#IReadsYou Movie Review: THE SUICIDE SQUAD

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Running time:  132 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for strong violence and gore, language throughout, some sexual references, drug use and brief graphic nudity
DIRECTOR:  James Gunn
WRITER:  James Gunn (based on characters appearing in DC Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Charles Roven and Peter Safran
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Henry Braham (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Fred Raskin and Christian Wagner
COMPOSER:  John Murphy

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION and COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Daniela Melchior, David Dastmalchian, Storm Reid, Sylvester Stallone (voice), Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Nathan Fillion, Flula Borg, Mayling Ng, Pete Davidson, Sean Gunn, Peter Capaldi, Juan Diego Botto, Joaquin Cosio, Lynne Ashe, Taika Waititi, and Viola Davis

The Suicide Squad is a 2021 superhero and action-fantasy film from writer-director James Gunn.  It is a sequel to the 2016 film, Suicide Squad, and is based on the DC Comics team of antiheroes, Suicide Squad.  The Suicide Squad the film focuses on a team of imprisoned super-villains who are forced to invade a South American island where a deadly creature supposedly resides.

As The Suicide Squad opens, intelligence officer Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) has activated her “Task Force X,” a team composed of dangerous criminals.  Imprisoned in Louisiana's Belle Reve penitentiary, these individuals either possess super-powers, have special abilities, or are some kind of meta-human, humanoid, animal hybrid, or mutant.  All of them are “super-villains.”  Waller chooses thirteen of these inmates and divides them into two teams (unbeknownst to the inmates) and sends them to the small island nation of Corto Maltese, off the coast of South America.

The first team is led by Army Special Forces Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) and is comprised of  former psychiatrist and Joker boy toy, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie); Australian thief and super-boomerang thrower, Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney); animal hybrid and child killer, Weasel (James Gunn), meta-human, T.D.K. (Nathan Fillion); long-haired computer hacker, Savant (Michael Rooker); overeager mercenary, Blackguard (Pete Davidson); possessor of a special javelin ... Javelin (Flula Borg); and the alien warrior, Mongal (Mayling Ng).

The second more serious team is comprised of five super-villains.  It is lead by a mercenary and hit man with an advanced technological suit and weapons, Bloodsport (Idris Elba), and is comprised of the former military officer who kills for peace, Peacemaker (John Cena); a man who can emit polka-dots, Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian); a female thief who controls rats, Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior); and a man-eating, human-shark hybrid, Nanaue a.k.a. “King Shark” (Sylvester Stallone).

Once on Corto Maltese, Task Force X has to reach a structure called “Jötunheim.”  It houses a laboratory built on the island decades ago by exiled Nazi scientists so that they could continue their monstrous experiments.  Now, Jötunheim apparently houses a secret program known as “Project Starfish.”  At the heart of this project is something referred to as “the beast,” and to destroy this project, the members of this squad will show why the nickname for Task Force X is “The Suicide Squad.”

First, I can say that The Suicide Squad is a much better film than its predecessor, Suicide Squad (2016), which was probably made problematic by Warner Bros. Pictures executives making bad decisions about it.  In The Suicide Squad, writer-director James Gunn offer his audience gleeful and extreme violence, insane set pieces, and snappy dialogue.  However, Gunn is also very good at creating engaging character drama that allows even the most troubling characters to have a journey in which he or she experiences a poignant or uplifting heroic arc.  In this case, Bloodsport (kinda) transforms from selfish, killer asshole into an anti-hero who cares … about a few things and people … and a rat.

Other characters more or less have a similar arc, although Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn is as crazy, as homicidal, and as sweet as ever.  Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag, a holdover from the first film, is a much more interesting and likable character.  Viola Davis' Amanda Waller is darker, maybe even more … evil than ever, and Storm Reid delivers a surprisingly deft turn in a small role as Tyla, Bloodsport's daughter, who appears in two scenes.  David Dastmalchian steals a few scenes as the surprisingly endearing Polka-Dot Man.  Overall, the characters are both more interesting and much more appealing and fun than the characters in the first film.  I say that although in the new film, the Suicide Squad is much more homicidal.

