Remote Viewing: Glass Onion (2022): A Knives Out Mystery

 Glass Onion (2002) is a wonderful sequel to Knives Out (2019), with Daniel Craig returning as Detective Benoit Blanc. It's in theaters, but also available streaming on Netflix. 

Billionaire Miles Bron invites his long-time friends to celebrate on his private island, where he is going to make a major announcement. Much to his surprise, he finds that Blanc has somehow also received an invitation but he decides to make the most of it. We gradually learn that everyone has secrets they would not like revealed and a murder takes place. Blanc takes charge and the mystery slowly unfolds.

Director Rian Johnson does a wonderful job maintaining the mystery and humor that he showed in the first film but goes off in a different direction. The cast is a delight with everyone getting some time in the spotlight as their secrets are revealed. It was fun to see a bit of Blanc's homelife revealed, along with his roommate. What a funny surprise! 

Remote Viewing: Alice in Borderland, Season One (2020, Japan)

 Finally binging the first season of Alice in Borderland (2020, Japan) and loving it. Had folks recommending it and glad I'm finally catching up with the second season has arrived.

Three lifelong friends are hiding in a subway bathroom, having accidentally caused a fender bender in downtown Tokyo. After the lights flicker out they discover that they seem to be alone in the city. They soon learn that they must take part in 'games' in order to collect cards if they are to survive for the next three days. Making a mistake in the game could lead to death, so choices matter.

You can see how Squid Games, and themed TV shows & films have influenced this series. It is brutal and I was surprised by some of the scenes. Spoiler warning: Don't get too attached to many of the characters as they might not survive the episode. There is some semi-nudity and violence.

Recommended if this is your type of thing.

 

Remote Viewing: High Water (2022, Poland)

 High Water (2022, Poland) is a six-part series made for Polish television, streaming on Netflix. It's a dramatization of the actual events of 1997 when flood waters threaten a large city, and officials decide to divert the waters into the countryside flooding farms and villages.

A noted hydrologist, recovering from addiction and separated from her daughter. Is called in to help advise the authorities regarding the rising waters. Older male scientists and political appointees refuse to accept her advice and opinions until it's too late.

Usual melodrama is thrown in, but the effects of the flood were real and over 100 people did die during the event. The Czech Republic and parts of Germany were also affected by the same catastrophe.

I was reminded of the series Chernobyl, as we see politicians and bureaucrats making decisions for their own self-interests.

Remote Viewing: Our Trip to Berribrook (2022, Austrailian)

 Our Trip To Berribrook (2022, Australian) is another Found Footage horror film streaming on Tubi. The only missing FF cliche is the night-vision camera.

Three American vloggers visiting Australia decide to go to the Berribrook National Park. The area has been the legendary site for a mysterious creature, and where numerous people have disappeared since the late 19th century, including four British vloggers who disappeared several months before. As the trio searches, they talk about the legend and the popular myths of the dangers of Australian wildlife.

Let's be honest at 90 minutes the film is at least 40 minutes too long. You've got enough plot for a short, padded by footage of some kangaroos, lots of footage of trees, and each of the characters at one point saying they saw or heard something we never see or hear. I stopped the film at around forty minutes to take a break and you could actually start watching at the point I stopped and you would only have missed the Kangaroos.

The film isn't bad so much as tedious, as the actors are actually fairly decent for the roles and are quite believable, except as expected in the end where they do stupid things to make things worse. No real gore and a final freeze frame may make you wonder if you can get 90 minutes of your life back. I can't recommend this as it isn't bad enough to be good. 

Remote Viewing: Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022, US)

 Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022, US) is currently streaming on Shudder. A nice addition to holiday horror and much better, IMO, than a lot of the low-budget stuff you'll find being cranked out for the Christmas horror crowd. Directed and written by Joe Begos, perhaps best known for the cult horror fave VFW.

Beginning with some spoof commercials, we learn that the Dept. of Defense, in a budget-saving move, has reconfigured some battle robots to perform as mall Santas that can be leased by stores. We are introduced to a record store owner and her friend/employee as they close up shop on Christmas Eve with no real plans. After several drinks, along with meeting up with friends who own a toy store (who are using one of the robots) and the local Sherriff, also grabbing a couple of drinks, the couple quickly moves out of the friend zone. A news report informs us that the DoD is recalling the robots as some are returning to their original programming as assassins. Pretty easy to see where things go from there.

A decent rock soundtrack, nice practical effects, and humor early on make this much better than the trailer would let on. I liked how the first fifteen minutes or so are spent letting us get to know the main characters making what happens later in the film more relevant. Some semi-nudity (mainly butts) and a sex scene intercut with the first murders are nicely done.

The final action scenes will give you major Terminator vibes.

