By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 1 minute ago

Joe Rogan recently interviewed Oscar-winning screenwriter Roger Avary on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience. During their three-hour discussion, Avary mentioned that he’s been watching the show The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin on Daily Wire+. He had high praise for the show, comparing it to the classic King Arthur movie, Excalibur.

“Mainstay producers are no longer reliable,” he complained, adding that they’re spending billions of dollars to make “Lord of the Rings things,” while Pendragon was made for very little and has flown under the radar of pop culture. He admitted that he went into the show thinking he wasn’t going to like it, but was pleasantly surprised: “This is, to me, as good as classic television.”

So why aren’t more people watching the show?

I reviewed The Pendragon Cycle for GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. To say that I am “not its target audience” is a mixed statement. I love Arthurian legend, but the show and the novels it was based on embrace Christian themes that I was sure would feel too proselytizing. I agreed to review it out of curiosity, but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Rise of the Merlin should work for a wide audience, but for some reason, it isn’t getting the attention it deserves.

Major Critics Refuse To Review The Pendragon Cycle

Major critics are not reviewing The Pendragon Cycle. The only reviews being given are from content creators and pre-existing fans of its host service, The Daily Wire. Despite advertising on social media, YouTube, and releasing trailers, very little attention has been given to Rise of the Merlin. Even Melania got the courtesy of bad reviews from the press.

However, The Daily Wire has been controversial since its inception. The website and its streaming service are viewed as a far-right news channel, and many of its key figures have incited the anger of its political rivals.

Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, and Matt Walsh are all associated with the channel, as well as other strictly conservative commentators who are very public-facing and often outspoken. Since much of the entertainment industry is progressive, they don’t agree with the politics espoused by The Daily Wire’s news arm.

The Pendragon Cycle Is Locked Behind A Paywall

Most people who subscribe to The Daily Wire are conservatives who are looking for conservative news and viewpoints. The Pendragon Cycle is limited to these viewers because The Daily Wire focuses mainly on non-fiction content. Most of its programming is news, commentary, and history. The majority of its fictional programming is kids’ television.

The streamer’s entertainment division is also less than a decade old and hasn’t produced much original content. The movies they have produced have been well-received by audiences but panned by critics: Run, Hide, Fight, which I have seen, scored 93% with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes but only 30% with reviewers. Audiences seem to enjoy the content on Daily Wire+, when they can access it.

There is not enough content on Daily Wire+ to be competitive with other small streamers like Shudder. This means that the quality entertainment The Daily Wire has been producing has not only been ignored by biased critics but also siloed away behind a paywall that has a niche audience. Their content is better than niche, and The Pendragon Cycle in particular is an incredible cinematic achievement that showcases what The Daily Wire is capable of.

How To Get Rise Of Merlin The Attention It Deserves

Given the difficulty Daily Wire+ is having getting people to sign up, they should consider licensing properties like The Pendragon Cycle for distribution beyond their service. Not only do these movies deserve to be seen, but they also have a much wider potential audience beyond the “far right.”

If Rise of Merlin had the chance to compete for viewership based on its merit rather than on whether or not someone is conservative enough to sign up for Daily Wire+, it would almost certainly succeed. In a world filled with slop created by the unreliable mainstream, The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is the ideal alternative. Slop eaters will always slurp up their Rings of Power episodes, but the rest of the world would happily flock to the show.

People often complain that conservatives don’t create good art, but it’s easy to pretend that when their art isn’t even acknowledged. If you’re looking for good programming, heed Avary’s advice and get over the fact that The Pendragon Cycle was produced by The Daily Wire.

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By Robert Scucci
| Published 9 seconds ago

Back in the 90s, filmmakers could make one-off superhero movies that were not based on already existing intellectual properties. Now that we are well past the superhero boom that the MCU kicked off in 2008, and with the best days of that franchise arguably behind us, I find myself looking back at the strange oddities that existed before tights and flights dominated the cinemascape. That curiosity has led me to hidden gems like 2009’s Defendor and, more recently, 1994’s Blankman, written by and starring Damon Wayans.

While Blankman is profoundly stupid, comparatively low budget when stacked against modern superhero counterparts, and wildly inconsistent with its humor and sentimentality, at least it is original. It is not a great film by any measurable metric, but it is still fun, clever, and oddly heartfelt at times. It serves as a reminder that not every superhero movie needs to be engineered by committee, even if the result ends up failing loudly on its own terms.

“But What If He Shot You In The Face?”

Blankman tells the story of two brothers, Darryl (Damon Wayans) and Kevin Walker (David Alan Grier). Darryl, the younger of the two, is a technological genius turned inventor who makes a living working as a repairman. He is also stuck in a state of arrested development, often viewing the world through a childlike lens. Kevin is more cynical and far more concerned with regular adult responsibilities, like working as a cameraman for the local news and pursuing a romantic relationship with his close friend and colleague, news anchor Kimberly Jonz (Robin Givens).

When their grandmother is killed by mobster Michael “The Suit” Minelli (Jon Polito) while attending a town hall meeting held by local politician Marvin Harris (Christopher Lawford), it becomes a massive wake-up call for Darryl. Until that moment, he had been blissfully unaware of the corruption and urban decay surrounding him. Determined to clean up the streets, Darryl, with the help of his homemade robot J-5, develops bulletproof clothing and adopts the identity of Blankman.

Running around Chicago in red long johns and a tool belt, Blankman gets shot at a lot, but the bullets conveniently strike him everywhere except the face, which would presumably be his only real weakness. With no superpowers, terrible hand-eye coordination, and a complete inability to read social cues, Darryl still manages to gain Kimberly’s affection after arranging a news interview with her. This understandably infuriates Kevin and pushes him to step in, reluctantly embracing his brother’s bizarre brand of vigilante justice.

After a series of increasingly unfortunate incidents forces Blankman underground, Darryl’s confidence takes a hit, though his spirit never fully breaks. He eventually realizes that the crime wave engulfing Chicago is not something he can handle alone, leading him to recruit Kevin by dressing him in an equally ridiculous costume and naming him Other Guy.

Profoundly Idiotic In Every Conceivable Way

If you are not a fan of Damon Wayans’ over-the-top physical comedy, Blankman may be a tough sell, even with its off-kilter charm. I am conflicted in my assessment because Wayans clearly tried to do something different and failed spectacularly in the process. Drawing inspiration from the 1960s iteration of Batman that he grew up watching, the film channels that campy spirit while layering it with the raunchy, manic energy Wayans is best known for.

The result is a collection of some of the silliest fight sequences you will ever see, paired with genuinely inventive gadgets cobbled together from household appliances. If Adam West’s Batman can keep Shark Repellent in his utility belt, there is no reason Blankman cannot use a grappling hook powered by a hand mixer. It is all incredibly stupid, but within this specific context, it works, even when the film itself struggles to hold together.

If you are exhausted by the current slate of superhero movies and want something far less self-serious, Blankman is at least worth a look. A commercial flop that earned just under $8 million against a reported $30 million production budget, Blankman was savaged by critics and currently sits at a brutal 12 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. While an undeniable misfire on Wayans’ part, audiences eventually warmed to it through home video, cementing its reputation as a cult classic with real charm, provided you approach it like a B movie that just happens to have proper studio backing.

Blankman is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 18 seconds ago

What do you get when Lucifer’s children, Lilith and Aamon, show up in late 19th-century America to destroy the American Dream as folks have come to know it? You get Blood Rush, the new horror comedy starring Billy Zane, Danielle Bisutti, and Henry Ian Cusick, which recently wrapped production. While no release date has been announced, Deadline has provided a high-level rundown on the film, and it sounds like a bloody good time for vampire aficionados.

