May 2014

Maleficent

  • Title: Maleficent
  • IMDB: link

MaleficentOffering a new live-action take on Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the original tale’s villain, Maleficent proves to be a passable flick that works better than either of the recent disappointments, Mirror Mirror or Snow White and the Huntsman, both of which failed while attempting a similar approach to the retelling of Snow White.

Not without its own issues, most of which can be traced back to film’s lethargic opening act explaining Maleficent’s (Angelina Jolie) past and the series of events which led to her inevitable heel turn, Maleficent works largely due to the performances of Jolie and Elle Fanning (as the girl who would become known as Sleeping Beauty) and the film’s impressive style and design. Jolie is perfect for the role, relishing every moment on-screen, although the movie doesn’t really start moving until after Stefan’s (Sharlto Copley) betrayal which leaves the most powerful member of the fairies hell-bent on revenge on the man who stole far more than her heart and ultimately choose power over love.

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Nikita – The Final Season

  • Title: Nikita – Season Four
  • wiki: link

Nikita - The Final SeasonThe shortened final season of Nikita involves Nikita (Maggie Q) hunted for the assassination of President Spencer (Michelle Nolden), uncovering The Shop and Jones‘ (David S. Lee) army of duplicate soldiers around the globe, attempting to stop The Shop from starting a war between Afghanistan and the United States for their own profit, Nikita and her friends going from terrorist assassins to world heroes, and the show’s finale which pits Nikita in one final battle against Amanda (Melinda Clarke).

Along the way Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) will be framed as a terrorist, Sam (Devon Sawa) will struggle against his own nature to rediscover a bit of the good man he was as Owen, Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) will reunite with his father (Judd Nelson), Michael (Shane West) and Nikita will spend much of the season working through their relationship issues, and Ryan Fletcher (Noah Bean) will sacrifice his life to reveal a final threat.

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Daredevil #3

Daredevil #3You know what they say about the best laid plans? Never lacking in self-confidence, Daredevil turns the betrayal of the Shroud (the discovery of which ended last month’s issue) into a new plan to take down their common enemy: The Owl. Despite his “brilliant” plan of walking straight int the villain’s lair, once again Daredevil finds himself walking blindly (forgive me) into a trap.

Setting up the Owl to be a major player on the West Coast, and perhaps long-running villain of the new series, Mark Waid certainly sells the intellect and venomous nature of a character who at times over his turbulent comic history which has varied wildly from legitimate threat to little more than a C-list version of the Vulture.

And, as expected, Waid and artist Chris Samnee confirm Foggy Nelson is still alive and in hiding for his own safety. Judging by the chance Foggy takes here (entering the law office in a flimsy disguise) it’s a secret that won’t stay buried for long. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Uncanny X-Men #21

Uncanny X-Men #21Cyclops and Magik showing up at the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning turns out badly for everyone as some mysterious force forces both mutants to lose control of their powers, and Maria Hill and the fake Dazzler’s attempt to show up and take custody of Cyclops ends with S.H.I.E.L.D. losing control of the Hellicarrier and attacking a school of students – much to the glee of the mysterious figure who continues to watch from a distance and make his puppets dance.

The issue’s back-up story takes Magneto back to Madripoor (for unexplained reasons which only marginally really fit his current path in his own ongoing series). There the team’s former member discovers the true fate of Dazzler at the same time Beast makes a discovery concerning the identity of their unseen enemy. With those insights and Hill’s realization that someone has been forcibly maneuvering a war between the X-Men and S.H.I.E.L.D. should hopefully lead to a big reveal and some real answers beginning next month. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3,99]

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