 

Remote Viewing: The Mothman Tapes (2022, British)

 The Mothman Tapes (2022, British) is Found Footage,and not too bad for a low-budget film of this sort. The usual text intro states that the footage was discovered, turned over to authorities, and considered a hoax.I was ablt to

A wannabe actor hopes to get some recognition by doing a paranormal video series with two friends. Finding a blurry photo of a creature called The Mothman they decide this would be a good subject for their first episode. Finding a more experienced researcher on the scene they tag along only to discover that there might really be a creature.

The film starts out rather lighthearted with the three-man crew demonstrating that they are out of their depth with the basic equipment they have. We get to see their friendship also having problems as events become way too real.

 

Audio Book Review: We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor

 In the not-too-distant future, Bob decides to use some of the wealth he's made from his tech company to have his head frozen cryogenically. While his friends poke fun at him, it is his decision after all. Unfortunately, an accident happens and Bob gets his wish sooner than he had expected. A hundred years later he awakens to discover that the technology didn't work as he had hoped and he is now an AI. The United States no longer exists and that former nation is now ruled by a theocracy that has little sympathy for something that many feel is an affront to God. Without a choice, he also learns that he is being trained to pilot an experimental starship whose mission is to discover a new home for mankind, as Earth is becoming uninhabitable. 

As he is on his way to find that new planet, Bob finds that he is able to reproduce versions of himself as well as the ability to build new ships. When he does discover some habitable planets, he sends a version of himself back to Earth to find that politicians haven't changed and sometimes warring nations have their own agendas. Not all Bobs are alike and even they can't always agree.

This is the first audiobook in a series. Having a working knowledge of pop culture wouldn't hurt as the different Bobs begin to take on very different personalities. 

Where the heck have I been and why

Book Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

 Nora feels that the death of her cat is the final event in her life proving that she is a failure. She also has decided that today is the day to die, and commits suicide. She finds herself in a Library where Mrs. Elm an elderly Librarian she befriended as a child tells her that she is between life and death. She has a limited amount of time to find a life she would like to choose or she would indeed die. 

Looking through a volume titled Book of Regrets, she finds the points in her 'root' life where she has made decisions leading to her final fate. Picking up further volumes she finds herself at points in her life where they diverted from what she had done and must decide if this is the life that will make her happy. In a way, this reminded me of the series Quantum Leap as Nora, like Sam, has replaced a version of herself, with no real knowledge of the life she is now living. Had she continued to spend her life as a musician, Olympic swimmer, scientist, or some other goal she had never achieved?

We have all had to make choices in our lives and certainly all have a 'Book of Regrets' we could look back on. 

Remote Viewing: 1899 (2022, Germany) A Netflix series review

 Started watching the German supernatural series, 1899, over on Netflix. From the same creators who did DARK, another series that dealt with time travel.

The cruise ship Prometheus had disappeared without a trace four months previously. One of three German ships was purchased by a British firm, refitted in a shipyard, and returned to service between England and the US. With over 1,600 passengers and a mixed German & British crew, a sister ship is almost halfway through its westbound journey when it receives a teletype message from the lost ship.

When the Prometheus is located it appears to be without power and abandoned, except for one boy who was locked in a cabinet. Almost immediately mysterious things begin to happen, including visions and issues with navigational aids. Things grow worse as tensions with both crew and passengers lead to violence.

The backstories of several characters are told in flashbacks, which seem to be dreams. We also learn that mysterious letters had been sent to several passengers and crew urging them to take the cruise.

Some violence, but not too graphic, as well as some sex scenes which do not really show much. This was made for German television so their standards may be different.

If you don't like reading subtitles, I hope you are multilingual as at least six different languages are spoken, with English only being spoken for a few passengers.

 

Remote Viewing: Troll (20022, Norway) a movie review

 Troll (2022, Norway) is currently streaming on Netflix. The film is in Norwegian, with English subtitles, except for a scene towards the beginning which involves a group of American researchers and everyone speaks English.

While trying to expand a tunnel project, mysteriously abandoned decades before, an explosion seems to awaken a giant creature that begins to ransack the countryside. A scientist called in by the government believes that research done by her father (now considered mentally unstable) could help supply the answer. Initially skeptical the politicians and military eventually have to accept the fact that a giant troll is now moving toward Oslo for an unknown reason.

The nicely done horror film is fun with mostly effective CGI used for the creature. As with a lot of these rampaging monster films, you often end up having more sympathy for the creature than the 'let's blow it up because we can' establishment. This film, like many of the other movies that deal with the Troll mythos, uses much of the same legends and known weaknesses we've seen before.

The one hour and forty + minute run time goes by pretty quickly and doesn't drag as much as similar films.

