Pop Culture Buzz

I have wanted to go to this convention for some time; thank goodness I have a pop culture mole that planned on going this year to give me the scoop. There’s been a lot in the news about this years festivities but my good friend and pop culture reporter Amy Welker is here to set the record straight (so to speak)…

(Not Amy)

Even before I got to Comic-Con (http://comic-con.org) I was comparing it to Burning Man. Both are huge events, both draw an esoteric crowd, along with main stream people and both events are what you make of it. As a first time participant at Comic-con I was completely unprepared. As a person who knows little of the comic genre, I had a great time and an adventure. Just to be there with the fans, at an event like that was a great experience. I would love to see a survival guide that has all the tips from the experst about maneuvering through the event. I felt like a newbie at Burning Man.

I’m lucky enough to know someone who knows someone who got us comp tickets. While there are many things that would draw me to Comic-Con, I don’t really know enough about comics, their storytellers or artists to get the most of what Comic-Con has to offer. TV was my draw, that and the possibility of seeing Joss Whedon. People thing that I am a Joss Whedon fanatic but after experiencing this even I think I can now convince people that I am merely an enthusiast.

The lines for the panels were insane. I could have spent the entire weekend waiting in line to see the panels for Lost, Heroes, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog, Pushing Daisies, or Bones, but there was a lot to see without those so I chose to explore.

The art spanned the whimsical and fantastical (is that a word) to the down right scary. If you like fairies and dragons this place is your Mecca. The area I spent the most time in was the small press area. In this space you could speak directly with the artists. One of my favorite things to do is talk to people about what they are interested in and I got my fill here. I got to speak to several artists in detail. One told me the story of his book, which is about a brother and sister, one good and one evil, who don’t realize they are each others nemesis. His 10 year-old son even wrote a story that was available at the booth. Click here to see more: http://supersiblingscomics.com/.

Of course, through all of this you have to move through throngs of people, many in crazy customs that are repeatedly stopped to have their picture taken. This is another Burning Man similarity. The San Diego Convention Center is 2.6 million square feet and the con has out-grown it, so that’s a lot of people (see below):

I did get a close up glimpse of Joss Whedon at the Dark Horse booth. I actually got a little flustered at the site of him, giddy even. He was there promoting Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long blog (http://drhorrible.com/) and Dollhouse (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/07/comic-con-joss.html).

The event was an experience. Everywhere you walk people are handing you something. Before entering I had set the intention to not collect schwag, but getting caught up in the frenzy, that plan didn’t last long and I ended up with postcards, stickers, and five full-length novels. This place is not a friend of the environment. Money moves fast through this place and like accumulating schwag, you get excited about what is there and start buying.

While I’m slightly bummed I wasn’t able to get into the panels I had an andventure and that’s ultimately what I was looking for.

** 1/2 STARS

This summer has really been hurting for a smart adult comedy with some fresh crude jokes and crackling wit. Even though this movie comes from some of the guys that brought us “Knocked Up” and “Super Bad” this movie is nowhere near as shrewd or brilliantly ribald as those comedies. What “Step Brothers” is though is a ridiculously over the top laugh filled comedy with SOME hilarious moments.

The small running time of “Step Brothers” saves this film from becoming irritating or grating on the nerves. Enough slapstick mayhem and f-words are peppered throughout the 1 hour and 45 minute running time to make this film feel fresh and not rehashed. The chemistry between John C. Riley and Will Farrell as a dysfunctional step brother team is pretty inspired; it is obvious they had a blast fucking with each other and adlibbing lines. Watching them try to kill eachother and then suddenly bond like ten year old boys is pretty hilarious and ridiculous at the same time.

This film isn’t a classic by any means, some jokes do fall flat and like I said earlier the plot tends to meander but the small length of this film made it an amusing trip to the movie theater. Now that I have seen this film (and most of the other 2008 summer blockbusters) I can safely say that either “Tropic Thunder” or “Pineapple Express” have the potential to be just as smart and crude as “40 Year Old Virgin” or “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”. Unfortunately “Step Brothers” isn’t as good as “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”, Riley’s best comedy, or “Old School”, Farrell’s best, but it is a worthy addition to your Will Farrell DVD collection or rental.

Last year Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof” was an adrenaline filled blood soaked ride and it was one of my favorite films of 2007 and is my all time favorite Tarantino film ever. So you can see why anything that has his name attached to it has me foaming at the mouth with hyper anticipation. At my core I am a super movie geek and Tarantino is the biggest film nerd ever.

“Hell Ride” is a feature film from Larry Bishop being released under the “Quentin Tarantino Presents” banner. The films plot centers around a tale of motorcycle revenge and retribution. Bishop is not only starring in it, but he wrote, directed and co-produced “Ride” with Quentin Tarantino taking on the job of Executive Producer. The movie is a modern-day take on 60s era motorcycle flicks like “Easy Rider” and B-movie classics. All of this is right up my alley, kick ass!

“W.” is a film based on the life and presidency of George W. Bush. It is directed by controversial film maker Oliver Stone and stars Josh Brolin as George W. Bush. Stone has compared his goal for “W.” to the approaches of “The Queen” (2006) and his own “Nixon” (1995). Filming began on May 12, 2008 in Louisiana and it will be released on October 17, 2008.

By the looks of the cast and these clips from the trailer the Bush family can’t be too happy that this film is being rushed while the real W. leaves office. It is fitting that the worst President in history has a motion picture made about him while he is still in office (a historical first). I just hope that the movie is not only damaging but also entertaining. Watch the clip below to make up your own mind:

*** 1/2 STARS

I was not a huge fan of the first “Hellboy” film but over multiple DVD viewings it has grown on me. Guillermo Del Toro is one of my all time favorite directors so I jump at the chance to see anything he has done, the awesome trailer only heightened my excitement to see “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” this summer. Much like the mega blockbuster “Batman” this movie is pure entertainment and it blew me away with its inventiveness and adult tone.

Hellboy and his gang of secret BPRD (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) government agents are on a mission to save the earth from a centuries old war waged by mystical creatures from the underworld. Selma Blair as Liz Sherman, a pyrokinetic member of the BPRD (and Hellboy’s girlfriend) has great chemistry with Ron Perlman’s cranky Hellboy. The creative story and snappy dialogue help make this film more than a cartoonish comic book movie; this is a great adult fantasy film.

The amount of detail Del Toro put into creating a universe full of trolls, goblins, man eating tooth fairies, ogres and mystical creatures is mind blowing. Every inch of the screen is filled with eye popping colors and a glossy comic book sheen that is beautiful. The creature effects and make-up are astonishing and done meticulously well. The whole film has the same Del Toro magic feeling as his Oscar winning masterpiece “Pan’s Labyrinth.”

“Hellboy II” is a better film than “Indiana Jones 4″ and some of the other big budgeted Hollywood hits that have come out so far this summer because of its simplicity. The comical tone and captivating images create a completely enjoyable movie going experience. If Del Toro makes a third “Hellboy” film I will be there opening night with the giddy anticipation of a comic book geek.

Adele’s debut CD titled “19″ (her current age) is just another example of music from across the pond that is barely making an impact over here. The album is a sweet soulful surprise much like Duffy’s breakthrough CD that is currently selling millions of records world wide. Watch Adele’s video for her second single “Cold Shoulder” below:

The “Saw” movies have all been clunkers since the first sequel cleverly titled “Saw 2″ was released over 4 years ago. Now we are subjected to a new mediocre installment every Halloween. It’s about time that we had another “Scream”, “Blair Witch Project” or “The Sixth Sense” come out of Hollywood. The closest thing to a good horror movie is this summer’s “The Strangers”. God knows we have our fair share of shitty horror films to choose from these days. Check out the “sneak peak” trailer below:

She & Him is an American indie rock band consisting of actress Zooey Deschanel (vocals, piano, banjo) and musician M. Ward (guitar, production). The band’s first album “Volume One” was released on Merge Records in March, 2008.

The late 60’s era sound and campy video for their first single is a fanciful delight. Not only is Deschanel on a roll this summer with the mild film hit “The Happening”, but critics and fans alike are loving She & Him’s debut CD. Find out what the buzz is about below:

SHE & HIM (ZOOEY DESHANEL AND M. WARD)

After a series of chart topping dance floor remixes and a cult-favorite bootleg album, DJ / Producer Morgan Page recently announced the launch of his new label Nuance Recordings. A vehicle for both his remixes and original productions, Nuance Recordings is another step in the rapid growth of this fine young talent.

Growing up in a log cabin in rural Vermont, Morgan Page began composing electronic-oriented music at the age of 14. By 15, his work appeared on local college radio and commercial stations in his hometown of Burlington, and began to spread to other cities.

Now, at age 26 Moran Page has created remixes for Nelly Furtado, Korn, Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, Tegan & Sara, Ashlee Simpson, Angie Stone and Delerium. This original track by Morgan is a scorching summer dance song with a catchy hook ripe for your outdoor parties! Watch the music video below:

I recently stumbled upon this song and played it a good friends pool party and to my surprise it got people up and dancing. The song itself is a throw back to early 90’s disco inspired house music but it still sounds fresh. The gay remixes must be off the hook!

The Freemasons have been making fabulous dance floor tracks for years and this new song is their best yet. This is already my favorite 2008 summer dance song, let me know what you think!

LISTEN TO A NON-STOP MIX OF 50 OF MY NEW FAVORITE 2008 SUMMER SONGS WITH NO REPEATS!

CLICK THE “STREAMING MUSIC” TAB IN THE CATEGORY SECTION TO THE RIGHT TO LISTEN TO PAST JUKEBOXES!

SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES - “KISS THEM FOR ME” (1991)

COLOR ME BADD - “ALL FOR LOVE” (1991)

SWV - “RIGHT HERE” (1992)

FAITH NO MORE - “EASY” (1991)

“The House Bunny” is a 2008 comedy film written by “Legally Blonde” screenwriters Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz. The film is slated to be released on August 22, 2008 and stars Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone, Katharine McPhee (from American Idol), Rumer Willis (Bruce and Demi’s daughter)and Kat Dennings.

This trailer won me over with the first viewing with it’s girlie charm and silly premise. The tween girl comedy genre is one of my favorites, films like “Mean Girls”, “Legally Blonde” and “Clueless” have been commercial and critical darlings. I am hoping that this movie has the same laughs and sweetness to become a mild hit. Anna Farris is one the funniest actresses around so if she can’t do it, then who can?

*** STARS

This past weekend “The Dark Knight” blew away all other movie records in film history to become the biggest summer film of all time. The buzz behind this film came to a fever pitch as the ravenous public gobbled up over $160 million dollars worth of movie tickets over three days. Although Heath Ledger’s sudden death earlier this year added a bit of a curiosity factor to some sales, the majority of the movie’s success is solely because of the air tight script, insightful Direction by Chris Nolan and solid acting by the whole cast.

Now I’m going to get the whole Heath Ledger thing out of the way and say that, yes indeed, his demonic performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination, but not a win. When Ledger is on screen you can cut the intensity with a knife in the audience. He has truly created the best onscreen comic book villain of all time. I’d even go as far as to say that “The Dark Knight’s” Joker is the most realistic criminal ever put onto the big screen.

The plot of this Batman film plays out like a classic Scorsese crime film or a morality tale rather than just a comic book adaptation. The film is so full of skin-crawling performances, complex storytelling, and profound ideas that you forget you are watching a Batman movie. “The Dark Knight” is an electrifying, thought-provoking action movie that asks some deep questions.

The supporting cast made up of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine and Gary Oldman only make this movie more out of this world and epic. Even though it can be too violent at times “The Dark Knight” is the definition of a summer movie. The pulse pounding action and slick special effects are secondary to the sublime acting and strong storytelling in this crime masterpiece. If you want to witness movie history being made then do not miss this crowd pleasing instant summer classic while it is still in theaters.

BUY THIS WEEKS ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY TO GET THE FULL SCOOP ON “WATCHMEN”

Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Originally published by DC Comics as a monthly limited series from 1986 to 1987, it was later republished as a trade paperback, which popularized the “graphic novel” format.

To date, Watchmen remains the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award, and is also the only graphic novel to appear on Time Magazine’s 2005 list of “the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present.”

“Watchmen” is a 2009 film adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ twelve-issue Hugo Award winning comic book limited series Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder. The film stars Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Matthew Goode, Stephen McHattie and Carla Gugino.

Set in 1985, the film follows a group of former vigilantes as war begins to break out between the United States and the Soviet Union. The film began shooting in Vancouver in September 2007 for release on March 6, 2009. Like his previous film “300″, Snyder closely modeled his storyboards on the comic.

As a fan of the groundbreaking graphic novel I can say that this film will be unlike any superhero film ever created for the big screen. It will break down all of the preconceived mythology based around comic book characters and their powers, and it will blow peoples minds! I will go as far as to say it has a HUGE chance of being nominated for a best picture award at the 2010 Oscars, and that would be a first for a superhero movie.

WATCH THE “WATCHMEN” TRAILER BELOW: