Just got in from the theater & all I can say is, "GHOST RIDER" IS FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!! The first time he turned into Ghost Rider was the most incredible transformation sequence EVER! I was floored! Better than I could have ever imagined it to be! The origin was dead-on to the comic. I only have one gripe: (Below is a spoiler that reveals something at the end that I hate. To read it, just use your mouse to highlight the black area.)

At the end they have Mephisto offer to take back the curse & Johnny refuses to let him. This is so wrong in so many ways! Johnny Blaze HATED being possessed by this demon (who in the comic is refered to as Zarathos)! He hated Zarathos so much that later, after he was finally rid of the curse, he runs into another Ghost Rider & tries to kill him! It wasn't until he realized this new one wasn't Zarathos that he joined him on a quest to defend the innocent. I HATE when they make it so the hero can decide whether he wants to be a hero or not. They did the same thing with Ben Grimm in "Fantastic 4". Ben would NEVER choose to go back to being the Thing! There was a time when Reed did cure him the cure only lasted a few days & he changed back. This is how I believe the movie could have handled it in this way. Then we could still have our tortured hero who has no choice but, to be the Thing.

Other than that, the movie was beautifully done. The villain, Blackheart, was great. I was hoping they would've made Blackheart look more like his comic counterpart, you know, giant red eyes & spikes all over his head & back, but he was still too cool for school. There were a couple of funny references to "Back to the Future" & "Mortal Kombat" that I loved. Watch out for 'em! I WILL BE GOING TO SEE THIS AGAIN & AGAIN! I highly recommend this movie. A+++++++++++
(I had to take away a plus for my little gripe.)


I'll be getting back to you on "300" when I go see it on March 9th. Well, until new movie news erupts or I see another great comic related flick... See ya in the funny pages!

Tiny little edit:
Sadly, Vengeance is not in the movie. I guess they put the toy out just to sell a little bit more "Ghost Rider" related merchandise. OR, maybe he'll be in the Director's Cut!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Monkey_Boy,

There's something I don't understand about movie-goers. Why do people go to see movies they are in no way interested in & then talk crap on them because (SURPRISE,SURPRISE!), they didn't like them. I'm bringing this up here because I've just read a few of the reviews on "Gost Rider" & it is getting alot of flack. These people admit they didn't like the comic but, they went to the movie anyway & complained thst his origin made no sense. THAT WAS HIS ORIGIN!!! They didn't change a thing. I'm actually glad they went with the Johnny Blaze origin over Dan Ketch's. Can you imagine how much crap that origin would've gotten? "Oooooh, he walked into a junkyard & touched a motorcycle."

I've said it before in other threads, why go see a movie if you don't like the matierial? These movies are obviously for the fans. Yeah, they change things about our beloved characters for the mainstream audience but, it's the fans who have been looking forward to these projects for years. What's odd to me is people are taking stabs at these movies because they're based on comics, not because they are crappy movies. I mean, take "Hulk". It was MORE than just a "Hulk Smash" type of film. Hell, it bordered on being an art film. Yet, it was slammed by critics everywhere. If it was any other subject other than a comic character, it would have gotten rave reviews.

When you go to see a comic based movie, you shouldn't go expecting something to think about. You should go for a great time & to see your favorite hero or villain kick @ss. Plain & simple. What alot of their problems are, is that they seem to go expecting an Oscar contender. Sorry, you're in the wrong theater.

I have a date for the release of "Spider-Man 2.1": April 17th. Along with the 8 additional minutes, it will have an all new commentary track with new behind-the-scenes footage & a sneak peak at "Spider-Man 3". This 2-disk set will go for $19.94 at a retail store near you!

Over the weekend "Ghost Rider" made over 51 million dollars, making it the highest grossing President's Day weekend movie since 2003. The last movie to hold this record, also directed by Mark Steven Johnson, was "Daredevil". Guess the guy can't be all that bad. Especially since the Director's Cut of "Daredevil" was sooooo much better than the theatrical release! Hey, maybe we'll get a Director's Cut of "Ghost Rider" that'll blow this version out of the water.

