Hellboy : It’s funny. You’d think with me being such a comic book fan, I’d have a few issues of Hellboy bagged and boarded along with my collection, but alas I don’t. I don’t’ think I have a single issue. I wasn’t even going to see this flick. But then I saw the trailer, and I was just blown away. I don’t know a single thing about Hellboy the comic, but I sure want to see the movie. And for once (and I think this is going to be a good thing) since I don’t know thing one about the comic, that means I won’t be sitting there dissecting the movie and comparing it to the comic. Which means I may enjoy it even more. The effects look really good. And the makeup job they did on Ron Pearlman looks awesome. He looks like Hellboy himself stepped right off the comic book page and right onto the screen. (Even though I don’t know anything about Hellboy, I know what he looks like from Wizard, and comic book advertisements.) Should be a good movie. And if not, I’ll just blame it on not knowing anything about the comic. Review November 12^th: Saw this on DVD and was blown away! I don’t think I have one single issue of this comic, but I’m kind of familiar with the character. The special effects rocked, and the story was really good. I’m waiting for the directors cut of this on DVD before I buy. But it will definitely be part of my collection.

The Punisher : Dolph Lungrand be damned! Thomas Jane is the new Punisher, and he’s way badder than you ever were! I’ll have to admit, when I first heard some of the details surrounding this movie, I wasn’t to enthused. But, after seeing the trailer, my curiosity is peaked. First I heard that the movie is taking place in Miami instead of New York. I though, ‘New York is dark and gritty, and grimy the way a Punisher movie should be, and Miami is just too bright, and clean.’ Then I thought, ‘I don’t know about John Travolta about the bad guy.’ I mean he was a cool bad guy in Face/Off and I hear he was pretty brutal in Swordfish, but could he be the kind of bad guy that Frank Castle needs? One on the same brutal calibur of vengeance that the Punisher exudes. But after seeing the trailer, Miami and Travolta just seem to fit. We’ll just have to wait and see if they do or not. Review November 12^th: This movie kicked ass! I was really worried about this flick, but it came through big time. Thomas Jane owned the part, and became Frank Castle. Marvel is already in the process of working on the sequel. Bring on the skull!

Jersey Girl : This is Kevin Smith’s first venture away from the View Askewniverse. No Jay and Silent Bob here. No convenience store clerks. No chaos at the mall. No man hating/loving lesbians. No homicidal angels. This one’s just a straight forward romantic comedy. I’ll give it a chance for a few reasons. 1. Kevin Smith hasn’t steered me wrong yet (even though I’m not the world’s biggest Chasing Amy fan). And 2. I’m not going to judge this movie just because Gigli was a flop. (Oh, I forgot to mention the movie stars Ben Affleck, and his ex Jennifer Ho-pez…err Lopez is in it for about 10 minutes.) With Kev in the driver seat, it shouldn’t be too bad. Review November 12^th: I liked this movie. It wasn’t a typical Kevin Smith movie, but I liked it in spite of myself. Even with J-Ho (Thank GOD she was only in it for about 10 minutes.) But between Afleck, George Carlin, and Stephen Root, I was not disappointed. Ranks right above Chasing Amy on my favorite Kevin Smith movie list. I wouldn’t buy it, but it was worth watching.

The Day After Tomorrow : WOW! That’s what I said right after I saw the trailer for this one. The guy who directed Independence Day directed this, and the special effects in the trailer leave no doubt to that fact. We’ve treated the planet bad for long enough, and mother earth is fed up, and decides to unleash the next ice age upon the planet. Unlike Armageddon, and Deep Impact, there is no saving the day in this one. The scene with the tornado ripping through Hollywood, CA. is enough for the price of admission. This movie is going to rock! Review July 23^rd: Hmmm…what did I think of this one? Well, the special effects I give an A+. The story I have to give a C. But it was well worth the price of admition just to see those special effects on the big screen. Don’t think I’ll be picking this one up on DVD, but I might rent it just to see the extra features.

Blade Trinity (Blade III) : Wesley Snipes returns as the day walker, for the third and (reportedly) last time. I hear that this one has to do with the vampires finally taking over the world and Blade has be forced underground. But, with the help of Jessica Biel (from 7^th Heaven), and Ryan Reynolds (the guy from Van Wilder) he goes into battle one last time with the fate of the world in the balance. I hear Snipes doesn’t want to play Blade any more, and wants to concentrate more on another comic book character…the Black Panther. Update July 23^rd: I saw the trailer for this, and it looks pretty good, but we all know how reliable trailers are. But since the same team that made the first two are back for the last chapter, I doubt we’ll be let down.

