Charlize Theron continues her mid-career action renaissance, playing a Cold-War killer in the upcoming Atomic Blonde. And we have the first images of Theron in action, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.
Check them out:
There’s also this awesome poster, in case you missed it…
A high-stakes, global action-thriller that takes place in the city of Berlin, on the eve of the Wall’s collapse and the shifting of superpower alliances. Charlize Theron (“Mad Max: Fury Road”) portrays Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy for MI6, who is dispatched to Berlin to take down a ruthless espionage ring that has just killed an undercover agent for reasons unknown. She is ordered to cooperate with Berlin station chief David Percival (James McAvoy of “X-Men”), and the two form an uneasy alliance, unleashing their full arsenal of skills in pursuing a threat that jeopardizes the West’s entire intelligence operation.
And yes, that’s James McAvoy in the one image. It should be a great duo.
It’s a lot of fun seeing Charlize Theron transform into this badass female action icon these last couple of years. Aside from Atomic Blonde, you will see her as the key villain in The Fate of The Furious next month.
Let’s begin by saying this about Red Hood and The Outlaws: this series is still a tough sell for me. I said I’d give this another go though and I’m a man of my word. In my review of #7, I saw the potential of this series but it didn’t get me to love it. This issue marks the start of the ‘Who is Artemis’ storyline, so we’ll see how this goes. One of my problems with the last issue was not getting to know Artemis more in the context of the team, so this is perfect. Now here is where this gets fun. Will this story be the one to hook me? I’m game to see just what Red Hood and The Outlaws #8 has in store. On with the adventure as I begin my journey to see if I dig this series after all.
Red Hood and The Outlaws #8, I’m open to you being awesome, so please be awesome.
A lot of why I’m having a rough time with Red Hood is the fact that I am hit or miss with Scott Lobdell. I will say though, this issue does a lot in selling me on this series. For as much as I am a big fan of Bizarro, Artemis and her story hooked me. Lobdell writes a compelling backstory for her and it works overall. Even better as we learn more about Artemis, I learn more about how this series works and now I’m getting why people dig this. All it took was one page of a bartender explaining what has happened so far and I’m good to go. It’s a strong set up for a storyline and it gives me a reason to want to see what happens from here.
I’m also digging the oddball friendship that Jason Todd and Artemis have. The Bizarro one worked somewhat for me in the last issue, but Artemis and Jason play off each other well. Lobdell has that extra sparkle to his dialogue in how these two characters interact. There’s also one enjoyable bit of Jason Todd explaining his best friend from childhood that I liked too. It’s one part sad and funny all at the same time. Wow this really is working for me better than the last issue. I love that this is leading to a massive quest and it sounds like it should be a lot of fun.
There’s one other element of the book that also veers me in digging this as much as I do – Kenneth Rocafort.
I’ll add this in here, it helps that I am a fan of Kenneth Rocafort. I never could get into his work with Red Hood during the New 52; call it story disconnect. This time around however, I dig what Rocafort is doing here. The barfight that Red Hood and Artemis get into is an absolute blast to read. They’re looking for someone in the bar and hey that’s a good excuse for a cool bar fight and a beautifully illustrated one at that. Lobdell’s dialogue in the fight matches the fun so between the art and the dialogue, it fires on all cylinders. The shattering glass style layout accentuates the energy behind the battle so I like that a lot.
Call this a bonus part of the adventure as I wax on about some other aspects of the comic I liked.
It’s a well written comic overall, mostly in the aspect of it is a lot of fun. The same goes for Rocafort’s art; it does wonders for this comic in keeping you constantly engaged in the book. I do want to make notice of Dan Brown’s coloring with Rocafort’s art, the shattering glass coloring especially. It has a cool reflection effect to it with a cool faded look that gels the bar fight together beautifully. In turn that is what sets up some great looking work in the flashback sequences for Artemis. There is one especially amazing looking battle at one point that’s filled with fire and fury, the colors reflecting that intensity. As much as Rocafort’s art is strong as all get out, Dan Brown’s coloring adds such a wonderful element to it.
It’s interesting; with the last issue I could find bits I liked and in equal measure disliked too. This one is a different subject. I like what I see here. I will say that Jason Todd is still not fully fleshed out in his role here, for me that is. Jason Todd is growing on me and Lobdell does work his butt off in getting you to like him. Artemis on the other hand connected to me quickly. I like her. I’m still amazed that I’m going to be diving more into the world of Red Hood and The Outlaws but here we are. I’m as surprised as anyone else.
Now I’m glad I did this follow-up piece. It was well worth my time to give this comic another go.
