'The Avengers' Was "Appalling," Says 'Dark Knight' Cinematographer

It seems not everyone was thrilled to bits with the wham bam big action popcorn epic that was this summer's The Avengers. Wally Pfister, Christopher Nolan's go-to Director of Photography and collaborator, had some choice comments regarding Joss Whedon's billion dollar super hero adventure.

"I thought “The Avengers” was an appalling film," the Academy Award Winner bluntly told Arts Sarasota in an interview.

"They’d shoot from some odd angle and I’d think, 'Why is the camera there? Oh, I see, because they spent half a million on the set and they have to show it off.' It took me completely out of the movie. I was driven bonkers by that illogical form of storytelling," he said.

Pfister won an 2010 Oscar for his cinematography on Nolan's mind-bender Inception, and earned three additional nominations from Batman Begins, The Prestige, and The Dark Knight. While his criticism could be viewed as a direct jab at his fellow cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, who lensed The Avengers, it is also a direct shot at director Joss Whedon, whose job is to collaborate and ultimately sign off on the visual style, camera angle, and lighting design in each and every shot in the the film.

Nolan's and Whedon's storytelling styles have two distinctly different aesthetics to them, and few would disagree that what they delivered to audiences with The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises were apples and oranges when it comes to a summer movie experience (which both happen to be based on comic book characters). Earning over a $1 billion at the worldwide box office, calling The Avengers "appalling" puts Pfister in a distinct minority. 

SOURCE: Arts Sarasota

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TEASER TRAILER: 'Carrie'

Getting the word on the new adaptation of Stephen King's horror classic Carrie is in full swing. The stars and filmmakers made an East Coast appearance at New York Comic Con over the weekend. Stars Julianne Moore, Chloë Grace Moretz, and director Kimberly Peirce took the stage to present this trailer and answer fan questions to a packed audience in the IGN Theater.

Yahoo! Movies got the online scoop for the first live action look at the film, which promises to stay closer to the source material, but maintains some iconic imagery first put on the big screen in 1976 that showcased the horrific telekinetic powers the tormented teen possessed.

The original film starred Sissy Spacek as Carrie White and was directed by Brian De Palma (who gave his blessing on the remake, passing the torch to Boys Don't Cry helmer Kimberly Peirce).

You can check out the teaser one sheet released last week in time for NYCC here.

Carrie is set to hit theaters on March 15th, 2013.

SOURCE: Yahoo! Movies

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THE INTERNET IS AWESOME: 'Baby Got Back' Sung By The Movies

Ok sure, it's a growing internet sensation, taking a song and plugging in the lyrics with scenes from movies that mirror the same words. Some are terrible, some are not, sometimes it simply just depends on the skills one has with Final Cut Pro. And admittedly, I was guilty of posting the 'Star Wars' Covers 'Call Me Maybe' video here on NerdyRottenScoundrel...

But since I sometimes neglect covering pop culture over straight forward geek news more often than I would care to admit to, therefore I present this new rendition of Sir Mix-A Lot's 1992 hit Baby Got Back as sung by more classic cinematic characters (spanning 295 movies to be exact), than you can shake a stick at...

Enjoy...



SOURCE: DonDraperSaysWhat

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Film Review - DARK SHADOWS ★★☆☆☆

Perhaps to no one's surprise if you have scratched your head after seeing the recent trailers and TV spots, it's kinda hard to pinpoint where exactly Dark Shadows is trying to fit into.

Based on the cult TV supernatural soap opera of the same name that ran on ABC from 1966-71 starring Jonathan Frid as the patriarchal vampire Barnabas Collins (and laying claim to the bloodsucker craze decades before Twilight, True Blood, Underworld, and The Vampire Diaries), director Tim Burton teams up with Johnny Depp on the big screen for the eighth time to provide their version of the show. It's not by definition a modern day update since much of the story is set in 1972, but there perhaps begins some of the film's quirks.

Like every Tim Burton production, the film is in no way short changed in regards to his checklist of signature features (gorgeous gothic art direction, characters bearing scant skin pigment, looming overcast skies, lavish architecture and costume design, and a rousing score by the great Danny Elfman), but it's when the film tries to find its actual identity in tone that it starts to hit some bumps in the road.

Depp stars as Barnabas Collins, a young well-to-do 18th century Brit living in Maine who finds himself cursed with a vampire's immortality and buried "alive" by his scorned lover, housekeeper (and witch), Angelique Bouchard (played by a sultry Eva Green). When Collins is dug up nearly 200 years later in 1972, he is left to find his way in the 'modern world' and make good once again his family name for whom the local town, Collinsport, was named for.

Once back among the living with his descendants who have financial woes yet still keep shop in the ancestral mansion Colinwood Manor, the fish-out-of water dysfunctional family dynamic ensues and Barnabas soon discovers his centuries ago nemesis Angelique is alive, kicking, and has maintained a monopoly on the local commerce since banishing him to an eternal grave.

Dark Shadows is a strange brew of horror, slapstick quirky comedy, and family drama all wrapped up in typical Burton-esque gothic themes. The eyebrow raising marketing set to a groovy '70s soundtrack has the film pegged as an off beat comedy, but Burton sees to it that the film also walks a line of various tones, but then crosses that line over and over throughout its near two hour running time. Additionally, much of the broad humor in the film has been revealed in the numerous trailers, leaving less to honestly laugh at when you actually sit down to see it in theaters.

While the movie is bookended by promising darker material, its the middle of the film that gets chatty with its fair mix of soap opera subplots, straight up horror moments, retro humor, visual gags, and even a campy musical montage. But the overall decision of having an 18th century vampire befuddled over dated relics like lava lamps, Troll toys, and Alice Cooper seem to limit the comedic possibilities that would appeal to a younger demographic had it been set in the present day.

The films boasts an impressive solid ensemble cast, including many players familiar to the Burton-verse. But the script doesn't quite find the time to spotlight any of them for too long until they are forced to find quick resolutions in the big finish third act. Michelle Pfeiffer (re-teaming with Burton after re-defining Catwoman in 1992's Batman Returns), Chloë Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, and Eva Green all manage to deliver worthy performances in the time they have to share on screen among a large cast. The always underrated Eva Green really shines here in a standout turn as Depp's love/hate witch nemesis, but her Angie reminded me of a campy version of her stinging mystical Morgan(a) from last year's short lived King Arthur retelling Camelot on Starz.

Whether this was a Burton film or not, Depp's casting as Collins offers a solid choice to walk the mixed tone that is never quite firmly set in the film. His Barnabas is a charmer one minute, a blood sucking killer the next, but always finds maintaining a sense of strong family values at the top of his list of personal priorities. Though the man out of his time routine only goes so far, despite the charm Depp brings to the role. Jonathan Frid, who originated the iconic vampire role on the TV show, has a welcome blink and you'll miss it walk-by cameo. It goes without saying that life long Shadows fan Burton would make certain he had an appearance. Sadly, the actor passed away last month at the age of 87.

Last year's modern day Fright Night remake starring Colin Farrell pulled off a fantastic balance of horror that featured a snarky charismatic vampire, but also possessed a firm sense of confidence in embracing what it was trying to convey in tone on screen. It could be brutal in its horror violence, but its humor reflected that dark side. Shadows seems to suffer from an identity crisis at times, though the cast never flinch regarding the material and make each individual scene work. Though looking at both films overall, comparing Dark Shadows to Fright Night is the old apples and oranges debate.

Dark Shadows is a mixed bag of what you will be treated to on the big screen. As a Tim Burton production, there are all the familiar trappings you expect to see and will enjoy seeing. Those production perks do not disappoint. But overall I found it to be a bit confused regarding the who it is ideally targeting, and exactly the where it is trying to call home. But like any Tim Burton opus, if Dark Shadows comes across as a quirky misfit without a pace to fit in, then perhaps the director truly has succeeded in capturing a core theme common to all his films. 

Dark Shadows hits both 2D and IMAX screens today.

