Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hawaii Five-0 - Lekio


James Caan guest-stars as a private investigator and retired NYPD bomb expert who is Five-0's leading suspect behind the murder of a famous DJ (Dennis Miller) killed in the middle of a broadcast when his his recording studio aboard his yacht explodes while at sea.

New trailer arrives for The Avengers (with Decepticons?)


Although it's still giving away nothing about the threat, other than the presence of Loki (Tom Hiddleston), I've got to say I'm pretty positive on this second trailer for this summer's big budget super-hero flick The Avengers. Sure Captain America's (Chris Evans) costume still doesn't quite look right, and, more importantly, the action looks far too Michael Bay for my tastes (and even includes a giant Depticon-ish looking monstrosity in the final shot), but that shot with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) bringing down his Hammer on Captain America's shield? Yeah, that looks pretty cool (and a hellova lot better than that awful new poster). Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett JohanssonCobie SmuldersMark Ruffalo, and Samuel L. Jackson also star. The fun stars everywhere on May 4th.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7

The latest issue of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot not only gives us the first appearance of General Krang and the early beginnings of Casey and April's relationship, but an entire army of Mousers for Splinter, Leonardo, and Donatello to take on.

With the exception of the introduction of Krang, which I've got to admit works better than I thought it would, storywise this one's a little light as it merely inches the existing stories incrementally forward. However, in terms of action the latest issue proves to be a hell of a lot of fun as the Turtles protect their home from a seemingly endless supply of killer robots.

If you're not reading this comic, I don't know what to tell you. It's got talking brains inside mechanical bodies, giant philosophical rats, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Honestly, what more do you want? Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]

Morning Glories #16

This month's issue picks up the thread's of issue #13 (from way back in October) as we finally learn a little more about what happened to Casey and Miss Hodge. The final panels of the earlier issue are true, the pair have traveled back into the past, but far further than Miss Hodge had planned.

Casey comes face-to-face with a father who doesn't recognize her (his daughter is only three years-old and safe at home in bed), and has to deal with torture, shock, and an understanding that her life has been turned completely upside-down (even more so than her time at Morning Glories Academy).

The issue works pretty well. I'd like a little more explanation in how Miss Hodge enforces her will on others, and how Casey has the same ability. Is it a natural talent, until now untapped? Or is this something Hodge granted her? In either case a little clarity (which I'll admit is asking quite a bit from this comic) would have been nice.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Victoria's Secret - Shapes of Very Sexy


This commercial for Victoria's Secret Spring 2012 Very Sexy line features Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, and Erin Heatherton.

Introducing Jim Lee’s Avengers


Seriously? Take a look at this and tell me it doesn't remind you of countless examples of photoshopped characters, all staring in different directions, and always against random destruction in the background, that has become a staple of Justice League since the New 52 reboot.

Castle - Once Upon a Crime


When a young lawyer is found dead, apparently mauled by an animal and wearing a Red Riding Hood costume, and another victim dressed as Snow White, Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Nathan Fillion) are put on the trail of an elaborate serial killer with a fairy tale fetish.

I Melt with You

I Melt with You is a mess. The film gathers four 40 year-old friends (Thomas JaneJeremy PivenRob LoweChristian McKay) together for a wild alcohol and drug-fueled reunion. Most of the film's first hour is little more than stars acting crazy, drinking and snorting everything in sight, and trying to hide how bad each of their lives has gotten from their old friends.

As unstructured and pointless the first 50-minutes are, the rest of the movie is worse. The film takes a dark, and bizarre, turn when one of the friends commits suicide the others gather together to hold to a pact they made when they were kids. They hide the body from a curious local cop (Carla Gugino) who has begun to snoop around due to reports of their wild partying, and agree to carry out the plans their dead friend put into motion.

Time Freak trailer


Written and directed by Andrew Bowler, the Oscar-nominated short Time Freak stars Michael Nathanson as a neurotic inventor who creates a time machine and becomes lost while trying to fix the mistakes of the previous day. John Conor Brooke and Emilea Wilson also star. You can see the full short on iTunes for $1.99.

London Boulevard

Recently released from prison, and unwilling to go back to the life that got him sent there, Harry Mitchel (Colin Farrell) goes to work for a reclusive English actress (Keira Knightley). Charlotte has holed up in her home, with only a friend (David Thewlis) for company, hiding from the never-ending pressure from the paparazzi who are continuously camped outside her house for the chance at a single photograph they could sell to the tabloids.

The trouble for Mitchel is his old life won't let him go. Even though he doesn't ask for it, Mitchel's old pal Billy (Ben Chaplin) gets him a collecting job for a local crime boss named Gant (Ray Winstone) who sees Mitchel's worth and wants to make him part of his organization.

Mitchel's life is further complicated by his failed attempts to take care of his insane sister (Anna Friel), and a personal vendetta as he hunts down two teens who killed a homeless man (Alan Williams) Mitchel considered a friend.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Person of Interest - Risk


To help out a cocky young trader (Matt Lauria) at an investment bank Reese (Jim Caviezel) poses as a wealthy investor and learns about a multi-million dollar financial scam that his latest person if interest is about to uncover that may very well get him killed.

The Flash #6

With the Mob Rule story finished the Flash turns his attention to Captain Cold who escaped prison during the blackout. An unintended side-effect of the blackout, which everyone mistakenly believes the Flash caused, is it left Cold's sister slowly wasting away in the hospital who no longer have the power to operated the laser necessary to perform the brain surgery to save her.

The comic does a good job re-introducing the character of Captain Cold. I'm not sure I like that he's now a guy with cold powers, rather than his old freeze gun, but writer Francis Manapul does through longtime DC readers a bone by allowing the Flash to mention how the villain has changed.

Aside from Flash's battle with Cold, and the reason for the villain's new motivations, we also get Barry siting down as an awkward go between between Patty and Iris, and a continuation of the seed planted in last month's issue about the hero's need to watch his speed because there's a chance it could rip apart time and reality. We even get a giant treadmill. Sweet! Best of the week.

[DC, $2.99]

Brave trailer


Pixar has released their first full-length trailer for their next animated feature Brave. Set in the Highlands of Scotland the film follows the adventures of a young archer named Merida (Kelly Macdonald), the daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), who defies tradition inadvertently unleashing chaos and fury into the kingdom. Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKiddJulie Walters, and Craig Ferguson also lend their voices to the project. Brave opens in theaters everywhere on June 22nd.

Comic Rack

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Amazing Spider-Man, Angel & Faith, Astonishing X-Men, Dead or Alive, FF, Green Hornet, Green Wake, Hack/Slash, Hellraiser, Invincible, Justice League, Knightingail, The Last Phantom, Lord of the Jungle, Looney Tunes, Moon Knight, Netherworld, Robocop: Road Trip, Scalped, The Shade, Sonic the Hedgehog, Spaceman, Star Trek, Tiny Titans, Usagi Yojimbo, Vescell, Voltron, The Walking Dead, the first issues of Batman Beyond Unlimited, Logan's Run: Rebirth, Ralph Wiggum Comics, and the final issues of The Cape and Six Guns.

Enjoy issue #167

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Awesome Characters - Detective Kate Beckett

"Most smart good looking women become lawyers, not cops. And yet here you are. Why? Well, you're not bridge-and-tunnel. No trace of the boroughs when you talk. So that means Manhattan. That means money. You went to college, probably a pretty good one. You had options. Yeah, you had a lot of options, more socailly acceptable options. But you still chose this. That tells me, something happened. Not to you. No, you're wounded, but you're not that wounded. No, it was someone you care about, it was someone you loved. And you probably could have lived with that but the person responsible was never caught."

There are characters we fall in love with. The perfect mix of actor and writer that breathes magic onto the screen or inside the television.

Known for her interest in unusual cases and haunted by the unsolved murder of her mother, New York City Homicide Detective Kate Beckett strives to give the kind of closure and justice to families of murder victims that she herself has yet to achieve.

Beckett works as a detective for Twelfth Precinct Homicide Squad of the New York City Police Department. Under the leadership of Captain Roy Montgomery (Ruben Santiago-Hudson), and later Captain Victoria Gates (Penny Johnson), Beckett leads a small group of homicide detectives including Kevin Ryan (Seamus Dever) and Javier Espisito (Jon Huertas).

The Mentalist – His Thoughts Were Red Thoughts


Malcolm McDowell returns as cult leader Bret Styles, a leading suspect in the CBI's investigation into the murder of the head of an anti-cult activist organization, especially after they discover evidence that the victim was close to tying Styles to a murder in the 1970's and that a police officer, and member of the cult (Jorge-Luis Pallo), cleaned up the crime scene to hide evidence before the CBI's arrival.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

The Werewolf Transformation


Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is horrified to learn that his longtime barber is sick in the hospital. The scientist's concern isn't over the man's ailing health but the uncertainty of who will cut his hair. With his world beginning to unravel he even goes so far to as to show up in the comotose man's hospital room.

Batman...


...isn't really a people person

Friday, February 24, 2012

Act of Valor

Acting, it turns out, is harder than it looks. The experiment from co-directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh to cast real Navy SEALs instead of actors for the lead roles in Act of Valor produces mixed results and probably shouldn't be repeated any time soon.

Act of Valor isn't an awful film but it feels oddly put together. At times it films like a documentary, a pseudo-documentary, an action flick, and a hamfisted USA Armed Forces recruitment film. Despite giving us a group of impressive action sequences these pieces don't fit together well.

It's hard to blame the SEALs, who were chosen to showcase what the real soldiers can do in combat situations, when they are given such uneven writing to work with. It's true, that with the possible exception of the oldest member of the team, the group certainly aren't natural actors, but Kurt Johnstad's script doesn't do them any favors with its share of awkward dialogue.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

White Collar – Stealing Home


With only a week left before his hearing Neal (Matt Bomer) looks to help the FBI take down a legendary con man (Hal Ozsan) who has never been caught but Peter (Tim DeKay, who also directed the episode) fears Neal might be tempted in Taylor's latest job involves robbing Babe Ruth's first home-run ball from Yankee Stadium for a spoiled millionaire (Ward Horton).

Glee - On My Way


The New Directions' showdown with the Warblers at Regionals finally arrives as Sebastian (Grant Gustin) returns to try and force Rachel (Lea Michele) to pull out of the competition by threatening to post unflattering fake nude photos of Finn (Cory Monteith) all over the Internet. However, before the end of the episode Rachel will go on to perform and Sebastian will be shocked into learning his lesson by an event which rocks McKinley High.

Whatever you do, don’t listen to the Klingon


Check out this fun collection of Worf moments as the Klingon security officer finds his advice being dismissed, ignored and laughed at over, and over again.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Hawaii Five-0 – Kupale


Five-0 is called into the jungle to investigate the murder of a John Doe dressed up as a Hawaiian NaKoa warrior whose body was discovered by a tourist. Despite Max's (Masi Oka) initial theory of time travel, it turns out the victim was part of a group participating in a historical reenactment, complete with period dress and weapons, run by McGarrett's (Alex O'Loughlin) old friend Mamo (Al Harrington) .

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi #1

I understand full well that Star Wars comics are a mixed bag. Although I'm a fan of the Expanded Universe novels that have continued the tales of Luke, Han, Leia and their children, the expanded comics stories have more misses than hits.

When I heard the idea of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi I was intrigued by how John Ostrander would choose to tell the beginnings of the Jedi Order. I know I should have known better, but I gave it a shot.

This comic is a mess, from beginning to end. Although the art by Jan Duursema has a cinematic quality to it, and is pretty enough to look at, the story itself is a disaster that begins with a 12-page narration of the beginnings of the Jedi Order... and then moves quickly into the future to give us a story seemingly only slightly connected to the "Dawn of the Jedi."

