Comic book fans in the late 1990s likely recall the ambitious plan by Artisan Entertainment, a then-rising indie film studio, to make a long series of mid-budget films based on Marvel superheroes. Avi Arad, then the CEO of Marvel Entertainment, had overseen a deal that would allow Artisan to make movies with Black Panther, Thor, Deadpool, Ant-Man, Iron Fist, and Morbius, as well as Power Pack, Longshot, and an irreverent dark comedy about Mort the Dead Teenager. The deal was finalized in 2000. In 2003, however, Artisan was acquired by Lionsgate, effectively ending what would have been the ambitiously planned early-2000s mid-budget version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Despite how successful Disney's MCU would become a decade later, Marvel was once considered a non-viable source of film revenue. Indeed, while comic book sales were up across the board in the 1990s, Marvel was struggling to make their characters more visible in the marketplace.
Despite how successful Disney's MCU would become a decade later, Marvel was once considered a non-viable source of film revenue. Indeed, while comic book sales were up across the board in the 1990s, Marvel was struggling to make their characters more visible in the marketplace.
- 11/6/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
By 1998, it was a certainty that the studios had all but given up on superhero movies. After the financial flops that were Steel and Spawn, along with the sheer critical universal panning of Batman & Robin, the prospects for future superhero movies seemed dim. In the nineties it was very difficult for even a Batman movie to get off the ground, with properties like Superman, Iron Man, and Spider-Man stuck in a decade long development purgatory at their respective studios.
But in 1998, New Line Cinema took a shot on what was considered a somewhat “C” level superhero in the form of Blade. Within the Marvel Universe there exists a horror sub-universe where characters like Mephisto, Ghost Rider, Morbius, and Man-Thing roam, and Blade was considered one of their greatest foils and adversaries. Created by Gene Colan and Marv Wolfman, Blade was introduced in 1973 in “The Tomb of Dracula” #10. He was one...
But in 1998, New Line Cinema took a shot on what was considered a somewhat “C” level superhero in the form of Blade. Within the Marvel Universe there exists a horror sub-universe where characters like Mephisto, Ghost Rider, Morbius, and Man-Thing roam, and Blade was considered one of their greatest foils and adversaries. Created by Gene Colan and Marv Wolfman, Blade was introduced in 1973 in “The Tomb of Dracula” #10. He was one...
- 8/21/2023
- by Felix Vasquez Jr
- bloody-disgusting.com
As any TV viewer knows, there is nothing quite like a good main title sequence. Some shows work fine without them, but it never hurts to set a story’s mood with a well-edited arrangement of eye-catching graphics. If the design is good enough to make watchers refuse to hit or even forget about the “skip intro” button, it deserves recognition, and that is exactly what the Best Main Title Design Emmy category is for.
Four of the seven shows currently nominated for their title sequences – “Foundation,” “Lisey’s Story,” “Pachinko” and “Severance” – are Apple TV+ originals. Also included in the 2022 lineup are Hulu’s “Candy” and “Only Murders in the Building” and Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop.” To discern which opener will most likely win the TV academy’s favor, let’s take a look at each of them individually. Be sure to make your Emmy predictions in this and 26 other...
Four of the seven shows currently nominated for their title sequences – “Foundation,” “Lisey’s Story,” “Pachinko” and “Severance” – are Apple TV+ originals. Also included in the 2022 lineup are Hulu’s “Candy” and “Only Murders in the Building” and Netflix’s “Cowboy Bebop.” To discern which opener will most likely win the TV academy’s favor, let’s take a look at each of them individually. Be sure to make your Emmy predictions in this and 26 other...
- 8/27/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
“Stranger Things” was announced Sunday, September 10, as the Emmy winner for Best Main Title Design and Best Main Title Theme Music. The recipients of this Emmy for design include creative director Michelle Dougherty, executive creative director Peter Frankfurt, designer Arisu Kashiwagi, and compositor/designer Eric Demeusy. And the music award went to Michael Stein and Kyle […]...
- 9/11/2017
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
When it comes to the Emmys, gender representation has always been a bit of a struggle behind the scenes. In non-acting categories, especially when it comes to technical awards, there’s a lack of female representation that’s persisted throughout the industry. But this year, there are bright spots to be found.
This is not a complete representation of all of the year’s nominees — there were many other female nominees whose work was noteworthy — but here is a selection of the strides women made in 2017, often in categories largely dominated by men.
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
“BoJack Horseman” (Netflix): Kristen Schaal as Sarah Lynn in “That’s Too Much, Man!” “F Is For Family” (Netflix): Mo Collins as Ginny, Jimmy Fitzsimmons, Lex, Ben, and Cutie Pie in the episode “Pray Away” “The Simpsons” (Fox): Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson in “Looking for Mr. Goodbart”
Fun fact:...
This is not a complete representation of all of the year’s nominees — there were many other female nominees whose work was noteworthy — but here is a selection of the strides women made in 2017, often in categories largely dominated by men.
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
“BoJack Horseman” (Netflix): Kristen Schaal as Sarah Lynn in “That’s Too Much, Man!” “F Is For Family” (Netflix): Mo Collins as Ginny, Jimmy Fitzsimmons, Lex, Ben, and Cutie Pie in the episode “Pray Away” “The Simpsons” (Fox): Nancy Cartwright as Bart Simpson in “Looking for Mr. Goodbart”
Fun fact:...
- 8/24/2017
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
I don't know about you, but I enjoy the hell out of a great title sequence! If they're good, they suck you right in to the movie or TV show you're about to watch. They're the first thing we see when the movie starts, and they basically set the mood and the tone for the rest of the film.
When I think of great movie title sequences, the first one that pops into my head is David Fincher's Se7en. That was the first title sequence I ever saw that just completely blew me away. There have been many other awesome title sequences since then, both old and new. But Se7en is burned into my brain. Here's a link to a few other aticles we've posted on title sequences.
Here's a great video from PBS’ Off Book that focuses on the art of the title sequence. It includes interviews with...
When I think of great movie title sequences, the first one that pops into my head is David Fincher's Se7en. That was the first title sequence I ever saw that just completely blew me away. There have been many other awesome title sequences since then, both old and new. But Se7en is burned into my brain. Here's a link to a few other aticles we've posted on title sequences.
Here's a great video from PBS’ Off Book that focuses on the art of the title sequence. It includes interviews with...
- 4/21/2012
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Okay... there's no real visuals. But we do have Samuel L. Jackson reading a Stan Lee caption that you're probably going to mouth along with yourself, and... oh, just click play, already.
Imaginary Forces directed this with Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt credited as Creative and Art directors respectively, and this was probably used as a placeholder reel to run on a loop at a licensing expo somewhere.
Hat tip: Comics Alliance and Bleeding Cool, who both beat us to the punch.
Imaginary Forces directed this with Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt credited as Creative and Art directors respectively, and this was probably used as a placeholder reel to run on a loop at a licensing expo somewhere.
Hat tip: Comics Alliance and Bleeding Cool, who both beat us to the punch.
- 8/6/2010
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
The much anticipated
Total Videos: (2)
Total Images: (2)');">The Avengers teaser trailer which premiered at Comic-Con is now available here. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Logo created by Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt at Imaginary Forces.It stars Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner. It is set to hit theaters May 4, 2012.Watch the first teaser trailer for The Avengers after the jump.<center><embed src="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="300" swliveconnect="true" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" flashvars="file=http://www.filmsnmovies.com/media/sconfig.php?id=16975&width=518&height=457&siteId=329&pid=fsnm002&autostart=false&allowscriptaccess=always&usefullscreen=true"></embed></center> Source: ComicBookMovie...
Total Videos: (2)
Total Images: (2)');">The Avengers teaser trailer which premiered at Comic-Con is now available here. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Logo created by Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt at Imaginary Forces.It stars Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner. It is set to hit theaters May 4, 2012.Watch the first teaser trailer for The Avengers after the jump.<center><embed src="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/yo033.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="300" swliveconnect="true" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" flashvars="file=http://www.filmsnmovies.com/media/sconfig.php?id=16975&width=518&height=457&siteId=329&pid=fsnm002&autostart=false&allowscriptaccess=always&usefullscreen=true"></embed></center> Source: ComicBookMovie...
- 8/5/2010
- Films N Movies
Photo: Paramount Pictures Thanks to Slashfilm for pointing out the Comic Con teaser for The Avengers that showed at the convention last month, but don't get too excited about seeing it unless logos get you off because that's all we really have here considering not a single frame of footage has been shot and the script isn't even completed yet.
