1st Quantum of Solace trailer

If Casino Royale was anything to go by, this will kick ass!

What's the best comic book to film adaptation?

Well, its seems both Spider-Man and Iron Man have scored equal amounts on my poll for best comic to film adaptation. Its a bit of a surprise to me (I was expecting Batman Begins to have a better result) but both are great movies.

Nice voting people!

Batman Vs Batman Vs Batman

This is brilliant!

And sticking with the theme, who's the best movie Batman ever?

Ray Harryhausen, 88 today

Dark Knight dedicated to Ledger

Actor Heath Ledger, who died following a drug overdose in January, will be remembered in an on-screen tribute in his final full film, The Dark Knight.

The end credits of the Batman Begins sequel will include a farewell note to the 28-year-old.

At the time of his death the Brokeback Mountain star had just completed filming the role of The Joker.

Special effects technician, Conway Wickliffe, who was killed in a stunt accident, will also be remembered.

The special tribute reads: "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger and Conway Wickliffe."

The hotly anticipated Dark Knight film also stars Christian Bale as Batman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman.

Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs in his New York apartment.

In the production notes, British director Christopher Nolan wrote of Ledger: "I needed a phenomenal actor, but he also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role."

"Heath created something entirely original. It's stunning, it's captivating. It's going to blow people away" he added.

The Dark Knight will premiere in London on 21 July and goes on general release in the UK on 25 July.

* Pinched from BBC Entertainment News, 27/06/2008

McGowan + Rodriguez To Tackle Red Sonja

Grindhouse star Rose McGowan and her director boyfriend are set to revive Brigitte Nielsen's Red Sonja in a new movie.

The actress and Robert Rodriguez have confirmed they're planning a major remake of the 1985 big screen adaptation of the comic book series, in which Nielsen played a bikini-clad, sword-wielding barbarian vixen.

And even McGowan, who played a one-legged zombie killer in Rodriguez's Planet Terror Grindhouse film, admits she's surprised the Red Sonja role is hers.

The script was sent to her and she admits she had no idea why she had been selected to play the new Sonja.

She tells USA Today newspaper, "I thought it was funny. I do have a body made for sitting on a veranda with mint juleps and a parasol. I don't know why I always have to save the planet."

But Rodriguez insists his partner is perfect for the role: "Rose is a pistol. She's whip-smart, has attitude to burn, is sexy, extremely strong, yet has a vulnerable side that would surprise her closest friends. That description also fits Red Sonja."

* Pinched from IMDb, 27/06/2008

Hasselhoff To Buy Castle In Scotland?

Baywatch star David Hasselhoff wants to buy a castle in Scotland - and name if after himself.

The actor and singer, 55, told Scottish comic and U.S. talk show host Craig Ferguson that he's looking for a castle to debut his forthcoming album in - and wouldn't mind snapping one up.

Hasselhoff says, "I'm doing an album of Broadway musicals and I'm going to premiere in a little castle I'm looking for in Scotland.

"As a matter of fact, I'm looking for the Hassel Castle. You're from Scotland aren't you? Can you help me find one? I know I can go there and buy one."

* Pinched from IMDb, 25/06/2008

Legendary Comedian George Carlin Dies at 71

George Carlin, the edgy comedian and counterculture icon, died Sunday at the age of 71.

The stand-up comic and author – best known for his groundbreaking routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" – reportedly died of heart failure at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. (Carlin, who was open about his long struggle with drugs and alcohol, had a history of heart problems, including a previous heart attack.)

In 1978, the bearded comedian famous for his clever wordplay and often-explicit commentary on sex, drugs and the absurdities of modern life found himself in the middle of a court battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court.

But even after the high court ruled that his "Seven Words" routine was indecent, Carlin refused to abandon the material. (He was arrested several times after performing the bit live, although the cases were always dismissed.)

The author of 1997's bestselling Brain Droppings, Carlin remained active on the stand-up circuit. Just last weekend, he performed The Orleans in Las Vegas, the New York Times reports.

In November, the Grammy-winner was scheduled to receive the John F. Kennedy Center's coveted Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Wade, and daughter, Kelly Carlin McCall. Carlin's first wife, Brenda Hosbrook, died in 1997.

A fierce critic of modern civilization, Carlin told Playboy in 2005 that his vision of the afterlife included a "heavenly CNN."

"The world is a big theater-in-the round as far as I'm concerned, and I'd love to watch it spin itself into oblivion," he told the magazine. "Tune in and watch the human adventure ... That's what I want heaven to be."

* Pinched from People.com, 23/06/2008

Megan Fox on Transformers 2

When Michael Bay got behind the camera for his most recent film, he chronicled a lot more than just automobiles transforming into robots from outer space. Millions of fans also watched then 21-year-old Megan Fox transform from an obscure actress best remembered for a Lindsay Lohan movie into one of the most desired hotties on the planet.

Now, the "Transformers" star is back on the set with Michael Bay - and true to the director’s favorite word, she says he’s making an awesome sequel.

Click here for the full story.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk is back on screen for its second attempt at starting a celluloid franchise after the failure of the 2003 Hulk movie.

Edward Norton has taken over the lead and seems to have used Bill Bixby interpretation of Bruce Banner (from the seventies TV series) for his inspiration, the quiet loner!

*** SPOILERS ***

The story starts pretty much where the first Hulk movie finished (although this isn't an official sequel!) in Brazil with Bruce Banner hiding from the US military, trying his best to avoid turning green whilst trying to find the antidote to turn him back into a normal person.

Inevitably he gets tracked down and is pursued by soldier Tim Roth who's working for the US military, they want to use Banner's DNA to perfect super-soldier's. Banner, now the Hulk smashes his way out of Brazil to mainland US. His main objective to find the scientist that has been helping him find the cure.

Its all pretty standard stuff. The whole film itself is pretty mediocre, keeping firmly within the boundaries of the comic book adaptation code. Its fairly enjoyable but nothing spectacular. I guess after Ang Lee's version Marvel wanted to keep the film fairly safe from any experimental techniques.

This to me is what made the 2003 Hulk so special. Lee had the guts to try some truly interesting direction and editing techniques. I loved the transitional effects from scene to scene and the comic style windows. It made the film feel like a comic book. I know I'm in the minority here, most people hated it.

...anyway, back to the 2008 version.

Roth's character volunteers to restart the military's experiments in DNA and gamma technologies so he can fulfill his vendetta with the Hulk and gain some sort of common ground with the green dude.



As we've all come to expect from watching super hero movies, if a bad guy gains super powers its not usually a good thing. The addictive nature of the new powers mutate Roth into a Hulk-like monster (named 'The Abomination'), uncontrollable by the military and hellbent on causing mayhem.

The film ends with a massive punch-up between the two, with the Hulk now fighting on behalf of the military.

Now, its the very last scene of the film that caused me to pay attention with the appearance of Tony Stark (Iron Man's alter ego, played by the awesome Robert Downey Jr.). Speaking on behalf of the agency S.H.I.E.L.D he wants to recruit Hulk to join his task force of super heroes.

This will eventually lead to what will be a totally awesome comic book crossover - possibly in the form of the Avengers. Marvel will probably need to establish all the other members in their own films first so it will probably take a good 5-7 years to come around but when it does its going to be pretty special!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Regulars at Tiffany’s Cafe in Brighton have been tucking into fry-ups alongside silver screen icon Audrey Hepburn. The waxwork was loaned to the cafe by Madame Tussauds.

*Pinched from BBC Entertainment News, 19/06/2008

Stan Lee's movie schedule

Stan Lee's a busy guy. Spider-man 4 (with Jake Gyllenhaal rumoured as taking over the lead)... hmm, interesting!

Film update

Its been a while since I've reviewed anything so find below some quick write ups, shown in viewing order and with SPOILERS so be warned!


IRON MAN (2008); From the moment I heard Robert Downey Jr. (RDJ) was attached to lead this film I knew it was going to be something special. RDJ has got to be one of my most favourite actors and he captures the super intelligent/arrogant Tony Stark extremely well, its probably just an extension of his own personality judging by his other film roles.

Iron Man should be treated as a pilot show for what will eventually become a successful series in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, its a great film but you can tell by the way the story unfolds that its setting up scenario's/characters for many future sequels and I for one will be looking forward to seeing them.

The visuals are amazing, Iron Man really looks the part. The cast is also very good with Gwyneth Paltrow playing Starks secretary and Jeff Bridges as the nemesis Iron Monger.

I unfortunately missed this but watch all the credits to the very end for an extra scene featuring a certain Mr. S L Jackson.

The mandatory Stan Lee cameo is also something to look out for!


DOOMSDAY (2008); Doomsday is set around 30 years in the future after the outbreak of a deadly virus in Scotland. Scotland had been quaranteed for all this time by a massive Berlin wall separating it from England, with mounted automated gun turrets stopping people from getting in and out.

