We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

Hi Geeks, Hayley here.

Back in May, John Pavlich and I recorded a commentary for his Sofadogs website (now with a brand new look you can check out here) for 90s teen thriller I Know What You Did Last Summer. Despite a few syncing problems due to region coding, we had a great discussion and would love you guys to check it out. Pop in your DVD or Blu-Ray and listen as we discuss the subtleties of makeup, annoying and belligerent older siblings, countless offenses of bad writing and more!

Listen here.

Subject: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Observers: John Pavlich, Hayley White

Record Date: May 03, 2011, 08:13 AM

Plot Summary: During their last 4th of July shindig together, four friends accidentally hit someone with their car. Fearing the end of their bright futures, they all make a pact to dump the body and keep this terrible night to themselves. Exactly a year later, a mysterious stranger is sending them threatening letters and stalking them, bent on some twisted form of justice.

Note: While I’m based in the US, Hayley resides in Australia, meaning that despite our best efforts, we occasionally run into some sync problems in the recording. Hayley’s DVD is a different region and format, which results in a slightly faster playback. While there are a few instances where Hayley gets ahead of me in the film, they are few and far between and we mostly manage to save face. Remember to listen for the preemptive countdown before starting the film on your DVD.

Well, it happened. We have a Green Lantern movie. I honestly never thought this day would come. Of course, after actually seeing the film, most people (especially critics) kind of wish it never had. Whether you’re an avid defender of the movie or one of its harshest critics, everyone seems to agree that Green Lantern had a lot of problems. Some people criticize the script. Some people criticize the acting or CGI. Ultimately, though, I think that all of the problems with Green Lantern come down to one thing:

It should have been Kyle Rayner.

For those of you who don’t know who he is, Kyle Rayner was the Green Lantern after Hal Jordan went Parallax-crazy, single-handedly killed every member of the Green Lantern Corps, and used their rings to destroy Oa, killing all but one of the Guardians of the universe in the process. This lone surviving Guardian, Ganthet, barely escaped Par-Hal-lax with the last remaining Green Lantern ring and crash landed on Earth in an alley behind a bar. It was there that he found Kyle, who isn’t the best choice for a Green Lantern (he doesn’t exactly have “ability to overcome great fear” on his resume), but it’s between him or some homeless dude and Ganthet is pretty desperate. So Kyle becomes the Green Lantern.

What’s interesting is that with no Green Lantern Corps to speak of (everyone’s dead and there isn’t enough power left to recruit any more members), Kyle has to train himself to wield the ring, only learning about the way things were through Ganthet or other heroes telling him. He eventually fulfills a prophecy that says that he’s meant to rebuild Oa and restart the entire Green Lantern Corps, but that’s after years of stories with Kyle learning to overcome fear and become the hero he was always destined to be. In the grand scheme of the Green Lantern mythos, Kyle Rayner is Luke Skywalker.

Think about it: A New Hope works so well because we enter into the world of Star Wars after the Jedi have been destroyed and we’re only told about the old world order through Obi-Wan reminiscing with Luke as the surrogate for the audience. He doesn’t know what’s going on until someone tells him, and neither do we. The Jedi are mysterious, which makes them cool.

With a Kyle Green Lantern movie, we’re not hit with a ton of very necessary (but really unfortunate) exposition about what a Green Lantern is, why they exist, where they come from, etc. What we get is mostly in passing because it’s just not important to his story. We come in at the end and are told about how awesome the Green Lanterns were, and quickly realize that Kyle has a lot to live up to. But he’s not alone. Kyle has his Yoda in Ganthet, his Obi-Wan in John Stewart (an out of commission Green Lantern who barely survived the fight against Par-Hal-lax, but was paralyzed from the waist down in the process), and even a Han Solo of sorts in a cocky, ex-Lantern named Guy Gardner. All of these supporting characters help Kyle master his newfound power and come to terms with being the last the Green Lantern , a job he was never meant to have. Ganthet only gives him the ring after saying something along the lines of “I guess you’ll have to be good enough…”. Kyle’s no hero, at least, not at first. He was just a freelance artist who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and suddenly he’s one of the most powerful beings in the universe. How do you process your whole life being rewritten in an instant, and what do you do next? It makes for an interesting story, and a strong character arc.

Instead, we get a Hal Jordan movie where the Green Lantern Corps are at the height of their power and influence throughout the galaxy. Everything is great other than the “phantom” threat of Parallax and another character who seems to be a good guy right now but we’re all waiting for the moment when he eventually turns dark side and gets his “revenge”. There’s even hints at a war that could be coming in the not so distant future and long boring speeches about intergalactic history and politics. Sound familiar?

