— by BEN FOWLER — Toby Jones, the British born actor, is said to be in final negotiations to appear in Joe Johnston’s upcoming Captain America film. The “Infamous” actor, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision Blog, is down to play evil genius and all-around bad guy[...]
Author Archive
‘The New Batman Adventures’ (1997 to 1999)
— by CHAS BLANKENSHIP — In the years following the end of “Batman: The Animated Series,” it seemed that the production team headed by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett and Glen Murakami had sufficiently moved on…right along to a wonderful take on the Man of Steel with “Superman[...]
Under Review: ‘Iron Man 2’
— by BEN FOWLER — Ol’ Shellhead had no way of living up to the hype and momentum gained from his previous and debutant outing on the big screen. “Iron Man 2” is certainly no slouch when it comes to action and adventure, it just seemed in so many places to…jar. We [...]
‘Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero’ Original Motion Picture Score (1998)
— by CHAS BLANKENSHIP — While not as bombastic and sweeping as the score for “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (1993), composer Mike McCuistion (a member of Shirley Walker’s team from the animated series) delivers a finely tuned and tragically poetic score for “Batman & Mr. Fre[...]
A Preview of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival
— by JOSIANE OCHMAN — The 2010 Cannes Film Festival is a mere few days away, starting May 12 and ending May 23. I wanted to get an idea of how the French press viewed the current crop of nominees and see if there was a buzz already surrounding certain films in the official and […][...]
Trailer Talk: ‘Jonah Hex’
— by ROB COX — “Jonah Hex” may be the most obscure “tentpole” film of 2010. It may, in fact, be one of the most under-publicized “tentpoles” ever. Warner Bros. has so far expended few resources on advertising the film. With “Hex” set for release near the height of the sum[...]
‘Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub Zero’ (1998)
— by CHAS BLANKENSHIP — When Mr. Freeze kidnaps Barbara Gordon for a mysterious medical procedure to save his cryogenically frozen wife Nora, Batman and Robin embark on a blazing rescue mission to save her.[...]
Dreamworks’ ‘Dragon’ Set to Fly Again
— by ROB COX — Dreamworks Animation is planning a sequel to its surprise hit “How to Train Your Dragon.” “Dragon” is a “surprise hit” because its opening weekend gross fell well short of expectations (despite placing first at the North American box office that weekend with ov[...]
Under Review: ‘Oceans’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — Water is essential to all species of organisms. Of course, the fact that all living things require food, water and a stable environment in order to maintain their life processes is universally known. That being said, judging from a scientific lens, the world’s [...]
‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1993)
— by CHAS BLANKENSHIP — If I had to make note of where the absolute zenith for superhero symphonic exercise occurred…I’d honestly have to hand it over to the period from 1989 to 1993/1994. The reigns of Danny Elfman and Shirley Walker.[...]
Under Review: ‘The Secret in Their Eyes’
— by MARIUSZ ZUBROWSKI — It seems that the quality of thrillers has cheapened dramatically throughout the years. Since modern day crime capers frequently sport illogical plot twists and one-dimensional or clichéd protagonists, it’s refreshing to see a film like “The Secret in Their [...]
‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)
— by CHAS BLANKENSHIP — When a mysterious cloaked figure murders Gotham gangsters, Batman is labeled the prime suspect. Now, not only must Wayne fight to clear his name…but the return of a lost love links the murderer to Bruce’s past…and the revelation of why he truly became a vigi[...]
Get Ready for Another ‘Nightmare’
— by ROB COX — Despite brutal critical reception (currently 14 percent at review aggregator rottentomatoes.com), the remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” earned more than $32 million in its opening weekend. Considering “Nightmare” cost Warner Bros. around $27 million to[...]
Under Review: ‘Last Train Home’
— by JOEL CRARY — “Last Train Home” is a film that aches. Watching it is akin to experiencing the push and pull of a circulatory system. The heart pumps and initiates a flow. A family is reunited for one brief moment before the call of utility interferes. It will be a year before the[...]