Gunn makes sure The Suicide Squad feels irreverent and outrageous and pours on the ultra-violence, and most of the time, it works.  Sometimes, however, it feels like Gunn is trying too hard, and the violence is either gross or is so over the top as to come across as lame.  Gunn is known for writing and directing Disney/Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy films.  However, I think Gunn was trying to make The Suicide Squad like 20th Century Fox's Deadpool films, which are gleefully violent and shameless and infused with droll humor.  However, the Deadpool movies have Ryan Reynolds, who has mastered his own brand of (sometimes) endearing comedy that is witty, sarcastic, sardonic, silly, and stupid.  There is no Ryan Reynolds om The Suicide Squad, so the film can seem a little desperate in its bid to be crazy and cool.

However, The Suicide Squad does have Idris Elba, and if not for him, James Gunn would have ended up with a Suicide Squad film that works about as well as David Ayers' Suicide Squad film.  Elba, as the world-weary, but supernaturally skilled killer, Bloodsport, plays the complicated anti-hero turned action hero with his usual understated grace and commanding screen presence.  The Suicide Squad is bonkers, inventive, and imaginative – thanks to James Gunn.  However, it is a superhero fantasy and action thrill machine because of Idris Elba.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Movie Review: BLACK WIDOW

Black Widow (2021)

Running time: 133 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, some language and thematic material
DIRECTOR: Cate Shortland
WRITERS:  Eric Pearson; from a story by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson (based upon the Marvel Comics character)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gabriel Beristain
EDITOR: Leigh Folsom Boyd
COMPOSER: Lorne Balfe

SUPERHERO/DRAMA/ACTION

Starring:  Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, Ever Anderson, Violet McGraw, O-T Fagbenie,  and William Hurt

Black Widow is a 2021 3D superhero film directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.  It is the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics character, Natalia Alianovna “Natasha” Romanova/Black Widow, that was created by Stan Lee, Don Rico, and artist Don Heck and first appeared in the comic book, Tales of Suspense #52 (cover dated: April 1964).  Black Widow the film finds the title character on the run and forced to confront the conspiracies and people of her past.

Black Widow is largely set between the events depicted in the films, Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity Wars (2018).  The film, however, opens in 1995.  Young Natasha Romanoff (Ever Anderson) lives a quiet life in suburban Ohio with her younger sister, Yelena Belova (Violet McGraw), and their parents.  But Natasha and Yelena are not siblings, and their surrogate mother, Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), is really a Russian scientist/spy, and their father, Alexei Shostkov (David Harbour), is a spy and also the costumed superhero, “Red Guardian,” Russia's super-soldier version of Captain America.  When this “family's” mission suddenly ends, Natasha and Yelena are returned to Russia and sent to the “Red Room” for further training.

Twenty-one years later, in the year 2016, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is on fugitive, on the run from U.S. Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt).  Fate reunites her with an older Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who until recently was still a “Widow,” an assassin working for the Red Room.  Now, both women, traumatized by their pasts, set out to find and kill Dreykov (Ray Winstone), the head of the Red Room and the mastermind behind the “Widow” program.  To do so, however, they must mend the broken relationships of their pasts, and Natasha must face the reality that her actions could not only alert her pursuers to her whereabouts, but could also lead to her destruction.

I wondered how Marvel Studios could hope to deliver a superhero movie that would satisfy their audiences in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, which was a special effects extravaganza, which changed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which was a record-setting box office hit, and which saw some beloved characters die, including the Black Widow.  Black Widow does offer big action sequences: a harrowing opening air plane escape, a battle royale in Budapest, a crazy prison escape, and that final showdown on a giant aerial base.  After waiting two years for a Marvel Studios film (because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of movie theaters), the big action of Black Widow is big enough to sate my Marvel needs.

However, I must be honest, it is the action that really makes Black Widow for me.  The drama is good, and the interpersonal relationship conflict and drama are fitting for the story of a character like the Black Widow who past is so very dark and is filled with violence and pain.  The main cast of Black Widow:  Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz gives excellent performances in this tale of betrayal and of secrets of lies.  In a way, these performances only serve to make the drama all the more dark, edgy, and, at times, depressing.  So, that is why I must be honest.  I respected the character drama of Black Widow, which director Cate Shortland delivers in gritty detail.  But while watching the film, I was always anxious for the arrival of the next big, special effects-driven action sequence, and man, Black Widow did not disappoint!