In 1999, it was called The Phantom Menace.

Today, it’s called Green Lantern.

Maybe space operas just shouldn’t start at the beginning of their story. It never seems to be interesting, and Hal Jordan’s story is no exception. There’s never any question if Hal will be able to overcome fear; the ring chose him because it knows he can, which means there are no stakes, a very weak character arc, and nowhere for the story to really go. In comics, that’s the kind of character you want in a long running title where the goal is to tell one adventure after another until the end of time. I believe it was Stan Lee that once said that comic books should read like a perpetual second act. But movies are different. Films have an ending. They’re not serialized beyond the occasional trilogy. Kyle Rayner was not a character that could last forever as the lead of a comic book (they did bring Hal back, after all), but for film? He comes packaged with a complete cinematic story.

That being said, I can understand why DC and Warner Bros went the Hal Jordan route with the movie series. Geoff John’s run on the title has been a huge hit for DC Comics and they obviously thought that would translate to movie sales and I can’t fault them for that logic. It is curious, though, that Warner Bros would choose Hal’s story over Kyle’s in this new post-The Dark Knight cinemascape where Warner execs were quoted to say that they wanted every superhero movie from now on to be a little dark and gritty. In Green Lantern, they do it esthetically through Oa’s seemingly perpetual dusk and the gritty realism of the production design, but it doesn’t work because ultimately this is supposed to the Golden Age of the Green Lantern Corps. During Kyle’s time as Green Lantern, the mythology is in a much darker place: The Green Lanterns are basically extinct and the flame is almost dead; Kyle is the sole torch-bearer.

It seems that’s the sort of story Warner execs should have gravitated to. In the comics, Kyle’s girlfriend is brutally murdered by his first villain shortly after he finally accepts his role as Green Lantern. After finding her body, Kyle hunts down and nearly kills her murderer. Not only is that darker storytelling than anything that’s in this recent Green Lantern movie, but it shows just how human and flawed Kyle is. He’s not in control of his emotions at all and has no business being Green Lantern, which makes a much more interesting hero because it gives his character a place to go and something to prove.

While there are certainly worse superhero movies out there (Catwoman, Punisher War Zone, and Electra just to name a few), I think we can all agree that Green Lantern is not a perfect movie by any means. It’s just unfortunate that Warner Bros. chose to center their franchise on a flat, two-dimensional character with nowhere to go, when they had a goldmine of a character with tons of cinematic potential sitting right in front of them.

- Scott Carelli

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

It’s Rear Window with a supernatural twist in this updated version, written by Marti Noxon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Mad Men). The film stars Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and David Tennant. Directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars and The Real Girl), Fright Night opens later this Summer in 3D as well as 2D. Below, you can see the Theatrical Poster and also some screenshots from the film, including David Tennant as Las Vegas Magician, Peter Vincent!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

We start our discussion with non-spoiler reviews of the film before falling into a full-on dissection/discussion of the film with heavy SPOILERS. Enjoy!

I’m not sure why I didn’t post this when it came out last week (probably laziness), but man, this thing rocked my socks off. Between this, THOR (which looks like fun), X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (which looks amazing), and GREEN LANTERN (which now looks EPIC!!), this summer is going to be an overdose of spectacular comic book films.

Behold! The trailer for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER!!

Isn’t it a great morning to wake up and see footage from the new Green Lantern movie? I was a little disheartened when I learned that I would have to wait until Thor’s release in May to get a new trailer. Well wait no further. I’ve seen the 4 minutes and it is awesome! It really blows the old trailer out of the water for me.

What do you think? Not doing it? Does it get you more excited?

-Reid Ackerman

After much speculation the role of Superman’s love interest and co-worker Lois Lane has been cast! Amy Adams who has appeared in The Figher, Enchanted, and much more has won the role! The film will be directed by Zack Snyder and is set for a December 2012 release. Does she have what it takes to play our Lois? Could this be the best Lois yet? Discuss!

-Reid Ackerman

We’ve all been speculating for a while that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would play a role in the The Dark Knight Rises. First, he was rumored to take over as The Joker, then it seemed everybody was tapping him for The Riddler, and today it was confirmed that he will indeed be playing Alberto Falcone. This character plays an extremely crucial role in the the Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale mini series Batman: The Long Halloween. If you want to know more about the character, this is the book you should check out.

