Re:tro Re:view - Death on the Nile!

Death on the Nile is a Hercule Poirot murder mystery, from Kenneth Branagh that has a top cast and development for his character!  This is the 2022 follow up the Agatha Christie adaptation, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), from Branagh. He also directed Belfast (2021). Michael Green continues his work with Branagh writing the screenplay and also wrote Blade Runner 2049 (2017). There was a previous adaptation in 1978. It was released on February 11th after a long delay. The film will stream on March 29th on Hulu and HBO Max. The film begins in Belgium, 1914, which has the trenches of World War I in stark black and white. The cinematographer, Haris Zambarloukos, was also on Branagh’s team with Belfast and Murder on the Orient Express.  

Soldiers have orders from Captain Rens (Orlando Seale) about to make an attack on the Yser Bridge against the German forces. The Battle of the Yser was a well known battle in the conflict. Captain Ren says they must wait a few hours to charge, but he has a suggestion from another soldier, young Hercule Poirot (Branagh). Probably de-aged with CGi. Branagh returns as the famous detective and brings humor, intelligence, and some sadness to the role. He says that birds show the direction of the wind, they can use the wind with gas to hide their attack. The soldiers suprise the German soldiers and are about to take the bridge, Ren thanks Poirot, but trips over a mine that destroys the bridge! Later, we see the beds of the medical unit, Katherine (Susannah Fielding) gets the attention of Poirot, who turns his back to her. They are lovers, but Poirot turns to show her the scars on his face.  

Katherine's suggestion is to grow a mustache! The beginning centers the movie with the flashback to Poirot’s life prior to being a detective. We see London, 1937, now in glorious color,! with Poirot entering the Live Music Club. He sits apart from the dance floor ordering desserts that he has to meticulously arrange. The manager of the singer, Rosalie (Letitia Wright) works to get payment for the performance. In walks singer, Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), playing an electric guitar before she takes the stage. Wright of course is known as Shuri in Black Panther (2018). Okonedo appeared recently as Siuan Sanche in The Wheel of Time. We shift to the dance floor with one young couple, Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer) and Jacqueline “Jackie” de Bellefort (Emma Mackey). Hammer faced some controversy in the time before the release of the film. His profile was reduced in the promotion of Death on the Nile. Mackey is Maeve Wiley in the Sex Education series.  

Jackie dances passionately with Simon and he in lifts and slides his hands on her. They kiss and then we have the arrival of wealthy Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot). The actress is well known as Wonder Woman, but also appeared in the action movie, Red Notice (2021). The nightclub costumes are stunning, the silver dress of Linnet and Jacqueline‘s red, slinky dress are from costume designer, Paco Delgado. He also worked on Jungle Cruise (2021). Jackie speaks with Linnet about getting a job for Simon when they get married. She introduces Simon and his attention has strayed to her. He takes her out to the dance floor and again brings her into a lift while Jackie looks on. Then, we move six weeks later, a pan across Egypt with the Sphinx in Giza, Egypt.  Poirot is trying to enjoy his tea and cakes when a kite disrupts his view of The Great Pyramid.  

He finds out that the kite flyer is none other than his friend, Bouc (Tom Bateman), whom aided his investigation on the Orient Express. Bateman starred in the Netflix thriller mini-series Behind Her Eyes (2021). Bouc takes Poirot to see his mother, Euphemia (Annette Bening) who is busy painting the pyramid. Bening was in the MCU film, Captain Marvel (2019). Poirot is a distraction and she just wants him out of her view to paint the pyramid adding her son with the kite. Bouc takes Poirot to the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt. This is another famous location where Christie wrote the book and the 1978 movie was filmed there. It is a party for the recently wed Simon and Linnet!  We find Salome singing with Rosalie nearby and of course Euphemia. There is also Linnet’s godmother, Marie Van Schulyer (Jennifer Saunders) and her nurse, Mrs. Bowers (Dawn French). The acting duo is known for their Absolutely Fabulous comedy show which had a 2016 movie.  

Also at the wedding reception is Louise Bourget (Rose Leslie) works tirelessly as Linnet’s maid.  Leslie is recognized as Ygritte in Game of Thrones, but she is also in the dramatic series, The Good Fight.  The party guests include Linnet’s “cousin”, Andrew Katchadourian (Ali Fazal) who is connected to her finances. Fazal was in the historical drama, Victoria & Abdul (2017). Lastly, there is Dr. Linus Windlesham (Russell Brand), who is a friend to Linnet. The comedian and actor, Brand had starred in the boxing drama, The Fight (2018), but here he is in a purely dramatic part. A diverse cast of suspects. Branagh has cast interesting actors with Murder on the Orient Express and I first noted Much Ado About Nothing (1993) which had Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel Washington.  he party sputters out with the arrival of Jackie who has been following Simon.  At a marketplace, the married couple has Poirot speak to Jackie. He is able to talk to Jackie who says her problems with Linnet started when she was replaced in a school production of Antony and Cleopatra. 

