Tag: Mark Hamill

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII Has a Title! And a Unique Logo…

Posted on by Nick Doll in Movies, Star Wars

It seems that these days, the announcement of the title of a trilogy/saga/Skywalker-family Star Wars film is just as exciting as the first trailer. It’s at least the next best thing! A title is the first clue to the content of the movie, before we’ve even seen a frame of film. Even today, there’s no franchise, aside from Indiana Jones, where a title announcement is a such a big deal. Title reveals are especially useful for the 2nd or 3rd chapter of a Star Wars trilogy. Alongside the context of the new characters, mysteries, and plot of The Force Awakens, perhaps we can draw some accurate conclusions about the upcoming Episode VIII.

Or perhaps not.

Episode VIII now has the official (and officially badass) title, The Last Jedi. Take a look at the logo!viii-logo-tall-1536x864-414669331908-1280x864Nothing too surprising… wait… is “Star Wars” written in Red? Because unless I’m colorblind, that looks like Red to me.

Is this important? Maybe. Is it cool marketing? Absolutely!

A brief history of Star Wars logos:

Star Wars movie title logos have changed dramatically over the years. Here are the logos from Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi from their original posters (in the current version of the films, the logos are all uniform, obviously, with that classic yellow crawl).original-trilogy-logos

In the prequel age of the ate 90’s and early 2000’s, the episode number was more important than the title, boxing in the “Episode” part of the logo between “Star Wars” and the actual title, evoking the feel of the Empire and Jedi posters, in a way. The colors changed slightly, but kept the exact ascetic, otherwise. star-wars-prequels

And, so far, the anthology titles… aka “A Star Wars Story” films, mimic the prequel look more than anything else. rogue_one_logo

With The Force Awakens, Disney and Lucasfilm brought the logo back to basics… more or less. Maybe it’s more accurate to say they delivered a title that one imagines as the ideal, original Star Wars logo, even though it never really existed officially in this manor until Episode VII. star_wars_the_force_awakensThat is the look chosen for current trilogy films. The classic Yellow Star Wars logo with the title sandwiched in between.

But apparently, Disney is now shaking up the color, which could have some actual significance… or may not. After all, those who embrace the Dark Side have red lightsabers… AND the last time red was used, “Jedi” was also a part of the title.viii-logo-tall-1536x864-414669331908-1280x864Almost continuing in the tradition of the original trilogy, I expect to see the Episode IX title in Blue.

As for what the title means, is it as obvious as it sounds? Star Wars titles are incredibly on-the-nose, with the exception of The Phantom Menace and The Force Awakens. In Force Awakens, Supreme Leader Snoke refers to Luke Skywalker as “the last Jedi.” Is it as simple as that? Or will Rey be the last Jedi? Will Kylo Ren? The last time “Jedi” was used in a title, it was in reference to Luke returning as the last Jedi following the death of Obi-Wan and Yoda. Could The Last Jedi refer to the end of Luke Skywalker?

I guess we really do need a teaser trailer to know more! And it can’t come soon enough!

Star Wars: The Las Jedi hits the silver screen this December!

BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE Review: Really Weird Batgirl Prologue Drags Down So-So Adaptation

Posted on by Nick Doll in Batman, DC, Movies, Reviews

I’ve seen Batman: The Killing Joke (obviously, that’s why you’re here!), the WB Animation adaptation of the classic graphic novel by masterminds Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons! It’s… a mixed bag. The original story you know and love (or should read so that you know and love it) is there, but it’s surrounded by Batgirl filler… including a really, really, weird choice. This adaption of Killing Joke also lacks the unique visuals from the book or more distinct animation that made adaptations of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One so successful.

NO SPOILERS except where noted!

The Killing Joke, originally printed in 1988, has become the defining Joker story. It tells a possible origin of the Joker, that many have taken as gospel. Killing Joke is also incredibly dark and disturbing in subject manner, leading to the first animated DC film that is Rated R! Maybe that expectation is why this adaptation just can’t do the original justice. I wasn’t expecting an animated adaptation as great as the source material: Year One, though accurate, is only good (the comic is great!) while The Dark Knight Returns film feels neutered compared to Frank Miller’s startling original work.

