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Showing posts with label Comics in Film and TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comics in Film and TV. Show all posts

Sunday, November 5, 2017

SUPERHEROES ON TV


WHERE DO THESE SUPERHEROES COME FROM?

Long before the onslaught of superheroes over the past decade, these characters had been making their way onto the small screen through adaptations of comic books as far back as the 1950's. Many of these television shows did not give us lasting substance to hang on to. A few of the good ones became hits ("The Incredible Hulk" and "Batman") and remain part of our pop culture. For example, the 90's classic "Lois and Clark" allowed us to get to know real people and connect with them. 

But unfolding now, the new superheroes have brought us their human side and we can enjoy them even more. They are real people and are sensitive as well as interested in relationships with normal humans.

MARVEL made a deal with Netflix in 2015. Netflix announced at the Television Critics Association summer meeting that it would be rolling out a new Marvel superhero series every six months. The first to be released was 13 episodes of  "Daredevil."

 

Daredevil is played by Boardwalk Empire's Charlie Cox. The character first appeared on Marvel pages in 1964. After being blinded by a radioactive substance as a child.  Matt Murdock's other senses became enhanced. He takes to the streets at night to serve justice for "Hell's Kitchen" in New York. His day job is being a lawyer with his old college friend, Foggy, played by Elden Henson. Rosario Dawson plays a nurse friend who tries to patch him up after his fighting bouts and is a love interest.

 "Foggy" (photo below)

 

Vincent D'Onofrio makes a shocking appearance as Wilson Fisk, a bald business man from Hell's Kitchen. He captures the sensitive side of this character who has a very aggressive and bullish personality. I did not recognize him! 

Of course, Daredevil has to be a daredevil and mess with him....well you have to watch the show to see what happens! The first few episodes of Daredevil are slow and show us his world of isolation and darkness with night scenes and displays of his skills as a fighter. Be patient because it pays off to keep watching  and things get rolling. Deborah Ann Woll  (Karen Page) is the blonde secretary for the law office and is a daredevil herself as she tries to get to the bottom of things in Hells Kitchen!

"Daredevil" was nominated for 5 Prime Time Emmy's and had 5 wins and 24 nominations.


 

 Jon Bernthal joins the "Daredevil" series as The Punisher. He is one of our favorites from "The Walking Dead." He is perfect for the character. A violent, intense superhero who has lost everything. Matt Murdock and "Foggy" take his case and defend him with Karen helping them. It gets interesting! 

This week a new series "The Punisher" was released.  The show is very well done. It shows what he was doing during the time the team was first getting together. Jon Bernthal does some exceptional acting. 

 

 

"LUKE CAGE"  surprised me with an elaborate style of filming. 

A cross between Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee with beautiful set designs and lighting keeping the shots in a surreal comic book style.  It starts out in a barber shop with Luke Cage and his friends. He is sweeping the floor and keeping a low profile. I was immediately drawn in by the colorful setting and natural dialogue. 

The Harlem nightclub where the Kingpin has his office is a set designers perfection with blue and yellow lighting and great music in the background. This first episode maintains this high standard of set design, lighting, music and acting revealing this world to us at a steady pace and sets everything up for a great series! First Class. . .two thumbs up from me.

Luke Cage is played by Mike Colter.  When a sabotaged experiment gives him super strength and unbreakable skin, he is attempts to rebuild his life in Harlem and fight for his city. We have been watching Season 2 of Luke Cage and it maintains the same quality filming as the first one. You will not be disappointed! Streaming on Netflix.

 "IRON FIST" played by Finn Jones is a martial artist and the most foreign of Netflix's heroes, coming from the extradimensional city of K'un Lun. Full of superhuman energy and impeccable training Iron Fist is Danny Rand by day and uses his chi to control his own strength and those of others.

This series starts out with Danny returning to New York after being missing for 14 years. There was an airplane crash and only he survived to be raised by monks Kinda like a Cinderella story, Danny has two evil brothers who run the family enterprise and don't believe this barefoot street person is their brother! Met by rejection and snobs Danny hangs out in the park and keeps trying to connect with his old life as a child. I was impressed by Finn Jones acting and the way the story and awesome acting and writing kept me watching. It was dramatic and I was concerned when he was admitted to a mental institution because the brothers thought he wanted their business empire and their money. Just when I was getting depressed, the story takes a turn toward the end of the second episode and things start looking up. . .thank goodness! No spoilers! Go watch this one. 

 "JESSICA JONES" is played by Krysten Ritter of Breaking Bad.  Like Daredevil, Jessica became superhuman as the result of a childhood mishap; having been exposed to chemicals in a car accident, she gained extraordinary strength and near invincibility, as well as the ability to fly.

