Tag: Reviews

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 153

carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Reaction Videos of The Transformers: The Movie – I can hardly believe it has been forty years since The Transformers: The Movie was first released. Following its disappointing theatrical run, the animated feature film became highly pursued by Transformers fans as soon as it was released on home video, and me and my friends enjoyed it a lot. It’s theatrical disappointment never stopped it from becoming a classic for Transformers fans and its importance in pop culture has been established solidly. By today’s standards, The Transformers: The Movie is a showcase of not only high-quality animation and a great lineup of characters, it also has the fine vocal performances of entertainment legends Orson Welles, Peter Cullen (who died recently), Leonard Nimoy, Scatman Crothers, Robert Stack, and Frank Welker. That said, it is not surprising that the 1986 animated film is featured in many movie reaction videos and I found the most entertaining ones for you to enjoy.

#2 Summer Bargains in Japan – Are there a lot of bargains offered by your local grocery or department stores during the summer season? In Japan, as captured by Nippon TV, a grocery store organized “all-you-can-stuff” events that offered customers the golden opportunities to accumulate as many fresh vegetables (sourced from the summer produce of local farms) as they can for a fixed rate per attempt. Watching this Nippon TV video is entertaining and informative. I encourage you all to watch it from start to finish.

#3 1978 Interview Clip of Ingrid Bergman – If you have seen the classic movie Casablanca, you would remember the radiant beauty of Ingrid Bergman and her on-screen romance with Humphrey Bogart’s character. A few years before she passed away, Bergman was interviewed on TV and I posted below a short video excerpt for you to see. Not only will you learn from Bergman a notable revelation about her co-star’s presence behind the scenes of Casablanca’s production, you will see how intellectual and insightful she was. Go watch the video below.

#4 The Indiana Jones Game Konami Was Never Allowed to Make – Time for retro gaming! Back in the 1980s, Konami was a very prolific producer of video games for both arcades and consoles. In 1987, Konami released Arumana no Kiseki for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) disk system. What struck me when I first played the game was the many creative elements it shared with the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The playable action hero was designed with close resemblance to Indiana Jones (complete with the fedora). The game even had locations that looked like they were ripped off from the 1984 movie. To learn more about Arumana no Kiseki, who created it and why it had lots of Indiana Jones-related elements in it, watch the video below.

#5 Roger Moore Technically Played James Bond in The Cannonball Run – Released in 1981, The Cannonball Run was an all-star comedy film with an emphasis on racing and stunts. It was heavily inspired by a real-life illegal cross-country motor race that happened in America in the 1970s and the movie had the very popular celebrities of the time like Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Farrah Fawcett and Roger Moore. Moore, who was already famous as the cinematic James Bond, technically played Agent 007 in The Cannonball Run. If you are curious and you want to know more, go watch Calvin Dyson’s retrospective of the movie and Moore’s presence.

#6 Jerusalem Walk Video – During the day-off of the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined in 2023, I took the rare opportunity to explore the city of Jerusalem on foot. I started the day at the Old City of Jerusalem where I visited the Temple Mount, the Western Wall and other holy sites before marching all the way to the modern part of Jerusalem going as far as the famous Mahane Yehuda market. This Jerusalem walk video brings back memories to me and if you love world travel, I encourage you to watch it.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #15 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #15 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Looking back at how early the members of the futuristic X-Men got separated and lost their leader Xi’an (who became sinister, pursued a quest of his own interest and joined the Theater of Pain), I can see what the creators did to develop the characters, tell new stories, introduce new characters and expand the lore of the 2099 in another part of the United States. That said, this series became consistently entertaining and intriguing at the same time.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #15, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the Keewazi Nation in Oklahoma. Eddie/Metalhead is unconscious with Hurricane and her friend accompanying him. Their pregnant companion Rosa has been missing since Glitterspike (the man who impregnated Rosa) took her away from them. Metalhead wakes up and immediately asks where Rosa is.

Far away, Rosa tells Alexi/Glitterspike to let go of her even though they are flying high above ground. Glitterspike tells her that he will do the best interest of her and their unborn child to become one big happy family. Rosa rejects him stating that the Freakshow is her family.

