“The Train to Busan” 10th Anniversary Poster (by Oliver Barrett) and Trailer are Here!

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The Train to Busan 10th Anniversary Poster (by Oliver Barrett) and Trailer are Here!

It’s hard to believe Train to Busan is ten years old.  It is the film that helped redefine the zombie genre and introduced Don Lee to a worldwide audience.  Train to Busan remains one of my favorite horror/zombie films.  Getting a chance to visit (or revisit) Train to Busan on the big screen is something that shouldn’t be missed.

Deal me in.

TRAIN TO BUSAN | 10th Anniversary Official Trailer | In Theaters August 14

Board the train. Face the nightmare.

The modern zombie masterpiece returns for its 10th Anniversary, only in theaters August 14. 🎟️ Tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/TrainToBusan-Tickets

Yeon Sang-ho’s global phenomenon Train to Busan arrives back in theaters to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. What begins as a simple birthday trip for a father and daughter turns into a high-octane fight for survival when a zombie outbreak ravages South Korea. Trapped on a speeding train, they must navigate a landscape of terror to reach safety. Experience the relentless action and heart-wrenching drama on the big screen like never before.

Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho

Starring: Gong Yoo, ​​​​​​​Jung Yu-mi, Don Lee, Choi Woo-sik, An So-hee, Kim Eui-sung, Kim Su-an

Synopsis: The film that redefined the zombie genre celebrates its 10th Anniversary. Experience Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan on the big screen as a father and daughter fight to survive a nightmarish outbreak trapped on a speeding train.

“A Day’s Pleasure” (1919) written, directed & starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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A Day’s Pleasure (1919)

Director:  Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan.

Tagline: “A DAY’S PLEASURE”. You’ll say so!

The Plot…

Charlie just wants to take his family out for a day’s pleasure.  And he will if…

  • he can get his jalopy started
  • get his family on a boat, enjoy the sailing through the waves, the crowded dance floor, and the big man who is upset
  • and make it home past roadwork and an angry cop.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Way back in 1919, Charlie Chaplin does the “leaning” move that Michael Jackson would make famous in his Smooth Criminal video.

A Day’s Pleasure (1919) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Mayday” starring Ryan Reynolds & Kenneth Branagh – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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When I saw the poster for Mayday, I had negative feelings.  I’m not a big Ryan Reynolds fan.  I initially thought he and Kenneth Branagh were making snow angels.  Ah, another dumb buddy comedy.

I think I was wrong.

Yeah, Mayday is a comedy… but it is an action comedy.  The trailer makes it look like the right mix of action and comedy.  Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh (who I didn’t recognize) look to have good chemistry.   And Branagh makes for a tough guy! (Who’d have thought that?)  Oh, and in the poster, they’re not making snow angels, they are sliding down a mountain!

Deal me in!

Kenneth Branagh’s steely eyes alone could’ve ended the Cold War.

Mayday on ‪@AppleTV‬.

“The Whisper Man” starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Adam Scott – The Poster & Trailer are Here!

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Here are the poster and trailer for The Whisper Man starring Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan and Adam Scott.

Deal me in.

The deadliest killers can’t be silenced.

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Alex North. When his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired former police detective, for help, only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as “The Whisper Man.”

“Dog Stars” Directed by Ridley Scott – The Final Trailer is Here!

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The final trailer for The Dog Stars directed by Ridley Scott; starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce is here.

Deal me in.

The world that was doesn’t exist. THE DOG STARS, a Ridley Scott film, starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley, arrives in theaters and IMAX August 28.

Based on Peter Heller’s captivating bestseller, “The Dog Stars” features a critically acclaimed ensemble, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce.

The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, based upon the novel by Peter Heller, and the producers are Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Michael Pruss, p.g.a., Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts, p.g.a., with Lily Brooks-Dalton, Brandon Scott Smith, Peter Heller, Aidan Elliott serving as executive producers.

The film tells the story of Hig (Jacob Elordi), a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley (Josh Brolin), has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world. But when Hig receives a mysterious radio transmission, he ventures into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exist.

“An Eastern Westerner” (1920) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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An Eastern Westerner (1920)

Director:  Hal Roach

Screenplay: Frank Terry, H.M. Walker

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young. 

Tagline: A Riot of Rollicking Fun!

The Plot…

Harold is the son of wealthy parents.  Harold parties all night and sleeps during the day.  In an effort to toughen up his son, Harold is sent to his Uncle’s ranch out west.  Harold arrives in the frontier town of Piute Pass.

Almost immediately Harold becomes smitten with a beautiful woman.  The girl, along with her father are seeking work from Tiger Lip Tompkins.  He’s the hardcase that runs the town.  When the girl refuses Tiger Lip’s advances, he kidnaps her father.

