Topics

1

General / Venezuela - here come the judges...

« on: 04 August, 2017, 11:03:48 AM »

Battalions of black-clad, helmeted riot police are now riding motorbikes, while shooting at protesters from their bikes. Good to see 2000AD's influence is still strong as far away as South America. I guess we all thought though that when it finally happened it would be a right-wing regime:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QpdCeiCigw

2

Suggestions / Anyone else think 'Jim'll Paint It' should be invited to be guest cover artist?

« on: 04 July, 2014, 04:22:36 PM »

Apart from the fact his MS Paint images, completed on request, are great fun, he also has 363,294 Facebook followers, so great exposure. Could do a great character composite I reckon. Images have a certain Steve Samson qualist. I floated the idea on Facebook and seems to go down well with everyone I canvassed. You know it makes sense!

https://www.facebook.com/JimllPaintIt?fref=ts

3

General / The Nikolai Dante Saga in a Nutshell

« on: 21 August, 2012, 08:46:13 PM »

There lived a certain man in the age of Dynasty
Through his weapons crest, he found his identity
A lothario and thief, with a taste for all things wild
But to Dmitri Romanov he was just a bastard child
He caught the eye of Princess Jena
Though she was daughter of the Czar
He fought both armies just to see her
War was never far

Na na Nikolai, oh that sexy Dante guy
He lived his life for danger and thrills
Na na Nikolai, made the Russian ladies cry
He was a cat who was too cool to kill

The Romanovs tried to get the kid in line
They trained him up and they gave him Rudenshtein
Taught him loyalty and let him have his fun
But most of the time he looked after number one
He stole the Dark Star from its keeper
But his estranged wife's death he saw
Saved the Princess from her evil suitor
Sparking the Czar's war

He led a ragged band and it felt like suicide 
Though he did at least have Elena on his side
Comes face to face with Jena in a duel
Though he spared her life - he was just a love struck fool
He beat his turncoat brother Konstantin 
Declared "heroes all be damned"
When they thought the battle was won, he was
Shot by Jena's hand

Na na Nikolai, Romanov on the front line
He led a squad of deserters and thieves
Na na Nikolai, hero of the Rhudenstein
But he still got the girls on their knees

The Romanovs fall, betrayed my their own kin
The Czar's top man turns out to be Konstantin
Tired and lost, the Romanovs retreat
The patriarch cannot live with his defeat
Dante was set free by Princess Jena
Returns to a life of thievery
Reunited with his pirate mother
And the open seas

He save Jena's life from an evil terrorist
With her demon spores it turned out to be his sis
But he had found his lost love Lauren on the way
It seemed as if he keep could not keep the girls at bay
Captured by the Imperial forces
Made to work in the Czar's name
Fighting extradimentional forces
From another plane

Na na Nikolai, Romanov on the front line
He led a squad of deserters and thieves
Na na Nikolai, hero of the Rhudenstein
But he still got the girls on their knees

It doesn't last  long fighting on the Czar's side
When he sees how the Czar was still prone to genocide
Arkady brings him down when he tries to murder Vlad
Jena rescues him and cuts herself off from her dad
They create a mighty rebel army
From a band of thieves and whores.
Vowed to rise and defeat this evil tyrant
And end Russia's wars

They capture Vladimir and put the Czar on trial
For a regime change they offer him exile
Arkady flips - seems Dmitri isn't dead
He kidnaps Jena to force her soon to wed
Dante starts a bloody revolution
His mother kills Dmitri off and dies
Vladimir escapes for retribution
But Nikolai survived

Na na Nikolai, redeemer of imperial crimes
Then beat the Czar in Russian Roulette
Na na Nikolai, half his friends and family died
The sacrifices he won't forget

Na na Nikolai, fighting on the people's side
He killed Konstantin in a duel
Na Na Nikolai, then took Jena for his bride
And Russia celebrated Dante's rule

Oh, those Romanovs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vov3rLdSJEI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

4

Film & TV / Iron Sky

« on: 18 March, 2012, 06:36:34 PM »

Surprisingly, I haven't noticed a thread for this yet.

As well as many trailers, the first 4 minutes are online.

Hello to Jason Isaacs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX2cS8wvQHI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Iron Sky is a 2012 science-fiction comedy film directed by Timo Vuorensola. Set in 2018, it tells a story where German Nazis, after being defeated in 1945, fled to the Moon where they built a space fleet, and are now ready to conquer Earth.

5

General / 2000ad & Megazine "Promotion" at WH Smiths

« on: 12 February, 2012, 02:31:42 PM »

So for serveral weeks the Prog and Meg haven't been on the shelves as normal with the american comics, sci-fi magazines and rock periodicals at my local WH Smiths. Eventually, I ask at the desk. It is because they are on 'promotion', which apparently means they are on a shelf BEHIND the counter, where, if you see it, you have to ask for them to hand it to you, at which point you have to buy it because you're standing at the front of the checkout queue. What's that all about?

6

Film & TV / Neil Gaiman on 'Development Hell'

« on: 07 June, 2011, 05:19:27 PM »

Some interesting stuff here about the workings of Hollywood, attempted Sandman adaptations and other comic book movies:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011lmq6/Development_Hell/

Development Hell is one of those places that film-makers don't want to be in. There's a clue in the name. Yes, it's Hell! Not actual fire and brimstone to be sure, but frustration, vexation, wounded egos, wasted time and money and more corporate Hollywood nonsense than you can shake a stick at.
 
Development Hell is where film scripts go when movie executives can't take the responsibility of giving a 'green light' to a project and part of the reason so many projects do end up in the Stygian darkness is that it's easier to say 'no' than 'yes'.
 
In Hollywood nobody is fired for saying 'no' but as soon as you say 'yes', the clock is ticking. Of course if you're the one saying 'yes' to "Harry Potter" or "Avatar", then the clouds part and the sun shines upon you. But if you're the one who said 'yes' to "Heaven's Gate" or "Swept Away", heaven help you and your job.... Films can get stuck in Development Hell for a number of reasons and in this programme Richard E Grant will explore some of those reasons, looking in detail at a script that's had millions of dollars thrown at it, attracted some of the most creative people in Hollywood and yet still hasn't been made - Janet Scott and Lee Batchler's 'magic in the desert' movie, "Smoke and Mirrors".
 
He also examines the plight of "Sherlock Holmes and the Vengeance of Dracula", cowboy movie "Hell and High Water" and the later Superman and Batman films. There are interviews with two writer/directors who seem to have suffered a good deal in Development Hell, Neil Gaiman and Mel Smith, and two who have tasted Development Heaven, Garth Jennings and Matthew Vaughn.
 
The contributors are Mel Smith, Neil Gaiman, Lord Puttnam, top Hollywood script writer Steven de Souza, top producer Andy Vajna, critics and observers of the Development Hell syndrome David Hughes and Nick Sedgefield, director Nick Roeg, Janet Scott and Lee Batchler, "Hitchhiker's" director Garth Jennings, "Lock Stock" producer Matthew Vaughn and Hollywood producer, David Foster.

7

Film & TV / Moffatt: Suggestions wanted for...

« on: 19 April, 2011, 10:13:13 PM »

Just to explain the telephones: I have always noticed since the Press Gang days how often telephones, answer machines and related have generated twists in Moffatt's writing (see also the answer machine 'dubbing' confusion in the 'Nine & a Half Minutes' episode of Coupling), almost a motif. It entertained me that in his very first Doctor Who episode the first thing he does is put a phone in the Police Box).

The now-viral RTD Bingo card (that's the card which is viral, not RTD) can be seen here: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2396146506_2ec82c505b_o.jpg

8

General / Eagle: The Space Age Weekly - Radio 4

« on: 23 December, 2010, 03:08:37 PM »

Sir Tim Rice explores the lasting appeal of British magazine Eagle and the impact of its flagship character Dan Dare.

Eagle ran in two main incarnations between 1950 and 1994. Dan Dare, often referred to as "Biggles in space", is regarded in some circles as the greatest British science fiction hero of the 20th century

In this feature we chart the influences behind the comic, and explore the life of its creator Marcus Morris, a fascinating man who began the publication because of his concern over 'horrific' US comics which presented 'disturbing' storylines which he felt 'corrupted British youth'.

The programme reveals how Dan Dare was originally envisaged as a space chaplain before becoming the popular astronaut. It also examines the work of illustrator Frank Hampson who introduced technology years ahead of its time. Hampson knew the Space Age was on its way while serving in the Second World War and seeing the German VI rockets. He made the Dan Dare strips as realistic as possible by dressing his team in spacesuits and uniforms, basing the look of the fictional characters on his colleagues.

We reveal how the stories had educational value and, along with Dan Dare, we look at other Eagle offerings including Shakespeare's plays and the Greek myths which ran as comic strips.

Featuring contributions from author Philip Pullman, Sally Morris the daughter of Eagle Creator Marcus and Eagle Society member David Britton.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wqdx6/Eagle_The_Space_Age_Weekly/

9

News / Quastions about the Dredd movie script for those who don't want to read it

« on: 23 November, 2010, 10:29:50 PM »

Hi all, I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread for those who don't wish to read the leaked movie script (and might want to avoid spolers), but are curious about it.

What I'm wondering is, beyond the sci-fi and gunplay, does it actually address major human themes? We hear it's gritty though I'm wondering if it is likely to appeal to those who aren't necessarily deeply into the action or sci-fi genre.

For it's faults, and without getting into another dissection of it, I do see why the Stallone movie made some of it's choices e.g. the Rico plot, for its personal involvement with Dredd, and the recurring theme of 'how uncompromising should The Law be?', though the difficulty of creating a Dredd screenplay is of course the limitations on the main character's emotional development for the course of the story (good for an ongoing comic, not ideal for a film if aimed at a general audience). I'd hate the film to turn out to be something only really appealing to fans and boys. Also, sci-fi, for me at least, tends to be best when asking questions, or using the sci-fi devices to address real everyday human themes and issues (okay, sometimes done more subtly than in Star Trek). Are there some profound moments? Will the film likely have potential for general appeal, or more hi-octane fare to keep genre fans happy for a while?

I'm assuming a lot of people have found and read the script - is there enough there to gauge what the film-makers' thinking is?

10

General / Is Judge Dredd the longest running character not "re-booted"?

« on: 07 September, 2010, 08:14:38 PM »

One of the things that makes Judge Dredd the perfect long-running comic strip is that since by nature of the character there is never going to be a great deal of emotional character development, and by nature of his role he can just keep on with his job without the 'story' wrapping up, something of a plus if you want the strip to be an ongoing one. I don't know as much about comics as most people here but I was wondering if Dredd was alone in running continuously for so long without the publisher 're-booting' i.e. wrapping up the whole story and starting again with a new continuity as most of the DC and Marvel characters inevitably do (I'll of course exclude humour characters such as Dennis The Menace and Charlie Brown). I read some Ultimates a while back in which Captain America, I think, was said to be 80 or something, though I doubt he's been running with the same continuity... any thoughts?

11

Books & Comics / Ian Rankin's Constantine: Surely this CAN'T be good...

« on: 29 August, 2009, 09:38:06 PM »

I hate to have a strong opinion of something before actually reading it but...I mean...this premise was slightly suspect even in one of the Halloween films! (well, actually I quite liked it). And since when was the term "occult detective" acceptible?

Ironically, you would have thought the idea of bringing a grown-up book author would be to bring a touch of credibility and realism into the strip. Who's next, Ben Elton?

"Occult detective John Constantine has seen his share of strange things in his career, but nothing could prepare him for the horrors of…reality television. "Haunted Mansion" is currently the hottest show on tv, but when the macabre house actually starts attacking the contestants, Constantine is hired to be the ultimate mole. Locked inside with a cast of wannabe-celebrities, his every move being monitored by a deadly figure from his past, Constantine must figure out who (or what) is pulling the strings before he gets cancelled—permanently.

DARK ENTRIES is a classic locked-room mystery starring HELLBLAZER's John Constantine from Ian Rankin, the #1 international best-selling crime writer best known for his "Inspector Rebus" novels. Rankin has won numerous awards, including the Edgar Award in 2004 and is joined in this graphic novel by Italian artist Werther Dell'Edera, the illustrator of a number of American comics – mostly notably Vertigo's LOVELESS."


http://www.dccomics.com/vertigo/graphic_novels/?gn=11952

12

Film & TV / John Hinkleton: 'Where's Johnny' on More 4, 17th Feb

« on: 06 February, 2009, 06:37:49 PM »

"After scooping an unprecedented 2 Grierson awards in November 2008, we are pleased to announce that 'Here's Johnny' will be on More 4 as part of the True Stories section. It will screen on the 17th of February at 10pm, Freeview channel 14 Sky channel 138 Virgin Media channel 142"

http://www.heresjohnnyfilm.com
http://www.channel4.com/more4/truestories

Here’s Johnny enters the surreal world of renowned graphic artist Johnny Hicklenton, who is battling against Multiple Sclerosis. Living in an increasing state of immobility and frustration, Johnny escapes the confines of his frontroom through his artwork.Through the expression of his brilliant and sometimes troubled imagination we learn about the disease that he cannot escape from.

Launched at the Science Museum on January 30th 2008, and premiering at South by South West film festival in March 2008, Here's Johnny went on to win two prestigious Grierson Awards in November 2008. Winning both the 'Best Arts Documentary' and 'Best Newcomer' awards, Here's Johnny is the first film ever to win two awards in the Griersons' 36 year history.

13

Film & TV / Watchmen: 5th Video Journal

« on: 17 August, 2008, 02:46:19 PM »

Owlship:

http://http://rss.warnerbros.com/watchmen/

14

General / The Hoop is Here

« on: 21 July, 2008, 10:36:30 AM »

http://http://environment.uk.msn.com/climate-change/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=8832619&vv=550

15

Film & TV / I Can't Wait (Chris Morris Film)

« on: 12 July, 2008, 10:56:13 AM »

http://http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article3177654.ece

CHRIS MORRIS, the satirist whose television act features jokes about paedophilia, drugs, incest and rape, is to make a movie intended to show the funny side of terrorism.

He says the film will seek to do for Islamic terrorism what Dad’s Army, the classic BBC comedy, did for the Nazis by showing them as “scary but also ridiculous”.

Morris said: “Most of us would dearly love to laugh in the face of our worst fears. Why aren’t we laughing at terrorists? Because we don’t know how to, until now.”

Though the film is a work of fiction, Morris has researched it over the past two years by visiting places in Britain associated with terrorist plots, including Leeds, Bradford and Luton.

“I don’t plan for this film to be offensive, but I do want it to be very funny,” Morris said. “I accept, though, that some may find poking fun at terrorists is offensive.

“There is this Dad’s Army side of terrorism and that’s what this film is exploring,” said Morris, who once, while hosting a Radio 1 show, made a hoax announcement about the death of Michael Heseltine, the former Conservative deputy prime minister.

The film, to be shot in the spring, takes as its premise that terrorists are “scary but also ridiculous”, according to the synopsis.

It will use some real absurdities around Islamist terrorism as its basis. It cites Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the ringleaders of the September 11 attacks, who, after inviting a journalist to a secret location in Pakistan to record a tell-all interview about 9/11, spent two hours trying to select clothes that would avoid making him looking fat.

At terror training camps, young jihadists argue about honey, accidentally shoot off one another’s feet or get thrown out for smoking. Back in Britain, they spend evenings having rows over whose turn it is to do the washing-up.

In Hamburg the 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta ran discussion groups that were so strict that everybody left them. “Terrorism isn’t about religion, it is about berks,” says the summary of the film.

The leader of a British terrorist cell mistakes a gram of triace-tone triperoxide (TATP), used in the 2005 London bombings, for a line of cocaine, and snorts it.

According to Morris, terrorists have all-too human foibles and weaknesses, and for much of the time live what passes for normal life. “This film will hopefully get over that terrorists do what we all do,” said Morris, whose Brass Eye show, broadcast in 2001 on Channel 4, made jokes about paedophilia and lampooned celebrities who want to help child abuse victims.

“They discuss the mundane, and plan things that sometimes then go wrong. People, that is viewers, are longing to laugh at terrorism.”

Few British comedians have dared to poke fun at Islamic terrorism, and if it backfires, Morris faces greater risk than when he attacked show business stars and politicians. However, in a recent article he likened Martin Amis, the novelist, to Abu Hamza, the hook-handed Muslim cleric, for “forging an incoherent creed of hate” against Muslims.

It will be Morris’s first feature film, and the £4m budget will be met partly by Channel 4 as well as by Warp Films, which last year released the acclaimed film This Is England.

Morris, whose early career included a stint as a pompous anchor on a BBC news spoof, got the idea for the film after reading details of Operation Crevice. This was the name given to the raids launched by the police in 2004 on terrorist suspects in the south of England.

The police found a biscuit tin filled with aluminium powder, ammonium nitrate in bags of dried fruit and other bomb ingredients behind a garden shed. “It was almost unbelievable,” said Morris. “But it all happened. Terrorists will also discuss the most ordinary of things. I found out, for example, that jihadists like reading the views of Jeremy Clarkson but not those of Richard Littlejohn [a tabloid newspaper columnist].”

Morris used two scriptwriters from the BBC television satire, The Thick of It, to help write the movie. Morris himself will direct it, though he will not act in it.