Lollipop Chainsaw -- PAX 2012 game play

This weekend I attended PAX East in Boston and have to say for it being my first time at the con it was one hell of an experience.  I'm not much of a PC gamer but the crowd I went with are some serious games.  It was 2 days of PC games and board games, and when I needed a break from it all I managed to sneak away for a little xbox game play of my own.

My biggest highlight from the weekend was Suda51's latest game, Lollipop Chainsaw.  I stood in line for almost 2 hours as I anxiously waited for my turn in the bus kicking some ass with Juliet.  Yes it's a basic hack and slash zombie game but with the twist of a high school cheerleader being the main character for gameplay and the periodic assistance from her boyfriend's head (when placed on a glowing blue zombie) is a hilarious and fun take on the genre.  With a chainsaw in hand and constant need to collect lollipops to regenerate health, Juliet is the most fun I've had recently.  I love the concept of the Sparkle Hunting making this pom-pom carrying killer a blast to play.  Even the comic elements that give the overall look and feel of the game something I'm totally looking forward to playing.

Lollipop Chainsaw is set to hit shelves on June 12, 2012.  Make sure to stop in at your local Game Stop and pre-order your copy today.

Peter and the Starcatcher -- Off-Broadway Review

If you are in the NYC area, or will be before April 24th I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you take a trip out to a small off-broadway theater to check out this amazing show.  Having been an avid Peter Pan fan since a young child, and for some reason seem to be spending my 25th year on a madd hunt following the lost boys around the country, this is one adapted tale that is unlike any that has come before.

Peter and the Starcatcher is a fun, rather adult, telling of how Neverland and the infamous lost boys came to be.  With a cast of unforgettable characters, witty dialog and a light sprinkling of modern jokes writer Rick Elice has given the ultimate fan a play that I'm likely never going to forget.  Staged in a small theater, and having chosen a front row seat, I got an up-close and personal experience as the cast took me on an amazing journey from England to a small island when the H.M.S. Neverland is shipwrecked.

With a small stage the set design is quite simple, but the originality of items used to create the props, costumes and set itself is quite amazing.  Giving the production more of an improv feel as the actors are fully the ones propelling the story forward as they illustrate the battle between the Bristish sailors and pirates seeking to steal the Queen's chest.  This alone is like a treasure hunt game as it gives children in the audience a chance to try and find how many household items are used to create the set and costumes.  A perfect example is the opening act in the second half.  Being so close to the stage I actually had to avert my eyes from some of the actors because watching them in their mermaid costumes, and the faces they were making as they sang was so hilarious that if I dared look directly at them I knew I would not be able to keep a straight face.  You can tell that these talented actors truly enjoyed playing these characters as they surely got to be children once again playing make-believe.
Peter and the Starcatcher is an amazing play full of amazingly talented actors that really desereve immense recognition for this little play.  I wish I had been able to get this information out sooner so more could enjoy it, but there is a little over 1 week left, and if you are looking for something fun that you will surely never forget this is it.  It is an "all hands on deck" performance as the actors play multiple roles and the bring to life and whole new vibe to the classic Peter Pan story.  If the young kids in the audience are old enough to really appreciate the humor, it will kick off a whole new generation of Peter Pan fans.

So please check out the video below and then check out the link to the New York Theatre Workshop website to grab yourself a ticket before the curtain call.  You will not regret the decision.





Cast:
ADAM CHANLER-BERAT  A Boy/Peter
CARSON ELROD  Prentiss
KEVIN DEL AGUILA  Smee
CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER  Molly Aster 
KARL KENZLER  Lord Aster
GREG HILDRETH  Alf
BRANDON DIRDEN  Captain Scott
ARNIE BURTON  Mrs. Bumbrake/ Teacher
CHRISTIAN BORLE  Black Stache
TEDDY BERGMAN  Grempkin/ Mack/ Fighting Prawn

THERE BE DRAGONS -- Review

I have always found foreign films to be something of an acquired taste. There are stories that are so interesting that you cannot help but want to watch, there are images that are either so original or so stunning that you just have to watch play out, and then there are those that fit into a niche that you follow and watch out of fan-dom. There Be Dragons is a story, that truthfully I know nothing about. Granted it is not a "true story" and the fact that it is "inspired by true event" is something that so many story tellers and filmmakers use today that it's almost become a bit of a joke, however this is anything but a joke.

