Join Jason Elizondo (a.k.a. robotGEEK) and myself as we weigh the pros and cons of Sylvester Stallone's "ultimate director's cut"... ROCKY IV: ROCKY VS. DRAGO.
And, remember... There's no easy... no easy... no easy way ouu-oo-tttt...
Posts
11 years ago
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
CineCraze: KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park (...and Shayna Ross!)
Well, it's a strange way...
Join my special guest, Shayna Ross and myself for an appreciative discussion of KISS and their cult classic made for T.V. movie, KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM OF THE PARK, which released during the Halloween season of 1978.
RIP, RIP, RIP & DESTROY!!!
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
NEW EPISODE! Random Musings (Video Store Daze & Other Ramblings)
Dig in to the latest episode of CineCraze! Join me for a fun conversation with an ol' chum, Mr. Brandon Blake (a.k.a. "The Pinchcliffe Hustler") as we reminisce about our days working at ye olde video shoppe, talk TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and QT/RR's GRINDHOUSE along with many more fanciful topics.
Monday, May 31, 2021
CineCraze Goes YouTube!
So, it's been a minute and a half, hasn't it?
Well, I've finally begun an extension of this blog via YouTube. Granted, I've had a CineCraze YouTube channel for several years now, but I've revamped things a bit and plan to provide original cinema-related content henceforth. And, I've enlisted the great John Putch for my introductory episode. I had such a great time interviewing Putch last year (along with my partner in crime, Jason Rutledge) for the JAWS 3-D retrospective of our podcast, The Smooth Thrills Radio Hour.
From acting to filmmaking, Putch has done just about everything and, as a result, has oodles of great stories, so continuing the conversation seemed like the perfect first excursion into those often choppy YouTubin' waters.
Check out the episode here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIdx74g3X9Y&t=1847s
There shall be more to come!
Ciao for now!
-Nathan
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Behind Them Scenes: SUPER FLY T.N.T.
SUPER FLY T.N.T.
Paramount Pictures, 1973
A Sig Shore Production
Directed by Ron O'Neal
Starring Ron O'Neal and Roscoe Lee Brown
Friday, June 21, 2019
I'M BACK!
Greetings & Salutations!
Did ya miss me? Did ya even know I was gone? Did I miss me? Did I even know I was gone? Meh, who knows?
It's been five long years to the day and I have no good excuse. Well, the computer I used to post on here from went kaput soon after that last post. The loss of so much content pretty much killed my desire to post new material. (Hell, I was consistently inconsistent anyhow.)
Whatever the case, I have returned. I hope to keep up with this baby. I've truly missed it.
Happy trails...
-Nathan
Monday, July 21, 2014
TIMECOP ROCK!
Just the other day (or was it the other week?), I was scrolling the eBay and came across what might be the best eBay listing ever...
Thursday, July 03, 2014
View-Masterpiece Thursday!
WHUH?!
That's right!
More reels I wish were real...
Special thanks to Phyllis Davis for... you know... being Phyllis Davis and all.
VERY special thanks!
That's right!
More reels I wish were real...
Special thanks to Phyllis Davis for... you know... being Phyllis Davis and all.
VERY special thanks!
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Videophile Nostalgia: Incredible Universe
I cherish the salad days of electronics stores. You know, the days when you could walk into a store and not get bombarded by some scripted asshole working for DirecTV who "wants to help," only has a "quick question" and would love to shake your hand. Anyhow, yes... it was the 1990's, the obvious answer to the 1980's. And Incredible Universe was the obvious answer to RadioShack.
If you were lucky enough to have one near you, you might have experienced it's grand metropolis-like grandeur. Appliances galore, but most importantly for me, they had one hell of a media section. Aisles upon aisles of VHS, divided by genre and, my personal favorite, the "budget section." Not to mention the awesome clearance bins upon entering the department. (A Paragon issue ONE ARMED EXECUTIONER for $3.99?! Don't mind if I do!) And, they had LASERDISCS! A shit ton of 'em! At the time, I didn't have a laserdisc player, but I definitely perused these racks knowing exactly what I was missing. The music section was also just as insane. Where else, back then, could you pick up Alan Howarth's score to HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS and a Buzzcocks compilation? INCREDIBLE UNIVERSE! Did I mention they were INCREDIBLE?!
Sadly, Incredible Universe folded in the late '90s and most all of their locations (I think they had under twenty stores throughout the United States) were converted to Fry's Electronics, keeping the basic designs the same (i.e. exterior). And if you look at their delivery trucks closely, you can still spot the layered IU logo beneath the black paint overcoat.
So, in an effort to "remember when" and collect a few remnants, I thought I'd make a post about it.
"Like to hear it? Here it goes..."
Here's an ad for the Arlington, Texas location (which is now a Fry's and also my home away from home)...
Black Friday '97 Commercial (Back when 8 a.m. was considered early... and Black Friday was held on a FRIDAY, unlike the current & increasingly ridiculous steamrolling trend by retailers of the Thanksgiving holiday)...
They also had live demonstrations and live music performances (keep in mind it was the '90s, folks... and a FREE concert)...
Yep. Those were the days.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
View-Masterpiece Theater Returns!
Another installment of my fantasized View-Master reels is long overdue. So, here's the first batch, with more on the way. Enjoy!
Friday, February 07, 2014
The Wayfarin' Stranger Returns!
Hello, Ladies (Stephen Merchant-style)...
Well, it has been over a year since I last contributed to this blog, which sucks because I'm the sole contributor. So... tumbleweeds.
I suppose that I truly have no good excuse, other than wanting to take some virtual time off. But the good news (or bad, depending on your outlook) is that I have returned...
FROM THE DEAD!
Later on!
-Nathan
Monday, September 17, 2012
Butt seriously...
You never know what you'll find when searching eBay.
Being the avid Jean-Claude Van Damme fan that I am, I was searching TIMECOP movie memorabilia (yeah, da's right!) when I came across something that truly boggled my mind... a one of a kind painting/mock poster for the Van Damme-less sequel, TIMECOP 2: THE BERLIN DECISION. While I haven't seen the film, I do know that it stars Jason Scott Lee and Thomas Ian Griffith, but not Mick Jagger in a dual role as this particular artwork suggests.
The artist is South African and such works were, most likely, done to promote films at a local video store which might not have had access to the typical publicity materials. Either that or he's a huge fan of re-rendering published artwork as a pastime. Such posters weren't uncommon in decades past, but TIMECOP 2 is a 2003 film and this is the first I've seen of such works within the 21st century.
As I had suspected, there's a slew of mock posters listed among the seller's other items. Again, these are all a bit mind-boggling to me, but so extraordinarily bad (and dare I say kitschy?!), that I had to collect photos of some of the worst of the worst to share here. Happy viewing!
Not a horrible copy, yet the damsel in distress has a bad case of wonky vision.
Upon closer inspection, I don't recall Maria Conchito Alonso being in this. Hmmm...
More like CRAYONS VS. FINGERPAINTS
a.k.a. AGAINST THE PORK
Judging from the "babe" to the right, there's more than one snake threat in this film.
Co-starring Demond Wilson as Carl Weathers and Terry "Hulk" Hogan as "Big Dummy."
Never heard of this one, but I'm oddly intrigued... just not arranging-a-vacation-to-South-Africa-to-rent-this intrigued.
All this time, I thought Michelle Rodriguez co-starred in this BRUTAL FILM!
How do we trick customers into renting BLOODRAYNE 2 instead of the original BLOODRAYNE? (Pssstttt... We won't paint a "2" on the poster!)
"Hi, Valley Home Video? Yes, I was in your store earlier today and meant to pick up that Sinbad movie starring Patrick Wayne, but when I got home and opened the rental case, the tape for THE CALIF OF BAGDAD was in it's place. Apparently, it co-stars a woman who has endured several upon several brick hits to the face ...and I had my heart set on Jane Seymour. I want my 1.50 in shillings credited to my account, please."
Steve Austin or Chunk Voorhees? You decide!
"I need to commission another poster from you. Turns out that neither Johnny Depp nor Omar Epps star in BLOOD DIAMOND."
I've never heard of this one and that's the end of discussion ...2.
Fuck it. I think I'll rent LA BAMBA again.
Obviously not the Clive Barker film and it looks to be a real hack job. Gerf!
When you're IN HELL, advertising that you are "in" IN HELL is nothing short of redundant.
For the uninitiated, this represents the short-lived MORTAL KOMBAT: CONQUEST television series. I was a fan. Better than the movies, in my opinion. Anyway... well, I've got nothing. I just like MKC.
OUTSIDE THE LAW and outside the realm of possibility that we're supposed to believe that's Cynthia Rothrock.
First of all, they've confused their David Carradine with their Martin Sheen. Secondly, this one isn't that bad and a much more realistic build to Carradine's character than the U.S. one sheet boasted. A Cannon Group fave!
I've had little to no interest in seeing QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY and this certainly isn't helping.
Anthony LaPage?! Anne Parilla?! Who the fuck is Joe Gennaro?! While I love John Landis' film, I don't think I'm ready for this alternate version which apparently stars Danny Thomas and Taimak.
You ARE trying to entice viewers, right?
POTTY BREAK!
RONNY COX?!
Clearly this isn't THE ROAD WARRIOR, but I'd suspect that it's THUNDER WARRIOR instead, since that definitely looks like Mark Gregory, but that doesn't look like Bo Svenson. Ah, hell... I give up!
Alright, aside from the non-intimidating small henchman in the bottom right corner, this doesn't look too bad.
Fact: I'm a Daniel Bernhardt fan. Another fact: TRUE VENGEANCE is my favorite of his films. Another 'nother fact: Paul Le Mat does not appear in this film. One more another fact: Unless this is a composite version which incorporates scenes from Bernhardt's BLOODSPORT II: THE NEXT KUMITE, there should be no Kumite-leaping action on this poster.
