Search
The Geeky Chef Strikes Back!: Even More Unofficial Recipes from Game of Thrones, Twin Peaks, the Legend of Zelda, Firefly, and More!
Book
Comic-lover, avid gamer, and sci-fi and fantasy fanatic, Cassandra Reeder, author of The Geeky Chef...
Connor Sheffield (293 KP) rated Logan (2017) in Movies
Apr 19, 2017
Hugh Jackman completes his journey as Wolverine (1 more)
An emotional journey
Mutant with Human emotion
There are so many superhero movies these days, that the genre becomes somewhat dull and repetitive, especially when it comes to Marvel (not saying Marvel is dull and boring, but some of the films are somewhat lacking due to how many films there are each year - Just my opinion), but Logan is one of the greatest comic book movies I have seen for a while, for the fact that it makes Logan more human and explores the feeling of trying to fit into society, despite being so different.
Logan has always had a part of him deep down that just wants to be normal. He never wanted his power and though he's thankful for it in some ways he feels like he wouldn't have been lost without it if he never had it to begin with. This film explores that notion even further than the previous films as shows us Logan in the role of a father figure to young Laura and a son figure to a now very old Charles Xavier. In this film Logan doesn't feel like he's a mutant in the company of other mutants, He feels like he's apart of a family.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Later in the film we see Logan's fatherly side after Charles passes away, and Logan risks everything to keep Laura safe and to teach her right and wrong, and give her a parenting love that she hasn't known before in her young life. This also shines through the portrayal of young Laura (portrayed by the talented Dafne Keen) as we see her become more and more attached to Old Man Logan (I had to!). This is what makes this film the most human feeling superhero movie that I've ever seen.
The R rating makes this film come to life by bringing death in the most brutal of ways because it allows Laura to see what Logan has become and makes his message to her and to the audience a lot clearer. "Don't become what they made you"
Through all of the bloody violence and anger Laura is able to understand those words more clearly than if it was a 15 rated film because we see Logan when he becomes savage and truly unleashes his full anger that's built up over his long lifetime of war and hatred.
When this film comes to an end (my lord that ending had me balling like a baby) and we see Laura say her final goodbyes to Logan, you don't want it to end because you know that this has finally been the one time that Logan felt human and felt a true connection to someone. (Also because we want Hugh Jackman to be Wolverine forever)
The cinematography and directing of this movie is beautiful to look at and witness as the scenes unfold. The cast perform to the highest of standards and really deliver a convincing story the makes you feel sympathetic to each of the main characters.
Wolverine will never be the same without Hugh Jackman, but we must not be too quick to dismiss the new casting choice when it comes around. You never know, they might surprise you.
Logan has always had a part of him deep down that just wants to be normal. He never wanted his power and though he's thankful for it in some ways he feels like he wouldn't have been lost without it if he never had it to begin with. This film explores that notion even further than the previous films as shows us Logan in the role of a father figure to young Laura and a son figure to a now very old Charles Xavier. In this film Logan doesn't feel like he's a mutant in the company of other mutants, He feels like he's apart of a family.
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Later in the film we see Logan's fatherly side after Charles passes away, and Logan risks everything to keep Laura safe and to teach her right and wrong, and give her a parenting love that she hasn't known before in her young life. This also shines through the portrayal of young Laura (portrayed by the talented Dafne Keen) as we see her become more and more attached to Old Man Logan (I had to!). This is what makes this film the most human feeling superhero movie that I've ever seen.
The R rating makes this film come to life by bringing death in the most brutal of ways because it allows Laura to see what Logan has become and makes his message to her and to the audience a lot clearer. "Don't become what they made you"
Through all of the bloody violence and anger Laura is able to understand those words more clearly than if it was a 15 rated film because we see Logan when he becomes savage and truly unleashes his full anger that's built up over his long lifetime of war and hatred.
