Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

After numerous attempts to get a sequel made since the 1988 original, Michael Keaton finally returns as the over the top bio-exorcist in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Keaton returns alongside cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara with director Tim Burton while introducing new characters played by Jenna Ortega, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. The sequel sees Winona's Lydia return to her old home after the death of her father, alongside her stepmother and daughter, Astrid. With Betelgeuse aware of Lydia returning and his ex-wife being freed and seeking him out for revenge, he must figure out a way to escape his ghostly confines by once again trying to marry Lydia. The sequel definitely keeps the gothic and darkly comedic feel and tone of the original while still feeling fresh and unique from it. Burton's style has not lost its touch and he can still capture that over the top and weird feel that made the first film work so well. One strong aspect that keeps the movie from being stale is that Burton chose to do the effects more practically, alongside stop motion, rather than overdo it with CGI, which it still uses but when it's needed. The writing from Alfred Gough and Miles Millar does capture a lot of what made the original script by Michael McDowell and Warren Skaaren so special. They were smart not to overuse the title character similarly to the original and keep him minimally instead of just wholly focusing on him as one would expect due to his large popularity. Most of the story is pretty good and Gough and Millar both manage to make the characters memorable and have such fun moments, but certain storylines, such as Lydia's boyfriend taking advantage of her abilities and Betelgeuse's ex looking for him, often feel like they needed more time to them. All the while, the returning and new cast members all give strong performances and Keaton hasn't lost his physical prowess even in his 70s. Two strong aspects that also perfectly capture the essence of the '88 original are Haris Zambarloukos's cinematography and Danny Elfman returning to do the score. The movie wouldn't be as memorable without their work not only keeping the original's style and look but also further expanding on Elfman's music by incorporating instrumental versions of songs the first film used and newer songs this entry introduced. It can be agreed that Beetlejuice Beetlejuice may not reach the highs of its predecessor, but still manages to be incredibly entertaining on its own. Over all: 93%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

3. Deadpool & Wolverine

4. A Quiet Place: Day One

5. Inside Out 2

6. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

7. The Fall Guy

8. MaXXXine

9. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

10. Abigail

11. Monkey Man

12. Late Night with the Devil

13. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

14. Alien: Romulus

15. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

16. The Book of Clarence

17. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

18. Drive-Away Dolls

19. Kung Fu Panda 4

20. Lisa Frankenstein

21. Argylle

22. Mean Girls 2024

The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1 #28

A lot of well known DC Comics characters were introduced in various anthology books meant to gauge whether or not they were popular enough to come back and maybe lead their own series, and The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1 #28 did something similar by introducing the Justice League. While the comic sees the first appearance of the League, it isn't an origin story to how the team was formed as they're already established and well known. With the exception of Batman and Superman dealing with their own things, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Aquaman have to contend with an invasion from Starro the Conqueror. The comic definitely has the rather dated elements of its time and certain flaws of the Silver Age, but still manages to be fun and engaging. Gardner Fox knew that for the writing to be believable he had to challenge each of the heroes in a way that would mean working together would mean Starro's defeat. Now sure you have the rather silly conclusion of Snapper Carr being able to be immune to Starro's mind control due to being covered in lime, but that's par for the course of this time and the rest of it works much better. The art of the era is pretty good, but since DC knew this needed to hit differently the look for this one definitely needed a big push. And thanks to the work of artist Mike Sekowsky and the coloring of Bernie Sachs, Joe Giella, and Murphy Anderson the comic has a more livelier and detailed style to it. The world of comic books definitely changed in 1960, and all thanks to The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1 #1 introducing the Justice League. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. The Complete Peanuts Vol. 15: 1979-1980

2. Daredevil Vol. 1 #170

3. The Brave and the Bold Vol. 1 #28

4. The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 #1

5. Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

6. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

7. Amazing Adventures Vol. 1 #1

8. Barbarella Vol. 1

9. Aquaman Vol. 1 #21

10. Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #48

11. Deadman: Love After Death #1

12. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

13. Blue Beetle Vol. 5 #1

14. Showcase Vol. 1 #75

15. Detective Comics Vol. 1 #441

16. Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18

17. Eternals by Jack Kirby: The Complete Collection (Eternals (1976-1978))

18. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

19. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

20. The Yellow Kid

21. Sabrina the Teenage Witch Vol. 1 #8

22. Archie and Me #132

23. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

24. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674

Alien: Romulus

Taking place between the first two films and using plot points from Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, Alien: Romulus focuses on a group of disgruntled colonists who have grown tired of Weyland-Yutani's corrupt ways of forcing them to work much longer than they thought. Commandeering a hauler after detecting a signal from an abandoned station that entered the planet's orbit, the group find a lot more than they bargained for when they thought they found their escape. It's easy to tell how much of a fan of the Alien franchise director and cowriter Fede Álvarez is as this brings back the menace that the titular monsters are best known for since the original films, though while tying in elements from the Ridley Scott, who serves as a producer, directed prequels. The writing from Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues doesn't try to do anything too new and for the most part plays it in the most typical fashion for the franchise. While it taking place in between Alien and Aliens is a reason for this, it's also the most quintessential one since 1997 to not be either a crossover with the Predator franchise or a prequel explaining and delving into the origins of the Xenomorphs. It does everything straightforwardly but done so in a way that definitely shows the love of this franchise and often over does it with references, but while having well thought out characters with understandable motivations, some new ways of them coming up with how to kill the deadly threats, and using a byproduct of the substance introduced in the previous Scott films. Something else that this entry has over the last few is Álvarez's direction giving the franchise back its dark, foreboding, and atmospheric vibe that made the early films so loved. All thanks not just from Álvarez but through Galo Olivares's brilliant cinematography, the unnerving score by Benjamin Wallfisch, the great production design made to make you unsure of what you're looking at, and the great mix of both practical and computer effects. Though one thing that really hurts the movie is the use of a robot made to resemble Ian Holm's character from the 1979 original. While it's understandable that there would be androids with similar looks, the CG unfortunately tries too hard to make it look like Holm while also clearly not having well finished and make it look really terrible. Daniel Betts does a great job at giving a performance similar to how Holm did and manages to have a similar voice, but this was so unnecessary to do. While the rest of the cast, including Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson all give strong performances. Spaeny, especially, definitely has a look that is a combination of both Sigourney Weaver and Noomi Rapace's characters from the past films. Alien: Romulus can often feel like it has the atypical weaknesses of a legacy sequel, but does manage to be better than most thanks to its incredible production and strong cast members. Over all: 93%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

3. Deadpool & Wolverine

4. A Quiet Place: Day One

5. Inside Out 2

6. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

7. The Fall Guy

8. MaXXXine

9. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

10. Abigail

11. Monkey Man

12. Late Night with the Devil

13. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

14. Alien: Romulus

15. The Book of Clarence

16. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

17. Drive-Away Dolls

18. Kung Fu Panda 4

19. Lisa Frankenstein

20. Argylle

21. Mean Girls 2024

Amazing Adventures Vol. 1 #1

Released just a few months before Marvel Comics changed its name from Atlas Comics, Amazing Adventures Vol. 1 #1 is the debut of an anthology series that would go through two name changes and only last 15 issues in which the last one introduced Spider-Man. But this issue, while not having Spider-Man, still has a collection of very entertaining stories that Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko all worked on. The first sees an alien conqueror called Torr land on Earth with an astronomer being the sole witness and the only one to stop him, the second is a literary romance reprinted from an older comic, while the third story has a thief hiding from the police at a wax museum soon being haunted by the figures coming to life, and the final story sees the origins of the mystical Doctor Droom who was an early take of what Doctor Strange would eventually become. While the comic is certainly of its time, the work put towards it can't be denied as the writing between Stan and his younger brother Larry Lieber manage to make the stories engaging, thrilling, and entertaining even when it's often over-wordy with its dialogue and exposition. Kirby and Ditko's art is not as highly defined as their later work, but still very breathtaking, creative in certain alien designs, and managing to make the more terrifying moments stand out. What helps out above all else is the coloring from Stan Goldberg that keeps the lighting at the right amount to convey whenever a scene is ordinary or frightening. Before Marvel became who they were, comics like Amazing Adventures Vol. 1 #1 showed that they were taking one step closer to getting to that point. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. The Complete Peanuts Vol. 15: 1979-1980

