Joseph Baneth Allen's Blog, page 77
October 6, 2022
Belle
Just finished watching "Belle" released by Studio Chizu.
One of the key aspects of Japanese anime is that the characters don't beak out into musical numbers to express their feelings and longings.
While "Belle is not a musical in the traditional sense, the use of music and how it impacts the life of Suzu, a young high school student who is struggling with her life and relationships with her father and friends after the tragic death of her mother years ago. Suzu has feelings of abandonment, guilt, and loss after witnessing her mother sacrifice her life in an attempt to save a child. With the exception of her one friend Hiro, a computer wizard, Suzu has withdrawn from participating in school life and the world in general - even becoming physically sick when she innocently dabbles in her favorite activity - singing.
With Hiro's urging, Suzu reluctantly joins the virtual realty world of "U" - where upon first entering, the virtual realty scans you and creates an avatar based on you. Suzu is startled to find that her avatar is a beautiful freckled princess called Belle, and Suzu is once again able to find her voice and is able to sing joyously again without feeling guilt in this imaginary world. Yet this virtual reality paradise has a dark secret, a beast who has never been beaten in the gladiatorial combats popular in "U" - while the Beast has lost three matches due to default, disappearing for unknown reasons.
When their paths cross during one of her concerts, Belle becomes intrigued by the Beast and seeks him out, slowly learning the truth behind his facade and the real world horrors behind his virtual scars.
Soon Belle discovers the horrible truth. The Beast is actually a teenage boy who is being brutalized by his widowed father. But the Beast doesn't fully trust Suzu who is desperate to rescue him. To prove to the Beast that she is sincere, Suzu must do the one thing never done in "U" unless a criminal action has occurred - she must reveal her true identity to the world in an attempt to prove her true intentions to the Beast and rescue him. And in order to succeed in her quest, Suzu must reach out beyond her sorrow and fear and accept the help her family and friends is offering her in order to help the young boy who is the Beast.
The traditional hand drawn animation by Studio Chizu is stunning and brilliant and the visualization of "U" is spot on of how a virtual universe may look like.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/BELLE-Blu-ray-...
One of the key aspects of Japanese anime is that the characters don't beak out into musical numbers to express their feelings and longings.
While "Belle is not a musical in the traditional sense, the use of music and how it impacts the life of Suzu, a young high school student who is struggling with her life and relationships with her father and friends after the tragic death of her mother years ago. Suzu has feelings of abandonment, guilt, and loss after witnessing her mother sacrifice her life in an attempt to save a child. With the exception of her one friend Hiro, a computer wizard, Suzu has withdrawn from participating in school life and the world in general - even becoming physically sick when she innocently dabbles in her favorite activity - singing.
With Hiro's urging, Suzu reluctantly joins the virtual realty world of "U" - where upon first entering, the virtual realty scans you and creates an avatar based on you. Suzu is startled to find that her avatar is a beautiful freckled princess called Belle, and Suzu is once again able to find her voice and is able to sing joyously again without feeling guilt in this imaginary world. Yet this virtual reality paradise has a dark secret, a beast who has never been beaten in the gladiatorial combats popular in "U" - while the Beast has lost three matches due to default, disappearing for unknown reasons.
When their paths cross during one of her concerts, Belle becomes intrigued by the Beast and seeks him out, slowly learning the truth behind his facade and the real world horrors behind his virtual scars.
Soon Belle discovers the horrible truth. The Beast is actually a teenage boy who is being brutalized by his widowed father. But the Beast doesn't fully trust Suzu who is desperate to rescue him. To prove to the Beast that she is sincere, Suzu must do the one thing never done in "U" unless a criminal action has occurred - she must reveal her true identity to the world in an attempt to prove her true intentions to the Beast and rescue him. And in order to succeed in her quest, Suzu must reach out beyond her sorrow and fear and accept the help her family and friends is offering her in order to help the young boy who is the Beast.
The traditional hand drawn animation by Studio Chizu is stunning and brilliant and the visualization of "U" is spot on of how a virtual universe may look like.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://www.amazon.com/BELLE-Blu-ray-...
October 4, 2022
"That Was Now, This Is Then" by Michael Z. Williamson
Just finished reading "That Was Now, This Is Then" by Michael Z. Williamson, released by Baen Books.
A sequel to "A Long Time Until Now," picks up on the life of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Sean Elliot and his team as they are adjusting to civilian life when they are contacted again by the Army again and asked to go on a retrieval mission because Bykos - humans from an unknown time period in Humanity's future have noticed that there have been more people who have become lost among the folds of time. While the primary task of Lt. Elliot's team is to return Shug, Stalker of Hare, to his own time and people, two scientists also join the group in an attempt to find out more about the Bykos because there is some interesting inconsistencies in their claims. The future doesn't seem to be as bright and shiny as it first appeared to be and time travel now seems to be a popular side interest of citizens of the future. And there is another mission scheduled for Lt. Elliot's team that might provide more hints to the future, which seems to be much closer than originally realized.
Intriguing. A great military time travel story.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/That-Was-Now-T...
A sequel to "A Long Time Until Now," picks up on the life of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Sean Elliot and his team as they are adjusting to civilian life when they are contacted again by the Army again and asked to go on a retrieval mission because Bykos - humans from an unknown time period in Humanity's future have noticed that there have been more people who have become lost among the folds of time. While the primary task of Lt. Elliot's team is to return Shug, Stalker of Hare, to his own time and people, two scientists also join the group in an attempt to find out more about the Bykos because there is some interesting inconsistencies in their claims. The future doesn't seem to be as bright and shiny as it first appeared to be and time travel now seems to be a popular side interest of citizens of the future. And there is another mission scheduled for Lt. Elliot's team that might provide more hints to the future, which seems to be much closer than originally realized.
Intriguing. A great military time travel story.
Strongly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/That-Was-Now-T...
October 3, 2022
"Jim French Productions - Imagination Theatre"
Just finished listening to "Jim French Productions - Imagination Theatre" released by Radio Spirits.
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always give a heads up whenever I'm about to review a book, movie, music CD, and or audio drama that a friend of mine has had a hand in. While Larry Albert and I have never met in person, and only chatted a few times through IMs on Facebook Messenger, I am fortunate enough to consider him a friend I've met through social media since we share a mutual interest in audio dramas, an Larry Albert has superbly portrayed Dr. Watson in the original and audio drama adaptations of the late Jim French Productions "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
Now as frequent readers of my reviews also know, Radio Spirits doesn't like me because I have criticized how they package some of their collections and of a certain verbally abusive and loud late night phone call I received from a certain company executive at the time that didn't go well when I reported it after hanging up a little more than a minute into the call.
Once again, Radio Spirits fails to do justice to Jim French Productions by providing a booklet like it does in it's collection of classic Golden Age Radio collections, to provide a history. Now this may be due to whatever contractual obligations Radio Spirits has with Jim French Productions, or there may be other issues involved. I have noticed that Radio Spirits is no longer offering collections of "The Lone Ranger" and that might indicate that they lost the distribution rights. Disney might not have renewed the distribution contract since they own The Lone Ranger franchise lock, stock, and barrel. And yes, Disney did to The Lone Ranger what it's doing to the Star Wars franchise.
The first release in "Jim French Productions Imagination Theatre" series - the second collection was recently released, this is a smorgasbord of episodes of detective and mystery shows featuring "Raffles," "Harry Nile, "Kerides, The Thinker," Adventures of Dameron," "Anthony Rathe Chronicles," "Kincaid, The Strangerseeker," "Mr. Darnborough Investigates," and "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
While I believe this collection was released to test the waters to see if there would be any interest in other collections - Radio Spirits have just released a "Hillary Caine" collection.
My favorite episodes in this collection is: "Value of Details," "The Adventure of Vampire's Kiss," "The Girl With the Aquiline Nose," "Too Much Wine," "Felicia," "Costume Piece," "Blood Will Have Blood," and "Tell Me No Lies."
A great sampler of the various shows under the Jim French Productions banner.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://store.radiospirits.com/imagin...
Now as frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook, Goodreads, and other social media platforms know, I always give a heads up whenever I'm about to review a book, movie, music CD, and or audio drama that a friend of mine has had a hand in. While Larry Albert and I have never met in person, and only chatted a few times through IMs on Facebook Messenger, I am fortunate enough to consider him a friend I've met through social media since we share a mutual interest in audio dramas, an Larry Albert has superbly portrayed Dr. Watson in the original and audio drama adaptations of the late Jim French Productions "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
Now as frequent readers of my reviews also know, Radio Spirits doesn't like me because I have criticized how they package some of their collections and of a certain verbally abusive and loud late night phone call I received from a certain company executive at the time that didn't go well when I reported it after hanging up a little more than a minute into the call.
Once again, Radio Spirits fails to do justice to Jim French Productions by providing a booklet like it does in it's collection of classic Golden Age Radio collections, to provide a history. Now this may be due to whatever contractual obligations Radio Spirits has with Jim French Productions, or there may be other issues involved. I have noticed that Radio Spirits is no longer offering collections of "The Lone Ranger" and that might indicate that they lost the distribution rights. Disney might not have renewed the distribution contract since they own The Lone Ranger franchise lock, stock, and barrel. And yes, Disney did to The Lone Ranger what it's doing to the Star Wars franchise.
The first release in "Jim French Productions Imagination Theatre" series - the second collection was recently released, this is a smorgasbord of episodes of detective and mystery shows featuring "Raffles," "Harry Nile, "Kerides, The Thinker," Adventures of Dameron," "Anthony Rathe Chronicles," "Kincaid, The Strangerseeker," "Mr. Darnborough Investigates," and "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."
While I believe this collection was released to test the waters to see if there would be any interest in other collections - Radio Spirits have just released a "Hillary Caine" collection.
My favorite episodes in this collection is: "Value of Details," "The Adventure of Vampire's Kiss," "The Girl With the Aquiline Nose," "Too Much Wine," "Felicia," "Costume Piece," "Blood Will Have Blood," and "Tell Me No Lies."
A great sampler of the various shows under the Jim French Productions banner.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://store.radiospirits.com/imagin...
"Timetrap - Escape To The Future"
Just finished watching "Timetrap - Escape To The Future" released by Giant Interactive Studios.
I learned about "Timetrap - Escape To The Future" from a summary of the movie on Youtube, and I was intrigued by what I saw and heard that I decided to take a chance on it and order a physical copy of the DVD release from Amazon, and I'm glad that I did. [Yes, I'm not a fan of streaming services that are useless when the power goes out and/or they change their policies or "update" the movie.]
An independently produced and released science fiction movie, "Timetrap - Escape To The Future" is a traditional sci-fi B-movie in the great tradition of the 1950s-1960s. Desperate to find out the fate of his parents and cancer-stricken baby sister who went missing decades ago, an archaeology professor stumbles upon a clue to the the whereabouts of their intended destination and goes out searching for a hint of their fate alone. When he fails to return in a timely manner, his teaching assistants, a young woman and two children decide to go searching for him and stumble into the cave that the missing professor went into to. In a highly claustrophobic manner, it initially appears that someone is stalking them and after an initial death, it appears that there is a killer on the loose. But something else is going on. They soon discover to their horror that time moves differently in the cave and that thousands of years have passed and that they are not alone in the cave. Salvation may only come from a desperate chance to escape and their willingness to move forward, knowing that their time is forever lost to them.
Definitely worth the price of admission.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Trap-Andr...
I learned about "Timetrap - Escape To The Future" from a summary of the movie on Youtube, and I was intrigued by what I saw and heard that I decided to take a chance on it and order a physical copy of the DVD release from Amazon, and I'm glad that I did. [Yes, I'm not a fan of streaming services that are useless when the power goes out and/or they change their policies or "update" the movie.]
An independently produced and released science fiction movie, "Timetrap - Escape To The Future" is a traditional sci-fi B-movie in the great tradition of the 1950s-1960s. Desperate to find out the fate of his parents and cancer-stricken baby sister who went missing decades ago, an archaeology professor stumbles upon a clue to the the whereabouts of their intended destination and goes out searching for a hint of their fate alone. When he fails to return in a timely manner, his teaching assistants, a young woman and two children decide to go searching for him and stumble into the cave that the missing professor went into to. In a highly claustrophobic manner, it initially appears that someone is stalking them and after an initial death, it appears that there is a killer on the loose. But something else is going on. They soon discover to their horror that time moves differently in the cave and that thousands of years have passed and that they are not alone in the cave. Salvation may only come from a desperate chance to escape and their willingness to move forward, knowing that their time is forever lost to them.
Definitely worth the price of admission.
Highly Recommended!
Ten Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/Time-Trap-Andr...
Signal - The Movie Cold Case Investigation Unit
Just finished watching "Signal - The Movie Cold Case Investigation Unit" released by SHOUT! Studios.
A continuation of the highly popular same-named Japanese television series, "Signal," which in turn is based on the American movie "Frequency," Lt. Kento Saegusa is trying to connect the odd pieces of the assignation of a government minister when his non-working and out-dated police radio comes back to life, bringing him into contact once more with his friend and partner Sgt. Takeshi Oyama, who is eleven years in the past.
Based on the evidence both have, it seems that a long thought terrorist group that was eradicated had at least one survivor who is working with the government and police for motives unknown, and when Saegusa is set up to be the fall guy, he must go on the run and try to change not only the past, but his future as well.
And there is the on-going mystery of Oyama's fate. What happened to him? Saegusa is able to save him and the future does change, but has it? "Signal" suggests that time is fluid and can snap back into place if a course correction is needed to preserve the timeline.
I suspect that this movie is a wrap-up of the original television series - which became widely popular and gained a cult following in Japan for it's use of real-world crimes and events.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/SIGNAL-Movie-C...
A continuation of the highly popular same-named Japanese television series, "Signal," which in turn is based on the American movie "Frequency," Lt. Kento Saegusa is trying to connect the odd pieces of the assignation of a government minister when his non-working and out-dated police radio comes back to life, bringing him into contact once more with his friend and partner Sgt. Takeshi Oyama, who is eleven years in the past.
Based on the evidence both have, it seems that a long thought terrorist group that was eradicated had at least one survivor who is working with the government and police for motives unknown, and when Saegusa is set up to be the fall guy, he must go on the run and try to change not only the past, but his future as well.
And there is the on-going mystery of Oyama's fate. What happened to him? Saegusa is able to save him and the future does change, but has it? "Signal" suggests that time is fluid and can snap back into place if a course correction is needed to preserve the timeline.
I suspect that this movie is a wrap-up of the original television series - which became widely popular and gained a cult following in Japan for it's use of real-world crimes and events.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/SIGNAL-Movie-C...
The Incredible Shrinking Woman
Just finished watching "The Incredible Shrinking Woman," released by Universal Studios.
While not a direct sequel to "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "The Incredible Shrinking Woman," does pay loving homage to Richard Matheson's original novel and screenplay - especially with the slipping off of the wedding ring and it's significance to the story. There is also mirroring of the moment when Pat Kramer is presumed to have been killed in a tragic accident - also mirroring a moment in "The Incredible Shrinking Man." Likewise with the how Pat's shrinking is determined by a series of x-rays taken days apart from each other and with the attempt at memoir writing.
While comedian Lily Tomlin does take on multiple roles in this science-fiction comedy, her main role is that of Pat Kramer, an ordinary housewife who due to a series of weird coincidences due to a series of accidents with household cleaning products, food samples, and perfume, finds her shrinking with her and her family helpless in the midst of the chaos and unwelcomed media attention.
Oh yes, and let's throw in a subplot about a giant commercial company wanting to rule the world by using Pat's blood to shrink everyone down to size so that they can rule over them.
"The Incredible Shrinking Woman" actually works as a science fiction comedy that warns against pop-media culture well before the advent of "Social Media" and ongoing blind obedience to brand name consumerism.
Oh yes, and Lily Tomlin does incorporate a cameo of her beloved telephone operator character. It's surprising how well this movie has aged, it'd not a classic, but it is fun.
Great fun.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Shr...
While not a direct sequel to "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "The Incredible Shrinking Woman," does pay loving homage to Richard Matheson's original novel and screenplay - especially with the slipping off of the wedding ring and it's significance to the story. There is also mirroring of the moment when Pat Kramer is presumed to have been killed in a tragic accident - also mirroring a moment in "The Incredible Shrinking Man." Likewise with the how Pat's shrinking is determined by a series of x-rays taken days apart from each other and with the attempt at memoir writing.
While comedian Lily Tomlin does take on multiple roles in this science-fiction comedy, her main role is that of Pat Kramer, an ordinary housewife who due to a series of weird coincidences due to a series of accidents with household cleaning products, food samples, and perfume, finds her shrinking with her and her family helpless in the midst of the chaos and unwelcomed media attention.
Oh yes, and let's throw in a subplot about a giant commercial company wanting to rule the world by using Pat's blood to shrink everyone down to size so that they can rule over them.
"The Incredible Shrinking Woman" actually works as a science fiction comedy that warns against pop-media culture well before the advent of "Social Media" and ongoing blind obedience to brand name consumerism.
Oh yes, and Lily Tomlin does incorporate a cameo of her beloved telephone operator character. It's surprising how well this movie has aged, it'd not a classic, but it is fun.
Great fun.
Highly Recommended.
Five Stars.
https://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Shr...
October 2, 2022
"Duffy's Tavern - Duffy Ain't Here"
Just finished listening to "Duffy's Tavern - Duffy Ain't Here" released by Radio Spirits.
"Duffy's Tavern" is often thought of as the precursor of the popular television show "Cheers." Created by Ed Gardner, who also gave voice to the likable doofus Duffy, who manages a bar and who always has some new get-rich-quick scheme he's ready to rope his staff and guests into.
One of the interesting things about "Duffy's Tavern" is that during that during it's last couple of seasons, it was produced in Puerto Rico, making it I think, the first popular radio show produced outside of the Continental United States. The move to Puerto Rico was done because Gardner filming a movie there. It was also one of the perks that show offered it's guest stars - a free week vacation in Puerto Rico. It helped cut down on the costs of the show, along with recycling old scripts from a decade before.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Archie Writes A Television Play," Detective Archie Tracks 'Whistling Sam' Roberts," "Archie Opens A Tea House," "Will Miss Duffy Marry?," and "Archie Finds A Shortage."
A great show from the Golden Age of Radio.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://store.radiospirits.com/duffys...
"Duffy's Tavern" is often thought of as the precursor of the popular television show "Cheers." Created by Ed Gardner, who also gave voice to the likable doofus Duffy, who manages a bar and who always has some new get-rich-quick scheme he's ready to rope his staff and guests into.
One of the interesting things about "Duffy's Tavern" is that during that during it's last couple of seasons, it was produced in Puerto Rico, making it I think, the first popular radio show produced outside of the Continental United States. The move to Puerto Rico was done because Gardner filming a movie there. It was also one of the perks that show offered it's guest stars - a free week vacation in Puerto Rico. It helped cut down on the costs of the show, along with recycling old scripts from a decade before.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "Archie Writes A Television Play," Detective Archie Tracks 'Whistling Sam' Roberts," "Archie Opens A Tea House," "Will Miss Duffy Marry?," and "Archie Finds A Shortage."
A great show from the Golden Age of Radio.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://store.radiospirits.com/duffys...
September 27, 2022
"Clark Kent's Brother"
Just finished reading "Superman Issue #175," first published by DC/National Comics back in February 1965.
I was a little over two years old when this comic book was first published. As eagle eye observers will undoubtedly notice, this comic is one in the series of DC's imaginary novels that served as the precursor to DC's Elseworlds comics which would go on to encompass the entire DC pantheon of heroes. During the Silver Age, DC's Imaginary Novels primarily focused on Superman. Now keep in mind that during the Silver Age, the Comics Code Authority ruled supreme when it came as to what could appear in the pages of any comic book that was published under the Code. Imaginary Novels also predated Marvel's "What If" comic line.
"Clark Kent's Brother" is an intriguing look at what might have been if Lex Luthor was able to change by the love of Jonathan and Martha Kent. The story opens with Superboy finishing building a cabin cruiser for Jonathan and Martha Kent to use to go on their planned Caribbean cruise, but Martha catches a cold, which changes the course of events that ultimately caused the passing of the Kents in the unaltered time line.
At this moment, a series of bizarre events begin happening around Smallville, and the Table Lamp Signal is glowing, indicating an urgent call from Police Chief Parker. [If Batman can have the Bat-Signal, Superboy can have the Table Lamp Signal.] Superboy arrives in time to save Chief Parker, but then more people are caught up in unusual traps that seem to disappear when Superboy arrives on the scene. It is during one of these incidents that causes Pete Ross to hate Superboy and to begin plotting against him. Superboy quickly figures out that Lex Luthor is behind these events and that it's a plot to figure out who he is so that Lex can achieve his ambition of killing Superboy.
In order to protect his parents, Clark pretends to run away from home and then Superboy promises to bring Clark back home. Heartbroken that they might never see Clark again, the Kents out of their loneliness adopt Lex after he gets a job at the Kent's store. The Kents treat Lex like their own beloved Clark and their love and kindness melts Lex's heart and he turns over a new leaf swearing never to hurt the Kents or Clark, who he knows is Superboy. And when Superboy misses his parents and returns home, he learns about Lex and readily accepts him as his brother. Lex vows to use his scientific talents to help Superboy and the two became great friends and brothers. Years later, the Kents and their sons move to Metropolis when Lex and Clark obtain their dream jobs after college. Yet all is not well. Somebody is using stolen Kryptonian technology in a series of attacks on Metropolis, one which causes Superman to accidentally injure Lois. He realizes he loves Lois and proposes to her and she accepts. Lana Lang who overhears the proposal, marries Pete Ross since she can't have Clark. But who is using stolen Kryptonian technology? It's Pete Ross! He wants to kill Superman and kidnaps Lois Kent as a way to draw Superman out to a Kryptonite trap. Now the only person who can save Superman and Lois is Lex, but to do so, he must use a dangerous invention.
This is an interesting twist on the Superman/Lex Luthor relationship. Usually Imaginary Stories from this era don't have a happy ending, and spoiler alert, Lex pays the ultimate price for saving Superman and Lois in this outing, yet it ends by highlighting the nobility of a Lex Luthor who was reformed by the love of his adopted parents and a brother who accepted him unconditionally.
Great Silver Age Fun!
Five Stars!
Note: Usually while I have reviewed graphic novels in the past, this is the first time I actually reviewed an issue of a comic book. I will begin adding individual comic books to the review rota.
I was a little over two years old when this comic book was first published. As eagle eye observers will undoubtedly notice, this comic is one in the series of DC's imaginary novels that served as the precursor to DC's Elseworlds comics which would go on to encompass the entire DC pantheon of heroes. During the Silver Age, DC's Imaginary Novels primarily focused on Superman. Now keep in mind that during the Silver Age, the Comics Code Authority ruled supreme when it came as to what could appear in the pages of any comic book that was published under the Code. Imaginary Novels also predated Marvel's "What If" comic line.
"Clark Kent's Brother" is an intriguing look at what might have been if Lex Luthor was able to change by the love of Jonathan and Martha Kent. The story opens with Superboy finishing building a cabin cruiser for Jonathan and Martha Kent to use to go on their planned Caribbean cruise, but Martha catches a cold, which changes the course of events that ultimately caused the passing of the Kents in the unaltered time line.
At this moment, a series of bizarre events begin happening around Smallville, and the Table Lamp Signal is glowing, indicating an urgent call from Police Chief Parker. [If Batman can have the Bat-Signal, Superboy can have the Table Lamp Signal.] Superboy arrives in time to save Chief Parker, but then more people are caught up in unusual traps that seem to disappear when Superboy arrives on the scene. It is during one of these incidents that causes Pete Ross to hate Superboy and to begin plotting against him. Superboy quickly figures out that Lex Luthor is behind these events and that it's a plot to figure out who he is so that Lex can achieve his ambition of killing Superboy.
In order to protect his parents, Clark pretends to run away from home and then Superboy promises to bring Clark back home. Heartbroken that they might never see Clark again, the Kents out of their loneliness adopt Lex after he gets a job at the Kent's store. The Kents treat Lex like their own beloved Clark and their love and kindness melts Lex's heart and he turns over a new leaf swearing never to hurt the Kents or Clark, who he knows is Superboy. And when Superboy misses his parents and returns home, he learns about Lex and readily accepts him as his brother. Lex vows to use his scientific talents to help Superboy and the two became great friends and brothers. Years later, the Kents and their sons move to Metropolis when Lex and Clark obtain their dream jobs after college. Yet all is not well. Somebody is using stolen Kryptonian technology in a series of attacks on Metropolis, one which causes Superman to accidentally injure Lois. He realizes he loves Lois and proposes to her and she accepts. Lana Lang who overhears the proposal, marries Pete Ross since she can't have Clark. But who is using stolen Kryptonian technology? It's Pete Ross! He wants to kill Superman and kidnaps Lois Kent as a way to draw Superman out to a Kryptonite trap. Now the only person who can save Superman and Lois is Lex, but to do so, he must use a dangerous invention.
This is an interesting twist on the Superman/Lex Luthor relationship. Usually Imaginary Stories from this era don't have a happy ending, and spoiler alert, Lex pays the ultimate price for saving Superman and Lois in this outing, yet it ends by highlighting the nobility of a Lex Luthor who was reformed by the love of his adopted parents and a brother who accepted him unconditionally.
Great Silver Age Fun!
Five Stars!
Note: Usually while I have reviewed graphic novels in the past, this is the first time I actually reviewed an issue of a comic book. I will begin adding individual comic books to the review rota.
Dr. Christian
Just finished listening to "Dr. Christian" released by Radio Archives.
