After this summer’s stunning superhero success on the silver screen (how do you like that alliteration!) you can expect plenty more rubber-suited superheroes at the movies over the next couple years.

Earlier this summer Marvel Comics led off with “Iron Man” and the re-booted “Incredible Hulk.” “Iron Man” took off…literally. Marvel then took charge with reports of sequels to “Iron Man” (no word on “Hulk” yet) a Wolferine sequel to “The X-Men,” and eventually an “Avengers” movie. Can “Spiderman 4″ be far away (no word on if Tobery Maguire and director Sam Raimi will be doing that one…and when…but it will surely come.)

Recently, published reports say DC Comics and Warner Brothers had a “superhero summit” to develop a strategy for their comic catalog. DC publishes The Batman and Superman among other titles. Marvel and DC are the two major comic book publishers and in the recent movie successes are any indication, Marvel has been Kryptonite to DC…at least until “The Dark Knight” came out.

Many have complained Warners and DC have been too slow to unlock the treasure trove of characters like Marvel has done. Well, now they plan to catch up and exploit their characters.

So what can we expect to see from D.C.? A sequel to “The Dark Knight,” the biggest movie of the year is no doubt going to come. Christian Bale has said as much before “Knight” opened saying this Batman was conceived as a trilogy.

Another “Superman” movie (possibly called “The Man of Steel”) again starring Brandon Routh and directed by Bryan Singer (”Superman Returns”) will begin shooting in the next few months. (Hope its better than “Returns.”)

There is also talk of movies based on “The Green Lantern,” directed by Greg Berlanti, producer of TV’s “Brothers and Sisters” and “Eli Stone”) “The Flash”, “Aquaman” and finally “Wonder Woman.”

According to USA Today, all plans, though, depend on the course the studio charts in its summit. The studio is keeping details of its meetings under wraps, but issued a statement saying, in part, “We’re constantly looking at how best to exploit the DC Comics characters and properties.”

 Since Warner Bros. owns DC Comics,, they have first take on any DC heroes.

IF you saw “The Dark Knight,” you got a preview of what could certainly be the next big comic book movie. Zack Snyder, the visionary director behind last year’s sword and sandals graphic novel/movie “300″ is adapting “Watchmen,” the graphic novel many say is the best in the genre into a movie that will be released next spring. (I’m re-reading “Watchmen” and will post my take on it soon.)

Have a great weekend! 

Variety is reporting that MTV is planning a remake of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show!”
Lou Adler, who executive produced the original, is teaming up with Fox Television Studios and BermanBraun to do the update. Apparently they will use the original script. BUT, they may add some new songs, Variety says. They hope to have it debut by Halloween 2009. No word on whether Richard O’Brien, who wrote the original story, music and even played a major role of Riff Raff in the movie is going to be involved in the remake. (I know too much about this movie, don’t I?) 

I grew up when “Rocky Horror” became a cult classic at midnight showings. I remember being dumbfounded by the silly (and sexual) nature of the movie. Loved the music. Loved the audience participation (though I didn’t love it enough to dress up…that would have been too much.)

Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf (again!?) starred in the original.   

I’m almost afraid to see an updated version of this one.  

*****

Are you ready for some football … online? The NFL and NBC Sports announced they are going to to stream 17 regular season (mostly Sunday night) match-ups live on NBC.com beginning with the season opener on September 4. 

The move, brought by the league to NBC, is being described as an experiment to lure new viewers and engage current fans with interactive elements including multiple live camera angles and up-the-minute fantasy stats. The NFL, careful to protect broadcast contracts that will earn more than $3.7 billion this year, has been the last of the major U.S. sporting leagues to embrace the web as a distribution medium.

*****

If you can’t get enough of David “The Hoff” Hasselhoff on “America’s Got Talent” you might get even more. ANd it would be on a primetime game show? (Too scary.)

The New York Post quotes the Hoff as saying the producers of “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” are planning to bring back “What’s My Line?” Hasselhoff also told WABC Radio he’s in talks to join the show’s panel.

Ah, more Hoff in primetime!
 

It was an exciting race…when the Goodyear tire issues actually allowed racing. It was okay for us though. My son’s favorite driver is Jimmie Johnson and Jimmie pulled a victory on Sunday despite the stop and go nature of this year’s bizzare race. All those cautions about every 10 to twelve laps were called by NASCAR to allow teams to replace tires under yellow. 

One of my friends was sitting in the second turn. When he got home from the race, his face was covered in dark tire soot. The tires were in such bad shape they created a slippery rubber residue. From our vantage point, we could see several pits. I was wondering why the Pit crews were sweeping the pit area after each stop.

No matter. Our driver won.

I enjoy going to the Brickyard. While the Indy 500 has more tradition (nothing comes close to the ceremonies leading up to the start of the 500) I enjoy the crowd and feel of the NASCAR race just a bit more. I don’t worry about my son seeing too many wild scenes at the Brickyard race. The Indy race tends to still draw people more interested in the experience of the 500, instead of the racing at the 500. Fortunately the IRL is on the right track to compete with NASCAR. Though NASCAR may have more well known drivers and drama now, I think the Indy cars made a tremendous leap forward with the reunification this year.

But for now, that doesn’t matter. Because on Sunday our driver won. Yea!

