Monday, March 8th, 2010
Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
Star Re-Trekkin’
I just watched JJ Abrams’ “Star Trek” for the second time, and here is my very informed and erudite opinion:
That was a good movie!
I’m all tingled up with geeky goodness now. A great job, in what has to go down as one of the greatest retcons in history. Well done, Mr. Abrams!
Feel free to use the comments to tell me how I’m an idiot.
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Avatarocious
The light posting today was due to my taking time to go see the new movie “Avatar”, the computer-generated sci-fi flick from James Cameron. Here’s my review:
It sucks.
Fuller commentary — AND SPOILERS! — after the jump. So don’t read on if you haven’t seen it yet and are planning to because I will totally ruin it just like that good-looking jerk ruined your prom by dancing with your date, then taking her home while you had to hang out with Billy from band camp.
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Iron Man 2 Trailer
For those of you who have not yet seen it, the new trailer for the May 2010 “Iron Man 2″ movie is out. I have only one word for it:
SCHWING!
Monday, August 10th, 2009
Poll Position: Worst. Movie. Costume. Ever.
Enough with all this high-brow stuff that makes you think, says I, because you should never have to think! Instead we’re going to keep it real simple this week folks:
What is the worst super-hero movie costume of all time?
Mockery and snide derision with a side of snark after the jump. It’s probably going to be petty and immature, too, so scram if you don’t want to put on your kindergarten Underoos and join in the fun.
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
Star Trekkin’
Like a girdle-encased middle-aged gut topped by a ridiculous toupee kicking you in the face, JJ Abrams’ “Star Trek” delivers the goods in spectacular, satisfying fashion.
The Good: The casting, the action, the acting, the spirit, the fun, and the special effects all come through with flying colors. The Holy Trinity — Kirk, Spock, and McCoy — in particular deliver performances that are truly inspired by (rather than a copy of) the original cast.
The Bad: The story is more full of holes than a Caddyshack golf course. Luckily it’s enough fun that you don’t really care.
The Ugly: Eric Bana’s bland, utterly forgettable role as bad guy Nero.
More to follow after the jump (spoilers abound!).
Monday, May 11th, 2009
Poll Position: There can be only one … ok, two. At least.
I’ve noticed that when it comes to geek movies, sequels are often better than the original. Sometimes WAY better. Which brings us to this week’s question:
There may be no second acts in American politics, but there sure as heck are in movies. What would you say is the best of these geeky sequels?
Discussion after the jump.
Thursday, March 5th, 2009
“Watchmen” now a Saturday Morning cartoon!
With many thanks to Runt82, I can’t clap loudly enough for this amazing take on “Watchmen”, coming soon to the small screen from DC Animation. Click on the big “Play Movie” link to launch it, but be sure to have your drool bucket handy because it is pure awesomeness. I hope “Bubastis Bites”, the super-cool replacement for “Scooby Snacks”, make it to my store soon.
I do plan on taking in the actual film tomorrow as soon as I can slip away, but in the meantime this scratches the itch nicely. Hope you enjoy it!
Friday, February 27th, 2009
“Watchmen” interview
I read the following quote by “Watchmen” director Zack Snyder on CNN just now:
“The story itself is a pretty straightforward mystery,” said Snyder, “but inside of that, there’s this huge plot that has international intrigue and a super-villain and everything you want from a superhero story.
And it made me want to put my head through the wall. The “Watchmen” graphic novel is a “straightforward mystery” with a “huge plot that has international intrigue and a super-villain and everything you want from a superhero story” in the same way that “All in the Family” was a “straightforward sitcom” with “a cast of zany characters full of good-old-fashioned American hijinks and crazy situations and everything you want from a silly sitcom”.
No no no no no no no. Like “All in the Family”, “Watchmen” used the traditional conventions of a genre and turned them on their head to tell the story of interesting, conflicted, flawed, deeply human characters. My dad never realized Archie Bunker was making fun of racists — he thought the part was straight-up and agreed with everything that came out of the character’s mouth. He didn’t understand the concept of irony any more than Zack Snyder does, judging from that quote. To walk away from reading “Watchmen” and to think that the plot and the super-villain were the most important bits is to completely miss the entire point. I cannot tell you how disheartening it was to read that. Gah.
I have a sinking sensation that this movie isn’t just going to be bad, it’s going to be epically bad. Categorically bad. Galacticaly bad. Bad in a way that slanders not just itself and its source material but the entire genre. My guess as to how this is going to turn out is best summed up in this “Bloom County” strip:
I sure hope I’m wrong, but everything I see gets me more and more disheartened. Zack Snyder completely does not understand this project. At all. I better bring a sponge with me to the showing because I have a feeling my eyes are gonna bleed. Blech.
Monday, February 9th, 2009
Youngblood the Movie
With thanks to Collex for pointing this out, apparently Brett Ratner (the genius behind “X-Men: Last Stand” or, as I like to call him, the Joel Schumacher of the X-Men franchise) is slated to direct the movie version of Rob Liefeld’s “Youngblood”.
My favorite quote is “Ratner told Variety that “Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and ‘Youngblood’ is one of the few comicbooks left.”
In other words, all the good comics have been taken, so now we’re stuck doing this crappy one.
Judging by “Last Stand”, Ratner is the perfect director for a Liefeld property, with his innate grasp of all things flashy and shiny and disdain for anything approaching a coherent narrative or compelling character. Because the lesson to take from the mega-success of the Dark Knight film series is that stories and people don’t matter, just flashy gadgets, babes with big boobs, and lots of violence. Right.
I can’t decide if this news makes my day or ruins it, but I appreciate Collex pointing it out.
