The Kenblog: Comic Book Movie Fatigue Seems To Be A Real Thing! Can It Be Cured?
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here and I’ve noticed a trend at the movies, especially post-Covid: Comic book movies seem to be winding down in terms of popularity. As a big fan of this sub-genre, I got to thinking about it, wondering about its cause and perhaps some methods of reversing it. Marvel Studios has been the undisputed King Of The Comic Book movie for the better part of two decades, but after the massive success of “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), something happened, and not just the pandemic. I have a couple of ideas on the causes of this Comic Book Movie Fatigue (CBMF) and maybe an idea or two on how to fix it!
Continue readingDog’s Movie House: “Fantastic Four: First Steps” Finally Gets Marvel’s First Family Right On The Big Screen!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with some good news for fans of The Fantastic Four. The enduring team of Marvel heroes has been adapted to the big screen three different times. First you have the 1994 Roger Corman version that never made it to theaters (check out Youtube for a copy). Then you have Tim Story’s two entries which, while getting some stuff right, really messed up on The Fantastic Four’s main antagonist, Dr. Doom. Then 2015 rolled around and Josh Trank tried his hand at a more serious, gritty, rendition, only to have it turn into the cinematic equivalent of dirt. Trank messed up Dr. Doom too. Now Marvel Studios has the property and they have not only turned out a fine superhero film, but an emotional, resonant movie that gives “Superman” a run for one of the best movies of the year!
Continue readingThe Trailer Dog Park: New Trailers For “Gladiator II” and “Captain America: Brave New World!”
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with another edition of the Trailer Dog Park. This edition features two trailers from two highly anticipated big budget tentpoles. First we have “Gladiator” the long gestating sequel to the Ridley Scott’s 2000 Oscar winner featuring Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Then we have “Captain America: Brave New World” featuring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America and Harrison Ford replacing the late William Hurt as Thunderbolt Ross, now President Of The United States! Both trailers are quite entertaining and should whet the appetites of cinema fans everywhere! So Sayeth The Kendog!
Dog’s Movie House: “Madame Web” A Cinematic Trainwreck, Not Just A Superhero Film Trainwreck!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here with a look at what might be the worst superhero film ever made (although it’s tough to imagine anything beating 1997’s “Batman & Robin” for that particular title). Sony Pictures, who own the rights to Spider-Man but don’t use him in their movies due to some sort of agreement with Disney (home of the MCU), have decided to try and make money by mining Spidey’s rogue’s gallery of villains and side-characters for their own stand-alone films! When it works, you get the “Venom” films (primarily because of Tom Hardy’s bonkers performance). When it doesn’t you get crap like “Morbius” and now, “Madame Web,” which takes a cast of talented actors and leaves them adrift on a sea of bad writing, less-than-special effects, and editing choices that may leave you wishing you’d brought your Dramamine to the theater!
Continue readingDog’s Movie House: “Madame Web” A Trainwreck Of A Superhero Movie!
Howdy Folks! It’s The Kendog here and you have to hand it to Sony: They keep putting out subpar superhero movies like they’re going out of style, all because they want to retain the rights to their comic book properties. They own “Spider-Man” but because of their deal with Marvel Studios, it’s difficult to get the actual Spider-Man into any of their movies. So what do they do? They decide to create movies features obscure characters from the Rogue’s Gallery of Spider-Man allies and villains. Some of them, like the Venom movies, work because Tom Hardy is commited to a bonkers performance that makes the film, but most of Sony’s (non-animated) efforts are just terrible! Which brings us to “Madame Web” a superhero film that makes “Morbius” look like a cinematic masterpiece!
Continue reading
