End of My Year Review 2009

FILM

District 9

Honourable Mention:

Drag Me To Hell, Avatar, Slumdog Millionaire

TELEVISION

Claymore

Honourable Mention:

Dollhouse, Spiral II

COMICBOOK

Justice Society of America

Honourable Mention:

Northlanders, Skaar: Son of Hulk, Witchfinder, Hellboy, BPRD, Wasteland, Superman: The World of New Krypton, Black Lightning, Madame Xanadu, Immortal Iron Fist, Incognito

SOFTWARE

Wallpaper Cycler Lite

Honourable Mention:

Norton Internet Security, Comic Collector

Sherlock Holmes

Cast
Robert Downey Jr.
Jude Law
Rachel McAdams
Mark Strong
Eddie Marsan
Kelly Reilly
Screenwriters
Michael Robert Johnson
Anthony Peckham
Simon Kinberg
Director
Guy Ritchie
Running Time
128 minutes

Sherlock Holmes has made his reputation finding the truth at the heart of the most complex mysteries. With the aid of Dr. John Watson, his trusted ally, the renowned "consulting detective" is unequaled in his pursuit of criminals of every stripe, whether relying on his singular powers of observation, his remarkable deductive skills, or the blunt force of his fists. But now a storm is gathering over London, a threat unlike anything that Holmes has ever confronted...and just the challenge he's looking for. (Warner Bros.)

I found it enjoyable and well done but much too long, it gave me a headache. Modern films in comparison to older ones don't seem to know how to end well. Here there was a good final image and the major story elements had been resolved but it just kept on going and even started up a new story before just abruptly stopping.

Avatar

Cast
Sam Worthington
Zoe Saldana
Sigourney Weaver
Stephen Lang
Michelle Rodriguez
Matt Gerald
Giovanni Ribisi
CCH Pounder
Wes Studi
Screenwriter
James Cameron
Director
James Cameron
Running Time
161 minutes

Jake Sully is a former Marine confined to a wheelchair. But despite his broken body, Jake is still a warrior at heart. He is recruited to travel light years to the human outpost on Pandora, where a corporate consortium is mining a rare mineral that is the key to solving Earth's energy crisis. Because Pandora's atmosphere is toxic, they have created the Avatar Program, in which human "drivers" have their consciousness linked to an avatar, a remotely-controlled biological body that can survive in the lethal air. These avatars are genetically engineered hybrids of human DNA mixed with DNA from the natives of Pandora... the Na'vi. Reborn in his avatar form, Jake can walk again. He is given a mission to infiltrate the Na'vi, who have become a major obstacle to mining the precious ore. But a beautiful Na'vi female, Neytiri, saves Jake's life, and this changes everything. Jake is taken in by her clan, and learns to become one of them, which involves many tests and adventures. As Jake's relationship with his reluctant teacher Neytiri deepens, he learns to respect the Na'vi way and finally takes his place among them. Soon he will face the ultimate test as he leads them in an epic battle that will decide the fate of an entire world. (20th Century Fox)

It was fantastic but I'd agree that the story is straight out of B-Westerns and the actions of the Michelle Rodriguez character given that she can't have spent any time with the Na'vi is puzzling. I saw an interview with Cameron saying the film can be enjoyed in 2D as much as 3D which does seem likely, this was my best 3D experience perhaps because the effect was toned down in some way. Overall the movie flew by and I enjoyed it tremendously.

March Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for March plus CBR has the Dark Horse.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.


