Bookended by Cats

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The Sandman - Netflix

Dangrdafne review:

I am again in love.

This time with Tom Sturridge as Sandman, Dream, Morpheus ... by any other name, he would be just as amazing in this role! Wow!

I have never read The Sandman but I know a lot about it from Brainwise and other friends who love the story and Neil Gaiman. I had no idea what to expect or if I would even like it. And I didn't like it.

I LOVED it! Although I will say having no background at all, I think there are some things that I missed and didn't understand. I am hopeful it is just a long game in the storytelling and it will all shake out in the end. But I am a little frustrated that we have watched the whole season and I still have questions. I guess I am more used to closed ended seasons, I will just have to let go and play along.

Death.

What a glorious actress and performance for Death, sister to Dream. Their moments on screen together are some of the best acting and story I have seen, and I have watched a lot of amazing shows lately. I am completely taken with Kirby Howell-Baptiste in this role. It would sound a little funny to say that I think she was born to play this role :) I know she is completely different than the original but both are perfection and both can live in this story without any issue from me.

Vivienne Acheamong as Lucienne is another favorite of mine. I just love watching and listening to her. She is the perfect companion to Dream and I am completely jealous of her :)

I also adore Vanesu Samunyai as Rose Walker. She is brilliant in the role and although her story seemed to flip the storytelling around from the opening of the series, it ended up fitting right in and led to an incredible conclusion.

The music, the cinematography, the characters and the actors who portray them, the costuming, the everything is done to perfection. Including the end credits art that you definitely should not skip.

Fair warning that there is lots of gore, violence and extremely difficult scenes but honestly they fit right in with our current times. I have to say that the show really affected me. I slept terribly each night we watched and I am not sure if was just The Sandman messing with my dreams or if the story lines had my mind working overtime. Worth every lost moment of sleep, mind you.

4 paws

Friday, August 12, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for April 12, 2022

[Vacation] -- The Go-Go's were the first all-female band that wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts. Their second studio album, Vacation, was one of those hit records, peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200. Released in 1982 at some point between July 20 and August 11 (depends on the source), Vacation is 40 years old this week! Although the title track is about a relationship rather than, um, going someplace fun, "Vacation" still became an anthem for travel, beaches, and road trips. So, now that we're nearly halfway through August and the new school year is practically around the corner, this is as good a time as any to feature a Vacation Flashback!

Along with "Vacation," there were two more singles from this album: "Get Up and Go" and "This Old Feeling." "Vacation" was the most successful single, hitting a peak of #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Get Up and Go" almost reached the top 40, peaking at #50. "Get Up and Go" appeared in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, as well as on the film's soundtrack. "This Old Feeling," however, failed to chart. Still, a top 10 album with two songs in the Billboard Hot 100? That's pop music success no matter how you look at it.

This week's embedded playlist includes the official music videos for "Vacation" and "Get up and Go," but if you want to see The Go-Go's performing an early version of "Vacation," check out this video.

Flashback: Vacation (1982)

That's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday, August 5, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for August 5, 2022

[Shangó] -- Our first Flashback for the month of August acknowledges the 40th anniversary of Santana's 13th studio album, Shangó. Very few fans would rank Shangó – released early in August 1982 – as their favorite Santana album. And there are those who consider it the very worst in the Santana catalog. But I find this disc to be highly listenable, and it even features a few highlights. After all, it did peak at #22 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart. And it's first single, "Hold On" (a remake of the song “Hold On,” by Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Thomas), charted well: It peaked at #15 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #17 on Billboard's Top Tracks charts. "Nowhere to Run," the album's second single, peaked at #66 and #13 on the Hot 100 and Mainstream Rock charts respectively. There's good guitar playing throughout, though if you like your Santana a bit more on the prog side, you might be disappointed. And tracks like "Nueva York," "Shango," and "Oxun (Oshun)" feature the kind of percussive grooves other bands try vainly to copy. The instrumental "Nueva York" in particular shines with percussion and organ riffs that harken back to Santana's earlier efforts.

Give it a try. It's not a great album, but it does hold up very well in retrospect.

Flashback: Shangó (August 1982)

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Ms. Marvel

Dangrdafne review

What a wonderful show! Diversity, culture, family, friendships, finding yourself, power, lessons to learn, history, healthy relationships, strong women, laughter, tears, and a comic book bought to life.

Excellent music and a great cast. Interesting story with lots of history and culture at the heart of it.

I do feel that they threw too much into 6 episodes and if you are new to the world, as I am, there are many things you don't understand and miss in each episode. Brainwise seemed to get a bit more from it as he has read the comics this is based on. Overall I think I followed along just fine and I don't think I missed anything crucial but I would say this show could have used 8 to 10 episodes and then they could have put in more detail and connections for those not in the know.

4 paws

Friday, July 29, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 29, 2022

[Emotions in Motion] -- Forty years ago this month, Billy Squier released his third solo studio album, Emotions in Motion (July 23, 1982). It is probably fair to say that Squier was at the peak of his hit-making powers. Emotions in Motion built on the success of his second LP, Don't Say No (1981), which spawned three hit singles, two of which reached the top 40. This 1982 album released five singles, two of which had more than moderate chart success. The title track, which was released with the album launch, peaked at #13 on the Canada RPM Top Singles, #68 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #20 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs, and #61 on the US Cash Box Top 100. Meanwhile, the second single, "Everybody Wants You," peaked at #1 US Billboard Top Rock Tracks as well as #32 and #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian RPM Top Singles respectively.

The success of those singles was enough to propel Emotions in Motion into the top five of Billboard's albums chart, making it Squier's second consecutive record to do so. One of my favorite tracks, "Learn How to Live," got considerable radio play even though it was never released as a single ... at least not in the U.S. I would say that Jeff Golub (April 15, 1955 – January 1, 2015), a jazz guitarist who worked with many rock musicians, was instrumental (heh) in Squier's rock radio success. Golub recorded six records with Billy Squier. Also of note: Queen's Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor sang backing vocals on "Emotions in Motion."

Flashback: Emotions In Motion (July 1982)

And that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The Book of Boba Fett

Dangrdafne review

I truly love the world of this show and The Mandalorian. They are intrinsically tied together and they use each other well. Jon Favreau knows his way around this world and is a great story teller. He puts so much life into faceless characters and droids and makes you care for each character.

I will say I did not love this show as much as The Mandalorian BUT since I adored The Mandalorian more than I could have imagined, that leaves a lot of love to still be shared with Boba Fett :)

The story telling was verrrrry different and I had trouble sometimes remembering where we were in the time line but I had faith it would all shake out in the end and it certainly did and in retrospect I liked the way the story was told. I think if it were told traditionally it would have been too plain and boring for the story and would have been a disservice to the characters.

And of course, I don't think this is a spoiler and sorry if it is, I extra loved the episodes with The Mandalorian in them. I was grateful that I didn't have to wait for season 3 to see him again.

Ming-Na is incredible as Fennec Shand in this series and is a perfect match for Boba Fett. She is strong and powerful and a great leader. I believe I would still like the Fennec Shand character even without Ming-Na BUT it is definitely enhanced because of her. She just brings such power to her roles and I appreciate how hard she works to be true the characters.

Again the music was incredible. It was a whole other character in the show and I love everything about it. I love that the characters have their music and then how it is used in the episodes to enhance scenes and the story. I am in awe of the creativity and talent required to create the music and add it to each show.

I loved how much we laughed, cheered, yelled and cried, oh yes we cried... so much. I am 100% invested in this world, the characters, the music, the stories, and every aspect of these shows. Making family from non-related characters is my favorite and Boba Fett brings it all!!

I remember being in Star Wars Land in Disney World in Orlando FL in February 2020 for the first (and only) time and falling in love with it. I don't really know why overall but I just loved it. It was immersive and amazing and it played to all my senses. I get that same feeling watching The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. I am all in and I can't wait to see more.

4 paws and a tail

and an extra 4 paws and a tail for the episodes with The Mandalorian in them ;)

Friday, July 22, 2022

Friday 80s Flashback for July 22, 2022

[Comics and SDCC!] -- Instead of celebrating another album that turned 40 in 2022, this week I'm honoring the return of SDCC, the San Diego Comic Con! This also continues a Comic-Con theme I've used over the past several years. This week's selections are 80s tunes inspired by, about, or somehow related to comic books. So, even though I unfortunately am not at SDCC this year (insert weeping and gnashing of teeth here), I'm still providing some Comic-Con related content.

Flashback #1: "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" – XTC (1981)

This track was so inspired by the DC Comics character, Sgt. Rock, that the 7" single included a poster that showed a Sgt. Rock comic. Well, the song isn't so much about the character as it is about a comic fan daydreaming that the character can help him win over his love interest.

Flashback #2: "I Am The Law" – Anthrax (1987)

A heavy metal / thrash tribute to UK comic 2000 AD’s most famous character, Judge Dredd.

Flashback #3: "Precious" – The Pretenders (1980)

This track includes the line "Now Howard the Duck and Mr. Stress both stayed/trapped in a world he never made." It's a tenuous connection, but I'll take it!

Well, those tracks are my three offerings, so that's all till next week. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag.

For reference, here are some of my previous SDCC-related Flashbacks:

As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.

I'll see you in seven!