tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95543612009-11-22T06:54:29.528-08:00Interact! Post your comments, rants and raves.Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1164219467277434662007-11-22T10:15:00.000-08:002006-12-28T09:58:03.073-08:00

Between reviews, that is, I can be found at my regular blog home. It’s where I do most of my mental noodling on topics of spirituality, pop culture, and writing. This is in case I’m not posting reviews as often as you’d (or I’d) like, you have someplace to read me.If you aren’t sick of me here, update your bookmarks:http://www.mauricebroaddus.com/blog.htm***And if you want to make sure that I

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1171165528338976212007-02-10T19:35:00.000-08:002007-02-10T19:45:28.403-08:00

“Faith in Monsters" - Number 110Written by Warren EllisArt by Mike Deodato, Jr.Published Marvel ComicsPrice $2.99The idea of using a group of super-villains to do good is a long standing one, DC’s Suicide Squad springs to mind. When they were first introduced to the Marvel Universe, the Thunderbolts had the interesting premise of villains pretending to be heroes and then eventually working to

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1171164361249249282007-02-10T19:17:00.000-08:002007-02-10T19:34:35.090-08:00

“Last Son” - Number 844Written by Geoff Johns and Richard DonnerArt by Adam KubertPublished by DC ComicsPrice $2.99I have never been much of a Superman reader for the simple reason that it’s tough to make me care about Superman. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve put in my time trying to care about him, it’s tough for storytellers to find interesting ways to deal with him. I followed the Man of Steel and

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1171048040196386262007-02-09T11:06:00.000-08:002007-02-09T11:08:33.853-08:00

Issues 1 - 6Written by Garth EnnisArt by Darick RobertsonPublished by DC/Wildstorm ComicsPrice: $2.99We live in a time of entrenched cynicism about our institutions. Where we are distrustful of government, distrustful of churches/religion, and distrustful of (super) heroes. Why? Because they have given us plenty of reasons to be cynical about them. It’s no wonder we’ve grown uncomfortable

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168910152446595262007-01-15T17:15:00.000-08:002007-01-15T17:15:52.473-08:00

Writer: Charlie HustonArtist: David FinchPublisher: Marvel“The Bottom”I remember the first issue of Moon Knight that I ever purchased. I knew nothing about the character, but to be honest, he looked like Marvel’s answer to Batman. However, the cover drew me to it. It was drawn by then little known artist, Frank Miller (Dark Knight Returns, Sin City) with interior pencils by then little known

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168910188267321692007-01-15T17:14:00.000-08:002007-01-15T17:16:28.273-08:00

Adapting the Broadway musical that was first staged in 1981, director Bill Condon puts together a movie that moves at whirlwind pace in its first hour and then levels out. I really wanted to love Dreamgirls. Maybe that was the problem: too high of expectations. It had a lot of the things I love about musicals: great songs, great singers, great performers, great performances, great

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168907037255382972007-01-15T16:22:00.001-08:002007-01-15T16:23:57.266-08:00

Adapting the Broadway musical that was first staged in 1981, director Bill Condon puts together a movie that moves at whirlwind pace in its first hour and then levels out. I really wanted to love Dreamgirls. Maybe that was the problem: too high of expectations. It had a lot of the things I love about musicals: great songs, great singers, great performers, great performances, great

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168906999516647242007-01-15T16:22:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:23:19.523-08:00

Writer: Charlie HustonArtist: David FinchPublisher: Marvel“The Bottom”I remember the first issue of Moon Knight that I ever purchased. I knew nothing about the character, but to be honest, he looked like Marvel’s answer to Batman. However, the cover drew me to it. It was drawn by then little known artist, Frank Miller (Dark Knight Returns, Sin City) with interior pencils by then little known

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168906972866582182007-01-15T16:21:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:22:52.873-08:00

Writers: Peter David, Reginald Hudlin, and J. Michael StraczynskiArtists: Mike Deodato and Joe Pimentel, Pat Lee and Dream Engine, and Mike Wieringo and Karl KeselPublished by: Marvel Comics“Evolve or Die”Spider-Man has seen a variety of changes over the years. He’s had multiple arms, been a giant spider, worn an alien costume, and then there was the clone saga (oy! The clone saga).

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1168906674883671862007-01-15T15:18:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:17:55.103-08:00

Writer: J. Michael StraczynskiArtist: Publisher: Marvel MAXThere does seem to be a bit of a convergence of ideas, a trend of superheroes submitting to (or registering themselves for) government oversight. This is probably a commentary in itself on how we see (fear) government: we can’t just have a group of powers walking around uncontrolled, unregulated. The New Avengers. Powers. Ultimates.

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1167328650614042412006-12-28T09:56:00.000-08:002006-12-28T09:57:30.633-08:00

I've had a huge increase in spam in the last month. So much so that it has caused my mailbox to sometimes register as full (to those who have had bounce back e-mails to me). I was forced to ask can spam be seasonal? I mean, it's December, I must REALLY want a larger penis now. And Russian women REALLY want to talk to me badly?Speaking of spam, in case you missed it, last week’s Intake column

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1167328851655151342006-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:002006-12-28T10:00:51.656-08:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m thankful for friends, family, my church, my job, my readers, and my health. I try to live my life being grateful every day, so this holiday offers me only the occasion to be thankful for a day off. So rather than do some holiday themed blog, I got a couple of announcements:1) I got around to having my website updated. By “I” I mean Deena Warner stepped in and bailed out

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1166673685242567742006-12-20T19:16:00.000-08:002006-12-20T20:01:25.373-08:00

