TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews

Monday, January 16, 2023

DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for January 17, 2023

DC COMICS:

Batgirls #14 (Cover A Jorge Corona), $3.99

Batgirls #14 (Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batgirls #14 (Cover C Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And Robin By Peter J. Tomasi And Patrick Gleason Omnibus HC (2022 Edition), $150.00

Batman Fortress #8 (Of 8)(Cover A Darick Robertson), $3.99

Batman Fortress #8 (Of 8)(Cover B Ken Lashley Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Howard Porter), $7.99

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jim Lee Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Liam Sharp Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Daniel Warren Johnson Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Brian Bolland Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman One Bad Day Bane #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Giuseppe Camuncoli & Arif Prianto Premium Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover B Jonboy Meyers Powergirl Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover C Jonboy Meyers Huntress Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover D Jack White III Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover E Juni Ba Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Superman World’s Finest #11 (Cover F Claire Roe Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Urban Legends Volume 4 TP, $24.99

Black Adam #7 (Of 12)(Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $3.99

Black Adam #7 (Of 12)(Cover B Sergio Davila Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Black Adam #7 (Of 12)(Cover C Taj Tenfold Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Black Adam #7 (Of 12)(Cover D Clayton Henry & Marcelo Maiolo Card Stock Variant), AR

Fables #157 (Of 162)(Cover A Qistina Khalidah), $3.99

Fables #157 (Of 162)(Cover B Mark Buckingham Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #791 (Cover A Taurin Clarke)(One-Minute War), $3.99

Flash #791 (Cover B Daniel Bayliss Card Stock Variant)(One-Minute War), $4.99

Flash #791 (Cover C Marco Dalfonso Card Stock Variant)(One-Minute War), $4.99

Flash #791 (Cover D Kim Jacinto Card Stock Variant)(One-Minute War), AR

Flash #791 (Cover E Taurin Clarke Foil Variant)(One-Minute War), AR

G.C.P.D. The Blue Wall #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99

G.C.P.D. The Blue Wall #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Francesco Francavilla Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Yoshi Yoshitani), $3.99

Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Dan Hipp Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Harley Quinn The Animated Series Legion Of Bats #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Renae De Liz Card Stock Variant), AR

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover A David Marquez & Alejandro Sanchez), $4.99

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jen Bartel Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Mario Fox Foccillo & Prasad Pressy Rao Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Ariel Colon Card Stock Variant), AR

Lazarus Planet Assault On Krypton #1 (One Shot)(Cover F David Marquez & Alejandro Sanchez Foil Variant), AR

Monkey Prince #10 (Of 12)(Cover A Bernard Chang)(Batman Vs Robin), $3.99

Monkey Prince #10 (Of 12)(Cover B Ejikure Card Stock Variant)(Batman Vs Robin), $4.99

Monkey Prince #10 (Of 12)(Cover C Audrey Mok Card Stock Variant)(Batman Vs Robin), AR

New Champion Of Shazam #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Evan Doc Shaner), $3.99

New Champion Of Shazam #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Rose Besch Card Stock Variant), $4.99

New Champion Of Shazam #4 (Of 4)(Cover C Tula Lotay Card Stock Variant), AR

Nightwing #100 (Cover A Bruno Redondo), $6.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover B Jamal Campbell Wraparound Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover C Jim Lee Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover D Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover E Javier Fernandez Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover F Travis Moore Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover G Bruno Redondo Acetate Variant), $8.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover H George Perez Art Board Design Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Nightwing #100 (Cover I Babs Tarr Card Stock Variant), AR

Nightwing #100 (Cover J Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR

Nightwing #100 (Cover K Dan Mora Foil Card Stock Variant), AR

Nightwing #100 (Cover L George Perez Art Board Design Foil Card Stock Variant), AR

Stargirl The Lost Children #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Todd Nauck), $3.99

Stargirl The Lost Children #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Amy Reeder Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Stargirl The Lost Children #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Ro Stein & Ted Brandt Card Stock Variant), AR

Suicide Squad Blaze HC, $29.99

Titans United Bloodpact #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Eddy Barrows), $3.99

Titans United Bloodpact #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Titans United Bloodpact #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Travis Mercer Card Stock Variant), AR

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Sunday, January 15, 2023

Comics Review: "Nita Hawes' NIGHTMARE Blog #11" - Never Left and She's Back at It

NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG #11

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes

ART: Szymon Kudranski

COLORS: Luis Nct with mar and Silvestre Galotto

LETTERS: Marshall Dillon

EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello

COVER: Szymon Kudranski

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Szymon Kudranski; Chris Visions

28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“Murder By Another Name” Part V: “The Wake-Up Call”

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is a comic book series created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander. Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is written by Barnes. The current artist is Szymon Kudranski. Colorist Luis Nct and letterer by Marshall Dillon complete the creative team. The series focuses on a woman who is on a quest to root out evil by helping the people who contact her blog.

