Archive for the ‘Blogs’ Category

We continue our Ringcyclopedia with the Orange Lantern Power Battery and Ring Full-Scale replica! Embrace your inner Larfleeze and hoard this impressive battery for yourself. Mine! Mine! Mine!

The 1996 Florida Expo rings, each carried an ‘FX’ on one side and a ’96’ on the other. These were given out to dealers at the convention that year in little green bags. You wouldn’t know which ring you go, but there were 3. A gold ring, limited to 12 pieces, and a silver version and a brass version, each limited to 150 pieces. They all had the same green gem stone in the center. Each ring came with a certificate of authenticity with the ring’s number. A few prototypes have surfaced over time, all green rings with no FX or 96 on the sides. The prior year, Florida Expo had given out a similar ring with the Superman logo featured.

Journey back to the days of yesteryear, as we revisit the 1998 Kyle Rayner style Green Lantern ring. This was the first widely available or mass produced Green Lantern ring by DC and despite how great it looks, it doesn’t really endow the wearer with super powers. Bummer! But it still shines bright in any Green Lantern fan’s heart.

We continue our Ringcyclopedia with the Blue Lantern Power Battery and Ring Full-Scale replica! All Will Be Well once this piece joins your collection!

Retailing for just under $200.00 (less if you order it on DCBS or Big Bad Toy Store, this replica helps keep the Blue Light of Hope alive, even when things look their bleakest.

Harness the emotional spectrum by adding this beautiful piece to your collection.

Retailing for just under $200.00, this replica literally shines brighter than all the batteries that have come before!

This episode features the JLA Trophy Room: Green Lantern Rings Prop Replica. This prop was originally solicited during the epic “Blackest Night” story and was unfortunately designed under the mistaken belief there would only be eight rings featured in “Blackest Night.” By the time the White Lantern ring and entity had been introduced, it was too pretty much too late to do any modifications to the Prop.

It originally sold between $229-$250 when it first was solicited and if you’re lucky enough to find one now, prepare to pay more than that (in all likelihood). The production run was limited to 2000 pieces.

The prop itself is pretty impressive and the way it lights up is a nice touch. Despite the lack of the White Ring, I’m still pretty happy to have this in my collection. 🙂

Mark

This episode features the DC Direct Green Lantern Movie Prop Replica Ring. This ring was based off the specs of the actual prop ring, making it the most accurate replica available. Limited to 4000 pieces, this ring is long since sold out. It originally sold for around $45, but now tends to fetch a much higher price. If you can find one cheap, get it. It’s a great ring.

Finally taking full advantage of the video format (and the long ago created ‘LanternCastVIDS’ youtube channel) Jim Ford walks us through the Green Lantern rings one by one…starting with the DC Direct GL Movie Style ring!

The first entry to the Lanterncast Ringcyclopedia, a catalog of Green Lantern rings! This episode features a look at the movie style Green Lantern ring that comes with the DC Direct Green Lantern Movie Style Power Battery Prop Replica. This ring has a magnet in it that activates the lantern. According to my replica, this is set is limited to 2500 pieces, long since sold out now though.

Brett Ratner’s “Hercules” is a solid if unspectacular swords and sandals epic that rises and falls on the broad shoulders of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. While the movie is slow to develop and the creative decision to attempt to demystify the beginnings and labors of Hercules is questionable, the film does pick up considerable steam in its second half.

Many of the twists in the final act are predictable, though Johnson’s presence is able to still make the experience fun and as believable as possible.  It is also a testament to his popularity and his relentless use of social media that “Hercules” has even been as moderately successful as it has (considering an overall lack of interest in the project by movie-goers).

Dwayne Johnson has proven to be a shot-in-the-arm to many existing franchises, but creating one of his own has thus far been elusive.  “Hercules” is unlikely to change his fortunes anytime soon.

Mark J. Marble

If Hollywood wants a blueprint of how to reboot a franchise, they need look no further than Fox’s last two “Planet of the Apes” pictures.  Despite presenting a different way for the Apes to rise to dominance, the new series pays respect to the themes, legacy and heart of the original five films.

Much like its predecessor “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” Dawn is driven by the performance of Andy Serkis as Caesar.  Caesar is such a noble and honorable character that not only is it  almost impossible not to root for him, but you truly want to see more of his story.  As an Ape messiah who was raised by loving humans, he truly is a child of two worlds.

While natural expectations (and marketing) would lead you to believe this was simply going to be another case of the bad human/good ape morality play, the plot itself is a great deal more gray than black and white.  Director Matt Reeves powerfully delivers home the belief that there always is good and evil on both sides of every conflict.

Caesar’s human counterpart is Malcolm, played by Jason Clarke.  He becomes an ally and unexpected friend to the Ape leader, proving that there are still good people left despite the aftermath of devastating war and disease.  The closeness between the two echoes back to the loving and respectful relationship between Caesar and James Franco’s Will in “Rise,” especially in one touching scene towards the end.

While the ending points to a future that we knew was probably unavoidable, the final acceptance of this fact is still a bitter pill for Man, Ape (and movie-goers) to swallow.

With great writing, direction and acting, this classic sci-fi series has been reborn and the next chapter is definitely something I’m looking forward to.

Mark J. Marble