Written by: Kurt BusiekArt by: Brent AndersonPublished by: DC/WildstormAstro City is Kurt Busiek’s most impassioned work. After rising to prominence with the limited series, Marvels, he has enjoyed runs on The Avengers and Legion of Super Heroes. Obviously Astro City occupies a special place for him and is the most personal to him, one that allows him to explore the heart of what he loves

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1166673791204825912006-12-19T20:02:00.000-08:002006-12-20T20:03:11.210-08:00

“The Jaguar of Judah”What troubled me most about Apocalypto was that it seemed like a movie of false promises: a grand historical epic, the journey of the hero, the exploration of the pageantry of a power in its decline, man’s inhumanity to man, the hope within exile, the terror of conquest. What we get is a National Geographic spectacle with some nods to a deeper theme. Hinting at the

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1166673834242404452006-12-18T20:03:00.000-08:002006-12-20T20:03:54.246-08:00

“Road to Damnation”Writer: Garth EnnisArtist: Clayton CrainPublisher: Marvel ComicsGarth Ennis has been on quite a roll. I’ve forgiven him for that waste of perfectly good trees known as Goddess, as he has enjoyed phenomenal runs on Hitman, Preacher, Hellblazer, and Punisher. Quietly, he has established himself among the top echelon of comic book writers, alongside Ellis and Morrison,

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1164219320222410592006-11-22T10:10:00.000-08:002006-11-22T10:15:20.246-08:00

“God has a Woman’s Voice”Usually when you start hearing voices, even voices that just narrate your life, it’s not a good sign. That’s the dilemma in which Harold Crick finds himself in the movie Stranger Than Fiction. We always hold our breath when an actor known for their comedic roles decides to show their versatility by doing a dramatic turn. While there is nothing sadder than the tears of

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163610757088625112006-11-15T09:12:00.000-08:002006-11-15T09:12:37.096-08:00

“A Stranger in a Strange Land”Kazakhstan greatest country in the world.All other countries are run by little girls.Kazakhstan number one exporter of potassium.Other countries have inferior potassium. If the title of this movie or the “lyrics” of the Kazakhstan national anthem (especially great when sung to the tune of America’s national anthem) don’t have you at least mildly intrigued, then you

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163610711546387992006-11-15T09:11:00.000-08:002006-11-15T09:11:51.553-08:00

Brad Sprauer, lead vocalist and song-writer for Mother Grove has come a long way since we shared a place and screamed Public Enemy lyrics at one another. Their song “All Right" remains at # 2 on Celtic Radio and their song, "The Ballad of Miles O'Toole," has moved to #4! So I thought that I would poke around in Brad’s brain for a bit.Tell me a little bit about how you guys got together. What

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163610655762691922006-11-15T09:10:00.000-08:002006-11-15T09:10:55.830-08:00

“You gotta breathe in life gotta taste the air/Gotta feel the earth beneath you see the beauty everywhere/Gonna be my brother, gonna be my friend/Gonna leave the fear behind you and listen from within” –BeltaneMy big fear about listening to Celtic rock groups is that I fear all of the music will sound like an Irish Spring commercial. With their fourth release, “Live at the Dublin Pub,” they

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163387527757973322006-11-12T19:11:00.001-08:002006-11-12T19:12:07.763-08:00

“Pensees”“Do you think in this business you have to have some glaring personality defect to be taken seriously as a genius?” Dr. Jonathan Singer (Mark Feuerstein) finds himself asking. That does seem to be the take home lesson of such hit shows like House, Bones, or Monk. It seems that we can’t get enough of medical shows, given the popularity of the aforementioned House as well as Grey’s

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163387492080393312006-11-12T19:11:00.000-08:002006-11-12T19:11:32.083-08:00

Ah, I’ve missed Aaron Sorkin and in that spirit, I have really looked forward to the premiere of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It's directed by Thomas Schlamme and written by Aaron Sorkin, a master of the “at work” genre. He made the mundane aspects of work interesting, giving us Sports Night and The West Wing. That is the reservation I have about the show, it has that great Sorkin dialogue,

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163387439391803182006-11-12T19:10:00.000-08:002006-11-12T19:10:39.396-08:00

“I guess in a place like this, you never know which day is going to be your last.” –Michael Scoffield One of the most spiritual shows on television, along with Deep Space Nine and Babylon 5 (not including those set up to specifically explore those themes, like Joan of Arcadia), was the show Oz. Why? Because do you know when many of us think about God and life? When we’re desperate. When

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163387387856341662006-11-12T19:09:00.000-08:002006-11-12T19:09:47.863-08:00

“A Tale of Two Law Shows”While David Caruso is doing his best Batman impersonation on CSI: Miami (and the show becoming increasingly ridiculous the more they play into it - With his black jacket as a cape and his sunglasses as his mask, I seriously expect him to do his best Michael Keaton saying “I’m Batman” at the end of every scene), the other branches of our legal system are getting quite the

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1163387316913776862006-11-12T19:07:00.000-08:002006-11-12T19:08:37.236-08:00

We are a procedural junkie nation. We are awash in CSIs, Law & Orders, Without a Traces, Cold Cases, and Criminal Minds. Like reality shows, every time you think there is not another permutation to explore, out pops another one from those fertile Hollywood minds (who turn “monkey succeed, monkey see, monkey do” into their work credo). We are in love with watching people at work, either because

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9554361.post-1158995858321467272006-09-23T00:16:00.000-07:002006-09-23T00:17:38.363-07:00

“We answer only to the President of the United States. Our missions and our existence are closely guarded secrets. Not even our wives know the truth about our missions.”It’s good to see that Dennis Haysbert has recovered from his role as the President of the United States on 24 (as well as of being a shill man for insurance). The Unit is a part of CBS’ Action Tuesdays, Haybert’s Jonas

Maurice Broaddushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18220965923503077818noreply@blogger.com1