Top 5: Ongoing Comic Series

In a lot of my CBW posts I comment about how "this series is one of the best out there" or "This series is one of my favorites right now" so I decided to actually narrow it down and give you a real list of my favorite comics at the moment in one of my Top 5s. So doing this list is kind of tricky because there are things like Justice League: Generation Lost which I love, but it's a limited series and will only have 24 total issues, same with things like Kick Ass 2, Nemesis, Neonomicon, etc. so this list has these guidelines that it will follow
Guidelines: 1) The series must be current. 2) the series must not have an end in sight.

5. Deadpool:

Current Writer: Dan Way

Why I love it: It is consistently one of the funniest comics on the racks.

Best Arc: Deadpool #19-21 (Monkey Business) 

Alright, you know I love Deadpool, and this main series is why. The humor is constant and it's actually hilarious no forced attempts at quirkiness (every other DP title) no lame fart jokes, not stupid-to-be-funny plots (every other DP title), just good humor, awesome fighting, sweet plot lines, and one of my favorite writers all add up to make this a truly great series. There have been some lean issues, but over all everyone of Dan Way's issues have had some laughs and some like the introduction of Hit-Monkey have been so golden they've spawned off shoots (The Hit-Monkey mini). With all the funny of 60s Batman and all the insane action of a Robert Rodriguez movie, Deadpool is a series that you shouldn't miss.

4. Captain America:

Current Writer: Ed Brubaker
Why I love it: It adds so much to not only Cap, but to all his supporting players, working some truly amazing plots coupled with great action.
Best Arc: Captain America v5 #1-9,#11-14 (The Winter Soldier Saga)
As you learned from my Top 5 Superheroes my all time favorite character is Captain America, it used to be Batman, until I started reading what Ed Brubaker did with the character and then in all good faith I couldn't ignore the awesomeness that is Captain America. The Stories balance Captain America's love of his country, love of liberty, and how behind the mask he's just a man... a Super Soldier, yes, but more so just a man trying to be a better man. Cap is painted with a sympathetic brush and we see The Sentinel of Liberty receive amazing characterization, but we also see Bucky become more than just a kid sidekick, we see him become a tragic character as Winter soldier, and then an even more tragic character as Cap himself in #26 and onwards.


3. The Walking Dead:

Current Writer: Robert Kirkman

Why I love it: The writing is incredible matched with gorgeous art.

Best Arc: The whole series because it really is one big story arc (that's a cop out I know)
What can I say about this series? It's like a soap opera with zombies, but with some of the best writing out there. I don't think there are any other comics out there with characters nearly as human as TWD, except maybe Scalped. Rick and his motley crue crew are so human that you can almost see this being a docu-comic, written as true accounts of people, they are so flawed yet heroic at the same time you can't help but fall for this group. Also Michonne's ability to win Zombie Kill of the Week every week since Tyreese died is no laughing matter. But maybe more important to this story than Kirkman's words are Moore (at first) and now Adlard's amazing art capturing the horror and terror felt in each panel beautifully. And admit it, you cried when you found out who Rick was talking to on the phone.

2. The Boys:

Current Writer: Garth Ennis
Why I love it: The Gore, the satire, the awesome writing
Best arc: TIE We Gotta go Now #23-30 and Herogasm: Herogasm #1-6(Herogasm is technically a spin off)
Probably the goriest, funniest, and most touching series out there The boys may be Ennis's masterwork, which is saying a lot because he is the guy that gave the world Preacher and resurrected Frank Castle as one of the industries top Bad Asses. centering on Wee Hughie, The boys follows a CIA backed Super Team sent to kick the shit out of all the other Super teams. Sex, there's a lot; fighting, even more, but through all that we get many scenes that pull at us readers heart strings like the last issue which deals with Hughie and Annie's break up, as well as several Man to Man talks between Butcher and Hughie that show beneath the supe-blood caked skin of Butcher is a man who's not all evil, he's just been hardened by the oppressive supes.

1. Scalped:

Current Writer: Jason Aaron
Why I love it: The amazing characterization, great dialogue, take no prisoners action, and grat art that capitalizes on the grimy atmosphere.
Best arc: Unwanted #39-42
It's actually a funny story how I got hooked on this series. I was at a con and Jason Aaron was a featured guest. So I had my Punisher Max and Captain America: Who Won't Wield the shield (he said it's one of the only one's he's signed... I doubt that) and he had a stack of DC's reprint of Issue #1 and he asked if I wanted one I said sure and he signed it and gave it to me... and the rest is history. It's not often I get hooked on a comic series because the creator hands me an issue, so this series had a special place in my heart before I read it. Well, if you read my CBW posts (which I'm sure you do) I actually spoiled this one the other day when I said that Scalped is probably my favorite series right now, but now I'll fully explain why... well, actually I already did look up 5 lines and you'll see. Aaron writes with an intensity most comics can only dream of, his characters have been kicked around by life and they are truly hardened because of it, no pseudo tough guy dialogue like in most mainstream tales this story holds nothing back using every words from 'the' to 'c**t'. The characters are so complex any one of them could fill a series all by themselves, but putting them all together is like The Sopranos meets Broken Arrow (1950). There's romance (kind of) violence (a lot of violence) drugs, gambling, intrigue, and all sorts of plot twists.  

Comic Book Wednesday Part 3: The Rest

And last, but certainly not least (actually probably the foremost) is the Veritgo offering from this week... Scalped #42.

SCALPED #42
Words by: Jason Aaron
Art by: R.M. Guera

If you remember (and you'd better) I raved about the last Scalped and called it the best of the series, well, sadly this issue doesn't top it, but it does stay high up on the quality meter. We get the result of Dash and Carol running into each other, and we also get one of the most touching moments of the series... the opening of the issue is Carol dreaming about the perfect life Her and Dashiell are married, completely cleaned up, she doesn't have her tattoo's they live in a nice apartment they're happy and kind... but that's not how it is, because Carol and Dashiell aren't the ideal story book relationship. Furthermore, we get a conclusion to the Unwanted arc... Carol goes to Planned Parenthood and... well I'm sure you can put it together from there. I don't feel ashamed to say this at all... Scalped is the best series on the racks right now. The art is great and Aaron has a mastery of neo-crime with peers like Tarantino.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (10/10)

Comic Book Wednesday Part 2: Marvel

Alright, here's where most of my comic book money was spent this week, making sure Joe Quesada's kids have food. I don't really know how else to set this up... so here ends my framing device, and here also begins my reviews.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #611
Words by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Daniel Acuña

So at the end of last issue we were told that Bucky was going on trial, and as such the media storm starts in this issue. We also see a lot of Steve Rogers, and now that raises a question... why would there be more of Steve Rogers than Bucky Barnes in the current Cap comic? Here's my theory and make sure you remember this so I can do the I told you so dance soon... Steve Rogers is going to be Captain America before this time next year. The Trial doesn't actually start in this issue, but all the set up and expository details make a good story, blending the other heroes reactions, with Bucky trying to block it out, all under the umbrella of Steve that connects the two. I have high hopes for this arc, but this issue is another strong Cap story from Brubaker.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

