Rocky Balboa by Shane Douberly!
I first met Shane Douberly at a HeroesCon. I’d never seen Shane’s art before but loved his style. So I hit him up for his take on Sly Stallone as Rocky Balboa. Shane came through with a knockout.
Category: Movies
“Cobra” by Rudy Ao!
If a movie poster is what you need, Rudy Ao is the cure! What a cool painting!
“I don’t deal with psychos. I put ’em away.” – Marion Cobretti
“Poltergeist” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!
Chris Koehler alt poster for Poltergeist that works!
“Now clear your minds. It knows what scares you. It has from the very beginning. Don’t give it any help, it knows too much already.” – Tangina
“The Wrecking Crew” (2026) starring Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa / Z-View
The Wrecking Crew (2026)
Director: Ángel Manuel Soto
Screenplay: Jonathan Tropper
Stars: Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin, Maia Kealoha, Stephen Root, Miyavi, David Hekili Kenui Bell, Lydia Peckham, Branscombe Richmond, Stephen Oyoung and Claes Bang.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Jonny Hale is a reservation cop living in Oklahoma. James Hale is a Navy Seal living in Hawaii. The two are half brothers who haven’t seen each other in ten years. When their father is killed in a hit and run, Jonny returns to Hawaii for the funeral.
Jonny believes that his father was murdered. Although unconvinced at first, James comes around when it becomes clear the Yakuza were involved.
Now Jonny and James have teamed to find the killers. Hawaiians should take cover. Things are about to get crazy.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Wrecking Crew features David Hekili Kenui Bell final film role. He died on June 12, 2025.
Dave Bautista and Jason Mamoa have great chemistry. Kudos also to Jacob Batalon, Morena Baccarin and Stephen Root.
I wanted to like this film more, but it was a bit too over-the-top to be taken seriously. They really leaned into the humor to the point that I never felt concerned for the duo’s safety. The action (with a couple of gory scenes as well) is ratcheted up to match the humor. Still, watching Bautista and Mamoa tear through the bad guys isn’t a bad way to spend an hour and half.
The Wrecking Crew (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“John Wick” Alt Poster by Vlad Rodriguez!
Vlad Rodriguez is a Miami based illustrator. Rodriguez has a passion for film. Here’s his alt poster for John Wick!
“Diablo” (2025) starring Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror / Z-View
Diablo (2025)
Director: Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Screenplay: Mat Sansom, story by Mat Sansom, Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Ernesto Díaz Espinoza
Stars: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Alanna De La Rossa, Lucho Velasco.
Tagline: There’ll Be Hell to Pay
The Plot…
Elisa, the daughter of Vincente, an extremely rich and ruthless Mexican mob boss, has been kidnapped. Kris Chaney, an ex-con has Elisa and is trying to escape with her back to the United States. Vincente has his entire criminal network looking for them plus he’s hired El Corvo, a psychopathic killer who will stop at nothing to finish his assignment.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Chris has little chance of survival.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
If you don’t see the plot twist coming, get your eyes checked. ; )
Diablo (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
Juan Saniose presents “The Man. The Myth. The Legend.”
Juan Saniose presents The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
“The Thicket” (2024), starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke and Leslie Grace with Gbenga Akinnagbe / Z-View
The Thicket (2024)
Director: Elliott Lester
Screenplay: Chris Kelley, based on THE THICKET by Joe R. Lansdale
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis, Esmé Creed-Miles, Levon Hawke, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ned Dennehy, James Hetfield, Macon Blair, Arliss Howard, Leslie Grace, Ryan Robbins, Teach Grant, Derek Gilroy, Roger LeBlanc and David Midthunder.
Tagline: Death comes fast in Texas
The Plot…
Jack, his sister Lula and their grandfather Caleb, are on their way to Caleb’s 700 acre ranch in Montana. At a ferry crossing they come across the infamous outlaw Cut-Throat Bill and her gang. Caleb is murdered. Jack left for dead and Lula is kidnapped.
Jack makes it to the next town. There he sees part-time bounty hunters / grave diggers Reginald Jones and Eustace Howard in action. Jones and Howard make an unlikely pair. Jones has dwarfism and Howard is a black man. Jack wants to hire them to help him rescue his sister. Jones and Howard are hesitant to go against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang. When Jack tells them he owns a 700 acre ranch in Montana and offers them land if they take on the job. They agree knowing that success is unlikely.
What chance does a young kid, and part-time bounty hunters have against Cut-Throat Bill and her gang? Let’s find out.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
The Thicket is based on Joe R. Lansdale’s novel of the same name released by Mulholland Books on September 10, 2013. Making the film was a longtime passion project for Peter Dinklage. Dinklage was first linked to the project in 2014.
Juliette Lewis has never been better. She owns every scene as the frightening and murderous Cut-Throat Bill.
The Thicket (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“Halloween” Alt Poster by Chris Koehler!
John Carpenter’s Halloween was a little independent film that jumpstarted the slasher genre. Actually it poured gas on all horror films due to it’s success. Although many would follow in Carpenter’s footsteps none was as good.
Chris Koehler has created an alt Halloween poster worthy of the film. I love how this red variant makes Michael Myers “pop”.
“London Calling” (2025) directed by Allan Unger, starring Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor with Rick Hoffman and Aidan Gillen / Z-View
London Calling (2025)
Director: Allan Ungar
Screenplay: Levin Menekse, Quinn Wolfe, Allan Ungar
Stars: Josh Duhamel, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Rick Hoffman, Aidan Gillen, Neil Sandilands, Brandon Auret, Milton Schorr, Dumani Siphosethu Mtya, Karl Thaning and Arnold Vosloo.
Tagline: Answer the call
The Plot…
After Tommy Ward accidentally killed a London cartel lord’s son, Tommy escaped to the United States. Now Tommy wants to go back to London since that is where his son lives. Harry, Tommy’s current employer offers Tommy a deal. If Tommy will teach Julian (Harry’s son) to become a man, Harry will get Tommy safe passage back to London. All Tommy has to do is take Julian on a hit.
Taking Julian along is a dangerous proposition. It becomes worse when Tommy becomes a target himself.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor had good on-screen chemistry. There were some funny moments, but the film became to over-the-top for me. Your mileage, as always could vary.
London Calling (2025) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Civil War” Tribute Poster by Nuno Sarnadas!
I love the creativity of this Civil War tribute poster by Nuno Sarnadas. Sardanas is a professional artist and movie lover based in Switzerland.
Nuno Sarnadas has more art on display at his webpage.
“Okay. What kind of American are you?” – Unnamed Soldier
“Hold the Dark” (2018) directed by Jeremy Saulnier, starring Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård and Riley Keough / Z-View
Hold the Dark (2018)
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Screenplay: Macon Blair, based on HOLD THE DARK byWilliam Giraldi
Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Alexander Skarsgård, James Badge Dale, Riley Keough, Julian Black Antelope, Eric Keenleyside and Tantoo Cardinal.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Russell Core arrives at the small, remote village of Keelut, Alaska. Core came at the request of Medora Slone. Three children from the village (including Medora’s young son) are missing. A wolf pack is blamed. Although there is no hope the children are alive, Medora wants Core to track and kill the pack.
Core agrees. What he and others will soon learn, something much more sinister than a wolf pack is responsible.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
My main interest in this film was actor Jeffrey Wright (who is always excellent) and director Jeremy Saulnier (I loved his work on Rebel Ridge).
Hold the Dark (2018) rates 3 of 5 stars.
“Emperor of the North” by Tony Stella!
Emperor of the North is so underrated. Great performances and one of the most brutal movie fights ever. It stars Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Keith Carradine.
Tony Stella’s painting is worthy of Emperor.
“Stay off the tracks. Forget it. It’s a bum’s world for a bum. You’ll never be Emperor of the North Pole, kid”. – A No. 1
“Cold Meat” (2024) / Z-View
Cold Meat (2024)
Director: Sébastien Drouin
Screenplay: Sébastien Drouin, James Kermack, Andrew Desmond
Stars: Allen Leech, Nina Bergman, Yan Tual.
Tagline: Outside is dangerous. Inside is deadly.
The Plot…
David Peterson is driving through a blinding snowstorm when he stops at a diner as it is closing. With most places closed because of the storm, David is glad to get a hot coffee and a piece of pie. As he begins to eat, an angry man enters.
He’s the waitress’ ex. When the man starts to get rough, David speaks up. He cautions the man about his behavior. The man warns David, who calmly replies that if the police are called, it will be the waitress’ and his word about what went down. The ex angrily leaves.
David finishes his meal and gasses up before heading back into the blinding snowstorm. As he’s driving on a remote road, he sees the waitress’ ex in a huge truck bearing down on him. David is nearly forced off the road. He speeds up and is able to beat the truck around a corner. David drives off-road and turns off his lights. The truck passes by. David waits until he is sure it is safe to leave.
Only to find his car stuck in the quickly fallen snow. Unable to get his car free, David realizes he may freeze to death before the snowstorm passes.
The blizzard is going to be the least of David’s worries.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I like the set-up of the story. There’s a nice twist early on. The tension increases throughout the film, but the ending is a bit of a let-down.
Cold Meat (2024) rates 2 of 5 stars.
“Nightmare” (1964) / Z-View
Nightmare (1964)
Director: Freddie Francis
Screenplay: Jimmy Sangster
Stars: David Knight, Moira Redmond, Brenda Bruce, Jennie Linden.
Tagline: THREE SHOCKING MURDERS…did she DREAM them? …or DO them?
The Plot…
Six years ago Janet Freeman saw her mother stabbed to death. Janet was eleven. Nightmares have haunted her since. Now seventeen, the night terrors have become so bad that Janet has been sent home from boarding school to recover.
At home, the nightmares become worse and even more realistic. Is Janet dreaming of murders or commiting them?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
There are worse ways to spend 82 minutes…
Nightmare (1964) rates 2 of 5 stars.
