Tag Archives: adaptation

Comics! With Richard and Carter, Featured, General

Horns Movie Review!

Leave a comment

horns_ver3_xlg

It’s been over three years since the last Harry Potter film hit theaters. Three years since we last saw our beloved Hogwarts heroes say their farewells. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have long moved on from those roles, and yet it still seems hard for movie goers to see them as anyone else. I even included myself into that group. At least I did include myself in that group. Now, I’m starting to see them for the actors and not their characters. Well, Not all of them. While it was much easier to see Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as them and not Ron and Hermione, It wasn’t as easy with Daniel Radcliffe.

After watching his films The Woman in Black and Kill Your Darlings it started to fade, but I still saw him as Harry Potter. Even with his show A Young Doctor’s Notebook with Jon Hamm I couldn’t shake Potter away from Radcliffe. I mean, He is the main character. He is Harry Potter. He would be the hardest of the three to see as anyone else. However, after watching Radcliffe’s latest film, Horns, I’ll never see him the same again. And I mean that in a good way. Horns is a dark fantasy film from director Alexandre Aja, and is based on the novel of the same name by author Joe Hill. The story follows Ig Perish, played by Radcliffe, a young man whom everyone in his hometown believes is a murderer.

One year ago, Ig’s long time girlfriend Merrin was found dead in the forest. Word spread, along with a few lies, and the town quickly believed Ig was the man who did it. One morning, after a drunken tirade the previous night, Ig woke up with an unusual new…addition. He found two horns growing out of his forehead. Not only that, but people began acting differently around him. Spilling deep secrets and showing their darkest and most twisted sides of themselves. At first, Ig is freaked out and completely upset by this curse he now possesses. Eventually, he sees this curse as a blessing in disguise, and uses it as a way to find out who really killed the love of his life.

Now, I’m a big Joe Hill fan. I haven’t read much of his novel work, but I love his comics. Specifically Locke and Key, which is such a great series! So, when I heard his book Horns was getting adapted, I was ecstatic! I love the story so much. It’s kind of like Paradise Lost with a modern twist and vibe. To see that story play out on film, with Daniel Radcliffe as Ig, left me truly excited. I was even more ecstatic when I saw the film was for sale digitally on the Playstation store! Long before it’s intended theatrical release date! I mean, who wouldn’t be excited to see a movie way before it’s supposed to come out?

I bought the HD copy, watched it a few times, and I’m happy to say I really ended up enjoying this film. First and foremost, Daniel Radcliffe is pitch perfect. No joke, this is the best performance I’ve ever seen from him! And it’s a very different performance than anything he’s done before. He’s dark, he’s grungy, he’s hysterical, he’s raw, and I love every second of it! I could honestly say if anyone else was in the role, I probably wouldn’t have liked the film as much as I did. Radcliffe made this movie, and it shows. The other performances are pretty good, and the chemistry between everyone works great. Especially between Radcliffe and Juno Temple whom played Merrin. I’ve enjoyed her in pretty much every movie I’ve seen her in, and this is just another example of her great skills.

I honestly can’t really think of anyone that I didn’t like. I mean I think Heather Graham, in the 5 minutes shes in the movie, kind of hams it up, but It works with what’s happening to her character. Visually, the film is beautiful. Aja really plays up the fantasy style for the look of the film. Especially during the scenes in the forest. You feel like you’ve entered a different world, just as the characters did. Great approach, for sure. One thing I found iffy and a bit jarring was the tone. It’s kind of all over the place. One minute the film is a truly hysterical black comedy, and the next it’s an emotional drama. Some points, the humor and the drama really work, but there were times it just wasn’t right. Like it felt off to do something funny at this moment or sad at this moment, you know? That happened a few times.

It really is hard to tell what tone the film wanted, but that really didn’t keep me from enjoying the story and the characters. So I can easily forgive the films tonal confusion. That being said, the one thing I can’t forgive is the predictable outcome. From the beginning, I knew who the real killer was. Seeing as how the story was sort of a whodunit deal, That’s the last thing you want to be predictable. I mean, I still liked how the film wrapped, but I wish they left in more mystery as to who really did it, you know? Ultimately, Horns is a very different film, but a film I really enjoyed. And its a movie I’d recommend to anyone. Especially so people can see how awesome Daniel Radcliffe is in it. Horns is released in theaters this Halloween, and is available now on all digital outlets!

