New He-Man Trailer Revealed

The new trailer for the He-man Netflix revival, Masters of the Universe: Revival, has just released and I am cautiously optimistic. Over the past few years, we have had excellent reboots and revivals of She-Ra and Carmen Sandiego so I am very pleased that He-Man is getting a chance to shine with a new coat of paint and a makeover. I loved the show in the 80s but it was nothing more than a glorified toy commercial, however this revival really has a chance to revitalise the charming but janky animation of old. The series remains true to the character designs and world from that series but hopefully will have a deeper and more fufilling story arc with Head Writer Keven Smith (of Clerks, Dogma, Chasing Amy fame) at the helm. The show drops on 23rd July so here’s hoping it good!

The Color Out of Space- Cult Film Review

Whilst suffering decision paralysis, caused by having too many choices available on Netflix and Amazon Prime, I came across a film that popped up and intrigued me… The Color Out of Space. I was familiar with the short story from H.P. Lovecraft, having read it about 20 years ago, and had loved the strange premise of a meteorite landing on a farm and bringing dreadful consequences for the creatures and humans that lived in the area. However, I didn’t know how this story could be effectively adapted for the screen as Lovecraft’s Cosmicism and existential dread, about humanity’s insignificance in the eyes of unknowable beings, would lose its power if the creature (in this case, a colour) were presented on screen as nothing is scarier than the unknown. So, suitably intrigued I selected to see who was involved and upon seeing Nicolas Cage front and centre, it kinda clinched the deal for me that this was a must watch… the man is an enigma and is pushing acting boundaries- both good and bad.

I watched the movie late at night over a couple of days and, at times, it felt like a strange lucid dream. In fact, on the second night I had to rewatch 10 mins from the previous night as I wasn't sure that I hadn't fallen asleep and dreamt it. I can reassuringly say that no, I hadn't dreamt it and yes, it was in fact as strangely, magnificently, hauntingly beautiful as I had thought.

I only knew the director, Richard Stanley, from the amazing documentary Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau when he went into the rainforest and survived off the land, playing an extra under disguise after being fired from the film shoot. However, based on this film, I can say that he is a solid director and has great vision which would have made Moreau a more exciting proposition than what we ended up with.

The Color Out of Space is a glorious B- movie and the whole feel is very The Thing or, more recently, Annihilation as it is a slow burn that slowly brings out the scares without being too graphic or gory. Cage keeps it reigned in for the first hour before he starts to Cage Rage out but he never goes Full Cage (FC) or gives the powerhouse gonzo performance we are used to and expect (Think The Wickerman bees scene). Rather, this is a more tempered and measured approach with occasional FC elements like the alpaca shooting and 'family always sticks together' speech. The rest of the supporting cast are solid and play it straight.

The cinematography is stunning and there are moments of pure spectacle. The trippy visuals and practical special effects give the film a timeless vibe in that the CGI is very good for the budget and the practical effects work well in an 80s way- the period it most recalls in its homage to the sci-fi horror genre. The soundtrack by Colin Stetson is reminiscent of dark 80s synth wave but also with some heavier beats. Overall, it's an excellent soundtrack that complements this unusual film.

I know that this is the first of a planned Lovecraft trilogy and I eagerly await the next one, which I hope will happen even thought this film was disastrous financially but won general plaudits from fans and reviewers alike. If you have a spare couple of hours and want something very unique, this may well fit the bill.

LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review

LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review

LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review

LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review

LINK- Children of the Dogstar: Cult TV Series Review

LINK- Supernatural (BBC): Cult TV Review

Hellblazer: The Best Version of You- Graphic Novel Review

This is the second, and sadly last, run of this iteration of Hellblazer by writer Simon Spurrer and artists Aaron Campbell, Matias Bergara and Jordie Bellaire. I'm really disappointed by this as I thought the first graphic novel, Marks of Woe, was solid return to form for Constantine. It managed to balance the new set of characters and had a cohesive story arc which did its own thing whilst also paying respect to what had gone before in the original Vertigo Hellblazer run.

I have loved this version of Constantine.

I have loved this version of Constantine.

In the same way Delano offered social critique and a dark commentary on Thatcherism and the 80s, this Hellblazer is very much of the moment and all the more searing in its indictment of society. The overarching theme running over the trade is that change is occurring and can be unsettling but hatred leads us nowhere.

The first story, Britannia Rule the Waves, is a dark story about the fishing industry and how a lowly fisherman makes a deal with the devil (old Constantine) that leads to a monkey paw situation. In the case of Hellblazer, there's always a monkey paw/hubris cautionary tale but this is a great political criticism about how the French are blamed for diminishing catches as we exhaust the fishing supply.

The second story, The Favourite, features a British Prince with a prediction for very young ladies who is given a boon with which to redeem himself in front of his mother's esteemed and privileged eyes. It's doesn't go well as an offer of a special steed goes awry and a monstrosity is released.

The final story arc, This Sceptured Isle, sees the young and old Constantine battle it out and it gets all magical and weird. As usual, the fallout is tragic as Constantine loses another colleague but isn't that always his way?

I loved the return of the Constantine we all know and love and in the hands of writer Spurrer, we got a little of what made the original graphic novel run so phenomenal. The artwork is varied in style but stunning in all its forms. We have the darkly drawn panels with sketchy art from Campbell which creates a pervading sense of dread but then we also have Bergara and Bellaire giving the book a more comedic look. The shift in art style and colours is never jarring and is thematic to the stories.

I'm sure Constantine will return again but until then, it is sweet sorrow as we part on such a high.

LINK- Hilda- Complete Series 1 Netflix Review

LINK- Comics in the Classroom

LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Series 2 Review

Robin Redbreast- Cult TV Review

Back in 1970s the BBC invested a lot into its TV drama productions and in this period there were numerous wonderful programmes created. I've already reviewed Supernatural and Dead of Night, which was released in the 1970s, and now I'm here to review another film, from the highly regarded Play For Today series.

