Surrogates (2009) mini review

based on a comic book

[9/10]

The world has changed. When surrogates were invented (robot-selves that you control with your mind), it allowed people to keep themselves safe from the dangers of the outside world. While their robot selves can go out and and face anything imaginable, they're controllers can remain safe at home. If your surrogate is damaged or destroyed, you can just get a new one.

At least until now.

A surrogate has been killed, and its controller died in the process.

Now that the first homicide has been committed in several years, FBI Agent Tom Greer (Bruce Willis, Unbreakable, Sin City) has to find who is doing it and how.

Surrogates was a completely engaging movie. I never actually read all the bad reviews, but I've noticed thy haven't been very kind - I'm not sure why. The movie didn't have a lot of the problems that can plague science fiction - poorly developed story, bad acting, worse writing. Just the opposite - Surrogates is well-written, with a good, solid story - it has everything that a well-made drama consists of. I very nearly scored it an 8/10, but had to give it the extra point, when my wife and I spent the ride home from the movie discussing the motives of the characters, the story, and the philosophy of the movie. I love movies that make you think. See Surrogates if you get a chance.

The movie also stars James Cromwell (Spider-Man 3), Ving Rhames (Aquaman pilot), Jack Noseworthy (Barb Wire), Helena Mattsson (upcoming Iron Man 2).


See it if you like thoughtful science fiction that makes you think and ponder what it means to be human.

Don't see it if heavy action science fiction with lots of lasers and explosions is more your style.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Afte watching Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, I've now seen all of the DC animated movies other than Green Lantern: First Flight. And except for Batman: Gotham Knight, I think Public Enemies is the best of the lot. Superman: Doomsday was a bit of disappointment. I enjoyed Final Frontier and Wonder Woman, but not as much as Superman/Batman. Unfortunately, I don't have the benefit of having read Jeph Loeb's original Public Enemies comic to make a comparison, but the movie itself is a lot of fun. A variety of characters, many of whom you don't expect, and some creative dialogue (it's always good when you laugh out loud) make this definitely worth seeing. I'm sure some hardcore fans might question motives of certain characters (would Starfire really be on Luthor's payroll?) but I don't know some of these heroes well enough to think too hard about it. See it if you get the chance.

Superhero Tweet of the Week

"If I was invulnerable...I think every once and a while I'd get hit by a car and be like....DUDE COME ON, THESE ARE NEW KACKIS!! "

@MyNameisRazzle

What? Who? Pop Candy!

Dang - haven't spent any time here and I want to get back in the groove.

So, a couple of cool things I came across today.

I love Pop Candy.

Whitney Matheson always has some nice superhero-flavored pieces to share.

Geekologie asks, What if Superheroes Had Beards?


Bearded: Batman by ~Vanjamrgan on deviantART

Good stuff...

Also, The Maxx is coming to DVD. (Woo!)

Finally, the creepy weird "Pale Force" superhero cartoons. I couldn't get through them - but you may...

Surrogates

Finally seeing it tonight!

Don't waste your time on Marvel SuperHeroSquad

Like I did.

Quite possibly the stupidest superhero cartoon I've ever seen.

Juvenile vomit, fart, burp, snot, toilet, and underwear jokes. Way too silly - written for 3-year-olds, but nothing intelligent for the older crowd.

Bad writing. Annoying animation.

Not even a Battlestar Galactica joke could save it.

I've always been turned off by bad Marvel writing (and that includes Stan Lee). The way they nickname everyone? Wolvie, Falc, Ms. M, Squaddies...

And "HERO UP!"

Good grief.

Marvel SuperHero Squad

I almost missed this! A new show, Marvel SuperHero Squad, is on in 30 minutes at 7 EST / 6 CST on Cartoon Network. http://bit.ly/cRn0y

Whiteout (2009)

based on a comic

[8/10]

Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) is a U.S. Marshall in Antarctica. Three days before she's about to ship to warmer climes, a body is found on the ice, and she has to find out why. She's joined in her quest by loyal doctor John Fury (Tom Skerrit) and suspicious U.N. operative Robert Pryce (Gabriel Macht; The Spirit). (Alex O'Loughlin, who plays Haden was also in Man-Thing.)

This movie deserves a lot better than the critics give it. I have no idea why it's getting such bad reviews. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It's the type of movie where you settle in, and the world just melts away as you're drawn into the movie. It's not non-stop action, but it has it's share. And even when calms down a bit, you're just wondering what's going to happen next.

This film was based on the 2001 graphic novel by Greg Rucka. I've been waiting on this movie for a while - thought it was supposed to come out last September. My question now is - how did Rucka write this in a graphic novel? I'm looking forward to reading it.

See it if you like thrillers or mysteries.

Don't see it if you just pay attention to the stupid critics.

Super News!

Ok - this is a good enough reason to come out of hiding.

James Gunn is working on a new superhero movie.

I first became a fan of Gunn when I saw The Specials several years ago - he wrote the film, and played the super hero Minute Man (he's not fast; he shrinks).

It was genius. It was hilarious.

He also wrote the two Scooby Doo movies (which I really enjoyed), wrote and directed Slither (which I haven't seen), and wrote the Troma film, Tromeo and Juliet (somewhat...disturbing; but then it's Troma).

I follow him on Twitter. And I'm his friend on Facebook.

(I don't think I'm stalking him.)

I found out today on Twitter that he's working on a new movie called Super.

With Rainn Wilson.

And Ellen Page.

And Liv Tyler.

This is exciting news.

He describes it as: "a dark, comedic, gritty, very unusual, and grounded film".

James talks about it here.

Disney + Marvel: What is to come

Arby's has Justice League

Picked up this cool Wonder Woman Arby's yesterday -they're doing Justice League Unlimited, though it looks like they've just got the main JL cast. But why now? And where's Batman? Licensing issues?

Disney is buying Marvel Comics?!?

Got my wife on board for the Spider-Man Broadway Musical!

She loves U2.

Thor and Green Lantern Duke It Out?

Not sure where the wires are getting crossed.

I keep seeing stories that Thor and Green Lantern are currently scheduled to be released on the same day (ComicVine, MTV Splash Page): 6/17/11.

But Marvel and IMDB are showing Thor's release as 5/20/11. (SuperHeroHype didn't pick up on the June date and is still tracking to Marvel's date in May.)

Anyone know the correct date? It's a minor thing, especially considering the dates are so far in the future and they'll likely change, but I'm always curious how these things get started.

The Dark Knight (2008) mini review

based on a comic book

[9/10]

For Christmas, my brother got me the very cool Batman Mask DVD Limited Edition.  So, I finally watched it on DVD.  And it's just as good (or better) now as it was at the theater. Where to start with this one? Everyone knows the plot - it's been going on for nearly 70 years.  Batman versus the Joker.  But this time the Joker's played by Heath Ledger.  And that makes all the difference.

I was a little disappointed in the original Batman Begins.  I gave it an 8/10, but I was hoping for at least a 9.  There was something missing from that one.  I don't know if it was a little bit of emotion to fully pull me in, or what, but while that film was technically brilliant, it didn't have the edge to make me fall in love with it.


The Dark Knight has that edge.  More importantly, the edge was my seat, which I was on through the entire film.  Nolan and Ledger was an amazing pairing.  This Joker is psychotic, he makes you laugh, he makes you cringe. Sometimes at the same time. (How about a magic trick?) This film is dark - and it's full of dark humor (befitting of the Joker). Ledger would have made an amazing Joker if someone had adapted Arkham Asylum. The beauty of this film is that you're fully entranced, wondering what the next twist will be, slapped in the face by the next turn. This is an amazing superhero film to date.  I'm just disappointed I never saw it on IMAX.  It didn't come to Huntsville during it's re-release in January. Of course.

Comic book movie connections: Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Wanted; Joshua Harto (Reese), Iron Man; William Fichtner (Bank Manager), Ultraviolet.  Nestor Carbonell (Mayor Garcia) was Batmanuel on The Tick and voiced Justice League. Eric Roberts (Maroni) appeared on Witchblade and did voices for Justice League and Spawn.




See it if you haven't yet; see it again if you already have.


Don't see it if the harshness of a PG-13 would turn you off.  Batman is dark. The Joker is psycho.  This isn't your father's Batman.  (Though it may be your grandfather's - he was a little darker back in the 40's.)

Waiting for Wolverine

Missed opening night Wolverine. On a date to see The Soloist tonight. But we cut it so close getting here and the theater is so packed that we opted to see Wolverine since it started 30 minutes later.

Here's the line.





I really hope it's better than I've been hearing.

(this didn't post for some reason Saturday night - so I'll post it now; BTW, Woverine was pretty good)

7-11 Wolverine Mutant Berry Slurpee

Sweet.

Or maybe I should say tart. It was a bit on the sour side. Pretty tasty if you like berry. Thought I'd share a pic of the cup and the straw / toy.








Florence needs a 7-11.

Random

Wow, this blog was horribly in need of updating. I haven't been paying any attention.  Too many irons in the fire.

Did you know ABC was working on a pilot for a new (comedy) superhero show based on the British series, No Heroics?  This could be hilarious.  (Take a look at a trailer for the original series on YouTube. [NSFW])

I didn't know they had set a date for a Green Lantern movie.

What do you think the chances are for the next Spider-Man film to actually be 3-D?

Sit tight for my very-late-in-coming reviews for Dark Knight and Watchmen.  Plus, I'm seeing Wolverine this weekend, and I'm going to take a stab at watching the Watchmen Motion Comic. 

Harley Quinn

Think they'll ever come out with this on Wii?



Batman: Arkham Asylum

Comic / Pillow

Quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen. A Spider-Man comic book and pillow all in one. Saw it at Sam's. I really wanted to get it for myse- er, uh, for Max.
But I didn't think it warrented spending $20.

The Specials (2000) mini review

superhero movie not based on a comic

[8/10]

The Specials.


The 6th or 7th best superhero team in the world.

The best superhero movie you've never seen.

Jamie Gunn, the genius writer behind the Scooby Doo live action films, crafts a witty superhero comedy, so funny that you don't even realize the heroes don't use their powers in the film.

The Strobe (Thomas Haden Church, Spider-Man 3, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight). Amok (Jamie Kennedy, Son of the Mask). The Weevil (Rob Lowe). Minute Man (James Gunn). Power Chick (Kelly Cofield). Ms. Indestructible (Paget Brewster). Nightbird (Jordan Ladd). Deadly Girl (Judy Greer). U.S. Bill (Mike Schwartz). Alien Orphan (Sean Gunn). Mr. Smart (Jim Zulevic). VIII.

These are The Specials. Whether fighting supervillains like the deadly Anal Slug, or just fighting amongst themselves, The Specials are a different breed of superhero. It's fascinating to delve into their personal lives and see how they interact every day. Yes, this is a comedy with some fantastic elements; yes, these people are superheroes. But there's something about movies like this that you can relate to on a human level. Sometimes, even when you're a superhero, life isn't always how you want it to be.

Special trivia. Jenna Fischer makes a cameo; she may have been married to James Gunn at the time. Melissa Joan Heart (Sunlight Grrrl) has done a lot of voice work, including Saturn Girl on Superman: The Animated Series, and Dee Dee on Batman Beyond. Samantha Cannon, one of VIII, also appeared in Hancock.


See it if you want to see a hilarious superhero comedy.

Don't see it if you can't handle a lot of language; Jamie Kennedy's character is a bit "blue". Ha!

Links

Wow - a lot of Watchmen related stuff on the web lately.  Wonder why. 

Here are a number of superhero things I've come across (I think I may have picked most of these up from Pop Candy).

What If's Abound

What if Stan Lee Wrote Watchmen (I can't bear to look..."Don't be a pinko, Doc!")

What if Woody Allen Had Directed Watchmen? Disturbing...but I might see Tarantino's.  And Pedro Almodovar's.

Watchmen related

10 Things You Should Know About Alan Moore (I bet he could pen a fascinating comic book autobiography.)

Who Watches Who Walks out of Watchmen? I don't think anyone walked out of my theater - opening night.

After Watchmen (DC's picks of what to read after you read Watchmen.  I'd start with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; or maybe The Killing Joke.)

Other Superhero Stuff

10 Defenses for Howard the Duck (I've had this sitting on my DVR forever, intending to watch it and review it.)

The Hero Factory What could be better than supeheroes and 80s music? Make your own superhero, put him on a comic.  Though sometimes they pick dumb names...

Watchmen

Just sitting here in the theater waiting for Watchmen to start. I thought the theater would be a lot more crowded.

The Book of Lies (Brad Meltzer, 2008)

The other day, I saw that my wife had brought home The Book of Lies from the library.  I remembered hearing about this because part of the story featured the family of one of the creators of Superman (Jerry Siegel). I asked Krista if she like Meltzer.  She said she'd read all his books.

"No you haven't," I replied.

Taken aback, "Yes, I have," she argued.

"Have you read Identity Crisis?" Ha!

"Well, I haven't read his comics."  Color me impressed that she even knew he wrote comics, much less knew the name of one!

Anyway, I figured I better read this since she had brought it home from the library...


I don't read much in the way of thrillers - that's more Krista's speed.  I enjoyed this one, though. It's a quick easy read, with chapters you can sometimes finish in a minute or two - great if you read in tiny bites.

So, how does the first murder (the story of Cain and Abel) figure prominently into the life of the creator of Superman?  Read it and find out.  It's an interesting story with some good twists and turns (none of which I saw coming, though Krista said she saw the first big one).

Push (2009) mini review

superhero film not based on a comic

[7/10]

So, technically, it's not a superhero film - but it is a film about people with powers. When I saw the previews for Push, it seemed very reminiscent of the show Heroes, but as I sat in the theater absorbing the film, it didn't remind me of Heroes at all. 

A government organization called The Division is continuing experiments on psychics started by the Nazis in World War II, trying to develop people's psychic abilities and turn them into weapons.  Those who have telekenetic abilities are called Movers; people that can see the future are called Watchers; people that can push their thoughts into your mind and make you see and believe thing that aren't real are called Pushers; you get the idea.  There are a lot more abilities in the film, but it's a lot more fun if you pick them up while you're watching.

The Division is looking for a Pusher named Kira (Camilla Bell) who recently escaped.  They want her back because they've injected her with a serum that multiplies her abilities, and she's the first to survive the process.  She gets some help from Nick (Chris Evans, upcoming Scott Pilgrim movie, Fantastic Four, 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer) and Cassie (Dakota Fanning - did you know she played a young Wonder Woman on Justice League once?). They're being chased by Division man Carver (Djimon Hounsou, Constantine, Blueberry), as well as a rival Hong Kong organization.

I thought the film was a fun ride. The way the abilities were handled was especially creative, and I think I enjoyed this part of the film best of all (and it helped me overlook other shortcomings).  If you can find yourself lost in the fun of mindless esapism, sometimes that's all you need to enjoy a movie. I especially like the telekinetic fist fight...but I won't spoil that for you either.

Keep in mind that this is not a film for deep analysis.  If you think too much about it, you can find a lot of parallels with Heroes, though, as I said before, it doesn't have the same feel.  Plus, if you try to analyze the story and plot, I think you'd find a lot of holes.  But as a "popcorn" movie - a movie you can just sit and enjoy, it's not too bad.

[Neil Jackson, who was Marcus in the Blade series playes a Mover who works for The Division. Ming-Na, who plays the Sniffer that helps Kira, Cassie, and Nick , also voiced Detective Yin on The Batman.]


See it if you can just sit and enjoy a movie for the fun of it.

Don't see it if you over-analyze films and look for plot holes.

The Brave and the Bold Toys

I didn't know Brave and the Bold toys were out - even an action figure of Blue Beetle.

Rude

Update.

Ok; while there's an advantage to pre-picking your seat at a theater like the Monaco, the downside is when you get rule-follower nazis that don't realize they're picking seats right next to you. So when they walk into an empty theater after picking seats right next to you they sit right next to you. Duh.

oh cool - Watchmen trailer

A Darkened Movie Theater

Here am at the Monaco in Huntsville (by myself in the theater) about to see Push. Why? Well because it's not in Florence, of course. I'll let you know if it's any good.

Aw, crud...it looks like I might not have the theater all to myself. Oh, well. The trailers are about to start.

In the News

Just some important news stories I thought you all might be interested in:

Action Figure Fights On Despite Loss Of Dragon Sword

5 Upcoming Comic Book Movies That Must Be Stopped

20 Superhero Movies We Hope They Never Make

Have a good week!

Wanted (2008) mini review

based on a comic book

[10/10]

Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is a loser. An insignificant nothing who can't figure out why his life sucks. He's treated like crap at his crappy job. His girlfriend is cheating on him with his best friend. Life can't get much worse.

But one day he finds out the father he never knew was an assassin. Fox (Angelina Jolie) finds him and tries to convert him; Sloan (Morgan Freeman - Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) is the head of The Fraternity and convinces him to join the organization. I'll leave the rest for you to find out when you see this movie, if you haven't already.

What can I even say about a summer of comic book movies that had such a strong start (Iron Man) and got better and better with every film, crescendoing with Wanted. Maybe that's not how they came out chronologically, but Wanted was my final stop on my summer comic book tour, and for my money, it was the best of the bunch.

This is only my second 10 out of 10 comic book movie. What can I say - I'm transfixed by films where the hero starts out as some schlub, and when he discovers the truth about life, it's turned upside down (The Matrix and Fight Club are in my top 5 films - go figure.) These kinds of films resonate with me somewhere deep inside. But when a movie is brilliantly made and it reaches inside me and grabs me by the soul - that's a film that rocks my world. And the beautiful choreography and amazing cinematography of this whole movie just makes you need to catch your breath.

Addendum: I wanted to add that not long after I saw the film in the theater, I read Mark Millar's comic that it was based on.  It was interesting that the film wasn't that faithful to the comic.  And, well, it wouldn't have been able to have near the success if it tried to be.  I mean, the comic is dark.  Darker probably than just about any comic I've ever read. In the comics, The Fraternity isn't a fraternity of assassins who go about trying to kill the people who deserve it.  It's a fraternity of costumed super-villains who have done away with all the superheroes and now go about doing whatever they want. Imagine a secret gang of hundreds of Jokers let loose on the world without the Batman to keep them in check, and you can get an inkling of what I'm talking about.  To be truer to the source material would have been cost-prohibitive (all those costumes, all those super powers, all those special effects), and it would've been lucky to garner an NC-17 rating.  I think I'm glad they didn't get any close than they did - it all ended up like an adolescent angry boy's fantasy - what would I do if I could do anything I want to anyone I wanted to.  *Shudder* While I recommend the movie to anyone who can get by the violence, I personally don't recommend the comic; but that's just me.



See it if you like intense action movies or movies about truth being turned on its head.

Don't see it if you tend to avoid the blood and violence.

Special (2006) mini review

superhero movie not based on a comic

[8/10]

Do you ever dream of being different?

Does life ever have its foot on your chest, and you know you need to find the strength to stand up, but just don't know where to get it?

When a movie is really good, sometimes it's better to say less about it and let other people experience it for themselves. I was able to catch Special (here's the film's website) on Comcast On Demand last night - I had to look for it; it wasn't with the rest of the movies, it was in a separate category, "Magnolia Pictures".

Anyway, it was awesome.

Les (Michael Rapaport, Comic Book Villains) has decided to participate in some clinical trials with a new drug - a drug that's supposed to remove self-doubt. He starts taking it, and he starts to develop special powers. Or does he? Here, everyone involved in the film did an amazing job of making me wonder - does he really have these powers? (I mean really - you could see everyone's hand involved - from the writer to the director to the actors to those editing the video and the sound). And you keep second guessing...

Needless to say I was impressed.

Other cast includes Jack Kehler (Men In Black II), Josh Peck (you probably recognize him from Drake and Josh), Christopher Darga (Return to the Batcave, The Mask), and Amanda Carlin (Superhero Movie).

If you come across this film somewhere and get a chance to see it - see it.



See it if you like indie films or superhero films - or especially if you like independent movies and superhero movies.

Don't see it if your movies need to be big-budget Hollywood blockbusters.

Special

Of course, this movie never came anywhere close to here, but I just saw on the movie site that it's on Comcast On Demand.  I've liked Michael Rapaport ever since I saw Beautiful Girls.  That reminds me - I've got watch Comic Book Villains again so I can review it. I'm going to check right now to see if we've got Special on our On Demand.

What's Up with The Dark Knight?

Just saw the list of IMAX theaters that The Dark Knight was re-released to today. Is the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center on it?

Nope!

What's up with that?!?

Hmmmm...is it worth it to drive all the way to Nashville to see it on the IMAX? I'm still kicking myself for not going to V for Vendetta.

Upcoming: Push, Afro-Samurai, Wolverine and the X-Men

News, news, news...

I happened to be reading Entertainment Weekly yesterday, and caught that Afro Samurai: Resurrection (sequel to Afro Samurai) is on is on Spike this Saturday night at 9 pm Central. (They're showing the full 2 hours rather than breaking it up like they did the last one). Once again it stars Samuel L Jackson, but the sequel adds Lucy Liu to the mix. (Shoot - I got the uncut version of the original for Christmas, and still haven't watched.  Good grief.)

Also, Wolverine and the X-Men premiers Sunday at 1 pm Central.  Wow; that's a weird time.  It looks like they're showing two episodes back to back.

And here's the trailer for a movie that looks pretty interesting.  It reminded me of Heroes, but I'll just have to go see it. It's called Push.

Mystery Men (1999) mini review

based on a comic book

[10/10]

Call me crazy, but Mystery Men is, in my opinion, the finest superhero movie ever made - so far, it's the only superhero film I've rated a 10 out of 10. Why? It's not easy to put into words. The directing is excellent. The acting is wonderful. The casting is perfect. The cinematography is just Amazing. The writing is genius - the only other notable film among the writer's other credits include the nauseating The Return of Swamp Thing, so I don't know if he had a flash of genius, or if the script evolved during production.

