Review: Green Lantern
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the past few summers have been full of blockbuster comic book movies. Obviously since the very first of this new crop of comic films started being made with the original X-Men and Spiderman, nerds everywhere have been excited about the mainstream embrace of (at least some of) their culture. Of course, even within the comic book world, there are arguments over which characters and properties should and should not go to the silver screen next, and virtually every comic blockbuster to come out over the last decade has been based on characters from the Marvel Universe. The only exceptions that I can think of right now are Superman Returns, which was laughable at best, and Chris Nolan’s excellent Batman series, which has the feel of a much more serious film and is hardly in the same vein as Iron Man or Thor.
As of today that is no longer the case, thanks to the newest entry in the DC universe, Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard. The film tells the story of how former Air Force and current commercial test pilot Hal Jordan becomes a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Here are my thoughts on the characters, the story, and the use of 3D in movies. Read more
Top Five: Marvel Actors Who Should Be In DC Movies
Up is down, black is white, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria! That’s what it can feel like in the continuity-obsessive comic book world when film adaptations continually cast from the same, relatively limited, stable of actors. Chris Evans, formerly known as Johnny “The Human Torch” Storm, will be in theaters this summer playing Captain America, another Marvel Comics character. Ryan Reynolds is not only Hannibal King and Wade Wilson/Deadpool for Marvel, he’s also Hal Jordan for DC. To make matters worse, these casting decisions often disregard decades of established character history. Admittedly, some actors were born for certain roles. To wit, even though Wolverine is listed at 5′ 3″, 6′ 3″ Hugh Jackman’s adamantium skeleton and retractable claws pretty much guaranteed him the part.
Although I was always told not to cross the streams, whether nerds like me like it or not, this cross-universe casting seems here to stay. So, when life gives you lemons, make a Top Five. Read more
