Thursday, June 4, 2026

Supergirl Lead Says Film Is Trash

 Since Ghostbusters 20161 Hollywood producers have learned the code to shield themselves from reprisals: Blame the fans. If the media product bombs, the fans are too misogynistic, racist, homophobic, whatever.

But also since then, actors have used it to signal to the audience that “Yeah, this movie is going to suck. You’ve been warned.” Whether they’ve meant to signal it or not. Sandra Bullock compared the loathsome Ocean’s 8 to Ghostbusters 2016 before it came out—it bombed. When Ewan MacGregor played Roman Sionis in Birds of Prey,2 he described the role as a chance to be part of a feminist film that tackles misogyny in both its extreme and everyday forms—thanks for the warning, no one went to see the lousy film.

And now, Milly Alcock,3 who will play Supergirl, has similarly signaled that this film is trash and no one should see it.

I hope the screen shot stays there, I can’t bring myself to quote that stupidity. I feel like I’m losing braincells just reading it.

But breaking out the defense of the movie that “the misogynists will throw crap at it because I’m female” is possibly the biggest signal that everyone is going to hate it.

This isn’t that big of a surprise. I took one look at the trailer and said this was a bad idea. Looking at Gunn’s comic book sources, and script writers signaled additional problems, only with bright flashing lights and an alarm klaxon. Gunn has hired a nobody to write the script, and is using knock comic book hack Tom King as a source material, all so Gunn can make Supergirl yet another variation on Guardians of the Galaxy.

Usually, actors wait until the month of the film’s release before they start throwing up the air defenses. Supergirl doesn’t release until June. If she’s pulling this crap in late March / Early April, that strikes me as premature. Why do it that early? My only conclusion is that someone thinks that Gunn’s Supergirl is going to be such a dumpster fire, they need to defend it right this minute.

On second thought, this shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, after the recent WB buyout by Paramount, this may be James Gunn’s only shot at keeping his job as the head of the DC Cinematic Universe. He has already spent an ungodly amount of money on side projects that has seen little return on investment—from Creature Commandos to Peacemaker. Looking up the box officer on Jame’s Gunn’s Superman, Gunn seems to be hard at work cooking the books to declare the film profitable.

It follows Kara Zor-El's story and her darker origin before she finally made her way to Earth.
This image isn’t much better than her last name.

Therefore, Supergirl has to make money. That at least explains the early defense of a film that already looks pretty bad, and gets worse the more that you look at it.

James Gunn’s involvement in DC films gave me zero interest in watching Supergirl. The trailer gave me negative interest. Alcock’s statement induces nausea.

The funniest part is that, given this statement, I have no doubt that Lobo will represent Toxic masculinity. He is of course, the most anticipated element of the film.

But it is good that Alcock signaled to everyone that this film is going to be garbage. I’m certain that if anyone had any doubt, she has dispelled them.

Again, feel free to ask me anything in the comments. If you get an email, you can ping me through the comment button at the top.

And please, feel free to buy a book, or leave a book review. Either would be greatly appreciated.

Buy my books

Buy from Tuscany Bay

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

 Remember this rant? How Tremors Can save Hollywood 

It is exactly as the title suggests.

But this is the particularly important part.

And yes, the film makers knew how to stretch a dollar. They put a dollar on the rack and they just kept twisting until the dollar screamed. Mostly by using horror tropes to their advantage — using the Monster’s POV (like Jaws), having Bad Things Happen to secondary characters out of sight, hidden monsters (also Jaws). And pyrotechnics are comparatively cheap.

Why do I bring this up?

The Movie Obsession just came out.

May be an image of one or more people and people smiling

At current rate of speed, it’s probably going to make a quarter billion dollars at the box office.

Obsession was apparently made by a 26-year-old YouTuber, for $750,000, shot over just 20 days

You read that correctly. It was made for less than a million. It’s probably going to make a quarter-billion.

It’s almost like good writing and good acting can trump vomiting a million dollars onto the screen with a bunch of flashing lights and CGI, and trying to smack you in the head with tH3 mE$$@G3.

Instead of, I don’t know, Joker: Folie a Deux — a $200 million garbage fire that hated the audience. Or Mickey 17’s $118 anti-Trump screed. Or $165 million for The Mandalorian & Grogu, which is getting its ass kicked by Obsession.

As I said last time, the bloat is going to kill films. How insane is it to burn $300 million on a film, and assume you’re going to make a billion? Do you know how rare that is?

