June 2013

Superman – Feeding Time

  • Title: Superman: The Animated Series – Feeding Time
  • tv.com: link

Superman - Feeding Time

With a new Superman in now in theaters every now and then I’ll continue to take a look back at the hero’s more memorable moments on both the big and small screen. Making his first appearance in comics way back in 1966, the Parasite has been a classic Superman villain for nearly 50 years. “Feeding Time” reintroduced the character as a small time thief and janitor for S.T.A.R. Labs whose exposure to an experimental chemical turns him into the Parasite (Brion James) and sets him on a path of revenge against the member of the crew (Robert Patrick) who roped him into the robbery and whose recklessness caused Rudy to be exposed to the experimental chemicals which left him transformed and with the ability to temporarily steal energy and knowledge from anyone he comes into contact with.

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The Shadow

  • Title: The Shadow
  • IMDb: link

The Shadow

Available on Blu-ray for the first time, 1994’s The Shadow starred Alec Baldwin as Lamont Cranston and his shadowy alter-ego with the ability to cloud men’s minds to make himself invisible. Based on the pulp hero who made his appearance more than 80 years-ago, the screenplay by Walter Koepp may be a little too cheesy for some, but Baldwin and some nice period set design help sell a film that’s far more entertaining than it has any right to be.

After the brief origin for Cranston’s brutal time in the Far East as the muderous opium warlord Ying-Ko, and his training to fight the evil in his past and learn the mystic arts which will serve him well in the coming years, the movie picks up years later with The Shadow dispensing justice in New York City. Helping The Shadow is an organization of those he’s saved over the years and a little mind control that Cranston uses to make sure his uncle (Jonathan Winters) doesn’t allow the police to look to closely into the vigilante’s heroics.

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Star Wars #6

Star Wars #6Disobeying orders, Luke and Prithi head out in search of the rest of the squadron. Finding the group and a severely wounded Leia in an equally damaged X-Wing, the pilots put their heads together and come up with a plan to trap the Star Destroyer Devastator and the TIE Intereptors quickly closing in on their location.

Although the plan isn’t all that well explained by writer Brian Wood, the effects are impressive. Most impressive. The fallout earns Leia an extended stay in a Bacta tank with C-3P0 and R2-D2 and promotions for both Luke and Wedge now that the princess is out of commission for the time being.

With Han Solo stuck on Coruscant and out of contact, and a pissed-off Col. Bircher wanting revenge for his lost Star Destroyer, it becomes even more necessary for the rag-tag fleet to find the mole. Sadly, it appears the group will move forward without Prithi who leaves after witnessing the depths of Luke’s feelings for Leia. I like the character, and I’m hoping we’ll continue to see more of her in the months to come. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Coming Soon

  • Title: Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
  • IMDB: link

We now have our first full-length trailer for Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa featuring Steve Coogan returning to the role of fictional radio and television presenter Alan Partridge who is forced into a hostage negotation when his longtime partner (Colm Meaney) doesn’t take being fired all that well. Sean PertweeAnna Maxwell MartinNigel LindsayFelicity Montagu, and Simon Greenall also star. Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa will open in theaters in the UK on August 7th, but but still doesn’t have a scheduled release date in the U.S.

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Guardians of the Galaxy #3

Guardians of the Galaxy #3After being arrested for stopping a Badoon warship from attacking Earth at the end of the last issue, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man are put into status awaiting trial. Thankfully for them, the group has one member of the team not accounted for. Sure, he may have a limited vocabulary, but that doesn’t stop Groot from making an impressive rescue and letting the Guardians go on the offensive.

Although I think Tony Stark is a bit too humorous in the face of danger here (he’s basically Robert Downey, Jr. with even better lines), the capture and escape of the team both work well. I can’t say the same for the entire enterprise by Star-Lord’s father which besides being doomed to failure (you really don’t want to try and make the Guardians your patsies) the logic behind his plan (which makes him look exactly like the conniving schemer he is) is shaky at best.

Groot and Rocket Racoon both get great moments here, and the teams smallest member racks up another impressive body count before Peter Quill basically decides to declare war on his father. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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