Collectibles And Novelties

THE TOP TEN: Ultimatum; Batman; Hulk; Wolverine; Uncanny X-Men; Amazing Spider-Man; Captain America; Buffy (The Vampire Slayer); Justice Society; and, Detective Comics.

THE SPLASH PAGE: Following the “Secret Invasion” Marvel is launching a “War of Kings”! From armed conflict, Krypton is reborn! Batman has perished, now the “Battle for the Cowl” has begun! The world is no longer big enough for two bearers of the Witchblade! IDW is now the publisher of the G.I. Joe franchise, set to launch with a series of movie prequels. Boom Studios has teamed with Disney-Pixar to put “The Incredibles” [and others] on store shelves! Marvel’s collaboration with Stephen King is continuing with “The Stand”. Warren Ellis’ “best selling” “Anna Mercury” is now available in soft-cover and hard-cover trades. With talent such as Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Dave Gibbons, the relaunch of [Wil Eisner’s] “The Spirit” has been a phenomenal success! With “The Watchmen” film coming soon [to theaters and IMAX] the works of Alan Moore are in demand; likewise, buzz over the upcoming “Star Trek” film has given rise to much new and relaunched material!

DARK HORSE COMICS: Titles Available Include – Applegeeks; [Boris Karloff:] Tales of Mystery; B.P.R.D.; Conan (The Cimmerian); Hellboy; Star Wars: Knights / Republic; Star Wars: Legacy; and, The Goon. Other Items Available Include – B.P.R.D.: The Warning (TPB) {$18}; Little Lulu: The Alamo [& other stories] (TPB) {$15}; Star Wars: Clone Wars - Wind Raiders (Digest) {$8}; and, Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years [volumes 1 & 2] (HC) {$50 ea}; and, [Will Eisner’s The] Spirit - The New Adventures [Archives] (HC) {$50}. Merchandise Available Including – Simpsons Classic Character [#1] - Homer Simpson {$50}.

DC COMICS: With the war against the Dark Trinity at a fever pitch, Krona’s emergence will have destructive consequences and our only hope is to find and bring back the exiled three - Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman! {#40 to 43} Fighting to survive the Final Crisis, Superman and the Legion founders battle the Time Trapper while the legionnaires war with Superboy-Prime and his Legion of Super-Villains! {... Worlds 5} New Krypton has been born, The Phantom Zone is lost and Superman is missing! {#686} In a “World Without Superman”, can Mon-El; The Guardian; Nightwing; and, Flamebird keep Metropolis safe?! {Action Comics 875} New Krypton is a reality and Kal-El is thrust into “interstellar treachery and deadly machinations [with] the lives of two racing [hanging] in the balance”! {World / Krypton 1 (of 12)} A dead body in the harbor; a search for Reactron; and, the mystery of Superwoman has Supergirl very busy! {#39} With assistance from Robin and Dr. Irons, Batman will counter “The Revenge of The Prankster” ... or Superman will be lost forever! {World’s Finest 57}

With Batman gone, Gotham City is in turmoil and the Battle For The Cowl has begun! {# 1 (of 3) + crossover one-shots} Gotham is ripe for the return of Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight! {# 1 (of 3)} She has disbanded her Birds of Prey and returned to Gotham, now Barbara Gordon is caught in the crossfire of The Calculator’s quest for Anti-Life! {Oracle 1 (of 3)} Batman and Riddler team-up to solve the riddles of King Tut. {... Confidential 27} Batman’s most dangerous enemies join forces with Midnight! {Gotham After Midnight 11 (of 12)} To defeat Chronos and restore the time-line, Booster Gold will partner with a time-lost Booster Gold! {#18} Is Black Canary responsible for Star City’s newest menace? {Green Arrow 18} While Wonder Woman is battling Genocide, Zeus has created a new messenger of peace and sent him forth to deliver it “by any means necessary”! {#30}

Mongul has all of Daxam and the Sinestro Corps, the “Blackest Night” has come! {Green Lantern Corps 34} The Orange Lanterns have launched against Green Lantern and the Blackest Night shall come! {#40} The Final Crisis had ended and the Justice League is nearly done! {#31} Billy Batson has been banished from the Rock of Eternity; so, the Justice Society must “call upon an old friend” to stop Black Adam and his family “once and for all”! {#25}

