Hop City Brewing Company: 8th Sin Black Lager – A Meticulous Review

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Superbowl LI came and went. And, though fans of teams long since eliminated didn’t get to watch their teams compete, The Patriots, the Falcons, and Lady Gaga put on a show. I watched the Superbowl with a Patriots fan who appreciated the team’s astonishing comeback. My Superbowl LI Sunday beer review is on Hop City Brewing Company‘s 8th Sin Black Lager.

From Brampton, Ontario, Hop City Brewing Company has won several awards in both the Ontario and Canada Brewing Awards. In fact, 8th Sin Black Lager won Gold in the Dark Lager category in the 2016 Ontario Brewing Awards, beating out Sidelaunch Dark Lager—a beer I recently reviewed. Now, it’s time to kick off my tasting.

Hop City Brewing Company: 8th Sin Black Lager – First Sip

8th Sin Black Lager pours an impenetrable dark brown with barely any foam. I taste chocolate as I take my first sip. Its relatively low carbonation level gives 8th Sin Black Lager a smooth mouthfeel that gives way to a semi-sweet aftertaste.

Hop City Brewing Company: 8th Sin Black Lager – Last Sip

Because of its malty taste, 8th Sin Black Lager is a great beer to enjoy with something salty, spicy, or savoury. And, if you’re at a Superbowl party, I’m sure there won’t be any shortage of these. I’ve started the night out with some lime and black pepper chips, and I’m finding their combination with 8th Sin a winning one. But with its sweet taste, this brew also goes well with chili and a long list of other dishes.

I recommend pouring 8th Sin into a pint glass before drinking. This brew has a great chocolatey smell that shouldn’t be missed. And, if you drink this brew directly from its 473-mL can, you’re likely to miss it. With a 5% ABV rating, this is a good beer to start your Superbowl or other any festivities off with.

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2’ Super Bowl Trailer Released

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Kieran McLean

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February 5, 2017

The Guardians are back and better than ever. An epic new trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 just dropped alongside this year’s Super Bowl and it’s everything you could ask for from the rag-tag team of misfits.

With just a few months until the film is released, this latest trailer gives us our best look yet at Marvel’s follow-up to With just a few months until the film is released, this latest trailer gives us our best look yet at Marvel’s follow up to Guardians of the Galaxy. We get to see each returning member of the team as well as a decent look at newbies like Mantis. Of course, we also get an awesome new track from the soundtrack and a look at James Gunn’s insane visuals.

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 of the Galaxy Vol.2 lands in theaters on May 5, 2017!

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Wonder Woman, Cyborg, And Aquaman Prepare For Battle In New ‘Justice League’ Image

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Kieran McLean

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February 5, 2017

GamesRadar (Total Film Magazine) recently published an article titled “The 24 best upcoming movies of 2017”, and offered a new look at Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The magazine revealed an awesome new image, showing Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) as they prepare for battle in the upcoming DC Comics movie.

Unlike previously released images, this gives us a better look at Jason Momoa’s Aquaman fighting alongside the League. It also looks a lot like the team will board an alien ship at one point in the movie, even possibly a Kryptonian ship. Did someone say, Superman?

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash—it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Directed by Zack Snyder, Justice League stars Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amber Heard, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, Amy Adams, Connie Nielson, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Jesse Eisenberg.

Justice League lands in theaters on November 16, 2017.

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5 Real-Life Celebrity Origin Stories Worthy of the Screen

By

Emma Nicholson

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February 5, 2017

In a cinema culture awash with sequels, reboots and franchise movies, another hugely popular trend, in both film and TV, is origin stories. The most recent example of this was premiered at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend. This summer, TNT will broadcast a new show called ‘Will’ which tells the “wild story” of a young William Shakespeare’s arrival onto “the punk rock theater scene in 16th Century London”, according to Entertainment Weekly. We’ve seen Bruce Wayne’s parents murdered and Peter Parker bitten by a radioactive spider on countless occasions, but it’s clearly not just superheroes who get the origin story treatment. Alongside Shakespeare, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Charlie Chaplin, and recently, Barack Obama, have all had their early lives rendered in film.

What makes the lives of all these superheroes and public figures so attractive for dramatization is a background of adversity or a life-changing event that influenced their future. Charlie Chaplin’s childhood in poverty, Stephen Hawking’s struggle with motor neurone disease, and Nelson Mandela’s experience of revolution and prejudice; the harrowing tale of Wolverine’s early trauma, Dr Strange’s career-ending car-wreck, and Tony Stark’s life-threatening injury are all defining moments in the lives of the superheroes we know and love. The moments that took our heroes, real and fictional, from ordinary to extraordinary.

So, what other real-world icons have lived lives worthy of the big screen? The list is endless and it’s incredibly difficult to narrow it down, but here are five celebrities with extraordinary lives who deserve their own origin story.

1Stan Lee

Any self-respecting follower of popular culture will know the name Stan Lee. We have this man to thank for almost everything that defines Hollywood today. Quite why his life hasn’t yet been gifted to the screen is frankly a mystery.

Born Stanley Martin Lieber in New York in 1922, he and his family experienced financial difficulties during and after the Depression, forcing them to live in a one-bedroom apartment and Stan to balance his schooling and reading with any employment he could get. He was hired by Timely Comics as a teenager and soon graduated from menial tasks to a more creative role as interim editor. He returned to the company, now Atlas Comics, after a short stint in the military and in the late 1950s, his publisher asked him and colleague Jack Kirby to create a new superhero team to compete with DC Comics. Then came the birth of many of the most famous superheroes ever created, including the ‘X-Men’, ‘Hulk’, ‘Iron Man’, ‘Thor’, ‘Spider Man’, ‘Doctor Strange’, etc. By 1975, Lee had become the public face of Marvel Comics, a position he inhabits to this day.

Perhaps one of the most influential contributors to popular culture of his generation, Stan Lee is a character with huge charisma and creative drive who continues to be heavily involved in the exploits of his creations even as he approaches 100 years of age. Acting, writing, producing, his energy is incredible and his story inspiring.

So there we have it, a short list of just a few of the celebrities whose lives have been so dramatic and influential that they are more than worthy of the screen, big or small.

Which other public figures do you think should have their lives dramatized for film or TV? Let us know in the comments.

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‘Flash’-‘Supergirl’ Musical- First Photos! Music Meister On Set

By

Devon Kenney

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February 5, 2017

Musicals and Superheroes? ‘Supergirl’ and ‘The Flash’ take on musical episode!

The CW can handle the crossover episodes like a champ, and we are lucky enough to get another one! This time, it’s a musical. The two-part crossover will feature Supergirl, Flash, and both of their teams going up against none other than Music Meister. His first appearance was in the animated Batman series, ‘The Brave and the Bold’, voiced by Neil Patrick Harris. The Music Meister will be giving the heroes a reason to be all of a sudden breaking out in song and dance.

This time, we get Darren Criss of ‘Glee’ to croon us with the songs of the Meister. We have had a couple musical surprises on the shows, seeing a very drunk Caitlin Snow and Barry sing Summer Nights from ‘Grease’, or when we got to see Earth 2 Joe as a lounge singer. The thoughts of a musical, we never gave a second thought to, until now.

Filming has just wrapped, and even though we must wait until March 20th for the airing, photos are popping up over on the Instagram.

Iris West.#theflashseason3 #crossover

A post shared by David Harewood (@davidharewood) on Feb 3, 2017 at 12:14am PST

All play and no work. @christophrwood @grantgust @davidharewood #martianmanhunter #theflash #monEl

A post shared by David Harewood (@davidharewood) on Feb 3, 2017 at 9:13am PST

The last time I worked with this dude, HE was the bad guy singing at ME. Oh how the tables have turned , @grantgust . Talk about a #tbt @cwtheflash

A post shared by Darren Criss (@darrencriss) on Feb 2, 2017 at 3:56pm PST

Until then, we have the synopsis for this weeks episode, airing on February 7th.

THE TOUCH OF DEATH – Barry (Grant Gustin) and the team at S.T.A.R. Labs work together to bring down Clive Yorkin (guest star Matthew Kevin Anderson), a criminal meta-human who is methodically killing people by causing them to decompose at an accelerated rate. Joe (Jesse L. Martin) becomes his next target but it’s Iris (Candice Patton) who is caught in the crossfire. The Flash mentors Kid Flash (Keiynan Lonsdale) and begins to elevate the newer speedster’s training to another level.

‘Supergirl’ airs on Monday nights at 8/7c, and ‘The Flash’ airs Tuesday nights at 8/7c on The CW.

Keep a lookout for the musical crossover event, starting with ‘Supergirl’ on March 20 at 8/7c.

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‘Transformers: The Last Knight’ Extended Super Bowl TV Spot Released

By

Aric Sweeny

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February 5, 2017

Yesterday, we posted the shorter TV spot for Transformers: The Last Knight. Now, we have the extended Super Bowl spot, which has quite a bit of new footage. Watch it below.

Are you looking forward to Michael Bay’s final installment in the controversial Transformers franchise? Let us know in the comments section below.

“The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock).

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when we are called upon to make a difference. In Transformers: The Last Knight, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours.”

The Last Knight hits theaters on June 23.

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Watch Donald Trump Kill Lady Liberty In Banned Super Bowl Ad

By

Matthew Sardo

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February 5, 2017

The line between pop culture and politics is going to get really blurry over the next four years, just in case you were worried, we got your pop culture butt covered. We might just need a little help getting our Super Bowl ad past the censors next year.

What do you think of the commercial, did we go too far? Comment below.

Cast and crew of ‘Trump v Lady Liberty’

Trump- Brock Powell @brockvox
Lady Liberty- Morgan Matthews @morganmatthews7

Directed by: Sean Keller @s_keller87 (mindless philosopher productions)
Written by: Curtis Waugh @unpopcurtis
Produced by: Curtis Waugh, Sean Keller, Brock Powell and Austin Farmer @drumfarmer
Director of Photography: Henry Behel @henry_behel
1st Assistant Camera: Kim Boden @kbodn
1st Assistant Director/Set Dresser: Hannah Rubinek @hbanananah
2nd Assistant Director/Set Dresser: Jessie Hendricks @jessiescience
Make-up Design: Lauren Jimenez @lucipurr_

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Green ‘Arrow’ Against Kick Ass Girl Gang? YES PLEASE!

By

Devon Kenney

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February 5, 2017

‘Arrow’ gets caught up in a battle against the sexes, and it happens to be a kick ass girl gang.

China White (Kelly Hu), Cupid (Amy Gumerick), and Liza Warner (Rutina Wesley) breakout of Iron Heights and come after something. You guessed it, Oliver Queen.

Never a stranger to the ladies, Oliver is more of a ladies man in the comics than in the show. The start of cheating on Laurel with her own sister…but since the Lance drama has calmed down, Ollie settled. Minus the whole heartbreak from Felicity thing…

Although, not really surprising when you think of the amount of times they have tried to take down ‘Green Arrow’.

According to my source, “The characters are essentially operating as an anti-Birds of Prey in the episode, and like Arrow’s take on the Suicide Squad before it might be a bit of a tease for the kind of chemistry fans will see in Gotham City Sirens.”

China White (guest star Kelly Hu), Cupid (guest star Amy Gumenick) and Liza Warner (guest star Rutina Wesley) break out of Iron Heights and head to Star City for revenge. Oliver (Stephen Amell) tries to bring in the newly formed girl gang but the ACU intervenes mid-fight. To his surprise, they are there to arrest the Green Arrow for the murder of Detective Malone. Meanwhile, Lance (Paul Blackthorne) feels responsible for the prison break after Warner tells him she heard about him working with Damien Darhk.

Look out for all the kick ass guest stars this season.

Don’t forget to tune in to this epic adventure coming this Wednesday night February 7th at 8/7c.

“Arrow’ stars Stephen Amell, Emily Bett Rickards, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Paul Blackthorne, and Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance.

‘Arrow’ airs on Wednesday Nights at 8/7c on The CW.

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‘The Lego Batman Movie’ Shoots Above 90 Percent On Rotten Tomatoes

By

Aric Sweeny

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February 4, 2017

The first reviews for The Lego Batman Movie are in! With 17 reviews in at the time of this writing, the film holds a 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with only 1 negative review.

Some of the Monkeys Fighting Robots team got to check out the movie, and their reviews are in the works. Until then, however, let’s take a look at what some other critics have to say about The Lego Batman Movie.

Alonso Duralde, The Wrap:

“Less a sequel to The Lego Movie than a big-screen, family-friendly version of Robot Chicken, The Lego Batman Movie gleefully parodies every mass-media iteration of its hero, from the serials to Super Friends and from Adam West to Ben Affleck.”

Sean O’Connel, Cinemablend:

“The Lego Batman Movie is screamingly hilarious, ladling pop-culture references and comic-book punchlines with blistering speed and pinpoint accuracy. One joke, involving a pivotal scene from Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire, made me cackle until I cried.”

Oliver Lyttelton, The Playlist:

“Lord knows the superhero genre could use some fun poked at it and we were psyched to see the film, but while there’s some fun to be had, it can’t help but feel like a missed opportunity.”

Matt Donato, We Got This Covered:

“LEGO’s Batman comedy is at its best when thumbing through a rolodex of obscure franchise references, which will please both Batfans and mainstream audiences alike.”

What are your thoughts on the reviews so far? Are you looking forward to the film? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Plot synopsis: “In the irreverent spirit of fun that made “The LEGO Movie” a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure: “The LEGO Batman Movie.” But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.”

The Lego Batman Movie stars Will Arnett as the Caped Crusader, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth, Zach Galifianakis as The Joker, Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Mariah Carey as Mayor Grange, and Michael Cera as Dick Grayson/Robin.

The film lands in theaters on February 10.

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‘Logan’: Did Hugh Jackman Just Tease Wolverine’s Original Suit?

By

Aric Sweeny

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February 4, 2017

It’s been nearly 17 years since fans saw Hugh Jackman don the mantle of Wolverine. Although the character has appeared in seven X-Men films, not once has he wore the character’s classic costume.

Interestingly enough, Jackman might have just given fans a major hint as to what we’ll see in Logan. Check out his tweet below.

THE ORIGINAL. pic.twitter.com/5I9qjQGEsK

— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 4, 2017

What could it mean? Will we see him wear the original Wolverine costume in Logan, his last outing as the character? Comment your predictions below.

Plot synopsis: “In 2024 the mutant population has shrunk significantly and the X-Men have disbanded. Logan, whose power to self-heal is dwindling, has surrendered himself to alcohol and now earns a living as a chauffeur. He takes care of the ailing old Professor X whom he keeps hidden away. One day, a female stranger asks Logan to drive a girl named Laura to the Canadian border. At first he refuses, but the Professor has been waiting for a long time for her to appear. Laura possesses an extraordinary fighting prowess and is in many ways like Wolverine. She is pursued by sinister figures working for a powerful corporation; this is because her DNA contains the secret that connects her to Logan. A relentless pursuit begins … In this third cinematic outing featuring the Marvel comic book character Wolverine we see the superheroes beset by everyday problems. They are aging, ailing and struggling to survive financially. A decrepit Logan is forced to ask himself if he can or even wants to put his remaining powers to good use. It would appear that in the near-future, the times in which they were able to put the world to rights with razor sharp claws and telepathic powers are now over.”

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.

The movie hits theaters in less than a month, on March 3.

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