Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from August 21st to 31st, 2022 - Update #21

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MUSIC - From RollingStone:  Actor, musician, and businessman, Micky Dolenz, is best remembered as a member of pop-rock band, "The Monkeez."  Now, the only surviving member, Dolenz has filed a lawsuit against the FBI to force the law enforcement agency to turn over a file kept on the band during the era of FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover.

DISNEY - From DeadlineChris “Ludacris” Bridges, Lil Rel Howery, and Teyonah Parris will star in the holiday comedy, "Dashing Through the Snow," with Tim Story directing.  The film is scheduled for Disney+ for the 2023 holiday season.

STAR TREK - From THR:  "WandaVision" director Matt Shakman has dropped out of directing Paramount Pictures fourth "Star Trek" reboot film ... perhaps, because "Fantastic Four" is in his future.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/26 to 8/28/2022 weekend box office is Sony Pictures' "The Invitation" with an estimated take of 7 million dollars.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  "Zatima" is a new series from Tyler Perry Studios and BET+.  A spinoff of the series, "Sistas," it will premiere Sept. 29th, and has also added six new cast members.

NETFLIX - From THR:  Netflix's "Resident Evil" live-action series has been cancelled after one season.  It was the first live-action TV series in the "Resident Evil" franchise.

CELEBRITY - From Variety: "Archetypes," the new podcast from Princess Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, has claimed the No. 1 podcast position on Spotify’s charts in six markets worldwide, including the United States and the United Kingdom.  For the time being, “Archetypes” is currently more popular than “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which in the U.S. is consistently the most-listened-to podcast on Spotify.

NETFLIX - From DeadlineFrancis Lawrence will direct and Michael Green will write a film adaptation of the video game, "BioShock," for Netflix.

STREAMING - From FangoriaHulu has released a teaser trailer for the film "Hellraiser," a reboot of Clive Barker's 1987 film of the same name.  The films begins streaming on Hulu October 7th.

TELEVISION - From Today:  On Thursday, September 22nd, 2022, "Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU," and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" will come together in a three-hour, three-series crossover event - on NBC, of course.

MOVIES - From Variety:  "Halloween Ends," the latest installment in the long-running "Halloween" franchise, will have a simultaneous release in theaters and through the streaming service, "Peacock," on Oct. 14th.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Director Matt Reeves ("The Batman") has signed multi-year first-look deal with Warner Bros., and he has also re-up his deal TV deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.

AMAZON - From DeadlineCathy Yan, director of "Birds of Prey," will direct and executive produce a live-action adaptation of Yasutaka Tsutsui's novel, "Paprika," for Amazon.

NETFLIX - From Variety:  Netflix has just released a first look image from director Rian Johnson's "Glass Onion," the sequel to "Knives Out" (2019).  Starring Daniel Craig, the film will debut on Netflix Dec. 23rd, 2022 and will be released to select theaters on a still to be announced date.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 8/19 to 8/21/2022 weekend box office is Sony/Crunchyroll's "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" with an estimated take of 20.1 million dollars.

SCANDAL - From EWGary Busey has been arrested on four charges: two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree, one count of attempted criminal sexual contact, and one count of harassment.  Busey has reportedly been taken into custody due to an incident that occurred in Cherry Hill, N.J., when he was visiting for "Monster-Mania Con" at the suburb's Doubletree Hotel from August 12th to 14th, 2022.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  The family of the late actor, Bill Paxton, has settled their lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of Los Angeles and the surgeon who performed heart surgery on him. Paxton died of a stroke February 25, 2017 eleven days after heart surgery.

OBITS:

From TheDisInsider:  Disney/Pixar animator, art director, storyboard artist, and writer-director, Ralph Eggleston, has died at the age of 56, Monday, August 29, 2022.  Eggleston won an Oscar for his animated short film, "For the Birds" (2000).  Eggleston was responsible for the art direction, production design, and colors of many Pixar films, including the first two "Toy Story" films, "The Incredibles" (2004), and "Inside Out" (2015), to name a few.

From Deadline:  British-Canadian film director and animator, Gerald Potterton, has died at the age of 91, Tuesday, August 23, 2022.  Potterton was best known for directing the cult animated feature film, "Heavy Metal" (1981), and for his work on "The Beatles" 1968 animated film, "Yellow Submarine."  Potterton was also twice nominated for an Academy Award for his work on animated short films.

From ESPN:  Former NFL quarterback, Len Dawson, has died at the age of 87, Wednesday, August 24, 2022.  Dawson led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV (Jan. 11th, 1970) over the Minnesota Vikings, 23-7.  He is a member of the "Pro Football Hall of Fame" (Class of 1987).  He also had a 33-year career as a broadcast analyst.

From Variety:  The retired actress Virginia Patton Moss has died at the age of 97, Thursday, August 18, 2022.  She acted under the name of Virginia Patton, and had a brief career in films during the 1940s before retiring from acting to focus on her family with husband, Cruise W. Moss.  Moss was also the last surviving adult actor to appear in Frank Capra's classic 1946 film, "It's a Wonderful Life."

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From TheDailyBeast:   Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.

From Vox:  Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN:   A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th.  Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN:  The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN:  "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN:  Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports:  The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN:  According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."


