"Superman./Batman. Apocalypse" DVD Review

I read about Superman./Batman. Apocalypse (S/B A), the straight-to-DVD film, a few months ago and got really excited. If you frequent this blog, even a little bit, you know how obsessed I am with comic books, movies and comic book movies. I'll give you a brief description of the film and a quick review.

Remember the Supergirl film? C'mon, it came out and was supposed to carry on its own franchise. You don't remember? It's ok, neither do a lot of other people. Well, Supergirl is the cousin to Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman. Her Krypton name is Kara Zor-El. She, too, was sent in a spaceship to Earth from Krypton. S/B A follows Kara from her landing on Earth to becoming Supergirl, but it's not all fun and games.

Along the way, Batman is suspicious of this new alien on Earth. Superman is convinced she is his cousin and is no threat to mankind. But there is a dark side to Kara, and it is brought on by who else? Darkseid. Darkseid has a long and rich history as a villain in the DC Universe. This movie was the perfect way to get him into the straight-to-DVD movies.

The movie features some of DC Comics' most popular characters, and doesn't disappoint. It's good to remember this is more of a Supergirl story and that Batman and Superman are really secondary characters in this one. I love how they incorporated Wonder Woman and the Amazons into the film. It was great.

Another thing I'd like to note are the special features on the Blu-Ray I purchased. The Warner Brothers/DC Universe Blu-Rays have some of the most comprehensive special features I've ever seen. History of major characters, episodes of previously aired cartoons, interviews, etc. If you are a comic book fan or even an animation fan, you'll love this movie. The animation is on par with some of the best in the industry; smooth, recognizable and memorable. Check this gem out and let me know what you think.

"The Town" Review

I remember the first time I saw the trailer for The Town and thought to myself, WOW! Now, granted trailers aren't exactly the most accurate way to judge a film, but this one was good, really good. Ben Affleck directs and stars in the film about bank robbers. Let's jump right in.


What I liked about the movie:
The Story/Characters
I'm a sucker for heist movies, I have to admit. But what I hate is when a writer or director plays on all the cliches from movies in the past. This movie does not do that. It's an original story with original characters. Each character is an intricate part of the movie. There are no wasted characters, no wasted plot points.

Peter Craig, Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard weave together a fascinating story about friends, loyalty, trust, respect and most of all, money. Without giving much away, the movie breaks down into three major action sequences with obvious character development in between. But The Town does something very elegantly. It not only makes us care about the criminals, but the FBI agents tracking them as well.

Acting
The acting in the film was great. Ben Affleck showed off the emotional chops needed to play a troubled lead. He has to portray someone who is lost; his mother abandoned him as child, his father's in jail and he wants out of the family business of robbing banks. Great performance.

Rebecca Hall plays Affleck's love interest, but she's not just some girl. She's the girl he robs at the beginning of the film. The two develop a relationship throughout the film. Hall is great at showing the aftereffects of a traumatic experience like being robbed at gun point.

Jeremy Renner plays Affleck's best friend. He's the crazy gunslinger of the gang and does well to show his loyalty to Affleck. He really didn't have much screen time where he wasn't shooting a gun, but does great with the character development and motivations.

Jon Hamm, aka the rumored new Superman, is awesome! They could have easily written Hamm as a stereotypical FBI agent out to do good and bring the bad guys to justice. Uh-uh! He's a bad ass. He's a perp-beating, insult-flinging, threat-making son of a bitch. I loved his character! Wait until you see the exchange between him and Affleck. It's awesome. Oh, and there are bit roles for Chris Cooper and Pete Postlethwaite which are AMAZING! I don't want to tell you more about their characters, see the movie.

Action Sequences

They did WHAT?! Shot up FattMatt's hometown? Wait, they did what? The climax of the film is at Fenway Park? Are you kidding me? NOPE! The first action sequence is brilliant, perfectly choreographed and executed. The second features a chase through the narrow streets of Charlestown, Massachusetts that is pretty intense. And of course, the much talked-about climax at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Redsox. I don't want to say more, please just see the movie and let me know what you think.


What I didn't like about the movie:
The Love Story

This is a tricky one. The love story works, just trust me, I'm the first to bitch and complain when a love story feels fake or forced. This one works, but I wish there was a bit more of developing the relationship. Yeah, I really did just say that. Maybe one more date, or a walk somewhere would have sealed the deal that the two main characters were as madly in love as we're supposed to believe. I did, however, like the contrast between the relationship of Affleck and Hall vs. Affleck and Blake Lively's character. One is based on nothing but lust (Lively) and the other, love (Hall). Well done.

Coincidences/Tie-in
This one bothered me a bit. I understand the reasoning, but I didn't appreciate the execution. The story needs to tie-in the FBI to the final heist. So Affleck and company give it to us, in a nicely packed box with a bow on it. We're better than that! Come on. It's so absurd the way the FBI is tipped off on the final heist that it left a sour taste in my mouth. Please let me know if it made you roll your eyes as well.

Overall the film was a ton of fun. The characters were rich and their back stories fascinating. Affleck's sophomore effort as director is a great one. I enjoyed Gone Baby Gone a lot, but The Town is even better. The story and execution were unique, great contrast between the thieves and the FBI and a climax that was worth it's location's history. Go see this film and I'm sure you'll have a good time.

UPDATE: EMMA STONE NOW, Not Hilary Duff for Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man?

UPDATE: So it's been rumored this week that my new Hollywood crush, Emma Stone could be taking over the character of Mary Jane Watson in the new Spider-Man film. THANK GOODNESS! I was going to shoot myself if Hilary Duff really was cast for such an important role. What do you think about this update? Good? You better say it's good news! Emma Stone's doing well in theaters with Easy-A. The girl can act, and will be a perfect fit in the new world of Spider-Man.

Like really? Latinoreview is reporting that the Disney star, Hilary Duff, is rumored to star as Mary Jane Watson in the upcoming reboot of Spider-Man. Usually Latinoreview doesn't post hearsay or b.s. casting rumors, but they did on this one. Some reporter was interviewing her husband (an NHL hockey player) and saw a Spider-Man script with highlights on the character of "girl". C'mon! Well, those guys are usually on target so I'm posting it anyway.

I hate the idea, I hate bubblegum pop star, wanna be singer, former Disney queens; so no, I do not like this rumor. She can't act, dear God, we all know she can't sing. I would rather the druggie, law breaking Lindsay Lohan play Mary Jane Watson. At least she's a true red-head. No? Yeah I don't like that one either.

"Superman" Rumors: Natalie Portman as Lois Lane and Darren Aronofsky Directing?

Tony Scott (Man on Fire), Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), Duncan Jones (Moon), Zack Snyder (300) and Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles). What do they all have in common? They were all announced last week as being in the running to direct the new Superman film! Not a bad list to be on, huh? Especially when it's Christopher Nolan who's considering you to direct a film about one of the most recognizable characters in the history of man. Then the LA Times added another name into the hat, Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler).

Now six names, and who should it be? Zack,"I can make amazing super-hero movies" Snyder, that's who! I am a huge fan of the man's work. 300 is a classic, as well as Watchmen. He knows how to direct big-budget action films that still care about character development. He would be perfect for the job.

I've never kept my hatred for Superman Returns a secret. I love director Bryan Singer, but the movie was awful. Just awful! So we need a director who will care more about the action than paying homage to Richard Donner's 1978 Superman film. I think Snyder is the man for the job.

The next rumor is about Natalie Portman playing Lois Lane. Not to bash on Superman Returns again, but Kate Bosworth was awful and terribly miscast in the film. So I guess I'm OK with Portman playing the famous reporter. But I think this rumor only came about because of the Aronofsky rumor. Aronofsky just worked with Portman on Black Swan, so the two have experience together.

I doubt Portman will do it though. She's working in the superhero realm in the upcoming Thor. I don't really care about the Lois Lane casting before a director is brought on board. And hopefully that director is Snyder!

New "Three Musketeers" Photos of Orlando Bloom, Milla Jovovich and Christoph Waltz

Just Jared has the pics of the upcoming remake, The Three Musketeers. We've covered the film pretty closely since it was announced. Here are pictures of a few cast members, some we've seen, some we haven't. The movie will be presented in 3D and stars Milla Jovovich, Orlando Bloom and Christoph Waltz just to name a few. Hit the jump to see the pics, enjoy.

"Voltron" Concept Art! This Is No "Revenge of the Suck"

Joblo has the exclusive, and it-is-awesome! We've talked about a possible live-action Voltron on the blog before. Now check these gems out! After the debacle that was Transformers 2... I can't even say the real title anymore (it's just become "Revenge of the Suck" to me and Matt), these pics look amazing. Will it translate to anything? That remains to be seen. What do you think?!

"The Fighter" Trailer

The trailer is here. The stars are great actors. The director has an interesting resume. The story is that of an underdog. What the hell else can we ask for? A good movie, I suppose.

The movie now stars Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. Here's what Bale had to say about the film: "It’s a true story of two incredibly gifted boxers who were half brothers. The one, Dicky Ecklund, who fought Sugar Ray Leonard at a very young age, when he was twenty-one, was an incredible natural talent. He lived a very hard life. Then he came to train his brother, Irish Mickey Ward, to the world title."

The movie has had an amazing journey to the theater, much like the story of it's underdog. A different director was attached, then dropped (Darren Aronofsky), cast members dropped out (Matt Damon and Brad Pitt), and no one in Hollywood would touch it afterward.

The movie looks amazing! Hopefully the trailer is a good indicator of the film's final look. Some online buzz has already started about Oscars for the leading cast. Can't wait to see this film!

Below is the trailer to the highly anticipated, several times delayed, The Fighter. Enjoy