Even with the tremendous risk present, Rosa uses power of producing static interference on them. Soon enough, they start losing altitude…

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Serious talk between Shakti and a changed Skullfire about the X-Men and the situation they have now that their former leader Xi’an joined a gang of evil.

The story crafted by John Francis Moore here is strongly focused on the Freakshow with emphasis on former X-Men member Metalhead who at this point of the series has gotten very close with the pregnant member Rosa. This comic book marks the first time that Metalhead became a true major player in the series as he gradually adjusts with becoming a new member of the Freakshow.

Unsurprisingly, Rosa became a major player in the story too as she has no choice but to deal with someone from her past who is not just stubborn but also a cybernostra hitman who was genetically bred to process light into energy. Glitterspike went ballistic when Rosa left him some time prior and his obsession with her only grew.

A major part of this story involved the presence of a fabled monster called the Shadow Dancer which has been lurking in the hills of the wasteland and already a lot of people got scared of it. Creatively, this monster serves as the obstacle that Metalhead, Rosa, and the others have to deal with.

What Moore and Ron Lim accomplished in this story is deeply developing the Freakshow, Metalhead and Rosa while expanding the lore of 2099’s American wasteland even further. They also gave readers a quick look at the remaining X-Men team members who are now dealing with the new reality that their former leader turned evil by joining Brimstone Love’s Theater of Pain. In addition, Skullfire – once a weak and unsure new member of the X-Men in the beginning – not only returned to Shakti and the remaining team members, his personality and view of reality have changed which reinvigorated his passion for the team.

Conclusion

Rosa does something very risky as Glitterspike carries her in the air.

X-Men 2099 #15 (1994) was crafted to be compelling with strong focus on Metalhead and the Freakshow. It clearly marked the next phase in the life of Metalhead and it made the Freakshow an even more interesting team within the X-Men 2099 series. The story has lots of strong and intriguing moments, and character development is consistently strong. The tale also has some science fiction inspiration from the 1979 movie Alien mixed in. This is a good read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #15 (1994) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #13 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #13 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

I enjoyed the way John Francis Moore put things into motion in issue #12 and other previous issues of X-Men 2099. During the 3-part storyline at the start of the series, the Synge business empire and its wing of enforcers looked like the definitive force of evil for the mutants led then by Xi’an. As the series progressed, the Theater of Pain (first introduced comprehensively in issue #4) and its leader Brimstone emerged as the new force of evil while the X-Men lost Xi’an and Skullfire became more unhinged and got more involved with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and emotions). Xi’an, who reverted back to his sinister mindset, is obsessed with finding the Driver. It should be noted that these characters are all in the middle of the wasteland in 2099’s America (for 2099 historical reference, click here).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #13, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Brimstone Love making his way into the Garage, a secret high-tech facility of the Driver. He finds it interesting that his hunt for Luna led him into the strange structure in the desert and he know that she and her companions are inside.

Inside the structure, Junkpile is bound and tortured on a chair with Adamantium restraints holding him. With Junkpile is the Driver watching him while Xi’an, Skullfire and Luna are trapped nearby by a laser grid. Skullfire, who is aware that Xi’an has been pursuing the Driver ever since he learned key details from Hurricane, implied to the former X-Men leader that the Driver is more of a problem and antagonist while Luna added her own comments about their situation. Xi’an tells them they need to determine the severity of their situation.

Xi’an tells the Driver that Hurricane described him as a part of the mutant underground during the Purge. It turns out, the Driver has not heard about Hurricane for a long time and insisted to Xi’an that he mistook his actions as hostile.

The Driver begins to explain what he has been doing, why he continues to fight and protect the sacred mutant tribe and why he sought out hundreds of mutants to give them sanctuary…

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A lot of intriguing developments happened here and it concludes Xi’an’s pursuit of the Driver.

With regards to storytelling and revelations, I can say that the intensity from the previous continued smoothly in this comic book. While the Theater of Pain was first revealed in issue #4, it was in the previous issue and in this particular story that its actual scope was made clear, and the presence of Brimstone Love – obviously 2099’s walking symbol of Satan – added great tension and a new evil presence for the X-Men to deal with.