Expectations were heightened still, as Killing Joke has something Year One and Dark Knight Returns lack; the original voice actors that defined Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill (who also played Luke Skywalker… du’h!). Hamill is by far my favorite Joker in any medium, while Conroy does bring a fun, unique, almost goofy interpretation of Bruce Wayne, balanced with a great “Bat Voice” (though this movie, like the comic, has no Bruce Wayne). And both actors are still great! It is though, a little silly hearing Conroy’s version of “Swear to me!” after it appeared in Batman Begins. It’s almost a shame when their characters aren’t on screen, and Joke and Batman are missing in action… a lot, due to the Batgirl story-line that was added so it was long enough to become a feature film (though it’s still on the short side).Batman The Killing Joke Batgirl Barbara GordonThis added story is half the problem with The Killing Joke, as it is mundane, yet surprisingly odd and perhaps questionable.  I have nothing against Batgirl (Tara Strong), but watching what is basically a twenty-minute episode of her generic adventure taking down a mobster (it doesn’t always need to be a Super Villain, but it helps) is like an unwelcome opening act for the band you really came to see. Though peppered with Batman, the Joker is no where to be found until after over 20 minutes in to a 76 minute film that is supposed to be about him! Knowing who Batgirl is does add emotional context to the story and that’s why a whole act of Batgirl was added. I don’t believe the original book ever addresses the fact that Barbara Gordon is Batgirl in addition to Commissioner Gordon’s (Ray Wise) daughter. I’m not saying Warner Animation shouldn’t make a Batgirl movie, I’m just saying it takes away from a story that is fundamentally just about Batman and The Joker at each other’s throats.

The prologue doesn’t necessarily take away from the film too much, except for one scene that completely baffles and slightly disturbs me as a Batman fan. Here’s the BATGIRL SPOILER AHEAD moment. Batman and Batgirl have sex, on a rooftop, and it creates sexual tension between them as Barabara (sort of) explains to her token Gay co-worker. What was that first part?!?! Batman and Batgirl have sex? Yes! I don’t know if it has ever happened in the comic (there are 76 years of Batman stories) but Batgirl and Batman having sex feels… creepy and wrong. Though he is not a father figure to her like Robin –  Jim Gordon, her biological father is still alive and plays prominently into the story – and she is not as young as Robin, it seems really rape-y of Batman to have sex with one of his proteges. Plus, what would Gordon think if he found out?! Uh-Oh! And isn’t she with Nightwing/Dick Grayson at some point in comics… and/or Red Robin/Tim Drake? What will the Robins think?! SPOILERS OVER!The Killing Joke Batman and Joker Mark Hamill Kevin ConroyBesides the Batgirl story with that controversial choice, the rest of the film is a pretty straight adaptation of the comic with great leads, yet unappealing animation that does not give Dave Gibbon’s artwork justice. While Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One imitate the style of the original artwork, Killing Joke is simplified into an update of Bruce Tim’s vision from The Animated Series, with a slightly more modern and higher quality look with just a hint of what the comic’s original art. It’s especially noticeable during the flashbacks to Joker’s origin which were originally in black and white with vivid red items in every panel. The red in the film version is far too muted and it makes a big difference. Also lost are the mirror images that were used to transition between panels set in the past and present. In short, Killing Joke should have looked a lot better!

In Killing Joke‘s defense, the story and themes are timeless, so it’s worth a viewing for someone who appreciates a good Batman story but hasn’t read the comic.  Hell, Nolan lifted Joker’s mission to drive a Batman alley mad/drag him down to his level for his 2nd Batman film, The Dark Knight.

If you need a new Batman story to see, give Batman: The Killing Joke a chance. If you love the graphic novel and want to see it done justice… skip it. Either way, that one choice they make is really, really creepy.

5_Star_Rating_System_3_stars

 

The 5 Most Accurate Comic Book Character Castings In Film and TV

Posted on by Nick Doll in Age of Ultron, Avengers, Batman, Captain America, Comics, DC, Gotham, Lists, Marvel, MCU, Movies, TV Shows, Video Games

Everyone’s a Super Hero these days… or at least a character based on a comic iteration, be they a powerless vigilante or a supporting character. Playing just “3 Degrees of Marvel” is easier than “6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon.”

There are many memorable superhero performances that have redefined comic book characters. Who can imagine anyone but Hugh Jackman playing Logan / Wolverine? Is it possible to think of the Joker without conquering images of Heath Ledger? Even now that we’ve seen Chris Cooper as Norman Osborne in the failure that was The Amazing Spider-Man 2, who could forget Willam Dafoe from 2002’s original Spider-Man film?Hugh Jackman as The Wolverine in X-Men: Days of Future Past

Sure, great performances all, but not exactly accurate depictions of the character. Wolverine is about four feet tall in the comic; Tom Cruise would actually be a more accurate portrayal of the character (not that he would be ideal either).

What I’ve collected, is a list of the most accurate casting choices of comic book characters, not the “best” or most “memorable.” Not the biggest characters or Super Heros, necessarily, but the best characters minor otherwise. These are the castings that can’t keep a Geek from smiling because he couldn’t imagine a better interpretation himself when first reading a comic. And after seeing it, this actor will always become the character’s voice when reading decades of comics to come.

5) Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron ManRobert Downey Jr as Tony Stark in Iron Man

Most people use RDJ as Tony Stark as the industry standard of comic book casting… and they ain’t wrong! I just managed to find 4 other castings that are even more accurate.

It turns out that Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark… both on screen and doing interviews. He has all the charm and brilliance that defines Tony Stark, bringing the darker edge of the character into play in Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which writer/director Joss Whedon labels Stark as the villain in the film’s commentary.

RDJ pulls off both sides of Stark, the hero who regrets his own and companies’ past as “War Mongers” and the man so tortured by his experience bringing a Nuke through a wormhole to outer-space that he creates the greatest villain the Avengers have ever faced, and will further be driven to oppose teammate Captain America (Chris Evans) in Captain America: Civil War.

Donwey Jr. is both the perfect physical rendition of Stark as well as a man who share’s Stark’s darker, “less sober” past.

4) Mark Hamill as The Jokermark hamill as joker and batman from batman the animated series

No silver screen actor can touch Mark Hamill’s interpretation of Batman’s nemesis, The Joker, started in Batman: The Animated Series and lifted to nirvana in the Video Game, Batman: Arkham Knight (as well as the franchises earlier chapters, Arkham Asylum & Arkham City).

Hamill’s joker just has more… fun. Hamill has worked an almost endless versions of the laugh, also bringing the Joker’s voice in and out; letting the madness seep from his performance.

Though Animated, Hamill’s Joker is also the most accurate; a man with a giant grin, but none of those scars the film version of the Joker mysteriously decided to use. With the exception of 1989’s Batman and 2008’s The Dark Knight, The Joker has never had scars (Thankfully it looks as though Jared Leto’s Joker will repair this remedy… though  his appearance calls to question how accurate his performance will be).

Hamill offers the most fun interpretation of the unstable Joker, with an animated face that can’t be topped by any of the feature presentations of Batman’s greatest nemesis.

3) JK Simmons as J. Jonah JamesonJK Simmons as J Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man

There comes a casting every now and then, that is so legendary that not even a reboot of  a franchise can top the original. In the case of The Amazing Spider-Man films, the creative talent realized that J. Jonah Jameson was so well cast by J.J. Simmons, that they didn’t even attempt to offer a new take on the character.

J.K. Simmons timing is so perfect, his look so accurate, that it is impossible to read a Spider-Man comic today without hearing the actor’s voice. He’s Spider-Man’s perfect hater, an actor I would still recommend Marvel Studios use for their 2nd “reboot” of Marvel’s Webslinger.

2) Donal Logue as Harvey BullockHarvey Bullock On Gotham

Fox’s Gotham is really the 1st time I’ve seen Jim Gordon’s partner and eventual right-hand-man portrayed by a live-action actor. Even Christopher Nolan, who used the Dark Knight Trilogy to reintroduce us to lost Detective Comics characters like Lucious Fox, failed to produce Harvey Bolluck, an essential character in the comic realm.

Benjamin McKenzie was a hard sell as Jim Gordon, as his most famous role was from female teen show The O.C., but he’s worked out fine. On the other hand, Donal Logue, best known from an equally “shitty” comedy Grounded For Life, lives and breaths Harvey Bolluck into existence in a way that makes the comic impossible to read without hearing Logue’s voice.

A drunk with a conscience and extreme loyalty to his partner, Logue is incredible as Batman essential Harvey Bolluck.

1) Matt Ryan as John ConstantineMatt Ryan as John Constantine

Finally, we arrive at the best of the best; Matt Ryan as DC Comic’s (formally Vertigo’s) John Constantine! Forget Keanu Reeves who was terribly cast in the big-screen version of DC’s best “master of the dark arts!” Matt Ryan plays the character with the coy cockiness and James Bond-esque womanizer that perfectly reflect the comic counterpart, right down to his appearance.

This is the prime example of an actor breathing life into a formally written & drawn character with no real voice. I know can’t read Justice League Dark or John Constantine: Hellbazler without hearing… and even picturing Matt Ryan. I’d never enjoyed the aforementioned film… or comic until I saw Matt Ryan play Constantine. And since them, he has become one of my most favorite comic characters of all!

There you have it, the 5 most ACCURATE Comic Book Castings… of all time! It may not be the main characters you expected, but these supporting and less known-“Heroes” could not be better represented on the screen!

Final STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Poster Debuts Before Trailer

Posted on by Nick Doll in Movies, Posters, Star Wars, The Force Awakens

It’s here! The final poster for J.J. Abram’s trip to a galaxy far, far away has hit the internet by storm! The Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster even includes the 1st image of some fan favorites from the classic trilogy!

Waste no time and take a gander. Then we’ll talk about what you see!Star Wars The Force Awakens Final PosterFirst off, who’s missing?

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) of course! Luke is now the classic character most shrouded in mystery as the poster does offer our first look at Carrie Fisher as Leia (Solo?)! Why won’t they show us anymore than Luke’s metal “Winter Soldier” arm?

Front and center are the three new, younger cast members that will likely drive the movie forward (a character’s size on a poster can be very telling of their importance…), Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as the lightsaber weilding/possible Stormtrooper Finn, and the Darth Vader inspired Kylo Ren played by Adam Driver.Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Poster Rey Finn and Kylo Ren

Below that, the whole gang’s here from classic droids C-3PO & R2-D2 to the brand new rolly polly B-88. Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia, and Chewbacca share a small space next to the droids, as does Oscar Isaac’s hot-shot X-Wing Pilot Poe Dameron. There’s even a new, mysterious alien hanging with the old crew; an alien whose importance was never hinted at in any of the promotional material… including the toys!Star Wars The Force Awakens Final Poster Classic Heroes

You’ve got your baddies on the very bottom; a legion of Stormtroopers led by Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie). No sign of Domhnall Gleeson who we’ve already seen as General Hux in promotional images, and Andy Serkis’ CGI “New Order” (formally “The Empire”) Supreme Leader Snoke remains just as mysterious as Luke Skywalker’s face.star wars force awakens final poster logo and captain phasma

It’s hard to miss the classic X-Wings. Tie-Fighters, and, of course, the Millennium Falcon, but what is more interesting is the Death Star looking ship in the top right corner behind Finn. That isn’t a starship, or a small moon, it’s an Arctic planet, turned into the “Starkiller” base/weapon capable of wiping out a star system. (Fun fact: in early scripts Luke Skywalker was Luke Starkiller…)Star Wars The Force Akwakens Final Poster Starkiller Base Weapon

Death Star 5.0!

It needs to be mention, though the poster does recall Star Wars posters past, it is not drawn by the incomparable Drew Struzan.

With a trailer dropping tomorrow on ESPN during Monday Night Football, things are about to get really Star Warsy up in here!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits US screens on December 18th!

 

Comic-Con SUICIDE SQUAD Trailer: The Fresh Prince and the Clown Prince (And “Bats!” And Harley!)

Posted on by Nick Doll in Batman, DC, Suicide Squad, Trailers

Hot off the Comic-Con trailer for Batman V Superman (Click Here for Complete Original HD Screen Grabs PART 1 & PART 2), Warner Bros. and DC have released the Suicide Squad footage shown at the giant convention.

