The Wolverine 2013 Review B+

The Wolverine is the follow up to the disappointing X-Men Origins movie.  This film takes the elements we like about the character and takes it to the next level.  What we get is a Yukuza action flick which isn't a bad thing.  The action sequences are marvelously staged and the cinematography is above average.  Director James Mangold is at the helm of this sequel spin off.  Mangold's previous work includes 3:10 to Yuma and the forgettable Knight and Day with Tom Cruse and Cameraon Diaz. 

We first see the Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman locked in a cage for some unspecified reason just before the H-Bomb is dropped on Hiroshima.  Wolverine saves a guard from the nuclear blast by using his bodies healing ability to absorb the flames.  Years later Wolverine is living like a nomad presumably still devastated by the events of X-Men 3.  In the previous film  he is forced to kill Jean Grey aka The Phoenix and becomes so traumatized by this event he chooses to live off the grid.  Conflict happens when his only friend a burly grizzly bear is severely injured by a gang of hunters and Wolverine is forced to end the bears suffering. 

Seeking retribution Wolverine tracks down the hunters and lets them now how unhappy he is about the situation.  I had a problem with this scene because it is a bit of a stretch how he randomly runs into a character named Yukio played by Rila Fukushima.  She is a deadly assassin with precognitive mutant abilities.  I would assume she used her psychic abilities to find Wolverine at that particular bar because it isn't explicitly stated in the movie.

 Yukio convinces Logan to fly to Japan to meet an old friend who we find out is the guard he saved from nuclear blast years ago and is currently on his death bed.  He summoned Wolverine because he wants his mutant healing ability.  Logan is unwilling to help him because he believes death is a natural end.

From this point on the story is about everyone trying to rob the Wolverine of his mutant powers.  I get the feeling that this film largely caters to the Asian film market with it subtle and not so subtle nods to Asian culture.  The movie is very much a Yukuza action flick where we see Wolverines use his claws as deadly weapons, slicing and dicing foes explicitly riding the line between PG-13 and R Rated violence.  I enjoyed the creative action sequences particularly one taking place on top of a 300mph bullet train.  The set design is phenomenal and the cinematography is exceptional giving the movie a particularly slick look.  

The pacing doesn't seem to slow down and stays centrally focused on the Wolverine character.  I would have liked some acknowledgment of the bigger events going on in this expanding marvel universe.  I wanted to know what The Avengers and Shield were currently up to.   My only complaint is that the computer graphics are quite obvious in certain scenes and particularly unnecessary in others.  There is one where  Jackman as Wolverine is in the woods walking along side a computer generated bear.  I don't know if it was an insurance issues but the filmmakers could have had a real bear for that shot.  I have to acknowledge the rigorous training regiment Jackman must have endeared to look the way he does on camera.  According to fit magazines Jackman is taking training advice from former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson. 

The Wolverine is quality entertainment and a recommended travel movie.  Stay for the credits as they lead into the next instalment Bryan Singer's Days of Future Past.  See The Wolverine in theaters B+! 

The Last Fall 2013 Review B+

The Last Fall is a independent film directed by Matthew Cherry.  It is about a professional football player transitioning to life after the game.  Its allot like Love and Basketball meets Any Given Sunday.  I enjoyed the myth busting aspect of this movie with regards to a professional athletes actual salary. Unlike other professional sports football players don't get a guaranteed contract.  When Kyle Bishop (played by Lance Gross) is cut from his team the situation is very jarring for him.  He returns to his hometown embarrassed and broke, his friends are surprised to see him and they are shocked when he is asking for a job.

Directed by Matthew Cherry a former professional football player himself Cherry relocated to Los Angeles and reinvented himself as a filmmaker.  He enrolled in Streetlights a non-profit production assistant training program that teaches people of limited means to become production assistants.  Cherry began his career on the sets of The Game, Heroes and Girlfriends.  The Last Fall was his directorial debut and I find it impressive how Cherry was able to wrangle all these elements in a effective manner.  

Watching this movie I felt the protagonist was sympathetic enough for me to root for however I find the ending a bit of a letdown.  Spoiler alert the main character has to make a critical decision but the movie ends before he makes it.  I can appreciate an opened ended ending but I found it unsatisfying.  I would have preferred to see the main character make the tough decision to continue playing football or explore a new life with his college sweetheart.  This ending nullifies his previous struggle.  

For an independent movie it is unique in that it is largely devoid of racial stereotypes contains little if any profanity or drug use and no nudity.  As a first time director this film is a triumph of technique and cinematography.  I applaud any minority filmmaker that can get a good movie in the can.  I am grading The Last Fall a B+ I look forward to Cherry's next project. 

North Hollywood comic book shop oasis for the imagination.

North Hollywood is a transient town just behind the Hollywood sign and down the street from Universal Studios.  Everyday people with big dreams are always coming and going determined to make there mark in the city of stars.  This is a town of dreamers so its only natural that a comic book shop open in the heart of NoHo.  Located on Lankershim and down the street from Starbucks Blast Off comics is a welcomed oasis for the imagination. 

This is a play ground for the imagination complete with an owner with almost super human abilities.  When asked about a particular title he has an encyclopedic, almost rain man knowledge of all comic books.  

Name any title he can immediately zero in on the the title, writer, year and publisher.... freaky!  Blast Off also specializes in rare comics and collectibles.  I was most impressed by a display bust of Christopher Reeve as Superman from the 1978 movie. 

What I enjoy is the atmosphere the shop is clean and organized it even has a section for young people complete with age appropriate reading material.

I particularly enjoy this shop because it has one of the best graphic novel collections this side of the valley.  Every time I visit I get a good vibe unlike other comic books stores were I feel pressured to buy something as opposed to taking my time to appreciate the artwork so this is indeed a browse friendly store.  

Blast Off Comics is worth your time the owners are passionate about comic books but most importantly they provide good customer service put this place on your radar.