[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlOF03DUoWc]
Superman is Back! Read our Tribute to the Man of Steel!
Mars Attacks! (1996)
Watching this almost twenty years ago, and again a few days ago, I am still left pondering: Who exactly did this movie appeal to? What was the niche audience? Director Tim Burton bases an entire science fiction film on specialty trading cards from the sixties, he creates a meta-alien invasion movie that throws comedy and menace at every turn, and then piles every moment of the film on with big celebrities and actors. Who exactly did this movie appeal to, but Burton?
The Three Musketeers (1993)
Many people comment on how Disney took a generally dark and adult novel and watered it down for their audience. To those people, I ask: Have you ever seen Paul WS Anderson’s version of the Dumas novel? If anything, what “The Three Musketeers” lacks in poeticism, it makes up for in entertainment value, at least. And I am a big fan of the casting of Keifer Sutherland as the leader of the Musketeers. Basically, Alexandre Dumas’ tale remains fairly in tact save for one caveat. The Musketeers live happily ever after. But then Disney took “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and turned Quasimodo in to a kind hearted gent with a mild facial disfigurement who becomes the hero of his city in the end of the movie, so it comes with the territory.
LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite [Blu-ray] (2013)
For fans tired of the R rated animated Batman films, DC and Warner team up with Lego (who takes a break from the awful “Ninjago” series) to deliver a G rated Batman adventure the entire family can enjoy! Based on the hit video game, Lego pays homage to many of the Batman tropes with a fun crossing of superheroes and supervillains for the fate of Gotham and the world. Lex Luthor and the Joker team up to take down Batman and Superman, when a robbery at a local awards dinner goes awry for the Joker and his team of super villains. Lex takes the opportunity to join forces with the evil Clown, as Batman learns the meaning of team work through his young ward, Robin, who encourages the Dark Knight to call for back up at every opportunity. Batman, of course, shies away from any and all help, even when in danger.
Beautiful Creatures (2013) [Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Combo]
When I was finished with “Beautiful Creatures” I was surprised to learn that it wasn’t that bad of a movie. Surely, it takes a while to start up, and the mythos behind the Caster family is somewhat hard to follow, but once you manage to catch up, “Beautiful Creatures” manages to be an entertaining fantasy romance. Normally I detest fantasy films aimed at the only the female crowds, but “Beautiful Creatures” could be for everyone. It has some interesting performances, a great storyline, and some truly creative special effects I had a blast with. There’s even a scene involving two casters doing battle as an entire dining room spins like a top. It’s damn fun, if you’re in the right mindset for this big screen adaptation.
Captain America [Blu-ray] (1990)
“He may not be Superman, but he’ll be a living symbol of what this country stands for!”
One thing I found most inexplicable about Albert Pyun’s 1990 “Captain America” adaptation is the curious presence of the cast of “A Christmas Story.” Either, they were in town for a press junket, or Pyun just loves the movie, because they appear throughout the film. Melinda Dillon has a walk on role as Steve Rogers’ mom who gives him a memento to take to the war with him, while Darren McGavin has a supporting role as a corrupt politician working with the Red Skull. What, did Peter Billingsley opt out of playing Bucky? In either case, director Albert Pyun does the best he can with so little, and 1990’s “Captain America” is still a terrible comic book movie, in spite of the nostalgia value it holds. Only real collectors will want to pick up this latest Shout Factory release, as director Pyun really doesn’t know how to construct a great Captain America movie.
Big Bang Theory: A XXX Parody (2010)
If you want to revel in the sexuality of “Big Bang Theory” and want to avoid all of the stuff like plot and comedy, “Big Bang Theory: A XXX Parody” really will do the trick. Fans of the series will especially enjoy how the parody skirts copyright infringement by copying every set piece from the show. Sans the comic book and science fiction paraphernalia. So uber-Sheldon doesn’t wear superhero shirts, so much as he wears shirts that kind of look like they could be superhero emblems.