With The Avengers coming to theaters literally a week from today, how could life get any sweeter? Well, what about if a new Dark Knight Rises trailer was attached to the film?

Yes! This is indeed true! Warner Bros. announced earlier last week that a new trailer for The Dark Knight Rises will be attached to The Avengers, and that is awesome! When I heard this news, my mind exploded and a mushroom cloud of brain goop covered the skies. The cloud then transformed into a likeness of my head and screamed “AWESOME!!!!!” at the top of its non existent lungs. Yes, I am aware I have an over active imagination, you don’t need to tell me. Anyways, In the latest episode of COMICS! I discuss this very topic! Also, Carter and I review some of the latest and greatest coming out from the indie world of comic books! Click the picture to watch the latest episode, and don’t forget to subscribe to Channel23hahaha on Youtube to see the latest episodes of COMICS! Enjoy!

The first official logo for Superman’s latest film is finally here!

This Summer is full of amazingly awesome looking movies. You have The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, Prometheus, Dark Shadows (arguably apparently), the list is endless! However, there is one movie that was planned for this year that got bumped to 2013 sadly. That film is the latest entry in the Superman film franchise: Man of Steel. The worst part is we might not get to see it! Damn Apocalypse! Anyways, we’ve seen set pictures, and an official picture of new Superman, Henry Cavill, sporting the new Superman costume. Now, we have a look at the official logo for Man of Steel! There has been some mixed reaction, common among the internet nerd culture, But if you want to hear my thoughts on the subject just click the picture above! Enjoy!

Why, Michael Bay? Can’t you do anything right? Besides explosions?

Yes, if you haven’t heard, Michael Bay is going to be rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
franchise. Not only that, but he is changed a few things up. One: The Ninja Turtles are aliens. two: They possibly won’t be teenagers. Well, the whole announcement has left fans outraged, and wanting change! We didn’t really discuss it on COMICS! since we lacked an episode for two weeks, but Carter and I decided to talk about it, and get the fans opinions on the whole craziness. Also, Carter give you all a sneak peek into COMICS 2.0! We’ve made a few changes based on the suggestions given by fans, and discussions between Carter and myself. Click on the picture to check out the latest episode of COMICS! ENJOY!

Movie Review by Russell Pinkston

An ex Confederate soldier on the run from the Union Army headed by Colonel Powell (Bryan Cranston) and Indians John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) hides in a cave.  The Colonel pursues him inside.  They encounter a strange man who John is forced to shoot.  John finds a necklace and medallion on the guy and while he is looking at it the dying stranger utters some words.   The words transports the one who is holding the medallion (John) to the planet of Barsoom (Mars to us human folk).  Not only can he breath the planet’s air but since it has lower gravity than earth he able to jump long distances and has unbelievable strength.  He is capture by one of the Martians, Tars Tarkas (voiced by Willem Dafoe) but eventually befriends them.   In the meantime Sab Than (Dominic West) is given a powerful weapon by the Therns in order to destroy all his enemies.  He sets his sites on Helium.   The leader of the Therns (Mark Strong), a sort of Devil on his shoulder character who tells him what he should do.  He suggests a cease fire if the Princess of Hellium (Lynn Collins) will marry him.   John Carter tries to save her and Hellium.

John Carter is based on a series of Edgar Rice Burroughs books. 

Taylor Kitsch is best known for tv’s Friday Night Lights plays the title character.   He has only done a handful of feature films (he was Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine) but stars in 3 this year (Battleship and Savages).   Mark Strong and Bryan Cranston are probably the films most recognizable stars.   Mark Strong was in 3 of my top 10 movies in 2010 (and in 1 of my worst in 2011, Green Lantern).  Bryan Cranston, the Emmy winning star of Breaking Bad seems to be everywhere today (Drive, The Lincoln Lawyer, Contagion, Red Tails).   But Lynn Collins (who was also X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is by far the best looking of all the cast.  I have never wanted to be a necklace so bad before in my life.   John Carter is directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E).   This is Andrew’s first live action film…a trend that seems to be popular now, his Pixar peer, Brad Bird (Mission Impossible: Ghost Prodical) did it last year.  

While this film wasn’t bad it wasn’t the epic I expected by Walt Disney and from the $250 million dollar budget (the same as Avatar).  I wasn’t a fan of the main actor (Taylor Kitsch), I thought he was kind of flat and not that interesting.  Mark Strong was his usual bad guy self.  I hope to see alot more of Lynn Collins in the future (in the movies and in my real life    She played a strong character and was the only character that showed any depth.  I don’t really think John Carter is a movie that has to be seen in theaters, the 3D wasn’t very impressive so I say WAIT FOR DVD or BLU RAY.  

Movie Review by Russell Pinkston

Will Atenton (Daniel Craig) is a book publisher who lives with his wife and kids in the suburbs.  Seems normal enought but strange things begin happening.   He and his wife Libby (Rachel Weisz) sees and chases a peeping tom, he catches goth kids hanging out in his basement.     The cops won’t do anything to help him.    He begins to think that something may have happened in the house with the prior owners.  He searches to uncover the mysteries of his house.   His neighbor, Ann (Naomi Watts) helps him uncover the secrets that have been buried there for over 5 years. 

Daniel Craig (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Casino Royale), Rachel Weisz (Enemy at the Gates, The Mummy) and Naomi Watts (The Ring 1 & 2), King Kong) all have top billing in this “horror” movie.  I didn’t think it was scary at all (both my kids watched it as well).  
I don’t want to give away too much of the movie (like the trailer did) but I liked it alot more than I thought I would.  I liked the story and all the twists and turns in it.  Probably could have been a little more creepy or dark but overall I enjoyed watching it.   I say RENT THIS MOVIE but don’t watch the trailer cause it gives way too much of the movie away.

Movie Review by Russell Pinkston

Eric (Jason Sudeikis) loves throwing parties (usually with some kind of theme) with his friends at his dad’s (Don Johnson) beach house.  But when his dad decides to put the house up for sale Eric and his friends realize the party might soon be over forever.   Together with his best friend, McGrudden (Tyler Labine) they decide to have one last party and instead of being a big blowout they decide to keep this one small.  They discuss themes and somehow come up with the idea of having an orgy.  Hey…why not?!   In the meantime Eric falls for Kelly (Leslie Bibb), one of the real estate agents selling his dad’s house.   This adds some complication to plans of the orgy party. 

Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, Horrible Bosses) heads the cast of relatively unknowns.  Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Zack and Miri Make a Porno) is the real star of this movie.  He steals every scene his is in.   I loved Tyler in the last movie I seen, Tucker & Dale VS Evil.   Leslie Bibb (Iron Man (1&2), Law Abiding Citizen) plays the love interest of Jason’s character Eric.  Will Forte stars as Glenn, one of Eric’s friends who is newly married and therefore not invited to the party.  Lucy Punch (Take Me Home Tonight, Bad Teacher) plays as Glenn’s wife.

This movie basically went direct to dvd.  With a title that includes Orgy…I can understand why.  But it’s not really a bad movie.  It has alot of laughs and a pretty decent cast of actors and actress.  I enjoyed Horrible Bosses and Tucker & Dale VS Evil alot more but I enjoyed this movie for what it was…a good old fashioned adult comedy that’s worth at least a look.  I say RENT THIS MOVIE.

Isn’t it funny that the first comic I review is from Marvel and not DC? or is it just me?

Anyways, today I received an amazing new comic in the mail. The comic in question is called Astonishing X-Men. Astonishing X-Men is one of many titles from Marvel that follow the mutant team. The series started in 2004 with the story arc called “Gifted” written by Joss Whedon with art by John Cassaday, which I am reviewing right now! Gifted, which is what the third X-Men film is loosely based on upon, tells the story of this geneticist who has just found the cure for mutation. When the X-Men find out about this they don’t see it as a blessing. Well…most of them don’t. Eventually, on the quest to stop the cure, The X-Men uncover the truth behind this cure and its true purpose.

I can’t begin to describe how in love I am with this series so far. The art is fantastically detailed, and the writing is what you’d expect from Whedon: pure brilliance. Recently, I’ve finally been discovering Joss Whedon’s work because I was curious who he was and why everyone is in love with his work. Also, he is the writer/director of the new Avengers movie coming out in a few months. So, that was the spark that started the flame essentially. Nowadays, I am a huge Whedon fan! I’m currently in the process of watching Dollhouse!

Anyways, when I heard Whedon had written an entire X-Men series, I knew I had to acquire it. Whedon’s writing of the series is, as I’ve stated, pure brilliance. His dialog is hilarious, clever, and dramatic all at the same time. He seems to have a great handle on the characters. I also loved that the team in the book is smaller then normal. there is only 6 members of the X-Men present. With the small number of characters used, Whedon gets the chance to have each one shine brightly. My favorite character in the book is Beast. He has always been a favorite X-Men of mine, behind Nightcrawler, and Whedon writes him so wonderfully.

I also love the way Whedon writes the story. Its basically an engaging summer blockbuster. However, the most interesting thing I found in the book wasn’t the story, but a single character. The character is an original creation called the Ord. Why did I find him interesting, you ask? Well, As you know, one of the biggest mysteries about Whedon’s Avengers movie is whom the alien race is that’s working with Loki. Many have guessed either Skrull or Kree, but both have been denied by Whedon. Nowadays, Its rumored that the aliens in the film are called the Ord. So, my question is: Are the two one in the same, or just a really really really strange coincidence? I guess we won’t find out until May 4th with the film hits theaters.

Anyways, the artwork, by John Cassaday, Is just amazing. Its highly detailed, beautifully drawn, and the characters truly seem to come to life. At times, I found Cassaday’s work similar to Brian Bolland from The Killing Joke. My favorite piece is a two page splash featuring Wolverine being thrown towards the sky. Overall, I’m already loving this book based on the first arc, and its getting me excited for Whedon’s Avengers flick. The best part of it all? There is more from Whedon and Cassaday for me to read! YAY!

10/10

Note: The Troy Duffy interview is about 45 minutes in. Just after Dans breakdown about crappy radio.

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

Two friends, Costa (Oliver Cooper) and J.D. (Jonathan Daniel Brown) decide they must throw a birthday party for their friend Thomas’ (Thomas Mann) 17th birthday. Dax (Dax Flame) is recruited to film the group and party. Costa decides to invite the entire school to the party at Thomas’ house while his parents are out of town. They pick up some weed from a ex-vet drug dealer, T-Rick (Rick Shapiro). He the process they borrow the drug dealer’s garden gnome (one of the coolest gnomes I have ever seen…and wouldn’t mind displaying in my front yard).

They take the weed and gnome back to Thomas’ house and wait for the party guests to arrive. It looks as if nobody will show up but then they do…and the party quickly gets out of control.

This movie is filmed in the “found footage” style. I am not a huge fan of this style. They tend to be poorly written, directed and acted. But this movie is one of the few exceptions(Chronicle Paranomal Activity 3). The writing is really good and really funny. Project X is directed by Nima Nourizadeh and is produced by Todd Phillips (Old School). The cast is relatively unknown (for now). Kirby Bliss Blanton (cute) plays Thomas’ childhood friend who also attends the party. Alexis Knapp (sexy) provides some of the eye candy (and there is plenty) as one of his sexy classmates. Nick Nervies and Brady Hender provide party security (and some major laughs).

Up to last week I didn’t have any idea what Project X was about. I thought it was a remake of the 1987 Matthew Broderick film. It wasn’t…it was surprisingly more awesome than I could even have expected. Project X is such a wild and crazy film. It’s fun, intoxicating and addicting (I have seen it twice already). It is so much fun and absolutely hilarious. I laughed so hard I actually cried. The X in Project X stands for eXcellent! Every year I see one or two movies that stay with me (and at the top of my favorite list) all year long….this is one of those movies. I have told every human person I know about this movie and recommend it for highly. It’s not for everyone but if you’re not offended by sex, drugs, rock music, midgets, garden gnomes then this movie is for you. I say SEE THIS MOVIE….and ladies…wear something TIGHT!

Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) is a 12 year boy living with his father in Paris during the early 1930′s. His father, a clockmaker (Jude Law) finds an automaton (a chrome metal robot) in a museum and together they begin to fix it. But his father dies in a fire and Hugo is forced to live with his alcoholic uncle (Ray Winstone) at the Paris train station where his uncle keeps the train station clocks wound and in working order. He teaches Hugo to do the job and then abandons him. Hugo continues with the upkeep of the clocks and lives alone in the train station. He steals food to survive and steals parts to repair the automaton. He believes if he can fix it…it might deliver a message from his dead father. He must keep away from the officer (Sacha Baron Cohen) who patrols the train station.
Hugo gets caught stealing parts from a toy shop owner and has his notebook with information on how to repair the automaton. He meets the toy shop owner’s goddaughter, Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz). He introduces Isabelle to movies, she has never seen one before. Hugo use to go the the theater to see movies with his father. Hugo especially likes the movies of Georges Méliès. Together Isabelle and Hugo try to solve the mystery of the automaton.
Hugo is based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Asa Butterfield (The Boy With the Stripe Pyjamas, Nanny McPhee Returns) is really good as the lead character Hugo. I always like seeing Chloë Grace Moretz in movies….especially in her breakout role as Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass. I am not a big fan of Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Lucky # Slevin). He was ok. It’s nice to see Sacha Baron Cohen in a non-idiot role (Borat, The Dictator). When he is serious like Sweeney Todd, he’s not bad. Sometimes he’s just too over the top with his characters (2012 Oscars).
This is a solid movie, it’s well written and it was directed by Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Goodfellas). It probably would have looked good in 3D but this is not the kind of movie that I like to see. I say RENT IT but it’s one of those movies that I will probably will only watch once.

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

JedI Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) escort Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) while she deals with a trade dispute and a rebellion against her.  Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker is just a boy and a slave.   Qui-Gon Jinn takes young Anakin under his wing as he feels Anakin is destined for greatness.  In the meantime Darth Sidious sends his apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park) to hunt down the Queen and the Jedi’s.

The movie is loaded with top notched actors and actresses,  unlike the cast of the original trilogy which was filled with relatively unknowns.  Liam Neeson (Taken, The A-Team), Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, The Island)  , Natalie Portman (The Professional, V For Vendetta), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, The Avengers) and even Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl, King Arthur) all star.

It has been along time (ago) since I seen this movie.  Like so many other die hard Star Wars fans I rushed to the theater to see the first in George Lucas’s new trilogy!  I was so excited to see this movie but sometimes with great anticipation comes big disappointment.  It wasn’t bad it’s just I expected so much more.   Episode 2 and 3, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith were much better and I am looking forward to seeing them again.   I don’t know what I expected with this 3D rerelease….did I expect Jar Jar Binks to be less annoying in 3D?  I for one liked Jar Jar as well as Darth Maul….he’s just an evil bad ass dude!

It was nice to see it again but more than likely it will be another 10 years until I see it again.  I do own a pre-owned copy of the dvd (despite the multiple owers…it’s still like new).   And I will be sitting in the theater for each other the other 5 Episodes, I am  most excited to see The Empire Strikes Back (one of my top 10 all time favorite movies) and Return of the Jedi (Slave Leia in a metal bikini).  I say SKIP THIS MOVIE.  I expected alot more from George Lucas and from the 3D which I thought was unimpressive.

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

A CIA agent (Roselyn Sánchez) is taken hostage, tortured and held captive.   The United States sends in an elite group of men, Navy SEALs ) to rescue her.   Alot of terrorists are shot in the head.

This movie stars actual active duty Navy SEALs (their names are being withheld for their safety), it was after all Navy SEALs that kill Osama Bin Laden.   Real actors Roselyn Sánchez (Rush Hour 2, Underclassmen) and Nestor Serrano (Hangin’ with the Homeboys, Bad Boys) costar.

I like the idea in principle but I think where it fails is in the writing.   The action with the SEALs is authenic looking as well as the dialog and the procedures.   The action is good but the dialog and the set up to the action are not the most exciting.   They needed to “Hollywood up”  the dialog.  They also fall to give debt to the characters…which is probably due to them not wanting to give too much information about the soldiers.

The trailer shows most of the story and there are long periods of uninteresting talking and stuff in between the beginning and ending action sequences.   It also seems more like propaganda for the military (who oviously gave the movie makers access to their personel and equipment).   Having actual active Navy SEALs was a nice gimic if it would of been put together better.  I wanted to like this movie because of the soldiers (I have a friend, Mike, who has served in the Army since his graduation in 1990) and because I too am a American.    But in the end Act of Valor seems more preachy than patriotic.    I say WAIT FOR DVD.

available now at Amazon.

David Spaner Critic/Author

Movie Review by Russell Pinkston

Kumar (Kal Penn) is still getting stoned and shucking responsibility.   His friend Harold (John Cho) has moved on, gotten married and became a successful businessman.  Since he has gotten married he doesn’t smoke weed and hasn’t seen or hung out with his friend Kumar in a couple of years.   A mysterious gift is delivered to Kumar’s apartment for Harold and Kumar decides to deliver it to his long lost friend. 