Now this is the issue I would say to try out if you’re new to the series. It’s a much easier introduction to this world. I will say this has the making of a good story and it’ll be fun to see where it goes from here. If you’ve been curious about Red Hood and The Outlaws, this issue is for you. I’m happy I gave this another chance as this was a lot of fun. Now I can see why people dig this series and that my friends makes me happy.
If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Hugh Jackman has had a legendary career as Wolverine. Starting in 2000’s X-Men, the actor gave his emotional farewell performance in the recent Logan.
With audiences responding so well to the film and character, it’s no surprise that fans want to know who’s next in line to portray the character. On the topic, Deadline recently spoke to producer Simon Kinberg, and here’s what he had to say.
We haven’t even thought of the next iteration of Wolverine. For all of us, we were keeping our fingers crossed that the audiences would respond to ‘Logan’ the way they have. I can’t visualize in my head another Wolverine, but — if that day ever comes — we would talk to Hugh [Jackman] about it.”
Should Jackman get a say in who plays the next Wolverine? Comment your thoughts below.
Plot synopsis: “In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.” Logan stars Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/ Logan, Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Dafnee Keen as Laura Kinney/X-23, Boyd Holbrook as Donald Pierce, Doris Morgado as Maria, Richard E. Grant as Dr. Zander Rice, Stephen Merchant as Caliban, Elizabeth Rodriguez as Gabriela, and others. You can see Jackman’s incredible final performance in Logan, which is in theaters now.
Coby Bell, known for his roles on Burn Notice and Third Watch, has joined the cast of the untitled X-Men television show.
He will be playing Jace Turner, who is “a weathered man who quietly wrestles with the moral ambiguities of a job that regularly requires cold-blooded, calculating efficiency on a day-to-day basis.”
“The Untitled Fox Marvel Project will focus on two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive. The series will be produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television, with 20th Century Fox handling physical production.”
The show will also feature Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker, Jamie Chung, Sean Teale, Blair Redford, Natalie Alyn Lind, Emma Dumont, and Percy Hynes White; Matt Nix is the showrunner.
What are your thoughts on Bell joining the cast? Comment below!
Mother Panic #4 “Broken Things Part 1”
Written by: Jody Houser
Art by: Shawn Crystal
Colors by: Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Mother Panic created by Gerard Way, Jody Houser and Tommy Lee Edwards
Socialite Violet Paige returns to Gotham City followed by a media frenzy. The heiress of a fortune left to her by a father who died by a suspicious accident, Violet is a social media star, gaining fans and critics alike. But she hasn’t just returned to Gotham to care for her sick mother. Like many of Gotham’s populace, Violet hides a secret life and secret abilities. And as she takes to the streets as the city’s newest vigilante, Mother Panic, she will not only embark on a personal quest, but dive into the world’s infamous underworld, and maybe even become part of Gotham’s most famous extended family of vigilantes.
Mother Panic #4 is the start of a new storyline. And although series writer Jody Houser is still onboard, there is a new art team for this arc in the form of Shawn Crystal and Jean-Francois Beaulieu. Seeing as this could be a fresh start for anyone to jump on this excellent title, I’m trying a different approach for the review. Here are eleven (eleven is my favorite number) things I loved about Mother Panic #4!
The continued use of the “art world” that gives this series a very original vibe. This is an artistic superhero book in more ways the one.
The way the art team of Crystal and Beaulieu draws Gotham City. (Those skys!)
Violet Page calling Batman a “jack boot thug” on a Gotham City nightly talk show (we need more of Violet Paige, the socialite).
Finally getting to see some of Mother Panic’s “Gather House” origins. Nightmarish and creepy!
The comics completely original and punk rock attitude.
Violet’s voice over narration, full of snark, attitude, and humor.
The design and effect of the world balloons when Violet speaks in the costume.
Seeing a new art team draw the incredibly designed Mother Panic suit.
The climactic fight in the arcade.
The possible new villain being set up on the last page.
The variant cover by Shawn Crystal (pictured below).
Don’t sleep on what is the most original addition to the Batman family of books in years. Mother Panic deserves to become part of Gotham’s mythos, and this issue is a perfect time to jump in and check it out.
Not much is known about Captain Marvel. Although we have confirmation that Brie Larson will be portraying the title character, it’s still unknown who the director will be. Now, although much uncertainty still resides, we’ve learned a bit more about the film.
According to My Entertainment World, Captain Marvel will begin filming in January 2018. When taking into account how long pre-production takes, it’s a given that we will get more information about the movie sooner rather than later.
