Angry Web

Warner Bros has posted a “For Your Consideration” ad in Variety magazine for Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger’s performance in “The Dark Knight”.  Academy Awards ballots will be mailed on December 26th, with polls closing on January 12th.  The final nominations will be announced on January 22nd.

Other contenders include:

Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road
Philip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
John Malkovich – Changeling
Ralph Fiennes – The Duchess
John Malkovich – Burn After Reading
Brad Pitt – Burn After Reading
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder

Now I may not know how these other actors prepared for their roles, but I do recall Mr. Ledger spending 6 weeks locked inside a hotel room scribbling some pretty crazy sh*t into what’s been called “The Joker Diary”.

So what do you guys think?  Does Heath have a chance?

Well, a picture of Waves 3 and 4 of the highly sought after “Dark Knight” MM’s has finally surfaced!  Wave 3, set to hit stores in January 2009, will include Battle-Damaged Batman (w/ white sonar lenses) and the Scarecrow (in business attire).  Wave 4, set to hit stores in March 2009, will include Harvey Dent, Two-Face, and Bank Robber Joker.  While there is still no confirmation on a “Chase” figure, I’m having the slightest hunch that the Two-Face MM will be another grueling Joker MM hunt with relentless fanboys once again scouring through Wal Marts and Toys R’ Us’s, hoping to bask in that utter nerdgasmic bliss.  However, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise for countless others to be left empty-handed and bitterly frustrated.  Mattel had better up their game this time around.

ABC has released its new trailer for “Lost”, scheduled to continue its 5th season this upcoming spring.  At marks 1:34 and 2:25 you may notice a logo for “Ajira Airways” suddenly flash in.  Heading on over to http://www.ajiraairways.com, you’ll find a viral website where you can submit your e-mail address for further updates.  “Lost” premieres on January 21st at 8/7C.

“The Spirit” stars Gabriel Macht, Scarlett Johansson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes, and Samuel L. Jackson to name a few.  Written and directed by Frank Miller, this Will Eisner comic book adaptation comes out in theaters December 25, 2008.

When one loads up a Mortal Kombat game, the first thing they think about is a decent fighting game that includes uncensored gore executed in some of the most creative means possible and the last thing they can expect is a solid storyline that actually makes a single player mode worth the time to sit through. Well toss those preconceived notions away because the latest title in the Mortal Kombat series has put those stereotypes to rest.

Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe is the first Mortal Kombat game in a while that has created some buzz and the attention it’s getting is well worth it. By fusing the popular characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise with the characters from DC’s most notable comic books, they have seamlessly put together these 2 obscure worlds and published a 3D fighting game that is actually fun.

When you first bring up the single player screen you have the option to enter arcade mode or story mode. Arcade mode hasn’t changed much from the prior Mortal Kombat games in which you choose your character and fight your way up the ranks. However, what made this game worth it for me was the story mode.

In the story mode, the player has a choice between 2 storylines: Mortal Kombat or DC Universe. Being the geek that I am, I played through the DC story and was extremely impressed.

Everything from the animation to the voice acting was well executed, the game play never got redundant due to the cinematics between fights, and the characters appeared to come directly from the graphic novels as opposed to the movies.

In the multiplayer mode you have a choice of playing with a friend or joining an online lobby in which you can challenge or be challenged by other players, so no matter if your sitting next to someone or fighting a player from accross the country, the multiplayer option is always available.

On the Mortal Kombat side you can play as Liu Kang, Kano, Sonya Blade, Jax, Raiden and more. Batman, The Joker, Catwoman, The Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Superman and Lex Luthor lead The DC Universe. Between the 2 sides, anybody who grew up playing video games or reading comic books will instantly get a sense of nostalgia from this title.

Overall, I really enjoyed this game. Maybe it is the geek in me but this is the first Mortal Kombat title I have actually been excited about since the release of Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995 and one of the better 3D fighters available right now. I was slightly disappointed by the lack of fatalities, which were toned down in order to prevent the game from getting a Mature rating, but the pros outweigh the cons for the most part and it doesn’t take too much away from the game in the end.

If you are a fan of 3D fighting games, the Mortal Kombat franchise, The DC Universe or just comic books in general, then I suggest picking up this game. Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe is out now.

With Tim Burton’s version of “Alice In Wonderland” currently in production, we can only imagine what this visionary director can come up with. With knowledge that Johnny Depp would be portraying The Mad Hatter, this image has found its way around the internet. Is this the first image of Depp as The Mad Hatter? What do you think?

Written by Brian Azzarello
Art by Lee Bermejo and Mick Gray
Cover by Lee Bermejo

In the all-new, hardcover original graphic novel JOKER, writer Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS) and artist Lee Bermejo (HELLBLAZER covers) – the creative team behind the acclaimed miniseries LEX LUTHOR: MAN OF STEEL – show an even darker and more disturbing side to the most dangerous man in Gotham: The Joker.

After yet another stint in Arkham Asylum, The Joker finds “his city” divided among mobsters and costumed villains. Not content to settle for a piece of the pie, The Joker vows to take back the whole damn enchilada by any means necessary. Look for appearances by a slew of Gotham’s most wanted, including gritty takes on Two-Face, Riddler, Killer Croc, Penguin, Harley Quinn and even Batman!

Not since THE KILLING JOKE have you seen such a powerful tale of The Joker – you won’t want to miss this one!

DC Universe | 128pg. | Color | Hardcover | $19.99 US | ISBN 9781401215811

On Sale Now

Kickass…

Paramount Pictures has released two new theatrical posters for director J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek”, featuring Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto).  “Star Trek” comes out May 8, 2009.