Scream 2022

With the fifth installment of the franchise, Scream 2022 continues the tradition of the series homaging, referencing, and mocking tropes common to the horror slasher genre, in this case reboot sequels like Halloween 2018. This entry's Ghostface killers go after people related to the events of the first film while trying to reenact moments from both the original 1996 film and the fictional movie series it inspired. All the while, Sidney, Dewey, and Gale reluctantly come back to Woodsboro to help defeat the new assailants. Sadly, this is the first film in the series to not be directed by Wes Craven as he died in 2015, though Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett do a phenomenal job with more unique camera angles and intense shots then the previous entries. Although it's the second time that creator Kevin Williamson doesn't come back to write, the script from James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick still packs the wit and genius that the past films are known for. You get well written characters, genius explanations for what the rules are for a reboot sequel, finely executed jabs towards entitled fandoms, and good mixture of drama, terror, and comedy. One aspect that is a bit mixed is how one of the newer characters, revealed to be the child of original killer Billy Loomis, has visions of him who often helps her. I understand the message it's trying to go for towards people with mental health issues, but some of the execution is confusing. With new cast members like Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and Jack Quaid alongside the recurring ones of Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, every single actor gives strong performances that never miss. Cinematographer Brett Jutkiewicz and editor Michel Aller both add a new level to the franchise through their more unique and brisk look and slower and methodical pacing. Scream 2022 proves why this horror franchise is one of the most unique that there has ever been thanks to its self referential humor and memorable characters. Over all: 99%

2022 top list so far:

1. Scream 2022

Aliens: Dead Orbit #1

Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 is the first issue of a four-part limited series in Dark Horse's version of the Alien universe. While the beginning and end of this debut comic focuses on an engineering officer trying to survive after an encounter with the Xenomorphs, the middle of it flashes back to much earlier. In the earlier timeline, the officer named Wascylweski and other people who work at a fuel depot investigate an unknown vessel that's drifting by them. When the staff see that the vessel is disheveled and the remaining crew are in stasis, their attempts to wake them cause the crew to be horribly burned before taking them out of the pods. James Stokoe proves what a formidable artist he is by not only writing, but also doing all aspects of the artwork, coloring, and lettering. The writing is nothing new to this franchise, but unique in its use of flashbacks rather than straightforward storytelling. With just the first issue, and knowing it's only four parts, Stokoe does an amazing job at introducing us to this story through small but detailed exposition. The characters, especially Wascylweski, may not have a lot of personality at the start, but you do get a lot of interaction between his coworkers that add towards getting some feelings for them. All the while his artwork is really detailed while a tad grimy, but in a way that fits this franchise and can seem like it's taken from an animated show. The issue excels at a mixture of sequential artwork and use of shadows that makes you think twice at what you're looking at. Not to mention the subtlety in showing Wascylweski's fears in the later timelines when he thinks he sees an alien due to how he perceives the shadows. Even how the lettering is done is genius due to how minimal they are and not getting in the way of the artwork. Sometimes a new story in a franchise doesn't need to be so new, but what Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 does is show you just need to tell a story in a more unique way than before. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)

2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special

3. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

4. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1

5. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

6. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1

7. Aliens: Defiance #1

8. Iron Man (2020-) #1

9. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale

10. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened

11. DC Universe: Legacies #1

12. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

13. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One

14. Champions (2020-) #1

15. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

16. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

17. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1

18. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
19. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
20. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)

21. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
22. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
23. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

Back in 2003, DC Comics celebrated the 65th anniversary of its first and most popular superhero, Superman. In the same year, the 800th issue of the comic book series from which he was introduced was slated to be released. Thus, we have Action Comics Vol. 1 #800 which was not only double the pages of a normal issue but saw at the early life of Clark Kent before becoming Superman and having multiple artists work on it. While the first few pages looked at the typical origin story of Superman, as the baby Kat-El landing on Earth, the book then sees another aspect of his life that's rarely or ever covered. It looks at his adopted parents contemplating over whether or not to adopt him, young Clark being bullied and witnessing his father perform a heroic act despite the danger, and as he's moving out of Smallville asks Lana Lang to go with him but she declines. Now focusing on his young adult life, Clark tries to find his place in Metropolis before moving around throughout Europe wherein he fails to stop a man from being murdered and then reuniting with Lana in Italy. He soon meets up with a reporter who takes him to Africa wherein he learns about Clark's powers and inspires him that he has them to help others as he uses his job to do the same. Going back to Metropolis, he witnesses an air show mishap and tries to stealthily save everyone but is witnessed by Lois Lane. Unsure of what to do with his life and powers, he goes back to Smallville wherein after being inspired by his parents' enthusiasm and a letter from Lana, finally makes the decision to become Superman. In the middle of this story are short snippets of either previous Superman adventures or of real life people inspired by him with quotes about his legacy shaping their lives. This is a truly wonderful love letter towards the Man of Steel, with amazing and fresh writing from Joe Kelly. Seeing how many people looked up towards Superman and were inspired by him, such a father and son who bonded through the shows to a kid going through chemotherapy finding strength from his love of the character, is exactly why the character has lasted and will continue to last since 1938. Although the artwork changes every few pages due to different artists and colorists covering them, like Dan Jurgens, Tim Sale, Scott Hanna, and Guy Major, much of their work still has some similarities so as not to feel too different. The artwork is fantastic, colorful, and vibrant, while the snippets in between are all done in unique styles ranging from watercolor to animation resembling the 1940s Fleischer cartoons. If there are any aspects of this comic to be complained over it is the art when it comes to Superman himself. While for the most part he and everyone else are drawn good, there are a few times when they make Clark way larger than everyone else or have him in a pose that's a little awkward. I get what the artists were attempting to do by making him more noticeable in large crowds or bigger than life, but it wasn't always well executed. For a comic meant to celebrate 65 years of Superman, Action Comics Vol. 1 #800 does a phenomenal job with great writing and artwork that for the most part is really good. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)

2. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special

3. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

4. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1

5. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

6. Aliens: Defiance #1

7. Iron Man (2020-) #1

8. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale

9. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened

10. DC Universe: Legacies #1

11. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

12. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One

13. Champions (2020-) #1

14. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

15. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

16. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1

17. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
18. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
19. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)

20. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
21. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
22. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Revised Overall Ratings of 2021 Films

1. Spider-Man: No Way Home-100%

2. Encanto-100%

3. In the Heights-100%

4. No Time to Die-98%

5. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings-96%

6. The Green Knight-96%

7. Candyman 2021-95%

8. The Suicide Squad-92%

9. Ghostbusters: Afterlife-92%

10. Last Night in Soho-88%

11. Dune 2021-85%

12. Free Guy-84%

13. Nobody-84%

14. Black Widow-81%

15. A Quiet Place Part II-81%

16. Respect-78%

17. Raya and the Last Dragon-78%

18. Malignant-75%

19. Eternals-72%

20. Halloween Kills-68%

21. Jungle Cruise-68%

22. Cruella-68%

23. Wrath of Man-65%

24. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City-64%

25. F9-64%

26. Venom: Let There Be Carnage-62%

27. Snake Eyes-60%

28. Old-58%

29. Space Jam: A New Legacy-52%