FIRST WAVE #1
On sale MARCH 3 • 1 of 6 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US
Written by BRIAN AZZARELLO
Art by RAGS MORALES
Cover by J.G. JONES
1:10 Variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
DC’s shocking new pulp universe is finally unveiled! In the shadows of the War, the roots of the Golden Tree cabal grew deep into the heart of a fallen world... and the leaders at the heart of this secret organization see no place in their utopia for heroism. Doc Savage, struggling with the loss of his father, has been blind to their advance – until now. Central City’s mysterious Spirit has caught wind of their plans as well. But whose side have the Blackhawks chosen? What is the Red Right Hand? And where is the Batman? Eisner Award winner Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and superstar Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS) craft a DC universe like you’ve never seen before! It’s a world with no supermen, only mortal men... Death can come at any moment, and adventure can still be found at every corner of the map! Will Doc Savage be the first to lead the coming world or the last to be crushed under its heel?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.

Maybe but the price is off putting.

Where The Wild Things Are

Cast
Max Records
Catherine Keener
Mark Ruffalo
Lauren Ambrose
Chris Cooper
James Gandolfini
Catherine O'Hara
Forest Whitaker
Paul Dano
Screenwriters
Spike Jonze
Dave Eggers
Maurice Sendak
Director
Spike Jonze
Running Time
101 minutes

Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. He lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought. [Yahoo! Movies]

It starts out well, the real world stuff is good and the beginning of the fantasy world section but then it doesn't really go anywhere as not much happen other than he plays with the monsters and they argue with each other which got to be kind of dull. The creatures are brilliant visual creations however I think the voices especially James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara being so well known, take away from their believability as I kept thinking about what they really looked like.

New Moon

Cast
Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson
Taylor Lautner
Billy Burke
Peter Facinelli
Nikki Reed
Jackson Rathbone
Ashley Greene
Kellan Lutz
Elizabeth Reaser
Gil Birmingham
Edi Gathegi
Rachelle Lefevre
Dakota Fanning
Michael Sheen
Screenwriter
Melissa Rosenberg
Director
Chris Weitz
Running Time
130 minutes

In the second installment of Stephenie Meyer's phenomenally successful Twilight series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of—only to find herself in greater peril than ever before. (Summit Entertainment)

It was perfectly fine. I would say it was less atmospheric than the first one which possibly was the change of director. In my review for that I didn't see where the story had to go and it really didn't go anywhere much, they broke up and then got back together for no other reason than they needed some kind of plot. It was well done but there wasn't much substance to it. A couple scenes struck me as odd there a circling shot of Bella where you can you see out the window and the camera goes round her three times and each time the scene outside changes season, OK fine very artistic but it's undercut by having on screen graphics telling us the months. In the second she and a human friend leave the cinema after seeing a zombie movie and the friend complains in detail about the need for so many of those movies which seemed straight out of Scream and didn't fit the tone of everything else.

February Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for February plus CBR has the Dark Horse.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.



DEVIL #1 (of 4)
Torajiro Kishi (W/A) and Madhouse Studios (W/A)
On sale Feb Feb 3
FC, 24 pages
$2.99
Miniseries

Manga artist Torajiro Kishi (Maka-Maka) and blockbuster anime studio Madhouse (Trigun, Paprika, Ninja Scroll) love comics. So much so that they’ve decided to publish an original, Western-style comic exclusively with Dark Horse! Enter Devil, a thrilling, sci-fi take on the vampire genre.

A virus is raging across the planet, turning people into bloodsucking superhumans referred to as “Devils.” Most victims die within days, sometimes months, but there’s a new strain, a new class of Devil that threatens to overtake mankind with power and bloodthirst. This new class of Devils derive from an experiment to clone a virus victim, and it looks like science has created a true monster this time. Can Takimoto and the Devil Investigation Section of the Tokyo police force stop this societal scourge? We’ll just have to see.

• Exclusive comic specifically for the American audience and only available from Dark Horse!

This disease will devour mankind.

It looks cool.



JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL #1
On Sale February 3 • 56 pg, FC, $4.99 US
Written by Keith Giffen & Matthew Sturges • Art by Tom Derenick • Cover by Freddie Williams II
Reflecting developments in both MAGOG and JSA ALL-STARS this month, Magog finds himself the odd man out during a massive escape from Haven – and his own team thinks he’s somehow responsible for the prison break! Turns out, Magog may have exposed one of the DC Universe’s biggest cover-ups! Featuring 56 pages of thrilling JSA adventure from writers Keith Giffen and Matthew Sturges and artist Tom Derenick.