The Avengers is currently set for release on May 4, 2012 following next year's release of Thor (5/6/11) and Captain America: The First Avenger (7/22/11). The film brings together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and other heroes to form Marvel's first supergroup, The Avengers!
Check out the brief teaser below, which according to Slashfilm was created by Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt, the same company responsible for both the DC Comics movies and Marvel movie logos which play before each film.
The Avengers is currently set for release on May 4, 2012 following next year's release of Thor (5/6/11) and Captain America: The First Avenger (7/22/11). The film brings together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and other heroes to form Marvel's first supergroup, The Avengers!
Check out the brief teaser below, which according to Slashfilm was created by Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt, the same company responsible for both the DC Comics movies and Marvel movie logos which play before each film.
- 8/4/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
It's clear that The Avengers dominated this year's San Diego Comic-Con. At this point we've heard about the confirmation of each cast member and we've even heard their uproarious reaction to the cast taking the stage together for the first time, but unless you were in Hall H for that geektastic moment, you haven't seen the short, very teasing trailer that Marvel used to drum up the audience's anticipation. But now non-attendees can see it for themselves without having to build a time machine or hack into Marvel Studio's office network.
Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt have put the teaser trailer online for all to see. Don't know Imaginary Forces? They're the guys who created both of the motion logos that play before every new DC Comics and Marvel movie.
Click right here to get psyched. [via /Film via ComicBookMovie]
Filed under: Comic/Superhero/Geek, ComicCon
Permalink | Email this | Comments...
Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt have put the teaser trailer online for all to see. Don't know Imaginary Forces? They're the guys who created both of the motion logos that play before every new DC Comics and Marvel movie.
Click right here to get psyched. [via /Film via ComicBookMovie]
Filed under: Comic/Superhero/Geek, ComicCon
Permalink | Email this | Comments...
- 8/4/2010
- by Peter Hall
- Cinematical
Comingsoon have obtained the logo teaser for The Avengers that was shown during the panel at last month’s Comic-Con event in San Diego.
Despite it being shown over two weeks ago, the teaser has only just shown up online. It is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (aka Nick Fury).
The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, will star Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Samuel L Jackon as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson.
Prepare to stifle your geekgasms as you watch the teaser embedded below:
The Avengers will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios on May 4, 2012.
Credit’s due to Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt who created the teaser over at Imaginary Forces.
Despite it being shown over two weeks ago, the teaser has only just shown up online. It is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (aka Nick Fury).
The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, will star Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Samuel L Jackon as Nick Fury, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson.
Prepare to stifle your geekgasms as you watch the teaser embedded below:
The Avengers will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios on May 4, 2012.
Credit’s due to Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt who created the teaser over at Imaginary Forces.
- 8/4/2010
- by Jamie Neish
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Here’s the brief teaser trailer for Marvel forthcoming big-screen, Joss Whedon directed The Avengers, which was screened at this years Comic-Con. It’s nothing more than a voice over and a logo, but damn, if it doesn’t give this comic nerd chills..!
Click here to view the embedded video.
The teaser trailer was created by Imaginary Forces‘ Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt. The same company are responsible for both the DC Comics and Marvel logos which play before their movies.
(Source: /Film)...
Click here to view the embedded video.
The teaser trailer was created by Imaginary Forces‘ Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt. The same company are responsible for both the DC Comics and Marvel logos which play before their movies.
(Source: /Film)...
- 8/4/2010
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Joss Whedon took the stage at San Diego Comic-Con with his Avengers crew and now the short teaser trailer is available online. The teaser, created by Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt, features the voice of Samuel L. Jackson aka Nick Fury. You can check it out below via /Film.
The Avengers hits theaters May 4th, 2012.
E-mail Jordan Raup here. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook for the latest Tfs updates!
The Avengers hits theaters May 4th, 2012.
E-mail Jordan Raup here. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook for the latest Tfs updates!
- 8/4/2010
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Watch the teaser online now
The logo reveal teaser for The Avengers that was shown before the cast came out at the San Diego Comic-Con is now online and can be watched using the player below! Imaginary Forces' Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt created the teaser for Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Directed Joss Whedon, the May 4, 2012 release stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo.
The logo reveal teaser for The Avengers that was shown before the cast came out at the San Diego Comic-Con is now online and can be watched using the player below! Imaginary Forces' Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt created the teaser for Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Directed Joss Whedon, the May 4, 2012 release stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo.
