The Highlander franchise has a long and checkered history. It began with the original film, which had three things going for it: an intriguing premise about immortals living among ordinary humans, a decent cast, and a music score (in part) by Queen. Though flawed, its mix of history, mysticism, and romance made up for any shortcomings and established why fans of the franchise still want to see more of the story today. A second film, Highlander II, threw most of that away with an utterly ridiculous plot that attempted an origin story. It was so bad that it is still largely ignored by producers and fans alike. Next, the TV series Highlander: The Series came along with a different cast and restored much goodwill. It stuck to the basics of the first film and went on, after a slow start, to expand the franchise with a range of interesting characters and recurring plot lines. Using that goodwill, Highlander: The Final Dimension was more of the sequel that Highlander II should have been. It was watchable, but not great. Highlander: The Raven was a spin-off TV series that came along after the original series folded. It collapsed under its own weight after just one season. Finally, the film Highlander: Endgame attempted to join the characters and plot ideas of the TV series and movies, but did so poorly. In all, the creative output of the franchise has been more bad than good.

Rogue Pictures has just released the trailer for the upcoming horror flick The Strangers, starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman.

Trailer links are below; images are here after the jump.

Trailer

QuickTime
High, Low

Windows Media High
High, Low

Synopsis: A terrifying suspense thriller about a couple (Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) in a remote suburban house who are targeted by three dangerous masked strangers. The resulting clashes force the couple to go well beyond what they thought themselves capable of in order to survive.

Writer/Director: Bryan Bertino
Cast: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward
Studio: Rogue Pictures
MPAA Rating: TBD
Release Date: TBD

When Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), an unremarkable, unemployed pot-enthusiast, has a one night stand with Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl), an attractive behind-the-scenes producer for the E! channel who’s out celebrating her promotion to on-camera reporter, the result is a very unexpected pregnancy.

When I saw this movie in theaters I formed an opinion that it was one of the most true-to-life comedies I had ever seen [read my movie review here]. I felt that beyond the unavoidable contrivance of the premise (slacker dude impregnates hot chick), it didn’t rely on generic Hollywood knee-jerk comedic fodder.

It is a rare occasion when a second viewing proves to retain its ‘funny.’ Not that I’m very cynical, but something filled with slap-stick, lowest common denominator (lcd) cliches, and sight gags only goes so far with me. Thankfully Knock Up is short on lcd, and long on believable interactions.

By using nearly every member of his immediate family and a huge swath of his personal friends, director Judd Apatow succeeded (cheated, is how he described it) in creating a fairly realistic look into the lives of two people from very different backgrounds, and their immediate friends and family (Ben’s collection of vulgar, smart-ass dope fiends and Allison’s dysfunctional family).

Focus Features has just released 3 clips from their upcoming film Atonement, starring James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, and based on the novel by Ian McEwan.

Links to the three clips, as well as the trailer and official synopsis are below.

Atonement hits theaters on December 7, 2007.

Trailer

QuickTime: High, Low
Windows Media: High, Low

Green Lantern #23
This is still the best event of the summer, with great art coming from Ivan Reis and Geoff Johns handling a ton of characters, but still making the events important to all. The whole thing just feels epic, with lots of large fights. Hal and company manage to rescue John Stewart and Guy Gardner this issue, but run into new problems, namely, the Anti-Monitor. The whole threat seems real; the only problem comes from DC, revealing what will end up happening to Kyle as Parallax. Lots of great action in this issue. –3 out of 5

PULL LIST 9-12-07 Green Lantern #23 The Loners #5 Ultimate Power #7 Star Wars Legacy #16 New Avengers #34 Ultimate Spider-man #113 X-Factor #23 JSA #9 Casanova #9 Fables #65

The Loners #5
Still no clue as to who the new girl that shows up in this issue is, hopefully that will be explained in the next issue. Other than that issue, this is more interpersonal fun for the group of former superheroes. Phil Urich split personality comes back to haunt him as it turns out he has a crush on one of his other teammates. This has been a really great interpersonal drama series, and the 80’s movies cover homages are very appropriate. This is one mini that I really hope continues on into either other minis or a regular series. C.B. Cebulski has a great way of making you identify with the characters. –4 out of 5