Rocky Balboa by Koi Pham!
It’s hard to believe I got this Rocky Balboa convention sketch from Koi Pham over two decades ago!
“Animals” (2026) directed by Ben Affleck, starring Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun / Z-View
Animals (2026)
Director: Ben Affleck
Screenplay: Connor O. McIntyre, Billy Ray, Ben Affleck
Stars: Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Steven Yeun.
Tagline: Power can’t protect you.
The Plot…
Mark Kimball is an independent candidate running for Mayor of Los Angeles. The race has been an uphill battle that’s put a strain on his marriage to Abigail.
With election day near, Mark is just a few percentage points from the lead. To get money needed to put him over the top, Mark secretly signs over his family’s savings. Once he wins, the money will be paid back.
Then the unthinkable happens. Mark and Abigail’s son is kidnapped. The kidnapper’s ransom demand is out of reach since Mark secretly used the money for his campaign. If they go to the police, the kidnappers promise to kill their son.
With nowhere else to turn Mark and Abigail enlist the aid of Dayle. Dayle works outside the law, but has success in dealing with kidnappers. Dayle doesn’t come cheap and payment delays carry a high interest rate. As Dayle questions Mark and Abigail secrets held by each are exposed.
Then something unexpected happens. And it changes everything.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Animals was originally going to star Matt Damon and Jennifer Garner (Ben Affleck’s ex-wife) with Affleck still directing. When filming was delayed, Damon had to back out. With Damon out, Affleck decided to take the starring role. Garner then decided to pass on her role. Kerry Washington was then signed.
Just weeks before filming was to start, Affleck halted production. Highest 2 Lowest directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington had been announced. The plots of Animals and Highest 2 Lowest were similar. Affleck decided to make changes to Animals to make it a more morally ambiguous drama exploring marriage, public image, and personal integrity.
Gillian Anderson is excellent as Dayle. It’s my favorite of Gillian Anderson role.
Animals (2026) rates 4 of 5 stars.
RIP: Susan Saint James
Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026 from pancreatic cancer. She was 80.
Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller. She began a modeling career as a teenager. When Susan Miller decided on a career in acting she changed her name to Susan Saint James.
Ms. Jame’s first role was in a television movie called Fame is the Name of the Game. Susan Saint James continued to get television guest appearances, and when Fame is the Name of the Game was adapted into an on-going series (Name of the Game), she was brought back as one of the stars. Her acting as Peggy Maxwell earned Susan Saint James 4 Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Primetime Emmy Nominations with one win.
The same year that Name of the Game ended, Susan St. James got the co-starring role with Rock Hudson in McMillan and Wife. Susan Saint James left the series after five years (and two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy niminations) due to a contract dispute. The series ran with a name change (McMillan) for a much shortened sixth season.
After leaving McMillan and Wife, Susan Saint James began alternating between movie and television roles. In 1984, Ms. James returned to television in a starring role on Kate & Allie. The series ran for six seasons and earned Susan Saint James two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
After Katie & Allie ended Susan Saint James took retired from acting, only returning for a few special opportunities.
Some of Susan Saint James’s television performances include: Fame is the Name of the Game; Ready and Willing; Ironside (2 episodes); It Takes a Thief (5 episodes); McCloud; Alias Smith & Jones; The Name of the Game (38 episodes); Magic Carpet; McMillan & Wife (34 episodes); Sex and the Single Parent; S.O.S. Titanic; MASH; Kate & Allie (122 episodes); The Drew Carey Show; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Suits; The Haunting of Bly Manor and Upload (3 episodes).
Some of Susan Saint James’s feature film appearances include: P.J.; What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?; Outlaw Blues; Love at First Bite; How to Beat the High Cost of Living and Carbon Copy.
My favorite Susan Saint James role was as Peggy Maxwell on Name of the Game. Who wouldn’t want her as a secretary/member of the team? Susan Saint James was the rare actress who was good whether it was a drama or comedy.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan Saint Jame’s family, friends and fans.
RIP: Walter Koenig
Walter Koenig died on October 25, 2026 from natural causes. Mr. Koenig was 90.
After high school Walter Koenig attended Grinnell College in Iowa where he was a pre-med student. Mr. Koenig transferred to UCLA where he received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. While at UCLA, he decided to try acting. Walter Koenig moved to New York to attend the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.
