Rabu, 01 Agustus 2012

7 New Millennium Superhero Films

Superhero films provide viewers with an exciting opportunity unavailable in most other films
They take the world which we all know well and then input a tiny little variable – one person who has the power to change everything
When the depressing reality of modern life gets you down, the idea that there is someone out there with a special gift who can change it for the better is a comforting thought – even if only for a short while
While superhero films have been around for a good while, the start of the new millennium – with the release of X-Men by Bryan Singer in 2000 – really kick started this genre again and made it stick
Superheroes were rebranded from the secret passion of socially awkward men in their mother’s basements to something altogether more socially acceptable
So let’s take a look at some of the highlights (and lowlights) of this ever developing superhero genre

 7. The Spirit
 

Superhero films connoisseurs don’t turn away just yet! The Spirit tells the dimly lit tale of Denny Colt, quite literally a spirit as he comes back from the dead in order to fight the dark forces at work in Central City – yes, that’s really what it’s called - The Spirit takes inspiration from classic films such as The Crow by Alex Proyas and The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan (more on this later…) so that’s bound to be a winning formula, right? That’s probably what writer and director Frank Miller thought. According to me Miller was wrong
The reason The Spirit is in this list is to serve as a prime example of how even if a film takes all the best aspects from its genre it can still come up short. Whilst watching the sharply dressed superhero race through yet another curious abandoned warehouse and talk about the city as if it is one of his (many) lovers, one cannot help but to sense that something just isn’t slotting into place. The Spirit feels as if all the classic films before it have been forced together into a blender. Chocolate tastes good. So does pizza, but you wouldn’t eat them together, right? It just feels awkward. The Spirit is the ultimate style over substance flick. Talking in a husky voiceover a superhero does not make. Trey Parker and Matt Stone - the duo behind South Park - made it funny when they mocked superhero stereotypes in the episode The Coon. The Spirit is neither funny nor touching. Sure The Spirit is pretty to watch, and entertaining enough, but it’s missing the heart and soul that is key to the new age of superhero films

 6. Kick-Ass

If there was ever an everyman superhero film that’s Kick-Ass. The main character isn’t a God, he hasn’t been blasted by radioactivity and he’s not a multi millionaire. In fact the only unusual aspect to him (at least for the first half of the film) is a strong desire to dress in spandex and flex in front of a mirror. Dave Lizewski – played by Aaron Johnson - is an ordinary, somewhat nerdy, teenager who becomes infuriated with the injustice he witnesses on the streets every day. Dave’s solution? Why, become a superhero of course… and name hisself Kick-Ass

Kick-Ass is continuously entertaining and the deeper levels only add more to the action on screen. The star of the show is quite clearly the small but deadly Hit Girl – played by the pretty Chloe Moretz – and the action sequences involving her are a treat for the eyes (as long as you’re not squeamish!) We are quickly presented with the bitter reality of being a caped crusader, but at the same time are handed several hell yes! moments. Kick-Ass is a superb example of superhero meets reality and it pulls it off excellently, directed by the would be X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn. Kick-Ass is a thrill ride from start to end, and the epic ending scene is sure to leave you breathless and wanting more

 5. Thor

Okay so Thor
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isn’t necessarily a superhero – being a Norse God and all – but if you want to pick that bone with him, be my guest. Thor is a perfect example of how to do it right. There is no recycling of old plots or stereotypes (bar maybe the stunning and brainy Jane Foster – aka Natalie Portman - a classic trope which many superhero love interests seem to fall lazily into) Thor isn’t afraid to mix things up a bit, to take a chance. And these chances pay off. Thor tells the story of the young and impulsive hero of the same name – played by a muscular Chris Hemsworth - a somewhat blockheaded but lovable prince who is banished from his home in the legendary Asgard by his father – Anthony Hopkins - due to his reckless actions. And guess where he ends up? Earth. And the battle between good and evils ensues



Many questions hang over Thor. The villainous role is turned on its head due to magnificent writing and a stunning performance by Tom Hiddleston as the scheming Loki. We know we should support the brave, blonde, muscular lead, yet it is difficult to totally loathe his less-favoured and paler brother who seems less insane for no real reason and more pushed to the edge by brotherly jealousy. Thor is a story not only of warring Gods, but of classic human emotions – pride, jealousy and colliding ideals of the greater good. And love. Some cynics are already proclaiming the death of the superhero genre in film. Along came Thor this summer, and proved superheroes are very much alive

                                                               4. The Incredibles

Whilst some may be surprised to see an animated film feature here, they are becoming just as socially acceptable for adults to as superhero films. The Incredibles is so good that director Brad Bird went on to direct Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise. A few good attempts have followed in The Incredibles Lycra clad footsteps (Megamind and Despicable Me are two perfectly entertaining examples) but when something is done this well it’s difficult to better. The Incredibles follows the story of the has been, the superheroes who have hung up the cape to pursue a normal domestic life in suburbia. However, escaping from this responsibility isn’t so easy and the heroes are quickly pulled out of early retirement with their kids in tow

The Incredibles is entertaining from start to finish and it’s got a wide appeal. Not only does The Incredibles mock and reveal in the superhero genre – a particular commentary of why capes are not such a good idea should amuse even old school superhero fanatics – but also fans of family dramas may even find enjoyment in the relationships which are stretched in the most extreme of situations. Not to mention, typical of Pixar Animation Studios, the animation is smooth and stunning, and the script features some of the most stand out funny moments of all animated films. The Incredibles is the perfect example of the family friendly superhero film - and that’s awesome


It would be impossible to make a list of superhero films from 2000 onwards without Spider-Man by Sam Raimi - which has shaped every ideal we have come to expect from the genre. Most of us know the classic story, nerdy boy – Peter Parker, played by a perfect Tobey Maguire - has crush on girl – Mary Jane Watson – a stunningly gorgeous Kirsten Dunst. Nerdy boy gets bitten by genetically altered spider. Nerdy boy becomes no longer nerdy. Boy gets girl and takes a few evil doers down in the process. In this particular adaption Peter Parker is set against an eccentric millionaire – Norman Osborne, played by a deranged Willem Dafoe  – calling himself the Green Goblin. Spider-Man is all that is nerdy, awkward and good versus big, green, maniacal evil
Spider-Man is a feast for the eyes. Watching Peter Parker swing his way around the rooftops of New York City is amazing. But at its core Spider-Man is a simple tale of good guy versus bad. Peter Parker is the all American boy who it is very difficult to hate and Mary Jane is girl next door – pretty, and of course clever to boot. Sometimes a complex or mind boggling plot isn’t needed to make a good movie. Spider-Man encapsulates everything that the superhero genre became loved for – one guy fighting evil and making a difference, saving pretty girls and fighting bad guys. Spider-Man is just the best example of that, and so it is a staple for any superhero fan


Now, while I’m sure many would expect to see it’s predecessor X-Men in this list, I decided to take a different approach, and select X2: X Men United which I believe to be the best of the entire franchise. Whilst X-Men did a fantastic job of showing the world that superhero films could be exciting, current and emotional – ridding the genre of the brightly coloured exclaiming stereotypes of the late 60’s – I believe that its sequel is a superior picture in every way. X2: X Men United sees the antagonists of X-Men – Magneto and Professor X – teaming up to defeat a greater evil. While this kind of plot line can usually feel a little forced and unrealistic, the superb performances by all involved turn X2: X Men United into an engaging and thrilling tale
The reason that X2: X Men United is such a good film is that there are layers upon layers to explore. Visually there are several standout scenes which would shine alone in any other film – the opening with Nightcrawler causing havoc in the White House is worth a mention, as is Magneto’s charismatic and brilliant escape from his plastic prison. The characters we already know are opened up and developed in ways that makes them all the more interesting to watch, and the new characters introduced seem to slot in nicely and add to the plot (something which Brett Ratner seemed to ignore in the ill fated X-Men: The Last Stand). Overall X2: X Men United manages to combine the thrilling visuals we expect from superhero films with an engaging plot led by charismatic and realistic characters. I would recommend X2: X Men United a thousand times over if I could. So go and watch X2: X Men United now!


The Dark Knight was impossible to avoid. We all knew that. And with good reason, too. The Dark Knight - a masterpiece of modern cinema – was fated to land smack bang in this countdown and I’m perfectly happy to allow that to happen. I could write a long and complicated retelling of the plot, but let’s just put it simply and state the facts – The Joker causes mayhem and Batman has to mop it up. Also there’s this guy called Harvey Dent. Should probably keep an eye on that deviously good hearted man
The Dark Knight Heath Ledger The Joker Christopher Nolan Wallpaper
Where to even begin? It seems difficult to give The Dark Knight the review it deserves – and definitely not the one it needs judging by its massive success! The Dark Knight isn’t simply a film of the moment because I think that it – and its messages – will always be relevant. You don’t need to be a comic book fan, or even a superhero fan to appreciate this cinematic brilliance. No knowledge of Batman is required to enjoy every second – although those in the know will appreciate the little nods. All the leads play their parts superbly; Heath Ledger gives the performance of a lifetime as a twisted, scary but absolutely dazzling Joker. And Bale pulls off a rounded but endearing Batman – an achievement indeed considering the almost comical voice Bruce Wayne adopts to hide his persona. The plot is a thrill ride, the script by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan is spine-tingingly good and rather than simply being a story about a caped crusader, The Dark Knight manages to become a tale of the human condition. And that is why The Dark Knight goes beyond simply touching comic-book fans – it is a human film that reaches many and I believe that humanity is the only requirement one need possess to enjoy every moment of this stunning picture


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Box Office Top 7: July 20 – 22 2012

Here are the July 20 – 22 weekend actuals for the US box office, as reported by Box Office Mojo
Why not take a look in HD at these 7 pictures from The Dark Knight Rises – the breathtaking winning film of last weekend’s box-office race? Enjoy!

Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #1

The Dark Knight Rises $160,887,295

The Dark Knight Rises Christian Bale Batman Bruce Wayne Batpod Car Chage Wallpaper HD

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Liam Neeson, Aidan Gillen, Joey King, Matthew Modine, Daniel Sunjata, Aramis Knight
Studio: Warner Bros. Entertainment
Genre: Superhero, Action, Adventure, Drama, Epic, Crime, Thriller, Martial Arts
Year: 2012

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift $20,416,978

Ice Age 4 Continental Drift Wallpaper HD

Directors: Steve Martino, Mike Thurmeier
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Seann William Scott, Jennifer Lopez, Kunal Nayyar, Alan Tudyk, Heather Morris, Josh Peck, John Leguizamo, Aziz Ansari, Queen Latifah, Rebel Wilson, Nick Frost, Denis Leary, Keke Palmer, Ray Romano
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Year: 2012

Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #3

The Amazing Spider-Man $10,887,111

The Amazing Spider-Man Andrew Garfield Spidey Costume Attack Wallpaper HD

 

Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #4

Ted $10,011,610

Ted Mark Wahlberg Teddy Bear Couch Wallpaper HD



Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #5

Brave $6,024,987

Brave Princess Merida Warrior Wallpaper HD


Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #6

Magic Mike $4,291,432

Magic Mike Channing Tatum Matthew McConaughey Male Strippers Cowboy Hat Wallpaper HD


Box Office July 20 – 22 2012 #7

Savages $3,398,880

Savages Blake Lively Salma Hayek Brunette Blonde Wallpaper HD

 
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Senin, 23 Juli 2012

Wenger sets Van Persie deadline over future

The Gunners boss admits that the much-coveted striker could depart north London but suggests a deal will only be done before the start of the Premier League season

Arsene Wenger
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Arsene Wenger has admitted that Robin van Persie could leave Arsenal before the Premier League season starts.
Despite the Dutchman's refusal to sign a new contract with the Gunners, Wenger insists that the club's main aim is to keep the skipper at the Emirates, but hinted that he would prefer any deal to be done before domestic action gets underway.

Wenger told reporters: "We are very, very ambitious. You know that. Not only very ambitious but also very proud of the way we run our club.

"Van Persie is a world-class striker and I am a big supporter of him. I have supported him throughout.

"He has one year left and is in demand but our desire is to keep him, however, we will do what is in best interest of the club. If you have a decoder in your head you can decode that.

"The official transfer deadline is August 31 but then we can create an internal deadline."
When asked if that would be before the start of the current campaign, the 62-year-old replied: "Of course. I believe the transfer market should stop before the season starts anyway."

The Frenchman also dismissed claims that a move for Van Persie could destabilise the Gunners' squad, pointing to the arrivals of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud as proof that Arsenal can still be successful if the Dutchman does leave the Emirates.

Wenger continued: "The situation is not the same as last season [when Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri left] because we have a squad that is solid and used to playing together.

"We have bought two strikers in Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

"The seriousness of last year’s situation was made difficult for us by injuries, not only through the transfer market."

The former Monaco boss also highlighted his doubts that Van Persie was behind the statement issued on the Dutchman's official website, that claimed he would refuse any offer of a new deal with the club.

He noted: "I wouldn’t like to comment too much on that situation because you’re not always sure that it’s Van Persie’s statement, you know."

Theo Walcott is also entering the final year of his contract, and has similarly been linked with a departure from north London, and while Wenger insisted he also wanted to keep the England international, he hinted that he is confident Walcott could be replaced from within the squad.

And Wenger said: "The contractual situation is the same. They both have one year and the selection of the tour is not linked to that.

"We will see. We sort these situations out always in the best interests of the club. We have plenty of young players and you see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain here.

"We have plenty of young players. We bought Walcott when he was young and we want to keep our players. We always want to keep them."  

 

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5 funky cars we can't get in the U.S.







Thanks to changing tastes, these stylish cars, trucks and vans won't be for sale in the U.S. any time soon.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

The sharp-looking Alfa-Romeo Guilietta is the right size for Europe's narrow roads. Vehicle occupants also tend to be, well, narrower in Europe than in the U.S.

So for a vehicle like this to really succeed in the U.S. it would need to be a bit wider and roomier and, Also, hatchback cars like the Guilietta just aren't very popular in the U.S. so it would need a seperate a trunk. That would also mean making it longer.

Fiat's partner, Chrysler Group, did just that and is selling a version of this car, called the Dodge Dart, in American showrooms. We'll know soon how successful that transformation was with American audiences.




Holden Ute SS

Big auto companies always dream of the elusive "global car." They could save big money by building one version of a car that they can sell all over the world with only trifling changes. And sometimes it happens -- as with Ford's new Focus compact car and Escape SUV.

But more often the peculiarities of certain markets mean that, to compete there you've got to cater to the local tastes.

Take Australia, for instance, which is like the "Land that Time Forgot" for cars. Thanks to relatively mild weather, many popular models there seem like updated versions of rear-wheel-drive cars we've hardly seen in the U.S. since the '70s.

Case in point, the Ute SS from GM's Holden division. Look familiar? Squint and you'll see a Chevrolet El Camino, the old car-with-a-truck-bed last sold in the 1980s.

There was some thought given to selling the Ute in the U.S. as a Pontiac, but that idea died along with the Pontiac division.



Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger compact pick-up just recently went out of production here in the United States. New, more fuel-efficient versions of the full-sized Ford F-150 have made the old Ranger unnecessary, Ford spokespeople say.

But the Ranger name lives on overseas on a fun-looking truck bigger than the Ranger we knew here but not quite as big as the F-150.

It's ideally suited to foreign markets, says Ford, where roads -- and whatever passes for roads -- are narrower than here. It can also be sold with small fuel-efficient diesel engines that, because of strict U.S. air quality standards, couldn't economically be marketed here.


Chevrolet TrailBlazer

You can still see plenty of TrailBlazer's driving around on American roads, but these old-school truck-based SUVs haven't been sold here since the 2009 model year. Americans have moved on to car-based crossover SUVs like the Chevy Traverse.

But there are still places where roads are rough and people want the ruggedness of a truck frame. So GM unveiled a new version of the TrailBlazer at the Dubai Motor Show last year. While the TrailBlazer looks nicer than the bulbous Traverse, there are no plans to bring this thirstier vehicle back to the states.


Toyota Alphard

Toyota sells a very good minivan here in the United States called the Sienna. Back home in Japan, Toyota sells this very funky looking number with the unfortunate -- to American ears -- name of Alphard. (It sounds like something third-graders would call each other right before a fist fight.)

While it looks cooler than the Sienna, it's also slightly smaller, which would make it less competitive among America's very un-mini minivans.

Toyota also makes a youth-oriented version with more aggressive styling called the Vellfire.

That's right... As in "Van" and "Hellfire." That may be more minivan coolness than Americans are prepared for.
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Neymar: Messi should win the Ballon d'Or, he is the best in the world

The Brazilian talent ruled himself out of contention for the prestigious award and stated that the Blaugrana ace deserves to win the accolade for the fourth time in a row

Neymar and Messi - 2011 CWC Final
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Santos star Neymar has declared that he is tipping Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to win the 2012 Ballon d'Or award.

 The Argentine star is believed to one of the favourites to clinch the individual accolade after inspiring the Blaugrana to win four titles in 2011-12 with 73 goals in all competitions.

Neymar has often earned comparisons with Messi, but the 20-year-old dismissed the notion that he is contention for the accolade, insists that he expects the Barca ace to win the honour.

"Me? No, the Ballon d'Or is for Messi, who is the best in the world, there is no one like him," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo. "He will win it, he is the greatest. He comes up with new things after every match. Yes, yes, another Ballon d'Or for Messi. That is what there is. We all know it."

Messi, who is Barca's all-time leading goalscorer, equalled Michel Platini in January in winning the Ballon d'Or for three years running.

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Drogba delighted with Shanghai Shenhua debut

Opposition striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni was so impressed by the Ivorian's Chinese debut, he said Drogba could inspire Shanghai Shenhua to the league title

Didier Drogba - Shanghai Shenhua
Didier Drogba says he is delighted "everything went right" on his debut appearance for Shanghai Shenhua as he came off the bench to help it earn a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F in China's Super League on Sunday.

With his side trailing at the break, Drogba came off the bench to great effect, changing the atmosphere of the game before providing a delightful assist for Cao Yunding's 68th-minute equalizer.

"I am happy that everything went right in my first 45 minutes here," Drogba told reporters after the game.

"It was a little bit hard for me to get into the game at the beginning, but when I got used to the rhythm, I began to enjoy the game.

"I am feeling good now and was accustomed to all things in China now. It is very comfortable playing alongside my former teammate Nicolas (Anelka)."

Meanwhile, opposition striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni claimed that Drogba could inspire Shenhua, which is currently struggling down in 12th, to the title given his impact on debut.

"He showed the quality today you know, he gave more confidence to the team, you have to see the way he played today, when he is 100 percent, he can help Shanghai win the league," Yakubu said.

 

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Gareth Bale 'very surprised' David Beckham is left off Team GB for London Games

The Tottenham winger expressed his disappointment that the 37-year-old won't get a chance to represent his country in London.

Bale and his Tottenham teammates are in Los Angeles preparing for Tuesday's friendly with the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

The Welshman himself was slated to represent Team GB at the Olympics, but a back injury meant that like Beckham, he will be playing in the United States instead of the UK over the next couple weeks.

Though he won't be participating as an athlete, Bale is still looking forward to attending the London Games as a spectator.

“It’ll be an amazing experience to have it in our home city, and hopefully I’ll be able to go and watch one or two events and it’ll be very exciting,” Bale said.

Tottenham moves on to Baltimore to take on Liverpool Saturday, before concluding its U.S. tour with a match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 31. 

 

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