Join the 300

Longtime ZONErs know how much I loved "300." It's hard to believe, but I first started talking it up "300" over 3 years ago. Of course I've been a Frank Miller fan for nearly 30 years and jumped on the Zack Snyder bandwagon after seeing his take on "Dawn of the Dead." I was sure that "300" was going to rock and I continued to talk it up more and more as we got closer to it's big screen release. Click HERE and you'll see what I mean.

The cool thing is that now you can help promote the dvd release of "300" and maybe win a trip to Comic-con or even a set visit to hang with Zack Snyder on the set of "Watchmen". How great is that?

For full details, just click HERE. SPARTANS, you'll be glad you did!

The Best Comics to Movie Adaptation Ever

Frank Miller's Sin City is the best comics to movie adaptation ever.

Sure, arguments can be made for Superman [the first with Christopher Reeve and directed by Richard Donner], the original Crow movie [with Brandon Lee] and even this year's Batman Begins. But for my money, Sin City is the cream of the crop as far as getting to the screen what was on the comic page.

That may change next year when Warner Brother's releases 300. Interestingly enough, 300, like Sin City is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller. What's also interesting is that Zack Snyder, 300's director, will make extensive use of the same "green screen" techniques employed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller when they brought Sin City to life for the big screen.

Zack Snyder really impressed me with his work on the Dawn of the Dead remake. Not only did he have the stones to take on the job of updating Romero's cult classic, but he succeeded!

Check out the official 300 web site and you'll see that Snyder is a huge fan of Frank Miller's work. I believe that Snyder will bring the same sense of respect and ability to 300 that he brought to Dawn of the Dead. And if that's the case, we'll not only get a great movie experience but also possibly the best comics to movie adaptation ever.

"300" is 1

It's been announced that "300" made an estimated $70 million during its first three days of release. This not only catapults "300" to the coveted #1 spot in its opening weekend, but sets a new record for a March release. What makes this even more impressive is that the previous record-holder was the family-friendly "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown" that took in $68 million in March 2006. "The Matrix Reloaded" ($91 million) and "The Passion of the Christ" ($83 million) are the only R-rated movies to have bigger openings than "300."

To add icing to the cake, most reviews have been positive and women are also giving the movie high marks [which is especially nice to hear since most critics felt that the movie would have very limited appeal to females].

I saw the movie in a packed theater at the first showing on opening day and loved it. In fact, I plan to see it again on the big screen... which is rare for me in this age of quick to dvd releases.

Zack Snyder Looks to 300

As most of you know, I really enjoyed the Dawn of Dead remake. Much of that enjoyment was due to Zack Snyder's direction. Snyder's next project is to direct the adaptation of Frank Miller’s 300.

300 is the classic epic of how 300 Spartans went up against an insurmountable Persian army which was marching across the known world conquering countries and killing any who attempted to stop them.

If the movie is even half as good as Miller's graphic novel, then we're in for a real treat!

300: The Art of the Film

I received my Art of 300 book today and it's a beaut!

With 300: The Art of the Film you get to go behind the scenes and see how director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead) translates Frank Miller's award-winning graphic novel to the big screen. The book includes more than 100 pages of production photos, concept art, and much, much more. What makes the deal even sweeter is that if you order using the link provided you can save over 33%!

Now if the movie's release date would only get here!

300: The Art of the Film rates an "A"

"300" Still #1

"300" continues to rake in the dough at the box office. It was number one for the second-straight weekend bringing in $31.2 million. This shoots it past the $100 million mark [$127.5 million] after only a week in theaters.

"300" was also number one at the box office overseas, bringing in $15.6 million and topping the charts in thirteen countries. The overseas total so far is $24.6 million and has yet to open in Britain, France, Spain and Mexico!

If you're a "300" fan, then be sure to keep an eye out for the March 23, 2007 issue of Entertainment Weekly which should hit the stands early this week.

Balboa, 300, and Royale

Besides "Rocky Balboa" the movie that I'm most looking forward to seeing is... 300.

Okay, but the movie that I'm most looking forward to after 300 is Casino Royale. It just keeps looking better and better. Now if only we could get word from someone who's seen a rough cut.

What's that you say? We can by looking HERE!

Wow! After reading that, I may have to move 300 down a notch!

Dawn of the 300

I'm a huge Frank Miller fan.

The Dark Knight Returns.
Daredevil.
Ronin.
300.
Sin City.

Classic stuff. And as most of you know, Miller is teaming up with Robert Rodriguez to co-direct Sin City for the big screen.

How could it possibly get any better than that?

How about director Zack Snyder ["Dawn of the Dead" - which I liked better than the original!] bringing 300 to the big screen?!

Yep, it's true. And you can read about it HERE.

Your "300" Fix

Now that "Rocky Balboa" has been released, the movie that I am most anticipating is "300." March 9th just can't get here fast enough.

If, like me, you're looking for your "300" fix, then this interview with Zack Snyder or these new posters might hold you over.

Another "300" Trifecta

It's time for another "300" trifecta...

Click HERE and you'll get an interview with Spartan King Gerard Butler.

Click HERE and it's an interview with the "God King" Rodrigo Santoro. a

And finally, click HERE and you'll get an advance review of "300."

All of this low-cal, low-sodium goodness is brought to us from the good folks at ComicBookResrouces.com.

Don't Walk, Start Ronin

It's time for our hourly "300" update...

Newsarama is reporting that "300" producer Gianni Nunnari, was asked about other comic projects is working on and he responded by saying Frank Miller's Ronin!

Ronin was a six issue miniseries published by DC after Frank's initial run on Daredevil. It's the story of a young Ronin in feudal Japan who seeks to avenge his master who was killed by a demon.

If the story pans out and the producer can get a director with the same passion that Zack Snyder has shown in translating "300" to the big screen, we could be in for another great ride. To check out "Ronin" click HERE. To get the full details from Newsarama, click HERE.

The Art of Making 300

Long time ZONErs know that I can't wait to see the big screen adaptaion of Frank Miller's 300.

Zack Snyder, the film's director, has done an amazing job of bringing Miller's vision to life.

Now, in addition to the movie, we have an art book on the making of 300 to look forward to.

"300" Wallpapers Aren't Enough

Since we all love "300" and can't wait for the movie to open, I thought it would be nice to have some cool wallpapers to help tide us over.

So did the nice folks at moviephone.com!

Two of "300"

Here's the second part of the "300" interview from yesterday. Today the interview concludes with Zack Snyder [co-writer and director] and the movie's producers.

Russell: "I am Snake Plissken!"

The other day I mentioned that Gerard ["300"] Butler had signed on to play Snake Plissken in a new movie. My ZONE message board lit up with people [myself included] saying that Kurt Russell should be the one to play Snake.

Well, it seems Kurt Russell agrees. Entertainment Weekly posed the question, "What if they asked you to do a cameo in the new Escape from New York, or play the Ernest Borgnine role?" Here's Kurt's reply...

"F--- that! I am Snake Plissken! It's like Sean Connery always watching someone else do their version of Bond. I think one of the things, for instance, about Escape From New York that appealed to me was that it wasn't a special effects extravaganza. It's a quiet, dark world and it revolved around watching the behavior of this one guy. He's a fascinating character. In fact, he's the most complex character I've ever played."

And if you wonder what Kurt thinks about Scottish actor Gerard Butler playing Snake, the EW interview clears it up when Kurt says, ''Oh, man!'' [Russell winces]. I do think that character was quintessentially one thing. And that is, American."

I have nothing against Gerard Butler. I think he was great in "300" and I expect him to do other cool projects. And, while the remake of Snake Plissken is definitely cool, Russell is still THE MAN to play him. For the whole EW interview, click HERE.

A "300" Tidbit

Here's a "300" tidbit for you diehard fans courtesy of Comicbookresources.com. It's a short interview with actor Rodrigo Santoro, who plays the Presian King Xerxes, leader of the army attempting to conquer the world.

Entertainment Weekly

I love Entertainment Weekly. Truely. I look forward to it's arrival each week and it never disappoints. Last week it featured a great cover and story on "300". This week EW gives the same treatment to "Grindhouse".

I've been an Entertainment Weekly subscriber since issue one and don't plan to let my subscription lapse anytime soon. That may not sound like much of an endorsement, but it is. I used to subscribe to a ton of magazines, but its the only one I've kept. Entertainment Weekly has outlived People, US, Interview, Premiere, Prevue, Rolling Stone, The National Enquirer, Star, Sports Illustrated, Writer's Digest, The Comic Buyers Guide, Movie Collectors' World, TV Guide, The Comics Journal, Muscle and Fitness, Sly, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Cinescape and who knows what else.

Entertainment Weekly covers [in each issue] movies, dvds, television, music, books, comics, and features a monthly column by Stephen King [who is always entertaining]. While I don't always agree with their reviewers' opionions and sometimes couldn't care less about their cover feature, I always find something in the magazine of interest. Especially when they cover features like "300" and "Grindhouse".

A "300" Trifecta

Superherohype.com has posted two images from "300" which you can see by clicking HERE and a French site has posted up a teaser trailer with a couple of new scenes which can... uh, be seen HERE.

300 Goes Live

The official "300" site has gone live! Man, I can not wait for this movie!

Interview with the King

It's time for our hourly update on "300." This time we have a link to an interview with "300" star Gerard Butler brought to us from the kind folks at comicbookresources.com!