Remote Viewing: A Christmas Horror Story (2015) a movie review

 A Christmas Horror Story (2015, Canada) Is an anthology film with four stories anchored by a linking narrative that turns out to be connected to one of the others. William Shatner is "Dangerous" Dan a DJ who ends up doing a double shift on Christmas Eve, this ties everything together, as we hear him on the radio in some of the other tales.

An unsolved double murder occurred the previous Christmas Eve and on the anniversary three high school students decide to investigate, as the police never solved the crime and have hidden certain details. One of the police officers who investigated the murders quit the force, his drinking and obsession with the case are causing issues with his wife and young son. A businessman makes his family (wife, son & daughter) accompany him to visit an aunt, for reasons he doesn't explain. Finally, Santa begins having issues at the North Pole when one of his elves becomes a zombie and then begins to infect the others.

George Buza plays a pretty badass Santa, and it seems that David Harbour is channeling him for the new Violent Night. By the way, watch the credits as Shatner, as the very drunk Dangerous Dan is still having some issues on the air. Shatner only seems to interact with one other character, who doesn't even appear in the same frame. Pretty apparent Bill was signed to do his scenes over a few hours and just sat in a chair in one set for the entire segment. Nice paycheck.

The practical effects are pretty good and the Krampus (played by stuntman/actor Rob Archer) is in wonderful makeup, appearing in two of the four main segments.

Not a bad addition to your Christmas horror film watch list.

Remote Viewing: Willow on Disney+ (2022)

 Willow a limited series streaming over on Disney+ is the sequel to the wonderful film of the same name from 1988. This also stars Warwick Davis as the title character, a sorcerer now living with his people and fearful of a coming magical disaster.

Picking up 20 years after the ending of the first film, the prophecy is that the child Elora Danan will grow up to be the only one capable of defeating the ancient evil. Elora has apparently disappeared, but the evil forces are seeking her nonetheless.

Typical fantasy fare, but fun to see Davis and several other original cast members return. The film starts with scenes from the film, retelling the tale and setting things up, with various new scenes letting us know what has happened over the past two decades. Haters going to hate of course, so "fans" of the original are finding fault and picking nits.

The first two episodes are currently available with later ones debuting weekly. Not great perhaps, but I'm certainly enjoying this more than the ponderous GoT prequel.

 

Remote Viewing: Man Vs. (2015)

 Man Vs. (2015, Canada) is a decent film, streaming on Tubi (with ads) about one man trying to film a survival program only to discover he might not be alone in the wilderness.

Doug has a fairly successful 'reality survivalist' TV series but hopes to make it to the networks. His team drops him off in the wilds of northern Ontario for a five-day shoot, with only the bare essentials and several cameras. After the first night, strange events begin to occur and he finds that he is not alone, with someone playing games. Unable to contact his support team, Doug must try to find his own way out.

Chris Diamantopoulos (The Office, Arrested Development) is the focus of most of this film, as he is left to himself in the wilds. He's quite good, though his character can be a jerk toward others.

Some gore and animal mutilation could put some off. While some of the footage is from the viewpoint of the cameras Doug uses most is filmed in a standard format and not as Found Footage. No spoilers, but the film does take a twist once we discover what has been harassing Doug for the past few days. I had not seen the posters which pretty much give it away. 

Remote Viewing: Lake Mungo (2008, Austraila) a movie review

 Lake Mungo (2008, Australia) I was less than ten minutes into this 'mockumentary' before realizing that I'd already watched it. Still a good film and I'd forgotten quite a bit.

In 2005 a young woman drowns and her family begins to believe that her ghost is haunting their home. Photos taken by strangers and the son seem to show her appearing in various locations. A psychic is called in and he appears to verify that there is indeed something happening. Eventually, there are revelations and the story takes a turn. It appears that the daughter had a secret life the parents were not aware of and other things begin to be revealed.

This film is well done, consisting of interviews, news reports, and home movies taken by the family and others. It has the feel of both true crime and paranormal TV shows, allowing the story to unfold. While at least one crime may have been committed no one is brought to justice and the film ends on a note that twists back. Several people are revealed to have been keeping secrets and even trying to deceive the parents.

Watch the end credits as several photos and videos add to the story.

 

Remote Viewing: The Chalk Line (2022, French) a movie review

 Streaming on Netflix, you can check out the French thriller, The Chalk Line (2022). A mystery that turns even darker in the final act.

A married couple, Paula and Simon, come upon a young girl wandering in the road. Unwilling to speak and ill they take her to a hospital for treatment. When it is found that the girl will only respond to Paula the hospital releases the girl into their custody. The girl, whom they call Clara, will not go beyond chalk lines she draws on the floor and has only said a few words, discovered to be German, over the next few weeks. Incidents occur which seem to indicate that the child might be trying to harm others, but Paula decides to investigate on her own when the police show no interest.

