SCENE Magazine

SCENEMaga

zine

Heroes

Issue

£2.65

Edito

rial Now that 2010 is done and dusted, it is out with the old and in with the new. And it is new you know? The film world has so many things to offer this year and as usual we have done our hardest to ensure that all the latest news and gossip reaches your ears almost as fast as it reaches ours. This month we are excited to have a superhero themed issue in honour of all the new hero flicks that are coming up within the year, and seem to be carrying on way into 2013. We have an insight into Green lantern’s new film as well as an overlook into the X-Men prequel. If you’re fed up with superheroes by then, then we have our regular interview and features waiting for you with all the information you could possibly want. Enjoy this special New Year issue and we’re sure it’ll enjoy you back.

03SCENEJanuary 2011Subscribe at sceneonline.com

Recent Rant

The lowdown on all the upcoming films and TV shows for 2011, including Cowboys and Aliens and Suker Punch.

We have a look into the TV shows of our past to see what should’ve stayed on our screens!

All the latest TV and film reviews for the recent months, including Paul and the new ABC hit drama, No Ordinary Family plus loads more.

Regula

r Reads

The

We take a look at Disney’s 50th and also what makes them so great. While including the ups and downs in Disney’s 50th feature, Tangled!

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Contents

This issue we keep the usual features that we are always happy to provide you with, but be sure that you check out our great themed superhero features that kick starts on page 19.

Upcoming

Disney’s Birthday

Reviews

60

InterviewWe catch up with Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill and his thoughts on the upcoming sixth series.

Series IssuesThe films that really should’ve been a long running TV show.

12

9Features

Themed

Upcoming Films

Thor The mighty God that will take us to an

all new level of heroes and villians.

X-Men: First Class We take a look at the new mutant high.

Green Lantern

Ryan Reynolds and an all powerful ring, want the latest news?

Captain America Not long to go for the first Avenger.

Comics vs Films We weigh up the pros and cons of

the comics turned into films.

Writers Profile Joss Whedon’s world explored.

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24

28

31

32

35

3642 Living with Superpowers?

What would life be like with all kind of powers?

46

Forgotten Heroes The heroes that didn’t make it onto screen.

48Heroes of 2012 Coming next year . . .

Superhero Theme05SCENE

Rising Star Andew Garfield‘s rise to fame.

Cover

January 2011Subscribe at sceneonline.com

UPcom

ing The New Year means loads of upcoming films and TV shows ready for entertaining impressionable young men and women everywhere.With films such as 127, and The King’s Speech we can already tell that 2011 will be a huge battle of the flicks. As high profile film directors and actors gather and work in some of the most talked about films to date, we give you the full scoop of what’s going down, as well as some inside knowledge and sneaky peeks. Moreover if you’ve been lucky enough to see and use our website then you would’ve already seen the extra footage and previews available, from those must see family capers to the dark and dismal plots that are usually kept for sunset. We have them all.

SCENESubscribe at sceneonline.com January 2011 07

FilmWhat

WHAT WE LOVE THIS MONTH

TOWATCH

A true story of brave mountaineer Aron Ralston (Franco) and his astonishing adventure to escape after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in a remote valley in the scorching heat of

Utah. Trapped for five days alone, on rations of food he recollects moments of his life, believing these are his last moments. Will they be? Without anyone knowing of his whereabouts at all, he needs to find the courage and ability in order to survive this almost impossible situation. This film has it all; a compelling story and wonderful visuals, it will make you cringe, laugh and flinch all at once.

IT’s Kind Of a Funny Story

127 Released: 7th JanuaryCertificate: 15 Cast: James FrancoDirector(s): DannyBoyle

Craig (Gilchrist) a highschool junior begins to feel the struggles of young adult life and attempts to commit suicide. After checking into a psychiatric ward recommended by Dr Mahmoud (Mandvi), in the hope he gets an instant recovery. But once he is on the floor he has to stay for a week, to his dismay he has to miss school to rejuvenate. On his stay at the hospital he meets Bobby (Galifiankis), a patient who titles his stay as merely a vacation. Taking Craig under his wing. This Boden and Fleck film comprises a light-hearted story that makes it easy to become attached to the loveable characters.

Released: 7th JanuaryCertificate: 15 Cast: Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, Zach GalifianakisDirector(s): Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Go back to highschool for some laughs

Flashback galore in 127

Upcoming Upcoming

Gnomeo and juliet

127

Released: 11th FebruaryCertificate: U Cast: James McAvoy, Emily BluntDirector(s): Kelly Asbury

The King’s Speech

In the bitter and elderly couples, Mr and Mrs Montague’s garden. Magical creatures come alive! In their yard lives a group of gnomes, the Montague’s and in the other the Capulet’s. Gnomeo (McAvoy) and Juliet (Blunt) have as many obstacles to get

out of the way when they are caught up in a feud between their neighbors, the Capulet’s. But amongst all the plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races, can this young gnome couple find ever-lasting happiness? An unusual adaption of the infamous love story, Romeo and Juliet but all-the-while a fun tale for the family.

Big Momma’s house: like father, like son

Looking to revive the love for Big Momma once again, director Whitesell has casted Lawrence back in to the huge pants bring that back for the third installment.

FBI agent, Malcolm Turner (Lawrence) disguises himself as the alter ego, bubbly and brash grandmother, Big Momma in order to catch crime starters. This time there’s an added twist; Big Momma has an accomplice, Charmaine Daisy Pierce. Played by Turner’s

stepson, Trent Pierce (Jackson) with the intent to appeal to a wider audience of the teenagers, this is one for the young fans who have grown up with the Momma. Funny and simple but don’t expect anything amazing though.

Released: 7th JanuaryCertificate: 12A Cast: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T Jackson Director(s): John Whitesell

A film which narrates the true story of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI and his speech impediment. From the age of five George, (Firth) develops a stutter to unknown reasons, which hasn’t been a problem up until his brother abdicates the right to be King. George, also known as ‘Bertie’ to his close family and friends, reluctantly assumes to the throne with the dread of his stammer and the impending King speech that needs be made. With the help of speech therapist, Lionel Logue, (Rush) and his unconventional speech repair methods teaches the King to not fear his stammer. A wonderfully written and shot film, Firth does justice to his fiery character who develops into a bold a confident man.

Released: 7th JanuaryCertificate: 12A Cast: Colin Firth,Geoffrey Rush andHelena Bonham CarterDirector(s): Tom Hooper


Love at first Gnome

The life and lows of the King

Third times a charm...

TV

When fiesty Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney) learns that she has cancer she soon sees life from a new perspective that’s reflected in the form of this tragic comedy. The series explores how a life can be turned around and still maintain that heartfelt tone of family and friendships, while constantly providing many laughs and witty humour. The Big C is a ratings hit in the US and will air on More 4 this month before being shown on Channel 4 a week later. We’re sure that this is one show to watch out for as it promises to be full surprises.

The big C

Last year Glee was the show that was on everyone’s lips, and lungs! The quirky sing-along fun loving drama rapidly grabbed the attention of the UK in 2010 with its teen drama story lines and retro dance routines that settled in nicely with the one off remarks from snow queen Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), cold head coach of the Cheerious.

As the second season makes a comeback in typical Glee fashion, with a GaGa outburst in the female loos, we see the whole cast in full form with a few new additions ready to have their take at the latest break-away pop hit.

What

GLEE SEASON 2

TOWATCH

WHAT WE LOVE THIS MONTH

We’ve had the pleasure of viewing a sneaky peek at the second episode and it seems to be a tribute to the God of pop, Britney Spears. Expect the sexy, thrilling, screen ogle as Britney herself makes some brief cameos and influences some wonderful fantasy scenes with the rest of the cast. If this much can happen in just the second episode then we are truly looking forward to the rest of the season. Glee kicks off on E4 this month, every Monday at 8pm and Channel 4 the following Sunday morning.

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Taboo isn’t so taboo anymore

Upcoming

SCENEJanuary 2011 11

No Ordinary FamilyJulie Benz stars in this new witty hero flick that’s

bound to leave you wanting more after each episode.As the family take a life turning holiday to Mexico they soon find themselves with superpowers and needing to use these abilities to protect those around them. The series will premier on Watch, Tuesday nights at 8pm and after being a success in the US it will sure be a hit here in the UK.

Season two of the hit vampire show takes centre stage on ITV2’s schedule this month with Nina Dobrev reprising her role as the main protagonist in this blood sucking fest. As the new series starts we see old faces return and the previous season heads to a climax within the opening 20 minutes, leaving us a bit disappointed. However it makes up for it during the rest of the episode as it introduces us to new twists and turns. We happily await the rest of the season, aired on ITV2 8pm, every Tuesday.

The vampire diaries

When a young girl named Alison goes missing it opens up an array of mysteries for the newly popular girl Hannah Marlin (Ashleigh Benson) and soon enough the show becomes a teenage Desperate Housewives with all the twist and turns that make it just as unmissable.

Pretty little liars

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Have you ever lied?

Join the Vampire craze


Disney’s T isneyDangledWith

Get

Go back to your childhood roots, sit down and enjoy the memories that Disney

has given us over the years

Birthday

Disney’s Best

As much as it’s every woman’s dream to get whisked away from her horrible life by a handsome Prince Charming. It’s also good to believe that we have a fairy Godmother looking out for us who can turn mice into stallions, a pumpkin into a coach and a horse into a chauffeur. Besides even we can’t help but feel jealous every time we see that castle.

Sebastian the singing lobster, no other sea creature (ahem, Oscar in a Shark’s tale) can belch a song like him. Oh and there’s the slight issue Arial is the only Disney Princess who cannot walk, yet still gets her Prince Charming. We just do not get that.

We know women always tend to fall for the bad boys, but we know too well that Beast is just damn right rude! There’s obviously something about his brashness that Belle admired and we aren’t getting it. It took Beast to see the singing furniture and the affectionate dancing to make him realise that Belle is a decent human being!

Beauty and the Beast

The Little Mermaid

Cinderella

All the best that Disney has to offer from 50 years of history

SCENESubscribe at sceneonline.com January 2011 15SCENEJanuary 2011 15Subscribe at sceneonline.com

Of all the 49 evil characters in Disney, Cruella de Vil is definitely the most devilish. Wanting to skin 101 Dalmatian puppies for a fur coat? That’s worse than Snow White’s evil stepmother wanting her killed and her heart returned to her as proof.

Who’d have ever thought safari animals could make us break-down in tears. Surely children would not want to see heroic lions being killed by a scraggly scar faced creature? It also has a crazy monkey who barely utters a word without being in hysterics, and we didn’t think meercats would become so popular since this film! However our best moment is when Simba initiates his pride on the big slab of rock. It always makes our hairs stand on end.

Not even the reunited Nemo and Marlin can top this tear-jerking moment. There are no words to describe the impact of our emotions after we hear that gunshot and Bambi shouting out, “Mother! Mother!” alone in the woods.

One Hundred and One Dalmations

Bambi

Snow White and the Seven DwarfsIt’s the first Disney animation! We’d sing “whistle

while you work” everyday if we could summon woodland creatures to clean the place which we’ve left in a state! Her sweet voice and pale skin will never be forgotten, and we’ve never been able to look at a red apple the same way again.

The Lion King

Disney’s Birthday

This month we see the release of Disney’s 50th. Unlike the previous catalogue of cartoon dreams, Disney has upped their already successful game and put out a high price for their Golden Age, by combining the latest CGI & 3D technology with the classic hand-drawn animation we love. DreamWorks has a lot to top. First it was The Princess and the Frog and now it’s Tangled. The adaptation of Rapunzel isn’t your classic fairytale of Miss Damsel in Distress and Prince Charming saving the day; it’s a rework containing a modern twist of female empowerment and bad boy bandit.

Mother Gothel (Murphey) is a witch on one mission: to find a flower which possess energy of the sun and when used with the correct spell provides eternal youth (suppose it is cheaper than Botox). When she finds it, she is thrilled and keeps it hidden for her greedy self, as most evil characters typically do. The pregnant Queen of a far away kingdom falls fatally ill, the King who knows of the flower sends out his troops to search for it. Once found they cut it and it is given to the Queen who makes a miraculous recovery and gives birth to a baby girl with beautiful golden hair.

Catch Watch Mandy Moore, Zachery Levi and Donna Murphey star in Tangled this January 28th

Princess Rapunzel’s (Moore) hair is the source of the magic so Mother Gothel sneaks into the palace and cuts a lock of her hair which turns brown and the magic disappears. Desperate Mother Gothel steals Rapunzel and keeps her hidden away in a tower in the middle of nowhere, and no door, until she has grown up. What do you do with a teenager with 70 foot mane of hair? Tell her the world is a savage place and she must stay in the tower because mother knows best.

Full of curiosity about the outside world and a fascination of the floating stars on her birthday, Rapunzel is going to break the rules. But only with a little bit of help from a stranger who jumps through her window (Levi). Tangled is a breath of fresh hair full of wit and charm for the whole family to enjoy. It has everything you want; a lovable animal sidekick, a charming male lead and an evil wicked witch.

it Soon

Disney’s Birthday


HERO

ESEvery generation has a hero to be associated with,

and each generation that hero becomes more dark,

gritty and realistic to fit in with the modern day and

age. Now in 2011 we see the newest generation of

revamped heroes surf onto the silver screen, ready for

the next experience to be placed in front of our very

eyes. This year we see a first for big names; Captain

America, Green Lantern and Thor as we explore

their tales of battles and hardships. Additionally we

take a look at the new X-Men film and how it sits

with being a prequel. On top of that SCENE takes a

look into Joss Whedon’s world and tries to see what

makes him tick as we await his much anticipated

future film, The Avengers! Enjoy.

ing has chosen

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In Blackest Day, Martin Campbell and Ryan Reynolds is Green Lanterns’ light

Pull Out Quote, use font and pt size to suit piece. remember single

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SCENESubscribe at sceneonline.com January 2011

Cover

SCENESubscribe at sceneonline.com January 2011 21Subscribe at sceneonline.com

DC always comes out in top form, as the release of Green Lantern may knock Marvel off its film streak this year. Having directed top class action films, Edge of Darkness and Casino Royale, Martin Campbell returns with a big bang in this comic adaptation. Expect a lot of fast pace sequences and explosions.

With no previous films, Campbell directs on a blank canvas to create this interpretation of the most notable of Green Lantern’s, Hal Jordon (Reynolds). The film is a transition of modern age earth and a universe containing a small powerful brotherhood sworn to keep intergalactic order known as the Green Lantern Corps. Each protector wears a ring, which grants him superpowers, and in this case it’s in the hands of your modern-day cocky test pilot, who’s had his share of one-night stands and broken-hearted girls. Reynolds has had his taste in superhero films as the mercenary Deadpool in X-Men: Origins but has now become the leading role in this escapade. He builds on the characters determination and courage, yet adds dimension to the 2D character with a sense of humour, making the film light-hearted while still containing the element of dark edge.

No superhero will be complete without the protagonist’s love interest; Carol Ferris. Blake Lively plays a brilliant role as a fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart, as she helps Hal to find courage to overcome his fears. The Gossip Girl star matures away from that high school teen and portrays a feisty test pilot. With an excellent collection of other cast

members including Peter Sarsgaard and Mark Strong it completes this creation. Writer, Greg Berlanti moves away from ongoing series of Brothers and Sisters as well as newcomer superhero series No Ordinary Family and steps out of his zone for the light-hearted Green Lantern. Experience the intricate CGI Green Lantern suit and the Green Lantern Corps Universe along with an all-star cast with elaborate stunt scenes.

Each protector wears a ring, and in this

case it’s in the hands of your modern day

cocky test pilot

reen Lantern G

Cover

HistoryThe ring can shape

many things but it

is Green Lantern’s

history that shaped the ring...

forced to work with the greater heroes of the Earth including Batman and Superman, just to boost the Lantern’s reputation. And it would be, DC’s plan worked smoothly and his massive popularity continued to rise higher and higher.

Before long, the Green Lantern concreted himself into the hall of fame for superheroes, as he became one of the more popular choices for children and adults alike. Now 60 years on, the green warrior still dominates the top shelves of bookshops and comic stores, staggering steadily behind Batman and at times beating the amazing Superman. There is no doubt that a movie would be made and that time is thankfully now.

In 1940 the world entered a war that was to end all wars, and as it did DC Comics made a fictional Sci-Fi hero for the children of America to aspire to during the dark and very real times of good vs evil. The Green Lantern teamed up with the mighty Justice League and surprisingly rose to fame very rapidly. As much as we may wish, the Green Lantern didn’t start with the Justice League of America. He started as a lone hero chosen by alien police to defend Earth as well as the universe against oncoming storm of extraterrestrials. Little did he know that these threats were the very people he was working with to defend the universe. At the risk of sounding cheesy and falling out of the ridiculous-storyline-tree that DC occasionally climbs up, the Green Lantern was soon

The all powerful ring of the Lanterns

60 years on, the green warrior still dominates the top shelves of bookshops


Section Heading

reen Lantern

22

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SCENE January 2011

avier’s school returns:

Men:XClassFirst -

Travel to the 60s where X-Men began, and see \Charles and Erik’s love hate bromance rise

Standfirst must be bigger than pull out quotes

Upcoming


such as Sebastian (Kevin Bacon) and the alluring White Queen (January Jones) going for an all out war on human kind and mutants alike. The story of this prequel is more than a background check on the characters that we love and hold dear, it’s a dark capture of the true grit that lies forth, with excellent stunts and handsome CGI seen in the form of Hank (Nicolas Hoult) and Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence).

With firsthand experience in writing Thor, this isn’t new territory for Ashley Edward Miller in this field as well as enlisting Jane Goldman who previously worked with Vaughn in Kick-Ass, although the language not quite as brazen it still produces that fresh reality of unknown territory. We can’t wait to watch the mutants gallivanting in secrecy to save the world from Armageddon and see the truth unfold based on famous historical events, it’s clear that we’re in for a very X-Menish year and we just love it! X-Men: First Class is out in the UK July 2011 so we have a bit of a wait yet, but from what can be seen so far the wait will be well worth it. Bring on the summer and bring forth the mutant war!

This is more of a mutant Bond film compared to teen bop, X-Men: The Last Stand. Brett Ratner undoubtedly made a mess of that sequel that we want to boycott, but here First Class results in a sophisticated performance directed by Matthew Vaughn. Vaughn is no stranger in splicing superhero films after his notorious direction in Kick-Ass, and here he heads back to the birth of the comic franchise and creates a prequel to the first three films. Set during the early 60s, the film runs parallel to the Cuban missile crisis and the Civil Rights Movement with John F Kennedy as president.

Vaughn’s prequel works on the story behind the original comics and explores life before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took on the mantle of Professor X and Magneto. For the first time we see the two young men discovering their powers and the build up of them becoming archenemies, while also experiencing them being the closest of friends and working together with other mutants to stop the villainess Hellfire Club.

The soothing dialogue of Charles (James McAvoy) and the strident character of Erik (Michael Fassbender) both portray a poised rendition of their characters and really show the gritty rift of the two characters that eventually careens the eternal war of Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men. Future events aside the antagonists of the film, the Hellfire Club will really give the heroes a run for their money with villains

Upcoming

Men

X-Men continued to make history and has since inspired several TV shows

X

known heroes such as Batman and Spider-Man, demonstrating that even homosexuals and all races can be accepted as superheroes and stand along side everyone else. Following the success of the comics, the new Millennium saw birth of a new film franchise based on the popular series.

The films were a huge hit with fans and new audiences around the globe. With a star-studded cast and a solid plot the X-Men continued to make history and has since inspired several television shows, cartoons as well as all-age novels. Now several films and TV instalments later we sit here anticipating the new arrival of Hollywood blockbuster, will their success ever end? We think not.

September 1960 saw the start of a new team of heroes made freshly from the realms of Marvel and onto cartoon scripts that sold out worldwide. Its rapid popularity grew more than anyone could’ve thought, however the reason behind its success was far more dark and real than most comics of that time. As the age of hippies and liberal rebellion manifested in the real world, the fictional world of X-Men began a fight against racism and homophobia to reflect the parallel events that were occurring in the real world. Attempting to be the first comic book to deal with such controversial issues, the stories projected were about mutated humans who developed superpowers, and their fight to fit in with society. Soon enough the characters took a place in the world side by side with well

History

THEEvery mutant has its day

but it was 50 years ago

when that day shone

brighter than ever

Mutant power for Charles


Section Heading

the good captain into a possible victory against the Nazi’s. Evans is far from shy at fulfilling the hero duties as he previously played Fantastic Four member, the Human Torch during the 2005 and 2007 film series. Evans takes his hero role to a new level with this title, due to him playing a war hero overcoming the dark odds of social realism as opposed to a super villain with parallel powers.

David Self writes the script along with Joss Whedon so there is no doubt that the film itself will take the audience to a whole new level, and leave us waiting impatiently for the 2012 release of The Avengers.

CA

Chris Evans becomes the hero once more for Marvel comics as he unites America's mightiest heroes

APTAIN

Most superhero films that come out of the US are not as patriotic as this upcoming blockbuster, but there’s something to it that gives it that American appeal.

Captain America is the wholesome captain that defends the country against impending threats during WWII, prepared to be the ultimate solider to win the battle against Hitler and all opposing forces. We did have our worries at first when we heard they were making this into a big budget film, as the original Captain America flicks failed during the 90s, but it seems that the more news emerged the more excited we got. It appears that director, Joe Jonston has tweaked the hero flick just enough to introduce a fresh and exciting new approach that went unseen by the original 90s throw-back.

merica

Upcoming

Chris Evans is the new man in blue; the hero and the eye candy, setting an excellent example of heroism, as he stands well suited in the Marvel costume. The foundation for the film is based on the first set of comics released in the early 1940s but updated so not to exclude other nationalities as well as taking the focus of war out of the primary plot. While an average army cadet is tested to sustain inhuman strength and with the World War in the background, Hitler’s head of weaponry, the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) takes advantage of the recently turned super solider. He devices a plan to transfer the affects onto the Nazi leader himself. Joining Evans on his quest to save America from Hitler and new enemy the Red Skull, is film star Tommy Lee Jones who trains and commands

The captain greets his love interest


Section Heading

Upcoming


Thor, another adaptation directed by Kenneth Branagh since the memorable Shakespeare films, takes place in our current century but focuses on the mythological God of Thunder. Chris Hemsworth depicts the arrogant, slightly brash yet powerful warrior who is banished from the realms of Asgard, by his father Odin, (Anthony Hopkins) into our world. It also tells a story of saving the human race as well as his love interest Jane Foster, (Natalie Portman) from his evil step brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Based on the Marvel comics, Branagh’s movie promises to be similar stuff from our former editor – mixing similar themes (Thor is in a confused state when he lands on earth until he finds his hammer wielder - he turns into his alter ego) with expansive action and the fine detail to the world of Asgard.

Expect something fresh and diverse from the old master. The film boasts a fantastic cast, with the likes of Jeremy Renner, Ray Stevenson and Stellan Skarsgard all on board. While Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payn wrote the script who after Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, has form in this area. See the war of two worlds and just one fine defender for the humans on Earth, as only courage is immortal in this film.

The God ofhunder

horDirector Kenneth

Branagh creates a storm in this rendition of Thor

31

The ever-lasting argument between whether comic book film adaptations are actually better than the comic books is disputable and a matter

of opinion. But there is no doubt that some directors and production have released some shoddy pieces of work, and for that they only deserve a mentioning to put them to shame. However, some directors with style have got it spot on, and it is for that reason alone that they deserve the biggest appreciation. So SCENE is going back in time clearing out the closet of film history in comics; separating the good from the bad.

Lets take a look at the Spider-Man series for example. The comic books written by Stan Lee tell a story of a science geek, Peter Parker. Using the demand that younger people wanted a comic book character they could identify with, Lee

created the high school student with a string of adolescence insecurities, issues of rejection, inadequacy and loneliness. He was the ultimate comic book hero young people could relate to. The comics provide an in depth of character synopsis with a balance of Peter’s normal life and the complexities in his life that he finds himself facing. With the release of the first spidey movie in 2002 there was a back and forth of backlashing from both sides of the party. Spider-Man’s web shooter is most notably one of his more distinguishable traits. A way for Stan Lee to illustrate the scientific mastermind of Peter was to have him create a chemical compound that could stick to anything, and a wrist device so that a tap with his two fingers it could trigger the infamous webbing. This

only emphasised Peter’s virtuosity which a lot of the readers couldn’t actually associate with. However, director Raimi

decided that spidey

Comic books have always been seen as somewhat ‘geeky, but with the plethora of showy sequels, has been plummeted

into a world of short ideas and common blockbusters.

FilmsComicvs


Section HeadingComic vs Films

Films

SCENE

on screen obtained the webbing ability when going through the transition from a normal boy to unidentified superhero. The whole connotation behind Raimi’s idea was to demonstrate the representation of the change a teenager and their bodies go through when experiencing puberty. It’s these modifications from the original material that demonstrate a genuine interest from the director and writers. Thought with real meaning of reasoning whilst keeping the main plot of the story is what makes a great comic book film.

It’s Raimi’s interest in the Spider-Man comic series that really helps the film shine above the rest. He has taken the most important elements of the comic book plots and emphasised them bringing a series of the originals to life.

Frank Millers 1998 graphic novel, 300, regardless to popular belief was actually based on a sequence of true events that happened in 480 BC but the story itself was exaggerated slightly. Miller teamed up with Zack Snyder to adapt the novel to screen. The outcome of a film when the original writer works alongside the director adapting a classic will always be a brilliant result. And so every few years in cinema, a film comes along and exemplifies the definition of classic, this comic-to-screen conversion does just that.

The visuals in the comic were extremely attentive on even the intricate of details from the detail of the skies in every panel to the shading and colouring. But the film made each scene simply stunning by making the already amazing artwork into a real life work of moving art. Both the novel and the film deserve a high approval and it is nice to finally see an adaption from a comic where the director didn’t put too much of his own ‘spin’ on things. More directors should take note.

We could spend all day delving into the dark and, sometimes childishly comical, shadows of the Batman’s history in film and comic, but we’d be here all day and there’s a strict word count. So let’s cut straight to the chase. We all know 1997s Batman and Robin, was an all round poor excuse for a film, directed by Joel Schumacher who had previously created the nearly watchable Batman Forever.

Trailing after Burton’s dark and moody outset Schumacher had no difficulties in allowing the francise spiral down the gutter. Batman and Robin is notably famous for its overblown scripting, camp gags, terrible miscasting – someone teach Uma Thurman what sensuality is, and not to mention the hideously camp Bat costume. The Batnipples, as infamous as they are were probably the most offensive element of the film, and that’s saying something. Unfortunately for a lot of Bat fans, Schumacher killed Batman. But in 2005 Batman was saved and revived. Batman Begins marked a new start for the Bat. While the last films were a laughable flop Christopher Nolan rediscovered the true Batman, which the comic book fans know and love. It introduced the audience to Bruce Wayne, exploring deeper into his life, his ironic fear of bats and the death of his parents which consequently leads him well on his way to becoming the dark vigilante we all know.

However, it is no doubt that Batman Begins isn’t necessarily the best comic book movie ever made. But it is not just a comic book film, compared to former films where they were merely just ‘comic-book come to life’. No, with Nolan and writer David Goyer, they created a film with depth and purpose, a great flick that happens to be based on a comic.

So the argument: are comic book films better than the comics, is an argument that will never be justified with a definite answer as such. But ultimately what makes a comic book film is how in depth and thoughtfully scripted the storyline is and how the director depicts those characters.


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SCENE January 2011


Section HeadingWriters Profile

He has been named a God, a mastermind, and a genius, most worryingly he is famous for his love of death - TV deaths that is. Joss Whedon is a cult hero almost like Superman, without the flexible muscles and duo personality, he knows just what his audience wants and he serves it to them on a silver platter where you can’t help but go back for seconds, thirds and fourths!

Joss worked hard to gain his geek God status in a society where comic loving nerds are tormented in the hot depths of hell (in other words, school). His first idea was to simply present the horrifying and painful experience of what school was like for him and others alike.

So, he made a show about a girl who fought demons and vampires in her highschool, ironically situated directly above hell. Now if that isn’t saying something about the American education system then I don’t know what is. The show in question is Buffy the


Vampire Slayer, which turned out to be quite a disappointment and was never heard of again – and as you read this, pigs are flying above your very head. The show was huge and changed the way American dramas were performed, written and portrayed, as well as Joss’s life.

Soon after Buffy’s demise (and resurrection) from our screens Joss went on to write many half-life shows, which were cancelled too early for the fans liking. Despite each show becoming a cult hit, Joss, himself was falling far from grace from his once high status. Just like his beloved heroine he crawled out from the grave and stumbled across a nice little Hollywood blockbuster based on a collection of Marvel comic heroes, The Avengers. A perfect title

for Joss, a man who has spent half of his life reading and writing comic books.

Apart from comic book films and TV series Buffy, Joss has directed a number of shows from Glee to the American version of The Office, his half-life shows, despite being on the air for only a year or two, have gone down in cult classic history.

TheWriters Corner

Joss

WhedonThe guy who gave us

Buffy promises one hell of a motion picture in 2012

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SCENE January 2011

Rising Star


He starred in the award winning Social Network, now he’s taken on

Peter Parker’s role ...

This year we had a taste of British actor Andrew Garfield in The Social Network starring as co-founder of Facebook and best friend of Mark Zuckerberg. Having won his first BAFTA for lead role in Boy A, will history repeat itself for this promising young star as he lives up to be Spider-Man? Grown up in England, 28 year old Andrew is an American-British actor. Having moved to England at only three he became one of us. Living in a middle class family, Garfield attended the Central School of Speech and Drama then went onto join a drama work class in Epsom, it was here his career took off. He took part in the Kes production at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre then played Romeo in Romeo and Juliette the year after. For this performance he won the outstanding newcomer award at the Evening Standard Theatre awards.

Off the stage and onto screen, Garfield has had his fair share of appearances in British dramas and films. He made his TV debut in 2005 appearing on Channel 4’s Sugar Rush, you may not recall seeing him due to the distracting action but he still made it past the lesbian faze. He was also lucky enough

to play a minor role in Lions for Lambs alongside Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise. The minors fizzled in British drama and Andrew went on to star as Jack Durridge in an adaptation of the novel Boy A. Here he depicts a newly released young ex-con, upon serving a murder sentence he committed as a child. The story holds so many similarities with the controversial James Patrick Bulger case giving the young actor a very difficult role to live up to. Garfield encapsulates the audience with his endearing performance eventually leading to sympathy for the character. This BAFTA award winning performance opened up the hall to Hollywood for the rising star.

Garfield then went onto join an all star cast in The Imaginariam of Doctor Parnassus, with Heath Ledger, Terry Gilliam and Lily Cole. Playing his hand at magic it wasn’t the best role for this potential star.


He went on to play leading male role, Tommy, in Never Let Me Go with Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightly. Set in the 1970’s, the love triangle and Sci-Fi ensemble of clones creates a different level to Garfield’s adaptability to roles. The exquisitely written film won Garfield another best actor award in the British Film Awards. Now an established actor, Garfield landed the part of Eduardo Saverin last year to depict the true story of the making of Facebook, starring alongside newcomer, Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network. Here, Andrew portrays the happy go lucky best friend who helped grounded Facebook as well as fight for their rights to the biggest social network name in history. This multiple award winning film hit the spot in all box offices and more importantly all audiences! As the superhero craze rises Garfield has landed a rightful spot in Hollywood just in time to take on the reboot of the Spider-Man franchise, being released in 2012. Directed by Marc Webb, who previously worked on cult film, (500) Days of Summer, we are expecting a more mature and darker take on this charter. Having eligible performances in Boy A and Never Let Me Go we are assuming a more emotional Peter Parker to seep through the elastic of the infamous suit. He will star alongside Emma Stone playing his love interest, Gwen Stacey –another new actress on the scene. Expect some grit and real emotions in this rendition from this promising new star.

Rising Star

Never Let Me Go looks as serious as a puddle bath

Talk the talk, walk the walk

Andrew Garfield is cropping up everywhere

S E R O E

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Many heroes make it big in Hollywood, but what about the ones that have yet to gain a

place on the silver screen?

Not defeating the point of being a superhero;

the main focus is that every crusader needs a great power otherwise they’re just

a man in a cape and mask, and that’s just weird. But when superheroes were handed their

power abilities Ant-Man grabbed the short straw: his ability? Shrink, grow, and control ants. I don’t know about you but that is a

film waiting to bore. Although it would make a very amusing parody

of the superhero craze.

Ant-Man

S

Forgotten Heroes


It has been a year since the rumour that the “Masters

of the Universe” script is in the works for a rewrite. But perhaps it’s not

such a bad thing that it’s only another film doomed forever ‘in development’.

Although He-Man could work well as a film it has been seen many times within

the industry in the forms of Clash of the Titans, Hercules and many more

films with a similar nature.

He-Man

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A martial artist superhero combined; can this guy get any cooler? Iron Fist is a master of martial

arts, a legendary unarmed fighter, who possesses the ability of the iron fist that allows Iron Fist to control chi energy, intensifying all of his natural abilities.

Iron Fist has all the potential to make a unique action superhero film, if done

fittingly. The visuals would be outstanding, and with such an in depth story it

will be interesting to see how he’ll be introduced.

Iron Fist

He is everyone’s favourite blue-skinned and green-mullet-

haired superhero, but for that fact only. A combination of his five Planeteer’s: earth,

fire, wind, water and heart. Back in the 1990s the character was made in to an animated TV series, for anyone who doesn’t remember, you can imagine how garish and comically

tacky that was. So a film about an environmental safety superhero

is surely to be a big flop.

Captain Planet

He certainly is a strange

oddity. Superhero sorcerer, where did Marvel get that idea?With his appeal in the dark arts and

magical realm the storyline of the diverse character could be taken anywhere. With all the rise of the wizardry world in film, boosted by the Harry Potter mania over the last

10 years, Marvel could easily capture that market to their advantage.

Dr Strange

Despite tthe recent talks of a film, we’re still waiting. So he doesn’t

have the same recognition as Spider-Man nor Iron Man has, but he is one of Marvel’s

most interesting characters. With his element of dark mystery and such a rich, in depth character it would make a seriously kick arse superhero film. Bearing a similarity to dark vigilante Batman, except with his own

military. It would be a shame and a downright mistake if he didn’t

get his own film too.

Black Panther1 2

4

6

We’ve seen it in The Incredibles, X-Men and Heroes. It can only be the power that everyone wishes they had, the power of all powers – the ability to control objects and people with our minds. With this power the holder would be unstoppable with the ability to manipulate the minds of many, create force shields and be more successful than Simon Cowell.Sadly, with such great power comes a great downfall. You would always run the risk of going power mad and becoming your own worse enemy, getting caught up in your own lies and manipulations and in the end driving yourself insane – only a small price to pay for the powers of a lifetime.

Everyone has wondered at some point what it’s like to have superpowers . . .

January 2011

SuperPowers

Psychic Power

Living With

Ever wondered what it’s like to have superpowers? Of course you have, you’d be an insane person not to. Whether you like them or not we have all grown up surrounded by heroes, from the teen heroes; The Power Rangers to the sickly slick Superman. They have all had an impact on our lives and changed the way that we dream. There are so many questions that feed our imagination when it comes to superpowers that we’ve felt the need to do a little research by listing all the best ones (and most realistic) along with their pros and cons – Yes, we do take our job very seriously at SCENE.

Psychic power would just be mind-blowing ...

We say laser eyes loosely because what we really mean is the ability to use a part of your body to stun, harm or immobilise someone, we’re talking about Cyclops’ eye blasts, Superman’s frost breath or Spider-Man’s webbing. Having powers like this would be extraordinary and would enable you to become a prime offence type of hero or villain. Some of these powers could be considered cool but we’d feel sorry for whoever got left with the power to grow your own fingernails to an inhuman length.

Laser Eyes

SuperpowersWithMorphing

47January 2011 SCENESubscribe at sceneonline.com

Having the ability to actually change into whatever or whoever you want. Oh the amount of fun we could cause! This power would be great for a sneaky withdrawal from someone else’s bank account, obviously someone you didn’t like! The cons of these powers are that apart from the odd prank there isn’t much to do with them in terms of heroic acts. You can’t really use this power to stop bullets or to help out in hand-to-hand combat but then maybe it all depends on how smart you are with the transformations.

Mystique enjoys her morphing power to kill and thrill...

Super speed, it’s a pretty cool power to have. Within minutes all the jobs that you dread doing are done and dusted, with only one minute having passed – amazing! However, there’s always a downside. Exercise leaves you pretty fatigued so we’d imagine super speed would leave you feeling very weak and drained, and God knows what that will do to your body! Although taking a wild guess we say that you’ll more than likely lose a stone an hour – bring on the pigging out!

Super Speed

Super StrengthThis is the big one. It’s the mother of all

powers that all favourite superheroes on our screens and comic books possess; Spider-Man, Superman, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor and Wonder Woman all have this ability and use it everyday of their heroic lives. Most people would love to have this power; those daily chores would be the thing of a past, and nobody would dare attack you. We racked our minds to think of cons for this power but to be quite honest; it leaves our overactive imagination quite blank. It can inflate your ego a bit but apart from that there isn’t much else.

Hancock shows off his strength!