The story is told with such passion that you cannot help but feel for all those involved. I'm not just saying this because it's being told during a time of war, but because each and every character is brought to life and they literally jump off the screen at you. In addition to the beautiful story, the cinematography is something I've never seen before. I have gotten used to spanish cinematographers and their unique filming styles, but Gabriel Beristain takes it to a whole new level. With sweeping shots, original camera placement used to very distinctly tell you exactly who you would be focusing on, to transitions between time and place that move you through the film in such a way that it will literally take your breathe away if you truly understand and appreciate all of the work and effort that goes into making a film like this.

There Be Dragons transports you back to Spain during the 1930s in mind, body and soul. The sets are georgous, the wardrobe and costuming is stunning, the acting is exceptional, and every little detail that went into this historical epic, written and directed by Roland Joffe is something to be seen. Regardless if you know anything about the Spanish Civil War, or anything about Josemaría Escriva who the story is about, this is a film that should not be missed.

I give There Be Dragons a 5 out of 5.

Dylan Dog -- REVIEW

Dylan Dog is one of those films that feels like it was made in the 90s, and had at some point probably aired on Sci-Fi (before it became Syfy) and had a large enough following to have a small indie production company offer it a limited theatrical release.  The actors are your typical sci-fi "studs" circa now... and could have just been an added episode to the Being Human series that is now airing on the network.  Granted Sam Huntington is playing a zombie named Marcus in Dylan Dog rather than a semi-pathetic werewolf, but even Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) has one of those "has-been" vibes going on in his portrayal of the lead character Dylan.  And of course lets not forget Taye Diggs who sadly offers nothing more than an impeccable smile throughout the entire film even though he is supposed to be the "big bad"... well technically.

I'm not exactly sure where to start with this film since it first started out like an old throw-back to PI films, where as the trailers lead us to believe that Dylan was supposed to be this "watcher" of sorts which I found quite interesting since it would be like a "b-film" version of the Night Watch series that came out of Russia.  I couldn't help thinking "Oh cool a campie watcher film... SWEET!"... but sadly the only thing that kept my interest was the overly cheesy dialog, Buffy/Star Trek style make-up from the early 90s, and the horrible continuity throughout the film that ultimately turned into a scavenger hunt as to how many mistakes were not caught (**if you go watch keep a close look at Digg's teeth... you'll be able to figure out which "monster" is him and which is his stunt double**).

Granted I will say that the film does have a few moments of glory in the campiness of the film when Dylan and Marcus are sharing the screen, and I will admit it was nice to see some of the "old" vampire make-up making a quick (and hopefully brief) come-back, but other than that this film is sadly nothing to write home about.  And please don't even get me started on the female love interest.  Anita Briem, who plays Elizabeth, might be a pretty face to look at for the 107 minute running time, but she is a worse actress than the ladies of the sexploitation era.  I myself found The Jezebels (aka The Switchblade Sisters from 1975) to be quite hilarious, but man can Anita Briem give these ladies a run for their money on lack of talent.

Over all I would recommend saving Dylan Dog for a rainy night if you have nothing else to do.  I give Dylan Dog a 2 out of 5.

The Change Up -- REVIEW

When it comes to body-switch comedies most people think of family films like Freaky Friday, Big, 17 Again, and even, The Hot Chick.  This weekend we get a new take on this old storyline, but the success or failure of The Change-Up is up for debate.  From the director of Wedding Crashers and the writing team that brought us The Hangover, one would think that a grown-up take on the otherwise family friendly genre, would have potential to be a success. The Change-Up, however, takes the risk of being so over the top and inappropriate that it borders on the side of an epic failure.  From poor pacing and characters, that are just plain irritating, I’m sorry to report that there is very little to give praise.  Having been a fan of the original Hangover and just about any project involving Jason Bateman, I was extremely excited to see this film, especially, having just having come off the amazingness that is Horrible Bosses.  Unfortunately, I feel that with this film, the writing team just shot themselves in the foot and put the final nail in the coffin when their latest round of TV spots were released.

Having added only one line to their new 30-second spots, it is almost a plea for people to avoid this film like the plague.  I mean, let’s be honest here, if you hear “The director of Wedding Crashers and the writers of The Hangover take the body-switch comedy where it's never gone before" would you really go running to the theater to check out the film?  Personally, every time I hear that line I get chills from the scheer memory of how horrible this film is and the pain that I suffered watching it. 

