NEGROMANCER 2.0: J. Michael Straczynski

Showing posts with label J. Michael Straczynski. Show all posts

Monday, April 8, 2024

Comics Review: "U & I #1" is Crazy, Sexy, Cool

U & I #1

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

ART: Mike Choi

COLORS: Mike Choi

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: Mike Choi

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato, Jr. with Lee Loughridge; Mike Deodato, Jr.

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2024)

Rating: Teen+

The Resistance created by J. Michael Straczynski, Mike Deodato, Jr., and Frank Martin

U & I is a new six-issue comic book miniseries written by J. Michael Straczynski and drawn and colored by Mike Choi. It is the ninth entry in “The Resistance” universe that began with the 2020 six-issue miniseries, The Resistance. U & I focuses on an unlikely romance between two new “Reborns.” Letterer Sal Cipriano completes the series creative team.

U & I #1 opens in a world in which humanity is still dealing with the “Great Death” (“Big Death”), the planetary pandemic that killed 400 million people. It also caused the emergence of over ten million people called “Reborns.” They survived the pandemic and gained superhuman powers.

The series introduces U, a young man who can heal his body of the most serious wounds and grievous injuries. Today, he will play the hero and save a woman from dangerous mobster hit men.

Then, there is Isabelle. The government believes that she is hiding her powers, but she came out of the “Big Death” better, but seemingly without powers. Still, the government is discriminating against Isabelle, and she is left hungry, homeless, and hopeless after her father's brother – her lowdown uncle – refuses to release her inheritance.

How will fate bring U and Isabelle together?

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios' marketing has been providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications since April 2023. U & I #1 is one of the latest.

I have not read any of the comic books in “The Resistance” franchise. I wasn't on AWA's review list during the release of those publications. After reading U & I #1, I do want to read more. Why, you ask? This is another excellent J. Michael Straczynski-written comic book. The flashbacks are riveting, and the present day segments have firmly taken hold of my imagination.

I love Mike Choi's Frank Quitely-like compositions. Choi captures the exhilaration and mystery that surrounds U, while establishing the trials and tribulations of Isabelle. Choi's dazzling colors are a vivid signal to the reader's imagination, while Sal Cipriano's classic-style lettering conveys the futurism and possibilities of this narrative.

U & I #1 is yet another superb AWA Studios debut, and it promises that this series will be another winner from the publisher.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of the comic books of J. Michael Straczynski will want to try U & I.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Saturday, April 6, 2024

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #6" Offers a Very Satisfying Conclusion

THE MADNESS #6 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: David Aja; Chris Ferguson

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano. The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.” She has super-powers: flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time. Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself. She plans one more big score so that she can retire to a life of luxury. However, she steals from the “wrong person” and that leads to brutal consequences that will drive her to revenge... and to ultimate madness.

The Madness #6 opens as Sarah frees her recent prize – one from the Djinn – the dragon Ignatius. Next, Sarah and the Raven have another conversation. Will she stay or will she go?

Now, it's time for the final battle. Just two names remain on The Madness' hit list. They are Darius, the leader of the Council of Justice, who ordered the dropping of the bomb on Sarah and her family. The second is Captain Micron, the one who dropped the bomb. In order to complete her revenge, however, Sarah may have to destroy herself along with her targets.

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications since April 2023. The Madness #6 is one of the recent acquisitions.

With this sixth issue, writer J. Michael Straczynski presents a final chapter that is as intense as all the previous chapters. The Madness mixes the craziness of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen with the exhilaration of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority. At this end, Straczynski presents a final chapter that is complicated, but that also offers a satisfactory conclusion working on themes of dedication, loyalty, and love.

Artist ACO closes out his daring storytelling with intensity and verve. The conflict is close and personal, and the heroine certainly seems imperiled. He also sells us on an ending that offers continuation. Marcelo Maiolo's colors are more like cinematography than ever, and I'm sure they look good in the recently released trade paperback collection of this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Friday, February 16, 2024

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #5" - The Raven, the Djinn and the Dragon

THE MADNESS #5 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Francavilla; Chris Ferguson

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano. The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness #5 opens as Sarah and The Raven have a conversation. Are they one and the same, or are they merely part of each other.

Meanwhile, there are origin stories that tie into The Raven's revenge. First, how does one Djinn replace the next? This tale will make it crystal clear, with some information about the Djinn's animal companion, the dragon Ignatius. Plus, what is the story of Shade? Does even she know it?

Plus, Prince Nesallah and Tafiq Badat, the Arab royalty that demanded The Raven's death, know she is coming for them, and they are prepared. Or so they believe...

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. The Madness # is one of the recent acquisitions.

With this fifth issue, writer J. Michael Straczynski offers another chapter that is as intense as the others before it. The Madness mixes the madness of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen with the exhilaration of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority. Like Watchmen, Straczynski uses each issue to delve into the side stories that portend and enrich the larger story.

Artist ACO offers daring storytelling, but this time, he focuses on straight ahead action. He fills The Madness #5 with wide open storytelling similar to the widescreen thrills of The Authority. Marcelo Maiolo's colors are like cinematography that makes the action soar when it needs to and explode on the page, otherwise. This penultimate issue demands that I return for the ultimate, but, dear readers, it demands that you start reading.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Thursday, December 14, 2023

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #4" Has Women So Fierce They Can Be Compassionate

THE MADNESS #4 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Butch Guice with Lee Loughridge; Daniel Otrakji

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness #4 opens as The Raven recounts how she became involved with her man, the widower Richard “Rick” Chambers, and how she began to build a family with him and his two young sons, Chuck and Devon. Now, she has to continue her revenge tour because Rick and the boys where reduced to “ash and little bits of dry, bleached bone.”

She is tracking down members of “the Council of Justice,” the team of government-sanctioned superheroes who killed her family and left her in a shattered mental state. The latest are Astraea and Miss Victory, but only one played a part in the decision to bring death and destruction to The Raven's life. And the other one wants to convince Raven to make a better decision that one she wants to make. Will The Raven relent or will she fight to the death?

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. The Madness #4 is a recent acquisition.

With this fourth issue, writer J. Michael Straczynski offers a chapter that is as intense as ever, but also more intimate. I'm surprised that this offbeat chapter maintains the series drumbeat of war and revenge without missing... a beat. Yes, I continue to think that The Madness mixes the madness of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen with the exhilaration of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority. Still, I felt a sense sadness that kept intruding on my need for kick-ass and blood lust. There are not only consequences in the actions in which the characters take, but this is also pain.

Artist ACO may be offering his most daring storytelling and his most advanced work. ACO creates a melancholy and tragic tone for this chapter that gives this overall narrative a sense of humanity and vulnerability that will give the violence to come some weight and depth. ACO turns this narrative just when I think I'm following a bullet straight to violence, so I'm often getting more than I expect.

In The Madness #4, AWA Studios does what it has been doing for some time – offer the kind of single issue that can help save the Direct Market. You just have to make the effort to find this kind of comic book, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douressaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #3" Brings Magnum Force

THE MADNESS #3 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Mike Deodato with Lee Loughridge; Chris Ferguson

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.” She has super-powers: flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time. Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself. She plans one more big score so that she can retire to a life of luxury. However, she steals from the “wrong person” and that leads to brutal consequences that will drive her to revenge... and to ultimate madness.

The Madness #3 opens as The Raven continues her revenge tour. She has tracked down “the Council of Justice,” the team of government-sanctioned superheroes who killed her family and left her in a shattered mental state. They are, however, now aware that she is coming for them. So will that save Agent X-9 from a brutal interrogation? Or will he give up the secrets to a woman beset by madness?

