Marvel Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for December 13, 2023

MARVEL COMICS

SEP230835 BLADE #6 $3.99

SEP230836 BLADE #6 PEACH MOMOKO NIGHTMARE VAR $3.99

OCT230701 CAPTAIN AMERICA #4 $4.99

OCT230702 CAPTAIN AMERICA #4 ADI GRANOV AVENGERS 60TH VAR $4.99

OCT230705 CAPTAIN AMERICA #4 GREG LAND SKI CHALET VAR $4.99

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SEP238937 CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 2ND PTG JTC VIRGIN VAR $4.99

SEP238939 CAPWOLF HOWLING COMMANDOS #1 2ND PTG CARLOS MAGNO VAR $4.99

SEP238941 DAREDEVIL #2 2ND PTG AARON KUDER VAR $4.99

AUG230984 DAREDEVIL EPIC COLLECTION TP VOL 15 LAST RITES NEW PTG $49.99

OCT230586 DAREDEVIL GANG WAR #1 $4.99

OCT230587 DAREDEVIL GANG WAR #1 AKA ELEKTRA VAR $4.99

OCT230590 DAREDEVIL GANG WAR #1 LUCAS WERNECK STORMBREAKERS VAR $4.99

OCT230675 DARK X-MEN #5 (OF 5) $3.99

MAY231084 FANTASTIC FOUR BY DAN SLOTT HC VOL 04 $44.99

OCT230714 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #9 $3.99

OCT230715 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #9 NICOLETTA BALDARI VAR $3.99

OCT230710 IMMORTAL THOR #5 $4.99

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OCT230605 LUKE CAGE GANG WAR #2 $3.99

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OCT230607 LUKE CAGE GANG WAR #2 SERGIO DAVILA CONNECT VAR $3.99

JAN231008 MARVEL STUDIOS MOON KNIGHT HC ART OF SERIES $60.00

OCT230643 MARVEL ZOMBIES BLACK WHITE BLOOD #3 $5.99

OCT230645 MARVEL ZOMBIES BLACK WHITE BLOOD #3 ALEX HORLEY VAR $5.99

OCT230591 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #13 $3.99

AUG239111 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #13 AGIMAT SUIT SPIDER-MAN 2 VAR $3.99

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OCT230557 MOON KNIGHT #30 $4.99

OCT230558 MOON KNIGHT #30 ALESSANDRO CAPPUCCIO FORESHADOW VAR $4.99

OCT230563 MOON KNIGHT #30 GREG CAPULLO VAR $4.99

OCT230559 MOON KNIGHT #30 INHYUK LEE LAST DAYS OF MOON KNIGHT VAR $4.99

OCT230566 MOON KNIGHT #30 INSIGNIA VAR $4.99

OCT230560 MOON KNIGHT #30 PEACH MOMOKO NIGHTMARE VAR $4.99

OCT230561 MOON KNIGHT #30 SKOTTIE YOUNG VAR $4.99

OCT230562 MOON KNIGHT #30 STEVE MORRIS VAR $4.99

SEP238943 PREDATOR VS WOLVERINE #2 2ND PTG HAYDEN SHERMAN VAR $5.99

OCT230621 PUNISHER #2 $4.99

OCT230623 PUNISHER #2 MAHMUD ASRAR VAR $4.99

OCT230699 SILVER SURFER REBIRTH LEGACY #4 $3.99

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SEP238944 SPIDER-BOY #1 2ND PTG JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER VAR $5.99

SEP230597 SPIDER-GWEN SMASH #1 $4.99

SEP230600 SPIDER-GWEN SMASH #1 IVAN TAO VAR $4.99

SEP230602 SPIDER-GWEN SMASH #1 JTC NEGATIVE SPACE VIRGIN VAR $4.99

SEP230603 SPIDER-GWEN SMASH #1 PEACH MOMOKO FOIL VAR (Net) $PI

SEP230598 SPIDER-GWEN SMASH #1 PEACH MOMOKO NIGHTMARE VAR $4.99

JUN231090 SPIDER-MAN BY CHIP ZDARSKY OMNIBUS HC $125.00

JUN231091 SPIDER-MAN BY CHIP ZDARSKY OMNIBUS HC SIQUEIRA DM VAR $125.00

JUN231092 SPIDER-MAN BY CHIP ZDARSKY OMNIBUS HC ZDARSKY DM VAR $125.00

MAR230984 SPIDEY FRESHMAN YEAR TP $34.99

OCT230759 STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #41 $4.99

OCT230760 STAR WARS BOUNTY HUNTERS #41 DUSTIN NGUYEN $4.99

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SEP238945 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN RETURNS #1 (ONE-SHOT) 2ND PTG BAGLEY VAR $6.99

SEP238946 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN RETURNS #1 2ND PTG 25 COPY INCV VAR $6.99

FEB230939 ULTRAMAN TP MYSTERY OF ULTRASEVEN $17.99

OCT230635 WHITE WIDOW #2 $3.99

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AUG230983 X-FORCE EPIC COLLECTION TP VOL 03 ASSAULT ON GRAYMALKIN $44.99

OCT230679 X-MEN RED #18 $3.99

OCT230681 X-MEN RED #18 FEDERICO VICENTINI STORMBREAKERS VAR $3.99

OCT230680 X-MEN RED #18 LEO CASTELLANI X-MEN 60TH VAR $3.99

------------------------

Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for December 13, 2023

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY231959 2000 AD MARCH PROG PACK (JULY 2023 SHIPPING) (MR) $21.99

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AUG231290 ADDAMS FAMILY CHARLATANS WEB #1 CVR A FLORES $5.99

AUG231291 ADDAMS FAMILY CHARLATANS WEB #1 CVR B SAMU $5.99

AUG232186 ADVENTURES OF GOD GN VOL 02 $19.99

OCT231555 ADVENTURES OF GWF #4 $4.99

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SEP231101 AMERICAN PSYCHO #2 (OF 5) CVR A VECCHIO (MR) $4.99

SEP231102 AMERICAN PSYCHO #2 (OF 5) CVR B WALTER (MR) $4.99

SEP231103 AMERICAN PSYCHO #2 (OF 5) CVR C BRUDER BUSINESS CARD (MR) $4.99

SEP231104 AMERICAN PSYCHO #2 (OF 5) CVR D COLANGELI (MR) $4.99

SEP238872 AMERICAN PSYCHO #2 (OF 5) CVR G 2ND CHANCE FILM STILL (MR) $4.99

OCT232228 ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE GN VOL 19 $12.99

OCT230439 ANTARCTICA #6 CVR A ROBERTS $3.99

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SEP230434 ARCADE KINGS TP VOL 01 $19.99

OCT231469 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #346 $9.99

AUG231287 ART OF MASTERS OF UNIVERSE ORIGINS & MASTERVERSE DLX HC $99.99

AUG231286 ART OF MASTERS OF UNIVERSE ORIGINS & MASTERVERSE HC $49.99

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AUG232323 BEYOND REAL #1 CVR B MASCOLO PREMIUM VAR (Net) $PI

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AUG232326 BEYOND REAL #1 CVR E VECCHIO ALT PREMIUM VAR (Net) $PI

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OCT231960 BLOOD RUN #1 CVR A STEFANO CARDOSELLI $5.99

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OCT232232 CHILLIN ANOTHER WORLD LEVEL 2 SUPER CHEAT POWERS GN VOL 07 ( $12.99

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AUG231276 COMPLETE NORSE MYTHOLOGY HC $124.99

JUL231138 CREEPY ARCHIVES TP VOL 04 $24.99

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AUG238906 DAI DARK GN VOL 06 $13.99

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JUN231329 DOCTOR MOEBIUS & MISTER GIR HC $29.99

JUL230932 DOCTOR WHO DOOMS DAY TP $17.99

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AUG232069 HUNT KILL REPEAT TP VOL 01 $17.99

AUG232189 I AM HEXED HC GN VOL 01 $24.99

OCT232252 I MARRIED MY FEMALE FRIEND GN VOL 01 (MR) $14.99

OCT232292 ICE GUY & COOL GIRL GN VOL 02 $14.99

OCT231370 JOHNNY BOO HC VOL 14 IS BORED BORED BORED $11.99

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MAGAZINES

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BOOKS

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JUL231653 ART OF ARTHUR ADAMS SC $39.95

