Strip 2 Real...

Strip2Real.net... A blog site about life... My life... A look in to the life of an inspiring film maker, Horror movie buff, comic nerd and cell phone sells men... Its not always easy but its always fun...

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'Thor' A Hit or just another Superhero Movie?

The blockbuster film season started last night, and it started with a bang! Marvel's next superhero franchise launched with Thor. Now Thor was one of my favorite comic book heroes but lets be honest this was a massive risk for Marvel. Thor's back story is huge, and the mythology, complete with magical elements, is well know, even to those who have never picked up an issue of The Mighty Thor. But the most worrying part of it all is director Kenneth Branagh isn't exactly well know for his work on big blockbuster action films, even more star Chris Hemsworth isn't exactly well-known as a leading man that could carry a huge summer film... that is until today.

Branagh and his star Hemsworth nailed it! Thor is not the easiest superhero back story to tell, especially with out getting all magicy and childish. But hey it's a comic book movie, and we watch them to get caught up in the superhero world. Branagh created the world of Asguard and actually made us care about a CGI world (something that worries me about the pending Green Lantern) and Hemsworth was amazing as the Might Thor himself. He made us laugh, he made us cheer for him, and he even made me feel bad for him, and if you know the story Thor kinda brought it on himself. They told the story of Thor and more importantly made me care about Thor, made me not only want to see The Avengers and also for the all but guaranteed Thor 2. The thing with this movie is its the first comic book movie, since Nolan's Batman franchise to use a Superhero to tell a real story, that real people will care about. And use that story to set up so many differant ways Marvel and the Thor franchise can go. Thor also goes against the grain of most superhero movies, we all know the "with great power comes great responsablity", but Thor shows us sometimes that power needs to be taken away to learn responsability and to become the true Hero! The thing with this film is it isn't just another comic movie... its a real movie with a real story, and that causes real emotions. And that my freinds is why we go to the movies.

Thor is hands down the best of the Marvel superhero movies. If they can follow this up with a sure to be amazing Avengers movie and Captain America then I think we're going to get a lot more comic book adaptions... and if their all this good, I couldn't be more happy!

Nicky B.

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The first trailer for Immortal debuted and It looks pretty freaking awesome! Check it courtesy of my friends over at Dreadcentral.

Nicky B.

Source: Dreadcentral

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Awesome mash up trailer! this is the first mash up trailer that ever got me excited to see a film that doesn't actually exists. Thanks to the good people of at Screenrant for finding it among the millions of YouTube videos and a good effing job to themanbatman for putting this thing together.

Nicky B.

Source: Themanbatman, Screenrant

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'The Dark Knight Rises' Casting News... Who?

Warner Bros. has finally opened up about who Joseph Gordon Levitt and Marion Cotillard are playing in Chris "Batman" Nolan's final instalment of his epic 'Batman'Franchise. Only I don't know the hell they are? The official press release said:

Cotillard will appear as Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father’s philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.

Gordon-Levitt will play John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon.

Oh OK... Wait who? perhaps Marion Cotillard will be that love interest we heard about before. I mean I'm assuming Annie Hathaway will be given the history between Catwoman and Batman but maybe Cotillard will be?

But who is John Blake? I racked my brain, searched my 'Batman'comic collection, and even googled it, with no results. Of course I'll continue my search but so far I've struck out. I was hoping for a bigger part for Gorden-Levitt but of course just because his role is less known doesn't mean his part won't be big when Nolan is done with the character.

Mr Nolan spoke on the casting:

When you collaborate with people as talented as Marion and Joe, it comes as no surprise that you would want to repeat the experience.  I immediately thought of them for the roles of Miranda and Blake, and I am looking forward to working with both of them again.

Well despite not knowing who John Blake is I'm still looking forward to the film. And there's still hope Mairon turns out to be Talia Al’ Ghul. I mean the official press release don't mean Nolan won't throw us a curve ball, right?

Nicky B.

Source: Bleeding Cool

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Warner Bros. was so jacked with the reception the ten minute preview of the 'Green Lantren' received at WonderCon that they decided to play nice with us interweb nerds and give us a fun little four minute preview of what the good focks at WonderCon got to see today.

