RIP Eartha Kitt

On Christmas... of all the ironies :(


clip from Batman




-Swinebread

I thought this was a funny cartoon


-Swinebread

SUPERHERO CASTING - THE GOOD and BAD

Plus Hancock



-Swinebread

The Oregonian's New Supervillain Team

I was reading an editorial about Bush's very clumsy use of the Nazis in a speech (Don't know much about history) when I came across these paragraphs:

"Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," the president declared. "We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement." [Bush]

Perhaps the president and his speechwriters thought Israelis would welcome the analogy to the terrible era that led directly to the founding of the Jewish state. But more likely, he wanted to talk tough at the expense of some domestic critics.

Sadly, his misguided comments have bolstered the impression that he has little understanding of the differences among Adolf Hitler, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Attila the Hun, Professor Moriarty and the Joker.

Gathered together from remote corners of history and fiction... THE OREGONIAN SUPERVILLAIN LEAGUE!


-Swinebread

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Have a green, sheen kinda' day! Remember everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day... even Batman!



Cover from Batman: The Long Halloween #6 (St. Paddy's issue)

The Long Halloween, along with Batman: The Man Who Falls, Batman: Year One, and various comics from the 1970s, all served as inspiration for the 2005 film release Batman Begins, as well as the upcoming sequel, The Dark Knight. It is also a personal favorite of current Batman star Christian Bale. Dan DiDio has said there is a possibility for an animated adaptation during a Q and A at Wondercon.

from wikipedia


_Swinebread

Justice League: The New Frontier

Using the “Justice League” title with “The New Frontier” is somewhat of a misnomer as Darwyn Cooke’s original comic dealt with the transition from the Golden Age of superheroes to the Silver and the period just before the creation of the Justice League of America. But the Justice League is a recognizable brand and tying this project to that brand makes sense from a marketing standpoint.

But is it any good? Yes, it is good. I was a little worried because the online chatter had been mixed, however, I realized after watching JLTNF that most folks who were disappointed wanted something else and not Darwyn Cook’s amazing work. What they wanted was some sort of tie-in to the Justice League cartoons, this is simply crazy as the New Frontier story could never connect to those shows because it’s set in the 1950s and it's different in theme to those shows.

The story is very faithful to the original comic, but it does drop most of the mini-plots to focus in the main thrust of the story, that thrust being the rise of a new era of heroes and a threat to human existence on the planet. The story was so faithful in fact that there weren’t any surprises for those of us that have read the New Frontier comic book. So, the film’s enjoyment comes from seeing a great story animated, with excellent voice acting. It would be interesting to hear reactions from folks that haven’t read the original.

There are a few things to keep in mind. Much of JLTNF focuses on lesser-known characters in the DC Universe. The big three, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, have supporting roles. The main storyline focuses around Hal Jordan and the Martian Manhunter. The New Frontier is infused with events and the ethos of the 1950s and very early 1960s. Not knowing anything about the time period could reduce someone’s enjoyment (I’m thinking about you Dana Perino). This movie is certainly for the older crowd as suicide, murder, and horror figure into the plot of the film.

It’s a good film and despite some of it’s darker elements. The New Frontier gives a fresh take on the concept of heroism and what it really means. Many of the topics from the show resonate and that’s part of the appeal beyond the amazing artistic style. The idea that some shadowy crap is going on but at the same time there is still great hope for a new future truly resonates. That’s part of the brilliance of Justice League: the New Frontier.


Here is what I liked in no particular order (spoilers):



Darwyn Cooke’s original drawing style and designs are intact and look wonderful when animated.

I like the way Cook draws women and, by extension, how they appear in this film. They’re my kinda’ sexy.

The Martian Manhunter is great character. I never knew much about him before but both the comic and the movie have peeked my interest. He’s a great combination of sci-fi and noir.

Now we have a good reason for the new look Batman.

I like the Lovecraftian elements. It’s almost like the age of the Superhero finally overcomes its pulp origins with The New Frontier.

They kept the nod to John Henry in and I appreciated that.

I enjoyed the voice acting

The 1950s look of the story really helps convey how exciting the dawning of the silver age was.

I bought the cheap, single DVD version and was surprised by some good extra features like a Justice League doc, and commentary tracks.

Wonder Woman’s invisible plane bit is pure genius.

The “not so good” side of the 1950s is touched upon.

Events seem more connected in the film than in the comic.


Here is what I disliked in no particular order (spoilers):

Something is a little off with the Hal Jordan/Green Lantern storyline but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Why didn’t The Martian Manhunter just impersonate one of the astronauts instead of showing up at the last minute and trying to ride the rocket from the outside?

I don’t think this film works well cross culturally.

I would have liked animated sequences rather than static images for the end speech.

Sometimes the horror aspects and Cooke’s style don’t quite work together. (Although, I think they work better here in the film than the comic)

Trailer:


WB's site for the film here


-Swinebread

The Joker Killed Heath?

The early autopsy tests are still inconclusive but one of those “entertainment gurus” went on CNN a little while ago, saying that Heath Ledger wasn’t sleeping very well when he was playing the joker, (he was getting about 2 hours a night) suggesting that’s how he got “hooked” on sleeping pills. The anchor responded that the Joker was such a dark, scary character and being in character for long periods of time must have really taken a toll on his mind.

What the Fuck?

Now Mr. Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker will be that much more eerie because of his death but are these folks on the payroll of WarnerBrothers or something?

-Swinebread

RIP Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger found dead today in his apartment. Good actor, what a waste.

I wonder what happend?

see here

Ledger as the Joker


-Swinebread

Superheroes Just Got a Little Bit Cooler in Portland

Picture from the Portland Lumberjax via the Portland Tribune.

When you cross an über jock with an über geek the results can be rather stunning. In this Photo we have Dallas Eliuk, a lacrosse goalie for the Portland LumberJax, and his wife Daria O’Neil, a Rose City radio celebrity. The local non-daily paper, The Portland Tribune, wrote up an article about Eliuk for the sports section this last Friday (see article here), and man, is this guy a hardcore Batman fan or what? From the story:

The geekdom of Dallas Eliuk can be traced back to his childhood, watching Adam West play Batman on television and reading DC Comics about the Caped Crusader. Today, it’s displayed in Eliuk’s thousands of collectibles and his own alter ego… …Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Eliuk says, “my first spoken word was ‘Batman.

What's most amazing is the fun, geeky relationship Eliuk has with his new wife.

Eliuk met his match in his new bride, Daria O’Neill, a radio personality with 105.1 “The Buzz.” As their relationship took off, Eliuk broached the subject of Batman – and Spiderman, since Eliuk isn’t naive enough to think that only one superhero saves the world. Sunday cartoons told him that.
Eliuk couldn’t believe that O’Neill loved comic books and superheroes, too. This sort of thing just doesn’t happen with women, he thought. It had been such a “big issue” with his ex-wife…
…The couple tied the knot New Year’s Eve at home, but O’Neill says a Batman-theme marriage celebration is planned for spring or summer. There will be heroes joining Batman on one side, and villains with leather-printed Catwoman on the other side. Guests will register by Batcomputer. No word on whether the couple will then take the Batplane on their Bathoneymoon.

I used to listen to Daria quite a lot a several years ago so it was a bit of a surprise to discover that she’s really into geeky comic stuff along with her husband. But the two of them sure make a great looking couple right? They made an appearance at the last Portland Comic Book show as Batman and Catwoman, but unfortunately I was in Japan. I love it when a good-looking folks let their freak flag fly. Maybe I can sneak into that wedding and snap a few pictures? Heh heh!

Who Is Your Superhero Lover? ...and Other Quizzes

This makes sense somehow… …if I don’t think about it too hard.

I guess I like the wacko ones....


Edit: After checking out Becca's post I added what Pixar character are you.


And I'm:

Find out what pixar character are you at LiquidGeneration.com
Well that fits!

What Character from the Spidey movies am I:

Find out your Spider-Man personality at LiquidGeneration!

How 80s am I:

Find out how totally 80's are you at LiquidGeneration!
Hell Yeah!

What Batman character Am I:

I knew it!


-Swinebread

The Possible 2008 Blockbuster Movie List

Release dates are always subject to change, but here we go month by month

January
Cloverfield
Rambo

February
Jumper
Fool’s Gold

March
Horton Hears a Who
10,000 BC

April
Forbidden Kingdom (Stars Jet-Li & Jackie Chan)
Leatherheads

May
Iron Man (sure to coincide with Free Comic Book Day)
Speed Racer
The Chronicle of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

June
Kung Fu Panda
Get Smart
The Incredible Hulk (the franchise restart)
The Love Guru
Wall-E

July
Step Brothers
Batman: The Dark Knight
Hancock
Hellboy 2

August
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Pineapple Express
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
South of the Border

September
Death Race (remake of Death Race 2000)
Nowhereland

October
Body of Lies
Saw V (snore)
Whiteout

November
James Bond
Madagascar 2
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

December
Star Trek