Category: Celebs

“Rambo III” – Mick McGinty’s Rare Prelims for the Announcement Poster!

Posted on by

Rambo III was initially going to be directed by Russell “Highlander” Mulcahy.  Two weeks into production, Mulcahy left due to creative differences. Peter MacDonald was brought in, and the rest is history.

But when Rambo III was first announced one of the ads had Rambo on horseback with a crossbow.  The art above is some of the studies created by Mick McGinty before the final piece was created.  Click on the photo above to see a trilogy-sized version.

Thobias Daneluz’s “First Blood” Art!

Posted on by

These First Blood pieces by Thobias Daneluz are fire.  I’ve said before it would be cool to see Thobias adapt all of the Rocky films.  Well, let’s add the Rambo franchise to the list.  Check out Thobias’ Instgram to see more of his art.

“I could have killed ’em all, I could’ve killed you. In town you’re the law, out here it’s me. Don’t push it! Don’t push it or I’ll give you a war you won’t believe. Let it go. Let it go!” – John Rambo

“Bad Blonde” (1953) starring Barbara Payton and Tony Wright / Z-View

Posted on by

Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953)

Director: Reginald Le Borg

Screenplay: Guy Elmes, Richard H. Landau; based on THE FLANAGAN BOY by Max Catto

Stars: Barbara Payton, Frederick Valk, Tony Wright, Sid James.

Tagline: Sure, I accept favors from men!

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

When Johnny Flanagan beats a carnival boxing champ, he’s introduced to boxing promoter Giuseppe Vecchi.  Vecchi decides to become Flanagan’s manager.  Vecchi is impressed with with Flanagan’s skills.  Problem is, Lorna, Vecchi’s young wife, is impressed with Flanagan as well.

At first Flanagan wants nothing to do with Lorna.  But she’s relentless.

Soon enough Lorna and Flanagan want Vecchi out of the way.  And they have the perfect plan to make it happen.

Or do they?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Bad Blonde is the title The Flanagan Boy was released under in the United States.

Bad Blonde comes off as a low-budget, uncredited reworking of The Postman Always Rings Twice.

Bad Blonde aka The Flanagan Boy (1953) rates 2 of 5 stars

“War Machine” (2026) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View

Posted on by

War Machine (2026)

Director: Patrick Hughes

Screenplay: Patrick Hughes, James Beaufort; story by Patrick Hughes

Stars: Alan Ritchson, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Keiynan Lonsdale, Daniel Webber and Dennis Quaid.

Tagline:  None.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Soldiers wishing to become Army Rangers are called by numbers, not names.  These warriors are put through months of grueling training.  Each week a percentage of the GIs wash.  In the final days the remaining potential rangers are sent on a mission.  If successful, they become Army Rangers.

Despite his avoidance of leadership roles in training, Soldier #81 is put in charge of the final mission.  Dropped in a remote wilderness area, the trainees are on there own.  Against all odds, the potential rangers find themselves fighting an unstoppable war machine from another planet.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Alan Ritchson performed many of his own stunts.

Director Patrick Hughes appears onscreen in a cameo as Master Sergeant Hughes.

Dennis Quaid is great in a small, but important role.

War Machine (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Ballerina” (2025) starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves / Z-View

Posted on by

Ballerina (2025)

Director:Len Wiseman; Chad Stahelski (uncredited for reshoots)

Screenplay: Shay Hatten; based on characters created by Derek Kolstad

Stars: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves.

Tagline:  The past can be a trigger.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Eve Macarro was the child of assassins.  After the death of her mother, Eve was being raised by her father.  When a cult came to kill him, Eve’s father helped her escape before he was murdered.  Eve was then raised by the the Ruska Roma.

The Ruska Roma appeared to be an academy that trained children to become experts in ballet.  It is actually a front.  Although trained to be dancers, the children’s real instruction was so they would become proficient assassins and body guards.

Eve becomes one of the best.

After one of her missions, Eve discovers that her target was in the same cult that killed her father.  Despite being warned to take no action against them, Eve is determined to avenge her father’s death.

Even if it turns the Ruska Roma against her.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ana de Armas did most of her own stunts.

Ballerina is set in the world of John Wick and takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4.

Director Len Wiseman’s original cut fell short of expectations. Chad Stahelski reportedly reshot much of Ballerina without Len Wiseman’s involvement.  This pushed back the release date about a year.

Ballerina (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Bent” (2018) starring Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García / Z-View

Posted on by

Bent (2018)

Director: Robert Moresco

Screenplay: Robert Moresco; based on DEADLY CODES by JP O’Donnell

Stars: Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara, Andy García and Vincent Spano.

Tagline: Corruption has its own set of rules.

The Plot (beware of spoilers)…

Detective Danny Gallagher was framed and sent to prison.  He’s out now and bent on revenge.  Danny trusts his mentor Jimmy Murtha and a sexy government agent named Rebecca.

But his trust may be misplaced.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a fan of Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García.  I was hoping Bent would be a lot better.

Bent (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Apex” starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton / Z-View

Posted on by

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