The film is quietly sinister and unsettling.

The film is quietly sinister and unsettling.

The BFI released Robin Redbreast, a revered and influential gentle horror work recently and I decided to give it a viewing. Having never seen it before but hearing a lot about its impact on British horror cinema, namely The Wicker Man I thought it was worth a look. So, is it worth a watch in this day and age or is it looked at fondly with rose-tinted glasses by fans from the time?

Well, what I can say is that Robin Redbreast is quintessential gentle British horror in that it combines folklore, mundane village life and adds shock and surprise in equal measure.

The story is quite straight forward; newly separated from her partner of many years, a television script editor, temporarily moves to her cottage in a remote English country village to rebuild her life. At first, she finds that the villagers are friendly, if a little eccentric. However, when she becomes pregnant to a handsome villager, she begins to suspect that the locals are conspiring against her to prevent her from leaving... But to what end?

Although originally shot in colour, the BFI released it in a black and white transfer I think adds to the slightly hazy, surreal atmosphere of the piece. It also means the film could come arguably from any era as it is set in a rural, unnamed place which seems to be happy in its slow paced, traditional lifestyle.

The story itself is very much in the folk horror' genre, mentioning traditions from Frazer's The Golden Bough and rituals regarding harvest and sacrifice, but this play also asks wider, more relevant questions from the time which seem pertinent even now; tradition vs. modernity, female pleasure vs. reproductive rights, marriage vs. freedom to have partners and urban vs. rural. I found it very relevant today and was surprised to see that it was televised back nearly 50 years ago when viewing habits were a lot more conservative. I think a lot of this has to do with the quality of the acting which, whilst not up to much of today's high calibre, was overall pretty solid considering it was performed in a play format with the restrictions and style that dictates the acting.

The Storyteller: Greek Myths- Series Review

I remember it well, Jim Henson's The Storyteller aired in the evening on Channel 4 and scared the bejeezus out of 7 year old me. The year was 1987 and the show had been heavily advertised for a few months so the anticipation had been building. When finally the show aired it became an instant classic in my mind, the stuff of wonderful nightmares. The show presented nine lesser known northern European fairytale with a a mixture of live acting, animatronics, muppetry and surreally stylish imagery. With excellent production values, marvellous special effects and stunning matte paintings the various fantasy settings all came to life and drew me in.

John Hurt played the role of the eponymous Storyteller, and next to a hearth he would tell a story with relish, accompanied by his muppety canine companion. There would be occasional interludes where the Storyteller would elaborate or expand upon a point and his verbosity and wordplay would be like music to my young ears, even if a lot of his wordplay went over my head. Even after 30 years, The Storyteller fills my heart with warmth and joy, and a little bit of a chill, but in a good way.

So, what is less well known is that there was a shorter follow up series in 1991 created by Anthony Minghella (of The English Patient fame) which looked at the Greek myths. The 4 part series swapped out Hurt and instead placed Michael Gambon into the eponymous role. He is ably supported by seasoned theatre performers such as Derek Jacobi and Art Malik and this gives the show added gravitas. With the wonderfully emotive music the show really does shine with that early 90s glow. The soft focus and fuzzy recording make the show seem like a wondrous dream and even now fill my heart with warmth.

The 4 episodes include:

Daedalus and Icarus- the classic tale of the inventor who's son reached too close to the sun is ably retold and expanded to include what happened after the death of the progeny. It is deliciously dark and arresting and Jacobi gives it his all in the title role.

Orpheus and Euridyce- the tale of a man whose music moves a wood nymph to the world of man. After getting married the nature of the wood nymph reveals itself and she dies after being bitten by a snake. Orpheus challenges the Gods to bring Euridyce back from the underworld but just as he is about to succeed a twist prevents her return. Malik is solid in the main role but the music is the real star, being equal parts joyful and mournful. I really enjoyed this episode, especially and production values of Hades.

Theseus and the Minotaur- The classic tale of man versus beast. The minotaur is well designed and the maze is suitably creepy in this well directed retelling.

Perseus and the Gorgon- The best visually arresting and special effect heavy story is saved for last. We get the tale of a hero fighting the monstrous lady who turns anyone who witnesses her visage to stone. The special effects on Medusa are amazing for the time and production costa.

The Greek tales presented are quite mature and darker in essence than much of the sanitised, Disney-fied versions out there. I would recommend it for ages 7 and above as many of the themes touched upon are to do with the human condition and the tales are, in large part, part of the European monomyth but they do cast a wondrous spell. The love, care and attention of the production comes through on the screen and even though some of the special effects have aged, this ethereal other-worldliness leaves the show an almost timeless quality. The show is well worth the short time investment and will leave its glow long after you've stopped watching.

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi

LINK- Manga Exhibition at the British Museum

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

Silver Surfer Black- Graphic Novel Review

I'm a huge comic nerd and have been for over 30 years. Of course, I'd known of the Silver Surfer for many years, but he just wasn't a character I was that interested in... he just seemed a little, well, lame. I read a few of his comics back in the early 90s and found his brooding angsty vibe a bit too edgy-lordy for its own good and the second Fantastic Four movie certainly didn't help adhere him close to my heart. However, the Dan Slott and Michael Allred run was amazing and I fell in love with the character. So, when I heard that there was another amazing run I thought I'd check it out.

Silver Surfer Black

Silver Surfer: Black, written by Donny Cates, artwork by Tradd Moore and Dave Stewart on colours, was a tribute to Stan Lee who passed during its creation. As is well known, the Silver Surfer was one of Lee's favourite creations, so this comic had to be a farewell love letter. The story follows on from the events of The Guardians of the Galaxy run where the team were dragged into a black hole but are saved by the Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd, who sacrifices himself.

