Trigger Warning

 

- Trigger Warning: Short fictions and disturbances. Neil Gaiman. 

Gaiman’s third short story collection, after “Smoke and mirrors” and “Fragile things” offers another mix of fantasy, horror, humor —with some sci-fi even, plus poetry, short-shorts and even a novella! All dealing with sudden changes in the world, as noted by both title and introduction. Even Gaiman’s traditional short story hidden in the Introduction!

Far less shocking than a title like “trigger warning” would suggest, yet it’s a very good, very enjoyable collection. often more memorable than the previous “Fragile things”. There is a recurrent theme of fairytales, folklore and rituals. Some brought to modern times, others essentially taking place in all eras and none. All sort of familiar faces show up, from assorted folk characters to tv personalities like Dr. Who and even Gaiman’s own Shadow (of the novel “American Gods” and others). Also famous fairytale and literary characters here and there. 

On the whole, accessible both to longtime Gaiman fans and to newcomers. While not entirely on par with his 90’s work, certainly the pinnacle of his creativity, it’s still very much a kind of book downright needed nowadays. Both stimulating and thought-provoking. 

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November 2022 Extras

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Also read / watched in the month: 

TV SHOWS

LIVE ACTION

- The midnight club. 

Inspired by assorted books from 90’s YA horror author Christopher Pike (not just the titular one). Good companion to other recent adaptations of YA / Children’s horror —like the "Fear Street" and "Goosebumps" movies (all drawn from R. L. Stine), or “Scary tales to tell in the dark” —and one would be tempted to include the tv series “I know what you did last summer”, had that one not been a disappointment. 

In any case, The midnight club is a fairly entertaining thriller that, like the Fear Street movie trilogy, brings the diversity (in particular the Queerness) that was barely present in the original books. 

- Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of curiosities. 

Fairly entertaining horror anthology. Though at times it’s little more than a new season of “Masters of Horror”, rather than the Twilight Zone vibe it seems to be aiming for, it’s nevertheless worth a look for horror aficionados. 

- The boys (season 1). 

Media satire disguised as a bad-taste superhero parody. Better than one would expect from the trailers, if still more clever than intelligent. Still, worth a look —definitely not for everyone, however. 

ANIMATED

- Dead end: Paranormal park. (season 2)

Extraordinary dark fantasy for children, notable both for the queer elements (that are here an integral part of the story) and for becoming an apologia for rebellion against God. Quite recommended. 

- Zootopia+. 

Shorts derived from the famous movie. Nicely animated and amusing, if short enough to count almost as deleted scenes. Still, pretty entertaining. 

- Sailor Moon Crystal. (Seasons 1 - 2)

The much maligned second anime adaptation of the world-famous manga —I found it to hold up surprisingly well. Perhaps it works much better completely ignoring the Fandom Discourse around it, both positive and negative, and simply watching this one on its own merits. 

WEBCOMIC

- Some other animal’s meat. Emily Carroll. 

Excellently creepy horror comic from a master of the genre. The basis for a Cabinet of curiosities episode that truly did not do justice to the original. 

MOVIES

- Sailor Moon R: The movie. 

- Sailor Moon S: The movie. 

- Sailor Moon SuperS: The movie. 

The movies spun off from the original anime all hold up nicely, each with their own themes and aesthetic.

- Sing.

So-so animated musical. While entertaining and nice to look at, something is missing and overall is fairly unmemorable. 

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Spooky comics.

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Read the following comic book anthologies: 

- Archie Halloween Spectacular. 

- Archie & Friends Thrills and Chills. 

- Jinx: Grim fairy tales. 

- Weirder mysteries. 

From Archie comics; the first two all-ages, the latter rated Teen. Somewhat slim, but pretty fun, suitably spooky. 

- Infinite Halloween. 

- The multiverse who laughs.

From DC comics. Scary tales set in the DC Universe, often to its detriment —the first volume is 13 tales that feel like they would be much better without the superhero element (not to mention as a stand-alone). The second is possibly the apotheosis of fandom obsession with things they ultimately dislike —familiar DC stories, diving deep into decades of continuity, but all re-told as something of a gross-out contest. 