Jackie tells Poirot that Simon still loves her, stalker. She shows him a .22 gun that she has in her bag. Poirot advises the couple to return home and forget the entire conflict. Simon says he has another idea. In the morning, Linnet presides over the wedding party dressed as Cleopatra. Gadot has a Cleopatra film directed by Kari Skogland from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. I wonder if there was an inspiration from this film. Simon has the party as guests on the paddleboat, the Karnak, traveling on the Nile River. Linnet confides in Poirot that she doesn’t trust any of the wedding guests. We get an enclosed, luxury transportation with rooms, a number of diverse suspects, murder, with Poirot trying to solve the case before reaching a destination. So there are many similarities with the previous movie, but here Poirot is truly measured and tested. This mystery is about what some people will do for love. I enjoy a good mystery and this adaptation does not disappoint even though I knew the identity of the killer, but not the “how” of the murder. Ultimately, without the method of the murder, this is pointless. Death on the Nile is a leisurely paced murder mystery with a first rate cast and consequences for Branagh’s Poirot!  

Four Moustaches out of Five! 

#DeathOnTheNile, #KennethBranagh, #GalGadot, #EmmaMackey, #ArmieHammer, #TomBateman, #SophieOkonedo, #LetitiaWright, #RoseLeslie, #RussellBrand, #AnnetteBening, #JenniferSaunders, #DawnFrench, #AliFazal

Superman and Lois, “Anti-Hero“, Review!

The aftermath of the last episode of Superman and Lois; Jordan knows about the X-Kryptonite inhaler used by his brother.  Superman is shot by Lt. Anderson with a Kryptonite bullet and he is taken to the red sun radiated cell.  This episode like the last one is directed by an actress from a superhero show, in this case, Elizabeth Henstridge, who played Jemma Simmons on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and directed one episode of that series.  Superman wakens in a haze.  He sees books in Tal-Rho’s prison cell.  Soldiers start to enter the prioson area.  Lt. Anderson tells Superman that he is held under direct orders from General Hardcastle to pursue the Superman imposter.  Superman says the threat is Ally Allston.  Tal-Rho sits in his chair wanting to hear about Ally.  At the kitchen, Sam Lane tells his daughter where Clark is being held for treason.  

Lois wants to go to the DoD right then.  Jordan and Jonathan are worried.  Lois leaves them to work on their own problems.  Lana looks through the boxes to be sent to Kyle.  Sarah blames the broken home on her father.  Lana picks up an ad on family values.  Later, at school, Sarah is listening to music on her head phones as Jordan goes over to her.  They turn to see police cars and officers.  Candice kisses Jonathan and she has gotten him a bag of the X-K inhalers.  He refuses and she still wants him to sue it for his games.  The principal and police with dog enter to check lockers.  Jonathan takes the bag to cover for Candice. The police dog barks.  It seems strange to bring in the police to a school without informing the parents. Even more that Jonathan takes the fall for the drug dealer who was still trying to hook him when he wanted to stop using the X-K.  The Smallville Gazette, Lois argues with her father over the phone.  

SUPERMAN AND LOIS - - “Anti-Hero” - -  TYLER HOECHLIN, ADAM RAYNER - - Photo: Shane Harvey/The CW -- (C) 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Lana brings in the newspaper article on Dean’s family value campaign.  Lois says he paid $3k for the ad which Lana can’t afford.  Lois takes a call about the inhaler possession!  In the red glare, Tal-Rho says his brother should be more nicer since he activated the hologram of their mother.  Lt. Anderson decides to bring in three soldiers with Kryptonite rifles.  They torture Tal-Rho.  Lana asks Sarah about the drug, the Yellow K, from the mines.  Sarah gets a call from her father, but ignores it.  Lana wants her daughter to talk to someone since she has trouble talking with Jordan.  Jonathan walks in and gets Lois at her most angry.  She tells him that the school is deciding to expel him.  Lois wants to know why he had a bag of the inhalers.  Jonathan tries to protect Candice.  Jordan comes in and gets a little yelling by his mother.  Jonathan admits that he was using the X-K.  Lt. Anderson kneels to see Tal-Rho tortured.  

Superman says that Bizarro has information that he needs.  He gives up the coordinates to Lt. Anderson to save his brother.  Tal-Rho says in Kryptonian that the coordinates are to the Fortress of Solitude!  Lois goes to talk with Lana who tells her that she can’t blame herself.  She is disappointed in Jonathan.  Lana says after Sarah’s suicide attempt rather than trying to understand for her own reasons, she just listened to her daughter.  Lois says the mayor’s family values campaign is a mistake.  Jonathan gets a call from Candice, but he is interrupted by Jordan who jokes that he is drug dealer.  He is still trying to protect Candice.  At the cell, Tal-Rho thinks that his brother can leave at any time.  At the operations center, Lt Anderson watches the soldiers enter the cave that is empty.  Superman holds the neck of Tal-Rho.  Lt. Anderson finds that Superman lied to him.  

