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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Upcoming Movies: July 2012

July 3

"The Amazing Spiderman" (http://www.theamazingspiderman.com/) - Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young.  His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner.

 

July 6

"Savages" (http://www.savagesfilm.com/) - Pot growers face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.

 

July 13

"Ice Age 4: Continental Drift" (http://www.iceagemovie.com/) - Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift.  Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world.

 

July 20

"The Dark Knight Rises" (http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/) - Eight years after Batman took the fall for Two Face's crimes, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.

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"Prometheus"

"Prometheus" attempts to find answers to questions relating to the origin of mankind.  Where do we come from?  What's our purpose?  What happens when we die?  If you find signs pointing to an alien creature as your creator, wouldn't you take the chance to meet your maker while still alive?  Director Ridley Scott returns to the realms of sci-fi, a genre that he helped shape with "Alien" in 1979.  Charlize Theron ("Snow White and the Huntsman") may be the name most marketed as the biggest billing, but Noomi Rapace is the star here.  Incredibly strong, resilient, quick-thinking and gutsy, there's a heartbreaking vulnerability in her portrayal.  Michael Fassbender ("X-Men: First Class") is terrific as the cold, creepy android.  While the ending may not have all the answers, "Prometheus" should satisfy sci-fi fans.  Breathtaking in size and immersive in visuals.  Just watch out for those horrific, body-horror scenes (read: not for the squeamish).  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/6pty8zn
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/6rsalms

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"Snow White and the Huntsman"

The buzz started in the summer of 2011 at Comic-Con when first-time Director Rupert Sanders showed a glimpse of a two-minute clip and the sumptuous costumes donned by the stars. It quickly grew from there and "Snow White and the Huntsman" became the fairy tale to watch in 2012.

Charlie Theron ("Prometheus") embodies the malevolent queen, Queen Ravenna, who craves for royal power and timeless beauty. The backstory makes her the most interesting character. Flashing back to her childhood, she first learned black magic through a tragedy and found that beauty would give her the ultimate power. She carries her revenge from kingdom to kingdom, pretending to be a battle victim and putting herself in a position to be discovered by kings, wins their hearts with her beauty, and eventually kills them. With the help of her equally twisted brother (Sam Spruell), she takes over their kingdoms.

Time and time again, the golden mirror tells Queen Ravenna that she's the fairest of them all. That is until Snow White (Kristen Stewart, "Twilight"), daughter of the slayed King Magnus (Noah Huntley), locked up in a tower for years, comes of age. She believes that the mirror reveals a secret; if she consumes Snow White's heart, she would no longer have to drain souls to maintain her youth.

When being picked up from her cell by the queen's brother, Snow White seizes the opportunity and cleverly escapes from the castle through a sewer and plunges into a raging sea. And thus the adventure begins. Hunted by the soldiers, she ventures into a haunted forest. Because this forest is the one place where Queen Ravenna's power doesn't reach, she orders a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, "The Avengers, "Thor") to search and capture Snow White.

A heartbroken widower, the huntsman is a drunkard and feels that he has nothing to live for, until the queen promises him to bring his wife back from the dead. After running into Snow White and realizing who she is, the rightful heir to the throne, he gradually becomes her protector and mentor. He develops a sense of purpose and decides to fight for what he believes in.

Both do their best to survive the dangerous terrains and creatures of the forest, while running into and battling the queen's men. Somewhere along their journey, they come across the dwarfs (Ian McShane, Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones, Brian Gleeson), who in due course join forces and introduces them to the sanctuary, or the land of fairies. Meanwhile, William (Sam Claflin, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"), a duke's son from Snow White's childhood, who at the time of the king's death was able to break away from the riots, learns that she's still alive and tracks her down.

The queen's relentless pursuit of Snow White finally bears fruit and the princess falls to the brink of death. A twist in a heartfelt moment brings Snow White back to life, where she reunites with the Duke Hammond (Vincent Regan) and leads the army to wage war against the Evil Queen. The dwarfs are underutilized overall, but they do play a key role in the war.

Snow White may be the star of the tale, but acting-wise, Stewart acts just like Kristen Stewart. The Evil Queen, on the other hand, steals the stage with Theron's portrayal. Icily evil, she's devilishly menacing and ruthless to the core. Hemsworth, out of his otherworldly persona here, is quite solid.

The film's strength lies on the dazzling visual, which includes expansive vistas of mountains, ocean, cliffs and castle. Theron's elaborate costumes, glittering with gold or metal, or covered in beads or feathers, are artfully admirable. The superb cinematography and art direction deserve praise, but they could shorten the middle part of the story. Snow White has never been a damsel in distress, but more time could be spent on developing her transformation of into a leader who inspires her people and her turning into a warrior princess, and in turn making the battle more climatic.

"Snow White and the Huntsman" has all the elements of the classic tale; Snow White, Evil Queen, Prince Charming, Dwarfs, Dark Forest, Poisonous Apple. Although much darker and edgier, not to mention violent, it appeals to the masses, with a straightforward story of good versus evil, and good prevails. The other contemporary adaptation of the tale this year, "Mirror Mirror," is lighthearted, whimsical, and wickedly hilarious. But if it's epic adventure and action you're looking for, go for "Snow White and the Huntsman."

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-snow-white-and-the-huntsman/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/88c4sjv

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/7vj4nk6

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Upcoming Movies: June 2012

I was out of town and had a lot to catch up.  "Snow White and the Huntsman" review is coming up this week.  Happy Summer!

June 1

"Snow White and the Huntsman" (http://www.snowwhiteandthehuntsman.com/) - In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

June 8

"Prometheus" (http://www.projectprometheus.com/) - A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

"Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" (http://www.madagascarmovie.com/) - Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style.

June 15

"Rock of Ages" (http://rockofagesmovie.warnerbros.com/) - A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

"The Woman in the Fifth" - A college lecturer flees to Paris after a scandal costs him his job. In the City of Lights, he meets a widow who might be involved in a series of murders.

June 22

"Brave" (http://disney.go.com/brave/?cmp=wdsmp_brv_url_dcombrave) - Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.

"Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" - Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.

June 29

"People Like Us" (ltd. rls.) - A man is tasked with delivering $150K of his deceased father's fortune to the sister he has never met.                   

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"Battleship"

Battle-awesome. The spoof in the beginning, seen from a security camera footage, will have you ROFL (chicken burrito, anyone? :-D). The penultimate battle scene that puts navy veterans on the forefront and its turnaround strategy is worth cheering for. This Transformers-on-water swims pretty nicely as a summer blockbuster.  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/75cpceb

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/89m3qzx

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"The Avengers"

Have you imagined what it would be like if the iconic superheroes share a universe? "The Avengers" turns that fantasy into reality. "The Avengers" astounds its way through the hearts and minds of the geeks around the globe and kicks off the 2012 summer blockbuster into high gear.

Catching a flash of "The Avengers" logo and its star performers at the 2010 Comic-Con whet my appetite for a bigger treat. While DC has lagged far behind with its superheroes ensemble, "Justice League," clearly, we're in for something extraordinary with Marvel. A culmination of superhero movies, which started with "Iron Man," and continued with "The Hulk," "Thor" and "Captain America." I was cautiously optimistic. Director Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Firefly") would attempt to go where no man has gone before and he's pulled it off with a superhero aplomb.

Each of the main characters is unique is its own way and strong enough to carry a movie on its own, so pulling them all together, and bringing in more characters would be a gargantuan task. A lot could have gone wrong. Fortunately, a lot goes right.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the disturbed brother of Thor, makes his appearance past the galactic portal, steals the Tesseract, a source of infinite energy, from the S.H.I.E.LD base, an international peacekeeping agency, and leaves the ground crumble and destructions behind.

Director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who may also have a hidden agenda to regain the cosmic cube, knows that it's time to activate the Avengers Initiative, a remarkable team of superheroes uniting forces to save the world. It's hard to conjure up a villain who would pose a credible threat to the Avengers, but Loki is not to be dismissed. He promises to unleash Chiaturi, an extraterrestrial army, to aid him in conquering the earth and carrying on his vengeance against Thor.