Comics Review: RED SONJA Volume 6 #12

RED SONJA VOLUME 6 #12
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Mirka Andolfo and Luca Blengino
ART: Giuseppe Cafaro
COLORS: Chiara Di Francia
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Mirka Andolfo
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

“Mother” Chapter Twelve


Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Dynamite Entertainment is now the publisher of Red Sonja comic books.  One of the recent titles, Red Sonja Volume 6, is under the guidance of popular Italian comic book creator, Mirka Andolfo.  It is written by Andolfo and Luca Blengino; drawn by Giuseppe Cafaro; colored by Chiara Di Francia; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  In this new series, Red Sonja accepts the bounty to bring a girl named “Sitha” to a broker who will send her to her true home (Kithai).  The girl, however, becomes attached to Sonja and calls her mother and an adventure begins.

Red Sonja Volume 6 #12 opens outside of the village of Agaras-Bulba, the true home of Sitha.  Tricked about the girl's fate, Red Sonja now truly sees her as a daughter.  She returns to the village and into the mountain where Sitha is to be sacrificed.  Are things going to unfold as Sonja wishes?

The demon Xamul is free at last, and the High Priestess of his cult is determined to harness her power.  The fate of the village and of Sitha hangs in the balance.  Can Red Sonja save her daughter and guide an enslaved people to freedom … and fight a god?

THE LOWDOWN:   Since July 2021, the marketing department of Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Volume 6 #12 which is the latest of several Dynamite Entertainment Red Sonja comic books that I have read.

What a lovely series Red Sonja Volume 6 is.  Mirka Andolfo and Luca Blengino have fashioned in this series one of the best Red Sonja comic book series that I have ever read.  Yet it took me until the end to truly understand it.  This iteration of Red Sonja was not only a tale of mothers and daughters, but it was also a tale about home.  For Red Sonja and eventually for Sitha, the world is home and you can always find people that can be family, friends, mentors, and maybe even lovers.

I highly recommend this series with its beautiful art by Giuseppe Cafaro and fiery colors by Chiara Di Francia and steady drumbeat lettering by Jeff Eckleberry.  I think it will make a wonderful two-volume trade paperback collection or even one big hardcover.  Readers should be able to discover the wonders of Red Sonja by Mirka Andolfo for years to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja and of Mirka Andolfo will want to try Red Sonja Volume 6.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Comics Review: "THE MAGIC ORDER 3 #2" Recalls Moore "Swamp Thing," Gaiman "Sandman"

THE MAGIC ORDER 3 #2 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Gigi Cavenago
COLORS: Valentina Napolitano
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
COVER: Gigi Cavenago
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gigi Cavenago; Matteo Scalera with Giovanna Niro
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2022)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix


The Magic Order was a six-issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  Published in 2018-19, The Magic Order focuses on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – in particularly the Moonstone family – who live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  A second six-issue miniseries, The Magic Order 2 (2021-22), was recently published.

The Magic Order 3 introduces the Asian chapter of the The Magic Order.  A six-issue miniseries, this third installment is written by Millar; drawn by Gigi Cavenago; colored by Valentina Napolitano; and lettered by Clem Robins.  The series finds Cordelia Moonstone focusing her attention on the Asian chapter's Sammy Liu and his impossible wealth.

The Magic Order 3 #2 opens in 1982 on that one night of the year when the Magic Order and those from whom they protect us call a truce.  They meet in abandoned factories and suburban homes across the world for some hard partying.  Not everything is debauched, as is the case with Leonard Moonstone and a woman named Salome (Mama Moonstone).

Well, now, it's time for some reunions.  It seems that time is neutral, but sometimes … time runs out on old deals, old oaths, old treaties, and the spells on old men.

THE LOWDOWN:  I used to think that The Magic Order was my favorite Mark Millar written, creator-owned comic book.  Now, I know it is.  I think I'm still stuck on The Authority when it comes to my all-time favorite Millar comic book.

I found a review in which the writer basically called Mark Millar's writing, especially on characters, shallow.  Follow Mark on Twitter, and you will discover that he is nostalgic, as comic book fans are want to be.  On the other hand, Mark's comic book writing is often free of nostalgia and sentiment, which is basically the potting soil for a substantial portion of American comics.

Mark and John Romita, Jr.'s Kick-Ass may be the most revolutionary comic book of the twenty-first century because it liberates the superhero comic book of sentiment and nostalgia.  In Kick-Ass, the characters are inscrutable and their motivations and wants are ever shifting.  It isn't that they are either rational or emotional; it is that what they want changes.  What they want and what they can do comes up against reality, and all hell breaks loose.

In The Magic Order 3, Mark's characters are inscrutable, mystifying, and incomprehensible.  For all the power they possess, they are ensnared by the rules of the Magic Order, but rules are bound to the time in which they were conceived.  The characters' power has not made them super-human; it has simply made their humanity more dangerous for them and for everyone around them.  Mark's character's aren't shallow.  The personalities that he has them present may only be a front or fraud, and, as readers, we assume we know what they want.  Comic book readers want decades of consistence from fictional characters.  Mark suggests that want and desire make the fictional characters (like humans) consistently inconsistent, which in turns fills his comics with great moments of the wonderfully unexpected.  There is always a surprise, and because of Mark's great characters, the surprise makes sense.

