Sly Stallone is Rambo by Nate Niles!
Sly Stallone as Rambo by Nate Niles. Nate’s a young artist to watch for. Nate was “introduced” to me by Jarrod Alberich, The Yard Sale Artist. The two of them created Hamilton Vs. Burr: A Werewolf Tale!
“The Widower: ‘Till Death Do Us Part” (2026) / Z-View
The Widower: ‘Til Death Do Us Part (2026)
Director: Chris Smith
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Thomas Randolph called 911. He said that his wife, Sharon Causse, was killed by a home invader. Randolph said that he then shot and killed the intruder. It turned out that Randolph knew the man. His name was Michael Miler. Further, it was proved that Randolph conspired with Miller to kill his wife and then Randolph killed Miller.
As a reporter looked into this case it was discovered that Sharon Causse was Randolph’s sixth wife. Four of his wives had died of suspicious circumstances. As Randolph’s case became known he was dubbed the “Black Widower“.
Get this –
- In 1978, Randolph was convicted of first degree murder. He was initially given a death sentence, which ultimately was changed to 25 years to life. After serving approximately five years, Randolph was released on parole.
- In 1983, Randolph married his second wife. He claimed she committed suicide and he collected $500,000.00. A witness came forward to accuse Randolph of killing his wife. Randolph went to trial and was acquitted. BUT, when it was discovered Randolph tried to hire a hitman to kill the witness, he pled guilty to third-degree witness tampering (instead of going to trial for conspiracy to commit murder). Randolph sentenced up to five years. He was paroled after one and half.
- Randolph’s third wife was married to him for just one year. She died six years after the divorce from cancer.
- Randolph’s fourth wife divorced him after a gun “discharged” near her. They were married for two years.
- Randolph’s fifth wife died not long after a successful heart surgery. Her family suspected foul play and a wrongful death suit was filed.
- Randolph’s sixth wife was the murder that brought to light Randolph’s past.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If Randolph hadn’t been released early from prison for his first attempted murder charge, he couldn’t have killed all of these women.
Later, when he was charged for conspiracy to commit murder which could result in his second life sentence, he was allowed to plead down to up to five years behind bars… and served less than two. That is a sad commentary on our justice system.
Many documentaries would have made Randolph’s story a mini-series. I applaud the filmmaker(s) for just needing one and a half hours.
The Widower: ‘Til Death Do Us Part (2026) rates…
Sly Stallone is Cosmo Carboni from “Paradise Alley” by Bill Black!
I’ve known Bill Black for over forty years. Bill began his professional comics career in 1969 illustrating horror stories for Warren Publications’ CREEPY and EERIE magazines. Since then Bill worked in advertising and in film production and illustrated comics for Marvel.
Bill’s real claim to fame came when he started AC Comics, one of the first 5 Independent comic book publishers in America and the only one of that group still in business. Over the years Bill has done it all — writer, penciler, inker, painter, publisher. What an amazing career!
I’ve been fortunate to know Bill as a friend. I say fortunate because Bill is one of the most positive, fun people I’ve ever met. In 2022, Bill gifted me his take on Sly Stallone as Cosmo Carboni from Paradise Alley. We were sitting and talking at his table during a Daytona Beach Comic Convention and he whipped this out.
CRONE by Keith Rosson / Z-View
CRONE by Keith Rosson
First sentences…
The van is blue.
Okay, Hannah thinks the van is blue, with the rain beading her glasses, and the way, even in the best of times, that nighttime diminishes her vision, presses everything into vague smears of flattened color, it’s hard to tell.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Eli Lamp used to be a respected police detective. But that was years ago. Before his wife died in childbirth. Before he began drinking too much. Before he started using. Before he lost his job.
Eli loved his daughter Hannah, but his parenting sucked. Then when Hannah was fifteen, walking home at night from a party with a friend, she got into a van… and was never seen again.
That was thirteen years ago.
Eli spent every penny he had in his search for Hannah. But it was his run-in with the Brother Night motorcycle gang that cost Eli the most. Dave Novak, the leader of a rival gang, the Crooked Wheel motorcycle gang helped Eli. Now to pay off his debt Eli works as an enforcer and bag man for Novak. Eli busts heads, makes the weekly drop to the corrupt Sheriff and whatever else Novak needs done.
