© by Gerald So | 6:30 AM
Released January 29 on disc, Reign of the Supermen concludes the storyline started by last August's The Death of Superman. As in the comics that inspired it, in the wake of Superman's death after his battle with Doomsday, four figures emerge approximating the hero's powers, attempting to fill the void, as a grieving Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn) looks into the whereabouts of the true Superman/Clark Kent (Jerry O'Connell).
Romijn carries the continuation movie as main protagonist in Superman's absence. Likewise, while not quite an antagonist here, Rainn Wilson's part in the continuation lifts his Lex Luthor performance from decent to distinctive.
The continuation departs from the comics in revealing Darkseid (the reliably menacing Tony Todd) sent Doomsday to Earth, the first stage of a conquest plan, followed by his resurrection and empowerment of Cyborg Superman Hank Henshaw (Patrick Fabian).
DC's live-action Justice League never gained momentum, but its animated projects remain second to none.
Friday, February 01, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
Examining Expletives
© by Gerald So | 7:00 AM
Even among fans of crime fiction, where the most terrible things happen to innocent characters, some still object to profanity in the prose. Earlier this week on SleuthSayers, Barb Goffman analyzed how often she uses expletives in her fiction and asked readers if she had gone too far in her new Flash Bang Mysteries story, "Punching Bag".
In my comments, I explained that my parents never used profanity at home. If they reached the level of anger or frustration where other people curse, I never knew because it didn't show in their language. I heard profanity everywhere else: school, friends, books, movies. I can curse, but I generally don't because it didn't get me anywhere with my parents.
Similarly, if someone addresses me with inflammatory language, I give the language no credit and try to reach the issues behind it.
In creative writing, though, all words are tools to be used for precise effect. Click over and read Barb's post and the comments. Mine include my own look at specific expletives and what I cringe at reading, and why.
Your comments welcome here or there.
Even among fans of crime fiction, where the most terrible things happen to innocent characters, some still object to profanity in the prose. Earlier this week on SleuthSayers, Barb Goffman analyzed how often she uses expletives in her fiction and asked readers if she had gone too far in her new Flash Bang Mysteries story, "Punching Bag".
In my comments, I explained that my parents never used profanity at home. If they reached the level of anger or frustration where other people curse, I never knew because it didn't show in their language. I heard profanity everywhere else: school, friends, books, movies. I can curse, but I generally don't because it didn't get me anywhere with my parents.
Similarly, if someone addresses me with inflammatory language, I give the language no credit and try to reach the issues behind it.
In creative writing, though, all words are tools to be used for precise effect. Click over and read Barb's post and the comments. Mine include my own look at specific expletives and what I cringe at reading, and why.
Your comments welcome here or there.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Marvel's The Punisher Season 2
© by Gerald So | 5:00 AM
At a Michigan roadhouse, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), alias Pete Castiglione, crosses paths with a girl (Giorgia Whigham) hunted by professional killers. Saving her, Castle takes her with him, staying one step ahead as he learns her story.
Free of the obligation to tell The Punisher's origin, Season 2 further humanizes him, thanks to Bernthal and Whigham's chemistry. Whigham pulls off an independent character who is also properly scared. Corbin Bernsen and Annette O'Toole add star power as the vicious mastermind power couple.
I also appreciate how this season bears out the impact of last season's events. While Billy Russo (Ben Barnes) was so broken he remembered less than I liked, Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah) clearly hadn't moved on.
Marvel's Netflix shows have never perfectly paced 13 episodes, but there are some gems worth jumping to, particularly "The Abyss", featuring Daredevil's Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll).
At a Michigan roadhouse, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal), alias Pete Castiglione, crosses paths with a girl (Giorgia Whigham) hunted by professional killers. Saving her, Castle takes her with him, staying one step ahead as he learns her story.
Free of the obligation to tell The Punisher's origin, Season 2 further humanizes him, thanks to Bernthal and Whigham's chemistry. Whigham pulls off an independent character who is also properly scared. Corbin Bernsen and Annette O'Toole add star power as the vicious mastermind power couple.
I also appreciate how this season bears out the impact of last season's events. While Billy Russo (Ben Barnes) was so broken he remembered less than I liked, Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah) clearly hadn't moved on.
Marvel's Netflix shows have never perfectly paced 13 episodes, but there are some gems worth jumping to, particularly "The Abyss", featuring Daredevil's Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll).
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