Brad Pitt from “Seven” by Zinsky!
I came across this awesome painting of Brad Pitt from Seven by Zinsky on Instagram. What a talented artist.
Category: Celebs
Jack Carter by Jarrod Alberich “The Yard Sale Artist”!
Jarrod Alberich aka The Yard Sale Artist created the Jack Carter piece above for me after I won a contest he was running.
Jarrod calls himself The Yard Sale Artist because he uses only materials that he finds at yard sales, thrift stores, dumpsters and so on. Jarrod is a great guy and his prices are reasonable. This was my second piece by Jarrod that he did way back in 2017. Jarrod’s art has improved since then as you’ll see in future posts.
Jack Carter & John Wick by Karl Slominski!
The Jack Carter & John Wick piece above was created as a commission for me at HeroesCon 2017 by Karl Slominski. It was my first piece by Slominski. It wasn’t my last.
My second piece by Karl was Jack Carter and Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City.
My third piece from Karl was Carter and Raylan Givens from Justified.
I wonder what my fourth piece will be.
“Sling Blade” (1996) written, directed and starring Billy Bob Thornton / Z-View
Sling Blade (1996)
Director: Billy Bob Thornton
Screenplay: Billy Bob Thornton; based on Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade by Billy Bob Thornton
Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter, Lucas Black, Natalie Canerday, James Hampton, Brent Briscoe, Mickey Jones and Robert Duvall.
Tagline: A simple man. A difficult choice.
The Plot…
Karl Childers is a mentally challenged man who has been in state custody for decades. From the time Karl was born he was abused by his mother and father. When Karl was twelve he accidentally caught his mother and a teenage boy having sex. Karl believed the boy was raping his mother so Karl killed the kid using a sling blade. When it became clear that his mom was enjoying the sex, Karl killed her as well.
At the state home Karl never had a problem. Passive and shy, Karl spent most days just staring out a window. So the state determined that Karl was no longer a danger to society and scheduled his release. Karl begged his doctor to stay, but was forced to leave.
Now Karl has returned to his small hometown. He gets a job repairing small engines. Karl meets and befriends Frank Wheatley. Frank is twelve. His mother is divorced and in an abusive relationship. Frank’s mom sees Karl is a kind man. Despite her boyfriend Vaughn’s misgivings she invites Karl to live in their garage. Vaughn says that Karl could end up killing her or Frank.
Karl sees that Vaughn is a bully and cruel to everyone. Karl especially worries about how Vaughn treats Frank. Things are about to reach a breaking point.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Sling Blade was nominated for two 1997 Academy Awards and won one…
- Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Billy Bob Thornton
- Winner for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published – Billy Bob Thornton
Sling Blade is based on a short film written by Billy Bob Thornton and directed by George Hickenlooper. It starred Billy Bob Thornton, Molly Ringwald and J. T. Walsh.
Billy Bob Thornton made his feature film directorial debut with Sling Blade. It is also the film that made Thornton a famous actor.
Sling Blade (1996) rates 5 of 5 stars
“Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (1964) directed by Stanley Kubrick; starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott / Z-View
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern, Peter George; based on RED ALERT by Peter Bryant (pseudonym of Peter George)
Stars: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, Peter Bull, James Earl Jones, Tracy Reed, Jack Creley, Robert O’Neil, Glenn Beck, Shane Rimmer, Hal Galili and Keenan Wynn.
Tagline: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!”
The Plot…
Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper is mentally unstable. Nobody realizes this until Ripper has put his plan into motion. Ripper believes the Soviets are poisoning Americans through the use of fluoride in the water supply. Ripper’s solution is to put his base on a condition red alert (so no one can get in or out). Armed guards with shoot to kill orders will ensure this. Ripper also confiscated all personal radios and shut down outside communication. Ripper then ordered two Bombers carrying nuclear weapons to drop them on cities in Russia. Since they can only communicate with him, the pilots believe the US is under attack. They fly towards Russia intent on dropping their payload.
Once Merkin Muffley, the US President, gets word of what is happening, there is little time before the bombs drop. President Muffley knows Russia will respond in kind. That would trigger an all-out war. Mutually assured destruction.
President Muffley brings General Buck Turgidson, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other officials into the War Room to formulate a plan. Included in the group is a former Nazi, now a US scientist named Dr. Strangelove and Soviet Ambassador Alexi de Sadesky. They get Soviet Premier Dimitri Kisov on the hotline. Kisov promises if a single bomb is detonated on Russian soil, they will unleash their doomsday device!