What I enjoyed most in the story crafted by John Francis Moore are the revelations. The Driver, who came close to death and witnessed the plight of mutants, has a personal mission of providing sanctuary to mutants who are still living in danger in 2099’s America which has been dominated by mega corporations (MegaCorps). Still, his specific methods of achieving his goals for mutantkind are intriguingly questionable and in someways they made him looked even sinister. That said, Xi’an’s pursuit of him (which started a few issues prior) really resulted in some shock value that has to be seen page by page.  

Very notably, Moore made the script even more dramatic which is clearly reflected in the dialogue of the characters and the art done by Ron Lim. I should also state that flashbacks of the mutants struggle for survival under the Driver and Hurricane are included and they are worth seeing.

Considering what this comic book has, it will make readers think deeply about the essence of X-Men 2099 as a team and the comic book series itself. At the same time, new mysteries about the direction of the series will be realized in ways that readers don’t expect.

Conclusion

The Driver himself was part of the effort that saved desperate mutants decades prior and he came close to dying. This comic book heavily defines his existence and his mission on providing sanctuary to any mutants he finds.

If there is anything significant about X-Men 2099 #13 (1994), it is the fact that it changed the trajectory of the series and reshaped the concept of X-Men 2099 as a whole in dramatic fashion. The build-ups, the pay-offs and revelations in this comic book are powerful. Along the way, this will make you question even further the intentions of Xi’an (former X-Men leader) and Skullfire (the unhinged X-Men member who used to be so weak and unsure of himself). As for the Driver, he is very well defined by the Moore-Lim duo in this comic book and he has gotten even more significant by the end. If there is anything severely lacking here, it is the spotlight on the surviving X-Men team members (with Shakti as their new leader).

Overall, X-Men 2099 #13 (1994) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #12 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #12 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Looking back at the X-Men 2099 series of the 1990s, so much has developed during the first eleven issues released from 1993 to 1994. When I first read issue #1 in 1993, I found the futuristic X-Men really intriguing to follow and there was the expectation that the team led by Xi’an would somehow grow and make breakthroughs happen in 2099’s America. Surprisingly, members of the team got separated from each other – such as losing Metalhead to the Freakshow – and Xi’an himself changed for the worse and eventually left the team. Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire (the weak and unsure newcomer who joined the futuristic X-Men) himself changed radically becoming unhinged and he has gotten really close with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and triggered his emotions).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #12, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the black market mall with Luna struggling to separate Skullfire and Junkpile from each other. Skullfire hates Junkpile whom he holds responsible for killing his friend Serpentina (the one X-Men member who welcomed him at their sanctuary). Junkpile blames Skullfire and his teammates for causing him some serious grief in Las Vegas. Luna tells them both to shut up or she would do something on both of them.

Moments later, the three of them are accused by the mall security for violating the market regulations. An armed mall security officer points his weapon at them accusing them of willful destruction of market property. The looks of Junkpile, Luna and Skullfire, however, scared him and convinced him to move away. Luna then reveals to Skullfire that she encountered Junkpile outside of Las Vegas shortly after the violent encounter with the X-Men. The three of them proceeded to a café to have a civil talk. Skullfire asks Luna about the Theater of Pain…

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Former X-Men member Metalhead with the group of degenerates called the Freakshow. One of their members clearly rejects him given his status as a mutant.

Wow! The Moore-Lim team loaded this comic book with immense details that established the true force of opposition that awaits the X-Men. The story reveals to readers the Theater of Pain, its demonic leader Brimstone Love and what the theater’s purpose truly is. Brimstone Love and the theater were first revealed at the very end of issue #3 and this comic book offers readers a close look at them complete with very intriguing details that turned out to be worth discovering. That said, it was clear that John Francis Moore designed the Theater of Pain to be not just a planned force of evil the X-Men must face but also an actual threat to many living in 2099’s America. The Theater of Pain has a very sinister agenda and its operations involves the accumulating human misery which is a frightening concept on its own.

While Luna’s history and connection with the Theater of Pain is emphasized, Xi’an’s search for the Driver makes a lot more sense here as the former X-Men leader (now sinister and spiritually lost) communicates again with someone from his past. That said, the plot really thickened a lot in this comic book and that alone makes it engaging to follow.

As this issue follows Skullfire, Luna, Junkpile and Xi’an – plus a quick look at former X-Men member Metalhead now spending time with the Freakshow – the tone of the tale turned dark and gritty which I think was intentionally done by the creators as the Theater of Pain was strongly emphasized. That said, this is indeed inspired work.

