3-D Monster: 2013

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Here's What The Green Goblin & Rhino SHOULD Look Like in Spider-Man 2...

I know I've posted the Berni Wrightson concept design for the Original Spider-Man film, but apparently, the powers-that-be weren't listening. Wrightson does a fantastic job of updating a character for a live-action film, yet remaining true to the basic look and feel of said character. "Sigh" Once again, here it is;

This concept art for the Rhino is from a Spider-Man video game. Don't ask me which one as I don't keep up with that shit. However, if you look at the character designs for most of the popular superhero games, they almost always do a great job in staying true to the core of the character. For the life of me, I cannot understand why film people can't seem to grasp that concept?!? Methinks maybe the video game folks should branch out into film.

For Better or Worse, Here's The Trailer For The Amazing Spider-Man 2...

Ok, I've managed to calm down from yesterday's explict-laden tirade, and I'm ready to give a simple critique of what I liked and didn't like from the trailer. Watch it below and then read my critique;

Likes;
1.) I like Spidey's new, more comic-faithful costume.
2.) I like the action sequences with Electro.
3.) I loved the glimpse of Doc Ock's wriggling arms and what looked like metal wings encased behind glass at Oscorp.
4.) I like that kid from Chronicle as Harry Osborn.
5.) I liked it when Spidey caught the cop car.
6.) I like Chris Cooper as Norman Osborn (notice I didn't say Green Goblin?)
7.) I like the action sequences of Spidey swinging around the city and just jumping around in general.

Dislikes/hates
1.) I still hate the Rhino
2.) I still hate the "Gangreen" Gobin.
3.) I dislike what seems to be a hidden, mobile lab subway train secretly set up by Peter's dad. WTF?!?
4.) I dislike that the villain's original, unique origins have been seemingly disregarded in favor of setting up Oscorp to be more or less a super-villain breeding farm.

So, it looks like the good outweighs the bad overall. As a designer, I have a really, almost obsessive hatred for bad design. That, coupled with my tendency as a super-fan to hate too much deviation between original characters and their celluloid counterparts, will make it very difficult for me to enjoy the film as a whole. It's kinda like having an expensive 4-course meal wherein three courses are really good, but the potato au gratin tastes like fried dog asshole. You just can't help feeling that the overall meal has been ruined.

Oh well, talk amongst yourselves and leave your comments below.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

What The F@#k is THIS Shit?!?

Yesterday, this image of a tryptych poster advertising The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was released.

As you can surmise from my post, I am not happy with it... at all.

When the first images of Jamie Fox's hooded Electro started making the rounds, I was very "meh". When the "face-off pic" of him and Spidey together with his rubberized costume debuted, I was feeling much more hopeful as the design closely resembles the Ultimate Electro look.

Since then I have been dying to get a glimpse of the Rhino and the rumored appearance of The Green Goblin! Now that I have... I really wish I hadn't. "How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways;"

1.) The Rhino: Has the design team ever even seen a pic of The Rhino?!? My guess is no, or he wouldn't be looking like Pyramid Head's robotic fuckin' dog!!! It doesn't remotely resemble the comic book Rhino, much less a real Rhino!!! There had damn well better be a guy wearing a Rhino suit sitting in that trainwreck.

2.) The Green Goblin: Have we not learned from the sins of the past? You'd think that considering all of the "Power Ranger" comments from the first Tobey Maguire movie, and the even more deplorable "snowboarding" new goblin from the third, that Marc Webb would take this opportunity to give us all the goblin we deserved! But no, the downward design spiral continues with this asshole in a flightsuit... with gangreen of the face... riding a Wii balance board.

Honestly, I am so disgusted by this, that I might not even bother going to see it. I don't think I've EVER said that about any super hero movie in public, and this is coming from a guy who was cautiously optimistic about Batman & Robin!

AAARGH!!!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Here They Are; The 7 Most Controversial Photos From Mars!

Disclaimer; I'm running late for work, so I just wanted to let you know that I straight-up jacked this post from The Huffington Post verbatum (except for the title)

We already know that the spiders from Mars are real -- but has the NASA rover Curiosity picked up real evidence of extraterrestrial life on the Red Planet?

Conspiracy theorists think so. Some of these photos -- taken by the Curiosity over the past year and on other missions to Mars -- look a lot like rocks. Some of them look a lot more peculiar, like the "iguana" found earlier this month. All of them are the stuff of Internet legend, and many believe that NASA is hiding something.

Take a look, and wage alien war on the topic in the comments below.

I'm sorry, but this one is just stupid... If it's a skull, it appears to have several eye sockets, a nose, and an embarrassingly large forehead. If it's a rock, it's probably not even a rock. IT'S A ROCK... LOBSTER!

For the love of Mars... Awwww. These are real photos taken of Mars' surface. But were they designed by extraterrestrials who know the human concept of love? Only the ETs know.

Can you FACE the truth?!? The conspiracies go back to July 25, 1976, when this shot of the "Face on Mars" was taken by an orbiter. Do you believe yet?

LEAPIN' LIZARDS! Oh, NASA rover Curiosity, you make us so curious. Curious about images like this, which appear to show either camouflaged or fossilized lizards running around on Mars. A blogger caught this image, what do you think?

AW, RATS! OK, this really does look like some sort of rodent. NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shot a photo of this little guy earlier this year. But after a closer look, and a little common sense, it's probably a rock.

HEY, PRETTY LADY! The Internet has long been crazy about this photo, snapped by the NASA rover Spirit. She has a terrible choice in dress color though, doesn't she?

RAT LIZARDS! The rock rats and rock lizards have begun to breed. It is only a matter of time before they... wait... WAIT, WHAT IS THAT?!

Today in Bat-Shit Crazy News...

Looks like good 'ol Psychopath Charlie Manson is gettin' hitched... to a kinda hot, but nonetheless crazier than a bag o' cats 25 year old woman known as "star".

Personally, I think it's disgusting and a slap in the face to the families of his victims that this degenerate dirtbag is allowed any measure of happiness at all, but the public fascination with this guy doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon.

I remember looking at the photos that accompanied Vincent Bugliosi's best seller; "Helter Skelter" as a child, and being scared shitless by the whited-out images of Sharon Tate & co. surrounded by pools of blood, and having horrible nightmares of being chased by Charlie and his family around the Tate house in the dead of night.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Check Out The New Trailer for RoboCop!

And in case you've forgotten what the original 1987 film looked like, here is the trailer for that one;

Interesting fact: Tickets to the premiere of RoboCop were the only things I ever won on the radio.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Marvel to Produce 4 New Superhero Shows Exclusive to Netflix by 2015!

WOO-HOO!! Marvel is creating four live-action superhero series and an Avengers-style special event that will all air exclusively on Netflix, beginning in 2015. The first of the TV series will focus on Daredevil, while the following series will star Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. At least 13 episodes of each series will be produced, and — like all good Marvel series — they'll eventually come together for a special event. For Netflix, that event will be a mini-series called The Defenders, though there's no word on just how long it'll run. Read the entire article here. I for one, am really, really excited!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Hot on The Heels of The Success of "Arrow", Comes The Next Superhero Show: HOURMAN!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The CW is developing yet another TV series based on a DC comics character and this time it's the pretty obscure Hourman. Michael Caleo of "The Sopranos" will pen the pilot which will be produced by Dan Lin and Lin Pictures' head of television Jennifer Gwartz.

The site describes this new version of the character as:

"A brilliant-yet-troubled pharmaceutical analyst who discovers that the visions that have plagued him since childhood are actually glimpses of tragic events occurring one hour in the future. Determined to win back his ex-wife and son, he heroically prevents these tragedies from unfolding, finding both purpose and redemption along the way."

Originally created in 1940 by Ken Fitch and Bernard Bailey, Hourman has not had a very prolific life in the comics having been reimagined as different characters multiple times.

This announcement continues The CW's trend of DC comic and superhero based shows. One of their current hits is the Green Arrow based Arrow, which has a spin-off based on "The Flash" in the works, along with a Wonder Woman series under the title "Amazon," and an adaptation of the 40s pulp character The Avenger which was just announced this weekend.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Not Ready for Chirstmas Yet? This Bronze Statue of "Flick" From A Christmas Story Will Change Your Mind!

The good people of Hammond, Ind. have erected a bronze statue immortalizing a scene from the 1983 holiday classic "A Christmas Story." You know the one: where poor Flick was coerced into sticking his tongue on a frozen flagpole. Hammond, the hometown of the film's narrator and co-writer Jean Shepherd, had actor Scott Schwartz on hand to witness the unveiling of the statue, honoring the character and scene he made famous 30 years ago. "This is surreal," Schwartz said. "They've even got the hole in the pole, like the one in the movie. You couldn't see it, but there really was a hole there." It's not yet clear if the statue came about because of a triple-dog dare.

No Sour Grapes, George Romero!

Bitter; table of one, please.

Well, it looks like George Romero; godfather of all things zombie, is the one person in the world (apparently) who doesn't like The Walking Dead. Can't you just smell the irony? Unbeknownst to me, he was even offered the chance to direct a few episode, but turned it down;

“They asked me to do a couple of episodes of ‘The Walking Dead,’ but I didn’t want to be a part of it,” Romero said in the Halloween edition of The Big Issue. “Basically it’s just a soap opera with a zombie occasionally. I always used the zombie as a character for satire or a political criticism, and I find that missing in what’s happening now.”

How awesome would that have been?!? I think he needs to put on his big boy pants, get out there and do a couple of episodes, if for no other reason than to bring his own vision of the show to life. However, with all due respect to Mr. Romero, his last few zombie outings were not quite up to par, and he still hasn't delivered "Twilight of The Dead", in which I'd like to see how the survivors from the original "Dawn" are faring against a world of the undead in present day!I'm pretty sure that Ken Foree and Gaylen Ross have an open schedule ;-)

Thursday, October 31, 2013

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's that special time again! Time for tricks and treats, ghosts and goblins! This is our first Halloween in our new apartment, so sadly, we weren't able to go all out with decorations or our annual haunted house. I'm home alone tonight, but I will be going to a 35th anniversary showing of Halloween at our local theater, so that will be fun!

So what are YOU guys doing? Big party? trick or treating with the kids? Terrorizing the neighbor kids with your own "haunted house", or abstaining because of religious beliefs? Sound off below!

Straight From The "EWWW" File...

Here's a good post for Halloween, seeing as it scares the shit out of me! As much as this is creepy and gross, it's equally funny because it's listed in the "jobs" section of Craigslist. Here's the scoop; A panty-sniffing perv apparently has a hard time acquiring used underwear and feels the need to turn to Craigslist for help. I couldn't make this shit up, folks. Here is a screenshot of the ad itself;

Even though the ad mentions a "we", I'm guessing it's just a very lonely guy sitting in a dark, damp basement somewhere. Anyway, for any of you gals need to make some extra cash really, really, REALLY bad; here is the link to the posting.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

First Look at Ben Affleck's Batman VS. Superman Costume?

While ‘Batman vs. Superman‘ has already started filming some very early scenes, we have yet to see Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne, or, more importantly, as Batman. But, a new report says that we might already have a look at what Affleck’s Batman costume will look like in the upcoming film.

Comic Book Movie is reporting that director Zack Snyder is using the Batman costume design from the 2011 graphic novel “Batman: Noel” as the inspiration for the new suit in ‘Batman vs. Superman.’

The new movie is obviously trying to differentiate between Affleck’s Batman and Christian Bale‘s version and will redesign both Batman’s suit and the Batmobile. If the film follows the “Noel” look, it will have smaller, stubbier ears, recessed further on the head, a more angular shape on the eyeholes and a more pointed nose. The cape also extends further down the chest, underneath a larger, black-on-grey Bat-logo.

How close the ‘Batman vs. Superman’ costume hews to the “Noel” duds remain to be seen as we’re sure that Snyder and Affleck will have some flourishes/additions, but it appears to be a good launching point. Thematically, it would also be interesting to see the “older” Batman we’re promised in a grey, faded suit, instead of the dark black of the ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Here it is; The Official Trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past!

I don't know which revelation is worse for young Professor X; the fact that there will be a full-on genocide of mutants in the future, or the fact that he ends up being bald as Hell? It's a tough call to be sure.

What I think is most awesome about this film is that it combines the cast and universe of the first three X-Men films with the "First Class" franchise.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Halloween at Your Orthodontist's House...

Tattoos That Don't Suck: Batman/Joker Mashup!

Check this shit out;

Awesome Hellraiser Pinhead Stained Glass Art Piece!

"Your suffering will be legendary, even in hell."

Check out the complete awesomeness of this Hellraiser stained glass that is in 3D. Yes, 3D. It was hand-crafted by artist Nicole Cantú, lights up and if you want it... will run you an even $8,000 and your soul. You can take a look at it up and personal the "Something Spooky" event at Guzu Gallery in Texas.

Truth in Advertising...

My favorite is the Motel 6 one. You know you're in a shitty motel when they give you your room key and it's actually a KEY!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Here it is; The Portland, Maine UFO Group!

As I'm sure you all know by now, I am a passionate student of UFOlogy, and I've finally gotten around to creating my own local . At some point, I'm gonna create a full website, but this will do for now.

I've been fascinated by this subject ever since I had my first encounter at the tender age of seven, and if I would've had a camera with me at the time, it would have been the best, most close-up picture of a UFO ever taken. Since then, I have had many more, albeit not as dramatic, encounters with UFO's. I'm careful to emphasize that they were UFO's in the literal sense, as I didn't see who or what was behind the wheel, and I am aware that there are quite a few man-made, reverse engineered craft as well. Just remember this; "rivets and seams equals earthly means".

The purpose of this page is to enlighten, educate, and create open discussion about the topic. For far too long, witnesses and believers have been marginalized into the categories of nutjobs, wacko's, tin-foil hat enthusiasts, and delusionals. To discredit through humiliation and shame has been a powerful weapon in the war against disclosure. However, we are living in an exciting time where disclosure is actually happening! More and more government files are being released, high-ranking military officials, congress members, astronauts and the such are coming forward to tell their stories and share their secrets. Through the mass availability of cell phones capable of taking hi-res photos and video, images of UFO's and ET's are becoming commonplace, and numerous countries are coming forward, releasing their own files and acknowledging that the phenomenon is indeed real and not of this Earth!

I have used my knowledge and accumulated a collection of photos, videos, and documents that I believe to be genuine, but I welcome any and all to prove me wrong and share their information. Please stop by and join or visit !

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Get Your Pause Button Ready for This EXTREMELY Short Teaser From X-Men: Days of Future Past!

Cheer up, though; the trailer will be online in full on Tuesday, October 29.

Here it is; The Trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier!

Ok, admit it; you thought that Captain America was a bit ho-hum. Search your heart; you know it's true. That's the problem with origin stories; they are usually slow, and most people already know them. But the importance of these stories is that they build the foundation for the character, allowing more freedom of story-telling for the sequel.

I don't know how many of you read the Winter Soldier storyline, but it's definitely a high water mark for the series (even though it breaks one of Marvel's cardinal rules). Judging from this trailer, I think they have nailed the look and feel of the comic storyline probably better that most comic book movies. But I digress; let's get to the trailer!

Anchorman 2, BITCHES!!

I am so excited for this movie that it makes my butt hurt.

Welcome to His Nightmare: Alice Cooper Shares His Intimate Backstage Pics!

Alice Cooper was my first concert waaay back in early 1987 (with the Vinnie Vincent Invasion opening), and ever since then, I was hooked on live music! Check out these pics from the dark prince himself as he prepares and plays Richmond's haunted National venue on October 22;

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Awesome New Poster From Captain America: The Winter Soldier!

I guess the sequel will be fortified with plenty of S.H.I.E.L.D goodness! Look for the official teaser trailer to hit the interwebs on Thursday!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Cobra Commander Meets Charlie Brown!

Cobra/Peanuts mashup by Bill Walko.

Crazy4Cult Presents: Say Hi To The Bad Guy!

Gallery 1988 presents yet another exhibit in it's ongoing "Crazy 4 Cult" series, this time paying homage to the movie villains of the 80's (and to a lesser degree; the 70's and 90's as well). The exhibit runs from October 18 - November 9, 2013, so see it before it's gone! Here are a few of my faves from the show;