Ocean’s 12 : December 10^th I so can’t wait for this one! If it’s half the fun as the first one, it’ll be spectacular! I had no idea how they were going to do a sequel for this one. I mean, after you rob three of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas, you can’t exactly go back and do it again. And they’re not. This time I guess the gang is hopping the pond, and are going to do a caper involving art throughout Europe. The big changes with this one are, 1. Shaobo Oin (Yen, the Japanese contortionist from the first one) couldn’t make it to shoot this time, so they’re going to have to re-cast his part. It’s going to suck to see him go. And 2. Catherine Zeta Jones has joined the cast, supposedly as a love interest for Brad Pitt’s Rusty Ryan. I liked the first one even though Jullia Roberts was in it, so I don’t think I’ll have a problem liking this one. Even with Catherine Zeta Jones AND Jullia Roberts in it. Update November 12^th: Finally saw the trailer for this and I’m jazzed out of my mind!! This movie is going to be incredible, I can feel it. The chemistry the cast has is unbelievable, and the writing just flow so well, it seems totally real and plausible. Why can’t every movie be this good? Guess we’ll never know.

Elektra : February 18^th Jennifer Gardner returns for the spin-off of Daredevil, which is good since Ben Affleck has stated recently, he would not be reprising his roll as the man without fear. The movie starts filming this spring when Gardner’s Alias goes on hiatus. I really wish Ben would reconsider the whole DD thing. I thought the movie was great, and I thought he kicked ass as old horn head. If not, they should re-cast, or we’ll just have to be happy with Elektra. Update November 12^th: Saw the trailer for this movie last night, and thought it kicked maximum booty. The special effects look awesome, and Jen is finally in the classic Elektra red costume. I’ve also heard that Ben and Collin have shot cameos for this, but everybody’s keeping mum about it. So I guess we’ll have to wait till the flick comes out to see. I’m actually looking forward to this movie.

Fantastic Four: I have no idea about this movie anymore. I hear so many different things at any given time. The big rumors going around right now are 1. Sean Aston (Sam Wise Gangee from the Lord Of The Rings movies) is going to be directing. And, 2. George Clooney is in the running to play Reed ‘Mr. Fantastic’ Richards. Now, recently I’ve become a huge George Clooney fan, and I’m all for him playing Reed (I don’t care what anyone says about Batman & Robin, I thought George made a good Batman, but I won’t go into that here.), I just don’t know if Sean is qualified to direct a ‘reported’ 300 million dollar comic book movie. I don’t think he’s proven himself. I’d like to see something else from him before they hand the reigns over to him. None the less, I’m looking forward to this flick, and it is suppose to be filming soon. They wanted to shoot it along time ago so they could release it on the fourth of July this year to take advantage of the huge marketability for the release date. Think about it. Fantastic Four – 04-04-04 Freaking brilliant! Unfortunately, not going to happen. Now they’re just hoping for a Christmas-ish release date. I still hope they change their minds about the whole flame on debate. It just won’t be the same without a fully flame-engulfed Human Torch. Just have to wait and see. Update November 12^th: O.K., none of the rumors panned out. Sean Aston is NOT directing (Tim Story is), and George Clooney isn’t playing Reed Richards. Ioan Gruffudd is playing Reed, Jessica Alba is playing Sue Storm, Chris Evans is playing Johnny Storm (Human Torch), Michael Chiklis is playing Ben Grim (The Thing), and Julian McMahon is playing Victor Von Doom (Dr. Doom). The release date is now July 1^st of ’05. Publicity photos from the movie shoot look really good. I’m not giving up hope yet. Can’t wait.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith: May 25 This is the big one. This is where we see the birth of Darth Vader! We saw glimmers of him in Clones, but this is where he makes his full presence known. I know too much about this movie right now as it is, so I’m stepping back from it. I know that James Earl Jones is going to be back as the voice of the Lord of the Sith. I know that Chewie is back in this movie in some capacity. And I’ve seen a few character pictures on the net. But that’s it. I’m done with spoilers, and any future news stories. I don’t want this to be spoiled when I go see it in the theatre. I’ve been waiting since 1977 for this, and it’s at our doorstep. So close you can feel the heat coming from a new red lightsabre. Update November 12^th: I saw the trailer for this one a couple weeks ago and was BLOWN AWAY! I think this trailer has more impact that the one for Clones. The scenes where Hayden turns around and his eyes are red, and then when you hear "Lord Vader," "Yes master?" "Rise." Were incredible. Just what I’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to see this lighsabre fight between Anikin and Obi Wan. I’ve heard it’s over 20 minutes long. Oh man, can’t wait!!!

Batman Begins : When I first heard about this movie, one word came to mind…Redemption! After Joel Schumacher almost single handedly destroyed the Batman movie franchise (I refuse to blame George Clooney and Chris O’Donnel for that movie), and the comic book movie genre in general, this movie HAS to be BEYOND INCREDIBLE! It HAS to be. Christian Bale (American Psycho, Reign Of Fire) is playing the Dark Knight. Michael Caine is playing Alfred. Gary Oldman is playing Lt. James Gordon (future Com. Gordon). Morgan Freeman is playing Lucias Fox. Liam Neesan is playing young Bruce Wayne’s mentor. Cillian Murphy is playing the Scarecrow, and Ken Wantanabi is playing Ras’ Al Gul! WOW, WOW, WOW! Christopher Nolan (Blade Runner) is also directing. Blade Runner had that dark, grim feel that the Batman franchise needs. We don’t need nipples on the bat-suit. We don’t need cod-pieces that would look big on John Holmes. We don’t need this movie played as camp. This movie HAS to be dark. This movie has to be gritty. This movie has to be noir. And I think that WB has actually put a director who knows how to achive those things with a cast that can play the movie the way it should be played. I don’t want to wait for this movie. I want it now! Update November 12^th: I saw the trailer for this and was just kind of eh about the whole thing. Another damn origin telling! AARRGGHH!! WE KNOW THE F’IN’ STORY ALREADY! I’m hoping the movie will be a lot better. I still have total faith in the director, cast and writer. But I’m still impressed by the stills I’m seeing from the flick. I’m not worried about this one. It’s going to rock.

X3 and X4 : The big rumor going around is that Bryan Singer is going to direct both X3 and X4 simultaneously (a-la the Back To The Future, and Matrix franchises). The reason this is supposedly being done this way is because Bryan is planning on doing the Dark Phoenix Saga as the plot of the two movies, an it’s going to take 2 whole movies to get the story told. I hear Wolverine is coming back for X3, but is in question for X4, but I’ll bet with the fans begging for him and other motivation (i.e. $$$) we’ll see our favorite Aussie as the old Canuckle Head in both flicks. I also hear that Halle Berry won’t be back. She now thinks she’s above doing a comic book genre film. Even thought her next movie is Catwoman. But I feel that after that movie bombs worse than Gigli, she’ll be happy to put the white wig back on and become the weather goddess Storm once again. But I could care less about her either way. The other big rumors going around on these flicks are who are going to be the returning and new mutants. The odds on favorites for the new muties are Gambit, and Beast. Actually Beast (in his Hank McCoy identity) is actually in X2 for a split 10 seconds, and Gambit’s civilian name (Remy LeBeu) was listed on a computer too. I hear Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellan Professor X and Magnito respectively) are going to be back. Along with Jackman’s Wolverine, Cyclops, Rogue, Iceman, Colossus, Jubilee (hopefully in a bigger role), and Kitty Pryde. Of course you can’t do a Dark Phoenix Saga with out Jean Gray, who becomes the Dark Phoenix. Even though her character supposedly dies at the end of X2. Next to Sam Rami, Bryan Singer is one of the few directors in Hollywood I have total confidence in. I have no fears or worries about X3 or 4. My only fear is about them getting made. Not one about how they’re made. Like with Batman Begins…I want this movie NOW! Update November 12^th: Well rumors are flying about who the director for X3 and X4 will be. The from runner is Joss Whedon, the creator, writer and director of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer movie and TV series, and also the Angel TV series. I’m cautious, but excited. Wait and see…wait and see.

Indiana Jones 4 : * Sigh * I knew it was too good to be true. Steven Spielburg and Harrison Ford had a script they were really happy with, and were ready to shoot this summer for a ’05 release, but alas, Mr. Lucas didn’t like the script, and crushed any hopes of this movie getting made with the power of his Veto stamp. George didn’t like the script, and that means it has to be completely re-written. Let’s just hope that when it is, Steven and Harrison will be available, and still interested. So close and yet… Update November 12^th: I just heard that Steve and George finally agreed on a writer they both know, have worked with before, and both like. So, the flick is back on yet again. I’m not holding my breath on this one any more, and I’ll believe it when I see it.

 Jurassic Park 4 : Could ’05 be the biggest money making year of all time? Man, it sure looks like it’s shaping up that way! All I could find on this one is that Mr. Spielberg has something very special planned for his fourth dino-pic. I can hear the cash registers ringing already.