The Green Lantern hits theaters every where June 17th 2011.

Enjoy the clip, I sure did.

Nicky B.

Source /films

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HUGE X-MEN NEWS OUT OF WonderCon 2011 TODAY!!!

Marvel had some pretty big news today at WonderCon. We first heard talk about the X-Men mini series 'X-Men: Schism' February 9th 2011 when Marvel released:

I’m told the members of the X-Men are planned  split into two very distinct teams and books, each with a different moral outlook, aligning along the traditional Xavier/Magneto divide. Scott Summers, Cyclops, will lead the Xavier-minded team, while the Magneto-motivated will be led by… Wolverine!

Jason Aaron will be writing a four issue extra-sized mini about Wolverine’s X-Men, with a different celebrity comics artist on each issue. Marc Silvestri is down for one and McNiven is another.

And look for companion mini-series focused on the setup of Scott’s X-Men, potentially to be written by current Uncanny X-Men writer Kieron Gillen.

Well Marvel gave us some more info on the X-Men splitting series today at WonderCon with:

X-MEN: SCHISM #1 (of 5)

THE BIGGEST MOMENT IN X-MEN HISTORY IS HERE!

This is where it’s all been heading since M-Day and in one controversial moment, Cyclops and Wolverine make decisions that will forever tear the X-Men apart! Superstar writer Jason Aaron, along with a group of superstar artists (Carlos Pacheco, Frank Cho, Daniel Acuna, Alan Davis & Adam Kubert), presents the X-Men mini-series that breaks mutankind and sends shockwaves through the Marvel Universe.

Lines will be drawn and when the sand clears, the X-Men will stand together no more! That’s right—the X-Men, as you know them, are OVER!

“We’ll see pretty much everybody in X-MEN SCHISM,” Aaron promises. “It’s a huge cast; all of the X-Men play a part of this. Certainly it’s very much about these two men, Scott and Logan, but also some other important characters as well. Some of the kids play a role in this, like the Five Lights from GENERATION HOPE. We’re also having the return of a character from Grant Morrison’s NEW X-MEN run that’s coming back in a big way. We’re also going to have a brand new Hellfire Club that plays a major role in this.”

A thorn in the X-Men’s side for years, the Hellfire Club has always been steeped in tradition and featured tenured villain such as Sebastian Shaw and even Emma Frost. However, expect the latest iteration of the group to buck all previous trends.

“It’s a brand new take on the Hellfire Club concept,” Aaron says emphatically

You can read more on this WonderCon info over at Marvel.com. I for one am excited for this mini series. I am a huge X-Men fan and think this Xavier/Magneto like element, between Cyclops/Wolverine, can bring some life back in to the X-Men series that has slipped a little over the last year or so.

Nicky B.

Source Bleedingcool

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DC comic news!

With Marvel's big guns 'The Avengers' already starting to film, Warner Bros. motion picture group president Jeff Robinov spoke on his plans for DC's comic adaptions future. Robinov said he hopes to have a 'Justice League'movie by 2013. And if you ask me even bigger news is WB's plans to reboot the 'Batman' franchise before Chris "Jesus" Nolan has even began filming 'The Dark knight Rises'.

Robinov said:

We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman…Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is.

But with no Nolan and no Bale can we really move on with 'Batman'? I mean I guess it's good news Nolanwill stay on to produce, but can anyone truly top what Nolanhas done? I mean in my opinion Nolan's 'Batman' franchise has been hands down the best comic book adaptions of all time! The movies every director taking on a comic movie should try to emulate. But I do see if a 'Justice League' movie is coming Nolan's 'Batman', especially if Nolan has closer at the end like he said he plans on, doesn't really fit in to the brighter not so gloomy world of 'Superman' and 'Justce League'. But with a 2013 release date is it even possible to get another 'Batman' movie out by then? And if they don't and 'Batman' is included without Bale, how many comic nerds are going to be turned off the film?

Do you remember when I and every other website on the net ran pictures of what the gorgeous Adrianne Palicki looked like in her 'Wonder Woman' costume? Well I may self kinda liked the get up, but then I have a cosplay fetish so I guess that could be why? Well comic book nerds the world over were outraged about her shinny latex pants and blue boots, but not to fear they heard you cries.