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. The Madness #3 is a recent acquisition.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski continues to blow my mind with his most excellent scripts for The Madness. He mixes the madness of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen with the exhilaration of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch's The Authority. Still, comic book reviewers often focus a bit too much on the work of the writers, as good as the writer is in this case.

The mad genius of the art and graphical storytelling for this series is artist and co-creator, ACO, and he drives The Madness to the edge of madness again and again. His art recalls the work of both the late Neal Adam in terms of page design and the aforementioned Bryan Hitch in terms of composition. How does ACO convey the madness and thirst for revenge that possesses Sarah Ross? ACO sends the art and storytelling right at us. It is as if ACO keeps grabbing us by the back of the head and slamming our face into the story. He insists that we WILL know The Raven's madness and the violence, chaos, and fear she creates. It's the perfect design of action for a comic book revenge thriller.

So here is a superhero comic book that delivers greatness without requiring you, dear readers, to buy 30 other comic books that are part of some kind of bizarre crossover event. Come and get The Madness, now... or later with the trade paperback.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

Friday, September 15, 2023

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #2" is Too Legit to Quit

THE MADNESS #2 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Valerio Giangiordano; Danielle Otrakji

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano. The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.” She has super-powers: flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time. Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself. She plans one more big score so that she can retire to a life of luxury. However, she steals from the “wrong person” and that leads to brutal consequences that may drive her to utter madness.

The Madness #2 offers the origin of “The Raven,” and the hows and whys of her relationship with Sarah Ross. Meanwhile, Sarah/The Raven continues her revenge tour – brutal and relentless and with totality. Meanwhile, the superheroes behind the attack on her are starting to suspect something...

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. The Madness #2 is the latest.

In a sense, I don't have words to describe how writer J. Michael Straczynski is blowing my mind, stopping my heart, and making me clench a certain area of my posterior. Maybe I can borrow the title of the song U2 contributed to the Batman Forever soundtrack, "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" (1995). That is what Straczynski is doing to me with this, one of the most intense comic books of its type since Watchmen showed everyone a new path to weaving superhero drama.

Art and graphical storyteller ACO captures the intense madness of Sarah Ross and also the complex and heartbreaking interpersonal slash intrapersonal relationship betwixt Sarah and The Raven. As I said in my review of the first issue, ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design. ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page, while maintaining a sense of intimacy that makes the bloodshed feel as it should – really frickin' personal.

This is another absolute winner from AWA Studios. If the American comic book industry is suffering, it isn't suffering from a lack of excellent comic books. AWA Studios does not make excuses, and they won't have to as long as they keep delivering winners like The Madness.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

Monday, August 14, 2023

Comics Review: "THE MADNESS #1" is What "Before Watchmen" Wanted to Be

THE MADNESS #1 (OF 6)

AWA STUDIOS

STORY: J. Michael Straczynski

PENCILS: ACO

INKS: David Lorenzo

COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo

LETTERS: Sal Cipriano

COVER: ACO

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Brandon Peterson with Marcelo Maiolo; Dalibor Talajic

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Rated: “Mature”

The Madness is a new six-issue miniseries from AWA Studios. It is written by J. Michael Straczynski; drawn by ACO (pencils) and David Lorenzo (inks); colored by Marcelo Maiolo; and lettered by Sal Cipriano. The series follows a woman who uses her super-powers as a thief and her quest for revenge against a group of superheroes.

The Madness #1 introduces Sarah Ross a.k.a. “The Raven.” She has super-powers: flight, super speed, super strength, and invulnerability, but she can only use one at a time. Sarah has been using her powers as a thief, stealing from the rich and giving it to herself. She plans one more big score – the proverbial big score from which one can retire to a life of luxury for good.

However, Sarah's score means she has to steal from the wrong person. And this man is the “wrong person” because Sarah's true mark is a highly-placed and powerful official. Now, Sarah is a target, and the brutal consequences may drive her to utter madness.