There has been alot of talk that Mark Johnson is ruining the comic based movies he's worked on but, I just don't see that as being true. He originally wanted to release "Daredevil" without the love scene & with longer & more violent fight sequences but, it was the studio that made him put in the love scene & lessen the violence. I mean, people are talking about this guy like he's "pulling a Schumacher". His movies have been done very well & I've enjoyed them very much. I never went to see the 2 "Batman" films "Sh*tmocker" did. They just looked awful. (I did catch them on t.v. & I was glad I didn't waste my money.)

There has also been talk against "Iron Man" & we haven't even seen a trailer yet! It seems there are some people who disagree with the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. They claim he doesn't fit the "Superhero Mold". Apparantly, these people are idiots who know nothing of the comic. Tony Stark isn't a "Superhero Type". He's a business man who wears a suit to keep his heart going after a terrible crash that nearly killed him. He modified it so he can be a Superhero. It's the suit that gives him his strength, not the other way around. I'm glad they didn't make a HUGE mistake & cast a muscle-bound type to play him like Schumacher did with Dr. Freeze. Freeze was supposed to be a small scientist who was overpowered by a few thugs. Schwarzenegger doesn't look like he would be overpowered by anyone.

"Ant-Man" is currently in its pre-production phase with "Shaun of the Dead"'s Edgar Wright directing. He's making it a "full-on Comedy" & I suppose you couldn't have a better guy at the wheel for this! Another movie in the works is "Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." who resembles Samuel L. Jackson in the comics as of late. Hopefully, Mr. Jackson steps in for the movie role! Oh, & "The Dark Knight" will begin filming in April.

Well, until next time, see ya in the funny pages!

Some more exciting news, Fanboys & girls! DC & Warner Bros. are teaming up again for 'Justice League'! This will be jam packed with Superheroes: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, & the Martian Manhunter. There have also been dozens of others who have been on the team at one point or another! Right now it's just a question on who will be playing Superman, Batman, & (very soon) Wonder Woman. These heroes already have been established as the actors who have portrayed them in their solo adventures. It's really going to depend on when this story will be taking place on if they go for the same age, younger, or older. In order for this movie to be gravy we'll need one HELL of a powerful Supervillain! Maybe Darkseid?

Some good news from the "300" front. It received a STANDING OVATION at the Berlin Film Festival. The screening was interupted several times by applause & cheers from an audience of 1,700 people! Apparently, it won't be a chore to see this multiple times to help Snyder get a nice juicy budget for "Watchmen".

In other Frank Miller related news, he is looking to bring someone else's creation to the big screen, Will Eisner's 'The Spirit'. In an interview he stated that a script is being worked on as of now & he's hoping to have production begin in either Spring or Fall. He will be making his directorial debut with this flick. Hopefully he's learned plenty from working with Robert Rodriguez on "Sin City".

See ya in the funny pages!

More great news from the comic movie front! Adrien Brody has been rumored to be taking over the role of Bruce Banner in the second "Hulk" film. It even looks like the title will be changed to "The Incredible Hulk", I guess they really want to drive the point home that this is not connected to Ang Lee's "Hulk".

In "Spider-Man" news, it has been revealed that Marvel has plans for at least 3 more sequels. No word on if Tobey Maguire or Kirsten Dunst are signed on for all six.

As for "Iron Man" Shaun Toub, of "Crash" (2004), has now been cast. No word on who'll he be portraying. Now, for some sad news, no, War Machine won't be making an appearance until part 2. Dag! I'm tired of all these flippin' disappointments! First I hear "No Galactus!" & now, "No War Machine!" I mean, COME ON!

Oh well, I'll be gettin' back to ya with more great comic news as it becomes available. Until then, See ya in the funny pages!

Me again! According to another source, Scarcrow is going to be a possible second villain in "The Dark Knight". Cillian Murphy would neither confirm or deny his involvement in the sequel. This raises the question that if he wasn't going to be in it, why couldn't he just say so?

For you independant comic fans, 'Y: The Last Man' is currently struggling to make it to the big screen! It was developed over a year ago at New Line Cinema & now seems to be in "Development Heck" according to comic creator Brian K. Vaughn. He doesn't consider it to be in "Hell". He's finished the screenplay & everyone at New Line seemed to like it. But in Hollywood things either go really fast or really slow & right now it seems to be going really, really slow.

