The Comic Critic Reviews "Moon"

I was truly shocked when Moon did not receive an Oscar nomination. The only reason I can think it didn’t get a nod is because nearly all of the film involves only one actor. And while that might sound dull initially, the story is far from boring. In fact, the story is riveting. If your instincts tell you that some parts of the film might set you squirming in your seat, your instincts would be right. This film joins other overlooked notable sci-fi movies, such as “Dark Star,” “A Boy and His Dog,” and “Silent Running,” as highly deserving of recognition as great films. If you haven’t seen Moon, or the other movies I mentioned as classics of the genre, you should put them on your must-see list.

The Comic Critic reviews "Dead Snow"

I was really hoping to see Dead Snow in a movie theater last year, but there aren’t many theaters out there that carry Norwegian films. And those that do might just turn up their noses at one that’s filled with Nazi Zombies. You might think that there are lots of Nazi Zombie movies out there, but they are truly few and far between. I think I can count them all on one or two severed hands. Thankfully, it is now on DVD. I wonder if the commentary also has subtitles?

The Comic Critic Reviews The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying may not be the best film ever made, but it is a damn good film. The writing is exceptional. Just try to think of dialog that is one hundred percent honest, dialog without any exaggerations or embellishments. Raw honesty, in all of its spoken forms, is horrendously funny, intolerably cruel, and full of truth. It makes for a very heartwarming romantic comedy of a different stripe.

The Comic Critic Reviews District 9

District 9 has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Film, no big surprise given the political and moral undertone of the movie. I was very excited to see it and rather bummed that I missed it when it was up on the silver screen. My friend and movie buddy John Draper has been after me for weeks to review it. While he loved the way the film was shot as a mockumentary, the only time I didn’t feel distant from the characters was when it broke away from its mockumentary style. Its content more than encouraged me to feel engaged, but that deeper connection I wanted to feel with the characters came only at the end of the film.

The Return of Stickman #1083

Let's all try to make friends with the little guy.

The Return of Stickman #1037 and The Comic Critic Reviews Zombieland

I saw this film with Elliot Trotter and several of his friends. Elliot is a co-founder of The Cartoonists’ League of Absurd Washingtonians, otherwise known as The CLAW. I’d hoped some fellow members of CLAW would also be able to make it, but it was just the small group of us. After the film, as we waited through the credits to see what sort of surprise might have been tacked on, we had the following discussion:

“So? What rating are you going to give it?” Elliot asked.
“I’m going to give it a seven,” I responded.
“What?! Only a seven?!”
“Okay, maybe I will push it to an eight because of the (insert spoiler here).”
“No. Really? Tell me what you thought was wrong with that film.”
“I can tell you what’s wrong with you.”
“Oh?”
“You have movie afterglow.”
“Ha ha ha ha ha,” We both laughed, “Ha ha ha.”
“So, you’re telling me that movie is a ten?” I asked.
“Well…” Elliot hedged.
“Tell me what rating you would give it.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
There was a tack-on after the credits and we watched it.
“Ha ha ha ha ha,” We both laughed, “Ha ha ha.”



Radioactive rabbit scat. How come I'm the only cartoonist drawing about this? It's pure..um..gold?