Author Archives: Doc
FYC: The Odyssey Oscar Predictions
The End of Oak Street
The new dinosaur movie, The End of Oak Street, came out this weekend starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor. Writer/director David Robert Mitchell brought us this ’80s feeling, Amblin-like film of a family trying to survive the sudden arrival of dinosaurs and other monstrous creatures.
According to IMDB, “The Platt family bands together to navigate their new surroundings after a cosmic event transports their suburban neighborhood to someplace unknown.“
Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor play Denise and Greg Platt, who had been having marriage troubles, and their two kids acting out in different ways. Hathaway and McGregor do a good job as the married couple with their struggles.
The kids, Audrey and Brian, were played by Maisy Stella and Christian Convery, Christian Convery has been in several projects including Cocaine Bear and the Netflix series Sweet Tooth. I thought both of them did a solid job in the film.
The dinosaurs looked great and the film was sensational with the tension and anxiety of the film off the charts. It brings that tension t a high level while still maintaining the Spielberg-like film and not just falling into a horror creature film. I think the writing was strong and everything was nicely weaved together.
The mystery of the film helps keep the tension high. JJ Abrams is a producer on the film and this kind of unknown plot falls right into his type of storyline.
I liked how the beginning of the movie started diving into the characters more, which I think is a very good way to start. I also love how all of the little character bits that they mention during that time comes back and pays off, even if it is a small mention.
I am not sure how I feel about the end of the film. I was satisfied when I watched it, but, upon some reflection, I am not sure the choice they made was the best choice possible. Of course, I can not go into detail because of spoilers.
This was considerably better than MOST of the Jurassic Park/World films and I was thoroughly entertained thru the entire flick. The actors are likable and the dinosaurs are awesome.
4.25 stars
Daily Countdown: Animated Movies #54
#54
Hercules
Released: June 27, 1997
Runtime: 92 minutes
Rating: G
Animation Style: 2D hand-drawn animation with CGI integration
Studio: Disney
Hercules came out near the end of the golden era of Disney’s return that had seen releases like Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. It may not have reached the level of those films, but it has its own levels of success.
Voice cast: Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Rip Torn, Samantha Eggar, Lillias White, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Vaneese Thomas, Bobcat Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Hal Holbrook, Barbara Barrie, Paul Shaffer, Jim Cummings, Wayne Knight, Keith David, Frank Welker, and Charlton Heston.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S1 E4
Spoilers
“Spoiler: Stuart Makes a Wallet”
Okay. Episode four is easily my favorite episode of this show so far. It is the first time that I did feel a slight tinge of embarrassment watching it.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has Stuart in a mental institution with Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler (reprised by Mayim Bialik) as his therapist. The whole time Stuart is in the institution, he was receiving subtle hints that everything was not real.
This is a trope that has been done many times, including, just off the top of my head, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but this worked really well. Stuart “put in the work” to make himself sane after finding out that he was married to Denise and they had two kids. He seemed to be living the perfect life.
However, of course the truth was different as Stuart realized when he said that he never has perfect things happen to him.
The four of them turned up in a Matrix-like situation, pulling themselves out of the goo. Yet, it was not done yet, as Stuart opened a tear in the reality and the four of them found themselves in an all-white area with their travel machine.
They ended up in a forest surrounded by a mysterious group of people.
I did enjoy this episode considerably more than any of the other episodes. It did feel like it rushed through the story. I would have liked to see more from this Matrix world, and the ending turned out to be somewhat anticlimactic. Still I really enjoyed this episode and would have liked more of it.
Oh… and I LOVED the Weird Al Yankovic cameo!
Boston Legal S1 E1, E2
Spoilers
“Head Cases”
“Still Crazy After All These Years”
I have been seeing a ton of clips of Boston Legal on TikTok recently, and it influenced my decision to start a rewatch of Boston Legal. I found it on Hulu and I discovered that there were only five seasons. I really thought there were seven of them. Episodes varied per season as season one only had 17 whereas season 2 had 27 of them.
Watching these first to episodes of the series, it struck me how this cast changed over the years. Some of the characters of the first season were flashes from my memory, such as Lori Colson, Tara Wilson and Sally Heep. These women were replaced as the years moved on. No Shirley Schmidt, though I do think she comes soon in season one.
The appearance of the black Little Orphan Annie was a classic case that I did not think was in the premiere episode. It featured a cameo from the Reverend Al Sharpton as Denny’s “Rabbit out of a hat.”
It showed how questionable Alan and Denny’s tactics were at times when they were doing things that were for the “greater good.” I loved how these characters were shades of grey. They are complex and written so amazingly.
Alan Shore debuted on The Practice, as did Denny Crane. Their relationship was not as prevalent in these first two episodes as it would become. The chemistry between James Spader and William Shatner was off the charts. They were better than most couples on TV at the time. These first two episodes did not feature it as much.
Denny’s ongoing inner doubt about his lost of his abilities was highlighted early here and would be a major plot point through to the end of the series.
It was fun to see Elizabeth Mitchell, who I got to know as Juliet from LOST, make an appearance in episode two here. She played one of Alan’s ex-girlfriends who was committed after she tried to kill Alan. Alan helped defend her when she was trying to be released from the asylum. This story extends into episode three.
This David E. Kelley project joined several other Kelley shows that I loved (including Picket Fences, and The Practice).
I am looking forward to watching this 100 episodes moving forward.
Daily Countdown: Animated Movies #55
#55
Coraline
Released: February 6, 2009
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Rating: PG
Animation Style: Stop motion animation
Studio: Focus Features/Laika
The Neil Gaiman book was made into this movie, with a great, dark movie that is really pretty scary.
Voice cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Robert Bailey Jr., Keith David, John Hodgman, and Ian McShane.
Ted Lasso S4 E2
Spoilers
“Carol of the Bells”
The second episode got Ted out of Kansas City and back to Richmond, and we get to meet some of the weird team members on the female team and the assistant coach Alice Chilton. Chilton was angry about being passed over by Rebecca for the head job, and made comments to her hinting at her being sexist (or not a Feminist). Chilton resigned her position but stuck around for a week to help walk Ted through. Of course, we all knew she was staying as she saw the light that was Ted Lasso.
We spent some time with Beard, who has apparently gone crazy and doesn’t want to hurt Roy. Beard’s excessive hairstyle was outrageous.
Chilton’s comment sent Rebecca into a tailspin, which led to her introspection.
The new locker room for the women was a great scene, and seeing Roy and Keeley flirt as Roy fixed the locker room (which was originally the visiting team locker room) from the tricks Roy was pulling to try and get the edge on the other team.
I enjoyed this episode too. Ted Lasso is awesome and one of the best characters around.
Things are getting set up but I would hope that there will be an overarching story for the season. At this point, it seems like the story is trying to keep the new team afloat.
Apple TV + is the streamer for Ted Lasso.
EYG Favorite Comic Covers of the Week
August 12
This is the last Wednesday night EYG Favorite Comic Covers of the Week as I have to return to the classroom and will not be able to get both the books at Comic World and In This Issue in the same day like I did this summer. The plan is to move the post to Thursdays starting next week.
For the last Wednesday, we have some great covers.
Also-Rans: Infernal Hulk #10 (A cover & F cover), Absolute Batman #23, X-Men #35, The Punisher #7, Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy #2, D’Orc #7, Hank Howard in The Fair Play #1, Clayface: Celebrity Dirt Story #2 (C Cover), Batman & Robin Year One: Dynamic Duos #1 (D cover), Venom #260 (Cover B), Laugh Vol. 1 #166 facsimile (Cover C & D).
Bronze Medalist
Of the Earth #4
Cover art by Charlie Adlard
I had a hart time with the final choice this week, but the blue/black cover really stood out and those eyes are very amazing.
I am not sure what the black across the face is, but it is truly compelling.
Silver Medalist
Barbara Gordon: Breakout #4
Variant cover E
Cover art by Mark Spears
This beautiful cover by Mark Spears is one of the best images of Barbara Gordon I have ever seen and her orange prison attire against the black background really makes this stand out.
Gold Medalist
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #1
Variant Cover B Foil
Cover art by Pere Perez
A stunning foil variant cover that I picked off the stands this morning. The gold foil behind Miles is just amazing and I love the black background and white title. I did not think anything was beating Spears’ Barbara Gordon, but this was just undeniable.
X-Men ’97 S2
Spoilers
“Survival of the Fittest”
This finale, like much of the season, had ups and downs.
The battle between the X-Men and X-Force/X-Factor was solid with some great mutant on mutant action. Cable vs. Cyclops and Jean.
Rogue’s whole arc was fascianting.
The final battle with Apocalypse and Celestial Rogue was a little anti-climactic. However, the end with Nightcrawler’s sacrifice was heartbreaking, but felt like it needed something more. It felt as if they almost had me emotionally, but it ended so suddenly that it did not have the impact they wanted.
Apocalypse in his little ball form was silly looking.
One must wonder about Storm’s definition of a light touch.
The ending scenes with Mystique killing and replacing Val Cooper as announcement of President Creed set up next season.
Season two has been enjoyable, but a noticeable step backwards. It seemed to be too rushed and lacked some of the depth of season one. In fact, without season one, season two would probably be considered a great success. As of now, ZI liked season two. It just was not what I hoped for overall.
Daily Countdown: Animated Movies #56
#56
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Released: October 29, 1993
Runtime: 76 minutes
Rating: PG
Animation Style: Stop Motion animation
Studio: Touchstone Picture/Disney
Jack Skellington is an iconic animated character in Tim Burton’s holiday classic. Danny Elfman wrote the songs for the musical.
Voice cast: Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman (Jack’s singing voice), Ken Page, Catherine O’Hara, Glenn Shadix, William Hickey, Paul Reubens, Joe Ranft, Ed Ivory, Debi Durst, Greg Proops, Kerry Katz, Randy Crenshaw, Sherwood Ball, Carmen Twillie, Thurl Ravenscroft, Glenn Walters and John Morris.
Primetime/Official Trailer
Daily Countdown: Animated Movies #57
#57
Finding Dory
Released: June 17, 2016
Runtime: 97 minutes
Rating: PG
Animation Style: 3D computer-generated (CG)
Studio: Pixar/Disney
In the spin off to the iconic Finding Nemo, the secondary character of Dory was popular enough to carry her own movie. I did not think that was going to work well, but it was an engaging and entertaining film.
Voice Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Hayden Rolence, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Idris Elba, Dominic West, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, John Ratzenberger, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Stephen Root, and Torbin Xan Bullock.
Rick and Morty S9 E9
Spoilers
“Salute Your Morts”
Yesterday, I had finished the ninth season of Rick and Morty… or, at least, finished the episodes of the ninth season that were currently available on HBO Max. There were two more episodes from the ninth season that were not yet available on the streamer. Today, the ninth episode was dropped on HBO Max and I watched it.
“Salute Your Morts” started off with Beth and Jerry called to the principal’s office to deal with Summer and Morty, who were doing whatever they wanted at school as disruptive forces. Principal Vagina was going to expel Summer and Morty until Rick portaled into the office and turned Principal Vagina into a giant carrot.
As a way to try and herd in the kids, Rick dropped them off on a different planet at a camp. Unfortunately, the camp they were at had been taken over by the kids, who killed all of the campers.
Meanwhile, with the kids gone, Jerry and Beth found Summer’s drug stash and smoked what was revealed as “Forever High,” where the parents spent the whole time stoned out of their mind. Rick joined in later as well.
I found this very funny and this new episode fit well into the strong season 9 batch of Rick and Morty. While seeing the parents stoned was a fairly regular storyline, seeing Jerry and Beth across the universe with anything possible made this funny.
Next Monday should see the final episode of season 9 released.
Daily Countdown: Animated Movies #58
#58
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
Released: July 30, 2013
Runtime: 81 minutes
Rating: R
Animation Style: bold, anime-influenced and hard-hitting action style
Studio: Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment
The film that I had listed as the best animated movie of 2013 was not released in theaters. Instead, it was a home release that featured an adaptation of the 2011 DC Comics crossover event Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert.
Voice cast: Justin Chambers, C. Thomas Howell, Michael B. Jordan, Kevin McKidd, Cary Elwes, EYG Hall of Famer Kevin Conroy, Nathan Fillion, Ron Perlman, Dana Delany, Vanessa Marshall, Dee Bradley Baker, Kevin Michael Richardson, Lex Lang, Jennifer Hale, Steve Blum, Sam Daly, Grey DeLisle-Griffin, Danny Huston, James Patrick Stuart, Andrea Romero and Candi Milo.