When Novak’s grown son is found brutally murdered with his body mutilated, Novak wants revenge. He orders Eli to use his detective skills to find the killer. Eli reluctantly agrees when Novak says Eli’s debt will be cancelled if he finds the killer.
Eli’s investigation leads to Avery Bryant. Avery was his daughter Hannah’s best friend. As Eli digs deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy that goes back decades. It may provide the key to his daughter’s disappearance and something that defies rationale explanation.
+++
Keith Rosson is a relatively new author to me. Earlier this year I read his FEVER HOUSE, followed it with the sequel DEVIL BY NAME and now CRONE. Each book has been a winner. His other books are now on my to be read list. If you haven’t already, consider giving him a look.
Rating:
“Rocky IV” Poster by Tom Ralston!
This Rocky IV alt poster was created for a special screening by Tom Ralston.
“He is not human, he is a piece of iron.” – Drago
“Desperado” (1995) written & directed by Robert Rodriguez, starring Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida & Salma Hayek / Z-View
Desperado (1995)
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenplay: Robert Rodriguez
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin, Carlos Gómez, Carlos Gallardo, Danny Trejo and Quentin Tarantino
Tagline: He came back to settle the score with someone. Anyone. EVERYONE.
The Plot…
A man known as El Mariachi arrives in a small Mexican border town. He’s come to kill the drug cartel crime lord Bucho. As Mariachi works us way up the chain of command, it becomes clear, he’ll kill anyone and EVERYONE who gets in his way.
As one of the taglines says, “When the smoke clears, it just means he’s reloading.”
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Antonio Banderas directed the bathroom scene that takes place before the second tavern shootout.
Robert Rodriguez and Danny Trejo are second cousins.
Desperado is a remake of Robert Rodriguez’s earlier film El Mariachi. Rodriguez self-financed El Mariachi using credit cards and his personal finances. The budget was just $7,000.00.
Carlos Gallardo played the title role in El Mariachi and also plays one of the two musicians who comes to assist El Mariachi in Desperado.
Desperado (1995) rates 4 of 5 stars.
The “Tulsa King” Season 4 Poster is Here!
Tulsa King Season 4 has started!
The Lastest and Best (So Far) Best Poster for “I Play Rocky”!
This is the latest (and my favorite so far) poster for I Play Rocky.
“The Greatest” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster and trailer for The Greatest is here!
Deal me in.
The Greatest is an intimate exploration of the incomparable life of the boxing champion, humanitarian and global icon.
Executive produced by Ben Watkins, Michael B. Jordan, Shawn Carter, and Lonnie Ali, the widow of the late luminary, The Greatest is the first authorized scripted series about the life of Muhammad Ali, offering unprecedented access and going beyond the amazing victories and defeats that made Ali a legend, both in and out of the ring.
Arriving November 4 only on Prime.
“Frisco King” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The poster and teaser trailer for Frisco King is here!
Lee Washington (Samuel L. Jackson) lands in Frisco, Texas and discovers a hustler’s playground hidden beneath the polished surface of American suburbia.
New series streaming December 18, only on Paramount+.
“Animal Crackers” (2017) / Z-View
Animal Crackers (2017)
Director: Scott Christian Sava, Tony Bancroft
Screenplay: Scott Christian Sava, Dean Lorey
Stars: Emily Blunt, Danny DeVito, John Krasinski, Ian McKellen, Sylvester Stallone, Patrick Warburton, Raven-Symoné, Harvey Fierstein, Wallace Shawn, Gilbert Gottfried, Tara Strong, James Arnold Taylor, Kevin Grevioux and Lydia Rose Taylor.
Tagline: A magical adventure in every bite!
The Plot…
Owen and Zoe meet at Owen’s family circus as children. Years later, they marry. Owen leaves the circus to work at his father-in-law’s dog biscuit factory as a taster. When Owen inherits the circus, Zoe decides to give it a go.
The circus has seen better days. Then Owen and Zoe find a box of magical animal crackers. Eating an animal shaped cracker turns the person into the real animal! Owen eats different crackers and becomes the circus’ star attraction.