THE LOWDOWN: AWA Studios marketing recently began providing me with PDF review copies of their comic book publications. The Madness #1 is the latest.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski is best known for his Hollywood work. He has written for the screen for such films as Ninja Assassin (2009), Thor (2011), and World War Z (2013). His best known television work is the TV series, “Babylon 5” (1993-98), which he created. He also wrote for such TV series as CBS' mid-1980s' revival of “The Twilight Zone” and for “Murder, She Wrote,” to name two.

ACO is the pen name of Spanish comic book artist, Alex Cal Oliveira. He has drawn Iron Man and Uncanny X-Men for Marvel Comics, to name a few, and he had a long stint on Wonder Woman for DC Comics. I really liked ACO's inspired work on Marvel's 2017 Nick Fury comic book series.

Straczynski and ACO come together for The Madness, and I can call the first issue a shockingly good debut issue. It is filled with a sense of mystery, a murderous conspiracy, shadowy government cabals, secretive and conniving superheroes, and the anticipation of death and destruction. Straczynski lures in the readers and then, holds them hostage with high tension, from beginning to end. ACO catches the script at its electric edges, creating the right angles with a captivating sense of graphic design. ACO certainly creates the sense that something big is going to happen every page.

For what it presents, The Madness #1 is one of the few debut issues that reminds me of certain elements of Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1 (cover dated: August 1985) and DC Comics' Watchmen #1 (cover dated: September 1986). For me, those particular comic books seemed new and groundbreaking and also utterly familiar at the same time. Am I comparing Straczynski and ACO to Alan Moore and Gary Leach and Alan David? To Moore and Dave Gibbons? Well, am I?

I'm on Twitter a lot, and I always come across fans, commentators, creators, etc. complaining that DC Comics and (especially) Marvel are not producing great comic books. Comic book publishers not named Marvel or DC, such as AWA Studios, are producing exceptional and entertaining comic books. If you pass up The Madness #1, you really don't want to read great comic books.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans looking for excellence in superhero comic books will want to try The Madness.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

THE MADNESS PAGE: https://awastudios.net/series/the-madness/

AWA Website: https://awastudios.net/

AWA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awastudiosofficial/

AWA Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWA_Studios

AWA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awastudiosofficial

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Saturday, May 6, 2023

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 1st to 6th, 2023 - Update #17

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STRIKE - From Deadline: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is on strike.

From Deadline: Disney, HBO/HBO Max, and CBS have sent letters to showrunners (the TV equivalent of film directors) instructing them to return to work, inspite of the writer's strike.

From Deadline: The WGA's chief negotiator, Ellen Stutzman, talks about the state of the writers' strike, including the lack of engagement on the part of the strike's other party, AMPTP.

From Deadline: What went wrong between the WGA and AMPTP? What could they not agree on that led to a strike?

From Deadline: The site explains the WGA strike: the issues, the stakes, movies and TV shows affected, and how long it might last.

SCANDAL - From the AP: The Labor Department has fined McDonald's restaurant franchisees in Louisville, Kentucky, a total $212,000 for illegally employing children. That includes two 10-year-olds who were not paid for their labor.

CELEBRITY - From Deadline: Oscar-winning actor and performer, Jamie Foxx, breaks silence for the first time since his hospitalization after a "medical emergency."

TELEVISION - From Deadline: Paramount Network's drama, "Yellowstone," will end after its upcoming fifth season. It will be replaced by a follow-up series starring Matthew McConaughey.

From ETOnline: Star Kevin Costner will not return to Paramount Network's television series, "Yellowstone," past this currently filming fifth season.

TONY AWARDS - From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 76th Annual Tony Awards have been announced. The musical "Some Like It Hot" leads with 13 nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, June 11th at 8pm Eastern on CBS.

ANIMATION - From Deadline: J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of the TV series, "Babylon 5," has announced that more information about the release date of the "Babylon 5" animated film is coming in a week.

