Unrated 2-Disc Box Set
Directed by Anthony Mann
Starring Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren
Available Jan. 29, 2008
The sixties were a funny time… You know, for EVEN MORE than the obvious reasons. It was the decade that the studio system in Hollywood finally fell to corporate ownership. The debate rages to this day on whether or not this was a development for the better.
As Martin Scorsese notes in his liner-note introduction for today's film, Anthony Mann's El Cid "is a picture that marks the passing of an era in American moviemaking." Quite possibly the last huge epic before corporations. Before Kubrick. Before Hippies. Before Altman...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
DVD Review: 'El Cid' Box Set
'Cloverfield' Director in Talks for Sequel + 'The Invisible Woman'
Ever since Cloverfield's strong box office opening earlier this month, the rumors has been flying that a sequel is not too far behind. Director Matt Reeves even speculated what story the sequel would follow (basically, just someone else's filmed perspective of the night of the monster attack).
Today, Variety reports that Paramount is in early talks with Reeves, producer J.J. Abrams, and screenwriter Drew Goddard to return for a proposed Cloverfield sequel...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: 'The Odd Couple' S3
Season 3
Starring Jack Klugman, Tony Randall
Paramount Home Video
Available Jan. 22, 2008
Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!
Next to “Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!” no name resonated more among TV viewers of the 1970s than Tony Randall’s Felix Unger complaining about Jack Klugman’s slob Oscar Madison.
In fact, one can’t see Randall or Klugman in anything else without thinking of Felix and Oscar. Each time I watch Quincy, I wonder if there are any half-eaten sandwiches or cigar butts in the morgue...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Brett Ratner to Take Over 'The Wolf Man'?
THR reported on Tuesday that director Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) had dropped out of the Universal Studios classic horror remake, The Wolf Man, because of "creative differences" and a dispute over the film's $100 million budget.
The studio plans to replace the director by week's end, though it's unknown whether the film will begin shooting in the UK as scheduled in a few weeks and if it will meet its planned release date of early 2009...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
'Star Trek XI' Forum Live + Castings
The official Star Trek XI site has launched their Forum section.
Check out the movie's official site and click on the link for "Forums" (at right beneath "Under Construction") to register to start posting (or don't register and just lurk)...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: 'Emergency!' S4
Season Four
Starring Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Robert Fuller, Julie London
Paramount Home Video
Available: Jan. 29, 2008
In the early 1970s, if you wanted to get a glimpse of what paramedics do in the course of a typical day, your options were kind of limited. Basically, you could either: (1) become a paramedic; or (2) wait for a car accident to occur on your block. Obviously, both of these involved an investment of time somewhat disproportionate to the goal at hand...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Comic Review: Death By Chocolate: Redux
Written and Drawn by David Yurkovich
Top Shelf Productions
Cover Price $14.95; Available Now
Read that title again.
Death By Chocolate.
Do I even need to write this review? I mean, you see that title and you can probably decide on the spot whether you're going to give the book a try or not. You'll either have the, "Now that's just odd enough to make me curious” reaction, or the, "Uh... no thanks. Not my bag” reaction.
You've already had that reaction, haven't you?...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
'Y: The Last Man' Final Issue + Details for a Possible Movie Trilogy
A weekly struggle between my husband and I is the single-issue vs. trade comic book argument. He likes to read our favorite comic book titles as single issues, whereas I like to wait for the trade paperback editions. I do understand his anticipation to grab the latest installment, but I find it frustrating to have to wait after getting through one issue, therefore, I like to have a few collected issues so I can read it all at once...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
New 'Indy 4’ Image + Film Updates
Empire has a new image from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, which shows Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones with a bazooka, together with Shia LeBeouf and Karen Allen...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Comic Review: Atomic Robo #4
Atomic Robo #4
Written by Brian Clevinger
Art by Scott Wegener, Zack Finfrock
Colors by Ronda Pattison
Letters by Jeff Powell
Red 5 Comics
Cover price: $2.95; On sale: Jan. 16, 2008
I gave the ending of the last issue a bit of a hard time, since the issue just kind of stopped without any indication it was the end. Well, it's okay, because the story continues here, before going into another flashback. I was kind of worried about this series after the last issue, but with issue number four, it's rocketed right back into my heart, with probably my favorite issue so far. I think I enjoyed it so much because it lived up to my expectation of what I thought the series was going to be, as opposed to what the first three issues actually were. That said, I'm really starting to enjoy the main character as I get a feel for his personality, and this issue helps to fill in some of the reasons why he is the way he is...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
New Line to Relaunch 'Elm Street' Franchise
New Line Cinema... oh, New Line Cinema, why?
I can understand why you made the 180° and ate some crow to make The Hobbit deal with Peter Jackson. From every angle it's a smart move: there's never been a live-action version of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson's name can be pushed in all the promotional spots even if his only technical role is to walk through the set and pass wind, and the fan base that will buy into it no matter what the result is HUGE (and yes, I'm a part of said fan base).
But what the f*ck guys?!? A Nightmare on Elm Street?...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
'Hellboy II' Johann Krauss Poster
The Hellboy II production site has been updated to include a feature poster and concept art for the character Johann Krauss.
John Alexander and James Dodd will play the role of Krauss, who will be voiced by Thomas Kretschmann. Krauss, a B.P.R.D. agent, is a disembodied ectoplasmic spirit psychic that resides in a containment suit.
Regarding the concept art, writer/director Guillermo del Toro said he wanted a Jules Verne approach to Krauss's attire, which is meant to have the look of a 19th century containment suit...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Movie Review: Cassandra's Dream
Cassandra's Dream
Directed by Woody Allen
Starring Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell
Rated PG-13
Release date: Jan 18, 2008
"You can't control life. It doesn't wind up perfectly." ---Sandy Bates from Stardust Memories
"If you want a happy ending, you should go see a Hollywood movie." ---Judah Rosenthal from Crimes And Misdemeanors
"People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It's scary to think so much is out of one's control." ---Christopher Wilton from Match Point
Cassandra's Dream: Getting Away With It Again
Cassandra's Dream can be seen as the final film in a trilogy of films that began with Crimes and Misdemeanors and continued with Match Point. The three revolve around characters getting away with terrible crimes. While not an official trilogy, the themes that Woody Allen examines in each of these films includes some of his best work. Just as the theme of vengeance linked Chan-wook Park's Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, and Lady Vengeance, there is a continuous theme that binds all three of Mr. Allen's films together. Make no mistake about it: Cassandra's Dream is just as unsettling as the previous films. Match Point must have felt like sweet vindication for Woody Allen -- a critical and modest commercial success that reminded many of his long-time fans that he was still very much in the game. As in, Match Point, Woody Allen does not appear in the film, but like all of his films, his surrogate does. I will leave it to you to decide who his alter ego is in this film -- more on that later...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Game Review: Beowulf--The Game (Xbox 360)
Genre: Action/Adventure
ESRB Rating: Rated M
Developer: Ubisoft
Platform: Xbox 360
Price: $19.99; Released: Nov 2007
In the interest of full disclosure, I never saw the CGI motion-cap Beowulf flick. So I wasn't going into this game with any expectations, good or bad. I wasn't hoping it would live up to the movie; nor was I hoping it would be better than the movie… I just wanted a fun, action-packed game that allowed me to run around and kick ass in epic style fashion. After all, this is based on the poem that pretty much inspired every epic fantasy story ever told...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: 'The Rockford Files' S5
Season Five
Starring James Garner
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Available Jan. 15, 2008
To me, a television show like The Rockford Files functions as a form of kryptonite in relation to contemporary network programming. In short, even a single minute of the quality, imaginativeness, humor, and soul of this series brings the crap inhabiting today’s TV airwaves to its collective knees and renders it useless...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Movie Review: Untraceable
Untraceable
Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Starring Diane Lane, Colin Hanks, Billy Burke
Rated R
Release date: Jan. 25, 2008
Probably one of the most over-used expressions when critiquing gory movies is “torture-porn.” This over-generalization encompasses not only the recent proliferation of films with shock value and elaborate murder sequences, but our own apparent obsessive desire to watch such strange macabre events online. Behind the anonymity of screen names, people’s voyeuristic behaviors give an audience to those who will literally do anything for attention, without all the guilt of association...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: Pioneers of Television
Documentary
PBS/Paramount Home Video
Available Jan. 29, 2008
It’s hard to believe that network television has been broadcasting for over 60 years, but it’s true.
Some of us remember when the majority of TV sets were black-and-white, when you had four or five channels max to choose from, and when you were the family member designated to get up and change the channel and mess with the antenna...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Guillermo del Toro to Direct 'The Hobbit'
Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct the planned back-to-back film adaptations for J.R.R. Tolkien's classic tale The Hobbit.
As previously reported the two films will be produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, the masterminds behind the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, for MGM and New Line studios...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Movie Review: The Orphanage
The Orphanage (El Orfanato)
Presented by Guillermo del Toro
Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona
Starring Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger PrÃncep
Rated PG-13
Release date: January 11, 2008 (wide)
I'm pretty sure any time you are a former foster child growing up in a creepy old house the last thing you want to do is buy it later in life and reopen it. I guess I can't speak from experience, but it seems a bit off-putting on its own...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
'Star Trek XI' Team Reveals Film Details
Trek Movie scored a Web chat session on Friday with Star Trek XI director J.J. Abrams, who was intermittently joined by members of the creative team and cast, all of whom were participating in the online chat between filming on the movie's Enterprise bridge set. (That's a photo at right sent to the chat of Abrams on the bridge!)...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Comic Review: Hybrid Bastards
Hybrid Bastards
Written by Tom Pinchuk
Art by Kate Glasheen
Archaia Studios Press
Cover Price: $3.50; On sale: Dec. 12, 2007
There's a story that gets told a lot where I live, it goes something around these lines: One Kid, his name doesn't matter as far as storytelling is concerned, isn't having his best day ever, in fact, he feels morose and he finds himself longing for something even if he doesn't quite know what that something is, but that's true for a lot of us. Now in the interest of full disclosure I have to say that this story is not intended to serve as a moral lesson in any shape or form, moving on...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Rambo: Still Buff, Bandannaed & Bad-Ass
Yesterday saw the release of Sylvester Stallone's Rambo, and while it didn't top the box office (the top slot went to the spoof comedy Meet The Spartans), it did come in second with a gross of $6.7 million, making it the best opening day for a Sylvester Stallone film.
Not bad considering 1) it's a January opening (a month with notoriously poor box office returns); 2) it's up against January record breaker Cloverfield as well as Oscar-nominated films; and 3) it's violent as hell...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Lowbrow Study: Coop Inter-Re-View
To the British, Coop is underground. The artist known as 'Coop,' Chris Cooper, has created many an artwork you wish you had done first. Famed for his portrayal of voluptuous devilish women reminiscent of the classic pin-ups of the 1950s and '60s Raquel Welch, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, and the dirty-work of Russ Meyer, Coop has managed to bring his artwork into the fore. His cigar-smoking Devil Head has become a trademark of sorts, ensuring Coop's place in history...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Friday, January 25, 2008
Year In Review - Comics Books of 2007
We come to the end of another year, and now is the time to look back in fondness of the good stuff as to we try to drink away the bad stuff. And so it goes with the comics world, as every reviewer and blogger has fun making their list and checking it twice as we expel the virtues of the great works of the past year. Who am I to resist the siren's song of the "Best of" list, so I present to you, my fine readers, a selection of categories chosen by me, with a bunch of winners and also runner-ups, also selected by me. Love it, hate it, agree with it, disagree with; please do me the favor of commenting below.
Best Writer – Ed Brubaker
Runner ups – Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Darwyn Cooke
Not a very difficult choice to make on this one. No writer had a more varied line-up of titles while keeping on schedule and making every book a great read. Let's look at Bru's hit list for this year: Daredevil, which is maybe not his stand-out book, but is good every month; Immortal Iron Fist, co-written by Matt Fraction, admittedly I've switched to trades on it, but the first arc was very exciting and this is well regarded by a lot of people: Criminal (see below); Uncanny X-men, I had a blast with Bru's first arc on the title, and I'm hearing good things about his issues of Messiah Complex. Finally, there's Captain America, which had a lot of buzz early in the year, thanks to a certain big event, but that buzz was stupidly squandered through no fault of his own because of Marvel's production. Brubaker is telling a very long, involved plot here with a ton of characters, but the reader never feels lost. What other writer can boast having one of the best series on the market without a single appearance by the title character?...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
'Star Trek XI' Trailer Links + Facebook Page
We now have the teaser trailer links for J.J. Abrams' Star Trek XI in standard, high definition, and iPod formats.
