Cinematic Excursions: Film Recommendations For May 7th Weekend

This weekend presents a very wide selection of films for the movie entrepreneur.  There is enough of a variety of cinematic endeavors out there this coming weekend that no one should have anything to complain about...right?  Sadly, the theaters will be filled with hundreds of people waiting in long lines to see the pitiful excuse of a film, Iron Man 2.  And as I have listed most the information about the obviously horrendous upcoming marvel Comics film, below is a list of other films being released on the same day.

Release Date: May 7, 2010 (conventional theaters and IMAX) 
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios 
Director: Jon Favreau 
Screenwriter: Justin Theroux 
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau,Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Garry Shandling, John Slattery, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg, Olivia Munn 
Genre: Action, Adventure 
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of intense action violence and some language) 
Official Website: IronManmovie.com 

Plot Summary: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero "Iron Man," reuniting director Jon Favreau and Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. In "Iron Man 2," the world is aware that billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is the armored Super Hero Iron Man. Under pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military, Tony is unwilling to divulge the secrets behind the Iron Man armor because he fears the information will slip into the wrong hands. With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, Tony forges new alliances and confronts powerful new forces. 

Other film recommendations (click on movie title for information and plot summaries.)

- Babies 
- Badmaash Company 

- Casino Jack and the United States of Money 

- Happiness Runs 

- The Lightkeepers

- Mother and Child 

- Multiple Sarcasms 

- The Oath 

- Ocean of Pearls 

- OSS 117: Lost In Rio 

- Trash Humpers 

Comic Book Review: Last Stand of New Krypton #3 (of 3)

Book Information

Writer: James Robinson & Sterling Gates

Artist: Pete Woods

My All-Inspiring Opinion

It becomes very difficult to decipher when a comic book company is seriously trying to make decent storylines verses when they are just toying with us.  Last Stand of New Krypton is nothing more than an extension of the upcoming series “War of the Supermen.”  This final issue in the three part series doesn’t do much to clear up the questions that have been lingering in the background.  All in all, #3 of 3 takes a turn for the worst and accomplishes nothing except taking a few extra bucks from DC and Superman fans.

The story begins with a fiery metallic skull plummeting to the city of Kandor head on.  Superman’s attempt to save the city fails, leaving him broken and pierced with no life left in him.  Zod’s attempt to destroy Brainiac as revenge is thwarted by the Legionnaire Brainiac who mysteriously zaps both he and Brainiac the first away to, one can only assume, another period in time.  Zod now presents himself to the people of New Krypton and officially declares war on the planet Earth.

In the tradition of Grant Morrison, James Robinson has delivered a complex story that served no purpose except to merely start the War of Supermen series.  The story had some exceptionally intense moments, especially when Brainiac strikes Lex Luthor, snapping his neck!  Of course, we find out later this was only a Luthor Android to help distract everyone from Luthor’s real purpose, which I’m sure will be revealed sooner rather than later.  But having truly shocking events in a story will not actually save the story, Despite the incredible explosions and fiery artwork displayed by Mr. Pete Woods.

Woods’ art, just like James Robinson’s writing, is always a toss up.  Brainiac’s ship was a sight to see as it fell towards Kandor followed by a few blazing columns of smoke.  Likewise, any panel that displayed a large object or a far away scene was as artistic and intricate as any I’ve seen.  But once you close in on someone’s face or have too many people in one setting, the artwork becomes quite wooden and way over inked.  His moments of brilliance does not outweigh the consistent flaws that occur in every issue.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

To be honest, I could have waited until War of the Supermen began with issue #0 and still have been able to figure out what was going on.  This Mini did nothing to help prepare us for the WOTS storyline and I pray that Robinson will actually deliver seeing as how this will be somewhat of a new start for him.  Redemption is at hand Mr. Robinson, please don’t disappoint.

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars

Comic Book Review: War of the Superman #0 [Free Comic Book Day]

Free Comic Book Day Review!

Book Information

Written by James Robinson, Sterling Gates

Art by Eddy Barrows, Aaron Lopresti, Gary Frank

My Thoughts

Free Comic Book Day is typically a time where comic book companies try to lure in new readers and long forgotten fans.  These FCBD comics are not always the most entertaining or well written.  Last year, however, DC broke the mold with the outstanding hit single, “Blackest Night #0.”  This started a new trend within FCBD, bringing more quality books to the comic book stores.  Now as War of the Supermen #0 is not the outstanding work that Blackest Night #0 was, it still maintained the quality that DC has brought to comic book stores everywhere.

While James Robinson scares the hell out of me, his team-up with Sterling gates seems to be paying off.  One thing Robinson established early in the WONK series was that Zod had ulterior motives; it was unclear if he did actually reform or was playing the entire city.  Robinson is, and always will be an “action” story kind of writer and this issue shows off Robinson’s style in full form.

The first half of the book isn’t that deep as it focuses mainly on Superman and Zod sizing each other up and going at it tooth and nail.  The mystery revolving around Zod’s motives was pleasantly revealed here, showing that Zod will never be anything more than an evil man.  My only complaint about this issue was the condensed storyline as ten pages into it, and after the mind bogglingly amazing two page spread of Kryptonians flying towards Earth, we move into the editorial piece where Lois Lane attempts to reveal her father’s evil and prejudice nature to the world.

Nothing new is revealed, which isn’t the purpose of the book.  Every page is a recapping of what has already transpired in hopes new reader’s will see the big blue “S” and pick this issue up.  But this isn’t unnecessary script writing as it all leads to the coming events in the Superman mythos.  This issue also leaves a lot of question running around in my brain.  What will happen between Earth and New Krypton?  Despite who wins the upcoming war, a decision must be made as to how the two worlds will interact in the future.  Will General Lane die before this series’ end or will he become a new arch enemy for Superman? 

Eddy Barrows delivers some fantastic artwork in the first half of the issue, giving off that same eerie feel he brought in the Blackest night tie-ins.  Superman bursting through the wall of Zod's domicile was breath taking and shocking!  The second half of the book, while still portraying some great art, was too distracting for me as I hate having to toggle between different art styles in the same book.

Overall

A lot of fun.  If anything were to get me excited about War of the Superman, this issue certainly did the trick.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Movie Review: Clash of the Titans

Release Date: April 1, 2010 (8pm, 3D/2D theaters) 
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures 
Director: Louis Leterrier 
Screenwriter: Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi 
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, 
Genre: Action, Fantasy 
Rating: PG-13 (for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality) 
Official Website: Clash-of-the-Titans.com 

My Wonderfully Majestic Opinion

As I waited 20 minutes after show time, in a theater containing not but myself, I thought about the upcoming remake of the 1981 Lawrence Olivier film and how it will measure up in a modern movie going society.  None can deny that the technological advances Hollywood has achieved leaves very little room for Director Louis Leterrier to half-ass this cinematic endeavor.  But this also can leave one worried that the animated effects will be taken too far.  Can Sam Worthington equal the amazing performance that Mr. Olivier gave audiences 29 years ago?  Will the story’s unoriginality fit in with the film culture of today? It’s hard not to think about, even for someone who tries very hard not to compare a film’s quality to that of its predecessor.  And while the film does come off quite cheesy and somewhat clunky, its entertaining aspects are far from lacking.

One must realize that this film should never be considered a masterpiece in the world film-making and moviedom.  Its literary appeal can be found on the back of any Cracker Jack box, or within any James Cameron movie.  This is an action film, plane and simple, riddled with gorgeous men and women with perfect teeth (in a time where dental hygiene was far from being a major concern in people’s lives) while being watched from above by the Zeus-like like Liam Neeson and the devilishly clever Ralph Fiennes as Hades.  The film draws a lot of it’s inspiration from the 1981 film, successfully in some ways, and terribly unsuccessful in others.  Even the acting experience Mr. Neeson brings to the film is unable to save this poor excuse for a script, let alone Worthington’s piss poor acting skills.  I’m beginning to wonder if Worthington can land a role in a decent movie.  (Terminator: Salvation, Avatar, Rougue.) 

The story is a decent one.  Perseus, played by Worthington, goes on a quest driven by vengeance to destroy the beast of Hades, The Kraken.  Hades, who killed Perseus’ family, has vowed to help Zeus in rekindling the prayers of humans who have lost faith in the Gods and vow never to worship them again.  As the worship and prayers are what fuel the Gods, drastic action was needed, and Hades begins a series of attacks on the human race to scare them back into God fearing race of men and women.  Of course, Hades has a secret up his sleeve to betray Zeus, and Perseus is the only one who can defeat the lord of the underworld.  It is quite predictable, especially when you have lines like “one day, someone is going to have to take a stand.”  Would you like to take a fleeting guess at who this might be?  In that eye-rolling moment, I began to wonder about the next two hours of my life being spent watching this movie.

While the first hour and a half seemed quite unbearable, the story slowly seemed to pick up the pace, causing my interests to revive and my brain to engage.  Of course, when I say brain engaging, I don’t mean the script became much more intelligent or literary, I only mean it woke up so it could soak in the impressive action scenes and overall look of the film.  The world in which the story takes place is very much a sparkling, glittery world that would make Stephanie Meyer’s twinkly vampires stare in awe.  However, the creatures were far from pretty.  The special effects team took a lot of time and care into making the beasts more terrifying than anything I’ve seen on screen in some time.  Despite the famous Medusa resembling more of a swim suit model with a slithering tale, Creatures such as the boatman for Dante’s Inferno, the three old witches, and the Kraken are some of the most terrifying movie monsters I’ve ever laid eyes on.  The final fight scene between the Kraken and Perseus was an amazing piece of work as the creature’s gigantic turtle/crab-like stature commanded respect and fear.  And I honestly was not expecting the huge black desert scorpions to be as menacing and persistent as Leterrier made them to be.

To tag along with this, the CGI special effects are not as impressive.  Zeus looked more like a fairy goddess while Hades’ teleportation trick seemed a bit over done and unnecessary.  Of course, this may have been due to the film’s drastic and badly made 3D alteration.  Important thing to note Mr. and Mrs. Film Makers of Hollywood……if you want to shoot a film in 3D, make sure you’re using the 3D cameras and technology required to do so PRIOR to shooting!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film worse in 3D than this one.  I would say the 3D didn’t help the movie going experience, in fact it may have hurt the film’s entertaining qualities.  Even after my eyes adjusted to the 3D viewing, I found myself forgetting the movie was in 3D from time to time.  All in all, I think the movie would have been better served if shot straight, and not making audience members pay the overpriced admission for a pair of glasses.

The action sequences were very well done, progressively building as the film pushed forward.  This is of course is largely thanks to the immensely talented Mads Mikkelsen as the mighty Draco.  The animation and special effects team, however, worked their magic in making the majority of the film seem as one coherent unit, despite the rather obviously animated Medusa fight scene.

My Awe-Struck Conclusion

It takes a lot of courage to remake a film that was, for the most part, quite successful in its day.  And as this film is quite reminiscent of the Percy Jackson film, the movie contains some new innovative approaches to a three decade old film.  Please, don’t go expecting an above average film in its story or content, rather accept it for what it is, an action film meant to grab your eyeballs and focus in on the amazing world of Greek mythology and folklore.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars

Comic Book Review: Green Lantern #53

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns

Art by Doug Mahnke

Inked by Christian Alamy

Colors by Randy Mayor

Cover by Mahnke and Mayor

Plot

We now step into a much brighter side of the Green Lantern mythos as Brightest Day begins, cementing into our minds that brighter and happier days are ahead…or is it?  With new issues revolving around the different corps, and Jordan discovering a new threat to the world, Brightest Day could be pretty dim.

My Thoughts

Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps have been so engulfed in the Blackest Night arc that very little time was spent on Hal Jordan.  The bulk of the last year has been spent establishing the different corps’ and what their role would be in the future of the DC universe.  Sadly, this means Hal Jordan had to be taken out of the spot light to allow more time in delving into the history and mythology of each corps.  While it was fun and exciting the whole way through, I am glad to see Johns giving the Green Lantern title back to Jordan.

Writing

Johns has written some of the most fluid stories I’ve ever read in comics.  This issue gives off a wonderfully tense vibe as it transitions from lover’s quarrel to dark and sinister battle scenes.  The opening pages present some wonderful foreshadowing of the events to come.  If anything were to keep me reading this title, that opening would definitely do it! 

I was a derailed a little on how Sinestro decided to get Jordan’s attention.  If the truce still stands between the corps, why would Sinestro ram right through the jet Jordan was in?  This was never explained and seemed to be out of place since the so-called truce was so new and recently agreed upon. 

Towards the end I did feel as if I was reading an issue of the Green Lantern Corps with the toggle from Green Lantern, to Orange Lantern, to Red Lantern story lines.  I’m sure Johns was taking advantage of advertising for the upcoming Emerald Warriors mini and the upcoming conflict that Jordan and Gardner will undoubtedly have, but I felt as if this should have been saved for The Green Lantern Corps title.

Rating: 8.5

Themes

Jordan is arguably DC’s best Green Lantern soldier.  Being the original, it’s hard to see him has anything less than the fan favorite.  But now, John’s is attempting a new turn in the life of Jordan by way of bringing Carol Ferris back into the mix.  The connection these two share has always been quite distant while still being intimate.  They both have strong feelings for each other, but feel conflicted about acting on those feelings.  The most interesting part of the whole book was their inability to converse while face to face. They had to be in separate jets, in the sky, talking to each other through radio devices.  Jordan has always been a little hesitant when it comes to commitment and lacks in his people skills.  It’s a testament to the American mindset; we do our best communication when we can’t see the other person, completely separated, confined, or untouchable by the other party.  I enjoyed this little interaction via military jet, but the emotional disconnect definitely stuck out, causing a slight distraction.

Both Larfleeze and Atrocitus are interesting characters.  The dislike for the two of them is quite strong, yet I feel no pity for Larfleeze at all.  Larfleeze wants every bit of power the ring has to offer; no doubt he willing takes part in the dominating power the ring grants him.  Atrocitus on the other hand seems to be trapped in a suit of red rage, unable to calm his pain and put his mind at peace.  I couldn’t help but feel and incredible amount of pity for the alien and wonder if Atrocitus will be released from his red ring and be free down the road.

Rating: 8.5

Art

If Alfred Hitchcock has taught us anything, it’s that the most terrifying scenes in a story are the ones we can’t see.  I can only assume to know who the hooded creature is, but it terrifies me to see his short body, shackled with green chains.  It was interesting to see yellow word balloons coming from the creature’s mouth while he was floating around with green shackles on his ankles, clearly displaying his relationship with the yellow power and conflict with the green. The entire display was so dark and gothic that it went beyond what Mahnke did with the zombie lanterns, creating an unknown world that seems to be centered around the emotional spectrum.

The rest of the book was quite good, artistically.  I can only imagine how difficult it must be to create scenes with no visible humans, and still make it emotionally tense and compliment the dialogue. 

Rating: 10

Overall

A great read, one of the best for April. 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue Coming May 26

BRIGHTEST DAY shines its light on the "New Guardians" who have been forced to make Earth their new home! Why? You'll have to read it to believe it. While Hal is forced to deal with Larfleeze and his newfound appreciation for Earth culture, Sinestro uncovers the mystery behind Parallax's disappearance.

Comic Book Review: Justice Society of America #38

Book Information

Written by Bill Willingham

Art by Jesus Merion & Jesse Delperdang

Lettering by Rob Leigh

Colored by Allen Passalaqua

Plot

The Fourth Reich has obtained control of the world, imprisoning our favorite superheroes.  As each hero is made an example of, Mr. Terrific and the rest of the heroes work together to put an end to the Fourth Reich’s tyrannical reign of murder and destruction, but it may come at a very high cost.

My Thoughts

Like most stories set in the future, the world is now a grim and destructive place, only now it’s ruled by an evil Nazi regime.  I can’t really say that there are any uplifting moments within this book, apart from the fact that Willingham provides a hint of hope that the heroes have a plan to get out of this mess and end the Fourth Reich’s rule.  But truly, nothing good comes out of this issue, only misery and despair. 

Writing & Themes

Willingham is doing an excellent job at maintaining the “old school” feel that should always be apart of the Justice Society.  Superman’s fight with Behemoth was a classic rendition of the corny dialogue and narrative prose used in the golden age, almost humorous in its stature. Yet at the same time, the fight gives off a sense of purpose, as if the corniness is needed to establish the heroes’ ability to adapt quickly to any situation.  We already know that the heroes have a plan, while not knowing what it is, but this issue shows us that even without a plan, a crippled superhero is still a threat to an evil doers endeavors.

As a way of presenting this new Nazi driven world to his readers, he creates the disturbingly happy and uplifting “Good Morning Fourth Reich” TV show, with two hosts flashing their Nazi symbols both proudly and naturally.  Willingham shows us a world where tyranny and murder are an acceptable form of entertainment.  In addition, the Nazi’s themselves seem to enjoy watching the heroes suffer as they taunt and humiliate them.  As young people, we are taught to hate the Nazi belief system and what they did so long along, Willingham appeals to this socially constructed fact to write a story that we can all be drawn too despite the fact that nothing good happens.

Within those first 25 pages, Willingham provides the ultimate premise to a story where everything goes to hell.  All the heroes loose their powers, either being severely injured or dying.  With this being the third chapter in a five part story arc, we’ve reached the penultimate point in the story where it really does seem like there’s no hope…which makes it the best chapter in the story!  The shooting of Batman and the joker was not entirely surprising but definitely interesting.  As I knew Blue Beetle was going to attack Mr. Terrific however, (as planned) I did not expect him too be shot in the head by a Nazi soldier.  The questions that hit my mind at that moment were, “Is this story cannon?  How will this story be concluded?  Is there a plan for it to make sense within the DC Universe as this could very well throw everything off course in DC’s mapping of their world?”  This is what makes Willingham such a great writer, always knowing how to raise questions in his reader’s minds about the effect his stories will have on the surrounding societies.

Rating: Writing – 10 / Themes - 10

Art

Merino has a very static approach to his characters, which works perfectly with Willingham’s story telling.  And as he isn’t my favorite artist, this writer/artist team-up is spot-on perfect.  I’m not as familiar with Merino’s artwork so I can’t say if this is typical for him, but the style is incredibly well done for this title and I hope he sticks around on the JSA for a while.

Rating: 10

Overall Rating: 10 out of 10 stars, + 2 incentive points.

Next Issue Coming May 26, 2010

Mr. Terrific gathers the ragged remains of the Justice Society in a last-ditch attack on the Fourth Reich, and their power-negating Darkness Engine. If they fail this time, there's no coming back from the devastation!

It'[s Free Comic Book Day!

It's Free Comic Book Day today and I'll be immersing myself into the FCBD experience at Denver, Colorado's "I Want More Comics" comic book shop.  I do have chorus rehearsal from 11 - 1 today, but immediately following I'll jump right over to the extra geeky side of my life.


I will post later today about my experience and give you the low down!