"The Dark Knight Rises"

"The Dark Knight," proved that a superhero movie could be a critical acclaim and commercial success. I noted in my review that it's a spine-tingling spectacle. Aside from "The Avengers," "The Dark Knight Rises" is the most anticipated movie event of the year. A lot is riding on the final installment of the franchise.

The story picks up eight years after the murder of Harvey Dent, the late District Attorney (aka Two-Face) of Gotham City. Police Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) still could not bring himself to tell the truth about what happened all those years ago, except stating that Harvey's death wasn't for a naught. Organized crimes were obliterated under the Dent Act.

Having taken the fall for Harvey's death and unable to prevent the death of the woman he loved, Rachel Dawes, at the hand of the Joker, Batman hasn't been seen in Gotham since then. An older and crippled Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), is now a recluse. He has isolated himself in the Wayne manor, and is only accompanied by his loyal butler and confidante, Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine). Not only has he retreated from being the caped crusader, he has also abandoned Wayne Enterprise.

Bruce seems to be destined living in this state, even as Alfred emotionally pleads with him to move on. That is, until a visionary criminal, Bane (Tom Hardy, "Inception"), first seen in a jaw-dropping mid-air escape, emerges and terrorizes the city. A resourceful rookie police, John Blake (Joseph Gordon Levitt, "Looper"), with an unexpected connection to Bruce, challenges him to return. At the same time, a masked jewel thief, Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway, "One Day"), slinks her way all over town in a black leather outfit with night vision goggles and spike heels as Catwoman. She tightly walks the rope between right and wrong. On the corporate side, Bruce faces Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard, "Midnight in Paris"), a board member of Wayne Enterprise, who also serves as his love interest.

The gritty Gotham is not stylized here. Gotham looks like a real, 21st century city. The film explores current economic and social themes, mirroring Occupy Wall Street, and its potential implications in these anxious times. Bane's strategy is basically to divide and conquer, and it works. It plunges the society into mass chaos.

Bane holds the city hostage by staging a set of explosions and turning a fusion reactor, intended as a source for clean energy, into a nuclear bomb. He commands his underground army of mercenaries, frees up inmates, traps police officers underground, supports putting the rich on trials without due process and sends them into exile or to their death.

With the city he loves under siege, Bruce could have abandoned it, considering how they have turned their back on Batman. Yet he rises above and gives everything he has. Bale's agonizing scenes in the secretive prison deep beneath the earth are incredibly powerful. An encounter with an aging prisoner makes Bruce realize how to best utilize his anger and fear to climb out and break free. And once out, he fires up and inspires people to fight for a chance of survival.

On the gizmos side, Batwing (or simply known as the "Bat"), a jet plane, makes its appearance here and it's way cool. Even the Batcycle is more than a cool-looking motorcycle. The wheels have an effective 360 degree turn when the vehicle turns corner.

Seeing Bale, Caine and MorganFreeman (Lucius Fox) together again for the last time was bittersweet. Bale is a gifted actor capable of diverse roles, but he will always be remembered best as Batman. Caine's exchange with Bale about not wanting to bury another member of the Wayne family is very heartfelt. Levitt, initially thought of playing as a minor role, is a solid character and ends up being a significant one in the story. Hathaway is sleek, playful and dangerous. Her Catwoman is as realistic as it could be. Freeman is like an old friend, providing a steady, supporting hand. Hardy, while not as memorable as Heath Ledger's Joker, is physically imposing and poses a credible threat. Cotillard is just fine as a wildcard. Along with Bane, her character's surprising backstory provides a welcome twist and emotional punch.

Minor quibbles about the film include plot holes and occasionally choppy scenes, jumping in time and place. You'll also have to remember about the League of Shadows from the first installment, or be familiar with the comics because it's not explained as clearly in the film. The league's main purpose is to "restore environmental balance" by wiping out some of the population, which includes corruption. In this case, the Dent Act, based on a lie, has incarcerated inmates without the possibility of parole. The wealthy continues living large and leaves little for the rest.

It's hard to imagine how TDKR (or the inevitable reboot for that matter) would top TDK; it didn't. With the depth of the story, complexity and dynamics of the characters, TDK is stunningly brilliant. The intimate focus of the twisted relationships and the Joker's haunting performance carry a disturbing feel that stays with you long after. However, TDKR holds its own. The best way to describe it is that it's different.  With 2 hours and 45 minutes of running time, it's still gripping.  But because it's created in a much grander scale and covers a larger ground, it doesn't have the same level of intensity as TDK.