Are you looking forward to Captain Marvel? Why or why not? Comment below!
The film is slated to hit theaters on March 8, 2019.
The 20th Anniversary Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer Is Here!
Round up your Scooby Gang and grab Mister Pointy because this week celebrates 20 years since ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer‘ premiered. Joss Whedon’s cult classic TV series is an important part of pop culture and a staple in television history.
During the seven seasons it ran, the viewers were taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions led by Buffy and her friends. Certain things were good, some were oh so bad, but it doesn’t take away from the impact.
Worst: Entire “Beer Bad” Episode
– Hating this episode is easy. It falls in the rather mediocre fourth season, it doesn’t advance the plot, and the entire story is pretty week. Most fans will agree that “Beer Bad” is an episode that is easily skipped during any re-watch. It’s a cheap attempt at trying re-capture the magic of an earlier episode called “Band Candy”.
Best: Entire “The Body” Episode
– It’s hard to pick just one amazing episode from ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ but “The Body” is one of the most powerful in TV history. There’s so many memorable moments like the first Willow/Tara kiss, Anya’s speech, or where Buffy finds her mom. But the real standout moment for me is when Buffy and Tara share a very intimate conversation.
Worst: Season 7
– Season 4 almost made it as the worst but Season 7 takes the crown. The fourth season had iconic episodes like “Restless”, “Fear, Itself”, and “Hush”, so not even big bad Adam or boring Riley can bring it down. Season 7 redeemed itself near the end but it’s sad when the final season is really forgettable. Other than the finale, name one great season 7 episode?
Best: Season 2
– Picking the best season of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer‘ is trying to pick your favorite child. But looking at the fan’s opinion and my opinion, season 2 shines! Everything comes together and the second season shows why ‘Buffy‘ is an iconic show that stayed in the hearts of fans for twenty years. Also, the final showdown between Angel and Buffy is epic!
Worst: Willow As A Magic Junkie
– Willow being “addicted to magic” is not one of the show’s subtle metaphors. At first, seeing Willow dip deeper into the world of magic was interesting and then, things got scary. Sadly after scary, it all turned turned into melodrama. The sixth season is the darkest season and the magic/drug addiction saga is one of the really low points.
Best: Xander Saves The World
– Everyone knows Buffy saves the world but there’s one other person who’s solely defeated a major villain. During the Evil Willow arc, the only thing that could stop her turned out to be her best friend Xander. This was Joss Whedon’s way of saying that love, not superpowers, can save the world. Sometimes his metaphors aren’t so heavy-handed…
Worst: The Spike/Buffy Rape Scene
– Like the death of Joyce Summers, the show can take a darker subject and make it artful. The attempted rape of Buffy from Spike is not one of those moments. Sadly, this really ruined Spike’s character. It took awhile for fans to forget this heinous moment. The worst part? It’s the same episode that Willow’s lover Tara dies. Come on, season 6!
Best: “Walk Through the Fire” From The Musical Episode
– The musical episode called “Once More, With Feeling” is truly iconic. It’s easy to peg the entire episode as “the best” but I wanted to shine some light on the best song. “Walk Through The Fire” is sung by the cast in various parts, telling how all of them will fight separate but still come together. Such a typically beautiful Buffy motif!
Worst: The Introduction of Dawn
– Buffy’s little sister Dawn just randomly appeared in the fifth season. After four seasons of Buffy being an only child, she suddenly was given a sister. While it was later explained that Dawn was given to the Summers family so she can be protected from an evil God, it still felt abrasive. And to make it even crazier, Dawn stayed on the show till the end!
Best: Buffy’s Gift
– If the introduction of Dawn in season five did anything good, it led to the best moment in the entire show. Buffy fought the entire series to save her and her friends but in the fifth season finale, we find out to save everyone…Buffy has to give up her life. That’s her gift: Death. But it’s not a grim as you’d expect. Why couldn’t this be the show’s ending!?
Let me know what you think is the best & worst thing about Buffy in the comments!
Since Doctor Who‘s 2005 revival, the original Cybermen of the Classic Series have been extinct. Casualties of either the Time War, a merger with the new Cybermen from another dimension, or one final defeat at the hands of the Doctor, their variable countenance was replaced by the consistent look and feel of the “Human.2” Cybermen introduced in the second season two-parter “Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel.” But as the BBC announced yesterday, the Cybermen will revert to their original form during season ten of the New Series; a form that — as seen in the photo below — is quite primitive.