In Baltimore, Maryland, which some call “Bodymore, Murderland,” there is a woman named Dawnita “Nita” Hawes. She is the owner of “Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog” where citizens can contact Nita when they have a problem of a supernatural or paranormal nature. Nita has just begun her quest to root the evil out of her city – with the help of her dead brother, Jason.

Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog #11 (“The Wake-Up Call”) opens with Nita freed from the clutches of “Jackie the Ripper.” Her savior, Anasi the Spider-God, wants Nita to show appreciation because he saved her from a Hell she never imagined. He believes that Nita can show that by not returning to the clutches of the Ripper...

… But that can't be. Nita must ignore Anansi's warnings and go looking for a formidable creature with the assistance of Detective Harden. As Nita comes one step closer to uncovering Jackie's dark secrets, she becomes her next target, again, as the killer desires to enjoy some more killing before returning to her next big sleep.

THE LOWDOWN: Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog is a spin-off of Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's hit vampire comic book, Killadelphia. The current story arc, “Murder By Another Name,” is making several direct connections to recent and ongoing events in Killadelphia, while rocking the “Killadelphia-verse” in its own way.

I like Barnes and Kudranski's take on Jack the Ripper. She is a slave turned monster by the ghosts of those who killed her. In a sense, because she was killed as chattel property and now “lives” as an murderous entity, she can never truly be a “former slave.”

I think that this story arc, “Murder By Another Name,” especially Chapter 4 (issue #10), is about Nita fully taking control of her mission. Her “Nightmare Blog” is something she took upon herself, and she must take on that mission and must embrace it in her way regardless of the pleadings of well-meaning gods and baby ghosts.

I think next issue's closing chapter of this story arc will be big. Keep reading, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Killadelphia and of the original Hellblazer will want Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog.

A+

You can buy the NITA HAWES' NIGHTMARE BLOG VOL. 2 trade paperback here at AMAZON.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes

https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex

https://twitter.com/luisnct

https://twitter.com/MarshallDillon

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https://imagecomics.com/

http://rodneybarnes.com/

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https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/image-comics/

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Saturday, January 14, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 8th to 14th, 2023 - Update #20

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

TELEVISION - From Deadline: "Snowpiercer," TNT's last remaining original scripted drama, is also leaving the cable network. Season 4 of "Snowpiercer" has been completed and was to be the series' finale. It will be shopped around to other networks.

MOVIES - From Variety: "Variety" has a revealing Q&A with the great horror and science fiction filmmaker, John Carpenter ("Halloween," "They Live," "The Fog").

MOVIES - From ScreenGeek: Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again ... and visit movie theater comes word that Mel Gibson will begin filming the sequel to his 2004 mega-hit, "The Passion of the Christ," sometime this coming spring. The title is apparently "The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection."

GOLDEN GLOBES - From Deadline: For those who care (and I don't care as much as I once did), the winners of the 2023 / 80th Golden Globes Awards were announced last night (Tues., Jan. 10th). "The Fabelmans" won for "Best Motion Picture-Drama" and "The Banshees of Inisherin" won for "Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy."

From Deadline: Eddie Murphy was the recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 80th Annual Golden Globes on Tuesday night (Jan. 10th). Murphy ended his speech with the “blueprint” for up-and-coming actors to achieve success in the industry. “I want to let you know that there is a definitive blueprint that you can follow to achieve success, prosperity, longevity and peace of mind,” he said. “There’s a blueprint and I followed it my whole career. It’s very simple.” Murphy continued, “Just do these three things: Pay your taxes, mind your business and keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out your f*cking mouth.”

NETFLIX - From THR: Netflix debuts a trailer for "You People," the new film from Kenya Barris, the creator of ABC's former sitcom hit, "black-ish." The film stars Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Duchovny, and Jonah Hill.

MOVIES - From THR: Halfway through its production in Atlanta, Georgia, director Francis Ford Coppola's new film, "Megalopolis," is in trouble with the loss of key creative talent and the exit of its entire visual effects team.

