j. michael straczynski

Before Watchmen Prequel From DC Entertainment, w/ J. Michael Straczynski

by on February 1, 2012

in Entertainment

DC Entertainment landed a press release in my inbox at around 5:30 A.M. today (Feb 1, 2012) announcing a series of prequel comic titles based on the Watchmen franchise, called “Before Watchmen.”  Check out the thoughts and details we have on it, here from the Cinema Static column on Brusimm.

Watchmen movie and comic book series

The 2009 Watchmen film, to me, is a wonderfully detailed and gritty movie that takes a look behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a vigilante superhero.  It took a look at their lives behind the scenes and introduced us to the idea that not all heroes are perfect.  They have their…   issues.

Working in an alternate timeline did not hurt the movie at all, but rather, helped the movie going world become a part of what was built up within the franchise of the Watchmen to gain a better foothold on fans’ imaginations.

(And yes, I’m not mentioning the comic book series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons that came out in 1986/87 that was the source of the movie, Watchmen, because I never read it.  My only exposure to the franchise is via the Warner Bros. Pictures movie that was directed by Zack Snyder, and starred Jackie Earle Haley & Jeffrey Dean Morgan, amongst many.

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New Movies This Week: Haywire; Red Tails; Underworld: Awakening…

by on January 17, 2012

in Entertainment, movies

New Movies at the Box Office from Cinema Static 2011 logo 475w lq

This week, the celebrities showing up in new movies this week include Gina Carano, Channing Tatum, Bryan Cranston, Cuba Gooding Jr., the leather clad Kate Beckinsale, Tom Hanks, Gerard Butler, Ralph Fiennes & Christian Bale!  Plus, with the Sundance Film Festival getting in full swing, there’s a bunch of indie movies being presented to the alternative and mainstream press this week.

And from looking over the list of new movies this week, it’s going to be tough to pick one to catch this week!  (Remember, enough of you can chime in at the comments, saying which movie you want me to go see…  you can end up sending me to one of these movies this Friday… be nice!)  Dont’ forget, I also update some select movie titles production status down below this section…

Check it out and see what new movies are coming out on Friday, January 20th, 2012:

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•      Haywire

Haywire movie poster

Haywire stars Gina Carano, Michael Angarano, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Ewan McGregor and  Michael Fassbender grace the screen during this movie.  That’s an incredible collective of celebrity power!

This action movie is directed by Steven Soderbergh (Contagion, Solitary Man, The Informant!) and written by Lem Dobbs (The Score, Dark City).

It’s about a black ops secret agent who has been betrayed… and it’s time to fix things.  (Kind of like Bourne, but a female version of him!  I could love this movie.)

Looking at the preview trailer, they show her doing a lot of leg work to kick butt, which seems fairly realistic.

This looks fun… did you catch Bill Paxton in there?

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•      Red Tails

Red Tails movie poster

Red Tails stars (the soon to be venerable) Bryan Cranston, Daniela Ruah, Joshua Dallas, Cuba Gooding Jr., and more in a movie during the WW II era, about a group of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program being called to duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.

It’s directed by Anthony Hemingway (Treme, CSI: NY)…

If anything, this is an awesome era to have a top-notch production company put together a WW II aerial battle movie.  What I see here looks awesome visually!

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Movie Posters & Trailers for: Snow White and the Huntsman, Underworld

by on November 12, 2011

in Entertainment, movies

Hey gang, my brain is a little tapped out so I thought I’d toss out a few movie posters for your visual consumption…

First up… 

Underworld Awakening,

Due out in January of 2012.  It stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, India Eisley & Stephen Rea.

It has two directors!  Måns Mårlind & Björn Stein.  It’s a team of directors, whose track record includes the blockbuster…  Shelter (2010), and in 2005… um, Storm.  (Wonder if these two were related?)

BUT…  J. Michael Straczynski put the screenplay together.  There’s hope yet.

Hmm…  As much as I love this franchise, I’m not going to hold my breath though.  Here’s the poster anyway because how can you go wrong with Kate Beckinsale in that outfit?  (Didn’t she once say she was done with this outfit/franchise?  Eh, who cares, she’s back now!)

POSTERS

1Image removed via Cease and Desist Request

Well, that’s a big d’oh! on my part!  I love this film franchise, but I apparently overstepped some free marketing boundary!  My bad!

2Underworld Awakening promo art w Kate Beckinsale

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Movie Trailer:

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Brusimm Cinema Static Movie News

Next up is

Snow White and the Huntsman.

Since it seems the world’s fairy tales are piling on into the movie theaters, including, from what I can tell, three different Snow White titles.  But Huntsman is going to be a trilogy…

The cast includes the ever somber and depressed Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Ian McShane, Toby Jones, Nick Frost, Ray Winstone and many more in a Rupert Sanders directed version of Snow White.  Sanders, it looks like, in IMDb, is a first time director.  Oh boy!  Did I mention I worry about unproven directors?

Sanders is directing off a screenplay by Hossein Amini (Drive) & Evan Daugherty.

In this dark take on Snow White, “the Huntsman (Hemsworth) is ordered to take Snow White (Stewart) into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen (Theron).”

This is the first of three films.  At least planned three films.

Movie Posters

1Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman

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2Chris Hemsworth in Snow White and the Huntsman

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Now I hate to be a poo-poo blah, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kristen Stewart in a movie where she emotes anything but somber.  This one doesn’t look like it will be much of an opportunity for her to branch out… I’d love to see her in a happy role.  Anyone know of such a movie?

Snow White and the Huntsman is due out June 1, 2012.

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Movie Trailer (it looks like it has potential!):

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WonderCon Is Moving… And Comic Cons in October 2011

by on October 10, 2011

in Entertainment

WonderCon Changes Cities

WonderCon logoFirst up, in case you had not heard the news/update, is that WonderCon has moved!  Zoinks!  It used to take place in San Francisco and did so up until this last event in the beginning of this year.  This last event was their best ever attended WonderCon venue in Frisco, where it’s been held for the last 6 years, but now, it’s time to move onward.  I’ve never felt crowded in at WonderCon, but now they’re headed to Anaheim, to the largest convention center on the West Coast.  These are my old stomping grounds which is pretty exciting for me!

Next year, WonderCon will he held at the ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER on March 16th to 18th, 2012.  Sweet, I have an entire lifetime of memories down there and I know exactly where I’m headed to eat!  HA!  On top of that, the latest news is that J. Michael Straczynski was just added to their guest list.

With the event moving to Anaheim, if there’s one that that location will offer, is food and lots of it.  Up in San Francsico, there wasn’t a lot for everyone to enjoy.  Locals know where to go and there was a Buca di Beppo, right (almost) next door.  They became very familiar with me there for that weekend!

So I guess we’ll all now meet up in Anaheim!  Right next to Disney Land!

Comic Con Merchandise on Amazon

 

- WonderCon Moving;

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Comic Con Saturday Schedule ['Immortals,' Joss Whedon, 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Fringe']

by on July 10, 2011

in Entertainment, movies, television

"Comic Con" News logo

-Comic Con released their schedule for Saturday, July 23rd for their 2011 Comic-Con event in San Diego.

Saturday seems lite on movies and heavy on TV with a few focused panels on some fan-focused personalities like Robert Kirkman, J. Michael Straczynski, Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon.

Movies making appearances in panels include TWIXT, Immortals, Knights of Badassdom & Snow White and the Huntsmen.  TV shows include Chuck, Terra Nova, The Vampire Diaries, Fringe, Alcatraz, Being Human, Sanctuary and more.

Check out first, Ballroom 20‘s schedule, followed by Hall H‘s schedule and after that, a selective list of events from other rooms and locations.  This is NOT a comprehensive listing of everything… so be sure to check out the Comic Con website for more and updated details.

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Ballroom 20

  • 10:00-10:45 Chuck Screening and Q&A
  • 11:00-12:00 Terra Nova
  • 12:15-1:00 Futurama
  • 1:00-1:45 The Simpsons
  • 2:00-2:35 Family Guy
  • 2:35-3:15 American Dad
  • 3:30-4:15 The Vampire Diaries Screening and Q&A
  • 4:30-5:15 Fringe Screening and Q&A
  • 5:15-6:00 Alcatraz Pilot Screening and Q&A
  • 8:30-11:30 HBO’s True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade

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Hall H

  • 11:45-12:45 TWIXT: Francis Ford Coppola and Dan Deacon
  • 1:00-2:00 Relativity Media: Immortals
  • 2:15-3:15 Knights of Badassdom
  • 3:30-4:15 Universal Pictures: Snow White and the Huntsmen
  • 4:30-5:30 Further over the Rainbow: A First Look at Dorothy of Oz
  • 5:45-7:30 An Early Evening with Kevin Smith

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‘Babylon 5′ (1994): A Cinema Static Classic Reflection

by on April 10, 2011

in Entertainment, television

Today I’d like to take a look back at one of my favorite sci fi shows: Babylon 5, a Cinema Static Classic Reflection.

'Babylon 5' logo

Babylon 5 or B5, (fan shorthand) is chock-full of first-class actors, writers and has a stellar group of creative forces with impeccable credentials. Too bad it was premiered at the same time as another sci-fi show with a similar setting (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine).  However, creator J. Michael Straczynski originally pitched his concept of Babylon 5 five years previous to various network kingpins, it just took them a long time to say “yes.” Apparently they thought there was only one franchise that could successfully grab the sci-fi ratings at that time, Star Trek.

Up until then J. Michael Straczynski had previously been a writer on such shows as Murder She Wrote and Jake and the Fatman, so B5 was his first real foray into prime time TV as an executive producer, creator, writer and den mother on a major network.

'Babylon 5' space station

Unlike other shows, B5 had a definite story arch that began in season 1 but really took off in the second season. (They were also the first to use extensive CGI for the shots outside the station.)  During its 5 year run, B5 at times struggled for recognition from the network even though by then they had won a few Emmys and had a large following of devoted fans. Thankfully Straczynski, while under the threat of cancellation, was able to finish out the fifth and final season and thus end the series.

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Production Statuses for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, ‘Superman’, ‘Twilight’ & more

by on April 5, 2011

in Entertainment, movies

Cinema Static on Brusimm logoEver wonder what stages some of your more anticipated movies are in? Me too. Like what’s up with The Expendables 2, or Ghostbusters 3 & The Wolverine. Has The Dark Knight Rises started filming yet, or what about Superman: Man of Steel?  And what’s up with that Alien prequel movie, Prometheus?  Plus, Cinema Static will touch on the movies that are close to finishing or are finished and looking at the homestretch prior to opening in the theaters!  And looking at the collection of cast, it definitely looks to be an exciting time for the Summer box office and movie-goers.

With that in mind, I thought I’d take a peek at what’s going on with different movies and their various states of being.

Movies in Development

Development is a tricky stage for a movie. That could be considered something that has a spec script but no one is biting or a project that actually has some legs under it. For instance, under the development list are such things as Warcraft, Super Troopers 2, World War Z (with J. Michael Straczynski noted as the writer), & Halo. It drives me crazy that Halo is kept alive in this list. Or that the ever-hopeful fan keeps updating a Thundercats movie entry. I think there’s a point in time you need to give it a rest. At the bottom of this article is the supposed test footage for a once hoped-for incarnation of a Thundercats movie, an animated version, from a few years back.  Or check out the preview of the upcoming ThunderCats animated series on Cartoon Network.

But here is the list of the more anticipated movies that are noted to be in development now:

  • The Expendables 2 (With all the old cast)
  • Ghostbusters 3 (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis)
  • The Wolverine (with Hugh Jackman… but right now in limbo with no director)
  • Star Trek Sequel
  • Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall
  • Kill Bill Vol 3
  • Avatar 2

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Kate Beckinsale Lined Up for Underworld 4

by on September 23, 2010

in Entertainment, movies

ThinkMcFlyThink reported that Kate Beckinsale has signed on for the 4th Underworld movie to reprise her role of Selene.  The script for Underworld 4 was written by John Hlavin and had a rewrite/treatment by J. Michael Straczynski.

No director has been associated yet with Screen Gems newest Underworld, though production is slated to commence in March 2011, in Vancouver.

[TMT]

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Forbidden Planet Movie Remake Update from JMS

by on September 16, 2010

in Entertainment, movies

FORBIDDEN PLANET with Leslie Nielsen and Anne Francis

FORBIDDEN PLANET with Leslie Nielsen and Anne Francis

I’ve been patiently waiting for more news on the classic sci fi movie remake of Forbidden Planet from J. Michael Straczynski (JMS).  It’s been pretty quiet on that front but I found an update of late on the project.

JMS noted that with James Cameron withdrawing from the project to focus on Avatar 2, Warner Bros had to start looking for a new director.  The hard part with the search is that they’re trying to find someone with the right amount of hard-core EFX background who also has an eye for characterization.

These two facets of the director, are what JMS says, will be what makes his remake script work.

JMS sets my mind at ease a bit and adds that Warner Bros does want to get the movie made and they consider it a tentpole movie for their house.  They just want to do it with the right director.

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Autograph Schedules at 2010 Comic-Con

by on July 18, 2010

in Entertainment, imdb

2010 Comic-Con News from Cinema Static

It’s not impossible to get autographs from celebrities at the 2010 Comic-Con event.  They have an entire section set up for scheduled autograph sessions.  Different vendors (studios) also set up special times at their own booths for stars from their specific TV shows or movies but more than likely, most autographs are going to happen in that signature zone, as I call it.  It’s open “from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Thursday through Saturday, and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. No autograph sessions will be held before or after these times.”

The one thing to be prepared for, is that some autographs will cost money.  Some autographs require getting in a line or singing up for lottery pulls to get tickets.  The stars have limited time, or have signed agreements to sign a set number of autographs.  Either way, they’re busy folk and their spending their weekend time with Con attendees.  You may also see some stars available for picture opps.  Those too may cost a few bucks.  Just be aware and ready.  Bring that excess cash this week!  That’s what I’m saying.

Also, be ready for lines and don’t try to pack your schedule in too tight.  Tight time-lines will cause stress when one event lasts a touch longer than the other.  Weigh out your favorites and make this a fun time.  Bring good healthy snacks and water and enjoy your time at Comic-Con.

Here are the rules web page for Comic-Con in regards to ticket drawings to obtain autographs.

Comic-Con Limited Signings Autographs

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Comic-Con has a schedule of who is signing what.  For example, Limited Signings are for the the cast from Mythbusters, the cast of Merlin, Stan Lee, The Cape & Attack of the Show personalities.  You can see the schedule here (Limited Signings for Autographs at Comic-Con).  Read the directions carefully at this link.  They explain the important nuances for how to get tickets for these signings.

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