Night of the 80's Undead - Word of the Nerd review

In the effort of staying fair and balanced (what am I a journalist?), here's another reviewer that we just don't connect with...

Of course they qualify their opinion of distaste by saying,
"Unless you enjoy just seeing panel after panel of comic book boobs, drug snorting, and cartoon-like blood."
Soooo, who doesn't want to see that comic is my question?!? :)

Read the full review on their site HERE or click just below...

Night of the 80's Undead - Fanboy Comics review

Another positive review...

FanboyComics.net really dig it, and even compare Bill to... Frank Miller!?!?
"I dig McKay's art style very much; it reminds me a smidge of a young Frank Miller in that he can capture the essence of a well-known public figure without it becoming a caricature."

Full review HERE, or click to see it below...

Night of the 80's Undead - Florida Geek Scene review

Here's another review I found from a bit back...

 Florida Geek Scene give the book a 9 out of 10 and say,
"The short and skinny is that I had a lot of fun with the book, in the same way I have fun with Toxic Avenger, Army Of Darkness and Red Hot American Summer. Go read it!"

 Find the full review HERE, or click below for more...

Night of the 80's Undead - Hero Taku review

And another fab review, as Bill said, either HeroTaku.com really liked the book, or they much wanted to make the tradepaperback back cover as a pull quote!

"Simply one of the best comics I have ever read"

Full review HERE, or read it below via the click...

Night of the 80's Undead - Sequential Tart review

Another great review from a bit back for issue one...

This time it's Sequential Tart showing their love, giving it a 9 (out of 10 I assume), and saying,
"Sweet, glorious, carnage, Jason Martin's first issue of Night of the 80's Undead made me feel warm and fuzzy in the zombie loving parts of my brain."

You can read the full review HERE or just click below...

Night of the 80's Undead - Joup.com review

Here's another positive review from a couple weeks back...

From Thee Comic Column on Joup.com

"Flash bulb pastel and bright, solid colors create an electric 80′s backdrop for some of the most bad-ass debauchery to smack the era of Reagan upside its head since… well, since Reagan ruined everything for everyone."

Read it below the click, or on Joup HERE

Night of the 80's Undead - Geeks of Doom review

So yeah, most all of the reviews we got on issue one came while I was away at SDCC...

But hey, look, some people liked the book too!

"I would strongly recommend that you give it a look, because behind the cover you will find one hell of a good time!"

Review after the click below or on GeeksofDoom HERE

Night of the 80's Undead - FearNet review

Look, more hate mail!

Another review during Comic-Con, from FearNet.com's Bagged and Boarded, where the reviewer doesn't appreciate the fact that Night of the 80's Undead has the amp set to 11... among other things. Like calling it sexist and racist. LOL

1) They claim it's MILDLY racist. Which at first threw us for a loop... but then I remembered, the "Asian twins" are intentionally written in a stereotypical fashion, in keeping with the myriad of 80's movies that depicted them in that fashion. And having done that, I made sure to try and offset that with some cool (if completely stereotypical) character beats for them down the line. Being sure that the characters don't just exist to serve stereotypical means, they ya know serve the story and have genuine character arcs that to me transcend the way in which they go about that.

2) They claim it's VERY sexist, because, you know, gosh, comic books shouldn't exaggerate human anatomy... sorry, don't do photo realistic comics. And, to their point, the main character does not have "unnaturally large breasts"... they're naturally large, and I don't mean that tongue-in-cheek, I mean to say, that perhaps while their size is not common, or average, it's certainly well within the range of nature.

So yeah, if you can't have sexy girls in comic books, lock me up.
And if you don't like them in your comic books, then, well, you don't want my comic books.
My female characters are always the lead, always kick ass, and always look good doing it.
I know it's not universally acceptable, but to each their own.
I don't write bad girl comic books, and I'm not going to ugly up my characters, or have them drawn in ways to pander to a wider audience, no apologies there.

I normally don't feel the need to comment on reviews, but this one brought up some good points I felt were worth addressing.

Find the review HERE or after the click below...

Night of the 80's Undead - Aint It Cool News review

This is a review that we got while I was away at Comic-Con.
All I can say is... TO THE MAXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's 80's Undead, a full throttle roller coaster ride through pastel neon la la land... strap in, or get out of line!

Full review after the click, or go HERE to read it on AICN.

Prometheus Blu-Ray

Got a chance to check out the PROMETHEUS Blu-Ray... and as you may recall, I was one of the few in the pro column for the film upon release.
Just like John Carter, I think Prometheus was an unfair victim of expectations and marketing.