Meanwhile Harold is literally dealing with cardsharps, roughnecks and gunslingers.  When Harold learns of the girl’s problem, he decides to win her over, by saving her dad.

Mount up!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harold Lloyd made this film after an accident that cost him his right thumb and index finger.  For the rest of his career Lloyd wore a flesh-colored prosthetic glove.  Despite the loss of fingers, Lloyd was able to continue his acrobatic stunts.

This film is made in 1920, but it’s obvious that Cowboy movies had already established many of the troupes we expect to see: evil gunslinger who runs the town, damsel in distress, saloon card games and card sharks, barroom brawls, etc.

One of the John Wick 2 posters pays homage to the poster for An Eastern Westerner.

An Eastern Westerner (1920) rates 5 of 5 stars.

THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO is Coming!

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If you missed out on THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO Kickstarter, boy are you in luck!  THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO will be released on January 19, 2027.  Here’s the lowdown…

Alien Books proudly presents THE ART OF EDUARDO RISSO, a carefully curated hardcover art book celebrating the legendary Argentine comic book artist!

Celebrate award-winning comics artist Eduardo Risso with this glorious new hardcover art book full of sketches, covers, and never-before-seen artwork!

Created in partnership with Eduardo Risso, this must-have volume includes behind-the-scenes looks at many of Risso’s most iconic works from his time at DC and Vertigo, including Batman, Jonah Hex, Flashpoint, Before Watchmen, and 100 Bullets; Marvel favorites such as Spider-Man and Wolverine; Image Comics’ acclaimed noir-horror series Moonshine; Valiant’s Bloodshot; classic adventure icon Zorro and much more!

EVERYBODY KNOWS by Jordan Harper / Z-View

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EVERYBODY KNOWS by Jordan Harper

First sentence…

Los Angeles burns.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Mae Pruett is a “black-bag” publicist working for Mitnick & Associates, the most powerful PR firm in LA.  Her job is not to spread positive news about clients. It’s to make sure that harmful, incriminating items about clients don’t get out.  Hollywood insiders call her PR firm “The Beast”.  Everyone working there is good.  Mae is one of the best.

Mae learned early on that it’s not that the truth is unimportant — it’s that the truth doesn’t matter.

Dan Hennigan, Mae’s mentor, gives Mae a cryptic message.  Dan wants to meet with Mae away from the firm.  Before they can meet Dan is gunned down in a failed car jacking.

Or so it seems.

Mae believes that Dan’s murder was anything but random.  If Dan was killed for what he knew, those behind Dan’s murder might believe Dan passed the information on to Mae.  Mae needs to know, so she begins an off-the-books investigation.

Chris Tamburro used to be Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputy.  Chris lost his badge after a controversial shooting.  Truth is, Chris and many on his squad could have been fired over other brutal and unethical activities.  Chris now works for Black Guard, a security firm that has ties to “The Beast”.  Chris is the perfect hire.  He’s an ex-cop, unafraid to use his tactical training, knowledge of the law, and willingness to bust heads as needed.

When Black Guard sends Chris to investiage Dan Hennigan’s murder, he crosses paths with Mae.  Chris and Mae had history, but it’s been a few years.  As Mae and Chris follow leads, they discover they still have chemistry… and Dan’s murder wasn’t random.

Now Mae and Chris have a choice. Walk away and go back to their lives protecting wealthy executives, celebs, politicians and influencers who feel they are above the law.  Or follow their leads and try to take down a powerful cabal behind human trrafficking,  blackmail, murder and more.

Mae and Chris aren’t going to walk away.

+++

Jordan Harper has another winner.  EVERYBODY KNOWS is fast paced and well written.  Harper spins a tale that takes us behind the curtain and could have come from today’s headlines.  EVERYBODY KNOWS gets my highest recommendation.

Rating:

“The Immigrant” (1919) directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin / Z-View

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The Immigrant (1917)

Director:  Charlie Chaplin

Screenplay: Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell

Stars:  Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell. 

Tagline:  None.

The Plot…

Charlie, The Little Tramp, is on a freighter to America.  On the journey Charlie sees a young woman traveling with her mother.  He’s attacted to her.  She seems interested in him.  Perhaps a new life together in America is in their future.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

In The Immigrant Chaplin creates a nice mix of humor and romance.  Highlights include the Little Tramp in a card game with roughnecks, Charlie helping the woman and her mother by secretly slipping money into her belongings but being caught with his hand in her stuff and then accused of attempting to steal, plus an extended bit coming up short of cash in a restaurant.

Because The Immigrant wasn’t properly copyrighted, many inferior copies are out there.  Be aware!

The Immigrant (1917) rates 4 of 5 stars.

Nick Levy Presents The Universal Monsters and the Absolute Truth!

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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) written, directed and starring Duke Mitchell / Z-View

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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.

Jack Carter and John Wick by Rich Hennemann!

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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.