The Natural

A WrestleMania tradition I'll miss this year, Trips OTT entrances:

Fucking brilliant.

I volunteer at a charity shop for people with mental health issues as I do. The charity shop closed the week before the lockdown came to pass. i think this is the second week of the lockdown by the UK Goverment. I say think because the days are long and dates/days are bleeding into each other. I know people who've said the same. While the lockdown's on and my underlying health conditions, I'm trying to use the time to get things done. These include spring cleaning, snapping up a piece of exercise equipment which went on to sell out and first time movie watches. I've had an electric guitar for a while. Any good books/videos you can recommend for learning electric guitar? Cheers.

I really enjoyed Batman Li’l Gotham taking in the history of Batman from the comics to the 1960s Batman TV series (shark repellant!), Batman: The Animated Series, Batman of the Future and two from The Killing Joke. Latter is amazing considering that’s for mature readers and this for everyone. I appreciate the nods/calls. Nearly all characters show up in the run. I’d have liked to have seen Batman of Zur-en-Arrh and Dick Grayson as Batman. A very funny and sweet read recommended for all-ages by Derek Fridolfs/Dustin Nguyen.

Batman Li’l Gotham (Vol. 2) collects originally published in single magazine form as Batman Li’l Gotham #7-12 and online as Batman Li’l Gotham Chapters #13-24. This series celebrates occasions with the Bat-family and their rivals. A Christmas issue is touching as Alfred and Damian Wayne look through the family photo album covering Bruce as a boy to becoming Batman and Dick from Nightwing. We also see the Gordon’s, Jason Todd Robin, Stephanie Brown as Spoiler, Tim Drake/Robin, Todd as Red Hood, Drake as Red Robin, Huntress and Damian with his Dad. I have to mention the issue where Batman and Robin go to Gotham City Comic-Con in pursuit of Clayface, very funny. Batman’s speech consoling Robin as his favourite character is no longer there goes out to comic book readers as well. I’ve said the same thing before and liked the conversation so much, here it is:

Batman Li’l Gotham (Vol. 1) collects originally published in single magazine form as Batman Li’l Gotham #1-6 and online as Batman Li’l Gotham Chapters #1-12. A book with Batman, his allies and adversaries over yearly holidays. The best issues were…Christmas, a touching one as Mr. Freeze wants to keep a children’s choir in a snow globe to keep them from the hurt of Gotham City…Valentine’s Day as Joker accidently spills chemicals of Poison Ivy’s onto himself which attracts females like Ivy, Talia and Zatanna…Father’s Day when the Gordon’s/al Ghul’s are forced to share a restaurant table and the male Bat-family want to cook a meal for Alfred. The interactions between Bruce and Damian merit mention. My favourite:

Carrying on Jason Aaron's Thor stories with the Avengers: Marvel Legacy collects said Marvel Legacy #1 plus the Marvel Primer Pages and Foom Magazine (2017). Marvel Legacy #1’s written by Jason Aaron and drawn by different artists including Esad Ribic, Chris Samnee and Russell Dauterman. The issue acts as things to come, the prehistoric Avengers downing a Celestial which will have consequences from the present day Avengers in the Final Host. The narrator repeats the legacy theme throughout. An example of that: Sam Wilson, Jane Foster and Riri Williams as Captain America, Thor and Iron Man, well Ironheart. The issue hosts a notable character returning from deah. I liked this though it reminded me of a much better one-shot in DC Universe Rebirth #1 as it was compared to on release. The Marvel Primer Pages are three new pages summing up the characters back story like a bio all written by Robbie Thompson (Silk) drawn by different artists primarily Mark Bagley. I just read the characters I’m interested in: Spider-Man, Captain America, Spider-Gwen, Daredevil and Thor stood out. Foom acts as a advert for Marvel Legacy, what it’s about. If you want to read Marvel Legacy #1, might work out cheaper getting it as a single instead. Avengers (2018) #1 by Jason Aaron. There are readings of something happening in various locations so groupings look into it. Captain America/Iron Man/Thor back together for the first time in a while I believe it is and Black Panther with Doctor Strange. I enjoyed this issue starting with the BC Avengers most notable of them: Odin, Agamotto, the Dark Phoenix and the talk between Cap/Tony/Odinson in the bar over HYDRA Cap/Stark’s coma/Unworthy Thor but more importantly the future of the Avengers. Avengers: The Final Host collects material from Free Comic Book Day 2018 (Avengers/Captain America) and Avengers (2018) #1-6. Written by Jason Aaron. Artists vary from Sara Pichelli, Ed McGuinness and Paco Medina. The titular Final Host arrives, Dark Celestials go up against the reformed Avengers. I liked some parts of this, the prehistoric Avengers including Odin and Agamotto for the setup goes way back when and how Loki is written. The plot itself is muddled. Not keen on this interpretation of She-Hulk and Doctor Strange sounded off too. Avengers: World Tour, Avengers (2018) #7-12. Written by Jason Aaron. Artists vary from Sara Pichelli, Ed McGuinness and David Marquez. The Avengers are getting acquainted with their new base, Avengers Mountain and have to contend with Namor’s Defenders of the Deep and the Winter Guard from Russia. I enjoyed this more than the last one seeing the Avengers in their new base of operations, the faction warfare, Namor’s narration about his life is well done and T’Challa/Black Panther’s recruiting after he’s named Avengers chairperson.

