March 31st, 2007
Posted by
Ian W |
TV Reviews |
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US TV
February was Star Trek geek month on US TV - don’t worry, I’ll explain why as we go along.
24
“Day 6: 12pm - 5pm”
Poor old Jack, his family makes the Borgias look like the Waltons. His brother was bad enough, but dear old dad just about takes the biscuit. James Cromwell hasn’t been this convincingly nasty since L.A. Confidential. I’m hoping that Morris will fall into his clutches soon and Bauer Sr. can put a bullet in him and save us all from his incessant whining. Still, at least Milo showed some backbone, fighting off the bad guys until the cavalry (in the form of Jack “Nick of Time” Bauer) arrived. Mr Lennox has also shown a little more spirit, standing up to the would-be presidential assassins. Of course being a little guy, this just resulted in him being tied up and gagged, but it’s the thought that counts. Then we have ex-president Logan - just what is he planning? The series has had its usual quota of ridiculous plot twists but the action has been a little lacking this year. Still Morris got tortured so it’s not all bad.
Battlestar Galactica
“The Woman King”
March 25th, 2007
Posted by
Ian W |
Monthly Comics Update |
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Forthcoming titles:
Gutsville is the bizarre tale of the decedents of an ocean liner swallowed by a mysterious creature. They live inside the monster and one of them wants out. Simon Spurrier teams up with talented artist Frazer Irving to bring us what must be the strangest story of the year so far. Gutsville is published by Image on 30th May. Anticipation factor: 7
Strange Embrace comes to Image comics in digitally re-mastered form with colours by Rob Steen and lettering by Comicraft ensuring David Hine’s dark tale of sexual desire, obsession and damnation looks better than ever before. Issue 1 is out on May 16th. Anticipation factor: 7
Ward of the State is about an assassination business, the twist is the ringleader is a foster mother and the assassins are the kids she’s put in charge of. This three issue series is written by Christopher Long with art from Chee. Published 2nd May. Anticipation factor: 8
Warlash: Zombie Mutant Genesis is the opening shot of a three part series from Frank Forte. Set in Pittsburgh (the spiritual home of zombies) and featuring mad scientists and genetically engineered warriors plus lots of the undead this promises to be great fun. Coming in March from Asylum Press. Anticipation factor: 7
Painkiller Jane gets a new comic series from Dynamite. The comics character will shortly be seen in a new Sci Fi Channel series and this re-launch must be hoping to capitalise on that. Written by Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Lee Moder this should be out in May. Anticipation factor: 6
March 23rd, 2007
Posted by
Ian W |
Film & TV News, Rants & Raves |
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Is John Cusack’s new film War, Inc. a sequel to Grosse Pointe Blank? There seems to be very little information about the film online but what there is leads me to think this could be a follow-up to the 1997 cult favourite.
IMDb has this to say about the plot -
“…is set in the future, when the desert country of Turagistan is torn by a riot after a private corporation, owned by the former US president, has taken over the whole state. John Cusack plays the role of a hit man, who suppresses his emotions by gobbling down on hot sauce and is hired by the corporation’s head to kill the CEO of their competitors. Everything changes when the ruthless killer finds himself head-over-heels in love with a sexy reporter.”
This sounds more than a little stupid (a spicy sauce guzzling assassin!) but at least one thing seems certain - Cusack is playing a hit man just as he did in Grosse Pointe Blank.
And there’s more -
Cusack wrote the script for Grosse Pointe Blank something he’s only done with two other films - High Fidelity and War, Inc. Two out of three films about hit men or should that be a hit man? IMDb lists no character name for Cusack in the film.
John’s sister Joan appeared in Grosse Pointe Blank as his secretary. She’s back in War, Inc but again there is no character name listed.
March 14th, 2007
Posted by
Ian W |
DVD Viewing Journal |
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Five films featuring Jamie Foxx get added to the DVD Viewing Journal.
Shade
An enjoyable, if lightweight, film about con artists that thinks it’s smarter than it really is. Jamie Foxx isn’t the star here merely support, although he has about as much screen time (and probably more lines) than headliner Sylvester Stallone. The cast all have fun with their shady characters, Gabriel Byrne and Thandie Newton make the most of their parts as does Stuart Townsend as the cardsharp. The film tries to be a modern-day Cincinnati Kid but good as he is Townsend is no McQueen (not to mention Stallone being a poor sub for the great Edward G.) and the whole thing has a “seen it all before” quality to it. Still at little over 90 minutes it doesn’t outstay its welcome and it’s always nice to see old pros Hal Holbrook and Bo Hopkins.
Redemption
Jamie Foxx stars in the true story of reformed gang-banger Stan “Tookie” Williams. This is a TV movie and, while the story it’s based on may be worthy, the film itself is just plain dull. Foxx is good as the gangster preaching peace from his death row cell but the problem is nothing much happens.
Stealth
March 3rd, 2007
Posted by
Ian W |
DVD Viewing Journal |
one comment
Paul Walker has a reputation as a actor so wooden that the only part he’d be at home playing would be Pinocchio. Still, with a director like Clint Eastwood using him in Flags of out Fathers I figured it was time to investigate further.
Timeline
The Americans stick it to the English once again; no doubt this was the appeal to Billy Connelly, what self respecting Scotsman could resist a film that portrays the English as bad guys and has a Scot help the French to victory? The film itself is a silly time travel tale that makes little sense (not uncommon in time travel movies) and, thanks to some lacklustre action scenes, gives the viewer far too much time to think. Paul Walker is poor as Connelly’s son but he’s not alone with the only decent performance coming from Anna Friel as a French noblewoman. Scriptwriter Jeff Maguire must take much of the blame, with the actors given some awful dialogue to deliver and Richard Donner shows that even great directors are capable of cooking up some poultry given the right ingredients.
Into The Blue
