Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Most people think that cartoons and animated films are for kids but that simply isn’t true. There are a lot of animated movies that more adults enjoy other than kids. Another thing that I am constantly told is that the “old school” superheroes are on their way out. Once again that isn’t true and people still talk like they are for kids. Anyone that saw the Dark Knight will tell you that they aren’t just for kids. As for the animated movies that is another thing.

Recently Bruce Timm the producer and creator of the (now) old DC Animated Universe have created a series of animated movies based on the stories found almost exclusively in the comic world. Now let’s talk about the history of the DCAU. In 1992 Warner Brothers wanted to create a kids cartoon show to help promote Batman Returns. That show was called Batman: The Animated Series. The interesting thing about this show is that it was a huge hit. How huge do you ask? The series was created as a promotional tie-in to Batman Returns and was highly influenced by said movie. The show became so big that it influenced the later Batman movies in the Schumacher era and even kept carrying the torch for the Batman franchise after the 1997 disaster that is known as Batman and Robin.

The Animated series also spawned many films including Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which I regard as one of the greatest Batman films ever made. I also recommend Mystery of the Batwoman, not to mention Batman Beyond and its movie Return of the Joker. You will hear some fans when asked who their favorite Batman’s will say Kevin Conroy and their favorite Joker (other than Heath Ledger) is none other than Luke Skywalker himself Mark Hamill.

Other than Batman Animated movies the series also opened the door for Superman: The Animated Series that treated us fans to the inevitable team ups of the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight and then Justice League.

The Continuation series Justice League Unlimited marked the end of this decade and a half long era of Superheroes that introduced these legendary characters to a new generation of fans and highly entertained an old group of them. The DCAU stepped aside Clearing the way for The Batman, Teen Titans, Smallville, and the Brave and the Bold.

Starting in 2007 DCAU fans were treated to this new era of Comic Movies that are finally put on film if only in an animated format. With such titles as Superman: Doomsday, Batman: Gotham Knights, Under the Red Hood, and even Green Lantern and Wonder Woman feature films.

Last year another came out which was based on the Superman/Batman title was another movie. The story was called Public Enemies and it featured Batman and Superman doing battle with Lex Luthor and preventing a giant kryptonite meteor from destroying the earth.

Now we have the sequel to that story called Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

Coming to earth alongside the mammoth Meteor is none other than Kara Zor-El better known to DC fans as Superman’s cousin Supergirl. Clark is happy to welcome her with open arms but Bruce is skeptical of her arrival on earth. Mentoring her to adapt to the earth with her new superpowers she eventually goes to Paradise Island with Wonder Woman to be trained to be a hero. That is until Darkseid arrives with his own intentions for the young Kryptonian.

The story plays like a feature film I honestly felt it was a superior Supergirl Origin story other than the 1984 Helen Slater movie. The most entertaining part of the flick is the relationship between the characters Batman and Superman interactions are entertaining as well as the relation ship with both characters and Kara. Wonder Woman being added to the mix adds icing to the cake.

Honestly with the inclusion of Wonder Woman I feel the title should be called Trinity as Diana Prince has a big role in the film but that would not have the selling power that the name of Superman and Batman have.

The inclusion of Darkseid as the Villain is a pretty nice touch. Fans of the Comics, Video Games, and Justice League Series will already be familiar with this villain and Smallville fans will get to know him in this current season of the show. For those of you that aren’t familiar with the character there is a really good Documentary on the BluRay and Double Disk DVDs that cover Darkseid and the New Gods.

Other Special Features include four episodes of Superman The Animated series that feature Supergirl and Darkseid.

There is also a documentary on Supergirl but that is not that original. Owners of Smallville Season 8 box set will notice that it is the same documentary and that it isn’t even updated as it is only 2 years old but it is still a good in-depth documentary that covers the like of Kara in history of comics and entertainment.

Last bu not least is an animates short film featuring Green Arrow while he is protecting visiting royalty from an assignation attempt with the help of the Black Canary. With the voice talent of Malcolm McDowell in the role of one of the villains.

All in all I say check out the movie Comic fans won’t be disappointed.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

I am a avid reader of DC Comics and I love the DC Animated DVDs that have been released recently. What I really like about them is the fact that they are told directly from the comic stories that are on the newsstands.

I am particularly excited about the recent Batman: Under the Red Hood. I remember reading that story while sitting under a tree at a rock festival and being more interested in the comic than the show. That says something about a story.

Now for those of us that don’t read comics let me give you the back story. In 1980s DC Comics has the character of Dick Grayson grow up and assume a new super hero identity of Nightwing leaving Batman without a Robin. Batman found a new Robin by the name of Jason Todd. Well needless to say fans didn’t like Todd and then in 1988 they did a poll of weather or not to kill him off and the fans gave the thumbs down and Robin was sadistically slain by The Joker thus giving what is in my opinion the best character development for the Dark Knight other than the death of his parents. Now lets fast forward to 2005 and the story of Under the red Hood where Batman encounters a resurrected Jason Todd who has taken the guise of the Red Hood (a role used by the Joker before his accident that made him the Clown Prince of Crime) and Batman has to face an opponent that not only knows him better than any other opponent he was also trained by him, which makes him more deadly than any other foe that he has faced before leading to a final confrontation between himself, Jason and the Joker.

The film plays out almost exactly like the comic. There are some variations from the story such as the resurrection of Jason is different than in the comic. One thing I am saddened by is the absence of Tim Drake as the 3rd Robin. Granted he wasn’t in the original storyline but in the flick he is not even acknowledged making you wonder if he even existed in this continuity. There is a brief mention of Batgirl without even having her name said. I also felt that Nightwing is nothing more than a supporting character and his relationship with any of the characters is not explored. Not to mention that Nightwing is barely in the comic.

The Animation is awesome and is drawn like the comic which I can tell you right now that is not an easy chore.

Let’s talk about Special Features.

I recommend the Bluray or the 2 Disc Edition because the Features alone are worth the purchase. There are 2 documentaries that cover the origins of both Dick Grayson and Jason todd with great detail, There is also a really good sneak preview of Superman/Batman Aplocypse that I will be covering soon and some episodes of Batman the Animated Series and a short animated film Jonas Hex.
I definitely recommend this flick for any and all Batman fans

I Spit on your Grave (Unrated)

I had been following the remake of I spit on your Grave since I was first told about it in 2008 not to mention that I had the pleasure of meeting the cast and director this past year at the Texas Frightmare Weekend and I really enjoyed my time with them

(By the way anyone interested in seeing the Exclusive QnA of the flick can check out the 2010 TFW DVD on sale Now)

This past week I was fortunate to get invited to an advance screening of the Remake and I have to say, Damn!

Now first off comparing the original to the remake is like Apples and Oranges they are way different. Like I say about most remakes lately it feels like watching a movie that is based on actual events and thinking that it is not accurate. Another thing is that you have a micro budget flick that has been remade with a bigger budget. Now I don’t know how big the budget was but it was definitely more than the original had.

Now for those of you that aren’t familiar with the plot here is the cliff note version.

Jennifer Hill is a writer that rents a cabin in the woods to write a novel and she attracts the attention of some of the local men who one day attack her and brutally rape her, assault her and leave her for dead. She recovers and takes her revenge in some interesting sorts of ways.

Now without giving away too much there is some twists that this remake takes that you may find unexpected or some of you will see it coming. The revenge scenes are in some ways stomach churning and original, in the vein of some recent horror franchises like Hostel and Saw. In one scene I was almost expecting the puppet to come rolling out on a tricycle and announcing that they “Were going to play a little Game”. I feel the need to warn some of the weak of heart that this is not for everyone.

I feel the need to talk about the performance Sarah Butler in the role of Jennifer Hill.
Sarah had a Rage in her character that I found enjoyable. Sarah’s character had an innocence that was destroyed by the events in the film that in a sense she had snapped and becomes sort of a Jason Vorhees of the woods in her attacks and kills. But as they say no Jury would convict her.

The Remake also focuses less on the rapes and more on the torment ant torture that she suffers, Such as having to perform felatio on a gun or being reputedly dunked under water and held. However her attackers are unable to crush her spirit and she never quits.

Like I said it isn’t for everyone.

6 Dead Bodies
2 Breasts
5 Beasts
1 Penis choking
4 Teeth prying
1 Anal Shotgun
Fish Hook Fu
Lye Fu
Bird Fu

3 Stars

Check it out

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Well I had an interesting week This past Labor Day I went with camera in tow to the Bigfanboy.com sponsored Zombie Bowl at 300 Lanes in Addison. Are you wondering what this was?

