Movie Review: The Over-The-Hill Gang

The gang arrives in town.

Movie Review: The Over-the-Hill Gang (1969) directed by Jean Yarbrough Captain Oren Hayes (Pat O’Brien), (very) late of the Texas Rangers, is visiting his daughter Hannah Rose (Kristin Harmon) and son-in-law Jefferson Rose (Ricky Nelson) in Boulder, Nevada. Jeff, a newspaper publisher, is running for mayor on a reform platform. Current mayor Nard Lundy (Edward Andrews)… Continue reading Movie Review: The Over-The-Hill Gang

Anime Review: BNA (Brand New Animal)

Michiru is not a believer in the power of prayer.

Anime Review: BNA )Brand New Animal Beastmen are an alternate evolutionary branch that have existed alongside homo sapiens since prehistory. They look exactly like humans in their primary form, but can morph into an anthropomorphic “beastman” form that gives them abilities of the animal they’re tied to. Relations between humans and beastmen have sometimes been… Continue reading Anime Review: BNA (Brand New Animal)

Anime Review: Beastars

Haru and Legoshi don't seem to be a likely couple.

Anime Review: Beastars Legoshi is tall for his age, even for a gray wolf. He’s got a wiry strength that he attempts to hide behind a timid personality, and although he belongs to the drama club, he’s happy behind the scenes on the art crew. (Legoshi’s specialty is lighting.) But the other students at Cherryton… Continue reading Anime Review: Beastars

Movie Review: Jaws 2

Chief Brody contemplates the sea and its creatures.

Movie Review: Jaws 2 (1978) directed by Jeannot Szwarc It has been four years since the island community of Amity suffered a series of attacks by a great white shark. Most of the people have recovered, and things are looking up, with a new Holiday Inn ™ opening, and Len Peterson’s (Joseph Mascolo) real estate business… Continue reading Movie Review: Jaws 2

Movie Review: Zootopia

A city where dreams come true!

Movie Review: Zootopia (2016) directed by Byron Howard Once upon a time, the mammals of the world ran solely on instinct. Predators ate prey, and that was the way things were. But over time, evolution happened and now you no longer have to be defined by your species. Mammals live in peace with each other, and… Continue reading Movie Review: Zootopia

Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Harry shows off his large weapon.

Movie Review: Dirty Harry (1971) directed by Don Siegel Detective Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) of the San Francisco Police Department is not a nice man. He hates everyone equally (or at least that’s what his coworkers say) and has trouble phrasing things politely. In an establishing moment early in the film, Callahan defuses a potential… Continue reading Movie Review: Dirty Harry

Book Review: Dirty Doc Ames and the Scandal That Shook Minneapolis

Book Review: Dirty Doc Ames and the Scandal That Shook Minneapolis by Erik Rivenes City government corruption is a recurring problem in American politics. Some cities are notorious for their local corruption levels, while others have it come and go. Minnesota cities are no exception, though it has seldom reached the level of Mayor Albert… Continue reading Book Review: Dirty Doc Ames and the Scandal That Shook Minneapolis

Book Review: The Best of R.A. Lafferty

Book Review: The Best of R.A. Lafferty by R.A. Lafferty Raphael Aloysius Lafferty (1914-2002) was one of those “American originals” you hear about every so often. His writing takes some form from the American tall tale, some from Native American yarn spinning, and mixes it into a style all his own. This anthology collects 22… Continue reading Book Review: The Best of R.A. Lafferty

Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom

Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom by Sandra Brannan Disclaimer:  I received a download of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway to facilitate writing this review.  No other compensation was offered or requested. Following the events of the previous book, In the Belly of Jonah, mine operator Liv Bergen is mostly healed up, but taking the last… Continue reading Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom

Comic Book Review: The Superman Chronicles Volume One

Comic Book Review: The Superman Chronicles Volume One by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster While there were several precursors to Superman, he’s generally agreed to be the first full-fledged comic book superhero.  Superhuman abilities, a distinctive costume, and a dual identity, he had them all.   When Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, the… Continue reading Comic Book Review: The Superman Chronicles Volume One