Synopsis And Top Billing

Blood Rush is set in 1881 America and, as its title suggests, focuses on the Western Frontier Gold Rush in gruesome fashion. Billy Zane, best known for Titanic and The Phantom, takes on the role of Aamon alongside Danielle Bisutti’s (best known for her contributions to the God of War video game series) Lilith, with Henry Ian Cusick (best known for Lost) stepping in as Van Helsing.

In the film, Aamon and Lilith attempt to suck the American Dream right out of their subjects’ necks, hoping the indomitable spirit present in their blood will sustain them. Matters get complicated when Van Helsing makes his presence known, suggesting the vampires may have bitten off more than they can chew. What follows promises to be the ultimate, bloody, Dracula-driven showdown the likes of which we’ve never seen before.

It all sounds like a gloriously unhinged bloodbath, and if Billy Zane channels even a fraction of the energy he brought to the 1995’s cult classic Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight, we could be in for a horror comedy you can really sink your teeth into.

Another Familiar Name Attached To The Film

While Blood Rush already has a killer synopsis and star power, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Our very own Jonathan Klotz helped work on an early draft of the script. If you’re familiar with his writing on GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT, then you know his deadpan sense of humor should factor nicely into the equation. Especially if you’re a fan of unhinged horror comedies starring Billy Zane, who also happens to have one of the most entertaining Instagram accounts in the business.

Blood Rush was conceived and directed by Danielle Bisutti, with production handled through her Perfect Timing Productions banner in collaboration with co-director Stefan Colson’s BoatShoes Entertainment.

More updates about Blood Rush will roll out in the coming weeks and months, so check back for further developments.

Nancy Guthrie‘s neighbor is speaking out after the FBI released surveillance footage of a possible subject amid the search for Savannah Guthrie‘s mother.

“It was startling and a bit terrifying,” Laura Gargano, who has lived around the corner from Nancy, 84, for over a decade, told CNN on Wednesday, February 11. “But I immediately went to assess the physique of this person. I [looked at] the shape of the head, the size of the legs and the approximate weight to see if he looked familiar.”

Gargano quickly rallied other people in the area to see if they could recognize the person after the footage was released. “I assumed it was a male and I immediately started to run through the people I have worked with here,” she said. “A lot of times people share service people in the area.”

She continued: “I just immediately looked to see if the shape looked familiar to me. I did that more than being fearful — but also hopeful because now we have an image to go by. Momentarily I pulled out some hope.”

Related: Everything to Know About the Ongoing Search for Nancy Guthrie

Questions still remain after Today show host Savannah Guthrie‘s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the news on February 1, sharing a missing person report via X. Nancy was described as a “vulnerable adult” who was last seen “at her residence” within Arizona’s Catalina Foothills area on the evening […]

Elsewhere in the interview, Gargano revealed she suggested Nancy’s roof and septic tank as possible places where evidence could have been left behind, which prompted the FBI to conduct a search.

Nancy has been missing from the Arizona area since February 1. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos exclusively told Us Weekly earlier this month that evidence at Nancy’s home appeared suspicious.

“Something unusual at that house occurred that made us go, ‘Wow, something’s wrong here. Something doesn’t fit,’” he explained. “We’re gonna pull all the stops and go at all angles. We really do hope it’s a search-and-rescue mission and we find her and she’s safe and sound. But it would be unjust if we didn’t look at what’s in front of us and go, ‘We need to act.’”

Savannah, 54, and her siblings have since taken to social media several times to appeal to the person who potentially took Nancy from her home.

“We received your message and we understand,” Savannah said in a February 7 video following reports of ransom notes being sent to local news stations. “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace. This is very valuable to us and we will pay.”

A deadline was reportedly set for 5 p.m. MST on Monday, February 9. Hours before, Savannah shared her belief that Nancy was “still out there,” adding in another Instagram video, “We are in an hour of desperation.”

Days later, TMZ claimed a new note was received demanding 1 Bitcoin for information on Nancy’s possible captor.

FBI director Kash Patel, meanwhile, is hopeful that releasing photos and video of the masked individual outside of Nancy’s home will help the investigation.

“[We went] into their systems and actually excavated material that people would think would normally be deleted and no one would look for,” he shared with Fox News on Tuesday, February 10. “And basically — without getting into too many of the details — that’s how the FBI worked with our private sector partners to pull out the material that people thought didn’t even exist because of the specific type of subscription service on the ring doorbell. But thanks to this brilliant partnership, we were able to get it out, sharpen it with our technical capabilities at the FBI and put it out for the world.”

A man named Carlos Palazuelos was detained during a traffic stop after the images were released and questioned by police. He has since denied having any involvement in Nancy’s disappearance.

RFK Jr.
I Used to Snort Cocaine Off Toilet Seats!!!

Published
February 12, 2026
10:44 AM PST

By Robert Scucci
| Published 12 seconds ago

The word “vibe” has been grossly misappropriated in the year 2026, often referring to background noise people throw on to generate comfort by ignoring their own intrusive thoughts. Spotify playlists are jam-packed with AI-generated music for the vibe. Less-than-memorable found footage horror movies offer more vibe than substance. When I talk about vibe, I’m usually referring to the stylistic choices made in films like 1992’s Star Time, what I would call a total vibe piece.

Make no mistake, because Star Time’s vibe is baked directly into its premise. It’s kaleidoscopic, feverish, and visually enthralling despite its shoestring budget. Every shot feels deliberate, and it’s not something you throw on in the background while folding laundry or doom scrolling. The ever-present vibe in Star Time is existential dread, seen through the eyes of a man spiraling into a psychotic break after his favorite TV show gets canceled.

Henry’s Murderous Delusions

Star Time introduces us to Henry Pinkle (Michael St. Gerard), a mentally unstable Los Angeles nobody who only finds comfort in his favorite sitcom, The Robertson Family. When the show gets canceled, he decides to cancel his own life as well, resolving to jump off a bridge and fade to black before his own credits roll. At the last moment before taking the plunge, he’s approached by a man named Sam Bones (John P. Ryan), who claims to be the TV producer and manager who will make him a star.

Meanwhile, Henry’s social worker, Wendy (Maureen Teefy), receives a videotape Henry recorded before his suicide attempt, informing her that he will no longer require her services.

Sam brings Henry to a TV studio, where he becomes fixated on a wall of televisions. A woman’s voice tells him to follow his destiny before Sam provides him with a hatchet and an expressionless baby mask. His big “debut” involves breaking into a house and murdering its owner, a sign of what’s to come.

Fully convinced he’s starring in his own slasher, Henry begins his rampage. Wendy realizes he’s still alive after learning that Sam prevented him from jumping off the bridge. Convinced his actions will allow him to become a saint, Henry arranges to meet Wendy so he can introduce her to Sam, who Wendy quickly realizes is a psychotic delusion that only he can see. By the time she understands what Henry is getting himself into, he’s so far gone that there’s nothing she can do to bring him back to reality.

It’s A Total Vibe Piece

While Star Time tells a harrowing story through its screenplay, writer-director Alexander Cassini elevates it with the help of cinematographer Fernando Arguelles through the film’s visuals. I’m not talking about elaborate special or practical effects. It’s the high-contrast lighting, claustrophobic closeups, abrasive sound design, and Henry’s sinister facial expressions that do the heavy lifting. It plays out like a slasher through its second and third acts, but that’s not where its main appeal lies.

The reason I got sucked into Star Time is because it feels like a nightmarish, out-of-body experience that forces me to inhabit Henry Pinkle’s fractured mindset. Sometimes all you need is a wall of televisions filled with disturbing images to make your skin crawl, and Star Time delivers at unwholesome levels that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up.

Whenever I call something a vibe piece, films like Star Time check every box. This isn’t a movie you idly watch. You sit on the floor three feet away from the TV without distractions because that’s the energy it brings. Star Time is about a man’s disturbing relationship with television sending him down a horrifying path of exploitation and homicide. If that’s the kind of vibe you’re looking for, you can stream it on Tubi for free as of this writing.