- 8/4/2010
- by editor@comingsoon.net (SuperHeroHype)
- Superherohype
A short teaser trailer for Marvel/Joss Whedon's superhero team-up movie The Avengers was screened at Comic-Con. It is now available online for the whole world to view. It doesn't show much, or really anything other than the Avengers logo, but it's still enough to get you excited. Watch it now embedded after the jump. The teaser trailer was created by Imaginary Forces directors Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt, the same company responsible for both the DC Comics movies and Marvel movie logos which play before each film. via: Cbm...
- 8/4/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
The logo reveal teaser for The Avengers that was shown before the cast came out at the San Diego Comic-Con is now online and can be watched using the player below! Imaginary Forces' Ahmet Ahmet and Peter Frankfurt created the teaser for Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios. Directed Joss Whedon, the May 4, 2012 release stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson and Mark Ruffalo.
- 8/4/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Wesley Snipes has pulled out of all press duties for his third Blade movie Blade: Trinity. The moody actor was so insistent on not talking to the media about the movie, he signed up for another film in Bulgaria as soon as shooting finished and he has been incommunicado ever since. Trinity producer Peter Frankfurt says, "Wesley is in Bulgaria shooting a movie. He's done three movies in Bulgaria. Actually I haven't talked to Wesley. Wesley won't return my calls? He hasn't called me to talk about it. If he was genuinely unhappy with the film we would have heard something. There's a lot going on in his life and he's got a lot of issues at hand so who knows. The guy is an awesome Blade. We've made three movies. Sometimes the paths of communication between us are fantastic and sometimes they're non- existent. If Wes doesn't want to do press that's a career choice he's made." Snipes also insisted on having total control on the set, green-lighting all scenes in which he appeared, and he stayed in character as the brooding vampire anti-hero throughout the movie. Frankfurt adds, "Wesley has script and director approval of all the Blade movies. He had to sign off on absolutely everything we were doing."...
- 11/16/2004
- WENN
The fifth annual Golden Trailer Awards hauled their way into the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday night, doling out 17 trophies honoring film trailers for their artistic value. Paramount Pictures' The Stepford Wives, starring Nicole Kidman, walked away with three awards, winning for most original, best summer 2004 blockbuster and the night's top prize, best of show. Adam Agard edited both trailers for creative director Peter Frankfurt. Imaginary Forces submitted the trailer on behalf of the studio.
- 5/27/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Indie fave Parker Posey will take her first shot at comic book action as the actress joins the cast of New Line Cinema's Blade: Trinity. Posey will play a vampire in the film, which also stars Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds. The third installment of the Marvel Comics-based franchise is being written and directed by David Goyer. Trinity is being produced by Goyer, Snipes, Lynn Harris and Peter Frankfurt. New Line production president Toby Emmerich and exec Cale Boyter are overseeing the project, with production scheduled to start this month in Vancouver, British Columbia. Posey, who was nominated for a Golden Globe last year for her work in Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay, last appeared on the big screen in the comedy A Mighty Wind. She can next be seen in the upcoming New Line romantic comedy The Laws of Attraction. Posey is repped by Endeavor and manager Frank Frattaroli.
- 9/25/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dominic Purcell has signed on to play Wesley Snipes' vampire nemesis in New Line Cinema's upcoming Blade: Trinity. Purcell is the latest addition to a cast that includes Kris Kristofferson, Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds. The third installment of the Marvel Comics-based franchise is being written and directed by David Goyer. Trinity is being produced by Goyer, Snipes, Lynn Harris and Peter Frankfurt. Emmerich and New Line production exec Cale Boyter are overseeing the project, with production scheduled to start this month in Vancouver. Purcell has appeared in such films as Mission: Impossible II and Equilibrium as well on the small screen in the Fox television series John Doe. Purcell is repped by Endeavor and Untitled Entertainment.
Jessica Biel, who stars in New Line Cinema's upcoming remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has signed to star in another New Line film, Blade: Trinity. Biel will play Abigail, the daughter of Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who inherits the vampire-slaying duties that once belonged to Blade (Wesley Snipes). The third installment of the Marvel Comics-based franchise is being written and directed by David Goyer. "I think Jessica will blow people away in Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and we are excited to have her next movie," New Line production president Toby Emmerich said. Trinity is being produced by Goyer, Snipes, Lynn Harris and Peter Frankfurt. Emmerich and New Line production exec Cale Boyter are overseeing the project with a September start date planned for the Vancouver shoot. Best known for her role on the WB Network's long-running drama 7th Heaven, Biel's big-screen credits include The Rules of Attraction, Ulee's Gold and Summer Catch. She is repped by CAA.
- 8/27/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Van Wilder star Ryan Reynolds will give the action genre a try as he is in final negotiations to star opposite Wesley Snipes in the latest installment of New Line Cinema's Blade franchise. In Blade: Trinity, Reynolds would play an acerbic vampire hunter who is in league with Snipes' Blade character. The third installment of the Marvel Comic-based franchise is being written and directed by David Goyer. Blade is being produced by Goyer, Snipes, Lynn Harris and Peter Frankfurt. New Line production president Toby Emmerich and production exec Cale Boyter are overseeing the project; a September start date is planned for the Vancouver shoot. Reynolds will follow Blade with the independent feature Waiting, from director Robert McKitrick, which shoots in New Orleans in the winter. Reynolds is repped by UTA, Original Management and attorney Jeanne Newman.
- 8/21/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Put a stake in this genre already. The vampire movie gets yet another reworking in New Line's excessively gory and unpleasant "Blade" starring Wesley Snipes as a half-breed immortal with big guns and muscles who is determined to rid the world of the enterprising bloodsuckers.
Based on characters from Marvel comic books, "Blade" may slash its way to a respectable opening weekend at the boxoffice, but there's nothing noteworthy about this cinematic killfest. Crossover appeal is unlikely, from both sides of the tracks -- mainstream audiences will stay away and vamp fans of all colors will be wary.
And they should be. Credited to screenwriter David S. Goyer, the scenario is packed with new angles on the pointy-toothed-ones -- from serums to sunblock -- but at its center is a big void. Snipes grimaces a lot as his one-note character goes through hell. He's joined by the viewer having to suffer through an overwrought slaughter that drags on for an ungodly two hours.
The film begins with a literal bloodbath as partygoers in a rave club housed in an abattoir are sprinkled with blood in preparation for a communal massacre. Bursting in to ruin the ferocious gang's fun is Blade (Snipes), an avenging ally of us normal folk, although his mother died of a bite in the neck as she gave birth to him.
Half-man/half-monster, Blade the "daywalker" can leap off tall buildings and has other supernatural attributes, but thanks to a daily dietary supplement he doesn't crave the red stuff. His ally is fatherly Whistler (Kris Kristofferson), a normal human whose family was killed by the creeps.
When a burned-to-a-crisp corpse comes to life in a hospital and attacks nurse Karen (N'Bushe Wright), Blade's usual hard-line approach softens and he whisks her away to safety. Although Whistler suspects it's too late to stop her changing, the pair keep her around and she eventually joins the struggle.
Meanwhile, upstart neck-muncher Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff) is shaking up the centuries-old vamp society with his group guzzling parties like the opening sequence. When aristocratic Dragonetti (Udo Kier) -- how exactly can one be born a vampire? -- opposes his power play, Frost rises to the occasion and dispatches the older gent with a trip to the seashore at dawn.
The evil ones are everywhere, according to this movie, with many human allies that have convenient tattoos. Frost's master plan is to harvest some of Blade's precious juices to awaken the "Blood God" and exterminate the human race. In a temple erected ages ago for just such a purpose, the final showdown takes place, but one has no interest in the outcome.
Other nasty highlights include a 1,000-pound androgynous vamp archivist who is fried with garlic sauce and the climactic confrontation between Blade and his mother, who lived on as an undead one. The violence is constant and repulsive, from such relatively tame examples as Blade's hand-shredding trick sword hilt to Whistler's brutal demise.
Production-wise the film lives up to this gem in the press notes from set wrangler Kirk M. Petruccelli: "Red is an extremely important color in the film." Sticking their necks out with gruesome success are special effects makeup artist Greg Cannom and visual effects supervisor Chuck Comisky. Needless to say, the concepts of subtlety and restraint are not familiar to sophomore director Stephen Norrington.
