Invincible S4 E6

Spoiler

“You Look Horrible”

After Mark got his guts ripped out of him last episode by Conquest, he has to take some time to heal. Two months? Sure, why not. Mark is unconscious for two months and Nolan and Oliver are left to pour liquid protein into his mouth.

The episode served as a series of bonding moments for Nolan and Oliver as they get past their personal issues and spent time training, hunting and eating some really gross looking food (that apparently Oliver loved!).

Nolan buried Conquest out of respect. In one of the post credits scenes, the show went back to the grave and lingered on it with dramatic music and I waited for the fight to come out of the grave. However, the music went silent and there was no reveal of anything. I really do not want Conquest to come back and so I am not sure if this was meant to foreshadow his return or to show that he is not coming back. Please let it be the latter.

The Viltrumites brought the war to Talescria where the Coalition was based. Things were looking bad until Mark, Nolan and Oliver arrived to switch the momentum. The war at the end of the episode was amazing.

Alan was the MVP of this episode as he was all over the episode.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #79

#79

Harvey the Wonder Hamster

Title: “Harvey the Wonder Hamster”

Written: Al Yankovic

Album: Alapalooza

Style: March

The shortest song of the countdown, Harvey the Wonder Hamster is a song written for the Weird Al Show and the character of Harvey, who was Al’s pet but also appeared as an anthropomorphic hamster sidekick of the town’s crimefighter, Fatman.

Lyrics

Oh, Harvey, Harvey
Harvey the wonder hamster
He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t squeal
He just runs around on his hamster wheel

Harvey, Harvey
Harvey the wonder hamster
Hey, Harvey!

Source: Musixmatch

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #80

#80

George of the Jungle

Title: “George of the Jungle”

Written: Stan Worth and Sheldon Allman and Marc Shaiman

Album: Dare to Be Stupid

Released: 1985

Genre: TV Theme Songs

Weird Al rerecorded the theme for the 1967 cartoon George of the Jungle for his Dare to Be Stupid album. His version of the theme was included in the 1997 live-action movie of the same name. This will be one of the few songs in this top 100 that Weird Al did not write or at least contribute to himself.

Lyrics

George, George, George of the jungle
Strong as he can be
Ahhh
Watch out for that tree

George, George, George of the jungle
Lives a life that’s free
Ahhh
Watch out for that tree

When he gets in scrapes
When he makes his escapes
With the help of his friend
An ape named Ape

Then away he’ll schlep
On his elephant Shep
While Fella and Ursula
Stay in step with

George, George, George of the jungle
Friend to you and me
Ahhh
Watch out for that tree
Watch out for that (Ahhh) (Oooh) tree
George, George, George of the Jungle
Friend to you and me

Source: LyricFind

The Pitt S2 E14

Spoilers

“8:00 PM”

It is the penultimate episode of The Pitt and Robby is having an existential crisis and his buddy Duke saw it and called him out. Dana seemed to be able to sense what Robby was feeling. He comment about being afraid that she wasn’t going to see him any more.

Robby is clearly losing his patience. His chewing out of a couple of paramedics over their failure for gender bias in cardiac care was anything but kind hearted. Of course, they deserved the cut down.

Going back to Robby and Duke, Robby actually admits that he was feeling as if he did not want to keep going. This stripped away the question about whether or not Robby was feeling suicidal and places our concerns over what is going to happen to Robby. Noah Wylie is the star of the show, but does that guarantee that he will be safe.

The Langdon scene with the man with the spinal injury was absolutely suspenseful and tense. Langdon had every pressure in the world in this scene and he crushes it. I hope that this is something that can get Robby to give Langdon his flowers. That scene with this victim was my favorite moment of the episode.

My least favorite… the tug of war rope imbedded in the man’s hand. Ugh… HATE IT! I loved that character, but every time they showed his hand with the rope in it… I had to grimace.

If that was not enough… Dr. Al-Hashimi brought Robby in to a room asking his opinion on a case, which turned out to be her… and we find out that she has a seizure disorder paired with viral meningitis and altered mental status. How is this going to affect things?

One more week of an amazing season.

EYG Favorite Comic Cover of the Week

April 9

Here is the EYG Favorite Comic Covers of the Week! Three A covers this week. Two from Marvel Comics and one independent.

