TMNT review

So I got to see a slightly advanced screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this weekend. And here's my review of it for you, care of my Flixter page. Enjoy.

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A really excellent if straightforward story, TMNT builds on the already well established world of the turtles. Thankfully we don't have to sit through another boring origin tale. Instead we jump right into the franchise, and story already in progress. This movie works well because it's a character piece, and although it might be a bit light on the action when compared to even its Saturday morning equivalent, the relationships are treated with a maturity that surprised and impressed me. I found myself honestly interested in the personal conflicts between Raphael and Leonardo, the group dynamic of a broken team, and the b-storyline of April and Casey's rocky relationship. I'm not sure kids will really dig this movie as much as someone slightly older though. There are action scenes that literally take place just off camera, or just before we arrive at the scene. And while it often might be more interesting as a character study to directly see the effects of the action its also frustrating to me, and I would presume doubly so for kids, to 'just miss out' on a number of potentially cool fight scenes. That said there are a few absolutely stellar fights in the movie, notably one amazing sequence on a rooftop in the rain. There are also a few moments in the film where the texturing of the CG is jaw-droppingly good; and the fluidity of movement throughout is really top notch. Finally, the voice work is absolutely impeccable; I worry what they'll do without Mako for the next film. And that's really what it comes down to, this film was such a tease in so many ways. if the goal is to make the audience want to see more, then it definitely succeeds. Sure it was entertaining, and a great character piece, but the kid in me wants more action, I want more adventure, I want to see more shell-kicking turtles made with this much quality and care. I hope this film succeeds with the kids, because I think it definitely will with the slightly older crowd, but if the kids can go for it then we might just be lucky enough to see more of the ninja turtles in the near future and that would make me very happy.

3.5/5

new Ninja Turtles pics

Over at one of my favorite movie sites SuperHeroHype! they got some new pics from the Ninja Turtles movie, and have some new info. Apprently the voice cast will include, Sara Michelle Gellar, as April, Chris Evans, as Casey Jones, Zhang Ziyi as Karai the evil kickass ninja girl bad guy who leads the footsoldiers, and Kevin Smith in a cameo as a greasy spoon diner chef. These guys will join Patrick Stewart who has signed on as the voice of Splinter. Check out the new poster for the film, as well as some awesome pics below. Click for a larger image.

new Ninja Turtles trailer!

The new full length trailer for the CG Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dropped over on MTV.com and I have to say wow, it looks really good. Not exactly as dark as I was hoping, but really I shouldn't have been expecting something too dark. As it is, I'm very impressed, it's stylized, quick, sounds funny and will definitely be on my to watch list next year. Check it out HERE.

Looks like some great action. Thanks to SHH! for pointing the way

UPDATE: someone's finally posted it on YouTube. So here ya go kids :)

Comic Con preview

Well the San Diego Comic-Con starts tomorrow (Official), and I am very excited. I love the con, and REALLY wish I was there this year. The show open officially tomorrow morning, but there was something of a preshow today and certain pieces of news and photographic evidence are already turning up on the web. I'm going to make an attempt to gather the juiciest and/or most interesting pieces of news (at least to me) and put together a con round-up for my next podcast. But this seems like as good a place as any to get my thoughts in order before that happens.

So first things first, there are a few pieces of film news that must be mentioned.

Latino Review, which is a very good insider movie news site claims to have as scoop from a very trusted source that the role of the Joker in the sequel to Batman Begins was officially offered to Heath Ledger yesterday. Read it HERE.

I'm actually ok with this I think, not that I think its a perfect choice, but I really like Ledger, and I think he's got some great acting chops when working with the right director. And really, Christopher Nolan is a great director. So I say if this pans out; let's trust him on it.

The sequel to Hulk has a director now, his name is Louis LeTerrier (IMDB) of the Transporter films fame. The sequel to the Hulk, entitled The Incredible Hulk (WIKI) and will be something of a reboot for the franchise that everyone feels got off on something of the wrong foot. I'm not sure if Eric Bana will be coming back as Bruce Banner, although I sure hope so. More info should be announced over the next few days. Read all about this story at Superhero Hype!

The guys over at Vanity Fair (I believe I heard) were the ones to break this story apparently a bit earlier than planned. Frank Miller, famed comic book writer and artist (I truly hate most of his art) will script and direct the iconic comic book character The Spirit to the big screen. He will first work with Robert Rodriguez though, on the next Sin City film (maybe two films if they go ahead with the back to back shooting that's been rumored). He is currently working on Post for his epic Spartan period war film 300. Anyhow, you can read about this also on the Hype!

Check out this awesome poster for the still slightly under the radar film Pan's Labyrinth coming to theaters this Christmas time. Everyone attending the Con can get a copy of this poster. Check out the art, etc. for this truly creepy awesome looking new Spanish film from Guillermo Del Toro HERE. And for the teaser trailer check HERE. I wouldn't be surprised if we see more from this film by the end of the weekend...

Speaking of sweet new trailers hitting the web Check it out everyone. Its finally here. Our first real look at the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all CG film coming out next year (IMDB). Check the Trailer on Apple.com HERE. I have to say I like it. Although I guess I might've preferred it being a bit darker I understand that they would want this to appeal to a mass audience, especially with the success of the current cartoon on FOX. The turtles look somehow a bit weird to me though, and maybe that's just because I'm not used to an all CG design. I will say the one thing that looks like its done really right in this trailer is how the turtles move. That was very sweet. hmm. I think I need to reflect on this a bit more before passing any judgment. Oh actually I just saw that they apparently already did the press conference on this flick. Mako is voicing Splinter!!! That's very very good. Peter Laird, the creator of the turtles, was very involved in the process. The story will fit in the previous films continuity (wow I'd better rewatch those). The villain will NOT be the Shredder. Check out this story Ain't It Cool News for more info on the Press conference and the 4 individual character one sheet posters.

Oh man, and you guys have to check out this spectacular trailer for Children of Men right HERE. This is a new sci fi film by Alfonso Curon starring Clive Owen and Julianne Moore, and well, it just looks really great.

Holy crap! Talk about great new trailers this film has me blindsided. I'd only even heard of it for the first time like a week ago. Check out this trailer for Renaissance HERE. Where the hell did this film even come from?! WOW!!!

At the panel for the new James Franco WWI film Flyboys, producer extraordinaire Dean Devlin apparently said that Stargate 2 and 3 films are in the pipeline still! These are apparently direct continuations of the original film and not the series. Crazy eh?

Doug Jones, who plays the creature in Pan's Labyrinth, at least in CG form (a la Anthony Serkis as Gollum) all but confirmed that he is indeed in talks to do the mocap work for The Silver Surfer in the new Fantastic Four film.

Quint did a nice write up on the Del Toro panel over at AICN. Check it HERE

Ok, I HAVE to go to bed now. Its way friggin late. I'm sure there will be like tons of new stuff tomorrow. I'll try to continue gathering it all up here. So if you trust me not to miss anything, stay tuned :) Later.

A collection of internet geekyness

So as you might or might not know... I am a pretty big geek at times. Also, I am really into movies, tv, and cartoons. Here are a couple really cool things I've seen recently on internet that I'd like to share...

These are both photos of Bumblebee from the new 'live action' Transformers movie...
Yes thats right, I said the new, 'live-action' Transformers movie! It's being directed by Michael Bay and is filming right now out in the Nevada desert somewhere. It's set for release 07/04/07.
Click on these images for a bigger version. I don't know why they made him a Mustang instead of of VW bug. Too bad if yiou ask me. Still I've very excited to see the film :)
Check out this supercool one-sheet:


Their War, Our World.
very cool.

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Next up a pic of the new Legion of Superheroes cartoon:


Left - Right:
Phantom Girl, Brainiac 5, Saturn Girl, Superboy, Cosmic Boy, Timberwolf, and Bouncing Boy
coming this Fall the the Kids WB.
Here's the WIKI.

Now that Justice League is over Legion will just have to fill up my TV time...
Or, at least it will until the new Fantastic Four cartoon starts this fall. Marvel is also producing a Wolverine spinn-off cartoon, but I don't think that will come out until 2007. Unfortunately no pics of those yet :(

But check this pic out for the upcoming two direct to dvd Hellboy animated movies...


Very sweet. Not sure when its starting, probably '07, but I'm definately excited to see it.

Finally, a few quick things:


The picture on the left is the teaser poster for the new CG animated
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie coming next year. And the second pic is the cover for the next animated Ultimate Avengers film, hitting dvd on 08/08/06. If it's anywhere near as cool as the first it'll be great. D.D.D. has it on pre-order for $12.38. Good deal.

Finally, some links for you:
Just hitting the web TODAY is the trailer for one of the most anticipated movies of next summer SPIDER-MAN 3.
Next is the BRAND NEW Snakes on a Plane Trailer.
And here is a trailer for the direct-to-dvd movie you've all been waiting for...
Leprechaun vs Wishmaster.
And last but not least don't forget that tomorrow night at 10pm on Spike TV is the hour long premiere of Blade the series. Hopefully it'll be as cool as the films were. But I admit I'm nervous.

Wow that was a collection of like uber-geekyness. Please forgive me. This is anew blog. I've gotten that out of my system now. I won't be overloading you all with that much stuff normally. Trust me. Better go now. Lates.