Movie Ramblings: River Phoenix's Last Film to be Released 2012

River Phoenix

It's getting closer to Halloween which makes me reminisce about past Halloween events, Horror Movies, Dark Things, etc. Looking though my Movie Collection with the intention of pick some Halloween theme movie I spotted a few classic RIVER PHOENIX movies I haven't watched in a while. My wife mentioned how she had a big crush on him in high school and what a shame he died at such a young age of 23. Just her saying that triggered  my memory, remembering that he died on Halloween night in 1993.

Davis, Phoenix, & Pryce in Utah filming Dark Blood

RIVER PHOENIX was taking a break from production of his latest movie DARK BLOOD for Dutch director GEORGE SLUIZER, co-starring with British actor JONATHAN PRYCE and Aussie actress JUDY DAVIS.

Director Sluizer & Phoenix in Utah filming Dark Blood

In DARK BLOOD, RIVER PHOENIX plays a young widower and drifter named "Boy" who lives as a hermit on a nuclear testing site imagining the end of the world. He subsequently comes to the aid of a couple whose car breaks down in the desert and ends up in a love triangle with the wife.

The Viper Room

 Partying up at friend-actor JOHNNY DEPP's Viper Club, RIVER PHOENIX took a combination of cocaine and heroin referred to as a "speedball", which caused his heart to beat even faster, suffering a fatal heart attack outside the club in the early morning of October 31, 1993.

John Belushi

This same lethal combination cause the deaths of famous actor/comedians JOHN BELUSHI (in 1982) and CHRIS FARLEY (in1997).

Chris Farley

Joaquin Phoenix

Later on in the day I read online that GEORGE SLUIZER told the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER that he plans on finishing his 1993 movie DARK BLOOD starring the late RIVER PHOENIX. SLUIZER hide the footage for over 18 years fearing it might be destroyed or stolen, but now saying that with some creative re-edits and some voice-over work provided by his brother JOAQUIN PHOENIX, he can now make a final-cut of the film which could be release sometime next year.

River Phoenix in Dark Blood

For years rumors of some of the footage could show up in a documentary about RIVER PHOENIX's life and  a few clips would pop-up now the internet now and then.

His death has been compared to that of Movie Icon JAMES DEAN, both dying so young with futures looking so bright because of their extreme talents they possessed.

River Phoenix looking very James Dean-ish

Besides SLUIZER's DARK BLOOD, RIVER PHOENIX was set to play the role of "the Interviewer" in director NEIL JORDON's big screen adaptation of ANNE RICE's INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE: THE VAMPIRE CHRONICLES, a role later taken over after his death by actor CHRISTIAN SLATER. At the time I thought RIVER PHOENIX would have been better cast as "THE VAMPIRE LESTAT" than TOM CRUISE with JOHNNY DEPP playing the part of LOUIS rather than unknown actor BRAD PITT. I still enjoyed the movie when in came out in 1994.

River Phoenix as the Vampire Lestat?

Hopefully with the release of his final film DARK BLOOD, the works of RIVER PHOENIX can be enjoy by a new generation of Movie-goers

River Phoenix

~ Rajadevilman74

Comic Book Ramblings: My Thoughts on the DC Relaunch, Part 3

DC's Dark Line

At the end of DC's Brightest Day limited series, DC decided to reintroduce Swamp Thing & John Constantine after being in DC's more adult Vertigo imprint for years into the mainstream DC Universe.
This leads to DC's new "Dark" line which sets to explores the darker corners of the new DC Relaunch Universe with not-so-typical superhero fair.

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK Written by PETER MILLIGAN Art by MIKEL JANIN



Justice League Dark

DC spins-off one of it's Flashpoint series Secret Seven into Justice League Dark, teaming together it's supernatural characters to take on mystical forces that Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman can't handle. Members are Shade the Changing Man (a weird Steve Ditko creation that landed in the Vertigo imprint back in the 1990s), Deadman (With another appearance again, along with his series in DC Universe Presents), Madame Xanadu, Zatanna, & John Constantine. They take on the evil witch the Enchantress (One time member of DC's previous supernatural team, the Shadowpact). My question is where are DC's "Big Supernatural Guns" the Spectre & Doctor Fate? Will they ever make an appearance in the New DCU? Hey, at least they have the sexy Zatanna on broad. I Hope they play up her past romance with Constantine and is he going to take a superhero name now in the DCU? Captain Hellblazer maybe?  

The Spectre

Doctor Fate

Sexy Zatanna

SWAMP THING Written by SCOTT SNYDER (American Vampire) Art and cover by YANICK PAQUETTE (Batman, Inc.)

Swamp Thing

Snyder's American Vampire is a must read, he's a big plus for this series. I think it's smart that DC is going for old school 1970s Len Wien & Berni Wrightson "Muck Monster" than the 1980s Alan Moore "Plant Elemental". The Man inside the Monster is much more easier to get than the Planet that tries to be a man. DC has been trying for 20 years to redo Moore's Swamp Thing to no success. Now they've gone back to what made the character interesting. SWAMP MONSTER! HORROR! YES!

ANIMAL MAN Written by JEFF LEMIRE (Sweet Tooth) Art by TRAVEL FOREMAN (Marvel's Immortal Iron Fist) & DAN GREEN

Animal Man

Former superhero Bubby Baker returns as a mentor to his young daughter Maxine who's inherited her fathers powers. Didn't read Grant Morrison's original run until it was published in trade paperbacks years later, it's just brilliant. A tough act to follow with this character. I'm sure comparisons will be made. Don't think this will pick up any readers.

FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E. Written by JEFF LEMIRE (Sweet Tooth) Art by ALBERTO PONTICELLI (Unknown Soldier)


DC's Frankenstein

One of my favorite characters from Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers series is back again with those weirdos from the Super Human Advanced Defense Executive. I Love acronyms!  The whole Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD play is funny. I wished artist Doug Mahnke returned to the character, he added so much  style to Mary Shelley's Monster. Not to sure about Ponticelli. Haven't read Sweet Tooth by Lemire, but I've heard good things, must pick up the Trade sometime. This will be Lemire's 2nd title in the New DC Relaunch, a definite look into when released in  September.  

I, VAMPIRE Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV & Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO



I, Vampire

A different vampire than Andrew Bennett from the original 1980s House of Mystery series that I loved as a kid. This one is named Andrew Stanton & it looks it DC is going for that young "EMO-Twilight" vampire readership with this book. I never understood why DC never revived this character sooner, like back in the late 1980s & early 1990s with the whole Anne Rice Gothic Vampire-thing was big, just before the Warner Bros. movie came out. I guest it's because comics have always been inspired more from visual mediums than literal ones. Movies are much more easier & faster than sitting down & reading a novel.

 

Twilight movie poster



HEY COMIC WRITERS! SIT DOWN A READ A CLASSIC BOOK FOR A CHANGE INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT CRAPPY HOLLYWOOD KNOCK-OFFS!

Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire

Not that I'm saying comic book writers don't read books. Don't get me wrong. It's just that it seems the the publishers are more influence on what's happening in Hollywood than on the Literary Best Sellers List.

Anyway, I'm a big Vampire Horror fan & I'm willing to check his one out when released in September.

RESURRECTION MAN #1 Written by DAN ABNETT and ANDY LANNING Art by FERNANDO DAGNINO


Resurrection Man

Alot of my Comic Book reading friends are excited about this one, the return of the Resurrection Man. I only collected the 1st six issues & the special DC One Million crossover issue of the original 1990s series, but I did always thought of him as a unique superhero. A new superpower everytime he dies and comes back. But like his last series, I don't think this one will last.  

DEMON KNIGHTS #1 Written by PAUL CORNELL Art by DIOGENES NEVES and OCLAIR ALBERT

Demon Knights

Set during the Dark Ages after the fall of Camelot. Jason Blood & his alter ego Etrigan, along with Madame Xanadu (appearing in her 2nd title in the new DC relaunch) go against what DC describe as "barbarian hordes", teaming up with some surprising allies. Who could they be? The Shining Knight (Will it be the original Golden Age hero or the Grant Morrison creation)? The Silent Knight (one of many Hawkman reincarnations)? The Viking Prince (DC's Prince Valiant knock-off)? Or will it be some that we wouldn't think hanging around Dark Age Camelot. I Hope for the surprise. DC adds a little deversity in the DCU with this book. I think DC hopes to get that "Sword & Sorcery" fantasy audience that plays World of Warcraft. But is this old 1970s Jack Kirby creation the answers?  

DC's Arthurian Era by Brian Bolland

- Raja Devilman74