Black Widow has a great adversary in “The Taskmaster,” but the reveal of that villain's identity is a bit of a letdown.  Ray Winstone, an actor I like, was just okay as Dreykov, a promising bad guy the script makes into a shallow character.  Still, the action scenes – I'm crazy about them.  They are both the reason that I am giving Black Widow a high grade and the reason I will watch Black Widow many more times when it starts airing on cable television in a little less than two years from now.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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New Superman 75th Anniversary Logo Revealed

Warner Bros. Entertainment & DC Entertainment Celebrate Superman’s 75th with New Logo and Company-Wide Commemoration for Beloved Iconic Character’s Milestone Anniversary

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Superman, Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment have revealed plans befitting one of the most popular and enduring Super Heroes of all time.

To honor Superman—the world’s first Super Hero—for reaching such an incredible milestone, the companies are kicking off a year of celebration including a new commemorative Superman 75th anniversary logo as well as an animated short tribute chronicling the rich 75-year history of the character, it was announced today by Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment.

First appearing in the comic book Action Comics #1, dated June 1938, Superman quickly became a cultural icon, winning fans around the world in live-action and animated form in nearly every known entertainment medium. In feature films, TV shows, radio, video games, publishing and merchandise, he has battled some of the greatest villains ever created in his endless pursuit of truth, justice and the American way.

Tsujihara stated, “Warner Bros. is privileged to be home to the global Superman brand, which has had an unparalleled impact on popular culture for 75 years. We are proud to commemorate this milestone with exciting entertainment across the entire Studio and across the globe, ensuring this enduring icon reaches new generations of audiences.”

DC Entertainment and the Studio’s various divisions, including Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, will mark this extraordinary anniversary with a range of highly anticipated events and products, kicking off with the release of the much anticipated summer-blockbuster “Man of Steel.”

The new animated short, currently in production, is being produced by Zack Snyder and pays homage to Superman and many iterations of the Super Hero throughout his 75 years. A sneak peek of this short is planned for Comic-Con International: San Diego in July and the finished version will debut late summer.

The new commemorative logo takes its cue from the iconic Superman costume, featuring predominantly blue coloring with a splash of red and highlights a bold silhouette of the Man of Steel with his cape waving behind him and the block-style lettering of “75 Years.” The mark will be rolled out by all the divisions on Superman-related promotions, products and initiatives. DC Entertainment will be the first to feature the new logo on the upcoming Superman Unchained comic book by artist Jim Lee and writer Scott Snyder, on sale Wednesday, June 12.

“Superman is undeniably the greatest Super Hero in the world and likely the most influential comic book character of all time,” according to Diane Nelson, President, DC Entertainment. “In addition to being an enduring presence in pop culture for the last 75 years, he continues to be a commanding global icon. DC Entertainment and all of Warner Bros. look forward to celebrating this important, year-long anniversary for Superman.”

In tandem with the various special celebrations comes the release of this summer’s tent pole action adventure feature “Man of Steel,” opening in theaters nationwide June 14.

Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, stated, “Superman is a larger-than-life figure, making the big screen the perfect place to experience his adventures, and ‘Man of Steel’ delivers with first rate story-telling that is broadly entertaining. It couldn’t be more fitting that the centerpiece of our summer slate hits theaters during this commemorative year.”

“It’s a great honor for all of us involved in ‘Man of Steel’ to carry on the tradition of Superman for longtime fans as well as a new generation of moviegoers,” director Zack Snyder said. “I’m so excited to share the movie with them and to be a part of this celebration.”

Superman enthusiasts can also look forward to much more, including:

•“Injustice: Gods Among Us,” a new fighting game franchise that allows players to experience the power, gadgetry and unparalleled strength of some of the most popular DC Comics Super Heroes and Super-Villains such as Superman and Lex Luthor, was released on April 16 from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

•“Superman: Unbound,” an all-new DC Universe Animated Original Movie that pits Superman against Brainiac—a devastating force of flesh and machine with Earth squarely in his sights—was released on May 7 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

•“Man of Steel” and Superman products are available for fans of all ages, including toys, costumes, apparel, party goods and publishing from Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

•“Superman Unchained,” the much anticipated new comic book series that centers on a mystery that is frustrating the hero in both the Superman and Clark Kent aspects of his identity ultimately revealing a brand-new villain, debuts on June 12 from DC Entertainment.

•“Infinite Crisis,” an all-new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that delivers a heart-pounding competitive player vs. player battle experience set in the legendary DC Multiverse, a world in which familiar DC Comics characters such as Superman have been reimagined in startling ways, debuts in fall of 2013 from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

•“DC Nation” Superman Shorts, a series of all-new Superman-themed animated shorts produced by Warner Bros. Animation and airing on Cartoon Network’s DC Nation block throughout the year.

•DC Entertainment’s “We Can Be Heroes” giving campaign launches its second crowdfunding initiative in June focused on Superman and featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and limited edition merchandise to engage, excite and empower legions of fans. Get something good. Do something great.

To stay up-to-date on all things Superman and the celebration activities, please visit www.Superman75.com.


About Warner Bros. Entertainment:
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A Time Warner Company, the fully integrated, broad-based Studio is home to one of the most successful collections of brands in the world and stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Saw "The Dark Knight Rises;" Found it Bloated and Self-Important

I forgot to post this link: http://www.negromancer.com/2012/07/the-dark-knight-rises.html from my movie review blog, Negromancer.  I rushed to the local theatre for the earliest show of The Dark Knight Rises, and I knew I was not going to like the movie from the opening air plane hijack set piece.  I don't know if Nolan was desperate to start the film off with a bang or if he just doesn't have an overkill filter.  And Hans Zimmer needs a muzzle.

Green Lantern Film Reviewed

I saw Green Lantern and posted a review at Negromancer.  The movie has its moments, and it is visually striking, but way too noisy.  The visual effects are mostly good, but some of them are surprisingly bad for a big budget flick from a major studio.

The script is bad, although, by the end, Green Lantern becomes the hero he is supposed to be in a rousing finale.  Mark Strong is utterly wasted as Sinestro.  Most of the characters are extraneous, and once again, the very talented Angela Bassett is way under-utilized.

So far, the box office looks good, perhaps coming in at $55 to $60 million for the weekend.  This may be enough to get the studio to greenlight a sequel - hopefully with at least new writers.

"Green Lantern" Star Honors Military Dads

Warner Bros. and Ryan Reynolds Join Forces to Honor Military Dads

“Green Lantern” Star Flies by Miramar to Kick Off Father’s Day Weekend with Advance Screening

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ryan Reynolds, the star of Warner Bros. Pictures’ epic action adventure “Green Lantern,” made a special appearance at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar today to herald the opening of the new film and introduce an advance screening in the on-base Bob Hope Theater. In appreciation of our troops, he also announced that the Studio will be hosting Father’s Day weekend showings at 12 additional military bases around the country, in recognition of the “Joining Forces” campaign initiated by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden (www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces).

At today’s screening at Miramar, Reynolds announced that screenings will be held on Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19, for the servicemen and women and military families who are currently stationed at Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard bases from coast to coast. Screenings will take place on either Saturday or Sunday at the following locations:

Army: Ft. Belvoir, Alexandria, Virginia; Ft. Campbell, Clarksville, Tennessee; and Ft. Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Air Force: F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville, Arkansas; and Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldboro, North Carolina.

Navy: NAS in Fallon, Nevada; NAF in El Centro, California; and NAS JRB in Fort Worth, Texas.

Marine Corps: MCAB in Yuma, Arizona; and MCAS in New River, North Carolina.

Coast Guard: USCG in Petaluma, California.

“Green Lantern” opens nationwide in 3D and 2D tomorrow, June 17, 2011.


About the Film:
In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, an elite, powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. Warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him the ability to create anything his mind can imagine. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Bringing the enduringly popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, “Green Lantern” was directed by Martin Campbell, from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, screen story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.

“Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. The film was produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas served as executive producers, with Lucienne Papon and Geoff Johns co-producing.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, a De Line Pictures production, “Green Lantern.” The film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

“Green Lantern” has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.

http://www.greenlantern.com/

Warner Bros. Wants You to Join the Green Lantern Corps

Secret Locales Illuminated by “Green Lantern” Symbol Will Recruit Fans in 11 North American Cities to Join the Corps

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of the June 17th theatrical release and big-screen debut of the popular superhero “Green Lantern,” Warner Bros. Pictures will electrify 11 North American cities on Monday, June 13, encouraging people to Join the (Green Lantern) Corps. Markets include: Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, San Diego, Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New Orleans, where the film was shot.

To Join the Corps, fans will be invited to decipher local clues leading them to a secret location where the “Green Lantern” symbol will be projected from dusk until midnight. Those attending the events, sponsored by Kodak, will have the chance to win fantastic prizes, including an opportunity to be among the first to see the film at local preview screenings, limited edition T-shirts, light-up “Green Lantern” rings, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” Blu-ray combo packs and more. And some people who are photographed with the projected symbol behind them will have their photos posted on the movie Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/greenlanternmovie. Select markets will also give people the chance to record the “Green Lantern” oath which will be added to the Infinite Oath app on the movie website: http://www.greenlantern.com/.

“Green Lantern” opens in theaters nationwide in 3D and 2D on Friday, June 17, 2011. The film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action.


ABOUT “GREEN LANTERN”
In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, an elite, powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. Warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him the ability to create anything his mind can imagine. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Bringing the enduringly popular superhero to the big screen for the first time, “Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds in the title role, under the direction of Martin Campbell. Campbell directed the film from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The film also stars Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. “Green Lantern” was produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas served as executive producers, with Lucienne Papon and Geoff Johns co-producing.

X-Men: First Class Film Gets Reviewed

I saw X-Men: First Class yesterday, and I loved it.  If you're curious, you can read my review at my blog, Negromancer.

Matthew Vaughn's "Stardust" the Review

I'm still in the process of reposting reviews that were on my old site, Negromancer, to the the new, blog version.  Since X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn, is in theatres today, I posted my review of Vaughn's film adaptation of Stardust, the illustrated novel by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess.

First Look at Adrianne Palicki as NBC's New Wonder Woman

EW.COM EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman in NBC’s new fall pilot, exec produced by David E. Kelley

Link to FULL story and FIRST PHOTOS on EW.com: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/18/wonder-woman-adrianne-palicki-photo/

WonderCon Goes Green - as in "Green Lantern" Movie

“Green Lantern” Shines Bright at WonderCon

Stars of the Upcoming Film—Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard—Kick Off the Weekend and the Super Hero’s Multi-Platform Presence at the Con

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fans attending on Friday, April 1st, the first day of WonderCon, will be treated to a special “Green Lantern” talent signing and panel featuring the stars of the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures feature film: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively and Peter Sarsgaard. The signing begins at 4 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 5.

The highly anticipated “Green Lantern” movie, in theatres on June 17, 2011, will be the first live-action feature film to star the popular DC Comics character. The film relates the origin story of alter ego Hal Jordan (Reynolds), a test pilot and the first human chosen to wear the ring that provides him his superpowers.

Following the opening day panel, Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps will have a deep and diverse presence throughout the weekend due to the combined efforts of DC Entertainment (DCE) and the various divisions of Warner Bros. Entertainment, including Warner Home Video (WHV), Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP).

WHV will present the World Premiere of the Blu-ray and DVD feature “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” on Friday evening in the Esplanade Ballroom, immediately followed by a panel discussion featuring filmmakers and voice cast members. Panelists will also take part in an autograph session on Saturday. The all new DC Universe Animated Original Movie weaves six interlocking stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy.

Also on Friday, DC Comics will host a panel about the Green Lantern comic books and the 2011 War of the Green Lanterns crossover event. The DC booth will host Green Lantern-themed signings and giveaways throughout the weekend.

WBIE and DCE will showcase “Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters,” an action-adventure videogame that will be available in conjunction with the theatrical release of “Green Lantern.” Throughout the Con, visitors to the DC Comics booth will be able to get hands-on time with the game that delivers an immersive experience for Green Lantern fans of all ages.

WBCP’s worldwide licensing program for the highly anticipated “Green Lantern” film has already taken the industry by storm. Product manufacturers around the world have come together to capture and unleash the power of Green Lantern, who lit the way at this year’s Toy Fair, with master toy licensee Mattel bringing to life a comprehensive toy line inspired by the upcoming film. Visitors at WonderCon will get a sneak peek of the toy line, along with the opportunity to be “chosen” to win some of the popular products, long before they hit retail shelves.

All this and more begins with the “Green Lantern” signing at 4 p.m. and panel at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1, 2011. WonderCon opens the doors to the main floor at noon. The event runs all weekend, through Sunday, April 3rd, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Go to http://www.comic-con.org/wc/ for tickets to the “Green Lantern” opening day panel and for information about all of the Warner Bros.- and DC Entertainment-related events.