The teaser teaser debuted in theaters last Friday in front of screenings of the Abrams-produced Cloverfield and went live online on Monday.
Links for new formats for the trailer are here after the jump...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
'Midnight Meat Train' Poster
Lionsgate sent us the official poster for the horror thriller Midnight Meat Train, based on the short story by Clive Barker.
See poster at right and click for larger view; synopsis is here below; see our previous coverage for the trailer...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
'Toy Story' Trilogy Will Go 3D
Disney/Pixar will release Toy Story 3 in Disney Digital 3D, and has plans to convert Toy Story and Toy Story 2 into 3D, according to The Walt Disney Studios...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Contest: 'Dirt' Season 1 DVD
About Dirt Season 1 DVD:
- Available Subtitles: English
- Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- All 13 episodes from the 2007 season on four discs
- Celebrity Couple Gets Dirty
- Through a Lens, Darkly
- Tabloid Wars: Totally true stories from the celebrity trenches
- Deleted scenes
Read the Geeks of Doom review of Dirt Season 1.
TO ENTER:...find out all the contest details at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: The Game Plan
Directed by Andy Fickman
Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Madison Pettis, Roselyn Sanchez, Kyra Sedgwick
Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Available Jan. 22, 2008
Joe Kingman (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) is a great quarterback, he has an awesome apartment complete with mood lighting and the manly barrage of electronics, the model girlfriend who is as self-absorbed as he is, and the friendship (albeit a bit fickle because no one can truly be friends with a megalomaniac) of his starting team. So when the young Peyton Kelly (Madison Pettis) moves in with him when her mother voyages to Africa for a medical mission, Joe's home and work are dramatically changed in this humorous and often touching family comedy...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Status of Heath Ledger's Projects
Actor Health Ledger's sudden death on Tuesday leaves in question a few projects he was involved with -- The Dark Knight, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and what was to be his directorial debut, The Queen’s Gambit. (See here after the jump a possible Dark Knight spoiler.)
The 28-year-old actor was found dead in his New York City apartment on Tuesday from what appears to be either a suicide or an accidental overdose, according to New York City police. Sources say the autopsy report on Wednesday was inconclusive and that further testing will take about two more weeks...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Movie Review: There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano
Rated R
Release date: Jan. 11, 2008 (wide)
"Ladies and gentlemen... I've traveled over half our state to be here tonight. I couldn't get away sooner because my new well was coming in at Coyote Hills and I had to see about it. That well is now flowing at two thousand barrels and it's paying me an income of five thousand dollars a week. I have two others drilling and I have sixteen producing at Antelope. So, ladies and gentlemen... if I say I'm an oil man you will agree.
You have a great chance here, but bear in mind, you can lose it all if you're not careful. Out of all men that beg for a chance to drill your lots, maybe one in twenty will be oilmen; the rest will be speculators -- men trying to get between you and the oilmen -- to get some of the money that ought by rights come to you. Even if you find one that has money, and means to drill, he'll maybe know nothing about drilling and he'll have to hire out the job on contract, and then you're depending on a contractor that's trying to rush the job through so he can get another contract just as quick as he can. That is the way this works."
That is the opening dialogue of the movie by oil man, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis). It comes no less than 15 minutes into the picture and tells us all we really need to know about the man. But we don't know this to be fact until the end of the film, more than two hours later...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
'Bond 22’ Gets a Title!
BBC News reports today that the official title for the 22nd James Bond movie is Quantum of Solace.
