Star Trek: Lower Decks Season Two

Creator - Mike McMahan (Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites)

Starring - Tawny Newsome (The Twilight Zone, Space Force), Jack Quaid (Scream, The Boys), Noel Wells (Old Haunt, American Dad)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Sci-Fi/Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I believe it was last year when I was introduced to Star Trek: Lower Decks when I was sent season one for review. I’m a Star Trek fan and was interested but I was borderline obsessed when I saw that one of the writers of Rick and Morty, Mike McMahan, was involved. I’m a huge Rick and Morty fan so it was a no brainer that an animated Star Trek show featuring one of the writers would be comfort food for me. That first season was a lot of fun and after reviewing it I quickly rushed to the internet to ensure that a season two was approved. It was, along with a third, but I decided to hold off on binging them until they received a physical release. Sadly, I forgot to keep an eye on the series until season two showed up on my door step. I didn’t want to wait to check this out and as soon as I finished Creepshow Season Three I quickly tossed this one in. 

      The season once again follows the misadventures of the lower deck crew of the Cerritos. We follow them as they struggle with their own self-worth, career aspirations, friendship, and surviving the various missions they find themselves on. 

      I never watched the original Star Trek: The Animated Series all the way through. In fact, I gave up on it after a few episodes when I was younger. I really should revisit it at some time, but I can only imagine that it would do nothing for me especially after watching Star Trek: Lower Decks. The adult humor and characters only appearing in this series is what really attracted me to it. There is no sense of nostalgia or gimmicks to pull you in. Only the humor and adult centered atmosphere that you would typically not associate with Star Trek. I love this show and season two was just as good as the first season. The voice acting in this one is a lot of fun. We have fantastic performances from Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noel Wells, and Eugene Cordero among many more. The characters are a lot of fun and the voice acting is what makes these characters. The characters are well written, but they use generic and stereotypical sci-fi characters as a basis and then add their own spin on it. It’s not lazy but it is creative which gives the voice actors something to make their own. The stories for this season continue its story arch established in the first season but it does take the back seat in each episode as we take deeper dives in the Star Trek universe. We get a lot of references to other series and films without it becoming a clear cash grab for trekkies. The new missions are fun while keeping with the theme of the show and the humor almost always finds it’s mark. I was a little bummed by the lack of a continuous story, but the episodes were a lot of fun. Finally, I really enjoy the animation. The style is very similar to Rick and MortyWhich I think would help make it more appealing to the younger audiences especially if they are fans of the latter. Personally, the animation style is one of the reasons I was attracted to the show and one of the biggest turn offs I had from the original animated series. Overall, Lower Deck Season Two is another stellar hit. The characters, voice acting, and stories give viewers so much needed expansion to the Star Trek universe with that adult tone that the other shows and films lack. I highly recommend it.

The Old Man: The Movie

Director(s) - Oskar Lehemaa (Beyond the Dark, Bad Hair) and Mikk Magi (Borders, Tommy Cash: ProRapSuperstar)

Starring - Mart Avandi (Restart, The Fencer), Reio Blond, and Merilyn Elge

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Comedy/Adventure

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Unearthed Films has a solid track record with their releases especially in the last few years.  With their focus shifting to bluray releases we've seen some underrated and often overlooked action, sci-fi and horror releases from yesteryear finally make their blu debuts.  Not to forget their extreme and depraved roots, we still get films that are too grotesque for other labels to release.  While Unearthed may be known for their gruesome and gory titles they still keep an eye out for unique films that are just as wild and wacky as they are strange.  Case in point is the 2019 Estonian film The Old Man: The Movie from directors Oskar Lehemaa and Mikk Magi.  I have a soft spot for animated films and when I saw that Unearthed was releasing this oddball on blu I knew I had to see it.  I was quick to message MVD who was handling the blu release of the film and they were kind enough to send over a review copy.  Like always I want to thank MVD and Unearthed for sending this one over.

     The film follows three children who are sent to the country to spend time with their grandfather for the summer.  Their grandfather owns a dairy cow and provides the village with their daily milk.  However, when they release the cow from its bondage they are sent on an adventure to retrieve the cow before it's udders fill with milk and explode on a catastrophic level.  To make matters worse, they must reach the cow before the former milker does and kills it before it can explode.

     I've seen and reviewed hundreds, if not thousands, of films over the years and The Old Man: The Movie is easily in the top five of fucking weird.  It's as if fans of Wallace and Gromit and John Waters came together to make a fucking strange film that will stick with you hours or even days after watching it.  The voice acting in this one is not the same as the actors credited on imdb.  I couldn't find a list of the voice cast for the English dubbed version.  However, I enjoyed the voice acting.  The voices fit the characters very well and I found myself laughing at the dialogue they were delivering.  The story for this one keeps the viewer constantly on their toes.  Just when you think you know where the film is going something completely unexpected happens throwing you for another loop.  It's completely unexpected and mind blowing from start to finish.  Finally, the animation is basic and simple but it works for the story.  The simple approach works for the film but I can see some movie goers being turned off by the style.  Overall, The Old Man: The Movie is not your typical Unearthed release but it's one that I welcome with opened arms.  I highly recommend snagging this one because you will not be disappointed.  