After 30 years the virus suddenly reappears in mainland England. Satellite footage reveals there are survivors still living in Scotland so an elite task force, lead by the sexy Rhona Mitra (and the cast from Dog Soldiers) are sent in to find the survivors and seek a cure by order of the prime minister. They have a very limited time window to complete the mission which gave it an 'Escape From New York' feel to the story.

Scotland, 30 years in the future with no contact from the rest of the world has devolved into a crazy Mad Max waste land filled with psychotic punks. I actually really liked that part of the film, I'm a bit of a Mad Max fan and thought of it as a nice tribute to the old film although its really insulting to Scottish people - it would only take 30 years for them to devolve into psychotic savages! Anyway, the elite task force quickly get whittled down to just a handful after falling prey to the cannibalistic punk gang.

They eventually manage to escape only to be captured by another sector of survivors which are held up in an old Scottish castle, with Malcolm McDowell as their ruler. Now this was a really stupid part of the film, everyone living in the castle had reverted back to 'ye olde times' with knights on horses, court jesters and town peasants begging for food.

So now the film claims that it would only take 30 years for Scotland to revert back to medieval times, thats really insulting!

Anyway, to wrap it all up - the team find the cure and escape again only to be chased by the gang of punks in what is a pretty cool Mad Max sequence using heavily modified old cars with spikes and other weapons attached. Overall its a stupid yet really fun movie and would happily sit next to that film series I've already mentioned far too many times, just don't watch it if your Scottish and easily offended!


SPEED RACER (2008); To me, Speed Racer is the film of the year so far. Its surprisingly good. Having never seen the original Speed Racer animation I didn't know quite what to expect and was a bit reluctant in watching it because it looked like a kids film. Well, it still is a kids film at heart but its also a bloody enjoyable one.

The Wachowski brothers (of Matrix fame) have made this possible and they really have gone overboard in recreating the excitement and look of a Japanese animated show which has to be seen to be believed.

It features a great cast including Matthew Fox (Jack from Lost) as 'Racer X'.

Go watch it, its awesome!




INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (2008); Hmm... yeah, you may have noticed since the release of this film I haven't mentioned anything about it and that monkey logo in the the top left of this page quickly turned into Batman. Well, Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (I'll just refer to it as Indy 4 from now on) was really enjoyable and had some great Spielberg moments but overall didn't come up to scratch with the other films in the series in my opinion.

Harrison Ford does a great job of stepping back into Indy's shoes, now 65 but still doing just about as much running and jumping as he ever did. The rest of the cast were really good, with the return of Karen Allen (Marion from the original 'Raiders'), the lucky git Shia LeBeouf playing Indy & Marion's son, Cate Blanchett as the Russian leader, a double crossing Ray Winstone and crazy John Hurt.

There's loads of laughs packed in and enough nods and winks to the previous films to keep most fans happy to a point. However the main problem I had with the movie involves the last 30 minutes. I really didn't like the end of the story with its new sci-fi element. Maybe in a few years time I'll learn to appreciate it.


HAROLD & KUMAR - ESCAPE FROM GUANTANAMO BAY (2008); The duo return in the stoner-comedy sequel to 2004's Harold & Kumar Get The Munchies (a.k.a. Go To White Castle).

I was really expecting this to be a complete load of rubbish but I was pleasantly surprised having laughed through the entire film.

Yes, its a totally stupid movie but the crazy things that happen from start to finish are brilliant.

The story starts with duo being arrested on a flight to Amsterdam as suspected terrorists. The FBI quickly send them off to Guantanamo Bay where they escape after just a few minutes of being there (hardly a good reason to use it as a title to the film) and the rest of the story involves them running away from the law, to Texas where a "friend" with good connections can get them pardoned.

The guy from the FBI chasing them is hilarious with his racist comments and just down right stupidity. The film plays around with a lot of racial stereotypes. It was also great to see the return of the very dodgy Neil Patrick Harris playing... Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, M.D. to anyone that remembers back to 1989!).

Its definitely a lads film and could be improved by consuming large quantities of alcohol whilst watching! I look forward to watching this again, under the influence if possible!

Jack Black at the MTV Movie Awards

"Write your captions on the back of a postcard and send it in to the usual address!

After describing Robert Downey Jr as "the greatest actor of all time, forged in a cauldron of his own genius", Jack Black asked the Iron Man star to autograph his chest so he could "sell it on eBay".

* Pinched from BBC Entertainment News, 02/06/2008