Also troubling is the fact the series takes at the beginning but Jedi already have lightsabers? And there are Sith (who look like generic Vader wannabes)? The Force is not strong with this one. Pass.

[Dark Horse, $3.50]

Psych returns next week with a super-sized premiere


Ladies and gents, we are now only one week away until Psych's Supersized Premiere.

Winter Soldier #2

Part of the trouble when starting a new comic is the time necessary to set-up not only the story you want to tell but the characters, the villains, their motivations and relationships, and even the world in which the comic takes place. Despite beginning with Bucky and the Black Widow taking on a gorilla with a machine gun and a jet-pack (which is pretty damn cool) the second issue of Winter Soldier gets bogged down a bit by still setting up what this comic is going to be.

Winter Soldier #2 isn't a bad read, but I'm still not quite sold on the art by Butch Guice which simply isn't my taste (although it fits well enough with the Cold War spy story the comic kinda wants to be), and the story gets a little bogged down by stopping to explain more about the Soviet assassins the Winter Soldier trained and give us a little more insight into the plans of Lucia Von Bardas.

The comic is still worth a look but I think once writer Ed Brubaker can spend less time on set-up and let the stories flow more naturally I'll be happier with the result. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Castle - Linchpin


After almost drowning Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Nathan Fillion) are able to escape the watery grave Gage (David Chisum) left them in but Dr. Blakely (Timothy Carhart) is dead, they have no idea what the linchpin he was working on that could threaten the safety of the entire country, and Sophia (Jennifer Beals) is less than thrilled with the results of Beckett and Castle's investigation.

Puss in Boots

Reprising his role from Shrek 2, Antonio Banderas returns in this prequel which explores the history and legend of Puss in Boots. The Shrek spin-off is available on Blu-ray and DVD this Friday.

Puss in Boots centers around the relationship between Puss (Antonio Banderas) and Humpty (Zach Galifianakis) whose childhood friendship was destroyed after Humpty violated Puss' trust by tricking him into becoming an outlaw.

Reunited with Humpty and his companion Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and against his better judgement, Puss agrees to help Humpty fulfill his childhood dream of climbing the beanstalk and finding the goose that lays the golden eggs. To achieve this they'll have to steal the magic beans from Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) and stay one step ahead of the murderous pair to claim the prize.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Elizabeth Olsen stars in writer/director Sean Durkin's story of a woman's struggles to reassmilate with the outside world after living in a cult for two years. Durkin's tale is a slow burn thriller that jumps between flashbacks of Martha's (Olsen) time in the Catskill Mountains and her present paranoia and uncertainty now that she's left that world behind.

Out of the blue Lucy (Sarah Paulson), receives a phone call from a phone call from her younger sister and brings Martha home to live with her and her husband Ted (Hugh Dancy). The longer Martha stays with the couple the more obvious it becomes that there is something seriously wrong with her.

Not only does Martha not understand basic boundaries (like not coming into her sister's room and laying down on the bed when Lucy is having sex with her husband), but she's also haunted by memories of the cult, which she will not discuss with her sister, and feels increasingly suspicious that they are still watching her and laying in wait to bring her back into their family.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Monday with Marion

Daredevil #9

Matt Murdock heads underground (after a rather lame joke as Foggy notices Matt wearing his Daredevil boots under his clothes) to discover what has happened to his father's body and several others that have been stolen from the cemetery where he was put to rest.

I've never been a fan of the Mole Man. The me the Silver Age Fantastic Four villain is better left in the 60's. So maybe it's that the latest issue of Daredevil is a Mole Man storyline, or perhaps its the fact that Matt Mudrock's wild night with the Black Cat isn't directly addressed (other than one or two thought panels and a momentary hesitation by the thief robbing him), or maybe it's because so much of this issue felt like LOTR (a ton of walking before we get to any action), but I didn't think this issue #9 was as good as I expected.

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the issue, and I'm sure writer Mark Waid's explanation into the Mole Man's behavior is a good one. I'm just hoping the arc ends quickly and get back to the Black Cat and the mysterious FF artifact everyone is after. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Tower Heist

Director Brett Ratner hasn't had what I would call a distinguished career. Other than the fun, but increasingly dumb, Rush Hour series the director's filmography mostly contains movies which are best left forgotten.

