3 Razors

Captain America #6

/ / Comics

captain-america-6-coverWe get not one but two issues of Captain America to end the year. The new story arc plays on the seeds planted in the last issue as Queen Hydra and Baron Zemo infect Captain America‘s mind with a psychological attack.

Capa’s nightmares are getting worse (now he’s even dreaming being powerless to stop D-list villains like Batroc). To help clear his head he takes Hawkeye up on an offer of patrolling together. The cracking skulls and fresh air do a world of good until they come upon a riot caused by a “Madbomb.”

The situation spirals further out of control as Cap’s nightmares are made when he’s de-powered back to his pre-Super Soldier Serum days and set up by three low level baddies that make Batroc look like a genuine threat.

I was totally on board with the comic having villains attack Cap’s mind rather than face him head on. I’m far less sure of Cap’s nightmares becoming manifest in the real world. On the plus side, the art by Alan Davis is a big improvement over the last issue. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Captain America #6 Read More »

Doctor Who – The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Doctor Who – The Doctor, The Widow and The Wardrobe
  • IMDB: link

the-doctor-the-widow-and-the-wardrobe

The Doctor (Matt Smith) literally crashes into another unsuspecting human’s life on Christmas when he plummets from space to land in a crater at the feet of Madge Arwell (Claire Skinner). Despite being stuck in the suit, The Doctor is able to return to the TARDIS with Madge’s help and three years later he returns to repay the favor.

…

Doctor Who – The Doctor, the Widow and the WardrobeRead More »

Doctor Who – The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe Read More »

War Horse

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: War Horse
  • IMDB: link

war-horse-posterFor his latest director Steven Spielberg returns to the theater of war, but in a far more family friendly way than Saving Private Ryan. War Horse centers around the relationship between a young man (Jeremy Irvine) and his horse, separated by the war, both trying to survive and make it back to each other. If it sounds like Lassie Goes to War, it is, except in this case Lassie is a horse (and Timmy falls into WWI instead of a well).

For the second time in a matter of weeks Spielberg delivers a somewhat disappointing film. War Horse doesn’t have the same problem as The Adventures of Tintin, having no real heart at the middle of the story, but it is overly sentimental and far, far too much like a Lassie film than I assume the director planned to make.

…

War HorseRead More »

War Horse Read More »

Batman #4

/ / Comics

batman-4-new-52-coverScott Snyder’s run on the newly relauned Batman started pretty strong but this issue, much like issue #3, gets bogged down too much in the history of a young Bruce Wayne’s obsession with the mysterious secret organization known as the Court of Owls.

The idea is presented (and thankfully dismissed) that the secret sect may have had something to do with the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne. There’s also an offhand reference to Joe Chill that comes off clumsy and confusing (even more so because we don’t know if Batman knows Chill killed his parents in this New 52 version of the DCU, or if Chill is even responsible here).

Although I’m happy to see Snyder focusing on the detective aspect of Batman, the mystery surrounding the Court of Owls has gotten stagnant. I’m also sad to see that Bruce Wayne’s relationship with Dick Grayson appears to be more dismissive and less collaborative than I’d like.

The art by Greg Capullo looks great, and the comic ends with a panel that suggests things will pick up in the next issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Batman #4 Read More »

We Bought a Zoo

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: We Bought a Zoo
  • IMDB: link

we-bought-a-zoo-posterWe Bought a Zoo certainly isn’t writer/director Cameron Crowe‘s best film. However, it is his most family friendly and, with the possible exception of Jerry McGuire, his most commercial. It some circles that may be seen as a bad thing, but if Crowe’s latest is a little more formulaic than usual he still delivers a charming film that most should be able to enjoy.

Based on a true story, Matt Damon stars as Benjamin Mee, a single-father still reeling from the death of his wife (Maggie Elizabeth Jones). In need of a fresh start, and against the advice of his brother (Thomas Haden Church) and the disapproval of his angsty teenage son (Colin Ford), Benjamin spends the family’s savings to buy a rundown zoo, saving the park and the 200 species from destruction.

In a few months, with the help of the park’s zoo keeper (Scarlett Johansson) and staff (Angus Macfadyen, Patrick Fugit, Elle Fanning, Carla Gallo) Benjamin must to get the zoo up to code if he has any hope of seeing a return on his investment and save the park for good.

…

We Bought a ZooRead More »

We Bought a Zoo Read More »