More cool expensive stuff...

Hot Toys is known for its top-notch collectibles. Coming out this fall are two pieces that are simply jaw-dropping. First, a brand new Superman figure based on Chris Reeve's appearance. Stunning detail and likeness. Secondly, a new Indiana Jones figure referencing the Idol Temple scene at the start of Raiders. From what I read, proceeds from the sale of the Superman figure will go to Chris Reeve's foundation for spinal cord research. Kudos to the company for doing that! Both of these are on my want list...

Chris Reeve Foundation

Best scene in "Superman: The Movie"

While we're on the topic, here's the best (in my opinion) scene in the original Superman film. Chris Reeve's look when he sees the phone booth, combined with Lois' "You've got me - who's got you??" is priceless. It's just a shame they had to re-use the dialogue in the Superman Returns film....

My Favorite Scene in "Batman Begins"

As I noted in my review earlier in the blog, "Batman Begins" is in my opinion one of the best superhero films ever made. There is one scene in particular that stands out as one of the greatest. Another part that always makes me grin, is just after Batman crashes through the window of the subway car. The "I'm going to kick your ass" look on his face is priceless!

October Release Dates!!

I know we're a while away still, but there are some really good titles due out in October this year...Here's the breakdown so far...Look for more updates as they are announced!!

Oct 4
African Cats
Fast Five
Scream 4
The Lion King (BD)
Pulp Fiction (BD)
Jackie Brown (BD)

Oct 11
Bones: SSN 6
Chuck: SSN 4
Judy Moody
Kung Fu Panda 2
Hangover 2


Friday, Oct 14
Green Lantern (Extended Cut)

Oct 18
Bad Teacher
Better Life
Pirates 4
Kevin Smith: Too Fat for 40
Red State
Monte Carlo
V: SSN 2
Super 8
Batman: Year One
Willy Wonka (BD)
SW: Clone Wars: SSN 3

Oct 25
Father of Invention
Captain America
The People vs George Lucas
Jurassic Park (BD)

Other Titles Due in October TBD
Horrible Bosses
Zookeeper
Winnie the Pooh
Tree of Life

New Cool Expensive Stuff....

At $250 a pop, Hot Toys has just released new versions of Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson from the original 1989 Batman movie. Add two more things to my list of stuff to buy if I win the lottery.

OPENING THIS WEEK - Our Idiot Brother

The new Paul Rudd film Our Idiot Brother opens this weekend. I for one find this guy really funny. Below, check out the new Red-Band trailer for the film.

SUPERMAN GOES COMMANDO!

All the fuss over the first pic of Henry Cavill in the Superman suit will now hit a fever pitch, as a set photo shows a full on (albeit blurry) view of the Last Son of Krypton, without his trademark red underoos! I for one like the new look, which ties into the revamp DC Comics is unveiling of Superman for the new comic series. "Man of Steel" releases Summer 2013.

STAR WARS BLU-RAY FEATURES CGI YODA!

Remember the hand puppet from Phantom Menace? Looks like they've finally gone all digital and done away with the muppet entirely! Check out the clip below to see how it looks!

MACHINE GUN PREACHER -- MUST SEE??

I myself am intrigued. Butler has yet to do a break-out performance a la Gladiator. Considering the director (Marc Forster "Monster's Ball") and the cast involved I think there's good potential!

UPCOMING FILMS -- Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence

OK, so I might be in the minority of those who enjoyed "Ghost Rider". Sure, Nic Cage hasn't done a really good film since "Leaving Las Vegas" in 1995, which won him the Oscar for Best Actor. But we're talkin' about a guy who named his son "Kal-El" for crying out loud!!

Anyhow - off track here. So unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard that the guys who made those "Crank" films have decided to do a Ghost Rider flick. Hooray, I say....Considering the level of mayhem Neveldine & Taylor bring to their films, this is a perfect choice! That being said - here's the poster...Film releases next February!!

1:15pm EST

Just found a link for the teaser trailer for the film! As expected - with the directors involved - it looks pretty bad ass!!!

Here's the trailer in question:

Trailer for Shark Night 3-D

I'm sorry, but this looks freakin' awesome!!

DVD Rumors -- Captain America and more!

October TBD - Green Lantern
November TBD - Captain America
December TBD - Cowboys & Aliens

November 15 - Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release Dates!! September 2011

Mark these bad boys down on your calanders!

September 6
Hanna
Water for Elephants
Fringe: Season 3
Scarface [BD]

Friday September 9
X-Men: First Class

September 13
Greys Anatomy: Season 7
Private Practice: Season 4
Big Bang Theory: Season 4
The Tempest
Thor

Friday, September 16
The Complete Star Wars Saga [BD]

September 20
Bridesmaids
Hawaii 5-0: Season 1
The Kennedys
Breakfast at Tiffany's [BD]

September 27
CSI: Season 11
How I Met Your Mother: Season 6
Hung: Season 2

So that's how he does it!!

Ever wonder how Spidey climbs those walls? He's wearing track cleats - that's how!! Another film that is in the midst of speculation is the re-boot "Amazing Spider-Man". After the terrible third film (vintage review later today) everyone thought the franchise was done. Then there was talks of a fourth film which would have introduced The Vulture as the main villain (apparantly talks were underway with John Malkovich for some time) but then Sony pulled the plug on the film.

Realizing how much money they were losing, the new film has been ramped up as a do-over, with Andrew Garfield (Social Network) as the Web-Head. The suit IMO looks kinda goofy. Again - something like the Captain America outfit - I'd expect to see it in a mall...That being said, Sony has already booked an opening for the SECOND film in 2014!! Trailer for the film follows...

EXCLUSIVE -- Man of Steel Plot Synopsis!

Now here's a movie I have mixed feelings about. Chris Nolan is producing and co-writing the new Superman film, with Zach Snyder directing. Nolan was quoted as saying they had found an all-new way to bring Superman into the current millenium and make him relevant. That got me intrigued. Then they added Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) as the villainous General Zod -- my fave villain from the original series of films with Christopher Reeve. BIG Bonus. But now, ComicBookMovie.com has released an apparant synopsis of the plot:

"In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Henry Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question – Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Diane Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as “Superman,” not only to shine as the world’s last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves."

  God help us - another origin story?! The first half of the original Superman film was an origin story!! I think the audience in general knows Superman's backstory. Hopefully, Snyder will not relegate 90+ minutes of the new film to explaining how Krypton blew up and the Kents found the baby in the corn fields, etc...I finally wanna see Superman punch somebody! After the disappointing "Superman Returns", Warner will have to tread very carefully with this new picture, or people may finally say there is no way to make a good Superman film. As one customer at BBV once put it "Superman Returns ended with him lifting something heavy!! Boring!!!"

   To add a small glimmer of hope, here's the first pic of Henry Cavill as Superman.

The funniest thing I read all day...

Gerard Depardieu was detained from a flight in Paris when he was told during a delay that he could not use the bathroom. He promptly stood up in the aisle of the plane, unzipped, and went right there on the spot.

OPINION -- Better or Worse?

Pics have surfaced of Captain America from the set of next summer's Avengers film. Personally, I prefer the style they used in the first film. The new Cap outfit looks like something you'd see at a mall or Comic-Con!! What do y'all think?

It will be a day long remembered...

Attenion all super-nerds like me! Not long now!!

"What're ya buildin' for him now - a Rocket Ship?"

No, but darn close it seems! New pic of the "Batwing" as it careens through the streets of Pittsburgh - I mean Gotham! I still can't tell if it's a hover-jet kind of ship, or if they will add in a propellor on the top and make it an assault helicopter. Either way, the footage and pics hitting the web sure whets the appetite for film fans!

First look at Catwoman

OK, I officially don't know why everyone is freaking out already. The production posted a pic of Hathaway in her outfit from Dark Knight Rises and the fanboys are going nuts!! Pace yourselves people....The movie is over six months away from release.