APR231315 ARTISTS IN KOREA HC $49.99

APR231314 ARTISTS IN TAIWAN HC $49.99

OCT232277 DISCIPLE OF LICH NOVEL SC VOL 06 $14.99

FEB238583 DOCTOR WHO TEN DAYS OF CHRISTMAS WITH TENTH DOCTOR HC $20.00

OCT232278 FREE LIFE FANTASY ONLINE IMMORTAL PRINCESS L NOVEL VOL 05 (C $15.99

JUN232274 HIDETAKA TENJINS ARTISTRY OF MACROSS HC VOL 02 $49.99

JUL232312 MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH VOL 01 (MR) $12.99

SEP231781 SLAYING THE DRAGON SECRET HISTORY OF DUNGEONS & DRAGONS $19.00

APR232146 SUZUME PROSE NOVEL HC $20.00

OCT231020 ULTRAMAN OFFICIAL SC NOVEL (RES) $16.95

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for December 12, 2023

DC COMICS:

Absolute Watchmen HC (2023 Edition), $150.00

Action Comics #1060 (Cover A Steve Beach)(Titans Beast World), $4.99

Action Comics #1060 (Cover B Jim Cheung Card Stock Variant)(Titans Beast World), $5.99

Action Comics #1060 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant)(Titans Beast World), $5.99

Action Comics #1060 (Cover D Felipe Massafera Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom Card Stock Variant)(Titans Beast World), $5.99

Action Comics #1060 (Cover E Daniel Sampere Card Stock Variant)(Titans Beast World), AR

Action Comics #1060 (Cover F Kaare Andrews Card Stock Variant)(Titans Beast World), AR

Batman #405 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A David Mazzucchelli), $3.99

Batman #428 Robin Lives (One Shot)(Cover A Mike Mignola), $4.99

Batman #428 Robin Lives (One Shot)(Cover B Blank Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #428 Robin Lives (One Shot)(Cover C Mike Mignola Foil Variant), $7.99

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $4.99

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover B David Finch Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover D Otto Schmidt Santa Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover E Gleb Melnikov Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover F Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And Robin #4 (Cover G Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo Unplugged #1 (Cover A Marc Silvestri), $4.99

Batman City Of Madness #2 (Of 3)(Cover A Christian Ward), $6.99

Batman City Of Madness #2 (Of 3)(Cover B Bill Sienkiewicz), $6.99

Batman City Of Madness #2 (Of 3)(Cover C Tula Lotay), AR

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #1 (Of 4)(2nd Printing Cover A Rafael Grampa), $6.99

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Rafael Grampa), $6.99

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Gabriele Dell’Otto), $6.99

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover C Rafael Grassetti), $6.99

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover D Rafael Grampa Acetate Animation Cel Variant), $6.99

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover E Gabriele Dell’Otto), AR

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham #2 (Of 4)(Cover F Bruno Seelig), AR

Batman Gargoyle Of Gotham Noir Edition #2 (Cover A Rafael Grampa), $6.99

Batman Gotham After Midnight The Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99

Batman Santa Claus Silent Knight #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Batman Santa Claus Silent Knight #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Batman Santa Claus Silent Knight #2 (Of 4)(Cover C Trevor Hairsine Card Stock Variant), AR

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover A David Nakayama Wraparound Variant), $5.99

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Chuma Hill), $5.99

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Nathan Szerdy), $5.99

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Blank Variant), $5.99

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover E David Nakayama Wraparound Foil Variant), $7.99

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Greg Tocchini), AR

Birds Of Prey Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Nathan Szerdy Virgin Variant), AR

Danger Street #12 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99

Danger Street #12 (Of 12)(Cover B Bruno Redondo Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Dark Knights Of Steel Volume 2 HC, $24.99

DC’s ‘Twas The Mite Before Christmas #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Ben Caldwell), $9.99

DC’s ‘Twas The Mite Before Christmas #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Mitch Gerads), $9.99

DC’s ‘Twas The Mite Before Christmas #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Saowee), AR

