Entertainment Roundup for 2023

Though the streaming services industry seemed to have hit a wall given the rising costs of the content race while profits and the numbers of subscribers have flatlined or declined, there continued to be great series both old and new available. And though films seem to end up on streaming faster than ever, I nevertheless saw more films in the theater this year (12) than I did the year before (10). 

Among my favorite films in the theater, Godzilla Minus One was a real standout—among streaming films, my favorites were Air, Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Tetris, Empire of Light, and See How They Run. See the films and other projects below for my other favorites. My least liked film was Babylon—if this is intended as a love letter to Hollywood, as its director Damien Chazelle asserts, then it was a serious misfire that missed the mark. For what it's worth, I also felt Barbie was a bit overrated (I say that as a fan of its director, Greta Gerwig). Keep in mind that some of these films were released in 2022, but I didn't watch them until 2023.

Television and streaming series seemed especially strong this year. Among the most outstanding: Lessons in Chemistry, the Doctor Who Specials, Julia (season 2), Ms. Marvel, Mythic Quest (season 3), Spy X Family,  the Gilded Age (season2), Loki (season 2), Lawmen: Bass Reeves, the Deuce (season 3), Minx (season 2), My Adventures with Superman, Gaslit, White House Plumbers, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 5), Powerless, and Ghosts. Honorable mentions include For All Mankind (season 3), Ted Lasso (season 5), the Diplomat Lucky Hank (cancelled after its first season), Single Drunk Female, the Outlaws (season 2), Slow Horses (season 1).

Though I didn't read as many books as I would have liked, in 2023, I greatly enjoyed L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy, the Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (now a motion picture) and Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino. 

I got a bit backed up and overwhelmed in organizing and posting reviews this past year, so may soon do a quick dump of mini-reviews. Meanwhile, here's a list of my entertainment consumption in 2023.

Films:

Wonka – Culver Theaters (12/25/23)
Godzilla Minus One – Regal at L.A. Live (12/2/23)
The Marvels – Culver Theaters (11/10/23)
Dumb Money – Culver Theaters (10/1/23)
A Haunting in Venice – Culver Theatres (9/16/23)
Oppenheimer – Village Theatre (70mm) – Village Theatre (7/30/23)
Barbie – Howard Hughes Theater (7/26/23)
Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part I – Howard Hughes Theatre (7/16/23)
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny - Village Theatre (7/1/23)
Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse – Culver Theater (6/19/23)
The Flash - Village Theatre (6/16/23)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - Village Theatre (2/18/23)

Streaming Films/DVD/BluRay

The Man Who Invented Christmas – Prime (12/28/23) – rewatch
The Awful Truth – TCM (12/22/23)
John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial Eps 1–4 – AppleTV (12/12/23)
Still: A Michael J. Fox Story – AppleTV (12/12/23)
Clear History – Max (12/12/23)
Hollywood Ending – Tubi (12/10/23)
Confess, Fletch – Paramount+ (12/8/23) Walk, Don’t Run – Tubi (12/8/23) - rewatch
Wackiest Ship in the Army – Tubi (12/8/23)
Bell, Book and Candle – Tubi (12/8/23)
Fred Clause – Hulu (12/5/23)
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny – Disney+ (12/4/23) - rewatch
Blue Beetle – Max (11/25/23)
Blackberry – AMC Series (11/16/23)
It Ain’t Over (Yogi Berra documentary) – Netflix (11/15/23)
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King – Netflix (11/14/23)

