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Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Dear Justice League in Books
Nov 30, 2020
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!
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!
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Uncanny X-Men: The New Age, Volume 4: End of Greys in Books
Nov 30, 2020
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
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
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
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
Games and Entertainment
App
The world's most devilishly addictive defense game is back - welcome to Kingdom Rush: Frontiers! ...
Matthew (7 KP) rated Justice League (2017) in Movies
Jan 10, 2018
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 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
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
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.
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.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Breakout Novelist: Craft and Strategies for Career Fiction Writers in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rating: 4.5
The Breakout Novelist is a fantastic handbook that should be on every writer's desk. It should be marked up, highlighted, paper-clipped, and sticky-noted (if that's a word. Let's pretend it is). There is so much great advice and information in here it would take weeks and multiple readings to really get it all: but it's not meant to be read through from start to finish. It's a handbook, workbook, dictionary type tool.
There are many categories such as plot, theme, characters, chapters on voice and hyper-reality, protagonists vs. heroes, and information about what to do when you've got your manuscript done and "ready." There are exercises questions, prompts, and examples carefully explained and outlined. It's easy to read and understand and doesn't feel like an instruction manual: it's fun and enjoyable and interesting to read.
I wholeheartedly recommend any serious writer—just starting or multi-published—to grab a copy of The Breakout Novelist.
check out my blog for an excerpt/guest post: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-and-guest-post-breakout-novelist.html
The Breakout Novelist is a fantastic handbook that should be on every writer's desk. It should be marked up, highlighted, paper-clipped, and sticky-noted (if that's a word. Let's pretend it is). There is so much great advice and information in here it would take weeks and multiple readings to really get it all: but it's not meant to be read through from start to finish. It's a handbook, workbook, dictionary type tool.
There are many categories such as plot, theme, characters, chapters on voice and hyper-reality, protagonists vs. heroes, and information about what to do when you've got your manuscript done and "ready." There are exercises questions, prompts, and examples carefully explained and outlined. It's easy to read and understand and doesn't feel like an instruction manual: it's fun and enjoyable and interesting to read.
I wholeheartedly recommend any serious writer—just starting or multi-published—to grab a copy of The Breakout Novelist.
check out my blog for an excerpt/guest post: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-and-guest-post-breakout-novelist.html
Andy K (10821 KP) rated 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) in Movies
Apr 29, 2019
One of the first Disney films to be shot in Cinema Scope
I swear Kirk Douglas has the best chin in film I have ever seen.
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Another Disney classic I am ashamed I had not seen until today. What a grand epic undersea adventure! Kirk Douglas, Peter Lorre and James Mason as Captain Nemo (my dog really liked the seal, Esmeralda as well).
After some mysterious encounters at sea results in several vessels going down, some survivors of one of the blasts find their way aboard the Nautilus and meet the nefarious captain. After discovering the captain's mission our heroes try and escape and end up sort of joining the crew to bide their time until another opportunity arises.
What about the giant squid?
For the time period, this film looked amazing and the art direction and special effects both won Academy Awards for that year. The design of the Nautilus was also very interesting and it photographed well underwater.
I thoroughly enjoyed embarking on this aquatic journey and had to hold my breath until it was over!
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Matrix Revolutions (2003) in Movies
Jun 2, 2019
So as we left our heroes, the last human city, Zion, is coming under imminent threat from the army of robot "squiddies" hurling toward them at lightning speed and Neo has discovered he has superhuman powers and can do lots of cool stuff.
After Agent Smith visits the Oracle at the beginning of the film, he really disappears along with Neo while the large dogfight between the humans who are using these Avatar/Aliens type robot machine things to defend Zion.
Most of the battle scenes are mediocre at best. The whole time I was thinking I had seen all of this done better in other movies.
The scenes between Neo and Trinity at the end tie the story of the three films together somewhat, but the ultimate climax is not very interesting and somewhat of a letdown.
Ultimately, Warner Brothers wanted to make The Matrix a film trilogy, and although the original will always maintain its status as truly revolutionary, the sequels will always be remembered as disappointments.
After Agent Smith visits the Oracle at the beginning of the film, he really disappears along with Neo while the large dogfight between the humans who are using these Avatar/Aliens type robot machine things to defend Zion.
Most of the battle scenes are mediocre at best. The whole time I was thinking I had seen all of this done better in other movies.
The scenes between Neo and Trinity at the end tie the story of the three films together somewhat, but the ultimate climax is not very interesting and somewhat of a letdown.
Ultimately, Warner Brothers wanted to make The Matrix a film trilogy, and although the original will always maintain its status as truly revolutionary, the sequels will always be remembered as disappointments.
