Stardust (2007) mini review

based on a comic
[7/10]

So, technically, is Stardust a comic book movie? Well...it's actually a storybook, laden with illustrations. Not the same form of sequential art as you're used to seeing in a comic. However, it was published by a comic book company, written by a comic book writer (though he has also written several novels), published under a comic book imprint, in a comic book format, as a comic book mini series.

Close enough.

Stardust (Being A Romance Within The Realm of Faerie) was written by Neil Gaiman, and published by DC Comics under the Vertigo imprint as a 4-issue mini-series in 1997, illustrated by Charles Vess. The mini was collected, then novelised by Gaiman, with some modifications (take a look at some of the questions Gaiman answers at that last link). And if you watch the film, it notes that it's based on the novel. I was able to pick up the original series and am excited to read it now that I've seen the movie. Unfortunately, the film didn't meet the extremely high hopes I had for it; my wife on the other hand (not into comic book movies or fantasy) was not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I guess it depends on what we take into it.

Stardust is the story of Tristran, who crosses the wall at the edge of his village into a magical realm in pursuit of a fallen star for his true love. Easier said then done, when a trio of witches and a bevy of princes are after the same thing. It's a magical tale which I'm sure doesn't do the original justice. That's a pretty big assumption, given that I haven't read the original and that I'm not even overly familiar with Gaiman's work (*gasp*), but I just have a feeling. Directed by Matthew Vaughn (in negotiations to direct the upcoming Thor), the overall idea was amazing, and the acting was excellent. Charlie Cox was good as Tristran, and Claire Danes was great as Yvaine. Some of the bigger names in the film include Robert Deniro, Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns), Peter O'Toole (Supergirl) , and Rupert Everett. Other parts include Jason Flemyng (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell) and Melanie Hill (From Hell).

But, the movie was just ok; it really seemed to be missing something. The humor seemed shoehorned in, as if the funny parts were added in later to make it appeal to a larger audience. And the story just didn't seem to flow well, as if parts were cut from a larger story and sewn back together.

It was good, but it just should have been more. I think I was also disappointed in the fact that it didn't seem like the Realm of Faerie was truly a different world from ours. It just seemed like our world with a bit more magic.

You might ask how I can give Stardust and Underdog the same rating. Part of my philosophy for rating movies is to understand the genre. The latter is intended to be a silly family movie based on a corny old cartoon. The former is a serious fantasy based on a story by one of today's foremost authors and comic writers. I think they succeeded at about the same level.

See it if you you're jonesing for a light-hearted fantasy film.


Don't see it if you expect to be blown away by a film adapted from Gaiman's work; maybe you should just rent Mirrormask or wait for Death: The High Cost of Living.

Underdog (2007) mini review

superhero film not based on a comic
[7/10]

In the classic superhero tradition, a failed police dog ends up in the hands of mad scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister, and in an accident with some experimental chemicals, he becomes the rhyming canine superhero, Underdog!

Well, it's not Oscar material, and it's not the pinnacle of filmmaking, even if you consider that it's based on a 60's cartoon, but it is a lot of fun. Several laugh out loud moments and a number of references to the old 'toon serve to make an enjoyable family film. Of course, the ending was completely anti-climactic, with a bunch of sappiness to top it off, so that was a bit disappointing.

Jason Lee (Chasing Amy, The Incredibles), is a decent Underdog, and Peter Dinklage (from the amazing non-comic movie, The Station Agent) plays a wonderful Barsinister. Though I'm not normally a fan of the live action stuff we've seen from Patrick Warburton (The Tick live action series, Men In Black II; also voicing a police detective on The Batman and the voice of Royal Pain in Sky High), he plays a pretty good part as Barsinister's lackey. Jack, the boy who befriends Underdog is could have been better, and even Jim Belushi (who actually did a voice for The Tick cartoon) should have done a better job. Amy Adams (from an early episode of Smallville) plays Polly Purebred, Underdog's love interest; Jim Garret (who's had voice parts in Justice League, Superman: The Animated Series, the '05 Fantastic Four cartoon, Batman: The Animated Series, The Tick, and even played a part in Lois & Clark) voices Riffraff.

