tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21280234549208165192024-03-18T22:39:12.359-05:00'Xplosion of AwesomeCap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10845833305532573080noreply@blogger.comBlogger11708125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-20935776219885812312024-03-18T14:00:00.003-05:002024-03-18T14:00:00.349-05:00Star Wars: The Bad Batch - Infiltration / Extraction<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrNvIOS0NiRQIZG32rSKHKfYyRRip5JjeJTTVevw-YG-U4WD9d70QyGe7xxbKaUlNfA5dLzl3vCdgogF3psjJBYs8i4eCd3lCf3Id9HMcX3___cPMQ___OCy_6UtCKXQ1EU3MafbdhTj_3JpIxCelFdHxgL5I0SCooW9uCg3AyZij_mH-ZZZiCUA4wok/s1600/star-wars-the-bad-batch-extraction.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrNvIOS0NiRQIZG32rSKHKfYyRRip5JjeJTTVevw-YG-U4WD9d70QyGe7xxbKaUlNfA5dLzl3vCdgogF3psjJBYs8i4eCd3lCf3Id9HMcX3___cPMQ___OCy_6UtCKXQ1EU3MafbdhTj_3JpIxCelFdHxgL5I0SCooW9uCg3AyZij_mH-ZZZiCUA4wok/s1600/star-wars-the-bad-batch-extraction.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Now with <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Omega">Omega</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029391/">Michelle Ang</a>) and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Crosshair">Crosshair</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048389/">Dee Bradley Baker</a>) back in the fold, Star Wars: The Bad Batch turns its attention to working the other clones back into the larger story. After capturing one of the new clone assassins targeting both senators and searching for Omega, <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Rex">Rex</a> (Baker) and his team contact <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Hunter">Hunter</a> (Baker) unknowingly putting them in danger of another <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/CX-2">assassin</a>. While "Infiltration" lays the foundation of the episode and brings the characters together, "Extraction" centers around the heroes racing to stay one-step ahead of the Imperials on their trail. The episodes are solid, but not without some head-scratching moments in terms of the logic given events already laid out for the show.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>In order to set up the episodes of clones hunting clones, leading to the moment of Rex's standoff with <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Wolffe">Wolffe</a> (Baker), the episodes do steer dangerously into some complications in terms of what was already stated in the individual Crosshair episodes that the Imperials had pushed out the clone troopers replacing them with recruits. So why is Rex's squad still working, and not being tested in the secret base, especially without any non-clone supervision? And with Omega being the biggest prize of the Empire, are we really to believe they would send clones (which they no longer rely on for anything but experiments for brainwashed assassins) to retrieve her?</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Star Wars: The Bad Batch</em> - Infiltration / Extraction</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Infiltration_(episode)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a> | <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Extraction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-27628476527334980772024-03-18T11:00:00.001-05:002024-03-18T11:00:00.148-05:00Transformers #6<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcckGVGNpG0hyphenhyphen0j4suNfjsGDUmoEHNuL2hdq2p3yKdae4yzorKUA-5s0C6Mh63zPsZTs2MNpaCgJb-9jcebTECdLSLniyroCduh7koRIcFGEjhpBvPVJI6XJ-Jrfzyh-Z13vvdVIlLIpmAvxcxZ4AUG3Y0YentixtntyMgIcNpafTuWfD9JpuAja1aPA/s1600/transformers-2023-6-devastator.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcckGVGNpG0hyphenhyphen0j4suNfjsGDUmoEHNuL2hdq2p3yKdae4yzorKUA-5s0C6Mh63zPsZTs2MNpaCgJb-9jcebTECdLSLniyroCduh7koRIcFGEjhpBvPVJI6XJ-Jrfzyh-Z13vvdVIlLIpmAvxcxZ4AUG3Y0YentixtntyMgIcNpafTuWfD9JpuAja1aPA/s1600/transformers-2023-6-devastator.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Picking up directly from the end of the last issue with <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Devastator_(G1)">Devastator</a> ripping through the depleted ranks of the <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Autobot">Autobots</a>, <strong>Transformers #6</strong> is most notable for the tease of <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Optimus_Prime_(G1)">Optimus Prime</a>'s death before one of the Transformers' new friends makes a sacrifice. And then we see what a badass Optimus Prime can be, stemming the tide and pushing the <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Decepticon">Decepticons</a> back on their heels.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>One of the pleasant surprises of the comic was to put the more capable <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Cliffjumper_(G1)">Cliffjumper</a> into the role the Autobot most tied to humans over the less fierce <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Bumblebee_(G1)">Bumblebee</a>. This comic backtracks on this a little by having Cliffjumper unable to take down <a href="https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Starscream_(G1)">Starscream</a> basically turning him into a new Bumblebee (and defeating the purpose of swapping the characters out). I understand the reason for this kind of character indecision in humans fighting humans but I don't think it translates all that well for transforming alien robots who can basically be brought back from the dead whenever a writer feels like. Hrm.</p>
<p>[Image/Skybound Entertainment, $3.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Transformers #5</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/transformers-6/4000-1048209/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/danielwarrenart?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Warren Johnson</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://twitter.com/danielwarrenart?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Warren Johnson</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m6kILdISm7Kt1-LZh-_tzVIQSH8Qo4K3lEa1y0FBt1z472kiAc9778ztB8onKVnBnwiQPCjTtOHYUWHeROZDrAjPKFfEQ4JaB7scLfSOdROjjbfAqOmG07dXdEGU7WrW7QixRM60ars/s1600/scale-of-awesome-53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m6kILdISm7Kt1-LZh-_tzVIQSH8Qo4K3lEa1y0FBt1z472kiAc9778ztB8onKVnBnwiQPCjTtOHYUWHeROZDrAjPKFfEQ4JaB7scLfSOdROjjbfAqOmG07dXdEGU7WrW7QixRM60ars/s1600/scale-of-awesome-53.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-13180063273962401422024-03-18T08:00:00.003-05:002024-03-18T08:00:00.137-05:00Zorro - Unmasked<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2ga2sx7TSkOFQTut0KymEejhEIwRXgJ_ii9N-zlKIh62AKZW-Qt49XKkjSSYdSQ4K3OPMhVkCKZManqtDb1OQHl-zF8-_Bbabx37PpCefh-xBo-Y5o3XdbvD_hF8WAzb-5_sanf2RUW9vJmaJmDYqggexlPqL1sgcjNHZH71O2I8p_BgfkhXXKYiKEo/s1600/zorro-unmasked.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2ga2sx7TSkOFQTut0KymEejhEIwRXgJ_ii9N-zlKIh62AKZW-Qt49XKkjSSYdSQ4K3OPMhVkCKZManqtDb1OQHl-zF8-_Bbabx37PpCefh-xBo-Y5o3XdbvD_hF8WAzb-5_sanf2RUW9vJmaJmDYqggexlPqL1sgcjNHZH71O2I8p_BgfkhXXKYiKEo/s1600/zorro-unmasked.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The penultimate episode of the season centers around the secret cult of the Bear Clan giving Diego (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8149945/">Miguel Bernardeau</a>) one-month to kill Monasterio (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2800364/">Emiliano Zurita</a>) who stands in the way of their plans for California. During this period, the newly married Lolita (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2288520/">Renata Notni</a>) confronts Diego who not only confesses he is Zorro but enlists Lolita's help in identifying other members of the clan as well. Those they find meet just at the end of Zorro's sword and in the pit with Nah-Lin (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10085165/">Dalia Xiuhcoatl</a>).</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>Other important moments in the episode are Diego learning he was wrong as to which of Lolita's parents are working with the Bear Clan, Lolita's wedding reception, and (finally) the backstory of Guadalupe Montoro (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0840762/">Cecilia Suárez</a>) will be revealed as she makes her way to Los Angeles and uses much truth in her lies to procure part of Diego's inheritance for her "son" (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2284702/">Joel Bosqued</a>) in the season finale.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Zorro</em> - Unmasked</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21408864/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-88259309771367509852024-03-15T08:00:00.009-05:002024-03-18T22:30:57.954-05:00Love Lies Bleeding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo1qzH2M_MLCmsDA4F_CttB1zVVTfxVFQjP62EvC1oK567qhrLP2y188411vSIjupGJ1AdvYQ2L8V77ohlsTYBgVAfLRW9uRaMaEJiGOucUEEu53_1ht94xmNdEpQk0PxMhdaGq_wBuzFTzGDlHZ-i6Y0AsEnYFEL7svbtdbBa8aRbO6Pdrklc1cFWTY/s1600/love-lies-bleeding-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJo1qzH2M_MLCmsDA4F_CttB1zVVTfxVFQjP62EvC1oK567qhrLP2y188411vSIjupGJ1AdvYQ2L8V77ohlsTYBgVAfLRW9uRaMaEJiGOucUEEu53_1ht94xmNdEpQk0PxMhdaGq_wBuzFTzGDlHZ-i6Y0AsEnYFEL7svbtdbBa8aRbO6Pdrklc1cFWTY/s1600/love-lies-bleeding-poster.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em> reminded me strongly of body horror with the genre turned on its head by highlighting the glistening muscled bodies of female body builders, often even providing close-ups of bulging muscles, fetishizing them not for the grotesque but instead with more seductive ends in mind. While the purposes are different, the end result remains much the same with the focus on the body at times overpowering that of the character.</p>
