The Intouchables

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Intouchables
  • IMDB: link

the-intouchables-blu-rayBased on the nonfiction book by Abdel Sellou, this French odd couple comedy stars Omar Sy as an ex-con out on the street who is hired as a caregiver for a rich French aristocrat (François Cluzet) with whom he has nothing in common. Most of the humor early on deals specifically with Driss’ (Sy) learning his new responsibilities, his discomfort with various aspects of his new job such as dressing Phillipe and “draining the ass” of a man he doesn’t know, and his fumbling juvenile attempts to woo Philippe’s completely uninterested assistant (Audrey Fleurot) into bed.

From there The Intouchables moves into the inevitable phase of the two finding common ground and becoming friends. Subplots involve Driss’ attempt to be a painter and keep his cousin () from following his same path, the relationship between Philippe’s daughter (Alba Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi) and her boyfriend (Thomas Solivéres), and Driss pushing Philippe to meet the woman (Dorothée Brière) he’s been corresponding with for months.

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The Mentalist – There Will Be Blood

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Mentalist – There Will Be Blood
  • wiki: link

“You’re putting your trust in the mistress of a serial killer.”

The Mentalist - There Will Be Blood

After months on her own Lorelei (Emmanuelle Chriqui) returns, still searching for answers about whether or not Red John was involved in the murder of her sister. Bertram (Michael Gaston) informs Lisbon (Robin Tunney) that she and the CBI will be working with Agent Kirkland (Kevin Corrigan) who refuses to elaborate on why Homeland Security is so interested in Lorelei. Lorelei’s return, and this latest murder, force Jane (Simon Baker) to admit to his role in her escape which Lisbon fears may come to light now that everyone is taking a hard look at Lorelei’s case again.

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47 Ronin #3

/ / Comics

47 Ronin #3Writer Mike Richardson and artist Stan Sakai’s retelling of the classic Japanese legend continues as the loyal samurai to Lord Asano learn about the seizure of his lands and make plans to set things right by their lord’s widow and restore his honor.

The samurai agree not to fight the forces who show up to claim the lands for the man responsible for their lord’s death. Instead they scatter as ronin and wait in secret, first for news that the petition to the Emperor has been successful, and when that fails to continue to wait and prepare to strike back and get revenge for Asano.

Three issues in 47 Ronin is still quite a bit of politics and set-up without delivering much action. That said, the story is well told and I’m willing to read anything drawn by Sakai (although I prefer it to center around a rabbit with a samurai sword). Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $3.99]

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Detective Comics #18

/ / Comics

Detective Comics #18Although the cover suggests this issue to be centered around the fallout of the death of Damian, Detective Comics #18 is far more concerned with continuing to tell the Emperor Penguin storyline. Damian’s absence, although felt, is only really addressed in a handful of panels.

The continuation of the Emperor Penguin storyline gives us Ogilvy in complete control of the Penguin‘s former empire as well as a new partnership between the Emperor Penguin and Zsasz who has his own score to settle with Cobblepot. The issue also includes a backup story focused on filling us in on the New 52 origin of Zsasz and how his partnership with Ogilvy came about.

Although the comic touches on Damian’s death I expected far more. Batman kicks some ass and finally takes down Cobblepot. Zsasz’s new origin story aside (which is ridiculously simple even for a comic book) the Emperor Penguin storyline works well enough here and by the end delivers a new weapon to Ogilvy to help cement his power base – the Man-Bat formula. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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