Above is a new picture from the set of the David E. Kelly produced TV show 'Wonder Woman' and I must say her outfit is... less shinny. The latex pants are gone and she's decided to go with red boots to offset the blue pants and give that fight crime in the summer sun feel. But in all seriousness the new costume looks much better. I was wondering how she was gonna fight crime in heels...

PS the second pic I added cause it's a butt shot...

And last but not least we finally have our Lois Lane! After hearing the rumors the Zack Snyder had asked Kristin Stewart to read for the role I was a little worried. But Snyder got a good one. Academy Award nominated actress Amy Adams was officially given the Role of Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Chris Nolan wrote, 'Superman' reboot 'The Man of Steel'.

Adams is a wonderful chose not just thanks to her acting chops but she fits the age of Miss Lane better then the other rumored actrisses, not that you can tell this beautiful woman is 36 years old.

Zack Snyder had this to say about the role of Lois Lane:

“There was a big, giant search for Lois. For us it was a big thing and obviously a really important role. We did a lot of auditioning but we had this meeting with Amy Adams and after that I just felt she was perfect for it.

“… It goes back to what I’ve said about Superman and making him really understandable for today. What’s important to us is making him relevant and real and making him empathetic to today’s audience so that we understand the decisions he makes.  That applies to Lois as well. She has to be in the same universe as him [in tone and substance].”

Well I don't know about my fellow comic nerds but I for one think this was the best move Snyder made all year... see 'Sucker Punch' to understand.

Nicky B.

Source Screenrant.com & BleedingCool

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'Sucker Punch' a Painful Punch in the Gut?

I think every true fan of cinema, especially those of us who love their films visually stunning, waited with baited breath for 'Sucker Punch' after seeing the absolutely gorgeous trailer for the film. Between that great trailer and the track record of one Mr. Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) how could this film not be visually stunning? Well 'Sucker Pucnh' did not disappoint in that aspect. From the very first moment of the film, our hero "Baby Doll" as she was so appropriately named, finds her mother dead as her step father smiles at her heart break, but its not the acting that stands out its the dark colors and beautiful visuals.

The film then goes from wow to weird, it's my belief that's exactly what Snyder was aiming for but that doesn't change the fact that it was misplaced in this film. Once "Baby Doll" gets all settled in at the mental hospital, slash strip club, slash brothel (yea at this point I have no idea what's going on either) she is forced to dance, and at this point what can get better then Emily Browning is cosplay dancing right? Only you don't get to see a smoking hot Emily Browning dancing, once she starts to dance she drifts off to yet another fantasy land. But once in this dream land the film gets back to what Snyder does best. You spend the next 10 minutes with your jaw on the floor, and this is just the first of the 3 major action scenes. And the action scene are flat out amazing. Their visually gorgeous, and action keeps you on the edge of your seat.

But despite the gorgeous visuals, and damn exciting action sequences, Zack Snyder still manged to miss with the overall film. What 'Sucker Punch' did, it did damn well, what it didn't do is where the film missed out. The story felt fragmented, like something was missing, and you really do get the important detail, but by the films final scene you feel like you were shorted something. I mean other then my attraction to beautiful women in some kind of futuristic school girl cosplay, I was really never given a reason to feel for our heroes, to care if they escaped or not.

Now like I said the film wasn't terrible by any means, but just felt like it was missing something. I mean it had the gorgeous visuals that I and any Zack Snyder fan would expect from him, it had bad ass action scenes, and gorgeous women in cosplay, I myself had never seen Jena Malone (Rocket) before and am now in love. But I tend to judge a film by how I feel walking out of the theater, was I as excited about what I saw compared to how excited I was walking in to that theater? This time I was not. I walked in with high expectation and walked out disappointed. I just felt like I missed something, or was shorted something. I'm not saying don't see this film, just don't see this film with the same expectations I had, you may walk out disappointed like I did.

Nicky B.

