(courtesy IMDb) SNAPSHOTAfter witnessing an old dark stormy cloud painfully rain and die in sorrow, Noma, a puffy white cloud realizes [sic] that Mixtli, her daughter, a dark stormy cloud, is in danger of raining prematurely. Nube is an animated short film written and directed by Mexican filmmakers Diego Alonso Sánchez de Continue Reading
Graphic novel review: Step by Bloody Step by Spurrier-Bergara-Lopes
SNAPSHOTTHERE IS A GIRL. She has no memory and no name. Nothing but a GUARDIAN. An armored giant who protects her from predators and pitfalls. TOGETHER THEY WALK across an extraordinary fantasy world. If they leave the path the air itself comes alive, forcing them onwards. Why? The girl doesn’t Continue Reading
Deep TBR book review: Geraldine by Andrea Thompson (2025)
(courtesy Fremantle Press) As I discovered fairly early in life, much of the world has very fixed and fiercely defended ideas about a “normal” person should be. And if you don’t fit that mold, then woe betide you because you will finds yourself battling against terrifyingly intense forces that won’t Continue Reading
Mini-mass of movie trailers: Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Ghosts: The Possession of Button House + Klara & the Sun
(via Shutterstock) This is a time grand confessions – I don’t particularly love popcorn. Scandalous, right? Actually, not really, but when you go to the movies as much as I do, a popcorn ambivalence doesn’t really fit with the usual moviegoing vibe (thought I do love choctops and lollies aka Continue Reading
Deep TBR June book review: The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J. R. Dawson (2025)
(courtesy Pan Macmillan Australia) Ostensibly the magically real world of The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World by J. R. Dawson is about a man and his daughter Nera who play a vital role in shepherding the souls of the dead, those immediately passed and those who lingered for Continue Reading
Trailer, trailers, so many streaming trailers! Check out Alley Cats, Lucky and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
(via Shutterstock) I am, at heart, a vibrant and sustained optimist. I know not because, in the face of a thousand million things to the contrary (there may be some hyperbole there but not much), I still think life is wonderful and has so much to offer. And, and really, Continue Reading
Movie review: Toy Story 5
(courtesy IMP Awards) Five instalments into any movie franchise is a point at which you might wonder if the novelty and fun of the original instalment has been lost or at least diluted beyond any meaningful recognition. It happens to the best of long-running series but rather happily the Toy Continue Reading
Songs, songs and more songs #139: WILLOW, Dagny, Emei, Blossoms + Jude York … and Madonna’s Confessions II video
(via Shutterstock) If you’re anything like me, you don’t want pop that simply sounds good, though that is absolutely optimal, you want it to also say something meaningful too. So, sound and lyrics in perfect, compellingly listenable lockstep. These five songs, by a diverse array of artists, deliver just that, Continue Reading
UPCOMING READS: pop culture synergy fun as The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe
(courtesy Nerdist (c) Marvel) SNAPSHOTThe iconic heroes of the Marvel Universe will soon join forces with none other than Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and all the other Muppets. Coming in September is The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1, from a creative team that includes writers Chip Zdarsky, Continue Reading
132 rooms. 157 suspects. 1 Dead Body: thoughts on The Residence
(courtesy IMP Awards) I know it’s become exhaustingly cliche to say your late to the party on something because surely storytelling, viral sensationalism aside which is hideously transitory, but in the case of The Residence I am absolutely very much way behind the curve. Now, while it’s unlikely my tardy, Continue Reading