Blade by Federico Vicentini!
Truth be told, I haven’t read many comics featuring Blade. If there were drawn by Federico Vicentini that would change.
“The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare” (2026) / Z-View
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (2026)
Director: Skye Borgman
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
On November 13, 2022, a 911 call was made in the small college town of Moscow, Idaho. Police arrived to the off-campus house and found a quadruple homicide. Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle had all be brutally stabbed to death.
This is the story of the investigation, widespread speculation that ran rampant until a suspect was caught and ultimately sentenced to four consecutive terms of life imprisonment in prison without the possibility of parole. The story is told through news clips, interviews with law enforcement, as well as family and friends of the victims.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Moscow, Idaho hadn’t had a murder since 2015. They weren’t experienced in dealing with homicides — especially four at one time. When news of the murders was released it rocked the nation.
The series does an excellent job of presenting the victims as real people. Many of the theories that appeared once the murders were public knowledge are covered. If you followed the case as it unfolded, you know this story.
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth” – The Trailer is Here!
Here we go! The trailer for The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth is here.
Deal me in.
Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth, only this time it’s 1977 and it’s a very different Hollywood.
Directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, THE FURTHER MIS-ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH comes to IMAX November 25.
“Asphalt City” (2023) starring Sean Penn & Tye Sheridan / Z-View
Asphalt City (2023)
Director: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
Screenplay: Ryan King, Ben Mac Brown; based on BLACK FLIES by Shannon Burke.
Stars: Tye Sheridan, Sean Penn, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Raquel Nave, Kali Reis, Michael Pitt, Katherine Waterston and Mike Tyson.
Tagline: Welcome to the frontlines.
The Plot…
Ollie Cross is a rookie paramedic teamed with veteran E.M.T. Gene Rutkovsky on the night shift in New York City. On each call one or more people’s lives are on the line, sometimes including Ollie and Gene themselves.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I tapped out after about thirty minutes. I didn’t care for any of the characters. If the intent was to show EMT’s face dangers on every call, that the public can be difficut to serve and death is always near. Mission accomplished. I didn’t need another hour and a half of unrelenting bleak drama. Of course your mileage may vary.
Asphalt City (2023) rates 1 of 5 stars.
“The Warriors” Alt Poster by Matthew Essom!
Give it up for Matthew Essom and his cool alt The Warriors poster.
“Can you count, suckers? I say, the future is ours… if you can count!” – Cyrus
Rocky Balboa and Thobias Daneluz Have the “Eye of the Tiger”!
Thobias Daneluz has the “eye of the tiger”. Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art. (And plan to stay awhile.)
” The worst thing that happened to you, that can happen to any fighter: you got civilized.” – Mickey Goldmill
“A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant” (2025) / Z-View
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant (2025)
Director: Bill Banowsky
Writers: Dean Alioto, Bill Banowsky, Paul O’Bryan
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Pat Oliphant was a Pulitzer prize winning politcal cartoonist. His career spanned 50 years and his style influenced generations of cartoonists. Oliphant felt creating political cartoons wasn’t a job, it was a cause to criticize all political perspectives. And he was extremely successful in that regard.
In addition to his success as a politcal cartoonist, Oliphant was also an accomplished sculptor.
Even if you don’t know Pat Oliphant’s name, my guess is you would recognize some of his cartoons. This is his story.
A Savage Art: The Life & Cartoons of Pat Oliphant (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.
THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH by Quentin Tarantino
Before we see the return of Cliff Booth* at our local theater (or a few weeks later on Netflix), THE ADVENTURES OF CLIFF BOOTH by Quentin Tarantino will hit bookstores everywhere. Here’s the scoop…
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
From Quentin Tarantino, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOODO and CINEMA SPECULATION, comes a new novel featuring one of his most iconic creations, Mr. Cliff Booth.
Hollywood, 1977. The Swinging Sixties are long gone — but Clifford Booth keeps on keeping on…War hero, stuntman, bartender, cinema projectionist . . . with the occasional “clandestine services” for his friends. . . .
Pre-orders for the December 8th release are available now.
* The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth written by Quentin Tarantino, directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt will debut globally in IMAX theaters for an exclusive two-week run on November 25, 2026, followed by its streaming release on Netflix on December 23, 2026.
“Reacher”: Season 4 (2026) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View
Reacher: Season 4 (2026)
Based on: Jack Reacher by Lee Child
Developed by: Nick Santora
Directors: Sam Hill (Eps.1–3; 7-8); Gary Fleder (Eps. 4–6)
Teleplay: Nick Santora (Ep. 1); Scott Sullivan (Ep. 2; 7-8); Seth Cohen & Amy Pocha (Ep. 3); Penny Cox (Ep. 4); Cait Duffy (Ep. 5); Mick Betancourt & Seth Cohen & Amy Pocha (Ep. 6)
Starring: Alan Ritchson, Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Christopher Marquette, Kevin Corrigan.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Jack Reacher, an ex-Military Police Investigator, while riding the Philadelphia subway spots a lone woman displaying all the signs of a terrorist. When Reacher approaches her she pulls out a handgun and kills herself.
