RECAP : DON LARSEN APPEARANCE / SIGNING @ THE ORLEANS IN VEGAS 10-29-2011

This past weekend was my birthday and my wonderful wife and so-so father in law ( ha ha, just kidding ) took me to the city of Sin to celebrate. I always have my traditions which is my birthday movie, birthday video, etc. I saw that Dee Gordon was going to be in Vegas and thought to add a signing to the tradition and told the wife that even on getaway weekends she can't get away from baseball. I put her at ease stating we already met him and didn't need to meet him again. Off to Orleans we went for some poker playing and as I walked by I saw a sign for a Don Larsen signing the next day and thought even though he played for the Yankees it would be a great addition as I always wanted the signature of the only person in history to throw a perfect game in the world series and only person to throw a no-hitter in the world series ( Roy Halladay threw one in the division series ). I turned and saw that Don was sitting right there as it was a two day event. He and his agent tried to get us to get the signing that day but I wanted in on an official ball of course so I told them I would be there the next day after I make a run to Target.
Got there the next day and he was there waiting and gladly signed a ball for me and I asked him if he could put the inscription of " W.S.P.G. 10-8-1956 " which he gladly did. Also for the purchase price you got a signed photo of the game a photo op with the man himself. All together we probably spent over 30 minutes talking to Don and he was very personable and fun to talk to. Though it was at the expense of my beloved Dodgers you have to love having the opportunity of meeting someone that is a one of in baseball history of doing something. A great time and a great signature.

NEW MOVIE REVIEW : IN TIME

I love science fiction and seeing the previews for this gave me optimism that this can bring something new to the game. For the most part it did but as a whole and not as parts. The movie uses a lot old themes seen in other movies.

Starts off in the projects also known as Zone 12 with each lower number being a better area to live. The people of Zone 12 live day to day and time is the currency in this world. You are born and up to 25 you are free and clear. Once you hit that 25 birthday you are now on the clock and you are given a year that is encoded on your arm. Very much like a bar code. Everything you do as a time price from a cup of coffee, a bus ride or paying mortgage. Once you hit zero you die. Plain and simple.

Will (Justin Timberlake) saves a person from gang of time stealing thugs and has they both sleep waiting out the thugs looking for them his is given the time he has left which is over 100 years. That basically is like you and I have a million dollars. He has a date with his mother and wants to share his new found fortune as shown time can be swapped from person to person. She is seen trying to make it back to him but literally is one second too late and dies in his arms as the clock has run out on her. Will decides to venture into Zone 1 to get payback somehow. He ends up in a high stakes poker game and survives it with just a few seconds to spare. He soon meets Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried) and they have an instant connection but due to a situation he ends up kidnapping her. They venture back to Zone 12 to hide from the authorities. She experiences what it feels like living day to day not knowing if you will die the any minute. A total 180 from her lifestyle of endless time. She ends up siding with Will and wants to do right and give time to all the impoverished and basically have wealth distribution. Cue current politics. They take on the people in power ala Bonnie and Clyde. A final confrontation takes place within Zone 1 headquarters with the repercussions seen and felt back in all the lower zones.

Rating: 3.5 / 5 - The movie had an intriguing premise and delivered on most. The action moved at a brisk pace and everything fit into its place. Though this movie is in the future there are a lot references to present time and current conditions and views of the wealthy and poor. Actors were believable other than the fact looking at a physically looking 25 year and being told she is a grandmother. I like the idea of time being a currency as I think you would do what you did day to day differently knowing you would die if you didn't use the time wisely.

NEW MOVIE REVIEW : PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3

This it the third entry for this franchise and as sequels go especially in the horror genre they tend to lose a lot of luster as they age this far. For the first 30-40 minutes this was the case as well but when it picks up after that it really picks up and moves at a very exciting pace.

I love how they have been able to tie in all the movies together without resorting to some stupid and obviously unreal connection. The reasoning actually makes since for each one. This movie shows the two sisters back in 1988 when all this drama started. Just like the first two their story is shown via home video but the one quirk in all this is that the videos are shown missing/stolen from their home in present time and are now shown to us the audience. So who stole them and who is watching them with us?