In addition to Levitt, Juno Temple (Year One) has been cast in Dark Knight Rises as a “Street smart Gotham girl”. I have no idea where to begin on speculation for this role. any ideas?

UPDATE: ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY IS NOW CLAIMING THAT “A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE SITUATION” IS SAYING THE NEWS THAT “GORDON-LEVITT WILL PLAY ALBERTO FALCONE IS INCORRECT.” IF YOU WERE EXCITED FOR A MORE THE LONG HALLOWEEN TYPE STORY, IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN.

]]> http://www.geekshow.us/content/articles/joseph-gordon-levitt-and-juno-temple-confirmed-for-dark-knight-rises/feed/ 2 http://www.geekshow.us/content/articles/darren-aronofsky-off-the-wolverine/ http://www.geekshow.us/content/articles/darren-aronofsky-off-the-wolverine/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 22:45:46 +0000 ocdavenger http://www.geekshow.us/?p=7767 The project has lost its director.

When I first heard that Academy Award nominated director Darren Aronofsky would be directing the new Wolverine movie (now titled “The Wolverine”) I was both excited and puzzled at the same time. I didn’t understand why his next film would be a follow up to a movie that critically, was not very successful. Did he have a take on the character that no one had expressed yet? Was he a fan of the failed samurai stories? I guess we’ll never know because as of this morning Aronofsky has left the project. In a press statement he said:

“As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, who have been totally supportive throughout my work on the movie, it became clear that the production ofThe Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year. I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won’t be able to see the project through, asit is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again.”

Who’s your next choice for director?

-Reid Ackerman

Stumbling through the local comics news today I discovered an abundance of sketches by Skottie Young and Scott Morse. These drawings are translations of memorable Harry Potter characters and scenes from the movies and books. Skottie Young has gained recent fame from his beautifully and creatively illustrated The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Scott Morse has done many graphic novels for Oni Press. These designs seem to blend and take bits and pieces from the movies, but also have their own style. Could these open the door for a Harry Potter comic?

What writer do you think would suit this art? A different artist you’d want? What would you like out of a Harry Potter comic?

Head over to http://www.skottiescott.com for more!

Skottie Young’s Mad Eye Moodie

Scott Morse’s Remus Lupin in Werewolf form

Skottie Young’s Sirius Black

-Reid Ackerman

The trailer to Super 8, JJ Abrams’ love letter to Steven Spielberg, has finally arrived! Check it out:

Super 8 arrives in theaters June 10, 2011.

This. Looks. AWESOME.

Thor lands in theaters May 6, 2011.

Shane Black will be reuniting with his Kiss Kiss Bang Bang star as he takes over the Iron Man franchise from previous director Jon Favreau. Favreau left the Marvel Studios franchise to focus on new projects (namely Disney’s Magic Kingdom which he is set to direct).

Whether Black, best known as a screenwriter, will write a draft of the screenplay to Iron Man 3 is still being worked out at this point, but it should be a given that he will have something to do with the final draft.

John and I discussed this possibility on GeekiN #144 last week, and we both expressed how this may very well be the best thing to ever happen to Iron Man. It could even lead to the best entry in the franchise.

What do you guys think?

SO happy with the new title! Exactly what I was hoping for since the moment this reboot was announced!

This new picture of Andrew Garfield in full Spider-Man gear (costume AND mask)  isn’t half bad either (Click for HUGE version):

The Amazing Spider-Man swings into theaters July 3, 2012.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

From director Matthew Vaughn, X-Men: First Class charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga, and reveals a secret history of famous global events. Before mutants had revealed themselves to the world, and before Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Not archenemies, they were instead at first the closest of friends, working together with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to prevent nuclear Armageddon. In the process, a grave rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.

The story begins June 3, 2011.

Variety is reporting that actress Cobie Smulders, best known as Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother, has been cast as Maria Hill in The Avengers. A few years back, Avengers writer/director Joss Whedon had stated that the actress was his top choice for the role of Diana Prince in his Wonder Woman film that was ultimately never produced.

In the comics, Maria Hill became the new Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. when Nick Fury went MIA after the events of Secret War.

In Joss Whedon’s film, Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill will be an assistant of sorts to Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury.

The Avengers will assemble in theaters May 4, 2012.

COWBOYS & ALIENS

THOR

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

SUPER 8

Marvel Studios has released the teaser poster for Captain America: The First Avenger from director Joe Johnston and starring Chris Evans as the man in the red, white, and blue.

Check out the image below:

Captain America: The First Avenger heads into battle (and into theaters) on July 22, 2011.