The freshman Outsiders roster must engage The Insiders to preserve “the future of [human]kind”! {#16} Regrouping, following the loss of one of their own, The Titans discover a “Deathtrap” looming for all! {#11} With an all-new roster, the Teen Titans have little time to prepare for the “Deathtrap” coming! {#69}
Simon Dark and his family “cope with [a] gruesome” loss. {#18} Bloody and ragged, the Secret Six “fight their way through throngs” of heroes to discover “the man pulling the strings” of this villainous affair. {#7} Hunting for Jericho, Vigilante is interrogating the Titans. {#4}

He’s been “torturing and experimenting on people for years” but this “Sawbones” has never encountered anyone like Jonah Hex! {#41} Why is Lorelei Rox (“the most beautiful voice in Central City”) singing for Octopus?! {The Spirit 27} It’s a battle royal, the “greatest warriors of all time” vs. “something mightier than all of them”. {The War That Time Forgot 11 (of 12)} The hunt for a possible serial killer will take Mulder and Scully into the “Hollow Earth”! {X-Files 5} “All of the secrets are revealed” before the “Great Fables Crossover Event”. {Jack Of Fables 32} In an epilogue to “The Dark Ages”, is true love possible for Boy Blue and Rose Red? {Fables 82} Sex, suspicions and treachery are in store for Harry Bailey. {House Of Mystery 11} Some memories are so vicious, some demons so horrible, one should never reveal them! {Hellblazer 253} The machinations of the Phantom Stranger near their completion. {Madame Xanadu 9} Ragnar and his Irish army break the back of the Vikings, prepared to bring about Magnus’ execution. {Northlanders 16} Welcome to Browning, Arizona, where your “wildest dreams and darkest desires come true”, “life without consequences - enjoy it while it lasts”! {Young Liars 13}

Other Items Available Include: [Absolute] V For Vendetta (HC) {$99}; Hellblazer Presents: Chaz - The Knowledge (TPB) {$15}; Jonah Hex: Bullets Don’t Lie (TPB) {$15}; Justice League: The Second Coming (HC) {$20}; Justice Society: Thy Kingdom Come - Part 1 (TPB) {$15}; Scalped [v. 4]: The Gravel In Your Guts (TPB) {$15}; The Question: Welcome To Oz (TPB) {$20}; and, Y: The Last Man [Deluxe Edition] 2 (HC) {$30}.

Titles For The Kids Including: Batman - Brave [a/t] Bold; Cartoon Network Block Party; Looney Tunes; Super Friends; Supergirl - Cosmic Adventures [in the 8th Grade]; and, Tiny Titans.

IMAGE COMICS: Titles Available Include – Amber Atoms; Astounding Wolf-Man; Black Vault; Dynamo [Five]; Invincible; Savage Dragon; Soul Kiss; Spawn; The Darkness; and, Witchblade. Other Items Available Include – American Flagg [v.] 2 (TPB) {$20}; Brit [v.] 3 (TPB) {$17}; Girls & Goddesses (HC) {$30}; and, Liberty Meadows [v. 4]: Cold, Cold Heart (TPB) {$15}.

MARVEL COMICS: Titles Available Include – Amazing Spider-Girl; Amazing Spider-Man; Avengers; Avengers-Invaders; Black Panther; Cable; Captain America; Daredevil; Dark Avengers; Eternals; Fantastic Four; Ghost Rider; Guardians [o/t] Galaxy; Incredible Hercules; Invincible Iron Man; Iron Fist; Moon Knight; Ms. Marvel; Nova; Runaways; Skaar (Son of Hulk); Squadron Supreme; Thor; Uncanny X-Men; War Machine; Wolverine; Wolverine: Origins; X-Force; X-Men; and, Young X-Men.

FROM THE BACK RACK: Titles Available Including – Angel; Anna Mercury; Arabian Nights: Adventures of Sinbad; Archie; Battlestar Galactica; Ben10 Alien Force; Betty; Caped; [Disney-Pixar’s] Cars; Doctor Who; [Jim Butcher’s] Dresden Files; [Terry Moore’s] Echo; Eureka; Farscape; Futurama Comics; Ghost Whisperer; G.I. Joe; Gold Digger; Grimm Fairy Tales; Hexed; Jughead; Jungle Girl; [Patricia Brigg’s] Mercy Thompson; [Dean Koontz’s] Nevermore; Ninja High School; Power [o/t] Valkyrie; Ray Harryhausen Presents [: 10th Muse]; Rawbone; Red Sonja; Remnant; Robinson Crusoe; Salem’s Daughter; Simpsons Comics; Speed Racer; Star Trek; [C.E. Murphy’s] Take A Chance; Tarot (Witch [o/t] Black Rose); Terminator; [Disney-Pixar’s] The Incredibles; The Man With No Name; The Muppet Show; The Phantom; Transformers; Uncle Scrooge; Vincent Price Presents; Voyages [o/t] She-Buccaneer; Walt Disney Comics; Warlock; and, Zorro... plus, a mass quantity of magazines; books; apparel; toys; models, statues; imports; prints; posters; collectibles and novelties!

From Previews Catalog January 2009
reposted from January 2009

Watchmen

You’ve never seen super heroes like these!

The year is 1985. President Richard Nixon has been elected to his fifth term in office. The world is on the brink of nuclear armageddon. The masked heroes of old are gone. Humankind’s one hope is Dr. Manhattan, a nuclear man who has lost all his humanity, believing human life is parasitic and pointless. Tonight, in the city, a comedian is killed. And, tomorrow the world will end.

This film is brilliantly written, though with great foreboding and dread. The direction here is spot-on, exactly what readers of the graphic novel would expect. Most impressive are the performances, especially Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup!

{Why Alan Moore demanded his name be removed from this production is beyond my comprehension!}

B / R

Starring: Malin Ackerman; Billy Crudup; Jackie Earle Haley; and, Patrick Wilson
Featuring: Matthew Goode and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
With: Matt Frewer and Carla Gugino
Writer: Alex Tse [from the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons]
Director: Zack Snyder

Reel Review by Josef

Coraline

Somehow familiar and without true excitement.

Coraline doesn’t like her new home. She doesn’t particularly like her parents either. And, the neighbor boy stalking her isn’t a friend she would choose. What’s a girl to do with so little... go somewhere much bigger, much more fun, somewhere hidden, secret – but is it safe?

A simple, twisted, tale. Brilliantly animated and decently performed.

C / PG

 

Starring: Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher
Featuring: John Hodgman and Ian McShane
With: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
Writer: Henry Selick [from the book by Neil Gaiman]
Director: Henry Selick

Reel Review by Josef

Sweeney Todd

Attend The Tale Of Sweeney Todd!

Wrongfully imprisoned, a man has returned to London for reunion and revenge. Alas, his wife and child have been taken from him. With his beloved spouse there can be no reunion and his child too may be forever lost to him. Revenge would seem to be all there can be for Mr. Sweeney Todd – but how to do it? Razor in hand, he will return to the work for which he was once most famed... they will come to him and the blood will flow!

An amazingly macabre tale with brilliant song. Astonishingly performed and superbly directed - this live-stage production is not to be missed!

A+ / R

Starring: Marissa McGowan; Kristie Dale Sanders; Stephen Tewksbury; and, James Van Treuren.
Featuring: Leslie Becker; Daniel Bogart; Roland Rusinek; and, Brad Weinstock.
With: Ron DeStefano and Don Mayo.
Writers: Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim [from an adaption by Christopher Bond]
Director: Mark Cuddy

Reel Review by Josef

Push

Something like [NBC’s] “Heroes” on the silver screen.

They’ve been among us for years. They are something more than human, something extraordinary. Taken from their homes, hidden, studied, tested and used. Now is the time foretold, when one of their number will bring about their salvation... but first there must be a revolution.

The story here is not especially strong but if this is just the beginning, a story which is a bit weak and slow should be expected. Typical of action genre films, there is an uneven hand in it’s direction. This is a light load for the performers to carry but they do carry it well.

C / PG2

Starring: Chris Evans; Dakota Fanning; and, Camilla Belle.
Featuring: Djimon Hounsou
With: Cliff Curtis
Writer: David Bourla
Director: Paul McGuigan

Reel Review by Josef

He's Just Not That Into You

A bit too much to be truly romantic, too much like daytime drama – but if you’re into soaps....

The lives and relationships of seven people are interwoven in this story of what woman want, what men need, and what will make or break them. More, this is a story of love and hope and finding the jewel hidden right in front of your eyes.

Decently written and directed, the strength of this film is the brilliant performances!

B / PG2

Starring: Ben Affleck; Jennifer Aniston; Jennifer Connelly; Ginnifer Goodwin; and, Justin Long.
Featuring: Drew Barrymore; Bradley Cooper; and, Scarlett Johansson.
With: Kevin Connolly and Kris Kristofferson.
Writers: Abby Kohn and Mark Silverstein [from the book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo]
Director: Ken Kwapis

Reel Review by Josef

Sahara Nights

A terrific live-stage event!

Once upon a time there was a bored king and a young woman with a love for stories. To relieve the king’s boredom and ease the anxiety of his tyrannized people, she will tell the tales of three men: a daring peasant; an adventurous captain; and, a foolish emperor.

In this production, the popular tales of Shaharazad are retooled for popular culture and delightful humor. Music and song bring more energy to the stage and heighten the audience’s pleasure.

Brilliantly written, set and performed, this production is proof positive of the absolute value of music, drama and arts programs in school!

A / PG

Starring: Mason Ames; Kaylin Cervini; Mike Flanagan; Stephanie Summa; Robert Swanger; and, Samantha Thomas.
Featuring: Sydney Abbate; Anthony Grieco; Aaron Grippo; Moira Madden; Jen Reeves; and, Alex Sinanan.
With: Molly Bliss; Christina Grieco; Chris Mumpton; Jason Phillips; and, Alayna Zimbrich.
Writer(s): Hilton High School Drama Club [adapted from the work of Wade Bradford]
Directors: Leah Oltean and Mike Flanagan

Reel Review by Josef

Car At Denny's

I shall relate to you an incident which occurred just after midnight, Sunday, 01 February 2009 (actual date and time).

After a late show at Regal Theater I drove to Denny’s Restaurant (2890 Ridge Road West) for a late dinner. I am a regular customer at this restaurant, having dinner there at least once a week for the past nine years. Entering the parking lot I drove toward the disabled parking spaces and backed into the first unoccupied space.

As I was parking my car I observed in my rear view mirror two uniformed individuals exiting the restaurant. Setting the gear to park, I observed the shorter individual take a position behind and to the passenger’s side of my car. He stood at a slight angle with his right hand on his weapon, prepared to draw and fire.

WFKL Radio began playing “Carnival” as I applied balm to my lips. My car was still running and I was alone, with my hands, head and face in full view. I now observed the taller man, approaching the car directly. His right hand was set on his weapon while his left hand shone a flashlight through each of my car windows in turn as he approached my door.

Lip balm in hand, I reached for and toggled the switch to lower the glass, opening the window. “Is there a problem?” I asked.

This man reflected the light off my rearview mirror to blind my eyes. “You don’t have a handicapped sticker,” he answered.

Perturbed, I replied, “Really?” And, with my open right hand directed his attention to my visor where my disabled parking permit is customarily and was presently stowed. “I Haven’t Got Out Of The Car Yet,” I continued. Then, re-toggling the switch, I closed the window.

As I listened to the completion of “Carnival” the two men retreated from me and my car then reentered the restaurant. When the song was completed, I turned off the engine, hung my permit from the rear view mirror and exited the vehicle.

On four legs, I made my way to the door and entered the restaurant. Inside, with a normal pace, I approached the two individuals who had approached my vehicle and falsely accused me of a parking violation.

“What’re your names,” I asked in a normal tone.

The taller of the two, averted my gaze but turned his right breast toward me. On it was a tag displaying the moniker “R. Huff”. His partner, belligerently, declared, “We don’t have to give you our names.”

“What you did was wrong,” I told them. “You had no right to approach me with your guns. I didn’t do anything wrong.” The belligerent man avoided my every attempt to view his name tag. The uniforms the men wore appeared to be nothing more than black jeans (or slacks) and a black shirt with a simple name tag on the right breast, some sort of rank insignia on the right shoulder and a logo of some kind. There was nothing bright or easily observed about the shirt. Still, I did notice each of the men also had some kind of white card on their left breast, facing backward and obscured by the flap of the shirt pocket. They each wore belts bearing a gun, a flashlight and [I presume from the shape at the back] handcuffs.

I moved away from the men and took a step toward the registers. The belligerent man stepped in front of me, less than a foot away, with his arms outstretched to his sides, a barrier erected. “You have to leave,” he told me.

“I’m going to speak to the manager.”

“No. You’re Leaving.”

“Is that right? We’ll see what the manager has to say.” I looked to my left for the attention of Denny’s staff but all were ignoring these gestapo. “I will report this to the manager,” I insisted, standing my ground.

“We don’t work for Denny’s,” boasted the belligerent man. That his employer is some security or protection service I have no doubt; however, that employer’s contract is with Denny’s. And, I’m certain the contract would include a provision for removing customers whose conduct is either violent or disorderly. But, I’m equally certain that contract doesn’t include harassing customers.