However, at least for me, the true highlight of Ratner's career was a heist film he made back in 2004 starring Pierce BrosnanSalma Hayek, Woody Harrelson, and Don Cheadle. After the Sunset isn't a great film by any definition, but it is a pretty good heist flick that's far more fun than it has any right to be.

When I heard Ratner was going to try his hand at another heist film I was cautiously optimistic. Sadly, Tower Heist, even with a pretty good cast and relatively low expectations, is something of a disappointment.

Comic Rack 166

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Aquaman, American Vampire, Archie, Avengers Academy, Blackhawks, Cobra, Deadpool, Fantastic Four, The Flash, Godzilla: Legends, Incorruptible, Jennifer Blood, The Mighty Thor, Morning Glories, New Mutants, Prophet, The Sixth Gun, Superman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teen Titans, Uncanny X-Force, X-Men Legacy, the first issues of Last Zombie: Neverland, Nazi Zombie, No Place Like Home, Witchblade/Red Sonja, and the final issues of Avengers Solo, Infestation 2: Dungeons & Dragons, and Magneto: Not A Hero.

Enjoy issue #166

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Nightwing #6

While Haly's Circus travels across the country Nighwing spends his free time beating up thugs for any information about Saiko. But when Raya informs Dick the circus will be returning to Gotham for the anniversary of his parents' death, Dick knows exactly when his mysterious enemy will choose to strike.

Here's another New 52 storyline that has been dragged out far too long. At the end of the sixth issue the villain is revealed (which may shock Grayson but does nothing for the reader as we still have no idea who Raymond is or what his insane grudge against Dick is).

There are some nice moments including Raya wavering on her part of Raymond's plan and an uncoonected scene involving a cops retreiving one of Nightwing's batons from a murder scene. Whether this is frame job is part of Raymond's plan, or something else, we'll just have to wait and see. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

The Mentalist - War of the Roses


Although Lisbon (Robin Tunney) thinks it's a terrible idea, Jane (Simon Baker) is intrigued when he is contacted by one of the murderers he helped put away, Erica Flynn (Morena Baccarin), who believes she can help CBI solve the latest murder of a woman (Christine Garver) who was once her client.

Sunday with Sarah

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Red Hood and the Outlaws #6

The latest issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws takes a look back at the first meeting between Jason Todd and Starfire months before the events of the first issue. Writer Scott Lobdell has taken quite a bit of heat for the current version of Starfire and this month's comic is obviously an attempt to try and molify some of the criticism the title has garnered.

You can certainly argue Lobdell's writing has been lacking in how he has expressed the character's redesign on the page, but I'm actually like the idea of expanding on the character's existing alien look at emotional and physical relationships. In more than one way Kory saves Jason Todd in this issue, first from his wounds and later by offering her friendship and a simple view of the world that at least begins to put him on a better path.

Would I like this version of Kory to be a little more sentimental and care about the past? Sure. But as a concept her current outlook fits not only the redesign of the character but also the comic and relationship with Todd she finds herself in.

Person of Interest - Blue Code


Reese (Jim Caviezel) goes undercover as part of a smuggling ring to protect the latest person of interest, a police officer (Michael Aronov) working undercover as part to take down the leader of the gang (José Zúñiga) and the shadowy man behind the scenes (Michael Berresse) in charge of the entire operation.

Super Dinosaur #8

As Doctor Dynamo and his team learn the Exile has taken control of Squidious' former soldiers and is working on gaining access to inner-Earth Derek must also deal with the gravest threat to his world - a homeschool evaluation.

Derek's quandary over taking part in the mission and reporting to Miss Finkle for his grade school exemption is solved by doing both at the same time, with the help of an android duplicate. Of course when things get too crazy in the field and the android malfunctions Derek finds himself under fire from two sides.

