Science Fiction

Almost Human – Straw Man

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Almost Human – Straw Man
  • wiki: link

Almost Human - Straw Man

As Dorian (Michael Ealy) goes through performance assessment involving a panel conducting interviews with the android and his co-workers, he and Kennex (Karl Urban) investigate a copycat killer recreating the serial killings of the “Straw Man” (William “Big Sleeps” Stewart) known for stuffing the bodies of his 21 victims with straw before he was eventually caught and imprisoned by Kennex’s father (John Diehl). After talking to the still imprisoned paranoid schizophrenic, Kennex learns of his own father’s doubts as to the man’s guilt which may have led to the cop’s suspicious death two-weeks following the biggest bust of his career. Which means Kennex and Dorian aren’t searching for a copycat but the original Straw Man (Shaun Smyth) who has returned.

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Star Wars #14

/ / Comics

Star Wars #14The second-half of Ensign Nanda‘s five days with Darth Vader on a secret mission of revenge concludes with Vader collecting Tag Rogaren from the asteroid fields of Alderaan and swiftly dealing with the elite Stormtroopers who decide they’d rather turn in the man for a bounty than see him returned to the Empire.

The final piece of the puzzle locks into place when Vader and Nanda head to Bircher‘s homeworld and discover the traitor’s connection to Mon Mothma whose family home the Dark Lord of the Sith obliterates from low orbit with Nanda as the only silent witness to his actions.

I’m sorry to see what has been the best arc of the series so far come to and end. Although Nanda survives her two days with the most dangerous man in the known universe, and even gets what was promised to her, we see how the emotional scars left from the five days will last a lifetime. Best of the Week.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Samurai Jack #4

/ / Comics

Samurai Jack #4Samurai Jack‘s quest to gather the remaining Threads of Time leads the wanderer to a frosty kingdom deep in the mountains ruled over by the tyrannical Queen Krystle whose android warriors capture Samurai Jack and put him to work in the kitchens.

Although I still enjoyed the issue, especially the early scenes recaping the samurai’s journey to find the village deep in the mountainous wilderness, Samurai Jack #4 is by far the weakest issue of the new series complete with a queen who enjoys cake while her peasants starve (and even, unfortunately, at one point utters a trademark phrase causing anyone knowing their French history to groan).

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Star Wars #13

/ / Comics

Star Wars #13Following the news that Marvel will take sole publishing rights over the Star Wars universe beginning in 2015, Brian Wood and new artist Facundo Percio deliver the best issue of the latest classic series. Told from the perspective of Ensign Nanda, Star Wars #13 opens a new arc showcasing the vengeance and brutality of Darth Vader who creates a small elite team of Stormtroopers to accompany the Dark Lord of Sith and Nanda on his mission of revenge.

From Nanda’s perspective we only see what Vader allows her to see, and we also witness his unchecked agression through her eyes including torturing Imperial officers for information and as a statement of his authority which has been questioned since the destruction of the first Death Star.

Given the number of titles in Marvel’s stable I can’t see any Star Wars title getting the kind of focus Dark Horse has given them since acquiring the rights in 1991. Although the company has put quite a bit of mediocre comics under the brand I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this series and will be sad to see it come to a premature end. Best of the week.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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Her

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Her
  • IMDb: link

Her

Set in the near future, the latest from writer/director Spike Jonze is as much about an unusual love story as an examination of ever evolving technologies which increase the very real chance at something like this occurring. When we first meet Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) he’s a miserable human being. Still not over the impending divorce of his wife (Rooney Mara), and spending every day composing letters and cards for other peoples’ loved ones, Theodore is depressed and very much alone.

His life changes when he decides to purchase a new top-of-the-line operating system which offers him the chance to begin a relationship with a woman he will never meet. Designed to evolve and change like a human being, adapting to those she comes into contact with, Samantha (voiced by an unseen Scarlett Johansson) proves to be just the breath of fresh air Theodore needs. Although there’s no chance of any sort of physical relationship (other than an awkward attempt with a surrogate), Theodore falls completely for Samantha whose love rehabilitates him.

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