I'm getting the regular books so getting this.

Harry Brown

Cast
Michael Caine
Emily Mortimer
Iain Glenn
Jack O'Connell
Liam Cunningham
David Bradley
Screenwriter
Gary Young
Director
Daniel Barber
Running Time
103 minutes

With his wife having recently passed away and his best friend bullied daily by the drug-peddling gangs on his estate, aged ex-Royal Marine Harry Brown (Caine) decides to come out of retirement to clean up the neighbourhood…[Empire]

An austere low budget British art house crime movie with an assured central performance by Caine. It was difficult to enjoy because of its bleakness but it told an absorbing story.

A Christmas Carol

Cast
Jim Carrey
Bob Hoskins
Colin Firth
Gary Oldman
Robin Wright Penn
Screenwriter
Robert Zemeckis
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Running Time
96 minutes

Disney's A Christmas Carol, a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3-D motion picture event. Ebenezer Scrooge begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk and his cheery nephew. But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it's too late. (Walt Disney Pictures)

My second 3D film this time in a different cinema. I got a head ache watching it which cleared up soon after, it may just be due to my not being used to wearing glasses rather than the 3D effect.
I went in with quite low expectations and enjoyed it immensely. The animation and use of 3D seemed to work really well here plus the story was told in a more serious tone than I was expecting. My only quibble was when his change of temperament happened it didn't quite convince me there is something missing there to make that work. However I admit that during the final moments a tear rolled down my cheek.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Cast
George Clooney
Bill Murray
Jason Schwartzman
Meryl Streep
Willem Dafoe
Michael Gambon
Owen Wilson
Wally Wolodarsky
Eric Anderson
Jarvis Cocker
Screenwriter
Roald Dahl
Director
Wes Anderson
Running Time
86m 38s

It was charming and enjoyable with lovely stop-motion animation and a good voice cast but overall it felt very slight.

Zombieland

Cast
Jesse Eisenberg
Woody Harrelson
Emma Stone
Abigail Breslin
Screenwriters
Paul Wernick
Rhett Reese
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Running Time
87 minutes

Columbus has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee doesn't have fears. If he did, he'd kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they're about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other. (Sony Pictures)

I really enjoyed this, funny and exciting with an excellent cast.

January Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for January plus CBR has the Dark Horse.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.


STARMAN #81
Written by James Robinson
Art by Fernando Dagnino & Bill Sienkiewicz
Cover by Tony Harris
James Robinson revives his beloved STARMAN series for one more issue as a Black Lantern Starman haunts Opal City. Which Starman has returned and who can stop him from wreaking havoc on the city? Well, the Shade would rather just continue his date with Hope O’Dare, but if no one else can be bothered, what choice does he have but to investigate? Just don’t dare call him a Super Hero.
As the rest of the DC Universe is learning, defeating Black Lanterns isn’t easy – is this the final curtain call for the immortal Shade? Find out in another of this month’s one-issue revivals of classic DC Universe titles!
ONE SHOT • on sale January 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I have all the original series where my love of Robinson began.

BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #40
Written by Sam Kieth
Art and cover Sam Kieth
There’s a new killer prowling Gotham City preying on the homeless. Batman has his suspicions, but is his normally rational mind playing tricks on him? When The Caped Crusader finally meets his suspect face-to-face, he finds that the creature knows much more than he should. Prepare for a stunning 4-part storyline written and illustrated by fan favorite Sam Kieth!
On sale January 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

The recent Batman mini he did disappointed me but I'll get this because he is capable of genius.

JOE THE BARBARIAN #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Sean Murphy
Cover by Sean Murphy
Having an overactive imagination can get a kid through a lot, but it doesn’t change the facts: Joe’s still the kid in school that can’t fit in. He’s the victim of bullies. His dad died overseas in the Iraq war. And then there’s the Type 1 diabetes he has to live with.
So is it insulin-deprived delirium or something much, much bigger that transports Joe to a land inhabited by all his toys – from ninja commandos to action robots to magical knights to star fleet captains? Is Joe really the savior of this wild fantasyland that’s been held under siege by dark magic and evil forces? With the help of a samurai rodent, is he ready to take back besieged castles and win the freedom of an oppressed people? Or is he just an over imaginative boy who could die if he doesn’t take his meds?
White-hot writer Grant Morrison follows up his phenomenal BATMAN AND ROBIN with an epic adventure that’s Home Alone by way of Lord of the Rings accompanied with to-die-for art by future superstar Sean Murphy (YEAR ONE: BATMAN/SCARECROW, HELLBLAZER).
On sale January 20 • 1 of 8 • 32 pg, FC, $1.00 US • MATURE READERS

Morrison for a dollar. Whether I get the rest, not sure.

Up

Cast
Edward Asner
Jordan Nagai
Christopher Plummer
John Ratzenberger
Delroy Lindo
Paul Eiding
Screenwriter
Bob Peterson
Directors
Pete Docter
Bob Peterson
Running Time
102 minutes

Up is a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 9-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. (Walt Disney Pictures)

So I've finally seen my first 3D movie or with this new kind of 3D anyway. The glasses were lighter than I expected and they fit, I often have trouble finding sunglasses that are large enough. Unfortunately the cinema kept some spotlights in the ceiling lit so I could see the reflections of my shoulders in the bottom of the lenses but apart from that the effect was impressive but overall I think it's a gimmick albeit an impressive one. You get proper colours unlike with red/blue 3D but it's still just adds up to 2 or 3 separated layers which is not how you see things in real life.

I had to contend with a volubly disinterested group in the audience however I would say the film was good but nothing like the reviews for it. Perhaps if I could see it again in peace I would find nuances I missed but depite some lovely parts the whole was too simple and overlong. The 3D really added very little to the experience other than novelty value.

The Hurt Locker

Cast
Jeremy Renner
Anthony Mackie
Brian Geraghty
Guy Pearce
Ralph Fiennes
David Morse
Evangeline Lilly
Screenwriter
Mark Boal
Director
Kathryn Bigelow
Running Time
131 minutes

The Hurt Locker is an intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge, by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he's indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James' true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever. (Summit Entertainment)

It was good but not as much as the 94% score of Metacritic, Generation Kill starts tonight on Channel 4 and this was like a single episode of that without the context given to it by the complete series.

Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

Cast
Anna Faris
Bill Hader
Bruce Campbell
James Caan
Andy Samberg
Mr T
Tracy Morgan
Screenwriters
Phil Lord
Chris Miller
Directors
Phil Lord
Chris Miller
Running Time
90 mins

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will be the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Flint Lockwood is a young inventor who dreams of creates something that he hopes will improve everyone's life. At the very least, it has a drastic effect on the weather. (Sony Pictures)

The graphics were beautiful and the basic story and many scenes were hugely inventive but something about it was just not gripping or really developed enough to work as a full length film, it would have made an amazing short film.

December Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for December plus CBR has the Dark Horse one [which is probably at Newsarama too but I couldn't find it].

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.


