Virtual Adept

Well, this weekend we didn’t watch a lot of stuff, but we did watch the DVD for Underworld Evolution. This is a direct sequel to the horror/action vampire/werewolf fest Underworld. First of all, Underworld had a kind of convoluted plot, but it wasn’t that hard to figure out, and it did have a few twists to keep you guessing. Underworld had great action scenes with the “Death Dealer” vampire played by actress Kate Beckinsale, who looked sexy as hell in her skin-tight leather outfit. The NPCs in Underworld were entertaining if not entirely original. The love interest was a bit improbable, but it worked a lot better than some action movies (cough, Episode 2, cough). And the special effects were outstanding.

In Underworld Evolution, you get the same tight leather and great special effects, but with a straight as nails “OMG, I knew the entire plot from the first 2 minutes of the movie” kind of thing. I can’t see myself spending a lot of time rewatching this, it was so predictable the first time, and the only thing this movie has going for it is a lot of style, special effects, and of course, Kate Beckinsale. And more nudity this time around. But it was a worthwhile spending of 2 hours, even if not the “classic” cult horror that Underworld was. Mostly for the hotties and the cool special effects. I’ll give it a 7/10, but only because of Kate, if you took her out it’d only be a 5/10 maybe.

We also watched more of Season 2 of Smallville. Really liking that show now, I’m definitely going to snag the rest of the series on DVD. If you like comic books you would be flat out stupid not to watch this show. Get it!

Almost caught up on Marvel continuity. I’m on the last few issues of Civil War tie-ins (probably reading January and February books now). They made Tony into a total facist dickhead, which kind of sucks because I liked Iron Man before. They made out Richards into a coward yes-man. Overall the only characters I’ve been happy with during Civil War have been Spider-Man, Cap America, and Punisher.

On DC side I’m still behind by at least a couple of months, and altogether skipped a bunch of the Year One stuff. I did read Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis and some of the tie-ins. Liked everything I’ve read so far. I did read the latest Aquaman and decided to start getting that book. Have been buying a lot of stuff since Jan tho so I should be able to catch up soon. And I’ve decided to collect “Countdown”.

Been reading The Dark Knight Returns, about halfway done. Great story, okay art. Also about half done with the Punisher MAX series HC vol 1, which I absolutely love (story and art). I read the Secret War HC, and while the art was fantastic, I didn’t like the story that much. I liked where it was going but not where it ended up. Read the first TPB for Thunderbolts, which was awesome. Read the X-Men Decimation TPB, which was just okay. I think I’ve read everything now for House of M and Decimation related books.

Started collecting a few non-Marvel/DC books. Am getting the B.P.R.D. Garden of Souls mini, which is cool so far, and Buffy Season 8, also very nice. Been getting Spawn, which I like okay so far. Will start getting Invincible with issue 42. A Hellboy mini also, forgot the name of it. And Deathdealer. And Madame Mirage by Dini (love his recent Batman stories).