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Category Archives: Films based on Comic Books

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Jul 21

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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES-United States/United Kingdom-2012

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Michael Caine as Alfred

Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon

Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle

Tom Hardy as Bane

Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake

Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer

Screenplay by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan

Based on characters created by Bob Kane

I had no intention of even writing about “The Dark Knight Rises.” For the most part I review horror films and I leave the reviews of the mainstream films in the hands of others who are perfectly capable of the task. Does this mean I hated the film? It most certainly does not. “The Dark Knight Rises” is a superbly written, acted and directed motion picture and it is a fitting end to a trilogy that began in 2005 with “Batman Begins” and which continued with “The Dark Knight” in 2008. It is a rare film that can be viewed as an individual effort and be enjoyed and still be regarded as part of something way bigger. From the very start, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan had an epic story that they wanted to tell and they never lost sight of that vision.

I tried to pinpoint the theme of this film, but I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then, as luck would have it and I was glancing over the trivia for the movie I noticed that Christopher Nolan had said that the theme of “Batman Begins” was fear, “The Dark Knight” was about chaos, and finally “The Dark Knight Rises” was about pain. When I read that, I thought back over the events of the movie and realized that that was exactly what this film is about. There is pain all through this movie; the pain of loss, physical pain and finally the pain of betrayal.

But there is a pain that overshadows this film because of one man’s cowardly actions. I am of course talking about the horrific events of the shooting that occurred in Aurora, Colorado during the midnight premiere of the film. 12 people dead and 59 injured because of the rage of one idiot. I refuse to mention this piece of shit’s name for the simple fact that he does not deserve that recognition. People work hard for the right to enjoy themselves, whether it is at a baseball game, a vacation or just going to a movie with friends and family. No one should ever have to suffer the way these people and their loved ones have suffered. For that the only thing I can do is say that I am truly sorry.

Finally, as I pulled up to the theater I expected to see a crowd lined up and waiting to see the film; but that was not the case. I asked the ticket taker if the events in Colorado had put a damper on attendance and sadly he said that they had.  I also know that there have been a lot of people saying that the release of the film should have been moved to a later date. I am sorry, but I disagree. To do this would be to admit that the man responsible had won. He has won nothing and is a complete coward. Oh, and don’t try to tell me he’s crazy. His act was completely premeditated. I know there will be people who disagree with me and that is perfectly fine; but this is one moment when the show must go on.

Thank you.

TRIVIA

Christopher Nolan is the first director to complete a full trilogy of Batman films, but the second to direct a full trilogy of films on one superhero (after Sam Raimi completed his Spider-Man films).

One of the reasons why Christopher Nolan cast Tom Hardy as Bane was because of his performance in the film RocknRolla. Hardy stated that he thought he was cast because of his role in Bronson. He arrived on set only to learn that Nolan has never even seen Bronson.

Anne Hathaway, who plays Catwoman, had been cast as Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) in The Amazing Spider-Man in 2010, which at that time was under Sam Raimi’s direction as “Spider-Man 4″ and was going to feature the Vulture and Black Cat.

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Posted in Films based on Comic Books, Films Based on Graphic Novels, Films released in 2012

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TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS BORDELLO OF BLOOD

Jul 14

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TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS BORDELLO OF BLOOD-United States-1996

Dennis Miller as Rafe Guttman

Erika Eleniak as Katherine Verdoux

Angie Everhart as Lilith

Chris Sarandon as Reverend Current

Corey Feldman as Caleb Verdoux

Directed by Gilbert Adler

Story by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis

Screenplay by A.L. Katz and Gilbert Adler

Based on the comic book “Tales from the Crypt” created by William Gaines

The entire time I was watching Dennis Miller’s performance in “Tales from the Crypt presents Bordello of Blood”; I couldn’t help thinking that Rider Strong could play a younger Miller in a bio-pic. Between that and the fact that there are enough boobs and butts to keep Hugh Hefner on his Viagra prescription, it’s about the only things that keeps this extended episode interesting. Sure it’s got women of ill repute and vampires and lots of blood and gore, but it’s really nothing we haven’t seen before and better in the same year of its release. Anyone remember a kick ass of a movie called “From Dusk ’til Dawn?” That film came out in January of 1996; whereas “Bordello of Blood” didn’t rear its ugly head until August of that same year.