Don’t get me wrong, if you are a fan of bad jokes made in poor taste that are delivered back to back with no time to recover, than I’m sure you will enjoy this film but the overall shock value of the dialogue is caked on so heavily that there is no time to recover and truly appreciate the joke (if there is one).  Truth is, the entire time I sat in the theater I seriously wished I could just reach over and smacked the stupid out of Reynolds character because it was so beyond what I was willing accept.  All the while I was watching, I had only one hope and that was, that something might happen that would actually make me care for one of the characters, but sadly Bateman’s Dave Lockwood was so likeable, I wanted him to mess up somewhere and try to live a little, while Reynolds’ Mitch Planko was such an ass I just wanted someone, if not on screen, than off screen, to beat him up.  What makes all of this worse is that Bateman was on such a career high that he was overdue for a bad film, and poor Reynolds is still riding off one relatively bad box office film, Green Lantern, and I was hoping this might be a step in the right direction.  I can only hope that these good actors in bad films, will be short lived, because each  deserves better roles than those provided in The Change-Up. 

Overall I would recommend a pass on The Change-Up.  If you are looking for a good comedy and have not yet seen Horrible Bosses that would more than make up the gaping hole brought on by David Dobkin’s latest film.    I give The Change-Up a 1.5 out of 5 and highly recommend that the guys out there do not make your ladies watch this film.  If you want to go do a guys night and then compare notes on how your life compares to these guys that's fine, but if you have no interest in doing either avoid the film completely and you will be a much happier person.

Paul -- REVIEW

Hollywood had three alien invasions hit theaters this month, each dramatically different films. Disney's Mars Needs Moms is a family friendly animation, Battle:LA is an action heavy flick with an Independence Day meets Cloverfield feel, but it is Paul that clearly brings the house down with an amazing balance of story, comedy and geek-tastic references.  Although the box office might rank Battle: LA higher than Paul, I would not judge the films in that order.  I think Paul is a film that brings all elements of film-making together into a perfect package for sci-fi lovers.  I mean lets be serious here... sci-fi geek-dom is something known world wide and if you cannot laugh at yourself for being a fan of some of the craziest films to be made and probably even being one of those "obsessed" fans who dress up to go to 20-minute previews, or stand in line for HOURS, or rush the lines at (enter name here) Comic Con than what else do we have to offer this world?  I myself am a proud fan and willing to admit that I camped out to attend a 20-minute preview of Serenity as well as bought passes to both the NY and San Diego Comic Cons last year... not to mention drove cross country just to attend the events in San Diego... so for that fact alone I fit right in with writer Clive Owen (Nick Frost) and his illustrator Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg).  If you have seen the film you know what I mean.

Paul is one of those films that gives you a taste of everything that is great about sci-fi with amazingly funny characters that drive the story home.  The visual effects are well done that it doesn't even miss a beat.  It almost comes off like a live-action version of American Dad only with better human characters.  Graeme and Clive are some of the quirkiest characters I've seen since Fanboys but I love every bit of them.  Then there is Paul.  Oh Paul, you will win over the hearts of the human race and all it will take is the twirl of a finger and some inappropriate nudity.  Although I normally cannot stand Seth Rogen, I found him to be the perfect voice to give life to the extraterrestrial. Although Paul does steal the show (and rightfully so) the combination of Kristen Wiig (SNL, Whip It and Extract), Jason Bateman (Juno and Arrested Development), Jane Lynch (Glee), John Carroll Lynch (Fargo), and Blythe Danner (Meet the Parents) there is nothing but comedic gold from start to finish.

From amazing comedic timing, a great ensemble cast and a wide range of jokes, references and puns off of previous sci-fi films there is very little that goes wrong - well plenty goes wrong but the quality of the film has few flaws.  The two elements that I most enjoyed were the jokes made at "shock value", some moments even made me drop my popcorn they were so outrageous.  On top of that I felt a personal connection as the route I took while driving to the San Diego Comic Con took me to the infamous site used for the final scene in the film.  It was nice to recognize exactly where they were going and WHY.  Granted I am an 80s baby, but I was born in the late 80s so some of the references come from films and other references before my time.  However having a brother that is 12 years older helped me catch a lot of things that others my age missed.  I will confess I felt like quite the geek during my screening being over of the "older" people in the audience and actually picking up and laughing at some of the scenes and was shocked when it took the group of college kids sitting next to me the ENTIRE film to recognize who the voice of The Big Guy was.

Paul is a great flick to kick back and have a good time.  I'm actually considering going again to see if there are any additional references I missed the first time through.  I give Paul a 4 out of 5.  If you are a fan of sci-fi and have either attended a comic con or just love to laugh than this is your film.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus -- REVIEW

If given the opportunity to walk into your own wildest dreams, would you take it? Would you walk through a mirror, into the unknown, unaware of the actions or consequences of what that journey might be, and just hoping to come out the other side as close to the same as you went in? What if there was an incredibly attractive person sweet talking you into the idea? Terry Gilliam's film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is an interesting twist to the story of deals made with the devil. It is a little hard to watch at times, and at others the visual content over powers the story itself leaving you feeling almost dizzy. The film feels like a bit of a mash-up of the visual styles of Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro, with a clear sense of madness present within each of his characters.

Heath Ledger plays Tony, who it seems all on his own embodies a collective of characters previously played by Johnny Depp. It was odd to watch him speaking like Jack Sparrow, and yet having Willy Wonka and even the Mad Hatter coming through. It was almost as though he modeled his character primarily off the works of the other actor, or rather that director Terry Gilliam had modeled this particular character after friend and actor Johnny Depp. I feel puzzled as to where the choice came from or if it was just something that might become apparent to only some, and yet I also question if it may have been caused by the extreme measures that had to be taken to complete the film after the unfortunate passing of Heath Ledger during production.

Ever since news was released regarding how Mr. Gilliam planned to complete the film I was a little hesitant as to how he would be able to pull off having one character played by 4 different actors. In a weird way Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell all have similarities that could make it a little easier for them to play the same character, but I questioned whether or not it would be effective or if it would hurt the film. If you have read any news on Mr. Gilliam's choice to use these particular actors you will know that it was done because these men were friends of the late actor, and the choice to keep it "in the family" was made out of respect for Ledger with the film being dedicated to him upon its release. It is touching to know that so many people offered to step up to the plate and help the production when the tragic news haulted the film, and even more so to know that Ledger had touched so many people's hearts and particularly that a director would turn down so many people and only choose someone that knew and could honor the memory of such an amazingly talented actor in the way that he should be remembered. Depp, Law and Farrell channeled Ledger in every sense, with hair and make-up added into the mix to help with the visual aspect. I just wonder what it meant to these actors to have such a weight placed on their shoulders to pull off this particular type of role. It was not just the role of a character, but also the role of upholding the memory of a fallen actor in his final role.

The world of the imaginarium, or rather what we see from inside Doctor Parnassus' head, is truly a fantasy world fit for any child's wildest imagination. This is the world in which we find Depp, Law and Farrell. Each time Tony walks through the mirror and enters the imaginarium, we are given a different glimpse of who he is and his face is never the same. The first Imaginarium Tony is played by Johnny Depp and in this world it is an upper east side class of woman that he entertains with his charm and good looks. The second imaginarium Tony is played by Jude Law, and in this we see the scheming, sly character in which we begin to see the true colors of who Tony really is. The third imaginarium Tony is played by Colin Farrell and it is at this point when Doctor Parnassus' daughter has fallen for the sweet talker and it is only through the help of another member of the traveling circus, Anton, do we finally see just who Tony is.

The sometimes overwhelming visuals highlight the traveling show and the magic of the imagination. I found that I sometimes needed to dig through the images to find the cast, even though I knew that on their own they would stand strong. The traveling show's crew was graciously made of up such talent as Christopher Plummer as Doctor Parnassus, supermodel Lily Cole as his young daughter Valentina, Andrew Garfield as Anton, and Verne Troyer as Percy. They are later joined by the collective cast of Tony's, and even Tom Waits who plays Mr. Nick whom Doctor Parnassus places bets with the devil for life, love and even his daughter's freedom. It is the ever betting man and his wagers with the devil that lead the story through Terry Gilliam's wild imaginarium.

As a whole the film is worth watching just to see what wild things Terry Gilliam can come up with. The actor's performances are great when you can see them, but the ever changing visuals sometimes become too much and you have to look away if only for a second. I would give this film a 3 out of 5 for story, but a 4 out of 5 for originality and imagery. As dedicated to Heath Ledger, the actors help up their part of the bargain and gave you a deep character that makes you think about life. Thank you Heath for such a great performance. You are surely missed as a shinning star and great talent.