I hope that "Phone Booth" is one of them. COLIN FARRELL and FORREST WHITACKER are the stars of the film which was delayed due to the Washington sniper killings.
The trailer is now on-line and looks great.
If you're like me, you won't wait any longer to see it!
If you're a regular ZZ reader, then you know how much I enjoy the artwork of Bill Marimon. I like Bill's work enough to create a web presence for him. Have you checked it out yet? If not you should.
Much of the time you'll find me talking about heroes here. Movie heroes... tv heroes... comic book heroes.. Today I want to remember some real life heroes. The pictures are of the Discovery's crew Top row from left are Navy Capt. David Brown, Pilot William McCool, Laurel Clark, Rick Husband, and bottomfrom left: Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, Israeli Air Force Col. Ilan Ramon. 
CHOW YUN-FAT ["Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"] is set to star in "Walk Like a Dragon." CHOW will play an Asian official who finds himself going against drug lords who have followed him to the US."Walk Like a Dragon" was originally developed to star DEWAYNE "The Rock" JOHNSON, who instead committed to the "Walking Tall" remake. [A "Walking Tall" remake?? I'd "Walk Like a Dragon" away from that project!]
I hadn't heard a lot about "Dark Blue" until recently. Sure, I knew that KURT RUSSELL was in it. And yeah, I knew it was a cop movie. Then I learned that VING RHAMES would co-star [another plus]. Next I saw the trailer... and discovered that this wouldn't be the normal "good cop" movie. From there I learned that JAMES ELROY was one of the screenwriters [still another plus]. After that I read the interview with KURT RUSSELL and I was sold.
Finally... well "finally" won't happen until the movie opens... and I'll finally get to see it.
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN ["Momento" "Insomnia"] has signed on to helm the next Batman movie. NOLAN was quoted as saying, "I grew up with Batman, I've been fascinated by him and I'm excited to contribute to the lore surrounding the character. He is the most credible and realistic of the superheroes and has the most complex human psychology. His superhero qualities come from within. He's not a magical character."
I'm adding another show to my "Must See TV" list. It's not a new show, and it's one that I've regularly watched since it's premiere. It's called "Alias" and is on ABC Sunday nights at 9PM. You're probably wondering why I'm just now adding "Alias" since I watch it every week. Good question.The reason is, "Alias" is not an easy show to get into. It's about a young woman who is a double agent for the CIA against an organization known as the Agency which has ties throughout the world and does really bad stuff [not quite world domination stuff but bad none the less]. The agent's father is also a double agent working toward the same goal... her mother was a double agent for the Russians but now may [or may not ] be working with the CIA. Her fiance was murdered when she told him about her connections but she now is getting involved with...
Did I loose you in there? Probably so... and therein lies the problem. The show is GREAT for fans who've been following from the start. The plot twists and character development have really worked. The action and production values are on par with most movies... but even given all that... for those unfortunate souls who've just tuned in for the first time, it probably was very confusing.
Well that's all about to change. The next few weeks will be a great jumping on point for anyone who wants to give the show a try. In addition to the regular cast [JENNIFER GARNER, VICTOR GARBER, LENA OLIN, RON RIFKIN, MICHAEL VARTAN] there will be guest stars such as RUTGAR HAUER, ETHAN HAWKE, and CHRISTIAN SLATER. So give it a shot. Who knows, maybe it'll make your "Must See TV" list.
Less than 90 minutes ago it was reported that BILLY JOEL had been in a car wreck and was hospitalized in stable condition. JOEL apparently went off the road and hit a tree on Friday evening. Specific details are still sketchy and the hospital has not released details of JOEL's injuries. As a longtime fan, I want to wish BILLY JOEL a speedy recovery.
Update January 26, 2003 10:07 AM EST - It has been reported that BILLY JOEL has been released from the hospital.
Bill Marimon is one of the nicest guys that you'd ever meet. Bill's worked for AC, DC [not the band], and Marvel. He's now available for commissions. [His art is great and his prices are reasonable -- can you think of a better combo?]
