HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH (BEST OF LUCK)!!!

Gotham's Joker: The Big Reveal...

The latest "Gotham" sure was entertaining (entitled aptly enough, "That's Entertainment") and more than a tad jarring in its historic ramifications. 

With Cameron Monaghan playing two parts, as Jerome and his out-of-the-blue brother, Jeremiah, a switch in the Clown Prince of Crime dynamic should have come as no surprise. Still, I'd have preferred Jerome to have been the one. Besides, it would have given Monaghan the continued chance to play two parts. He's a fine actor. The contrast in personalities would have been an ideal fit for his expressive abilities. 

With this said, I'm glad the actor remains on the roster. I'd have been heartbroken and angry as hell if it had been fare thee well. 

Also, it's about bloody time that the Joker's presence was confirmed on the show...or has it been? Who honestly knows what the "Gotham" writers/producers have in store? I don't trust 'em, which I suppose is both good and bad. Twists are great, but only within reason. The Jerome/Jeremiah deal may be one such excellent case in point.

Anyway, it's probably safe to say that the Joker has been born (or reborn), with some crazy "Killing Joke" panache splashed into the big reveal. It'll be interesting to see what other surprises this season has in store, since this one is unlikely to be topped. I also wonder how the transformed Jeremiah will mesh with the rest of Gotham's mad gang...

Monster Team-up Reflection: I saw Rampage...

There was once a time (late '40s to be exact) when buzz was high for a space adventure entitled "Destination Moon", enough so that another group of filmmakers became inspired to beat George Pal's big-budget production to theaters with a low-budget effort called "Rocketship X-M". 

One could argue that, whether by accident or plan, history has repeated itself. The big-budget, WB/Legendary Films' "Godzilla vs Kong" (a thematic rehash in its own right) is announced, and a production of similar concept (ironically, offered through the WB-linked New Line Cinema, and in this instance, loosely based on a popular, Midway video game) enters cinemas before it.

The film is "Rampage" and features a mutant gorilla, crocodile and wolf. "Rampage", like "Rocketship X-M", sports a stellar cast, though in the latter case, the participants were yet to hit stardom. In "Rampage", the actors already contain marketable fame, but the formula for fun is spun from an equally humble heart. Whether considered original or derivative, "Rampage", like "Rocketship X-M", blasts off at full throttle and gains its enduring strength per unpretentious escapism. 

Directed by Brad "San Andreas" Peyton, and written by Ryan Engle; Carlton Cuse; Ryan J. Condal; and Adam Sztykiel, "Rampage" should also be considered a full-blown disaster film, on a par with "Deluge", "Earthquake"..."When Worlds Collide", but what makes its domino-effect destruction so raucously engaging is its character foreplay: a technique that ensures its success.

The story's prime protagonist, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Professor Davis Okoye, is a caring primatologist, who holds a special bond with an albino silverback named George (Jason Liles), Okoye rescued George from poachers many years prior and keeps the simian safe in a lush sanctuary, but George eventually meets a different type of dire fate, tipped by a tried-and-true, science-fiction twist.  

George, as well Lizzie, the crocodile and Ralph, the wolf, have become tainted by growth-chemical experimentation, thanks to Dr. Claire Wyden (Malin "Watchmen" Akerman), which in the tradition of giant-monster flicks of the '50s, goes big-time awry. Heck, Ralph even gains the ability to fly. In their enraged, deformed states (and via Wyden's magnetic signal), the deviants trek beyond their habitats and into urban territory. 

Okoye leaps in to intervene, not only to stop the widening destruction, but to prevent his friend from being killed by military strike. To ensure his success, Okoye teams with compassionate and wrongly discredited geneticist, Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris). The duo realizes that if George can quell his anger (a simultaneous symptom of his growth), he can help halt the other beasts. 

There are, however, those destined to complicate the scientists' quest, such as the tenacious mercenary Burke (Joe "Pee-wee's Big Holiday" Manganiello) and crafty but ultimately supportive, government agent Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Akerman's "Watchmen" co-star and of course, "Walking Dead'"s most recent villain supreme). Wyden's edgy brother, Brett (Jake Lacy) and the obstinate Col. Blake (Demetrius Grosse) complement the mayhem.

A touching, though tension-bound buddy tale rises from the circumstances, with enough heroics springing from human and ape to make any superhero fan cheer. At the same time, though we expect the protagonists to triumph, the daunting deterrents make their goal precarious, while the exaggerated, cement-crunching circumstances help liven (and distinguish) the melodrama from its counterparts, even though it shares most of their turbulent traits.

Its predictable aspects are beneficial, however, placing the adventure on a Toho/Daiei path, with a good monster risking his life to save humankind. To abet this, the relationship between George and Okoye captures the warmth of "Son of Kong" and "Mighty Joe Young" (either version), but never becomes so sappy as to force the pair's exploits into something childish. In other words, fans who favor kiddie kaiju, like "Godzilla's Revenge" and "Destroy All Planets", may be disenchanted, but appreciators of "Ghidrah, the Three-Headed Monster" and "King Kong Escapes" should be pleased to a chest-thumping tee. 

Whether "Rampage'"s advance ascent will diminish the presumed cultural impact of "Godzilla/Kong'" (or the next-up "Godzilla 2") is anybody's guess. However, "Rocketship X-M" only fueled interest in "Destination Moon", which became the first shot-in-color, science-fiction blockbuster. My prediction is that "Rampage" will follow suit. Besides, there appears ample room in the current, cinematic climate for all kinds of contentious, titanic team-ups.  I say, bring 'em on, one and all!!!   

FILMFAX #151: A NEW FIVE OUNCE TON OF INTELLIGENT FUN!!!

Filmfax #151 is here and by golly, what a gem of an issue it is!!! The "Barbarella" poster-cover alone is well worth the price of admission...

This issue is jammed with more aliens; more monsters; more ray guns; more rocket ships; more pretty girls; in addition to articles on Joe "Batman" Giella; Anne "Tess Trueheart" Jeffreys; Hugh "Wyatt Earp" O'Brian; and a special, bonus interview with Twilight Zone Encyclopedia author, Steven Jay Rubin. 

As with all Filmfax issues, there's a mountain of rare and wonderful, black-and-white photos to make your trip down Nostalgic Lane all the more pleasant and endearing.

Get your copy of Filmfax #151 today at your local magazine shop or order from any number of reliable, online sources.

I saw Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay...

The latest in the DC/WB animated-movie line is "Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay": a bad-guys-on-a-mission, quasi-sequel to all those wild adventures that have come before, featuring any number of coerced misfits. 

In this case, the headliners are Harley Quinn (Tara Strong); Deadshot (Christian Slater); Bronze Tiger (Billy Brown); Captain Boomerang (Liam McIntyre); Copperhead (Gideon Emery); and Killer Frost (Kristin Bauer van Straten). They're "assigned" (of course) by governmental Amanda Waller (Vanessa Williams) to find a little item of special interest: a mysterious, "Get out of Hell Free" card that an exotic dancer named Steel Maxum (Greg Grunberg) possesses. (BTW: Maxum has a indirect connection to a mystical entity named Dr. Fate, in addition to a tyrannical one named Vandal Savage. Neato!)

Produced/directed by DC faithful, Sam Liu and written by now retired DC/Disney great, Alan Burnett, the R-rated "Hell to Pay" delivers the off-the-beaten-track thrills with zinging zest and terrific, Tarantino-tinged set-ups. At this point, the formula is nothing new, but its unpretentious, roadhouse fervor makes it worth a whirl or two around the block. (Heck, I'm gonna give it a third run tonight.) 

Most of the film's success (and I must confess I'm biased in this regard) comes from the use of Harley Quinn, who was last featured in the comedic "Batman and Harley Quinn" (see Aug '17 review). That entry gave us some '90s Dark Knight pizzazz, but in this instance, gorgeous Margot Robbie's movie influence can't be denied: a wise move on Liu and Burnett's part. After all, one can never go wrong with a hot, crazy chick...I think.

Killer Frost is also a stunning sight for sore eyes and will give viewers a different interpretation from Danielle Panabaker's variant on CW's "The Flash". The fellows, particularly Deadshot (the script's hero, or rather anti-hero), are all fun, complex, and complement the justified gals-hogging-the-spotlight.

There are also significant guest stars and various cameos, which include Black Manta; Blockbuster; Count Vertigo; Knockout; Punch; Jewelee; Scandal Savage; Silver Banshee; Zoom; Two-Face; and Professor Pyg. In one scene, the latter is featured with the former in an nifty tribute to Rod Serling's "Eye of the Beholder".

Between these interweaving appearances, we're treated to unbridled bloodshed: some of it surreal and therefore amusing, but most of it raw and cruel, which will probably upset sensitive folks, but then "Hell to Pay" shouldn't attract those sorts, anyway, right? (For what it's worth, I think the featured violence makes sense within the frantic format.)

The "downside" to this endeavor, which has been my criticism of previous DC bad-as-good dealings, is that one can't help but identify (root for) characters we know are beyond redemption. (Okay, maybe Deadshot is that one exception, but to date, he still clings to his murderous ways and so...) If there was any sincere transformation among any of these characters, I'd be more at ease, but on the other hand, would I ever want such classic villainy altered? Get the dilemma? In my estimation, the ambivalence places the "Suicide Squad" missions one notch below traditional, good-vs-evil outings. Yeah, they're cool and all, but in the end, still not quite right from a moral vantage. 

Even so, "Hell to Pay" will keep one glued to one's seat, eager to see what happens next. The story would have made for an excellent, live-action sequel, but as an animated endeavor, it pretty much holds its own with other DC/WB animated submissions; and considering how impressive most have been, that's quite a compliment. 

BLOKE'S TERRIBLE TOMB OF TERROR: 4TH MONSTER-SIZED COLLECTION!!!

BLOKE'S TERRIBLE TOMB OF TERROR: Monster-Sized Collection #4 is now available. 

Stories from Issues #14 - #17 are contained in this wonderful, 200-page edition of Jason Crawley's macabre creation. His twisted tales weave through horror, science fiction and dark fantasy, all with flamboyant effect.   
Only the top artists in the field bring these offbeat yarns to life. The results are stunning and above all, uninhibited. Fear not: Timidness does not taint the Bloke's hosted world.

I've been telling folks for years now how ideally retro Terrible Tomb of Terror is. For those who remember and relish the likes of Eerie, Creepy and Vampirella, Bloke/Crawley's blood-curdling concoctions will be a fulfilling treat. And the latest collection is a splendid way to introduce oneself to the wicked offerings. For the price (a measly $19.95), one would be hellishly foolish not to indulge!!!

Order your copy today at ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1986830136/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1522362101&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=bloke%27s+terrible+tomb+of+terror+vol+4.

AIRSHIP 27 WANTS YOU TO ILLUSTRATE!!!

Airship 27 Productions is seeking professional artists to illustrate its New Pulp novels and anthologies.

Payment is granted via royalty sales exclusively. One won't get rich as such by this method, but one's work will grace some of the finest fiction available, as offered by today's leading publisher of action-adventure yarns.

If interested, please contact Ron Fortier at Airship27@comcast.net. Captain Ron will review your work and respond promptly.