<p>In a movie full of awful human beings, what writer/director <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3819217/">Rose Glass</a> offers is a tale of the least awful pair of the bunch falling in love. The noir-ish revenge thriller offers us gym manger Lou (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0829576/">Kristen Stewart</a>) dealing with her shitty day-to-day life and her complicated family drama involving her father's (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000438/">Ed Harris</a>) criminal enterprises and her sister's (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540441/">Jena Malone</a>) disastrous relationship with her abusive husband (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2002649/">Dave Franco</a>). Into her life walks bodybuilding drifter Jackie (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6884042/">Katy O'Brian</a>) with her own clouded past who provides a chance for love.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>I'll give Glass credit for offering something different. And <em>Love Lies Bleeding</em> isn't boring. It's tonally inconsistent, drags for large stretches of times, is filled with an overwhelming number of one-note shitbags masquerading as human beings, and forces characters to be silent about crucial plot points not because it make sense for them to do so but only because the script doesn't wish to share them with the audience. Lou's relationship with her father never really gets fleshed out, no one tied to the movie seems to know how law enforcement works, and then there's the ending which can only be described as wacky.</p>
<p>On the plus side, along with its originality, the film is most notable for the two female leads that keep the energy of the movie up even at times where the script lets them down. Malone also steals a couple of small scenes as the battered woman staunchly standing by the man who shows her only the back of his hand. The film also looks terrific, lived in, and real, which is impressive given the variety of locales and situations the script forces the characters in. I had a very mixed reaction to the film, and I'll admit the amount of muscle shots wore on me, but its strengths outweigh its flaws making it a recommendation for the right audience.</p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BF_J3-DmiS0?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1" allow='autoplay'
target="popup"
onclick="window.open('https://www.youtube.com/embed/BF_J3-DmiS0?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1', allow='autoplay','popup','width=600,height=400'); return false;">
Watch the trailer
</a>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Love Lies Bleeding</em></li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19637052/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDHjGa-Cjw4Cy8EgSZi_8-hxanilIdv-u1c0MfHCSMrCz0EST8yutZfKrFfMK5U-jz1Ranh0aDRdE81Afkl9kTXp-SaGj4EDBFrE5E8Tyejzo2RdLT6gF0a3DXurRainoO1FuE-hIwf8/s1600/scale-of-awesome-64.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDHjGa-Cjw4Cy8EgSZi_8-hxanilIdv-u1c0MfHCSMrCz0EST8yutZfKrFfMK5U-jz1Ranh0aDRdE81Afkl9kTXp-SaGj4EDBFrE5E8Tyejzo2RdLT6gF0a3DXurRainoO1FuE-hIwf8/s1600/scale-of-awesome-64.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-26362647967274948332024-03-14T12:00:00.001-05:002024-03-14T12:00:00.130-05:00Bob's Burgers - Jade in the Shade<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU62uJq4pBruhXZDblvFAo7yRTOC22zz6BfJ3XlrIs9sDGgL1bHFcTvyxLjPOLvyJPcZbN0iw4XASQSzxE07Q9YRkszbI2S6wtFSTUh6FQHHODtR4yfcq-LJypBhqw8cv2EiMslFSZ7dXU2cPUkqjCKMkTGnX0gsITrEyxmyOCFdoC_WxWFcEuG7xo3A/s1600/bobs-burgers-jade-in-the-shade.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU62uJq4pBruhXZDblvFAo7yRTOC22zz6BfJ3XlrIs9sDGgL1bHFcTvyxLjPOLvyJPcZbN0iw4XASQSzxE07Q9YRkszbI2S6wtFSTUh6FQHHODtR4yfcq-LJypBhqw8cv2EiMslFSZ7dXU2cPUkqjCKMkTGnX0gsITrEyxmyOCFdoC_WxWFcEuG7xo3A/s1600/bobs-burgers-jade-in-the-shade.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>While the rest of the family stays at the restaurant for an unexpected contest between street performers, "Jade in the Shade" gives us a main story featuring <a href="https://bobs-burgers.fandom.com/wiki/Linda_Belcher">Linda</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4064518/">John Roberts</a>) and <a href="https://bobs-burgers.fandom.com/wiki/Louise_Belcher">Louise</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1102891/">Kristen Schaal</a>) searching for treasure in an episode that makes callbacks to <a href="https://www.razorfine.com/movie-reviews/the-bobs-burgers-movie/"><em>The Bob’s Burgers Movie</em></a>. While touring an old timey hotel's celebration of its bootlegger past, Louise becomes obsessed with the legend of hidden treasure. Just wanting to spend some time with her daughter, Louise gets roped into the escapade that take them to the the under-pier.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>Fun classic hijinks of the episode with Louise's latest one-episode obsession with finding the Jade Jellyfish. The addition of the bratty <a href="https://bobs-burgers.fandom.com/wiki/Logan_Bush">Logan</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2223253/">Kurt Braunohler</a>) and his mother (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0831028/">Lindsey Stoddart</a>) also working to find the treasure is a nice touch as well as is the hotel manager's (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0198408/">Andy Daly</a>) tour. While it may not be as strong a B-story, there are a few fun moments in the restaurant scenes mostly in highlighting each performer's signature creations.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Bob's Burgers</em> - Jade in the Shade</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://bobs-burgers.fandom.com/wiki/Jade_in_the_Shade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfyzNTBuwrFANnGnsbiXkozR2fG0_BbYx7Obu8bzKhO5qorU2zdrRXPjyWfogmRH7mzrg5k82V7cJWw1xnTTvXLf6RTWLdhQsBiXGzIe-zDWzI-1kGkcCv5vkuweugtM6aChbAOIGyKHD/s1600/scale-of-awesome-73.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfyzNTBuwrFANnGnsbiXkozR2fG0_BbYx7Obu8bzKhO5qorU2zdrRXPjyWfogmRH7mzrg5k82V7cJWw1xnTTvXLf6RTWLdhQsBiXGzIe-zDWzI-1kGkcCv5vkuweugtM6aChbAOIGyKHD/s1600/scale-of-awesome-73.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-33297238002214605412024-03-14T08:00:00.002-05:002024-03-14T20:29:30.255-05:00The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHPaH2ft_7quEXwDnn4vKB-map5hSVvqt4nn0GgcWkd0KlzHduNa1cX0YtGOZ2_wwl73H5rY1gNwGDcnNrSl-ZcpBMRMs2vRCXsMIhZ4R3FPYbvsbCZBt9W7lsZCWwH5H9bJHvDzv9J43mtK5tTelNSTfP7V7unCPO8EDqu3Dxb4NUXRxfKOa1abhHXQ/s1600/batman-scooby-doo-mysteries-2024-3-shaggy.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="336" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHPaH2ft_7quEXwDnn4vKB-map5hSVvqt4nn0GgcWkd0KlzHduNa1cX0YtGOZ2_wwl73H5rY1gNwGDcnNrSl-ZcpBMRMs2vRCXsMIhZ4R3FPYbvsbCZBt9W7lsZCWwH5H9bJHvDzv9J43mtK5tTelNSTfP7V7unCPO8EDqu3Dxb4NUXRxfKOa1abhHXQ/s1600/batman-scooby-doo-mysteries-2024-3-shaggy.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>When you give me <a href="https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Batman">Batman</a> in the best design of his costume and <a href="https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Catwoman">Catwoman</a> in the best design of her costume, you have my attention. Dario Brizuela's art in <strong>The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3</strong> just makes me smile, and Ivan Cohen's story is quite enjoyable as well playing on long-running Batman and Catwoman relationship that starts with someone impersonating Catwoman in a series of crimes. Taking Batman's word that Catwoman is innocent, <a href="https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Mystery_Inc.">Mystery, Inc.</a> set out to find the true criminal.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>While sorting out the truth, with clues that lead back to the Penguin and ultimately reveal the identity of the woman he hired to frame Catwoman, we get some fun moments such as Catwoman explaining her cat-inspired crimes to <a href="https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Shaggy_Rogers">Shaggy</a>, working in the traditional unmasking, the gang being surprised by Batman's defense of Catwoman, and Catwoman's nature getting the best of her at the end of the issue. Give me more of these adventures, please.</p>
<p>[DC, $2.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-batman-and-scooby-doo-mysteries-3-shiny/4000-1047041/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/ivanmcohen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ivan Cohen</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://scoobydoo.fandom.com/wiki/Dario_Brizuela" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dario Brizuela</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMKR06pk86GWm3bgdzchhWEo1gq4z0N2oSpxCUaxQKrv2Qm9OTwokHreF3niDT-b0-3AxiVdgH67oATmdSlRyy0QBHfYZlLEBKyLxUNzXKlz0tmo_nIGRT4xt3EHDllkq-FCZcKPJ2WQY/s1600/scale-of-awesome-84.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMKR06pk86GWm3bgdzchhWEo1gq4z0N2oSpxCUaxQKrv2Qm9OTwokHreF3niDT-b0-3AxiVdgH67oATmdSlRyy0QBHfYZlLEBKyLxUNzXKlz0tmo_nIGRT4xt3EHDllkq-FCZcKPJ2WQY/s1600/scale-of-awesome-84.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-21221304886096126312024-03-11T14:00:00.002-05:002024-03-11T14:00:00.134-05:00Shōgun - Servants of Two Masters<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCShGLGGsICFDNIzU6e3UxhdMMPmlNB-_H4y-sn89Te772Z9y1TSEfTHHs9adtV5ZNzdS12RBds6D9xLNtrtVClVAv2nIVqSMrTDLIdSzLgMql4qb5GuNuDPZA6I56y0FuWaEKBMpu73EEmnrlleQyZsIKtwdmhV5qk4by7mYHWAi3iwCBa1Adk1MbTM/s1600/shogun-servants-of-two-masters.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCShGLGGsICFDNIzU6e3UxhdMMPmlNB-_H4y-sn89Te772Z9y1TSEfTHHs9adtV5ZNzdS12RBds6D9xLNtrtVClVAv2nIVqSMrTDLIdSzLgMql4qb5GuNuDPZA6I56y0FuWaEKBMpu73EEmnrlleQyZsIKtwdmhV5qk4by7mYHWAi3iwCBa1Adk1MbTM/s1600/shogun-servants-of-two-masters.