REVIEW RATING: ★★☆☆☆
Directed By: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloë Grace Moretz

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 112 minutes 

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The Lizard In A Lab Coat! New 'Amazing Spider-Man' Images Emerge

While we fully expect to see a terrifying CGI enhanced reptillian villian in this summer's The Amazing Spider-Man, and we have been given sneak peaks over the last few months as to what The Lizard will actually look like on the big screen. But from the comics though, there is a not so terrifying and sometimes silly classic image engraved in the memories of fans of an upright standing lizard decked out in purple pants and a long white lab coat. 

When Spider-Man director Marc Webb was asked by MTV Splash last month on whether the lab coat will appear on The Lizard when Ryhs Ifans' Dr. Curt Connors transforms, he had this tease to offer. "That's a good question. Be patient, grasshopper," Webb said. "[Regarding] the lab coat, be patient… you won't be disappointed."

Yesterday Apple Trailers posted two new stills from the film that confirm that (in at least one scene) we will see a reference to the classic look of the Spider-Man's green scaled nemesis.

You can also check out images from the my coverage of the 2012 Toy Fair where the design of the creature was for the first time clearly put on display.

The Amazing Spider-Man is set to swing into theaters in 3D on July 3rd starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Conners/The Lizard.

SOURCES: Apple, MTV Splash

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New 'Amazing Spider-Man' Posters Revealed

Ladies and gentlemen, courtesy of Cine Marcado and IMP Awards, here are the newest posters from the upcoming "The Amazing Spider-Man" starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, which swings into theatres in 3D on July 3rd.

SOURCES:  Cine Marcado, IMP Awards

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Film Review - THE AVENGERS ★★★★☆

It's safe to say there was a time when the thought of seeing a believable and satisfying Iron Man film was a pipe dream to many fans. Thanks to technology, Marvel Studios, director Jon Favreau, and a top notch Robert Downey Jr., the stars aligned and it all came together on the big screen in 2008. But wisely Marvel also planted a seed for the future with a secret post-credits cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and the dare-to dream-countdown suddenly stepped closer to reality regarding the team-up movie of a lifetime, The Avengers.

Cue the Marvel films that followed to set the stage for the all-star super hero line-up, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. While some installments were stronger than others, the idea of balancing all these comic book icons in one big screen adventure was beyond ambitious, even with most of them already having their assorted back stories established in their own solo movies. 

Enter Joss Whedon, the geek god mastermind behind Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse. If there was anyone with the chops to handle an ensemble cast, deliver a script with bang up dialogue, and enjoy the highest level of geek cred with the fans, it was Whedon.

Frankly to have even written at the top of this post "Film Review: The Avengers," seems almost a bit surreal, but I am happy to say that finally experiencing one of the most anticipated movies of the year has been well worth the wait. I am lucky enough to admit to have already seen it twice, one time in a solid IMAX 3D converted print. The expected spectacle is all there, the big budget special effects laced action pops off the screen, and the near two and a half hour film boasts an amazing balance that allows each headliner in their own right ample screen time to shine.

At its core, this is still an origin story. Not for any individual character, but for the team itself. A substantial portion of the movie is spent getting these clashing egos in sync to unite against a common foe (in this case, it's Thor's Asgardian nemesis brother, Loki). Whedon knows there is little fun to be had if all these iconic heroes were to simply play nice right off the bat.

To not have Earth's Mightiest Heroes each draw a line in the sand and engage in proverbial pissing matches of power to test easy other out would waste the opportunity that can only be fully realized in this film. How does the gamma ray rage of the Hulk square off against the demigod powers of Thor? What can Iron Man's armor do to Captain America's shield? Can Cap's indestructible shield deflect Thor's hammer Mjolnir?

These geektastic moments have been the stuff of debates between fans for ages and Whedon knows enough to showcase them right up there loud and proud. If there exists a checklist of required beats, fanboy moments, catchphrases, and one-on-one tests of strength that must be put on display in this epic, it did not fall on deaf ears.