BLACKEST NIGHT: JSA #1
Written by James Robinson
Art by Eddy Barrows & Ruy José
Cover by Eddy Barrows
Variant cover by Gene Ha
The mystery men of yesterday are back and they seek the hearts of their new counterparts! It's Mr. Terrific vs. Mr. Terrific, Dr. Midnite vs. Dr. Midnite, Sand vs Wesley Dodds! Can the new generation of heroes survive the rise of the Black Lantern JSA? Find out in this all-new miniseries from original JSA co-writer James Robinson and rising star artist Eddy Barrows (BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN)!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Eddy Barrows), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Gene Ha). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale December 23 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


BLACKEST NIGHT: WONDER WOMAN #1
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Nicola Scott
Cover by Greg Horn
Variant cover by Ryan Sook
Fan-favorite writer Greg Rucka returns to chronicle the adventures of the Amazing Amazon in the DC Universe’s darkest hour! Black Lantern Maxwell Lord has risen and he seeks revenge and retribution for his murder at the hands of Diana. Look for unexpected changes to await Wonder Woman in the course of this series as she plays a major role in the War of Light against the Blackest Night.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Greg Horn), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ryan Sook). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale December 2 • 1 of 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Blackest Night has turned out to be a great idea so far, I only bought the first issue of the main mini, at a reduced price, because of it's cover price of $3.99 but given these are $2.99 I'll get them.


JSA ALL-STARS #1
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art and cover by Freddie Williams II
Variant cover by Ryan Sook
An all-new ongoing series! The Justice Society spin off group struggles to pull itself toward some semblance of order after the JSA’s devastating split! New home base, new training methods, new villains – all bringing the JSA All-Stars face-to-“face” with one of their greatest villains again – for the first time! Join writer Matthew Sturges (JUSTICE SOCIETY, JACK OF FABLES) and artist Freddie Williams II (ROBIN) for a new chapter in the JSA legacy.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 25 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Freddie Williams II), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Ryan Sook). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale December 2 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US

The price is worrying it doesn't say there's a co-feature, hopefully it's just a larger first issue.


BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: WILLOW
Joss Whedon (W), Karl Moline (P/Cover), Andy Owens (I), Michelle Madsen (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Dec 23
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
One-Shot

Willow Rosenberg has worn many faces--a shy computer geek, a loyal friend, a passionate lover, a fierce Wiccan, and a dark Willow.

Now in Season Eight of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Buffy comics series, Willow's powers have grown exponentially. She can fly. Teleport. And may or may not be immortal.

All we know is that Willow went on a walkabout following the demise of Sunnydale, and she met a very sultry, extremely powerful serpent lady who seems to be the key to unraveling the mysteries of what Willow is, and will become.

Joss Whedon and his Fray co-creator Karl Moline reunite for this special one-shot!

Joss Whedon returns!

The ongoing Buffy comic isn't as great as I'd like but I'll stick with it and get this.


HELLBOY: THE BRIDE OF HELL
Mike Mignola (W/Cover), Richard Corben (A), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Dec 23
FC, 32 pages
$3.50
One-Shot

A year after their Eisner-nominated collaboration Hellboy: The Crooked Man, horror comics legends Corben and Mignola reunite!

A nineteen-year-old girl is kidnapped and Hellboy tracks her down to a remote clearing in France where she's about to be given to Asmodeus, in a strange tale of ghosts, demonic revenge, lost love, and King Solomon.

All Mignola stuff is great and Corben's art on The Crooked Man arc of Hellboy was stunning.

District 9

Cast
Sharlto Copley
Jason Cope
Nathalie Boltt
Sylvaine Strike
John Sumner
William Allen Young
Nick Blake
Jed Brophy
Louis Minnaar
Vanessa Haywood
Screenwriters
Neill Blomkamp
Terri Tatchell
Director
Neill Blomkamp
Running Time
112 minutes

Over twenty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack, or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa’s District 9 as the world’s nations argued over what to do with them. Now, patience over the alien situation has run out. The tension between the aliens and the humans comes to a head when a human field operative, Wikus van der Merwe, contracts a mysterious virus that begins changing his DNA. Wikus quickly becomes the most hunted man in the world, as well as the most valuable – he is the key to unlocking the secrets of alien technology. Ostracized and friendless, there is only one place left for him to hide: District 9. (Sony Pictures)

Wow!

