Alan Rapp

FF #1

/ / Comics

FF #1With the Fantastic Four heading out a time-traveling trip Reed, the Thing, Sue, and Johnny recruit a temporary team which will need to take their place for an undetermined amount of time between four minutes and indefinitely. Matt Fraction, who is also taking over the duties for the new Fantastic Four series, earns some points right away from me by choosing She-Hulk, one of Marvel Comics most criminally underused characters in recent years, as one quarter of the new team.

Honestly, I’m less exited about the rest of the team which includes Medusa, Ms. Thing, and Scott Lang who is reluctant to watch over a group of super-children while still greiving the loss of his own daughter.

There’s not much to this first issue other than gathering the new team and re-introducing the members of the Future Foundation (including Bentley and Dragon Man), but Matt Fraction and artist Mike Allred have fun simply showing off the various characters. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay with the title (I felt the last series grew tiresome rather quickly), but I’m glad I picked it up. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

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Beasts of the Southern Wild

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Beasts of the Southern Wild
  • IMDB: link

beasts-of-the-southern-wild-blu-rayWriter/director Benh Zeitlin‘s Beasts of the Southern Wild is an unusual film set in the Louisiana bayou in the fictional locale of “Isle de Charles Doucet,” commonly referred to by its residents as the Bathtub. Adapted by Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar from Alibar’s one-act play “Juicy and Delicious,” the film is centered around a six year-old girl named Hushpuppy (Quvenzhané Wallis) whose world is threatened by her father’s (Dwight Henry) sudden illness and an approaching storm which causes the outside world to encroach on the tightly-knit community.

Although the Bathtub doesn’t actually exist it was inspired by several small fishing villages along the bayou constantly threatened by hurricanes, a rising sea level, and erosion. Zeitlin gives us a fully-formed world without judgment or bias. The community of the Bathtub is an uproarious bunch who refuse to leave their homes even if doing so might save their lives from the oncoming storm.

…

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Beasts of the Southern Wild Read More »

Elementary – The Long Fuse

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Elementary – One Way to Get Off
  • tv.com: link

elementary-the-long-fuse

Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) is called in to investigate a bombing at a web design company that left two people dead and several others injured. Although the police are able to track the phone used to set off the explosion it turns out to be a dead end when the all they find at the other end of the line is a plumber (Adam Mucci) who mistakenly misdialed while trying to get in touch with his favorite deli. A little more investigating leads Holmes to discover the bomb was made, and set in place, more than four years ago, silently waiting for a call that never came.

…

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Elementary – The Long Fuse Read More »

Morning Glories #23

/ / Comics

morning-glories-23-coverThe sacrifice which has been discussed over the past few issues finally comes to pass as Morning Glories continues the story of Irina and the new group reuniting with Jun (who is really Hisao). Issue #23 also returns the bomb-making Akiko as we see her failed attempt to kill Abraham two years ago and her liberation from the padded room she’s been in ever since she tried to blow up Ms. Daramount a few issues back.

There’s certainly plenty going on here, even if it is a little hard to follow at times (it is a Morning Glories comic after all). With the sacrifice we get what is presumably the end of Hisao (who is really Jun) as well as some infighting between Irina’s group as Jun isn’t willing to let his brother be killed as part of their plan.

The biblical references continue as Akiko tells her liberator that the group should stop trying to target Abraham, but target his son instead. We also get a short scene with Ike and Jade finally making it out of the cave who, as the appearance of the military suggests, apparently have traveled back in time with Casey without realizing it. Confusing? Yeah, but still a good read. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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The Flash #14

/ / Comics

flash-new-52-cover“Gorilla Warfare” continues as the Rogues battle Grodd‘s invading gorilla army the Flash races a Speed Force-enhanced Gorilla Grodd around Central City who is determined to kill the Flash and claim the Speed Force for his own. Meanwhile, Turbine enlists the help of Patty Spivot and Solovar to help save both the scarlet speedster and Central City.

Once again writer/artist Francis Manapul delivers some great, and beautifully drawn, action that showcases Barry’s intelligence as well as his speed. It’s interesting to note that the first super-speed villain the New 52 sends against the Flash isn’t the Reverse-Flash (who we’ve yet to see) but a sped-up Grodd.

I’m not all to pleased with Patty discovering Barry’s secret identity, as I’d like to see the character phased-out of the New 52 as soon as possible, as this likely means she’ll be around awhile (or killed off rather quickly). However, I am glad to see the introduction of Solovar here as well as the idea that Barry’s super-suit doesn’t offer him the same protection while fighting other speedsters. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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