Conclusion

Skullfire, Junkpile and Luna look so intimidating and creepy, the mall security guy got scared and abandoned his duty.

With a dark tale and an established force of evil rising in the horizon, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) can be described as an inspired turn of events for the monthly series as a whole. At this stage, the direction of the series really started to take shape. It is also a lively reminder that the mutants struggling in 2099 have the wilderness and its violent elements as the least of their worries. The Theater of Pain itself is a reminder about sinister yet unseen forces that are operating while lots of people remain unaware of them (note: think about the World Economic Forum and what its core organization really do behind closed doors as time passes). Lastly, the twisted developments of Skullfire and Xi’an’s respective personalities will keep you in suspense as to how the futuristic X-Men can survive without them.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #8 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #8 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

After the first seven issues of the series, it is clear that the futuristic mutants under Xi’an have tough challenges to not only survive in the dangerous and unpredictable wasteland of 2099’s America but also help their leader fulfill the ultimate goal of protecting mutants from the evil corporations in accordance to the dream of Professor X (Charles Xavier). Unlike the X-Men of the 20th century, the team of 2099 does not have vast resources nor do they have a permanent place for living and development. Xi’an himself is still struggling with the elements from his past as a violent criminal.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #8, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Krystalin examining Archangel with amazement. Moments later, she sees Cyclops, Iceman, Beast and Jean Grey (in her Phoenix form). She wondered how many times did each of Professor X’s first students appear to die only to return again and again. She recalls that the records of their deaths may have been in error or even falsified. She also remembers the succeeding X-Men teams of Del Ruiz and Zhao.

It turns out the original X-Men members she saw were holograms as Victor Ten Eagles (who was a fellow outlaw with Xi’an in the old days) reveals that he opened his studio to few people and never to strangers. He allowed Krystalin in because he owes Xi’an a blood debt from their time together with the Lawless. As they talk, he explains to her his personal interest in the X-Men and the legacy.

Over at Iron Horse in Arizona, Hurricane talks with two trackers who were tied up. Meanstreak uses his super speed to dismantle the trackers’ suits of armor and examine the technologies within. He finds one Tetsuo Mark 6 signal beacon that was used to monitor armor in the field. He tells Hurricane she can use it as an advance warning the next time trackers are sent after her.

Hurricane tells the X-Men that she and the Freakshow never stay too long in one place. Moments later, the infected Metalhead tells Skullfire that he is trapped in his current metal form and could not change back…

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As the Freakshow is about to leave, Metalhead surprises his fellow X-Men.

To make things clear, this X-Men 2099 comic book is very engaging to read as it is filled with a lot of details that further expanded the lore of the 2099 universe concerning mutants and legacy of the X-Men in the 21st century. As such, I really enjoyed learning about the “future history” of the X-Men, how mutants struggled to survive in a corporation-controlled America, and why the wasteland became the 21st century’s very own Old West where danger and uncertainty are constant.

If have an obsession about the 2099 universe, there is a lot to discover and enjoy here. Xi’an’s pursuit for knowledge about the mutant underground and Hurricane’s involvement is compelling to read and what was revealed is worth discovering. Meanwhile, Krystalin and Ten Eagles’ exploration of facilities as they search for answers reminds me a lot about a notable part of the story in Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

Conclusion

The closest thing to a crossover with the original X-Men.

X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is a compelling read and it is one of the stronger references about the 2099 universe and the legacy of the X-Men from the time of Xavier to that of Zhao. The details revealed here are fine pay-offs to what was built up in the previous issues, and they connect well with the existence of Xi’an’s X-Men. This comic book will really help you understand the place of mutants in the 21st century and in my experience, the learning is enjoyable.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is highly recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 152

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 152

carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Focus on Kevin McHale – It has been more than thirty years since Kevin McHale retired from the NBA. McHale was one of the premier power forwards of the NBA in 1980s and even though he won the Sixth Man Award and three NBA championships with Celtics (he formed the nucleus with Larry Bird and Robert Parish), he has been overlooked in discussions about the most notable power forwards of the league. McHale was also declared as one of the greatest NBA players ever. That said, now is a good time to revisit NBA history with focus on McHale and what he achieved.