From Deadline: Hold up, boo! Francis Ford Coppola says that there is no truth to the rumors of "Megalopolis" being in trouble.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: TV super-producer, Greg Berlanti, has signed a new four-year exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. Berlanti was the architect of DC Comics' live-action TV series on The CW broadcast network.

MOVIES - From THR: Actor Tim Blake Nelson has joined director Denis Villleneuve's "Dune: Part 2."

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 1/6/2023 to 1/8/2023 weekend box office is "Avatar: The Way of Water" with an estimated take of 45 million dollars.

From Here: Leroy Douresseaux's review of "Avatar: The Way of Water."

MOVIES - From Deadline: Director Eli Roth has not been fired as the director of Lionsgate's "Borderlands," a film based on the video game. Instead Roth has hand reshoot duties on the film to director Tim Miller ("Deadpool") so that he can begin work on his next film, "Thanksgiving."

STREAMING - From Variety: After premiering on Dec. 22, 2022, “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” became NBCUniversal streaming service, Peacock’s first original project to make it onto Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings. It is at #5 in an early version of the Dec. 19th to 25th, 2022 chart.

OBITS:

From Deadline: Singer-songwriter, Lisa Marie Presley, has died at the age of 54, Thursday, January 12, 2023. She was the only child of rock 'n' roll icon, Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. Presley recorded three studios albums, including the gold-certified "To Whom it May Concern" (2003).

From BBC: English rock guitarist, Jeff Beck, has died at the age of 78, Tuesday, January 10, 2023. One of the most influential rock guitarists ever, Beck was best known for his association with the bands, "The Yardbirds" and "The Jeff Beck Group." He was nominated for 16 Grammy Awards and won eight of them.

From Deadline: The great American cinematographer, Owen Roizman, has died at the age of 86, Friday, January 6, 2023. He received five "Best Cinematography" Oscar nominations, including for his work on "The French Connection" (1971) and "The Exorcist" (1973). He received the "Academy Honorary Award" in 2017.

From Variety: Film and television actor and voice performer, Earl Boen, has died at the age of 81, Thursday, January 5, 2023. Boen was best known for playing criminal psychologist, Dr. Peter Silberman, in three film in the "Terminator" film series, beginning with 1984's "The Terminator." However, Boen appeared in numerous other films, including "9 to 5" (1980) and "To Be or Not to Be" (1983). Boen also appeared in guest roles on multiple TV series, including "Seinfeld," "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and "The West Wing," to name a few. From 1988 to 2004, Boen was a voice actor, performing in almost 40 animated TV series in various genres.

AWARDS:

From Deadline: The nominees for the 2023 / 34th Producers Guild of America Awards have been announced in both film and TV categories. The winners will be announced Sat. Feb. 25th, 2023.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced. The winners will be announced Sun., Feb. 26th, 2023.

From Deadline: The National Society of Film Critics has named "Tar" its "Best Picture" of 2023 and its star, Cate Blanchette, as "Best Actress."

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 23rd Annual Black Reel Awards have been announced. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "The Woman King" have tied for the lead in nominations with 14 apiece. The winners will be announced February 6, 2023.

From Deadline: The Black Film Critics Circle named "The Woman King" the "Best Film" of 2022.

From Deadline: The winners of the 2022 Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) Awards have been announced. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Tar" tie for "Best Picture" award.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 80th annual Golden Globes Awards were announced today (Mon., Dec. 12th). "The Banshees of Inisherin" led the film field with eight nominations. ABC's "Abbot Elementary" lead the TV side with five nominations. The winners will be announced January 10, 2023.

From Deadline: The American Film Institute (AFI) has named its "AFI Awards Film" list of "Top 10 Films of 2022." The list includes "Avatar: The Way of Water," "Top Gun: Maverick," and "The Woman King."

From THR: The African-American Film Critics Association name "The Woman King" the "Best Film of 2022."

From Deadline: The nominations for the "2023 Critics Choice Awards" in the television categories have been announced. ABC's sitcom, "Abbot Elementary" leads the nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, January 15, 2023 and broadcast on The CW.

From Variety: The 2022 / 88th Annual New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) Awards have been announced. Todd Field's "Tar" wins "Best Film" and "Best Actress" (Cate Blanchett). Keke Palmer wins "Best Supporting Actress" for her performance in "Nope."

From Deadline: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" wins the "Best Feature" award at the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards, one of two wins for the film.

From IndieWire: The nominations for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leads with eight nominations. The winners will be announced March 4th, 2023.

From Variety: The nominations for the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards were announced a month ago. Todd Field's "Tar" leads with five nominations. The winners will be announced Monday, November 28th.

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From CBSNews: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from her Russian imprisonment in a one-for-one prisoner swap for notorious international arms dealer, Viktor Bout.

From NBCNews: Brittney Griner will enter a system of isolation, grueling labor and psychological torment when she is transferred to a penal colony, the successor to the infamous Russian gulag, to fulfill a nine-year sentence handed down Tuesday in Moscow, former prisoners and advocates said.

From NBCNews: A Russian court has rejected Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence on (fake) drug charges.

From Reuters: Russia says that it is ready to talk prisoner swamp for Brittney Griner and U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but also scolds the U.S. Embassy.

From TheDailyBeast: Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.

From Vox: Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN: A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th. Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN: The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN: "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN: Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports: The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN: According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."

Friday, January 13, 2023

Review: Original "HOUSE PARTY" is Still Letting the Mutha Burn

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 of 2023 (No. 1892) by Leroy Douresseaux

House Party (1990)

Running time: 104 minutes (1 hour, 44 minutes)

MPAA – R

WRITER/DIRECTOR: Reginald Hudlin

PRODUCER: Warrington Hudlin

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Deming (D.o.P.)

EDITOR: Earl Watson

COMPOSERS: Marcus Miller and Lenny White

COMEDY/MUSIC

Starring: “Kid 'n Play”: Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin; Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence; “Full Force”: “Paul Anthony” George, Lucien “Bow-Legged Lou” George, Jr., and Brian “B-Fine” George; Tisha Campbell, A.J. Johnson; “Grove B. Chill: Gene “Groove” Allen and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell; Kelly Jo Minter, John Witherspoon, BeBe Drake, Clifton Powell, J. Jay Saunders, Barry Diamond, Michael Pniewski, and George Clinton

House Party is a 1990 comedy film from writer-director Reginald Hudlin. The film stars the then popular hip duo, “Kid 'n Play,” and is based on Hudlin's 1983 student short film, which he made while attending Harvard University. House Party focuses on music, romance, and the unpredictable at school night house party.

House Party also features supporting performances by three members of “Full Force,” a hip hop and R&B musical group known for singing, songwriting, and producing. There are also two members of the hip hop duo, “Groove B. Chill,” and a cameo by noted funk musician, George Clinton. The film also stars the late comedian Robin Harras (1953-90), who died nine days after the film's release.

House Party introduces aspiring rapper, Christopher Robinson, Jr. a.ka. “Kid” (Christopher “Kid” Reid). He is looking forward to a house party thrown by one of his best friends, Peter Martin a.k.a “Play”(Christopher “Play” Martin). However, while at high school, Kid has a lunchroom altercation with a bully, Stab (“Paul Anthony” George), and his two associates, Pee-Wee (Lucien “Bow-Legged Lou” George, Jr.) and Zilla (Brian “B-Fine” George).

Kid goes home and convinces his father, Christopher Robinson, Sr. a.k.a. “Pops” (Robin Harris), to let him attend the party, although it is on a school night. After he receives a note from Kid's school about the lunchroom fight, Pops forbids Kid from attending the party as punishment. Kid sneaks out and attends the party anyway, but his father isn't the only one he has to avoid. Stab and the boys are ready to deliver a beat-down as soon as they find Kid. Will Kid avoid his tormentors long enough to enjoy the party? Which girl will Kid choose: Sydney (Tisha Campbell) or Sharane (A.J. Johnson)? Will Play stop annoying Bilal (Martin Lawrence), the DJ at his party? And who will win the battle of rhymes – Kid or Play?

The National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress recently made House Party one of its 2022 selections to the “National Film Registry.” Films that make the registry are considered to be “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

House Party certainly fits that description, perhaps on all levels. House Party was the first African-American teen comedy to receive mainstream success, both theatrically and in home entertainment. As a “hood movie” (a film set in an inner city, predominantly African-American neighborhood), it shares elements with other other hood films: police harassment, school violence, “the projects,” single-parent homes, working class homes, poverty, etc. However, House Party is straight comedy, and what other “hood movies” treat as high drama or as teary melodrama, House Party plays for humor. For instance, the character Sharane is “from the projects,” but she lives in an apartment in a nicely appointed Section 8 complex with her quiet, extended family. Also, the two white police officers that vex Kid and Stab, Pee-Wee and Zilla are mostly harmless, although the film does suggest that they do physically abuse some of the characters off-camera.

