Comic Book Review: Seven Secrets Volume One

Comic Book Review: Seven Secrets Volume One written by Tom Taylor, illustrated by Danielle di Nicuolo On an alternate Earth, there are seven secrets that could allow a person to rule or destroy the world. Each of them is somehow contained in a relatively ordinary-looking briefcase. To protect these briefcases, the Order of the Seven… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Seven Secrets Volume One

Book Review: The Dark Ages

Book Review: The Dark Ages by W.P. Ker One of the first things Professor William Paton Ker (1855-1922) discusses in this book is that the term “Dark Ages” is misleading and rather nebulous in timing. That established, he sticks with it for a handy title for this survey of European literature from roughly 500-1100 A.D.… Continue reading Book Review: The Dark Ages

Movie Review: Fort Apache

Miss Thursday, Lieutenant O'Rourke, and Captain York chat on the stairs.

Movie Review: Fort Apache (1948) directed by John Ford Lieutenant Colonel Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda) was a general during the American Civil War. He showed his brilliance in a particular battle, at the cost of his friend Sam Collingwood’s (George O’Brien) career (that man is now a captain.) After the war, Thursday lost his brevet rank… Continue reading Movie Review: Fort Apache

Anime Review: Godzilla: Singular Point

The Big G eventually shows up in person.

Anime Review: Godzilla: Singular Point It is the year 2030, and a crystal radio set in an abandoned mansion suddenly starts receiving a transmission. It’s a lullaby from India, seemingly broadcast from a government installation with a secret in the basement. The installation calls in graduate student Mei Kamino, who has a double major in… Continue reading Anime Review: Godzilla: Singular Point

Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948)

Pat, Ann and Joe share a very uncomfortable front seat.

Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948) directed by Anthony Mann Pat Regan’s (Claire Trevor) man is in jail. Joe Sullivan (Dennis O’Keefe) took a fall for Rick Coyle (Raymond Burr) for robbery. Rick owes Joe $50,000 as his cut for taking the rap. Joe could make parole in two, or more likely three years if he keeps… Continue reading Movie Review: Raw Deal (1948)

Open Thread: ConVergence 2021 Report

Open Thread: ConVergence 2021 Report Those of you who’ve met me are aware that my introversion is almost at hermit levels, and this last year only amplified that. But I do enjoy a small amount of social interaction, and the lack of conventions wore on me. So when it was announced that the 2021 version… Continue reading Open Thread: ConVergence 2021 Report

Manga Review: King of Cards Volume 1

Manga Review: King of Cards Volume 1 by Makoto Tateno First-year high school student Manami Minami wants to play the collectible card game “Chaos” with her cousin Tamotsu Kazama, who’s the president of their school’s gaming club. She randomly picks a beginner’s set to purchase–which turns out to be an out of print one with… Continue reading Manga Review: King of Cards Volume 1

Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16

Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16 edited by Stephen Jones Let’s go back to 2004 for what at least one editor considered excellent short horror fiction. As with the later volume I have reviewed, there’s a lot of ancillary material. It opens with an extended look at horror and horror-adjacent… Continue reading Book Review: The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror Volume 16

Movie Review: Key Largo

Nora and Steve discuss their pre-War lives.

Movie Review: Key Largo (1948) directed by John Huston Frank McCloud (Humphrey Bogart) was a major in the United States Army during World War Two. During the Italian campaign, one of his men (and a friend), George Temple, perished in combat. While initially an idealist, the violence of the war left Frank disillusioned, and the America… Continue reading Movie Review: Key Largo

Comic Book Review: An Inspector Calls: The Graphic Novel

Comic Book Review: An Inspector Calls: The Graphic Novel script by J.B. Priestley, adaptation by Jason Cobley, linework by Will Volley It is spring, 1912 in the English town of Brumley. Wealthy manufacturer Arthur Birling and his wife Sybil are having a small dinner party to celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald… Continue reading Comic Book Review: An Inspector Calls: The Graphic Novel