Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Movie Preview Thursday: Crappy Comic Sequel + More
()
If ever there were a date to debut an expensive almost-sure-to-be-crap comic book sequel film, it would be June 15th. It's the summer, so kids are out of school and looking for a movie to waste their allowances on. It's PG enough that parents can take their youngest. And it's just hot enough in middle America and the South that anyone without an air conditioner will be looking for a dark theater to kill a few hours. Fortunately, we have a decent zombie flick to rescue us film-folk from the summer CG scrap-heap.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - Following in the footsteps of 2005's god-awful "Fantastic Four", comes "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer". Of all the comic book movies in all the world, this one seems to draw the most ire from fanboys. Sure, "Catwoman" and "Elektra" were abominations, but those characters didn't have the iconic status in the Marvel universe that the FF team hold. "The Silver Surfer" storyline is one of the best in comic book history, but it doesn't look like they'll be doing it justice. I'm praying they get it right this time, but I've been hurt before (I'm looking at you, "Daredevil").
So, what positive things can say about this film? Um, Jessica Alba, despite being a terrible actress, looks really good in spandex. The director (Tim Story) also directed "Barber Shop". That dude that played Pan and the creepy eye-hand guy in Pan's Labyrinth (Doug Jones) did the motion-capture work for the Silver Surfer. Regardless, pretty much nothing will get me to see this movie in theaters, and I'm a pretty big comic book geek. Despite that, I'm sure it'll bring in decent numbers based on the ubiquitous ad campaign.
DOA: Dead or Alive - Finally, another video game movie...Tecmo's fighting game about busty, attractive women kicking each others trim, well-sculpted asses sold extremely well (and the gravity/bounce physics engine was phenomenal). Now DOA, an action film about busty, attractive women kicking each others trim, well-sculpted asses comes to the big screen. How this managed to avoid a direct to video release is beyond me.
Eagle vs Shark - Blame "Napoleon Dynamite". Ever since that film's giant Sundance success, followed by its subsequent popularity in damn near every demographic, people think weird set coloring and social-misfit protagonists are the sure way to land some easy cash. This time it might actually be a good film though. Two outcasts fall in love by picking on old high school bullies and playing video games. With Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) in one of the lead roles, this could actually have some decent humor.
Support for LAist comes from
Fido - In a 1950's era world, zombies are a part of everyday life. The living have developed a device (like a dog collar) to keep the undead in check and basically turn them into personal pets/attendants. Billy Connelly plays Fido, a young boy's pet zombie. Things go wrong, Fido eats someone and it turns into a creative play on the standard "boy and his dog" story. Color me interested.
Nancy Drew - The mystery-solving teen is back for a feature length film. You probably recognize the new Nancy Drew's (Emma Roberts) giant smile. That's because she can call Julia Roberts her aunt, and they share the same set of gigantic chompers (Ah, Hollywood nepotism). The studio is hoping bankability runs in the family.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist