Tagged: MTV

Darren Aronofsky Wants to Re-Edit ‘Fountain’

Darren Aronofsky Wants to Re-Edit ‘Fountain’

  • News
  • December 7, 2008

Director Darren Aronofsky told MTV that he would like to find the time to re-edit his Fountain feature film. “It wouldn’t be a ‘director’s cut,’” he told the site — “more like an alternate story told with the addition of unused footage from the first go-round. This would be a complicated project on a couple of levels, though, and it’s at least a few years away.”

The movie had a tortured path from script to screen with a detour when an early version became the source for the Vertigo graphic novel. It starred Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz but fizzled at the box office.

Currently on the road promoting The Wrestler, Aronofsky is sharing print time with star Mickey Rourke who also told MTV that he’s game for a return visit to Frank Miller’s Sin City.  The promised sequel has been tied up a fight between co-director Robert Rodriguez and the Directors Guild of America.

“Once that kerfuffle’s cleared up, though, the sequel could get underway pretty quickly. “Frank’s ready,” said Rourke. “And I’m ready, too.”

Warcraft to Conquer Hollywood

Warcraft to Conquer Hollywood

  • News
  • November 25, 2008

World of Warcraft continues to conquer all territories it visits, be it online games, board games or comic books.  The inevitable film seems to be next on the horizon.

Blizzard executive VP of product development Frank Pearce told MTV “Legendary Pictures is currently trying to assign some names to write the screenplay and find someone to direct it, so it’s still really early in production. They want to make sure they get the right talent for those different parts, especially the screenwriting, because that’s the foundation for the movie.”

“It would be a huge undertaking and it’s not really something that we’re ready to do anytime soon.” There’s discussion between doing the film CGI with motion capture effects or live-action mixed with CGI.

The most recent expansion game, Wrath of the Lich King reportedly sold 2.8 million copies within its first 24 hours of release.
 

Harrison Ford says George Lucas Seeks MacGuffin

Harrison Ford says George Lucas Seeks MacGuffin

  • News
  • November 21, 2008

When asked point blank of Harrison Ford thought there would be a fifth film featuring Indiana Jones, the actor told MTV, “I don’t know. If we come up with a good idea…”

And who would come up with the idea? George Lucas, who has conceived most of the previous stories, is charged with coming up with the next idea. “That’s the process,” he said. “With some general input he goes off and searches for the MacGuffin and then stumbles into a story. And at some point we have a chance to take a look at and give some input.”

Given that Jones has married Marion Ravenwood and is getting to know his adult son Mutt, it would suggest new areas to explore. With luck, something fresh will suggest itself improving on this year’s installment.
 

ComicMix Radio: Comics To Set The Mood

ComicMix Radio: Comics To Set The Mood

Nothing has the warm and fuzzies attached to it better than a classic Disney Christmas, just one of the titles we point to on this week’s tour of the comic and DVD shelves, plus:

  • Pushing Daisies the comic!
  • Are you geek enough for MTV?
  • DC caters to the oldsters
     

 Stop humming "Jingle Bells"  and Press the Button!

And remember, you can always subscribe to ComicMix Radio podcasts via iTunes - ComicMix or RSS!

 

Hathaway Ready to Return as 99

Hathaway Ready to Return as 99

  • News
  • September 23, 2008

“I would love to do a second one,” Anne Hathaway told MTV about a sequel to this summer’s Get Smart. “But I haven’t heard if we’re going to. I hope we get to. I really loved playing Agent 99, it would be fun to do all the training again, and hanging out with all those boys was so much fun.” 

The film got so-so reviews but did $129,472,725 worth of domestic box office which was better than expected and was one of the better performing comedies.  A DVD is expected out by Christmas but no date has been released by Warner Home Video.

“There are all sorts [of possibilities],” Hathaway noted about a follow-up. “I’d like her to get into unexpected trouble. I’d love to see 99 lose control. I’d love to see something happen to 99 where her heart gets broken, and you see her have a complete emotional collapse. That could be really funny.”
 

Review: Invincible the Series

Review: Invincible the Series

During the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, MTV New Media debuted their new animated series based on Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker’s Invincible comic. Published by Image Comics, [[[Invincible]]] tells the story of Mark Grayson, a young man who inherits his father’s superpowers. It’s been released through various outlets: iTunes, Xbox, Amazon, MTV2, MTV.com, and MTV Mobile.

Instead of creating brand new animation, the series has decided to use the latest editing techniques to “animate” Cory Walker’s actual comic book art. Just use existing comic art and let the camera to give the illusion of movement. To younger viewers this may seem innovative, but it’s been done as far back as the Marvel Comics based cartoons from the 1960’s. It was used again, very artistically by MTV, when they brought [[[The Maxx]]] to television. Even more recently [[[The Watchmen]]] has been done in this style.

While the story and art deserve all the critical praise that the Invincible comic has received over the years, [[[Invincible the Series]]]’ biggest stumbling block is its editing. The MTV produced show has the same pacing as MTV’s promo spots, wildly kinetic with lots of flashing graphics and texts. Never let the eye settle for minute. This is fine for 15-second ad, but watching a full show like that is taxing.

