Black Widow

 Hello all. Welcome back to the blog. Well this review has become a mixed bag, with the impeding lawsuit for the House of the Mouse, plenty of fellow reviews have been rude and awful or felt like fluff pieces. So I will delve into today's movie with objective eyes. Catching up with her after the Civil War among the supers, Romanoff is done. Done with the games, the fights and the secrets. This is Black Widow. 

 

Yer gun is digging in my hip...

 

 

 

 

 

Natasha (Scarlett Johansson of Ghost World, Lost in Translation, In Good Company, The Nanny Diaries, Robot Chicken, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Captain Marvel) is tired, hurt and running out of friends. Thor's in Space, Hulk disappeared and several of Captain America's allies are jailed in a super-max prison. Secretary of State, former General Thunderbolt Ross (Altered States, Broadcast News, Until the End of the World, The Plague, Michael, Dark City, Dune, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Changing Lanes, Mr. Brooks, The Incredible Hulk, The Host, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War) is hunting down all those that may break or bend the Sokovia Accords. With no port of harbor, family or friends to rely on, Nat goes back to her old school skill-set and goes off grid (no permanent address, phone number or billing address under her actual name). People somehow forget that Nat was former Spetnaz(Soviet Special Forces) and a former widow of the Red Room. Honey pot traps, espionage and assassination along with her math, science, Russian and English lessons, ballet and gymnastics. My schools never taught me how to garotte someone. Typical.

 

Putting fun back into dysfunctional family!

 

 

 

 

 

A flashback establishes Natasha having a family in Ohio. Her "father" Alexi (David Harbour of Parkland, Rake, The Equalizer, The Newsroom, State of Affairs, Suicide Squad, Human Affairs, Hellboy, Stranger Things and Black Widow), her "mother" Melina (Rachel Weisz of Inspector Morse, Death Machine, The Mummy, Sunshine, The Mummy Returns, About a Boy, The Shape of Things, Runaway Jury, The Fountain, Eragon, Agora, The Deep Blue Sea, Youth, Complete Unknown, and The Light Between Oceans) are undercover agents operating long-term on U.S. Soil. Natasha and her "sister" Yelena operate as concealing the agents and then after escaping to Cuba, the girls are placed in the Red Room. Man, 1995 could get kooky.

 

Attack of Project: Runway!

 

 

 

 

 

Nat's low-key trailer has been outfitted for her needs. Getting weapons for anyone a seasoned spy isn't really difficult. She goes into town to be attacked by an armored clad person that moved like Cap or Hawkeye and even Spider-Man. After a substantial beating, she escapes with a container that was brought to her by her friend/fixer Mason (O-T Fagbenle of As If, Marple, Grownups, Breaking and Entering, Little Miss Jocelyn, Radio Cape Cod, Doctor Who, FM, The Reeds, Material Girl, Double Wedding, Thorne: Scaredycat and Quick Cuts)which was at a safehouse in Budapest and heads out there.

 

Sir, wouldn't it be safer to go after the Hulk?

 

 

 

 

 

With a quick encounter with "sister" Yelena (Florence Pugh of The Falling, Studio City, Marcella, Lady MacBeth, The Commuter, King Lear, Outlaw King, Malevolent, The Little Drummer Girl, Fighting with My Family, Midsommar, Little Women and Black Widow) and by that I mean a severe beating on each. Yelena tells Nat that the Red Room is back in operation, their old handler Dreykov (Ray Winstone of Mr. Right, Fairly Secret Army, Robin Hood, Minder, The Bill, Thief Takers, The Very Thought of You, Woundings, Ripley's Game, The Proposition, All in the Game, Beowulf, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Devil's Tomb and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll), a man that Nat thought she already killed as her way into S.H.I.E.L.D.

The girls need some back-up. So off to find dear old "pop" Alexi a.k.a. The Red Guardian, a Soviet super-soldier whose sole goal was to challenge Captain America to a death bout. I mean it's good to have goals but still, yikes. With a gulag prison break, the girls acquired dear old dad. He and Dreykov were thick as thieves but he too was betrayed by him as well. The only one with close enough ties is still Melina. As a behaviorist scientist, electronic engineer and cybernetics understanding, is essential to the Red Room's existence. Between pheromone suggestion and implants, the widows are fluid, effective and ruthless. Giving them no conscience whatsoever makes them the most effective assassins. In order to stop Dreykov, this dysfunctional family has to unite, work side-by-side and maintain their objectives. Can Natasha and crew handle this mission? Can Dreykov be stopped?

 

Outfit...bunching up...