About the feature film “Green Lantern”
“Green Lantern” stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Jay O. Sanders, Temuera Morrison, Taika Waititi, Jon Tenney, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. Martin Campbell directs the film from a screenplay by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim and Michael Goldenberg, story by Greg Berlanti & Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, based upon characters appearing in magazines published by DC Comics. The film is being produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. Herbert W. Gains and Andrew Haas serve as executive producers. The film will open in 3D and 2D on June 17, 2011. “Green Lantern” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. www.greenlantern.com.

About “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights”
As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan (voiced by Nathan Fillion) mentors new recruit Arisia (Elisabeth Moss) in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades, including Abin Sur, Kilowog, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona. The cast also features actor/spoken word artist Henry Rollins, Jason Isaacs, legendary professional wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Arnold Vosloo, Kelly Hu and Wade Williams. Bruce Timm is executive producer, and the directors are Lauren Montgomery, Jay Oliva and Christopher Berkeley. Penned by comic book luminaries Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, Peter J. Tomasi, Eddie Berganza, Alan Burnett, Todd Casey and Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” will be distributed June 7, 2011 by Warner Home Video as part of the build up to the release of the highly anticipated live action film, “Green Lantern,” in theatres June 17.

About “Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters”
The game is inspired by the feature film. Players will utilize over a dozen constructs and take flight across the deepest parts of the universe to restore intergalactic order by wielding the ultimate weapon: the Green Lantern power ring. The game will be available this summer for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ and delivers an immersive experience for Green Lantern fans that the entire family will enjoy. For more information, visit http://www.greenlanternvideogame.com/.

Entertainment Weekly Reveals Red Skull from Captain America Movie

Entertainment Weekly sent this out:

EW.COM ‘Captain America’ EXCLUSIVE: First look at Red Skull! Plus, director Joe Johnston on why he prefers Cap to a certain man of steel


Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive first look image from this summer's 'Captain America: The First Avenger' of the ghastly villain Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), along with a Q&A with director Joe Johnston about how Captain America may be the most human of the superheroes, and certainly the most humble — a little guy who remembers what it was like to be pushed around.

See the FULL STORY at EW.com: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/03/captain-america-red-skull-first-look-exclusive/

Meet the New Superman with Entertainment Weekly

Highlights from ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY’s February 25, 2011 issue (on newsstands nationwide Friday, February 18):

MEET THE NEW SUPERMAN

THIS WEEK’S ISSUE HAS THE EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK AT HENRY CAVILL AS THE NEW MAN OF STEEL, PLUS THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERHEROES

NEW YORK – Henry Cavill is Hollywood’s newest superhero thanks in part to an all-star team of filmmakers (including Christopher Nolan and Zack Synder) that are set to relaunch the truest and bluest of all superheroes: Superman. This week’s issue of Entertainment Weekly brings an exclusive look at the British man in tights, whose career may break the speed of sound.

To become Hollywood’s new Man of Steel, Henry Cavill had to pass the Laugh Test. To wit: Could he wear the Superman suit without anyone giggling? And not just any Superman suit. To shoot his screen test last month, the 27-year-old British actor donned a replica of the costume Christopher Reeve wore in director Richard Donner’s classic 1978 film. By today’s standards, those sky blue spandex threads with the iconic S shield on the chest look dated—and hence an effective yardstick for the team now charged with making Superman fly for 21st-century moviegoers. “If you can put on that suit and pull it off,” says director Zack Snyder, “that’s an awesome achievement.”

As an assistant helped him into the suit, Cavill was feeling less than super. He certainly has the face for Superman—solid chin, defined cheekbones, piercing eyes, dark hair. He’s also 6' 1" and radiates intelligence, maturity, and all around good-guyness, though he’s too humble to say so himself. But Cavill worried that the rest of him wasn’t up to snuff. He had recently lost the muscle tone he gained to play a loincloth warrior in the mythic fantasy Immortals, due this November. “All I could think was, Oh, God, they’re going to look at me and go, ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance,’ ” recalls Cavill, best known for playing Henry VIII’s buddy Charles Brandon on Showtime’s The Tudors. “The actor inside me was going, ‘You’re not ready! You’re not ready!’ ” Snyder saw something different. “He walked out and no one laughed,” says the director, a geek pop idol for his work on Dawn of the Dead, 300, and Watchmen. “Other actors put that suit on and it’s a joke, even if they’re great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go, ‘Wow. Okay, this is Superman.’ ”

And with that, Superman’s Hollywood relaunch is up, up, and almost away; shooting on the as-yet-untitled Warner Bros. film begins this summer under Snyder, producer Christopher Nolan (whose two Batman flicks have grossed nearly $1.4 billion at the box office worldwide), and screenwriter David S. Goyer, who also wrote Batman Begins, three Blade films, and Dark City. The result of their collaboration, due late next year, will be a must-see event, one the studio hopes will leave audiences in a must-see-more mood.

A NEW GENERATION SUITS UP!
The next two years will see a crush of movie superheroes, both familiar characters and newcomers to the multiplex. Here’s a look at the coming wave of hero mania.

GREEN LANTERN
Ryan Reynolds stars as jet test-pilot Hal Jordan, who’s recruited into an intergalactic police force with Earth as his beat. The draw for the audience may be that, like filmgoers, Jordan doesn’t entirely comprehend his mission. The 34-year-old star says it helps that DC’s Green Lantern isn’t as widely known outside Comic-Con circles. “I liked that it wasn’t in my vocabulary. It meant there was a process of discovery,” says Reynolds. “He’s not in the mainstream the way Superman or Spider-Man is.” The movie also tackles its otherworldly extravagance with a sense of humor. Reynolds, a veteran of comedies like Van Wilder and The Proposal, says he used to think of himself as a strictly comic actor, not a hero: “I looked like Dick Van Dyke, so I thought I was going that route”

SPIDER-MAN
The new Spider-Man will test the limits of comic-book do-overs. (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb and a new actor to wear the red-and-blue Spidey suit: The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield, 27. Exec producer Avi Arad says the film won’t erase what came before but will try to weave a narrative that could take place within the framework of the earlier films. “It’s not a comeback,” he says. “You have to look at it this way: Do you want to know more about Spider-Man? This movie is going to tell stories that you didn’t see in movies 1, 2, and 3.”

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Fans have relentlessly tried to guess which direction Christopher Nolan intends to take Christian Bale’s Dark Knight in the director’s final Batman film, but the filmmaker has offered scant hints. Nolan has confirmed he won’t add the Riddler or bring back the Joker, out of respect for the late Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning work in The Dark Knight. But in recent weeks, he has cast Inception costar Tom Hardy as Bane, a chemically enhanced strongman who broke Batman’s back in the 1993 comics, and Inception alumni Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon- Levitt are in talks for unspecified roles. Anne Hathaway is also on board as Selina Kyle, though Nolan’s casting announcement made no mention of Kyle’s alter ego, Catwoman. With all the cryptic clues, Nolan has already achieved the goal of every superhero film: keeping an audience in a state of perpetual suspense. And he hasn’t shot a single frame of film.

Other exclusive sneak peeks include Thor, X-Men First Class, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, and The Wolverwine, (Cover Story Package, Page 54)

The full story on EW.com: http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/02/17/superman-henry-cavill-interview-ew-cover/

Here He Is! Henry Cavill is the New Superman

OK. Henry Cavill is the new Superman in the 2012 update of the franchise, a movie that is reportedly titled, "The Man of Steel."  He is a British actor and was born in 1983.  His first major role was in the 2002 version of The Count of Monte Cristo, and he also had small roles in Stardust (2007) and Woody Allen's 2009 flick, Whatever Works.

The news began leaking out late last week, I think.  Then, Deadline made it semi-official, but I guest this press release make it officially official:

Henry Cavill Will Take on the Dual Role of Clark Kent / Superman in the New Film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Henry Cavill has won the coveted role of Superman, the iconic superhero.

The film will be directed by Zack Snyder, who stated, “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

Cavill recently wrapped production on “The Cold Light of Day” and stars in the upcoming “Immortals,” opening this fall.

Targeted for release in December 2012, the new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. [END]

He's handsome enough, and right now, I like the choice.  More later... maybe.

Iron Man 2 Gets 2011 Oscar Nomination

The Oscar watchers that I'd been following the last few weeks thought it would be the odd man out in favor of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but Iron Man 2 earned an Oscar nomination in the category of best visual effects.

