Planetary Snyder

 Independence Day is a 1996 sci-fi disaster film that is as fun as it was when I saw it when it when it slammed into theaters. Featuring cities being blown up, scary aliens, great characters and is a wonderful blockbuster. I highly recommend the extended version because more Independence Day is better Independence Day. My favorite actor in it is Jeff Goldblum. He plays geeks so well and makes us look so good. Two alien thumbs way up.

 Chris Seaver is a film actor, writer, director, etc. For many years he helmed Low Budget Pictures, a company that specialized mainly in indie horror comedies. These are not movies I can easily defend nor condemn. They are gross and super violent. They contain racial and sexist humor. They would make most people back away in terror. And yet I have seen a ton of them and see a lot of talent and skill in them. Forgive my judgement but to me they are misunderstood masterpieces meant for a scant few. I cannot say: "Go watch these!" But I watch them myself. Hooray for Low Budget Pictures.

 I just finished the tenth season of the modern era of Doctor Who, and I have to say Missy is one complicated, tragic character. A Time Lord known for her villainy and under the alternate name The Master, she went down a road back and forth of doing bad things and doing good. I won't spoil what path she ultimately chose, only that it packed a wallop. There are a lot of complex characters in Doctor Who and in the tenth season alone but Missy stands out to me. I just really enjoyed her prescience and felt she was a much needed addition to the season. Now to go back in time and watch her previous episodes one of these days.

A quick shout-out to Phenomena, the 1985 Dario Argento murder mystery/horror film about a girl at a boarding school who controls insects and helps solve a string of crimes. My personal favorite Argento film this movie is as weird as it is beautiful. You will never forget it.

One comic collection I've been reading off and on for years is The Planetary Omnibus by Warren Ellis, illustrated by John Cassaday.  An enormous journey of a story, this book follows people exploring the unknown and sometimes disturbing world of conspiracies and hidden secrets. It will take you from a Godzilla-like monster filled island to Dracula and Sherlock Holmes. To an evil version of the Fantastic Four trying to control their planet. It is very accessible and very confusing at the same time and leaves you breathless. Hard to describe, endlessly complicated, highly, highly, highly recommended. John Cassaday is a great illustrator and Warren Ellis is pure amazing.