Despite the fact that the film was released almost 33 years ago and was likely filmed almost 34 years ago, House Party still seems fresh. Perhaps, that is because the film is filled with authentic examples of the African-American pop culture of the time. The fashions, hairstyles, dancing, music, and dialogue are more treasures (sans the edginess) from a time capsule than than they are remnants from a bygone era.

This recent viewing was the first time in about 30 years that I had watched the film in its entirety, and I discovered that I still love the cast today as much as I did then. Some, like Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, and Darryl “Chill” Mitchell, have had long careers in television. Others, like Kid 'n Play, left their heyday behind decades ago, which is a shame. As “Kid 'n Play,” Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin were personable and had excellent chemistry together. I think media companies never really tapped into their potential as media stars. It is also a little sad to wonder what would have been with Robin Harris in regards to the House Party sequels.

At that time, however, the entire cast came together and worked like a well-oiled machine. House Party's infectious and exuberant soundtrack provides the perfect backdrop to writer-director Reginald Hudlin's lighthearted, but energetic comic romp. The plot is fairly routine, but the execution is what makes this film really work. Maybe, what makes House Party “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” is that it was and still is a fresh look at Black teens who party hard and squabble often without anyone getting a cap popped in his or her ass. House Party still seems unique, and I can attest that it is still a blast to watch.

8 of 10

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Thursday, January 12, 2023

NOTES:

2022 National Film Preservation Board: 1 win: “National Film Registry”

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Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Comics Review: "MOSELY #1" Prepares to Fight the Future

MOSELY #1 (OF 5)

BOOM! STUDIOS

STORY: Rob Guillory

ART: Sam Lotfi

COLORS: Jean-Francois Beaulieu

LETTERS: Andrew Thomas

EDITOR: Sierra Hahn

COVER: Sam Lotfi

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Sam Lotfi; Rob Guillory; Joe Palmer; Mike Huddleston; Jorge Corona with Sarah Stern; Mel Milton

24pp, Colors, 4.99 U.S.(January 2023)

Chapter One: “Phisher of Men”

Mosely is a new five-issue comic book miniseries from Rob Guillory, best known as the writer-artist of the comic book series, Farmhand (Image Comics), and the artist of the former Image Comics series, Chew. Mosely focuses on a man who is on a mission from a higher power to destroy the “tech gods.” The series is written by Guillory; drawn by Sam Lotfi (Harley Quinn); colored by Jean-Francois Beaulieu; and lettered by Andrew Thomas.

Mosely #1 (“Phisher of Men”) introduces Marvin “Mose” Mosely, a bitter old janitor working at a school full of technological enhanced elementary school children. Thirty years earlier, Mose was part of “The Project,” which began as an idea to use technology to fix the world's ailing climate.

Now, the world of the later 21st century is hyper-technological, and it is ruled by the “Gods,” also known as the “Tech Overlords, the “Techno-Celestials,” and the “Machine Men.” For the gift of “upgrades,” humans willingly surrendered to them.

After a violent encounter with an upgrade, Mosely gains the opportunity and the power to take down the “too big to fail” Tech Gods. Can one man bring down the corporate powers who've used their vast influence to oppress an all too complacent human race? Will Mosely win back the favor of his estranged family while he is setting mankind free?

THE LOWDOWN: There is a line of tension and conflict in Mosely. It is between the world that was and could have been afterwards and the world that is and the one to follow it. Artist Sam Lotfi captures that struggle, embodying it in Marvin Mosely. Lotfi conveys the bitterness in Mosely, but depicts it more as anger than as resignation. Jean-Francois Beaulieu, the talented colorist on Rob Guillory's Farmhand, offers emotive colors that capture both the character of Mosely and the state of the world in which he lives.

The way Rob Guillory structures the story binds the past to the future. What happens early in this chapter, “Phisher of Men,” lays the groundwork for the future. The change in time and setting is jarring, but Guillory sets up the beginning so that, brief though it may be, we never forget the origins of Mosely current struggle. The beginning defines Mosely's mission, and I think that Guillory realizes that it is important that the audience understands what was lost, despite all that the late twenty-first century people believe they gained.