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few comments to make on the film now. The sister dynamic between Scarlett and Florence seems so spot-on as bickering siblings but at the end of the day they truly do care for one another. A bear of a muscle bound man and a clinical scientist for a mother, these people are the closest thing to a real family that either girl every had. The stunt work between fight scenes, gun fights, car chases siege battles, this feels like The Bourne Identity. You got conspiracy, spy-craft and camaraderie. Proper use of tactics, distribution of skill-sets and compartmentalization. You have the harsh cruelty of their training, to how it had strengthen both young women into weapons of their own choosing. For this one time, they truly have their own objective and they will see it to the end.

The story is there but ultimately it feels like Yelena is taking on her sister's responsibilities, obligations and commitments. As much as this tale is for Natasha showing her past, it does seem to be a lot about of Yelena's origin story as well. With the typical dragging the retired gunfighter back into one more adventure, rejoining a crew that has ill feelings and past hurts, yes it does collectively give a past, present and hints to the future. This is technically not a prequel as it is more of an untold tale for Natasha before the Infinity War. Does it deserve a fraction of the negative reviews? Not really. I can understand how it does feel like the movie got wedged into the continuity of the last ten years but honestly it does feel like it can be a stand alone story. We have elements of family, obligation, honor and duty.

Also can we stop trying to compare the comic book version to the cinematic version. If you want for that all to work story wise, Natasha is over 70 years old, former KGB, S.H.I.E.L.D. Spetnaz and frankly more retconning at ridiculous levels. By that same level of reasoning, comic book Natasha was married to a Red Guardian and had a romantic relationship with the Winter Soldier because Bucky was responsible for her training in the Red Room. Can you imagine how many films it would take to make all that work?!

All in all, I am satisfied with the film. 

 

Pew! Pew pew pew!

 

Deadpool 2

Howdy campers! Welcome back to the slow crawl that is Rotten Reelz Reviews. So hope you have enjoyed using up all your fireworks, scaring the crap out of your neighbors' dogs (Serious note: PLEASE DO NOT BLOW UP your veterans. PTSD is not something to joke about.) as well as drank responsively. Yeah folks hoard their explosives like squirrel do nuts. Anywho, considering the previous film I reviewed it after the Christmas festivities and DID NOT want to wait until next Christmas for the sequel; I thought we would come together and take in the furthering wacky adventures with the Merc with the Mouth. This is Deadpool 2: The Quickening.

 

Really love the gelled look. You wear it well.

 

 

 

 

 

Relax! I was kidding about the subtitle. No one wants to be reminded of that Highlander sequel. "OoOoo we made immortal warriors from every walk of life and continent. How do we screw that up? I GOT IT! ALIENS!" That's a whole other rant of which I will be avoiding like the plague right now. 

No,instead we focus on Freddy Kruger with an 8 pack, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds of Van Wilder, Blade: Trinity, The Amityville Horror, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Proposal, Green Lantern, Safe House, R.I.P.D. And Deadpool) after the substantial success of the first movie, Deadpool is off doing what only he can do best. Dick and fart jokes while either gunning down a contract or running them through with a ninjato (movie concept sword, not a real blade). He reaches a snag with his last contract as his future deadie locked himself in a panic room. Heading back to the crash pad with the lovely Vanessa (Morena Baccarin of Firefly, Serenity, Justice League Unlimited, Stargate SG-1, Stargate: the Ark of Truth, V, Back in the Day, Son of Batman and Batman: Bad Blood), future deadie tracks Wade down and alas Vanessa is caught in the crossfire. Being basically immortal due to his healing factor, Wade cannot drink himself to death, being hit by bus or blown up without coming back to life. Bit of a down note when you lose your love.

 

That's my spleen, you ass!

 

 

 

 

 

After being rescued from himself by Colossus (Stefan Kapicic of Almost Ordinary Story, Slobodan pad, Mali polozajnik, The Brother Bloom, Big Miracle, One Shot, Deadpool and Love,Death &Robots), Wilson ends up living at the X-mansion which seems to only really consist of Colossus, Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand of Prism, Deadpool, Tragedy Girls, The Exorcist, Love Daily, Momster, Playing with Fire and Runt), a kinetic absorbing and re-channeling teenager with the most lengthy name and Nega's girlfriend Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna of A Boy and his Samurai, Beck, Detective Conan: Shinichi Kudo's Written Challenge! The Mystery of the Legendary Strange Bird, Girl's Compass, My Back Pages, Detective Conan: Shinichi Kudo's Written Challenge, Working Holiday and Bitter Blood), an energy projector and martial artist prowess. Prowess. A word I hardly ever get to use. Sorry, still stewing over Highlander 2. Planet Ziest can kiss my ass!!!

 

 

Pew pew! Pew pew pew!

 

 

 

 

 

 

a mission of mercy comes the X-Men's way as this will help Wade get out of his funk, saving a young delinquent, Russel Collins a.k.a. Firefist (Julian Dennison of Paper Planes, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Love and Time Travel, Deadpool 2, The Strange Chores and Godzilla vs. Kong) from himself and his um...fiery temper? Wade figures out quickly the guy running this orphanage is more Uncle Touchy and less Oliver Twist, he ventilates one of the staff, dropping his cantankerous cancerous self into a supermax prision. No sooner than you can prision shank, a cyborg warrior with the moniker of Cable (Josh Brolin of The Goonies, Thrasin', Prison for Children, The Road Killers, Nightwatch, Mimic, Hollow Man, No Country for Old Men, Planet Terror, Jonah Hex, Men in Black 3, Avengers: Infinity War, Deadpool 2 and Avengers: Endgame) is hell-bent to punching Russel's clock. Deadpool intervenes and well a substantial prison riot and smack-down fight is on. Free for good behavior (No,he escaped. Are you even serious with that look?!), Deadpool decides he'll need a crack team of badasses to deal with Cable and keep Russel from dying. It has become his mission. He is...well kinda Sarah Connor in these circumstances. Meh, could be worse. 

 

Catch that taco truck!

 

 

 

 

 

With his recruitment drive along with wisecracking sidekick Weasel (T.J.Miller of Carpoolers, Extract, She's Out of My League, How to Train Your Dragon, Gulliver's Travels, T.J. Miller: No Real Reason and T.J. Miller: Meticulously Ridiculous), the boys of blam put a team together for the gig.

Shatterstar (Lewis Tan of NCIS: Los Angeles, 10,000 Days, Sacrifice, Mortal Kombat X: Generations, Hawaii Five-0, Iron Fist, Den of Thieves, Deadpool 2 and Into the Badlands) an alien warrior from a land far, far away. Bedlam (Terry Crews of Serving Sara, Deliver Us from Eva, Starsky & Hutch, White Chicks, Balls of Fury, The Expendables, Scary Movie V, Ultimate Spider-Man, The Expendables 2, and Reach Me) disrupts electrical fields (Wonder if he could fire the electrical synapes of the brain...) Zietgiest (Bill Skarsgard of Simon & the Oaks, Allegiant, Atomic Blonde, IT, Battlecreek, Assassination Nation, Deadpool 2, IT Chapter Two, Nine Days and The Devil All the Time) a being able to regurgitate acidic vomit and SWEET MUPPETITY ZEUS, That's New Pennywise! NOPE NOOOPE! ALL THE NOPES! NO FRICKIN' CLOWNS! NEXT! And lucky born, gun wielding Domino (Zazie Beatz of Applesauce, Wolves, Sollers Point, Geostorm, Deadpool 2, Wounds, Easy and Joker), where luck seems to make everything go her way, in spite of DP's insistence that luck isn't a superpower. I would have mentioned Vanisher but it's Brad Pitt having a goof. Last but certainly not least...Peter (Rob Delaney of Wild Girls Gone, Mash Up, Key and Peele, Bra League, Funny as Hell, Deadpool 2, Trust, Bitz and Bob, The Hustle, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Last Christmas, Bombshell and Tom and Jerry). Uh no powers, abilities or even a particular set of skills. He was bored and answered the ad. So of course he's a go! Again, did we not establish Deadpool is batshit crazy?

With mission a green light...spoilers. It ends in tears. Domino, Deadpool and Cable play less grab ass and more team-up to deal with Russel and his new bosom buddy the Juggernaut?? No worries, it's not Vinnie Jones this time but really obvious CGI and voiced by that hack Ryan Reynolds. Who let this guy...what? Oh he's been Deadpool all along? Where was my head? Oh yeah...Highlander II: The Crappening. Getting word to Nega, Yukio and Colossus on a much needed Juggernaut trouncing, the mutant misfits make their way to the orphanage of ill-repute (Running gag in the X titles, you'll see the name Essex in corporations, foundations and yeah it all leads back to a mad scientist genetist, Mr. Sinister. SPOILER!)

Can Deadpool reason with Russel? Will Cable give him the boomstick business? Will Vanisher ever reappear?

Now I had seen the original theatrical release which had plenty of rank jokes, gore laden gunfights and general squirrelly behavior you would expect in anything associated with Deadpool. There is also the PG-13 re-shoots with abducted and beloved child star actor, Fred Savage. That I have not seen. Buuuuut, I am reviewing the Unrated version of the jokes they weren't able to put in front of world viewer because it would make them question their moral compass or cause them anal fissures. Hell, I don't know other than some of the jokes and graphic deaths were a bit awful. Seriously, my country is now known as the Land of the Butt Hurt.

Anyway, the Unrated version is 15 additional minutes of very wrong and nuttier than squirrel poop (Three different squirrel references! Were you even counting?) and I had a blast with it. Established R rating from the get-go like the original. Did you guys even read how many lawsuits were attempting to be filed from the original flicks? Kids wanted to see Deadpool! TOUGH TITTY! R Rating was quite obvious to anyone with ears or eyes. So plenty fourth wall breaks, in-jokes and other such pop culture references to make most of the geeks happy. 

 

Cable doesn't do dub-step.  Apparently.

 

The Return of Swamp Thing

 Welcome back Readers of Rotten. I am trying to get more blogs out this summer, while looking for more writing work. Any freelance writing suggestions, feel free to toss them my way. Today I wanted to continue a tragic hero of the DC Comics universe. Now I know that is extremely vague and doesn't help anyone but I am getting to the character. For a couple of actors, they will be reprising roles in the continuation of the harrowing adventures of Doctor Alec Holland. This is The Return of Swamp Thing.

 

Ayyyy....

 

 

 

 

 

With the recurrence of this noteworthy and dark storyline based character, Doctor Holland a.k.a. The plant/man hybrid known as Swamp Thing (Dick Durock of Stand By Me, Swamp Thing, Runaway Train, Return of Swamp Thing, Delirious, Swamp Thing TV series, Die Hard with a Vengeance and The Hunted) has a life filled with agony and loss.   Wes Craven's original run gave us his humble beginnings as a passionate scientist, whose only concern was to aid his fellow humanity with his restoration formula that would magnify both plant and animal.   This time however, we get a more tongue in cheek story with Jim Wynorski (The Lost Empire, Chopping Mall, Sorceress, Hard Bounty, Demolition High, Against the Law, Raptor, Busty Cops and The Curse of the Komodo) at the director's helm. 

 

First, kippers and then take over the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 With our film opening with bubbly Abigail Arcane (Heather Locklear of City Killer, T.J. Hooker, Dynasty, Melrose Place, Double Tap, Spin City, Scrubs and Looney Tunes: Back in Action) who is bustling about finishing her packing and heading out to attend her mother's funeral.  A somber event no doubt.   With that she visits her stepfather Dr. Anton Arcane (Louis Jourdan of Letter from an Unknown Woman, Gigi, The Swan, Escapade, The V.I.P.s, The Young Rebel, Swamp Thing, Octopussy and Counterforce), who Abby hasn't really seen since she was a little girl.   The "good" doctor has always been consumed by his work. After a near death experience, Arcane wishes to make amends to Abby and assure her she is the most important thing in her life. Abby strikes me as a tad naive.  How can I say such?   Well her dad has a private mercenary army at his fingertips. Seriously this cat has more protection than Dr. Quest. 

 

Bill Shatner, you go too far!

 

 

 

 

 

Of his gunsels...hmm thugs? Mercs? Oh I got it! Lickspittles! Head of security Lickspittle! Mr. Gunn (Joey Sagal of World War III, Final Jeopardy, Quiet Cool, The Hidden, Out for Blood, Bloodfist VII: Manhunt, Barb Wire, Whatever It Takes, Lost Treasure and Retrograde) and Ms. Poinsettia (the lovely Monique Gabrielle of Deathstalker II, Bachelor Party, Emmanuelle 5, Amazon Women on the Moon, The Big Bet, Not of This Earth, Hard to Die, Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger, 976-Evil II, Evil Toons and Angel Eyes) have enough sexual tension between them, pretty sure the rest of the guards are chuckling and commenting quietly, "Just screw already." Now I am certain some of you are confused.  To recap, Dr. Acane had Swamp Thing flogged, netted and then chained up.   He attempted to duplicate Holland's formula, had a goof and morphed into a chitinous mutant pig monster that Swampy dispatched.   Soooo...what in the cheese and crackers is a-going on?

 

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the assistance of Dr. Zurrell (The stunning Sarah Douglas of The People That Time Forgot, Superman, Thundercloud, Superman II, Conan the Destroyer, Falcon Crest, Beastermaster 2 Through the Portal of Time, Return of the Living Dead III, The Demolitionist, Stargate SG-1 and Heavy Gear: The Animated Series) whom Arcane has been seeing and Dr. Rochelle (Ace Mask of Big Bad Mama II, Not of This Earth, The Return of Swamp Thing, Transylvania Twist, 976-Evil II, Munchie, Sins of Desire, Ghoulies IV, Victim of Desire,Babylon 5 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) have been working on these various mutations trying to re-create the formula and flooding the swamps with mutants. They tampered in God's domain and Gunn's men haven't really busted their collective butts to capture them all.   C'mon, Doc. Ya gotta pay the overtime.

