Marvel's Luke Cage: Season 2: Luke Cage Carries the Weight of Harlem

Misty and Luke

Luke Cage, the Hero of Harlem, is harassed by angry neighbours who are starting to see the cracks in this unbreakable hero. All Luke Cage Season 2 episodes will be available June 22, 2018, on Netflix.

Source: Netflix YouTube

The Magic Order Trailer

The Magic Order

This is only the start. From the minds of Mark Millar and Olivier Coipel, The Magic Order is Netflix's first comic book series. Issue 1 arrives at your local comic book shop June 13. Pre-order your copy today.

Source: Netflix US YouTube

Troy: Fall of a City Review

Achilles

Troy: Fall of a City retells the story of the 10-year siege  of Troy which occurred in the 12th or 13th century.

Netflix does a good job recapturing the tale of Troy, from Homer and the Greek Myths. This time they were able to add various facets that haven't been seen before.

For the first time, we are able to see the events that took place in the background (that's if you have not read the Myths). The roles the gods played in the lives of important men in both armies, along with the various little engagements some minor characters played in the story that brought it to head. These events were not shown in Troy, 2004's rendition of the same story. The casting was a bit surprising as different characters were given a racial revision.

However, it is plagued with some poor acting and display at times as certain themes are repeated one too many times; the position Paris had put Troy in by surviving and coming back, the need to constantly show how "reckless" he is. The show even renders Priam and Agamemnon (main characters) to become less important, by making more subtle than they're supposed to be and generally feels dragged on for too long.

To be honest, it's just okay, if you have free time on your hands? Well, enjoy! - 5/10.

Miscellaneous

Odysseus is fun to watch, as is Achilles

Helen of Troy was properly explored along with other characters. I mentioned Helen because she seemed to be the centre or cause of the war but it was never shown how she felt about the entire event.

The Punisher Review

The Punisher.

Synopsis:

After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than New York's criminal underworld. Now known as the Punisher, he must dig deep into the conspiracy to discover the truth about injustices that affect more than just him and his family. Assisting the vigilante in his quest to fight criminals are best friend Billy Russo, who runs private military corporation Anvil, and former NSA analyst Micro, who shares common enemies with Castle and helps him as part of a so-called marriage of convenience.

We continue Frank Castles story as he intends to live a normal life and then he is pulled back into a world of chaos he'd so desperately tried to leave behind, discovering that there was more to the killing of his family and the people behind it. The Punisher shines brighter, even more so than the  supposedly bigger street level superheroes in the Netflix shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage). Jon Bernthals's performance is top-notch. Some beautifully executed events were the fight scene with the Jazz song in the background and the growing relationship between Frank Castle and David Lieberman. The show didn't make me feel like proper retribution took place, I mean The Punisher's mantra is "No Trials, No Bullshit." It  left so many questions, which would hopefully be answered if it were ever renewed for a second season 

Bottom line, it is so good that it's doing better than it should be, it was a decent telling of Frank Castle's story the previous movies never did well. 8/10

The Defenders Review

Marvel's The Defenders puts together the Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, a set of unlikely characters against a common enemy, The Hand, the criminal organisation responsible for different tragic events occurring in the life of the four main characters, forcing them to put their differences aside for the greater good of New York.

The Defenders.

Daredevil - "blinded as a child in a freak accident, Matt Murdock has learned to adapt and use his other senses to make him a powerful fighter as the vigilante Daredevil. When not in the streets he's a lawyer at his own firm."

Iron Fist - " A billionaire and a well-studied master of Chinese martial arts, Danny Rand holds the ability to summon the Iron Fist when he focuses his energy, granting him short-term superhuman abilities and powerful punch."

Jessica Jones - "Super-strong with a razor sharp attitude, Jessica is a retired superhero with a traumatic past. Since then she's turned to detective work as her main source of income, using her smarts to bring criminals to justice."

Luke Cage - "A man of few words, Luke Cage boasts incredible strength and unbreakable skin capable of withstanding everything from knives to bullets." (IGN)

Using a good flashback-flashforward format, the show does well to portray the connection between Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, Danny Rand, Luke Cage and The Hand. The Hand, the criminal entity led by Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver), becoming ever present in New York, seeking to seize the city under the nose of the Avengers. Seizing the city seems to be their singular goal, until wanting only Danny Rand alive among the four raises questions.

The show succeeds in mixing all themes of the different individual shows of the four members that worked into one well balanced unit, giving the chance for every one of the characters to shine individually and as a team. As usual there are exciting and realistic combat scenes. The central plot is convincing all the way to the end. However, it is still very unclear about the history of The Hand; the members of The Hand and their different histories, if they've lived for quite a long time, although you could say that they kept those cards close to their chest to facilitate material they'd use in following season's to come. After watching, you will be left with some question about the show, that seem more like plot holes.

All in all, it is a decent watch, you get a deeper view into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Supes wrecking henchmen and some banter as well - 7/10.

Things we learnt from Marvel's The Defenders:

The Defenders don't know how to treat an Old Lady
The African Warlord cliché still reigns supreme in Hollywood

Danny Rand is still an idiot 

Luke Cage brings an arm to a sword fight

A cut from a Katana can get missing in a few days

Supes don't bathe for days

Voltron Legendary Defender Season 3

Voltron

The next season of Voltron: Legendary Defender is almost upon us. The show continues with the team of Paladins seeking to cope despite losing their leader and Black Lion pilot, Shiro, faced with an entirely new foe in the form of Prince Lotor, son of the current antagonist, Zarkon, the grit and resolve of the great protectors of the universe will be ultimately tested in the following season.

Prince Lotor

The third season for Netflix and Dreamworks' Voltron: Legendary Defender will be available for binging on the 4th of August.