The present for Harold turns out to be a huge joint (natually).  Harold don’t smoke anymore so Kumar takes it and lights it up.   Harold sees him smoking it in his house and he throws the lit joint out of the window….but magically it flys in the other window and lands in Harold’s Christmas tree.   But this isn’t any ordinary tree, his father-in-law (Danny Trejo) grew this tree himself for many years and hopes to have the perfect Christmas.  So when the tree goes up in smoke, the two fight and go their separate ways.  They are reunited again as they search all over town for another tree.   Adventure, danger and Neil Patrick Harris await them. 

Kal Penn (National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Superman Returns) who quit his job on the popular tv show House (they killed off his character…or his character killed himself off) to join the Obama  administration.  He decided to take a break from the White House to return to acting and film this movie (why?). 

John Cho (American Pie, Star Trek) does alot of tv shows but is probably best known for the Kumar character. 

Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, M.D., The Smurfs)returns as himself…which is a bit of a mystery since he supposely died in the second film.   He does redemn himself slightly from the horrible movie, The Smurfs and probably has most of the best lines and scenes in this movie.

Danny Trejo (Con Air, Spy Kids) known for his tattoos and bad attitude in many supporting roles until his lead role in the film Machete is a plus to this cast. 

I seen this movie on dvd so I didn’t get to see the 3D version…I am sure it made it a better viewing experience than the one I had to endure.

I am not really a fan of the stoner movies genre (Half Baked, Pineapple Express) even though I grew up with Cheech and Chong and a certain close family member.  The Stoned Age is a rare exception.  I love that movie. 

Overall this movie does nothing for me.   I didn’t find it funny or even to entertaining.   If you are a fan of the other Harold and Kumar films you might like this one…I think part 2 ( Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay) was better.   I say SKIP THIS MOVIE.

From the Oscar nominated A Morning Stroll

If you haven’t had an opportunity to see these 2012 Oscar nominated short films and you’re placing last- minute bets, here are personal picks courtesy of Brennan Foster:

BEST SHORT ANIMATION

A MORNING STROLL. Winner of the BAFTA, this nominee depicts a chicken walking down a city sidewalk — over a hundred-year time span. Its animation style ranges from line-drawn silent film to post-apocalyptic 3-D landscape.

Of all the nominees, A MORNING STROLL entertains. It does so while riffing on Looney Tunes, smartphone apps, chickens and zombies with great invention and impeccable comic timing.

Another favorite: SUNDAY, a droll look at a Canadian family’s narrow worship rituals — traveling to church and gathering for dinner; only their child notices the many animals blithely getting killed as the day passes in the dying industrial town.

Presumed Oscar Favorites: Pixar’s LA LUNA and former Pixar animator William Joyce’s THE FANTASTIC FLYING BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE showcase gorgeous visuals that can’t overcome maudlin sentiment.

The latter gets a prize for Tweepiest animated short (‘twee’ and ‘creepy’.) Look, Mr. Lessmore: if a bunch of flying books are going to lure you to a magical house and adamantly insist (like a cat lady’s clowder rubbing against her legs for food) that you read them repeatedly for decades until you die… That’s horrifying.

BEST LIVE ACTION

THE SHORE. This Northern Irish production, starring Ciaran Hinds, wins top honors for its gorgeous setting and understated style.

Decades after fleeing the Troubles, a man returns to Belfast with his grown daughter and pays a visit to his old best friend and former fiancee, who married each other after he emigrated.

Gracefully directed by two-time Academy Award nominee,Terry George, the film shrugs off melodrama and enjoys the company and maturity of its characters, allowing them to have a good laugh or two at themselves.

It’s a wiser film for approaching major topics with small gestures. Another favorite: TUBA ATLANTIC. A complete antithesis to THE SHORE, this Norwegian short is about the last days of a cranky old man being watched over by a willowy teenaged Angel of Death.

The film gleefully depicts numerous seagull deaths and features a gigantic tuba built to sound across the ocean. TUBA ATLANTIC may bite off too much, but it chews with absurd gusto, like Popeye swallowing a can of spinach.

Finally, my late, Academy Award-related contribution to this week’s Top Ten List:

“What movie do you think should have been made naked?”

CHARIOTS OF FIRE! It adds a new fold to the religious context. Plus, the races would be much more entertaining.

Enjoy your evening!

Oh, Darth Maul. Poor guy couldn’t even make it past one movie while Jar Jar got to be in three. However, even though his time with us was brief, Maul has over time become considered one of the coolest characters in the Star Wars universe. This makes it all the more tragic that he had to meet his end so soon. But fear not! For finally, after over a decade, Darth Maul will be making his triumphant return…kind of. You see, he won’t be the same Darth Maul we’ve seen before, but rather an animated version of the Sith apprentice in an upcoming arc on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. While it may not be as cool as seeing him in a new Star Wars movie (when are we getting one of those by the way?), this trailer showcasing his return actually looks really sweet. It will certainly make fans happy, even though no real explanation has yet been given as to how exactly he is still alive after his…you know…being cut in half and falling down a giant pit and all. Oh well, whatever harm has been done in the way of story continuity will surely be more than made up for with the exciting return of one of the most loved villains in the whole franchise. Click on the picture above to see the trailer and prepare to have your mind blown!

So it is finally President’s Day, and what better way to celebrate then with vampire hunting?

In case you didn’t see, there is a new movie coming out called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Its based on a book that tells the secret life of Abraham Lincoln. Apparently, when Ol’ Honest Abe wasn’t running the country he was hunting down those damned creatures of the night. Normally on COMICS! we don’t talk about movies that aren’t based on comic books, but i couldn’t help it! Plus, the trailer looks like the story is based on a comic, don’t it? Click on the picture to checkout the latest episode of COMICS! where we review the newest Trailer, and some new books from DC and Marvel! Enjoy!

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is back….this time in Europe where he has gone to get away from his alter ego, Ghost Rider.  But luckily it also happens to be the right place where he is needed to save the world from evil…again.   A secret church sect headed by Methodius (Christopher Lambert) has enlisted his help to save the life of a boy who the devil this time in the form of another human, Roarke (Ciarán Hinds) is looking for.   He is searching for his son so he may have another younger body he can transfer into.  Moreau (Idris Elba) teams up with the Ghost Rider and the boy’s mother (Violante Placido) to save him and all of us from hell on earth. 

Nicolas Cage (National Treasure, Kick-Ass) returns as the lead character Ghost Rider in this sequel to the 2007 film.  He also plays a simular character who running from the devil/escaping from hell in last year’s Drive Angry.   Idris Elba (Takers, Thor) stars as the Ghost Rider’s motorcycle riding sidekick.   Christopher Lambert (Highlander, The Hunted) was added to the cast…maybe because they weren’t able to get Peter Fonda back for this movie.  

This is a paycheck film.  There is absolutely no other reason that any of the actors did this movie…it definitely wasn’t for the exceptional writing.  This is one of the worst movies I have seen in the theater in a long time.   I had to fight the urge to get up and walk out.  It’s that bad.   The directing wasn’t much better than the writing.   There are actually two directors to blame, Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor team up again.   They both teamed up for Crank and it’s sequel Crank: High Voltage as well as Gamer (with Movie Mob’s Brit Twins).  They love the slow mo, fast forward style of film using loud abnoxious music to make up for their lack of writing.  It worked for the Crank films…it doesn’t here.  It’s annoying as…well you know.  This movie does not need to be seen EVER and definitely not in the theater and in 3D (3X the dimesion of crappiness) I say Skip This Movie!    Save your soul and save you brain cells!

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

CIA agents and best friends FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) find out they are both dating the same woman, Lauren Scott (Reese Witherspoon).  At first they decide they will let the other have the girl but then both compete for her affections.  They employ all the tools of the CIA to track and monitor the other’s progress and to twart each other.

Chris Pine (Star Trek, Unstoppable) and Tom Hardy (Warrior, The Dark Knight Rises) are both suave and funny as competing CIA agents.   Reese Witherspoon (Just Like Heaven, Walk the Line) plays the love interest of both men.  She has done this type of character before and proves she is pretty good at carrying a romantic comedy.    Chelsea Handler (E’s Chelsea Lately) stars as Lauren’s best friend and steals every scene she is in.   She is hilarious.  It’s directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol, better known as McG (Charlie’s Angels, We Are Marshall, Terminator: Salvation and tv’s Chuck pilot).

If you have seen the trailer, you won’t really be surprised by the movie.   I think the trailer shows way too much of the story but even despite that fact I really enjoyed this movie (especially because of Chelsea Handler).   It has action, comedy and romance (what every growing boy needs).   And it’s not your typical Valentine’s Day movie.  It’s actually a valentine movie that most guys probably wouldn’t mind being dragged to, unlike The Vow where guys by the end of the movie are gonna be wishing they were dead.  I say See This Movie!  It’s a fun and funny good time for both sexes.

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

A group of college students decide to go on a camping trip in the middle of  the West Viginia woods.   While at a gas station they run into a couple of  locals, Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine).   Tucker and Dale are as backwoods and hillbilly as can be and the college kids are frighten off by them.  After all they have seen alot of movies about these types of people who live way out in the woods.  They once again run into the rednecks while camping, where one of the girls, Allison (Katrina Bowden) is abducted by them.   The college kids lead by Chad (Jesse Moss) decide they are not gonna be the victims they have seen in the movies.  They decide they are gonna fight back and rescue their friend Allison.  One by one the body count starts to add up as well as the laughs.  I don’t want to tell you too much about the movie…it’s one of those movies that you have to see (and enjoyed) by yourself.

Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Zack and Miri Make a Porno) and Alan Tudyk (Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) are great in this not so typical horror movie.  They are so totally believeable as the backwoods buddies.  Katrina Bowden (Sex Drive, Piranha 3DD) is both sexy and likable as the captured college girl.  This cast for the most part for me are unknown.   But everyone in it are great.   The movie is directed perfectly by Eli Craig.  He had me fooled at first that this was gonna be just another crappy horror movie. 

I am not a huge fan of the horror genre but this is not your typical Wrong Turn type horror movie.   Unlike most horror movies it’s cleverly written and well acted.  I really like and recommend this movie.  I was laughing out loud and loving almost every minute.  It’s one of my most enjoyable movie experiences of 2012 so far.  I say Rent It NOW!  

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is a lawyer sent to collect all the papers and documents of a lady who died.  Sounds simple….but the house is way out on an island, in a marsh (the road is covered by the water each evening and is haunted by an evil woman in a black dress).  Arthur discovers strange behavior and suicides of children in the small town nearest to the house especially after someone visits the house.  But he has a child to take care of (his wife and the mother of his child died during childbirth) so he has no choice.   He starts to uncover a mystery that has been buried for years and starts to see strange things while at the house.  He has to solve the mystery fast and get out before he himself is killed by the woman in black.

Daniel Radcliffe stars in only his 3rd non-Harry Potter film (The Tailor of Panama, December Boys) and his first real lead role where he didn’t play a child wizard.  He did pretty good although a couple of times (him on the train) I did think of the  Hogwarts Express train and expected the dementors would appear at any moment.  It’s gonna take a few movies for him to overcome that typecasting but I am rooting for him and I think with the success of this film we will be seeing alot more of Daniel Radcliffe in the future.   