The story picks up during an earthquake that happens to shot because the sisters parents are making a sex video. Once the husband replays the footage to see the earthquake he notices dust coming down from the ceiling and falls upon a some type of figure. Let the fun begin. Katie the youngest sister seems to have some invisible friend named Toby and as the parents start to take offense to any reference of him the spirit starts acting out violently. I don't want to state too much as I think good old horror stories are best to be seen and experienced than to be told of certain things that happen so you sort of expect it. Let's just say that some of the "scary" parts are original and if it was me I would have issues for the rest of my life. Seeing how this movie ends it surprises me that the sisters would ever have a video camera around again in their lives as we see in the first two movies.

Rating : 3.75 / 5 - I still think the second movie is the best overall of the three but the second half of this one is the best part. There is nothing liking having kids in scary movies as the either the "evil" ones, i.e. Omen or the ones being tormented. Its just seems more real and raw. I like the new tricks this adds to the trilogy and the story fits right in to everything. We now have seen the full circle of the story as this movie has an ending that can be considered an ending to the series but noting the money this has made and the demand for good horror movies I expect to be reviewing Paranormal 4 this time next year.

COMIC SYNOPSIS : OCTOBER 12, 2011 - SUICIDE SQUAD 2, NEW AVENGERS 17, X-MEN: REGENESIS 1, UNCANNY X-FORCE 16, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 671

SUICIDE SQUAD 2 :

Story starts with Deadshot talking to boss Waller via satellite feed. The team is at a football stadium that has been shut down for quarantine. A random fan comes up to Deadshot and explain the events that led up to now which include people turning into zombieish as they start devouring fellow fans and players. After the story Deadshot puts on in his head and notes that he was infected anyways. The team gets a few seconds to ponder what to do when a mob of infected people attack them. Deadshot ends up having some blood spilled on his skin. Team splits up to counter attack the group. Once together again they confront a woman that is not like the others and is pregnant and they presume she is the main carrier of the disease. She mutates into some type of blobish tentacle thing until King Sharks comes up behind and bites her head clean off. They figure out that the unborn baby was the purpose of their mission as it is immune to the disease. Deadshot is online with Waller again and they both know that their needs to be a culprit to tie all this together like a super-villain, Deadshot turns and kills Voltaic which makes him the fall guy. Waller is then informs him that evac is on hold for 3 hours and that Deadshot must not get caught or killed and must protect the baby at all costs and that the rest of the team is expendable.

Rating : 3/5 - A good issue with no slowing down and the story moving at a great pace. Art is perfect for the type of story that is being told though still a tad messy. This is the Squad that I enjoyed back in the day and this series shows promise for longevity after a slowish first issue.

NEW AVENGERS 17 :

Story jumps right in with the team going to a scene where a big robot is destroying all its surroundings. Iron Man is on the scene before they get there and though he warns them to stand down as they jump out of a plane to attack the robot they are pushed back by force from the robot. Iron Man explains that any energy force against will be repelled right back at them. As they attack it using non energy hits Wolverine goes in for the kill slashing away at its "heart" and is promptly attacked from behind by a smaller robot who slashes his neck and takes a big blood sample. It then leaves the scene through the air and before they can catch it, it basically goes super sonic and disappears. We then go to another aircraft and see A.I.M agents talking to Madame Hydra and Norman Osborn who escaped imprisonment last issue with their help. They debate on how long their robot should stay and fight the Avengers as each moment that it is there raises the odds of them being discovered they are behind the attack. Norman once getting Wolverine's blood gives the order for the robot to self destruct.

Rating : 3/5 - Now that we are out of the Fear Itself storyline that the Avengers were involved it we can back to good old action Avengers style and this issue does not disappoint. From the first page to the last it is non stop fighting. I like where this storyline is heading as Norman and his new group have join forces to take over the world. No more divide and conquer but combine and assault. Knowing that the Dark Avengers are coming in future issues and Wolverine's blood being taken here, I think the foreshadowing is being placed here. Look forward to more issues like this.

X-MEN: REGENESIS 1 :

Book starts off with a little recap on what happened in Schism and how Cyclops and Wolverine would like everyone to chose a side or go on your own. Wolverine visits Iceman to persuade him to join his side which he does with some kissing up and a beer. It works. Next up is Psylocke and while she agrees to stay with Wolverine on the X-Force team which she can do in secret she can't do the same for him at the school he is restarting and in turn informs Cyclops that she will stick with him at Utopia. Next up is the couple of Peter and Kitty which is split up with Peter staying with Cyclops and Kitty going with her father figure Wolverine. He feels that kids are not safe around him. Beast gets an email from Wolverine and calls him and joins his side. At a nice little dinner Wolverine meets up with Polaris and Havok and they decide to join his side by getting back with X-Factor. Hope is talking to Mystique about staying with Cyclops but what to do with Idie. Though conflicted she feels that Wolverine can take better care of her than she has recently. Though never really in doubt Emma stays with Cyclops so she continue to work in San Francisco. On to some lesser mutants as they decide which way they are going until we get to the last big one which is Storm. She tells Cyclops she is going as she does not believe in what he is planning on doing. Through alot of begging she agrees to stay. The teams are set and onto a new chapter in the X-Men saga.

Rating : 3/5 - Good book. Obviously not really a story issue as it is all set up for what is upcoming in all X books. Art is good and interactions and reasoning behind all decisions are handled well. I look forward to how this plays out in the next year or so. A good starting point read.

UNCANNY X-FORCE 16 :

Part 6 of the Dark Angel Saga begins with Archangel readying the troops as members of X-Force try to break into the compound to stop him. Back in E.V.A. we see the recuperating Wolverine with Famine in who is handcuffed but not powerless as he blows up everything within and leaves Wolverine to burn. We see Archangel talking to the imprisoned Psylocke tell her to join him once more in the new world he is remaking. While Fantomex and Deadpool continue within the compound Blob falls from the sky and lands on Fantomex while Deadpool uses all his bullets to try to get him off of Fantomex. Up top we see Famine about to unleash some of his power til Wolverine, a tad healed from the blast, walk up behind him and slice off both of his hands. Archangel and Psylocke walk about and talk on how her love for him helped him ascend in secrecy but she responds by saying its her love that will bring him back. As he shows her what he plans to do Genocide's mother approaches and is mad that Archangel has allowed her son to become what has become. He silences her but slicing her in half. Wolverine mind links with Psylocke and discuss how this needs to end now as it is getting close to the point of no return. She takes a shot at him and misses. He knocks her out. We see Deathlok attempting to stop Dark Beast and Genocide begin the process of expanding Archangel's vision. Deathlok is knocked out by War from behind. Wolverine scales on outside wall trying to get to Psylocke who we see is being carried by Archangel to sacrifice slab. He lays her on it and injects the life seed into her back and proclaims she will be his Queen Death. We are left with Fantomex within E.V.A. contemplating what to do next.

Rating : 3.5/5 - Continuing a great run is hard to do but this book always delivers. Story is briskly moving with solid dialogue and art. This book makes Wolverine not the main character which I think makes him a better character within a team book. Though this story takes place before Schism and we know Pyslocke makes it through it is interesting to see how she will be affected by what is happening to her by a past love. Can't wait for next month.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 671 :

Right into the action as we see MJ with her new powers swinging into help some bystanders being attacked by a spider. Back to Spider-Man as he trys to restrain J.J. After accomplishing that he decides to go to Horizon where Reed Richards continues to work on a cure. Reed has his first patient to test the possible cure on but she is under the control of the Spider Queen which instructs her by mind to attack which she does. He is able to inject the serum and she changes back and we go back to Spider Queen who is infuriated that she has been cured when she was guaranteed by Jackal that any type of cure was impossible. Back at Horizon we see Anti-Venom being prepared to lose all his powers so all may be saved. This is being done by the mysterious number Six scientist up til now has been not been revealed to who they are. He starts the process with a hand scan on the computer which shows Moribus. Is this who it really is or is he just helping out this one time and moving on? Either way, he starts the process and leaves the building via the sewers. As Spidey swings towards the lab he comes across fellow heroes protecting the jammers that are keeping all the spider beings within the city limits. We pan back to the lab and it has been discovered that the same jammers holding the spider beings in is what caused Spider-Man to lose his spider sense. They decide that need to find a way to redirect it so Spider-Man can get his sense back. Spider-Man approaches the lab and trys to enter via hand scan but it says he is already logged in and before he can even finish his thought he is blindsided by the Spider-King aka Tarantula aka Kaine aka Peter's clone with the same DNA. The fight moves indoors and next to the vat of vaccine made of Anti-Venom's cells. We see Eddie Brock on the sidelines dazed and confused apparently un Anti-Venomed. Spider King attempts to contaminate the cure but Spider-Man webs up the capsule. Right before Spider-King drops him and the capsule into the vat Spider-Man's spider sense comes back in full force and he is able to overpower Spider-King and push him into the vat. He comes out healed from the Queen's control and mutation but it is revealed by doing all this has amplified the Queen's power and she now has the power of a God as she apparently she kills the Jackal for not doing his job. To Be Concluded.....

