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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” is the first squeal of director Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Wall Street) and stars Michael Douglas (Wall Steet, Fatal Attraction), Shai LeBeouf (Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull), Susan Sarandon, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, Eli Wallach, Frank Langella, and Charlie Sheen who will briefly reprise his role as Bud Fox.

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps opens in cinemas on April 21, 2010.

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Category: Movies
Genre: Drama

Just wanted everyone to know that a Bruce Campbell sighting (he portrayed eccentric director William Roberts) was the only reason why I watched this “what if?” production.

Now down to business.

November 22, 1963.

Some say that the events that transpired in Dallas, Texas not only marked the end of the campaign of President Kennedy and devastated a nation, but also brought forth (among other things) the uncontested advancement of United States troops on Vietnam soil.

In 92 minutes, Director and Writer Robert Dyke explores just that possibility, “What if President John Fitzgerald Kennedy had not died on that sunny afternoon in 1963?” A non-linear roller coaster follows with stops through time in the 60’s, 70’s, 90’s, 2000, and 2001. It’s quite an adventure (and a story…if this is your line of interest), filled with riveting details that is sure to discourage bathroom breaks—least you would be willing to forgo chunks of important information that piece this whole production together.

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Category: Movies
Genre: Horror

Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Screenplay by: Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan
Story by: Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan, & Thomas H. Fenton

Setting: A morgue. Saw IV opens with a pathologist mouthing the words into a portable recorder, “Subject’s name is John Kramer. 52 year old male; Caucasian. He’s seen better days.”

Word of caution boys and girls, I was eating a bowl of cereal as this was going on…learn from my mistake. Don’t!

After watching the SAW Trilogy, I have grown to admire the character of engineer John Kramer (played by actor Tobin Bell) and his twisted quest to provide others with a sense of realization as to the value of their existence. Sure, there are the ingenious “traps and tricks and plot twist” but who is really John Kramer? What was he prior to his days as the media christened Jigsaw? Did he have a family?

Saw IV gives us all the answers.

In an interview with Wizard Entertainment prior to the release of the aforementioned film, Bell gives fans some insight into his Kramer character.

“The world has changed and Jigsaw’s troubled by a lot of things. He has one foot in Nietzsche and the other foot in today’s New York Times, and then another foot in Jesus, and one more in Shakespeare. He listens to Mahler, Beethoven and Mozart.”

Bell added:

“So as long as we have writers and directors and the cast and crew that we’ve had…I mean, the crew is amazing. We’ve had the same director of photography since the first “Saw,” the same scenic designer since “Saw II,” the prop guys, gaffers, our sound guy, all those guys are the same guys. It’s just such a pleasure to work collaboratively with a team like that.”

Familiarity. Cohesion. Perspective. And a great product.

SAW IV has got to be synonymous with success.

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Category: Movies (Direct-to-video)
Genre: Animation

14 years after—arguably—the most publicized and grieved “death” in the comic book industry, comes the first PG-13 direct-to-video animated adaptation of “The Death of Superman” entitled Superman/Doomsday.

Directed by Lauren Montgomery, Brandon Vietti, and Bruce Timm (the latter who was also responsible for other animated projects such as: Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited), Superman/Doomsday is an unprecedented animated movie having been conveyed a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America for its action violence. Superman/Doomsday pushes the envelope in its interpretation of the death of the Man of Steel, his rebirth, and eventual ascension back as the guardian of the city of Metropolis.

Actors James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and Adam Baldwin (Turistas) take over from Superman: The Animated Series voice talents’ Clancy Brown and Tim Daly and give a “new voice” to the maniacal and cunning Lex Luthor and Superman. Actress Anne Heche (Six Days Seven Nights; Psycho (1998); and Men In Trees) seems to also hold her own as reporter Lois Lane.

Overall, if you are willing to divest yourselves from established comic book cannon, this DVD is highly recommended!