SUPERMAN AND LOIS - - “Anti-Hero” - - JORDAN ELSASS, TYLER HOECHLIN - - Photo: Shane Harvey/The CW -- (C) 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Superman and Tal-Rho fight, not at Kryptonian levels, soldiers enter with Kryptonite rifles and try to break up the fight.  General Hardcastle is trying to contact Lt. Anderson, then he notices the prison cameras.  Lt. Anderson tries to warn the soldiers, but they are taken down by the brothers.  Tal-Rho has a Kryptonite rifle and shoots the roof shorting the power.  Lt. Anderson runs up with more soldiers, Tal-Rho leaves, and then Superman!  Walkds down the corridor with Lt. Anderson who enters a secure room with a case of X-K.  At Tal-Rho’s fortress, they arrive with Tal-Rho proud of their fight, and then he sees Bizarro.  At the diner, Sarah waits until Aubrey (Djouliet Amara) arrives.  It was a two hour drive.  Sarah talks about the kiss at summer camp and she apologizes.  

She tells her friend that she needed someone to talk to, Aubrey, a child of divorce, wants an order of fries first.  Aubrey tells Sarah to see her father.  Sarah takes the check for Aubrey wants to be friends.  Aubrey hugs her.  Night, Lois goes to talk to Jonathan, maybe a little more calm.  He tries to explain why he took the X-K and “wanted to be great at something.”  Lois wants to know where the X-K came from, she got a call from the principal, and tries to know who her is protecting.  Lara warns her son about something approaching, Superman knows it is a missile, the explosion throws him down.  Lt. Anderson enters with a glowing blue rifle.  He blasts Superman with heat vision!  Lt. Anderson fires Kryptonite bullets at Bizarro, but it is deflected by the energy bands.  He turns his pistol on Superman.  Tal-Rho fights with Lt. Anderson.  Lara frees Bizarro who pounds Lt. Anderson, he strikes Bizarro with Green Kryptonite, but of course it doesn’t work on him!  Superman has to save his brother from the Kryptonite bullets!  Superman and Lois has produced another dramatic episode with consequences for Jonathan 

Five Crystals out of Five!   

#SupermanAndLois, #AntiHero, #ElizabethHenstridge, #DjoulietAmara

Superman `78 #6 Review!

Superman `78 #6 concludes the cinematic Brainiac storyline with a struggle against the villain and touches of director Richard Donner!  The regular cover is by Mikel Janin with Superman gripped by the Brainac armor in front of an explosion!  The “Brainiac Conclusion” is by Robert Venditti and Wilfredo Torres.  The armor introduced last issue looks similar to Lex Luthor’s warsuit.  This tech first appeared in Action Comics #544 (1983) which also introduced the upgraded Brainiac.  The claw of Brainiac’s suit has Superman’s mouth as he is pressed against a wall.  He slams Superman back and says he has survived the extinction of his species because of science.  Brainiac also mentions transferring his conscious into new bodies.  

Superman struggles and then presses him back saying that everyone must have “another chance.”  Brainiac shouts that “Humanity”, Earth’s humans, have lost their chances.  We see that he is not coldly intellectual, but a raving madman.  He says that he has lifted up Metropolis and is about to be miniaturized.  Superman says Brainiac is afraid as he holds back the armor’s buzzsaw weapon.  Brainiac was trying to preserve civilizations, but it was really to control them.  Superman says his father, Jor-El, is a scientist.  Also, that Brainiac uses science as a weapon.  I always thought that Brainiac’s preservation process, just like the Collector, is just to keep people in a jar like specimens.  It is like the Twilight Zone episode, “People Are Alike All Over” (1960). 

Brainiac again screams telling Superman, “I lost everything!” Superman counters saying he had the same experience, but was found by two people who loved him. I really like defining moments like this in comics. Superman struggles against the robotic suit and says Brainiac gave up, but he will not, then the suit malfunctions. Superman tries to save Brainiac shouting for him to shut down the suit. Brainiac refuses and the suit explodes. In the remains is an expired Brainiac. The Skull ship warns about the damage to the ship.  Superman sees the bottle cities and swipes all of them at super speed. Um, the red lights and destruction of the ship somehow reminds me of Spaceballs (1987), “Six?, what happened to seven?” Brainiac’s consciousness is transferred to new body, he says “science is forever”, and the Skull Ship is destroyed!   

Superman realizes as a piece of the Skull Ship crashes on Metropolis the same time as Lois that the ship was keeping the city afloat.  We see Lois as Metropolis starts to fall.  I love the panel of Lois’ face rippling with the fall, one of her eyes closed, Superman sees the city with its rock foundation start to fall, he streaks downwards.  Lois holds on.  Jimmy Olsen tries to be positive, but not Perry White.  People in street scream.  Lex Luthor is flying overhead in a balloon seeing the city’s fall similiar to Superman II (1980).  We see Superman holding the city up by its base, it reminds me of Superman Returns (2006), but instead of holding up an island of Kryptonite, he is heroic saving people.  The mass starts to heat up from atmospheric drag.  Superman looks like he is straining under the weight, another great character rendering!  