Can you imagine a party where the guests of honor included LINDA BLAIR, Insane Clown Posse, JIMMY "The Mouth of the South" Hart, JOHN BEATTY and other celebs in addition to THOUSANDS of fans? The FX show in Orlando was THAT party! Over the years I've been to many conventions and the FX show was the biggest to be able to retain the feeling of a small show. FX was obviously well planned and had something for everyone. The Orlando Convention Center is huge but this worked to the advantage of the show. Dozens and dozens of dealers were located throughout the hall. Collect toys? Every kind from board games to action figures were available. Looking for original art? Not only were several artists on hand, but at least three comic companies also set up booths. Want to see the car from "Knightrider?" It was there. Maybe you want to meet and get autographs from celebrities. Remember the guest list? They were all there and signing.
If you're getting the idea that I liked the FX show you'd be wrong. I loved it and am looking forward to the next show. If it sounds like something that you'd like then maybe then maybe we'll see you there. [Thanks to BigBeatty.com for use of the great photos!]
Sometimes after seeing a trailer you think, "I've seen this movie before." It's not that you really have, it's just that you've seen so many like it that you know EXACTLY what's going to happen. The question then becomes, is it going to be worth my time? Most often the answer is "no." In the case of "The Hunted," the answer, for me, is definitely, "yes."
Sure, it looks like "First Blood." And yeah, we've seen this kind of film many times before, but NOT with TOMMY LEE JONES and BENICIO DEL TORRO! They alone are worth the price of admission. I'm sure that The Hunted will take a lot of hits from critics for being derivative. I'm also sure that I'll be in the audience loving every minute of it!
AL HIRSCHFELD passed away today at the age of 99. AL HIRSCHFELD was known for hiding his daughter's name , NINA, in each of his pieces [sometimes more than once]. This tradition began in 1945. After about a month, Mr. HIRSCHFELD briefly stopped putting in the NINAs, but fans quickly complained and the NINAs were back to stay [along with a number indicating how many NINAs were hidden in each piece!].
Our thoughts and prayers go out to AL HIRSCHFELD's family and friends. [Thanks to John Beatty for the heads-up.]
I was really happy with the two wins yesterday. No, not the Bucs and the Raiders [although I was pulling for both of them]. I'm talking about "The Shield" winning a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Series and for MICHAEL CHIKLIS picking up one for Best Dramatic Actor. "The Shield" has been in my "Must See TV" category since it's premiere. I usually tell people that it's one of the two best shows going, but with yesterday's win, I'll drop the two.
MICHAEL JACKSON's face has made the news again. Or at least it will when it is the subject of a special edition of NBC's "Dateline" set to air at 10 p.m. EST Feb. 17th. When I first heard about this, it struck me as funny that a "news" program would seriously cover such a silly subject... but I have to admit I was kind of intrigued. No one can dispute that MICHAEL JACKSON is an extremely talented individual. But it would also be hard to argue that he's not getting more and more bizarre as the years go by. Thinking about the changes that have occurred in his behavior and his face, one could almost argue that as his actions get stranger his nose gets smaller. After MJ holding his baby over a fourth floor balcony, I might just have to tune to see if he still has one.
RICHARD CRENNA, the Emmy award-winning actor has died. He was 76. Mr. CRENNA, whose credits included all three "Rambo" films, "Body Heat," the classic suspense film "Wait Until Dark," as well as many other roles, died of pancreatic cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
RICHARD CRENNA is survived by wife and three adult children. A public service is to be held Jan. 25.
The movie is "Basic." Ok, then.
FRANK MILLER is a genius. Although he's worked in both movies and comics, it is in the latter that he has really made his mark. In the early '80s, MILLER re-invented Daredevil taking him from a thrid rate hero to one of the most popular comics hitting the stands. After Daredevil came Ronin, and then Dark Knight Returns, the series that woke up mainstream America to the fact that comics were still around. MILLER went on to create Batman: Year One, Sin City and the groundbreaking 300. But it is MILLER's SIN CITY series that remains my favorite. All of the stories are set in the same corrupt big city and quite often feature overlapping characters. Every tale is well worth the price of admission and now MILLER even has released a book dedicated to The Art of Sin City. My copy hasn't made it to the bookshelf yet, as I keep looking through and admiring the genius that is FRANK MILLER.
JOHN RIDLEY is best known for his "noir" novels. He wrote Stray Dogs which was turned into the cult classic movie "U-Turn" which starred SEAN PENN, JENNIFER LOPEZ [before she hit it big], and BILLY BOB THORTON. His other books have for the most part been in the same vein... The Drift is unlike anything that RIDLEY has written before. Well, that's not exactly true. You see, RIDLEY's other book s have all been very good and The Drift is no exception. In fact The Drift may be RIDLEY's best book yet.
The Drift is the story of a man[Charles Hanson] who seems to have it all... a good job, a loving wife and a child on the way. Charles sees it differently. He sees his life becoming more and more repetitive. He feels confined... until he decides to leave it all behind for a life on the rails. That's right, he decides to become a modern day hobo. He meets many strange characters [most who wish to do him harm] and has many adventures in his effort to save a young girl from the life he has chosen for himself. The problem is, he has to find her before she is murdered. To say more would be to say too much.
RUSSELL CROWE'S on a roll, and the trailer looks good. So it might be worth it to check out "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." [The title could use some help though...] Based on novels by PATRICK O'BRIAN, CROWE plays "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, Captain of the H.M.S. Surprise...
I don't know. Maybe it's because the "Kill Bill" trailer rocked so hard. Maybe it because TOM CRUISE has had such a great run in selecting projects. [OK... I do remember "Eyes Wide Shut"... but I didn't say perfect run, just a great one.]
At any rate I just saw this pic from CRUISE's "The Last Samurai" and after reading the synopsis, I have to say that it looks like it could be a winner.
MAURICE GIBB of the Bee Gees has died. He suffered cardiac arrest before abdominal surgery last week and had been listed in critical but stable condition. He was 53. I've always been a Bee Gees fan. I liked their music before the disco craze hit, loved the stuff that they did during it, and continued to enjoy their work even after it was no longer cool to do so. 53 is way to young to die.
We've lost another talent, but as cliche as it sounds, the music will live on. Our prayers go out to MAURICE GIBB's family, friends and fans.
VIN DIESEL's next film, "A Man Apart," has VIN playing a narcotics cop whose wife is murdered when when drug dealers attempt to kill him. Man, if they think he was after them before... Although the advance word has been mixed, the trailer looks pretty good and with VIN in the lead, ya gotta imagine that it'll do well.
Personally, I can't wait until DIESEL returns in "Pitch Black II: The Riddick Chronicles" but this will help get me through the wait.
Dreamfield Entertainment announced today that it has reached a licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures to market action figures and accessories based on WALTER HILL's 1979 classic "The Warriors." The toys are expected to be released this summer. I remember seeing "The Warriors" during it's initial theatrical release. I'm somewhat surprised that they're making aciton figures of it twenty years after its premiere. But then again, it is considered a cult classic and it does have characters that will make cool looking action figures.
Can you dig it? I knew you could.
GREG RUCKA is one of my favorite writers. Best known for his Atticus Kodiac novels, RUCKA has also written quite a few comics [including the very popular "White Out" series]. It has been announced that RUCKA is going to be the writer when Marvel unleashes a new Wolverine series next May. DARRICK ROBERTSON is going to provide the artwork and has this to say about RUCKA's take on Logan: "You will be getting a very, very different Wolverine... I think some fans aren't going to like it all. Greg sees Logan like the Hulk in that he shouldn't just go berserk all the time, but when he does, it's a big deal and there will be so much building up to his explosion, that we he does cut loose, it will be momentous."
The series seems to have a lot of potential. I know that I will be watching for the first issue.
There's been a lot of talk about "Joe Millionaire" the reality show on Fox. It scored high ratings with tons of people tuning in to see twenty single women competing for the attention of a bachelor that they are led to believe is a millionaire. The catch is that he isn't. He's a normal guy who brings down about $20,000 a year. First of all, why anyone would care a bit about women fighting to "win" the attention of any guy is beyond me. I guess I'm alone in that respect though. There have been a bunch of shows just like it... "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire"..."The Bachelor"... "The Bachelorette"... and now this... and I'm sure others to come.
