I should probably reveal this from the get-go: I never watched the old Speed Racer cartoon.  I knew just the most minimal of facts-Speed’s name, Racer X, the little boy and the monkey-and that was about it.

That being said, even while knowing really nothing about the cartoon, I actually enjoyed the Wachowski Brothers’ Speed Racer. 

Visually, it was mesmerizing.  What the Wachowskis started with the awful CGI Smith Brawl in the Matrix Reloaded was perfected in Speed Racer, which is the blending of CGI and reality.  This make-believe world of Speed Racer is bright, fast, and a surrealistic copulation of science fiction and real-life technology.  The cars were fun, the costumes a blast, and the race tracks were something the most deranged of video-game developers couldn’t have created.  I honestly believe I could have turned the volume off and been just as enthralled by this visual feast.

The story itself was nothing new.  I have no idea how much was gleaned from the cartoon, but struggles against the evil, corporate megalomaniac is not exactly breaking new ground, nor is detailing a younger brother’s unresolved issues with his older brother.  Even so, I wasn’t expecting much of a story from a movie based on an old cartoon and found myself surprisingly touched by some true moments full of soul and warmth.  These sensitive scenes were courtesy of a very talented cast including Emile Hirsch, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci, and Matthew Fox.

I’ve heard some say this movie was too juvenile, too geared towards youngsters.  Well, remembering the fact it’s-once again-based on a cartoon, there were moments of levity thanks to a very funny young actor named Paulie Litt and the monkey-character Chim Chim.  However, there were also heavy themes in parts, some slight profanity, and lots of car crashes, gunfire, and fist fights.  There were even some scantily-clad women that I’m not sure I’d want my little one watching.  Consequently, Speed Racer is rated PG.

All in all-I thought this was an innovative movie that probably should have garnered more attention while it was in the theatres.  If you’re into amazing special effects with a tolerable story and can keep in mind this is a movie based on a cartoon, I recommend Speed Racer with a clear conscience.

Warner Home video announced that Speed Racer will be appearing on both SD and Blu-ray formats on September 16, 2008.

As to pricing the SD is listed at $28.98 and the Blu-ray at $35.99, but Amazon.com already has sale prices listed at $18.99 SD and $24.95 Blu-ray, so however you plan to get it, it will likely be in these more sensible ranges.

I’m very excited for the release of the movie on DVD, obviously, if you checked out my Speed Racer review, but the special features are surprisingly lacking.  On both we get Spritle in the Big Leagues and a feature on the cars used in the film (how they never moved and how that worked, etc.)  On Blu-Ray we get a “Speed Racer: Race for the Crucible” game and a bonus digital copy of the film (??we care??)

In other words, no commentary.  You’d think the lack of features would drive down the price slightly, but perhaps that will happen as the date draws nearer.

I’m a big Speed Racer fan. I watched the cartoon religiously, bought posters, made a Mach 5 pinewood derby car (see Dee Animated’s header if you have doubts)–I love it.

So when I heard the Wachowski brothers were taking on making a live-action Speed Racer, I was both excited and nervous. I loved the original Matrix and I knew they could take good care of comic book/anime style material, but Matrix 2 & 3… let’s be honest, they weren’t all that awesome.

So the day came and I went to my local IMAX (I mean, if I found I only wanted to see it once, might as well do it right) with worried expectations. The movie seemed a bit slow for the first half and pretty exciting for the second half, but all in all, worth the time and money. I was thinking, yeah, I guess maybe I’ll give this a B.

For me, I really have to let a movie kind of wash over me, like listening to a new CD. I need to feel it out a little. I felt out this new Speed Racer, and after giving it some more thought I realized there was a lot more going on that I had let my pre-conceived judgment get in the way of.

In other words, the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I did enjoy the movie.

Then Indiana Jones 4 comes out. How is this related? Well, I saw it on Thursday and family came into town over the weekend and wanted to go to a movie while in town on Saturday. (Thank Buddah Indy Jones 4 was sold out! Don’t get me wrong, but twice in the same weekend….) I suggested/convinced them to go to Speed Racer, thinking of all the movies out it was one I could do again.