SECRET AVENGERS #6
Words by: Ed Brubaker
Art by: Mike Deodato

This series' first arc was fantastic. We got an amazing team book with super fights, great tech, and cool locations... three things required for a great super team book. But we also get a team that interacts superbly, they are all different, but they obviously share a mission and are like able as a unit. And this next arc seems like Brubaker will take it to the next level. The Shadow Council is after the Eyes of the Dragon, jewels able to raise the dead. And as such their mission is to raise Shang-Chi's father to lead the new Hai-Dai, which means the Secret Avengers are going to be try and get the jewels first. The writing is just as strong as before, with Deodoto continuing to give equally great visuals.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8.5/10)

SHADOWLAND: MOONKNIGHT #3 (of 3)
Words by: Gregg Hurwitz
Art by: Bong Dazo

Moonknight has become one of my favorite characters this year, and it's stories like this that have made it so. Moonknight follows Khonshu's urging to Naw'leans (New Orleans) to find the Sapphire Crescent (which he finds) only for Shadowknight to steal away the crescent and cue a climactic battle between the Moon and the Shadow, and in a moment that seems to counteract the current Vengeance of the Moonknight ongoing... Moonknight finishes Shadowknight, and takes back the crescent... heading into Shadowland to use the Crescent to try and kill Daredevil, of course we can't see that because there are still five SL titles to come. But I think the most crucial part of this story is the Epilogue to this tie in... we see Moonknight standing on the belcony, with Marlene on the bed staring at him, calling him to bed, but of course she calls him Jake Lockley, his current name, to which he responds Jake (his peaceful cabbie alter ego) is dead... and his name is Marc Spector (His violent former merc alter ego) setting up more Moonknight arcs with his return to violence... to say the least I geekgasmed when I saw that panel.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9.5/10)

SHADOWLAND: THUNDERBOLTS #149
Words by: Jeff Parker
Art by: Declan Shalvey

The review on the cover from Newsarama says it all... this book is like a comic version of The Dirty Dozen. Sure there are some Shadowland elements, but this series just has the banner and the ninjas to try and squeeze a few more dollars out of the Shadowland completests... and since I've bought two Thunderbolt issues in my life obviously I'm one of those completests, furthermore Marvel's ultimate Adrian Veidt scheme is coming to fruition... once Shadowland ends I'm going to continue buying The Thunderbolts because Parker is a great writer, and the characters are gritty, real, and exciting. Shalvey's art matches that feel providing a 1-2 punch and knocking the reader out. This issue finds the T-Bolts still in the sewer fighting the ninjas they were trying to find in #148. Oh... there's also a dragon. But this issue includes something even cooler... Crossbones with superpowers. Yes, one of Marvel's best (current) bad guys has some super powers... what could possibly go wrong right?

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

ULTIMATE AVENGERS 3 #3 (of 6)
Words by: Mark Millar
Art by: Steve Dillon

The pure win that is this issue can be summed up in three words: Vampire Captain America. Yes, dear readers, The Red, White, and Blue shield slinger is now a child of the night... allow me to geek out a tad.
(one geek out later)
Alright I'm back. The issue's plot resolves around Fury and the rest of the Avengers rushing the bitten Rogers back to the Triskelion to try and save him, but soon they are all fainting, an unexplained event... well that is until a certain half-vampire vampire slayer shows up to drive a wooden stake through the heart of the sentinel of liberty. This series is truly incredible, I mean the first two arcs were great but... damn, number 3 is amazing, matching one of the greatest writers of all time (Millar) with one of the true living legends of comics (Dillon) was destined to be good... but how good I am still unable to fathom.

LIKE this issue (10/10)
ULTIMATE MYSTERY #4 (of 4)
Words by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: Rafa Sandoval

Ugh. The real mystery is why some people think BMB is one of the best writers Marvel has. The plot remains just as convoluted as issue #1... which shouldn't happen by the final issue of a mini. Bendis here continues to weave his yarn, but the tapestry looks more like a four year old's attempt than that of a (alleged) master. Captain Marvel is captured and held by Fury, Danvers, The Torch, and The Thing... but during the interrogation there are voice bubles going to the wrong people (unless The Thing and Sue Storm are suddenly siblings) and the dialogue is just as amateurish as always, with zingers barely zinging and big reveals feeling like... well... seeing something that has been in the open for awhile now because Bendis is a terrible writer. I can't really describe how awkward and crappy this issue is... oh wait yes I can!

Dr. Brooykln says: PASS this issue (3/10) 

So that's Marvel's offerings this week, most of it was solid but as usual the Bendis title was the one lacking what I want in my comics: Quality.

Comic Book Wednesday Part 1:DC

Hello True Believers, and yes I did take last Wednesday off, but in my defense I picked up over 15 comics and by the time I had finished them... I was tied and didn't feel like going through and reviewing all of them. BUT this week you're lucky/damned, because I only have 8 titles to review, and as such I will review them. So sit tight, and get ready to see what was worthy reading for the Comic Book Wednesday Oct. 27th, 2010.

BRIGHTEST DAY: JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #12
Words by: Judd Winick
Art by: Fernando Dagnino

So I've been pretty smitten with this series for #1-#11, As I'm sure you've been noticing, but this issue... before I continue let me set the record straight, dear readers I don't hate back story, but I do hate back story in the middle of an intense action scene. This issue finds Ice at a heightened state of power, like we left her at the end of last issue, and this issue finds us in a showdown between Fire and Ice, with Fire trying to calm down the angered (or as the cover says berserk) Ice. But we can't just get that, we get a bunch of (imao* unneeded) back story concerning her controlling grandfather, her discovery of her powers, and how she matured and developed into who she is, and that's all fine and dandy, but I would rather have this series continue to move forward, developing the plot more. Beyond the back story we get two or three pages of Blue Beetle III, Booster, and Captain Atom... only for Magog to show up and give us a cliff hanger. Like I said the issue's not bad, but with the high quality of the previous issues I felt a tad let down, but with Magog and Captain Atom squaring off in probably the next issue, I have hope.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8/10)

So yup, that was my only DC title this week, but luckily it was good. And I do recommend it, but if you want a long multi title review stay tuned for the Marvel review it has 600% more reviews... so it's got something going for it.

*in my arrogant opinion

Top 5: Super Heroes

So the title is pretty self explanatory, but I'll give a brief intro. I am a huge comic book nerd, (as I assume you are if you read this blog) and so I think it's time I detailed and outlined my Top 5 Super Heroes, giving you a glimpse inside the mind of the madman who's blog you read.

5. Namor (a.k.a The Savage Submariner)
Company: Marvel
Powers: Namor is super strong (able to fight Hulk), ability to breath under water and in the air, and flight

Alright, so technically he's an anti-hero, but I don't care: Namor is Bad Ass. So many heroes try and be truly heroic (i.e. Superman) or are vigilantes (i.e. The Punisher) or even a basic Anti-Hero (i.e. Wolverine), but nobody plays aloof to a specific role like Namor, hell he's even invaded New York. The first anti-hero in Marvel's roster Namor has been good guy, bad guy, and even tragic Romeo, known for his many relationships including his most famous one... The Invisible Woman. I can't wait until Marvel and Sony get it worked out for Namor to pop up on screen,




4. Deadpool (a.k.a. The Merc with a Mouth)
Company: Marvel
Powers: Regeneration

Again, technically not a hero, but Deadpool has a special place in my heart for being awesome. Nobody cuts bad guys with swords and words quite the way The Merc with a mouth does, and that's the main thing I love about him... the humor. Most heroes these days are very serious (i.e. The Punisher, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Namor, Thor, Hulk, etc) but Deadpool revels in the silliness of old school comic shenanigans, mixing Adam West Batman with Tarantino-esque hyper violence Deadpool is one of the greatest heroes of all time because he's able to save the day... and make you laugh while he does it.





3. Martian Manhunter (a.k.a. The most underrated character in the DCU)
Company: DC
Powers: Super Strength, Flight, Telepathy, Shape Shifting, Laser eyes, and Martian Breath.

Have you ever noticed how early on in any major JLA arc Martian Manhunter is taken out of commission so Superman or Batman become the only ones strong or smart enough to save the day? Yeah... so have I. Yet I 've read Martian Manhunter solo titles and realize that Martian Manhunter is one of the coolest characters out there. The last son of Mars, J'onn J'onzz is one of the big seven of the JL, yet he never gets the respect he deserves. Strong as Superman, as smart as Batman, and also the most powerful telepath in the DCU Martian Manhunter is overlooked because he could overshadow the big three, and DC can't allow that.You don't believe me? Go look up some Martian Manhunter stuff and see how cool he is... do it, this post will be here when you get back.

Ah, you're back, isn't Martian Manhunter awesome?

2. Batman (a.k.a. The Caped Crusader, The Dark Knight, and many other nicknames)
Company: DC
Powers: Technically none.

What do I need to say about Batman? Batman is on this list because he inspires people that they cab do whatever they put their mind to, no matter what the obstacles are. Batman has exchanged blows with Kal-El, faced aliens, seduced women, and trained with ninjas... he's pretty much the ultimate man. But even beyond his brawn is his ultimate attribute... his brain. Batman has long been the brain power of the DCU's best teams, providing solutions and ways to beat bad guys that nobody else could. Also he has a way to take down EVERY member of the JLA. Yeah, ALL of them. How awesome is that? You piss of Batman you can be taken care of whether you're a Clown in a tacky suit or the last son of Krypton.

and if you know me at all number 1 shouldn't be a surprise.

1. Captain America (Steve Rogers of Course)
Company: Marvel
Powers: After receiving the Super Soldier Serum, Steve Rogers became the pinnacle of what a man can be.

Call me old fashioned but the Red, White, and Blue shield slinger is still the ultimate hero, not only because he's a bamf, but because he has morals and honor, two things lacking in most of the modern tough heroes (including the current Cap and former Winter Soldier, James "Bucky" Barnes). Rogers always stands up for what he believes in, and did I mention he's a bamf? Yeah, he's fought Hulk, he's fought Giant-Man, he's fought pretty much everybody and usually comes out on top. The ultimate hero and the ultimate character, Steve Roger's Captain America will (probably forever) be my favorite hero.

There you go, don't like it? Comment below, like it? Well then, you obviously have good taste

Forbidden Review

Sorry dear readers, I know that title writes a check that the rest of this review can't cash, it sounds steamy, sexy, and erotic, three things that have never been said when referring to this blog. For this review I didn't tackle anything that bears an X-Rating, it was instead a classic sci-fi movie entitled Forbidden Planet (1956) another title that is a tad misleading.

But this futuristic take on the Shakespeare play "The Tempest" is lacking nothing.

We find a space captain (played by the [at the time] stoic Leslie Nielsen, but we all know how his career changed) and his crew landing on a planet, distant and uninhabited... or so they think. The Away party soon discovers they aren't alone, and as such the plot develops out of the natives not being entirely altruistic.

The crew meets Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) and his daughter Alta (Anne Francis), who live in a remote house on the planet. The Dr wears all black and talks in a creepy intelligent manner... obviously he isn't an entirely good guy. For a sci-fi movie from the 50s the plot is pretty inventive, I won't spoil it but if you watch it I'm sure you won't be let down.

As I went into the movie I already knew that the Great Bird of the Galaxy himself (Gene Roddenberry for those of you that have girlfriends) cited this movie as a chief inspiration for Star Trek: TOS, and it's obvious from the beginning. The Captain (Cmdr. John J. Adams) is kind of a Kirk-esque character, charming, heroic, and tough. Also his right hand men are Farman (Jack Kelly), the pilot, and "Doc" (Warren Stevens) the... uh... you know.

For 1956 the effects are breath taking, in some cases this movie could have been seen as the Avatar of it's day with space ships, laser battles, and most importantly Robby the Robot (The star of the movie). I was quite impressed with the way the effects were handled, mainly to enhance the story not try and over shadow (Michael Bay... take some notes). I also must add this, as a fan of Star Trek TOS's ingenuity this is meant as a high compliment, to predate TOS by 10 years the effects were equal to or beyond that of Star Trek, which I find quite impressive, especially when these days ten year old movies seem dated in most cases.

Also of note is the hypnotic, electric score. Everything sounds futury, not contemporary forced on a future time period.

For acting it's all pretty standard, no truly great performances, but nothing worth harassing. But in some cases (especially when there is a strong script like this one) average acting is alright.

This is a short review, I know, but I just have good things to say about this movie, even though it seems like a missing Star Trek Pilot.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (9/10)

Top 5: Westerns

I've said a few times how "This western could be in my top 5" but I don't think I've actually fully stated my top 5, I know in one post I listed some really good ones, but not 5, and not in order. So I'm sure you, dear reader, are smart enough to figure out where this post is going.

5. True Grit (1969)

True Grit is pretty simple for a western, girl's father is murdered so she rounds up a posse and goes off to hunt him down, but the thing that makes this movie so special is Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne). Wayne won his only Oscar for this movie (He probably should have won for The Shootist but he had tough competition that year). The movie has everything a good Western has a grizzled gun fighter, a basterd of a villain, and a final shoot out that will be remembered for years. True Grit is truly one of the Duke's finest and one of the finest Westerns Period.




4. Unforgiven (1992)

Unforgiven is it's own monster. The movie doesn't rely on too many conventions and it doesn't try and recreate all the movies that came before t, it just tells it's own tale and tells it incredibly well. Clint Eastwood is William Munny, a retired gunfighter trying to live a peaceful life as a farmer (Think the Saint of Killers and Old Man Logan) but he's called back into the Saddle and brings hell to Big Whiskey. All the acting is truly top notch here and the story is powerful and moving tearing down the myth of the west well building up the real west.





3. The Wild Bunch (1969)

Where as even the Spaghetti westerns lacked a certain level of faux blood, The Wild Bunch aimed for realism and captured the true violence of the old west, too bad the last remaining gun fighters weren't in the old west, they were in 1910s Mexico, and were still living by the Old West code. The movie works beautifully commenting about how the Old West needs to stay in the West and the final showdown may be one of the greatest movie showdowns of all time.






2. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

I know that if I get any comments on this post it will be about giving TGTBATU number 2, but I stand by this. TGTBATU is one of the greatest films ever made. The acting is amazing, the score is haunting, and the story is consistently strong even as it approaches the 3 hour mark. Some of the most iconic western moments happen in this movie, and it deserves every bit of praise, but this is MY top 5, and that's why my number 1 is...





1. The Man who Shot Liberty Valence (1962)

Yes, I believe that The Man who Shot Liberty Valence is a better movie than TGTBATU (sue me). Jimmy Stewart (in my opinion) is the greatest American Actor and AFI agrees with me (kind of) he got #3 on their list. The movie involves Lawyer Ransom Stoddard arriving at a western town to try and bring the law to the West, but he realizes that as long as there are villains like Liberty Valence (Lee Marvin) he can't just bring law to the town. With a little help from Tom Doniphan (John Wayne) Ransom learns how to fire a gun and finally faces Liberty in the streets and everyone sees him shoot down Liberty Valence. The movie has a good wist at the end though, and really comments on violence and the law. While the rest of this list is truly great, TMWSLV holds a special place in my heart and is my all time favorite western.

Panic Review

Remember the other day when I said I was going to watch the complete Fincher catalogue? well tonight I completed the third leg in that race by watching Panic Room (2002) directed by David Fincher and starring Jodie Foster.

I must confess, I might be on the path to Fincherphelia, but not as bad as some people I know. The shots he employs (the zooms through the house) and the slow eerie score couple to add tension to each scene. Like Se7en (1997) none of the scenes are really throw away scenes, Fincher packs every frame with character development and plot and I must give him credit for that.

The plot kicks off quickly (15 minutes into a 112 minute movie the break in occurs) and I appreciate how even though it seems sped up at first, the pacing works itself around and we get a pretty fine film. But there is little action in the Hollywood sense of action. Keeping in line with the other Fincher movie's I've seen the action is all psychological, building a sense of fear inside the panic room and a sense of hostility and aggression on the outside. Also the plot is rather simplistic, the movie takes place in just a few rooms with the only real story being three robbers trying to get into the panic room of two victims.

For the sake of discussion there are really only five characters in this movie, but because they are so beautifully directed and their acting is all top notch the movie gets away with such a minimalist approach to casting.

In the lead role is Jodie Foster, and actress that much is expected of, and she delivers. Unlike the last movie I saw her in (The Silence of the Lambs) Foster does not bring a hardened agent in training angle to this role, but she does bring a perfect amount of concerned mother and panicked individual. If Foster had brought toughness the part would not have worked because so much of the movie hinges on the fear of Foster and Stewart, which brings me to the next actress I intend to discuss.

Kristen Stewart is most famous now for locking lips with "vampires" and hanging out with shirtless men, but she can actually act... even though she chooses to hide it now. She balances Fosters fear with a precocious bravery.

Jared Leto as the leader of the three burglars turns in a good performance as a guy who is sleazy and looking for money, that he could wait to inherit but he decides instead to steal it. There are a few things like this that do negatively impact the movie, although Leto is good, the motivation is flawed: What kind of heir plans a daring robbery of money they'll get anyways? This just struck me in a bad way.

Forest Whitaker is another actor that greatness is just expected of, and like Foster he delivers again. Whitaker's Burnham is the only one of the three who doesn't have malice as a motivation, he instead is looking out for his kids. He is actually like able, even though he's committing a felony.

But, even with all this the movie is stolen by a Country singer... Dwight Yoakam. His performance as Raoul was brilliant, equal parts sadistic and just a total bastard Yoakam holds his own with Foster and Whitaker and gives a strong performance that is one of the best in the movie.

So far I've seen three of Fincher's films, and this one is the worst (but that doesn't make it bad, it's just not as good as Se7en and Fight Club) The movie has a few plot holes (like the above stealing inheritance and other things like the husband knowing where the house was even though the call got cut off, etc.) but the movie is still very enjoyable and a very good movie.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (8/10)

The Review of the Lambs

There are few psychological thrillers that have garnered as much acclaim as The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Gaining rave reviews from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences down to average movie goers who ahve seen this movie in the 20 years that it has been released.


That being said, I had the pleasure of enjoying this movie, joining those masses, for the first time. Fromt he very beginning of the movie, you know Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster fourteen years after inspiring a man to try and kill Reagan) is not your typical female protagonist, instead of seeing her due her hair or prepare breakfast we see her for the first time as she completes a FBI training obstacle course. I was immediately intrigued by this new role of a woman in a movie with a serial killer.


But more on that later, for first I must discuss the movie as a whole before discussing it's parts, and boy is there a lot to discuss. I shall begin with the script a great place to start when discussing any movie. Primarily the moments (all 16 minutes worth of screen time [Yeah, Hannibal Lecter is only on screen for 16 minutes]). The script is sharper than Buffalo Bills blades, cutting with an intensity rarely seen. The movie's source was that of Ed Gein, the Wisconsin madman who made a three piece suit out of female flesh, as well as decorating his home with their bones, tne M.O. of Gein also inspired (albeit loosely) Psycho (1960) and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974). The similarities with both those movies ends there, as this is a whole new level of fictionalization here, mainly that of the plot. I think that for this movie's script to not walk off with that golden effigy of a man and a sword, would have been the all time Oscar snub.


Next comes the direction from Jonathan Demme. Demme may have created some of the best "across the table" showdown scenes of all time when he filmed the scenes with Starling and Lecter, true cinematic genius. Furthermore, there are all the great scenes in Buffalo Bill's lair, and so on and so forth. The pacing is tremendous, the movie clocks in at just under two hours, yet it seems to move faster than some movies 2/3rds that length, easily making Demme worth his Oscar.


Speaking of Oscars, how about I discuss the other two people to win Oscars for this movie: Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, and did they earn them. Foster is truly stunning as Starling, she balances the tough facade and the innocent girl buried beneath it. Both fierce and timid, Foster earns her Oscar again and again with every line and every scene. And the same goes for Hopkins, despite his aforementioned lack of screen time. My only problem with this movie is Hopkins "physicality." He nails the part of psychotic intellectual with an unrivaled fervor, and yet they present Hannibal Lecter as able to over power larger and stronger police officers, as well and raising a body and supporting it from the ceiling all by himself. I don't find it hard to believe a man could do that, I find it hard to believe THAT man did it. That minor transgression aside I can't think of anyone I would have rather played Dr. Lecter.


This movie is probably as close to being the perfect psychological thriller as one can imagine: smart, frightening, and insanely well made The Silence of the Lambs delivers on every aspect.


Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (10/10)


I might make this a recurring theme when I watch movies with parodies... but here's something a little lighter.

Top 5: My Top 5 Movie Reviews and Top 5 Reviewed Movies.

Call me egocentric (don't actually) but in honor of my blog's two month anniversary I thought I would go through and do a special Top 5, my personal Top 5 Movie Reviews.

I've reviewed several movies ranging from comedies to dramas, and as suchmy reviews have changed. And at the same time I'll then rank the 5 best movie's I've reviewed.

Now I won't do the sub reviews I do on most Top 5's mainly because there will be links to the actual reviews


TOP 5 REVEWS:

5. Network (1976)
4. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
3. Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
2. Unforgiven (1992)
1. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

My Top five movie's I reviewed (these are not my top movies of all time, just the ones I've reviewed)

5. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
4. Unforgiven (1992)
3. The Wild Bunch (1969)
2. The Deer Hunter (1977)
1. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)

So there's my take on the brief history of my blog, so yeah... hooray for two months!

A Mo7ie Re7iew

I hope from the title you were able to infer what movie I'd be discussing in this particular blog post. If you haven't it's the 1995 David Fincher crime movie Se7en. Being that the only Fincher movie I've seen is Fight Club (1999), and some of my friends have chastised me for that *cough*David*cough* and I've decided to now go and master the entire Fincher catalogue, this time with one of his movies I've been meaning to see for years, the aformentioned Se7en.

The movie is obviously from the man who directed Fight Club, the lighting, music, and over all feel just reek of Fight Club, or I should say that Fight Club reeks of this movie due to their respective release dates. The movie reflects the script in a truly dark mirror, with a perfectly matched atmosphere for the dark dialogue and the grotesque imagery, especially during the opening scene portraying the Glutton victim.

I can see why some people would have an (albeit unhealthy) obsession with David Fincher. The movie plays out beautifully, every shot builds tension, and every line of dialogue is vital, no throw away scenes are in the 127 minute run time of this movie. The movie is full of gorgeous scenes, such as Somerset (Morgan Freeman) walking through the library to classical music, a brilliant juxtaposition to the horrors of the two crimes that procede this moment.

The John Doe killer is one of the most inventive I've seen put on screen, where as many killers have motives based on revenge, etc, John Doe doesn't really have a motive, well punishing the wicked is a motive, but the over all randomness of his victims is scary, scarier than a freak in a hockey mask or a tacky sweater.

The Chemistry between the actors also plays a big part of this movie, Morgan Freeman is brilliant (of course) delivering a great performance of a man who is at the end of his rope. He sees a city around him dying of rabies, and he's doing everything he can to whip the flecks from it's mouth. And we also get a strong performance from Brad Pitt, balancing out Freeman's intellectual, cultured, cop that's tired of the city with a young brash detective trying to make a name for himself. The two bounce off eachother quite well and as such create one of the best cop teams of film history.

Over all this movie is one of the best Crime movies and dare I say over all movies I've ever seen. From now on this movie will be one of my "If you liked that, you should see..." reference points. I say Kudos to Andrew Kevin Walker and David Fincher for one hell of a film.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (9.75/10)

And after such a heavy movie I think we all could use a laugh... don't you?

A Review of Blood

It seems hard for someone like me to review a work, this time Throne of Blood (1957) of one of the truly great auteurs, Akira Kurosawa, mainly because I'm an untrained cinematic observer, and as such my opinions matter little, but I give them anyways... because I'm just like that. I'm am still a Kurosawa neophyte, but it is within my powers to declare this a masterpiece of a movie and second only to his greatest film, and one of the all time classics: The Seven Samurai (1951).

The movie is supposed to be Macbeth transposed to feudal Japan, and as such is full of all the bloodshed and political turmoil that are the hallmarks for that play. Now to make a confession, I have not read Macbeth, and as a former drama student I rarely utter the word, but after observing the majesty of this movie, I will begin a reading of Macbeth shortly, despite my disdain for William Shakespeare.

Throne of Blood has all the hallmarks of a Kurosawa flick, There are duels, political back stabbing, and Toshihiro Mifune. All of which work perfectly. As per the usual, the cinematography is gorgeous, capturing the emotion and the action with a sweet eye for detail possessed by a select few directors, the elites of the elite. Kurosawa truly is one of these blessed few. We get gorgeous wide shots of feudal palaces, but we also get Leone style close ups (But a certain Japanese director did come first). Furthermore this is one of the few Black and White movies that is ultimately vibrant, a rarity in a dark medium.

Like I said I have not read Macbeth, but I do notice the high flowing dialogue typical of Billy S. is lost in this movie, instead being replaced by the very succinct and formal dialect of the Samurai, furthering how Kurosawa takes the bare bones structure of Macbeth and turns it into his own story.

Mifune is truly stunning Taketoki Washizu, also known as Macbeth. His inner conflict is beautifully portrayed to the watcher, as he wrestles with committing high treason to obtain some power. Although I don't watch a lot of Japanese cinema, Mifune truly stands out as one of the finest from that particular nation, stealing all of the Kurosawa movies I have seen him in.

But also turning in a strong performance is Isuzu Yamada, portraying Lady Asaji (Lady Macbeth). If this were a Bugs Bunny cartoon she would the Bugs dressed as a devil who sits on the shoulder of the real Bugs Bunny. Cruel and Calculating she truly personifies the Rudyard Kipling quote "The female of the species is more deadly than the male." I was quite surprised with her strong performance, and will hunt for more of her movies.

Over all Kurosawa captures all the right Shakespearean touches, while making the movie his own, all at the same time. If you haven't seen this movie check it out, even with a minimal knowledge of Macbeth, you won't be left in the dark. The script is strong, the acting, stronger, and the direction stronger still. Kurosawa hits not just a home run, but a grand slam.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (10/10)

Comic Book Wednesday Part 2:DC

Alright, here's the highly anticipated sequel to my earlier blog post, you can stop holding your breaths now. As you can assume, based off the title, this section is devoted to those crazy bastards over at DC.

BATMAN: THE RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE 5 (of 6)
Words by: Grant Morrison
Art by: Ryan Sook

Okay, so I haven't been a fan of this series... I mean, it's been kind of fun, but the covers are far and away the best part of this series. And this issue is no exception. The story is kind of.... well, an accurate description is cluster fuck. Bruce arrives in the 20s and is conned by... his mother (?) into becoming a "bat man" to help pull off a scam, but then the scam is revealed to be... getting Bruce to be a sacrifice in the family cemetery of Wayne Manor. Okay, so my reaction when I set this down was What the Fuck? I just... I really don't know what to say... I mean, the art was good but... that's not enough to salvage a comic with story this bad. Sorry Morrison, you get my only pass of the week. I just can't wait until this arc is done, Wayne returns and a new guy takes over Batman.

Dr. Brooklyn says: PASS this issue (4/10)

GREEN LANTERN #58
Words by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Doug Mahnke

The issue starts with The Butcher (The Red Lanterns Entity) causing hell at a prison, but we don't get a lot of that... but I do appreciate the foreshadowing. The issue is much more episodic than I would like, working more like a really good BD issue as opposed to a strictly GL tale, but that doesn't hurt it at all. For me (being a hopeless romantic) I kind of would have liked more between Carol and Hal, but overall the issue has little to knit pick, balancing out the 'meh' BD series that Johns is also working on.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8.75/10)

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD WARRIORS #3
Words by: Peter Tomasi
Art by: Fernando Pasarin

This is a series quickly climbing the ranks of things I look forward to. In the main GL title, we have Hal being a fine upstanding guy, but in Emerald Warriors we get Guy being Guy, leading a rag tag group of Kilowag, Arisia, and now Bleez. The story looks like it's going to turn into the catalyst of the next GL crossover (seems all of DC's crossovers have to involve the GL corp, but whatever) Anyways, the story and art are both equally strong and we get to see some badassery, so check this series out if you like good comics.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #11
Words by Judd Winick
Art by: Aaron Lopresti

And the love affair continues. I know I gush for this series like the media gushed for Obama, but it's worth it... for serious. The story now pits the JLI against the Metal Men (and woman) thanks to Max Lord reprogramming them. The two teams fight hard, but then the Metal Men unite and become a mega Metal... person. This series continues to be my favorite DC publication at the moment, with smart writing, cool art and the only direct BD tie in that does anything. I think I might be at that point where all I have left to say is gushing compliments, so I'll cut this review short.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9.5/10)

So there's this weeks DC stuff... that I bought. Check some of that stuff out if you feel like reading some good stuff, but avoid B:TRoBW

Comic Book Wednesday Part 1: Marvel

Alright, another week of comics has come and sadly gone, so it seems like its time for me to tell you what comics you should pick up, provided you have bad taste and didn't pick these up already (well, in some game good taste should have scared you away) So here we go with some reviews and cynicism.

DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #2
Words by: Dan Way and Marjorie Liu
Art by: Giuseppe Camuncoli

I was really pleased with Issue #1 of this series, but often times strong initial issues are followed with lackluster sequels... luckily this is another strong issue. Continuing the story from Wolverine #1 Daken finds himself dealing with Wolverine's body that is causing all kinds of hell (no pun intended) here on Earth while Logan fights his way through scores of people he's already killed. The majority of this issues works around Daken sweet talking Mystique out on a date, only for Wolverine to cut in. The writing is great as Way and Liu bring a nice balance of manliness and a feminine touch, I've met Dan, but not Marjorie so my knowledge of her is slim, but Dan's touch is very much on this story. The art is kind of... well, it's not bad, but it's not great the facial proportions of Daken change a little too much for my like, but it's not enough to detracts from the story.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

INVADERS NOW! 2 (of 5)
Words by: Alex Ross and Christos Gage
Art by: Caio Reis

If you are one of my faithful readers, you observed me giving the first issue in this mini a 6.5/10 and a mediocre review... Ross and Gage really stepped it up with this issue, providing a really strong story that looks at what happens in war and when their can be justification, and what's too far. Frankly, the issue was pretty damn good, except the art is kind of weak. When I look at comic art I want strong form and nice color, this art is just not good enough for the quality of writing that Ross and Gage put down in this issue.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8.75/10)

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #31
Words by: Matt Fraction
Art by: Salvador Larroca

So these Marvel guys seriously like making me eat my words. If you remember I said that IIM is getting ready to jump the shark and gave the last issue a pass... so Matt Fraction reads my blog* and uped the quality of this issue. Where the last few issues have been lame Eco-Friendly tales, this last story gets back to what Iron Man is all about, sex, tech, and explosions. This seems to be a recurring theme, but the art was a little... weird. I mean, I know Larroca is talented, seeing it from #1-31 of this series, but there were some things off this issue. The Story is starting to return to the High Quality that the series began with, and I am very pleased with that, being that IIM was one of my favorites, it might just sneak back into that elite group.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8.75/10)

*Yes I know Matt Fraction has never even heard of my blog, I just like to dream

SHADOWLAND #4 (of 5)
Words by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Billy Tan

Holy Shit. Yeah I started my review of The Boys #47 that way, so you should know how this review will end. That being said I will still give you a nice review. The story is really coming to it's climax now, we see a loose collection of street level heroes on their way to kill Matt Murcok, needless to say, they don't succeed. But the issue ends on a high note, Matt laughing off Wolverine who ended a leap with all six claws into the Man without fear. For one of the best crossovers of the fall, this issue ranks among the best and it seems like the climax next month will be some of the most exciting stuff of the year.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (10/10)

SHADOWLAND: BLOOD ON THE STREETS 3 (of 4)
Words by: Antony Johnston
Art by: Wellington Alves

This subseries has been pretty interesting, a series of murders that match the Hand's M.O... but it's not them! And as such, there is a mystery that several of the detective characters have been working on, despite all that's going on. This issue reveals some clues, but they obviously won't be revealed until next months #4. The plot continues to be good stuff, and I am very much so intrigued by this series and am really sad that it's going to end.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10) 

Unreviewed

When Westerns started they were violent and cruel, like The Great Train Robbery (1911), short sweet and packed with cops shooting bandits, bandits shooting cops, and an explosion here and there. Then dialogue came, and Westerns (like the real west) were tamed a bit. Then a man by the name of Sergio Leone teamed up with a young T.V. actor named Clinton Eastwood Jr. (coming off Rawhide). Leone had an idea, take the samurai classic Yojimbo (1961) and move it to the west. The result, of course, was A Fistful of Dollars (1964), one of the most influential westerns of all time. The same tones and themes would carry on through the rest of the "Dollars" trilogy, and then Eastwood would adopt a similar style for his own directorial attempts, such as High Plains Drifter (1973), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) and then his most acclaimed Western, Unforgiven (1992)


Unforgiven is obviously a post-Dollars, post-Wild Bunch (1969) Western, with real cussing and real violence, no beautiful vistas and "pure hero" John Wayne types riding in to save the day from marauding Indians. The men portrayed here are truer to that of the real west, violent despicable people trying to use the west as a refuge from civilization. And yet, in all this is a man trying to reform from his past: William Munny (Clint Eastwood). If you've read Old Man Logan, you know the character type. A man who used to be violent, meets a nice young lady and reforms... actually, that sounds an awful lot like the Saint of Killers mini from Preacher, now that I think about it.


There are also a few story lines that start separately, but get twisted into one solid yarn. There is that of Munny, hired by a young man to seek vengeance on a violent cowboy who cut up a member of the worlds oldest profession. The girls "lover" comes across Munny and get's him (literally) back in the saddle to serve as gun for hire to get vengeance. But, no man can go it alone in a western, Munny's first stop is to Little Bill Dagget (the demi god Morgan Freeman) the two agree for one last hoorah and are off on the war path.


Then there is the tale of Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman in an Oscar winning role), the sheriff of Big Whiskey. His tale is mainly noted by the English Bob arc, an unnecessary series of scenes with Richard Harris as a gun fighter from England with the reward on his mind. The Bob character could have been omitted, and doesn't serve the plot in any way at all.


The acting is all top notch, with Eastwood receiving a Best Actor nom, Hackman receiving the Oscar, and Freeman being Freeman... but the Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) is the weak link. I mean, it's probably not so much his acting as it is the way he was written. But he's very one dimensional. He's cocky, arrogant, plagued with hubris, and a big ego. Yes, I know those all mean the same thing... because that's all he is. I was a little let down by this character, because the rest of the cast is fleshed out beautifully, but he is just a cheeky buggar. Well, let me retract that,with 20 minutes to go in the movie, he does show some remorse and humility... but in a 2 hour movie 20 minutes isn't much.


All in all this is a damn fine movie, probably Eastwood's best (acting) movie. The story (with the exception of English Bob) is superb and ranks high amongst the best Westerns ever committed to film, probably making my top 5.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (10/10)

The Enforcer: a Review

Ah the tried and true Cop movie formula, grizzled veteran forced to work with a rookie that is book smart, but has no experience. The former never likes the rookie, mainly because they are green behind the ears, and know the law, but have never enforced it. The rookie continues to try and prove themselves, but in vain until later in the movie when the rookie does something to show they can be just as grizzled as the senior. Follow that scene up with a "Louis, this looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship" kind of scene and you have yourself a cop movie.