2. Daredevil Vol. 1 #170

3. The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 #1

4. Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

5. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

6. Amazing Adventures Vol. 1 #1

7. Barbarella Vol. 1

8. Aquaman Vol. 1 #21

9. Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #48

10. Deadman: Love After Death #1

11. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

12. Blue Beetle Vol. 5 #1

13. Showcase Vol. 1 #75

14. Detective Comics Vol. 1 #441

15. Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18

16. Eternals by Jack Kirby: The Complete Collection (Eternals (1976-1978))

17. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

18. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

19. The Yellow Kid

20. Sabrina the Teenage Witch Vol. 1 #8

21. Archie and Me #132

22. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

23. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674

Deadpool & Wolverine

After Disney bought Fox there was much worry over whether or not the MCU would continue any of the old X-Men continuity or completely ignore it and start from scratch, but thankfully Deadpool & Wolverine quelled those fears and then some. After Deadpool's time travel shenanigans from the end of his second film, which includes traveling to the main universe failing to join the Avengers, Wade has retired and lost his purpose. Wade is soon recruited by the TVA as he serves a purpose in a future conflict but when he learns that his universe is planned to be erased due to his Wolverine's death, Deadpool suits up again and rebels against them to save it. Believing that getting a new Wolverine would help, the Merc with a Mouth travels the multiverse, finds and gets beaten by various Wolverines, finds one with a dark past, ends up in the Void, runs into other Deadpools, recruits fallen heroes, and takes on the twin sister of a version of Professor X. If one thinks this movie is way over the top, has glaring story problems with a rather thin plot, is overstuffed with cameos and references, and over relies on fan service, then you're right but it does it all in a very on the nose and self aware way. Director Shawn Levy, who also cowrote with Ryan Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells, still gives this entry the series's familiar over the top violence, crude humor, and fourth wall breaking and meta style while adding his own distinctive inventive action scenes. The writers knew that for a movie that is meant to pay homage to the Marvel films that Fox produced you have to make an absolutely wild and unhinged movie that would also befit the MCU's first R rating. Yes, some of the writing has large plot holes and certain story decisions just feel like an excuse for certain moments to happen for the sake of happening, but it's done so cleverly, quick, and entertaining that one can overlook it knowing what kind of movie it's being. Although the one flaw with the writing that certainly cannot be overlooked that hasn't improved from Deadpool's first two films is that Vanessa is once again relegated to such a small role and splitting them up until the end. What adds to the wild and fun style is the mixture between Rob Simonsen's playful original score and the use of popular songs for each action scene that really fits with both the type of action and how it relates to the story itself within. Ryan Reynolds has not lost his touch in playing Wilson despite the six year gap, while Hugh Jackman manages to return with a bang after saying he had retired the role in 2017. While it's not the same version as his original, Jackman has a good mixture of familiarity while having small nuances to show some slight differences. But the aspect that is the essential driving force behind this movie is the buddy trip chemistry between Jackman and Reynolds that is just absolute perfection. The rest of the cast excel just as well, whether they be entirely new, the regulars who return from the previous films, or even long awaited returns of actors who had last played well known characters years or even decades before. Sometimes it's okay if a plot is a bit convoluted just to get the story moving, and while Deadpool & Wolverine is one of those films it at least manages to be an engaging, self aware, and absolute joy ride with a wonderful tribute during the credits. Over all: 100%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

