Sky Captain Interview

If. like me, you're really looking forward to the release of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, then you'll probably really enjoy this on set visit and interview with producer Jon Avnet from the good folks at Chud.com.

Have a Nice Day!

Isn't that the coolest design? My buddy, John Beatty created it.

John's best known for his comic book inking which he's been doing professionally since he was a teenager. And although John still does art for comics, in the last few years he's been branching out into web design, computer graphics, and t-shirt design.

John has worked out a deal with a buddy of his who prints t-shirts so that he'll be able to offer his BigBeatty.com "Have a Nice Day" shirt at conventions this year for just five bucks!! I'm hoping that John will eventually offer it through the mail for fans who can't get to a show. That design is just too cool not to make it available to fans everywhere!

That Cat's a Mess

The buzz on the Halle Berry "Catwoman" movie has been bad.

After seeing Halle's Catwoman outfit I can understand why.

It just doesn't look right. Note I didn't say "good."

Halle Berry could make a burlap sack look good.

After seeing this video clip of Halle as Catwoman... I'm starting to reconsider my thoughts on the outfit... and the movie.

Space Ghost Updated

When I was a kid I enjoyed Space Ghost. Even though he hung out with two kids and a space monkey... he was cool.

If you feel the same way, you might want to read this interview which discusses how DC plans to update Space Ghost in a new comic series. Joe Kelly, who's writing the series, says, "It’s really a hardcore, pulp-feel story, with him being betrayed by the police force and taking his revenge. It’s really dark, and it’s going to be a blueprint for them to revamp the character and keep it going.”

Want to know more? The click HERE.

American Flagg is Back, Baby!

After nearly two decades out of print, a collected edition of Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg! series is finally coming!

American Flagg was originally published in 1983 by First Comics and was an instant hit! This new, definitive edition is currently planned for a late June or early July release. It will include the first six issues of the series, as well as new art and materials from the creator.

For full details click HERE. This was one great series and I'm looking forward to the collected editions!

Yikes!

James Brown, the 70 year old Godfather of Soul, was arrested today and charged with criminal domestic violence after he allegedly pushed his wife to the floor during an argument. Tomi Rae Brown, 33, had scratches and bruises to her right arm and hip and was taken to a hospital.

Brown served a 2 1/2-year prison term after a 1988 arrest on drug and assault charges and was convicted of a drug-related offense in 1998. He was granted a state pardon in May.

No R. Kelly MJ Team-UP

You just know that Leno and Letterman are going to have a field day with this one...

A judge has ordered R. Kelly , who is awaiting trial on child pornography charges, to stay away from Michael The King of Pop Jackson who is facing child molestation charges when Kelly attends the Grammy awards next month!

I guess neither should plan to sit next to Lil Romeo.

Mignola Talks Hellboy

Chud.com has a nice little interview with Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Mike talks about a lot of different projects with an emphasis on the soon to be released Hellboy movie.

If you're wondering how close the movie will follow the comic, wonder no more.

Mike says, "The fact that it’s as close to the comic as it is and the fact that the personality of the main character is so close to the comic, it’s beyond anything I ever imagined."

That's just great news for Hellboy fans everywhere. To read the full interview click HERE.

Time for a New Assault

Dark Horizons reported today that "French director Jean-Francois Richet will helm the remake of the John Carpenter classic... Assault on Precinct 13... which starts filming April.

Assault on Precinct 13 is one of my favorite John Carpenter films. I don't know much about Jean-Francois Richet, but as long as he doesn't stray from Carpenter's screenplay and they don't screw it up in casting, it can't go wrong.

Academy Award Predictions

Nominations for the 76th Academy Awards were announced today. Here are the nominees for the major categories and my predictions on who will win...

