Review: Teen Titans Go! "40% 40% 20%"

You know, there really wasn't much to actually talk about for this episode, since all the best bits were the music video-esque portions. But I hope to demonstrate that there is some merit to the rest of the episode, as well.

Recap: Teen Titans Go! "40% 40% 20%"

It's Christmas Day at the NewtCave.

And my attempt to deck the halls seems to have gone awry....

This year, I started my look at Teen Titans Go!, which has as of yet been... well, disappointing.

The first few episodes of Teen Titans Go! are visibly struggling to find the show's tone, style, and boundaries. As such, numerous episodes aren't bad enough to be "bad", but not good enough to be "good."

To use a Christmas metaphor, the first few episodes can't really be put on either the nice or naughty list.

Since ripping Teen Titans Go! a new one can be practically a sport in some corners of the internet, I've decided to give the show a Christmas present in the form of a favorable review.

But I don't hand out favorable reviews like candy. Rest assured, Teen Titans Go! earned this from me with, quite simply, the best episode of Teen Titans Go! as of this date.

This is the one that quite a few TTG fans say is their favorite, and many of the show's detractors agree that this episode is exempt from the "Teen Titans Go! is crap" rule.

So Merry Christmas, Teen Titans Go!

But, uh... just so we're clear, show? This doesn't undo the existence of "Hot Garbage," "The Return of Slade," or "Parasite."

Recap: "Batman Returns" Part 3: The Penguin

If it seems like not much has happened yet, well, that’s just because this movie’s paced so weirdly. I didn’t even notice it until I started watching it for this Recap.

But don’t worry. All the plot will soon happen at once.

Which… might be a mixed blessing, in terms of pacing.

Recap: "Batman Returns" Part 2: The Cat

So, hopefully, Batman shows up to do more in this segment. I mean, you’d think so. His name is in the title. Unless this is one of those Waiting for Godot things….

Maybe it’s called Batman Returns to reassure us that Batman will show back up after the first half hour.

Recap: "Batman Returns" Part 1: The Bat

Tim Burton, Christmas… I mean, The Nightmare Before Christmas showed that these two things go together like chocolate and peanut butter!

Then again, Henry Selick was responsible for a lot of that movie. Tim Burton’s got his fingers all up in this thing.

So what will it be, Burton?

A faithful, if stylized, adaptation of the source material?

Or a bizarre mishmash that can’t decide on its tone?

Really, I just want to know if this is going to be an Alice in Wonderland or… well, a Batman.

Recap:" Batman Returns" Intro

Strictly speaking, Batman Returns is the second of four films. But in many ways, it's as much the second of four parts as it is an ending to a duology, and even a film unto itself. Opinions are sharply divided on its quality, but there is one thing every single person can agree on.

This is the most Burtonest Batman film ever made.

So before I Recap it, I'm going to examine exactly what happened to this movie to make it what it is.

I mean apart from Tim Burton spewing the twistedly whimsical visions of his mind all over the screen.

Small Delay

Due to reasons of dentist appointments, Saturday's post has been postponed until 2017.

Next week's posts have been pushed back a day.

Holiday posts will be up as scheduled.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Recap: Batman (1943) "The Electrical Brain"

At long last, I can finally truly begin my look at Batman's film history. And also celebrate 250,000 views on my blog. About 23,000 views late, but who's counting?

"But... you have begun. Remember? You started with the 1966 Batman movie?"

Well, yes, I did. That was the first stand-alone Batman film. Which, depending on your definition, isn't even "stand-alone," since it tied in to the TV show.

But this is something entirely different, which many people don't even know about.

The 1943 Batman film serial.

"Good Lord, you found it...."

Yeah, it was surprisingly hard, too. Amazon was out of stock, Netflix had it permanently listed as a "long wait" DVD, and it took me a lot of searching to track down a copy through my local library. And even then, I had to wait a while for it to show up. And even then, I could only keep it for a day, meaning that I had to order it multiple times, delaying this post for a month or two.

And let's not get into the fact that a sudden snowstorm snowed me in away from my computer for a few days, preventing me from posting this yesterday as I'd originally planned. I swear, this thing is cursed or something.

"What's cursed?"

Um... why are there two of you?

"Oh, there's more of us than that. The Multiverse, you understand."

Ah, I see.

"Wait, he's not watching what I think he's watching, is he?"

"I'm afraid so, old chums."

"I thought we tracked down every copy of that!"

"Looks like we missed one."

I wondered why all but one copy listed was "unavailable."

But... "tracked down every copy"? Why? Is it that bad?

"No... and yes."

"And... yes and no."

"Let's just say that this wasn't Batman's finest hour."

Oh. Well... I promise I'll be fair. I mean, I understand that this was the first time Batman was ever adapted. There's surely bound to be a few hiccups here and there.

"Just... know that we're sorry. We're so very sorry."

Um... okay? Can I get started already?

"We won't keep you."

Alright, then.

Let's take a look at the very first big-screen Batman adaptation and see exactly why the world has apparently forgotten about it.

This can only go well.

Snowed In... Away From Home

The weather has not been cooperating lately. Rest assured, I'll be home soon, and the long-awaited milestone post will be up by tomorrow. Starting to think the post might be cursed.....

Review: Teen Titans Go! "Laundry Day"

I'll have y'all know that it was very difficult to keep myself from making a "Dick Grayson" joke, what with Robin running around naked throughout this episode.

...Though I guess this technically still counts. Dang it.

Recap: Teen Titans Go! "Laundry Day"

Today, Teen Titans Go! continues with a menace that we all face... running out of clothes.

And surprisingly, jokes about turning your underwear inside out will be nowhere to be found.

Teen Titans Go! Review will be up ASAP.

Inclement weather.

Slow internet.

Typing on phone using data.

Sorry.

Review: Avengers Assemble "Back to the Learning Hall"

They say the devil is in the details, and I wholeheartedly agree. As my old band director likes to say, a booger on the Mona Lisa completely ruins it. Now, depending on the details, sometimes the piece itself is enough to overcome its own flaws. Perhaps the flaws can even add to the charm in some cases.

But with this episode, the opposite is sort of true.

First and foremost, I like this show. Sure, it can be frustrating, and I’ll admit I prefer Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but every once in a while this show proves that it’s capable of providing exciting action scenes, funny one-liners, and even a clever plot or two.

What usually bogs the show down are the details.

Character development that gets ignored in the next episode (over and over), padding (usually in the form of fight scenes), and plots that depend on somebody involved suddenly becoming an idiot.

Such lackluster details in an episode are like poking tiny holes in a ship. The more there are, the more they drag it down.

But this episode delivers what could be considered another generic Thor vs. Loki’s minions plot that is actually buoyed up by the details.

Allow me to elaborate.

Recap: Avengers Assemble "Back to the Learning Hall"

Well, it’s time for Avengers Assemble to finish up the Avengers’ quest to track down the Infinity Stones. And as with all of them but the Time Stone, it will simply drop into their lap after foiling a villain’s scheme, rendering all of Falcon and Iron Man’s work with tracking algorithms entirely pointless.

Except for finding the Time Stone. No scheme there, just Tony Stark nearly rewinding reality simply because he wanted to show off and have the Time Stone materialize above his hand.

But I think we all know what Tony would say about that. “Worth it.”

View Log: Doctor Strange

I almost didn't get to see this movie.

It's getting to be that time of year when theatres don't expect people to actually see movies, and I only managed to find a single showing at a single theatre, just because I waited until other family members were available to go with me.

If I had wanted to see Moana, that would have been no problem, since at least two theatres around be have decided to show that exclusively for a while.

No, really. Your choices are Moana or Moana in 3D. And a single showing of A Christmas Story.

But luckily, I managed to see it and I must say that HOLY CRAP THIS IS A GORGEOUS FILM.

Spoiler-Free Review
While one could be forgiven for thinking that the movie was going to look like a blend between Thor and Inception, the film has a visual style that expands upon both of those influences while staying true to the psychedelic mindscapes featured in the original Steve Ditko comics.

While yet another origin story might be wearing thin with some audience members at this point, the film has enough in the way of acting talent, character development, clever writing, and amazing visuals to please most viewers.

Though I imagine this movie might not hold up as well on DVD and Blu-Ray, since the visual are meant to be seen on the big screen.

I honestly don't know if the movie is still playing, but if it is, and you haven't seen it, go. Go now. Go watch. Right now.

As for specifics, spoilers ahead!

December, 2016 Announcements

I know things have been hectic around here for... oh, since September.

And I thank you so much for putting up with me as I struggle to get things out within a reasonable schedule.  I'd rather postpone something than release something incomplete right on schedule.

Luckily, I've been working hard to get things up for December.

My only regret for this month is that I'm a slave to when the DVDs come. If I order a DVD in September and it comes in October, but I have to return it after a day, then I have to do what I can, return it, and order it again. Then repeat the process. This is why I've been unable to add more Spectacular Spider-Man to this year's schedule, as an avid reader has requested.

(You haven't been ignored, don't worry.)

And this is also why the post celebrating 250,000 views is late.

But guess what? As you read this, I'm finishing it up. Along with that, you can expect my thoughts on the latest MCU film this Saturday, followed by another Avengers Assemble Recap on Monday.

And along with that, I can guarantee a few unexpected reviews as a bit of a present for you all, alongside a look at Tim Burton's second Batman film.

So Happy Holidays to all! See you soon for my thoughts on Mister Strange!