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'Watchmen' Panel-to-Screen Comparison
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Images
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One of the most wonderful things about geekdom on the Internet is how fast it sets to work. The Watchmen trailer hasn't even been out for 24 hours, and already folks are analyzing its every second -- with one dedicated fan comparing its frames to the panels of the original book. The hardworking one is Brad Brevet over at Rope of Silicon, and he really has done a great job. If you decide to look, and are unfamiliar with the source material, beware of spoilers.
As he did with 300, Zack Snyder has really managed to bring the frames to life. His eye for this is uncanny. There are few comic book adaptations where one gets goosebumps, or jumps out of their seat and says "It looks just like the book!" Of course, Snyder has tweaked it -- he's changed the costumes, and he's given it his own style -- but it's still better than I ever thought it would be. Whether he brings the book to life is, of course, the million dollar question. I'm happy just being entertained by the possibility, though.
For me personally, the money shots were the funeral, Jon being ripped apart into particles, and Archie the Owlship. Even my sister, who loathed the book, is in love with the faithful rendering of Archie. The shot of it flying out of the water is actually enough to convince her to buy a ticket. (I'm not sure why, but let's just leave that up to her.) And surely if she can be sold on it, the rest of us can be too.
Watchmen opens March 6th, 2009.
UPDATE: Warners sent us over a whole new crop of Watchmen photos. Check them out in the gallery below ...
The Beginner's Guide to the 'Watchmen' Trailer
Filed under: Action, Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Trailers and Clips
To all those who are unfamiliar with Alan Moore's groundbreaking graphic novel, Watchmen, the new trailer must be a confusing barrage of random images. Hopefully, it intrigues you enough to buy the book before March 6. But you want to know what this trailer is about now, don't you? That's why I'm going to explain it to you with the help of a few screen caps. We won't go point by point, I'll just try to walk you through a few chunks of storyline. It's a delicate task, as I really don't want to ruin the story for those unfamiliar with it. It deserves to be read (or seen) as freshly as possible. So on that note, those intimately familiar with the book shouldn't flame me for not explaining the intricate storyline, character relationships, or backgrounds. There are so few surprises in this world, let's try to preserve the ones awaiting the Watchmen newcomers.
Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985, and if you glance at the photos of the Owl Ship and Oxymandias, you'll see the evidence in a lost landmark, and a president long gone. Like most comic book realities, costumed superheroes ( or "costumed adventurers" as they're called in the book) are real, but most have a pronounced lack of superpowers. Watchmen centers on two generations of them -- the Minutemen, and the Crimebusters. No one is actually called "the Watchmen" in the story; the title refers to any group who's goal is to protect society from themselves. Hence the phrase, repeated throughout the book and film, "Who watches the watchmen?"
[ Continued after the jump ... with more pics! ]
Watchmen is set in an alternative 1985, and if you glance at the photos of the Owl Ship and Oxymandias, you'll see the evidence in a lost landmark, and a president long gone. Like most comic book realities, costumed superheroes ( or "costumed adventurers" as they're called in the book) are real, but most have a pronounced lack of superpowers. Watchmen centers on two generations of them -- the Minutemen, and the Crimebusters. No one is actually called "the Watchmen" in the story; the title refers to any group who's goal is to protect society from themselves. Hence the phrase, repeated throughout the book and film, "Who watches the watchmen?"
[ Continued after the jump ... with more pics! ]
Review: The Dark Knight -- Scott's Take
Filed under: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Noir, Warner Brothers, Theatrical Reviews, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Right about here is where all the gushing and excitement and enthusiasm should begin, because I'll tell you right off the "bat" that Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is cause for celebration indeed. But then you'll figure out -- after only one sentence -- that I pretty much loved this movie, and then you'll head off to another, more unpredictable film critic. But it's the WHY that interests me so much. What I enjoyed about Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Hellboy 2 could probably be covered in one lengthy -- and inevitably nerd-tastic -- conversation between the two of us. But The Dark Knight... Well, clearly we're approaching a whole new level here.
Several of the pre-release gushings are accurate. Some say "Scorsesian" and others reference Michael Mann. Many spend paragraphs on the (truly amazing) penultimate performance by Heath Ledger, while others will revel in the grown-up tone or epic scope of the film. What amazed me most about The Dark Knight, among several things, is that the flick's got more layers than an onion farm -- and yet it never loses touch with the idea of FUN. True that we're talking about a comic book fun that's decidedly more melancholy than the cinematic exploits of The Marvel Gang, but dang if TDK isn't supremely satisfying for about a dozen different reasons.