Let's not forget those darn, pesky kids Darryl (Daniel Emery Taylor of The Return of Swamp Thing, Road Trip, Hell-ephone, Hell House, The Legacy, Resurrection, Night of the Cannibals, Mountain Mafia, Camp Massacre and For a Few Zombies More) and Omar (RonReaco Lee of The Return of Swamp Thing, Career Opportunities, Paris Trout, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, Sister,Sister, Girlfriends, Committed and The Shield) whose parents clearly are not watching them AT ALL. Yes they are a bit of comic relief, kid hi-jinks and an element of the big green's humanity. At 6'6", I think we can call him a jolly green giant.

 

Swampy spends a little time with these two, saves them from a few mutants and even poses with them for a few pics. Pre-Selfie! What we have here is a superhero story of Swamp Thing falling for Abby and vice versa. Arcane is being a typical mad scientist and control freak and some good fight sequences and explosions. Hell we even get Swamp Thing getting behind the wheel of a jeep. Not to mention CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival for you younger readers) Born on the Bayou as opening credits intro. Flawless victory!!

Is it a bit goofy? Yes. Does that bother me? Hell no. We got mutates, Swamp Thing getting to smack creatures and mercs around like tennis balls and maybe even get a girl. Anything's possible. For me I saw this when I rented it from Blockbuster in the day. We got it and had no expectations, only to be pleasantly surprised. I loved it and have it in the collection. So yes, old school superhero fans grab a copy, you'll thank me. 

 

Hehe, I'm high on...me.

 

 

The Misfits

 Greetings, Readers of the Rotten. Today is a recent release because I needed a break from the typical stuff I view. A mixture of a heist movie worthy of Ocean's 11 and The Italian Job with the stunt work car chases of a Fast and Furious flick. Round that out with a decent cast along with the charm of Pierce Brosnan. This is The Misfits.

 

Vodka martini? Stop copying me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quick heads up for potential viewers of this movie. Nick Cannon does a lot of narration voice over in this film. You have been warned if you're not a fan of his voice. If this isn't a problem then disregard the warning.

A gentleman thief, Richard Pace (Pierce Brosnan of Remington Steele, Noble House, The Deceivers, The Lawnmower Man, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Thomas Crown Affair, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Laws of Attraction and Momma Mia) breaks out of a maximum security prison, his fourth one in fact and is off to acquire ill-gotten gains. With a bit of detail, he knows of a fat cat Kuwaitti prince with a collection of expensive time pieces, making him easy pickings. No sooner has he snatched up the watches, the local police, FBI and the creator of said private prison Shultz (Tim Roth of Resevoir Dogs, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Pulp Fiction, Rob Roy, Four Rooms, No Way Home, Planet of the Apes, The Musketeer, The Incredible Hulk, Lie to Me and Broken). Shultz may be a trifle miffed with Pace. There's the escaping his prisons and making him look professionally like an ass but Pace also plowed Shultz's wife soooo...yeah, that could be motive.

Yeah, I know Tarantino.

 

 

 

 

 

With watches in hand, the authorities hot on his heels, Pace accepts a lift from his mark, simply known as The Prince (producer/actor Rami Jaber of 2 Hours 2 Vegas, Fate, Tough Love, The Misfits, Last Man Standing, WarHunt and The Good Neighbor). A con man, fixer and wheeler and dealer of justice.

His crew, the Misfits deal justice to people cheating the system, swindlers, deadbeat dads and general scumbags. The Prince's face, Ringo (Producer/writer/actor Nick Cannon of All That, Shall We Dance, Roll Bounce, Even Money, Monster House, Weapons, Day of the Dead, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Berserk and The Misfits), hardass strong armViolet (Jamie Chung of Samurai Girl, Dragonball Evolution, Sorority Row, Sucker Punch, The Hangover Part II, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Gotham, 1985, The Gifted, Sherwood and Dangerous Lies) and explosives expert Wick (Mike Angelo of Full House, Surprise, Raak Boon 2, Wuxin: The Monster Killer, Kiss Me, My Little Princess and Mr. Swimmer). 

 

WHAT?! WE CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This crew brings Pace a chance to pull a major heist. In one of the prisons outside Dubai is devices set aside for terrorism campaigns. 35 million in gold bars. The thing is they want to steal the gold and do good with it. Pace has been looking out for himself since he started being a thief. It has costed him a marriage and a strained relationship with his daughter, Hope (Hermione Corfield of 50 Kisses, Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Fallen, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, The Halcyon, Bees Make Honey, Star Wars: Episode VIII- The Last Jedi, Rust Creek and Slaughterhouse Rulez), a UNICEF worker and may have learned a fair amount of skills from her father at an impressionable age. Bumping into Hope, the alarm bells go off in my head. An impressive caper, the random encounter with his daughter and Shultz hot on his heels?? C'mon Pace, there are no coincidences.

Hope still holds out...well hope that her father can be altruistic and do some good by removing this gold to avoid future terrorism. The crew is solid, the plan is feasible but there is a lot of planning and prep. Thankfully "The Prince" has deep, deep pockets. Think Tony Stark mixed with even more connections and contacts. Less armored suits of course.

Will Pace and crew pull this off? Will Shultz have them all in the slammer?

So overall, it is a pretty predictable story but I have seen enough heist flicks that the formulae is easy enough to create. The dialogue feels dummy down to appeal to a larger audience but it doesn't detract from the full staple in the film. Six individuals doing good and is loving every minute of it. It didn't blow me away but it was well-executed.

 Pierce and Jamie have a bit of sexual tension there and that felt like they just wanted the same effect of Grace Kelly and Cary Grant via To Catch a Thief with a mixture of The Italian Job car stunts and Ocean's Eleven worthy con jobs. As a whole, it was an enjoyable film and I could watch again. 

 

I miss teleporting.

 

Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe

 What's going on kiddies? We're back with the day of June 22^nd is the birthday of actor/writer/producer Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead, Moontrap, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Tornado!, Escape from L.A., Ellen, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena: Warrior Princess, Bubba Ho-Tep and Burn Notice). From the humble Super 8 beginnings to three novels, this actor boy has been a Three Stooges fan as a lad and got the acting bug roughly about the same time. Today's movie gives us a glimpse into Burn Notice character, Sam Axe and what brought about his mustering out of rank and military clearance. This is Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe.

 

Ash and the Mandalorian side-by-side

 

 

 

 

 

 As our film opens, Sam (Bruce Campbell, in case you missed that.) is in his dress uniform and being brought before a military hearing for his conduct of his last "fact finding" mission in Columbia 3 years prior to the series. The fact this hearing is even happening means everything went pear shaped or SNAFU. Admiral Lawrence (John Diehl of Stripes, Miami Vice, Fail Safe, Lost Souls, The Zeros, Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park III, The Shield, Land of Plenty, Point Pleasant, Gary's Walk and Gabe the Cupid Dog) wants Sam to walk him through all these events that lead up to the flaming dumpster fire of a mission.

 

What do you mean "sidekicks"?

 

 

 

 

 

As Sam re-accounts his actions bringing him to his mission, he was doing a bit of reconnaissance... or spot the submarine with a rather dishy blonde, Donna (Chandra West of Universal Soldier II: Brother in Arms, Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business, NYPD Blue, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, The Gates, Z and Spiral). The downside to this lover connection? She happens to be the wife of his superior officer, Admiral Maitland (Alex Fernandez of F.E.A.R. 3, Driver: San Francisco, NCIS, Dallas, Killer Women, Devious Maids, True Detective, Stevie D, Lucifer and Christmas Crime Story). Talk about not taking in your surroundings.

 

Can't help you, Sam. I'm just a cameo.

 

 

 

 

 

A near miss with Maitland, Sam leans on his buddy, Michael Westen (Jeffery Donovan of Bait, The Blair Witch Project 2: Book of Shadows, Touching Evil, Hitch, Crossing Jordan, Burn Notice, Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, Sicario, Shut Eye and Wonder Woman: Bloodlines) back between missions in Afghanistan, takes in Axe's blunder and gives him the advice to lay low and avoid the whole mess.

  No sooner does Sam leave the bar hopping, he is picked up by the SP (Shore Patrol) and delivered to Maitland. Rather than hanging Sam from a yard arm, Axe is given a mission to Columbia to observe the accounts of a rebel movement, Espada Adriente (Flaming Sword, gringos) and work with army liaison Comandante Veracruz (Pedro Pascal of The Good Wife, Lights Out, The Adjustment Bureau, Sweet Little Lies, Red Widow, Game of Thrones, Graceland, The Mentalist and The Mandalorian) then report back their findings. As time passes, Sam feels this is no milk run and uncovers the Colombian army under Veracruz seems to be heavily involved in cocaine trafficking. Ho boy. 

