COOP COOPER is an independently syndicated film critic with a split personality. His “Southern Side” prints mainstream reviews that appear in various print publications across the mid-south. His “Dark Side” from Los Angeles befouls the site with reviews of horror and grindhouse flicks. Welcome to the site where COOP’s two halves (and his contributors) review and debate the latest film/DVD releases…

For those of you unfamiliar with the “Watchmen” comic, you probably don’t know anything about “Tales of the Black Freighter.”
“Tales” was a parallel comic book story told episodically throughout the “Watchmen” graphic novel. As I recall, a kid in “Watchmen” was reading the “Tales” story as the bigger superhero story unfolded around him. “Tales” was [...]

For those keeping up with recent comic book films/franchises like “X-Men” and “Heroes,” the concept of “Push” will ring a familiar bell. A story about teams of super-powered underdogs fighting for justice won’t win any awards for originality. What separates “Push” from the regular genre ilk is its visual style and a strong desire to create a clear and fascinating mythology.

LIONSGATE… What have you done? Have you suddenly been infected with a terminal case of… coolness?
I cried during both of these 45 min. animated shorts. No foolin’. Grow up in my generation, loving Marvel Comics as I did and you’ll understand why.
Never in my life (besides the live-action “Iron Man” film) have I ever felt [...]

One good thing about the much-delayed release of the “Watchmen” comic book film (March 6th!) is the quality of viral entertainment the filmmakers have had time to prepare and unleash on the unsuspecting public.
Days ago, the creators released a faux news-release on the origin of Dr. Manhattan and how grateful we all are (and would [...]

Coming Soon.Net has the low down on the new “G.I. Joe” movie. I swear I had this idea along time ago, except mine wouldn’t have been directed by Stephen Sommers. This still looks pretty cool. I love the look of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow!
Let’s hope they have some of Larry Hama’s cool story arc’s [...]

Okay, so I got this up a few days late, but gimme a break. It’s been a historic week… for THE SMALL TOWN CRITIC (thought I was gonna say something about Obama, right?). The hits to this site are escalating fast… faster each day, prompting me to increase the regularity of articles and reviews. I’ve [...]

As I write this, I’m thumbing through my old “Punisher” comic books. I have some pretty valuable ones here: “Punisher #2,” “Punisher Limited Series #5,” “Punisher War Journal #1.” To say I’m a casual fan of the character is a bit of an understatement. “The Punisher” began as a minor-league villain of “Spider-Man,” quickly becoming [...]

Is “Wanted” starring James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie the new “Matrix”. The answer is no. But I don’t think that filmmaker Bekmambetov was really trying to do that. Sure he rips it off and plenty of other genre and non-genre films to boot, but that’s not what this movie is all about. Its about having [...]

I have to say before anything else that I am a fan of Ang Lee’s “Hulk”. Its dark and brooding storyline, while occasionally failing to deliver satisfying action (mutated poodles?!!) , delivered on so many different levels that I was thoroughly intrigued and engaged, if not wowed. So when I heard of a new reboot [...]

Perhaps I would have liked “Speed Racer” better if I had been a fan of the animated series or really intoxicated. I can imagine that its insanely hyper action sequences and uber-psychedelic pallet of colors would appeal to those seeking to expand their minds, if you know what I mean. Ahem.
“Speed Racer” is the story [...]

This hilarious fan-made video involves toy Batman and Iron Man figures talkin’ smack at each other about their movies, differences and similarities. Fans of the movies and the characters will find this uproarious. Non-fans won’t get it. Watch it anyway to see Iron Man zap Spider-Man just for the hell of it…

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I gave 2005’s “Batman Begins” my highest rating and consider it nearly flawless. It elevated the venerable franchise into a level of gritty reality I never imagined it could attain on film, and it made the 1989 “Batman” look like the 1966 “Batman.” As someone fairly familiar with Batman mythology, I found every reworked aspect [...]

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE THE 1980′S.
I always thought the “Watchmen” limited series/graphic novel was one of the most edgy, complex comic book stories ever written. Seeing this come to life has been a dream of comic fans for over twenty years and now it’s finally happening.
I don’t expect non-comic fans (at least those [...]

The first “Hellboy” film changed the way the modern, general audience looked at traditional comic book heroes. Adapted from Mike Mignola’s cult comic book series, the story follows the adventures of the Son of Satan who grows up amongst humans and feels an obligation to protect them, despite his dark destiny. Armed with a massive [...]

With all the hype of the established comic book franchises assaulting the screens this summer, “Hancock” nearly flew under the radar. Although “Hancock” is not adapted from a comic book, its creators came up with a simple, yet interesting premise to sell it to the studios: What if the world’s only superhero was an alcoholic [...]

After seeing the trailers for “Wanted,” I thought: “Okay, here comes another ‘Matrix’ ripoff.” Never mind that it stars Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie and one of my favorite newcomers, James McAvoy. Then I found out it was adapted from a comic book. Funny, because I know comics and I had never heard of this one. [...]

Too soon. That was the general consensus when a new “Hulk” movie was announced to release only five years after Ang Lee’s now-reviled bomb. I don’t remember hating Ang Lee’s film that much. It showed flashes of brilliance, but imagine the powers that be, only five years later saying, “We’ve done it again, started all [...]

I have been waiting for this movie for over twenty years. That’s not an exaggeration. “Iron Man” was my favorite comic book growing up. Heck, it was the only comic book I ever had a subscription to. Why? I’ve been trying to lock down the appeal. Could be Tony Stark had neater gadgets than other [...]

The X-Men have been around for awhile. The first X-Men comic book debuted in 1963 and, in time, became a Marvel Comics phenomenon. It was long surmised that Hollywood would never be able to pull off this film version of one of the most recognized comic titles of all time. It appears Hollywood was wrong [...]