About a year ago I reviewed the first six episodes of this daily drama from Japan. I can’t say I was impressed. It was about what I have come to expect from the typical TV show over here. Hackneyed plots, sub-par acting, bad music. Despite all that it is also one of the few shows … More Grumpy Bird Reviews: Massan (マッサン) up to ep. 78
The other day I started rewatching Frasier. Even though it originally starts airing over twenty years ago it still holds up strong. What a great combination of high and low brow humor and an incredible cast. Of course Kelsey Grammer is an excellent lead here, but really all the major players do heavy lifting. It … More Taco Night and Last Great Sitcom
Two great things happened at work today. The first is that I got to play music after school. This may not seem like such a big thing, but to me it is pretty huge. I live in a smallish apartment in the center of Tokyo. Now, I don’t really need to worry about neighbors too … More Laughter and Music
Ideas are weird. That is about is deep as this is going to get so feel free to stop there. Aww, who am I kidding. I really want you to keep reading. But you knew that already. But ideas are weird. Especially the process of getting ideas. I know the stereotypical question writers are supposed to get … More Getting Story Ideas
Taking a little break from reading Brubaker’s Captain America to revisit Christopher Priest’s Black Panther. I’ve read this once before a few years ago and remember really enjoying it. Recently I’ve also read the Don McGregor Black Panther series and am curious how the Priest run will hold up. So far, it is doing just … More Wayback Review: Black Panther vol.3 #1-5
It was a marching tune, and so the man marched. His feet kept perfect time. His arms swayed tightly to the rhythm. Sweat was beginning to break out on his brow but kept up the proper pace. After all it was a marching tune. He wanted to stop but knew he couldn’t. Not until the … More March
One of the things that happens when a baby is born is that the parents completely disconnect from the world outside. It was only the past few days where I had the chance to watch Ant-Man even after recording a podcast about the more recent comic series a few months ago. Priorities, I guess. Ant-Man … More Grumpy Bird Reviews: Ant-Man
Continuing my read-through of the Brubaker Captain America.Such a good read. Captain America v5 #7-14 Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Steve Epting, Michael Lark, John Paul Leon Publisher: Marvel Quick Review: I could almost end this review by just referring to my review of the earlier issues. Great spy action. Mysteries wrapped in mystery. Compelling character … More Wayback Review: Captain America v5 #7-14
My Grandmother died yesterday. She had a stroke a few days after Christmas. After the stroke it was decided she would enter hospice care. We knew it wouldn’t be long. It gave us a chance to come to terms with it. I live on the opposite side of the world and at that time my … More Goodbye Nana
Growing up Captain America was one of those characters that I almost always liked more in concept than in execution. (I felt the same way about Wonder Woman and to some extent Superman.) I had some random issues but never a full arc. In college a friend lent me a good chunk of the Gruenwald … More Wayback Review: Captain America v5 #1-6
Deadly Troubadour 