Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X #4

/ / Comics

atomic-robo-vol-6-4-coverSomeone is playing with our robot hero. First they laid a trap for him in space and then shot him down. Only through a dangerous mid-air rescue did out metal friend survive. Robo’s pals were able to trace the communication for the attacks to a sub-station controlled by a shadowy government agency known as Majestic 12. And they’re not done yet.

Issue #4 opens with Robo and his team under an attack from an army of Majectic 12 operatives complete with helicopters, armored transports, and tanks. Severly outgunned Atomic Robo and his pals spend the first half of the issue on the run before eluding their pursuit long enough to enlist the help of a convoy of truckers – for science!

Thanks to the help of some low tech trucker know-how, Robo is able to trace the signals back to Hashima Island (where Louis and Martin are about to land). With one issue left (enclosed in a giant crate on his way to the island) Atomic Robo will have to save his friends, uncover the truth behind the conspiracy that wants him dead, and save the world. Best of the week.

[Red 5, $3.50]

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Blackthorn

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

blackthorn-blu-rayWe all know that in 1908, alongside the Sundance Kid, Butch Cassidy died in Bolivia in 1908. But what if that isn’t the case? Several people believe Cassidy survived Bolivia and there are several accounts of his movements decades later.

Blackthorn centers around an elderly Butch Cassidy who has been hiding in Boliva for decades as a horse trader named James Blackthorn (Sam Shepard). As the movie opens Blackthorn has decided to return to the U.S. but an expected encounter with a thief (Eduardo Noriega) in possession of $50,000 puts Cassidy on the path for one final adventure.

The script by Miguel Barros is passable, but nothing special, relying on late twists and old adversaries to spice up a story without much to say. Blackthorn isn’t a bad film, but it’s far too close in themes and story to the immensely superior Unforgiven.

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Margin Call

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Margin Call
  • IMDB: link

margin-call-dvdWritten and directed by J.C. Chandor, Margin Call is loosely based on the fall of Lehman Brothers, the mortgage bubble busting and the cause of the subprime mortgage crisis. Almost of the movie takes place over a single night as the reality of the situation sinks in on all concerned.

Hours after 80% of his co-workers have been fired, while working on a project begun by his former boss (Stanley Tucci), a young analyst (Zachary Quinto) makes a shocking discovery.

Due to the nature of the mortgage backed securities the firm has been handling recently trading will soon exceed the historical volatility levels used by the firm to calculate risk. In other words, very soon the company’s debt will far exceed its assets.

Over the course of an evening the matter is pushed upstairs as a small group must decide whether they allow the company to fail or try to unload the worthless mortgages off on other buyers and firms.

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