Major Graphic Novel News Roundup: Battle Angel Alita being directed by Robert Rodriguez, The Boys TV series is in the works and a Hack Slash TV series is in development!

October 16, 2015October 17, 2015johnathan bracey Leave a comment

Battle Angel News Overview

For over 10 years James Cameron has been clamoring to direct a Battle Angel American movie adaptation for over a decade. But now it seems Cameron has found his replacement to do the job for him. From various news sites James Cameron choose edgy director Robert Rodriguez (Sin City, Spy Kids, Machete 1 and 2, Shorts and Sin City 2: Dame To Kill For) to direct the Battle Angel Alita live action adaptation. James Cameron addressed Robert Rodriguez’s involvement from may news websites,

“Robert and I have been looking for a film to do together for years, so I was pumped when he said he wanted to do Battle Angel,” James Cameron said in a press release. “He’s very collaborative and we’re already like two kids building a go-kart, just having fun riffing creatively and technically. This project is near and dear to me, and there’s nobody I trust more than Robert, with his technical virtuosity and rebel style, to take over the directing reins. We’re looking forward to learning a lot from each other while we make a kick-ass epic.”

“Battle Angel is an incredibly rich and vibrant epic in the tradition of Jim Cameron’s spectacular, character-driven films,” Rodriguez added “Getting to work from Jim’s terrific and visionary script while learning the cutting edge techniques he’s pioneered is a master class in film making. It’s an honor to explore the world of Alita along with Jim and Jon, whose films have impacted me for decades.”

Judging by James Cameron’s comments regarding to Robert Rodriguez he is very excited to collaborate with Rodriguez to finally get Battle Angel off the ground. However, let’s see if James Cameron as producer can help guide Robert Rodriguez to make a quality Battle Angel film that will both please the fans of the source material and also to a mainstream audience.

My overall thoughts on this news

If you see this pic of my choosing then you already know my overall reaction after reading this latest news. My thoughts on Robert Rodriguez’s ability as a director rages to him being really “Good” to being really “Meh” to being really “Bad.” There is no doubt that Robert Rodriguez has a visually impressive style when comes to making films like Sin City, a movie that I really loved. As for the sequel I often view it as something that shouldn’t have been bothered being made. Personally I be really up for James Cameron directing this property instead of Robert Rodriguez, because of his better track record (even though many people feel that Avatar is overrated). But aside of that their is no questioning when comes to character development, story and visual effects James Cameron is your go-to director when comes to making big budgeted films. Unfortunately it looks will never experience to see Cameron full on take on Battle Angel because of his direct focus of making the Avatar sequels. Hopefully Cameron’s involvement will help guide Robert Rodriguez to make a quality film instead of Battle Angel being the next slate of really bad sci-fi female lead films alongside Aeon Flux, Resident Evil movies ( Okay I thought the first one was good) and the Underworld series. Now if this movie is good, than Battle Angel could be the next Edge of Tomorrow (A American film that is based on a Japanese Light Novel and Manga called All You Need Is Kill), that shocked many critics and audience by surprise. After that disappointing last Sin City Film hopefully Battle Angel will be Rodriguez’s comeback like Ridely Scott’s the Martian if not looks like Rodriguez will offer another bomb to the box office.

What is Battle Angel Alita?

Battle Angel Alita (in Japanese its often referred as Gunnm) is a Manga series that was written and illustrated by Yukito Kishiro which began in December 3 1990 and ended on my birthday year of April 1,1995. Like another popular Manga its later adapted as a Anime series distributed for both a Japanese and to a western audience. Also Battle Angel was adapted as a videogame adaptation for PlayStation. Battle Angel tells a story based in a post-Apocalyptic world that focus on a female cyborg name Alita. Alita struggles of trying to regain her memories that she lost in the garbage. Alita is then discovered by a cybernetics doctor which he later helps repairs and takes care of her throughout the events of the story. As she tries to regain her memories she develops into a cybernetic bounty hunter who often encounters variety of characters that she once met during the the time of her estrange past.

The Boys TV Series News Overview

In the past there have been many reports that director Adam McKay was on working to develop “The Boys” movie adaptation for many times, but it looks like The Boys is going to be transferred to the smaller screen instead. According to a ScreenCrush article Seth Rogan who is also producing one of Garth Ennis’s and Darick Robertson’s gritty and raw stories the Preacher for AMC is going to try to adapt The Boys for a TV series. However, due to the source material’s extreme grotesque violence and sexually explicit material its most likely The Boys will be offered for HBO, Showtime or Netflix. The Boys will probably be also too extreme for some of cable shows like a FX or for a AMC perhaps. However, AMC did manage to offer a lot of excessive violence when comes to Walking Dead and it seems the Preacher will be no different. Although the excessive themes like grotesque use of language and nudity are toned down compared to what is normally shown in the source material. To me I would much prefer The Boys to be adapted as live action TV series instead of a movie, because in my personal opinion The Boys works better as a episodic story compare to being warped up as a 2hr movie. Rather this will turn out to be either adapted to a TV series or a movie, I would be so disappointed that Simon Pegg isn’t cast as Hughie Campbell, not only because he looks exactly like the character just because the character is exactly molded after him.

What is The Boys

The Boys is one of the grittiest and satirized stories written by Garth Ennis and gruesomely illustrated by Darick Robertson. In the world of The Boys, custom super powered superheroes coexist with average people, and are looked normally upon as everyday celebrities. Like many celebrities they often abuse the powers due to their BIG egos. When superheroes turned bad the American government call on a CIA black ops division formally as the “The Boys” and well one girl. The Boys consist of Hughie Campbell, Billy Butcher, Mother’s Milk, Frenchmen and the “Female” devote their violent lives to clean up the super powered messes in our beloved USA. In the core of the story Garth Ennis shows us a twisted fictionalized reality of what if the Avengers were in our world. What if our beloved Captain America became a O. J Simpson or what if one day Wonder Woman became a raunchier version of Kim Kardashian?

Hack/Slash TV development

From a latest Hollywood Reporter article the cult Horror comic Hack/Slash is going to be adapted as TV series by Relativity Media that also shares partnerships with Anchorage Capital, Falcon Investments and Luxor Capital. Hack/Slash will be written by action-orientated movie screenwriter Skip Woods (eh) who directed many mixed to really bad slate films such as Sword Fish, Hitman and Hitman: Agent 47 and A Good Day To Die Hard. Hack/Slash TV show will be looked upon as the revival of the survival horror drama AMC’s The Walking Dead.

My thoughts on Hack/Slash News

Just like when I found out about the news about Battle Angel being directed by Robert Rodriguez instead of James Cameron, here’s another picture to express my frustration. Hack/Slash isn’t my favorite comic series in the world, but I enjoy the couple of volumes when I get the chance to read them through. When I found out Hack/Slash was being adapted as series than a movie I was semi-intrigued. Unfortunately when I read through the rest of the article to find out that Skip Woods was going to write the script, than my enthusiasm for this show went straight out the widow. After watching films like Hitman Agent 47 and A Good Day to Die Hard, X-Men Origins Wolverine among many action films which he wrote. I thought all of them have been either mediocre to straight up bad. If you read some of the Hack/Slash comics the stories are often looked upon as edgy horror fun but what I’m really afraid when it comes to Skip Woods writing the script, I know he is going to make Hack/Slash series into a dumb, generic action film. And after you are done watching it you really want to turn off your brain. Not just because you want to turn off your off your brain on purpose because, you aware what you watching is just meant to be seen as dumb fun. I’m referring to something so bad, you really want try hard to turn off your, and never want to remember it again. And a Good Day to Die hard and Deadpool featured in X-Men Origins Wolverine are good examples of movies that should never be remembered ever again. Look I know I’m probably pre-judging this news too much and if this future TV series ever gets made than I’m willing to give Skip Woods a small chance. But if this show gets cancelled after one season then I know who to partially to blame when comes to the writing of the series.

What is Hack/Slash?

Hack/Slash was a one-shot horror comic series that was written and illustrated by Tim Seeley which ran from 2004-2015. Hack/Slash was a popular horror cult title published by both Image comics and once by Devil’s Due Publication. Hack/Slash tells the story of hack slashing punk goth girl name Cassie Hack who was once a slasher victim similar to slasher victims in films such as Halloween, Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street etc. Cassie Hack one day decide to fight back against the slashers by slashing them. Throughout progress of the stories Cassie Hack becomes a horror slasher bounty hunter against any slasher that prey upon innocent teenagers.

Conclusion

I know I haven’t wrote article see the early October because I have been really busy lately but I willing to make post every weekend if I have to do so that is. But enough about me I like to know more about you! What are you’re thoughts about these obscure graphic novels either trying to be adapted into the big or smaller screen? Let me know on the comment section below.

Three Reasons that a Watchmen TV Series can work for HBO

October 3, 2015December 29, 2016johnathan bracey Leave a comment

News Overview

watchmen-tv-show-hbo-zack-snyder

From many news headlines there have been talks or speculations that a Watchmen series could be developed by HBO with the help of director Zack Snyder (Batman v Superman and Watchmen the movie) trying make a push for it. However, from a Collider news article the most prestigious and most qualified directors like even a David Fincher tried to push for his Utopia series to be made by HBO, but HBO shutdown the project because the budget for the show was just too high. Now if Zack Snyder offers a great scripts, a good team of writers/directors and a reasonable budget for this TV series than a Watchmen series might be optional. However, HBO’s Game of Thrones coast about $6 million for each episode to make so it mainly depends if a high budget show, is able to bring in many amount of viewers each episode pre-week. Watchmen as a film cost about $130 million and worldwide and it only made $185. 3 million worldwide in the box office. As a rated R film it did decent in the box office but as a non PG-13 superhero film it is often consider as a box office failure and cult classic for a niche demographic. However, I think Watchmen series might have a better shot as a cable series than a movie and especially than a network television show. Because it doesn’t have to worry about trying to bring in a wide audience viewership. Right now all of this is speculation but like any patient graphic novel fanboy I’m waiting for the possible best out of this discussion.

Here is 3 reasons that a Watchmen series could Work!

3. The Aftermath

If Zack Snyder really wants to get really ballsy of doing a new take on the Watchmen I think doing series where the original graphic novel left off would be unique idea. WARNING if you haven’t read the original or the Watchmen film adaptation, than don’t read this only if you don’t care for spoilers! In the very end of Watchmen a young geeky ginger news journalist is about to grab Rorschach’s journal, which contain many untold secrets about each Watchmen and conspiracy theories of the American government. It would be cool to see some sort of aftermath to see what are the Watchmen doing today in the 21st century? Like what happen to Dr. Manhattan after killing Rorschach for trying to prevent him to tell everybody what was cause the destruction the Nuclear destruction brought upon the entire the world. What does Ozymandias think about his consequences after doing such a criminal act upon killing billions and millions of innocent lives? Is both Nite Owl and Silk Specter really done doing crime fighting in general and also the big questions is there any Rorschach copycats fighting crime in dirty streets of New York? Is there is a new generation of Watchmen of the 21st Century! Oh boy so many possibilities and questions so left untold. Personally I would love to see a series knowing what if the rest of the world be like if words of Rorschach’s journal was spread allover the media.

2. A Prequel

The Before Watchmen comic series might not hold a candle stick compared to the original Watchmen graphic novel written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Gibbons, but I believe that a Before Watchmen series can work best for a limited series or ongoing series if possible. I think it would be really interesting to explore the Golden Age of superheroes with the Minutemen or explore darker backgrounds of Rorschach and the Comedian or pre-Watchmen characters. This approach for storytelling could be a great way to explore newer stories that we might never see on the big screen. If a Minutemen series is great than we might get to chance to see a good historical superhero drama on our TV sets. However, if we get origin stories of the Comedian, Dr. Manhattan, Rorschach (my three favorite Watchmen characters) this could offer a new wave to fully explore the dark sides of superhero genre. If the approach is successful of course.

1 . A Series for each Individual Watchmen

If your not that much into prequels than I think keeping the TV series in the same timeline as the original graphic novel, but having each episode to spotlight each out of the 5 Watchmen characters. If HBO went with the direction for each individual Watchmen character during same timeline as Alan Moore’s graphic novel, as a viewer this kind of approach allows us to be engaged and to be even more in tune to the story and each Watchmen compared to watching it as a 2 hour minute film. Trust me I’m not knocking down the movie but I would like to see a series that would offer more story length, that we couldn’t experience to see in the Watchmen movie due to some scenes from the book had to be cut down to fit the time for the film. A Watchmen series starring each episode with five Watchmen can be wrapped up in 13 or 10 episodes minimum which be perfect for a ongoing TV series or even for a limited series.

Conclusion

Its nice to start in the beginning of the Fall season to hear such good upcoming comic book news. So what do you think about this awesome news do you think a Watchmen series can indeed work? Or should Alan Moore’s brilliant storytelling creations should left alone? I like to know you’re thoughts in the comment section below.

A Quick Shot of Arseface’s face on the Old Lamy Mission Production set, including my thoughts on the image and a brief background of Arseface

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015johnathan bracey Leave a comment

News Overview

As AMC is focusing on their own comic book TV property craze on the Walking Dead, we’ve heard little to no news on the Preacher series secluded for sometime in 2016. The only news we have gotten from the Preacher series was announcement from Seth Rogan that he will be producing the show and he would like movie director Duncan Jones (Source Code, Moon and the upcoming World of Warcraft film) to direct some episodes. Many months after that press announcement we saw a shadow image based inside of a shadowy room of how Arseface, but now the latest look of Arseface have just arrive and it looks good. Actor Ian Colletti who is the actor who will be portraying Arseface has the perfect square or around head for the character. Now as of now I can tell the makeup isn’t quiet finished, because his upper side of his face is still quite normal. But the lower side of his face you can tell that the makeup artist are squishing his mouth in like a hole, and his cheek bones are bony. From a image of Hitflix news article it showed a possible Arseface image if Arseface would have look like with a HBO budget instead of a lower AMC budget.

One of the producers commented on the image from above

“If you were hoping some of “The Walking Dead” budget would be thrown at “Preacher” to bring Arseface to life, it’s a bit of a let down. Then again, what could possibly live up to the HBO make-up test that floated around a few years back?”

But with a little what the producer’s by what they are giving with a small AMC budget, I think its looking good so far. I hope the finish result will look disgustingly as the Preacher graphic novel series.

Who is Arseface?

Arseface has the face that only a mother could love…well maybe depending on the mother that is. Arseface is one of the strange looking supporting characters in Garth Ennis Preacher series. Before becoming “Arseface” he once grew up in a unhappy household which caused him to look up to a real-life musician Kurt Cobain as inspiration and borderline idol worship. Arseface is Sheriff Root’s son and always targeted by bullies. One thing that Kurt Cobain and Arseface had common with one of another there are both suicidal. Two people wanting to end their lives from each of their own living hell’s. Arseface wanted to commit suicide by using a shot gun aimed under his chin, but instead of killing him it only deformed his face. Since the aftermath of his transformation, Arseface was the cause of his father forever ignoring him and his father’s wife forever leaving him. Later on in the story The Preacher Jesse Custer humiliates Arseface’s father that I won’t spoil all the goods for you, motivated Arseface to have a sworn vengeance onto Jesse and his friends.

Conclusion

So what you think of Arseface’s production look do you think there going in a right direction or do you really wish the look itself who have look close to the promised HBO production look. Let me know on the comment section below.

How a Post Apocalyptic Zorro movie can Work

August 20, 2015August 20, 2015johnathan bracey 2 Comments

News Overview

As the comic book movie and cinematic universe boom is booming each giving year its no surprise that Zorro will have his time in modern cinemas. From a recent report from the Hollywood Reporter, Lantica Media and Sobini Films are partnering up to do a Zorro reboot that would be set in post-apocalyptic setting. The project will begin shooting sometime in 2016, which is stated by the Hollywood Reporter:

“Zorro Reborn is a post-apocalyptic take on the myth of Zorro, the pulp hero created in 1919. The traditional stories cast Zorro as a hero of peasants and farmers who fought against corrupt and brutal officials of Spanish-held California. Reborn is set in the near future but keeps the idea of a masked and caped stranger taking on tyrants.”

For years the Zorro reboot project was in development by 20th Century FOX by Bryan Singer Ricardo de Montreuil, Gary Whitta and Justin Mark about 15 years since the 1998 film but now because felt there will no movement on the project FOX decide to sell the rights to Lantica and Sobini Films. Now Lantica and Sobini Films are willing to introduce a whole new version of Zorro they will be able to capture classic element of the old.

1. The Setting

If you are familiar with the classic Zorro he is the 1919 pulp fiction character that inspired Bob Kane’s and Bill Finger’s Batman. But if you set Zorro out of the 20th Century and set in him a dystopian future ruled by a tyrant or in a much different world without hope and justice, you can really explore the depth of the character a lot more. The Zorro reboot can have inspired elements of the mix of V for Vendetta, George Orwell’s 1984 and the Book of Eli. If this movie is done right you can put Zorro in a type of futuristic setting where there is no heroes or rebels and have Zorro as the hero willing to take a stand in a bleak futuristic dystopian world.

2. Zorro as a Character

The Spanish and Los Angeles vigilante Zorro can be a vigilante lurking in the shadows of a dystopian future where there is no order but only chaos. Because this will be a re-imagining of the character its most likely they would change of the look of the character so the look of Zorro himself will make you believe as a viewer, to be able to fit in this dystopian world. I’m hoping in this reboot Zorro will have similar character design to V from V for Vendetta or protagonist Roland Deschian from Dark Tower, well if there are going for a gritter and serious approach to the character. Now I am okay with certain changes but I don’t want the changes to totally disregard of the true elements of Zorro of who he is. I still want Zorro writing his classic signature “Z” if is not done is a cheesy way, his sword and his classic black bandit mask. But only change the look of the character so, Zorro won’t stick out like some sort of a cartoon character. If the writers and directors going for a serious approach of Zorro being set in post Apocalyptic setting it would look kinda odd to my standards, to see Zorro stick out like some sort of cartoon character. Personally I always wanted Zorro to be taken in more of serious approach to separate itself form the older adaptations of the character. I mean look what happen to the Lone Ranger reboot and the new Man from Uncle movie, two classic properties turned movies that directors/writers decide to do a faithful classic comedic approach of the character, but as a result both movies bombed in the box office. Arguably I could be wrong on this, but sometimes movies based on dated characters hardly resonate with audience of today. So I hope this new re-imagining of the character of Zorro can please both old school audience and new school audience alike.

3. The Tone of the Film

Of all things working against this film is knowing what kind of tone will this movie be. If you read through two of my reasons you would know I am more interested in a more serious approach. Because I love the idea of vigilante lurking in the shadows of dystopian wasteland or a futuristic city with a mix of elements of Minority Report and pulp elements of the Shadow. It all depends on the tone that the writers are willing take the Zorro and world where the character is set. Its more likely the writers might go for a more chaotic & humorous approach similar to Total Recall, but I will be more interested if Zorro similar to the Book of Eli. I think it would be kinda of cool seeing Zorro wondering in desert like city wasteland slicing and dicing gas masked bandits within that world. When they announce a director and screenwriter its going be interesting what kind of style and atmosphere this movie will turn into.

The Crow Reboot may Rise from the dead….well Maybe

August 18, 2015August 18, 2015johnathan bracey Leave a comment

News Overview

The last news on The Crow Reboot actually happening was a second chance to non, after the announcement of Relativity Media being filled for bankruptcy the production of The Crow was assumed to be forever dead. However, Co-creator of The Crow James O’ Barr gives the latest update that The Crow reboot could still be alive. Coming from a latest news article from both Comic Book.com and Screen Rant James O’ Barr stated on the future of the project:

“It’s still very much a live property. The company, Pressman Films, that owns The Crow film and TV rights, licensed it to a studio named Relativity. And Relativity made like a hundred bad movies and lost money so now they’re in financial trouble. So the producers are just going to take it to another studio if Relativity can’t get backing again. It’s going to happen.”

He also included:

“The day Relativity announced that they were having financial problems, there were like a dozen other studios that called about getting The Crow property. It definitely will happen.”

If you want news updates on The Crow reboot link on these links below

https://taboocomics.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/monday-news-roundup-naruto-live-action-adaptation-is-in-development-by-lionsgate-and-the-crow-reboot-production-has-been-delayed/

https://taboocomics.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/boardwalk-empire-star-jack-huston-has-left-the-crow-reboot-and-it-seem-the-crow-is-forever-dead-in-development-hell/

My Overall thoughts on the News

I can’t predict the future but it seems that The Crow reboot might not see the light of day, well only if a another movie Studio will be offering to pick up the rights of the project. But from the trouble of casting issues, production issues and the overall Hell just to put this project off the ground, I don’t think a major movie studio will risk their hard earned money if the process for this movie isn’t any good. I’m not saying this project will never happen, but as of now I just can’t see this movie happening anytime soon. Also due to the bad sequels and a really bad TV show in the past its sad to say the quality of The Crow might have serious BO allover it. Other words if a Crow reboot did actually happen I will be having flashbacks of what happen to the Dredd reboot. Which was a movie also based off a lesser known comic book property that manage to have a good word of mouth and good critic reviews, but ended up being a box office bomb due to the original film that starred Sylvester Stallone as Dredd being so horrible. But to be also be fair the marketing for that movie wasn’t good either. Now if later down the line if a movie studio dose pick up the rights to this project, and I began to see announcements of good actors being dedicated to stay onto this project, a prominent director willing to stay on this project and that the The Crow reboot has a good script behind it. Then I’ll began to see a possibility that The Crow reboot can be successful but as of now every time I see the news on The Crow reboot project, its like hearing news about a live action Akira movie actually happening. So at this point every time I see or hear about the news about The Crow reboot actually happening I believe it when I see it.

Conclusion

So what do you think of the news of The Crow Reboot do you think the project for this film will will live or be eaten by the crows? I like to know you’re thoughts below. Right now I won’t be excited for any Crow movie news until I actually see some actual movement for this project. But because I do see any actual movement, I believe that rebooting the Crow is a waste of time.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?

Follow Taboo Follow on Facebook with this link here https://www.facebook.com/Taboo-Everything-About-Graphic-Novels-, Twitter, Tumblr, Google Plus and become a member ofTaboo: Every About Graphic Novels in my own Google Plus community by this link here https://plus.google.com/u/1/communities/101385616810075230119/stream/13926862-e826-4bb2-bb34-1fe5eb6a60a8 You can also find my website by simply Googling my comic book/graphic novel website by Taboo Where The Strange Is Looked Upon The Norm. Or by this

My thoughts on the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Movie Reboot being more “Female Centric.”

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015johnathan bracey 1 Comment

News Overview

Two days a ago it was announced from the Producer John Davis, who is the same producer over the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen reboot that the movie will be more “female centric.” John Davis addressed his thoughts from started on a IGN article:

“Just by going back to the roots and making it authentic to what the fan base was really excited about. It’s female-centric, which I think is interesting. I love female characters, point-of-view characters in action movies.”

John Davis also made a comparison of Mad Max Fury Road’s female lead character Furisosa as his main inspiration for this upcoming reboot. John Davis wants the movie to have more of a female’s point of view.

My thoughts on this Subject

Now if you read the League of Extraordinary of Gentlemen graphic novel the main character who actually forms the League of Extraordinary of Gentlemen in the beginning of the story is indeed a female character name Wilhelmina “Mina Harker” Murray, a character that is based on the same literary protagonist for the original 1897 Bram Stoker Vampire novel Dracula. However, I’ve read the several message boards form this press announcement, and many male viewers already making hyperbole assumptions that this movie is going for the Ghostbusters 3 route. Meaning male viewers or even female viewers are worried they are replacing all of the male literary (Allan Quarermain Jr. Captain Nemo, Dr. Hyde, Invisible Man, Orlando, C. Auguste Dupin, Thomas Carnacki and A.J. Raffles) characters all into females. I highly doubt that they will turn all historical literary characters into women just to appeal only to the female demographic. This type of movie is very different compared to the Ghostbusters 3, because Ghostbusters 3 are replacing the original male cast with a entirely whole new cast. I could be wrong but as of right now I’m assuming that FOX will keep the original characters from the original film but with a more female point of view. Now what I understand from John Davis comments for this upcoming movie is Mina Harker will be the main vocal point for this movie. And probably have more character development than from the last film, which portrayed actress Peta Wilson as the character. For me this really exciting news because Mina Harker won’t probably be treated just as a supporting female character, who forms the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in the beginning and then Mina Harker gets a backseat when she forms all of the male characters after the first act of the film. Then Mina Harker will be treated as nothing more than a “supporting character” as the male characters such as Allan Quarermain takes over the spotlight. In this new retelling of this film I hope Mina Harker is treated more as a “Boss” similar to Nick Fury in the Avengers or Viola Davis as Amanda Waller in the upcoming Suicide Squad film.

“Who is Mina Harker”

Wilhelmina “Mina Harker” Murray is the vocal heroine in the story who forms all of the recognizable male literary characters such as Allan Quarermain Jr. Captain Nemo, Dr. Hyde, Invisible Man, Orlando, C. Auguste Dupin, Thomas Carnacki and A.J. Raffles as one organization called the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. In the year 1898 MI5 Agent and handler Champion Bond (Grandfather of James Bond) assigns Mina Hacker to form a group of literary characters to put a end of disastrous gang war between Fu Manchu and Professor Moriarty (the arch nemesis of Sherlock Holmes). As recruited Mina Harker agrees of doing job and she then journey’s around the world to sniff out these literary characters. After doing so Mina tries to settle their egomaniac differences onto one another and try to organize them as being a successful team of British agents. Although Mina Harker is the only female in the group, Mina Harker can prove that she can indeed hold on her own and command orders just like any other male Captain.

Conclusion

So do you think League of Extraordinary Gentlemen being more female centric is a good idea or bad direction of this new reboot. I for one think is good way to go, I want to see Mina Harker being the main vocal point for this film. But don’t get me wrong I hope the male literary characters have a balance of screen time as well. However, I do want Mina Haerker to be treated as a respected lead because she is the main character who went through the danger to formed League, and tried to put aside the League’s personal differences to make them work together.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?

Constantine gets resurrected on Arrow Season 4 and including my thoughts if Constantine will have a season 2 on CW or Not

August 12, 2015August 12, 2015johnathan bracey 2 Comments

News Overview

Good news for Constantine fans, it is confirmed that NBC’s Constantine will be transferred on CW’s Arrow season 4. After the cancellation of NBC’s Constantine we thought we will never see Constantine ever again however, Constantine will be resurrected on CW but not for a season 2 unfortunately. From the recent report from a Variety article Constantine will be featured on Arrow’s season 4 episode Haunted. Arrow show runner Marc Guggenheim is excited for lead actor Constantine’s Matt Ryan coming to Arrow’s season 4 by stating,

“We are thrilled to have Matt Ryan reprise the role of John Constantine on an upcoming episode of ‘Arrow.’ Matt is an incredibly talented actor and his portrayal of this beloved character was always something we admired. The introduction of magic and mysticism on the show this season has provided a truly organic opportunity for us to bring John Constantine to ‘Arrow’ and the CW’s DC universe. It will be a well-deserved tip of the hat to all the ‘Constantine’ fans who were so incredibly supportive of that series.”

Executive producer and co-showrunner Wendy Mericle also included that how Constantine might fit in narrative wise how he will fit in season 4 of Arrow,

“We knew Sara was coming back and we wanted to have her soul… she needed to be resurrected, and even in the world of the comic books, he’s the guy to do it. We weren’t sure it was all going to work out, but DC was very generous and Matt Ryan’s schedule worked out and we’re very excited.”

Constantine will be the supernatural and occult expert in season as Arrow and the other heroes of DC’s Legend’s of Tomorrow might not be fully aware of. Constantine will be DC’s CW universe gateway of offering the amount of magic, demons, spells and other otherworldly supernatural elements.

Dose this mean we will get a Constantine season 2 on CW?

Many fans are speculating now that Matt Ryan’s Constantine is reprising his role on Arrow’s CW show, dose this mean Constantine will have a season 2 on CW? That could be a possibility if the audience is looking forward to seeing Arrow that also includes adding on Constantine. If Constantine becomes a fan favorite than CW might take notice of the audience reaction on social media and from the audience ratings, which judges if or not people are willing want to see more Constantine. Despite NBC’s cancelling the standalone show,I think CW is better suited for a Constantine show. The reason why is because a Constantine show on CW doesn’t have to worry about targeting for high amount ratings compared to NBC’s rating standards. Also CW seems very optimistic and really love their live action comic book properties rather they are lesser know or not. I often feel that other TV networks just want to cash in on the comic book movie boom. I still don’t understand why NBC thought a lesser known DC character like a Constantine will rank in high amount of ratings similar to a Batman or a Superman type of show. And also I knew that Constantine will be cancelled form the start, because NBC has a infamous trend of cancelling popular shows if they don’t get high amount of firing ratings they expect. The moment when Constantine was move to the Friday Night slot Constantine was good as a dead. So I have high hopes for a possible Constantine season 2 being shown on CW one day but it all comes how the audience will react to Arrow season 4 episode Haunted and the Constantine as a character.

If you’re interested get to know my thoughts on the cancellation of NBC’s Constantine by clicking on this link below.

https://taboocomics.wordpress.com/2015/05/09/my-several-reasons-why-constantine-was-cancelled-on-nbc/?preview=true&preview_id=433&preview_nonce=d385c18e21&post_format=standard

Conclusion

Are you excited that Matt Ryan will be reprising his role Arrow season 4 if so please discuss I really love to know you’re thoughts. I for one hope CW are willing to give Constantine a another shot for a season 2 because many of the fans have been waiting patiently and was disappointment of the mishandling of the character on NBC.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?

Fantastic Four (2015) Review: Is it a Fantastic Four or a Fantastic Bore?

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015johnathan bracey Leave a comment

Let’s start with the Pros…which are just a few

The First Hour

The first hour of build up for this movie is absolutely terrific.The movie introduces us with a very young Reed Richards sharing his realer than scientific ideas of transporting to parallel dimensions to his grade school teacher and his classmates. His teacher views Reed Richards as a kid living in a fantasy world, but young Reed Richards actually believes in himself as he speaks about his larger than life ideals to his class. And when he is writing his broad ideas in his notebook, which are filled with mind blowing brainchild ideals. Reed Richards’s dedication and hard work eventually attracts another classmate who happens to be a young Ben Grimm a.k.a the Thing. In this re-imagining Ben Grimm lives in a middle of a junk yard with his low class family, and his bully of a older brother. Later on in the movie Reed Richards meets Ben in the junk yard, Ben offers to help Reed by using useless items from his junk yard for his science project being tested inside Reed Richard’s garage. I won’t go in too much detail but I thought the first hour of the origin story to offered one of the best aspect of this film.

The Political Aspect

In this more grounded outlook of Fantastic Four which I really like in this film was the political premise. If we actually had a Fantastic Four in the real world it is most likely the government would try to weaponize them, especially when comes to government using The Thing as nothing more than as use of brute force. Although the movie doesn’t really explore this political aspect far enough, I like how the the soon to be Fanatic Four team, don’t really like being used as military weapons even if they like it or not. This approach fits the tone of this film, and it able to offer a nice outlook of realism of the fantastic in a not so fantastic world.

The Serious Tone and Old School Sci Fi Horror Elements

I really enjoyed the darker tone for this particular Fantastic Four film compare to most viewers, the tone offers a almost a sci-fi horror feel to it. As you watch this movie you can really tell that Josh Trank wanted to add elements of the Cronenberg’s The Fly into this film which in my perspective really fits. If you read some of the early comics of the Fantastic Four, Mr. Fantastic, Invisibles, the Human Torch and Thing are truly the freaks of the birth of radiation. And the enemies they face exception of Dr. Doom are creatures and monsters.The serious tone of the film also add a good amount of drama that manage to enhance some of the serious situations in the movie.

Decent Acting

Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic played by Miles Teller, Ben Grimm/The Thing played by Jamie Bell, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman played by Kate Mara and Johnny Storm/The Human Torch played Micheal B. Jordan I thought played there roles very good. Arguably their characters might have not been very executed good in this film, but I thought their acting in this film was good enough. All four including Toby Kebbell (even if his portrayal as the antagonist was bad). I can tell each of them try there best to stay in character and portray their characters right even if the actors are fighting a uproar battle with a poorly written script.

Okay Let’s get to the CONS!!!

Very poor character development & Chemistry

After the Fantastic Four get there powers the movie becomes even less than fantastic, because there is hardly any character development. Let’s start with Johnny and Sue Storm relationship, one of the interesting aspects of this movie that I really want to see explored was the intermixed brother and sister relationship of Sue Storm and Johnny Storm. In the first hour of this movie it seems that Johnny Storm might be jealous of how is father Dr. Storm played by Reg E Cathey shows favoritism towards his sister more than him, but after the first act that particular plot point never gets fully explored. Sadly as the story progresses the amount of character development between Johnny Storm and Sue Storm unfortunately gets muddled and forgotten. The character development isn’t just treated bad only directed to the Storm siblings but for the other characters as well. Victor Von Doom seems to being to hold a grudge to Reed Richards for being close to Sue Storm, but that plot point never gets furthered explored. When Ben Grimm gets transformed into The Thing he often blames Mr. Fantastic for his mutation, but that aspect of the movie hardly ever gets developed or brought up again. In the middle and especially in the last act of this movie the Fantastic Four doesn’t feel like a team or a family, they feel more like a team that have to work together because each of them happen have superpowers.

A Wooden Sue Storm

At least some of the Fantastic Four has some form of likeness in the movie, but to me Sue Storm was written extremely poor but just behind Victor Von Doom, who I’ll get into just a moment. Sue Storm hardly has any personality other than being smart, and well she likes to listening too music. Among the many of the characterizations of Sue Storm, this particular Sue Storm felt like a emotionless robot. In my point a view Sue Storm is treated as a underused Fantastic Four team based character. For example in the first act in this film there is seem to be a love triangle between Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom, but as that part of the story progressed it just gets swept under the rug. To also add a pet peeve Sue Storm doesn’t even get offered or is motivated to travel to one of the parallel dimensions with the other the male dominate Fantastic Four characters (Reed Richards, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm and Victor Doom).

Bad Pacing & Bad Editing

The first act of this movie might be executed decent but it is indeed very slow, and unfortunately the pacing throughout the second and third act is pacing is very tediously boring and offers hardly any exciting action. I admit was often dozing off in the middle of the “talking” parts. I didn’t really care when the characters were often discussing of traveling through parallel dimensions. 30 minutes in the movie the characters felt like they were just talking than just “doing.” When the characters finally accomplish there goals, the Fantastic Four characters manage to gain each of their unique powers, but we often just see them underutilized each of their powers inside confined military training rooms or military battle grounds. Mr. Fantastic manage to be a renegade in the middle part of the movie, but Mr. Fantastic hardly dose anything with his unique stretching abilities, other than morphing his face, which looks really bad. The editing in this film is really the worse aspects done to this movie, because when we finally get to the third act, this film felt like it was directed by a entirely different director. Near the end it felt like I was watching a generic brawling superhero movie, than a sci fi exploration movie that I was promised to see in the beginning.

Really Bad CGI

There is some good CGI in this film such as Thing’s character design, Human Torch when he is flamed up on etc but there is obvious really bad CGI, to a point the special effects looks like a PS3 videogame than a $120 million budget movie. The majority of the CGI in this film looks obviously fake in this film. For example when our sci fi explores enter to another universe, the backgrounds designs of these parallel world looks really bland and lifeless. There is just seem no to any effort of of the special effects when the Fantastic Four travel to different universes, now CGI use of the Fantastic Four powers look very decent, but majority of the special effects often shares comparison to Syfy TV movies.

Rushed and Anti-Climatic

The last act of this movie is truly one of the worst last 15 minutes of my life I ever seen in a movie. Its so God Awful, because you know why as our main characters don’t have enough time fully build up. For example Victor Von Doom and the Fantastic Four team happens to fight one another without any adding any further depth or motivation. And when the movie ends the Fantastic Four seem they don’t care that defeated or possibly killed a former partner turned enemy. It was like all the events that happen middle and last in the movie hardly even matter at all. All the major events of the movie felt like it was forgotten or ignored and I don’t know if it was due to sloppy editing or just bad writing.

Last but also least Victor Von Dump

Toby Kebbel as Doctor Doom in 'Fantastic Four'

Victor Von Doom’s characterization in this movie has to be one of the worst portrayals probably more than the 1990s Fantastic Four or the 2005 Fantastic Four film. Victor Von Doom has no motivation of why he dose the evil things that he dose. Victor Von Doom only appears as “Dr. Doom” in the start of the middle of the third and somehow becomes a force of pure power who happens to have the power to make people’s heads explodes with one stare. There is zero no real logic of Dr. Doom’s powers and there is no logic why can he just straight up kill the Fantastic Four, as all four of them try to fight him all at once. I many nitpick on the Marvel films by them not managing to make there villains interesting but Victor Von Doom is by far one of the worst one-dimensional and poorly used Marvel super villain I have ever seen on screen. Victor Von Doom is truly was the doomed character that needed to be shot in a alley. And to add another note Dr. Doom’s character design looks like there was lack to any effort put into to it. So if your fan of Dr. Doom as character in comics, cartoons or depicted in whatever kind of media (exception of the movies) than your going to be severely disappointed once again unfortunately.

Conclusion

Fantastic Four is truly has a lot of potential by overall I give it a

4/10

Fantastic Four happens to have a lot of potential but the movie falls flat as the movie progresses. There is hardly to no action movie but when the movie delivers to have action in the end its manages to really fall flat on its face. It was a shame because I really want to like this film and wanted this film to be good, but this movie happens to be a major disappointment for me. I hope whenever we have another Fantastic Four film I hope wipe out the stench from this film and other films that were made behind it. So what are you favorite moments or problems with this film.I would like to know your thoughts about this movie on the comment section below.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?

My Top Five Graphic Novels that can possibly never be made into live Action Films

August 6, 2015August 6, 2015johnathan bracey 1 Comment

5. Alan Moore’s Sage of the Swamp Thing (Reboot)

Why I think its unfilmable: Alan Moore’s the Sage of the Swamp Thing is a well made philosophical re-imagining of the Swamp Thing, that every comic book reader who truly enjoy reading Alan Moore’s work would get. But not for the vast audience, they would probably only see a Swamp monster that would be having sexual intercourse with a human (if they introduce Abby in the narrative) which would gross out a lot of people out. Another thought if this movie isn’t marketed in the right way majority of the audience wouldn’t simply understand what they going in for, especially if they go in the theater and expecting to see a horror film about a Swamp monster eating a group of teenagers.

The only way working: If this movie is marketed as sci-fi/fantasy film with a promising deep narrative that could attract particular audience that enjoy watching movies like Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones I think a Swamp Thing could attract that similar demographic. To be honest if the Sandman movie dose decent in the box office and has critical acclaim, I think Warner/DC would be trusted enough to green lite a Alan Moore’s Swamp Thing movie, without worrying about audience still thinking about the 1982 Swamp Thing movie. The 1982 film should be already fresh out of our minds by now, hopefully.

4. X-Men God Loves, Man Kills

Why I think is unfilmable: Yeah I know, X-Men 2 is loosely based on X-Men God Loves, Man Kills but what I want is a direct adaptation based on this X-Men graphic novel. In the story William Stryker is a radical evangelist that discriminates and condemns mutants compared to the movies he’s toned down as a military General. William Stryker’s followers are The Purifiers are basically like the KKK that go around lynching and killing any mutant they encounter. The overall plot of this book is about people using religion as hypocritical tool to force there ideals and hate against individuals they view as abnormal. In the real world radical Christians use the word of God to conflict hate against homosexuals, minorities and whoever that don’t follow their own beliefs. Why I think a live action version that is strictly based on this book wouldn’t work, because I know it would probably attract many Christians believing this movie is only targeted to anti-Christians. The controversy might attract curiosity among comic book fans and average movie going audience, but should a comic book film should get so much unwanted controversy?

Why think it would work: If a X-Men God Loves, Man Kills isn’t executed as being preachy and the movie is written in the “grey area” I think the audience would applaud that this movie touches on “Taboo” subject manners that both sides are just as guilty as the other. In the movie Magneto ideals is just as bad as the human radicals and Reverend Stryker’s radical ideals is no better than Magneto’s. If this movie touches on the grey area very well, which I also thought X-Men 2 did very well. But if this movie dose even better I think a X-Men, God Loves Man Kills adaptation could be the best X-Men movie yet.

3. Scarlet

Why I think it is unfilmable: In today’s media we see cops on news being involved in controversial discussion about their actions and there personal motives being accused of racial profiling, serve violence and police corruption. Now all those social issues is depicted in this graphic novel Scarlet, a story about young 20 year old girl who goes around assassinating many police officials and stirring up a revolution against police officers, after one of the police officers wrongly kills her boyfriend and gets away with it. The same cop that kills her boyfriend even gets promoted, which also causes Scarlet mind to snap by finally realizing how “much wrong is in the world.” If this movie will be ever be made I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Scarlet movie being in front in center for the heated debate on cops and gun violence. And I also think Hollywood would be too shy of releasing a “comic book” movie that exploits such controversial topics.

Why I think it would work: Scarlet is a strong female character who is a anti-hero, who also has strong ideals similar to Rorschach in Watchmen. I think with that approach I think a Scarlet movie can attract both the female demographic and male demographic and little fair debate about character’s motives and the overall controversial plot doesn’t hurt either. In the heart of it only way a Scarlet movie doing well is if the political message is handle subtly, it has good word of mouths and reviews, and if the movie manages way for audience to fairly debate after they walk out of the theater.

2. Enigma

Why I think it is unfilmable: Enigma is a early 1990s Vertigo graphic novel that exploits the homosexuality in the Indie comic book genre. The story is centers around a character name Micheal Smith adopts the identity of a comic book superhero and his powers. Why I think this movie not working is right now the world is just not ready for a homosexual comic book hero especially targeted to the mainstream public. Although we live in a time in America that in 50 states gay people can allow to be married, the same effect unfortunately wouldn’t transfer to mainstream cinema probably the next 10 years or so. I’m worried that Bigots will only target this comic book movie as the “Broke Back” mountain of the comic book movie genre, than only viewing this film as a good comic book film that just stars a homosexual protagonist.