MOVIES - From Deadline: In a first look, Oscar-nominated actor, Austin Butler ("Elvis") is bald and without eyebrows as the villain, Reyd-Rautha, in "Dune: Part Two."

OSCARS - From Deadline: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday its “most significant overhaul” of the campaign promotional regulation and awards rules for the upcoming 96th Oscars.

TELEVISION - From Deadline: Fox had opted not to renew its highest-rated scripted drama, "9-1-1," after its current sixth season, which has its season finale May 15th. However, the series will move to ABC for the 2023-24 season, its seventh season.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 4/28 to 4/30/2023 weekend box office is Universal/Illumination Entertainment's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" with an estimated take of 40 million dollars.

MOVIES - From Deadline: Actor Ioan Gruffudd (2005's "Fantastic Four," and "San Andreas") has been added to Sony Pictures' "Bad Boys 4."

OBITS:

From Variety: Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and folk singer, Gordon Lightfoot, has died at the age of 84, May 1, 2023. He had a number one hit in the U.S. with the 1974 single, "Sundown." He also had huge success on the U.S. "Adult Contemporary" charts with such songs as "If You Could Read My Mind" (1970), "Carefree" (1974), and "Rainy Day People" (1975), among others. His songs were covered by such artists as Elvis Presley, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young, to name a few.

From Variety: Film and television editor, John Gordon Wright, has died at the age of 79, Thursday, April 20, 2023. Wright was nominated for the "Best Editing" Oscar twice, for "The Hunt for Red October" (1990) and "Speed" (1994). He won a Primetime Emmy Award for editing the 1991 CBS television film, "Sarah, Plain and Tall." He edited two films for director Mel Gibson, "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) and "Apocalypto" (2006). He also edited "X-Men" (2000) and Marvel Studios' "The Incredible Hulk" (2008).

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Review: Brad Pitt is the Man in "World War Z"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 46 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux

World War Z (2013)
Running time: 116 minutes (1 hour, 56 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for language and some disturbing images
DIRECTOR: Marc Forster
WRITERS: Matthew Michael Carnahan and Drew Goddard & Damon Lindelof; from a screen story by Matthew Michael Carnahan and J. Michael Straczynski (based on the novel by Max Brooks)
PRODUCERS: Ian Bryce, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Brad Pitt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Seresin
EDITORS: Matt Chesse and Roger Barton
COMPOSER: Marco Beltrami

HORROR/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, Fana Mokoena, James Badge Dale, Ludi Boeken, Matthew Fox, David Morse, Sterling Jerins, Abigail Hargrove, Fabrizio Zacharee Guido, Peter Capaldi, and Pierfrancesco Favino

Sometimes, I see movies that make me feel like a fanboy – so happy and satisfied to be entertained by my favorite movie stars and filmmakers. Recently, Brad Pitt’s new movie made me a Brad Pitt fanboy.

World War Z is a 2013 horror thriller and zombie movie from director Marc Forster. The film is based on the 2006 novel, World War Z, written by Max Brooks (the son of Mel Brooks). The film stars Brad Pitt as a United Nations employee who is trying to solve the mystery of a zombie pandemic that is threatening to destroy humanity.

World War Z opens in domestic harmony as former United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) prepares breakfast for his wife, Karin (Mireille Enos), and his daughters, Rachel (Abigail Hargrove) and Constance (Sterling Jerins). Later, the family is stuck in heavy traffic in Philadelphia that soon turns to mass bedlam. Crazed people are attacking and biting one another, and the ones who are bitten become like their attackers within ten seconds of being bitten.

Gerry and his family are rescued by a former UN colleague, Thierry Umutoni (Fana Mokoena), the UN Deputy Secretary-General. Gerry learns that a virus has turned into a worldwide outbreak that is turning people into ferocious, rabid zombies, and the ensuing chaos has toppled armies and governments. The outbreak is threatening to destroy humanity itself. Gerry is soon forced to travel the world in a race against time and hope to find a cure for this pandemic.

Plain and simple, World War Z is an action movie. Yes, it is an apocalyptic horror film, a horror thriller, a scary movie, and a zombie movie. However, it moves with the precision of a Jason Bourne movie and throws pitched-battles like a movie about military special operations (such as Tears of the Sun). It is fast-moving and jittery, even when Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane is being thoughtful and observant. And it is the good movie kind of fast-moving and jittery.

Director Marc Forster orchestrates this Hollywood entertainment product so that it transforms mere spectacle into the spectacular. As far as I’m concerned, this is his most passionate and emotionally-charged film since 2001’s Monster’s Ball, for which Halle Berry won an Oscar.

World War Z is also a Brad Pitt movie, and because Brad is a true movie star and a truly fine actor, he carries the audience with his character Gerry Lane. He carries us on a pulse-pounding thrill ride that makes us (at least, some of us) forget some of the holes in the concept. Our cinematic faith in our movie stars is rewarded when they deliver the goods. In World War Z, Pitt delivers some kind of good.

8 of 10
A

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Review: "Underworld: Awakening" is Not Quite Awake

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 5 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux

Underworld: Awakening (2012)
Running time: 88 minutes (1 hour, 28 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violence and gore, and for some language
DIRECTOR: Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein
WRITERS: Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, and Allison Burnett; from a story by Len Wiseman (based upon characters created by Kevin Grevioux and Danny McBride and Len Wiseman)
PRODUCERS: Len Wiseman, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, and Richard Wright
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Scott Kevan
EDITOR: Jeff McEvoy
COMPOSER: Paul Haslinger

FANTASY/ACTION/HORROR with elements of sci-fi

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, Stephen Rea, Theo James, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt, Charles Dance, and Kris Holden-Reid with Wes Bentley

Underworld: Awakening is a 2012 action horror film and is the fourth movie in the Underworld film franchise. Awakening is a direct sequel to the second installment, Underworld: Evolution (2006).

Six months after the events depicted in Evolution, humans discovered the existence of vampires and Lycans and began a war to eradicate the two races. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the vampire Death Dealer, was captured and imprisoned in cryogenic suspension (put on ice, so to speak) during this war. She awakens 12 years later and manages to escape from Antigen, the facility where she was imprisoned. Selene has returned to a world that believes that vampires and Lycans are no more, but is this true?

Selene discovers that another test subject escaped from Antigen, a girl named Eve (India Eisley) who has a shocking connection to Selene. Now, the Death Dealer must protect Eve from the head scientist at Antigen, Dr. Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea), who wants to experiment on Eve. Selene allies with a young vampire named David (Theo James), but his father, Thomas (Charles Dance), considers Selene and Eve a danger to his coven. Meanwhile, Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy), a human, has inadvertently discovered a conspiracy that threatens both humans and vampires.

First, I must admit that Underworld: Awakening is now the least of the four Underworld films. I say “least” instead of “worst” because I like this franchise, and the movie isn’t that bad. Truthfully, though, the first half of Awakening is a disaster; it’s as if a director had a big budget and still produced a cheesy, sci-fi horror flick destined for a Saturday night premiere on the Syfy channel. In the second half, when the screenplay unleashes Selene and allows her to be the ass-kicking Death Dealer we all know and love, then, the film comes to life and manages a decent finish.

Two other things of note: Awakening takes the mayhem and violence of this series to new heights, even for a franchise about werewolves and vampires. There is a level of gore here that will make even some hardened veterans of science fiction/fantasy/horror violence catch their breath. Secondly, the supporting characters are entirely wasted. What is the point of even having Michael Ealy’s Detective Sebastian in the movie; did the producers/studio just want a black guy in the movie? The character is actually good and has potential, but like the others, he is under-utilized.

