Wednesday 30 July 2008

The Dark Knight

Cast
Christian Bale
Michael Caine
Morgan Freeman
Heath Ledger
Gary Oldman
Aaron Eckhart
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Eric Roberts
Screenwriters
Christopher Nolan
Jonathan Nolan
Director
Christopher Nolan
Running Time
152 minutes

Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the city streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker. (Warner Bros.)

I loved it but it did feel a little too long, perhaps on watching it again I'll have a different reaction. [spoiler] Batman killed a guy which he does not do and they even made that point several times in the movie but the guy was dead.

Wednesday 23 July 2008

WALL-E

Cast
Ben Burtt (voice)
Paul Eiding (voice)
Jeff Garlin (voice)
Kim Kopf (voice)
Kathy Najimy (voice)
Garrett Palmer (voice)
John Ratzenberger (voice)
Sigourney Weaver (voice)
Fred Willard
Screenwriter
Andrew Stanton
Director
Andrew Stanton
Running Time
103 minutes (including short PRESTO)


What if mankind had to leave Earth, and somebody forgot to turn the last robot off? After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for, Wall-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that Wall-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans. Meanwhile, WALL-E chases eve across the galaxy and sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. Joining WALL-E on his fantastic journey across a universe of never-before-imagined visions of the future is a hilarious cast of characters including a pet cockroach, and a heroic team of malfunctioning misfit robots. (Walt Disney Pictures)

It was really great and beautiful, I cried two or three times. I'm not giving it full marks because I was not completely bowled over by it. Maybe it was watching too many trailers and clips in the days leading up to the film.

Tuesday 22 July 2008

October Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for October.

This is the stuff I'm thinking about in addition to my regular pull list.

THOR: THE TRUTH OF HISTORY #1
Script, Pencils and Cover by ALAN DAVIS
Legendary writer-artist Alan Davis (FANTASTIC FOUR: THE END) sends Thor on one of his most epic adventures in history! The God of Thunder and his fellow Asgardians visit Midgard’s ancient Egypt...and leave behind a startling legacy that will change our world forever in this one-shot!
48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$3.99

Basically for the art. The recent ClanDestine mini was all over the place but a one-shot about a character I have never really read much of, is worth a go.


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #575
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils & Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
As the Mayoral election ramps up, gang activity is at an all time high...and Mr. Negative’s newest enforcer, HAMMERHEAD, works to bring all the gangs under one banner...or else. With some of the kids from Aunt May’s F.E.A.S.T. center caught in the crossfire, Spidey stands up to his old foe...but Hammerhead’s got some new tricks and even Spider-Man can’t stop him this time as Joe Kelly (Deadpool) and Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men) bring you FAMILY TIES!
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Again for the art. The recent One More Day / Brand New Day controversy passed me by as I don't really read much Spider-Man but I got the previous Bachalo 3 issue arc and so will get this as well.


HULK #7
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils & 50/50 Variant Covers by ARTHUR ADAMS & FRANK CHO
“WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS...” & “HELL HATH NO FURY...”
Two titanic tales in one issue as superstar writer Jeph Loeb is joined by legendary artists Arthur Adams and Frank Cho! When Bruce Banner sets out to find the Red Hulk he doesn’t expect his search will lead him to Sin City, Nevada. And imagine his surprise when he arrives to discover the unbridled carnage a pack of Wendigos can unleash! Las Vegas buffets will never be the same! Plus: no matter what size, shape, color or sex, Hulks don’t take kindly to being on the wrong side of a beating. Armed with an arsenal of advanced S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponry and itching for payback, She-Hulk’s Lady Liberators have one goal: Subdue the Red Hulk, and make him pay in the process.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

I was gonna drop this with #6 but if Cho is drawing an issue (or half of one) I'll stick around a little longer.


BATMAN: EGO AND OTHER TAILS TP
Written by Darwyn Cooke and Paul Grist
Art by Darwyn Cooke, Tim Sale and Bill Wray
Cover by Darwyn Cooke
The volume collecting Darwyn Cooke’s greatest Batman stories is now available in trade paperback! Includes the complete epics BATMAN: EGO and CATWOMAN: SELINA’S BIG SCORE, plus tales from BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHTS #23 and 33 and SOLO #1 and 5.
Advance-solicited; on sale November 12 • 200 pg, FC, $17.99 US

THE SPIRIT VOL. 1 TP
Written by Darwyn Cooke and Jeph Loeb
Art by Darwyn Cooke & J. Bone
Cover by Darwyn Cooke
The first volume of the award-winning series is collected in trade paperback, featuring BATMAN/THE SPIRIT and THE SPIRIT #1-6!
Advance-solicited; on sale December 3 • 192 pg, FC, $19.99 US

Two Cooke trades which I don't know if my budget will fit next month but certainly go on the wants list.


GREEN LANTERN #36
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy
Cover by Shane Davis
The prelude to “The Blackest Night” continues, building off of FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS! Hal and the Green Lanterns venture to the prison planet Ysmault to face the full fury of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps. Meanwhile, the war lights ignite across the universe as the Controllers seek out the Orange Lanterns.
On sale October 29 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

I'm thinking about getting a Green Lantern book and could still get #35 but I try to avoid EVENTS so this might not be a good time to jump on. I may get this series in trades.


SUPERGIRL #34
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Jamal Igle & Keith Champagne
Cover by Josh Middleton
Variant cover by Fernando Pasarin
Beginning the new direction for SUPERGIRL, which will tie the book and character firmly into the Superman franchise!
For every 10 copies ordered of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Josh Middleton), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (cover by Fernando Pasarin). Please see the Previews Order Form for more info.
On sale October 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Not really sure why having just said that, but I think I'll get all this Superman stuff.


SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1
Written by Geoff Johns, James Robinson and Sterling Gates
Art by Gary Frank & Jon Sibal, Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalháes, and Pete Woods
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant cover by Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalháes
A “Sightings” issue! “New Krypton” Part 1 of 9! The entire Superman franchise writing team joins forces, with art by Pete Woods and others, to formally launch the Superman event years in the making! While the current threat of Brainiac may have been forestalled in ACTION COMICS #870, the repercussions will be felt for a long, long time. Superman's greatest victory has lead to his happiest day – and his saddest. Gains are balanced by losses while Superman has to figure out what to do with 100,000 Kryptonians! Hold on to your capes as this story leads directly into SUPERMAN #681.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Gary Frank), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Renato Guedes & Wilson Magalháes). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale october 22 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US


SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #1
Written by James Robinson
Art by Jesus Merino
Cover by Ryan Sook
Variant cover by Kevin Nowlan
Straight from the pages of SUPERMAN, Jimmy Olsen, would-be star reporter, doggedly investigates the mystery surrounding Superman's newest foe, Atlas! But the secrets behind the titan of yore lead Olsen across the country and into great danger as he must survive attacks by none other than Codename: Assassin! And just as Jimmy is getting to the truth, he finds himself in the Midwest and seeking the aide of a hero long thought dead. This story leads directly into SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Ryan Sook), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Kevin Nowlan). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale october 15 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Mamma Mia!

Cast
Meryl Streep
Pierce Brosnan
Colin Firth
Amanda Seyfried
Stellan Skarsgard
Julie Walters
Christine Baranski
Screenwriter
Catherine Johnson
Director
Phyllida Lloyd
Running Time
108 minutes

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends--practical and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya--from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities. (Universal Pictures)

Essentially a collection of Abba songs levered awkwardly into a slight story. In my Sweeney Todd review I wondered what a difference casting musical theatre actors would have made and that goes one hundred fold here. It's sort of a karaoke musical.