So I am curious to see where Mosely is going. Guillory and Lotfi have already added a bit of bite in the way that they present the future, and I suspect there is more to come because this noteworthy science fiction debut is also a satire.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of science fiction comic books will want to try Mosely.

[This comic book includes an afterword by Rob Guillory.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://www.boom-studios.com/series/mosely/

Official comic trailer for Mosely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR-6cF1XX4s

https://robguillory.com/

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Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Comics Review: "NEMESIS RELOADED #1" Unloads the New Year's Best Comic Book Debut

NEMESIS RELOADED #1 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Jorge Jiménez

COLORS: Giovanna Niro

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Jorge Jiménez with Giovanni Niro

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Steve McNiven with Giovanni Niro; Frank Quitely; Fiona Staples

28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2023)

Rated M / Mature

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis was a four-issue comic book miniseries from the team of writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven. It was published under Marvel Comics' “Icon” imprint in 2010-2011. Millar and McNiven had previously produced two hugely popular Marvel event projects – the miniseries, Civil War, and the graphic novel, Wolverine: Old Man Logan.

Millar has decided to (softly) reboot Nemesis in a new five-issue miniseries entitled Nemesis: Reloaded. It is written by Millar; drawn by Jorge Jiménez; colored by Giovanni Niro; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Nemesis Reloaded #1 opens in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Elderly couple, Margot and Jake, have discovered that their services have been … requested.

Who is Nemesis, and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorize people instead of helping them? He has plans for Los Angeles, and by the time he is done, the city won't be the same.

THE LOWDOWN: I have told this story before in reviews of a few other comic books. When I first read Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1, I was left stunned for an hour or so … Then, I read it again. I thought about it the rest of the day and into the night until I fell asleep. As soon as I woke up the next morning, I started reading it again. I don't remember how many times I read it again while waiting for the second book in this legendary series to arrive.

When I read the original Nemesis #1 in 2010, I experienced a somewhat similar ecstasy, although I was much older then. Still, I wanted to be Nemesis, causing chaos … and killing for a purpose and enjoying it. Nemesis #1 remains one of the best first issues of a comic book that I have ever read.

I believe that Nemesis Reloaded #1 has surpassed Nemesis #1 in my countdown of magnificent first issues. Reloaded even made me shit my pants – metaphorically speaking, of course. It is the most evil comic book in the world because Mark Millar has made what should be repulsive so alluring. I want to serve Nemesis, killing at his will. Even Quentin Tarantino has never made murder and mayhem so sexy as Millar has done in Nemesis Reloaded, and murder and mayhem is a Tarantino specialty.

I have enjoyed quite a few comic books drawn by Jorge Jiménez, but none of them are like Nemesis Reloaded. It is as if he has been freed of channeling childlike wonder so that he can draw the kind of comic books that made white people form decency committees in the 1950s. It is as if Jiménez has rediscovered the vital essences of Klaus Janson's run on Daredevil, when Frank Miller was the designer and Janson drew and colored the book.

In fact, I would say that Millar and Jiménez have summoned peak Miller-Janson Daredevil (which would be Daredevil #181). This time, Millar-Jiménez have made Bullseye the winner and the star of the remaining issues of their run.

Giovanni Niro colors Nemesis Reloaded … as if she lusted after the story, painting beautiful blue hues and maniacal red spurts all over the art. Clem Robins letters this story as if he wants to commit murder, but has to settle for this vicarious experience.

If you say you want to read great comic books, but you won't read Nemesis Reloaded #1, dear readers, then, just stop lying to yourself. You've lost that loving feeling that you once got from comic books, and it's gone...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Mark Millar comic books that make the reader come … back for more … will desire Nemesis Reloaded.

[This issue includes an introduction by Mark Millar.]

