Category: Celebs

Rocky vs Clubber Lang with Guest Referee Alfred E. Neuman by Tom Richmond!

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When Tom Richmond of MAD magazine fame opened up his commission list and I jumped on with a request for Rocky (Sly Stallone) and Clubber (Mr. T) from Rocky III.  Mr. Richmond added guest referee Alfred E. Neuman!  As you can see Mr. Richmond came through with a knockout, which is no surprise.

This was my first commission from Tom Richmond. It is larger than my scanner and the photo doesn’t do it justice.

If you’re a sketch collector, I highly recommend Tom Richmond.  He creates great art, has wonderful communication and packages the art securely.

“The Last Frontier” – The Poster and Trailer are Here!

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The Last Frontier – the poster and trailer are here!

Deal me in.

A lone U.S. marshal leads the hunt for escaped convicts in the Alaskan wilderness.

Starring Jason Clarke, Dominic Cooper, Haley Bennett, and Alfre Woodard. The Last Frontier premieres October 10 on Apple TV+ https://apple.co/_TheLastFrontier_

The Last Frontier follows Frank Remnick (Clarke), the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside-down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates. Tasked with protecting the town he’s vowed to keep safe, he begins to suspect the crash wasn’t an accident, but the first step of a well-crafted plan with far-reaching and devastating implications.

In addition to Clarke, the ensemble cast includes Dominic Cooper (“The Gold”), Haley Bennett (“The Magnificent Seven”), Simone Kessell (“Yellowjackets”), Dallas Goldtooth (“Reservation Dogs”), and Tait Blum (“For All Mankind”), with Academy Award Nominee and multi-Emmy winner Alfre Woodard (“Clemency”).

Hailing from Apple Studios, The Last Frontier is executive produced by Bokenkamp and D’Ovidio, who also serve as writers, alongside Clarke, Laura Benson (“The Big C”), Glenn Kessler (“Bloodlines”), Albert Kim (“Nikita”), and series episodic director Sam Hargrave (“Extraction”).

THE STEPS (A Memoir) by Sylvester Stallone is Coming!

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For years Sylvester Stallone fans have hoped Sly would write his memoir.  And now he has.  It’s titled THE STEPS.  Here’s the lowdown…

A gritty, inspiring, heart-wrenching memoir by the Academy Award-winning legend and icon Sylvester Stallone, about his unlikely path to stardom and the creation of the greatest underdog story ever told.

In the fifty years since Sylvester Stallone ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, he and those steps have become symbols of resilience and determination, and have inspired millions from all over the world to pursue their dreams.

In THE STEPS, Stallone recounts how he pursued his own dreams. A culmination of decades of reflection, Stallone shares where he came from — a difficult birth, an even more difficult childhood, years of struggle in school being misunderstood — and he explains how the real story of a successful life is built by facing, embracing, and ultimately overcoming our challenges. It’s found in the distances we are willing to go and the steps we must take to get from where we are to where we want to go.

In a narrative framed between his arrival in New York City in 1969 and the triumph of Rocky at the 1977 Academy Awards, Stallone weaves a vivid and propulsive portrait of struggle, subsistence, and ultimately success. He writes of his early days and later years, too, and the persistence, creativity, and resilience that led not only to the creation of Rocky but to a career filled with remarkably iconic roles. THE STEPS is a testament to Stallone’s extraordinary life and a profound meditation on the importance of vision and willpower and hard work.

THE STEPS will be released on May 5, 2026.  Pre-orders are available now.  If you order from one of the links below, we will get a small percentage of each sale, without increasing the price of the book.  Your support is appreciated.

THE STEPS hardcover

THE STEPS paperback/large print

THE STEPS Kindle

“Sphere” (1998) directed by Barry Levinson / Z-View

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Sphere (1998)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Stephen Hauser, Paul Attanasio; adaptation by Kurt Wimmer; based on SPHERE by Michael Crichton

Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote, Liev Schreiber, Queen Latifah, Bernard Hocke, James Pickens Jr. and Huey Lewis.

Tagline: A Barry Levinson film

The Plot…

A spacecraft is discovered on the ocean floor under 300 years of coral growth. A team of the best minds in their field was formed. U.S. Navy Captain Harold Barnes will lead the squad that includes astrophysicist Dr. Ted Fielding, psychologist Dr. Norman Goodman, marine biologist Dr. Beth Halperin and mathematician Dr. Harry Adams.

As the team goes down, a vicious storm approaches topside.  Communication will be lost until the weather clears.

The exploration team is surprised to discover that the spacecraft appears to be American.  Further, a huge sphere of unknown make-up is in the craft.  It reflects everything in the room except the people.

The team returns to their craft to recharge.  They are surprised when their computers begin to display encoded messages.  Once deciphered the communication appears to be coming from the sphere.  Everything the crew says or does is known by the sphere.  While they wait for the storm topside to clear, strange things begin happening.  And one member of the crew doesn’t seem to be himself.

And then things go really bad…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sphere is an interesting film right up until the final resolution.  THAT killed it for me.