Tetris – AppleTV+ (11/13/23)
After the Thin Man – Max (11/5/23)
No Hard Feelings – Netflix (11/1/23)
Pain Hustlers – Netflix (10/30/23)
The Thin Man – Prime Rental (10/27/23)
Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood – Starz (10/26/23) - rewatch
Clerks 3 – Starz (10/25/23)
Spy Game – Netflix (10/22/23) - rewatch
The Out-Laws – Netflix (10/22/23)
Only in Theaters – Prime Purchase (10/20/23)
Othello – National Theatre/YouTube (10/19/23)
Toy Story Hawaii Vacation – Disney+ Pixar short (10/12/23)
Auntie Edna – Disney+ Pixar short (10/12/23)
Dug Days–Carl’s Date – Disney+ Pixar short (10/12/23)
Loki S2 Eps1–2 – Disney+ (10/12/23)
36 Hours – YouTubeTV (10/9/23)
Heartbreakers – Max (10/7/23)
The Swan – Netflix (10/2/23)
Poison – Netflix (10/2/23)
The Ratcatcher – Netflix (10/2/23)
The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar – Netflix (10/2/23)
Midway – Netflix (10/1/23)
Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – Starz (9/15/23)
Dragnet – Netflix (9/15/23)
Ghosted – Apple+ (8/31/23)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – Amazon Rental (8/31/23)
The Nice Guys – Netflix (8/30/23) – rewatch
The Flash - Max (8/25/23) – rewatch
Puppy Love – Freevee (8/22/23)
Dog Day Afternoon – YouTubeTV (8/20/23)
Into the Deep: The Submarine Murder Case – Netflix (8/19/23)
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – Roku (8/19/23)
Babylon – Prime (7/26/23)
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion – YouTube (7/25/23)
Rogers: The Musical – YouTube (7/9/23)
Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story – TCM (7/9/23)

The Adventures of TinTin – Paramount+ (7/8/23) – rewatch
Wham! – Netflix (7/8/23)
Ford Vs. Ferrari – Hulu (7/3/23) – rewatch
Reacher – Paramount+ (7/3/23)
Celluloid Closet – TCM (7/3/23)
Mandalay – TCM (7/2/23)
Tea and Sympathy – TCM (7/2/23)
Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed – Max (7/2/23)
A League of Their Own – Netflix (7/1/23) – rewatch
Air – Prime (7/1/23)
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael – TCM (6/28/23)
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life – TCM (6/28/23)*
Downfall – YouTube (6/22/23) - rewatch
BBC David Hockney’s Secret Knowledge – YouTube (6/22/23)
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl – Netflix (6/22/23) - rewatch
Dungeons and Dragons – Paramount+ (6/19/23)
Greenberg – Netflix (6/17/23)
Henry V – Prime (6/17/23) – rewatch
Justice Society: World War II – Max (6/27/23)
Hot Fuzz – Prime (6/12/2023) – rewatch
MacArthur – Prime (6/12/2023)
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – Max (6/10/23) - rewatch
A Man Called Otto – Netflix (6/9/23)
Tar – Prime (6/8/23)
Band of Brothers series – Max (6/6/23)
Being Mary Tyler Moore – Max (6/3/23)
Dave – YouTube (6/3/23) - rewatch
Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind – HBOMax (5/5/23)*
17 Again – YouTubeTV (5/4/23)
Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood – YouTubeTV (5/4/23) - rewatch
Whip It – HBOMax (4/28/23)
Whiplash – Prime (4/26/23)*
Guys and Dolls – Prime (4/26/23) - rewatch
Jobs – Netflix (4/23/23)
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal – Netflix (4/21/23)
Marnie – Netflix (4/21/23)

The Enforcer – Prime rental (4/20/23) - rewatch
Magnum Force – HBOMax (4/19/23)
Dirty Harry – HBOMax (4/19/23) - rewatch
Lethal Weapon 4 – HBOMax (4/18/23)
The Hating Game – Hulu (4/16/23)
The Brothers Warner – TCM (4/12/23)*
Jack Warner: The Last Mogul – TCM (4/12/23)*
Bullitt – TCM (04/09/23)
Good Night Oppy – Prime (03/31/23)*
You Only Live Twice – HBOMax (3/30/23) - rewatch
Reggie – Prime (03/29/2023)
Role Models – Prime (03/27/2023) – rewatch
Horrible Bosses 2 – HBOMax (03/27/2023) – rewatch
Hot Tub Time Machine – HBOMax (03/26/2023) – rewatch
We’re the Millers – Prime (03/26/2023) – rewatch
Goldfinger – HBOMax (03/20/23) - rewatch
Judgment at Nuremberg – Prime (03/20/23) – rewatch
Dr. No – HBOMax (3/18/23) – rewatch
Police Squad 33-⅓ – Paramount (03/18/23)
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – HBOMax (3/16/23)
Spotlight – HBOMax (3/15/23)
The Wrecking Crew – Prime (3/13/23)
The Oscar – TCM (3/7/23)
Easy A – Netflix (3/1/23)
Behind Enemy Lines –YouTubeTV (3/1/23)
Red Dust – TCM (2/26/23)