Also-Rans: Archie x The Army of Darkness #3, Iron Man #4, Amazing Spider-Man #26 (E Cover), Murder Podcast #6, Alice: Forever After #3, Dead by Daylight #1, and Black Cat #9.

Bronze Medalist

Wolverine #18

Cover art by Dan Panosian

A cool, up-close and personal look at Logan in the brown costume. The claws are right next to his face. This is a powerful image of the Wolverine.

Silver Medalist

Neighborhood Watch #1

Cover art by Haining

A new Boom! Studios book has a very disturbing cover. Who is this lady and what is she cutting with that knife? Is that a heart? I like the color of the cover and the scary concept. I am very curious about this book.

Gold Medalist

Mortal Thor #9

Cover art by Alex Ross

The first year winner of the Best Cover Artist, Alex Ross, is back on top with his solid work on Thor books. The look of the Radioactive Man and his green color popped on the cover. A great Thor cover once again.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #81

#81

Bohemian Polka

Title: “Bohemian Polka”

Written: Freddie Mercury/Al Yankovic

Album: Alapalooza

Release: 1993

Genre: Polka/Comedy

Bohemian Polka is the only polka Al ever put together for an album that was just a cover of a single song, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I can remember the shock when first playing the song and seeing how the polka would not feature a group of songs from a variety of artists.

Lyrics

Is this the real life
Is this just fantasy
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I’m just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
‘Cause I’m easy come, easy go
Little high, little low
Anyway the wind blows, doesn’t really matter to me
To me

Mama, just killed a man
Put a gun against his head
Pulled my trigger, now he’s dead
Mama, life had just begun
But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away
Mama, ooo
Didn’t mean to make you cry
If I’m not back again this time tomorrow
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters

Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine
Body’s aching all the time
Goodbye everybody – I’ve got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth
Mama, ooo
I don’t want to die
I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all

I see a little silhouetto of a mam
Scaramouch, scaramouch, will you do the Fandango
Thunderbolt and lightning – very, very frightening me
Galileo, Galileo
Galileo, Galileo
Galileo figaro – Magnifico… Hey! Hey! Hey!
I’m just a poor boy, nobody loves me
He’s just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, will you let me go?
Bismillah! No, we will not let you go – let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go – let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go – let him go
Will not let you go – let him go
Will not let you go – let him go
No, no, no, no, no no no no no!

Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me
For me

So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye
So you think you can love me and leave me to die
Oh, baby – Can’t do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out – just gotta get right outta here

Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me Anyway the wind blows – Hey!

Source: LyricFind

The Boys S5 E1, E2

Spoilers

“Fifteen Inches of Sheer Dynamite”

“Teenage Kix”

The Boys are back on Amazon Prime for their final season, and all the crap is hitting the fan.

Homelander is in charge of everything. He is the top boss, the ultimate ruler. He’s ordering the president around, making him get drinks.

Yet, Homelander is not happy. Everyone is leaving him (in his own, warped mind).

Butcher is every bit as horrible of a person as Homelander. He has been pursuing the virus full scale and has gotten to a point where he had a usable version.

Kimiko (who talks now), Butcher, Starlight entered one of Vaught’s concentration camps to rescue Hughie, Frenchie and Mother’s Milk, despite knowing it was Homelander’s trap. The prison camp break was shocking. MM strangled the living penis man with his own penis. Who would ever guess that I would write that sentence.

The first episode brought a major tragedy. Homelander broke the neck of A-Train. A-Train showed up to help Starlight and the others escape by distracting Homelander. I hated A-Train for the longest time, but just when I really started to like the guy, he gets murdered.

Homelander unfreezes Soldier Boy and talks him into helping. He sent Soldier Boy after Butcher, and the confrontation led to Soldier Boy being exposed to the virus and apparently dying. Of course, at the end of episode two, Soldier Boy, in a body bag, sat up, indicating that the virus did not kill him. It sure looked like it did.

There is so much going on in the first two episodes (Ashley is vice-president and has a second head growing out of her head, giving her psychic powers, among other things). Starlight and Hughie are suffering from depression over the past year. Butcher is just off the deep end. Frenchie and Kimiko are hot and heavy. And Homelander… he is completely crazed… barely dealing with the world around him. He is obviously a metaphor for some of the current world events going on, and it is not even subtle at this point.

