I can imagine that if there were a commentary for the “Birds of Prey” DVD set, it would begin with “Well… it seemed like a good idea at the time.” And in theory, it does seem like a great concept. After the success of “Smallville” the (then) WB Network tapped the well by digging in to the Batman universe. What with the new franchise being developed how do you work around DC’s ridiculously strict guidelines of not including the same character in more than two property? You make stuff up, and work with what you have. “Birds of Prey” is based on the successful comic book series where Gotham’s girls team up to take on crime. The problem was that audiences just didn’t care for these characters, and what was worse was that well… it sucked. I saw the entire series on the WB Network when it first premiered and I couldn’t stand how awful it was.
Tag Archives: Thriller
Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) (Two-Disc Special Edition)
So it’s finally here, the long awaited mid-quel to “Batman Begins” that leads right in to “The Dark Knight.” While Warner is taking a fantastic approach to this mid-quel by enlisting a host of top notch cutting edge animators and keeping true to the dark adult nature of the movies, even casting the one and only Kevin Conroy to voice Batman yet again (and he doesn’t miss a beat), “Gotham Knight” feels more like a template of which Christopher Nolan could expand upon should he decide to continue the series after “The Dark Knight.” There are only so many rogues who can be justified on screen with realism, but “Gotham Knight” provides us with some famous villains who could excel with a big screen treatment under the right people.
Wanted (2008)
When I tell you that I had zero expectations for “Wanted,” let me emphasize it. I had zero expectations for “Wanted.” None. Nada. Bottom of the barrel, ground zero expectations. So again, let me explain how surprising it was to sit through “Wanted” and realize it is one of the better action movies I’ve seen in years. Is it over the top? Yes, but so was the comic book. Is it absurd? Yes, but so was the comic book. And director Timur Bekmambetov manages to take the source material and turn it in to a slick action thriller that mixes gore and dark comedy with a respective ensemble cast that give absolutely fantastic performances in what could be described as a vicious hybrid of “The Matrix,” and “La Femme Nikita” with a dash of “Fight Club.”
Now That You’re Dead (2009)
The director of the great short fantasy thriller “The Empty Acre” takes a more routine approach, but one that’s mired in the devices of karma tales like “The Twilight Zone” and “Creepshow.” In fact, with a larger format, and further extrapolation, I could definitely see “Now That You’re Dead” as a part of a great “Creepshow” sequel. Because when all was said and done, this reminded me of that short segment from “Creepshow 3” with the murderous hooker and her vampire client… except this isn’t a piece of steaming crap on a hot tar road.
Devil May Care – New James Bond Novel [Hardcover]
This is a different kind of James Bond. This is the James Bond who is not really needed at his agency very much anymore. After his last battle, he’s now taken a forced sabbatical after being driven to clerical duties and then forced in to relaxation and wealth. There’s a brand new agent working for Universal that’s taken over his duties, and Bond is having a considerably hard time facing that.
It may seem like an eye roll and a groan to the average reader, but Bond is basically stir crazy when we first meet him at the beginning of “Devil Maycare.” He smokes foreign cigarettes, already has a routine that screams monotony, and a seemingly random murder of a young Middle Eastern man has suddenly become so important that it’s pulled Bond out of his sabbatical of woeful relaxation and considerable obsoletion in to the duties of 007 once again.
Quench (2007)
Tonally, “Quench” tends to be scattered and while normally that’d be cause to give this a negative marking Zack Parker’s film balances the mixture of genres, and direction so well that I really enjoyed that the film jumps from mood to mood with pure ease. “Quench” could be described as a horror movie in a way, but it’s very unlike a horror movie when it wants to be. Parker takes the underground sexually unlimited world of “Eyes Wide Shut” and mixes it with a bit of “Martin” along with a coming of age drama and really never stops there.
Never Cry Werewolf (2008)
Riddle me this, fair reader: Have you ever seen the wonderful “Rear Window”? Did you ever see the cult classic “Fright Night”? Did you ever get to see the horribly overrated “Disturbia”? If the answer to one or more of those questions is yes, then guess what? You’ve already seen “Never Cry Werewolf”! The problem with director Brenton Spencer’s production is that it attempts to be a new spin on “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and “Little Red Riding Hood” while also appealing to the teen crowd by appearing to be a mature harder edged R.L. Stine story with a twist of “Silver Bullet.” But in reality, it’s just another regurgitation of the classic Hitchcock tale in which an inept home owner discovers their neighbor may be up to devious misdeeds that may potentially threaten their livelihoods.