Owen’s evil uncle, wants the circus and plans to steal the magic animal crackers.
And now if I can direct your attention to the center ring… the show is about to start!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Animal Crackers is based on a graphic novel that co-Director Scott Christian Sava wrote for his two children. He set the story in his hometown of Franklin, Tennessee.
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, who voice the married couple, Zoe and Owen, are married in real-life.
I watched this with my grandchildren (ages 3 and 7), they loved it. Their laughter was contagious!
Animal Crackers (2017) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Jim Fern’s Sly Take on Stallone!
Jim Fern created his take on Sly Stallone at a small Florida convention (Daytona? Jacksonville? Tampa?) several years ago and somehow it was placed in the vault without every being posted… until now.
Jim Fern is a freelance artist best know for his work at DC Comics and Marvel on titles such as Adventures of Superman, Batman, Detective Comics, Spiderman, X-Men, Transformers and Wolverine.
“Rambo” (2008) directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone / Z-View
Rambo (2008)
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Screenplay: Art Monterastelli, Sylvester Stallone
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Paul Schulze, Matthew Marsden, Graham McTavish, Rey Gallegos, Tim Kang, Jake La Botz, Maung Maung Khin and Ken Howard.
Tagline: Live for nothing, or die for something.
The Plot…
Twenty years have passed since Rambo’s rescue of Colonel Trautman in Afghanistan. Rambo makes his living as a snake catcher and ferryman.
When Michael Burnett approaches Rambo to take his missionary group up river, Rambo refuses. Burnett wants to go into a war zone to render humanitarian aide to villagers brutalized by the Burmese Army. Burnett’s fiancée, Sarah, makes an appeal to Rambo, but he again refuses. Burnett’s group believes in nonviolence. They’re traveling without weapons or additional security. Odds would be against their survival.
Later that night Sarah speaks to Rambo again. Burnett’s group is going with or without him. Against his better judgment, Rambo agrees to take them up river, drop them off and return home.
Not long after, Arthur Marsh informs Rambo that Burnett’s group are held prisoner by Burmese soldiers. Marsh has hired mercenaries to rescue them. He wants Rambo to take the mercs up river.
Rambo agrees. But this time, Rambo’s not just doing a drop off. This time, he’s going to war.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Rambo’s creator, David Morrell had this to say about the movie: “I’m happy to report that overall I’m pleased. The level of violence might not be for everyone, but it has a serious intent. This is the first time that the tone of my novel FIRST BLOOD has been used in any of the movies. It’s spot-on in terms of how I imagined the character – angry, burned-out, and filled with self-disgust because Rambo hates what he is and yet knows it’s the only thing he does well.”
Rambo, like Rocky Balboa is such a great bookend to its franchise. While it is true that each had more movies to come, at the time it was thought that each would end the series.
One of my favorite John Rambo scenes is when the river pirates stop the group. Stallone’s direction, shows Rambo silently assessing the situation. Rambo determines the greatest dangers and the order he needs to eliminate them. I also love the scene when Sarah returns in the pouring rain to try to convince Rambo to take them up river.
I know it’s sacrilege, but if push came to shove, I’d pick Rambo over First Blood.
Rambo (2008) rates 5 of 5 stars.
Rocky Balboa Book Page Sketch by Jarrod Alberich!
Jarrod Alberich aka The Yard Sale Artist created the Sly Stallone as Rocky on a page from a book about boxing. If you check out Jarrod’s site, you’ll find that he has tons of cool BOOK PAGE SKETCHES of different characters drawn on a page from a book appropriate to the character.
I’ve known Jarrod for years. He’s a fun guy and an easy artist to deal with.
Jarrod calls himself The Yard Sale Artist because he uses materials that he finds at yard sales, thrift stores and so on. When Jarrod comes across books that with torn covers, missing pages, etc., instead of discarding them, he repurposes the pages for art.
Sylvester Stallone is Rocky by Reggy The Marker Artist!
Sylvester Stallone is Rocky by Reggy The Marker Artist.
“Rocky, what did you think going into the last round?” – Reporter
“I don’t know. That I should have stayed in school or something.” – Rocky