First appearing in the 1966 serial “The Tenth Planet,” the Cybermen were more human than machine, hailing from Earth’s twin planet Mondas. The First Doctor, played by William Hartnell, foiled their invasion plans and witnessed the destruction of their homeworld. Seemingly defeated, the Cybermen would return in ever evolving costumes to tangle with each of Hartnell’s successors except for Third Doctor Jon Pertwee. The actor would later say he was happy to never actor against them as their blank masks would give him nothing to work with.
Notably, the first Cybermen wore cloth masks and simply opened their mouths wide as an unseen voice actor provided their lines. Their fleshy hands were also exposed in the initial design, suggesting the conversion to machine limbs was not yet complete.
In their 2006 reintroduction, the Cybermen were a product of a company on an alternate Earth. Unlike the Mondasian Cybermen, the Human.2 version featured human brains inside metal casings; making them more Dalek than Cyber. Though the Doctor seemingly defeated them, they would soon cross the void between worlds and tussle with the Daleks for the first time.
But in their Mondasian form, the Cybermen will tangle with the Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi, new companion Pearl Mackie and the returning Matt Lucas during episodes 11 and 12 of the upcoming season, per the BBC press release. Michelle Gomez will also reprise her role as The Master.
Curiously, the press release refers to the original Cybermen as one of Capaldi’s favorite monsters. He has also said he loved the Zarbi from the Hartnell Era story “The Web Planet.” Is it possible Capaldi will get to visit with all his favorites before handing the TARDIS key to a new Doctor? What other creatures would you like to see again? Post in the comments below.
Apparently today’s the day for Flash/Supergirl crossover news. After this morning’s teaser clip, The CW also released photos from the upcoming episode, which include a first look at Darren Criss as the Music Meister. Entertainment Weekly shared the full gallery.
Criss-Crossover
Criss’ casting was announced back in January, to absolutely no one’s surprise. The Glee alum grabbed the attention of the public with his college passion project A Very Potter Musical. He has worked nearly non-stop ever since. Since graduating from the Warblers, Criss has performed on stage, on TV, and in film. He has done voice over work for several TV shows including Archer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He reunited with Glee creator Ryan Murphy as a guest star on American Horror Story.
According to the synopsis, the crossover episode takes place largely in the Flash universe, and will air during Flash‘s normal time slot. The Music Meister has placed Barry and Kara in a coma state, where they are trapped in an alternate reality based on a musical. New photos reveal that the musical takes on an old Hollywood aesthetic, and that more than just Kara and Barry will be affected. This is great news for fans of musical theatre, considering that both Jesse L. Martin and Jeremy Jordan have enjoyed illustrious careers on the stage.
Here we have the Flash team coming to “save” Kara from her coma.
6. Puttin’ on the Ritz
They don’t LOOK that upset…
5. The Gran(t) Finale
4. Can Luthors Dance?
Just a peek at Criss in costume…but what are they discussing?
3. No More Funny Business
2. And Finally…
What’s the Meister whispering in Winn’s ear?
1. Bonus Behind the Scenes Shot
Jeremy Jordan in his element.
“Duet” premieres Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 on the CW. The crossover episode was directed by Dermott Downs with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing. Based on DC comics characters, Flash stars Grant Gustin (Barry Allen), Candice Patton (Iris West), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow), Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon), Jesse L. Martin (Joe West), and Tom Cavanagh (Dr. Harry Wells). Supergirl stars Melissa Benoist (Kara Danvers), Jeremy Jordan (Winn Schott), Mehcad Brooks (Jimmy Olsen), Chyler Leigh (Alex Danvers), David Harewood (The Green Martian), Chris Wood (Mon-El), and Katie McGrath (Lena Luthor). Both shows air on the CW network.
FX has released a teaser trailer for the third season of its Fargo TV series. We get a first look at one of Ewan McGregor’s two roles (he is playing twins). We also see his co-stars, Carrie Coon and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
McGregor will be playing brothers Emmit and Ray Stussy. Ray, seen in the teaser, is an overweight parole officer who has issues with his more successful brother, who is known as the ‘Parking Lot King of Minnesota’. You can watch the clip below.
The third season of Fargo premieres on FX on April 19th.
The first two season’s of Fargo were pretty excellent, so I have no doubt this will be another hit for showrunner Noah Hawley(Legion), who has been one of the best producers on network TV lately.
What do you guys think? Comment and discuss below.
Mother Panic #4 “Broken Things Part 1”
Don’t sleep on what is the most original addition to the Batman family of books in years. Mother Panic deserves to become part of Gotham’s mythos, and this issue is a perfect time to jump in and check it out.
