When I first bought this book, I was expecting more of a typical Robbie-centric book about how it was like to be a "mega-civilian," but I was pleasantly surprised.
"Somebody Someday" follows Robbie Williams throughout his "Sermon on the Mount" tour. And while there is a lot about Robbie and his problems, both personal and professional, Mark McCrum also spent time covering each of the band members, from music director/keyboardist Guy Chambers to back-up singer Tessa Niles. Not only do we get to learn about their backgrounds, but also how and when they each got involved with Robbie. Best of all, whenever he can, McCrum uses their own quotes rather than his own words describe everything.
We learn everything from how the stage is put up to what Liz Berry the lighting designer does. McCrum also shows the variations between concerts, what Robbie does to keep each concert fresh. The book gives us a glimpse at waht happens after the concert, where the stars go after a gig and who stays behind to take everthing apart.
What I'm trying to say is that this makes for an interesting look into the life of a international star. The only thing that really detracts from the content is some glaring chapter-heading errors and the absurd amount of Robbie pictures in the book. B
Friday, December 31, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Warren Ellis Reviews
Ultimate Nightmare #4 of 5:
The mini-series is finally picking up after a slow start as members of the Ultimates and X-Men separately search an abandoned Russian facility filled with freakish abominations. This issue explains some of the origins of the base as well as add some healthy doses of action.
This is the best written issue yet by Ellis, adding more horror elements, like the "Anti-Cap," so we can really get into the NIGHTMARE part of the story. I don't know why Trevor Hairsine needed an issue off, but his art seems to have improved since issue 2, thought this may because of the legion of inkers for the issue. B
Ultimate Fantastic Four #14:
I'm really enjoying this new storyline, in which the teenager Reed Richards wants to travel into the Negative Zone (now dubbed the N-Zone) in hopes of finding a cure for Ben and the others. Ellis is getting to the heart of the FF: exploration, not to mention work a little of his own sci-fi stuff into it. I'm anxious to see how Ellis will visualize the N-Zone. There's of course Adam Kubert's art which is flawless as usual. B
Iron Man #2
Tony Stark and Maya go see an old friend and learn that the man infected with the Extremis has massacred the officers in a FBI building in Texas. I somehow don't mind that the Iron Man suit isn't in this issue. Ellis' Stark makes for a very interesting character, since both he and Maya have the ability to literally shape the future given their fields in medicine and technology. But all this plot and talking may put off some of the readers, though there's enough gruesome violence in this issue to satisfy the Authority fans. And is me or does Adi Granov's Stark look a little like Tom Cruise? A-
My favorite series so far is Iron Man. Ultimate Nightmare is interesting, but doesn't have much depth. Ultimate FF can get annoying because they're all teenagers. (The FF is supposed to be a family, not a gang of teens.) I also really enjoy Ellis' sci-fi mini-series Ocean, which I should be writing about.
The mini-series is finally picking up after a slow start as members of the Ultimates and X-Men separately search an abandoned Russian facility filled with freakish abominations. This issue explains some of the origins of the base as well as add some healthy doses of action.
This is the best written issue yet by Ellis, adding more horror elements, like the "Anti-Cap," so we can really get into the NIGHTMARE part of the story. I don't know why Trevor Hairsine needed an issue off, but his art seems to have improved since issue 2, thought this may because of the legion of inkers for the issue. B
Ultimate Fantastic Four #14:
I'm really enjoying this new storyline, in which the teenager Reed Richards wants to travel into the Negative Zone (now dubbed the N-Zone) in hopes of finding a cure for Ben and the others. Ellis is getting to the heart of the FF: exploration, not to mention work a little of his own sci-fi stuff into it. I'm anxious to see how Ellis will visualize the N-Zone. There's of course Adam Kubert's art which is flawless as usual. B
Iron Man #2
Tony Stark and Maya go see an old friend and learn that the man infected with the Extremis has massacred the officers in a FBI building in Texas. I somehow don't mind that the Iron Man suit isn't in this issue. Ellis' Stark makes for a very interesting character, since both he and Maya have the ability to literally shape the future given their fields in medicine and technology. But all this plot and talking may put off some of the readers, though there's enough gruesome violence in this issue to satisfy the Authority fans. And is me or does Adi Granov's Stark look a little like Tom Cruise? A-
My favorite series so far is Iron Man. Ultimate Nightmare is interesting, but doesn't have much depth. Ultimate FF can get annoying because they're all teenagers. (The FF is supposed to be a family, not a gang of teens.) I also really enjoy Ellis' sci-fi mini-series Ocean, which I should be writing about.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Merry Christmas
It's been a busy week, what with jury duty, an interview, and no electricity for a whole day. But somehow I made it to Christmas. I'm just glad that I've already finished Chapter 10 last weekend, before all of this nonsense started...