Underworld: Awakening is actually something of a rebirth of the franchise, as it essentially starts the story on a fresh path. That’s not why this movie is a misfire. Underworld: Awakening is simply half a decent movie that has to drag along a really bad other half.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, January 22, 2012

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Sunday, May 8, 2011

Review: Chris Hemsworth Brings Thunder to "Thor"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 39 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux

Thor (2011)
Running time: 114 minutes (1 hour, 54 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence
DIRECTOR: Kenneth Branagh
WRITERS: Ashley Edward Miller and Zack Stentz and Don Payne; from a story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich (based on the comic book and characters created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Haris Zambarloukos (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Paul Rubell
COMPOSER: Patrick Doyle

SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY/DRAMA

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Jaimie Alexander, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, and Clark Gregg with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins

Thor is a new superhero movie from Marvel Studios. Thor is an unusual character because, while he has many of the characteristics of a superhero (super powers, a costume, an occasional secret identity), he is also based on a mythological deity once worshipped as a god in the real world. This makes for a superhero movie that doesn’t look or really act like other superhero movies, but that does not stop Thor from turning out to be as fun to watch as the best superhero flicks.

Thor the movie stars the Marvel Comics character, Thor, who first appeared in the comic book, Journey into Mystery #83 (cover dated August 1962). Created by artist Jack Kirby and writers, Stan Lee and Larry Leiber (who are also siblings), Thor is based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name.

Thor begins in the mystical realm of Asgard, where Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the King of Asgard, is choosing which of his two sons, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), will become the next king. Thor seems destined to be the next king, but his arrogant, hot-tempered ways get him into trouble. The source of his powers is the mighty hammer, Mjolnir.

As Thor prepares to ascend to the throne, Asgard’s ancient enemies, the Frost Giants, sneak into Asgard to steal an ancient Frost Giants relic taken ages ago by Odin. Enraged by this attack, Thor leads an attack on Jotunheim, the Frost Giants realm, which destroys the fragile truce between Asgard and the Frost Giants. As punishment, Odin strips Thor of his title and powers and banishes him to Earth. Odin also sends Mjolnir to Earth, but he puts a spell on the hammer that will only allow the worthy to wield it.

Thor lands in New Mexico, where he meets scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her mentor, Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), and Jane’s assistant, Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). They befriend Thor, and although she is initially wary of him, Jane begins to be fascinated by the strapping young mystery man. Meanwhile, Thor and Mjolnir have captured the attention of the shadowy government organization, S.H.I.E.L.D., and a plot inside the House of Odin threatens the entire realm of Asgard and the lives of Odin and Thor. As the darkest forces of Asgard invade Earth, Thor must learn to be a true hero.

Most of Thor seems like some kind of mash-up of such fantasy action movies as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Excalibur, and the original Clash of the Titans, especially the parts of the story that take place in Asgard and Jotunheim. Director Kenneth Branagh, who is known for making film adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare, gives the Asgardian royal melodrama at the heart of this movie’s story, a Shakespearean accent. Like Lord of the Rings, Thor is about action and epic battles. Branagh may have a knack for getting character drama from his actors, but he also knows how to make a superhero movie that screams, howls, and breaks things just like the Iron Man and Hulk movies.

Ultimately, I think what Thor has best going for it is actor Chris Hemsworth. Sculpted like an NFL athlete with the muscle definition of a male model, Hemsworth has the body to be an action movie star. With a twinkle in his eyes, Hemsworth has the style to be a charming rogue in many romantic films. It is the charisma and self-assuredness that make Hemsworth a rising star. Several times while watching Thor, I thought that much of this movie was preposterous, that too much of it was contrived, and that just enough of it was dull, slow, and/or clunky to ruin the movie.

