The Modern Comic Book
Over the last winter with the television writer’s strike obliterating much of the new scripted television series of the season, I found myself with the unenviable task of finding alternatives to Indiana’s famous “stuck inside with nothin’ to do” winter blahs. I briefly toyed with reality TV (mistake) but luckily found something just as good (if not better) than most of what passes for entertainment these days – the modern comic book/graphic novel.
Continue reading this column on the modern comic book/graphic novel.
By Bert Ehrmann
5/2/2008
He Fights and Smites with Repulsor Rays!
I’ve taken a bit of flak in conversations with friends in my opinion that Iron Man will be the movie to beat this summer. Most people I know think the top movie will be The Dark Knight or are looking forward more to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull than any other movie next summer. I say that if I had to pick just one movie to see this summer, that movie would be Iron Man.
Continue reading this column on Iron Man.
By Bert Ehrmann
4/17/2008
More Sci-Fi. No Sub-Plot Required..
Thats exactly what should be said about the new Aliens Vs. Predator Movie: AVP-R. ( I think the R stand for RATING, since the last stinker of this series was Rated PG-13).
We've come for your daughter, Chuck.
The movie picks up where the last AVP movie left off, with the Predator comrades recovering their fallen warrior from Earth, only to find out that he is carrying a "Hybrid Pred-Alien", that wreaks havoc on the ship, and forces the Predator ship to crash land in a Mid-Western town in the US.
Sticking with the usual formula of the Sci-Fi/Horror meld, we have our usual cast of cannon fodder living in the town, mired in a sorry subplot, which of course caused my wife and I to ask every 2 minutes of dialogue "Will something please kill this person?"
Of course, the facehuggers from the downed ship get out and loose, and start attacking the town folk, getting them prepped for their "stomach popping" event. Meanwhile, the Predator ship has sent out a distress beacon, and a lone Predator warrior travels to Earth to dispatch the Alien infestation.
N-n-n-n- Nice Kitty!
Now, not to ruin the movie for you (Cause, well you can rent it if you choose..) I'll point out the good parts (if any) and the bad parts (LOTS!):
Good Parts: Predator fight(s) with the Aliens. Yes indeed, the Predator brought his bag of goodies along, which provided some extra firepower against the Alien swarm. From spinners (hello Krull reference..), to Laser Mesh Fences, he brought them all out to play. I think the personal favorite was his little tank of Blue liquid.. which dissolved anything it touched. Comes in handy when cleaning up that unwanted pet dropping.
Bad Parts: Horrible acting, Horrible Sub-plot/romance crap (why do they PUT that stuff in there?!), the substitute for the Alien Queen (I guess they had to do something.. but I've read better Dark Horse comics than what the screenwriters developed as a plot in this flick..), and it was just too damned dark!
Lastly we have the glorious sub-titles for the movie.
Now this is not a slight against the hearing impaired. I personally like the subtitles on during the movie, in case I mishear what the actors said (which my wife says I do a lot..). However, this movie goes TOTALLY overboard with its notation for subtitle events in the movie. From "rhythmic ominous theme" to "Whooshing Sound", this flick has got em all! I am not sure how much you want to convey to the audience, but I found it to be a bit TOO much.
I also noticed that this movie made an attempt to incorporate every memorable line from the previous movies.. From "Get to the Chopper!" to "Stay close to me Molly", I couldn't help but laugh!
Overall, the movie turned out to be a bit of a gore-fest (though I have seen better), and should be treated as such.
If you get the urge to waste some money, go stop by and rent it.
AVP-R
By Mo Alexander
4/17/2008
Battle Beneath the Earth
I'm loving the poster for the movie Battle Beneath the Earth. It's been many years since I last saw it (on television, no less), but I remember finding it enjoyable if a bit hard to believe.
By Bert Ehrmann
4/13/2008