(500) Days of Summer

Cast
Joseph Gordon Levitt
Zooey Deschanel
Clark Gregg
Minka Kelly
Rachel Boston
Matthew Gray Gublert
Chloe Moretz
Screenwriters
Scott Neustadter
Michael H. Weber
Director
Marc Webb
Running Time
95 minutes

This is a story of boy meets girl, begins the wry, probing narrator of 500 Days of Summer, and with that the film takes off at breakneck speed into a funny, true to life and unique dissection of the unruly and unpredictable year-and-a-half of one young man’s no-holds-barred love affair.[Metacritic]

When you get to your seat and there are two girls in the row in front waving their feet in the air you know you're in trouble, the film starts and they're checking their phone and talking through 80-90% of the film and when you realise that you are calculating that percentage, well it was just a bad experience. Had the film been better would I have concentrated more on it and not noticed them and indeed would they have stopped talking and watched it. Moments when they stopped talking, you think, am I finding this part better because they stopped and I can concentrate or is this part really a better bit which in turn has got them to stop and watch it. I'm not sure I can score this because I didn't get to watch it properly, if I had to it would be two stars. It was interesting and inventive but didn't really work, I wasn't emotionally invested in his problems whether that was because of the talking I don't know but the story was too broken up and didn't give me time to settle in and get to know the characters. Maybe if I get to see it again some time I'll think differently. Cinemas aren't ideal places to see films I'd much rather see them alone.

Inglourious Basterds

Cast
Brad Pitt
Melanie Laurent
Eli Roth
Michael Fassbender
Diane Kruger
Daniel Bruhl
Til Schweiger
Omar Doom
Screenwriter
Quentin Tarantino
Director
Quentin Tarantino
Running Time
152 minutes

In the first year of the German occupation of France, Shosanna Dreyfus witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, lieutenant Aldo Raine organizes a group of Jewish American soldiers to perform swift, shocking acts of retribution. Later known to their enemy as "the basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget von Hammersmark on a mission to take down the leaders of the Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquis, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own. (The Weinstein Company)

I enjoyed it and the story moved in directions that I didn't expect but time and time again scenes went on for far too long. You could see where the scene was headed but Quentin just kept drawing it out more and more. Like humour tension in a thriller needs the right timing and he repeatedly stretched situations beyond their breaking point.

November Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for November.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.


THE GREAT TEN #1
Written by Tony Bedard
Art by Scott McDaniel & Andy Owens
Cover by Stanley “Artgerm” Lau
Part 1 of a 10-part miniseries! Join writer Tony Bedard (R.E.B.E.L.S.) and artist Scott McDaniel (NIGHTWING, GREEN ARROW) for an adventure exploring the extraordinary characters from the pages of 52 and CHECKMATE!
At the dawn of the Chinese Century, the 10 official "super-functionaries" of the People's Republic face their greatest challenge as the gods of Ancient China return to destroy communist rule! Will the most populous nation on Earth drag the rest of the world down with it? Do its heroes even want to save a government that treats them like pawns? Don't miss this tale that redraws the map of the DCU and fleshes out the most exciting and mysterious new characters from the mind of Grant Morrison! Featuring a gorgeous cover by rising artist Stanley “Artgerm” Lau (FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: DANCE).
On sale November 4 • 1 of 10 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Maybe this one, I'll have to look into it a bit more but the fact that it's $2.99 at least allows the possibility.

Coco Before Chanel

Cast
Audrey Tautou
Alessandro Nivola
Benoît Poelvoorde
Marie Gillain
Emmanuelle Devos
Screenwriter
Anne Fontaine
Director
Anne Fontaine
Running Time
110 minutes

The story of how tragic ‘orphan’ Gabrielle Chanel (Tautou), abandoned by her father on the death of her mother, worked her way up through society’s strata to become ‘Coco’, the fashion world’s most famous figure, falling for English playboy Boy Capel (Nivola) along the way.[Empire]

From other reviews I expected to react to it something along the lines of The Young Victoria but I enjoyed it more than they seemed to, although I do agree more fashion would have been welcome and it was a little ponderous at times. The flourish of the coda was great but the main story stops just when she's starting to succeed. I suppose she lived so long and achieved so much it would be difficult to fit the whole story in but did they really choose the most fascinating part of her life to tell?