We see the people of Metropolis blown around, this may be out of scenes of Zod using super breath, but the best part is a cat that seems to be dancing in air!  Superman grits his teeth.  Then, we get a brief cameo of four very familiar kids, from another Richard Donner film, talking about their field trip.  I love the reference, but this would be about seven years before their movie!  Superman is straining, neck muscles bulging, this is the most he has carried!  Then, an explosion at the fall of Metropolis!  We see the aftermath as the city is cloudy from the debris, shadowy, and purplish from the noon sky, impressive colors Jordie Bellaire!  Everyone cheers, Jimmy is happy, and Perry has come up with the headline so he wants photos.  Lois is weary and a single tear falls for Superman.  She turns as a rumbling sound is heard that shakes Metropolis!  Then, Superman flies up!

The citizens look up in the sky.  Superman waves to them, like he did to Lois in Superman the Movie!  Lois is looking at the sky, Superman appears, his smile is classic Christopher Reeve!  Lois hugs Superman.  Everything is back to normal at the Daily Planet offices.  Lois asks Perry if he wants coverage of the police’s warrant out for Lex Lurhtor and NASA recovering the Skull Ship wreckage.  He wants both.  Clark awkwardly asks Lois on a lunch date, but she has brown bags for them.  At the Fortress of Solitude, Superman  explains that the technology was lost with Brainiac’s ship to his parents.  Jor-El and Lara both trust Kal-El and Lara says he is given them hope.  Superman flies over the Earth with his smile, the exact end of Superman the Movie, the sentiment is there.  Thanks to Robert Venditti, Wilfredo Torres, and everyone who helped put out this comic!  Just one thing, there needs to be more Superman `78! and a team up with Batman `89 and Wonder Woman `77 is needed!

Five Drones out of Five!      

#Superman77, #RobertVenditti, #WilfredoTorres, #JordieBellaire, #MikelJanin, #AndrewMarino, #Brainiac    

The Batman Review!

The Batman is a bold direction for the Batman movies, a strong performance by Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz’s unforgettable Selina Kyle, a superhero epic! The film is directed and co-written by Matt Reeves, who also co-wrote and directed War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) and directed Cloverfield (2008). The co-writer is Peter Craig who also wrote Bad Boys for Life (2020) and has the upcoming Top Gun: Maverick. Reeves’ Batman is unlike any other Batman film so a warning not to go in with any expectations about Batman from movies or comics. 

The movie begins with breathing as a telescopic sight moves around a mansion. There is a young boy (Archie Barnes) in a red ninja costume and a man (Rupert Penry-Jones) who goes to the window. We also hear “Ave Maria” from Franz Schubert which is a prayer. The telescopic sight goes to the skylight window of the roof. The news program, GC1, notes that it is Halloween. We have the man in the mansion watching the Gotham mayor debate between Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr., the man in the mansion, and Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson). 

Penry-Jones was in the dramatic mini-series, The Drowning (2021). Lawson’s previous movie was the romantic drama, farewell amor (2020). Mitchell brings up the Maroni drug bust, but Reál notes that crime is on the rise since the Renewal Program and the “masked vigilante.” It is Mitchell who paces the room and does not notice the gleaming eyes in the darkness. This is the menace in the shadows, who later calls himself the Riddler (Paul Dano), the other comic book film for Dano was Cowboys & Aliens (2011). The stalker emerges to strike Mitchell repeatedly with a tool. Then, he takes out a roll of electrical tape. The Riddler is a serial killer, similar to the Zodiac Killer, David Fincher directed the Zodiac (2007) film. 

  

The narration by The Batman (Robert Pattinson) notes that it is Thursday and he has spent two years fighting crime. Pattison may be known for the Twilight movies, but he was also in Tenet (2020). Batman: Year Two was a story arc that ran through Detective Comics #575-578 (1987). It featured Gordon as police commissioner. Batman's character is interesting here because he has a distinct character arc, where he is at first motivated by revenge, but has to develop to protect Gotham. Side note: The Batman is noted here only by that name, Bruce Wayne is not really a strong identity in this film. There is Gotham Square Garden which makes me think of New York more than the Chicago of movies and comics. Metropolis is usually seen as New York. 

We see a man with a melon mask rob a store, another with a mask spray painting, and several gang members in clown make-up in a subway car. There is a young member (Jay Lycurgo) who has half his face in white make-up. An Asian man (Akie Kotabe) moves away from them. The Batman narrator says about the Bat Signal, “It’s not just a call, it’s a warning to them.” I really like this idea that it strikes fear into criminals. Melon Head looks up and starts to run. A helicopter illuminates the vandal and looks into the shadows fearing who might be there. The Asian man leaves the subway car, the gang follows him, and slams him against a gate. They hear a noise and look towards the darkness. 

The thump of boots is heard, the sound of which must be heard/felt in the theaters, then we see The Batman! A later scene has the engine of the Batmobile become almost its own character! The sound effects editor is Phil Barrie. The Batman has grey armor including the black, Bat chest symbol. The gang leader (Elliot Warren) says, “Who the hell are you supposed to be?”  The Batman answers, “I’m vengeance.” This was part of what was said from the Batman: The Animated Series episode, “Nothing to Fear” (1992). By the way, he is not called Batman in this movie, and the name is only mentioned one time. This is a formative year for all of the Bat characters that we know.  

