Midseason premiere time, ‘Arrow’ is back, and so is Laurel Lance?
The midseason finale had us all in hysterics. The happy-again Felicity lost her boyfriend, Detective Malone. (who else is team Oliver/Felicity?) Curtis’ husband left him due to lying, and Laurel Lance comes back from the dead.
Laurel. Lance.
‘Arrow’ star Stephen Amell joked during a Facebook live hang out. “People just don’t come back from the dead, Obviously there will be some sort of vetting process, we delve into that when we come back in the new year.”
According to my source, there is also a search going on for the person who trained Oliver to begin with. Most likely, Talia Al Guhl will make some sort of appearance this season.
As for Diggle, he is in jail hence awaiting a trial date.
Rumors also has it that a new ally will be in to help out Team Arrow.
Here is the synopsis for “Who Are You?”
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.
While Diggle is in jail, one can only hope Team Arrow gets an extra hand or two. With Laurel back, things could get really interesting.
In a recent interview, Supergirl actress Melissa Benoist was asked about whether or not she thinks the DC Extended Universe’s tone will eventually fit in with DC television.
“I think so. Ezra Miller’s Flash is bringing humor and quirkiness, and the DC TV universe has had to grapple with some pretty dark, emotional storylines on “Arrow.” I do think it’s inevitable that we all start to reflect each other. But I do love how positive and uplifting “Supergirl’s” character is and I don’t think she will change too drastically from that, because in essence that’s just who she is.”
This is a somewhat controversial topic among comic book fans. Some prefer the dark and gritty DCEU tone, whereas other enjoy the lighthearted nature of DC TV shows.
What are your thoughts on this debate? Let us know in the comments below!
Supergirl returns to The CW on January 23, with Wonder Woman and Justice League hitting theaters later this year.
It needs to be noted that, although Gunn mentioned a Moon Knight movie, he also made it known that he is not making the film. Could Marvel make a film based on the character? Yes. However, it’s extremely unlikely that Gunn would write or direct the project.
Is Marvel were to make a Moon Knight movie, could you see Kingpin popping up? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
Peter Gadiot has signed on to play Mister Mxzptlk in Supergirl, according to Heroic Hollywood.
The character will appear in two episodes of the series.
Mxyzptlk is one of Superman’s antagonists. Although not an actual threat to the hero, he acts as more of a nuisance. He comes from the 5th dimension, and the only way to send him back is tricking him into saying or spelling his name backwards.
Supergirl returns to The CW on January 23 with Kevin Smith’s episode, Supergirl Lives.
“Supergirl Lives” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, V) (HDTV) KEVIN SMITH DIRECTS; ROULETTE RETURNS — Kara (Melissa Benoist) is moved by the story of a missing woman named Izzy (guest star Harley Quinn Smith) and decides to investigate despite Snapper Carr’s (guest star Ian Gomez) order to leave it alone. Kara takes Mon-El (Chris Wood) with her to the last place Izzy was seen and the duo find themselves thrust through a portal to another planet, Slaver’s Moon, where the downtrodden are sold as slaves. The leader of the trafficking ring is none other than Roulette (guest star Dichen Lachman). To make matters worse, Slaver’s Moon has a red sun, which means Kara and Mon-El are stripped of their powers and stuck on the planet with no way home. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Alex (Chyler Leigh) blames herself for Kara’s disappearance, fearing she’s become too focused on her new relationship with Maggie (guest star Floriana Lima) and too complacent in watching out for her sister. Kevin Smith directed the episode with story by Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Eric Carrasco & Jess Kardos (#209). Original airdate 1/23/2017.”
Michael Keaton arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards at the Palladium on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Michael Keaton is enjoying a Hollywood comeback, but he’s best known for his role as Batman.
He famously turned down a third Batman film in 1993. Val Kilmer would step in as Bruce Wayne for Batman Forever. George Clooney would take on the role in Batman & Robin.
In a new interview, the actor states he quit the series because the script for Batman Forever “sucked”. At first, he did stick around for a lot of meetings with the studio. During this time, Warner Brothers felt Tim Burton shouldn’t direct the third movie. Enter Joel Schumacher.
“I knew it was in trouble when he [Schumacher] said, ‘Why does everything have to be so dark?”, says Keaton.
According to CBS, he turned down $15 million to reprise the role for a third time. He describes Batman Forever as being “awful.”
