Well, hello there. My, it's been a long, long time. How am I doing? Oh, I guess that I'm doing fine.
I don't mean to quote from Willie Nelson but it is funny how time has slipped away. These past eighteen months has been rough on the world. Fortunately things are slowly returning to normal as people are getting the vaccine. As someone in the medical field, I thought when I got fully vaccinated back in January, I'd finally have a chance to relax and go back to normal hours. That only became a reality for me a few weeks ago. Everyone has gone through so much I think we can silently agree we can give each other some slack. No pressure. No hostility. Just offer each other support while we get back on our feet.
When it comes to this website, or more specifically the summer blockbuster gallery, I'm going to be doing things differently this year. Since movies are still in a state of flux with releases being dropped in theaters, premiering on streaming services, debuting on both theaters or streaming services, being moved to a later date or year at a moments notice, and so on... the only way I can efficiently manage my time illustrating is to do homages to films which have already been released. So far that leaves me with at least six selections.
Over the course of the next month or so I'll be doing my takes on "Cruella", "Fast 9", "Black Widow", "Space Jam: A New Legacy", "Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins", and "Jungle Cruise". I may also tackle "M. Night Shamalan's Old" and "Suicide Squad" but those aren't certain. Obviously, they won't debut on the day of the movie's release because, again, I just got my freedom back and I'm already three months behind. *LOL* But I want to have a gallery this year and regrettably, this is only way possible to do that. Hopefully you all understand.
So, without further ado, today's entry not only kicks off what was the start of the summer movie season with "Cruella" starring Emma Stone as the sinister woman who hoards Dalmatians but is also based on something many video game consumers are dealing with at the moment. Click on the link and let me know what you think.
Next time it's all about fast cars, international spy agencies, barbeques, and family when I tackle our first "Fast and Furious" movie in the gallery with "Fast 9". In the meantime stay safe, wash your hands, and get vaccinated if you haven't already done so. We're almost completely out of the woods. - Jake

Merry Christmas! After everything we've been through these past ten months, it feels like we're celebrating more than just the holiday this season; we're celebrating the near end of one of the most horrendous years in our lifetime. I hope you are all safe, healthy, and if it's possible, spending time with loved ones today. I know we're not completely in the clear, but things are beginning to look up and just that alone gives me some optimism. God willing (or whatever deity you worship), our lives will be relatively back to normal by the time we hit the 1 year anniversary of when things went to utter shit.
Speaking of which, before the world went into lockdown, I had plans to have an entire season of the Summer Blockbuster Gallery completed by the time "Black Widow" would have hit theaters in May. Twelve homages spread over the course of twelve weeks. No delays. Unfortunately, with movie theaters yet to reopen and the majority of those films pushed back to 2021 (or even further), I've had no choice but to sit tight on the illustrations until the films they are based on have their proper debut to the public. Today, one of those movies gets their long-awaited release via the HBO Max streaming service.
Although it no longer falls under the category of a summer blockbuster, "Wonder Woman 1984" does fit the criteria of a "Deleted Scene". Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, and Pedro Pascal, "WW84" is the follow-up to what many consider to be the best entry in DC's attempt to a cinematic universe. Will it live up to audience's expectations? Time will tell. Will my homage live up to expectations? Oh, heavens no! But it was a blast to work on and I'm relieved to finally show it off to the world.
If I don't check in beforehand, I hope you all have a very Happy New Year. May 2021 be the complete opposite of 2020. Seriously. We deserve the break. - Jake