Science Fiction

Her

  • 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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Doctor Who – The Eleventh Hour

  • Title: Doctor Who – The Eleventh Hour
  • wiki: link

Doctor Who - The Eleventh Hour

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who we continue to look back at some old episodes of the series. With Matt Smith making his final appearance as The Eleventh Doctor in “The Time of The Doctor,” it seems appropriate that we take a look back at his first episode as The Doctor in “The Eleventh Hour.” It begins with an out-of-control TARDIS, a crash landing, a lie to a young girl, a mysterious crack in a wall that is actually far more interesting, and the odd combination of fish fingers and custard. And it ends with The Doctor frightening off an alien invader, adopting a bow tie, and heading back into space with a new TARDIS and companion.

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Doctor Who – The Time of The Doctor

  • Title: Doctor Who – The Time of The Doctor
  • wiki: link

“Raggedy Man, good night.”

 

Doctor Who - The Time of The Doctor

Matt Smith‘s final adventure in Doctor Who gets The Doctor trapped in Christmas for centuries, sees the return of several old villains (and one former companion), and offers The Eleventh Doctor’s final moments on the plains of Trenzalore. The Christmas episode feels a little too big at times, like an event careening a bit out of control, and relies far too heavily on narration, but Steven Moffat wraps up Smith’s run with a nod to the very first episode of his three-and-a-half year run with the return of the Crack in space and time. And before the end, as prophesized, silence will indeed fall.

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Samurai Jack #3

Samurai Jack #3Samurai Jack‘s quest to gather the remaining Threads of Time leads him to a thriving Mediterrean town in the middle of nowhere and the city’s friendly champion Gloer who holds a dark secret. At first everything in the town seems normal to the samuarai, and Gloer even proves a great host sparring with the time-displaced warrior. However, upon inquiring about the Threads of Time things take a dark turn.

Once again staying true the the original cartoon, the latest issue by Jim Zub and artist Andy Suriano offers us a tale where all is not what it seems. The truth is only discovered when the town is overrun with minions from Aku who prove too much for Samurai Jack and the Gloer (who seems reluctant to fight).

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Star Wars #12

Star Wars #12After getting all the recently-returned Rebel soldiers up to speed on recent events (including Kell Bircher‘s role as the Rebellion’s mole within the Empire) the comic moves forward with Wedge announcing his plans to form Rouge Squadron, Prithi‘s decision to leave the Rebellion and return home to Chalacta, and Leia making a startling announcement about the Rebellion’s new home… and that of her future husband.

Of all the big events in this single issue fans are likely to be psyched for the creation of Rouge Squadron, but my attention was directed at the sad farewell of Luke and Prithi (by far the comic’s most interesting original character who I’m very sorry to see go).

As to Leia’s pronouncement of her plans to wed and get an entire planet for the Rebellion as a dowry, while still having time to get into some sexually-tense moments with Han, we’ll have to see what circumstances occur to throw a wrench into the proceedings and leave Leia free, years later, to marry a certain scruffy-looking nerfhereder. Worth a look.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

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