Despite Keaton’s exit, he did play an actor who played a superhero in 2014’s Birdman. That role earned him an Oscar nomination. Keaton is returning to the superhero genre this summer. This time, he’ll be playing the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
So Many Great Movies Coming From So Many Great Directors In 2017!
A lot of talk goes into the most anticipated movies but what about the directors crafting them? I decided to give a shoutout to the men & women behind the camera who are hoping for an amazing 2017.
There’s epic returns, tales of redemption, and high pressure situations across the board but who is the one to look forward to the most?
Below are the 10 directors and a few honorable mentions that you need to keep an eye out for in the next 12 months. Let me know if your favorite makes it the list!
Honorable Mentions:
– Danny Boyle (‘Trainspotting 2’)
– Guy Richie (‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’)
– Jon Watts (‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’)
10. Sofia Coppola – ‘The Begulied’ (6/23/17)
Cinema royalty, Sofia Coppola in the director’s chair is always worth noting. While her most recent film ‘The Bling Ring‘ didn’t grab people like expected, I believe ‘The Begulied‘ will more than make up for it. This war drama starring Elle Fanning will surely have that Coppolatrademark style.
9. Edgar Wright – ‘Baby Driver’ (8/11/17)
Since dropping out of Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man‘, there hasn’t been too much from fan-favorite Edgar Wright. 2017 marks the return of one of the best directors out with a signature British comedy titled ‘Baby Driver‘. Starring Ansel Elgort, I think his comedic style will be a perfect fit for Wright’s wacky worlds.
8. James Gunn – ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (5/5/17)
The hype for James Gunn’s second ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ movie was high before the first trailer but after it dropped, people went nuts. James Gunn became the best director in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his 2014 film and this could be his next best movie. Also, he’s giving us Baby Groot!
7. Steven Soderbergh – ‘Logan Lucky’ (10/13/17)
On another retirement tour like his name is Cher, Steven Soderbergh is back with his first feature film since 2012’s ‘Magic Magic‘. ‘Logan Lucky‘ is a comedy film about two brothers attempting a heist during a Nascar event. It’s intriguing that this story is what brought Soderbergh out of “retirement”.
Following his masterpiece that is ‘Arrival‘ was going to be hard for Denis Villeneuve. Following it up with the highly-anticipated sequel ‘Blade Runner 2049‘ is even harder. One of the films to have the most hype around it for 2017, not many directors could handle this challenge but Villeneuve has it in the bag.
5. Christopher Nolan – ‘Dunkirk’ (7/21/17)
When Christopher Nolan releases something, the whole industry stands at attention. The World War II epic ‘Dunkirk‘ could be one of the best pieces from Nolan. He’s even promised to showcase the acting ability of former One Direction member Harry Styles…that’s something to look out for.
4. Patty Jenkins – ‘Wonder Woman’ (6/2/17)
Not only does Patty Jenkins have the daunting task of bringing Wonder Woman to screen in her first solo film but Jenkins also has to sway the public back to the DC Extended Universe. After she directed the intense biopic ‘Monster‘, I have faith she can do the job and deliver one of the best superhero films ever.
3. Ridley Scott – ‘Alien: Covenant’ (5/19/17)
Ridley Scott has one of the many tales of redemption on this list. After disappointing many with his first Alien prequel ‘Prometheus‘, all eyes are on ‘Alien: Covenant‘ to strike gold. The first trailer for the film released on Christmas 2016 was stunning and many fans let out a sigh of relief.
2. Zack Snyder – ‘Justice League’ (11/17/17)
The redemption story of 2017 will hopefully go to Zack Snyder. I personally loved ‘Batman v Superman‘ but the general public did not. So going into ‘Justice League‘, all eyes are on him. Not many directors have as much pressure going into a 2017 film like Snyder does. Can he handle it all?
1. Rian Johnson – ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’ (12/15/17)
Rian Johnson has a huge challenge ahead of him. Not only is he following up the beloved ‘Force Awakens‘ but he’s under an intense microscope from critics and fans. Johnson has proven himself with films like ‘Brick‘ and ‘Looper‘ but this is his biggest chance to date. I believe he will follow J.J. Abrams‘Â film easily.
A new photo from Logan has been released on Twitter via Hugh Jackman.
The caption read: “Fight or Flight”
The first trailer for the movie lit up the internet with excitement. Logan is giving us an R rated, gritty western about Wolverine, Professor X and X-23.
Joining Jackman in the film is Patrick Stewart, Stephen Merchent, Dafnee Keen, Boyd Holbrook, and Richard E. Grant.
