comic book
Comica Festival 2009 Review (London)
November 21, 2009
Recently, I went to check out the happenings of the Comica Festival in London, courtesy of Ctrl.Alt.Shift. If you don’t know anything about this festival, then here’s a good place to start. It combines the yearlong comic/anime/manga collective where artists (famous or not) get to show off their new work for the world to see. The festival runs from the 5th of November until the 26th, so make sure you can get down to the select locations in London to check it out.
Ctrl.Alt.Shift ran a competition to uncover the public’s reactions to what unmasking corruption meant to them, and the results and winners of the competition can be found at the Lazarides Gallery in Soho until the 30th of November (entry is free). There was some pretty awe-inspiring artwork there, to say the least. Being able to walk among the artists and their work as they depicted whatever it was that corruption meant to them was quite the revelation. From dirty needles, to government conspiracies, to grannies not quite living in the real world, all original pieces of artwork were made using a variant of methods – one was even made into wallpaper and attached to the wall.
Continue reading »Scott Pilgrim Rocks The Universe Like No Other!
June 2, 2009
There is only one thing in this world that successfully combines video gaming, fighting power and an adventure to blow your mind – and it’s all contained in a series of pint-sized comics, of which five out of six have already been released. The film and the final installment are due out in 2010.
If you don’t already know anything about Scott Pilgrim, I can assure you that you’ll be glad I came along. For he is not only the biggest geek/dork that you’ll ever come across, but he is also the most awesome fighter you shall ever lay your wide eyes upon. He surpasses all kinds of intergalactic brilliance, doesn’t drink alcohol and sure as hell won’t take any nonsense from vegans. Through the magnificence that is Bryan Lee O’Malley’s mind, Pilgrim exploded onto the comic book scene in 2004 and so much so that Edgar Wright decided he needed to reciprocate the love by directing the film, named after the fourth book: Scott Pilgrim vs The World. O’Malley has been keeping us entertained on Twitter with his Pilgrim updates – and if you’re around on it also and care for more of my ramblings, then feel free to add me (it’d be a good idea to leave a comment below so I know who you are).
Continue reading »‘Watchmen’ Review
March 29, 2009
Watchmen (18)
Cast: Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman
Director: Zack Snyder
Running Time: 158 minutes
I’ve never read the graphic novels so this review is based on that fact. I know a lot of people who have read them and are big fans felt that this film didn’t do justice to the novels.
As a non reader, I found this film quite enjoyable for the most part and loved the style of the film.
I was a big fan of ‘300’ which is also directed by Zack Snyder and from the trailers thought this film was going to be full of action and loads of fights, but that wasn’t to be the case.
Continue reading »World of Warcraft Comic Review
February 18, 2009
I’ve recently read through the first official World of Warcraft comic book and as someone who hasn’t regularly read comic books for around 20 years, I thought I’d give you a review of what I thought in that context.
I’ve been playing World of Warcraft for around 18 months now and as good as the game is to play (as an MMO game), I’m someone who also likes to pay attention to some of the story elements that are going on in the game – yes I’m one of those who actually goes around trying to read what the quest givers are saying in the hope that they may tie together t form a good story.
Continue reading »Iron Man Helmet (Mk1)
December 30, 2008
Ever wanted to become Tony Stark? Or more specifically Iron Man and wear that amazingly colourful armour? Well now you can start your very own collection with Iron Man’s ‘BETA’ helmet (or Mk 01) that he made from rocks and cockroaches whilst being held captive by the terrorists in the film.
Wolverine Claws
October 12, 2008
Have you ever watched the X-Men films and felt you could do with some of Wolverine’s claws? Well I was just doing the usual browse around the web, as you do – you always see something and think, “oooooo, that’s pretty” or “I’d look good in a pair of them”, well……feast your eyes on these beasts!!
Not only are these accurate reproductions of the actual props used by Hugh Jackman in his role of Wolverine in the X-Men films, but they also come with the same palm base attachments so you can actually wear these beasts without having to pop them through your knuckles!
Continue reading »‘Hellboy 2: The Golden Army’ Review
August 28, 2008
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (12A)
Cast: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, Luke Goss, Anna Walton, John Hurt
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Running Time: 120 minutes
Guillermo Del Toro films are always a joy to watch. He tries to use as little CGI as possible and creates some visually stunning characters. Hellboy 2 is, in my opinion, one of his best to date.
The story sees Hellboy (Perlman) sick of being in hiding and wants the world to see who he and his team are, and what they do. His relationship has ‘blossomed’ with Liz (Blair) but they’re going through the ‘bumpy’ part of the relationship which has some nice touches throughout the film.
Continue reading »‘The Dark Knight’ Review
July 27, 2008
The Dark Knight (12A)
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Eric Roberts
Director: Christopher Nolan
Running Time: 152 minutes
“And here we….GO!”
Now…which version do you go see? The normal cinema version or do you go for the full experience at the IMAX? You’re a fool if you don’t go see the greatest superhero film of all time at the IMAX!!
I’ve never been to the IMAX before to see a live action film and I was blown away by what I saw. The first scene of the film was a huge explosion of a city landscape on a 72ft screen. I had to grip my chair as I felt like I was falling through the sky. The whole of the IMAX gasped in excitement and it was the single most exhilarating cinema moment I have ever experienced…….and then the bank heist started!!
Continue reading »‘The Incredible Hulk’ Review
June 27, 2008
The Incredible Hulk (12A)
Cast: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson
Director: Louis Leterrier
Running Time: 112 minutes
I’m sure I wasn’t the only person who thought ‘hear we go again’ when they announced another Hulk film. I personally thought the first Hulk was the biggest waste of time going.
The more trailers and TV spots I saw for ‘The Incredible Hulk’ the more I started swaying towards the idea that this could be a good film after all.
Continue reading »‘Iron Man v Batman’ Video Comparison
May 12, 2008
There’s two billionaire super heroes going head to head at the cinemas this year, the first of was Iron Man (reviewed by Ender) which was released at the start of May, then in a few weeks time Batman will be back with his ‘Dark Knight’ film – obviously they are different styles of movie, Iron Man being more fun whereas Batman is much darker – but each can be enjoyed for what they are.
Continue reading »