Godzilla vs. Kong – HBOMax (2/25/23)
The Apartment – TCM (2/22/23) – rewatch
Batman – HBOMax (2/22/23) – rewatch
Tower Heist – Prime (2/20/23)
Driven – Tubi (2/20/23)
Dirty Weekend – Hulu (2/14/23)
The Storied Life of A.J. Filkry – Hulu (2/13/23)
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – Prime (2/11/23) – rewatch
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – Prime (2/11/23) – rewatch
Empire of Light – HBOMax (2/8/23)
The Journey – TCM (2/5/23)
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger – Netflix (2/4/23)
This is Where I Leave You – HBOMax (2/1/23)
See How They Run – HBOMax (2/1/23)
Cradle Will Rock – Prime Purchase (1/30/23) - rewatch
Amadeus – Prime Purchase (1/30/23) - rewatch
Julia Misbehaves – TCM (1/30/23)
Wedding Crashers – Netflix (1/27/23)
You People – Netflix (1/27/23)
Bridesmaids – Prime (1/26/23)
Morning Glory – FreeVee (1/24/23) – rewatch
Juliet, Naked – Prime (1/23/23)
Mindhorn – Netflix (1/23/23)

Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King – Netflix (1/20/23)
So I Married an Axe Murderer (1/17/23) - rewatch
Night Shift – TCM (1/15/23)
Four Seasons – Netflix (1/15/23)
Annie Hall – TCM (1/14/23) - rewatch
Abe Lincoln in Illinois – TCM (1/13/23) – rewatch
Leap Year – Netflix (1/13/23)
A Nice Girl Like You – Hulu (1/12/23)
Looking for Lulu – Documentary on Louise Brooks – YouTube (1/9/23)
The Sting - Prime purchased (1/7/23) - rewatch
Pandora’s Box – TCM (1/8/23)
Florence Foster Jenkins- Prime purchased (1/3/23) - rewatch

TV/Streaming Series

Julia S2 Eps 3-5 – Max (12/30/23)*
Doctor Who Specials 1–4 – Disney+ (12/30/23)*
For All Mankind S3 Eps 1–7 - Apple+ (12/27/23)*
Monarch eps 4-6 – Apple+ (12/26/23)
Spy X Family Eps 1–10 – Hulu (12/22/23)
Such Bad Girls S1 Eps 1-2 (Hulu) (12/19/23)
Gilded Age Eps 3–6 – Max (12/7/23)
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Eps 1–3 – Apple+ (12/6/23)

Ms. Marvel – S1–2 – Disney+ (11/13/23)*
Lessons in Chemistry Eps 6–8 – Apple+ (11/9/23)*
Gilded Age S2 Eps 1–2 – Max (11/9/23)
Lessons in Chemistry Ep 5 – Apple+ (11/9/23)
Loki S2 finale – Disney+ (11/9/23)
Lawmen: Bass Reeves – Paramount+ (11/9/23)
Quiz Girl – Hulu (11/5/23)
Toast of Tinseltown Eps 3–6 end – Roku (11/4/23) - rewatch
Lessons in Chemistry E1–3 – AppleTV (10/20/23)
Joe Schmo S3 E2 – YouTube (10/9/23)*
Joe Schmo S1 E1 – YouTube (10/9/23)
Murder in the Building S3 Finale – Hulu (10/3/23)
The Deuce S2–3 Finale – Max (9/29/23)
Minx S2 Finale – Starz (9/27/23)
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields Eps 1–2 – Hulu (9/19/23)
Toast of Tinseltown Eps 1–2 – Roku (9/17/23)
100 Years of Warner Bros Eps 1–4 – Max (9/4/23)
Superpowered: The DC Story Eps 1–3 – Max (8/27/23)
My Adventures With Superman S1 Eps 1-9 – Max (8/25/23)
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me – Netflix (8/24/23)
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story – Netflix (8/23/23) - rewatch
Captain Falls – Netflix (8/23/23)
Trailer Park Boys eps 1–3 – Netflix (8/23/23)
Gaslit Eps 3–8 – Starz (8/18/23)*
Minx S2 Eps 3–4 – Starz (8/11/23)
Party Down Seasons 1–3 (8/6/23)
Minx S2 Eps 1–2 Starz (8/3/23)
Party Down eps 1–3 (8/1/23)
Gaslit Eps 1–2 – Starz (7/29/23)*
Superpowered: The DC Story – Max (7/29/23)
The Outlaws S2 Eps 3-6 – Prime (6/27/23)
My Adventures with Superman – AdultSwim (7/7/23)
FUBAR – Netflix (7/7/23)
Hot Wet American Summer: Ten Years Later – Netflix (7/5/23)