'Watchmen' Trailer's Spielberg-Homaging Easter Egg
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, Steven Spielberg, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Images, Trailers and Clips
Earlier today, you saw the trailer for one of the most anticipated adaptations of all time (no, not that one, this one). And it was amazing. Well, I thought so, anyway, and I'm one of the few people who said "ehh" after reading the graphic novel. Anyway, some of you bigger fans probably watched the new Watchmen trailer over and over and over again, forward and backward, in slow-motion and sped-up to compare the film with the panels in the book. But did you notice the odd lack of continuity in the sequence shown above? Unless you read MTV Movies Blog, or unless you were looking really hard for something like last year's 300 trailer surprise, there's a good chance you missed it. Fortunately, for you, I've done my best to highlight the anomaly after the jump.
The 'Watchmen' Trailer is HERE!
Filed under: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Noir, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, Movie Marketing, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Trailers and Clips
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Update:
Update 2: The trailer has now gone live over at Apple.
Update 3: Beautiful trailer stills in the gallery below ...
We could have embedded a half-decent YouTube version a few hours ago, but considering the movie we're dealing with (and owing in no small part to professional courtesy) we decided to wait for the official release of the very first Watchmen trailer. It's available (exclusively, for the time being) at Empire, although you'll almost definitely see the clip this weekend when you head out to see The Dark Knight. (Notice I didn't say "if.") Again, click here for the trailer.
Having read Moore & Gibbons' Watchmen only once -- and therefore being a relative newbie -- I cannot comment on the geek-tastic little pieces of minutiae that are undoubtedly bouncing through this trailer. Is Dr. Manhattan the right shade of blue? Does Rorshach's mask look accurate? How Batmanny does Nite Owl look? And what of the infamous newsstand? (Are there pirates?)
As a huge fan of trailers in general, I'd say this is a very well-balanced and powerful promo clip. Newcomers will see a stylish-looking adventure story full of weird-looking characters -- and the hardcore fans will probably really like what they see. (Plus that's one unique explosion I just saw.) I'll leave it to our resident comics wizards to delve a bit deeper. Well, our wizards and our readers, obviously.
Topics for discussion: The music. The costumes. The cast. The production design. The heart-crushing disappointment you'll feel if the movie sucks even though you know if probably won't. At all.
Patrick Wilson Says the Ending of 'Watchmen' Remains True
Filed under: Action, Classics, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Fandom, Scripts, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek
The rumors surrounding Watchmen began even before shooting did, most of which centered on what might become of the book's ending. If you haven't read it, I won't spoil it for you (though you need to go out and buy a copy right now), but suffice to say, it's pretty dark. It's so dark that every fan is convinced it's unfilmable -- and certainly, the leaked scripts suggested that many scriptwriters felt the same way.The rumors persist despite several reports to the contrary (including one from an extra that leaked months ago), but now Patrick Wilson is setting the record straight. He talked to the MTV Movies Blog and literally laughed off rumors that the film has a happy ending. "Ha! I have to say, if you know how much Zack believes in it, you wouldn't believe he would go that far from the graphic novel. I don't know how those rumors start, but that'd be a stretch!"
The only scary part is that it is up to the studio to decide what to cut out of the film -- but even if crucial character bits land on the cutting room floor, Wilson explains that they tried to smash the detail in wherever they could. They've added "little lines here and there" to flesh out the character's backstories, as things have been cut by sheer necessity. And hey, the little details are what the book is for. It's the essentials, like that jaw-dropper of an ending, that have to stick to the page.
Watchmen opens March 6th, 2009.
Cinematical Seven: The Gotham City Gals
Filed under: Action, New Releases, Warner Brothers, Cinematical Seven, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Christopher Nolan's "real world" Batman is the best thing to happen to the character since, frankly, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. If there's one flaw in the series thus far, it is that Nolan's Batman is just a little too solitary, a little too dour. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his choice of female companions -- or rather, the lack thereof.
Now, Nolan deserves a round of applause for inventing the character of Rachel Dawes. Such professional, intelligent and classy women are rare in action movies, let alone those inspired by the superhero genre. Regardless of what you think of Katie Holmes' performance, the character of Dawes was real, which made Bruce Wayne's feelings for her that much more special. But really -- is Dawes the only woman in all of Gotham City? It sure seems like it. And what if Rachel and Bruce call it quits? What will Batman do for female companionship? And if Dawes does stick around, wouldn't it be great to see that there are other cool chicks in Gotham City? Adding another woman or two, and a bit of romantic friction (just a bit -- I trust that Nolan wouldn't go too far with the mushy stuff) would take off some of Batman's dour edge. And so, here are seven chicks ripped from the comic pages that I would like to see appear in Nolan's franchise. (And a special thanks to Alan Kistler of ComicMix for helping me out on this one.) They appear after the jump, and as always, feel free to chime in with your own picks below!
Now, Nolan deserves a round of applause for inventing the character of Rachel Dawes. Such professional, intelligent and classy women are rare in action movies, let alone those inspired by the superhero genre. Regardless of what you think of Katie Holmes' performance, the character of Dawes was real, which made Bruce Wayne's feelings for her that much more special. But really -- is Dawes the only woman in all of Gotham City? It sure seems like it. And what if Rachel and Bruce call it quits? What will Batman do for female companionship? And if Dawes does stick around, wouldn't it be great to see that there are other cool chicks in Gotham City? Adding another woman or two, and a bit of romantic friction (just a bit -- I trust that Nolan wouldn't go too far with the mushy stuff) would take off some of Batman's dour edge. And so, here are seven chicks ripped from the comic pages that I would like to see appear in Nolan's franchise. (And a special thanks to Alan Kistler of ComicMix for helping me out on this one.) They appear after the jump, and as always, feel free to chime in with your own picks below!
Warner Bros and Capcom Are Looking For a 'Lost Planet'
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Warner Brothers, Newsstand, Games and Game Movies
According to Variety, Warner Bros and Capcom (who is becoming very hands on with its movie adaptations) are teaming up to bring an adaptation of Lost Planet to the big screen. The script is to be penned by David Hayter, who is fresh off Watchmen.Funnily enough, Variety is describing the story as revolving around an expedition to an ice planet that harbors an energy source which could save all of mankind. Well, I've never played this, but just looking at the cover proves that to be an understatement. What would he need that big gun for if it's just a simple expedition?
Well, obviously there's more to it than that. It actually follows a group of snow pirates who battle the local nasties, the Akrid, to obtain the precious commodity known as thermal energy. (This is why it's easier to be a pirate in the Caribbean.) One pilot, Wayne, is rescued from an untimely death, and has an unfortunate case of amnesia. He can only remember bits and pieces of his past, including the death of his father by the monstrous Akrid. But as he searches for the truth of his attack, he uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy not only the Akrid, but all the snow pirates. Now that sounds like a more promising movie. Hopefully, some of you readers have played the game, and can sound off on whether it deserves to be on the big screen or not.
Review: The Dark Knight -- James's Take
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Noir, Warner Brothers, Theatrical Reviews, Comic/Superhero/Geek
The pop-culture appetite for Batman seems inexhaustible; thousands of comic books, several movies, endless animated iterations, some of which are quite good and some of which are rather bad. Is there any real need to return to the character beyond the profit motive, though? After the financial and critical success of Batman Begins, the powers-that-be behind The Dark Knight could have made a safe bet of a sequel; a little more action, a few more actors, more of the same and a few extra explosions.
What's telling about The Dark Knight, though, is how risky it is -- how it's bold and brave and truly exciting, full of rich and strong performances and some real ideas along the way. Why return to Batman? It turns out that for Christopher Nolan, the reason to come back is that there's something to say about, and with, the character even after decades of stories and multiple reinventions. I was hoping The Dark Knight would be good; I had no idea that director and co-writer Christopher Nolan was going to make a film that not only addressed the philosophical and political conflict between the rule of force and the rule of law but also takes on the timeless clash between order and chaos ... and, along the way, evokes everything from Michael Mann's Heat to John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. ...
Warners Finally Says (Exactly) Where the Wild Things Are
Filed under: Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Warner Brothers, RumorMonger, Celebrities and Controversy, Family Films, Newsstand
Warner Bros has finally broken their silence when it comes to the much talked about Where the Wild Things Are. As you must remember, the film has been dogged with rumors of reshoots and recasting. The last news we heard wasn't good, as the studio had casting calls out for reshoots. But finally, someone has managed to get the studio to say what the heck is going on. LA Times writer Patrick Goldstein sat down with studio chief Alan Horn, who finally gave the studio's side of the story. Horn denied all reports that Spike Jonze had been taken off the project, but admitted the film was being reworked. "We've given him more money and, even more importantly, more time for him to work on the film. We'd like to find a common ground that represents Spike's vision but still offers a film that really delivers for a broad-based audience. We obviously still have a challenge on our hands. But I wouldn't call it a problem, simply a challenge. No one wants to turn this into a bland, sanitized studio movie. This is a very special piece of material and we're just trying to get it right ... The jury is still out on this one. But we remain confident that Spike is going to figure things out and at the end of the day we'll have an artistically compelling movie."
