The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36

The first Marvel comic to address the events of the September 11 attacks a few months after it occurred, The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36 sees Spider-Man narrating over the destruction that occurred that day. He and the other heroes, like the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, do what they can to help, saving as many lives as possible and taking out fires and dealing with the rubble. Spider-Man's narration comments on how the actions of madmen will possibly lead to war, but still finding hope in the actions of not only heroes but the most normal people as well. The most surprising thing that he finds is that even villains like Kingpin and Doctor Doom, who visibly sheds a tear, are disgusted by these actions. This issue is an amazing tribute towards those who died during the terrorist attacks that day, a good blend of tragedy and hope that reminds us that despite how much evil there could be the good will always rise. J. Michael Straczynski's writing is beautiful with its poetic style and takes an entire issue's mostly inner monologue and crafts it into something so pure, sad, and optimistic. Him showing that even villains have disgust for these attacks is a good way of presenting them as having morals despite what they do. With the art of John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna and the coloring of Avalon Studios and Dan Kemp, this comic has a truly vibrant look. The artwork is highly detailed and is able to help convey exactly what the characters think and feel without them saying much. With such a tragedy that recently occurred, The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36 pays homage to the lives lost and to the real life heroes who risked everything to save however many they could. Over all: 100%

Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36

2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)

3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special

4. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1

5. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1

6. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1

7. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

8. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1

9. DC First: Flash/Superman #1

10. Aliens: Defiance #1

11. Iron Man (2020-) #1

12. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale

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

14. DC Universe: Legacies #1

15. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

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

17. Champions (2020-) #1

18. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

19. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

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

21. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
22. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
23. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets

24. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)

25. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
26. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
27. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Following on from both WandaVision and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees the titular hero contend with Wanda Maximoff, know calling herself the Scarlet Witch, who has been corrupted by the Darkhold, a dark spell book, into doing anything she has to do to get versions of her children from another universe. With the help of other sorcerers, including Wong, they must keep America Chavez, a young girl with the power to travel the multiverse, safe from Wanda's hands. When Strange and Chavez do end up traveling the multiverse, they must do whatever they can to stop Wanda while dealing with the consequences of Strange's own actions when previously handling the multiverse. Sam Raimi comes back to the superhero genre after his stint in the original Spider-Man trilogy and does a phenomenal job at taking Scott Derickson's place. His unique direction and style benefits this much more horror oriented entry in the MCU that often captures the fun and absurdity of 90s and early 2000s superhero movies. The script from Michael Waldron has a lot of strengths when it comes to the imagination provided, capturing the craziness of Marvel's multiverse similar to that of the comics, smart in not showing too much of the multiverse knowing it will be expanded on later, the fun references to characters we've seen before, and not afraid to be as dark as the franchise has ever been. Weaknesses, however, are very noticeable such as the length being rather short while giving us so much to take in, certain character decisions that feel off, and how rather simple the plot is considering what it involves. The cast that returns from either the last Doctor Strange entry or other past projects, including Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen, with newcomers, such as Xochitl Gomez all give powerful performances. Olsen, specially, proves how terrifying Scarlet Witch can be whether in the comics or in a live action adaptation. This film's cinematography, provided by John Mathieson, gives us a good mixture of terrifying and light while also looking distinct with each universe that's travelled through. The editing from Bob Murawski and Tia Nolan has some issues in the beginning with the pacing being a little off, but soon after gets better and the unique cuts and transitions really helps fit Raimi's style. Danny Elfman, a regular composer for Raimi, replaces the first film's composer, Michael Giacchino, and gives his own style to the music, and while he does a good job it's not as memorable as Giacchino's work. Despite how noticeable its flaws are, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness takes bold decisions and isn't afraid to be dark in a way that you don't mind and manages to still give a fun experience. Over all: 88%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

