((Trying to get back into my journalism ways. I wrote this to suit the style of the reviews my local newspaper publishes. Comments and criticisms greatly appreciated.))

When the Wachowskis set out to recreate a 40 year old cartoon, you have to think they were aiming at two audiences, preteens that just want to marvel at the flash and bright colors screaming across the screen and their disaffected parents that want a small splash of that childish innocence they held so long ago.

I have good news for the first group. From before the opening ‘Paramount’ scrawl, Speed Racer bathes you in color and lights keeping a fast and light feel for the entire two hour journey. From the brightly clad costumes and neon raceways flying by, it is more fun and cartoony than most recent big screen cartoons. And this is before adding in the intensity of the Imax experience available at some theatres.

But parents will want to watch for one underage middle finger extension and a few mild curse words.

For the second group, if your fond memories derive from the heavy handed drama of whether or not speed racer will be knocked out of the race (he never was) or who really is Racer X, you may enjoy this adaptation as every non-action scene attempts to slam you with melodrama as to how important this race really is. That, and a few touch scenes that call back to the original cartoon is all the nostalgia you’ll find.

Everyone else will find a lighthearted action movie that’s passably acceptable if you can leave your brain at the door as Speed, Emile Hirsch, tries to win races to protect his family and live up to the memory up his super racer brother, Rex.

The cast treats the material with respect. John Goodman acts with a sensible intensity. Hirsch and Christina Ricci, Trixie, have a certain romantic chemistry that would be great in a more serious piece. Roger Allam, Royalton, is as evil and as slimy as possible without becoming a farce. And Paulie Litt, Spritle, with the assist of the monkey Chim Chim, Willy, provide some of the most entertaining moments of the film.

By the time the credits roll, you’ll be either be wishing for an air sickness bag or bouncing around singing the Speed Racer theme song. Either way, it’s one heck of a ride.

 

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show notes by Monday.

 

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Interviews with:
Alp Altiner of Team 14 from Digital Webbing
Richard Moore of Fire & Brimstone from Antarctic Press
Mark A. Smith of Aqua Leung and Kill All Parents from Image Comics
and Rantz Hoseley of Vix and Displaced Persons GN from Image Comics
and we talk about whatever else in previews that looks cool and anything else that comes across our minds.

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As promised, here is a 24 page preview for Kill the Revisionist by Chad Lambert & Christopher Steininger.

 

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My personal favorite episode so far, despite a couple audio issues.
This is the first podcast with my new studio setup, let me know what you think of it.
The Skype was fired up and going as Matt and I call:
Wayne Cordova (RadioWayne Podcast) to talk about Megacon and CONning in general.

Chad Lambert to talk about his new OGN, Kill the Revisionist.

Barry Levine, President and Publisher of Radical Comics about their new slate of books

and we call a couple comic shops to see if they’ll be ordering Radical Comics.
Big Dog Comics in Ft. Pierce, FL and
X-treme Comics in Boca Raton, FL

 

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This was recorded in early march, but I haven’t had a chance to sit down with it. So, this is a quick edit version, because we’re recording tomorrow and it’s going straight to tape. Hope this works.

Umbrella Academy
Hellboy: Oddest Jobs
DC: Final Crisis
DC Universe Zero
Joker Half-size Bust
Green Lantern Corp Figure
Sky Doll
Avengers/Invaders
Hulk
Guardians of the Galaxy
Secret Invasion
Captain Britain & MI-13 #1
New Universal
Firebreather
Wildguard: Casting
PVP 10th Anniversary
TopCow Pilot Season
Salem #1
Jim Balent
Dabel Brothers’ Dresden Files, Frankenstein, Wildcards
Damned
100 girls
I was Kidnapped by Lesbian Pirates from Outer Space
Radical Comics Hercules & Caliber

Be Kind Rewind: The Movie
Jumper sucked.

Theme Music: Bad Attraction by Brad Sucks

 

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I’m an idiot. I thought this episode was already uploaded, but I was wrong so here it is. Meanwhile episode 37 is still not showing up on iTunes. Don’t know why. Still waiting to hear from iTunes people.

This episode we hear some excellent listener feedback.
first from Ben UK Check out his blog.
and we got a mention on the farpoint recap
and then we respond to some feedback about Matt’s comments on McDuffie’s JLA from dafixer (check out his podcast) which went from good intentions but somehow set us on a course to offend as many people as possible for the rest of the episode.

then we call some semi-local comic shops to find out what they’re seeing with Brand New Day.

Picture from the Brooklyn Paper

I have an interview coming up with Jay Faerber about his Noble Causes 5 year jump. And you lucky reader/listener get an early look at the cover and first 5 pages.

 

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Today I have an interview with Greg Baldwin, Author and Artist of Path, a new graphic novel from ComX Comics. It’s their first book in almost four years, and his first comic ever. Needless to say I was excited to talk to him. Listen in.

and Preorder Path
Diamond Code: Jan083499

Doppler’s Path Blog
Creaturebox
Comx Comics

 

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Hulk #1 by Jeph Loeb & Ed McGuiness
Legion of Superheroes #37 by Jim Shooter & Francis Manapul
Youngblood #1 by Joe Casey & Derec Donovan