The colour hardcover edition of Scott Pilgrim Volume 3: Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness is set to be released at TCAF the weekend of May 11^th-12^th. The TCAF website touts that it will feature “previously unpublished extras, hard-to-find short stories, and exclusive bonus materials will make you see Scott Pilgrim in a whole new light!” Also, only available at TCAF will be the “Evil Ex edition” of Scott Pilgrim Volume 3. All this fuss has got to have non-fanatics wonder, just what is the appeal of Scott Pilgrim?

Are you or have you ever been a directionless 20-something still making idiotic teenage mistakes? Ever hung out at rock clubs just to cheer on your friends playing their first gig, while the rest of the club ignored them? Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim captures a particular feeling of being young and stupid and out on your own before you’re ready to be. It’s video games and rock music and relationships all rolled into one deliriously entertaining group of characters.

Somewhere in the middle of Scott Pilgrim Volume 2, the book takes a brief detour to address the reader directly and spends a couple of pages detailing a quick recipe for ‘Vegan Shepherd’s Pie’ with the added instruction “If you’re under 23, ask a grown-up to help out.” A major strength of indie comics is how easily they’ll play with the medium in all the ways mainstream comics often don’t have time for, in the case of the Scott Pilgrim series this means playfully feeding notes and diagrams to the reader, temporarily defining an entire scene by 80’s video game logic, and just going off on strange riffs that bring you closer to the mindset of the characters (and the author.) Those not used to free-flowing indie comics might feel it’s a bit of a mess but there’s genuine method to the madness and a charming emotional honesty that transcends all the weirdly specific references.

Bryan Lee O’Malley will be part of the Narrative Intersections panel on Saturday, May 11^th from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, taking place at Bento Miso (862 Richmond Street West), home of the TCAF Comics Vs Games event. The panel’s focus will be on the participants’ “relationships with games, how they borrow and adapt ideas from games and comics into the other.” As well, a book signing will follow after the panel.

*** Article was co-written by Jae Korim, storyboard and comic book artist on ‘Neozoic’ for Red 5 Comics.

The post Coming to Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2013: Bryan Lee O’Malley appeared first on I Heart Movies.

Veronica and Wallace: Veronica Mars

Veronica was never someone who lacked a romantic suitor, but she did usually lack in the friend department. This all changed when Wallace came to town. Sure they had their ups and downs and he took off to Chicago randomly for a couple of episodes, but this dynamic duo is a perfect example of platonic love between best friends. I can’t wait for the movie!

Zoe and Mal: Firefly

The relationship between Zoe and Mal began when she served under him during the Unification War before she followed him to serve as his second in command. This relationship grew to be a lot more. The mutual respect they have for one another make them on of the best platonic duos to ever appear on TV. It’s also great when they mess with Wash.

Garcia and Morgan: Criminal Minds

Working in the BAU and seeing some of the things they see, Garcia and Morgan are lucky to have each other to lean on. Morgan is the super FBI agent kicking down doors and Garcia is the tech expert who leads him to those doors. They are a great duo who always have time for some friendly flirty wordplay on the phone.

Maggie and Andy: Extras

Ricky Gervais knows how to write heartfelt and funny characters and none more so than Maggie from Extras. Her relationship with Andy throughout the series shows just how much you need your best friends even as you get older. One of the best scenes in television I’ve ever watched is still the Christmas Special monologue from Andy about the sad state of celebrity morphing into a heartfelt apology to his best friend.

Yokas and Bosco: Third Watch

I used to be OBSESSED with Third Watch. I used to debate if I wanted to be a police officer or paramedic and it would change every time I watched another episode. I was 11 when it first premiered so one of the first major platonic relationships I was exposed to on TV was Officers Yokas and Boscorelli. Part siblings, part coworkers, all sass. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Who are some of your favourite platonic on screen teams? Let us know in the comments!

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The post On Screen Teams – The Best Platonic Relationships on TV appeared first on I Heart Movies.

You just can’t top Steve McQueen in The Great Escape, the definition of iconic.

I had to start off my movie viewing week setting aside an entire night for one of the best war movies and one of the best ensemble casts ever put to film. The Great Escape has finally found its way onto Blu-ray and I disappear into the man cave to spend a few hours with some of the toughest hombre’s to ever grace the silver screen. Everyone knows the story, allied POW’s in a German camp during World War II plot a spectacular escape for hundreds of prisoners. Masterfully directed by John Sturges and starring the likes of Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Garner and many more, The Great Escape is one of the best movies of its kind ever made and despite the long run time, I could watch an all-day marathon of this one film any time. The characters are all unforgettable, the acting all top notch and the process of the escape is just full blown movie entertainment at its best. This is one of those essential films I just could not live without.

After escaping my basement and getting a full nights rest, I embarked on viewing a double feature of two of my favorite films of the past year that both happen to be out this week.

Tom Cruise remains one of the most consistent movie stars and Jack Reacher proves it.

Jack Reacher is the first film adaptation of one of Lee Child’s popular novels to actually use his trademark character’s name. Tom Cruise fills the shoes of the wandering ex-military police investigator who takes on the case of a military sniper who opened fire on a crowd of unsuspecting civilians. Many fans of the novels complained that Cruise didn’t fit the image of the physically intimidating Reacher portrayed in the books, but he more than makes up for it in sheer badassery. This is a return to the 1970’s style of bad ass adult thrillers. Writer and director Christopher McQuarrie makes a slow burn mystery full of great characters and lots of ass kicking courtesy of Mr. Cruise. I can’t even put into words how much I loved this film; it was just great not to be insulted by a plodding, predictable plot and crazy fast paced editing. This is the type of movie that I will from this point on refer to as a film on Cruise Control. Tom has been on a role for a while now and Jack Reacher just further cements his position as the top movie star in the game right now.

Mama is old school scares with one of the most terrifying creatures in years.

Last up for the week is the Guillermo Del Toro produced Mama. As with Jack Reacher, Mama is a return to an older and more restrained style of filmmaking. Two little girls are left in the woods and survive for five years on their own with the help of something they call Mama. Once found, their uncle takes them in but soon discovers that Mama may not want to let them go just yet. Mama has it all. Great acting, especially by the two little girls, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau of Game of Thrones and Jessica Chastain playing a raven haired, tattooed rocker chick with a bad attitude. But it also has great writing, atmospheric direction, and one hell of a whopper of a creature. Mama herself is absolutely terrifying and a shining example of what you can achieve with a balanced blend of live action and CG. There are plenty of scares in Mama, one in particular sent my popcorn across the room, but the real heart of Mama is just that, it has heart and characters you give a crap about. I love my Mama.

DVD and Blu-ray Releases for Tuesday May 7, 2013

30 Rock: Season 7

Apartment 4E

Babe: Pig in the City

Brubaker

Citizen Hearst

Cougar Town: Season 1

Flashpoint: The Fifth Season

Fringe: The Complete Fifth and Final Season

Gamer 3D

In the Name of the Father

Jack Reacher

Jesus Christ Superstar

Left to Die: The Sandra and Tammi Chase Story

Mama

One Hour Photo

Revenge for Jolly

Royal Pains: Season 4

Safe Haven

Shanghai Noon/Shanghai Knights

Somebody’s Child

Superman Unbound

The ABC’s of Death

The Great Escape

The Verdict

Viva Zapata

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• They Were in What?!?! TV Stars’ Oddest Movie Credits Part 1
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The post Press Play: DVD and Blu-ray releases for May 7, 2013 appeared first on I Heart Movies.

1. Flash Gordon
2. Hairspray (1988)
3. Master of the Universe
4. Army of Darkness
5. The Fifth Element

Please feel free to use the comments section below to place judgment. Here are some random film credits of notable TV stars:

Josh Charles – Hairspray

You may know him as the delectably delicious Will Gardner on The Good Wife, but I will always know him as Iggy in Hairspray. His picture is posted above, check the video below to see if you can spot him doing The Madison (and yes, I know how to do The Madison).

Courtney Cox – Masters of the Universe

Before she was TV’s favourite whino Jules Cobb on Cougar Town, Courtney wash helping He-man (Dolph Lundgren) save his hometown of Eternia from the mega douche Skeletor.

Mark Addy and Robert Carlyle – The Full Monty

Imma let you finish Channing Tatum, but Mark and Robert are the original Magic Mike! Mark went on to star as King Robert Baratheon on Game of Thrones and Robert currently stars as Mr. Gold/Rumplestilskin on Once Upon a Time.

Mike Vogel, Jennifer Morrison, Adam Brody – Grind

Mike will star in the upcoming summer drama Under the Dome, Jennifer Morrison is on OUAT and Adam Brody was recently on House of Lies but most famous for being Seth Cohen on The O.C. You have to agree they have some sweet dance moves!

Guillermo Diaz – Half Baked

Don’t you wise you had the balls to quit you job like that? Guillermo definitely has a habit of playing badasses. He know stars on Scandal as Huck.

Devon Sawa – Little Giants

Most girls fell in love with Devon when he was the real boy version of Casper. But seeing I was a sporto growing up, my heart skipped a beat when Devon was throwing toilet paper into a shopping cart as Junior Floyd in Little Giants.

Alyson Hannigan – My Stepmother is an Alien

Everyone knows her as Buffy’s sidekick Willow, but I will always know her as Jessie Mills, the girl who didn’t want her father married his new girlfriend because she was from outer space in My Stepmother is an Alien.

Elisabeth Shue – Soapdish

Yes, she’s Al Mills from The Karate Kid, Jennifer from Back to the Future Part II & III and had the babysitting blues as Chris in The Adventures of Babysitting (I own this movie too), but I will always remember Elisabeth as Lori Craven in Soapdish.

Ed O’Neill – The Adventures of Ford Fairlane 

Booty time!!! Booty time!!! Across the USA!!! Booty time!!! Booty time!!! Hey hey hey!!! So terrible, it’s catchy. Before he was Jay Pritchett on Modern Family, Ed was a detective in my 2nd fav Morris Day (from Morris Day and the Time) film.

More from I Heart Movies

• Press Play: DVD and Blu-ray releases for May 7, 2013
• Coming to Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2013: Bryan Lee O’Malley
• On Screen Teams – The Best Platonic Relationships on TV

The post They Were in What?!?! TV Stars’ Oddest Movie Credits Part 1 appeared first on I Heart Movies.

In anticipation of The Great Gatsby, travel back to the 1920s with these films and TV shows.

CHICAGO

Starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere, Chicago came out in 2002 and is a musical film adapted from the satirical stage musical of the same name, which explores the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption. The film centers on housewife Roxie Hart (Zellweger) and a vaudevillian Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones), two murderesses who are fighting for fame, hoping that will keep them from the gallows as they await their trial.

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the Prohibition era, Boardwalk Empire stars the ever talented Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson (based on the historical Enoch L. Johnson), a political figure who rose to prominence and controlled Atlantic City. The show was adapted from the book about historical criminal kingpin Enoch L. Johnson, titled Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

You’ll need to fast forward this film a bit to travel to the 1920s. Written and directed by Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris is a 2011 romantic comedy fantasy starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. Gil (Wilsoon), is a screenwriter vacationing in Paris with his materialistic fiancée Inez (McAdams).  As Gil ventures out at night to explore the city, he finds himself traveling back in time each night at midnight.  One night, Gil’s transported back to the 1920s, an era he idolizes and encounters numerous writers, artists, and musicians  of the era including Cole Porter, Josephine Baker,  F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway.

DEATH DEFYING ACTS

Starring Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Death Defying Acts is a 2007 supernatural romance film, about the great magician/illusionist/escapologist  Harry Houdini during the height of his career in the 1920s.  While touring  Britain, Houdini (Pearce) becomes involved in a passionate affair with a psychic, Mary McGarvie (Zeta-Jones), out to con the famous magician.

DOWNTOWN ABBEY

Downton Abbey is a popular British period drama television series that depicts the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants and the effects of great historical events on their lives and on the British social hierarchy. Season 3 covers the year of 1920 through the autumn of 1921.

The post In anticipation of The Great Gatsby, travel back to the 1920s with these films and TV shows. appeared first on I Heart Movies.

Jae Korim, storyboard and comic book artist on ‘Neozoic’ for Red 5 Comics, and I are part of the minority that prefers TCAF over the big conventions. We’ve frequented the festival and attended some of their panels together. I had a chance to sit down with Jae recently to discuss our past experiences, the diversity of the festival, and share our anticipation for this year’s TCAF.

Ada: TCAF is like a book fair except all the books have pictures. You can interact with the artists and writers, it’s casual and unassuming; unlike Fan Expo I don’t approach tables in fear of embarrassing myself because I don’t have the artist’s entire repertoire memorized.

Jae: TCAF is like the antidote to bigger conventions like Fan Expo. When you walk into Fan Expo you’ll see gigantic murals of Superman & Spiderman, dominating everything and that’s an accurate picture of how the big superhero franchises rule the comic book medium. The dominance of superheroes is mostly an American-thing though, that’s not really how comic books are worldwide. There’s no Marvel & DC presence at TCAF so it gives you a taste of what comics are minus those big franchises, and it ends up feeling much closer to the type of material that comes out of Europe and Japan.

Ada: And North American indie comics as well. They cover a much broader spectrum, not just superheroes. For example, Adrian Tomine’s Optic Nerve series is primarily an observation of ambiguous life struggles and interactions. Joe Sacco literally draws us a picture of political turmoil and personal experiences of living and reporting from Palestine and the Gaza strip. Back home in Canada, Chester Brown’s Louis Riel series is based on historical events. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Adrian Tomine, Chester Brown and other artists that I admire at TCAF. I know you got a chance to meet one of your favourite artists, Brandon Graham, a couple years ago.

Jae: Yeah, Brandon’s style is a blend of bubbly graffiti art and surreal “Moebius”-like stuff. It’s very sexy and funny. He’s an artist that I first saw on deviant art, I was never able to find his books on the shelf at my regular comic book stores but then I found his table at TCAF. He was just sitting there sketching in front of all his books and I’m like “Awesome, I always meant to pick these up” and somehow managed to hit it off with him. Stuff like that is why I love TCAF.

Ada: This year TCAF will be featuring some prominent artists including Bryan Lee O’Malley, creator of the Scott Pilgrim series. Also the Hernandez Brothers, Jamie and Gilbert Hernandez, creators of the immensely popular Love and Rockets. First published in 1981, it’s still the most recommended series for introducing women to comics.

Jae: Really? I had no idea.

Ada: It’s got content women can relate to, more so than caped men in tights. Amongst its central characters are two young women, navigating through friendships, love, sexuality, death, as well as feminist themes.

Jae: I guess I don’t know that much about them. I’m into surreal stuff and trippy artistic styles so real life subject matter always takes a backseat to that obsession. I’m always disappointing people who want to talk about deep slice-of life comic books and I’m like, “But I want to see werewolves!”

Ada: I’m ok with werewolves, but a captivating plot appeals to me as much as stellar artwork. Sometimes after chatting with an artist I’ll pick up their book, and when I read it later, I can see their personality embedded in the characters. That’s really neat because I wouldn’t have been privy to these insights had I not met and spoke to the artist. This is one of things that you only get when you go to something like TCAF.

Jae: You’re great at that, chatting with the artists. I’m not good at being a fanboy so I never have any real questions to ask these guys when I finally meet them. I think because I’m an artist & writer myself, I always feel like the work speaks for itself. But that translates to me standing there like a dope saying almost nothing while you strike up conversations with all the talent.

Ada: Well, why do you go then?

Jae: I go for inspiration mostly. For an artist TCAF is just a really refreshing experience.

Check it out for yourself, The Toronto Comic Arts Festival runs May 11^th & 12^th at the Toronto Reference Library and admission is FREE. Details for programming and exhibitors can be found on their website.

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The film had been stuck in development limbo for 25 years and thus, it turned out to be quite a big deal and the trailers were promising. Directed by Sam Raimi, the superhero movie starred Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man/Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as  Mary Jane Watson.

On its opening day, the movie earned $39.41 million – at the time, it became the highest opening day box office record beating out Harry Potter‘s single day record of $33.5 M.

Of course, Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man is now a distant member with the recent reboot  of the franchise and Andrew Garfield taking over as the web slinger.

Here’s a look back at the MTV Movie Awards skit that spoofs Spider-Man, and starring Jack Black.

The post Video of the Day: Spider-man Parody appeared first on I Heart Movies.

April 25

Who can forget Miss Rhode Island’s perfect date? Every single time I watch Miss Congeniality I just burst out laughing during this scene. And quite honestly, I think her answer is on point.

May 23

So cute I might just die

This quote from (500) Days of Summer is just so beautiful. It always makes me smile like a doofus. Or maybe it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt that makes me smile like a doofus.

“Most days of the year are unremarkable. They begin, and they end, with no lasting memories made in between. Most days have no impact on the course of a life. May 23rd was a Wednesday.”

September 1

I just really want to say “Wingardium Leviosa” like Hermoine. Is that too much to ask?

What’s the deal Hogwarts? I’m STILL waiting on my letter so I can hop onto platform 9 3/4. I have a feeling 2013 is my year though. Fingers crossed!

October 3

Of all the quotable lines from Mean Girls, I think this one is the most ridiculous. But it’s also memorable. I don’t know what it is about October 3 that puts all the teen girls into a frenzy. I’m totally one of those girls though.