The clock is ticking.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Dr. Strangelove was nominated for four 1965 Academy Awards…
- Nominee for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium – Stanley Kubrick, Peter George, Terry Southern
- Nominee for Best Director – Stanley Kubrick
- Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role – Peter Sellers
- Nominee for Best Picture – Stanley Kubrick
George C. Scott as General Turgidson trips in the War Room and then quickly gets up and continues talking. Scott really tripped but didn’t break character. Kubrick thought he was just acting. The accident stayed in the film.
Peter Sellers was paid $1 million or 55% of the film’s budget. In the film Sellers plays three characters so maybe the producers got a bargain.
Peter Sellers improvised most of his lines including the classic he yelled as Dr. Strangelove, “Mein Führer! I can walk!” Peter Bull as the Soviet Ambassador can be seen breaking character when Sellers says it.
James Earl Jones thought that Slim Pickens stayed in character even off camera. It wasn’t until later that Jones leaned that Pickens always talked like that. Speaking of James Earl Jones, Dr. Strangelove was his feature film debut.
Dr. Strangelove is a classic. Everyone should see it at least once. (And it gets better with each repeated viewing.)
Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) rates 5 of 5 stars
“London Calling” starring Josh Duhamel – The Trailer is Here!
The trailer for London Calling starring Josh Duhamel looks to have the right mix of comedy and action.
Deal me in.
US Release Date: September 19, 2025
Starring: Josh Duhamel, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Director: Allan Ungar
Synopsis: After fleeing the UK from a job gone wrong, a down on his luck hitman is forced to babysit the son of his new crime boss and show him how to become a man.
“Untamed” starring Eric Bana – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
I like the poster and teaser trailer for Untamed starring Eric Bana. The teaser provides the right amount of mystery without giving away anything.
Deal me in.
Dark secrets will be revealed in this mystery thriller from a writer of The Revenant and American Primeval, set in Yosemite National Park, and starring Eric Bana.
“Requiem for a Heavyweight” (1962) written by Rod Serling, directed by Ralph Nelson, starring Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney & Julie Harris / Z-View
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
Director: Ralph Nelson
Screenplay: Rod Serling
Stars: Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney, Julie Harris, Stanley Adams, Madame Spivy, Val Avery, Herbie Faye, Jack Dempsey, Barney Ross, Rory “Haystacks” Calhoun, Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali.
Tagline: They beat him… they broke him… they betrayed him… but they could not crush the towering dignity of a real fighter!
The Plot…
Louis “Mountain” Rivera was good at one thing. Fighting. In his last bout, a young fighter put a beating on the 37 year old Rivera. Rivera was pummeled so badly that no doctor is going to clear him for future fights. Fighting is all Rivera knows. Now that is gone.
For years Rivera’s fight winnings have supported Rivera, his manager Maish Rennick, and Army, his cutman. They have no savings. Even worse Maish is in debt to Ma Greeny. Ma deals harshly with those who don’t pay their debts.
When Rivera meets a woman named Grace, he begins to have hope. Maish realizes that he’s about to lose his meal ticket. That means no money coming in. When Ma Greeny and her thugs show up, they will expect to be paid. As Rivera’s manager, Maish is supposed to protect Rivera. What he’s about to set up will break him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Ralph Nelson was a 1963 Nominee Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures.
The National Board of Review named Requiem for a Heavyweight one of the top ten films of 1962.
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) made his film debut as the young fighter who defeats Mountain Rivera at the start of the film.
Jackie Gleason, best know for his comedic skills on The Honeymooners, shows he’s just as adept as a dramatic actor.
Requiem for a Heavyweight first appeared as a television movie before becoming a feature film. The television production featured Jack Palance as Mountain Rivera, Ed Wynn as Maish and his son Keenan Wynn as Army. Ralph Nelson directed both versions.
Requiem for a Heavyweight is another example of the Rod Serling’s stellar writing talent.
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) rates 5 of 5 stars
Sly Stallone by Ben Caldwell!
Ben Caldwell is a freelance artist who has worked in toy design, animation, children’s book illustration, and comic book illustration. I was able to get on Caldwell’s commission list at HeroesCon 2018. I usually request a specific character, but was interested to see what Ben Caldwell would come up with on his own.
Rambo by Rich Hennemann!
Rich Hennemann is a freelance artist. A few years ago I picked up his sketchbook and a sketch and I was hooked. Since then I’ve gotten several sketches from Rich. This Sly as Rambo is one from my collection. I already have another commission from Rich in the works.
“Predator: Killer of Killers” (2025) / Z-View
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay: Micho Robert Rutare, story by Dan Trachtenberg, Micho Robert Rutare, based on characters created by Jim Thomas, John Thomas
Stars: Voices of Michael Biehn, Doug Cockle, Rick Gonzalez, Lauren Holt, Lindsay LaVanchy, Jeff Leach, Piotr Michael and Andrew Morgado.
