Maxim has an article comparing the four recently released Watchmen movie’s backlot set photos to the original comic book illustrations by Dave Gibbons.

In the comparison, you can see how well the backlot set matches up to the comic book and read the Maxim commentary, some of which I don’t totally agree with. The sets were designed to look like 1970s New York City, which is the when and where the Alan Moore-penned comic takes place. Take it from someone who grew up in New York City during the 1970s — the set designers nailed it.

Inside the Actor’s Studio – Johnny Depp
Directed by Jeff Wurtz
Starring Johnny Depp, James Lipton
Shout! Factory

Inside the Actor’s Studio: The Depth of Depp

Over the years, Johnny Depp and I have enjoyed a healthy, long-term, committed relationship. And by ‘healthy’, ‘long term,’ and ‘committed’, I of course mean ‘unhealthy’, ‘obsessive,’ and ‘stalkee-stalker’ respectively. My admiration for the man goes beyond the realms of sanity.

Currently, his movies occupy the 4th, 9th, 13th, and 25th positions on my Top 50 List. His creative processes, personal philosophies, and overall outlook have all been a source of inspiration to me personally.

It is fitting, then, that my first review published by someone other than myself is James Lipton‘s quest to lead us all into the psyche of the Teen-Idol turned Hollywood Rebel turned Acting Legend that is Johnny Depp.

The world of video interviewing consists of several styles. There is the Pop Culture Talk Show Interview that consists mainly of humorous antectdotes, rambling banter, and the plug of a new movie, show, book, or plea of insanity. There is the Larry King School of Comfort interview where the interviewer’s job is to relax the interviewee into a casual conversation and get answers to the questions that intrigue the audience. Finally, there is the James Lipton School of Exhaustiveness where every possible question is meticulously researched, written on blue index cards, and delivered to the subject in biographical and chronological order.

Powers #27
Wow, Bendis and Oeming have done a great job the last few months getting this book back on track, both in making sure it comes out on time, but also bringing the story back to it’s former greatness. This issue has a great speech from the police captain, as well as some really interesting scenes with Deena, and two parts with some old favorite characters. What I really enjoyed about this issue was the way it tied back into the very first arc of the series. This title is officially back to being one of the best on the stands. —5 out of 5

PULL LIST 11-21-07 Powers #27 Loners #6 Grendel: Behold the Devil #1 Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #3 Ultimate Vision #5

Loners #6
This mini following the lives of former teenage superheroes comes to an end, kind of. While closing out this particular arc, it sets up a lot of further stories, which I hope are eventually explored. How can you not enjoy a story with two Darkhawks going at each other? Phil Urich does what comes naturally to all Green Goblins, which means he goes crazy and tries to kill a bunch of people. The team comes together though and defeats him, but not before he causes some emotional damage. The new character who was introduced a few issues ago, Namie, has her true nature revealed, and I can pretty much guarantee it’s not who you expect. This has been a fun series for the most part; I really enjoyed it because it’s a different kind of team book than I usually read. Here’s hoping Marvel makes some more. —3 out of 5

Enchanted (2007)
Directed by Kevin Lima
Starring Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon
Songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz
Music by Alan Menken
Rated PG
Walt Disney Pictures

Enchanted serves up all things classic Disney: a storybook fairy tale about a naive young girl, her helpful forest friends, the brave young prince that comes to find her, and an evil witch turned crone who’s out to get her. There’s singing, and magic, and falling in love. And it’s rendered in 2D hand-drawn animation … for the first 10 minutes or so.

In the fairy tale land of Andalasia, helpful forest creatures gather around the beautiful young Giselle, who sings her days away awaiting the arrival of her one true love. One day, while battling a troll, the brave and handsome Prince Edward hears the sound of a beautiful singing voice, which leads him to Giselle’s home. The two fall instantly in love and plan to marry the following day. When bride-to-be Giselle arrives at the castle the next day, she’s stopped by the prince’s wicked stepmother Queen Narissa, disguised as an old hag. Giselle naively follows the hag, who leads her to then pushes her down a magic well to a place where there are no “happily ever afters.”

Told you, it’s a classic Disney animated tale … until it goes live-action when Giselle hits bottom and comes out through a manhole in the middle Times Square in New York City.

August Rush (2007)
Director: Kirsten Sheridan
Starring Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams
Rated PG

“Music is the only thing that makes sense anymore… play it loud enough and it keeps the demons at bay.” — Martin Luther, Across the Universe

“I like these calm little moments before the storm. It reminds me of Beethoven. Can you hear it? It’s like when you put your head to the grass and you can hear the growin’ and you can hear the insects. Do you like Beethoven?” — Gary Oldman, Leon

I remember the first time I was obsessed with music. Back in 2000, the one artist that I always wanted to be like was Eminem. Back then, I thought he was an amazing musician. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about in his songs, but it didn’t matter. His rap songs had some funky beats and made my head bounce the entire time I was listening to it. “The Real Slim Shady” was played so many times in my cassette player that I still know the lyrics right now. I know how I talk about how rap sucks nowadays, but if there was one man who is one of the best rappers out there, it’s Eminem.

Years went by, and he released a few more CDs. He partnered with D12 and produced and sang in many songs with them. I grew older, and began listening to rock bands. I was completely over Eminem, but I still wasn’t over with music. To this day, I still consider Eminem the finest rapper in the last fifteen years. Many have tried, but not a single one of them have risen to the glory that Eminem rose to.