Criticize This!

New in theaters - November 30, 2007

Awake – A horrifying concept to be sure, Awake stars Hayden Christensen as a man who suffers anesthetical awareness – a condition where anesthesia wears off or fails during surgery and the patient feels everything the doctors are doing but is paralyzed and powerless to do anything. Jessica Alba costars as the unfortunate patient’s wife.

The Savages (In selected theaters) – Two of the finest actors working today, Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman star as estranged siblings who reestablish a bond when they’re forced to care for their ailing father.

GAME REVIEW: Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Wii)

Do you remember your first time? I’m sure most of us do.

For a lot of us it was the first game that exposed us to this magical universe. Perhaps it was number two or three. Maybe you didn’t get your start until Super Nintendo or N64. But the moment you play your first Super Mario game, there’s no denying that it’s an experience you would never forget. Each game not only advanced the series, but advanced the industry itself.

That is until the Gamecube came along and gave us Super Mario Sunshine. I have heard from and talked to many defenders of this game who try to say it is vastly underrated. Like it or hate it though, one can’t deny it just didn’t feel like how it should have when playing a Mario game. It had its moments, but was definitely not setting any standards for gaming, instead feeling more like a step backwards then forwards (and really, was anyone that excited that the major change for this title was a fluid-filled backpack?)

So since Mario 64, we have been left without a full Mario fix and while the Paper Mario series has been great, they are just not the same.

ALBUM REVIEW: The Killers - Sawdust

The Killers
Sawdust
Island, 2007
** out of 5

Welcome to The Killers’ contribution to the annual glut of Christmas rush compilations. Right off the bat, we must deduct a point from Sawdust for the fact that most of these songs have been released before, as B-Sides and bonus tracks on Japanese EPs and whatnot. Essentially, The Killers are forcing their fans to purchase many of the same songs twice because those loyal fans are dying to hear that much-vaunted Lou Reed duet, Tranquilize.

As well, we must deduct another point for the general disoriented air that odds and sods albums always have, no matter who they’re by. There’s a fundamental lack of cohesion: tellingly, the three covers on Sawdust are by First Edition, Dire Straits and Joy Division, respectively. I never thought country-rock, poodle-pop and Manchester gloom had much in common, but I guess I was wrong.

New on DVD - November 27, 2007

Mr Bean's Holiday - Mr. Bean, the most annoying British export to grace our screens, goes on a trip in his second film adventure. Starring Rowan Atkinson. Also available on HD-DVD.

Hot Rod - In this underrated comedy, amateur stuntman Rod Kimble (Andy Samberg) attempts to jump fifteen buses on a motorcycle in order to raise money to help save his stepfather's life. Also available on HD-DVD. 

Waitress - Jenna (Keri Russell) is unhappy with her marriage and pregnant. When a newcomer comes to town, she falls into an unexpected relationship with him. Also starring Jeremy Sisto, Cheryl Hines, and Andy Griffith.

The Namesake Criticize This! pick of the week - Gogol (Kal Penn) has spent his entire life trying to be more American than Indian. He finds his true roots only after a tragedy happens in his family. A decent, yet rushed, adaptation of the book by the same name. Trivia: the French song in the movie (that will stick in your head) is called Riviera Rendezvous by Ursula 1000.

Also available: I Know Who Killed Me, Bratz, Skinwalkers, La Vie En Rose, Stir of Echoes 2: The Homecoming

COMIC BOOKS #16: Batman, Wolverine, Angel, and more!

Batman ascending to be a New God? Read more here, here and here, and watch the video for my take.

Graphic Novels:

Marvel Civil War
Origin

New Issues:

Captain America 32
Action Comics 859
Angel After the Fall

COMIC BOOKS is written, shot, and edited by Madclan

MOVIE REVIEW: The Mist (2007)

The killer creatures lurking in The Mist, a scarily good horror flick based on the Stephen King short story, are nothing compared to some of the people.

Take Mrs. Carmody, for instance.

Carmody, Marcia Gay Harden’s character in the Frank Darabont-directed film, is a religious zealot convinced the ominous mist that enshrouds her small town and the horrible havoc that follows represents the end of the world, God’s punishment for the sins of humanity. She takes it upon herself to convert other survivors, and dispatch anyone who won’t adopt her beliefs. Harden delivers a chilling performance that helps elevate The Mist above much of what passes for horror in theatres these days.

ALBUM REVIEW: Buck 65 - Situation

Buck 65
Situation
Warner Music, 2007
**** out of 5

Have you ever had one of those moments when you overheard something that you wished you hadn’t? Maybe you heard your parents in the next room talking about your Christmas present while they thought you were asleep? I accidentally overheard someone talking about Situation, the new album by eccentric East Coast hip-hop artist Buck 65.

What I heard, probably on the CBC or some other irresponsible rumor monger, is that Situation is a concept album based on an idea of what society was like in 1957, or something like that. Of that I’m not convinced, but no matter. Situation may be Buck 65’s most wholly pleasing album since 2003’s Talking Honky Blues.

TELEVISION: Battlestar Galactica: Razor

**WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD**

Battlestar Galactica fans, myself included, have been champing at the bit to catch Razor, the two-hour extended episode that serves to bridge the gap between season three, which ended earlier this year, and the show’s fourth and final season, which premieres in spring 2008, barring any Hollywood writers’ strike issues.

Airing Saturday at 9pm EST on Space in Canada and Sci Fi Channel in the U.S., Razor won’t provide many answers in regards to the stunning season three finale – the ending of which I won’t go into here for those who haven’t caught it yet. However, it’s a well-crafted and entertaining movie that stands up on its own even for non-fans of the superbly written and acted program. The only difference is that BSG watchers will get the more obscure references.

New in theaters - November 23, 2007

August Rush – Freddie Highmore plays a young musical prodigy searching for his parents (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell), who were unwittingly separated from him following his birth. Robin Williams co-stars as Wizard, who has big plans for the talented youngster.

Enchanted – Junebug’s Amy Adams plays a fairytale princess thrust into the real world, namely Manhattan, by the spell of a wicked queen (Susan Sarandon). Though she’s promised to a perfect prince (James Marsden) in her storybook world she finds herself falling for a flawed but good-intentioned divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey).

MOVIE TRAILER: Cloverfield (2008)

It seems that everyone is talking about Cloverfield - the Blair Witch-esque shot monster movie hitting theatres on January 18th, 2008. Although the studio is not giving away too much in the trailer, the film does look interesting and has peaked my curiosity (having J.J. Abrams attached doesn't hurt either).

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think.

Get More Cloverfield Trailers at TerrorFeed.com