3 Razors

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19

/ / Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18Your enjoyment of the current storyline of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is most likely tied directly to your feelings about the Neutrinos. The latest issue continues the Turtles adventures in Dimension X as the foursome agree to help Princess Trib and her forces rescue her parents who have been captured by General Krang.

As Leonardo and Raphael split up to help the effort, Michelangelo drafts himself as the Princess’ protector, and Donatello works to help Professor Honeycutt with the one weapon that could turn the tide of their war with Krang.

The comic also gives us (not nearly enough) scenes of Karai‘s own mission as the Shredder‘s daughter sneaks onto Burnow Island causing mischief and mayhem on Krang’s home base on Earth. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 isn’t bad, but it’s an awful lot of Neutrino politics and set-up for a battle that’s barely begun before the comic comes to a close. In fact you could probably skip this issue entirely and not skip a beat picking the comic up again next month. For fans.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Pretty Little Liars – Out of Sight, Out of Mind

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Pretty Little Liars – Out of Sight, Out of Mind
  • wiki: link

Pretty Little Liars - Out of Sight, Out of Mind

As Hanna (Ashley Benson) deals with the fallout from her mother (Laura Leighton) running over Detective Wilden (Bryce Johnson) with her car, and tries her best to convince her mother not to take any drastic action that she may later regret, Spencer (Troian Bellisario) finally comes clean to Aria (Lucy Hale) and Emily (Shay Mitchell) about discovering that Toby (Keegan Allen) has been working for A. Spencer’s revelation is followed shortly thereafter a warning left on her doorstep that one of her friends will pay the price for Spencer sharing her secret.

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Nova #1

/ / Comics

Nova #1Writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness give us a solid (although at times somewhat confusing) first issue as Marvel NOW! sets out to relaunch Nova with a new hero under the helmet. Part of the problem with Nova #1 is that it has to introduce not one Nova, but two. Had the Loeb been able to fit Sam Alexander‘s story into the already existing Nova history (rather than show us that his drunken father was once a member of the Nova Corps so forgettable he had never appeared in any issue in the Marvel Universe until now).

On the plus side Sam is likable enough (although does Marvel really need more angsty teenage heroes with parental issues?), and the comic does include an appearance by Rocket Raccoon and Gamora (that will nearly always earn you some points in my book).

The structure of the comic, though confusing given none of these characters are familiar, actually works well as Sam’s dad relates his experiences in space to Sam’s younger sister in a series of bedtime stories Sam has gotten too old to believe in anymore.

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Young Justice #25

/ / Comics

Young Justice #25Young Justice comes to an end with the final issue that wraps up the lingering stories of two different alien attacks on Earth at the same time, a political assassination involving Deadshot, Metropolis being cut-off from the rest of the world, and a closer look at Dick Grayson‘s relationship with Barbara Gordon.

As final issues go there’s a legitimate threat (or two) that concern the fate of the Earth and some nice personal moments thrown in for good measure to. The asssination attempts, which take place five years apart, continue to be the weak link (and the first attempt, which is finally abandoned here, is pretty much a complete waste of time).

Of the two alien stories, Braniac‘s works far better although both seem to reach rushed conclusions far earlier than either had planned. There are also plenty of threads left dangling with no hope of resolution. However, the scenes between Dick and Babs are pretty damn good, and the various stories continue to allow multiple characters to each find their moment in the sun. Is it a great finale? Not really, but fans should enjoy it.

[DC, $2.99]

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Robot & Frank

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Robot & Frank
  • IMDB: link

robot-and-frank-dvdSet in the near future, Frank Langella stars as a a grumpy old ex-jewel thief with early onset Alzheimer’s who learns valuable lessons about life, friendship, and family when his resentful son (James Marsden) and absentee daughter (Liv Tyler) procure for their old man a personal robot.

At first Frank is resistant to the idea of sharing his home with a robot, but when he discovers his computerized friend (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard) has all the skills necessary to help him resume his criminal past he warms to the idea rather quickly. Susan Sarandon also has a small role as the town’s librarian, and Frank’s love interest.

Langella’s performance is the standout of the piece in this in this cute but schmaltzy tale that stumbles at times with bigger themes. The film works best when it focuses on Frank’s ability to manipulate those around him, including his robot, to always get what he wants. Robot & Frank is a flawed but nonetheless enjoyable film fans of offbeat heist films (such as myself) may enjoy. For more read my original review.

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