Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Two Lists in One!

Since I never got around to doing it last week, here's two weeks worth of da DVDs!

Last week:

3rd Rock From The Sun - Season 4

I just bought Season 1 for about $15, good deal. I think the show lost some steam after about Season 3 or 4, the concept was just tired by then, but the acting was still pretty sharp.

Dinosaurs - The Complete First and Second Seasons

I remember liking this, but I doubt it holds up. I'll Netflix it eventually.

The Family Stone (Widescreen Edition)

Despite my absolute hatred for Matthew Broderick's wife, I do want to see this.

Hoodwinked (Widescreen Edition)

Want to see this too.

I Love Lucy - The Complete Sixth Season

Also available in a complete series set. I hate this show.

Kate & Allie - Season One

And this one too!

King of the Hill - Complete Season 6

Might be the last season for the show this year, I hope not though. They do need to get away from these double sided discs for the DVDs, they suck.

Last Holiday (Widescreen Edition)

I'll pass on this one too, though the Queen can be funny at times.

Leave It to Beaver - The Complete Second Season

I've only ever seen two episodes of this show I think. Kinda sad.

The Nanny - The Complete Second Season

Apparently they released a ton of shows I hate last week.

A Streetcar Named Desire (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Never seen it, also a shame.

Tales from the Crypt - Ritual

Can't possibly be as bad as Bordello of Blood.


This Week:

The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Sixth Season

Well, this week is looking up.

Big Momma's House 2

His next movie will be Black Knight 2, you can almost bet on it.

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist - Season 1

Ah, the glory of Squigglevision!

Everybody Loves Raymond - The Complete Sixth Season

I just don't get the appeal, like King of Queens.

The Facts of Life - The Complete First & Second Seasons

Oh dear God, who wanted this on DVD?

The Golden Girls - The Complete Fifth Season

This, on the other hand, is a damn funny show.

Grandma's Boy (Unrated Edition)

I'd like to see how awful it is.

Life Goes On - The Complete First Season

Never watched this, might have to Netflix it.

Munich (2-Disc Limited Edition)

Hopefully this makes up for the shit fest that was War of the Worlds.

Nanny McPhee (Widescreen Edition)

Got some good reviews, but not sure if it's up my alley.

Northern Exposure: The Complete First and Second Seasons

This is the way it should have been done to begin with.

Rescue Me - The Complete Second Season

Season 3 starts in a few weeks, but I still haven't gotten to see Season 1.

Ronin (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

YES!

Rumor Has It... (Widescreen Edition)

Man, how far has Rob Reiner sunk?

Scrubs - The Complete Third Season

Easily the best release of the week.

That '70s Show - Season 4

But this is up there. I just cannot get enough of this show.

The Towering Inferno (Special Edition)

Pass.

The West Wing - The Complete Sixth Season

Another show I just can't get into.

And there ya go, two weeks worth of DVDs!

-L

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Oh My Dear God, Reviews

Because I really need to get these off my plate, and time just hasn't been on my side, I decided to stay up a little later and get these done. The stack isn't getting any smaller. I think Alan and Chris over at the Galaxy probably hate me as well as I haven't sent them anything in the way of reviews either. I'm off tomorrow night though, and with no plans (girlfriends sick unfortunately...well for her and me, fortunate for you all) I'll have some time to write a few things, hopefully.

All-Star Superman #3

Holy freaking cow. Grant Morrison, I love you. I can probably count on one hand the number of Supes comics I've enjoyed in the last five years. Well, ones that weren't some sort of alternate reality type story. But, inside of six months Morrison and Quitely have delivered three issues of excellent Big Blue. I'm sure I've mentioned before that I've never read many (if any) of the "wacky" Supes stuff, but I can't imagine it being as fun as these last three issues.The writing, maybe, but nobody can draw like Quitely. Clark and Lois sharing a kiss on the moon? It might be the most romantic thing I've ever seen in a comic, and it kicks ass at the same time. And two pages before that we have Superman besting two strongmen in an arm wrestling contest (ending in one very sick and literally twisted picture.) The whole book is just beautiful, wacky, exciting story. Can't wait to see where it goes from here.

American Virgin #1-2

Speaking of good ol' Frank...the cover to the second issue wasn't really that great, but damn did his cover to #1 draw me in. As for the book? I'm not really sure what to think of it yet. Becky Cloonan's art is fantastic, even better, I think, than her work on Demo. As someone who grew up in and around the people and situations Adam finds himself in when the book opens, it makes it difficult to read without feeling a bit uncomfortable. Not ashamed or embarassed, just weirded out. Seagle nails the characters, as stereotypical as they turn out to be (they are called stereotypes for a reason), and not in that farcical way either (think Saved!), it's all very real. Then the guy's girlfriend get's beheaded on live television while he watches. Issue 2 has him vowing revenge and going to South Africa to identify the body. I'm definitely in for the next issue, probably for the rest of the first storyline, but I still haven't made up my mind about it.

American Way #1

A guy is hired by the government to help promote the nations superpowered people, turns out most of their fights are staged. Eh, not exactly a new concept, I do like that we see it from an outside perspective, but it just didn't prove interesting enough for me to keep up with.

Archenemies #1

Issue 2 came out this week, haven't read it yet, but I really enjoyed this issue. It's mostly set up; two roommates, ones sloppy, ones neat, turns out the sloppy one is a hero and the neat one his arcnemesis. There's some pretty funny (if obvious) jokes and it's well drawn. All in all a decent read, good for a laugh.

Blue Beetle #1

Hey, this won't piss off all those "sudden" Beetle fans...heh. Decent set up, but I didn't follow Infinite Crisis or any of the crap around it so I felt a little lost. I thought it was funny that this was the Blue Beetle that those clamoring fans got, though I doubt he'll last half as long as Kyle Rayner did.

Cale & Deadpool #26-27

Eh, not much to say about these. The whole Cable/Apocalypse thing confuses even me, someone who know Cable weird ass origin (and all the inconsistincies, one of which I found here) backwards and forwards (HA! Yeah, I know no one gets that but me. Trust me it's funny). So Poccy is coming back again, which negates the Twelve storyline I suffered through (and which ultimately led to me dropping all the X-Books I was reading), thanks a lot Marvel!

Fallen Angel #3

Blah, hate the art, it's the last issue I bought, not buying anymore. I do want to go read all the back issues though.

Full Cirkle #1

Hey, cool Simon Bisley art...and that's about it. Weird ass story about some clan of barbarians who dress like animals...or something like that. I don't really know. The art kicks ass though.

Grounded #5

I'm lost. The school was taken over by some villain(s?) and the kids lost their powers, then got them back, and now they're taking it back while they're superhero parents wait outside. The art is too muddy and hard to follow and it still feels like somehow plot points are getting lost, but I've stuck with it this long, me and my need to complete a set...

Jeremiah Harm #2

Giffen and Grant make a hell of a team, everyone knows that, and Lyra's art is wonderful. The plot feels like something Giffen may have wanted to use for his recent Marvel works (like the cancelled Thanos boook, even like his recent Drax mini) but didn't really get too. It also has a Lobo-esque feel, which comes as no real surprise. Still, it's a good story, well drawn, and it's wall-to-wall ass kicking. Can't ask for much more than that from these two.

Jonah Hex #6

Aww, no New Years story four months too late? Didn't like the Eastwood-looking cover either. But, the story might be the best of the lot so far. Jonah comes to a small town that turns out the be run by a crazy Wanted nun who tries to burn him at the stake. Hell hath no fury like a Jonah scorned though. Blood, death and religion= a damn good western tale.

Justice #5

The Wonder Woman/Cheetah fight is pretty cool and Shazam showing up to save Superman's butt rocked. Too damn bad it's gonna take another year and a half to finish this story.

Hatter M #2

After reading Beddor's brilliant novel I really can't get ebough of this re-telling of the alice in Wonderland tale. Templesmith's art is a perfect compliment to the story. Of course, knowing how the story ends takes away from some of this side stories impact, but it's still proving to be highly enjoyable. Hatter Madigan is the coolest damn character to come along in ages. As goofy as that sounds, I just can't get over how friggin cool he is.

