It’s been quite awhile since I’ve used the word impressed to describe a Disney animated film.  Bolt proves two things: 1) Disney bringing Pixar into the fold was a very smart move and is starting to bear fruit, and 2) the Magic Kingdom may still have a little fairy dust left after all.  Bolt is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year.

The lens of childhood innocence is a powerful method to shine light on many subjects.  In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas the son of a Concentration Commandant befriends a young Jew in the “farm” next door.  As events slowly unfold young Bruno discovers the world isn’t the simple place he once believed.

Capturing the sparkle of a diamond in the rough Twilight accomplishes its destiny. Twilight is a film to be reckoned with amongst teenage girls and fans of the novel series; even though it is not great, I would say it’s handsome nonetheless. The film itself is awkward and lacking a bit of finesse, but isn’t a monstrosity.

Twilight pulls on the uncomfortable realities in moving to a new school, state for that matter, and making new friends. It captures the awkwardness of first love and peaks our interests with a new perspective and persona for a vampire, a vegan vampire. No sharp pointy fangs, no spattering of blood and a complete lack of conformity for monster like features and going up in flames.

The film jumps from what could have been this generation’s The Lost Boys and moves into a better attempt at supernatural love and teenage interest than Blood and Chocolate or The Covenant.

There are those who will love Synecdoche, New York.  Although the film contains some fine performances and more than a few memorable (and bizarre) moments, the tale of a theater director with a myriad of problems working on a play about his own life for decades is simply too self-indulgent as it struggles in terms of presenting a coherent and fully realized film.

Heads up Kansas City comic fans!  This Saturday, November 22nd, Elite Comics is celebrating 15 years with a Warehouse Sale just for you including 20,000 comics priced as if Jimmy Carter were still President.  You can also expect to find toys, action figures, free giveaways, and special guests including Matt Fraction, B. Clay Moore, Jai Nitz, and others.  Who knows, maybe you’ll run into either teh monkey or me, too.  Elite Comics is located at 11842 Quivira Rd.

From time to time we give you the heads up on some serious nerd merchandise.  With the recent release of Hellboy 2: The Golden Army on DVD (read that review) we thought we’d take a moment to check what kind of big red demonic fun fans could be shopping for online.  From under $10 to $400, there should be something to catch your eye inside the Full Diagnosis.  Enjoy.

Last Friday Cartoon Network unveiled it’s latest animated adventure based on characters from DC Comics, The Brave and the Bold.  The show, based on the comic of the same name features Batman teaming up with various heroes from the DCU.  The pilot, “Rise of the Blue Beetle,” after a short intro where Bats and Green Arrow take down the Clock King, featured Batman working with the new Blue Beetle.  The look, tone, and style of the show is more in the ‘60’s Batman mode, and reaction has been mixed.  For more, including the series’ intro check out the Full Diagnosis. 

Hey folks, you’ll find the latest comic releases in our Comic Rack, but if you’re just looking to pick up some graphic novels look no further than inside where you’ll find Batman: Gotham Underground, Essential Marvel Saga Vol. 2, Fables Vol. 11: War and Pieces, Heroes Vol. 2, Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four: Spaced Crusaders, Robin: Violent Tendencies, The Spirit Special, Young X-Men Vol. 1: Final Genesis, and much more! 

Hmm, we’re about to talk about comics so it must be Wednesday!  Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls.  Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we look at the new comics set to hit comic shops and bookstores today from DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, WildStorm, Vertigo, Dynamite Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Archie, and Image Comics.

This week includes Air, Amazing Spider-Man, Angel: After the Fall, Avengers/Invaders, Bad Planet, Batman and the Outsiders, Battlestar Galactica: Ghosts, The Brave and the Bold, DemonWars vol. 2: The Demon Spirit, Dynamo 5, Ex Machina, Fantastic Four, The Goon, Halloween: The First Death of Laurie Strode, Invincible, Red Sonja, Robin, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Supergirl, Uncanny X-Men, and the first issue of The X-Files. All that and more inside the Full Diagnosis.

Enjoy issue #96

For those who couldn’t get enough Kung Fu Panda (read that review), DreamWorks presents the short follow-up Secrets of the Furious Five.  The one-disc, with extras, is available in special editions packaged with the original film.  It terms of length (23 min.) it’s a bit of a disappointment, but for those who wanted more background on Po’s heroes, plus a collection of extras kids should enjoy, it’s worth checking out.