Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One Part Two Part Three

 I received this trilogy on blu-ray for Christmas last year.  Part one, part two and part three details are at those links.  The 1985 comic story arc was huge back in the day with 12 issues in the main storyline and crossed over in many other comics.  There's a lot going on in this trilogy.  I haven't read any of this story since '85 so I really had no real memory of the details.  I like that there are so many characters from the DC universe.  Always fun to see those heroes you enjoyed.  It also means there is only so much screen time for many of them.  As it expected the big three, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, all have ample screen time but there are many other characters who actually star here.

The BLUF is heroes meet a cosmic threat that poses a risk to all the different earths that exists.  And there are a lot.  That's cool too.  We get to see different takes on our heroes and some of our favorite takes from DC are shown on their own earths - Super Friends, Animated Batman and more.  I loved that.  

In the end there are some surprises, fun interactions, and serious moments.  I don't think young fans would enjoy this one as much as I'd want.  It's a complicated story and they might not get what's going on and be confused by multiples of heroes.  I know I was confused at times.  Overall, it's a good trilogy.  I enjoyed some parts more than others but that's not surprise.  Not sure if I should have gone back to read the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi series before watching this take.  Might have helped.  Next up on my watch list is The Penguin season 1.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

 Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord finished up on May 4th and they got it right.  This really had a bit of it all.  It harkened back to George Lucas' initial direction for Darth Maul where he's an underworld warlord.  And of course, a powerful Sith.  We got plenty of new characters and a surprise or two.  Some great fight scenes.  I really enjoyed it and it feels setup for a second season which I can't wait to see.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

 Super Mario Galaxy:  I took the grandsons to this one last night and we enjoyed.  Plenty of action, fun and a good story.  I think this is better than the original that came out in 2023.  We also enjoyed that one.  This one did almost $60M over the first two days so it seems like this will be another big movie.  Again, it's fun and that's all we could ask for.

GOAT

GOAT:   Me and the grandsons watched this one this week in the theater.  We really enjoyed it.  The movies centers around a goat named Will.  He gets a chance to play roarball which is their version of basketball in this world filled with animals.  Since he's a "small" it's a very big deal as he joins the local professional team (Thorns).  It was just fun.  I liked the characters and it was paced well.  The movie has done over $140M worldwide so it must be doing something right.  Steph Curry was part of the movie development, is a producer, and also voices Lenny the Giraffe.

2025 Christmas Goodies

 The family really outdid themselves this year.  I'm truly blessed.  I added a new Star Wars steelbook to the collection - Rise of Skywalker.  I almost have all the Star Wars steelbook movie releases.  The Penguin will be a fun watch.  I don't have an HBO Max subscription so I need it in physical form.  The animated Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy rounded out my movies.  Three books - The Boys (Ron and Clint Howard), Can You Dig It? and the Dr. J autobiography - are all books I'm excited to read. A Mould King Firebird model.  A Hot Topic gift card which will probably that into a The Lost Boys shirt.   Speaking of, I also got cool AC/DC shirt.  And some baseball and basketball cards.  Again, I'm so blessed and thankful. Santa was good to me.

Dog Man (2025)

Dog Man:  Me and the grandsons watched this one last month in theaters the same night we watch Captain America: New World Order.  I'm not a Dog Man expert but the ten year-old is a fan of the books and really wanted to see it in the theater so we did.  He said the characters were pretty true to the books.  I thought it was done well and both boys really enjoyed it. 

Justice League: The New Frontier Commemorative Edition

 Justice League: The New Frontier: This was a Christmas present and a good one.  The New Frontier is set in the 50s. It focuses on the Justice League who have to deal with a threat to the world.  Before that we get some background on the characters and their relationships which isn't the cohesive team it is today.  We also see some origin stories along the way.  I enjoyed the movie.  There were some parts early in the movie I was surprised about but it was all about setting up the dynamic between the heroes.  Good movie.  For a more comprehensive look at what the Commemorative Edition comes as well as additional plot details here. DC does such a good job with their animated movies and I'll definitely pick up more.

