Action

Samurai Jack #12

/ / Comics

Samurai Jack #12Sensing that the one object in all the world which he fears in no longer an obstacle, Aku celebrates by putting a bounty on Samurai Jack‘s head when the samurai is at his most vulnerable. With the sword broken, and fighting his way through mercenaries and bounty hunters, Samurai Jack returns home to where he first received the sword but finds only half-remembered memories and no hope no answers to his current predicament.

“The Quest of the Broken Blade” continues to be one of the most intriguing arcs of the current IDW run. Even without his sword the samurai proves he is capable of taking care of himself, but how long before Aku himself takes advantage of the opening and chooses to deal with Samurai Jack one-on-one?

…

Samurai Jack #12Read More »

Samurai Jack #12 Read More »

The Equalizer

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Equalizer
  • IMDb: link

The EqualizerBased on the 80s television show of the same name, The Equalizer stars Denzel Washington as a retired military officer with a mysterious past attempting to live a normal life. That normalcy is shattered when an acquaintance (Chloë Grace Moretz) is hospitalized by her pimp (David Meunier) sending Robert McCall in search of justice which will lead him on a one man crusade against crooked cops and the Russian mob.

Washington feels a bit out of place here in a script by Richard Wenk more befitting Steven Seagal in the prime of his B-movie action days. Unsure at times whether it wants to be a drama or old school action/revenge flick, The Equalizer is at its best when it allows McCall to take off the gloves and get to work (such as the movie’s climactic sequence involving several inventive deaths using various implements at the Home Depot where McCall is currently employed).

Eventually the ridiculous scope of what McCall’s quest gets the better of the screenwriter as the script ends in a ludicrous epilogue following the retail warehouse final battle. When it keeps McCall’s actions smaller, and a bit more plausible, the movie has more success.

…

The EqualizerRead More »

The Equalizer Read More »

Super Secret Crisis War #3

/ / Comics

Super Secret Crisis War #3Locked in a space station in another dimension, Samurai Jack, Ben Tennyson, Dexter, Bubbles, Blossom, Buttecup, Ed, Edd, and Eddy get separated into small groups while battling the robots of Aku and Vilgax many of whom have been created to look like our heroes. This allows for some intriguing team-ups including the chance to see Samurai Jack and Bubbles fight side-by-side for an entire issue (a pairing I’d gladly pay to see more of).

Continuing the trend of the mini-series as it hits the halfway mark, Super Secret Crisis War #3 includes more betrayals and mechanations among the group as each villain decides he is obviously the greatest member of the League of Extraordinary Villains.

…

Super Secret Crisis War #3Read More »

Super Secret Crisis War #3 Read More »

Samurai Jack #11

/ / Comics

Samurai Jack #11Beginning a new arc, Samurai Jack #11 leads Samurai Jack to Soule the Seer who believes the samurai’s enchanted blade holds the key to finally sending the time-displaced warrior home. When Soule’s incantations go wrong, however, Jack is left without his trustworthy blade and the one weapon in all of creation which Aku fears.

In the comic’s rotating stable of artists, Andy Suriano provides some of the series best panels with his work in Samurai Jack #11. I particularly enjoyed the Luke and Yoda style trekking as Jack carries Soule on his back to what his mistakenly believes is magical spot which will lead him home.

…

Samurai Jack #11Read More »

Samurai Jack #11 Read More »

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
  • IMDb: link

Sin City: A Dame to Kill ForIt’s been nine years since Robert Rodriguez teamed with Frank Miller to bring Miller’s Sin City to life. Producing the most faithful comic book movie to date while still finding a way to add value and improve the source material with stylistic choices that continue to make the film visually unique nearly a decade later, I thought enough of the film to make it one of my Top 10 Films of 2005.

Since that time Hollywood has attempted to recapture the magic of Sin City with a series of comic book stylized movies, none of which have measured up. Despite Miller’s involvement The Spirit floundered. And although 300 was marginally passable, if completely ridiculous at times, the sequel was far from impressive.

Returning several of the original film’s stars, while doing some recasting here and there, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For isn’t as good as the original. The opening scene featuring Marv (Mickey Rourke) feels a bit rushed. It doesn’t give us Clive Owen for the post-op Dwight. And we don’t get nearly enough Rosario Dawson.

…

Sin City: A Dame to Kill ForRead More »

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Read More »