A decent thriller and mystery, as we are left uncertain if it is the girl doing these things and why. No spoilers, but the third act begins to show events from a different perspective and the mystery begins to unravel. 

Popcorn for one: Bones and All (2022) a movie review

 Bones and All (2022), based on the novel by Camile DeAngelis, appears to be a horror film from the looks of the trailer, but it is really more of a romance and road picture.

Maren (Taylor Russell, of Lost in Space & Escape Room) has recently turned 18 and living with her father who has guarded her secret since she was a child. When she attacks another girl both have to flee town, where her father abandons her leaving a cassette tape and her birth certificate. In search of her mother, Maren meets others with the same hunger and Lee (Timothee Chalamet) with whom she bonds.

Beautifully filmed and well acted the film is haunting in a tale of mutual need and the guilty that could push the young lovers apart. Some chilling scenes and graphic violence, but the relationship between Lee & Maren is what drives the film. I haven't read the novel, so the ending I found a bit confusing.

Hope to see this film remembered come the awards season. Saw the film with other members of the OC Horror Film Fans group from Meet Up. 

Remote Viewing: The Last Broadcast (1998) Movie Review

 The Last Broadcast (1998) was shot digitally rather than on film. This "Found Footage" movie actually came out over half a year before The Blair Witch Project, in so beating the more famous movie. It had a limited theatrical release in the US & Canada.

This is a "documentary" on two (possibly three) murders that occurred in 1995. The two hosts of the "Fact or Fiction" cable series on the paranormal, along with their cameraman, decide to increase their viewership by doing a live broadcast from the New Jersey Pine Barrens. They hope to investigate the Jersey/Leeds Devil phenomena with the help of someone who claims to be a psychic. When the three filmmakers are reported missing, two bodies are found and the surviving psychic is convicted of their murder. The documentary filmmaker hopes to prove him innocent of the crime, even though the survivor mysteriously died in prison.

The first three-quarters of the film is pretty standard for the sub-genre, but for me ruined by the last 15 minutes which takes a surprise turn and becomes a standard film. A lot of reviewers on Shudder and other sites agree with this. No spoilers, but be warned if you watch it that you might be disappointed by the end.

Some blood at the crime scene and the 'victims' are seen in crime photos, but not graphically. One thing that I found amusing is that the crime occurs on Dec. 13, 1995, which happens to be my birthday. By the way, looking at the posters and DVD covers (you can find them online) for this film you'll discover that one actually gives away part of the ending. 

 

Remote Viewing: Chupacabra Territory (2016) A Movie Review

 Chupacabra Territory (2016) is one of those films that give Found Footage a bad rep. Way too long for the plot with unnecessary close-ups of animal mutilation (unsure if it was real or not, but still made me uncomfortable). Even a 'soft core' sex scene is done at a ridiculous point in the film, where the creature has already been seen, bodies have been found and one character needs medical treatment.

Four friends decide to investigate an area where reported sightings of a chupacabra have taken place. Warned away by a local, who had apparently been attacked by the creature and by a forest ranger, they continue even after finding several signs of the creature and what it is capable of. The one female in the group attempts to use a mysterious book to protect them and at the same time summon the creature.

Each of the characters takes turns being unlikeable, so you really have a hard time working up sympathy when the expected takes place. Besides the unnecessary sex scene, we also have another female hiker exposing her breasts to the camera several times, which does nothing but let us know she's going to be one of the next victims. I mean '80s horror/slasher films already told us this.

Lots of fake blood and gore, which isn't badly done but the creature is mostly bad camera and CGI effects. Finally, there's no reason that part of the final end credits has to scroll over the mutilated corpse of a coyote (fake or not).

I had to turn this off halfway through to take a break, from boredom and disdain. Skip this one!

Remote Viewing: Wednesday Addams, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Tales of the Jedi

 Finished binging the Wednesday Addams series on Netflix and loved it. Twist at the end that I should have seen coming and a tease for a second season. One of the delights was that just as in the original TV series, Thing displays so much personality and you actually feel for him in some scenes. Personally, I thought that Fred Armisen was perfect at Uncle Fester. He and Thing as partners in crime is just perfect.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was a lot of fun, with the cast returning. I can't recall the secret Mantis reveals being from the comics, but it was probably there and I missed it. Enjoyed the holiday songs, which were a bit twisted. Kevin Bacon did a nice job playing himself and doing a song with the alien band. My one grip is the use of a guy in a costume to play Groot. I wonder if they had intended to replace him with CGI at some point and budget or time got in the way. Both Rocket and Cosmo were nicely done. The animated opening and closing bits explaining Peter's early experience with Christmas in space were nicely done.

Finally, the Tales of the Jedi animated series on Disney+ was nice, as it fills in some backstories for several characters. These mostly lead up to the prequels, with the final one taking place sometime after Ahsoka left the Jedi Order if I recall her history correctly. 

Thriller - Michael Jackson (1930s Jazz Cover) ft. Wayne Brady

Remote Viewing: V/H/S/99 (2022)

 Found Footage and horror fans already know the V/H/S franchise from the previous films. These are anthologies made up of stories, supposedly found on old VHS and other recording devices.

Like every anthology film, the segments range from barely watchable to outstanding and deserving of expansion. These are all shorts, generally 12-18 minutes in length. The previous film VH/S/94 had an anchoring story about a SWAT team researching a mysterious cult, with the segments revealing aspects of the conspiracy. 99 has nothing connecting the story. Between the segments, we have some 'home movies' made by a kid using his toys, often brutally.

For me the best segments were the first short, Shredding about a punk band interested in the mysterious deaths of an earlier all-female punk band, and the last, To Hell and Back about a film crew's misadventures while taping a supernatural ritual calling up a demon. The Gawkers and Suicide Bid were both decent, if predictable.

Sadly, the longest and most self-indulgent was Ozzy's Dungeon about a mean-spirited kid's program and the unsympathetic host
who enjoyed the humiliation and often physical injuries of the young contestants. It goes from uncomfortable to disturbing, with an ending that makes no sense coming after the earlier scenes. It's like the director suddenly remembered that this was a horror anthology and he needed to toss in a monster for no reason.

Except for that middle segment, the film is entertaining enough and I can't see this stopping the franchise from continuing. 

Remote Viewing (watching at home): The Shadow of Bigfoot (2013)

 Just looking for something mindless I found The Shadow of Bigfoot (2013, British) over on Tubi, with a lot of other Bigfoot/Sasquatch-related films and documentaries. I'm in the skeptic camp, so we won't get into that.

A college professor, obsessed with his attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot convinces one of his grad students and a colleague (a biology professor and skeptic) to accompany him on a weekend camping trip. After several sightings have happened in the area, the professor believes this might be his best chance.

Not Found Footage, but with the low budget, this film has it might as well have been. It seems that the cameraman is all but stalking the cast in some scenes with them not being framed properly or being filmed from behind trees and bushes.

Not going to point out everything, but there is one dialogue scene between two characters, supposedly in forest miles from anywhere, where you can see a garbage dumpster or some other type of metal container on the hill behind them. It's so obvious that I thought one of the characters was actually going to comment on it, but both ignore it and move on.

We never actually see the Bigfoot, except as a shadow or concealed in bushes. Fortunately, the bad CGI and the guy in a suit we see at the beginning of the film sets things up but are only used in the 'documentary' material before the actual plot takes off.

Popcorn for One: The Menu (2022) a movie review

 I did go to see The Menu (2022) earlier and absolutely loved it. The trailer makes it appear to be a thriller, and while there are elements of that, it's more of a very, dark comedy. I was laughing out loud at some moments and so were other audience members. I've been to "comedies" that didn't get that reaction.

A group of about a dozen people is invited to have dinner at a very, exclusive restaurant on a small island. Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) will only allow a limited number of patrons for each dinner. This evening all have been personally invited. No spoilers, but things slowly become apparent that each of the guests has done something to bring them to the Chef's attention.

Anya Taylor-Joy is wonderful as Margo, the last-minute guest of one of those invited. She does a wonderful job as the lead and primary focus of the film.

I really enjoyed this film, but think you might have to have a slightly bent sense of humor. Also, there are some brutal moments in the movie that were a bit shocking. 

I did go to see The Menu (2022) earlier and absolutely loved it. The trailer makes it appear to be a thriller, and while there are elements of that, it's more of a very, dark comedy. I was laughing out loud at some moments and so were other audience members. I've been to "comedies" that didn't get that reaction.

Dawn of DC: DC comics is trying another reboot

 Whenever DC, or Marvel for that matter, says that something will be a good 'jumping on point' you can guarantee that older fans will begin freaking out, since we're about to see changes in beloved characters and rarely something that will last until the next event.

I'm only buying a few continuity DC books now, so the current Dark Crisis really hasn't bothered me. The Dawn of DC "event" will have twenty new titles and several tie-ins, beginning in January with one of their oldest titles, Action Comics, kicking the whole thing off.

This just seems so much like the "New 52" that dwindled down pretty quickly, with many books barely getting to issue #6. Looking down the list of those already announced the only one that caught my interest is Unstoppable Doom Patrol, as I've been pretty loyal through every incarnation of the team since their introduction.

Hal Jordan and John Stewart each get a Green Lantern title and it seems that Conner Kent (the Superman/Lex Luthor clone) is back and getting his own title.