 The film was better than I thought it would be.   It was a pretty decent PG-13 horror film (would of been better as an R rated film…but wouldn’t they all).   This isn’t a movie that has to be seen on the big screen (it didn’t have alot of action and thankfully wasn’t in 3D) so I say Wait to Rent It.   But when you do, watch it with the lights out with someone who scares easy and you will definitely get some enjoyment out of it

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

Ex CIA and wanted international criminal Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) walks into the U.S. Embassy in Cape Town, South Africa.  He is quickly moved to a “safe house”  to be  interrogated.   CIA agent Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is the housesitter and hasn’t seen much action on this detail.  He hopes to move up and get a better assignment in the agency.  The safe house is breached by the men who were trying to kill Frost in order to retrive information he has that they don’t want to be seen.

Denzel Washington once again plays a bad guy…a role he is actually pretty good at playing.   He won an Best Actor Oscar for his bad guy performance in 2001′s Training Day.   Ryan Reynolds redeems himself somewhat from his last two movies (The Change-Up, Green Lantern).  Both Washington and Reynolds have good chemisty together on screen and pretty good writing.   Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air, Source Code),  Rubén Blades (Predator 2), Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgement Day) and Sam Shepard (The Right Stuff) co-star. 

The movie does get a bit muddled in the middle and it’s definitely not as good as Training Day  (if you haven’t seen it…rent it now) but the directing (Daniel Espinosa) was decent and the acting was pretty good.   It’s not a movie you have to run out and seen in theaters so I say Wait and Rent It.

HOLY CRAP! THE WALKING DEAD IS BACK ON TELEVISION! AHHHHHH!

Yes! The hit AMC show is back after a long and painful hiatus. Last time this happened to me was with Doctor Who series six. Both shows had mid-season finales that featured cliffhangers that almost killed me! I won’t say what those were because i don’t want to be a spoiler! Anyways, want to know what i thought of the season premiere of part 2? Click on the picture to find out! ALSO! Don’t forget to check out a brand new episode of COMICS! on Channel23hahaha every weekend!

PS Happy Birthday Dan! Hope its a great one!

- The chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone seems to be pretty perfect. Apparently it’s real too, as they’re dating in real life.

- I am definitely coming around to the new suit. Did not like what I saw in all of those leaked set pictures, but the final on-screen version looks much more polished and slick.

- Andrew certainly looks more like Peter Parker than Tobey did. However, Tobey was the definitive live-action Spider-Man for me, so it’ll be hard to make the adjustment.

- Spidey seems to be more of a prankster in this one than he did in the original trilogy. Love all of the wisecracks, too. Much more like the comic book Spidey.

- What the heck is all of this stuff with Peter’s parents? I do not approve. This is not Batman’s origin story, it’s Spider-Man’s! Ah well, it’s just a trailer – not very fair of me to judge this storyline just yet. Let’s just say I’m skeptical.

- Aunt May needs to be OLDER!

- Yay for Oscorp!

- Love Rhys Ifans as Curt Connors. Do not love the design of the Lizard as much. I much prefer the more cartoony-looking comic version. Granted, that might have been hard to translate well on film, but they cold have at least given him more of a snout and not just made him out to be a human being with scales.

- Definitely like how smart they appear to be making Peter out to be. In the comics, he is actually a former science teacher and inventor of all his own gadgets!

- That beings said about the gadgets…boo web-shooters!

- “I gotta stop him…I created him.” Ugh. Let’s hope the whole movie isn’t filled with cheesy superhero lines like this one.

- Dennis Leary looks like a good guy-you-love-to-hate type of character. He seems to be to Spider-Man what General Ross is to the Hulk.

- Jeez, Peter seems to really not care for this whole secret identity thing. I feel like we seem him doing more tricks without the mask than with it.

- Closing action shot is really cool. Looks like more of a big-budget spectacle than the other Spidey movies.

Overall, the second Amazing Spider-Man trailer was far better than the first and generally got be more excited about the movie than I was before. Still not too happy about no J.K. Simmons as JJJ (and apparently no JJJ at all) and having Gwen Stacy instead of Mary Jane Watson (Emma Stone looked more like Mary Jane in the first place) but I have high hopes for this movie. July can’t get here soon enough!

I seen a few movies this week (thanks to Redbox and my local library)..

First up….the bad.

Shark Night (not in 3D):  I was kind of excited to see this movie every since I won an autographed movie poster on Twitter.  I kindof like Piranha 3D (especially the T&A) so I thought…this can’t be that bad.   Yeah right.   First off…the movie was PG-13 (so no T&A and no gore).   Second and most importantly it was poorly written and acted.  I wanted to like it but the whole time I felt like I was watching a really back Sy Fy Channel movie.   And what the BEEP was that Shark Bite music video at the end of the credits.  I am glad the cast and crew had fun making the movie but I wanted to have fun watching it….and I didn’t.  I say SKIP THIS MOVIE

The Smurfs (again not in 3D):  I loved the Smurfs as a kid and collected many of the figures (some I still have today) but seriously What a SMURFING piece of SMURFING SMURF this movie was!  The live action actors were bad especally Hank Azaria who played Garamole.  Wow…I can’t put into words how bad his acting and the writing for his character was.  This movie makes me seriously reconsider how bad I thought Alvin and the Chipmonks: Chipwrecked was…cause compared to The Smurfs…Alvin is a masterpiece (of what…you can probably imagine).   I say SKIP THIS MOVIE

Rubber:  My daughter and I seen the previews of this movie along time ago.  And Dan of The Director’s Cut Radio Show ranked it in his Top 10 Movies of 2011.  So my daugher was excited to see it.  I was somewhat interested in the concept of a tire that killed people.    I mean it’s a tire…and it rolls around blowing things up including people’s heads.   Cool idea.   But instantly it lost us when it opens up with people watching the tire from a distant in the desert and with the thought…is it real or is it a movie….is it more than a movie….yeah…it’s big pile of rubber crap.   I say SKIP THIS MOVIE

and now The Good:

50/50:   Seth Rogen once again brings humor to a film about someone who is dying (Funny People).  This one stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a guy who discovers he has cancer.  His girlfriend bails and he is left with his friend (Rogen) and his therapist (Anna Kendrick).  This movie allows you take a funny look at a not so funny situation.   I like it.  It was a good story and well acted.   I also liked the special features on the making of the movie.   I say SEE THIS MOVIE

Chronicle:   3 high school kids find a mysterious hole in the woods, they go in and make a discovery not of this world….and contact with changes their lives.  They develop telekinetic powers and start off messing with people but one boy takes it too far and decides to use his power for evil and not just for fun.   I like the idea of this movie.  I am not a huge fan of the ”found footage” type of filmmaking but it works with this story and the director uses more cameras than just the ones the two characters use in the movie.  I say SEE THIS MOVIE

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

The Vow is about Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum), a young newlywed couple madly in love who are involved in an automobile accident.   Leo is not hurt but Paige is thrown through the windshield and suffers memory loss….basically the loss of all memories of being married, in love and nice.   She turns her back on her husband and friends and turns to her parents (Sam Neill and Jessica Lange) who she had not talk to for a very long time (and for good reasons).   Leo is undeterred by her newfound disinterest and anger toward him and sets out to make his wife fall back in love with him.    

The Vow  is yet another romantic drama trying to sucker the American female movie going public.   Husbands and boyfriends who are dragged to this movie are truely the ones who will really suffer.  Despite starring two past successful romantic drama leads (Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams) this is not the sappy, make you tear up, love story you might expect.  It’s a water down version and really quite boring and sad.   This movie is loosely based on the true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter.  In real life they are happily married with kids despite the fact she has never regained her memory.  In the movie world this movie is poorly written.  The actors read their lines but you don’t feel for them.   They are just playing a role and collecting a paycheck.

Jessica Lange who has recently won awards for her role in FX’s American Horror Story (and will be returning for season 2) just looked old and tired….which is how I felt after sitting through this movie.   Rob Roy, Blue Sky and Everybody’s All-American are far better movies of hers.  

Rachel McAdams is known for her romantic movies especially The Notebook and The Time Traveler’s Wife but I actually like her more in Red Eye, The Family Stone and the Sherlock Holmes movies.

Channing Tatum has been in a couple of decent romantic dramas, Dear John and Step Up.  He was great in The Dilemma.   Earlier this year he co-starred in Haywire and later this year will be starring in 21 Jump Street and GI Joe: Retaliation (with The Rock and Bruce Willis).  

Overall this movie didn’t tug at my heartstrings but instead I fought the urge to sleep.   I say Skip this movie and see their earlier and much better movies again instead.

Movie review by Russell Pinkston

Journey 2 wastes no time getting to the “action”. Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) is being pursued by police after he broke into a satellite facility to gain access to a message sent by his grandfather (Michael Caine). He is caught but release into the custody of his step-father Hank (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). They don’t get along at first but then they team up to solve the cryptic message. They head out on a step-father/son bonding trip to Palau where they meet a tour guide, Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) and they travel via helicopter to where they believe The Mysterious Island to be. A freak storm crashes their helicopter and magically transport them to the island where danger and adventure awaits them.  The film is loosely based on the novel by Jules Verne.  It tries to also include elements from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Islan and Johnathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
Josh Hutcherson is the sole holdover from 2008′s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Brendan Fraser is replaced in this movie by Dwayne Johnson. Last year The Rock brought new life to the Fast and the Furious franchise when he was added to the Fast Five cast. His addition help that film make over $600 million dollars and a place in my Top 10 Films I Seen in 2011. I like almost everything he has been in but he brought nothing to this film. I don’t fault him….the writing was just really bad. I still look forward to what The Rock can bring to GI Joe: Retaliation…the sequel to a movie I didn’t really like.
Josh Hutcherson is ok….I like him in many of his earlier movies (Zathura, Bridge to Terabithia, Journey to the Center of the Earth and Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant) and I really look forward to him playing Peeta Mellark in next month’s The Hunger Games! But he just wasn’t a very interesting character. In fact most of the character’s were shallow and uninteresting (Kristin Davis).
Vanessa Hudgens provided the eye candy….and believe me, seeing her breasts and ass in 3D was definitely a highlight of the movie , she just doesn’t do much else.
Michael Caine plays Sean’s grandfather and tries to be the worldly adventure traveler but basically comes across as an escape nursing home patient. I felt bad for him that his career had come down to movies like this. I grew up watching his movies (Dressed to Kill, The Island, Victory, Deathtrap and Blame it on Rio) and I loved him in The Cider House Rules (although I still feel Haley Joel Osment should have won that Best Supporting Actor Oscar) Mr. Destiny and Harry Brown but recently including last year’s disappointing Cars 2, his roles haven’t been that good.
The sole highlight and comic relief was from Luis Guzman. If it wasn’t for him I would have hated this movie alot. He stole every scene he was in (that Vanessa’s T&A wasn’t in).
Overall I say say Skip This Movie. It’s nothing special and definitely not worth your $’s seeing it in 3D at the theaters.

Did you all watch the Super Bowl Sunday night? Is that a stupid question? PROBABLY!

Anyways, for most people the game ended with the Giants defeating the Patriots. For me? It ended with the premiere of the much anticipated Avengers Super Bowl commercial. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was! What was even cooler, and I’ve done this for the previous Avengers trailer, was spotting all the shots that were film in Cleveland. I live in NE Ohio, and visited the set myself. That was an experience I’ll never forget! Anywho, here is Carter and I’s review of the commercial in question! Click on the picture to watch the video!

PS If you didn’t see it, Marvel released an extended 60 second version that’s EVEN COOLER!!!