The story has some Dr. Who style wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff as the black hole disrupts the flow of time, taking the Surfer to a primordial time before the universe was created. However, in this darkness lives a god who seeks to hold on to this power. The story sees the Surfer consider his tragic past and, as he goes through his usual existential crisis and guilt trip, he realises that to save his cellular degradation he might have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The story is solid and perfectly enjoyable but the real standout is the art and colours. The trippy visuals and fantastic palette make this a magnificently presented comic book. Whilst an excellent and worthwhile addition to your comic collection I didn't feel it was as essential as the Slott and Allred run, which is one of the finest recent comic runs in my opinion, but is well worth a couple of hours of your time.

As a last salute to the great Stan Lee, it is a fitting epitaph from a wonderfully creative team.

LINK- Silver Surfer by Slott and Allred- Graphic Novel Review

LINK- Comics in the Classroom (article)

LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me

LINK- Battle Angel Alita: And So It Ends

LINK- The Moomins 80's Soundtrack Vinyl Review

LINK- Inspector Gadget Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- The Mysterious Cities of Gold Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- Thomas Was Alone Video Game Vinyl Soundtrack Review

LINK- Akira Soundtrack Vinyl Review

Have a Crackin' Time With Wonderful Dizzy

As a 40 year old gamer,I have fond memories of gaming in the 80's. But there is one series which came out on the micro computers that holds a special place in my heart, and that series is 'Dizzy' the lovable puzzle solving egg.

The game is very cute and done in the old micro-computer style.

I met the twins a few years ago and they were very amiable and signed my copies of their Dizzy game. A short while ago, I backed their Kickstarter for a signed Mystery World Dizzy NES cartridge and also read their biography, Let’s Go Dizzy.

I met the Oliver Twins years ago and they were lovely and approachable.

I met the Oliver Twins years ago and they were lovely and approachable.

So, when it was announced that they were making a new game with Dizzy I was ecstatic. Wonderful Dizzy is set in the world of Oz and through his journey across the land he meets the usual coterie of characters including the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. The game is the usual Dizzy fare and is free to play in-browser.

Rumaysa: A Fairy Tale- Book Review

Whilst walking by my local Waterstones, I came across a book in the window display that caught my eye; it featured a drawn image of a girl wearing a hijab and the teal/blue foil cover shone in the sunlight. Reading the cover I saw that it was a fairytale and so in I went, read the blurb and bought the book. Rumaysa : A Fairytale is a book with a trio of interconnected reworked fairytales based on popular stories including Rumaysa (Rapunzel), Cinderayla (errr, Cinderella) and Sleeping Sara (yup, you guessed it... Sleeping Beauty).

The heroine from the first story, Rumaysa, goes on a journey to be reunited with her long lost parents and along the way goes on a Polly from the classic 80s British kid T-bag adventures/ Littlest Hobo-esque where she helps people along the way whilst trying to finds her own way home. It's all lovely stuff with diversity, female empowerment and self-determination at the forefront as the 3 female leads all fight against various forms of oppression and control. Now, before you roll your eyes and think it's all 'woke' nonsense I can say that it's all quite subtle, not preachy or heavy handed and carries a universal message of kindness and respect that will appeal to anyone.

I whiled away a lovely couple of hours, face masked and exfoliated, appreciating the cultural touchstones it mentions like Eid, jalebis and hijabs which made me feel all warm inside. In the first tale it says, "It was the only book Rumaysa owned where the characters had similar names to her and shared her skin colour," and I agree that books like this are important for younger readers to see themselves represented in the mainstream.

The book is sweet and well-intentioned with well told stories. Don't get me wrong- it's no Pullman, Rowling or Dahl- but for its target audience and for this 40 year old British-Asian guy, it was an enjoyable read.

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi

LINK- Streets of Rage 2 on Vinyl Review

LINK- Manga Exhibition at the British Museum

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Battle Angel Alita: And So It Ends

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- ‘Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire’

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

Moomins and the Great Flood- Book Review

Just over 75 years ago, Tove Jansson introduced the world to the Moomins and changed children's literature forever. I have a love for the Moomins as many of you may know. I've discussed the Moomins multiple times before (links are available below) but what many people may not know is that my love for the Moomins is all pretty recent. When the Japanese animated show came out in the early 90s, I was already too old for the show and was busy being edgy with the X Men cartoon. No, my love for the Moomins came in the mid 2000s with the release of the comics. Jansson's comics were published in the 1950s in the Evening Standard and it was here that the characters became popular, however the collected volumes weren't released until 2006. As a comic collector, I noticed the first 4 volumes on sale and decided to buy the set and it was here that the whimsical stories with heart and street philosophy entered my life. I fell in love with these hippo-like creatures that spouted aphorisms and enjoyed the simple things in life. Since then I've snagged all the released collected volumes, read many of the books and seen both series of the recent CGI animated Moominvalley. However, it was only in the past couple of days that I managed to read the original tale that started it all - Moomins and the Great Flood- and what an interesting start to the phenomenon it is.

It’s a beautiful book with premium quality paper and vivid illustrations.

It’s a beautiful book with premium quality paper and vivid illustrations.

It starts with Moominmamma and Moomintroll looking for Moominpapa as he has gone off adventuring with the hattifatteners to find a home for his family having grown tired of living behind the stove pipes of others. As they travel, they encounter many creatures including a little creature, who would become series regular Sniff, as they try to beat the flood threatening to destroy their world. The seeds of future stories are sown with Hemulens, the Groke and Snufkins mentioned. Whilst it is a solid introduction to the wonderful literary world we know it becomes, it does read more like a prelude to 'Comet in Moominland'

That's not a slight as the story is wonderfully written but the philosophy and aphorisms that underpin much of Jansson's later stories aren't to be found here and that's fine for this 60 page novella. Jansson's artwork is beautiful and equally dreamy and unsettling, mixing monochromatic and sepia-tones painting and penwork.

