The Bobbs Beat: Movies with Peter

Best Superhero Comics Now that were all trapped indoors with limited entertainment options, there’s no excuse not to start reading more. Specifically comics, you should start reading comics.  I already made a list of my favorite non-superhero graphic novels ( http://peterbobbs.blogspot.com/2019/07/best-non-superhero-graphic-novels.html ) so here’s my list of my favorite superhero graphic novels. I haven’t been a lifetime comic book reader (I’ve never had a subscription and kept up with current runs) so starting to read a comic series that’s been running for 60+ years can be very intimidating. I’ve naturally gravitated to complete arcs with a clear beginning and end, and these are great for people like me, who are familiar with a character (from the movies, or general pop culture) but haven’t read the comics. If you’ve never read a comic, please check one of these spectacular storylines out, I promise you won't be disappointed. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns ...

--> Underrated movies of the Decade As we close out the decade here are some films you may have missed that I recommend catching up on. 2010: The Secret in their Eyes   A Spanish-language Argentinian thriller that follows a retired government agent who reflects back on a homicide case that was never resolved.             Also check out Exit through the Gift Shop and Let Me In. 2011: Attack the Block This British sci-fi action movie includes a star-making performance from John Boyega.             Also check out Take shelter, Terri, and The Descendants. 2012: Mud Part of the Matthew Mcconaissance, this coming of age story has two boys helping a fugitive evade the authorities in the south.             Also check out Goon . 2013: Short Term 12 Brie Larson shines as a cou...

Best Non-Superhero Graphic Novels When most people think of comics, they assume that it has to contain men flying around in brightly colored costumes. However, graphic novels encompass a large range of topics from the everyday monotony of the 9-5 to meta-physical explorations of the future. So here are my top 5 (with a few honorable mentions) Non-superhero Graphic Novels.   MAUS  by Art Spiegelman When I was in 8th grade, my history teacher offered extra credit for outside reading of history-based literature. Students were bringing in books from the American Girl series and athlete biographies to get approved. I brought in  MAUS . She took one look at it and said, "That's a comic book, that doesn't count." My timid Jr. High self sheepishly put the novel back in my backpack and didn't say a word. What this uneducated dullard didn't know or consider is that  MAUS  won the friggin Pulitzer Prize.  MAUS  is hardly a comic book, but an epic, 300-...

Bumblebee 3 stars So the Transformers franchise... I actually really like the first installment. Yes, it still has Michael Bay's immature humor, and the plot is mostly ridiculous and it's too long. But the visuals (especially some of the practical effects) are amazing and the flick is a fun ride. And the sequels got even longer, and more incomprehensible, and more vulgar, until the whole series was steaming pile of garbage. And then cam along Bumblebee with a new director and a new retro look. The trailer looked great and reviews were promising (93% on Rottentomatoes) so my expectations were set a little high. Overall the movie succeeds in a lot of ways. The transforming effect is fantastic, less weird indistinguishable jagged metal, and Hailee Steinfeld is likable. The soundtrack is killer and the story... well it's definitely coherent. The story borrows heavily from The Iron Giant  (which is an extraordinary film) and the first transformers movie. And in parts,...

2018: My Top 10 Movies of 2018 (non-superhero movies) 2018: Top 10 Movies 1.      Searching- A thrilling mystery with an unconventional approach. 2.      Mission: Impossible- Fallout- A superb spy movie with unbelievable practical action sequences. 3.      Isle of Dogs- Wonderfully animated, unpredictable and heartfelt. 4.      A Quiet Place- Tense and exciting, if there is such a thing as a family horror sci-fi film, this would fit into that category. 5.      Upgrade- A low budget sci-fi that exceeds expectations and tropes for the genre. 6.      Creed II- A worthy addition to the solid Rocky franchise with powerful themes of fatherhood and redemption sewn into it’s story. 7.      Bohemian Rhapsody- An enjoyable musical/bio pic with likable characters. 8.      Widows- A twisty heist movie with a to...

Aquaman 3 stars The character of Aquaman has had quite the re-imagining recently. A few years ago, Aquaman was a punchline, a running gag in an episode of Entourage  or Big Bang Theory . Then Jason Momoa was cast, fresh after his brief but crucial role of Khal Drago in Game of Thrones. Aquaman begin to take on this new, ultimate bad-boy persona. I wasn't very impressed with Aquaman's appearances in either Batman V. Superman  or Justice League , so I was highly anticipating his solo film. So what do I make of this new king of Atlantis? In general, Jason Momoa is a very affable protagonist. He's not as frat boy bro-ey as he was in Justice League  (no "My man!" catchphrase) but also not as competent as other characters, such as Wonder Woman. He's portrayed as a reluctant hero who's a bit of an immature slob. I thought they could have leaned even more into the "I'm just a dumb jock, I'm not fit to be king" persona but Momoa's ...