Everybody thought Biker Taker was returning at WrestleMania XXXIV with the promos by John Cena.

Insightful piece on Mark Kermode, the movie critic IMO: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/mar/29/home-working-jobs-observer-critics-mark-kermode-kitty-empire-laura-cumming-rowan-moore-bidisha?fbclid=IwAR1L8CU2ooriuba6LGoqiLnHjCL5eOCOgRPF_bhTXwVrbd7_tEiIfG9wq0Q

Sasha Banks paying tribute to Eddie Guerrero with the Frog Splash and tights at WrestleMania XXXII like the ones Eddie wore when he beat Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at No Way Out 2004. The GIF shows both.

After sitting with my jaw dropped at Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's Undefeated Streak at WrestleMania XXX, my NSFW reaction:

Comic book movies, my favourite genre... 21 out of 23 films came from Marvel Studios Marvel Cinematic Universe this decade. Of those, 5 are locks to make the final ballot. I'll mention 3/5: Avengers Assemble (2012), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). I'd consider a few more besides the five certainties. DC had mixed fortunes. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) was liked by most but there's a vocal minority against it. It's the weakest entry in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. The DCEU got a kicking notably Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Suicide Squad (2016) provided the worst Joker ever in Jared Leto. Wonder Woman (2017) righted the ship and Joker (2019) became the biggest grossing R rated film ever making a billion at the box office. DC's best work came in animation, I refer to Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (2012-2013) and 2017's Teen Titans Go To The Movies. Fox was hit and miss with X-Men. The highs: Deadpool (2016) and Logan (2017) with real lows in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019). Spider-Man had a rough start with the Marc Webb Amazing Spider-Man (2012, 2014) films. Those tanked leading Sony Pictures to share Spider-Man with Marvel Studios allowing Marvel's greatest character to finally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). Thank fuck. Spider-Man's best ever showing came in the animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), I've talked that up when the opportunity to do so arises. One of the best comic book movies ever made. I'll end my post on Dredd (2012), one of the few 3D films worth seeing in the format. A shame it didn't get the sequel treatment. I bought the DVD the week of release to support it. Dredd>The Raid (2011).

I also want to recommend Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018) taking the mickey out of superhero movies. Imagine a toned down Deadpool Movie that appeals to both kids and adults. There's catchy songs, a REALLY DARK montage and the movie ends on a killer last line. Me and my Little Sis' Laura were planning to see it at the cinema but she was too poorly. Shame we never got that chance. Health is wealth and takes priority. Give me Teen Titans Go! To The Movies over Deadpool 2 released the same year.

I think 2010-2019 was a weak decade for film with the exception of comic book movies. I'd take 2000-2009 and 1990-1999 straight away over the last decade.

Thanks for the recommendations. Cheers, @caley for reminding me about The Lego Movie (2014). Pretty confident that will make mine. Haven't seen the sequel. The Lego Batman Movie (2017) could go either way. As of right now, it won't be there. Speaking of recommendations, Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) from the team behind Wallace and Gromit. It's very funny and I'll be voting for it. There's a sequel called A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon out last year. I've not seen it but would like to having said what I thought about the predecessor.

@OctopusCinema: Carol (2015) is on my first time viewings list.

Two first time watches for this project over the past two days I've wanted to see for a while: Nightcrawler (2014) will make my final ballot, a film that looks at the media from how grisly news footage is acquired to ethics, and lack thereof. I was taken aback at how sinewy Gyllenhaal is, unlikeable too. Surprised he didn't pick up an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Snowpiercer (2013) .You know when you invest in something and then the last third/ending feels flat to you, more so as you've invested that time leading up to it? That's how I felt about the third act of Snowpiercer. Did it undo what came before it? Can you still vote for something on the last 75% and not the last part? Hmmm. There's an eerie start to it seeing "The Weinstein Company". Never liked Harvey and even less now for what he was found guilty of this year. The bastard.

Thank you, @Elsalvajeloco. Appreciate it!

I vaguely remember something getting cancelled in MMA on this day and I had to stress it wasn't an April Fools. Was it a Khabib/Ferguson cancellation or somebody getting injured on Fight Week? Thanks?

Well it's WrestleMania weekend so let's start with some WrestleMania GIFS:

WrestleMania weekend so... In my opinion, the three best matches in WrestleMania history are. 1. Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13, 2. Owen Hart vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania X and 3. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania XXV.

Well it's WrestleMania week but it doesn't feel like a WrestleMania due to what's happening in the world with the coronavirus crisis. Stay safe NDVDVR MB family xxx.