Moomins and the Great Flood is a wonderful work and deserves a read, it is such a touchstone for what comes later, but more than that- it's just a lovely tale of finding a home and being a family.

LINK- Comet in Moominland

LINK- The Moomins- Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- Adventure in Moominland Exhibition at the Southbank Centre

LINK- The Wonder of Moomin World

LINK- Moominvalley- Season 1 Review

LINK- Moominvalley- Season 2 Review

The Last of Us 2- Video Games As Art

Over the past couple of weeks I've been working my way through The Last of Us 2. I liked the first game just fine but didn’t really think it was the masterpiece many gamers claim it to be but to each their own. I found this game to be much the same; it's 30 or so hours of moving around long grass shanking people interspersed with intense gunplay and the occasional clicker in run down liminal spaces. It's a dark revenge story told interestingly through 2 perspectives but I felt it was overly long and the story dragged out a lot.

The game does have gorgeous graphics and bold storytelling (for a video game) and, whilst I don’t think it deserved all the hyperbolic praise or accolades it received (video games ‘Schindler’s List’ anyone?), it is definitely a game worth playing.

Utopia For Realists- Book Review

I first came across Dutch journalist Rutger Bregman through a much shared social media video where he talked at Davos about tax avoidance and how no-one was talking about this elephant in the room. He seemed like an intriguing fellow and so when I heard he'd written a book I bought it and approached it with cautious optimism. I say cautious as I am wary of 'men of destiny' who give bitesized TED-talk style solutions or quick answers and soundbites puff pieces rather real-world suggestions and workable solutions. I worry about the cult of personality the internet has given us where someone claims to have all the solutions, however they very rarely do once you scratch beneath the surface. After all, we don't want a repeat of the charismatic guy who fronted the Kony 2012 campaign which called for foreign powers to go in, take over, control and train a foreign army... pro-war activism. Hmmm, yeah, not great when you consider the geo-political implications of training an army with a recent history of civil war. But I digress… how is Utopia For Realists?

Well, I'll say this- it is very readable, understandable and Bregman doesn't claim to have all the answers. Often, in these kind of books the author makes a grand statement proclaiming that their idea or polemic is the one solution but Bregman is more measured in his approach. His vision for a utopian society includes establishing a universal basic income for all, a more measured approach to GDP which takes into account the value and quality of the jobs rather than quantity, a 15 hour work week where hobbies and interest are promoted and open borders. It’s a pity the book was written a few years ago as, in light of the pandemic and the Universal Basic Income model that many countries (including Britain through the furlough scheme) employed, it would be useful to see what the real world situation bore out but alas it is not to be. However what we have is a book that is broken down into 10 chapters over 264 pages (not including appendices etc)
The chapters include:


1. The Return of Utopia
This compares the medieval European ideal of the Land of Plenty, Bruegel's Cockaigne, to the modern western world’s, but paints a bleak picture of Paradise.

2. Why We Should Give Free Money to Everyone
Examples of giving away free money, resources and support to the street-sleeping homeless are presented and they show impressive data and real-world results.

3. The End of Poverty
This look at how an indigenous casino lifted Cherokee families out of the cycle of poverty and social problems and led to a huge improvement in school attendance and results. Also, it looks at Utah‘s unique way to deal with homelessness and poverty and the lasting impact it has had on the public purse and society as a whole.

4. The Bizarre Tale of President Nixon and His Basic Income Tax Bill.
If you can believe it, President Nixon considered introducing a universal basic income in the 1970s but the successful results of a similar scheme in early 19th century Speenhamland, England were deliberately misrepresented for political reasons in the 1830s.

5. New Figures for a new Era
The creation of GDP and its modern limitations.

6. A Fifteen Hour Work-Week.
The push for more leisure and creativity time, especially where automation would make many jobs obsolete.

7. Why It Doesn’t Pay to be a Banker
On real, well-paid jobs that negatively contribute to the economy and jobs that are meaningless-so-called 'bullshit jobs'. For a recent example, see the Greensill business with David Cameron where he was a lobbyist for a firm that recently went bankrupt.

8. Race Against the Machine
The rise of automation and its impact on labour.

9. Beyond the Gates of the Land of Plenty.
Allowing freedom of movement to allow the creation of wealth across the world and equity.

10. Ideas Change the World
The belief that apparently impossible or crazy ideas eventually become mainstream e.g. abolishing slavery, environmentalism etc

Reading the book, I liked Bregman's viewpoint and his optimism for the world as he doesn't have all the answers nor does he pretend to, however, I would like to have seen him address some of the potential issues. I think open borders are a compelling idea but would it suppress wages and lead to animosity and friction between groups due to reduced labour bargaining power? If we look at Britain and the EU, access to cheaper labour has led many unscrupulous businesses to begin a 'race to the bottom' and zero hour contracts. Further, would open immigration lead to a brain drain in certain countries and further entrench the deep inequality between the rich and poor? However, these are small points to reflect on when looking at the wider picture.

Victor Hugo stated, ‘There is nothing is as powerful as an idea who's time has come’ and this is what Bregman is stating in this book- we need to alter what we value as a society and consider how we measure success away from pure economics. In a way he is singing off the same hymn sheet as David Attenborough in his book A Life On Our Planet: My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future where he states that we need a more global rather than individualistic country GDP measure of success.

Overall, Bregman is an enthusiastic writer and I like that the tone of the book is optimistic rather than pessimistic and angry. There is so much angst and anger out there so it's refreshing to read a more measured approach to something that everyone has a viewpoint on and strong feelings about. Utopia For Realists is a quick and enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it.

LINK- Natives: Race and Class in the Ruin of Empire- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- Why I No Longer Talk To White People About Race

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

Comet in Moominland- Book Review

Comet in Moominland is the second of eight books set in the world of the Moomins. The book was written in 1946 and many believe author, Tove Jansson, wrote it as a parable for the nuclear threat and the real possibility of nuclear annihilation that existed post-Nagasaki and Hiroshima at the tail end of WW2. Whatever the truth, these whimsical stories with heart and street philosophy mean so much to so many because, through the mouth of these hippo-like creatures are aphorisms and truths about life and the human condition and so it is with this tale.

Comet in Moominland

Sniff and Moomintroll discover a mysterious path near the coast and find that it leads to a cave. Whilst traveling back home they see portents of doom and witness unusual phenomena like the sky changing into an unusual colour and the seabed drying up. They then plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain to talk to the scientists at the observatory to find out what is going on. Along the way they meet Snork Maiden, Snufkin and other characters who would become series regulars. When they find out that there is a comet blazing towards Moominvalley and will lead to oblivion the team head home where Moomintroll believes Moominmamma will make everything okay.

What could be a sombre meditative tale about the preciousness of life is in-fact sprinkled with dashes of humour, warmth and truth. Even though oblivion is imminent there are adventures aplenty, with night dances, shopping trips and romance. The characters enjoy the simple pleasures in life and don't let the existential threat dampen their spirits for long. Whether this was written as a nuclear parable or not, the tale is profound and works at a deeper level for those looking for meaning.

Often, we see our lives as being made up of big milestones based on decisions we have made and situations that have occurred but sometimes it's the smaller moments that shape us. Sometimes there are serendipitous moments where the right people at the right time become lifelong touchstones that affect us profoundly and become quietly pivotal and so it is with this book where Moomintroll meets Snufkin and Snork Maiden and his life is never the same again.

For those looking for an enjoyable road trip romp, this does that too. This is the beauty of Jansson, she is a humanist and writes about the human condition unlike anyone else whilst having a fun and exciting jaunt for our characters.

Immortals Fenyx Rising- Video Games As Art

Immortal Fenyx Rising is that rare thing from Ubisoft, a brand new IP that isn’t a sequel or an iteration on something they have been producing for many years. That itself had me intrigued and so I bought the game within the first week to see what it was like. I have to say that it is a stunning looking game with some great visual and interesting art style. The writing is sometimes funny but misses the mark with its ‘humour’ but all that could be forgiven if it was a solid game. Unfortunately, it descends into the usual Ubisoft collect-athon and the map soon fills up with too many markers.

I know some people were comparing this to Zelda: Breath of the Wild in terms of a more open world but, whereas BOTW trusted the gamers to find their own story and make their own markers, Ubi does it all for you and so any agency and sense of organic discovery is lost.

I gave the game about 5 hours of play but it left me feeling cold and I couldn’t warm to it, no matter the quips and wordplay from the Gods. I’ve traded it in but at least I gave Ubisoft the benefit of the doubt, I was disappointed but I hope that by supporting a new IP they continue to try something different.

It’s unusual for me not to finish a game but Immortals Fenyx Rising proved too cookie cutter for my liking.

Jean Michel Jarre Amazonia- Album Review

Jean Michel Jarre has been pretty busy over the past few years, releasing collab album Electronica 1 and 2 in 2015 and then dipping back into his first breakthrough album with Oxygene 3 and then releasing arguably his best album in years- the stunning Equinoxe Infinity. Now, he returns to his 'musique concrete' (the process of using recorded sounds to create a sound montage which is often abstract in its quality) roots by creating a sonic soundscape inspired by the Amazon rainforest and the works of photographer Sebastião Salgado.

For a certain contingent of Jarre fans, who were expecting derivative works based on the Oxygene and Equinoxe albums, this will be terrible news. They will claim that Jarre has 'lost it' and is ‘past his prime’ etc. But, as Jarre himself said during a Facebook Live session, "Some people are always unhappy". So for those who appreciate the chameleon like nature of Jarre with all its ups (Zoolook) and downs (Teo and Tea) this is an intriguing and exciting opportunity to see what the electronica maestro can produce when going back to his musical roots.

The new 52 minute binaural album will accompany Salgado's exhibition of over 200 photographs centred on the beauty and life of the Amazon, its bio-diversity and its peoples.

This album is a mixture of electronic and orchestral instruments sprinkled with approximations of real-life natural sounds. As a huge fan of his stunning Waiting for Cousteau album and particularly the final track, which itself was a meditative and calming piece where there was a spaciousness and tranquility, I was really looking forward to this album. Don't get me wrong, I love his musical compositions and the journey he takes you on but Waiting for Cousteau is his piece de resistance of ambient dreaminess and any chance of something similar would make me incredibly happy. So, how is the new Amazonia album?

The album works as a whole piece and I don't imagine listening to one track independently. It is very much a whole soundscape that creates a tapestry of sounds to immerse yourself in. It is a challenging listen in that there are very few standout pieces but the whole is wonderful and engaging. I can imagine listening to it after a hard day at work, just letting it wash over me and take me away to the tropical wonderland. I’ve tried to describe the mood of each track but it is difficult to categorise so please bear with my verbose flights of fancy if you can:

Track 1 is a veritable smorgasbord of sounds with motifs switching very quickly. It starts off very calming with chanting voices bouncing around, interpreted with a short gentle arpeggio but gives way to a lower guttural synthesiser sound.

Track 2 changes to a more upbeat techno-type rhythm which then has a deep reverberating sound that resounds in the ears. A high piano-esque motif plays and this is followed by fast pounding stabs which reminded me of John Carpenter's soundtracks. This track really does move around a lot and is hard to pin down but it works as a movement.

Track 3 has a compelling short rhythm which loops but is added to with an airy sound and a gentle drum beat. Vocalising changes the tack of the track and bird sounds enter the mix.

Track 4 has a haunting melody that has a threatening deep synch bass. One of the tracks of the album for me.

