TV Review: Seven Swordsmen

Master Shadowglow sets some high expectations.

TV Review: Seven Swordsmen aka “Seven Swords Descend from Mount Heaven” In 17th Century China, the Qing Dynasty now rules where once the Ming Dynasty did. Many Han resent their new Manchu overlords and pockets of rebellion are everywhere. To help quell the resistance, the Qing have banned the practice of martial arts by ordinary… Continue reading TV Review: Seven Swordsmen

Book Review: Pilgrims with Blades A01: Pressed into Service

Book Review: Pilgrims with Blades A01: Pressed Into Service by Douglas Van Dyke Jr. The city-state of Kashmer, in the realm of Dhea Loral, has a problem. One of its nobles has been captured by orcs, and the ransom asked is ludicrous. It’s actually cheaper to mobilize the military; while the army attacks from one… Continue reading Book Review: Pilgrims with Blades A01: Pressed into Service

Movie Review: Drunken Monkey (2003)

Movie Review: Drunken Monkey (2003) directed by Chia-Liang Liu Bill Man (Chia-Liang Liu) is the top rider for the Wa Biao delivery company. While on a job, he discovers that his brother Pao (Chen-Huan Chang) has been using their deliveries to facilitate opium smuggling. Pao feigns remorse, but promptly leads Bill into an ambush, as he’s… Continue reading Movie Review: Drunken Monkey (2003)

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?

Comic Book Review: Metropolis Grove

Comic Book Review: Metropolis Grove by Drew Brockington Sonia grew up in the city of Metropolis, famous for the superhero Superman. She’s a huge fan, and even saw him fly by once. Her family relocates to the sleepy suburb of Metropolis Grove on the first day of summer vacation. There she meets Alexis “call me… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Metropolis Grove

TV Review: Flash Gordon #TV1-A

Alien spy.

TV Review: Flash Gordon #TV1-A Digging through my pile of random DVDs, I have come across this set of three episodes of the 1950s German/American TV series of FLash Gordon starring Steve Holland. As previously mentioned, the three lead characters, Flash, Dale Arden, and Dr. Zarkov, were played by American actors while almost everyone else… Continue reading TV Review: Flash Gordon #TV1-A

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

Book Review: Among Others

Book Review: Among Others by Jo Walton It is 1979, and Morwenna Phelps is no longer blessed with a living twin. The same accident shattered her hip and leg so that she cannot run or dance, or even exist without pain. Her beloved grandfather had a stroke, and cannot care for her, and her mother… Continue reading Book Review: Among Others

Movie Review: The Ape Man (1943)

Dr. Brewster locking himself up for other people's safety.

Movie Review: The Ape Man (1943) directed by William Beaudine Jefferson Carter (Wallace Ford), wise-cracking reporter, is waiting at the docks for a ship to come in. A mysterious fellow (Ralph Littlefield) tips him off that one of the people waiting is Dr. George Randall (Henry Hall), who recently reported his research partner Dr. James Brewster… Continue reading Movie Review: The Ape Man (1943)