The character of The Batman has a character arc from revenge, he is fighting to stop the crime, not the killer of his parents, but the act, from happening to others. The Batman brutally deals with the gang leader and then moves onto the other members. He is shot twice, but the bullets deflect off of Batman’s armor. The Batman uses his wrist armament to tazer a gang member and then takes down the others. The young gang member looks at him and then runs. The innocent civilian says, “Please, don’t hurt me.” They do not recognize Batman. Lieutenant James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) walks to the murder scene flanked by officers. Wright voices The Watcher in the What If…? (2021) animated series and plays Bernard Lowe in Westworld. His rank is not mentioned, but he is not a captain or an officer of high position. 

He is followed by The Batman, but stopped by Officer Martinez (Gil Perez-Abraham) who puts his hand on the bat symbol. The body of Mitchell is on a chair with his head wrapped in electrical tape, written in his blood on it is, “No More Lies”, his left hand is in a bag. This is a hint at The Riddler trying to uncover the corruption of Gotham City. The medical examiner gives Gordon his findings, he removes the bag and shows the missing thumb. The Batman adds, “He was alive”, his dialogue in the beginning is short and to the point. There is an envelope taped to Mitchell’s body addressed, “To The Batman”, it has a card which gives the riddle, “What does a liar do when he’s dead?” and there’s also a cipher list of words.  

Entering the room is a very angry, Commissioner Pete Savage (Alex Ferns), the actor was in the crime film, Wrath of Man (2021). There was a Pete Savage played by Albert Carrier in the classic Batman episode, “An Egg Grows in Gotham” (1966). In the episode, Savage was part of three families, one of which is the Wayne family, that founded Gotham City. An interesting nod to the 60’s Batman. There is another hint of the show in the form of a certain bust with a switch. Savage wants The Batman to leave the crime scene. There is great distrust of the vigilante by the police.  He sees a bloody footprint and Gordon notes that Mitchell’s son is being questioned. The Batman stares at the boy which is a reflection of himself as a young boy.  

This is the only Batman movie where Batman has deductive reasoning, analyzing, and examining scenes. In the comics he is known as the “World’s Greatest Detective.” Later in the movie, this slogan is given a fun nod. The Batman puts on a motorcycle helmet and rides past “Real Change” signs as part of the mayor campaign. He rides into a tunnel, down stairs, a gate opens for him. He reaches the Batcave, it looks like Bat Warehouse, but it does have bats flying around. The Batman takes off his helmet, revealing black streaks around his eyes, which is how the actors look underneath the mask, but it is great to see Bruce Wayne here. 

He looks sorrowful and sports the Goth look. He removes his contacts which is a high tech recording of everything he has seen that night through a pink filter. On television, the hosts report on the murder of Mayor Mitchell, and also bring up that it was twenty years ago since the death of Thomas Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis) enters and tells Bruce Wayne that the arrival of the accountants. Serkis is of course known for playing Caesar including Reeves' War for the Planet of the Apes and Ulysses Klaue in Black Panther (2018). This annoys Bruce who only wants to focus on his mission.  

Later, he pulls his black shirt over his scarred back to walk over to Alfred at a table. He blinks at the sunlight, this is a great touch by Pattinson, the “creature of the night” repulsed by the day. Also, at the mansion is the housekeeper, Dory (Sandra Dickinson), not exactly Aunt Harriet from the 60’s show. Alfred is working on the cipher on his computer and eliminates words that forms a pattern that spells, “Drive.” Gordon and The Batman go to the Mitchell’s garage. He finds a bloody, garden shear in the tire of a car. The Batman uses a blacklight pen to search the car and finds a gruesome attachment to a USB drive.  

They use the drive and find photos of the mayor with an unknown woman, her name we later find is Annika Kosolov (Hana Hrzic), but Gordon finds that the files have gone public and it was using his account! Gordon also recognizes behind them, the Penguin (Colin Farrell), who almost can’t be recognized in the make-up. The prosthetic make-up was by Michael Fontaine. He looks and almost sounds like a bizarre Robert DeNiro character. Farrell was in Artemis Fowl (2020) and appeared as another comic book villain, Bullseye, in Daredevil (2003). The Batman also notes the black, leather boots on Annika. Gordon points out that they are at the Iceberg Lounge. This was a location first appearing in Detective Comics #683 (1995). 

The Batman walks through the rain to reach a club door. It is guarded by The Twins (Charlie and Max Carver), this reminds me of the Club Rockit doormen in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). He moves through the club, fights with the bouncers, and uses his grapnel on his gauntlet that goes through a guard’s leg. The Batman is stopped by The Penguin who takes him to his office above the club floor. Entering the office is a beautiful woman (Zoë Kravitz), we find later that this is Selina Kyle who gives Penguin a drink from a tray. The name Catwoman is never said in the movie, she has not become Catwoman here and has only the beginning of her cat suit. Kravitz is in the crime thriller, Kimi (2022), and played Angel Salvador in X-Men: First Class (2011). 

