At Sight you can check out my brief Star Trek sequel review.
New Pacific Rim Trailer
From the recent WonderCon, comes this exciting trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s July releasing film, Pacific Rim. Seeing it’s from del Toro (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth) , we get plenty of cool looking action, and of course, Ron Perlman.
I have the two re-done Blu-Rays of the excellent anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which Pacific Rim has been compared to, with its giant mechs vs giant monsters set up. Still, certainly worth seeing on the big screen.
The prequel comic, with a cover by Alex Ross (below) hits stores form Legendary Comics a few weeks before the film.
Hitting stores June 5, PACIFIC RIM: TALES FROM YEAR ZERO serves as a prequel to the highly-anticipated motion picture — Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures Pacific Rim. Chronicling the very first time Earth is menaced by incredible monsters known as Kaiju, these inhuman beasts rise from the ocean depths and threaten to extinquish all mankind! Witness the race to develop massive robot fighting machines called Jaegers, each one controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. This action-packed book features many of the key characters from the film as we follow them in their early careers. Written by Pacific Rim screenwriter himself, Travis Beacham, and with del Toro’s hands-on supervision, this volume is beautifully illustrated by Sean Chen, Yvel Guichet, and Pericles Junior; inks by Steve Bird and Mark McKenna.
Be on the lookout at for more information on PACIFIC RIM: TALES FROM YEAR ZERO.
Iron Man 3 Review
At Broken Frontier you can check out my review of Iron Man 3. We got it here early in Australia, like we did with Thor, and Tintin. It opens in the rest of the world this week.
Superman: Unbound Clip With Lois And Supergirl
After the first clip from next month’s animated film, comes this new one focusing on the ladies.
This is shaping up to be one good looking film and by that, I mean the style of animation, although the characters are cute too. I’m glad they went with Supergirl’s pre-New 52 costume. It’s much better than her current duds.
Supergirl and Lois Lane — voiced by CASTLE stars Molly Quinn & Stana Katic, respectively — take the spotlight in an all-new clip from SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies.The film also features the voices of Matt Bomer (“White Collar”) and John Noble (“Fringe,” “The Lord of the Rings” films) as Superman and Brainiac, respectively.
Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, SUPERMAN: UNBOUND arrives May 7, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for
Digital Download.
Thor: The Dark World Trailer
Ahead of tomorrow’s release of Iron Man 3 (here in Australia, anyway) comes the first trailer for the Thor sequel, reuniting the cast form the original, and with Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston as bad guy Malekith. I like the way the familiar Marvel logo becomes Thor’s cape, but I’m getting tired of seeing London destroyed again, after witnessing its destruction in G.I. Joe Retaliation, and the upcoming Star Trek sequel.
Just as Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvels The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
Superman’s Birthday And Flashpoint Box Art
It’s Superman’s 75th birthday today! He debuted in Action Comics #1 from DC Comics this week in 1938. There are a few celebratory articles online, but this BBC documentary from 1981, with rare footage of Superman’s creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster is one of the best. I hope there’s some mainstream coverage of the Man of Steel’s milestone too.
Also below are two official breakdowns from two upcoming animated, Superman related projects. The first is a clip from next month’s Superman: Unbound film, which looks to feature much darker and more detailed animation than the last couple of DC toon films, and there’s also the first look at the cool box art from the film adapted from the alternate universe Flashpoint comics storyline.
The clip features Superman’s first encounter with Brainiac, a destructive force who has been devastating planets across the galaxy – with Earth next in his sights. Matt Bomer (“White Collar”) provides the voice of Superman opposite John Noble (“Fringe,” “The Lord of the Rings” films) as the voice of Brainiac. The film also features the voices of “Castle” stars Stana Katic as Lois Lane and Molly Quinn as Supergirl.
Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, SUPERMAN: UNBOUND film arrives May 7, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Digital Download.
JUSTICE LEAGUE: THE FLASHPOINT PARADOX features an amazing cast of its own — from the Grey’s Anatomy duo of Justin Chambers and Kevin McKidd as the voices of Barry Allen/Flash and Thomas Wayne/Batman, respectively, to Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale, Friday Night Lights, Chronicle) as Cyborg, C. Thomas Howell (Southland, The Outsiders) as Thawne/Professor Zoom, Nathan Fillion (Castle) as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, Ron Perlman (Hellboy) as Slade and Deathstroke, Dana Delany (Body of Proof) as Lois Lane, Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride) as Aquaman, Danny Huston (Magic City) as General Lane, Sam Daly (The Office, The Daly Show) as Superman, and Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) as Batman.