Well It is like a Zombie Walk except people dressed as Zombies were bowling. If you got a spare you got a Pass for an advance screening of Resident Evil: Afterlife.

Now I have to admit the first turn I didn’t get crap…Actually I bowled a split and then I remembered how I bowled so well a decade ago. I called in good ole Captain Morgan and his first mate Pepsi, and then I got the Strike and I received my T-Shirt and a free Ticket for Resident Evil: Afterlife

Now anyone that follows my Tweets or knows me on face book knows that not only am I a movie buff but I am also a Gamer. Two of my favorite franchises are both Tomb Raider and Resident Evil. Almost any game that you can kill Zombies, while avoiding genetic creations from an evil corporation that is my kind of game.

Now as for the Resident Evil films I liked those as well. Let me explain. You see almost a decade ago there wasn’t too many Zombie flicks. Circa 2000-01 there just wasn’t any. I know that it is hard to believe. Well after the new millennium arrived the popularity of video games were getting the attention that they needed. In 2001 Lara Croft finally arrived to the screen portrayed by Angelina Jolie with mixed reviews and small success and as you can tell Resident Evil wasn’t too far behind. The flick was successful enough that it made it clear on no uncertain terms that people wanted to see Zombies everyone gives credit to 28 Days later but it was Resident Evil that fired the first shot and brought back the walking undead to the place that they are today.

7 years and 2 sequels later the film franchise is still going strong and not a reboot in sight.

Now you ask why this franchise is so successful. My opinion is because of the director.

Paul Anderson is not only a great director but he has admitted that he is a fan of the games and he tries to incorporate both elements in terms of good filmmaking and references to the source material to keep anyone that is a fan happy.

Now I admit that the movies have veered into a different direction than the games such as the world going into a total Apocalypse with few survivors where as in the games the Umbrella corporation as well as the government has covered up the Zombie outbreak and the STARS agents are fighting both the company as well as any Zombie threats that they come across. Not to mention the principal character of Alice played by series star Milla Jovovich The direction of the film series goes in a different direction around the time of the 3rd flick that also introduces to Clair Redfield (Ali Larter) who is a playable character in a few of the games. Not to say anything bad about Larter in the role because she does a great job but I still feel that she is the wrong casting decision for the role.

Now let us move on to Afterlife.

Picking up where Resident Evil: Extinction left off we see Alice and her clones attacking Umbrella’s facility in Japan where she encounters game villain Albert Wesker who is the films main antagonist. Searching for survivors Alice heads to Alaska where her friends from the third film were heading only to discover that there was no help and that Clair is the only one of the survivors to remain and she has no memory of what has happened. Alice and Clair head to Los Angeles where they find survivors in a building including Chris Redfield all leading to a confrontation with the Umbrella Corporation and their ghastly creations including the Executioner and once again the guard dogs.

I stand by my statement about fans of the games enjoying the flick there are plenty of characters from them to keep you interested as well as enough to make it a fun Horror flick. You can definitely see the influence of Resident Evil 5 in this flick.

Now Lets talk about the effects. Zombies as always look great but I am referring to the 3D. Resident Evil: Afterlife if is the first flick to utilize the cameras invented by James Cameron for Avatar like this. There are some cool sequences but I really like the fact that it is not relied on like so many of the other flicks that use 3D as a gimmick to sell the movie. I feel that this flick can be watched on DVD without the 3D experience therefore I give the movie extra points.

The flick flows very fast I noticed. When you arrive at the climax you don’t realize it and I honestly enjoyed the flick so much for this fact that myself and my brother can’t wait for the next flick and I hope that this one does well so that we can get more installments of this film franchise.

I feel that it wasn’t as good as Apocalypse but it is still enjoyable.

Just for the record please stay seated after the end of the flick there is a cut scene after the cast credits that fans will really enjoy as long as there is no one standing in front of you.

15 Dead Bodies
0 Breasts
1000 Zombies
2 Dogs
8 Alices
1 Executioner
1 Jackass Producer
4 Explosions
Heads Roll
Hammers Roll
Zombie Fu
Security Guard Fu

3 Stars
Check it out