Manga Review: Shounen Jump Weekly 2025

Manga Review: Shounen Jump Weekly 2025 by various creators. I haven’t been reading Shounen Jump as much this year, busy with other things, but it is the thirteenth anniversary of my blog, so let’s take a look at what I’ve been covering the longest. One Piece is still running, though this looks to be maybe… Continue reading Manga Review: Shounen Jump Weekly 2025

Book Review: Dandelion Wine

Book Review: Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury The time: Summer, 1928. The place: Green Town, a large rural town in Illinois. Douglas Spaulding has just turned twelve years old, and this will be a summer to remember, the moments captured in time like dandelion wine. This 1957 novel is a collection of vignettes, some previously… Continue reading Book Review: Dandelion Wine

Movie Review: White Comanche

Johnny Moon regards his brother.

Movie Review: White Comanche (1967) directed by Gilbert Kay Johnny and Notah Moon (both William Shatner) are twin brothers, identical save for slightly different eye colors. Their father was white, and their mother of the Comanche nation. Early on, they were raised in both traditions, but their father died early, and when their mother died around… Continue reading Movie Review: White Comanche

Book Review: The X Bar X Boys on Big Bison Trail

Book Review: The X Bar X Boys on Big Bison Trail by James Cody Ferris Roy and Teddy Manley are seventeen and sixteen years old, respectively. Though Roy is dark-haired and serious while Teddy is blond and jovial, they otherwise bear a strong family resemblance. They live and work on their father Bradford Manley’s ranch,… Continue reading Book Review: The X Bar X Boys on Big Bison Trail

Manga Review: Popcorn Romance

That's Zenta on the cover.

Manga Review: Popcorn Romance by Tomoko Taniguchi Ryouta and Zenta Yamazaki were orphaned a few years ago, but have stayed in Tokyo to finish high school and pursue their dream of being professional musicians. However Zenta, always a frail lad, is dying in the big city. He needs fresh air and honest work, so the… Continue reading Manga Review: Popcorn Romance

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case

Philo and Doris compare notes.

Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case (1935) directed by Edwin L. Marin We begin our story with urbane amateur detective Philo Vance (Paul Lukas) fencing with his manservant Currie (Eric Blore). This is part of Vance’s recent exercise kick, and Currie has been dragged into it as well. More relevantly to the plot, an anonymous letter… Continue reading Movie Review: The Casino Murder Case

Movie Review: Lord of War

Yuri contemplates the source of his wealth.

Movie Review: Lord of War (2005) directed by Andrew Niccol Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) is not the protagonist’s real name. He is a Ukranian immigrant (as a child) who grew up in a rough neighborhood infested with gangsters. On day he witnessed a mob hit, and came to the realization that he could make steady money… Continue reading Movie Review: Lord of War

Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine January/February 2024

Cover art by Tom Roberts

Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine January/February 2024 edited by Janet Hutchings Despite the cover date, this issue of the venerable mystery story magazine hit newsstands in December 2023, so is the Christmas issue as well as the Sherlock Holmes tribute. I bought this issue and promptly had it buried under a to read pile,… Continue reading Magazine Review: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine January/February 2024

Manga Review: Space Battleship Yamato the Classic Collection

Manga Review: Space Battleship Yamato the Classic Collection by Leiji Matsumoto It is the year 2199, and the Earth is dying. For a change, it’s not directly the fault of the Earthling humans. Invaders from the planet Gamilas have been bombarding Earth with radioactive bombs, poisoning the atmosphere. A message from a far off world,… Continue reading Manga Review: Space Battleship Yamato the Classic Collection

Book Review: Head of a Traveler

Book Review: Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake (pen name of Cecil Day-Lewis) Nigel Strangeways, a writer and literary scholar when he isn’t being distracted by his private investigation work, is thrilled to have a chance to meet Robert Seaton, one of Britain’s greatest living poets. Plash Meadow, Seaton’s house, is in Oxfordshire near… Continue reading Book Review: Head of a Traveler