#2 NiGHTS into Dreams…revisited – Way back in 1996, Sega released NiGHTS into Dreams… which was a very ambitious Sega Saturn video game made by the same key creators behind the popular Sonic games on Sega Genesis. Back in the old days, Sega was in a bind as it faced tough competition from Nintendo and Sony. That said, the company really had to make an exclusive game that is of very high quality, fun-filled gameplay and ambitious creative designs. That said, I encourage you all to watch the retrospective video about NiGHTS into Dreams… below.

#3 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Animatrix – When it comes to entertainment in the year of 2003, The Matrix entertainment franchise really left its mark with the two hyped sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions but also with the video game Enter The Matrix and the animated anthology The Animatrix. Released between the two live-action movies, The Animatrix featured several animated short stories of the Matrix universe done by different creators and each had different styles of art and visual concepts. The Animatrix also was designed to expand and explain the lore that delighted the fans while helping newcomers get oriented efficiently. As of this writing, there are several YouTube reaction videos about The Animatrix and the one that entertained me the most was that of Ashleigh Burton. Go watch her reaction video below.

#4 Japan opposes Islamic immigration – Let us be very clear here. Massive Islamic immigration is causing a lot of trouble in countries that accepted it. In Japan there is an obvious rise of criminal acts, public nuisance and other forms of problems caused by Islamist foreigners there. There were already rape acts committed by Pakistani men, a dumping of garbage committed by a man from Turkey and more. It is also obvious that the Muslim foreigners in Japan have no respect for Japanese culture, rules and social norms. As such, the Japanese opposition against the Islamist foreigners is real and only growing. Watch and learn from the video below.

#5 You, Me and the Movies react to Alligator (1980) – As a very young boy, I saw the 1980 film Alligator on a rented Betamax tape. I saw it alone during my first viewing, and later got a few friends to watch it with me on my second viewing. Alligator was one of those monster movies (AKA creature features) inspired by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws as several movie producers hoped to cash-in on the 1975 film’s popularity and the box office trends of the time. Alligator has its own charm and entertainment value, and you can discover more by watching the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#6 Woke WNBA Slammed by NBA Legends – When the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) first launched in 1997, there was excitement and hope for the development of women competing in professional basketball. Today, the WNBA remains an enduring financial failure as it never came close to the NBA in terms of mainstream importance. Worse, the WNBA has turned woke and it is very accepting towards biological males who identified themselves as women. The transgender and social justice diseases are deep in the minds of the people leading the WNBA which led to the growing madness. Recently, the WNBA’s hypocrisy has been exposed and already there were NBA legends who expressed their opinions against the screwed-up league. Watch and learn from the video below.

#7 Premium Corn Craze in Japan – Have you ever tasted corn imported from Japan? The Japanese love corn and the harvesting of corn in their country is a significant industry on its own. As such, it is not surprising that the selling of corn sourced directly from local farmers is highly pursued by locals. Japan also has several varieties of corn ensuring consumers with different tastes have something to enjoy. Watch and learn from the video below.

#8 1980s Cartoons Revisited – The way my life turned out, the 1980s will always be the most memorable decade of cartoon series (note: anime is exempted, including those that got translated for the West). The 1980s is the very decade that has significant cartoon titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Transformers, and so much more. The said decade also has its share of other animated series that failed to attract a massive audience and ended up being obscured and forgotten. To enjoy the nostalgia of 1980s cartoons, watch the videos below.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #6 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #6 (1994)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

In late-1993, Marvel Comics published the Fall of the Hammer crossover storyline highlighting the major figures of Marvel 2099 and the X-Men members involved were only Skullfire, Krystalin, Bloodhawk and Meanstreak. As told in Ravage 2099 #15, the said X-Men members made it to Valhalla with Ravage. After the events of Fall of the Hammer, the four X-Men members survived and eventually started traveling all the way back West in America to rejoin the rest of the team.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #6, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in Arizona when two fully armed personnel wearing suits of armor search for a monster-like mutant who tries to hide. The mutant is named Dominic and he eventually got corned by the two armored figures. As he is about to get shot, one of the armored guys got pushed by force somehow. The next moment, a gang of mutants called the Freakshow appears.