Anyone here like BRUCE WILLIS? Ok, hands down. Anyone want to see BRUCE WILLIS team up with the director of "Training Day" for an action - adventure movie? I thought so.
Well then, click HERE to see the trailer and HERE to visit the official site. Class dismissed. See you tomorrow!
This weekend JOHN "Big" BEATTY and I will be attending the FX Collector's Toy, Comic and Fantasy Convention at Orlando's Orange County Convention center. As if this weren't reason enough to go, other guests scheduled to appear include LINDA ["The Exorcist"] BLAIR, DOUG ["Hellraiser"] BRADLEY, The Insane Clown Posse, and a whole bunch of comic book artists such as MARTIN NODELL, ALEX SAVIUK, and BILL BLACK.
JOHN BEATTY has been my best friend forever. So I'm really happy to say that he's starting to kick his personal web site into high gear. It's going to be a blast. Many of you probably know of JOHN through his work for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, etc. JOHN is still doing some work in comics [he's currently inking Birds of Prey over CASEY JONES] but is also expanding into T-Shirt Design and more. The business "stuff" will be available online at Big Shot Graphics and the fun stuff will be on his personal site and I can promise you that it's going to be a hoot. Be advised the humor and language will sometimes not be for kids.
STEVE NILES writes a mean hard-boiled novel. He also writes a wicked horror novel. What makes NILES unique is that he does this in the same book! Guns, Drugs and Monsters is actually the second in a [hopefully long-running] series featuring Cal MacDonald. Cal is a human with the gift / curse that he knows that monsters walk among us. He knows this because he hunts them. Well, a guy has to make a living somehow, doesn't he? NILES skillfully combines the best elements of CHANDLER and HAMMETT along with a dose of KING, plus a good bit of humor as well. I read through Guns, Drugs and Monsters in nearly one sitting [it's that much fun]. It also features spot illustrations by ASHLEY WOOD that are the icing on the cake. I've already ordered Savage Membrane [the book that started the series]. If it's just half as good as Guns then I'll still have a winner.
I just saw the trailer to "Kill Bill." Four times. I'll watch it again after I post this. It's that good. Everything works... the colors, the heightened reality, the MUSIC, the editing, the action... oh baby, the ACTION!
It's been a while since there's been a movie that I've really looked forward to seeing as much as "Narc." The positive buzz on the film has been building, the trailer makes it look like the real deal and the web site made me want to see it even more.
The second season of "The Shield" premieres January 7th at 10PM. If you've missed some episodes along the way then I'd suggest that you check out "The Shield" Marathon starting tonight. FX will run back to back episodes each night at 10PM January 1st - 6th. This will lead right into the new season. "The Shield" is widely considered to be one of the best shows on tv. And rightly so. 
Although I've never met her, the reports that she expects people to treat her as royalty... that she demands that people not look her in the eye and that they must ALWAYS refer to her as MISS ROSS has never set well with me. MISS ROSS, indeed. Well, this came over the news wire just seven minutes ago: TUCSON, Ariz. - Singer DIANA ROSS was arrested early Monday on suspicion of drunken driving, police said. A breath test showed the pop diva with a blood-alcohol level of 0.20 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent... Police pulled ROSS over after someone alerted them to a swerving vehicle...
ROSS, 58, received misdemeanor citations for driving under the influence; driving with a blood-alcohol content over 0.08; and extreme DUI, or having a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.15 percent. Her initial court appearance was set for Jan. 13. After arresting ROSS, police gave her a ride to where she was staying, Altieri said.
I guess we should just refer to her now as Miss Demeanor. [Yeah, I know but I couldn't resist.]
The last time the TZ Marathon ran, I recommended "Terror at 20,000 Feet" and "To Serve Man." They're my favorites and if you can only catch two, then they're the two. If you're looking to expand your horizons, then I suggest "The Invaders" which will start at 9:06 on December 31st. "The Invaders" is the story of an old woman who lives alone, way out where there are no neighbors or electricity. Her life is changed forever when a miniature space ship carrying invaders arrives. How will she survive when they come after her?
