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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.
Frank Miller becomes a Celluloid Artist.

The Spirit Frank Miler poster
The Spirit Teaser Poster



John Doe has always been a fan of Frank Miller’s (Hardboiled, Ronin) edgy graphic novels. His comics raised the bar on what was possible from the medium reinventing Batman for the new era.

In the last few years his Hollywood stocks have raised with the successful adaptations of his work like 300, Sin City and Batman: The Dark Knight. Violent, stylish and vicious his universes are polluted with tough talking pulp characters that thrive in the vile underbelly of society.

Frank Miller
Comic Legend Frank Miller basks in digital film success



Working with Director Robert Rodriguez on Sin City, Frank learnt the art of cinema and Rodriguez’s loyalty and appreciation to his contribution saw him receive a co-director credit. (A decision which resulted in Rodriguez’s expulsion from the DGA)

The monumental box-office of Zack Snyder’s 300 cemented confidence that there is a demand to see his work in moving pictures and now Mr Miller is finally going it alone as Writer/Director of Will Eisner’s 1940’s penned The Spirit.

The Spirit movie poster
An alternate poster


Dark and brooding, reading like an adult’s only version of the classic comic book The Shadow, this inspirational original is a near perfect property for the cult hero to catapult himself into the arena of cinema artist.

The spirit comic book
The original 1940's comic book


This week we finally get to see the first teaser trailer for the film and it looks promising. To the accompaniment of Ennio Moriccone’s theme from Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables this clip follows our noir hero as he traverses the city scape.

Adopting a similar visual atmosphere to Sin City, the monochrome imagery is punctuated by striking use of colour, in this case a bright red tie. Revealing little other than the tone, it is still very exciting to watch with no spoilers involved.

Miller has managed to assemble an impressive cast to bring his vision to life with Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Jamie King, Paz Vega, Eva Mendes all supporting Gabriel Macht who plays the title role.

Scheduled for release in early 2009 you can rest assured that John Doe will be attending the cold blooded premiere with eager glee.

Note – JD purposefully has not included a synopsis for The Spirit comic so that those unfamiliar with it will remain untainted for this cinema event.

The Spirit Teaser Trailer


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Supanova 2008 - A Preview

March 10th 2008 00:01
Supanova Nirvana Returns.


Hands on and completely interactive, this year “Supanova” returns to Australia with a cavalcade of familiar faces that have John Doe ready to attack the nearest clone if it sped up the events arrival.

For those of you who have not entered this alternate universe, “Supanova” is essentially a pop-culture expo that spreads through comics, anime, videogames, cult classics and anything else commonly associated with us fantasy obsessed beings.

Bringing a calibre of quality that for a long time was only available in the motherland (ship). These are the stars, creators, animators and other visionaries associated with the creative and imaginative works that have inspired passionate devotion in audiences.

Johnny D missed last year’s event which featured guests including Lando Lando Calrissian himself, Billy Dee Williams, Sam J Jones (Flash Gordon) and Bruce Spence (Mad Max 2).

Scrolling through the latest issue of FilmInk you will find a two page advertisement for the 2008 landing and the schedule is shaping up nicely. It’s hard to say who is the most exciting face to coming down under but, John Rhys Davies (Sala in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gimli in Lord of the Rings) would surely have a few anecdotes JD would be interested in.

john rhys davies, david harris
John Rhys Davies and David Harris


For the Melbourne and Brisbane 3 day Extravaganza, The Warriors is an all time classic and the chance to meet David “Cochise” Harris has Mr Doe ready to “come out and pllllaaaayyyaayyy”. (Shame it’s in the wrong state)

jewel straite firefly serenity
Jewel Straite at another Convention


Chronic cutie Jewel Straite (Kaylee on Serenity, Heidi Gotts on Wonderfalls), the real Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno, Police Academy’s Michael Winslow and James Kyson Lee (Ando in Heroes) are also due in.

lou ferrigno incredible hulk
Just don't make him made!


For the Sydney and Perth people there is an impressive line up forming. At the front of the queue is Heroes head cheerleader Hayden Panettiere.

hayden paniterrie heroes
Save the cheerleader...save the world


The Trekkie in Doe finds the prospect of seeing Nichelle Nichols (Nyota Uhura) brings out his inner Starfleet Academy cadet.

Morena Baccarin (Inara from Firefly/Serenity), Mark Sheppard (Bionic Woman) and Daniel Logan (Jnr Bobba Fett) are also invited.

Expect a JDM exclusive report from the Sydney leg of the journey.

femtroopers
Femtroopers of the starboard bow


Rest assured Cib, John Doe will be keeping his phaser set to stun if he sees any Fem-Troopers. Click here to find out more about femtroopers

Dates are as follows:

MELBOURNE 2008
March 28-30, Royal Showgrounds

BRISBANE 2008
April 4-6, RNA Showgrounds

SYDNEY 2008
June 20-22, The Dome, Olympic Park

PERTH 2008
June 27-29, Claremont Showgrounds

For further information including Anime and Comic guests plus bookings check out supanova.com.au


Watch “Sharpy’s” visit to last years Supanova in Brisbane


Here is a clip from the 2005 show


Another clip from previous years Supanova


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Australian Cinema Releases: March 2008

As usual this is not a comprehensive list of all the films released in Aussie Cinemas this month. Instead it’s a compilation of big screen arrivals that have an element of interest for John Doe.

Paranoid Park
Paranoid Park released March 2008


March 6th

Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park
Director Gus Van Sant (Elephant, Drugstore Cowboy) continues his exploration of the subversive, segregated and misunderstood within society. Johnny D was utterly spellbound by Elephant and the trailer makes this look like it may explore some similar themes.



Richard Attenborough’s Closing the Ring
The latest film from Director Richard Attenborough (Ghandi) stars Pete Postlewaite (Usual Suspects), Shirley MacLaine (The Apartment), Christopher Plummer (Triple Cross) and Neve Campbell (Panic). Not receiving much press, let’s just hope the trailers ending schmaltzy tune is an exception to the rule of the film.



Sharkwater
A documentary that looks to demolish the mythology of these dominant finned predators, the footage in the trailer glimpses at a unique perspective.



March 13th

Gillian Armstrong’s Death Defying Acts
Neither Guy Pearce nor Catherine Zeta-Jones-Douglas do much for JD but it is the name Gillian Armstong (My Brilliant Career, Oscar and Lucinda) that peaks the curiosity. It could go either way but with Harry Houdini involved it may be tricky to avoid checking it out.



The Other Boleyn Girl
Natalie Portman (Leon The Professional) is Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansson (GhostWorld) plays Mary Boleyn feuding for the affections of Henry Tudor (Eric Bana). Waiting for DVD on this one.

The other boleyn girl poster
The other boleyn girl released March 2008


Vantage Point
Taking Kurosawa’s much utilised Rashmon multiple perspectives of one event sounds good for an espionage thriller. Hope the Director does a better job than De Palma did with Snake Eyes.

Vantage Point
Vantage Point released March 2008


March 20th

Michel Gondry’s Be Kind Rewind
Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind) always delivers quirky laughs and this one sounds just crazy enough to work.



Brick Lane
This looks like an affecting journey into a human experience seldom seen in the west.

brick lane poster
Brick Lane released March 2008


Dr Suess’ Horton Hears a Who
This is one I will definitely wait to hear what the jungle drums say first before stepping into a dark theatre…I still have nightmares about the atrocities of Ron Howard’s Grinch, bbbbrrrrrrr shudder bbbbbbrrrrrrr.

horton hears a who poster
Horton Hears A Who out March 2008


Sidney Lumet’s Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Director Sidney Lumet the man who bought us Dog Day Afternoon and the original 12 Angry Men teams with Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Happiness, Boogie Nights) and Ethan Hawke (Tape, Before Sunset) for a heist thriller, count JD in.



March 27

Get Some aka Never Back Down
New kid at school gets hassled by karate chopping bully. Bully's girlfriend likes new kid. Severe beating ensues. New kid decides to learn to throw hands and finds an easily accessible Sensei. New kid and Bully must face off in the "fight club" ring.
From the trailer this looks like a karate Kid remake, feels like a karate kid remake, even smells like a Karate Kid remake…At least they didn’t call it the Karate Kid because one Daniel sun is enough. “Your the best, around…” (screeching)



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Australian DVD releases for March 2008

Disclaimer: John doe used to do a regular coming soon section each month specifically geared towards Australian audiences. Over the last few months an increased external work load has taken its toll but now in an effort to get back on track here is the return of the JDM Coming Soon section.
[ Click here to read more ]
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Australian Cinema Releases - 2007


Inland Empire Poster
Poster for David Lynch's Latest

[ Click here to read more ]
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Brian De Palma talks Redacted

October 8th 2007 11:16
Brian De Palma explains the aim of Redacted

Redacted Brian de Palma
Brian de Palma engineers his latest odyssey

[ Click here to read more ]
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