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover A Evan Cagle), $4.99

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover B Jason Shawn Alexander Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover C Sebastian Fiumara Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover D Francesco Mattina Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover E Liam Sharp Card Stock Variant), AR

Detective Comics #1079 (Cover F Evan Cagle Card Stock Variant), AR

Green Lantern #6 (Cover A Xermanico), $4.99

Green Lantern #6 (Cover B Evan Doc Shaner Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #6 (Cover C Jeff Spokes Santa Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #6 (Cover D Tyler Kirkham Card Stock Variant), AR

Green Lantern #6 (Cover E Michael Walsh Card Stock Variant), AR

Infinite Crisis HC (2023 Edition), $29.99

MAD Magazine #35, $5.99

Multiversity Harley Screws Up The DCU HC, $24.99

Nightwing Volume 4 The Leap HC (2021), $24.99

Outsiders #2 (Of 12)(Cover A Roger Cruz), $4.99

Outsiders #2 (Of 12)(Cover B David Marquez Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Outsiders #2 (Of 12)(Cover C Serg Acuna Card Stock Variant), AR

Speed Force #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Mike Deodato Jr.), $3.99

Speed Force #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Sweeney Boo Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superman Lost #9 (Of 10)(Cover A Carlo Pagulayan & Jason Paz), $4.99

Superman Lost #9 (Of 10)(Cover B Lee Weeks Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Superman Lost #9 (Of 10)(Cover C Mike Deodato Jr. Card Stock Variant), AR

Titans Beast World #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Ivan Reis & Danny Miki), $4.99

Titans Beast World #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Bjorn Barends Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Titans Beast World #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Kendrick Kunkka Lim Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Titans Beast World #2 (Of 6)(Cover D Nick Bradshaw Lenticular Variant), $6.99

Titans Beast World Tour Gotham #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $5.99

Titans Beast World Tour Gotham #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Guillem March Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Titans Beast World Tour Gotham #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Cully Hamner Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Waller Vs. Wildstorm #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $5.99

Waller Vs. Wildstorm #4 (Of 4)(Cover B Eric Battle), $5.99

Waller Vs. Wildstorm #4 (Of 4)(Cover C Alvaro Martinez Bueno), AR

Wesley Dodds The Sandman #1 (Of 6)(2nd Printing Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99

Wesley Dodds The Sandman #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99

Wesley Dodds The Sandman #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Jeff Lemire Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Wesley Dodds The Sandman #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Dani Card Stock Variant), AR

World’s Finest Teen Titans #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Chris Samnee), $3.99

World’s Finest Teen Titans #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Evan Doc Shaner Card Stock Variant), $4.99

World’s Finest Teen Titans #6 (Of 6)(Cover C Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), $4.99

World’s Finest Teen Titans #6 (Of 6)(Cover D Jill Thompson Card Stock Variant), AR

World’s Finest Teen Titans #6 (Of 6)(Cover E Edwin Galmon Card Stock Variant), AR

Young Justice Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $150.00

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Review: Prime Video's "CANDY CANE LANE" is an Unexpected Delight

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 52 of 2023 (No. 1941) by Leroy Douresseaux

Candy Cane Lane (2023)

Running time:  117 minutes (1 hour, 57 minutes)

MPA – PG for language throughout and some suggestive references

DIRECTOR: Reginald Hudlin

WRITER:  Kelly Younger

PRODUCERS:  Brian Grazer, Charisse M. Hewitt, Karen Lunder, and Eddie Murphy

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Newton Thomas Sigel (ASC)

EDITORS:  Kenny G. Krauss and Jim May

COMPOSER:  Marcus Miller

COMEDY/FANTASY

Starring:  Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Madison Thomas, Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, Robin Thede, David Alan Grier, Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Danielle Pinnock, and D.C. Young Fly

SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW:

• I watched “Candy Cane Lane” on a lark, and I did not expect much from it.  Boy, am I surprised. It is so shockingly charming and endearing that this must be some kind of Christmas magic.

• Eddie Murphy is quite good in family-oriented films, and even his fans who don't ordinarily like Murphy's family films will probably find something to like in “Candy Cane Lane”

• The story is ridiculous at times, but “Candy Cane Lane” is the best Christmas movie I have seen in a long time.  I recommend it without reservation.

Candy Cane Lane is a 2023 comedy, fantasy, and Christmas film directed by Reginald Hudlin and starring Eddie Murphy.  The film is an Amazon “Prime Original” that began streaming December 1, 2023.  Candy Cane Lane focuses on a man who is so determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest that he makes an unwise pact with a rogue elf.

Candy Cane Lane introduces Chris Carver (Eddie Murphy), a husband and father who crafts his own hand-carved Christmas decorations.  Every year, a local television station hosts the “Candy Cane Lane Spectacular,” a contest to judge the best decorated house.  Chris has never won, and he is jealous of his neighbor, Bruce (Ken Marino), who has won several times.

Shortly before Christmas, Chris' employer, the industrial plastics firm, Sydel Twain, lays him off.  When Chris learns that this year's Candy Cane Lane prize is $100,000, he becomes desperate to win the money for his family, although he wife, Carol Carver (Tracee Ellis Ross), has a very good job.  Chris is also oblivious to the lives of his two older children, Joy (Genneya Walton), a high school senior and track star, and Nick (Thaddeus J. Mixson), a tuba player and budding musician.

Looking for Christmas decorations and supplies, Chris and his youngest child, daughter Holly (Madison Thomas), stumble across “Kringle's,” a mysterious Christmas shop filled with all kinds of beautiful decorations, including model buildings, ceramic figures, and a strange Christmas tree.  Chris is so enchanted by all that he sees, believing that these decorations could help him win Candy Cane Lane.  He unwarily signs a deal with Kringle's eccentric shopkeeper, Pepper (Jillian Bell).  However, Pepper is more than she seems, and so is the receipt Chris signs.  Soon, he will need all the help he can get from his family and from a trio of diminutive new friends in order to keep himself out of Pepper's clutches.  And he also has some Christmas lessons to learn.

Audiences first came to know and love Eddie Murphy from his stand-up comedy career; his stint as a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” (1980-84); and his R-rated comedy films, such as 48 Hrs (1982), Trading Places (1983), and Beverly Hills Cop (1983).  Much to the chagrin of the those fans, Murphy's film career as an A-list star eventually led him to make innocuous family-friends films, especially Dr. Doolittle (1998), Shrek (2001), and Daddy Day Care (2003).

Those fans will not be pleased with Candy Cane Lane.  It is a family movie, an absurd fantasy film, and a Christmas movie full of holiday lessons to learn.  For me, Candy Cane Lane is one of the best absurd movies that I have ever seen.  Its concepts and ideas are as imaginative and as inventive as they are ridiculous and preposterous, yet I find the film endlessly lovable.  Every time I tried to dismiss it, I found myself drawn ever deeper into its delicious, addictive fluffiness.  Candy Cane Lane is a true feel-good movie.  It shouldn't work, yet it works to perfection.  Considering director Reginald Hudlin's past directorial efforts, I was (and still am) shocked that he could pull of this kind of Christmas movie, which is, for the most part, a warm cup of cocoa.  If anything, Candy Cane Lane suggests that screenwriter Kelly Younger is certainly inventive.

Nick Offerman, Chris Redd, and Robin Thede are a delight in their voice roles, and David Alan Grier is sly and smooth in his surprise role.  Jillian Bell is nearly perfect as Pepper, except for a few moments that are too over the top.  I think Madison Thomas needed more screen time as Holly Carver, and Timothy Simons and Danielle Pinnock are a winning pair as TV co-hosts, Emerson and Kit.

Eddie Murphy barely breaks a sweat as Chris Carver, and neither does Tracee Ellis Ross as Carol Carver.  Still, they work well together as a screen couple at the center of this delightful family fare.  Despite what some fans may think, Eddie Murphy has the magic touch when it comes to family films.  Murphy passes on the lessons that Chris has to learn with a knowing wink and a nudge, and I was willing to buy it all.  I think I'll be watching Candy Cane Lane again, if only because, for two hours, it made me believe in that Hollywood bullshit called “Christmas magic.”

