October 2019

Aladdin

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Aladdin (2019)
  • IMDb: link

Aladdin DVD reviewThe 2019 live-action remake of Disney’s animated film of the same name is a mostly harmless, and mostly pointless, endeavor that adds little (if anything) new to the tale (other than giving the Genie a girlfriend). As in the previous remakes, the plot and songs are brought in from the original (although this version sadly lacks Robin Williams‘ madcap antics that helped elevate an otherwise pedestrian story).

Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott star as street thief Aladdin and Princess Jasmine with Will Smith stepping in as the Genie and Marwan Kenzari providing the most bland version of the villain Jafar possible. Although there’s certainly money spent on CGI for the project, the film lacks any of the magic of the animated feature.

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Angel #5

/ / Comics

Angel #5 comic reviewBefore moving Angel into Buffy‘s orbit, Angel #5 introduces us to another important supporting character as Angel hunts down Charles Gunn and attempts to enlist him to the cause. Things go a bit easier than the TV show’s first meeting between the pair.

Angel #5 offers a flashback to Gunn’s past which helps restate his feelings towards vampires, but he’s also a bit more aware of the layers of gray in the world than the original version of the character. It’s a clever choice that has immediate payoffs here. After seeing Angel in action, Gunn has little trouble believing he’s met a good guy (regardless of whether or not he’s a member of the walking undead).

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NCIS – Into the Light

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: NCIS – Into the Light
  • wiki: link

NCIS - Into the Light TV review

“Into the Light” concludes the two-part season premiere featuring the resurrected Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). The episode includes quite a bit of misdirection as the soldiers of the captured Sahar (Mouzam Makkar) attempt two suicide bombings on members of Congress, although it is discovered that neither one was ever meant to be successful. It also raises some suspicions against Ziva who makes some questionable choices in order to put her own plan in action and take down Sahar’s complete cell in one move.

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Star Wars Adventures #26

/ / Comics

Star Wars Adventures #26 comic reviewWhile, in theory, I’m all for more tales involving Luke Skywalker and Rey, the events of The Last Jedi don’t allow much leeway or time for any such stories to take place. What writer Cavan Scott attempts to do is shoehorn a story during the small period of time after Luke has agreed to train Rey but before she has discovered the Jedi Master has cut himself off from the Force and she leaves to return to the fleet.

The story itself isn’t bad, and offers a fun panel of Chewbacca dealing with the unexpected consequences of Rey unleashing the Force, but there’s only so much that can be done in such a short period of time. And the art by Derek Charm doesn’t do Mark Hamill any favors. (I hear the comic adds 30 lbs.) Still, the comic does offer a fun cover featuring Rey.

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