I hoped that you've taken a little time yesterday, or even today, to consider all that you should be thankful for. There are some people in Ohio that didn't have electricity on Christmas day, and all too often we don't appreciate everything we have until we lose it.
Anyway, sermon's over. I'm still working on more of Zoey's profile, and that Ultraman Nexus OST review. (Like people really care.) GITS 2 Innocence DVD is coming out this week so I'll finaly get to see if the sequel's any good.
Happy Boxing Day everyone!
I hoped that you've taken a little time yesterday, or even today, to consider all that you should be thankful for. There are some people in Ohio that didn't have electricity on Christmas day, and all too often we don't appreciate everything we have until we lose it.
Anyway, sermon's over. I'm still working on more of Zoey's profile, and that Ultraman Nexus OST review. (Like people really care.) GITS 2 Innocence DVD is coming out this week so I'll finaly get to see if the sequel's any good.
Happy Boxing Day everyone!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Manga Review: Ranma 1/2 Vol 27
Okay, I'll admit that I have a certain bias towards Rumiko Takahashi, being that I think she's one of the most creative people in Japan. That being said:
This book is the 27th volume in the Ranma 1/2 series. The story is about poor Ranma, cursed to change into a woman's body every time cold water is poured on him, and only hot water will change him back. Then, there's all of those women wanting to be his fiance, like Shampoo (who turns into a cat when splashed with cold water.)
This volume collects three major stories. The first is the "Terror of the Phoenix Sword" where rival Kuno purchases an egg of a Phoenix, which ends up landing on his head, thus hatching the egg, producing one of the most silliest looking creatures I've ever seen. The "bird" first sees Ranma and believes him to be its mortal enemy. So, it pecks at Ranma's head, day and night, while still perched on Kuno's head.
The second major story involves twins, Link and Pink, who are looking for revenge against the Chinese Amazonian, Shampoo, who currently works at a restaurant with her (great?) grandmother. Ranma also becomes a target since Shampoo told her Amazon newsletter that they were married. Then, there's "Evil and the Bean," a mini-story about a pesky demon that possesses different characters with a Lum reference to boot!
The third story focuses on thrifty Nibiki who is challenged by Kinnosuke, whose "lifestyle-fu is based on financial parasitism." The two of them go on outrageous dates, trying to get the other to pay for everything. Ranma and Akane are forced to tag along to make sure that Nibiki doesn't drive the family too far in debt...
While I'm a big fan of the series, I can honestly say that I probably don't even have half the series, but this volume is one of the better ones definately. With some of the more strange elements, like the puppet butler, to the more hilarious, the "Phoenix," Takahashi proves that even on volume 27 she can still write great stories.
I enjoyed each of the stories and all of the funny twists along the way, and it was nice that more supporting characters like Nibiki get their own stories every once and awhile. B+
This book is the 27th volume in the Ranma 1/2 series. The story is about poor Ranma, cursed to change into a woman's body every time cold water is poured on him, and only hot water will change him back. Then, there's all of those women wanting to be his fiance, like Shampoo (who turns into a cat when splashed with cold water.)
This volume collects three major stories. The first is the "Terror of the Phoenix Sword" where rival Kuno purchases an egg of a Phoenix, which ends up landing on his head, thus hatching the egg, producing one of the most silliest looking creatures I've ever seen. The "bird" first sees Ranma and believes him to be its mortal enemy. So, it pecks at Ranma's head, day and night, while still perched on Kuno's head.
