Previews and Reviews that are Z's Views
Although I try to limit political discussion [this blog is supposed to be about fun stuff], I do love talking art [comics, movie posters, paperback covers, etc.]. President Obama had a series of political posters which made such an impact with their design that the style is being copied everywhere.
I decided that it would be cool to create a “Obamicon” using a vintage photo and favorite saying of my buddy Jim Ivey.
According to this article, a leading genome researcher at Harvard says
...a Neanderthal could be brought to life with present technology for about $30 million.
Whoa! Bring a cave man to life! At least that’s the imagine that initially ran through my mind. How cool would that be?
But then I gave it another second to sink in. We wouldn’t be bringing a cave man back, we’d be artificially creating a life that would then be studied and probed and whose only purpose was scientific research.
Just because we have the ability to do something doesn’t mean we should. Besides, once the scientists had tired of studying Mr. Neanderthal, what could he do? Geico commercials?
[Thanks and a raised cave man club to Bill Crider for the link.]
Did you know that The Three Stooges once filmed a pilot episode for a tv series that never sold?
Some folks are not going to give this one a chance because it’s “another tired Hollywood re-make.” If you ask me [and no, nobody did], any time you combine Denzel Washington, John Travolta, James Gandolfini and put them in a film by Tony Scott it’s worth a look.
And the trailer ain’t bad either.
I’m a big fan of Victor Gischler’s Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse. Yesterday at his blog Victor announced:
I’m happy to report that producer Brad Wyman — the dude responsible for some pretty cool films — has optioned my novel Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse. Mr. Wyman is eager to make the film version as close to the novel as possible, and I’m thrilled as hell.
Me too, Victor, me too.
The first teaser for Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterd” is finally here. I’m looking forward to the movie and can’t wait to see more.
I thought “Crank’ was okay and am not expecting much from “Crank: High Voltage.” In fact I’d be willing to bet that I’ll like this poster better than the sequel.
Rick, over at his On My Mind blog, posted up a very rare clip which features The Beatles in a live performance taped at a concert in Manchester, England in 1963. The video showcases two songs as well as some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that happened before the show. It runs a little less than seven minutes and if you’re a Beatles fan it’s more than worth you time.
It’s no secret that I love crime novels, movies and comics. Since 100 Bullets [the partial cover to number 99 is pictured above] is getting ready to end it’s 100 issue run, I was glad to read that DC’s Vertigo line is gearing up to produce a series of crime comics. You can read all about their upcoming titles by clicking here. Filthy Rich, by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos sounds the most promising to me. I like Azzarello’s writing and after checking out Santo’s blog really dig his art.
Things are looking up for crime comic fans.
I work as an Assistant Principal at a local high school. A while back I posted about talking to former World Lightheavy Weight Champ, Antonio Tarver at one of our basketball games. Tonight I was working the game as our girls basketball team played for the district title. Kevin Nash [movie actor and professional wrestler] came to watch. Nash is friends of the family of one of the players.
What was cool was that many people recognized him, but no one went over for autographs or to talk to him. Kevin Nash wasn’t there for that and people seemed to realize it. A group of students did walk by to get a closer look, but even they didn’t bug him. Too bad that most celebrities aren’t given the same respect when they are trying to enjoy some time away from the limelight.
Unfortunately our girls lost. The good news is that coming in 2nd place in the district moves us into the regional tournament with a chance to still go to state. If we make it, maybe Kevin Nash will make a return visit.
My buddy, Bill Black, has moved AC Comics into the 21st century!
Everything, and I mean everything that a fan could love about Bill’s diverse product line is available with a click. Femforce is here. Giant Women [yes, giant women] are here. Bill’s dvd line is available [with selected trailers]. If you’re into Golden Age Heroes, then click here. Western Reprint fans will want to click on this. You can even click here to read Femforce:Origins.
I can’t wait to see what Wild Bill has planned for the 22nd century!
Bus ads are supposed to be good advertising, so I, uh, got on board. You can create your own bus ad by clicking here.
I’ve been a fan of Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comic series since the first issue. I generally pick up my comics once and month and invariably the first that I look to read is The Walking Dead. Part of the reason is you never know who is safe or what is going to happen. This series has had more jaw-dropping-I-can’t-believe-that-just-happened moments than any other series I’ve ever read.
The current issue is no exception. There is a scene so tough to read [not because it is gory and not as much for what is happening, but more for what is about to happen] that I actually paused to think, “Kirkman wouldn’t really do THAT, would he?” I honestly didn’t know. After what he did to the Governor and many of the major cast members, perhaps he would. [And no I am not going to spoil it for those of you who haven’t read the issue yet.]
Suffice it to say that the panel shown above made me as happy as when Burt Reynolds showed up with his crossbow in “Deliverance.”
I’m not much of a Hawkman fan, but I’m a big enough fan of writer and artist Kyle Baker that I’ll give his new Hawkman comic a look. In fact you can check out a sample page posted at Kyle’s site by clicking here.
So many ZONErs are eagerly anticipating “The Watchmen” movie that I’d be shot if I didn’t mention that there will be an Art of the Film Watchmen book. CBR.com has a few exclusive photos. In addition to the Art of the Film Watchmen book, there will also be The Watchmen: The Official Companion and Watchmen Portraits… not to mention the original graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Oh, and that reminds me that Dave Gibbons has a book coming out called Watching the Watchmen: The Definitive Companion to the Ultimate Graphic Novel.
Whew! After we read all those books perhaps the movie will be out.