Dustin Hoffman was reportedly disappointed in the film.  He felt that some issues could have been corrected had the film not have a hard release date.

Sphere (1998) rates 2 of 5 stars.

RIP: Robert Redford

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It was announced that Robert Redford died today in his sleep. Mr. Reford was 89.

Charles Robert Redford was born in Santa Monica, California.  He attended Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys, California.  According to Mr. Redford his focus was on sports and art rather than academics.  After his graduation in 1954, Robert Redford attended the University of Colorado.  After a year and a half, Mr. Redford was kicked out.

Instead of trying to find another college, Robert Redford decided to travel.  He lived for a time in France, Spain, and Italy.  When Mr. Redford returned to the United States he settled in New York. He took painting classes at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, as well as classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan.

In 1959, Robert Redford made his Broadway debut in small parts in Tall Story and later that year in The Highest Tree.  Mr. Redford reprised his Tall Story role when it was made into a feature film in 1960.  At this point Robert Redford began alternating between stage, television and feature films.  As his career progressed Robert Redford continued to act, but also worked as a producer and director.

Robert Redford’s career included multiple awards for his work.  Examples include…

Nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two…

  • 1974 Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Sting
  • 1981 Winner for Best Director for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Director for Quiz Show
  • 1995 Nominee for Best Picture for Quiz Show, shared with: Michael Jacobs, Julian Krainin, Michael Nozik
  • 2002 Winner for Honorary Award as an Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere. 

Nominated for two Directors Guild of America Awards, winning one…

  • 1981 Winner for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Ordinary People
  • 1995 Nominee for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for Quiz Show

Nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards…

  • 1963 Nominee for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for Alcoa Premiere in the episode “The Voice of Charlie Pont”
  • 2013 Nominee for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for All the President’s Men Revisited; shared with: Andrew Lack, Laura Michalchyshyn, Nancy Daniels, Denise Contis, Peter Schnall

Nominated for eleven Golden Globe Awards, winning six…

  • 1966 Winner Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Male for Inside Daisy Clover
  • 1975 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1977 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1978 Winner Henrietta Award for World Film Favorite – Male
  • 1981 Winner Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Ordinary People
  • 1993 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for A River Runs Through It
  • 1994 Winner Cecil B. DeMille Award
  • 1995 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for Quiz Show
  • 1999 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Director – Motion Picture for The Horse Whisperer
  • 2014 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for All Is Lost
  • 2019 Nominee Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for The Old Man & the Gun

Some of the television projects that feature Robert Redford include: Maverick; Rescue 8; The Deputy; Playhouse 90; Tate (2 episodes); Perry Mason; The Iceman Cometh; Our American Heritage; Play of the Week (3 episodes); Naked City; The Americans; Whispering Smith; Route 66; Bus Stop; The New Breed; Alfred Hitchcock Presents; The Twilight Zone; Dr. Kildare (2 episodes); Alcoa Premiere; The Untouchables; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (2 episodes); The Dick Powell Theater; Breaking Point; The Virginian; The Defenders; One More Chance and Dark Winds.

Some of Robert Redford’s feature films include: Tall Story; War Hunt; Inside Daisy Clover; The Chase; This Property is Condemed; Barefoot in the Park; Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Downhill Racer; Tell Them Willie Boy is Here; The Hot Rock; Jeremiah Johnson; The Candidate; The Way We Were; The Sting; The Great Gatsby; The Great Waldo Pepper; Three Days of the Condor; All the President’s Men; A Bridge Too Far; The Electric Horseman; Ordinary People (director); Brubaker; The Natural; Out of Africa; Legal Eagles; The Milagro Beanfield War (director); Havana; Sneakers; A River Runs Through It (voice and director); Quiz Show (director); Indecent Proposal; The Horse Whisperer (star and director); The Legend of Bagger Vance (director); The Last Castle; Spy Game; An Unfinished Life; Charlotte’s Web; The Conspirator (director); All is Lost; Captain America: The Winter Soldier; The Old Man and the Gun and Avengers: End Game.

I first became aware of Robert Redford before I ever saw him in anything.  I can remember my mom and her friends gushing over how handsome he was.  I first saw him act in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  I could see what the ladies were talking about.  My two favorite Robert Redford performances are in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Three Days of the Condor.  Of course Mr. Redford was good in everything.  I enjoy seeing him popup in unexpected places like Alfred Hitchcock or The Twilight Zone.  As good an actor as he was, I hope people realize he was also a great human being.

Out thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Redford’s family, friends and fans.

“The Alto Knights” (2025) directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro / Z-View

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The Alto Knights (2025)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Nicholas Pileggi

Stars: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Rispoli, James Ciccone, Wallace Langham, Ed Amatrudo, Mike Seely and Brian Scolaro.

Tagline: The most dangerous enemy is an old friend

The Plot…

Frank Costello and Vito Genovese grew up together as best friends.  They became notorius crime bosses for different families.  When Costello plans to retire he informs Genovese.  Genovese smells a doublecross.  Soon a gang war irrupts.  Who will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Who cares?  I tapped out after about 30 minutes.