The woman wasn’t a terrorist, but she had something on a flashdrive worth killing for. Professional killers and the C.I.A. want the drive and believe that Reacher knows where it is. He doesn’t but is determined to find it. Even if it costs him his life.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Season 4 contains more of a mystery than previous seasons, but doesn’t let up on the action.
I thought season 3’s fight between Reacher and the giant Paulie would be near impossible to top, but season 4 did it.
Sydelle Noel as Tamara Green is excellent.
Bring on Season 5.
Rocky & Apollo by Dosbrak!
Rocky & Apollo by Dosbrak!
“Now, when we fought, you had that eye of the tiger, man; the edge! And now you gotta get it back, and the way to get it back is to go back to the beginning. You know what I mean?” – Apollo Creed
SATORI by Don Winslow / Z-View
SATORI by Don Winslow
First sentence…
Nicholai Hel watched the maple leaf drop from the branch, flutter in the slight breeze, then fall gently to the ground.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
1951. The Korean War rages.
Nicholai Hel, perhaps the most dangerous man in the world, has spent the last three years in solitary confinement in an American prison. Hel is twenty-six, has a genius-level IQ, is fluent in seven languages and is a master of the martial art hoda korosu (“naked kill”).
The C.I.A. offers Hel a chance at freedom. It’s a suicide mission. Hel will pose as an arms dealer, travel to Beijing and kill the Soviet Union’s commissioner to China. If Hel is successful, and if he survives, he will be given a full pardon and enough money to live anywhere he wants.
Hel accepts. What the C.I.A. doesn’t know is Hel has an additional reason to accept besides a chance at freedom. What Hel doesn’t know is that someone in the C.I.A. doesn’t want him to succeed.
+++
SATORI is a prequel to SHIBUMI by by Trevanian, a pseudonym of Rodney William Whitaker.
I had never read SHIBUMI (and plan to correct that), but it didn’t affect my love of SATORI.
A movie adaptation of SHIBUMI is in the works with Chad Stahelski (director of the John Wick movies) set to produce and direct. Stahelski is obviously a fan of the book. In two of his movies (John Wick and Bullet Train) characters are shown reading the novel.
Nicholai Hel is a great protagonist. I would love to see more of his adventures.
Don Winslow’s SATORI gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (2018) A Film By Joel & Ethan Coen / Z-View
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Screenplay: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Stars: Tim Blake Nelson, Clancy Brown, Tyne Daly, James Franco, Stephen Root, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Heck, Grainger Hines, Zoe Kazan, Harry Melling, Liam Neeson, Jonjo O’Neill, Chelcie Ross, Saul Rubinek and Tom Waits.
Tagline: How the West Was Won (more or less)
The Plot…
The Ballad of Buster Scrugs is actually six tales from the post-Civil War west.
- “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” – Buster Scruggs, dressed in white from head to toe, is the fastest gun in the west. He has a wonderful singing voice as well. Buster drifts from town to town never looking for trouble. Trouble is, it always finds him.
- “Near Algodones” – A small bank stands isolated on the prairie. A lone cowboy decides the bank is easy pickins. That decision is going to lead to a series of unexpected events that culminate with the biggest surprise of all.
- “Meal Ticket” – An older man and a young armless and legless man named Harrison travel from frontier town to frontier town in a showman’s wagon. Harrison is a skilled orator. In each town, Harrison recites poetry and dramatic readings for donations. It is a hard life. Maybe there is an easier way to make a living.
- “All Gold Canyon” – An old weathered prospector has traveled deep into the frontier. Despite years of prospecting failure, he is determined to strike gold. And when he does, what could go wrong?
- “The Gal Who Got Rattled” – Alice Longabaugh and her brother Gilbert are part of a wagon train headed to Oregon. There Gilbert says he has a business opportunity waiting. Based on Gilbert’s past business success Alice has her doubts. When Gilbert takes ill and suddenly dies, Alice is left alone. Things take a turn for the best when Billy, the second lead on the wagon train, proposes marriage. Billy is a decent, honest man who had shown an interest in Alice from the journey’s start. Alice thinks that things might turn out for the best. She just needs to have faith.
- “The Mortal Remains” – As a stagecoach barrels along, it’s five passengers get to know each other. The travelers include two bounty hunters, a trapper, a religious woman, and a Frenchman. The group appears to have nothing in common. But they do. Oh, do they ever.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs was nominated for three Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Adapted Screenplay – Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
- Nominee for Best Achievement in Costume Design – Mary Zophres
- Nominee for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) – David Rawlings, Gillian Welch; for “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings”
Tim Blake Nelson did his own singing and guitar playing. He had to learn to play guitar for the film.