Superman: The Complete Animated Series

Creator(s) - Joe Shuster (Peacemaker, Krypton), Jerry Siegel (Harley Quinn, Supergirl), and Bob Kane (Titans, The Death of Superman)

Starring - Tim Daly (The Sopranos, Justice League: Doom), Dana Delany (Tombstone, Camp Hell), and Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants, Dexter: New Blood)

Release Date - 1996

Genre - Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The last son of Krypton" 

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I was in elementary school I was on a one way ticket to horror when I discovered the Goosebumps and it's cheaper clones like Shivers and Deadtime Stories.  However, I was a typical kid as well and loved shows like Batman Beyond, The X-Men, and the wildly more popular Superman: The Animated Series.  This show was huge at my school and I'm sure it was just as popular at every school across the world.  I absolutely loved it and remember snagging episode collections on VHS when I would visit stores like K-Mart and so on.  It was a huge part of my childhood but as I got older and the show was no longer airing on cable I found myself completely forgetting about it until I received a press release from Warner Bros. about the blu release.  I couldn't pass up this trip down memory lane so I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way.  I had been sitting on it for a few weeks but after a tiring work week last week I decided to spend my Sunday relaxing and revisiting this classic series!

     The series follows Clark Kent, who was born Kal-el on Krypton, who is sent to Earth as an infant when his planet was destroyed.  The sun gives him super strength along with other unbelievable abilities and he uses those to save Metropolis and, on occasion, the world. 

     Superman: The Animated Series was a top tier animated show when I was a kid.  I had so many different toys from this series and would often trade then with other kids at school.  Everyone, regardless of socio-economic standing or background, had toys from this show, and a lot of them were rocking shirts, backpacks, lunchboxes, and so on.  It's was a popular series that would only be overtaken by the likes of NWO and Goosebumps.  It was great to revisit it and show my kids this show even though they had no interest in.  My daughters are typical girls who don't care about superheroes and my son only like dinosaurs.  They might not have enjoyed it but I had a blast.  The voice acting in this one is just as entertaining now as it was the first time I watched these episodes.  Tim Daly is great as the voice of Clark Kent and Clancy Brown is Lex Luther in my opinion.  The supporting cast fit their characters very well but these two make the show for me and their work here is fucking legendary.  I know Brown is mostly known for SpongeBob now but he's fucking amazing as Luther.  The story for this one spends two episodes on his origin story before spinning into classic encounters and adventures.  Some are new to animation while others are retelling of now famous encounters and struggles.  Honestly, each episode is great and it's hard to find some that just wasn't fun.  It was great story telling that I think is fun for all ages.  Even as an adult I was finding themes, like organized crimes and so forth, that went over my head as a child.  Finally, the animation is fantastic and almost iconic now.  It's similar to Batman Beyond in looks but the style of Superman combines that classic 50s and 60s "retro futuristic" style with modern settings.  I absolutely adore the look of this series.  Overall, Superman: The Animated Series is essential viewing for millennials and fans of the modern DC animated films.  It's fucking fantastic and a must own for collectors!  I highly recommend it.  

Injustice

Director - Matt Peters (Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War)

Starring - Justin Hartley (Smallville, Robot Chicken), Anson Mounts (Inhumans, Star Trek: Discovery), and Laura Bailey (Guardians of the Galaxy, Constantine: City of Demons)

Release Date - 2021

Genre - Action/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "Gods among us!"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     DC has created a mess with their live action films but they have a thing or two to show Marvel when it comes to their animated efforts.  A few years ago I was turned on to the DC animated universe and I've been hooked ever since.  Most, if not all, were seriously fun films that I love revisit often.  A few months back I received the press release for the newest animated film Injustice.  This was one I was extremely excited about so I kept a close eye on the release.  As the release date approached I was quick to request a copy and a few days later a review copy of the film arrived on UHD.

     The film follows Superman on a different Earth that is forced to accidentally kill Lois Lane and her unborn child after the Joker arrives in Metropolis.  Grieving and heartbroken, he kills Joker and decides to use his powers to force peace on the world.  The Justice League is divided on his decision to police the world.  Wonder Woman and Cyborg stands behind Superman while Green Arrow, Batman, Plastic Man, and other appose him.  As Superman and his followers police the world, Batman and the others work on a way to stop Superman before it's took late.

     I was extremely excited to check out Injustice and the artwork for the film only peaked my curiosity.  I enjoyed it but it's predictable which does take away from the impact of the story.  I really did enjoy it but I don't see myself revisiting it anytime soon.  The voice acting in this one is great.  The cast's voice really fits the characters they were portraying.  These characters are iconic and fans have seen so many different voice actors portray them but I believe Injustice has probably been the best acted animated DC film I have seen to date.  With that being said, no one really stands out.  Everyone is on the same level which makes each scene work for the story without having someone steal the scene.  The story for this one set on another Earth and follows Superman who has embraced his power and turned into a world policing force where he bring about peace regardless of how many people die as a result.  This story is scary to think about but after watching Superman: Red Son and Brightburn it no longer has the same impact as it would have if it was released a few years ago.  Also, the film is rather predictable which also takes away some of the fun of the story.  Finally, the animation looks great and in line with the recent DC animated films.  Nothing really stands out but it looks good and works for the film.  Overall, Injustice is very enjoyable and a little unnerving considering the storyline.  I really enjoyed it but I feel that this film was a little too late and a few years passed a time that it would have worked in it's favor.  I highly recommend it.  

Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space

Starring - Sherry Alberoni (Sisters of Death, Super Friends), Jerry Dexter (DuckTales, Sealab 2020), and Jackie Joseph (Small Soldiers, Gremlins)

Release Date - 1972

Genre - Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Warner Archive has been releasing some pretty solid releases over the last few years and it seems like they are only going to get better.  A couple weeks ago I received the press release for their newest batch of releases coming up and one title really caught my eye.  It's not a horror title but I was still extremely curious about it.  I was born in the mid-80s and grew up in the 90s.  I was part of the Orange Years at Nickelodeon and Goosebumps was my introduction to the genre.  However, I was still a heavy VHS collector.  I had accrued several older shows on tapes that I had picked up in random places.  One of these tapes was episodes of the original Josie and the Pussy Cats.  So when I saw the blu release of Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space I had to check it out.  I want to thank Warner for sending this one over.  

      The series follows Josie and the gang who find themselves accidentally tossed in a space ship and sent out to space.  Each episode follows the crew as they find themselves on a different planet battling a different cosmic foe.

     I remember watching the few tapes of Josie and the Pussy Cats when I was in elementary school and liking it but I never had a chance to see in Outer Space.  Hell, I didn't know it was a thing until I received the press release for it.  It was a fun short lived series that takes the same Scooby-Doo like antics of Josie and the Pussy Cats and puts a sci-fi spin on it.  I enjoyed it but it's not a show I would recommend binging.  The voice acting in this one works for the show but fans of the original show and Scooby-Doo will recognize these voices fairly quickly.  With that being said, I absolutely loved the off world voice acting of the new characters that were introduced.  The stories for these episodes mostly follow the same formula.  We follow the crew as they land, or crash land in some instances, on a planet where they encounter an alien race in some sort of turmoil.  It's really fun for a few episodes but after three or four you find yourself waiting to watch something else.  It makes sense this series only lasted one season.  Finally, the animation is exactly what you would expect from an early 70s Hanna Barbara production.  It's fun for a children's show but as an adult you can appreciate it for what it is.  Overall, Josie and the Pussy Cats in Outer Space is a fun spin off of a popular Hanna Barbara property that is fun for a first time watch but I wouldn't recommend binging the entire series.  It's very repetitive.  The blu release from this one looks great but the lack of supplimental material is a big disappointing.  

     

To Your Last Death

Director - Jason Axinn (Space Guys in Space, Funeral Sex)

Starring - Morena Baccarin (Deadpool, Serenity), Dani Lennon (Bite Me, The Love Witch), and Ray Wise (Batman: The Killing Joke, Jeepers Creepers 2)

Release Date - 2019

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Lock the bets"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror is a very divisive genre.  Not only can horror elements be mixed with other genres but the horror genre itself consists of so many different sub-genres and styles that can be used by a filmmaker to make something truly unique.  Horror has been blended with animation in the past for film and television with shows and movies like Mr. Pickles, The Halloween Tree, Vampire Hunter D, and so on.  It does happen but not that often.  Sometime ago I received the press release for the 2019 horror action animated flick To Your Last Death.  The trailer was violently fun so I reached out and was able to get a review copy.  I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed this one.

     The film follows a young man who is the daughter of a wealthy businessman.  Her two brothers and sisters have grown distant but are brought together by their father.  He reveals that he has an inoperable brain tumor and expresses his disappointment in them all.  He judges each and every one of them and then sends them to their death.  His daughter Miriam survives and is taken to the hospital where the police suspect her of going crazy.  Here she meets the Gamemaster who offers to take her back in time 24 hours so she can save her siblings but she has other plans for Miriam.

