Friday, July 31, 2015

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation


While Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol and Mission: Imposible III may have more dramatic weight given the personal motivations that drive each film, director Christopher McQuarrie instead focuses solely on delivering an immensely enjoyable summer popcorn flick that feels like an old Bond film (complete with multiple locations around the globe and a swagger the Daniel Craig films lack) mixed with the sensibilities of Ocean's Eleven. The result may or may not be the best in the franchise, but it is arguably the most fun film the series has produced.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Stitchers - Future Tense


In an episode that ends the ongoing marriage proposal storyline and reveals Liam (Jack Turner) to viewers to have less-than-honest motivations concerning Kirsten (Emma Ishta), "Future Tense" also sets up next week's summer finale as the Stitcher team investigate the murder of an online psychic and try to prevent a second murder the dead woman saw in a vision which only Kirsten believes will come to pass.

Mission: Impossible Honest Trailer

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Clipped - Mo's Ma


In an episode that introduces Dot-Marie Jones as Mo's (Matt Cook) mother the barber struggles with the news that his parents are getting a divorce after 30 years of marriage. Although Mo can't see a reason why the marriage is ending ,his co-workers strongly suspect it may having something to do with Mo's mother being more attracted to the fairer sex. This, of course, leads to plenty of cheap lesbian jokes as the characters dance around the issue without sharing their suspicions with Mo for most of the episode.

Pretty Little Liars - FrAmed


The local gallery presenting Aria's (Lucy Hale) work as one of four finalists brings the Liars out despite concerns by Ella (Holly Marie Combs) about her daughter's safety. Tanner's (Roma Maffia) heavy police presence keeps the Liars safe but doesn't stop A from making an appearance as the Liars' adversary replaces Aria's photographs with images from the girls' captivity. The shock to the system brings Aria momentarily closer to Ezra (Ian Harding) admitting to both herself and her former beau the lingering effects of her captivity and how A was able to ruin on of the happiest moments of her life. The fact that the police are actively searching for Charles DiLaurentis gives the girls some hope, although Alison (Sasha Pieterse) has a far more conflicted reaction to the brother she barely remembers becoming public enemy #1.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

More SDCC 2015 Cosplay


The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 trailer


We now have our first trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 which concludes the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and the revolution against the Capitol which she's kinda-sorta the inspiration for. Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Jena Malone, Natalie Dormer, Robert Knepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Donald Sutherland all return. The Hunger Games franchise concludes in theaters everywhere on November 20th.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Return to NYC!

The latest single-disc collection of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles includes the group's final adventure before returning to New York and the first six episodes of their return following the Kraang takeover and transformation of their home. The set primarily focuses on the Turtles working to put their family back together and reclaiming the streets of New York from the Kraang.

The episodes include Casey Jones' (Josh Peck) attempt to prove his worth, the two-part "Battle for New York," the Turtles' search for Karai (Kelly Hu), and the long-awaited introduction of the newly mutated Rocksteady (Fred Tatasciore) and Bebop (J.B. Smoove).

Even with Rocksteady and Bebop finally making an appearance the set lacks a real stand-out episode that is a must-have. That said, the episodes are all solid and fans collecting these single-disc collections (and don't mind the continued lack of extras) should still enjoy themselves.

[Nickelodeon, $14.98]

Monday, July 27, 2015

Killjoys - One Blood


It's a bad day for Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen) who learns that a mentor (Tony Nappo) she cares for has been targeted by the RAC and the mentor she can't stand also wants the Killjoy found along with the black-market weapon he stole. While Dutch is forced into service by Khlyen (Rob Stewart), John (Aaron Ashmore) and D'Avin (Luke Macfarlane) agree to work with Fancy Lee (Sean Baek) to find the bounty and stop Dutch from doing anything that may land her in deep trouble with the RAC, like helping her old friend escape.

Usagi Yojimbo #147


"The Thief and the Kunoichi" comes to a conclusion as Usagi and Chizu make the best of Kitsune's plan to sell Inouye's secret treaty back to the merchant. The warriors decide to use the time and setting of the transaction to their advantage by destroying a secret shipment of Ginseng Inouye is counting on to help fund his underhanded dealings.

Rookie Blue - A Real Gentleman


Hours before being called on to lead her first big bust Traci (Enuka Okuma) is lured from 15 Division and kidnapped by the rapist 15 has been hunting all season. It takes some time for her colleagues to discover the reason behind Traci's absence, but 15 Division goes all-in to find their missing officer while Oliver (Matt Gordon) assigns Epstein (Gregory Smith) and Gail (Charlotte Sullivan) to watch Leo (Drew Davis) until their fellow officers can find the boy's missing mother.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

SDCC 2015 Cosplay Compilation

Beauty and the Beast - Both Sides Now


Tired of living life on the run, Vincent (Jay Ryan) and Catherine (Kristin Kreuk) decide to go on the offensive and lay a trap for the super-human assassin (Alexander Cendese) who has been on their trail for three days by eloping at Niagara Falls. Despite Catherine's gung ho attitude, Vincent struggles with the ruse, real or not, especially when it leads down an aisle to a very real minister in a very chintzy chapel.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Happy Birthday Lindsay

Doctor Fate #2


Khalid Nassour's rocky journey into becoming the DCU's new Doctor Fate continues as he stops fighting the Helm to learn a bit about where the knowledge of power it offers come from as well as save his father from a traffic accident caused by the minions of Thoth who demand a blood price our young hero is unwilling to pay.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Sense8 - Demons


When Riley's (Tuppence Middleton) recent past catches up with her its only her connection to Gorski (Brian J. Smith) that stops the drug dealers from killing her for the stash she disposed of before hopping a plane to London. The pain and shame of her experience also brings Riley into contact with Sun (Doona Bae) who languishes in prison waiting sentencing after assuming responsibility for her brother's embezzlement. Here Sense8 allows the characters not impart either knowledge or physical ability but emotional comfort to a stranger they somehow know better than their closest friends.

Stitchers - Fire in the Hole


The poorly-planned procedures and questionable decision making that has been a staple of the Stitchers program since it was introduced in the show's first episode nearly gets everyone in the lab killed when the group decides to stitch into a recently-deceased scientist carrying a deadly virus that their systems were unable to detect. Quarantined and cut-off from the outside world attempt to make peace with their circumstances while studying the scientist's final moments in hopes of discovering a cure. Far less tense than it should be, "Fire in the Hole" never sells us on the idea that any of the characters are in any real danger (even with the added number of lab stand-ins in the episode).

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Arrow Season 2.5 #10


Oliver and Roy's journey to Lian Yu proves fruitful as the pair get the blood sample they need from Slade Wilson in order to fight the latest Mirakuru-powered madman with a grudge against Oliver walking the streets of Starling City.

Spectre trailer


The new trailer for Spectre gives us a look at James Bond (Daniel Craig) working on his own to follow a single thread from his past to unravel the mystery of a secret organization. Monica Bellucci, LĆ©a Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, and Naomie Harris also star. Spectre opens on November 6th.

Dragons: Race to the Edge - When Darkness Falls


The search for a temporary base to continue their exploration of the maps held inside the Dragon Eye leads Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his friends to a small island inhabited by chickens and a group of small nocturnal dragons who band together and swarm around a leader, named Smidvarg by Tuffnut (T.J. Miller), to form the appearance of a far more imposing giant dragon to ward off predators (such as the Changewings who prey on the weaker dragons).

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Clipped - World's Rudest Barber


After a couple of lackluster episodes, Clipped finds the funny with "World's Rudest Barber." Charmaine's (Diona Reasonover) notoriety for being rude to customers gets her fired from the barbershop, but only until Ben (Ryan Pinkston) discovers he can re-brand his business and cash-in on the notoriety. Of course it doesn't take long for Buzzy's to become a toxic work environment even Charmaine begins to rebel against.

Secret Six #4


Secret Six #4 is a tease of the comic we should be, but aren't, getting. Thanks New 52. After the new team makes its way to the suburbs they are almost immediately attacked by three of Mockingbird's assassins who will be familiar to longtime fans of the team well-before they are unmasked: Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, and Jeannette (who seems oddly toned-down here). Despite still missing Deadshot, and insisting on dressing Catman in that awful fetish costume (#BringBackTheCowl), Secret Six #4 has a bit of the old magic (even if it is unnecessarily stomped on by quite a few superfluous characters).

Pretty Little Liars - O Brother, Where Art Thou


The occasion of Charles DiLaurentis's birthday, and the notes left at the DiLaurentis home, force Alison's (Sasha Pieterse) father to grab his daughter and run while Jason (Drew Van Acker) chooses to stay and confront the brother who he only half-remembers as an imaginary friend. News on Charles' return also bolsters the Liars into making a stand to take down A once and for all, but, as is the running theme of the show, things don't go according to plan. Once again the Liars come up empty while unintentionally costing Jason his one shot at bringing his brother in peacefully (or getting stabbed in the neck in an empty warehouse and left for dead, you never know with A).

