April 2011 Archives

After four films, "The Fast And The Furious" is still pushing the pedal to the floor.

Now say that five times really fast while you watch this featurette for the latest installment, "Fast Five." The video teases an epic conflict between the characters played by two well-know screen action heroes, Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

The longevity of Universal's car culture action franchise comes as some surprise to casual viewers who remembered watching the first film and may have caught the second on cable but didn't keep up after that.

But the movies, which primarily follow Robin Hood-like anti hero Dominic Toretto (Diesel), have maintained a significant following. The recent overseas box office for "Fast Five" (up to $24 million) and the earnings of the previous film ($350 million worldwide) support the effort Universal Pictures is putting into the series. Deadline Hollywood reports screenwriter Chris Morgan ("Fast & Furious") is hard at work on the sixth installment as part of his newly secured two-year deal with the studio.

OK, I've seen them all, even "The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift" -- and while I cooled on the series after that third film, I was drawn back in with the re-teaming of the original cast in the fourth movie "Fast & Furious."

Admittedly, Johnson's tough-as-a-Hemi Special Agent Hobbs makes an intriguing addition. Hobbs is like the super human version of Tommy Lee Jones' U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard from "The Fugitive"; they always get the bad guy -- dead or alive.

There's going to be a clash between these two tough guys and I wanna see some scrappin'.

In the featurette, Johnson, with his usual smack-talking candor, offers color commentary on the impending conflict between his character Hobbs and Diesel's Dominic Toretto.

"It is an indication of the ass whippin' that's about ready to take place, " says Johnson. "This is like a dream come true because there's nothing like taking your fist and putting it in somebody's face. I love that."

Oh yeah ... bring it.

"Fast Five" opens nationwide today.

The first trailer for "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2."

I'll say this: If you want to tease audiences with an epic finish this is how you roll.

Smart phone readers see the video here.

Mobile users link to video here

This series can't start sooner, can it?

The STARZ cable channel is teaming with BBC to relaunch an international version of the "Doctor Who" spinoff series "Torchwood."

"Torchwood: Miracle Day" begins its 10-episode run on both networks July 8. For those who don't know: The Torchwood teams use their skills and advanced technology to protect the Earth from alien invasion. 

Miracle Day features known Torchwood team members John Barrowman as the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness and Eve Myles as Ex-cop Gwen Cooper. Mekhi Phifer and Bill Pullman join the cast as well.

(Oh great, two of WIFE'S favorite actors. I guess I won't have any trouble getting her to watch it with me.)

The setup of  the new series does what Torchwood episodes do best: places its characters in moral/social dilemmas magnified to extreme science fantasy proportions. 

In this case, Earth progresses through a series of days where no one dies. Sounds great at first but the population grows to alarming proportions. Even the sick and the injured don't die. CIA agent Rex Matheson (Phifer) wants answers.

From the STARZ press release:

The answers lie within an old, secret British institute. As Rex keeps asking "What is Torchwood?" he's drawn into a world of adventure, and a threat to change what it means to be human, forever.

Torchwood: Miracle Day begins on STARZ July 8 10 p.m.

 

Photo Gallery - Long Beach Comic Expo

LONG BEACH - Show runners for the Long Beach Comic Expo were pleased with the turnout of their second show Saturday and looking forward to an equally favorable Comic Con in October.

Martha Donato of MAD Event Management, chief organizer of the one-day expo, said Long Beach Comic Con will present the Comic and Horror Con Oct. 29 and 30 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

A bevy of creative guests, a masquerade ball and a short film festival are expected to highlight the two-day show.

LBCC will join forces with local collective Comic Book Sunday! for the Might and Fright Short Film Festival and are taking early entries before July 1. Early bird entry fees are $25 for flicks under 10 minutes and $55 for epics 10 to 30 minutes long. After that, the rates jump to $35 and $65 before the final August 1 entry deadline.