Man of Steel’s Best Trailer Yet
The third time is the best time regarding Superman trailers. It’s out on June 14 and after some very atmospheric trailers that were light on details and dialogue, comes this more fun, hopeful and action packed peek.
There are subtle nods to the original Richard Donner/Christopher Reeve films, with Zod’s menace, and Pa Kent telling his son that he was sent here for a reason, and the update from the comics that the “S” is a Kryptonian symbol.
I’m excited for this film. As Kevin Smith once pointed out, Superman hasn’t had a good fight scene on the big screen since Superman II. This looks set to be the epic the Man of Steel deserves. Oh, and I’m digging the soundtrack too.
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Man of Steel,” starring Henry Cavill (“Immortals,” TV’s “The Tudors”) in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder (“300,” “Watchmen”).A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.The film also stars four-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (“The Master”) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as her editor-in-chief, Perry White. Starring as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar® nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) and Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”).
Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”), and Faora, Zod’s evil partner, played by Antje Traue (upcoming “The Seventh Son”). Also from Superman’s native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, played by Ayelet Zurer (“Angels and Demons”), and Superman’s father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”).
Rounding out the cast are Christopher Meloni (upcoming “42″) as U.S. military man Colonel Hardy, Harry Lennix (“State of Play”) as General Swanwick, Michael Kelly (“The Adjustment Bureau”) as Steve Lombard, and Richard Schiff (TV’s “The West Wing”) as Dr. Emil Hamilton.
“Man of Steel” is being produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer & Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers.
Zack Snyder’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Amir Mokri (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”); production designer Alex McDowell (“Watchmen”); editor David Brenner (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”); and multiple Academy Award®-winning costume designer James Acheson (“Restoration,” the “Spider-Man” films) and costume designer Michael Wilkinson (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and 2,” “Watchmen,” “300″). The music is by Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King,” “Inception”).
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Zack Snyder Film, “Man of Steel.” The film will be released in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX®, and is slated for release on June 14, 2013. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Roger Ebert’s Best Movie Reviews
Legendary artist Carmine Infantino died this week. He co-created Batgirl, and revitalised the superhero genre, which was dormant at the time, with his fresh take on The Flash in 1956. There’s a great rundown of the man and his influence on not only DC Comics, but the comic book biz as a whole right here.
Sadly, in the mainstream press Infantino didn’t get the press he deserves, which is usually the way. Jack Kirby received very little attention outside of the comics industry when he died in 1994.
Anyway, one man who did get a lot of ink about his passing was famed film critic Roger Ebert. I don’t think his TV show with Gene Siskel was ever showed here in Australia, but I’m certainly aware of the man, and amongst the many looks back at his life is this amusing rundown of his 40 most scathing reviews from films over the last few decades. My faves are below, and you can see the whole list here.
8. Battlefield Earth (2000):
“Battlefield Earth is like taking a bus trip with someone who has needed a bath for a long time. It’s not merely bad; it’s unpleasant in a hostile way.”
12. Catwoman (2004):
“The director, whose name is Pitof, was probably issued with two names at birth and would be wise to use the other one on his next project.”
36. Spice World (1997):
“The Spice Girls are easier to tell apart than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but that is small consolation: What can you say about five women whose principal distinguishing characteristic is that they have different names?”
Necessary Evil DC Comics Documentary
The last time Warner Bros/DC Comics released a documentary was in 2010. Ryan Reynolds narrated Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics which looked at the 75 year history of the publisher, and it was rather enjoyable, and accessible, with plenty of interviews with comic creators, and some great art. The next focus is an interesting one, as it shines the spotlight on the multitude of bad guys and gals. Most people know the heroes such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc so to look at their enemies is an interesting idea, and comes at a good time, with the cinematic Bane and Catwoman recently seen, and Zod and Faora from June’s Man of Steel film, plus next month’s release of the Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. Official details below.
New Documentary ‘Necessary Evil: Villains of DC Comics’ Announced
Behind every great hero, there are a whole lot of villains.” – Geoff Johns
Legendary Villain Christopher Lee Narrates
The Joker, Bane, Deathstroke, Darkseid and Lex Luthor — the scariest and most menacing villains in DC Comics’ universe — take center stage in a brand new full-length documentary from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) and DC Entertainment (DCE). The joint announcement was made today by WBHE and DCE.
Christopher Lee, who has played the villain more times than almost any other actor, will provide his unique voice as narrator. His roles in more than 200 films include star turns as Dracula, the Mummy and Frankenstein’s monster in Hammer horror classics, Count Dooku in Star Wars, and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy andThe Hobbit films.
