A PhD in Comic Book Literature....

Lab Equipment

AM Caro — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:23:00 GMT

It is not always an easy proposition to procure inexpensive lab and medical equipment such as exam tables. However, there resources available and claflineequip.com remains one of the very best sources for such equipment. Those looking to find high quality medical equipment at low fees should definitely visit the site. It is a distributor with an expansive inventory.

The Wolfman Trailer

AM Caro — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:18:00 GMT

By the way, when I went into theaters and watched the trailers, I was able to catch the upcoming preview for Universal’s THE WOLFMAN. I thought Universal really killed their ability to resurrect their monsters with the awful VAN HELSING but it looks, instead, that they learned their lesson. THE WOLFMAN will be a serious remake with a lot of spills, chills, and thrills….as the saying goes. The embedding on this has been disabled but you can watch the trailer at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N2lZwOQdMI.

Halloween II

AM Caro — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:17:00 GMT

I did get the chance yesterday to check out the new Rob Zombie shock fest HALLOWEEN 2 and I have to say all things considered he did a fine job putting together a decent sequel considering the time constraints on the film. Zombie had less than a year to write, direct, and edit the film in order to get it into theaters for a proposed release date of August 28. Another film that was famously put together in such a manner was Terminator 2. Of course, the end result of T2 was quote impressive. With Zombie’s film, we get a solid effort that has its merits and its flaws. Personally, the Dr. Loomis character added little to the film in this venture and the ghostly imagery of Michael’s mother did not really work for me. What did work was the realism in the film. Yes, this is a hyper-violent venture that many will find disturbing. However, it reflects a realism that is does not try and glorify the main villain. One of the absolute worst aspects of the 1980s horror films was the slow decent of the villains into comedy characters. Not only did such an approach not work it turned the entire horror franchise on its ear and killing the genre for over a decade. Zombie’s serious approach – and the financial success of it – ensures there is still a market for edgy, serious horror movies that go for the rawest of emotions. Zombie has announced he will be directed a remake – of all things THE BLOB – as his next feature. The Halloween franchise will continue with a new director and the third outing will be in 3-D. ============================================================================================

Order Fulfillment

AM Caro — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:16:00 GMT

Those running an online business surely must take the subject of order fulfillment as serious as possible. If your ecommerce venture is not able to deliver orders on time and effectively, it will probably not achieve its maximum success in the market. That is why it is necessary to procure the services of a solid order fulfillment service that can deliver on all its promises and expectations. Please see OWD.COM for more info.

Plasma TVs

AM Caro — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:47:00 GMT

There are nice television sets and then there are Plasma TVs. Without a doubt, Plasma television sets are among the most stunning visual experiences you can enjoy. Then again, the audio quality on plasma tvs can be quite revolutionary and stunning as well. Does that mean that all Plasma televisions come with high price tags? Actually, no, because some of these sets can be acquired at very fair prices depending upon where they are purchased. When you do find such a source, making a purchase is advised!

Final Destination vs. Halloween II

AM Caro — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:26:00 GMT

I thought it was kind of mind blowing that Final Destination 3-D would beat out Rob Zombie’s Halloween II at the box office. I did see Final Destination 3-D and will be checking out Halloween II today and I know why I went to see FD before H2. The main reason was I had been working 8 straight days without time off and knew I needed a break. I also knew that I was so weary from the week I probably would not concentrate on the movie I opted for FD because it was (is) a no-brainer of a film. So, if I dozed off and went to sleep, I wouldn’t miss much. (I was right on all counts) The second reason was that I wanted to check out the 3D effects because once the current 3D fad passes, it may be 25 years before we get any more 3D flicks. The last 3D craze saw a bunch of films starting with COMING AT YA! In 1982 and lasting through 1983 with such forgotten films as THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE and STARCHASER: THE LEGEND OF ORIN. Really, the main big hit from that past 3D craze was JAWS 3D which tells you all you need to about how bad the films released at that time were. Speaking of bad, one of the absolute WORST films ever made was the RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK rip-off TREASURE OF THE FOUR CROWNS. Honestly, as bad as it was, I would dig seeing it again on the big screen one of these days!

The other note about the less than top box office performance of HALLOWEEN II centers on its nihilism; Zombie focuses his attention on the dark, depressing, grim aspects of the horror genre. While some of the better horror films ever made possessed such attributes, audiences looking for escapism may opt to look for something a little light hearted instead.

This is certainly not to say the film was a flop. It cost $15 million to produce and as of Friday the 4th it earned a little over $20 million domestically. Clearly, this was solid enough box office that the official announcement of a third film was made. And – get this – plans are to make HALLOWEEN 3-D. Now, who would have thunk?

Walk In Tubs

AM Caro — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:24:00 GMT

Are you looking to make an impressive addition to your home but are not sure what would deliver on solving the missing element? There are many components you can choose from and probably the most stunning would be the presence of walk in tubs. Yes, walk in tubs can most definitely prove impressive which is why they remain so highly recommended to those who may be in need of a component that can truly add to the look and feel of a home.

GODLAND Is Coming to a Close

AM Caro — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:19:00 GMT

Sigh. Why do some of the really great books have to fall by the wayside? It has come to my attention that the brilliantly crafted sci-fi comic GODLAND will be cancelled with issue #36. This news brought a proverbial tear to my eye since the book remains one of the more eclectic and stunningly original works of creative satire I have ever read.

For those not familiar with GODLAND, it is a modern sci-fi comic that is a homage to the classic works of Jack Kirby. The art and dialogue are very akin to the type of material Kirby presented although it appears side by side with modern sarcasm that skewers heroic conventions and devices. This is not to say GODLAND is condescending to its source material. On the contrary, reading the work gives you a bit more appreciation for it. In some ways, you need to look at things from a satirical perspective in order to truly understand and appreciate the wonder of the source material.

Then, there is another benefit to GODLAND that makes it enjoyable to read: it is original. After a while, a person can get more than a little tired of reading the same old story structure in comics. That is why the presence of GODLAND on store shelves is such a plus. It is unique and different and presents a perspective that few other books are capable of delivering. Again, this is another reason why GODLAND will be missed.

Then again, how many times did they cancel MOON KNIGHT and SWAMP THING over the years? Who Knows? Maybe GODLAND will comeback sooner than we thought.

Cash for Gold

AM Caro — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:42:00 GMT

Are you someone who is looking for a viable way to make money but are unsure how to go about it? Perhaps you have considered filling out surveys or possible putting things up for sale on Ebay. These are decent options but you may be overlooking a very lucrative venture: you could make a lot of money selling old gold items. Gold? Where would I find it? If you have any old gold items or jewelry in your home you can surely sell it for a decent amount of money. You just need the right venue to sell it. Those looking for cash for gold should definitely check out The Gold Standard as it is an excellent resource for selling gold and jewelry online. My own personal experience with this service has been quite positive and I would recommend it to anyone.Check them out at http://www.gold-cash.com/

Hulk 171

AM Caro — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Yes, I was going to sit down and write a number of mini-reviews on several excellent comics that I recently perused. (Luke Cage Noir and Superman and Batman’s dealing with the Black Lanterns definitely deserve a mention) Unfortunately, my time commitments got the best of me and I was stuck doing a lot of extra work this week. Rather than skip out on making a new entry I though I would return to an old staple that I have not updated in a while – CLASSIC COVERS! This time, we turn the clock both to 1974 and the early inception of this blog and check out the cover to The Incredible Hulk 171.

We last looked at this issue a couple years ago when we mentioned the classic Power Records book and record set of this particular comic. As a comic book, the issue is okay. It really should have been a three part story arc. In the book and record form, it is so well put together that it really deserves a solid look and listen. Now, the cover itself is utterly brilliant. It is most definitely the type of cover that will make you want to rush out and purchase the book. So, here it is, the cover to Hulk 171.
==========================================================================================

Mass Notifications

AM Caro — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:15:00 GMT

Some information is so important that it has to be disseminated immediately. Of course, this raises questions as to HOW it can be disseminated quickly. Those working with the mass notification system offered by AMG Alerts (amgalerts.com) will discover it is much easier to make people aware of information than every before. That is why such a service may be worth exploring.

Business Insurance

AM Caro — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:11:00 GMT

Are you currently owning and operating your own business? If so, you should look into affordable premiums for business insurance since this can greatly help you maintain your investment. There are a number of calamities that can befall a business. That is why it is best to have the proper insurance in place.

On Superman

AM Caro — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:07:00 GMT

The great Superman, what an iconic character he is. What a shame he does not receive the respect he is due in comics. Without Superman, most of what we know today as the world of comic books would not exist. Yes, there was Batman and Captain America, but did they really capture the imagination of children in the way Superman could? Superman was the all-powerful father figure who was invulnerable to what mere mortals could throw at him. This is what made him such a special and unique character. However, it was also his undoing. No child could grow up to be Superman and such realizations lead them to more traditional and somewhat realistic heroes. This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. It’s just the way it is as far as superheroes go. But, it you have any preconceptions of who Superman is, I strongly recommend checking out the current appearances of the character in DC Comics. You may discover a new look to Superman you previously were unaware of.

Weight Loss

AM Caro — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:36:00 GMT

It is never easy to lose weight. Thankfully, there are products available on the market that can help you keep the weight off. There are helpful weight loss pills that can work wonders for reducing those extra pounds we can find quite difficult to contend with. Exploring the benefits of these supplements is recommended considering the value they possess.

Dracula Has Risen From The Grave Television Spot

AM Caro — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:31:00 GMT

Here is a really cool follow up to the previous post on DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE. Well, it is not so much a follow up as much as it is another YouTube video. This one is a LONG LOST television spot for the film. This is truly a time capsule because they DO NOT make television spots like this anymore. Yes, this spot is somewhat corny but it is effective. You have to remember, most horror movies in the 1960s were advertised on late night television horror programs. These programs mainly aired old black and white films that drew a kid’s audience. Some of these kid’s could even be coaxed into venturing into a theater for more modern fair. That is why oddball commercials such as this creepy TV spot were produced. They were designed to capture the imagination of little kids, frighten them, and get them to buy tickets! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Push Grills

AM Caro — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:36:00 GMT

If you are someone who is interested in customizing a truck, you might wish to check out the push bars offered by carid.com. These grills can truly add to the visual look of a truck and, best of all, they can be acquired at a low rate. Push bars are becoming enormously popular these days. Why not check out what Carid.com has to offer?

Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)

AM Caro — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:27:00 GMT

Since I have been adding YouTube clips on this site for a while now, I figured I would take the time to mention this classic Hammer Horror film since I watched on YouTube last night. Wow. It has been well over two decades since I have seen it and I really do have to rank it alongside Horror of Dracula and Scars of Dracula as the best of the Christopher Lee Hammer Dracula films.

What I liked most about this sequel is we get a much more aggressive Dracula that is actively involved in the plot of the film. In most other Dracula outings, the King of the Vampires is relegated to supporting role. This is unfortunate as Lee surely could have handled a much more complex portrayal. But, budget was always an issue with the Hammer films and that means there was not always much they could do with the character since the scope of the film was limited. What a shame.

Those that do want to see a truly thrilling and – dare it be said – frightening Dracula film, this is one to check out. I first saw it on an old black and white TV when it aired on UHF in the late 1970s. It popped up repeatedly on TV throughout the 1980s. It ended up on TNT with the rest of the Hammer library in the 1990s but I didn’t catch on cable in those days. Ditto for its Sci-Fi Channel and AMC airings over the past decades. Geez, this film has never been out of circulation and I haven’t seen it since 1988? Where have I been? =================================================================================

Skin Care

AM Caro — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:45:00 GMT

Taking care of your skin is not always easy. That is why it is helpful to purchase a day moisture cream that can help your skin maintain a look that is healthy and youthful. Daily application of these creams can most definitely deliver a great help to restoring the skin to its pristine appearance. That is why they are so recommended.

Netbooks

AM Caro — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:22:00 GMT

If you need a laptop that is easy to carry, you should definitely consider anyone of a number of netbooks that are currently for sale. These computers are very lightweight laptops that deliver all the functions of a laptop while being much better designed for those on the go. There are many great netbooks on the market at a variety of prices. So, no matter what your budget, you can find an excellent model for your needs.

Ultimatum 5 of 5

AM Caro — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:23:00 GMT

It seems to me that the days of self-contained, single issues or two to four part storylines are becoming a thing of the past. Okay, they really aren’t but bear with me. The more comics I read these days, the more obvious it appears major events are almost always a result of a major story arc that features crossovers and tie-ins throughout the universe. Sometimes the writers hit a home run with these crossovers and sometimes their results fall below expectations. With the final issue of Ultimatum, we are treated with a truly stunning conclusion to a series that completely blew me away.

The Ultimate Universe is one that I follow religiously. The writing is excellent at times but slips into downbeat and dreary territory often. Such writing can be a REAL turnoff and I don’t feel I am alone in such sentiments. People read comics to be enlightened and entertained. They don’t want to be depressed. That said, the final issue of Ultimatum is hardly one that is bright eyed and cheery. In fact, you could call it somewhat nihilistic as many characters face the ultimate price for committing crimes that are just not forgivable. Sadly, a number of heroes also meet their end trying to end the carnage these villains have brought upon the world.