On a side note, one of the screenwriters (Adam Rifkin) happened to also work on the comic movie Zoom.

See it if you want to take the kids to an enjoyable superhero film.


Don't see it if you won't take it for what it is - a goofy family movie based on a goofy 60's cartoon.

July '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

It's still July (so I'm ahead of schedule?) and here are some TPBs, one-shots, and #1's listed in July's Previews for September.

TV

• Serenity: Those Left Behind (HC collected mini, Dark Horse)
  Joss Whedon's bridge between Firefly (the show) and Serenity (the movie). This one's supposed to be a "fan favorite". I'll have to read it after I finish watching the entire season of Firefly on DVD. (Note: Target still has it for about $20.)

Movies

• Borderland (One-shot, Viper Comics)
  Based on a film which is, in turn, based on the true story of a US and Mexican police officer investigating a cult just south of the border, hunting for human sacrifices.
  
  
• Buckaroo Banzai vol 1: Return of the Screw (TPB, Moonstone)
  Continuing the adventures from the 80s cult film; includes a ton of extras.
  
  
• Friday the 13th Summer Vacation #1 (mini, Wildstorm)
  Is it a prequel? A sequel? Who knows. Dare I say, who cares?
  
  
• Ghostbusters: Legion (TPB, Eighty Eight MPH Studioes)
  This should hold you off until the next sequel comes out - it collects the 4-part mini, along with a San Diego comic-con exclusive.
  
  
• New Line Cinema's Tales of Horror #1 (new series or mini, Wildstorm)
  Will it never end? Oh, wait; these are sequels to both Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. There's more than one way to milk a cat (or a comic book horror fan).

Books/Stories

• Artemis Fowl vol 1 (Graphic Novel, Hyperion Books)
  Are these any good? I've seen the books in stores, but haven't looked at them.
  


• Dark Hunger (Graphic Novel, Berkley Books)
  Based on the Dark Series of vampire novels by Christine Feehan.
  


• The Escapists (HC collected, Dark Horse)
  Based on the no-longer-fictional comic in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
  


• Gods of Asgard (Graphic Novel, Studio E3)
  Comic adaptation of Norse myths.
  


• King Lear (Graphic Novel, thecomic.com)
  That's the one; based Shakespeare's play.
  


• Looking Glass Wars Hatter M (HC collected mini, Desperado)
  Based on a series of novels (The Looking Glass Wars Trilogy). The web site makes me want to buy the comic.
  


• Pizzeria Kamikaze (TPB, Alternative Comics)
  This comic is based on a short story, but a film based on it (or based on the story; or maybe both) is making the festival rounds as Wristcutters: A Love Story.
  


• Ray Harryhausen Presents Sinbad Rogue of Mars (5-part mini, Bluewater Production)
  Though more properly adapted from a series of stories, than books.

Other

• Ring of the Nibelung (Graphic Novel, ExPress Publishing)
  Adaptation of Wagner's opera.

Picking any of these up? See anything I missed? Take exception to my disparaging comments about endless additions to one-trick horror films?

Mattel's DC Superfriends

Britt over at Kung Fu Rodeo noted that the new DC Superfriends line of action figures were available at his local Target. Due to an odd coincidence, Krista had just bought me a new toy...er...phone for my birthday, and offered to drive so I could play...er...investigate the new features (yeah - that's the ticket). I just so happened to be reading that post just as we were driving by the Florence, Alabama Target.

So I made her take a detour, and we went inside to hunt for treasure.

Unfortunately, we couldn't find the DC Batman for me my son, but I discovered something else, and was able to pick him up these new wooden Spider-Man and Hulk figures designed to be played with the Learning Curve Play Town toys. They've also got a Wolverine/Captain America set.

I'll still be looking for that DC Superfriends Batman, but I'd say it was a successful stop.

I've got all the answers.

Well, the world's most over-rated comics creator has given his advice to all the screenwriters and directors out there on how to make a good comic book movie.