Director Christopher Nolan has created a perfect trilogy. "Batman Begins" drills deep into the core of Bruce Wayne's character, background, and development. "The Dark Knight" focuses on the relationships and impact on Batman. "The Dark Knight Rises" ties up loose ends and brings closure to Bruce, Batman, the city and the people he cares about. Bruce Wayne has always been a troubled soul and darker superhero, so it's good to see him in a good place in the end.

"The Dark Knight Rises" provides a satisfying ending to the superhero saga. The legend may end, but it leaves a lasting legacy.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-the-dark-knight-rises/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/bm99dr6

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/cwkmdff

Comic-Con 2011

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Comic-Con 2012: Feature Film Highlights and TV Previews

Preview night: http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2012/07/comic-con-2012-preview-night.html

Last year's Comic-Con was a sensational, multi-sensory experience with endless presentations attended by stars such as Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart, Collin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Henry Cavill, Kellan Lutz, Luke Evans, and many more. Directors Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Francis Ford Coppola and Tarsem Singh were also in attendance, to name a few.

This year Marvel, Warner Bros, Disney, Sony, Lionsgate, Legendary Pictures returned with some of the most anticipated movies in the next couple of years. I had to forgo a guaranteed seat at the Marvel press conference at the Hilton Hotel to ensure that I would get into Hall H in time for some of the biggest movie panels. It was worth the trade-off and the wait.

On the TV side, CW, Fox, ABC and NBC brought out fresh new series for the upcoming fall season. Superhero. Drama. Mystery. Supernatural. Horror.  Preview night this year was packed for good reasons. 

***

TV PILOTS

"Arrow" (CW)Starring: Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy

Fans of "Smallville" would be familiar with Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow.  This new series takes the character and creates entirely new stories and supporting characters around him.  The pilot shows a powerful back story of the son of a late billionaire who is found and rescued from an island after five years of being presumed dead.  The unexpected turn of event that happens at sea gives him the will to survive.  And what happens to him during his years in the island has changed his life forever.  Back in the city, there's an unfinished business with a former flame and a matriarch with a hidden agenda.

Amell has the look and capability to portray a privileged, prodigal son turned steely sharp-shooter and crime-fighter.  The exercise routine at the factory boasts some of the most impressive endurance and precision.  The way he threatens and pulls off a $40 million heist of a crooked tycoon is nothing short of brazen.  

Admittedly, I had low expectations about the pilot.  I came out impressed.  There's no 'camp' factor; it's written and executed as a superhero drama, yet action-packed and entertaining.  This is one new show I will be looking forward to seeing in the fall!

"The Following" (Fox)
Starring: James Purefoy, Kevin Bacon

Purefoy is a former professional of literature, obsessed with beauty and death, and inspired by his favorite poets.  Bacon is a former FBI agent who happened to be at the scene during the stabbing of his last victim.  Bacon's relationship with his ex-wife makes the situation adds conflict to the storyline.  Even as the serial killer is convicted and behind bars, it doesn't mean that his crimes stop.  It becomes a game between law enforcement and his followers.  You'd never know who, how or when his followers would strike.  It's the show of the night that left the audience clapping when it ended  Shockingly sadistic, it grips you and it's not for the faint of heart (think "Criminal Minds" meets "CSI").  

"Revolution" (NBC)
Starring: Billy Burke, Giancarlo Eposito

From the promo: "Our entire way of life depends on electricity.  So what would happen if it just stopped working?  Well, one day, like a switch turned off, the world is suddenly thrust back into the dark ages. Planes fall from the sky, hospitals shut down, and communication is impossible. And without any modern technology, who can tell us why?  Now, 15 years later, life is back to what it once was long before the industrial revolution." 

J.J. Abrams returns to the small screen with the most intriguing premise of the upcoming season.  Post-apocalypse, it shows that our modern society cannot handle living in the dark ages.  Governments fall and militia rises in their place.  It's every man/woman for him/herself.  A broken family embarks on a journey to seek another member of the family who holds a secret to the last remnant source of power prior to the blackout.  The closing scene casts a flicker of hope. 

