The Watchmen “Tales of the Black Freighter” came out on DVD and Blu-ray yesterday. Check out a trailer on the Comic Book Resources site.

After a much heralded opening, Watchmen is receiving mixed reviews. Don’t get me wrong, in just one week it’s already raked in over $55m and has a respectable 65% rating on RottenTomatoes.com. But it’s just not getting the rave reviews I’d expected.

Although the reviews obviously vary, the general consensus seems to be that it follows the graphic novel very closely (too closely according to some). And, while visually stunning, it just isn’t a very pleasant movie to watch (brutal violence, bleak storyline, and perhaps a few too many frontal views of the blue, naked Dr. Manhattan).

I have to admit, the early reviews scared me off, and I didn’t end up going to see it last weekend as planned. I might just sit this one out and wait for the DVD release. Have you been to see Watchmen yet? If so, what did you think?

Have a great weekend!

Mary

P.S. Click here for a fun /Filmcast review with Kevin Smith (who, incidentally, loved the movie).

Based on DC Comics’ twelve-issue series by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins, the Watchmen is set for release this Friday. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VLA0tg5yI0

“Music gives a soul to the [DC] Universe” –Plato

The background beats for the highly-anticipated Watchmen film (March 2009) are now available for an online look-see.

In tween-related news, the suspiciously emo band My Chemical Romance has covered Bob Dylan’s Desolation Row exclusively for the movie. And who’s the lead singer of Your Enzymatic Love Affair? The Umbrella Academy‘s gothic dreamboat creator, Gerard Way.

The soundtrack:

1. Desolation Row – My Chemical Romance
2. Unforgettable – Nat King Cole
3. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
4. The Sound Of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
5. Me & Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
6. I’m Your Boogie Man – KC & The Sunshine Band
7. You’re My Thrill – Billie Holiday
8. Pruit Igoe & Prophecies – The Philip Glass Ensemble
9. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen
10. All Along The Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
11. Ride of the Valkyries – Budapest Symphony Orchestra
12. Pirate Jenny – Nina Simone*

* – used in the end credits of the “Tales From The Black Freighter” DVD.

The score:

1. Rescue Mission
2. Don’t Get Too Misty Eyed
3. Tonight The Comedian Died
4. Silk Spectre
5. We’ll Live Longer
6. You Quit!
7. Only Two Names Remain
8. The American Dream
9. Edward Blake – The Comedian
10. The Last Laugh
11. Prison Fight
12. Just Look Around You
13. Dan’s Apocalyptic Dream
14. Who Murdered Hollis Mason?
15. What About Janie Slater?
16. I’ll Tell You About Rorschach
17. Countdown
18. It Was Me
19. All That Is Good
20. Requiem (Excerpted from Mozart’s Requiem)
21. I Love You Mom

Gerard Way's head shot for the Twilight sequel.