Pan Am S1 Ep 1 – YouTube (7/3/23)
Monty Python Almost the Truth – Netflix (6/22/23) – rewatch
The Diplomat Ep 7 – Netflix (5/31/23)
Ted Lasso Series Finale – AppleTV (5/30/23)
White House Plumbers Eps 3-4 – HBOMax (5/26/23)
The Diplomat S1 E4 – Netflix (5/25/23)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 Eps 7-8 – Prime (5/25/23)
Ghosts season finale – (5/24/23)
Ted Lasso Ep 9 – AppleTV (5/24/23)
WKRP (random episodes) – YouTube (5/11/23) - rewatch
White House Plumbers Ep 2 – HBOMax (5/6/23)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 E6 – Prime (5/9/23)
Lucky Hank, S1 E8 – AMC (5/9/23)*
White House Plumbers Ep 1 – HBOMax (5/4/23)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 Eps 8-10 (4/28/23)
The Outlaws S2 Eps 3-6 – Prime (4/27/23)
The Crown S5 Eps 8-10 – Prime (4/27/23)
The Diplomat Eps 1–2 – Netflix (4/24/23)
Ted Lasso Ep 5 – AppleTV (4/18/23)
Lucky Hank S1 Eps 4-5 (4/18/23)
Powerless Eps 5-11 – CW (4/18/23)
The Trial of Mary Astor – YouTubeTV (4/17/23)
Powerless Eps 1–4 – CW (4/16/23)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel S5 Ep1-3 – Prime (4/16/23)
Single Drunk Female – S1–2 (4/14/23)
Schmicago –S2 Eps 1–2 – Hulu (4/14/23)
Succession S4 Ep 3 – Max (4/14/23)
Lucky Hank S1 Eps 2-3 – AMC/YouTubeTV (4/8/23)
Ted Lasso S3 Ep 4 – AppleTV (4/11/23)
Lucky Hank S1 Eps 2-3 – AMC/YouTubeTV (4/8/23)
Outlaws — HBOMax S2 Ep 1
Vice Principals S1 – HBOMax (3/28/23)
Lucky Hank S1 Ep 1 – AMC/YouTubeTV (3/20/23)
Great News S1-2 – Netflix (3/11/23) - rewatch
Duchess Eps 1–6 – Netflix (3/8/23)
History of the World Part II – Hulu (3/7/23)
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Cancal Eps 1–3 – Netflix (3/5/23)
Shrinking Eps 4–6 – Hulu (2/28/23)

Better Off Ted – S1–2 (2/19/23) - rewatch
Dick Tracy Zooms In – YouTube (2/12/23)
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence - Hulu (2/12/23)
Ghosts S2 eps 11–12 (2/3/23)
Loudermilk S3 Finale – Prime (2/3/23)
Shrinking Eps 1–3 – Hulu (2/2/23)
Eat the Rich: The Gamestop Saga – Netflix (1/28/23)
Mythic Quest S3 (1/15/23)
New Girl S1 – Netflix (1/14/23)
Just a Boy from Tupelo: Bringing Elvis to the Big Screen – HBOMax (1/14/23)
Bernie Madhoff – Netflix
Slow Horses S1 – AppleTV (1/11/23)
Hogan’s Heroes – S1 (1/4/23)
Mythic Quest – S1-2 – AppleTV (1/6/23)
MASH S4 – Hulu (1/3/23)
Welcome to Chippendales Eps 6–8 – Hulu (1/3/23)