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>With his impeachment all but assured, Lord Toranaga (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0760796/">Hiroyuki Sanada</a>) uses John Blackthorne (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4008605/">Cosmo Jarvis</a>) as a wedge to divide the lords planning on his removal by pitting the Christian and non-Christian sects against each other. During his stay in prison, Blackthorne learns a bit about the local politics from a priest (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0021835/">Joaquim de Almeida</a>) coming to understand, at least in some small part, value he could provide to Toranaga whose plans not to kill the heretic have already born fruit.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>In "Servants of Two Masters" we get more insight into the larger game being played by Toranaga. We also see multiple examples of Mariko's (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3660091/">Anna Sawai</a>) intelligence as Toranaga chooses her counsel above many others for her wits and skills as a translator. Surviving both imprisonment and an attack on his life, Blackthorne's continued survival allows him to also provide crucial information about the Portuguese secret military base in Macao and how Portugal sees Japan as already belonging to them as part of its empire. For better or worse, the lots of Toranaga, Blackthorne, and Mariko are now all intertwined in a dangerous game which will determine the future of Japan.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Shōgun</em> - Servants of Two Masters</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrX5B24jJPRVab_9upz8rL4FkDorh11r1vWv8zKY8024OZrL8ID8e9FkaIeJI-xs1meOtv7rZiS2YljCwdYxSphoA9fh42DSfnJNGqWojZdybi6ebVciCypOgJ-1LgEsxbQle9rPqhsS6/s1600/scale-of-awesome-82.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrX5B24jJPRVab_9upz8rL4FkDorh11r1vWv8zKY8024OZrL8ID8e9FkaIeJI-xs1meOtv7rZiS2YljCwdYxSphoA9fh42DSfnJNGqWojZdybi6ebVciCypOgJ-1LgEsxbQle9rPqhsS6/s1600/scale-of-awesome-82.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-13040875726526953282024-03-11T12:00:00.006-05:002024-03-11T12:00:00.127-05:00White Widow #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvKJkbhSVDCMGfogiughFjaMV37RoUXL_2itaToXCWZwiqDgbw4yWZ2guhP5DfT6hxrbEN_f8x7q1ebFAbnPvJuPktkeSD6by8wilK5mZhbrPqSf0XSRoQ_3HSFcQ5yn-yICzEUY4USpZ0DRXtXGKv2OMf2eImeDp3YN60iRlMinwTSHGe5dGueOxLA/s1600/white-widow-2023-4-plan.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="315" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvKJkbhSVDCMGfogiughFjaMV37RoUXL_2itaToXCWZwiqDgbw4yWZ2guhP5DfT6hxrbEN_f8x7q1ebFAbnPvJuPktkeSD6by8wilK5mZhbrPqSf0XSRoQ_3HSFcQ5yn-yICzEUY4USpZ0DRXtXGKv2OMf2eImeDp3YN60iRlMinwTSHGe5dGueOxLA/s1600/white-widow-2023-4-plan.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The four-issue run wraps up here with the <a href="https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Yelena_Belova_(Earth-616)">White Widow</a> tracking Armament owner Renata Best back to her lair. In super-villain fashion, Best reveals all her plans to the hero and even offers Yelena a job with the company helping to train the assassins of the future for the (those future assassins being disposable cyborg killers she can destroy at any time). Yelena, however, has other plans.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>The comic opens with a flashback featuring sparring between Yelena and Natasha with the latter worried for her younger sister and urging her to find something to live for. After destroying Armament's facilities and returning to her small group of friends, and the community she helped save, Yelena rethinks her response to Natasha. It turns out, under the right circumstances, she can work as part of a team. As to what's next, seems like Yelena is heading off with the Thundrbolts meaning more fun in Idylhaven will have to wait.</p>
<p>[Marvel, $3.99] </p>
<ul>
<li>Title: White Widow #4 (of 4)</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/white-widow-4/4000-1046276/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Gailey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarah Gailey</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmiracoloart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alessandro Miracolo</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAR7x0bqAR-LQIZsLFWbFWUG7uUxXMnCmqZlWoObDmObVAIJh64pZzzBhx-Jnjz7IOEStu5OzV3Sw6mdDC0hZotawEqIB0ITcbIheRY5tmh21x5wz1xtT5s4M6D_0oEqri7Xi5vIX47W9/s1600/scale-of-awesome-74.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAR7x0bqAR-LQIZsLFWbFWUG7uUxXMnCmqZlWoObDmObVAIJh64pZzzBhx-Jnjz7IOEStu5OzV3Sw6mdDC0hZotawEqIB0ITcbIheRY5tmh21x5wz1xtT5s4M6D_0oEqri7Xi5vIX47W9/s1600/scale-of-awesome-74.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-54932494267386695592024-03-11T10:00:00.001-05:002024-03-11T10:00:00.139-05:00Avatar: The Last Airbender - Omashu / Into the Dark<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZymUR7w2DN3cptEQWSITfqKUM2Lb_rkPR8F7tsYMqfiWJQ0w0okwOe-vPGKdxaEr69tF9abTdPFma0FHKLEx82He8f0RWE90ETEWr9rQtP-p9piwna3O9pYbEJrqJRlWXTfSbgjGvmUqA1ASouWvwLXXgmD1Pof6I48RpcZiHtGonlX6S7M4R35kD_8o/s1600/avatar-last-airbender-into-the-dark.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZymUR7w2DN3cptEQWSITfqKUM2Lb_rkPR8F7tsYMqfiWJQ0w0okwOe-vPGKdxaEr69tF9abTdPFma0FHKLEx82He8f0RWE90ETEWr9rQtP-p9piwna3O9pYbEJrqJRlWXTfSbgjGvmUqA1ASouWvwLXXgmD1Pof6I48RpcZiHtGonlX6S7M4R35kD_8o/s1600/avatar-last-airbender-into-the-dark.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Shuffling around events of the original series a bit, "Omashu" and "Into the Dark" provide <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Aang">Aang</a>'s (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11139032/">Gordon Cormier</a>) journey into the Earth Kingdom where Aang, <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Sokka">Sokka</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8207735/">Ian Ousley</a>), and <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Katara">Katara</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11019407/">Kiawentiio</a>) disagree over how to help the city's fight against the Fire Nation. Here we get Jet (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11313841/">Sebastian Amoruso</a>) whose scruffy rebel act hides a darker purpose and the conflict of the Mechanist (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2209821/">Danny Pudi</a>) attempting to keep his city safe from harsher attacks from Fire Benders. Adapting parts of four different episodes and mashing them together, not unsurprisingly, turns out to not work all that well.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>"Omashu" is a weak, and largely forgettable, episode that leads into King Bumi (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2064295/">Utkarsh Ambudkar</a>) putting his old friend through a series of tests in "Into the Dark." Bumi's eccentricities worked far better in animation than live-action and the episode cuts the legs out from under the story by moving the big reveal (that the mad king is Aang's childhood friend) from the end of the episode to far earlier rather than allow Aang's discovery to be the key to its resolution. Instead, we're given a Bumi who is more cruel than wacky leading to back-to-back disappointing episodes after the series had gotten off to such a good start.</p>
<p>The only saving grace of these episodes is the subplot involving the mostly annoying <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Zuko">Prince Zuko</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4020501/">Dallas Liu</a>) and his <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Iroh">Uncle Iroh</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0498004/">Paul Sun-Hyung Lee</a>) exploring how Iroh's decision to journey with Zuko after his nephew's banishment is tied to the kindness that Zuko offered Iroh years before following the death of his son. That bond won't allow Zuko to abandon his uncle after his capture in the Earth Kingdom, leading him to momentarily abandon his search for the Avatar to rescue Iroh and return him to the ship.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> - Omashu / Into the Dark</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Omashu_(episode)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a> | <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Into_the_Dark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8_fhk4DvfmhE-zZ1vdxtr3rkKgbQtI7A7o6efOR1qNtxh-CLWu9TXHA9a_cn7tM8xVXDYhJuvkroax6rPUfiFvelH-1PKPiJbAiI6GyVrfIsc2STR-LrGymZvb64mbATwuM9bQZFDY-oeqYeEDzfYti_8JgzWFKen083rlcykfdN7WtFV2s0I4dl/s560/scale-of-awesome-49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8_fhk4DvfmhE-zZ1vdxtr3rkKgbQtI7A7o6efOR1qNtxh-CLWu9TXHA9a_cn7tM8xVXDYhJuvkroax6rPUfiFvelH-1PKPiJbAiI6GyVrfIsc2STR-LrGymZvb64mbATwuM9bQZFDY-oeqYeEDzfYti_8JgzWFKen083rlcykfdN7WtFV2s0I4dl/s560/scale-of-awesome-49.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-90244318783255113712024-03-11T08:00:00.004-05:002024-03-11T08:00:00.126-05:00Damsel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlg1DRnugZW3Eq8x2WSwdnx92esAXVDsvj3P7Az4EfEm_wR0qqCD4E7uNd626kpg6F_DKzlO5MqQhS-zPzehJ4ZeCMIbkOMXqlFA6Db5acQ_u32EfZKg7sWyl1InUuMrQqXT0NlUTHlqPtQWjwr5S6v0z6_Y6HHkU5i6S-tv4-Y9lYCmmx6utv4BGTwo/s1600/damsel-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlg1DRnugZW3Eq8x2WSwdnx92esAXVDsvj3P7Az4EfEm_wR0qqCD4E7uNd626kpg6F_DKzlO5MqQhS-zPzehJ4ZeCMIbkOMXqlFA6Db5acQ_u32EfZKg7sWyl1InUuMrQqXT0NlUTHlqPtQWjwr5S6v0z6_Y6HHkU5i6S-tv4-Y9lYCmmx6utv4BGTwo/s1600/damsel-poster.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><em>Damsel</em> works better in concept than in execution. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5611121/">Millie Bobby Brown</a> stars as Elodie, the smart and capable daughter Lord Bayford (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935653/">Ray Winstone</a>) in a remote region hit hard in recent years. The chance to save the kingdom comes in the form of a marriage proposal for Elodie from Prince Henry (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3538718/">Nick Robinson</a>) and his family (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0878653/">Milo Twomey</a> and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000705/">Robin Wright</a>) who rule over a realm for more rich than that of Elodie's father. The family accepts the arranged marriage which goes off without a hitch at least until Elodie is thrown into a dragon's lair as tribute to the creature that once ravaged these lands.</p>
