Month: December 2020

BRUCE WAYNE: THE ROAD HOME – BATMAN & ROBIN # 1 (2010 DC Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

Written by Fabian Nicieza

Art by Cliff Richards & Ian Hannin

Cover Art by Shane Davis & Barbara Ciardo

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Outside Looking In,” this one-shot was published by DC Comics for December 2010. Wearing stealth armor, Bruce Wayne scouts the chemistry between Dick Grayson’s Batman and his son Damian Wayne (as Robin) in action vs. the Hangmen gang. Working with Tim Drake’s Red Robin, Bruce determines a new assignment for Tim. Meanwhile, Vicki Vale senses a career-altering scoop, as she is dangerously close to exposing the Bat-Family. Bruce Wayne’s nefarious impersonator (Dr. Tommy Elliot, aka Hush) is another threat to Vicki’s immediate safety.

REVIEW:

The visuals are solid (including its Kim Basinger-like Vicki Vale with a blonde bob haircut) from artists Cliff Richards & Ian Hannin. However, this art duo misfires on Bruce Wayne’s age. Instead of his mid-to-late thirties, their Bruce Wayne appears maybe thirty years old. Seeing this inexplicably younger Bruce without his armored helmet is just confusing, as the artwork makes him look too much like Dick Grayson.

In a clever gimmick, Bruce’s private comments on lined notebook paper occasionally mirror Vicki Vale’s own observations. Better yet, writer Fabian Nicieza believably portrays Vicki Vale as a far savvier photojournalist than her character normally is. Lastly, these supposedly secret ‘tests’ that all-knowing Bruce Wayne is conducting on his own most trusted associates seem too pretentiously vain and heavy-handed, even for him. Still, this story is a decent enough Bat-read (particularly, Vicki Vale’s sub-plot). Its premise just isn’t all that satisfying, as Vicki Vale vs. Tommy Eliot is better-played than Bruce Wayne’s condescending games.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A five-page color excerpt from Teen Titans # 88 is included as a preview. DC Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler hypes some upcoming projects in the single-page DC Nation column.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic Soundtracks (CD's)

DEAD ON THE MONEY (by Andy Taylor: Tequila Sunrise movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:05 Min.

From Tequila Sunrise’s 1988 movie soundtrack, Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor goes solo on this hard-to-find hard rock tune. However, one should beware that the pulsating song is heavy on sexual innuendo.

REVIEW:

It’s a shame that only a few seconds of Andy Taylor’s hard-charging rock solo serve as mood enhancement in the film’s background. Even twenty-plus years later, Taylor’s work on this tune is loud and electrifying. “Dead on the Money” offers an adrenaline-boosting option for a workout playlist – then again, it’s just as good for 80’s-themed hard rock/soundtrack playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

Note: Also recommended is Taylor’s “When the Rain Comes Down” from 1986. It appears on the Miami Vice, Volume II TV series soundtrack,. An extended version of “When the Rain Comes Down” is available on Taylor’s 1987 album, Thunder.

Classical, Electronica, & New Age Individual Tracks (CD's) Rock, R&B, Pop, Soul, & Metal/Symphonic

CHILDREN – DREAM VERSION (by Robert Miles: Dreamland)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 7:04 Min.

For his 1996 dance-electronica album, Dreamland, composer-musician Robert Cocina (aka Robert Miles) performs this instrumental (Track # 1) in an expansion of its radio form. The track’s brief intro is a thunderstorm followed by the sound of birds chirping, with drizzling rain in the backdrop.

Notes: The four-minute radio version of “Children” appears on this compilation album: Ultimate Dance Party 1997, Volume 1. Also, Miles includes the song’s ‘original’ version (running time of 6:19) as Track # 10 on Dreamland.

REVIEW:

The pulsating beat delivers a dynamite electronica sound that reverberates as well as it did a quarter-century ago. For fans of contemporary dance instrumentals, this version of “Children” (no matter what its title is supposed to refer to) is recommended. However, the evidently rare four-minute version heard on the radio (without the extra techno-bells and whistles) is just as good, if not better.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital)

CHANGE THE WORLD (by Eric Clapton: Complete Clapton)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:54 Min.

Originally released in 1996, this low-key tune is the primary theme of the John Travolta sci-fi/fantasy film, Phenomenon. Among other albums this song has appeared on is 2007’s Complete Clapton CD. This version of the song is considered Eric Clapton’s “standard release” edition.

REVIEW:

Imbued with a low-key Clapton performance, its leisurely-paced melody is blessed with thoughtful lyrics that any romantic daydreamer can relate to. “Change the World” is well-composed, as Clapton’s distinctive voice brings this love song to life with the right degree of poignancy. The track is certainly worth re-discovery.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

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Country, Folk, & Bluegrass Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows

CALL IT LOVE (by Crystal Bernard: The Girl Next Door)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:23 Min.

From her 1996 The Girl Next Door album, Crystal Bernard from NBC TV’s Wings performs this country-western tune.