- Tales from the darkside. 

IDW adaptation of a failed tv revival from Joe Hill. As is typical of Hill a little too weird for Horror, yet firmly unwilling to let his tales be anything BUT horror, and thus too cynical for Fantasy. 

- Creepshow.

Image revival of the famous anthology movies —much better, and the most successful anthology of this list, after the Archie ones —very much for adults in this case. 

Fun little bunch for the end of the spooky season. 

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Something wicked this way comes

 

- Something wicked this way comes. Ray Bradbury. 

To the quaint Green Town, Illinois, a strange carnival has come, bringing Halloween with it at least a week earlier. For most of the residents, it means something delightful… perhaps even tempting —it offers certain things they badly desire. For two boys, it is a nightmare come true. And for one of the boys’ weary father, it may well come to represent something else…

Seminal dark fantasy novel by Bradbury; a book whose influence is writ large in so much latter fiction. From latter 20th century classic horror / fantasy authors (ranging as diverse as Stephen King, R. L. Stine and Richard Matheson) to more general fiction for children. A mix of horrific, sentimental and even subtly erotic. 

However, the novel itself is undeniably dated. The sentimental parts now and then feel corny, to say nothing of eyebrow-raising (that last chapter in particular…). The characters’ motivations can often feel unpleasantly moralistic. And to top it off, it’s a rare case in which Bradbury’s ornamental prose sometimes gets in the way of his own tale, often obscuring rather than emphasizing. 

Sometimes it even feels like other books closely tied to this one —such as the short story collection “The illustrated man” —hold up much better. 

Still, a classic that is worth a look for both historical value (genre history especially) and as part of Bradbury’s multi-faceted world. 

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Menace from the deep

- Killer Species #1: Menace from the deep. Michael P. Spradlin.

Emmet Doyle, the son of a famous wildlife expert, has just moved against his will to the Florida Everglades swamps. But the reason his father has been summoned is nothing ordinary. There is a new predator species it seems —something that looks alarming man-made. Something that is preying on snakes and boas... and might well soon hunger for something else... When Emmet and and another scientist’s son, Calvin Geaux, run afoul of one of the new beasts, they will learn just how dangerous a new invasive species can be. Particularly when driven by human arrogance…

Very entertaining 2013 sci-fi yarn for children, the first in a four-book series about genetically engineered monsters. Drawing cues from famous sci-fi thrillers a la Michael Crichton or Arthur Herzog, it quite surpasses Crichton and about matches Herzog —with bonus point for this being a book for children that in many ways is far better written than too many thrillers for adults. The good handling of influences results in both convincing scientific mumbo-jargon and fairly believable characters. 

While the suspense and creature attack scenes can be somewhat lacking it’s nevertheless a breezy, entertaining read. Recommended overall. 

*

Werewolf by night

 - Werewolf by night. (2022. Dir. Michael Giacchino)

Five monster hunters gather for a special hunt —whoever can snuff a monster on the loose will gain the mythical artifact know as the Bloodstone. Among them are seasoned hunters (one with 100 confirmed kills!), an unwelcome special guest and more. But everyone involved has a few plans of their own —soon, the lines between hunter and hunted will be blurred…

Surprisingly effective halloween special drawn from the Marvel comics (and thankfully keeping the connection to the bloated MCU to a minimum), and effectively functioning as an old-fashioned monster yarn. Give or take a few more modern touches, that is —from the mix of practical and cg effects to certain updates for the characters (dig Jack’s skull makeup!). Dig also delightfully ghoulish touches such as the puppeteered corpse playing host. 

A satisfyingly entertaining yarn for the spooky season!

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Into the pit

 - Fazbear Frights #1: Into the pit. Scott Cawthon & Elley Cooper. 

A collection of three short stories: Into the pit, To be beautiful, and Count the ways, plus an epilogue. The first in a twelve (and a bonus 13) book series in the vein of Goosebumps and imitators (horror books for children), and presented as spun off the infamous video game franchise “Five nights at Freddy’s”. All twelve books are linked by the epilogues which form the story of the Stitchwraith. 