Podcasts

Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra Eps 5–6 (9/5/23)
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra Eps 1–4 (9/1/23)
Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast (of note):
      Tim Matheson (3/11/23)
      Drew Friedman (9/5/23)
YouTube (of note):
     The Beatles - Now And Then - The Last Beatles Song (Short Film) (11/1/23)
     SBF Trial summaries – Overpriced JPEGs – YouTube (10/15/23)
     Task & Purpose – YouTube (10/15/23)
     The SCTV Guide to Showbiz (2021 Documentary) – YouTube (10/4/23)
      Out of the Inkwell: The Fleischer Story – Technology for Storytelling (7/10/23)
      BBC David Hockney's Secret Knowledge – Göktuğ Demir (6/22/23)
      In Discussion with Paul Pope – Alex Toth in Depth Episode 022 (4/24/23)
      Why Britain Fought for the Falklands (5 parts) – Imperial War Museums (4/24/23)
      Eva zu Beck
      The Making of Casino Royale – Mister Peter Sellers (3/4/23)
     Voices of the Past Channel (3/4/23)
           Horrified Soviet Tourist Describes California and Hollywood (1936) // US Road Trip
           Early Japanese Visitor Describes "Competitive and Unhealthy" European World (1872)
           First Japanese in Europe: Incredible Story of the Tensho Embassy (1582 - 1590)
          Putin’s Road to War – Frontline PBS (1/26/23)

Theatre/Live Performance:

Peter Pan Goes Wrong – Ahmanson Theatre (8/16/23)
Much Ado About Pooh – Actor’s Gang (8/13/23)
Disneyland (5/15/23)
Les Miserables – CCHS Robert Frost Theatre (3/4/23)
Hollywood Babble On – Flappers (2/25/23)
Ubu the King – The Actor’s Gang (1/28/23)

Books/Comics

Star Wars Memories by Craig Miller (12/20/23) - reread
L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy (10/27/23)
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino (4/26/23)
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (2/16/23)

Halina Filipina: A New Yorker in Manila by Arnold Arre (2/25/23)

Revisiting a Christmas Classic

I've watched the Frank Capra Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life, many times over the years. The first time I saw it was on the big screen, at UCLA, where the film program screened it (for free) at the end of the year as an annual tradition for several years running.

So when a screening was offered of it at a local theater just prior to the holidays—actually a live theater venue, the Actor's Gang Theatre in Culver City—we jumped at the opportunity. It was only $10 per ticket but attendees were also encouraged to bring a toy for a holiday drive. 

It was a joy to see it with an audience—as is often the case when a film is shown on a big screen, it was a slightly more heightened experience. A lot of the emotional beats hit me much harder, partly perhaps because I'm older now. 

Anyway, happy holidays to all!

The Fans Strike Back

We visited the extended showing of The Fans Strike Back: A Star Wars Fan Exhibit, an exhibition of fan produced and owned Star Wars collectibles, maquettes, dioramas, full sized props, etc., at the Santa Monica Art Museum, located on the Santa Monica Promenade. 

Below are some photos from the event—see the full gallery here.

L.A. Comic Con 2023

Thanks to a fortuitous set of circumstances, I was fortunate to exhibit for a part of this year’s Los Angeles Comic Con, specifically Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2–3.

But first a confession: My primary goal for attending this year’s show was to see actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monagham, and Billy Boyd who, of course, played the four lead hobbits in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings film adaptation. Wood and Astin actually appeared at last year’s 2022 L.A. Comic Con. However, when I showed up to see them, it turns out that I got my wires crossed and showed up on the wrong day! So when I discovered that all four of them were going to be at this year’s show, I saw a chance for redemption!

On the first evening of the show, Friday, Dec. 1, I went to the L.A. Convention Center in downtown L.A. where the convention was being held to pick up my badge. I hoped this would enable me to avoid the lines on Saturday when the hobbits were scheduled to appear. I also scoped the floor and visited friends and colleagues who were exhibiting. I was impressed by how busy it was. While there, I discovered that CAPS (Comic Art Professional Society), the cartoonist organization I belong to, had two booth spaces. One of the publishers there with a table to themselves graciously said they could clear space for me to sell some of my comics! So on Saturday, I brought in some books to sell and was heartened when I quickly sold several items the brief time I was at the table. So I decided to return the following day with more product.

As for the hobbits, they didn't disappoint—being in the same room with them was a geek moment come true. They have wonderful chemistry and a great (dare I say it) fellowship, having done the films together and, in more recent years, making appearances and "touring" (as they joked) to mark the twentieth anniversary of the films. In fact, this very month marks the release of the final film of the original trilogy, the Return of the King. They were engaging and hilarious, and deeply appreciative of what the films mean to so many people.