REVIEW:

The song sounds fine, but it doesn’t stand out on Bernard’s album. When included with the complete The Girl Next Door, “Call It Love” is still a worthy effort. Otherwise, there are some better songs by Bernard – among them is Track 10: “When You Took Your Love Away.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

BLACK MAGIC (by Little Mix: Get Weird)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:31 Min.

Released in 2015 by Little Mix, it’s a track from their Get Weird album.

REVIEW:

Unlike the one-dimensional sound of Fifth Harmony’s similarly cheery 2016 “That’s My Girl,” this pop-dance tune from Little Mix is fully developed. Instead of merely repeating a likable chorus verbatim and calling it a song, Little Mix’s vocals impressively deliver multiple verses — no matter how standard-issue the lyrics are. While the end result is what one might expect from a Disney Channel soundtrack, “Black Magic” holds up well for this genre.

For pre-teen playlists, this bubble-gum tune would make a good option.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Individual Tracks (CD's) Jazz & Blues Music & Radio Shows

BAYOU MAHARAJAH (by The Harry Connick Jr. Trio: Lofty’s Roach Soufflé)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:40 Min.

It’s the concluding track off The Harry Connick, Jr. Trio’s 1990 instrumental album, Lofty’s Roach Soufflé. With Connick, Jr. on piano, the trio consists of Benjamin Wolfe (bass) and Shannon Powell (drums). Connick, Jr. composed this tune.

REVIEW:

Boasting a timeless sound, this pleasantly rollicking tune is a welcome treat for jazz buffs. “Bayou Maharajah” is an ideal choice for travel playlists, as its toe-tapping liveliness should boost any tired commuter’s spirits up.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Individual Tracks (CD's) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

UNDERNEATH THE LOVELY LONDON SKY (by Lin-Manuel Miranda: Mary Poppins Returns movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:46 Min.

Recorded for 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns movie soundtrack, Lin-Manuel Miranda performs its opener. Some of this track can be heard in at least one of the film’s trailers.

REVIEW:

This Broadway-like tune can be best described as poignant, light-hearted, and majestic at all the right instrumental moments. As its vocalist, Lin-Manuel Miranda imbues the lyrics of “(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky” with effervescent charm. Yet, his fake Cockney accent isn’t so much annoying, as it’s an unfortunate distraction. Suffice to say, overplaying this accent doesn’t serve Miranda particularly well. As is, the tune is a decent opener. For those would have preferred a pure instrumental, Tracks # 15 (“Mary Poppins Returns – Closing Theme”) by Paul Gemignani has only a 1:38 running time, but it’s a partial alternative.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

Note: The album’s dialogue-heavy fourteen track includes Miranda’s brief reprise.

Comic Books & Graphic Novels DC Comics

BRIGHTEST DAY AFTERMATH: THE SEARCH FOR SWAMP THING # 1 (2011 DC Comics)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

Written by Jonathan Vankin

Art by Marco Castiello; Vincenzo Acunzo; Barb Ciardo; & Sal Cipriano

Cover Art by Ardian Syaf; Vicente Cifuentes; & Ulises Arreola

SUMMARY:

Published by DC Comics for August 2011, the opener for this three-part mini-series begins in London with John Constantine receiving an ‘invitation’ to find the Swamp Thing at Kew’s Royal Botanical Gardens. An ominous plant attack sends Constantine scurrying to Gotham City seeking Batman’s help. Constantine easily dispatches a Gotham taxi carjacker in his effort to locate the Dark Knight.

After conferring with Commissioner Gordon re: a mobster’s bizarre tree-related death, Dick Grayson’s Batman has a volatile run-in with a surly Constantine. In Zatanna Zatara’s presence, Constantine advises Batman of the mystical link between Swamp Thing and the long-dead Alec Holland. Yet, what environmental chaos is ensuing if a resurrected Holland and the Swamp Thing are now separate beings?

Note 1: Despite his central presence on the cover, Superman isn’t in this issue.

Note 2: Artist J.G. Jones produced a variant cover (its image isn’t available here).

REVIEW:

Impressively bolstered by its artwork (including a stellar cover image), writer Jonathan Vankin smartly resurrects aspects of Constantine’s old link to the missing Swamp Thing. This issue certainly conjures up an intriguing mystery re: the Swamp Thing’s fate. Vankin also delivers some spot-on dialogue, especially as Constantine’s chemistry with Dick Grayson’s skeptical Batman and resentful ex-flame Zatanna hit the right marks. This Batman’s simmering impatience and lack of familiarity with Constantine, in particular, is darkly humorous. Combining a solid storyline with top-caliber art, The Search for Swamp Thing # 1 is very much a fun read.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Spanning eight pages, there is a dubiously forgettable Justice League team-up with NBA star Blake Griffin and racecar driver Carl Edwards in a Subway comic book promotion. DC Design Director Creative Services’ Jim Fletcher pitches a single-page “DC Nation” column heavily hyping the 2011 Green Lantern movie. This issue’s tie-in ads are virtually all Green Lantern-related.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars