Well, I'm a geek when it comes to a lot of other franchises and mediums, but my big thing is probably comics, especially anything by Marvel. I'm a pretty darn big fan. And the funny thing is, I didn't actually realize how much of a fan I was until I met Stan Lee in person at Dallas Comic-Con last year. A lot of my life and some of the ridiculous things I've daydreamed have been either directly or indirectly influenced by a lot of things that either Marvel or DC (but mostly Marvel) have done.
Let me start off by telling you something about me. While I do have friends, I've been a loner for most of my life. I do occasionally socialize, but they say no man is an island. I'm pretty damn close to one. Furthermore, I've always considered myself to be a social outcast, especially in middle school. You know who else are outcasts? Pretty much most characters in the Marvel Universe. Well at least all the ones that I can rightfully say I relate to. Wolverine, Punisher, Deadpool, the X-men and to a certain degree, Spider-Man. In particular, I always identified with Wolverine and the X-men from an early age. Wolverine just looked cooler than everyone else. Then when I watched the movies and started actually reading the comics (which I've just completed the 1963-2005 run recently), and I realized...this is me. Well, I don't have adamantium claws and a healing factor (though I sure as shit wish I did), but throughout my life, especially in college, I've had a somewhat hard time fitting in. When I did find groups, I've usually been that one guy who seems intimidating and scary that no one seems to trust. Then again, that's the same way the rest of the Marvel Universe feels about the Punisher as well. See why I relate to these characters? The big thing is, I am and always will be something of an outsider, and comic books show me not only is that OK, it's also BADASS.
Then there's the whole thing about how everyone in comics is ridiculously jacked. I work out pretty frequently, and I'm a pretty regular krav maga practitioner. Sometimes, I feel lazy just like anyone else. Trust me, if I could go my entire life sitting in front of my computer or PS3 I would. But you know what, I want to have a body like Wolverine dammit! I also don't want to be a wuss that can't defend himself with his bare hands if it came down to it (and I have a CHL). The point is, whenever I get lazy I just think of how badass most of my favorite heroes are. Then I stop being a little bitch and embrace the suck, just like Wolverine when he got his adamantium (twice).
That seems a bit shallow, but it's true. Also, yes, this is going to sound really corny, but reading comics, just this theme of good vs. evil has actually given me a sense of justice and morality that I probably might not have had if I hadn't taken the time to read. I know that there is evil in the world. Of course, there are extremes. You can be like Batman and have a sense of honor and not kill anyone, which I kind of respect. Then there's the Punisher, who kills people because they deserve it. In today's world, I've been around throughout many unspeakable acts of evil. Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, 9/11, Sandy Hook. After those, all I wanted was for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Hell, sometimes I'd like to have caught those people myself. Some people tell you that life isn't in black and white. Sometimes that's not true. In fact sometimes it's complete bullshit. There's evil and then there's good. There are people who hurt people and those who sit and take it. Then there are the ones who do something about it or at least try to. I try to fall into the third category. It often seems in today's world that people are not worthy of anything, least of all protection. Eh, but that's what heroes are for. They just help out whenever and try not to ask for anything in return. Whether it's a soldier fighting for his or her country or pee wee little me helping someone out with a paper or some other petty menial task, you just do it because it's the right thing to do. We help people regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Unless you're a welfare mooch. Then get off your ass and help yourself.
So yeah, there you have it.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
December Comic Books (Part 1)
Sorry to anyone that actually reads these rambles that I haven't been on in a while. Senior year of college has been a major thorn in my side and coupled with finals and just plain not giving a fuck about school thanks to the nature of the classes I've chosen to study...just yeah. Luckily, the semester is over so that means I'll be posting here more often. Let's start with comics that have been released this month.
1. Thunderbolts v. 3 #1: In many ways, this is the very epitome of a black ops dream team. It's mine, anyway. Seriously, 3 out of my top 5 favorite Marvel characters are on this team (Punisher, Venom and Deadpool). The presence of Elektra and Red Hulk is welcome as well. There's really not much to spoil here, the plot revolves around General Ross (Red Hulk) recruiting his charges. It's kind of like taking all those ending scenes from the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and putting them together, only with the aforementioned characters. The art is a nice familiar look with Steve Dillon from The Punisher fame illustrating with his familiar style.
