MY NAME IS BRUCE 2? Bruce speaks:

Cut and paste the URL below to find a new interview with the incredible Mr. C. on theatrical plans for MY NAME IS BRUCE, MY NAME IS BRUCE 2 - THE QUICKENING, and a host of other projects. I was personally stunned to see that plans to turn our movie-within-a-movie epic CAVE ALIEN into a genu-wine feature is off the table for the time being. After I spent the entire morning writing the script! Sheesh...

http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=1&category=2&article=2391

Update-a-rama

I know what you're thinking, an update? Come on, Mark, how about some more Rubinoos news?

Actually, the problem is that while much is happening, there's not much to "update" at the moment. But it's been awhile since I posted, so what the hey.

Regarding the upcoming EVIL DEAD comic book adaptation, artist John Bolton tells me the art for the four issue series is now complete, so hopefully we'll see a publication schedule on this puppy soon. I can't say it enough, John's painted artwork on this story is absolutely amazing...

Meanwhile, we continue to forge ahead on Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica, which is looking awfully exciting from this biased observer's POV. One of the joys of working on a show like BSG is exploring new territory with our cast of characters, and trust me, we're exploring!

More news as it develops. And check out the brand new DETROIT COBRAS CD, it's killer!

Still MORE Rubinoos!

As in "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About The Rubinoos But Were Afraid To Ask." Yes, really, that's the title. It's a brand new, 3CD mini-box set of Rubinoos greatness, featuring a great selection of tracks and rarities from across their lengthy career, an informative booklet and as an extra super bonus, a fantastic live show from the Hammersmith Odeon circa 1979. With perhaps the best cover version of the Archies doing "Sugar Sugar" that I've heard yet! If the idea of a "Sugar Sugar" cover makes you duck for cover, then this is not the band for you, but for everyone else -- well worth the price of admission!

Varied And Sundry...

* Superman/Batman #34, featuring the redesigned Metal Men, is out. The first of a three issue arc where the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight go up against the Metallic... uhhh... Men-Guys. (Ran out of alliteration ideas there.) Story by yours truly, art by Pat Lee, published by DC Comics, check it out!

* Superman/Batman "The Enemies Among Us" Hardcover, collecting the first six issue arc, is due for release on May 9 and will include a new afterword by yours truly discussing the writing process, my fascination/obsession with silver age DC Comics and the glory that is "Zook."

* I did a Battlestar Galactica-focused interview for the British magazine TV ZONE that should appear in a month or two. Meanwhile, work continues at rocket speed on BSG season four, and that is the extent of my "spoilers."

* The Bruce Campbell epic MY NAME IS BRUCE will be screened during the Cannes film festival (no, not in competition!) as we continue to plot for a theatrical release.

More MY NAME IS BRUCE Early Reviewin'

Another early review of MY NAME IS BRUCE is up at Ain't It Cool News --

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/32324

Just want to point out (as this reviewer did, but it never hurts to repeat it!) that the print screened in Ashland Oregon was an interim, TEMP version. The Guan-Di creature/monster thing seen in that rough version is going to be seriously augmented before the film's actually release. So fear not, Bruce fans, Mr. C. will be challenged by a monster well worth his hero's attentions!

Bands I Like: The Rubinoos!

They had a modest hit in the late 70's with a cover of "I Think We're Alone Now", and not much after that, but the Rubinoos are still one of the better power pop outfits still playing. Albeit with one of the sillier names. I'm pretty sure I saw them open for Elvis Costello during their '70's heyday, but the ol' memory gets hazy after all these years.

All I really know is, they keep banging out great tunes. "Crimes Against Music" is a recent, great collection of cover songs, great because they cover the sort of songs I'd probably choose in a similar situation. So we get Rubinoos/power pop versions of "Little Willy" by Sweet, "Pump It Up" by Costello, "Brandy" by the Looking Glass, and many more. They also recently released a live album, "Live In Japan", that's equally great. Check them out on Amazon, all their CDs are worth a listen!

Super Early MY NAME IS BRUCE Review

Bruce sneaked a rough version of MNIB at the Ashland (Oregon) Film Festival last night (4/13), and the, uhh, review is already pouring in. Here's somebody with fast fingers and some positive thoughts!

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review.php?ID=27535

The version screened was still rough, with temp music, temp FX and temp sound, so the final release will be classier yet! Prepare yourselves for the glory of Bruce!

More MY NAME IS BRUCE...

Answering John's questions from the comments section:

"Do you have a cameo?"

Yes, I do make an appearance in MNIB, though tragically truncated (at least in the current cut). And after I struggled so mightily to find my motivation...

"And what about DVD extras? The "Bubba Ho Tep" extras are the better than the movie."

I know they shot a "Making of" documentary, because I did an interview for it when I visited the set in sunny Medford, Oregon. It's listed on the IMDB website as "Heart Of Dorkness", which pretty much says it all. As far as other extras, well, we'll just have to wait and see. My abortive cameo would make fine viewing, for instance...

On Pete Best and Old Acquaintances...

Caught the following on my buddy John's BEATLES site...

"I see that Pete Best has said he wants to meet with Paul, bury the hatchet and talk about old times. I always thought it was odd that the Beatles never had any contact with Pete after they sacked him (they did run into him backstage at a gig or two right after, but no words were exchanged)."

Having worked in an industry where writers can be replaced without cause (often without notice), I know how I'd feel if I'd been sacked from the Beatles. So I think I can see why Paul hasn't been exactly been rushing for a sitdown with his former drummer. I mean, what would be the conversation? Pete: "You know, before you FIRED ME, we sure were having a great time." Paul: "Well, yeah, but hey, wasn't Hamburg fun?" Pete: "Oh yeah, playing that rat-hole was a thrill, but I'm sure it was nothing like playing Ed Sullivan and all those other amazing gigs!" Paul: "Oh, well, it wasn't all peaches and cream you know." Pete: "Sure! Fending off thousands of screaming girls, making millions, enjoying the adulation of an entire generation, it must have been hell, SIR Paul, hell on Earth!" Imagine the frozen smile on Macca's face as he checks his watch, wondering why he even scheduled twenty minutes for this inquisition...

Of course, it's possible that Pete's far more emotionally mature than yours truly and he's totally over the firing, blissful and sanguine with the way his life turned out. I mean, he WAS a member of the Beatles, albeit for a short time, and that's something. If true, if Pete's really made peace with all that, then I suggest he missed his true calling as an anger management counselor...

MY NAME IS BRUCE - Update!

I just attended a private screening of the latest cut of MY NAME IS BRUCE, the soon-to-be released feature length epic starring Bruce Campbell and written by, well, moi. There were laughs, there were gasps, there were... more laughs. Some new footage has been added, including the sure-to-be number one hit, "Song of Guan-Di, the Chinese Demon." You probably think I'm kidding, but I'm not...

Anyhow, the project is proceeding right along, and we're hoping to get this baby before your lovin' eyes come Fall. As more details fall into place, keep your eyes glued to "FMVOF" for the latest!

Fletcher Hanks ANIMATED

I've been reporting on the genius of 40's comic book artist (and, according to his surviving son, mean S.O.B.) Fletcher Hanks for some time now. His crude, surreal comic strips will soon be gracing bookshelves nationwide ("I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets!" from Fantagraphic Books), but here's something to hold you over until the book hits the streets. That's right, a Clutch Cargo-esque animated cartoon, taken directly from a Fletcher Hanks STARDUST tale. Watch it until your eyes bleed!

http://fantasticanimation.blogspot.com/2007/01/fletcher-hanks-stardust-vs-mad-giant.html

Added at 6:00 PM --

Since posting the above, I've had a chance to compare the cartoon to the actual STARDUST strip, and to my slight disappointment, rewrites have ensued. I'm not quite sure why, since the original, unvarnished STARDUST is insane enough for a dozen cartoons, but there you go. It's still worth a look to check out the mastery of Mr. Hanks' graphical artistry, but it's not pure Hanks.

Battlestar Galactica Season Three MARATHON

A few folks have been asking when they can catch up on Battlestar episodes they missed and/or episodes they want to see again. The answer lies at the link below. (Hint: Sci-Fi's running a three day BSG marathon in May.)

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-battlestargalacticaseason3marathon,0,3234855.story?coll=zap-news-headlines

Elvis Presley - Writing For The King

Boy, do we live in wonderful times. "Writing For The King" by Ken Sharp is an amazing book out of Europe that features interviews with 130 of the songwriters who supplied tunes for Elvis Presley, discussing their working method, the process of working with Elvis, and much more. Also in the book, two CDs -- one featuring a pile of live Elvis doing 23 of the songs in the book, and then a second disc with 26 of the original songwriter demos (!). Fascinating stuff, especially when you compare Presley's versions to the demos.

It's not cheap, Amazon lists it for $161.00, but their new/used dealers have it for around $100. Pricey indeed, but hey, it's a sweet slice of Presleyiana...

Superman/Batman #33 - Part LAST

The climax of the six issue "Enemies Among Us" storyline is out, on the stands, printed, finished. The link below takes you to the DC site and an oddly truncated version of the cover; the actual cover is much cooler. It's been a long time coming, but it's finally here!

http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6612

A mere $2.99 at shops everywhere. Check it out!

BATTLESTAR, STARBUCK and SECRETS

Good article at the Los Angeles Times on the extreme secrecy employed re: Starbuck's demise. And the difficulty of actually keeping storylines secret in this internet age. Check it out:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-starbuck4apr04,1,334914.story?coll=la-headlines-entnewsstrong

Hat-tip to former-writer's-assistant now BSG staff-writer Seamus Kevin Fahey for the heads up!

Popeye! The DVD!

Finally, some of the best cartoons ever made are coming to legitimate DVD. Bootlegs and collections of the later (and far inferior) cartoons are all over the place, but at long last the first sixty Popeye cartoons, the cool black and white ones and the incredible color featurettes like Ali Baba have been remastered for official release.

I have fond memories of these cartoons. When I was growing up, KPTV in Portland Oregon used to fill out their "afternoon movie" time slot with a classic Popeye short, and after while I'd make a point of tuning in toward the end of whatever movie was showing just to see if they had a Popeye. The animation in these early toons is really a marvel; the characters huff and puff and really feel "alive", unlike so much modern animation. And Popeye himself is an ad-libbin' fiend, muttering caustic comments under his breath as he takes on his nemesis Bluto.

Anyhow, the straight dope is available at the link. July! Popeye!

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/classic/popeye-dvd