Movie Review: Spider-Man (2002)

The Green Goblin strikes!

Movie Review: Spider-Man (2002) directed by Sam Raimi When perpetual loser teenager Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is bitten by a genetically modified spider during a school trip, he gains amazing spider-like powers. At first, his plan is to use these gifts for profit and to impress the girl he loves, Mary Jane “M.J.” Watson (Kirsten… Continue reading Movie Review: Spider-Man (2002)

Movie Review: Atom Age Vampire

Professor Levin mid-transformation

Movie Review: Atom Age Vampire (1960) directed by Anton Giuilo Majano (original title “Seddok, l’erede di Satana”) Brilliant scientist Professor Alberto Levin (Alberto Lupo) is working on a revolutionary cure for skin cancer and scarring, inspired by his research on radiation survivors. With his faithful assistant Monique Riviere (Franca Parisi) and mute manservant Sacha (Roberto Bertea),… Continue reading Movie Review: Atom Age Vampire

Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

Lieutenant Raine addresses his troops.

Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds (2009) directed by Quentin Tarantino In 1941 France, SS officer Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), already known as “The Jew-Hunter”, ferrets out a hidden family, killing most of them, but decides to let Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent) the almost-adult daughter to outrun him to, perhaps, have the pleasure of hunting her down again later.… Continue reading Movie Review: Inglourious Basterds

Comic Book Review: The Great Gatsby

Comic Book Review: The Great Gatsby adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard from the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald A decently long copyright term is a good thing. An author who wrote something cool in their youth can still be supported by it in their old age. The family of a creator taken too soon is not… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Great Gatsby

Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge?

Cover art by Alicia Austin

Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge? by Ellen Kuhfeld Ragnar Forkbeard, iron-monger, and Olaf Far-Traveler, trader in exotic goods, have come from Surtsheim in the north to Northlanding, the falls that block boats from coming any further up the Great River. It is time for the great spring fair and the merchants have come… Continue reading Book Review: Secret Murder: Who Shall Judge?

Book Review: The Pocket Companion

Book Review: The Pocket Companion edited by Philip Van Doren Stern This 1942 paperback anthology was designed for people who wanted a lot of reading in a pocket-sized book, so has a novel, short stories, articles, poetry and trivia. The closest thing to a theme is the connection between the British and Americans, now allies… Continue reading Book Review: The Pocket Companion

Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories

Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories edited by Philip Van Doren Stern In his introduction, the editor talks about the thrill of adventure stories, how often they are churned out as cheap entertainment, and that he has selected twelve really good ones for the reader. This 1945 book was designed to be easily… Continue reading Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories

Manga Review: Miss Me?

Manga Review: Miss Me? by Tomoko Taniguchi Emyu has a flashy but cute fashion sense, favoring bright colors that stand out in a crowd. Many people at her school assume she’s romantically experienced and goes to concerts and clubs all the time. But in reality, Emyu’s a mild-mannered girl who’s never had a boyfriend and… Continue reading Manga Review: Miss Me?

Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans

Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans by Mignon G. Eberhart Sewal Blake is the stepdaughter of Julius Minary, the child of his first wife. Only a few years into their marriage, Sewal’s mother died, and Julius almost immediately remarried. She bore him a daughter, Amy, and a son, Reg, before passing away herself. Bereft and knowing… Continue reading Book Review: Dead Men’s Plans

Movie Review: Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla

Sammy with a gorilla that he's just figured out isn't Duke.

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla dir. William Beaudine Crooner Duke Mitchell (himself) and comedian Sammy Petrillo (himself) are on their way to a USO performance in Guam when they get lost on their way to the restroom and walk off the airplane. Good thing they were wearing parachutes! The pair land on the tropical… Continue reading Movie Review: Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla