Mr. Hakujin

My bad, it's going to be finished in OML: Giant Sized Special. I corrected the mistake in my original post where I wrote it would be in OML #1. So, no, it will not likely be an ongoing title. However, knowing Marvel, there will likely be another mini series based on this alterna-verse Millar has created much like they are doing w/ Marvel Zombies. But that's just speculation on my part--no official word from Marvel on it...yet.

issue #72 hit stands this week. It's chapter 7 in the OML storyline. The actual story will conclude in--get this-- OLD MAN LOGAN "Giant Sized Special"!!! This is what Marvel did when Whedon ended his run on Astonishing X-Men. So issue #74 will conclude the storylines in issue #73 (which came out 2 weeks before issue #72). And apparently the book will continue with the title WOLVERINE, but begin telling tales of Daken w/ issue #75. The fuck, Marvel? SRSLY!!?!? *sigh* Rants aside...as for thoughts on the story for issue #72 only one word is needed: snikt!

Not their best song, but their latest.

Terminator Salvation C+ An adequate action film with horrible writing. Unlike this summer’s Star Trek, which manages to revive and revitalize a sci-fi franchise with clever writing and fast paced action, director McG’s take on the Terminator franchise has a script with gaping plot holes and cardboard characters that even longtime franchise fans will have difficulty caring about. There are the famous lines and other nods to the previous films (mostly T2) included along with some spectacular (yet unoriginal) action sequences that are lost among a very weak story. s. Darko D If you loved, and I mean loved, the film Donnie Darko then this film might hold some appeal for you. However, if you’ve never seen the aforementioned “D. Darko” or were just a mild to moderate fan of the original film then you can easily skip this sad attempt to continue the “Darko Mythos” that picks 7 years after the last film with the mind numbingly lame escapades of Donnie’s youngest sister. Do yourself a favor and watch the director's cut of Donnie Darko instead of this hackey sequel. The Ramen Girl B This straight to video film starring Brittany Murphy might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this small film managed to win me over in spite of itself. This is the story of a lost 20-something trying to find herself and essentially grow up by learning the “fine art” of making ramen in Tokyo. The script has a bit of unnecessary cheese thrown in for “feel good” appeal, but the characters are engaging (an outstanding comedic Japanese cast) and the screenwriter and director both obviously have a pretty good understanding of the Japanese people and their spirit. It’d make an excellent companion piece with Lost In Translation if you want to have a “lost white-girls in Tokyo” movie night one weekend.

In Theaters: Star Trek A I own the first 8 Star Trek films and all 7 season of Star Trek: The Next Generation on DVD. So, yes, I’m a Trekker. The other Trek TV shows never really connected with me and I pretty much gave up on the franchise after the last two films—as apparently Paramount Studio execs did because they gave director J.J. Abrams carter blanch to “re-boot” the franchise. Brilliant! This 11th film in the franchise is both a prequel (showing how Kirk and crew first come to be on the fabled Enterprise NCC-1701) and a “re-boot” (a Star Trek plot staple—time travel—plays a part in creating an alternate timeline). And the film makes good on its promise to be friendly to non-Trek fans as it’s basically a non-stop sci-fi action extravaganza. Trek fans, sci-fi fans, and action fans alike should be very pleased with this film. Angels & Demons B This film doesn’t feel quite as grand as Ron Howard’s adaptation of DaVinci Code, mostly due to the subject matter. This film is more or less a big budget Hollywood murder mystery with a treatise on why science and religion should “get along” thrown in for good measure. On DVD Seven Pounds B This film is deceptively “feel good,” almost like what one would expect a European arthouse version of a “feel good” film to be and not your typical Hollywood version. Wil Smith plays a tortured man in search of redemption and he plays this singular emotion well throughout the film. The motives for his mysterious actions are revealed throughout the course of the film and it has a decent enough (if not somewhat obvious) payoff in the end. Synecdoche, New York C+ Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) makes his directorial debut and once again dives into the themes of self-examination and personal identity. The story involves a man, a miserable playwright, who is granted seemingly unlimited funds to create his masterpiece. The film morphs into a play within a play within a play as time and reality begin to intertwine and become jumbled. A valiant effort, but Kaufman seems to revel in making the film unnecessarily obscure and repetitive. He’s tackled similar themes in much more engaging ways in his previous work, and it’s also been done in the play he pays homage to throughout the film: Death of A Salesman.

"We do get the right Spock though because Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as "Spock Prime" (who I'm guessing turns into a fire truck and leads the Autobots to defeat Unicron after the credits roll.)" My favorite line of the review!

Marvel to "Old Man Logan" fans: Go fuck yerselves and watch the movie a 2nd time. Your arc ain't gonna be done anytime soon! Apparently this is old news, but I just found it out when I saw issue #73 on stands and online but could find no trace of issue #72 (the penultimate issue of the "Old Man Logan" arc). Issue #72 already 2 months behind schedule is put off another month...at least. Marvel puts out issue #73 instead. Wha, wha, what!?!?

^^^ Yes, as a rule LOST is usually a far superior show.

To: "Darlton" Re: Season 5 Finale Fuck you in your stinky arseholes with a fist full of superglue and razor blades. SIncerely, Mr. Hakujin

What if Liam Neeson trained Christian Bale as a Jedi instead of a ninja? The results are kinda cool and pretty funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w4Q_y47w78

Welcome to the greatest drama ever! Heh, and definitely avoid the spoilers in here. If memory serves McNulty seems to get less airtime in S3 &S4, but both of those characters get great stories in S5.

