Posts by Jeremy Butler

Uber High is not what it seems, and it is up to the Lego DC Superhero Girls to prove it. At first the girls are seduced by the idea of less homework and more fun. However, it is a slippery slope that turns a hero to a villain. I have to say, if my daughter was in this situation, I’m fairly sure that she would go full-on to the dark side. But in her defense, I’m pretty sure that is most kids. I mean, come on, who actually wants to do homework? Of the Lego DC comics, I think this one has the most interesting story to it, as it allows characters who have been lifelong evildoers in various platforms the opportunity to be on the side of good, if they can resist the call of their darker impulses.

Lena Luther, tired of being ranked at the bottom when it comes to being a villain, discovers an ingenious way to establish her superiority. She forcefully recruits Killer Frost, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Cheetah, and Poison Ivy from Super Hero High. At first, the girls are happy to be at a school where they can stand out after spending so much time being outshone by the likes of Supergirl, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Batgirl. However, like I said, it is a slippery slope into becoming a super-villain. Lena intends to utilize the girl’s abilities to steal technology in order to amass more power for herself. It is up to the very girls who have outshone them to save them…. from themselves.

Nails. This right here is an ongoing struggle between me and my wife. As a man, I do not understand the significance of spending money on something that you can do yourself. Not to mention, I can tell you how many times I’ve gotten in trouble for not noticing when she goes to get a manicure and pedicure. In fact, I honestly don’t really know the difference between the two. Needless to say, a television show that revolved around a nail salon was not going to resonate with me. Fortunately, Claws had other things to grab onto, such as the inner workings of a criminal enterprise for which the nail salon is a cover. So I went into the story with reservations that were immediately melted away by the intriguing storyline. Furthermore, I was caught off guard by how many people I recognized; Niecy Nash, Harold Perrineau, Dean Norris, Carrie Preston, and many more.

Claws features Desna Simms (Nash), the proprietor of Nail Artisans, a nail salon in Manatee County, Florida. Desna dreams of building a better salon in a more profitable location. To that end, she allows her business to be used as a money laundering operation for the Husser Family, a criminal syndicate involved in the drug trade, led by Clay Husser, also known as “Uncle Daddy” (Dean Norris).  Events quickly spiral out of control for her when her lover and criminal contact Roller Husser (Jack Kesy) nearly beats her to death and she is saved by Roller’s mistress, Virginia (Karrueche Tran).  I must say, that is a powerful opening and does make for some good drama. For a majority of the opening episode, the two served naturally as antagonists. I mean, of course; what else could you possibly be to the woman who is sleeping with your boyfriend behind your back and attempts to muscle in on your salon business. However, her willingness to rescue Desna sets forth a different dynamic. However, don’t think that this single act made them fast friends, as they spend a great deal of the season butting heads, especially in regards to Desna’s brother Dean, played by Harold Perrineau.

You know what the greatest thing about kids is? Their imaginations. That is something that tends to diminish as we get older. If you are lucky, some vestiges remain as an adult, but nothing in comparison to when you were a kid, right? I mean, when you are a kid, your imagination allows to be believe that anything is possible. For example, the idea that two puppies can not only fly to Hawaii in back in the span of time that it takes their owner to make it home from work, but they can do it without being in a doggie carrier. That was my struggle while watching Puppy Dog Pals; I kept bring reality into it. However, my daughter Nalyce does not have that problem. So no matter how crazy these two puppies’ antics got, she loved every minute of it. And you know what? The sound of her laughter and seeing her so engaged with something positive made me love it too.

Puppy Dog Pals follows two dogs, pugs if I had to guess, as they engage in adventures that take them all over the world. I feel obligated to mention again that these two managed to travel to and from areas such as Hawaii, France, and China in the span of time it takes their owner, Bob, to make it home from work. Once you get the impossibility of those actions, everything else become feasible, and you can enjoy the show. This is obviously a kids’ show, and I am far from the target audience, but even still I was able to enjoy myself. In my opinion, Bingo tends to be the more levelheaded of the two, thus making him my favorite character. My daughter is of a differing opinion, as Rollie tends to take things more literally, such as when Bingo attempts to explain what a floral lei is, and Rollie proceeds to “lay”down. Rounding out the cast are the puppies’ big sister cat, Hissy, and A.R.F, an artificial intelligence dog created by Bob to clean up after and entertain the puppies. (Remember that part I mentioned about overcoming the impossibilities? I bet you thought it was going to be easier.)