     I didn't know what to expect from this one.  The trailer looked fun and I really enjoyed the animation style but I was afraid the movie would be one of the many that highlighted the good in the trailer while leaving nothing for the viewer to see in the actual film.   I was wrong.  The voice acting in this one is pretty consistent.  Some of the voices fit the characters a little better than others but all were solid.  The cast does a great job at charging the scene with just their voices and several have a great emotional range.  The story for this one is The Belko Experiment meets Supernatural.  We follow people stuck in a high rise as they fight through their father's hired mercenaries all while being controlled by a higher power.  It's fun but it is stretched a little too thin.  The hour and a half running time is a bit of a drag with the story the way it's told.  The predictability also takes away from the impact of the story.  It's still a fun watch but some of the fat could be trimmed down.  Finally, though animated, the film has some pretty violent death scenes with plenty of gore and blood.  Nothing is off limits with animation and the filmmaker took full advantage of this to deliver some bloody bits for the viewers.  Overall, To Your Last Death is a violent and beautifully stylized animated action horror flick that begs to be seen.  It was highly entertaining albeit a little too long.  Some of the scenes did drag on a bit but the overall flick was worth it.  Check it out.  

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge

Director - Ethan Spaulding (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Mike Tyson Mysteries)

Starring - Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, Quarantine), Joel McHale (Community, The Happytime Murders), and Jordan Rodrigues (Lady Bird, Light as a Feather)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I was born in the mid-80s but I grew up in the 90s.  I love absolutely everything from the 80s but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love my childhood.  I grew up with some awesome movies like Space Jam and Heavyweights, awesome shows like Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps, and games like Mortal Kombat.  I was a huge MK fan growing up and would often spend my weekends playing it on Genesis with my older brother.  I grew up playing them all and enjoying the movies as well.  I know some people don't care for the latter but I liked 'em.  A few weeks back WB released a new animated Mortal Kombat film.  Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge looks awesome and I couldn't wait to check it out and review.  I'm glad I did because it was a fantastic addition to the Mortal Kombat line.

     The film is set against the backdrop of a tournament between Earthrealm and Outworld.  Outworld is about to win their 10th straight tournament and it's up to Raiden and his team to stop them.  However, there is vengeful grandmaster, Scorpion, who will stop at nothing to kill those responsible for slaughter his people.  

     I recently watched Justice League Dark: Apokolips War and was really fucking impressed by what I saw.  The animated film really caught me off guard and I couldn't get enough of it.  I was expecting WB to give this Mortal Kombat animated movie the same treatment.  It didn't let me down and I really enjoyed it.  I really enjoyed the voice acting in this one.  I'm not a fan of Jennifer Carpenter but she did an awesome job voicing the iconic Sonya Blade while Joel McHale really threw me for a loop.  Was not expecting to see his name in the credits.  The voice casting in this one is spot on and the entire cast does a phenomenal job.  The story for this one is a retelling of the classic story that brings the iconic characters like Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, and so on but we get the highly anticipated origin story of MK's most popular character, Scorpion.  It works for what it is but I would have loved an entire origin story on Scorpion over having it mesh with the beginning of the saga that we already know.  This made the film feel like it was two separate ideas pushed together to hit run time.  Finally, the animation is solid and in the same style as the recent DC films which makes sense considering.  I liked the way the characters looked and the action was great.  We get some in-depth looks at some of the fatalities and gore which is another nod to the game franchise.  Overall, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge is a great adult themed animated film that gives us some backstory on one of gaming's most played character.  Sure, it could have been more in-depth but it was entertaining for what it is.  I highly suggest checking this one out as soon as you can.  

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

Director(s) - Matt Peters (Lego DC Batman: Family Matters, Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown) and Christina Sotta (Harley Quinn)

Starring - Matt Ryan (Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow), Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Joe's Apartment), and Tony Todd (Night of the Living Dead, Candyman)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Sci-Fi

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was never a DC fan growing up.  While most of my friends were going on and on about Batman and Superman, I found myself digging the entire Marvel Universe.  That changed when I was in high school.  I found a love for Green Lantern and Flash.  I can't tell you why but they are my favorite DC characters by far and I prefer them over any Marvel character.  In recent years I've found myself really enjoying the DC animated movies.  I absolutely love the ones that are aimed to their adult audience with the first Justice League Dark being by favorite.  That is until I got Justice League Dark: Apokolips War in for review.  I was not expecting such a brutal DC animated movie but I fucking loved it!

     The film follows the Justice League on a botched mission to stop Darkseid on his home planet.  He rips through most of the Justice League but a few members escape.  Superman has a kryptonite insignia engraved on his chest to stop him from using his powers, Constantine teleports back to Earth where he becomes an alcoholic and the ones rest that survive go into hiding or are captured by Darkseid and turned into his mindless slaves.  He uses them, with the reluctant help of Lex Luther, to harvest the Earth's core for his own evil needs.  Superman teams up with Raven to try to find Batman's son Damien so they can use his influence to reach Batman was is brainwashed by Darkseid.  With just a matter of time before Darkseid destroys the world they must band together, hero and villain, in order to stop the Earth from being destroyed.  