3. Deadpool & Wolverine

4. A Quiet Place: Day One

5. Inside Out 2

6. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

7. The Fall Guy

8. MaXXXine

9. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

10. Abigail

11. Monkey Man

12. Late Night with the Devil

13. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

14. The Book of Clarence

15. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

16. Drive-Away Dolls

17. Kung Fu Panda 4

18. Lisa Frankenstein

18. Argylle

20. Mean Girls 2024

MaXXXine

MaXXXine is the third part of Ti West's X horror trilogy and sees Mia Goth return as Maxine Minx from the first movie. Now set in 1985, Maxine has found success as a porn actress since the events of 1979 and auditions for and manages to grab the lead in a horror sequel. All the while, Los Angeles is terrorized by a serial killer targeting provocative women who sets its sight on Maxine while she's also being investigated by a mysterious private investigator. What makes this movie, and the trilogy as a whole, so unique is how much West managed to make each movie unique and capturing different aspects of horror over the decades. This entry goes for a slasher vibe similar to the first entry but with the stylistic violence of a giallo film with the aesthetic, mood, and feeling of a neo-noir similarly to those of Brian de Palma. Ti's direction and writing is spot on, capturing great moments of absolute terror while having smaller light moments that balance the horror and drama well. The characters are well defined, the pacing is brisk thanks to West also editing, and the reveals at the end are well done. Eliot Rockett's cinematography and Tyler Bates's scoring really do capture the grunginess and paranoia of the 80s. Much like the last two films, Goth not only gives a strong performance but also shows why her character should be seen as some of the most iconic in horror alongside Laurie Strode and Sidney Prescott. The rest of the cast also manages to stand out thanks to the writing and their performances, with special mention going to Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, and Lily Collins. Whether or not Ti West decides to follow up on MaXXXine, it'll definitely won't be easy to try to top it. Over all: 100%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

3. A Quiet Place: Day One

4. Inside Out 2

5. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

6. The Fall Guy

7. MaXXXine

8. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

9. Abigail

10. Monkey Man

11. Late Night with the Devil

12. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

13. The Book of Clarence

14. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

15. Drive-Away Dolls

16. Kung Fu Panda 4

17. Lisa Frankenstein

18. Argylle

19. Mean Girls 2024

Barbarella Vol. 1

More famous for its 1968 adaptation with Jane Fonda, Barbarella Vol. 1 depicts the original serialized stories of the French erotic sci-fi adventurer. The stories, originally published in issues of V Magazine throughout 1962 and written and drawn by Jean-Claude Forest, sees the title character fly through space, take on crazed dictators, travel through underwater caverns, and other such things normally depicted in these adventure sci-fi stories known for at the time. One big difference to those other stories is how often Barbarella ends up barely clothed or even outright naked throughout each of her adventures. It may have been seen as too salacious and controversial back then, and often very dated and sexist in today's standards to how Barbarella's nudity was depicted, but she's definitely a character who often knows how to use her sexuality and allure to get ahead. Forest's writing is very simple and standard, especially for the time, but manages to be well done, fun, and keeps one invested enough for the next adventure. While his art style is good and manages to convey a lot of colorfulness despite mostly being black and white. He gives a lot of detail to each of the characters' faces and has very well done backgrounds and technology designs. While there are aspects to these stories that are definitely dated, the collection given in Barbarella Vol. 1 still gives some really engaging tales. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:

1. The Complete Peanuts Vol. 15: 1979-1980

2. Daredevil Vol. 1 #170

3. The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 #1

4. Green Arrow Vol. 1 #1

5. Star Wars: Dark Empire #1

6. Barbarella Vol. 1

7. Aquaman Vol. 1 #21

8. Fantastic Four Vol. 1 #48

9. Deadman: Love After Death #1

10. Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck: The Don Rosa Library Vol. 1

11. Blue Beetle Vol. 5 #1

12. Showcase Vol. 1 #75

13. Detective Comics Vol. 1 #441

14. Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18

15. Eternals by Jack Kirby: The Complete Collection (Eternals (1976-1978))

16. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

17. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

18. The Yellow Kid

19. Sabrina the Teenage Witch Vol. 1 #8

20. Archie and Me #132

21. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

22. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674