When this film comes to an end (my lord that ending had me balling like a baby) and we see Laura say her final goodbyes to Logan, you don't want it to end because you know that this has finally been the one time that Logan felt human and felt a true connection to someone. (Also because we want Hugh Jackman to be Wolverine forever)
The cinematography and directing of this movie is beautiful to look at and witness as the scenes unfold. The cast perform to the highest of standards and really deliver a convincing story the makes you feel sympathetic to each of the main characters.
Wolverine will never be the same without Hugh Jackman, but we must not be too quick to dismiss the new casting choice when it comes around. You never know, they might surprise you.
Comix Zone Classic
Games, Entertainment and Stickers
App
Enter the Comix Zone, in SEGA's classic arcade-style beat 'em up, now available on mobile for the...
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated X-Men: Supernovas in Books
Nov 30, 2020
Holy cow!! I read this back when it originally when it was published, back in '04. Or rather, I didn't read it, as it was at a time where I was starting to tire of the post-MESSIAH COMPLEX/SECOND COMING X-Men world. I felt Utopia was a good idea, but it never truly gelled in the same way that as the Mutant Nation that is Krakoa in Hickman's "Dawn of X". And dear God, I can stand most things to some degree, but I still <u>can not</u> accept Namor as a mutant! So, long story short (really?? now?? after all that??), re-visiting X-MEN: SUPERNOVA was a good read!
First thing I enjoyed was the fact that this was where the Children of the Vault first come into play! Such a cool-assed concept, so cool that, sixteen years later (oh come on, dear man, time doesn't even apply the Children of the Vault!), Jonathan Hickman brought them back in X-MEN #4! Brilliant!! And, seriously? I don't a number of X-fans really <b>abhor</b> the whole concept of the Children of the Vault and any appearances/re-appearances they show up in!
While I was not as much of a fan of Carey's X-Men contributions as I wanted to be (another reason I dropped X-Men in '04), I quite loved this collection, as the first half of the book is the 6-part "Supernovas" story, while the remainder was the next few issues in that run of Carey's that seemed to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Children of the Vault or anything <i>Supernova</i>ish! Yeah, sorry to anyone expecting this review to be about the whole book, but I checked out as soon as "Supernova" ended.
One of the things that really drew me back to this was how tight Chris Bachalo's art was for the "Supernova" story arc! He's one of those artists that I have found people either like or definitely <b>not</b> like his style! Me? I've liked him since his days during GENERATION X (man, I still love the way he drew Emma Frost!!) in the 90's!
I've seen some of his recent work, and while I don't love all of it, I still share a fondness for unique way he draws! And, as I said, I feel that this was some of his best! From his tricked out as hell action scenes to his capturing of the oddness and otherworldliness of the Children of the Vault, these pages do <u>not</u> disappoint visually!
Overall, a good read that was not bogged down by being set in and around Utopia or any of the usual bickering and <i>hot mess</i> was any of the X-books written at that time! Heck, you may enjoy the story in the second half of the book! And best case scenario, if you see it on sale (whether digitally or in print), pick it up for Bachalo's amazingly awesome art!
Ok, gang, Imma done! We can resume the craziness and hard-to-believe-it's-actually-happening that is the COVID-19 pandemic! Oh, and you're welcome for the distraction I provided..! :)
First thing I enjoyed was the fact that this was where the Children of the Vault first come into play! Such a cool-assed concept, so cool that, sixteen years later (oh come on, dear man, time doesn't even apply the Children of the Vault!), Jonathan Hickman brought them back in X-MEN #4! Brilliant!! And, seriously? I don't a number of X-fans really <b>abhor</b> the whole concept of the Children of the Vault and any appearances/re-appearances they show up in!
While I was not as much of a fan of Carey's X-Men contributions as I wanted to be (another reason I dropped X-Men in '04), I quite loved this collection, as the first half of the book is the 6-part "Supernovas" story, while the remainder was the next few issues in that run of Carey's that seemed to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Children of the Vault or anything <i>Supernova</i>ish! Yeah, sorry to anyone expecting this review to be about the whole book, but I checked out as soon as "Supernova" ended.