This formula gets used in The Enforcer (1976), the third movie in the classic Dirty Harry series. For this feature the grizzled veteran is (of course) 'Dirty' Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), who is forced to work with a new partner, rookie homicide detective Kate Moore (Tyne Daly).

The movie is standard Dirty Harry fare, Harry foils a crooks plan using his own brand of bad assery, then uncovers a grander plot. Along the way Harry clashes with his superiors, yet continues to do his job. The main difference is the romantic subplot, true there was one in Magnum Force (1973) but this one is different because the context is not a horny neighbor, but instead a cute partner, who Harry takes a liking too because she doesn't take his crap. And she falls for him because... well... in movies every girl falls for the bad boy with good intentions.

Beyond the obvious formulas, the movie is not bad. The villains are a group of terrorists who have been bombing buildings and taking hostages, all the while extorting the city like Scorpio in the first movie. Although the villains are slightly more fleshed out than those in Magnum Force, they are better because unlike Magnum Force, you can't see justification to their actions. These people aren't violating the laws to try and defeat other lawbreakers, they're breaking the law to get money, a much more malicious pursuit.

Clint Eastwood brings the same ferocity to the role that he brought in DH and MF, no doubt about that. But it's not a truly great performance.

More impressive in this movie was Tyne Daly, who shows a nice range of emotion and a nice arc of maturation from beginning to end, developing the streetwise skills she needs to not only defeat terrorists, but to also win the heart of Harry Callahan. Daly was a strong counter balance to Harry, providing a female edge to an otherwise testosterone laden movie.

Overall, the movie is pretty good. It's not the best in the series, but it's not the worst. I do recommend the movie, but I recommend Dirty Harry more.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (8/10)

Comic Book Wednesday the You should probably ge tused to these coming on thursday Edition Part 3: The Rest

THE BOYS #47
Words by Garth Ennis
Art by: Russ Braun

Holy Shit. This issue was good. Like high up there for best The boys issue good. And that's saying something. The way Ennis portrays Butcher and Hughie at the beginning of the issue, then Annie and Hughie, and Finally showing us a glimpse of The Homelander scheming this issue sets up all kinds of hell to come, for The boys AND The Seven. Without a doubt this is a must read series, and this issue which concludes the BELIEVE arc maybe be exhibit A-F in the case to prove it. Although it doesn't really talk about Believe, this does give some closure to the main elements of that arc, and as a direct result sets up the next arc.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (10/10) Get used to those in this section.

METALOCALYPSE: DETHKLOK #1
Words by: Brendon Small, Jon Schnepp, and Jeremy Barlow
Art by: Lucas Marangon

To appreciate this issue, you must like the show. STOP! If you don't like the show don't read this review or this issue, you won't like it. The plot is simple, the band endorses some frozen foods and causes mayhem. The humor then comes from the same kind of dialogue and situational black humor that makes the show great. The only problem was the song at the end, it's one thing to listen to metal... it's another to read it with no music, but that's a nit pick. I laughed quite a bit during the reading of this issue and I think you will too if you like the show.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8/10)

NANCY N HELL #3 (of 4)
Words by: El Torres
Art by: Antonio Vasquez

This issue is actually deep. While the first two have been exploitation fun, this one actually questions the superiority of humans to angels, and makes Lucifer reexamine himself, giving us a unique look on the Fallen Angel himself. The art is pretty consistent with what the rest of the series has had, just good gory fun. Overall this series has turned into a hidden gem, which I'm afraid most people will miss out on. if you like chainsaws, the undead, demons, and hot chicks you'll love this series.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8.5/10)

NEONOMICON #2
Words by: Alan Moore
Art by: Jacen Burrows

remember in my first post when I linked to my friend D**** S****'s blog? Well, me and him have been waiting like crackheads for a rock for this issue, and it doesn't disappoint. The story is full of more Lovecraft references than the first, and finds Brears having sex with an old one in the final panels. The plot gets the two agents undercover, where they are invited to a ritual, trying to get a lead on Carcosa. But the ritual is actually an orgy and Brears finds herself being raped by a hideous monster after watching her partner get shot in the face. This is a very graphic issue, with lots of sex, dicks, and blood, so if you are squeamish at all, pass on this issue, or better have someone read it too you, because you don't want to miss this one.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (10/10)

SCALPED #41
Words by: Jason Aaron
Art by: R.M. Guera

The Unwanted Arc is probably the best of the series thus far, mainly because it has allowed for so much characterization of Dashiell and Carol, and this issue doesn't slow that down. We open with a flashback to Carol's mother, then we return to the modern with Carol dealing with her pregnancy by consulting Dino Poorbear, another of the Rez's parents with a lot of troubles. But the gem of this issue is Dashiell and Carol searching for each other through out the town, Dashiell learning carol has kicked the drug habit, and Carol learning Dashiell has been distancing himself from her father, ending in them finding each other in a "romantic" passing. Just like this week's The Boys, this issue ranks up with some of the best Scalped issues.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (10/10)

Comic Book Wednesday the You should probably ge tused to these coming on thursday Edition Part 2: DC

Yeah, with all the Marvel and Miscellaneous comics I read I only had skrilla to buy 1 DC, and it was

BRIGHTEST DAY #11
Words by: Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi
Art by: Ivan Reis

I am going to assume Geoff Johns reads my blog, and that's why he has taken BD from crap to one of the best issues I read this week. The opening bit is clearly the best, setting up a massive conflict between Black Lanterns and the raised White Lanterns, all while claiming the new saviour. FINALLY PLOT!!! seeing the big splash page of the black lanterns was nice, and I am pleased to report there wasn't a single utterance of the phrase "Why were we brought back?" the entire issue. #11 knocks it out of the park and rivals some of the best BN issues. (even though most of the early BD stuff was shit).

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

Yeah, I gave a Brightest Day issue a 9, maybe 'm just getting softer in my old age.

Comic Book Wednesday the You should probably ge tused to these coming on thursday Edition Part 1: Marvel

So, I read a LOT of comics this week (11 to be exact) and I have a big chunk of marvel stuff, so I'm going to get right into the whole review thing i do.

Also, sorry about not having a review last CBW, but I only got 3 issues, and I didn't think you would need those reviews.

DEADPOOLMAX #1
Words by: David Lapham
Art (and I use the term lightly) by: Kyle Baker

I will begin this review with three words, and because it's a MAX title I won't get censored: WHAT THE FUCK?! I have said a few times I'm tired of all the Deadpool titles, yet I always buy them and this one... ugh... this one was a waste of $4. First off, Hydra Bob's role is the ass slave of a gangster, now I know HB isn't the toughest guy, but aren't there better ways of infiltrating the mob that letting the mob infiltrate you? Second, this should have been called Hydra Bob MAX, because Deadpool is hardly in this, like Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, the name has nothing to do with the contents. The story uses the MAX imprint to it's full extent giving us blood, swearing, and sex... but that doesn't make an issue good. Especially when the art sucks this much. I love the cartoony style that some artist's have, particularly Jason Howard of Image, but Baker's was cartoony without proportion, realism, or anything redeeming.