Demand for exhibition space at Saturday's Comic Expo was healthy, said organizers. The one-day show sold through its allotted vendor spaces days before. A small area on the far end of the Promenade Ballroom was off limits this year due to filming of the popular web series "The Guild."

The series producers decorated the area to match the rest of the convention floor and notified attendees they may appear in the backdrop. Series fans who were excitedly Tweeting that "The Guild" was shooting in Long Beach last weekend probably didn't mind a background cameo.

Unfortunately, I couldn't see Felicia Day or any other series cast members from my side of the plastic rope.

For more information on the Comic and Horror Con visit http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com/ and more details on the Might and Fright Short Film Festival visit http://www.mightandfrightfilmfestival.com/


ABOVE: Jesus Alvarez, left, and his friend Cristian Cano thumb through boxes of comics at the Terry's Comics booth, part of the 2011 Long Beach Comic Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center. (Photo by Steven Georges/Press-Telegram)



  


     

By MATT MOORE
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Seizing upon Archie's popularity on the printed page, Archie Comics will now offer some of the titles in Spanish for download through its digital storefront.

After 70 years, Archie Comics is the first major publisher to expand its language offerings.

Jon Goldwater, co-chief executive of Archie Comics told The Associated Press the titles -- Archie, Veronica & Betty and Jughead, among others -- were made available online Monday as part of its digital offerings.

"We have an incredible number of fans, not just domestically, who speak Spanish," he told AP, adding that the traditional print versions of the comic, in English and Spanish, have been strong sellers in central and south America, as well as in Spain, too.

Archie Comics has typically offered up its print editions in a host of different languages, but never before digitally.

But with more and more publishers, Archie included, embracing digital downloads, Goldwater said it made sense to expand its offerings to more than just its comics in English.

"The great thing about our company is that we're not just domestic, we're a global company," he said. "We have made incredible inroads, so we have tremendous fans all throughout that part of the world."

The comics will be available through its digital comics subscriptions at www.archiedigital.com , though iTunes and the iVerse app, the Sony PSP and, in the next few weeks, Android-powered smartphones.

Goldwater said the comics are just the same as they are in English -- "The gags seem to translate well," Goldwater said -- and that means the adventures of those characters can be told while preserving the sense of story. While Spanish is the first language being offered, plans are in the works to offer editions in French and Hindi, too.

"People really do get the humor behind it," Goldwater said, adding that readers outside of the U.S. can experience a traditional American art form.

"It really is, in a certain sense, the American Dream. I know it sounds corny, but it's the typical small-town America where the kids all get along and everything is working well and there's plenty of food and everyone is sheltered," he said. "It translates very, very well."

Online:

http://www.archiecomics.com

Long Beach Comic Expo returns Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Convention Center.

The one-day show will feature more than 60 exhibitors, creators and local comics retailers. Among the guests are "30 Days of Night" creator Steve Niles, legendary comic book writer Marv Wolfman and DC Comics artist Dustin Nguyen ("Batman").

Aspiring creators will have the opportunity to attend panels on writing, art and animation voice acting.

Comic Expo 2011 runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Promenade Ballroom. Tickets are $15. Children ages 10 and younger are admitted free.

Visit www.longbeachcomiccon.com for more information.

Schedule of events below:

COMIC EXPO PROGRAMMING

Anime Voice Acting Workshop: Dub Like You Mean It!
11:00-11:45 AM Room A

Ever wanted to play the voice of your favorite anime character? Are you curious about the process of voice acting? Have you ever thought to yourself, "I could do better than that!" Well now's your chance! Join veteran voice actor Crispin Freeman in a dubbing workshop where you get to learn how the professionals voice act in anime! Volunteers will be able to get up and try their hand at voice acting to picture using the same equipment the studios use! Crispin will personally direct the participants in the workshop, revealing to both them and the audience the techniques he's developed over 10 years in voice acting. Learn how to sound like you mean it when putting your voice into a character that's already been animated. Discover just how tough it is to sound believable when dubbing to picture and see if you've got what it takes to make it in the business!

Webcomics Gathering
12:00-12:45 PM Room A

The guys from WebcomicsAdvocates.com will host a gathering for fans and creators of webcomics. This is your chance to network, promote your webcomic, and maybe even pitch your webcomic idea in front of a room full of fans!

Aspen Comics Q&A
1:00-1:45 PM Room A

Aspen Comics Q&A - Find out what's new with Aspen and meet some of their top talent!

All Things Writing
3:00-3:45 PM Room A

Comic book, video game and animation writing legend Marv Wolfman, and up-and-coming producer/ screenwriter Neo Edmund, will lead a discussion in all things writing. From development of characters and plot, to building entire worlds, they will talk about what it takes to create a project with mass-market and multi-platform appeal for the current Transmedia driven creative industry.

Classic Horror Meets Modern Comics
4:00-4:45 PM Room A

Monsterverse Comics: Classic Horror Meets Modern Comics. The critically acclaimed Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave horror comic and its Monsterverse staff of Editor/Publisher/Artist Kerry Gammill (Superman) and West Coast Editor Sam F. Park (Molt) are joined by Derek McCaw (Tony Loco), Chris Moreno (World War Hulk), Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo) and more to discuss iconic horror for a new age, upcoming Monsterverse projects and Q&A session!

Top Cow: We Create... Noir & More!
11:00-11:45 AM Room B

Join Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik as he shares with the Long Beach Comic Expo attendees, news and sneak peeks of three exciting noir inspired projects coming from Top Cow this spring -Netherworld, Mysterious Ways and Last Mortal! Also be the first to get early looks at the futures of the Top Cow Universe in Witchblade, The Darkness and Artifacts. Every attendee will receive a free gift!

Podcasting 101
12:00-12:45 PM Room B

Since 2004 PendantAudio.com has brought you more than 800 episodes of amazing audio drama! The executive producer and some of Pendant's most prolific contributors discuss the ins and outs of podcasting -- and how you can start your own production.

Comics Script Writing
1:00-1:45 PM Room B

Barbara Kesel on Comics Script Writing.

Fantasy Art Demo
2:00-2:45 PM Room B

Artist Mike Dubisch demonstrates fantasy art techniques with a live demo of his horror fantasy art style.  On a large board, the Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars and Image Comics artist will create a fully rendered piece of creature art with his unique and dramatic style, while discussing art, technique, career, and answering audience questions.

Inking Workshop
3:00-6:00 PM Room B

Comic book legend Joe Rubinstein will be teaching an inking workshop at the Long Beach Comic Expo. The class is limited to 10 people and will last for 3 hours .There will be a demonstration and lecture by Joe and then one-on-one tutorials that all other students are welcome to watch or do their own work (extra charge applies)

Mobile users see the video here.

A new live-action series, "Mortal Kombat: Legacy," will debut on video entertainment network Machinima on its YouTube channel Tuesday April 12.

The project stars Michael Jai White ("Black Dynamite") and Jeri Ryan ("Star Trek: Voyager").

White and Ryan appeared in the wildly popular "fan" film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth. Both will reprise their roles from director Kevin Tancharoen's unofficial 8-minute promotional feature. White will again appear as Major Jackson "Jax" Briggs and Ryan as Lt. Sonya Blade. The series will also feature Darren Shahlavi ("300") as "Kano."

"It's extremely gratifying to have such talented actors playing these iconic roles," said Tancharoen in a statement released in February.

Tancharoen (2009's "Fame") will helm the project which will delve into the histories of a number of popular Mortal Kombat characters, including Liu Kang, Scorpion and Johnny Cage.

The anthology series of short films are written by Tancharoen, Aaron Helbing and Todd Helbing and are set to debut this spring.

A new Mortal Kombat game developed by NetherRealm Studios is expected to be released April 19 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems, Warner Bros. said in a statement.

 

"Moon Knight" by Alex Maleev. (Courtesy Marvel Comics)

Comic Book Resources has a preview of "Moon Knight" #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.

And while I've been hot and cold on Bendis and Maleev's previous effort "Scarlet," I enjoyed their more recent efforts on  "Spider-Woman."

When it drops May 4, 2011 it'll be worth a look. To me, Maleev is one of the best artists in the game so I'm a little biased.

  

Mobile YouTube users see the video here.

This video collection of "abridged selected clips" from Warner Bros.' upcoming "Green Lantern" are said to have aired during WonderCon in San Francisco last weekend.

There's a better look at the special effects and more focus on other GL characters familiar to readers; Sinestro, Kilowog and Tomar-Re.

We also get a hint of the threats to be faced by our intrepid newbie superhero.

"Green Lantern" stars Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard and features the voice talents of Dennis Haysbert and Geoffrey Rush.

It opens June 17. 

In this film publicity image released by IFC Films, Rainn Wilson is shown in a scene from, "Super." (AP Photo/IFC Films, Steve Dietl)

CHRISTY LEMIRE
AP Movie Critic

James Gunn got his start at the legendary B-movie house Troma Entertainment, then went on to write and direct the 2006 horror film "Slither," his feature debut, which married his loves of comedy and gore.

Now, he's followed that up with "Super." But the movie that really comes to mind while watching it is the brilliant "Shaun of the Dead," which began life as a funny, loving homage to zombie flicks, then slowly, steadily became a really suspenseful, and really violent, zombie flick in its own right.

"Super" starts out toying with the idea of the self-made vigilante superhero, someone with no special powers who nonetheless feels the need to fight crime. But by the end, Gunn's film has morphed into an intense and bloody exploration of a man on a quest, one who's hell-bent on vengeance -- with a perky pixie by his side.

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson plays it deadly straight as Frank, a sad-sack short-order cook whose wife, a waitress and former junkie named Sarah (Liv Tyler), is using again. In no time, she's also fallen into the creepy, skinny arms of Jacques (Kevin Bacon), an amusingly evil drug dealer. All this is more than one mild-mannered guy can stand, so the doughy Frank -- with a little push from the hand of God and some programming on the All-Jesus Network -- reinvents himself as a crime fighter. He goes by the name The Crimson Bolt, complete with a makeshift red costume, mask and weapon: a wrench, which he uses to unceremoniously bash people's heads in.

"Super" has a cheeky, geeky sense of humor when it comes to Frank's awkward attacks: It's sweet and earnest, but also raunchy and fearless. Wilson finds the comedy in his character's sadness -- he's funny precisely because he isn't funny -- which makes you feel for him, too. He's got more than a little Travis Bickle in him, but he's also just pathetic.

But Ellen Page pretty much steals the show as Libby, the comic book store clerk who figures out who he is and insists on serving as his sidekick, even though she turns out to be not-so trusty. She reinvents herself as Boltie (after going through a series of possible nicknames and poses in a hilarious, breathless bit) and just goes gonzo.

Page is a complete joy, albeit in a dangerously volatile way, and it's so much fun to see the "Juno" star in such a different kind of role. She's not the coolest girl in the room, she just doesn't have all the answers or just the right, poignant zinger. She's a giddy goofball, and unabashedly so. But she's such a cute little thing, you can't help but adore her, even as she's reveling in the carnage she's created.

Gunn himself gets some laughs, appearing as the Devil in a couple of scenes alongside "Slither" star Nathan Fillion, who's unrecognizable and delightfully subversive as The Holy Avenger, the superhero of a super-judgmental Christian television program.

It may sound like "Super" is trying too hard to shock, trying too hard to be edgy or weird. But it has such a low-budget charm, it's pretty hard to resist. Besides, if you don't, you risk incurring the wrath of The Crimson Bolt. And you don't want that.

"Super," an IFC Films release, is unrated but contains violence, language and drug use. Running time: 96 minutes. Three stars out of four.


In this film publicity image released by IFC Films,Ellen Page is shown in a scene from, "Super." (AP Photo/IFC Films, Steve Dietl)