The entire Franchise has been and remains heavily criticized due to creator Cawthon’s repugnant morals and political actions. Beyond that, where the game has been often mocked for its bare-bones story and structure (even considering that it’s intended for children), this book series presents the curiosity of being intended for children yet featuring an unusually high level of gore, dismemberment and other similar violent actions. While also thorough omitting the very notion of queer people, to better fit said repugnant morals. 

In themselves the stories are formulaic or rather typical of the genre: All child characters express a certain wish (to have a fun summer, to be conventionally pretty, to be left alone) and all are punished in extreme ways for it. 

“Into the pit” has the protagonist discovering a portal to 1985, then paying the prize of his father being replaced with a supposedly murderous animatronic. But as the rabbit character doesn’t actually do anything menacing in the entire story, the fact that our protagonist eventually hangs him to death feels less like a valiant action than to hinting that we are following a budding sociopath. 

“To be beautiful” has, as far too many tales of the ilk, a young female character who is both relentless mocked by the very narration for her appearance (the very first words in this tale are “fat and flat”), and then punished for wanting to be different —complete with a lovely description of body bags filled with severed human parts. Moral tales at their most annoying. 

“Count the ways” likewise mocks our young female protagonist for dressing in the Goth style and daring to have a romantic idea of death (the story entirely glosses over the idea of goth boys), leading her to be dismissed as judgmental for not having friends and then ambiguously killed by a surprisingly chatty animatronic. 

In sort —delivers what it promises but for this particular genre (horror for children)… believe me, there are better options out there. 

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. (2022. Dir. George C. Wolfe)

During a sweltering summer day in 1927, singer Ma Rainey, dubbed The Mother of Blues, is en route to a recording session. As her band waits for her and rehearses, the musicians share anecdotes about daily frustrations —sometimes, about deeply rooted horrors. In particular, ambitious Levee clashes with his older, religious, somewhat uptight bandmates. Rainey meanwhile wages a careful battle between her ego and the constant menace of losing her carefully calculated privileges. All passions and frustrations will come out with music. Thus the recording session becomes a day of soul-searching —precisely what the true blues is all about! 

Terrific film adaptation of the classic August Wilson stage-play, itself loosely based on real-life anecdotes. From the careful recreation of the era’s fashions to the powerhouse performances and the thorough dissection of racial conflicts then and now. The commentary on the violence that is sometimes performed between the oppressed as the only valve left to them itself remains both shocking and poignant. And of course, there's the highly energetic musical performances. 

In sort, not to be missed. 

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September 2022 extras.

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Also seen...

Two Docu-series: 

- The real Bling Ring: Hollywood heist. Somewhat smarmy examination of the famous robbery club, with a light slap on the wrist directed at lowbrow reality tv culture. 

- El caso Cassez-Vallarta: Una novela criminal. Somber examination of a notorious case involving Mexico and France, which becomes a condemnation of deeply corrupt government institutions. Worth a look. 

One live-action show: 

- The devil in Ohio. So-so domestic melodrama disguised as a satanic thriller. 

One Anime series: 

- Golden Kamuy. 3 seasons. Excellent adaptation of the notorious manga. An adventure yarn with heavy, healthy doses of homoeroticism and over-the-top antics. 

And two movies. 

- Snyder’s Justice League. Four-hour movie that if fused with the theatrical cut would result in an actually pretty good film. Certainly above most current superhero films but that is a very low bar to clear. 

- See how they run. Fairly entertaining mystery-comedy that starts annoying but manages to become increasingly charming as it goes on. Might make a fine double feature with the vastly superior “Knives Out”. 

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August 2022 extra.

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Also watched / read: 

ANIMATED TV SHOWS

- Dead End: Paranormal Park. 

Terrific all-ages mystery with horror touches, notable also for a trans gay boy being one of the leads. Based on a webcomic (that is, shall we say, intended for an older audience). Good atmosphere and intriguing plot.

- The legend of the three caballeros. 

Something of a cult show, or perhaps a bridge between 90’s Disney cartoons (off-the-wall approaches to classic characters) and their current-day counterparts (a more cynical humor and a teensy bit of envelope-pushing). Very entertaining. 

COMICS

- DC Pride 2022.

- DC Pride: Tim Drake Special. 

- Marvel Voices:  Pride (2022).

- Marvel Voices: Indigenous Voices. 

- Marvel Voices: Heritage.

- Marvel Voices: Comunidades. 

Assorted anthologies from the ‘big two’ (re: mainstream American superhero comics) centered on minorities —three about queer characters, two about Native American characters, one about Latino characters. All offer a welcome variety in their approaches to themes and representation. All feel like they could have gone much farther, but it is very much a step in the right direction.

MOVIES

- Black Panther. (Re-watched)

Holds up remarkably well less as representative of the by now bloated genre of live action superhero movies —than as the film that brought Afrofuturism to the mainstream. Still worth at least one watch. 

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The bad seed

 

- The Bad Seed. William March. 

During a long summer while her husband is away, Christine Penmark finds herself puzzled by the behavior of daughter Rhoda. The eight year old is so clever, charming, smart —maybe a touch too much for her age. And then there is her innate capability to charm adults around her, though other children seem to dislike and fear her. And of course, all those strange incidents that sometimes happen around Rhoda, all those mysterious deaths… But it’s not until Christine starts a careful research that she discovers just how deeply evil runs in the family…

Classy psycho-thriller from 1954, the quintessential evil child story —this specific sub-genre was not invented by The Bad Seed, but it is the most classic, essential example of it. Rhoda in that sense is the grande dame of a venerable line of murderous tykes. But the novel is less interested in detailing her often shocking exploits as it is in the chilling, slowly unraveling obsession that consumes distraught Christine as the danger she and everybody around them is in becomes increasingly impossible to deny. 

A slow-paced novel peopled with convincingly realistic characters and spiced with the occasional lurid twist. Quite recommended. 

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Nope.

 

- Nope. (2022. Dir. Jordan Peele). 

After a freak accident kills their father, siblings OJ and Em attempt to keep their family business afloat -the breeding of trained horses for films. Meanwhile, ambitious Jupe, a former child star who survived an horrific incident in the set of a Sitcom years ago, is running a profitable if highly tacky Western theme park. Jupe’s latest scheme involving the siblings' horses concerns the mother of all spectacles: Seemingly proof of extraterrestrial intelligence! But no revelation awaits these determined people —only more horror and a harsh lesson about just how cruel nature can be…

Peele’s latest film continues the social themes he examined in his previous “Get Out” and “Us”. Once again he uses what first appear to be familiar genre tropes (this time the notion of an alien invasion) but soon reveal themselves to be something quite different: A parable about the exploitation of tragedies and wild nature for cheap spectacle. Like them, it’s a movie that opens itself to several interpretations thanks to the myriad themes touched upon. There is our very obsession with seeing, with image. The desire to dominate nature, and the sometimes harrowing results it leads to. And of course, Peele’s constant themes of social and racial issues that derive in the way we frame the stories we tell. 

A movie that is both powerful shocker and subtle think piece, quite recommended. 

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Batman: The world.

 

- Batman: The world. (Various) 

I’ve been reading several DC and Marvel anthologies this month —was planning to simply make a general overview of them at the end. This one, though, is curious enough to merit an individual blurb. 

“The world” is an anthology featuring 14 tales, each set in a different country and made by writers and artists from the country in question —herein the curiosity. Assorted cultures’ take on the iconic comic book superhero (sometimes guest-starring other famous DC characters). 

At worst this kind of international anthology but focused on a US property can feel somewhat like a tourist travel brochure —like a  continuation of Disney’s “Saludos, Amigos” and “The three caballeros” (I’ve ALSO been watching more media inspired by those two films. To be sure, there is something at once fascinating and puzzling about the very existence of the characters Jose Carioca and Panchito Pistoles —their actual impact on Latino culture, both good and bad, say). 

At best, these can serve as an invitation for readers to seek more of other cultures’ output, to expand one’s repertoire. 

Did this anthology accomplish the second? Or did people just plain saw a curiosity and moved on? That, to be honest, is up to each person. I’m more interested in what kind of stories this little experiment produced. 

So let’s go by nations: 

- An intro from the US that compares Gotham City to a wife. So-so start, but with lovely art. 

- Europe —the largest section, encompassing eight countries (France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, Poland). To different degrees they feel like their statement is “Well, THIS is what we have that you in America don’t have”. Which is not to say they are of bad quality. Some propose rather unique concepts —some are happy to just be “Batman visits X tourist town”. 

- Latin-America (Mexico and Brazil) —these are much more interested in social ills (unchecked, highly violent crime fueled by political corruption —and the way US intervention only serves to exacerbate those problems), with a certain spattering of… shall we call it ‘Magical Realism’ or just plain ‘Fantasy elements’?

- Asia (South Korea, China, Japan) —and these are much more interested in just plain having fun. Interestingly they feel almost like a response to all the previous stories: There’s social ills, discussions of technological use for criminology, and talks about censorship. But all take a rather tongue-in-cheek approach to it, peppered with a certain mix of humor and action. 

On the whole, a comic that can well serve as an introduction to… the world, as the title says. 

Not bad!

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Movies (extra)

 

As of the end of July 2022, also saw: 

- The black phone.

- Elvis. 

- White house down. 

Not much to say; all are effective mainstream films. A supernatural thriller (based on a short story by Joe Hill), a musical biopic (by Baz Luhrmann, which tells you everything about if you’d like it or not) and a ‘patriotic’ thriller (by Roland Emmerich, which again tells you if you’d like it or not). 

It’s been one interesting month, highs and lows…

I suppose the one notable thing about these films is finding out that the director of the first Universal Soldier, the above mentioned Emmerich, is gay, which might well explain why that movie is one of my favorite let’s call it ‘guilty indulgence’ films —always did feel there was this, let’s call it gay eye to the way it was shot.

The Snagglepuss Chronicles

 

- Exit stage left: The Snaglepuss chronicles. By Mark Russell, Mike Feehan, et at. 

In 1953, famous playwright Snaglepuss is enjoying a hugely successful life as an American Cultural Icon. Even a preliminary hearing from the deranged House of Un-American Activities Committee could not do much to soil his reputation. But evil does not rest easily —and it has already hit so many of his personal friends and colleagues. It has claimed the life of his best friend. Now he must engage in a final battle not for himself but for dignity of gays all across the world…

What at first seems a bizarre attempt to bring famous cartoon characters to a world frighteningly resembling ours soon reveals itself as one of the best comics in years. The most memorable examinations of past eras are not only about the period being examined but about the era in which they are written. As Miller writes “The Crucible” ostensibly about the witch-hunts in Salem —but truly to critique the many crimes of McCarthysm, then this comic examines 50’s cold war paranoia to staunchly expose several contemporary (this comic was collected in 2018) attitudes. Say, the anti-kink discourse demanding that gays present a squeaky-clean image for ‘respectability’, not unlike a 50’s senator deflecting her guilt in causing the suicide of an important literary figure. “I never intended… if he had just kept it private…”. Cowards always blame everyone but themselves. 

In this study of 50’s gay life, Snaglepuss is almost an answer to that other legendary furry comic about the 50’s — Blacksad. And as Blacksad’s one flaw was its timid portrayal of gay and generally queer issues, then Snaglepuss corrects that one grave omission. That it uses a famous pink panther character (one of a few, you could argue) in contrast to the also famous black cat is remarkably fitting —a cherry on top, if you will. 

And there is so much more to discuss about this comic —about the alternate history of a world where humans and furries exist side by side (the author kindly includes a few historical notes at the ending). Or about the meta-textual presentation of theater, television, and eventually cartoons (in a comic). But all are best served by you reading and discussing this comic. 

In sort, quite recommended. 

*

Crimes of the future.