2. Wolverine Max #1 and #2: Ok, these were technically released in October and November, but I didn't get around to picking them up till this month. Interesting take on a badass character who's probably been over-utilized way too many times by Marvel. I liked the way it introduced Wolverine and the man not-so-subtly implied to be Sabretooth's origins and meetings in what appears to be Tokugawa-era Japan. I liked the way the series began with a plane crash. It's a pretty interesting and refreshing take on Marvel's most overused character.
3. Punisher: War Zone: Frank gets blamed for killing these cops, and that puts him on the Avengers' shit list. He probably didn't do it, but what do the Avengers know? This series is basically The Punisher vs. the Avengers. What's not to like? Also, Frank's new look is fittingly badass.
1. Thunderbolts v. 3 #1: In many ways, this is the very epitome of a black ops dream team. It's mine, anyway. Seriously, 3 out of my top 5 favorite Marvel characters are on this team (Punisher, Venom and Deadpool). The presence of Elektra and Red Hulk is welcome as well. There's really not much to spoil here, the plot revolves around General Ross (Red Hulk) recruiting his charges. It's kind of like taking all those ending scenes from the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and putting them together, only with the aforementioned characters. The art is a nice familiar look with Steve Dillon from The Punisher fame illustrating with his familiar style.
2. Wolverine Max #1 and #2: Ok, these were technically released in October and November, but I didn't get around to picking them up till this month. Interesting take on a badass character who's probably been over-utilized way too many times by Marvel. I liked the way it introduced Wolverine and the man not-so-subtly implied to be Sabretooth's origins and meetings in what appears to be Tokugawa-era Japan. I liked the way the series began with a plane crash. It's a pretty interesting and refreshing take on Marvel's most overused character.
3. Punisher: War Zone: Frank gets blamed for killing these cops, and that puts him on the Avengers' shit list. He probably didn't do it, but what do the Avengers know? This series is basically The Punisher vs. the Avengers. What's not to like? Also, Frank's new look is fittingly badass.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Medal of Honor: Warfighter, much maligned, everyone is missing the point
Medal of Honor: Warfighter was undoubtedly one of the most hyped and anticipated games of Fall 2012. I personally was a huge fan of the 2010 reboot because of its realism and the fact that it was based on true events from early on in the war in Afghanistan. Something about getting to play as characters based on people that definitely existed in real life just clicked with me, especially since my original career path after high school was to join the Army (I ended up going to college like everyone else). It was much more realistic than the arcadey and increasingly ludicrous Call of Duty, which keeps getting more ridiculous with each installation. I was pumped for Warfighter the minute it got announced shortly before Spring Break.
I picked it up at midnight. The next day, this game actually received scathing reviews, giving it the distinction of being the game with the lowest reviews that I actually went out and spent $60 on. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Warfighter did not deserve the bad reviews at all. Actually, it's more along the lines of this: the reviewers completely missed the point of the game.
Singleplayer: Why yes, it was just another generic shooter campaign that seemed to lack a coherent story line. That's because it was based largely off true events. In that sense, Warfighter in my opinion is the definitive game to play if you really want to come remotely close to what real special forces have to do. The life of a special forces guy probably isn't going to be that spectacular with explosions going off all over the place like in any Hollywood action movie. Then there was the drama between the SEAL Preacher and his family. Yeah it seemed corny to many, but that's because people are used to more extreme examples thanks to Nicholas Sparks movies and Hollywood in general. Once again, this is more realistic. The campaign is linear, but keep in mind it's largely based off things that already happened. The developers knew how these events played out. Of course, to everyone else, it's just more of the same. Warfighter does not deserve to be compared to Call of Duty. That's like comparing Transformers to a video about robotics in real life. Of course the flashier one is going to be better-received among people who just want dumb entertainment.
Multiplayer: Gameplay-wise, just like anything I've experienced with one little exception: the fireteam system. Basically, it pairs you up with a buddy, and you're supposed to work together. It definitely works. Healing each other, resupplying each other and saving each other's asses gives of a surprising sense of camaraderie. Even that corny post-match animation of the 1st place fireteam fistbumping makes me feel happy on the inside. On a more serious note, I personally think that this multiplayer is much more balanced than Call of Duty, which tends to favor campers and other people who just rely on cheaper tactics because they have no skill. I prefer games that actually require skill, and Warfighter is one of them. The graphics are a little rough on the multiplayer, but hey, it has a pretty smooth frame rate for me so i'm not complaining.
Closing comments: People who thought the campaign was too generic completely missed the point. The whole point of Warfighter was to not be another Call of Duty knockoff with the over-the-top spectacle and explosions going off all over the place. The point was to focus more on real life special forces exploits, which from what I understand don't tend to play out like Michael Bay films. Of course, that's why mainstream gamers will always be mainstream. They'll always prefer the Hollywood-style crap to something that's more realistic.
8 out of 10.
I picked it up at midnight. The next day, this game actually received scathing reviews, giving it the distinction of being the game with the lowest reviews that I actually went out and spent $60 on. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Warfighter did not deserve the bad reviews at all. Actually, it's more along the lines of this: the reviewers completely missed the point of the game.
Singleplayer: Why yes, it was just another generic shooter campaign that seemed to lack a coherent story line. That's because it was based largely off true events. In that sense, Warfighter in my opinion is the definitive game to play if you really want to come remotely close to what real special forces have to do. The life of a special forces guy probably isn't going to be that spectacular with explosions going off all over the place like in any Hollywood action movie. Then there was the drama between the SEAL Preacher and his family. Yeah it seemed corny to many, but that's because people are used to more extreme examples thanks to Nicholas Sparks movies and Hollywood in general. Once again, this is more realistic. The campaign is linear, but keep in mind it's largely based off things that already happened. The developers knew how these events played out. Of course, to everyone else, it's just more of the same. Warfighter does not deserve to be compared to Call of Duty. That's like comparing Transformers to a video about robotics in real life. Of course the flashier one is going to be better-received among people who just want dumb entertainment.
Multiplayer: Gameplay-wise, just like anything I've experienced with one little exception: the fireteam system. Basically, it pairs you up with a buddy, and you're supposed to work together. It definitely works. Healing each other, resupplying each other and saving each other's asses gives of a surprising sense of camaraderie. Even that corny post-match animation of the 1st place fireteam fistbumping makes me feel happy on the inside. On a more serious note, I personally think that this multiplayer is much more balanced than Call of Duty, which tends to favor campers and other people who just rely on cheaper tactics because they have no skill. I prefer games that actually require skill, and Warfighter is one of them. The graphics are a little rough on the multiplayer, but hey, it has a pretty smooth frame rate for me so i'm not complaining.
Closing comments: People who thought the campaign was too generic completely missed the point. The whole point of Warfighter was to not be another Call of Duty knockoff with the over-the-top spectacle and explosions going off all over the place. The point was to focus more on real life special forces exploits, which from what I understand don't tend to play out like Michael Bay films. Of course, that's why mainstream gamers will always be mainstream. They'll always prefer the Hollywood-style crap to something that's more realistic.
8 out of 10.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Best comic book storylines of all time (Part 1)
I'm doing a series on what I think are the best comic story arcs I've read. You may not agree, and that's the point. It's my opinion, not yours.
1. The Dark Knight Returns: This is the entire reason why comic books started to not be only for kids and why guys my age can read comics and still be looked at as (mostly) normal. Batman was already a dark character, but Frank Miller kind of turned that up to 11 with this seminal miniseries. It starts with Bruce Wayne as an old man taking up the cowl once again to fight a crime situation that was worse than it was when he was in his prime. It ends with a showdown between two of the most legendary icons in comic book, no, recent human history. The whole thing is just raw badass.
2. X-Men - Dark Phoenix Saga: Holy shit. Words can't even begin to describe how seminal this was. For me, the whole concept that a human being (of course, a mutant) could possess such godlike powers was one of the things that made this story arc so good. It just brought the Marvel Universe together for an event unlike any other (at the time) as everyone fought either for control of Jean Grey or just to keep her out of the wrong hands. Too bad it didn't get proper film treatment...
3. X-Men - Days of Future Past: Before the Terminator and his follow-up movies portrayed a dystopian future in which machines rule and humanity is reduced to a ratlike state of resistance, X-Men did. That's right, folks, this story arc which portrayed a grim alternate future came a full three years before James Cameron's sci fi classic.
4. Ultimate Spider-Man - The Clones Saga: Ultimate Spider-Man is just one of the best series of this generation. If you haven't read it yet, please do. The entire series (which I'm still reading) has had me hooked ever since I started. Brian Bendis is just that good. The Clones Saga, in which Peter Parker encounters clones of him with different features (including a female clone), deserves special attention. It just had so many "holy shit!" moments, including one involving Dr. Octopus. At that point, everything in the series, especially Peter Parker keeping the fact that he was Spider-Man under wraps, just came full circle. Damn.
5. The Punisher: The Slavers: Comics have become increasingly dark throughout time starting with the title that was #1 on this list. Garth Ennis' run on the Punisher series with Marvel's MAX imprint is probably my favorite series of all time because it's so dark and so realistic. In my opinion, it takes comics to a level of realism and darkness that most writers refuse to go to. The individual arcs all deal with dark subjects that are grounded in reality ranging from corporate crime to mob wars to Soviet military officers who think their war isn't over. This arc has to take the cake. It's over human trafficking. Human trafficking. And it revels in it and tackles it, a subject that no one else in the medium before Garth Ennis (that I know of) ever even dared to touch. Very bold. One of the reasons why Frank Castle is one of my favorite characters is because he deals with the people in this world that really deserve to be dealt with. And he doesn't subject them to some sorry-ass lame justice system. He kills them in the most horrific, nasty ways possible. Do evil unto evil. That concept is very evident in The Slavers.
1. The Dark Knight Returns: This is the entire reason why comic books started to not be only for kids and why guys my age can read comics and still be looked at as (mostly) normal. Batman was already a dark character, but Frank Miller kind of turned that up to 11 with this seminal miniseries. It starts with Bruce Wayne as an old man taking up the cowl once again to fight a crime situation that was worse than it was when he was in his prime. It ends with a showdown between two of the most legendary icons in comic book, no, recent human history. The whole thing is just raw badass.
2. X-Men - Dark Phoenix Saga: Holy shit. Words can't even begin to describe how seminal this was. For me, the whole concept that a human being (of course, a mutant) could possess such godlike powers was one of the things that made this story arc so good. It just brought the Marvel Universe together for an event unlike any other (at the time) as everyone fought either for control of Jean Grey or just to keep her out of the wrong hands. Too bad it didn't get proper film treatment...
3. X-Men - Days of Future Past: Before the Terminator and his follow-up movies portrayed a dystopian future in which machines rule and humanity is reduced to a ratlike state of resistance, X-Men did. That's right, folks, this story arc which portrayed a grim alternate future came a full three years before James Cameron's sci fi classic.
4. Ultimate Spider-Man - The Clones Saga: Ultimate Spider-Man is just one of the best series of this generation. If you haven't read it yet, please do. The entire series (which I'm still reading) has had me hooked ever since I started. Brian Bendis is just that good. The Clones Saga, in which Peter Parker encounters clones of him with different features (including a female clone), deserves special attention. It just had so many "holy shit!" moments, including one involving Dr. Octopus. At that point, everything in the series, especially Peter Parker keeping the fact that he was Spider-Man under wraps, just came full circle. Damn.
5. The Punisher: The Slavers: Comics have become increasingly dark throughout time starting with the title that was #1 on this list. Garth Ennis' run on the Punisher series with Marvel's MAX imprint is probably my favorite series of all time because it's so dark and so realistic. In my opinion, it takes comics to a level of realism and darkness that most writers refuse to go to. The individual arcs all deal with dark subjects that are grounded in reality ranging from corporate crime to mob wars to Soviet military officers who think their war isn't over. This arc has to take the cake. It's over human trafficking. Human trafficking. And it revels in it and tackles it, a subject that no one else in the medium before Garth Ennis (that I know of) ever even dared to touch. Very bold. One of the reasons why Frank Castle is one of my favorite characters is because he deals with the people in this world that really deserve to be dealt with. And he doesn't subject them to some sorry-ass lame justice system. He kills them in the most horrific, nasty ways possible. Do evil unto evil. That concept is very evident in The Slavers.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Comic book movies I'd like to see (Part 2)
It's no big secret that I'm a Marvel guy so this installment will feature more titles that aren't Marvel (and yes, manga count as comic books).
1. Old Man Logan: Okay, I won't lie to you. This is probably my favorite stand-alone miniseries that
Marvel's ever done. The storytelling, just the way it brought the MU together in a dystopic alternate future was so...perfect. It's fairly new having been released in 2009, but I think as time goes on, Old Man Logan will stand as Marvel's answer to The Dark Knight Returns. It probably shouldn't get made for a while because of all the other shit Marvel's trying to get made into film, but when it does, I do think that a Hugh Jackman in his 50s-60s would still be a perfect choice. No, really. I can't see anyone else playing Wolverine.
2. Civil War: One of my friends actually pointed this idea out to me. He told me that all this Marvel Cinematic Universe Shit was rumored to be leading up to Civil War. I don't know how Avengers 2 will play out, but I wouldn't be surprised. But damn, that would be fucking brilliant if it all led up to that. A feud between Cap and Iron Man. Only Mark Millar (who also wrote Old Man Logan) could think up such brilliance and it would probably make a killing if it does get made like 10-15 years from now.
3. Age of Reptiles: I've been a dinosaur freak ever since I was about 4. Ricardo Delgado's wordless prehistoric epic. This would be absolutely brilliant as a movie. It could be just so beautifully done and could be what Disney's Dinosaur completely failed to be when Michael Eisner in his infinite wisdom decided to make the characters fucking talk. Oh it's also really violent so maybe it'll appeal to an older crowd as well and show people that the Mesozoic Era was not exactly Barney.
4. Ronin: I haven't read it yet, but it was Samurai Jack was based off it so that must mean it'd make a pretty fucking awesome movie.
5. Lone Wolf and Cub: There have been several live-action Japanese adaptations, but a modern one with modern special effects done with a similar style to movies like 13 Assassins would possibly be the most badass movie of all time. I could see Tadanobu Asano as Ogami Itto.
6. Vagabond: I have a thing for Edo Japan. A series of movies done with modern special effects about Miyamoto Musashi would be absolutely awesome considering that he's easily one of the most badass real men who has ever walked the face of the earth. Oh and they need to finish up that series with a duel with Sasaki Kojiro that they conspicuously left out.
7. Planet Hulk/World War Hulk: I'm adding this in late because I forgot about it. Hulk is a character who has yet to have a solo movie that is, well, spectacular, but I think this could be it. Of course, like Civil War and Old Man Logan, this would have to come after the Avengers 2. This is easily Hulk's best story arc. It's only fitting that it gets made into a big budget movie, even if that animated adaptation was pretty good.
1. Old Man Logan: Okay, I won't lie to you. This is probably my favorite stand-alone miniseries that
Marvel's ever done. The storytelling, just the way it brought the MU together in a dystopic alternate future was so...perfect. It's fairly new having been released in 2009, but I think as time goes on, Old Man Logan will stand as Marvel's answer to The Dark Knight Returns. It probably shouldn't get made for a while because of all the other shit Marvel's trying to get made into film, but when it does, I do think that a Hugh Jackman in his 50s-60s would still be a perfect choice. No, really. I can't see anyone else playing Wolverine.
2. Civil War: One of my friends actually pointed this idea out to me. He told me that all this Marvel Cinematic Universe Shit was rumored to be leading up to Civil War. I don't know how Avengers 2 will play out, but I wouldn't be surprised. But damn, that would be fucking brilliant if it all led up to that. A feud between Cap and Iron Man. Only Mark Millar (who also wrote Old Man Logan) could think up such brilliance and it would probably make a killing if it does get made like 10-15 years from now.
3. Age of Reptiles: I've been a dinosaur freak ever since I was about 4. Ricardo Delgado's wordless prehistoric epic. This would be absolutely brilliant as a movie. It could be just so beautifully done and could be what Disney's Dinosaur completely failed to be when Michael Eisner in his infinite wisdom decided to make the characters fucking talk. Oh it's also really violent so maybe it'll appeal to an older crowd as well and show people that the Mesozoic Era was not exactly Barney.
4. Ronin: I haven't read it yet, but it was Samurai Jack was based off it so that must mean it'd make a pretty fucking awesome movie.
5. Lone Wolf and Cub: There have been several live-action Japanese adaptations, but a modern one with modern special effects done with a similar style to movies like 13 Assassins would possibly be the most badass movie of all time. I could see Tadanobu Asano as Ogami Itto.
6. Vagabond: I have a thing for Edo Japan. A series of movies done with modern special effects about Miyamoto Musashi would be absolutely awesome considering that he's easily one of the most badass real men who has ever walked the face of the earth. Oh and they need to finish up that series with a duel with Sasaki Kojiro that they conspicuously left out.
7. Planet Hulk/World War Hulk: I'm adding this in late because I forgot about it. Hulk is a character who has yet to have a solo movie that is, well, spectacular, but I think this could be it. Of course, like Civil War and Old Man Logan, this would have to come after the Avengers 2. This is easily Hulk's best story arc. It's only fitting that it gets made into a big budget movie, even if that animated adaptation was pretty good.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Comic book movies I'd like to see
With next year's release of The Wolverine and the 2014 release of X-Men: Days of Future Past along with anything the Marvel Cinematic Universe churns out, I'm pretty excited for the future of comic book movies. However, here are a few I'd like to see made.
1. Deadpool & Cable: Possibly my favorite team-up from the Marvel Universe (MU), this would make for a great action/comedy flick a la Lethal Weapon with the two leads and their constant quarrels. Ryan Reynolds is already known universally as the go-to-guy for Deadpool because of that Wolverine movie and the Deadpool movie they're working on (right?), but Steven Lang would be absolutely perfect for Cable. Hell, Colonel Quaritch even looks like the guy, especially in the Deadpool MAX series.
2. Black Lagoon: Yes, manga counts as comics. I first watched it as an anime before I got into the original manga and it simply just kicked ass. The fact that the chick in it was really fucking hot definitely enhanced the overall experience. I can't say I can name actors, especially since this would probably be made in Japan, but if they could bring in Michael Davis, the director of Shoot 'Em Up, this could be a near-perfect action flick with the right casting.
3. Spawn reboot: Simply put, while Michael Jai White is the perfect man to play Al Simmons, the first movie just didn't do this 90s classic justice. It was PG-13 for starters, and just wasn't dark enough. In fact, it was kind of cartoony and light-hearted, which anyone who's even read Spawn lightly knows the series isn't. A reboot probably wouldn't do too well at the box office initially, but I can see it becoming a cult hit and probably getting better reviews than its predecessor if done properly.
4. Venom spinoff: Dammit, they just need to get their shit together and make this already. They need a better Eddie Brock, someone about twice the size of Topher Grace. I hate to say it, but if Paul Walker put on a lot of muscle, like what Christian Bale did for Batman, he might pull it off. I just say him because I can't think of anyone else who actually resembles Brock from the comics.
5. Sgt. Rock: Another one that's been in the works for a while, based off a Silver Age character whose exploits almost motivated me to join the Army after high school and were the basis of many daydreams when I was 16. Can't really name a suitable actor, maybe William Fitchner because of all the military-based things he's done.
6. Punisher reboot with Thomas Jane: I don't give a shit what you think. Thomas Jane was (though maybe not by much) the better Punisher. He actually made the character seem more believable as opposed to Ray Stevenson's Terminator-like portrayal. Maybe if the potential reboot combined the hard-hitting, unapologetically violence and action of War Zone with the plot and character development of the 2004 film, it would be better?
That's all, folks.
1. Deadpool & Cable: Possibly my favorite team-up from the Marvel Universe (MU), this would make for a great action/comedy flick a la Lethal Weapon with the two leads and their constant quarrels. Ryan Reynolds is already known universally as the go-to-guy for Deadpool because of that Wolverine movie and the Deadpool movie they're working on (right?), but Steven Lang would be absolutely perfect for Cable. Hell, Colonel Quaritch even looks like the guy, especially in the Deadpool MAX series.
2. Black Lagoon: Yes, manga counts as comics. I first watched it as an anime before I got into the original manga and it simply just kicked ass. The fact that the chick in it was really fucking hot definitely enhanced the overall experience. I can't say I can name actors, especially since this would probably be made in Japan, but if they could bring in Michael Davis, the director of Shoot 'Em Up, this could be a near-perfect action flick with the right casting.
3. Spawn reboot: Simply put, while Michael Jai White is the perfect man to play Al Simmons, the first movie just didn't do this 90s classic justice. It was PG-13 for starters, and just wasn't dark enough. In fact, it was kind of cartoony and light-hearted, which anyone who's even read Spawn lightly knows the series isn't. A reboot probably wouldn't do too well at the box office initially, but I can see it becoming a cult hit and probably getting better reviews than its predecessor if done properly.
4. Venom spinoff: Dammit, they just need to get their shit together and make this already. They need a better Eddie Brock, someone about twice the size of Topher Grace. I hate to say it, but if Paul Walker put on a lot of muscle, like what Christian Bale did for Batman, he might pull it off. I just say him because I can't think of anyone else who actually resembles Brock from the comics.
5. Sgt. Rock: Another one that's been in the works for a while, based off a Silver Age character whose exploits almost motivated me to join the Army after high school and were the basis of many daydreams when I was 16. Can't really name a suitable actor, maybe William Fitchner because of all the military-based things he's done.
6. Punisher reboot with Thomas Jane: I don't give a shit what you think. Thomas Jane was (though maybe not by much) the better Punisher. He actually made the character seem more believable as opposed to Ray Stevenson's Terminator-like portrayal. Maybe if the potential reboot combined the hard-hitting, unapologetically violence and action of War Zone with the plot and character development of the 2004 film, it would be better?
That's all, folks.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Dark Knight Rises (AKA the best movie of the summer)
It's been a little more than a week since I saw it, a movie that I've waited 4 years for. The Christopher Nolan Batman movies are the gold standard by which all comic book movies are judged and they improved in quality with each installment. You know that this is a different Hollywood we have when a superhero movie can win an Oscar. As it is, The Dark Knight is easily one of the defining movies of this generation and for me, one of those movies that keeps getting better every time I watch it, particularly the ending which always brings chills down my spine because of its sheer poetic awesomeness. Yeah I was pretty stoked for The Dark Knight Rises.
First of all, the overall quality of the movie was top notch. The casting, the writing, everything about it was pretty much near perfection. So, what's it all about? To bring a brief recap, it's been 8 years since Bruce Wayne fought the Joker. He's kind of old and kind of a cripple. He's also a recluse, that is, one fateful night when cat burglar Selina Kyle steals something precious from him. This turn of events brings Wayne to once again don the iconic cowl, and the timing could not be better because there's a new guy in town, Bane, and he makes all other villains that came before him look like cupcakes.
The acting: Christian Bale was once again top notch as Bruce Wayne. I can't say much because not much has changed. He's still Batman, just slightly older and slightly more world-weary. He did a good job playing a man on the verge of his breaking point, someone who was born into privilege but instead chose to use that privilege to help others (with great power comes great responsibility - you're doing it right). As a result, his life is slightly, well, not normal and at this point, it's downright miserable. But he knows that he's not done yet and Christian Bale captured that mentality perfectly.
Many have cried foul of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. All I have to say is that I can understand the purists/fanboys, I'm somewhat of one. However, that's the point of the Christopher Nolan trilogy: it's meant to be more realistic and if that means doing away with the more fantastical elements, so be it. As a result, the character is basically Catwoman in name only and the "cat" essence is captured in the sense that she's a cat burglar. Hathaway fit the role almost as well as that bodysuit, a perfectly seductive foil for Bruce Wayne.