I give Horns a 4/5

Comics! With Richard and Carter, Featured, General

Gotham Series Premiere Review! (COMICS!)

Leave a comment

gotham.0_cinema_1200.0

If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with Batman. I don’t really remember when it started. I just know I am. It feels like it’s been this way since I was born. When I was younger, It was all about the movies and the cartoons. The comics didn’t really come into the picture until I was a teenager. Once that happened, my obsession grew to unimaginable heights. When I was a kid, the obsession was Batman centric. When I got older, and read the comics, it was everything. Batman AND his world became incredibly fascinating to me. I began to fall in love with characters like Commissioner Gordon, Dick Grayson, Selina Kyle, Alfred Pennyworth, The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler, and the rest of these colorful and dark people.

However, what I really grew to love was Gotham City itself. Such a dilapidated, scum filled, mysterious, rotten to the core city. A place, a hell on earth, that truly needed someone like Batman to save it. So, when DC Comics announced they were making a television show about how Gotham became the city we know, I was ecstatic. A show that explores the beginnings of one of the best fictional places ever? Who wouldn’t be excited?! Finally, after a long wait, Gotham has premiere on FOX. So, this first episode starts right at the beginning. A young boy and his parents walking down a dark alleyway after a great time at the movies. Suddenly ambushed by a mugger, a man of the night, eager to snag their valuables. To end this encounter, the mugger shoots and kills the young boys beloved parents. This boy, as you should know, is Bruce Wayne.

Moments later, Detectives James Gordon, our main character, and his partner Harvey Bullock arrive on the scene. While Bullock ponders ways to avoid being involved with this case, Gordon makes a promise to the young Wayne. He will find and capture the man who killed Bruce Wayne’s parents. Afterwards, we travel to some of the blackest pits of Gotham as Jim and Harvey try to solve the Wayne murder case. This is episode one in a nutshell. Once the credits played, I was sporting a big grin on my nerdy face. This was really a wonderful pilot. There were a few points where I felt the show needed work, but I was satisfied non the less.

First of all, I gotta say how much I love the look of this show. Honestly, I haven’t loved the look of Gotham City this much since the Tim Burton Batman film from ’89. Not that I didn’t like, say, the Nolan Gotham City, but I’ve always been a fan of the more art deco/gothic style. I would say this Gotham is a perfect marriage of Burton and Nolan’s Gotham Cities. A bit more Burton than Nolan, but it’s a nice mixture. I also loved just how dark and brutal the city was. A first episode is mainly about showcasing what to expect tonally and stylistically from the rest of the series. I feel this pilot did that incredibly well. A true portrayal of how Gotham should be. Nothing like how R Kelly described it! Yea! I’m calling you out, man! I hope you’re still trapped in that closet, you jerk!

Anyway…Gotham also showcased some stellar performances. I really loved Donal Logue and Jada Pinkett Smith the most. Logue is the perfect Bullock. His look, charm, and attitude works so well for Bullock. Pinkett Smith plays a brand new character named Fish Mooney, a character I quickly loved. I can’t really think of many female crime bosses, so it’s nice to see one for a change. A really awesome one. I can’t wait to see more of her. As far as the rest of the cast, everyone was pretty solid. Ben McKenzie was quite good as a young Gordon. Not as humble as I’d like him to be, but still a man with a heart of gold. Fun fact! This isn’t McKenzie’s first time in Gotham. He actually voiced Batman in the animated Batman: Year One. While he was decent as a Young Bruce Wayne, I like him more as a young Gordon.

Speaking of Young Bruce Wayne, David Mazouz was spectacular as Bruce Wayne. He did a great job capturing the fear and intensity of Bruce. The most emotional bits in the pilot where because of Mazouz’s wonderful portrayal. Now, while I really enjoyed this episode, it wasn’t without flaws. For example, the episode was a bit predictable. Mainly because we’ve seen Batman’s origin story a lot. I mean, everyone knows how Batman became Batman. We’ve seen it and read it a million times. So, it was hard to really be surprised. Thankfully, the pilot took a few nice turns to make things less familiar. Along with predictability, This first episode was a bit cheesy. I don’t mind cheese, but it was a tad much at times.

