Category: Celebs

“The Pitt” Season 2 starring Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa / Z-View

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“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026)

Created by: R. Scott Gemmill

Teleplay by:

  • (eps. 16; 30) R. Scott Gemmill
  • (ep. 17) Joe Sachs & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 18; 29) Noah Wyle
  • (eps. 19; 24) Cynthia Adarkwa
  • (eps. 20; 25) Simran Baidwan
  • (ep. 21) Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill
  • (eps. 22; 26) Valerie Chu
  • (eps. 23; 28) Joe Sachs
  • (ep. 27) Danny Hogan & R. Scott Gemmill

Directed by:

  • John Wells (eps. 16; 30)
  • Damian Marcano (eps. 17; 20; 25; 28)
  • Uta Briesewitz (eps. 18; 22; 26; 29)
  • John Cameron (eps. 19; 23)
  • Noah Wyle (ep. 20)
  • Shawn Hatosy (ep. 24)
  • Amanda Marsalis  (ep. 27)

Stars: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez and Sepideh Moafi.

Tagline: The work never stops.

The Plot…

The Pitt follows Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in real time as he works a major hospital emergency room that is understaffed and overworked.  It is the fourth of July.

Let the fireworks begin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Pitt was nominated for 13 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards and won 5…

  • Nominee for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup – Myriam Arougheti, Thomas Floutz, Chris Burgoyne, Martina Sykes for episode “4:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – Todd Grace, Ed Carr, Von Varga, Tami Treadwell for episode “6:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) – Bryan Parker, Kristen Hirlinger, Vince Tennant, Joshua Adeniji, Roland N. Thai, Lyndsey Schenk, Sam Lewis, Nicholas Kmet, Adam DeCoste, Alex Ullrich for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) – Merry Lee Traum, Marie-Flore Beaubien, Leesa Simone for episode “7:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – Joe Sachs for episode “2:00 P.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – R. Scott Gemmill for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Nominee for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – John Wells for episode “7:00 A.M.”
  • Winner for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series – Cathy Sandrich Gelfond, Erica Berger 
  • Winner for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series – Shawn Hatosy
  • Winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Katherine LaNasa
  • Winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Noah Wyle
  • Winner for Outstanding Drama Series – Damian Marcano, Michael Hissrich, R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, Michelle Lankwarden, Simran Baidwan, Erin Jontow, Amanda Marsalis, Terri Murphy, Cynthia Adarkwa, Noah Wyle, Joe Sachs

The Pitt continues to be must-see tv for me.

Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa have won well deserved Emmys for their performances on The Pitt.

“The Pitt” Season 2 (2026) earns 5 of 5 stars.

“Harbinger Down” (2015) starring Lance Henriksen / Z-View

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Harbinger Down (2015)

Director:  Alec Gillis

Screenplay: Alec Gillis

Stars: Lance Henriksen, Giovonnie Samuels, Matt Winston

Tagline: Terror is just beneath the surface.

The Plot…

Stephen along with his graduate students Sadie and Ronelle are aboard the fishing boat Harbinger.  They are at sea to study the effects of global warming on whales.  The Harbinger is crewed by ship captain Graff and his crew which consists of Bowman, Roland, Big G, Dock, Svetlana and Atka.

When an large foreign object is discovered on sonar, they bring it aboard.  To their surprise they discover they’ve found a crashed Soviet lunar module.  Aboard is a dead cosmonaut…

… as well as the alien that killed him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Harbinger Down comes off as a low-budget homage (re-imagining? rip-off) of John Carpenter’s The Thing.  At the start of the film, the date is given as June 25 1982, which happens to be the day JC’s The Thing was released.

When the crew first discovers the module, Graff asks “Is that a man in there, or something?” This is the same question asked by Doctor Copper in John Carpenter’s The Thing.

In John Carpenter’s The Thing, Childs asks about “voodoo shit” in regard to the alien.  Here a character makes the same “voodoo shit” reference to the monster.

Harbinger Down (2015) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Crime 101” (2026) written and directed by Bart Layton, starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan and Halle Berry / Z-View

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Crime 101 (2026)

Director:  Bart Layton

Screenplay: Bart Layton; based on Crime 101 by Don Winslow

Stars:  Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Halle Berry and Nick Nolte.

Tagline:  One Heist Connects Them All

The Plot…

Mike is a meticulous jewel thief.  He carefully plans his robberies to minimize all risks.  Mike never has to resort to violence, leaves no clues and is gone well before the police arrive.  Mike’s goal is to get enough money to walk away from this life and start a new one without looking back.

Mike has successfully pulled off a string of robberies and believes that no one has linked that one man is behind them all.

He’s wrong.

LAPD Detective Lou Lubesnick is convinced that there are about a dozen robberies that were committed by the lone thief.  All of the jobs were done with easy access to a highway.  The thief had obviously cased the job and knew the comings and going of all the employees.  And not a single job resulted in anyone being hurt.  Although Detective Lubesnick is convinced, his bosses aren’t.  But that isn’t deterring Lubesnick.

Mike’s fence, Money also helps identify potential jobs.  When Money pushes Mike to take down a jewelry store without enough time to figure out how to make it work, Mike passes.  Money gets hires a hothead named Ormon for the heist.  This puts Mike at odds with both Money and Ormon.

As Detective Lubesnick closes in, Mike sees an opportunity for a job that will either set him up with the money needed to walk away… or get him killed.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Crime 101 is based on a novella by Don Winslow.

Crime 101 checks all the boxes – excellent story and direction plus a great cast.

Crime 101 (2026) rates 5 of 5 stars

“We’re No Angels” (1955) directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov / Z-View

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We’re No Angels (1955)

Director:  Michael Curtiz

Screenplay: Ranald MacDougall; based on La Cuisine Des Anges by Albert Husson

Stars:  Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett, Basil Rathbone, Gloria Talbott and Leo G. Carroll.

Tagline:  A strangler… A swindler… A safecracker… Yet you’ll love them!

The Plot…

Joseph, a thief, along with Albert and Jules who are murderers escape from the Devil’s Island French Prison.  They make it to a small town where they plan to steal enough funds to make it aboard a ship for their final escape.

The convicts decide to go into a store, steal clothes and money and make their getaway.  Once in the store they discover that the store is failing.  The nice family running the store is on the verge of losing everything.  Against their better judgment the three convicts decide to stay at the store until nightfall.  While there the boys decide to fix the leaking roof… help with sales… cook the family a nice dinner and more.

The longer Joseph, Albert and Jules stay the less likely they are to getaway.  The clock is ticking.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

We’re No Angels is based on the French play La cuisine des anges (The Angels’ Kitchen) by Albert Husson.  Interestingly enough, there was a Broadway play, My Three Angels by Sam and Bella Spewack which was was also based on the French play.  The Spewacks sued Paramount because parts of their play were incorporated into the movie without proper permission or payment.

We’re No Angels (1955) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1941) starring Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Berman & Lana Turner / Z-View

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Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

Director:  Victor Fleming

Screenplay: John Lee Mahin, Percy Heath, Samuel Hoffenstein; based on STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson

Stars:  Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, Lana Turner, Donald Crisp, Ian Hunter, Barton MacLane, Frederick Worlock, Lumsden Hare, Lawrence Grant and Forrester Harvey.

Tagline:  Do you have secret longings that you dare not reveal? If you do, it’s the Mr. Hyde in you – and you can find out all about him from M-G-M’s fascinating, revealing film!

The Plot…

1887.  Dr. Jekyll and Beatrix Emery are in love and wish to be married.  Beatrix’s father is not happy with the relationship.  To delay the marriage Beatrix’s dad takes her on a prolonged trip out of country.

Meanwhile Dr. Henry Jekyll continues his experiments to separate the good and evil in humans.  With Beatrix gone, Jekyll decides to ingest his serum himself.  It works by changing Dr. Jekyll’s appearance and personality.  He’s no longer a calm and kind person.  Now he’s become harsh, crude and sadistic.  Jekyll takes to calling himself Mr. Hyde when he’s under the influence of his serum.

Late one night Hyde saves Ivy Peterson from an attacker as she is walking home.  This leads to Hyde becoming infatuated with Ivy… in an unhealthy relationship.  As time passes Jekyll spends more and more time as Hyde.  Hyde’s behavior becomes more outrageous as he gets into bar fights and instigates mayhem.  His behavior with Ivy also takes a turn for the worst.

Soon Beatrix will return…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Because of the Hays Code Ivy’s profession was changed from a prostitute to a barmaid.

Spencer Tracy had hoped to play Hyde without use of make-up, but ultimately it was decided to use some.  Even still, the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde isn’t enough to make it believable that Jekyll wouldn’t be recognized.

Spencer Tracy also wanted the roles of Beatrix and Ivy to be played by the same actress.  Just as Tracy’s Jekyll and Hyde were the two sides (good and bad) of the same person, Beatrix and Ivy would be the female version.

Neither Beatrix nor Ivy appear in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella.  They first appear in the stage play adapted by T.R. Sullivan.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) is basically a remake of the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  Sadly, the remake falls far short of the original which was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning one.  Part of the problem is the Hays Code and part is that the transformation from Jekyll to Hyde is lacking.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) rates 3 of 5 stars

Sly Stallone is Jack Carter by Rags Morales!

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Sly Stallone is Jack Carter by Rags Morales!

I was able to get this awesome piece through a mail order commission.  It was one of my best commission experiences ever.  I was kept in regular communication as to my place on Rags list and the progress of the completed piece.  It was mailed in secure packaging… and of course the piece itself is a beaut.