Why think it would work: If Enigma is treated as a Indie superhero movie with a limit release and good critical acclaim in the Indie viewership than I see Enigma being treated very respectably.

1. The Invisibles

Why I think it is unfilmable: The Invisibles is a story that heavily inspired The Wachowskis the Matrix but 1000x more complex and truly F@#*@k Up! Alright please follow me really slowly when I tell you the main synopsis and the characters, the story begins inside of a invisible college that is controlled by a secret organization that are at war against a out wordily oppression.The Invisibles follows five characters from left to right is King Mob the leader of the Invisibles, he has a fascination with violence and has a anarchistic attitude and beliefs. Lord Fanny a transgender Brazilian Shaman boy was once raised by her grandmother, who is a powerful witch in a Brazilian city. Because boys couldn’t be witches the grandmother had to force her grandson to be raise as a “female.” “Boy” a African American female NYPD officer was working for a secret group called the Conspiracy alongside her partner/brother Martian. Ragged Robbin the woman with the red stringy hair, has clown makeup (similar to the Dee Dee Twins from Batman Beyond), is telepathic and also has a unknown past and no I’m not spoiling it for you. And last but not least Jack Frost a young Liverpool, England native who could possibly be…wait for the next Buddha! Together they must fight a group called the Outer Church that are a group of Alien Gods that have already enslaved mankind and withholding our knowledge in the future. A Invisibles film as a interesting premise due to stories dabbling of unbelievable conspiracies, satirical Scientology and its serve taboo subject manners but if you get a director that doesn’t understand or fully execute the material properly this movie could easily shatter like glass. This sci fi/fantasy graphic novel masterpiece is so heavy handed narrative I don’t think it wouldn’t work as a live action film. If this movie isn’t handled properly a Invisibles live action film can easily be a majorly convoluted and a major box office bomb.

Why I think it can work: If done right The Invisibles could be easily a sci fi hit that captures all the elements of modern sci films such as the Matrix, Looper, Minority Report, Inception and Interstellar all in one package. But if it bombs in box office but the movie is critically successful than Invisibles can be memorable as a cult classic like similar to Iron Giant or Scott Pilgrim vs the World to some extent. The only way Invisibles can work if you got a great cast that can fit there roles nearly perfectly, a well paced written script and a masterful visual director that can execute this material very seriously and very carefully. The Invisibles has a chance of being successful, but also has a chance of being remembered as being a major disappointment. Anything can happen.

Conclusion

We now live in a time that many unfilmable graphic novel adaptations(like Watchmen) and even book adaptations (like Life of Pi) can happen but doesn’t mean that all properties can be able to translate to film. So what are your graphic novels that probably will never made into a movie or even in the near future I would like to know you’re thoughts below.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?

Deadpool (Red Band) Trailer Review: Deadpool finally has his Merc with the Mouth Back!

August 5, 2015August 5, 2015johnathan bracey Leave a comment

Deadpool Red Band Trailer

Deadpool Red Band Trailer Review

The funny thing with all the hate among critics and fans against the new upcoming Fantastic Four reboot movie coming out FOX finally releases our favorite Merc with the Mouth Deadpool comes to save rabid disappoint. And oh man did the trailer delivered, it seems Ryan Renold’s Deadpool might redeem itself from the tapped shut Wolverine Origins version of Deadpool. In this trailer Deadpool has a very crude sense of humor, a whole lot of pumped filled action similar to Kingsmen Secret Service a movie that I really loved. The trailer begins with Deadpool telling that he is suffering from cancer to Copycat being played by actress Morena Baccarin. The trailer reveals to a scene where he is assumed to be transferred to Weapon X Program where he also tells a Rosie O’ Donnell joke to Gina Carano. After those outrageous occurrences we are introduce to Deadpool wearing his classic red and black inspired ninja custom that looks like it was stripped out from the comics. What I love about the Deadpool custom is I like how animated the eyes are, which also gives life to a character that will be being wearing a mask on its face majority of the time in the movie. The trailer isn’t shy of showing a lots of blood and very bad language, which I really impressed with because we’ve hadn’t a Rated R superhero movie sense Watchmen (probably not really a superhero movie though) or the Punisher movies. I am very grateful that FOX didn’t downgrade Deadpool’s personality or his hardcore character traits. Although the trailer mainly focus on Deadpool we are introduce various other characters such as Colossus and a teenage Warhead, who looks like narcissistic goth girl, who could be a character that Deadpool will have a lot of fun messing around with. In the movie I’m assuming that Warhead and Colossus will be former Weapon X patients that Deadpool may team up with, and the two of them or probably more will fight against there common enemy. Now the jokes in the movie I thought they were okay, it fits Deadpool’s character as being a more crude wise cracker version of Spider-Man, but I hope the humor in this movie won’t go borderline juvenile, that will only appeal to sixteen year high schoolers. Because if the movie’s jokes doesn’t deliver it could really hurt the movie quality straight down into the toilet. But after seeing the trailer more than once the humor seems it will have balance of drama, action and humor, even though the humor will probably offer a lot of college humor. I’m hoping the college humor aspect will be smart,witty and original without relaying overused jokes from other action movies and comedies. What I really love the trailer is blood and gore, it was wicked to see Deadpool to shot not just one but five head shots with a single ONE bullet! This action scene proves to me that FOX isn’t holding back by doing this movie. Overall I absolutely love this trailer and can’t wait to see the crazy marketing for this movie of Deadpool breaking the forth wall throughout the trailers, commercials, and TV spots until the movie release date on February 12 2016.

Conclusion

I’m so pleased that this trailer cam on my Birthday which makes me even more than excited, but I would like to know you’re thoughts on this trailer. Did you love it? Do you finally believe that Deadpool will finally overcome from the Wolverine Origins Deadpool. Oh God I sure hope so because that version of Deadpool was so awful I hope this Deadpool will burn that version of Deadpool into the fire! Let’s hope that this Deadpool movie will be good fingers crossed.

Where or how to follow Taboo, A Place for Graphic Novels, Entertainment News & Reviews?