Marv by Dmitrijus Čechovas!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Dmitrijus Čechovas.
“Apex” starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton / Z-View
Apex (2026)
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Screenplay: Jeremy Robbins
Stars: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton
Tagline: Hunt. Survive.
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
Five months ago, adrenaline junkie Sasha and her boyfriend were mountain climbing when an avalanche knocked him unconscious. As he hung limp the safety line attached to Sasha began to pull her down. Either she had to cut him loose or they both would die.
She did the unthinkable.
Now Sasha has come to a remote part of the Australian outback. The remote mountains, raging rapids and harsh conditions are unforgiving. Perhaps Sasha has a death wish.
Sasha’s will to live will be tested when she crosses path with a psychopath.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Charlize Theron was quoted as saying this is her favorite of all the films she’s made. Stars often say that their current film is their favorite. In this case it may be true. Theron and Apex director Baltasar Kormákur are signed to make another film together.
Taron Egerton is believable as the psycho but his portrayal isn’t as frightening as it could be. He’s more manic than maniac. Some of the background characteristics (the jerky, what happened to the family that was missing) could have worked to make Egerton’s killer much more scary and dangerous. They would have had to lean a bit more into tension and terror and I don’t think they wanted to do that at the expense of action.
Apex (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars
“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View
Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)
Created by: Graham Roland
Director:
- Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
- Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
- Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
- Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
- Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
- Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)
Teleplay by:
- John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
- Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
- Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
- Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
- Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.
Tagline: None
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway. The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend. They’re on the run but from who? And why?
Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids. Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA. They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.
Thoughts…
Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea. I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.
Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.
“Psycho” Alt Poster by Stephen Andrade!
Stephen Andrade has created an alt poster for Psycho that really conveys the sense of horror and mystery. I love it!
“Well, a boy’s best friend is his mother.” – Norman Bates
Sly Stallone on Set Filming “Rocky II” by LeRoy Neiman!
Here’s another rarely seen piece. This was created by LeRoy Neiman on October 31, 1978, while on set of Sylvester Stallone filming Rocky II.
Click on the image to see a championship-sized version. – Craig
THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter / Z-View
THE BULLET GARDEN: AN EARL SWAGGER NOVEL by Stephen Hunter
First sentences…
“No, no,” said Basil St. Florian. “Bren guns. We need the Bren guns. It is simply not feasible without Bren guns. Surely you understand?”
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
July 1944. D-Day was a month ago and a success. Since then Nazis snipers have killed hundreds of Allied soldiers daily. The snipers strike with no warning and then fade away before a counter-attack can take shape. Somehow these Nazi sharpshooters know where the American GIs are going to be and the safest locations to kill as many as possible.
Army intelligence has come up short in a solution. General Eisenhower decides that perhaps the Army’s best marksman might have insight. So Gunnery Sergeant Earl Swagger, a decorated war hero and our military’s best shot is brought in. Swagger is given carte blanche to figure out a response to the Nazi snipers.
Swagger realizes that part of the problem is the military intelligence operatives working on a solution are doing it from a safe location far from the front. They’re eating well, sleeping well and going to parties and social events. Swagger knows as dangerous as it will be, he will need to work on a solution from the front.
Swagger is given an aide, a former Harvard student who is the son of a wealthy American. Swagger doubts the kid will be much help until the kid tells him: “I’ve been here long enough to know the politics of this place. I know who wants you to succeed and those who’d like to see you fail. They don’t like the idea of a NCO figuring out what they couldn’t… and I can get you anything you want or need.”
Someone is tipping off the Nazis to American troop movements. This gives the enemy snipers the ultimate advantage. Swagger’s a great shot and an unsurpassed hunter but he will find himself up against a squad of snipers led by Nazi with skills equal to his.
Stephen Hunter has written another winner.
Rating:
“Conan the Barbarian” by Leo Leibelman!
Leo Leibelman is a freelance artist who has provided art for comics, trading cards, novels, instructional materials, film storyboards and more. Leo Leibelman takes commissions.
Conan and Valeria by Leo Leibelman!
“Crom, I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That’s what’s important! Valor pleases you, Crom… so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!” – Conan
Sly Stallone as Jack Carter & Keanu Reeves as John Wick by Steven Sanchez!
When Steven Sanchez announced that he was taking on double headsketch commissions, I jumped on board. As you can see I requested Sly Stallone as Jack Carter (from Get Carter) and Keanu Reeves as John Wick. I couldn’t be happier with Sanchez’s finished art.