Stan Lee's 10 Rules on How to Make a Good Comics Movie is only one part of movies.com's POW! A Complete Guide to Comics & the Movies (presented, of course, by Who Wants to Be a Superhero). Most of them actually kind of make sense, but after such celebrated hits as Stripperella and Lightspeed, I'm sure everyone's knocking down Lee's door to find out his secrets on adapting comics and superheroes into other media. C'mon Stan - maybe you should follow some of your own advice. 'Nuff said.

While you're there, take the quiz. I got a crappy 10/12 right. Maybe I should relinquish my blog...

Unclaimed Dawn Bust

Happened across this (Joseph Michael Linsner's) Dawn Bust Statue (no pun intended) at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama today. It had a $100 price tag on it, and I tried to get on eBay with Krista's phone to see what it was going for - but I couldn't connect for some reason. I wouldn't have been able to tell, anyway. Currently they're going for nearly $200 in the eBay stores (and it appears that's what they're going for on the web), but I don't know what people are actually spending on them. There's currently one going for $60, but it's got a week left. This must be a fairly rare item; there aren't any recently completed auctions I could find.

Well, if you're interested in one for rock-bottom prices, head on over to Scottsboro!

(Note: I didn't actually see this one...I didn't have the presence of mind to snag a pic with my phone, and I grabbed this pic from one of the current eBay auctions...)

Fantastic Four mini review (2005)

based on a comic
[7/10]

While studying a cosmic storm, Victor Von Doom, Reed Richards (Ioan Gruffudd - Mr. Miracle on an episode of Justice League), Sue Storm (Jessica Alba - Sin City), Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm (Chris Evans - TMNT) are all exposed to cosmic radiation. In traditional comic book fashion, the radiation gives them super powers. The origin story is done well - and that's not easy in comic book movies - it's not shoe-horned in like we see so often. Reactions to these new abilities run the gamut - friendships are strengthened, others fall apart; people realize that with great power comes great responsibility, want to use their powers for personal gain, or are driven mad. And, we see how Dr. Doom becomes the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four. But director Tim Story does a decent job of pulling it all together. While he doesn't have any background working on comic films, one of the writers (Michael France) had previous experience working on Hulk and The Punisher.

I think this film gets a bad rap. It's not the best piece of cinema ever made, and there are some hokey parts, but as far as comic book movies go, it's an enjoyable film. It's got great action, great special effects, and good pacing - it's not too slow or too fast. The acting's believable, and it's even got a little emotion (or maybe that's just me). You've got to willfully suspend some disbelief, but that's to be expected in a superhero movie.

And the climactic final battle is definitely worth a superhero team movie.



See it if you want some mindless superhero fun.


Don't see it if you expect superhero films to be cinematic masterpieces.

June '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Well, now that June is over, I thought I'd post the June listing of trades, one-shots, and new series that were solicited in Previews.

TV

• Stargate SG-1 2007 Special, "Teal'C" cover (Pulsar Press, One-Shot)
  I'm not sure why they felt the need to add an 8th cover to this one-shot from April, but here it is.
  

Movies

• Aliens vs. Predator: Omnibus Volume 2 (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Dark Horse, continuing their offering of these massive trades - 448 pages, including Deadliest of the Species.
• Army of Darkness: From the Ashes #1 (mini, Dynamite Entertainment)
  Ash once again fights the Deadites.
• Dee Sniders's Strangeland: Seven Sins #1 (4-part mini, Fangoria Comics)
  Are comic book horror movie prequels the cool thing in 2007? Does this movie really need one?
• George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead: Hunger (one-shot, Avatar Press)
  Prequel to the 1968 horror flick, telling the story of one of the undead from the film.
• Splinter of the Mind's Eye (Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Volume 8) (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Fond memories of reading this book when I was kid. I don't think it's canon any more...but, sweet nostalgia!

Books

• Conan and the Midnight God (TPB, Dark Horse)
  Collecting the mini-series.
• Dark Tower Gunslinger's Guidebook (one-shot, Marvel)
  Guide to the world of the Gunslinger; coinciding with the final chapter of the Gunslinger Born series.

Games

• Dark Sector (one-shot, Top Cow)
  Video game prequel (at least it's not a horror movie) to Dark Sector, a creepy-looking new first person shooter due out in 2008.
• Gears of War #0 (series?, Boom! Studios)
  Based on the hit video game.

From the "Enough Already" category...not only is Wildstorm's By Himself #1 another horror film prequel, it's another Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel.

Anything that I skipped that you're looking forward to?

Top Cow comes to XBox

I'm sure this won't be Gears of War or Halo, but it looks pretty cool nonetheless. I've always been a fan of the first person shooter...



I happened to notice this commercial the other day sitting in a restaurant that had some game on the TV - it looked interesting, and I was suprised when I saw what it was - based on the Top Cow comic The Darkness.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) mini review

based on a comic
[6/10]

The quintessential crimefighting quartet is back; this time, they're not just trying to stop a supervillain; they're trying to save the world. In this second film, we are introduced to the Silver Surfer (played by Doug Jones - Hellboy, Men in Black II, Monkeybone, Mystery Men, Tank Girl, Batman Returns; voiced by Laurence Fishburne - TMNT). Who is this mysterious visitor? Why is he here? How'd he get so shiny?

The writing was good, the effects were amazing, the action was great - all in the first half of the film. FF2 peaks about halfway through, and at this point it's better than its predecessor. Unfortunately, about the time the Fantastic Four finally begin to uncover the mystery, the film, like the dead worlds that Galactus leaves behind, just seems to go cold. I hadn't seen the original Fantastic Four since it was in theaters, so I rented it the afternoon before I went to see the sequel and was surprised at how much more I liked it.

Ironically, in a film where superpowers are caused by cosmic storms, I think there was a lot that stretched believability. You can only willfully suspend disbelief so far. I don't want to get too spoilerish, so I won't go into detail on everything that bothered me. I'll just use one example - the heavy-handed product placement. "Dear, however will we get out of this predicament?" "Why, my Dodge Fantasticar will save us - and, yeah, it's got a Hemi."

That's really just the tip of the iceberg. There's enough stuff in the second half of the film that seems forced that makes me feel like the writing time was spent on the first half of the screenplay, and the second half was rushed. Which is sad, because several of the writers seem to have comic book experience - Don Payne (My Super Ex-Girlfriend), John Turman (Hulk, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (television series)).


See it if you're a Fantastic Four fan, or you enjoyed the first one (or maybe if you didn't like the first one - it seems like everyone else likes this one better).


Don't see it if you're not really into Fantastic Four or don't care about the cool Surfer special effects - there probably won't be enough in here to keep your attention.

Marvel vs. DC

I realize this has been around a few months, but I recently ran across it on Major Lee Videawesome. Part of the reason this parody of the current Mac/PC commercials is so funny is because it's dead on.





There's one shy of a dozen on this JustSomeRandomGuy's YouTube page. Some of them are funnier than others, but they all have spots where you just have to laugh out loud (well, mainly if you're into comic book films).

Spider-Man 2 (2004) mini review

based on a comic
[8/10]

In this second installment of the Spider-Man series, we are treated to the origin of the legendary Spidey foe, Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina, who has an eclectic resume, including voicing an episode of Justice League). He is a physicist that has created four Artificially Intelligent limbs to help him control an experiment in which he has created fusion. When the experiment goes awry, they take on a life of their own, and rather than Dr. Octavius controlling the limbs, they drive him insane and begin to control him. As he rampages (as super-villains are wont to do) he is dubbed “Dr. Octopus” by the Daily Bugle and a legend is born. Spider-Man once again has to swing into action to save New York.

Doc Ock’s origin was the only part of the film that really bothered me. I can handle just about anything, as long as it comes with a good explanation. I can believe in a kid with spider powers – he got bitten by a spider with enhanced DNA. Doc Ock’s origin was so sketchy, it just left me scratching my head…

Otherwise, Spider-Man 2 is an extremely enjoyable film. It outshines the first, which was a pretty good film on its own. I like how the Spider-Man movies get back to the roots of the character – Peter Parker is a real person with real problems – he’s somebody we can relate to. Of course, Kirsten Dunst makes an excellent Mary Jane Watson, and that doesn’t hurt things at all.


