Jack Carter & John Wick Share a Drink by Marc Lapierre!

Posted on by

Every year the Cartoon Art Museum does a fundraiser.  Artists take on commissions with the funds raised going to support the Museum.  It’s a great cause supported by exceptional artists who share their talents in an effort to support the Museum.

This year one of the two artists I commissioned was Marc Lapierre. As you can see, I asked for Stallone from Get Carter and Keanu Reeves as John Wick.  Not only did Lapierre create an amazing drawing but added a captions for an unexpected payoff. Awesome job.  Click on the photo above to see a biggie-sized version.

I cannot thank Marc Lapierre enough for this sweet addition to my Stallone art collection.

“The Crow” by Bruno Vergauwen – Two Limited Edition Prints!

Posted on by

Bruno Vergauwen has created two very cool prints for The Crow.  The art on top is available as a 36″ x 24″ hand-numbered screen print in an edition of 200 for $60.

The bottom variant is available with archival pigment on 4mm thick acrylic panel, 36 x 24 inches, with Digital numbered COA issued by Verisart in a limited edition of 75 for $125.

Both will be available on Thursday (8/14) @ 12PM ET at Bottleneckgallery.com!

Surprise! by Charlie Griak!

Posted on by

I love drawings that set up or tell a story.  Charlie Griak created the painting above.  It’s a great example of what I’m talking about.

Late night.  A guy with a satchel is heading to his hotel room.  Is he hiding out?  On the run? (And what’s in the grip?)

The guy is shocked to see a mystery man casually lighting a smoke outside his room.  The enigmatic man isn’t doing anything that looks threatening, but we can tell from the bag guy’s reaction he’s scared.

Look at that art and tell me you don’t want to know more! Kudos to Charlie Griak for an awesome painting.

Sly Stallone is Robert Rath, Antonio Banderas is Miguel Baine & Julianne Moore is Electra in “Assassins” by Tariq Hasson!

Posted on by

I had never seen Tariq Hasson‘s art before.  He was doing sketches at HeroesCon 2006 and I liked the results.  Luckily I was able to get on Tariq’s sketch list.  Tariq chose to draw Robert Rath from Assassins.  What was even cooler was Tariq decided to add Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas) and Electra (Julianne Moore) as well.

“Madea’s Destination Wedding” (2025) written, directed by and starring Tyler Perry / Z-View

Posted on by

Madea’s Destination Wedding (2025)

Director:  Tyler Perry

Screenplay: Tyler Perry

Stars: Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, David Mann, Tamela J. Mann, Diamond White, Xavier Smalls, Bree Shannon and Rocky Myers.

Tagline: Hellur from Bahamas.

The Plot…

Madea, the immediate family and a couple of friends are invited to a quicky wedding for Madea’s grandniece, Tiffany.  All expenses paid.

Tiffany’s dad, Brian, is concerned since he just met the groom-to-be, Xavier.  Xavier is arrogant and immature.  Worse still, Brian has been put in a position where he feels he needs to foot the entire wedding bill.  As if that weren’t enough, Tiffany wants a destination wedding at an expensive resort in the Bahamas.

Brian suggests that Tiffany not rush into things.  Tiffany’s mom appears to want the wedding even more than Tiffany.

There are a number of mishaps getting ready for the trip.  But when Madea and the family arrive at the resort they start living it up.  Then Madea discovers something that could change everything.

If anyone has a reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.  Madea isn’t one to hold her peace.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Tyler Perry writes, directs and stars (playing three characters) in Madea’s Destination Wedding.  This is the first Madea film where Perry doesn’t use make-up.  Instead he used digital technology to erase his beard and change his face.

Madea’s Destination Wedding is the 13th in the series!

Madea’s Destination Wedding (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Ziam” (2025) / Z-View

Posted on by

Ziam (2025)

Director:  Kulp Kaljareuk

Screenplay: Kulp Kaljareuk, Nut Nualpang, Weerasu Worrapot, Vatanyu Ingkavivat, Chonnatee Pimnam

Stars: Mark Prin Suparat, Nuttanicha Dungwattanawanich.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

As zombie virus outbreak rapidly spreads, Singh, a retired Muay Thai fighter battles through hordes of the walking dead to rescue his girlfriend Rin.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I lasted a little over 30 minutes before tapping out.  Your mileage may vary.

Ziam (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars

“The Amateur” (2025) starring Rami Malek and Laurence Fishburne / Z-View

Posted on by

The Amateur (2025)

Director:  James Hawes

Screenplay: Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli; based on THE AMATEUR by Robert Littell

Stars: Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Evan Milton, Nick Mills, Adrian Martinez, David Mills, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Joseph Millson, Marc Rissmann, Danny Sapani and Jon Bernthal.

Tagline: Don’t underestimate him.

The Plot…

Charlie Heller is a small, mild-mannered C.I.A. analyst.  Charlie’s wife is killed by terrorists. Her murder was totally random and in no way related to Charlie’s job.  Charlie is devastated.

Then he comes up with a plan.

Charlie wants to be trained as a C.I.A. operative.  Specifically a hit man. Once Charlie is trained he plans to kill every terrorist involved in his wife’s execution.  Charlie’s bosses at the company don’t think that Charlie could ever be prepared enough.  He lacks the killer instinct.

They’re are severely underestimating him.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Robert Littell is a journalist and novelist.  He wrote the screenplay for The Amateur which was made into the 1981 film starring John Savage.  Littell then adapted his screenplay into a novel. The 2025 is based on both.

In most films where the star’s wife/girlfriend is killed, the main emotion is anger.  Here we get a true feeling of sadness and despair.

Rami Malek is excellent.  He is supported by very talented co-stars that include Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Holt McCallany, Danny Sapani and Jon Bernthal.  Kudos also to director James Hawes.

The Amateur is one of my favorite movies of the year.

The Amateur (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

Sly Stallone as Johnny Kovak from “F.I.S.T.” by Tony Harris!

Posted on by

Getting on Tony Harris‘ commission list wasn’t easy.  It filled up fast and actually took more than a couple of conventions to make it.  But when I did, Tony came through with a winner.  As you can see above, Tony opted to draw Sly Stallone as Johnny Kovak from the very underrated film, F.I.S.T..  What a knockout!  I love this piece as much today as the day I got it.

 

“Hard Boiled” (1992) directed by John Woo; starring Chow Yun-Fat / Z-View

Posted on by

Hard Boiled (1992)

Director:  John Woo

Screenplay: Gordon Chan, Barry Wong; story John Woo

Stars: Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai.

Tagline: As a cop, he has brains, brawn, and an instinct to kill.

The Plot…

Hong Kong Police Inspectors “Tequila” Yuen and his partner Inspector Benny Mak are watching gun smugglers during an exchange.  When a rival gang shows up a shootout takes place.  Several gangsters, civilians and Benny Mak are killed in the battle.

Tequila vows revenge.  Tequila learns that Alan, one of the gang leader’s most trusted killers,  is an undercover agent.  Tequila reaches out to Alan and proposes that they work together to bring the gangsters down.

They’re going to need a lot of bullets.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The famous scene where Chow Yun-Fat does the “staircase slide” while firing was improvised on the set.

The hospital gun battle runs a good thirty minutes including one three minute single take scene.

When first released and for many years after, Hard Boiled was considered the apex action film.

Hard Boiled (1992) rates 4 of 5 stars