Well-Respected Character Actor Is Gonna Strap On Some Heavy Metal!

Here we are with the first "real" post, and I wanted to start with something big... and yet....

...This story ain't exactly fresh... Ah well, it's a good training run. Plus, I've got a more serious closing piece that'll leave you pondering life's many mysteries and frowning a lot. Well, hopefully not too much... But anyways, we'll start with the nifty looking model to your left... That's right y'all! I'm talking about IRON MAN!!!

Now, I know that a fair amount of you aren't familiar with ol' Tin-head here, but believe me, in summer 2008 you're going to be seeing his gleaming visage wherever you look! "Why, God, why?" you ask? Well, cuz Marvel Comics have just cast the lead in director Jon Favreau's (Dude who directed Elf & Zathura, as well as played Courtney Cox's chef/Ultimate Fighting boyfriend on that obscure 90's show Friends) super-hero epic! Now, first (to prolong the mininal suspense I've got going here) some background: Iron Man is Tony Stark, a millionaire industrialist arms maker, who creates a mighty armored suit to save his life following a life-threatening injury. Soon, Tony is forced into action against those who would do us, the little people, harm. Yeah, he's kind of a cult hero... Not well-known like Spider-Man or Batman... but I'm still excited. Favreau's promising a dark cyber-thriller and that's a relief!

Now, here's the real kicker: When you look at that photo who can you picture in that suit? Morgan Freeman? Jon Heder? Kathy Bates??? You're all wrong! Robert Downey Jr. has got the gig!

At first I was a tad apprehensive. Downey Jr. has this look that always seems to display a sense of ironic detachment regarding his surroundings. We need someone real, here! This is Oscar material dammit! That said, I think this is an unusual bit of casting that may pay off. I'll tell you why. See, Tony Stark, he's got demons! Big ones.... And so does Downey Jr.! Plus, Stark is an alchoholic! DING DING DING! Imagine what Downey Jr. can do with a character with so many skeletons in the closet! I'm now convinced this may shape up to be a great picture along the lines of Batman Begins. Rumors that Famke Janssen (X-Men trilogy, GoldenEye), and Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Crash) are looking to join only give this project more promise. So I hope I'll see some of you in May 2008 buying tickets to this, or else...

And by the way, go out and rent Downey Jr.'s Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. It's a clever spin on the cop/mystery genre with a lot of laughs. I promise it's twice as good as Date Movie!
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Now, to be serious a second, I just wanted to draw your attention to a news item that's been circulating today. I don't know how many of you are familiar with/recall the hilarious film Dogma? It caused quite a stir back in '99 with the Catholic League, despite being a pretty pro-faith movie... Anyways, it's a great movie, and director Kevin Smith (his blog is: www.silentbobspeaks.com) is an influence of mine. It seems, however, the film, or rather an image from the film is causing quite a stir in Baghdad! The image, of a winking, smiling Jesus giving "the guns" is causing some serious chaos.

Read all about it here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061001/wl_mideast_afp/iraqusshiitesjesus

It's a sad reminder of how images viewed as ironic over here in pop-culture fueled North America can be seen as dangerous and offensive to different cultures. I hope they clear this mess up because no-one should be hurt by a film (unless it's Halle Berry's Catwoman, which brought tragedy to so many...). Dumb jokes aside, It's a tragic cultural misunderstanding that hopefully doesn't lead to any more upset or, God forbid, violence.

Now, HOW'S THAT for a solemn closing! And you thought it'd all be hijinx and Evil Dead references! Actually, that's tomorrow.

Good night, hope you enjoyed the episode!
-Cam

P.S.: I've fixed the comment option so you don't have to register to leave comments. Good, bad, lemma have 'em! Something you wanna see me write me and lemme know!