So, as eager as I was to re-view the film (I had hoped to see it again in theaters, but never did), I was even more keen to see a longer cut, that sadly wasn't in the home release (at least for now). However, all of the deleted, extended, and alternate scenes are in the home version. Oh how I wish we had most of them in an alternate version of the film... about 2/3rds of what was cut, and nearly all of the alternate material improves upon the original. Especially the alternate extended ending that features more of the climactic encounter/s with the "engineer" (I'm not a fan of the alternate opening though). Not to mention, Fifield's attack on the crew in it's intended CG enhanced take is far superior to the traditional effects version.

For all those that write this off as a failure as an Alien film, feel it's inner logic is too flawed, or were looking for more action... I'm sorry you have those hang-ups, or feel that way. For me, it's a somewhat flawed gem of a sci-fi picture, that I absolutely love!

Now I'll just keep waiting for the alternate/extended cut/s...

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Prometheus!

SPOILER FREE (in white): 


 Prometheus is big, glorious, fully rendered sci-fi cinema. It's not an action film, it's not a horror movie (though there are horrors to be sure), and perhaps most frustratingly, for some, it's not really an Alien movie either. It is much more akin to 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY or CLOSE ENCOUNTERS of the 3rd KIND then the tone of any of the Alien films (except very much the first, which it has equal parts of many elements). It's conceit isn't to scare, or thrust into action, but to explore something very alien, and ask some big cosmic questions. And at that, it wholly succeeds. It gives you much to explore for yourself, both in terms of it's themes, and in terms of it's relation to that other Ridley Scott booted franchise.

MORE SPOILERY (but still spoiler specific free): 


 That's right, it's not an Alien movie, don't expect that. Ridley and Damon tried to warn us, and set expectations appropriately here. It's not a direct prequel... as they said. But it does very much play in and further explore that universe, and the genesis of Alien. 

SPOILER WARNING: 


 It even gives us the Space Jockey/s, a burst chest, and the ship... just not in the right places. And something, briefly, very Alien-esque... but that's as close to a classic Alien as we get. 
 There are other alien creatures and life though, and like the the world that's visited, and the crew and their ship Prometheus, it's all amazingly rendered in jaw dropping realistic 3D (and the creatures here, and the horrors they unleash are a level of demented fun on par with Alien). Prometheus is a paradise for sci-fi enthusiasts. You can completely geek out on the 2 hours you get to spend with an expedition to an alien world. I loved it. I have no problem with the direction the film takes. 

BACK TO NON SPOILER TERRITORY: 


 In terms of the story, and characters, they're all interesting too, and mostly successful. Most every gap in logic or plot is explained (relatively)... it's a pretty tight script. Fassbender and Theron stand out from the cast, and Noomi is solid. Also worth mention is the fantastic score, and amazing sound that accompany what is a visual delight for eyes, and therefore ears. A fully immersive sci-fi treat. Which makes this a banner year for sci-fi. Earlier we were treated to the popcorn pulp adventure of John Carter, and now we have cerebral pulp horror. To me, as much as I love fantasy (can't wait to get some more Tolkien) and comic book superheroes... nothing excites me more than science fiction. Nothing. So a big thank you to the many folks who made Prometheus possible.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Meanwhile at the movies... Barsoom Withdrawl - JOHN CARTER REVIEW

My dearest readers,

 I've just recently returned from Barsoom, and the following are my accounts of the journey...

I Was lucky my wife scored preview screening passes to JOHN CARTER (in 3D) last night, as I'd been anxious to see the film after first hearing about it. An Edgar Rice Burroughs sci-fi book series, that inspired nearly every major sci-fi property I've loved, helmed by a Pixar director?!? One can only hope something of that pedigree lives up to a fraction of the promise. And since it's a Disney movie, they've been advertising the hell out of it for some time, but perplexingly, the ad campaign did little to excite anyone about the film. So are they playing things close, and hoping to blow people's minds when they get a look at what they've put together, or was it a creative misfire, that feels as empty as the PR (made even more lackluster by the endless derivative contemporary creations; Star Wars, Avatar, etc, that have stolen all the ideas Burroughs offered up in 1912)??

Growing up a Star Wars and comic book fanatic, and comic and genre nut to this day, you can see how I might be frenzied to find out sooner than later, just what awaits on the mysterious 3D live action CG enhanced Andrew Stanton Barsoom (Mars). So, tonight was the night I'd find out, more than a week before the release, and I couldn't have been happier!

So, what's the real story?
Does it disappoint, or deliver?
 The short answer?
John Carter delivers in spades.
It is a truly great sci-fi motion picture, full of heart, life, and creativity. A sci-fi geeks dream, and one of the finer genre films I've had the pleasure of seeing.

The level of craft here, from the production first and foremost, is impressive and appropriately epic and nuanced, to the story and scripting, which is smartly honed and resonant, this adaptation is built with the care and passion we've come to expect from Pixar, who deliver technically astounding and emotionally rewarding films. And though Stanton was working outside Pixar here, and in live action, thankfully he was able to successfully bring that aesthetic with him. And just like Pixar films, the story plays wide, without sacrificing the maturity and heft required to engage a mature audience, or the fun, spirit, and magic to enchant younger viewers (and us big kids). Unlike Pixar though, it is not a movie for children, but firmly in the Star War motion picture blockbuster wheelhouse, of a pre-teen core demographic. A pulpy adventure tale with fantastic feats of brawn and bravado, plucky princesses, hostile aliens, and fabulous creatures and tech. The type of movie making that millions fell in love with decades ago in a galaxy far far away, but seems increasingly hard to find, on this scale, in this day and age.

Perhaps my references to Star Wars and Pixar are a bit heavy, especially since this film offers more then either of those quantities. Unlike Pixar, it's of course live action, and dares to dream a more straight forward and tonally advanced action story. There is death, and blood, and consequences to the action, and some mildly unsettling depictions of a brutal alien society. And while it may traffic in some of the best things the Star Wars franchise had to offer, namely endearing and fascinating alien characters and settings (Woola, will certainly steal many hearts, and capture zillions of youngsters impressionable minds), the story also skews a bit more towards fantasy, and with it's late 19th century settings, it has western elements too. So yes, it offers the best of those two amazing and beloved creations, but also more. No small feat.

That's not to say it's a perfect work, or that there aren't some things that are lacking. Some of the casting or directing in the live action department could've used some more spirit or punch, as most performances skew to being fairly reserved, at contrast to the plots strong emotional themes. The humanoid characters don't quite go all out and effortlessly live and breath their roles, perhaps with the exception of Bryan Cranston (Tyler Kitsch, our leading man, is very good though). And I especially found Mark Strong's villain, and his fellow Therns, to be the weak point of the whole production. From the design and costuming of the mysterious god like characters, to the depiction of some of their key tech, just seemed very weak and garishly staged (whenever they're on screen, I feel as though I'm looking at a goofy movie character). All this making for a bit of a disconnect from the otherwise pretty pitch perfect story and production. And then also, while fairly good at a couple key scenes, the score was invisible and sorely lacking otherwise. I know I harp on this aspect time and again, and admittedly it's a pet peeve of mine, but music and sound is as important to a film as any other element, and both are at best serviceable here. Also, most of the action scenes could have played out a bit more, or had a bit more heft to them. While there are quite a few, like with the acting, things could've stood to be amped up a bit more here.

Also, as with most modern big budget films, especially ones with such huge effect driven scope, I should touch on the special effects, and the 3D. Both are excellent. The 3D isn't of the level I remember Avatar (still the high water mark here), but it's perhaps the next best I've seen, and the effects are seamless, with Stanton relying heavily on live settings and practical filming whenever possible to good effect. The result being, though it's not over the top otherworldly, it is one that you completely buy into. I should also mention, as I said up top with the lackluster ad campaign, I also wasn't too drawn to the designs I'd seen of the tech and world depicted, however, after getting a closer look, I came to quite like most of what they did here.

In my short summation of the film up front, I gave it pretty high praise. It is a finely tuned script and production of cosmic proportions. I'm not sure where John Carter stands among my all time favorites, but it certainly ranks up there, and to compare it to something somewhat recent, that went on to do huge box office, would be the JJ Abrams Star Trek reboot. While I loved that movie, I certainly had my problems with it also, but I'd say much more so then this. Or in contrast to another recent global box office destroying sci-fi film, Avatar, which was long on world immersive craft, but very short on story, John Carter leaps bounds over it creatively. There's more I could praise about John Carter, and likely a bit more I could criticize, but ultimately, I loved the movie. It tells an epic, original (if familiar, or rather in spite of it's many familiar elements) story, with amazing visuals, and fun characters. As I said in the title to the review, I really do miss my short time on the red planet of Barsoom, with all it's fantastic creatures and sights, and just like John Carter, I want to go back again, and as soon as possible (here's hoping we get the sequels). That's the magic of movies and the amazing worlds they can take us to, and John Carter offers plenty of both.

Virginia!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - John Carter is not to be missed on the big screen.

Faithfully yours,

JPM

Meanwhile at the movies... Thing vs Thing!

Waited in line last night for a preview screening of the new THE THING prequel/reboot, so here's a quick review...

Cowboys and Aliens just root...

but don’t toot.

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... When JJ met Steven

Got to see another movie preview screening this week (gosh I'm lucky), this time it was the much hyped top secret JJ Abrams project (is there any other kind?), SUPER 8, which comes out Friday.

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... more like 2nd class.

Saw X-Men: First Class today... here's a review.

So, after first hearing about this reboot origin story to the X-Men film franchise, and learning of the characters (and cast) in place, I had mixed feelings. But, in the buildup to it's release, I'd begun to get genuinely enthused about the movie. The early 60's era setting look and vibe was really appealing, and the mish-mash character line-up of mutants, not adhering to really any kind of X-Men continuity (I'm a huge long time X-fan), and the use of truly lower tier characters (and even some that were either made up, or just so obscure I have no idea) looked to work in the samples and snipets I'd seen. Then as release came even closer, a strong positive buzz began to build. Having seen the film, I'm very much back in the mixed feelings category.

HANGOVER 2 ...a quick (preview screening) review

Got to see a preview screening last night...

Now, I wasn't a big fan of the first, finding it to give away just about every shred of hilarity via the commercials, and then it seemed hyped up beyond anything resembling reality. So with that said, I was glad to get into a preview screening of the sequel, to try and avoid all the good bits via the new ads (which already were wayyyyy too spoiler heavy - message to studio marketing assholes, it's the biggest comedy ever, I don't think you need to give away anything in the ads for the sequel!!)...

I found the movie overall to be mildly entertaining, and sometimes humorous (unlike the lady next to me how must have climaxed a dozen or more times and couldn't stop gasping in laughter at every. little. thing. that. ever. happened), until close to the end, when things got pretty hilarious, and finished very strong.

This is however the exact same movie, redone in Bangkok. The formula works though, so I look forward to a third... I just don't know where they'll set it, having gone from Vegas to Thailand... I'm guessing the moon maybe (if only the ads for it didn't give away the alien sidekick, stolen Millennium Falcon replica the wolfpack pilots, and the Mike Tyson as leader of Mars cameo)???

RECOMMENDED

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Thor blasts into the comic book movie forefront!

I got a chance to see a preview screening of THOR this Saturday AM (in 3D), so here's my review (with mild spoilers)...

First off, let me just say, WOW!
I've never been a Thor fan, never cared for the character in the least, and I also was very un-enthused by the trailers for the movie (finding the Captain America trailers to be much more enticing, even though I'm equally un-enamoured with Cap), but dang, I am now!

The movie Thor kicks ass, and is a bolt of fun from the first frame. The first half or so of the movie is downright magical, and had me gleefully squealing time and again at the comic book spectacle portrayed on screen, the pure imaginative anything goes action that can, until this time, only take place on the comic page... where you get to see the fantastic and beyond real brought to visual life, page after page... or in this case, scene after scene. Thor operates on a level no comic book movie to this point has, it goes further in depicting the out of this world elements of super heroes and fantasy than any other adaptation has to date (though I suspect Green Lantern could rival or surpass that). While we've had some truly great movies based on comic book characters, stories, or franchises, most of them are so firmly grounded in the real world, that they, due to the constraints of budget, and effects, focus more so on those elements of the comics than the books themselves. And while Thor certainly does it's fair share of that, it also seamlessly depicts the fantasy realm of Asgard and Norse gods at play and war.

Thor is shown doing things we haven't seen a comic book hero do on screen since maybe the early Superman films, only of course, a bit more fantastically thanks to 21st century movie making. He comes close to a Superman level of iconic heroism, and Chris Hemsworth turns in a Christopher Reeves level performance of braun and charisma. The rest of the cast is amazing too; you believe Natalie Portman as the passionate astrologist that goes ga ga for a fallen god, Kat Dennings is spot on as the young comedic relief, Stellan Skarsgard adds weight and consciance as the nordic born astrologist counterpart, the warriors three and other Asgardians bring their roles to life, and, most of all, Anthony Hopkins makes Odin THE father of all gods and quickly wiped away any doubts I had that he could pull off the role at his adavanced age, he's amazing and turns in his most memorable performance since Silence of the Lambs! I love this cast.