Megan is a typical popular teenage girl in a small American town. She leads her clique with an iron fist and threats of high school hierarchy banishment. But after a night of partying Megan falls into a deep coma. She awakens, but someone else is inside her head. That someone is Loma Shade, an Avian alien from the planet Meta. Using the hijacked Madness coat once worn by the mad poet (and original Shade the Changing Man) Ric Shade, Loma possesses Megan’s body in an effort to explore the planet Earth, a world she has been obsessed with since old TV shows began to stray into Meta’s airwaves. Soon she is forced to live the life Megan had left behind, and become a fugitive from her own world
Shade the Changing Girl #4 Written by Cecil Castellucci Art by Marley Zarcone Coloring by Kelly Fitzpatrick Shade created by Steve Ditko Published by Young Animal, an imprint of DC Comics.
Writing
There really is nothing like this book on the stands. Even among the other Young Animal titles, Shade is unique. For one, it seems to be the only one with no connection to the DCU, and writer Cecil Castellucci really seems to have created her own world. Two worlds actually, as we essentially have parallel tales being told. Earth and Meta; both of which are richly developed and feel lived in.
The teenagers in “our” world ring true. All the adolescent hierarchies make sense (as they only do at that age) and the dialog and voices of all the kids have a very realistic tone about it. Everyone from the popular kids to the awkward loners are three-dimensional.
This issue dives heavily into Megan’s backstory and events just before the coma, and we can see what a high school terror she really was. The scene where she is training her fellow cheerleaders in the lake really reveals not only Megan’s place but also how her “friends” feel about her.
The fact that Loma is sorta watching these memories also gives them an eerie feel, and also expands Loma as a character as we can see her reactions to them and how she tries to understand this new world she is in. Loma seems to be finding a connection with Earth and trying to repair Megan’s life.
The scenes in Meta continue to be great as well, with Castelluci relying on story rather than exposition to create details. And the sprinkled use of some of Ric Shade’s poems throughout the entire issue was one of my favorite things about the whole thing.
Art
This is one beautifully illustrated, colored and designed book. Marley Zarcone and Kelly Fitzpatrick (who has become one of my favorite colorists in comics) are at the top of their game. The line work here is soft, yet defined, invoking the 60s vibe of Silver Age Steve Ditko, but also referencing modern masters like Mike Allred. There is also a great use of icons, a modern and refreshing technique I love seeing more of.
The color pallet is just fantastic, with primary and pastel colors giving it a very “pop-art” vibe. There are great patterns used throughout the backgrounds and between the gutters that add to the overall originality and identity of the book. It shows you that a lot of thought and care was put into even the smallest of details in things like clothing, hair, room settings, panel flow, etc.
Conclusion
Admittedly, this may be the least accessible book from Young Animal, but I would not let that keep you away. It’s a strange, challenging and unique book. But it is a comic well worth reading and giving a chance. It reminds me of the kind of books Vertigo released in its early days, which of course led to a revolution in the industry. I have a feeling the same is being done here.
Trespass Against Us looks to be a return of the Michael Fassbender we all grew to love a few years ago. This is a small, indie film about a family of getaway drivers. Or something along those lines.
This trailer for Trespass Against Us has a solid mix of family drama, tension, and what appears to be some pretty high-tech cops and robbers business as it moves along. Check it out:
Trespass Against Us is set across three generations of the Cutler family who live as outlaws in their own anarchic corner of Britain’s richest countryside. Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is heir apparent to his bruising criminal father, Colby (Brendan Gleeson) and has been groomed to spend his life hunting, thieving and tormenting the police. But with his own son, Tyson (Georgie Smith) coming of age, Chad soon finds himself locked in a battle with his father for the future of his young family. When Colby learns of Chad’s dreams for another life he sets out to tie his son and grandson into the archaic order that has bound the Cutler family for generations. He engineers a spectacular piece of criminal business involving a heist, a high-speed car chase and a manhunt, which leaves Chad bruised and bloodied and with his very freedom at stake.
Looks interesting at least, a great blend of several familiar elements. It’s nice to see Fassbender get back to his roots, playing a miscreant of sorts in a small movie rather than Magneto or the Assassin… guy… all the time. The fact he squares off against Brendan Gleeson is just icing on the cake.
Trespass Against Us will open first in the UK this March, but there is no stateside release date yet. This has the look of a US VOD release, but we shall see.
Shade the Changing Girl #4