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‘Cars 2’ Revs up for 2011 Release

  • News
  • September 25, 2008

Disney announced at their major presentation on Wednesday that they have accelerated the production of Cars 2 and have rescheduled its launch to 2011.

John Lasseter told the rapt audienced that the idea for the story developed as he did worldwide publicity for the first film.  The international settings got him to wondering how the Cars themselves would react to the exotic locales. Mater and Lightning McQueen will be in a global road trip as a result.

Additionally, a series of shorts, Mater’s Tall Tales, will be produced by Pixar in additional to the full-length theatrical sequel. The shorts will first be seen on the Disney Channel and will front feature films in movie theaters.

Cars, released in 2006, earned $462 million worldwide, but despite middling reviews, became a merchandising bonanza for the studio.

As a result, look for a 12-acre Cars Land at the revamped California Adventure in Anaheim, California.  The attraction is scheduled for 2011 opening in time for the film.
 

Review: Knight Rider Premiere

knight_rider-2118822In an attempt to make up for NBC’s flop of a reboot last year with [[[Bionic Woman]]] comes the new and improved [[[Knight Rider]]] which is like the original series, but with a revamped KITT, a younger cast, a brand new back-story, and fantastic special effects, this show has the potential be a win for NBC’s fall lineup. Many will be going into this “pilot” with some hesitation after February’s TV movie (which was technically the pilot), due to the fact that the show lacked in story structure, was full of WB-level acting, and gave work to David Hasselhoff. Happily, this episode fixed many of those issues and made the hour mildly entertaining.

The story from the original movie is that terrorists go after and “kill” scientist Charles Graiman (Bruce Davison) who helped work on the supercar Knight Industries Three-Thousand, or K.I.T.T. (see what they did there?), which drives away to find Graiman’s next of kin; his daughter Sarah (Deanna Russo). They meet up and Sarah decides to go to her old flame for help, a renegade army ranger named Michael Traceur (Jason Bruening) who is in his own heap of trouble with a whole “the-government-erased-my-brain-not-unlike-in-[[[The Bourne Identity]]]” plot of his own going on. By the end of the movie, Michael decides to become an agent for the newly reformed Foundation (an updated version of the original show’s F.L.A.G.) and drive KITT permanently.

This first episode takes off right in the middle of the action, as main characters Michael and Sarah are on a James Bond-style mission when Sarah gets kidnapped and Michael and KITT go after her, when they learn that these mystery men were actually after Michael and what he “knows”. This triggers the running theme of the episode, as everybody is trying to obtain clearance levels that they don’t have. Lots of shtupping going on for one episode, as there is presumed sexual tension between Sarah and Michael, and also between some other nondescript characters back in what can only be described as the KITTcave.

The KITT effects are easily the coolest part of the show so far. With essentially a Transformer voiced by Val Kilmer, it’s a pretty good answer to the “futuristic” car we got in 1982. There are some great uses of modern special effects where the car can turn into a pick-up truck—and back again—without crushing the passengers inside! Granted, this makes the show basically a weekly 40-minute commercial for Ford, but it is still pretty cool for any fan of the original series who wanted more than a bunch of cool [[[Dukes of Hazzard]]] jumps and William Daniels.

The bad points: there are some very cheeky moments back at the “base” with the wacky super nerds (a stereotype NBC seems to love) throughout the show, which comes across as incongruous for the show’s dynamic. Three-quarters of the show consisted of shadowy government types, as the overall story of the first episode was the death of Michael Traceur and the birth of Michael Knight, which was originally helmed by Michael’s father, Hasselhoff.

The biggest weakness for the show by a stretch is certainly the amount of different elements that the show tries to cram into 40 minutes. With that said, there is still plenty of action to keep you entertained, but add that in with the government mystery storyline, Michael finding out who erased his memory and why, the “Sam & Diane” storyline between Sarah and Michael, the plucky sidekicks, a unnecessarily dominant Sydney Poiter (the daughter, not Mr. Tibbs) and the dry wit of Val Kilmer as KITT, it becomes too much to keep track of. Each element on it’s own would make for great B-story to go along with the weekly spy thriller of the show, but cramming all of this in at once only proves to be confusing and hard to keep straight. The show certainly has potential to make it farther than last year’s Bionic Woman, but may have trouble keeping it up for more than a season unless they can find some solid structure, drop a few secondary storylines, or at least bring Will Arnett back as K.I.T.T. RATING: 7/10

Johnny Depp Returns as Captain Jack…and Tonto

  • News
  • September 25, 2008

A fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie seemed unlikely as every plot thread got neatly wrapped up and the escalating costs associated with making the films seemed unwieldy.  And yet, on Wednesday, Disney stunned the entertainment world by not only announcing a fourth installment of the franchise but that Johnny Depp will be back as Capotain Jack Sparrow.

