BXT Reviews | Jeff Harris
Reintroducing the reviews section of The X Bridge is something I've been meaning to do for a while. And now is just as good of a time to do it.

It's been a while, so let's go into what this section is all about. Every week, I'll review something that interests me, whether it's a new release or something that peaks my interest right at that moment.

Starting with this group of reviews, I've added identifying icons at the beginning of each take and extended ratings at the end of the review for what I truly think of the product.

RECENT REVIEWS | All Written By Jeff Harris Unless Mentioned Otherwise

The Dark Knight (Theatrical Release)
How To Draw Stupid by Kyle Baker
Making Comics by Scott McCloud
Hancock (Theatrical Release)

Ratings Icons Guide
Shiny silver discs with movies, shows, and specials on them.DVD: This icon represents DVD Reviews. What was life like before these small CD-like discs capable of holding clear, beautiful movies, television shows, and specials existed? Clumbersome. The format slowly became acceptable during the first half of the 2000s as the cost of players continued to drop. DVDs also helped spur the anime distribution industry, inspiring them to release more titles as well as using the technology to have both English and Japanese vocal tracks on one release and allowed television shows to be archived at affordable prices. You'll see reviews of action-animated productions, selected anime titles, and comic-inspired DVDs as soon as I get them.

Classic format that is undergoing a kind of resurgence.Movie: This icon represents reviews of films currently in theaters. As much as I like watching DVDs at home, there's nothing like the theater experience. The dimly-lit stadium seating. The wafting scents of freshly-popped popcorn in the air. The thrill of watching something you've been waiting for on a Saturday afternoon. Nothing in the world like it. At The X Bridge, I'll cover a few movies for the action-animated frame of mind as well as those based on comic properties.

The legal way to watch television shows if you don't have DVDs of shows.TV: Ah, TV. The cause of, and answer to, many of life's problems. It's where we can get hours of free anime as well as great shows, movies, and specials at any given time of the day. So many channels. So little time to check it out. Every Wednesday, TXB will highlight a show for you check out. It's always something different, because something is always on. Think of it as television for the animated mind.

Movable type? The serfs mustn't hear of this.Books: Before DVD. Before TV. Even before movies. There were books. I know some people fear books like they were kryptonite, but books are worth checking out. Whether it's the latest comic title, an excellent graphic novel, a great artbook, or just something you read right before bed, books are a great source of entertainment. Comics, graphic novels, artbooks, and other genre-based titles will be reviewed within these walls.

FINAL JUDGEMENT GUIDE
The Final Judgement is my last word on releases. It's something that concludes each and every new review here at The X Bridge, and it's a five-scale rating on four or five vital criteria in every category. Five is the highest scale, the best of the best. One is the lowest scale, meaning you should avoid it like the plague. How do I break them down? Let me show you:

MOVIE/TV:
Visuals: The cinematography, animation, and effects. In short, how a film or television show looks. Basically a style category.

Vocals: The voicework, acting, and performances. How a show or movie sounds is just as important as how it looks.

Substance: The plot, visual acting, the overall story. In short, the meat of the meal. The reason to watch or plunk down almost ten bucks to see it in a dimly-lit room with many complete strangers.

Re-Ability: Re-Ability is important. Is it something you would want to watch again? Is it something you'd pay to see again, whether it's at the theaters or when it comes to DVD? Re-Ability helps find your favorites.

DVD:
Video: The cinematography, animation, and effects. In short, how a film or television show looks. Basically a style category.

Audio: The voicework, acting, and performances. How a show or movie sounds is just as important as how it looks.

Subs: Half of the substance. The plot, visual acting, the overall story. In short, the meat of the meal. The reason to rent it or plunk down almost 30 bucks to see something.

Tance: The other half of the substance. The extras. The bonus features. Easter eggs. Commentary tracks. The video packaging (both the what's in the box and outside the box). The reason why DVD was invented and why VHS is barely occupying rental shops to this day.

Re-Ability: Re-Ability is important. Is it something you would want to watch again or will it just gather dust on a shelf rarely seen again? Re-Ability helps find your favorites.

BOOK:
Plot/Information: Fiction stories have plot. Detail/tutorial/history books have information. It's the reason why you want to buy something in the first place.

Art: Whether it's artwork, guides, or detailed instructions, art makes up the book.

Presentation: How Plot and Art comes together in one unified vision.

Re-Ability: Re-Ability is important. Is it something you would want to read again or pick up on a monthly basis, or will it just gather dust on a shelf rarely read again? Re-Ability helps find your favorites.