Lilith (why in the hell are they always named Lilith?), the mother of all vampires, is resurrected and opens a bordello inside a funeral home to lure unsuspecting male victims. One of those male victims just so happens to be Corey Feldman, who, ironically speaking, should know how to defend himself against vampires since he was a Frog brother in “The Lost Boys“. But we’re not talking about that movie, now are we? Anyway, after his disappearance his goody two-shoes sister (Erika Eleniak-”Baywatch”, “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial“, Miss July 1989 in Playboy Magazine) hires private investigator Rafe Guttman (Dennis Miller-”Thank You for Smoking”, The Net”) to try and find him. This in turn leads them to Lilith (Angie Everhart-”Take Me Home Tonight”) and her vampire hos and the final confrontation between the three leads. I’m not going to give away the secret to Lilith’s destruction, but I will say that Harry Potter fans should find it very familiar. It all sounds pretty damn exciting, doesn’t it, kids? Trust me; for the most part it’s not. Miller is by far the best thing about the movie; but it’s not his acting, but his strength as a comedian that carries the role. His character, Guttman, has the best one-liners in the movie. Angie Everhart is all statuesque red-haired sex appeal and Eleniak is girl next door gorgeous. Neither actress possesses a great deal of talent to go along with their beauty. There is then of course the blood and gore to consider, but it’s all cartoonish and not in the least bit terrifying.

So, if you want to see a vampire film with hookers and strippers but not much excitement to carry it along then by all means see “Bordello of Blood”. Anything more than that and you’ll need to see the one starring George Clooney and Salma Hayek. If neither of those choices floats your boat then there’s always “Twilight”.

TRIVIA

In a cemetery, there’s a crypt with the name “Gaines” on it. William Gaines is the creator of the “Tales From The Crypt” comic books.

Was originally intended to be the second installment in a trilogy of Tales From The Crypt movies, but the proposed third movie was scrapped by Universal when Bordello Of Blood bombed at the box offices.

Originally supposed to be released on a “horror themed” weekend (Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc.) but Universal didn’t have enough movies slated to be released for the summer of 1996 and opted to release Bordello Of Blood in August as a result.

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VAMPIRELLA

Jul 11

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VAMPIRELLA-United States-1996

Talisa Soto as Vampirella

Roger Daltrey as Vlad/Jamie Blood

Brian Bloom as Demos

Directed by Jim Wynorski

Written by Gary Gerani

Based on the comic book created by Forrest J. Ackerman

Who in the hell was responsible for this piece of crap? I love the comic book character Vampirella. I mean face it, for a red-blooded American male there are a lot of reasons to love her. She’s tough, she’s sexy, she’s beautiful and she rocks a costume that easily borders on the incredibly ridiculous. That in itself is the reason why I hate this movie so intensely; it takes all the things I love about the character and makes a mockery of them.

Hailing from the planet Drakulon, Vampirella chases the villainous Vlad across the galaxy to Earth to avenge the murder of her stepfather. She finds Vlad posing as rock musician Jamie Blood. Siding with Adam Van Helsing, she attempts to put a stop to Vlad’s reign of terror. That’s the plot and within the first two minutes of the film you know it’s going to be one big disaster. The acting is so bad it makes Keanu Reeves and Megan Fox look like Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep. The sets look like they’re borrowed from the local high school drama club. The costume, oh man, don’t get me started on the costume. Observe the image below:

Vampirella. Art by Jose Gonzalez.

Now, gaze upon this travesty:

Talisa Soto as VINO (Vampirella in Name Only)

See what I mean?