I gotta’ say… it’s kind of disappointing. Maybe it’s because there is very little “Bats” (Ben Affleck) or maybe it’s because this “Mr. J” (Jared Leto) seems like a rip-off of Heath Ledger’s Joker… Will Smith is Will Smith… At least Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) steals the show (as she should!).

Watch it now! Before I spoil it further.

At least it looks a little different than Man of Steel and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Up until this point, we didn’t know if all the DC Cinematic Universe movies would look the same or if directors would be given some room to bring their own style; as Marvel has allowed its directors like James Gunn and Joss Wedon to do. Suicide Squad doesn’t look like a Batman V Superman clone, rather writer/director David Ayer has given us something that feels at least a little bit unique.

Suicide Squad Comic-Con Trailer Harely Quinn Margot Robbie Bubble GumThat’s not always a good thing as this muddled trailer really doesn’t instill any excitement, aside from a vicious/crazy looking Harley Quinn finally brought to life without animation.

The rest though… all these uninteresting actors like Jai Courtney (who made A Good Day To Die Hard, Jack Reacher, and Terminator Genyis all boring with his generic action hero face) and Joel Kinnaman (who made the Robocop remake boring with his generic hero face) playing equally boring, lesser-known DC characters does not impress. And “Mista J,” The Joker… his look is awful as the reveal image from several months back, his voice is very Heath Ledger, and the laugh is just too damn deep.Suicide Squad Comic-Con Trailer Jared Leto Joker 2

Jared Leto should have looked toward Mark Hamill when crafting his Joker, as between Batman: The Animated Series and the Arkham games we have our best version of Joker off the comic page. At least WB finally noticed every non-cinematic version of the Joker doesn’t have scars around his mouth…Suicide Squad Comic-Con Trailer Jared Leto Joker

This is a quick look at it all, and I hate being a Negative-Nancy, so I’ll reserve judgement at least until the next trailer. Nothing will keep me from seeing this film anyway. And it is exciting to watch all the Batman’s Rogues Gallery come together in Suicide Squad before we get the Ben Affleck written and directed film, The Batman, in 2018!

Suicide Squad comes out Summer 2016. After Bats and Supes fight.

Podcast #19: Comment and Like Us, Son!

Posted on by Nick Doll in Daredevil, Mallrats 2, Marvel, Marvel's Spider-Man, MCU, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, Movies, Podcasts, Star Wars

On this slightly late episode of ‘Breaking Geek: The Podcast,’ Nick lets Andrew run the show (again, because Nick was lazy and had nothing to talk about). And Andrew delivers!

From ‘Agent 47: Hitman’ trailer talk to ID4Ever (‘Independence Day 2’), Nick and Andrew cover all the week’s hot shit, including the announcement of ‘Mallrats 2’ and ‘Mission: Impossible 5’ becoming ‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ with a new trailer and poster!

Talk somehow leads to Marvel. How does that always happen?

Check back every Friday for a new Breaking Geek Podcast! (Sometimes we are a bit tardy…)

‘Waiting for GTA V’ or ‘Types of Line Geeks’

Posted on by Nick Doll in 007, Batman, DC, Indiana Jones, Lists, Marvel, Movies, Star Trek, Star Wars, Video Games

GTA VSeveral days ago, on Monday September 16th, I waited in line twice to pick up my pre-ordered copy of GRAND THEFT AUTO V from Gamestop. First, I had to stand in line to get my group number at 6pm. Then, I had to wait in line from 11:00pm to the 12:01am Tuesday release date of the game.

I’m not complaining, bitching, or moaning; I could have (and should have) just picked up the game Tuesday morning and avoided the crowds. After all, I did preorder the game months ago; there would be a copy there waiting for me in the morning.

Though I wish to avoid all lines these days; I’ve waited in my fair share that require arrival hours in advance, whether I am waiting for a hot game system or the latest blockbuster. Each and every time I have found myself in such a line, I come across the same five geek archetypes. Without fail. Continue reading “‘Waiting for GTA V’ or ‘Types of Line Geeks’” →