Media Review

The Sandman is a comic series written by Neil Gaiman and published by DC's former subsidiary - Vertigo Comics. The franchise ran for ten volumes from 1989 to 1993 ( Preludes & Nocturnes , The Doll's House , Dream Country , Season of Mists , A Game for You , Fables and Reflections , Brief Lives , World's End , The Kindly Ones , The Wake ), a prequel volume in 2015 ( Overture ), and spin-offs such as Lucifer . The season elegantly introduces the audience to the  The Sandman  franchise with great actors, effects, and a well-woven interpretation of the  Preludes & Nocturnes  and  The Doll's House  volumes (1989).  The show takes many aspects and plot points from the comics and runs them as 45 to 60 minute episodes, which is a great fit for an adaptation. Unlike the comics, which at the time had DC characters like John Constantine and Martian Manhunter appear in the The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes (1989) volume; the show attempts t...

Netflix's Locke & Key concludes with a short third season which branches off with a new story arc that forces critical points of a resolved arc.  The Netflix series is an adaptation of IDW's Locke & Key  graphic novel series (written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez). The premise and characters (including the magical keys) share many similarities. Fans of the graphic novel series will find satisfying results with the reinterpretation of several keys in the series. As well as fun plot points which the show recreates for a new audiences.  Netflix's  Locke and Key takes many key points of the graphic novel series, which may be an expectation for fans of the comic series, but can lead to shocking and infuriating reactions among audiences new and familiar to the franchise.  However, if you are a fan of magic and intrigue this show is highly recommended for you! The show establishes an interesting universe with rules that do not follow t...

Disney Pixar's Lightyear (2022) is the 2020s attempt to make a 1990s movie, yet it's still fun. The movie is inspired by the character of Buzz Lightyear who is a prominent character in Disney Pixar's Toy Story (1995) franchise. Lightyear (2022) even opens with context relevant to Toy Story (1995) , referring to a pivotal plot point in the movie where the toy of Buzz is purchased by Andy.   Lightyear (2022)  imitates aspects of 1990s characters being white males who are often supported by more interesting and quirky characters; while utilizing modern animation and referring to more diversity than would be seen in a 1990s science-fiction film.  The movie provides a fun adventure for audiences regardless of being a fan of the Toy Story (1995) franchise. The film builds on many of the protagonist's established quirks from the franchise while having him adapted for a new generation. 

Netflix's They've Gotta Have Us (2018) provides astounding insight into the development and progress of black filmmaking and filmmakers in the United States of America. The limited docuseries takes its audience through the history of pioneers in the mid-20th Century to the developments made in the early 21st Century.  The docuseries has multiple black directors, producers, and actors elaborate on their experiences and influences while working in the film industry. The series also presents an amazing multi-generational perspective by interviewing people from three different generations of filmmaking.  As a white male curious about the entertainment and film industry, I think this series must remain on Netflix as a stepping stone to further understand and hopefully learn from the issues prevailing as a result of centuries of discrimination.  If interested in learning more social issues prevalent to the United States and film industry at large, I would also recommend Netfli...

As a fan of  Bob's Burgers , I loved the movie. Unless audiences have seen a few episodes of the show, there might be confusion as the movie builds on the established quirks of the several characters in the show. The movie seems like a very long  Bob's Burgers  special almost indistinguishable from an episode of the show.  I vaguely remember being bedazzled by The Simpson's Movie (2007) because it was not like any other episode of The Simpsons , as its movie explored all the characters nuances while guiding the audience through a high-stakes adventure. This was a great standalone movie, whether or not the audience had seen an episode of The Simpsons .  The Bob's Burgers Movie holds similar themes of exploring the nuance of characters with high-stakes adventure, but does not seem to stand on its own - apart from the show. If you are a fan of Bob's Burgers , or have enjoyed a few episodes, I would recommend this movie! 

As an avid Netflix watcher, Umbrella Academy seemed to juggle various themes across its run so far and the third season delivers in many unexpected ways!  The first season seemed disjointed by combining superheroes, mystery, drama, and my personal favorite - time travel. However, when season two was released the show found its flow with its superpowered characters surviving in 1960s United States of America. Demonstrating their character growth in a new environment presents opportunities to see the characters displaced from their season one setting of 2019.  The third season builds on the flow of the second season, as the characters return to their time of 2019, but with unexpected repercussions. The third season examines how many of the characters reel from their consequences from season two, while exploring fundamental aspects of themselves which they did not realize until being displaced in time.