November 5

Remember, remember the fifth of November. Believe me when I say I won’t forget. Those Guy Fawkes  masks in V for Vendetta give me major creeps.

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Lucy Liu was once deemed a show killer, but after a remarkable guest starring stint on Southland and landing the role of Jane Watson on CBS’ Elementary, Lucy can continue being likeable on a likeable series. Another example is Shailene Woodley. The girl has a great film career ahead of her, but it was really hard to see her acting aside amateurs on ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

But who else was stuck on a show not worthy of their talents.

Ryan Hansen – Two Broke Girls

First of all, dude is a babe and it just pains me that he’s stuck on the dreadful 2 Broke Girls. He was fantastic as Kyle on the dearly departed Party Down and Cooper on Wedding Band.  But now his talents have gone to waste on the slightly racist comedy. Here’s to hoping that the Veronica Mars movie (a show I never watched) helps TV execs realize that Ryan is a hot commodity for a good comedy pilot.

Elizabeth Mitchell – Revolution

It literally kills me that Elizabeth went from making me ugly cry after she remembered her love affair with Sawyer in the sideways flash on Lost to go onto the failed V reboot and now onto terrible Revolution. Hey NBC, newsflash: I don’t care what happens when the power goes out. Double newsflash: Aren’t the Amish currently dealing with the exact situation and not killing people with their wicked fencing skills? Free Elizabeth Mitchell!

Melissa McCarthy – Mike & Molly

After killing it on Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who, Melissa signed on to Mike & Molly to continue her TV career. However, when Melissa stole Bridesmaids from Kristen Wiig, her future as Hollywood’s next funny lady was cemented. Sadly, she was still stuck on Mike & Molly, a show that I’m sure nobody outside of a retirement home is watching. She’s been able to keep making films, but I just wish they would just end Mike & Molly so Melissa can focus on being a movie star.

Chi McBride – Golden Boy

Don’t get me wrong, I like Golden Boy, but I’m in the clear strong minority. Chi was in Human Target, Pushing Daisies and Boston Public. Three great shows! However, Chi’s monstrous on-screen presence is completely wasted on Golden Boy. At least he’s the voice of Nick Fury on Ultimate Spiderman.

Bebe Wood – The New Normal

Bebe’s Little Edie impression is to die for, but it’s a shame that she’s stuck on Ryan Murphy’s The New Normal which is just plain terrible and too damn preaching for my liking. Here’s to hoping NBC flatlines this one so Bebe can get on a sitcom worthy of her talent. Hey Modern Family, cast her as a love interest for either Luke or Manny. Trust me, it will be amazing!

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• Coming to Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2013: Bryan Lee O’Malley
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• In anticipation of The Great Gatsby, travel back to the 1920s with these films and TV shows.

The post When Bad TV Happens to Good People appeared first on I Heart Movies.

With the lackluster disappointment of Iron Man 2, fans were given some new found hope with The Avengers and now again with Iron Man 3. The emotional, character-driven Iron Man is what fans are seeking and thankfully receive. In Iron Man 2, the feature trademarks of Iron Man’s character were amiss.  Luckily, with Iron Man 3 Stark’s arrogance and sarcasm is in full force and is the fun, likeable character audiences remembered from the first movie.

Iron Man 3 also delivered quality action. The fight scenes between The Mandarin and Iron Man are truly remarkable and by far some of the most intense and shocking sequences of action in an Iron Man movie. Some of these action sequences are quite flawless and when translated onto the screen, come off as fireworks.

Shane Black, known for his Lethal Weapon screenplays, co-wrote the script and also helms the director’s chair. Black teams up once again with Robert Downey Jr., previously having directed the actor in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and their work chemistry can be seen on the big screen.  With Iron Man 3 Black plays more with the development of Stark’s character and since Downey Jr. is already comfortable with Black’s direction, he plays a more traumatized, helpless, and humanistic Stark with conviction.

The quality that Black delivers in Iron Man 3 is truly remarkable with his ability to craft such a unique and unexpected story and hold it all together flawlessly, which allows him to really play with the emotions of the audience. Iron Man 3 packs a heavy punch to kick start Marvel’s Phase Two. Here’s counting down to The Avengers 2.

Should you see Iron Man 3 now, later or never?

Undoubtedly, go see Iron Man 3 now! Iron Man 3 is all about the story and the twists.  Once you know what happens it ruins the shock and awe value, so you definitely want to walk in blind and know nothing about the story.

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