Archive for the ‘jack the ripper’ Category
Filed Under alpha flight, bond, hellboy, hulk, indiana jones, jack the ripper, lord of the rings, rocketeer, she-hulk, terminator, wonder woman
Indiana Jones makes Monopoly better
I’m usually really annoyed by all the different Monopoly versions that come out, but dang if I don’t want this one. I think it’s the wooden crate it comes in. And the Ark of the Covenant hotels.
Terminator Garbage
Okay, seriously… I had just cleaned up my Tivo Season Passes and decided that I wasn’t going to stay with The Sarah Conner Chronicles on a weekly basis when it returns next Fall. I like a lot of it (Summer Glau, the intricate plot-weaving, John Conner’s emergence as a hero, the humor), but there was enough that bugged me (John Conner’s being in school, the convenient inconsistency in Cameron’s ability to blend in, Sarah’s tiring over-protectiveness) that I figured I’d just catch up when the DVDs came out.
But then they gotta go and put Shirley Manson in it. Well played, Sarah Conner people. Well played.
It’s amazing what a few plants will do
And speaking of re-energizing my interest in Terminator, McG has released some concept art from the upcoming sequels. I was pretty bored with the idea of post-Judgment Day movies, but I realize now that my problem may have been with how dull the future’s always looked in the movies so far. All the overgrown plant life still makes it look very desolate, but interesting. Like humans may have to deal with some nasty wildlife in addition to all those robots.
Coolest origami ever
Okay, it’s not technically origami, but it’s still making stuff out of paper and – outside of Edward James Olmos in Blade Runner and the dinosaur pop-up dioramas my son’s been making lately – that’s an activity that’s always struggled for coolness. Until now. Lots more characters at that link and this one, including the Rocketeer, Indiana Jones, and Hellboy.
London 1888
Part board game, part RPG, part card game. In Victorian England hunting Jack the Ripper. I’m so getting this when it’s translated to English. (Thanks, Brass Goggles!)
“You expect me to link?”
I knew Snell from comics blog Slay, Monstrobot of the Deep!! was Awesome. I mean, the proof is right there in the blog name. But I didn’t realize he was also a huge Bond fan, which pretty much breaks the scale I was using to measure Awesome with.
I Expect You to Die! is his project in reviewing every Bond movie ever made leading up to the release of Quantum of Solace, but he also talks about other Bond stuff that interests him. Things are already off to a great start with his review of the old Climax Mystery Theater version of Casino Royale. I’ve pretty much worn out my VHS copy of that one and I still learned stuff from Snell’s post. Including that my copy is incomplete.
I’ve always thought it ended abruptly, but figured that was because of having to quickly wrap up the live production. It’s more of a mystery than ever now why the commercial versions of the episode cut off the end, but at least Snell has the missing stuff for us to finally see.
Ultimate Alpha Flight
I’ve never read an Ultimate Marvel comic and don’t really have any desire to, but I admit I’m a little intrigued by the Ultimate version of Aurora there. She was one of my favorite members of Alpha Flight and I hate that no one’s doing anything with her. Of course, any interest in her is more than offset by how goofy the rest of the team looks. Why does Vindicator have lightbulbs on his arms? (Thanks to Weekly Crisis for the scan.)
Hobbit 2 could go either way
Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro have finally spilled some info about the Hobbit movie and its sequel. The Hobbit news is really positive:
No casting has commenced and won’t until the scripts are written. Guillermo insists that “Unequivocally, every single actor that originated a role in the trilogy will be asked to participate and reprise it. If health, availability or willingness become obstacles – and only in that case – recasting would be considered.” … Ian Holm will be utilized “in some fashion for sure but the difficulty of the role will be better assessed after” the screenplays are completed. Del Toro revealed that he also has plans for Ron Perlman in the film, but not as the voice of Smaug.
Both movies will be PG-13 … Howard Shore is in talks to return to compose the score. Much of the original production team will be brought back supplemented by choices from del Toro.
Middle-earth will be shot on location in New Zealand with real set construction preferred over green screen. They plan on rebuilding Hobbiton “bigger and even better” in the same location.
Unfortunately, the sequel won’t be the second half of the original book, but a fanfic story. Del Toro says, “We must try and contain The Hobbit in a single film,” but I suppose if I’ve got to watch a fanfic story, Jackson and Del Toro’s is the one I’d want to watch.
Del Toro says, “The idea is to find a compelling way to join The Hobbit and Fellowship and enhance the five films both visually and in their Cosmology. There are omissions and material enough in the available, licensed material to attempt this. The agreement is, however, that the second film must be relevant and emotionally strong enough to be brought to life…”
Jackson says, “If we wished to write one of the LOTR characters into the narrative of Film Two, we would only do that with that actors blessing, and willingness to take part. Otherwise we’d take the writing in another direction.”
This just in: Amazons are hot
I love this post on female bodies and popular culture. If my fascination with Wonder Woman isn’t clue enough, I’ll just say outright that I’m especially attracted to women who look like they could kick my butt. So, out of the images that Kali posted there’s absolutely no contest between the Amazon superheroines and the ultra-tiny supermodels they’re next to. I blame Lucy Lawless for ruining me on unhealthy-looking girls.
Filed Under avengers, battlestar galactica, burn notice, captain america, giant monsters, hulk, indiana jones, iron man, jack the ripper, lost, psych, thor, x-men
Josie gets Psyched
Rachel Leigh Cook is going to be on an episode of Psych; playing Shawn’s high school crush. Also, Cybill Shepherd will be playing Shawn’s mom in a couple of episodes.
Even more important to know: the next season kicks off July 18.
Six gets Burned
Man, I’m just full of the puns today, aren’t I? Genuinely sorry.
Anyway, in other awesome USA Network news, Tricia Helfer’s going to be in a few episodes of Burn Notice. Season Two begins on July 10.
Jin gets Strained
Okay, I guess I wasn’t that sorry.
Finding out that Daniel Dae Kim from Lost is in A&E’s Andromeda Strain mini-series on May 26 and 27 makes me sort of want to see it.
Marvel movies and TV
I haven’t talked much about Iron Man, because I really don’t have anything to add to the discussion. I feel just like everyone else who’s seen it: it’s the best superhero movie ever made and it makes me want to read about that Tony Stark in the comics. I’m thinking I’ll probably start with Enter the Mandarin. I hear good things.
Also, that scene after the credits was awesome and it makes me even more excited to see The Incredible Hulk because I have a feeling we’re going to see it repeated there. The weekend Iron Man was released, Marvel announced it’s movie plans for the next couple of years: Iron Man 2 and Thor in 2010, then Captain America and The Avengers in 2011. An Ant-Man movie is also supposed to fit in there somewhere.
I’ve been wondering why Marvel would bother with an Ant-Man movie until I saw this schedule and realized that Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor are the original Avengers, with Captain America joining soon afterwards. Except that Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor weren’t the entire original team. There was also Ant-Man. (And the Wasp, but she’s Ant-Man’s wife and could possibly appear in the Ant-Man movie, if they plan to use her at all.)
So, I’m speculating that we’ll see a similar post-credits scene in all the upcoming Marvel movies, culminating in an amazing cross-over movie event, The Avengers.
In other Marvel screen news, Marvel recently announced a new cartoon for next year. Marvel Super Hero Squad is a “’super stylized’ animated series geared toward 6- to 8-year-olds.” It’ll be joining Marvel’s current cartoon properties: Spectacular Spider-Man (possibly the greatest super-hero cartoon of all time), Wolverine and the X-Men, and Iron Man: Armored Adventures.
Giant, floating, space squid
Undead Backbrain profiles my new favorite giant monster: Dogora.
The Outlander monster
Looks Awesome, doesn’t it? It’s from that Vikings vs. alien vs. giant monster movie Undead Backbrain has been telling us about.
Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods
The ads for Dark Horse’s Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods comic have been frustrating in their lack of information about the story. Here’s the solicitation for the first issue:
Dr. Henry Jones Jr. may be the world’s preeminent archeologist, but that doesn’t mean he’s spent his life in the library! Ready and able to do whatever it takes to preserve the final remnants of history’s most significant happenings, he’ll go head-to-head against Hitler’s elite who want nothing more than to exploit objects of ancient power in pursuit of world dominance!
Be there for the beginning of this roller coaster thrill ride of non-stop excitement as Indiana Jones dons his hat, packs his whip, and undertakes an endeavor more awesome than anything ever!