<p>What follows is Millie Bobby Brown skulking around caves, exploring, hiding, and screaming, while tearing off small pieces of her princely gowns for survival. The dragon will toy with Elodie long enough for her to come to grips with her situation and formulate a plan.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>The script has baked in elements to help Eloise survival in the maze of caves in which she can hide from the dragon, the glowing insects which can cure all manner of injury and help light her way in the dark, and her abundance of clothing that no matter how much she removes, or gets singed by the dragon's fire, remains amazingly in place to keep Brown from showing anything beyond a PG level of skin.</p>
<p>The tag line for the film states "this is not a fairytale." Unfortunately <em>Damsel</em> isn't much of an action movie. While technically a fantasy film, it's not much of one either. Damsel needs to be more. There are several directions the movie could have leaned. It could be more of a horror movie. It could play up the mythology and fantasy elements. It could play up the revenge storyline. It could go grittier, it could go wackier, or it could go far sultrier playing on its beautiful young star. Sadly, Damsel doesn't go strong in any direction leaving it as empty as the caves Elodie wanders through for most of the film.</p>
<p>The fault with <em>Damsel</em> lies more on the script by <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2669197/">Dan Mazeau</a> than Brown or her co-stars, although the uninspired directing by <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0294379/">Juan Carlos Fresnadillo</a> doesn't do anyone any favors, either. This film has no punch, no spirit, and no pizazz. <em>Damsel</em> is a TV-movie with a high budget that hopes it's likable star and CGI dragon can cover up its wide range of flaws. While passable, the script asks far too much of its dragon (and its star) to save this sinking ship.</p>
<p>When you get to the end of any movie and the story it sets up is immensely more interesting that the story you just boredly sat through, you know you something went horribly wrong. <em><a href="https://www.razorfine.com/home-video/the-princess/">The Princess</a></em> wasn't a great movie either, but at least it allowed <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1428821/">Joey King</a> to be a heroine. Elodie, on the other hand, is a victim. She's the virgin running from the boogeyman in a horror flick who eventually, only out of necessity, stands to fight. There's never a doubt that Elodie is getting out of this situation, but the film limits her hero moments, in favor of screaming and hiding, and then rushes through the a final act that offers far more possibility, and far more interesting themes, than that of poor Elodie running around some caves.</p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iM150ZWovZM?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1" allow='autoplay'
target="popup"
onclick="window.open('https://www.youtube.com/embed/iM150ZWovZM?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1', allow='autoplay','popup','width=600,height=400'); return false;">
Watch the trailer
</a>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Damsel</em></li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13452446/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFHv-9UiiMotqrmdvgNZpynXHVO_rLegkXSKyLoQGMr69XkEpiDiGkAMml6YFnDXrv9ygFtzQkpZj-uzFMudadQcLrP0AfkBxxir5DsLpGfZZ0F0fm6ghR34pKc7S6QNpkW45u1WIh_ol/s1600/scale-of-awesome-40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFHv-9UiiMotqrmdvgNZpynXHVO_rLegkXSKyLoQGMr69XkEpiDiGkAMml6YFnDXrv9ygFtzQkpZj-uzFMudadQcLrP0AfkBxxir5DsLpGfZZ0F0fm6ghR34pKc7S6QNpkW45u1WIh_ol/s1600/scale-of-awesome-40.png" /></a></div><ul>
<li>Title: <em>Damsel</em></li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13452446/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-62805921929036848392024-03-09T14:00:00.010-06:002024-03-09T14:00:00.124-06:00Young Jedi Adventures - Lys and the Snowy Mountain Rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wwO9kje4cHZnMCQ29XLcYB3vTzQReaK0sNfFWpgGK6gRlaVG2W4o4wcrJTRBGLIeq3wgjC2W1FnqvIYGaIQRClzbU9vFTr4YnQQkJz_gDhi9_bGMSiXs_l1WRT4vD5uochAS8sqEsP_eBd5Efk1MN_8Tn0gifGeCiQ05_MR0Y1Lhe0dEmeX6cjKx5z0/s1600/young-jedi-adventures-lys-and-the-snowy-mountain-rescue.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wwO9kje4cHZnMCQ29XLcYB3vTzQReaK0sNfFWpgGK6gRlaVG2W4o4wcrJTRBGLIeq3wgjC2W1FnqvIYGaIQRClzbU9vFTr4YnQQkJz_gDhi9_bGMSiXs_l1WRT4vD5uochAS8sqEsP_eBd5Efk1MN_8Tn0gifGeCiQ05_MR0Y1Lhe0dEmeX6cjKx5z0/s1600/young-jedi-adventures-lys-and-the-snowy-mountain-rescue.jpg"/></a></div>
<p><a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Lys_Solay">Lys Solay</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8718123/">Juliet Donenfeld</a>), <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Kai_Brightstar">Kai Brightstar</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9948584/">Jamaal Avery Jr.</a>), and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Nubs">Nubs</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048389/">Dee Bradley Baker</a>) get a snowy adventure on the planet <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Andraven">Andraven</a> where they help locals <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Gumar">Gumar</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6729487/">Liam James Ramos</a>) and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jam_(individual)">Jam</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8604916/">Julian Edwards</a>) herd a group of <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Nubs">Nubs</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048389/">Dee Bradley Baker</a>) (think tauntauns mixed with seals) over a mountain. As with all the episodes of the series, the trio of young Jedi learn a lesson in their snowy trip which is complicated first by an avalanche and later by the loss of Jam in a snowstorm. However, not loosing her cool, Lys takes a moment, calms herself, and lets the Force guide her reuniting the group and allowing them all to slide down the mountain together for a warm reception and celebration.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Young Jedi Adventures</em> - Lys and the Snowy Mountain Rescue</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Lys_and_the_Snowy_Mountain_Rescue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5VThqrS37AUBQ_7bA0L4J8ubBPpC88mCOlGKj3Hyh8PFic5aeVZITDCujg3irdHnEztNMMM1FkB3NFBYNw5NfylpeOixQiFfPoGsJt3ZVphEDS13PcWkXlinqBNh4UxQC6sKVR4HIWldvTULijLilh3hWFQsqA2r6IC2LUXcgQdU2P2PmkA1OAP_/s1600/scale-of-awesome-66.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5VThqrS37AUBQ_7bA0L4J8ubBPpC88mCOlGKj3Hyh8PFic5aeVZITDCujg3irdHnEztNMMM1FkB3NFBYNw5NfylpeOixQiFfPoGsJt3ZVphEDS13PcWkXlinqBNh4UxQC6sKVR4HIWldvTULijLilh3hWFQsqA2r6IC2LUXcgQdU2P2PmkA1OAP_/s1600/scale-of-awesome-66.png"/></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-60303512869519514242024-03-09T12:00:00.001-06:002024-03-09T12:00:00.135-06:00Baymax Stormtrooper Cosplay<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0w8gSeb8z2YhKQEwoFpShtYqGLmkHmgzac_tRXY2HSPtZIwV2_VSQcyNjR7iaG3Ys1uTg7Mv9aJM6aOBDj7aHNJ-dObqnF4uW_kIdsibKhY69l6aJOr0RWsJk-1O3EoBKQxREfWvJrWucLzN2RUFyEFHqnkx2j-0-S0cqk3pddn1L_LOUyCKWY0lxU/s1600/baymax-stormtrooper-cosplay.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0w8gSeb8z2YhKQEwoFpShtYqGLmkHmgzac_tRXY2HSPtZIwV2_VSQcyNjR7iaG3Ys1uTg7Mv9aJM6aOBDj7aHNJ-dObqnF4uW_kIdsibKhY69l6aJOr0RWsJk-1O3EoBKQxREfWvJrWucLzN2RUFyEFHqnkx2j-0-S0cqk3pddn1L_LOUyCKWY0lxU/s1600/baymax-stormtrooper-cosplay.jpg"/></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-5749023927708269822024-03-09T10:00:00.004-06:002024-03-09T10:00:00.132-06:00Star Wars: The Bad Batch - A Different Approach / The Return<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9can05Bb0b_FMmAnfA8ZjOkPdukSoqGVsA6X3yrnZL64yy1s9PL3ZW2QG3r1CWTQeqZ7X96oE-AdeEoIh3-rpVd-KT1UEsRUHHdW0RVRmLhirc3qNTes0ZS2pH0_hBDtCYWIwB3adcfmwHgxIsfReYucahUiLOHH-IGjnXDIRBnD-KzBmT7Q34gX3DIc/s1600/star-wars-the-bad-batch-the-return.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9can05Bb0b_FMmAnfA8ZjOkPdukSoqGVsA6X3yrnZL64yy1s9PL3ZW2QG3r1CWTQeqZ7X96oE-AdeEoIh3-rpVd-KT1UEsRUHHdW0RVRmLhirc3qNTes0ZS2pH0_hBDtCYWIwB3adcfmwHgxIsfReYucahUiLOHH-IGjnXDIRBnD-KzBmT7Q34gX3DIc/s1600/star-wars-the-bad-batch-the-return.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>"A Different Approach" picks up events with <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Omega">Omega</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0029391/">Michelle Ang</a>) and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Crosshair">Crosshair</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048389/">Dee Bradley Baker</a>) on the run together and the new pup teaching the old dog a few new tricks as Omega takes the lead in less murdery plans on getting back to the rest of the squad. It's a nice little episode building the comradery of the two characters even more before delivering them to a remote location in time for a reunion.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>The title of "The Return" works in multiple ways as its the first mission with Crosshair working with the team again and it also marks his return to the site of him breaking from the Empire when the squad travels to the abandoned base of <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Barton_IV">Barton IV</a> hoping to use its computers to unlock the encrypted data within the stolen data pad. The episode is most notable for the tense moments between Crosshair and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Hunter">Hunter</a> (Baker), Crosshair paying silent respect to the clones who died in the facility, an the pair working together to save the group from a <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Ice_wyrm">giant ice wyrm</a>.</p>