The Batman notices that she glances at the photos and is wearing the same black boots. Selina walks out of the club and hails a taxi. The Batman follows in his motorcycle. At her apartment, Selina sees Annika, her movements are tracked by someone using binoculars. The black-rimmed eyes belong to The Batman, but has similarities to The Riddler. He watches as Selina changes into a black outfit, The Batman is getting a little voyeuristic here, and leaps down the fire escape. He follows her motorcycle. Selina puts a device onto a safe and looks through a sight to open the combination lock. She wears a black, wool mask only covering her nose with tiny ears at the side. Selina suddenly hears, “You’re pretty good at that”, and The Batman takes the passport she was stealing.  

Selina throws several kicks at The Batman. Against the wall, The Batman covers her mouth as a security passes the room, then he gives the passport back. They enter a ruined apartment and Selina calls for Annika who ends up missing. The Batman sees on a bill Selina’s name. The news reports on Pete Savage’s death at a gym. A video of the Riddler shows Annika with a Saw-like cage filled with rats over her head. Selina tells The Batman about the 44 Below club, “the club within the club”, which is a mob hangout. The Batman gets Selina’s help. At the morgue, The Batman and Gordon find Savage’s body was injected with arsenic, The Batman says it is rat poison. They find a cage with symbols. 

Later, Selina puts in the contacts to infiltrate the club. She enters the 44 Below club and sees the man with the broken nose from The Batman, William Kenzie (Peter McDonald), an off duty cop. The Batman asks for her on the mike to turn and look to see District Attorney Gil Colson (Peter Sarsgaard). The actor is in The Lost Daughter (2021) and was also the villain in Green Lantern (2011). One of his associates asks about "the rat." Selina is more interested in a woman there who seems to know Annika. She walks after her and sees Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). The veteran actor, Turturro has been in the drama, Hands of Stone (2016) and the lead role of the comedy, Barton Fink (1991). The character was introduced in Batman #404 (1987). 

The Batman suspects Selina's ties with Falcone and she goes to the bathroom mirror to remove the contacts. We hear The Riddler's breathing as he watches Selina and then Colson who tries to give her a ride in his car. She gets into a cab and Colson goes back to his car, he turns and sees The Riddler! Gordon goes up a construction site elevator to turn off the Bat Signal. The Gotham sunset is impressive as well as the city and the Atlantic Ocean vista. Moody cinematography by Greig Fraser who also worked on Dune (2021). He meets with The Batman who suspects it all ties into the Maroni case. This mystery will follow suspects that will strike deep at the heart of Gotham City! The movie clocks in at two hours and fifty-five minutes, but the narrative keeps a good pace. The Batman has a noir-ish style and detective work that is the most accurate depiction of the comics character, and an impressive cast with Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, and Paul Dano!    

Five+ Bat Signals out of Five!  

#TheBatman, #MattReeves, #PeterCraig, #RobertPattinson, #ZoeKravitz, #JeffreyWright, #AndySerkis, #ColinFarrell, #PaulDano, #JohnTurturro, #PeterSarsgaard  

Naomi, “Homecoming”, Review!

Naomi is at a skateboard park on her board as Greg takes video of her on his cell phone.  He buys churros for his family.  Naomi stares at Zumbado playing chess at the park.  Her father warns her that he is dangerous.  She knows.  At school, she presides over the Homecoming committee.  Annabelle shows the fundraising chart, the soccer team is at the top, and Nathan defends the favoritism allegation from Esme.  He hopes to raise more funds for the soccer game.  Anthony, Annabelle, and Esme all try to speak for their clubs.  Later, Naomi wonders about staying in the same place to Annabelle.  

At practice, Dee spars with Naomi with escrima sticks.  He says it is the last session and may have found something about Qyeala, his unrequited love that he thought he lost.  Nathan shows up and sees the gym for the first time.  Dee introduces himself.  Naomi has them walk away.  As they walk, Nathan wants to see Naomi’s moves, and she swiftly blocks him.  Annabelle and Naomi re-enter the warehouse, Naomi sees that markings are gone, she touches the wall and looks at the other room through x-ray vision.  She pushes a socket and opens the door.  Naomi uncovers a large case with markings, a spaceship!  Later, she uses her skateboard to go to her ramp in her backyard.  

NAOMI - - “Homecoming” - - KACI WALFALL, MARY-CHARLES JONES - - Photo: Danny Delgado/The CW -- © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Naomi shows Annabelle piece of the spaceship and wants a scientist she knows, Dr. Bell, to analyze it.  Nathan is joking about Anthony’s float honoring Port Oswego.  They get into a pushing contest, this is rivalry between the military and the townpeople, we haven’t seen Nathan’s parents, but they may be part of the problem.  A teacher, Mrs. Varady (Joanna Walchuk) breaks them up and gives them detention.  Nathan acts out disrespectfully for no reason, he is still a young teen, and needs a little more growing up.  Dee enters a bar, a beer bottle is levitated to a customer, at the bar is his friend Adam. Dee admits he saw her name on the bounty hunter’s list.  Qyeala and Dee found on a planet to give up being warriors.  He wants to find Lux and points him out.  

