Aeon Flux

Aeon Flux was on Sky movies recently so I sat down to watch my recording last night.

Well, I won't be keeping it on the Hard Disc. Fairly pants with a stupid and illogical plot which was badly explained. The action sequences were not a patch on the Matrix which it was trying to imitate.

One or two nice concepts, the remote control ball bearings for one, but they were few and far between. The sets and Charlize Theron looked good though.

Still not recommended.

A quick trip to Forbidden Planet

I made a quick detour into town on Friday and stopped by FP to see what had arrived this week.

Three new comics for me:

Fantastic Four 547
She-Hulk 19
Wolverine:Origins 15

I did spot on the cover of Wizard (I think) the big shock from Avengers #31. My own fault really, I've had the issue over a week and was aware that something major happens. I'll discuss when I review the comic, which is top of the pile after I've finished the Garth Nix trilogy (nearly there).

I must admit, I'm itching to read some of the stuff that I've got recently.

Heroes Chapters 19 & 20

It's been a week since I watched Chapter 19 "0.07%" and I can't remember a great deal about it. I do remember thinking that it was an average episode which asked more questions than answered. We got to meet Linderman and found out what his plan is and Sylar did his thing. Then right at the end things got interesting when Hiro and Ando jumped 5 years into the future.

And so in Chapter 20 "Five Years Gone" we see a possible future.

This was very much like Uncanny X-Men #142 and #143 "Days of Future Past" which really defined the direction of the X-men for the next decade (and beyond for all I know as I no longer read that title).

Anyway, I thought it was a cool episode. Will it define the show because the future it showed was dark and the mutants were being persecuted? Lets hope things don't get too drawn out like the X-Men.

Lirael

This is the second part of the Old World trilogy following Sabriel.

The story is set around 19 years after Sabriel was finished - lots has happened since then but new/old magic is emerging to threaten the Old Kingdom.

Lirael is a new character but we are quickly introduced to her and the world of the Clayr - who have the potential to see the future. The story starts in the north of the Kingdom in the Clayr Glacier but eventually moves south as Lirael leaves the Glacier on a rescue mission.

I didn't guess Lirael's connection to the Royal Family (although the clues were there) which probably increased my enjoyment of the book as I don't seem to be able to guess what's going to happen. Some good characters such as the Disreputable Dog but not quite as much humour as Book 1.

Still very enjoyable and I picked up Book 3 straightaway.

New Comics and Trades

New Stuff bought in Forbidden Planet last Thursday (21 June)

Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman Trinity HC

New Avengers:Illuminati (2006) 3

Wolverine (2003) 54

Avengers: The Initiative 3

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man 21

New Avengers 31

Hulk 107

Amazing Spider-man 541

Fallen Son: Spider-man 4

Captain America (2005) 27

World War Hulk 1

Jack Staff King Size Special

I also got All Star Superman Vol 1 HC via Amazon yesterday.

Lots of good stuff to read when I've finished the Garth Nix Old Kingdom trilogy. The trades are going to have to wait for a bit as I really need to get up-to-date on current comics. Especially The Hulk. I've still to read all those Planet Hulk issues.

Seven Ages of Rock

There have been 3 more episodes of the 7 Ages of Rock on BBC since I last discussed it. One on Punk, another on Metal and the latest on Stadium Rock.

Except for Punk, I can consider myself reasonably knowledgeable about the other two genres and so I learnt little from the programmes but still found them enjoyable.

There were a few errors but on the whole the history was reasonably covered. In the stadium episode the bands featured were Queen, U2, The Police, Dire Straits, a bit of KISS and Bruce Springstein???

The inclusion of Springstein seemed a bit tenuous to me. Sure he might have played a stadium or two but he seemed to be included because his music contained a political message.

The fact that it was generally shite didn't matter.

Amusingly, many of his songs were misunderstood which proves, I believe, that it wasn't the message people went to hear. People go to rock concerts to hear good songs, be entertained and enjoy listening to music with like-minded people to be part of an event.

Queen certainly define this and I expect U2 and The Police were similar ( however the impact of a 3 piece in a stadium must be minimal).

The next episode features two of the crappest rock bands ever to be successful - Nirvana and REM. I don't think I could sit through an hour of that ( and I happily watched the punk episode and I'm certainly not a fan of that genre).