The other guy who is making The Magic Order 3 so great is Italian artist, Gigi Cavenago.  Cavenago conveys the sense of chaos and magic in Mark's scripts, and, most importantly, the sense of impending doom.  The Magic Order 3 #2 is unremittingly dark.  Cavenago rips off the sheen of sparkly magic with storytelling that revels in the gloom.  These characters all seem like bad or dangerous people, and whatever we expected from the series, Mark and Gigi aren't going to give it to us.

They respect us enough to give us the best, and The Magic Order 3 #2 is one of the best single-issue dark fantasy comic books since the days of Alan Moore and company's Swamp Thing and Neil Gaiman and company's The Sandman.  This is the comic book Marvel wishes Doctor Strange could be.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 3.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar
https://twitter.com/netflix
https://twitter.com/themagicorder
http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, August 29, 2022

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUN220445 ALICE EVER AFTER #5 (OF 5) CVR A PANOSIAN $3.99
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JUN220448 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #13 CVR A DI MEO $3.99
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Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR220325 BREAK OUT #3 (OF 4) CVR A GORHAM $3.99
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MAR220393 VAMPIRE HUNTER D OMNIBUS VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

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Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

DYNAMITE

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IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

JUN221634 D & D RAVENLOFT ORPHAN OF AGONY ISLE #3 CVR A UNDERWOOD (C: $3.99
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Image Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

IMAGE COMICS

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JUN220289 MAGIC ORDER 3 #2 (OF 6) CVR A CAVENAGO (MR) $3.99
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JUN220291 MAGIC ORDER 3 #2 (OF 6) CVR C SCALERA (MR) $3.99
FEB220137 SCUMBAG TP VOL 03 (MR) $16.99

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Marvel Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

MARVEL COMICS

JUN220939 AMAZING FANTASY #1000 $7.99
JUN220941 AMAZING FANTASY #1000 JS CAMPBELL VAR $7.99
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MAR220918 THUNDERBOLTS MARVEL TALES #1 $7.99
JUN221004 VARIANTS #3 (OF 5) $3.99
JUN221005 VARIANTS #3 (OF 5) COLA VAR $3.99
MAY221031 WASTELANDERS TP $15.99
MAY220894 WILD CARDS DRAWING OF CARDS #2 (OF 4) $4.99
MAY220895 WILD CARDS DRAWING OF CARDS #2 (OF 4) CREEES LEE VAR $4.99
JUN220919 X-FORCE #31 $3.99
JUN220914 X-MEN #14 $3.99
JUN220915 X-MEN #14 DAUTERMAN TRADING CARD VAR $3.99
JUN220916 X-MEN #14 JRJR BEYOND AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VAR $3.99

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Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 31, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN221845 AGENT 9 GN VOL 01 MIND CONTROL (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JUN221846 AGENT 9 HC GN VOL 01 MIND CONTROL (C: 0-1-0) $18.99
JUN221867 AGENT OF WORLDE #2 (OF 4) $4.99
JUN221722 ALLEY OOP IN WONDERLAND GN (C: 0-1-1) $19.99
JUL222295 ARIFURETA I HEART ISEKAI GN VOL 04 (RES) (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JUN221136 BELIT & VALERIA #4 CVR A (MR) $3.99
JUN221137 BELIT & VALERIA #4 CVR B (MR) $3.99
JUN221138 BELIT & VALERIA #4 CVR C (MR) $3.99
JUN221139 BELIT & VALERIA #4 CVR D BUCHEMI HOMAGE (MR) $3.99
JUN221441 BEST SHOT IN THE WEST ADVENTURES OF NAT LOVE GN (C: 0-1-0) $9.99
MAR228800 BLACKGUARD GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-1) $12.95
JUN221739 BLINK #2 CVR A SHERMAN $3.99
JUN221740 BLINK #2 CVR B WARD $3.99
MAR228054 BLUE LOCK GN VOL 02 (C: 1-1-1) $12.99
MAY211895 BOTTOM TIER BUREAUCRAT FOR 1500 YEARS GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
JUN221375 BROKEN SOULS BALLAD #3 HELL IS FOR KIDS $4.99
JUN222198 CELLS AT WORK CODE BLACK GN VOL 08 (RES) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
JUN221152 CIH PRESENTS KURTZ VS KURTZ ONE SHOT (C: 0-1-2) $4.00
JUN221561 CLASSIFIED BLACK BOX CVR A LYLE (MR) $12.99
JUN221562 CLASSIFIED BLACK BOX CVR B SAPOLSKY (MR) $12.99
JUN221563 CLASSIFIED BLACK BOX CVR C SEVY (MR) $12.99
JUN221857 CONCRETE WORLD TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $25.00
JUN221758 CRADLE OF FILTH #2 CVR A CHRISTENSEN $6.66
JUN222087 DEADLOCK GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 1-1-2) $14.95
JUL222292 DEATH MAGE SC NOVEL VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $14.95
JUN221332 DEVILS HIGHWAY VOL 2 #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JUL221487 DF BACK TO SCHOOL MULTIPUBLISHER STARTER SET (C: 0-1-2) $33.33
JUN221978 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #4 (OF 4) CVR A TAYLOR $3.99
JUN221979 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #4 (OF 4) CVR B PHOTO $3.99
JUN221980 DOCTOR WHO ORIGINS #4 (OF 4) CVR C SHEDD $3.99
JUN221188 DOGS OF LONDON #4 $3.99
JUN221221 DRAWING THE VOTE ILLUS GUIDE VOTING IN AMERICA GN (C: 0-1-1) $16.99
JUN221719 DREAMS FACTORY HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99
MAY221337 ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN HC (C: 0-1-1) $74.99
JUN221725 ESSENTIAL DYKES TO WATCH OUT FOR SC NEW PTG (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $18.99
JAN228325 FANTASTIC FOUR FULL CIRCLE ALEX ROSS PX SLIPCASE ED $40.00
JUN221156 FANTASTIC FOUR FULL CIRCLE GN (C: 0-1-1) $24.99
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JUN221239 FLORIDA MAN #2 CVR A MARTINS $3.99
JUN221240 FLORIDA MAN #2 CVR B MCCLAIN JR $3.99
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JUN222069 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #63 CVR A VITORINO $3.99
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JUN221470 LACEY & LILY MAGIC & MAYHEM GN (C: 0-1-2) $19.99
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JUN221456 LADY DEATH ENCHANTMENTS #1 PREMIERE ED (MR) $9.99
JUN221458 LADY DEATH SCORCHED EARTH #1 (OF 2) JONBOY MEYERS RAW ED (MR $25.00
JUN221459 LADY DEATH TREACHEROUS INFAMY #1 (OF 2) SPIDER DEATH DAMAGED $25.00
JUN221460 LADY DEATH TREACHEROUS INFAMY #2 (OF 2) RAW ED (MR) $25.00
JUN222140 LOST LAD LONDON GN VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $15.00
JUN222139 LOVE OF KILL GN VOL 09 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
JUN221707 MAD CAVE STUDIOS LEGACY BATTLECATS #1 CVR A CAMELO $2.99
JUN221708 MAD CAVE STUDIOS LEGACY BATTLECATS #1 CVR B LONERGAN $2.99
JUN221709 MAD CAVE STUDIOS LEGACY NOTTINGHAM (MR) $2.99
JUN222131 MAGIA RECORD PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA ANOTHER GN VOL 01 (MR $13.00
MAY222149 MAME COORDINATE GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99
JUN221917 MECHANIX #2 $3.99
JUN221881 MEGA CENTURIONS #2 (OF 5) $4.99
JUN222062 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY WONDERLAND CVR A VITORINO $8.99
JUN222063 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY WONDERLAND CVR B FAJARDO $8.99
JUN222064 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY WONDERLAND CVR C KROME $8.99
JUN221847 NEVERLANDERS GN (C: 0-1-0) $16.99
JUN221848 NEVERLANDERS HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $22.99
JUN221371 NINJA KAIDAN #2 CVR A MEYER $3.99
JUN221372 NINJA KAIDAN #2 CVR B GAY $4.99
JUN221904 NOA NOT OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED #1 (MR) $3.99
JUN221710 NOTTINGHAM #10 (OF 10) CVR A VOLK & ROMANO (MR) $3.99
JUN221711 NOTTINGHAM #10 (OF 10) CVR B VOLK & ROMANO (MR) $3.99
JUN221905 OBLIVION TRIALS #3 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
JUN221189 OCEAN WILL TAKE US #5 $3.99
JUN222135 OTHER WORLDS BOOKS DEPEND BEAN COUNTER GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
JUN221376 PENTAGRAM OF HORROR #4 CVR A FONTANILI $5.99
JUN221380 PLAYTHINGS #3 $4.99
MAY222117 PULSE GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $19.99
JUN221365 REDMAN #3 (OF 5) CVR A FRANK (MR) $3.99
JUN221366 REDMAN #3 (OF 5) CVR B PEREZ (MR) $3.99
JUN221367 REDMAN #3 (OF 5) CVR C FRANK (MR) $3.99
JUN221224 ROBONIC STOOGES STOOGE WARS #1 CVR A SHANOWER MAIN PARODY $3.99
JUN221225 ROBONIC STOOGES STOOGE WARS #1 CVR B PACHECO $4.99
JUN221226 ROBONIC STOOGES STOOGE WARS #1 CVR C CENTURY LTD ED $29.99
MAR228064 SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH US GN VOL 10 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99
MAY221330 STUD & THE BLOODBLADE #1 SIGNATURE SERIES ED (C: 0-1-2) $29.99
JUN221399 SULFUR WELLS #2 CVR A DANIEL PAGE (MR) $3.99
MAY221981 SWORD ART ONLINE GIRLS OPS GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
MAR211683 THIS IS WHERE WE FALL TP (MR) $19.99
JUN222153 TRINITY SEVEN 7 MAGICIANS GN VOL 26 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.00
JUN221906 ULTRAMAX #4 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
JUL222225 VAMPEERZ GN VOL 01 MY PEER VAMPIRES (RES) (C: 0-1-1) $12.95
MAY221221 VAMPIRE MACABRE HALLOWEEN SP ONE SHOT CVR B SGN (MR) (C: 0-1 $14.99
APR221391 VERY FINAL LAST GIRLS GN (C: 0-1-2) $24.99
JUN222044 WEST OF SUNDOWN #5 CVR A CAMPBELL $4.99
JUN222045 WEST OF SUNDOWN #5 CVR B TERRY $4.99
JUN222046 WEST OF SUNDOWN #5 CVR C SEELEY $4.99
JUN221288 WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #18 $8.99
MAY221858 WRASSLE CASTLE GN BOOK 03 $9.99

MAGAZINES

JUN221723 COMIC REVUE PRESENTS AUG 2022 (C: 0-1-1) $19.95
JUN221466 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1828 (NET) $PI
MAY221455 MUTINY #3 CVR A WILLIAMS (MR) $15.00
MAY221456 MUTINY #3 CVR B PHAN (MR) $15.00
MAY221457 MUTINY #3 CVR C COCKER (MR) $15.00
MAY221458 MUTINY #3 CVR D LUCKY STAR LAVAUD (MR) $15.00
MAY221459 MUTINY #3 CVR E RENAUD (MR) $15.00
JUN222057 VAMPIRESS CARMILLA MAGAZINE #11 $5.95

BOOKS

JUN211591 HALFTONE HORROR HISTORY OF HORROR MOVIE COMICS HC (C: 0-1-1) $34.99
JUN222156 ISHURA LIGHT NOVEL VOL 02 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $15.00
JUN221455 LADY DEATH EVEN MORE NAUGHTY ARTBOOK HC (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $45.00
APR221666 MOONSTONE TRIPLE LONE RANGER & DOMINO LADY PROSE SC (C: 0-1- $6.49
JUN222168 REIGN OF SEVEN SPELLBLADES LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06 $15.00
MAY221583 STAR TREK BABYS FIRST KLINGON WORDS BOARD BOOK (C: 0-1-0) $12.99
JAN221691 STAR WARS INSIDER PRESENTS MANDALORIAN SEASON ONE VOL 02 (C: $17.99

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for August 30, 2022

DC COMICS:

Batman ’89 HC, 24.99
Batman’s Mystery Casebook TP, 9.99
Brightest Day Omnibus HC (2022 Edition), 100.00
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #1 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover A Daniel Sampere), 5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #1 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover B Daniel Sampere Foil Card Stock Variant), 6.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #2 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover A Daniel Sampere), 4.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #2 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover B Daniel Sampere Foil Card Stock Variant), 5.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #3 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover A Daniel Sampere), 4.99
Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths #3 (Of 7)(2nd Printing Cover B Daniel Sampere Foil Card Stock Variant), 5.99
DC Connect #28, AR
DC Saved By The Belle Reve #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Juni Ba), 9.99
DC Saved By The Belle Reve #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Riley Rossmo), 9.99
Flash 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot), 5.99
Harley Quinn 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jonboy Meyers), $5.99
Harley Quinn 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Harley Quinn 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Jim Lee & Ryan Sook Homage Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Harley Quinn 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Carmine Di Giandomenico Card Stock Variant), AR
Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Real Sidekicks Of New Gotham Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Max Sarin), $9.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Real Sidekicks Of New Gotham Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Dan Hipp), $9.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Real Sidekicks Of New Gotham Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Sergio Acuna), AR
Harley Quinn The Animated Series Volume 1 The Eat Bang Kill Tour HC, $24.99
Joker Volume 2 HC, $24.99
Sandman Universe Nightmare Country #5 (Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99
Sandman Universe Nightmare Country #5 (Cover B Aaron Campbell Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Sandman Universe Nightmare Country #5 (Cover C Sam Wolfe Connelly Card Stock Variant), AR
Superman Warworld Apocalypse #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Steve Beach), $6.99
Superman Warworld Apocalypse #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Mario Fox Foccillo Card Stock Variant), $7.99
Superman Warworld Apocalypse #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Steve Beach Distressed Card Stock Variant), $7.99
Superman Warworld Apocalypse #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Mikel Janin Foil Card Stock Variant), AR
Wonder Girl 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Joelle Jones), $5.99
Wonder Girl 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Chris Wildgoose Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Wonder Girl 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot)(Cover C W. Scott Forbes Card Stock Variant), AR

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Sunday, August 28, 2022

Review: "JURASSIC WORLD: Dominion" Ends Trilogy with its Best Film

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 50 of 2022 (No. 1862) by Leroy Douresseaux

Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
Running time: 147 minutes (2 hours, 27 minutes)
MPA – PG-13 for intense sequences of action, some violence and language
DIRECTOR:  Colin Trevorrow
WRITERS:  Colin Trevorrow and Emily Carmichael; from a story by Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly (based on characters created by Michael Crichton)
PRODUCERS:  Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  John Schwartzman (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Mark Sanger
COMPOSER:  Michael Giacchino

SCI-FI/ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLER

Starring:  Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, Isabella Sermon, Campbell Scott, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, Omar Sy, Scott Haze, Dichen Lachman, and B.D. Wong

Jurassic World: Dominion is a 2022 science fiction and action-adventure and dinosaur film from director Colin Trevorrow.  It is the direct sequel to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) and the final film in a trilogy that began with the 2015 film, Jurassic World.  Dominion also ties up the story line that began with the 1993 film, Jurassic Park.  Dominion focuses on the heroes of two film trilogies as they try to stop a corporation's genetic experiments from endangering the world.

Jurassic World: Dominion opens three decades after the events depicted in Jurassic Park and four years after the cataclysmic volcanic eruption on Isla Nublar and the incidents at Lockwood Estate (as seen in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom).  Dinosaurs, no longer extinct, freely roam the Earth, causing ecological problems and the deaths of numerous humans – 37 in just the past year.  International corporation, Biosyn Genetics, has won the sole rights to collect dinosaurs, and it has created a dinosaur sanctuary in the Dolomite Mountains of Italy.

Meanwhile, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), former employees of the disastrous “Jurassic World” theme park, are still working to protect dinosaurs.  Claire works with a dinosaur protection organization and investigates illegal dinosaur breeding sites.  Owen works as a wrangler, relocating stray dinosaurs.  They live together in a remote cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where they secretly raise 14-year-old Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), the granddaughter of the late Benjamin Lockwood and the granddaughter who turned out to a clone of Benjamin's late daughter, Charlotte Lockwood.  Living nearby is Blue, one of the Velociraptors (raptors) that Owen once trained at Jurassic World.  She is a mother, having given birth to a baby raptor that Owen named “Beta.”

It turns out that Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), the CEO and owner of Biosyn, wants to possess both Maisie and Beta for the goldmine of information that their genes are.  Meanwhile, the original Jurassic heroes:  paleobotanist, Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern); paleontologist, Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill); and chaos theorist, Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), are also investigating Biosyn's dark plans.  But can they infiltrate Biosyn and avoid a hoard of hungry dinosaurs?

A few months ago, I read a review of Jurassic World: Dominion in which the reviewer said that the presence of the star trio of Jurassic Park:  Ellie, Alan, and Ian, diminished the presence of Jurassic World's star couple, Claire and Owen.  I disagree.  Actually, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard make the most of every minute in which their characters are on screen.  In fact, I believe that the film is more about Claire and Owen than it is about Ellie, Alan, and Ian, although they are a huge part of the film's narrative.  I see the union of Jurassic Park's biggest characters and Jurassic World's biggest as the best of both worlds.  Frankly, this union should have happened in the first Jurassic World film.

In addition to the stars, Dominion sees the return of previous franchise supporting characters.  Omar Sy returns as Barry Sembene, Owen's fellow animal trainer from Jurassic World.  BD Wong's Dr. Henry Wu only appeared in the original Jurassic Park, but has appeared in all three Jurassic World films.  Dominion offers Henry a chance at redemption.  Dominion also offers two killer new characters, DeWanda Wise's Kayla Watts, a pilot who could be straight out of yesteryear's adventure serials – except Black women were not pulp fiction heroes.  Mamoudou Athie is espionage-cool as Ramsay Cole, the head of communications at Biosyn Genetics.

However, Jurassic World: Dominion is not really about stories or characters.  Yes, there is a lot going on; the movie is essentially a … park full of subplots, all around a basic (thin) plot – which is to stop Biosyn.  Dominion is really a science fiction action-adventure movie filled with action scenes.  There must be about twenty or so action set pieces:  a race to escape illegal breeders; a stop the poachers fight; run away from the giant, killer locusts; and running away from the dinosaurs in the forest, on a frozen pond, in plane, in a cave, etc.

And it all works.  The cast, director, writers, and crew of editors, sound, cameras, stunts, visual effects, assistants and everyone else.  They all come together to make a thrill machine of a movie with action scenes that keep the viewer too occupied to notice the lapses in logic and common sense.

In the first trilogy, the films that followed Jurassic Park were inferior to it.  In the Jurassic World trilogy, the final film is the best of the lot.  Bringing in so many characters from previous films is a good idea.  Putting them in a series of well-staged action scenes is another good idea.  Giving us a happy ending full of happy endings and heartwarming resolutions is an even better idea.  Jurassic World: Dominion is not a great film, but it is a very satisfying conclusion to what started back in 1993, when Jurassic Park made us believe that its dinosaurs were real.

7 of 10
B+
★★★½ out of 4 stars


Saturday, August 27, 2022


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "PANTHA Volume 2 #4" Walks Like a Panther

PANTHA VOLUME 2 #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson
ART: Daniel Maine; Igor Lima
COLORS: Adriano Augusto
LETTERS: Dezi Sienty
COVER: Giuseppe Matteoni
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2022)

Rated Teen+

“Oh, Woe is Us!”


A Dynamite Entertainment, Pantha first appeared in Vampirella #30 (cover date: January 1974).  She is an ancient Egyptian queen who was cursed by the goddess of war and rage, Sekhmet, because of the murders she committed.  Pantha must walk the world forever, trapped between the forms of human and panther.  She will never know home or peace, burdened by the fury of a goddess and the rage of the innocents she ordered slain.

Pantha, like Vampirella, is now belongs to Dynamite Entertainment, which gave the character her own six-issue miniseries in 2012.  Pantha returns in a new comic book series, entitled Pantha Volume 2.  It is written by Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson; drawn by Igor Lima and Daniel Maine; colored by Adriano Augusto; and lettered by Dezi Sienty, Carlos  M. Mangual, and Taylor Esposito.  In this new series, Pantha/Maatkar Samira must save the Egyptian pantheon from a mysterious adversary that is older than the gods and wants the gods' power.

Pantha Volume 2 #4 (“Oh, Woe is Us!”) opens in Cairo, Egypt – the present day.  There, the primordial god, Atum, lives as the humble artisan, Ahmed.  Now, one of his oldest creations has come calling for him.

Meanwhile, Pantha and Nick have escaped to the safe house of “The Mortalists,” a place known as “The House of Woe.”  Injured, Pantha needs some medical attention, and she will get it here.  However, their host at the House of Woe, Ba-Pef, is living foul.  Is he the traitor in their midst?  Is he one of their own, someone who will use their greatest fears against them as they prepare to face the so-called god-eater, Ta-Nakht.   

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Pantha Volume 2 #4, which is only the fourth Pantha comic book that I have read.

With Pantha Volume 2, writers Thomas Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson are killing it.  Have I said that before?  If I have, that is because it is true.  Pantha is a wonderful dark fantasy-thriller full of eccentric heroes and monstrous adversaries.

Artists Daniel Maine and Igor Lima give Pantha #4 a look that reminds me of Neil Gaiman's beloved comic book series, The Sandman.  It featured many wonderful artists creating a world of shifting shadows.  Here, Maine makes the action expand the scope of the darkness.

I'll repeat what I said in my reviews of the first three issues.  Don't walk.  Don't run.  Drive like a maniac (without causing an automobile accident) to your local comic shop and get Pantha Volume 2 #4.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite's dark fantasy titles will want to read Pantha Volume 2.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------

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Comics Review: "SAMURAI SONJA #3"

SAMURAI SONJA VOLUME 1 #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jordan Clark
ART: Miriana Puglia
COLORS: Kike J. Diaz
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Clayton Henry
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2022)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Dynamite Entertainment is now the publisher of Red Sonja comic books, and it publishes a number of titles featuring alternate versions of the character.  The latest is Samurai Sonja, Volume 1.  It is written by Jordan Clark; drawn by Pasquale Qualano and Miriana Puglia; colored by Kike J. Diaz; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.  This series is set in feudal Japan and introduces a brand new Sonja, a samurai serving a sea goddess in order to slay an oni shogun – with her life and family name on the line.

Samurai Sonja, Volume 1 #3 opens in the Sengoku period of Japan.  Sonja's journey to the fortress where she will confront the demon lord, Shuten Doji, brings her to a vast bridge.  It is guarded by a terrible and humongous oni.  Now, Sonja must use the lessons of the sword that she has learned if she is to defeat this three-eyed oni giant.

THE LOWDOWN:   Since July 2021, the marketing department of Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Samurai Sonja, Volume 1 #3, one of many Red Sonja-related comic books that I have read.

Writer Jordan Clark is taking the time to write an epic comic book that not only respects the publishing history of Red Sonja the comic book character, but also explores the possibilities of a character that turns out to be filled to the brim with possibilities.  I imagine that Samurai Sonja is meant to be short-lived, but I think Clark could run this on as long as some classic manga series.  Samurai Sonja is another Red Sonja comic book winner.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will want to read Samurai Sonja, Volume 1.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
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Comics Review: "Nyx #9" is an Excellent Ninth Issue

NYX #9
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Christos Gage
ART: Marc Borstel
COLORS: Jordi Escuin Llorach
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Giuseppe Matteoni
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2022)

Rated T+

Nyx created by Tom Sniegoski and Ed McGuinness

“Teen Drama”


Nyx is a Vampirella comic book character.  She is the daughter of Chaos the Mad God and a human woman, making Nyx half-demon and half-human, but she needs to feed on human life force in order to live.  Nyx was created by writer Tom Sniegoski and artist Ed McGuinness and first appeared in Harris Comics' Vengeance of Vampirella #23 (cover dated: February 1996).  She is a longtime enemy and sometimes friend of Vampirella.

The character now has her own solo comic book series, entitled Nyx.  It is written by Christos Gage; drawn by Marc Borstel; colored by Jordi Escuin Llorach; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  The series finds Nyx dealing with her emerging human side, although her demon side is still powerful and hungry for human life force.

As Nyx #9 (“Teen Drama”) opens, Chaos is teaching his daughter, Tunrida, the finer points of genocide.  But isn't it Nyx's job to raise her younger half-siblings?  Now, the poor girl is on the depraved path of death and conquest … and maybe suicide.

Returning Tunrida to her foster parents in Cleveland, circa 1995, Nyx must save her sibling from their twisted father.  Or will she lose another loved one to the Mad God Chaos?  Is Nyx, who was quite rotten, evil, and murderous herself, the right person to save Turnida?  Whatever happens concerning Tunrida, Nyx and her siblings and Chaos are on a collision course...

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Nyx #9, the ninth issue of the series that I have read.

