Anime Review: So I’m a Spider, So What?

Our protagonist survives yet another near-death experience.

Anime Review: So I’m a Spider, So What? Getting reincarnated in another world after an accident or explosion is getting rather commonplace these days. But when a spider hatches out with the memories of a Japanese high school student, and her fellow hatchlings try to eat her, this seems like a bit of an imposition.… Continue reading Anime Review: So I’m a Spider, So What?

Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021

Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021 edited by Linda Landrigan In 1956, HSD Publications wanted to create a new mystery story magazine. To boost sales, they licensed the name of Alfred Hitchcock, a famous director who was then the host of a popular television show. While Mr. Hitchcock otherwise had nothing to do… Continue reading Magazine Review: Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine May/June 2021

Anime Review: Demon Slayer

In the heat of battle, Tanjiro digs deep for more true potential.

Anime Review: Demon Slayer For hundreds of years, oni (“demons” or “ogres”) have infested Japan. These monsters roam at night, finding human victims to kill and eat, usually in that order. Opposing them are the order of Demon Slayers, armed with special swords that are one of the two known ways to kill a demon.… Continue reading Anime Review: Demon Slayer

Movie Review: Volcano High

Our hero introduces himself to a very noisy class.

Volcano High (2001) dir. Tae-gyun Kim Kim Keyong-Su (Jang Hyuk) has been expelled from nine schools for trouble-making. It’s not so much that he goes looking for trouble, as that he’s always targeted by jerks who want to pick on him, and he winds up using his superhuman powers in response. Kim got them in an… Continue reading Movie Review: Volcano High

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 36 & 37

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 36 & 37 by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: Rinne Rokudo is a human-shinigami (death spirit) crossbreed who works as a psychopomp, delivering lost spirits to the afterlife. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Rinne is very poor and never seems to get ahead. Rinne’s closest allies are his black cat familiar Rokumon, and… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 36 & 37

TV Review: DC Super Hero Girls (2019)

When fighting a dragon, it's time for new variant costumes!

TV Review: DC Super Hero Girls (2019) Barbara Gordon’s father, James W. Gordon, has decided that Gotham City is far too dangerous a place to raise a teenage girl. (And honestly, have you seen it?) So he’s resigned his position as Gotham City’s police commissioner and moved to Metropolis. Barbara is already missing her best… Continue reading TV Review: DC Super Hero Girls (2019)

Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953)

The Martian Flying Machines

Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953) directed by Byron Haskin It is the mid-Twentieth Century, and what appears to be a meteor lands near a small town in rural California. Among the people that come to see the object is Dr. Clayton Forrester (Gene Barry), a physicist from the Pacific Institute who’d been fishing… Continue reading Movie Review: The War of the Worlds (1953)

Movie Review: Absolution (1978)

Father Goddard tries to instill the fear of God into a student.

Movie Review: Absolution (1978) directed by Anthony Page Father Goddard (Richard Burton) teaches Latin and Doctrine at St. Anthony’s, a Catholic boarding school for boys. A joyless man, Father Goddard is also a form master who oversees the dormitory for one group of the students. Two boys in his form are of special interest. Benjamin “Benjie”… Continue reading Movie Review: Absolution (1978)

Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell

Sana considers leaving her job.

Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell Sana Kurata is not your average sixth-grader. She lives in a mansion with her prize-winning author adoptive mother, and is an accomplished child actress, regularly appearing on the show “Zenjiro’s Kodomo no Omocha.” Pretty glamorous stuff. But sixth grade is not going well because the boys are acting… Continue reading Anime Review: Kodocha Volume 6: Sana’s Bombshell

Manga Review: Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Volume 10

Manga Review: Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Volume 10 by Koji Kumeta When Nozomu Itoshiki, a man whose very name can be misread as “despair”, attempts to hang himself from a tree, he’s saved/nearly killed by Kafuka Fuura, an insanely cheerful and optimistic schoolgirl. Since he’s still alive, Nozomu decided to show up at his new job the… Continue reading Manga Review: Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Volume 10