45 Minutes Week 23 - Persons Unknown plus a Fox Fall Preview

 


Fox
Lonestar Mondays @ 9pm

Seems a bit soapy, but con-men are always interesting.



Not much else of interest that is new, but Fox does have a strong line up this year.  When mid-season replacements roll along, I will be very excited for Ride-Along, from The Shield creator Shawn Ryan, and starring Jennifer Beals and Delroy Lindo.

Cover of the Week 23 - Road to Perdition

To the Mattresses Week 22 - The Man in Black

I'm in Tennessee this weekend, and when I think of Nashville and Memphis, I can't help but think of Johnny Cash. 

This is from a Johnny Cash special called "Behind Prison Walls". The location is Tennessee State Penitentiary staged in the gymnasium with inmates making up the audience.

Friday Night at the Movies Week 22 - Bronson

For those of you in your mid-thirties, like myself, you might remember watching Rocky III for the first time.  I know, it's an odd film to bring up on a crime blog, but stay with me.  Remember Mr. T's Clubber Lang in that film?  Did he scare the hell out of you as well?  At the time I saw the movie I was only eight years old or so, possibly a bit younger, so I hadn't exactly developed a sense of bravery yet.  To me, Luke Skywalker taking on Darth Vader was brave, but I also knew it to be a complete fantasy.  There were no Sith Lords in real life.  Mr. T was real, and the thought of him delivering another beating to Rocky Balboa made my pulse race.  One look at that mohawk and gold chains, and I knew he was capable of killing him.



Watching the film Bronson, I got that same feeling again.

From his opening monologue, with his shaved head, thousand yard stare, There Will Be Blood mustache and hell-raising smirk, to him prowling a cage with fists flying and cock swinging,  I knew I was in for something dangerous. Watching him take on numerous armed and armored Hacks, naked and covered in filth, was like watching a lion.  Fuck Daredevil, this is the man without fear. 

And that laugh...

I've heard comparisons to Clockwork Orange in other reviews of this film, and while I can definitely see the parallels with the violence and narration, it stops there.  There is no story of possible redemption with Bronson.  He lives for the violence.  And thats all.

The film isn't much for the story, as it's mostly scenes in his life.  And while they are presented in a narrative order, there isn't an endgame in mind.  There will be no life affirming choices, no forks in the road, just more violence.  I'm okay with that.   Charlie is telling his side of the story, and his side alone.  Because of that, there will be some unreliable narration.  He doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture of himself, but he must certainly omit some things.  But Charlie is a natural showman, which is presently nicely with some asides on a stage, him covering his menacing dome with equally frightening face paint.  He makes it clear from the beginning that he wants to be a star, wants to be famous.  Without much else to offer, he decides to become famous by being the most dangerous prisoner in the British prison system.

It's easy to see how he earned that reputation.  From stops in an underground piss soaked fight club, to a stay in a mental hospital (complete with dance parties) he is always reading and willing for a brawl.  Numbers don't matter.  He'll fight one guy, two guys, even dogs if necessary.  In prison, the guards live in fear of him, knowing he could snap at any moment and broken noses will follow.  Hell, even they know they are just bit, nameless players in his story.

And without the amazing acting of Tom Hardy it wouldn't be a story worth watching.   He is flat out brilliant.  I would never have believed that this frighteningly believable beast of a man is the same ponce from Star Trek: Nemesis.  This film is his version of DeNiro's Raging Bull.  He didn't act the part, he became the part.  Watch the DVD's special features and see the five week training period he had to endure to physically change in Bronon.  Or better yet, listen to the included Bronson monologues to see how well he mimicked the speech of Bronson.

In conclusion, as a film, it doesn't necessarily work.  Without the main performance, there wouldn't be any reason to watch.  But the director, Nicolas Winding Refn was smart enough to focus on Hardy and forget the rest.  Easily one of the best performances last year, and it goes to show just how foolish the Academy Awards were not to include him as a nominee.

The Long Con Week 22 - Fistfull of Rain

I first met Greg Rucka about ten years ago at a comic convention in Chicago.  I had no idea who he was, but this being my first convention, I was anxious to meet any professional.  He was sitting at the back of the Dark Horse booth, promoting a Grendel novel that he had just written.  I hadn't read any Grendel either, so my chances of talking shop were looking pretty slim.  Luckily, my friend Gibran had some familiarity with him and Grendel, and is a much better bullshitter than I ever will be.  The man could strike up a conversation with a deaf mute and make it work.  So he got Rucka talking.

And the man can talk.  He went into detail about his works, which at the time mostly consisted of Whiteout, and future projects he wanted to line up.  At the time, he described only having an image of Wonder Woman's boot on Batman's head, but knew there was a story there.  A few years later, that was the cover of an OGN, Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia.  I told myself I needed to get reading this man's stuff.

Over the next few years I got into all his comic work.  He wrote great runs on Detective Comics, twice, introducing Sasha Bordeaux, a bodyguard to Bruce Wayne who would eventually go on to play a major role in his run on Checkmate, and Kathy Kane, the new Batwoman who would cause many a media ripples with her sexuality.  He, along with Ed Brubaker, introduced us to the Gotham City Police Department in Gotham Central.  In that title he was allowed to explore the character of Renee Montoya more than any other writer previously had, laying the groundwork for her to eventually become the new Question during the series 52, which he also had a hand in.  His fingerprints have been all over the DCU for the past ten years, and the characters are better for it.  But he also did some time over at Marvel, getting the chance to write Wolverine, Elektra, and Black Widow.

But besides all the comic work, Mr. Rucka has also made a splash with his novels. The Queen & Country series has gotten two, with a third on the way.  And his character Atticus Kodiak has quite the track record as well, going from professional bodyguard to perhaps the most dangerous man alive over the span of a few novels.  Yet each book he writes is littered with his usual tricks, strong characterization and lightning quick plots.

Greg Rucka is excellent at two things, putting a character through what should be the worst day(s) of their life, and writing strong female characters. Nobody does self-destruction and strength like he does.

From Renee Montoya in 52, to Carrie Stetko in Whiteout, to Tara Chace in Queen & Country, these are all woman who can just as easily kick your ass or put down a bottle of Jack. Their flaws are many, their strengths, possibly more. Did I mention he also wrote the best Wonder Woman of the past two decades?

Miriam of A Fistfull of Rain is no different.  She's an absolute fucking mess, the kind of girl you find incredibly hot, but then notice just how drunk she is.  The animal part of you wants to hit on her, but the rational side is screaming to keep away.  To make it even harder to decide, she's a rock and roll queen, the brains behind her band.  And while her small body might not have the martial arts capabilities of Wonder Woman, she has strength in different ways.  She's determined and stubborn, possibly even a little stupid brave.  But she sure as hell isn't good at making decisions. 

But what she is, is interesting, and when you tell a story from the first person narrative, that's a quality more important that any plot twist.  I had stayed away from this book mostly because it wasn't part of the Atticus Kodiak series.  I adore those books, and while I have always wanted to read this particular title, it always took a back seat.  I picked it up on the cheap a month ago and figured now was as good as a time as any.  And I'm glad I did.

The photos are invasive, obscene, and all over the internet for anyone to see.  How they got there, where and when they were shot, and by whom, Mim has no idea.  and before the investigation into the matter even begins, a brutal murder makes it clear that whatever Mim thinks her life has been up to now, she's about to learn it's all a lie.

The kind of lie that will kill.

A Fistfull of Rain was written with everything I admire about Rucka, so much that I wouldn't mind if did a few other "one off" novels with new characters.  Hell, if he can make a video game tie in novel interesting (Perfect Dark), he can write just about anything. 