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We don't know much about the new 'Wonder Woman' TV series but now we do know just how HOTT! Adrianne Palicki is gonna look in her 'Wonder Woman' outfit. Until we get a release date for the show this will have to hold us comic nerds over...

Nicky B.

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Do you guys wanna help?

The Earthquake, Tsunami and the many after shocks are crushing the Country of Japan. Lets be honest as geeks most of the great things we love came from Japan. But sadly our love of Video games and cosplay isn't enough to help the country of Japan in their time of need. So the American Red Cross is stepping in to do their part, but they need your help! I know times are hard so only give what you can afford, cause right now anything will help.

You can donate by visiting american.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give a $10 donation.

Nicky B.

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‘Battle: Los Angeles' a review with taste.

Now I'm not the biggest Alien Invasion fan. I didn't see the 'War of Worlds' remake until it was released on dvd, I still haven't seen 'The Day the Earth Stood Still', Either one, and I'm not even a little excited for the pending Independence Day sequel. Yet from the first moment I saw the teaser trailer for 'Battle: LA' I was hooked, I read blog sites for the newest news, impatiently waited for the full length trailer and went to a midnight showing of the film, and I don't ever go to midnight showings. Though I'll be honest at 11:58 pm last night as I sat in the theater I was worried, maybe we all were cause three seats down I heard "If this movie sucks, I'm gonna smoke a cigarette and cry." The reason for my worry and I'm assuming his as well, was a 35% on Rotton Tomatos and the countless terrible reviews I read all day before heading to the theater. In fact the one had me worried most was by Jorge Carreon of Examiner.com. Jorge said and I quote,

The deficiencies of Battle: LA may not matter to a less discerning audience seeking things that go “boom.” If they’ve spent all day playing Call of Duty, they’ll be happy as pigs in sh*t over the film.

Well Mr Carreon I must say you were right, I was as happy as a pig in sh*t after this movie. I thought the film was fantastic. Now I do see the complaints against the Script Chris Bertolini wrote, in fact one scene that stood out to me was after a large explosion killing a group of Alien invaders and some damn good Mariners Aaron Eckhart walked over to the rubble and stood there for a good moment. I couldn't help but think, "Umm this is a great time to maybe run?". But given the background of Eckhart's character the scene was need to advance his back story. I also see the the lame complaints that the dialogue was cheesy. Now I myself have never been in a war time situation but imagine the cheesy lines Eckhart was throwing out would be accurate. I mean wouldn't you want the man leading you in that kind of situation to attempt to cheer you up and motivate you? Would the reviews been more favorable if Eckhart would have told his men, "Sorry we're all screwed, I'ma leave you guys to die and I'm get the hell out... Peace". I mean come on people?

So I saw the so called slow comings of 'Battle: Los Angeles' but what stood out to me was everything director Jonathan Liebesman did right. He did a fantastic job showing what it would look like if a disaster like this happened to the city of LA. The detail he showed of the grim looking city just hours after the invasion was phenomenal, and believe it out not look as realistic as you could get for a Alien invasion film. The best part of the film for me was the urgency you senses when watching it. Liebesman did a amazing job of making you real the urgency and panic the actors on screen would feel when your being hunted by Alien solders, and made you feel like you were in the battle right along side with them. With the quick cuts and hand-held camera work, which I'm a huge fan of, Liebesman did a great job of keeping the action at a fast pace and the audience in the film and on the edge of their seats.

Now 'Battle: Los Angeles' may not be the greatest movie I've ever seen, but was the best Alien Invasion movie I've ever seen. The screen play gets cheesy at points yes, but not bad enough to take away from the strengths this great film has. If your a fan of Aliens, or a fan of fairly accurate war movies (side from the Aliens) or just a fan of kick ass movies check this movie out. It is well worth your $11 bucks and two hours of you life, it's a damn fun ride from start to finish.

Nicky B.

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There's nothing to Fear but Fear Itself... I know I'm terribly cleaver. That old catch phrase is because Marvel has a seven part Mini series coming out in April titled "Fear Itself'. While I have not been able to dig up much in regards to the series I did find a bad ass poster courtesy of the good people over at BleedingCool.com. So I'll fill you all in as soon as more is made available to the public but in the mean time enjoy this bad ass add poster for what looks to be one awesome crossover series.

Nicky B.

Source BleedingCool.com

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I don't know if this will lead to a full film or not... but either way its pretty effing cool! For weeks we saw that count down to what most Call of Duty fans thought would be the announcement for Modern Warfare 3. Well Activision quickly shot those hopes down. We now know findmakarov.com is a live action trailer for what looks like a freaking awesome Modern Warfare movie! The trailer was made by a Toronto-based viral marketing company We Can Pretend, and the live-action trailer is meant as an example of how Activision's Call of Duty game franchise could be expanded to film.

"We gave a statement on Friday," an Activision representative said in response to the trailer going live. "No further comment."

Well Activision is opening up but after seeing that trailer, I'm sure their working on a script. After all you should strike while the irons hott... right?

Nicky B.

Source findmakarov.com Joystiq.com

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Met the gorgeous blond playing Wonder Woman.

David E. Kelly is writing a Wonder Woman reboot for NBC TV and they have lined up the gorgeous Friday Night Lights, Legion, and Lone Star actress Adrianne Palacki . Here is the offical Press release thanks to the good people at BleedingCool.com

In the reboot, from Warner Bros. TV, Wonder Woman/Diana Prince (Palicki) is a vigilante crime fighter in L.A. but also a successful corporate executive and a modern woman trying to balance all of the elements of her extraordinary life. Kelley is executive producing the project with long-time collaborator Bill D’Elia. Palicki won the role of Wonder Woman in a decisive manner; she was the only actress invited to test for it. Wonder Woman reunites Palicki with the pilot’s director Jeff Reiner who previously served as director/co-executive producer on Friday Night Lights for the series’ early run on NBC.

Nicky B.

Source BleedingCool.com

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For those who don't know... Alessandra Torresani is the love of my life... And the way she looks dressed as Princess Leia is just one of many reasons...

Nicky B.

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X-Men: First Class, First look.

Below we get our first look at  Michael Fassbender as Magneto in Matthew Vaughn‘s X-Men: First Class. Also we get the news that the trailer for X-Men: First Class debuts tomorrow, Febuary 10th, 2011. Until we get our first look we'll have to settle for the back of Michael Fassbender's head in his Magneto costume.

Nicky B.

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How I met your... Comic Movie news.

Here's a first look at the first teaser poster for Captain America: The first Avenger. It looks pretty awesome and we get our first look at the trailer tomorrow during the Superbowl. Captain America: The first Avenger staring Chris Evans hits Theaters 7/22/11.

Comic movie rumor are most bogus. Ask Chris Nolan and his Batman 'The Dark Knight Rises' cast so I didn't think much when I heard that the gorgeous Olivia Wilde and Rachel McAdams were reported to be top candidates for the female role of Lois Lane, in Zack Snyder's 'Superman: Man of Steel'. But the newest rumor is Diane Kruger, Rosamund Pike and Alice Eve are up for a female lead the isn't Lois Lane. Again I still didn't take the rumors serious but it now seem we have some truth. Lois Lane WILL be in the movie but that other female lead? Will as well and we now know who it is. None other than Kryptonian villainess, Ursa, does this mean General Zod will be the villain after all? Even though Zack Snyder denied it? The details aren't all available but we do now know there will be two female leads. So now we sit tight for Superman casting news.

How I met your Samuel Jackson? Sam Jackson ran his big month on Jimmy Kimmel live that he was going to screen test with a few actresses for the role of Nick Fury's sidekick. And while most websites were lost as to who Sam was talking about this one, being huge Marvel fans, knew he had to being talking about Maria Hill. Then we got news of who was creen testing with Sam,  Morena Baccarin(who has previously worked with Director Joss Whedon on Firefly and Serenity and is now seen on V), The gorgeous Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) and Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother). We now know who is the front runner for the role. The very funny star of TV's How I Met Your Mother star Cobie Smulders, at least according to Deadline. I personally am a fan of the show and I think the actress could be good in the role. For now we'll just have to wait and see.

Nicky B.

Source Deadline.com , /film.com and Screenrant.com