2024 Christmas Goodies

Christmas was again a fun time.  We did ours Monday and yesterday with the different kiddos so today should be fairly quiet.  Santa was good to me with lots of fun gifts.  I'm a big Green Lantern fan so the Alan Scott Dread Lantern McFarlane figure was a must have for me.  I'm a fan of Bane from the Batman movies so one grandson surprised me with this McFarlane figure which I needed.  Looks like a custom coat for the figure.  The other grandson got me a Blood Shot figure.  We were at a collectibles store, and I worked with the owner so they could shop for something without me knowing.  Lots of fun.  I really like DC's animated movies and added Justice League: New Frontier to the collection.  A bigfoot shirt and Reba McEntire shirt were much appreciated as well.  As a huge Clone Wars fan, I'm digging the character encyclopedia.  I hope everyone has a great day and Merry Christmas!

 

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Animated Movie

Emerald Knights: One of my Christmas presents, this movie was a fun watch.  It does a good job going through origins and the history of the Green Lanterns while they fight off a threat to their home world of Oa.  Most of the key Green Lanterns are seen in this movie which is fun for any fan, new or old.  It includes Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Kilowog, Abin Sur, Tomar-Re, and Arisia who's the rookie whom others are sharing the Green Lantern history with.  The mission to save Oa is really secondary to all the stories we get to hear.  And that's not a bad thing.  It's a fun watch and as always DC does a good job with their animated movies.

Despicable Me 4 (2024)

Despicable Me 4:  Saw this one yesterday with the grandsons.  I liked it.  They did too but it wasn't their favorite from the series.  There's a new bad guy, Maxime Le Mal, a new member of the Gru family, and plenty of Minions.  It did feel like there might be too much going on and they were forced into getting screen time for some characters.  Still I was entertained.  

Star Wars: Tales of the Empire

 Tales of the Jedi: I was looking forward to this one.  The Bad Batch recently ended, and this was a fun release yesterday.  Again, we get more background on characters from the Star Wars universe.  In 2022, Tales of the Jedi was released.  This is a good compliment highlighting characters within the Empire and are prominent in the Star Wars universe today.  We also see others who deserved more screen time.  No spoilers but they did a really good job on both of the stories which focus on Nightsister Morgan Elsbeth and former Jedi Barriss Offee. 

Justice Society: World War II

JSA WW II:  This was one of the two DC animated movies I received for Christmas.  Good movie. It went in a different direction than I expected but I had no real knowledge of the movie prior to watching it.  Based on the JSA helping fend off the Nazis in World War II there is much more to his movie.  The cover hints to that.  I really like the JSA and it's fun to see them on the screen in animated form.  DC does a really good job with their animated films and this one should be watched by anyone with a thought to do so.  

2023 Christmas Goodies

Christmas is always fun and Santa Claus blessed me more than I deserve.  For maybe the first time ever, everything I received was on my list.  I was really excited to receive all these.  I've opened the random cards and watched the Justice Society: World War II animated movie while I've started reading volume 1 of Justice League.  Boba Fett's ship (Micro GalaxyZ) came from my grandsons and it'll be added to my modest Boba Fett collection once I receive the custom stand I ordered.  Shirts are always appreciated and Kawhi is my favorite NBA player.  Motley Crue is a favorite band of mine and the Dr. Feelgood album is my favorite of theirs.  Just lots of silly fun stuff .  It's more enjoyable watching everyone else open their gifts but also seeing the joy they get from giving.  Everyone have a fun New Year's Eve!

Tales of the Jedi (Disney+)

Tales of the Jedi:  Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm a fan of the Star Wars animated offerings and this is another really good add.  You can watch the trailer here.  There are six short episodes (~15-20 min) that are focused on Ahsoka or Count Dooku as a Jedi.  All are good and provide insight into both characters which is great.  Star Wars has so many great stories to be told.  Not just of these two but all the Jedi.  We've seen so many in the prequels, books and other outlets and they have great stories ready to be told as well.  Highly recommend Tales of the Jedi.  I will say it isn't made for small children but for the rest of us they are a fun a watch.  Hope we see more like this in the soon.