Tagline: Hunt the enemy, before they hunt you!
The Plot…
In the year 841, Vikings, led by warrior woman Ursa, have just defeated the Krivich clan. The Krivich’s leader, Zoran killed Ursa’s father when she was a child. Now Ursa and her son Anders will have revenge. A Predator is invisibly watching. Once a victor has been determined, the Predator will attack. It will be a vicious battle to the death.
In the 1629, Kenji returns to confront his brother. Twenty years prior, Kenji and his brother Kiyoshi had been boys. Each child was given a sword. Ordered to battle. The winner would become the clan’s new Warlord. Kenji refused to fight, even as Kiyoshi attacked. Rather than battle his brother, Kenji ran off.
Now Kenji sneaks into his brother’s fortress. As the brothers battle, a Predator, undetected, silently watches. The predator will fight the winner to the death.
The year is 1941. World War II rages. A small group of US Airmen take off to engage the enemy in aerial battle. On the ground, mechanic John Torres sees a strange craft destroying both US and enemy planes. Torres gets a beat-up plane working. He takes off to warn his squad. When Torres arrives, he and Captain Vandy are the only survivors. The Predator space ship is ready to engage them. It will be a fight to the death.
Ursa, Kenji and Torres are awakened from suspended animation. They are on a foreign planet. Predators led the three to the center of an arena. A large Predator incites the crowd. Ursa, Kenji and Torres will fight to the death. The winner will face the Predator gladiator/warlord. To make it even more interesting, a giant dragon-like beast is released. Who/what will survive?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Michael Biehn now joins Bill Paxton and Lance Henriksen as the only actors to have roles in Alien, Terminator and Predator films.
Predator: Killer of Killers has many Easter eggs that are open to speculation. Is the Gladiator Predator wearing a cape made of Xenomorph tails? In one of the Predator cryo-tanks we get a glimpse of a muscular make human. Is he Dutch from Predator? Maybe it is Royce from Predators? Naru from Prey is definitely in one of the cryo-tanks. The flintlock pistol from Predator 2 and Prey makes an appearance.
I liked Predator: Killer of Killers, but not as much as most folks. It currently has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and at Rotten Tomatoes in has a 95% rating from reviewers and 90% from viewers. There were too many unanswered questions (including the final resolution) for my taste. Still, I enjoyed the film, just not as much as most everyone else. Your mileage may vary.
Predator: Killer of Killers (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars
RIP: Harris Yulin
It was announced today that Harris Yulin died on June 10, 2025, from cardiac arrest. Mr. Yulin was 87.
Mr. Yulin appeared on stage, television and in feature films. He made his theater debut in 1963 (Next Time I’ll Sing to You). His feature film (End of the Road) and television debut (Neither Are We Enemies) both came in 1970. Throughout his career Mr. Yulin alternated between stage, television and feature films. Mr. Yulin also taught at The Juilliard School for eight years.
In 1996 Harris Yulin was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Frasier. In 1997, Mr. Yulin was nominated for a CableAce Award as Guest Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series for his appearance in La Femme Nikita. In 2019, Harris Yulin was nominated by the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his performance in Ozark.
Some of the television projects that feature Harris Yulin include: Neither Are We Enemies; Incident at Vichy; The ABC Afternoon Playbreak; Kojak; Melvin Purvis G-Man; Barnaby Jones; The Greatest Gift; The F.B.I. Story: The FBI Versus Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy Number One; The Missiles of October; Parker Adderson, Philosopher; Little House on the Prairie; Caribe; Barnaby Jones; SWAT; Police Woman; Ironside; Insight; Most Wanted; Wonder Woman; When Every Day Was the Fourth of July; As the World Turns (2 episodes); Robert Kennedy and His Times; Cagney & Lacey; Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago Eight; Traitor in My House; WIOU (18 episodes); Civil Wars; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Truman; Frasier; Le Femme Nikita; Screen One; American Masters; Vengeance Unlimited; The X-Files; American Experience (2 episodes); Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3 episodes); Mister Sterling (3 episodes); 24 (9 episodes); Third Watch (2 episodes); Law & Order; Entourage; Cashmere Mafia (2 episodes); Canterbury’s Law; Law & Order (2 episodes); Loving Leah; Damages; Rubicon (2 episodes); Pan Am; Nikita (3 episodes); Forever; The Blacklist; Veep (2 episodes); Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (5 episodes); Ozark (12 episodes); Murphy Brown (2 episodes); For the People; Billions (3 episodes); Divorce (4 episodes); I Know This Much is True and FBI: Most Wanted.