In the southern part of Nevada, Skullfire, Bloodhawk, Krystalin and Meanstreak travel in an aircraft going back to Xi’an and the rest of their teammates. As Bloodhawk jumps of after saying goodbye, Skullfire jumps off as well in a suicidal manner. He eventually grabs Bloodhawk by the ankle. Back at the aircraft, Krystalin and Meanstreak shared their respective observations about Skullfire’s sudden change of personality since the psychic vampire Luna messed with him… 

Quality

As the X-Men search for Hurricane, the Freakshow stands in their way.

The script of this comic book was finely crafted by John Francis Moore and it is amazing how efficient he got the X-Men team back (after Skullfire, Krystalin, Meanstreak returned) on track while ensuring a good amount of depth as reflected in the dynamics between the team members as the story went on. The storytelling felt natural and really believable.

Along the way, this comic book shed light on team leader Xi’an and the threads of the past that came back to haunt to him. This instantly added a new layer of development on Xi’an which established an element of uncertainty on the future of the X-Men under him (and his personal struggles). That said, Xi’an does not have the rock-solid stability of Professor X (Charles Xavier) which will remind readers how different the X-Men of 2099 are from the classic X-Men.

The X-Men are on the search for a mutant called Hurricane who has been active on resisting the corporations’ control on the nation and has long emphasized liberty and self-control on personal living. Historically, Hurricane led a part of the Underground Railroad which carried mutants to safe haven during a time of terror and fear. That said, X-Men’s search has a heavy purpose and the challenges they faced here is gripping and intriguing to follow. I should also state that Ron Lim’s delivery of dynamic action is really good to look at.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the dynamics of the interactions between the members of the X-Men in this comic book. There is richness in John Francis Moore’s script here.

X-Men 2099 #6 (1994) is both a solid follow-up to the events of the Fall of the Hammer storyline and also a fine portrayal of how the team works under Xi’an’s leadership. More notably, it pushed the narrative of the series forward and gave us readers an in-depth exploration of the isolated places of America’s southwestern region in 2099 which is a sharp contrast to that era’s New York City dominated by Alchemax. More notably, this comic book implemented renewed focus on the state of mutants who have been living in fear, danger and uncertainty in America of 2099 which connects directly with the purpose of the X-Men as a team.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #6 is recommended. (1994)

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #11 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #11 (1994)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

If there is anything notable about the futuristic X-Men, it is the separation of the team members that started really early in the monthly series. Meanstreak left the team to pursue something personal. A few members of the team – including Meanstreak – got involved in the Fall of the Hammer crossover storyline (click here, here and here), Metalhead got infected and decides to leave the team to stay with another group, and their leader Xi’an lost his way.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #11, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire and Luna enjoying their time together outdoors. Tim, whose personality has changed into becoming radical and wild, tells her that he has not forgotten the anguish she put him in through the darkroom which made him relive the death of his beloved Reiko from some time ago.

As the tension between Tim and Luna intensifies, Xi’an tells him that they have to go to El Paso in Texas. It was Luna’s first time to meet Xi’an. The former leader of the X-Men states that they are closing in on the Driver…

Quality

Skullfire blasts Junkpile, the one responsible for the death of Sepertina (see X-Men 2099 #3).

Given the way the members of the X-Men got separated, the Moore-Lim duo succeeded in telling an intriguing story without even having a clear enemy for them to encounter. This is a tale about a drastically changed Xi’an (now arrogant and with an agenda of his own) develops into someone becoming more undesirable and dangerous with the passage of time. Similarly, Tim here is turning more unhinged and dangerous as he gradually turns into Skullfire (personally and visually) and Luna here is ironically the one keeping him stable.

On the other side, the remaining X-Men are still together but with a huge cloud of doubt over them. At this stage, Shakti/Cerebra – who was the faithful second-in-command when Xi’an still led the team – is taking more responsibilities as she gradually becomes the team leader. The writing done by John Francis Moore is rich when Shakti sticks strongly to principles during her interaction with Meanstreak who himself has turned uncertain about their status as a team. That said, there are certain traits of Xi’an visible in Shakti. Along the way, a few friends of the X-Men went away which added to the uncertainty that hounded them.