     The first Justice League Dark movie was fucking amazing but even knowing how dark that movie was could not have prepared me for the brutality of this one.  This is the DC universe intended for adults and I couldn't get enough.  The voice acting in this one is hit or miss.  To this day I'm still shocked at how great Jerry O'Connell is as the voice of Superman.  It took a few films to get accustomed to it but he really is a good choice in the role even though previous reviews show that I was too critical on him.  It's also great to see Matt Ryan return as Constantine.  He was the live action incarnation as Constantine and it's great to see DC give him life through Ryan.  The rest of the cast is solid as well but I just wasn't feeling horror legend Tony Todd as Darkseid.  He's a talented actor that many horror fans have grown up with but his voice just didn't fit the character.  The story for this one is bleak but enthralling.  I knew Justice League Dark would be a darker approach to the DC universe but I was not expecting the amount of carnage that we got.  I was glued to my screen and I couldn't look away.  You get the standard comic cheese at times but if you stick with it the payoff is well worth it.  The pacing is smooth and you will barely find yourself bored with the film.  Finally, the animation looks fantastic.  It that style and look that you would expect from the recent DC films but works with the blood and gore tossed in.  Overall, Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is not a movie for the whole family.  It's bloody, gruesome, and completely throws characters your know and love into a woodchipper.  With that being said, it was so much fun and easily my favorite film of the year.  Check it out.  

Onward

Director - Dan Scanlon (Monster University, Tracy)

Starring - Tom Holland (Spies in Disguise, Spider-Man: Homecoming), Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The Fairly Odd Parents)

Release Date - 2020

Genre - Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy

Tagline - "Cometh soon"
Format - Streaming (Disney+)

Rating (out of 5):

     I'm not a Disney fan in the traditional sense.  I am a fan of Marvel and Star Wars but I typically don't watch most of the animated Disney movies unless my kids are.  My wife is home now because of this whole pandemic.  She's a teacher and with schools closed for the year she's been home with our little ones while I've been at work.  One evening last week the kids wanted to have a movie night and my daughter wanted to watch something from Disney+.  When we were searching for something to watch Onward caught my eye.  It was one of the films I was interested in checking out back before the outbreak.  It looked like your typical Disney flick but the characters looked way more interesting.  I'm glad I checked it out because I enjoyed it way more than my kids did.

     The film follows two elvish brothers, Barley (Pratt) and his little brother Ian (Holland), who live in modern day world that was once a magical kingdom.  Their father died when they were both very little and on Ian's 16th birthday he is gifted a magical staff from their mother that was meant for them. Ian works with the staff for sometime and eventually is able to resurrect the bottom half of his father.  In order to completely bring him back for a limited time they must go on an adventure together before 24 hours is up.

      I wasn't expecting a bad movie but I wasn't expecting to like this movie as much as I did.  The story really had me thinking about it days later and I couldn't wait to give it another spin.  Since my first viewing I've seen the movie 3 times now while my kids show no more interest in it.  The voice acting I this one is absolutely perfect.  Tom Holland is fantastic as the film's lead.  His character is very grounded and brings some much needed stability to the film.  A much different role than the wise cracking Spider-Man we typically see him as.  Chris Pratt delivers an awesome performance as well.  His metal loving, D n' D playing, van driving character is what made me so interested in the film.  He delivers and that character is one I will not be forgetting any time soon.  The supporting cast is fun as well.  Some of the characters do stand out more than others but they are all very consistent.  The story for this one hits pretty hard as a father.  I couldn't imagine a doctor telling my family and I that I would only have so much time to spend with my family before I pass.  That aspect of the film really hit hard for me.  Not seeing my children grow up would be the worst part of it all.  We then get the highly entertaining characters, and the fantasy inspired adventure added to it really brought the film home for me.  The humor does fall flat at times but it did get a few chuckles out of my little ones.  Finally, the animation for this one looks great.  If you have seen any Pixar films in the last few years then you know what to expect with this film.  I really enjoyed how the creatures and characters looked and the action sequences were extremely fun to watch.  Overall, Onward is the animated movie that parents can enjoy with their kids.  The story is heartbreaking at times but ends, as to be expected, with a heartwarming moment.  The adventure is fun and the cast is damn near perfect.  Check this one out when you get the chance.  Make it a movie night with your family because you will not be disappointed.  

Let My Puppets Come

Director - Gerard Damiano (Dirty Movies, Night Hunger)
Starring - Luis De Jesus (Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Bloodsucking Freaks), David W. Beames, and Bradford Craig (Greased Lightning, Honky)
Release Date - 1976
Genre - Comedy/Musical
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I get some pretty weird movies in to review and I fucking love it.  I hate throwing in some unoriginal gorefest with the same fucking story I've seen a few hundred times.  I wanna see something knew, weird, and completely strange. Several months back Vinegar Syndrome released the 1976 pornographic porn film Let My Puppets Go.  I've reviewed several puppet horror films over the years but never a pornographic puppet film.  I had to fucking see this strange stain on cinema history and reached out to them for a review copy.  Once again I want to thank Vin Syn for sending this one my way.
     The film follows three executives who find themselves in hot water when their last business venture tanks and their loan shark comes barking for his payment.  With just 24 hours to make the money back they set out to make a porn in order to make some quick cash.  After brainstorming a few scenarios that would be easy for them to film they start casting and handling crew but soon find themselves the center of some of their sexual fantasies as well.
     Well, it was a puppet porn but it wasn't as crazy as I was expecting.  Hell, I don't know what I was expecting but this wasn't as crazy as it sounds or I'm so desensitized by the shit I watch that the impact of this one did not hit as hard as it should.  Either way I had fun with it but I don't see myself revisiting this one anytime soon.  The voice acting in this one is funny at times and works with the characters.  I could totally see these characters taking on other films.  The voice acting is great which adds a great comedic aspect.  The story for this one is simple, repetitive, and often funny.  I liked what the film offered and puppet centered films are always fun but this one just took the joke a little too far.  I liked what the brought to the table but, in all honest, the film should have been a short instead of a feature.  Finally, no blood and gore in this one.  However, if felt and humor is your thing you will find your happiness here.  Overall, Let My Puppets Come is a fun gimmick for a sexploitation flick but does run out of gas about halfway through.  It's fun but don't expect a movie you will be dedication all your attention to.  Check it out now on blu from Vin Syn.  

Batman Beyond: The Complete Series

Creator(s) - Bob Kane (Gotham, Batman Ninja) and Bill Finger (Joker, Justice League)
Starring - Will Friedle (Boy Meets World, Green Arrow), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Killing Joke, The Venture Bros.), and Lauren Tom (Friends, Futurama)
Release Date - 1999
Genre - Action/Crime
Tagline - "A new hero for a new era"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When the late 90s was rolling around I was hitting middle school and finding horror.  My VHS collecting was slowly turning to DVD and I was truly discovering horror.  Not to sound like one of those guys but I didn't really care about cartoons or animated movies by that point.  I had moved on to Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead, Truck Turner, Escape from New York, and so on.  A friend of mine was obsessed with DC Comics and he would always recommend stuff for me to check out but I would always disregard his recommendations.  That changed when he pitched Batman Beyond to me.  I watched a couple episodes and absolutely loved it.  Fast forward and a few weeks ago I received a press release for the complete series of Batman Beyond hitting blu.  I reached out and was lucky enough to get a copy of this awesome box set for review.  Thanks guys!

     The series follows self-righteous Terry McGinnis (Friedle) who uncovers the Batcave below an elderly Bruce Wayne's (Conroy) mansion after Bruce falls asleep.  He doesn't try to black mail Bruce but insists he train Terry to be the new mantle for Batman.  Bruce reluctantly agrees and the pair take out crime all over the city ranging from corrupts officials and corporations to gangs and various supervillains both new and old.  

     I remember really liking how dark the show was when I was middle school.  Sure, there is a lot more darker animated shows than this but for a Batman show this is pretty dark and fun.  I don't remember a lot about the show until now but revisiting it was a very entertaining experience.  The voice acting in this is fucking perfect.  In Batman fandom many would argue that Kevin Conroy is Batman and after watching these animated movies and shows I have to agree.  Sure, Keaton, Bale, and Affleck all deliver memorable moments as the caped crusader but Conroy is the voice that I think of when I hear Batman.  He will always be the voice of Bruce Wayne and Batman to me.  His is great and I love seeing him as an aged and weathered Bruce Wayne.  His voice does have a little more life to it than his on screen counterpart but I can live with that.  I enjoyed Will Friedle as the new Batman but he doesn't stand out to me.  I know the new Batman is intended to be a teenager in the series but Friedle's voice is not recognizable.  Anyone that sounds like a teenage boy could have did the same.  The stories for these three series really held my attention.  As an adult I often watch shows that range from 45 minutes to an hour so it was refreshing watching a series with 20 minute episodes.  Most of the episodes work but there is a few that dud out. These are just a handful and not enough to prevent the viewer from enjoying the rest of the set.  Finally, the animation is right in tone with Batman: The Animated Series.  It works for an animated show aimed at teenagers and better than some of the animated DC films that would be released a few years later.  Overall, Batman Beyond is a fun take on the Batman legend.  It gives the very some of the same but with a more modern (at the time) take.  The blu looks great for what it is but there is room for improvement over the mastering.  I highly recommend grabbing this amazing set for your collection.  

