Hazbin Hotel Live on Broadway and Songs of Conquest

Entertainment with a focus on music!

Hazbin Hotel Live on Broadway

Celebrating the release of Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel, this live performance on Broadway by the voice actor/singers is absolutely brilliant - my only complaint is that it is too short! Even my wife, who doesn't watch the series, enjoyed it. Highly, highly recommended (but just like the show its not for kids), and I hope they do more of these live shows as there are many more songs they could do in the series (and that's not even going into Helluva Boss songs). I suppose they could do Hellaverse Live on Broadway? :D Here's a little sample for you all to enjoy. Five out of five!

Songs of Conquest

This pixely turn based strategy game plays a lot like the old King's Bounty game, where you have a leader or leader(s) marching around the map to capture resources and towns (where you can spend resources in building structures to recruit more folk for your army) while fighting enemies (usually static ones) via armies in hex grid maps. After you've exhausted your move, then your opponents leader(s) take their turn to wander around. I'm very thankful for the auto combat button in this one to make lopsided fights just finish in a single button press.

While that's all well and good the main draw for me was the nice story and the songs which play at the end of each mission. Very cool. I was sad when the extra "story" missions didn't have this. :P

Spider-Noir, Harley Quinn and Kite Man

A trio of alternate superhero shows!

Spider-Noir

This currently single season story has Nicolas Cage star as a 1930's private detective who also moonlights as "The Spider", their version of Spiderman - and guess what? When you have a good story, good characters and good acting you get a good result! Without a doubt this is now our favorite version of Spiderman. On Prime you even have the option to watch in in black and white if you want. Highly recommended and hope they make a season two!

Harley Quinn (and Kite Man, Hell Yeah!)

This currently five season animated comedy features the titular Harley Quinn who starts off breaking up with Joker and then forming her own gang. A lot of the laughs come from the irreverent way it treats the whole cast, with many extras dying gruesome deaths, but it can quickly get abrasive if that's not your sort of thing. Definitely shines brighter in the earlier seasons than the later ones. 

Kite Man, Hell Yeah is a currently one season spin off from Harley Quinn and follows the adventures of the guy whose power is he has a kite? It has the same tone too so if you like the main show you'd probably like it.

Jack Ryan: Ghost War and Punisher: One Last Kill

When you need gun action!

Jack Ryan: Ghost War

This flick continues on from the series and finds a retired Jack Ryan (still played by John Krasinki) being roped back into what's supposed to be an easy mission "to meet a guy", but its never that simple. Chase scenes and combat sequences shortly follow but plot wise I can't help but think that Jack was only required for the second half or last third of the movie, as it looked like all the other characters had it handled - even the comedy relief guy? My overall feeling is that unfortunately, the movie is weak. :(

Punisher: One Last Kill

This episode length special continues its series, starring Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle now better known as the titular vigilante. In it, it explores what happens when Frank's killed everyone he's wanted to kill and goes too deep in his own head. But don't worry! Bad guys are stupid and by the second half he is back to ruthlessly executing the hordes of scum that decide to take him on. For its length and given it works as a standalone, it's super entertaining! Recommended! :) 

As a bonus for other gun nuts, here's a review of the Zev FDP gun... which turns out to not be so practical. 

Terminal List: Dark Wolf

A decent prequel.

This prequel to the Terminal List follows Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch) on his quest to kill all the bad guys, rules be damned - which actually makes for an interesting story. With an ok body count, some nice action pieces and a decent enough plot I quite enjoyed this one, despite it dropping the tension ball during the final episode which is a bit of a shame. Extra shout out to the cool intro sequence that really reminds you its a prequel too.

I do have that same gripe I did with (the now cancelled) Countdown though: too much time wasted on the bad guys. Those segments can be shortened down so much and it would improve the story. Oh well, if this prequel gets a sequel then maybe they can sort that out next time.

The Gentlemen and Countdown

Two wildly different TV shows.

The Gentlemen

When younger sibling Eddie (played by Theo James) surprisingly inherits the large family estate, he also inherits ties to an illegal business venture growing marijuana in a secret lair benath his farmland. He quickly becomes entangled with them despite trying to evict them (without getting himself or his family killed). It doesn't help that his brother is a self absorbed moron who has a gift for making everything worse! Excellently written and acted, this action comedy series definitely delivers an entertaining spectacle. Can't wait for season two and definitely recommended!