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Cast
Denzel Washington
John Travolta
James Gandolfini
John Turturro
Luis Guzman
Michael Rispoli
Screenwriter
David Koepp
Director
Tony Scott
Running Time
106 minutes

In The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, New York City subway dispatcher, Walter Garber's, day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there’s one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape? (Sony Pictures)

The highlight really was seeing the Distict 9 trailer which I knew nothing about beforehand other than the name mentioned in San Diego Comic-Con news. The movie was OK actually probably the definition of that. Had Washington and Travolta not been there I would have given it two stars easily. It was needlessly sweary, even the soundtrack, given the general audience it would attract. I haven't seen the original in years but remember loving it.

Moon

Cast
Sam Rockwell
Kevin Spacey
Kaya Scodelario
Benedict Wong
Matt Berry
Malcolm Stewart
Dominique McElligott
Screenwriters
Duncan Jones
Nathan Parker
Director
Duncan Jones
Running Time
97 minutes

It is the near future. Astronaut Sam Bell is living on the far side of the moon, completing a three-year contract with Lunar Industries to mine Earth’s primary source of energy, Helium-3. It is a lonely job, made harder by a broken satellite that allows no live communications home. Taped messages are all Sam can send and receive. Thankfully, his time on the moon is nearly over, and Sam will be reunited with his wife, Tess, and their three-year-old daughter, Eve, in only a few short weeks. [Spoiler] But, Sam’s health starts to deteriorate. Painful headaches, hallucinations and a lack of focus lead to an almost fatal accident on a routine drive on the moon in a lunar rover. While recuperating back at the base (with no memory of how he got there), Sam meets a younger, angrier version of himself, who claims to be there to fulfill the same three year contract Sam started all those years ago. Confined with what appears to be a clone of his earlier self, and with a “support crew” on its way to help put the base back into productive order, Sam is fighting the clock to discover what’s going on and where he fits into company plans. (Sony Pictures Classics)

I've blanked out some of the summary as it gives a lot away, that I didn't know going in and you might want to avoid.
The low budget shows a little with some of the effects plus I don't know why there would be earth gravity inside the base but moon gravity outside and opening hatches wouldn't make noise in a vacuum. I enjoyed it but was a little underwhelmed overall.

October Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for October.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.


WAR MACHINE #11
Written by GREG PAK
Penciled by WELLINTON ALVES
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Marvel's Trial of the Century begins in “War Crimes” Part 1! After ten issues of taking on madmen and monsters around the globe, War Machine's quest for justice has finally forced the world to take action. But it's not the genocidists of Santo Marco or the murderous leaders of Eaglestar International in chains in the courtroom -- it's War Machine himself! Find out where the biggest heroes in the Marvel Universe stand when the whole planet calls James Rhodes a criminal in the series that Wizard calls “the book to beat when it comes to badass action and international espionage.”
32 PGS./Rated T+ ...$2.99

I need one Greg Pak title for my pull list.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Cast
Daniel Radcliffe
Emma Watson
Jim Broadbent
Rupert Grint
Tom Felton
Helen McCrory
Alan Rickman
Maggie Smith
Michael Gambon
David Thewlis
Helena Bonham Carter
Julie Walters
Evanna Lynch
Screenwriter
Steve Kloves
Director
David Yates
Running Time
153 minutes

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, one student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again. (Warner Bros.)

The Harry Potter almost yearly event is on us again which I find an oddly comforting experience but they're not amazing or anything just good. This one has a lot less action than others. It will be interesting to see them all again, they've been on tv but I haven't really bothered about them, to watch the evolution of the supporting characters.