What made it even cooler is that Sanchez sent a prelim rough for approval. In the rough he used a photo from Lock Up for Stallone reference. I pointed out that I wanted Carter and Sanchez made the change with a new prelim for approval. He then created the finished pencil piece above. When my art arrived, the original prelim (using the Lock Up reference) and two other studies were included!
This is my second piece from Steven Sanchez. I cannot recommend him highly enough to sketch collectors.
Rarely Seen “Rocky” Concept Art by Tom Jung!
Here’s a rarely seen unused piece of concept art for Rocky starring Sylvester Stallone. The drawing was created in 1976 by Tom Jung.
Jung’s impressive career saw his art grace movie movie posters and storyboards for films as The Towering Inferno, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Raging Bull, as well as many others.
Rare “Rocky III” BTS w/ Sly and Mr. T!
Here we have a cool and rarely seen behind-the-scenes shot from Rocky III featuring Mr. T and Sly Stallone. Photography By Christine Loss.
Click on the image to see a Prediction_of_Pain-sized view. – Craig
“Nobody 2” (2025) starring Bob Odenkirk / Z-View
Nobody 2 (2025)
Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Screenplay: Derek Kolstad, Aaron Rabin; story by Derek Kolstad
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, John Ortiz, Colin Hanks, RZA, Christopher Lloyd and Sharon Stone.
Tagline: Nobody ruins his vacation.
The Plot…
Hutch Mansell has been on the job nonstop as an assassin to pay off a debt created during the first movie. Hutch’s family life has suffered due to him always working. In an effort to have some quality family time Hutch decides to take his family on vacation to a resort/amusement park that his father took him to when he was young.
At the amusement park Hutch’s son gets into it with a local bully. The bully’s dad (who owns the amusement park) causes things to escalate when he slaps Hutch’s young daughter in the back of the head. Hutch then returns the favor by beating up the bully’ dad and several park employees.
As it turns out, the bully’s dad is friends with the local Sheriff. The two are involved in several criminal enterprises with a psycho-crime lord named Lendina. Soon Hutch finds himself the target of revenge by the Sheriff as well as Lendina and her organization.
So much for vacation time.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sharon Stone is excellent as the over-the-top villain who wouldn’t be out of place in a James Bond movie.
Nobody 2 features Timo Tjahjanto’s American directorial debut. Tjahjanto is best known for his ultra-violent Indonesian action films.
Bob Odenkirk and Christopher Lloyd share the same birthday of the 22nd of October. What are the odds? That’s also my birthday.
Nobody 2 is fun. It leans into over-the-top comedy a bit more than I’d prefer at times, but is still a fun ride.
Nobody 2 (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars
Paul Mann’s “Rocky” Alt Poster is a Knockout!
Paul Mann‘s knockout Rocky alt poster! Click on the image above to see a “contender-sized” version!
“Cape Fear” The Limited Series starring Amy Adams, Javier Bardem & Patrick Wilson – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
The original is a classic. The remake is worthy. Now we have a Cape Fear limited television series. Check out the poster and trailer and see what you think.
Deal me in.
Out of prison, and out for revenge.
Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV
Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.
Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s Universal Pictures feature (1962) of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese.
The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film, alongside Scorsese. Creator Nick Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.
“The Domestics” (2018) starring Kate Bosworth and Tyler Hoechlin / Z-View
The Domestics (2018)
Director: Mike P. Nelson
Screenplay: Mike P. Nelson
Stars: Tyler Hoechlin, Kate Bosworth, Sonoya Mizuno, Dana Gourrier, Thomas Francis Murray, David Dastmalchian and Lance Reddick
Tagline: Independence comes at a price.
The Plot…
After a chemical weapons attack on the US, most of the population died. Civilization crumbled. Most of those who survived banded together in the gangs. Each gang controlled a territory. The gangs were Gamblers, Sheets, Plowboys, Nailers, and Cherries. Anyone not in a gang was called a “Domestic” and were considered fair game.
Mark and Nina West have decided to travel across the country to Nina’s parents’ house. They realize the dangers of crossing gang territory. If caught, they will be killed… or depending on the gang, eaten.
Let’s ride.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I was hoping for better.
The Domestics (2018) rates 2 of 5 stars
Conan and Rambo by Sanjulian (Manuel Perez Clemente)!
How cool is this amazing pencil art? It’s by Sanjulian (Manuel Perez Clemente) of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, each in one of the signature roles as Conan and Rambo.