In this new documentary film, the malevolent, sometimes charismatic figures from DC Comics’ hallowed rogues’ gallery will be explored in depth, featuring interviews with the famed creators, storytellers and those who have crafted the personalities and profiles of many of the most notorious villains in comic book history.
Production begins March 30, to coincide with WonderCon at the Anaheim Convention Center March 29-31.
Noted Geoff Johns, best-selling author and DCE’s Chief Creative Officer, “DC Comics is known for many things, but chief among them is the compelling, diverse and legendary society of super-villains who populate its universe. From the monstrous Solomon Grundy to the brutal Black Adam to the charismatic Sinestro, there is no single greater collection of villainy in all of fiction. These villains are hugely popular comic book characters in their own right and, quite honestly, many are often times more popular than some of our iconic super heroes.”
Jeff Baker, WBHE’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, added “The DC brand is enjoying a huge resurgence thanks to the entire leadership team at DC Entertainment which is driving opportunities not only for new theatrical properties, but for brand extensions as well. This new documentary will reinforce this evolving strategy and leverage DC assets across the entire studio landscape.”
Johns also reiterated that this year’s initiative will be a turning point for DCE. “It’s time we deconstruct these complex and sinister antagonists and celebrate the role they play as the engine and energy of some of the greatest storytelling in comics. 2013 is the Year of the Villain at DC Comics.”
On Saturday, March 30th, fans attending WonderCon are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite DC Comics’ villain for an opportunity to be featured in the documentary. Fans can join DCE at WonderCon Booth 801 with filming to take place Saturday from 10:30 am – Noon. To find out more about where and what time to meet in the WonderCon DC Entertainment booth, keep checking the DC Comics Facebook (Facebook.com/DCComics) and Twitter sites (@DCComics).
Participation in upcoming ‘cons’ (Comic-Con International: San Diego and New York Comic Con) is anticipated, with a full release scheduled for later in the year.
Iron Man’s Many Armours and Injustice Videos
Iron Man 3 opens in May and yes, there will be over 40 different suits of armour in the film. Tony’s been a busy boy, as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige describes.
“We have what we call the prehensile suit, which allows each individual piece of the suit to fly separately and latch on to him. It doesn’t quite work perfectly, but it is a great advancement that Tony uses throughout this movie, so that wherever he is, theoretically, he can call it to him and it can arrive. It doesn’t always work, and there’s a great scene in the movie, which we gave a little taste of to fans at Comic-Con this year in a giveaway of an art poster that Ryan Meinerding had done, where the entire suit doesn’t come to him. He just gets one glove and one boot and has to fight off a battalion of bad guys with just the boot and just the glove. “It’s often the limitations of the suit that can provide the most fun-when the suit breaks, when the suit doesn’t quite work — and there’s that in spades. We also, though, hint early on in the film by mentioning that this is not the Mark 8 as you might think because the Mark 7 was the last suit revealed in “The Avengers.” It’s the Mark 42. So there are well over 40 suits that Tony has built in between the time of “The Avengers” and “Iron Man 3″ because of his obsession. By the end of the film, we see each and every one of them, and you realize Tony is a mechanic and he has been tinkering. Any conceivable idea he had about the suit technology he built and stored in his Hall of Armor. Finally, after talking about it for four movies we finally see his Hall of Armor and the giant army of suits that he’s built for himself.”
You can check out 6 of those awesome suits here, but it looks like the classic Hulkbuster armour from the comics has yet to reveal itself, although the Igor suit somewhat resembles it. Oh, and if you’re in Disneyland you’ll be able to see some of those suits at a new exhibit that runs from April 13 to September.
I’ve never been a hug fan of fighting video games, although I spent many hours in my high school years playing Street Fighter 2. However, any chance to play as DC Comics characters has my interest, and Injustice: Gods Among Us continues to intrigue me, the more I see of it. Take these 3 videos for example. 240 missions? Surprise characters such as Martian Manhunter and Giganta (and possibly Lobo)! Sold! A demo for the much anticipated game will be released on April 2.
The Wolverine Trailers
Directed by James Mangold and opening in July, and of course starring Hugh Jackman, is something fans have been waiting years for – a good, solo Wolvie film. From the two ineffective posters to these two awesome trailers is a big jump, and expectations are now high.
Below are the domestic, and international trailers and with its themes of mortality (and ninjas!), it looks pretty dark and impressive, and far superior to the last film from 2009.
