Cape Town Capsule Reviews, 5/4/2011 Releases

By Don M. Ventura

Moon Knight #1

Marvel Comics

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Brian Michael Bendis know what to do with a C-list comic book property. Moon Knight #1 is a testament to the writer’s ability to breathe life into a character who could easily have disappeared into obscurity at this point.

Bendis is joined by long-time collaborator Alex Maleev, whose artwork is less photo-realistic than his current work on Scarlett (also with Bendis). I prefer his work here, sharp defined edges and full of life. Matthew Wilson’s coloring is brilliant as well; I love the pre-modern age comic book textures employed throughout the book.

Bendis sets the action in Los Angeles where Mark Spector has relocated to continue his work as a television producer. The hero is guided by his Avengers teammates, Captain America, Wolverine and Spider-Man, who advise him to take up heroics in the City of Angels. Immediately Moon Knight finds himself knee deep in trouble as he uncovers a plot to obtain an defunct Ultron robot by the immense Mr. Hyde.

The book takes a somewhat surprising twist at the end---that was given away in the early announcements for the series—which is nonetheless effective. This is an exciting beginning for Moon Knight and his Amazing Friends.

Deadpool film will be a reboot

WOW...Deadpool is already getting a 'reboot'.

That word gets thrown around a lot when it comes to a fresh take on superhero films and characters.

hmmmm

Spinoff Online is reporting that the long brewing Deadpool movie will be a total reboot. It fact it will either ignore everything that happened in X-Men Origins or mock it.

The film is going to be an R rated film that is "irreverent" and "violent".  The screenplay will remain true to the comic and Ryan Reynolds is still the name attached to play Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool.

The producers promise that fans of the character will be very happy when Deadpool finally hits theaters.

But are fans ever really happy?

'Deadpool' Film May Have a New Director

I have shied away from Deadpool movie news much in the way I have the Deadpool books. I think we all have those characters that, for whatever reason, just do not appeal to us. Deadpool is such a character.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that Ryan Reynolds is still on board to star as the title character but unattached Director Robert Rodriguez is no longer attached to helm the movie. Enter Adam Berg, a Swedish commercial director with no motion picture experience. I recall Marvel Studios Producer Kevin Feige commenting this summer that it has been a goal of Marvel's to make unconventional choices when selecting directors for their properties.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this production, for me at least, is that the film is being scripted by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Zombieland).

If you’re like me, who watched Firefly immediately after Joss Whedon was announced to helm the Avengers, you’ll want to see what Berg is capable of. Below is a commercial he directed for Philips Electronics. There is no disputing that the director has quite the eye.