4 Razors

Young Justice #11

/ / Comics

young-justice-11-coverWith so many Bat-titles out right now imagine my surprise in finding the best Batman and Robin story of the month in Young Justice. The rest of the team is given most of this issue off as Robin helps Batman track down Ra’s al Ghul and foil his latest diabolical plot to rid the planet of humanity.

The action is great. We get Batman and Robin battling several assassins as well as Ubu, Talia, and a final showdown between Batman and Ra’s al Ghul.

Writer Greg Weisman makes good use of Talia’s torn loyalties and her feelings for the Dark Knight Detective as well as Batman’s more understated feelings for her in return (who knows Talia isn’t going to be pleased by Robin being responsible for the latest “death” of her father).

The rest of the Bat-books have been a little shaky this month, but I’ll give credit for Young Justice for delivering a fun Bat-story on all counts. And the best part is we’ll get even more as the story concludes next month! Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Daredevil #7

/ / Comics

daredevil-7-coverThe holidays turn out to be anything but stress-free for Matt Murdock when his getaway with eight blind at-risk students goes horribly wrong after their bus gets lost and crashes in a snowstorm.

Far from anywhere, thanks to the (now deceased) bus driver’s shortcut, Daredevil puts on a brave face and sets out with the kids through the blizzard (which is playing havoc with his radar sense) to find some safety.

It may not have any super-villains, but Daredevil #7 is one of the year’s best comics which showcases the hero’s heart as well as the resiliency of the children who end up saving the hero.

There’s also a great opening scene between Matt Murdock and Kristen McDuffie at the Nelson & Murdock holiday party where the lawyer shows up in horns and a red and white hoodie proclaiming he’s no super-hero. I think the kids would disagree. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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The Artist

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Artist
  • IMDB: link

the-artist-posterFame is a fickle thing. The largest star in the world can fall into relative obscurity almost overnight, and an extra can go from chorus girl to center stage almost as quickly. Hollywood films have played on these themes for decades, but none in more than 80 years have done so quite like The Artist.

Set to a Vertigo-esque score by Ludovic Bource The Artist is a marvel in itself. In an age where CGI is king this little independent film takes us back nearly a century by embracing the era of Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks.

In 2011 it’s not every day you get a black and white silent film. The action alone carries the story, with title cards (rather than subtitles) to fill in any necessary exposition.

Our story begins with the introduction of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), the world’s biggest silent movie star, and Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), a young extra just starting out on one of George’s films. As Peppy’s career begins to take off George finds himself obsolete almost overnight as silent films are replaced by talkies.

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Midnight in Paris

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Midnight in Paris
  • IMDB: link

midnight-in-paris-blu-rayThe latest from writer/director Woody Allen stars Owen Wilson as a Hollywood screenwriter and struggling novelist who takes a trip to Paris with his fiance (Rachel McAdams) and her parents (Kurt Fuller, Mimi Kennedy). Although he is in love with the city. Gil (Wilson) feels stifled by his conservative in-laws to-be and lacks patience for his fiance’s friends, most notably the pedantic Paul (Michael Sheen).

Then one night, while wandering through the city, Gil somehow finds himself transported to the Paris of the early 1900’s where he meets a collection of his artist idols including Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll) and his wife Zelda (Alison Pill), Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), Pablo Picaso (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo), T.S. Elliot (David Lowe), and Cole Porter (Yves Heck). Every night Gil sneaks away, spending time in the Paris of his dreams, discussing art with the greats, and falling more and more for the lovely Adriana (Marion Cotillard).

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