So I saw Hellboy: The Golden Army earlier this week and absolutely loved it. My fellow comic book buddy had joined me and said that realistic people like him, who liked relating to the source material would probably vouche for the first one, whereas idealistic people like me, who love diving into fantasy and letting their imagination run wild, would lean toward the second one. I'd say that's about right, for any Hellboy fan.
The first was a lot of back story and getting to know and understand the characters. There was more secrecy and possibility of Nazi-involvement in our current time, and it was intriguing, if somewhat silly by the end with the crazy squid creatures, but the second one was folk lore, plain and simple. Full of elves, fairies, and gods/goddesses, I have to say most of it is the director's doing, being similar to his fantastical creatures in Pan's Labyrinth (which I also loved!). But it worked, and it fit with the storyline and the mythology that is Hellboy. It worked, and the campy humor was well suited enough with a theme of being unaccepted and feared in society merely because you look different. Seriously, good stuff. The makeup, colors, and costumes were fabulous, and though it was made up between Mignola and del Toro, the original script worked to a proper whole. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the fantasy genre.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
BATMAN (Gotham Knight)!!
God, I love him. I'm not talking about Christian Bale (though he is hot), but about the actual character himself from the DC Universe. Batman is my idea of a man: dark-humored, brooding, dealing with inner demons and turmoil, yet kind-hearted, heroic, and beautiful in black. I have always loved him, from back when I was a kid watching Batman: the Animated Series. Kevin Conroy's voice was perfect for the laid-back playboy Bruce Wayne, and then the badass Dark Knight. Those men who are most mysterious are the most intriguing, you know.
I recall watching Justice League: The New Frontier a few months ago and liking the overall story behind the formation of the Justice League and Hal Jordan becoming the Green Lantern, but I hated whoever was cast to do Batman's voice. HATED it. I didn't realize how important a child's association with a particular animated character carries through to adulthood. Who I envisioned this fictional character was from the cartoon series and the voice was my connection to who I imagined him to be (somewhat) in real life. So when I saw a gaunt version of him and heard him, I was thrown and displeased with the choice. The rest of the movie was good, but the movie's portrayal of my favorite male comic book character was not.
By default, I feared Gotham Knight, the new animated Batman movie release. It's...interesting. Told in six chapters, it goes through the myth of who is Batman to the struggling emotional core of the character's soul to the embodiment of the superhero. Six different animators and voices take a stab at creatively rendering their interpretation of the Dark Knight. Unfortunately for me, only the last two chapters struck a cord. "Working Through Pain" and "Deadshot" were visually dark and more realistic, unlike the earlier anime-style (I'm sorry, I love anime, but not when it comes trying to fit Batman into a Sailor Moon-style - see below). The anime versions are edgier, grittier, most likely great portrayals of Batman's essence and inner turmoil, but it proved to be a little too much for me. Overall though, the viewer can really connect with the character and understand the pain that he goes through as Gotham's protector. The earlier chapters were interesting enough, but the last two chapters are what sells the DVD, if you're interested in watching it.
I still have yet to see The Dark Knight (do NOT call me a fake fan - these theaters have been ridiculous and I was bought out of my movie showing that I had bought tickets to in advance!), but I liked seeing the animated DVD first for just a bit of a reminder of what we're following now in the movie (they're different enough, but they follow the movie mythology over the comic book one). As its accompaniment, I'm beyond eager to see the second showing, especially with its take on The Killing Joke. Go Batman!
I recall watching Justice League: The New Frontier a few months ago and liking the overall story behind the formation of the Justice League and Hal Jordan becoming the Green Lantern, but I hated whoever was cast to do Batman's voice. HATED it. I didn't realize how important a child's association with a particular animated character carries through to adulthood. Who I envisioned this fictional character was from the cartoon series and the voice was my connection to who I imagined him to be (somewhat) in real life. So when I saw a gaunt version of him and heard him, I was thrown and displeased with the choice. The rest of the movie was good, but the movie's portrayal of my favorite male comic book character was not.
By default, I feared Gotham Knight, the new animated Batman movie release. It's...interesting. Told in six chapters, it goes through the myth of who is Batman to the struggling emotional core of the character's soul to the embodiment of the superhero. Six different animators and voices take a stab at creatively rendering their interpretation of the Dark Knight. Unfortunately for me, only the last two chapters struck a cord. "Working Through Pain" and "Deadshot" were visually dark and more realistic, unlike the earlier anime-style (I'm sorry, I love anime, but not when it comes trying to fit Batman into a Sailor Moon-style - see below). The anime versions are edgier, grittier, most likely great portrayals of Batman's essence and inner turmoil, but it proved to be a little too much for me. Overall though, the viewer can really connect with the character and understand the pain that he goes through as Gotham's protector. The earlier chapters were interesting enough, but the last two chapters are what sells the DVD, if you're interested in watching it.
I still have yet to see The Dark Knight (do NOT call me a fake fan - these theaters have been ridiculous and I was bought out of my movie showing that I had bought tickets to in advance!), but I liked seeing the animated DVD first for just a bit of a reminder of what we're following now in the movie (they're different enough, but they follow the movie mythology over the comic book one). As its accompaniment, I'm beyond eager to see the second showing, especially with its take on The Killing Joke. Go Batman!
America's Superhero Complex
I read this article last week about how America is having an identity crisis with its onslaught of superhero movies. I suppose the writer was trying to dissect the way Americans are trying to relate with those who are unrelatable and trying to save the world from themselves. It got heavy into politics towards the end, which I suppose is something that is weighing heavily on American minds, but I feel it made the whole story go sour. Just as I had mentioned the great slew of movies that just came through this summer, each character is described with our country in mind. I don't know if I found it exactly accurate enough, and I can't exactly tell if the guys is a comic book fan (which is a shame, in my opinion, because if you're not a fan, DO NOT attempt to write about the genre), but it may be worth checking out. America's Identity Crisis and the Superhero.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Left With His Sinister Smile (a column)
Hollywood mourned the death of one of its young and talented, 28-year-old Heath Ledger, who died on January 22. But in his wake, his alter ego, the Joker, in next week's The Dark Knight, is emerging center-stage. When focusing on the movie’s central opposing figure as Batman’s nemesis, Ledger may have left the world not only with his final performance, but with a taste of the fictional villain brought to life.
Not having been a fan of comic books or comic book movies, it’s a wonder Ledger decided to take on the role of such a prominent character in the DC universe. With the expected green and purple suit, green hair, bleached skin, leering red-lipped smile, and that maniacal laugh, actually casting a skeptic of the comic medium seemed wrong. The comic book purist in me was definitely skeptical.
In an interview with the late Daniel Robert Epstein, Ledger said he gravitated to the villain and felt he had something to bring to the role. Known for his past performances, Ledger reinterpreted the character as a type of ruthless, psychotic, modern-day punk anarchist, a bit of a twist from the Joker of Alan Moore’s origin-story graphic novel, The Killing Joke, which director Christopher Nolan handed to Ledger for reference. Ledger himself also looked to Sex Pistol’s Sid Vicious and Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange for inspiration.
Looking back through years of comic book history, the character’s development seems typical of Hollywood - an interpretation of who the character is today. And there lies the problem. Would Ledger’s decision to run with the character alienate long-time comic fans? I, for one, did not doubt a strong performance, especially after reading how on set some actors began to fear Ledger’s intensity when in character, but if anything, the messy physical interpretation was not the Joker I knew.
Benn, manager of the New England Comics Brookline branch in Coolidge Corner, hoped Ledger would be able to pull off the character. Benn says, “Though he won’t admit it, the creator of the Joker [from the comic book world] had inspiration [of the character] from The Man Who Laughs. He’s almost the same guy,” referring to Conrad Veidt, the actor with the same smile in the 1928 film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s book.
Benn found The Dark Knight’s physical interpretation of the Joker an overall “neat take.” From movie stills, Ledger’s facial appearance is not at all clown-like and Benn likens the character to the Japanese movie, Ichi the Killer, which is about an insane assassin who cuts the sides of his mouth the same way as Ledger’s Joker (though not self-inflicted). “It’s a macabre way to make the smile bigger,” says Benn. The smeared white face paint is intended to enhance the razor cut smile and make it more sinister, as opposed to Cesar Romero’s 1966 take on the character for the campy TV show. In exchange for the garish purple suit, Ledger dons hints of purple and green that costume designer, Lindy Hemming, created from looking to pop culture, only reinforcing the movie’s approach in making it relatable.
At the Allston NEC branch on Harvard Avenue, manager Michelle was pretty excited about Ledger being cast. “A lot of customers are bummed out [about his death] but want to see the movie more…It’s the fucking Joker… He’s an insane genius. [Ledger’s death] only adds to the folk lore and mystery [that will surround the film],” and only encourage non-comic fans to see it.
She found Jack Nicholson’s performance in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman good but goofy, not reaching that “thin lining of creepy craziness” that Ledger seems to achieve from what she’s read and seen so far. “The movie posters are such a taunting teaser, but behind the [Joker’s] shadow is a presence,” Michelle says. In reference to The Killing Joke, which DC is publishing a hard cover edition in celebration of its twenty-year run, she also thinks that “people familiar with the story and seeing Ledger’s performance will find it a nice nod to [Moore’s] graphic novel.”
Despite my initial reservations, my tune has changed. Following the old adage, you can’t judge a book by its cover, likewise I can’t be too critical of Ledger’s creative license with his character. Although not the Joker I’m familiar with, Ledger’s interpretation may be more accurate to the true villain, and though not here to witness the Joker’s reception, he’s already made quite the impression. And, as Michelle says best, “You can’t have Batman without the Joker.”
Not having been a fan of comic books or comic book movies, it’s a wonder Ledger decided to take on the role of such a prominent character in the DC universe. With the expected green and purple suit, green hair, bleached skin, leering red-lipped smile, and that maniacal laugh, actually casting a skeptic of the comic medium seemed wrong. The comic book purist in me was definitely skeptical.
In an interview with the late Daniel Robert Epstein, Ledger said he gravitated to the villain and felt he had something to bring to the role. Known for his past performances, Ledger reinterpreted the character as a type of ruthless, psychotic, modern-day punk anarchist, a bit of a twist from the Joker of Alan Moore’s origin-story graphic novel, The Killing Joke, which director Christopher Nolan handed to Ledger for reference. Ledger himself also looked to Sex Pistol’s Sid Vicious and Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange for inspiration.
Looking back through years of comic book history, the character’s development seems typical of Hollywood - an interpretation of who the character is today. And there lies the problem. Would Ledger’s decision to run with the character alienate long-time comic fans? I, for one, did not doubt a strong performance, especially after reading how on set some actors began to fear Ledger’s intensity when in character, but if anything, the messy physical interpretation was not the Joker I knew.
Benn, manager of the New England Comics Brookline branch in Coolidge Corner, hoped Ledger would be able to pull off the character. Benn says, “Though he won’t admit it, the creator of the Joker [from the comic book world] had inspiration [of the character] from The Man Who Laughs. He’s almost the same guy,” referring to Conrad Veidt, the actor with the same smile in the 1928 film adaptation of Victor Hugo’s book.
Benn found The Dark Knight’s physical interpretation of the Joker an overall “neat take.” From movie stills, Ledger’s facial appearance is not at all clown-like and Benn likens the character to the Japanese movie, Ichi the Killer, which is about an insane assassin who cuts the sides of his mouth the same way as Ledger’s Joker (though not self-inflicted). “It’s a macabre way to make the smile bigger,” says Benn. The smeared white face paint is intended to enhance the razor cut smile and make it more sinister, as opposed to Cesar Romero’s 1966 take on the character for the campy TV show. In exchange for the garish purple suit, Ledger dons hints of purple and green that costume designer, Lindy Hemming, created from looking to pop culture, only reinforcing the movie’s approach in making it relatable.
At the Allston NEC branch on Harvard Avenue, manager Michelle was pretty excited about Ledger being cast. “A lot of customers are bummed out [about his death] but want to see the movie more…It’s the fucking Joker… He’s an insane genius. [Ledger’s death] only adds to the folk lore and mystery [that will surround the film],” and only encourage non-comic fans to see it.
She found Jack Nicholson’s performance in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman good but goofy, not reaching that “thin lining of creepy craziness” that Ledger seems to achieve from what she’s read and seen so far. “The movie posters are such a taunting teaser, but behind the [Joker’s] shadow is a presence,” Michelle says. In reference to The Killing Joke, which DC is publishing a hard cover edition in celebration of its twenty-year run, she also thinks that “people familiar with the story and seeing Ledger’s performance will find it a nice nod to [Moore’s] graphic novel.”
Despite my initial reservations, my tune has changed. Following the old adage, you can’t judge a book by its cover, likewise I can’t be too critical of Ledger’s creative license with his character. Although not the Joker I’m familiar with, Ledger’s interpretation may be more accurate to the true villain, and though not here to witness the Joker’s reception, he’s already made quite the impression. And, as Michelle says best, “You can’t have Batman without the Joker.”
Comic book movies galore!
Let's talk about movies! Has this been the summer for comic book movie adaptations or what? I just saw The Hulk, with Ed Norton, this past weekend and have to say, not bad. Not bad at all. This second version is much better than Ang Lee's version, which tried too hard to be a comic book-translated movie. Instead of all that origin mumbo jumbo that took up half the movie in Lee's version, this one showed what happened through the credits and the Hulk made his appearance within 2 minutes of the film. MUCH better. So it takes off with him on the run, and can I just add that I love Edward Norton. He's a great actor, and I'm sure he'd have loved being the actual big green guy instead of its CG version if he could have. I'm not spoiling anything, but at the end there's the General's meeting with Stark in the bar, and that's the plug that probably got movie goers in the theaters since Iron Man was so damn successful. And yes, yes it was.
Iron Man was fabulous. I loved Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Yes, I was skeptical, considering I hadn't seen him on screen in a while and thought he wasn't suave enough for the playboy. But I was wrong. He was perfectly cast and I loved every minute of the film, even if the origin story took a while - it was still great. I highly recommend you rent the DVD when it comes out (lest it's still in theaters, in which case, GO!). And that suit - gorgeous! I want one. If they cast a woman sidekick, I'm signing up just to get one of those things. So sign me up for the next sequels staring these two characters (and the possible forthcoming clash that may take place when they make the S.H.I.E.L.D. movie, that was alluded to by Stark at the end of The Hulk).
Okay, the big ones that are coming up next are Hellboy and The Dark Knight. Hellboy I have a soft spot for since I interviewed his creator, Mike Mignola, and because it was directed by Guillermo del Toro, who made Pan's Labyrinth (which I also loved). A big red guy with a tail carrying a big gun sounds just like my kind of movie. Throw in some supernatural stuff, like fairies and elves, and you've got me sold. It's not everyone's cup of tea (and my mom would be horrified to know I actually endorsed watching demons on the big screen), but it's bound to be sheer entertainment. Never mind that though, let's talk about The Dark Knight.
I am SO excited. I can't wait til next week. Movie theaters have a 6 a.m. feature on opening day - no, I'm not that crazy, but I am seeing it opening weekend. It's going to be the creepiest thing possible seeing Ledger on the big screen again, but I'm all about the rivalry and the battle between the two nemeses. I wrote a paper about Ledger for class that I'll post next. Based off of Alan Moore's The Killing Joke (which you must own if you are a Batman fan), the darker Batman takes center stage and it's simply going to be amazing. Wired magazine wrote an article for this month about how Batman was filmed specifically for the IMAX theater, so it gives the movie goer the full picture experience of Gotham City. Too bad I get queasy when I sit in one of those half dome theaters, or I'd be there. July 11th's Entertainment Weekly also has a feature about the film. Everyone who is a fan is on edge and awaits in anticipation. This is our event of the year! Next year I anticipate Alan Moore's The Watchmen (read it) making it on the big screen, but right now, my attention is focused entirely on the man of my comic book dreams.
