The last several DC animated movies(Green Lantern, Batman/Superman, Wonder Woman) have been solid and enjoyable. This latest offering from DC is no exception. From its opening scene that smoothly launches into some great looking opening credits, the moment when the final credits roll, this movie was engaging throughout. On an alternate reality earth, Lex Luthor is the only remaining superhero, while a group of Justice League look-alikes are the world’s most dangerous criminals. Luthor travels to the world of the Justice League and requests their help. Their response to the situation leads o some great action and nice characterization. Although none of the original cast from the JLU animated series return for this film, the assembled thespians do a great job of voicing their characters, with the possible exception of Superman. I could be wrong, but I think he has a slight lisp. Not good for the man of steel. The movie sounds great in a 5.1 home theater but the visuals are

Universal Studios' first attempt at a monster franchise rejuvenation comes in an update of their classic movie, "The Wolfman". With names like Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins at the top of the bill, it looks as though the studio is hoping to lend dramatic credibility to this monster genre story. In several regards, this movie succeeds in bringing class to an often classless genre. Yes there is blood and messy violence. But there is also an engaging subtlety to characterization that only the likes of Hopkins can bring. And Del Toro's eyes have a brooding quality to them that lends darkness to his scenes while still remaining sympathetic. The look and feel of the movie is well done. The sets and location are wonderful and transported me easily to the world they were creating. Genre fans will appreciate the attack sequences, which usually end with multiple body parts strewn about the room. But they may also be let down by the uninspiring transformation s

The last few months have been a really good reading season for me. I read strictly fantasy of the sword and sorcery variety, but it's been getting harder to find authors I like. I took a chance in a bookstore in December and read the first chapter of a fairly new paperback. (I almost always buy only used.) Brent Weeks is a pretty new author, having only published the "Night Angel" trilogy so far, of which "The Way Of Shadows" is the first. I'm not finished with the book yet, so I can't technically recommend it. But I can say how much I'm enjoying it! It has all the ingredients that have become vital to me in the last few years. 1. Sword and Sorcery 2. Dark and Brutal (Good is good and evil is EVIL!) 3. Internal Character Portrayal That 3rd ingredient seems the hardest to come by. There are many fantasy authors who spend much time on what their characters are doing and saying, and others who spend time describing the world and