Jones has a fairly uneventful superhero career until she intervenes in a disturbance at a restaurant involving Zebediah Killgrave, the Purple Man, played by David Tennant. He uses his power of mind control to place Jones under his command, psychologically torturing her and forcing her to aid his criminal schemes. David Tennant gives an impressive performance acting as Killgrave!

She has given up her life as a super hero saving the world and has become a private investigator. Jessica Jones Season 2 stays interesting and gets really wound up to a 10! Her dark story leads her to some thriller episodes that are intense and scary!! Watch Season 2 on NetFlix!  


"THE DEFENDERS"

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist join forces to take on common enemies as a sinister conspiracy threatens New York City as their paths cross in the series called "The Defenders." 

I have to mention Stan Lee who keeps reinventing the heroes and is the master mind behind them.  We thank him for keeping this going strong all these years so we can enjoy Marvel comic book heroes!    Stan Lee . . . an American comic -book writer, editor, and publisher, who was formerly executive vice president and publisher of Marvel Comics. He created Spider-Man, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Thor, the X-Men, and many other characters.

On July16, 2017, Lee (born December 28, 1922 in New York City) was named a Disney Legend, a hall of fame program that recognizes individuals who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution the The Walt Disney Company. 

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Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Comics in Film


What is the definition of a comic book?

A comic book or comic is a publication that consists of comic art
in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. The dialog is contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form. 
Comics has some origins in the 18th century Japan and 1830's Europe and were first popular in the United States during the 1930's. 

Comic film has a vast world of followers and has flooded our movie screens. I will talk about a few of my favorites in this blog. 


 "Superman" (1978) with Christoper Reeve 
was the first modern comic book movie adaption. A ground-breaker! Great acting and will always be a favorite.
Director:  Richard Donner and actors Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder along with Christopher Reeve 


"Spider-Man" (2002) Tobey Maguire starred in "Spider-Man", Director: Sam Raimi. . .based on the popular Marvel comics superhero. The film was a major success and made him into a star.  He reprised the role in the sequels "Spider-Man II" (2004) and "Spider-Man III" (2007), and has also provided the voice of spider man for the video game adaptations of the films. All three movies went on to part of the highest-grossing movies each year. One of my favorites! I think Tobey is the perfect Spider Man!

 

 "Batman" (1989) Director: Tim Burton. Stars; Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger. This artsy film gave Jack Nicholson the chance to be an awesome Joker! He added his own twist with sounds and laughter from another world. Michael Keaton and the rest of the cast did a sensational job putting this story over the top! Thumbs up to Tim Burton!  

 

"Comi-Con" conventions originally showcased comic books and science fiction related film. But the menu has broadened to include horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, web comics and graphic novels. Here are a few familiar faces who were at this years convention in August at Palm Springs, CA.

          Max Charles, Richard Sammel, Kevin Durand, Corey Stoll, David Bradley

 

            

                  Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst

                             Yvette Nicole Brown  (a favorite Talking Dead guest)



                                                     
                                                             Stan Lee

Stan Lee also attended the Comi-Con in Palm Springs. . . an American comic -book writer, editor, and publisher, who was formerly executive vice president and publisher of Marvel Comics. He created Spider-Man, the Hulk, Doctor Strange, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Daredevil, Thor, the X-Men, and many other characters.

On July16, 2017, Lee (born December 28, 1922 in New York City) was named a Disney Legend, a hall of fame program that recognizes individuals who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution the The Walt Disney Company.  

 

 Okay, I can't leave out (as a favorite) Iron Man (2008) a Marvel/Paramount film. Directed by: Jon Favreau, Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow     

Favreau took risks by changing the looks of the characters and filmed this in a way so it appealed to   all readers whether new to comics or experienced comic book readers. He also appealed to the Science Fiction crowd and every age of viewers.

 

 

 

"The Avengers" (2012) I have to add to my favorites. Directed by Joss Whedon.  Stars Robert Downey Jr. Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner. This film has many characters and elements to blend together and Joss does a seamless job of co-ordinating all of this.


 

  Have you seen Dr. Strange?

From Marvel studies comes "Dr. Strange," (2016) Directed by Scott Derrickson;  the story of world- famous neuro surgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange, whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him the use of his hands.

starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejio, Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton

I recommend Dr. Strange; which last time I checked is streaming on NetFlix. Special effects are pushed to the limit and the story and acting are top notch!


  "Wonder Woman", and now "Spider-Man: Homecoming" plus "Logan" getting our attention this year, 2017 is shaping up to be one of the greatest superhero movie years of all time...be sure and pay attention this fall to the comic book movie line-ups!

 

What's next? For a list of 2018 upcoming comic book movies click this link:

  http://www.forevergeek.com/upcoming-comic-book-movies/

    

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