Indiana Jones sets out on an all-new adventure that will take him around the globe!
I’m not looking for spoilers here, but that’s not at all helpful, right? It’s just a summary of the basic Indiana Jones concept. Like we really need to know what that is. It doesn’t tell you anything about when the adventure takes place or even what “the Tomb of the Gods” is supposed to be. The ads for issues 2 and 3 aren’t any better.
Fortunately, Comic Book Resources has an interview with some extra information. It’s set in between Temple of Doom and Raiders at a time when Indy is transitioning from being all about “fortune and glory” to becoming the “it belongs in a museum” guy. Personally, I’m not sure those two statements show the character growth that Tomb of the Gods writer Rob Williams sees in them, but that’s a subject for a longer post. Williams says that the “fortune and glory” Indy would’ve shot the ark with a bazooka at the end of Raiders and Tomb of the Gods is meant to depict that change. (I agree that Indy has changed by the end of Raiders, but it’s a change we see within Raiders itself, not off-camera sometime after Temple of Doom.)
They’re still not telling what The Tomb of the Gods is, but I can let that go. Even if I don’t agree with him, I appreciate the thought that Williams has put into his story, so I’ll be checking it out when it’s available in collected form.
Indiana Jones makes everything better, part whatever
This is another travel package, but unlike Expedia’s that just lets you visit the locations from the various Indy films, Viajes Con Imaginación have a deal that’s part Egyptian travel; part mystery party.
…they not only organize your entire itinerary, but they also plan strange things and make them happen to you. For example: robberies, kidnappings, ghosts coming to haunt you at night…
They also do a Jack the Ripper themed London tour. So very, very cool.
Michael Bay: Crystal Skull is “gonna suck.”
You might be surprised to hear it after reading that headline, but I have new respect for Michael Bay.
Filed Under dreamland chronicles, jack the ripper, king arthur, lord of the rings, mary marvel, neil gaiman, neverwhere, wonder woman
I got caught up with the stuff that made it onto the Newsarama blog while I was gone. Here’s some stuff that didn’t, but is probably too old now for me to post there.
Dreamland Chronicles monthly
I love Scott Sava’s CGI fantasy comic Dreamland Chronicles and apparently, so does IDW. They’re making it into an ongoing series. Each issue will have a CGI cover by Sava as well as a traditionally illustrated cover by another comics artist. The first issue has the Mike Wieringo cover above.
Wonder Woman vs. Mary Marvel
Like seemingly the rest of comics fandom, I was frustrated and disappointed by DC’s Countdown to Final Crisis series. Especially the unconvincing bit about formerly pure and innocent Mary Marvel’s becoming a black-hearted villain. I actually stuck with the series just to see how that storyline was going to play out because I sort of thought of myself as a Mary Marvel fan. I don’t any more. It’ll be good to see her smacked down.
Wonder Woman’s just the one I want to see do it, but it looks like it’ll likely be Supergirl instead. Whatever happens in Final Crisis, it promises to be really interesting. According to Grant Morrison:
Supergirl and Mary Marvel are in it. They have a big climatic battle to decide how femininity should be portrayed in superhero comics!
Wonder Woman already has problems of her own by that point. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman get targeted by the New Gods pretty quickly. Those are the first big targets that the Gods have to bring down but you’ll see Wonder Woman’s confrontation with Mary in #3.
I don’t think I like Wonder Woman’s being left out of the “battle to decide how femininity should be portrayed in superhero comics,” but Morrison’s even attempting such a fight is interesting enough a concept that I have to see how it goes.
End of the Century
I’m not in love with that cover, but Chris Roberson’s novel sounds interesting. It involves three different stories — a medieval fantasy, a Victorian mystery, and a modern-day jewel heist— that alternate throughout the book and then begin to come together as the characters uncover the secrets that connect King Arthur, Jack the Ripper, and a priceless gem.
Hobbit casting no-brainer
More exciting than the news that Guillermo del Toro will be directing The Hobbit is confirmation that Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf. What I’m really curious about though is who’s playing Bilbo. I’d love to see them do something that’s visually consistent with the flashback scenes from Fellowship of the Ring, but I can’t imagine them doing a whole movie with Ian Holm made up to look younger.
Neverwhere: The Play
Did you know there’s a theatrical version of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere? Here’s pictures to prove it. (Via.)