And if you happen to find yourself at a comic convention, take the time to attend any and all panels he might be on.  I'll guarantee you'll be entertained and will learn valuable lessons on writing.   He taught me that every character has a secret they want no one to learn, and it's something I always keep in mind, not just when writing, but reading.

New Comics Wednesdays Week 22 - Acts of Violence

Remember a few weeks ago, when I noted what a great name Random Acts of Violence would have been for an anthology?  Well, I wasn't far off.  Acts of Violence in "an anthology of crime comics" published by, hold on here, Caper Away Productions, Caruso Comics, Critical Hit Comics and New Reliable Press.  I managed to get my hands on a copy a month or so ago, hey, writing this blog has some advantages, and as I type this out, it should be available at conventions and other distribution means.

Now on with the review.

Three Princes
written by Chad Boudreau
art by Manoel Magalhaes

The art was capable, but nothing to make you stop and admire it. The best feature of this story was the dialogue, particularly the excellent use of period language.  Terms such as bulls, wolf whistles and bubs are sprinkled throughout.  And while the story was good, it's execution was rushed.  Characters and situations were introduced and quickly discarded or glossed over.  It felt like watching Once Upon a Time in America in fast forward.  It removed any chance for that emotional guy punch the ending could have delievered if I'd had more time to get to know the characters.  It's not often I say this, but the story would have been better suited as an OGN.

Six O'Clock Noose
written by Dino Caruso
art by Marvin (mp) Mann

A  little revenge tale that tugs at my small town, we take care of our own, heart.  A solid script that knows when not to talk too much.  It allows the art to tell most of the story.  I've seen Mann's art before, and I hate to say it, but I prefer it in color.  The first page especially was very thin, and certainly would have benefitted from color.  However, each following page uses more grey tones and ink, and it improves them considerably.

Reggie-Town
written by Todd Ireland & Kevin Leeson
art by Toren Atkinson

Once you get past the terrible name, it's a very good story, that shows how far junkies are willing to go when in need of their next fix.  The protagonist, Reggie, is a terrible human being, and as much as he tries, he just cannot better his situation.  It's nice to see that his choices, not fate, keep him circling the drain.  The art is a great compliment to the story, using thick, heavy lines and lots of black to almost make the page feel dirty.

The Orchard
written by Ed Brisson
art by Damian Couceiro

A very quick story about a cop and his partner who takes vengence a little too far, and what he will do to help cover it up.  Add in a little twist about why he's so willing to help his buddy, and the best art in the anthology, and you've got a solid final act to the book.  My only complaint is that it ended too quickly.  I would have enjoyed seeing where the story went past it's conclusion.

Overall
A good mix of stories and art styles, each one offering something different.  A solid anthology that will hopefully spawn a sequel.  A great price point ($9.95) which merits taking a risk on something new and unknown.

The Short Con Week 22 - Take the Man's Pay

Take the Man's Pay
by Robert Knightly
originally appeared in Manhattan Noir

In Japan, in Kyoto, he would already have done what is expected of anyone arrested for a crime.  He would have confessed, then formally apologized for upsetting the harmony of Japanese society.   That is what you did when you were taken into custody: you accepted your unworthiness, took it upon yourself, the consequences falling across your shoulders like a yoke.

But he is not at home, he reminds himself for the second time, and there are decisions to make, and make soon.

A prostitute is found dead, having plummeted from a hotel room many floors up.  The rooms only occupant is Taiku, a japanese businessman, who admits to having sex with the woman, but had no part in her death.

What follows his arrest can only be described as fun.  He's taken in to the station house, and from there, he's just a pawn in the NYPD's confession game.  They throw all kinds of tricks at him, some of which I'd never heard of, hoping to get his confession by 1pm.  At only eleven pages, it offers an intriguing culture comparison, especially when it comes to crime, guilt, and punishment.

Search this story out, in either Manhatten Noir or The Best American Mystery Stories 2007 Edition.