The Hellboy reboot isn’t great. A sloppy narrative and really bad visual effects keep this one from being a really enjoyable take on the classic Mike Mignola character. That being said there are a couple of good things about it. If anyone was going to take over the role after Ron Perlman, I think David…
Tag: narrative
Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) – Mark L. Lester
Brandon Lee and Dolph Lundgren are mismatched cops in this goofy, but undeniably fun 90s action flick, Showdown in Little Tokyo. Filled with silly stunts; Lundgren jumps over a car, goofy banter, tons of nudity and martial arts, it’s just a hoot. They are joined in the cast by Tia Carrere and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, it’s…
A Closed and Common Orbit (2016) – Becky Chambers
I couldn’t wait. I had to dig into the second book of the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers. The first book was just so powerful in its portrayal of friendships and family set against the stars and sensibilities of space opera. I didn’t want to wait and read something else, I had to devour the…
Forever and a Day (2018) – Anthony Horowitz
Anthony Horowitz delivers another fast-paced 007 spy thriller with some material written by the series creator Ian Fleming. Set just before the events of the novel, Casino Royale, the story follows James Bond as he gets his two assigned kills to get his Double-O number, and throws him into a case that helps shape the…
Lake Michigan Monster (2018) – Ryland Brickson Cole Tews
I loved Hundreds of Beavers so I was eager to check out an earlier film from the creative duo behind it, Lake Michigan Monster. Sharing some of the film’s creative styles, it’s shot in black and white, made to look like a throwback to yesteryear, and has a goofy sense of humor that slides from…
F9: The Fast Saga (2021) – Justin Lin
As previously mentioned The Fast and The Furious franchise passed fast and accelerated to ludicrous a while ago. Fast 9 doubles down on that outrageous aspect and with a ninth film we finally learn that Dom (Vin Diesel) Mia (Jordana Brewster) have a brother, Jacob (John Cena). It seems Jacob is just as good a…
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) – Osgood Perkins
After enjoying Longlegs I definitely wanted to check out some of Perkins’ other work, and pulled up The Blackcoat’s Daughter to watch. And once again, I rather enjoyed his work, his storytelling and the performances he got from his actors. Set in a February winter break in an all-girls private school, Bramford (a nod to…
Beat Street (1984) – Stan Lathan
I remember seeing the poster and soundtrack for Beat Street everywhere in the mid-80s, and I remember some of the songs popping up in my life. I didn’t recall much of the film itself, just the breakdancing and I figured maybe I should revisit it. It’s definitely worth the watch. There’s a grittiness to the…
Stargate SG-1 (1999) – Rules of Engagement, and Forever in a Day
Terry Curtis Fox pens Rules of Engagement which first debuted on 19 August, 1999. When SG-1 arrives on a distant world they find another SG team under assault by jaffa. But it’s not a real SG team, and they turn their weapons on O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Teal’c (Christopher Judge), Daniel (Micheal Shanks), and Carter…
Northern Exposure (1991) – Animals R Us, and Jules et Joel
Ed (Darren E. Burrows) struggles with his cinematic dreams, questioning whether he can actually make a film or not in Animals R Us. Written by Robin Green this episode first debuted on 14 October, 1991. There are a couple of narrative threads woven into this story, but the main one centers on Maggie (Janine Turner)…
The Mind Reels 