‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ looks great, doesn’t have much of a point
Movie review: James Gunn’s first MCU entry looks great, but doesn’t have much of a point.
Movies, TV, books and comics John is looking forward to in 2015 (Commentary)
Here are 10 movies, TV series, books and comics I’m looking forward to in 2015: “Marvel’s Agent Carter” (TV show, Jan. 6, pictured) – While I’m not a huge fan of the Marvel movie franchise, I have found some things to like about the sort-of-Joss-Whedon-produced “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” This eight-episode ABC prequel has my interest […]
‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ explores human nature via apes, brilliant special effects (Movie review)
The “Planet of the Apes” franchise shows us we’re not much different from apes, and we’re both victims of our respective races’ propensity for violence and destruction. But 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” gave the apes a fresh opportunity: Caesar (Andy Serkis plus motion capture computer effects), the first member of a […]
John’s top 10 movies of 2014
These were my 10 favorite movies of 2014: 1. “Dumb and Dumber To” – Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels effortlessly slip back into Lloyd and Harry’s born-of-stupidity mistreatment of animals and their fellow man, but this isn’t merely a reunion tour. The sequel has lots of great new hits, like Harry getting into Arizona State and being […]
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Force Unleashed II’ (2010) (Book and comic review)
Out of all the Legends stories that went unfinished due to Disney’s rebooting of the timeline, none is more of a cliffhanger than the “Force Unleashed” saga. At the end of 2010’s “The Force Unleashed II” – both the novel by Sean Williams and comic by Haden Blackman — Darth Vader is captured by Starkiller and the Rebel Alliance […]
‘Droids’ (1985-86) continues adventures of C-3PO, R2-D2
‘Star Wars’ Legends flashback (TV review): Here’s a look back at “Droids,” which (along with “Ewoks”) brought the GFFA to weekly series TV.
Boba Fett makes ‘Star Wars’ debut in ‘Story of the Faithful Wookiee’ (1978)
‘Star Wars’ flashback (TV review): Future icon Boba Fett makes an inauspicious debut into the Expanded Universe in this Holiday Special cartoon.
‘Star Wars’ flashback: ‘The Force Unleashed’ (2008) (Book and comic reviews)
“The Force Unleashed” (2008) – the multimedia project highlighted by a video game, novel and comic — despite being a fairly recent endeavor, is among the first Legends material to be wiped out by the new Disney canon (specifically “Rebels”). (It’s also back in the spotlight because fans continually say “The Force Unleashed” instead of “The Force Awakens” when […]
John’s top 10 TV shows of 2014
These were my 10 favorite shows of 2014: 1. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (Season 6, Netflix) – “The Clone Wars” saves the best for last with arcs delving into the Order 66 brainwashing, Palpatine’s manipulations to take over the galactic banking system, and Yoda’s surprising encounter with a dark avatar and his first communication with a […]
All 22 episodes of ‘Gilmore Girls’ Season 7 (2006-07), ranked
TV review: Despite being much maligned and missing the show’s creators, “Gilmore Girls” Season 7 isn’t as bad as many assume.