'Gotham' Is Coming... Who Is Ready?

'Gotham' is something that I am looking forward too, but I am very wary for. Why you ask? Simple. While it is a great idea (a cop procedural set in the early days of the Batman universe), the show is on Fox. Fox, known as the channel that often kills any genre shows they air (whether they are good or not). So while I think the show can be intriguing, the fact that it is on Fox puts a strike on it for me because even if it is good it will probably get bailed on. Lets hope Fox finally sees that genre shows are huge right now and give this show a fair shot. The trailer for the show is here, and I am intrigued. Most peoples criticism that I have encountered so far is the inclusion of young versions of Riddler, Catwoman, and Penguin... but to me that is one of the cooler aspects of it. And a young Master Bruce... yup, I can get behind that. Anytime Donal Logue is involved in a project I am in. Ben McKenzie looks pretty great as a young Jim Gordon. And a mob boss that is a chick (Jada Pinkett Smith)? Yup, that is bold. The shows tone looks good, and since I am an ultimate Bat-fan I will give it a shot. But with the gauntlet being thrown down by Arrow (it has been great since episode 1 through two full seasons) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (which started slow but has picked up immensely) Gotham better bring the A game. The show comes on this fall on Fox. Check out the trailer after the jump...

5 Reasons To Watch 'Alcatraz' This January

We are reaching the point in that fall TV schedule when shows go on mid-season hiatus and networks bring in mid-season replacements for shows that under performed (only 3 episodes for Charlies Angels & Playboy Club... really???). One of the most anticipated mid-season additions is 'Alcatraz', the new show from uber genius JJ Abrams. The first official teaser trailer (30 seconds... C'MON!!!) has leaked and it has piqued my interest... so here are 5 reasons why I think you should give the show a shot come January. Click after the jump for the list and an embedded version of the trailer...



Synopsis courtesy of /Film:

The series centers around a mysterious event in 1963 that made 302 Alcatraz prisoners and guards vanish without any explanation. For some reason we don’t yet know, a prisoner named Jack Sylvane (Jeffrey Pierce) appears in present day Alcatraz and makes his way to San Francisco to seek payback from those who’ve done him wrong. It’s up to a spunky young police officer (Sarah Jones), assisted by a geeky Alcatraz expert (Jorge Garcia), to stop Sylvane, all the while dealing with a mysterious federal agent (Sam Neill) who clearly knows more about the Alcatraz disappearances than he lets on.

Here we go:

1. JJ Abrams- That's all. That's enough. I won't state the obvious about how successful Mr. Abrams has been, but I will say this: This cat doesn't put his name on stuff that isn't good. Well... let me take that back. He put his name on' Undercovers', which was a pretty good show that got cancelled early on and was considered a bust. JJ is looking to bring Bad Robot back to TV hardcore and this is the vehicle.to do it.
2. Time travelling criminals- The worst criminals from throughout history are appearing in 2011? Holy. Fucking. Shit. What a great idea. I remember a classic movie from the 80's called Time After Time. It was about Jack the Ripper & H.G. Wells using time machines to come to modern day America. It was awesome because Jack was a true smooth criminal and adapted masterfully, making him hard to track & apprehend. Criminals have the ability to think on their feet and adapt to their circumstances faster then people who aren't risking their freedom constantly. 
3. Sam Neil- Yessir... Sam Motherfucking Neil. I love this guy. LOVE 'EM!!! Dr. Alan Grant don't take no shit son!!!  He is playing the federal agent who clearly knows a bit more about the 1963 disappearance and re-appearance of the 302 criminals here in present day. I can't wait to see the layers of this onion peel back and reveal just how deep Mr. Neil is really involved in the whole situation. Damien Thorne FTW!!!
4. Fox Network-  OK, OK... I know that Fox is notorious for fucking with shows, even when they are successful. They move time slots, cancel seemingly popular shows,  and make overall bonehead decisions, especially when the shows are geek/nerd based properties. Hell, they have the best Sci-Fi show on TV right now (Fringe) and THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO GET THE SHOW CANCELLED (THEY MOVED THE SHOW TO fRIDAY NITE FOR CHRIST SAKES!!!) But on this show they seem to be all in. They have 7 shows already shot, and have even gone back to conduct re-shoots to tighten those puppies up. There are another 6 episodes due to start filming BEFORE the show even airs. A short 1st season (13 episodes) will benefit Alcatraz because it will give Fox less of a chance to fuck it up.
5.  Jorge Garcia- Yup... Hurley is still a fat fuck that will sure to make for some humorous chubby-based jokes and scenarios present on Alcatraz. This giant fatty may be a tubby bitch, but homie can certainely act his ass off. He was one of the best parts of the end of Lost (for the records, I ALWAYS hated Hurley, but had to change my tune in the end) and I can't wait to see him reunite with JJ & the gang.

Wolverine Blues

I cannot be any more disappointed.


So yesterday it's announced that Darren Aronofsky will not be directing the new Wolverine movie. This is huge bummer as Aronofsky is my favorite working Director and he's been close to a studio movie for years now. First it was Batman, then Robocop and finally Wolverine, which really needed him. Today it seems that movie now will be put on hold indefinitely. This from 'Entertainment Weekly'...

A source close to the project tells EW that there is no short list yet of filmmakers who might be tapped to take the reins. Also, given the tragic series of events currently unfolding in Japan — where much of the movie was to be shot — the studio is unlikely to hire someone to kickstart the movie again in the immediate future. “I think we’re going to let it air out a bit before we approach another director,” says the source. “The one good thing, after losing Darren and what’s going on in Japan, is that we have a great script and the star attached and ready to go.”

Now the fact that it's being put on hold is actually good news. If it's not going to be 'Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine' then I ain't interested.



I enjoyed the first 2 'X-Men' films and thought Hugh Jackman did a good job with the character. I disliked 'X-3' and really didn't care for 'X-men Origins: Wolverine..and As Many Other Weird Characters We Can Throw In And Ruin But Can Potentially Have Their Own Movies So We Can Sell More Toys'. So, fool me twice, shame on me. The idea of a sequel to that last movie was of zero interest to me. The only good thing to come of that movie was the kick ass video game.



So cool.

But then came the news of Darren Aronofsky and that it was being approached as a standalone film based somewhat on the famous Chris Claremont & Frank Miller mini-series. Aronofsky previously directed Jackman in his best performance to date in the criminally oft over looked 'The Fountain'. Then Jackman said Aronofsky instructed him to get bigger than he had ever been to more closely resemble his comic counterpart. ALL GREAT NEWS and enough to let me get a little excited for a new 'Wolverine' movie. Hopefully the one I've waited my whole life for. Aronofsky's departure, be it personal or political, has caused me to lose all interest in the project. So putting it on hold is a great decision.



And how pissed must Hugh Jackman be? Aside from the fact that he's really been the champion behind this movie, even though he's been playing the role for 10 years and it would be the 5th movie. He's a big star and could have easily moved on, but he's obviously passionate about the character. He's also been on a friggin' 6000 calorie a day diet to try to look like he's 5'3" of muscle. For nuthin'!

As far as I'm concerned there are only 2 options at this point given the delay...

1. Wait for Aronofsky to be ready.

2. Put it to bed permanently. Try again with a complete fresh start in another 10 years or whatever.

Wolverine is arguably the most popular character in comics EVER. He has a rich an layered story that deserves the correct treatment. He deserves a 'Dark Knight' comparable movie. Maybe one day.