The much anticipated team up of Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland with former Guns 'N Roses members Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum seemed like a better idea on paper than the actual product. As a band, Velvet Revolver tries to blend both elements of STP and Guns 'N Roses with alternative hooks and power ballad melodies; but it doesn't mix. "Set Me Free", a teaser track featured on last summer's Hulk soundtrack, is just that: a teaser of what kind of album "Contraband" could have been. "Do It For the Kids" is a rocking track, but the power ballads are stale for the most part, and where are the thick and heavy guitar riffs from Slash that we all expected and hoped for? It's still worth a listen, just don't expect anything as profound as the material that these guys have put out before.

Jim Carrey re-unites with his Ace Ventura and Liar, Liar director Tom Shadyac in this farce which was a smash hit and managed to put Carrey back on top after a few mishandled flops. When disgruntled Buffalo reporter Bruce Nolan (Carrey) is granted the powers of God (Morgan Freeman), Bruce Almighty becomes very promising to be off the wall hilarious, but it's funniest moments are before Carrey gets his powers. The film treads on being too preachy towards it's halfway point, which was a major disappointment for me, and Jennifer Aniston's supporting role as Bruce's girlfriend is mainly fluff for an all too predictable ending. Carrey is great though as his usual physical comedic self, and all in all Bruce Almighty is a fair film that Carrey's many fans will no doubt enjoy.

A purposely over the top schlock-fest directed by Phantasm director Don Coscarelli and starring Bruce "Evil Dead" Campbell as Elvis Presley; Bubba Ho-Tep insane comedic horror hybrid that is as fun as it is ridiculous. The story reveals that Elvis didn't die, and instead lives at a rest home in Texas with JFK (Ossie Davis) whose body was died black and brain transplanted in a matter of national security. The resthome however is soon terrorized by an ancient mummy with a penchant for cowboy boots who is sucking the souls from the elderly residents; and it's up to the King and JFK to stop him. Purposely ludicrous, but at the same time sincere, Bubba Ho-Tep is pure laugh out loud hilarity from beginning to end. Campbell is perfect as Elvis, giving what maybe the best performance of his career. His imitations, karate, and voice of Elvis are nearly perfect. The makeup and effects aren't bad either for a low budget movie, and the whole cast and crew seems to be having a blast doing this. Bubba Ho-Tep's only flaw is in it's pacing and final showdown which could have been better, but all together this is definitely worth seeing. The DVD features are plentiful for a single disc DVD release, with an intriguing making of and two commentary tracks; one of which is Campbell as "the King" which is absolutely hilarious.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon wrote this eight issue mini-series for Dark Horse Comics. Taking place in the 23rd century in a Blade Runner-esque world; young "grabber" (pretty much a thief) Melaka Fray finds her world turned upside down when a mysterious demon named Urkonn tells her that she is the Slayer. Faced with a newfound destiny, a tragic past, and plot twists and turns galore; Joss Whedon's Fray is pure brilliance from beginning to end. Whedon's interpretation of future dialogue is amusing to say the least, and his quirky humor which has always been apparent throughout his various television shows is here as well. The art by Karl Moline and Andy Owens is amazing stuff indeed; bringing a surreal look to the dark and gritty future world while showing Mel mature more and more as each chapter passes. The only problem with Fray is in it's pacing. From the time that Mel accepts her destiny to the end of the book, the war against the vampires happens too quickly. If you can get past that though, you'll find some pure comic genius here, Joss Whedon style. Hopefully, Joss will do a much requested follow up to Fray after his current run on Marvel's Astonishing X-Men (also highly recommended).

Chuck Austen, arguably the most criticized writer in comics today, continues his Uncanny X-Men run with this five issue arc. The story revolves around Husk, who along with fellow X-Man Archangel pay her family a visit when her younger brother is injured. Soon enough a family war stirs up between Husk's Guthrie family and the Cabot family; all the while Husk's other brother Josh (who has angel type wings, hence the title of the book) and Julia Cabot declare their love for each other with Romeo & Juliet-esque results. Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Polaris are called in as well; all of which are sadly underused in this arc. Austen's writing, especially the dialogue between Josh and Julia, is mellowdramatic lovey-dovey fare that doesn't seem realistic one bit, while the action itself is just one big drag. She Lies With Angels' only saving grace is the art by X-Treme X-Men artist Salvador Larroca which is absolutely gorgeous. All in all, this is still worth reading, but those who love to criticize Austen will find plenty to nitpick here.

Based on the popular book, director Jane Campion (The Piano) helmed this disappointing adaptation of In the Cut. Meg Ryan, in a role against her type, plays a sexually withdrawn English teacher named Frannie who finds herself caught in the middle of a brutal murder investigation, and she also finds herself in bed with Detective Malloy (Mark Ruffalo) who is investigating the crimes. Between the explicit love scenes (and in the unrated director's cut there are aplenty) and the gruesome crime scenes, one is left to wonder what else this film can breakthrough with; but such things as character development and actual suspense aren't to be found. Fans of the book will notice how closely the film follows it's source material's events up until the final quarter of the film, and all together In the Cut is worthwhile entertainment, up until it is rendered utterly pointless. Nicole Kidman co-produced the film, and the cast also features Jennifer Jason Leigh, a small role from Comedy Central's Tough Crowd alumni Patrice O'Neil, and an uncredited Kevin Bacon in a role which doesn't serve him well at all.

Much like Larry Clark's Kids which was released almost ten years ago, Thirteen is a nearly unflinching look at an inner-city early adolescent teen named Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) whose reckless desire for freedom spins her life out of control. Her new friendship with the popular and alluring Evie (Nikki Reed who also co-wrote the film) begins Tracy's downward spiral, while her recovering alcoholic mother (Holly Hunter in an Oscar nominated role) struggles to maintain her fractured family life. What helps make Thirteen all the more genuine is that Reed, an actual teenager, co-wrote the film with director Catherine Hardwicke, giving the film a realistic point of view combined with Hardwicke's handcam documentary style approach. Shocking, at times horrifying, and hard to watch at some points; Thirteen ends up being something you'll not likely forget after viewing.

Note: this review refers to the recently released Ultimates TPB entitled Homeland Security. After managing to take down the Hulk, the government sponsored superhero team called the Ultimates have run into some problems. A shape changing alien race, which are responsible for some of humanity's worst moments (Captain America fought them in World War II) are once again rearing their ugly heads with a plan to wipe out the human race. Sad part is, the Ultimates are in shambles with Janet Pym AKA Wasp severely injured by her husband Hank AKA Giant Man, who himself goes on the run with Captain America in pursuit to teach him how to properly treat a lady. New members Hawkeye, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver are introduced as well as the team unites to defend the planet. The issues contained in Homeland Security is where the Ultimates really shines, improving on the first few issues by far. Mark Millar has cleverly crafted a modern day version of the Avengers while staying true to their original roots, while Bryan Hitch's artwork is better than ever. All this leads up to the upcoming (hopefully, many single issues of the series were loaded with shipping delays and would not reach shelves for months at a time) Ultimates Vol. 2 monthly series which Millar has hinted at will change everything you think about this modern day Avengers team. All in all, out of all of Marvel's Ultimate line (the new Ultimate Fantastic Four is impressive as well), the Ultimates is something really special.

Peter Jackson's awe inspiring adaptation of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy comes to a close with the Return of the King. Picking up where Two Towers left off, ROTK up's the ante for everything set in the previous two films; ranging from the ultra epic battle scenes (the battle of Helm's Deep from Two Towers is nothing compared to the warfare here), superb makeup and special effects, and amazing acting from everyone involved. Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are close to concluding their quest to destroy the ring in the fiery depths of Mount Doom, while they are led by the deceitful Gollum (Andy Serkis) who has plans of his own. Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson) accepts his role in the kingdom of men while he, Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) and Gandalf (Ian McKellan) endure the never ending onsalught of dark lord Sauron's forces. Undoubtadly the best film in the Lord of the Rings film series, director/producer/co-screenwriter Peter Jackson and his crew have crafted something truly special here. ROTK deservedly won every Oscar it was nominated for (including Best Picture and Best Director), and the surprising and amazing emotional depth from the actors (Astin and McKellan especially) has to be seen to be believed. Roles of returning cast members, including Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, and Karl Urban, are more limited here, but their performances, along with the screenwriting of Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, are to be comended. All in all, ROTK solidifies the prediction made before the first film was released: this will be and is a film series that will be cherished for generations to come.

A rookie director, a dirt poor budget, and a no name cast didn't stop Mad Max from becoming one of the most revered action films of all time. A pre fame Mel Gibson stars as cop Max Rockatansky in a post-apocalyptic future where he, his buddy partner, and his wife and child, try to maintain a sense of civilization while ruthless biker gangs rule the road. When his family is slaughtered, Max goes over the edge, and the movie manages to get better and better. MGM has thankfully released Mad Max the way it was meant to be seen on DVD, with the original Australian language track restored in place of the dubbed American accents that were infamously incorporated into the film for years on home video and television. The stunt work of the film is a definite highlight, as is the young Gibson's performance as the hell bent for vengeance Max. Two sequels would follow, the first of which entitled The Road Warrior, managed to surpass this film and remains what many consider the greatest action movie ever made.