A look at movies, especially films based on books (Yes that includes comics); Opinions, facts, movie charts, production news and, when possible a look at the movies VS their source material. I may also champion books I've read that really should be movies. I've also used it to display the unedited versions of my blogs for SyFy; (The sci-fi channel UK website.)Feel free to let me know about any stories that you think deserve the big screen treatment.
TheRealEverton
This better be good, seriously, this had better be good. A
class director, a brilliant source comic and a first class screen writer in Christopher
McQuarrie; mean they can’t really get this one wrong can they? This is an
excellent trailer, especially with the trauma of the best part of X-Men 3;
Logan having to kill Jean to, literally, save the world.
Synopsis...
“Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic
action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of
the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world
he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him
forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and
emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner
struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever
seen him before.”
The cast includes Hugh Jackman, Famke Janssen, Svetlana
Khodchenkova, Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto, Brian Tee, Will Yun Lee, and Hal
Yamanouchi.
There may be a sprinkling of cheese on that line, but with
Idris belting it out, that’s go to be a contender for line of the summer. So
Giant Monsters, Giant robots. You absolutely cannot have been into much
Japanese film & TV, or Manga and not be familiar with the concept. From
Godzilla (Gojira) to the outstanding ‘Mobile Suit Gundam Wing’ (seriously find
that show if you can; it is pure quality from drama to action, to idealism. One
of my all time favourite TV shows.)
Synopsis...
“From acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro comes Warner
Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ epic sci-fi action adventure “Pacific
Rim.” When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from
the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s
resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon
was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled
simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But
even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless
Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but
to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an
untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)—who are teamed to drive a legendary but
seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last
hope against the mounting apocalypse.”
That Nick Fury; he’s a tricky Son of a ... Of course anyone who
knows the character from either the Marvel Universe, or the Ultimate Marvel
Universe, you know that he’s a man who lies 10 times before breakfast; it’s his
job after all. Also, if you were paying attention in the film you’ll recall
Tony Stark telling Steve Rogers that Fury’s “secrets have secrets”; not to
mention Maria Hill picking upon Fury’s manipulative use of Coulson’s Captain
America Trading Cards, in strategically putting blood on them to give the
heroes a reason to come together. Of course the really good news is that means
Clark Gregg could well be back in the films some day, oh and that Thor &
stark may have some very angry words for our Nick Fury in the not too distant
future. (In Ultimate Marvel, the heroes got so sick of not being able to trust
Fury they abandoned him in an alternate Universe; Way harsher than just leaving
him off the Christmas list!
Agent Coulson lives! Everybody’s favourite ordinary human in
the Marvel Cinematic Universe, lives on in what may become a Marvel Television Universe.
Clark Gregg’s “His first name is agent” Coulson was a notable absentee in the
recent, and excellent, Iron Man Three. But he has proved s popular that he was
given in roll in Marvel’s Disney XD cartoon ‘Ultimate Spider-Man; AND they
created a character in the current Marvel comics, who works side by side with a
new Nick Fury. So getting stabbed through the chest by Loki isn't all downside
these days. The show all but definitely to be bought by every country in the
known world, so keep your eyes peeled, wherever you are.
What it is...
“Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Phil Coulson from
Marvel’s feature films as he assembles a small, highly select group of Agents
from the worldwide law-enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. Together
they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe,
protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary. Coulson’s team consists of
Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), highly trained in combat and espionage, Agent
Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) expert pilot and martial artist, Agent Leo Fitz (Iain
De Caestecker); brilliant engineer and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge)
genius bio-chemist. Joining them on their journey into mystery is new recruit
and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). From Executive Producers Joss Whedon
(“Marvel’s The Avengers,” ”Buffy the Vampire Slayer”); Jed Whedon &
Maurissa Tancharoen, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” pilot co-writers
(“Dollhouse,” “Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”); Jeffrey Bell (“Angel,”
“Alias”); and Jeph Loeb (“Smallville”) comes Marvel’s first TV series. “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” is produced
by ABC Studios and Marvel Television.”
Walking With Dinosaurs in 3D, at the Ciinema; ‘Nuff said
right?
Synopsis...
“"Walking With Dinosaurs" (3D) is a CGI action
adventure set in real epic environments that breathes to life the most glorious
and realistic of the dinosaur era never before seen on the silverscreen. Set 70
million years ago, "Walking With Dinosaurs" (3D) sees the birth of a
baby triceratops, the smallest of its herd brought forth into a wild,
unpredictable world filled with the most ferocious of predators. In this world,
the young dinosaur learns to discover his innner courage as he butts head with
all other dinos and predators alike. Along with his friends and family, his
adventures are filled with humor and often face hair-raising challenges that
each of them must face to prove their worth within the herd.”
OK so being used to the BBC Walking With Dinosaurs, and
Kenneth Branagh’s mellow tones, the voiceover in this trailer is both saccharine
and cloying: but it looks spectacular and hopefully will be a worthy addition
to the genuinely groundbreaking Walking
With Dinosaurs stable, in the vein of ‘The Ballad of Big Al.”.
If you have ever actually met me, the chances are I sent
some time trying to convince you to read this book. I’ve lost count of how many
times I have read it and it actually gets better ever time. This film is an adaptation
of both Ender’s Game, and the parallel tale Ender’s Shadow.
The good news is that the cast for this film, in which
mankind is searching all its children to find a military genius in time to meet
a returning alien invasion fleet, one that we have no hope of defeating without
a 1 in a billion genius.
Cast:- Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley,
Viola Davis, with Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford.
There’s nothing that my unworthy mind can type here that will
eve begin to pay suitable respects the genuine giant of Special effects cinema.
So good was he at the Stop motion effects that cinema relied upon before the
digital age. So important was he that many of the films that he worked on are
remembered as Harryhausen films! Imagine that, not the directors, the actors or
the writers! The guy in charge of the special effects was the selling point,
and what the films are mostly remembered for. That's a huge achievement and can't be overstated.
"You mean there's someone on this island looking for a fight?"
One of cinema's most iconic images
Somehow scarier than the 2010 version
The only other thing I can do is to urge to watch some of
the films he worked on. Jason & The Argonauts may well be the best example,
even with 1 or 2 dodgy performances; the original Clash of The Titans for
Medusa and Pegasus. My sister and I were massive fans of The Valley of The
Gwangi and three Sinbad films are all worth looking at for marvellous creativity.
I still say that his Talos in Jason & The Argonauts is masterful and to this
very day holds up as fantastic special effect. R.I.P Mr. Harryhausen, you gave
me, and millions of others, untold hours of joy, and a little fear. You will
continue to do so for decades (maybe centuries;like the mythological characters he so wonderfully helped to bring to life.) to come. (below there are some clips & trailers)
For many Star Trek Into Darkness will be taking their minds
off Iron Man Three sometime this week; but if those of you in North America are
finding the 17th of May s too far away, even with Tony Stark to keep
you busy, how about this. OK it may not be as good a some of the Lego videos we
see associated with Indiana Jones, Star Wars and so on, but it is pretty good,
even down to the lens flares!
Lights, Camera, Lens Flare...
Back to the real thing then...
Synopsis...
In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver
an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew
of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror
from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it
stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to
settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man
weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game
of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and
sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
Free Comic Book Day went pretty well in my neck of the
woods, Lots of kids, lots of nerds, pretty women wearing skin tight clothes (I
can’t pretend that wasn't a good thing.) One thing I noticed was a lot of
people missing out on the special free issue of The Steam Engines of OZ. There were
so few of them to go around here, that even if you were in the queue as the shops
opened, chances were they had gone before you got in. But you can still get Oz
as well as 13 other comics from FCBD 2013 (not to mention other free comics;
which I just mentioned, so why say “not to mention”?) by scanning the QR code
below with a Smartphone or tablet (Android / iOS / Kindle Fire / Windows 8)
to get the comic on your device; or clicking on the code pic to get the comic
on your computer / Laptop / magic mirror.
Just to be clear, I know the 2 codes go to Comixology, but there may well be other digital places to get these from; they are just who I happen to know & trust.
As well as the fun of watching my kids and our niece (hi
Robyn) taking in the diversity of comics that are out there, as well s the density
in ages, and the proof than most female super hero costumes will just make you
look like a street walker when worn in real life (Forbidden Planet Manchester I
am not referring to your two lovely, and very helpful, members of staff; AKA
Black Widow & Zatana), I also got to meet a really nice guy, and his beautiful
21/2 year old daughter, whist we were waiting in line at our second comic book
shop. Those of you picturing me and this guy, forcing our kids to camp out overnight,
outside comic book shops needn't worry. It was two nights. OK seriously, the
first shop “travelling Man” opens 1 hour earlier than forbidden Planet. (I must
say that the staff at Travelling Man were awesome, really polite, really helpful
and they even had a tray of sweets and doughnuts; I know, that’s so ‘Comic Book
Guy’ right?) So what you had was lots of people with bags full of free comics,
heading off to their second shop to try and get their hands on whichever titles
they had missed out on at the first. So it came to pass that the five of us,
ended up in front of this guy for the second time that morning.
We all had fun
talking about various things and then he gave me the addy for a comic he
thought we might like, as it had similarities to both Adventure Time and Regular
Show; both of which our kids enjoy both as cartoons and as comic books. With us
suitably impressed, he revealed that it is in fact a comic that he himself
created and continues to work on. I have to say that Marc Jackson does resemble his lead character! So you never know what will happen when you step out of your door, and you should really mark the first Saturday in May 2014
down as Free Comic Book Day. In the meantime here’s a QR code (or click it) for
Man From Space, check it out, it may just be your kind of crazy!
With Iron Man 3 having just ridiculously become Marvel
Studios 2nd highest Grossing film (after The Avengers) in just 12
rolling days, it seemed fitting to mention it here. $680m breaks down as
$504.8m International and an estimated $175.2 m in North America. Remember the
film only came out in there this weekend, with its $175.3 the second highest
grossing weekend of all time, behind only The Avengers, still impossible
seeming, $207m. Well done Marvel Studios!
You probably know about Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone day
right? Well Free Comic Book Day is the same thing, but way, way better. It
takes place all over the world, and there are dozens of comics to choose from
and they are genuinely for everybody. Boys & girls, men and women; From The
Smurfs, Regular Show and Spongebob, to The Walking Dead, Judge Dredd, 2000 AD
and Grimm. Of course there are also serious contributions from the big boys – Marvel
& DC, as well as major Indies like and Image.
FREE COMICS, BECAUSE IT IS FREE COMIC BOOK
DAY!
What is Free Comic Book Day?
The comics are specially produced for Free Comic Book Day
and serve as a brilliant way to either get people back into comics, or draw
them from the first time. Between the Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe,
Warner Brothers attempts to get the most out of their ownership of DC and the
likes of Arrow & The Walking Dead taking over television, the mainstream
public are aware of more comic book characters now than ever before. No longer is
it just Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man & The Hulk, who the
average person in the street can recognise.
Around 16 years ago Marvel man Avi Arad finally convinced one
of the studios that were sitting on film rights to Marvel characters to
actually make a film with them. Studios were too afraid to make the films they had the
rights to after Batman & Robin capped a string of box office disappointments,
that Hollywood saw as a sign that people were done with Super hero films. They weren't they were just done with bad, awful, repetitive Super Hero films.
Between the awful, but financially successful Batman Forever in 1995 and WB mega
disaster film ‘Steel’ in 1997, Cinemagoers were ‘treated’ to 7, American, Comic
book adaptations. All, except for Men In Black, were critical and/or financial
horror shows. Judge Dredd, Barb Wire, The Phantom and The Crow: City of Angels,
all convinced the suits that Comic book films, not just super hero films, were
perhaps just too risky. WB thought about how to resurrect Batman (That was
still 8 years away) and spent tens of millions of dollars failing to get a
Superman film off the ground. (Most notably with Tim Burton & Nicolas Cage.)
FREE COMICS, BECAUSE IT IS FREE COMIC BOOK
DAY!
Creators of Ben 10...
FREE COMICS, BECAUSE IT IS FREE COMIC BOOK
DAY!
Against this backdrop of negativity, Avi Arad was somehow able
to convince New Line decided to take a chance on a little known super hero,
Blade. Created in the 1970s Blade was not only a pretty grim horror film but a
kick ass one to boot. The success of Blade helped tip Fox over the edge about bringing
the X-Men (by far the most popular comic book character of the 1980s &
1990s) into production; and with a ‘real’ director at that; Bryan Singer from
The Usual Suspects. All of this made other studios get up off their collective
arses and take films that had been in development hell for years, or decades,
into Production. Spider-Man definitely sealed the deal and the world hasn’t looked
back since.
(Quote from The New York Time in June 2004, regarding Blade and
X-Men:-
“Together, the movies proved
that even comic book characters unknown to the general public could become the
basis for blockbusters.”)
FREE COMICS, BECAUSE IT IS FREE COMIC BOOK
DAY!
Hugh Jackman...
The two biggest success stores have undoubtedly been Christopher
Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, which we should never forget started with a film
that lost money at the box office. Sometimes quality, and good DVD / TV sales,
is more important than money. Despite ‘only’ making $374min cinemas, the film
was very well received, which led to the next two films making just over $2b combined.
The other is, of course, the amazing rise of Marvel Studios and their daring,
unprecedented, building of a shared Universe on the big screen. If you pickup some
Marvel comics tomorrow, free or otherwise, you will likely to see characters
popping up in other character’s books. It is something that happens more in
Marvel comics than others, and translating that to the film business is truly remarkable.
Imagine James Bond trying to escape some bad guys and getting a little help
from Jason Bourne along the way, before teaming up with some Impossible
Missions people to save the day. Taking the trouble to build up a brand with
Iron Man, Thor, The Incredible Hulk and Captain America, has paid huge
dividends. Not only did the sum of those parts, with a little help from Nick
Fury, end up becoming the third highest grossing film of all time (The Avengers
- $1.51b); but Iron Man Three has, in a 9 day rolling release, already grossed
$345m outside of North America! To put that into some kind of perspective, the
top two International grosses for the Solo Avengers films were, $311m for Iron
Man 2, and $268m for Thor. (Very decent amounts indeed) So in nine rolling days,
Iron Man Three has already passed them both. Of course getting to the $888m The
Avengers made is still a very tall order; but it is more proof that Super heroes
and comic book adaptations in general, are about as popular as they have ever
been.
Click the banner to go to the Free Comic Book Day website
So comic books are having a massive effect on pop culture,
even as print media is in decline. So why not take advantage of the far
reaching comic book genre and get people to actually read the stories that
inspired these films and TV shows? And when you get there, you’ll discover that
there are far more comics, covering far more subjects and topics, aimed at a
much wider age range, than you probably thought before. So check out where your
nearest FREE COMIC BOOK DAY store is and give the call. But if you take that
last Walking Dead comic I will have to hurt you!
Yeah I said it. We’re all allowed bad joke every now then.
This is a once dramatic build up, with the “The...” repeat. There’s a real
sense of what Logan is up against here and that he’ll have to get back to his
feral, stabbing, slashing, screaming best to survive until the end ff this
film; which is set sometime far ahead of the X-Men films, so he could die, but
still be in other films. (Like Han Lue in the Fast & Furious films, which
all seem to be set before ‘Tokyo Drift’, in which Han died.)
Synopsis...
“Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic
action-adventure takes Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), the most iconic character of
the X-Men universe, to modern-day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world,
he will face a host of unexpected and deadly opponents in a life-or-death
battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and
pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal
samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality.”
