New Blog (Not So New)

I am continuing this blog at Erickimberly.com stop by and say hello.  and maybe read it.

Mongol

With Dark Knight coming out later this week I wanted to highlight more of a hidden gem of sorts. That gem is Mongol directed by Sergei Bodrov whose name sounds familiar, but I haven't seen any of his films. Mongol was also nominated for best foreign film earlier this year at the academy awards, but who really cares (cause they didn't nominate 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.) Mongol is a biopic if I'm using the right word about Genghis Khan. It focuses more the early life of the great Khan of Mongolia. This comes recommend if your a fan of the movies that feature epic storytelling and battle scenes.  However, It does drag a bit and it is no where near a perfect film.

My Top Ten Movies of 2007

This is the rough cut. When I finally re-watch some of these movies, I think the order will move around.

12

3
45
6

78
9

10
There are three movies that I haven't had a chance to watch yet if I'm remembering everything. I have heard good things about Away From Her, Into the Wild and Gone Baby Gone, so I'm sure anyone of those movies could have been on my top ten list. Drop me a comment if there is any movies I missed.

Faux Top Ten List

I know I haven't posted in here in about two months, but I said I would be doing a top ten list and I really meant it so here it is or well at least the honorable mentions. The top ten list will be posted later today.

Honorable Mentions

I truly love all these movies, and they are all highly recommended.

Picture books and things

One of my recent reads has been the Arrival. The Arrival is a unique story in that it doesn't have words, it has pretty pictures. No really, the story is just about as good as everything else I've been reading and really deserves a wide audience. The Arrival is an immigration tale of sorts and an engaging one at that. Quick Awesome Sample Art.

Seriously it's about as good as it gets, a must read in my opinion. I hope to be back later this week with a definite top 10 movie list and maybe top 10 comics, we shall see. Be prepared for a movie list like no other though, bye.

Awesomest Pamphlets Eva

I have two comics to review. One trade and one floppie. These comics represent the best comics being published today, all that I love about comics. These comics should be read if at all possible. Coming up first is Scalped.

Scalped Volume 1

I remember when I first saw Scalped #1 on the shelf at the comic shop. The cover looked cool, but nothing about the comic really spiked my interest. I was probably thinking that's another mediocre Vertigo series. Vertigo does publish some good stuff though and if you think about Vertigo comics still being published you think about 100 Bullets, Y: The Last Man, Fables, and DMZ. The comics just mentioned are all amazing but they really don't hold up to Scalped if you really think about it. Scalped is just an amazing comic and the first trade collecting issues 1-5 is available for only $10. Jason Aaron the fantastic writer is offering money back guarantee on the first trade so there's really no reason not to pick this one up immediately. Just about as good as comics can get.

Pax Romana #1

I didn't even talk about the Scalped plot did I hehe. Pax Romana is based in the future where scientist's working for the Vatican make a time machine. After much discussion betwixt the pope and his higher ups, the Pope decides to send back a team. They are to give Catholicism a better history by changing what happened during the crusades and such. The whole comic is fascinating and if the premise interests you even in the slightest pick this one up. A little bit wordy though, but in my opinion this has more interesting dialogue then some comics with 1/4 of the words.


A quick look at There Will Be Blood. This is not a review but a recommendation. This is an absolute must see. Daniell Day-Lewis gives the performance of the decade in what very well could be the best movie this decade. If you could only see one movie at the theater this year, go see this (Or Jesse James hehe).

Recent Reads

I've recently read Shortcomings and Exit Wounds, but I didn't even think of reviewing them so will see what comes out of this. I couple trades I've just finished include: Y: The Last Man Volumes 4 & 5, DMZ Volume 2, and Scalped Volume 1. I'm just going to review whatever I feel like starting with Shortcomings.

Shortcomings

Shortcomings is decent slice-of-life book.  Not quite the Daniel Clowes comic, but definitely something I was glad to have read.  This is recommended, but the $20 price tag is somewhat steep for something that can be read in 1 hour.

Exit Wounds

Exit Wounds was quite excellent.  I don't think I would go so far as to call it the best comic of 2007, but it is definitely in my top 5.  One could call Exit Wounds a coming of age story, but it's so much more.  The premise is quite interesting actually so a quick plot blurb.  Koby Franco is a taxi driver in Tel Aviv, Israel when he is contacted by an Israeli soldier who tells him his father could be an unidentified victim of a terrorist attack.  The story goes to all kinds of interesting places and is highly recommended.

Look for some reviews in the coming days, mainly Scalped.  Scalped is just to good to talk about and I would review it now, but I technically have one issue left to read.  I probably won't review it but the latest Wonder Woman exceeded my expectations.  I have also yet to read Darwyn Cooke's last issue of Eisner's The Spirit.  I've been hearing great things so don't let me down Mr. Cooke.  Bye For Now