Yes, that's right... I've been Hulk, been blown away and gone back for a second helping. But I'm getting ahead of myself; movie news first!

MUCHO MAGNIFICO MOVIE NEWS

In news so exciting I'm practically ripping at the seams, legendary screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan has reportedly been set the task of adapting Robotech for the big screen! Kasdan is a God in my books - he's the man who co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and they're just the big titles. Robotech has been on the boil for a while and internet hype has increased dramatically since Tobey Maguire signed on to star, but if the news of Kasdan hiring is true, prepare for interest in this awesome giant fighting mech movie to skyrocket.

In what can only be called extreme coincedence, both Daniel Craig and Tom Hanks injured their fingers while filming this week. Craig is hard at work on Quantum of Solace (aka Bond 22) while Hanks is toiling away at Angels & Demons, the sequel to The Da Vinci Code.

Fans of blue-skinned tiny folks, rejoice - a big screen Smurfs adventure is on the way! While a Smurfs movie seems like a total no-brainer, it reportedly wasn't until the unexpected smash success of Alvin & The Chipmunks that the project seemed to get across the line. They'll reportedly be following the same live-action / CGI hybrid that was employed there. The film will be written by J David Stem and David Weiss, the scribes behind Shrek 2 and 3.

If you're a fan of Street Fighter, you might want to skip this next piece of news. The producers have confirmed that neither Ken or Ryu will be appearing in the film, as "it is Chun-Li's story." Hmmmmm..... If this means I won't be hearing the word hadouken, I don't think I'll be seeing this one. My convictions are that strong.

Progress seems to be barrelling forward on Judd Apatow's next sure-to-be-a-smash-hit. We finally have a name, Funny People, and a basic plot; the film will follow competing stand-up comedians. If that wasn't enough to get you excited at the prospect of what Apatow can craft from the field he knows best, check out the cast: Adam Sandler, Eric Bana, Leslie Mann, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman. Finally, Apatow has said that the film will be far more serious than his previous efforts, falling distinctly into the dramedy category. Count me in.

Seth Rogen's name is everywhere at the moment, and I don't see that as a bad thing. In addition to Funny People, Seth's also got The Pineapple Express and Zach and Miri Make A Porno coming out this year, he's filming Observe and Report, writing The Green Hornet AND writing / voicing an episode of The Simpsons... Major gratz to him, because he's just landed more work, and this one is quite unique. A while back, he and best mate Jay Burachel (Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder) shot a short internet viral video called Seth + Jay Vs. The Apocalypse about two friends who have driven each other insane post- End of Days. This short video has now turned into a full feature film, with creative control going to the boys. This is a serious step for the industry to take, and I can't wait to see the results!

Now for some news not necessarily movie related, but still badass. Do you watch 24? How long have we waited for another fantastic villain? We won't have to wait much longer - Jon Voight has signed on to be a big time baddie for the show's seventh season AND prequel movie! Due to the writer's strike, the proposed seventh season was shelved, but was later decided to be re-worked into a tele-movie to air before the real season seven started. The movie apparently finds Jack Bauer in South Africa where a botched operation leads to him being investigated during season seven.... woot!

If you're not a fan of the comic book movies, I'd like to thank you for your time today - there ain't much below this point you're gonna like :P

Everyone's favourite playboy-turned-superhero Robert Downey Jr must be feeling pretty darn good right about now. Not only did Iron Man absolute destroy at the cinemas (+500 mil and counting) but he looks to have another sure-fire hit with Tropic Thunder. Robert has quickly become one of the most talked about and in-demand actors, and a debate has broken out over the nets over what his next move will be. Brett Ratner (Rush Hour, X-Men: The Last Stand) wants him to play Hugh Hefner in his Playboy biopic, while Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) wants him for his Sherlock Holmes adaptation! What's a uber-cool awesome-magnet to do?

Check out this awesome picture from Watchmen. The heroes you see here are The Minutemen, the heroes of the generation before those we'll be seeing. If you've read the comic, you'll probably need to pick your jaw back up the floor now; yes, they're that faithful to the source.

As anyone who has seen The Incredible Hulk can attest, Marvel are mad keen on getting Captain America going ASAP. A while back, the rumour going was that they had Matthew McConoughey in mind for Cap. Please, please, please, may this day never come. Two other names have trickled down to us now, and they should have everyone far more pumped. 

The first choice? Leonardo DiCaprio. That, friends, is awesome. Their second? Brad Pitt. Even more awesome... however, I want him to play Thor, and so do Marvel, if Leo takes on Cap. I can't believe I just got to write that sentance; thank you Marvel for making my boyhood dreams come true!

ROLLICKINGLY RADIATED REVIEW

THE INCREDIBLE HULK

They fixed it. Go see it.

Oh wait, you want more?!

The Incredible Hulk always had an uphill battle of epic proportions on it's hands. The first film, directed by the renowned Ang Lee, was a failure in every way; Lee completely missed the mark on what had caused audiences to connect with the green goliath since the early '60s, choosing to focus on Bruce Banner's relationship with his father and the knowledge of the beast withing rather than, you know, Hulk Smash!

Five years later, Marvel decided to hit reset on the Hulk franchise. There's no doubt of his staying power as an icon, and they'd definitely want to use him in their long-planned Avengers movie. Whereas Iron Man fused superheroism with playboy-millionaire antics, Hulk has the secondary feeling of a Bourne Identity-style thriller.

In a move not-too-dissimilar from Batman Begins' retcon of the Batman mythos, The Incredible Hulk address the events of the first film and retells them... in three minutes. Then, its Hulk time. CGI has made such a monumental leap since the last film that Hulk was always going to look better, but he truly looks amazing.  You'll still be aware that he's not real, but in terms of capturing the sheer, animalistic rage contained within, the effects team couldn't have done a better job.

Even more important than the effects is the acting. Ed Norton has proven time and time again he knows how to play characters with a shattered, fragmented soul (Primal Fear, Fight Club) and he gets under Bruce Banner's skin with true skill. As a true, long-time fan of the Hulk (he did a re-write for the film), Norton should be very happy with his portrayal.

Liv Tyler doesn't have too much to work with; she's pretty much the standard superhero girlfriend, though the scene she shares with the Hulk in the rain is one of the film's high-points. William Hurt brings his usual intensity to General Ross and does the most spot on impression of Captain Ahab I've seen in a longtime.

However, the film is stolen by three performances for me. Tim Roth nails it as Emil Blonsky, a former top soldier now forced to face his fading body who sees a new opportunity thanks to the Hulk. When I first saw his out-of-shape physique I was confused, but Roth gave his body over to the production and you can see the effects by the end. 

The second nod goes to the former Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno. He has a great cameo as himself, but he also voices the Hulk. The first time I heard him talk, I got shivers...

The final nod goes to Tim Blake Nelson, one of my favourite actor of any era. Sure, he hams it up... but he's supposed to! Look for Dr Samuel Sterns to play a bigger role in the next film - Hulk 2? The Avengers even?

In fact, for a true comic book nerd like myself, this film was a smorgasboard of in-jokes and references that take nothing from the plot. From the inclusion of the Walking Away piano theme from the '70s TV show to the naming of a scientist behind the original Super Soldier Serum, Marvel know how to cater to both their legion of hardcore Marvel Zombies as well as the average movie goer.

Listen to your friend Billy Zane, he's a cool dude...

~T