Countdown

This police crime drama follows a covert task force made up of individuals (less than ten) from various law enforcement agencies, the "star" of whom is played by Jensen Ackles. It has alright action scenes and story but it wastes a lot of time showing bad guy stuff, which eventually is covered again when the characters discover the information. More than that - it also has some really odd pacing where the main villain is beaten a number of episodes before the season even finishes. Plenty of room for improvement, if it gets a second season at all.

Heads of State and The Accountant 2

A pair of action flicks!

Heads of State

When arms dealing bad guys try to attack a NATO summit its up to the new(ish) POTUS (played by John Cena) and a grizzled UK PM (played by Idris Elba) to save the day. Luckily they are also both fit dudes because this show is definitely an action comedy one with some good hits of laughs as the two leaders don't really like each other. Big props to the very succinct flash back sequences used and to Priyanka Chopra who actually carries the harder action segments in this film wonderfully. Definitely a silly movie and one you don't want to turn your brain on for. If that sounds like your cup of tea then you will certainly enjoy this!  

The Accountant 2

The autistic accountant/hitman (again played by Ben Affleck) is back and roped into a tricky missings persons case which warrants the involvement of his also hitman/but not accountant brother (played by Jon Bernthal) in a pretty humorous and violent outing with decent action scenes and character growth. While there are still some plot holes I actually prefer this one to the first as the blend between nerdity and violence is much better from the get go. Thumbs up!

Spaceman and the Electric State

Movies with advanced technology?

Spaceman

On an important solo mission to see what's on the other side of Jupiter, cosmonaut Jakub (played by Adam Sandler) disturbingly discovers there's a passenger aboard his vessel - and its here to help him fix his deteriorating relationship with his wife? Yeah, as cool (and wrong) as the space stuff is this is definitely a study about a man who only thinks about himself and is ending up alone thanks to his decisions, conveniently reinforced by him being almost alone on his space ship. While the passenger is my nightmare fuel it certainly makes the movie. I'm not going to be watching this one again though!

The Electric State

In a world where robots gained self awareness then fought a civil war and lost, a teenage orphan (played by Millie Bobby Brown) goes on a quest with one such robot who claims to be her dead brother. While this certainly starts off weak it picks up as more and more action segments kick in (with some decent funny bits thrown in), showcasing a lot of cool CGI for the very goofy robots that really make the show. Does it pick up to the extent of making this visually entertaining flick to be a great movie? No, but decent enough for me not to mind watching it again.

Seal Team and the Chosen

TV Series with teams of guys...

Seal Team

This seven season series follows Bravo team, led by Master Chief Jason Hayes (played by David Boreanaz) as they are deployed on dangerous missions around the globe and then have to deal with the normality of mundane life when being back home. That second bit is a bit of a drag, and securely fits this show under the drama category.

That said, the action segments (of which there are plenty) are really great! I particularly enjoy the dog related stunts because that is one very well trained pooch! Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but with gunfire, explosions, death, a completed story and a talented puppy I enjoyed it. Thumbs up!

The Chosen

This currently on going drama series (now on season 4 and available on Prime) focuses on the lives of the apostles as they meet, join up and travel with Jesus of Nazareth. It is also perhaps the best Christian series I've seen, with good doses of humor, (a little) violence, writing and acting all through out. One episode was almost a single take through the whole thing.

I really like the direction they went with this where yeah, Jesus is cool and important and wise but also still a person with quirks AND that he's only in each episode for a few minutes. By focusing on the growth of the everyone else (and there's a vast cast to follow), it makes the story that much better. Apparently season 1 is also currently the most successful crowdfunded TV series in history. Recommended!

Elevation and The Mountain Between Us

Movies about being high up.

Elevation

This post apocalyptic action film stars Anthony Mackie as one of the survivors who lives high up in the mountains where the "horrible creatures who killed every one else" don't go because they have a hard limit to stop at 8000ft elevation. Of course, he soon has a reason to go back down the mountain because stories need conflict! :P Despite the simple story and low number of cast members, the action is decent as is the critter CGI (when they get to it). An ok watch but one that could have been better / feels like a missed opportunity.

The Mountain Between Us

When a pair of impatient travelers (played by Kate Winslet and Idris Elba) decide to book a small charter flight that crashes in a mountainous wilderness, they can only depend on each other to survive. Good thing they also packed some plot armor! This survival drama is much slower paced than Elevation but is alright if you're looking for a less actiony film that focuses on the relationship of the pair. Obviously I preferred Elevation because it has monsters and guns but that's a personal preference. 

Kung Fu Panda 4 and Borderlands (2024)

Accepting change.