The second time was definitely the charm.

Frankly, I am a little surprised it still hasn’t been recognized as the phenomenal film it is–at least by the fans–but perhaps they went in too judgmental like I did. So, I give you my review, a comparison of the old series vs. the new movie, pros and cons, music, and what to watch for if you’re seeing it for the first time or giving it a second chance (it’ll be longish, so grab yourself a snack and let’s roll):

The Original SPEED RACER:

First of all, I think we should all tip our hats to Peter Fernandez, the brains of the US side of Speed Racer. For those who knew nothing going into the movie, Speed Racer is the American version of a Japanese anime called Maha Go Go Go! Peter had previously done work on Astro Boy and signed up for the chance to work on Speed Racer. (See Planet Comic Book Radio for an interview recently done with Peter Fernandez. He talks about the show as well as the new movie)

The elements of a typical Speed Racer show include Speed doing impossible sorts of stunts with his car, all the while Spritle and Chim Chim are in the back, and usually fighting crime at the same time as winning a race. Throw in Racer X, some oddly named bad guys (Dr. Morebucks) and you’ve got it made.

How does the film compare? We saw Speed doing some impossible sorts of stunts, fighting crime, Racer X, etc. So aside from the quick dialogue traditional to an old Speed episode, I’d say the film stayed pretty true to the original anime.

Now there were some modernizing modifications, but I don’t see the big deal any Speed Racer fan would have with them. Speed Racer was made in the ’60s. Some of the ’60s stuff just isn’t going to work anymore. The new tracks I thought were an excellent touch in lending to the Speed Racer style of racing. And I think the production design is something Tatsuo Yoshida might have done himself if the manga had it been written in the present day.

THE CAST:
Emile Hirsch plays Speed Racer, and I thought a great cast as far as looks go. One of my cons for the films is this Speed doesn’t seem to have as much depth to him as the original series’ Speed. It may have been Hirsch’s acting, but he frankly doesn’t have that many lines when I thought about it, and I think only a sequel would really make that call clear. But I thought for sitting a car that isn’t really “moving” so to speak (green screen), he did a very good job making me believe he was “driving” that car.

John Goodman plays Pops Racer, and I thought his casting was spot on. He was everything I imagined a live action Pops Racer would be, and I think he brought more depth to the Pops character. I doubt the Academy would hand out many Oscars to the Speed Racer movie, but John, you’ve got my vote for at least a nomination as best supporting actor.

Christina Ricci plays Trixie, Speed’s girlfriend, also a good cast. Trixie in the original series was pretty “girl power” for the time, and Ricci took it to a modern level for Trixie. However, overall her performance was nothing revolutionary by any means. I think you could some it up with lots of alluring kind of smirks and seductive talking. Don’t get me wrong, I think she did well enough with the role, and maybe that’s just the way she was directed, but I would have liked to have seen just a little more.

Susan Sarandon plays Mom Racer. I’m not really a Sarandon fan, but I appreciated having her in this role, because I think she helped bring the Racer family together in the movie. She’s barely present in the old series (not super surprising with Japanese culture) and I liked her inclusion in the movie.

Paulie Litt plays Spritle, and they may well have named it Spritle Racer, cuz this kid stole the show. Although I never imagined Spritle as a freckled-face, practically red head, he is the quintessential younger brother. He and Chim Chim provided fantastic comic relief and probably one of my favorite scenes of the movie is when him and Chim Chim are battling in Japanese anime style. I hope to see Litt soon in the future.

The rest of the cast was well chosen too. I loved Royalton (kept thinking, is this Tim Curry’s brother?), thought the newish version of Inspector Detector was great, Sparky was also spot on, the bad guys were great, and I love all things Japanese, so Rain was a welcome guest as Taejo Togokahn.

On casting, I think it’s only fair to rate this movie A+

MUSIC:
We have Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Lost) to thank for a spectacular score. Something I always dislike is when the composer will just completely throw away any already established themes for the movie version of the show/video game, etc. Giacchino took the themes and ran with them.

“I Am Speed” which plays right at the beginning is probably my favorite from the CD. Of course I’m thinking of all the color swirling as I’m listening to it, but from a musical standpoint, it’s telling us that we do in fact have a Speed Racer movie and it’s going to be big.

“Racing’s In Our Blood” does a great job to heighten the emotion on the great scene where Speed and his father are watching the old Grand Prix race, by taking the original theme and slowing it down and turning it into a beautiful score.

And then of course we have parts of the original theme as well as hints through out all of the rest of the soundtrack, with the remaining score always playing back to the same style. The end theme song is by Ali Dee and the Deekompressors and I tend to favor the movie version over the remix single. I like that they’re trying to incorporate multiple languages and the original theme, as though the Wachowski’s wanted to tip off their hats one more time in homage to Speed.

Original Score: A
Pop Remix Theme: B+

FILM ELEMENTS:
The editing was revolutionary, and though likely unnoticed by most, reminded me of the same visual pleasure I got from seeing 24 the first time. It’s a little more complex than it looks, and truly a subtle homage to Japanese anime. I loved the composite of one image over another, it made me believe I was watching live action manga in all its full blown glory.

The production design was reminiscent of Tim Burton (no not the creepy side, the bright color side–he’s got two sides). I didn’t mind the Mach 6 design, as Speed in the original series had a couple extra versions of the Mach 5 he’d use on occasion.

EASTER EGGS:
This movie is full of little Speed Racer references and other fun things to tantalize fans. We got to see the majority of the characters in their cartoon version outfits–something not often done when transferred to the big screen. Speed jumps out of his car in the end in full blown Speed Racer pose. I loved Chim Chim wearing human pajamas and Spritle wearing monkey pajamas. Peter Fernandez appears as one of the announcers. The car jack sound effect was the same as the original–basically I found the movie to be a huge homage to the original show. I can’t understand the reviews I’ve seen that say otherwise.

STORY:
On first view I thought the story was a bit slow in going, but upon more thought I realized it was all just playing into the end and bringing us along to understand the journey of the Racer family. Perhaps it’s just cuz I come from a rare breed of the nuclear family, but I loved seeing a movie where the family stuck together and relied on each other–even if some members did it more distantly. The race truly did become “a work of art” as Mom told Speed, because it was the warmth and art of the people who built the car that triumphed vs. the coldness and machinery or anonymity of the corporate rival.

So Moms and Mormons, this is a movie for you.

THE WACHOWSKIS:
To be completely honest, I don’t think they could have chosen any better directors than the avid fans themselves. Worry as I might about Morpheus leaping out of the sky and telling Speed he is “the one,” (LOL) they did a great job with this piece. They picked a great crew which we owe for the awesome use of colors, production design, costuming, camera angles–the list could go on forever.

They said they weren’t finished with Speed yet and have hinted at a sequel, and as far as I’m concerned, I’ll be there opening weekend.

IN CONCLUSION: Seeing it twice did nothing but make me want to own it on DVD now. *sigh* I hate waiting. I went and picked up the manga and video game and I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve given them ample play time.

Go see this movie! Whether by DVD, regular theater, dollar theater, Netflix–go see it!

Overall Rating: A
Buy it on DVD? Definitely.

With the release of Speed Racer the movie, I thought I’d give the old animated series a good rewatch. I plan to review both the movie (which I did love) and the series, kind of doing a comparison of both. So look for that, coming soon.

I’m about halfway through the animated series now (which is 52 episodes in total and also which Amazon.com has had on sale recently if you were thinking about picking it up). So far it’s been a fantastic experience and the DVDs have fun little extras.

I’m plowing through it as fast as I can, I promise. I’ve just got Ah! My Goddess Season 2 from Netflix I’m working on as well as Farscape from the city library. Yep, media addict here.

Novo filme da série é a maior abertura de 2008 por aqui.

.

Como já era esperado, Indiana Jones e o Reino da Caveira de Cristal também liderou as bilheterias brasileiras. O retorno do arqueólogo aventureiro, porém, fez mais que isso, obtendo a maior abertura de 2008 até aqui. Com 545 cópias, o filme faturou 9 milhões de reais desde a sua estréia na quinta e levou mais de 630 mil pessoas ao cinema. Mundialmente, o longa de Steven Spielberg já passa dos 310 milhões de dólares.

E a Paramount tem ainda mais motivos para comemorar. Homem de Ferro, filme da Marvel que também tem distribuição da empresa, ocupa a segunda colocação. Com renda acumulada de mais de 20 milhões de reais, o filme alcançou o topo do ranking dos maiores do ano no Brasil, superando Eu Sou a Lenda e Meu Nome Não é Johnny.

Com queda pequena, O Melhor Amigo da Noiva ficou com a medalha de bronze e teve a segunda melhor média por sala do fim de semana, atrás de Indy, excelentes 877 pessoas.

Na quarta posição, Speed Racer, em sua terceira semana e ainda com o mesmo número de cópias que Indiana Jones (545), perdeu duas posições e amargou a pior média dos cinco mais: 276 espectadores por sala.

Fechando o Top 5, com valores bem mais modestos que os blockbusters acima, está Efeito Dominó, que fez 300 mil de sexta a domingo e atingiu seu primeiro milhão de reais por aqui.

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Top 10 – Fonte: Filme B

1. INDIANA JONES E O REINO DA CAVEIRA DE CRISTAL
2. HOMEM DE FERRO
3. O MELHOR AMIGO DA NOIVA
4. SPEED RACER
5. EFEITO DOMINÓ
6. QUEBRANDO A BANCA
7. TREINANDO O PAPAI
8. SUPER-HERÓI: O FILME
9. O SONHO DE CASSANDRA
10. UM BEIJO ROUBADO

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Post anterior:

Brasileira é premiada com Palma de Ouro em Cannes. Veja a lista dos vencedores.

The story begins with Speed Racer who is a young man with natural racing instincts whose goal is to win The Crucible, a cross-country car racing rally that took the life of his older brother, Rex Racer. Speed is loyal to the family business, run by his parents Pops and Mom. Pops designed Speed’s car, the Mach 5. The owner of Royalton Industries makes Speed a lucrative offer, Speed rejects the offer, angering the owner. Speed also uncovers a secret that top corporate interests, including Royalton, are fixing races and cheating to gain profit. With the offer to Speed denied, Royalton wants to ensure that Speed will not win races. Speed finds support from his parents and his girlfriend Trixie and enters The Crucible in a partnership with his one-time rival, Racer X, seeking to rescue his family’s business and the racing sport itself.

Movie Trailer

Movie Stills

Movie Details

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811080/

Download Details

614.07 MB

To download such Torrent files you a bittorrent file downloader like bitzip

http://www.torrentportal.com/download/3247303/Speed.Racer.TELESYNC.XViD-TBG.torrent

Forget what you’ve heard. Speed Racer is probably the most satisfying movie-going experience I’ll get to savor this year [last year: Grindhouse ]. The Watchowski brothers have tapped into everything that was great about the late-60s Japanese-made, American-dubbed series. I’ve not seen a comic book/cartoon-inspired movie that understood its source material this well since Robert Altman’s (almost universally and unfairly hated) Popeye. What’s more: i’ve never seen CG-effects employed to such fulfilling ends. (George Lucas? — I’m looking at YOU!) Live action and computer animation blend seamlessly, making action sequences exciting and intense — even while submerging us in a world that doesn’t even remotely resemble real life. Laws of gravity and the rules of racing don’t apply in this world. Speed Racer is hypnotic in its visuals — it abandons the idea of a color scheme by throwing every color in a Crayola 64-box at the screen. The art direction and general style of Speed Racer is nearly 50% of the punch. The other half is made up of low-key, but respectful, performances by an able cast and dizzying car-fu race sequences that are about way more than making it to the finish line. Emil Hersch is an ideal Speed. He’s got all the gee-whiz charm and steel-jawed competitive edge needed to sell the character. Susan Sarandon, as Mom Racer, offers supportive maternal wisdom (and pancakes), and achieves sincerity despite some very cartoony dialogue. Ditto that John Goodman, who fares far better as Pops than he did as Fred Flinstone in THAT abomination of a live-action cartoon. But it’s Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci that stand out most. Fox not only looks like Racer X — he SOUNDS like him and brings gravity to a role that might have been a parody in less capable hands. And when Ricci arches her eyebrow and says things like “Hubba-hubba” or “Cool beans!” — you just want to wrap her up and take her home(…and confess your undying love…maybe take up stalking…ask her to bear your firstborn… Or is that just me?). It’s a credit to the once-Wednesday Adams’ versatility that this is the same Ricci who played a white-trash harlot in last year’s Black Snake Moan. Even little bro, Spridle and pet chimp, Chim Chim, aren’t nearly as annoying as you’d expect. With a running time of two hours and some change, it could test the bladders, if not attention span, of some young’uns but I’d guess most kids would be legitimately transfixed — if they don’t suffer seizures first. Fans like me will bounce and squeal over the inclusion of villains like Crusher Block and Snake Oiler, not to mention a cameo by the Mammoth Car(!). You get about five solid races during the film, including a stellar cross-country rally like the ones common to the cartoon — AND one of the best comic fight scenes to ever feature ninjas, John Goodman and a chimp. The story is simple and the ending predictable but no less satisfying than you’d want from a Speed Racer movie. I think history will judge Speed Racer more kindly than it’s opening-week critics and I’ll go on record as having called it “revolutionary” — that rare live-action cartoon adaption that gets EVERYthing right. Can we put the Wachowski’s on Jonny Quest next?
***1/2

Motor de Speed Racer morre na largada e por pouco não perde de Cameron Diaz e Ashton Kutcher

Com a expressiva estréia de Homem de Ferro na semana passada, não havia dúvida alguma de que os jatos plantares do Vingador Dourado conseguiriam deixar para trás o motor do Mach 5 neste fim de semana. O que ninguém desconfiava é que Speed Racer teria uma abertura tão morna: abaixo das piores expectativas de seu estúdio.

No topo do pódio, Homem de Ferro fez mais 50,5 milhões de dólares – queda de 49% em relação à semana passada -, somando até aqui 177 milhões e batendo o orçamento de 140 milhões do filme em apenas 10 dias em um só território. Na trama, perto da morte com um estilhaço de explosão alojado próximo ao seu coração, Tony Stark opta pela retaliação aos seus captores. Com sua inteligência, cria uma armadura que além de mantê-lo vivo é dotada de incríveis armamentos. Com ela consegue escapar do cativeiro – apenas para descobrir um plano nefasto com implicações globais, o que o leva a tornar-se o super-herói Homem de Ferro.

Na vice-liderança, Speed Racer abriu com 20,20 milhões. O valor por pouco não o colocou na terceira colocação, atrás da comédia romântica What Happens in Vegas. Andy e Larry Wachowski, que decidiram realizar esse filme, apto a todos os públicos, depois de verem os números de estréia de A Era do Gelo 2, não devem estar nem um pouco satisfeitos. Na trama do filme, Speed tenta honrar a memória do irmão, Rex, morto na pista de corrida. Quando Speed recusa uma oferta milionária da Royalton Industries para ser seu piloto, ele não só enfurece o maníaco dono da companhia como descobre um segredo: algumas das maiores corridas do circuito estão sendo arranjadas. Se Speed não correr para a Royalton, a Royalton assegurará que o Mach 5 nunca mais atravesse uma linha de chegada. O único jeito de Speed salvar o negócio de sua família é se unir ao rival Corredor X e vencer The Crucible, um rali que atravessa o país e desafia a morte – a corrida que tomou a vida de seu irmão.

Jogo de Amor em Las Vegas (What Happens in Vegas), comédia estrelada por Cameron Diaz e Ashton Kutcher, faturou alto para o gênero – 20 milhões – e ficou com a medalha de bronze. Na trama, os dois vivem um casal que bebe todas em Las Vegas, se casa e, no dia seguinte, ganha uma bolada no cassino. O caso é que eles se odeiam e não querem dividir o dinheiro – só vivendo juntos pra ver qual deles desiste primeiro. A direção é do novato Tom Vaughan e a estréia no Brasil acontece em 27 de junho.

Na quarta posição, outra comédia romântica: O Melhor Amigo da Noiva (Made of Honor), essa estrelada por Michelle Monaghan e Patrick Dempsey. O filme faturou até aqui 26,2 milhões de dólares e estréia no Brasil na próxima sexta, 16 de maio.

Speed Racer, The Movie (Meteoro, la Película en Latinoamérica) es una adaptación live action
(con personas reales) de la serie animada japonesa Meteoro
(título original Mach Go Go Go), dirigida por los hermanos Andy Wachowski y Larry
Wachowski, populares sobre todo por la trilogía Matrix.
Entre su reparto cuenta con la consolidada actriz Susan Sarandoncomo la Sra. Racer, la popular
Christina Ricci como Trixie y el protagonista de Lost, Matthew Fox como
el Corredor x.

Comenzando en 1992, Speed
Racer fue un proyecto en desarrollo que cambió de directores, guionistas y
actores desde la década de los 90 hasta los 00. En 2006, comenzó la producción
de la película y la filmación con fondo verde comenzó en Berlín en el verano de
2007. Speed Racer fue anunciada para el 9 de mayo de 2008 como
una de las propuestas fuertes de Warner Bros.

Y hoy es el día del estreno.

Esta noche iré a verla al cine y,
de momento, les dejo estos wallpapers para que vayan disfrutando.

Joel Silver has great faith in the Wachowski Brothers for taking them on another visual outing with Speed Racer.

The Wachowski Brothers got their shot at fame with The Matrix Trilogy. As everyone sat through the incredible effects and comic book storytelling throughout the famous trilogy, the brothers preached a little about using our higher consciousness without rocking the material sensibilities of its audience. I don’t think anyone in the audience came out enlightened nor awakened but they were all entertained in the end, so that in itself was a good thing.

I had underestimated this movie as a kids movie. As it takes off from the famous anime of the same title. I remember watching Speed Racer as a child but it never appealed to me. The English dubbing always ruins everything. I used to call it slapstick cartoon with a sprinkle of an effort of racing heroics. It also had a theme song that you wish to forget but ends up getting stuck in your head like an Air Supply song. It was one of the longest TV anime series ever, along with the likes of AstroBoy.

With my boys in tow, I relished the hot summer afternoon in an airconditioned state-of-the-art movie theatre.  I had no intentions to be entertained. This one is the for the boys, I told myself. Or so I thought…

I must say it was visually breathtaking! The graphics set you off unto an iconic world of racing and nothing but….Who would have imagined automotive acrobatics and martial arts? This is a new way of thinking about defensive driving. The most I can say is that the racing scenes were a challenge to physics and logic. I don’t want to say much because I don’t want to spoil the fun for you. Let’s just say that my boys stood up and applauded when Speed reached the finish line If you can let go of the improbability of the stunts and just sit back, you’ll enjoy this one. The cinematography and visual effects added justice to the screenplay. An anime brought to the level of NASCAR, probably even more.

Seeing Rain, my favorite Korean R&B singer, was also a pleasant surprise. He showed some of his martial arts moves as well. He was pretty good in the fight scenes and had good presence on the screen.

If this movie had not coincided with Iron Man, this would have made its own mark and made even more money. Hopefully through this review, it scores a few points that could help. I’m pretty sure the DVD will be a hit with the kids. Too bad, we didn’t have the I-Max version here. That would have been amazing!

This weekend at Richmond, the #43 Petty Enterprises Dodge of Bobby Labonte will sport a special paint scheme to promote the new movie, Speed Racer, which opens across the country May 9. The paint scheme is reflective of Speed Racer’s Mach 5, the car driven by the character in both the classic 1960s animated series and the new live action family film. Labonte: “I appreciate NASCAR allowing us to have a little extra ’speed’ this weekend. It’s really cool to have the new Speed Racer movie on the side of the #43 Dodge for Richmond. Any young boy that grew up in the ’70s watched Speed Racer. I know I did. To a kid that dreamed of growing up to be a racecar driver, that was the coolest show on television. They haven’t given me a sneak preview yet, but I’m sure I’ll check it out in the theaters

Today I finally made it by the Javits center to check out the 2008 New York International Auto Show. I’ve been to many a international convention, but never to an auto show. I was thoroughly impressed. My Uncle said that usually there isn’t anything that “new” being showcased, but since I’d never been before it was all new to me.

The show runs for about a week, and we’ve had a Next New Networks film crew since Tuesday of last week. We have a few car-based shows like Fast Lane Daily, and VOD Cars. I almost made it in as press, but since you have to submit requests for passes way in advance alas, twas not to be and I had to fork up the 14 bucks. If you haven’t tuned in to the blog before, I only started working at Next New Networks a few weeks, and boy have they been busy.

Here’s a breakdown of the day’s festivities:

11:00A – Cattle call. I shuffle into the convention center with everybody else and begin in trucks and SUVs. There were plenty of unusual and exotic cars (within those body styles). The turbo jet car was cool, just like the Indiana Jones motorbike/sidecar, giant tank, and the car from the new Speed Racer Movie.

12:30P – Time to hit the car museum on the north side. Not a whole lot of cars here, but they were all unique. Most of the exhibitors were also car racing teams. Street cars, formula cars, and even the Flinstone’s car.

1:15P – Upper level, busy as hell. No sweat, I’ve been to a few large conventions before. Ford took up half of the upper east hall. I guess they really want to fix slumping sales. Ford subsidiaries took up the remaining upper east hall (Jaguar, Land Rover, etc.) Notable booths included Land Rover, who’s booth had a working giant waterfall.

2:00P – Lunchtime. Nabbed some chinese buffet and took a break to edit some photos and call my cousins in Jersey.

2:30PM – One last pass to grab some booth babe pictures. Mad props to Lamborghini who had the best booth babes by far. Let’s just say I spent an inordinate amount of my remaining time at their booth.

That about covers it. Will I go back? Maybe, the convention runs till the 30th. Tonight I’m off to my cousins in Jersey for Easter Sunday and some good food. Enjoy the pics, I worked hard to get them.

Pics: At the Auto Show. Check back later for more. I’ll be releasing more photos later this week.

French Actor Melvil Poupad has joined the cast of SPEED RACER as one of the race commentators, adding some humor to the flick.

Yeah, yeah, I know… there are a big number of readers here who have probably never even seen an episode of VERONICA MARS, and you’re all wondering when the regular blog posts start back up. I mean, wasn’t there some 80’s toy line that got optioned into a script today?

Seriously though, here’s all the news you probably already got somewhere else by now:

Oh, the new TRANSFORMERS theme song is sweet.

Sean Connery will NOT be appearing in Indy 4. Bummer.

The Speed Racer site is up and running!

Judd Apatow is being sued by someone who claims he stole the story for KNOCKED UP. We ain’t buying it. For a second.

CBR continues their weekly coverage of the big X-events.

Neil Gaiman is giving us a bit more DEATH confirmation. Puts a smile on the face.

AND… Chud’s got some interview snippets with Mr. Gaiman on the subject.

Enjoy 5 beautiful pages (plus cover) from Alan Burnett’s debut on SUPERMAN/BATMAN.

Continuing with all things Gaiman, three STARDUST TV spots are up over at the movie site. Click ‘Video’.

Shadowpact artist Tom Derenick is now DC exclusive.

Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass are re-teaming on IMPERIAL LIFE IN THE EMERALD CITY. Sounds interesting.

The Broken Lizard team (SUPER TROOPERS, BEERFEST) have a new pic in production: TAILDRAGGERS.

MySpace Comic Books has an exclusive first look at Devil’s Due’s DRAFTED.

This one will get people talking: WB is adpating Orson Scott Card’s EMPIRE.

Newsarama’s got some clips with FF2 writer Don Payne.

Assassin’s Creed, for PS3, XBox 360, and PC, hits this November. Looks very, very good.

Is my favorite comic book company from when I was a kid, coming back? Valiant apparently returns, but sans MAGNUS, TUROK, and SOLAR. Not sure how to feel.

Whew… I think I’m caught up now. Maybe.