3 Razors

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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Morning Glories #24

/ / Comics

morning-glories-24-coverThe latest super-sized issue of Morning Glories centers around Ike‘s relationship with his estranged father Abraham. Over the course of the issue we’re shown several flashbacks of Ike and his father including the first time the young man murdered him.

With Abraham now a prisoner of Mr. Gribbs, the Morning Glories Academy stooge tries to pressure Ike into killing his father again (this time a little more permanently) by threatening the life of Jade should he refuse. By the end of the issue Ike’s cunning wins out, but it also leaves both Jade and his father in a precarious situation as the young man demands the answers to questions that have been kept from him his entire life.

Although Morning Glories #24 doesn’t answer any of the big questions the series has kept under wraps for two years it does provide some background to Ike and one hell of a cliffhanger that should promise real answers whenever the comic returns to this storyline. Worth a look.

[Image, $3.99]

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Worlds’ Finest #9

/ / Comics

Worlds' Finest #9When Karen Starr‘s private island is invaded by a group of masked thieves it falls on a wounded Huntress to suit up and stop them from stealing her best friend’s technology.

The main story works well, but the flashbacks to earlier adventures of Helena and Karen are only slightly tied to the new tale and don’t add anything of significance other than to take up several pages which could be used for the main story. And once again it takes several artists to take over half the artist duties from the missing Kevin Maguire. The result of which are better than last month but still more mixed than I’d like.

Things do pick up in the end with the arrival of Power Girl and the reveal of who the thieves are actually working for. Although the prospect of Mr. Terrific showing up doesn’t do much to excite me, it is a nice twist and it looks like the comic is finally ready to deal with Karen Starr’s relationship to the hero whose pretty much disappeared from the New 52 since his book was cancelled. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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Flight

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

flight-blu-rayDenzel Washington stars in the character study of an airline pilot whose heroic actions save the lives of an entire commercial flight of passengers, but when his history with alcohol and drug abuse sees the light of day new questions begin to be asked about that fateful day.

The screenplay by John Gatins is pretty straightforward. Washington’s Whip Whitacker is your basic hero with feet of clay who is unwilling and unable to admit or address his own demons. As such there are really only two possible outcomes to the film. Either Whitacker will get away with flying drunk the day of the crash or he’ll finally admit his problem with alcohol and drugs.

Robert Zemeckis gets the best out of his actors, paticularly Washington and Kelly Reilly as a recovering heroin user who tries to help Whip get and stay clean, but the themes of the film often feel too simplistic and it’s all too easy to see where Whip’s journey will eventually end.

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