As expected, Robert Downey Jr. gets the wealth of the best lines as billionaire Tony Stark. Chris Evans keeps his Captain America on the straight and narrow as a man out of his era trying assimilate into the modern world. To say we finally get the version of the Hulk we always wanted is an understatement. Mark Ruffalo (no less than the third actor to play Bruce Banner on the big screen, following Eric Bana and Edward Norton), gives us a humbled scientist who not only struggles to keep "the other" guy safely in check, but manages to find that there is still quick wit to be had on his human side. Chris Hemsworth delivers again as the Norse God of Thunder Thor, bringing the mystical, magical, and some arrogant elements to the team. Two super powerless heroes are also along for the ride, one in the returning Scarlett Johansson as Iron Man 2's Russian assassin Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner takes on the bow and arrow sharpshooter Hawkeye. Samuel L. Jackson of course brings his A-game Samuel L. Jackson to S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury, the reliable Clark Gregg finds some time to shine as Agent Coulson, and Cobie Smulders makes her big Marvel screen debut as Agent Maria Hill.  And if you're keeping count, those are just the good guys...

As to the who and the what The Avengers are up against, the film keeps it painfully simple. Tom Hiddleston, returns as Loki, who is out to capture the Tesseract, the Cosmic Cube of endless power (as first seen Captain America: The First Avenger). While Loki has an evil alien race waiting in the wings to help conquer the Earth, he serves as the predominant foe for the main course of the movie.

Which to nitpick, while Hiddleston twists his villain mustache with charasmatic evil ease, Loki again taking the stage as the baddie has a bit of the 'been there, done that feel' to it. The demigod headlined as the antagonist in Thor, which came out only last summer.

Months of heated online speculation as to whether the aliens would be revealed as the Marvel universe's shape shifting Skulls or not proved to be a moot point. Their one-dimensional use in the film would have shortchanged Skrull fans had the rumor been on the money. But at risk of over booking the film with bad guys (i.e. the Batman & Robin syndrome), when there are already enough heroes to keep your head spinning, Whedon treats the Chitauri invasion force as a faceless minions merely there for The Avengers to wallop and belittle into an explosive oblivion.

For as much as the Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor push the special effects budget to the limits, I felt the mere mortals Black Widow and Hawkeye come across a bit outgunned in comparison. While they are allowed to showcase brains and human brawn to their utmost extent, fending off the alien invasion stretches it a bit next to the heroic gods and monsters who are leaping and smashing everything and anything evil in sight.

Whedon knows his dialogue, and everyone has sharp lines and funny moments. The film has its serious side, but keeping with the Marvel Studios movie mold, it's a no-holds-barred popcorn entertainment machine made for the masses, and never takes itself too seriously for too long. Which is also to say comparing this to The Dark Knight, or inevitably this summer's The Dark Knight Rises, would be an unfair side-by-side look at polar opposite approaches to successfully translating this genre to the big screen.

The special effects are rivaled only by the furious non-stop action in the final showdown outside New York City's Grand Central Station, where Stark Tower has taken over the spot where the Met Life Building resides. When The Avengers have their moment that forces them to put their differences aside and move forward as a team, there is little else to compare it to in scope, frantic eye candy, and unadulterated sheer geek joy.

There are numerous gems laced throughout the entire film, but it's up to you to hold on tight for the ride when it hits on all cylinders.

This will be far from the last we will see of these characters. The Avengers is by no means the big finale. Iron Man 3 stands firmly in the on-deck circle and starts shooting in a few weeks, and sequels to Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger already have release dates set. Once that next wave subsides, it will time to suit up the gang again for Avengers 2, which I believe few will argue against. If it reads here that I drank the Marvel kool-aid for this film, I freely admit to it, this knockout 3D epic deserves the praise. Marvel's The Avengers will easily stand out as one of the most entertaining films of the year for civilians and fans alike.

Marvel's The Avengers hits theaters in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D this Friday, May 4th.

REVIEW RATING: ★★★★☆
Directed By: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston,
Studio: Disney
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 143 minutes

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