Blog Archives
Heroes and Villains – Reviewing Recent Comics 6-21-2017
This time on Heroes and Villains, we’ll be looking at a variety of comics out this week and last, from a variety of genres. Meet me after the jump for my thoughts on Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny #1, Dark Days: The Forge #1, Bill & Ted Save the Universe #1, Black Hammer #10, Victor LaValle’s Destroyer #2, Red Agent: The Human Order #8, Plastic #3, Kong of Skull Island #12, Empowered #10, Spencer & Locke #1-3, and Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1-2 from the Allreds… This is another loaded week, so who needs Secret Empires when we have so many other cool things to check out, be warned, there may be spoilers…
‘Kong: Skull Island’ Rules The Box Office Jungle
There’s a new king of the box office jungle this weekend, as the latest high profile release in theatres took down the competition. Here’s what went down:
Kong: Skull Island debut this weekend at number one, bringing in an estimated $61.4 million, which is on the higher end of what pundits were anticipating. While the lack of a big blockbuster name draw probably hindered its crossover appeal, strong word of mouth and critical notices helped the first instalment in a new Monarch shared universe find an audience. The trouble is, Kong: Skull Island cost $185 to make, and it’s doubtful it will make that back in North America. The film will have to play well overseas for it to earn a franchise. I had a chance to see Kong: Skull Island and was thoroughly entertained. There’s a strong Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now vibe throughout the entire film, from names to soundtrack, and the sfx were solid. It’s definitely one to see on the big screen.
Holiday Gift Guide 2016: King Kong
With Kong: Skull Island on the horizon, and a rematch between King Kong and Godzilla in the planning stages, the world may be ready to go ape again, but King Kong has always been here, meet me after the jump for some gift ideas that may make you go ape!
The GAR! Podcast Interviews King Kong and Doc Savage Artist Joe DeVito
The Biff Bam Pop! Podcast Network presents The GAR! Podcast, the Glenn Walker and Ray Cornwall weekly podcast where they talk unrehearsed about whatever happens to come to mind. It’s an audio-zine for your mind, a nerd exploration of a nerd world, coming to you from across the vastness of suburban New Jersey via Skype. This week, we’re talking with artist and sculptor Joe DeVito, famous for his work on Doc Savage and King Kong. Joe has some amazing stories and memories to share, along with all the usual GAR stuff. See and hear more after the jump.
Guardians of the Galaxy S01 E17: Come and Gut My Love
We have all had problems with exes in the past, but for Star-Lord of the Guardians of the Galaxy, it seems to be his kryptonite and a recurring problem. But what does one do when your exes gang up to get you? To find out, meet me after the jump for my thoughts on “Come and Gut My Love.”
Stop-Motion Animation Retrospective: King Kong and The Adventures of Prince Achmed
The TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto’s foremost review cinema house, is putting on an extensive stop-motion animation retrospective for the public over the next few months. Titled ‘Magic Motion: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation,’ the first screenings are set to take place this weekend. Two of the initial weekend screenings, King Kong (1933) and The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), are particularly noteworthy features in the development of cinema. Both films laid an early blueprint for the future of action-adventure motion pictures. Read the rest of this entry
31 Days of Horror 2015: Charlton Comics Kaiju
I’ve written several times about kaiju eiga (Japanese giant monster movies) here at Biff Bam Pop! before, but the thing that much of the population should know is that despite the fact that they do rule, not all giant monsters are Japanese in origin, nor are they specific to the movies. I’m going to talk about three here whose ‘careers’ extended into the world of comics. Meet me after the jump for three pretty cool comic book kaiju – Gorgo, Konga, and Reptilicus!
Actor Trading Cards: Jessica Lange
JESSICA LANGE
Born: April 20, 1949 in Cloquet, Minnesota
Height: 5’8
Did You Know?
She is one of only ten actors to have been nominated for both a Supporting and Lead Acting Academy Award in the same year for their achievements in two different movies.
Has a daughter, Shura (Alexandra) Baryshnikov, whose father is Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history.
Glenn Walker On… Mothra
Each week, one of Biff Bam Pop’s illustrious writers will delve into one of their favorite things. Perhaps it’s a movie or album they’ve carried with them for years. Maybe it’s something new that moved them and they think might move you too. Each week, a new subject, a new voice writing on… something they love.
I’ll be talking about my love of Mothra. Folks who know me know I love my giant monsters. I am a huge kaiju eiga fan, but Mothra is my fave, find out why after the jump.
Jim Knipp On… Rankin Bass
Each week, one of Biff Bam Pop’s illustrious writers will delve into one of their favorite things. Perhaps it’s a movie or album they’ve carried with them for years. Maybe it’s something new that moved them and they think might move you too. Each week, a new subject, a new voice writing on… something they love.
Sometime in the early 1970s, I was introduced to true horror. The vehicle of this introduction was not the movies Jaws (which made me afraid of the ocean), nor The Omen (which made me afraid of British people), nor any of the other horror masterpieces that I somehow was allowed to watch at the precocious ages between six and nine. No, the horror genre was thrust upon me via the wonders of television, which opened a window to a world of elemental evils, mutated minions, and surly Santas. Of course, the world I speak of is that of the Rankin Bass Christmas television special, the most frightening, twisted universe that humankind has ever uncovered.
“You know, aside from this one…”
“But Jim,” I’m sure you’re saying. “Those are classics, full of joy and Christmas Spirit!” And I would respond: “Why are you talking to your computer screen? You know I can’t hear you, right?” Then I would add “You’re wrong!” And I’ll explain why after the break.
