OVER-PRICED OPINIONS: Are We Prepared For the World's Finest?

San Diego Comic-Con; the annual gathering of celebrities and fanboys alike to pay tribute to the world of comics, film, art, and gaming. Each year, thousands attend this highly-praised and heavily-marketed celebration of everything geeky....and each year, I hang my head in shame because I missed it.

All is not lost, however! For those had to sit out on this year's mega meet-up of cosplayers and the creative minds who inspire them, we were still treated to what the convention had in store through a little thing known as the Internet. We may not have received the information at the same time as those who attended each panel, but it wasn't long before news of each teaser trailer and special guest popped up on social media sites.

One of things I look forward to the most about Comic-Con is what upcoming movies and franchises will be previewed there. This year, many companies were pulling out the big guns. Marvel, especially, had a lot to share with their fans. The Avengers 2, Thor: The Dark World, The Amazing Spiderman 2, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy all got their time in the spotlight. However, it was DC who had people talking the most.

Zack Snyder, director of 300, Watchmen, and this year's Man of Steel, announced that there will be a sequel to Superman's latest reboot in theaters some time in 2015. Not only will the film include the continuing adventures of Clark Kent and his Kryptonian alter ego, but another DC favorite will make an appearance. During the Warner Brothers panel, fans were blessed with a small teaser trailer for the movie's follow up, which contained one single, yet powerful, image; the outline of a bat shadowing the Superman symbol.

That's right, ladies and gentleman! The Dark Knight will be a part of the next Superman movie, and Snyder will return to the director's chair. Not much else is known about the film, however. Questions have already been raised as to exactly who will play Batman. The Dark Knight veteran Christian Bale has public relinquished the cape and cowl, and Joseph Gordon Levitt has yet to be confirmed as the next cape crusader, even after the ending to The Dark Knight Rises implied that his character, John (or "Robin") Blake will inherit the responsibility. It has also not been made official as to whether or not Henry Cavill will reprise his role as Superman in the upcoming movie.

Many others are questioning where the writers of the untitled Man of Steel sequel plan to take their inspiration for its storyline and script. Before the brief teaser was shown at the Warner Brothers panel, Henry Lennix (General Swanwick from Man of Steel) was introduced and read a passage from Frank Miller's graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns. There has been no word as to whether or not it will play a key part in the movie's plot, or whether or not they will lean more towards the classic World's Finest comics. With the increasingly dark and gritty tone of the past few DC films (overlooking Green Lantern....we're going to pretend that one never happened), Miller's critically acclaimed works would seem like the way to go. But until more information is available, fans will simply be left to speculate and hope for the best.

Now that you know the facts, here are my two cents on the development of the Batman/Superman crossover film.

I will start off by saying that Batman as always been my favorite superhero (or masked vigilante for those who do not consider him "super"). I did not grow up with the comic books, but spawned my love from the nostalgic Burton and Schumacher films. Even though I have come to realize the many faults found in Schumacher's Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, I cannot deny that I adored them as a kid. The revolutionary Batman: the Animated Series was another piece in what made me fall in love with not only the dark tales from Gotham City, but the entire superhero genre. And, of course, my obsession with the Dark Knight and his Rogues Gallery was reinvented with Christopher Nolan's re-imaginings. Recently, I have been making an effort to make myself more familiar with the universes found in both classic and current comics, but I must admit that I am not a complete expert in the area.

As for Superman...well, let's just say he's not my favorite crime-fighter. I never exposed myself to his comics or films, with the exception of my curiosity leading me to watch 2006's Superman Returns. That wasn't the brightest idea I've ever had. I wasn't expecting much out of Man of Steel, and while it is no way the best comic book movie ever created, it did manage to make the character interesting for me.

With that said, most of my opinions will be based on my personal knowledge of characters and track record of the superhero genre.

