Looper

This review has been a long time coming - ironically!
I'd like to start by commenting on the poster I chose to accompany this review. Mondo have triumphed once again, with this fantastic design by Martin Ansin. Ansin has truly captured the film within this complex design - I am somewhat in awe!

I saw Looper soon after it's release, having already garnered many a glowing review. Hopes were high for what was already being touted as a classic of it's genre. I was a big fan of Rian Johnsons first feature, Brick - and was looking forward to a return to form after the disappointing, The Brothers Bloom.

The year is 2044 and Loopers are part of the criminal underworld. Their particular purpose is to murder people from the future (as it's impossible to get away with murder in the year 2074). The man responsible for this criminal enterprise is known as The Rainmaker and he orchestrates proceedings from the future.
Head of his organisation in the past is Abe (Jeff Daniels), who has a team of Loopers under his command - one such Looper is Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).
Things get tricky when Loopers (since retired) are sent back from the future to be killed - often by their younger selves. This happens occasionally to begin with - and is known to Joe and his team as, 'closing ones loop'. More loops are closed and it's not long before Joe is face to face (literally) with his future self (Bruce Willis)!

Looper is complex and intriguing - and like the best time-travel stories, plays with destiny and fate to thrilling effect. With a smart script, Johnson puts what I imagine was only a moderate budget up on the screen. The future setting is not unlike our own, thus grounding his characters in a feasible reality. There is plenty of style to be had with some fabulously choreographed sequences and camera work - however this never overwhelms the core story.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt reunites with his Brick director here and convinces (thanks in no small part to some unusual prosthetics) as a young Bruce Willis. Willis himself is very good, walking a thin line between hero and villain. The standout for me was Emily Blunt (almost as unrecognisable as Levitt) as single parent, Sara.

Despite my enjoyment I did have a few reservations. I didn't quite understand the purpose behind sending older Loopers back in time in the first place. The character of Joe poses no threat to The Rainmaker, until he is sent back. There's a bit of 'the chicken or the egg' thing going on here which leaves the film open to speculation and conjecture - not always a good thing.
Also, there are a couple of sequences with hover-bikes that didn't quite work for me - they spoil an otherwise slick-looking production.

I look forward to seeing it again. This is certainly a very intelligent and entertaining film which will undoubtedly reward with multiple viewings.

4/5


Poster image courtesy: www.mondoarchive.com
Artist: Martin Ansin

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom is Wes Andersons seventh feature and I've seen all but one. In the past I've made little effort to see his films on the big screen, opting instead to catch them on DVD.

Anderson has a very distinctive style and approach to making movies - and there are similarities with each feature. 

Anderson shoots things very specifically, as if shooting a stage play - all be it forever in flux. His characters (like his colour pallet) are bold and playful. When looking at Andersons body of work the lasting impression is that of innocence - a bygone era of intrepid adventure and unconditional love. 

Assuming each Wes Anderson film is going to be the same is a trap I've fallen in to once too often!

Moonrise Kingdom is gorgeous and intoxicating! There is a familiarity to this world, yet the tale is wholly original.

Set in the 1960's, Moonrise Kingdom tells of the inhabitants of a New England island, specifically two young lovers named Suzy and Sam - played by Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman, respectively. 

Suzy and Sam live at opposite ends of the island but keep in touch via hand-written correspondence. They soon conspire to run away together - meeting half-way between their homes, before setting off on an adventure of their own.

Meanwhile, their families and friends set out in search for them - pooling their efforts before the big storm hits!

I found myself smiling and laughing a great deal throughout this movie. The two young leads are charming and the supporting cast excel in their smaller roles. Bill Murray (a main staple of Andersons movies) is a little more unlikable here, yet still essential. Frances McDormand IS the quintessential mother. Edward Norton plays sensitive Scout Master Ward, while Bruce Willis upholds the law, as Police Captain Sharp.

Charming as they are, the two leads have more to do than play love-struck adolescents. Each character is quite troubled. Not in a Michael Myers/Carrie type of way, of course - more of a realistic/deeply affected by circumstance kind of way.

This is the films biggest surprise. Despite it's whimsy, Moonrise Kingdom tackles some interesting issues. It reminds us all how we used to feel - how we still feel. In this particular context, it makes us wish how we too shouldv'e camped out at the local beach with our first love - as only the movies can do! 

It seems to me everyone has an opinion about when it's appropriate for others to grow, yet never an idea themselves. Essentially this film is about growing up - growing together, growing apart, growing old.

Surprise, surprise, there was more to this movie than initially met the eye. I'll be making a bee-line for his next, comforted by the fact I'll be seeing something familiar, yet new - not unlike hearing the latest from an old friend!

4/5

Poster image courtesy: www.collider.com

FEC Extravaganza!

I was proud to be a part of the FEC Extravaganza on saturday, as three new books were launched under the FEC umbrella.

Kranburn #4, Seven and Fireside Tales were collectively released, as All Star Comics once again played host to Melbourne's prolific comic scene.

The evening was a huge success, with all involved going above and beyond to create an entertaining and memorable night.

Fireside Tales is the title to feature my own short strip, Speedtrap (written by Rik Hoskin). Other tales in the anthology include, A Second Chance by Billy Tournas and Michael Wszelaki and The Ballad of Danny Flash by Andrew Shaw and Will Pleydon. This is all wrapped in stunning cover by Sacha Bryning (see below).

For those of you who couldn't make the launch, particularly my over-seas constituents, the Q AND A section of the evening was recorded by the good people over at Dark Matter. Check out the video here: http://www.darkmatterfanzine.com/dmf/fec-horror-graphic-novels-launched/

The fine folk at All Star did a great job of photographing the event as well - here be some very cool pics: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.493968223946931.119584.195249770485446&type=1

All three titles are now available for purchase at the FEC Facebook store: http://www.facebook.com/forevilchildren/app_112817928751673

There's a host of other great titles to choose from, including the first three issues of Kranburn (highly recommended)!

Cheers for now!

Photos courtesy: http://www.facebook.com/forevilchildren

Blue Spear and Com.x

Blue Spear was published by Com.x in December of 2011. Unfortunately it wasn't until recently that I was able to get my hands on a copy - via the good people at Amazon (not forgetting a little help from my constituents in the UK)!

I had been looking forward to it for two reasons. Firstly, it was published by Com.x and secondly, it was illustrated by Cosmo White.

Com.x have been publishing comics and graphic novels for twelve years now. The UK company was founded in 2000 by Eddie Deighton, Russell Uttley and Neil Googe. They soon established themselves as publishers of note, releasing such comics as; Bazooka Jules, Puncture and Razorjack.

The quality of each book was considerably high - both in content and design. One can always tell a Com.x book from the print quality alone!

Each book was printed in the American format, resulting in the Com.x name being revered over-seas. The talent in particular made US publishers sit up and take notice - so much so that Googe and Puncture artist, Ben Oliver soon went to work for DC on such titles as Majestic and The Losers, respectively.

Next for Com.x was Cla$$war. A hugely popular title in the vein of The Authority. This time, Trevor Hairsine (artist on Ultimate Six and Ultimate Galactus) was the one to make the move over-seas - Cla$$war was consequently delayed, then completed by up and comer, Travel Foreman (you can see where this is going)!

Ongoing series' were being delayed and cut short and creators were being replaced left and right - Com.x had to rethink their strategy.

They did just that and relaunched with the objective to publish completed story-arcs, in the graphic novel format. Recent titles of note include; Path by Gregory Baldwin, Seeds by Ross Mackintosh and Forty-Five by Andi Ewington.

Forty-Five was an interesting title - and a milestone for the company. 

This is a story taken from the perspective of a journalist (and expectant father, James Stanley), as he interviews forty-five people about their existence with the Super-S gene. 

Stanley discusses everything - from the development of their powers to their place in society and beyond - in an effort to better prepare the journalist, should his own offspring carry the gene. 

It approached the subject of super-powered beings as if they were real and set about introducing a host of colourful new characters to the world of comics - and effectively created a new universe for Com.x to source from.

Which leads us to Blue Spear, who was one such character. A hero of Tokyo who plays guardian to both his city and the marine life of it's surrounding waters.

As custodian to the characters he created with Forty-Five, Andi Ewington writes - this time with co-writer, Eddie Deighton. While the artwork is stunningly supplied by Cosmo White!

Having set the stage with Forty-Five, this tale starts with a further glimpse in to Blue Spears origin.
The beginning cuts between Yuji Tomikawa reawakening as the titular hero - to present day, as an older Yuji dispenses with some local thugs. Yuji has estranged himself from his brother Akira, who lives and works in Tokyo. From time to time Yuji checks in with him, all be it from a distance (Akira being Yuji's achilles heel).
Loved and revered by his people, Blue Spear has unwittingly caught the attention of the outside world. This would be manageable, were it not for the interest Xodos has in him.
Throughout Forty-Five, Xodos were the organisation most were happy to have little to no affiliation with. They are the government-like body invested in those with the Super-S gene for reasons of global power and influence.
Three agents under the Xodos guise travel to Tokyo with the purpose of finding Blue Spear and taking from him the source of his power - namely that of his spear.

Blue Spear is effectively an action story, featuring a spiritual yet distant hero trapped between worlds. Essentially Yuji is forever changed, fully embracing the role of Blue Spear, yet part of him clings to his lost humanity. He is a fighter and a lover with boundless compassion for that of his people - particularly his brother.
The design and over-all approach to Forty-Five was closer to that of a magazine than a comic, so it's nice to see Ewington's world explode in to a full-blown sequential tale here. This forty-page one-shot is nicely written by Ewington and Deighton - but it's Cosmo White's artwork that makes the book shine (quite literally)! Not content with just pencilling and inking, White also colours his own work. He's a good fit for this book - a great fit for bringing the neon-lit world of Tokyo to life!

Cosmo White heralds from Brighton in the UK - a town I was never very far from growing up. Just after the inception of Com.x comics in 2000, a small-press publishers in Brighton emerged, named Underfire comics (Colin J. Dinnie, publisher).
White was an integral cog in the machine at Underfire, contributing covers and interior work to their anthology series, Rapid Fire. His crowning achievement at that time was Operation Black Jet -  a three issue mini-series he wrote and illustrated (issue #2 eludes me to this day)!
In 2005 Underfire relaunched the renowned 2000AD fanzine, Zarjaz - issue #1 came with an impressive Dredd cover by White (see below)!

Intermittently, White continued to pursue a career in illustration. Before long he was working for Titan publishing, on such revered titles as Transformers!

Having collected a lot of his early work, it's been great to see White emerge as a fully-fledged professional. As a comic-book creator myself, it's inspiring to see contemporaries such as White rewarded for their efforts and perseverance.
At this point I'd like to point you in the direction of ifanboy.com and the following link: http://ifanboy.com/articles/ifanboy-upstarts-cosmo-white/ Here you'll find some of White's Transformers work - and lots more besides!

Over-all, Blue Spear is a very fine package. I believe there are plans a-foot to produce similar books, featuring a selection of other characters from the Forty-Five 'verse. I would certainly welcome this - and am hopeful for a Blue Spear follow-up!

I wait in anticipation for White's next project -  and will continue to keep a watchful eye on future Com.x publications (www.comxcomics.com). Any comic-book fan would do well to do the same!

Com.x logo courtesy: www.hollywoodreporter.com
Forty-Five image courtesy: www.comicbookresources.com
Zarjaz #1 cover courtesy: www.zarjaz.blogspot.com

Your Sister's Sister

Upon watching Your Sister's Sister, I falsely mistook director Lynn Shelton for Lynne Ramsay. Unfortunately, I had another turgid cinematic experience with this film - courtesy of a very dim projector bulb. This made any scenes shot at night incredibly hard to make out. No disrespect to Ramsay - visually speaking, one could be forgiven for thinking the mood and tone of Morvern Callar had spilled over in to this film. Ramsay of course has the good sense to light her films correctly, despite her subject matter!

I have it on good authority that what I saw at the theatre was not what was intended, so until I revisit this film on DVD, I'll assume the same!

So to clarify, Your Sister's Sister is the new film by Lynn Shelton! It stars Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt. 

Blunt and DeWitt play half-sister's, Iris and Hannah. Duplass plays, Jack - Iris' best friend and brother to Tom (who Iris dated for a time).

Jack is emotionally distraught over the passing of his brother a year ago. After an anniversary party to mark Toms passing, Iris convinces Jack to take some time out for himself - and offers her fathers empty cottage as refuge.

Jack takes Iris up on her offer, but to his surprise finds the cottage occupied. Hannah is there when Jack arrives, taking solace herself, after the break-down of a lengthy relationship.

We're given the impression that Jack and Hannah know one another, but perhaps not well. They soon rectify that fact however, with a long night sharing stories and drinking tequila. 

The inevitable happens of course and the two end up in bed together. When they wake the next morning, they discover Iris pulling in to the driveway - formerly snowed-under with work, it would seem she's managed to free-up some time to accompany her friend.

Jack is inclined to keep the events of the previous night a secret from Iris - and ultimately convinces Hannah to do the same. 

This would be easy enough, were it not for the groups conflicting agendas - and their love and respect for one another.

Apparently improvised for the most part, Your Sister's Sister is a comedy/drama about three people bound tightly together through blood and circumstance.

The three principle actors are superb and thoroughly engaging. Each character is at a particularly vulnerable point in their lives and their human frailties are subtly exposed, with each passing scene.

Along with his own brother Jay, Mark Duplass is a noteworthy director (Cyrus, Jeff who lives at home). This is the first film where I've seen him in front of the camera and he's a lot of fun - garnering the biggest laughs! 

Rosemary DeWitt is gorgeous and the chemistry between her and Blunt is indicative of two loving siblings who've grown up together.

As far as the american independent scene is concerned, Lynn Shelton and the Duplass brothers would undoubtedly be on the minds of many. They make similarly human dramas with a healthy dose of comedy. I doubt they would consider themselves competitors - rather contemporaries. With Your Sister's Sister (and Humpday before it), Duplass and Shelton have shown that collectively, they are quite a formidable force.

Interestingly, the themes of Your Sister's Sister mirror the above to some degree - with a suggestion to all who're independent (but wish for more). Ask for help, go looking for love - and more importantly, seize them both, when they're offered you!

4/5

Poster image courtesy: www.joblo.com

The Expendables 2

With the first Expendables movie, Stallone made an entertaining, visceral action film - influenced by the movies both Stallone and his co-stars made popular throughout the 80's and 90's.

In my opinion, The Expendables represented the last in Stallone's trilogy of re-emergence, beginning with Rocky Balboa and Rambo. These three films (all written and directed by Stallone) reaffirmed his status as a major talent.

For The Expendables sequel, directing duties have fallen to Simon West, director of Con Air - an action extravaganza with another notable ensemble.
For me Con Air represented 90's excess in all it's explosive glory! Hot on the heels of The Rock, Con Air aimed to replicate that films earlier success (and may well have surpassed it in box office receipts), but failed to deliver an engaging story.

With the first Expendables movie, Stallone went some way to achieving the impossible - and created memorable characters, despite his larger than life cast. The most obvious example being Dolph Lundgren's, Gunner Jensen. Gunner went on a noteworthy journey from good to bad and back again (even cheating death along the way)! Gunner's arc represented the darker side of life as a mercenary - resulting in Lundgren's best ever performance!
Unfortunately Gunner is given less to do in the sequel. In fact, all are given less screen time - undoubtedly due to it's expanded cast of characters.

Character traits have spilled over from the first film - the signature fighting style of each principle character remains intact. These traits aren't really utilised beyond the opening skirmish however - with many an automatic weapon instead taking precedence.
When we do get a close-quarters/beat-em-up scene, it's shot mostly in darkness - West opting instead for silhouettes and a lot of smoke (in an effort to make things more stylish perhaps)?!
Stallone's previous showcase may have been blunt (and brutal), but at least you could see what was going on!
The Expendables 2 relies heavily on it's cast, but fails to deliver an engaging (or even cohesive) story. Character development is replaced by a barrage of one-liners, while audiences are left to figure out where certain characters have disappeared off to?!

Despite my disappointment, there is fun to be had. The cast are very watchable - with the film coasting along on their presence alone.
I've got a lot of time for Stallone and fans will feel his influence in an otherwise cringe-worthy script (he takes a co-writing credit here).
A third film is apparently being developed with Nicholas Gage and Wesley Snipes as possible additions to the series. Here's hoping Stallone returns to take charge of his platoon of Expendables - both in front of the camera and behind it!

3/5

Poster image courtesy: www.traileraddict.com

Speedtrap and Fireside Tales!

Thought I'd give you kids a treat and post a single panel from my forth-coming Speedtrap strip, which I recently completed for new FEC anthology, Fireside Tales.

Speedtrap is written by Rik Hoskin with artwork by yours truly. We've gone for a cinematic approach this time, utilising many a widescreen panel. I thoroughly enjoyed working on it and can't wait to see it in all it's printed glory!

Fireside Tales should be available to the general public by the end of September. I will post again with more details, as and when I receive them - will make sure to post another couple of panels for your viewing pleasure also!

Be sure to check out the FEC website (www.feccomics.com), as they will undoubtedly be posting further information regarding this book. Their other books are well worth a look also!