Recently updated blogs

Gladiator II (2024) • View trailerFour stars (out of five). Rated R, for strong, bloody violenceAvailable via: Movie theatersBy Derrick BangAlthough the lengthy gap between this film and director Ridley Scott’s predecessor seems an eyebrow lift, scripters David Scarpa and Peter Craig cleverly work that passage of time into their plot. Although Lucius (Paul Mescal) isn't expected to survive his first bout in the Coliseum,he proves unexpectedly resourceful ... much …

Because there’s nothing you can’t do with LEGO, this is a video from the Brick Experiment Channel (previously), this time engineering LEGO cars to cross increasingly narrower bridges, eventually crossing just a string stretched between two tables. The solutions to balancing the vehicles while crossing the bridges are quite ingenious. At least I thought they were, maybe you’re an engineer and these were the logical solutions. Because I would have …

Yesterday, for the dozenth time, I mistakenly referred to the Korean movie The Handmaiden as The Handmaid’s Tale, causing great confusion. Will this curse ever be lifted?

by Dennis Crouch In a tight 11-10 vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the PREVAIL Act (Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act) that would make substantial changes to Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings. The bill addresses perceived anti-patentee imbalances in the current inter partes review (IPR) system. However, a number of Senators raised concerns and were seeking assurances about a negative impact on generic drug …

More photos from the garden, a woodlouse having a close encounter with a flashlight. Also photos of berries, blackbirds, etc.

Manuel Moreale: Sometimes I spot posts like Chris’ Media Diet in my RSS feed and I’m always amazed by the fact the people manage to keep up with movies and TV series and the rest of the media landscape. I can totally see how someone posting a post like mine makes it feel like I just bathe myself in popular media. But to me it feels like the opposite, like …

Yenisei releases a warm and beautiful album.

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I wanted to embrace the russet colors, crunchy leaves, pumpkin spiced world of the autumn season for just a little longer before Santa and his red-and-green posse take over. I’ll be ready to embrace peppermint mochas and icicles and such in a few days but I’m just not ready to abandon fall quite yet. It’s my favorite season so I hope you enjoy …

Today’s London news round-up: Bridge of lies: Is this the most lawless place in London? London Centric Revealed: Row threatening to derail bids to launch new train services between London and Continent Standard When any area starts getting renamed as a ‘quarter’ that’s usually a sure-fire sign that things will start getting expensive, but even we’re surprised with the price that Lambeth has come up with to plant just five …

A very original book A few months ago I wrote a short comic, a four-page one-shot, not about Pepper&Carrot, but about Christmas for Le Lombard publishing. It was a great opportunity for me to work with a new team and set new standards. It was also a privilege to work for this publisher, famous in the Franco-Belgian comics world for such iconic titles as the Smurfs, Tintin, Blake and Mortimer, …

Luna - The Bowery Ballroom, New York City, October 20, 2019Some good news for a change. As per usual, I’ll be out in the Los Angeles area visiting family over the holidays. Less per usual, Luna will be there, too! The band is playing two west coast shows to close out 2024 — the Teragram Ballroom on Dec. 29 and the Fillmore up in SF on New Year’s Eve. If …

The past and the present visible at the same time.

In 1987, what is arguably the best Thanksgiving movie ever made, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles hit theaters. Like many people who saw it, I instantly fell in love with it and over the years I have watched maybe over a hundred times. Its a heartfelt comedy, that isn’t afraid to go over the top with humor (or its language). So I am very happy to be able cover it on …