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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Review: "HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL." is Both Funny and Ruthless

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 2 of 2023 (No. 1891) by Leroy Douresseaux

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul (2022)

Running time: 102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes)

MPA – R for language and some sexual content

DIRECTOR: Adamma Ebo

WRITER: Adamma Ebo (based on her short film)

PRODUCERS: Sterling K. Brown, Jessamine Burgum, Matthew R. Cooper, Amandla Crichlow, Kara Durrett, Adanne Ebo, Regina Hall, Daniel Kaluuya, and Rowan Riley

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Alan Gwizdowski

EDITORS: Ali Greer and Stacy Moon

COMPOSER: Marcus Norris

COMEDY/RELIGION

Starring: Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown, Nicole Beharie, Conphidance, Austin Crute, Dever Rogers, Robert Yatta, Greta Glenn, and Selah Kimbro Jones

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a 2022 comedy-drama and mockumentary (mock documentary) film from writer-director Adamma Ebo. The film is Ebo's directorial debut and is also a feature-length adaptation of Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul, her 2018 short film. Oscar-winner Jordan Peele is one of the film's executive producers. Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. the film focuses on the first lady of a megachurch as she attempts to help the pastor of the church rebuild his congregation in the wake of a scandal.

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is largely set in and around Wander to Greater Paths Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The film introduces Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown) and his wife, the church's “First Lady,” Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall). Lee-Curtis preaches the “prosperity gospel,” and he and his wife live a lavish lifestyle that is a big as their megachurch.

Once upon a time, Wander to Greater Paths (WGP) had about 25,000 congregants, but Pastor Lee-Curtis became embroiled in a notorious scandal that involves multiple sexual misconduct allegations. Lee-Curtis and Trinitie were forced to close the church after backlash and a mass exodus of congregants.

Now, a year later, the Childs plan to reopen the church in one month on Easter Sunday. They have also hired a documentary film crew to chronicle their lives and the preparation during the run-up to the reopening. However, Trinitie finds the crew and its director, Anita Bonet, to be intrusive. Also, the Childs struggle to get people interested in their return, so Lee-Curtis comes up with an idea for a roadside ministry, entitled “Honk for Jesus.” Will that scheme save the church … and the couple's marriage?

Some of you, dear readers, are familiar Pentecostal televangelist (television evangelist), Jimmy Swaggart. Beginning in 1988, a series of scandals, two of them involving Swaggart's relationship with prostitutes, caused him to lose a significant number of congregants at his megachurch, Family Worship Center, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His Jimmy Swaggart Bible College also saw a drastic drop in enrollment, largely in part to his 1988 sex scandal.

A former coworker of mine was a devout Christian, and he considered Swaggart to be a hypocrite because of his scandals. I told him that I did not quite see it that way. I argued that the most successful evangelical preachers were probably intimately familiar with sin, especially related to sexual activity. I said that what made Swaggart a hypocrite wasn't him sneaking around for some kind of sexual contact with a prostitute, but rather that he frequently condemned people who were engaged in sexual activity of which he did not approve. He insisted that other sinners pay a price for sexual improprieties that he clearly did not expect to pay himself.

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is not the greatest mockumentary (which is still This is Spinal Tap), but it is a very good comedy about characters that are difficult when laid bare. Honk for Jesus. Save You Soul. makes it clear that the Childs, especially Pastor Lee-Curtis, are oblivious and lack self-awareness. Lee-Curtis condemns those engaged in the same kind of sexual activity which brought him down, and his behavior is also predatory. It is not just the nature of his sin; it is also that he betrayed the trust of the people who relied on him for help.

Sterling K. Brown shines as Pastor Lee-Curtis, depicting him not as evil, but as narcissistic, vain, and material. His faith, God, the Bible, and his success are about himself and not about salvation or about “saving souls.” He collects “saving souls” and congregants seemingly the same way he collects Italian suits and clothing, jewelry, and cars. Brown deftly conveys to the audience that the reopening of Wander to Great Paths is all about shining on Lee-Curtis and not necessarily on God.

I think the film really turns on Regina Hall's performance, a mixture of comedy, drama, and pathos. From start to finish, Hall's performance chronicles the difficulty that is Trinitie's mission to save their church. Although she is known for comedy, Hall shows serious dramatic chops in conveying the ultimate futility of the couple's quest, especially in those painful scenes in which she faces either their detractors or Lee-Curtis' victims.

Mock or faux documentary films are generally comedies, although they have dramatic and poignant moments. Writer-director Adamma Ebo pulls off the trick of producing a mockumentary that is more drama than comedy. Getting a great performance from her cast, especially Regina Hall, is what makes Ebo's film highly original and even more substantive than mockumentary films generally are. My take is that Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is both a portrayal of a corrupted megachurch pastor and first lady and also a commentary on the megachurches that pedal the prosperity gospel.

Mockumentary films generally always seem to be a tad bit longer than they need to be, and they are at their best in their first acts. The best energy in Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is in its second half, especially its last act.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

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