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Top Ten Movies of 2015 (so far)


Head over to RazorFine to check out my list of The Top Ten Movies of 2015 (so far)

Rookie Blue - Letting Go


While Nick (Peter Mooney) and Oliver (Matt Gordon) are forced to make hard choices involving family members 15 Division is on the lookout for an escaped prisoner and former MMA fighter who stabbed his doctor before fleeing the hospital. Back in the field for the first time, a situation he discovers is less appealing then he remembers now that the case into the bombing has been officially shut down, Epstein (Gregory Smith) works with Diaz (Travis Milne) to find the missing con and bring him in.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Killjoys - A Glitch in the System


The latest episode of Killjoys is your basic haunted house, or in this case haunted spaceship, story. Lucy (voiced by Tamsen McDonough) and the crew decide to do a little treasure hunting when they discover what they believe to be an empty cargo ship in the middle of an asteroid field. What they find isn't a cargo ship but an old military transport with two surviving members, one of whom uses the opportunity of the other ship's arrival to jump into space shortly after Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), John (Aaron Ashmore), and D'Avin (Luke Macfarlane) dock.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow SDCC 2015 Panel


DC's Legends of Tomorrow's first panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

Slow West

How many westerns can you name where the lead character isn't a gunfighter, sheriff, rancher, farmer, or outlaw? Written and directed by John Maclean, Slow West stars Kodi Smit-McPhee as Jay Cavendish who has arrived in the new world and headed west in search of the love of his life (Caren Pistorius) who fled her homeland with her father (Rory McCann) following an unfortunate accident which makes their return to Scotland impossible.

The far-too-trusting Jay is encountered by bounty hunter Silas Selleck (Michael Fassbender) who offers his services to keep the young man alive (while failing to state his real reasons for doing so involve the $2,000 reward on father and daughter). Over the film's 84-minute running time the pair meet an odd assortment of characters and get into a few scrapes that, along with flashbacks to Scotland, begin to inform the audience of the tragedy surrounding Jay and his crusade.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Addicted to Ashley Tisdale's Mane


You can find the pics and a pair of behind-the-scenes videoes for Ashley Tisdale's photo shoot for Mane Addicts inside.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Survivor

Sometimes a movie just doesn't work. There are plenty of more successful films with less going for them than James McTeigue's Survivor which stars Milla Jovovich as a Foreign Service Agent in London who uncovers a terrorist plot and spends most of the movie running not only from British authorities but a high-class assassin (Pierce Brosnan) responsible for the deaths of her co-workers.

For an action-thriller Survivor is a bore. Brosnan barely registers a pulse as the cold-blooded killer. Jovovich is fine as the woman on the run. The plot, while indistinguishable from any number of action films (other than Jovovich's specific job), is passable enough but there's simply no magic on-screen leading to an underwhelming and underachieving movie that's no so much awful as completely forgettable.

Available on both Blu-ray and DVD extras include a single behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes.

[Alchemy, Blu-ray $24.99 / DVD $19.99]

Happy Birthday Kristen

The Legend of the Lone Ranger

Gore Verbinski's meandering take on The Lone Ranger wasn't the first modern take of the masked man on film. Released in 1981 amidst negative backlash for the movie's producer suing actor Clayton Moore to prevent him from appearing in public as the character he played on television, and the bad press of having a difficult unknown actor whose voice had to be dubbed for The Lone Ranger's words to be understood, the film never really stood a chance.

Here's the thing about the much despised The Legend of the Lone Ranger - it's actually not a bad movie. And it's certainly a tighter and more complete origin story than Verbinski's version. Yes it's cheap (especially compared to the money thrown around in the new version), but it's far more faithful to the source material (including John Reid meeting Tonto as boys and the real reason John was shipped off East) than this new version. It also has the feel of a western rather than just another big budget Hollywood action film accidentally stuck in the Old West.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Grumpy Old Mr. Holmes

Adapted from Mitch Cullen's novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, Mr. Holmes is an intriguing, if flawed, idea offering audiences a look at the retired detective fighting senility while struggling to remember the details of his final case decades before. I say flawed because despite a terrific performance from Ian McKellen removing the keen intellect from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes also removes the character's most definable trait leaving only a hollow shell in its place.

