Tag Archives: respect films

Watch Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts Now

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Sequart Organization and Respect Films have announced that their feature-length documentary Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts is available to watch for free on YouTube.

Warren Ellis sees the future. He is a comic book writer and cyberpunk philosopher living on the edge of tomorrow. He speaks to a cult audience of artists, journalists, scientists and fans who hail him as INTERNET JESUS.

Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts features the most extensive interview ever given by Ellis. His acerbic wit and core belief in humanity come across like never before, revealing the unique point of view that has made him such a pivotal and influential figure to his massive audience of artists, journalists, scientists, and fans. Along with the man himself, the film features Academy Award-winner Dame Helen Mirren, Patton Oswalt, Joss Whedon, Darick Robertson, Ben Templesmith, Matt Fraction, Joe Quesada, Wil Wheaton, Brea Grant, Claudio Sanchez, Stoya, Andy Hurley, and a Warren Ellis Muppet!

Watch Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods for Free Now!

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Sequart Organization and Respect Films have announced that their feature-length documentary Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods is now available to watch for free on YouTube.

Grant Morrison is one of the most poular writers in comics, and one of the most controversial. He is the Rock Star of comics, a philosopher and chaos magician who has used his comics to change both himself and his audience. He is a man living on the border between FICTION and REALITY, and this is his STORY.

Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods was produced in close collaboration with Morrison and features extensive interviews with him, as well as never-before-seen photos and documents spanning his childhood to the present day. Complimenting Morrison’s own words are interviews with his closest collaborators and friends, including Frank Quitely, Douglas Rushkoff, Cameron Stewart, Phil Jimenez, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, Jill Thompson, and many more. The film makes extensive use of found and abstract footage to make the documentary feel like a Morrison comic.

She Makes Comics is Available to Stream on Netflix

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Sequart Organization and Respect Films has announced that She Makes Comics is now available to stream from Netflix.

Directed by Marisa Stotter, She Makes Comics traces the fascinating history of women in the comics industry. Despite popular assumptions about the comics world, women have been writing, drawing, and reading comics since the medium’s beginnings in the late 19th century. And today, there are scores of women involved in comics and its vibrant fan culture.

Featuring dozens of interviews with such vital figures as Ramona Fradon, Trina Robbins, Joyce Farmer, Karen Berger, Wendy Pini, Colleen Doran, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Raina Telgemeier, and Becky Cloonan, She Makes Comics is the first film to bring together the most influential women of the comics world.

The documentary has received rave reviews and won Best Documentary at the 2015 Comic-Con International Film Festival.

Watch Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts for Free

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Sequart Organization and Respect Films have added the feature-length documentary Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts for free on Sequart’s YouTube channel SequartTV.

Captured Ghosts features the most extensive interview ever given by Ellis and spans his first memory watching the moon landing as a child to the success of the RED film adaptation.

Along with the man himself, the film features Academy Award-winner Dame Helen Mirren, Patton Oswalt, Joss Whedon, Darick Robertson, Ben Templesmith, Matt Fraction, Joe Quesada, Wil Wheaton, Brea Grant, Claudio Sanchez, Stoya, Andy Hurley, and a Warren Ellis Muppet.

Movie Review: Chris Claremont’s X-Men

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Chris Claremont came to Marvel as a young man, and was assigned a book that no one else wanted, a book on the brink of cancellation: X-Men. Over the next 17 years, his work on the title turned it into the biggest franchise in comic book history. Forty years later, his work has been adapted into ten films, three TV series, countless video games and has become a part of our cultural mythology. But, it all started with one writer and his commitment to emotionally honest storytelling and real character building.

Chris Claremont’s X-Men sees an extended version released this week, a documentary exploring the influential creator’s run and impact. Taking us from his childhood to his exit from the X-Men, the film is an interesting exploration that provides a lot of insight into the creator’s run and why it was both successful and such a big deal.

Featuring interviews with Clarmont, Ann Nocenti, Louise Simonson, and more, secrets are revealed into what went on behind the scenes, both good and bad. The documentary also features interviews with the likes of Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, and hard-core fans who share about the impact on them and dish on some of what went on towards the end.

But, what’s interesting is director Patrick Meaney‘s narrative which feels like it organically came out of the interviews. We see how Claremont saved these characters and drove them to stardom but how that success eventually drove Claremont off of the titles as well. Success brought the need for greater commercial reach which then drove the narrative creating a cycle that feels like it’s plagued comics today in many ways.