B+

7 of 10

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, December 10, 2023

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved.  Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from Dec. 1st to 9th, 2023 - Update #24

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Variety:  Director Denis Villeneuve says that there are "words on paper" for a Dune Part Three.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  The site has a first-look at "Hurricanna," a biopic about the late TV personality, model, "Playboy Magazine" centerfold, and actress, Anna Nicole Smith.  The project is currently filming.

From Deadline:  A heist moving starring Ryan Reynolds is a hot pitch.  There reportedly seven "big bids" for what is being described as a high-concept ensemble action comedy.

STREAMING - From Deadline:  The third season of Max's "And Just Like That" (a follow-up to "Sex in the City") will arrive in 2025.

MUSIC - From Time:  Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Taylor Swift, has been named "Time" magazine's "Person of the Year" for 2023.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  The Eddie Murphy Christmas-themed holiday movie, Candy Cane Lane, is is the number one film globally on Prime Video.  It is also Amazon MGM Studios is the most watched film.  "Candy Cane Lane" debuted Dec. 1st.

From Deadline:  Prime Video has lined up an all-star guest cast for its eight-episode series, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine and based on the 2005 Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie action comedy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Newly announced guests include Sarah Paulson, Ron Perlman, and Alexander Skarsgard, to name a few.

CELEBRITY - From THR:  Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx makes his first public appearance since his "medical event" back in April (2023). Foxx attended Critics Choice Association's "Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements" where he received the "Vanguard Award" for his performance in director Maggie Betts' 2023 legal drama, "The Burial."

MOVIES - From Showbiz411:  The recent Barbie, Margot Robbie, and Ken, Ryan Gosling, will reunite for an "Ocean's 11" prequel.  Robbie and Gosling will play the parents of Danny Ocean of the George Clooney trilogy: Ocean's 11, 12, and 13.  They will also be the parents of Debbie Ocean of "Ocean's 8," of which I am not that familiar, so Debbie is apparently Danny's sister.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Ryan Murphy will reunite with one of his "American Horror Story: Delicate" stars, Kim Kardashian, for a "high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural" set in Los Angeles. The series is bound for Hulu.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:  The winner of the 12/1 to 12/3/2023 weekend box office is AMC Theatres Distribution/Variance' "Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce" with an estimated take of 21 million dollars.

From Variety:  With its gross now north of 14.36 million dollars, "Godzilla Minus One" is now the highest-grossing live-action movie in North America.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO Films has optioned the rights to Mark Chiusano’s new book, "The Fabulist: The Lying, Hustling, Grifting, Stealing, and Very American Legend of George Santos" (which was published on November 28, 2023), as part of its plan to develop a film about disgraced former U.S. Congressman, George Santos.

AMAZON - From Deadline:  Amazon has renewed "Jack Reacher" for a third season, although Season 2 doesn't make its debut until Dec. 15th.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  HBO has released the first teaser trailer for "House of the Dragon" Season 2, along with some information on new cast members and plenty of first-look images from the upcoming season.  The new season is set for Summer 2024.

MOVIES - From Deadline:  If you want to read the "Killers of the Flower Moon" screenplay, Deadline has a copy.

DISNEY - From Variety:  James Cameron says "Avatar 3" is in a hectic two years of post-production and is due Christmas 2025.

OBITS:

From Deadline:  Film and television actor, Ryan O'Neal, has died at the age of 82, Friday, December 8, 2023.  He received a "Best Actor" Oscar nomination for his role in the 1970 romance, "Love Story."  His other most famous films include "What's Up, Doc" (1970), "Paper Moon" (1973), "Barry Lyndon" (1975), and "The Main Event" (1979), to name a few. Before he took up acting, O'Neal was an amateur boxer.

From Deadline:  Television writer and producer, Norman Lear, has died at the age of 101, Tuesday, December 5, 2023.  TV pioneer, icon, and legend, Lear produced, wrote, created, or developed over 100 TV shows.  His best known TV work occurred in the 1970s and include "All in the Family" (1971-79), "Maude" (1972-78), "Sanford and Son" (1972-77), "The Jeffersons" (1975-85), and "Good Times" (1974-79), to name a few.  He was nominated for 18 Primetime Emmy Awards and won six, including the three he won for "All in the Family" as "Outstanding Series - Comedy."  Lear was also known for his political activism and support of liberal causes and politicians and for founding the advocacy organization, "People for the American Way."