Some of Harris Yulin’s feature film appearances include: End of the Road; Doc; The Midnight Man; Night Moves; St. Ives; Scarface; The Believers; Another Woman; Ghostbusters 2; Narrow Margin; Final Analysis; Clear and Present Danger; Cutthroat Island; Murder at 1600; Bean; Cradle Will Rock; The Hurricane; Rush Hour 2; Training Day; The Place Beyond the Pines and Omni Loop.
Harris Yulin was so good in so many roles it is impossible to pick just one. Whenever I saw his name in the credits I knew the film or television show just got more interesting.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Harris Yulin’s family, friends and fans.
RIP: Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson’s family announced that he died today. No cause of death was given. Mr. Wilson was 82.
Brian Wilson’s musical aptitude was noted by his family when he was still a baby. In high school, Brian was a three sport athlete (football, baseball and cross country). After school he obsessively played piano. Brian would listen to records, deconstruct the songs and recreate the harmonies. In 1961, Brian wrote what would become The Beach Boys first song, Surfer Girl. The Beach Boys consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl, plus their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.
In 1962, Capitol Records signed The Beach Boys. In January 1963, the band had their first top ten single Surfin’ U.S.A.. In May 1964, their first #1 single I Get Around topped the charts. The pressure of writing, producing and traveling to perform at live concerts took a toll on Mr. Wilson. Glen Campbell replaced Brian Wilson for some of the December tour dates. In January 1965, Brian Wilson announced he was withdrawing from touring. He wanted to become a full-time studio musician so he could focus on taking The Beach Boys’ music to another level.
Brian Wilson continued to write, produce and perform on Beach Boys albums, but with them touring and him in the studio, their comradery was strained. The Beach Boys released over two dozen albums with Brian Wilson as a key member. Brian Wilson also released 12 solo studio albums, three solo live albums, one compilation album under his name, plus many Beach Boys compilation albums that feature Brian Wilson.
Some of Brian Wilson’s most popular songs include: I Get Around (#1); Help Me, Rhonda (#1); Good Vibrations (#1); California Girls (#3); Surfin’ U.S.A. (#3); Wouldn’t It Be Nice (#8); Fun, Fun, Fun (#5); Surfin’ Safari (#14); In My Room (23); Little Saint Nick (#3); Don’t Worry Baby (#24 as a B side) and God Only Knows (#39 as a B-side).
I don’t remember the first song that I heard by Brian Wilson. My uncle had several (all?) of their albums. My favorites of his songs are Wouldn’t It Be Nice and Don’t Worry Baby.
Brian Wilson was a musical genius. One of my favorite quotes about Brian Wilson is that the Beatles weren’t overly impressed by many contemporary artists, but Brian Wilson was one of them.
Out thoughts and prayers go out to Brian Wilson’s family, friends and fans.
“Bang” starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
Bang starring Jack Kesy and Peter Weller – The Poster and Trailer are Here!
If like me, you enjoy a fun drive-in movie (even if there are no more drive-ins), then Bang looks to fit the bill.
Deal me in.
Bang, one of the most feared hitmen, questions his violent life after a near-death experience. Seeing a future beyond bloodshed, he wants out—but his crime boss won’t let go without a fight.
The film will be released in select theaters, digital, and on demand on July 11th.
“The Accountant 2” (2025) starring Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and Cynthia Addai-Robinson / Z-View
The Accountant 2 (2025)
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Screenplay: Bill Dubuque, based on characters created by Bill Dubuque
Stars: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Alison Wright, Daniella Pineda, Robert Morgan, Grant Harvey, Andrew Howard, Yael Ocasio, Lombardo Boyar, Michael Tourek, Fernando Chien, Talia Thiesfield and J.K. Simmons.
Tagline: He sees what others can’t. He does what others won’t.
The Plot…
Raymond King, the retired director of the Financial Crimes Division of the US Treasury is found murdered. King was working a case. Before he was killed, King was able to write on his arm, “Find the Accountant”. Marybeth Medina, King’s former protégé, and current FCD director, knows the meaning. She and King had worked with Christian Wolf aka The Accountant on a case eight years prior.
Marybeth reaches out to Wolf and informs Wolf of King’s murder. King and Marybeth meet. She has access to all of the data King was using, but can’t decipher it’s meaning. In short order Wolf determines the links. King was working on bringing down an international human trafficking cartel.
Realizing that he’s going to need help, Wolf contacts his estranged hitman brother, Braxton. Things are about to heat up.
Let’s go!
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Accountant was released in 2016. This sequel was announced in 2017. A third film is a possibility. At one point a television series was also considered.
Affleck and Bernthal have real chemistry as brothers. The scene at the cowboy bar is a highlight.
The Accountant 2 (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars
