X-Men: Apocalypse (2015)

This makes two movies in a row I've really liked, and even better, two X-Men movies in a row I've quite enjoyed- heck, including First Class that should really be three.  Sure, this one is a bit too padded with needless sequences that could easily be removed with no harm to plot and would pick up the pace (Colonel Stryker wasn't needed in here at all, despite the "surprise" cameo it did provide) and of course I think three code names were used and only Psylocke was called that more than twice.  And while there were no costumes for our heroes, really, that actually was OK given the storyline and how things were supposed to go.

Three Stooges ~ Stooges In Boot Camp

Since it's a holiday, Memorial Day, what do we do around here? Present a Three Stooges clip that's got something to do with it! The Boys always did their best to do the right thing, even if it wasn't quite up to snuff. This clip is from 1940's "Boobs in Arms" which was obviously shot well before we were actively involved in WWII.

Herbie vol. 1

I have talked about Herbie before with my "Bride of Hembeck" post many years ago, and how that was my introduction to the character.  In the 80s there were a few Herbie comics reprinted and so I got to read the actual stories, and Hembeck totally nailed the character, which made me enjoy both even more.  I don't recall if the stories were presented in chronological order, which I think bugged me at the time, but not enough to stop buying the books.

The Little Rascals

I went to see this movie because it had Shasta Cola as a sponsor and I felt sorry for it.  I mean, it wasn't even enough to get a good soda to help it along?  I did enjoy it quite a bit overall, even if it was a pastiche of the more memorable shorts from the original run.  An original story would have served the movie a bit better, but I wasn't expecting that even when I saw it the first time.

JLA: flashppoint paradox

This one was better, but the character models were awful.  I get that longer hair on men is hard to animate, I suppose, but every one of the male characters has that short cut now.  It makes them all look like they are 12.  Even Thomas Wayne.  And they all have a sour look on their faces, except for Hal.  If the comic looked like this I'm glad I don't read them, as they are all pretty ugly.  The animation was pretty good though, and the acting was fine.  Nice to hear familiar voices here and there.

Kung Fury 2015

At least his horse stance looks good since his form looked terrible.  Dang it, martial artists should never watch these things as we can be a little too critical about the way kung fu looks when untrained people are doing it.  Anyway, it was half funny.  I was grateful it was only 30 minutes, as of course they wore out every 80s action flick trope (and several of the 90s ones as well) in that short time.  Still, the performances were decent, some of the effects were good and the music was spot on and ever so annoying.

Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) trailer

I am watching this sequel which I have not seen since 1991. I can't believe that was 25 years ago. I have fond memories of the movie, as it was my first ever date in San Diego. I liked it a lot, and I appreciate the fact that it didn't do the same thing as the first movie did- the collecting of historical features.

Return of Godzilla zzzzz

Guess I'm in the minority here, but dang is this movie boring in either version.  I've tried to watch it several times in the recent past and I can't make it through at all.  It is pretty to look at, and has a great soundtrack, but without another monster to fight Godzilla just plods through the city without any reason for what he's doing.  It's not exciting at all. Well, the Super Smog Monster, I mean Super X is a fun battle, but we all knew how that was going to end- spoilers: not well for the Super X and crew.

The King of New Orleans

Nice quick bio of the legendary Junkyard Dog.  I never got to see the JYD in his prime, which sadly lasted only about five years due to a wide variety of personal issues, which this book does go into as well.  It's a sad thing to see this idol of millions descend into addiction, but it's sadly not an unusual thing.  Still, this is more of a celebration of his career, rather than a tell all about his life.

Monster! Magazine

I got these two issues of Monster! in the mail the other day, since they looked like things I would love to read about.  And they were, mostly!  I was also interested in seeing their layout and how they were published, as they have over 70 or so pages in each issue, all for under $6.  As I'd like to reduce the price of Xenorama, I was very interested in that from a production standpoint.  It's really well put together, with great reproduction of photos, cool artwork and it's on newsprint, which I really love.  It feels right.  Plus it's chock full of reviews and discussions about movies, both new and old, rare and more common.  I'm really happy to see a magazine of this quality out there, with no corporate sponsership at all.  Plus the writers know their stuff.

RIP Darwyn Cooke

This gifted author and artist passed away today at the age of 53.  I had first heard his name in the commentaries of the DCU cartoons about his storyboards, though I don't think he ever did a commentary himself. I then got the (misleadingly titled) Justice League: The New Frontier movie and quite enjoyed that, though now that I've read the books it was based on it's A. too short and B. lots of changes were made just because they wanted more Batman in everything.  Still, I'm happy to have the books and the blu ray in my collection.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

While not exactly true to the book, this is a really great adaption.  It does follow the book pretty well, overall, with the exceptions of starting them in Scotland and adding a woman to the expedition.

Justice League: War

Haven't I already seen this story before? And in a better format?  Apparently it's based on some new version of the origin of the JLA, and it's mostly a combination of the first episode of the JLA animated series and the last episode of the JLU.  And not nearly as well done.  I haven't read any of this "New 52" stuff and I based on this I'm rather glad I didn't.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Dammit Marvel, you are sucking me in.  I've managed to resist wanting to own your superhero movies, but danged if they aren't so good I am starting to want to get them.  I still think they are mostly too long, with too much motion cam nonsense and battle padding, as well as most of the heroes not wearing masks or using code names, but I really like the characters and the way they interact with each other.  I've come to accept that these are some different Earth's versions of the classic heroes that I love, but that's OK now.  They are mostly the same characters inside and I am really liking that.  A lot.  Oh, there may be spoilers ahead.  You have been warned.

Journey to the Center of the Earth trailer

This is a really good adaption of Verne's book, slightly undone by the lizards masquerading as prehistoric animals, though in this context they do work well. It sure looks great these days, just like this trailer.

Captain America #156

This was my first real story arc featuring Cap.  It's about five issues long, but as is my want, I bought the final issue here first and then found the other ones.  The gist of the plot is that one disgruntled person is upset that Nixon is reaching out to the Red Chinese and releases the Captain America and Bucky who were active in the 50s .  These two had also taken the Super Soldier serum, but didn't have the necessary Vita-Rays to make their minds stable.  Consequently they became paranoid, seeing commies everywhere, especially in areas where minorities lived.  They refused an exposure to the Vita Rays and were subsequently put on ice.  There's much more to this backstory, but that's all that was reported in this storyline back then, thanks retconning.  Suddenly they are free with a "new" Cap who isn't as tough on the Reds and also has a best friend who is black.  Naturally there's confusion abounding with two Captain Americas running around, not to mention Bucky being alive...

Turok, Son of Stone

I always loved these covers as a kid, they were dynamic and painted and looked great.  Then I would open the book and be disappointed that the art wasn't like the Marvel or even DC stuff I was reading at the time.  As I've gotten older I've grown to appreciate it a lot more now.  It's simple and clean and tells the story well.  It may not have been as dynamic as the Marvel art I loved but it sure looks great these days.

Spinal Tap - Stonehenge

Just a funny kind of morning so it needs a funny kind of song. Aside from being very funny, it's a pretty great song, right out of that 70s metal time, think Blue Oyster Cult or perhaps Deep Purple as analogies. Except this is supposed to be funny.

Avengers #64

And away we go!zvd