

Little John Sarto rose from the streets to become head of a crime syndicate.  He’s rich.  People fear him, but he doesn’t want that.  Sarto craves to be respected.  To have… class.

So Sarto suddenly decides to give up his life of crime and become a gentleman of leisure.  Sarto turns his syndicate over to his second in command, John Buck.  He tells his girlfriend, Flo that he’s going to Europe and he’ll see her when he returns.

Things don’t go as planned in Europe.  Every move Sarto makes is a bad one.  He loses money on every deal.  Five years pass and Sarto is broke.  So he heads back to the states where he plans to regain control of his syndicate, and hook back up with Flo.

But it’s been five years.

Flo still loves Sarto, but thought he’d left for good.  So she has a new man.  John Buck and the crew felt abandoned when Sarto left.  Buck isn’t going to give up control of the gang.  So he puts out a hit on Sarto.

Sarto is caught off-guard and barely escapes with his life.  He finds himself injured and outside of a monastery.  The monks don’t recognize the infamous crime boss and take him in.  Sarto plans to stay there until he heals…

… then he will get his revenge.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Brother Orchid is one of five films that Robinson and Bogart made together.  It is the only one where neither of them is killed.

Brother Orchid (1940) rates 4 of 5 stars.

The Marvel Creator Collection No. 2: “Whatever Happened to Scorpio?”: The Complete Jim Steranko at Marvel!

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Steranko fans are going to love The Marvel Creator Collection No. 2: “Whatever Happened to Scorpio?”: The Complete Jim Steranko at Marvel (The Fantagraphics Marvel Creators Collection).  Here’s the lowdown…

Collected here for the first time, in a visually striking two-volume set, are the complete works of Jim Steranko at Marvel, the art and stories that dazzled readers and redefined what comic books were capable of.

Schooled in Golden Age comics, Steranko (born under the sign of Scorpio) merged pulp heroism with modern, cinematic graphic design in a way that transformed the look of Marvel’s Captain America, X-Men, Daredevil, and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  His late-1960s run on S.H.I.E.L.D. was the essence of cool, distilling the era’s spy boom into a new level of sophisticated comic-book storytelling.

It’s all here: all the stories (including his sole foray into the romance genre), all the cover art (including Fantastic Four, Supernatural Thrillers, Incredible Hulk Special, Shanna the She-Devil, and his variant covers for Black Panther, Civil War II, and Avengers Standoff), even his illustrations for the Marvelmania and FOOM fanzines. Every thrilling moment of the unique aesthetic marriage between Steranko and Marvel has been assembled in one place for the first time, in a gorgeously designed two-volume hardcover slipcase set.

Full color illustrations throughout

This massive beauty will clock in at 504 pages when it drops on October 13, 2026.  Pre-orders are available now.

The Marvel Creator Collection No. 2: “Whatever Happened to Scorpio?”: The Complete Jim Steranko at Marvel.

“Carrie” Alt Poster by Stephen Andrade!

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Check out this cool alt poster for Carrie by Stephen Andrade.

I saw Carrie when it was first released. It was at a midnight showing.  I’d read the Stephen King novel and thought the movie was an excellent adaptation.

In the final scene (which I wasn’t expecting) I jumped so high I felt I might go over the back of my seat.  Needless to say it wasn’t my coolest moment.  Thankfully my date jumped as well and was so focused on the screen she didn’t realize my reaction.  I hope.

“They’re all gonna laugh at you!” – Carrie’s Mother

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER: PERSPECTIVES ON YOUR FIRST ALIEN ENCOUNTER by Neil deGrasse Tyson!

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Neil deGrasse Tyson’s book TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER: PERSPECTIVES ON YOUR FIRST ALIEN ENCOUNTER sounds like a fun read.  Here’s the lowdown…

America’s favorite astrophysicist has written the most entertaining and universally appealing book of his stellar career: a practical guide for dealing with Alien visitors, an exploration of how it might happen, and a cultural history of our fascination with extraterrestrials.

“Ever since childhood,” writes Neil deGrasse Tyson, “I’ve wanted to be abducted by Aliens.”

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER is the culmination of a lifetime of fascination, speculation, and the amassing of scientific data about the possibility of Aliens visiting Earth. Drawing on a wealth of depictions from history, literature, pop culture, and film, Tyson applies the universal laws of physics to make the case for what Aliens might look like, act like, how they might travel through the universe to reach us, and what they might think of us upon arrival. Should such an event occur, Tyson further offers useful etiquette tips for your first close encounter.

If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many UFO sightings, or whether Aliens might already be among us, Tyson offers an informed perspective that is both factual and fun. TTAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER is a tantalizing exploration of what would be the most mind-blowing experience of your life—the book for anyone who has ever wondered: Are we alone?

