March 2011

Top 10 Oscar-nominated movies with no wins

/ / Top Tens & Lists

True Grit‘s shutout at this weekend’s Academy Awards made me search through the old database to find this top ten…

It’s just an honor to be nominated… Is it really? You’ve heard that expression for years. Let’s face it, the Academy Awards snubs many a film when it posts its nominations. Almost as bad, or in some occasions perhaps worse, is to be nominated for multiple Oscars only to take home none. Hmm… I wonder if someone could create a list of such films. Oh wait, someone just did!

…

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Secret Avengers #10

/ / Comics

secret-avengers-10-cover“Eyes of the Dragon” concludes as the team races to save Shang-Chi before Fu Manchu can kill his son, complete his ritual, and return to the land of the living.

This one’s full of action as the team attacks the Shadow Council’s base and John Steele learns his invulnerability doesn’t apply to weapons forged by the gods.

I was impressed how the Secret Avengers felt like a real team (with snide comments and all) this time around. Whatever the cause, the team clicked better here (at least for me) than in most of the earlier issues.

I’ve felt this comic has been shaky ever since it’s first issue, but there are moments here when it really feels like things are beginning to come together. Of the current major Avengers titles it’s been the most hit-and-miss so far. We’ll have to see if the things continue to improve, but this one is worth a look.

[Marvel $3.99]

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Teen Titans #92

/ / Comics

teen-titans-92-coverSadly, and much too soon, Damian‘s days with the Teen Titans come to an end. Sigh.

The second-half of the Red Robin crossover finds the Titans with a whole mess of Calculator androids to take down, robots to fight, and a super-villain to defeat.

I have to say I’m disappointed that Damian isn’t going to stay with the team, but I do like Batman‘s epilogue at the end noticing his short stint on the Titans has already made small changes to how he operates in the field.

Drake is a better fit for the team, but it’s still a bit unclear (given the ending and Red Robin’s current storylines) whether Drake is staying with his old teammates or leaving as well. I think the book needs at least one Robin on the squad (and I wouldn’t be adverse to both on the same team).

A good wrap-up to the storyline, but a bit of a meloncholy one if neither of these characters is back next month. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Flash Gordon: Invasion of the Red Sword #1

/ / Comics

flash-gordon-red-sword-1-coverThe long overdue sequel to Ardden Entertainment’s Flash Gordon: The Mercy Wars finally hit shelves (only four months late). The first issue of this second series finds Ming the Merciless presumed dead, an unsteady peace between the rival princes of Mongo (Barin, Vultan, Thun), and Flash, Dale, and Zarchov still without a way home.

The uneasy alliance is further strained when Mongo’s global translator begins to malfunction and the different species of Mongo can no longer communicate. Sounds like it’s time for a hero!

Flash, Barin and a small group of soldiers climb the largest mountain in Mongo to discover what has happened to the translator as Dale and Vultan come under attack from Agent Brand and soldiers from Earth intent on saving Earth from the “animals” of Mongo.

Despite the long delay this is a fairly good re-introduction to the characters and launching point for a new mini-series. It’s been awhile since I looked at The Mercy Wars but was still able to easily follow the characters and events of this series. Worth a look.

[Ardden $3.99]

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Avengers #10

/ / Comics

avengerrs-10-coverDanger Room meet the Avengers, Avengers meet the Danger Room.

Our heroes split up to recover the remaining Infinity Gems leading each team into a bit of trouble as the members of the Illuminati didn’t exactly make them easily accessible. Along the way we learn Noh-Varr doesn’t understand sarcasm (much to Spider-Man‘s dismay), and the fact that Tony Stark now owns Area 51.

Issue 10 is filled with action and some very entertaining interplay between out heroes. There’s a humorous one-page conversation between Ant-Man and Iron Fist while the pair are stuck together on monitor duty (and similar situation between Hawkeye and Mockingbird), Spider-Woman and Ms. Marvel‘s reaction to the Danger Room, and Iron Man’s attempt to justify his actions.

All that plus our heroes finally come face-to-face with the villain amassing the Infinity Gems for himself – the Hood (who’s gotten his grubby hands on yet another gem). Must-read.

[Marvel $3.99]

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