Fanboy Theatre - Issue 2

By William McKenzie
March 17, 2007 - 20:45

News

Hey Guys, I know this update is a tad late, but preparing for The New York Comicon took up a lot of my time. Speaking of which, you can check out a new blog entry I posted about our adventures at the con on our Myspace page.

You can also check out some pics of the event, taken by Fangirl Patty and Myself:

Convention Chaos

Batman, Fangirl Patty, & Big Blue

Asajj Ventress

The Baroness Chats With A Cobra Soldier

Spidey And Patty Power

Fanboy Will Loves Him Some Frank Quietly

Fangirl Patty Has It Her Way With The King

Boba Fett

A Wicked Cool Soundwave Costume

Fangirl Meets "Heroes" Co-Star Hayden Panettiere

Team Fanboy Assemble!

Killer New Stuff On The Way From DC Direct!

Marvel Legends Figures On The Way!

Director Gary Lobstein (of HULK: AFTERMATH fame) is currently working on a film based on the DC Universe's Sorcerer Supreme Dr. Fate! The film will be called DR. FATE AND THE CRAWLING CHAOS. Here's a sneak peak at the film's first promo poster, donated graciously by Mr. Lobstein himself.

Reviews

BATMAN BEYOND: PATH OF DESTRUCTION

This film by Director Travis Landry, Landry Productions, and WillStudios999 is based on New Gotham's Dark Knight of the future, Terry McGiness. After Terry's mask is damaged in a battle with the gang calling themselves "The Jokers" He is forced to settle for a rather primitive disguise while Bruce Wayne, Gotham's original Batman, fixes his original model in the Batcave. While on a routine patrol of New Gotham's mean streets Terry encounters a powerful new gang, "The Elite". The Elite threaten to destroy Gotham City, only Batman stands in the way of their fiendish plot. But it seems there is much more to this new Gang than meets the eye when it's discovered that the gang's leader (Andrew Mitchell) is the son of a mentally disturbed career criminal Bruce Wayne fought in the past during his days as the Caped Crusader. With this shocking realization Secrets will be revealed, and the lives of both Terry McGiness and Bruce Wayne will hang in the balance.

I would like to begin the review portion of this write-up by stating that (in my humble opinion) ANYONE taking on a Batman Beyond based project has got some serious guts. New Gotham is a Hi-Tech world that's a far cry from the city's olden days and pulling off the look and feel of the future in a Fan Film can be quite challenging. That in mind, Mr.Landry, cast, and crew gets some big time kudos for their efforts to bring the animated series to life, although the film definitely needed some work in certain areas. Now, you all know by now that Fanboy Theatre does not believe in bashing or putting down anyone's work, but we DO believe in offering what we feel might be some constructive criticism if we think it might help. Since the film is supposed to take place in New Gotham I would have filmed it in a more urban environment, some tall buildings and busy streets would definitely do the feel of the film some justice, similar to what Aaron Schoenke did in his Batman Beyond film, "Batman Beyond: Year One". I know not everyone lives close by a major city like me so if you have to do the best with what you've got that's cool too. If not urban, try filming primarily at night, which would give the film a more "New Gothamesque" atmosphere. Not everyone can do this though, because a really good camera is needed to make nighttime scenes even close to visible. There are several scenes in the film that are shot in dingy lighting and they are quite hard to make out, proving my point that it's not easy.

Now for some well earned praise - "Batman Beyond: Path of Destruction" does do a good job in capturing the spirit of the show in several ways. Andrew Harvell, who plays both Terry McGinnes and Batman in the film does look the part, and most importantly when he's fighting the bad guys he delivers those famous Terry McGinness wisecracks. That's key, because Terry's Batman is a much more upbeat Dark Knight (think Spideyesque) as opposed to Bruce Wayne's more mysterious creature of the night type persona. You definitely want to distinguish the two. Batman Beyond offers a fresh new beginning to the character, and you can really take some creative liberties in your film with that in mind. The chemistry between Wayne and McGinnes in the film is also well played, but I would have personally gone with an older gentleman to provide the voice of Wayne. Think over the hill and battle worn Batman, ala creator Frank Miller's version of Bats in "The Dark Knight Returns". The fight choreography in the film is probably one of its biggest strengths, featuring some impressive hand to hand combat that's quite well done considering the films creators are quite young and relatively inexperienced. I'm really glad to see this growing movement of younger filmmakers in the Fan Film Community. Young directors like Mr. Landry and William Phelps show great promise and give Me faith that the best is yet to come in the future of Fan Films. Nicely done!

SMALLVILLE: REBIRTH

Since I am the biggest Smallville Geek in the whole wide Fanboy World, and due to the fact there are virtually no Smallville Fan Films out there, I was more than happy to receive word of this little gem from directors Carly Spade and Lindsey Johnson. "Smallville Rebirth" is essentially an original sequence shot in the style of Smallville's first scene before the opening credits. In the short Chloe Sullivan (played by Lindsey Johnson) is visiting the Kent Farm waiting for Clark when she is paid an unexpected visit from her cousin Lois Lane (played by Carly Spade). Lois has been kicked out of her apartment forcing her to crash at the Kent's Farm. Being the investigative reporter that she is Chloe is suspicious that Lois might have some sort of crush on Clark and begins to pry. The two exchange witty banter just like the characters they emulate on the show. They also do a great job of taking on the mannerisms and line delivery of the characters. Spade especially shines as the sarcastic military brat played by Erica Durrance on the actual show. She also resembles Durrance somewhat. Johnson's performance as the ever vivacious Chloe Sullivan also rates high making this an all winner. The ending, or should I say beginning, is very Smallville and will have fans wondering if they are watching a Fan Film or the actual show. Very, very cool. How about a full length Smallville Fan Film ladies? I would love to see the continuing adventures of Smallville's favorite cousins once again. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. This short, brought to you by Fangirl Films.

Trailer Report

BLOODBATH: MICHAEL VS.JASON

Fans of Both the "Halloween" and "Friday The 13th" film series will be excited to know that there is currently a Fan Film on the way from Director Gary Mongar, Mongarfilm Ent., and Dark Legend Productions pitting the main characters of both films against each other in a bloody showdown. Its Shatner mask vs. Hockey mask when the undead takes on the unstoppable.

WONDER WOMAN

This trailer from Director Ken Feinberg and starring Clarke Wolfe as Wonder Woman, was actually meant to be an audition video for Wolfe to be considered for the role as the mightiest Amazon of them all in Director Joss Whedon's upcoming Wonder Woman feature film. The trailer, written and produced by Wolfe, shows Diana struggling through various tests of strength and combat skills against other Amazons including Diana's arch rival Artemis. Diana eventually emerges as the victor and she is sent to our lands as an Ambassador of truth and understanding and to keep mankind from destroying the world. The trailer is more of a Fan Film since it is a bit lengthy, but that's definitely not a bad thing in this case. Packed with plenty of action, well done direction, and an impressive performance by Clarke Wolfe as Wonder Woman, this trailer packs a punch that almost rivals Untamed Cinema's "Grayson".

Last Updated: March 3, 2025 - 20:40

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