Also, I wish we got more of Selina Kyle. She doesn’t really do much expect sneak around in the background. However, episode two is called “Selina Kyle” so I suspect she will be getting a bit more screen time soon. One little nitpick I have is the character Ivy Pepper. Ivy Pepper is supposed to be a young Poison Ivy. Now, this might be too early to say since I don’t know their plans, but that is not Posion Ivy! Why couldn’t she be named Pamela Isley? I hope this is just temporary, and the character gets a name change or something down the road. Ultimately, though, I really dug this episode. I remember hearing some Batfans complaining this show would suck simply because Batman isn’t in it. Well, can a Batman related show work without having Batman in it? Yes. I think it can.

I’ll give Gotham “Pilot” Episode an 8.5 out of 10.

Comics! With Richard and Carter

Ben Affleck as Batman…REVEALED! (COMICS! VIDEO)

Leave a comment

3hRU6px

To quote Jim Carrey from Batman Forever: “Now that’s impressive!”

Ladie’s and Gentleman…our first official look of Batfleck has arrived! Now, instead of setting up the video, like usual, I’m just going to let you stare at the picture. Soak in the epicness that is Batfleck. Once finished, then you can click on the image. This, of course, will take you to my new video. In the video, I give you MY take on this first look. As if you couldn’t have guessed that. Anyway, if you liked the video, go ahead and click that Subscribe button!

Comics! With Richard and Carter, General

Django Unchained #1 Review (COMICS!)

Leave a comment

“What’s yer name?” “…Django. D-J-A-N-G-O….The D is silent.”

Howdy, folks! This is your bounty hunter from another mother, Richard, here! Today, I present to you a comic book review! However, this is not just some regular comic review where I chit chat about Batman’s latest adventure in Gotham City. No…This is a review of a comic book adaptation of a Quentin Tarantino film script! Specifically, his original script for his latest film: Django Unchained! OH MY GOD! That is freaking awesome, peeps! This is not something you usually see in comics. Also, what’s really exciting about this is the comic series will be a straight adaptation of the ENTIRE script.

This means that if there is something in the script that didn’t make it to film, it’s probably in the comic! The first issue was released today, and I’m loving it, in case you can’t tell. I will say this, if you don’t want to be spoiled in anyway…AVOID THIS COMIC! Once again, It’s a direct adaptation of the script. So, avoid it, or wait until the film comes out to pick up issue one.

Anyways, Issue one starts off with a group of slaves being escorted to possibly another location to continue their unfortunate slavery. During their journey, The slaves and slavers meet a dentist named Dr. King Schultz. They also meet his horse, Fritz. Schultz is looking for a particular slave that he believes is among the group. As expected, that very slave is among the group, and his name is…Django. Schultz attempts to acquire the slave by politely purchasing him, but the slavers won’t budge. Instead, Schultz is forced to aggressively purchase Django. Schultz and Django then ride to the nearest town to chat about why this has all happened. Apparently, Schultz is actually a bounty hunter looking for some people Django might know. So, he enlists Django to help find these people, and kill them.

First off, I’m so glad this is a direct adaptation of Tarantino’s script. I don’t think there is a single writer out there who could have done a Tarantino script justice. Especially in the dialog. Tarantino dialog is always rough, witty, and fun all at the same time. That’s probably why I hate most film adapted comics. The writers can never really capture the voice of the story or the screenwriter. I will say, the dialog does get a bit wordy at times. Even more so when Schultz is speaking, which is most of the time. That being said, if it were bad dialog, then it would be an issue. Thankfully, the dialog is amazing, and totally fun to read.

But! This is something I expect from Tarantino! I know he is going to wow me when it comes to writing. The real thing to look at is the artwork. The artist on this comic is R.M. Guera. The art in the comic is very rugged, tough, dark and stylized. It’s a style that nicely fits the story. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, though. Some of the faces are a bit weird at times. Other then that, I really dig the artwork. It very much looks like a western comic. Overall, I’m very happy with the way this first issue turned out. Also, it was nice to get kind of an early peek at the first few moments in the film!