At S.T.A.R. Labs, an energy experiment is monitored by Dr. Bell (Jennifer Christa Palmer).  Naomi waves to her.  She mentions the college internship, but Dr. Bell knows she is too young.  Naomi brings up an extraterrestrial object.  She is allowed in and Naomi takes off her backpack to show her the piece of metal.  Dr. Bell says it is from a spaceship and knows that Naomi is not from Earth!  She calls her “interdimensional” and scanned Naomi entering the room.  Dr. Bell activates her iPad, activates a device that can help Naomi use her powers, Naomi uses x-ray vision to see inside her backpack.  She calls it “resonance” and Naomi wants her to find Earth-29.  

NAOMI - - “Homecoming” - - JENNIFER CHRISTA PALMER, KACI WALFALL - - Photo: Danny Delgado/The CW -- © 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

At the detention room, Nathan annoyingly taps his pencil, he admits that he didn’t mess with Anthony’s float.  He brings up his first day where Anthony ditched him.  Nathan says they should find the person who messed with the float.  At the bar, Dee meets with Lux (Ahmed Lucan), who tries to leave, but blocked by Adam.  Dee sees the ring necklace on Lox, he slams him down, and shows him his ring.  He says he was on the planet with Qyeala and took the ring to remember her.  Lox leaves the bar.  The parallel stories of Dee and Naomi are interesting, is Queya somehow connected?, is she the one who sent Naomi to protect her?  At home, Greg and  have brought back leftovers, they hear a noise.  Then, find Zumbado!, who wants to talk.  He says someone knows the location of Naomi and that she is not safe.  Zumbado places a gun on a table and walks out.  

At the lab, Dr. Bell sends energy at the spaceship piece, but can’t find the planet.  She tells her the theory of Quantum Mechanics about the Multiverse.  Dr. Bell says she had a prototype device, but it was stolen.  Then, shows Naomi on her laptop, of course Zumbado!  I think this is the person, Dr. Bell, that Zumbado was trying to warn about to the McDuffies.  Nathan is locking for keys to the security room, Anthony is looking out and tries to delay Mrs. Verity, he says he was going to invite her to the game.  The secruity footage is scanned by Anthony and shows the face of the culprit, Esme!  Adam points out the tatoo, they both believe that Lox was telling the truth.  They face two men who enter and then two others from the front door.  Naomi's latest ep has Dee learning more about Qyeala while Naomi takes care of high school life, the two will collide, and Naomi will use her full powers!   

Three Discs out of Five!  

#Naomi, #Homecoming, #JenniferChristaPalmer, #AhmedLucan, #JoannaWalchuk

Superman and Lois, “Tried and True”, Review!

Superman and Lois has brought some strong drama with the affair of Kyle Cushing and Candice and now we have the aftermath!  Plus there is the situation with Bizarro and Jonathan's dangerous use of Yellow Kryptonite!  This episode is directed by Amy Jo Johnson!  At the opening, we see the ragged cape of Bizarro walking in an empty house glaring with red light.  There is photos of his family, but he stands ouside with his containment suit and takes a hit of Yellow Kryptonite from an inhaler!  His eyes glow blue as he takes on soldiers in a fight, without super powers, there is a yellow glare from radiation?  Then, he looks up to see Superwoman, Lana Lang!  There were many Superwoman from dreams, spells, and other forms.  Lana Lang became Superwoman in Action Comics #6 (2012).  This shifts to Ally in the red sun world sitting in an office, Bizarro tears the pendant from her, and then he is in the full containment suit.  

Bizarro flies in a Superman the Movie homage, and then plows deep into the mines.  He has told the story to Superman and the hologram of Lara at Kal-Rho’s fortress. He has two yellow energy bands swirling like the Phantom Zone criminals.  Superman is angry that Bizarro is a killer.  Lara asks Bizarro about the pendant which he says is ancient and split the two worlds.  Bizarro, with raspy voice, explains that he was about to be stopped by some enemy.  He couldn’t destroy the pendant with his weakened powers from the yellow sun.  Lara tells her son that he could destroy it.  Bizarro says he has to kill Ally before she merges with her counterpart.  Later at the house, Clark has explained everything to Lois, he wonders about what she found from her Inverse research.  At the military base, Lt. Anderson is asked about the location of the “other Superman” by General Hardcastle (Patricia Drake).  This is a character from Superman: The Animated Series introduced in “The Prometheon” (1997).  

She mentions that General Lane had things under control, but with Lt. Anderson there has been Kryptonite out in the public and two of their “assets”, soldiers, killed.  She assigns him to attend the funeral and wants to find Bizarro at the cost of his job.  Jordan asks Jonathan about his “wintry fresh” breath and uses a bit of cold breath on the wall, funny!  He asks about his powers.  Jordan wants to help out his brother.  His Yellow K inhaler falls and he says it is from Candace.  Clark is excited about Jonathan becoming a starter for the football game.  Lois reminds him about talking with Lana.  He tries to have his daughters apologize.  They start to argue, but stopped by Sam Lane.  He will have to come out of retirement to get the DoD back in working order.  At the funeral, Taps is played, as we see the two flag drapped coffins.  Superman is there and he gives his condolences to Mrs. Vance (Laura Drummond) about the death of her daughter.  She says her daughter admired Superman.  

