In Contention

Tag: Comic-Con

  • COMIC-CON: ‘Scott Pilgrim’ preaches to an enthusiastic choir

    Perhaps the most ubiquitous presence at Comic-Con this year has been Universal’s “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” The film held a traditional panel Thursday evening, was screened three times to audiences including the public, was fully visible with a massive ad on the north side of the Hilton Bayfront and took over the Hilton Gaslamp with “The Scott Pilgrim Experience,” a smörgåsbord of marketing mojo fit with T-shirt printing, video game test drives and autograph sessions.

    I saw the film at the first screening Thursday.  Following the Hall H panel, director Edgar Wright led the march from the convention center through downtown San Diego as a hundred or so lucky fans got the chance to partake in the event at the Balboa Theatre.

    Inside, Dan the Automator and Kid Koala were filling everyone’s eardrums with funky beats as the crowd filed in.  It was interesting to note that many didn’t even seem to realize they were witnessing a show people would pay good money to see, assuming it was just another DJ set or something.  Hardly.

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  • COMIC-CON: ‘Let Me In’ trailer

    I’m back from San Diego and will wrap things up throughout the afternoon, but this trailer for “Let Me In” hit during the convention and it goes a long way toward explaining my new-found excitement over the remake.  Head on over to MTV by clicking the image below or check out the embed (and yet another poster) on the jump.

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  • COMIC-CON: Universal brings ‘Paul’ and ‘Cowboys & Aliens,’ oh my

    With its “Scott Pilgrim” presence already dominating the scene here at Comic-Con, Universal publicity didn’t need to do much else to be top of the nerd mountain this weekend. Then they went and blew the roof off.

    The studio first offered up a sizzle reel for Greg Mottola’s sci-fi comedy “Paul,” which went over well with its tip of the hat to the Con (early scenes show a recreated convention). The director and most of the cast were here to discuss the road trip movie with a twist, but that was just an hors d’oeuvre.

    The roof-blowing was owed completely to Harrison Ford’s first-ever appearance at the convention. It was a geek’s wet dream as Han Solo/Indiana Jones took to the stage at Hall H in handcuffs (which we all thought was making light of an earlier incident where a stabbing occurred in the hall, but was actually a pre-planned gag, as in Favreau had to drag Ford to the convention in shackles). Ford was there to help promote Jon Favreau’s “Cowboys & Aliens,” which had a surprisingly robust presence during the presentation.

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  • COMIC-CON: Ruffalo and Renner a go for ‘Avengers’

    I’ll get to today’s Marvel’s “Avengers” presentation later tonight, but the news worth conveying is that Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner were on hand to be confirmed as Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk and Hawkeye, respectively.  The announcement was made by Robert Downey Jr., who was here with Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and director Joss Whedon, making for one hell of a photo op.  Chew on that for now.

  • COMIC-CON: ‘Let Me In’ isn’t just the rally cry of Hall H lines

    As far as Matt Reeves’s “Let Me In” is concerned, I’ll freely admit a sense of hesitation. Based on one of the best films of 2008, it has had an air of arbitrary remake-itis around it. But much of that started to disappear as marketing materials were unveiled throughout the last few weeks, and following a panel for the film today, I’m feeling even better about things.

    Reeves was on hand, along with stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz and Richard Jenkins. He had a pair of clips with him and they went a long way toward dispelling all of that ambivalence.

    First and foremost, I was rather struck by how patient the filmmaking is here. That was a key element of “Let the Right One In,” this kind of lingering camerawork and moody elegance that was largely responsible for helping the film hit the sweet spot when it could have easily been another dip in the typical vampire well.

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  • COMIC-CON: WB brings ‘Green Lantern,’ ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Sucker Punch’ to San Diego

    One of the most anticipated events at this year’s convention was Warner Bros. Pictures’ presentation of footage from Martin Campbell’s upcoming “Green Lantern” adaptation.  Starring Ryan Reynolds as test-pilot-turned-intergalactic-enforcer Hal Jordan, the film is the first big screen adaptation of the superhero to date.

    Comics writer and head of DC Entertainment Geoff Johns said during the panel discussion, moderated by Hero Complex‘s Geoff Boucher, that there was a time he thought an adaptation would never see the light of day. Working as an intern with Richard Donner over a decade ago, the project had begun to pick up some momentum. When he heard a studio exec ask if the film could be done without the ring, his heart sank and he figured it was a doomed property.

    Today Johns is one of the key architects of the new DC universe on the page, having spent five years re-inventing and streamlining the world of Green Lantern as well, and for him, the film is a dream come true.

