For a character that started out as a one-shot villain in a Spider-Man comic, The Punisher has acquired quite a following and a never-say-die attitude. Today marks the release of the third attempt to start a Punisher series. The first one in 1989 starred Dolph Lundgren, back in the Roger Corman days of making comic book films (not this one in particular, but 'Cormanesque' is a good barometer of the times). There are a lot of fans who feel that this is the most faithful adaptation to comic version. In 2004, Marvel tried again with Thomas Jane in the Frank Castle role. This one didn't have the whole 'punish the wicked' feel as much as a man who's hurting and taking revenge on the man who killed his family, but then, it is an origin story and you have to star somewhere. Of course, this Castle didn't have much time to get into his own, before the series was rebooted again this year with Punisher: War Zone. No, this is not a sequel to the 2004 film, like most people think. It is another reboot (a la The Incredible Hulk). Hardcore fans felt the 2004 version was too soft and didn't have enough 'punishing', so they upped the violence. WAY up. The new Punisher film is so violent and graphic that it has been categorized by many as a slasher flick. Most fans were hoping for the feel of the first film with the quality of the second, but once again filmmakers missed the mark. Many people have been disappointed by the new film and claim that the only people who will enjoy it are people who just watch films for explosions and gratuitous violence. The acting has no real range and the story is almost non-existent. But people will still have to go and see for themselves, and some will hate it and some will love it. That's just how it goes. The only really positive change is the addition of an actual comic book villain, Jigsaw; although to me, it just looks like SNL's Will Forte in make-up fighting a Jigsaw played by Johnny Knoxville. [THE PUNISHER (1989)]
In case you haven't caught them yet, here are episodes 2, 3, and 4 of Aniboom's hilarious Vast Food Nation. Just be warned in case you prefer your toons a little more wholesome -the content of Vast Food Nation is definitely PG-13. [EPISODE 2: THE FUN IN FUNERAL]
With the release of The Dark Knight DVD lurking around the corner, I thought it only fitting to show people the fan film Batman: Dead End. Created by independent filmmaker Sandy Collora, the short film premiered at the 2003 San Diego Comicon and is heralded as one of the ten most pivotal moments in fan film history. Bringing an uber-realism to the Dark Knight, Sandy proved that Batman doesn't need smoke and mirrors to be intimidating. It's rumored that this was the inspiration to reboot the Batman franchise, bringing with it a more serious feel and more conceivable storylines. Oh, and for those who are surprised by the guest appearances at the end, don't be. These also happen to be characters that Batman has faced in the comic world.
From the mind of Will Eisner, creator of the graphic novel and inspiration to multiple generations of comic creators, comes the The Spirit. Introduced in 1940 (just two years after Superman) as a way for newspapers to compete with the rising popularity superhero comic books, Eisner's Spirit has been revered for decades in the literary community, albeit under most people's radars. The Spirit has never really left the scene and is currently going strong in his own DC Comic's title. In fact, The Spirit was actually made into a TV movie back in 1987 starring Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordan), but met with lackluster response. Will Eisner passed away in 2005 and his good friend, visionary storyteller and comic legend in his own right, Frank Miller was approached at Eisner's funeral to create a Spirit film. Miller initially refused, but immediately changed his mind knowing that the studio would just hire someone else to reinterpret his friend's work. A lot people call foul on the similarities between The Spirit film and Miller's own Sin City, but I say you just can't get enough of a good black and white, film noir, femme fatale-filled crime drama. That style just happens to be best way to stay true to the sequential art feel of the source material. They could make a hundred films with that same pulp feel and I'd come back for every one. They just don't make them like that anymore.
The lack of any real footage or trailers (minus the inferior quality Comicon exclusive preview that's been floating around the web) for the upcoming Wolverine movie has had fans frothing at the mouth for any glimpse of what's in store for everyone's favorite adamantium-clawed mutant. Well, you now relax (Frankie say to!). 20th Century Fox recently announced that the long-awaited trailer to May 1st's X-Men Origins: Wolverine will debut on December 12th preceding the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. Finally, the public has a reason to go a Keanu Reeves movie! On a separate note, Hugh Jackman publicly stately recently that he is already looking toward a sequel set in Japan, but that if fan response is poor when the movie comes out that he will gladly walk away from the character permanently with no regrets.
Here is the trailer to the fourth (and possibly the last) Futurama direct-to-DVD movie, Into the Wild Green Yonder. This installment hits stores April 2009 and depending on it's sales could make or break the fate of Futurama. So, everybody go out and buy their copies when it comes out; no bootlegging this time.
Someone has taken the audio from The Dark Knight trailer and re-synced it to scenes from Toy Story 2 to make a Toy Story preview like you never seen it before. Enjoy:
still have to go and see for them
selves, and some will hate it and some will love it. That's just how it goes. The only really positive change is the addition of an actual comic book villain, Jigsaw; although to me, it just looks like SNL's Will Forte in make-up fighting a Jigsaw played by Johnny Knoxville.
From the mind of Will Eisner, creator of the graphic novel and inspiration to multiple generations of comic creators, comes the The Spirit. Introduced in 1940 (just two years after Superman) as a way for newspapers to compete with the rising popularity superhero comic books, Eisner's Spirit has been revered for decades in the literary community, albeit under most people's radars. The Spirit has never really left the scene and is currently going strong in his own DC Comic's title. In fact, The Spirit was actually made into a TV movie back in 1987 starring Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordan), but met with lackluster response.
On a separate note, Hugh Jackman publicly stately recently that he is already looking toward a sequel set in Japan, but that if fan response is poor when the movie comes out that he will gladly walk away from the character permanently with no regrets.
