Pretty much all of the later series from Hanna Barbera included a group of snot nosed teens solving crime along with some odd sidekick. After “Scooby Doo” the company repeated the successful formula thirty times with varied results. Often times it was incredibly awful like “Jabberjaw” and sometimes it was fun like “Space Ghost.” One of the last Hanna Barbera shows to feature that awkward laugh track addition, “Captain Caveman” mixes the studios odd fixation on the stone age, with crime solving teens, and the whole “Scooby Doo” formula to create a pretty decent animated adventure show.
Tag Archives: Crime
The "Wonder Woman" Pilot (2011)
Well if anything Adrianne Palicki is gorgeous. But it’s tough to really root for a super heroine who walks as if she’s desperately trying to maintain her top. Which she really is. Poor Palicki is given such a poor costume that her glittery top looks like it’s going to slide down and show off her skin any moment. Plus, the costume just looks so damn confining and uncomfortable. And then we meet Diana Themyscira who is Wonder Woman on the side fighting crime, capturing villains and refusing to turn them over to authorities because “they’ll lawyer up.”
Nobody Can Cool (2013)
The directing and writing team of DPYX manage to concoct “Nobody Can Cool,” a dramatic thriller that’s one half really damn good suspense ride, and one half forgettable fodder. “Nobody Can Cool” manages to pack in an interesting premise and one that definitely tries to cover all bases in terms of logic and excitement. At times I was very engrossed in what was happening, and while the film isn’t perfect, it’s saved by the tight direction and great performances.
Arrow: The Complete First Season (Blu-Ray/DVD/Ultraviolet)
With the CW’s “Smallville” (thankfully) dead and buried, “Arrow” just seemed to be the next step for the network. Green Arrow was one of the most popular elements of the later episodes of “Smallville,” thus Green Arrow is given center stage. Except, the producers make the wise decision of setting aside the bland Justin Hartley for the charismatic and often dazzling Stephen Amell. Fans of DC know the basics of the Green Arrow legend, and the character isn’t entirely an icon, so the writers are free to take liberties. And I’m quite happy that those liberties result in quite an entertaining and exciting Green Arrow adaptation.
Heavy Nova (2013)
I really enjoy the fact that director Peter Leon has access to these incredible special effects, and pretty much just stages a murder mystery aboard a space ship. This premise could have been set anywhere, and that’s why the movie is so fun and creative. The humor doesn’t always land, but when it does, it’s pretty good. The special effects for the most part are spectacular (including the green screen), and I enjoyed how the establishing shots in space put you in the atmosphere of this science fiction comedy.
The Moleman of Belmont Avenue (2013)
I can appreciate what the director of “The Moleman…” is going for, but with his indie horror comedy, it often felt like a misfire in every sense. The DVD cover is quick to compare this to “Shaun of the Dead,” but while they were losers, they were at least likable. It’s really tough to empathize or root for two main characters who lure an old man to dinner to have him be eaten by the mole man, or are so stupid they leave a box of kittens in the trunk of their car and accidentally suffocate them all. I should be rooting for them, the script says, but in reality I just found them to be complete morons.
Horny Diver: Tight Shellfish (Zetsurin ama: Shimari-gai) (1985) (DVD)
As with most Nikkatsu Roman Porno, if you’re in it for the hardcore sex, you’re likely going to be disappointed. These films are mainly for the sake of kitsch value and their rarity. “Horny Diver” is one of the many in the later Nikkatsu titles that exercises blurring with the more graphic parts of certain sex scenes.