Movie Review: The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) directed by Charles Brabin Once again, representatives of the British Museum, led by Sir Lionel Barton (Lawrence Grant), plan to rob a tomb and steal another country’s treasures. Now ordinarily that would make them seem like bad guys. But as Nayland Smith (Lewis Stone) explains, in London, shorn… Continue reading Movie Review: The Mask of Fu Manchu
Tag: nobles
Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories
Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories edited by Philip Van Doren Stern In his introduction, the editor talks about the thrill of adventure stories, how often they are churned out as cheap entertainment, and that he has selected twelve really good ones for the reader. This 1945 book was designed to be easily… Continue reading Book Review: The Pocket Book of Adventure Stories
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: The Castle of Fu Manchu
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
Magazine Review: Fantastic August 1969
Magazine Review: Fantastic August 1969 edited by Sol Cohen The opening editorial is by Ted White, the new managing editor. He talks about the decline in “fiction magazines” (the Saturday Evening Post had recently ceased publication for the first time) and is sad, but points out that times are always changing. He also mentions his… Continue reading Magazine Review: Fantastic August 1969
Movie Review: Braveheart
Movie Review: Braveheart (1995) directed by Mel Gibson It is late 13th Century Scotland, and the land is without a king. King Edward I of England (Patrick McGoohan), known as “Longshanks”, claims ownership and has sent his armies to occupy the land. After a peace negotiation with Scots lords ends in a war crime by Longshanks,… Continue reading Movie Review: Braveheart
Manga Review: The Promised Neverland
Manga Review: The Promised Neverland story by Shirai Kaiu, art by Demizu Posuka Note: While I will be speaking about the ending of the manga in only vague terms, spoiler-phobic people should be aware I will be speaking about the ending. Life is good for Emma, Norman and Ray. True, they’re orphans, but Grace Field… Continue reading Manga Review: The Promised Neverland
Book Review: Swords Against Death
Book Review: Swords Against Death by Fritz Leiber Fafhrd is a tall barbarian from the Northern lands; the Grey Mouser is a relatively short and sneaky fellow who doesn’t know exactly where he was born, but has always lived in cities. They’re best friends, seeking treasure and adventure both in the fabled city of Lankhmar… Continue reading Book Review: Swords Against Death
Book Review: Broken Blade
Book Review: Broken Blade by Kelly McCullough A few years back, Aral had it pretty good. He was a Blade of Namara, the goddess of Justice, who meted out her punishment to the powerful wealthy and upper-class people who abused their position and oppressed those below them. He even had a cool moniker, Aral Kingslayer,… Continue reading Book Review: Broken Blade
Manga Review: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood Volume 02
Manga Review: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood Volume 02 by Hirohiko Araki Quick recap: In 19th Century England, orphan Dio Brando comes to live with the wealthy and noble Joestar family. In retrospective, they probably should have asked more questions about how he became an orphan. Dio planned to supplant the heir, Jonathan… Continue reading Manga Review: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 1: Phantom Blood Volume 02