Ranking Universal’s Classic Invisible Man Series

Well, here is my first truly COVID-19 empowered post. Like many of you, I have been shut up in my home these past several weeks. Recently, the wife and I decided to do a date night in – watching 2020’s The Invisible Man (it’s pretty good, more on that later). I was so taken by the new remake that I decided to watch the original 1933 film as well.

After that…well…I decided to watch the Universal’s entire series of Invisible Man films…which I have, since I got this gem last year around Halloween when it was on sale. Not something I planned on doing but, you know, as someone who has seen the entire Exorcist, Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Nightmare on Elm Street franchises, this one really wasn’t bad. Let’s dive in, starting at the worst and working our way up:

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Reviewing the Rise of Skywalker

Over the past week and a half, I have been re-watching every Star Wars episode released (so every theatrical film minus Clone Wars, Rogue One, and Solo). Why? In a recent interview, director J.J. Abrams stated that his newest film, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, isn’t just the ending to the recent sequel trilogy, but the ending to the entirety of the Star Wars trilogies. So, okay – he’s not just trying to wrap up The Force Awakens and Last Jedi – but Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi too?

I guess the former sounded too easy to him. No, I get it – if this truly is the last one (and I think it is), then there should be some ‘full circle’ elements going on that encompass the other trilogies. So…that’s what he went for. Did he do it? Yes, but the result is not pretty and sometimes downright painful. Let’s get into it: (warning: minor spoilers)

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My Top Ten Films of 2016

So the Oscars were two nights ago and I want to congratulate La La Land Moonlight on winning Best Picture. I’ve heard nothing but good things and can’t wait to see it. That said, given that I have not seen it or many of the other Oscar Nominees from last year, my own Top Ten list looks quite different.

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