Casting Call: Green Lantern Corps

Next weekend audiences will get a small peak into the world called ‘DC Comics version of Star Wars.’ Ryan Reynolds will bring the Hal Jordan to life and along with him will be some other fan favorites. Sinestro, Tomar-Re, Kilowog, and even future Green Lantern,John Stewart, will appear in the film. But this is only a small group of the many Green Lanterns that comic books fans have come to know and love, spanning over 50 years and hundreds of comic book issues.

There are several ways Warner Bros. can take this film franchise. My hopes would be in the direction of Emerald Twilight, which lead to the introduction of my favorite Green Lantern, Kyle Rayner. Hal Jordan is still the main character in the Green Lantern comic, but the other Green Lanterns help fill two spin-off comics, one being Green Lantern Corps. Hal Jordan and John Stewart may already have their real-life counter parts picked, but here are my suggestions for some of the others.

Milo Ventimiglia as Kyle Rayner

At one point he was called ‘The Torchbearer’ and ‘Ion.’ Kyle Rayner was just a young artist until one night he walked out the wrong end of a bar and found a desperate Guardian wanting to bestow upon him the last Green Lantern ring left in the universe. Kyle Rayner went on to be the next generation of Green Lantern after Hal Jordan/Parallax destroyed the rest of the Corps. Kyle soon proved himself a hero and after defeating Parallax he started to become very powerful. It seemed Kyle was channeling the power of Ion, the source of all the Green Lanterns power. Kyle had a choice to either live as a god, or restart the entire Green Lantern Corps. I think we all know what he did.

On the show Heroes Milo Ventimiglia played Peter Petrelli, a man always trying to do the right thing. Peter had a strength and integrity that Kyle also portrays, which is why Milo would make a good Kyle Rayner. Milo also looks like he has a small chip on his shoulder, which is something Kyle feels due to all the loved ones he has lost since being a Green Lantern. Kyle wasn’t chosen to be a hero, he earned it, just like I think Milo would do.

Ryan Kwanten as Guy Gardner

Guy Gardner is the Lantern with attitude. Most people don’t seem to like him, but there is no doubting he knows how to bring it. When a college football injury ended Guy’s plans he thought his life was over, but little did he know he was one of two potential candidates for Abin Sur’s ring when he crashed on Earth. Hal Jordan just happened to be closer. Guy served as Hal’s back-up when he was unable to perform his Green Lantern duties for a while. At one point, when the Corps was destroyed Guy combined his own blood with alien DNA to still give him powers. But when the Corps was restored to glory Guy jumped on the band wagon and signed on as Kyle’s sector and business partner as the two set-up a bar for the thousands of Green Lanterns to hang out at during off-hours.

To play Guy Gardner I needed someone who could play an asshole, but a likable one. I came to the selection of Ryan Kwanten from HBO’s hit series True Blood. As Jason Stackhouse Ryan can be so annoying, and get himself way over his head, but through it all you want everything to be ok for him. He could play the tough-guy-Gardner with ease. Plus I think it’d be cool to see him slip on the red ring of Rage.

Natalie Portman as Soranik Natu

Sornik comes from Sinestro’s home planet of Korugar. She grew up, like the rest of her people, in fear of Sinestro, but she had loving parents you taught her right and Soranik grew up to be a doctor. When the call to be a Lantern came for her she refused it. She saw how the ring corrupted Sinestro and didn’t want any part of the Corps. She soon learned she could help a lot more people than just on Korugar. After a while she even hooked-up with another Lantern, Kyle Rayner. But Soranik’s world came crumbling down when she found out that Sinestro was her real father. He had given her up years ago when was a fugitive so that’s he could have a normal life. Soranik now despises her father and is determined to prove herself a better Lantern than he ever was.

Yes, I know, I love Natalie Portman. But when I needed someone to play a smart, confident, woman she was the first one to come to my mind. Portman has shown the world time and time again she can do everything from Oscar winning roles to romantic comedies. If Ryan Reynolds can jump from Marvel to DC why can’t Portman? So get this; Soranik’s father, Sinestro, married his best friend’s sister, Abin Sur. Abin Sur passed his ring on to Hal Jordan, who was replaced by Kyle Rayner, and Kyle Rayner is currently dating Soranik. Talk about your six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

Jon Cryer as the voice of Salaak

He is the gatekeeper and receptionist between the Lanterns and the Guardians. He relays all messages, tells the Lanterns where there is trouble, and always trust the Guardians judgment; big mistake if you ask me. I never really liked Salaak because he seemed like too much the Guardians lap-dog. However, I feel like he’s just now starting to figure out the Guardians poo isn’t made of rainbows.

When I thought of an actor who could be a major kiss-ass with no spine, and perhaps a little quirky, Jon Cryer came to mind. On Two and a Half Men Cryer plays the dorky goodie-goodie perfectly. I think he’d be able to project it through a microphone. My favorite Salaak moments are when Guy Gardner teases him.

Jordana Brewster as Boodikka

She is known as one of the best Lanterns there have ever been. She’s taken over training of new recruits for Kilowog for a while, and even taught Hal Jordan himself a thing or two. But Jordan fired back when he was Parallax and Boodikka was one of the Lanterns charged with stopping his reign of terror. Jordan took her ring by cutting off her hand and leaving her for dead. But Boodika survived and returned as a Lantern when the Corps was re-charged. She was one of the first the Guardians chose when they created the Alpha Lanterns. If the Green Lanterns are the police of space then the Alpha Lanterns are internal affairs, and nobody likes internal affairs; especially when they’re half-robot beings that can only follow rules written in the book of Oa.

With a strong character like Boodikka I needed an actress who can appeal to all sides of her. Jordana Brewster can appear vulnerable, strong, subordinate, and sexy all at the same time. I loved her in the Fast and Furious franchise, and I think it’s time for her to jump on a franchise that doesn’t just bust out the same ol’ model every film. Plus she’s just really hot.

Jennifer Lawrence as Arisia Rrab

Arisia always seemed to me like a very naïve and innocent character, but she’s not. Maybe it’s because she’s always so hopeful about everything. After becoming a Green Lantern Arisia soon developed a crush on Hal Jordan. For a time the two even lived together peacefully on Earth, but once Hal became Parallax and thought he killed her all bets were off. Hal found her years later, along with other Lanterns, being used as batteries by the Cycborg Superman. Hal and Guy Gardner freed them and Arisia rejoined the Corps. Since then she’s been doing her best to keep the Green Lanterns positive and efficient.

In X-Men: First Class Jennifer Lawrence played a young Mystique that seemed to be hopeful of the future. If Lawrence can take that same character attitude over to the DC universe I think we’d be in business. Of course I think she’s going to pretty busy these next few years, what with the lead role in The Hunger Games franchise. Oh well, it’s a nice thought.

Ali Larter as Laira

This is one girl I would not want to cross. Not only does she wield one of the most powerful weapons in the universe, but she is also an expert martial artist. Laira was trained by her father, a former Guardian of the Universe, to take his place as a possible Green Lantern when he died, and she did just that. She’s a tough as nails chick who murdered a member of the Sinestro Corps after he killed her family. This caused her to be chosen for the Red Lantern Corps, but was later killed by Sinestro himself.

Another Heroes alumnus who I think has more to offer than her TV personality. For two seasons she played Nikki Sanders on Heroes, but it was her evil personality, Jessica, I think she would need to tap into in order to play Laira. Larter I think could bring out the strength and rage of this character, and look good while doing it.

Colin Egglesfield as Sodam Yat

Sodam was raised on planet Daxam, and they hated anyone not from Daxam. Kind of like a racist planet. When Sodam was chosen as a Green Lantern, against his father’s wishes, he learned that other people weren’t so bad. His strength as a character also allowed him to be the newest embodiment of the Green Lantern mascot, Ion. The Guardians assigned Kyle Rayner to teach Sodam about wielding this awesome power seeing how Kyle was the only other being to be Ion. Daxam is also a planet similar to Krypton, so when Sodam is near a yellow sun not only does he have the power of a god, he also has heat vision too. Some guys have all the luck. But this luck didn’t safe him when he sacrificed himself to turn Daxam’s sun yellow so his people could fight off a Sinestro Corps invasion. But we haven’t seen the last of Sodam, trust me.

To play a character as perfect as Sodam you need someone who looks almost perfect. Colin Egglesfield made girls swoon in his newest film, Something Borrowed, and although I don’t plan on ever seeing the film he looks like he can pull off this part. I think it would be an interesting scene with Kyle trying to teach Sodam all about having the powers of Ion when he really doesn’t need it to be awesome.

Thor Starts This Summer Off With Thunder and Lightning

By the power of Odin the summer blockbusters have started like a thunderous lighting rod under actor turned director, Kenneth Branagh. Branagh’s most famous acting roles include Hamlet, Frakenstein, and Henry V, which made him the perfect director to create this drama about gods coming to Earth.

Thor and his brother Loki live in the land of Asgard, one of the Nine Realms, another being Earth. Their father is Odin, the most powerful of them all and the being who settled piece between Asgard and the frost giants of Jotunheim. Thor is set to take the throne from Odin, but Odin finds him arrogant and vain, and banishes him to Earth until he is worthy to wield Mjolnir the hammer, and source of Thor’s power. But Thor must do it quickly because while Odin slumbers to regains his strength his brother Loki sits on the throne and the frost giants are looking for their revenge on Asgard. It’s up to team of scientists, lead by Jane Foster, to teach Thor the meaning of being a true hero.

I’ve never been big on Thor. I’ve tried reading it several times but just couldn’t get into it. I was excited for this film however, mainly because I know it’s all tying into next summer’s The Avengers with Iron Man and Captain America by Thor’s side. Chris Hemsworth does a great job of portraying the god of thunder. He’s got leading man potential written all over him. Just ask my wife about the scene with his shirt off. I believe her words were, “wow.” Tom Hiddleston is an actor I’m not too familiar with but he pulled of being Loki like a charm. I look forward to him returning for The Avengers. And of course Anthony Hopkins as Odin is what Anthony Hopkins always is; awesome.

 The supporting cast all filled their roles well, although after seeing Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis make-out I’ll never look at either of them the same again. Rene Russo also returns to movies in this film after a brief absence from the business. The other honorable mention is Jamie Alexander as the warrior women Sif. And when I say that I mean she looks like she’d be an awesome Wonder Woman.

The films strayed a little ways from the comic, such as Jane being a medical doctor and not an astrophysicist. But that didn’t stop the film being all out enjoyable. The action was worthy of the gods thanks to the special effects team, all the actors were terrific, and Asgard looked so cool it put Middle Earth to shame. If I had one gripe about the film it would be Portman’s school-girl persona when she finds out the guy she’s been crushing on is a super-powered hunk. If you’re not familiar with Marvel films then you might want to brush up before seeing this film so you can catch all the little references, and if you know what’s to come then you’ll be just as gitty as I was at the end. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you to stay for after the credits as well.

This is just the beginning for the summer of superheroes. With X-Men: First Class and Captain America: The First Avenger yet to be released you can bet it’ll be a good summer for Marvel Comics. Will Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern be able to hold off Marvel at the box office as the only representative for DC Comics this summer? Only time, ticket sales, and Happy Meal toys will tell.

RATING: B+

Requiem of a Swan

How do you get girls to go see a psychological thriller movie? Make it about a ballerina. But then how do you get guy to go see a movie about a ballerina? Have a lesbian scene! I feel like these are the kind of issues director Darren Aronofsky had while making this film. Also I think he wanted to scare any young girls dream of ever becoming a ballerina.

Natalie Portman is Nina. She’s timid, innocent, and has just scored the lead role in Swan Lake. But her director tells her she needs to live a little and loosen up. However, she loosens a few too many screws in her head if you ask me. Nina soon becomes convinced her new friend, played by Mila Kunis, is out to steal her part. She begins seeing scratches all over her body that aren’t really there, and she thinks everyone she sees looks like her. Nina has to try and hold it all together till opening night when all the world will see her become a star.

Aronofsky has directed such films a Pi and Requiem for a Dream and this film falls right in with the other two. Nina’s hallucinations of trying to figure out what’s real, and what isn’t, is enough to just make you give up half way through the film and just go with it. I did enjoy the small effects throughout, such as Nina’s patches tough skin as she becomes more confident and her picking feathers off her body when he gets wrapped up her role.

 The film’s story also seems to coincide with the story of Swan Lake as well. I’ve never seen Swan Lake so I’m not sure how much of the music was from the ballet and how much composer Clint Mansell made himself, but I liked it. The film’s score had a very dramatic tone to it during Nina’s times of stress, or triumph in some cases.

The buzz on this film has been stirring for weeks now, mainly about the performances. Mila Kunis is said to be up for a possible Best Supporting Actress nomination, but I don’t see it. She just plays another one of her bitchy girl roles like when she started on That 70’s Show. Don’t get me wrong, she was perfect for the part, but nothing I felt that flexed her acting muscles or challenged her. Winona Ryder, however, was a supporting actress who surprised me as the old ballerina that Portman’s character replaces. Ryder’s part was small, but I felt very strong. Definitely better than her trying to act like a mom in Star Trek. She’d be great example for kids. She can teach them a trade like shop-lifting.

All the credit of this film I feel goes to one person; Natalie Portman. Nina’s crazy emotions where all over the place in this film, and Portman brought them out like a pro. Portman played a shy girl and a sexy girl.  She cried, she danced, and you never knew what face she was going to pull out of her bag of trick next. Portman has come a long way since her first role as a child in The Professional, but I always enjoying seeing everything she does. She seems serious about acting, but doesn’t take herself too serious. She is also a Harvard grad, and smart girls are hot.

I read in Entertainment Weekly that Portman’s Oscar chances may dwindle because of her light-hearted movies coming out within the next few months. But I’d much rather see an actress win an Oscar who can do drama and comedy than one who only does movies she thinks she’ll win an Oscar for. You can go see this film in theaters if you want, but much like Aronofsky’s other films this is best viewed alone in a dark room, maybe a little high, and some tissues by your side; for various reasons.

Rating:  B-

DVD Review: Brothers

Based on the Danish film Brodre, Jim Sheridan directs this film starring Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal as Sam and Tommy Cahill.  Tommy is just coming home from prison while his brother is off to Afghanistan.  When news comes back to Sam's wife Grace, played by Natalie Portman, that Sam is dead she doesn't know what to do, and neither does Tommy.   Tommy soon decides to help Grace move on with her life and the two become close, a little too close.  But when word comes back that Sam is alive the tears of joy may be premature.  Sam returns home with a terrible secret that could destroy himself and his entire family.

Let me start off by saying I love all three of these actors, and it's why I wanted to see this film. Each one does a good job, but Toby Maguire outshines the other two with the emotional range he portrays in this film, which is why I think he deserved his Oscar nomination.  Most of the characters Gyllenhaal plays are very stoic, but in different ways.  His character in this film fit that mold once again.  I think Portman has started being type cast because she did in this film what she did in Star Wars:  Episode III, which is just cry a lot.  I hope her role in next summers film, Thor, lets her flex her acting muscles a little more, since we all know she has them. Another notable performance was Bailee Madison playing Sam and Grace's daughter, Isabelle.  For a little girl she can bring it.

If you're looking for a happy film then you better take this one out of your Netflix queue.  I was uncomfortable most of the film as I watched these characters make their mistakes, but I could also feel the family drama, mainly between Tommy and his father, played by the wonderful Sam Shepard.  It was the kind of moments that make up a family, and I think that helped the film a lot in believability. 

During the film I thought there should have been more to a few scenes, but when it all ended I could see why Sheridan held back in some places.  I don't think I'll ever watch this film again, but I do recommend it for anyone who enjoys a close-to-home story and some good acting.  Sam and Tommy Cahill won't go down as famous film brothers, but by the end of the film you know they are there for each other, like only brothers can be.   

Rating:  C