“War Machine” (2026) starring Alan Ritchson / Z-View
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
The Original John Severin Art for Cracked #143 – The Issue Where They KO Rocky!
Here’s a photo of the original John Severin art used for Cracked #143 published in August 1977. This image is from the Sylvester Stallone Heritage Auction.
Sly Stallone is Marion Cobretti by Trav Hart!
Trav Hart created his cool riff of Sly Stallone as Marion Cobretti at HeroesCon 2018. It got placed in the vault without ever being posted until now.
You can see more of Trav’s art at his site.
Rare Action Shot from”Rocky III” w/ Sly and Mr. T!
Check out this awesome and rarely seen action shot from Rocky III featuring Mr. T and Sly Stallone. Photography By Christine Loss.
Click on the image to see a My_Mother_Hits_Harder-sized view. – Craig
“Ballerina” (2025) starring Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane and Keanu Reeves / Z-View
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
Andrew Robinson’s Two Face is Absolutely Amazing!
I’m not up to speed on DC’s Absolute heroes and villains, but I sure do dig Andrew Robinson’s riff on Absolute Two Face.
“Bent” (2018) starring Karl Urban, Sofía Vergara and Andy García / Z-View
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
“Bunker” (2022) / Z-View
Bunker (2022)
Director: Adrian Langley
Screenplay: Michael Huntsman
Stars: Roger Clark, Luke Baines, Patrick Moltane, Kayla Radomski and Julian Feder.
Tagline: None.
The Plot (beware of spoilers)…
World War I. A squad of British soldiers have been hunkered down in their trench. Word reaches them that the Germans they’ve been fighting have retreated. The British commander orders his men to move along the trench and take over the German outpost.
Along the way, the British soldiers see several mutilated bodies. Once at the outpost they find a door barricaded shut. When they break through, they discover a German soldier secured to a cross. Shelling begins and the doorway collapses sealing the British soldiers in.
Now trapped in the darkness, they begin to hear and see strange things.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Bunker moved at a sloooow pace. The British soldiers were trapped, but I had to get out.
Bunker (2022) rates 1 of 5 stars
Bernie Wrightson’s Batman!
Bernie Wrightson is best known for his horror art (especially Frankenstein) but Wrightson’s Batman (like everything Wrightson drew) is also so good.
Source: Joe Otis Costello.
Marv by Dmitrijus Čechovas!
Marv from Frank Miller’s Sin City is one of my all-time favorite characters. I love seeing artists do their “take” on the big lug. Today we have a Marv by Dmitrijus Čechovas.
“Apex” starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton / Z-View
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
“Dark Winds” Season 4 / Z-View
Dark Winds Season 4 (2026)
Created by: Graham Roland
Director:
- Craig Zisk (Ep. 1),
- Zahn McClarnon (Ep. 2)
- Chris Eyre (Eps. 3, 5, 7)
- Jim Chory (Ep. 4)
- Steven Paul Judd (Ep. 6)
- Erica Trimblay (Ep. 8)
Teleplay by:
- John Wirth & Steven Paul Judd (Eps. 1, 4),
- Max Hurwitz & Wenonah Wilms (Eps. 2, 5)
- Thomas Brady & Erica Tremblay (Eps. 3, 6)
- Shaandiin Tome & Shandton Williams II (Eps. 7)
- Max Hurwitz & Thomas Brady (Ep. 8)
Based on the Leaphorn & Chee novels by Tony Hillerman
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez.
Tagline: None
The Plot… (beware of spoilers)
Lt. Leaphorn, Sgt. Chee, and Sgt. Manuelito find themselves on the trail of a teenage runaway. The girl left her boarding school with her boyfriend. They’re on the run but from who? And why?
Things become even more confusing when a mysterious female assassin shows up looking for the kids. Leaphorn, Chee and Manulito follow the trail that leads to LA. They’re a step behind the assassin and if they don’t catch up, the kids will die along with the reason they’re being hunted.
Thoughts…
Moving the action to LA was an interesting idea. I did miss the feel of action on the reservation since that location is almost like an additional character.
Dark Winds continues to entertain and the set-up for season 5 is a winner.
“Psycho” Alt Poster by Stephen Andrade!
Stephen Andrade has created an alt poster for Psycho that really conveys the sense of horror and mystery. I love it!
“Well, a boy’s best friend is his mother.” – Norman Bates
Sly Stallone on Set Filming “Rocky II” by LeRoy Neiman!
Here’s another rarely seen piece. This was created by LeRoy Neiman on October 31, 1978, while on set of Sylvester Stallone filming Rocky II.
Click on the image to see a championship-sized version. – Craig