Oh boy, Tom Hardy. For me, Bane was the highlight of the movie. The minute I first saw pictures, I was blown away by what a raw badass/monster this character was. And the best part is, thanks to the more realistic nature of the Nolan trilogy, Bane isn't the overly steroidal creature from Batman and Robin or most of his other portrayals. He's just a big dude who looks more like someone who hits the gym regularly rather than a guy from a protein supplement advertisement. In fact, one of my cousins actually thought Bane reminded him of me since we're of similar build. Let me get one thing clear: THIS is how you properly do a movie villain. While Loki from The Avengers certainly had bad intentions, he wasn't quite menacing enough and he was actually kind of charismatic, the kind of fellow girls might like. Bane makes Loki look like a care bear. I'll admit that the Joker was probably the better villain, but Bane comes pretty damn close. Joker is rabid dog, but Bane is the guy who probably let the dog off the leash and while the dog is bad, you wonder what kind of bad shit its owner is capable of. This is the kind of villain that truly inspires fear. Even his name inspires fear. Honestly, when I hear of someone called a joker, I think of a class clown or a jester. When I hear of someone named "Bane," I'd probably pee my pants then get the hell out of town.
As for the writing, the movie was a little long and definitely took a while to get going, but once it started, I was hooked. The entire second act had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the raw, brutal fights between Batman and Bane. I'm not going to spoil it if you're one of the few people who hasn't seen this movie yet, but it provided a very satisfying conclusion to possibly the most influential movie trilogy of this generation. Yes, it's more influential than The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix, but I'll address my opinion in a later blog post.
4 out of 4 stars. If you haven't seen it yet, drop whatever you're doing and go right now.
First of all, the overall quality of the movie was top notch. The casting, the writing, everything about it was pretty much near perfection. So, what's it all about? To bring a brief recap, it's been 8 years since Bruce Wayne fought the Joker. He's kind of old and kind of a cripple. He's also a recluse, that is, one fateful night when cat burglar Selina Kyle steals something precious from him. This turn of events brings Wayne to once again don the iconic cowl, and the timing could not be better because there's a new guy in town, Bane, and he makes all other villains that came before him look like cupcakes.
The acting: Christian Bale was once again top notch as Bruce Wayne. I can't say much because not much has changed. He's still Batman, just slightly older and slightly more world-weary. He did a good job playing a man on the verge of his breaking point, someone who was born into privilege but instead chose to use that privilege to help others (with great power comes great responsibility - you're doing it right). As a result, his life is slightly, well, not normal and at this point, it's downright miserable. But he knows that he's not done yet and Christian Bale captured that mentality perfectly.
Many have cried foul of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. All I have to say is that I can understand the purists/fanboys, I'm somewhat of one. However, that's the point of the Christopher Nolan trilogy: it's meant to be more realistic and if that means doing away with the more fantastical elements, so be it. As a result, the character is basically Catwoman in name only and the "cat" essence is captured in the sense that she's a cat burglar. Hathaway fit the role almost as well as that bodysuit, a perfectly seductive foil for Bruce Wayne.
Oh boy, Tom Hardy. For me, Bane was the highlight of the movie. The minute I first saw pictures, I was blown away by what a raw badass/monster this character was. And the best part is, thanks to the more realistic nature of the Nolan trilogy, Bane isn't the overly steroidal creature from Batman and Robin or most of his other portrayals. He's just a big dude who looks more like someone who hits the gym regularly rather than a guy from a protein supplement advertisement. In fact, one of my cousins actually thought Bane reminded him of me since we're of similar build. Let me get one thing clear: THIS is how you properly do a movie villain. While Loki from The Avengers certainly had bad intentions, he wasn't quite menacing enough and he was actually kind of charismatic, the kind of fellow girls might like. Bane makes Loki look like a care bear. I'll admit that the Joker was probably the better villain, but Bane comes pretty damn close. Joker is rabid dog, but Bane is the guy who probably let the dog off the leash and while the dog is bad, you wonder what kind of bad shit its owner is capable of. This is the kind of villain that truly inspires fear. Even his name inspires fear. Honestly, when I hear of someone called a joker, I think of a class clown or a jester. When I hear of someone named "Bane," I'd probably pee my pants then get the hell out of town.
As for the writing, the movie was a little long and definitely took a while to get going, but once it started, I was hooked. The entire second act had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, especially during the raw, brutal fights between Batman and Bane. I'm not going to spoil it if you're one of the few people who hasn't seen this movie yet, but it provided a very satisfying conclusion to possibly the most influential movie trilogy of this generation. Yes, it's more influential than The Lord of the Rings and The Matrix, but I'll address my opinion in a later blog post.
4 out of 4 stars. If you haven't seen it yet, drop whatever you're doing and go right now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)