1. Movies
Suicide Squad was such a disappointment. It was a great idea, but they failed spectacularly in their execution. It could be that there's a much better Director's Cut of this lying around somewhere, and if so I hope I see it.
My biggest complaint: a tremendous waste of Jared Leto. But even Margot Robbie and Will Smith could have been used better.
It should have been a lot darker, and a lot more disturbing. How are you going to show the Joker, lying on his living room floor with all of his knives around him, and not have a seriously disturbing torture scene later on?
Yes, people whine about the DC films being too "dark and gritty," but this was a movie that really called for that kind of tone.
Besides Suicide Squad, I also saw Miles Ahead and High-Rise. Both excellent movies. I think Miles Ahead was slightly better, especially since High-Rise was a bit squeamish when it came to showing the physical and moral degradation of the building's tenants. If you're going to adapt a J.G. Ballard novel, you've got to show us everything.
2. Music
A lot of Twenty One Pilots and Panic! At the Disco. The newest albums by both bands.
Twenty One Pilots('s) older stuff is ok, but I like their poppier stuff better. It's the same situation with Panic! At the Disco. Their older music seems a bit aimless, and their singer overwhelms the music with his singing. Their newer album is a much better blend of rock and pop.
And of course after watching Miles Ahead I went into another Miles Davis coma. I think my favorite of his albums are probably Miles in the Sky and Bitches' Brew. Big Fun is also great.
3. Comic Books
Didn't read any! I should probably catch up on them soon. I'm guessing there are a few new issues of Saga, Monstress, The Fix, and Sherrif of Baghdad on the (virtual) shelves...
More comics read recently.
Crossed
That cover pretty much says it all, doesn't it? I've been a fan of Garth Ennis for a while, and this series takes it to a whole other level. I haven't yet read all of the issues and spinoffs in my collection, but what I've read so far is good. Bring a strong stomach!
Saga 1-36 (2015-2016)
An excellent comic book, driven by a compelling story and crisp artwork. Oh, and it's also full of sex and violence. I read part of this series a couple years ago, but didn't sit down and read the whole thing until recently.
Secret Wars 1-9 (2015-2016)
Another comic I started quite a while ago. Finally read issue #9 the other day. It starts off GREAT, but the last few issues are little more than a series of battles, with very little dramatic impact. I didn't read all the associated comics (who has that kind of time?), so maybe that sense of scale missing in the later issues is to be found in those.
The Sheriff of Babylon 1-6 (2016)
Noirish comic set in scenic Iraq. Reminded me a bit of 100 Bullets. A police officer from the USA trains Iraqis in Western law enforcement techniques. Very good, and I look forward to reading more of this in the future.
Spider-Woman 1-10 (2015)
I've always liked Spider-Woman more than Spider-Man. Part of the reason may well be that the inner, (pre)pubescent me still thinks she's hot. But I also think she's a more interesting character. The first four of these issues feature Spider-Woman in the classic (sexy) costume, and the last six feature her newer, far less sexy costume with the ridiculous sunglasses. The writing in this comic is solid, but the art is more of a mixed bag.
Superman: American Alien 1-5 (2016)
Not so much an ongoing story as a series of stories highlighting different moments in Superman's life. Max Landis writes them all, while a different artist illustrates each story. Very good series so far, and I look forward to reading the last two issues. Issue #5 is the best of the first five.
Ultimatum (Including Ultimate Power 1-9, The Ultimates 3, Ultimatum, and several other comics) (2009-2014)
In the Beginning, I loved Marvel's Ultimate Universe. Mark Millar was able to put the characters on a good footing, the art was generally good, and some of the stories were excellent. Unfortunately Marvel fell asleep at the wheel, and by the time Ultimatum rolled around it was hard to care about the Ultimate Universe's more "realistic" approach to its characters. Ultimatum was the beginning of the end, and the Ultimate Universe would be abolished altogether in the above-mentioned Secret Wars limited series.