Like many fans, I am incredibly excited about what is to come. The idea of seeing two of the most well-known and loved superheroes battling it out/working together in one film is a dream come true. The Avengers has proved to us that a quality team-up film can be accomplished, but this is also where one of the problems lie. Marvel took its time to develop the universe of each character with their own story and reoccurring connections between one another through Nick Furry and S.H.I.E.L.D. Batman has had three movies in their new, gritty universe to lay out characters and tones. Superman, on the other hand, has not received the same treatment. True, he has only one new movie under his belt like Captain America and Thor had before The Avengers went into production, but it seems like we have barely scratched the surface of the hero himself. We've seen the origin story and the trials of him accepting who he really is. Yet, we have only just begun to see the hero emerge. The Marvel films made each origin story with The Avengers in mind; providing a well-balanced mix of origin, character development, action, and heroism in order to make sure the character was molded enough to match that of his fellow teammates. Nolan's Batman films were not made to lead into a meeting with Superman, or any other members of the Justice League for that matter (we'll get to that a little later).

On the subject of Superman only having one movie, what is the rush to bring in Batman so soon? Snyder's Man of Steel failed to match the financial or critical success as Nolan's Batman films, but that in no way means it was a bad movie. Apart for the excessive fight scenes toward the end of the movie, I thought it was a solid retelling of the character's origin story. Are the studios so afraid that, because it didn't quite live up to expectations, they have to bring in something that has already proven will fill the theater seats? Tom Preston, an animator and creator of "So, You're a Cartoonist?", made an interesting point when talked about DC's fear of taking risks in a DeviantArt journal entry. "People like Batman and they'll like seeing Batman fight Superman," Preston writes. "Forget the whole idea of building a relationship with Lois Lane or fighting off Lex Luthor, get Batman in there because The Dark Knight was a huge hit." Marvel has found an overwhelming amount of success through producing movies with different directors and styles, while still trying to maintain the prospect that these heroes will soon be brought together in one film. DC, making their movies apart without the preconceived prospect of a Justice League film, seem to be too afraid to take such risks. The same formulas, styles, etc. have been their saving grace for a while, but is it always wise to play it safe?

On the other hand, DC might be taking that desperate risk by putting Batman and Superman in the same film. A lot is at stake for both fandoms in this case, and it is indeed a jeopardous move to mix the two with the way the universes have been set up. Others may argue that DC is still cautiously testing the waters to see what will make them the most money without appearing to copy the success of their rivals.

In my opinion, I do believe DC is over-using their favorites. I love Batman, but I feel like it's too soon to see him again on the big screen, especially playing second-fiddle in another hero's movie. But if you think about it, can anyone really blame DC for being hesitant about taking risks? As much as it pains me to do this, I am going to bring up Green Lantern as evidence. One of the biggest flops of 2011, Green Lantern was DC's attempt to break away from Nolan's formula and try something new. What audience's got was an unlikable hero dressed in a poorly thought out CGI suit. After receiving devastating blows from critics, the hopes of a Justice League movie were dashed until the results of the latest Superman reboot were finalized. DC didn't want a repeat of Green Lantern (nor did anyone else), so they stuck with what was comfortable and what they knew would sell tickets.

Bringing Gotham's brooding vigilante to Metropolis seems like another example of how DC is bringing back what is familiar and popular with audience to ensure a box office success. However, DC is also giving their paying customers and loyal fans exactly what they want? Yes, their formula is something we've all gotten used to, but it's also something that many people have grown to love and enjoy. And some fans have waited for years to see a World's Finest adventure come to life. Snyder, whom I believe tries his best and is very passionate about these types of projects (even though not all of them turn out for the best), is just as excited about the prospects of his next Superman film as many of his viewers are. In a way, it seems that a lot of people are thankful for their methods of safety.

We've got a while before this film comes out, but I can predict right now that I will be one of many fans to hand over my money for an early preview of the next Man of Steel film. Even though I still believe it's too early for Superman and Batman to be crossing paths at this point, I won't lie and say that it is a factor that will keep me away from the theater. I know I will see it because it included characters I love and filmmakers I respect.

As to the question of whether or not we are prepared for the World's Finest? Call me in 2015 and I will let you know.

"Turbo" Review

It happened! It finally happened, guys! SPOILERS: Dreamworks finally made a movie without a ridiculous dance-party ending!

Film Summary: Theo dreams of becoming a famous racer. The only problem: he's a snail. But after a freak accident gives him super-snail powers that allow him to rival the speed of a Formula 1 car, he and his friends set out to take on the Indy 500.

I recently moved to a small town in Indiana for a job opportunity. Unlike my former, tourist trap of a home, there is only one movie theater in the area. And this one movie theater has only one screen.

Please take this moment to pick up your jaw off the floor.

Yes, it's hard for privileged audiences like myself to think of a movie theater with one screen that is only in business on weekends. But in a way, I found this to be a blessing in disguise. Not only was the ticket price a mere four dollars (go ahead and pick up your jaw again), but it also gave me the opportunity to see a movie I probably would not have picked out from the array of blockbusters that are out now. The Wolverine and The Conjuring would have been the highest contenders for my money and reviewing purposes. Yet, the only option I had to satisfy my cinematic craving was a movie about a little snail who wanted to be a racer.

Like I said, Turbo would not have been my first pick to spend my money on. The concept of a creature that is famous for its slow speed living in the fast lane is quite clever, the trailer failed to really peek my interest enough, so I was quick to write it off as a "wait until you can rent it" flick. Yet, after sitting down and watching it in that small theater packed with kids and adults alike, I was reminded that you should never judge a movie by its trailer.

From the very beginning of the film, the creators manage to hook the audience into the big world of Theo, or Turbo as he likes to call himself. We are intrigued by his unusual interests, invested by his passion and determination, and heartbroken by the obstacles he has to face. He's a character with heart and a familiar drive that we are able to personally recognize, but that doesn't mean he is perfect. Then again, who is? He can be cocky at times, which tends to be the main problem with almost every role Ryan Reynolds is given, but thankfully not to the point where he comes off as unlikable. He also has a habit of putting himself and his needs before that of his rule-abiding brother (voiced by Paul Giamatti). They're relationship from the very beginning is the clichéd "I love you, but I need to follow my dream" vs. "I'm saying you can't do what you want to because I don't want you to get hurt" dilemma. The writers managed to play it off in a very refreshing way, however. Yes, the two brothers share different opinions on a snail racing, but you can see through the way they interact with each other that both sides never reach an extreme point that many movies tend to resort to. The pacing of their growing understanding for one another is timed out very well, as is the pacing for everything else in the movie. The snails siblings are also given two human guardians about halfway through the film that parallel each other and help their struggles become a little more relatable.

While I can’t say the animation was anything groundbreaking, I do believe Turbo’s strength can be found in its characters and story. The underdog principle holds strong as I found myself really caring about the characters’ goals and even cheering when they find success. The writers even managed to provide solid recurring jokes that never failed to produce a laugh.

Turbo ended up being quite a refreshing Hollywood gem; a movie you believed would be just another mediocre flop that turned out to be incredibly entertaining. While it does fall to many clichés found in beloved underdog tales, it still remains a thrilling ride that will make you laugh and keep you on the edge of your seat.

And did I mention there wasn’t an out-of-place dance party at the end of the movie???

FINAL VERDICT: It’s worth the ticket price! Treat yourself to a family night at the movies.

SEEING RED: "Movie 43" Review

A group of ridiculously famous and talented actors get together to make a raunchy and over-the-top sketch comedy film. The result: a very bad movie.

Film Summary: Several celebrities in various R-rated comedy sketches. That's all you need to know.

I have never been a huge fan of vulgar comedies. But there have been gems in the past where I have been able to look past the outlandish cursing and sexual references and enjoy the movie because of their interesting characters and well-developed stories. Movie 43 has many characters and stories, but none of them worth the title of "interesting" or "well-developed". Yes, the movie is unlike others as it is played out through a series of sketches while a "plot" about a group of immature boys who are trying to find this infamous film unfolds, but the only thing that vaguely tries to capture the audiences attention is a slur of extreme shock-value.