With regards to the reveal of the Driver on the cover of this comic book, the tale indeed reveals him and a new story thread about him was gradually built up. The Driver is Xi’an’s target and his act of helping one of the X-Men’s friends added to the suspense over what could happen next.

Conclusion

As the new leader of the X-Men, Shakti remains very principled. Her talk with Meanstreak in this scene is meaningful.

X-Men 2099 #11 (1994) is a very character-driven story from start to finish and the good news is that it is engaging and entertaining to read. The lack of a good-versus-evil conflict never hurt the story at all as Moore and Lim went deep to develop Tim, Xi’an and others while building up the pending encounter with the Driver. Not only that, having Tim and Xi’an more radicalized reflect the atmosphere of uncertainty and danger in the region (with lots of wilderness throughout and far away from the metropolis dominated by Alchemax) within America of 2099. It is a good read and I enjoyed the character development done by the creative duo.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #11 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 151

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 151

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Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Ashleigh Burton reacts to Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – When it comes to movies about the Cold War and the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 movie Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb stood out with its very unique presentation backed with memorable performances by Peter Sellers and George C. Scott. The film was a satire about the Cold War tensions between America and Russia, and it gave moviegoers a unique look as to what could have happened behind the secured government offices and how each nation communicated with each other over the hotline. Kubrick’s film is so significant, it got featured in many movie reaction videos on YouTube and I had fun watching Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video. Go watch it now!

#2 Behind the Scenes Making of Resident Evil (1996) – It has been over thirty years since Resident Evil was first released and today it has grown into a multimedia entertainment franchise still driven by video game productions. Although many video game publications published a lot of articles about the original game from 1996, none of them captured the behind-the-scenes making at Capcom which the YouTube video below features. Even if you are not a Resident Evil fan, I still encourage you to watch it as you can learn a lot about the process, the hard work done by the Japanese and insight shared by Shinji Mikami.

#3 The Multi-million Dollar Theft With Fake Coupons – Over a decade ago, someone in the state of Arizona started an illegal operation using fake coupons which grew so dramatically, it became a shadow enterprise and two more people got involved. The operation of multiple fake shopping coupons robbed corporations several millions of Dollars and the one who started it got so rich she even bought herself many luxury vehicles. To find out the details about this true crime story, watch the video below and pay close attention.

#4 Austria Fought Back Against Islam – Massive immigration that includes Islamists who are obsessed with conquering new nations is very clearly dangerous and even toxic. With so many illegal aliens/immigrants and Muslims in Europe, it is clear that the future of the Europeans is looking more uncertain as time passes. Among them is Austria which boldly made changes to prioritize its own people and preserve its rich culture by pushing back hard against Islamists. Already there were Islamic scandals that were uncovered there in Austria. Watch and learn from the Fall of Nations video below.

#5 The Fall of BuzzFeed – Remember how popular BuzzFeed was? Even though a lot of people got lured by them, I never trusted BuzzFeed and I was never interested with their videos and other online gimmicks. BuzzFeed was also a very questionable participant in journalism no matter what they did to gain credibility. Fortunately for the world, BuzzFeed collapsed and deservedly so. To find out why, watch MAGAmark’s video below.

#6 Record-breaking Rainfall Hits Chiba Prefecture in Japan – Apart from being vulnerable to earthquakes which is connected with being located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan also has its share of struggles with immense rainfall and flooding. Recently, record-breaking rainfall hit Chiba Prefecture causing a lot of flood and hardship for the Japanese. If you were a constant visitor to Japan, was there ever a time when you got caught in heavy rain and flooding there? Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#7 Role-playing Games About 1990s Anime – Believe it or not, there are indeed role-playing games (RPGs) based on anime properties that were popular in the 1990s. Of course, a lot of those anime-based RPGs were released only in Japan and some of them became playable with English translations through digital patches, emulation and fan-made translations. If you are into retro gaming, anime, RPGs and the 1990s, watch the Gaming Broductions video below.

#8 Assorted Pacific Rim Reaction Videos – When Pacific Rim was released in cinemas worldwide in 2013, I never bothered to watch it in the local cinema. Here in the Philippines, there was a lot of pre-release buzz that Manila would appear in the movie and so many local film buffs got excited. The movie eventually grossed over $400 million worldwide through theaters and a lot of people enjoyed its high-quality visuals, intense battles and the special attention to detail invested on the size and scale of the locations. The movie has been featured in several reaction videos and posted below are the entertaining ones to watch.

#9 Ranting for Vengeance Slams Video Essay Slop on YouTube – It is not a secret that YouTube is filled not only with artificial intelligence (AI) slop but also video essays made by individuals who arrogantly think of themselves as experts and wise creators. In his recent video, Ranting for Vengeance slammed the video essay slop on YouTube and explained in detail what kind of people created those videos, what their agenda and why people should not allow themselves to be influenced by them. I encourage you to watch the video below now.

#10 Shallow Focus is a Disease in Movies – There is a new trend that has influence the production of movies in Hollywood (AKA Commiewood) for many years now and it has literally become a disease which made the viewing of movies undesirable. The disease is shallow focus which occurs when the area of sharpness in front of a camera lens is very narrow which results in blurry backgrounds. Shallow focus is being abused in modern-day filmmaking and it is only getting worse. That said, I encourage you all to watch Rowan J Coleman’s video below and share it to as many film buffs as possible.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #2 (1993)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #2 (1993)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Way back in 1993, I had a fun reading X-Men 2099 #1 as soon as it was released in the local comic book specialty store here in the Philippines. Back then, I was already into the 30th anniversary celebration of the X-Men while also reading more comic books about Marvel’s science fiction 2099 franchise of comic books. I love the way X-Men 2099 #1 ended as it was a powerful way of building up the tension and excitement that comes with waiting another 30 days for issue #2 to come out.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #2, published by Marvel Comics in 1993 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with the X-Men desperately trying to escape as the arcology has been invaded by enforcers (also referred to as the Greater Nevada Syndicate) of the Synge casino. Their leader Xi’an is in critical condition after getting shot during an assassination attempt that happened moments earlier. The X-Men are inside their van speeding away and Meanstreak (Henri Huang) uses his super speed to run ahead of them to quickly check what awaits them all. During the ride, Krystalin learned of the news that Noah Synge has died and Xi’an has been blamed for murder. Cerebra confirmed that Xi’an expressed hatred towards Synge.

When the van finally reaches the outdoor area, the X-Men find themselves facing a large tank and a helicopter of the syndicate which anticipated their arrival. The syndicate tells them to surrender Xi’an…

Quality

Cerebra shows their leader Xi’an with a biological cocoon forming over his body. Pay attention to the details.

As a follow-up to the impressive first issue, this one remains a very good read after all these decades. It is clear to me that John Francis Moore had carefully planned an engaging tale of the futuristic X-Men with Tim Fitzgerald (who will later be called Skullfire) as the symbolic reflection of the readers who get to discover more about the team, the situation they are in and why they exist in the first place.

As expected, the creative stuff that started in issue #1 progressed naturally as the story went on in this comic book. The X-Men of 2099 got away to find safety and get themselves organized as their leader remains in critical condition. Along the way, the syndicate itself gets adjusted as it has the son and daughter of Noah Synge taking over their evil empire suddenly. The syndicate is responsible for seven deaths, the wounding of nineteen people and the capture of over forty people as a result of their sudden invasion of the arcology and their attempt to assassinate Xi’an in retaliation of the death of Noah Synge. This was the creative duo’s way of telling readers who the bad guys are and why the X-Men are at a great disadvantage.

What I find engaging here is how the Moore-Lim duo emphasized Xi’an’s significance through flashbacks and background details (which further revealed more of the founding of the futuristic X-Men). This creative gamble worked wonders and clearly more than made up for the lack of dialogue and interactions from the X-Men’s leader. At the same time, the narrative has this flavor of conspiracy when the Synge empire was emphasized.

Conclusion

The futuristic X-Men encounter strong opposition from the syndicate.

X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is clearly a very good read. As a follow-up to the very solid issue #1, it added to the build-up emphasizing the futuristic X-Men a lot more while still having enough room to develop the Synge empire and its syndicate. Along the way there were some nice pay-offs to certain build-ups in issue #1 and there was a fine balance between action scenes and the plot/character development scenes. That said, this comic book is a solid bridge between issue #1 and the conclusion in issue #3.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #2 (1993) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.