Alan Rapp

Batman #16

/ / Comics

batman-new-52-16-coverAnd I’m done. Writer Scott Snyder built up an extreme amount of good will with me with his terrific run on Detective Comics before the New 52 reboot. Shifting over to Batman with the launch of New 52 he’s delivered some individually strong issues but several forgettable and some downright bad issues as well. None, however, have lowered the bar more than Batman #16.

I’ve argued often that the entire New 52 seems to have been made off the gritty and hugely popular Arkham Asylum video game. DC proves me correct in this issue where it actually becomes Arkaham Asylum as the Dark Knight enters a Joker-controlled Arkham to stop the madman’s latest plans.

The Death of the Family issues dealing directly with the Joker have only gotten worse as the months have dragged on, finally hitting rock bottom here in this NC-17 horror fetish fantasy that’s so far removed from classic Batman stories it’s nearly unrecognizable. For those who enjoy it I’m leaving it to you. Mr. Snyder thanks for the memories, but I’m getting off this particular roller coaster with this issue. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

Batman #16 Read More »

Dredd-ful

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Dredd
  • IMDB: link

dredd-dvdYou know you’re in trouble when you begin comparing the film you are watching to a universal derided mid-90’s fiasco of a film starring Sylvester Stallone and Rob Schneider and find the new version you are currently watching wanting.

I’ll say this for director Pete Travis‘ take on the comic book character, it understands the character of Judge Dredd far better than Sly’s flick ever did, but it’s bleak dystopian setting and forgettable story is about as much fun as a root canal. Dredd is 95 minutes of joyless action in which no one, including the audience, is having any fun.

Set some time in the distant future, where most of the world has become uninhabitable and forced people to flock to huge Mega-Cities ruled by Judges who are in effect judge, jury and executioner all in one, Karl Urban stars as Judge Dredd. As the film opens Dredd has been tasked to take a struggling recruit (Olivia Thirlby) out on assignment to judge her future.

…

Dredd-fulRead More »

Dredd-ful Read More »

Arrow – Burned

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Green Arrow – Year’s End
  • tv.com: link

arrow-burned

With his body and ego bruised after being defeated by the mysterious Dark Archer (John Barrowman), and his father-in-law (Colin Salmon) still missing, Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) decides go take a break from his role as Starling City’s vigilante. But when Laurel (Katie Cassidy) asks for Green Arrow’s help in the suspicious death of a firefighter, and brother of her best friend (Annie Ilonzeh), Oliver suits back up, with more than a little prompting  from Diggle (David Ramsey), to look in to what Joanna is sure was just one of several premeditated murders of firefighters in recent weeks.

…

Arrow – BurnedRead More »

Arrow – Burned Read More »

Legends of Awesomeness – Shifu’s Back

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness – Shifu’s Back
  • tv.com: link

Legends of Awesomeness - Shifus Back

After two months of being cooped up in the Jade Palace unable to perform Kung Fu for without permits lost in a bureaucratic nightmare caused by the new regulations instigated by superintendent Woo (Ken Jeong), Po (Mick Wingert) and the Furious Five are finally granted permission to return to duty and deal with increased crime rate that has grown in their absence.

…

Legends of Awesomeness – Shifu’s BackRead More »

Legends of Awesomeness – Shifu’s Back Read More »