3 Razors

Miral

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Miral
  • IMDB: link

Directed by Julian Schnabel and adapted from her own novel by Rula Jebreal, Miral is an attempt by the Jewish filmmaker to examine life from the point of view of several Palestinian women after the establishment of the state of Israel.

The film begins with the rescue of 55 orphaned children by Hind Hussein (Hiam Abbass). The children were the first discovered survivors of Deir Yassin Massacre, but within six months the number of children would swell to several thousand.

I’ll stop for a second to discuss Hind Hussein, who is definitely worthy of a film dedicated to her life and accomplishments. Using what resources she had, Hussein transformed her grandfather’s estate into an orphanage and institute of learning which continues today. Abbass gives a strong performance, even overcoming some questionable old age makeup for the character’s later years. But, somewhat to the film’s detriment, Hussein isn’t the film’s main character. In fact, I’m not sure it has one.

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Gotham City Sirens #21

/ / Comics

gotham-city-sirens-21-coverHarley Quinn‘s murderous rage continues as she works herself further and further inside Arkham Asyulm until only one door stands between her and the man she’s come to kill – the Joker.

Most of the comic deals with Harley’s inner struggle at what she’s about to do, her conflicted memories of Mr. J., and the conversation between the loony bird (and I mean that affectionately) and the one guard left in her way.

It’s an interesting scene as Harley disarms him, using the guard’s past as the weapon she needs to gain access to the Joker’s cell. And there she finds nothing, except her own twisted feelings, standing between her and the Joker. Even if the conclusion is a bit obvious, the buildup works quite well.

There’s also a B-story as Poison Ivy and Catwoman bicker over whether or not to help their friend. Ivy throws down an ultimatum which Catwoman ignores. Is this the end of the Sirens as we know them or will Catwoman risk everything to help her friends? Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Detective Comics #875

/ / Comics

detective-comics-875-coverFor an issue of Detective Comics featuring only a cameo of Batman this one ain’t too bad. Commissioner James Gordon takes center stage here, haunted by the return of his son and an unsolved series of child murders more than fifteen years ago.

The two stories fit well together (even without the thread writer Scott Snyder shoves in at the end), and the story reminds us how much the job has cost Gordon over the years and how the thousands of cases he’s solved can’t outweigh the ones that still haunt him.

Although I’m not wild about the art for Batman (in the couple of panels the Dark Knight Detective actually appears), Francesco Francavilla’s style works well for a story centered around Gordon, both in the past and the present. It will be interesting to show how the James Jr. storyline plays out, and how much time it’s given center stage (as it is here). Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #164

/ / Comics

Although I enjoyed G.I. JOE: Cobra, it’s been awhile since I’ve picked up a regular on-going G.I. JOE comic. Seeing both Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow on the latest cover I decided to give this one a look.

Even though I hadn’t read much of IDW’s current G.I. JOE universe it was easy to pick things up. The Baroness had been captured and Destro and C.O.B.R.A. were using a homing device to locate her inside the JOE’s secret base.

We also get a battle between between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, part of which takes place in mid-air as they’re falling from a building. Okay, that’s kinda cool. This issue throws in Zartan and the Dreadnoks, which certainly isn’t going to hurt my opinion of the book.

In fact in many ways this entire issue feels like it’s playing on the nostalga of my youth. The trouble is, with as much fun as there is here to have, the story itself is somewhat empty. Am I glad I read this issue? Yes. Does it make me any more likely to pick up the next one? Not really.

[IDW, $3.99]

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Supergirl #62

/ / Comics

supergirl-62-coverWith the help of Robin, Miss Martian, and Blue Beetle, Supergirl tries to find out who has it in for the young heroes of the DCU. Her search leads to the ruins of a Cadmus facility and lands her team in some hot water. Let’s just say in terms of strategy Supergirl isn’t exactly Batman (or even the son of Batman).

As a standalone this issue is fine, but nothing special. The storyline involving the evil shadow group and the killer Facebook app is moved forward, and it’s interesting to see writer James Peaty give the character a little grit and chip on her shoulder as well as play on the whole rushing into danger trait her cousin has been known for over the years. It’s what you’d expect from a second issue in a story arc, but nothing more.

I was slightly disappointed with the harder Supergirl which takes away from some of the fun of the Girl of Steel/Damian relationship. However, I did enjoy the scene between Kara and Lois Lane which points out not only Supergirl’s hubris but and why you shouldn’t underestimate her.

[DC, $2.99]

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