In case some of you don't know, the story is about a time when a "plague" has wiped out every male mammal on the face of the earth with the exception of Yorick Brown & his pet monkey. This leaves the two of them the last males on the planet. While society is in chaos as women learn to cope without men. Yorick, meanwhile, goes on a search for his girlfriend, who was on vacation in Austrailia. Could be a fantastic movie, once it gets off the ground.

That's all for now, see ya in the funny pages!

I haven't read any comic books in a long time (about 2 years to be exact).
Comics/Graphic Novels I'd like to see in theaters (if they ever come out)...
The Rabbi's Cat (Joann Sfar)- This book is absolutley hilarious.
Barefoot Gen (Keiji Nakazawa)- You will cry, It's beautiful and just thinking about it get's me teary-eyed.
MAUS (Art Spiegelman)- A tale about animals and the holocaust. It has inspired me and influenced me in so many ways.
Vampire Loves (Joann Sfar)- Not nearly as good as the Rabbi's Cat but still funny and romantic.
100 Bullets- This is probably my favorite comic book of all time... It's gritty and EXTREMELY violent.
Well, there you go!

Two years is alot sooner than me. I kept missing out on new issues of the comics I was following & then others just completly changed to accomadate what the movies had done. I am familiar with 'Maus' & '100 Bullets'. Very good choices. How do you think 'Maus' should be done? Live action, like "Cats & Dogs", animated by CG, or in the old fashioned drawn style?

To watch it in Live Action would be a bit weird and CG would make the film feel unrealistic. If it ever does come out, I think I would like to see a tradition rejuvenated. So the old fashioned draw is the only way to go.

I must agree with you on that, Everyoneanindividual. I think it would be very cool if they were to use the same art style that the comic did. Sort of like 'The Maxx' cartoon adopted Sam Keith's drawing style from the comic. Maybe we should start some kind of petition...

On to the news you crave! While one of the actors said Galactus would not be in the next "Fantastic Four" film, the director has said otherwise! They haven't finished the design for him yet, but they say he will be pretty powerful on screen! My faith renewed, once again I am excited to see this! I don't think you guys could know how horrible it was for me to think of a Silver Surfer story without his Master.

In other news, Tom Cruise has expressed interest in playing Ozymandias in the upcoming Zach Snyder project, "Watchmen". Those of you that have read the comics already know what an interesting role this would be for him to play. Snydre has said that he is making it an R rated film (WHOO-HOO!) & it'll be set in 1985. More news as it comes on this picture!

Warner Bros. Animation will be releasing "Superman/Doomsday" on September 18. It will feature the voices of Adam Baldwin as Superman, Anne Heche as Lois Lane, & James Masters as Lex Luthor.

And for you Spidey fans there will be an all new trailer for the 3rd movie in the series including all new scenes. So if your like my friend, you'll probaly wanna show up late so you won't see too much more. He wants to be surprised when he goes to see it in the theater. Me? Oh, I wanna see it. For some reason I always forget what I had seen in the trailer right when my butt touches the theater seat to watch the movie.

Well, I'll hit ya back when more news becomes available! See ya in the funny pages!

OK,
a) MAUS should be left COMPLETELY alone. The intimacy and bleakness of the vision is too much of the page to make an effective film.

b) Tom Cruise should not be allowed within 50 kms of a Watchmen project. He will unbalance the whole project.

c) Galactus would be a GREAT film villain. I give my approval to this proposal....

So, Ishmaelscoffin, are you saying an animated movie can't capture the emotions the comic has? I dunno. I've had animated movies bring out all sorts of emotions & this would also extend the fan base for the comic just like it has for every other comic-based movie.

As for Tom Cruise, I was going to be diappointed if they would have chosen him to play Tony Stark. For him to play Ozymandias wouldn't be a starring role for him, he is a crucial character, but not the lead. The character is the baby-faced most famous man in the world. Sounds like a Tom Cruise role to me.

At least we agree on Galactus, huh?

I'm simply against bad art.
And I think an adaptation of Maus would result in bad art.
How can any film capture those lovely pen strokes, the despair that comes from seeing those little boxes on a page reflecting the boxes the characters find themselves in....?