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER drops on May 12, 2026.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER hardback

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER Kindle

“Being Eddie” (2025) starring Eddie Murphy / Z-View

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Being Eddie (2025)

Director: Angus Wall

Stars: Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Jerry Seinfeld, Charlie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Elvis Mitchell,
John Landis, Pete Davidson, Jerry Bruckheimer and Kevin Hart.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Eddie Murphy, friends and those who have worked with him, sit for interviews to discuss Eddie’s amazing career.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Some of the awards Eddie Murphy has won over the course of his career include: an Emmy, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Murphy also earned an Academy Award nomination for for Best Supporting Actor.  Murphy has had success as a comedian, television star, movie star, and singer.

While at times Eddie does seem to have a bit of an ego, who wouldn’t with all that he has achieved.  There was a tv show that I watched as a kid, it was about an old gunfighter.  He had a catchphrase: “No brag, just fact.”   I think of Eddie now as that old gunfighter.  He’s not bragging, just stating facts about his career.

I was surprised at how personable and down-to-earth Eddie comes off as.  So many stars, especially who attain superstar status at an early age, self-destruct.  Eddie Murphy seems to be in a great place.

I look forward to where Eddie Murphy’s career leads next.

Being Eddie (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

“The Last Showgirl” (2024) starring Pamela Anderson, Dave Bautista & Jamie Lee Curtis / Z-View

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The Last Showgirl (2024)

Director: Gia Coppola

Screenplay: Kate Gersten

Stars: Pamela Anderson, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, Linda Montana, Jason Schwartzman and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Shelley Gardner has been a showgirl at the Las Vegas Le Razzle Dazzle Revue for thirty years.  At one time the Vegas shows were top line entertainment.  But times have changed.  They no longer have the prestige or class they once held.  Worse still, attendance has declined.

When Shelley learns that her show is closing, she’s not sure what’s next.  All she has known is the Le Razzle Dazzle Revue.  There’s not much demand for a 57 year old dancer.  Her last audition was three decades ago.  Dance styles have changed.  So have dancer expectations.

How will Shelley survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jamie Lee Curtis appears as a former showgirl who drinks too much.

Dave Bautista is excellent.

The Last Showgirl (2024) rates 3 of 5 stars.

O.G. (2018) starring Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner and Boyd Holbrook / Z-View

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O.G. (2018)

Director: Madeleine Sackler

Screenplay: Stephen Belber

Stars: Jeffrey Wright, William Fichtner, Boyd Holbrook, Mare Winningham, Yul Vazquez, Ryan Cutrona, Ato Essandoh, Kevin Jackson and David Patrick Kelly.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Louis has spent the last 24 years in prison for murder.  Over time, Louis turned his life around.  He distanced himself from prison gangs.  He worked to make his life a positive contribution.  Louis’ good behavior and true rehabilitation has earned him parole in the next few weeks…

… if nothing changes.

Gang tensions are rising.  When a new young inmate is brought into the prison, Louis sees the kid being set up to take a fall.  If Louis intervenes he risks his own release.  If he does nothing, the kid could be killed or worse.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Jeffrey Wright is an amazing actor.

O.G. was filmed at the Indiana Pendleton Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison.  Many of the prisoners and guards were actual prisoners and guards.

O.G. (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“36 Hours” (1964) starring James Garner, Eva Marie Saint and Rod Taylor” / Z-View

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36 Hours (1964)

Director: George Seaton

Screenplay: George Seaton; story by Carl K. Hittleman, Luis Vance; based on “Beware of the Dog” by Roald Dahl

Stars: James Garner, Eva Marie Saint, Rod Taylor, Werner Peters, Russell Thorson, Alan Napier, Oscar Beregi Jr., Ed Gilbert, Sig Ruman, Celia Lovsky, Karl Held,  Martin Kosleck, Marjorie Bennett, Henry Rowland, Otto Reichow, James Doohan  and John Banner.

Tagline: “Give Me Any American for 36 Hours And I’ll Give You Back a Traitor”

The Plot…

The Nazis know that the Allies are preparing a massive attack.

But where?

German Major Walter Gerber has devised an elaborate plan to get the needed info.  U.S. Army Major Jeff Pike is drugged and kidnapped.   The Nazis know Pike has been in meeting about the planned invasion.

When Pike awakens he appears to be in a U.S. Army hospital.  Major Gerber, posing as a US Army Doctor tells Pike that the year is 1950, and that the U.S. won the war back in 1944.  Pike is tricked into believing that since the war he has suffered from bouts of amnesia.

Gerber tells Pike that they need Pike to remember back as far as he can and they will slowly work to bring his memory back.  Pike’s last memory is leaving a meeting.

“Excellent.  And what was the meeting about?…”

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

36 Hours is an under-rated classic.  I’m surprised more folks don’t know about this one.

Three actors who gained fame in television series shortly after their appearances in 36 Hours include:

  • James Doohan who gained fame as Scotty on Star Trek appears uncredited as a British orderly.
  • John Banner who gained fame as Sgt. Schultz on Hogan’s Heroes and who “knew nothing, NOTHING” definitely knows something in his role here. 
  • Alan Napier who gained fame as Alfred the butler on Batman.

36 Hours (1964) rates 5 of 5 stars.