This is making the rounds, the DVD’ll be out later this year, and frankly, I think this’ll be a great little indie comedy. If it can hit half the funny that the trailer promises, it’ll be worth checking out. Enjoy!
The Weta workshop first came to worldwide prominence for its work on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Founded in 1987, Weta Workshop along with Weta Digital has become one of the premiere physical and special effects companies in the world. Their latest undertaking is yet another fantasy epic, C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Their incredible work on the first two films in the series are covered in a dazzling new book from Harper Collins, “The Crafting of Narnia”. This 304 page hardcover treasure gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at Weta’s work on these films through photography, illustration, sculpture, and the crafting of models, costumes and props.
The book is split into sections covering each film. You’ll get the sense of just how much detail and planning goes into Weta’s work. Their attention to detail is impeccable. Sketches and paintings are composed long before any filming takes place. Hundreds of black & white and color illustrations are created before the filmmakers decide on a final look to various settings. The concept art alone is priceless! In the design of costumes and armor, Weta begins the process with rough sketches first, before moving onto more detailed and finished pieces of art. Literally dozens of different swords, helmets, shields, and other implements of war are created on paper first. There are no cookie cutter pieces here…
Creature creation is a Weta specialty and you get to see how creatures like the ogres, Boggles, Harpies, Hags, and assorted other beasties are made beginning with various concept drawings to the sculpting of maquettes. These 3D maquettes are eventually scanned into a computer and digitized by Weta Digital so they can now bring these monsters to life on film.
The sheer number of illustrations and props that have been created for the first two films is staggering! It is this diligence that sets Weta apart from much of its competition. I mean, who would think you’d need to created dozens of different types of quivers and shield crests but this is what makes Weta so special.
This is a book designed not just for fans of the films but for collectors and fans of film in general. It’s beautifully produced with brilliant photography and well worth the $35 cover price (although you can certainly find it cheaper at notable online retailers) Simply a must have book for fans of Narnia. (Harper Collins)
Grade A
“Batman: Gotham Knight” is an animated collaboration between six different artists/writers who will be using Japanese Anime for the animation. The animated movie takes place in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It is going to be similar to another movie project that attempted the same type/style/art and directing called “The Animatrix“. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Animatrix movie since some of the short stories were brilliantly done while others were just plain mediocre. A few of the Japanese animation companies that will work on the segments will be Madhouse, Studio 4*C, & Production I.G. (Of Ghost In The Shell fame.)
The movie will be directed by Bruce Timm, co-creator and producer of Batman: The Animated Series and he will be collaborating between six different writers, which are: Josh Olson, David Goyer, Brian Azzarello, Greg Rucka, Jordan Goldberg, and Alan Burnett.
What the WWE is cookin’ for the Rock’s new 3-disc DVD, tentatively scheduled to layeth the smacketh down on store shelves June 10.*
(Credit to Wrestling Observer)
HHH vs. Rock 3/13/97 for IC title
Rock vs. Owen Hart 4/6/98 for IC title
Rock vs. HHH 6/22/98 King of the Ring tournament
Rock vs. Mankind 11/15/98 Survivor series WWF title match
Rock vs. Mankind 2/14/99 Last man standing for WWF title
Rock vs. Mankind 2/15/99 Ladder match for WWF title
Rock vs. Steve Austin 3/28/99 WWF title
Rock vs. HHH 7/5/99 cage match on Raw
Rock & Mankind vs. Undertaker & Big show 8/30/99 WWF tag title
Rock vs. Kane 12/30/99 Smackdown
Rock vs. HHH 4/30/00 WWF title
Rock vs. Shane McMahon 5/1/00 Cage match for WWF title.
Rock vs. Kurt Angle 2/25/01 WWF title
Rock vs. Booker T 9 8/19/01 SummerSlam for WCW title
Rock vs. Chris Jericho 1/20/02 Royal Rumble for WWF title
Rock vs. Hulk Hogan 3/17/02 Wrestlemania match
Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Kurt angle 7/21/02 for WWF title
Rock vs. Eddie Guerrero 7/22/02 on Raw
Rock vs. Steve Austin 3/30/03 at Wrestlemania
Is it too early to start standing in line at Best Buy? Because that DVD sounds awesome.
*Sorry, I know that was bad. It won’t happen again. At least not tonight…
I can’t say that I am the most connected individual when it comes to the world of entertainment and pop culture, so a small decision like choosing a rental from Family Video involves a good twenty minutes of browsing up and down the new releases aisle. Different FVs have their own quirks, and in this particular location, I stumbled upon an arty-looking release, likely a comedy-drama, starring Maggie Smith. There was only one copy of the movie, “Keeping Mum,” on the shelf, so I had my doubts; but it’s Maggie Smith, so I picked it up anyway.
I was pleasantly surprised. It was a dark comedic drama, exploring the family of a minister that had begun to unravel and disconnect. Maggie Smith, their new housekeeper, comes in to save the day. She has, however, one small flaw: she’s a cold-blooded murderer.
It sounds ridiculous, and it is, but it’s played very well. The cast, which also includes Mr. Bean and Patrick Swayze, brings a high level of realism to the characters, which takes the film to near perfection. It isn’t a poorly realized horror flick, but instead a darkly funny–and all too authentic–tale of a broken family and the lengths that their new housekeeper will go to draw them back together. It’s funny, heartwarming, and disturbing. It makes for a nice contrast.
Upon investigation, I learned that this film was actually released in 2005, so it’s not exactly new news; but I hadn’t heard of it, so I thought I’d pass it along. It’s worth a rent, if you can find it.
Friend of the site Robert Kurtzman posted a rather interesting bulletin via MySpace. For those who don’t know, Robert Kurtzman is the legendary filmmaker known for creating From Dusk Til Dawn (check that story credit) and knocking out the FX for fan-favorites like Evil Dead 2. His film The Rage was the subject of the Beneath the Valley of the Rage comic book that I was the Associate Editor for via Fangoria Comics.
And The Rage is what he decided to talk about today . . .
“The RAGE has been on the Top New Horror releases on Amazon. com for the past several weeks. Available at the great price of 9.99, The RAGE has 3 hours of entertainment value packed into one special addition DVD.
Available in rated and unrated versions.
If you’re a horror fan or drive-in movie freak like me, then make sure you check out the THE RAGE with friends and have a great time hooting and hollering at the screen.
Support Indipendent Filmmaking!”
The Rage is 100% ShotgunReviews approved. Enjoy.
Lately, my three-year-old discovered the Super Friends. He’d seen a couple of random episodes of Justice League, but he’d never watched anything in a cohesive way. As it is, I have all the sets that have been released so far, and my wife and I decided that if he was interested, then we should probably let him start with the younger-skewing Super Friends.
By this point, he’s totally into them. Like any burgeoning comic fan, he probably enjoys the “Challenge”/Legion of Doom season the most; however, The Legendary Super Powers Show and Galactic Guardians seasons are making a run for the top.
His sudden fandom has given us a couple of funny moments.
If you consider yourself a fan of comic books, then more than likely you have heard about New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke. If you’re a fan and never got around to it, but you recognize the name, please pick it up. It’s the way the superhero genre was intended to be told. It’s something your parents could watch because the way the story is told, all the heroes are brought to life as if they stepped out of our collective memory. “Frontier” is set in the early 1950’s. Communism and the space race are hot topics in the film. There is a sense of panic from the general public about these mystery men and women in masks. Batman is seen as a demonic figure, even from a child that he is trying to rescue from an cult. Even Flash’s mostly-red costume is subject to ridicule, because of red being associated with Communism. The actual book has a different opening, but is hinted during the prologue about the McCarthy hearings and how he set out to disband superhero teams, such as the Justice Society of America.
Though I have yet to see the predecessor of this historical drama (something that I’ve always aspired to do and never got around to, like going to the Indian restaurant in town), Elizabeth #2 ranged from mildly captivating in certain scenes to ¡stunning! in others. The armada scene was lovely to watch; and ANGRY Cate Blanchett is worth the rental fee. (See: “My bitches wear my collars,” below.) It was cast exquisitely, but the pace was a little slow in parts. My need for costumed drama has been satiated for the time.
A brief synopsis of the film, sprinkled with a few thoughts of my own: (more…)
Can Disney cannibalize its classic, revered, and treasured movies anymore? These “new” movies are so stinky and foul that it’s like taking a multicolored dump and making it into a DVD.
Does inspiration and joy even factor in these putrid re-treads? Disney obviously knows that any creative effort is not required to sell parts three, four and eventually part fifteen (Ariel gets a yeast infection!) of these cartoon horrors thanks to the many lazy parents who blindly buy anything with the name Disney slapped on it – all in a vain effort to appease their wailing, spoiled, attention-starved brats.
Can someone, anyone, please poke out my eyeballs with one of Sebastian’s claws before this movie hits the shelves!
So, like, even though I am totally a 33 year old man I am so not ashamed to freely and openly admit that I am so loving the heck outta the new Care Bears cartoon on CBS’ Kewlopolis programming block. Like, how can I not? Hello! Any show that is lucky enough to be featured on a block of shows called “Kewlopolis” has gotta be way radical to, like, the max, right? I mean, “cool” isn’t even spelled the way old boring geezers do! Oh no, it’s spelled all “Kewl” with, like, a total “K” and “ewl” and junk, because, welp, it’s totally hip, totally now and, like, totally AWESOME!
Plus, who doesn’t love little furry bears with happy and colorful belly badges teaching positive life lessons? I mean, if I have to relearn my all my forgotten morals – like telling the truth (as if!) and sharing (lame!) - then I for sure want to be educated on them from Funshine Bear and his shiny, smiley sun belly badge of joy. Funshine Bear rocks out hard with his totally red skater hat too! Whoot whoot! He’s street and he’s sweet! Now that’s a winning combo! So don’t hate all you judgey judgersons! Care Bears kick fanny, embrace it! LOL!
This might be old news to most everyone, but it seems Keri Russell is in talks to land the speaking role for a new Wonder Woman Direct-to-DVD cartoon! Yay?
