Instead of specific films, TV shows, or books, the April 26-May 2, 2009, edition of the Weekly Wrap-Up focuses on the men and women behind them. The unsung heroes who give us their blood, sweat, and tears to ensure we have a good time while watching the screen or reading the page. To them, this Woman says, “Thanks for your efforts! And keep ’em coming!”
First up, director Jaume Collet-Serra, who won me over with his declaration of passion for exploring the dark side of human nature. If his goals for his newest project, Orphan, pan out as he explains them, then it could turn out to be one of the year’s best, or at least most disturbing.
Next is JT Petty, who both wrote and directed the kickass Western/horror hybrid The Burrowers. I’m not sure the review we have here on the site does it justice. If you have a hankering for something atypical and off the beaten path, but still very high quality, do yourself a favor and buy or rent it asap.
Third we have Perseus, or should I say casting directors Elaine Grainger and Lucinda Syson. It isn’t often we see names like Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Worthington, Danny Huston, Mads Mikkelsen, Gemma Arterton, Jason Flemyng, and Alexa Davalos all on one project. Provided helmer Louis Leterrier can keep them all focused, 2010’s Clash of the Titans is shaping up to be one for the ages.
Speaking of a plethora of talent, how about the one-man army of ambition known as Kevin Grevioux? He’s currently writing the comic series I, Frankenstein, which will be followed up by the feature film version to be directed by Patrick Tatopoulos, who’s also doing the creature design. Not one to rest on his laurels (or even, apparently, rest at all), Grevioux was also just signed to direct a live action adaptation of his graphic novel The Pale Horsemen.
The last entry in our Fabulous Five for this week is F/X creator extraordinaire Robert Kurtzman, whose makeup effects designs for Jennifer Lynch’s Hisss are stunning. A trailer for the film leaked out for a few precious hours, and parts of it look utterly mind-blowing. The pictures we’ve seen are nothing compared to the real thing.
Since I’m as much in favor of expanding minds as blowing them, I was glad to see Dread Central starting its own online anthology comic strip, Hard-Boiled Horror Tales, which adeptly combines horror monsters with old school gangster pulps. Therefore, instead of my typical Story of the Week, this time it’s the Woman’s Artist of the Week: Doug Slack. Doug’s our kind of guy. His blog profile claims “nerd credentials” that include owning the Shogun Warriors Godzilla toy, complete with launchable hand, from 1979; having over 30 boxes of comic books stored in the attic; and sharing a dining experience with Tom Savini. But never mind all that. Take a gander at “The Hit Got Hairy” to see what I mean. The panel below is just a sample of the goodness that awaits. Unfortunately, things ain’t looking quite so promising for Slick and his boys.