SUPERMAN AND LOIS - - “Tried and True” - - INDE NAVARRETTE, EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI  - - Photo: Shane Harvey/The CW -- (C) 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 

Lt. Anderson tries to pay respect to Mrs. Vance, but she slaps him, a scene right out of the grieving mother in Jaws (1975).  Mrs. Vance wants him to find her daughter’s killer.  Superman tells Lt. Anderson they need to talk in private.  At the Cushing house, Lana sees her daughter, Sophie, about eggs for breakfast. She wants Sarah to write thank you notes for the presents.  Sophie asks if her father will ever come back home.  Lana is shaken, crying, Sarah goes to hug her.  I like the real, human moments in this superhero show.  This is a real world situation without some kind of sci fi element.  Lois is reading Ally’s book when she sees her father’s truck pull up.  She greets him as he brings in Lucy so they can talk.  At school, Jordan wonders about Jonathan playing while getting used to his new powers including an “occular discharge”, funny!, not heat vision break out!  He wants to tell their parents, but Jonathan says he kept Jordan’s secret for a year, but now he has found his place. 

Jordan goes to sit next to Sarah.  She brings up the problems with her father.  Kyle has returned to the house and talks with Lana.  He admits the affair had lasted six months and tries to apologize.  He shows her their wedding photo.  Lana tells him to leave.  Lucy is amazed at the photos of her nephews.  Sam Lane tries to bring up the pirate island movies, another funny!  Lt. Anderson is angry at the capture of Bizarro and Superman wants the pendant.  It needs to be destroyed.  Superman hears another distress signal.  Lt. Anderson wants to know where Superman has gone from Sergeant Erin Wu (Stephanie Cho). Superman flies to a snowy mountainous region that is having an avalanche threatening to cover a town!  He streaks in and along the path of the avalanche uses his cold breath.  Great effects!  Then, he uses his heat vision to vaporize the avalanche!  

He ses the villagers and talks to them in Russian.  Lucy talks football with her two nephews.  Clark walks in as Lucy wants to talk more football with the Kent boys.  At Lt. Anderson’s office, Sergeant Wu tells him about the avalanche in Russia, he looks at the pendant and tells General Hardcastle about how to stop the “rogue Kryptonian. Clark meets with Lana to talk about the affair.  She says that she loved Kyle since she was 17.  Clark tells her that he would need to know what happened if Lois had an affair.   Lana tells Clark that he has to coach the football game.  He says he will stay as long as needed, but Lana tells him she just needs time to think.  I’m stunned by the acting in this scene particularly by Emmanuelle Chriqui.  The Cushing family has become so important with the infidelity that the Kent family with Yellow K use and the Inverse cult just has become less of a priority.  

SUPERMAN AND LOIS - - “Tried and True” - - TYLER HOECHLIN, JORDAN ELSASS - - Photo: Shane Harvey/The CW -- (C) 2022 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 

It is night at the game, Coach Gaines is hyping up the team going against the Gators, he focuses on Jonathan.  Clark talks with son and encourages him.  Jonathan has the Yellow K inhaler and takes a hit before heading out.  On the field, he uses his vision in slo mo, rimmed by yellow to find a reciever to toss the ball.  Sam Lane goes to get chili dogs for his daughters.  The sisters start to talk, you can see their bond, as the game continues.  At the bar, pours Lana a drink, she says their relationship was wrong.  She admits that she loved Kyle, but admits that he chose his family.  Their relationship started two years ago at the time of Sarah’s attempted suicide.  Clark hears the signal and leaves Jonathan.  The coach sends in Jonathan.  Lois thanks Lucy and apologizes to her.  Lucy brings up the Inverse Method again.  Lois she has a pattern of going to people who solve everything for her.  Lucy is upset and leaves her sister.  Lois should know that talk of Ally should be avoided.  

Sarah talks to her friend, Denise, from the store.  She brings up the rumor of the inhaler, Jordan knows what is happening.  Superman walks with Lt. Anderson, but is suddenly hit with red radiation and falls to his knees.  Lt. Anderson says he is the threat.  The soldiers close in on Superman.  After the game, Candace goes to see Jonathan in the locker room. Jordan is there, Candace walks away, and he contronts his brother about the Yellow K.  Superman takes on the soldiers fighting them hand to hand without super powers, just a mirror of Bizarro Superman’s fight.  He defeats the soldiers, but Lt Anderson has a gun with a geen kryptonite bullet that he shoots.  Jonthan throws Jordan and the fight is interrupted by their grandfather.  Lt. Anderson fires another K bullet!   He may need the help of his brother, Tal-Rho.  Lana has to deal with Kyle's affair, she is strong enough to keep the family going, but this is not easily resolved.  Superman and Lois is filled with impressive super feats, but spends more time with family and characters!  

Four Crystals out of Five! 

#SupermanAndLois, #TriedAndTrue, #PatriciaDrake, #StephanieCho