Track 5 builds on this and is busy sounding as a cacophony of voices, including babies squealing, plays in the background alongside a quick drum beat. This is then interrupted with a flute-y sound and the whirr of insects flying around before giving way to a crackling fire and an echoey crystal cave-y sound. It shimmers and wends its way around an aggressive whirring chainsaw sound.

Track 6 starts with children singing together against a backdrop of chirruping insects before a driving synth cuts in, threatening to break the calm.

Track 7 has a gentle rhythm but the gentle thunder rumbles and rain patters, bringing a whole Badalamenti vibe with a sense of sadness.

Track 8 has children singing mixed with an elder voice and a soft gentle drum and this goes into track 9 where the drum motif mixes with the airy Badalamenti synth sadness scape to end on a note of melancholy. But then some male vocalising and humming adds a sense of hope as the raindrops patter, adding a sense of hope of wonder. Then the synth hits as the thunder cracks and a synth choir enters, adding an angelic sound to the low drum sound.

Overall, Jarre has produced an interesting album and, whilst I haven't seen the photography exhibition it works alongside, I imagine it compliments the work to be diegetic. The album is well worth a listen and, whilst not as accessible and engaging as Equinoxe Infinity or his more ‘mainline’ albums, it is an interesting journey well worth taking.

LINK- Equinoxe Infinity Album Review

LINK- Planet Jarre Celebrates 50 Years of Jarre

LINK- Jean Michel Jarre Oxygene 3 Album Review

LINK- Jean Michel Jarre Electronica Vol. 2 Album Review

The Essential Wrapped in Plastic: Pathways to Twin Peaks- Book Review

For followers of Twin Peaks, the 'Wrapped in Plastic' fanzine kept them informed of all things TP, David Lynch and Mark Frost. The fanzine started in 1993 and ran for 75 editions, finishing in 2005. Living in England, I had heard of the magazine but never owned a copy due to it being difficult to obtain and source. When I heard that extracts from the magazine had been made into a sort of 'best of' book, which contained episode by episode breakdowns, critiques, interviews and essays, I sought it out immediately, needing to feed my craving to return to this, most singular, work. Reading this book, John Thorne’s enthusiasm is clear and it is truly a labour of love from an author with a deep passion for the show.

The book was a fascinating read.

The book was a fascinating read.

The individual background of each episode and cast and crew quotes are a rich source of information but the highlight for me was the examination of the season 2 finale where Lynch literally threw away the script and free-styled to make something confounding yet profoundly interesting. I also liked Thorne’s examination of Fire Walk With Me and how, at the time, it was much maligned but critics and a public who wanted to have some sort of closure of the season 2 finale but were left to deal with a prequel dealing with dark subject matter like incest, murder and drug abuse.

In light of Twin Peaks: The Return, some of the theories concerning Cooper being the dreamer is interesting and intriguing, especially considering Lynch’s ouvre after FWWM and The Return. However, the Judy theory don't fit but much of what is theorised about the rest of the show really does. Judy or Jowday has been re-contextualised in season 3 but it is interesting to read about what Judy could have meant had it been renewed at the time.

Reading the book, what stands out is that the show burned so bright so quickly that the network didn't know what to do. Lynch and Frost had a bona-fide smash hit on their hands but wanted to move on to other creative endeavours, leaving the show in the hands of some creative who didn't always understand what made the show quirky yet unmissable. As a result, the show meandered and went through some strange alterations before being brought back on track the Windom Earle storyline and Lynch's stunning piece de resistance conclusion.

I loved reading the book and it opened my eyes to some intriguing theories and thoughts. For anyone needing to scratch the TP itch this book is a must have!

LINK- Reflections on Twin Peaks: The Return

LINK- Twin Peaks Retrospective

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Return Series Review

LINK- Secret History of Twin Peaks: Book Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier Book Review

Devil May Cry 5- Video Games As Art

Devil May Cry is the quintessential hack and slash action-adventure game, full of combos and flashy moves. I never really got into DMC, only playing the original and DMC reboot, both of which I enjoyed but not enough to be a big fan of the series. However, DMC 5 might change my mind. It is an enjoyable 15-18 hour romp that is gorgeous to look at and just pure fun to play. Check out the screenshots from my playthrough.

Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcade- Review

I have very fond memories of Bubble Bobble as it was one of the first games from my childhood that I fell in love with. The catchy music, sweet graphics and simple to play but difficult to master gameplay hooked young me in and it has been that way ever since. In fact, when I started this website one of the first covers I did for the homepage was a homage to Bubble Bobble due to the pure love I have for that game.

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So, whilst sitting in the shed on a wet rainy day taking a break from remotely teaching my pupils during lockdown, an advert popped up for a Quarter Arcade cabinet of Bubble Bobble and it got me thinking… I know Numskull have released a few arcade machines before and they are all bona-fide classics like Pacman, Galaga and Dig Dug but none of them really interested me. Bubble Bobble was different though and so I pre-ordered it. Over the course of the last month, I've had some buyers remorse and more than once thought about cancelling it but I know that it has sold out and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I had ‘must have’ and I'd let it go and so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did.

This is an official, fully playable arcade machine and uses the original ROM of the game. A big draw for me was that it had the 2 player mode with dual-joystick controls so I could enjoy it with friends and family. The game runs off a C-USB power cable but does have an internal battery so you can play it away from a power source, at least for a while.The system is very robust and looks very swish. The Taito detailing and branding is on point and even though an exclusive Bubble Bobble arcade machine didn't exist, this is a good approximation of what the arcade machine would look like.

I know some may say, “Why don’t you just MAME it?” or '“Why pay so much for something you can find a ROM of online?” To this I would say that I have the game on emulator but sometimes it’s nice to have something official to show an appreciation and love for it. These products are not for everyone and I get that but why be negative towards something that serves a community who look forward to it?

I'm now off to kick Baron Von Blubba’s butt but I hope that Quarter Arcade follow up with Rainbow Island, Parasol Stars and New Zealand Story arcade machines.

I do love my Bubble Bobble arcade machine! Please excuse my Covid hair.

I do love my Bubble Bobble arcade machine! Please excuse my Covid hair.

Carmen Sandiego- Complete Season 4 Review

After 4 amazing seasons, the rebooted animated adventures of Carmen Sandiego has come to an end.

I've loved this series as it has always been great to see the creative and zany heists as well as the various new VILE operatives. The show has always been a heartening tale of empowerment and fighting the corrupt forces that work in the shadows... So far so QAnon, but this show has always been fun and cartoony, and doesn't take it too seriously, unlike QAnon.

The show retains its beautifully animated artistic vision with a stylish noir art look, all angles and interesting colour palette, reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series or Samurai Jack. However, the bigger draw this season is Carmen's search for her mother and the stress her fight with VILE brings upon her surrogate family's and her own life. With ACME circling closer and VILE upping its aggression, hurting Shadow-san in the process, it's a real cracking final series where anything goes. When the chase is on to get to the biggest horde of ancient stolen artifacts, acquired by the original VILE 5 in medieval times, the show really comes into its own as the whole cast has its moment to shine.

The series starts with a couple of heist episodes, however, from episode 3, The Robo Caper, things start to accelerate and divert from the usual story beats and structure. There is a caper but the stolen crown is not the central conceit. Rather, this is a story driven episode as Shadow-san is attacked by a VILE robot as he recuperates whilst Carmen battles the Cleaners as she rushes to find Grey/ Crackle, the brain wiped former VILE operative. He is in the thick of things as the agency try to use him to hone in on Carmen but end up accidentally awakening his memories and his fighting skills. Meanwhile, Agent Devineaux starts to doubt the criminality of la femme rough and alongside Agent Argent, realises that she actually might be a force for good- mea culpa at last.

Episode 4, The Himalayan Rescue Caper, has Carmen and Crackle meet and his decision on whether to leave or remain with VILE has big implications for the endgame. Carmen and Player meet and she confesses that she needed to meet her other oldest friend.

However, from episode 5, The VILE History Caper, we get an insight into the origins of the organisation and a great chase is on to discover the last 2 of 3 remaining locations which will reveal an ancient treasure horde of stolen artifacts. This is a very exciting way to build up the finale of the series, not with a whimper but with a show stopping bang. Once Carmen stops VILE in their tracks they get revenge and take her hostage, leading to her being reprogrammed into a VILE puppet. When they task her with taking out her surrogate family the stakes are raised as a Carmen without restraint and humanity is a dangerous thing indeed.

What transpires is a heartening tale of camaraderie and connection as Team Carmen go toe to toe against VILE and all that it represents. ACME enters the fray and doesn't know which side to be on as it knows VILE is bad but is Carmen?

I'm gutted that the show ended but boy what a ride it's been. We've seen our Red grow from a simple criminal protégé to a master at organising heists. We also get a time jump 2 years in the future and see the old gang in their new lives. I won't spoil if Carmen find the truth about her mother but it is handled well.

The fact that its lead is a strong Latino woman is a big boost for representation but more than that, it's just a great story well told! I highly recommend the show.

Gravity Rush 2- Video Games As Art

Gravity Rush 2 is the delightful sequel to weirdly wonderful steampunk fantasy game in which you controlled an amnesiac young girl with levitation powers. What set the original game apart was the shifting gravity mechanic and the gorgeous art style. Gravity Rush was a PS Vita game that was remastered for the PS4, however Gravity Rush 2 was specifically made for the PS4. The extra power of the machine really makes the game pop.

I completed the game in about 25 hours and finale which was dramatic and provided closure for Kat fans. Check out the screenshots of my playthrough below!

Mysterious Cities of Gold- Complete Season 4 Review (Spoiler Free)

The Mysterious Cities of Gold started in 1982. 38 years, and 117 episodes later, it has finally ended. So after all this time, has the wait been worth it?

MCOG is a very pretty show © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

MCOG is a very pretty show © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

I was lucky enough to be able to download the French language episodes and english fan-subs through the hard work and diligence of the members of the Gold List, a MCOG Yahoo Group created in the late 90s that I had been a member of since 1996. I’d like to say many thanks to Silent_G and the amazing guys at the Discord group who worked hard to make sure that english speaking fans could access the show. Whilst it is not my ideal way to watch the show, I am grateful that I have been able to view it and appreciate it alongside other fans in real time. It created a collegiate atmosphere with the community sharing theories and ideas as the series progressed. I can’t wait for more people to watch the show and really get into interesting conversations about what the ending means.

I watched the series over the course of a few weeks and these are my reflections on the forth and final season of the MCOG. This is a spoiler free article but I do gently brush over themes covered in the season. For those looking for a more in-depth look at the season and a more detailed retrospective on all the series as a whole, I’d recommend you check out my article here.

Season 4 propels the story forward and picks up from the slight slump of the tail end of the third season, where I felt that the characters started to act out of character and the plot became a little convoluted.

The Golden Condor covers a lot of miles this season © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

The Golden Condor covers a lot of miles this season © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

The final series starts with Ambrosius, Gaspard and Laguerra travelling to Africa to find the next city (the fifth of seven), armed with the two gold medallions found from the previous golden city. Building on the legend of the Queen of Sheba, they are seeking the city of Ophir and a treasure that could be a game changer for the possessor, granting them potentially god-like powers. Ambrosius covets it but Esteban and the team are not too far behind him. With Zia's growing ESP abilities, as well as the moxie of the team as a whole, they overcome many of the traps set by Ambrosius to find the Doorway of the Ancients, a Mu-en (Mu-vian? Mu-enite? Mu-tian? ) portal which allows them to teleport across continents in an instant. It is with this development that the series grows in scope.

We get an introduction to Leonardo Di Vinci and the Order of the Hourglass, the organisation set up to find out more about Mu/ Hiva culture. This is a callback to lore that Athanaos (Esteban's father), Ambrosius and Dr. Leguerra were the first 3 members of the Order who set out for the New World to find evidence of the ancient civilisation.

When the fifth city of Ophir is finally discovered, Ambrosius gains the treasure but is betrayed by compatriots. The city retreats in the process of the fight.

Esteben et al. try to find clues to the sixth city, Orunigi, and overcome many challenges to retrieve the Bako, a sacred mask of prophecy which guilds them to its location. It is here that the ‘Grand Heritage’ of the Mu people is revealed and the ‘Great Cataclysm,’ which will destroy the world, must be prevented with the creation of the seventh city.

Phew! Reading that you can see that the show really escalates the stakes and makes it a more global affair but it is still the show we all know and love. It is a tough balancing act to include so many ‘new’ real figures from history and have then fit in with the vast cast of characters from seasons past but I think the show manages it, for the most part. I think you need to see this series almost like a greatest hits- bringing back the classics whilst trying new stuff that fits in to the overall story arc.

The climax of the show is optimistic with disparate peoples across the world joining together to battle against an overwhelming threat that could destroy all life on Earth. Some aspects feel a little undercooked, like the Prince Tyrias plot, but these are small niggles in an otherwise well-crafted story. The denouement is satisfyingly dramatic and also sets up intriguing possibilities about alternate, maybe parallel worlds or realms and possible continuations. As a long-time MCOG fan I couldn’t ask for a better ending.

As with the previous season, there are moments of stunning artistry and beauty and for fans of the series to enjoy. The Golden Condor again is given centre stage and there is pure GC adoration as the machine is lovingly shown from all angles, usually accompanied with a huge swell in dramatic synth music. And that's something to mention too; the quieter contemplative moments have some stunning music that is modern but more than just an homage to the past soundtrack It is its own beast and very worthwhile.

I’d also like to add that, as a former pseudoscientific theories/ conspiracy buff by way of Graham Hancock, Erich Von Daniken et al. and to a much lesser extent Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, it's great to see how the writers of the series have interwoven so much lore, theories and alternate timelines together to make a cohesive and intriguing mythos. The emphasis on telekinetic and advanced tech of the ancients as a unifier is suggested in Hancock’s book ‘Before America’ and had been suggested even by Elon Musk as regards the building of the pyramids. As a former Assassins Creed fan (at least until Black Flag and before it became iterative busy work), the idea that Da Vinci was part of a secret brotherhood who had tapped into a secret knowledge is intriguing and exciting. The fact that notable figures from history make appearances and team-up including Nostradamus, Charles V and the Kings of France and Zimbabwe is a bonus as pseudo-scientists and historians love this world-wide conspiracy/ organisation stuff. *Disclaimer- pseudoscience is fun as a thought experiment but not to be be taken too seriously btw!

I think that the setting and portrayal of Africa is very well done and the peoples are treated with respect and dignity, something that comics (remember Tintin in the Congo, oof!), and some other mediums (many, many anime and manga series), have often not handled well with broad stereotypes and ethnocentric racism usually depicting the land and people as 'savage' and 'other'. The Princess being infatuated with Pedro, which is played for laughs, could be seen as the problematic 'Jezebel' trope however later in the series we see her being a strong and forthright leader who schools Pedro and Sancho for their arrogance. This shows is very positive about Africa in the 16th century, as it should be. After all, the continent was home to many kingdoms and empires that were independent, prosperous and successful in trade before the onset of European colonialism and empire.

However, the harsh realities of colonialism and the start of the slave trade are not ignored and are a plot point mid-way through the series. They struggle to reconcile with a world where men are sold as commodities and the topic is treated with sympathy and respect. MCOG is a deeply humanist work and over the course of the 4 seasons it has always made each peoples sympathetic and flawed. After all, even the Olmecs were just trying to keep their race alive--even if it was through questionable means. As Pedro says, "There are some things that are worth sacrificing, good deeds make you better people" and for his character that is quite the development from season 1. The end of show documentaries discuss the matter somewhat and, whilst aimed at children, it is enlightening and will hopefully get young people thinking more about the legacy of empire.

It's very much a show that is perfect for now, at a time when the pandemic and ecological collapse threatens the world.It also shows how by working together with mutual understanding and empathy, all the cultures of the world can come together to achieve something collectively wonderful. It's a hopeful sentiment and one much needed in a world which has been struck with something as cataclysmic as the pandemic which has isolated and separated many communities and brought forth the fissures that existed in many of the societies. However, like in the MCOG, these times don't have to be seen as apocalyptic but rather a revelation as the lies of individualism have been laid bare. We are a global community and MCOG shows that by working together we can achieve pretty much anything. This is not a revisionist but rather alternate take on the 16th century where rather than European expansionism, colonialism and empire we see collaboration and respect.

I wasn't expecting it but after all is said and done, MCOG sticks the landing and, in places, nails it. It is a masterclass of storytelling and shows how, even after many years, the sequels can carry the momentum of all that has gone before. Sure, there is a bit of ret-conning but when it adds to a larger and better told tale… why not? There is a quote from Twin Peaks where David Lynch's character Gordon Cole states in no uncertain terms, 'Fix your heart or die,’ and I feel that overall, that is what MCOG is saying and it does so eloquently.

Much like how Twin Peaks: The Return stunned audiences with its audacious and ambitious story and visuals many, many years after the OG series, MCOG season 4 more than does the original series justice.

I will miss the show that has been such a huge part of my life but I can’t complain; they gave it a heck of a send-off!

LINK- Mysterious Cities of Gold Season 3 (English Dub) -Complete Series Review

LINK- MCOG Series 2 Review

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- MCOG Soundtrack on Vinyl Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Return Series Review

LINK- Secret History of Twin Peaks: Book Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier Book Review

LINK- Hilda Comic Series Review 

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia