'Thor: The Dark World' Review

Having just returned from viewing the latest Marvel movie for a second time in two days, I decided now was the time to write my review. Having eagerly anticipated this movie, I went into to it opening night with an open mind on what to expect, and was rewarded for that with what was two hours of sheer awesomeness. Now then, let's dive into the review.

Starting off, is casting. You have Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor, Tom Hiddleston returning as Loki, Natalie Portman returning as Jane Foster, Anthony Hopkins returning as Odin, and many of the other familiar faces from 'Thor' coming back to the big screen. Now then, for NEW faces, you have Christopher Eccleston as Malekith, leader of the Dark Elves and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Algrim/Kurse, and in a surprising mid-credits scene, Benicio Del Torro as Taneleer Tivan, the Collector. Overall, it was great to have so many familiar faces back in Asgard and Earth again, everyone did an excellent job. I especially enjoyed Eccleston's performance as Malekith, he really delivered this villainous punch to the character, a dark intensity that made me actually quake in my seat slightly. Agbaje was awesome as Kurse, granted Kurse is just a heavy hitter, the muscle to match Thor's might in a fight, but that doesn't mean the character makeup wasn't awesome. And by awesome I mean ugly as heck, but therefore awesome.

The sets were lovely as usual, Asgard in all it's shining glory, Earth being, well Earth. And the desolation of Svartalfheim, wow, visual amazing in terms of its stark, bleak and barren ruin. Picture a land ravaged by war, then mix in the sheer chaos of that land being choked of anything good left in it, and left to rot and decay and fall away to nothing, and you have Svartalfheim.

Finally, I want to comment on the mid-credit scene, that gave a hinting for those who do not follow the movie forums out in the vastness of the Internet. It was such a surprising, and yet funny little scene, hinting at things to come for the Marvel Movie world. If Earth thought the Chitauri were a threat, wait until they see what else is out there. Del Torro will be appearing as the Collector in the upcoming Marvel Studio's film, 'Guardian's of the Galaxy', a film about a group of various beings from across the universe having adventure's. The movie open's of the Marvel Cinematic-verse to the various cosmic beings that have filled many of Marvel's mighty pages over the years, and give's fan's both old and new a taste of something literally out of this world.

Overall, I give 'Thor: The Dark World' four out of four stars, for amazing acting, great casting, stunning sets and visuals and for once again, giving myself and many other Marvel fans, another adventure to help excite us in our day to day lives. 

'Doc Savage' Details, Plot, Character and Casting from Director Shane Black

I am a person, who has always had such a deep love for all the old culture of the 20th century, not just the comic books, and the films and the music, but the pulp novels as well. These were the precursor to comic books, cheap novels that kids could get for a nickel or dime at the local newsstand, featuring horror stories, romance stories, science fiction and even tales of heroes who wore costumes or went out and made the world right. One of the most popular characters from those days was Doc Savage, who adventures were chronicled by Lester Dent under the house name Kenneth Robeson.

Clark "Doc" Savage Jr, was essentially the 'Superman' of the 1930s, (and was in part the inspiration for Superman himself). A brilliant man of many sciences and backgrounds, Doc had been trained by his father and a team of scientists, to be the peak of human perfection in both mind and body. Assembling a team of operatives around him, he traveled the world, having adventures, saving the day and thwarting the forces of evil.

Now, Sony is planning on putting out a Doc Savage movie, filmed by Iron Man 3 director Shane Black. In an interview with IGN, Black had this to say regarding both the film's plot, and deepening the character of Doc Savage.

Obviously in the books there’s an element of ‘goody goody’ that we like. Doc Savage was the basis essentially for Superman because his name is Clark, he has a fortress of solitude, and ‘oh Superman has the same thing, that’s odd.’ But that kind of perfect hero who never makes mistakes him great to a point and that type of adventure and the pulp it represents has been so imitated. Raiders of the Lost Ark is essentially a child of Doc Savage. But we needed something more.

So we kept it in the 30s, we beefed up the sort of rationale behind what it would take to be a perfect person and to be trained as such from childhood and how that would scar someone. And what it would take to be a parent who is capable of inflicting that on your kid. But beyond that we’ve also tried to be true to the series, give him the helpers and it’s also reinvigorating it but introducing a whole new brand of people to this is a challenge. It’s been around, it’s been 75 years. 

 Many fans of the original Doc Savage may not like the idea of Doc being portrayed as someone who is scarred on an emotional level by his perfectionism, but there is no denying that it adds a depth to his vow to "strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better." To many people out there, it could be lamented that modern superheroes are so rarely portrayed as being wholly good and righteous, that a Doc Savage who struggles under the weight of his desire to make himself better, would be more relatable than someone who never showed weakness of resolve. 

When talked turned to the subject of casting, Black admitted that the process was still in the early stages. This isn't due to finding the right actor in terms of talent who could embody Doc Savages personality, but in terms of the physicality of the character. Black had this to say about that angle of casting the pulp hero legend. 

Here’s the problem: They kind of gotta be tall. He’s the perfect physical specimen and when people look at him, they’re overawed by the sort of symmetry and perfection that he exudes. I don’t know that you could use like James McAvoy as Doc Savage. You couldn’t do it. He’s a fine actor, but we need someone big. Back in the day Schwarzenegger was talked about to play Doc Savage. I don’t know who we’d get. 

Sony's president of production, Hannah Minghella, had stated in a previous interview that the studio intends to turn Doc Savage into a franchise that will be "built from the ground up" but any plans on sequels would certainly be put on hold until the first film had been tested at the box office. Disney's recent calamity with the Lone Ranger has given Sony plenty of reason to play things cautiously with Doc Savage, since it has now been shown that classic pulp fiction characters aren't always big sellers.

But Black's description raises a tricky question: should the original source material for such classic characters be treated as sacred, or should the writers and directors simply strive toward the best possible result (kind of like Doc), even if it means altering the protagonist a little bit?

The Shadow: Celebrating 83 years of crime fighting

83 years ago, the voice of the Shadow was first heard across America on the Detective Story Hour radio program. One year later, he made his first appearance in the pages of his own pulp novel, written by Walter Gibson under the house name of Maxwell Grant. From 1931 until 1949, Gibson penned 282 of the 325 Shadow pulp adventures, crafting the world of this masked man’s war on crime, his enemies, his allies, his adventures. At the same time, the Shadow became famous on the radio once again (the great Orson Welles voiced the character from 1937 until 1938), and in the movie serials. Over the years, the character has continued to delight fans young and old, with his fantastic life of crime fighting in the pages of comic books (currently being published in comics by Dynamite Entertainment), reprints of his pulp novel adventures and his own feature film in 1994, starring Alec Baldwin in the titular role. And all these years later, criminals upon the fictional page, still stop and quake in their shoes when a sinister laugh is heard, foretelling their doom. After all, who knows, what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows. 

'Pacific Rim' Review

Greetings once again, to all those out there who have been wonderful and loyal readers of my blog over the years. Well here I am once again, with another review for you all. I just got home from catching an evening showing of Guillermo del Toro's new summer hit Pacific Rim. And I have got to tell you, I was very impressed.

Right then, on with the review. I won't plan on spoiling the plot in any way for those who have yet to see it, but I can break down the movie into these categories: casting, plot in terms of pacing/writing (without giving it away) and special effects. Ok, everyone ready? Let's go!

So to start out, we have Charlie Hunnam as Raleigh Becket, former Jaeger pilot called back into service to pilot one of the few remaining Jaeger's that has survived the war with the Kaiju. Alongside him we have Idris Elba (many will remember him as Heimdall in Thor) as Becket's commanding officer Stacker Pentecost. Filling the lead female role is Japanese actress Rinko Kikuchi, playing Mako Mori, who works on the Jaeger project alongside Stacker. And filling in a very hilarious role as the one project's resident scientists is Charlie Day of 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' fame, and then there is Ron Perlman as Hannibal Chau, a black market dealer. The rest of the cast was excellent, bringing in many unheard of actors as fellow Jaeger pilots, all in all, del Toro did a great job picking the right people to fill these, brilliant, just absolutely brilliant.

Plot wise, the movie went along at a brisk pace. Details filled in nicely, and the main characters really get fleshed out towards what could be called the second act of the film. It had its amusing moments, but they weren't awkward or forced in any way, they made me laugh because I found them funny, not because I felt I had to find them funny. The fighting sequences are beautifully scripted, like some sort of violent ballet of action.

As for the visual effects, wow just utterly wow. del Toro crafts these Jaeger mechas in a way that is just so fantastic, you wish that these things were real. We (the audience) get a real good look at how the pilot system of these machines works, a dual interface between two pilots, linked by a neural bridge. The monsters, the Kaiju, they are really scary. I mean the digital work on these beasts is outstanding, and even though they are designed to look the same in many ways physically, del Toro makes up for this by showcasing them as having many different "offensive" weapons that are a part of their bodies. I won't say what kind of weapons, because that would be telling now wouldn't it.

All in all, I give this film four out four stars for keeping me captivated the entire time, amazing casting, excellent plot, outstanding visual effects and presenting a film that doesn't pastiche or homage the classic giant monster films of the 20th century, but creates a stand alone piece that showcases a story of utter brilliance and magnificence. I highly recommend that all who read this review, that have not seen this film, to do so. You will sit down, and be treated to two hours of action-packed, mind blowing awesomeness.

'Man of Steel' Review

As of moments ago, I returned home after viewing Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan's amazing and mind-blowing film, presenting in a fresh, and bright as dawn light, one of comic book's most recognizable figures. The sets, the costumes, the special effects, the cast, all of it was beautifully done. I will not be offering any spoilers for those who read this and have yet to see the film, so don't worry about that. Now, on with the review!

To start out, the sets were amazing. The Krypton presented to audiences at the beginning of the film was the most amazing, technologically advanced rendition of the planet ever seen on film. Gone is the cold, harsh ice world of the classic Christopher Reeve's film, instead we are given the Krypton of the comic books, a world thousands of years ahead of our own, with creatures and machines the likes of which have never before been seen by humankind. As for Smallville and Metropolis, Plano Illinois and Chicago are excellent backdrops for these key components of the Superman mythos. All though more of Smallville is seen in the film (fight scenes, flashbacks to Clark's past), the use of Chicago for Metropolis was great. I'm basically tooting my home state support horn here, but so what? I look forward to seeing in the next Superman film, if (and hopefully) Chicago will again be used for Metropolis. 

For the costumes, oh man where to start? The Kryptonian garb worn by Jor-El (Russell Crowe), Lara (Ayelet Zurer), Zod (Michael Shannon) and the Kryptonian Council were awesome. Truly, those clothes were out of this world (ok sue me, its a classic pun and it fits). Superman's uniform was awesome, and looked insanely comfortable to wear. The S-shield on the chest of the costume was a stylized version of the one used during the 1940's in the comics, and not only that, but the S wasn't even actually part of the costume. Instead of being physically on the suit, sewn in, it was raised, like a logo or crest, marking the significance of the symbol (in the film it is the symbol of the House of El). 

Now for the special effects, and wowzer's were they ever amazing. Simulating Superman's powers on the screen has always been a challenge for filmmakers, but this time, they got it so right, it jumped several levels on the awesome scale. When Superman is in flight, it all looks so fluid and loose at the same time, like if a man truly could fly (with years of honing it) this is what it would look like. The effects used to render the various Kryptonian creatures, buildings, and ships seen in the film were spectacular, and so real, one would almost imagine all of it to truly exist. 

On to the cast. Oh goodness me, where to start? Ok, let's start with the obvious one, Henry Cavill stepping in to don the cape and tights of Superman. In a nutshell, Cavill IS Superman. He nailed the character so well, although there were times when he seemed a bit too serious. But aside from that readers, if Superman was a real person, this is how I would imagine him to be, quiet, serious, but with a sense of humor, an honorable being, raised by two loving parents, and endowed with the knowledge and teachings of both his human father and his Kryptonian father. 

Amy Adams as Lois Lane, boy did they make the right call. Up till now, I've only seen Ms. Adams in more comedic musical roles, but she is the icing on the cake for Lois Lane portrayals. She was serious, sarcastic, and yet genuine and sweet as well. 

Michael Shannon as General Zod, oh holy crap was he scary! This guy nailed the Zod of the comic books, an egomaniacal person, a soldier determined to do his duty to his world, even at the cost of murder and violence. I hope he wins some kind of award for playing this role, because he deserves it. 

Russell Crowe as Jor-El, now this was a great casting choice from the start. He portrayed Superman's Kryptonian father in a way that took him beyond the role of the planets leading scientist, but also gives him the added title of total bad-ass. No other man could have played this role the way he did, I just can't think of anyone who could have pulled it off. 

The rest of the cast was spectacular. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane were wonderful as Jonathan and Martha Kent. They showed the genuine love and warmth that two parents would have for a child from the stars, and the influence that Jonathan is shown to have on Clark's life is huge in developing Clark's character choices throughout the film. Everyone else was awesome, a great cast was put together for the film, and they delivered stunning performances. 

Before I end this, I just want to say, how beyond awesome this film was. This is a film, that showed our world, the real world, and what happens when a being as powerful as Superman comes to it. If the world of comic books was to be a real one, I hope to God that it would be like this. This is a world (fictionally) that is going to become a place where the impossible is possible, things that could have never happened before will happen, and the stuff of dreams will become reality. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars for delivering the most amazing Superman film to date. Everything I talked about in this review, all of it, is what contributed to making this movie great. I hope that everyone who see's this movie will love it as much as I did. 

'Thor: The Dark World' Teaser=mega awesome!!

It is here!!!! The very first ever teaser trailer for Marvel Studio's 'Thor: The Dark World' has landed!!! This teaser is an amazing look at the upcoming film starring Marvel's very own God of Thunder. I won't write more on it, except that be prepared for awesome. Now enjoy the trailer Marvelites, and don't forget, Iron Man 3 comes out in exactly 11 days!!! 

'Man of Steel' Full Trailer

Now I grant you, this posting is a few days late, but that is what happens during finals time, things get a bit crazy and hectic and little wacky. Regardless, I am here now to dialogue about the full trailer for Warner Bros. and DC Comics new summer release, 'Man of Steel'. Ok, lets a go! 

To start out, I really like that we get a full glimpse of Krypton, and Russel Crowe and Ayelet Zurer as Jor-El and Lara. They both look amazing in full makeup and costume, and the scenery for Krypton is much cooler and more alien looking than, dare I say, the Krypton of the classic Christopher Reeves film. Yes, I went there. Maybe it's because as a writer I think a Krypton like this is way cooler to envision than a ice world. But hey, that's just me. 

The rest of the trailer, showing Clark's young life, his search for who he is, then full coming into his own as Superman, it is really quite fantastic. And I love the hinting's we get at the true scope of his powers, they are like tiny tasty tidbits of awesome. And the few bit's where we see Michael Shannon as General Zod, oh man oh man that is some good stuff I tell you what. 

All in all, I'm very excited for this film, and for all the great films coming out this summer. Iron Man 3, Man of Steel, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Great Gatsby. As man who loves all things comic book based, as well as literature, I look forward to each of these films with great anticipation. But for now I must get back to work, finals are next week, and I have lots to do. 

For all who have yet to see the full trailer, here it is! Enjoy and keep those calendars marked, those tickets pre-ordered and if you are dressing up in costume for the event, keep the costumes clean, neat and wrinkle free! 

Four Months...Dear Lord.

I officially have become the laziest guy ever. Four months, four months since my last posting. My only excuse, college just got really crazy busy. So I am going to make this a general post about, well all sorts of things.

Comic Book Updates 

So where to start. I guess I can't really take all the stuff that has happened, and condense it into one post. A series of posts maybe. One thing I can talk about, is the digital comic that popular podcast group Decoder Ring Theatre has been putting out via Comixology, published by MonkeyBrain Comics. 'Mask of the Red Panda' is a terrific series (albeit a short one) but it really exposes people to the Red Panda universe who have never listened to episodes of the show before. Hopefully, it will actually get people interested. The story is written by Decoder Ring founder and chief bottle washer Gregg Taylor, with art by the incredibly talented Dean Kotz. Here's a look at a one of the covers, and if that strikes your fancy, head over to Comixology and search 'Mask of the Red Panda.

Movies 

Oh wow, now this is a huge one. Ok, I'm just gonna break it down. There are so many amazing and incredible films coming out for the summer. So for those who actually do not know when, Iron Man 3 comes out May 3rd, Man of Steel comes out June 14th, and Star Trek Into Darkness comes out May 17th. Oh and for a piece of new movie news, the first piece of movie concept art for Captain America: The Winter Soldier (hits theatre's April 4, 2014). This piece of art alone, looks fantastic, cause you have Bucky rocking the bionic arm and the long-haired look, and I mean that aside, I have always been a huge fan of Captain America, so this movie is one' that I'm looking forward to so so much.

Ok so, the post is a short one, but I covered two things today. That aside, I'm back in the saddle, and with the films coming out, there will be much to write about. So keep reading loyal followers, keep enjoying life and keep being awesome people. Excelsior!

'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2' Review

Greetings and salutations internet! It has been, wow a long time since I made a post here on the blog, and it is high time I got back in the saddle. So today's post, will be a brief review of 'Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2' which came out on Blu-Ray and DVD today.

To begin, I was extremely excited to get my hands on a copy of this much anticipated release. For everyone who has read the comic, you know what to expect. And for everyone who has not read the comic, then buckle up, you are in for a wild ride. The level of brutality and violence is upped in a huge way. For starters, a chunk of Part 2 deals with the Joker, and his return after being in a catatonic state for ten years. He's back, and he wants blood, or at the very least Batman's head on a pike. I think one of my favorite scenes is the showdown between Batman and the Joker in the Hall of Mirrors and the Tunnel of Love.

The level of violence and wholesale mayhem is unparalleled, the like of which no one will ever see in a animated feature. And then, there is the second half of the film, which deals with the eventual showdown between Superman and Batman. Or Batman vs. Superman in this case. For those who have read the comic before, we all know the development of Superman's reaction to receiving orders from the President to take Batman down. And then there is the fight itself, which is nothing short of epic. I won't go and spoil it for everyone who hasn't had the chance to read the comic or see Part 2, but you are in for a treat, not only content and story wise, but in terms of the bonus features as well.

Overall, this isn't a perfect adaptation. But there is no denying that this is pretty much what we as fans would want. If you're a fan of the story, you'll be pleased to know that the filmmakers don't hold back. There is plenty of action and violence. The tone of the story is captured and this truly is the Dark Knight in his final days. Now some of the choices for voice actors are questionable but everyone does a stellar job regardless. There aren't a whole of stories that jump to mind that we want to see get made into films. The Dark Knight Returns is one of them because it's an important part of the Batman mythos.