Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 1

Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 1 by Kazuo Umezz Despite her rather ominous name, Orochi doesn’t stand out in a crowd. She appears to be a moderately attractive woman in her early twenties. If you saw her on the street, you might not notice her at all. But Orochi isn’t quite human, and has… Continue reading Manga Review: Orochi: The Perfect Edition 1

TV Review: The Avengers ’68 Set 5

King and Steed examine his family tree.

TV Review: The Avengers ’68 Set 5 In 1961, a new show hit the airwaves in Britain, The Avengers. The main character was Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) whose wife had been murdered. He’s recruited by spy John Steed (Patrick McNee) to be an expert consultant in exchange for help avenging his spouse. After the… Continue reading TV Review: The Avengers ’68 Set 5

Book Review: Flash Evans Camera News Hawk

Book Review: Flash Evans Camera News Hawk by Frank Bell Seventeen-year-old Jimmy “Flash” Evans is an ace photographer for the Brandale Ledger, his home town’s only daily newspaper. His new steady income has been a blessing to his family since his father died during the Depression. In fact, the Ledger’s management has been so impressed… Continue reading Book Review: Flash Evans Camera News Hawk

Movie Review: The Castle of Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu and Lin Tang arrive at their new base.

Movie Review: The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969) directed by Jesus Franco Fu Manchu (Christopher Lee) has once again resurfaced. This time he has a plan to extort the nations of the world by freezing the oceans. He demonstrates proof of concept by creating an iceberg in the Caribbean and sinking a ship. Which works, but… Continue reading Movie Review: The Castle of Fu Manchu

Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack gives being jolly a shot.

Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) directed by Henry Selick Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King, the genius auteur who leads Halloween Town each year in creating the holiday. But it’s the same holiday every year, and he’s bored. This year, after his own duties are done, Jack wanders far afield and discovers the doors… Continue reading Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Book Review: Rio Bravo

Book Review: Rio Bravo by Leigh Brackett Rio Bravo is a small town near the river of the same name in southern Texas by the Mexican border. Ordinarily Sheriff John T. Chance is able to handle the local rowdies with the help of deputy Stumpy, who doesn’t walk well since a bullet smashed his leg.… Continue reading Book Review: Rio Bravo

Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79

Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79 by Gosho Aoyama Recap: Conan Edogawa is actually Shinichi Kudou (Jimmy Kudo in the U.S. version), a genius teen detective who was poisoned by the Black Organization and now has the body of a pre-teen. This makes it more difficult for him to get listened to, but he keeps… Continue reading Manga Review: Case Closed, Volumes 77-79

Movie Review: Drive Angry

John Milton has seen better days.

Movie Review: Drive Angry (2011) directed by Patrick Lussier John Milton (Nicolas Cage) was a bad person who committed many crimes. It’s no surprise he ended locked up for many years. During those years, his daughter grew up, joined a cult, left the cult, got married, had a child, and then was murdered by the cult… Continue reading Movie Review: Drive Angry

Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine September/October 2021

Cover by Brian Stauffer

Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine September/October 2021 edited by Janet Hutchings “The years keep coming and they just keep coming.” It seems like just a few months ago I reviewed a 75th anniversary issue of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, but in fact it was five years ago, and here’s the 80th anniversary issue. It’s… Continue reading Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine September/October 2021

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)