More Dead Than Alive – “Frankenweenie” Review

Anytime someone makes a stop-motion animated movie it is a good thing. The universe needs more movies like ParaNorman and Fantastic Mr. Fox. The fact that Frankenweenie, Tim Burton’s feature adaptation of his own 30-year-old short, is black & white and stop-motion is kind of amazing. Both formats are dying breeds and generally seen as noncommercial. Unfortunately, being different and being good are not synonymous, which is funny because embracing weirdness is one of the film’s main themes.

2012 Fall Preview: 16 That Got Away

It’s that time again. Time to publicly chime in on Bryan’s list of fall releases he can’t wait to see, and to remind him when the Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice fall–September 22nd and December 21st, respectively. It’s also time for me to offer my own list of fall releases I’m interested in seeing.

Batman’s Best – Top 10 Moments from Bat-films

Since 1989, the “B” in blockbuster stands for Batman. There have been total misses in terms of the completed films, but there are wonderful moments that stick with you forever: moments you reenact at parties, use as code in conversation with friends, quote when you play Batman with little kids. Batman is in each and every one of us movie lovers. Let’s look back on some of Batman’s best moments.

Bat Out of Development Hell – Part 2: Nicholson Returns?

“Let me be the way I’m not in interviews. I’m furious. I’m furious. They never asked me about a sequel with the Joker. I know how to do that! Nobody ever asked me.” — Jack Nicholson to MTV in 2007

During the above interview, Jack Nicholson was 70-years-old. It had been almost twenty years since the first Batman film. Obviously, this is an aging movie legend ranting about something that would never happen. Even Adam West got bent out of shape when he found out that he wasn’t considered for Burton’s 1989 reboot. To that I say: not true. A second appearance of Jack’s Joker could have very easily happened. Let me tell you why.

Oscar Checklist – Part 5: Dressed for Success

Running out of time, so I’ll keep this brief. These next two films share costume nominations. The other three nominees are The King’s Speech, True Grit, and The Tempest. The work done in Speech is okay, but not great, not like True Grit. And I still haven’t managed to see The Tempest, but I’m trying. If I do manage, I will include it with my mish-mash post I’m working on.

Xavier Institute 10-Year Reunion

We are gathered here today to recognize the 10th anniversary of Bryan Singer’s X-Men. It was this very month that the comic book genre was kick-started, ushering in a decade overflowing with billions of dollars worth of attention paid to one of the toughest crowds ever in the history of entertainment: the nerd.