The movie begins with Champion City's greatest hero (Captain Amazing - Greg Kinnear, Blankman) having to bail out a group of second string superheroes (Mr. Furious - Ben Stiller; The Shoveler - William H. Macy, Batman Beyond, Superman: TAS; and The Blue Raja - Hank Azaria), as they once again get their butts kicked while trying to fight crime. The three would-be crimefighters are later joined by The Bowler (Janeane Garafalo, Southland Tales), The Spleen (Paul Reubens, the Penguin's father in Batman Returns), The Sphinx (Wes Studi), and Invisible Boy (Kel Mitchell) and summon the courage to work through their individual issues and work as a team fight the evil Casanova Frankenstein (Geoffrey Rush). [Claire Forlani (Mallrats) has a small part, and the incredible Tom Waits (Wristcutters: A Love Story) has an excellent cameo.  Other notables include Eddie Izzard (My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Blueberry) and Doug Jones (Hellboy, Hellboy II, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Men in Black II, Monkeybone, Tank Girl, Batman Returns)]

This movie has everything - some great superhero lines, a Disco gang, an insane asylum, a Corvette Limo. It even solves the mystery of how a simple pair of glasses can work as a disguise for Superman.

The Mystery Men were born in the pages of Bob Burden's Flaming Carrot Comics. All of the heroes in the movie originally appeared in this title, but the Mystery Men never even had their own comic until after the movie came out.


See it if you are in any way, shape, or form a fan of comic books.

Don't see it if you don't want to lighten up and suspend disbelief for a few minutes.

Hellboy Hawking DirecTV

I saw this commercial last week and about fell off the couch laughing.  It cracked me up for some reason.

The Spirit (2008) mini review

based on a comic
[6/10]

Denny Colt (Gabriel Macht) is The Spirit.  He's the hero of Central City. But what is he? Is he dead? Is he alive? To be honest, I had some trouble following it; partly because it was convoluted, and partly because it had trouble keeping my attention and I think I may have dozed off a few times (you know, like you do in school, when you're sitting at your desk and suddenly you jerk awake, knowing you just dozed off for a second or two).

Maybe the film is an homage to the comic, and the comic leaves as many questions unanswered. Maybe the film is an homage to film noir, and that's why there's so much over-acting and corny dialogue.  Either way, you can tell I was a bit disappointed.  It's an interesting experiment, but not as good as it could have been (or should have been). I'm not sure what the film was trying to be, or what it was trying to do.  Was it campy? Was it an homage? Was it film noir?

The film is, of course, based on the Will Eisner classic comic book/strip The Spirit.  It was directed by Frank Miller (who you might remember had co-directing credits on his Sin City movie).  Samuel L. Jackson (Iron Man, The Incredibles, Unbreakable, Afro Samurai) plays Octopus; Eva Mendes (Ghost Rider) is The Spirit's first love - Sand Seref. Paz Vega (you may remember her from Spanglish) is the enchantress Plaster of Paris, Scarlett Johanssen (Ghost World) plays The Octopus's right-hand woman Silken Floss; Jaime King (Sin City, upcoming Sin City 2, Bulletproof Monk) is Lorelei Rox, and Dan Lauria is Dolan (he had parts in Smallville, Static Shock, and Batman Beyond) - he's the dad from The Wonder Years, if you, like me, were struggling to remember where you knew him from.

See it if you're a comic fan and want to see a feature based on comics legend Will Eisner's The Spirit or want to see Frank Miller's directorial debut.

Don't see it if, if you hate to see such great talent wasted, or based on Miller's comic writing and Sin City, you expect this to be really good.

Watchmen Comes to Life

Because Moore brings gives his characters such depth, making them feel as if they're real-life people, I sometimes think of Watchmen as a story describing what might happen if people really did decide to dress up, become superheroes, and fight crime. Well that era has arrived. The most recent Rolling Stone has a story about Real Life Superheroes.

In other news:

The Edge talks about the Spider-man musical.

You've probably already seen the X-Men Origins: Wolverine site and trailer. It looks awesome.

XIII finally hit the news with some real info; it'll be on NBC in February. Here's the story; I've put the mini-series dates to the right under Premiers/Releases.

The Hulk fights Thor and Wolverine this January. Marvel has the trailer and some clips.

Well, here's hoping I get the chance to go see The Spirit tomorrow night.

I'll leave you with a trailer for a video game I may just have to buy. Think it'll come out on the Wii? *sigh*



Batman - Arkham Asylum