Kung Fu Panda 4

Continuing on from the previous movie, Poh (voiced Jack Black) faces his next task of choosing a successor - something he doesn't want at all because it would mean no longer being "the Dragon Warrior". Of course these movies are really all about accepting change, and his adventure this time has side-lined the other high paid voice actors defenders "the Furious Five" off on single sentence hand waved missions (which is a good idea). Funny and entertaining but only watch it after Kung Fu Panda 3.   

Borderlands

When bounty hunter Lilith (Cate Blanchett) is sent to track down a fugitive on her home planet of Pandora, she learns a few things about herself. Oh, and kills a LOT of people in ther process! As regular readers might know, I've played a lot of the Borderlands game series from which this movie is based of. My advice if you are like me: put everything you know about the games and the meta in a box, set the box aside (and maybe air step over it) when you go watch this as it will be more enjoyable as a clean slate than if you have expectations.

I did that, and I was not disappointed. Sure, it's not as gory-violent as the games but its still very entertaining in a PG-13 way. Claptrap (voiced by Jack Black) is actually funny and not as annoying as his game counterpart, and there's just some ridiculous fun in the chase and action sequences that kept us glued to the screen. My wife, who has never played Borderlands, absolutely loved the show and wished it was a series so that there would be more. While I might not have loved it as much as she, I'm in agreement as it wasn't bad at all.

Citadel: Diana

This spin-off from Citadel continues the world wide spy game and is set in Italy with titular character Diana (Matilda de Angelis) as the protagonist, who is employed by Citadel's rival group Manticore! While her unique hair-do grew on us during the six episode season, its funny that a spy would want to stand out.

Short one side, long on the other.

Despite that there is actually an OK story in here with alright acting and action, though Diana loses and needs to be saved a lot for a protagonist. Worth a watch especially if you enjoyed the original Citadel and we'll definitely watch a season two if it comes about...

Tales From the Loop (TV Series)

Don't interact with any weird devices or phenomena.

This eight episode sci-fi drama series is based on the awesome art book of the same name and for the most part does it justice despite relocating the story to the USA. Nice camera work, effects and cinematography are its main strengths but the choice of hopping around town to have a new focused protagonist per episode is a bit of a miss for me - even though said protagonists all interact with each other in some form.

This also means not all the episodes are as good as the others, with the very first one being the strongest. The non-explanation of all the weird stuff going on might also be a problem for some but I guess they're copying the book in that regard. All up its a nice albeit occasionally slow series that gets one thumb up from me.

Umbrella Academy (TV) and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Not fighting fair.

Umbrella Academy (4 Seasons)

This show focuses on a dysfunctional superhero "family" adopted by a domineering and eccentric billionaire father who uses them to fight crime. Alas after a botched mission they all go their separate ways for years until their hated father figure dies. It's as this point they discover they have to stop the apocalypse (or, a chain of them as it turns out). Some funny bits, some cool bits, and some decent fight scenes pepper the very weird plot so it is entertaining for the spectacle if nothing else. Acting wise I'd say Aidan Gallagher is the stand out performer here and easily steals the majority of the scenes he's in.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

It is World War II and the British have had enough of the Nazi's dominating the seas thanks to their U-boats, so they assemble a small team (with members played by Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson to name a few) to go an unsanctioned undercover mission to hit the U-boat supply station on a Spanish controlled island. On one side it's a very humorous take with Nazi's being terrible shots and having so many of them as fodder but there are a few brief bits of torture just to reinforce that the Nazi's are the very bad guys. Ultimately a movie to turn your brain off for, as that's the best way to enjoy it.

The Night Agent and Citadel

Spying some season 1 reviews. It's Netflix vs Prime Video!

The Night Agent (Season 1)

In this Netflix series an FBI agent (Gabriel Basso) with a seemingly mundane task of answering a phone gets thrown into the thick of it when one such phone call leads him to a vast conspiracy that it seems everyone is a part of. There's the usual mix of not sure who to trust, love interest and just a pinch of action to make it interesting. Decent enough to recommend, but it doesn't really make itself stand out in any way. I'd still watch season 2 if it comes out.

Citadel (Season 1)

At the beginning of this Prime series, the mighty spy agency known as Citadel is destroyed by their enemies and it falls to a few surviving members (played by Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas) to piece together what happened and how to continue to stop the bad guys from completing their plans. Unlike the Night Agent this one stands out in incredibly silly (and possibly un-needed) but cool looking action sequences which is hilarious but detracts from the plot. On the other hand, the non-action stuff that deals with all the spy-related backstabbing is excellent, despite making heavy use of amnesia and flash backs. Definitely want a season 2 of this one, but apparently there'll be a few off shoot Citadel series first. This one wins today's "spy off"! Recommended!