Why ‘Deadpool’ Will Be Nominated for Best Picture

By

-

January 16, 2017

On January 24th, there’s a good chance that cinephiles across the world will be letting a collective gasp in horror as Deadpool is nominated for Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars. As ridiculous as this might appear to be, the film’s star Ryan Reynolds has embraced this possibility and tweeted out this FYC video.

pic.twitter.com/TNorErkZXf

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) January 13, 2017

So before the deluge of tweets start pouring that read “So What! It’s just a video any anyone can make one”, Let’s take a look at the facts.

1. Deadpool is getting massive attention from the award guilds.

While some might be dismissive of awards guilds, they often serve as a pretty good indicator for how the Academy nominations will look when they are announced at the end of January.

a) The Writers Guild of America nominated Deadpool for Best Adaptive Screenplay. The WGA giving attention to a superhero film isn’t that unheard of because in 2015 Guardians of the Galaxy was nominated in the same category. So now some might think “What’s the big deal?” Well, the big deal is that many of the WGA also are Academy voters as well. This means that its at least being discussed among the voters. Now, if Deadpool only received this nomination, then this would be a dead issue, but that hasn’t been the case.

b) The Directors Guild of America nominated Tim Miller (the guy who directed Deadpool) for best direction in their first feature film. He’s going up against Garth Davis (Lion) and Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) who both directed films that stand a real shot at being in the Best Picture category around Oscar time. This means that members of the DGA are grouping these films together. It’s also worth noting that some DGA members are members of the Academy. As shocking as this was it doesn’t compare to the final nomination.

c) The Producer Guild of America nominated Deadpool as one of its ten best films of 2016. This one is a big one as the PGA carries the most weight with Oscar voters and this announcement happened right in the middle of the voting process as well. Often the PGA nominations are a direct reflection of the Oscar nominations as well. It’s no accident that a day or so after that announcement, Ryan Reynolds tweeted out that video.

2. Deadpool was a game changer

Deadpool was a game changer for not only rated “R” superhero films, but it also made those films mainstream. Audience members are no longer needed to have some degree in comics 101 to understand the story. Deadpool’s narrative was as simplistic as it gets. Here are your good guys and let’s watch the one who’s a real smart-ass in a skin-tight red suit mess up these bad guys. It also approached this genre with a lighter tone that related well with the public.

3. What’s good for one film is good for another

If the Academy is going to acknowledge films like Moonlight that redefine our perception of masculinity and homosexual relationships, then they have to at the very least consider what Deadpool has done for people’s perception of the superhero genre.

4. If the Academy nominate ten films for Best Picture, then how does it not make the cut?

If you sat there (and I have) and wrote down who you think will be in the Academy’s Top 10 films for this year, it’s hard to exclude Deadpool. You would have to think that these are the films that already have a nomination locked in

Moonlight, Manchester By The Sea, Lion, La La Land, Arrival, Fences, Hell or High Water, Hidden Figures

That’s eight films, who would you put in for the other two? Nocturnal Animals? Captain Fantastic? Silence? Personally, I feel that Scorsese’s latest deserves the 9th slot, but after that, it’s a toss up. If the Academy makes Deadpool the 10th nominated film, it can claim that it’s indeed recognizing a diverse group of films.

What do you think? Comment below.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

Michael Keaton Talks Marvel, Compliments Tom Holland

By

Aric Sweeny

-

January 15, 2017

In a recent chat with ET Online, Spider-Man: Homecoming actor Michael Keaton talked about Marvel and praised his co-star Tom Holland.

“[It’s] pretty amazing once you step into that. I hadn’t done a Marvel movie and they are so good at how they run things. It’s impressive.”

“He [Holland] is a really good guy. I just worked with Dylan O’Brien [on the upcoming thriller American Assassin] and they are around the same age, I would say, and they are both such good guys to work with. Tommy is a good kid.”

There’s not much in the comments, but it’s great to see Keaton’s enthusiasm for the Marvel brand. Are you looking forward to his portrayal of Vulture in the film? Let us know in the comments.

Spider-Man: Homecoming hits theaters on July 7, 2017.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

Lake of Bays Brewing Co: 10 Point English IPA – An English Review

By

Michael Bedford

-

It’s been about a year since I reviewed Lake of Bays Brewing Company‘s Top Shelf Classic Lager, the official beer of the NHLAA. And, though Top Shelf Classic Lager is a great beer to drink while watching a game, lagers aren’t generally my style. I prefer the bitterness of a well-hopped IPA. So, I was happy to find that Lake of Bays also brews a 10 Point English IPA. I picked up a 473-mL tall can from my local LCBO, and, though I don’t hunt, I look forward to downing this 10 pointer.

Lake of Bays Brewing Company: 10 Point English IPA – First Sip

10 Point English IPA pours a transparent amber colour with a thin layer of foam at the top of my pint glass. I smell a pleasant aroma of citrus as I take my first sip, and enjoy the fizzy mouthfeel that this brew’s lively bubbles provides. There are malty undertones to this beer’s otherwise crisp and hoppy flavour. Rather than overpowering me with its intense hops flavour, though, this beer manages to retain a refreshing and thirst-quenching quality. This brew doesn’t change much from initial flavour to aftertaste. Instead, its flavour is upfront, revealing itself immediately rather than evolving over time.

Lake of Bays Brewing Company: 10 Point English IPA – Last Sip

This is a tasty beer, but at 6% ABV in 473-mL cans, this is a relatively strong beer. Crisp and refreshing as it is, this is a great brew for a barbecue on a hot day. But, with its malty undertones, 10 Point English IPA also makes a good winter warmer.

I know I say it a lot, but, this is a great beer to drink while enjoying some salty pub food. Its bitter flavour stacks up well beside savoury foods. Also, if you’re not generally an IPA drinker, this is a good one to try. Unlike a brew such as Flying Monkeys Brewing Company’s Smashbomb Atomic IPA, this brew’s flavour is subtle rather than in-your-face.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

Laurel Lance is Back, Mark Guggenheim Teases Details!

By

Devon Kenney

-

January 15, 2017

Laurel is back, and show runner Mark Guggenheim has something to say about it!

We all went into shock when Laurel met her untimely death in the last season. No one expected her to go out, by the hands of Damien Darhk none the less. Since the breaking news of her return, fans are even more confused. Should we be happy about Laurel being alive, and coming back from the dead?

According to my source, executive producer Guggenheim decides to spill a nugget of information about the midseason premiere, and what seems like is going to happen with Laurel this season.

“The episode ends with laying a very specific seed with a very specific game plan on our part that we hope to see come to fruition”

Well, If that wasn’t vague enough for you, I don’t know what is.

Coming back from the dead on ‘Arrow’ is never a kosher deal. Best example by far has been the one of Sara Lance. Brought back to life by the Lazarus Pit, brought back Sara in the flesh, but not in the mind.

This also happened to Thea, as we see she is still dealing with the effects of the pit.

Honestly, does anyone really want Laurel to have to deal with that since we have seen the dark sides?

Midseason premiere synopsis:

OLIVER WANTS JUSTICE; FELICITY WANTS REVENGE — Worried that Prometheus is right and he is truly a killer at heart, Oliver (Stephen Amell) looks for any ray of hope and finds it in what seems to be the miraculous return of Laurel Lance (guest star Katie Cassidy).

However, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards), still reeling from Detective Malone’s murder, is bent on revenge – she wants to stop Prometheus at any cost. While in prison, Diggle (David Ramsey) fights for his life.

Gregory Smith directed the episode written by Ben Sokolowski & Brian Ford Sullivan.

‘Arrow’ will be back with fresh episodes on January 25, 2017 at 8/7c on The CW.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

Check Out These BTS Photos From ‘The Defenders’

By

Aric Sweeny

-

January 15, 2017

Entertainment Weekly has got their hands on a slew of behind-the-scenes photos from The Defenders. Check them all out in the gallery below.

“Marvel’s The Defenders” follows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.”

The Defenders gets released on Netflix sometime this summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBZtM8q2Z1g

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

‘Logan’: Director Reveals New Look At Wolverine, Professor X, And Laura

By

Kieran McLean

-

January 15, 2017

With a new trailer for Logan expected to drop later this month, director James Mangold has revealed three new images of the primary heroes. Released on Mangold’s official Twitter page, the images offer a new look at Hugh Jackman’s older portrayal of Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Dafne Keen as Laura.

The latest images display the raw and gritty tone of the third Wolverine movie. With a much smaller scale movie, Mangold has stated in the past that he has attempted to make a unique superhero movie, which is much more than explosions and world-ending scenarios.

The official synopsis was released this week (below) and teases the introduction of Laura as a young Mutant being hunted by dark forces. it will be interesting to see a smaller scale Wolverine movie, where the focus isn’t to save the world but simply protect this girl at any cost.

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 will land in theaters on March 3, 2017. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook, Dafne Keen, Stephen Merchant, and Richard E. Grant.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

Ronnie Returns! Robbie Amell Comes Back! ‘The Flash’

By

Devon Kenney

-

January 15, 2017

Ronnie Raymond returns to Star City!

According to my source, Robbie Amell who plays Ronnie, will return to ‘The Flash’ in an upcoming winter episode.

The last time we saw Ronnie, he was Deathstorm from Earth two. A villain, who went complete dark side. He teams with Killer Frost, Caitlin Snow’s Earth Two villainous dark side and most importantly his wife. Unfortunately, Deathstorm is taken out by Zoom. (played by Teddy Sears) and Killer Frost is once again a widow.

Each time Ronnie returns he ends up dead, but not for long. Luckily for us, there are many earths to choose from, and the possibility of another Ronnie popping up is really good.

Still no word on how it is going to work, but we know for sure we will get to see that face again soon. Could there be a possibility that he shows up on ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ and reunited with Dr. Martin Stein? (Victor Garber)

Something tells me anything is possible in this universe, therefore that anyone has the possibility of a comeback.

Here’s the midseason premiere synopsis for ‘The Flash’

BARRY FIGHTS FOR IRIS — Barry (Grant Gustin) is tormented by his vision of the future where Iris (Candice Patton) is murdered by Savitar. When a criminal named Plunder (guest star Stephen Huszar) shows up in Central City, Barry recalls the villain’s presence in his vision of the future and fears that if he catches Plunder, it will cement Iris’ fate. Confused about Barry’s hesitation to stop Plunder, Wally (Keiynan Lonsdale) decides to step in as Kid Flash. Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) offers Julian (Tom Felton) a job.

Millicent Shelton directed the episode written by Grainne Godfree & David Kob.

This half of the season looks to be the best yet from ‘Team Flash’

Finally, ‘The Flash’ returns on January 24th at 8/7c on The CW with brand new episodes.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

‘In Rotation’: My Top 7 Albums Of The Week That You Need To Hear

By

David Joseph

-

January 14, 2017

In Rotation, a listicle for music lovers, and seekers of new and different things to listen to. So, if you’re looking for new music, something different, or maybe music to suit your mood this week, here is the place to get a diverse offering each week.

In Rotation this week, there is three very different Emo bands, an odd Surf Rock band, theatrical Gothic Punk Rock band, a Classic music composer than Edgar Allan Poe might appreciate, and a Gothic, Folk, ’50s Rock band that you might find at ’50s high school dance on Halloween. If that sound intriguing, let’s dive in. We are already late to start, so let’s get going!

If not, you’re already here, so why not read on?

1)

Band: Saves The Day
Album: Sound the Alarm

Saves the Day is an angry Emotive Punk Rock band with Beatles-esque pop sensibilities. So, to say this is an angsty, angry album even for them, it is certainly saying something. Sound the Alarm is the first in a concept album series that deals with anger, depression, and acceptance.

Unlike films, you do not need the whole trilogy to enjoy this album, but it couldn’t hurt. Give this a spin, and then go look up Under the Boards and Daybreak.

2)

–
Band: Insect Surfers
Album: Infra Green

Surf Rock music is a much more diverse genre than one might think, and the music of Insect Surfers is no exception. Killer bass lines, spacey reverb, and guitar solos is only some of what make their brand of Surf Rock music unique, and Infra Green, an exceptional album to listen to. Give it a spin, at least once.
3)

Band: AFI
Album: Decemberunderground

What album is better to listen to in the wintertime, december, and it isn’t Christmas related? AFI’s Decemberunderground, of course. The Gothic, theatrical, Punk Rock band has been on this list before, but this step into the frozen tundra is a different take in the larger AFI discography. It is the closer to their masterpiece Sing The Sorrow, and holds its own against the disappointment of Crash Love, quality wise.

If you love the AFI from Black Sails in the Sunset era forward, it is a safe bet that you will want to spend December…underground. Give it a spin.

4)

Band: Mussorgsky
Album: Songs and Dances of Death

Certainly, when you hear an album or selection of songs entitled ” Songs and Dances of Death,” you think some Gothic band or Marilyn Manson inspired group, but you could not be further from the truth. Modest Mussorgsky is most well-known for his piece Night on Bald Mountain, which is classical music piece used in Disney’s Fantasia.

This unique piece has a dark story, creepy male operatic singing, and a slightly unorthodox list of classical tunes that will be great for Halloween or any other dark, eerie, occasions you happen to frequent or find yourself in. Spin it slow, and in the dark.
5)

Band: Bayside
Album: The Walking Wounded

Bayside is a well-known Emotive Punk Rock band with metal solo parts, and often, some of the best rhythm and lead guitar playing in unison that you will hear in rock music in general. The band typically followed the usual angsty, cathartic lyrical content that other bands like Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, and others have also pumped out with great efficiency, but this album came after the death of Johnny ‘Beats’ Holihan. This album was about healing and positivity, while addressing many of the same Emo topics, but adding some more mature subject matter.

If you love Bayside, Emotive music, or maybe just something cathartic and motivational, look this album up.
6)

Band: Brand New
Album: Your Favorite Weapon

Your Favorite Weapon is an epic debut album from one of the most important Emotive Punk Rock bands in the genre. Brand New stands out a little more in their later works, and of course their classic is still Deja Entendu, but most fans of their music started with the first. Though it doesn’t stand as cohesively as their sophmore effort, it is full of fan favorites from their early days, and some poppy lesser tunes.

It features the song Seventy-Times Seven, also known as the sister song to Taking Back Sunday’s There’s No ‘I’ in Team, back when the two bands had a rivalry. It is worth a listen, give it a spin.
7)

Band: Timber Timbre
Album: Creep On Creepin’ On

It is important to note right off the bat, if you love another In Rotation group Dead Man’s Bones, this is literally the closest band in sound and genre you will find. They’re Folky, Indie, Goth-y, and piano…y? Timber Timbre’s music is hard to classify, but the eerie, dark piano laden, occasionally waltz-y band was once described as a record playing on an old phonograph, at a school dance, in the ’50s, on Halloween.

If that sounds like your jam, then you need to listen to Timber Timbre’s Creep On Creepin’ On immediately. Like, right now!

This concludes this week’s In Rotation music listing, and come back next week for another eclectic helping of new and old music.

[Images Courtesy Of The Respective Bands In This List]

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

REVIEW: ‘Come and Find Me’ Can’t Find Itself

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

-

Since Breaking Bad ended a few years ago, Aaron Paul has been struggling to find his footing on the big screen, scuffling through forgettable cash grabs like Need for Speed or mediocre genre flicks like Triple 9. And Come and Find Me isn’t anything special, but it might be a step in the right direction. Maybe.

The film, directed by Joss Whedon’s brother Zack, is in the tradition of Hitchcock’s innocent everyman swept up in a sinister plot, or similar to the paranoia-fueled 70s thrillers like Three Days of The Condor. Paul plays David, a graphic designer living with his beautiful girlfriend, Claire (Annabelle Wallis), in a living, breathing Pottery Barn catalogue. All is well and serene until David wakes up one morning to find that Claire has vanished. Gone without a trace, a note, or any explanation.

David tries the typical things: calling the phone, stopping by her work, reaching out to her closest friends. But nobody knows where she went. These early scenes where David is scrambling to find out information lack any sense of urgency. His search is low energy, and he opts to get drunk with her friend Buck (Chris Chalk) on what appears to be the first night she’s missing. Seems like an odd time to booze it up.

Nevertheless, the next morning David wakes up with a hangover and… rides the bus around town? Looking for her, I suppose, but still kind of half-assed in his search. He comes back to find his house torn apart from top to bottom and Buck standing in the middle of it. Clearly, something sinister is afoot, and the machinations of the plot begin taking shape. Claire isn’t her real name, and she’s gotten mixed up with some nefarious people who tell David he needs to stop looking for his girlfriend. Heavies come looking, David fights back, and it pushes us to a silly climactic reveal, the pitfall of most of these undercard thrillers.

Come and Find Me has its moments. Whedon knows how to build suspense, even in the face of a screenplay that has little to do. The action is staged competently as the domestic drama transitions to a straight up spy thriller. But there is an odd lack of momentum for the most part. Suspenseful moments have little pay off, mostly because the story itself is dripping with cliches.

The relationship between Claire and David is told in a handful of painfully uninteresting flashbacks. Their whole romance could have been established underneath credits and the movie could have gotten going with the thriller elements. As it stands, any intrigue in the plot is undercut by nothing memories. Their cute little moments spent painting the house or laying in bed aren’t that interesting because their relationship serves as nothing more than a plot device. We don’t care about their burning desire for one another, no matter how many cutesy moments we see; we just want to know what happened and why.

And when Garret Dillahunt shows up near the end of the second act, playing a shady government agent, you think maybe there’s hope for this one yet. Alas, convention continues to overwhelm, and Dillahunt winds up nothing more than a cliched cog in the wheel.

Aaron Paul is a talented actor with an ability to blend an everyman quality with desperation and raw energy. He would fit right into a Hitchcock movie, which would explain why he went for this one. But hopefully he can find something better suited to his talents one day. Come and Find Me knows its lot in life, it aspires to be nothing more than what it is, but that isn’t really enough to bother actually… ya know… going to find it.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube

‘Deadpool 2’ Writers Talk ‘X-Force’

By

Aric Sweeny

-

January 14, 2017

Deadpool was a massive success, and fans have been clamoring for news regarding the sequel and eventual X-Force film. In a recent interview with Collider, the writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, discussed the topic.

RHETT REESE: “There is a responsibility we have to the X-Force universe, and I do think we will not disappoint the fans going into Deadpool 2 and then setting up X-Force and beyond.”

PAUL WERNICK: “We never want to let the tail wag the dog. We want to tell the best Deadpool story we can. But I do think we have a responsibility to think about a larger universe in the way that Marvel does and start to put pieces in place. Some of these movies feel overstuffed and almost choking with the need to set up eighteen different things that pay off down the road, and we want to avoid that responsibility to the extent that it hurts us. We want to hint at things, we want to plan some characters, and we want to make some nods, but we’re very, very cognizant about making sure that Deadpool is above all a Deadpool movie.”

REESE: “Its purpose is not to set up X-Force. It will likely set up X-Force, but the drive of the movie won’t be our eyes on Movie 3.”

Although it’s always fun to have a plan or eventual destination for a film franchise, it’s most important to take it movie by movie and ensure the highest possible quality.

What are your thoughts on their quotes? Let us know in the comments.

Deadpool 2 releases in theaters on January 12, 2018.

Monkeys Fighting Robots Youtube