Although the idea of Derek fighting off monsters underwater while controlling the android from thousands of miles away is an interesting (if highly implausable) one, the reveal doesn't work as well as it should.

There's plenty of actions, and a couple of fun moments, but I'm a little afraid Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard's latest comic (much like Astounding Wolf-Man) may have peaked too soon. Here's hoping next issue ramps up the zany fun. Worth a look.

[Image, $2.99]

Friday, February 17, 2012

The Help: The Musical


From Joe and Al Kaplan (the brains behind Conan the Barbarian: The Musical, The Thing: The Musical, Predator: The Musical, Rocky IV: The Musical, Commando: The Musical, and Total Recall: The Musical) comes Octavia Spencer's showstopping performace from The Help: The Musical.

Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X #5 (of 5)

It's always fun to get to the final issue of an Atomic Robo series and see how writer Brian Clevinger will tie things together and what crazy climax artist Scott Wegener will save for each series' finale.

Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X has given us a trips to space and Nebraska (which more action-packed than you might initially expect), and Japan, a well-financed shadowy government conspiracy, and a convoy of truckers (for science!). The final issue reveals who has been behind the attacks on Atomic Robo's life, and why. And as the title states it's a ghost... well kinda. It's a computer ghost.

Under Hashima Island, Japan, Atomic Robo discovers an "Automatic Learning Algorithm Network" built by Dr. Alan Turning in 1951. The program has been running unsupervised since Turning lost security clearance the following year. Over time the artifical intelligence has used beureaucrazy, secrecy and telecommunications to influence the world and predict the collapse of human civilization.

The Rothman Disintegration


When a professor is forced to retire Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Kripke (John Ross Bowie) fight over which one of them will get his office (which not only gives us the return of Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock but the worst game of one-on-one basketball has ever seen). Meanwhile Penny (Kaley Cuoco) struggles to tell Amy (Mayim Bialik) she doesn't like her unexpected gift (a hideous painting of the two of them together).

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Young Justice #13

In the sewers below Gotham City the Young Justice team tracks and fights the new character of Clayface (who was introduced in last month's issue). The team soon discovers the difficulty in fighting a villain who can assume the shape and mannerisms of anyone he comes into contact with.

With Aqualad distracted with thought of Atlantis and the team divided Clayface takes them down one-by-one. It's only the arrival of Batman that saves complete disaster.

Although it's a bit of a letdown after a terrific Batman and Robin issue and well-done Talia al Ghul issue that introduced the character of Clayface, Young Justice #13 continues to define this new version of Clayface and bring Aqualad's indecision to the forefront as the team is bested far too easily by this new enemy. It will be interesting to see if Aqualad's story plays out in similar fashion to the similar arc on the television show or if the comic takes a different path beginning next month. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Teen Titans return as part of Cartoon Network’s DC Nation


Honestly, other than the catchy theme song I was never a big fan of Cartoon Network's Teen Titans which was far too anime in style for my tastes. However, the idea of updating the characters and returning the New Teen Titans in shorts as part of DC Nation (the new DC programming block on Cartoon Network which premieres March 3rd) is an intriguing one.

Glee - Heart


It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air as Sugar (Vanessa Lengies) throws a Valentine's Day bash at Breadsticks and Mr. Shue (Matthew Morrison) challenges the Glee Club to perform some of the world's greatest love songs as a final tune-up before Regionals.

Cost of Living


Check out this short film from writer/director BenDavid Grabinski. Cost of Living stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, Chuck) Bret Harrison (Reaper) as two security guards having one hell of a bad night deep in the bowels of a genetics laboratory. Mary Elizabeth Winstead provides the voice over the intercom.

COST OF LIVING via You Bent My Wookie

Keira Knightly shows off her Dangerous Method to British GQ

In the March issue of British GQ actress Keira Knightley sits down with Oliver Franklin to talk about the S&M scenes in her latest movie A Dangerous Method, duelling with directors, what it's like to spanked by Michael Fassbender, why she secretly hated working on the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, her return to Los Angeles, and the fun in proving all the doubters wrong. She also took the time to pose for a cover shoot. You can find the rest of the pics after the jump.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Hawaii Five-0 - Helu Pu


The investigation into the murder at a fundraiser puts McGarret (Alex O'Loughlin) and causes an international incident that leaves the Lt. Governor (Richard T. Jones) with no other choice but to hold Lori (Lauren German) responsible for the actions of the team and demand her resignation.

Beyond the Black Rainbow trailer


From first time writer/director Panos Cosmatos comes this tale of a deranged therapist (Michael Rogers) and his patient, a disturbed and beautiful girl (Eva Allan)  held captive by a sinister technology. Scott Hylands, Marilyn Norry, and Rondel Reynoldson also star. "Beyond science, beyond sanity, and beyond control" lurks the truth Beyond the Black Rainbow. Look for this 2010 Canadian sci-fi film in theaters later this year.

Batman and Robin #6

Damian's true colors are shown as Nobody attempts to turn him into his new sidekick. Not surprisingly, Nobody finds him as hard to control as Batman has ever since the New 52 DC reboot.

As Batman searches for his son we get more of the flashbacks of his early days with Henri Ducard and his son and the confrontation that led to the end of their partnership. The flashbacks are told almost as if Bruce is making a recording for Damian in case anything happens to him, to let him know the truth.

Damian's turning on Nobody is hardly surprising, but I'm thankful writer Peter J. Tomasi didn't milk the story for another issue or two. It's also good to see Damian standing up for something other than himself for a change (even if there's no one else to witness it). The final panels, suggesting some serious injury to the boy, should lead to a brutal confrontation between Batman and Nobody in next month's conclusion of the arc. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

Captain America #8

Writer Ed Brubaker's "Powerless" story arc continues which means we get more of skinny pre-Super-Soldier Serium Steve Rogers who finds himself at the mercy of a mob whose anger has been fueled by a Madbomb.

I haven't been the biggest fan of this story arc, but it hasn't turned me off the comic either. There's a nice action sequence where Captain America and Sharon Carter get some revenge on Cobra, Eel, and Viper. We also get a glimpse at how imposing Sharon Carter can be in the interrogation room and learn the villains are working with Codename: Bravo.

I feel like I missed a page (or three) as Sharon comes to the conclusion of what villain is behind Cap's regression back to Skinny Steve Rogers. It's possible Cobra let this slip off-panel in Sharon's interrogation but I just don't see him knowing that much of the operation. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Castle - Pandora


When a body is found choked, shot, stabbed and thrown out a fourth-story window Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Nathan Fillion) are quick to identify and track down the killer (David Chisum), who took a hostage (Julia Whelan) and fled the scene. And then things get really interesting.

Green Lantern #6

After being returned to Earth with no way to power the ring Sinestro left him Hal Jordan picks up the pieces of his life, and his relationship with Carol Ferris, and puts his past as Green Lantern behind him. Of course the universe has other plans.

As Carol tries to get used to the new Hal, Sinestro searches out Lyssa Drak but what he learns from the Book of the Black shocks him to his core. Now knowing what the Guardians of the Universe have in store, with foreknowledge of his own death, and with the entire universe on the brink of disaster, Sinestro has no choice but to search out the only man he can trust - even if that man's name is Hal Jordan.

I really enjoyed this issue. It was nice, given the tumultuous events of Jordan's life over the past few years, to see him given a chance to enjoy life - even without a ring. Of course this respite was going to be short lived, but now we'll find out just how far Sinestro is willing to go to stop the future he glimpsed from happening. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

In Time

In a world where the population is genetically engineered to stop aging at 25, time becomes a commodity to be bartered, traded, and stolen. Without acquiring more time those who have already reached their 25th birthday begin to see the final year of their limited life start to fade away.

When a wealthy benefactor (Matt Bomer) looking to die bequeaths Will (Justin Timberlake) a century of time the young man from the ghetto learns the truth about how time is horded by the wealthiest class and decides to do something about it.