Best Picture: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” / “Lost in Translation” / "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” / “Mystic River” / “Seabiscuit”
My prediction: Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Best Animated Feature: “Brother Bear” / “Finding Nemo” / “The Triplets of Belleville”
My prediction: Finding Nemo

Leading Actor: Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" / Ben Kingsley in "House of Sand and Fog" / Jude Law in "Cold Mountain"/ Bill Murray in "Lost in Translation" / Sean Penn in "Mystic River"
My prediction: Bill Murray

Leading Actress: Keisha Castle-Hughes in "Whale Rider" / Diane Keaton in "Something's Gotta Give" / Samantha Morton in "In America" / Charlize Theron in "Monster" / Naomi Watts in "21 Grams"
My prediction: Charlize Theron

Directing: "City of God" Fernando Meirelles / "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" Peter Jackson / "Lost in Translation" Sofia Coppola / "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" Peter Weir / "Mystic River" Clint Eastwood
My prediction: Peter Jackson

Best Supporting Actor: Alec Baldwin "The Cooler" / Benicio Del Toro "21 Grams" / Djimon Hounsou "In America" / Tim Robbins "Mystic River" / Ken Watanabe "The Last Samurai"
My prediction: Tim Robbins

Best Supporting Actress: Shohreh Aghdashloo "House of Sand and Fog" / Patricia Clarkson "Pieces of April" / Marcia Gay Harden "Mystic River" / Holly Hunter "Thirteen" / Renée Zellweger "Cold Mountain"
My prediction: Renée Zellweger

Original Screenplay: The Barbarian Invasions" Denys Arcand / "Dirty Pretty Things" Steven Knight / "Finding Nemo" Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds Original Story by Andrew Stanton / "In America" Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan / "Lost in Translation" Sofia Coppola
My prediction: Sofia Coppola

As I said, these are just my predictions and not in every case the person that I would like to see win. The Academy Awards will be presented on February 29th... tune in and find out who wins and how good of a guesser I really am!

Shield Too

The Shield doesn't premiere until March. Like I told you here, that really disappoints me. The Shield is one of my favorite if not my very favorite tv shows going.

The good news is that at the same time the third season premieres, a new comic based on The Shield will also premiere. Jeff Mariotte, the writer, promises that like the tv show, the comic will be "a bit edgy, a bit dark..." and will stretch "the boundaries of its medium." If you'd like to read the full interview and see a few preview pages, then click HERE.

I've pre-ordered my copy and I'm hoping that it lives up to the hype... or at least the tv show on which it's based.

Tomorrw a Good Day?

The Day After Tomorrow is one of those movies that is tough to judge based on advance materials.

The trailer makes it look good... but then maybe we're seeing all of the best parts that the movie has to offer.

I hope not... and the fact that five new and very cool looking stills have turned up at ComingSoon makes my hopes rise even more.

Blade 3 Stock Rises

Blade 3 Trinity has a 50-50 chance of being really good.

I say this partly because I didn't care for Blade, but loved Blade 2. This will be the third director for the third movie.

At least Wesley Snipes keeps coming back. Chud.com has a couple of new pics from Blade 3 that you can see here.

After seeing the pics I think Blade 3's odds have risen to 55 - 45. ; )

Term Ends for Boston Public?

I have to admit that I felt it coming... This may be the last season for Boston Public. Although this season wasn't as strong as past seasons, I had hope that things would improve. According to this report that won't have a chance to happen.

Big Beatty said that the show had jumped the shark with "the hook lady." I think it was when Jeri Ryan was made an assistant principal... and a guidance counselor.

Oh well...

I Reckon We're on to Something

I love it when a movie comes out of left field and surprises me.

It doesn't happen all that often, but The Reckoning just may do it.

I really hadn't heard anything about this movie which stars Willem DaFoe, but if it is as good as the trailer, then we just may be on to something.

Kill Bill , Trailer 2

The teaser trailer for "Kill Bill Volume 2" is online now.

Although the new trailer doesn't have me as excited as the trailer for Kill Bill did, I must admit that I like it a lot.

A whole lot.

Check it out... you may find that you like it too.

RIP Bob Keeshan

Bob Keeshan died today. And piece of my childhood went with him. You see, Bob Keeshan was Captain Kangaroo.

Even if you're too young to have ever watched Captain Kangaroo, I'll bet you know what a huge part he played in the lives of kids growing up in the 50's, 60's, 70's and even the 80's! Each morning as a child, I can remember sitting in front of the television waiting for the Captain to get his big key ring full of keys to open the Treasure House. Then we'd wait to see who would pop in... Mister Green Jeans, Bunny Rabbit, Mr. Moose [watch out for falling ping pong balls], Grandfather Clock... there were cartoons and all kinds of cool stuff [for kids].

I outgrew the Captain Kangaroo show well before the 60's ended, but I never outgrew the good feeling that it left me as a child.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Keeshan's family and friends.

Scorsese's Horror Show

Seems that horror is really "in" these days. Like most of you, I've always been a fan and so I was really excited to hear about a new USA series based on the Frankenstein legend. As if that wasn't cool enough, you'll never guess who's teaming up to make it.

Martin [Goodfellas] Scorsese, Dean [The Servants of Twilight] Koontz, Marcus [The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake] Nispel and producer Tony ["24"] Krantz have pooled their creative talents to bring us the show which will most likely premiere this fall.

Dark Horizons has more details right [HERE].

Niles & Templesmith Return

Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith hit a homerun with their "30 Days of Night" comic mini-series. Not only did it merit a trade paperback, a limited edition hardback and a follow-up series, but it was also optioned for the big screen. And for good reason. "30 Days of Night" is an excellent story with daring choices by both writer and artist.

Well, I'm happy to say that Niles and Templesmith are creating a final six issue mini-series called "Return to Barrow." The first issue will be out in March.

Templesmith seems psyched when he says, “This is going to be the big finale for 30 Days, where everything comes full circle... I'm working on the first issue now and it reads even more like a movie than the original did too. It's pretty cool!”

For full details click [HERE] and if it sounds like something that you'd like, let your local comic dealer know to reserve you a copy. I know I am.

Interman Wins Award

Congratulations are in order for Jeff Parker.

Jeff's graphic novel, Interman, was just named as one of the four Best Graphic Novels of 2004 by the Young Adult Library Services Association.

They're not the only ones who like Parker's Interman.

Entertainment Weekly praised it in their first comic/graphic novel review column. It's been optioned for a the big screen.

Here's what I said, back in June of 2003 when I posted Jeff's take on Sly. Check out Interman and you just might want to get on the Parker bandwagon.

Oh, and before I forget, congrats to Jeff!

Random Movie Thoughts 2004

Here are some random thoughts on Movies Coming Out This Year...

• "Alien vs Predator" could be like when the two baddest guys in school fought... it wasn't pretty but ya just had to go watch.
  
  
• "Catwoman" starring Halle Berry should have been a winner. The buzz on it is terrible and looking at her outfit you can see why.
  
  
• "The Stepford Wives" doesn't do much for me, but then again neither did the original. Maybe it will surprise me but I'm not counting on it.
  
  
• M. Knight Shyamalan's "The Village" is getting a mixed reception so far, but it's still early and Shyamalan's past track record is excellent. I hoping for really good things.
  
  
• "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of..." -- I've yet to see the others, so this one is below my radar.
  
  
• "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" is the movie I'm most anticipating at this point. [Well, except for "Shade"... and "The Chronicles of Riddick"]. This could be the surprise hit of the season.
  
  
• "Collateral" teams Michael Mann and Tom Cruise. This should be excellent, but the story doesn't thrill me... or maybe it's the casting of Jamie Fox.
  
  
• "I, Robot" has potential... Will Smith in a movie based on an Issac Assimov story directed by Alex ["Dark City" and "The Crow"] Proyas? Yeah, count me in.
  
  
• "Kill Bill, Volume 2" is said to be more like the Tarantino of old. I'll be there hoping that's true.
  
  
• "Troy" is hoping to live up to "Gladiator" [not to mention Homer's "The IIiad"] and Brad Pitt is leading the way. Ya just gotta support the gladiator revivial. ; )
  
  
• "Ladykillers" teams the Cohen Brothers and Tom Hanks. This one looks strange. Well, what'd ya expect?
  
  
• "The Chronicles of Riddick" is the movie I'm most anticipating at this point [Well, except for "Shade"... and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"]. Hmmm... where have you heard that before.
  
  
• "The Incredibles" is from Brad ["The Iron Giant"] Bird and Pixar. You just know it's going to be fun.
  
  
• "Starsky and Hutch" looks like fun, but I bet I'll wait for a rental.
  
  
• "Spider-Man 2" looks to be the box office champ. The buzz is even better than the first.
  
  
• "The Manchurian Candidate" is an updating of the cold war thriller and stars Denzel Washington and Meryl Strepp. When was the last time I was looking forward to a Meryl Streep movie?
  
  
• "Shrek 2" - I guess I should see the first one first.
  
  
• "Alexander" -[Ya just gotta support the gladiator revivial. ; ) ] and this one stars Colin Farrell and is directed by Oliver Stone!
  
  
• "King Arthur" - remember what I said about gladiator movies? Well, this one isn't one!
  
  
• "Dawn of the Dead" is a retelling of the George Romero classic. I'll be there, but still wonder why Romero isn't doing another...
  
  
• "Hellboy" is the movie I'm most anticipating at this point [Well, except for "Shade"... and "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow".. and... aw... nevermind...]
  
  
• "Van Helsing" will be out soon. It has sooo much potential.... but then again so did Halle Berry in "Catwoman."
  

The Rock Can Walk

Ok, I admit it. I was wrong.

I thought that The Rock starring in a remake of "Walking Tall" was a bad idea.

The Rock was, pardon the expression, on a roll.

Think about it... great reviews for his small role in "The Mummy Returns." Then a prequel about his character "The Scorpion King." And then The Rock totally wows everyone with the very good and very underrated "The Rundown."

But The Rock starring as a backwater sheriff who carries a two-by-four to fight Southern Mobsters?

No way that could work. Right? Wrong.

The trailer looks good and they've updated and changed the story to fit The Rock. And with his charisma, I think it'll work.

Check out the trailer and let me know...

... am I wrong?

Hellboy & The Goon Team Up

If someone asked you to name some great team-ups you might think of Abbott and Costello... Batman and Robin... Bogie and Bacall... Hellboy and The Goon...

Wait a minute! Hellboy and The Goon?

But hey've never teamed up... Oh yeah, you guessed it fanboy...

Hellboy and The Goon are teaming up in Goon #7 which ships in June from Dark Horse Comics. Click [HERE] for full details.

Now how cool is that?

Cool enough that I'd call my local comic shop and reserve a copy or two now

Even Another New Dawn

If you're excited about the re-make of "Dawn of the Dead, you're really going to love this...

Steve Niles [30 Days of Night] and Chee [Wake the Dead] are teaming up for a three issue comic adaptation of the original "Dawn of the Dead" to bel be released in April.

Niles says the only liberties that he's taking will be where the film makers were hampered by budget constraints.

Niles said that when he was asked about doing the adaptation, there was no trepidation. "I'm so excited that I've been asked to do this. This was such an important movie in my life."

If you're a fan of Niles' comics and novels, then you know that's true... and will serve to make the adaptation even better. You can read the complete interview here... and remember to watch for the the "Dawn of the Dead" mini-series to start in April.

A New Dawn

One of my all-time favorite movies is George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead."

In fact I enjoyed all his "... of the Dead" series ["Dawn of the Dead" "Day of the Dead"], including the remake of "Night of the Living Dead" that he didn't direct.

While none were near the classic level of the first, they were all still a lot of fun.

That's why I'm looking forward to the "Dawn of the Dead" remake starring Ving Rhames. The trailer was pretty cool and the poster is as well. And I'm thinking that while it may not be a classic, I'll bet it's a lot of fun.

Charlie Hustle Deserves a Shot

Pete Rose should be given an opportunity to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Rose holds 19 Major League records, including the All-time Major League records for most career hits - 4,256 and most games played - 3,562.

Why is Rose not in? Because as a manager he gambled on baseball. Although he never bet against his team and never threw a game, gamblling on baseball when you're a player or manager is against the rules.

Did Rose deserve to be punished? Yes, and he has been.

Rose's book, My Prison Without Bars, details just how much he's been punished.

As a manager, Rose broke the rules and perhaps the ban should be for life... but, the records that he set were as a player and it is because of these records that he deserves the opportunity to be voted into the Hall of Fame.

That's That About That

If you like The Sopranos, The Godfather, or Wiseguy, then you probably should check out ABC's new drama, Line of Fire.

It's on Tuesday nights at 10pm and follows the lives of FBI agents and the underworld criminals they have sworn to take down.

Line of Fire has an interesting structure in that it shows how the mobsters' lives parallel those of the agents after them. The show is well written, well directed and well cast. I've watched every episode since the first and it just keeps getting better.

"And that's that about that."

Til Ink Dries Do Us Part

Seems that Britney Spears and her new husband, Jason Alexander, have already decided to call it quits.

That's right! It's being reported that all the annulment papers had been signed by both Spears and Alexander and are expected to be filed when the courts open today.

So much for until Death Do Us Part... this one didn't even last until the ink had dried on the marriage contract!

Waiting for Mackey

The 3rd season of one of the best shows on tv, The Shield, won't premiere until March!

Man, that really stinks. Especially when you consider that most series started their new seasons last September. At least the second season will be out on dvd this month.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have the series take the time needed to keep up the consistantly high quality. And when March rolls around, I'll be there every Tuesday night at 10 watching Vic Mackey and the rest of the Strike Force.

Britney Off the Market

The crying that you hear is from single guys around the world...Britney Spears married her childhood friend, Jason Alexander at the Little White Wedding Chapel on the Las Vegas strip early yesterday.

While I'm sure Seinfield jokes will abound, the fact that Britney got married is not.

And that somehow seems as surprising as "The Crocodile Hunter" holding his one month old in his arm as he went in to feed a huge croc.

Crock Hunter is Like Mike

Remember all the flack that Michael Jackson got when he held his baby over the balcony? Well, Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin may be in for more of the same.

On January 1st, "The Crocodile Hunter" held his one month old in his arm as he went in to feed a huge croc.

A lot of people are outraged -- and rightly so. Irwin even received a warning from child-care authorities.

Talk about stupid. It's one thing to put yourself in potentially dangerous situations - but it's indefensible to do the same to children.

"Must See" DVD

Alright, since we've looked at the theatrical releases for 2004, why not take a look at dvds coming out in January?

The collector's edition for Alien Resurrection finally makes its premiere and will find a home in my collection. I'll also be picking up The Wind and the Lion with a director's commentary by John Millius and down the road I'll add The Shield's second season, Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Since I didn't catch them on their theatrical releases, I'll rent Out of Time, Open Range and House of the Dead before deciding if they'll make their way into my collection.

January 2004 looks to be a good month for dvd collectors... and who knows what the other 11 months will add? You will if you keep reading the ZONE!

Must-See Movies 2004

As the first day of 2004 winds down I find myself looking at what new movies the year will bring.

January has three potentially fun movies Torque, Mindhunters and The Butterfly Effect. None of these are on my "must-see" list, but all look like an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

In February there's only two movies that may draw me out, and they are Kill Bill Vol. 2 and The Passion of Christ. It's pretty strange that these would open in the same month and that they'd both make my list, since they're on opposite ends of the spectrum. I'm really hoping for great things for Mel Gibson and The Passion.

Dawn of the Dead, and The Ladykillers will fight it out in March. My nod, at this point is to see the zombies first.

Shade is set to open sometime in the Spring and you just know I'll be there on opening day! The buzz has been very positive on this one, so I hope that its given an opportunity to live up to the hype.

Hellboy premieres the first week of April and I plan to see it that weekend. Another movie based on a comic, The Punisher, opens later that month, but the buzz on it isn't nearly as good... still one can hope. The Alamo might be a winner... at least it has a better chance than the real folks who fought there. Themovie to beat in April, at least at this point, is probably Man on Fire. The buzz on this one is, pardon the expression, hot.

May gets us ready for the big summer films, so it's approrpriate that both Van Helsing and Troy open. Both of these could be huge. As could The Day After Tomorrow.

June has just one must-see movie for me and that is The Riddick Chronicles. Oh, how I hope this lives up to Pitch Black!

July has the fireworks and Spider-Man Two [which by all accounts is even much better than the first!], I, Robot, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Village. Spider-Man 2 should bust all kinds of box office records.

August has the title match of the century [at least until Rocky returns to the ring] with Aliens vs Predator. Blade: Trinity opens and I'm hoping for it to be more like Blade 2 than Blade.

There's no definite release date yet for Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, but I can tell you that I plan to see it the opening weekend whenever it premieres.

Things really slow down in September -- there's nothing at this point on my list!

October is only a little better with Michael Mann and Tom Cruise teaming up for Collateral.

Things pick up again with two movies in November. Oliver Stone directs Colin Farrell in Alexander. Brad Bird's The Incredibles also premieres.

December finds Oceans Twelve, The Aviator, and Meet the Fockers all competing for our viewing dollars.

With all of these movies coming out... I'd better get some rest. It looks to be a busy year.