I have no clue what film they're representing with this one, but ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE lawyers should take note!
Just when you thought this post was over, you've taken a second WRONG TURN and are now you're riding an inbred, big wheel nightmare in a cul-de-sac just south of nowhere. Be scared!
Being the avid Jean-Claude Van Damme fan that I am, I was searching TIMECOP movie memorabilia (yeah, da's right!) when I came across something that truly boggled my mind... a one of a kind painting/mock poster for the Van Damme-less sequel, TIMECOP 2: THE BERLIN DECISION. While I haven't seen the film, I do know that it stars Jason Scott Lee and Thomas Ian Griffith, but not Mick Jagger in a dual role as this particular artwork suggests.
The artist is South African and such works were, most likely, done to promote films at a local video store which might not have had access to the typical publicity materials. Either that or he's a huge fan of re-rendering published artwork as a pastime. Such posters weren't uncommon in decades past, but TIMECOP 2 is a 2003 film and this is the first I've seen of such works within the 21st century.
As I had suspected, there's a slew of mock posters listed among the seller's other items. Again, these are all a bit mind-boggling to me, but so extraordinarily bad (and dare I say kitschy?!), that I had to collect photos of some of the worst of the worst to share here. Happy viewing!
Not a horrible copy, yet the damsel in distress has a bad case of wonky vision.
Upon closer inspection, I don't recall Maria Conchito Alonso being in this. Hmmm...
More like CRAYONS VS. FINGERPAINTS
a.k.a. AGAINST THE PORK
Judging from the "babe" to the right, there's more than one snake threat in this film.
Co-starring Demond Wilson as Carl Weathers and Terry "Hulk" Hogan as "Big Dummy."
Never heard of this one, but I'm oddly intrigued... just not arranging-a-vacation-to-South-Africa-to-rent-this intrigued.
All this time, I thought Michelle Rodriguez co-starred in this BRUTAL FILM!
How do we trick customers into renting BLOODRAYNE 2 instead of the original BLOODRAYNE? (Pssstttt... We won't paint a "2" on the poster!)
"Hi, Valley Home Video? Yes, I was in your store earlier today and meant to pick up that Sinbad movie starring Patrick Wayne, but when I got home and opened the rental case, the tape for THE CALIF OF BAGDAD was in it's place. Apparently, it co-stars a woman who has endured several upon several brick hits to the face ...and I had my heart set on Jane Seymour. I want my 1.50 in shillings credited to my account, please."
Steve Austin or Chunk Voorhees? You decide!
"I need to commission another poster from you. Turns out that neither Johnny Depp nor Omar Epps star in BLOOD DIAMOND."
I've never heard of this one and that's the end of discussion ...2.
Fuck it. I think I'll rent LA BAMBA again.
Obviously not the Clive Barker film and it looks to be a real hack job. Gerf!
When you're IN HELL, advertising that you are "in" IN HELL is nothing short of redundant.
For the uninitiated, this represents the short-lived MORTAL KOMBAT: CONQUEST television series. I was a fan. Better than the movies, in my opinion. Anyway... well, I've got nothing. I just like MKC.
OUTSIDE THE LAW and outside the realm of possibility that we're supposed to believe that's Cynthia Rothrock.
First of all, they've confused their David Carradine with their Martin Sheen. Secondly, this one isn't that bad and a much more realistic build to Carradine's character than the U.S. one sheet boasted. A Cannon Group fave!
I've had little to no interest in seeing QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY and this certainly isn't helping.
Anthony LaPage?! Anne Parilla?! Who the fuck is Joe Gennaro?! While I love John Landis' film, I don't think I'm ready for this alternate version which apparently stars Danny Thomas and Taimak.
You ARE trying to entice viewers, right?
POTTY BREAK!
RONNY COX?!
Clearly this isn't THE ROAD WARRIOR, but I'd suspect that it's THUNDER WARRIOR instead, since that definitely looks like Mark Gregory, but that doesn't look like Bo Svenson. Ah, hell... I give up!
Alright, aside from the non-intimidating small henchman in the bottom right corner, this doesn't look too bad.
Fact: I'm a Daniel Bernhardt fan. Another fact: TRUE VENGEANCE is my favorite of his films. Another 'nother fact: Paul Le Mat does not appear in this film. One more another fact: Unless this is a composite version which incorporates scenes from Bernhardt's BLOODSPORT II: THE NEXT KUMITE, there should be no Kumite-leaping action on this poster.
I have no clue what film they're representing with this one, but ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE lawyers should take note!
Just when you thought this post was over, you've taken a second WRONG TURN and are now you're riding an inbred, big wheel nightmare in a cul-de-sac just south of nowhere. Be scared!
Monday, June 25, 2012
A Truly Odd Coupling
Yes, it seems a bit strange, but considering these were two of Paramount's biggest money makers in 1968, this double bill does seem quite fitting.
Damn, I wish I was around during that time to catch this!
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