“All Gold Canyon” is based on a story by Jack London. “The Gal Who Got Rattled” inspired by a story by Stewart Edward White.
In “Near Algodones” the bank teller says he gets deposits from Val Verde. Val Verde sounds like a South American country but is a fictional location. Val Verde was a location used in Die Hard, Predator and Commando.
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” is my favorite of the six segments. It’s a worthy send-up of singing cowboys and early western troupes. A full-length Buster Scruggs prequel would be a blast.
“Near Algodones” has surprising changes in tone. I ike it! We go from traditional western to comedy (“Pan-shot!”) to drama to action to suspense to traditional western to suspense to comedy (“First time?”) to romance to surprise!
“Meal Ticket” – has an ending that is unexpected and shocking.
“All Gold Canyon” – I didn’t recognize Tom Waits who has a nearly one person showcase.
“The Girl Who Got Rattled” – is the closest of the six stories to be a traditional western. But it’s not really.
“The Mortal Remains” – As the story unfolds, you might see it before the characters in the tale.
Many anthology movies falter when their stories vary in quality. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs doesn’t suffer in that respect. Each tale is entertaining.
It was cool how each segment is presented as part of an old book of short western stories. The art that accompanied each segment was perfect as well.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Sly Stallone is the “Tulsa King” by Steven Fain!
Steven Fain is a fan artist who occasionally takes commissions. I first saw Fain’s art on a bookmark for Anthony Neil Smith’s character Billy Lafitte (I highly recommend the Lafitte novel series if you like crime/hardboiled fiction). I subscribed to Steven Fain’s substack and saw more of his art which I liked.
So I reached out to request a sketch. I suggested two characters (Stallone from Tulsa King or Get Carter). Steven liked both ideas, so I ordered both!
“We Are What We Are” (2013) stars Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Ambyr Childers, Kelly McGillis, Wyatt Russell and Michael Parks / Z-View
We Are What We Are (2013)
Director: Jim Mickle
Screenplay: Nick Damici, Jim Mickle; based on the film We Are What We Are written and directed by Jorge Michel Grau
Stars: Bill Sage, Julia Garner, Ambyr Childers, Kelly McGillis, Wyatt Russell and Michael Parks.
Tagline: Blood is the strongest bond.
The Plot…
The Parker family, Frank, his wife Emma, and their three children, Iris, Rose and Rory are a sternly religious family that stays to themselves in their remote mountain home. The family is currently fasting until the date of their annual ritual. When Emma dies unexpectedly while in town, Frank sends Iris and Rose to claim her body. They return home empty-handed. An autopsy is required by the state.
Frank says that Iris and Rose will need to take on their mother’s duties for their family’s upcoming religious ceremony. Meanwhile the town doctor has made a surprising disovery while conducting Emma’s autopsy.
Could the doctor’s discovery have a connection to the human bones found in the mountain creek… and his missing daughter?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Julia Garner was still a few years away from her breakthough role in Ozark.
Michael Parks is always good. This role is no exception.
The last scenes go a bit over the top for my, uh, taste.
We Are What We Are (2013) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Momo: The Sam Giancana Story” (2011) / Z-View
“Momo: The Sam Giancana Story” (2011)
Director: Dimitri Logothetis
Screenplay: Nicholas Celozzi, Dimitri Logothetis
Stars: Jack Palance, Harold J. Stone, Barbara Lang, Edward Platt and Timothy Carey.
Tagline: Full length feature documentary about the life of one of the most notorious mob leaders in history as told by his family.
The Plot…
Sam Giancana rose to become one of the most powerful figures in the underworld. Giancana began a life of crime as a gang member when he was still in his teens. He became known as an excellent getaway driver. But unlike movie wheelmen, Giancana wasn’t hestiant to use a gun. Before he was 21, Giancana was the prime subject in three murder investigations. He wasn’t ever put on trial.
Giancana rose to power because of his willingness to make bold moves and take down those who didn’t come along. Giancana was present at the infamous 1957 organized crime meeting that tipped off authorities that organized crime was widespread and real.
Giancana is credited to have played a major role in getting John F. Kennedy elected. He reportedly worked with the C.I.A. on plans to assassinate Fidel Castro. It is documented that he shared a mistress with JFK and she carried messages back and forth for them. Rumors persist that Giancana was “behind” the Marilyn Monroe “suicide”. He may have been involved in the JFK assassination. Giancana was linked to the RFK assassination. His hatred for RFK is well-documented. Giancana was assassinated just days before he was to testify before a Senate Committee regarding the CIA-Mafia assassination plots.
Sam Giancana’s children present his life story through vintage photos, video, news reports, as well as their own remembrances.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
It’s hard to believe the amount of influence Sam Giancana had. Yet, despite all of his power, he was murdered in his own house by someone close to him.
“Momo: The Sam Giancana Story” (2011) rates 4 of 5 stars.