I was most excited to see this pilot and found it to be mediocre.  Obviously, the concept is the draw, but aside from a tense situation or two, one involving a sword and the other a sword and arrow, the scenes plod along without much energy (no pun intended).  The novelty will wear off after a few episodes; hopefully "Revolution" could capture a wide-enough audience early on like "Lost."  If not, it might bite the dust mid-season, like those recent high-concept, serialized sci-fi shows that came and had gone, "Flash Forward," "The Event," "Terra Nova."

"666: Park Avenue" (ABC)
Starring: Terry O' Quinn, Vanessa Williams, Rachel Taylor, Dave Annable

If you're into drama/supernatural/horror shows, you may want to list "666 Park Avenue" on your roster.  While I missed the pilot, from the sneak preview, it tells a story about residents of an upscale Manhattan Upper East Side apartment.  They may think they're living the dream by residing in this luxury high-rise, but little do they know that they may have unknowingly bargained their souls with the devils.  The real address is 999 Park Avenue, but with a play of light and shadow, the number reads "666."  The house is haunted!

***

FILMS

"Pacific Rim" (July 12, 2013)

In attendance: Director Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi.

When monstrous aliens (Kaiju) attack the earth, humans fight back with giant robots (Jaeger). A robot's mind is controlled by two pilots; one pilot controls the left hemisphere and the other right one. When asked what would happen if it's just one pilot only controlling the robot, Del Toro replied that this question would be fully answered in the movie. He also mentioned that, when presented with a budget, one could get "crazy or lazy." He chose to get "crazy" and demanded "110%" from the cast and crew. Hopefully, this translates into a quality story beyond a monsters vs. robots.

"Godzilla" (2014; release date unknown)

In attendance: Director Gareth Edwards

Not scheduled in the lineup, a "Godzilla" teaser sneaked ine. The teaser shows a fearsome Godzilla rises amidst smokes and ruins, roars and looms over a destructed city.

"The Campaign Movie" (August 10, 2012)
In attendance: Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis

Another surprise preview, it was the most hilarious one. This is a comedy of political rivals tangling with each other in a campaign. One fan, an aspiring comedian, asked a question that started a chain of laughter. The audience was treated to one comedic scene after another, A hysterical baby-punching moment in slow-motion was the highlight.

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (December 14, 2012)

In attendance: Director Peter Jackson, co-writer Phillipa Boyans, Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, and special guest Elijah Wood.

Warner Bros initiated the presentation by unexpectedly unfurling long side screens alongside the center screen with stunning images of majestic Middle Earth.

In this illustrious presentation, Jackson brought 12.5 minutes of behind-the-scenes reel of the last five days of production of the prequel to the "Lord of the Ring's trilogy. It showed interviews and clips of stars such as Luke Evans, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom doing their scenes. There's a mention about the difference between the way dwarves and elves move. The appearance of Gollum on the screen brought on cheers from fans. The footage also showed the hobbit finding the magical One Ring in Gollum's lair.

Serkis talked about how he was supposed to be on location for two weeks but ended up being called for a year and a half. Wood gushed that he was "blown away" by the footage. In response to the question about the majority of the cast being male, Boyans mentioned that she wanted to add a "feminine energy" into the film while staying true to the J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, and that's the reason that another female character was introduced (Evangeline Lily).

Jackson made sure that fans knew how much they're appreciated as by proclaiming that this was, "a movie made by fans for fans."

By the way, McKellen is seen clutching a yellow shirt in the photo; the shirt was given by a professional photographer standing next to me in the press section.  A huge fan of McKellen and LTR trilogy, he flew to San Diego all the way from Brazil.  

"Superman: Man of Steel" (June 14, 2013)

In attendance: Director Zack Snyder, Henry Cavill

"What if a child dreamed of becoming something other than society intended? What if he aspired to be something greater?" The narrator continues that Clark Kent needs to decide what kind of man he wants to grow up to be, because "good character or bad," he's going to "change the world."