What's great about the L.A. Comic Con is that rather than hosting these appearances in a restricted hall with limited seating, the "main stage" is just on the floor of the exhibition hall, open to all attendees. And there's a huge screen above for those having difficulty seeing the stage. It's standing room only in front of the stage, with some seating off to the sides. I couldn't get a seat, but was able to stand on the raised platform with a great view.

As a bonus, when I showed up about 15 minutes before the scheduled panel to ensure I had a seat, actor Matt Smith was on stage!

Seeing the hobbits was a wonderful treat and a dream fulfilled, so anything that followed—like making sales—was gravy!

Another panel I attended was Craig Miller’s "Star Wars Memories." Miller was director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm from 1977–80, going on to a career as a marketer, writer and producer in film and television. The panel is based on his book, Star Wars Memories: My Time in the (Death Star) Trenches, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the start of his career and working at Lucasfilm and on the original Star Wars trilogy. I purchased and read the book in 2019, and have had the pleasure to get to become acquainted with Miller partly because we have exhibited at some of the same conventions!

I must say this year’s L.A. Comic Con had a great vibe and good crowds—I know the show’s been around awhile, but to my eyes it really felt like it came into its own. It helps, of course, that the show is in my own backyard—each day, I simply took L.A.’s Metro line to the convention center from West L.A., a ride of only about 35 minutes (and this included taking a small box of comics and a banner stand in a carrying case with me on Sunday!). I always enjoy the opportunity to soak in downtown L.A.’s atmosphere—indeed, the convention center is just next door to L.A. Live, an entertainment complex with concert venues, theaters and restaurants, as well as the Crypto Arena sports arena.

For more photos from L.A. Comic Con, see additional photos at the end of this post or see the full gallery. Some of the friends I saw at the show can be seen here.

Godzilla Minus One

So I took advantage of being in downtown L.A. to catch the new Japanese film release, Godzilla Minus One, at the Regal LA Live movie theater just up the street. (Located right next to L.A.’s Crypto Arena, I’m embarrassed to say it’s the first time I’d walked through L.A. Live, though I did go to Crypto for the first time earlier this year to see the Go-Gos in concert.)

The film was AMAZING—indeed, an epic spectacle that was so fresh and exhilarating, it felt like watching a Godzilla movie for the first time! This is a Japanese production from Toho Studios, the studio that owns the franchise, which has released 34 films to date featuring the mega-monster since 1956, and not part of the franchise produced in the U.S. under license.

The production design, music score (a callback to the original Japanese Godzilla theme), cinematography, storytelling, and special effects were all top notch—in fact, the film credits Takashi Yamazaki at the end for  "writing, directing and vfx." He's a special effects artist turned director, who apparently put this film of wonder together for only $15 million, though it easily looks like (and surpasses many) $150–200 million films.

And though the film is very epic, the story is still very intimate and human-scale. The movie begins in the final weeks of World War II, where we meet a Japanese pilot who feels guilt for failing to fulfill his final duty as a kamikaze pilot due to not wishing to senselessly die for a conflict that's already over, and anguish for not aiding his comrades when they first encounter Godzilla in the opening scene of the film. Though fate brings him a young woman and a foundling child who, like him, have lost their families in the war, he remains haunted and anguished, and cannot accept the second chance he’s been given at life until he can find redemption—which he eventually decides can only be achieved by joining the cause to fight Godzilla, which may mean certain death. As the friend I saw it with and others have noted, it’s a Godzilla film by way of Steven Spielberg, with fleshed out main and supporting characters dealing in their own way with post-war trauma and the threat of the  atomic age—down to its Saving Private Ryan color palette.

Like many of the original Godzilla films, the movie also has serious themes on its mind, with the mega-monster a metaphor for the threat and horror of nuclear war, but puts the impact on the people who have to live deal with the traumatic aftermath (from both the monsters and war alike) at the forefront. 

Nevertheless, at the end of the day, this film is still to be enjoyed as a grand epic spectacle of the old school with plenty of thrills and surprises, and highly recommended!

More Photos from L.A. Comic Con

See below for more photos from L.A. Comic Con—see additional photos at the full gallery and some of the friends I saw at the show can be seen here.