*****

Tuesday night at 10PM ABC NEWS is updating the excellent and emotional “Last Lecture.” Diane Sawyer profiled and interviewed Randy Pausch, the college professor that inspired millions with his internet supported last lecture, a love letter to his two young children. Pausch succumbed to cancer on Friday.

I dare you to watch this special and not be moved. It is inspiring television. Do not miss it. It will change the way you look at your life. Honest.  

In the 90’s, the X-Files was one of those television shows on the then new Fox network that became a cult classic. It was a combination of police procedural and the Twilight Zone. At its best, The X-Files was one of the best shows on TV. It created a dense mythology of aliens invading Earth along with monster/horror stories of the week.

I was a fan.

The show lost some steam when star David Duchovny opted out of the series. But limped on eventually wrapping up loose ends in a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion.

Now several years later, Mulder (Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) are back on the big screen. I wondered why there wasn’t more buzz building on this one. Series creator Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz wrote the screenplay with Carter directing.

It’s fun seeing Mulder and Scully together again this time involved in what appears to be a case of a serial killer. And a pedophile ex-priest that is seeing visions. It’s vintage X-Files…but this movie unfortunately, plays too much as just another episode of the series. Creepy? Yes. But is it good? Not really. It’s unremarkable. That’s not good especially for a movie that deals with the supernatural.

The movie has some nice moments for fans of the show, but if you didn’t watch the show, this movie isn’t going to be very satisfying for you.

I was a fan of the show and I didn’t find it very satisfying.

That’s too bad. I would love to revisit with Mulder and Scully every couple years. But I have a feeling this may be their last, limp adventure. If you do see the movie be sure to stay through the credits. If you like the relationship between Mulder and Scully, you’ll get a good last look at the couple.  

On the SANDWICH SCALE, I can only give “X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE” a 5.

******

After viewing a movie, please refer to the “Sandwich Scale” to rate
accordingly:

1-10 Scale Defined:

1. Bad story, bad acting, bad movie! You are upset that you wasted your time…15 minutes into the movie, you lean forward and start to groan…i.e. See the movie “Neighbors” or “The Stupids” or any Mel Brooks movie made after “Young Frankenstein”

2. Movie moving…..this movie stinks so bad you decide to abort 30 minutes in and go to another show

3. One Take Wonder…..had one early scene in the movie that was interesting and went downhill from there….you decide to abort before the show ends

4. Bathroom and Refill Movie…..Movie had a few early moments but halfway through you decide to use the restroom and get another Coke…upon returning, you realize you haven’t missed anything

5. Buck Movie…..you heard the polarizing reviews but decided it was worth a buck…and it was worth a buck.

6. Matinee Movie…..okay movie….worth the $5 price tag

7. Worth a look….has a few flaws but you’re generally entertained after paying full price

8. Decent flick….worth paying full price once and possibly renting it down the road

9. Great flick…..worth paying full price once and buying the Blu Ray

10. A MUST SEE…..You’re willing to pay full price twice, buy the Blu Ray and strongly defend this movie if someone else doesn’t like it. And you even find yourself reciting lines from the movie after you see it!

I’ve got two sons, ages 6 and 9. Both are music fans. So Wednesday night my wife and I treated the boys to their very first concert: THE JONAS BROTHERS!

The Jonas Brothers, Nick, Kevin and Joe performed at the Verizon Music Center. Demi Lovato (their co-star from the recent “Camp Rock” on the Disney Channel) started out the night.

Avril Levigne was the opening act. (I know, I was surprised to that she was the opening act…thought she had headlined for a while. She was terrific.)

If you are not up on current music or haven’t heard of the Jonas Brothers yet, you will. 

The three opened for Miley Cyrus on last year’s mega tour. And you know what…They are pretty good! The brothers were entertaining, great on stage, and good singers and musicians. It was a tight, fast-paced show.

I’ve gotten used to hearing their music since the kids listen to it often in the car. The Jonas Brothers have a good infectious sound. As a parent, I particularly appreciate not having to screen it for language or content.

BTW, 6 NEWS had special access to the Jonas Brothers all day Wednesday, recording their tour of the city, the Speedway etc. Last night at the concert I talked to Shea Goodpaster , 6 NEWS Photojournalist (AND IndyChannel.com blogger) and he told me the brothers “were good guys.” That’s nice to hear and not at all surprising. They seem like good guys…great to hear its not an act.  

So it was a perfect concert for the kids…and parents, too! 

It was the first time I had been to Verizon Music Center since my nine year old was born. I spent many a night there in the nineties. It was fun to go back again. My take on the concert venue? It’s much, much easier to get in and out of now; I was surprised we didn’t have to pay for parking; but they made up for it in much higher food/snack/drink prices. The venue was much like I remembered it. Only complaint from me? They need to put a couple of big screens under the pavilion…unless you have a lawn seat or were straight on to the stage, you could not see any video screens.

That’s my only complaint. Not too bad.

It was a beautiful evening of good family entertainment. It’s fun to see your kids have such a great time. It was a great first concert for the guys.

*****
Remember the X-Files? I was a huge fan of the show when it aired on FOX in the nineties. It’s back as a big screen movie event. It opens on Friday. But I’ve been invited to a screening on Thursday night. I’ll post a review as soon as I get home late Thursday night.