In a one step forward, two steps back move, the show decided to include the actual word balloons from the comic. But instead of letting people read it, the text has a subtle shake to it. To emphasize energy, I guess. While nothing sits still on the screen, you would expect the parts you want people to read to be motionless.

A good way to judge an animated show’s sound is to close your eyes and listen. Does the soundtrack still create images of the action? In Invincible’s case, the answer is yes, but barely. The voice acting and sound effects are serviceable. They don’t do anything cringe worthy, but neither do they stand out. No Kevin Conroy or John Di Maggio here.

If the production calmed down, this could’ve been a great show that brought quality comic books to video formats. But as it is, I couldn’t stand watching this for more than a few episodes. And like I said, I’m a fan. Imagine the effect to someone who’s browsing MTV2 late at night.

Watch the first episode for yourself below. Let me know if you think I’m right or wrong in the comments section.

 

ComicMix Quick Picks: 8/7/08

ComicMix Quick Picks: 8/7/08

The collection of posts that may not warrant a full entry of their own. Excelsio — er, onward and upward:

When I saw this bit about Franklin turning 40, I have to admit that wasn’t the Franklin I was thinking of… yes, Franklin Richards is 40 years old too. And people complain about Bart Simpson never aging?

The Skiffy Channel’s top 10 brilliant but cancelled sci-fi shows. Also known as their regular line-up.

Lost in all the San Diego shuffle, MTV of all people have started a comics/movies blog called Splash Page, and have gone so far as to hire former Wizard and DC Comics staffer Casey Seijas. We welcome them to the blogosphere, but would like to remind them that hiring ex-DC and Wizard employees to run a weblog is our shtick.

Paul Levitz interviewed in the Wall Street Journal. Surprise note: yes, he’s another alumni of Frank McCourt’s english classes. I always wondered where Paul picked up the Irish brogue.

Robert Downey Jr. trying to keep his ego in check for Iron Man II:

"Suddenly, for a minute, I felt like everyone needed to take a knee and listen to what I had to say, because I f–kin’ made it, and my way works and all this stuff. Then I go home and I go, ‘Oh my God, what’s happening to me? I gotta get grounded here.’ "

Downey got Tropic cowriter and actor Justin Theroux the gig writing Iron Man 2. Theroux is just crawling out from under the pile of Iron Man comics as we speak.

"I’ve just stopped marinating in all the Iron Man lore that I didn’t know, and I’m sort of firing up the chainsaw and ready to attack it," said Theroux. "You’re writing for Robert Downey Jr., so, at the end of the day, that’s an enormous amount of fun."

Early Reviews for ‘Dark Knight’

Early Reviews for ‘Dark Knight’

The latest Batman incarnation, The Dark Knight, doesn’t come out for another couple weeks, but the love is already streaming from critics. We’ve also had buzz about a posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger and his supposedly terrifying take on the Joker.

Rolling Stone was one of the first out of the gate to lay honors at director Christopher Nolan’s feet, calling the movie "a potent provocation decked out as a comic-book movie. Feverish action? Check. Dazzling spectacle? Check. Devilish fun? Check. But Nolan is just warming up."

Over at MTV, the sequel was given a 10 out of 10 for "Wow Factor."

Variety jumps on the batwagon, praising the whole operation: "…this is seriously brainy pop entertainment that satisfies every expectation raised by its hit predecessor and then some."

The Hollywood Reporter praises Christian Bale: "Bale again brilliantly personifies all the deep traumas and misgivings of Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne. A bit of Hamlet is in this Batman."

An early review at AICN says, "Just go see it."

And an Associated Press review says, "Running just over two and a half hours, "The Dark Knight" is a true crime epic. Throughout, the Joker’s bag of tricks is bottomless, twisted to the point of horror-flick sick."

Full ‘Incredible Hulk’ Trailer Hits the ‘Net

Full ‘Incredible Hulk’ Trailer Hits the ‘Net

  • News
  • March 13, 2008

I first brought you word of the upcoming trailer for the new Incredible Hulk movie last week when it was originally announced. Then yesterday, there was a sneak-peek available that showed some great bits from it to whet your appetite for the release of the full trailer.

And now, the wait is over and the actual full trailer is finally here and posted over at MTV’s website.

I won’t say more about the new trailer except that if the movie turns out half as good as the trailer looks, its gonna be a really fun ride. Check it out below or at MTV’s website if you want to see it in High-Def.
 

‘Hulk’ Teaser Trailer Released

‘Hulk’ Teaser Trailer Released

  • News
  • March 11, 2008

Even though tomorrow is technically the day when the first trailer for The Incredible Hulk will be released, it appears as if someone at Universal is getting a little antsy. Why? Well, a few bits and pieces of the trailer are already posted over at MTV’s website.

This sneak-peek doesn’t reveal too much and mostly shows Ed Norton’s Bruce Banner in therapy, discussing some of his anger issues. It also has a few shots of soldiers running, a humvee smashing through a barricade and Banner’s eyes turning green which, of course, signals an appearance by everyone’s favorite green goliath.

Check it out:

 

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