mortellan's Recent Comments
Comicscape: Dan Didio’s Countdown to Internet Crisis - Jun 25, 2008 - 02:44am
And here I thought there was alot of vitriol for Quesada... Hopefully after 'Final Shakedown' DC will go back to basics for a while and let readers breathe before the next overbearing big event. Really, the rollercoaster at DC is too much. I half expected them to start counting to 52 again! Marvel's big stories at least have discernable beginnings and ends. As to movie-comic promotion. Dark Knight will be a hit no doubt, hard to say how it will impact the comic titles. I am surprised at how Hulk was treated pre-movie release though. Right off the classic Planet Hulk-WWH arc, they treat us to Incredible Hercules and Red Hulk? Mkay. As to editorial oversight, yeah Didio dropped the ball and maybe they need more communication over there. Whereas at Marvel they seem to scheme like thieves together with the Skrull event so far working seamlessly with what came before this last calendar year. How continuity will hold up is left to be seen until the end.

Universal & Millar Plans for WANTED 2 - Jun 24, 2008 - 05:32am
The owner of the local comic shop I go to told me Wanted's movie adaptation is only true to the comic for the first 20 minutes, after that it is completely fabricated. Mainly in the fact that the main characters in the comic are villains if at best anti-heroes, not as this article describes them 'unparalleled enforcers of justice.' I'm sure the movie will be decent, but my point is how can Millar be excited about a SEQUEL if his work is going to be routinely put through the ringer and changed, unless he is just a sell-out who is only excited for the money? Frank Miller wouldn't stand for anything but the closest adaptation of his graphic novels, I guess MM doesn't have the same rep.

Bandai's BATTLE SPIRITS Cards Goes Anime - Jun 20, 2008 - 09:52pm
Yes!

TV Review: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: Revelations - Jun 17, 2008 - 05:27am
I must've read a different review than you pony, b/c the last paragraph infers all what you just spoiled. Not that I care, I saw the episode and yeah it was freakin great! Adama breaking down after learning about Tigh was the most gut wrenching scene I've ever seen on that show.

Del Toro & Jackson Answer Fan Questions for HOBBIT - May 24, 2008 - 09:56pm
I am not a big fan of 3D movies. They are gratuitous effects-wise and would not share the same feel as the first three movies.

Paperback Review: Winterbirth - May 02, 2008 - 04:48pm
dracor: i agree, that Winterbirth ad is the most obnoxious thing on this new site design. I'm sure its a good novel but right now I just want it to go away!

Del Toro Talks About HOBBIT Films - Apr 28, 2008 - 07:40am
Good stuff. I think del Toro will do just fine. Now whatever this 'second movie' is, despite his explanations of it being a complete story, it will never approach the cultural popularity of the Hobbit nor the sweeping epicness of the LotR trilogy. That leaves this 'second movie' in a very gray area until more details leak out.

Del Toro Confirmed for HOBBIT Films - Apr 25, 2008 - 10:28pm
Good news on del Toro. As to the extra movie, the Hobbit is a book half the size of one book in the LotR trilogy yet they'll still somehow stretch that to 3 hours. Good luck. But using apocryphal notes for another movie? What a complete fabrication that will end up being. At least it'll -look- consistent with the other movies. Eh. I want a movie of the Children of Hurin. That is Tolkien's last best complete middle earth story and would serve as a pseudo-prequel to Hobbit.

Potterverse Threatened - Apr 22, 2008 - 02:48pm
When I came across the 1986 movie 'Troll' on cable one night, I lost all respect for JKR. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092115/

New SW: CLONE WARS Pics Online - Apr 22, 2008 - 07:06am
IMO the Cartoon Network CW was better than the movies and judging from these stills so will this cartoon. That at least is a plus.

Secret Invasion: Implications and Musings - Apr 09, 2008 - 10:32pm
I've been underwhelmed with the last few big events but I'll give Marvel this one last shot with S-I. Skrulls are cool. Now as a Thor fan, I am already highly skeptical after 1 issue. The way Thor went out and recently came back (nice timing Bendis) makes it nigh IMPOSSIBLE for the Thor on that ship to be the true Thor or for the current Thor to be a skrull. In fact after Civil War and the 'Clor' incident Marvel has already played their fake Thor card! Meh. Anyways my theory is all the heroes on the ship are from an alternate dimension/timeline. Half will be killed off in the confusion and when the story ends Marvel can keep the version of each hero they like best. p.s. I am also highly surprised there is no Hulk among them but then that might have been overdoing it?! Sheesh!