HERB RITTS died today. He was only 50 years old... and such a talent. RITTS was best known for his celebrity photographs. The black and white photo that Mr. RITTS took of SLY is one of the most requested on my main site. Although best known for his black and white celebrity portraits, "unglamorized portraits of glamorous people," as David Fahey, RITTS' gallery representative, once told the Los Angeles Times, he was equally adept with moving pictures. In 1991 RITTS won as MTV's Director of the Year for both the Male Video of the Year [CHRIS ISAAK] and Female Video of the Year [JANET JACKSON]. HERB RITTS photographed just about everyone ranging from MADONNA to the DALAI LAMA.
HERB RITTS is survived by his mother, Shirley Ritts; a brother, Rory; a sister, Christy; and his partner, Erik Hyman. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
I really wasn't planning a Zablo Zone update on Christmas, but I just read that KEN TOBEY died on December 22 at the age of 85. Many of you might not recognize the name, but I'm sure you'd recognize his face. Mr. TOBEY appeared in 100 movies and made nearly as many tv show appearances.If you'd ask me to list my favorite actors, it 'd have been a while before I got around to listing his name. Reading that he'd passed on though, reminded me of just how many times he has entertained me. Check out his filmography and list of tv appearances and I'm sure that you'll feel the same way.
So that's why I decided to do an update... because what better gift can you get on Christmas, than one filled with fond memories?
What is the old saying? Be careful what you ask for... because you just might get it. Dick Giordano tells a great story that illustrates just that point. If you don't know who Mr. Giordano is, let me simply say, he's one of the legends of comics. In addition to inking all of the best artists of the last 50 years, Dick was also the head honcho of DC Comics [you know, the folks who publish Superman, and Batman], worked with Neal Adams at Continuity Studios, and currently co-owns, with Bob Layton, Future Comics.
Dick had the assignment of pencilling a cover that featured a sexy female super-hero. He turned in the pencils for final approval and received back a note from the editor who shall remain nameless [ *cough* Jim Shooter *cough*]. The note said, "Make her breasts bigger."
Now Dick is known for drawing well-endowed women. He shook his head and went back and re-drew the breasts larger. He sent the artwork back to the editor.
Once again the page was sent back to Dick and this time with a note that simply stated: "MORE BREASTS."
Dick didn't want to disappoint the editor so he sat back down, drew a third breast on the character and sent the page back in. Needless to say, it wasn't returned again.
One of the comics I enjoyed as a boy was The Rawhide Kid. The Rawhide Kid was young, quick with a gun and thought to be an outlaw but wasn't. He traveled from town to town, stayed long enough to right a wrong and then moved on. He never drew his gun first, was shy and even drank milk. He even had a real cool "costume" that was easily recognizable. Sure, he sounds like a cliché, but don't most kids' comics when you break them down into the essentials? At any rate, he was a great role model for a young 'un like myself. 
Yikes! Sorry, if I scared you with the picture to the left.As you're probably aware, if you read my Zablo Zone commentaries, I enjoy unexplained phenomena, conspiracy theories and the like. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fanatic but I do enjoy them from time to time.
If you do as well, then check out Anomalies Unlimited. It's a site dedicated to strange stuff... UFOs, Aliens, Conspiracy Theories, the missing link... You can find all kinds of interesting stuff here.
Some will amuse you [optical illusions], some will surprise you [Disney secrets],some may intrigue you [aliens, ufo's, etc.] and some will gross you out [odd pics]. And some items, like the one about the Evolution of Michael Jackson's Nose will do all of the above.
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Eric Powell writes and draws "The Goon" which is published by Albatross Exploding Funny Books. The Goon combines horror, sci-fi, humor, zombies, ufos, humor, gangsters, humor, werewolves... well, let's just say anything that Eric wants to write or draw about would work in the series. And did I mention that it's fun and funny?Right now the second issue of the second series is on newstands. But don't worry, you can still get all of the back issues and a trade edition is coming in January. I'll be getting it, even though I already have the issues off the stands. That should tell you just how much I enjoy Eric's work. I'll bet you would too.
So check out his site, and tell him I sent ya! [If ya don't expect a visit from The Goon -- and I ain't talking about Big Beatty or myself!!]
