Update

If you're a regular to Rage4Media you may have noticed my content schedule has been somewhat eratic of late. Most reviews are pre-written so it's just a case of finding the time to upload them in what has been a particularly busy period for me. But beyond that, I'm finding less enjoyment in doing these than I used to and I've considered whether I should end Rage4Media before I burn out.

That's not going to happen, I'm currently have 4 reviews that were on my schedule for July that aren't completed. I will finish those however my planned summer event is cancelled and there will be no reviews for those weeks beyond any I need to catch up.

You may have noticed I'm doing fewer longer reviews of late, partially because passionate rage is not something I can boil up for just anything and I think the reviews where I've I tried this have been my weakest. [Although some of my older stuff does go too far in the other direction] neither Praise4Media nor Rage4Media are officially retiring but don't expect them too often as I'll be favouring the less time-consuming RageLite reviews or other format reviews. 

Retrospectives are also time consuming so I'll be veering towards shows with smaller lengths and episode counts. I may do more condensed retrospectives of longer series akin to the Disney Channel reviews. 

I do also want to review a few more comics. I'm not reviving 4 issue tests but I might do some one-shot comic reviews here and there after the summer. 

As for the backlog, watch this space, I will be uploading again soon.

Reb00t 1t - Charlie's Angels

So, was anyone clamouring for a reboot of Charlie’s angels?

Netflix Retrospective - Jessica Jones season 3 episodes 3-4

OK, let’s get back into Jessica Jones

REB00T 1T - Men in Black: International

Welcome to the new segment I’m starting called Reb00t 1t, where I’ll be discussing the successes and failings of franchise reboots, largely on their own merits but I’ll make comparisons to the original if I feel they’re needed.

Men in Black: International comes under the reboot/sequel category. Where this is technically a sequel but since none of the main cast return in major roles and it’s been a few years since the last sequel came out so I’ll classify it under reboot.

This film has issues in production from the start, Producer Walter F Parkes and director F. Gary Gray clashes on the direction of the film. Parkes oversaw extensive rewrites to the original script, with apparently it being so confusing to stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson that they hired their own dialogue writers.

It also seems he got involved with directing, annoying F. Gary Gray so much that he actually tried to leave production on multiple occasions. To be fair, Walter F Parkes was a producer of the original trilogy so I understand why his experience was considered valuable by Sony.

Made on $94m budget, the film made $265m at the box office, when you factor in a nearly $200m marketing campaign that went alongside this film, that’s a substantial loss for the studio. And despite most people’s views being ambivalent, it also holds the worst critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, with only 23% of critics giving it a positive score.

Netflix Retrospective - Jessica Jones Season 3 Episodes 1-2

Note: I realise my reviews are getting more and more behind schedule, but I have them ready and am just gonna schedule a bunch of them over the next couple of weeks. 

I guess it’s time we finished the Netflix Marvel shows, excluding the Punisher which I will never cover as long as I draw breath, and definitely won’t once I’ve stopped doing that. Jessica Jones had a strong opening season with a weaker second season to follow it.

RageLite Review - Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey)

So, here’s one that’s a bit interesting, and by interesting, I mean that the title is excruciatingly long, this is Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.

I try not to think about Suicide Squad too often, here’s hoping the James Gunn version is better. But one thing I couldn’t complain about was Margot Robbie’s performance as Harley Quinn. Harley Quinn over the years has surged in popularity, especially recently as her animated series, which to my astonishment was really f*cking good.

Anyway, with Harley’s star rising, a solo film was inevitable and the one that DC Ultimately greenlit was one championed by Margot Robbie herself. She was of the belief that Harley needed a team to interact with… a point I will bring up later in the review itself.

The end result is an R-rated $100m blockbuster, on the cheaper end for superhero films, written by Christina Hodson, known for the saviour of the Transformers franchise, Bumblebee, and directed by Cathy Yan, the first Asian-American director of a superhero film.

The performance was, regrettably underwhelming, making just over $200m and with a critical score of around 78% with a 6.8/10 average. 

Young Justice Outsiders Retrospective - Episodes 10-13

We’re back for another look at YJ outsiders, how will the first half of the season be capped? Let’s take a look.