2018 Film Review: The Predator9/17/2018 Written by: Kevin Berge  Are we allowed to show this much blood on a poster? I guess we are if it's green. (Image Courtesy of: ign.com) Quick Take: The Predator is the most subversive film in the franchise, an undeclared satire of itself with hyper-violent action and rapid-fire dialogue. Choppy editing lets it down with a confusingly structured story, but it is nonetheless a welcome change of pace for franchise filmmaking.
TV Review: Iron Fist Season 29/15/2018 Written by: Kevin Berge  It turns out, when you miscast your lead character, your best answer is to just admit to it and call him out for being terrible. (Image Courtesy of: screenrant.com) Quick Take: Iron Fist Season 2 is a marked on season 1, taking a pretty clear left turn in its presentation of the main characters especially Danny Rand. However, it is still fairly dreary with weak writing and led by an uncharismatic lead, luckily buoyed by strong central plotting and more effective threats.
Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com) Go-home show weeks for lesser WWE pay-per-views are always lackluster. Talent save their best for later while the stories never feel like they reach a satisfying climax. Hell in a Cell 2018 is being treated as the appetizer for a bigger main course in Super Show-Down in October. For that reason, this was far and away the worst week of WWE I covered since changing to this format. Luckily... well, honestly there's not really a positive here. It was just a bad week all around, but there is next week to look out for with multiple potential showstoppers.  Serious question: is Kevin Owens' NXT to WWE transition less or more successful than Tyler Breeze's? At least Breeze created something entertaining in Fashion Files. Written by: Kevin Berge  Who knew that Christopher Robin would end up becoming Ewan McGregor? Suddenly, I'm seeing Trainspotting in a whole new light. (Image Courtesy of: latimes.com) Quick Take: Disney's Christopher Robin is a bizarre mix of nostalgia for the Winnie the Pooh stories and classic sweet themes on family and livelihood that is almost a direct play on Marry Poppins. Oddly constructed but well meaning, this movie is fine but does not seem wholly inticing for any demographic or age group.
Written by: Kevin Berge  For all her unique touches, you can tell Yona's artist really likes her male characters wholly androgynous. (Image Courtesy of: stmed.net) There are few shows, anime or otherwise, I have heard about and instantly known I'd love. It took barely a pitch to convince me I would fall in love with Yona of the Dawn, a smart and engaging adventure anime that uses it plot to develop characters who start simple and grow far more nuanced.
Unfortunately, I had one reason to stay away for years. The anime is not a complete story. While largely well received, it covers just the first 8 volumes of a so far 26-volume manga. In order to cover it, I would have to accept that I would not get the complete story or commit to reading the ongoing manga. I have finally given the show a chance with the assumption I'm going to get hooked enough that I will have to read the manga. It's inevitable, but I think there's still something to be learned and celebrated in watching this series. |