One of the things that really drew me back to this was how tight Chris Bachalo's art was for the "Supernova" story arc! He's one of those artists that I have found people either like or definitely <b>not</b> like his style! Me? I've liked him since his days during GENERATION X (man, I still love the way he drew Emma Frost!!) in the 90's!
I've seen some of his recent work, and while I don't love all of it, I still share a fondness for unique way he draws! And, as I said, I feel that this was some of his best! From his tricked out as hell action scenes to his capturing of the oddness and otherworldliness of the Children of the Vault, these pages do <u>not</u> disappoint visually!
Overall, a good read that was not bogged down by being set in and around Utopia or any of the usual bickering and <i>hot mess</i> was any of the X-books written at that time! Heck, you may enjoy the story in the second half of the book! And best case scenario, if you see it on sale (whether digitally or in print), pick it up for Bachalo's amazingly awesome art!
Ok, gang, Imma done! We can resume the craziness and hard-to-believe-it's-actually-happening that is the COVID-19 pandemic! Oh, and you're welcome for the distraction I provided..! :)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance in TV
May 21, 2018 (Updated May 21, 2018)
I Give It A Year
Mind-bogglingly weird, supposedly based-on-true-events TV movie cashing in on the recent paroxysm of monarchist schmaltz. You know the story: she's on TV, he used to be in the army, hushed intake of breath from the British establishment when it turns out the lad's seeing a lady of her particular type, and so on, and so.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
Everything is very clearly presented as the tale of a modern, progressive, independent woman who ain't gonna take no nonsense from this troubled scion of a gaggle of hidebound inbreds; Meghan is the heroine who saves Harry from the crushing oppressiveness of royal tradition. You go, your grace!
Direction is bland, acting mostly indifferent, dialogue execrable. Worth watching for: the scene where Meghan ends up chasing Harry's private jet down the runway after precipitately chucking him. The subplot about Princess Diana being reincarnated as a lion. Some very surprising dialogue ('I love a dirty martini,' says the Duchess of Cornwall). Possibly the least accurate depiction of the Queen ever put on screen - she complains about how she's shown in The Crown, in a nicely meta moment.
Pervasive sense of double-think permeates the production: film is consistently down on the royals, which is odd when you consider that if Harry wasn't a royal it wouldn't actually exist. Media intrusion on the couple is also strongly frowned upon, but if making a whole movie fictionalising their lives isn't an intrusion of some sort, what is? Soon to pass into obscurity, I reckon, but an arresting, mutant production while it's with us.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Humanoids from the Deep (1980) in Movies
Oct 13, 2020
I'm completely aware that Humanoids from the Deep (originally titled Monster) is trashy as hell, but dammit I'm just a sucker for this kind of film.
It has a lot of issues - it's pacing is off for a start. A lot of the narrative focuses on a new fishing cannery in the seaside community of Noyo, a plot point that of course turns out to be completely irrelevant. It has some absurdly choppy editing - it has scenes that take place at the same time, in the same location, from different character perspectives, that inexplicably take place at different times of day. The big final scene has a sudden shot of an earlier part of the movie for no apparent reason other than saving money and time.
The same scene also has horrendously obvious looped sound editing. It's incredibly messy.
And yet, its still way more entertaining than it deserves to be. The mutant fish monster things look ridiculous of course, but it's the kind of hammy and gratuitous man-in-a-rubber-suit creature horror you just don't see these days.
There's plenty of gore and the usual Roger Corman endorsed nudity that sold these kind of films.
It has a respectable cast as well, including Doug McClure, Vic Morrow, Ann Turkel and Anthony Pena. It's a far cry from the copious amounts of teenagers usually associated with the genre during this era, and lends the film a sense of class amongst all the silliness.
Humanoids from the Deep is a film not to be taken seriously. That way, it's a pretty good time despite it's many flaws, and is an entertaining enough creature feature.