 

Okay, kid. Look. I just like Boba Fett more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting with a relief aid worker, Amanda Maples(Kiele Sanchez of Married to the Kellys, Related, Lost, Football Wives, Samantha Who?, Insanitarium, A Perfect Getaway, 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, The Glades, The Purge: Anarchy and Kingdom) and only doctor in the region, Ben Delaney (RonReaco Lee of Man of Your Dreams, Madea Goes to Jail, Worst Week, In the Motherhood, The Good Guys, Let's Stay Together, Complications, We Are Family, The Quad and Running Out of Time), along with seemingly lost orphan Beatriz (Ilza Ponko of La Teacher de Ingles, Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, Burn Notice, Lynch, The Darkness, Hands of Stone, La Piloto, Ruta Madre and La Reina Soy Yo). The Colombian army is coming down on Sam's head and all the people he may have interacted with. Armed with peasants, farmers and locals, Axe is feeling the hurt and running out of ideas and gas. All must be made silent.  Kinda getting the vibe they have mass burial sites at the ready for such an occasion.

Beatriz wants to fight along side Sam but he wants her to do something to give them an edge instead. Sam has to get the good guys on his side against Veracruz, who is claiming anything he chooses to discredit Sam and then go mop them up. 

 

With directorial by Jeffery Donovan, he and Matt Nix (writer and creator of Burn Notice) got Bruce's speech patterns and dropped a bit of dialogue that worked well with him. A few spoilers is Bruce getting the use of a chainsaw and yes Deadites, we do get a groovy in there. A few goofs I noticed and only because I am a military brat, I give you the following: Naval officers wear white shoes not black ones with dress uniform and he wasn't wearing his SEAL trident.

As far as film goofs of continuity, I couldn't help but notice Sam had his sidearm the whole time, including being kidnapped prior. Overall, the Campbell fans and Burn Notice fans will appreciate this TV movie. I think Matt Nix might have been a Get Smart fan as the opening sequence was similar to the hallway walk through.

Happy 63^rd birthday, El Jefe!

 

Soooo...no beer then?

 

Justice Society: World War II

 Hey all and welcome back to the blog. Today is Memorial Day and we are staying away from the typical Indie films and gore fest horror flicks. I thought we'd make our way back to Warner Brothers and enjoy an animated film. With the fate of the world in the balance, a traveler will be witness to these events and help where he can. This is Justice Society World War II. 

 

The pilot and the princess.

 

 

 

 

 

With something as simple as a picnic out of town, Barry Allen a.k.a.the scarlet speedster, The Flash (Matt Bomer of Tru Calling, Traveler, Chuck, Superman: Unbound, White Collar, Will & Grace and Doom Patrol) is on a date with his long-time girlfriend Iris West (Ashleigh LaThrop of Sirens, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, The 100, The Kominsky Method and Utopia). Barry is nervous and still not exactly how to balance being a hero, a forensic officer and boyfriend.

Granted I could slap Barry for choosing Metropolis for a picnic in the park. METROPOLIS?!!! What's a matter, Barry? Gotham at midnight was already taken? Iris makes her point, stresses her love and want of growth with Barry but isn't certain if he wants the same thing. An explosion occurs and Barry runs into action, teaming up with Superman (Darren Criss of Glee, American Horror Story, Supergirl, The Flash, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, American Crime Story, Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Midway and Superman: Man of Tomorrow)against the cybernetic organism known as Brainiac.

With a series of McGuffin events tied together, Barry gets chucked into the speed force, transporting him into another place and time. Clad in his suit and getting bounced about, Flash lands in front of all people during civilians being shot at by Nazis..? Confused but being the good man he is, Flash proceeds to take the soldiers down, leaving them unconscious when he is violently grabbed and slammed against the wall by the Amazon princess herself, Wonder Woman (Stana Katic of ER, 24, Quantum of Solace, The Spirit, Castle, Batman: Arkham City and Absentia). A military outfit of special forces and metahumans code-named Justice Society with archelogist/reincarnated warrior prince, Hawkman (Omid Abtahi of My Own Worst Enemy, Brothers, Last Resort, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, DuckTales, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, The Mandalorian and American Gods), the martial artist with a sonic cry, Black Canary (Elysia Rotaru of iZombie, Supernatural, Countdown, Arrow, Reapers, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Residue, Lone Echo, Dead Again in Tombstone and The Age of Adulting) 

Flying the not so friendly skies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chemist/physicist and speedster Jay Garrick/Flash (Armen Taylor of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Rage 2, One Punch Man, Crystar, Call of Duty: Mobile, Wicked Woods: A Descendants Halloween Story, Kingdom Under Fire II, Asgard's Wrath, Super Wings!, Darksiders Genesis, Yakuza: Like a Dragon and The Seven Deadly Sins), chemist/physicist and strong man Hourman (Matthew Mercer of Resident Evil: Damnation, Fire Emblem: Awakening, Fallout 4, Overwatch, Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045, The Last of Us: Part II and Blood of Zeus) and USAF Colonel and liason for the team, Steven Trevor (Chris Diamantopoulos of Family Guy, Skylanders Academy, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Go Away, Unicorn!, Disney Mickey Mouse, Silicon Valley, Harley Quinn, Dirty Diana and American Dad!).