A lot of the movie is voice overs played as old time photos appear.  I also thought having De Niro play both parts was more distracting than it should be.

Although Robert De Niro plays both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, an actor was hired to play opposite De Niro during filming.  De Niro felt it was needed to get the best performance.  So the actor would play Costello while De Niro acted as Genovese.  The De Niro and the actor would switch parts and redo the scenes.  The actor hired has been kept a secret.

The Alto Knights (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.

“Predator 2” (1990) starring Danny Glover / Z-View

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Predator 2 (1990)

Director:  Stephen Hopkins

Screenplay:  Jim Thomas, John Thomas based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas 

Stars: Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Kevin Peter Hall, Rubén Blades, Maria Conchita Alonso, Robert Davi, Adam Baldwin, Kent McCord, Morton Downey Jr., Calvin Lockhart, Steve Kahan, Henry Kingi, Elpidia Carrillo, Lilyan Chauvin and Bill Paxton.

Tagline: He’s in town with a few days to kill.

The Plot…

1997.  Los Angeles is suffering one of the worst summer heat waves in history.  When temperatures rise, tempers flare which is only adding to problems facing L.A.’s finest.  A gang war between Columbian and Jamacan drug cartels is in full force.  Gunfire and turf battles erupt with frequency. Lieutenant Mike Harrigan and his drug task force have their hands full.

When Special Agent Peter Keyes leading a Federal Task Force arrives, Harrigan thinks that they’ve come to assist in taking down the cartels.  Soon Harrigan will learn the real reason.  A Predator has come to town to collect trophies.

Hunting season is now open.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Kevin Peter Hall returned to play the Predator.  For scenes at the end of the movie where additional Predators show up, members of the L.A. Lakers were recruited for the roles.

John McTiernan, director of the original Predator, was getting $2 million a film and producers didn’t want to pay that much.

Elpidia Carrillo, who played Anna in the first film, is listed in the credits, but you will have to look hard to find her.  Carrillo shows up on a video monitor in Federal Agent Keye’s mobile headquarters.  Carrillo filmed other scenes that didn’t make the final cut.

Danny Glover, Gary Busey and Steve Kahan co-starred in Lethal Weapon (1987).  Kahan played Glover’s boss in all the Lethal Weapon films.

It was nice seeing Kent McCord of Adam-12 fame in a supporting role.

I loved Predator.  Predator 2 is good, but falls short of the original.  Predator 2 leans more into the humor, over-the-top scenes and gore.

Predator 2 (1990) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“aka Charlie Sheen” (2025) / Z-View

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aka Charlie Sheen (2025)

Director:  Andrew Renzi

Stars: Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Jon Cryer, Denise Richards, Chris Tucker and Heidi Fleiss.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie Sheen bares all in a two-part documentary that covers his life from a small child to now.  Sheen discusses his childhood, movie career, being the highest paid actor on television ($2 million per episode) as well as repeatedly bottoming out several times along the way due to drug and alcohol abuse.

Sheen along with Sean Penn (childhood friend), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men co-star), Chris Tucker (movie co-star), Denise Richards (ex-wife), Heidi Fleiss (famous Hollywood Madam to the Stars) and others tell of Sheen’s highs and lows.  Nothing is off limits and Charlie discusses many topics for the first time.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Charlie Sheen had it all.  And lost it several times due to his self-destructive and addictive personality.  It is amazing that Sheen was able to come back so many times.  He seems to be in a good place now and perhaps it is due to his willingness to open up about his life.  Sheen has been clean for seven years at this point.  Hopefully he won’t relapse.

aka Charlie Sheen (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars.

Rambo from “First Blood” by Charlie Griak!

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Charlie Griak watched First Blood for the first time.  Here’s part of what he said about the film…

Just watched “First Blood” for the first time and was really surprised by how much deeper and emotionally complex it was than I expected—a great movie and a great performance by Sylvester Stallone!

Click on the link and see Charlie’s complete statement and more of his amazing art.

“The Rip” starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck & Directed by Joe Carnahan – The Teaser is Here!

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Whoa!  Check out the teaser for The Rip starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck & Directed by Joe Carnahan.

Deal me in!

Upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on.

Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck & Directed by Joe Carnahan.

The Rip is only on Netflix, January 16.

 

“Charlie Chan on Broadway” (1937) starring Warner Oland / Z-View

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Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937)

Director:  Eugene Forde

Screenplay:  Charles Belden. Jerome Cady story by Art Arthur Robert Ellis, Helen Logan

Stars: Warner Oland, Keye Luke, J. Edward Bromberg, Leon Ames, Marc Lawrence, Douglas Fowley and Lon Chaney Jr..

Tagline: DEATH STRIKES TWICE IN MANHATTAN’S GAYEST SPOTS!

The Plot…

Charlie Chan (Oland) and his son Lee (Luke) are in pulled into the murder investigation of a woman who knew political secrets and had threatened to tell all.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Lon Chaney Jr, appears uncredited in one of his first roles.

This was Warner Oland’s 15th and second-t0-last outing as Charlie Chan.

Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) rates 2 of 5 stars.