Synder introduced Cavill as the new Superman, along with the highly anticipated footage. The screen opened with Clark Kent as a child wearing homemade red cape. A young Clark can also be seen lifting a drowning school bus. Flashing back, a baby Clark floats in the air laying inside the pod of his spaceship. Then a grown-up Superman readying to fight in front of a crushed vault door.  Later he gets handcuffed and escorted by security officers. There's a cool scene of Superman fast-flying through the skies leaving a sonic boom behind. The sneak preview also showed co-stars Russell Crowe as Jor-El (Superman's biological father) in a gray Krypton suit and a misty-eyed Amy Adams (Lois Lane) facing Superman.

Cavill was very humble and gracious for the fans' support. Responding to a fan's question regarding the pressure of playing Superman, he said, "It's a dream come true," at the same time, he's well-aware he's wearing the 'S' (symbol) on his chest. Speaking of the widely debated costume, the chain-mail costume with muted colors turns out great. It looks better on the screen than when we first saw it from the initial vault-breaking promo photo put out by the studio months ago.

Synder thought of this Superman as the first one in his mind, and he and Cavill wanted to create something that would be relatable to the new generation. He sidestepped the answer about whether or not General Zod would be the villain in the movie. There was no clear answer either of whether this Superman would be part of a larger effort to launch the "Justice League" (DC's superhero ensemble, like Marvel's "The Avengers"), but Synder realized that Superman was the "crown jewel" (of the DC Comics) so he would like to get "his house in order" first.

When coaxed by a fan about who would win in a battle between Superman and Christopher Nolan's Batman, Snyder lightheartedly replied that he thought Batman was awesome, but, "Really?" (as in, no contest)

"Iron Man 3" (May 3, 2013)

In attendance: Marvel President Kevin Feige, Director Shane Black, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle

The most fun panel of the day! Downey (RDJ), always a crowd pleaser and real entertainer, had a lot to do with it. As Favreau was speaking as if he was going to show the trailer, all of sudden, a rock-and-roll music blared and in walked RDJ! Wearing one of the Iron Man gloves with glowing light, he wowed fans by making a grand entrance like a rock star, through the isles of the audience. Imagine the hyper-mania with 6,500 people suddenly leaping to their feet, standing atop their chairs, screaming and cheering wildly and flooding the scene with blitzes. RDJ nearly brought down the house again when he took the stage, gleefully asking three questions, "How much do I love you?," "How much do you love me?" and "How much do you want to see some footage?" 

The footage rocked big time! It began with a comical scene of Tony Stark (RDJ) trying to suit up in his new armored suit (with reverse color scheme; the majority being a whiter gold and specs of red). Piece by piece, the suit flies as if on command, assembling and attaching itself to Tony's body. Then it's nonstop action with Tony and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) inside their glassy, clifftop mansion, looking straight ahead as the mansion gets hit by missiles and crumbles into the sea below. The closing scene reveals Kingsley in his ornate getup as the villain, the Mandarin.

While Favreau (director of the first two movies) no longer directs this installment, there's no bad blood between him and Black (current director). He demonstrated his support by attending the panel, and even made a returned cameo as Tony's bodyguard in the upcoming movie. Favreau gave a tongue-in-cheek tip to Black that the key to gain more Comic-Con love was to play the preview twice. Of course, he obliged and received thumbs up from fans.

At the start of the panel, cut scenes from the individual superhero movies ("Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Thor," "Captain America") were rolling. The opening ended with "The Avengers," capped with "Thank you for making 'The Avengers' the biggest superhero movie of all time" before fading into black.

The sheer frenzy continued with the reveal of the projects-in-progress and new titles. "Iron Man 3" (May 3, 2013), "Thor 2: The Dark World" (November 8, 2013), "Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier" (April 4, 2014), "Guardians of the Galaxy" (August 1, 2014). Another surprise move was director Edgar Wright stopping by for a quick Q&A, as well as rolling out a test footage of "Ant Man."

While this panel was billed as the "Iron Man 3" (currently still filming in Wilmington, North Carolina) panel, it's a Marvel celebration. It's obvious that Marvel recognized the power of its fanbase in the last five years. It's the perfect panel to end the day.

The films lineup also includes trailer park, featuring trailers of "Frankenweenie," "Dredd," "Finding Nemo" (in 3-D), "Resident Evil: Retribution."

