Def Rec

 Eric Icarus: Mythos is here Fans of superheroes, sci-fi, teen drama, emotional trauma, revenge, and robots - this adventure anthology is for you. I’m excited to launch my newest book, Eric Icarus: Mythos, an action-packed four-part collection of short story prequels. The world of Unsecret Identity and Unsecret Origin keeps expanding and reaching new heights. As the series developed, the characters and their unique histories grew to where there was more lore to explore. This set of “untold tales” can be read as standalone stories though they do all connect. You do not need to read Eric Icarus Books One or Two since Mythos takes place before those events. Synopses: Unmask the truth, unleash the heroes - the Mythos begins here. Years before the rise of Eric Icarus, these are untold tales of dangerous secrets, fractured heroes, and the buried history of the Super Society, the legendary defenders of New St. Cloud City. THE SUPERVILLAIN’S OATH: For the first time in print! Teen...

  Def Rec: Best “Day” Movies Training Day (2001) Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) gives Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) a run for his money by having maybe the worst 24-hour shift ever. On his first day on a new gig as a narcotics detective, Jake gets to partner with really seasoned LAPD vet Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). The pair break laws, bend truths, and get wet. Director Antoine Fuqua created an immortal film about street crime and cop corruption that lives on in memes and is infinitely quotable. People loved the movie so much that a television adaptation debuted in 2017. Starring Bill Paxton as Detective Frank Rourke and Justin Cornwell as Detective Kyle Craig, this “Day” only lasted thirteen episodes. Similar to the likes of 24: Legacy (2016-2017) and the TV series version of Dark Blue (2009-2010), you simply can’t bottle the lightning of the original cast. Reason To Rec: Washington’s bigger than life - and Oscar-winning - performance is worth the price of admission. This is...

  Def Rec: A Diamond In the Rough or Just Another Biopic? Song Sung Blue (2025) does a solid job of differentiating itself from other rockin’ biopics like Michael (2026), Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (2025), Straight Outta Compton (2015), Rocketman (2019), Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Walk the Line (2005), Bob Marley: One Love (2024), Ray (2004), A Complete Unknown (2024), Elvis (2022), I Can Only Imagine’s 1 & 2 (2018, 2026)… Boy, there have been a lot of these. Sure, they’re all based (sometimes very loosely) on true stories, but the crucial element separating this celebration of Neil Diamond’s music is that it’s not about Neil Diamond’s life. Inspired by the documentary of the same name, Song Sung Blue tells the (love) story of Mike “Lightning” Sardina (Hugh Jackman) and Claire “Thunder” Sardina (Kate Hudson), following their huge ups and devastating downs along their musical journey as a Neil Diamond tribute act. Since the film revolves around the catalogu...

  Movie Mash-Up Names of Same-Day Big Releases What is the “Barbenheimer” name for Supergirl (2026) and Jackass: Best and Last (2026)? They share the same release date of June 26, 2026 (well, the same weekend, anyway), and while the hype for both films isn’t evenly matched, these are two popular and well-known intellectual properties coming out at the same time. So, naturally, the question has arisen - what is their movie mash-up name? For the latest live action adventure of the Girl of Steel and what is implied to be the final stunt showcase of Johnny Knoxville and company, their combined title is… probably not repeatable in decent society. But we can’t deny Girl Jack. Or Super Best if we use the Jackass subtitle, but that’s not as fun. Jacker Girl, Super Jack, Sackerass - there’s no end to the possibilities! If you only watch one of these two summer blockbusters*, the movie I definitely recommend is… Well, my honest opinion is neither. But Def Rec is, among other things, a reco...

  Supergirl: Def Rec or Def Don’t? Who Are the Real Superfans? Supergirl: Def Rec or Def Don’t? Should you go see Supergirl (2026)? I’m not asking the “real” audience - I’m posing my question to the normies, the well-adjusted, the healthy, and everyday common folk who don’t obsess over comic book lore. To all regular people out there, are you planning to go to your theater of choice to watch the latest live action adventure of the Girl of Steel? If you are, that’s great, but in case you didn’t know, all you average joes and casuals out there, you aren’t the “true” fans. That’s not your fault and not your problem - it’s the studio’s problem. I don’t have to ask if diehard comic book readers will fly to the box office and see Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) party her way across the silver screen. The marketing doesn’t bother trying to appeal to us dorks because we’ll consume this new feature film whether or not we think it looks good. The genuine nerds will review, rate, rank, and rampa...

Disappointing Day: Definitely Do Not Recommend (In the Theater) Is Spielberg Washed? Has he joined the league of former greats who now need to retire? He’d be in good company along with Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola. Unless Gladiator II (2024) and Megalopolis (2024) are considered peak cinema and I didn’t get the memo. Scorsese, you aren’t far behind. We didn’t forget about The Irishman (2019). As hard as it is to say, Steven Spielberg might actually be washed up. The brilliantly gifted, technically skilled, ludicrously talented, iconic, legendary, visionary genius that is Steven Spielberg might be past his prime. After watching Disclosure Day (2026), I think it may be time for the massively famous, popular, influential, accomplished, and crazy profitable director to hang it up. He’s still a master of technique - each shot and every scene is crafted with expert precision. The stylistic and creative choices for storytelling? Well, some things aren’t Always (1989) going...