Review: Documentary "Dirty Wars" Sheds Light on America's Covert Wars

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 46 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Dirty Wars (2013)
Running time:  87 minutes (1 hour, 27 minutes)
Not rated by the MPAA
DIRECTOR:  Rick Rowley
WRITERS:  David Riker and Jeremy Scahill
PRODUCERS:  Anthony Arnove, Brenda Coughlin, and Jeremy Scahill
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Rick Rowley
EDITORS:  David Riker and Rick Rowley
COMPOSER:  David Harrington
Academy Award nominee

DOCUMENTARY – War

Starring:  Jeremy Scahill, Hugh Shelton, Matthew Hoh, Andrew Exum, Malcolm Nance, Sheikh Saleh Bin Fareed, Abdulrahman Barman, and Senator Ron Wyden

Dirty Wars is a 2013 documentary film directed by Rick Rowley and written by Jeremy Scahill and David Riker.  The film accompanies Scahill's 2013 book, Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield.  Dirty Wars the movie follows Scahill as he tries to find the hidden truth behind America's ever-expanding covert wars.

Jeremy Scahill is an investigative journalist, perhaps best known for his book, Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army.  He is also the founding editor of the online news publication, The Intercept.

Dirty Wars begins with Scahill's investigation of a series of night raids in the country of Afghanistan, and one particular raid captures his attention.  It occurs in Gardez (the capital of the Paktai province) on February 12, 2010, in which five people, including two pregnant women, are killed by armed men.

Scahill's investigation leads him to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which is charged with identifying and eliminating terror cells worldwide.  Scahill learns that JSOC's mission is expanding to more countries and includes a constantly growing “kill list.”

Dirty Wars provides an overview of America's covert wars, beginning with the invasion of Afghanistan and the war in Iraq.  Scahill, who narrates and stars in the film, presents a gripping premise, but his subject or topic is too big and too broad for a film that does not last an hour-and-a-half.  Scahill names specific players, points to specific victims, and seems to be traveling back and forth over half the world.  Still, everything seems a bit vague, as if some kind of context is missing.

Perhaps, Scahill should have focused on fewer victims and targeted specific American politicians and players in the covert wars for longer on-camera interviews.  I think that what is on-screen in Dirty Wars is investigative journalism that is important for everyone to see, and not just Americans.  Scahill's story also makes for a riveting movie narrative.  The look on Scahill's face during an appearance on “Real Time with Bill Maher” is priceless and says a lot about the sorry state of American political commentary.  Dirty Wars is, however, a small movie that is a bit too sweeping in its scope.

7 of 10
B+

Thursday, October 9, 2014


NOTES:
2014 Academy Awards, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Documentary, Features” (Rick Rowley and Jeremy Scahill)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

"Our Brand is Crisis" Begins Shooting in New Orleans

Cameras Roll on “Our Brand is Crisis”

Principal photography begins on “Our Brand is Crisis,” starring Sandra Bullock and Billy Bob Thornton under the direction of David Gordon Green

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Filming is underway in New Orleans on director David Gordon Green’s (“Pineapple Express,” “George Washington”) feature adaptation of the critically acclaimed 2005 documentary “Our Brand is Crisis,” starring Oscar winners Sandra Bullock (“The Blind Side”) and Billy Bob Thornton (“Sling Blade”).

When a group of American consultants accept the challenge of getting an unpopular Bolivian president re-elected, they realize they need help. Tracking down retired maverick political consultant Jane Bodine (Bullock) to her cabin in the woods, they persuade her to lead the team—a decision they quickly come to regret, as “Calamity” Jane begins to live up to her nickname, unleashing her very own brand of chaos on the campaign.

Just as all seems lost, the loathsome Pat Candy (Thornton), Jane’s worst enemy, arrives in town to work for the opposition. Suddenly things become personal and as the battle begins the consultants get to see Jane the legend in action.

The film also stars Anthony Mackie (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”), Scoot McNairy (“Gone Girl,” “Argo”), Zoe Kazan (“Ruby Sparks”), Ann Dowd (“Side Effects,” HBO’s “The Leftovers”), Reynaldo Pacheco (“Beginners”), Dominic Flores (“Rampart”), Louis Arcella (NBC’s “The Blacklist”), Octavio Gómez Berríos (“Che: Part One”) and Joaquim de Almeida (“Fast Five”).

Green directs from a screenplay by Oscar nominee Peter Straughan (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”), based on the documentary by Rachel Boynton, which outlined the American political campaign marketing tactics employed in the real-life 2002 Bolivian presidential election.

The film is being produced by Oscar-winning Smokehouse Pictures’ principals George Clooney and Grant Heslov (“Argo”), with Bullock, Participant Media’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, and Stuart Besser serving as executive producers. Participant Media is a co-financier on the film.

Green’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes frequent collaborators director of photography Tim Orr, editor Colin Patton and production designer Richard A. Wright (“Manglehorn”), as well as costume designer Jenny Eagan (“Now You See Me”).

“Our Brand is Crisis” will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

A Record 83 Countries Compete for Foreign Language Oscar Nominaitons at 87th Academy Awards

83 Countries In Competition For 2014 Foreign Language Film Oscar®

A record 83 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 87th Academy Awards®.  Kosovo, Malta, Mauritania and Panama are first-time entrants.

The 2014 submissions are:

Afghanistan, "A Few Cubic Meters of Love," Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Argentina, "Wild Tales," Damián Szifrón, director;
Australia, "Charlie's Country," Rolf de Heer, director;
Austria, "The Dark Valley," Andreas Prochaska, director;
Azerbaijan, "Nabat," Elchin Musaoglu, director;
Bangladesh, "Glow of the Firefly," Khalid Mahmood Mithu, director;
Belgium, "Two Days, One Night," Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne, directors;
Bolivia, "Forgotten," Carlos Bolado, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, "With Mom," Faruk Loncarevic, director;
Brazil, "The Way He Looks," Daniel Ribeiro, director;
Bulgaria, "Bulgarian Rhapsody," Ivan Nitchev, director;
Canada, "Mommy," Xavier Dolan, director;
Chile, "To Kill a Man," Alejandro Fernández Almendras, director;
China, "The Nightingale," Philippe Muyl, director;
Colombia, "Mateo," María Gamboa, director;
Costa Rica, "Red Princesses," Laura Astorga Carrera, director;
Croatia, "Cowboys," Tomislav Mršic, director;
Cuba, "Conducta," Ernesto Daranas Serrano, director;
Czech Republic, "Fair Play," Andrea Sedlácková, director;
Denmark, "Sorrow and Joy," Nils Malmros, director;
Dominican Republic, "Cristo Rey," Leticia Tonos, director;
Ecuador, "Silence in Dreamland," Tito Molina, director;
Egypt, "Factory Girl," Mohamed Khan, director;
Estonia, "Tangerines," Zaza Urushadze, director;
Ethiopia, "Difret," Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, director;
Finland, "Concrete Night," Pirjo Honkasalo, director;
France, "Saint Laurent," Bertrand Bonello, director;
Georgia, "Corn Island," George Ovashvili, director;
Germany, "Beloved Sisters," Dominik Graf, director;
Greece, "Little England," Pantelis Voulgaris, director;
Hong Kong, "The Golden Era," Ann Hui, director;
Hungary, "White God," Kornél Mundruczó, director;
Iceland, "Life in a Fishbowl," Baldvin Zophoníasson, director;
India, "Liar's Dice," Geetu Mohandas, director;
Indonesia, "Soekarno," Hanung Bramantyo, director;
Iran, "Today," Reza Mirkarimi, director;
Iraq, "Mardan," Batin Ghobadi, director;
Ireland, "The Gift," Tom Collins, director;
Israel, "Gett, the Trial of Viviane Amsalem," Ronit Elkabetz and Shlomi Elkabetz, directors;
Italy, "Human Capital," Paolo Virzì, director;
Japan, "The Light Shines Only There," Mipo O, director;
Kosovo, "Three Windows and a Hanging," Isa Qosja, director;
Kyrgyzstan, "Kurmanjan Datka Queen of the Mountains," Sadyk Sher-Niyaz, director;
Latvia, "Rocks in My Pockets," Signe Baumane, director;
Lebanon, "Ghadi," Amin Dora, director;
Lithuania, "The Gambler," Ignas Jonynas, director;
Luxembourg, "Never Die Young," Pol Cruchten, director;
Macedonia, "To the Hilt," Stole Popov, director;
Malta, "Simshar," Rebecca Cremona, director;
Mauritania, "Timbuktu," Abderrahmane Sissako, director;
Mexico, "Cantinflas," Sebastián del Amo, director;
Moldova, "The Unsaved," Igor Cobileanski, director;
Montenegro, "The Kids from the Marx and Engels Street," Nikola Vukcevic, director;
Morocco, "The Red Moon," Hassan Benjelloun, director;
Nepal, "Jhola," Yadav Kumar Bhattarai, director;
Netherlands, "Accused," Paula van der Oest, director;
New Zealand, "The Dead Lands," Toa Fraser, director;
Norway, "1001 Grams," Bent Hamer, director;
Pakistan, "Dukhtar," Afia Nathaniel, director;
Palestine, "Eyes of a Thief," Najwa Najjar, director;
Panama, "Invasion," Abner Benaim, director;
Peru, "The Gospel of the Flesh," Eduardo Mendoza, director;
Philippines, "Norte, the End of History," Lav Diaz, director;
Poland, "Ida," Pawel Pawlikowski, director;
Portugal, "What Now? Remind Me," Joaquim Pinto, director;
Romania, "The Japanese Dog," Tudor Cristian Jurgiu, director;
Russia, "Leviathan," Andrey Zvyagintsev, director;
Serbia, "See You in Montevideo," Dragan Bjelogrlic, director;
Singapore, "Sayang Disayang," Sanif Olek, director;
Slovakia, "A Step into the Dark," Miloslav Luther, director;
Slovenia, "Seduce Me," Marko Šantic, director;
South Africa, "Elelwani," Ntshavheni Wa Luruli, director;
South Korea, "Haemoo," Shim Sung-bo, director;
Spain, "Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed," David Trueba, director;
Sweden, "Force Majeure," Ruben Östlund, director;
Switzerland, "The Circle," Stefan Haupt, director;
Taiwan, "Ice Poison," Midi Z, director;
Thailand, "The Teacher’s Diary," Nithiwat Tharathorn, director;
Turkey, "Winter Sleep," Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director;
Ukraine, "The Guide," Oles Sanin, director;
United Kingdom, "Little Happiness," Nihat Seven, director;
Uruguay, "Mr. Kaplan," Álvaro Brechner, director;
Venezuela, "The Liberator," Alberto Arvelo, director.

