Steven Shinder
Author of fantasy horror comedy novel Lemons Loom Like Rain, which is available on Amazon. You can also read excerpts at stevenshinder.com and check out facebook.com/StevenShinderStorytelling as I share writing-related topics of discussion.
'Justice League Dark: Apokolips War' - The Endgame for the DCAMU
May 5 saw the release of Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, the final installment of the DC Animated Movie Universe (DCAMU) that was created as a result of the events in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. The fifteenth film in the series, Apokolips War feels like the culmination of seven years of animated storytelling. It incorporates members of the teams whom fans have followed in this universe: Justice League, Justice League Dark, Suicide Squad, and Teen Titans.
Steven ShinderPublished 10 months ago in Geeks
Would We Have Watched 'Star Trek: Picard' If Picard Were Not In It?
The first season of the CBS All Access TV series Star Trek: Picard has wrapped up, stirring a lot of online fan discussion. Throughout the season, fans conversed back and forth about what they liked and disliked about the series, as is to be expected. In various online threads, people sometimes asked whether or not anyone would be watching the show if it were not focused on Picard. This question has been asked seemingly as a way to evaluate whether the story of this series would have been good enough to carry itself without a familiar character like Picard. My answer to this question is, "No," but for reasons that might not be what one might expect.
Steven ShinderPublished 11 months ago in Futurism
'Birds of Prey' - A BOP to the Top!
Expectations To dive into my thoughts on the Birds of Prey film, I suppose that I should go back to the beginning by talking about my expectations. My earliest experience with any Birds of Prey team was the 2002 live-action show, which included a more grounded Dr. Harleen Quinzel as a villain. The team consisted of a wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon who's gone from Batgirl to Oracle, Batman and Catwoman's daughter Helena Kyle (Huntress), and Dinah Redmond (Black Canary). Overall, I thought that the show was okay.
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Geeks
Order 66 Survivors Who Are Not in 'Jedi: Fallen Order'
The new video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a fantastic addition to the Star Wars mythology. Set five years after Revenge of the Sith, it does a good job of connecting to the films, TV shows, and print media in an organic way. Since it is set within the dark times era, I cannot help but compare it to the show Star Wars Rebels, the events of which begin nine years after this game. Both stories feature Jedi in hiding trying to restore hope and meeting characters who are familiar to us along the way.
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Futurism
'From a Page' of Yes History
Within the last few months, I did a series of Yes studio album reviews as a way to commemorate their discography turning 50 years old. The last studio album review was Heaven & Earth, but then a week later, on October 25th, there was a surprise announcement. Now available via Burning Shed was From a Page, a collection of studio tracks worked on by Yes in 2010. At the time, the lineup consisted of Benoît David (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Oliver Wakeman (keys), and Alan White (drums).
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Beat
In The (Former) Present: 'Live from Lyon' Reviewed
On October 25, Yes announced and released a box set containing previously unreleased studio material under the title From a Page, along with a re-release of In the Present - Live from Lyon. This has brought the attention of Yes fans back to the days of the following lineup: Benoît David (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Oliver Wakeman (keys), and Alan White (drums).
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Beat
What's the Future of 'Joker?'
A week and a half ago, I got around to watching the film Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix (whose birthday happens to be today). It's a film that I was hesitant about seeing, and it definitely challenged my pre-conceived notions of Batman characters, particularly Thomas Wayne, who does not have many visibly virtuous characteristics here. (Though it may be a matter of perspective.) All that being said, I am glad that I watched it. I appreciated it more than I thought I would. It is a well-crafted, thought-provoking standalone. I am left with questions, which may be SPOILER-filled. So if you have seen the film, feel free to read on.
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Geeks
'El Camino' Shows What We Already Know
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie premiered on Netflix earlier this month, and I have had some time to digest it. Since it has been out long enough, I may bring up SPOILERS not just for the movie, but also for the Breaking Bad TV show.
Steven ShinderPublished about a year ago in Geeks