 

TOO MUCH COFFEE!! Gotta pee, gotta pee, gotta pee!

 

 

 

 

 

The overseas combat stretches around the world (as the name World War would indicate) and our service men are hard at work. Their war correspondent dubbed Shakespeare tabulates their stories but has to keep the team out of the headlines as they're a secret weapon against the Axis powers. With Hitler's forces encroaching throughout the world, trying to claim religious artifacts for further the Reich, our heroes must work together, putting aside their differences and join in this struggle as one.

With Trevor being smitten by the Amazon princess, there is also a bit of sexual tension between the Canary and the Egyptian war prince. Hourman and Jay have common ground as scientists. Barry also connects to both scientist heroes. With all that is going on, the Alantians are also throwing in their weight to the surface world. With a few examples similar to Barry's time, he notices this isn't simply the past but a different world. An Earth-2 if you will.

 

AMAZON FURY!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can the heroes stop the awaiting onslaught? Can good triumph over evil?

This story gives credit to DC comics writing as far back as the early 60s when the JSA (Justice Society of America) and the JLA (Justice League of America) were establishing timelines and continuity. These stories are older than I am and this film tips its hat to, really projecting the Golden and Silver Age of DC Comics. Did I enjoy it? Yes, very much. Was there anything to complain about? A few things but not enough to give credence too. I know, me not complaining about a flick is almost unheard of. Young and old will enjoy the action-packed film and have a good time with it as well.

 

Another budget meeting.

 

The Mandalorian Season 2

 

Welcome back oh Readers of said Rotten. I thought we would take a small break from Indie Horror and Indie Action and go the franchise that many new and old fans are enjoying this particular creation of Jon Favreau (Swingers, Made, Zathura, Iron Man, Iron Man 2 and Cowboys & Aliens) as Disney carries on the galaxy far, far away.

This is The Mandalorian Season 2.

Well, this is another fine mess you have gotten us in, Mando.

 

 

 

 

 

Catching back with the Mando (Pedro Pascal of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sisters, The Good Wife, Lights Out, The Adjustment Bureau, Burn Notice: The Fall of Sam Axe, Sweet Little Lies, Red Widow, Game of Thrones and Graceland) as he is now a clan or tribe of two. His mission is to watch over the child and bring him to his own people. To do this, he will have to find fellow Mandalorians and his best best is hitting the Outer Rim systems. With hunters chasing the Razorcrest down, plus Remnants of the Empire in full swing, the sky is getting crowded.

Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito of Miami Vice, Sweet Lorraine, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, New York Undercover, Big City Blues, Homicide: Life on the Street, The $treet, Girls Club, Chupacabra Terror, South Beach, Breaking Bad and Payday 2) current commander of the former Imperial sector has need of the child as he has exhibited a high degree of natural force control. Most likely another means to an end.

Beskar's chafing my ass, Phil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mando can't always be the lone gunfighter. He has made quite a few enemies but thankfully he also has allies.  Greef Karga (Carl Weathers of Rocky, Rocky II, Death Hunt, Fortune Dane, Predator, Action Jackson, Tour of Duty, Street Justice, In the Heat of the Night, Happy Gilmore, Assault on Devil's Island, Brothers and Magnum P.I.) running the township of Nevarro, alongside former Rebel ground trooper Cara Dune (Gina Carano of Blood and Bone, Haywire, Almost Human, In the Blood, Heist, Deadpool, Daughter of the Wolf, Mandness in the Method and The Mandalorian) With the shadow of the Empire's end and the light of the New Republic being formed, the galaxy is quite busy.

This season pushes the conventional story telling bringing in new threats, new character and reprise characters you have encountered before. Guaranteed to offer something you may have or not seen before.

 

Mon Calmari's tough on drunk spacing.

 

 

 

 

 

Following a trail of bread crumbs, Mando is trying his level best to watch over the child, contact those that could instruct the boy in the Force and handle bounties as always. Going from being a manhunter to being a guardian is a shift in his character's dynamic and he wears it well, in spite of being out of his element.

What makes this series highly enjoyable, is the simplistic writing but complex characters. Almost every facet of it feels like the proverbial Spaghetti Western. The lone gunslinger helping the helpless, facing bandits, back shooters and existing government men. All the while, it incorporates the Star Wars legacy of stories yet to come. From effects, costumes and vehicle set and planetary set designs, you cannot help but feel you have sat through a Star Wars mini-movie. Heroes, villains and everyone caught in-between, this is the Star Wars continuation that you look forward to.

As a child of the original era, I can say I have thoroughly enjoyed these two seasons and really look forward to seeing the next adventures to come. 

 

I'm still adorable, right?