Dr. Brooklyn says: PASS on this issue (4/10)

DEADPOOL PULP #2 (of 4)
Words by: Mike Benson and Adam Glass
Art by: Laurence Campbell

Remember my review of #1 of this series? How it was good but not Deadpool? Well, same problem here. The story is actually really cool, and the art is very slick, but it's just not Deadpool. The humor is very out of place here, and all in all it doesn't fit in with the tone of anything else featuring the Merc with a Mouth. That being said this series could be really good. The dialogue is strong and DINO (Deadpool in Name Only) is a very cool character, vaguely reminiscent of Grendel. I do recommend this issue (and series) because it is a nice Pulpy story, but don't expect the zany antics that define Deadpool, they won't be here.

Dr. Brooklyn says: PASS if you want a Deadpool story LIKE if you want a good story (8/10)

SHADOWLAND: SPIDER MAN (1 shot)
Words by: Dan Slott
Art by: Paulo Siqueira

In there last two weeks there has only been 1 Shadowland story, but luckily it was pretty good. The story revolves around Spider-man (duh) and Shang-Chi. That's the issues right there. The story mainly works because once Shang Chi touches Mr. Negative he begins to rationalize DD's plot, and then Spider-Man has to break him free from the spell-y thing. Honestly, this was a nice look at Shadowland from a real world perspective, almost tapping into Watchmen about Why Vigilantism doesn't work, but it's short so don't expect anything new in that discussion. All in all the book was solid from cover to cover, little knowledge of either character is needed, but don't read it without knowledge of SL.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (8/10)

UNCANNY X-FORCE #1
Words by: Rick Remender
Art by: Jerome Opeña

As a fan of Secret Avengers i decided to read this because the plot synopsis makes this sound like the Secret Avengers of the X-Men. and the first issue has a lot of exposition, realizing most people need an introduction of sorts to the characters, that being said I would have preferred an introduction to the plot. The issue starts with Deadpool discovering a hidden fortress, and then the X-Force has to fight with their demons and then starts making their way to the fortress... we don't know what's in the fortress, we don't know why they need to go to the fortress, we just know they are going to the fortress. you can tell once this book gets going, it'll be a good team book, but as of this issue it's not anything spectacular and as such I can't give it a great score.

Dr. Brooklyn says: AT LEAST READ this issue (7/10)

WOLVERINE #2
Words by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Renato Guedes
This is easily the must read Marvel book of the week. Wolverine is in Hell and his past is (literally) closing in around him, all the while Satan is laughing about how he's going to break Logan. With words by Aaron you know it'll be good, so you didn't need me to tell you, did you? This series is looking like it will become a memorable run on the character, one that people will be talking about. I love how Aaron balances Earth and hell, creating intrigue on both sides of the Styx, weaving a web that catches up characters and gets them devoured. That being sad, this arc does kind of seem like the poor man's version of The Saint of Killers Mini from Preacher.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this issue (9/10)

so that's it for Marvel, stay tune for DC, and The Rest.

The Wild Review

It seems like I've only been reviewing good movies lately, with classics like The Deer Hunter (1978) and modern movies that slid under the radar (Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)) and that streak continues (kind of obviously) with western masterpiece The Wild Bunch (1969), one of the defining works of one Sam Peckinpah.

The movie revolves around the eponymous bunch, a group of ne'er do wells that seem like they could be the Inglorious Basterds (2009) of the Old West. The movie opens with a bloody gun fight, leaving the Bunch with a bag of silver rings washers. The job was supposed to be a last hurrah, but the... undesired loot forces the Bunch to head to Mexico and a showdown with a town caught by the Mexican Revolution of 1913.

Now, when I say The Wild Bunch is like Inglorious Basterds, I mean that it is really like Inglorious Basterds. The plot revolves around a group of basterds bastards who are on a mission. The mission takes them through a foreign country and involves a heavy plot and violence... lots of violence.The main differences are that this movie has one main plot, not several that intertwine, and there is a lot more action than one massive fire fight in a theatre.

The cinematography is gorgeous, capturing both of Mexico's climates, not just desert and not just the more moderate parts. Where Leone captures his men in close ups, Peckinpah employs a wider style, meaning that this movie must be watched in wide screen to truly enjoy it.

The script is fantastic, portraying wild west men as truly wild men, modern barbarians wielding guns instead of clubs. To the 1969 crowd, raised on the exploits of The Duke this movie must have been a swift kick to the cojones. Blood squibs portrayed death not as something that happens to nameless characters on the horizon of the camera's view, but instead as people right in front of the camera, showing the collateral of the big shoot outs shown in movies like this. Furthermore, Tarantino owes a thing or two to this movie, from the editing right down to the style of dialogue Peckinpah paved the way for hyper violent filmmakers like Rodriguez and Tarantino.

And with a script and a director this good, it only makes sense for the acting to be just as good... and it is. And like an good ensemble movie it's about the whole Bunch, not just two guys. Sure Borgnine and Holden get the most lines, but that's because they are the biggest stars of the movie, and not because their characters are more important. Of course William Holden turns in a great performance, the man is a true acting deity, and to expect anything less would be blasphemous. the rest of the cast was strong, but the movie is mostly filled by The Wild Bunch and Mexican extras... who all die.

Over all the movie was not only a tremendous western, but an amazing film. I would not feel bad about putting The Wild bunch alongside The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (1966), True Grit (1969), High Noon (1952), and my favorite The Man who Shot Liberty Valence (1962).

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (10/10)

Zombieland: A Review

I'll admit I don't watch a lot of Zombie movies. Sure, I've seen Night of the Living Dead (1963) and Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959) undeniably the two best zombie movies ever made and some others, and I've read every issue of The Walking Dead, but for the most part zombie cinema has left me by. But there was one Zombie movie that struck a chord with me: Shaun of the Dead (2004).

It was mainly it's use of humor in juxtaposition to the gore that created a brilliant "yin-yang" of a movie, and I figured out what kind of Zombie movie I liked, a satiric tongue in cheek movie that doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't hold back on the gut blowing... or the gut busting.

Zombieland (2009) carries on that tradition of the ZomRomCom started by SotD. Giving the viewer an action filled, comedy, with a side order of romance.

Unlike most movies, the exposition is not laid out in a simple 1st act kind of deal, instead a slow and steady revelation of the characters back stories is actually a truer to life way of things happening, and I enjoy that.

The soundtrack is beautiful, mixing rock and electric music to provide the perfect soundtrack to the zombocolypse, making the heart race and get the adrenaline pumping.

The movie centers on 4 characters: Columbus (Jeese Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), and Wichita (Emma Stone) who make the group from TWD look functional. The four play off each other amazingly and have tremendous chemistry and in a style that most movie casts dream of having. The entire cast is fantastic, especially that guy who shows up about mid way through... his name escapes me. I honestly don't think that with out the rest of the cast any one of these actors could have carried this movie, working truly as a unit this group delivers laughs, tears, and bad ass zombie kills.

Now about the rules, I really liked how they did the rules. It seems almost requisite now that slasher movies address the rules of slasher movies, only to have violations and "self aware" deaths. So it was nice to see a movie handle the rules for Zombie movies in a creative way, not some douche's you know won't see act II laughing about how to avoid Jason.

Overall the movie was good, not as good as SotD, but still a funny and scary movie that requires at least one watch, but deserves a lot more.

Dr. Brooklyn says: LIKE this movie (9/10)