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Michael Chabon

Power Grid

6 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movies That Hollywood Should Be Making Instead of Candy Land

by Rebecca Pahle | 12:30 pm, June 6th, 2012

Anyone else get the feeling that Hollywood is out of ideas? Take a look at this summer’s studio releases. What do you see? A lot of entries into pre-existing franchises (The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, Prometheus), a sequel or twelve (Men in Black III, Madagascar 3), some additions to the “edgy kid’s story” genre that’s refused to die since Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland made bank, two movies based on self-help books (Think Like a Man, What to Expect When You’re Expecting), and one that draws its inspiration from a board game (Battleship). Look, I’m not here to pooh-pooh the idea of sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes—there are some ridiculously unnecessary ones, sure, but if I told you my level of anticipation for The Dark Knight Rises is not positively stratospheric I’d be lying.

I’m not asking that Hollywood start coming out with original content or anything, because A) that’s what indie movies are for, and B) it would be unrealistic. Hollywood exists to make money. If people pay to see Madagascar 3, they’re going to make Madagascar 4. That’s how it works. But still. Movie versions of Candy Land (and Adam Sandler is attached, oh goodie!), Stretch Armstrong, and the Ouija board are in the works. Hollywood, I implore you: If you’re going to adapt something, can’t it be something good?

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Review

Consider Your Period Piece Blown to Pieces: Captain America: The First Avenger

by Zoe Chevat | 12:55 pm, July 24th, 2011

NEEDLESS TO SAY, INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF SPOILERS THEREIN.

You’ve got to hand it to Marvel for figuring a few things out recently. While their Big Two competitor gleefully jettisons 70 years of questionable costume changes and Kraft single one-liners, Marvel’s gone back to their roots with stellar results. Their streak continues with the good old new-fashioned Captain America. Retro is always in style, and a dose of gee-wizardry can go a long way, particularly if you’re harkening to old school heroics for summer box-office fun. Don’t call Captain America a period piece, though; it’ll knock your period to pieces. Sincere, fun, and earnest without verging on treacly, the Cap’s big trip to the big screen has a potent mix of the retro winking and newfangled action that is Golden Age adaptation at its best.

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For A More Civilized Age

Darren Aronofsky + Michael Chabon + Magicians + Nazis = Want

by Susana Polo | 3:15 pm, June 17th, 2011

Okay, Darren Aronofsky. I was really disappointed when you left The Wolverine. You directing that flick seemed like a perfect storm of things that I like: artful directing, Wolverine, samurai, Hugh Jackman, period film, etc.

But if this is what you’re giving me instead? I actually cannot complain. It’s just a completely different set of things that I like.

According to Variety, Aronofsky has signed on to direct the pilot of HBO’s Hobgoblin, a series created by Michael Chabon and his wife.

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Yes. Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. Yes.

Michael Chabon Writes HBO Series: Magicians Vs. Nazis

by Max Eddy | 1:45 pm, March 8th, 2011

Be still my heart: Michael Chabon, celebrated writer and comic book enthusiast, is creating a series for HBO about con-men and magicians in World War II. The show, titled Hobgoblin, will feature a team of 20th century stage performers using their craft and guile to — wait for it — fight Nazis.

You make think this sounds silly, you may think it even sounds stupid, and you are wrong. I don’t have any insider knowledge, of course, but I do have access to Wikipedia where there is a historical precedent for the new series. Jasper Maskelyne aided the allied forces with his “Magic Gang” of theater professionals that created elaborate illusions to hide military activities. His greatest accomplishment? Making the Suez Canal disappear.

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