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines

Director(s) - Justin Copeland (Invincible, Batman:Hush) and Sam Liu (Batman: The Killing Joke, The Death and Return of Superman)
Starring - Rosario Dawson (Iron Fist, The Defenders), Jeffrey Donovan (Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, Fargo), and Marie Avgeropoulos (Dead Rising: Endgame, Supernatural)
Release Date - 2019
Genre - Action/Fantasy
Tagline - "Her greatest fight will be the one to get back home"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been enjoying the shit out of some DC animated movies recently.  After watching the slightly underwhelming Superman/Doomsday I tossed in The Death and Return of Superman which is the two films The Death of Superman and The Reign of Supermen combined.  While I was watching these two films I was splitting them up with Batman Beyond.  As I wrapped up both films I decided not to start season 2 of Beyond and decided to go with Wonder Woman: Bloodline.  The character has always been very interesting to me but I've learned to appreciate her even more after having a daughter who idolizes her.  I tossed it in but found myself bored through most of the film.    

     The film follows Princess Diana (Dawson) who lived on a hidden island with other Amazons.  Things change when a pilot crash lands nearby while fighting Darkseid's minions.  The Amazons try to hold him prisoner so he tries to reason with Diana about the alien menace that is attacking the real world.  She sympathises with him and goes back with him so she can learn about the world outside of her island.  She moves in with Julia and her daughter Vanessa.  Julia gives Diana more attention than her own daughter which pushes Vanessa away.  As an adult she now favors the villains Diana is now fighting as part of the Justice League.  After Vanessa makes a deal with Villainy Inc. she is confronted by Diana and Julia is accidentally shot.  Vanessa blames Diana for her mother's death and joins Villainy Inc. forcing Diana to make another important choice.  

     I went into this one with excitement.  My daughter couldn't wait to see another Wonder Woman movie and I was riding a high from watching The Death and Return of Superman.  Sadly, the film let us both down to some extent.  My daughter still enjoyed the film for what it was worth but the dialogue heavy scenes with little action really tried our patience.  Maybe I was expecting too much from the film.  As I stated earlier, I really find the character of Wonder Woman to be fascinating but the film just rehashed what I've already scene with a more updated story that just feels rushed at time.  The voice acting in this one isn't bad but the cast sounds very under enthused.  The dialogue is very bland and a lot of the action scenes lose excitement because the voice acting is dull during these.  The cast comes across as if they just don't want to be there.  The story for this one is another origin story mixed with a pre-Justice League Wonder Woman story.  Honestly, I'm not a fan of the jump in her timeline and feel that they did the character an injustice by not making it the plot of two films.  This is the third, if I'm not mistaken, origin story and the second that was animated which is rather pointless.  Both previous films did a better job at establishing the character.  The overall film feels like it was tossed together in a whim and the movie suffers from extremely boring scenes that is heavy on dialogue and not content.  Finally, the animation looks good but feels more like one of the animated series from the 90s rather than one of the new DC animated movies.  I liked the look of the characters and the style they went with.  Overall, Wonder Woman: Bloodlines is a somewhat pointless film that doesn't really serve a purpose.  Instead of the another origins story we should be given a new tale following Wonder Woman.  

The Death and Return of Superman

Director(s) - Jake Castorena (Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman Unlimited) and Sam Liu (Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay)
Starring - Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Joe's Apartment), Rebecca Romijn (X-Men, Satanic Panic), and Rainn Wilson (House of 1000 Corpses, The Office)
Release Date - 2018/2019
Genre - Action/Fantasy
Tagline - "Nothing ever truly dies"
Format - 4k Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been lucky enough to review a few of the DC animated movies over the years.  I became interested in them after receiving Justice League Dark for a Christmas present from my wife.  I'm a huge fan of Constantine character and was very butt hurt when the live action show was cancelled.  The animated movie was fantastic and opened me up to the DC movies.  I've seen a few and really enjoyed them but I'm always hesitant for some unknown reason.  After watching Superman/Doomsday I hoped that The Death and Return of Superman was better...and it was!  The film is The Death of Superman and The Reign of Supermen combined to make one seamless viewing experience.  

     The film follows Clark Kent/Superman who is struggling with juggling saving the world, being the boyfriend Lois Lane deserves, and the duties of Clark Kent.  During this time a meteor crashes in the ocean and Lex Luthor races to get to the crash site before anyone else can.  Something is alive in the meteor and kills his rescue team along with some Atlanteans.  Soon the beast, Doomsday, makes his way to Metropolis killing everyone he meets.  The Justice League steps in but is unable to subdue to alien creature.  When all seems lost Superman arrives and is able to stop him but is mortally wounded dying soon after.  Some time passes after his death and imposter Supermen spring up to "help" the city.  Steel, Cyborg Superman, Eradicator, and Superboy make appearances around the city for different reasons with Cyborg Superman deceiving the public into believing that he is the original Superman that was reconstructed after his battle with Doomsday.  Lois Lane refuses to believe this and starts an investigation into the whole ordeal while Lex Luthor uses Superboy, a Superman clone, to do his own evil work.  Luthor then uncovers that Darkseid sent Cyborg Superman to prepare for his arrival and soon the world is set against an invasion before the real Superman arrives to save the day.

     I was a little nervious going into this one but in the end I didn't want the movie to stop.  It was utterly fantastic and just as epic as it should have been.  Superman dying is a big fucking deal and, unlike Superman/Doomsday, the film properly portrayed that and put it on the scale that it should have been.  The voice acting in this one is great.  The voices actually sound like they were meant for the characters and they actually bring about different emotions and reactions from just using their voice.  Superman/Doomsday didn't work for me because the voice acting showed no enthusiasm or charm.  They didn't get into character or make you feel like they are more than just actors voicing a cartoon.  The story for this one is action packed and offers up a lot for the viewer to retain.  We go from an evil force killing Superman before moving on to several Supermen taking over the mantle of Superman before being tossed into a planetary invasion from Darkseid.  The story for this one is rich and doesn't feel rushed which makes sense considering it's two films together.  Finally, the animation is a little better than the film I previously mentioned but Superman still looks silly to me.  I don't know why I hate his design so much but he just look ridiculous.  Aside from that, it looks like every other DC animated film and I dig it.  Overall, The Death and Return of Superman is a must see for any DC or superhero fans.  The film is extremely fun and well worth your time.  Check it out now!

Superman/Doomsday

Director(s) - Lauren Montgomery (Scooby Do: Mystery Incorporated, Green Lantern: First Flight), Bruce Timm (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, The Adventures of Batman and Robin), and Brandon Vietti (The Batman vs. Dracula, Spider-Man)
Starring - Adam Baldwin (Full Metal Jacket, The Patriot), Anne Heche (Psycho, John Q), and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)
Release Date - 2007
Genre - Animated
Tagline - "Where were you the day Superman died?"
Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     When I graduated high school I went to work for my dad for a year or so before deciding that college was where I needed to be.  Horror was literally everything I thought about but when I arrived on campus I found the environment lacked the atmosphere I was expecting.  I was hoping to meet some fellow students that had a love for horror and exploitation like I did.  I didn't but I did meet some people that would go on to become some of my best friends at the time.  During this time I would show them underground horror and b-movies and they would get me to step out of my comfort zone to check out more popular films that I would typically ignore.  One night we were all drinking and watching O' Brother Where Art Thou? when a friend of mine suggested we check out Superman/Doomsday that he had just picked up.  We all agreed to check it out but I honestly don't remember shit about it.  A few days back I got in The Death and Return of Superman to review and inside was a bonus disc of S/D on 4k.  I thought I would revisit this one before tossing in the new film.
     The film follows a scientific expedition by Lex Luthor to dig deep into the Earth when the team uncovers something ancient buried.  They accidentally puncture the shell with a laser freeing an indestructible monster inside.  Doomsday, the name the news gives him, is an unstoppable force that leaves Metropoles in ruins before Superman can arrive.  Superman and Doomsday battle for sometime but eventually the two kill each other.  The world mourns the loss of Superman and soon Superman returns.  He's acting strange and doesn't acknowledge Lois Lane as his love interest which throws up some red flags.  Lois does some investigating and uncovers that Lex Luthor used some of Superman's blood found at the scene of his death to clone him.  Now the cloned Superman is dishing out his own brand of justice which went against everything Superman stood for. Meanwhile, the real Superman's body was stolen and taken back to his fortress of solitude so he can absorb the radiation from the Earth's sun to regain his strength.  He has had enough after watching the news and rushes back to Metropolis to save Lois and the others from the clone.
     After revisiting this one I can say that I'm not a fan which may be the reason I don't remember a lot about it after my initial watch.  The movie itself looks good in 4K but the film itself is painfully boring and predictable.  The voice acting in this one is not that fun for me.  I grew up on the animated Batman and Superman shows and I find myself drawn to the newer animated DC movies but this one falls short compared to all those.  Honestly, the voice just doesn't match the character and they rarely change their tone throughout the film.  Voice acting is tough work.  You can't just act and use your facial features to show emotion.  You have to show emotion in your tone and pitch.  The cast struggles to do so.  The story for this one is nothing short of epic but the film fails to capture that.  Superman "dies" yet it's not as dramatic or suspenseful as one would expect.  The movie just moves at it's own pace which makes the segments in the story that should have the most impact feel weightless.  Finally, the animation in this one weird to me.  Superman/Clark Kent is so damn blocky and goofy looking that I had a difficult time taking this film seriously.  Lex Luther and other side characters look like they do in the animated show but Superman looks like he had the least amount of time spent on him.  Overall, Superman/Doomsday is worth a watch especially in 4K but don't expect an amazing experience.  The film itself has it's moments but is pretty forgettable.