<p>So far the season has progressed as expected first dealing with Omega's escape and journey home and now starting the process of Crosshair's redemption and return to the fold. There has been quite a few mentions of the noticeable tremor in his hand suggesting this will come into play at some point before the series concludes, perhaps in a most inconvenient time for the characters.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Star Wars: The Bad Batch</em> - A Different Approach / The Return</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/A_Different_Approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a> | <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Return" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAR7x0bqAR-LQIZsLFWbFWUG7uUxXMnCmqZlWoObDmObVAIJh64pZzzBhx-Jnjz7IOEStu5OzV3Sw6mdDC0hZotawEqIB0ITcbIheRY5tmh21x5wz1xtT5s4M6D_0oEqri7Xi5vIX47W9/s1600/scale-of-awesome-74.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAR7x0bqAR-LQIZsLFWbFWUG7uUxXMnCmqZlWoObDmObVAIJh64pZzzBhx-Jnjz7IOEStu5OzV3Sw6mdDC0hZotawEqIB0ITcbIheRY5tmh21x5wz1xtT5s4M6D_0oEqri7Xi5vIX47W9/s1600/scale-of-awesome-74.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-28993213042631514982024-03-09T08:00:00.004-06:002024-03-09T09:03:52.421-06:00Star Wars #44<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhggvrQv7MWq8fyTbDmvewbsZ9EsjnSwL72VyUJo7xjxzH8tQB9j1LgB1Zso3CiL2HFAg-O6UXHJs2fUMVympdRJN90d-neUAb_GtUwAX8M15yI87vhv_M9tUOZ3A2t6xzxJju_BbeuS006HzUkcg3joF79l6AMFMVORelXH3koqWPbDtSoPAyoXgBzA/s1600/star-wars-44-2020-strategy.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhggvrQv7MWq8fyTbDmvewbsZ9EsjnSwL72VyUJo7xjxzH8tQB9j1LgB1Zso3CiL2HFAg-O6UXHJs2fUMVympdRJN90d-neUAb_GtUwAX8M15yI87vhv_M9tUOZ3A2t6xzxJju_BbeuS006HzUkcg3joF79l6AMFMVORelXH3koqWPbDtSoPAyoXgBzA/s1600/star-wars-44-2020-strategy.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>In a desperate, but ultimately successful, move to save <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Lobot">Lobot</a>'s life, <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Landonis_Balthazar_Calrissian">Lando Calrissian</a>'s treachery in selling information about the Rebel Alliance to <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jabba_Desilijic_Tiure">Jabba the Hutt</a> has been revealed. Rather than run from the truth, Lando has admitted his crimes. While <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Gial_Ackbar">Admiral Ackbar</a> and <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Crix_Madine">General Madine</a> seem perfectly at ease with jettisoning the traitor out of the nearest airlock, <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Leia_Skywalker_Organa_Solo">Leia</a> makes an impassioned plea for the Rebellion to prove they are better than the Empire setting up a trial over the fate of Lando Calrissian.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>After much setup, we are introduced to Lando's lawyer <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Salli_Georgio">Salli Georgio</a> who is still finding her strategy as the trial commences, as she points out the judges know Lando is guilty but what they need to offer is a reason for them not to care. Just in time for a much-needed distraction, <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Mon_Mothma">Mon Mothma</a> (serving as a judge by Holonet) is taken prisoner which makes me wonder if/how the trial will continue at the same time a rescue mission goes underway or if Lando's fate will have to wait for another day.</p>
<p>[Marvel, $4.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Star Wars #44</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/star-wars-44-the-trial-of-lando-calrissian-part-1-/4000-1047090/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesSoule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Charles Soule</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madibek.musabekov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Madibek Musabekov</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4W5E-Tv1grIQPYZbYbNoqPIIkI76D73lRpAc18L-KjdnJP3dgMj7n4oc4W5TghUQNr7zZ8sxQV53x2lqHfZWlwksBQVeAA6u3QElbPTROSG3hqxQfE38wimZoYDKNtasB0TxIwvtHovH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-68.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4W5E-Tv1grIQPYZbYbNoqPIIkI76D73lRpAc18L-KjdnJP3dgMj7n4oc4W5TghUQNr7zZ8sxQV53x2lqHfZWlwksBQVeAA6u3QElbPTROSG3hqxQfE38wimZoYDKNtasB0TxIwvtHovH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-68.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-17192777368195323122024-03-07T12:00:00.002-06:002024-03-07T12:00:00.124-06:00Kung Fu Panda 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMshy_dwzBZLPedalX2mUa_rso7gYUOGtxzkza5ISzBmAQ9yn2Wg1yB9Pe3WnuubMrxZtkMr25iMuCLuRfdy4CK6WADA8FbHfGj77r5n8xq_Tbs8NvZnnw7giOfm9W27cpgAPnyhdPeVVSi6k_YumgeqxFooR_5ezsSqPdQ-RU-cnKXxR6tDyr90adVJI/s1600/kung-fu-panda-4-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" width="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMshy_dwzBZLPedalX2mUa_rso7gYUOGtxzkza5ISzBmAQ9yn2Wg1yB9Pe3WnuubMrxZtkMr25iMuCLuRfdy4CK6WADA8FbHfGj77r5n8xq_Tbs8NvZnnw7giOfm9W27cpgAPnyhdPeVVSi6k_YumgeqxFooR_5ezsSqPdQ-RU-cnKXxR6tDyr90adVJI/s1600/kung-fu-panda-4-poster.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Noticeably missing all five members of the <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/Furious_Five">Furious Five</a>, DreamWorks rolls out a new <em>Kung Fu Panda</em> sequel this time centered around <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/Po">Po</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0085312/">Jack Black</a>) being asked by <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/Shifu">Shifu</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000163/">Dustin Hoffman</a>) to choose the next Dragon Warrior. Each of the films in the series has had an emotional core tied to Po and his journey. The script clumsily deals with Po's latest milestone rushing it into happening instantly and also somewhat haphazardly ignores his development in previous films when logic, common sense, or the franchise's canon might get in the way of a gag (such as Po not being able to find the inner peace he mastered two films ago).</p>
<p><em>Kung Fu Panda 4</em> isn't a bad film. There's still plenty of fun to be had with Po, his two dads (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0393222/">James Hong</a> and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0186505/">Bryan Cranston</a>), the plucky thieving fox <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/Zhen">Zhen</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5377144/">Awkwafina</a>), and the new villain in <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/The_Chameleon">the Chameleon</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/">Viola Davis</a>) whose abilities and larger plan allow for the return of several of Po's foes including <a href="https://kungfupanda.fandom.com/wiki/Tai_Lung">Tai Lung</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0574534/">Ian McShane</a>). As to the outcome, or Po's choice on a successor, there's not much in the way of surprises this time around.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_inKs4eeHiI?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1" allow='autoplay' target="popup" onclick="window.open('https://www.youtube.com/embed/_inKs4eeHiI?si=hcIUTCHmkKNky4BO&autoplay=1', allow='autoplay','popup','width=600,height=400'); return false;" rel="noopener">
Watch the trailer
</a>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Kung Fu Panda 4</em></li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21692408/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ec7l_bMC7JpNeDvQeQGSfvjTO_ilwr05ahBrbFpgeOoukTo-CjYbZGA3MLQdPSXu8MqAEJvTIy_VinM6dlOextXs_LY-kAFnfYEXOfMsirVRB9i2Ccd7RD4O-Ki7Bn3j2plR85j_cyVd/s1600/scale-of-awesome-67.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Ec7l_bMC7JpNeDvQeQGSfvjTO_ilwr05ahBrbFpgeOoukTo-CjYbZGA3MLQdPSXu8MqAEJvTIy_VinM6dlOextXs_LY-kAFnfYEXOfMsirVRB9i2Ccd7RD4O-Ki7Bn3j2plR85j_cyVd/s1600/scale-of-awesome-67.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-67808838389796636912024-03-07T08:00:00.003-06:002024-03-07T08:00:00.132-06:00Will Trent - You Don't Have to Understand<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsm8Bu2YqE-9rtBJAC7ilEMHmuyF9_1q9OfWb5gjA1sEmlfphkBt-gOFl07CFum1XmQHf8iq1cKTiQ8PHldsP5sSXBoVT63oWL3DypTVEb0fi5L6EbsXlcxt3UpIubB95DMRyQeQRzg-aS6u4epyVMyzdtLFfyjcqMCEL4NlKaRUHvPXl0IBBgCD1xdI/s1600/will-trent-you-dont-have-to-understand.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsm8Bu2YqE-9rtBJAC7ilEMHmuyF9_1q9OfWb5gjA1sEmlfphkBt-gOFl07CFum1XmQHf8iq1cKTiQ8PHldsP5sSXBoVT63oWL3DypTVEb0fi5L6EbsXlcxt3UpIubB95DMRyQeQRzg-aS6u4epyVMyzdtLFfyjcqMCEL4NlKaRUHvPXl0IBBgCD1xdI/s1600/will-trent-you-dont-have-to-understand.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>While investigating a double-homicide and looking for a missing pregnant woman who was the intended victim, Will (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1913125/">Ramón Rodríguez</a>) continues to struggle with the emotions of Cricket's (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1635244/">Susan Kelechi Watson</a>) death. His investigation becomes momentarily focused on a preacher (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5452659/">Jerod Haynes</a>) who he correctly guesses has something to hide, although it turns out not to have anything to deal with the current crime. Meanwhile, Angie (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0159776/">Erika Christensen</a>) returns to work and dives into her own case of murder with Ormewood (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2474864/">Jake McLaughlin</a>) involving the death of a selfish fitness nut was poisoned in a spa.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>Both mysteries work well and are given enough time, although, in part because of the priest and our detective fighting questions about faith and trust, it takes Trent and Faith (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7021141/">Iantha Richardson</a>) longer to suspect the person responsible, and their motive, than expected. His short conversations with the preacher, and his unexpected delivery of a baby, do a bit to get Will recentered again heading into the remainder of the season.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Will Trent</em> - You Don't Have to Understand</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31436410/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpewgf-RAQNgU3kI2yvfDVIKZ9ym_lIssWYpoU4-hnY0lN-u5sYYaqjXYJgNLgDnR6WJ0LWJl3krs74ENGp_cS8hlyB7Xic9vvMm0sVd2yFQS1lS48MaDsuwUS1oMRNEiP1LsR_-Fcqpn/s1600/scale-of-awesome-81.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpewgf-RAQNgU3kI2yvfDVIKZ9ym_lIssWYpoU4-hnY0lN-u5sYYaqjXYJgNLgDnR6WJ0LWJl3krs74ENGp_cS8hlyB7Xic9vvMm0sVd2yFQS1lS48MaDsuwUS1oMRNEiP1LsR_-Fcqpn/s1600/scale-of-awesome-81.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-63245915197005548062024-03-06T14:00:00.003-06:002024-03-06T14:00:00.139-06:00NCIS: Hawai'i - Dead on Arrival<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_u4J39Y0PCxFJxXWHF9gnAizQmIyYR4WN9omr7OsiyuZH9UBliOm57079DarrfYd6ilIavLrj3C84SDQew41wzzaf1YRvON_Fk2P7MzybOZ6-RJPHQUj2KSO9V6rwu7YomZYEDwG5DmTeZMVM_lae10Ozqk1uW4HFgYHR8akSc77zrEd4MVPb6fC6Ak/s1600/ncis-hawaii-dead-on-arrival.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_u4J39Y0PCxFJxXWHF9gnAizQmIyYR4WN9omr7OsiyuZH9UBliOm57079DarrfYd6ilIavLrj3C84SDQew41wzzaf1YRvON_Fk2P7MzybOZ6-RJPHQUj2KSO9V6rwu7YomZYEDwG5DmTeZMVM_lae10Ozqk1uW4HFgYHR8akSc77zrEd4MVPb6fC6Ak/s1600/ncis-hawaii-dead-on-arrival.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The death of a Navy pilot in a swanky resort leads to the uncovering of a cocaine smuggling ring on the island. "Dead on Arrival" is most notable for <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Lucy_Tara">Lucy</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4251460/">Yasmine Al-Bustami</a>) and <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Kate_Whistler">Whistler</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027555/">Tori Anderson</a>) going in undercover at the resort as a newly married couple, running into a bit of danger, and eventually identifying the brains behind the operation (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428426/">John Marshall Jones</a>) and the rest of the team raiding the compound at the end of the episode. The episode also plays on <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Jesse_Boone">Jesse</a>'s (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3718062/">Noah Mills</a>) concerns about <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Sam_Hanna">Sam Hanna</a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LL_Cool_J">LL Cool J</a>) and what he's really up to, and also <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Ernie_Malik">Ernie</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0031529/">Jason Antoon</a>) uncovering that whatever the agent from Los Angeles is doing on the island it's far more hush-hush than simply a teaching assignment.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>NCIS: Hawai'i</em> - Dead on Arrival</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://ncis.fandom.com/wiki/Dead_On_Arrival_(episode)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-18979911378678104512024-03-06T11:00:00.004-06:002024-03-06T11:00:00.237-06:00Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y_3AEr5ts2yb5NgmSHg74CeMr2AWgZkE1TJYdOQGVn_qVTGPapNGp6WShWjqdFkATXp2PIjwgFDhs89xhwXLtTMhouCsMPEU0xewo6ShZIa0cl0ymBZVZxErebtCujBxtoR6N9Ed38GnGRd9wl9axMhOKJtRJgDtMT3-f6s4DwMseBlOuWWI3h-25n8/s1600/batman-brave-and-the-bold-2023-10-mother-day.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="393" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y_3AEr5ts2yb5NgmSHg74CeMr2AWgZkE1TJYdOQGVn_qVTGPapNGp6WShWjqdFkATXp2PIjwgFDhs89xhwXLtTMhouCsMPEU0xewo6ShZIa0cl0ymBZVZxErebtCujBxtoR6N9Ed38GnGRd9wl9axMhOKJtRJgDtMT3-f6s4DwMseBlOuWWI3h-25n8/s1600/batman-brave-and-the-bold-2023-10-mother-day.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>As with the previous issues of this volume, <strong>Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10</strong> offers multiple stories, some being one-offs and others being part of ongoing stories. The highlight of this issue is the first story involving a <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Tristan_Grey_(Prime_Earth)">new Man-Bat</a>, <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Mia_Mizoguchi_(Prime_Earth)">Maps Mizoguchi</a> playing Robin, romance troubles for <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Bruce_Wayne_(Prime_Earth)">Bruce Wayne</a>, and some terrific art of Karl Kerschl capturing Batman in all his Bronze Age glory. If you are going to pick up this issue, this is the reason why as the rest of the stories range from middling to fine without another standout.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>We also get a tale of <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Artemis_of_Bana-Mighdall_(Prime_Earth)">Artemis</a> quite literally wandering the desert which is mostly setup in the first chapter of a new ongoing story, <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Duke_Thomas_(Prime_Earth)">the Signal</a> fighting a Jokerized vigilante making use of various Bat-villain weapons to try and take down any Bat-hero he can find and inspire other Nameless to rise up as well, <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Lois_Lane_(Prime_Earth)">Lois Lane</a> gets a story involving a murdered reporter who was looking into riddles and treasure hunts, and the final story involves Batman taking down a rampaging <a href="https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Basil_Karlo_(Prime_Earth)">Clayface</a> upset he can no longer enjoy a cheeseburger. </p>
<p>[DC, $7.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Batman: The Brave and the Bold #10</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold-10-mothers-day-part-/4000-1046253/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/karlkerschl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Kerschl</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delilah_S._Dawson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delilah S. Dawson</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHardingArt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Harding</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/gronbekk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Torunn Grønbekk</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/danpgwatters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dan Watters</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://twitter.com/karlkerschl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Karl Kerschl</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sergacuna/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serg Acuña</a>,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mikeshenderson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mike Henderson</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/derenick1/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Derenick</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rlopezortiz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ricardo López Ortiz</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5VThqrS37AUBQ_7bA0L4J8ubBPpC88mCOlGKj3Hyh8PFic5aeVZITDCujg3irdHnEztNMMM1FkB3NFBYNw5NfylpeOixQiFfPoGsJt3ZVphEDS13PcWkXlinqBNh4UxQC6sKVR4HIWldvTULijLilh3hWFQsqA2r6IC2LUXcgQdU2P2PmkA1OAP_/s1600/scale-of-awesome-66.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5VThqrS37AUBQ_7bA0L4J8ubBPpC88mCOlGKj3Hyh8PFic5aeVZITDCujg3irdHnEztNMMM1FkB3NFBYNw5NfylpeOixQiFfPoGsJt3ZVphEDS13PcWkXlinqBNh4UxQC6sKVR4HIWldvTULijLilh3hWFQsqA2r6IC2LUXcgQdU2P2PmkA1OAP_/s1600/scale-of-awesome-66.png"/></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-82206881164457136412024-03-06T08:00:00.003-06:002024-03-06T08:00:00.170-06:00Death and Other Details - Impossible / Chilling<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mRMvuXW1bOhy2xfVhxBB9MIWQ9D9kOnltU0LfFpjnS7xlkAp54JsL1oaRIpzeCqz5d_CHRgnZfp8cGJQLvwC8gu8W4maVpUM00vBZwni9fycXIWHtIET5RaxZ9pu8wi9Ug1Iyj-e1k6v7I4DM3_5l-efXGN5d45iMFTyE5pkWo6_S5cM74L_F4JfU5s/s1600/death-and-other-details-chilling.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mRMvuXW1bOhy2xfVhxBB9MIWQ9D9kOnltU0LfFpjnS7xlkAp54JsL1oaRIpzeCqz5d_CHRgnZfp8cGJQLvwC8gu8W4maVpUM00vBZwni9fycXIWHtIET5RaxZ9pu8wi9Ug1Iyj-e1k6v7I4DM3_5l-efXGN5d45iMFTyE5pkWo6_S5cM74L_F4JfU5s/s1600/death-and-other-details-chilling.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The penultimate episode the the season removes Rufus (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001597/">Mandy Patinkin</a>) from the ship forcing Imogene (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6556997/">Violett Beane</a>) to solve the case on her own with a help of a few others who are now all hostages of Victor Sams. Our boogeyman will be revealed in the final scene of the episode, solving both the murders onboard the ship and that of Imogene's mother. However, it's one hell of a twist the writers have in store for Sams' identity and it will take an entire separate episode to deal with explanations and epilogue for the key characters of the series (while also teasing the possibility of a new murder mystery if the show does get renewed).</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>Without giving away the big plot twist of "Impossible," which is then explored in "Chilling" with Imogene spending time with the world's most notorious blackmailer, it takes one hell of a leap of faith to accept this as the conclusion of the series. It's impossible to ignore the show has lost steam in these final few episodes in the attempt to set up this mind-blowing twist. Does it work? Possibly, although it means Victor Sams was created later than earlier episodes of the show suggested, throwing some confusion into the timeline. Is it satisfying? Only somewhat.</p>
<p>All that said, there is still some fun to be had in Imogene working with the likes of Teddy (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4533072/">Angela Zhou</a>), Leila (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11396114/">Pardis Saremi</a>), Jules (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7155855/">Hugo Diego Garcia</a>), and Sunil (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3418510/">Rahul Kohli</a>) to solve the mystery and in the final episode bringing the key characters back together to find justice. We also see how various pieces teased throughout the season finally do fit together. If the show does return for another season, here's hoping the writers play less on "shocking" the audience and more on delivering both a satisfying mystery and conclusion.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Death and Other Details</em> - Impossible / Chilling</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18749732/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a> | <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18749734/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_dyWkwiiI0OaWgoJiTkGgXjJRzrjuFCYUWOGEPPq20QS4FROfH4l4vHHdQoKTd5qB0OWZwT6HIfzJn90TUfpjDjz1JgzXWwHpQzGOxP_QW6Ve84RHNqcZohvoKdPeBKBfhtpfJOm0oPH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-59.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_dyWkwiiI0OaWgoJiTkGgXjJRzrjuFCYUWOGEPPq20QS4FROfH4l4vHHdQoKTd5qB0OWZwT6HIfzJn90TUfpjDjz1JgzXWwHpQzGOxP_QW6Ve84RHNqcZohvoKdPeBKBfhtpfJOm0oPH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-59.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-78003886191377351182024-03-05T14:00:00.002-06:002024-03-05T14:00:00.247-06:00Resurrection of Magneto #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpahDTS_YMDpSw6LqKkBVqstg265fwLSuoX_SrOinro8K-w039osJdHRDpYRFNvpVPqPqyxAiM0uFxjF39G-sjqOSg7T1ZZq-O5uiIN9bwnCNLehbhmyH5jJGLH-d6G7ixgaEzbr05l2rFfcDj6QkWBq7PrPEPqxR-b5FGq2le86ZSt0qqCR3IdEqDaM/s1600/resurrection-of-magneto-2-key.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpahDTS_YMDpSw6LqKkBVqstg265fwLSuoX_SrOinro8K-w039osJdHRDpYRFNvpVPqPqyxAiM0uFxjF39G-sjqOSg7T1ZZq-O5uiIN9bwnCNLehbhmyH5jJGLH-d6G7ixgaEzbr05l2rFfcDj6QkWBq7PrPEPqxR-b5FGq2le86ZSt0qqCR3IdEqDaM/s1600/resurrection-of-magneto-2-key.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Having found <a href="https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Max_Eisenhardt_(Earth-616)">Magneto</a> in the weird limbo for mutants, next challenge is to convince him to return to the world of the living. Consumed by his failures over the years, the Magneto she finds a a whiny little bitch who wastes most of the issue refusing her offer of help. For a comic created with the sole purpose of returning Magneto back to the land of the living, Resurrection of Magneto sure is taking its damn sweet time while failing to convince us of anything other than the obvious outcome.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>The comic is bookended with Magneto's magic key. I'm not exactly sure what Storm's plan was once she found and convinced Magneto to return (considering there's no body to return to), but this sequences suggest the turn of the key can change the character's fate (although there appear to be unexpected consequences as well). While I'm interested to see what Magneto's role will be once resurrected, I'm no longer interested in the journey to get to that point.</p>
<p>[Marvel, $4.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Resurrection of Magneto #2</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/resurrection-of-magneto-2-the-weight-of-the-world/4000-1046272/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Ewing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Ewing</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucianovecchioart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luciano Vecchio</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFHv-9UiiMotqrmdvgNZpynXHVO_rLegkXSKyLoQGMr69XkEpiDiGkAMml6YFnDXrv9ygFtzQkpZj-uzFMudadQcLrP0AfkBxxir5DsLpGfZZ0F0fm6ghR34pKc7S6QNpkW45u1WIh_ol/s1600/scale-of-awesome-40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFHv-9UiiMotqrmdvgNZpynXHVO_rLegkXSKyLoQGMr69XkEpiDiGkAMml6YFnDXrv9ygFtzQkpZj-uzFMudadQcLrP0AfkBxxir5DsLpGfZZ0F0fm6ghR34pKc7S6QNpkW45u1WIh_ol/s1600/scale-of-awesome-40.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-84080969488321084352024-03-05T11:00:00.005-06:002024-03-05T11:00:00.140-06:00Delicious in Dungeon - Raspberries/Grilled Meat<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMVvxaqfTgKPT9-d4473ACulz7hqHNJeFYJUDF2nqQo1hlSb07qKFIpAS-yeRamsikNom8jCj3CC-YPVtC-U0fPQK7S_nwQ0fTxobPhD0S4nJS9kM2-ZVlWI5osCKVfVf0BAa_C2g7g5qOmtUjPiKKrSUZm3_xP8C8EDfQwm0RgnU-L-gw7sJxMDozTU/s1600/delicious-in-dungeon-raspberries-grilled-meet.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMVvxaqfTgKPT9-d4473ACulz7hqHNJeFYJUDF2nqQo1hlSb07qKFIpAS-yeRamsikNom8jCj3CC-YPVtC-U0fPQK7S_nwQ0fTxobPhD0S4nJS9kM2-ZVlWI5osCKVfVf0BAa_C2g7g5qOmtUjPiKKrSUZm3_xP8C8EDfQwm0RgnU-L-gw7sJxMDozTU/s1600/delicious-in-dungeon-raspberries-grilled-meet.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Growing ever closer to the last sighting of the Red Dragon, the party attempts to rest which becomes harder after <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Marcille">Marcille</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6185683/">Emily Rudd</a>) accidentally awakens an <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Undine">Undine</a> and depletes herself of Mana and blood to fight off the creature. The episode is more notable for Marcille's comments on the dungeon's ecosystem which lead her to think back on her friendship with <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Falin_Touden">Falin</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9292301/">Lisa Reimold</a>), their first meeting, and how the unusual girl made Marcille look at the world and magic in an entirely different way. The <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Grilled_Kelpie">Grilled Kelpie</a>, the dish of the episode, comes not from creatures introduced in this adventure but the previous one, and is chosen by <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Senshi">Senshi</a> (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2426043/">SungWon Cho</a>) to help restore Marcille's strength.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Delicious in Dungeon</em> - Raspberries/Grilled Meat</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://delicious-in-dungeon.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeqomK9M4oG1ORtSxwfXBHEbxidEHdXDRGPL39g25oa3rML-QmfYflRjT5AjSMp1TBmRwu8OAU8-0iPNdIaPMQk_GTRseAz7mBii9Q9PlrjVd_uERanVF-92ihKF-vZfYk9sxRBAQWwVH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-72.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeqomK9M4oG1ORtSxwfXBHEbxidEHdXDRGPL39g25oa3rML-QmfYflRjT5AjSMp1TBmRwu8OAU8-0iPNdIaPMQk_GTRseAz7mBii9Q9PlrjVd_uERanVF-92ihKF-vZfYk9sxRBAQWwVH/s1600/scale-of-awesome-72.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-91800050460132950352024-03-05T08:00:00.005-06:002024-03-05T08:00:00.160-06:00Duke #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjXa2pMnr_6N6uDSN4tvmxVonqpu7d3a8kZMIAWbHwuO8rJqJzHO9gO7QUqRXr_8jiuEPfCENpXTuId27wuJ6FVSjL7E43Hrl3L9jajCAgpOG-StpqkVA9J5lPMbodJm3jdHcq0lU1iTTeZNM8vxgf4g1ahI11nmBs8_bOY4RF28E4JRZ3iLgvPGxyYs/s1600/duke-2023-3-attack.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="411" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjXa2pMnr_6N6uDSN4tvmxVonqpu7d3a8kZMIAWbHwuO8rJqJzHO9gO7QUqRXr_8jiuEPfCENpXTuId27wuJ6FVSjL7E43Hrl3L9jajCAgpOG-StpqkVA9J5lPMbodJm3jdHcq0lU1iTTeZNM8vxgf4g1ahI11nmBs8_bOY4RF28E4JRZ3iLgvPGxyYs/s1600/duke-2023-3-attack.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>Discovering <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Duke_(RAH)">Duke</a> has been captured, Cobra sends <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Major_Bludd_(RAH)">Major Bludd</a> and his soldiers into the Pit to kill him before anyone starts believing his stories of giant transforming robots. Along with the action at the end where Duke fights for his life, the comic is mostly made up of conversations between Duke and <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Baroness_(RAH)">the Baroness</a> who spends most of the issue attempting to get Duke to reevaluate who his friends are and to trust her.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>The Baroness doesn't break through Duke's resolve, but in the prison skirmish she is able to escape as well leading to a cliffhanger. Is the Baroness a potentially short-term ally or is she just another captor for the Joe on the run? While the comic sees a couple of Joes speaking up for the friend, the organization as a whole seems a bit too eager to believe the worst in him and forcibly shoving him unto a different path.</p>