The Perhapanauts #4

And so ends this weeird ass story...wait, no it doesn't. Dammit, first they start a new story over half way through the miniseries, then they don't finish it? What kind of crazy marketing scheme is this? Still, I enjoyed it. Rousseau's art outshines Dezago's story, mostly because paranormal detective's aren't exactly a new thing, but I did like a few of the characters. Especiall Choopie (that Mexican goat-killer thing) and Big Foot. It just would have been nice to have a more fleshed out story instead of what ended up being four issues of hodgepodge storytelling.

Star Wars: The Return of Tag & Bink #1-2

Screw Lucas, Kevin Rubio knows how to write a Star Wars story. Recommended for anyone that is either a lifelong fan or a former fan disgusted by what the movies have become in the last fifteen years. I especially enjoyed the explination about Bobba Fett and the Sarlaac pit.

Star Wars: Bobba Fett- Overkill

Eh, this was a wast of even a one note (yet kick-ass) character like Fett. The cover looks great though.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #0/ Star Wars" Rebellion #0

Prequels for upcoming Star wars books. Wasn't worth the quarter I spent on them.

Superpatriot: War on Terror #3

Well, five years later (not really) and we're one issue closer to the end of this series. Right now I'm not even sure what was going on in the first two issues. I'm gonna have to sit down and read them all when #4 finally comes out...in December.

Tales of the TMNT #21

The Turtle team up with the Cowboys of Moo Mesa, a cartoon I actually never watched. It's a pretty cool concept and I totally dig the cover. And I like any kind of weord western stuff, so this was right up my alley. It's a bit heavy handed at the end and probably written to an audience that will never see it, but enjoyable regardless.

Warlord #1

I like Bruce Jones, usually. I like Bart Sears, usuall. But this was one of the most forgettable reads all year. The art feels sloppy and rushed, the plot is stale, it's everything you might expect from a book trying to capitalize on Conan's success and failing miserably. It sucks because seeing Warlord not too long ago on JLU had me excited for this. What a let down.

War of the Worlds: Second Wave #2

After a pretty good set up issue, Boom delivers a damn interesting follow up. It lacks the amazing visuals the recent movie remake had, but the focus on the characters and on the devastation of the world around them is far more interesting that Spielberg's flashy movie. Plus there's a preview of the upcoming Talent series. It's a bit Lost and a bit Unbreakable, looks promising.

Wildermere #1

This just creeped me out. I have no idea what it's about. Some kind of post-apocalyptic tale. The mutant things were just too damn creepy for me too keep reading.

X-Factor #5-6

Hey, Marvel, I did not know that Banshee was dead/going to die, so I appreciate you printing it loud and clear in the promos for the next three months of X-Factor. There's nothing I like more than people who spoil the frigging story for me. Thanks. Even more reason for me to wait for the damn trades. Still liking this series though, despite annoying little Layla Miller.

Y, the Last Man #44

Not a lot of development. Women are looking for Yorick, they find the Russian man child, Yorick's looking for his monkey, and his girlfriend, he finds a robot, Dr. Mann is looking for her Mom, she actually finds her and in the process may have gotten her spy/girlfriend killed. Hooray for the fucked up ending, Vaughan never disappoints there.

Zombie Tales: Death Valley #2

Might have been nice to read the first part, but this was still a pretty entertaining read. A bunch of kids try to make it out of Cali, which seems to have become infested with zombies. Good art, good story, and it's got some laughs as well.

Zombie Tales: The Dead

Another collection of zombie tales that are surprisingly fresh (pardon the pun). That Boom can keep putting these out and still manage to find creators that have new, fun ways to tell a story about a damn zombie amazes me. The best of the bunch are the Giffen penned tale about the time between being human and becoming a zombie, a sort of decent into madness I guess, and the story about the animals who defend themselves against a horde of zombies. Fun stuff.

Except for a small stack of graphic novels and trades that covers my reading material over the last few months. And yes, I know I forgot the list yesterday. I'll get to it tomorrow.

-L