I haven’t read the much-loved 1982 Chris Claremont and Frank Miller mini-series from which this story takes its inspiration, but I may just have to now.
The Image Revolution Trailer
Last week, Sequart released a trailer for their upcoming doco about Image Comics, which will be a fascinating insight into one of comics’ best and worst periods. It’s already looking better than their last two docos, on writers Grant Morrison, and Warren Ellis.
The Image Revolution will examine one of the most important and daring moves in modern comic book history. Twenty years ago, a group of artists left Marvel Comics to create their own company, a company that continues to influence mainstream comics and culture to this day. Image Comics began as more than just a publisher — it was a response to years of creator mistreatment, and it changed comics forever.
The Image Revolution will tell the amazing story of this from-scratch company, from its founders’ work at Marvel, through Image’s early days, the ups and downs of the ’90s, and the publisher’s new generation of creator-owned properties like The Walking Dead. We will tell this story through new interviews with the people who made it happen. And what better time than during Image’s 20th anniversary to do it?
New Iron Man 3 Trailer
Here’s the latest trailer for the May releasing third Iron Man film, starring series regulars Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, who are joined by newcomers Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce and Rebecca Hall. This looks like an epic superhero film for sure, and all those different Iron Man suits will look awesome on the big screen.
Mad Max On Blu-Ray In June
One of the greatest Australian film successes, and directed by the guy who almost made Justice League, and starring the guy who I always thought would’ve been a great Wolverine, comes news of the complete Mad Max Bluy-Ray release.
As a barely interesting side-note, I should also point out that last year I won a copy of the first film on Blu-Ray when my rather geeky letter was published in Empire magazine, pointing out their many mistakes regarding their article on The Amazing Spider-Man film. Now, on to the high-def details.
THE MAD MAX TRILOGY
BLU-RAY™ COLLECTION DEBUTS JUNE 4
FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Mel Gibson Stars in the Franchise that Made Him a Star
Mad Max, the sci-fi franchise that introduced Mel Gibson to the world, will come together for the first time as a Blu-ray collection when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) debuts the Mad Max Trilogy on June 4th.
The three films – Mad Max (1979), Mad Max Road Warrior (1982) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) – are all set in the near-future in Australia. From the very first film, Oscar® winner George Miller (Happy Feet, 2006) proved a master at creating the gritty, bleak dystopian world and staging the incredible car stunts and crashes in the era when stuntmen, not computers, achieved the effects. All three movies starred Mel Gibson, virtually unknown until after the second film, as Max Rockatansky, a highway cop traveling through the Outback in a society descending into chaos. The films started Gibson on his road to international superstardom, led to his signature Lethal Weapon series, and later two Academy Awards® for his roles as producer and director of Braveheart (1995).
This must-own collection for action fans is available in limited premium tin packaging and makes a perfect gift for Father’s Day. The collection will sell for $49.99 SRP on Blu-ray Disc™. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which is making its Blu-ray debut, will also be available as a single along with Mad Max Road Warrior. Order due date for all is April 30th.
About The Films
Mad Max (1979)
George Miller’s first entry in the trilogy, Mad Max packs brutal action and insane stunts as it follows the inevitable downfall of relentless cop Max Rockatansky (Gibson) in a world gone mad. Living on the edge of an apocalypse, Max is ready to run far away from it all with his family. But when he experiences an unfortunate encounter with a motorcycle gang and its menacing leader, the Toecutter, his retreat from the madness of the world is now a race to save his family’s life.
Mad Max Road Warrior (1982)
The sequel to Mad Max, Mad Max Road Warrior provides action-packed, “automotive” entertainment, telling the story of a selfish-turned-selfless hero and his efforts to protect a small camp of desert survivors and defend an oil refinery under siege from a ferocious marauding horde that plunders the land for gasoline.
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
Mel Gibson returns for his third go-round as the title hero who takes on the barbarians of the post-nuclear future – and this time becomes the savior of a tribe of lost children. Music superstar Tina Turner co-stars as Aunty Entity, a power-mad dominatrix determined to use Max to tighten her stranglehold on Bartertown, where fresh water, clean food and gasoline are worth more than gold.
THE MAD MAX TRILOGY
ON BLU-RAY
Street Date: June 4, 2013
Order Due Date: April 30, 2013
Catalog/UPC #: 1000334058 / 883929266661
Pricing: $49.99 SRP
Mad Max Run Time: 94 minutes; Rated R
The Road Warrior Run Time: 91 minutes; Rated R
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome Run Time: 107 minutes; Rated PG-13