Other notable presentations from the previous days include futuristic thrillers "Total Recall" and "Looper." Click on the links for highlights and photos from 2011 Comic-Con for "Total Recall" (attended by director Len Wiseman, Collin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel) and 2012 WonderCon for "Looper" (attended by Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

***

Experiencing the biggest pop culture phenomenon in the world didn't stop with the panels.

Let's not forget the exhibitions! The halls were brimming with crowds, filled with excitement and energy. Displays include Total Recall's avant-garde vehicle and robotic soldier, The Dark Knight (Batman) tumbler and batcycle , Iron Man's new armored suit, Man of Steel's (Superman) costume, James Bond's cars, the Hobbit's colossal trolls, the Hulk, Optimus Prime (Transformers), life-like figurines of the Avengers, and hundreds of props and models.

Outside, downtown San Diego was transformed, Comic-Con style. The Grimm's foggy forest, Revolution's plant-covered car and ferris wheel, spaceship landing near the Hard Rock Cafe, and downtown skyscrapers draped with giant banners.

And that's a wrap. 2013 can't come soon enough!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/comic-con-2012-feature-film-highlights/
http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/new-fall-tv-2012-previews/

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"The Amazing Spider-Man"

[Note: Comic-Con 2012 coverage is next]

No way.  That was my initial reaction when I first heard that 'Spider-Man' would be rebooted shortly after the end of Sam Raimi's trilogy. And without Tobey Maguire, I was almost ready to jump ship. But that was before I saw Andrew Garfield's amazing performance on "The Social Network." I instantly recognized that the filmmakers had found their guy. After Maguire's departure, I wasn't sure if they could find the right 'average Joe' and be Spider-Man. They did.

Spider-Man is probably the most relatable superhero out there. An everyday man with everyday personal and family struggles. But after Raimi's trilogy ended just several years ago, the biggest challenge would be to keep it fresh. Thankfully, it's evident from last year's presentation at Comic-Con that Marc Webb's "The Amazing Spider-Man" would be worth watching.

Raimi's version was remarkable by all accounts, but it's refreshing to see Webb's as well. Many of us are familiar with Peter Parker's story. In this version, Webb goes back in time. Peter Parker is a high school student and budding photographer with a knack for science. He's falling in love for the first time with a smart girl, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), a fellow student scientist. His parents are shown in the beginning of the story, particularly his father. The hidden briefcase that he left connects Peter to his father's former colleague, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), and unwittingly creates his alter-ego, the Lizard. This origin story also demonstrates how Peter gets the idea to create the Spider-Man mask and costume. 

Garfield truly makes the film. Maguire may be more believable as an outcast teenager, but Garfield is much more believable as Spider-Man with his tall and lean frame, and more interesting and endearing overall as a character. He's able to balance the dual-role of being a nerdy, angst-filled teenager with wry humor and soars as a capable superhero. Peter’s struggles with the abandonment issue from his childhood because his parents mysteriously left him to live with his uncle and aunt (Uncle Ben, Martin Sheen; Aunt May, Sally Field), his sense of loss and guilt over the death of his uncle due to a twist of fate one night, and natural transition into Spider-Man are transparent but not overdone.  His relationship with his aunt is very poignant. There's also the mischievous side of Peter here, and Garfield is able to pull out the jokester out of him. He nails both Spider-Man and more well-rounded Peter Parker with effortless charm.

Something must be said about the chemistry between Garfield and Stone (now a couple in real life). The connection between them is real, instant and immediate. The exchange in the hallway scene is absolutely adorable. And Stone, alone, as Gwen, is a compelling character compared to Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane. She's smart, sassy, assured and brave. Her relationship with Peter as a vigilante puts him in a crosshair with her father, the police chief (Denis Leary).

The Lizard as the villain is downright terrifying. Nonetheless, he's more than a one-dimensional beast. As Dr. Connors, he is a good person. Even when he knows what cross-species genetics could do and the possibility of re-growing his missing limb, he steadfastly refuses to do human trial when he feels that the serum is not ready. Only when pushed to the corner by a shady corporation he takes it upon himself and injects his own arm, with unexpected side effects.

The two big action sequences over the bridge and going up to the top of the tower makes up the 'amazing' in "The Amazing Spider-Man." The first involving a hanging, burning car with a child inside is singularly memorable, not only because of the suspense, but also because it serves as turning point for Peter Parker. Up to that point, Peter is lost, in a way that he's blindly hunting for criminals that resemble his uncle's shooter. This is when he realizes that he has the power to help people. The second stretch leading up to the climax is a race against time to save humankind from a threatening biological agent. And all is not well; the ending still leaves a tragic consequence.