I give Django Unchained #1 4.5 gun shots outta 5! I realize half a gun shot is odd, but that’s my rating!

If you would like me to review the rest of the series as it comes out, tell me in the comments! Also, please subscribe to Channel23hahaha on Youtube! I’d really appreciate it!

Comics! With Richard and Carter

Dark Country Graphic Novel Review (COMICS!)

Leave a comment

Man, I love reading new comics! Especially horror/thrillers for Halloween!

Hey Y’all! It’s your zombified, vampirized, monster hunter named Richard, here! Now, do I have an interesting comic for you to check out! Now, 3 years ago, actor Thomas Jane I.E. the greatest on-screen version of The Punisher ever, directed his first film called Dark Country. It was more of an independent film that was based on a short story by the film’s screenwriter, Tab Murphy. The story followed a newlywed Vegas couple on the way to their honeymoon! However, things don’t really go as planned when they run into a man whose face is all but gone. They decide to help out this mysterious and faceless individual by taking him to get help. However, it turns out that not only is this man’s face disturbing, but so is the man himself! This leads to one hell of a horrifying and shocking night in the Nevada desert!

Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to view the film Jane directed yet, but I did find out that Jane, Tim Bradstreet, another guy who put his lovely stamp on the Marvel anti-hero, Tab Murphy, and artist Thomas Ott adapted the short story into a beautiful digital graphic novel! Which you can purchase on the comiXology app right now! Now, this graphic novel just floored me when I was reading it! Hell, it floored me when I was skimming through it! Ott’s artwork is simply beautiful! It’s artists like Ott whom have the ability to tell a story without a single word written on the page. Which is EXACTLY how this comic plays out!

I love silent issues of comic series, but It’s a tough thing to deliver, for sure. You need an artist capable enough to deliver what you’ve brought to the table. Ott, as mentioned, is without a single solitary doubt one of those very artists skillful enough to deliver a silent comic. His scratch board art style is so well used, and perfectly fits the tone of the story being told. It’s hard to compare it to other artists, mainly because no one else really does art like Ott!

Now, this graphic novel not only features Ott’s art, but it also has a few other goodies for you! First of all, the book is filled to the top with behind the scenes looks at the making of Thomas Jane’s film. From storyboards, make up work, call sheets, and so much more. You name it, it’s probably in there! Second, the Graphic Novel also comes with Tab Murphy’s original short story, WHICH I LOVED!

I really really enjoyed Murphy’s short because of the way he wrote it. He wrote it as if YOU are the main character. It’s not a story style you see everyday. It’s a style that almost help’s the imagination picture the story more. Especially since you are the main character. So, when the story’s finale delivers the final punch, you truly feel it! For sure, worth reading when your done drooling over Ott’s artwork!

In conclusion witches and werewolves, I do truly recommend this comic to all of you reading this article now! Again, you can find the comic on the comiXology app for an amazing $9.99 price tag. That’s WAY cheaper then the usual graphic novels you find at the book store or your local comic shop. Also, if you’d like to know more about the comic, the film, the short story, and RAW Studios which is a company founded by Jane and Bradstreet, click on the picture above. This leads directly to their main website! Also, if you want more COMICS! please subscribe to Channel23hahaha on Youtube! Have a Happy Halloween everyone!!!

Comics! With Richard and Carter

Dredd 3D Review! (COMICS!)

Leave a comment

Hi everyone! It’s your enforcer of the law, Judge Richard here! So, normally I’m not really excited for the fall movie season. Most of them just seem like filler until the winter award winning flicks arrive. 2012 has changed that a lot for me! There are so many movies coming out this fall that I am gushing with excitement for! One of those movies was the latest adaptation of the British created comic character, Judge Dredd. I wasn’t much of a fan of the original movie, but not because it ruined the comic.

Believe it or not, I’ve never actually read the original comic work. I just thought the original was just a bad movie. However, I can’t even come close to saying that for Dredd 3D. Along with my short, but sweet, review of Dredd, Carter and I also discuss the new Kick-Ass movie with Jim Carrey, Marvel NOW!, and an amazing indie comic series called Saga! To see the latest episode of COMICS!, click on the photo up top! Also, to keep up with us when we release a new video, subscribe to Channel23hahaha on Youtube! Enjoy the video!