Friday 27 April 2012

Johnny Big Toes - the whole gang!


copyright Alex Smith 2012

You've already met Johnny and Lee - now meet Lee's boss Nicky Lah and his car, 'Red'!

Pre-orders of Johnny Big Toes are now available at: www.ashworthpublishing.com

Tuesday 24 April 2012

50/50

I had long been anticipating the release of 50/50. My brother had seen it in the UK, in November of last year and had raved about it(I believe it was one of his films of the year for 2011). Four months later and it's finally released here in Melbourne - to an exclusive run at the Nova cinema in Carlton(www.cinemanova.com.au) - that is all!
Why this movie was only deemed a singular run, I don't know. Perhaps the reasons remain the same for the direct-to-DVD issue?
Anyway, I managed to catch a screening with friends, close to the end of it's run - and was very glad I did. Obviously I had high expectations, having heard so much from my brother, but it didn't disappoint.
50/50 tells the story of Adam(played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a driven and creative young man working in radio, who believes in doing the very best job he can - especially in this age of mediocrity. You get the sense that Adam is a great believer in karma. He is considerate of rules and regulations and does his upmost to treat others as he would like to be treated. Unfortunately Adam's living in a world where the majority act differently.
Adam lives a fairly normal life, spending much of his time with friend and colleague, Kyle(played by the ever watchable Seth Rogen). His mother(played by Angelica Huston)and father live close by. Despite his mothers best efforts, Adam avoids seeing too much of his parents - undoubtedly due to his fathers failing health(he has alzheimer's). Adam is also dating Rachael(Bryce Dallas Howard) - an attractive, yet frivolous artist.
After going to the doctors complaining of back pain, Adam discovers he has a rare form of spinal cancer. Adam undergoes chemotherapy to treat the cancer and is ordered to see a therapist for the duration of his treatment.
Adam's world is turned upside down as anyone's world would be. His nearest and dearest are hugely sympathetic, but achieve varying degrees of success with their support. Adam's therapist, Katherine(played by Anna Kendrick) is in the process of earning her doctorate at what we discover to be a teaching hospital. Adam is Katherine's third patient and as two relatively young people, their character arc is deepest - as they discover just as much about themselves as they do each other.
50/50 is partly inspired by the experiences of screenwriter, Will Reiser and his own battle with cancer. The result is an incredibly honest account of one person's battle with a debilitating disease and how that person's life and relationships are affected - for better or for worse.
The cast are fabulous and they play their parts to perfection. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is particularly good in the lead. Pre-diagnosis he is calm and gentle. He sustains this mood throughout, but manages to subtly display a sense of hopelessness and despair beneath his skin.
With Reiser and Rogen having previously worked on Da Ali G Show together, there is much laughter to be found in 50/50. Much of which comes from the interplay between Adam and Kyle. Adam's fellow patients offer some respite from proceedings also - proving once again how necessary laughter is, in the fight of any serious illness.
50/50 is subtle yet deeply affecting in it's account of one man's battle with cancer. Almost every human emotion is displayed on screen - and not without reason. This comedy/drama is rich with detail and character development and will appear wholly familiar to anyone who's undergone a similar experience - or for that matter, anyone with friends and family - 4/5.

Friday 20 April 2012

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The trailer for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was one of the few, in recent times, to wet the appetite of it's audience, without giving too much away. It's also one of the few, in my experience, to garner such rapturous laughter(admittedly from an older audience) - greater even, than that of the main feature!
I was pleasantly surprised by this reaction and felt, based also on the pedigree of talent involved, the movie would do well upon release.
I don't know about box office receipts, but as a rich and understated story, the film is a huge success!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a retreat of sorts, for the elderly(and beautiful!) - situated in Jaipur, India. The guests of this run-down but charming hotel are seven pensioners from England - who have all found their way to the hotel independently(save for two, who are already married).
Each has their own reasons for going and their own reasons for staying. As we come to understand these reasons, we find ourselves transported to India, fully engaging with these characters. Each is played to perfection by a who's who of top british talent including; Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy.
The screenwriter and actors have done a terrific job of fully realising each character. As elderly people, they appear steeped in life experience - at odds with both their past and future. Each actor has their moment to shine and by subtle increments we discover each characters past and learn of their anxiety and wonder towards the future.
As the characters are in such close proximity to one another, they have no alternative but to interact. This is amicable to all but one - who is ready to leave pretty soon after they arrive. India is the back-drop to this new adventure and while some embrace this foreign experience, others take more convincing. Friendships are made and some are broken, yet never does it feel forced or contrived.
Despite the predominantly elderly themes, there is an eighth story to be told in the hotel owner, played by Dev Patel. He is struggling to keep the hotel afloat, while endeavouring to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend.
These stories intermingle effortlessly and the result is an abundance of relatable human experience - regardless of age, sexuality or race. Not to reduce experience to singular codes or creeds, but there are some fabulous lines in this film, that some-up much of theses experiences - you'll be quoting for days afterward!
Adapted from the novel by Deborah Moggach, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a triumph of the human condition - and spirit. These characters could be middle-aged or even younger, but as elderly people, they show the living never want to stop living, irrespective of circumstance - 4/5.

Wednesday 18 April 2012

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

I went into Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with pretty low expectations and came out pleasantly surprised!
For those of you who read my blog regularly, you'll have noticed I've been giving predominately high scores to the movies I've been reviewing. Fear not - Spirit of Vengeance is no classic!
Like any film-goer on a budget, I try my best to avoid seeing bad movies at the cinema. I do have a particular fondness for comic-related movies and most will have noticed a steady flow of comic-related features appearing at theatres of late!
I think my interest goes beyond mere fandom though. Being a creator myself, I believe it's the process by which these stories have been brought to life, which interests me most. The collaborative act of adapting that which was once on the page - the genesis of which was born in the imagination.
This new incarnation of Ghost Rider has very little to do with the 2007 feature. We join the character of Johnny Blaze(the Ghost Rider) in Eastern Europe - living a transient lifestyle with no attachments. He rides across the continent, his curse in tow - punishing those unlucky enough to cross his path.
The devil is in town however - and he's chosen a boy to embody, as his current 'shell' has grown weary. Johnny is propositioned by a man named Moreau, who has sworn to protect the boy. In return for his help, Moreau promises to free Johnny of his curse.
Spirit of Vengeance isn't so much a sequel to the 2007 original as just another story featuring the same lead character(and actor). It's less commercial and more inventive than it's predecessor. This time the 'Rider' and his motorcycle are more organic - blackened and charred, belching thick smoke into the air. Quite different to the polished, 'Hot Rod' aesthetic of the first.
Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor are the directors this time and their background in action-movies is evident. Neveldine and Taylor have successfully re-created the crazy spectacle of a comic 'splash page' with this film. Most sequences are built from visuals indicative of comic-book art. Unfortunately many of these shots were pinched for the trailer, leaving few surprises for the viewer.
One of the few things that wasn't really evident in the trailer is the sprinkling of humour throughout. There is many a chuckle to be had in Spirit of Vengeance. Often dry and somewhat kooky, the humour breaks up the action and reminds us all, despite the apocalyptic visuals and doom-laden mood, we are in fact here to have a good time - not unlike a roller coaster!
Spirit of Vengeance doesn't raise the bar for comic-book movies, nor does it do very much to challenge it's audience. What it does do is entertain for a couple of hours. It's a simple yet engaging story, featuring a fearsome iconic character. The 'Ghost Rider' looks and feels just at home on screen as he does in the comic-books - 3/5.

Saturday 7 April 2012

The Raid: Redemption

I saw The Raid: Redemption with the knowledge it was likely to be the most brutal and visceral action movie I had seen in some time - it didn't disappoint!
The Raid is directed by Gareth Evans and stars Iko Uwais. The pair met during filming of Evans' documentary, 'Land of Moving Shadows: Pencak Silat'. Pencak Silat is an ancient Indonesian martial art - of which Uwais is a master. The pair made 'Merantau' soon after(their first feature together) and are endeavouring to showcase Silat with each new feature they produce.
The Raid tells the story of Rama(Uwais), a devoted husband with a baby on the way. Rama is a member of the SWAT team. After a brief introduction to this man, we are thrown into the action.
We follow Rama's SWAT team to an inner-city tenement, run by a ruthless mobster - housing 30 floors of killers and thugs!
As far as the audience is concerned, this infestation of villainy has been active for some time - and we just happened upon the day the good guys decided to 'clean house'! There is more going on than meets the eye however, and as the team make their way towards the top of the tenement, a web of lies and deceit is slowly revealed.
But who needs a plot when the action leaves you breathless!
Soon after the SWAT team breach, the inevitable happens. The villains attack and the men are divided. No longer a forceful team, the survivors are grouped in threes and fours. With numbers and ammo depleted, the 'good guys' are forced to do whatever is necessary to survive. Once the rifles and pistols are made obsolete, the art of Silat is given full credence!
Each opponent is worthy, with both law-man and criminal alike showing incredible skill and technique. It's a site to behold and(were it not for the delay in visual from audio at the theatre I attended) will rank as some of the best action choreography ever to be put to film.
As the plot reveals itself, the stakes rise for those still standing - the resulting brawls increasingly intense. It's edge of the set stuff, deserved of applause - the screening I attended responded appropriately!
The Raid is a great action film, expertly handled by a relative newcomer. I look forward to seeing it again(without the technical fault) and will keep an eye out for future productions by this talented team - 4/5.

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Spawn - overview!

The first issue of Spawn I ever read was issue #11. A friend at school sold it to me after I expressed an interest in comics. 
I hadn't long been exposed to the world of comics and aside from The Silver Surfer, had only been picking up cartoon and movie tie-ins, such as The Tick(this was before I understood The Tick cartoon had in fact, been adapted from it's own comic)!
My friend had told me all about Spawn and figured I would enjoy it. We both enjoyed drawing and shared a love for the macabre, after-all!


I was shocked and horrified, upon reading issue #11 - but, y'know, in a good way!
The lasting image(forever ingrained in the memory) was of Spawn tearing through the innards of a man, having teleported inside him! It blew my mind - this was no-holds-bared story-telling!
That day I learnt what comics were capable of - and my desire to draw them was pretty much cemented.
Later-on I realised issue #11 was a bit of a one-off. Instead of regular writer(and creator) Todd McFarlane, this issue was written by Frank Miller. Unfamiliar with Millers grandiose works at the time, this would be my introduction to his signature style. I think it can safely be said that Miller was pretty much let off the leash with this issue. This tale was gratuitous but fun! Future issues of the title would be better, but perhaps not as gory or visceral as this 22 page onslaught!

I was thrilled with my purchase and even more so at the thought of only 10 back-issues to collect. Unfortunately my friend had sold me an issue which was close to 18 months old. I rocked up at my new favourite store('Fantastic Store' in Brighton, England) only to discover that issue #29 of Spawn had just been released!
I bought it of course - and had a flick through the back issues which this particular store carried. What struck me the most, flicking through those earlier issues, were the prices. Each one more costly than the last - issue #3 and #4 being the most expensive!

Issue #29 did not disappoint. In fact, even as I pick up the new issue each month and catch up on what I missed through the trades, I can safely say it's my favourite single issue ever - of any comic!


Spawn had gone through quite a transition since my introduction, but as with issue #11, this issue would stand out from the series also!
Spawn had been removed from his environment in the alleyways of New York and transported to Alabama. In this story, Spawn befriend's a couple of young boys who have an abusive father. After witnessing the results of said abuse, Spawn takes it upon himself to educate the loathsome guardian. What happened next is where this particular story triumphed. I won't spoil it for you, but I will say with issue #29, Spawn took the responsibility of a commercial comic book very seriously. Moreover, issue #29 presented Spawn and his actions as fallible - particularly with it's haunting denouement.
Even though Spawn was a superhero book(or more specifically, supernatural), it was being injected with a substantial dose of the real world(the following issue would tackle racism). This combination of real world scenarios mixed with the fantastical was inspiring and would go on to inform my own work.

I couldn't have started collecting Spawn at a more exciting, nor influential time. Both Spawn and McFarlane would return to the alleyways of New York, and continue on their supernatural path - this time with a more realistic approach to the world around them.
Greg Capullo had joined them as penciller on the title and had taken McFarlane's unique style and given it a real-world sheen(McFarlane continued to ink each page, making the change in penciller a subtle transition).

I would collect the series until the early #50's - and would manage to find and collect all the back issues I was previously missing. Issue #3 and #4 would complete my collection and were given to me by my uncle on my birthday(as insisted, issue #4 had the Image #0 coupon intact)!


Issue #43 would be the next issue to blow my 'fragile little mind' - this time with it's captivating and long gestating story!
A major story thread culminated in this issue, which had begun with issue #5. This was a thrilling pay-off to all those that had invested in the series - both literally and figuratively.
Issue #43 told the story of Chief Banks(head of police at Spawn's particular precinct) and his involvement with child killer, Billy Kincaid(first introduced in issue #5). It was a house-of-cards type thriller, which despite Spawn's previous involvement, was played out without our hero present.

The title had passed issue #50 and I was close to having collected 60 issues of Spawn.
For some strange reason I decided to get rid of the single issues I had been collecting, retaining only the first 35 issues. I do remember thinking that the quality of the book had waned somewhat. Money was tight and there were other books on the shelves vying for my attention. I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did with those later issues. As I pick-up the trades today, I question where my head was at back then?!


Issue # 185 would be the seminal issue to reignite my interest in all things, 'Spawn' again!
This issue was heavily promoted on the web, with McFarlane announcing a dedicated website and art competition!
This alone would catch my attention, as I set about entering said competition(you'll find my entry under, 'Seasons Greetings!' on this blog - it was black and white for the comp)!
As a purchaser of the upcoming issue, the selling point for me was both McFarlane's return as co-writer and inker, and Whilce Portacio's involvement as penciller. Portacio had created Wetworks back in the early 90's, as one of the second-tier of creators to join Image comics(publishers). Despite my love for Portacio's work, I have to admit to buying Capullo's dynamic variant(see above) upon release.
Spawn #185 was a great-looking book and began the 'Endgame' arc, which would culminate with issue #200. The story began with a shock - certainly to all those familiar with the title - and introduced a new character, who would later take on the mantle of another, very different Spawn.
If Spawn was going to look this good, and be this captivating a read each month, then I was in - certainly until issue #200.

The Endgame story didn't disappoint and as an art-fan(particularly of the early Image books), many of the issues proceeding #200 were chock-full of works by early Image founders and creators. From covers to interior art, the likes of; Rob Liefield, Khary RandolphErik Larson and Greg Capullo were all present - with more producing covers for the anniversary issue(my brother kindly bought me the Jim Lee variant of issue #200 for Christmas)!

I was fully prepared to stop collecting at issue #200. I had 15 fantastic issues and had completed a seminal story-arc. Were it not for the talents of Szymon Kudranski!
I was unfamiliar with Kudranski's work, and bought issue #201 thinking it would probably be my last - at least until I was compelled to pick it up again.
I was sufficiently interested in the direction this new Spawn character was heading, so it would be the art which would have to convince me to continue collecting.

Kudranski's art was and continues to be terrific! His art complements the writing magnificently, creating an incredibly realistic world - more cinematic than any previous talent pool.
Kudranski is a talented illustrator using photography and digital tools to bring the world of Spawn to life. I'm a huge advocate of hand-rendered illustration and have mixed feelings about computer aided manipulation and effects. However, as a commercial artist, Kudranski is doing what is necessary to bring these pages to life and he's doing it in a singular style, all of his own. Despite my own thoughts regarding comic-book illustration, this particular combination of writer and artist has me hooked!


Issue #214 currently stands out, as the best example of the current creative team - which also includes Will Carlton as writer. This particular issue ends with another great moment, as a major character is reintroduced to the fold. This was the most excited I've been about a comic-book in some time!

Around the time of the 200th issue I started picking up the newly published trades, beginning with book 7(collecting issues 39 - 44). It's been great revisiting the stories I once owned - and even better discovering new tales in the Spawn compendium.


I now find myself(sandwich-like) collecting tales of Spawn from both ends. And just as the new issues are proving how significant Spawn still is, so too are the older ones.
I was sceptical at first - perhaps even a little elitist. However, returning to this series via the trades has been a rewarding experience. As Spawn's universe expands and his mythology deepens, I've found there to be many a notable tale.
The stand-out for me so far, is issue #76, by Brian Holguin, McFarlane, Dwayne Turner and Danny Miki. This was a tender love story regarding Spawns grandmother and the love of her life. It was unexpected and captivating - a bitter-sweet tale which came close to leaving me teary-eyed!

In my humble opinion, the 6 issues featured here represent the most significant tales Spawn has to offer. They are significant to me and represent my own personal taste, but I believe collectively, they encompass everything Spawn represents; balls-to-the-walls action, social and political commentary, thrilling art and inventive story-telling - grandiose sensibilities of love and sacrifice and good triumphing over evil.

Spawn is known for being the most successful independent comic-book of all time. The fact that it's still being published after 200 issues, speaks volumes. I'll cease collecting again at some juncture I'm sure, but just as Michael Corleone found with his 'family' - they'll undoubtedly find a way to pull me back in!


Images courtesy: TMP International, Inc
Visit the Spawn website at: www.spawn.com