83rd Academy Award Nominations - Visual Effects:

1. “Alice in Wonderland” Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips

2. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi

3. “Hereafter” Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell

4. “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

5. “Iron Man 2” Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick

I think the winner is likely to be either Alice in Wonderland or Inception, but still when one considers the state of movies made from Marvel Comics titles just 13 years ago before Blade, Marvel Studios has come a long way.
 
The winners in this category and others will be announced Feb. 27, 2011 on ABC.
 
http://www.oscar.org/
 

Hollywood.com on the Comic-Con Blues

"Comic-Con and Superhero Burnout" by Peter Hall

I love Comic-Con. Perhaps that is because I’ve never actually been to Comic-Con. In my mind it is this glorious Geek Mecca where no matter how much of a fanboy you are about a particular comic, film, TV show, game or whatever else you’re into that the rest of the world has yet to catch onto, you can always look to your left and to your right and see someone who is even more passionate about it than you are. Basically, I envision it as some kind of geek orgy where nothing is taboo.

The reality is probably a lot less cheerful. Oh, I’ve no doubt that you’ll always be able to find someone who's even more into the long-forgotten CGI Starship Troopers TV show than you are. I also have no doubt that people are incredibly friendly and that no weird intellectual property fetish can be too taboo. However, I also imagine that after day one, standing around in absurdly long lines so you can be shuffled into an overcrowded conference hall probably begins to grind down the enjoyment of being surrounded by people who are just like you. Plus, there has been a growing concern over the years that the San Diego con has become far too commercial, since all the major movie studios have turned it into their promotional springboard.

Read the rest of the article here.

Green Lantern Movie Costume Controversy in a Box

For filming, Reynolds' actual costume that he wears on set is full of sensors, much like the suits that athletes wear when lending their on-field moves to video games. After the scenes are shot, the sensors allow for the costume to be added via post-production technology. The reveal of Reynolds' computer-created costume has garnered reactions that range from praise to saying the thing makes Reynolds look a little "silly."

Thus, begins the controversy over Ryan Reynold's Green Lantern costume for the much anticipated Summer 2011 superhero movie.  You can read the rest of the article at Yahoo.

Is this Firestorm pantaloons... firestorm all over again?

Comic book movies are not comic books.  Movies are a different medium from comic books, and the people involved in making movies have different ideas about the hows, whys, and whats of superheroes than comic book creators do.  Do I really have to say that?  All these comic book fan(atic)s need to get over themselves.  They don't call the shots in Hollywood; they barely do in the comic book industry.  Or is it that they just love to complain.

Comic Book Artists Become Filmmakers

At the Hollywood Reporter, the Heat Vision blog offers this excellent piece about comic book artists working on Hollywood productions.  The article mentions that Kaare Andrews is currently wrapping up one film and prepping another, this one produced by Gale Anne Hurd.

Chris Pine as Captain America?

The Geek Files has caught a rumor that Chris Pine, the Captain Kirk of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek, is the latest to be linked to the lead in Marvel Studios' upcoming The First Avenger: Captain America.  Other names linked to the part include Jensen Ackles of Supernatural, Chuck's Ryan McPartlin and One Tree Hill's Chad Michael Murray.

This blog entry also has some choice quotes from comic book creator/legend, Gene Colan.

Christopher Nolan: I don't think of it as a comic book movie...

In light of the recent news that Christopher Nolan, director of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, will be involved in the Warner Bros.' reboot of the Superman film franchise, MTV dug up on old interview they conducted with the acclaimed director.

Highlights:

“I think of it as a film that just exists in the cinematic realm," said Nolan, "I don't think of it as a comic book movie or just a comic book movie — and that's something that in the whole process — where from the screenwriting point of view or the production point of view and with all departments and everything we would never let people off the hook with the notion 'it's a comic book movie.'"



"We just tried to make a movie that stands as a movie," he added. "The fact that it happens to be based on a long history of this comic book character I think is irrelevant — I think it's on us to make a great movie and not rely on the fact that it's a comic book movie or excuse certain things because it's a comic book movie. We didn't want to do either; we just wanted to make as great of a movie that we possibly could.”

I completely agree.  Comic book movies should be movies first and filmmakers need not enslave themselves to the source material.  But they should expect big hate if the final product is awful (Catwoman).