Then, Hemsworth pops up on the screen, and he makes everything seem right. My mind says, “Yeah, this all makes sense. This is certainly one slam-bang superhero movie.” The special effects in Thor are excellent and are certainly worthy of an Oscar nomination. The production values are high, from costumes to sets. There are some good performances, especially in the supporting roles: Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston bringing textures and layers to Loki, and Idris Elba, sparkling and witty in the now-you-see him, now-you-don’t role of Heimdall. But Thor is Hemsworth, and Hemsworth is Thor, and Hemsworth’s broad back and shoulders carry this movie to victory.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, May 08, 2011

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

About This Movie: THOR

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Present
A Marvel Studios Production
A Kenneth Branagh Film

“Thor”

Co‐Producers: Craig Kyle Victoria Alonso
Executive Producers: Alan Fine Stan Lee David Maisel Patricia Whitcher Louis D’Esposito
Produced by Kevin Feige
Story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich
Screenplay by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne
Directed by Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Jaimie Alexander, Josh Dallas, Tadanobu Asano, Clark Gregg, with Rene Russo and Anthony Hopkins as Odin

Synopsis:
The epic adventure THOR spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans. When the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.

Release: May 6, 2011

THOR has been rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence

Thor by Walter Simonson Omnibus

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Review: "Ninja Assassin" is Strictly for My N.I.N.J.A.S.

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 23 (of 2010) by Leroy Douresseaux

Ninja Assassin (2009)
Running time: 99 minutes (1 hour, 39 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong bloody stylized violence throughout, and language
DIRECTOR: James McTeigue
WRITERS: Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski; from a story by Matthew Sand
PRODUCERS: Grant Hill, Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski, and Larry Wachowski
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Karl Walter Lindenlaub
EDITORS: Gian Ganziano and Joseph Jett Sally

ACTION/MARTIAL ARTS

Starring: Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Shô Kosugi, Rick Yune, Joon Lee, Anna Sawai, Yoon Sungwoong, Kylie Liya Goldstein, Sung Kang, and Randall Duk Kim

It’s not Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, nor is it a Bruce Lee movie. However, if you want to see a ninja movie in which the clichés and bodies pile up in a mass of gore and severed limbs and heads, then, Ninja Assassin is just for you (and me).

Ninja Assassin focuses on an outcast ninja named Raizo (Rain). An orphan, he was taken from the streets as a child and brought into a ninja clan. There, Lord Ozunu (Shô Kosugi) gave him the name “Raizo” and transformed him into a trained killer in the service of the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. After a terrible incident, Raizo leaves the Clan and vanishes. Now, living in Berlin, he waits for his former brethren to come for him, and he prepares to exact his revenge.

Meanwhile, also in Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an ancient network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. In spite of the discouragement she initially receives from her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind these murders, which leads her to the Ozunu Clan. Mika’s investigation, however, makes her a target of the clan, which sends a team of killers, led by Raizo’s rival, the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence Mika. Although he saves Mika from the first attack, Raizo knows that the Ozunu will not rest until both Mika and he are eliminated. Now, Raizo and Mika begin a deadly game of cat and mouse in hopes of finally bringing down the elusive Lord Ozunu and his ninja assassins.

There are things that Ninja Assassin does well and a number of things it doesn’t do that well. The acting is average to mediocre, defined mostly by clunky dialogue, although Naomie Harris (best know for her roles in the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean movies and also, 28 Days Later) is fair. The Asian cast is pretty good. Rain, a South Korean pop star, as Raizo is charismatic, and Shô Kosugi as Ozunu is dynamite.

The fight scenes are superb; they’ll be magic candy to the ninja-lovin’ kid in you. Too many of them are stage in darkened settings, however. Much of the drama is horridly written; the exceptions are the flashbacks about Raizo’s time training with the Ozunu Clan, which are actually quite good. That aside, what fans want are cool fight scenes, and Ninja Assassin gives us a fight scene just about every five minutes. The hacking and slashing; the severed heads, limbs, and torsos; and the blood sprays will make some viewers wince. I did, but I’ll take many brutal fight scenes in my ninja movie, especially when the alternative is poorly done character drama.

6 of 10
B

Saturday, April 17, 2010

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