Apr 21 2009 Ice-T is a Cool Mule

In the interest of bringing forward every athletic, self-aware animal film that comes to my attention, here's the trailer for Tommy and the Cool Mule, starring Kevin Sorbo as the clichéd heavy-who-wants-to-buy-the-family-house-to-build-a-golf-course and Ice-T as Jackie A., the cool (stereotype-reinforcing, Mr. T-impersonating, farting) mule. It's a must see. Talking mules are always a cinematic goldmine.

Now that I assume you've familiarized yourself with the material, I just want to touch on a few moments:

- First off, who is this lady to attack the looks of Kevin Sorbo? If she knew he was over 50, and that he was Hercules, I bet she'd be really impressed.

- I love when the the narrator explains that Jackie A. is "hip," as illustrated by the shot of the mule slowly walking outdoors. Playing record scratching over an animal giving a boy a gentle ride does not suddenly make the activity hip. (Granted, the next shot, with the mule in the off-kilter cap and gold chain, makes him seem pretty hip.)

- I genuinely can't wait to find out why Jackie A. is momentarily wearing glasses and a fake beard. I'll accept the idea of a talking mule--between random genetic mutations and witchcraft, it could happen--but where is he getting all these costumes?

- Did you notice when the kid gets hit in the head with a board, and colorful sparkles appear? Is that a cartoon-like daze or magic? I'm not sure which would be more logical in a talking mule picture.

Otherwise, it looks pretty solid.

Jul 23 2008 Berg Directing 'Hercules'; Sorbo Waiting for Call

Hancock director Peter Berg has plans to produce and direct a film based on Hercules: The Thracian Wars, a comic from the same company that just sold their thunder-shooting gun comic to John Woo. From Variety:

Berg will produce and will develop to direct "Hercules: The Thracian Wars," a co-production of Spyglass Entertainment, Berg’s Film 44 and Radical Pictures. Spyglass and Universal will co-finance the film.

Ryan Condal will write the script, based on a five-issue comicbook series by Steve Moore that debuted in May through Radical Publishing.

Is anyone else thinking who I'm thinking for the lead? Perhaps the only human who could ever truly portray Hercules? Yes, that's who I mean. At 50 years old, Kevin Sorbo is still the clear choice for the starring role. Below the cut, five reasons this is true, culled entirely from his IMDB biography.

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