^^ I wonder if the idea came after he grew the beard or vice versa?

X-Men Origins: Wolverine B- Really this film is a “C,” “C+” at best, but there were just enough fanboy friendly moments that made me geek out enough to overlook the film’s horrible shortcomings. It was a disappointing film for several reasons, mostly because it broke the cardinal rule of superhero films: have a villain that’s just as interesting as the hero. Sabertooth was never shown to be the truly evil monster that he is (there was a surprising lack of violence in this film). Wolverine himself is never shown being a true badass either—Logan had more exciting action scenes in X2 than he did in his own movie! Also the third act of the film is fairly anticlimactic and rather than the ultimate Wolverine vs. Sabertooth battle fans have been waiting for, we get Victor & Jimmy battling a totally new character, which while this guy has some cool powers the battle with him lacks any emotional weight at all. The film was not without its highlights though. The all too brief encounter with Gambit was (aside from some ridiculous wire-fu moments) perfect. The origin of the “Blob’s” name was a surprisingly good scene, Sabertooth vs. Wraith and Wade/Deadpool vs. a room full of bad guys with guns was also pretty spectacular. Fans of the comics and X-films also get a few more cool little moments sprinkled out through the film that I won’t spoil here. The bottom line is this film definitely has flashes of brilliance that are too short and too brief to keep Wolverine from being the weakest and most disappointing addition yet to the X-Men film franchise. Paul Blart: Mall Cop C- This film made Observe & Report look like comedy genius. The nonsensical plot (guys on skateboards and BMX bikes take over a mall) seems aimed at the 10-18 crowd who are meant marvel at the cool yet totally ridiculous stunts and to laugh at the different ways Kevin James can make fun of the fact he’s obese. Plus there’s an over abundance of bad late 70s/early 80s rock songs. File this one under: Avoid & Evade. The Children’s Hour B+ This 1961 film based on a play by Lillian Hellman stars Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacClaine as two young women who run a small all girl’s boarding school. Their lives are torn apart when a young girl (played with wicked perfection by a young actress named Karen Balkin) spreads a rumor about them being lesbians. This engaging & tight paced drama doesn’t so much focus on lesbianism as it does the crushing power of gossip and lies. This Oscar nominated film just misses that mark of “cinema classic” due to several reasons including some predictable turns for Maclaine’s character and one inexplicable “What the hell did she do that for!!?!??” scene with Hepburn’s character and co-star James Garner.

I was talking about Prelude. I listened through the whole album once last night and dug it. I was surfing the Net as well, so the lyrics didn't really sink in all they way. I've only heard their previous 2 albums and liked them both. Infanta is one of my favorite songs of theirs. The 2nd vid was awesome! I like that song and the video was genius--like a 5 minute Rushmore. The 1st vid you linked is gone though--pesky Viacom and their copyright claims.

Anyone else freak over last night's episode [s5Ep13 "The Variable"]? Dan's mom is an eff'n cunt!

Hmm, never was much one for concept albums, but I like The Decemberists well enough, so I guess I'll have to DL this one and give it a listen when I find the time. Although the 1st track did nothing for me...

Divison of Joy = for those xoxo leah pics

Why is it the guys w/ the smallest schlongs always behave like the biggest dicks?

Damnit son I ain't got time for searchin' no links all up on previous pages n shits. New review=new link, ya lazy fuh.

No link? Fuckitall, man but you've gotten lax.

^^^ I loved that! I'm off to find some more of their music now! OK, your happy pants over FLOGGING MOLLY (one of the greatest bands in the history of ever) wash away any musical inequities you inflicted upon me w/ that previous clip.

In Theaters: Observe and Report C+ Writer/director Jody Hill seems to be able to write one character fairly well: the delusional, socially inappropriate, male misfit. He did it for a judo instructor in his debut film Foot Fist Way, for a washed up MLB pitcher in the HBO series East Bound & Down, and now as the bizarro-Paul Blart in this new film starring Seth Rogen. As someone who’s enjoyed Hill’s previous work I was disappointed with this film and its reliance on formulaic film contrivances (lame montages, trite one dimensional love interests), and the strip mining of his previous work for this film, which left me with a “been there, seen that” feeling. ON DVD: Downfall A This is a gripping and unflinching look into the last days and hours of the Third Reich based on several books—including one by Hitler’s personal secretary, Traudl Junge, who stayed with him in the bunker in Berlin up until the Russian overthrow of the city. The film focuses on Hitler and his followers as real people who had real beliefs and ideals. It doesn’t attempt to excuse the actions of these Nazis, but it does do an excellent job of helping explain some of their motives. The direction and performances were stunning and only lend to the film’s hauntingly authentic tone. This film is a must have for any WWII film buff’s library.

Seriously? You're not fuckin' with me here? Nothing appealing in the least bit about that performance for me.

Quite possibly the greatest youtube video of all time. Ever. In time.

^^ Yeah, okay, get fuckin' technical on me why dontcha. Sure you can do that w/ a phone, but you can also set that bitch to vibrate and duct tape it to a nun's nib until she cums, but that ain't what it was meant for, now is it?