From Deadline:  In a photo gallery, the site offers "Norman Lear's Career in Pictures."

From Deadline:  English rock musician, guitarist, and songwriter, Denny Laine, has died at the age of 79, Tuesday, December 5, 2023.  Laine was a rounding member of the English rock band, "The Moody Blues," with who he performed from 1964 to 1966. In 1971, he joined Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney to form "Wings" (also known as "Paul McCartney and Wings"). He remained with the band until it disbanded in 1981.  He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Class of 2018 - as a member of The Moody Blues.  Laine received four Grammy Award nominations as a member of Wings and won two of them.

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AWARDS:

From AwardsWatch:  The 2023 National Board of Review film honors have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" won "Best Film," "Best Director" (Martin Scorsese), and "Best Actress" (Lily Gladstone).

From AwardsWatch:  The American Film Institute (AFI) names its top ten films: American Fiction, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, May December, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.  It also names its top ten television series: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, Beef, Jury Duty, The Last of Us, The Morning Show, Only Murders in the Building, Poker Face, Reservation Dogs, and Succession.

From AwardsWatch:  "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" lead the nominations for "Astra Film & Creative Arts Awards," which are put on by the "Hollywood Creative Alliance" (formerly known as the Hollywood Critics Association).  The winners will be announced Jan. 6th, 2024 in Los Angeles.

From Deadline:  At the 2023 / 26th British Independent Film Awards, director Andrew Haigh's "All of Us Strangers" won seven awards, including "Best British Independent Film."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 89th New York Film Critics Circle Awards have been announced.  "Killers of the Flower Moon" (directed by Martin Scorsese) was named "Best Film of 2023."  Christopher Nolan won "Best Director" for his film, "Oppenheimer."

From Variety:  The winners at the 2023 / 33rd Annual Gotham Awards were announced Mon., Nov. 27th.  Writer-director Celine Song's South Korean romantic drama, "Past Lives" won the "Best Feature" award.

Review: Phoenix is the Man in Woody Allen's "IRRATIONAL MAN"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 51 of 2023 (No. 1940) by Leroy Douresseaux

Irrational Man (2015)

Running time:  95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)

MPAA –  R for some language and sexual content

WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Woody Allen

PRODUCERS:  Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, and Edward Walson

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Darius Khondji

EDITOR:  Alisa Lepselter

COMEDY/DRAMA/MYSTERY/ROMANCE

Starring:  Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey, Joe Stapleton, Nancy Carroll, Betsy Aidem, Ethan Phillips, Jamie Blackley, Nancy Giles, and Tom Kemp

Irrational Man is a 2015 comedy-drama, romance, and mystery film written and directed by Woody Allen.  The film focuses on a college professor who finds the will to live after committing the act of murder and the young student who falls deeply in love with him.

Philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) arrives in Newport, Rhode Island with some acclaim.  He joins the faculty of (fictional) Braylin College where he will teach “ethical strategies.”  Abe is depressed, is experiencing an existential crisis, and sees no meaning in his life.  He drinks excessively and considers suicide.

Despite his tormented state, Abe catches the attention of two women.  The first is chemistry professor, Rita Richards (Parker Posey), and the second is Jill Pollard (Emma Stone), one of his students.  Each is crazy about him in her own way.  Abe's relationship with the two really goes nowhere … at first.

Abe hatches the idea of murdering Judge Thomas Augustus Spangler (Tom Kemp), an unethical family court judge who is plotting to take the custody of her children away from a woman.  Plotting and committing murder has given Abe's life a sense of purpose that he has not felt in ages.  For various reasons, however, both Rita and Jill suspect Abe of Judge Spangler's murder.

Coup de chance, the film Woody Allen says will likely be his final directorial effort, was released in France in September (2023).  Because of the controversies surrounding Allen the last few decades, especially the last five years, the film may not get a U.S. theatrical release.  In anticipation of seeing Coup de chance, I have decided to watch the recent Woody Allen films that I missed, beginning with the most recent that I had not seen, Irrational Man.