Then there's all the little geek things that shine. Seeing SHEILD in action, and getting their asses handed to them as they encounter the first omega level super power, who's merely mortal here... The Asgardians in battle... the Frost Giants, who while simplistically done, come off far better than they do in the previews... the massive Frost Giant beast... Hawkeye being onhand to potentially deal with Thor... the way the Frank Kirby Destroyer creates unholy carnage as his blasts pierce your eardrums!!!! Damn this is a fun movie, especially for us comic geeks!!! This is the most comic geeked I've been since the first X-Men and Spider-Man flicks, but agian, it delivers so much more geekyness, even IF you're not a fan of the character!

Then there's the 3D. It doesn't suck! It actually adds a bit to the movie. But like Green Hornet, the film should play well in 2D as well. The 3D isn't ever overbearing, or in your face, it just enhances things and stays pretty much in the background. I would recommend seeing the movie in 3D, but don't worry if you can't or don't.

As much fun as the movie was, and as great as the first half to two-thirds were, I felt while the ending was solid, it lacked a bit of a punch. (MILD SPOILERS) After seeing the Asgardian on Frost carnage, the Asgardians dueling the Destroyer on Earth, and Thor in action against SHEILD, I felt the finale with Thor and Loki was a bit weak, and needed more drama. You never got the sense that Loki was any real match for Thor, in direct combat, so having them go toe to toe for the ending was pretty perfunctory.

Also, with Marvel running things now, and committed to an immersive universe where the characters cross over with each other, why not push that a bit more. Sure Hawkeye makes a cameo (and that was only tacked in via last minute reshoots), but can't Nick Fury show up more, or have the big SHEILD heavy be some other hero or villain from the Marvel universe? Don't be afraid to go further with these geek/character things, and give us a bit more of that...

All that said, get your ass to the theater and prepare for a genuine comic book treat. Thor delivers the goods on all counts and is a pure joy to behold! WOW!! Branagh perfectly blends the fantastic Asgardian story, with that of the god on Earth, and stages it all fairly epically. I can't wait to see it again!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... when tires become self aware, no one is safe, but we'll all have a good time.

In theaters now, but also on-demand, RUBBER (which I watched the other night in an insane double bill with Hobo with a Shotgun), is an inspired piece of film making. And it is a film, in the sense of the word, much more than a movie, in that it plays with the medium as an art form and toys with the audience in a meta way, but it doesn't get too caught up in all that to still deliver a fun movie along the way.

After first hearing about Rubber, as it confounded foreign audiences with it's story centered around a murderous tire... yes, murderous.tire. I knew I had to see this French horror(?) film as soon as possible.

Aside from the truly strange premise, Rubber goes further into the bizarre by introducing meta elements that play on expectations and mess with the conventions of movie making/watching. But for as radical as the story and narrative are, it's balanced by an accomplished hand at the wheel... If you thought early Cohen brothers were inspired film makers, or Michel Gondry was out there, make way for Quentin Dupieux! He's a mad man. But he also knows how to make a sharp and gorgeous looking film, that's as solid to watch, as it is insanely fun to experience.

Binoculars, tires, tricycles, turkeys, no object is too mundane or left field to become a key element in the film. Why? No reason. If you can roll (pun not really intended) with this kind of anything goes, just for the heck of it cinema, then you should by all means see Rubber. You may find it as charming and intoxicatingly clever as we did.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Here's a fan art I'm working on...

MEANWHILE AT THE MOVIES... Hobo with a Vengeance!

In theaters in May, but on-demand now, HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN is part Grindhouse, part Clockwork Orange, and all bad-ass in-your-face creative buckshot!

The film is pretty special in that not only was it born from a fake Grindhouse trailer contest, but it actually delivers, and then some, a pitch perfect love letter to all the best of video era schlock, complete with 80's straight to video action star Rutger Hauer (who doesn't mail this one in, but rather gives a great performance), as the titular hobo. Our "hobo" rides the rails and only wants to save up enough in his coin sock for a lawn mower and another chance at life, but fate has brought him to a city just this side of hell, and pushes him to dig deep and invest in some pump action justice.

Pedofile santas, brazen pimps, a hooker with a heart of gold, and a family clan more sinister and twisted than any imagined, running rough shod over it all, must all face the force that is Hobo with a Shotgun. A simple down on his luck tramp turned wild bear with a taste for human flesh. Oh yeah, it's on. Not for the squeemish, the easily offended, or most anyone, but for those that like the crazy-shit-dial cranked to 11, run to the cinema with brown paper bag beverages, Hobo with a Shotgun will make you howl and squeal with delight... deliverance style!!!

Truly inspired and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Here's the trailer...


And here's an awesome fan art of "The Plague", amazing characters that show up towards the end of the movie (you know a movie's great when perhaps the coolest thing isn't even key to, or needed in, the movie)...