Common Says Fans Have Say for LEAGUE - Mar 27, 2008 - 08:24am
All I want to know is who will be the villain/s in a JLA movie? Surely not Lex Luthor, don't we get enough of him already?

Don't Believe the Hype - Mar 05, 2008 - 11:05pm
Good article Kurt. Spot on. While I dislike Bendis and Quesada, etc, it could be worse. We could be reading/buying more Rob Liefeld. Ack!

Gambit is Cast, Dead Pool Update for WOLVERINE - Feb 19, 2008 - 09:04am
Not only is Gambit(yawn) in the Wolverine movie...but this actor has a 3 movie deal! And since this is the nascent Wolverine franchise not the X-men anymore well, can you say side-kick? Also, Reynolds should be Flash without a doubt. He fits in that role like Robert Downy fits in Tony Stark.

New Toy Reveals CLOVERFIELD Monster - Feb 17, 2008 - 03:14am
I'm no expert but the picture got me thinking on whether this creature can logically be considered a deep sea monster. I think not. Let's compare it to another fictional monster to be fair: Godzilla is bulky thus buoyant, his large tail could assist in propelling his mass underwater and he has dorsal fins of sorts much like creatures in real nature. Now Cloverfield is all wrong. He is spindly and long limbed more like a stickbug or preying mantis than anything aquatic. He has no apparent webbing or fins and a measly looking tail (by this toy). The only evidence of bouyancy would be those air sac thingees on the side of its head. Big-G was a mutant reptile, this smacks of alien to me.

New Toy Reveals CLOVERFIELD Monster - Feb 16, 2008 - 07:56pm
It was scarier when it went unseen. What a stick figure. Godzilla would snap that thing in half.

Lies, Half-Truths & False Intel! - Feb 15, 2008 - 05:21pm
No mass shifting? Of course they had mass shifting in the movie. That gigantic cube everyone was after? It went from the size of a building to a box big AND light enough for LeBouf to carry? Uh huh ;)

Rise Up and Hear the Bells: The Return of Captain America - Jan 30, 2008 - 03:09pm
What Bucky can never replace is Roger's leadership ability. In every Avengers comic or mega event series I've seen, Captain America doesn't need a weapon because he leads the troops. All the marvel heroes from Wolverine to Thor to the Hulk respect him. His presence is on par with Superman in that regard. Winter Soldier will never be accepted as anything but a poser unless he gets quite a few years of being a hero under his belt. Sadly like the others here think, that will never happen because after Brubaker leaves some new author wanting to make a splash will bring Rogers back.

SPARTANS Grab Victory Against Rambo - Jan 28, 2008 - 07:45am
MtS is terrible because it employs pop culture parodies that every one has already heard heard/seen on TV or the internet countless times. It's like telling the same jokes at a comedy club that the previous comedian just told. You'll get heckled for sure. For these parodies to work you need to give them time to LEAVE people's minds so when they pop back up on the screen the brain remembers and is struck funny.

Del Toro Directing Both HOBBIT Films - Jan 28, 2008 - 07:32am
Thank god for Del Toro!

Uwe Boll Responds to DUNGEON SIEGE Bombing - Jan 15, 2008 - 12:50pm
Juding from the cast, that is where most of the budget went to. He needs to cast unknowns.

Smith Makes Contact While the EARTH STOOD STILL - Jan 15, 2008 - 12:44pm
This movie could be the prequel to War of the Worlds if you think about it. Bring em on Klaatu!

Amazing Spider-Man #546 - Jan 14, 2008 - 10:27pm
This comic is a bad precedent. I predict before long most of the major Marvel titles will regress like this until they are fully redundant with Ultimates and then there will be a 'DC-like Crisis' event to consolodate things. This can happen because there are already ripples of the two continuities crossing over (in FF at any rate).

Look of the New INCREDIBLE HULK - Dec 25, 2007 - 06:33pm
There's mutated and there's roided out.

Exemplars of Evil - Dec 24, 2007 - 04:48pm
Good review, but I'm not sure if it should be a toy review or a book review?

Look of the New INCREDIBLE HULK - Dec 24, 2007 - 07:11am
Besides a different shade and the obligatory profile alterations, I don't see this as any better than the Ang Lee hulk concept. Not bad.

ULTIMATES 3 - Dec 11, 2007 - 10:54am
Gaddammit! Why god, why?!

Francis Lawrence Talks I AM LEGEND - Dec 08, 2007 - 02:14am
"Lawrence: We have about an hour of footage that's not in the movie, there are other things we have with the creatures. But the cleanest, clearest, most emotional through line we have in the movie is Will's character. That's the path we chose." Translation: If you want to see the real movie buy our Special Edition Director's Cut DVD'.

FAMILY GUY Will Continue Without Peter, Stewie, or Brian? - Nov 19, 2007 - 08:15am
They could pull a South Park and just splice sound bites of previous Stewie, Brian and Peter episodes. It worked -marvellously- when Chef left SP. ;)

Sam Worthington May Lead G.I JOE - Oct 31, 2007 - 08:12pm
COBRA!

Vanderbilt Writing SPIDER-MAN 4 - Oct 31, 2007 - 08:08pm
If Kraven spends alot of time in the tropics hunting he will have a tan. Comic books don't think of these things. Yeah I can totally see the Rock in a Spidy movie, afterall they did already use Macho Man.

DC Goes to the Movies (or Doesn’t) - Oct 31, 2007 - 08:00pm
Much like the dotcom boom and bust, Marvel is rushing all their properties to the screen before interest wanes. DC in taking a slow approach might get caught with several commercial bombs if comic movie interest wanes, nevermind the narrowing window between theatrical and DVD releases.

Vanderbilt Writing SPIDER-MAN 4 - Oct 31, 2007 - 04:14am
Super-skrull? Thanos? Those are more FF or Silver Surfer villains. We NEED Rhino yes, and my hope, Kraven the hunter.

Mark Millar to Pitch SUPERMAN Sequel - Oct 23, 2007 - 02:56pm
Millar is okay I guess, if you want Superman on the run from the law wanting him to register his true identity before he can work in Metropolis. ;)

CHUCKY Getting a Remake? - Oct 22, 2007 - 12:10am
When they remake Star Wars then I'll be worried.

EXPEDITION TO THE RUINS OF GREYHAWK - Oct 18, 2007 - 09:36pm
As a longtime Greyhawk fan, thank you for doing this review TJ.

Peter Berg directing DUNE Remake? - Oct 16, 2007 - 12:48pm
Considering Berg just finished a movie set in the desert (The Kingdom) I am not surprised he is looking to make Dune. It was probably in the back of his mind the whole time.

THOR #3 - Sep 18, 2007 - 08:56pm
The rhetoric could've been more subdued but how in the world was Thor supposed to be written in the screwed up world he is brought back into? So if Thor just came back all pissed off at life and started destroying everything ala the Hulk he'd get glowing reviews? Or even better, if Thor storylines continued to run outside(and sometimes ignored by) mainstream Marvel concerns then it could last another 90 or so issues then get cancelled again due to low ratings. Hell no. This is the first Thor in a long time I've read that shows Thor's TITLE will be integral to Marvel's development. I can forgive JMS for a little political leaning thusly. He didn't start this over-politicized Marvel (I think the Ultimate Universe has bled into 616) so it would be naive for Thor to remain outside it now.

THOR #3 - Sep 16, 2007 - 02:25am
KICK ASS! About time!

Kevin McKidd Talks THOR Rumors - Sep 07, 2007 - 06:01pm
Teen Thor? Awww man....why? WHY ODIN? WHY! :P

Keanu Reeves Helps the EARTH STAND STILL - Aug 27, 2007 - 03:26pm
How much you wanna bet they take a sleek, humanoid, yet very plain looking robot and turn him into something completely complicated and ugly looking like in Lost in Space or in Transformers?

Warner Bros Options Darker WIZARD OF OZ Revision - Aug 22, 2007 - 11:37pm
McFarlane is so 1990's. No thanks.

Martinez Finds Love in DEATH RACE Remake - Aug 21, 2007 - 03:43pm
The original Deathrace had its fair hare of scantily clad scenes IIRC. This chica is just right!

Bale says 'No' to JLA Movie - Aug 21, 2007 - 03:41pm
Bale should be concerned that a different actor could do better than him at Batman. And Routh could be upstaged also if Superman faced off against JLA.

Raimi to Direct HOBBIT, Jackson to Produce? - Aug 14, 2007 - 02:41pm
I agree. Spiderman is SUPPOSED TO BE funny. Those who want a serious spiderman movie must have read too much Todd McFarland in the 90's. Blech. As for the hobbit. The humor is unavoidable. Think about it...LotR had Gimli, Pippin and Merry for comedy relief. The straight man in this one is Bilbo! There are 12 dwarves in the Hobbit! It's like Gimli x12. Even the trolls are comedic. It will be 2 solid hours of comedy up until Smaug and the Battle of 5 Armies. Also I'd be happy with Jackson and Weta on board, because people will expect the same Gollum as well.

Millennium Picks Up CONAN - Aug 13, 2007 - 12:07pm
Don't worry about Triple H, he will be Thor I bet. Conan is a serious franchise and Thor is just a B-comic book movie sad for me to say.

Warner Bros Takes on DRAGON Remake - Aug 10, 2007 - 08:38pm
Weak. Very weak of Hollywood. We've become desensitized to remakes as a society but this one is tasteless. I'm hoping internet negative buzz will hamstring this project.

Matthew Vaughn Set to Direct THOR - Aug 10, 2007 - 07:00pm
A Thor movie, about time! He has always been relegated to cheese side character or team player in movies or cartoons. The Hulk TV movie sadly comes to mind first. Unfortunately the 'origin' movie of Thor would be the Donald Blake-walking stick-Thor vs aliens or Loki on earth schtick. Cheesy or not I'll watch it although I'd prefer a mythical storyline.

Ian McShane Coaches in DEATH RACE Remake - Aug 08, 2007 - 03:42am
Fast & the Furious meets the Transporter. This film can't miss! ;) The only thing I'm curious about is, who will be the other fodd-er..drivers?

Getting Raw with Thomas Jane - Aug 08, 2007 - 03:36am
What?! No mention of Thor #2? I don't know whether to be insulted or relieved. :P

Nelson Fights The INCREDIBLE HULK - Jul 26, 2007 - 11:56pm
THE LEADER! About time they did something smart for this franchise. The Hulk didn't need a bruiser to go up against, those are a dime a dozen. A muscle man's arch nemesis is always a brain. Superman has Luthor, Hulk has the Leader. Awesome.

Oxymandias Is Set for WATCHMEN - Jul 24, 2007 - 03:13pm
The trick is in Watchmen they jump back and forth in time periods of the hero's lives. It's easier to have a young person made up to look old than vice versa (Altho Xmen did a nice job of youthifying Prof X and Magneto with CGI).

Oxymandias Is Set for WATCHMEN - Jul 23, 2007 - 10:01am
Wow. I like this lineup so far. No one overwhelmingly popular will help this story focus on the characters more than action. JEH as Rorschach could be an inspired choice much like Mickey Rourke was for Sin City. Cool.

THOR #1 - Jul 18, 2007 - 02:50pm
I'm a longtime reader as well. The hurdle Thor faces in the wake of Civil War and not to mention World War Hulk is not getting treated by a punk outside his own magazine. Since his trip to the void Thor has been replaced figuratively in the Sentry (a blatant Superman ripoff) and literally by the Thor clone-robot-thing made by Reed Richards and Iron Man. Thor has the potential to bring back normalcy but my fear is he will remain marginalized in today's Marvel because he embodies the old school super hero. Captain America embodied the old school as well and look at the treatment he got. JMS has a tall order to fill, and he has already split Thor fandom down the middle by bringing Donald Blake back. The next 10-11 issues will be critical.

Cabot Joins The HULK - Jul 16, 2007 - 12:13pm
My expectations are low for this one. Norton and Roth are heavy actors, but we don't watch Hulk to see Banner do we? And as good as Hurt is, the bar was raised way high by Sam Elliot, you just can't follow him IMO. And Liv Tyler replacing Jennifer Connelly? I may stay home just for that fact alone!

Eckhart Confirms DARK KNIGHT Rumors - Jul 16, 2007 - 12:07pm
I read the article twice too. There NOTHING about AMH being confirmed for the Riddler.

SUPERMAN Sequel NOT on Hold - Jul 08, 2007 - 08:19am
I agree, Braniac would be a welcome change yet they could get anyone to do Braniac, even total CGI. i wonder if theyd do Yul Brenner-super friends Braniac, terminatoresque 80's braniac or the much more streamlined 90's cartoon braniac. option 4 of course is something completely new like BSG's Cylons without the Cylon appearance...completely humanlike. Bah. But as to Bloom, he is wiry and English, just like Terrance Stamp was, its a no brainer that they will stay stuck in the Superman movie-loop.

Raimi Speaks On SPIDEY 4 - Jun 27, 2007 - 01:03am
Sinister Six?! Spidey 3 was already muddled enough with 2.5 villains, six is franchiside.

Bana Leads up DUBAI - Jun 25, 2007 - 02:13pm
Fatwa!

A Look at the New Batsuit - Jun 15, 2007 - 04:16pm
Comic book batman rarely changes costume. Maybe utility belt, but man...and Adam West, he never got any costume changes, what gives?!

INDY 4 Facts - May 24, 2007 - 09:19pm
Something about this bothers me. I think it's the fact that this is more a mission for Fox Mulder than Indy. I hope news gets better.

Never Fear, the UNDERDOG Trailer is Here - May 23, 2007 - 04:26pm
Kids movies indeed...gone are the days a kid could go to the movies on his meager allowance from mommy and daddy. Now you need adult type money to get in and that's before concession. For the price of admission or even the price of a DVD heck...we adults deserve to rant these days.

Never Fear, the UNDERDOG Trailer is Here - May 23, 2007 - 08:55am
Yeash! Another cheesy classic of my childhood remade. I'll tell ya what, after seeing this trailer I know EXACTLY what is next-Mighty Mouse...LIVE ACTION!

Johnson Talks GORDON - May 23, 2007 - 08:40am
Flash Gordon worked for me because of the Queen soundtrack. Go figure. I also remember the cartoon. It was top notch for its time. Sci-Fi trying out Flash Gordon on a shoe-string budget does worry me though. We've all seen their cheesy one shot movies...

Exploding Heads: My Thoughts on 52 - May 23, 2007 - 08:33am
Kurt isnt saying the whole series was rushed. It's more like they piddled around until week 50 then realized they had to wrap it up in a couple more issues. That is why the WW3 thing was crammed in there according to Didio. Don't these people use outlines? Once again HUZZAH! i'm glad I didn't buy into 52 and all the tie-ins and follow-ups. A reboot is exactly what they need.

Hall Hangs With DARK KNIGHT - May 22, 2007 - 01:14pm
Of course...my comment about Robin was sarcasm. If I had to bet I would go with that Penguin theory. Unfortunately nobody can follow Danny DeVito.

Hall Hangs With DARK KNIGHT - May 21, 2007 - 11:45am
Surely he is a bit too old to play Robin :D

McNamara to Helm ROBOSAPIEN - May 21, 2007 - 11:38am
Hey Avi I have a few retro ideas I can throw at you. I need the money.

Frank Miller Has SPIRIT - May 16, 2007 - 12:47am
I wonder, without Rodriquez will Miller still employ the 'style' that launched Miller's comics into fame or will it be more conventional?

Does Whatever a Mailbag Can - May 16, 2007 - 12:45am
The Spiderman 3 analysis was spot on. The first time I watched it I was thrilled and entertained but I saw it a second time in different company and I couldn't wait for it to end. I dare say J Jonah's parts were the redeeming quality. Also, I'm looking forward to the 52 article next time. When I heard about Countdown at the FLGS I laughed so loud I'm sure I drove away customers. I was happy to not be a DC reader just then.

Rain Forecast for RACER - May 14, 2007 - 10:41am
This guy got voted by readers of (Time?) as the #1 most influential person in the world. And now he has a part in Speed Racer....wow. just wow.

CAVEMEN, CONNOR CHRONICLES Get Series Pickups - May 14, 2007 - 10:38am
They should save us the trouble and just make it Encino Man the series. Pauly Shore is due for a career comeback.

Roth Signs on as HULK Villain - May 09, 2007 - 04:40pm
For some reason I keep imagining Liv Tyler in Armageddon when I think of how this movie will play out. What the Hulk needs is a good Aerosmith video.

Lucas Plans Two More STAR WARS - May 09, 2007 - 04:36pm
Oh it's 2 hours long alright, but Lucas is saving that for the Special Edition DVD.

Crispin Glover joins "The I Scream Man" - Apr 23, 2007 - 09:19am
LOL.

Shia LaBeouf joins 'Indiana Jones 4' - Apr 14, 2007 - 02:53am
Sounds good, now make the movie already!

Civil Words - Mar 08, 2007 - 12:51am
Superman was killed off to remind people why they liked Superman after he had grown stale. Cap is probably stale too, but I'm afraid this one is more about making a statement about the world today. Notice no one said his title is being canceled yet. Someone is still going to be Cap, that is what worries me.

Robert K. Shaye says "The Hobbit" in 2009 - Feb 19, 2007 - 03:47pm
Long, dull and boring is a sure sign of the ritalin generation. I sure as hell wouldn't watch the movies with a kid. With that said, I read somewhere that they want to make the Hobbit into two movies? I hope I'm wrong. The novel of the Hobbit is half the size of ONE book of the LOTR trilogy! Now -that- would be blatant filler!

Robert K. Shaye says "The Hobbit" in 2009 - Feb 19, 2007 - 10:17am
Most LOTR fans I'm sure just want continuity. A different director will sometimes upset that balance, a new cast or production company sure as hell will look different. Who knows, the Hobbit could turn out to be the best of the run, much like Empire Strikes Back was the best of the Star Wars lot (because Lucas didnt direct it). My only worry is how they treat the dragon Smaug. I will walk out if he is done over like previous lame CGI dragon movies. (Just think, Scifi Channel could put out the Hobbit by the end of the month!) Give me the 80's Dragonslayer anyday.

"Speed Racer" heads to production in Babelsberg - Feb 14, 2007 - 03:51am
"They are approaching these racing scenes in a way you've never seen before," said Silver." I'd be quite stunned if they could do it any differently than say the Matrix's vehicle scenes or for that matter the hyper-reality of The Fast & the Furious.

Cage and Mendes onboard for "Ghost Rider" Sequel - Feb 13, 2007 - 11:47am
This is like the reverse of Field of Dreams: "If you come, they will build it."

Jet Li joins "Mummy 3" - Feb 04, 2007 - 11:43pm
Didn't Jet Li retire from acting? Or was that just from martial arts movies?

Wizards Senior Honcho Mark Sehestedt - Jan 18, 2007 - 03:17am
Animated Dragonlance? How disappointing. I guess a live action film would be too draining on Wizards.

HBO Acquires "A Song of Ice and Fire" - Jan 17, 2007 - 05:08am
This is the most unbelievably cool news I've read in a year on this site. I agree, if the makers of Rome are doing this then ALOT of the content in SoI&F will be in the TV show. Dayum!

CIVIL WAR - Sep 29, 2006 - 05:12pm
Civil War 4 was not worth the wait. I am anxious to see the return of the real Thor and the Hulk to put an end to the CW mess. As to real world sensibilities concerning heroes, as a long time reader of Thor they have dealt with that for quite a longtime. For a long stretch Thor's alter ego was a paramedic who often worked the same scenes he got involved in. There was a special police unit named Code Blue that, even outclassed, exasperatingly chased around both Thor and the masked vigilantes he fought. And more recently before Thor's current hiatus, Asgard and Earth clashed after a 9/11 style disaster (started by the government). This led to Thor's gradual rulership of Earth and mighty reprocussions from world governments, religions and super groups. And the shocking thing to me was these storylines rarely bled over into other titles as they should have. To me, this Civil War business is lightweight.