Rating : 3/5 - A lot of stuff going on here and to a point too much. The story has way too many parts and even though it works it is a tad overwhelming. The story has been solid but I think the whole is better than the parts. Seeing MJ for only two pages was a major disappointment considering she is on the cover. Next issue brings this all to an explosive end. Art is constent if not great.

NEW MOVIE REVIEW : IDES OF MARCH

From the previews and newsprint I was under the impression that George Clooney is the main actor or at least co-lead of the film with Ryan Gosling. I was wrong. This is more a Ryan Gosling vehicle with everyone else encompassing the supporting cast. Clooney is Mike Morris a presidential candidate with Ryan Gosling playing Stephen Myers a junior campaign manager on Morris's team. The senior manager is Paul Zara ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ) who has been in the game a long time but has some major trust issues. Mike is portrayed as someone that is for the people and not about government and Stephen is a buyer and believer in his dream and will help fight the good cause. Though previews try to present this as a political thriller that does not favor one side or the other the movie definitely has a left leaning thought process.

As the movie progresses we see how no matter how noble people try to be everyone is always vulnerable to some mistake/choice that will change their view and change the course of their lives. Clooney is mostly in the background of the movie and really has only one scene that adds something to the film while Ryan does some good acting. If you have to see Ryan on the big screen, definitely watch this film rather than "Drive". Evan Rachel Wood as Molly the intern adds a sex appeal and love interest to Stephen. For people that care on a side note she is more attractive here as a blond than her typical brunette style. The rest of the supporting cast consisting of Paul Giamatti ( Tom Duffy, a rival campaign manager ), Marisa Tomei ( Ida Horowicz, a news reporter ) and Jeffrey Wright ( Senator Thompson ) though effective in the movie are really just window dressing.

In the end, as with most politics, no matter what side you are on and what you try to portray yourself as, most politicians are dirty and corrupt in some way. The movie just reinforce the thought process that most of have is that people will do what they have to, to get to where they want to be in this world no matter who they have to step on to get there.

Rating : 2.5/5 - Ryan is good here with Clooney being Clooney. I was more interested in the supporting cast than the two main leads as I thought they added more to story. The consequences that happen to everyone from their own actions is typical in this genre but it is delivered pretty good. I didn't hate the movie but if you can wait a month or two it is worth a viewing at home as it wasn't need to be seen on the big screen.

COMIC SYNOPSIS : OCTOBER 5, 2011 - X-MEN: SCHISM 5, JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL 2, DETECTIVE COMICS 2

X-MEN: SCHISM 5 :

We start were we left off. As the Sentinel is still trying to kill Wolverine and Cyclops they are still battling each other and this goes on for quite some time. Finally some more of the kids come to the scene and Wolverine and Cyclops decide to stop fighting each other for the time being and join the group to take down the Sentinel. They all succeed in taking down the intruder and soon are licking their wounds. Wolverine has a little chat with Idie and comes to realize that he and Cyclops have failed in raising her in this mutant hating world. Wolverine goes and has a talk with Cyclops and informs him that he is leaving. Wolverine stays he will not intrude on any of what Cyclops is doing and expects the same from him. Cyclops continues to say that what is happening is a mistake but will be here if and when Wolverine decides to come back. Wolverine takes a Blackbird and tells people those who would like to join him may. He leaves with Idie and others in tow and head to where it all began, Professor X's old mansion/school.

Rating : 2.5 / 5 - The only reason the rating is this high is because the story had an ending even though we can see from a mile away how it would end. The art just plain out sucked. Choppy, looked unfinished in places, etc. I rather have had the two leave on bad terms but knowing there is no way they can stay out of each other's business for long will have to do for now. I like the idea of having two separate sides in the mutant universe but a mini series was not needed. A little 4 issue arc would have done the job just the same.

JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL 2 :

We are at the scene where the Hall of Justice has been burned down. We then turn to the JL team regrouping from the big robot that burst out of the ground. It stands motionless til Rocket Red asks what it is it that it seeks and the response is having Red shot of the sky. The robot stars shooting but the team notices that it is not towards them but into the ground. Booster, as leader, decides to retreat as Ice is hurt and needs medical attention. Though there is debate to staying and leaving Batman tells Booster to learn from this and see what your team is capable of and to not let it happen again. Then a debate begins on if Booster is capable and even willing to lead the new JL. After a back and forth amongst members Batman gives his approval everyone else falls in line. They are now warned by a satellite feed that the giant robot they fought was only one of four. All of them are seen to be shooting upwards into the sky. The team trys to decide what to do next and with the final page we see a being upward a spaceship preparing to invade Earth.

Rating : 3/5 - A much better issue than last. Movement in the robot/alien story with the team being positioned to what they will bring to it. Batman being on the team obviously makes it a better read so it will be interesting to see how it holds up if/when he leaves. Booster as a rookie leader is promising and having Guy Gardner around for tension is good. Art was consistent and decent. Book is moving in the right direction.

DETECTIVE COMICS 2 :

Story picks up with Bruce within his tower doing rock training and is interrupted first by a business associate discussing a bid and then by Charlotte Rivers who consumes his attention for a little while in a more private area of the tower. After making a "normal" date with Charlotte he changes and runs off to meet up with Commissioner Gordon to discuss what happened last issue with the now faceless Joker escaping Arkham. Gordon gets a call saying they have found a person of interest in a business district but upon arriving he notices the police car but no officer and we see someone from behind about to grab him. As Batman heard the call he raced ahead of Gordon into one of the buildings in the district. He is ambushed by two skin faced men. He is then shot with some syringe that makes his arm numb and then turns to get hit by a hammer in the head by a skin faced woman dressed up as a nurse. Out comes the Dollmaker who says the Batman gets special care and instructs the men to bring out his friend. We see Gordon with a skin face on his head and looking pretty worse for wear.

Rating : 3.75/5 - Another good issue with no slow down. We are formally introduced to the Dollmaker and his cronies and they seem to be able to take on Batman. No Joker but no biggie as he wasn't needed. I like having an interesting new villain for Batman to confront and I am thinking Batman will remember this meeting with Dollmaker for future battles.  Art is good and not sloppy. I find this series more intriguing than the main Batman series.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE / SIGNING : STAN " THE MAN " LEE

Comic Legend Stan Lee will be doing a signing on December 10, 2011 at Frank and Sons. Pricing will be forthcoming.

UPCOMING APPEARANCE / SIGNING : JUSTIN SELLERS

Justin Sellers will be doing a signing on November 12, 2011 at Valley Sports Cards in Tarzana. Stage time is at 12 noon and will last a hour. Price is $20 for any item.  

RECAP : MANNY MOTA / WES PARKER APPEARANCE / SIGNING @ FRANK AND SONS 10-3-2011

This past weekend I went to go get former Dodger great Wes Parker's autograph on a ball and while there I decide to get other former Dodger great and current coach Manny Mota's autograph.

Manny was first up at around 11:00 a.m. and I was probably somewhere around 30-40th in line. Line was a tad slow but had some good conversations with fellow fans while waiting. Once up to the table where he was sitting I found out why it was slower than some other signers as he signs at a slow pace, which makes the actual signature neater, and if you spoke Spanish ( which I don't ) he would converse with you a little more. Received my signature and said thank you and moved on. Pictures were not allowed to be taken with him but you could take one from afar or of him signing your item.

Up next was Wes Parker who started signing roughly at 12:00 p.m. Surprisingly I was first in line as most people were in a separate line awaiting the arrival of Don Newcombe who I met early this year. Better for me and the few other people that were in Wes's line. Before signing he ended up talking to ex-Dodger Tim Leary. Got up to the table and handed him a ball and he was about to side panel me before asking where I would like him to sign. Ugh, I hate side panel signatures unless it is a speciality ball. He noticed my name on my jersey that I was wearing and asked if I remember so-so player and I responded by saying no but I remember his son ( which I didn't but it was an educated guess ) and to my surprise he knew who I was talking about.

So in the end I spent a couple hours with some fellow fans and had some decent conversations and the signers were nice and cordial and the signatures came out great. Next up is the big 1981 World Series Champion reunion next month.