3 Razors

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #4

/ / Comics

btvs-season-nine-4-coverFreefall, the first story arc of Buffy Season Nine, comes to an end as Buffy Summers squares off against the Siphon. In a trend that has continued through four issues (perhaps as a reverse nod to the Star Trek movie franchise?) the odd-numbered issues have been better than the even-numbered ones.

Although issue #4 isn’t bad, it does have a few problems including some sketchy art by Georges Jeanty. Buffy comes out looking like the Slayer we know and love, but many of the supporting characters only vaguely resenble their television counterparts (Xander and Dawn especially).

I’m also very mixed on the comic’s conclusion. Buffy being saved by the police at the last minute might get her out of immediate legal trouble (although there still is that whole “is slaying murder” issue left to be resolved), but it sure comes off anticlimactic when your super-heroine has to be saved by a guy with a gun. Hit-and-Miss.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Batman and Robin #4

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-4-coverAlthough I’m still disappointed that Damian has been rebooted back into the little shit he was when he was first introduced (basically erasing all the progress the character had made working with Dick Grayson and Stephanie Brown) I will give writer Peter J. Tomasi credit for finding a way to play on the character’s insecurity and rebellious nature.

One of the things Batman and Robin has done well is to give us a Batman from his son’s perspective. As the reader we know why Batman is protecting and sheilding Damian from certain things, but from his perspective it looks like Batman is a stubborn ass.

I’m less thrilled with Nobody and his connection with Henri Ducard. Although he does offer Damian a tempataion, we know, despite all his flaws, Damian isn’t likely to give into his baser desires this early in the New 52. This means despite being handled with some skill (although the opening diatribe in the drive-in is pretty awful) this arc ultimately has nowhere to go. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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The Adventures of Tintin

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Adventures of Tintin
  • IMDb: link

adventures-of-tin-tin-posterFor his first dabble in the world of animation director Steven Spielberg decided to adapt the Belgian comic of Hergé which center around a young reporter out to discover the truth by unraveling a mystery often by relying on his wits and the help of his dog, Snowy.

The film adapts the eleventh title of the series, The Secret of the Unicorn, which begins with Tintin (Jamie Bell) purchasing an old model ship which contains a clue to a mystery involving an alcholic sea captain (Andy Serkis), a mysterious collector (Daniel Craig), a pirate treasure, and an unsolved riddle in three parts.

Although the film lacks the heart you would suspect of a Spielberg project, The Adventures of Tintin does provide a distinct animated style and several impressive chase sequences. In fact, it could be argued the entire film is little more than a collection of these sequences.

The individual set pieces are beautifully done, and the film even gives a nice nod to Hergé whose art appears in the credit sequence and briefly in the movie’s opening scene.

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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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Snake Eyes #8

/ / Comics

snake-eyes-8-coverDeep inside Rodrigo Vargas‘ Albanian compound, Snake Eyes just needs to keep Duke alive long enough for the scientists to find a cure for the Madness Bug. Of course the fact that they’re surrounded by two legions of Cobra Vipers and only back-up Snake Eyes has to rely on is Kwinn and a rapidly deteriorating Duke makes things a little more interesting.

The final issue of Madness Bug storyline leaves us with one less potential Cobra Commander candidate and one hell of a body count. Seriously folks, this one gets bloody. Snake Eyes, Duke, and Kwinn waste neither time nor ammunition in mowing down dozens of Cobra troops whose bodies litter the halls of the underground laboratory.

Eventually too far outnumbered the trio resort to a little trickery to make it out alive, and get Duke back home to recuperate once a cure has been discovered. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

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