5 Razors

Castle – A Rose Everafter

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Castle – A Rose Everafter
  • wiki: link

“She’s the one that got away.”

Castle - A Rose Everafter TV review

Throwback Thursday takes us back to the Second Season of Castle with one of my favorite episodes of the series. Alyssa Milano guest-stars as Castle‘s (Nathan Fillion) college girlfriend Kyra Blaine and a bride whose bridesmaid is murdered on her wedding day. The reunion is bittersweet, bringing back old feelings while evidence points to her groom-to-be (Brady Smith) as a likely murder suspect. While Castle dates different women during the series before getting involved with Beckett, including a second go-round with his ex-wife, Kyra is the only one who we see him present deep feelings for. And meeting Kyra also clues Kate into a little more about Castle’s past, including the idea that he can fall seriously for someone “real.”

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Human Target – Salvage & Reclamation

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Human Target – Salvage & Reclamation
  • wiki: link

“Shut up, Doug.”

Human Target - Salvage & Reclamation television review

“Salvage & Reclamation” may not be my favorite episode of Human Target but the episode has it all in an exotic location, humor, action, and a lovely guest-star with a tie to the past of our mysterious protagonist. Perhaps more than any other episode of the series this one shows the potential of the show’s concept when handled correctly. Called into service by an old flame, Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) heads to South America where he rescues English anthropologist Doug Slocum (Kris Marshall) who has uncovered the location of a plane full of gold which many are willing to kill for. Neither the rescue nor Chance’s reunion go exactly as planned as Chance, Maria (Leonor Varela), and Doug head into the the jungle hunted by the army, drug runners, and a superbly-evil corporate goon (Kim Coates).

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Astro City #44

/ / Comics

Astro City #44 comic reviewI loved this issue! Even after years Astro City can still surprise me. With the single-issue story “The Cat Who Walked Through Walls,” Astro City #44 touches on a theme near and dear to my heart: animal heroes. In this case the animal is the pet cat of two Astro City heroines – Sunhawk and Nightingale who are completely unaware about what their pet does when they aren’t looking (other than try and knock dangerous substances off of tables and shelves).

Unaware of their cat’s power, or devilish intelligence, our heroes are completely oblivious to Kittyhawk tackling their case to stop the latest villainous plans of Popinjay on her own. Okay, she also relied on the help of another animal hero in Rocket Dog. Yes, I said Rocket Dog! Did I mention how much I love this comic?!

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The Great Films – 12 Angry Men

/ / Home Video
  • Title: 12 Angry Men
  • IMDb: link

12 Angry Men movie reviewOur Throwback Thursday post this week takes us back six decades. On this date 60 years ago writer Reginald Rose‘s adaptation of his own teleplay opened in theaters. Directed by Sidney Lumet, the film was nominated for three Oscars yet took home none. However, over time both the National Film Registry and the American Film Institute have named it a film of great significance.

Set entirely in a courthouse, the film follows the deliberations of 12 jurors concerning a case of an 18 year-old accused of stabbing his father with a switchblade. When the film opens only one lone juror (Henry Fonda) has some doubt to the boy’s guilt. While going over the case with the reluctant other jurors, the man will slowly bring others to his side, to the great frustration of one juror (Lee J. Cobb) spearheading the other argument.

No names are used, with each of the jurors identified only by number, and others identified solely as “the boy,” “the judge,” and so on. Focusing on facts and deliberation, the film is tense throughout (although there’s only a single instance where any physical threat is made by one juror to another).

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Samurai Jack – Episode XCIV

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Samurai Jack – Episode XCIV
  • wiki: link

Samurai Jack - Episode XCIV television review

“Episode XCIV” offers a return to form for our hero, a flashback to his childhood, a deadly battle with the Daughters of Aku in the middle of a snowstorm, and the return of the wolf from the previous episodes who gives Jack (Phil LaMarr) the help and time he needs to heal before his enemies come knocking at his door. Highlighted by the battle between Jack and the Daughters, the preceding respite gives the shattered samurai the strength to stand against his enemies (and allows the show to further show off the new enemies). The flashback to his father’s heroism and lessons about destiny turns out to be the cherry on top reminding Jack who he as a critical juncture where giving up could have been an easy choice. Taking out each Daughter with deadly efficiency, my only complaint is the episode’s cliffhanger ending leaving the fate of both the final Daughter and Jack in doubt, forcing us to wait an entire week for more Samurai Jack.

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