Merry and Bright - A 2023 Christmas Card

 

Merry Christmas, one and all. Here's hoping the year ends merry and bright for you!

This card was drawn with a Brush Pen and colored in Adobe Photoshop.

Movie Review - A Haunting in Venice

I've enjoyed the previous two Hercule Poroit films, but thought they could be better. They were just a little too bland and played out exactly as I expected. I wasn't going to see this film in theaters, but reviews on YouTube made it sound like they put a little something extra in it, so I decided to give it a shot.

A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 horror mystery film based on the Agatha Christie book Hallowe'en Party. It is rated PG-13 for scary imagery and is appropriate for teens and up.

Analysis

Horror. This film is a horror film, and the kind of horror film I really like. It was spooky, mysterious, and not at all gory.

Mystery. This film is also a mystery, but the mystery doesn't take over until halfway thru the film which helps to keep the film engaging and entertaining. The solution to the mystery is not obvious like the other two films.

Characters. The characters were all very interesting and well developed. The actors and actresses all did a great job playing their various roles. I found myself caring about what happened to them.

Overall

A Haunting in Venice is a 2023 horror mystery film based on the Agatha Christie book Hallowe'en Party. It's half horror movie and half mystery which helps keep the film engaging and interesting. This is the kind of horror film I really like--it was spooky, mysterious, and not at all gory. The mystery doesn't take over until halfway thru the film which helps to keep the film engaging and entertaining. The solution to the mystery is not obvious like the other two films. The characters were all very interesting and well developed. The actors and actresses all did a great job playing their various roles; I found myself caring about what happened to them. Overall this was a very enjoyable movie, and I'm glad I saw it. I recommend this film and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

   

Movie Review - Hunted Mansion (2023)

I'm a big fan of the Hunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. I always thought a good movie based on that would be really cool. I never thought we'd see the "good" part, though.

Haunted Mansion is a 2023 spooky comedy film based on the Disneyland attraction. It is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for teens and up.

Analysis

Story. The story is a pretty typical spooky tale and plays out about how you expect it to. It's not bad, but nothing special. The opening has two false starts that were completely necessary and boring. The filmmakers should have started with scene 3. It would have been much stronger. 

Spooky. This film was pretty spooky and even had a few genuine scary moments that probably pushed it as far as you can for a family film.

Comedy. The movie was so funny and so clever. I laughed several times from start to finish.

Pacing. The pacing was decent but did drag in a few spots.

Overall

Haunted Mansion is a 2023 spooky comedy film based on the DisneyLand attraction. The story is a pretty typical spooky tale and plays out about how you expect it to. It's not bad, but nothing special. The opening has two false starts that were completely necessary and boring. The filmmakers should have started with scene 3. It would have been much stronger. This film was pretty spooky and even had a few genuine scary moments that probably pushed it as far as you can for a family film. The movie was so funny and so clever. I laughed several times from start to finish. The pacing was decent but did drag in a few spots. Overall this was a very enjoyable movie, and I'm glad I saw it. I recommend this film and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

   

Movie Review - Sound of Freedom

I wasn't sure if I could sit thru Sound of Freedom. The subject matter seemed pretty heavy and hard to watch. But after reading and watching so many positive reviews I decided to try it, and am I glad I did.

Sound of Freedom is a 2023 drama film based on a true story. It is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for teens and up.

Analysis

The story behind the movie is excellent, but the filmmakers didn't rest on their laurels. Every other aspect of this film was top notch. You could use this film as a semester in film school about how to make a movie.

Story. The story was solid. Everything was well explained and laid out, but nothing was over explained. One scene led to the next leaving me at the edge of my seat. The message was clearly and movingly presented.

Cinematography. This film was beautifully shot. Each and every frame was carefully thought out and designed.

Set & Costume Design. Just as much care was put into the set and costume design transporting you to the various locations and defining the various characters in the film without them needing to say a word.

Acting. Everyone brought their A game to this film. You believed you were watching a documentary being filmed and not a scripted show. What impressed me was how much of the film was silent. So much was conveyed thru facial expressions and actions.

Pacing. The film had a very deliberate pace that was just right. It delivered several powerful emotional punches but never felt slow or dragging.

Overall

I wasn't sure if I could sit thru Sound of Freedom. The subject matter seemed pretty heavy and hard to watch. But after reading and watching so many positive reviews I decided to try it, and am I glad I did. The story behind the movie is excellent, but the filmmakers didn't rest on their laurels. Every other aspect of this film was top notch. You could use this film as a semester in film school about how to make a movie. The story was solid. Everything was well explained and laid out, but nothing was over explained. One scene led to the next leaving me at the edge of my seat. The message was clearly and movingly presented. This film was beautifully shot. Each and every frame was carefully thought out and designed. Just as much care was put into the set and costume design transporting you to the various locations and defining the various characters in the film without them needing to say a word. Everyone brought their A game to this film. You believed you were watching a documentary being filmed and not a scripted show. What impressed me was how much of the film was silent. So much was conveyed thru facial expressions and actions. The film had a very deliberate pace that was just right. It delivered several powerful emotional punches but never felt slow or dragging. I highly recommend this film and give it 5 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

   

Movie Review - The Flash (2023 film)

I was really excited for a live-action Justice League movie on the big screen. I'd been hoping for one since I saw Superman II with Christopher Reeves in theaters. What we got a few years ago was hugely disappointing. So I almost didn't go see The Flash, but I'm glad I did.

The Flash is a 2023 science fiction, superhero, action movie. It is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for tweens and up.

Analysis

Story. The film is based on the Flashpoint mini-series in the comics, but takes it to a very different place. The filmmakers do a great job developing the Flash's character and setting up the stakes so the ending and choices people make feel impactful.

Action. There is a lot of great and fun action. The first 10 minutes of the film is the Justice League saving the city. THIS is the Justice League movie I've been wanting to see. And while the final battle was over the top, there were a lot of cool moments that looked like they were plucked straight out of a comic book.

Fan Service. This film is filled with gratuitous fan service from Michael Keaton returning as Batman to 3D cameos from George Reeves Superman and Christoper Reeves Superman to many, many more. It was fun to see them again on the big screen even though none of them were necessary.

Pacing. Unlike Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse, Super Mario Bros., and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, (three huge disappointments) I never got bored or looked at my watch once. I was completely engaged from start to finish.

Overall

After waiting decades to see the Justice League on the big screen, the Justice League movie we got a few years ago was hugely disappointing. So I almost didn't go see The Flash, but I'm glad I did. Unlike Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse, Super Mario Bros., and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, (three huge disappointments) I never got bored or looked at my watch once. I was completely engaged from start to finish. The film is based on the Flashpoint mini-series in the comics, but takes it to a very different place. The filmmakers do a great job developing the Flash's character and setting up the stakes so the ending and choices people make feel impactful. There is a lot of great and fun action. The first 10 minutes of the film is the Justice League saving the city. THIS is the Justice League movie I've been wanting to see. And while the final battle was over the top, there were a lot of cool moments that looked like they were plucked straight out of a comic book. This film is filled with gratuitous fan service from Michael Keaton returning as Batman to 3D cameos from George Reeves Superman and Christoper Reeves Superman to many, many more. It was fun to see them again on the big screen even though none of them were necessary. I highly recommend this movie and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

   

Animation Review: Max Fleischer's Superman 1941-1943 Blu-ray

I've been a huge fan of Max Fleischer's Superman cartoons since I received a VHS tape for Christmas filled with 10 different shorts taken from less-than-pristine copies. I find myself rebuying them whenever a great new format comes out.

When I first heard about Warner Bros. creating new scans from the original film stock, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to see them remastered in all their glory, and I wasn't disappointed.

The Good

Picture. All of the shorts are here. They couldn't look better. The picture is so clean, crisp, and bright. The colors are amazing. Several people have complained about the DNR (digital noise reduction). Some of the raw footage appears in the new documentary that is included. I personally found the grain annoying and am glad they removed it. The grain was never meant to be part of the picture and is a result of technology and process.

Audio. These have never sounded better. Even in the best copy I've ever heard had weird audio glitches that made it hard to make out some of the dialogue. All of those problems have been fixed.

Content. This is some of the best animation to have ever been produced. It's so sad the Fleischer Studio didn't last past the first half of these shorts. One can only imagine what they would have created in the next decade with the talent, creativity, and innovation the studio was famous for.

The Bad

Missing Audio. Two of the shorts each have a couple of seconds of audio missing. It doesn't ruin the shorts, but it is sad these are 100% complete where such care was taken to present such an amazing picture and sound.

Warnings. A few of the shorts have unnecessary warnings which is obnoxious.

The Meh

Documentaries. There are three documentaries included, but none of them are very good. It's professionals in the field and want-to-be experts talking about their impressions. No one involved in the production of these was interviewed. None of the restoration process was shown. That's what would be interesting.

Overall

Overall, this is a beautiful Blu-ray edition. I never imagined these cartoons could look so amazing. I'll be watching these over and over again.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Boxing Day

 

TV Show Review - The Hardy Boys (Hulu Original)

I've been a fan of the Hardy Boys ever since I ready my first Hardy Boys novel in fourth grade. I've always wished for a really good live action adaption.

The Hardy Boys is a 2020-2022 2 season supernatural mystery drama on Hulu. It is rated TV-PG and is appropriate for most ages.

 

The Good

The Casting. For the most part this series was well cast. The contrived diversity doesn't fit the setting, but at least each of the actors is interesting enough it doesn't hurt the show like most shows.

The Story. The story is solid with several mini mysteries leading to one main mystery. It's very well told. The viewer is never lost because of the clear storytelling, nor is he bored because the story is sufficiently complex.

The Eighties. Setting this series in the 80s makes it a lot of fun and removes so many of the easy plot cheats such as tracking people with cell phones or hacking into an organization's computers to find the answers. The Hardys and their friends actually have to be detectives and do things the hard way.

The Bad

Change of Cast. Season Two sees Fenton Hardy and Biff's mother recast with poor actors. This made both characters less likable.

Aliens and Magic. I understand why they producers added aliens and magic into the mix, but it really wasn't necessary. The Hardy Boys have sufficient detective skills and a secret society that controls the town is sufficiently interesting.

 

Propaganda. For some reasons the producers threw in modern propaganda that is inconsistent with the books and inconsistent with the 80s. It was also inconsistent with the characters.

 

Overall

The Hardy Boys is a 2020-2022 2 season supernatural mystery drama on Hulu. It is rated TV-PG and is appropriate for most ages. For the most part this series was well cast. The contrived diversity doesn't fit the setting, but at least each of the actors is interesting enough it doesn't hurt the show like most shows. The story is solid with several mini mysteries leading to one main mystery. It's very well told. The viewer is never lost because of the clear storytelling, nor is he bored because the story is sufficiently complex. Setting this series in the 80s makes it a lot of fun and removes so many of the easy plot cheats such as tracking people with cell phones or hacking into an organization's computers to find the answers. The Hardys and their friends actually have to be detectives and do things the hard way. Season Two sees Fenton Hardy and Biff's mother recast with poor actors. This made both characters less likable. I understand why they producers added aliens and magic into the mix, but it really wasn't necessary. The Hardy Boys have sufficient detective skills and a secret society that controls the town is sufficiently interesting. For some reasons the producers threw in modern propaganda that is inconsistent with the books and inconsistent with the 80s. It was also inconsistent with the characters. I highly recommend this show and give it 4.5 out of 5 remotes.

    

Movie Review - See How They Run (2022 film)

 

I'm a big fan of classic mystery and whodunits. I think that's why I don't read many modern mystery novels--they aren't actually mysteries but crime stories.

See How They Run is a 2022 mystery comedy movie. It is rated PG-13 for language and is appropriate for teens and up.

Review

The basic story is the typical Agatha Christie detective whodunit with a murder, a detective, and a room full of suspects. What makes this movie unique is the approach the filmmakers chose to take. The film is very meta. It comments on the tropes of the classic detective story, analyzes them, comments on them, and twists them. There is some breaking of the fourth wall, but it is done sparingly and all to comment on mystery tropes. There were several unexpected twists along the road. The characters were mostly interesting. The ending was clever mostly because of how it was foreshadowed earlier in the film. This is a very entertaining movie for those who enjoy classic detective stories and those who enjoy meta analysis of film and literature.

I highly recommend this film and give it 4 out of 5 boxes of popcorn. 

 

Movie Review - Top Gun: Maverick

I remember watching the original Top Gun when it first played in theaters. The film has gone on to become somewhat of a classic. When I heard about the sequel I wasn't sure what to think. The film certainly didn't need a part two. And what would you do that wasn't just a cash grab?

Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 action movie. It is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for tweens and up.

The Good

Story. The story is so tight and well told. I never found myself bored, looking at my watch, nor confused as to what was going on.

Action. This film is filled with great action with actual jets and stunts and not just video games planes.

Thrilling. This film had me at the edge of my seat several times. It is one thrill ride after another.

The Bad

New Kids. The new kids just don't have the charisma of the original cast. I found it hard to care for any of them or feel for them when they stumbled.

Overall

Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 action movie. It is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for tweens and up. The story is so tight and well told. I never found myself bored, looking at my watch, nor confused as to what was going on. This film is filled with great action with actual jets and stunts and not just video games planes. This film had me at the edge of my seat several times. It is one thrill ride after another. The only real downside is the new cast. The new kids just don't have the charisma of the original cast. I found it hard to care for any of them or feel for them when they stumbled. I highly recommend this movie and give it 4.5 out of 5 boxes of popcorn.