THE CONJURING, R.I.P.D, & TURBO: CFQ Spotlight Podcast 4:29

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson confront the unknown of THE CONJURING (2013)
Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson confront the unknown of THE CONJURING (2013)

This weekend continued 2013’s trend of diversity in fantastic film debuts: You had your choice of an atmospheric, based-on-a-true-story ghost tale with THE CONJURING, or ride along with Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds as afterlife cops in the effect-enhanced action-fantasy-comedy R.I.P.D, or indulge your sense of whimsy as Ryan Reynolds — again — voices a supercharged snail in the DreamWorks’ CG animated film, TURBO. Or you could stay home and read a good book, but c’mon, what sane person is going to do that?
Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons put the primary focus of this week’s show on THE CONJURING discussing, director James Wan’s (SAW, INSIDIOUS) handling of atmosphere and scares, and examining whether the real-life angle — allegedly based on the experiences of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren — helps or hinders the storytelling. Then Steve and Larry look into whether R.I.P.D. managed to live up to the potential of its premise, and Steve delivers some surprising observations on TURBO. Plus: What’s coming to theaters next week, and absolutely no book recommendations.

THE CROODS & A RESURRECTION: CFQ Spotlight Podcast 4:12.1

Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life Than Living in a Cave: Emma Stone seeks broader horizons in THE CROODS.
Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More to Life Than Living in a Cave: Emma Stone seeks broader horizons in THE CROODS.

We should be grateful that mainstream entertainment has evolved enough for an animated tale of a prehistoric family not to be solely defined by how many times the work “rock” is prefixed to other nouns. The new DreamWorks film, THE CROODS, is about a primitive clan — led by cautious father Nicolas Cage — facing their own evolutionary upheavals, including a rebellious teen daughter (Emma Stone), a brainy stranger — he’s got shoes! (Ryan Reynolds), and a little thing called the continental drift. Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons saw this fanciful tale of survival, and got together to discuss the awesome production design, the occasionally-serviceable, occasionally-better comedy, and when we’ll see it’s-all-about-family plotting finally collapse from total exhaustion.
Plus: Dan discusses the low-budget horror film, A RESURRECTION; what’s coming to theaters; and Steve vanishes into a temporal rift, only to emerge later in the week for a Laserblast episode.

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Green Lantern: Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast 2:23.1

Mean, green, interstellar justice machine: Ryan Reynolds is the GREEN LANTERN.
Mean, green, interstellar justice machine: Ryan Reynolds is the GREEN LANTERN.

Somebody notify Kermit: Being green just got a little easier. That’s what happens when the all-powerful will of the universe taps test pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) to be its latest defender, and a dying alien bequeaths him a ring that turns him into the GREEN LANTERN, a mighty force for good with a bitchin’ emerald wardrobe and the ability conjure anything that can be imagined into reality. The new film is Hollywood’s latest attempt to take the comic book movie back to its purer roots, when heroes were heroes, bad guys were malevolent, and the galaxy had the colorful vividness of a two-page splash. Does GREEN LANTERN earn its stripes as simple summer fun? Do Reynolds and Blake Lively (playing Jordan’s boss, wingman, and love interest Carol Ferris) make an appealing screen couple (even as the kids are going, “Yick”)? And what the hell’s going on with Peter Sarsgaard’s forehead? Listen in as Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, Lawrence French, and Dan Persons discuss these and many more issues.

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'Green Lantern' TV Spot #12

As the June 17th release approaches, Warner Brothers Pictures is cranking up the promo volume for GREEN LANTERN.

“In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers.

But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.
Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity.
With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax…he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.”
 

'Green Lantern' 3-D Trailer

Geoffrey Rush (Tomar-Re) narrates this latest (and very cosmic) GREEN LANTERN Trailer.
Directed by Martin Campbell, produced by Greg Berlanti, Donald De Line, Geoff Johns, Executive Producers: Andrew Haas
Donald De Line, Screenplay: Marc Guggenheim, Michael Green, Greg Berlanti, Michael Goldenberg .
Due in theaters June 17th, in standard and 3-D versions.
From Yahoo via kino.com

Full 'Green Lantern' Costume Shots


Warner Brothers Pictures released these three shots of star Ryan Reynolds in his full GREEN LANTERN CGI “uniform”.

Green Lantern_RyanReynoldsCG1
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As can be seen, if the lighting isn’t just right, the composite looks pretty unconvincing.
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Click to Enlarge

Still not liking the peeled skin look, the feet in particular border on the  laughable, to my taste.
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Click to Enlarge

However, it’s servicable, and the distinct CGI look will likely help blend the live action character with the other wholly CGI-animated Green Lantern Corps members from various alien races.
From Breaking News USA, Via Coming Soon.net.

'Green Lantern' Wondercon Trailer

Here’s an abridged clip of the extended trailer from Warner Brothers GREEN LANTERN that was shown at Wondercon this weekend.
This is more like it — previous footage made the film look almost like a romantic comedy about an irresponsible guy who becomes a superhero. This piece has the gravitas that most comic book fans likely desired for this first feature film version of the DC Comics hero.
GL_tomar-re_CropThe trailer features Tomar Re, voiced by Geoffery Rush (PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN), as revealed this week.  Mark Strong’s (SHERLOCK HOLMES) Sinestro is a major presence, as is Temuera Morrison’s (THE PHANTOM MENACE) Abin Sur, with glimpses of Peter Sarsgaard’s mutating Hector Hammond.
GREEN LANTERN opens June 17th, directed by Martin Campbell, and screenplay by  Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim, and
Michael Goldenberg.
Not yet rated.
(Video via The GeekGen’s youtube page.)

FULL 'Green Lantern' Trailer

Here’s the FULL version of Warner Brother’s actual GREEN LANTERN trailer, as opposed to the ET teaser that we posted this weekend.
The ET teaser seemed to pick clips that played up Hal Jordan’s less admirable qualities, the trailer gives us a hopefully much more balanced view.

1st 'Green Lantern' Teaser

Courtesy of Entertainment Tonight, the first good look at Warner Brothers’ GREEN LANTERN.
At first glance, the preview seems to be playing up the visual angles and  more juvenile aspects of the ring bearer’s possiblities. My guess is that the film will have Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) go the “With great power comes great responsiblity” route.