So, the first Ghost Rider movie was awful. Bad acting, horrible script/story, and the graphics were pretty terrible. However, undaunted by horrible reviews and an unhappy base, Crank directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor wanted to take a crack at it, but only if they did the comic justice. As you may remember, the first look at the film at Comic Con 2011 really impressed us, and now we get the first official trailer, compiled of the footage screened at the convention. The movie is going to really have to impress after the bad taste the first film left in fans’ mouths, but it looks like they’re heading in the right direction. Take a look at the trailer for Ghost Rider: Spirit of the Vengeance below, and let us know what you think before it hits theaters February 17, 2012.

If you were thinking Christopher Nolan‘s Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, was going to have a skintight leather outfit in The Dark Knight Rises like we saw in Batman Returns and the horrific 2004 Catwoman film, you’re sorely mistaken. After all, Nolan prefers function along with form. His villains don’t prance around with their silly names, usually they are a moniker given by others. Harvey Dent isn’t known in this universe as Two-Face, and the only exception was The Joker, but he was simply crazy. We know Anne Hathaway would be playing the conflicted love interest/villain Selina Kyle in the film, and more than likely Catwoman would be a name the newspapers or media would give her. Being a cat burglar, she needs to be tech savvy and get away from the scene quickly. As evidenced by the photo, she’s wearing tactical goggles and driving Batman‘s Bat Pod. Did he lend it to her? Did she steal it? It’s hard to say at this point, but I’m loving the look they’re giving her. The photo simply popped up on thedarkknightrsies.com and labels her as Selina Kyle, and hopefully we’ll get more great photos from the movie as we inch towards the July 20, 2012 release date. Take a full look at the photo below, and let us know what you think.

If you’re excited for next year’s team-up flick The Avengers from writer/director Joss Whedon, you’ll have to check out the teaser below, courtesy of Yahoo!. However, it does spoil the ending of Captain America: The First Avenger. If you are not familiar with the storyline, Captain America gets frozen in ice, only to wake up almost 70 years later in our world. He didn’t come from a time with heroes like Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), but he’ll be fighting alongside them with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). It’s interesting that Marvel put the scene on the web and just a small taste of the teaser (which shows about 40 more seconds of footage than the clip below) but I suppose they are trying to get people out to see Captain America, even if it’s just for the teaser. Check out the clip below, and let us know if you’re excited for The Avengers, in theaters May 4, 2012.

With a film like Immortals, many may pass over it believing it to be the combination of 300 and Clash of the Titans. However, director Tarsem Singh brings a unique vision to cinema that few could rival. The story goes that the evil King Hyperion is waging war against the gods, and plots to destroy them with the cursed Titan. After Singh and the producers came out, stars Frida Pinto, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, and Henry Cavill walked out on-stage. They discussed their characters and how the influence on Greek mythology played a roll in crafting the story. Singh wanted a different take on the Greek god mythology, with their younger appearance and hands-on work with humanity. I think from everything we’ve seen, it has the potential to be a success, but the visuals might overpower the story and ultimately leave it an empty story wrapped in pretty paper.

The action trailer we saw was shown in 3D and looked fantastic, very detailed and visually stunning. The action shown is brutal, very similar to 300 but with more flair, if you’d believe that’s possible. Tarsem discussed the origins of the story, and that the gods were a big inspiration for his taking on the project. We saw a second clip of a fight scene which looked great as well. I think action fans are going to find a lot in the film to enjoy, but the question is whether people will be on-board with the story and script. Look for more about Immortals as we get closer to the November 11, 2011 release date.

Wow, Sony just blew everyone’s mind away with the Total Recall panel. First, director Len Wiseman came out for the panel discussion, along with stars Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, John Cho, and Jessica Biel. They opened the panel with screening footage, which was stunningly great. The scene shows Quaid going into a place called Recall, a company that can give you memories that feel real. It’s the chance to have the memories of any life you’d like, any adventure you’d like to take. When the company realize he’s got buried memories, the government storms the office and shoot the place up. When they try to place Quaid under arrest, he takes down the entire unit in a very stylized sequence of fist fighting and gunplay. A cool probe is shot into the room that shoot out dozens of small balls that stick to everything, and each one is a camera. The soldiers see he’s alone and storm in, but he breaks out and they give chase.

