WEEKLY PICKS – AUGUST 22, 2016

This week sees a bevy of new media releases that makes it hard to nail down just three recommendations. Nevertheless, format is format. Here’s our list for the best selections in movies, television and comics for the week of August 22.

MOVIE PICK: THE NICE GUYS

Director: Shane Black

Writers: Shane Black,  Anthony Bagarozzi

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crow, Keith David, Matt Bomer, Kim Basinger

Shane Black helmed The Nice Guys really didn’t get the fair shake it deserved in theaters. It enjoyed rave reviews, but mostly fizzled at the box office. With a stellar cast and Black’s trademark offbeat comedy, this film is one of the most entertaining releases in 2016. Set in the 1977, the plot centers on P.I. Holland March (Ryan Gosling) investigation of a famous pornstar’s death. The film’s weird and wacky interpretation of Los Angeles in the 70’s is about as much fun as you could expect. The Nice Guys is available on DVD and Blu-Ray August 23.

TV PICK: JEAN CLAUDE VAN JOHNSON

Network: AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Writers: Dave Callaham

Cast: Jean Claude Van Damme, Kat Foster

Listen, every now and then you come across a project with a concept so god damned hair-brained you’re not sure if it’s going to be amazing or terrible. Rest assured Jean Claude Van Johnson is the former. The pilot of this potential series is available on Amazon’s Prime Video service and introduces us to Jean Claude Van Damme as, well, Jean Claude Van Damme; famous action movie star. JCVD now operates as a private contract that tackles jobs only someone with his unique skill set can handle. Van Johnson is gleefully self-aware as it pokes fun at action-movie tropes and the titular star himself. Fans can vote on Amazon to help green light the series.

COMIC PICK: TITANS #2

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Brett Booth

Fans everywhere celebrated when (the) Wally West returned to the DC Universe earlier this year in Rebirth. The new Titans ongoing series continues to follow the character’s reintroduction to fans and his former teammates, all of whom still can’t remember who he is. Just to see Wally interacting with Dick Grayson, Donna Troy, and Roy Harper is worth cover price alone. Abnett’s writing zips and wastes no time getting Wally back into the swing of things while introducing a new and powerful threat. Titans #2 hits shelves on August 24.