The second major story involves twins, Link and Pink, who are looking for revenge against the Chinese Amazonian, Shampoo, who currently works at a restaurant with her (great?) grandmother. Ranma also becomes a target since Shampoo told her Amazon newsletter that they were married. Then, there's "Evil and the Bean," a mini-story about a pesky demon that possesses different characters with a Lum reference to boot!
The third story focuses on thrifty Nibiki who is challenged by Kinnosuke, whose "lifestyle-fu is based on financial parasitism." The two of them go on outrageous dates, trying to get the other to pay for everything. Ranma and Akane are forced to tag along to make sure that Nibiki doesn't drive the family too far in debt...
While I'm a big fan of the series, I can honestly say that I probably don't even have half the series, but this volume is one of the better ones definately. With some of the more strange elements, like the puppet butler, to the more hilarious, the "Phoenix," Takahashi proves that even on volume 27 she can still write great stories.
I enjoyed each of the stories and all of the funny twists along the way, and it was nice that more supporting characters like Nibiki get their own stories every once and awhile. B+
Sunday, December 19, 2004
And Now Something Completely Different
Here's a bit of silliness that I found while surfing around:
There's an animated UK movie coming out in February called the Magic Roundabout, where an assortment of different characters team up to save the world from this guy with a spring for legs who wants to turn the world into an eternal winterland. (I believe this is a movie version of a British kid's show. Anyone care to elaborate?)
Why am I impressed? Let's check out the cast, shall we: Jim Broadbent, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian McKellan, Doctor Who himself Tom Baker, with singers Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. (Americans, I'll explain who they are later. Rest of the world, you guys already know who they are.)
There's a trailer you can already see on the official web site. I wonder if they'll be any kind of US release of the movie?
Probably not.
There's an animated UK movie coming out in February called the Magic Roundabout, where an assortment of different characters team up to save the world from this guy with a spring for legs who wants to turn the world into an eternal winterland. (I believe this is a movie version of a British kid's show. Anyone care to elaborate?)
Why am I impressed? Let's check out the cast, shall we: Jim Broadbent, Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian McKellan, Doctor Who himself Tom Baker, with singers Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. (Americans, I'll explain who they are later. Rest of the world, you guys already know who they are.)
There's a trailer you can already see on the official web site. I wonder if they'll be any kind of US release of the movie?
Probably not.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Ultraman Nexus: New Junis Mode
I just read that Ultraman Nexus is getting a new form, sort of. Apparently, there will be a new "evolved" form of Ultraman in his Junis form. The head and chest design will look the same, but the main color will be blue instead of red and there'll be different leg and arm designs. I personally prefer the old Junis mode better.
Go to ultramanlah.com, a very reliable source for new info on all things Ultra, to see a picture of this new Junis form for yourself.
And yeah, I know, I'll get to that review of the soundtrack pretty soon...
Go to ultramanlah.com, a very reliable source for new info on all things Ultra, to see a picture of this new Junis form for yourself.
And yeah, I know, I'll get to that review of the soundtrack pretty soon...
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Comic Review: Fantastic Four #521
We've been lucky over the last few years to have some pretty talented teams working in the comic book industry: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely on X-Men, Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins on Flash, Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev on Daredevil, and, of course, Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo on the Fantastic Four.
This amazing creative team is going out with a bang as their last storyline involves everyone's favorite world-eater, Galactus. In part two, we see Johnny Storm adjusting to his sister's powers, the Power Cosmic, and his new job as Galactus' herald. Yeah, you heard me, Galactus' herald.
Johnny visits various planets, hoping the aliens will join him and find a way to oppose Galactus. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be in the mood to talk, which may have to do with the fact that their planet has been put on Galactus' menu. But once Johnny realizes the full potential of the Power Cosmic, he finally gets Galactus' attention...
The only thing I didn't like about this issue was the lack of Reed and company. I know that it's all about pacing and stuff, but the cover is misleading, as usual. A-
This amazing creative team is going out with a bang as their last storyline involves everyone's favorite world-eater, Galactus. In part two, we see Johnny Storm adjusting to his sister's powers, the Power Cosmic, and his new job as Galactus' herald. Yeah, you heard me, Galactus' herald.
Johnny visits various planets, hoping the aliens will join him and find a way to oppose Galactus. Unfortunately, none of them seem to be in the mood to talk, which may have to do with the fact that their planet has been put on Galactus' menu. But once Johnny realizes the full potential of the Power Cosmic, he finally gets Galactus' attention...
The only thing I didn't like about this issue was the lack of Reed and company. I know that it's all about pacing and stuff, but the cover is misleading, as usual. A-
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Batman Begins
I've been adding entries about the upcoming Fantastic Four and Elektra movies that I'm eagerly awaiting, and it seems wrong that I have yet to mention the new Batman film.
Slated to come out this summer, the new Batman film stars Christian Bale as a young Bruce Wayne, who, after losing his parents, spends his life training his body and mind until one day he decides to dress up as a bat and beat up criminals.
Yes, it is a prequel film, though it may be loosely based on Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" story. That, at the very least, would have made a better title for the movie.
The movie also stars Liam Neeson as Henri Ducard, Bruce Wayne's very own Qui-Gon Jinn, Michael Caine as Alfred, Bruce's faithful butler, Gary Oldman as a young Jim Gordon, Katie Holmes as the love interest, with Ken Watanabe as Ra Al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow.
While I hace some doubts about the casting, (Gary Oldman?!) I have complete faith in director Chris Nolan who will revamp the Bat-franchise for the new millennium.
Unfortunately, in my heart, I don't think that any Batman film will ever top Tim Burton's two Batfilms, especially Michael Keaton as Batman and the coolest Batmobile ever made.
Slated to come out this summer, the new Batman film stars Christian Bale as a young Bruce Wayne, who, after losing his parents, spends his life training his body and mind until one day he decides to dress up as a bat and beat up criminals.
Yes, it is a prequel film, though it may be loosely based on Frank Miller's "Batman: Year One" story. That, at the very least, would have made a better title for the movie.
The movie also stars Liam Neeson as Henri Ducard, Bruce Wayne's very own Qui-Gon Jinn, Michael Caine as Alfred, Bruce's faithful butler, Gary Oldman as a young Jim Gordon, Katie Holmes as the love interest, with Ken Watanabe as Ra Al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow.
While I hace some doubts about the casting, (Gary Oldman?!) I have complete faith in director Chris Nolan who will revamp the Bat-franchise for the new millennium.
Unfortunately, in my heart, I don't think that any Batman film will ever top Tim Burton's two Batfilms, especially Michael Keaton as Batman and the coolest Batmobile ever made.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Ultraman Nexus Soundtrack
I dug around the Internet and finally found a copy of the Ultraman Nexus OST, composed by one of my favorite Japanese composers, Kenji Kawai. The CD is just under 70 minutes long.
Here's a partial English track listing that I found:
01. Main Title
02. NEXUS -Encounter-
03. NIGHT RAIDERS -Scramble-
04. Komon's Theme
05. Riko's Theme
06. TLT -Huge Organization-
07. TLT -Secret Base-
08. SPACE BEAST -Forming-
09. NIGHT RAIDERS -Patrol-
10. Mysterious Character
11. Heart Break
12. Shock
13. An Incident Occurs
14. SPACE BEAST -Crash-
15. NIGHT RAIDERS -Battle-
16. SPACE BEAST -Invasion-
17. Terror in Combat
18. NEXUS -Descent-
19. NEXUS -Dash-
20. NEXUS -Disappear-
21. Himeya's Theme
22. Eye Catch
23. TLT -Mission-
24. SPACE BEAST -Ferocious-
25. The Shriek that Tears the Darkness Asunder
26. Mobilize and Search for the Enemy
27. Nagi's Theme
28. Memory Police
29. The Tense Atmosphere
30. The Undying Past
31. SPACE BEAST -Awakening-
32. Thunder
33. SPACE BEAST -Charge-
34. SPACE BEAST -Stampede-
35. A Warrior's Destiny
36. SPACE BEAST -Stalked-
37. NIGHT RAIDERS -Attack-
38. Birth of a Demon
39. Requiem
40. SPACE BEAST -Rage-
41. Violation
42. The Time for the Decisive Showdown
43. NEXUS -Appearance-
44. NEXUS -Heroic-
45. NEXUS -Final Fight-
46. Friends
47. Fight the Future The Theme of Ultraman Nexus
performed by Project DMM?
music by Kenji Kawai
lryics by Gorou Matsui
Special thanks to the guys at Godzilla Monster Music who posted these English translations.
Here's a partial English track listing that I found:
01. Main Title
02. NEXUS -Encounter-
03. NIGHT RAIDERS -Scramble-
04. Komon's Theme
05. Riko's Theme
06. TLT -Huge Organization-
07. TLT -Secret Base-
08. SPACE BEAST -Forming-
09. NIGHT RAIDERS -Patrol-
10. Mysterious Character
11. Heart Break
12. Shock
13. An Incident Occurs
14. SPACE BEAST -Crash-
15. NIGHT RAIDERS -Battle-
16. SPACE BEAST -Invasion-
17. Terror in Combat
18. NEXUS -Descent-
19. NEXUS -Dash-
20. NEXUS -Disappear-
21. Himeya's Theme
22. Eye Catch
23. TLT -Mission-
24. SPACE BEAST -Ferocious-
25. The Shriek that Tears the Darkness Asunder
26. Mobilize and Search for the Enemy
27. Nagi's Theme
28. Memory Police
29. The Tense Atmosphere
30. The Undying Past
31. SPACE BEAST -Awakening-
32. Thunder
33. SPACE BEAST -Charge-
34. SPACE BEAST -Stampede-
35. A Warrior's Destiny
36. SPACE BEAST -Stalked-
37. NIGHT RAIDERS -Attack-
38. Birth of a Demon
39. Requiem
40. SPACE BEAST -Rage-
41. Violation
42. The Time for the Decisive Showdown
43. NEXUS -Appearance-
44. NEXUS -Heroic-
45. NEXUS -Final Fight-
46. Friends
47. Fight the Future The Theme of Ultraman Nexus
performed by Project DMM?
music by Kenji Kawai
lryics by Gorou Matsui
Special thanks to the guys at Godzilla Monster Music who posted these English translations.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Ultraman Movie Update
I read somewhere that the new Ultraman movie is going to be a retelling of the very first episode from the original Ultraman series, only it's going to be set in more realistic and modern ("present") timeline.
For instance, our hero Maki works for the Japanese Air Force (or so it looks like from the trailer) and not some "Science Patrol." Also, our hero will not be the typical good-looking 20 year old, but a man in his thirities with a family. The Ultraman transformation is supposed to be more of a mutation, hence the more organic Guyver look.
The official site, ultraman-movie.com, has a new trailer that's 3 minutes long. It looks awesome. Now, all I need is for it to be imported over here with some English subtitles. Maybe there'll at least be a domestic DVD release. Hopefully, not by FUNimation though.
For instance, our hero Maki works for the Japanese Air Force (or so it looks like from the trailer) and not some "Science Patrol." Also, our hero will not be the typical good-looking 20 year old, but a man in his thirities with a family. The Ultraman transformation is supposed to be more of a mutation, hence the more organic Guyver look.
The official site, ultraman-movie.com, has a new trailer that's 3 minutes long. It looks awesome. Now, all I need is for it to be imported over here with some English subtitles. Maybe there'll at least be a domestic DVD release. Hopefully, not by FUNimation though.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
It's Been Awhile
Yes, it's been awhile since I wrote a character profile. September, actually. I could have sworn that I wrote the Adler profile in October, but the blog doesn't lie, does it?
So, to make up for it, this character profile is a peek into the past of Zoey Walker, one of the main characters in my work-in-progress novel. This is, of course, just part one, and I hope to write more this month.
As for my novel, I just recently finished Chapter Nine, and my good friend is right now looking over it and Chapter Eight. I was hoping to reach the halfway point by 2005. (Let's say, around Chapter Twelve.) But that's not going to happen. I am really hopeful that I might get another chapter done by January.
So, to make up for it, this character profile is a peek into the past of Zoey Walker, one of the main characters in my work-in-progress novel. This is, of course, just part one, and I hope to write more this month.
As for my novel, I just recently finished Chapter Nine, and my good friend is right now looking over it and Chapter Eight. I was hoping to reach the halfway point by 2005. (Let's say, around Chapter Twelve.) But that's not going to happen. I am really hopeful that I might get another chapter done by January.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Character Profile: Zoey Walker (1)
It wasn't that Zoey's parent didn't love her. They just didn't have the time for her. Not with their twenty hour work schedules. So it was up to her kind old grandmother to take care of her most of the time.
Now, Zoey did what any young kid who felt neglected did, and caused mischief. We're not talking about widespread chaos, but whenever there was a chance for Zoey to disagree with a teacher or cause a commotion, she revelled in it. This caused her to attract the attention of some of the local gangs.
But her grandmother, who heard all about Zoey's misadventures, warned her. "Stay away from those fellows. They're always up to no good."
But young Zoey only cared about the local arcade, where she could drown out all of her adolescent worries with the loud noise of "Cap'n Artic" and "Alien Scream." She'd spend all her time after school there, instead of at the Intermediate-School Attitude-Adjustment Center, or I.S.A.A.C for short.
This, of course, would get Zoey into even more trouble. What she didn't know was that her grandmother wasn't telling her parents of her school problems, since she was too ashamed to fill them in about their daughter's activities.
Now, Zoey did what any young kid who felt neglected did, and caused mischief. We're not talking about widespread chaos, but whenever there was a chance for Zoey to disagree with a teacher or cause a commotion, she revelled in it. This caused her to attract the attention of some of the local gangs.
But her grandmother, who heard all about Zoey's misadventures, warned her. "Stay away from those fellows. They're always up to no good."
But young Zoey only cared about the local arcade, where she could drown out all of her adolescent worries with the loud noise of "Cap'n Artic" and "Alien Scream." She'd spend all her time after school there, instead of at the Intermediate-School Attitude-Adjustment Center, or I.S.A.A.C for short.
This, of course, would get Zoey into even more trouble. What she didn't know was that her grandmother wasn't telling her parents of her school problems, since she was too ashamed to fill them in about their daughter's activities.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
DVD Review: Daredevil Director's Cut
Finally a version that won't make DD fans cringe...
Presentation: This one disc double-dip comes in a standard DVD case with a slipcase. The menus are animated and make good use of Graeme Revell's score. B
Audio/Visual: Presented in widesreen, the picture and sound quality are very similar to the theatrical version, and the picture sould be good since the film was made in 2003. There's one or two hiccups in the editing where the new scenes were put in, but overall nothing to disappoint. B+
Content: Okay, I liked Daredevil the movie, despite it sucking. The writer/director Mark Steven Johnson excels at interpersonal relationships: Matt and Foggy, Matt and his dad, Matt and Elektra, etc..., but he really lacks in bring the superhero aspects to life, relying too much on Batman stereotypes.
But the added thirty minutes really helps improve this movie. Most of the major fights have added material, and now there's a whole new sub-plot with Matt Murdock actually being a lawyer!
Unfortunately, there's still all the annoying flaws of the original: the "Darecave," all that blind justice stuff, the blatant Crow rip-off, etc... that keeps it from being Spider-Man good.
Theatrical Version: C- Director's Cut: B
Extras: There's a new commentary and a featurette, but nothing too amazing. Pretty sparse compared to the theatrical DVD. And what, no isolated score? C-
Overall: Here's how I see things: This is the actual version of the film, but movie executives wanted it to be PG-13, so they can market it to their favorite demographics: teenagers. (And I could argue that the theatrical version should also have been a R rated film.)
