Cosmic Book News

‘Superman’ Cleveland Set Reveals Frank Grillo, The Authority, Spoiler Character
‘Superman’ Cleveland Set Reveals Frank Grillo, The Authority, Spoiler Character
James Gunn’s Superman: David Corenswet, Edi Gathegi Mister Terrific, Nicholas Hoult Spotted In Cleveland
James Gunn’s Superman: David Corenswet, Edi Gathegi Mister Terrific, Nicholas Hoult Spotted In Cleveland
Tomb Raider Reveals Lara Croft Redesign
Tomb Raider Reveals Lara Croft Redesign
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Featured Articles

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Comic Book News

Review: X-O Manowar #4

After the bombastic assault Aric bestowed upon the Vine army last issue, there is some much needed “down time” between the pages of this one. Though the introspective look is not focused upon the time displaced Aric, but rather the cause of all his woes — the Vine themselves!

It has been said many times before that a hero is only as good as his villains make him out to be. Venditti continues to prove this statement true, as he expands upon the background of the Vine and how far their influence reaches into the Valiant Universe! Perfect pacing and well thought out characterization, has brought these cruelly simplistic villains to the forefront as truly diabolical beings. Ones that have grand schemes already in place for our hero and, more importantly, the entire human race!

Venditti and Nord continue to create refreshing, poignant stories that captivate readers in ways that haven’t been done since the silver age of comics. There is an excitement that exudes from the page, even during the most mundane of scenes, that enthralls the reader. It instills a sense of awe and wonderment that can make the most hardened of cynics a fan of comics again.

If Venditti can make a bunch of spider faced aliens a fearsome force to be reckoned with, hold onto your hats my friends, because issue five will blow you away! That’s right, it’s the return of one of the most lethal assassins around — Ninjak! Aric’s world is about to get a whole lot more complicated!

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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for August 29th, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2800:]]1.  Locke and Key: Grindhouse (One-shot):  Joe Hill continually creates one of the best and yet, one of the most underrated books out there! If you haven’t picked up this series yet, you are sorely missing out on a completely mesmerizing, hauntingly amazing book! Dive on in, but remember where you left your keys!

2.  Justice League #12:  A truly great story that completely outshines the hype it is getting over the cover. Check out my full review for all the details!   

3.  Uncanny X-Force #30:  The “bad boys” take the child Apocalypse on a road trip to show him who he truly is! Cool tale that makes me want to see a “buddy” film starring Sabretooth and Daken!

4.  Green Lantern Annual #1:  This one will pave the way for the “Rise of the Third Army” arc that will hit all the GL books in the coming months! So, get out there and get ’em if you can! Some retailers ordered low due to the $4.99 tag price, but we don’t care about money! Right?

5.  American Vampire #30:  Holy schnikees! What is Pearl doing on that last page? Things are going to change in a big way in A.V. and you can thank Scott Snyder for that! It might not sell 80,000 copies Mr. Liefeld, but it damn well beats anything you’ve ever done!

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Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Justice League #12

Everyone has been clamoring over the image of Superman and Wonder Woman in a passionate embrace that adorns the cover of Justice League #12. It has been donned here at the CBN offices as, “The kiss heard around the world!” But, is the hype regarding this image actually warranted? Does the book stand on it’s own merit, or is it just an afterthought overshadowed by the big, money grab cover?

I am pleased to say, that issue 12 has been one of the best books of this entire run! Rife with characterization, Johns and his army of artistic talent, have crafted an outstanding tale that is a solid foundation for all the pomp and circumstance that comes with it’s cover. One that finally shows, an often at odds group of heroes, meld into something they haven’t truly been before — a team! Relying on each other, seeing each other’s fears and overcoming them as a single unit, the Justice League solidifies itself just in time to see it all come crashing down. Subsequent events will forever change the dynamic of these heroes, but it is their journey together that makes this book worthwhile. 

Johns has taken every essential aspect needed to craft the perfect tale, stirred them together and created something better than the sum of their parts. He both excites and moves us, from our rudimentary need for action to our longing to be understood by another — it is pitch perfect! And the cover, which will be eclipsed by the story within (trust me!), is just icing on the cake. Nothing can overshadow the frailty Johns bestows on his godlike characters. The least human of characters that can become the epitome of humanity in one single moment! Amazing!

This is my pick for best book of the week — hands down! Not for the kiss, but for what transpires to make the kiss occur.

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Movie News Reviews

The State of Hollywood: 10 Best American Born Actors

The State of Hollywood 5 (b):

10 Best American Born Actors as of 2012

By: Lawrence Napoli 

 

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It was a bit more difficult sorting through the men (Editor’s Note: compared to the women) to come up with a 10 “best,” “current,” and “American born,” Hollywood actor list. Quite frankly, there are more opportunities for men in this business because those who control the means of production (writers, directors, producers) still happen to be men [who are also mostly white].  I’d like to forewarn the reader if he or she happens to be sensitive about their leading men because there will be noticeable absences on this list for the simple fact that obvious additions 10 years ago have somewhat dropped out of the game due to age, a loss of interest or (fill in the blank).  NOT appearing on this list are notables: Hanks, Spacey, Travolta, Pacino, De Niro, Agents K and J, Malkovich and “JACK” Nicholson.  Oh, did I touch a nerve there?  I believe you all know where to send your complaints.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2785:]]10) Jeff Bridges

Born: Los Angeles, California in 1949

Last major feature: True Grit and Tron: Legacy (2010)

Notable awards: 2010 SAG, Golden Globe and Academy Award for best actor in Crazy Heart

Highlights: Iron Man, K-Pax, The Contender, The Big Lebowski, The Fisher King, Tron, Last Picture Show

On a quick side note: if I could nominate the entire cast of The Big Lebowski I would (minus Tara Reid), but alas not everyone in that cast has had an opportunity to truly lead productions (though many have and I’m glad Buscemi is doing well in Boardwalk Empire).  That being said, “The Dude” is every bit as awesome as the nickname that made us forget he’s just another Jeffrey Lebowski.  Toss in the fact he didn’t speak a single discernible word for the entirety of True Grit and still got an Oscar nomination for it shows us that even the Academy can appreciate Jeff’s eccentricity.  The man’s a true Hollywood star and although he had no major releases last year, he’s slated for two in 2013: R.I.P.D. and The Seventh Son.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2786:]]9) Brad Pitt

Born: Shawnee, Oklahoma in 1963

Last major feature: Moneyball (2011)

Notable awards: 2012 NSFC best actor in The Tree of Life and Moneyball and 1996 Golden Globe for best supporting actor in Twelve Monkeys

Highlights: Inglourious Basterds, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Snatch, Fight Club, Se7en, Legends of the Fall

Often maligned for his “pretty boy” status, Pitt continues to show more seasoning as an actor these days as well as some smarter choices for the roles he signs up for.  You kind of have to have more patience and discipline as an individual if you are the father of a family of 20.  Say what you will about his acting ability, but his performances make the films he’s been involved with MUCH more interesting.  Unlike Tom Cruise, Pitt still has a real opportunity to win an Academy Award as an actor because he can sell more than just action flicks.  Until then, he’ll just have to remain envious of his wife’s Oscar.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2787:]]8) Lenardo DiCaprio

Born: Los Angeles, California in 1974

Last major feature: J. Edgar (2011)

Notable awards: 2005 Golden Globe for best actor in The Aviator

Highlights: Inception, Shutter Island, The Departed, Catch Me If You Can, Titanic, Romeo + Juliet

Ah Leo, another pretty boy makes the list, but this one happens to be one I formerly had a serious beef with concerning his status as the male version of Helen of Troy to all young women as a result of his work in Titanic.  Had I been getting as lucky with the ladies as Leo had in general during the late 90s, perhaps I’d feel differently.  However, his filmography speaks for itself as his recent work has definitely made me more of a believer.  As Brad Pitt has shown a deeper commitment to character, so too has DiCaprio as he matures as a professional.  Leo has a few years on Pitt to grab that Oscar, but it’s a toss-up as to which one of them actually lands it first.  His upcoming work for The Great Gatsby should be compelling enough for yet another nomination once it releases.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2788:]]7) Matt Damon

Born: Boston, Massachusetts in 1970

Last major feature: We Bought a Zoo (2011)

Notable awards: 1998 Golden Globe and Academy Award for best screenplay for Good Will Hunting

Highlights: The Adjustment Bureau, True Grit, Invictus, The Bourne Trilogy, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Rounders

Yes, the best he’s managed so far for notable acting recognition is a number of nominations.  The argument could easily be made that Good Will Hunting was such a phenomenal fluke that validated Damon and Affleck’s existence on the Hollywood scene that it should come to no one’s surprise that he hasn’t become the alpha actor he should be.  To that I say Damon still makes this list even if GWH never existed.  Sure, he’d drop a few spots, but his work on the Bourne franchise is quite balanced between the action and drama.  The chemistry he had with Emily Blunt on The Adjustment Bureau was inspiring.  But it was the command he demonstrated throughout Rounders that proved he not only belonged in Hollywood, he could headline it.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2789:]]6) Denzel Washington

Born: Mount Vernon, New York in 1954

Last major feature: Safe House (2012)

Notable awards: 2002 Academy Award for best actor in Training Day, 1990 Golden Globe and Academy Award for best supporting actor in Glory, 2000 Golden Globe for best actor in The Hurricane

Highlights: The Book of Eli, American Gangster, Déjà Vu, Man on Fire, Training Day, Philadelphia, Malcolm X, Glory

Easily the most decorated actor on this list; Denzel has accomplished just about everything a professional actor can aspire to in Hollywood land.  Everything about this man’s acting ability can be summarized in one word: intensity!  The real question is whether age is starting to catch up to him seeing how his last outing with Ryan Reynolds didn’t exactly fire up the critics in a positive way.  I can’t blame an alpha actor like Denzel for doing a paycheck film, but it does hurt his “current” and “relevant” status somewhat; thus his placement at #6. 

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2790:]]5) Philip Seymour Hoffman

Born: Fairport, New York in 1967

Last major feature: The Ides of March (2011)

Notable awards: 2006 SAG, Golden Globe and Academy Award for best actor in Capote

Highlights: Doubt, Capote, Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Magnolia, The Big Lebowski

No, Mr. Hoffman does not make this list because of some “un-pretty” quota.  He’s a damn fine actor whose work extends well into the indie scene while still getting much deserved respect (and bank) from Hollywood.  Few actors can be so effective in both comedic and serious roles but Philip has this in spades.  His films tend to be a bit more cerebral in nature so his exposure to the average movie-goer may be limited.  Yet, this man is a living, breathing example that performance can transcend looks (and that’s a BIG accomplishment amidst all the plastic of La La Land).  He adds instant credibility to any cast and any production, but the smart choice is always to have him slide into a featured role because he can make the whole thing Oscar worthy.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2791:]]4) Edward Norton

Born: Baltimore, Maryland in 1967

Last major feature: The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Notable awards: 1997 Golden Globe for best supporting actor in Primal Fear

Highlights: The Incredible Hulk, The Illusionist, Death To Smoochy, The Score, Fight Club, American History X, Rounders

Is he a diva incapable of playing well with other marquee actors?  Is his agent a money grubbing troll?  Who knows the real “truth” behind the fact he was not a part of the epic cast of The Avengers because it certainly was NOT the result of poor acting.  He certainly made me forget that Eric Bana practically murdered Marvel’s big green machine in tandem with Ang Lee.  Norton is as skilled as actors come.  He was plain evil in American History X, yet plain loveable in Death To Smoochy.  His skill cannot be questioned, but if he presents chemistry issues for one’s cast, that presents a legitimate concern.  Perhaps Norton is just getting a bad rap as a result of gossip gone wild.  However, if so much gossip is consistent over a period of time, there may be some truth to it.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2792:]]3) Morgan Freeman

Born: Memphis, Tennessee in 1937

Last major feature: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Notable awards: 2005 Academy Award for best supporting actor in Million Dollar Baby, 1990 Golden Globe for best actor in Driving Ms. Daisy

Highlights: The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Bucket List, Along Came a Spider, Se7en, The Shawshank Redemption, Unforgiven, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Glory

As the elder statesman of this list, Morgan Freeman continues to deliver impactful performances as an actor because he finds the roles that compliment his age rather than react against it.  Of course, his iconic voice does much to extend his legacy as a marquee narrator (thus negating any ill effects of being “too old”).  He’s still more than capable of being the single feature to any production, but he’s gravitating towards projects with strong ensemble casts.  He’s won his Oscar so I can’t argue with his approach to further cementing his legacy.  I personally feel he was hosed for being overlooked by the Academy for his work on Shawshank, but then everyone that wasn’t associated with Forrest Gump was overlooked in ’95.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2793:]]2) Robert Downey Jr.

Born: New York City, New York in 1965

Last major feature: The Avengers

Notable awards: 2010 Golden Globe for best actor in a comedy for Sherlock Holmes, 1993 BAFTA for best actor in Chaplin

Highlights: Iron Man Trilogy, Sherlock Holmes, Tropic Thunder, A Scanner Darkly, Wonder Boys, Heart and Souls, Chaplin

(I’m not even going to mention the brilliance of Sherlock Holmes) How much money has this one individual made for Marvel Entertainment?  An exact number would be difficult to come up with, but the fact that he is playing the role he was born to play in Tony Stark has a lot to do with Hollywood’s continued obsession with adapting comic book titles.  Now let’s totally forget his involvement with all things Avengers and look to the fact that he got nominated for best supporting actor for his work in Topic Thunder.  Tropic Thunder!?!?  Don’t get me wrong; it was fairly funny, but he was the only good thing about that goofball comedy AND he got props from the Academy for doing so.  This man has made “quirky” the new “sexy,” yet he isn’t the king of quirk as that title belongs to …

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2794:]]1) Johnny Depp

Born: Owensboro, Kentucky in 1963

Last major feature: Dark Shadows (2012)

Notable awards: 2008 Golden Globe for best performance in a musical for Sweeney Todd and nominated for just about everything else, yet never ultimately winning

Highlights: Pirates of the Caribbean Saga, Public Enemies, Finding Neverland, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, From Hell, Blow, The Ninth Gate, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands

You do of course realize that had Johnny decided to sell out and become the teenie-bopper heart throb he was being groomed for, we would be talking about an actor with an inferior filmography and absolutely zero recognition from any notable authority in the field of acting proficiency.  He’d also not be on this list at all.  Yet, he still hasn’t won one single Oscar despite so many nominations and other performances worthy of nomination.  This reveals the inner quirk of Johnny Depp; a man determined to have his career play out the way he wants it.  Depp has all the skills as he can produce any performance for any role.  The only reason he doesn’t have multiple Oscars is a direct result of the projects he chooses to commit to.  Depp despises the mainstream as evidenced by the soul connection he shared with Hunter S. Thompson (of all people).  There are so many Oscar winning actors, yet few have been as unique as individuals let alone the roles they became famous for as Depp.  Frank Sinatra would be proud that he’s “doing it his way,” but I do see Oscar gold in Johnny’s future.  What’s really interesting is that an Oscar victory would not be seen as vindication for him personally.  His acceptance speech would probably go something like: “Thanks for this, but I have a fresh batch of opium at home with my name on it.  Bye.”  It could possibly be the best acceptance speech in the history of the Oscars for the simple fact it would finish way before the orchestra played him offstage. 

Those are my 10 best leading men and women of today’s Hollywood who actually originate from this country.  I completely understand how Hollywood is always looking for the next “hot, young thing,” but Australia isn’t the only place they should be looking.  I liken Cavill’s role as Superman to that of Patrick Stewart becoming the new captain of The Enterprise.  Stewart rose above the pressure and scrutiny of such ambition because his performances were simply amazing for every episode and every film.  All Cavill has to do is match that type of performance for one money and then maybe Americans will accept a Brit as the one who stands for truth, justice and so on and so forth.

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Movie News Reviews

Casey’s Dune Hollywood Film Draft: Cameron, Stewart, Hemsworth, Connery, Nicholson

(Editor’s Note: The following is part of The First Cosmic Book News Fantasy Hollywood Draft)

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By: Casey Gordon

Director: James Cameron – Jimmy C, as I like to refer to him, is a relatively well known director, responsible for such cult hits and underrated classics like The Abyss, Titanic, and Avatar. Now, can he handle Dune? Good question. I think the answer is yes. He has dealt with licenses in several of his past productions, such as the Titanic (that one museum place owns it maybe, but I mean, he didn’t make it up. The Titanic hit an ice cube and sank. Oops), Rambo, and Aliens. And that group turned out well enough. Perhaps his biggest hits were mostly his creations, like Avatar, and not sourced from elsewhere, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make Dune. Referencing Avatar again, that film also showed that he could lead a team to create a believable (if you’re into believing stuff) alien world, and then bring it to life. And maybe sand doesn’t sound exciting. But it is. Or maybe I should have picked Peter Jackson. But then the already long walking across Arrakis would become even longer. And Jimmy C’s milkshakes bring all the boys to the theatres.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2737:]]Gurney Halleck? Well, Patrick Stewart of course. What? You say he already has done it? DAMN RIGHT! And he hasn’t really changed at all. And the man is a muse. And he knows how to use a sword. I’m not going to explain it any more either. So there.

Duncan Idaho. He was a pretty cool guy. Until he died (OR DID HE? He did. But not really). But he is the Swordmaster in residence, the ladies loved him, and he killed record amounts of the Emperor’s Sardaukar. He is Chis Hemsworth. I mean, this is the role for him to play, look at his role as Thor, or the Huntsman (decent, but that movie…I shake my head).  He can easily be a warrior who enjoys his Spice beer a bit too much, but can easily hold his own in a fight. He could do it. 

Stilgar. He’s the stalwart leader of Sietch Tabr. The leader of the desert nomads; the Fremen. And he is Sean Connery. He is at the age where he can command respect, but has the appearance of one who has fought for many hard years in the past before he reached this place. And while he may be old, the fight hasn’t left him yet. Is he retired from acting? Not when he hears of his casting. A proper crazy Ivan this will be.

Baron Harkonnen will be Jack Nicholson. Now maybe he isn’t fat enough to be in a suspensor suit, but minor detail. He certainly has villainy under his [[wysiwyg_imageupload:2738:]]control, such as the commanding Colonel Jessup, the crazed Jack Torrance, or the dastardly Daryl van Horn. All of whom have characteristics that would combine to make one fantastic Baron. A sadistic, scheming old man with everything he needs, but nonetheless has lust for ever more power.

Next up is Tom Felton as the Sting. I mean Tom Felton as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Tom Felton is mainly known for one role, that of Draco Malfoy, which is how he came into consideration for this role. He has had plenty of practice at being a bad guy, but as an accessory to the main evil, not as his own menace, which is almost exactly what Feyd is. He can act the haughty heir, raised the sadistic heir of the Harkonnen family, as he did for the Malfoys. And while we all know what happens at the end, until that point, he’s had this role for 10 years. Now let it be used for a better franchise.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2739:]]The Lady Jessica is Cate Blanchett. The Lady Jessica is a respected role. She is the mother of Paul Muad’dib, the concubine of Duke Leto Atreides, and a Reverend Mother of the Fremen. She is in almost a regal position in the world of Dune. And Cate Blanchett’s filmography has helped prepare her for the role, as Queen Elizabeth I, Galadriel, and Katherine Hepburn. And all of those roles are of powerful, regal women, as is the Lady Jessica.

And finally we come to Paul Muad’dib Atreides. To be cast as Paul is Josh Hutcherson. Hutcherson has had a solid acting career since the age of 10.  Most recently, he was cast in the Hunger Games in the leading position as Peeta Somelastnameoranother.  And with that, he can become Paul. And while he might have been beaten up a bit in that film, he would kick way more ass on Dune. And he could do it. He’s a strong young actor, and this would cement his place in history.  In addition, it seems that his hair could be styled the same way that MacLachlan had his hair as Paul in the 1984 Dune film directed by David Lynch. Because that is the official Atreides heirstyle (get it?).

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The Spice must flow . . . again!

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Comic Book News

Stephen King’s new short story, “Batman and Robin have an altercation,” will debut from Harper’s Magazine on 8/28/12!

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The September issue of Harper’s Magazine, hitting shelves on 8/28/12, will feature a brand new short story from the “master of horror” — Stephen King! Although the tale is titled, “Batman and Robin have an altercation,” it has nothing to do with the “Dynamic Duo” in any way. Rather, it is about a middle-aged man dealing with his Alzheimer’s afflicted father. 

For three years, Sanderson has taken his father to lunch every week, to the same place and has had the same exact conversation. Until one day, while being brutally assaulted, Sanderson is saved by his father. A single moment of clarity after years of confusion, one that might change reality as they both know it!

Though the issue doesn’t hit shelves for five more days, you can subscribe to Harper’s Magazine and read it now! But, if you want a little more information before you buy, here is an excerpt for your viewing pleasure. Courtesy of Harper’s Magazine.

Batman and Robin have an altercation

By Stephen King

Sanderson sees his father twice a week. On Wednesday evenings, after he closes the jewelry store his parents opened long ago, he drives the three miles to Crackerjack Manor and sees Pop there, usually in the common room. In his “suite,” if Pop is having a bad day. On most Sundays, Sanderson takes him out to lunch. The facility where Pop is living out his final foggy years is actually called the Harvest Hills Special Care Unit, but to Sanderson, Crackerjack Manor seems more accurate.

 

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Movie News Reviews

The Expendables 2 Movie Review

Yo G.I. Geriatric Joe!

A Film Review of The Expendables 2

By: Lawrence Napoli

 

Wow, these guys look old now, but I really enjoyed the first Expendables film.  The reason (and I do mean only 1 reason) I relished in it was its particular blend of nostalgia with awe over the fact that so many marquee action stars were united in their efforts to shoot, maim, explode and knife their way into our hearts in one, contained, Hollywood production.  The Expendables 2 attempts to do this once again by featuring an influx of additional marquee action talent to this franchise with the presence of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris [no, Liam Hemsworth a.k.a. Mr. Miley Cyrus doesn’t count even if he happens to be the real life brother of Thor!].  Once the final credits rolled, I shrugged my shoulders and admitted that I had certainly seen worse, but was glad that I used my free Regal Cinemas pass for admission as opposed to actual cash.  The sequel to The Expendables falls prey to the common syndrome of “going-through-the-motions mediocrity” because everything the audience sees has been done by the same people in the previous film.  I dare say that even animating Mr. Norris’ beard to punch someone in the face (of its own accord) could not have generated enough charming intrigue to justify dropping bills to see this film.  As such, I’d only recommend this as a Netflix/On Demand rental or in 7 months time from now when it’s playing back-to-back-to-back on FX.

And that’s it for my review.

No, just kidding.  I have a few other things to say.

You know what was really missing from The Expendables 2?  Acting was missing.  Now before you all pan me for criticizing a muscle bound, meat-head of an action/explosion blockbuster for lacking decent performances, let me explain.  If all it took was muscles, then any ”˜roided out bum could be a Hollywood star.  What made the action stars of The Expendables legendary was the ability to produce performances to make audiences care about their characters throughout their careers.  If no one ever cared, no one would cheer for the hero and action films would be pointless.  If I need to explain why the audience cared for the likes of John McClane, Rocky/Rambo and even a reprogrammed Terminator then there’s no hope for you.  Realizing this, however, is the key to unlocking the secret of making a great movie (let alone action film).  The first Expendables had three such examples of performances generating empathy: 1) Mickey Rourke’s overall performance as Tool, 2) Jason Statham’s (Lee Christmas’) side story with his girlfriend and 3) Giselle Itié as the daughter of the evil/wanna-be-reformed warlord.  Stallone, Crews, Couture, Li and Lundgren are there to kick a$$ and blow sh*t up and guess what?  The same holds true for the sequel minus the aforementioned quality acting.  There is no Mickey Rourke this time around, Jason Statham’s role is severely reduced and the quota filling presence of a woman was bequeathed to Nan Yu who only manages a valiant attempt at being seductive and sympathetic. 

Failed performances are the fault of shoddy directing, but all things being equal, I did not envy Simon West’s (Con Air & The Mechanic) task in telling so many alpha males where to go and what to do.  Perhaps it takes an action star to relate to action stars?  Say what you will about Stallone as a filmmaker, but you cannot deny the savvy of his specialty.  His work as the director of the first Expendables is severely overlooked in getting the most out of his larger than life cast.  Stallone was so personally invested at just about every level of production for the first film that it not only showed in his performance, but in the rest of the cast as well.  The sequel features too many hands in the cookie jar and everyone was looking to kick back, Ocean’s Twelve style. 

Another culprit of this sequel’s fizzling is easy to identify: the writing.  Let’s just say if people’s brains were exploding over the plot gaps and convenient twists in The Dark Knight Rises, people will certainly be convinced that the world is flat after seeing The Expendables 2.  Such is the randomness of most of the plot and action of this film, but the worst part about it was the complete lack of character development between films.  No one seems to have learned a lesson in regards to their lives or how they approach their dangerous jobs.  They all fight like they want to live, but shouldn’t they be getting more help or even using a little something I’d call strategy to win?  I thought these guys were pros and the only way to survive the lifestyle of a professional mercenary is to adapt and evolve. 

And speaking of “evolution,” the action and effects for this film demonstrate a lack thereof.  Expendables 2 continues to feature animated kill shots to accentuate physics defying brutality so often that it started to feel like I was watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon.  Can someone’s head really be taken off with a thrown knife?  Since Jet Li is featured even less than Jason Statham, the lack of choreographed fisticuffs places too much of the action burden on gunplay which isn’t particularly diverse seeing how everyone sticks to the same weapons they have from the beginning.  I was pleased to see the return of Terry Crews’ popular automatic shotgun, but it makes the same exact sound from the first film and I swear it looked like the audio dub for the sound f/x was not in sync with the video of that gun firing.  If there’s one thing you could count on for a movie like this, it would be the explosions, right?  Even those seemed a tad muffled as they didn’t come close to the amalgam of auditory chaos that wreaked havoc on the audience in the previous film.  Don’t get me wrong, the body count was very impressive and blood was gushing galore, but I simply could not describe the action as intense and certainly not as good as Expendables 1. 

Liam Hemsworth does not belong in this movie.  He is not his brother (who, by the way, is still coming into his own).  His presence is a shameless attempt to money-grab some attention from teenage girls who know about Miley Cyrus and The Hunger Games. 

The Expendables 2is very average as far as action films go, but the names tied to this franchise generates the kind of buzz a film like this normally does not enjoy.  If this franchise has a future, it had better consider being a better action film before adding Clive Owen, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Bradley Cooper, Steven Segal and the ghost of Brandon Lee to its roster.  Simply adding the cast of The Avengers to The Expendables won’t yield a better movie or some additive boon at the box office.  It will, however, expose your franchise as a one trick pony that can’t do much else besides name dropping.

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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for August 21st, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2642:]]1. Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #1( of 4):  There is no better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the coolest pulp heroes ever created than with — Mark Waid and Chris Samnee! Pull on your helmet and strap on your jet-pack, this is going to be one exhilarating ride!

2. Super Crooks #4( of 4):  Mark Millar’s amazing mini, about a group of costumed villains hitting their biggest score, comes to it’s stunning conclusion tomorrow! This one has enough surprises and twists that even M. Night Shyamalan is jealous!

3. Before Watchman: Dr. Manhattan #1( of 4):  J.Michael Straczynski and Adam Hughes create a metaphysical melody of a tale that will leave you pondering just about every moment of your life. This thought provoking story is the closest thing anyone will ever get to the original, Alan Moore, Dr. Manhattan. Well, unless Mr. Moore decides to write about him again. I won’t hold my breath!

4. Justice League Dark #12:  Since Jeff Lemire took over this book, it has been on fire! Vertigo fans can rejoice with the return of Neil Gaiman’s Timothy Hunter and the House of Secrets! But, all is not what it seems and our heroes stand divided against a barrage of ancient baddies that could spell the end of all existence! Brilliant!

5. Fables #120:  This is one of the most well done comics on the shelves each and every month! And the, Cubs In Toyland, storyline has been horrifically tender, jarring and completely disturbing! If you are looking for something that will move you with each page — this is it! 

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Comic Book News

Advanced Review: The Walking Dead #101

After the shockingly horrific events taking place in issue #100, Robert Kirkman gives us a somewhat cathartic issue this week to let us recover. 

Although the characters, and we the readers, are still reeling from what happened to Glenn, there is no rest for the wicked. The pace is one of adrenaline fueled panic, which is exactly what the characters are feeling, but it rushes directly into a mediocre story. There is no time to flush out what these characters are going through, no contemplation regarding what to do and forgiveness given too freely to each other. The fleshing out of characters and their emotional distress is what The Walking Dead is known for, but these aspects seemed to be glazed over in this issue in order to make room for the next big surprise waiting around the corner. 

Don’t get me wrong, the issue has merit and some well done scenes, but the pace is just way too fast. The connections between characters and the “little” moments seemed to loose their pull on the heartstrings the way they usually do — and it was sorely missed. The “Something To Fear” storyline has been one of the best overall arcs to this tremendous book, issue #101 is just the weakest link. 

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Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Harbinger #3

Peter Stancheck has decided that his old life has become too dangerous for his friends. So, for their safety, he has hesitantly joined the Harbinger Foundation in order to learn more about his abilities. But, sometimes, the more you learn about yourself — the more you have to fear!

The plot evolves to a new level between the pages of issue three, and we are introduced to a vast array of characters that will forever change the life of Peter Stancheck. Joshua Dysart creates a horrific picture of Peter’s past as flashback sequences envelop us. These sequences tend to make Peter a paradoxical character — one rife with power and yet, teeming with a crippling uncertainty to wield it. The fear of his past and the questioning of his future actions, mixed with an overwhelming cockiness, make Dysart’s Peter Stancheck character one of the best on the shelves today! 

Joshua Dysart continues to bring one of Vailiant’s most beloved books to the forefront of the industry. Completely immersive and highly recommended, Harbinger mixes dramatic character pieces with high octane action sequences that leaves you clamoring for more! Old fans will enjoy the way Dysart weaves elements and characters of the original book into his completely new vision, while new readers won’t miss a beat trying decipher old plot threads. It is a cornucopia of ideas that everyone can thoroughly enjoy — no matter which decade they became a fan in!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Gambit #1

The “Ragin‘ Cajun” has once again been given a chance to fly solo. But does the second most popular X-Men character “explode” on the scene or fizzle like a water logged firecracker? 

Although fan favorite Clay Mann does an exceptional job rendering the suave, ladies man — it is not enough to bring anything new to the evolution of the Gambit character. Asmus‘ tech savvy Gambit, sans a few funny quips, is quite bland and comes off as a poor man’s James Bond. Charming women and conning crooks is the normal M.O., and that’s all we get from this tale — a repetitive look at the same ol‘ same ol‘! 

Asmus does do a fine job finding the voice of Gambit. The internal monologues are well crafted and gives us insight into how Mr. Lebeau feels regarding being a teacher, hero and “sometimes” boyfriend to Rogue. But, all of that fades as the action ramps up and the story falls back into mediocrity. The con, the gadgets, the showmanship — it just isn’t enough to make this a story that we haven’t seen a thousand times before. 

The tale is fun, if not for a lack of originality, but if you were looking for something more “explosive” in terms of story — you won’t find it here! Even the ending, both strange and surprising, doesn’t warrant a purchase of a second issue. Sorry, “Mon ami!”

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Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Archer and Armstrong #1

The “Summer of Valiant” marches on — bringing fresh, creative ideas to their amazing 90’s properties. This week sees the debut of the fourth relaunched series, Archer and Armstrong, helmed by Fred Van Lente and Clayon Henry. Although they have big shoes to fill – the original was penned by the legendary Barry Windsor-Smith – they have crafted a fine book rich with action, humor and intrigue!

From ancient civilizations to modern day New York, Van Lente and Henry create a tale rife with excitement! It is a tale of two polar opposite men on a parallel course to save the world. One is naive of the ways of the “outside” world, having been raised by religious zealots in an amusement park, but has a keen sense of purpose and more than enough martial art skills to accompany him on his journey. While the other, a brazen drunkard, has had hundreds of years to acquire knowledge of the vast ways the world turns — just not enough drive to do anything about it! Old, young, seasoned and pure, it is formulaic of all good “buddy” stories — but is so much more!

Sprinkled with just enough social and political commentary as to not become preachy, Archer and Armstrong is an amalgam of everything readers want in a book. Stunning action sequences, well crafted characters that we can empathize with, an enigma that drives the characters to become better than they are and above all else — excitement! You are instantly hooked by Van Lente and Henry’s tale, a feat not easily done these days! Some may say that it pales in comparison to the original, but for me — it is a thrill ride that stands well on its own! 

Since it is already headed for a second printing, be sure to be the first in line at your favorite shop to get your copy! You don’t want to miss out on, not only a great tale, but a sneak peak of X-O Manowar #5, too! Can anyone say Ninjak? Awesome!

Be bold, be noble — be Valiant!

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Comic Book News Marvel

Advanced Review: The First X-Men #1

When I heard that the legendary Neal Adams was pitching an idea he had for an X-Men tale, I was quite excited. When I heard the idea, the excitement began to wane. As I read the book, my excitement dwindled even further.

The overall execution of the story is just not dramatic enough to capture the reader’s attention. We are thrust into a tale that portrays Wolverine as the self proclaimed “savior” of all mutants. He gathers a group to battle those who intend to harm them and — off we go! There is no drive to the story, there is nothing to make the reader feel vested in the tale whatsoever — except the fact that we will buy anything if Wolverine is attached to it! Yes, there are nods to X history within the book, and there are new characters introduced – Holo is done exceptionally well, but there just isn’t enough to warrant me to purchase the next issue. 

Mr. Adams art is as skillful as ever and it was a true pleasure to gaze upon his renderings again. But unfortunately, I need more than a legendary name and a flash bang story to make me shell out four dollars. There needs to be substance, a structure, a hook — something, that can drive some excitement for the reader. Otherwise, readers will look elsewhere for those books that can make them feel something more — regardless of the talent that is attached to the project.

If you want to read about the “first” X-Men team, buy an X-Men Archives hardcover and see what Stan created. The rest is second best!

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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for August 1st, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

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1. Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch (One-shot):  Every time Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson grace us with a story of these P.I. pups (and cat), it is thoroughly moving and exceptionally eerie! This one-shot even gives us a reprint of the tale, “The View From the Hill”; a truly wonderful tale that still creeps me out! 

2. The Boys #69 :  Garth Ennis is literally blowing the doors off of his creation that is so foul, DC didn’t want to be associated with it after six issues! This one sees Butcher move against his former teammates in a way that will shock you! Only two more issues to go!

3. Daredevil #16 :  Slow to start, this issue has a crescendo ending that will leave a serious division between Matt and “Foggy”! The “happy, go lucky” Daredevil days are over! Thank you!

4. Harvest #1 :  This book shows just how desperate someone can become, in order to regain that which they have lost. Medical depravity with no moral compass, this one will have you thanking your HMO!

5. Animal Man #12 & Swamp Thing #12 : That’s right, folks — a double header! The crossover of the century begins here and you can’t read just one! The “Rotworld” prologue starts in Animal Man and continues in Swamp Thing, both books have been outstanding since the beginning and it continues here!

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Movie News Reviews

Op-Ed: The Dark Knight, Aurora and Humanity By Lawrence Napoli

Humanity Rises and Falls

Shocked and dismayed over the Aurora Massacre

By: Lawrence Napoli

 

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I must acknowledge the senseless tragedy that occurred today (7/20/12) in the US city of Aurora, Colorado.  According to TheGuardian.co.uk as well as a plethora of coverage from CNN and various other media entities, a masked gunman [now identified as James Holmes] opened fire on a crowd of people attending the premier of The Dark Knight Rises at a local mall, killing 12 and injuring 38.  Details of the investigation are developing, but I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the wounded and families of the victims of this horrible evil.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.  This film represents a lot of what’s good in humanity.  But when insanity like this shooting occurs, it makes me ashamed to admit that I am man.  Real world tragedy is linked to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and when considering this incident in light of Heath Ledger’s death prior to the release of The Dark Knight, the rest of us are left stunned and simply wondering “why?” 

This article began as a simple film review, but reading and hearing the news coverage of this incident has made it impossible for me to focus on the absolute, cinematic gold that The Dark Knight Rises is.  The shear confusion I feel as a result of trying reconcile the inspiration of the film with the horror of the shooting has left me beside myself with only one thought in mind: What can an idea do?  The themes that are passionately at work in Rises as well as its previous installments feature ideas that could easily inspire great evil as well as good.  I WILL NOT speculate that ANY idea from Nolan’s trilogy directly inspired James Holmes, but it is impossible to ignore the proximity of the incident to the film considering no connection to organized terror or antisocial groups has been established.  That being said, it must be noted that an individual empowering him or herself to affect social change is the key theme to the entire Batman mythos.  Misinterpreted; an individual who departs from reality, consumed by despair or indoctrinated by extremism, may find any ends justifying any means.  Batman himself confronted this issue specifically in The Dark Knight when he stated that he meant to inspire people for the better, not to glorify vigilantism.  Dramatic, symbolic events are rarely (if ever) without negative effects and the evidence of this is the entirety of human history.

People are angry and saddened by this event and we instantly want to know how tragedies like this can be allowed to happen.  News networks immediately got into the issue regarding access to guns, tactical gear and rudimentary explosives: a popular springboard for gun lobbyists to debate with control advocates.  This country has witnessed more than enough of these public shootings to prove that if someone wants a gun (ANY type of gun) that individual is going to get it, background checks or not.  This leads us to consider the question regarding security, specifically how much is enough.  I am by no means an expert, nor do I have any statistics to back up a worthy opinion as to an appropriate officer to overall crowd ratio, but I can tell you what I observed when I attended the 3:30 AM premier at my local Regal Cinemas.  There was one armed (and portly) officer on duty and there were hundreds of patrons in attendance. 

I applaud Warner Bros. for making an immediate response to this incident and for cancelling tonight’s Paris premier in addition to press interviews out of respect to the victims.  Yes, life goes on, but to draw ritzy attention to this film is inappropriate at this time.  I am certain the world will be interested in what Christopher Nolan and his entire cast have to say about this, but hopefully the media will not push for this until at least next week.

As for the media, the sad truth is that coverage of this incident will dominate the entire weekend and most of the following weeks.  This inflates the ego and following of the sociopath.  Eventually, he will have his say either in court and/or in front of the cameras and the networks will milk that event for all it’s worth.  As a society, we must get away from the constant news regurgitation of tragedies like this because doing so places evil people further up on the pedestal.  How many times do we need to see the same cell phone video clips?  Perhaps I am no better in fueling the issue further by writing this, but unlike my TV based brethren, this will be my one and only say.  Also, I love the fact that it didn’t take long before CNN had its criminal profiler, Pat Brown, making reference to violent video games and movies for this teenage psychopath who accomplished (in her words) “the most important thing he will ever do with his life.”  In my opinion, any expert that leads with this kind of information should have their “expert” status revoked.  I don’t dismiss the relevance of violent video games and movies, but if the connection to violent behavior were incontrovertible, we’d have millions of mass murderers walking the streets.    

While watching the news coverage, I noticed Sanjay Gupta’s commercial promoting his new show “The Human Factor,” featuring individuals who “beat the odds” and have done great things to inspire.  Life and irony run hand in hand.  Where’s “the human factor” in situations such as this?  I find no humanity in slaughtering innocents, but that’s because I still hold on to hope for our species to one day discard the selfishness, the greed and the rage and if that makes me a resident of Fantasy Land, then so be it.  The very word, “humanity” carries a positive connotation, almost altruistic, that simply cannot be justified in situations such as the Aurora massacre.  However, when people have been singled out for doing the wrong thing, we have been described as being “only human.”  So which is it?  Are we enlightened or are we wild? 

Heroes in entertainment began as incorruptible symbols, but as the times change, the need to produce stories that are edgy, dark and “real” have somewhat tarnished that appeal.  The Dark Knight Rises has been criticized by some for being “too real” which should only be an issue for human beings that have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality, i.e. psychopaths.  This film is incredibly intense in terms of drama and suspense and very high minded when it comes to social and political commentary.  These are the signatures of master filmmaker, Christopher Nolan and perhaps a person is intelligent and mature enough to digest the issues raised by TDKR, but people in general may not be ready to handle this.  Make no mistake.  This film does not incite violence or anarchy, but merely presents an extreme scenario that puts the individual’s character to the test if luxury, status quo and civilization go up in smoke.  If pushed to the limit, would I die a hero or live long enough to see myself become the villain?  Would you?

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Comic Book News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for July 18th, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

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1. Sunset (Original Hardcover Graphic Novel) :  Cristos Gage brings the hammer of revenge down with a thunderous strike in this original crime noir tale! Part Clint Eastwood, part Frank Castle — Nick Bellamy is the man no one wants to mess with! But when thirty years of past comes calling for payback, Nick locks and loads everything he has for one final stand! Grab this one as fast as you can!

2.  Alabaster Wolves #4 (of 5) : Caitlin R. Kiernan’s well woven tapestry of horror and mysticism, will entrance you and make you fearful of the dark in the same breath! This issue unveils the secrets of the town our albino heroine travels through, but will she be able to make it back out again? Amazing stuff!

3.  Saga #5 : Brian K. Vaughan has crafted an amalgam of Romeo & Juliet, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings; all the while putting his own majestic spin on all of them! If you want a book that is truly epic in both scope and execution — look no further!

4. Captain Marvel #1 : Awesome art and a well paced, solid story; Carol Danvers is finally back in her own book! No matter what moniker she may have had before, she is now Captain Marvel and everyone should give this book a chance! Check out Byron’s full review here for further raving!

5.  X-O Manowar #3 :  Finally, Aric is wielding the X-O armor and no one will stand between him and freedom! Fast paced and to the brim with action, this is the issue that turns the series on it’s head and into the modern day! BANG!

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Movie News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for July 11th, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2199:]]1.  The Walking Dead #100: This book will leave you breathless with the horrific conclusion! If you thought the Governor was bad — think again! Everything changes and Rick’s world is turned upside down! Check out my full review here!

2.  Batman # 11: Snyder’s conclusion to the amazing Night of the Owls storyline is here! It is brother vs. “brother” as Bruce Wayne fights for the soul of Gotham!

3.  The Crow #1: IDW is putting out a whole new twist on The Crow mythos — with James O’Barr doing an alternate cover! Taking place in Japan, this body swapping tale is an amalgam of mysticism and advanced technology. Great book!

4.  Bloodshot #1: The nineties and Valiant are back in full swing as Bloodshot emerges from the depths of nostalgia this week! If you like espionage, bullets and “undead” soldiers getting mind wiped — you will love this book!

5.  American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #2: Dracula has escaped and the status quo has completely changed! Plus, Snyder’s shocking final page leaves Agent Hobbes in a dire situation! Awesome!

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Movie News

Advanced Review: The Walking Dead #100

100 issues! 100 issues of one of the most unnerving and highly acclaimed books that grace the shelves of your LCS each month! When I started reading Robert Kirkman’s opus to survival horror back in issue six, Charlie Adlard’s first issue, issue one hundred seemed so far away. But here it is, and believe me, you DO NOT want to miss this one! This is the issue where everything changes, and with ten different covers — you literally CAN’T miss it!

We all know by now, that Mr. Kirkman loves to build up a story before ending it with a crashing crescendo of mayhem! Well, he does not disappoint with this historic issue! 

I actually found this issue very hard to read. Not because of any pacing or plot issues, but rather, do to the horrific events that transpire within. We have all grown to see these characters as much more than two dimensional drawings over the years. The characterization has always been the factor that has kept this book expanding, and it is that same extreme detail to characterization — that makes us become unnerved when terrible things happen to them. This issue, in particular, will make you cringe!

Robert Kirkman has always been able to manipulate a bevy of emotions from a reader. From joy to utter revulsion, he can twist a plot so that it is not an unforeseen conclusion to a story, but an unrelenting one! You are forced, head first, into horrific situations that will bewilder you with the sheer depths of human cruelty. And just when you think you can take no more, he astonishes you with something even worse!

I will not give any spoilers to this issue! You need to read this unrelenting force of brutality for yourselves! It will shock you at how depraved humans can be when all the shackles of civilization have been shook off. You not only owe it to yourselves to get this book, but we ALL owe it to Kirkman for giving us such an introspective look at the human condition all these years. Who would have thought a “little zombie” book could become all this spectacle?!

Congratulations for 100 issues of amazing stories TWD crew! Can’t wait to see issue 1,000! And to all you fans that thought no one could be more evil than the Governor — there’s a new kid in town! Now get reading!

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Movie News Reviews

Amazing Spider-Man (2012): Movie Review

Unfortunately, This Reboot Was Amazing

A Film Review of The Amazing Spider-Man

By: Lawrence Napoli

 

Make no mistake.  The Spider-Man reboot is a win . . . and it completely, emphatically and unequivocally pains me to admit this for the pure and simple fact that it is a reboot of an iconic trilogy that began a mere 10 years ago that yielded immense success for all those involved, but none more so than Tobey Maguire.  People knew who Tobey was before 2002’s Spider-Man because the late 90’s and early 2000’s saw the young actor’s career catch fire: Pleasantville (1998), The Cider House Rules (1999) and Wonder Boys (2000).  It was a big deal to see this up-and-comer get a signature franchise for which he will forever be recognized so long as he didn’t screw it up; and he didn’t.  Love him or hate him, Maguire embodied Peter Parker in the best ways as well as the worst and he breathed charisma and believability into Marvel’s single most important IP which made a lot of “important” people plenty of green. 

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2166:]]I hate the concept of reboots, and I continue to express this opinion time and time again because (by definition) it inspires those who control the means of entertainment production to revisit the past instead of looking ahead to the future.  Yet Marvel still needs to make money and using Spider-Man to do it has never failed before.  Suddenly, the fact that Spider-Man 3 was universally recognized as the weakest link didn’t seem as bad when it could be regarded as a convenient excuse to start over.  Thus, the reboot was set in motion with no promises save for “it will be different” and “no Mary Jane” – not very convincing arguments for any audience to invest in a “new” Spider-Man when the “old” one’s last appearance was 5 years ago.  As a result, this movie had to show me something more and make me feel something deeper than I did for Maguire’s rendition to allow me to acknowledge (let alone enjoy) Andrew Garfield’s attempt. 

Director Marc Webb and writers James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent deliver a refined vision of Spider-Man that chooses to more fully explore Peter Parker’s formative, high school years, unlike its predecessor.  Other aesthetic changes see Peter Parker as less of a nerdy dork and more of a grungy sk8ter boi, a dedication to the puppy love angle with his first girlfriend Gwen Stacey and making his parents actually relevant to his character’s development.  Of course there are others, but these changes are by no means drastic enough to be described as stark departures from the Sam Raimi/Tobey Maguire trilogy.  Yet, these subtle differences present Peter Parker as being genuinely troubled (beyond bullying), less of a lapdog to Aunt May and Uncle Ben and simply more interested in “doing his own thing” than being obsessed with acceptance and popularity.  Envisioning Peter Parker in this way may present him as a selfish teenager at first, but it also makes the character less hokey and more in tune with reality.  This sets the tone for the rest of the cast in addition to the plot that carries a much more serious tone [the pain of loss] than the happy-go-lucky sentiment that pervades the original trilogy.  I never liked how every Spider-Man film seemed to go out of its way to create a sympathetic connection between Peter and every villain that wanted to eviscerate him.  Thankfully, Amazing does no such thing which allows more screen time to go to his positive relationships with his aunt, uncle and girlfriend.  Yes, this does contribute to a slower pace in this film’s first act, but it allows the audience a wider birth to identify with the protagonist and accept the character’s motivation for engaging[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2167:]] in a life of action, adventure and danger. 

The action and effects in The Amazing Spider-Man are quite satisfying.  Once again, I must note how we’ve all seen the same type spider maneuvers before, but the fact that this film almost exclusively uses CG for Spidey while in full swinging/battling mode gives this film a decided advantage over its predecessor.  Normally I would shutter at neglecting practical effects like wire-work, but these never impressed me for depicting how Spider-Man would swing around, especially when getting off the ground in the first place.  There’s not much hand to hand combat with the Lizard throughout, but the fully CG rendered sequences look absolutely great.  I particularly enjoy the focus that was placed on Spider-Man’s webs being featured in his combat style as opposed to a simple garnish.  CG continues to evolve at an exponential rate, but Spidey as a character has an advantage over other action heroes in that his body and face are fully covered by a spandex skin that computers should have no problems making appear as real as an actor in a suit.  Every frame that features CG looks very sharp, but also very natural despite the fantastic scale, camera angles and visual effects that are occurring in the background.

The supporting cast of The Amazing Spider-Man features a litany of veteran actors that plays to their individual (type-casted) strengths.  Denis Leary has made a career out of playing cops and firefighters so why not once again for police Captain Stacy, father of Gwen?  Rhys Ifans produces an admirable villain and his rather threatening voice is ideal for the Lizard.  Sally Field is not someone I would normally think about when casting for Aunt May, but she produces a most welcome performance as May that defies her decrepit portrayal in every way from the comic books.  Lest we forget the Illusive Man himself, Martin Sheen.  Plug him into any father/mentor/wise elder role and expect nothing less than cinematic goodness.

Emma Stone, alone, is a reason to see this film.  Yes, she’s beautiful, sure she seems awfully fun, but the absolute strength of her performance is the chemistry she has with Andrew Garfield which reflects their real life romance on the big screen quite well.  Not to draw yet another comparison to the original Spider trilogy, but the ever fizzling chemistry between Dunst and Maguire was the final nail in that franchise’s coffin.  Emma is a very compelling actress, but it remains to be seen how professional she can remain if difficulty in life could potentially affect her work.  For instance, if she and Garfield break up before this new Spider franchise wraps, it presents a very volatile situation for these two. 

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Real life, cute couple.  Hopefully it lasts.

Naturally, the same can be said for Garfield who has an equal, personal and professional stake in the performance of this reboot.  It isn’t fair to ask Andrew Garfield, still fresh off his success from The Social Network, to step into this role with the franchise’s recent history, to pull publicity stunts at conventions to prove how much he cares about Spider-Man and to make people forget about Tobey Maguire all together.  That’s exactly what Sony Pictures and Marvel have asked him to do and so far, he’s doing an adequate job.  Andrew’s performance as a rather fidgety Peter Parker brings a new take on the character’s introverted nature.  I like how he plays up his insecurity repeating gestures and reluctance to maintain eye contact with the rest of his cast.  However, when he locks into a mutual gaze, it makes those moments even more poignant which begs the audience to crawl into his character’s head and learn how he ticks.  He too benefits from the chemistry he has with Emma Stone, but his connections with Martin Sheen and Sally Field resonates with the audience just as effectively. 

Giving a reboot my official stamp of approval is a dangerous proposition because it gives this kind of production a free pass to remix popular IPs ad infinitum and that isn’t a good thing.  Two principals are at odds for me: the one previously stated and the principal of evaluating a single film for its own merits.  A reboot is not always going to be better or worse than the original, but if the studios have little regard for a cool down period between releases, we the paying audience will soon be inundated with too much of not just “the same” but exactly the same in a very brief period of time.  I can only hope and pray that this reboot is a fluke and its genuine quality is an exception to the rule so that future reboots will not fail to disappoint so they can be curb-stomped at my leisure.  Next on the list is Total Recall!

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Movie News

Advanced Review: Earth 2 #3

The most controversial DC book to date,  Earth 2, continues this week, and I am over joyed with the story that James Robinson unfolds before us!

Creating a completely new vision for some of the oldest characters in the DC Universe has to be an undaunting task. Anyone would be overwhelmed by the sheer thought of it, but James Robinson has truly created something special within the pages of this book. He has brought a level of excitement to these characters again, a “golden age” quality to a “modern day” book. 

We see the creation of the “first” Green Lantern for the very first time, and it is a wonderful amalgam of the original tale with fresh sensibilities! The tale is engaging and fast paced, hitting on all the major characters while adding something new as well. There is a deeper sense of these heroes being connected by unforeseen forces, something that heightens the level of intrigue while building the “team” mentality of the book. But there is something else at play here, something sinister and unnerving that slowly seeps into the world of Earth 2. A familiar villain that has been transformed into a pure force of nature, something that can rival life itself!

Highly engaging, with phenomenal art by Nicola Scott, Earth 2 #3 is a book no DC fan should miss! It is a window into the past and a reminder of how fun and intriguing “super hero” books can be!

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Movie News

Advanced Review: Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1 (of 6)

Whether you refuse to by into DC’s prequel series, or are absolutely loving the new tales of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ creations, one thing is for sure — everyone’s talking about it! Controversial to say the least, these books have been hit or miss with the fans. Personally, Before Watchmen: Ozymandias is the best of the bunch so far and is sure to make a fan of even the most skeptical reader!

Len Wein takes his time, weaving a story of the man that will become the greatest enemy to his allies. We are shown his life from birth, to the eventual donning of his “super hero” costume, never missing an opportunity to flesh out every nuance of Adrian Alexander Veidt. It is a stunning tale of an amazing child that must live in the throws of submission to inferior humans in order to live a “normal” life. It is emotionally jarring and yet, enthralls the reader to venture through Adrian’s life, just to catch a glimpse as to how he will overcome obscurity. And when he does, it is with a flourish of pomp and circumstance that has rarely been seen!

Jae Lee is the perfect choice as artist for this well crafted tale. He has always amazed the eye with his skill, but he has truly reached the pinnacle of his career with his work on this book. Every page is flawlessly crafted, a true wonder for the eye to behold. Using the word “beautiful’ to describe this work is under rating it. It is most definitely — stunning!

If you were at all nervous about this series not living up to Mr. Moore’s “holy grail” of comics history, fear no more. It is handled with the utmost care, and dare I say, professionalism. If you are to read any of the prequel series, I highly recommend this book to be your gateway!

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Movie News

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for July 4th, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

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1.  Danger Club #3 :  What happens when all the adults on your planet go missing and it’s up to you to save the world? That’s the premise of this great book that never fails to thrill and shock you! Speaking of shocks, there is a HUGE reveal in this book that no one should miss!

2.  Earth 2 #3 :  Controversial? Yes. Outstanding? Even more so! Not only do we get to see Alan Scott become the Green Lantern in this issue, but a all-new, all-different villain enters the fray as well! For get the Green. Forget the Red. Forget the Rot. Fear the Grey!

3.  Before Watchmen: Ozymandias #1 (of 6) : For me, this has been the best of prequel series! We get to see this vile villain from birth to the donning of his costume in this issue, and it is amazing! But what really solidifies it as the best, is Jae Lee’s outstanding art!

4.  Avengers Vs. X-Men #7 :  This series has done a complete 180 in the last two issues, making it exciting again! Matt Fraction writes a solid tale and Olivier Coipel’s art is top notch! Plus, an Avenger gets set on fire! And it ain’t Wolvie, kids!

5.  The Boys #68 :  Garth Ennis’ middle finger to super hero comics, is slowly coming to an end — but it’s going out with a BANG! The Boys are finding out that their fearless leader has been doing so very bad things and must be stopped. But how do you stop someone who knows everything about you? Awesome stuff!

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Comic Book News

Advanced Review: Sunset (Sneak Peek One-Shot)

Christos Gage and Jorge Lucas are giving readers a “sneak peek” into their seedy, crime noir tale, Sunset, this week — and all it will cost you is a dollar!

Although the 160 page, black and white, graphic novel does not hit store shelves until July 18th, the 22 page “sneak peek” will be available for purchase on July 4th! And it is something all comic readers do not want to miss!

With the depth of the original comic, A History of Violence, and the vibe of the movie Gran Torino, Sunset is a powerful tale of what happens when your past finally catches up with you. It is a gripping look at a man who has been left behind by the fast paced, ever evolving present and has safely evaded his sordid past — at least until now! When a man has everything taken from him, everything that has kept him going all these years, all he has left to fuel him through the rest of his life — is vengeance!

Gage and Lucas have crafted a classic noir tale of revenge and redemption. Both visually stunning and prophetically powerful, Sunset is both true to the tradition of crime noir and fluidly evolves beyond it as well. It is viciousness at it’s best and you have a “shotgun” seat next to Nick Bellamy as he cuts a swath of revenge from past to present!

At only a dollar, you cannot give up the chance to see a preview before the graphic novel is released! This is a fantastic book, and I am truly looking forward to the full story in a few short weeks!

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Reviews TV News Video Game News

The Walking Dead Episode 2 Starved for Help: Video Game Review

When the Dead Walk, It’s the Living You Should Fear

A Video Game Review for The Walking Dead Game: Episode 2 ‘Starved for Help’

By: Lawrence Napoli 

 

As much as I enjoyed episode 1 of this digital game series, there is no question that the second installment dials up the creepy, grotesque and confrontation elements of people surviving the zombie apocalypse by a factor of 10.  “Amazing,” is the one word I’d use to describe Starved for Help, but I am beginning to notice some unfortunate commonalities this game shares with others that claim “your choice really matters.”  More like, “the illusion of your choice might matter” which is proven by the player’s inability to alter the outcome of major plot points as a result of choosing a different path. 

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2086:]]Before I get into the goodies of episode 2, I must share with you all more complaints over the unprofessional manner in which TellTale Games is distributing this current project of theirs.  For those not in the know, the first episode of this game was released back on April 24th with the promise of new episodes to be released monthly.  When it took just over two months for episode 2’s premier (it was released yesterday) the internet was set ablaze via gamer anger and resentment over a basic expectation that saw zero follow through from the developer.  Fast forwarding to yesterday, after much anticipation and frustration, episode 2 was finally available to be downloaded off the Playstation Network.  I downloaded the file, installed it and loaded up one of my saves to continue my adventure with Lee Everett.  But then the game stopped the loading process and exited out to the PS3’s main menu as if I had quite the game, ALL BY ITSELF.  I’ve owned the PS3 since day 1 of its release and this is behavior I’ve never witnessed out of the machine despite having suffered through the infamous PSN (hack-induced) outage in addition to the YLOD (Yellow Light Of Death) on my original ‘fatty’ 60 gig system.  

Perplexed, I figured to reattempt the download and reinstall the software because that’s everyone’s go-to trouble shooting technique for all technology.  No luck.  After my third attempt I would easily describe my negatively charged energy as (to quote Vincent Vega) “a racecar in the red!”  So I jumped on the phone (who uses those anymore?) to contact customer service for PSN [1-800-345-SONY] and I sought to track down some answers.  I don’t know if I was just extremely lucky, or if Sony simply knows how to properly employ their customer service phone lines, but 2 out of the 2 times I had to speak with a human representative, I got American sounding people for which communication was seamless.  Their first suggestion was to go under the system settings option in the PS3 menu to disable the connection to the media servers which may have corrupted the file during download.  That didn’t work.  They then suggested deleting the entire game from the hard drive and re-downloading all relevant game files (that would be the demo, episode 1 and episode 2).  Bingo!  So for any of you out there still struggling with this game, the answer is purging and don’t worry, your save files will not be affected. 

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I don’t remember the Bates Motel having this many technical difficulties.

The point of this lengthy intro is to communicate how TellTale has mismanaged this game thus far, despite having produced a gem of a game.  The problem was definitely on their end because when I purged and restored, the network prompted me to download an update patch which did not happen for the episode 2 file by itself.  Perhaps it is a problem for everyone having purchased the season pass for $19.99, but if I have to repeat this procedure for every future episode, I will be extremely disappointed.  I’m thinking that this is the first IP developed by TellTale that consumers have been completely ravenous over so perhaps they are not used to this level of demand.  This leads to management acting more like nervous fools pressuring programmers for faster results yielding a less than ideal product.  This speculation has not been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, but simply getting this game into the hands of gamers has been shaky at best. 

Story

As for the game, it certainly does not waste any time throwing the player back into “the sh*t.”  After a brief cut scene reviewing the player’s key decisions from episode 1, Lee Everett’s gotta get his hands dirty immediately and often for the duration of Starved for Help.  Although the first episode eluded to the perceived danger of other survivors, this is the prevalent issue for the entirety of episode 2.  Finally, the player is getting knee deep into the unique harshness of Robert Kirkman’s zombie apocalypse and the new rules are as follows: 1) zombies are a constant threat, but never the immediate one, 2) bites don’t turn people and 3) developing trust requires more than just trading favors.  Knowing this, I was very hesitant about all of the new characters I was introduced to despite their well mannered demeanors and helpful attitudes.  My Lee Everett already has plenty of issues with people he already knows that are somewhat gunning for him within the group.  Additional wildcards will only complicate things.  Some of these concerns were justified while others were misplaced.  Trust is in short supply at this point in the story, but desperation (particularly the need for edible food) tends to force people’s hands.  

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This doesn’t look threatening in any way, shape or form.

Characters inside the player’s initial group have a little more exposition as well as bonding or conflicting moments with Lee which does much to raise the stakes for any danger the player runs into, of which there will be plenty.  I like that there’s a lot more action involved in this episode whether its combat or running from trouble, but the overall pace of this episode remains as methodical as the first, so don’t expect a drastic change.  The one change that seemed undeniable was the darker tone combined with the proximity of the children in Lee’s group to the increased level of horror.  

Gameplay and Functionality

There are no new challenges to the required coordination for gameplay in episode 2, but there are certainly new difficulties navigating this chapter that wasn’t nearly as much of an issue for episode 1.  Starved for Help is very glitchy or laggy which has Lee getting stuck on corners, taking indirect paths to speak with people and investigate environments as well as having several awkward delays between transition scenes.  As a result, this gives the episode a very choppy feel which does the player no favors considering snap reflexes are much more important to survive this time around.  Again, what the player is called to do (whether it’s button-mashing, targeting or movement) is not difficult in and of itself.  However, if the game lags, the player has lost precious tenths of a second that will determine the difference between victory and defeat.  This is an issue that may lead to some impromptu deaths, but is less of a deal-breaker and more of a growing concern for less than precise programming.  

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The real danger is that my feet are actually glued to these stairs.

I find it very interesting how this game continues to feature an inventory indication on the screen with no player ability to interact with that inventory as he or she sees fit.  Yes, some items are necessary to trigger the next scene, but not everything Lee’s possession accomplishes this.  What would make for more dynamic gameplay is for the player to be allowed to use different items in the inventory for situations that may not seem like it would be useful so as to present more options for reaching the goal.  For instance: [and this example doesn’t happen in the game, so no spoiler alert necessary] if Lee is held at gunpoint in a small, enclosed room and he only has a piece of rope and a pencil in his inventory, using one or the other combined with a convenient environmental distraction could set him free, or get him killed.  This game seems to be too reliant on whatever props are immediately available in the current scene to win, which dilutes any perceived importance the player may place on investigating every corner and examining every item leading up to designated “moments of truth.” 

Conclusion

Episode 2 Starved for Help is an excellent follow up to A New Day.  Unfortunately, with all the problematic logistics behind the production and distribution of this game, I am forced to debate whether the wait was actually worth it.  Don’t get me wrong.  The story is engrossing, the characters have depth and the ability to choose (illusion or otherwise) is still a compelling gameplay mechanic, but there’s an awful lot of time in between the release dates of these episodes.  I feel the impact of the story is being lessened by its fragmented presentation.  This interactive drama is just too good to be consumed piecemeal that I am now recommending interested gamers to save their money until every episode is available to play. 

And I do highly recommend everyone to (eventually) give this game a play through as these very unique, Kirkman-esque social commentaries really make me think.  Upon digesting everything I witnessed at the end of Starved for Help, it made me consider the concept of desperation in general.  Is it something human beings simply cop-out to so as to act on raw emotion or is it a natural and justifiable survival instinct?  The evolution of mankind suggests taking steps away from “the animal” to find new, innovative and previously unconsidered methods of problem solving; independent of the situation while pragmatic necessity rarely leaves people the time to weigh their options and consider alternatives.  

This is the allure of well written zombie fiction as it is not as immediate or decisive as war or natural disasters, but as an equally dangerous peril that needs to be circumvented in order to survive.  The manner in which an individual circumvents reveals a strength (or lack of) character which remains to be seen if such a thing matters when civilization ends.  This is what makes Robert Kirkman’s pristine exploration of humanity in The Walking Dead a journey into the proverbial heart of darkness not because evil, death and depravity are at the center, but because we are fearful for not being certain that we won’t succumb to them when put to the test.  Lee Everett certainly gets put to the test in Starved for Help.  What will you make him do?

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Movie News Reviews

John Tripi’s Fantasy Draft: Robot Jox: Lucas, Lincoln, Takei, Norris

(Editor’s Note: The following is part of The First Cosmic Book News Fantasy Hollywood Draft; keyword being “fantasy”)

“It is fifty years since the nuclear holocaust almost destroyed mankind, war is now outlawed, and all territorial disputes between the two great alliances are settled by single combat.  A battle rages between two gigantic fighting machines piloted by their nations’ champions: The Robot Jox.”

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That is just part of the opening for my choice in the First Cosmic Book News Fantasy Draft; my choice is rebooting the (1989) sci-fi movie Robot Jox.  Sci-fi gamers out there might remember 1989 as the year the very first MechWarrior game from Activision came out, and exactly ten years after the first Gundam.  The whole decade was alive with Mechs from both America and Japan.  I remember watching this even before anything to do with Star Wars or Star Trek making it probably the first sci-fi I ever watched.

Robot Jox centers on giant mechs that fight wars instead of entire armies because humanity has been devastated by nuclear fallout from World War 3 and the people don’t want another nuclear war breaking out fearing total extinction. This puts all of the pressure of war essentially on the shoulders of the two Alliance factions: one being Alexander a merciless jock with a stereotypical Russian Block accent and the other being Achilles, the ‘Pretty boy’ egotistical American who is his Alliance’s last hope after Alexander kills the other remaining team member. (No spoilers it literally happens right after the intro.)

My interpretation of the movie could be carried with a strong PG-13 or very light R since the movie doesn’t need any gore or human on human bloody violence, there also isn’t any sex and while there is developing romance the movie doesn’t have the feeling that anything like that would belong.  The only thing that would bump the rating up in my opinion would be language.  Robot Jox carried a PG rating itself, but times change and I feel released now it would carry a higher rating and would benefit from a more dialogue as in many parts the movie feels overly-scripted.

On that note here are my picks for Director and cast:

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2084:]]Director: George Lucas

I picked George first because he has a lot of experience not only writing but also directing sci-fi movies.  The father of Star Wars with his finger in every project that comes out base in the Universe along with several of his own companies (ILM, Lucas Arts, Skywalker Sound, Lucas Film to name a few) he could bring all of that production might to the project and make it shine in ways other directors might not be able to because they wouldn’t have such ready access to his resources for such a sci-fi production (virtually all other movies come to at least one of his companies).  Yes, I accept he hasn’t made the biggest splash of late but the original movie was B-list at best and yet I still enjoy it a lot so if it just met that level I think it would be a success.

Achilles: Andrew Lincoln

For the title character I picked Andrew Lincoln.  Many of this site’s readers might recognize him as Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead on AMC.  I picked Andrew because of his recent performance in that show and how the range of personality he showed made a big impact on me.  I think he was perfect for the last remaining US Alliance member in Robot Jox.  I also chose him because I felt the film needed someone a bit less American since it’s supposed to be about alliances so the main group should have a bit more diversity.  In the original movie the whole team all seemed American which didn’t make it feel like an Alliance just ‘The USA against Russia.’  Not only that but as of 2012, he is the same age as Gary Graham, the actor who played the original Achilles which is an odd coincidence

Athena: Gina Torres

A veteran of many sci-fi productions including Firefly, Serenity, Cleopatra 2525, The Matrix 2 and 3 going even into games like DC Universe Online, she has a lot of experience in the genre and working with different directors.  Her experience will be an asset bringing her own flair to the role originally brought to life by Anne-Marie Johnson.  I also feel she would fit well against Andrew Lincoln both being more than capable of holding the audience’s attention.  While the mech battles center mostly on Achilles and Alexander, the relationship between Athena and Achilles was also important to show that women can hold her own in this world as well.

Alexander: Karl Urban

I was hoping to make Alexander a more imposing enemy than the original effort put forth by Paul Koslo in the original which seemed to be trying too hard.  This may have been the writers’ fault trying to up-play his origins rather than focusing on his actions.  I picked Karl Urban for this role because he can act rough and tough, has a great voice for the title antagonist and would do the role justice.  It would also be a bit of a departure from his ‘Good Guy’ persona from Lord of the Rings, Doom, Star Trek and more in line with the Vaako character from the Chronicles of Riddick series.

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Guess who’s next Achilles?

Doctor Matsumoto: George Takei

This one I picked for my own amusement and because I am a George Takei fan.  I did keep my pick in line with the original characters Asian ethnicity.  George also has experience with sci-fi and many other genres, but I’ve never seen him play a mentor role like Matsumoto so I think it would be something a little different for him.

Commissioner Jameson: Jeffery Combs

My reasons for picking for Jeffery are not only his work on several Star Trek series, but also his connection to the original movie.  In the original he was 1st Prole, a very minor part but I moved him up because his current age and experience make him perfect to play the Commissioner.  I also like him as an actor.  He’s shown an ability to play various roles well but I would like to see him in more things aside from Star Trek.

Professor Laplace: Amy Adams

In the original movie, Professor Laplace was in her twilight years; experienced and well respected.  In the new film I picked someone much younger but old enough to have experience and respect.  I also tried to keep from having too many A-list people on the film because of its B-list nature.  I felt I needed at least well known actress so I picked Amy.

Tex Conway: Chuck Norris.

For the role of Texan Tex Conway I picked none other than Chuck Norris: famous in part for his role as Walker, Texas Ranger.  To my knowledge he has yet to do anything related to sci-fi, and while he has done movies, I picked him not because of that, but simply because I wanted too.  His following has become kind of a cult culture what with all the Chuck Norris quips and sayings, which to his credit even he has even spoken lightly of during interviews.  I think he is a great pick for the role of the over-the-top Tex Conway.

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Crash and burn, baby!

So those are all my picks for the CBN First Hollywood Draft and for the reboot of Robot Jox.  There might be better picks for the roles, but I tried to keep things in line, not only with the original roles, but also the feel I got from watching the original.  I got all my original picks in the draft so I didn’t have to sub anyone in at the last moment except the director.  So these are my purest list of choices.  Would you pick someone else?  Comment on your choice!

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Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Prometheus (2012)

This Was Ridley Scott’s Return to Sci-Fi?

A Film Review of Prometheus

By: Lawrence Napoli

            The second, most concerning ailment in Hollywood behind “adaptation fever” is “prequel-itis” and for the franchise that would not die, Ridley Scott decided to revisit his original foray into space horror with Prometheus.  I didn’t quite know what to think about this film when it first hit the rumor mill, but I really enjoyed the first two Alien films, so any return to that level of greatness would make for an exciting proposition.  Then, a curious promotional blitz via web and TV was engaged by Ridley Scott and his production team to state, and restate and RESTATE how Prometheus is a film not exactly linked to the Alien films, but is “set in the same universe.”  What?!?  You are devoting a new film (and possible new franchise) to developing a key plot point that was the inciting incident for all Alien films and there’s no connection?  For the record, there are several key elements within Prometheus that connects it to the Alien franchise: hyper-sleep, flame throwers, androids, evil corporations and high body counts.  So I ask, “Why the big need to disconnect?”  The answer is quite evident once the final credits roll and whether this is a good thing or not, I’ll leave to you, but bear this in mind.  Not only is this film marginally connected to the Alien fiction, it is also a very different type of film from them all and I believe that was the biggest surprise in this entire film.

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This is what you get for not casting ME!!!

            The story of Prometheus is an intriguing exploration into the possibility of human civilization interacting with alien life forms as a result of scientific research and discovery on Earth.  It certainly sounds nice, but if human beings were to actually encounter an alien organism, the results would probably be ugly and dirty; ergo the Alien films.  Don’t worry, everything goes to hell in a hand-basket soon enough but the first act of Prometheus seems awfully cerebral considering the common bloodbath the plot intends to take the audience in the end.  I’d liken it to taking a limousine ride to a demolition derby. 

I was extremely intrigued to learn more about “The Engineers” a.k.a. the alien race that owned that derelict spaceship on LV-426 back in Alien and certainly the script does much to build the wonder and fascination about them despite the crew knowing little more than their “home” address.  I was as disappointed in the Engineers as much as Liara T’Soni was in encountering an actual Prothean in Mass Effect 3.  For being so far advanced in terms of intelligence and technology, the Engineers curiously take a crush first, ask questions never approach to confrontations and so as visually dynamic and impressive as they are, I was unimpressed by being presented yet another alien species with a one track mind that murders anything in its way. 

I found the parts of the script that centered on the crew of the Prometheus and their various interactions to be much more satisfying, particularly the android, David.  Ever wonder what happens on a spaceship when everyone’s in hyper-sleep?  Apparently even androids get bored as David partakes in some interesting activities to pass the time.  I liked being introduced to the human protagonists and I would have loved to see more, but their character development was cut short to start accumulating the aforementioned “body count.”  This brings me to the ultimate reason why I feel this script doesn’t quite measure up.  There is no element of suspense, stalking, or evading in Prometheus.  Sure, the trailers did a great job making it seem like this film would be one heck of a thriller, but that is simply not true.  There are plenty of gore and gross-out moments but there is NO fear and that was a huge disappointment.

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Where did we lose the story?

Many people left the premier night of Prometheus on the IMAX screen scratching their heads at what they saw.  I know this because literally one person applauded at the end and it wasn’t me.  People were expecting some questions to be answered such as who are the Engineers and what do they want, how/why did they get to LV-426, why were they transporting face-hugger eggs in their ship and how does ANY of this connect to human beings.  Guess what ladies and gents, nothing gets answered!  Again, this was another big disappointment but the reason for it is no more complicated than reviewing who the writers are and in Hollywood Land, a writer rarely proves him or herself to be more than the one type of writing that got them jobs in the first place.  Damon Lindelof is a veteran writer of the quintessential IP notorious for answering questions with more questions: Lost, ‘nuff said!

The real reason to see Prometheus is for the visual style.  Every second of this film looks gorgeous from its framing to the CG, to the costume design, set design, makeup, special effects; heck even the color palate is pure genius.  I believe we can attribute this to Ridley Scott’s acumen as an auteur (just wished he gave the script the same level of polish), but like all great filmmakers, he didn’t do it alone.  Cinematographer Dariuz Wolski, production designer Arthur Max, set decorator Sonja Klaus and costume designer Janty Yates all deserve singular recognition for their contributions to this film.  There is not one aspect of the Prometheus spaceship that presents itself as anything less than pristine, luxury living in the future.  The Engineers look as elegant as they do threatening, the desolate planet is a perfect example of a techno version of Egyptian ruins and human beings being stomped, ripped apart or being eaten from the inside is all stomach turning.  In this regard, Prometheus is like The Matrix; you have to see it for yourself.

Although some sci-fi, action/adventure, blockbuster films feature some standout performances that contribute greatly to their success, Prometheus is not one of them.  The main character Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace (you’ll remember her from Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) does an adequate job being the starry eyed scientist with hopes of being acknowledged by her fictional alien creators like a good little girl.  The problem I have is less with her actual performance and more with the fact that the character is required to take a back seat to others in addition to being completely reactionary as opposed to being proactive.  I’m used to Sigourney Weaver taping a machine gun to a flamethrower to take on a nest of Aliens by herself.  Perhaps this is the type of character Noomi will be asked to generate for the sequel because Lord knows, her character has plenty of motivation to start kicking ass at the end of this film.

Charlize Theron plays the Weyland Corporation rep, Meredith Vickers who carries over her “take no BS despite looking like a goddess” charm from Snow White and the Huntsman.  Her character is meant to keep the mission on task, funny I thought that would be the captain’s job, but I guess that’s the privilege that comes from private enterprise funding a trillion dollar voyage into space.  Regardless, Charlize is compelling in her cold yet amicable portrayal of a woman with a purpose.  Part of the mystery of this film is learning what that purpose is, but the manner in which Charlize plays it could be for or against the protagonists all the way to the climax.  All in all, Charlize shows that she’s a true leading lady that can produce a solid performance in ANY film rooted in ANY genre.

The true star of Prometheus is yet another inspired performance by Michael Fassbender as the android David.  His performance mirrors Charlize’s in many respects save one, he never breaks from being deadpan in all scenes whether he’s being helpful, scheming, deductive, destructive or pragmatic.  For a human being to produce a distinguished performance as a robot, a certain level of elitism is necessary for the actor to generate, for which Fassbender easily flips the switch.  It’s his dedication to keeping that switch on that is truly impressive as he seems to relish in characters the audience loves to hate or hates to love.

Prometheusis a film that I will forever recognize as not meeting the great expectations set before it.  Even if Ridley Scott wanted to distance this new film franchise from the Alien films, he didn’t necessarily have to make so many conscience choices to turn it into a film that only alludes to horror in space.  Even if he did, he still could have made choices to at least make that kind of film stand on its own merit.  The way I see it, without the Alien films, Prometheus would have nothing going for it because at the end of the day people want to see the moment that explains why human beings are the ideal host body for the most feared alien predator the universe has come to know and guess what?  This film implies exactly that at the very end so get your tents packed up to wait outside the theater for the sequel because it’s going to happen and maybe Ridley can hand the franchise off to James Cameron like last time in order to take it up a notch or two.

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Movie News Reviews

Movie Review: Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Original Fairy Tales Are Quite Grimm

A Film Review of Snow White and the Huntsman

By: Lawrence Napoli

 

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:2054:]]             The trend of infusing fairy tales with grown up grit and special effects continues in La-La Land with Snow White and the Huntsman.  Let’s make no mistake about the reason for this trend as it’s the same reason why so many comic book licenses have been adapted recently.  Corporate greed and its need to ensure predictable profits have facilitated an unholy alliance with a lack of original creativity from screenwriters; thus the adaptation fever.  It is a tad perplexing how we all continue to find entertainment value in the same stories being told in the same ways, but most of that sentiment comes from the intrigue of seeing timeless pieces of fiction brought to life on the silver screen.  Snow White and the Huntsman is a fine experiment in generating this same feeling of nostalgia, but really doesn’t bring anything new to the table beyond this generation’s visual effects and 1 major twist that isn’t developed in ANY way which gets swept under the rug by the script like some common expository detail.  I am uncertain if the reason for this is simply bad writing or conspiracy to turn Snow White into a sequel machine.  Still, this film is one of the better movies of the summer of 2012 and if you enjoy fantasy, there are plenty of visual goodies to feast your eyes upon.

            A cursory examination of any trailer clearly identifies this film as yet another “girl power” type of film regardless of anything Kristen Stewart says to the contrary.  Never before have we seen Snow White: Warrior Princess, but we certainly have now.  By the way, this element of the story is not the aforementioned “twist” in the script and thus screenwriters Evan Daugherty and John Lee Hancock took a fairly predictable approach to a female protagonist in this day of feminine empowerment.  The evil queen is still an alpha ego you don’t want to mess with, Snow White is still kind hearted and the dwarves are still eccentric, but what about that Huntsman?  Well, he certainly has a much more prominent role in this story and that’s the “twist.”  I’ve always known this character to be the evil queen’s mercenary, but this film makes him much more sympathetic as well as personally important to Snow White.  Unfortunately this is where the script takes a dive like Sonny Liston.  The Huntsman is a character that is given a decent amount of exposition, development and screen time, but his subplot sets the audience up for a payoff of zero.  This is an extremely disappointing resolution after this film’s climax is executed and amounts to one of the worst endings I have seen on celluloid in recent memory.  Just about everything else about this script is excellent: establishing Snow White’s history, explaining the rise of the evil queen and identifying the enchanted nature of this fictional world.  The quality of the story is impressive up to the end and I wonder if the reason for this inexplicable drop was a last-minute push by Universal Pictures to turn this film into a franchise?  A sequel would not only clear things up, but shamelessly turn 1 movie into 2 to ultimately learn Snow White’s fate.

            The action and visual effects in this film are actually quite satisfying.  Lots of sword play, horse charges, arrow volleys and fights with monsters keeps a fairly active and dynamic screen for a good portion of the film.  Chris Hemsworth takes the combat lead here and shows an impressive level of dexterity wielding various short blades and hatchets with few cutaways to stunt actors.  As for those visual effects, the evil Queen’s sorcery translates quite well from her Shang Tseung life-sucking powers to her ability to create creatures of cobalt glass.  What was neat about these effects was that they seem out of the ordinary for even a fictional “period piece” such as this.  In fact, the one segment of the film that did seem a bit much was the enchanted forest of the pixies which looked like it was all but carbon copied from an amalgam of cheerful forests from various Disney films.  I understand the need for contrast, but perhaps the pixies themselves didn’t have to be so creepily adorable.  And speaking of creepy, the seven dwarves are most definitely not as quaint as Sleepy, Bashful and Doc as it looks like the same head swapping, travelling matte software that was used in Captain America: The First Avenger were used in this film because Bob Hoskins, Eddie Marsan and Toby Jones are not little people.  This effect looked a little better here than in Cap because 1) Chris Evans’ head on an un-buff body is too difficult to visualize, 2) the dwarves’ heads were scaled to the body actors’ actual stature much better and 3) their costumes helped mask the neck area where it’s easier for the audience to see any visual inconsistency.  

            Count Snow White as another film that pushes Chris Hemsworth to the forefront of Hollywood’s leading men.  Clearly, his not so humble beginnings in the action/adventure genre have vaulted him to the A-List, but it is in the quality of his various performances that proves he is levels beyond the proverbial meatheads of Stallone and Schwarzenegger.  His character is designed as a victim of tragic circumstance relayed to the audience by all manners of drunk and disorderly conduct.  Hemsworth sells likeability in all of his characters that even a roughneck like this huntsman should, theoretically, be a little less charismatic.  It is his combination of facial sincerity with flawless line delivery as well as that triple A smile that makes an audience buy in every time.  Of course, this works for just about any actor that strictly plays heroic protagonists so the true test for Hemsworth will be when he rides out this initial wave of positively charged success to transition to some darker roles while still selling his patented genuine savvy. 

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I am here to save you from yourself.

            Of course, the movie is still called “Snow White” and the Huntsman so the young princess was bound to make an appearance.  Thus, rookie director Rupert Sanders (whose imdb.com’s photo is eerily reminiscent of a mug shot) was saddled with Kristen Stewart who perhaps IS the best actress of all time for convincing the entirety of Hollywood that she is, in fact, a good actress and not some wannabe emo-girl who’s only mastered one expression: vacant disinterest.  All right, perhaps I’m poking a little too much fun at Kristen, but I was truly disturbed to find out that she is currently commanding the biggest bucks, per picture, for Hollywood leading ladies these days.  That’s really interesting information considering Stewart played the title character in this film while producing a forgettable performance that was easily third fiddle behind Hemsworth and Theron.  Each scene featuring Stewart seemed carbon copied from Twilight.  Her face rarely emotes; her voice rarely fluctuates and let’s just say any attempt to generate some sort of accent leaves much to be desired.  But, she’s still a popular, trendy actress.  I can’t begrudge Stewart too much because the fact of the matter is that she’s a flavor of the week much like Megan Fox was and Channing Tatum is.  Casting director Lucy Bevan probably thought she hit one out of the park by casting Kristen Stewart for a literary character known for true beauty inside and out as “the fairest of them all.”  In no world: real, imaginary or Matrix-y is Kristen Stewart superior to Charlize Theron in any conceivable way one could classify a human being.  This is the fundamental flaw of this production and no, it’s not fair to expect Stewart to measure up to Theron.  So yes, it was utter folly set up these expectations in the first place. 

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Can’t you tell how excited I am for being a Hollywood director?

            As for Charlize Theron, she is beautiful, in every single way; bad characters won’t bring her down.  Yes, I rooted for the evil queen to win despite her implied creepy relationship to her on screen brother.  Despite that, she was quite menacing and intimidating even to the likes of the huntsman, but since she wielded magic, she was not called upon to engage in any combat.  I can’t say she played this role in such a way as to stand out from every other interpretation.  “The Evil Queen” is about as generic as villains come so, so Charlize’s performance seemed more of an amalgam with a twist of her own patented sultry glare.  Overall, Charlize delivered a solid performance that doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it would have been nice to see her character really unleash some serious, rage infused, hell on everyone.  Alas, her character simply hovers in between narcissism and elitism for the entire film.  

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Guess what?  I’m pretty hot.

            This was a very good film to watch and is quite ideal for a “date night,” as there’s enough girly things happening to keep the ladies interested with plenty of action and effects to satisfy explosion-seeking men without geek-ing out on the utter dork-dem of comic book adaptations.  Make no mistake, this is no AAA blockbuster, but there are only 2 (maybe 3 if you count the Spider-Man reboot) super blockbusters this summer.  Come for Snow White, stay for the huntsman.

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Comic Book News

“DOC’s” Top Of The Pile for June 27th, 2012

 

The “DOC’s” Top Of The Pile

By: Chris “DOC” Bushley

 

( A weekly quick pick of the five titles that should reside at the top of your pull list. IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER! )

 

I do the research, you reap the reward! Before you head out to your favorite shop today, be sure to add these five titles to your list of goodies! Forget that “apple a day” nonsense, this “DOC’s” prescription to good health starts with these top five books of the week!

 

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1.  Hit-Girl #1 : The Millarworld just keeps turning, and finally — Mindy Macready gets her own book! Taking place between Kick-Ass Vol. 1 & 2, Hit-Girl gets to make a man out of Kick-Ass — just like her father would have wanted! This blood bath of a book is all you need to get you through the week!

2.  Hypernaturals #1  : Fan favorites, DnA, are finally loose from the confines of editorial shackles and years of confusing continuity. Now they can unleash their TRUE cosmic power in the form of — Hypernaturals! This star spanning story will get you over all the Marvel cosmic mediocrity!

3.  The New Deadwardians #4  :  Not to be outdone by himself, Dan Abnett, continues to create one of the best Alt. History books on the racks today! Part murder mystery, part social commentary, this book about the “Young” and the “Restless” is amazing! And no, I do not mean the soap opera! Wait, how would I know that? Umm… move on to number four, please! 

4.  Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 (0f 6)  :  JMS, CBN E.I.C. Matt McGloin’s favorite sparring partner, tells an in depth tale of when old and new Owls meet. Weaving in scenes from Watchmen, makes this issue feel like a true homage to the Alan Moore classic!

5.  American Vampire #28  :  Scott Snyder changes the status quo for the entire series in this issue! When Pearl and her husband are attacked, there is only one thing left to do — kill ’em all! Awesome first issue of the new “The Blacklist” arc!

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