4 Razors

The Death of Superman

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Death of Superman
  • IMDb: link

Death of Superman Blu-ray reviewThe Death of Superman marks the first time DC’s animated division has remade a straight-to-video movie (the events from the Death of Superman storyline were originally covered in Superman Doomsday). Even though it unfortunately takes place in the New 52 version of the DCU, The Death of Superman is an improvement over the previous efforts focusing on the events leading up to Superman‘s (Jerry O’Connell) battle with Doomsday, his relationship with Lois Lane (Rebecca Romijn), and the death of the hero. The other Supermen (who will appear in the sequel) are foreshadowed here as well.

The best of the New 52 Justice League movies (likely because the story came decades before this version of the DCU that DC Comics has already decided to distance themselves from), The Death of Superman feels a bit incomplete with only half the story told, but I was pleasantly surprised with the results. I’m not a fan of either the design nor performance of Rainn Wilson as Lex Luthor, but he’s a marginal player here.

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Creed II

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Creed II
  • IMDb: link

Creed II movie reviewPart Rocky III and part Rocky IV, Creed II offers the highs and lows of boxer Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) who wins the title but is then faced with a ghost from the past in the return of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) and the introduction of his son Viktor (Florian Munteanu).

Despite the film going full-on-Rocky at times, director Steven Caple Jr. works to stay true to the tone of Creed by focusing as much on what is going on outside the ring with Adonis Creed as what is happening inside the squared circle. Sylvester Stallone returns again as mentor, although one conflicted about the history tied up in a Creed v. Drago match. Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad reprise their roles as Creed’s support system and family whose love will be tested when Creed accepts the challenge from Viktor Drago over their objections, and those of Rocky.

With Munteanu speaking very few lines of dialogue, the script relies on Lundgren to act as the film’s more vocal villain (while also exploring the reasons for Ivan needing this match for his prosperity and a future for his son).

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Ralph Breaks the Internet

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Ralph Breaks the Internet
  • IMDb: link

Ralph Breaks the Internet movie review2012’s Wreck-It Ralph introduced movie viewers to old school video game villain Ralph (John C. Reilly) and his journey to become a hero (leading to quite a bit of chaos for everyone involved). The sequel opens in much the same way with Ralph’s attempt to help his best friend leading to disaster and a trip to the Internet for Ralph and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) in search of a steering wheel for her video game which is the only thing that can stop the machine from officially being retired from the arcade.

Screenwriters Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon have fun introducing the two characters to the wider world of the Internet including E-bay, Internet videos and memes, a Grand Theft Auto style video game called Slaughter Race, and a chance for Vanellope to learn about a special talent of princesses from those who know it best. The later provides some of the film’s best scenes including a musical number I hope gets Oscar consideration. While the story meanders a bit more than the original, there are plenty of big laughs while still delivering a nice message about friendship for a younger audience (and Ralph).

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Supergirl – Call to Action

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Supergirl – Call to Action
  • wiki: link

Supergirl - Call to Action television review

The Agents of Liberty grow more bold, first by dumping their manifesto on the city and later by organizing groups of thugs in masks to attack the homes of aliens under the guise of protecting human rights. While ordered to leave the non-alien domestic terrorist group to other government agencies, Alex (Chyler Leigh) keeps Brainiac-5 (Jesse Rath) on the case allowing Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) to swoop in and prevent any bloodshed on Thanksgiving night. Despite earning another victory, the war for the hearts and minds of the city continues. And with Colonel Haley (April Parker Jones) apparently in league with the group, or at least sympathetic to their cause, it appears things will get no easier for life at the DEO (although the woman is at least smart enough not to make an enemy of the most powerful hero on the planet… at least not yet).

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How I Met Your Mother – Slapsgiving

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: How I Met Your Mother – Slapsgiving
  • wiki: link

“I thought we were done with that?”
“I guess we’re not.”

How I Met Your Mother - Slapsgiving TV review

This week’s Throwback Tuesday offers some Thanksgiving flavor as we take a look back at a very special holiday known as Slapsgiving. The How I Met Your Mother gang’s first Thanksgiving with Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) as a married involves more consequences of the Slap Bet which allows Marshall to torment Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) most of the holiday with the threat of another slap in the face. Although temporarily reprieved in the spirit of the holiday, Barney gets his holiday desserts, and, as an encore, Marshall celebrates his victory in song.

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