Thanks to RPadholic tokz_21 for sending me the iTunes link to the awesome Green Lantern trailer shown at WonderCon 2011. The footage is now available on YouTube (embedded above) and I highly recommend checking it out. I completely marked out when I saw alien Green Lanterns like Sinestro, Kilowog, Tomar-Re, and Abin Sur. Hal’s costume still looks like a rotten piece of salmon nigiri to me and Hector Hammond looks stupid, but I still went nuts for the footage.
Check it out and let me know what you think (please)!
Here’s an awesome mash-up that combines the Captain America trailer with two songs from the Team America: World Police soundtrack. It’s pretty awesome. I’ve watched it four times already and I’m still chuckling.
Warner Bros. has announced that Amy Adams will be playing Lois Lane in the upcoming Superman movie. This is a brilliant casting decision. Adams is known for being able to play delightfully airy characters (Enchanted) and edgier characters (The Fighter). I can totally see Adams deftly switching from an obnoxiously aggressive newspaper journalist to a damsel in distress.
I fully expect Adams to be the best Lois Lane ever. Margot Kidder did a fantastic job in the original Superman films, but Adams has already proven to be a more capable actress. Kate Bosworth was completely tepid in Superman Returns; if Adams is breathing, she’ll surpass that performance. As long as she has a good script to work with, I have no doubt that Amy Adams will take Lois Lane to new heights.
What do you think of Amy Adams playing Lois Lane? Do you think she’ll kill it? Or will she pull a Kate Bosworth?
I totally marked out over this Captain America trailer. It was cool seeing Howard Stark (Iron Man’s dad) being part of the Super Soldier Program. Seeing the skinny version of Steve Rogers was neat. The quick glimpse of the Red Skull was well done. I loved seeing Cap in costume and my heart soared watching his shield fly through the air. I had my doubts about Chris Evans, but as a comic-book nerd I’m sold on the movie.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the trailer. Check it out when you have a moment.
I am so not digging this photo of Adrianne Palicki as Wonder Woman. Apparently, this is how the most prominent Amazon in the world will look in David E. Kelley’s pilot for NBC. Wonder Woman is supposed to be majestic. This is someone that can have normal conversations with gods, serve the world as a diplomat, and slow Darkseid down with a left hook. The picture reminds me of a stripper I saw at Crazy Horse 2 in Las Vegas.
What do you ladies and gents think of this interpretation of Wonder Woman? Cool and modern? Or skank stripper?
Things aren’t looking good for the next Wolverine movie. Director Darren Aronofsky has bailed on the film, claiming that the movie would have kept him away from his family for almost a year. Shooting was supposed to kick off in Japan, but that might not be possible considering the catastrophic events that have hit the country.
The movie is pretty much in limbo considering that it doesn’t have a director or a filming location. What do you think will happen to the Wolverine movie? Any suggestions for a director? Do you think the movie will be filmed in Japan? Or will it be relocated to Vancouver (a city that has played countless other cities)?
While I was at GDC 2011, I was surprised by this image of the Red Skull from the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger movie. The character looks a little ridiculous in the comics, but the movie version looks bad ass! I’m totally intimidated by the movie Red Skull. The only problem is that I know he’s being played by Hugo Weaving, so I’m going to impose Agent Smith and Elrond lines on him. It’ll be something like this:
Mr. Rogers. Why do you use that shield? Why?!? Is it nostalgia? Is it for a false sense of security? Tell me Mr. Rogers, why would an American insist on using something as archaic as a shield? Why?!?
Anyway, let me know what you think of the movie version of the Red Skull (please).
In my review of All-Star Superman, I mentioned that the disc comes with a teaser feature on Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. Nathan Fillion takes the lead role as Hal Jordan. He’ll be accompanied by rocker/author Henry Rollins and WWE legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
I’m super psyched to hear Rollins as Kilowog. Once described by a thick Russian woman as “a most interesting warthog creature”, Kilowog has trained thousands of Green Lantern Corps members. While Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rayner have all the big adventures, a lot of readers view Kilowog as the backbone of the Corps. It was fun listening to Rollins talk about the character — he totally gets it and it looks he’ll do a knockout job.
Sadly, The Hot Rod was not in the feature. Who do you think he’ll play? Are any of psyched for Henry Rollins as Kilowog? On a related note, wouldn’t Nathan Fillion make a better Nathan Drake than Mark Wahlberg?
All-Star Superman has Kal-El tackling tremendous challenges, including the most daunting one of all — death. In the comics, Morrison used Superman’s powers to reestablish the fact that he’s the greatest hero in the DC Universe. He also did a masterful job at making him seem vulnerable, human, and interesting. That’s so hard to do with a character that’s mostly invulnerable and unbeatable, yet Morrison pulled it off in a way that feels natural and effortless.
Watching Superman deal with his impending doom is even more compelling than watching him accomplish marvelous feats. It’s great watching him reveal his identity to Lois Lane and spend a day courting her. It’s fun watching the various facets of Kal-El. There’s the heroic and beloved Superman. There’s the bumbling and clumsy Clark Kent facade. And, perhaps most importantly, there’s also the earnest, respectful, and kind-hearted Clark Kent that was the product of a wholesome upbringing in Smallville. Morrison makes all three facets of the character distinct, yet harmonious.
Obviously it was impossible to include the events of all 12 issues in a 75-minute movie, but this a great adaptation that’s true to the tone of the source. Throughout the movie I felt amazed by Superman’s heroics, touched by his interactions with the woman he loves and his mortal enemy, and moved by the way he dealt with death. Sure, there were some details and arcs that were left out, but I was more than satisfied with Dwayne McDuffie’s adaptation of Morrison’s books.
The same goes for the animated interpretation of Frank Quitely’s art. Quitely’s illustrations are so distinct and unique. The animators did a good job at recreating the tone of his art. Again, a lot of details and intricacies were left out, but that was completely expected. A stricter translation could have been done, but that would have required a lot more time and money.
While the story and art are not quite as great as the comics, they’re very good and truly brought to life by Christopher Drake’s excellent score. I’ve enjoyed his work in past DC animated features, but this is his best yet. His music helps deliver the bright sense of optimism you’re supposed to get from watching Superman and imagining you’re in Metropolis. More importantly, the music helps replace some of what was lost in translation from print to animation.
As an added bonus, there are commentary tracks, a couple of Superman: The Animated Series episodes, and a feature on the upcoming Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. As a huge Green Lantern mark, I was thrilled to learn more about this upcoming animated movie. As far as teaser features go, it worked. I’m totally amped for Emerald Knights.
I highly recommend All-Star Superman. It’s not quite as good as Batman: Under the Red Hood, but it’s very close. If you have any questions about the movie, leave ’em in the comments section and I’ll answer ’em.