Still - I must say she looks pretty good!

Vintage Review - Blade Trinity (Dec 2004)

I have read numerous reviews of the film stating how it's a letdown and the story is choppy, etc. This film is not King Lear - It's Blade. After having missed Blade in the theatre, I eagerly rented it on DVD and loved it. Blade II I enjoyed but I felt it was a little over the top on gore for a comic book film.

Blade Trinity was kind of a mix between the two first films. There was a lot more humor in the third film, thankfully given to Ryan Reynolds character instead of having Blade firing off tacky 1 liners.

The only part of Trinity I found was a bit off-putting was during Blade's battle with Drake when Drake transformed. The CGI was a little on the TV movie level I found.

In the end - this is a film based on a comic book. If people are going to see it with some anticipation for higher meaning they will obviously leave the film with a sour taste in their mouth. If you go to see it expecting a mindless action romp for just under two hours then you'll no doubt have fun.

PS: Best shot in the film was when Blade drop kicks that guard and he hits the rafters... Priceless!

Vintage Review - Batman Begins (July, 2005)

After the debacle that was Batman & Robin, the franchise is reinvented in a dark, somber way that the comics always sought, and it is done with great style. Without loads of CGI a la Spider-Man and Hulk, etc, this new incarnation of the Dark Knight is indeed dark.

Chris Nolan, while not known for massive blockbuster type movies, has taken the Batman story and knocked it out of the park with this film. From the casting to the story to the actors and the production design, this film is a home run.

Christian Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne truly gets inside the psyche of the character and is utterly convincing in his portrayal of a man compelled to stop evildoers in Gotham City. He brings a new level of intensity to the role that has been sorely missing. The contrast of his Bruce Wayne and Batman characters is perfect and he has some truly funny moments as the carefree millionaire playboy.

The supporting cast is top-notch. Michael Caine as Alfred is an inspired choice, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox steals the scenes he is in. Gary Oldman as a young Lt. Gordon really ups the ante as the lone good cop left in a city of crooked police. Cillian Murphy is great as Dr Crane/Scarecrow and Liam Neeson is terrific after some disappointing turns in Kingdom of Heaven and Star Wars. The only real weak link was Katie Holmes - simply due to the fact she looks only about 17 years old! (Sorry Tom, but it's true)

Gadget wise - this film has it stacked. Not only are they cool, but the audience gets a briefing on how it works, so when Bats pulls one of them out you're not left rolling your eyes thinking "How the hell can he do that??"

The Batmobile was something I wasn't sure about when I first saw the pictures, but rest assured - this thing is fast, tough and lethal!

The decision to opt for less CGI and more practical effects pays off nicely since it doesn't disconnect the audience from the action the way it did in Spiderman and other superhero flicks.

The script by David Goyer is probably one of his best in recent memory. Gone are the cheesy one liners and silly plot schemes. Sure, the plot is a tad over the top, but this is a comic book film - not Hamlet!

Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard teamed up to bring a score that while totally different from Elfman's, suits the film perfectly.

The only real complaint I have with the film was the fight choreography. The camera seemed to be a tad too close to the action to really figure out what was going on when the fisticuffs flew.

All in all, a terrific restart to the franchise that was sorely needed. I walked out of the movie wishing the sequel was already made. The set up that was created at the end was nothing short of flawless.

For anyone who has never seen a Batman film, this is the one to start with. For those who have seen the other four films - forget them, and see this. As a warning to parents though - this film could be too intense for little kids who are expecting the Batman they watch in cartoons, so get a sitter and leave them at home. The PG-13 rating is well deserved. Probably the best film I have seen recently - and that includes the new Star Wars film. If you want a great story with high caliber acting and some great popcorn munching fun - catch Batman Begins. You won't regret a second of it. I will go so far as to say this is a superhero film to rank up there with the original Superman.