Depp, already committed to playing the Mad Hatter for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland 3-D project, was then announced as playing Tonto in a feature film adaptation of The Lone Ranger. Both Pirates and the Ranger films will be produced for the studio by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Depp took the stage in full Captain Jack regalia but people were at first puzzled as to why he was wearing a Lone Ranger mask until the announcement was made.

Additionally, Bruckheimer will be producing the unnecessary third film in the National Treasure franchise.
 

Mickey Mouse: Soldier of Satan, by John Ostrander

  • News
  • September 25, 2008

As reported here on ComicMix last Monday by Matt Raub via AP : “A sheik from Saudi Arabia, a former diplomat posted in Washington, has put out a fatwa on Mickey Mouse, calling him the new enemy of Islam. ‘Mickey Mouse is a soldier of Satan, and everything he touches becomes impure,” said Sheik Muhammad al-Munajid.

‘Mickey Mouse has become an awesome character, even though according to Islamic law, Mickey Mouse should be killed in all cases. According to sharia law, the mouse is a repugnant and corrupting animal,’ he said during a show broadcast by Al-Majd television.”

So. There’s a fatwa on Mickey Mouse.

It should be noted that a fatwa, in and of itself, is not necessarily a death sentence. As Matt noted, “a “fatwa” is a ruling on a point of Islamic law that is given by a recognized authority.” In that respect, it’s not that different when the Pope speaks ex cathedra. It certainly isn’t different that when the Popes called for the Crusades to free the Holy Land.

This is not the first time that Disney has butted heads with religious types. Donald Wildmon of the American Family Association began a nine-year boycott of Disney, citing they were too friendly to gays. The Southern Baptists were part of that boycott and if there was ever a group in Western culture that I think was capable of issuing fatwas, it would be the Southern Baptists.

It’s all part of a continuing war on pop culture that is usually conducted by the conservative and/or reactionary elements of society. It’s not only religious groups, either. The comic book medium in the 1950s came under the scrutiny of Congress who felt that comics were degenerative and an unwholesome influence on America’s youth. To fend off possible Congressional controls, the comic book publishers of the day instituted the Comics Code – a straitjacket that bound and confined the comic book medium for decades and stunted its artistic growth. (more…)

batman-west-9831326

Another Look at the ‘Batman’ Series DVD Issue

  • Uncategorized
  • September 25, 2008

batman-west-9831326A lot has been speculated this week after Rich Johnston reported in Lying in the Gutters that the real reason 20th-Century Fox sued Warner Bros. over Watchmen was so they could settle and gain the rights once and for all to release the Batman television series on DVD.

Many casual readers nodded their heads and muttered, “sure, that makes sense.”

TV Shows on DVD does a nice analysis on all the rights issues surrounding the 1966-1968 series and its 120 episodes.  In addition to DC Comics and 20th, they review that musicians, costumers and even Batmobile designer George Barris may be entitled to shares that the studios are loath to pay out.  We recommend the article.
 

Greengrass Eyed for ‘Blackbeard’ Biopic

  • News
  • September 25, 2008

Given the success of Pirates of the Caribbean, other pirate films were expected to come roaring onto screens but surprisingly few have gotten out of development.  The first to actually make it to the cameras may be the DreamWorks production of Blackbeard, a biopic of Edward Teach.  Mania is reporting that Bourne Supremacy director Paul Greengrass is likely to sign on to direct.

The screenplay is by David Franzoni (Amistad) which Variety has reported would take a more real world view of buccaneers complete with their treacherous ways.  Pat Croce, who wrote Pirate Soul, about the 1690-1730 era, was on board along with producer Barry Josephson.

According to Mania, the plot goes something like this: “Edward Teach is in the employ of Britain’s royal navy and fought for the queen in the War of Spanish Succession.  During that time he had a protégé who served with him as his first mate.  When Britain withdrew from the war in the early 1700’s, many men of the royal navy were disavowed.  Teach, feeling betrayed and without a country to call his own, turned to piracy.  With many of his disavowed sea fairing comrades, he took a ship and using his honed skills and intimate knowledge of the navy’s shipping routes and pots, began exacting his revenge.

“Becoming an increasing threat, the British navy directed Teach’s old protégé, now a captain, to hunt down Blackbeard and put an end to his tyranny.  For the most part the story will be based on some truth but the protégé subplot is completely made up and, if successful, will be used again.”
 

Michael Peña may Join ‘Green Hornet’ Cast

  • Uncategorized
  • September 25, 2008

michael-pena-ethan-miller-4160778IESB reports that Michael Peña (The Lucky Ones) has been approached to appear in The Green Hornet starring Seth Rogan and Stephen Chow, with Chow now on board to direct the 2010 feature.  He told the site that Rogen is still at work on the script and the pair will also costar in April 2009’s Observe and Report due out April 2009.
 