Be interesting to see the reaction to all this in fan media over the next few months. You won't be seeing a deep dive by this Old Fart of Fandom.

Popcorn for One Movie Review - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a good film and a fitting tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

It was nice to see so many of the original cast return and a couple of surprise cameos. Interesting to see someone used in the Marvel TV shows appear again in a bigger role. Also, one was a big surprise and I had not heard rumors of it. The introduction of Iron Heart was nicely done, especially with a series of her own announced. There is a bit of a flashback/homage to the first Iron Man film in one scene.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like how Namor was used in the film, but I thought he was given a solid backstory, as was his race. They even state that he is a mutant, the first time I think this term is used in an MCU film. Of course, folks are going to nitpick certain things, since fans can never be happy about anything.

There is one mid-credit scene that I was delighted to see and was again a nice tribute. 

This Outer Limits Episode Is SO DISTURBING It Will Keep You Up At Night

This episode gave me nightmares for days and I wasn't allowed to watch Outer Limits for a couple of weeks. It still creeps me out. 

Stealing Superman, a podcast

 I've got a cool idea for a streaming network film or limited series.

Over the holidays, a well know actor has a series of parties at his home. At some point, despite his security systems, someone is able to steal a number of valuable items that the actor has collected over a period of years. This theft isn't immediately detected and the items worth hundreds of thousands of dollars might already be sold or kept until the heat blows off.

To give this an odd twist, the objects stolen are key comic books from the Golden Age. Also, the theft might have been done by one of his friends or acquaintances or even his sizable staff, as the objects were in a part of the house difficult to access. Maybe we could get a cult fave like Nick Cage to play the actor.

Oh, wait. This actually did happen when Cage's copies of Action #1 and Detective Comics #27, among others, were taken back at the end of 1999.

Check out, Stealing Superman on Stitcher or other podcast services.

Tales of the Jedi & Andor and other SW material

 Watched the first two episodes of Tales of the Jedi, the animated Star Wars series, streaming on Disney+. 

Interesting that while the concurrent Andor is taking place in the years leading up to Rogue One and A New Hope, this series of shorts (15- 20 minutes long for the most part) gives us the back story of some characters who will be major players in the prequels.

In some ways, Andor can stand alone, I think you have to have more of a working knowledge of the Clone Wars era to get more out of Tales. A basic knowledge of SW is enough for Andor, as you have the Empire and the beginnings of the rebellion. Tales expects you to know who Ahsoka, Count Dooku and Qui-Qon Jinn, and others are, or will be, to make a connection.

We will get to see Ahsoka joining the Jedi Academy and what drove Count Dooku to leave the Jedi and change his alliances. Can't wait to see those episodes, probably over the next few days.

Both The Bad Bunch (animated) and The Mandalorian (live-action) will be returning for new seasons later this year, I believe. They have both had teasers, but I'm just unsure of when they will be scheduled. ThoughI'm sure it will be after the two current series are completed, to keep from an overload. 

While there had been plans for the SW games & books taking place in the Old Republic to eventually be made into series or films, I think that internal strife at Lucas/Disney have put those and other SW output on hold. I've never played the games or read the books, but it would be interesting to see this material, which takes place thousands of years prior what what we've seen in the films. These would be brand new characters to most of us. Another thing is that, as far as I know, the stories taking place in these are not considered canon. That would probably have to be corrected in some fashion before they appeared, I would guess. 

Disney Star Wars Hotel FAILURE Worse Than We Thought! | Cringe Galactic ...

I think a lot of us saw this coming, but it happened faster than I would have thought.

I figured they would get a few years out of this at least, but the reaction/reviews of guests and the fact that nobody is returning has just undercut everything. If they hadn't made the prices so outrageous they might have had a chance, but limiting the size to 100 rooms and for a two day stay was ridiculous. You can stay at the Disney resort for the week and hit all the attractions or even take a 7-night cruise on a Disney ship (with food, entertainment, included) for less than half of what this is asking.

Anyone out there actually take part in this?

Poor Conan or the fate of The Cimmerian

 According to an article in The Beat, Marvel has lost the rights to Conan (again!) and these are going back to Titan Comics in 2023. 

https://www.comicsbeat.com/titan-comics-conan-the-barbarian-creative-team-announced/ 

It's hard to keep track of all this. I do wonder what the issue was with Marvel. Knowing this helps explain the fate of Conan in the Savage Avengers title. Guessing this was reported to the creators on that book, so they had to do what they could and wrap things up. Frankly, Conan was the reason I was picking up that series, or rather both series. Perhaps it also explains why the book got a second #1 and new members of the team. Anyway, I'll check out the next issue (#7 I believe, as Conan was written out in #5) and probably drop it.

The title Savage Avengers pretty much only existed to have Conan interacting with current Marvel characters. Curious about the fate of the book at this point. 

Also, would this have any effect on The Cimmerian series over at Ablaze Comics. They couldn't use Conan as the title, because of Marvel, but were doing adaptations of Robert E. Howard's novels and short stories. 

I shouldn't be allowed near computers

 About a month ago I got a new modem for my computer and this caused the Google Chromecast, given me by The Girls when they updated, to start having issues I couldn't seem to fix. I broke down and purchased a new one with a trial of Google TV.

For some reason, this started isssues with my computer. I'm one of those folks knows just enough about computers and software to be dangerous. I caused my toolbar to disappear and the screen to have a black bar across the top. I would sometimes have to minimize my screen to be able to scroll down enough to perform some task.

When I finally got the toolbar back in place everything I had put there had disppeared. I decided that I had to finally admit defeat and was going to call Geek Squad. This was where I was when I left for my cruise.

I had signed out and turned off my computer, as I always do when I go away for more than a day or two. When I came back there were some updates that needed to be installed. When the computer had rebooted I found that all my previous issues had been corrected. I have a full screen and the items on the old toolbar reappeared.

I have no clue and I'm not going to question it. Guessing that I had done something and the update went back to older settings. From now on I'm just going to call Best Buy and let their folks handle it. 

Changing my buying habits

 Going to have to update the Pull Lists in both the shops I use. I seem to have had dupes turn up on a couple of titles and been reminded by Nuclear Comics that I have titles on my list that have stopped being published a while ago. In both shops there are titles where I'm the only one picking up a particular title. The shop will sometimes pick up a second copy to put in their Back Issue bins.

Also, finally admitted that I'm buying a number of titles out of habit and not really for the enjoyment. There are some books where I have 4-5 back issues I haven't read, as I keep picking up new #1s and reading them before any of the older books.

With that in mind it might just be time to drop the monthly titles and just wait for the TPB collections, since I'm not reading them right off the bat (no pun). There are a couple of comics podcasts I listen to that review the books and I should start making a list.

Btw, it's interesting to see how an independent shop choses titles and publishers, over one that's owned by a larger company and just hires local management. I find it fascinating that the independent shop will have relatively unknown writers & artists come in for signings and take a chance on them, while the franchise shop can get the better known creators in and fill their shelves with mostly the Big Publishers.

That's it for now. 

Popcorn for One: Black Adam, a movie review

 Boy, if DC/WB thinks that Black Adam will save or turn around the DCEU, the execs over there are taking long liquid lunches. What a disappointment and poor use of characters. Way too long, with only some scenes focusing on Dwayne Johnson worth the ticket price. Was Pierce Brosnan on the set more than a few days? I don't think he was even in the same room as the other actors in some scenes. No real spoilers.

Thousands of years ago a group of wizards gave powers to a mortal so that he could fight a demon being brought to Earth by an evil tyrant. A group of rebels are trying to find a mystic crown before an army of international terrorists can lay claim to it, reviving the demon. By accident, the rebels release the imprisoned Teth Adam, whose powers come to the attention of Amanda Waller. Waller calls in the Justice Society, a group that predates the Justice League, to capture Adam so he can be imprisoned. Things go as you expect with all the heroes fighting before they join forces in the end. Yawn! 

Atom Smasher and Cyclone are pretty much second-string characters from a CW show, and not one of the better ones. They have turned Carter Hall into a real a**hole and I have no sympathy for the character. Also, why would Dr. Fate ever work for Waller? What could she possible have on him considering his power level? Another cookie cutter villain way too easily defeated and we all saw it coming. Surprised he didn't dance like the Enchantress in the first Suicide Squad film, about as scary.

The worst thing they could have done was to have the trailer for the second Shazam film run before this feature. No way could the kid in the red & gold costume last more than a minute, and that is if he hid for the first thirty seconds, against Teth Adam. The power levels are way too unequal.

Add to all this some CGI scenes that looked like they came from a '90s video game and we're looking at something, barely better than Marvel's

The Eternals. Ditch the rest of the JSA, focus on Black Adam meeting with members of the Justice League and you might be able to make this into a franchise. Not saved by the post credit scene, with a major character whom, as with Dr. Fate, I can't see helping Waller.

I really wanted to like this film and it turned into one of those 'glancing at your watch' deals. I think the folks on IMDB.com giving it a rating above 6 out of 10 (all I could give it), must have seen a different cut. 

Mike Mendez on TETSUO THE IRON MAN

Chambers Brothers - Time Has Come Today (Live extended version)

Review: California Schemin' : 2020 Bouchercon Anthology

 I attended the '99 Bouchercon, a mystery writer/reader convention, held in Philadelphia. It was fantastic and I hope to go again next year to the San Diego event. This anthology is comprised of stories from past winners, Special Guests and others chosen from stories submitted by lesser known writers.