While trying to think of ways this film could have been pulled off, I came across the idea that maybe these sketches would have been better off on their own than clustered together in a mess of a movie. CollegeHumor and Funny or Die have had overwhelming viral success doing exactly what this movie tried to do. Videos such as Will Ferrell's "The Landlord" have grown to be just as well-received and loved as several popular movies. And with the continuous uprising of YouTube and the creative minds that upload to the site daily, viewers are being drawn closer into this quick and easy form of entertainment. Why drive all the way to the theater and pay ten bucks to see a movie when there are several sites online that you can access from your own home that can satisfy an audience with the shortest of attention spans?

Now the question stands: Could Movie 43 be cinema's desperate attempt to compete with or overshadow their internet rivals?

This isn't Hollywood's first attempt at a film such as Movie 43. 1977's Kentucky Fried Movie continues to be loved by movie-goers (and it was popular enough to earn a spot on VH1's "I Love the 70's), and it shares primarily the same formula as Movie 43; dark and in-your-face sketches thrown together in movie form. What made Kentucky Fried Movie so special though was that it was the first of its kind. The gang of Saturday Night Live, which was running around its second season, and the boys of Monty Python were really the only heavy hitters in sketch comedy the popular entertainment world had at the time. Nowadays, there are countless shows and YouTube channels that offer the very same thing, and are many times funnier than what gets thrown into the spotlight. Perhaps, if released separately on the web, the contents of Movie 43 wouldn't have felt like an overkill of cursing and nudity.

Movie 43 fails to do little more than stir up a few cheap laughs (I will congratulate them for pulling off a successful Batman/Robin joke) and make audience cringe from an overdose of shock-value. Perhaps in a different light, the sketches could be considered quite funny. But, thrown together like they were, the comedy falls short. Viewers are left with a sour taste in their mouths as they try to decide whether what they have watched was actually funny or just too vulgar to be believed.


FINAL VERDICT: Skip it and rent something else

SEEING RED: "Dark Skies" Review

Nothing brings a family together like an alien abduction.

Film Summary: The Barrett family is going through a tough time. The father has been laid off and can't find a job, the eldest son is experimenting with drugs, and the mother struggles with maintaining some sort of financial stability. And, to top it all off, aliens have began to torment them and make their lives a living Hell.

It was nice to see Blumhouse Productions, the company behind such works as the Paranormal Activity series and both Insidious films, take a break from something that is solely meant to make the audience jump out of their seats into something more suspenseful and thrilling. True, there are some scares hidden within Dark Skies, but its focus doesn't revolve on the horror/gore aspect that they are so used to making. And for the most part, the filmmakers succeeded in making a fairly decent thriller with a nice twist ending that gives a fresh take on the idea of . It might not be the best thriller out there now, but the way the movie is formulated makes me wonder what went wrong with the company's next thriller, The Purge.

The difficult task many horror/thriller films face is the challenge of successfully developing characters that the audience will care about and feel sympathy towards when something horrific happens to them. Dark Skies had a whole family to achieve this level of apathy for. While it did take a bit of time, by the end of the movie, I truly cared about what was happening to the Barrett family. The same can be said for the pacing of the film; it was slow to start, but picked up quickly and made the audience invested in the actions on screen.

I don't really have anything bad to say about Dark Skies (other than I don't know why characters never thought to turn on a light whenever they walked through their house at night). It was a decent flick, and fun to watch with a group of friends for a good thrill. If your looking to be scared out of your pants, however....try to find something else.


RENT OR SKIP: Rent

NEW SERIES!

About to start a new review series called "Seeing Red"! This will cover what to rent and not rent at your local RedBox!

First Subject: Dark Skies

NEWS UPDATE!

Hey loyal followers!

Thanks for all the support for OPH! Just wanted to let you know there probably won't be any reviews this week. The admin is moving to Indiana, and won't have a chance to get a fast review in for Pacific Rim/Grown Ups 2. I will have a belated World War Z review up as soon as possibly, so be on the lookout for that!

I'm also considering starting a new section of the blog called "Seeing Red". These review will focus on new DVD releases that you can find at your nearest RedBox.

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