My booth

Craig Miller at his Star Wars Memories panel

Capsule Reviews

The Marvels
Putting aside its box office performance and the predictable toxic complaints from the incel crowd, The Marvels—the sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson in the title role—is a fun, action-packed romp that’s a fine addition to the Marvel Comics Universe (MCU) franchise. The movie brings together Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau and Ms. Marvel (introduced in the Disney+ streaming series of the same name) as they begin involuntarily switching places through teleportation during a Kree attack on different fronts. The Krees are led by a warlord named Dar-Benn, who is out to rebuild her dead home planet, Hala, and exact revenge against Captain Marvel who was responsible for the world’s near destruction (for reasons explained later in the film). Samuel Jackson also shows up as Nick Fury, lending important assistance and helping to ground the Marvels team as well as the film.

I must admit this was the first Marvel film that made me feel a little behind the curve having not watched the Ms. Marvel and Secret Invasion Disney+ series. But the story never lost me and provided enough information to bring me up to speed.

The movie features the usual artful blend of character development, slam bang action, heart and humor that have made the MCU films crowd pleasers. Of course, given the studio’s output at this point, not every film or series can be a winner—and there is always the risk of fatigue and overexposure—but The Marvels proves there is still plenty of magic left to be mined. It was great fun, particularly the performances and chemistry of the main leads.

Ms. Marvel (Disney+)
Watching The Marvels inspired me to watch the Ms. Marvel series on Disney+. When the series first aired, I initially couldn’t get past the show’s youthful exuberance and decided I wasn’t the target audience for the series. But after picking up where I left off, I ended up loving it. As the child of immigrant parents, I particularly found the family scenes and the relationship of lead character Kamal Khan (played with exuberance by Imam Vellani) very relatable. The show weaves some of the character’s mythology into Khan’s Pakistani culture and heritage, sometimes movingly. The final episode even has a bit of a Home Alone vibe, as Kamala and friends from high school—after defeating the show’s main other-dimension baddies— face off against rogue federal agents. The post-credits scene of the final episode also has a quick scene that tees up The Marvels movie, reviewed above.

Tetris (AppleTV)

Tetris is the somewhat true and fascinating story of the birth of the popular and iconic video game. Invented by a Russian computer programmer in the Soviet Union, an American software developer based in Japan (played by Taron Edgerton) soon finds himself in the middle of intrigue worthy of a twisty spy thriller as he tries to obtain and unwind the licensing rights to the game. Though he cuts a deal to get the rights for Nintendo, he must also face off against Sega and media baron and cutthroat businessman Robert Maxwell and his son—as well as corrupt Soviet apparatchiks who attempt to use the power of the state to line their own pockets, turning into a nifty thriller at the end. Though some of the story's details have been exaggerated and heightened for dramatic effect, it's a fascinating and fun tale.

It Ain't Over (Netflix)

This great documentary of Yankee icon Yogi Berra gives the star catcher his due as one of professional baseball’s finest players. Somewhat overshadowed by his penchant for pithy malapropisms and a cuddly tv cartoon persona, this documentary—made with the participation of his family and children, as well as many of his peers and baseball greats who followed him—paints a more fuller picture of the man, the ball player, and the loving husband and family man. 

He was a D-Day veteran who was on the right side of history when baseball integrated. He also was an individual with principles and pride, who did not step foot in Yankee Stadium for nearly 15 years, after team owner George Steinbrenner reneged on promises made to him. But above all, the documentary serves to restore Berra's place in history as one of baseball’s true greats. His record 10 World Series championship rings as a player—more than any other player in Major League Baseball history—is just a tip of the iceberg of Berra’s achievements. This tribute to Berra’s overlooked legacy is long overdue.

Update on Rob Hanes Adventures #25

Work on the 25th issue of Rob Hanes Adventures continues! As recently announced, a unique experience is planned for this milestone issue—a story made up entirely of "Sunday pages,” in a rollicking, high-concept nod to the classic soldier-of-fortune newspaper strips that inspired the series.

Entitled "Old Adventurers Never Die…", the story is set in the 1930s (don’t worry, it’s explained!) and features many faces that will be recognizable to anyone familiar with the adventure strip heroes of yesteryear. And for those who aren’t, it’s still a rip-roaring adventure!

At right is a full-color cover mock up and below are new teaser pages and excerpts from the story currently in progress.  (All art subject to change prior to publication.)