The story, based on the work of Phillip K. Dick, was adapted in 1990 and starred action man Arnold Schwarzenegger. This take doesn’t travel to Mars like the other film, but does keep with the idea that someone goes to get new memories, only to find out they’re actually a spy working against the government. Total Recall opens in theaters August 3, 2012.

One of the most anticipated movies of the fall is the remake of the vampire movie Fright Night. There’s a few cool trailers out for the movie, and there was an atmosphere of anticipation before the panel began in Hall H. Following the Screen Gems panel, moderator Sean Phillips welcomed director Craig Gillespie came out to greet the audience. He brought out Colin Farrell, screenwriter Marti Noxon, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and original Fright Night star Chris Sarandon. Chris took over moderating responsibilities, and asked a few questions to the director and cast.

Marti Noxon talked about how difficult it had been to adapt Fright Night, espeically with the saturated market with vampires and monsters and movies. She had previously worked on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer TV show, so she did have experience writing monsters. The first clip we saw showed Ed (Chris Mintz-Plasse) trying to convince his friend Charlie (Anton Yelchin) that his neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire. Yelchin talked about how the complexity of the main character, a boy-who-cried-wolf who realizes he’s pretty much on his own, drew him to the project. A second clip showed Jerry showing up to Charlie’s house, asking to borrow something, and having a chat with Charlie about how there’s a “lot of danger” out there and sometimes the boy needs to grow up to protect those around them. He teases him, not explicitly threatening Charlie or his family or girlfriend, but giving off the impression that he’s keeping an eye on all of them.

We got a third clip of the reveal to Charlie’s mom and girlfriend learn that Jerry is a vampire and he attacks them. After his girlfriend confronts him about why he’s acting weird and the mom intently listens in, Jerry stops by and tries to get invited in. However, Jerry gets anxious and and pulls the gas line out of the house and sets the place ablaze. We also got a look at David Tennant‘s Peter Vincent character, a Criss Angel wannabe that Charlie goes to asking for help. They also announced a party and screening for fans. Everything we’ve seen for Fright Night looks great, and August 19, 2011, you’ll be able to check out the film for yourself.

The second film Aardman featured was Aurthur Christmas. Telling the story of Santa’s family has been done multiple times, but this Christmas movie is very much different. Santa has a giant sled that resembles both a sleigh and a UFO. Millions of elves wrap gifts and send the children of the world billions of toys. There was a few clips shown, and it’s looking like it’ll be a good family draw to theaters this holiday season.

Comedian Pee Wee Herman has seen a resurgence in his career the past few months. His Broadway show is a hit, and at the panel today, he confirmed that a Judd Apatow script is at the studio right now, and they might go in front of cameras before the end of the year. He had success in the 80s and early 90s with his movies and TV show, and now he’s on the comeback. His panel wasn’t really for anything specific, but he did comment about how the first time around fame he didn’t stop and recognize he had popularity and took it for granted. It’s nice to see a celebrity truly sincere about counting his blessings.

Both panels were pretty fun, though very different from each other. Pee Wee was surprisingly entertaining and The Pirates! Band of Misfits and Aurthur Christmas look like good family features. The Pirates! Band of Misfits hits theaters March 30, 2012 and Aurthur Christmas arrives in theaters November 23, 2011.

Getting ready for Fanboyz.net‘s third year covering the San Diego Comic Con, I think about all the planning and details that go into making the big trip out to Southern California. Despite some disappointment that the super big-name movies like Superman: Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Rises, there’s still a whole lot to be excited for. Big TV shows are getting their moment in the sun, like Game of Thrones and Glee, and smaller projects are being highlighted by their studios. However, like any big undertaking, there’s always a few bumps in the road. The night before Comic Con 2011, I’m reflecting on what made last year’s Comic Con so awesome, and what there is to look forward to at this year’s convention.

As you may remember, last year we got to see some amazing sights. Hilarious panels for The Other Guys and Green Hornet were a lot of fun to attend, and some like Resident Evil: Afterlife were simply boring. Getting the chance to see Harrison Ford show up to his first Con and see The Avengers assemble onstage felt like a dream come true. However, awesome panels are just a part of Comic Con.

One of last year’s biggest promoted events were for the Disney sequel Tron: Legacy. We had the chance to talk with some of the stars and filmmakers attached to the project, in a room designed to mirror The Grid from the film. Looking ahead to this year, there’s always a scramble to contact press managers and publicists to get into special events.

The nightlife in San Diego is almost as fun as the convention itself. After 8 p.m., people flock to the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner and drinks. Restaurants and bars offer specials for the red lanyard army marching down the streets looking for entertainment. Many offer deals for food and drinks, a few bucks off the menu bringing in loads of customers. This year, a map was created to highlight specials and deals specially made for getting convention attendees in and out quick with a bite to eat.

The convention floor is a giant room filled with booths, vendors, and loads of fans pushing and moving people around, trying to get their hands on all manner of goodies. On the end closest to Hall H, most of the video game companies set up shop, showcasing their latest and greatest games. Some have playable demos, others just have videos and booth babes. Around the edges of the floor line various artists, with their work on sale and signing their comics or books. The middle of the floor is strongly occupied with movie studios and toy companies. The movies showcased have, in the past, included an amazing Iron Man setup, with each of the suits from the movies lining the stage where people could get close and take pictures. The toys always have huge lines; toy manufactures give out exclusives at Comic Con; I’ve seen some sold a few days after the convention for 300%-400% of the retail price. A good way for people to help offset the cost of the trip I’d say.

Seeing the sights and sounds of Comic Con are something any fan of pop culture should experience. Video games, celebrities, people wearing awesome costumes and getting pictures of some of the neatest sights entertainment has to offer is well worth all the trouble it takes to plan it. Dealing with the horrific ordeal of getting a hotel through the Comic Con rate, all the airfare and travel arrangements, and of course, the lines, all can make for a stressful ordeal. But make no mistake: San Diego Comic Con is a blast for anyone looking to have fun and rub elbows with fellow fans.

Photo: http://twitter.com/#!/davechensky

The fire rises in the first teaser trailer for the upcoming superhero movie The Dark Knight Rises. Starring Christian Bale, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway, the final Batman film wraps up Christopher Nolan‘s series about Gotham City‘s caped crusader. We’ve been very excited about the project, and after seeing it in front of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, I’m glad it hit the web soon after theaters. Dealing with Bane, Catwoman, and possibly a young Ra’s al Ghul, Batman’s going to have his hands full protecting the city from all manner of evil. Take a look at the teaser trailer below, and let us know if you enjoy it. The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 20, 2012.

I have heard a lot of people complain that the teaser doesn’t reveal a lot about the movie (considering the first half is rehashed footage from the first two I understand) but I think there’s enough in there to make Batman fans like me get their brains working. First, the shot of Gordon in the hospital really gives the impression that the Commissioner is in bad shape. I hope it isn’t something like cancer, because from the conversation he has with the off-screen character (we presume is Bruce Wayne), he makes it sound like there’s a reason he got put in critical condition at the hospital. Second, if it is Bruce Wayne he’s talking to (“We were in this together” sure makes it sound like it is), he might not be in good shape either. As fans know, Bane breaks Batman’s back in a fight and puts him out of commission for a while. The shot, especially from the beginning of the scene with Gordon, looks like he’s sitting down, but with his arm’s raised he could be in a wheelchair. Makes sense why he’d be saying we need Batman back. Third, it seems that Gordon know’s Batman’s identity. Why else would he be talking about needing Batman to some rich billionaire. Last, the shots of Bruce doing push-ups and climbing up a well (looks like the one he fell down as a child) could be Wayne rehabilitating himself to get ready for his showdown with Bane. Just some theories, but who knows, maybe I’m right about something for once.

One of the most successful adaptations from book to film is finally completed. Back in 2001, audiences were introduced to a small, unassuming child who lived with cruel family and called the cupboard under the stairs his room. Though Harry Potter had already been out in book form, the movie woke American audiences to the wizard world of J.K. Rowling, and her wonderful protagonist, The Boy Who Lived. As you may recall, I enjoyed the first part of the finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I but felt the movie would suffer some unfair criticism for feeling incomplete. It does feel that way, but honestly it fits perfectly with Part II. While I felt the first part is a bit unbalanced in terms of where it leaves the story off, it is harmoniously completed by the last film.

Voldemort has the Elder Wand. Dobby saved the characters but at the cost of his life. Snape has a stranglehold on the students as Headmaster of Hogwarts. Only a few Horcruxes remain, pieces of Voldemort’s soul that can be destroyed and leave He Who Shall Not Be Named vulnerable. The movie begins moments after the end of the previous installment, as Harry has just buried Dobby. As the movie was not striving to make the final film two movies, there aren’t a lot of wasted explanations, like “Oh, right remember that earlier we…” or treated the audience like they didn’t remember what happened moments before in Part I. The movie starts right off, getting the next Horcrux within 30 minutes of the movie starting. There will be some Harry Potter purists who will find flaws in the changes made in the movie from the story, most notably between the fight between Harry and Voldemort and what happens to the Elder Wand, but they are inconsequential to the story overall, and are forgivable, especially considering how well the rest of the movie is handled.

The best thing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II gives the audience is heart. After the fourth story, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there are few moments when the reader (or audience) feel a strong connection to the characters, or feel how much could be lost if they fail. While Part I helps alleviate some of those attitudes, Part II solidifies them, ending the series with the optimism and heart that made us fall in love with the story from the first time we picked up (or watched) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. There is hardly any levity or moments of humor in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, because the heroes (and audience) know the clock is ticking to the end. The producers could have easily tweaked a few scenes or wrote in some moments where the characters share a laugh or give us something goofy. They were smart to keep the movie focused. The goal is the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort, and although there are a few times where the characters aren’t destroying Horcruxes or battling Death Eaters, the focus remains on the mission at hand. Otherwise, the monumental task of defeating the Dark Wizards would not feel as daunting and seemingly impossible.

One of the strongest parts of the movie is how the simultaneous moments of the story are edited and share screen time. It can be easy for a storyteller to focus on one part of the action and forget to show the audience what the other characters are up to at the same time, even when it’s paramount to the events onscreen. Between looking for a Horcrux at Hogwarts, trying to figure out how to destroy it once they get it, and the students and faculty preparing the grounds for an attack from Voldemort and his Death Eaters, there’s quite a bit happening at once; we see enough of some of the non-essential moments to prepare us for an upcoming event, and the focus goes back to the big picture so we can follow how the moments will come together. Harry’s search is the most important event, but as important is how the Horcrux will be destroyed. Between these moments we see the teachers at Hogwarts readying the school for an attack, and it all seems harmonious. The movie really hits it’s stride in telling the story in a non-linear way, especially concerning Snape and the reveal of his motives. With few words on-screen, Alan Rickman gives a chilling and heartbreaking performance as the turncoat Severus Snape. I’m at a loss for trying to think of someone recently who’s done such a good job in a film role with few interactions with the main characters.

There is not much to be said about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, and that’s exactly why the movie is the perfect ending to the series; the movie speaks for itself. Some will take with them a story about a boy who overcomes great trials and proves to himself what loyalty and hope are all about; others will simply be entertained by the fantastic action sequences, with wizards using every spell in the proverbial book to battle each other. There will be a lot of people feeling tears come as the screen fades to black for the final Harry Potter film, and that’s a good thing. In a world where movies are scrutinized and analyzed beyond belief, it can be easy to overlook what we as the audience take with us from them. Everyone likes being entertained, and most movies can on some level entertain, but the movies and series’ that inspire people and leave them feeling a bit better about our world is truly magical.

Fanboyz Grade: A