Cartoon Network to Broadcast ‘Gotham Knight’

  • Uncategorized
  • September 24, 2008

batman-gotham-knights-2-1414892The Cartoon Network has scheduled the first cable airing of the direct-to-DVD Gotham Knight feature for October 4 at 9 p.m.  The six intertwined stories are set between the events of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, introducing themes and story threads plus appearances by Killer Croc and Deadshot.  The video received mixed reviews and did so-so business.

Meantime, the network is also continuing to promote the October 3 debut of Star Wars: The Clone Wars by organizing 2000 in-home viewing parties. House Party, a viral marketer, has selected the homes to enjoy the experience this Saturday night and people can check their website where the hosts will report on the activities and reception to the screening.
 

Webcomics You Should Be Reading: ‘Something*Positive’

  • Uncategorized
  • September 24, 2008

sp09232008-5278018Randy Milholland is a very, very angry man. He distills that anger into the purest form of hate known to man, which he uses as ink. And with that ink, he effects a marvelous transformation of rage into humor, he creates Something*Positive.

Of course, as many an astute reader has noticed, “Your comic isn’t positive at all! It’s mean!”

S*P is based in Milholland’s real life, and follows the adventures of Davan MacIntire (obviously modeled on Milholland) and his friends as they find and lose love, perform irreverent musicals, play inventive role-playing games, deal with family troubles, and cause amusing property damage and extreme bodily harm to those who incite them.
 
Milholland also has a number of other comic projects. Those that are still updating appear on the main S*P homepage, and include: Super Stupor, a gag-a-strip comic about super-heroes and villains who are a bit more genre-savvy than usual; Something*Positive 1937-1938, which chronicles the life of Davan’s namesake, a friend of the character’s grandfather; Midnight Macabre, which follows stand-up comic Gaspar Baugh as he tries to revitalize a late-night horror TV show in 1981; and Rhymes With Witch, a collection of unconnected gags that have randomly emerged from Milholland’s brain. He has a discontinued project called New Gold Dreams, based on a roleplaying campaign introduced in S*P; and filler strips titled Life With Rippy, featuring Milholland and his “muse”, a talking straight-razor.

Notable moments:

The introduction of Choo-Choo Bear, the malleable kitty
Davan is the universe’s buttmonkey, in what become Kim’s most well-known running gag.
A second disturbing cat, Twitchy-Hug, is introduced and eventually removed.
A crossover with Queen of Wands . The main character of Queen of Wands eventually joined the cast of Something*Positive permanently.
Aubrey’s business venture, the sex-line for Geeks, Nerdrotica.
Fred and Faye MacIntire’s perfect day

Drama: Medium. The world of Something*Positive sucks, and though the characters virtually always bounce back and pass the suffering on to others, actual pathos has been known to rear its ugly head.

Humor: Excellent, though dark and often offensive. Milholland makes no bones about slaughtering sacred cows, turning humor out of sensitive subjects. Viewer discretion is advised, but if you can handle most stand-up comedy (particularly George Carlin), you’ll appreciate this.

Continuity: High. Very few of the comics stand alone, and stories tend to weave around to different characters as exciting eents happen in their lives. This is one where it’s important to start from the first strip [link: http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp12192001.shtml] and do an archive trawl in order.

Art: A cartoon-ish line-art style that has improved as the comic has evolved. How detailed the background art is varies from strip to strip, ranging from detailed depictions of Davan’s childhood home to flat one-color backdrops.

Archive: Almost seven years, about 2000 page-sized comics.

Updates: Irregularly, usually 3-7 comics per week. The main Something*Positive strip tends to be a bit more reliable than the others. For most of the archives, Milholland maintained (or retroactively added) a five- or seven-day-per-week schedule.

Risk/Reward: The story is very slice-of-life, and like life, doesn’t have a real beginning or ending. Milholland has commented that he has an ongoing plan for all of his comics and when they’re due to end, but schedule slips have called that into question. The best approach is probably just to enjoy it while you’ve got it.
 

Baltimore Comic-Con Schedule Up

  • Uncategorized
  • September 24, 2008

home-guests-4236521Baltimore Comic-Con’s panel schedule went up first thing this morning and among the highlights will be Scott Kurtz, Danielle Corsetto, Scott Sava discussing webcomics, the first presentation from Disney’s Kingdom Comics, the must-see Kirkman vs. Bendis:  The Future of Comics, Jose Villarrubia honoring his good friend, living legend, and Guest of Honor, Bernie Wrightson, plus an hour of Howard Chaykin and Adam Hughes no doubt talking girls and art.

The major publishers will all have their usual assortment of highlight panels plus the presentation of the Harvey Awards.

The full schedule can be found at http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/.  ComicMix will have weekend-long coverage.

 

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