Some say WATCHMEN is a poor adaptation.

By Jordyn Marcellus

While seemingly a fairly faithful adaptation to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ influential graphic novel, Watchmen is a very troubled film, both aesthetically and thematically. Watchmen’s major problems lie in Zack Snyder’s direction. While the visuals are absolutely stunning, Snyder’s inability to get his actors to do more than basic emoting and rudderless direction that… Continue reading Some say WATCHMEN is a poor adaptation.

Others think it was true to the comic book.

By Laura Bardsley

Although originally published from 1986-87, the 12-volume comic Watchmen is still a jaw-dropping read in 2009. Set in an alternate history of the United States, its plot focuses on the impending nuclear war between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. The comic, as well as the film, provides a back story for a group of costumed… Continue reading Others think it was true to the comic book.

WATCHMEN director Zack Snyder talks mythology.

By Jordyn Marcellus

It was the era of hyper-charged politics. A vague but horrifying threat loomed in the horizon. Armageddon was one button-push away. Ronald Reagan was seriously considering putting up satellites that would shoot down missiles in space using lasers. It was an absurd, but politically tumultuous time. In this political climate, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons… Continue reading WATCHMEN director Zack Snyder talks mythology.

Online Only: Oscar predictions you can bank on!

By Ryan Pike

The ballots have been cast and the lights have been dimmed, so it must be time for the Gauntlet’s annual Academy Awards preview. This year, resident movie nerds Hoang-Mai Hong and Ryan Pike tackle Hollywood’s tribute to itself. Who will win? Who will lose? More importantly, who will predict more winners– Hoang-Mai or Ryan? [Editor’s… Continue reading Online Only: Oscar predictions you can bank on!

Gaiman novella fails to translate to big screen

By Nicole Dionne

Henry Selick’s Coraline has all the elements it needs to be a classic, but falls disappointingly short. The film is the first stop-motion animation to be shot stereoscopically and presented in 3D. As you would expect from the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas, this element of production is used to its full creative potential,… Continue reading Gaiman novella fails to translate to big screen

Martin’s Panther lacks comedic teeth

By Mohamed Omar

Director Harald Zwart was responsible for Agent Cody Banks. Zwart also directed One Night at McCool’s. Instead of just leaving the world to be with those two awful films, he went and directed the dismal Pink Panther 2. It’s been three years since we’ve last seen Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin), “the greatest detective in… Continue reading Martin’s Panther lacks comedic teeth

Documentary tells the tale of child soldier turned star boxer

By Joel Cummings

Kassim Ouma is a fighter. He terrorized, tortured and murdered as an unwilling child soldier in Uganda. Eleven years later, he would become the IBF Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World. Kief Davidson’s documentary Kassim the Dream chronicles the life of this fascinating and wildly charismatic young boxer, from his traumatic childhood in Africa to… Continue reading Documentary tells the tale of child soldier turned star boxer

Best in show – Movies

By Ryan Pike

The past year has been strange in Hollywood. There was a lengthy writer’s strike and another horrid Eddie Murphy sci-fi comedy, but 2008 also featured a series of tremendously fun movies. Bolstered by such sure-fire crowd-pleasers as comic book heroism and shock male nudity, this year’s films shoved pretention and nuance aside and said, quite… Continue reading Best in show – Movies

Dream of Life more for fans

By Jon Roe

Patti Smith, Dream of Life is no ordinary rockumentary or biopic. But because of this, it may have lost some of its general appeal in exchange for an adherence to an ideal. The film develops as a steam of consciousness, which makes it hard to follow. Scenes are connected tangentially, leaving the audience confused. Director… Continue reading Dream of Life more for fans