Taking place three decades after his retirement into the country to spend his time with his bees, a senile and grumpy Sherlock Holmes struggles to remember the details of his final case which he is certain Watson wrongly chronicled. His secluded existence is witnessed only by his housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney), her son Roger (Milo Parker), and the occasional visit from Sherlock's doctor (Roger Allam). Returning from a trip to Japan at the opening of the film, which is chronicled in flashbacks inter-cut with those of his final case and his current retirement, Holmes strikes up an unexpected friendship with Roger who helps reignite the detective's memory.

Ant-Man


Ant-Man marks a departure for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the exception of Guardians of the Galaxy, which takes place deep in outer space and far from the films that feed into The Avengers movies, every Marvel project to this point has centered around a classic Marvel character that fits a rather well-used pre-designed Silver Age mold. Rather than center another film around a genius scientist turned hero, Ant-Man casts Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) as the weathered former hero choosing instead to focus the plot of the movie on his less straight-laced successor Scott Lang (Paul Rudd).

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Stitchers - The Root of All Evil


While investigating the death of a young woman (Monica Barbaro) who enjoyed breaking into expensive houses to throw lavish parties when the owners were out of town the Stitchers crew is surprised by the arrival of Kirsten's (Emma Ishta) world-hopping boyfriend Liam (Jack Turner) whom she has never mentioned. A little more snooping into the home of the young woman's latest victims uncovers an elicit affair, a blackmail plot, and the reason for her demise.

The Flash SDCC Panel

Pretty Little Liars - No Stone Unturned


The red herring of Lesli Stone (Elizabeth McLaughlin) will keep the Liars busy for most of the episode, while allowing Hanna (Ashley Benson) to perform some grand theft auto and lead the girls to discover A's ability to track them (which their prolonged stay in the hospital didn't reveal?), but by the end of "No Stone Unturned" the Liars' focus will return to finding Charles DiLaurentis who even his father has begun to suspect is still alive. Aria (Lucy Hale) is the only Liar directly targeted in the episode as she returns to the junkyard to find a new disturbing gift from their tormentor and struggles as her feelings for Ezra (Ian Harding) begin to resurface, but has she waited too long to act on them?

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Clipped - Big Gay Wedding


Buzzy's (George Wendt) wedding to Tommy (Reginald VelJohnson) has everyone but Charmaine (Diona Reasonover) in a festive mood. Based on her own history with wedding fallout (which it takes far too long to take anyone to point out that it doesn't apply AT ALL to the current situation involving a pair of older gay men that have no intention of having kids of their own) Charmaine momentarily talks Buzzy out of the wedding forcing Danni (Ashley Tisdale) to try and put things right.

Ex Machina


In creating a film about artificial life that is almost entirely driven on emotion rather than logic writer/director Alex Garland has beautifully crafted one of the most memorable movies in recent years. The film begins with a computer programmer winning an exclusive trip to the secluded home of the company's CEO who has far more going on than anyone associated with the world's largest search engine could possibly guess.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Killjoys - Vessel


Now an official team of three, Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), John (Aaron Ashmore), and D'Avin (Luke Macfarlane) are hired to transport the surrogate mother of an unborn heir of one of the nine families that rule the galaxy (or something like that) in time for the baby to be born on his home soil and claim his birthright. Although there have been small stumbling blocks in the previous episodes, "Vessel" marks the first time the series gets into trouble for not spending more time world building and explaining the basics of this version of the future, the nine families, and the politics involved. The Nine have never been properly explained which leads to some confusion about surrogate cults, wealth, corporations, division of power, and rule of law that the episode skirts mostly around despite the fact that these issues have never been properly dealt with.

Star Wars Card Trader - Awesome Custom Pack 4


Individual cards inside. Also check out Pack 1, Pack 2, and Pack 3.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Apollo 13

Based on the real events surrounding the flight of NASA's Apollo 13, director Ron Howard's 1995 film is arguably his best. (I'd put it neck-and-neck with the underrated Frost/Nixon.) Casting Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon as the three astronauts whose mission to the moon goes horribly wrong and Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Chris Ellis as those in Mission Control who help bring them home, Apollo 13 is a tense drama where knowing beforehand the ending somehow (despite all logic) doesn't hurt it's climactic final act.

Despite centering on one of the most memorable instances of something going wrong with the NASA space program, Apollo 13 is a celebration of the wonder and ingenuity that went into every aspect of the space program which was already beginning to lose its allure during Apollo 13's launch (as we see with news stations refusing to carry video from crew... at least until things get far more interesting when the lives of the astronauts were put in jeopardy).

Rookie Blue - Uprising


While Sam (Ben Bass) and Marlo (Rachael Ancheril) deal with a pregnancy scare at a routine doctor's office visit Andy (Missy Peregrym), Juliet (Erin Karpluk), Nick (Peter Mooney), and Gail (Charlotte Sullivan) run into trouble when a routine prisoner transfer turns into a full scale prison riot separating the group from each other and any help from the outside. The episode jumps from the hospital to the various officers inside the prison and back to 15 Division as Traci (Enuka Okuma) begins an investigation into the connection between the two prisoners scheduled to be transferred and the a disgraced prison guard who knows far more about the situation that he's revealed.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice SDCC trailer


DC rolled out its first official Batman v Superman trailer at San Diego Comic-Con. The extended look sets up the basic conflict between the two heroes, suggest the people of Metropolis are equally miffed about Supes' behavior in Man of Steel as the rest of us, and gives us a good look at Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), and Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Avengers: Age of Cosplay - Emerald City Comicon 2015

Minions


When I learned of a Despicable Me sequel starring only the Minions I was skeptical. Although hugely popular, how do you give a full-feature film to the oddball supporting characters who speak only a mishmash gibberish language and who had been used mostly for comedy relief (with heart) in both Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2?

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Batgirl: A Matter of Family DLC Trailer


Check out this trailer for the Batgirl downloadable storyline in the upcoming release of Batman: Arkham Knight.

Dragons: Race to the Edge - Imperfect Harmony


With the unexpected approval of his father, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his friends embark past the known world of the Archipelago to find the unknown lands hinted at in the maps contained inside the Dragon Eye. The group's first journey takes them to an island controlled by a Death Song whose mesmerizing call and fast-drying amber breath is the perfect method for luring in and capturing dragons just like the ones Hiccup and his friends have brought to the island.

Stitchers - Finally


While investigating the murder of a medical research assistant (Erinn Westbrook) who was working on system to bring back lost memories caused by traumatic events Kirsten (Emma Ishta) gets a small glimmer into the black hole of her childhood showing us why she's such a natural at stiching by revealing her current job is far from the first time she has undergone the procedure. Those memories, along with a message hidden in the tape her legal guardian left her moves forward the mystery into the odd woman's past leading to a key which may literally unlock secrets.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Shredder cosplay by Heather1337

Killjoys - The Harvest


Understanding that his partner is hiding something from him, his growing jealousy of the ease with which D'Avin (Luke Macfarlane) becomes a Killjoy, and a plea from a friend (Elena Juatco) all factor in to John (Aaron Ashmore) accepting a warrant to find the woman's wayward husband who disappeared while working as an endundetured servant harvesting crops. Although Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen) isn't keen on the idea, she relents realizing her partner needs a win (and the situation allows her to dress the part of a pampered dignitary while he must go undercover as a migrant worker in the fields).

Clipped - Wi-Fi


While the other members of the barbershop deal with the loss in WiFi, which Ben (Ryan Pinkston) is too cheap to pay for, A.J. (Mike Castle) discovers a truth about Ben's new gym "friends" that brings him an immense amount of immediate pleasure at Ben's expense but will also force him to stand-up for his boss before the end of the episode. A storyline centered around pissing in a gym shower isn't exactly high concept, but the episode does deliver a payoff to the unusual act done at Ben's expense by turning the tables on the ringleader of the group in its closing scene.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Astro City #24

While offering glimpses into the world Sticks left behind, and his reasons for doing so, the latest issue of Astro City concludes the warrior-ape turned drummer turned super-hero turned nomad's story which includes a stint with the super-group Reflex 6 who, among other adventures, fought to close illegal alien speakeasies in Astro City where human brain chemistry and dreams were the drug of choice for an elite clientele. Like super-apes who play the drums are known to do.