The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

The Oscars® will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of October 5th to 11th, 2014 - Update #14

NEWS:

From YahooCelebrity:  Robert De Niro with his rarely seen daughter, Drena De Niro.

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From InformedConsent:  Juan Cole on Ben Affleck vs. Bill Maher.

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From YahooCelebrity:  Stephen Collins, the veteran actor best known for his role as the dad on the late WB series, "7th Heaven," allegedly admits to molesting an underage girl.

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From HitFix via YahooTV:  Marvel's secret plan... A great article about Marvel Studio's success.  There is also some kind of hint that Sony and Marvel may occasionally come together.

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From HitFix:  William Shatner and his "Star Trek 3" (the reboot) hints.

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From TheVerge:  Neil deGrasse Tyson voiced the character, Waddles the Pig, on Disney's animated series, "Gravity Falls."

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From EntertainmentWeekly:  Gone Girl wins the box office for the weekend of October 3rd to 5th, 2014 with an estimated take of $38 million.  Annabelle, a spinoff from last year's surprise smash hit, The Conjuring, was a close second with an estimated $37.2 million.  Both exceeded expectations.

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From the Examiner:  Johnny Depp balding?


COMIC BOOKS - Movies and Books:

From CinemaBlend:  Marvel Comics' big 2015 is apparently "Secret Wars."

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From ScreenRant:  Is Brainiac the villain revealed at the end of Batman Vs. Superman.

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From YahooMovies:  Michael Keaton talks about the condition that would get him to play Batman again.

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From CinemaBlend:  Fans await some kind of Marvel teaser.

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From CinemaBlend:  Marvel Comics is turning 75, and ABC will broadcast a special, Marvel 75 Years: From Pulp to Pop!

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From Yahoo:  Starting in 2015, Dynamite Entertainment will start producing James Bond comic books and graphic novels.

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From CinemaBlend:  Could Sony connect to Marvel's cinematic universe?

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From CinemaBlend:  Downey backtracks.

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From CinemaBlend:  Marvel ain't giving FOX anymore mutants.

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From YahooTV:  More Downey-Marvel Studios talk.

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From YahooMovies:  Yes, there will be an "Iron Man 4," says Robert Downey, Jr.

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From CinemaBlend:  Michael B. Jordan talks about the suits for the Fantastic Four reboot.

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From the Examiner:  New Ultron prop image from "Avengers: Age of Ultron."

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From CinemaBlend:  Who could be left out of "Avengers 3?"


STAR WARS:

From YahooMovies:  A cool anti-spoilers poster from the set of Episode 7.

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From io9:  More Star Wars rumors... plus some other fanboy franchise news.


OBITS:

From YahooTV:  "Saturday Night Live" veteran Jan Hooks died at the age of 57, Thursday, October 9, 2014,

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Also from YahooTV:  The best of Jan Hooks.

