Articles by chris-ullrich
Wed Feb 27, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Teaser for Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline' Hits the Net
Gaiman and Selick explore the dark side . . . with animation!
A teaser has hit the 'Net for Neil Gaimain's Coraline, the animated feature film written and directed by Henry Selik and based on the Gaiman short story.
The film, which tells the story of a young, bored girl named Coraline Jones who discovers that a bricked-up wall behind a door in her house leads to another, better life with a new mother and father. Once there, she realizes this new life isn't as great as it seemed and she must then struggle to return to her former life before its too late and her "real" parents meet a horrible fate.
Coraline features the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Keith David and Ian McShane.
Coraline is set to hit theaters February 9th, 2009.
(via The Beat)
Tue Feb 26, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Dimension Films Locks Up 'Locke & Key'
Famous author's son makes it on his own
According to Variety, Dimension Films has just snapped up the rights to Joe Hill's graphic novel Locke & Key -- which, conicidentially, ComicMix's own Van Jensen recently reviewed right here. Dimension bought film and TV rights to the graphic novel from IDW Publishing and will develop it as a potential franchise under the guidence of producer John Davis.
In case you're not familiar, Locke & Key's story concerns three children who move to Keyhouse, a mansion in New England that's full of magic and secrets. Once they begin to explore the house, the kids soon discover doors that transport them to different places and give them powers. Of course, there's also danger because behind one door is an evil creature that really wants to be let out.
Dimension chief Harvery Weinstein was particularly happy about his company's latest acquisition. "I love what Joe wrote," said Weinstein in the Variety article. "There are fun elements that horror fans love, and it feels like a franchise where you can feel satisfied with each film, but there is a door left open for the next one."
IDW released the first issue of Locke & Key last Wednesday, with the second one set to follow on March 5th.
Tue Feb 26, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
New 'Indiana Jones' Poster Hits the Net
Adventure has a new poster
Previously on ComicMix, there's been some cool new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull news including the exciting first trailer for your viewing pleasure. Now, thanks to the Unofficial Movie Blog, there's a picture of the new poster for the upcoming film as well.
The poster, snapped by Dan perhaps somewhere in the bowels of Lucasfilm, features not one but two intrepid adventureres in the form of Indy, of course, and his younger sidekick Mutt Williams. Mutt, as we've seen previsouly in the trailer, seems somewhat reluctant to be tagging along with Indy as he struggles to find and/or protect whatever the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull happens to be.
That's probably why he's making that face in the poster.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull hits theaters on May 22nd.
Tue Feb 26, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
'Terminator' Sequel to Open in May 2009
I'll be back . . . again
Even though the film only has a director and one actor confirmed so far, has no finished script and hasn't even started shooting, it already has a release date locked down. To what lucky film am I referring?
According to Variety, it's the next chapter in the Terminator saga, known by the rather long title Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. The film, helmed by Charlie's Angels' McG and starring Batman Begins' Christian Bale, has now become Warner Brothers "tentpole" Memorial Day weekend release hitting theaters on May 22nd, 2009. It will be the fourth installment in the Terminator franchise after 2003's Terminator: Rise of the Machines, and is still in the process of casting but is expected to start shooting May 5th in New Mexico.
This latest Terminator, part one of a planned trilogy, tells the story of an older John Connor (Bale) who leads a ragtag band of nuclear holocaust survivors in a desperate battle to stop the evil defense computer Skynet from finishing the job it started and wiping out the rest of humanity. Sounds interesting.
Tue Feb 26, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
New Info Revealed on 'Batman: Gotham Knight'
I'm Batman -- the anime version!
Previously, my ComicMix colleague Rick Marshall brought you a first look at DC Comics and Warner Bros. animated direct-to-DVD anthology Batman: Gotham Knight. The film, designed to fill the gap between Batman Begins and Batman: The Dark Knight, features the work of several notable writers including Josh Olson, David S. Goyer, Alan Burnett, Jordan Goldberg, Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello.
This time around, thanks to an official press release, I can also let you in on some more details about the film, including who the directors are and the release date. According to the site, directing the anthology stories will be Shojiro Nishimi, Futoshi Higashide, Hiroshi Morioka, Yasuhiro Aoki and Toshiyuki Kubooka.
In addition, the stories in the anthology will include "thrilling new adventures of Batman that spotlight several of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains, including the fearsome Scarecrow, the freakish Killer Croc and the unnerving marksman known as Deadshot."
Batman: Gotham Knights comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray on June 8th.
Tue Feb 26, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Drew Goddard Is Back for 'Buffy: Season Eight'
Buffy and Co. go to Japan!
Many of the writers who made the original Buffy: The Vampire Slayer TV series so popular have moved on to other things and been very successful. One such Buffy alum who has done particularly well for himself, especially lately, is Drew Goddard -- who, after exiting Buffy, went on to write for Angel, Alias and Lost.
More recently, he transitioned to features, writing the screenplay for J.J. Abrams' monster movie Cloverfield, as well as its sequel. Even though he's hard at work on Cloverfield 2, Goddard isn't forgetting his roots and is, according to Dark Horse Comics Editor Scott Allie, taking on a four-issue arc for the Buffy: Season Eight comic book.
Goddard's arc for the comic, called Wolves at the Gate, will not, as you might expect from the title, feature the Buffy gang fighting wolves. Instead, Buffy and Co. will travel to Japan to take on an ancient group of vampires bent on world domination with the stakes, according to Allie, "staggeringly high this time."
The first issue of Goddard's arc goes on sale March 8th.
Mon Feb 25, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Corey Feldman Talks 'Lost Boys 2'
Two Coreys are better than one
Previously, I brought you the first image from the upcoming film The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe, the sequel to one of the seminal films of the '80s: The Lost Boys. Now, thanks to ShockTilYouDrop, there's a new, exclusive interview with the sequel's star, and '80s teen icon, Corey Feldman.
The site caught up to the actor this weekend at a post-Oscar party in Beverly Hils where, among other tidbits, Feldman reveals that the Lost Boys sequel has finished shooting and is now in post-production, some info about the sequel's story, which picks up the action 20 years later, and why it may have taken so long for the sequel to finally be made.
Feldman also reveals his thoughts on the film's script, why he thinks the sequel should have been made and that he and co-star Corey Haim won't be spending much quality time together in the future. It's an interesting, albiet short, interview that gives some decent insight into the film and one of its stars.
Mon Feb 25, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
First 'X-Files 2' Trailer Hits the Net
Trust Mulder and Scully
If you're like me, you're pretty psyched to see the new X-Files movie. I was a big fan of the original TV series and enjoyed the first feature film very much. So, its been with great anticipation that I've waited for the new movie, still "officially" known as The Untitled X-Files Sequel (they really need to pick an actual name soon).
There's been a few bits and pieces surfacing about the film so far. But now, thanks to the folks over at IESB, there's video of the brand-new trailer shown at this weekends WonderCon. The snow-covered trailer features many of the original X-Files cast including, of course, Mulder and Scully as played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.
It also reveals a couple of new additions to the X-Files world, including a long-haired Billy Connolly, who screams "It's here!" several times during the trailer, and new FBI agent Amanda Peet who tells people to "give him room." Looks cool to me.
One bit of advice about videos like this: if you want to see it, you better hurry. Things of this nature tend to disappear from the Internets as quickly as they appear. Although, this trailer will most-likely pop up on TV soon anyway, so if you miss it now, don't worry too much. Enjoy.
X-Files 2 hits theaters July 25th.
Mon Feb 25, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
New 'Iron Man' Trailer to Surface During This Week's 'Lost'
Get 'Lost' with 'Iron Man.'
If you're a fan of Iron Man and excited for the upcoming film -- and let's face it, you probably are if you're reading ComicMix -- then here's some more good news for you besides the other stuff we've already mentioned previously.
According to Marvel, during ABC's episode of Lost this week, they're going to debut a brand-new, 90-second trailer for Iron Man.
This new trailer is the one director Jon Favreau couldn't show at WonderCon this past weekend so you have to know it contains some pretty cool stuff. So, fire up your Tivos and get ready for some pulse-pounding, armor-clad action. Mine's already set.
Lost airs Thursdays at 9 PM Eastern/Pacific and 8 PM Central. Iron Man opens May 2nd.
Sun Feb 24, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
First 'Lost Boys 2: The Tribe' Pic Hits the Net
There will be blood . . . and lots of it
For me, The Lost Boys is probably director Joel Shumacher's only really great movie. It was one of those movies I really loved as a kid and upon subsequent viewings, it still holds up very well as a scary, funny good time -- shirtless sax solos not withstanding.
The movie pretty much had it all, including a great cast featuring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patrick, both Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest and Bernard Hughes. It also had cutting-edge (for the time) effects, action, drama, romance, blood, gore, violence, comic books and a great soundtrack. All of which came together to make Lost Boys one of the seminal movies of the '80s for me and many others.
To be honest, I never really considered the possibility of a sequel to The Lost Boys. I always thought the movie stood on its own as a complete and satisfying story. So, it was with some reluctance that I've followed the development of the sequel, The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe, which is, after many trials and tribulations, soon on its way into theaters.
But now, thanks to the folks over at Shock Til You Drop, there's an exclusive first pic from the film that doesn't completely reverse my feelings regarding a sequel but does make me want to give the film at least a chance. Who knows, maybe as we start to see more from it, my feeling about a sequel will completely change? Maybe. Until then, enjoy the pic.
Sun Feb 24, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
New 'Iron Man' Poster Revealed
Silver is the new black
Over at ScreenRant, they've got a post up that gives us a look at the brand new Iron Man movie poster being handed out at this years WonderCon in San Francisco. This time around, the poster features all three versions of Iron Man'sarmor from the film: the original Mark I, the prototype Mark II and the final red and gold Mark III that we all know.
Its interesting to see the progression in the design of these three armors and to be able to see them up-close with this kind of detail. They all look pretty cool to me, but is it wrong that I like the silver Mark II best? Blasphemy, right?
Iron Man, in full armor-clad glory, opens May 2nd.
Fri Feb 22, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
A Plethora of WonderCon Coverage
WonderCon, WonderCon, WonderCon!
WonderCon is in full swing in San Francisco, with plenty of of guests and events on the schedule. Here's a quick look at the convention news that's popping up around the 'Net.
Over at The Beat, Heidi MacDonald has kindly done all the hard work for me, and the rest of you, and put together a list showcasing WonderCon events and coverage -- all in one, easy-to-use place.
She's got quite a bit of info there already, including links to Wired Magazine's preview of all the hot comic shop action in San Francisco during the con, a guide to programming from Prism Comics at the show and a breakdown of some of the parties being thrown during the event.
As if The Beat's info wasn't enough already, Tom Spurgeon over at The Comics Reporter has also chimed in with his list of "Ten Things to do at WonderCon this year." Tom, whose knowledge of comics and comics-culture knows no equal, has always provided some great insight into the convention scene. His lists of must-see-and-do's are always one of the first things I check out before heading to a show.
Fri Feb 22, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
First Look: 'Y:The Last Man' Wrap Party Footage
See your favorite comics creators move and talk -- all at the same time!
It's probably not much of a secret that I'm a huge fan of Brian K.Vaughan's comic book series Y: The Last Man. If I wasn't, why else would I be posting about it so much? So, in my continuing effort not to disappoint those of you who are also fans of the series, here now is yet another bit of news about it.
This time, the news comes to us in the form of exclusive video from the Y:The Last Man wrap party courtesy of Variety's Bags and Boads site. The party, which took place a couple of weeks ago at Meltdown Comics here in LA, was held to celebrate the final issue of Y: The Last Man and as a benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund -- a worthy cause indeed.
The video showcases some of the many guests in attendance, including Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerrra, Geoff Johns, Mark Waid and my personal hero, Joss Whedon.
Check it out at the Bags and Boards site. Or, if, as the post says, you have trouble watching it there, it's also available at Myspace Comics. Enjoy.
Fri Feb 22, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Eight Comic Books to Read Before You Die
Haven't read these comics? You should
Just in time for the opening of WonderCon in San Francisco today, the online arm of the San Francisco Chronicle, SF Gate, has decided to put out its list, a comics "mix tape" as they call it, of the "Eight Comic Books to Read Before You Die."
Posted by Peter Hartlaub, the list includes many notables in the comics world such as Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman and their works -- which are probably considered classic must-reads by most comics fans already.
In addition, the list also features one or two other works traditional comics fans, those who usually confine themselves to one or more Marvel or DC titles featuring spandex-clad heroes, may be less familier with. Books such as Jeff Smith's Bone and Y:The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan, although successful and well-known to many in the comics community, are perhaps not as well-known to the masses as the X-Men, Spider-Man or Batman.
Here, then, is the list of what the folks at SFGate think you should read, and in the order you should read them, before you die. Hopefully, you've already had the pleasure of discovering some of these works. Maybe after reading this list, you can discover a few more.
Y: The Last Man: Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra
Daredevil: Born Again by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli
Swamp Thing by Alan Moore
Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross
Bone Volume 1: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
I'm pleased to say that, besides Bone, I've read all the books on this list and am a particular fan of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns and Brian K. Vaughan's Y: The Last man. Of course, now that I've read this list, I can never, ever read Bone. That is, unless I'm ready to die.
What comics would be on your list?
Fri Feb 22, 2008 — by Chris Ullrich
Foo Fighters Sue Marvel For Copyright Infringement
Dave Grohl and Co. take on Spider-Man and the X-Men
Today, Rolling Stone is reporting that the Foo Fighters are suing Marvel Entertainment, First Serve International, Toonz Animation in India and First Serve Toonz for copyright infringement. According to the article:
The band alleges that Marvel used “substantial excerpts” of their songs “Best of You” and “Free Me” as the music for the trailer of the new animated series Wolverine and the X-Men.
The trailer, which showed up online back at the beginning of February, has since been taken down from YouTube. However, as in most cases like this, that doesn't really help much because you can still get a look at it over at Movieweb. Well, at least you could have up until a few minutes ago. But now, "at the request of the studio", it's gone.
If you were able to watch the trailer, which I was able to do before it went bye-bye, its pretty obvious that the Foo Fighters songs were used -- a lot. Seeing this kind of thing makes me wonder how the people responsible thought they could get away with something like this?
Don't they realize that once something hits the Internet, this kind of thing can't stay a secret? Someone is going to get a strongly-worded letter in his or her permanent file over this, just you wait and see.
