Spot Reviews 05/16/25
May 16 2025
Tron: Uprising (2012) [/] Animated half-hour series set in the Tron universe between the original movie and Tron: Legacy. Argon is the last city conquered by Clu and Beck (Elijah Wood) is a mechanic who wants to fight the system, first as "The Renegade" and later after an injured Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) recruits him as the new "Tron". Beck's escapades are opposed by General Tesler (Lance Henriksen) who governs Argon and his chief lieutenant Paige (Emmanuelle Chriqui), who is actually idealistic and a potential ally for Beck but not in season one. Unfortunately this series wasn't renewed and ends at an episode 19 cliffhanger. I found the animation ok but more interesting was showing life as a program. Besides Tron being a secondary character that appears in several episodes you also have Clu (Fred Tatasciore) for an episode or two and Quorra (Olivia Wilde) in an episode.
Frogger and the Rumbling Ruins (2022) [/] Puzzle game on Apple Arcade. You are Frogger as an Indiana Jones-type. Each level has paths and platforms, some of which you can manipulate by moving side to side or up and down (at any time). There are switches which Frogger must step on to activate. Three hidden Froglings on each level to optionally rescue. There might be monsters or other things to kill Frogger (or a Frogling if you're not careful!). It's 3D and you can rotate the map and zoom in and out and you'll need to do it to see things on the other side and so forth. Nice family-friendly game with 100+ levels. Apparently this game was removed May 15th and is no longer available so maybe it'll be released in the regular App Store.
Hellboy in Hell TPBs (2014-16) [/] Two volumes which cover Bellboy's stay in Hell after he died and before he was resurrected to finish the BPRD series. It's a bit dark and not as hopeful as early Hellboy although I suppose BPRD/Abe Sapien covering the same time period were also descending into bleakness. It's nice to have it to bridge that gap but don't think I'll ever re-read this.
Trader Joe’s Brookie [+] This is a brownie layer on bottom and a chocolate chip cookie batter layer on top. Together a bit too rich so I usually eat the brownie first then the cookie (since it’s batter layer and then baked it’s more like a hard dessert than a cookie). It’s like $6 for 8 180-calorie pieces though I usually have half a piece a day with two cups of coffee, so it turns out to last longer than the blueberry muffin and it doesn’t go stale as fast. This is now my coffee companion of choice.
Pho Little Saigon, San Mateo - Beef Stew w. Egg Noodle Soup [/] Perfectly fine Beef Stew Soup with regular thin noodles. Had it delivered so the noodles come separate and you mix it yourself. Lots of beef actually. Large serving was $22 from DoorDash.
Campbell’s Cream of Potato soup [/] For cheap condensed soup it tastes fine. You add milk so it’s soupy/creamy. Bits of potato to give it some texture. 225 calories (I suppose with the added milk) so kind of a snack thing for me.
Frogger and the Rumbling Ruins (2022) [/] Puzzle game on Apple Arcade. You are Frogger as an Indiana Jones-type. Each level has paths and platforms, some of which you can manipulate by moving side to side or up and down (at any time). There are switches which Frogger must step on to activate. Three hidden Froglings on each level to optionally rescue. There might be monsters or other things to kill Frogger (or a Frogling if you're not careful!). It's 3D and you can rotate the map and zoom in and out and you'll need to do it to see things on the other side and so forth. Nice family-friendly game with 100+ levels. Apparently this game was removed May 15th and is no longer available so maybe it'll be released in the regular App Store.
Hellboy in Hell TPBs (2014-16) [/] Two volumes which cover Bellboy's stay in Hell after he died and before he was resurrected to finish the BPRD series. It's a bit dark and not as hopeful as early Hellboy although I suppose BPRD/Abe Sapien covering the same time period were also descending into bleakness. It's nice to have it to bridge that gap but don't think I'll ever re-read this.
Trader Joe’s Brookie [+] This is a brownie layer on bottom and a chocolate chip cookie batter layer on top. Together a bit too rich so I usually eat the brownie first then the cookie (since it’s batter layer and then baked it’s more like a hard dessert than a cookie). It’s like $6 for 8 180-calorie pieces though I usually have half a piece a day with two cups of coffee, so it turns out to last longer than the blueberry muffin and it doesn’t go stale as fast. This is now my coffee companion of choice.
Pho Little Saigon, San Mateo - Beef Stew w. Egg Noodle Soup [/] Perfectly fine Beef Stew Soup with regular thin noodles. Had it delivered so the noodles come separate and you mix it yourself. Lots of beef actually. Large serving was $22 from DoorDash.
Campbell’s Cream of Potato soup [/] For cheap condensed soup it tastes fine. You add milk so it’s soupy/creamy. Bits of potato to give it some texture. 225 calories (I suppose with the added milk) so kind of a snack thing for me.