On another music note: I've now achieved another new years ambition by finally downloading music. I bought the three new tracks off Black Sabbath: The Dio years for 89p each. Saved a few pounds from having to buy a compilation album which I've got the majority of the tracks.

It was very easy and so I'll think about getting the odd track which I'd like which are from albums which I don't want to buy.

Future She-Hulk

CBR report that Peter David will be taking over on She-Hulk with issue #22.

So Dan Slott is leaving to take over a another project (see below)

Although I'm not happy to see Slotty go (his run of nearly 30+ issues must be one of my all-time favourites) Peter David is perhaps one of only a few creators who could take over and at least keep a similar mood. Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire would have been good and I think Brian K. Vaughen would have been an interesting choice.

We will see.

Bits and pieces

Interesting news on Comic Book Resources concerning the future of the Spider-man titles. I wonder who will be writing and drawing the new weekly "Amazing Spider-man". Dan Slott anyone?

With the latest seasons of BSG and LOST now finished and Heroes coming to an end, I'm pleased to learn that "Rome" is coming back to BBC. Something to watch over the Summer...

Heroes Chapter 18

There have been some interesting new characters recently added to the cast of Heroes. Candice is the best as she seems to have some awesome powers. It's also questionable whether or not she 's a good guy or not which makes her even more interesting.

This episode had a great ending involving Sylar who's character is certainly become more rounded but just as mean and nasty as ever.

Only 5 episodes to go.

X-Men 3...Oh Dear, the reviews were right

Yep, having watched X-men 3: The Last Stand last night I've got to agree it was fairly pants compared to the previous efforts (especially X-men 2).

One or two good moments, but I knew something was amiss when major characters started dieing early on.

Best left alone, if you've not seen it.

"Heroes" Episodes 16 & 17

Heroes is still consistent with episode 16 "Unexpected" and 17 "Company Man".

I probably enjoyed episode 17 slightly more as we get some of the origin of Mr Bennett and the ending came as quite a shock. This episiode introduces some new characters and is a bit of a twisted X-Files feel to it.

These episodes also primarily featured my favourite characters which was nice.

The tension is building towards the deadline date but what is Peter going to do about it?

Holiday Reading

Got back on Saturday from a weeks holiday with the family in Southbourne near Bournemouth. Had a great time with very good weather for a British seaside holiday and I managed to get some more holiday reading done as well.

I read "Sabriel" by Garth Nix and it was very good. It's a fantasy book aimed at teens to adult which meant it was easy to read and didn't take much thinking about. The concepts were good and it was interesting to see necromancy taking centre-stage for the good guys for once.

It's the first in a trilogy so I will continue with the other two before getting back to some comics.

Captain America #26

A really nice cover by Steve Epting highlights the quality of this comic. There's not much action in Ed Brubaker's but the the story moves along purposefully in a number of acts. There's the sorrow and guilt of Sharon, the official wake attended by the pro-registration heroes and then the unofficial one held by the rebels. Sandwiched amongst these is the act showing the Red Skull continuing his plans and the feeling of menace increases. It's all leading up to something horrible but maybe the Winter Soldier can step up and take Cap's place.

Oh yeah, the supporting cast is so good that Cap wasn't really missed.

I know this will read even better in the trade but it's still essential.

Rating 8.5/10

7 Ages of Rock

It makes a change when there's something other than sport on terrestrial TV that I want to watch.

The 7 Ages of Rock on BBC is an exception.

Two programmes have been shown so far and both have been interesting although they didn't feature any of my favourite bands.

The first, which concentrated on Jimi Hendrix, was really good as it showed just what an effect this man had on the industry. Other guitar bands, such as Cream, and even the Beatles were upstaged by his showmanship.

It's worth noting that Hendrix used his music and instrument as part of his show whereas, as shown in the second programme, bands like Pink Floyd, Genesis and David Bowie needed other factors to help them put on a show. Personally, I would say this was to compensate for poor songs but others would disagree.

Some of the theatrics like the building of "The Wall" during a Floyd gig or Peter Gabriel wearing a foxes head and a red dress were just crazy. I certainly didn't get it.

Cracking programme though and I'm learning a lot.