Mr. Koenig’s first role was an uncredited part on Combat! in 1962. Many other television appearances followed. Then in 1967, Walter Koenig appeared on Star Trek as Chekov, in the role that made him famous. Following Star Trek, Mr. Koenig continued to act on television and in movies in a career that spanned over 60 years.
Some of Walter Koenig’s television performances include: Combat!; The Untouchables; General Hospital (2 episodes); The Great Adventure; The Lieutenant; The Alfred Hitchcock Hour; Ben Casey; Mr. Novak (3 episodes); Gidgit; I Spy; Jericho; Star Trek (36 episodes); Mannix; Medical Center; The Viriginian; Ironside; The Starlost (2 episodes); The Questor Tapes; Columbo; Bring ‘Em Back Alive; Anthony and Cleopatra; The Real Ghostbusters; Viva Variety; Almost Perfect; Babylon 5 (12 episodes); Diagnosis Murder; The Privateers; Son of the Beach; Futurama; Star Trek: Phase II; Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters (11 episodes) and Star Trek: Picard.
Some of Walter Koenig’s feature film appearances include: Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; Stara Trek V: The Final Frontier; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; Staar Trek: Generations; Drawing Down the Moon; Scream of the Bikini and Raging Midlife.
I may have first seen Walter Koenig on one of his many television guest appearances prior to Star Trek. It is his signature role on Star Trek though that brought him to my (and the world’s attention). Star Trek was already a popular show among my friends and I. The inclusion of Mr. Koenig only increased the show’s popularity.
I met Walter Koenig at a convention years ago. I was there with my buddy, comic artist John Beatty, was a guest of the show. I was walking around before the convention started and saw Walter Koenig behind his table. I walked over, shook his hand and told him I was a fan. Mr. Koenig was gracious and humble. It was a short interaction, but one I fondly remember.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Walter Koenig’s family, friends and fans.
“You’re a big man, but I do this for a living,” by Kelsey Shannon
Kelsey Shannon gifted me this sketch at HeroesCon 2004. We had “talked” via e-mail for a couple of years, but it was the first time I met him in person. I knew Kelsey had worked in comics, animation, and film, and that he could pencil, ink and color. At the con I also learned Kelsey plays a mean game of hacki-sack.
Years after this sketch, Kelsey would provide art and a variant cover for EXPENDABLES GO TO HELL!
CRUX by James Byron Huggins / Z-View
CRUX by James Byron Huggins
First sentence…
A bolt of lightning shattered the Observation Room, but even in the deafening thunder Blanchard heard horrified screams and glimpsed a scientist scramble under equipment that was obliterated by a blinding blue streak.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
An experiment at the Hadron Super Collider in Geneva goes horribly wrong. When the smoke clears seven physicists are missing. Something unexplainable caused a bolt of blue lightning, a massive explosion and seven scientists to vanish. Although the public learns there was an accident at the Hadron Collider, they aren’t given details.
Amanda Decker’s sister was one of the physicists who died in the “accident”. Amanda realizes the official story doesn’t make sense. She suspects a cover-up. To get answers, Amanda enlists the aide of a man known only as Isaiah. Isaiah, for those in the know, has skills to aid people when all hope is gone.
Isaiah and Amanda arrange entry into the Hadron Collider. Unknown to them (or anyone without a need to know) a small team of US military operatives are headed to the Collider. The US soldiers will make sure the location is secure. US Military intelligence thinks that the Hadron Collider “accident” was caused by a terrorist attack.
They’re wrong.
Once inside the Collider, Isaiah, Amanda and the soldiers learn the explosion wasn’t an experiment gone wrong. It wasn’t caused by terrorists. Someone alone or with the assistance of others used the Collider to attempt to open a gateway to another dimension.
And it worked.
The portal was open just long enough for scientists to be sucked through. And some thing(s) from the other side to enter our world.
+++
James Byron Huggins has never written a book that fails to entertain. CRUX joins Huggins’ HUNTER trilogy, CAIN, LEVIATHAN, RORA and others that I can easily suggest to lovers of action thrillers.
Rating:
“Stand By Me” Alt Poster by Mike Empleado!
It’s easy to forget just how amazing Stand By Me is. Thankfully this alt poster by Mike Empleado is a great reminder.
“I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?” – Gordie
“Nighthawks” (1981) starring Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams & Rutgar Hauer / Z-View
Nighthawks (1981)
Director: Bruce Malmuth
Screenplay: David Shaber; story by David Shaber, Paul Sylbert
Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, Lindsay Wagner, Persis Khambatta, Nigel Davenport, Joe Spinell, Tony Munafo, Catherine Mary Stewart and Rutger Hauer.