See, I feel the same way about the relationship between Hellboy the comic & the film.
The film just never comes close to the sheer wonder of the comic. It's better than most...but....

I'm soooo against most comic book movies
a) because I feel they are such different mediums

b) cause they are sooo often screwed up.

Sure, it wld be nice to broaden the readership of Maus, but comics are such a niche artform that I think the potential untapped readership resulting from such a film wld be negligible.

Now, what I would like to see is a Green Arrow film done by David Fincher. THAT would work

quote:

Originally posted by Ishmaelscoffin:
I'm soooo against most comic book movies
a) because I feel they are such different mediums

b) cause they are sooo often screwed up.

Really, I love the fact that Comic-Based Movies are coming out in a big way! For years I had been wanting to see heroes besides Batman & Superman up on the big screen. I feel ya on your second point, though. When they screwed up "X-Men" as much as they did, I was pissed! Rogue a child? What were they thinking? Same with "Constantine". In the comic John sells his soul to 2 demons & then kills himself. The demons have a battle over his soul until they realize this battle would go on for eons. So, they give him a blood transfusion with their blood. This is where his supernatural powers come from! He wasn't born with them!

So, yeah, I want the movies to keep comin', but I wish they would quit with the character tampering. "Sin City" proved you could stick with the original idea & people would still love it.

quote:

Now, what I would like to see is a Green Arrow film done by David Fincher. THAT would work

Now, that would be cold blooded!

Sin City is the exception to my rule.
It is in nearly every way the equal of the comic.....

I've just been burned for tooooo long, so I tread cautiously now...
I mean, how cld they screw Daredevil up??? It's a straightfwd noir thriller...!!!!

And yes, the tampering with characters is INFURIATING!!!
There is no reason that Y the Last man shld be bad, but you just wait & see my monkey friend, you just wait......

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kulturtrager,

Don't you put that evil on that movie, Ishmaelscoffin! We HAVE to have positive thinking here! Talk like that might destroy the movie! I mean, they might change the monkey to a parrot if we're not careful!

Well, it's finally here! Tomorrow "300" comes fighting its way into theaters & I've got my ticket! There is no way it should be awful, but I'll let ya know. My standards for this flick are a little higher than other Comic-Based Movies because this isn't your typical superhero story. The visuals are absolutly stunning, from what I've seen, & I'm very curious how they'll hold up on the big screen.

I saw the 7 minute preview for "Spider-Man 3" on NBC the other night and lo & behold! I finally got to see VENOM! It was a split second shot of him on the ground coming at the camera, but he looked great! I still have my doubts about where the story is headed. I'm mostly upset about Sandman being Uncle Ben's "ACTUAL" killer & the way they've changed the Green Goblin costume. I know people had their complaints about the suit in the first movie, but now he looks like a snowboarder! Where is the "Goblin" aspect of the costume?

It is official! Frank Miller will be directing "The Spirit"! The teaser poster definetly has a "Sin City" feel to it. Good Luck, Mr. Miller!

See ya in the funny pages!

300 is out tomorrow!!

Wow, that snuck up on me...I of course will just have to wait till my local friendly neighbourhood bootlegger burns a dodgy handy cam version for my viewing pleasure...

Ah, China....home of the pirate...

"300" is a sensationally superb feat in cinema! This movie does for the Spartans what "Braveheart" did for the Scottsman! It is truly an unreal experience & exceded every expectation. I'm not in many theaters where a movie actually gets applause from the audience, & there was a great one from the theater where I was seated. The photograghy was very interesting, the contrast of the bleached film look with the bright red of their cloaks to the dark red of the blood that was spilled! I MUST RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE!!!! I think "Ghost Rider" is about to be toppled by this fantastic achievement!

Oh, and the "Spider-Man 3" trailer at the start was a great look at Venom! You see Eddie Brock actually change into Spider-Man's greatest foe, right there, in this trailer! I guess that'll be the next big comic-based flick I see next! Until then...

See ya in the funny pages!

Well, I've just read all the reviews, and watched some footage...............

and.........
it looks bad monkey boy....

sorry!

I'm REALLY worried about Watchmen now ...