[On a side note, writing credits on this film include Miles Millar and Alfred Gough (creators of Smallville) and Michael Chabon (writer of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay). ]

See it if you like action movies or comic book films.


Don't see it if you like neither action movies nor comic book films.

The Notebooks of Dr. Brain (Minister Faust, 2006)

I just finished a fascinating piece of superhero fiction. The Notebooks of Dr. Brain chronicles the therapy sessions of the superhero team, F*O*O*J - The Fantastic Order of Justice. While the book is hilarious, it digs deep into topics that many writers have trouble finessing.

Meet The Flying Squirrel, Omnipotent Man, Iron Lass, X-Man, Brotherfly, and Power Grrrl, as they tackle racism, sexism, relationships, all while Dr. Eva Brain helps them work through their issues with each other, superheroing, and the world around them.

Minister Faust is an amazing wordsmith. The book is written as a pseudo-psychological self-help book by Dr. Brain: Unmasked! When Being a Superhero Can't Save You From Yourself. I feel that calling this book a satire would limit it - it's so much more. Faust's writing is riveting - not so much because you get lost in the story, but because you get lost in the writing itself. He weaves words together in an amazing fashion leaving a completely absorbing tapestry that the viewer must stare at in awe.

I highly recommend this to anyone who's into superheroes, who's dabbled in psychology, or just loves good writing.

Who Watches the Heroes?

Warning: Major Heroes and Watchmen spoilers ahead...


Recently finished a marathon of the last few episodes of Heroes. If you're not watching it, you're really missing something.

But did anyone else notice - especially toward the end - the amazing parallels between Heroes and Watchmen?

The first thing that hit me was the planning of a major disaster for the greater good.

It's a different idea, with a different background, and different plot. But the concept is still the same - plan a huge disaster that will bring everyone together. It's for the greater good - the end justifies the means. In Watchmen, the point is for everyone on earth - all races and nations - to be unified against a common threat. In Heroes, it's more about how tragedy can bring a nation together.

The second thing that struck me - mainly because the disaster planted the original thought in my mind - was the whole generational sub-plot. The fact that a group of heroes had all been through this before, and all or most had ties to this generation. Of course, this didn't use flashbacks - but maybe they're saving that for the second season.

And I can't believe I've missed the last 30 installments of the on-line comic. Guess I'll have to go back and read them all. They're supposed to go all summer. I'm curious if the parallels will feel stronger reading through them.

It all just made me want to go back and read Watchmen again.

Did anyone else see those parallels?

May '07 Previews Pop Culture Crossover

Much later than I planned, but nonetheless, here are some interesting new series, trades, and one-shots in May's Previews.

TV

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Omnibus Volume 2 (Dark Horse, TPB)
  Stories taking place during Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of the show.
• New Battlestar Galactica: Season Zero #1 (Dynamite, 6-issue mini)
  The first mission of the Battlestar - two years before the series started.
• Who Wants to be a Superhero: Feedback (Dark Horse, One-Shot)
  Based on the winner of Sci Fi's Who Wants to Be A Superhero?, I'm hoping the comic isn't as stupid as the show.

Movies

• 2001 Maniacs Special #1 (one-shot, Avatar)
  Just in time for the 2001 Maniacs sequel (Beverly Hellbillys, due out in October). Also, the original happens to be on Encore this month.
• Friday the 13th: Pamela's Tale #1 (2-part mini, DC/Wildstorm)
  The tale of Jason's mother.
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: About a Boy #1 (one-shot, DC/Wildstorm)
  When Leatherface was but a child.

Music

• Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm (Hardcover Graphic Novel, DC/Vertigo)
  Percy Carey's autobiographical look at the life of a Hip Hop artist.

Books

• Marvel Illustrated: The Man in the Iron Mask #1 (mini-series, Marvel)
  Adaptation of the Dumas book (from the series that began with The Three Musketeers).

Games

• Halo: Uprising #1 (mini-series, Marvel)
  Based on the extremely popular game that is a favorite to mash with comic book movie 300. It seems like everybody knows somebody who made a Halo 300 film.