The eclectic ensemble of superheroes is made up of brilliant industrialist in armored suit, Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.); recently thawed from ice WWII all-American patriot, Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans); God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth); Jekyll-and-Hyde scientist, Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo); superspy and assassin Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson); and master archer, Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). They all gather inside a Helicarrier, an invisible, flying fortress lifting up from the sea.

The team goes off to a rocky start. Big egos and personalities, mixed with superpowers, clash. These larger-than-life characters are used to the be the center of attention and don't always play by the rules. The interactions among the alpha characters are the highlight of the movie. Plenty of dead-on, fantastically funny one-liners. Eventually they realize that they need to set aside their differences and work together as a team.

There are a number of memorable scenes. RDJ is still a wisecrack standout and has the coolest entrance as Iron Man, lands on the Stark Tower and unzips into Tony Stark, and later skydives back into the suit. Thor's late appearance latching onto the aircraft amid thunders and lightning is pretty grand. Captain America takes an integral role as a leader worthy of the captain title. He's more impressive here than in his own solo flick last summer. Black Widow showcases her combat agility by managing to escape out of an impossibly tight situation, and toward the end utilizes Cap's shield as a springboard, leaps into the air and pursues a flying alien. Hawkeye falls down hundreds of feet, shoots an arrow, swings into a building and lands back on his feet.

If there's a surprising scene stealer, it's the Hulk. Ruffalo, replacing Eric Bana (2003) and Edward Norton (2008), plays the role to the hilt, both as a nerdy human and monstrous beast. There are outrageously hilarious scenes, separately involving Loki, Thor, Iron Man, and all that smashing.

As much as I'd love to see a deeper story, it's typically reserved for a singular superhero film, "X-Men: First Class" notwithstanding. "The Avengers" forgoes complexity for spectacle, by equally shining the spotlight on each character who serves a purpose, spectacular set pieces and special effects, amazing actions and rolling-on-the-floor humor. It's incredible to see all of these superheroes heroically banding together in one scene. The final battle in Manhattan concludes with a selfless act from an unexpected character.

At nearly 2.5 hours, it doesn't feel like it. And it's originally longer. It's been said that a lot of Captain America's scenes ended up on the cutting floor. I'd be interested in seeing more of his scenes as initially filmed, coming to terms with his past, awakening and adjusting to the modern world. Stay past the credits for two additional scenes, the first one as a spoiler for the geeks and the second appeals to the general audience.

"The Avengers" delivers what it's meant to do. This all-star superhero extravaganza is fun entertainment at a grand scale.


http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-the-avengers/

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/7pr2o98

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Free Comic Book Day: May 5

On the first Saturday in May, dinosaurs, superheroes and talking animals rule: it’s Free Comic Book Day.  And it gets bigger every year.  When FCBD began in 2002, only four publishers participated; this year more than 40 free titles will be offered at participating stores, put out by everyone from Marvel and DC (the Coke and Pepsi of the comics biz) to independents like Red 5 Comics and Boom Entertainment.

Check out the full article on MSN:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47284253/ns/today-books/

To find participating stores near you, go to: 

http://www.freecomicbookday.com/storelocator

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Upcoming Movies: May 2012

May 4

"The Avengers" (http://marvel.com/avengers_movie) - When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, the director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team of super humans to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

"The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (http://www.thebestexoticmarigoldhotel.co.uk/) - British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel.  Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways.

May 11

"Dark Shadows" (http://darkshadowsmovie.warnerbros.com/index.html) - An imprisoned vampire is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.

May 18

"Battleship" (http://www.battleshipmovie.com/) - A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

"What to Expect When You're Expecting" (http://whattoexpectthefilm.com/) - A look at love through the eyes of five interconnected couples experiencing the thrills and surprises of having a baby, and ultimately coming to understand the universal truth that no matter what you plan for, life doesn't always deliver what's expected.

May 25

"Men in Black III" (http://www.sonypictures.ca/english/movies/meninblack3/) - Agent J travels in time to MIB's early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.

"Chernobyl Diaries" (http://chernobyldiaries.warnerbros.com/index.html) - Six tourists hire an extreme tour guide who takes them to the abandoned city Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor.  During their exploration, they soon discover they are not alone.

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