If they had released this version, then it would have done better, at least with the critics. It's a shame that the only reason they even released it on DVD was as a cross-marketing ploy with the new Elektra movie. B
Presentation: This one disc double-dip comes in a standard DVD case with a slipcase. The menus are animated and make good use of Graeme Revell's score. B
Audio/Visual: Presented in widesreen, the picture and sound quality are very similar to the theatrical version, and the picture sould be good since the film was made in 2003. There's one or two hiccups in the editing where the new scenes were put in, but overall nothing to disappoint. B+
Content: Okay, I liked Daredevil the movie, despite it sucking. The writer/director Mark Steven Johnson excels at interpersonal relationships: Matt and Foggy, Matt and his dad, Matt and Elektra, etc..., but he really lacks in bring the superhero aspects to life, relying too much on Batman stereotypes.
But the added thirty minutes really helps improve this movie. Most of the major fights have added material, and now there's a whole new sub-plot with Matt Murdock actually being a lawyer!
Unfortunately, there's still all the annoying flaws of the original: the "Darecave," all that blind justice stuff, the blatant Crow rip-off, etc... that keeps it from being Spider-Man good.
Theatrical Version: C- Director's Cut: B
Extras: There's a new commentary and a featurette, but nothing too amazing. Pretty sparse compared to the theatrical DVD. And what, no isolated score? C-
Overall: Here's how I see things: This is the actual version of the film, but movie executives wanted it to be PG-13, so they can market it to their favorite demographics: teenagers. (And I could argue that the theatrical version should also have been a R rated film.)
If they had released this version, then it would have done better, at least with the critics. It's a shame that the only reason they even released it on DVD was as a cross-marketing ploy with the new Elektra movie. B
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Elektra Score To Be Released
Music from the Movies reported that Varese Sarabande will be releasing Christophe Beck's score to Marvel's Elektra movie on January 11th.
Beck's score is described to have "experiment with unusual sounds and textures." The web site stated that 'Beck says that he wanted to "create textures and music beds and edit and manipulate them to create both strange and familiar musical elements."'
The talks of prerecorded orchestral tracks and abstract sounds made me very curious about this score, and I'm interested in hearing it when it comes out.
Beck's other credits include movies like Taxi, Little Black Book, and The Perfect Man.
Beck's score is described to have "experiment with unusual sounds and textures." The web site stated that 'Beck says that he wanted to "create textures and music beds and edit and manipulate them to create both strange and familiar musical elements."'
The talks of prerecorded orchestral tracks and abstract sounds made me very curious about this score, and I'm interested in hearing it when it comes out.
Beck's other credits include movies like Taxi, Little Black Book, and The Perfect Man.
Ultraman Justice
I've become interested in this fairly recent Ultraman ever since I bought a little gashapon figure of him.
Ultraman Justice looks like a cross between UltraSeven and Ultraman Tiga. Like most of the more current Ultramen, he has two forms: "Normal" mode (unless it has a different name) and "Crusher" mode, a more powerful mode.
One of the more interesting things about him is that his host is a woman (GASP) played by Kazue Fukiishi.
As far as I can tell, he's only in one film, "Ultraman Cosmos VS Ultraman Justice," where evil robots/aliens are going to wipe out humanity so they can inhabit the Earth, and Ultraman Cosmos has to stop them. Only the robots/aliens have taken control of Ultraman Justice, so they have to fight each other. Soon, U-Justice breaks free of their control, and together they beat the robots/aliens.
Or so I've heard. If you know anything about Ultraman Justice, let me know.
Ultraman Justice looks like a cross between UltraSeven and Ultraman Tiga. Like most of the more current Ultramen, he has two forms: "Normal" mode (unless it has a different name) and "Crusher" mode, a more powerful mode.
One of the more interesting things about him is that his host is a woman (GASP) played by Kazue Fukiishi.
As far as I can tell, he's only in one film, "Ultraman Cosmos VS Ultraman Justice," where evil robots/aliens are going to wipe out humanity so they can inhabit the Earth, and Ultraman Cosmos has to stop them. Only the robots/aliens have taken control of Ultraman Justice, so they have to fight each other. Soon, U-Justice breaks free of their control, and together they beat the robots/aliens.
Or so I've heard. If you know anything about Ultraman Justice, let me know.
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