It has a lot of issues - it's pacing is off for a start. A lot of the narrative focuses on a new fishing cannery in the seaside community of Noyo, a plot point that of course turns out to be completely irrelevant. It has some absurdly choppy editing - it has scenes that take place at the same time, in the same location, from different character perspectives, that inexplicably take place at different times of day. The big final scene has a sudden shot of an earlier part of the movie for no apparent reason other than saving money and time.
The same scene also has horrendously obvious looped sound editing. It's incredibly messy.
And yet, its still way more entertaining than it deserves to be. The mutant fish monster things look ridiculous of course, but it's the kind of hammy and gratuitous man-in-a-rubber-suit creature horror you just don't see these days.
There's plenty of gore and the usual Roger Corman endorsed nudity that sold these kind of films.
It has a respectable cast as well, including Doug McClure, Vic Morrow, Ann Turkel and Anthony Pena. It's a far cry from the copious amounts of teenagers usually associated with the genre during this era, and lends the film a sense of class amongst all the silliness.
Humanoids from the Deep is a film not to be taken seriously. That way, it's a pretty good time despite it's many flaws, and is an entertaining enough creature feature.
Metro 2033
7.3
Rate It
Video Game
Set in the shattered subway of a post apocalyptic Moscow, Metro 2033 is a story of intensive...
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated Touched by an Alien (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Squee! What a fun book! I was nearly did not pick up this book due to the main character's name (Kitty Katt?) but I'm oh so glad I did. She sees a guy go from blowing his top over a little fender bender to actually, well, blowing his top - or, at least, blowing his back, by turning into a mutant and murdering the other party, then starting in an many others. What does she do? Run, hide, scream like a baby? Call 911? Trip in her high heels and cower until a he-man saves her?
Oh, hell, no!
She also doesn't take the super sexy, Armani-clad guys in the know who show up later at face value, a trait I liked almost as much.
I may not share Kitty's taste in music, but I do like her. A lot. I like her family too! In fact, I want her family. I want to be adopted into her family. I could happily live without the whole nasty aliens invading our world thing, but her parents are cool. It's refreshing to have a heroine from a good family with cool, living parents for a change.
I picked up book two, [bc:Alien Tango|7948544|Alien Tango (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #2)|Gini Koch|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Oc9ib%2BrrL._SL75_.jpg|11556310], right away. After reading it, [a:Gini Koch|3219496|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1275081028p2/3219496.jpg] is officially my favorite new author.
There is one little problem. I want to read [bc:Alien in the Family|8714075|Alien in the Family (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #3)|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285844542s/8714075.jpg|13586954] right NOW. Right. This. Minute. Just how firm is that April release date, anyway?
Oh, hell, no!
She also doesn't take the super sexy, Armani-clad guys in the know who show up later at face value, a trait I liked almost as much.
I may not share Kitty's taste in music, but I do like her. A lot. I like her family too! In fact, I want her family. I want to be adopted into her family. I could happily live without the whole nasty aliens invading our world thing, but her parents are cool. It's refreshing to have a heroine from a good family with cool, living parents for a change.
I picked up book two, [bc:Alien Tango|7948544|Alien Tango (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #2)|Gini Koch|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Oc9ib%2BrrL._SL75_.jpg|11556310], right away. After reading it, [a:Gini Koch|3219496|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1275081028p2/3219496.jpg] is officially my favorite new author.
There is one little problem. I want to read [bc:Alien in the Family|8714075|Alien in the Family (Katherine "Kitty" Katt, #3)|Gini Koch|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1285844542s/8714075.jpg|13586954] right NOW. Right. This. Minute. Just how firm is that April release date, anyway?
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Chasing Ghosts in Books
Jan 31, 2019
When it comes to novellas by Glenn Rolfe, I expect a sense of urgency. That’s probably because the first thing I read by him was Becoming, which if you’ve read my review, you’ll know I enjoyed it immensely. In that regard, Chasing Ghosts does not disappoint. Brimming with non-stop action, this short book is akin to settling into your chair for a good slasher flick.