These armed men are supposed to keep the peace, not disturb it. They have no police authority. They have no right to deny me either entrance or seat. They have no right to refuse to provide their names, submit themselves to complaint. They had neither right nor cause to approach my vehicle in such a menacing manner.

“You have no right to do this,” I declared.

“Around here, We Make The Rules,” belligerent man growled. And, “If you don’t leave now we’ll call nine-one-one.”

Standing there I was disappointed by the failure of Denny’s employees to give this gestapo action any attention. More, I realized I was becoming angry. I don’t do well with angry; so, I turned, saying, “I will report you to your boss,” and approached the exit.

Belligerent man, following only a pace behind, bellowed, “I’m the boss, now get out.”

Outside the restaurant, as I neared the curb, belligerent man, stood at the opened door and, with a change of tone, had the audacity to excuse his behavior, “A cop was killed tonight and we’re not taking any chances.”

I stopped, set myself, turned on my heel, and stood on two legs. Sternly, I replied, “I Did Not Kill That Cop. And, I’ll tell you something else, That Cop Wasn’t Killed By A Guy Parking His Car At Denny’s.”

Speaking Frankly by Lewis

The Reader

Unusually romantic. Compelling and brilliant.

It was a turbulent time in Germany, in the years soon after the end of the second World War, when a teenaged boy met a much older woman. Their affair was mutually loving and gratifying, born, bred and secreted in literature. Years later the boy is now a man recollecting his first love, how it was lost, and all the regret and tragedy which followed.

Brilliantly written and directed, this film is alive with remarkably outstanding performances!

A / PG2

Starring: Kate Winslet; Ralph Fiennes; and, David Kross
Featuring: Bruno Ganz; Hannah Herzeprung; Vijnessa Ferkic; and, Matthias Habich
With: Susanne Lothar; Karoline Herfurth; Alexandra Maria Lara; Volker Bruch
Writer: David Hare [from the book by Bernhard Schlink]
Director: Stephen Daidry

Reel Review by Josef

Revolutionary Road

Morose and forlorn – but outstanding nonetheless!

Frank and April once dreamed of a life singularly free, unique and pleasurable. Still, their life course led them inevitable to a little house in the suburb, raising their children... and pretending to be living happily-ever-after. Now, all their pretense is threatening to crush them. Conformity has robbed them of their once brilliant creativity, stolen their freedom and killed their spirit. But, there is hope, an opportunity to restore all they’ve lost – if only they can get to Paris before the rules of society make yet more demands.

Weakly written and unevenly directed, this film’s strength is in it’s brilliant performances!

B / PG2

Starring: Kate Winslet; Leonardo DiCaprio; and, Kathy Bates
Featuring: Michael Shannon; Kathryn Hahn; David Harbour; and, Jay O. Sanders
With: Richard Easton; Dylan Baker; Zoe Kazan; and, Max Casella
Writer: Justin Haythe [from the book by Richard Yates]

Reel Review by Josef

Taken

Nothing here we haven’t seen before now.

Bryan Mills is a retired covert operative “with a particular set of skills”. Traveling to Paris after his daughter is abducted, he’ll put those skills to use. Anyone and anything between him and her will be destroyed.

Weakly written with typical direction and performances.

D / R

Starring: Liam Neeson
Featuring: Maggie Grace; Famke Janssen; Leland Orser; and, Olivier Rebourdin
With: Jon Gries; Holly Valance; Katie Cassidy; and, Xander Berkeley
Writers: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen
Director: Pierre Morel

Reel Reviews by Josef

House In Hydesville

Wonderfully spooky and mysterious in the first act – woefully less in the second!

In the winter of 1848 a poor family moved from the city (Rochester NY) to Hydesville, some thirty miles to the southeast. The family moved into a small rented cottage, locally known as [because some manner of fatal tragedy had occurred at] “the spook house”. Not long after settling into their new home, the family is plagued by unearthly visitations.

Soon, this haunting became a national event. The family’s new found fame afforded them the opportunity to not only return to the city but tour the nation – and abroad. Surviving Congressional investigation, spearheaded by men and woman who believed the family’s two youngest had “spiritual” power, The National Spiritualist Association of Churches was founded.

But, was there more... what were those strange noises... could it have been a great hoax?

Remarkably well performed this play seemed incomplete and unevenly directed.

D / PG2

Starring: Lauren Orkus; Annie Purcell; and, Lanie MacEwan
Featuring: Kristin Griffith; Michael Rudko; Rachel Rusch; and, Garrett Neergard
Writer: Dan O’Brien
Director: Skip Greer

Reel Reviews by Josef