Wednesday 27 August 2008

Get Smart

Cast
Steve Carell
Alan Arkin
Anne Hathaway
Terence Stamp
Ken Davitian
Dwayne Johnson
Screenwriters
Tom J. Astle
Matt Ember
Director
Peter Segal
Running Time
110 minutes

When the headquarters of secret U.S. spy agency CONTROL is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside his idol, stalwart superstar Agent 23. Smart is partnered instead with the only other agent whose identity has not been compromised: the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99. As Smart and 99 get closer to unraveling KAOS' master plan--and each other--they discover that key KAOS operative Siegfried and his sidekick, Shtarker, are scheming to cash in with their network of terror. With no field experience and little time, Smart--armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm--must defeat KAOS if he is to save the day. (Warner Bros. Studios)

Almost entirely unfunny. A total mess. Genuine stinker.

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Cast
Ron Perlman
Selma Blair
Doug Jones
Luke Goss
Anna Walton
Seth MacFarlane(voice)
Jeffrey Tambor
John Hurt
Screenwriter
Guillermo del Toro
Director
Guillermo del Toro
Running Time
120 minutes

After an ancient truce existing between humankind and the invisible realm of the fantastic is broken, hell on Earth is ready to erupt. A ruthless leader who treads the world above and the one below defies his bloodline and awakens an unstoppable army of creatures. Now, it’s up to the planets toughest, roughest superhero to battle the merciless dictator and his marauders. He may be red. He may be horned. He may be misunderstood. But when you need the job done right, it’s time to call in Hellboy. (Universal Pictures)

I honestly don't know whether to give it 3 or 4 stars. The first movie I thought was just about alright. One of the problems was how it differed so much from the comic, I know Mignola has said he likes adaptations to be really different, I don't understand why but he does, take the animated films as example. The changes made in the first movie, they weren't for the good. Like Liz Sherman becoming Hellboy's crazy ex-girlfriend was terrible and then the John Myers character what the earth was that about and his not being known to the public, none of these things were good changes. I suppose if I didn't know about them they would not have bothered me as much but I thought they were detrimental. In this sequel a lot of this stuff was fixed, somewhat, yes Liz is still his girlfriend but at least now she's a member of the B.P.R.D., out of the mental hospital and is a strong character. Myers is thankfully gone, that was just a mad idea, going off on a tangent it was like the Anne Hathaway character in The Devil Wears Prada who "didn't get fashion". The point is with Hellboy is that it's horror tales where the good guys and the bad guys are supernatural creatures, it's full on horror action stories, adding a central human character who didn't get what was going on messes up the whole dynamic. He becomes publicly known, excellent I thought but that went sour towards the end, anyway so they fixed some of those problems and all the creatures are really great and it has a fairy tale quality which is like some of the Hellboy stories plus adding the ectoplasmic man Johann Krauss was terrific. The whole Princess and Abe Sapien romance, there should have been more development of that. There was a kind of distance there between me and the characters and I'm not sure what that was about exactly. The Jeffrey Tambor character Tom Manning is still there and while I like him as an actor, again I don't understand the need. Also the canon fodder human agents, I suppose you sort of have that in the B.P.R.D. comic where Hellboy has gone but in the Hellboy comic proper you never had that, it was just the core team going on missions. Not loads of agents like the red shirted guys in Star Trek destined to die. They keep getting knocked off and I'm thinking surely Hellboy should be saving them not standing about watching them go. It was a HELL of a lot better than the first film.

Tuesday 19 August 2008

November Comics

Newsarama has the new Marvel and DC solicitations for November.

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

TERRA #1-2
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Amanda Conner
From the pages of TERROR TITANS and the minds of Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Amanda Connor comes a new rock-slinging heroine! As Terra's earth-shaking stunts grab the attention of the world, a new threat rises from beneath the surface. Will Terra live to fight another day, as she takes on the blaze and fury of Pyrite and the Lavarians? And what is the secret behind this new mover and shaker's powers? Guest-starring Power Girl and Doctor Mid-Nite!
Issue #1 on sale November 5, issue #2 on sale November 19
1 and 2 of 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

A mixture of the art and the writers who have done great things on Jonah Hex.


SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL: MAELSTROM #1-2
Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
Art and cover by Phil Noto
A vicious Apokolptian villain known as Malestrom has arrived on Earth to kill Superman so that she might become The Bride of Darkseid! Superman and Supergirl join forces to battle the villain but at what cost to Metropolis? From Earth to Apokolips and beyond, Superman and Supergirl face unexpected challenges in this action-packed tale examining what it means to be a hero.
Issue #1 on sale November 5, issue #2 on sale November 19 • 1 and 2 of 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Same reasons as the TERRA mini.


ACTION COMICS #871
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Pete Woods
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Stephane Roux
“New Krypton” part 4! With thousands of Kryptonians being integrated into human society, the world believes they'll be watched over and protected across the globe. But not everyone was raised by Ma and Pa Kent. Meanwhile, the experiments on Brainiac continue as his mysterious captor builds an army against the Man of Steel and his people.
Plus, who are the new Nightwing and Flamebird?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Stephane Roux). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 12 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

Having said last month I try to avoid events, here I go with Superman and JSA.


GUARDIAN OF METROPOLIS SPECIAL #1
Written by James Robinson
Art by Pere Perez
Cover by Aaron Lopresti
Variant cover by Victor Ibánéz
“New Krypton” part 3! At last! The true origin of the Guardian of Metropolis is revealed! Following directly on from last month's SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #1, we learn the fantastic and sometimes terrible past of one of DC's most mysterious heroes. How did the first clone of the Golden Age Guardian come into existence at the hands of the Cadmus Project? We’ll also introduce a mysterious young girl the Guardian has sworn to protect – even at the expense of the Cadmus Project, and, if need be, his very life!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Aaron Lopresti), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Victor Ibánéz). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: MAGOG #1
Written by Peter J. Tomasi
Art by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill
He was Lance Corporal David Reid of the Justice Society of America until he was killed in action and resurrected by Gog as his herald - MAGOG. But who is David Reid? Does he truly believe in Gog? And to what lengths will he go in order to find justice in this world?
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 12 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US


JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: THE KINGDOM #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill
Gog rewards those he deems fit. Starman has regained his sanity, Sandman his sleep, Dr. Mid-Nite his sight, Damage his pride and Citizen Steel...? What "wish" will the indestructible hero be granted? And more importantly, what drawbacks do these wishes come with? Plus, Starman's true mission is revealed!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 19 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US


JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: SUPERMAN #1
Written by Alex Ross
Art and cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill
Spinning out of the “One World, Under Gog” storyline, the Kingdom Come Superman’s struggle with his place in the world brings a final conflict between the Supermen of Earths 1 and 22! Feeling the weight of his own world’s loss on his shoulders, the transplanted Superman searches for answers to the mystery of his life’s seemingly cursed existence and encounters “old acquaintances” on the way. This is the first fully written and illustrated adventure by KINGDOM COME co-creator Alex Ross, building to the storyline’s conclusion in JUSTICE OF SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22!
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. For every 10 copies of the Standard Edition (with a cover by Alex Ross), retailers may order one copy of the Variant Edition (with a cover by Dale Eaglesham & Nathan Massengill). Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale November 5 • 48 pg, FC, $3.99 US


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #576
Written by JOE KELLY
Pencils and Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Hammerhead’s having a Brand New Day of his own and it’s Spidey’s turn to pay. This one hurts...a lot.
32 PGS./Rated A ...$2.99

Again because of Bachalo like last month.


ETERNALS ANNUAL #1
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Illustrated by PASCAL ALIXE
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
When the Eternals are dispatched to investigate strange goings on in Madripoor, they arrive to discover a threat to all of humanity that could render the Horde’s impending arrival of no consequence! Born of the Celestials, the Young Gods believe themselves superior to the Eternals. But one question plagues them: why were they created? Left to determine the answer on their own, the Young Gods’ efforts to this end may prove to be the end of all humanity... and only the Eternals stand in their way! Tremble mortals, for the gods are going to war!
48 PGS./Rated A ...$3.99

I'm getting the ongoing.

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Kung Fu Panda

Cast
Jack Black
Angelina Jolie
Jackie Chan
Lucy Liu
Dustin Hoffman
Ian McShane
Seth Rogen
Screenwriters
Jonathan Aibel
Glenn Berger
Directors
John Stevenson
Mark Osborne
Running Time
92 minutes

Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around…which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols—the legendary fighters Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey—under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart-and his girth-into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths. (Dreamworks)

It's been a little while since this came out but the new Mummy movie has had very bad reviews so I went to this instead. There were a lot of kids in the cinema and a woman had decided to bring her baby in and left again some way in, so a lot of distraction then but I really enjoyed it. The voice cast is very starry although I'd forgotten about that since the publicity of it's release and only realised the full extent during the credits. Only Black and Hoffman really have a lot of dialogue.

Wednesday 6 August 2008

The X-Files: I Want To Believe

Cast
David Duchovny
Gillian Anderson
Billy Connolly
Amanda Peet
Xzibit
Screenwriters
Chris Carter
Frank Spotnitz.
Director
Chris Carter
Running Time
104 minutes

The supernatural thriller is a stand-alone story in the tradition of some of the show's most acclaimed and beloved episodes, and takes the always-complicated relationship between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in unexpected directions. Mulder continues his unshakable quest for the truth, and Scully, the passionate, ferociously intelligent physician, remains inextricably tied to Mulder's pursuits. (20th Century Fox)

This has had decidedly mixed reviews so I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was good. The sick boy sub-plot was unnecessary and dragged out the ending but overall it was fine. The end credit sequence totally mystified me.