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Category: Movies
Genre: Horror

Originally proposed as a short film by neophyte filmmaker Michael Bartlett to Director Kevin Gates, The Zombie Diaries was eventually made into a non-linear feature length film using an ensemble of relatively unknown actors and an impressive make-up crew.

At the onset, The Zombie Diaries seems to pay homage to other horror films as Directors Gates and Bartlett take elements from celebrated cult classics such as “The Blair Witch Project” (filmed as a documentary using a hand-held video camera), “Night of the Living Dead” (Zombies inspired by Director George A. Romero’s interpretation of zombies), and “Shaun of the Dead” (a British themed zombie flick) in creating their fictional post-apocalyptic zombie infested rural England.

Overall, I found great difficulty in watching the Gates and Bartlett opus in a single sitting, as I would constantly get migraines brought about by the camera’s rapid movement. On top of this inconvenience, character development also left much to be desired.

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Category: Books
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels
Author: Bruce Jones
Artist: Sean Murphy

Published simultaneously with “Batman: Ra’s Ah-Ghul Year One” to coincide with the release of Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins (which featured the aforementioned Batman arch villains). Batman: Scarecrow Year One is brilliantly illustrated by Sean Murphy and masterfully written by Bruce Jones, who takes his readers on a journey into the origins of dishonored Dr. Jonathan Keeny Crane as well as insight into the recesses of the Dynamic Duo’s fears.

Jones lends his expansive vocabulary and wit to Jonathan Keeny Crane aka “The Scarecrow” (who uses words and terms throughout the two books such as “elliptical ways,” “darkly introspective,” “bevy,” “emancipated whelp,” “furtive,” “digress,” “implausible,” “erudite,” and “debauchery” just to name a few) which I have not seen since Bob Kane’s Batman stories, the 1960’s Adam West and Burt Ward Batman television show, and Mark Waid’s and Alex Ross’ “Kingdom Come.”

I also enjoyed the interplay between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder, with the latter truly being a “Watson” to the former (“Homes”) in the eyes of Jones. Subtle humor could also be seen throughout the books as Batman playfully treats Robin as just that—a boy.

Batman: Scarecrow Year One’s Robin could be no older than 17-year’s old (based on his “advances” to a receptionist under the guise of “The Hammer”), but Jones gives Robin insight beyond his years (“garrulous mood,” “immaculate,” “aboretum,” and “visceral guilt” are just some the words in Robin’s equally expansive vocabulary) based on a number of references to his training under the tutelage of The Batman (“What’s the FIRST thing I taught you, Robin?” said Batman. He then added, “Everything’s a clue…no matter how insignificant.”)

Batman: Scarecrow Year One is a must read for any Batman fan—new and old. It involves very few of the familiar “Bam!” “Pow!” and “Splat!” fisticuffs as it focuses on traditional detective work which only Caped Crusaders can provide.

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Series: Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Episode: “Beware The Grey Ghost” (Season 1, Episode 18)
Original Air Date: November 4, 1992

“Beware The Grey Ghost” (Episode #18) is featured on Volume One of Batman: The Animated Series (DC Comics Classic Collection) (1992) DVD.

After a series of unexplained yet blatant acts of arson, The Dark Knight awakes with memories of a television program that “he and his father” would stay up and watch during his youth—The Grey Ghost.

The following morning as Bruce Wayne, The Batman investigates this lead and enlists the assistance of a reluctant Simon Trent—who was the fictional actor that played The Grey Ghost (voiced by Adam West). With Trent’s help, The Batman discovers that an episode of The Grey Ghost (entitled “The Mad Bomber”) bore uncanny similarities to the Gotham City arsonist.

From there, the clues begin to fall into place and lead the duo of Batman and Trent (now clad in his Grey Ghost costume) straight to their adversary (voiced by Batman: The Animated Series creator Bruce Timm), whom they eventually bring to justice.

This is one episode of Batman: The Animated Series that I can never get tired of watching as it not only gives fans a glimpse of Bruce Wayne’s childhood, but also reveals a more human side to The Dark Knight.