- Crimes of the future. (Canada, 2022. Dir. David Cronenberg)

Pollution and climate change have finally become irreversible. Among the wrecks is still mankind, clinging to bio machines that directly interface with and help control basic bodily functions. But now our bodies are changing. Some are growing vestigial organs —like performance artist Saul, who with his partner Caprice puts on live surgery art shows. Others may well be evolving into a new kind of human —a new kind of creature, that survives on plastic and toxic waste. But what mankind has not lost is the capacity for deceit… 

Triumphant return to body horror —or rather to new flesh —by Cronenberg. Another powerful, kinky, just-for-adults and thought provoking sci-fi yarn that invites us to both ponder and be thrilled —or repulsed! Alongside the expected icky creations (an autopsy table used for erotic performances, sculpted in the shape of a cockroach; a purple candy bar made of compressed toxic wastes; custom-made tattooed vestigial organs —and more!) —alongside them is a subtly complex conspiracy tale. 

Because more than half the cast are revealed to be faking their true sympathies and motives, so much of the movie can be called into question as we reach the final act. But this movie is not interested in proposing a mystery —it’s interested in the visceral, the intellectual… the intellectualizing of viscera. The philosophy of art, mutation and evolution. 

Slow-paced, sprinkled with intense performances and a fittingly seedy atmosphere. Not to be missed —though definitely not for everyone!

*

July 2022 extras

In addition to individually recapped books and others: 

TV SHOWS

- Working Moms, Season 6. 

A consistently entertaining Canadian sit-com. While cast and plot lines come and go, at its best it remains a solid show about the bond between women of (and past) a certain age. 

MOVIES

- Dr. Strange and the multiverse of madness. 

So-so superhero movie (or sci-fantasy if you prefer), one of the blandest depictions of the concept of multiple universes yet, and downright mean-spirited at times. 

- Shang-Chi and the legend of the ten rings. 

Better superhero movie, perhaps because it’s barely superhero —it’s more of a martial arts film on a Hollywood budget (and with certain Hollywood sensibilities, for good or bad). Pretty entertaining. 

*

Pride 6: Priscilla, queen of the desert.

Thus we end Pride month —which does not remotely mean an end to gay / queer media blurbs!

- The adventures of Priscilla, queen of the desert. (Australia, 1994. Dir. Stephan Elliott)

Two drag queens and a trans woman set out on a trek across the Australian outback onboard a bus they’ve dubbed “Priscilla”. A journey of several harsh clashes, revelations, camaraderie, a bit of romance —and tons of fabulous costumes, lip-synching and genuinely outrageous dance routines!

Classic queer movie, as well as one of the most famous Australian films of all time. The stunning outfits are only matched by the equally spectacular scenery and the rapid-fire bitchy humor remains highly influential to this very day. For that matter, the film is a major influence on several important queer artists (and authors) worldwide. 

Certainly some things have not aged so well, as can be expected of a 90’s production —the eyebrow-raising portrayal of the Filipino burlesque dancer, for instance. Perhaps the since-outdated terms referring to trans people, though that is portrayed in a quite sympathetic matter. Or maybe the surprisingly coy romance that eventually develops between two major characters —it gives the impression that some stuff was probably left in the cutting room. 

Other parts, however, have aged extremely well —a comedy that strikes the right balance between serious and light moments. A queer film positing that the approval of straights is irrelevant —community is what truly matters in these. And a certain camaraderie born from shared struggles. 

Quite recommended all in all, preferably discussed aplenty. 

*

Everything, Everywhere, All at once.

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- Everything, Everywhere, All at once. (2022. Dirs. Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert)

The Wangs are a struggling Chinese-American family, currently dealing with several issues —overwork, family conflict, IRS audits, and a treat from the Multiverse itself. 

Skeptical at first, then darkly amused, horrified, and finally determined, family matriarch Evelyn must journey through the multiverse to find what she needs to confront the ultimate evil that has taken ahold of Joy —her own daughter. They must learn to experience —everything, everywhere, all at once. 

Excellent movie that does not fit neatly into a single genre, taking a bit of everything. Family drama, Sci-fantasy, Adventure, Comedy… bit of philosophy, of meta-cinema, of over-the-top humor and understated tragedies… In sort, an Experience!!

A rare high-concept film that managed to win the sympathy of both critics and audiences, not to be missed. 

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