D.C. MOVIE GUYS

You may think you’re ready to survive Comic-Con International: San Diego, Gen Con Indy or any of the other numerous comic, Sci-Fi and gaming conventions this summer but are you ready to survive the airports? A bad travel experience can ruin your convention vacation but with the help of a few simple guidelines you can trek like a pro and avoid the black holes. (continue reading…)

It does not take a comic book fan to recognize Bob Kane as the creator of Batman, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster as the brains behind Superman or Stan Lee as the spinner of Spider-Man’s first tales. The name Will Eisner has been lost in the archives of common knowledge despite the indelible mark he left on the comic book industry and the fact that he contributed more to the art form than any other comic writer or artist. Will Eisner is commonly accepted by comic fans and creators as the father of the graphic novel and a master of sequential art (a term Eisner invented for telling stories with static images on a page). In 1940, Eisner began publishing the adventures of a masked crime fighter called The Spirit. The stories of The Spirit contained mixed elements of noir, humor and romance and the original comics are still in print today as well as new adventures by some of the current industry’s best writers and artists. Just like Batman, Superman and Spider-Man before him, “The Spirit” is now fighting crime on the big screen. Sadly, Will Eisner’s creative spirit did not follow him there. (continue reading…)

If you want a good Nazi flick for Christmas, then the Bryan Singer directed “Valkyrie” delivers. Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg leads a usual suspects list of British actors (Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Terrance Stamp, Kevin McNally and Eddie Izzard) in plot to assassinate Hitler from within the ranks of Hitler’s own army and government. This true story written for the big screen by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander provides fact driven suspense that does an excellent job of keeping the audience wondering what’s next, even though the final outcome is known. Even though “Valkyrie” is heavy with historical facts, it remains entertaining. (continue reading…)

BLITZEN: Nice hat. Is it magical?

FROSTY: Yes.

BLITZEN: Is it fairy magic?

FROSTY: Maybe a little….yes.

BLITZEN: Aren’t you worried that might be too effeminate? Well, I suppose a snowman can get away with that

BLITZEN: I’m saying that when Santa and his Reindeer do it, that means it’s not illegal!

It’s awards season again, and between now and February 22nd when Oscars ® are handed out at the Academy Awards® we are going to be subjected to a multitude of film awards and best of 2008 lists. In addition to the Golden Globe® nominees already announced, The Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association and The Los Angeles Film Critics Association have released their best of 2008 awards. What is the best movie of 2008? The year is not over yet, but since that didn’t stop the LA and D.C. film critics from making a choice let’s stack up east coast versus west coast in a film critic battle royale and see which side got it right. (continue reading…)