Yes. Even The Batman had his idols.

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Category: Movies
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy

It took three years, but Director Len Wiseman didn’t miss a beat with the release of “Underworld: Evolution.” The sequel takes place not long after the events that transpired in “Underworld” as the female vampire Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and her significant other, the werewolf/vampire hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman) are on the run from the awakened Marcus (Tony Curran), the first true vampire, who is seeking retribution for the death of Viktor (Bill Nighy).

A roller coaster of bloodstained events ensues that not only sheds light on the true origins of Selene and the ancient vampire bloodline, but also the role of mysterious Alexander Corvinus (Sir Derek Jacobi) in the war between the Vampires and the Lycans.

If you haven’t already read the books, I strongly recommend that you watch “Underworld” (2003) prior to “Underworld: Evolution” in order to better grasp the flashbacks and back stories that the latter film frequently alludes to.

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Category: Movies
Genre: Drama

A great film with a turbulent beginning—starting with its production from Warner Bros and Harrison Ford pulling out due to conflicts over the screenplay and role respectively; to a carousels of who’s who auditioning or being considered for the parts of Nick Frescia (Alec Baldwin and Miami Heat Head Coach (then with the Los Angeles Lakers) Pat Riley were considered for the role of Nick before settling with Kurt Russell) and Dale “Mac” McKussic (Harrison Ford was slated to play this role before he pulled out. Mel Gibson was signed on as his replacement); to admission sales possibly being bloated due to the initial teaser trailer of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) which was shown prior to the film (giddy fans were reported to have paid admission just to see the aforementioned trailer).

Now to the movie. Tequila Sunrise.

Other than knowing it was a film that “may have” won awards (and it did when it captured the Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases and Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures awards), I knew very little else of its history and sadly, even who was staring in the film.

As the credits rolled, I even missed the title of film and Gibson’s name. But then names of Pfeiffer, Russell, and the late Raul Julia popped up. Now this was certainly something interesting to watch. The lead character, Dale “Mac” McKussic (Gibson), is an ex-drug dealer who is trying to go straight. His “friend,” Detective Lieutenant Nicholas “Nick” Frescia (Russell), throughout the film tries to entrap him, believing that he is unable to “go straight.” Jo Ann Vallenari (Pfeiffer) is a restaurant owner and the love interest of both men. Vallenari had a consistent “glazed look,” and in my opinion, was seemingly on drugs for the duration of the film. And lastly, my “the star of the show,” Carlos/Comandante Xavier Escalante (played by the late Raul Julia) who truly made McKussic believe he was a “buddy.”

Lastly, for an independent film, I have to tip my hat to Writer and Director Robert Towne—he really believed in this project and his passion was seen throughout the film and in his characters (especially Escalante).

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Series: The Batman (2004)
Episode: “Vertigo” (Season 5, Episode 55)
Original Air Date: October 6, 2007
Date Watched: January 1, 2008 (DVD)

Characters:

Usual Suspects:

Alfred and Robin

Origins:

Oliver Queen/Green Arrow and Count Vertigo

Baddies:

Count Vertigo and his Vertigo resistant henchmen

Cameos:

Oliver Queen

Key Events:

Star City’s Green Arrow (another rich boy’s) very convenient origin episode that seems to pay tribute to Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away.” Wherein Oli, stranded on some desolate island (with absolute nothing to do it seems), develops an extraordinary talent for wielding a bow.

Is it just me, or does everyone now seem to know the connection between Bruce and Batman? First Alfred (and in Episode 51, it turns out that Lucious was in on it as well), Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Dick Grayson/Robin, Detective J’onn J’onzz/The Martian Manhunter (read Batman’s mind), Clark Kent/Superman (used his X-ray vision), and now Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Made the association after seeing Alfred in The Cave).

Brief synopsis:

In The Brave and Bold comic book fashion, The Batman (and Robin) team up with Green Arrow to bring Count Vertigo to justice.

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