Meanwhile: good writing, good acting, and good production values equals profit.

Seriously, I am a total and complete nobody who writes books because I’m not useful for anything else. And I can figure this out.

Markets reward value. Not virtue-signaling. Not “the message.” Not burning cash or money laundering.

Perhaps treat your audience like they have a brain. Maybe keep corporate suits out of the movie-making process. Slash and burn the overhead like it’s Pasadena.

So thank you, I was right.


Again, feel free to ask me anything in the comments. If you get an email, you can ping me through the comment button at the top.

And please, feel free to buy a book, or leave a book review. Either would be greatly appreciated.

Buy my books

Buy from Tuscany Bay

Buy from Baen Books

Thursday, March 6, 2025

 Originally posted on Substack on March 11, 2024. So, there will be another update on this coming soon.

The Warning Labels of Declan Finn

 There have been some poor little babies over on Amazon who have objected to things in my Saint Tommy NYPD series.

They object to things like… 

  • Jokes about other Catholic orders. Jokes that my father, the 3rd order lay Dominican (OP, not DR), have told since the day I was born. 

  • Their sins being written down and insulted.

  • Prayers. In something labeled **CATHOLIC** **ACTION** **HORROR** and a series called SAINT TOMMY. I mean, the poor little babies.

  • Action. In an action novel.

  • “Waaahhhh! A Christian should be more forgiving and tolerant!!!” — of rapists and murderers and people actively trying to kill our hero. How dare he defend himself.

So, we've got some warnings.

There are minor spoilers kicking around.

Click here for the entire series

Hell Spawn

Warning: This book contains Catholicism, God, Guns, miracles, America and the presumption that all life is sacred starting from conception. It will also accurately depict abortion, psychopathology, and other things that will be horrific. It's a horror novel, that should be expected. Also, it pokes fun at other Catholic orders and societies, because Catholics have a sense of humor. If you don’t, that’s your problem

Death Cult

Warning: Catholicism and violence ahead. If your favorite sins are insulted, keep reading, there will be more. If you are offended, you were warned. Insulting politicians included. We would apologize for the depictions of ancient Carthage, but the Romans wiped them out, so good riddance. Also, there is some gore ahead. But this is horror, you were warned. 

Infernal Affairs

Warning, this novel will have accurate and harsh depictions of politicians and other monsters. Extreme Catholicism ahead. Also, extreme chemistry, prayer, and creatures from Hell. Enjoy. 

City of Shadows

Warning: the following book contains horrors of the real world, including current events in London (CA 2019), terrorism, atheists in positions of power, and rioting. There will be prayer, God and guns. Read at your own risk. Urban II did nothing wrong. 

Crusader

Warning: This book involves sex trafficking, nudity, demons from Hell, Guns, John Wick level violence, Jewish mysticism, extreme Catholicism, and excessive levels of Deus Vult.

Deus Vult

Warning, this is Catholic action horror. There is gore. There are prayers, demons, stupid bureaucrats in clerical garb, and a Lovecraftian Bond villain.

Coven

Warning: There are accurate portrayals of Catholicism, Asatru, and dealing with evil. If you have problems with the concept of evil, you have purchased the wrong novel.

Hussar

WARNING: This novel involves human trafficking, child abuse, Big Tech, an accurate portrayal of Child Protection Services, Anti-Fa thugs and other Socialists.

Destiny

WARNING: This book may be offensive to ancient Carthage, abortion fetishists, people without a sense of humor, et al. There will be prayers, miracles, corrupt priests, and Italians.  If Italians offend you, I was there during COVID-19, I assure you they offend me more.

Lightbringer

WARNING: This book portrays pedophilia as the crime is it, and the belief that perpetrators should have a millstone tied to their neck. Extreme Deus Vult level Catholicism ahead. Accurate portrayals of the history of Hollywood and corrupt politicians included.

Dark Web

WARNING: This book has action, Catholicism, evil witches, kicking the crap out of evil, Chinese spies, evil academics, dismemberment by zoo animal, and combat exorcists. If any or all of these cause you sadness, grief, or mild annoyance, consider removing the stick from your ass.

Blue Saint

WARNING: Catholicism, action, a sense of humor, and no sympathy for the devil. Also, there will be no body positivity, and no pandering to mental disorders.


Fan suggestions

A fan of mine drew up some more. Funny enough, his name is Brendan Kelly … the name of someone I went to high school with. But they’re not the same person. Anyway, just funny. And some of these are variations on those above, so pardon the repetition. I just wanted to keep his funny variants distinct from my original attempts.

Warning: This book contains Catholicism, God, guns, miracles, a belief in America, and the presumption that all life is sacred starting from conception; all of which are extremely unpopular with the governments of the City, County, and State of New York.  It also accurately depicts abortion, psychopathology, and other horrific things. It's a horror novel, that should be expected. Furthermore, it pokes fun at various Catholic orders and societies, because Catholics have a sense of humor. May not be legal in the State of California. Do not dry clean.

Warning: The following book contains horrors of the real world, including current events in London (CA 2019), terrorism, rioting, and atheists in positions of power. There will be prayer, God, and guns. Possession and/or sale of this book within the boundaries of the United States Judicial District for the Southern District of New York is purely at your own risk. Not to be taken orally. Do not read if you are allergic to Catholicism, Theology, Morality, or Rational Thought. This book is not to be fastened to the boat. Do not expose to temperatures over 450 F. 

Warning: This book involves sex trafficking, nudity, politicians and other demons from Hell, Guns, John Wick level violence, Jewish mysticism, extreme Catholicism, and excessive levels of Deus Vult. Urban II did nothing wrong. Not for sale in Turkish occupied Byzantium. This book is not certified as organic or gluten free. This book has not been rated by The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and is not to be used for fighting electrical fires. Not tested for personal protection from impact.

Warning: This novel contains accurate and harsh depictions of politicians, monsters, and other creatures from hell. Any resemblances to real politicians is hereby declaimed by the author and publisher and any inferences that said real politicians may have sold their souls, and/or be agents of The Evil One are purely a function of the readers own intelligence, perceptive ability and knowledge of current events. Extreme Catholicism and prayer ahead. May cause feelings of excitement, guilt, repentance, a desire for salvation, and/or hope for the future. Not to be read while operating heavy machinery or while performing cardiac surgery.

Warning: This novel belongs to the genre of Catholic action horror. There is gore, prayer, demons, and stupid bureaucrats in clerical garb; so it’s pretty much just like real life. Warning: reading this book may result in excitement, loss of sleep, serious theological thought, interest in the Catholic church, interest in the Crusades, and/or a desire to fight evil. Read at your own risk. May not be legal in the State of California. Store in a cool, dry place.

Warning: This book contains accurate portrayals of Catholicism, Asatru, and contains several unflattering descriptions of evil. It is not recommended for people who support evil, enjoy evil, actively aid and abet evil, people who have sold their souls to the Devil, or people who have not yet learned to read. Use, possession, and/or sale of this book within the District of Columbia is at your own risk.  This book has not been approved by the United States Coast Guard for use as a floatation device.

Warning: Reading this book can expose you to ideas, including eternal, universal, and objective truths, all of which are extremely unpopular in the State of California. Public support or espousal of these ideas may cause serious physical, financial, and reputational harm.

 Warning: This book may expose you to ideas that are known to the State of California to cause thought, curiosity, excitement, interest in the meaning of life, interest in God, a sense of purpose and direction, a desire for eternal salvation, and/or hope for the future. Please read responsibly. Do not throw at cats, birds, dogs or other creatures. Not to be used in the manufacture of ice cream or other dairy products. 

Warning!  This book may contain deep knowledge from beyond the dawn of time, and information certain demonic entities do not want you to know, or it may not. Honestly we never really bothered to check for that.

Warning: Reading this book can expose you to proven, traditional values and ideas, including eternal, universal, and objective truths, all of which are extremely unpopular in certain circles. Public support or espousal of these ideas may cause serious physical, financial, and reputational harm, including intimidation, death threats, hate mail, boycotts, and even an assassination attempt from ideological opponents!

The Accounting of Declan Finn

 I usually have to do this at least once a year for my own sanity … despite how little sanity there really is.

This is going to be a quick list of my books. And yes, I mean quick. If you want a previous, long, drawn out version, you can check here. That one is from … 2021? That’s the most recent one? That’s … odd.

Anyway, let’s do this quickly.

To start with, all of my books can be found here, over at Book2Read. It saved me from having to rewrite this exact post every few minutes.

NonFiction

2 books

Non-Series Shorts

Williams and Miller (Thriller)

2 books … it’s a mess, really

Too Secret Service (PB)

Dances With Werewolves

The Last Survivors (SF / Distopian)

2 novels

  • Codename: Winterborn

  • Codename: UnSub.

Non-Series books

Anthologies (16)

Love at First Bite

Three Ravens Press

Four books, Four short stories

White Ops (Space Opera)

Tuscany Bay Books

5 Novels, 2 shorts

Saint Tommy, NYPD. (Urban Fantasy, Action-Horror)

Tuscany Bay Books

12 novels, 5 short stories

The Pius Trilogy (Coming Back Soon)

5 books

  • Pius Tales

  • Pius History

  • A Pius Man

  • A Pius Legacy

  • A Pius Stand

Honeymoon from Hell (Coming soon)

Land & Sea (Coming soon)

  • On Tiber’s Edge (With Blaine Pardoe)

Total

  • 36 books (42 books with the coming soon)

  • 3 Nonfiction

  • 16 Anthologies

The stories of Shoot the Devil 2: Dark Matter

 Do you remember the anthology Shoot the Devil?

As I said yesterday, it was a unique premise… confront demons; beat them to death.

My story back then was of a demon hunter working off his penance. It was the narrator, the damsel, and the demon. And the demon bounced back from being hit by a bus.

And then there’s Shoot the Devil 2: Dark Matter.

Buy Shoot the Devil: Dark Matter

The premise here is fighting the demonic IN SPPAAACCCEEE.

Anyway, the stories.

Ahem…

“A Ship Without A Sail” by Frank Luke: The far space exploration ship Lexington comes across an alien derelict ship whose crew are reluctant to accept help; Chaplain Thomas Malcolm tags along, and discovers something dark hiding aboard that’s attuned to his personal demons.

“And Hell Followed With Them” by Michael Gallagher: An obnoxious tech billionaire enlists two disgraced astronauts to crew the Lightbringer with him, for a far-reaching voyage meant to pave the way for interstellar tourism. Upon reaching their destination, the seething and desolate planet TrES-2b, the magnate begins behaving erratically .

“Demon Bridge” by T.J. Marquis: Shore leave for Snake Division gets interrupted when the black ops team gets enlisted to track down a prototype ship from the military whose AI has gone and is heading for the dangerous and mysterious B-void.

“From Beyond,” by Stephen G. Johnson: When a member of a rough group of colonists settling a cold, poisonous planet goes missing, his compatriots risk their lives to find him, knowing his oxygen won’t last forever. What they don’t know is that their arrival awakened ancient alien beings that had been lying dormant for ages, waiting. Hungry.

“The Cleansing of Lethe” by N.R. LaPoint In this high-octane space fantasy tale, the battleship Principality’s Blade continues fighting the intergalactic Final Crusade against a demonically enthralled foe known as The Archenemy. A crew of human, elven, dwarven and Sindari soldiers fight to rescue a besieged research facility on a far-flung planet.

“The Heavens Declare His Glory” by James Pyles: A young woman with child awaits a brutal fate for false accusations leveled at her. Her people’s tribal justice is as darkly harsh as her home world’s dusky desert climate; but hope arrives from the most unexpected of places.

“Mark of Kane” by Declan Finn: When an ancient demon threatens a massive space station, Sean Patrick Ryan steps into action. But even the most dangerous man in the galaxy may need a little help.

“Daughters of Men” by Trevor Denning: It’s 1940s L.A., and detective Nick Pike wasn’t interested in finding a missing starlet, but the nervous studio heads were willing to pay him anything. His five o’clock shadow has barely hit half past when people around him start dying and his only clues point to a ruined German castle with more than secrets buried beneath the rubble.

“In the Place Called Har-Magedon” by Richard Paolinelli: When a whole colony is possessed by demons, the Catholic Church call in her oldest, and most surprising weapon.

“Better Than Being a Leopard” by L. Jagi Lamplighter: The immortal witch hunter Gregor Prospero has been imprisoned beneath the surface of Mars for his sins. With nowhere to escape to, where will he turn when the minions of The Evil One seek him out to torture him?

“The Last War” by Van Treeck: As the sentient all-consuming alien race known as The Rot threatens to devour all in its path, an unlikely alliance is formed between a technologically superior race of werewolf starfighters and an underpowered but cunning human fleet.


Funny thing is? This might be the closest I get to a White Ops and Saint Tommy, NYPD crossover.

Because this is going to involve Sean Patrick Ryan versus a demon on a space station.

Yes. It is fun.

And we have an ad.

So let’s shoot the devil today.

Buy Shoot the Devil: Dark Matter