Quantum of Solace is the title of a story that was included in For Your Eyes Only, a collection of short stories by 007 creator Ian Fleming that was published in 1960...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
One Last Chance to Catch Metal Doc 'Anvil! The Story of Anvil' at Sundance
If I had gone to the Sundance Film Festival, this is the assignment I'd want to get -- reviewing Anvil: The Story of Anvil.
Seriously, it's a movie made for me.
But, alas, I'm not at Sundance now, so I haven't seen Anvil: The Story of Anvil, a documentary about the 1980s metal band, Anvil. Therefore, I will direct you to what I consider to be a fair, detailed, f**king awesome review from self-proclaimed non-metalhead James Rocchi over at Cinematical. Horns up, dude, for keeping an open mind. \m/\m/...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
DVD Review: 'Hawaii Five-0' S3
The Third Season
Starring Jack Lord, Cam Fong, Zulu
Paramount Home Entertainment
Available Jan. 22, 2008
When you hear an urban youth refer to the cops as "Five-0," when you hear the Hawaii Five-0 theme song by The Ventures used in movies from Leroy & Stitch to Madagascar to Mr. Bean's Holiday, and when Hawaii Five-0 is referenced several times in the Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland, you know the show has reached pop-icon status...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
TV Review: Jonathan Ross --- In Search of Steve Ditko
Jonathan Ross: In Search of Steve Ditko
BBC Four
Steve Ditko is one of the legends of comic book art. His unique style still resonates with readers to this day, as does his most popular creation, Spider-Man. Much has been made of who should actually get the credit for creating many of Marvel's most popular characters, and Spider-Man is no exception. This documentary, produced by the BBC, does not shed a lot of light on the subject, but is still a fascinating overview of the career of one of comics' most reclusive creators. Through interviews with friends, colleagues, and fans, the creator of the documentary, Jonathan Ross, looks to give us a more complete picture of this mystery of a man...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Why William Shatner Won't Be In 'Star Trek XI'
Since hearing the news of a Star Trek prequel movie, fans have been asking if William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in the original TV series as well as in seven motion pictures, would somehow be involved in the J.J. Abrams movie. Then it was announced that Star Trek XI would have Leonard Nimoy reprising his role as Mr. Spock, yet still no go on Shatner, who has repeatedly stated that he would gladly join the cast...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
Comic Review: Afterburn #1
Afterburn #1
Created by Scott Chitwood
Script by Scott Chitwood, Paul Ens
Pencils by Wayne Nichols
Inks by Nick Schley
Colors by Marc Hampson, Andrew Dalhouse
Letters by Troy Peteri
Red 5 Comics
Cover price: $2.95; On sale Jan 23, 2007
Mmmmm... I do love me a bit of fine post-apocalyptic fiction.
The Terminator. The Matrix. Singularity 7. Mad Max. I Am Legend! There's just something about the post-apocalyptic setting that fascinates me. No chance for a happy ending. The worst has already happened. The good guys lost. The world ended. What happens next? What stories are told in the aftermath? How do we, as a society and as a species, bounce back?...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead
Actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon in a Manhattan apartment, according to New York City police. He was 28.
At this time, the actor's death appears to be either a suicide or an accidental overdose. Ledger was found naked and unconscious by the housekeeper and the masseuse, and there were prescription and non-prescription sleeping pills on the night table. They tried to revive him, but he did not respond. Police do not suspect foul play; an autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday...continue reading this article at Geeks of Doom!
DVD Review: Fatal Contact
Directed and Written by Dennis Law
Produced by Dennis Law and Herman Yau
Action Coordination by Nicky Li
Starring Jacky Wu Jing, Ronald Cheng, Miki Yeung, Theresa Fu, Cheung Siu-Fai, Lam Suet
Dragon Dynasty
Available Jan. 22, 2008
Naive mainlander Kong, who is currently in Hong Kong making some extra money as a Peking Opera actor, is offered a lucrative deal by the local triad to fight in an illegal martial arts competition. Although Kong resists at first, he takes the opportunity after being convinced by Tin, one of his fellow performers that he secretly has a crush on. His first fight is a one-kick success, and he soon becomes indoctrinated into the gang, in the process making friends with one of the younger underlings, Captain, whose goofy persona is more than meets the eye...continue reading this review at Geeks of Doom!
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