Donomark

Batman Earth One Volume 3: by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank Pretty much as good as the previous volumes, if a bit faster reading. This feels more of a follow-up to volume two rather than a separate story. It continues the interest of the history of Gotham, its mythological evil, and Bruce's relation to the Arkhams. I don't tend to care about that stuff, but it's thematically central to this world, and it ends up speaking highly of Bruce's character. I always say that Geoff Johns openly shows disdain for Batman in his writing, clearly preferring the sunnier superheroes over him, but I do like how he characterizes Bruce in this Earth One series. He's not a different character but his determination signifies his youth. We get Catwoman in this but not much of a new villain on the on-set. The ending sequel-baits the big one, but this seems to also definitively end with a flashforward to what we'd want to see of this world with little elaboration, so I'm doubtful of a volume 4. Still, I liked all three volumes of this series, and although Alfred's a whiny dick with zero charm, I still dig this version of Batman.

Gosh, figure that depends on a mood. Sunshine for me I think. I kinda like Die Another Day too. It's not good and I wouldn't defend it, but it's cheesy in a fun way. It was the first Bond movie I saw in theaters, and at the time I just assumed they were all spy pastiche cartoons because that was how the parodies worked. I don't like Halle Berry or the special effects tho.

Didn't see a topic on this adaptation, so I figured I'd start it here. Just gonna post my thoughts on the season. After reading the first three trades (later the fourth), I began the television series. Right away there's s decent amount of shifting around sequences of events, but it's probably the tightest page-to-screen adaptation I've seen in a long time, possibly ever. Much of episode 1 was right out of issue one for starters. But the big draw is the murder sequence at the end, which might be the single most violent thing I've ever seen. Until the season finale. I almost stopped watching the show after that, because the violence implemented is so extreme and stark, I couldn't bring myself to return to a world that indulged in such OTT action that seemingly frivolously. But for the first time it's not done without the emotional and human reaction blunted for brevity. Most times, like in the Venture Bros or other animated comedies, extreme violence usually comes out of pocket to elicit laughter because the intensity of it is made to be random, to change up the tone. Here, Kirkman and crew have applied upper-Snyder levels of violence to characters it takes time investing the viewers in, slowing down the pace so when shit gets real, the stakes are immediately heightened. There's so much collateral damage and so many people dying, so much violence inflicted on Invincible, that you really do not take for granted anyone's safety. But it's not simply for that reason, for the sake of coming off impressive. The final episode drags its point across its runtime putting Mark's value of life against Omni-Man's, who treats the human race like ants. He goes from killing a pilot Mark saves to inflicting a 9/11-level catastrophe on a populated city, to literally using Mark's body to split a subway train and its passengers in half, all for the sake of demonstrating how useless it is to put forth the effort in preserving what he sees as uselessly fragile lives. All of this compounds on both Mark and the viewers' sense of betrayal and horror, bringing the audience to share his emotional state rather than leaving us in our seats and simply presenting the violence as matter-of-factly because superpowers. It's no big deal to him, and that attitude appalls both Mark and us. The sense of horror is also plussed by Steven Yuen's terrific performance as the main character. J.K. Simmons is getting much of the plaudits, but I think his voice and similar mustache is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. JK's a great actor, obviously. He earned that Oscar for Whiplash. But there's something about his performance as Omni-Man that leaves me wanting a bit. Not that he's not into it, he's definitely giving it his all in the last episode. But there's a quality in his voice that's stopping short of really giving into the emotion of the scenes, or at least sounds like there is. But not for Steven Yuen, who voices every tick of sadness, shock, humor, annoyance and anger with 100% commitment. Invincible the comic always had this reputation of being a ridiculously violent book. I've seen images of his bones sticking out of bloodied limbs in some pages. But the best thing about the show IMO is including the human element vulnerable to that level of violence. While everyone begins the show almost blandly, by the season's finish you're right there with them emotionally and want to see what happens next. I might finish the comic series before the next season comes out, but it's got my eyes the moment the premiere date's confirmed.

Invincible vols.#1-#4 Read the first three trades in preparation for watching the show, which the internet could not stop talking about. Invincible was for years one of those titles that everyone was going on and on about, and I read an issue or two here or there but it never stuck. It's odd, the first two trades are perfectly harmless, supeheroics by numbers. It's slightly subversive but very straightforward. Cory Walker and later Ryan Ottely are solid draftsmen. I think once you reach the big twist in volume three, you look back on the preceding chapters and realized almost nothing happened for that length of time. Apparently Kirkman was instructed to up the stakes earlier than he planned on doing, as the book was in danger of being cancelled. I can see that, because it's kind of a slow burn. But Mark's likable, his supporting cast is likable. It's a highly recognizable world with the various Marvel and DC pastiches worn very strongly on their sleeve. It must be an Image thing to flat-out rip-off other characters from the Big 2, Erik Larsen's Image does that all the time where some characters are just off-brands of Marvel characters. But it's slightly less egregious in Invincible. Thoughts on the television show to follow in that thread.

Yeahhh, she was Hank's mobster daughter girlfriend

She's also been in the last couple seasons of Venture Bros and was really good.

Mortal Kombat (2021): Was hyped for the movie based on the awesome trailer. This is one that comes down to a very bifurcated list. PROS: -The characters from the game are about as accurate as they could possibly get. Ludi Lin's Liu Kang was a highlight for me even though he cosplayed as Ryu from Street Fighter by the end. -There was a total abandonment of shame when it came to how weird and nonsensical the universe was. Everyone's abilities are present. -Sub-Zero was an unending threat. Every time he was on-screen you felt like someone was gonna die. His fighting style was also really cool. -Hiroyuki Sanada as Scorpion was awesome. -More violent than the 90s films CONS: -I like Lewis Tan quite a bit, but the script failed to present a need for him. He just got in the way and never earned the audience's engagement. -As a result, heavy hitter characters get jobbed -The script is too stiff and arch. Most of the dialogue reeks of feeling unnatural, with the exception of Kano. -There's not a ton of camaraderie established with the characters, especially compared to the '95 movie. -Abrupt ending, whereupon you realize we never actually start the Mortal Kombat tournament. Overall I enjoyed it, but despite itself. I hope it does well enough for a sequel, but it needs to shape up. This watched like a pretty good SyFy channel movie instead of a legit epic film.

So I wasn't around when these were, but FWIW my first interaction with a Superhero Guide Sheet were the bio pages at the end of each issue from DC versus Marvel.

Good on you to do this Mike

The New Teen Titans: Terra Incognito and The Judas Contract Re-read these for an upcoming podcast discussion, largey owed to the recent discussion of Terra's relationship with Slade in the pages of The Other History of the DC Universe #3 which featured Katana. A few new observations this time 'round: 1) Terra's appropriately bad at lying about her origins to the Titans since she's a stupid 15 year old girl, but the Titans at the time are completely up their own ass with their emo drama. Dick is struggling to balance his college life, appearances alongside Batman, solo backup story adventures and leading the team. Donna is proposed to by fandom's most overratedly-hated character Terry Long, Wally is wanting to return to college and is both in love with and afraid of Raven. Vic is in his feelings over the news (lie) that his love interest Sarah Simms is engaged. Starfire is worried that Dick might not love her since her home planet encourages opening up about each other's problems. And Raven is on her usual Trigon BS, although she suspects Terra the most. The only one not having any problems is Gar, and even he questions Terra over her inconsistent backstory at times. But it made me wonder if the team were on their A-game, if Slade's plan would've been found out. 2) Speaking in terms of team members, I think Terra might be my favorite Teen Titan. She's unendingly entertaining, and it's amusing how she secretly hates the Titans but hides it under a veneer of someone who...openly disdains and dislikes the Titans and their do-gooder nature. Like, she couldn't be bothered to come up with a fake persona, she's basically playing herself, just less villianous.

Was lucky enough to be a guest on their Die Hard episode, even luckier to have Derrick look at one of my Creative Writing stories back in college. He was always the most pleasant guy online, I don't think I ever saw him in any way mad. I'm really shocked by this.

Sound of Music fo'sho What's the movie he replaced Kevin Spacey in? With Mark Wahlberg? For all the Money in the World?

I...I see.

Third season is second best, absolutely. Episodes like Hydro-Man, the return of Venom and the Green Goblin sagas put it way over.

Maybe I was distracted listening while driving, but with the "Richard Gere" clips this was finally the first HAA! episode where I had no idea what was going on

The Death of Clark Kent: 90's era Superman story during the Triangle System that leads into Superman #100 and ends with Superman: Man of Tomorrow #1. Clark's old friend from Smallville High School Kenny Braverman is now a supervillain calling himself Conduit who wants revenge on Clark as his knowledge of Superman's identity makes him jealous. He sets out to ruin Clark's life by constantly targeting his friends and family. Lois, Jimmy, Maggie Sawyer and Dan Turpin, Perry White and his adopted son Keith, and most harshly Ma and Pa Kent are all targets that Clark runs around the country trying to protect. At one point Clark believes Lois, Jimmy and his parents to be dead and loudly gives up. That rang the hollowest, as it didn't seem he tried very hard to know for a fact whether or not they died. The second half I found less engaging than the first, which included Superman #100 with some kickass Dan Jurgens artwork. The ending to Conduit's storyline is a bit contrived as well. This story also goes a long way to show why Clark needs to maintain a secret identity, something that Bendis definitely did not read when blowing it in his Superman run last year. A fun 90s story that's pretty flawed but enjoyable all the same.

I think it was public at some point, but I forget. However, Jameson's remained the publisher with Robbie Robertson the EIC ever since, that's not changed. Robbie's been running the Bugle for decades, and ever since Jonah got a heart attack and later became mayor for a while, he's not been at the Bugle for about ten years. BTW the 90s Spider-Man show rules but the first season is far and away the best. The animation is more consistent and great and Peter's sense of humor is super on point. He's such a huge smartass during the Spider Slayer story.

Promising Young Woman: Dark "Comedy" (?) starring Carey Mulligan about a woman who purposefully fakes being inebriated at clubs to entice "nice guy" men into assaulting her, only for her to shock them with her total coherence and agency. That's the set-up in progress before the actual plot happens. I thought this was quite solid. It's a neat little done-in-one movie with a dark yet somewhat theatrical ending, but the writing was very good. Portrait of a Lady on Fire: French romance period film that was VERY slow, but quite artistically filmed. Godzilla vs. Kong: As someone who's not seen the 2014 Godzilla movie, King of all Monsters or Skull Island, this was never confusing for me. I understood characters like Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown came from previous movies, but I didn't really care about them so it never bothered me. This actually is one of those action movies that's weirdly kid-friendly. By that, I don't mean it's childish or kiddie, but it gets to the point so intently that there's no room for any other modern-day bullshit. It's like of the Michael Bay Transformers films' characters weren't obnoxious. And the action is really good, especially in the final act.

I'll agree with that. Silas Stone's entire role in the movie was I think completely reshot. Not a single scene in either versions were the same, and as a result Ryan Choi - who has a decently meaty supporting appearance - was excised without a trace.

Zack Snyder's Justice League: Directed by Zack Snyder It was alright.

Ooh I'll have to re-listen to that to remember. Yeah, I enjoyed the 2017 Power Rangers movie. The whole revenge porn thing with Kimberly...I mean, that never bothered me. That seems to be everyone's go-to "And for This reason..." I liked all the characters. One Night in Miami: Directed by Regina King. Based on Kemp Powers 2013 play of the same name with him on screenplay, this story is about Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Cassius Clay discussing their careers and responsibilities as high profile black men in the 60s. Kemp Powers wrote "Soul" which I loved, so I was meaning to get to this sooner. I was with my girlfriend watching, and we distracted each other during the slow parts. It's almost two hours, so it takes its time getting to what is essentially a few arguments in a hotel room. I did enjoy it, but I wish I loved it. I may need to see it again though, undisturbed. I thought Malcolm X's actor was channeling Obama half the time, which was a choice.

Mr. Mom is always one of those movies I know about but never have seen, but Pandy's rant was so funny I re-listened to it three times. And the main jingles at the front and end were terrific.

I Care a Lot: Starring Rosamund Pike I can't shake the sense that this entire film was inspired and based around the final shot of Gone Girl with Pike looking all creepy and evil, because she does that all throughout this film. It's to the point that she's not just an anti-hero, or a villain protag. As a scam artist who essentially kidnaps elderly people, placing them in to Assisted Care and selling their valuables, she's a fucking monster. And we're beyond irony or subversion with this one, she's an actively horrific human being. The first act is nothing but her gleefully ruining people's lives just to make her lucrative scam keep making her more money. So when the movie pits her against gangster Peter Dinklage and it's a battle of wills until things get violent, I keep waiting for the rug to truly be pulled out from under me, because I'm not falling for any of this. Aside from possibly Isiah Whitlock Jr., there's not a single likable character in this entire movie. But it's so plainly apparent of the case, that I spent the whole time searching for the deeper meaning. But by the ending I think the filmmakers just wanted to swerve the audience and imagined the shenanigans that go on in the latter half erases your memories of the first half. Didn't work on me. Acting was good, but this was just repellent to watch.

Happy B-Day!

Judas and the Black Messiah: First time directing effort by one Shaka King, who does a very good job. It's an intense, moody presentation of the life and murder of Fred Hampton played wonderfully by Daniel Kaluuya. Lakeith Stanfield plays Bill O'Neal, and the film projects this as more his film, but the movie truly does belong to Kaluuya due to his awesome performance. He was nominated for an Oscar for Get Out, and with efforts like this it's only a matter of time before he clinches it. Honestly there's nothing wrong with the movie, it's only a mostly linear, one-way track to doom so there's little variance or surprises for me. It's a very solid 4/5 film, but I was hoping for a show-stopper.