Batman: The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition

The Long Halloween:  I'm a fan of this Batman comic arc.  This deluxe edition is parts one and two of the animated take on the story.  Parts one and two were originally sold separately.  It is a good adaptation.  They make choices for the sake of animation like they do with any story that is done but overall it is a good job.  Splitting it into two parts was a must as there is so much to tell.  It isn't going to be the most action packed animated movie you'll watch but it is good who done it that involves a big part of the Batman Universe.  I do think I figured out who the killer was fairly early but I was never sure.  

The characters I enjoyed the most were Harvey Dent, Catwoman and Batman.  Not a huge suprise as they get the most screen time aside from Gordon but I like the characters.  Most of the villains are done well too but don't as much time to shine.  A few get more time than others and stand out including Calendar Man and Poison Ivy.  This is a must see for anyone that's a fan of Batman and DC animated movies should see this one.  DC does a good job bring stories to the screen in animated form.

SYNOPSIS:

Taking place during Batman 's early days of crime fighting, The Long Halloween tells the story of a mysterious killer named Holiday, who murders people on holidays, one each month.

Green Lantern: Beware My Power (NO SPOILERS)

Green Lantern: Beware My Power:  I haven't watched many of the DC animated movies lately but DC normally does them well.  I'm a big Green Lantern fan so I made the leap and picked this one up.  Glad I did.  I really enjoyed it.  This is an origin tale for John Stewart, one of the most popular Green Lanterns, who for the most part is the Green Lantern in the Justice League these days.  While Hal Jordan is widely known as the greatest Green Lantern of all-time John Stewart may be the most popular.  This movie is really good.  I like the cast of characters that includes Green Arrow, and Hawkgirl, both of which are favorites of mine.  Normal Lantern foe, and former green ring slinger, Sinestro, plays the foil.  The movie will work you through the Rann-Thanagar War in a simplified way which makes it easy to catch up.  

What happens?  Stewart gets his ring, galactic issues require him to help the Justice League, and off they go.  Green Arrow is his initial partner who is apropos considering GL/GA have a long history of being partners in the comic books.  Along the way Hawkgirl and others join the adventure to include some surprises.  Sinestro and his band of baddies hamper their efforts along the way.  Most of this and more is played out in the trailer.  These are normally standalone movies and while a few of DC's animated movies may tie into others this will not be one of those best I can tell.  Again I enjoyed the movie.  Are there some plot holes?  Sure.  But I recommend this for anyone considering it and it's worth the watch.  I picked this up at Wallyworld and it is rated PG-13.  People are shown dyeing in the movie and of course there is violence, so it's not made for young kids.  Has me wanting to watch more of the DC animated movies which I'll see if it's something I make happen.  

Klaus (2019)

Klaus (2019) Netflix:  I watched this one last night and I really enjoyed it.  A unique take on the Santa Claus mythos it was very fun to watch.  As I've gotten older I'm a bit more leery of animated movies but this one impressed me.  The humor, story and characters were all wins. I will admit it took me a few minutes to get into it but once it got going I was hooked.  It's definitely going into my holiday movie rotation.  That's all I got but wanted to share some thoughts about this one.

 

Batman: The Killing Joke Animated Movie

 Batman: The Killing Joke (2016): The Batman graphic novel The Killing Joke is a heralded story in the great history of Batman.  Written by Alan Moore (Watchmen) it didn't shy about taking Joker's brutality to another level.  I thought the comic was a good read though I don't think of it as an all-time favorite.  I'm not surprised it got the animated treatment and it didn't shy away from the material receiving an R rating.  I finally got around to watching it and liked the movie which centers around Batman, Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon and the Joker.  It was done well and kept my interest.  If you liked the graphic novel you'll like this though there are differences in where they take Batman and Batgirl's relationship.  If you are a fan of Batman you'll want to see this.  It's just not the standard animated comic movie and remember it isn't for kids.  My daughter is a huge Batman fan and enjoyed the film which she saw in theaters.  She wasn't sure about a few things they did with the storyline but overall liked it.  I won't get into specifics because it'd be too easy to give away spoilers but wanted to throw out my thoughts for anyone interested.