Iron Man was fabulous. I loved Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Yes, I was skeptical, considering I hadn't seen him on screen in a while and thought he wasn't suave enough for the playboy. But I was wrong. He was perfectly cast and I loved every minute of the film, even if the origin story took a while - it was still great. I highly recommend you rent the DVD when it comes out (lest it's still in theaters, in which case, GO!). And that suit - gorgeous! I want one. If they cast a woman sidekick, I'm signing up just to get one of those things. So sign me up for the next sequels staring these two characters (and the possible forthcoming clash that may take place when they make the S.H.I.E.L.D. movie, that was alluded to by Stark at the end of The Hulk).
Okay, the big ones that are coming up next are Hellboy and The Dark Knight. Hellboy I have a soft spot for since I interviewed his creator, Mike Mignola, and because it was directed by Guillermo del Toro, who made Pan's Labyrinth (which I also loved). A big red guy with a tail carrying a big gun sounds just like my kind of movie. Throw in some supernatural stuff, like fairies and elves, and you've got me sold. It's not everyone's cup of tea (and my mom would be horrified to know I actually endorsed watching demons on the big screen), but it's bound to be sheer entertainment. Never mind that though, let's talk about The Dark Knight.
I am SO excited. I can't wait til next week. Movie theaters have a 6 a.m. feature on opening day - no, I'm not that crazy, but I am seeing it opening weekend. It's going to be the creepiest thing possible seeing Ledger on the big screen again, but I'm all about the rivalry and the battle between the two nemeses. I wrote a paper about Ledger for class that I'll post next. Based off of Alan Moore's The Killing Joke (which you must own if you are a Batman fan), the darker Batman takes center stage and it's simply going to be amazing. Wired magazine wrote an article for this month about how Batman was filmed specifically for the IMAX theater, so it gives the movie goer the full picture experience of Gotham City. Too bad I get queasy when I sit in one of those half dome theaters, or I'd be there. July 11th's Entertainment Weekly also has a feature about the film. Everyone who is a fan is on edge and awaits in anticipation. This is our event of the year! Next year I anticipate Alan Moore's The Watchmen (read it) making it on the big screen, but right now, my attention is focused entirely on the man of my comic book dreams.
LAME
That's what I call myself when it comes to blogging. It's been two months, and of course there's been plenty to say, but I've not felt compelled enough to sort through it all and write it out. It's been those kind of months. Good ones though: I graduated with my Masters (thank God)...well, actually I walked in May but officially wrapped up last week after my final summer class. Whatever, details. I'm also in love, which is a great thing. Met the family and everything. And what do you know, I just turned 26 - I'm that much closer to 30. I'm still waiting for wisdom to slap me in the face, but it just doesn't work like that. It's a shame, really. Regardless, I'm officially on the other side of my mid-twenties, and I can't believe where the time has flown. This Saturday I've been with my company for four years - four years. That's been my longest commitment other than college. I started fresh out of college and here I am today. Life is happening way too fast, but there's no off switch, and it's kinda scary.
Then again, I can't complain. Life has been good. And when life is good, you don't tend to share it with others because it's comes across as being, well, kinda boring. You notice how people tend to share the bad more than the good? It's for that sympathetic ear and that release of pent-up energy that's been begging to come out. Yup, sorry, it's not happening here right now. Maybe next time (though the next one will be all about comic book movie adaptations - you have my word on it).
Then again, I can't complain. Life has been good. And when life is good, you don't tend to share it with others because it's comes across as being, well, kinda boring. You notice how people tend to share the bad more than the good? It's for that sympathetic ear and that release of pent-up energy that's been begging to come out. Yup, sorry, it's not happening here right now. Maybe next time (though the next one will be all about comic book movie adaptations - you have my word on it).
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