I have no idea where this season is heading, but I have to believe that Homelander is finally going to get his. How that is going to happen is anyone’s guess. The Boys is one of the best superhero shows on TV and literally anything could happen.

Shrinking S3 E11

Spoilers

 “And That’s Our Time”

The third season of Shrinking ended on Apple TV + today with a sweet and sentimental episode dealing with Jimmy and his loneliness.

Everybody was leaving him. Alice is off to college. Paul had left and moved to Connecticut after he and Jimmy had a falling out. Sean moved out of the boathouse. Derek and Liz prepared to go to on vacation to Spain. Brian and Charlie are going to Tennessee.

Gaby found the ring that Derrick had bought, and she was angry that he bought the ring and planned to propose without discussing it. So, after getting advice, Gaby turned the tables and proposed to Derrick. Derrick accepted. I did enjoy the story of Gaby and Derrick.

The ending of the episode, with a discussion between Paul and Jimmy, was very emotional. But Paul had something up his sleeve because he had set up the breakfast to be for Jimmy and Sofi.

This finale had a definite final feel to it. Everything had an all-wrapped-up feel and I see that next season we may get new stories. The arc involving Jimmy’s grief over his wife’s death feels done. Jimmy being able to move forward is long overdue.

I am anxious about Harrison Ford’s Paul and his story with Parkinson’s (F Parkinson’s!) I saw an article saying that next season the cast is back with all new stories. That sounds great.

Yet, I think season three may have been the best season of the show to this point. I found this to be remarkably funny and some of the best writing on TV. I can’t wait until Shrinking returns.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #82

#82

Taco Grande

Title: “Taco Grande”

Written: Warren / Mejia / Yankovic / Soy / Slezynger

Album: Off the Deep End

Released: 1992

Parody: “Rico Suave” by Gerardo

Style: Latin Rap/Comedy

A good example of a song that I did not remember as a parody, since the original song was so easily forgotten.

Lyrics

Taco
Grande
Taco
Grande

Yo quiero chimichangas y chile colorado
Yo tengo el dinero para un steak picado
Las flautas y tamales, siempre muy bueno
Y el chile relleno

You see, I just gotta have a tostada, carne asada
That’s right, I want the whole enchilada
My only addiction has to do with a flour tortilla
I need a quesadilla

I love to stuff my face with tacos al carbón
With my friends, or when I’m all alone
Yo tengo mucho hambre y ahora lo quiero
Un burrito ranchero

So give me something spicy and hot, now
Break out the menu, what you got, now?
Oh, would you tell the waiter I’d like to have sour cream on the side
You better make sure the beans are refried

Taco
Grande
Taco
Grande

Well, there’s not a taco big enough for a man like me
That’s why I order two or three
Let me give you a tip, just try a nacho chip
It’s really good with bean dip

I eat uno, dos, tres, cuatro burritos
Pretty soon I can’t fit in my Speedos
Well, I hope they feed us lots of chicken fajitas
And a pitcher of margaritas

Well, the combination plates all come with beans and rice
The taquitos here are very nice
Now I’m down on my knees, we need some extra tomatoes and cheese
And could you make that separate checks, please?

Taco
Grande
Taco
Grande

“Buenos noches, señor. bienvenido a Enrico’s Casa de Salsa
Tenemos muchos platos muy sabrosos
Si puedo recomendar el ardiente pollo al infierno muy delicioso
Sus ojos se quemarán, su estomago estará en fuego
Se quedarán en el baño por una semana
Entiendes lo que digo gringo estúpido tonto?”

Well, the food is coming, I can hardly wait
Now watch your fingers, careful hot plate!
What you think you’re doing with my chile con queso?
Well, if you want some, just say so

Oh boy, pico de gallo
They sure don’t make it like this in Ohio
No gracias, yo quiero jalepeños, nada más
You can toss away the hot sauce

¿Dónde están los nachos? Holy frijole!
You better get me a bowl of guacamole
¿Y usted, Eugene? Why’s your face turning green?
Don’t you like pinto bean?

