Mr. Hakujin

I laughed harder at that than I did through the entire film Talladega Nights.

Ah, how could I forget about that one--Naomi Campbell all sweaty dancin' in the desert. If you watch that youtube clip all the way to the end it's got some Donahue clip attached to it. I think it's that kid Ryan White(?) who died of AIDS back in the early 90s. Odd.

Like Smokey Robinson, I second that emotion.

Hurt Locker has been getting a lot of positive reviews on the interwebs. I'm looking fwd to seeing it. Informant looks to be kinda meh from the trailer. I just ran across these eight (Yes, 8!) teaser trailers for Jean-Pierre Jeunet's first film since 2004's underrated A Very Long Engagement. The other 7 are here. Each focuses on a different character. I don't speak a lick of French, but they look beautiful and other than his one Hollywood studio picture (Alien Resurrection) Jeunet has hit a home run every time.

^^and turns out to be teh gay. Yes, I just read it as well and it was a much better issue than I expected. OK, that's an understatement--this issue was so good it almost makes me not hate Winnick. Almost. I haven't read any of the Battle for the Cowl books b/c I knew it'd be Nightwing victorious, and after this issue I don't think I'll need to go back and read them b/c this issue covers Alfred and Dick Grayson's take on Bruce's death pretty well. And the panel where Supes ...wow...just a powerful couple of pages.

^^I agree it's all shock and gore. I wouldn't buy it, but it's got the car wreck factor for me--I just can't look away.

Not sure how the Marquis would factor in to OML unless there's some sort of epilogue at the end or the OML special tells the story all the way up until And FYI, I don't think it's ever said in the actual book, but Millar stated in an interview that Banner's kids are "inbred" b/c they're mom is Jenn Walters, aka She-Hulk, aka Bruce Banner's 1st cousin. SO maybe we'll see some of her in the OML special as well. Cuz he's BaytorH8R5000 and that's how he rolls.

^^I'm actually looking for a zero survival rate by issue 9. I think Ennis basically said as much somewhere...

Should've made this a poll, Panch. And Smooth Criminal is a better song, but Thriller is his best video--dancing Zombies! How the fuck can that NOT be your favorite video!??!

^^yes, when did the wrist claw first "pop up"? (puns!) i didn't read the issues of Origins--just read the FCBD "guide to Wolverine's past" issue. also, according to Marvel.com Old Man Logan Giant Sized Special is out Sep. 23. Be careful clicking the link though as I think the cover itself is a spoiler. If you take into account all Millar's "future" stories (1985, Fantastic 4, OML) are interconnected then we know There you go, no need to wait for September!

^^Interesting bit of fanboy trivia for you: The Professor Pyg character that is the villain in Batman & Robin first appeared (dead) in Batman #666. It was a oneshot story set in the future where Damien is now Batman, Oracle is the GCPD commissioner and Alfred is a cat.

Issues 73 & 74: So the biker storyline was pure filler, but I ended up digging the Spidey story where he has a lil' heart-2-heart w/ Logan on the Wolverine overkill going on in the MU. It gives a (somewhat) plausible explanation for this and the motivation stays true to the core character. Nice lil' tale. I'd still rather have the fuckin' ending to Old Man Logan though. Anyone read Issue 75 yet? It features Wolvie's son 80s metal band Dokken.

Batman & Robin: I think even a Morrison hater like Baytor would even like the new Batman & Robin. I was less than impressed w/ Morrison's R.I.P. and Final Crisis, so I wasn't expecting much from this series. However, I shouldn't have doubted the almighty Frank Quietly. I was very pleasantly surprised by this series. This new villain seems intriguing and the Grayson/Damien dynamic works even though Damien can come across as too unlikable. Morrison better round out his character soon or I'll be rooting for Joker to come back and do a Jason Todd on his ass. Red Robin: Like bishopcruz wrote, it's Tim drake around Europe on a motorcycle trying to "find" Bruce. It has potential, I just hope it doesn't turn into some lame National Treasure type story. Detective Comics: I still need to catch up and read the Heart of Hush arc on this series. I like they're showcasing Batwoman though and keeping the same numbering. OCD collector's like me dread the Marvel Marketing number change (I'm looking at you Thor 13/600 & Captain America 51/600). Gotham City Sirens: Catwoman, Poison Ivy & Harley Quinn are OMGZ ROOMIEEEEEZZ!!! I scanned through issue one and likely won't even bother to DL issue 2. Batman: This one (issue 687) is sitting there waiting for me to read. I really dislike Winnick, but bishopcruz seems to like it so maybe it won't suck. I'm not hopeful though... Streets of Gotham: I didn't even know this one existed. I'll have to check it out. Lots of Bat-books out now. Gotta be expensive for the die-hards.

Yes, as twisted as this series has been you know he better have an especially unique and horrific end for our protagonist in mind--likely something w/ her kid simultaneously raping and eviscerating her.

^^I think issue #1 where the "salt guy" and his family get destroyed is the most messed up splash panel of the series I can think up off the top of my head. Also the cover where the crossed are tearing up a plane is pretty vile. (I forget the issue # and am too lazy to get up and go check.)

The book appears to be back on track as issue 6 just came out last week. You know something is seriously twisted about a series when you're disappointed an issue doesn't have any instances of zombie rape in it.

CHE: Part One B At the end of the film the credits reveal this film was based on Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s own memoirs, so to say this film’s perspective is slanted is an understatement. However, as a filmgoer my greatest complaint about the film isn’t its historical accuracy or omissions, but rather the lack of characterization for such a long film. CHE: Part One covers everything from Che’s first meeting with Fidel Castro to his victory in Santa Clara that led to Fulgencio Batista fleeing Cuba. The film starts off when Che and Castro first meet, and the scene is heavy in talk of political ideology. However, neither the scene nor the film ever truly explores or attempts to show the motivations behind these revolutionaries. What force(s) drive them to lead this revolt in Cuba? This is attempted to some degree in footage later on in the film where Che speaks at the United Nations and decries the US government for supporting Batista. The film does an excellent job of showing how these guerrilla squads were formed and led. It’s also an entertaining enough crash course on the Cuban revolution that culminates in some truly great action scenes with the battle of Santa Clara. However, the film is entitled CHE and not “How Che Helped Win The Cuban Revolution,” which would’ve been more accurate. The movie faults itself by focusing too much on the guerrilla warfare of the revolution and not giving a well rounded view of the titular character. This film is technically only the first half of director Steven Soderbergh’s four-hour plus film, so perhaps “Part Two” of the film reveals more about the man as a whole. “Part One” was just good enough to make me curious enough to find out. 50 Dead Men Walking B+ Much like Steven Soderbergh’s CHE, this is a film based on real people in a real revolution. However, this film not only explains the character’s motivations for fighting, but examines them in an interesting way. Also, this is a story told from the point of view of a man caught in the middle of a revolution and not one who is leading it. Martin McGartland was a young Catholic man in Northern Ireland who was recruited by the IRA and then by British intelligence as an informant in 1988. Ben Kingsley masterfully plays Martin’s “handler” with the right mix of badass and heart to become Martin’s pseudo-father figure. The movie does an admirable job of balancing both sides of the fighting, although the film is as much about the fighting as it is about showing what it was like growing up as a young person in Northern Ireland 20 years ago. On DVD: Knowing C Nicolas Cage plays a man who comes across a set of numbers that predict “major” disasters. Who (or what) is truly behind the prophetic numbers is a question the film leaves open, somewhat, for debate in the final act. Director Alex Proyas tries to make a film that on the surface seems to pit religion and science against each other, but his final message is, “Yes, Virginia, there is a purpose to everything.” That message comes in a bold and cinematicaly pleasing way in the last 20 minutes of the film, unfortunately it is almost lost amidst a muddled mess for the first hour and twenty minutes with poor pacing and a surprising lack of suspense. Prizzi’s Honor C This gangster flick with a heavy leaning on the dark humor won Angelica Huston a best supporting actress Oscar and was directed by her father, the legendary John Huston. It stars Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner as mob assassins that fall in love. Despite the film’s awards and high praise I found it a bit dated, and the film’s satirical basis for its humor to be forceful in many places. It screams, “Look, this powerful Don is a frail old guy that talks funny—how ironic! How funny!” Not so much. The Man Who Knew Too Much B+ Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (this is actually a remake of one of his own films), stars Jimmy Stewart & Doris Day as tourists in Morocco that are mistakenly entangled in a mysterious international spy game that unfolds through the course of the film. Hitchcock requires the audience to suspend disbelief in some areas for the sake of plot, but the end result is worth it.