As with the opening issue to this two-part tale Astro City #24 offers some twists and turns as Sticks struggles to find his role in Astro City where it's too dangerous to be a drummer and too hard to be a hero. His solution, thanks in part to an unexpected pep-talk from the Samaritan allows the character to create an unorthodox solution that not only allows him to live the life he's always wanted but still find a way to put his obvious skills to use. And if he's got to occasionally dress up in a monkey suit, so to speak, well that's a small price to pay for finding the freedom to play beautiful music. Isn't it? Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

Daredevil - Nelson v. Murdock


The temporary split between law partners and best friends begins here as Foggy (Elden Henson) discovers Matt's (Charlie Cox) brutalized body along with the number of secrets his friend has been keeping from him for years. Interspersed with flashbacks showing us various stages of the pair's friendship from their first meeting as college roommates to the discussion of Matt's Greek girlfriend to going into business together, "Nelson v. Murdock" paints a picture of a strong bond which is immediately shattered because of Matt Murdock's lies (not just about his work as a vigilante but the larger lie about the true aspects of his blindness). The split is, of course, temporary, but it does allow each character to work towards taking down Fisk separately while eventually providing Matt another confidant he isn't forced to hide his abilities from any longer.

Every Justice League Member Ever

Atlantis - The Madness of Hercules


For all the conspiracy and backstabbing that takes place in Atlantis it's a city where its characters fall into the black-and-white categories of either celebrated heroes or flawed villains. Despite all that they have collectively done for the city "The Madness of Hercules" turns Jason (Jack Donnelly), his friends, and the woman he loves from the former into the later over the space of a single episode. Branded a traitor to the gods by the the pressured Melas (Ken Bones), Jason awaits execution in the palace dungeons which leads Hercules (Mark Addy) to attempt an ill-fated rescue and Ariadne (Aiysha Hart) and Pythagoras (Robert Emms) to plan a more successful one even if it does cost the queen both her throne and her freedom.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Graceland - Chester Cheeto


As Johnny (Manny Montana) enlists an unlikely ally to help him free Lucia (Jamie Gray Hyder) from her crazy brother by smuggling Sid (Carmine Giovinazzo) into Mexico, Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) deals with a difficult decisions concerning both her pregnancy and trusting Amber (Brit Morgan) enough to finish the case, Paige (Serinda Swan) reacts poorly to receiving a commendation for stopping the human trafficking ring (but failing to save the one girl that mattered to her) as her decision to leave Graceland continues to effect those around her, and Mike (Aaron Tveit) continues to push the limits of his recovery (and increase the likelihood of a pill addiction) forcing himself back into the field well-before his injuries have healed.

HeroesCon 2015 Cosplay Video

Olympus - Truth


Olympus concludes with a deafening thud as The Mercenary (Tom York), Medea (Sonita Henry), the Oracle (Sonya Cassidy), and Daedalus (Matt Frewer) struggle to find footing in the time-displaced reality of the gods where they make their way through labyrinths and visions only to discover the opportunity to view their most treasured desire is (like the series) an empty promise leaving them to be harshly judged by the gods and each other as the series comes to a close.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Rookie Blue - Perfect Family


While Epstein (Gregory Smith) and Marlo (Rachael Ancheril) continue to make progress on the bombing Andy (Missy Peregrym), Sam (Ben Bass), and Traci (Enuka Okuma) investigate the disappearance of a 16 year-old girl (ZoƩ De Grand Maison) which initially appears to be an abduction but the truth turns out to be far more complicated. And, in terms of the ongoing soap-opera drama happening in 15 Division, Andy continues to struggle with the knowledge of Marlo's pregnancy unable to come to terms with how it will effect her relationship with Sam.

Focus

Written and directed by the team of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus met with mixed reactions from both audiences and critics when it opened in theaters earlier this year. It's reminiscent of Out of Sight, the film rests largely on the performances of two photogenic and charming stars who, from time to time, need to smooth over the rough spots in the plot.

As a fan of heist and con flicks Focus is right up my alley, and it's one of Will Smith's more interesting acting choices in recent years. As expert con man Nicky "Melo" Spurgeon, Smith takes a young grifter (Margot Robbie) under his wing in a screenplay that has a few too many twists for its own good but still turns out to be largely enjoyable thanks to the chemistry of its two leads. Focus may be cotton candy, lightweight with less going on beneath the surface than one would hope for, but it's still a tasty treat that goes down easily and will momentarily satisfy your sweet tooth.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Killjoys - The Sugar Point Run


A prisoner exchange in a city controlled by competing warlords sends Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), John (Aaron Ashmore), and D'Avin (Luke Macfarlane) to Sugar Point where they promptly crash land on the wrong side of the city and loose their bargaining chip. In the overall arc of the show's First Season the main importance of "The Sugar Point Run" is to show Dutch how useful D'Avin is on such jobs allowing her to offer him a birth on her ship by the end of the episode. Stuck alone repairing the ship, the episode also showcases the resourcefulness of John while the others are out searching for the escaped prisoner.