The Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon today is
Babylon 5 – The Complete Television Series 5-Pack DVD set for only $99.99 (that’s 67% the list price of $300.98).

The 5-pack 30-disc DVD set includes all five seasons — 110 episodes plus tons of bonus features — of the science fiction television series from J. Michael Straczynski set on a space station in the 23rd century.

Ninja Assassin
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by James McTeigue
Written by Matthew Sand, J. Michael Straczynski
Starring Rain, Naomie Harris, Shô Kosugi, Ben Miles, Anna Sawai
Warner Home Video
Release Date: March 16, 2010

When Ninja Assassin first made its presence known to us, it sounded like it could be one of the more entertaining flicks on its way to our eyes. Sometimes the production process is a long and trying one, however, and when the movie’s release drew near and every single commercial break had a spot advertising it, I found myself personally losing interest at an alarming rate. The movie had gone from a fun and exciting prospect to a title that had seemingly over-done it before it had even hit theaters.

This of course wasn’t the best of set-ups for someone like myself entering into a review of the movie, but it’s been multiple months now since the theatrical run, allowing the persistent advertisement efforts to wear off enough for me to jump in.

Ninja Assassin tells the story of a secret society of ninjas who inherit orphaned children and turn them into the deadliest killers the world has ever seen, paid 100 pounds of gold (or its equivalent over time) to remove people who need removing. One of these boys is Raizo (Rain), one of the most promising students that their “Father” Ozunu (Shô Kosugi) has ever seen. As time goes on, Raizo realizes that the methods used to discipline the students is a little too extreme. These views are confirmed when it comes to a fellow-student named Kiriko (Anna Sawai), whom he cares deeply for, is punished. Raizo eventually turns his back on everything he’s ever known and leaves this family of ninjas — something that they do not take too kindly to.

DC Comics announced this morning that Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski will have his hands full with Superman and Wonder Woman later this year, aiming to return the icons to their rightful places at the top.

Starting in July with Superman #701 and Wonder Woman #601 JMS takes over as writer on both titles. (Wonder Woman writer Gail Simone recently announced her departure from the title to work on other DC series.) He’ll also have a story in each of the anniversary issues (issue 700) to lead into his new ongoing runs. DC’s Source Blog is promising more details regarding the direction of the titles and the artists joining him in the coming months, along with an essay penned by the writer later today.

Superman will hit issue #700 in June, just after the War of the Superman weekly event wraps in May. Wonder Woman returns to its original numbering with May’s #600 after a DC-promoted post card campaign proved effective.

The Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon today is
Babylon 5 – The Complete Television Series (5-Pack) for only $105.49 (that’s 65% the list price of $299.98).

The 5-pack DVD set includes all five seasons — 110 episodes plus tons of bonus features — of the science fiction television series from J. Michael Straczynski set on a space station in the 23rd century.

A completely nuts new video has been uncovered that shows the stunt team from the new movie Ninja Assassin practicing their choreography for the movie.

The video is filled with some amazing sword fighting and martial arts work, so you have to check it out if you’re into that kind of thing. If this video is any kind of sample as to what we can expect when the movie comes along, then we’re in for some sort of treat here, folks. Especially if this gets a hard R-rating as it looks to be getting.

The movie is directed by James McTeigue, who directed V for Vendetta. The Wachowski Brothers produced Vendetta for him and are also producing this movie along with Joel Silver. Current hot hand J. Michael Straczynski (Changeling) wrote the script.