<p>[Image/Skybound Entertainment, $3.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Duke #3</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/duke-3/4000-1046526/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/Williamson_Josh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Williamson</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tomreillyart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Reilly</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h1F4gcwuRc5Y7F0GmmFz3mqqE1-c07g523GaCdnTExSczGcj4U0ZHRnDljpDVjqBj5HN9vvCmKZMLmiHLyKNeAJ5QB73nmzs_feyxeI-JINMOzbE0EeuFHFvO1FqRJ1nQIHrdEEnMxk/s1600/scale-of-awesome-61.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h1F4gcwuRc5Y7F0GmmFz3mqqE1-c07g523GaCdnTExSczGcj4U0ZHRnDljpDVjqBj5HN9vvCmKZMLmiHLyKNeAJ5QB73nmzs_feyxeI-JINMOzbE0EeuFHFvO1FqRJ1nQIHrdEEnMxk/s1600/scale-of-awesome-61.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-30652863032309681032024-03-04T14:00:00.003-06:002024-03-04T14:00:00.129-06:00Cobra Commander #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNFTDGEOqKTsLXyfqBW-2yWBqZAgQ-Yt76YTGLXM3MC-6hGsfGVVNpQ9JYw7kS0X6B8egIG0uT_tORy7cGHwqTI7hUQ2qQP03pN1yjh8xINUYWeAe82qDt3zPSPQC3GxWsPeY6-Mxi-vrF-CgImctgQbI1lmg8gJMcwM64NNRHMC9PoQcJ_rtgNWP2NY/s1600/cobra-commander-2024-2-swamp.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="336" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNFTDGEOqKTsLXyfqBW-2yWBqZAgQ-Yt76YTGLXM3MC-6hGsfGVVNpQ9JYw7kS0X6B8egIG0uT_tORy7cGHwqTI7hUQ2qQP03pN1yjh8xINUYWeAe82qDt3zPSPQC3GxWsPeY6-Mxi-vrF-CgImctgQbI1lmg8gJMcwM64NNRHMC9PoQcJ_rtgNWP2NY/s1600/cobra-commander-2024-2-swamp.jpg"/></a></div>
<p><a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Cobra_Commander_(RAH)">Cobra Commander</a>'s search for Energon for <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Cobra-La">Cobra-La</a> leads him into swamps for an encounter with the <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Dreadnoks">Dreadnoks</a>. Although we don't get Zartan in this issue, we do get a pair of the original Dreadnoks in <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Buzzer_(RAH)">Buzzer</a> and <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Ripper_(RAH)">Ripper</a>, and also a smaller cameo from <a href="https://gijoe.fandom.com/wiki/Zarana">Zarana</a>. After leaving Cobra-La, the Commander doesn't make friends with either his protector/overseer from Cobra-La (who he ditches) or the Dreadnoks (whose prized vehicle he blows up).</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>While far from a must-read, the issue serves to reintroduce the fan-favorite characters in this new Energon Universe as well as continue to show that even in this reality, Cobra Commander has trouble inspiring loyalty or trust. Seriously, is there anyone he hasn't pissed off yet? And, given his choice to head off alone into danger, it's not surprising to anyone other than the Commander himself that danger is exactly what he finds as the comic ends on a cliffhanger.</p>
<p>[Skybound Entertainment/Image, $4.99]</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: Cobra Commander #2</li>
<li>Comic Vine: <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/cobra-commander-2/4000-1045910/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
<li>Writer: <a href="https://twitter.com/Williamson_Josh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Williamson</a></li>
<li>Artist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/andrea_saru_milana/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Andrea Milana</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-dRXq0NwzVeqwFl0g_wCotZZWsMIcLU_7I7E_tXy_BZICMn9qkNOCSx89flUufVj3SdB4eqypwhmC24_KdHvHgi62RW2cxYuYG5DdDCGpf-ZjFnerVI4y66B9yzkhmrAAsnEP5RQzHVT/s1600/scale-of-awesome-63.png" data-original-width="560" data-original-height="200" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-24370978496109420852024-03-04T10:00:00.002-06:002024-03-04T10:00:00.159-06:00Shōgun - Anjin<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw3ATlvZ544VBQ0ju6i2mGkBibTY9zP7W0iw9y738IvCaJMq0DpHTkzBYklpDeTeuDk0LdrGlQwIOZ1SCXKQPW4z7a8dyd7-vFKGODxyqOj7NlN7-XOj5SVAW-EZFlBV3KhyWJ0gd9W1BgH69ihBqPdozeiKqAiKKMTUtvJGbUwXKQb8TgJvKX3nfQjA/s1600/shogun-anjin.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw3ATlvZ544VBQ0ju6i2mGkBibTY9zP7W0iw9y738IvCaJMq0DpHTkzBYklpDeTeuDk0LdrGlQwIOZ1SCXKQPW4z7a8dyd7-vFKGODxyqOj7NlN7-XOj5SVAW-EZFlBV3KhyWJ0gd9W1BgH69ihBqPdozeiKqAiKKMTUtvJGbUwXKQb8TgJvKX3nfQjA/s1600/shogun-anjin.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The ten episode limited series begins with a starving ship of Dutch sailors crashing into the coast of Japan. One of the only survivors of what started out as a five-ship fleet, Major John Blackthorne (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4008605/">Cosmo Jarvis</a>) is interrogated in the fishing village before taken to Osaka where more drama is afoot with four of the five feudal lords looking to oust Lord Toranaga (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0760796/">Hiroyuki Sanada</a>), the most loyal to the the child heir to the empire in a move to consolidate power. The third pivotal role in the series, Lady Toda Mariko (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3660091/">Anna Sawai</a>), has the smallest role in the opener really on part of a sequence involving the honor and attempted suicide of another woman, but more about her character will be expanded as the mini-series continues.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<p>Adapted from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dgun_(novel)">the 1975 novel</a>, and based on real events, <em>Shogun</em> is told in English, Japanese and Portuguese. Building on historical animosities between the Catholics (who at this time had a stranglehold on trade in the Orient) and the Protestants (such as Blackthorne), culture clash, and politics, there's quite a bit of set up that goes into this first episode. Starting prior to the shipwreck, a little more than half of the episode follows Blackthorne and the remaining crew (the rest of whom aren't on screen long enough to be distinguishable from one another), and his confrontations with the local lord (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0038355/">Tadanobu Asano</a>) while trying to understand a culture as foreign to him as anything he's ever come across.</p>
<p>The episode does feel a bit overstuffed, but the action, acting, and production are all first-rate. Blackthorne is likely to be the prism the world is explained through helping to better define the challenges each of the three main characters will face over the remaining nine episodes. Setting the stage to bring Blackthorne, Toranaga, and Mariko together by the end of this episode, from here we can now begin to see events unfold from this point on and how these three characters may shape their world for a generation.</p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Shōgun</em> - Anjin</li>
<li>IMDb: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8888592/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2128023454920816519.post-13110706311681208412024-03-01T14:00:00.001-06:002024-03-01T14:00:00.235-06:00Avatar: The Last Airbender - Warriors<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8rWYd2tq1h_aqWSj_1FQwiM3MJ9MY5OtklHkSz_G9GcTyxuZiWtVuGc9eMNS1PDnSN0iGps6dd_gNVMWxDwfnuZEKauMniHjfVNWjvUH73duUDZWh67m4UoSLbxsTgS5NfvSCnkiQDrrkYuxrTLq7rg2Q01KUAlomGKo3jiQoW0XYOEvMIz58Zdl1Wg/s1600/avatar-netflix-last-airbender-warriors.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="299" width="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8rWYd2tq1h_aqWSj_1FQwiM3MJ9MY5OtklHkSz_G9GcTyxuZiWtVuGc9eMNS1PDnSN0iGps6dd_gNVMWxDwfnuZEKauMniHjfVNWjvUH73duUDZWh67m4UoSLbxsTgS5NfvSCnkiQDrrkYuxrTLq7rg2Q01KUAlomGKo3jiQoW0XYOEvMIz58Zdl1Wg/s1600/avatar-netflix-last-airbender-warriors.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>The second episode of Netflix's live-action <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> gives us <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Aang">Aang</a>'s (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11139032/">Gordon Cormier</a>) short time on Kyoshi Island. There are several pleasant changes from the animated version most noticeably Aang not needing to showoff to impress and removing <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Sokka">Sokka</a>'s (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8207735/">Ian Ousley</a>) toxic masculinity and sexist attitude from the episode altogether. I also quite enjoyed <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11251153/">Maria Zhang</a>'s version of <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Suki">Suki</a>, one of the original series' best supporting characters, and the mutual attraction the two pair share. Memorable moments mostly center around the Sokka and Suki together, although the episode also provides a memorable example of what an Avatar in control of their powers can accomplish when Avatar Kyoshi (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7150232/">Yvonne Chapman</a>) takes control of Aang and dispels Fire Nation intruders from the island.</p>
<p><a name='more'></a></p>
<ul>
<li>Title: <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> - Warriors</li>
<li>wiki: <a href="https://avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Netflix:Warriors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">link</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtF-XfGkeYQlOz_-O-xmCVSBYBtEr2IvGCGlyMHuWtOVBlpx21guv6poB5Q4dVEKUbHqWeCvlRV2cHaRkcMZ7loSjWhzigrikkI_Iwr_P39RhwSEt0bVPgRUa5oRgvZiZJFmdB0rJxANS/s1600/scale-of-awesome-80.png" /></a></div>Cap'n Carrothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12317229083974287179noreply@blogger.com0