Hellboy II The Golden Army

I have to say I liked this movie, not in the same league as Pan’s Labyrinth but it’ll do. The plot of course was atrocious as seems to be the case with Hollywood movies these days…but thats nothing new. It was however visually stunning and the combination of characters and the actors playing them created a certain charm which overrided the faults.

Still I’ma bit dismayed to learn the Del Toro will be working on the new Hobbit movies…I’m suffering from fantasy overkill at the moment and I don’t think I can stand watching yet another 2 movies envolving elves, hobbits and the such….

Babylon A.D.

I haven’t seen the film, but the reviews have had me in stitches:

Especially this:

When Paul W.S. Anderson is making better science fiction than the French, you know something is terribly wrong with the world. Terribly wrong indeed.

Jimmy Carter Man from the Plains

Impressive documentary, primarily covering the tour to promote his book “Palestine Peace not Aparteid”. Carter’s time in office wasmuch criticisied ( mostly by the incoming Republicans ) but I was really impressed by his post Presidential Record, as seen in this documentary.

Secret Invasion Vs Final Crisis

So as you may or may not know the big two comics publishers have their ‘major’ event happening and I thought I would take this opportunity to give you my thoughts on them since they are both pretty much at the half way point.

First let me tell you a bit about my relationship with the comics medium ( *sigh* I really need a girlfriend *sigh* ): I think they are overpriced, only about 10-20% of the entire output from that sector in any given year is worth any merit, the rest is quite frankly crap – I spend a hell of a lot on comics and I’m fast coming to the conclusion that apart form the odd few almost all the rest is dire, the increasing delays over scheduling is pathetic and all the publishers are guilty of this, increasingly comics seem to be an output for selling an idea to the movie business which I feel cheapens both mediums.

Anyway now that I’ve got that off my chest, what has that got to do with the above 2 events…well not a lot but I thought I would say it.

I am a big DC fan but I have to say that apart from the art work ( I love the work on Final Crisis, J.G. Jones is outstanding ), Secret Invasion is better in every way. It has me excited, and actually wanting to buy the next issue. Final Crisis on the other hand has left me scratching my head, wondering what’s going on and why…maybe it will pay off in the long run but it has me worried.

Avengers

Been reading the Bendis run on Avengers and I have to say I think its amazing. Its not my favourite run on a Team superhero book…that acolade is still held by Geffen and DeMattis on JLI and Johns/Goyer/Robinson on the previous JSA run from 2000. However it delivers in terms of plot and superhero action when a lot of other books don’t …just what is going on with the current JLA comic at DC, even the curent JSA seems to be taking a long time to develop its plot.