The freeways are empty and the screeners are beginning to arrive, that means it’s finally the holidays in Los Angeles. We caught NAPOLEON at the Chinese Theater this weekend in IMAX and it’s really worth seeing it on the big screen, as all of Ridley Scott’s films are.
I’ve never met a Ridley Scott movie I didn’t enjoy, and I’m. a big fan of his director’s cuts, particularly KINGDOM OF HEAVEN which turns a good movie into a great one. Supposedly NAPOLEON will gain another hour or so when it arrives on Apple+ at some point.
The other movie we watched in the Duggan house this weekend was FERRARI, which I thought was also fantastic.
Driver and especially Cruz are phenomenal, but the real stars here are the cinematography, editing and sound design. I recommend going in as cold as possible on this one. Just strap in and take the ride. I wasn’t sure how my enjoyment of FORD VS FERRARI would affect my thoughts on this one, but it’s a totally different film. Michael Mann crushed this one, and I’ll be thinking about it for a while. He’s obviously been thinking about Ferrari’s since MIAMI VICE. Which reminds me of a funny story about Ferrari suing Mann’s TV show. How any of this factored into his adapting the book about Enzo is unknown.
I’m wrenching away on my last X-Men issues, and there’s no time for nostalgia. I just finished a heartbreaker of an issue for Phil Noto. He’s drawing X-Men 31 and 32 and Josh Cassara is drawing 33 and 34. More on all that in the coming weeks.
I met Brad Smith years ago through Rick Remender. Here’s a recent portrait of him.
Brad’s a supremely talented musician. You may know if his work from the underrated and gone too soon BLIND MELON. Brad’s moved into film scoring and his new score for RUMBLE THROUGH THE DARK has just been released and it’s fantastic. Get some writing or drawing done to it now.
This Weekend:
I’ll be appearing one day at LA COMIC CON - Saturday only at Comic Sketch Art in Artist Alley. I have fond memories of this local show — I got to hang out with Stan Lee a bunch back in 2016.
This photo is one of a couple hundred in my photo book that I’m including for paid subscribers at the yearly level to this Substack. Click here to subscribe for a year, and I’ll mail you this signed limited hardcover and I’ll slip a couple of my signed comic book comps.
Mr. Lynch is not appearing at LA Comic Con, but he is appearing in my book, TIMING/LUCK.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, more comics this week.
Best,
Gerry
PS - There are several of you that have recently subscribed at the yearly level but not sent your physical address, and one of you that I don’t seem to be able to email, so please reach out so I can put your physical rewards in the mail.
Dang... Napoleon at the Chinese Theatre would've been wild to see!
I also like heading to LA during the holidays to binge on movies. But the 10 freeway closure scared me off so I didn't go to the Alamo Drafthouse or the New Beverly. Instead, I went to Vidiots to see RRR for the first time and that was a great experience!