Hello everyone!! My name is Richard Purnell, and I’m the co-host of an awesome show on Youtube called COMICS! If you want to see the work I do with my friend and co-host Carter, be sure to visit www.youtube.com/channel23hahaha. ANYWAYS! Recently, DC Comics announced that they are making 7 comic book mini-series that will act as prequels to the famed graphic novel Watchmen. The series in question is going to be called Before Watchmen. Right when I heard about this, I was pissed off! Why DC? Why would you make a prequel to one of the greatest comics ever written? Are you trying to pull a Phantom Menace? These, and many more, questions were the first to surface in my head.

Little did I know that my anger would turn into excitement in a matter of minutes. Shocking, right? What won me over in the end was the creative teams DC picked to work on these books. Admittedly, I am a bit skeptical still, and I still don’t see the need for a Watchmen prequel. However, I do think it will do well quality wise, but we won’t know that until the books release this summer. In the meantime, this announcement has gotten me thinking all about Superhero teams. There are so many amazing superhero teams in the world. Some more unique then others, and some that are just plain badass. So, inspired by Before Watchmen, I figured I’d make a list of my top 5 favorite superhero teams:

5) The Green Lantern Corp.

Known Members: Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Kilowog, Tomer-Re, John Stewert, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, Etc.

Most of you probably know The Green Lantern as a single superhero character, but the truth is there are lots of Green Lanterns. Each member makes up the Green Lantern Corp. A group of intergalactic police officers, The Green Lantern Corp’s main goal is to protect each and every sector of the universe. You think this is nerdy? Wait until you see whom else made this list!

4) Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers of Victory

Known Members: Zatana, The Shining Knight, Frankenstein, The Manhattan Guardian, The Bulletier, Mister Miracle, Klarion The Witch Boy.

This is probably the most unique Superhero team on this list. Its hard to explain in a short paragraph, but basically This superhero team consists of members who all fight the same enemy, but never meet/know each other in the process. Its very interesting how it all works in the comic, and worth your time should you ever see the book when your out shopping!

3) The Avengers

Known Members: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Etc.

Consisting of the greatest Marvel comics characters around, The Avengers is one of the greatest superhero teams ever assembled. How could I make one of these lists without adding on The Avengers? I’m totally excited for Joss Whedon’s movie!!!

2) The Justice League

Known Members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, Etc.

The Avengers might have have the best Marvel characters as members, but The Justice League members consist of the best characters EVER! I know, that kind of statement will easily start the DC vs Marvel debate, but this is my opinion so deal with it! If you haven’t yet, each of you should start reading the new JL book from DC Comics RIGHT NOW! you won’t be disappointed.

1) The Umbrella Academy

Known Members: Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Seance, #5, The Horror, The White Violin.

What? You’ve never heard of the Umbrella Academy? Well, your missing out! The Umbrella Academy has got to be my all time favorite Superhero team, and This team doesn’t live in either the Marvel or DC Universes. This team is brought to us by the always amazing comic company, Dark Horse Comics. I don’t want to tell you much more about this team. So, I’ll Just say go read the books and experience the magic for yourselves!

Well, Thats my list of the top 5 best Superhero teams around! In the comment section below, tell what your favorite Superhero team is! When you get the chance, Please go visit my youtube channel, Channel23hahaha, and don’t forget to subscribe!

I WILL EAT YOUR FACE LIAM!

“The Grey” is a survival drama starring Liam Neeson. As roughnecks are on their way home after an extended work shift their airplane loses control and crashes. Surviving the crash was only half the problem as giant grey wolves want to have them for lunch. Do the remaining survivors make it back home? Or is this highly predictable plot and over use of pretentious imagery force us to no-longer care? Well find out on this episode of “The Directors Cut!”

This week on The Directors Cut Radio Show we broadcast LIVE from KIVA 1550 AM studios for the very first time. But since it’s our first week on KIVA 1550 AM we have decided to bring back some old games. We also review Underworld: Awakening and Red Tails. Our top ten list this week is top ten feuds. Plus we play Coming Up or Made it Up.
In Underworld: Awakening, when the human race has gotten wise about the existence of Vampires and Lycans they have decided to eradicate the non humans. Since this is part 4 of the Underworld series, fans know what to expect. Kate Beckinsale in very tight clothing. Which is a total score!

This week The Directors Cut reviews Young Adult, and count down the Top Ten Movies about Babysitters.  Young Adult is the new movie written by Diablo Cody, an attempt to win another Academy Award since her debut with Juno. Young Adult stars Charlize Theron who plays a writer for young adult novels, and shortly after her divorce she finds out her high school boyfriend just had a baby. This jealousy of her new ex-boyfriends new baby, motivates her to go back to her high school town in hopes to win him back. Fortunately for Diablo Cody she had either the worst high school experience, or the best, since she understands the high school dynamic better than anyone else. Also, she really needs to get over her past, if it was as bad as I guess it was. Our top ten list was inspired by the new Jonah Hill movie called “The Sitter.” And no, he’s no Elizabeth Shue.

So the Academy Awards are approaching near and so are the Critics Choice Awards. As some of you know, I (Dan) actually vote for the Critics Choice Awards, and that means studios are begging for my attention.  This is the time of year I get inundated with screeners. This week we take a peek at “Shame” the story of Michael Fassbender with a sexual addiction. Carey Mulligan also is in this film as his twisted sister looking for a place to stay, and has nobody to turn to, except for her brother. There is a ton of full frontal nudity in this film, including Carey Mulligan! But, this movie has a ton of slow moments trying to show character, but it has no real entertainment value. I know I really don’t like to give my reviews away here in the blog, but if you want to see a ton of nude people, having sex, dealing with some underlying depression or sexual addiction. JUST WATCH PORN, at least those people look like they’re having a good time, and they’re not moping around and having some internal anguish on screen. But this show has some fantastic moments, so please check it out and download it below!