2. The Northman

3. The Batman

4. Dog

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once

6. X 2022

7. Scream 2022

8. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

9. Uncharted

The Northman

Inspired by the same Scandinavian legend that Hamlet is based on, The Northman is an epic historical Viking movie from Robert Eggers. Eggers tells the story of Amleth, a Viking prince played by Alexander Skarsgard, who witnesses the murder of his father by an uncle who takes the throne, leading to Amleth vowing to avenge him and rescue his mother. Years later he has been taken by a different tribe of Vikings and has become a berserker taking part in raids and brutal battles. Hearing about his uncle being overthrown and exiled to Iceland, and upon being told of a prophecy that his revenge will come, Amleth sets out to look for his uncle by getting into a slave ship and pretending to be one. Once he gets to his uncle's farm, and with the help of another slave played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Amleth plays the long game to enact his revenge that all leads to supernatural events, long held revelations, lots of blood and gore, and a final battle at a volcano. Being about Vikings, the film has no shortage of brutality, bloody battles, and the absolute muck that the era is known for. All this thanks to both the production design that captures the time perfectly and all of the vast locations shown thanks to filming in Northern Ireland and Iceland. Eggers and his cowriter Sjón managed to envision something that's a combination of beautiful and disgusting. Their writing is crafted so precisely and definitely has the type of twists and turns that Shakespeare was also inspired by. Despite following Amleth and his quest, often it shows us that you don't always agree with it and it isn't a black and white story. The battles and fights themselves never feel like they hold back and show just how brutal a society based on fighting and death can be. Casting is superb as alongside Skarsgard and Taylor-Joy, you get just as strong performances from Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Claes Bang. Other aspects that capture the authenticity of the time period are the astounding cinematography from Jarin Blaschke and the subdued score from Robin Carolan and Sebastian Gainsborough. All the while Louise Ford's work as editor gives us a well paced movie with no overuse of editing for the fight scenes. Epic is an easy way to describe a lot of films that are long and/or involve large battles and set pieces, but The Northman proves you can have the second without needing the first. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

2. The Northman

3. The Batman

4. Dog

5. Everything Everywhere All at Once

6. X 2022

7. Scream 2022

8. Uncharted

Tintin in the Land of the Soviets

Published from 1929 to 1930, Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is the debut of the iconic Belgian reporter and his trusty Fox Terrier, Snowy, from cartoonist Hergé and published in the Le Vingtieme Siecle newspaper. The story centers on reporter Tintin being sent to the Soviet Union to write about life in the newly formed communist country. Unfortunately for the reporter and his trusted dog, the Soviet secret police intends to kill them at every opportunity the get. Tintin's train gets bombed, and while he survives they get arrested only for them to escape and try any way to get through the communist country, evading the authorities as he meets with the people who are disparaged by them. Eventually, Tintin heads back to Belgium all the while preventing the Soviets from planning explosions throughout Europe's capitals. While I was always aware of Tintin through the animated shows, the Spielberg 2011 film, and other works that pay homage or reference the franchise, this is the first time I've ever read any of Hergé's signature work. I am aware that this is way different from the later entries of the series, having a very quick random events like plot with crude and colorless artwork. Nonetheless it's a fun story with the many outlandish things that happen to Tintin and Snowy kinda endearing and seeing the introductory story is always good so as to see how it eventually evolves. That being said, the writing isn't terrible but it's rather rudimentary and dated, mainly due being made as anti-communist propaganda and portraying the Soviet Union in an over the top way through its corruption and violence. It doesn't help that Hergé, who usually does a lot of research for his works, based most of the writing on a book from a diplomat. Yes, the artwork is a bit crude, not very detailed, and in black and white, but some of that is a bit charming considering when it was made. Some of the Soviet generals have similar looks but Tintin and Snowy's designs still retain their iconic looks despite how early it is for them. For being rushed, it doesn't look that great but it isn't terrible and you can tell what's going on most of the time. Every long running series has to start somewhere, whether with a strong or weak intro, and Tintin in the Land of the Soviets is about right in the middle as though it's fun it's datedness and rushed work is evident. Over all: 98%

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. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1

5. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1

6. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800

7. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1

8. DC First: Flash/Superman #1

9. Aliens: Defiance #1

10. Iron Man (2020-) #1

11. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale

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

13. DC Universe: Legacies #1

14. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

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

16. Champions (2020-) #1

17. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0

18. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76

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

20. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
21. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
22. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets

23. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)

24. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
25. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
26. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Playing a fictional version of himself, Nicolas Cage stars alongside Pedro Pascal in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. This fictional Cage is one who is dissatisfied with how his career is going due to missing out on so many good roles and a family that he's not very close to. Before he decides to retire, Cage is offered a lot of money to hang out with a billionaire in Spain, played by Pascal, who is a huge fan of his. Once there, he is recruited by CIA agents to help them expose Javi, Pascal's character, as a drug dealer and kidnapper of a politician's daughter. If anyone deserves to portray themselves and deal with all the metaness of their career, Cage is the right pick due to his unique choices in projects, over the top performances, and often odd behavior. Having directed and cowritten with Kevin Etten, Tom Gormican gives a movie that is not only hilarious, but filled with good drama and very emotional moments that digs deep into Cage's method. While Cage is known for playing characters with ridiculous outbursts and yelling like a madman, this movie doesn't rely on that and instead gives us the story of a man dealing with his insecurities and where his career is heading. Plus Gormican gives some really inventive action scenes and some often call back to much of Cage's career. But the film's biggest standout is obviously Cage's performance, both the depressed regular version of himself and the over the top version we expect from him that he often imagines pushing him to go back to what made him popular. There's also Pascal who proves that he can be great in comedy due to his past mostly involving serious dramas. The fact that he himself is a genuine Nicolas Cage fan adds to their strong chemistry and makes the crazy things they go through feel believable. Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who give strong performances no matter how good or bad the movie will be and has played all sorts of characters throughout his filmography, so The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent proves that he will never fade and we'll be seeing more of him. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

2. The Batman

3. Dog

4. Everything Everywhere All at Once

5. X 2022

6. Scream 2022

7. Uncharted

Everything Everywhere All at Once

Something that many big franchises are doing recently is dealing with stories involving the multiverse, whether it's the MCU or the DCEU, due to the complexity of alternate worlds and how you could have old versions of characters come back. That doesn't mean that smaller works wouldn't be able to tell stories involving this concept, and Everything Everywhere All at Once is one such movie. With the Russo brothers as producers and Michelle Yeoh in the lead role, there's already a guaranty of it being highly imaginative and kick ass. The story starts out simple enough with a Chinese-American immigrant, Yeoh's Evelyn Quan Wang, dealing with a struggling laundromat, a failing marriage, her ill father, having a hard time accepting her daughter's lesbianism, and being audited by the IRS. Things start to go crazy when her husband is taken over by an alternate version of himself who reveals the multiverse to Evelyn, how she can gain the skills and memories of alternate versions of herself through odd acts, and that she is key to saving all of reality. The threat to the multiverse is an alternate version of Evelyn's daughter, Joy, who grew to resent her mother for not accepting her and how the multiverse experiments caused her to experience all versions of herself all at once. With only a budget of 25 million dollars, this is a highly imaginative, crazy, and fun film that can compete with those with a budget of over hundreds of millions. The writing and directing team of Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert craft an absolute banger of a movie with well shot and creative action choreography and such a fresh take on a decades old trope that is used to not only be funny and dramatic, but often changes genre and style mid way through and is used to deal with themes of parental abandonment and existentialism. One big flaw with their writing, however, is that the ending and its message takes a bit forever to get to its conclusion. What makes a lot of the multiverse concept work is Larkin Seiple's incredible work in the cinematography, capturing the styles of 70s kung fu movies and the vibrant looks of Wong Kar-wai's work that exemplifies the various realities. But of course, all of that would not matter if not for the strong performances that Yeoh and the rest of the cast, such as James Hong, Stephanie Hsu, and Ke Huy Quan, all give. They all manage to give their alternate characters their own styles, methods, and personalities in such a way that no two versions ever feel the same. Everything Everywhere All at Once proves that smaller, more independent films can handle huge concepts just as well as the bigger budgeted franchise ones. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Batman

2. Dog

3. Everything Everywhere All at Once

4. X 2022

5. Scream 2022

6. Uncharted

X 2022

100 word review challenge:

X 2022 is a slasher about the cast and crew of a 1979 porno being killed off by a creepy old couple. Directed and written by Ti West and having Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Kid Cudi, and Martin Henderson. Cast is incredible, with Goth playing two distinct characters, one with impressive old makeup. Great throwback to classic slashers and takes its time before the first kill. Cinematography captures the era, with colorful and unique look. Even though it's rather simple, much like how the characters feel about their film, X 2022 is a lot more than just sex and violence. Over all: 100%

2022 top list so far:

1. The Batman

2. Dog

3. X 2022

4. Scream 2022

5. Uncharted