BLADE
New Line Cinema
An Amen Ra Films production
In association with Imaginary Forces
Director: Stephen Norrington
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer
Producers: Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, Robert Engelman
Executive producers: Stan Lee, Avi Arad, Joseph Calamari, Lynn Harris
Director of photography: Theo Van de Sande
Production designer: Kirk M. Petruccelli
Editor: Paul Rubell
Costume designer: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Special effects makeup artist: Greg Cannom
Visual effects supervisor: Chuck Comisky
Music: Mark Isham
Casting: Rachel Abroms, Jory Weitz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Blade: Wesley Snipes
Deacon Frost: Stephen Dorff
Whistler: Kris Kristofferson
Karen: N'Bushe Wright
Quinn: Donal Logue
Dragonetti: Udo Kier
Running time -- 120 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Based on characters from Marvel comic books, "Blade" may slash its way to a respectable opening weekend at the boxoffice, but there's nothing noteworthy about this cinematic killfest. Crossover appeal is unlikely, from both sides of the tracks -- mainstream audiences will stay away and vamp fans of all colors will be wary.
And they should be. Credited to screenwriter David S. Goyer, the scenario is packed with new angles on the pointy-toothed-ones -- from serums to sunblock -- but at its center is a big void. Snipes grimaces a lot as his one-note character goes through hell. He's joined by the viewer having to suffer through an overwrought slaughter that drags on for an ungodly two hours.
The film begins with a literal bloodbath as partygoers in a rave club housed in an abattoir are sprinkled with blood in preparation for a communal massacre. Bursting in to ruin the ferocious gang's fun is Blade (Snipes), an avenging ally of us normal folk, although his mother died of a bite in the neck as she gave birth to him.
Half-man/half-monster, Blade the "daywalker" can leap off tall buildings and has other supernatural attributes, but thanks to a daily dietary supplement he doesn't crave the red stuff. His ally is fatherly Whistler (Kris Kristofferson), a normal human whose family was killed by the creeps.
When a burned-to-a-crisp corpse comes to life in a hospital and attacks nurse Karen (N'Bushe Wright), Blade's usual hard-line approach softens and he whisks her away to safety. Although Whistler suspects it's too late to stop her changing, the pair keep her around and she eventually joins the struggle.
Meanwhile, upstart neck-muncher Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff) is shaking up the centuries-old vamp society with his group guzzling parties like the opening sequence. When aristocratic Dragonetti (Udo Kier) -- how exactly can one be born a vampire? -- opposes his power play, Frost rises to the occasion and dispatches the older gent with a trip to the seashore at dawn.
The evil ones are everywhere, according to this movie, with many human allies that have convenient tattoos. Frost's master plan is to harvest some of Blade's precious juices to awaken the "Blood God" and exterminate the human race. In a temple erected ages ago for just such a purpose, the final showdown takes place, but one has no interest in the outcome.
Other nasty highlights include a 1,000-pound androgynous vamp archivist who is fried with garlic sauce and the climactic confrontation between Blade and his mother, who lived on as an undead one. The violence is constant and repulsive, from such relatively tame examples as Blade's hand-shredding trick sword hilt to Whistler's brutal demise.
Production-wise the film lives up to this gem in the press notes from set wrangler Kirk M. Petruccelli: "Red is an extremely important color in the film." Sticking their necks out with gruesome success are special effects makeup artist Greg Cannom and visual effects supervisor Chuck Comisky. Needless to say, the concepts of subtlety and restraint are not familiar to sophomore director Stephen Norrington.
BLADE
New Line Cinema
An Amen Ra Films production
In association with Imaginary Forces
Director: Stephen Norrington
Screenwriter: David S. Goyer
Producers: Peter Frankfurt, Wesley Snipes, Robert Engelman
Executive producers: Stan Lee, Avi Arad, Joseph Calamari, Lynn Harris
Director of photography: Theo Van de Sande
Production designer: Kirk M. Petruccelli
Editor: Paul Rubell
Costume designer: Sanja Milkovic Hays
Special effects makeup artist: Greg Cannom
Visual effects supervisor: Chuck Comisky
Music: Mark Isham
Casting: Rachel Abroms, Jory Weitz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Blade: Wesley Snipes
Deacon Frost: Stephen Dorff
Whistler: Kris Kristofferson
Karen: N'Bushe Wright
Quinn: Donal Logue
Dragonetti: Udo Kier
Running time -- 120 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/20/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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