Speed always comes in handy

2012Heroes of

Iron man 3

Iron Man 3 promises to be bigger and better than its predecessors, but then again we’ve heard that before. Nonetheless the third film in the story will open up avenues and venture down roads that will lead to the all mighty Avengers film. With that said it will be no surprise that Tony Stark will learn how to work in a team and prepare himself for the superhero squad.

Dark knight rises

May 2012

Spider--man

The end is nigh with 2012

approaching, so it makes

perfect sense for the year

to be full of superheroes!

Spider-Man the amazing, web-swinging hero that reboots onto the big screen mid next year. With an all new cast and an all new story line to go by this film looks like it’s going to be one spectacular remake. The writers were thinking of making Spider-Man 4, however after the success of The Dark Knight it was confirmed that a new Spider-Man was needed to match its rivals and become just as dark and gritty as them, dropping it’s comic fan boy tone and entering the real world of America.

June 2012

Superman

2012 Heroes

Dark knight rises

After the great success of the first two films, the third sees new villains, new advances and new weaponry. Said to be to the last in the new series of films, Bruce Wayne finally rebuilds his Batcave, after its destruction in the first film, and remerges into the great, dark and wonderful hero that we all know. The villains have been confirmed to be Bane, the Riddler and some dark demons from the tragic hero’s past. With Christopher Nolen directing again it would seem that we are set for another great film, even without the likes of the Joker.

With all the comic book refrences, hero

dialouge and fast pace action it was with no

doubt that a second film would be made and

here we are with a second film on it’s way and

many fans waiting in suspense. Plots are yet to be

exposed but one thing is for sure, Red Mist will

get his revenge.

May 2012

June 2012

The Avengers

Kick-ass 2

Spider--man

The Avengers, Earth’s mightiest heroes? Maybe not when you include the Justice League of America but they’re a close second. With Joss Whedon’s script promising to be ‘absolutely amazing’ we should expect the greatest film that has ever been made, given Whedon’s reputation. High hopes are leaning on this film and with such a strong cast, and now writers and directors, it looks like it will deliver above all promises. The villains are unknown at this time and the story seems to be kept tightly sealed so not to ruin anything for the fans this is the one film that everyone is waiting for.

July 2012

We’ve cheated a bit here by showing you a

film from 2013 but it’s a film that everyone is

waiting for (after The Avengers). Superman is

back and this time it looks like the old 2006 film,

Superman Returns will be completely eradicated

off the radar. Thank God!

June 2013Superman

49January 2011 SCENE

REG


LARSA New Year usually means new seasons of

our much-loved shows. Nowadays many of

the shows that we love and invest so much

time in get cancelled before we even have

a chance to be drawn into the conclusions

of the developing story arcs. This is why

we have been dedicated to finding out the

world’s most missed shows and why they

shouldn’t have been taken off the air. We

also have an interview with upcoming

Sci-Fi star, and Doctor Who companion,

Arthur Darvill on his views of time and space.

U


Blockbuster films? We believe these adaptations would’ve worked better on our TV

SIeriesssues


Series Issues

Its taken seven years for this masterpiece to finally tie lose ends in a two hour and 30 minute epic ending this July, which we couldn’t be more upset about. However if a bright producer thought to create seven seasons holding 12 episodes each we may have got the whole package from the legendary books. Although the first four films weren’t the most difficult to understand, it would have been nice for us Harry P buffs to see the finer details instead of getting the quick brush off to get the film over with! Where was Dobby in the Fourth instalment?! The films offer that dark epic quality and slight comical scenes if we’re

lucky, the balance of this could be brought forward into a TV series at a decent pace. It wasn’t until the final film - or should we say two part finale – that producers realised they couldn’t give a quick sweep to the legendary story. With each chapter ending on a cliff hanger, we’d have been happy to wait once a week for the next episode as opposed to that year and a half gap. Though, we’d still be waiting that long for the next series. It’s not as if the films were that bad.

Harrypotter

Things look dark for Harry and friends

-MenXThe first film set the climax. The sequel

defined the X-Men. The third was a deplorable mess. And for that, the X-Men film series would’ve made brilliant television. The first film was a brilliant depiction of what the mutant’s world was about, from the heroes to opinionated differences between rivals Xavier and Magneto. If made into a series it would’ve been great adaptations to the comic stories and would’ve allowed that insight into each character and their purpose which the three films only managed to do with Wolverine. Surely there was more depth to the other characters as much as Logan interests us. Coming out with a new angle this year to clear up their embarrassment, the prequel should be quite interesting and may just prove the trilogy wouldn’t have been better off as a TV series.

The Twilight Saga is a hit and miss for fantasy romance fans. As good as the novels are the films don’t quite cut it. The acting – a bit dry, the characters – a bit dry again. So we suggest scrap the films (and Kirsten Stewart) and bring in a seven season television series! With hardly enough action for a blockbuster hit, the series would allow insight to each character giving them the opportunity to express themselves and narrate their point of view as they did in the novel. Action can be spared out evenly where needs be as opposed to it being dumped somewhere to make the film more thrilling. After all, this is no superhero plot and merely about forbidden love; so far the films have done well considering the storyline.

wilightT

Heroes unite as evil rises

Love with a twist, and a bite


TShemurfs

The classic 15 minute episode Smurfs animation has ended, and now the film is being released in August using CGI animation! As the film goes, the little blue creatures are set to be taken out of their middle aged woodland and put through a portal into present day New York. Sounds a bit like Enchanted? Obviously we can’t slate the film without having a sequel but the idea of them trying to get back to their world will always be a fail-safe to their name in case it all goes wrong! The animations will always be nostalgia of our childhood and it would be great to see this develop using the same CGI in the TV series! Although we may have grown out of it who’s to say we won’t watch an episode or two, or three.

Series Issues

The blue invasion of the Smurfs

Inside the TardisWe open the doors to the Tardis and step

inside for a nice unique chat with time traveller and space explorer,

Arthur Darvill


Interview

For Arthur Darvill accepting the role as the lesser time travelling companion was a no brainer. “I did it because it’s Who and well it’s Who!” says the plucky 28-year old actor who plays finical Rory Williams on Doctor Who. “The one thing I wanted to do was to be a part of Doctor Who in some way or another, but I never thought of myself being a central character and being a part of the story arc for two years now.”

English born, Cardiff based Arthur is that extra companion in the Who universe who is the companion to the companion. Throughout the 49 years of Doctor Who there has always been that extra tag along and it was probably put best when previous extra companion Mikey Smith called himself the new tin dog. However Rory Williams is more than the tin dog as he explains. “This season Rory stands up to the Doctor more, something which no one has ever bothered to do but it’s his love for Amy that makes him challenge the Doctor. He isn’t just a nodding tin dog.” Arthur is as caring in the flesh as he is in the show. We meet in the BBC studios down at White City, where he’s clearly been working hard on set of the new episodes due to air later in the year. “This season Steven Mofit has decided to cut the show into two parts. The first seven episodes are to be seen in April and May, with the last seven episodes airing in late August. It’s a brave step but trust me, it’s worth it because this year is going to be huge! It’s a lot darker, scarier and sexier.” He’s hoping that the producers rise the bar on Rory’s storylines this year to keep up with the rest of the show. “With this new vibe that the show is going for it does risk alienating the old viewer but we’re sure that it sill has the same appeal. Rory is learning more about himself this season, he becomes stronger and more independent, a bit like Amy but he still provides the voice of reason for the trio.”

The real Arthur is, he tells me, more like Amy than anyone else. “Im always up for new things and new adventure. I hate the

quiet life, which is quite the opposite to Rory who just wants to settle down with his new wife and have this quiet, peaceful life.” We wondered whether Arthur was friskier in real life like his on screen co-star Karen Gillan. “Well I’m not as nervous around girls as I imagine Rory to be, but I’m still quite shy around them. Not like Karen, she just goes for it. She hunts the men down, we all fear her.” Arthur’s sense of humour hasn’t seemed to cease in the hot London sun, despite sweating from his previous take on an episode. “The episode we’ve just been filming is great, it’s for August and it won’t disappoint. The last episode of the May run will end on a cliff-hanger, and us being mean will make you wait a few months to get some answers. But these answers, they’re worth waiting for.”

Waiting is what we will have to do indeed as Doctor Who returns to our screens this Easter, why does it feel so far away?

This year is going to be huge! It’s a lot darker, scarier and sexier

The Doctor and his timeless companions

Flashforward sees the whole world experience a blackout for two minutes and 17 seconds that left us all reeling for more. The characters Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) and Demetri Noh (John Cho) grabbed a glimpse of months into the future giving them a helpful chancing hindsight to change destiny. Shame they couldn’t foresee the shows cancellation. Ratings dropped since the pilot even introducing psychic, Simon Campos (Dominic Monaghan) didn’t increase its not-so-popular-popularity. Just as it found its direction and left us on an epic season finale, ABC swiped it from under our noses – we will never forgive them.

Rt h

eeparted

esurrect

Some TV shows really shouldn’t be cancelled...

Dollhouse

In an age where TV shows come and go faster than Michelle Ryan’s Hollywood career it’s to no surprise that more and more fans are left utterly disappointed and heartbroken due to the unresolved plots that lay for dead somewhere a million miles away in the depths of space (at least they might as well be).

The latest upon the list of the dead are Medium, The Whole Truth and 10 Things I Hate About You. Although, not exactly breakaway pop hits they do have a cult fan base that are probably mourning the loss as you read this (or have just found out and are now breaking into tears – sorry). But enough of the here and now what

about the cancelled shows that have been forgotten about over the years?

Joss Whedon’s TV series; Dollhouse was a brilliant Sci-Fi series based on the life, or many lives, of Echo (Eliza Dushku). The name is pretty self explanatory; a successful corporation who hire out human beings to wealthy clients for different scenarios i.e. a romantic interlude. The ‘dolls’

have their original memories wiped and is intersected with a chosen persona. The show lasted a mere two seasons due to its competition – Ghost Whisperer. Dollhouse was prepared for this downfall and ended their season finale with a

glimpse of the future to wrap it up nicely.

FlashForward

eparted


The Recent Rant

Tru CallingOne show that many may not remember is Tru Calling. Lasting one and a half

years the show focused around Tru, (Eliza Dushku) whose life is turned after she is forced to keep reliving certain days to save a citizens life. Grabbing you yet? No it

didn’t grab the audience either. The decision to cancel was made just as the second series launched, ending on perhaps one of the biggest cliff-hangers in Sci-Fi TV,

seven years on and we’re still waiting for a conclusion.

Another show we are sad to see leave is Ghost Whisperer. It reined Living TV for five years until it was cut in May 2010. A female protagonist, Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love-Hewitt) has her life taken over by the ability of mediumship. Each time a spirit comes to Melinda she feels obliged to help them crossover in the light. However, it isn’t as easy as said. Not only meddling in other people’s lives, but

also tackling with her marriage, and raising a child. Ratings dropped by season three, so naturally killing her husband

and having his soul transfer into someone else’s body was the solution. Sadly, it was cut short with some loose end plots still hanging.

Ghost Whisperer

With a successful three seasons and high profile cameos, the Ugly Betty producers were desperate to keep its ratings high.

However, just like many of its televised allies it was decided that season four would see its finale. We follow the life of bubbly yet somewhat naïve, Betty Suarez (America Ferrera). Living in the fashion-conscious Big Apple, Betty – not so much a fashion icon works for the materialistic high profiled glossy magazine, Mode. Nearing to the

end, producers decided to turn Betty into a model of physical beauty, a built up anti–climax over the four years of which viewers couldn’t be happier about. Nonetheless, without a doubt viewers would have rather kept the old Betty and a few more seasons!

Ugly Betty

REV


IEWSEvery issue we look at all the recent films

that will be hitting our silver screens shortly, reviewing the good from the bad and the ones in-between. This month we look at: the devilishly, dark and sensual Black Swan. An unusual approach to Sci-Fi flick with comedy, Paul, and many more. We also take a look at what will be popping up on our box over the next coming month and the ones to watch out for.

The Green Hornet

Negligent socialite, Britt Reid, is a walking disappointment to his father (Tom Wilkinson) a well-respected media magnate of Los Angeles. After his father’s sudden death he still is happy to lead directionless life of reckless partying. Finding a striking interest of repugnance for his father with mechanic and martial arts skilled Kato (Chou), teaming up together as The Green Hornet. Fighting crime throughout the city of LA protecting the law by breaking it, but how will big-shot crime boss Chudnofsky take to the crime fighters?

When it was announced that loveable buffoon Seth Rogen would be trailing the tracks of the superhero bandwagon, and putting his spin on the story of The Green Hornet, there was a lead of anticipation. This anticipation was quickly followed by disappointment. The film is mediocre at best; the sporadically entertaining one-liners are a dissatisfaction to Rogen’s notable style of profanity banter and snappy wit, this film watches that approach slowly wear thin. It

has to be said director, Michel Gondry - best known for his particular visual style – has directed better films. At times his skittish style is able to catch a glimpse – a sped up shot of Reid on a snogging tour of serious stylish cars of his fathers; and an unusual split screen, yet visually stunning collection of the escalation of army against The Green Hornet.

But for the rest of the film it may as well have been directed by anyone, as lifeless scenes become too much of a habit. As much as Rogen, Chou, Diaz and Waltz attempt to bring their characters to life they stay seemingly dull, amongst non-existent chemistry between eachother. It’s hard to

Release: 14th January Certtificate: 12ACast: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz.Directed: Michel Gondry Genre: Comedy, Action

Released: 4th FebruaryCertificate: 15 Cast: Leighton Meester, Minka KellyDirector(s): Christian E. ChristiansenGenre: Thriller

The Roommate

Deranged college student, Rebecca (Meester), comes across as a normal enough girl looking forward to experiencing the world of independence, away from home. But becomes obsessed with her new roommate, Sara (Kelly) as you do. Rebecca will stop at nothing to keep Sara all to herself.

shake the sense of Hollywood stars cashing in on the superhero craze that doesn’t quite suit them, and attempting but never entirely making it their own.

On this last note; The Green Hornet should serve as the last nail in the coffin before Rogen rethinks his entire approach to comedy. With a combination of Gondry and Rogen it held such potential but failing to hit the heights. Depending on your levels of tolerance for comedian Seth Rogen, you’ll either enjoy this or really hate it. All the same, it’s a film not to be taken too seriously, and at times enjoyable to watch.

Always sleep with one eye open

Put your hands up, we’ve got you covered!


Film Reviews

Just Go With It

A plastic surgeon, Danny finds that his broken heart and marriage ring leads to bedding a bunch of beauties. One in particular, Palmer (Decker), catches his love strings until she discovers his seedy secret. With the help of his assistant, Katherine (Aniston), will he get the girl?

It seems that predictability is a theme that runs constantly through Sandler movies and Just Go With It is no exception to that matter. Upon spending the night on a beautiful sandbank with stunner, Palmer, all goes well until she finds his ring, which is where the arrangement of predictability comes into it. He enlists loyal Katherine to help him to get them together. Should be easy enough, right? But there’s two hours of film reel to fill so bring forth a long ridden story of contriving annoyance.

However, the likeability of the characters is what makes this film so enjoyable. Jennifer Aniston has been in some unerring awful films over the last few years, which have not been in her favour for her career. But with this she gives it all her enthusiasm, subsequently she earns a few chuckles playing glamorous and quick-witted surgeons fake-wife. Even Katherine’s young daughter, Maggie (Bailee Madison)

earns herself some comical points, with material such as staging a British accent, which was strangely funnier than it should’ve been.

So, it isn’t a comedy classic and the certainty that the film is predictable is predictable in itself. But the simplicity of it is what makes it surprisingly enjoyable.

Release:11th FebruaryCertificate: 12ACast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, and Brooklyn Decker. Directed: Dennis DuganGenre: Comedy, Romance

The storyline bears a ridiculous amount of resemblance to 1992s Single White Female it’s unreal.

Following two young females - who bear a striking similar appearance, move in together and when it seems they are going to be the best of friends, Rebecca – a wealthy girl from Iowa, shows her true creepy self. She feels she is being a true friend by warning off anyone who she thinks will take Sara away. Even, staying up all night because she can’t bear Sara being out all night having fun without her. But it gets creepier, if not a little cringe worthy, when she begins to target her obsession Sara’s friends, lovers and even lecturers.

Meester is well known for her manipulative character, Blair Waldorf in US hit Gossip Girl and this film only proves too well that she can play a creepily unhinged character, which is a major step-up even from her bitchy character, Blair. With Meester’s overpowering performance the other characters seem to be simply just there. Kelly is more solely eye-candy, along with her on-screen boyfriend, Stephen (Cam Gigandet) who considers that if he keeps on smirking it’ll be recognised as acting.

A psychological thriller that is about as thrilling as watching paint dry. Incredibly predictable but it gets plus points for being easy on the eye.

That watching feeling?

An awkward moment for the girls

Black Swan

Nina (Portman) is a 20-year old dancer living in New York City with her controlling ex-ballerina mother (Hershey). Leading a life consumed by ballet, she finds herself filled with concern over new arrival Lily (Kunis) at the company. Urged by her director Thomas (Cassel) he encourages her to delve into her darker self, losing control over what was once so straightforward, Nina is slowly pushed to caving point. Aronofsky’s Black Swan is fantastically unhinged, with a great sense of tension build up and at times uncomfortably sensual. A remarkable combination that keeps you hooked to the screen.

Aronofsky captures every topic of the film and displays

Released: 21st JanuaryCertificate: 15 Cast:Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Winona Ryder.Director(s): Darren AronofskyGenre: Psycho-drama

Two nerdy Sci-Fi best friends Graeme (Pegg) and Clive, (Frost) go on a trip of a lifetime – road tripping around America. Forming an unexpected friendship with alien Paul, (voice of Rogan) who is being hunted down by the government. Graeme and Clive are on a massive geek of a mission.

Not quite reaching the heights of Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz but still light-heartedly funny, nonetheless. The chemistry between the two parody-masters is undeniable as always, their real life close friendship shines through all their acting making it seem so easy to from that on-spark. There is something quite enjoyable about watching the pair play up on screen but there is still that feeling they didn’t kick the potential out of this film. Instead they both have formed two loveable buffoon characters, making it hard for us reject their usual love-hate relationship that makes them funny. When Paul does emerge he immediately injects energy into the film and moves the focus away from the main characters for a few

moments. And for once, Rogan’s voice isn’t annoying but instead entertaining, confirming he can still make people laugh. Paul’s crude and rude manners may offend some people, but then again they wouldn’t be watching it, what else do you expect from a Pegg, Frost and Rogan film? But underneath the profanity is a adorable character you cant help but love.

The plot, as tongue-in-cheek as it is delves lightly into topics of the existent - or none existence - of religion. As Paul shows the strictly brought-up Christian, Ruth Buggs (Kristen Wiig) irrefutable evidence that God does not exist. Screenplay written by Pegg and Frost, demonstrate a side to them that we haven’t seen before proving not to take people at face value. Shrewdly cheeky, amusing and entertaining - a light comedy for the unashamed geeks.

them brilliantly. From fear of sexual realisation, the strive for perfection, and more clearly a love of dance-turned-obsession. All displayed strikingly with the well casted ensemble of actors and actresses. The melo-drama has pushed and tested Portman’s acting abilities and thus to say it may have just progressed her career out of the ugly duckling stage. Playing a big part in one of 2011s sure cinematic piece is certainly going to push her up the ladder for more roles alike. Black Swan is fully and sensually enjoyable to watch, there is such a fascination achieved in watching Portman slowly submit to the madness. It is compelling, thoroughly insane and often surprisingly scary.

PaulReleased: 18th FebruaryCertificate: 15 Cast:Simon Pegg, Seth Rogan, Nick Frost and Sigourney Weaver.Director(s): Greg MotollaGenre: Comedy

Weird, twisted yet wonderful

Always wanted an alien friend?


TV Reviews

If there is anyone in the world who is master at portraying old time New York gangsters, it’s director Martin Scorsese. This new complex TV series based in the 1920s Big Apple is Scorsese’s first big TV directorial since 1986s Amazing Stories. The first episode set to blow up our screens beginning of February is set to be the next Sopranos.

Strutting forth is charming and ruthless hard-man, Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson, a man with stride and high-respect from the community. As the plot thickens we learn that not everyone has the same amount of respect for him, and want him taken down.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

The taboo-subject TV show, The Big C focuses on a middle-age woman, Cathy who has been diagnosed of terminal cancer. Quite a controversial and unusual plot for a comedy program but with a careful approach appears to work.

The first episode ‘Pilot’, Cathy keeps the devastating news to herself and her oncologist, Dr Todd and with the intent of living her life to the full length of the show is actually cleverly funny. Throwing her immature husband out and in the moment orders a swimming pool to be built in the garden of her home all with the purpose to teach her young son how to swim and dive. Using such a topic such as cancer is risky but with the dark comedy twist and tear-jerking moments it approaches a new way of looking at death. It shouldn’t work, but it just does.

THE BIG C

Glee

See it on: Channel 4, 3rd February

See it on: Sky Atlantic, 1st February

See it on: Channel 4, 10th January

TV eviewsR

The school musical is returning back to our screens with first episode Audition of the second season. Regardless of the hard work the Glee clubbers have overcome during season one, there are still high struggles of making it in the social hierarchy of the school, and accepting that they still remain the outcasts.

But it seems that the writers are struggling producing new plots for the characters, which are beginning to become a little repetitive. If the TV show wants to stay in the popular stakes it is going to have refresh their whole plotlines and begin introducing new and gripping characters, unless you watch it just for the songs and dance routines.

So you think you can dance?

Time’s ticking away for Cathy

Serious times for New York

ontributorsCTwentieth Century FoxX-Men: First Class, (20-22, 49) Wolverine, Black Swan (64)

BBCDoctor Who (56 – 57)

Channel FiveFlashforward (58) Sony Pictures Home Entertainment The Green Hornet (62)

Universal Paul (62)

Warner Bros Press OfficeHarry Potter (), The Green Lantern (24 – 26) PicselectBatman (33), 300 (32), Spiderman (33, 36 – 38), Just Go With It (63), The Green Hornet (49), Batman (33), 300 (32), Ghost whisperer (58-59), Dollhouse (59) and Tru calling (59)

Image.netCaptain America (28), Tangled, The King’s Speech (11) and Thor (30)

Disney Enterprises Images used: Tangled & other Disney stills(12 – 16)

Channel 4 Press OfficeUgly Betty (59)

MarvelComic book characters- Dr. Strange, Ant-Man, Black Pan-ther and Iron Fist (all 46)

MattelHe-man (46)

Captain Planet FoundationCaptain Planet (46)

Iamge Stoking: SXC

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