I'm such a "Loser"!!!

....and I kinda like it!!!

here's a quick rundown on the plot.

THE LOSERS

Members of an elite U.S. Special Forces unit are sent into the Bolivian jungle on a search and destroy mission. The team -- Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar -- find themselves the target of a lethal betrayal instigated from inside by a powerful enemy known only as Max. Presumed dead, the group makes plans to even the score when they're joined by the mysterious Aisha, a beautiful operative with her own agenda. Working together, they must remain deep undercover while tracking the heavily-guarded Max, a ruthless man bent on embroiling the world in a new high-tech global war.

I got the opportunity to attend the Red Carpet Premiere of 'The Losers".

Here's my spoiler-free review...

This film is based on the DC/Vertigo graphic novel created by Andy Diggle and Jock.

Comic to Film adaptions have for the most part ,been pretty underwhelming these days.

If you are a purist and loved the source material that this film is based on..you are setting yourself up for some serious PAIN!

Though some of the action sequences are fully realized in the film version...the story is where the main differences lay.Director, Sylvain White and writer ,Peter Berg pretty much bastardized the graphic novel and produced a film that though entertaining ,vaguely resembles the comic.

There are your cringe worthy cliched slo-mo "Armageddon" walk ,to an ending so sweet...my teeth fell out.

Where "Kick-Ass" went right..."The Losers" went wrong.

don't get me wrong...this is actually a positive review(though it would be hard to tell ,form my three paragraphs of whining) I believe folks that are not familiar with the comic will like it.

The cast is great ...Chris "Captain Human Torch" Evans owns his role and is a joy to watch,as is Jeffery Dean Morgan as Clay.Zoe Saldana also brings on the heat (and it's not only because she is HOT!!!)She does another great job as the reigning Queen of Geekdom (yeah...i just coined that term).But the one actor who steals every scene that he's in ....is none other than Jason Patric!Yes ...THAT Jason Patric ,his role as Max may just jump start his career and dissolve the bad taste in every ones' mouth from"Speed 2: Cruise Control"

Overall this is a pretty fun movie.I enjoyed it.

If you are looking to see the graphic novel come to life...you better check your hermetically sealed bag and board at the door and enjoy this popcorn movie!

THE LOSERS opens wide 4/23/10

Wizard World Anaheim 2010

Wow!

What a weekend!

This weekend showcased the triumphant return of Wizard World to California...Anaheim to be exact,home of a mouse named Mickey!

Wizard pulled out all the stops...Bringing in top-named talent from the world of comics and celebrity!This years attendants included comicbook luminaries such as Stan "The Man" Lee,Simon Bisley,Arthur Suydam, and legend ,Tony DeZuniga of Jonah Hex fame.But the big draw of the weekend was the reunion of the 1960's TV show ,"Batman"!!

Adam West, Burt Ward ,Julie Newmar,Lee Meriweather,and Yvonne Craig...yes folks ,all under one roof! Other notable celebs of yesteryear and today were William Shatner, Mickey Rooney and Doug Jones of the Hellboy movies and Guillermo del Toro's ,Pan's Labyrinth.

This con had something for the young and not so young!

There were rows and rows of toys and collectibles as well as gear and fine works of art, catering to all the geeks.The cons' artist alley was full of very talented folks from comics to voice actors..i told you this awesome con had something to appeal to everyone!The Panels were mostly at capacity, especially "The Empire Strikes Back 30th Anniversary" with Lando Calrissian himself, Billy Dee Williams.

The attendees at Wizard World Anaheim were treated to a weekend of fun ,excitement and wonder.

I only hope that this great con rolls around next year....it's gonna be tough to top this one,but knowing Wizard..it will!!!

Monsterpalooza 2010

Vampires,Werewolves and Zombies..oh my!!!

I had the pleasure of attending Eliot Brodsky's MONSTERPALOOZA

http://www.rubberroom101.com/monsterpalooza2010/

Monsterpalooza is convention that celebrates all the talented artists that are in the make-up and creature effects business.Everything imaginable that relates to creature effect were well represented this weekend.The line-up at Monsterpalooza was like a who's who in the Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy industry.From artists William Stout and Bernie Wrightson to legendary effects artists Steve Wang and Mike Hill were in attendance to display all their stunning work.

Location.Location.Location.
Because the convention was held in Burbank ,CA(the home of Universal,Warner Bros.,and Disney) this con brought out a lot of the industry's most notable and talented, who work and live in and around Burbank.Seen shopping and perusing the exhibit floor were such luminaries as Guillermo del Toro,Rick Baker,Drew Struzan,J.J. Abrams,Mike Elizalde ,Steve Niles and more.All King 's of their craft.

If you have ever wanted to see life-sized busts and models ,this is the show for you.This show takes one across the velvet rope .Where you can get up-close and personal or "Face to Fang" with theses works of art.One can truly appreciate all the hard work that goes into creating these masterpieces.One of the awesome features of this show was the walk-through museum.On display there was a life-sized T-Rex head,a 4' Kong head.a Hannibal Lector set complete with jail cell and Clarisse Starling drawings,and more.Truly indescribable.Something one would have to see for themselves.

Another cool aspect to this show is the accessibility to these masters of this industry.All the professionals there were willing not only to sell their wares but to give out advice and knowledge about their craftsmanship.

All in all a great show .

This show runs April 9-11th

'Kick-Ass" kicked my ass..and I LOVED every minute of it!

Hey All!

Just got back from a sneak peek of Matthew Vaughn's new film ,"Kick-Ass"

http://www.kickass-themovie.com/

And boys and girls...whatta ride!

Adapted from the Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Marvel /Icon graphic novel by the same name.

'Kick-Ass" tells the story of Dave Lizewski, a comic-book fanboy, who decides to take his obsession as inspiration to become a real-life superhero. As any good superhero would, he chooses a new name -- Kick-Ass -- assembles a suit and mask to wear, and gets to work fighting crime. There's only one problem standing in his way: Kick-Ass has absolutely no superpowers. His life is forever changed as he inspires a subculture of copy cats, is hunted by assorted violent and unpleasant characters, and meets up with a pair of crazed vigilantes, including an 11-year-old sword-wielding dynamo, Hit Girl and her father, Big Daddy.

Gonna make this as spoiler -free as possible for y'all.

The film is pretty faithful to the graphic novel..some liberties were taken,but all for the greater good.Vaughn along with screenwriter Jane Goldman,turn Millar's great comic into an even greater flick.(yes folks, it's a "Flick" not a "Film".Flicks are made to be FUN.A film would be "Schindler's List".Last time I checked,Schindler didn't use jet-packs and Gatling-guns to defeat his enemies.Maybe in the Michael Bay reboot of "Schinder's List".Movie tag for that film..."he's gotta list and boy is he pissed".But I digress..where was I?..oh yeah,"Kick-Ass")

The cast is great. Aaron Johnson(Kick-Ass) does a decent job as the zero turned hero.(btw..dude's from England.Totally convincing as a New Yorker..that alone earns some kudos or at least a "Nature Valley's " multi-grain health bar...yeah I went there...Don't forget to tip your waitress).

Christopher Mintz -Plasse as McLovin..i mean Red Mist is okay in this...though i kept on thinking ,"dude,that's McLovin...jigga,jigga,wha'?".

Nic Cage ,normally hot and cold in most of his films(mostly arctic,icicle ,dead of winter, cold)as Big Daddy turns out to be surprisingly very good in this role.I'm gonna say it, but this is his best role in a looooooong and I mean loooong time. I'm not gonna spoil it for you kiddies,but when Cage has dialogue in his Big Daddy mode...it is laugh out loud hi-larious!

But the stand out performance goes to lil' Chloe Moretz as Hit-Girl.She does such a great job.Funny, foul-mouthed, lethal and adorable.(weren't those the names of Snow White's Dwarfs or Santa's Reindeer?I always get those two sets confused)Moretz puts on such a memorable performance especially in the third act,that this movie should be called "Hit-Girl".One of the highlights in the flick for me was John Romita Jr.'s artwork come to life.It gives a whole new meaning to "motion -comics"

Is it perfect? No.With a budget of around a rumored $25 million( lunch money these days) Hollywood may rethink spending a billion Spiderman 3 dollars in the future and focus on storytelling.

Bloody...check! Funny...check! and overall enjoyable!(there are those stupid reindeer names again)...Check!!!

It's kinda hard to fit a five issue comic into a two hour flick(yeah, there's that word again)but I think purists and moviegoers alike will definitely get their money's worth.

"Kick-Ass."..Kicked -Ass!!! Cliche ,I know but actually true.

Kick-Ass opens April 16th

Update...those of you in L.A.

here's a fun and oh so cool event with tons o' swag and prizes to give away!

http://www.comicsoncomics.com/category/blog/