Chasing Ghosts doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, which means Rolfe has one hell of a challenge if he’s trying to make it stand out. If you’ve ever seen The Hills Have Eyes, that’s what this book reminds me of–though the setting and cast are a bit different, what with your inbred hillbillies and woods versus mutant savages and desert. Fortunately, Rolfe’s prose alone is enough to guide the story forward, and I actually devoured this in one sitting.
The novella does fall victim to the same cons most short books do, though. Because of its length, there isn’t really any time to grow attached to any of the characters. We know enough about them to recognize them as human, but that’s about it. I would personally love to see this as a more in-depth, full-length novel where attachment to the ill-fated players is more likely.
Once again, Glenn Rolfe has sated my desire for gore and bloodshed, further solidifying his place among my list of must-read authors. In fact, I eagerly await the opportunity to read more of his books.
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of review from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed above are my own, without bias.
Chasing Ghosts doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, which means Rolfe has one hell of a challenge if he’s trying to make it stand out. If you’ve ever seen The Hills Have Eyes, that’s what this book reminds me of–though the setting and cast are a bit different, what with your inbred hillbillies and woods versus mutant savages and desert. Fortunately, Rolfe’s prose alone is enough to guide the story forward, and I actually devoured this in one sitting.
The novella does fall victim to the same cons most short books do, though. Because of its length, there isn’t really any time to grow attached to any of the characters. We know enough about them to recognize them as human, but that’s about it. I would personally love to see this as a more in-depth, full-length novel where attachment to the ill-fated players is more likely.
Once again, Glenn Rolfe has sated my desire for gore and bloodshed, further solidifying his place among my list of must-read authors. In fact, I eagerly await the opportunity to read more of his books.
I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of review from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed above are my own, without bias.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Prophecy (1979) in Movies
Oct 27, 2019
The best rabid pig cat bear movie I've seen in a while!
Within the wilderness of Maine, local Native Americans are having trouble with a large logging over the destruction of their forests and some recent crimes which have gone unsolved. The Environmental Protection Agency is brought in to assess the situation and provide a possible solution.
As the people get to know each other, it is revealed the natives are also having problems including random sicknesses and abnormal births. It is also discovered wildlife in the area is erratic including an extremely large salmon and a tadpole as big as a full grown frog. The plant operator insists all protocols are being followed and no harmful chemicals are being released by the plant.
Further study reveals mercury is the culprit for all the local problems including the animal and human deformities and the mysterious ailment sweeping the village. There has always been local legend of the Katahdin which the natives also believe is possessing the spirit of a mutated bear which roams the forest.
The two opposing forces must band together and try and stop the mutant beast before it is too late!
I wasn't expecting much from this film I found on Prime, but was pleasantly surprised. You can certainly tell it is low budget, but that did not take away from the suspense, the creature effects and the bloody kills. The pacing was even throughout with few dull spots or stalls in the action. The sprawling Maine tree filled landscapes as well as the gorgeous river beltway added majesty to the look of the film and provided a remarkable setting.
Very entertaining.
As the people get to know each other, it is revealed the natives are also having problems including random sicknesses and abnormal births. It is also discovered wildlife in the area is erratic including an extremely large salmon and a tadpole as big as a full grown frog. The plant operator insists all protocols are being followed and no harmful chemicals are being released by the plant.
Further study reveals mercury is the culprit for all the local problems including the animal and human deformities and the mysterious ailment sweeping the village. There has always been local legend of the Katahdin which the natives also believe is possessing the spirit of a mutated bear which roams the forest.
The two opposing forces must band together and try and stop the mutant beast before it is too late!
I wasn't expecting much from this film I found on Prime, but was pleasantly surprised. You can certainly tell it is low budget, but that did not take away from the suspense, the creature effects and the bloody kills. The pacing was even throughout with few dull spots or stalls in the action. The sprawling Maine tree filled landscapes as well as the gorgeous river beltway added majesty to the look of the film and provided a remarkable setting.
Very entertaining.