Kidnapping a young girl (Amanda Seyfried) and persued by a time cop (Cillian Murphy), Will does his best by living day to day with a limited amount of time by committing the worst crime in the world, the same thing that got his father killed - giving away time.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine #6

As Buffy deals with news that's she's pregnant writer Andrew Chambliss takes the opportunity to showcase not only the current Slayer's fears of what a pregnancy might mean but that of another Slayer who went through the same emotions a few decades earlier - Robin Wood's mother Nikki.

For a comic book centered around a tiny blond who kills vampires this issue has quite a bit going on. I'm really liking how personal Season Nine feels after Season Eight spiraled so far out of control. And for a comic that I've found the art to be inconsistant so far artist Georges Jeanty nails the characters this time around.

Not only do we get flashbacks between Nikki and her Watcher but we get frank conversations between Buffy and Robin, and later between Buffy and Spike. And, although the some might object, I was certainly impressed how the issue of an abortion was not only introduced but discussed.

Even if you haven't read the first arc of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, if you're a fan of the character you should definitely find a copy, especially if you can find the old school variant cover. Best of the week.

[Dark Horse, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #2

Despite his plans to take the money and run Kaine finds himself in Houston protecting a young woman, the lone surviving victim of a human trafficking ring the new Scarlet Spider uncovered last issue.

The Scarlet Spider finds himself fighting a fire-controlling assassin intent on killling the girl and anyone else in his way. Despite all his denials Kaine proves to be a hero, not a killer, by saving the woman and deciding to stay in Houston (at least for the time being).

Although we get more narration into Kaine's past we sadly don't get another flashback of the original Scarlet Spider this time around. However, the two issues do a pretty good job reintroducing and establishing Kaine as a new hero in the Marvel Universe. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Comic Rack

It’s a new week so it must be time to talk about comics! Welcome to the RazorFine Comic Rack boys and girls. Pull up a bean bag and take a seat at feet of the master as we offer you this quick list of all kinds of comic book goodness set to hit comic shops and bookstores this week from all your favorite publishers including DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Archie, Dynamite, Image Comics, and others.

This week includes Avengers, Batman, Captain Atom, Casanova: Avarita, Daredevil, Generation Hope, Ghostbusters, Glory, Green Lantern Corps, Hellblazer, Incredible Hulk, Moriarty, Nightwing, Queen Sonja, Super Dinosaur, Supergirl, Winter Soldier, Wonder Woman, X-Factor, the first issues of Army of Darkness, Kevin Keller, Mondo, Peter Panzerfaust, Quatermain, Sherlock Holmes: Victorian Knights, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi - Force Storm, and the final issues of Dungeons & Dragons: The Legend Of Drizzt and End of Nations.

Enjoy issue #165

Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Mentalist - At First Blush


As the jury sits in deliberations Jane (Simon Baker) enlists the help of Lisbon (Robin Tunney) and the rest of the CBI team to prove the innocence of a woman (Bonnie Somerville) on trail for the murder of her lover and dance instructor.

Snake Eyes #10

The "Cobra Command" crossover continues as Cobra destroys the opium fields of Nanzhao and Storm Shadow's ninja teams take out the U.N. trops helping with the civilian evacuation. Realizing there's no one else for the job Snake Eyes take it upon himself, with Helix in tow, to go deep into the jungles of Nanzhao and find his blood brother.

As Snake Eyes and Helix go deep into the jungles we learn the Storm Shadow's latest cat-and-mouse game involving Snake Eyes are not part of the new Cobra Commander's master plan. Meanwhile, the rest of the Joes at Fort Baxter try to determine Cobra's endgame and what they are after by depopulating the country, destroying its drug supply, and leaving the highways and utilities intact.

There's plenty of ninja action here and more than a little foreshadowing that we're going to get a major throwdown between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow before "Cobra Command" ends. And we've still got plenty of unanswered questions as to what the new Cobra Commander is really after and what plans he has for the dirty nuclear bombs Destro is seen unloading in the comic's final panel. Worth a look.

[IDW, $3.99]