HBO To Make Preacher Series

Mark Steven Johnson, known for the Daredevil and Ghost Rider movies, was recently announced as executive producer for HBO's adaptation of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion's Preacher comic book series.

"That to me is my favorite book," Johnson told The Comics Continuum. "It's one of the few that I pick up and read it front to back, all nine graphic novels, I just love it so much." Even though he probably said the same thing about Daredevil and Ghost Rider.

Neglected actor James Marsden was signed on for a movie version of the Preacher, and HBO has made no announcement as to whether or not he will be in the one hour series. If asked to comment, Marsden would have probably said something to the effect of, "It doesn't really matter, if they want me or not. If it comes to the worst, I'll always have the X-Men franchise to fall back on." Followed after a pause by "Crap."

Superman Returns Review

Okay, the movie's out, but is it good? Yes. For the most part. I know that director Bryan Singer is a big fan of the original Donner film, so I expected one or two homages, but there's a lot more similarities that I thought. Even to the degree that some may just want to call this a remake of the original, rather than a sequel.

The cast is one of the stronger elements of the film. Brandon Routh is believable as Superman and as Clark Kent, though I don't think he'll top Christopher Reeve in the hearts of many, again this due to the fact that Routh plays Kent/Superman too close to the way that Reeve did it. If he added more of his own spin, then he might have done an even better job. Kevin Spacey does another great job as the villain, combining charm and twisted anger. Unfortunately, his character is too isolated from everyone else and only has one major scene with Lois and one scene with Superman. The new Lois Lane is okay, but she seems too cold or reserved. Also, I'm older than her, and I'm not even 25.



Two actors deserve acknowledgement: Parker Posey and James Marsden. She's funny; he's sympathetic; and they're both in the movie more than I thought they'd be. Posey provides a more three dimensional Girl Friday to Spacey's Luthor, but she doesn't do anything in the last hour except to look guilty. Marsden, at least, gets to help rescue Lois... and Superman.

The second strongest element is the special effects. All 250 million dollars worth. Breathtaking and spectacular, especially the plane disaster in the first hour of the film. Also, I thought it would worth noting that each of Superman's powers, including heat vision and super breath, are used in this film.

There are only little things that bother me with this film. The beginning jumps around too much, and the last 30 minutes drag on for too long. John Ottman gives us another compelling score, using John Williams' themes, but should have focused on editing the film. It's too long. Seriously, it's too long. Also, there's the kid. Not as annoying as I thought, but he's just an ugly continunity problem waiting to happen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's an entertaining film, but it had dared to get out of the shadow of the Donner film, it could have be, well, super. B

Movie Review: X3

Not a Dream! Not a Hoax!

I'll admit that I admire the sheer guts of this movie, for everything they did in it. Or should I say everything they did to the characters. Phoenix comes off as a very powerful and very destructive force, even though she does just stand about for the second half of the film. There's a much darker tone than I was expecting, but director Brett Ratner just doesn't have the same touch than Singer.

The best way I can describe my feelings for this movie is to talking about the third Patlabor movie. It's well written and has a good Labor VS kaiju battle at the end, but the main characters had only a sparse role compared to the detectives investigating the case. In this movie, all the characters I liked either were died, dying, or not even used, leaving me with not much to cheer on except for Jackman and McKellan who do their usual best and TV's Frasier doing a decent job on Beast.

I wish I could be more positive about this film, but I can't. Comic book purist may agree with me. Definately not recommended for Marsden fans. Like me. C

Video Journal #26

Speaking of James Marsden, the latest video journal "See Plane" from bluetights.net features Marsden pretending to be Bryan Singer and vice versa on the set of Superman Returns while filming a scene involving a sea plane. Also, a little more of Marsden's character, Richard White, is revealed as he is described as the human version of Superman.

James Marsden in Superman Returns

I might have mentioned this before but James Marsden, Cyclops from the X-Films, will be in Bryan Singer's new Superman movie. No, he's not Superman. He's just Lois Lane's ******* (don't want to ruin the surprise) so we all know that he'll probably die by the end of the movie. He'll basically be doing what he did in X-Men: acting protective, crying like a girl, and not being in large portions of the film.

Speaking of, he is confirmed to return in X3 but what size of a role Cyclops will play in it is yet to be seen. I've also heard rumors that he'd been chosen for the lead role in a movie based on Garth Ennis's Preacher series, but nothing's come of that so far. Well, James, I hope you really like comic books or you fire your agent.

X3

For all those who are worried now that Brett Ratner is the new director for X3, cheer up! James Marsden will be returning as Cyclops. Though how big of a role he will have is still a mystery....