Evan Bryce Knows the Cure

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Today we have the return of Evan Bryce and his riff on Sly as Cobra. I’ve been a fan of Evan’s art for a few years now and we’ve become friends via the internet. We’d met just once at Heroes Con in 2009 and I got a cool Sly from The Expendables sketch.

Evan didn’t make it back to Heroes in 2010 and he wasn’t supposed to be there this year. However he surprised everyone and made the trip. I asked for a Stallone character sketch of his choice and he went with Cobra and threw in the car and cityscape background as a bonus.

Evan is an exciting artist and one to keep an eye on. You can see more of his work at his blog or his Deviant Art site. Plan to spend a while.

UFC on Versus 6 Results

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That’s 5’11”, Pat Barry getting ready to slam 6’11”, Stefan Struve, in just one of the four exciting bouts that were live last night on UFC on Versus 6.   Let’s take a look at the fights and my predictions.

  • Matt Wiman (13-6) vs. Mac Danzig (20-8-1) This was a war earning fight of the night honors and an additional $65,000 for each fighter.  Both men were there to win and neither wanted to take a step backward.  At different times it seemed that either man could end it.
    Prediction: Wiman via decision.
    Result: Wiman via decision making me 1-0 for the night.
  • Anthony Johnson (9-3) vs. Charlie Brenneman (14-2) 
    Prediction: Johnson via decision.
    Result: Johnson won and earned KO of the night [and the extra $65,000 that went with the honor] when the ref stopped the fight after a solid head kick knocked Brenneman to the mat.   There is no doubt that Brenneman was in trouble and had been wobbled by punches earlier, but when he landed on the mat, he was already part way up [and never out] when the ref signaled the end to the fight.  Still, the result made me 2-0 for the night.
  • Pat Barry (6-3) vs. Stefan Struve (21-5) The tallest fighter in the UFC [Struve at 7 feet] took on one of the UFC’s shortest heavyweights [Barry at 5’11”] and it must have been difficult for each to get their range, because it was slow going at first.   When they finally did start to land, it looked like Barry was going to be able to wade in a land a KO punch.  Barry wobbled Struve and  that’s when Struve took things to the mat.  After a failed guillotine, Struve smoothly transitioned to a triangle choke.  Barry lifted the Struve high above his head and slammed the giant to the canvas.  Struve was able to hold on to the choke, and the slam simply made it tighter forcing Barry to tap.
    Prediction: Barry wins by KO.
    Result: Struve wins by submission making me 2-1 for the night.
  • Dominick Cruz (18-1) vs Demetrious Johnson (10-1)  What a battle!  Cruz was forced to change his game plan in order to retain his title because Johnson was faster and better conditioned.  The final judges scores indicate a lopsided win for Cruz and although he did win every round in my opinion, Johnson was always in it.  At one point Johnson got out of a deep choke and back to his feet and immediately went on the attack again.   Johnson is a fighter and at some point will get another chance at the title.
    Prediction: Cruz wins by decision.
    Result: Cruz won by decision making me 3-1 for the night.

 

 

UFC on Versus 6 Live Tonight

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Tonight we have the UFC Live on Versus 6.  Let’s take a look at the fights and my predictions.

  • Matt Wiman (13-6) vs. Mac Danzig (20-8-1) This is a rematch.  Wiman won their first fight back in June of last year.  Although it was a controversial stoppage, and a win for Wiman, I see no reason that Wiman won’t repeat.
    Prediction: Wiman via decision.
  • Anthony Johnson (9-3) vs. Charlie Brenneman (14-2)
    Prediction: Johnson via decision.
  • Pat Barry (6-3) vs. Stefan Struve (21-5) The tallest fighter in the UFC [Struve at 7 feet] takes on one of the UFC’s shortest heavyweights [Barry at 5’11”]. If Struve could use his reach to keep Barry at bay, he’d have a decent chance.  I don’t see that happening.
    Prediction: Barry wins by KO.
  • Dominick Cruz (18-1) vs Demetrious Johnson (10-1)  Although this should be a good fight, I don’t see Johnson pulling out the win.
    Prediction: Cruz wins by decision.

 

100 All Time Best Comedies

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Recently TimeOut.com posted their choices for the 100 Best Comedies of All Time.  Using just their list, here is my top ten…

  • Airplane: The only other movie that made me laugh so hard was Richard Pryor Live… and why didn’t it make the 100 Best list?
  • Blazing Saddles: At the time it was one of the craziest movies I had ever seen.  Mel Brooks‘ masterpiece.
  • Dr. Strangelove: One of my favorite movies.  It’s not an all-out laugh fest like the first two because of the subject matter.  A masterpiece.
  • Arsenic and Old Lace: My favorite Cary Grant movie.  I can watch this one anytime.
  • Planes, Trains and Automobiles: I was surprised at how good this movie was.  A comedy with heart and real LOLs.
  • National Lampoon’s Vacation: Probably gets bonus points because I have so many fond memories of watching it with my ex-brother in law.  I actually like Christmas Vacation better, but it didn’t make the list!
  • Raising Arizona: Nick Cage’s funniest intentionally funny movie.
  • The Pink Panther Strikes Again: I saw it in a theater back in high school and although it’s not as funny as I remembered it to be, my memories of it are good enough to get it into the top ten.
  • The Princess Bride: A classic fairy tale that happens to be pretty dog-gone funny.

Robin Holstein’s Sly Art

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I met Robin Holstein for the first time at this year’s Heroes Con. I’d see a bit of Robin’s art online and so I made sure to swing by his table and meet him. After talking to Robin a bit, I decided to commission a Stallone sketch from him. Robin came up with the sketch above. Upon seeing it, I immediately asked if he had room on his list for another piece — my buddy, LittleJohn312 was with me and he also asked to get on Robin’s list. Lucky for us, Robin was able to fit us both in.

You’ll see my second piece by Robin soon. If you can’t wait and want to see more of Robin’s art now, you can at his site.

UFC 135 Results

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UFC 135 was on pay-per-view last night. There were only two fights that I cared about.  Here are my predictions and the results:

  • Josh Koscheck vs. Matt Hughes.
    Prediction: Koscheck wins via ref stoppage.
    Result: Koscheck won via first round KO making me 1-0 for the night.
  • Jon Jones vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
    Prediction: Jones by TKO.
    Result: Jones won by 4th round submission making me 2-0 for the night.

Final thoughts:

  • Matt Hughes didn’t announce his retirement after the loss.  At 38,  and with two consecutive first round losses, retirement sounds like the right choice.  My guess is that in a few months Dana White will announce that Hughes has a new position in the UFC and will no longer fight.  The word retirement may not even be used.
  • Jones already has his next title defense set.  He will defend against Rashad Evens.

 

UFC 135 Predictions

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UFC 135 is on pay-per-view tonight.  There’s really only two fights that I care about on this card, so this will be short and sweet.

  • Josh Koscheck vs. Matt Hughes – There was a time when Matt Hughes was the best in his division… unfortunately that time has passed.  I don’t see this fight going the distance.
    Prediction: Koscheck wins via ref stoppage.
  • Jon Jones vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson – This might be an interesting fight.  I think Rampage is going to go out and try to take it to Jones.  If Rampage does, he will have a slugger’s chance.
    Prediction: Jones by TKO.

I’ll have the results for you tomorrow.

 

“The Expendables” Cast 1970s Style

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Bryan Enk at IFC.com posted an interesting article that asked and answered the question: What Would a 1970’s-Era “Expendables” Cast Look Like?   For the most part, I think Enk’s choices are spot on.  Let’s look at who he’d cast…

  • Charles Bronson – Bronson would have been my first choice as well.  Bronson would play Stallone’s character.  The only thing better would have been for Bronson to have been alive to join the true cast.
  • Malcolm McDowell – Now THAT is an interesting choice.  Enk says that McDowell would play Statham’s role, but I disagree.  I think that McDowell would be better as Dolph Lundgren’s character. McDowell has that right mix of crazy to pull it off.
  • Steve McQueen – Although Enk doesn’t list a specific character for McQueen, for me at least, it is obvious that McQueen would play the unlucky in love loner that Jason Statham brought to life on the big screen.
  • Bruce Lee – What fan wouldn’t have picked Bruce Lee to play an Expendable?  Of course Lee would naturally fit in as Jet Li’s character.
  • Lee Marvin – Great choice!  I see Lee Marvin taking on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cameo as Trench.  How cool would that have been?  Very cool, says I.
  • Richard Roundtree – I can see Roundtree in the role played by Terry Crews, but I think I’d have rather seen Ron O’Neal or Jim Brown.
  • Gene Hackman – Ok, although I didn’t become a Gene Hackman fan until later in his career [it was me, not him], I can see him playing the Eric Roberts’ role.
  • Clint Eastwood – Who wouldn’t want to see Eastwood in the role of Mr. Church played by Bruce Willis?
  • Charlton Heston – Enk has Heston playing one of the cameos played by Schwarzenegger and Willis, but since I have already filled those parts, we’d have to give Chuck a new role.

Since Enk didn’t come up with a 70’s actor to play the roles brought to life by Steve Austin and David Zayas, I’d like to suggest William Smith and Ernest Borgnine… and don’t you think we’d have to find something for John Wayne?

 

Back Icarus – I Did!

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Are you familiar with Ryan Cody’s Icarus?

  • ICARUS follows U.S.M.C. Major Robert Riley on his exploits to track and assassinate all super-powered beings on Earth.  Things aren’t all that they seem in Riley’s world: Girls that can see the future, alien invasions and government conspiracies all play a part in this twisting and turning adventure. When Big Brother decides to put its foot down, Riley is there to chop it off.

Want to see more?  Then you should consider becoming a backer for Ryan’s Kickstarter project.  For four bucks you’ll get a new 22 page full color issue of Icarus each month for four months!  Talk about a bargain!  There are other levels of support available with bonuses at each level.

Any support you can throw Ryan’s way will be greatly appreciated!