Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

Undead Noir

Director: Kevin Munrow

Writer: Thomas Dean Donnelly, Joshua Oppenheimer, Tiziano Sclavi

Stars: Brandon Routh, Anta Briem, Sam Huntington, Peter Stormare, Taye Diggs, Kurt Angle

RANT: Dilemmas abound for me this weekend. Do I back peddle and go see the kid friendly Rio or the flailing Water for Elephants? Instead, I went out of my way to go see the comic book movie Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. To do so, I needed to drive 22 minutes to a multiplex farther out on Long Island. The National Amusement Commack Multiplex is a throwback to a forgotten era when simply adding more theaters was enough. No stadium seating existed, although the seating was kept in good condition. The aisle way rode down the center instead on on the side, making me wonder again why the best seats in the house would be given up for patron access. This theater's setup is a reminder of moviegoers expectation of the creature comforts of stadium seating and cup holders.

SYNOPSIS: In Louisiana, the mecca for the undead creature of the night, Dylan Dog was appointed the sole human investigator for vampire, zombie and werewolf affairs. After the death of his girlfriend and his massacre of the vampire elders, Dylan retires - branded a monster hunter. Now, with the death of a client's father and the death of his partner, Dylan decides to take on one more case.

Kevin Munroe, really only known for directing four kung fu reptiles in the 2007 CG adaptation of TMNT, comes at us with the adaptation of Tiziano Sclavi's DC comic book series, Dylan Dog. Tiziano Sclavi also wrote the novel Cemetery Man which became an Italian underground cult classic movie entitled Dellamorte Dellamore.

Set in modern-day New Orleans, Louisiana, Dylan Dog feels like a crime noir film with the addition of the undead. In this case, the title of "Undead" covers all manner of ghouls, zombies, vampires, and even werewolves - an obvious slight to the furry community if I ever heard it.

In the case of Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, Kevin Munroe's noir interpretation of the source material, Dylan Dog is similar to Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, Dylan Dog is a hard-boiled private investigator, cynical and brooding. With over-used voiceover narrative by Routh's Dylan, we are spoon fed the majority of the plot when needed. And when we need more explanation, Dylan provides us with more narrative onscreen. But with Brandon Routh, Dylan Dog is also more comedic and light, in spite of the heart-breaking losses from his past. Routh is too good looking to be miserable for very long.

With too much forced narrative, Routh's Dylan doesn't have much chemistry with the client, Elizabeth (Anita Briem), who loses her father to a werewolf, even though it is her case that brings him out of retirement. Actually, though, it is the death of his PI assistant, Marcus (Sam Huntington), who coaxes him out of self-pity. And herein lies the redemption of the film.

Whether it is the previous relationship and screen work that Routh and Huntington shared in Superman Returns or something else, the chemistry works between them. And Huntington makes what is a mediocre comic version of Constantine into something enjoyable. Once he is killed and returns as a zombie, Huntington takes a Chas Kramer rip-off to an entirely new comedic level, filled with exclamation and a journey through the hidden world of zombie diet, beauty regiments, and storage room zombie support groups.

And speaking of Constantine, Peter Stormare stars as the head of one of the wolf clans - growling and fun to watch, although somewhat pale compared to his portrayal of Satan in Constantine. Taye Diggs stars as Vargus, the head of the opposing vampire nation and peddler of a new drug consisting of vampire blood. All the while, Routh's Dylan, Huntington's Marcus and Anita Briem's Elizabeth look to solve the mystery of a stolen artifact that may contain the power to undo the undead nations.

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night is fairly forgettable aside from Sam Huntington. A seven foot tattooed zombie looks like it came from Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The demon that emerges in the third act as a result of the artifact reminds me of Tom Cruise's Legend, but darker in color. The noir works to a degree, but I think that a 1940s era would have worked better.

WORTH: Netflix

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World

I am definitely on Scott's side!

[Michael Cena, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick]

image from blogs.indiewire.com

RANT: My apologies, dear reader, for the sporadic nature of my movie review blogs. Weekends at Six Flags Great Adventure and entertaining my sister and her family have put me off of my pace. I am slowly crawling out of the hole I have made for myself with getting behind on my movie viewing. I will try to be more considerate to my readers in the future!

SYNOPSIS: Scott Pilgrim is suddenly and violently drawn to Ramona Flowers, a girl trying to escape her past. As Scott grows closer to Ramona, he is confronted by seven of Ramona's evil exes. He must defeat each one in order to win Ramona's hand and heart.

What do you get when you cross "Tron", "Speed Racer", "Game of Death", Rumble in the Bronx" and "Juno"? Apparently writer and director Edgar Wright knows... and I believe that he has brought it to the silver screen as "Scoot Pilgrim vs. the World". Adapted from the Oni Press graphic novels of the same name by Brian Lee O'Malley, Wright captures the spirit and soul of the inked panel.

Many directors have tried, and failed, to adapt comic books onto the screen where they keep the comic panel concept - most notably Ang Lee's "Hulk". Some have succeeded, Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez for "Sin City", and now Edgar Wright with "Scott Pilgrim vs...". Famous for cult favorites "Shaun of the Dead", "Hot Fuzz" and a chapter of "Grindhouse", Wright is perfectly comfortable and capable penning and directing another film to add to the collection.

Michael Cena seems perfect as Scott Pilgrim, a depressed early twenty-something guy broken hearted for a year after the seemingly perfect girl moved away and started sleeping with her new bass player (and sign with a record label). Now dating a 17 year old high schooler, Pilgrim is soon drawn to the mysterious Ramona Flowers, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Scott is surrounded by his bandmates Stephen Stills (Mark Webber) and former girlfriend Kim Pine (Alison Pill), his gay roommate Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin), and soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend Knives Chau (Ellen Wong). The band, Sex Bob-omb, is reminiscent of the 5, 6, 7, 8s from "Kill Bill Vol. 1", just trying to kick ass and play music. Roommate Wallace adds wit and wisdom, dishing out double standard advice for Scott's love life.

The entire film is one big video game with a heart, from the Universal Studios logo and music on. The on-screen captioning is comedic. There is even a "Pee Bar" that empties as Scott relieves himself. The ring of a door bell or phone brings up the sound in visual format. Kisses of passion flutter around as heart butterflies. Every punch is accented with a KRPOW or TWACK!. In order to win Ramona's heart, Scott defeat each of her seven evil exes. Each member of the League of Evil Exes has their own talent, and Scott must use all of his skills in defeating them. Brandon Routh and Chris Evan appear as evil exes #2 and #3, respectively, upping their clout in the comic to movie genre and probably cementing them as comic-com staples for a lifetime. Mae Whitman from NBC's "Parenthood" shows up as bi-furious ex #4, Roxy, and Jason Schwartzman caps off the list as unlucky ex #7, Gideon, who has a hold on both Ramona and the future of Sex Bob-omb career with a record label. From a vegan lifestyle that produces telekinesis, to mystic indian fireballs, to giant battle hammers, each "versus" battle is epic.

This film is perfect for the comic movie lover, but it is also a film with a message about how we treat those we love and those we used to love. It's a coming-of-age love story, wrapped up in the garb of the next generation's gaming culture.

Worth: Matinee and DVD

I am also trying out a new rating system shown below based on reader reaction to my somewhat complex monetary rating scale. I will give both ratings and see what kind of reaction I muster. A movie can receive up to 5 popcorn buckets. Why popcorn buckets? Because I am a slave to the thousand + calorie delight! Enjoy!