This collection from Radio Archives releases the first twelve episodes from the long running radio series and movies centered around Dr. Christian who was portrayed in both entertainment mediums by actor Jean Hersholt, who best remembered for this role that he created and embodied with a unique and endearing life.
Now in the interest of full disclosure, I have written liner notes for Radio Archives for some of it's collections and I am friends here on Facebook with actor Nick Santa Maria who has brought all The Spider novels released by Radio Archives to vivid life.
While the later years of "Dr. Christian" are best remembered for the episodes that were actually written by avid listeners of the series, these first twelve episodes best capture the heart and feel of the Dr. Christian movies that were laced with strong moral lessons, showing that kindness, love, and wisdom will always prevail, without being too heavy handed. Remember societal morals were very different in the 1930s-1950s and the Social Revolution only began in the 1960s.
Dr. Christian is the epitome of the kindly and wise country doctor, whose sidekick is his nurse Judy Price, who is portrayed as confident and just as capable as Dr. Christian, without ever taking a back seat to him. The two are a team that work best together and independently of each other - not quite the usual dynamic between a man and woman at this time, but it happened because there never was a romantic relationship between the two due to their ages - which was a bit unusual for sitcoms of the era.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Kidnapped Husband," "Danny Barnes," "Hit and Run," "Susan and the Opera Singer," "Doris Flemming," and Steve and Charlotte Dixon."
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.radioarchives.com/Dr_Chri...
This collection from Radio Archives releases the first twelve episodes from the long running radio series and movies centered around Dr. Christian who was portrayed in both entertainment mediums by actor Jean Hersholt, who best remembered for this role that he created and embodied with a unique and endearing life.
Now in the interest of full disclosure, I have written liner notes for Radio Archives for some of it's collections and I am friends here on Facebook with actor Nick Santa Maria who has brought all The Spider novels released by Radio Archives to vivid life.
While the later years of "Dr. Christian" are best remembered for the episodes that were actually written by avid listeners of the series, these first twelve episodes best capture the heart and feel of the Dr. Christian movies that were laced with strong moral lessons, showing that kindness, love, and wisdom will always prevail, without being too heavy handed. Remember societal morals were very different in the 1930s-1950s and the Social Revolution only began in the 1960s.
Dr. Christian is the epitome of the kindly and wise country doctor, whose sidekick is his nurse Judy Price, who is portrayed as confident and just as capable as Dr. Christian, without ever taking a back seat to him. The two are a team that work best together and independently of each other - not quite the usual dynamic between a man and woman at this time, but it happened because there never was a romantic relationship between the two due to their ages - which was a bit unusual for sitcoms of the era.
My favorite episodes in this collection are: "The Kidnapped Husband," "Danny Barnes," "Hit and Run," "Susan and the Opera Singer," "Doris Flemming," and Steve and Charlotte Dixon."
Strongly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.radioarchives.com/Dr_Chri...
September 26, 2022
Minions - The Rise Of Gru
Just finished watching "Minions - The Rise Of Gru" released by Universal Pictures.
After the infamous super-villain group the Vicious 6 betray and dispose of their long term leader during a daring heist, a 12-year-old Gru is granted his long dreamed of fan-boy opportunity to apply for the now vacant position in the super criminal group - Gru's invitation comes in a form of an 8-track tape that self destructs - and yes, Minion Zack, I still have an 8-track tape player and some 8-track tapes - note to self, update my will. When the Vicious 6 reject Gru and makes fun of him, Gru seizes the opportunity to steal an ancient medallion from their headquarters only to find himself on the run for two interested parties who want the medallion for their own purposes.
"Minions - The Rise of Gru" is lighthearted fun that provides even more additional insight to young Gru's development as a despicable super criminal.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
After the infamous super-villain group the Vicious 6 betray and dispose of their long term leader during a daring heist, a 12-year-old Gru is granted his long dreamed of fan-boy opportunity to apply for the now vacant position in the super criminal group - Gru's invitation comes in a form of an 8-track tape that self destructs - and yes, Minion Zack, I still have an 8-track tape player and some 8-track tapes - note to self, update my will. When the Vicious 6 reject Gru and makes fun of him, Gru seizes the opportunity to steal an ancient medallion from their headquarters only to find himself on the run for two interested parties who want the medallion for their own purposes.
"Minions - The Rise of Gru" is lighthearted fun that provides even more additional insight to young Gru's development as a despicable super criminal.
Highly Recommended!
Five Stars!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
