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G-Force (2009)
G-Force (2009)
2009 | Action, Comedy, Family
8
5.7 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A 3-D film about Guinea Pigs who help the government using advanced super small technology, at least I knew I wasn’t going to be bored. Was “G-Force” going to be so over the top that even children would find it ridiculous? Maybe it was going to hit big with that famous Disney magic. Suffice to say I entered the film with no expectations.

“G-Force” is the story of a team of unlikely heroes; guinea pigs, a mole, and a fly, who through the aid of special government technology, are completing spy missions with the dream of FBI acceptance. On their first mission out the team lead by the appropriately named guinea pig, Darwin (voiced by Sam Rockwell) discover that the world’s largest electrical device manufacturer has an evil plot for world domination. Attempting to expose the plan, our non-traditional protagonists encounter a numerous obstacles ranging from a lack of government acceptance to rodent chasing dogs.

The plotline in classic Disney fashion is filled with a strong moral under tone specifically concentrated on importance of family and belief in oneself. The film does manage to get these points a crossed while entertaining children who will love the popular culture references and the speed at which the action occurs.

All of the creature’s characterizations are amusing and engaging from the layer cake obsessed long-haired guinea pig, Hurley, (voice by Jon Favreau) to mice who get excited about absolutely everything. Also worth noting was the interesting casting of Zach Galifianakis (most recently of “The Hangover” success) who plays the not so mad scientist, Ben, creator of the multi-faceted “G-Force” technology and animal special task force idea.

The special effects are superb. The 3-D futuristic spy technology at the beginning was so excellent it had me wondering when I will see the medium in action flicks.

The downsides were simple; sometimes-obvious one-liners, which the kid-filled audience seemed to enjoy, and an unnecessary maybe love triangle between three of the heroes.

Not as over the top as expected with plenty of funny moments and fun heartfelt adventure “G-Force” is a worthwhile film for kids and adults alike.
  
Dear Justice League
Dear Justice League
Michael Northrop | 2019 | Children, Comics & Graphic Novels
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Other than Timothy Forner's MONTGOMERY SCHNAUZER, P.I., I am not much of a reader of books aimed at young'uns. However, when I saw that this was a book approachable by both adults (with an sense of fun) as well as well as the intended audience, I was onboard.

The premise was simple: the Justice Leaguers answering texts and emails, as well as an actual physical letter (thanks, Bats!), that deal with honest questions that children would likely pose to the heroes if they were real. There was also a backstory dealing with insectoids intent on invading the Earth, but yeah, not as important as the intial "Dear Justice League.." emails and texts. :)

Michael Northrop has a great sense of how to have fun without alienating the core fans, as well as satisfying the kids that were just intent on seeing how it might be if the League were able to answer their burning questions. I am a big fan of the "Bwa-hahahaha" years of Giffen and DeMatteis' JLI stories in the 80's, so this was definitely something I had no problem enjoying or even laughing out loud while reading it.

Equally fun was the art by Gustavo Duarte. His rendering of our "beloved" heroes did not cheapen our them, more of, in my opinion, a humanizing effect, which made them more relatable to their intended audience. I was not familiar with Brazilian cartoonist Duarte, but going forward, I will keeping an eye out for more by him.

Here's my final word... Regardless of where we are in the world at this particular moment, we know that we are stuck inside, trying to avoid contact with See-Oh-Vee-Eye-Dee (shhhh!), with our loved ones, and if you have children (my wife and I do not), you're probably experiencing some cabin fever. This book, right here, is the best solution to a bad situation. And, best of it, it's available on Kindle and Comixology, so you don't even need to go anywhere to obtain a copy! So, go ahead, get it and have good, old-fashioned fun, with/with children in your life!

Be safe, my friends!
  
So, in my review for HOUSE OF M, I mentioned that I was making up for all I missed when it came out originally in 2006, like this TPB. This was not the book I was hoping it would be!

Chris Claremont, when he was on his game, he was good. His stories were decent, his characters cool, and at a base level, the heroes were heroes and the villains were villains. And even despite the initial outfit that Emma Frost first debuted in, his characters were not as objectified as they were in this run of UXM!

From the panels of Betsy Braddock, working out in a belly highlighting top and tight short shorts, to Rachel Grey, in a midriff baring t-shirt and little frilly bikini underwear in bed at night, the art within served as nothing more than fan service! It did not enhance the story, nor did it do anything to advance the plot. All it succeeded in doing was satisfying hornball fanboy desires!

<a href="https://s51.photobucket.com/user/dcericola/media/example2.png.html"; target="_blank"><img src="https://oi51.photobucket.com/albums/f392/dcericola/example2.png"; border="0" alt=" photo example2.png"/></a>

It's a shame, really, as the first three issues of the trade were quite good. I thought Chris Bachalo turned in some solid art, excepting the aforementioned unnecessary "cheesecake". But, after his run, it was followed by art from Jon Sibal, which was not as smooth as Bachalo's, but still managed to sandwich in more Rachel Grey fan service, this time, in the shower as the O.N.E. sentinels were watching via CCTV!

There was a time where I would have welcomed art like that in my comics, but that me is no longer relevant or welcome. I have a different mindset, one in which I am focused on what the story offers, rather than just visualization alone.

I gave this one 2 Stars, as I was taking into account Bachalo's art and Claremont's scripting on the first three issues of this TPB. I have one more undertaking, SON OF M, which I am hoping will be better than this turned out to be!

#disappointment
  
    Squids Wild West

    Squids Wild West

    Games and Entertainment

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    SQUIDS Wild West has a unique mix of action strategy and RPG: build your team of heroes for...

    Kingdom Rush Frontiers

    Kingdom Rush Frontiers

    Games and Entertainment

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    The world's most devilishly addictive defense game is back - welcome to Kingdom Rush: Frontiers! ...

    Kingdom Rush Frontiers HD

    Kingdom Rush Frontiers HD

    Games and Entertainment

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    The world's most devilishly addictive defense game is back - welcome to Kingdom Rush: Frontiers! ...

Justice League (2017)
Justice League (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure
A strong move in the right direction
A brighter and more humorous movie (compared to B v S which I also enjoyed) For me it did the job of putting a smile on my face throughout most of the movie. I still wish Green Lantern was properly in the mix but I know the Green Lantern Corps movie is upcoming. I've waited for this movie to be made since I was a kid and while it's a long way from perfect, it's fun to watch and watching Batman interactions with heroes new to the screen was always going to be exciting for me
The CGI was pretty poor in places and the story workman like,but like I said before I had a smile on my face a lot of the time. To me it was a good movie,just wish I could be writing that it was great. Hopefully we will still get to see the hero's in a movie truly worthy of their comic book counterparts
  
The Serpent&#039;s Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3)
The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3)
Rick Riordan | 2012 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.9 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
So sad to know that this is the last book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. This trilogy has been my favorite of all his works by far! I'm hoping he will work Sadie, Carter, & Walt/Anubis into another series as the end left it pretty open to be picked up into the future with new Gods & magic trying to disrupt the ancient Egyptian beliefs.
This book was great! It was a satisfying ending to the series, despite the fact that it did leave things open to being picked up in the future. (Maybe he'll do something like he did with Percy Jackson & then Heroes of Olympus?!?) Again Sadie & Carter are such likable, believable, well-developed characters. The things they go through are extraordinary without a doubt, but they are so easy to identify with...which I'm sure helps with the appeal of the series to younger readers. But just because that is the target audience, doesn't mean an adult won't enjoy it.
The book is full of history, love, battles, & courage that it is very easy to get wrapped up in.