I have been saying that Christos Gage is writing a wonderful comic book in Nyx and the title remains so.  The characters are always witty and nasty and stubborn, even when they seem doomed.  Gage uses the characters to bring energy to this title and also to give it a sense of comic timing.

Marc Borstel and colorist Jordi Escuin Llorach continue to do a good job creating this unique graphical storytelling.  They make this a comic book series you want to read, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Vampirella comic books will want to try Nyx.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Thursday, August 25, 2022

Review: Viggo Mortensen is a Kingpin in Cronenberg's "CRIMES OF THE FUTURE"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 49 of 2022 (No. 1861) by Leroy Douresseaux

Crimes of the Future (2022)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Canada (with France, Greece, and UK); Language:  English
Running time:  107 minutes (1 hour, 47 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong disturbing violent content and grisly images, graphic nudity and some language
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  David Cronenberg
PRODUCERS:  Robert Lantos, Panos Papahadzis, and Steve Solomos
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Douglas Koch (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Christopher Donaldson
COMPOSER:  Howard Shore

SCI-FI

Starring:  Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Don McKellar, Scott Speedman, Welket Bungué, Lihi Kornowski, Nadia Litz, Tanaya Beatty, Sotiris Siozos, and Kristen Stewart

Crimes of the Future is a 2022 Canadian science fiction film from writer-director David Cronenberg.  The film focuses on a performances artist who showcases the metamorphosis of his internal organs with the help of his partner who performs surgery on him during the performance.

Crimes of the Future opens sometime in the future when humanity has experienced a number of biological changes and evolutionary changes to human physiology.  The film introduces Saul Tenser (Viggo Mortensen) and Caprice (Lea Seydoux), a performance artist couple.  Saul's body is afflicted by “accelerated evolution syndrome,” which forces his body to constantly develop new vestigial organs.  Tenser is in constant pain, and he relies biomechanical devices in order to sleep and to eat.  Using a “Sark autopsy module,” Caprice performs surgery on Saul before an audience as an act of performance art, performances which have made the duo world renown.

Saul and Caprice's performances have started to draw official, governmental, and law enforcement interest.  They meet Wippet (Don McKellar) and Timlin (Kristen Stewart), the two bureaucrats in charge of the “National Organ Registry,” which catalogs and stores newly developed and evolved organs.

Not everyone is excited about “body-growth” and consider it a “body-crime.”  Cope (Welket Bungué), a detective with the “New Vice Unit,” a governmental police agency, wants Tenser to infiltrate the worlds of evolutionists, the people that want to accept and encourage “accelerated evolution syndrome.”  After he meets Lang Dotrice (Scott Speedman), a grieving father, Saul goes so deep into the world of this new human evolution that he might discover something about himself.

Some consider Crimes of the Future to be both a science fiction and horror film, but I consider it to be only a science fiction film.  However, I do recognize how much the film travels into the realms of the genre of “body horror.”  In that, Crimes of the Future does share many similarities with David Cronenberg's last science fiction-horror film, eXistenZ (1999).  Both are set in a world where biotechnology invents new machines that can directly interface with human bodies and control those bodies.  In both films, public performances of man-machine interfaces are both popular and controversial, and a diverse group of entities:  law enforcement, fetishists, secretive agencies, rebels, dissidents, and subcultures seek to control the future and future-tech.

In Crimes of the Future, Cronenberg presents a world in which the evolutionary change is spurred on by technology and other man-made efforts.  Once this new evolution starts, it is free to do as it pleases, outside the considerations of humanity.  As in many of his films, a lead character, group of characters, and/or society and the world at large struggle to adapt to that change.  To one extent or another, they are against it, afraid of it, and some ultimately, even if reluctantly, embrace that change.

Two things hold this film together, David Cronenberg's vision and his muse, actor Viggo Mortensen as Saul Tenser.  Cronenberg and his collaborators have created a world in which biotechnological and evolutionary changes take place in drab and rundown settings.  In Crimes of the Future, Cronenberg does not need flying cars and off-world colonies in order to communicate to his audience that the world and mankind are in a future undergoing radical transformation.  True to his ways, Cronenberg is both provocative and exploitative and visionary and elegant as he executes a story of a world in which evolution forces humanity to live in the world it made.

Crimes of the Future has a number of eccentric performances.  Lea Seydoux makes Caprice grow … and evolve, and Kristen Stewart is impish and mysterious as Timlin.  However, Viggo Mortensen is both the center of this film's narrative and the outer boundaries of its ideas and ambitions.  He holds it together both as one afflicted by evolution and as an explorer of the world of evolution and new humans.  Mortensen's gift is to make people buy into the idea that he is indeed the character he plays and that what he does as that character is authentic and not a contrivance of a really talented actor.

Once again, David Cronenberg offers a film that examines horrifying change, and he does it without nostalgia and sentiment, but with a superb score by the great Howard Shore.  Yeah, Cronenberg is a genius, and Crimes of the Future is his latest masterpiece.  The ending, which feels like a quick wrap-up, is the only reason I won't call this film perfect, but it would be a crime of the present for me to quibble about that.

9 of 10
A+
★★★★+ out of 4 stars


Thursday, August 25, 2022


The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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