A debate online since Star Wars: The Last Jedi was revealed as Episode VIII‘s official title has been revolving around if the title is refering to one Jedi, as in Luke, or multiple, as in Luke and Rey.
Now, according to the Star Wars Twitter accounts from France, Germany, Spain, and Brazil, we know the title is referencing multiple Jedi.
The first word uttered in Logan – after some background chatter – is “f**k.”
With that one word, audiences know exactly what they’re getting into. They’re getting into a superhero film that’s unlike anything they’ve seen before. A superhero film that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Logan utilizes its R rating far better than Deadpool, and it does the gritty, deep story angle better than Batman v Superman (and that’s true even if you loved that film).
As a standalone film, Logan is near flawless across the board. The story has true depth and pathos, and actually evokes something in its audience instead of being for pure entertainment. James Mangold’s direction pushes a neo-Western vibe and it fits perfectly. Logan is finally the “cowboy” that fans know him to be. And finally, the performances are almost all outstanding. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart give maybe their best performances as Logan and Professor X respectively, and franchise newcomers like Stephen Merchant and Boyd Holbrook somehow match that bar of excellence. However, Dafne Keen steals the show as Laura/X-23. Child actors are under enough scrutiny to start with, but to have a role with such little dialogue and still knock it out of the park is first class.
So film fans will love Logan, hands down. But how will comic book fans feel? Does the movie live up to its source material? Does it stay true to the stories that many have grown up reading? The short answer is “yes and no…but mostly yes.”
This movie is not Old Man Logan. In fact, it’s no Wolverine story that’s been seen in the comics before (at least that I know of). That being said, it’s still extremely loyal to its source material. Maybe not in terms of plot, but in things that matter, like character and theme. Everything that fans love about Wolverine, and about X-23 for that matter, is present in Logan. (Although the story does take a small liberty with Laura that’s ultimately negligible and doesn’t really effect who she is inside).
Logan’s tortured existence, his guilt, and his feelings of unworthiness make up the bedrock of the film. He’s no hero, at least not in his own mind. He’s a weapon, and not even by choice. He is what “they” made him to be, and he struggles with that thought on a daily basis, just as he does in the comics. And the script doesn’t just scratch the surface like previous X-Men movies have done; it goes deep and really explores Logan’s inner demons.
The Bottom Line:
When you look at lists ranking the “Best Comic Book Movies of All Time” from now on, Logan will be on most of them. It’s the superhero movie that fans have been clamoring for, and not just in terms of depth and storytelling, but also in loyalty to its characters.
In celebration of the return of Samurai Jack to television it’s time to look back at to the previous seasons of the acclaimed show. Each week leading up to the premiere on March 11th, Monkeys Fighting Robots will drop a season by season review. First up the season which started it all and introduced us to the legendary samurai warrior and his eternal nemesis known as Aku.
Story
The series was originally aired with the first three episodes combined into one mini movie. It showcases Jack’s long road from being a boy who peacefully lived when it was stolen away by the reappearance of the shape-shifting warrior known as a coup. Having plans in place for such an event those who are loyal to Jack’s family and begin a long process of training him to become the warrior who will be able to defeat Aku. When is finally ready and proceeded to face off at the end of the very first episode things unfortunately did not go the way of the Samurai.
Instead Aku sends Jack into the future one where a Aku has become the law of the entire world and even opened the Earth up to aliens and all manner of different technology and magical beings. On top of helping to get to introduce the character, his goals and objects, the audience is also treated to some very memorable episodes in the first season. It’s a bit too much to go by the every episode individually instead we will look at the three best to come out of each season.
The best three in the first season could easily go to mini movie which introduces the plot. Still there are three others who also deserve a bit of praise. The first is Jack and The Three Blind Archers which starts with a bang, shows the depths of Jack’s strategic mind, and finishes off with some nail biting action as Jack takes down three mystically empowered archers. Next up, Jack and the Scotsman, which introduces one of the few other recurring characters in the series, the machine gun legged Scotsman. Watching these two interact is nothing short of hilarity. Finally, Jack and The Lava Monster, where Jack finds himself facing off against an unstoppable monster but soon finds there is more to the creature than meets the eye.
Art
Despite being over 15 years old, the show’s animation has aged very well. A testament to the hand drawn animation style and the detail work which went into it. The style finds a way to convey intense action and violence without padding the impact. This is achieved by having the majority of Jacks enemies be robots which are perfectly acceptable for him to destroy without upsetting the censors.
Music
The music for this series is still memorable to this day. The main theme was created by Will Adams (who most people will know more as Will.i.am) and his fellow Black Eyed Peas member George Pajo Jr. Despite the repetition of the opening song and closing song you never get tired of hearing it.
Meanwhile the background music was created by James L. Viable, known for creating music for a lot of Cartoon Network series such Powerpuff girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. He finds different ways to put in very moving and emotional instrumental themes through the different episodes. The music helps to compliment the scenes and helps to elevate the rush of action.
Conclusion
Creator Genndy Tartakovsky crafted a series brimming with action and a few bits of references to pop culture here and there which is still praised by fans today. This series is fantastic and stands up the test of time. At least for the first season. Tune in next week and see if the second season was just as good.
What are some of your favorite memories from Samurai Jack season one? Leave a comment below and let us know.
During a press set visit, Chris Pratt was asked about how the Infinity Stone impacted Star-Lord in the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie.
“It plays a certain role. His interaction with the Infinity Stone in the first movie becomes – there’s a thread there that gets pulled in the second movie, like you get to know a little bit more. But yeah, that wasn’t an unimportant aspect of who he is.”
What could the “thread” he’s talking about be? Do you think Star-Lord’s ability to grab the stone will have a big impact in this summer’s sequel? Comment below!
“Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.”
Guardians Vol. 2 stars Chris Pratt as Star-Lord/Peter Quill, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, Michael Rooker as Yondu, Kurt Russel as Ego The Living Planet, Karen Gillian as Nebula, Dave Bautista as Drax, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, and Sylvester Stallone in a currently unknown role. The film is directed by James Gunn.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5.
It seems as if Terrence Malick has been working on Song to Song, his new drama starring Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender, for the past half decade.
Pictures of the trio popped up in Austin several years ago, maybe somewhere around the time Malick released the lackluster To The Wonder. Since then he’s released the (also lackluster) Knight of Cups. But Song to Song looks like it might have something. Check out the trailer:
There’s no synopsis for this, other than “Two intersecting love triangles. Obsession and betrayal set against the music scene in Austin, Texas.” And there probably won’t be much more than that, this is Terry Malick we’re talking about. But id does have a pretty terrific poster to accompany this trailer:
It’s promising to see that Song to Song may actually have a narrative in place. There is a story in this trailer which seems clear cut and easy to follow, a step back from the edge for Malick. His last few films, since he toyed with obtuse storytelling in Tree of Life – which was truly special – have sort of drifted into self parody with their loose camera shots and mumbling actors. People look lost in those movies, not emotional wrought.
I also love the inclusion of Del Shannon’s “Runaway” as the overarching theme. Count me in.
Jones voiced the beloved character in the original 1994 animated classic.
Glover will also portray a young Lando Calrissian in the Han Solo anthology film. Last December, Jones reprised his role as Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Most recently, Favreau brought The Jungle Book to life last year. The director plans to use the same technology for The Lion King.
The adaptation will feature songs from the original, including “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.”
Jeff Nathanson is writing the script.
The Lion King joins other live-action retellings such as Cinderella, Maleficent and Alice in Wonderland.
Disney’s upcoming Beauty and the Beast remake hits theaters March 17.
Ok, this has to be the most exciting TV news I have seen in a while. A just-released trailer from Hulu and Bad Robot teases a new show that takes place in Castle Rock, the small town where many of Stephen King’s television, cinematic, and literary horrors have taken place. The Dead Zone, ‘Salem’s Lot, IT, Cujo, Needful Things, The Dark Half, and The Body (Stand by Me) are just a few of the stories that take place in and around the town. Check out the trailer:
The master of horror has already tied his works together through his magnum opus The Dark Tower, but using the town of Castle Rock just opens up so many possibilities. JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot and Hulu already had one previous Stephen King adaptation become a hit with 11.22.63, so honestly, this is actually a no-brainer.
Are you guys as excited as I am for this? Comment below and share your thoughts!
Reeves, who directed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, was set to replace Affleck.
In January, the actor decided he didn’t want to direct and star in the film. Affleck has been working on a script with DC Films executive Geoff Johns.
Reeves is currently in post production on War for the Planet of the Apes for 20th Century Fox.
Prior to Reeves, Warner Bros. was reportedly considering Ridley Scott and Fede Alvarez to direct.
The report notes that talks with Reeves could resume once “heads cool.”
Other DC/Warner Bros. movie projects have undergone director changes.
Michelle MacLaren was attached to Wonder Woman before exiting over creative difference. Warner Bros. later hired Patty Jenkins. The Flash standalone movie went through Seth Grahame-Smith and Dope director Rick Famuyiwa, who exited because of creative differences.
So what do you think? Who should Warner Bros. get to direct The Batman?
Let us know in the comments section.
Ben Affleck and Geoff Johns co-wrote The Batman. Affleck and Johns are both producing.
The film stars Affleck as Brue Wayne/Batman, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon, Joe Manganiello as Slade Wilson, Deathstroke, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth.
Sadly, Steve doesn’t get as many answers as he had hoped. Instead, the audience gets a full serving of emotion. It becomes a very somber episode as Steven finally takes the time to let out the anger which was building up inside of him.
After Steven watches Connie worry when her mom isn’t on time to pick her up, Steven can no longer distract himself from wanting answers to the big questions. He heads into his room in the Temple and it allows him to create a version of his mom. After a few cute moments and a blatant Charlie Brown joke, Steven is given the brutal reminder the room just shows him what he wants and doesn’t have the power to allow him to interact with his real mother.
It’s here the episode takes the leap and goes into the mature territory which has made it such an acclaimed series. Steven lets out his anger, questions his mom’s actions, and even questions his own birth and if he was a mistake. The episode goes as deep as it ever has and leaves a sting of drama which may resonate with members of the audience who have ever had their own issues with a parent. It’s not a light watch but sometimes the best moments of Steven Universe are when they tap into deep emotion and don’t let up.
The episode takes the time to does with some of the issues Steven has with his mother but still doesn’t let him know why she did some of the things in her past. Still, he’s rewarded for his troubles with a pizza and a reminder he does have a family who cares for him deeply. All things considered, he had a pretty good day and so did the audience after what they just saw.
Coming out of the shadows like an Old One itself is the trailer for The Void, the latest release from Canadian production company Astron-6, known for producing low-budget, 80’s-influenced, independent movies that often brilliantly combine comedy and horror. Just check out their website and you will see what I mean.
Judging from this trailer, though, this one seems more on the pure cosmic terror side. Check out the creepy and gory teaser below and tell us what you think in the comments.
The Void comes from the minds of Jeremy Gillespie and Steven Kostanski (Father’s Day, Manborg), and received positive reactions at the last Fantastic Fest.
The film is scheduled to be released in select cinemas on March 31, 2017, and DVD and Digital HD on April 24, 2017.