The story is not without holes. The obvious one is how Peter Parker is able to get in to Oscorp Industries in the first place as an "intern." And how he turns into the sole Spider-Man through a single bite in a room full of genetically engineered spiders without the possibility of repeated incidents.

Overall, Webb surpasses the expectations of keeping the story fresh. What's unique about this version is that Spider-Man's identity is revealed sooner, at least to a select few, and in the final battle, he really owes his success to a network of ordinary people. Although the tone of the film is darker, and the first part is almost joyless, even as Peter Parker discovers his newfound super-reflexes and strength, he excels in the relationships department. The advance of technology is put into dazzling use. This Spider-Man takes you swinging through the glimmering skyscrapers of New York City from the web slinger's viewpoint.  This is the kind of exhilaration worth paying 3-D price for. 

  Welcome back, Spider-Man!

  http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-the-amazing-spider-man/

  DVD: http://tinyurl.com/7voxote

  DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/7j8eacr

 

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Comic-Con 2012 Preview Night

Just a quick note to post several pictures from downtown San Diego, Comic-Con style.  I attended the opening night to catch new TV series premiering in the fall 2012.  I've never seen the ballroom (capacity 4,000) so packed before for preview night.  This year they jammed five! (typically three) shows into one night.  There were four shows that I wanted to see, but I missed the first one and ended up missing the exhibition floors altogether since I stayed almost through the end (catching most shows).  It's an interesting mix - cool superhero, grisly crime drama, supernatural/mystery/horror, post-apocalypse.  Be back in a few days with more details and photos!

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Comic-Con 2012 Preview

[Updated 7/11/12]

[Note:  I saw "The Amazing Spiderman" on Independence Day but I'm behind with the review since I've been out and about with a guest in town.  Hopefully I can whip it up sometime this weekend, if I'm not overloaded with... Comic-Con :-P].

Yep, it's that time of the year again!  2012 COMIC-CON starts a week early, from Wednesday evening, July 11 through Sunday, July 15.

Last year I had a blast watching previews and panels attended by stars such as Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart, Collin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale, Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Henry Cavill, Kellan Lutz, Luke Evans, and many more.  Directors Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Francis Ford Coppola and Tarsem Singh were also in attendance, to name a few.

Check out this year's lineup from Marvel, Warner Bros, Disney, Sony, Summit Entertainment, etc. here:  http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_prog.php

While I'm not able to attend Thursday and Friday this year due to other work commitments, I will be there most of Saturday and be back with feature film highlights.  Of particular interests are "Pacific Rim," Man of Steel," "The Hobbit," Iron Man 3."   As well as "Total Recall" and "Looper" (although the "Total Recall" panel was already at 2011 Comic-Con last year and I caught "Looper" at WonderCon earlier in March this year).  On the TV pilot shows side, "666 Park Avenue," "Arrow," "The Following," "Revolution."

I'll stop by the halls for exhibits and freebies.  Check out some of the fun exhibits from last year: http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/comic-con-2011-as-seen-on-the-exhibition-floo

Here's a blast from the past, coverage and photos from last year:
http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/comic-con-2011-feature-film-highlights-23628

For this year's WonderCon, go to: http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/wondercon-2012-feature-film-highlights

Stay tuned!

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"To Rome with Love"

Unlike last year's magical journey, "Midnight in Paris," To Rome with Love" is not nearly up to par.  Not so much of a love letter to Rome or romantic comedy, it's much more of a parody.  A ridiculously funny one with a level of absurdity that is 'out there' (you'll know when you see it).  But Woody Allen is one of those few directors who could pull off something like this.  He's also one of the main characters, out of the four storylines featured.  I'd never imagine one could make extended sequences of singing in the shower or famous for being famous quite that entertaining.  Just like his other flicks, "To Rome with Love" retains its quirkiness, characters and story-wise, and for the most part, it also manages to maintain its charm.  And having the historic ruins of the Colosseum or majestic Trevi Fountain as the backdrop for the stories adds an escapist dimension to the experience. 

 

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