American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally

/ / Home Video
  • Title: American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally
  • IMDb: link

Feeling like a Made-for-TV movie that Al Pacino got suckered into, American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally offers a half-hearted attempt to examine the post World War II trial of Mildred Gillars (Meadow Williams), an American actress who worked for the Germans during the war broadcasting Nazi propaganda under different names including Axis Sally.

It’s easy to pick out the two scenes which peaked Pacino’s interest in his character, the lawyer assigned to defend Gillars in an American courtroom on eight counts of treason. It’s harder to find a reason for anyone else getting involved. Williams plays a character who things happen to and we’re left with no better picture of who Gillars was than when the story began. The film is weak in terms of courtroom drama, doesn’t have the time or interest for character study, and doesn’t take a stance of Gillars, leaving the film by writer/director Michael Polish dead on arrival. 

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The Lost Symbol – Melencolia I

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: The Lost Symbol – Melencolia I
  • IMDb: link

The moral of “Melencolia I” seems to be to never trust the CIA. After receiving a video from Peter (Eddie Izzard), Robert (Ashley Zukerman) reaches out to Katharine (Valorie Curry) who is now working with Sato (Sumalee Montano) and the CIA. Despite all of Langdon’s discoveries, he’s still far from discovering the location of the portal. However, Sato suggests lying to Mal’akh (Beau Knapp) in order to lay a trap for the cult leader. Things don’t go exactly as planned as Mal’akh escapes with both Robert, who he needs to finish his work, and Peter, who apparently is instrumental in the final stage of whatever Mal’akh has planned.

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Transformers: King Grimlock #3

/ / Comics

The fight for Menonia begins Grimlock leads the Anglorians against the Red Wizard who unleashes more Wood-Bots and also an army of zombies against them. With Grimlock on their side, the Red Wizard (who turns out to be a Quintesson) and his armies fall. The third issue of the five-issue mini-series offers plenty of action while also leading Grimlock to an important revelation that he cannot ignore the Golden One, and agrees to help the locals against yet another adversary who grows strong on the planet’s source of Energon.

The issue also picks up on the thread of Arko who left Grimlock and has apparently signed up to work with the Golden One (wasn’t that who she wanted Grimlock’s help to take down?). Aside from making little sense, I’m not sure how this will play out over the two remaining issues which seem to set up a confrontation against the Dinobot and a very squishy human who, while brave, isn’t likely much of a threat.

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Remington Steele – Sting of Steele

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Remington Steele – Sting of Steele
  • IMDb: link

“Sting of Steele” introduces Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Remington Steele‘s (Pierce Brosnan) old mentor on the run from a crooked casino owner (John Orchard). It also allows Murphy (James Read) to play the role of Remington Steele and brings back Beverly Garland in a second, and final, appearance as Laura‘s (Stephanie Zimbalist) mother. Like Steele, Efrem Zimbalist’s character is given numerous names and a past of secrets. And as with other episodes which explore faces from the title character’s past, Laura learns far less than she hoped to about the con man turned private investigator.

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Wonder Woman #780

/ / Comics

Acting as a celebration, the oversized Wonder Woman #780 returns Wonder Woman home after the events of “Death Metal.” The issue is mainly a welcome home story for Diana, first at the Hall of Justice where friends are surprised and overjoyed to see her return. There’s even a nice fan moment involving J’onn J’onzz that Justice League International readers should enjoy.

The second-half of the issue looks at the impact of Diana’s return on the world, offering glimpses to reaction of several characters and groups after Wonder Woman makes her first public save since her return. The issue ends with a trip to Themyscira and another welcome home for the character while Diana struggles to take a breathe before returning to the world. There’s also some foreshadowing concerning changes to Diana during her time away, although it’s not yet clear what may be lurking beneath the surface.

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