“Cross” Season 2 (2026) starring Aldis Hodge / Z-View

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Cross: Season 2 (2026)

Created by: Ben Watkins; based on the ALEX CROSS novels by James Patterson

Director:

  • Craig Siebels (Eps. 9-10)
  • Stacey Muhammad  (Eps. 11-12)
  • R.T. Thorne (Eps. 13-14)
  • Tiffany K. Guillen (Ep. 15)
  • Edward Ornelas (Ep. 16)

Teleplay:

  • Ben Watkins & Marissa Lee (Ep. 9)
  • Jim Dunn  (Ep. 10)
  • J. David Shanks (Ep. 11)
  • Sonja Perryman (Ep. 12)
  • Alexandra Salerno (Ep. 13)
  • Ron McCants (Ep. 14)
  • Sam Ernst (Ep. 15)
  • Ben Watkins & Aiyana White (Ep. 16)

Stars: Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Juanita Jennings, Alona Tal, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, Jennifer Wigmore, Eloise Mumford, Ryan Eggold, Stacie Greenwell, Sharon Taylor, Karen Robinson, Mercedes de la Zerda, Siobhan Murphy and Johnny Ray Gill.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

D.C. Detective Alex Cross (Hodge) and (his best friend since childhood) Detective John Sampson (Mustafa) are placed on a task force to find a serial killer who has threatened to kill billionaire Lance Durand and is systematically murdering Durand’s business associates.  The killer leaves clues and collects fingers of the victims.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Cross benefits from a great cast.  Standouts are Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa (who plays my favorite character), Ryan Eggold and Johnny Ray Gill (who is a scene-stealer).

I am looking forward to season 3.

Cross: Season 2 (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Primate” (2025) / Z-View

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Primate (2025)

Director: Johannes Roberts

Screenplay: Johannes Roberts, Ernest Riera

Stars: Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Troy Kotsur, Stuart Whelan  and Ben Pronsky.

Tagline:  Something’s wrong with Ben.

The Plot…

Lucy Pinborough is heading home with some girlfriends from college.  Home is a remote Hawaiian house owned by her father.  Her dad is a famous novelist who is going to be away for the weekend on a book tour.  Lucy plans to have a party at her house with her girlfriends and some guys they met on the plane.  Oh, and Ben will be there as well.

Ben is a chimp that Lucy’s family adopted when he was just a baby.

What nobody knows is that Ben has contracted rabies.  And is about to become murderous.

Party on!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Here’s a little known fact: Hawaii is the only state in the US that maintains rabies-free status due to its strict rabies vaccination and quarantine requirements.

I had never seen Johnny Sequoyah before this.  She was excellent.

Primate (2025) rates 3 of 5 stars.

“Greystoke, The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes” by Leo Leibelman!

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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.

How cool is that that Leibelman chose to paint Greystoke, The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes?  Such a cool, underated movie, that deserves more recognition!

“Listen to me John. How many other white apes have you seen? You’re like me, not them. You have another family, far away, one you have never seen.” – Capitaine Phillippe D’Arnot

“Sisu: Road to Revenge” (2025) written & directed by Jalmari Helander, starring Jorma Tommila and Stephen Lang / Z-View

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Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025)

Director: Jalmari Helander

Screenplay: Jalmari Helander

Stars: Jorma Tommila, Richard Brake, Stephen Lang.

Tagline:  When they took his family, he took revenge.

The Plot…

After the events in Sisu, Aatami Korpi returns to his homeland to retrieve the lumber he used to build the home where Russians murdered his wife and children.  Korpi plans to rebuild the house in a new land.

After his family was murdered Korpi became obsessed with revenge.  His exploits as  “the commando who refuses to die” were spoken in hushed whispers by Russians and Nazis alike.  Korpi killed untold numbers of enemy soldiers and became a legend.

Now as Korpi makes his way home with his truckload of lumber, it has become known he has returned.  The KGB wants Korpi dead as revenge for the many Red Army soldiers he killed.  Yeagor Draganov, the man who killed Korpi’s family, is released from prison with the promise of his freedom and riches if he can kill Korpi.  Draganov is given as many soldiers and weapons as he needs to get the job done.

Let the fun begin!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sisu: Road to Revenge reminds me of the Road Runner cartoons I loved as a kid.  And that’s a good thing.

Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025) rates 4 of 5 stars.

“Rocky” Getting 50th Anniversary Limited Theatrical Release Plus Sneak Peak of “I Play Rocky”

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Rocky, the Academy-award winning best picture, will be returning to theaters this November to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film’s release.

This limited release will feature a 4K version of the original film plus an exclusive look at the upcoming Sylvester Stallone biographical feature, I Play Rocky directed by Peter (Green Book) Farrelly, with an introduction from the I Play Rocky cast.

Finally a film to get me back into a theater!  For more details check out…

Rocky Will Receive 50th Anniversary 4K Run In Theaters at Bleeding Cool.