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From ABC News via Yahoo:  I missed the death of actor Richard Kiel, probably best known for playing the character, "Jaws," in two James Bond movies.

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From Yahoo:  Sarah Goldberg, an actress on "7th Heaven," has died at age 40.


MISC:

From Yahoo:  A rare photograph of slaves has been found.  The slaves belonged to insurrectionist General Robert E. Lee.

"Wolves" Howling on Video On-Demand and in Theatres

David Hayter's "WOLVES" on VOD October 16th and in Theaters November 14th

Synopsis:
Popular high school student Cayden Richards wakes from a horrific nightmare, only to realize that he’s living it… He is changing into something vicious, unpredictable and wild.  Forced to hit the road after the brutal murder of his parents, Cayden tries to hunt down the truth of what he is.  In the remote, mountain town of Lupine Ridge, he discovers others like him — Including the beautiful Angelina, a young woman caught between two ancient clans of “wolves”.  And when he finally discovers the shocking truth behind his ancestry, Cayden realizes there is only one way to save the woman he loves… a grisly fight to the death against forces more savage than he could have ever imagined.

Written & Directed By: David Hayter
Produced By: Steven Hoban
Executive Producers: Benedict Carver, Hartley Gorenstein Steven Paul, Mark Smith
Cinematography: Gavin Smith
Creature Design: Dave Elsey, Lou Elsey
Edited By: Geoff Ashenhurst
Starring: Lucas Till, Stephen McHattie, John Pyper-Ferguson, Merritt Patterson and Jason Momoa

MPAA Rating: TBD

Release Dates:
Thursday, October 16th, 2014 on Video on Demand
Friday, November 14, 2014 in select cities nationwide
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Distributor: Ketchup Entertainment

Green Band YouTube: http://youtu.be/x4YgifoTd3E
Red Band (age restricted) YouTube: http://youtu.be/txMEBTuRXws

Follow WOLVES:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WolvesMovie
Twitter: @BewareWolves

Wizard World "The Walking Dead" Limited Edition Comics Debut in 2015

Skybound & Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) To Provide Robert Kirkman's 'The Walking Dead' Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers For 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Attendees

Return Of Popular Run Includes Drawings By Superstar Artists For All 24 Shows In Wizard World Comic Con Series Beginning In New Orleans, January 9-11; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch

Skybound’s The Walking Dead created by Robert Kirkman, the groundbreaking, Eisner Award winning comic book series, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With anticipation high for the debut of Season 5 of the television series in a few weeks, Skybound, Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics, and Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) today announced the launch of an entirely new series of Limited Edition Exclusive Variant Covers of popular issues of The Walking Dead comic, to be provided free to all full-price attendees at every Wizard World Comic Con event in 2015.

Superstar artists who regularly appear at Wizard World events will draw the unique covers for each of the 24 shows scheduled to date, beginning with Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con, January 9-11 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The artists for each book will be announced as they are selected. A similar series in 2013 featuring exclusives of The Walking Dead #1 proved to be wildly popular with fans.

The exclusive The Walking Dead editions will be produced in extremely limited quantities and are available at registration to fans only while supplies last at each Wizard World convention. VIP attendees will receive an additional black & white sketch version of the comic. The full schedule of 2015 Wizard World shows is available at www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

“Skybound is pleased to work with Wizard World and many talented artists to bring this series to thousands of fans,” said Kirkman, “Wizard World attendees have been great supporters of The Walking Dead for years, so these books are particularly appropriate for this audience.”

“Wizard World fans have shown a strong desire for everything The Walking Dead, and we are proud that this partnership with Robert Kirkman and Skybound will allow us to give these books free to all of our paid attendees,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO and President. “We have seen the rise in popularity of The Walking Dead, from popular celebrity guests like Norman Reedus, Jon Bernthal, Michael Rooker and many others, to cosplay of dozens of characters, to artwork and merchandise at our shows. We know that fans will appreciate the return of one of our most popular promotions ever.”

About Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is the creator of many popular comic books, including the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur, and the new exorcism comic, Outcast which was released in June 2014 and recently received a pilot pickup for CINEMAX with Fox International.

Since entering the comics scene with his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen to fame as one of the most successful names in comics and entertainment. In 2008, Kirkman became a partner at Image Comics, and in 2010, he opened Skybound, his own imprint at Image, which publishes his titles as well as other original work.

That same year, Kirkman continued to expand his presence in the entertainment industry, becoming a creator, executive producer and writer on The Walking Dead television show. The show is in production on its fifth season and has become the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Kirkman is also slated to executive produce AMC’s upcoming The Walking Dead companion series.

Under the Skybound Entertainment umbrella Kirkman wrapped production on his first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.

About Skybound Entertainment
Since opening its doors in 2010, Skybound Entertainment has grown into a multiplatform entertainment company. Skybound CEO Robert Kirkman is creator of the award-winning The Walking Dead comic book series, the inspiration for the hit TV show of the same name where he serves as creator and executive producer. To date The Walking Dead is the #1 on television among the coveted 18-49 demo.

Skybound Entertainment and Kirkman just wrapped production on their first feature film, Air, starring The Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus and Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The film is slated to be released in the spring of 2015.

Skybound released Kirkman’s new exorcism comic, Outcast, in June 2014 which recently got the green light for a television pilot with CINEMAX and Fox International. Kirkman will serve ascreator and executive producer of the series.

Skybound Entertainment and digital entertainment company Maker Studios recently announced a deal for the studio to produce and air four digital series based off Skybound IPs.

Comic book titles published by Skybound include The Walking Dead, the superhero-comic Invincible, all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, the revenge drama Dead Body Road, and heist comic Thief of Thieves.

Skybound also creates a wide range of merchandise, including video games, apparel, board games, and action figures.

For more information, please visit Skybound online at www.skybound.com and www.thewalkingdead.com.

About Wizard World
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World also produces socialcon featuring social media stars and will be launching ConTV, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM).

Full event information can be found at www.wizd.me/PR.

Wizard World Remaining 2014 Schedule:
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con

Wizard World 2015 schedule available at: www.wizd.me/PRSchedule2015.

Review: "Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy" is One of the Best Scooby-Doo Movies Ever

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 45 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy (2014) – Video
Running time:  74 minutes (1 hour, 14 minutes)
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR:  Paul McEvoy
WRITER:  James Krieg
EDITOR:  Kyle Stafford
COMPOSER:  Andy Sturmer
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Digital eMation, Inc.

ANIMATION/FANTASY/FAMILY and ACTION/COMEDY/MYSTERY

Starring:  (voices) Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn, Diedrich Bader, Dee Bradley Baker, Eric Bauza, Jeff Bennett, Candi Milo, Susanne Blakeslee, Kevin Michael Richardson, Corey Burton, and Fred Tatasciore

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is a 2014 straight-to-video, animated, comic mystery film.  It is also the 22nd animated movie in the Scooby-Doo straight-to-video series from Warner Bros. Animation, which began in 1998 with Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.  In Frankencreepy, Velma discovers that she has inherited a family castle that also comes with a curse.

Early in Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy, Velma Dinkley (Mindy Cohn) gets a call from Cuthbert Crawley (Kevin Michael Richardson), a lawyer.  It seems that she has received an inheritance from her great-great-uncle, Basil Von Dinkenstein (Corey Burton) – property and a castle in the town of Transylvania, Pennsylvania.

However, Crawley informs Velma that the castle comes with the Dinkenstein family curse, which destroys what a person loves the most.  Not long after that warning, the Ghost of the Baron (Corey Burton) makes his appearance, and something beloved by the Mystery Inc. gang is destroyed.  Never ones to ignore a mystery, Fred Jones (Frank Welker), Daphne Blake (Grey DeLisle), Shaggy Rogers (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo (Frank Welker) join Velma and travel to the strange village of Transylvania, where angry villagers and a bizarre creature await them.

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is not only one of the best Scooby-Doo direct-to-DVD films; it is also one of the best Scooby-Doo cartoons ever.  The superb script by James Krieg recalls the first Scooby-Doo series, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969-1970), both in spirit and in deed.  Frankencreepy is an homage to the classic, original Scooby-Doo, but it is also a modernization that stays true to what is beloved about this franchise.  The story is also a breath of fresh air for this direct-to-DVD franchise, in that it makes the characters do unexpected things.  The mystery at the center of the film is both executed and solved in surprising fashion.

Frankencreepy has a striking visual aesthetic that also harkens back to “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!” with an art deco twist.  The backgrounds, village, Von Dinkenstein castle, interiors, etc. recall the classic animation art of Looney Tunes masters, Chuck Jones, Maurice Noble, and Phillip DeGuard.  The animation almost seems like the cartoons of Charles Addams brought to life.  Frankencreepy is truly one of the most beautiful animated films that is not also a major feature film production.

Obviously, I am crazy about this Scooby-Doo movie.  Director Paul McEvoy keeps the story moving with an occasional offbeat moment or pace that assures that no one will think Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy is just another Scooby-Doo cartoon.  I would like the creative team behind this movie give us at least one more Scooby-Doo movie.

9 of 10
A+

Saturday, October 4, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.