I have no probs with Keri Russell voicing my beloved Amazon Princess, I think she is a capable actress and her voice is, uh, nice and all, but my main concern is if this DVD project will ever actually see the light of day. DC claims that Wonder Woman is the third most important character in their line of books (next to Superman and Batman of course), but that “fact” sure isn’t represented.
As much as I would love to see a movie staring Wondie, cartoon or otherwise, I have doubts if the suits will really sink the money into making it happen. Unlike Batman and Superman, Wonder Woman just never gets the love from her corporate owners. Her live action movie - which had been in development for what seems like a millennium – has been shelved, she has never maintained her own solo cartoon series, she only has one comic book produced a month, and she hasn’t even been featured in the flesh since her short-lived 70’s TV show.
Is there no audience for Wonder Woman? Is this the reason for her absence in the mainstream entertainment medium? I refuse to believe this, you don’t maintain a 60 plus year career if you don’t have fans. Get it together DC and don’t pull the rug out from under us, we Wonder Woman lovers are many, proud and ready to devour this movie - as long as you don’t make it suck!
With the DVD release of Shrek 3 just around the corner, Insight Editions has released a beautiful new book with the collector or avid fan in mind. Shrek: The Art of the Quest is a lavishly illustrated hardcover book featuring previously unpublished art from all three of the mega blockbuster films. This includes black & white sketches, storyboards, concept art, models, 3D art…just about everything an Ogre fan could ask for, all in an oversized hardcover that comes in a handsome slipcase.
The first thing you will lay your eyes on are some rare glimpses into Shrek himself and how the initial concept drawings looked far different than the final product. Among those providing some of these concept drawings is longtime comic book artist, Mike Ploog. All of the films major characters are covered including Donkey, Princess Fiona, Puss in Boots, Prince Charming, and Merlin. When you look through the pages you cannot help but be amazed at the intricacy of detail that these talented artists have put into their work. There’s even blueprint drawings of the castle.
Maybe every year is a great year for celebrity centennials and I’m just noticing, but at my house, 2007 is particularly rich. Example: July 16 is the 100th birthday of Ruby Katherine Stevens, perhaps my favorite actress of Golden Age Hollywood, better known to the world at large as Barbara Stanwyck. Frequently dismissed as nothing more than a good technician or, as a callow film “buff” once described her to me, “not that pretty” (immediately disqualifying his opinions on the craft of acting in perpetuity), Stanwyck was the greatest, most believable seductress of her time, a slim, cool and omniscient stick of dynamite.
She was more than cute enough for anything you had in mind, and game for it, too, but caveat emptor, here was a creature with a core of mystery too deep for mortal travelers, a real woman who was beyond possession — which is, of course, the very quality that keeps ’em coming back for more.
Charles: You’re certainly a funny girl for anybody to meet
who’s just been up the Amazon for a year.
Jean: Good thing you weren’t up there two years.
For most of the 1940s, an upstart screenwriter named Preston Sturges made complete nonsense of the idea that there’s no such thing as an auteur filmmaker, and while he was at it, continually transformed Nonsense itself into Art, just for good measure. As soon as Paramount Pictures gave him a chance to direct his own scripts, after a decade of providing great material for other moviemakers, he unleashed a seemingly impossible flow of creative energy, turning out hit after hit as if he’d found a way to bottle genius. It may be a cliché that the brightest star burns briefest, but in Sturges’ case it was decidedly, woefully true. Not, however, before he’d given us five or six of the funniest movies of all time.
His third film, The Lady Eve, is the best of his best by a hair, which means it’s likely the best comedy of its decade, as well. (more…)
Last Wednesday, June 20th, the American Film Institute announced their updated list of the 100 best movies of all time, an enlightening, schizophrenic document with all the usual victories and disappointments. The list was compiled by polling 1,500 film professionals, critics and historians, all of whom chose from a ballot of 400 English language films released between 1895 and 2006. Each expert voted by listing his/her own 100 best, and picking a personal top ten to break any ties. They were asked to make their judgments based upon a film’s historical and cultural significance, lasting popularity, critical recognition and awards (either received or denied, I assume).
The filmmakers’, critics’ and historians’ new, all-time Top Ten: 10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) … 9. Vertigo (1958) … 8. Schindler’s List (1993) … 7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) … 6. Gone with the Wind (1939) … 5. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) … 4. Raging Bull (1980) … 3. Casablanca (1942) … 2. The Godfather (1972), and of course, the perennial #1 of our age, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane (1941).
Let me say right off that many people are tired of Citizen Kane winning the top spot in poll after poll, and I do sympathize with their position, it’s hard, I know, to see the same film at number one all the time, but I’m not tired of it.
I like it that a bold, innovative film, which terrified Hollywood and New York and cities in between, and which was literally buried by several factions of American culture working overtime — successfully, mind you — to destroy its young creator’s chance of ever having a decent filmmaking career, a movie so threatening to the fabric of consensual reality that it was hardly screened anywhere in the world for the first 20 years of its existence, has triumphed over all and is recognized by today’s moviemakers and pundits as a beacon for what movies should aspire to and be.
I like that a lot. (more…)