Then there’s the villain, Vlad. Can someone please explain to me why they felt that they had to get Roger Daltrey of The Who for the role? Was Ray Davies of The Kinks unavailable? Did they even try to get anyone with any credibility whatsoever for the part? At least they got someone hot for the title character of Vampirella when they hired Talisa Soto. In fact, that’s probably the only thing they got right with this movie.

By the way, wasn’t one of the vampires carrying an Oozinator? That’s an inside joke. Just ask Derek from Its Latin for Cookies.

Oh, and one more thing; if you’re going to put vampire fangs on your actors, make sure the damn things fit properly.

TRIVIA

The character “Forry Ackerman” is a tribute to the film’s associate producer, Forrest J. Ackerman, who also was the Editor of “Famous Monsters of Filmland” magazine (and also coined the title characters nickname – “Vampi“).

The old man briefly shown dancing while the band is playing is the real Forry Ackerman.

The space sequence of Vlad and his cohorts leaving Drakulon is footage from Not of This Earth, run in reverse. Both films were directed by Jim Wynorski.

¼

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Posted in Films based on Comic Books, Films Released in 1996, Movies, Sci-Fi/Horror Hybrids, Vampire Films

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BLADE

Apr 14

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BLADE-United States-1998

Wesley Snipes as Blade

Stephen Dorff as Deacon Frost

Kris Kristofferson as Whistler

Donal Logue as Quinn

Directed by Stephen Norrington

Written by David S. Goyer

Based on characters created by Marv Wolfman and Gene Colan

A history lesson, if you please. In 1978 there was Christopher Reeve as Superman and we all believed that a man could fly. It was the beginning of a new era of the cinema; the beginning of the superhero genre as we know it today. Well, then again, maybe not. After two spectacular films, the Man of Steel went just a little bit limp.

Cut to 1989 and Tim Burton decides to give it another go, this time with Supe’s Gotham City comrade, Batman. Burton even went so far as to cast against type when he hired comic actor Michael Keaton to fill the cowl of the Caped Crusader. Fanboys everywhere were wetting their pants and tearing up their parent’s basements in anger at this indignity. Then Keaton showed them all what he could do and everyone shut the hell up. Once again, the superhero genre was in full swing. Well, not so fast. In 1997, we were given Batman and Robin. How bad was it? It was so bad that you could literally hear the hopes that so many people had for the superhero genre as they lay screaming and bleeding in the streets. With something as small as nipples on the Batsuit the genre was finished, kaput.

Exit the Bat, enter Blade. I will argue with any man, woman or child on this planet and I will stand by my belief that not only is Blade a great vampire film, it is also the one film responsible for the superhero genre as we know it today. If you don’t know the story of Blade I’ll explain to you in nine words: he’s a bad ass motherfucker and he kills vampires. In the original film he’s on the trail of Deacon Frost. Deacon is trying to raise a vampire god that will make bloodsuckers all powerful, therefore making the humans their cattle. Does Blade save the day? Watch the movie and find out.

Blade s not a perfect movie. There are scenes that look cartoonish and the acting leaves a bit to be desired. But without Blade, there would be no Batman Begins. There would be no Dark Knight. There would be no superhero film as we know it today. While I’m at it, you can’t tell me that Blade wasn’t an influence on 1999′s The Matrix. Some of the action sequences and the costume designs are very reminiscent of scenes from Blade. Let’s face it; without Blade, all we would have is the nipples. I’m shuddering just thinking about it.

TRIVIA

LL Cool J was originally considered for the part of Blade.

In the scene where Blade is chased to the subway, and the subway train is passing by, all the passengers are cardboard cutouts with the special FX man among them.

The true name of the Blade character is Eric Brooke. (“Eric” is mentioned once in the film, and Blade’s mother’s driver’s license says Vanessa Brooks of Bradenton, Florida).

When the film was first being developed, David Fincher was supposed to direct. He later dropped out to pursue other projects.

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Posted in Films based on Comic Books, Films Released in 1998, Movies, Vampire Films

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