Pads & Panels

Title: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Format: Blu-ray + DVD

Directed by: Jon Turteltaub

Written by: Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal, Matt Lopez, Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer, Monica Bellucci

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice immediately brings to mind images and sounds of Mickey Mouse conjuring to life brooms and other cleaning supplies in an effort to save himself some work with his chores. But then things go seriously awry, with the inanimate objects taking on life of their own, and in their zeal turn things into much more of a mess than the Mouse could have ever expected.

That scene helped define Walt Disney’s experimental project Fantasia, and made one of the world’s most iconic characters in the process. In retrospect, it is a perfect example of the character’s playfully mischievous traits, and is an expression of pure fun. In many ways, that would be a great way to describe Disney’s latest live-action extravaganza, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, if only the plot and the actors didn’t sometimes get in the way. (more…)

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Title: The Amazing Spider-Man “Return of the Black Cat” TPB

Publisher: Marvel

Writers: Joe Kelly, J.M. Dematteis, Marc Guggenheim

Artists: Mike McKone, Adriana Melo, Val Semeiks, Marco Checchetto, Luke Ross, Rick Magyar, Eric Canete

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Oh, that crazy Peter Parker! That’s what I find myself saying, anyways, in a mostly mocking sort of way, while reading the “Return of the Black Cat” trade paperback. Parker is already in confusing relationships with Michele Gonzales, Norah Winters and Mary Jane Watson when Black Cat strolls back into town. Of course, her usual powers to affect Spidey’s luck are wreaking havoc on his attempt to thwart New York City’s villains, but it’s not too shabby for his sex life. Sure he’s more confused than ever, but he’s seemingly getting some action behind the scenes of every page. It all amounts to nonsense, though, with cheesy writing and inconsistent art. The latter portion of the book – dealing with Kaine, Ben Reilly and Raptor – is a much better read, even if it does get back into the atrocious clone business. (more…)

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Infamous was one of 2009’s best games. Developed by Sucker Punch, it turned out to be a huge departure from their Sly Cooper series released on the PlayStation 2. The game starred Cole MacGrath as he awoke to find a crater of devastation surrounding him and new-found electricity-based powers. Now Cole is back in the sequel to last year’s game, Infamous 2. Archie got a chance to go hands-on with the game at PAX and see what new tricks Cole will have up his sleeves when the game launches sometime next year. (more…)

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