Tagline: One man can bring the world to its knees and only one man can stop him.
The Plot…
Terrorist attacks across Europe are on the rise. In response, the United States created the Anti-Terrorist Action Command (ATAC). Under the direction of British Police Inspector Peter Hartman, the ATAC squad is made up of the best of the best. Detectives Deke DaSilva and Matthew Fox of the Street Crimes Unit are transferred to ATAC.
When Wulfgar, an international terrorist, claims responsibility for a New York bombing, the ATAC squad knows they must find and end Wulfgar by whatever means necessary.
Soon DaSilva and Fox will get the chance.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
David Shaber’s original script was meant to become French Connection 3. Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) would be teamed with a wisecracking partner. Hackman didn’t want to return, so 20th Century Fox sold the script to Universal where it was reworked into Nighthawks.
Nighthawks features the American debut of Rutgar Hauer. Hauer was offered a role in the big budget film Sphinx at the same time as Nighthawks. His salary for Sphinx would have been much more, but he opted to co-star in Nighthawks.
The original director, Gary Nelson (best known as the director of Freaky Friday and The Black Hole) was the original director. Nelson was fired after a week of filming. Bruce Malmuth was Nelson’s replacement. Since Malmuth couldn’t make the next scheduled day of shooting, Stallone directed the subway chase scene.
Legendary stuntman Dar Robinson was the stunt coordinator on Nighthawks. Sylvester Stallone did most of his own stunts including hanging from the Roosevelt Island Tramway 250 feet over the East River.
At the time of Nighthawks‘ release many people believed that a terrorist attack on American soil was unrealistic. Then came the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing and 2001 World Trade Center attack (to name a few).
Nighthawks original cut was much longer (reportedly 2 1/2 hours vs the 99 minute theaterical version) and more violent. Scenes with Lindsay Wagner, Rutger Hauer and Persis Khambatta were removed to streamline the film. To reduce violence, an extended shootout in the disco was cut and the final standoff between Stallone and Hauer was cut. I would love to see Stallone get a chance to create a new cut of Nighthawks (like he did for Rocky IV).
Some Nighthawks lobby cards/promotional photos show scenes deleted from the film. These include (Think what Stallone could do with these!):
- Deke and Matthew on a different drug bust
- Wulfgar and Shaka with a plastic surgeon
- Deke and Irene at a party
- Deke and Irene talking inside of her house and in her bedroom
- A love scene between Wulfgar and Shaka
- More of the Metropolitan Museum of Art United Nations meeting
- Deke talking with the French ambassador whose wife was killed by Wulfgar on the tram
- Deke and Irene holding each other on the stairs of her house after Deke killed Wulfgar
Nighthawks is an under-rated film.
Nighthawks (1981) rates 5 of 5 stars.
“Pale Rider” by Yvan Quinet!
Pale Rider by Yvan Quinet
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth beast said: “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold a pale horse. And his name that sat on him was Death.” – Megan Wheeler (reading from the Book of Revelation)
“Lover Stalker Killer” (2024) / Z-View
Lover Stalker Killer (2024)
Director: Sam Hobkinson
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
Dave Kroupa was newly divorced and wanted a new start. He moved to another town and got a job as a mechanic. Although he was ready to date he didn’t want anything longterm.
Dave met Liz Golyar. She was a single mom who agreed to go out with Dave. They seemed like a good match since she didn’t want to be tied down in a relationship. They begin dating with the agreement each was free to date others.
Dave then met Cari Farver when she came into the auto shop. He was attracted to her and asked her out. One night when Cari was at Dave’s Liz unexpectedly dropped in. It was a short visit.
Shortly after Liz began getting mencing messages. Cari was threatening Liz’s life because of her involvement with Dave. The police went to question Cari, but she was nowhere to be found. The threats against Liz not only continued but escalated. E-mails, social media posts and break-ins followed. The police continued efforts to find Cari, but they had no luck. Liz’s house was even burned down.
The threats continued for four years. Then the police discovered a photo that changed everything.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Although I guessed the twist early on (and you probably will as well), it is a crazy life-is-stranger-than-fiction tale. Think Play Misty for Me on steroids.
Lover Stalker Killer (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.
Rocky by Esteban Salinas
Esteban Salinas is a freelance illustrator. I first saw Esteban on Whatnot where he runs commission auctions and then livestreams himself creating the requested art. It’s always a blast to watch and I decided to join in. The result is this quick study of Sly Stallone as Rocky.
If you’d like to see more of Esteban’s art, you can at his website or at Whatnot.com where he uses the screenname deviant_apple.
“Death Wish” starring Charles Bronson / Z-View
Death Wish (1974)
Director: Michael Winner
Screenplay: Wendell Mayes; based on DEATH WISH by Brian Garfield
Stars: Charles Bronson, Vincent Gardenia, William Redfield, Hope Lange, Steven Keats, Stuart Margolin, Kathleen Tolan, Olympia Dukakis, Art Evans, John Herzfeld, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Eric Laneuville, Saul Rubinek and Jeff Goldblum.
Tagline: Vigilante, city style — Judge, Jury, and Executioner
The Plot…
When his wife is murdered and his daughter raped and left for dead, Paul Kersey, a mild-mannered middle-aged architect is told that finding the killers is unlikely. It was a random crime. One of many that happen daily and nightly in New York City.
Kersey decides to start carrying a weapon. When a mugger attempts to rob him, Kersey kills the thug. Kersey is surprised to get away with the homicide.
They say that the first killing is the hardest. Kersey discovers that to be true as he becomes Judge, Jury, and Executioner of criminals prowling the streets and subways after dark.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Death Wish is based on Brian Garfield’s novel of the same name. Several changes were made for the adaption including changing the protagonist’s name, job and making him bigger and more physical than the mild-mannererd accountant in the book. Brian Garfield said he thought Bronson was miscast — Garfield also didn’t like the changes made to his book.
Death Wish features the film debut of Jeff Goldblum. John Herzfeld, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Eric Laneuville make cameos as muggers.
Jill Ireleand, Charles Bronson’s real life wife, usually appears in his films as his wife/love interest. Bronson didn’t want her in this film because of the scene where she would be “humiliated” by the muggers. Bronson suggested “someone like Hope Lange”. So the producers got Hope Lange.
Although there are rumors that Denzel Washington appears uncredited in Death Wish as a mugger, and the actor looks like him, Washington denies it is him. Further, Washington hadn’t started acting at that time!
Death Wish is the fourth of sixth films that director Michael Winner and Charles Bronson made.
The success of Death Wish led to four sequels and a reboot starring Bruce Willis. Before Willis, Sylvester Stallone was set to direct and star in a remake.
I saw Death Wish when it was first released and many times over the years. It holds up. I was surprised that Paul Kersey never found/had a run-in with the punks who murdered his wife and raped his daughter. A lot of movies would have forced that.
Death Wish (1974) rates 4 of 5 stars.
“300” Tribute Poster by Nuno Sardanas!
300 and both Sin City films are the movies that come closest to replicating the comics that inspired them. Today we have a 300 tribute poster by Nuno Sardanas that Leonidas would approve.
“You have many slaves, Xerxes, but few warriors. It won’t be long before they fear my spears more than your whips.“ – King Leonidas
Sly Stallone by Hethe Srodawa!
Sly Stallone by Hethe Srodawa.
“Backrooms” (2026) directed by Kane Parsons, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve and Mark Duplass / Z-Views
Backrooms (2026)
Director: Kane Parsons
Screenplay: Will Soodik; based on Backrooms by Kane Parsons
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett and Lukita Maxwell.
Tagline: See how far it goes.
The Plot…
Clark wanted to be an architect. Instead he owns a struggling furniture superstore. He’s in a failing marriage and drinks too much. Things at home are so rough, Clark’s moved into the basement of his store.
Late one night the power begins to flicker. Clark sees a light coming from a wall. When he moves over to check it out, he goes through the wall. On the other side Clark discovers a maze of backrooms that appear to go on forever.
Clark decides to investigate, only to discover too late, he’s not alone. And whatever is down there has bad intentions… and is searching for him.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Backrooms began as an anthology of video segments uploaded by Kane Parsons to Youtube. Due to the popularity of the series several movie studios expressed interest in a feature film adaptation.
To create Backrooms 30,000 square feet of maze were built.
With Backrooms release, Kane Parsons became the youngest person to direct a film to open at #1 at the box office. He was just 20 years old.
Backrooms reminds me of an extended episode of The Twilight Zone. I just wish Backrooms had a stronger ending.
Backrooms (2026) rates 3 of 5 stars.