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  • COMIC-CON: ‘The Expendables’ injects some testosterone into the geek Mecca

    We’re only a day in, but the star of Comic-Con so far, if it isn’t Scott Pilgrim, has to be Sylvester Stallone.  The muscle-bound action star hit Hall H yesterday with a few scenes from his new film “The Expendables” in tow and couldn’t have had more swagger and charisma.

    Ain’t It Cool News poobah Harry Knowles moderated a panel consisting of stars Terry Crews, Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Sly himself.  Bruce Willis, who was on hand earlier in the day for a “RED” panel, stopped by for a few moments as well.  Early on, Knowles caught himself in the moment: “Can I just say something?  HOW F**KING COOL IS THIS??”

    It wasn’t really a hyperbolic statement. It WAS pretty damn cool to see that much testosterone on stage.  And it was the right crowd for this kind of film, echoed by one of the Q&A questioners later on: “I just wanted to say that you guys are responsible for my upbringing, more so than my parents.”

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  • COMIC-CON: New ‘Let Me In’ poster

    In the rush of Comic-Con I haven’t gotten around to posting the new poster for “Let Me In,” which debuted to coincide with the convention.  You might remember the teaser poster, which was released a few weeks ago, and this one is still teaser-ish, but certainly better.  Check out the full poster after the jump.

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  • COMIC-CON: ‘TRON Legacy’ invades Hall H for a third-straight year

    “It proves to me some things, good things, take a really long time to happen,” “TRON” creator Steve Lisberger said to a packed Hall H, looking strikingly like Bad Blake next to a clean-shaven Jeff Bridges.

    And that was the vibe you got from the euphoric crowd this afternoon as Disney revealed eight minutes of footage from the new film “TRON Legacy.” A new trailer was also shown, which was simultaneously “unlocked” by internet users online.

    Actors Bruce Boxleitner, Jeff Bridges, Michael Sheen (in his first Comic-Con appearance), Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund joined Kosinski, Bailey and Lisberger on stage with moderator Patton Oswalt for a discussion on technology utilized by the project, re-visiting the material 27 years later and the underlying themes of the film.

    “We need modern myths,” Bridges said. “And one of the themes in our movie is the dark side of technology. We’re developing it so fast we haven’t developed any ethics.”

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  • COMIC-CON: ‘Megamind’ inverts comic genre tropes

    The opening Hall H panel of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con belonged to DreamWorks Animation’s “Megamind” from “Madagascar” director Tom McGrath.  The film, set for release November 5, is an “action comedy that takes the whole genre and turns it on its head,” McGrath told the packed hall.

    In the film, Will Ferrell gives his vocal talents to the title character.  Tina Fey plays a television reporter and Jonah Hill, her cameraman.  All three, along with McGrath, were on hand to preview five minutes of 3D footage from the film.

    Another key cast member, Brad Pitt, could not attend.  But the crew got a nice LOL pop out of the audience by bringing a cardboard cut-out on stage.

    Ferrell got into the Comic-Con spirit by donning the blue and black get-up of his character.  It’s the second time he’s been able to play a villain, following 2001’s “Zoolander,” but he said he was attracted to the idea of playing a “bad guy who becomes a good guy.”  No, nothing earth-shattering, but those are the kinds of quotes the panel was offering moderator Drew McWeeny.

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  • COMIC-CON: Robert Rodriguez and the cast of ‘Machete’ want you to eat their tacos

    I was wondering if Robert Rodriguez’s “Machete” would have much of a presence at Comic-Con this year, and it looks like it will.  And if you’re in San Diego for the convention this week, you’ll want to hear about this because it’s open to the public.

    Rodriguez and the cast of the film will be serving tacos at the “Machete” Taco Truck Thursday, July 22, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm on the corner of 5th Ave. and J St. at the 5 Star parking lot downtown.  Artwork on the truck was designed by famed graffiti artist Mr. Cartoon.

    Later, at 9:00pm, footage from the film will be shown on a giant outdoor screen. Doors for that open at 8:30pm.  Looks like they’re giving away posters and T-shirts, the full nine.  So be there or be square.

    Follow Viva Machete on Twitter for more updates, including a flyer that’ll get you a free taco.  And check out a message from Rodriguez after the jump.

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  • Tell us what you’re anticipating at Comic-Con

    Just curious.  I’ve already mentioned that nothing stands out as a “must-see” type of thing.  There will be some things that aren’t on the schedule that will surely be of interest, and I’ll report back, but maybe there’s something I have a blindspot to that you’d all like to hear about?  Let me know if that’s the case.  I’m southbound at roughly noon tomorrow.

  • OSCAR TALK: Ep. 28 — Special Edition! — ‘Inception’ (Yes it is! No it’s not!), Comic-Con preview, contenders so far

    Oscar TalkWelcome to Oscar Talk, your one-stop kudocast between yours truly and Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood.

    In the final of three off-season discussions, Anne and I address the following today:

    • Today is “Inception” day as Christopher Nolan’s latest hits theaters nationwide, so naturally, Anne and I dig into our thoughts on the film. See spoiler note below.  (Don’t forget to tell us what you think of the film.)

    • Unfortunately, thoughts on the film aren’t the only thoughts being bandied about, as criticisms of criticisms ran rampant throughout the week. Anne and I discuss the idea of responding to other reviews in the context of one’s own review.

    • Comic-Con is around the corner as Hollywood descends on San Diego to sell any and everything it collectively can to a geek audience foaming at the mouth. We briefly preview what interests us from the schedule.

    • A few potential awards movies have hit this summer already, which we’ve kind of addressed before, but we dig back in to see what could stay afloat come year’s end, as well as offer one last look ahead before we get to the season.

    Have a listen to the latest podcast below. As always, remember to subscribe to Oscar Talk via iTunes here. We’ll be back again, and weekly, at the start of this year’s awards season Friday, August 27.

    (PLEASE NOTE: There are “Inception” spoilers from roughly 13:00 – 18:00.)

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    Subscribe to Oscar Talk

  • Comic-Con 2010 on the way

    Well, the inbox is getting stuffed with this and that regarding breakfasts and panels and viral marketing and yada, yada, yada.  That can mean only one thing: Comic-Con is around the corner.  And as I poured over the recently released schedule over the weekend, I found myself excited for…very little.

    DreamWorks Animation will make its first appearance with the Will Ferrell-starrer “Megamind.” Disney will pretty much take over the place as “TRON Legacy” makes its third trip in as many years to San Diego.  Sony will be in Hall H two days, first offering up action fare with “Salt” (which opens the Friday of the convention) and “Battle: Los Angeles,” then coming back with comedies “The Other Guys” and “The Green Hornet.”

    Warner Bros. will tease “Green Lantern,” “Sucker Punch” and the new “Harry Potter” while Overture will have “Let Me In.”  Lionsgate will break out “The Expendables” and Universal is planning some hijinks for “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” to go along with Hall H presentations for the new Greg Mottola film “Paul” and the more appropriately positioned “Cowboys & Aliens.”

    Oh, and fresh off of giving Edward Norton the heave-ho for, I imagine, deigning to try and make “The Avengers” a better movie than it’s likely to be, Marvel Studios will strut its stuff with “Thor” and “Captain America: The First Avenger.”

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  • Comic-Con schedule gaff

    I imagine “Bob” is getting fired for this.  Or maybe it’s just a joke?:

  • THE LISTS: Top 10 movie-related moments of 2009

    UpAs the year (and decade) slowly winds down, I thought it would be a pretty good time to revive our long-slumbering Lists feature here at In Contention. And what better way to do so and salute the year at hand than to lay out the most significant movie-related moments of 2009?

    The American Film Institute kind of tried its hand at this yesterday. I was already considering a list along these lines, but the AFI thing definitely got my the ole’ gears turning once again. Suffice it to say, I think they missed a few spots.

    It was an intriguing year. For me, as mentioned many times, it was the best year of filmmaking the decade has seen. But it was also a pivotal year for the film industry, as everything from standardized digital projection to 3D technology, experimental distribution schemes to economic effects on the business seemed to be on the table as points of consideration along the way.

    It was the first year of the Obama administration, something that found its way into the arts discussion as well. Whether it was the consideration of “Slumdog Millionaire” (which ultimately won the Best Picture Oscar this year) as the “first film of the Obama era” or the desire to include films like “Precious” (a stretch) and “Invictus” (not such a stretch) in that conversation, the political environment, as ever, was in the cinema air.

    It was a year of many things, so obviously, a list like this could be filled with any number of instances. But these 10 stuck out to me as the most significant ticks on the clock of 2009. Agree, disagree, whatever the case, don’t look too hard for a “Twilight” mention (though I suppose one may have been warranted).

    My picks…

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  • WEEKLY WRAP: Festivals, foxes and funny people

    Adam Sandler in Funny People• In the week’s most dramatic news, Universal rather cleared its awards slate by bumping both “The Wolf Man” and Paul Greengrass’s “Green Zone” to 2010.

    • Against expectations, we were won over by Meryl Streep’s latest bid for that elusive third Oscar, “Julie & Julia.”

    • The Venice Film Festival unveiled a typically well-planned lineup, with “The Road” and Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” leading the American charge.

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  • Diablo Cody star-struck by Stan Lee at Comic-Con

    (via Awards Daily)