4 Razors

Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #3

/ / Comics

atomic-robo-real-science-adventures-3-coverAtomic Robo returns with more sciencey adventures including the continuation of The Sparrow‘s WWII spy story and Robo training with Bruce Lee as well as a pair of new stories including a battle of 19th Century flying ships with a turn of the century celebrity crew.

“Tesla’s Electric Schooner” finds Nikola Tesla and the unlikely band of George Westinghouse, Charles Fort, Annie Oakley, Wong Kei-ying, Winfield Scott Lovecraft, and Harry Houdini all working together aboard Tesla’s latest invention to take down the War Zepplin. This along with the continuing Sparrow’s tale turn out to be the two best adventures of the issue (making this an aberration as neither star Atomic Robo).

The fourth tale, “Atomic Robo and the Electromatic Dream Machine” finds the science adventurer trapped in a dreamlike battle of wits with a disgruntled fired scientist. It’s fun, but not too memorable. Worth a look.

[Red 5, $2.75]

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Supreme #65

/ / Comics

supreme-65-coverThe fallout from the death of the army of Darius Daxes and the release of Mean Supreme continues as the remainder of the Supremacy finds itself marooned on Earth without any powers, except for Suprema.

I’m glad to see several of the more colorful Silver Age versions of the character (including the lion-headed Supreme and the Mighty Mouse version of Supreme) are sticking around even as the comic embraces the original 90’s tone. Not surprisingly, one version of Darius Dax survives, but I’ve got to give writer/artist Erik Larsen credit for the choice of which version of the character is alive and after revenge.

The first issue following up Alan Moore‘s long-delayed final Supreme story had to do quite a bit of work to set the comic on a new path but I’m pleasantly surprised that even though the more vicious version of the character takes center stage here (as evidenced by him nearly beating Superpatriot to death) several of the more whimsical elements might still be allowed to flourish as well. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

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Safety Not Guaranteed

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Safety Not Guaranteed
  • IMDb: link

safety-not-guaranteed-poster

Time travel stories are tricky and the number of movies that intelligently discuss the topic are outnumbered by hundreds that don’t (for proof look no further than the pathetic likes of The Time Machine, Timeline, Black Knight, Freejack, and the truly awful adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s A Sound of Thunder). Thankfully, director Colin Trevorrow‘s Safety Not Guaranteed doesn’t fall into this category. Instead, it produces one of the year’s most unexpected and memorable films.

Seattle Magazine reporter (Jake M. Johnson) sells his editor (Mary Lynn Rajskub) on the idea of doing a puff piece on a man  (Mark Duplass) who posted a classified ad looking for a companion for time travel. Roping in two interns (Aubrey Plaza, Karan Soni) to do the actual work, Jeff heads to the coast for his real purpose of a paid vacation and reconnecting with his teenage girlfriend (Jenica Bergere), but the story the threesome uncover turns out to be far more interesting than they expected.

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Moonrise Kingdom

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Moonrise Kingdom
  • IMDB: link

moonrise-kingdom-posterThere is never a doubt that Moonrise Kingdom is a Wes Anderson film. From the opening credit sequence to the final shot the writer/director’s latest is filled with his voice and style. I haven’t always been Anderson’s biggest fan, as at times I think he sacrifices substance for style (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and to a lesser extent Rushmore), but I enjoyeed The Darjeeling Limited and appreciated The Fantastic Mr. Fox enough to include it on a list of my the Best Films of 2009.

Anderson’s latest is a bit of a departure as it focuses on a pair of 12 year-old characters (rather than his usual choice of an ensemble of thoroughly damaged and eccentric adults). Sam (Jared Gilman) is an orphaned Khaki Scout marooned on a small New England island with no paved roads and a group of unfriendly companions. Suzy (Kara Hayward) is the problem child of a pair of lawyers (Frances McDormand, Bill Murray) more comfortable discussing legal briefs than feelings.

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Franklin & Bash – For Those About to Rock

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Franklin & Bash – For Those About to Rock
  • tv.com: link

franklin-and-bash-for-those-about-to-rock

After being held in contempt Jared (Breckin Meyer) is given 50 hours of community service, in small claims court, as a judge where he’s forced to rule in favor of shutting down a legendary rock ‘n roll club when the club owner (Joel David Moore) is unable to pay the rent after the unexpected disappearance of his legendary father (Peter Weller). Peter (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) convinces his friend to make right by taking the man’s case, even in that means going up against Jared’s father (Beau Bridges) in court.

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