The Pretender – A Virus Among Us

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Pretender – A Virus Among Us
  • wiki: link

The Pretender - A Virus Among Us

Searching for the truth about a missing scientist of the Regional Infectious Disease Authority, Jarod (Michael T. Weiss) assumes the role of a scientist specializing in viruses and deadly diseases. While discovering that one of the missing man’s colleagues (Jon Polito) was working off the books on mutating a deadly level-4 virus into a level-5, Jarod learns the truth of what happened to the missing husband and father.

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Black Canary and Zatanna – Bloodspell

/ / Comics

Black Canary and Zatanna - BloodspellFishnets Unite! Taking place in a glorious world before DC’s New 52 reboot, this graphic novel from writer Paul Dini and artist Joe Quinones unites Black Canary and Zatanna on case involving a dead killer and a blood curse which threatens Dinah’s life. Offering us a glimpse at the pair’s friendship over the years which began with a snowball fight on a Himalayan mountain, Dini and Quinones provide one of the most satisfying and FUN stories from DC that either heroine has been involved with in years.

The logic of the story itself is a little odd (did Black Canary really need to go undercover to take down this gang?), but the execution and choice to center it around two DC’s most intriguing female figures, each of whom has made some questionable wardrobe choices over the years (also on display here), is an enjoyable read ending with a madcap final act involving the ghost jumping bodies pitting the pair against each other. Hopefully this refreshing old school take on the characters will prove successful enough to inspire DC to release other such projects. I certainly hope so.

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Maleficent

/ / Movie Reviews
  • 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

/ / Home Video
  • 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

/ / Comics

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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