^^I agree w/ the last line. I'm looking fwd tot he next one as well. It promises to be Bay-free.

Where'd Panch, go? Anyway, this guy brings up some really good points about the flaws in the film. Spoiler riddled, so only read if you've seen it or plan on never seeing it: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/smg-transf...-questions.html I liked it for the Megan Fox and giant robot fights. Mindless, summer movie fun.

In My Pants wins it for me. Although DIAB is a close 2nd and Lazy Sunday in 3rd. Honorable mention to Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions for having J.J. Abrams on keyboards.

This sounds interesting. I'll put it in the ever growing queue of films to see. Last film I saw was Hitchcock's remake of his own film, The Man Who Knew Too Much.

about what? that i didn't like it more? off the top of my head here are the top 3 things that kept me from gushing over T:ROTF and having the same kind of cimematic geekgasm that i did w/ the first film: 3. The Twins. 2. Although the tongue thing was creepy cool. 1. The Plot.

agreed. how'd u get the impression i didn't like BLADE? can't say i've heard of/remember the film equilibrium.

I liked it well enough. My expectations were lowered after reading all the negative web feedback, so that might have something to do w/ it.

^^ Your wish is my command... The Hangover B If you are offended by the type of film like Tropic Thunder then this is definitely not your kind of comedy. The “R” rating is earned mostly through raunchy and shocking moments that I’m not too certain will maintain the same comedic impact upon repeat viewing. I like the premise of a comedy focusing on the day after the “crazy night in Vegas” and dealing with the repercussions of said night instead. And the scene with Mike Tyson singing Phil Collins alone makes it a movie worth seeing at least once. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen B Sometimes less is more, and such is the case with this disappointing sequel. This film has more robots, more battles, more explosions, and more shots of Megan Fox in slow-mo. All are good things in theory, but somehow director Michael Bay managed to combine them in a way that is meandering and downright dull in some areas. But the onus of inadequacy rests not on directing alone as the plot itself is riddled with holes and seriously flawed “movie logic.” The good news for fans of the first film is that this movie does have: a good bit of comic relief (I’m not talking about “The Twins”— they’re this franchise’s Jar-Jar), Soundwave done right, and Optimus Prime kicking all sorts of robot ass throughout. For me the latter alone was enough to justify the price of an IMAX theater ticket. On DVD: Get Carter (1971) B+ Michael Caine stars as a London mob enforcer out to investigate the death of his brother. This film unfolds a bit too slowly for my tastes in the first act, but picks up nicely in the last two acts. The action is a bit to “70s” for me to really get excited about, but it definitely had an original story and protagonist in Carter. I can see where Scorsesse and Tarantino likely drew influence from this film in their careers as well. Recommended rental for fans of the crime/gangster genre. My Best Friend’s Girl Employee of the Month C+ I’m not a huge fan of Ryan Reynolds Dane Cook, but I’m no hater either. Both films are his forays into rom-com territory. Employee has him working opposite Jessica Simpson—a blackhole of personality—but he’s got a great supporting cast to even it out. Girl on the other hand is mostly all on Cook’s shoulders. Alec Baldwin makes a one-joke pony cameo as his playboy daddy, Jason Biggs is the best friend in question and Kate Hudson—who can definitely hold her own in a scene but isn’t half as funny as she thins she is—is the girl they’re both after. Both films are uneven, but they did offer more than one laugh out loud moment.