You want some more cinnamon crispas?
If you don’t, hasta la vista
Just take the rest home in a doggie bag if you wanna
You can finish it mañana

Well, it’s been a pleasure, I can’t eat no more
Señor, la cuenta, por favor
If you ain’t tried real Mexican cooking, well, you oughta
Just don’t drink the water

Taco
Grande
Taco
Grande
Taco
Grande

Source: Musixmatch

Daredevil: Born Again S2 E4

Spoilers

“Gloves Off”

Wow, what an episode.

We get so much Bullseye in this episode and a huge shock at the end.

Wilson Fisk’s big boxing match is up next, and I know I do not want to be the opponent facing him. The giant monster can pound away.

It does seem as if the whole thing is a plan to try and lure Daredevil and/or Bullseye out. And in that case, it did work. Just not exactly how Fisk had planned.

He had sent Vanessa away. Off to see the Governor. She did so and seemingly swayed her over to their side. However, she made it back for the conclusion of the fight, watching Wilson pummel some poor schmuck ( who was like 30-2 record wise) into oblivion.

Bullseye shows up, killing members of the AVTF members with knives and all kinds of other projectiles, marching his way toward the Fisks. He threw a crystal figure of Fisk in NYC, which was shattered and one of the pieces went into Vanessa’s skull. The imagery of the red blood pouring from her skull across her white dress as she laid on the boxing ring mat was unbelievable.

If Vanessa is dead, I don’t know what Wilson Fisk is going to do. he is barely stable as is and losing her would absolutely send him over the edge.

He’s going to blame Daredevil as well, as DD deflected a bullet that was going to kill Bullseye when Fisk picked up the gun that Venessa had and measured an already injured Bullseye. This led to Bullseye escaping from the boxing venue before anyone could catch him.

Even if Vanessa survived, Fisk is going to even more unhinged. I have a feeling that this is where we get Jessica Jones from very soon.

Things are going to be wild from now on.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #83

#83

Theme from Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)

Title: “Theme from Rocky XIII (The Rye or the Kaiser)”

Album: Weird Al Yankovic In 3D

Release: 1982

Written:  Jim Peterik/Frankie Sullivan/Al Yankovic

Parody: “The Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor

Style: Rock/Movie Songs

One of the more unknown Al parodies from his second major album. This is one of the early songs to show how clever Al could be with his lyrics and yet one more song that he wrote involving food.

Lyrics

Fat and weak, what a disgrace
Guess the champ got too lazy
Ain’t gonna fly now, he’s just takin’ up space
Sold his gloves, threw his eggs down the drain

But he’s no bum, he works down the street
He bought the neighborhood deli
Back on his feet, now he’s choppin’ up meat
Come inside, maybe you’ll hear him say

Try the rye or the kaiser
They’re on special tonight
If you want, you can have an appetizer
You might like our salami, and the liver’s all right
And they’d really go well with the rye
Or the kaiser

Never eats while on the job
He heard it’s good to stay hungry
But he makes a pretty mean shish kabob
Have a taste, they were made fresh today

Try the rye or the kaiser or the wheat or the white
Maybe I can suggest an appetizer
Stay away from the tuna, it smells funny tonight
But you just can’t go wrong with the rye
Or the kaiser

So today, his deli comes first
Still he dreams of his past days of glory
Goes in the back and beats up on the liverwurst
All the while you can still hear him say

It’s the rye or the kaiser, it’s the thrill of one bite
Let me please be your catering advisor
If you want substitutions, I won’t put up a fight
You can have your roast beef on the rye
Or the kaiser

The rye or the kaiser

The rye or the kaiser

The rye or the kaiser

Source: Musixmatch

Sha Na Na S4 E19, E20, E21, E22, E23, E24

…All greased up and ready to sing their brains out….

I finished off the final season of Sha Na Na this afternoon with the six remaining episodes I had to see in season 4. I have to say that it was a really fun last few months as I worked my way through the playlist from Pattyoc01 on YouTube. While they were not always the best of quality, they were always fun and gave me flashes of nostalgia from when I was a young boy watching these in syndication. Sha Na Na was technically the first concert I ever attended (with my Dad at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa) so I am very happy to have had a chance to watch these again.

Again, as I mentioned in the last post, some of the songs were songs that I had not heard before (or at least did not recognize). They did repeat a couple of songs in these episodes, including Runaway, Hand Jive, and Under the Boardwalk. We got to hear Chico sing again. He has not been a featured singer in the final season. Sure he was one of the lesser used voices overall in the show, but he got more than he has this year. I wonder if that was because of the absence of Dirty Dan.

We got quite a few Screamin’ Scott performances in this last handful of episodes. It was funny, but he wore that green suit in three episodes consecutively, and they were all on the street songs. I wonder if they recorded those all on the same day.

It is also interesting how many different outfits Screamin’ Scott wore. I mean, most of the group had one or two basic outfit that they wore, but Scott is always all over the place with jump suits and bright colors. And not just in the comedy skits either.

Of the guests, the one I liked the best of this group was Scatman Cruthers. I did not know what he was going to do, but he ended up singing and he was great. He played a ukulele and sang the blues. I know he sang the theme song to Hong Kong Phooey, but I did not expect him to do it here, but he was tremendous.

Other guests in these episodes included Mary Wells, The Spinners, Billie Davis Jr & Marilyn Macoo, Peaches and Herb, and Kim Carnes.

Another surprise was Pamela Meyers singing “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To”. While Meyers had sung songs before, she was out on the street all by her self. We could hear the background vocals of Sha Na Na, but there was no sign of any of them. I wonder if that was the first time someone sang a song without any sight of any of the group?

Sha Na Na was inducted into the EYG Hall of Fame this year in the April 1 Legends class. I had a lot of fun with the boys over these four seasons.

Grease for peace….

Goodnight Sweetheart, well it’s time to go….

EYG Comic Cavalcade #197

April 6

It is Monday and I am behind on the Comic Cavalcade. The reason was I spent yesterday binging a bunch of movies on streaming which left no time for the Comic Cavalcade. I was able to finish reading the books last night and early this morning and since I am still on spring break, today will be a good day to do this one.

Comic of the Week

Daredevil #1

The new Daredevil not only received the Bronze Medal in the Favorite Comic Cover of the Week, btu also the new Comic of the Week. The new start for Matt Murdock as a law professor at ESU was an awesome idea and I really enjoyed how Stephanie Phillips wrote this script. I picked up three of the variant covers too. I should have four more bags on the way from Midtown Comics.

Books this week:

Venom #256. Written by Al Ewing and art by Carlos Gomez. Variant cover B by David Nakayama. The Death Spiral continued with the Venom book. Torment attacked Dylan, but he is able to escape. However, everyone did not get out of the situation unscathed. One of the most hated characters in Marvel, Paul, who got between Peter and MJ came to his end as Torment killed him. A roar of happiness crossed over the entire Marvel Universe audience.

Deluge #5. Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Marika Cresta. Cover art was done by Riley Rossmo. The cool Ignition Press comic Deluge ended with this issue. The creatures that have been coming after the prisoners have some troubles. I enjoyed this book so much because of the simplicity of the story. They do not go out of their way to explain what was going on and the very end of the book was great. Ignition Press has been quality over the last six months or so.

Groo: The Prophecy #1. Written by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier with art and cover art by Sergio Aragones. Groo makes his return to Dark Horse with the new mini-series. It is a little different than previous Groo series as it started out with Groo, accidentally so, became a hero for a town that did not recognize him at first. Groo has been a favorite of mine since way back when he was in Marvel/Epic comics in the 1980s.

Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story #1. Written by Ande Parks and illustrated by Ronan Cliquet. Cover art was done by Declan Shalvey. This was an excellent new book with the character from the Netflix movie franchise Extraction (played by Chris Hemsworth). An action comic with this break out character. This was a really good book.

Royals #1. Written by Derek Kirk Kim with art and cover art by Jacob Perez. This was an interesting new series around a new pair of brothers who have a telepathy connection, making them very effective as a team in the world of poker. The story really started off strong as Castor and Paul showed off their con of their poker, even in the face of the criminals involved.

Wonder Man #1. “The One” Written by Gerry Duggan and penciled by Mark Buckingham. Cover art was done by Paulo Siqueira & Rachelle Rosenberg. A new series coming after the hugely successful and beloved Marvel Studios Television show Wonder Man. The comic had some special use of film in the art. It is great to see Hellcat making an appearance once again.

Kilroy is Here #1. Written by Joe Pruett and art and cover A art by Dalibor Talajic. I also picked up the B cover by Brian Bolland (Silver Medalist). This one-shot was the return of the character of Kilroy, who apparently had been in his only series years ago. I enjoyed how Kilroy was used in this book and the use of how Kilroy is perceived by the world around him.

X-Men #28. “Danger Room PT. 3” Written by Jed MacKay and penciled by Netho Diaz. Cover art was done by Netho Diaz, Sean Parsons & Fer Sifuentes-Sujo. The team known as Danger Room is taking it to the X-Men, or at least it appeared that way. How many of the X-Men are now dead? I don’t know, but Quentin Quire and Temper are not too happy and are out for revenge from the shooting of Glob.

Bizarro: Year None #1. “Chapter One: The Planet” Written by Eric Carrasco & Kevin Smith with art by Nick Pitarra. Cover art was done by Nick Pitarra & Michael Garland. So this story takes place in an early continuity, covering the origin of Bizarro, or at least a version of it. Bizarro takes Jimmy Olson and Perry White to his own world to be a part of the Daily Planet… and he made Jimmy the Editor in Chief.

All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #9. Written by Stephanie Phillips with art by Paolo Villanelli. Cover art was done by David Marquez & Federico Blee. Gwen has been dealing with a bunch of troubles and her friends and family are getting concerned. They should be concerned as Gwen is turning into a new Green Goblin.

Lion King #3. Written by Edwin Galmon with art by Edwin Galmon & Carlo Lauro. Cover art was done by Edwin Galmon. I have been enjoying this Lion King series. My personal favorite part of the book has been Simba and Nala who are in search of a missing baby elephant. The showdown between Mufasa and the leopards is tense, but not my favorite part of the story, though it is solid.

Captain Marvel: Dark Past #1. Written by Paul Jenkins with art and cover art by Lucas Werneck. It is good to see Carol back in her own book, dealing with a mystery from her past with memories that she had not recovered from Rogue. It is always fun to see Carol interacting with Tony Stark and Jessica Drew. The supporting characters were always one of my favorite parts of Captain Marvel’s previous series.

Batman #8. “Three Old Men, One Night in Gotham” Written by Matt Fraction with art by Ryan Sook. Cover art was done by Jorge Jimenez & Tomeu Morey. Batman called on Alan Scott to visit him in Gotham for a cup of coffee. Batman is picking the brain of Scott, the original Green Lantern, for any ideas to deal with his Vandal Savage problem. I enjoyed the interaction between Alan Scott and Batman, especially in the coffee shop.

Absolute Superman #18. “King of the Black Land” Written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Cover art was done by Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola. A new story kicks off in this issue, featuring the debut of the Absolute Shazam. He was called King Shazam on the final page of the issue and he looked really cool. Shazam had a look much like Shazam combined with Black Adam.

Deadpool: April Pool’s Day #1. Written by Gail Simone and art by C.F. Villa, Robert Gill, & IG Guara. Cover art was done by David Baldeón & Rachelle Rosenberg. It is April 1st, Deadpool’s favorite holiday, and he is out trying to deal with a bunch of genre hopping. Several Marvel guest stars appear at the end as Deus Ex Machinas. I am a fan of Gail Simone and she does a great job on this Deadpool special.

Alien: King Killer #1. Written by Saladin Ahmed with art by Carlos Nieto. Cover art was done by David Yardin & Marco Menyz. The Marvel Alien series have been up and down for me. Some I have enjoyed and some have droned on. After the first issue of this one, I am intrigued and I am looking forward to seeing if this one can carry the mantel of the Alien franchise again.

Other books this week: Arcadia #4, Godzilla #9, The Autumn Kingdom #3, Marvel Rivals: Duel of Kings #1, and The Eternals: 50th Anniversary Special #1.

Quick Hits: It looked as if Nova: Centurion #6 is the final issue of this book starring Rich Rider. I was liking this take on the character so I am sad that it is going away, much like Planet She-Hulk is ending. A book that I never would have guessed that I would be collecting is Ursula #2, and yet here it is. I do like the way this story is unfolding and I think Dynamite Comics has done it again, giving me a book that I never would have bought. The comic magazine known as Comics! The Magazine #2 is out this week with an interview with Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley from the Invincible Universe. Image dropped Ghost Machine: The Official Guidebook #1 this week, which had character info from the Ghost Machine universe of books from letters A-H. I picked up two of these, the A cover and the cover that is an homage to the Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe. I love that Ghost Machine has become big enough to warrant a guidebook like this. The Gold Medalist in the Favorite Comic Cover of the Week this week went to a second printing of Narco #1. This cover, done by Daniel Hillyard is actually way better than the first print in cover work. Megalith #0 came out from Bad Idea, but it was actually nothing more than a preview for several upcoming Bad idea books. The Megalith preview only was about four pages or so. It looks great, but I am not sure this was worth the time. The final issue of another Dynamite book came out this week as the team up concluded with Gargoyles/Darkwing Duck #4. This was another Dynamite book that I had no intention of buying, but one that I found interesting to pick up. Doctor Strange #5 continued with the troubles in Asgard, though it looks like Stephen may be connecting back to Midgard and Clea next issue. Speed Racer #7 has more racing action. Finally, yet another Dynamite book, The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town #4, ends with this one.

Daily Countdown: Weird Al Songs #84

#84

The White Stuff

Title: “The White Stuff”

Album: Off the Deep End

Release: 1992

Parody: “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” by New Kids on the Block. 

Written: Maurice Starr/Al Yankovic

Style: Pop/Boy Band

There have been plenty of original songs that Weird Al parodied that I have either did not like or did not know. You Got It (The Right Stuff) is a perfect example of a song that I disliked that Weird Al made better with his parody.

And what can be a better topic for a song than the white stuff in an Oreo cookie?

Lyrics

The white stuff
The white stuff

The first one was a sweet one
Second one was a blast
Soon I finished off the bag, ate ’em up real fast
You can see ’em in my teeth
Tell it when I talk
Had so many my pancreas just went into shock

I love the white stuff, baby
In the middle of an Oreo
I love the white stuff, baby
It’s the most delicious thing I know

I’ve had a zillion or two
In my life, they’re so right
My teeth are all rotted clear through
But who cares? What else am I supposed to do?

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
What’s in the middle? The white stuff

The first time that I tried it
Got a big sugar buzz
Nothing gets me high as that sandwhich cookie does
But I love the filling most
I rub it on my roast
Mix it in with my coffee and spread it on my toast

I love the white stuff, baby
In the middle of an Oreo
I love the white stuff, baby
Take some with me everywhere I go

Might get a pimple or two
Well, so what? It’s all right
Now Twinkies and Ding Dongs won’t do
All I need… You know what it is

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Oreo
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, the white stuff
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Oreo
What’s in the middle? The white stuff

Source: Musixmatch

A Private Life

Easter Stream Binge #5

The final film of the Easter Stream Binge is a French film starring Jodie Foster called A Private Life.

I picked up the film off Fandango at Home (VUDU) when I saw Jodie Foster and I read the synopsis on Vudu. It said, “When renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner learns of the sudden death of a patient, she suspects murder. She mounts a private investigation, enlisting an odd assortment of quirky characters.”

That intrigued me, but I did not realize that it was in French. That does not bother me as I have enjoyed plenty other movies and shows with subtitles, but it was just unexpected. I did not know that Jodie Foster could speak French like a native.

Either way, the film’s central mystery was pretty good. I will say they do a bit with a past life that feels like a distraction from the main story. Of course, the real story of the film is not the mystery, but the relationship with Lilian and her ex-husband, her son, and her clients. Foster brings this complicated woman to life in this film and there are some real tense moments. The real mystery is learning about Lilian and diving into her own troubles and manners.

I loved the presence of Daniel Auteuil as Gabriel, Lilian’s ex-husband and the person who helped her through this troubled time. He was extremely charming and warm with her, even when she was acting crazed. His support was able to bring her back to the realm of the present.

There were some strange parts of the script, but Jodie Foster is tremendous as always and I found the sotry to ultimately be satisfying.

3.7 stars