Hellboy II: The Golden Army unleashes a very impressive arsenal of Guillermo del Toro creatures onto DVD and Blu-ray, leading this week’s releases.
Ron Perlman is a joy again as the plug ugly but lovable demon tasked with saving humanity, most of which hates him in return. It’s one of the summer’s most imaginative flicks and the New York Daily News loves this “cynical, anti-social” superhero. Extras on the 3-disc special edition include an animated comic from Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and a tour of the movie’s awesome Troll Market.
Not doing as well with critics was the animated Star Wars: …read more

In a battle of unconventional superheroes, Hellboy II: The Golden Army edged out Hancock to win the weekend. Hellboy brought in $35.9 million and became the third comic-book based movie to hold the no. 1 spot, following Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.  A fourth comic property, Wanted nearly made it but was beaten by Pixar’s WALL-E when those films opened.
Will Smith vehicle Hancock slipped into second place with $33 million. It’s still cementing Smith’s midsummer legend though, pulling in an impressive $165 million in just 12 days. Hellboy’s reign at the top will be a brief one though, …read more

One of the reasons Hellboy became a hit comic is because of the points it makes about being a monster. By anyone’s visual definition, Ol’ Red is the epitome of a monstrosity. But under his stony red skin Hellboy beats the heart of a big old kid who loves Baby Ruths and pancakes. And beating up demons. But mostly the pancakes.
When sci-fi is great it uses the fantastic plots and crazy characters to teach us a little something about ourselves. Hellboy’s message is that you don’t have to be who others see you as. Rasputin brought our favorite demon …read more

Image details: 46664 Concert: In Celebration Of Nelson Mandela’s Life – Performance served by picapp.com
People in Hancock’s world may not like him, but moviegoers loved him to the tune of a $62.6 million opening weekend. That’s the fifth July 4th weekend win for Will Smith.
Hancock pulled in $30 million more than second place finisher WALL-E. Much of the talk now is about a mid-film “twist” that has left some of the movie’s viewers cold. It will be interesting to see if the buzz has a positive or negative impact on Hancock’s second week in cinemas.
Bucking for the no. 1 crown …read more

Early reviews for The Dark Knight have been rave and critics are heaping nothing but superlatives on the late Heath Ledger for his portrayal of the Joker.
A growing swell of supporters including co-stars Christian Bale and Gary Oldman are talking posthumous Oscar for Ledger. If that happens, Ledger would be the first person so honored since Peter Finch in 1976 for Network.
Obviously Ledger’s take is a more sinister and disturbed creature than Jack Nicholson in 1989’s Batman. And I say that as someone who loved that film and Nicholson’s performance. Some are blaming the “dark places” Ledger had to …read more