Lisa Frankenstein

A horror comedy set in the 80s, Lisa Frankenstein stars Kathryn Newton as an outcast who befriends and then falls in love with a reanimated corpse played by Cole Sprouse. Zelda Williams, in her feature-length directorial debut, crafts a fun and quirky film aided thanks to Diablo Cody's writing. Their work manages to take a rather simple and overplayed story and gives it a very unique identity with how the plot goes from start to finish. The movie knows how to perfectly balance terrifying and bloody moments with absolutely hilarious ones right after. Newton and Sprouse not only give strong performances but their chemistry is what truly cements this movie. Under lesser filmmakers and actors, Lisa Frankenstein would no doubt be a forgettable droll, but thankfully the strong work of its cast and crew make it worthwhile. Over all: 89%

2024 top list so far:

1. The Book of Clarence

2. Lisa Frankenstein

3. Argylle

4. Mean Girls 2024

Argylle

Matthew Vaughn's latest foray into the spy comedy genre is Argylle, in which a spy novelist gets involved in the real deal. Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell lead in this, as usual for Vaughn, over the top and energetic romp. While a lot of Jason Fuchs's writing doesn't offer anything too new, the plot is rather predictable from the start, and so much relies on obvious coincidences, he still manages to make it entertaining despite that. Being a Vaughn film, the action and fight scenes are of course incredibly inventive, wonderfully unique, and high octane. However, due to its PG-13 rating there's so much of the action that feels rather tame compared to his previous work. Howard and Rockwell not only play well off of each other, but you also get Bryan Cranston and Catherine O'Hara as highly memorable villains as well as Henry Cavill and John Cena who often steal the movie as fictional spies from the books that take part in similar escapades as the leads. However, for such a big budget film, some of the effects do feel a bit jarring, even if it adds to the fun appeal at times. Despite being an incredibly fun movie, Argylle does tend to feel like it's both trying too much and not enough. Over all: 78%

2024 top list so far:

1. The Book of Clarence

2. Argylle

3. Mean Girls 2024

Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18

The original iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy was introduced in Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18  back in 1968. Consisting of Jupiterian soldier Charlie-27, American astronaut Vance Astro, the crystalline Plutonian Martinex, and archer Yondu Udonta, the four strangers have to learn to work together to defeat the Badoon who plan to invade the Solar System in the 31st century. This introduction to the original version of the Guardians is interesting, with only a few things similar to the most well known incarnation made famous by the James Gunn films. A few things off note include having a member be from Earth but unable to go back, Yondu and his choice of weapon, how the team initially started fighting each other before finding common ground, and fighting against enemies wanting to conquer all. Arnold Drake's writing gives each of the characters the feeling of not just being stock sci-fi characters but giving them their own backstories and motivations. It often over relies on narration and exposition, but considering this is the start of a new franchise for Marvel, it's needed to let us understand this futuristic setting. With Gene Colan, Mike Esposito, and Stan Goldberg each providing the initial artwork, inking, and coloring to the comic, you have pages and panels with incredible visuals. Good use of shadows, vibrant backgrounds, and detailed character designs all add to the biggest strength of this issue. One small complaint is Charlie-27's design is overly rotund, though him being from a planet with much stronger gravity does explain it but could have been better. Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18 is not only a fun comic to read, but a good start for what was considered one of Marvel's most obscure character. 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. Deadman: Love After Death #1

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

8. Detective Comics Vol. 1 #441

9. Marvel Super-Heroes Vol. 1 #18

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

11. Hulk Vol. 5 #1

12. Avnegers: War Across Time #1

13. The Yellow Kid

14. Sabrina the Teenage Witch Vol. 1 #8

15. Archie and Me #132

16. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

17. Action Comics Vol. 1 #674