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Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated Venom (2018) in Movies
Feb 25, 2021
This is the worst kind of relatively big budget popcorn tease – the kind of film that knows its demographic will flood to it regardless of quality, so let’s not even bother trying to make it good. The first sign of this type is a script that is such gibberish you almost start to wonder if you are having a stroke, and Venom has that in spades! Just when you think you have a handle on it, off it goes on a tangent that has nothing to do with anything other than setting up the next CGI shot. Which is the second sign – CGI good enough to pass, but quite obviously not the cutting edge stuff we have already seen years ago in better films. Cheap and nasty. The third sign is a director that can bung a few thrills in the mix but has no care whatsoever for characterisation, pace, plot or sensible motivation. Well done Ruben Fleischer for being the first director to have two films included in my BMTBs, following Zombieland Double Tap – I really can’t split them. The only fun to be had here is watching Tom Hardy amuse himself with a comic book characature so far over the top it hurts. Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed are horribly wasted and should be ashamed. Just awful stuff!
Thundercat recommended Journey to Love by Stanley Clarke in Music (curated)
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Fables: Volume 1: Legends in Exile in Books
Nov 30, 2020
<i>Ed. Note: this review was based on a re-reading, some years after the first reading.</i>
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
So, prior to writing this review, I wanted to peruse the reviews on here, to see what others said, reducing the risk of writing something already said. What I found were a number of 1-Star reviews, something I found to be quite surprising!
Not every comic (or book, for that matter) will necessarily start with an amazing first arc. It may be good, yes, but it could also be polished in spots. However, despite little things that could be better, the overall content should be seen as good enough to warrant reading the second story arc.
That is how I felt at the conclusion of this first volume, a mystery of sorts that also served to introduce us to a number of characters who go on to appear as series regulars. Sure, the dialogue was not perfect (really? Comparing it to Gaiman's SANDMAN? Like trying to compare RICK & MORTY to THE LAST UNICORN!), but I can safely say that the series matures, like a well-aged wine, and later issues are much, much better.
Long and short: it's an urban fantasy with the fables we grew up with. Go in without an judgments or comparisons, and you might be pleasantly surprised. Jus' sayin'..
Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Superman: Action Comics, Vol. 1: Path of Doom in Books
Jun 24, 2019
I've not read that much about Superman, but my boyfriend has kept me updated on the plot. That background knowledge really helped when reading this volume, as it was pretty confusing.
The start took me by surprise; Lex Luthor as Superman, following the death of Clark. What's he doing as Superman, though? What are his true motives?
One thing to remember with this is that DC have several universes, meaning there are different Clarks/Supermans on different worlds. And this issue involves a Superman who is not on his home planet, and an extra Clark that nobody was expecting...
I love Clark's little family, and the way it's affected by his being Superman and everything. There wasn't much in this volume of the family together, though, as it is mainly based on the fight between Superman, Lex, Wonder Woman and Doomsday.
I would've liked more explanation in here on the whole situation with all the different Supermans, but I haven't read any previous issues so I suppose they might explain it. (Maybe I'll ask my boyfriend about it.)
One thing I haven't yet mentioned is the mysterious figure commentating on the battle, even intervening and stealing Doomsday away. I'm really interested to see where that's going.
As usual, the art is awesome. It's not my favourite comic, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.
The start took me by surprise; Lex Luthor as Superman, following the death of Clark. What's he doing as Superman, though? What are his true motives?
One thing to remember with this is that DC have several universes, meaning there are different Clarks/Supermans on different worlds. And this issue involves a Superman who is not on his home planet, and an extra Clark that nobody was expecting...
I love Clark's little family, and the way it's affected by his being Superman and everything. There wasn't much in this volume of the family together, though, as it is mainly based on the fight between Superman, Lex, Wonder Woman and Doomsday.
I would've liked more explanation in here on the whole situation with all the different Supermans, but I haven't read any previous issues so I suppose they might explain it. (Maybe I'll ask my boyfriend about it.)
One thing I haven't yet mentioned is the mysterious figure commentating on the battle, even intervening and stealing Doomsday away. I'm really interested to see where that's going.
As usual, the art is awesome. It's not my favourite comic, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Creepshow (1982) in Movies
Sep 27, 2019
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
Creepshow- is a very great movie, with its five short stories that are really horrorfyed and terrorfyed. Each one of them are scary.
The Plot: A compendium of five short but terrifying tales contained within a single full-length feature, this film conjures scares from traditional bogeymen and portents of doom. In one story, a monster escapes from its holding cell. Another focuses on a husband (Leslie Nielsen) with a creative way of getting back at his cheating wife. Other stories concern a rural man (Stephen King) and a visitor from outer space, and a homeowner (E.G. Marshall) with huge bug problems and a boozing corpse.
The film consists of five short stories: "Father's Day", "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill", "Something to Tide You Over", "The Crate" and "They're Creeping Up on You!" Two of these stories were adapted from King's short stories, with the film bookended by prologue and epilogue scenes featuring a young boy named Billy (played by King's son, Joe), who is punished by his father for reading horror comics.
The film was adapted into an actual comic book of the same name soon after the film's release, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, (of Heavy Metal and Warren magazines fame), an artist fittingly influenced by the 1950s E.C. Comics.
It is a very great movie and i would highly reccordmend it.
The Plot: A compendium of five short but terrifying tales contained within a single full-length feature, this film conjures scares from traditional bogeymen and portents of doom. In one story, a monster escapes from its holding cell. Another focuses on a husband (Leslie Nielsen) with a creative way of getting back at his cheating wife. Other stories concern a rural man (Stephen King) and a visitor from outer space, and a homeowner (E.G. Marshall) with huge bug problems and a boozing corpse.
The film consists of five short stories: "Father's Day", "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill", "Something to Tide You Over", "The Crate" and "They're Creeping Up on You!" Two of these stories were adapted from King's short stories, with the film bookended by prologue and epilogue scenes featuring a young boy named Billy (played by King's son, Joe), who is punished by his father for reading horror comics.
The film was adapted into an actual comic book of the same name soon after the film's release, illustrated by Bernie Wrightson, (of Heavy Metal and Warren magazines fame), an artist fittingly influenced by the 1950s E.C. Comics.
It is a very great movie and i would highly reccordmend it.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated The Morning Show in TV
May 31, 2020
A show that I wasn’t sure I was going to like , but giving it a chance I ended up watching all 10 episodes in under a week. An interesting and topical storyline that explores many weighty and contemporary issues following the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and relating to the me too movement. The show is very well written and keeps you coming back for more.
The performances from Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell (playing very much against his usual nice guy persona) are both very good but the one who really surprised me was Jennifer Aniston. I had only ever thought of her as a pretty lightweight comic actress but she really was outstanding here.
I really enjoyed the whole season overall but the final episode was the best by far and has set up some very interesting storylines for season 2.
The only thing that did get on my nerves a bit was the constant product placement of Apple products. I know they produced it but absolutely everyone has an iPhone, the only computers used were Apple Mac and the only tablets IPad. I suppose it was to be expected but it would have had a bit more authenticity if you had a bit more variety on display.
A minor distraction really and the show is still well worth watching.
The performances from Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell (playing very much against his usual nice guy persona) are both very good but the one who really surprised me was Jennifer Aniston. I had only ever thought of her as a pretty lightweight comic actress but she really was outstanding here.
I really enjoyed the whole season overall but the final episode was the best by far and has set up some very interesting storylines for season 2.
The only thing that did get on my nerves a bit was the constant product placement of Apple products. I know they produced it but absolutely everyone has an iPhone, the only computers used were Apple Mac and the only tablets IPad. I suppose it was to be expected but it would have had a bit more authenticity if you had a bit more variety on display.
A minor distraction really and the show is still well worth watching.
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories
6.0
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In Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado blithely demolishes the arbitrary borders...
Fiction
Sheikh Jackson (2017)
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June 25, 2009. Any Michael Jackson fan can tell you where they were on this date, the day the King...
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Thumbsucker
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This eighties-centric, Ritalin-fueled, pitch-perfect comic novel by a writer to watch brings energy...
Louis Wain - The Man Who Drew Cats
Book
Louis Wain, as the title of this book succinctly sums him up, was the man who drew cats. Indeed he...