And, there’s an honesty about it all. Claremont, Nocenti, and Simonson don’t hold back discussing the good and the bad. Their time on the screen feels like friends together reminiscing about this amazing thing they’ve done. Through their recounting of history, we also get to see how much of modern comics spun out of this series in multiple ways, from talent working today to those behind the scenes. That’s in addition to the world of the X-Men coming to the big and small screen in multiple ways.

Claremont helped launch all of that.

The documentary is low-fi. There’s no fancy graphics or transitions and the shots are pretty basic in production but there’s something charming about that. It’s raw in many ways. There’s use of cosplayers (and unfortunately one of those cosplayers has been accused of horrible things) for transitions which brings down the product a little, but overall, you’re watching this for the history not the production value.

The documentary is fantastic taking the viewer into the important history of the X-Men and Chris Claremont’s hand in all of it. It captures the history, both good and bad, presenting it all without commentary from the director, instead this is history in the own words of people who lived it and were there.

Overall Rating: 8.0

Chris Claremont’s X-Men Trailer

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Chris Claremont came to Marvel as a young man, and was assigned a book that no one else wanted, a book on the brink of cancellation: X-Men. Over the next 17 years, his work on the title turned it into the biggest franchise in comic book history. Forty years later, his work has been adapted into ten films, three TV series, countless video games and has become a part of our cultural mythology. But, it all started with one writer and his commitment to emotionally honest storytelling and real character building.

This extended version of the documentary provides an expanded story with more background on Claremont and his two original collaborators, Ann Nocenti and Louise Simonson, revealing secrets into what made them a great team. Viewers will also gain insight into Claremont’s childhood and see what helped make the connection between him and the series outsider heroes. There is also a look at the franchises’ films and TV shows, including Claremont’s key role in launching X-Men and his thoughts on seeing his creations come to life, from the first X-Men film to the recent “Legions” TV series and the upcoming NEW MUTANTS film.

With over 40 minutes of new footage, the VOD also contains never-seen-before interviews with Rob Liefled (Deadpool creator), Marc Silvestri (artist) and hard-core fans who share the impact both Claremont and the comics have made on them.

The feature documentary is directed, produced, and edited by Patrick Meaney. Jordan Rennert produces and is the Director of Photography. CHRIS CLAREMONT’S X-MEN is distributed by XLrator Media.

Movie Review: The Image Revolution

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the-image-revolution-largeTwenty-five years ago, seven superstar artists left Marvel Comics to create their own company, Image Comics, a company that continues to influence mainstream comics and pop culture to this day.

Today marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Image Comics, a comic publishing company that has left its mark on the comic book world. Directed by Patrick Meaney and released by Respect Films, The Image Revolution is a documentary that examines the founding of the publisher.

In 1992 Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino, and Rob Liefeld quit working for the big two publishers forging their own path an independent publishing company that has undoubtedly shaped comics after, for good and bad.

There’s a lot that’s good about the documentary itself. It gives a warts and all accounting of why this mattered and what happened over the years. It doesn’t go too much in depth, mostly relying on interviews and first-hand accounts of the situations and history. With that, there isn’t much pushback and evidence presented as a true accounting of what happened, it’s what these big comic personalities say is history.

Interspersed with interviews of the founders is others talking about their time within the studio and excess that went with being on top of the world. And that’s where the documentary really shines. It presents a lot of negative and a lot of the folks presented do not come off well, like at all. Egos abound with an almost bragging aspect to it, humility is not on display here. All it missed was scenes of individuals doing lines of coke and dollar bills flying around. That’s the type of excess is presented and talked about.

But beyond the excess, the personalities of the founders, and the clashes that caused, are on full display. It’s amazing this group got done what they did after seeing this documentary and you get some might feel the same way. It also does a solid job of taking us through the comic industry of the time, giving viewers just enough information to understand why what’s going on is important.

There’s some bad about the documentary, though it’s a fascinating watch. There isn’t much push back on stories or some of the juicier things that are out there. These individuals control what they want out there, clearly, and the documentary team seem to be ok with that. Lessons learned also aren’t present. Mistakes are admitted, but there’s no real reflection upon all of that. So, it’s an oral history that’s just not too deep and presents some of the facts, not much more.One of the biggest issues is the documentary itself

One of the biggest issues is the documentary’s presentation itself. It relies a lot on archive video from the time and that quality is just not good. Even the filmed interviews for the documentary feel like they’re low budget and compared to other documentaries, it just doesn’t compare, there’s much higher quality out there.

For those that want the basics, this is a solid view. For those that are looking for a bit more, you’ll be disappointed. Basically, if you’re looking to learn the history of Image Comics, this is a good start, but should not be your only stop.

You can watch The Image Revolution now on Amazon Prime.

Overall Rating: 7.4

Movie Review: Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously

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Neil Gaiman Dream DangerouslyNeil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously offers viewers a fly-on-the-wall look at Neil Gaiman on the road, interacting with fans and experiencing the struggles and joys of being an acclaimed public speaker and in-demand personality. One of the best “comic” events I went to in recent years was watching Gaiman at his Washington, DC stop on this tour and listening to him wax poetically about his career, life, and philosophy. His personality is magnetic and if you ever get a chance to see him speak in person, jump at it.

The film delves deeply into Neil’s writing process, exploring the childhood origins of his love of mythology, up to his struggles to keep his writing fresh after 25 years of successful storytelling. It’s a fascinating exploration and peak behind the curtain of a man who is one of the few rockstar writers in the world. Having crossed over from prose to comics, back and forth, again and again, Gaiman gives a very honest look at a person who enjoys writing but recognizes the role his fans play in it all. It’s apparent through his interactions, and his musings, this is a creator who appreciates the fandom that has arisen around him, but at the same time is still uncomfortable with it all, because it’s not what he his, which is a writer first and foremost.

The film includes unique interviews with Amanda Palmer, George RR Martin, Grant Morrison, Bill Hader, Michael Sheen, Kirsten Vangsness, Lenny Henry, Will Wheaton and many more key figures in Neil’s creative and personal life. Each brings a unique perspective due to their personal knowledge of the man, or their own experiences being touched by his writing.

The movie is about a fantasy writer who is in a way living in a fantasy world of his own creation. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t live in reality. As the movie shows, he is living a life that many of us would dream about. He gets to daydream and create stories about those dreams, and by doing so is adored across the world. And by evidenced by the film, adored is an understatement as individuals gush and melt when meeting him. He is very much creating his own reality and that in a way is touched upon as Gaiman discusses his career and the choices he’s made to get in the position he now finds himself. It’s a story about a writer as well as the underlying philosophy that has driven his life and touched upon everything from job choices to fatherhood.

It’s an interesting look at Gaiman, and one that is as much about him as it is his fans around him. This is a documentary on tour as he crisscrosses nations showing the wear and tear such touring he has on him as he longs to sit down and do what he loves which is write.

And I think that’s what’s fascinating about the film. By doing such a tour he can’t write. But, by writing, he can’t tour. There seems to be a lack of balance between the two, and it’s clear everyone he surrounds himself with recognizes that. By giving back to fans, he in a way is holding back more that the fans can enjoy.

Dream Dangerously is a fascinating documentary and one I’d recommend not just for fans of Gaiman, but also those interested in the writing process.

Overall Rating: 8.45

Respect! Films provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously Trailer

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Respect! Films has announce that their new film, Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously is going to be released on July 8th through Vimeo on Demand. You can check out a trailer for the film and pre-order now.

Dream Dangerously offers viewers a fly-on-the-wall look at Neil on the road, interacting with fans and experiencing the struggles and joys of being an acclaimed public speaker and in-demand personality. At the same time, the film delves deeply into Neil’s writing process, exploring the childhood origins of his love of mythology, up to his struggles to keep his writing fresh after 25 years of successful storytelling.

The film includes unique interviews with Amanda Palmer, George RR Martin, Grant Morrison, Bill Hader, Michael Sheen, Kirsten Vangsness, Lenny Henry, Will Wheaton and many more key figures in Neil’s creative and personal life. Ultimately this is a portrait of one of our most beloved fantasy writers that shows the way that fantasy can be a mirror for the world around us, and for the writer himself.

Sequart’s Image Comics Documentary Released Through Shout! Factory

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Image Revolution Shout FactorySequart Organization and Respect Films have announced that Shout! Factory has picked up their documentary, The Image Revolution, for distribution!

The Image Revolution examines one of the most important and daring moves in comic book history. In 1992, a group of top-tier artists left Marvel Comics to create their own company… a company that continues to influence mainstream comics and culture to this day. Image Comics was more than just a publisher, it was a response to years of creator mistreatment, and it changed comics forever.

The Image Revolution tells the story of Image Comics, from its founders’ work at Marvel, through Image’s early days, the ups and downs of the ’90s, and the publisher’s new generation of properties like The Walking Dead. It’s the amazing account of a dynamic group of upstart comics entrepreneurs battling against not only major companies, but sometimes each other.

You can order your copy today.