Like any anthology you'll have stand out tales that demonstrate why a particular writer is always hitting the Best Seller lists and carrying away the awards. Others are from writers you've never heard of who will click and become someone who you'll be on the lookout for in stores. This is no different, with a few offerings that were early chapter drafts or short tales featuring characters from a series. Almost all take place in California, but several historical pieces take place in Europe or feature locations far from the Pacific Coast.

To be honest, not a single one wasn't worth the time I spent reading them. Some I with continued as the characters or situations were so good. A couple in here border on the supernatural or have a bit of a science fiction element, but even those are not too far outside the realm of the detective/mystery genre.

Nothing - The Fugs

Cry Punch: A trade paperback review

 At almost 450 pages Cry Punch is a solid piece of entertainment. Full disclosure I was part of the Kickstarter campaign for this book, after the recommendation of a friend, author/poet Robert Deshaies II (Adam & Eternity).

Like all anthologies, not everything is going to be one's cup of tea and you'll find yourself liking one particular story much more than another. Also, keep in mind that much of the art and writing in this book is not what one would call 'mainstream'. For the most part you're not going to find what you see in your average Marvel or DC monthly periodical. These fourteen stories are influenced more by Japanese and Asian manga/anime than American super-hero comics.

These are stories from creators working on more personal projects, much of which are based on the martial arts and giant mech books so popular in in Japan. If you're only familiar with American comics the flow of these stories can be confusing at times, with a lot of silent panels or an entire page of characters remaining still while caption or dialogue continues the story.

Finally, to be honest, some of the art is of the standard we used to call 'fannish', hardly the slick work Americans have become used to in most comics from the Big Two (or Four, depending). The writers and artists in many, if not all cases, are working to improve their craft.

While the cover price of $36 might be off putting, you are supporting independent creators and a small publisher trying to bring graphic novel readers something a bit different.

My comic picks for 6/24/22

What am I watching: Grizzly II: Revenge (2019/2020) a movie review

 I was listening to the Critically Acclaimed podcast with film reviewers, Witney Seibold and William Bibbiani when the film, Grizzly II: Revenge came up. While I was a fan of the film, Grizzly (1976; a Jaws ripoff starring Christopher George) I never heard there had been a sequel. Well, it turned out it wasn't actually a sequel, but just an attempt to attach this film to one that was slightly successful.

Different sources give different dates for when this film was made. Some as early as '83, with others giving a later '86 date. Filmed in Hungary, the film was able to use a music festival headlined by the  group Nazareth as a backdrop. Unable to get that group on film, but with footage of lesser known European bands, the filmmakers had an actor lip-sync several numbers after the headliners had already finished. Apparently the crowd was unaware that the band was fake or even that they were being filmed. 

With hours of footage completed, the filming was shut down and equipment confiscated by the Hungarian government for non-payment of bills and fees.  Grizzly II was never officially released, but bootlegs appeared over the years with other soundtracks. Several years ago, the finished footage, along with extra material from the construction of the concert stages, the concert and rehearsals, was used in order to get the film to feature length. Even with all that, additional nature film was added and even used more than once.

Pretty doubtful that George Clooney, Laura Dern and Charlie Sheen have this on the resumes, but all three plus John Rhys-Davies and Louise Fletcher now have this on the resumes. Davies and Fletcher would have been the 'big names' back when the film was originally shot, but these were probably among the first films roles for the three young actors. Naturally, even though they only have maybe less than ten minutes of screen time (in the very opening scenes) they are listed as the film's stars.

If you thought that Bruce the Shark was better with having less screen time, the scenes with the "bear" are even sadder. An animatronic bear was built and used, along with a puppet and footage of an actual bear (not half as big as it was supposed to be in the film).  Scenes from the bear's perspective are used peeking through the limbs of trees or low angle shots as it runs through the woods. You had to feel bad for the poor camera guy trying to get 'bear cam' that was usable. The ending scenes at the festival with the bear attacking everyone, while fireworks explode, is something to behold. 

Finally, the filmmakers were able to get permission to use some of the music of Bernard Herrmann to use in the soundtrack, along with the music of the various bands. Prior to the attacks and the scenes where the bear is chasing someone the musical score gets as close to the Jaws theme as I think it was legal to get. 

Sometimes you just get to see a film that is so bad that it is fascinating. It's currently on Prime. I give it a 2.5 out of 5, just for seeing those young actors and both Davies & Fletcher really chewing up the scenery.

My comic picks for 5/29/22

Free Comic Book Day freebies

My comic picks for 2/11/22

My comic picks for 2/6/22