Thanks for the input. You were right about the two rim lights, adding those improved the images. For the Jack Nicholson one, I had increased the world background strength a little, to give more of the warm bar color. I think this is probably the issue with brightness that you noticed. I tried dialing that back a bit, not sure which way was better.
I decided to take down the submission for the time being and wait to see jlampels comments.
