Getting Old

LucasArts has been making a name for itself since before I was born (1987). From "Star Wars" to the "Mercenaries" video game.

I remember the first time I watched "A New Hope" that I loved it. The story, the idea, the Jedi mind-trick. Everything was so spectacular. After that I watched Empire and Jedi of coarse, and everything changed after that. Suddenly A New Hope was terrible. There wasn't enough Jedi in it. Star Wars is a phenomenon that will no doubt live on forever in peoples minds. Funny enough the only two things that people remember George Lucas for is the "Indiana Jones" series and Star Wars. The people, especially his fans forget about "Howard The Duck" and rightfully so... What was Howard? It was a weird sci-fi, fantasy, something. I remember a mirror and that is about it.

Track down the road to the present time and we come to a place where the Star Wars series is over. There are now a few Novel's out, and three lackluster prequels. Sure I like the first one, pod-racing is pretty cool. That's just about it though.

2008 is going to be an important year for movies. Not just because a lot of the movies are going looking as if they are going to be huge successes, but because 2008 and the following year will prove that everything is circular with the return of the 80's action hero era. This brings up the release of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"... Can't wait for the video game to be released: Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: The Official Movie Based Video Game (or something obscure like that).

I have to tell you, I have never really been a fan of Indy though love the work of the returning, aging, superstar that is Harrison Ford. If you put this against the recently released "Live Free, or Die Hard" I think the idea alone of a new Indy movie is great. The thing is, you are putting Justin Long against Shia LaBeouf, and Ford against Bruce Willis. I myself think this is a no brainer. Justin Long however funny an actor he is was just terrible in this past Die Hard.

Also in the land of Lucas to round up some things is a live-action Star Wars television series. It is set to take place after Order 66 (Revenge of the Sith) and before the events of A New Hope. It will be based around the minor series characters, though major characters are set for occasional cameo roles. Ewan McGregor, Ian Mcdiarmid, and Frank Oz have all shown interest to appear on the show.

A Teaser trailer for the series shows a close up of Boba-Fett's helmet. It has since been speculated that the bounty hunter will be a major supporting role in the series. Plans have been confirmed for a 2009 release date. Some other plans for the series to split into spin-off show's have also been talked about.

I myself think this idea is a sham. Sure it may hold fans over, but for what? More video games where you do the same old things? No Skywalker, no Star Wars! That is the bottom line on that one. I know what they are up to at Lucas Ranch, they are trying to prolong the inevitable. The Star Wars franchise is dead, and they just do not want to admit that fact. A new television show, a movie about kids that are obsessed with Star Wars (I know this wasn't Lucas, but still) It is actually getting a little old. I think Lucas' medichlorian count is increasingly dying out, thus the force is not strong in him.

My thought's... Make a new series, maybe make a Mercenaries franchise film, keep doing some Indy flicks. Word on the street is that Ford has signed on for two more films to round a trilogy, while LaBeouf is signed on for three. Will Indy die in the last of his movies to make way for the next generation?

As for Star Wars and its future. My word is that they focus on video games. No more anything else. Sci-Fi lovers are into video games. You can make more profit with gaming than you can with a television show or even a movie if you do it right. Just look at Halo. Also if you are going to do new games, why not try to do something different. I don't know. You're the experts, and I'm just spit balling with that one.

I guess time will only tell.

The Top 300 of 2007

Hello everybody. I have not formally introduced myself yet. My name is Dan Wilson and I am an addict. I am in a deep addiction to Film. I had a few other blogs back in the day. None of them went over too well, so here is to hoping.


In this Blog I will talk a lot about movies. My opinion on Hollywood and beyond. If anybody has a comment or wishes to talk to me personally just e-mail me at sh_maverick28@hotmail.com . Now that the year is comming to an end, I thought I would make my very first top list. What else would be appropriate other than the top-300 of 2007.


Okay, so 300 is stretching it and will be more like 10, the logo just kind of ooks better.




10. Stardust - I can't say that I have ever read any of Stardust, but the movie was pretty good. The acting was up there. The movie made a poke at every fantasy cliche there is out there. This movie is director Matthew Vaughn's second (First was Layer Cake). I love this guy's work, starting with the early Guy Richie movies. Doing this he wanted to prove he wasn't limited to gangster movies. I think this attempt warrants a spot on my list of top 10 of 2007.

9. Rescue Dawn - There is not a Christian Bale movie out there that isn't good. Say what you want about "Newsies" or "Harsh Times", but the man is a fine actor. This movie is drama and action, simple as that. Not everybody keeps their end of the acting up, but the cinematography was spot on and Bale did his job well.

8. In The Land of Women - Okay, so the star of the movie (Adam Brody) was a cast member of "The O.C.". I will not hold that against him. I unfortunately have not been able to see his acting much since the skateboard-comedy, "Grind". From what I have seen of him, the guy is going to be golden in the comedy and romantic genres. This film about one man's journey to find himself consumed in love is simply a fantastic movie to watch. I will admit to liking the odd romantic comedy, and this one was something special. I respect the actor a great deal. Does that mean I respect the choice to cast him as The Flash, in Fox's upcoming Justice League of America adaptation? No I do not. In fact, D.C. has no place at Fox to begin with.

7. Bourne Ultimatum - To sum this up I will copy the words of Clint Morris over at Moviehole: "Never has a trilogy been so constantly solid throughout – even ‘’Return of the Jedi’’ was weak – and ‘’Ultimatum’’ doesn’t miss a beat. This is both an excellent action film and a bonafide epic that’s again proved why Matt Damon is one of the most popular and in-demand actors in the business."


6. 300 - A movie where a Scot plays a Spartan. No beef with him though. I am afraid Gery Butler may be able to pound the ever loving crap out of me while eating an apple. Besides, he is a phenomenal actor, and very under rated. I look forward very much to seeing him act with Jeremy Piven in Guy Richie's nex flik, Rock'n'Rolla. 300 is a story about 300 men (does his general count himself and Leonidas when he says "300 men"?). They go up against a horde of Persians. There is plenty of blood and fighting. The story is great, action is even better. You would think this movie would be all serious, but no. Writer, Frank Miller manges to make the movie witty while being consistent with its testosterone pumping.

5. 3:10 to Yuma - From the opening scenes I knew that the Western may be the coolest Western I have seen since the John Wayne era. Not only that but Russell Crowe and Bale act out in a film based on cult-legend Elmore Leonard's acclaimed story about the old west and men on the run. This is remake, make sure you know that when you watch it. I say this because, it is very rare to find a remake movie that surpasses the original. This one pulls the task off seamlessly.

4. Superbad - Okay, the Appatow boy's are brilliant to say the least. Give them credit for some of the best comedy had to offer in the last five year's. This film does not let up. From start to finish, Superbad delivers laughs not heard since the original teaming up in Anchorman.

3. Grindhouse - As a whole, when I first watched this collection of misfit movies, I was at a loss for words. The Rodriguez zombie flick was filled with more action and made more sense than most zombie movies (Plot wise)... I say this keeping in mind a girl with an m16 for a leg. As for Quentin Tarantino's turn at the helm, we see a superb chase sequence, and are treated to a female version of Jules Winnfield. Combined together with delicious faux trailer's, the film was a giant success for the people that got to see it. I for one enjoyed this more than most films this year as you can clearly see. It is a shame it did't get the attention that it deserved.

2. Transformers - Come on, it had to be on here. I for one am not a fan of director Michael Bay at all. I went in expecting a movie filled with car chases, and cheap humor... I got that, but with a twist. The cars involved in the car chases transformed into thirty foot robot's. If Bay's goal was to make me wet my pants... mission accomplished. Actor Shia Labeouf (Sam) , AMAZING. I remembered this kid from Constantine and Holes. I hated those movies. However, this one was action and humor from start to finish. I can not let an opportunity pass to recognize it's success. Do you know why I think this movie worked well? In my opinion, John Turturro (Agent Simmons) demanded it be a good movie since he only does those.If that is the case, thank you Jesus*. You made this movie amazing.

1. Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver...

Sorry Bad Joke.

1. Amazing Grace - Ioan Gruffudd stars as William Wilberforce, the man who was behind the abolition of the slave trade in Britain. He was a weak man at one point in time, and was almost made to quit. That is until he consulted mentor and friend John Newton (Albert Finney), the man who wrote and composed the song, Amazing Grace. Together he and his ragtag team of minister's and one politician, which consisted of actor's Rufus Sewell and Michael Gambon... The task was eventually accomplished. The film moves from start to finish without flaw. I am a history buff, and that may add to this number one spot. There does have to be something said though about Grufudd. His character was a man who changed the world as we know it today. Without him I am sure traces of slavery would still be legally around today. So with that said, Ioan Gruffudd finally made an impact. This time as the real Mr. Fantastic.


So there you have my top 10 of 2007. I have yet to see No Country for Old Men, or Swenney Todd or else I am sure they would be on here. These films have been chosen, not based on popularity, but on overall quality.

I hope you have learned a bit about me, and hope that you will continue to visit this blog in the future. Thank you very much for your support.

* Jesus was a character played by Turturro in The Big Lebowski.

Nolan's Wild Card: Part 2

Many fans of the Batman movies will tell you that Jack played one helluva Joker. I myself and anybody that truly knows the character would disagree (Not to put Nicholson or the film down, both were great. Jack just wasn't a real Joker.). Joker is not funny, that is the funny thing about him. He attempts jokes but they fail, often ending in violence. His Jester personality is also often missing in graphic novel's and is replaced by a mafia mentality.

The Dark Knight follows the story of a Gotham City in shambles. The different crime syndicates have risen to attempt to take over the city after the fall of Falcone. In order to keep peace and balance, the people elect a new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). Dent teams up with Gordon and the Batman to take down a dark alliance that has been formed within the ranks of the criminal underworld, headed by a criminal with a taste for the theatrics... The Joker (Heath Ledger).



The story sounds great, and recently if you have had the chance to see Will Smith's new thriller,"I Am Legend", a trailer for the movie was attached. The footage is great. It would see a lot darker, but focussed more on The Joker than Batman or Wayne himself. I do believe this was done on purpose to prove something to the fan's.



When it was confirmed that Joker would be in the next Bat flick, the internet was filled with theories and casting ideas, ranging from Johnny Depp to Crispin Glover. When Warner Bros. had announced the news of Ledger's next role, an incredible amount of fan's did not rejoice. In fact, they questioned the "Broke Back Mountain" star's ability to fill Jack Nicholson's big shoes.


Shortly after this revelation, a few comments by Ledger were made, stating that Nolan is going for something a little more Darker than the predecessor. When asked about his portrayal of The Joker character, Ledger responded that he had planed to stick closely to source material's and base his character after Alex DeLarge, main character from "A Clockwork Orange".

If nobody has seen this Kubrick classic, I suggest you do so immediately. Alex is a young, menace to society who likes to enjoy his nights by murdering others. It is Dark, witty, and deeply twisted.

From what we have seen so far from the footage, and stills, to what we have been told about the portrayal, I think it is safe to say that the Ledger-Joker will be a villain to remember. Still, people have their doubts. They think that Ledger is Christopher Nolan's Wild Card.


My say on the matter is that we should trust Nolan. The movie looks very tight so far. Dark and bigger, exactly what Nolan has told us he went for. Mix that with the marketing campaign and I think we have a masterpiece. From Nolan's start with Memento, to The Prestige, everything Nolan touches has turned to gold. The man has even turned Robin William's into a villain at one point. Have faith in the man, Begin's was a great movie and helped rejuvenate a franchise. I believe that Dark Knight will only make a legend.

For more Batinfo and the latest in Batman movie news, check out the links to the side and find your way over Batman On Film.

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Nolan's Wild Card: Part 1

Dark Knight is scheduled for a release next summer. It is also hyped up to be #2 on the top 10 list of anticipated films of the year.

Christopher Nolan has been of recent years one of the foremost director's of this era. When most would rather sit in a computer chair and download a movie, Nolan's style of storytelling combined with his non-linear plots have made people pay for a ticket time and time again. I am sure as long as he continues to spit out thrillers such as Memento and The Prestige, I have no doubt his fan base will continue to grow.

With few talented director's (The Cohen Brother's to name a pair) left in the mainstream world, it is inspiring to a true fan of the art that there is someone attempting to reach out and try somethin new with every film he makes. The latest ahievement for the film-maker came to us as a jaw-dropping shock. Nolan planned on shooting some of his 'Bat' sequel in Imax format. This will make Mr. Nolan the first director to ever film a motion-picture in Imax format.

Everything appears to be running very smoothly for the Dark Knight camp. The viral market team has plastered out numerous promotions for the film. If I am not mistaken it may end up being the most important and maybe expensive marketing campaign in film history.

The newest stunt came as a advertisement for special press screenings of a prequel at select Imax theaters. One "Journalist", Perez Hilton filmed the stunt. He had received a package at his home. It was a cake with a phone number on top, when the number was called a phone rang from inside the cake. It would seem that Mr. Hilton got a new phone from the Nolan camp. Along with the phone in a package was yet another phone number to call. The number gave him directions to a theater

In the prequel to the flick, we are introduced to The Joker. I am sure most readers here will know the name either as the Bat's arch-enemy, or from the first Tim Burton movie. In the before mentioned movie, Joker was portrayed as a menacing jester in a fedora by Jack Nicholson.