Only days before their wedding Chuck (Zachary Levi) and (Yvonne Strahovski), with the help of Casey (Adam Baldwin), set out to save Chuck’s mom (Linda Hamilton) from Vivian Volkoff (Lauren Cohan).
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Chuck Versus the Last Details Read More »
Some couples shouldn’t stay together. That’s the basic message behind Blue Valentine from writer/director Derek Cianfrance which stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams trapped in the painful end of a marriage which should have never happened.
Through flashbacks we’re shown their shy beginnings and the events which rush the couple into an all-too-quick marriage. The effects of this are all to obvious on the current state of their relationship.
I liked the film enough to sneak it onto my Best Movies of 2010 list. Williams and Gosling carry the film with a pair of strong performances of two people going through the motions of a doomed love affair which should have ended years ago.
Available on both Blu-ray and DVD the extras include deleted scenes, a making of the film featurette, and commentary with Cianfrance and editor Jim Helton.
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“The Deadly Art of Science” comes to an explosive conclusion as Atomic Robo discovers Thomas Edison‘s secret lair and uncovers the truth behind his plans. Okay, so his basic method of “uncovering the truth” is to get captured and let the villain yammer on about his evil genius.
What Edison wants with the “skull in the box” (as Robo so eloquently puts it) along with the other machinery he’s stolen is to tap into the Odic Force – the underlying energy of the universe. What does he hope to accomplish? Nothing short of immortality.
Thanks to a last-minute save by Nikola Tesla and some quick thinking by Robo, the group live to fight another day. We’re also given a humorous epilogue in the form of a letter Jack Tarot sends to Robo in which he tries to come to terms with the recent events forced on him by this maddening robot.
From beginning to end this is the best series of so far of Atomic Robo and I’m going to be on the lookout for the trade paperback of the full series to add to my shelf. Definitely worth a look.
[Red 5, $3.50]
Atomic Robo and the Deadly Art of Science (Part Five) Read More »
The rabbit ronin’s travels lead him to cross paths with Suzuki-Sensei, a friend to his master Katsuichi, and moves further into the countryside that is threatened by the attacks of the mysterious and deadly Red Scorpion Gang (which may be far closer than Usagi Yojimbo realizes).
As we’ve come to expect, Stan Sakai delivers another strong issue. I especially enjoyed the duel between Usagi and Suzuki-Sensei in front of his students, and the split-second decision Usagi must make whether or not to win the match. Usagi makes the right decision, which may prove more important than he realizes as this storyline continues.
This issue begins a multi-story arc and the final page delivers all we need to know about the troubles the rabbit ronin has in store for him next month. If you haven’t been reading Usagi (what’s wrong with you?) this is actually a really good story to jump in and get your feet wet with the character and his world. Worth a look.
[Dark Horse, $3.50]
Usagi Yojimbo #136 Read More »
What’s most interesting about this issue is that the entire story is presented from the perspective of Uatu, the Watcher. As the issue begins Parker Robbins holds three of the Infinity Gems. By the issue’s end all five of the gems will be located, but the last by a figure you wouldn’t expect.
Although the dialogue is limited here, we get plenty of action and quite a bit of narration from the Watcher which gives us insight into the limitations of Parker Robbins’ imagination. It’s actually a very clever plot device to explain why Robbins is able to beat back the heroes rather easily but at the same time not able to use the full power of the gems. Uatu also gives an important insight into the Red Hulk as well.
Uatu’s presence helps underscore the importance of the events and the power of the gems, as does the power of the Mind Gem pitted against the Earth’s most powerful telepath – Charles Xavier.
Oh, and the surprise guest who makes his appearance on the final panel? Yeah, that’s pretty damn cool, too. Must-read.
[Marvel, $3.99]