Some of Woody Allen's films have previously focused on a lead character who is involved in murder or commits murder.  Examples include Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Match Point (2005).  Having murder as subplot gives Allen's films an edge they don't normally have.  Irrational Man seems to drift with no purpose until Abe Lucas actually commits murder, and suddenly this film seems like a totally different movie from what it was during its first half.  Frankly, Irrational Man seems to be asleep for at least half its runtime.

I find myself entirely sympathetic with Phoenix's Abe Lucas.  Of course, I would feel differently if this were a real murder victim that was friends or family to me.  As it is, I find myself really liking the post-crime Abe Lucas, and I found his later, darker turn to be a bit alluring.

Phoenix gives life to a character that Allen does not develop very well.  As the narrative moves towards its conclusion, Phoenix makes Abe feel richer, and the character might have improved even more with a longer runtime, more because of what Phoenix would do rather than what Allen would not.  Emma Stone is whiny and unlikable as Jill Pollard, but Parker Posey makes the best of horny Rita Richards.  I wish Rita had more screen time.

Irrational Man is strictly for Woody Allen fans, although Phoenix is the one who saves this film and uplifts it.  So Joaquin Phoenix fans may find something in Irrational Man to like, also.

6 of 10

B

★★★ out of 4 stars

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site or blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "ARCHIE Christmas Spectacular" is Filled with Holiday Cheer

ARCHIE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR #1 (2023)

ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Tom DeFalco; Frances Bonnet; Dan Parent; Bill Golliher

PENCILS: Holly G!; Bill Galvan; Dan Parent; Bill Golliher

INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith

COLORS: Glenn Whitmore

LETTERS: Jack Morelli

EDITORS: Jamie Lee Rotante; Vincent Lovallo; Stephen Oswald

EiC: Mike Pellerito

COVER: Steven Butler and Lily Butler with Rosario “Tito” Peña

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024; on-sale December 6, 2023)

Rating: All-Ages

“Christmas Chaos!”

Eternal high school student and teenage boy, Archie Andrews, and his friends made their debut in M.L.J. Magazines' Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941), and before long, Archie was the publisher's headliner character.  In 1946, the company changed its named to Archie Comic Publications, also known as “Archie Comics.”

Archie Comics frequently publishes holiday themed one-shot comic books featuring Archie's characters (sometimes referred to as “the Archie Gang”).  The latest is the Archie Christmas Spectacular.  It features one new story and four reprint stories.  Entitled “Christmas Chaos,” the new story introduces Archie Comics' newest characters: Jangles, Sourplum, and Grumpus.  The story is written by Tom DeFalco; drawn by Holly G! (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by the great Jack Morelli.

Archie and the Gang in “Christmas Chaos”:

The story opens at Riverdale High where Archie, Betty, Veronica and the rest of the gang are decorating the gym for the annual big Christmas party, “the Riverdale Holiday Happening.”  They are waiting for the arrival of their friends, Jingle the Christmas Elf and Sugar Plum the Christmas Fairy.

However, the two have mistakenly teleported inside the “Eyegor Estate,” and now, they are the prisoners of Grumpus.  In their stead, Grumpus sends Naughty Christmas Elf Jangles and Sour Plum to Riverdale High.  Will the mischievous pair keep the Holiday Happening from happening, or can right magic make everything right again?

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been reading comic books, on and off, for decades.  I have sporadically read Archie Comics titles over that time.  For many years now, Archie's marketing department has been sending PDF copies of some of their titles for review.  Archie Christmas Spectacular is the latest.

I like Archie Christmas Spectacular, especially because there is a bit of pop Gothic in this story, especially that one panel that features the Eyegor Estate.  The story has a sweet Christmas slash Happy Holidays ending.  I can like a comic book that makes me jealous because I can't attend its admittedly fictional party, but damn, the Riverdale Holiday Happening looks like a blast.

The rest of this issue features reprints of classic-style Archie Christmas and holiday stories.  Dear readers, I will always recommend classic-style Archie, especially when it comes in Christmas packaging – anytime of the year.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics will want to find a copy of Archie Christmas Spectacular.

B+

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

https://archiecomics.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn

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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics

The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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