Watchmen

On its surface, the story of Providence is the story of two genre fiction visionaries who in practice couldn’t be more dissimilar. One died a good decade-plus before the other was born. One wrote mostly prose fiction and probably would have despised the funny books that are the other’s stock-in-trade. One deals mostly in existential dread while the other routinely deals in sex, love, heartbreak, death, and all the messy bits of individual human existence. But Providence aims to find some middle ground between the two.

From humble beginnings as comic book characters, both Batman and Superman have emerged as globally recognisable icons. Whether they appear on the silver screen or as virtual slot icons on mobile websites such as au.royalvegascasino.com, they now front lucrative franchises that generate billions of dollars on an annual basis. These franchises will both gain a …

With the success of the Marvel movies and the news that DC have started adding to their roster for the big screen, comic books have seen an explosion in popularity. No longer a niche hobby, these fun reads are now considered part of popular culture, like bingo or the Kardashians. Don’t waste your time on …

As we spend a month looking at the great Stanley Kubrick, we can also look at the filmmakers who were clearly influenced by Kubrick. “Kubrickian” films tend to exercise incredible control of the camera, are extremely ambitious, tend to deal with much weightier themes, and always maintain a sense of mystery, like a there’s an …

It has been said before, and it will be said for decades to come, but if there is ever is a comic that someone needs to read, it has to be Watchmen. The characters and story interweave in this beautiful opera of personal struggle for redemption, freedom and peace. All of this culminates with the character of …

Here the focus will be on the Joker and the argument will be we have yet to see a proper rendition on the big screen (I’m not counting certain interesting videogame versions). Before beginning, one has to concede the Cesar Romero interpretation, whatever its genuine brilliance, was too tame by half to truly merit the top spot yet an argument can be made this is the closest to seeing the Joker in the flesh.

Comic books are like wine, there is a bottle out there for everyone. The comic book medium has been around for over seventy years and is home to some of the most original and ground-breaking stories the world has ever seen. But knowing where to start is daunting, and jumping in blind can have some …

Gary Oldman as Jackie Flannery in State Of Grace (Phil Joanou, 1990, USA): Long considered one of the most talented actors in cinema, it’s very strange that his outstanding acting as the younger brother of Ed Harris’ local crime boss in this underrated film doesn’t get talked about nearly enough when discussing Oldman’s body of …

Hollywood needs a hit Actually, Hollywood needs a bunch of hits. Actually, Hollywood needs a bunch of big, fat, through-the-roof hits. And with the summer – and the year – half over, the time to come up with them is running out. The movie business finished 2010 with the second highest domestic box office on record:  $10.2 …

Despite all the rumors of Kevin Costner playing Pa Kent and Viggo Mortensen as General Zod in the upcoming Superman movie to be directed by Zack Snyder (Dawn Of The Dead, Watchmen), the second official casting announcment (following that of Henry Cavill who will be playing The Man Of Steel), is that of a lady. …

Completely entertaining and dripping with fan appreciated details, Watchmen is a gift to comic book nerds and film enthusiasts alike. – Watchmen: Director’s Cut Directed by Zach Synder Trying to determine the value of a film based on a book (or graphic novel in this case), is a dangerous undertaking. Separating the downfalls and offering credit …

Racist Caricatures in Transformers 2 under scrutiny: A controversy has arisen since the blockbuster release “Transformers:  Revenge of the Fallen.”  It surrounds the portrayal of two of the robots, which some of deemed a racist caricature.  The robots are named “…Skids and Mudflap…” and “…both characters speak with voices that sound like urban black stereotypes, …

One of the most audacious studio blockbusters in modern Hollywood history, Watchmen succeeds in spite, not because of, its widely recognized pedigree. Alan Moore’s sharp, detailed writing and Dave Gibbons’ iconic illustrations helped to make it the most celebrated superhero comic of all time. Fans, many of them diehard purists to whom alterations to the …