Director James Mangold Discusses What Makes ‘Logan’ A Different Kind Of Superhero Movie

By

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December 30, 2016

Everything we’ve seen of Logan so far tells us that we’re in for something different. The first trailer displayed a raw, gritty film that looks unique in tone to every other film in the genre.

In a new interview director James Mangold has revealed what makes Logan such a unique and special superhero movie. Available to watch below, Mangold states that these movies need to be more than just “spectacle” and should focus on the characters. Logan will be the first r-rated attempt as Wolverine and the director explains what he expects to get from a more adult film.

The thing that we’re trying to differently is trying to invest in character. The fact is that a lot of these movies are a collection of set pieces of action with very short connective things basically explaining how we go from action piece A to action piece B. We wanted to make a movie that’s really a drama. If you cut out the action, what you’d have is a powerful drama about interesting character. Whether that makes us different or not, I’ll leave others to judge but I think it was our goal to make a movie that earned its audience from feeling real. Really feeling human or feeling intimate.”

Set in the future of 2024, Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier must cope with the loss of the X-Men when a corporation lead by Nathaniel Essex is destroying the world leaving it to destruction, with Logan’s healing abilities slowly fading away and Xavier’s Alzheimer’s forcing him to forget. Logan must defeat Nathaniel Essex with the help of a young girl named Laura Kinney, a female clone of Wolverine.

Source: Flicks And The City 2 via comicbook.com

Logan will land in theaters on March 3, 2017.

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Wasaga Beach Brewing Co: Beach One Cerveza – A Beach of a Review

By

Michael Bedford

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December 30, 2016

Wasaga Beach is a great place to go for a relaxing day in the sun. And, although Wasaga Beach currently looks more like the arctic tundra than a place to hang around in a bikini, Ontarians will be back there to lie in the sun come May—when it’s still far too cold to do so.

The Wasaga Beach Brewing Company has been around since 2014, but it has been without a brewpub this entire time. Things are set to change soon though. Opening their first location this summer, the Wasaga Beach Brewing Company will sling suds from Beach 1, the very beach their flagship brew is named after.

I was lucky enough to receive a 473-mL tall can of Beach One Cerveza for Christmas. So, grab your shades, rub on some sunscreen, and open your parasol. In defiance of the ongoing snowfall, it’s time for a Beach One.

Wasaga Beach Brewing Co.: Beach One Cerveza – First Sip

Beach One Cerveza pours a pale golden colour, practically clear, and has active bubbles. Foam disperses gradually, leaving a thin layer around the top of my chilled half-pint glass. I smell grains as I take my first sip. Like other Mexican-style brews—e.g. Corona Extra—Beach One’s flavour is subtle. Beach One’s fizziness goes well with its otherwise watery mouthfeel. Like the big-name competition, Beach One provides a smooth thirst-quenching quality with a semi-sweet aftertaste.

Wasaga Beach Brewing Co.: Beach One Cerveza – Last Sip

Because Beach One isn’t big on aroma, I drank what I had left directly from the can. I didn’t notice much of a difference. This is good news to those who are planning on having a few while relaxing on the beach where chilled glasses aren’t often available.

This beer goes great with lime and, again like its big-name counterpart, salty foods. I suggest having a few of these with guacamole and chips. And, since it’s a refreshing brew, it’ll go well with just about any pub food. At 4.5% ABV with an easy-drinking quality, make sure you keep track of how many you’ve had.

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12 Most Anticipated New TV Shows Of 2017

By

Ashley Carter

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December 30, 2016

If you thought TV was good in 2016, just wait until you see what 2017 has in store.

Sure, 2016 gave us Atlanta, Stranger Things and Westworld. However, with the arrival of American Gods, Star Trek: Discovery and The Punisher, there’s so much to look forward to on the small screen.

Here’s a list of the most-anticipated new shows of 2017:

Taboo (FX) – Jan. 10

Ridley Scott and Oscar nominee Tom Hardy have joined forces on a brand-new series for FX.

The eight-part series tells the story of James Keziah Delany (Hardy), an adventurer who returns to Britain to take over what’s left of his father’s shipping empire.

Hardy co-executive produced the series with Scott and Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders).

Riverdale (The CW) – Jan. 26

Archie, Jughead and the rest of the gang the TV treatment in what promises to be a “darker” take on the comic book story.

Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl) executive produces. Riverdale stars K.J. Apa, Cole Sprouse, Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart.

Powerless (NBC) – Feb. 2

NBC is dipping its toes into the superhero waters once again with Powerless.

Set within the world of the DC Universe, the comedy series follows a group of regular people who work at an insurance company that deals with the destruction superheroes and villains leave behind.

Powerless stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk and Danny Pudi.

Legion (FX) – Feb. 8

From Fargo creator Noah Hawley, Legion centers on a David Haller (Dan Stevens), a troubled man with powers beyond comprehension. He begins to question whether the voices he hears and the visions he sees are real after a chance encounter.

The Good Fight (CBS/CBS All Access) – Feb. 19

A spinoff of CBS’s hit show The Good Wife, The Good Fight takes place a year later with the return of Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski). When a financial scam forces Diane out of Lockhart & Lee, she and a young lawyer named Maia (Rose Leslie), join Lucca Quinn (Cush Gumbo) at one of Chicago’s major law firms.

Big Little Lies (HBO) – Feb. 19

An A-list cast brings this seven-part limited series to life.

Based on the best-selling novel, Big Little Lies centers on three mothers whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.

Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern and Alexander Skarsgård star.

Iron Fist (Netflix) – March 17

The fourth member of the The Defenders team finally gets his own series.

Finn Jones stars as Danny Rand, a young man who possesses incredible martial arts skills and a mystical force known as the Iron Fist.

Jessica Henwick and Rosario Dawson also star.

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) – April 26

Elisabeth Moss stars in the 10-episode adaptation of the classic Margot Atwood novel.

Set in a dystopian future, a woman (Moss) is forced to live as a concubine, “Handmaid,” in a totalitarian society.

Samira Wiley, Yvonne Strahovski and Joseph Fiennes also star.

Star Trek: Discovery (CBS/CBS All Acess) – May

The hugely popular sci-fi franchise returns to TV.

Star Trek: Discovery takes places a decade before the events of the original series.

Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones and Michelle Yeoh star.

The first episode will debut on CBS, all subsequent episodes will be available on the network’s new streaming service, CBS All Access.

American Gods (Starz) – TBA

Starz is betting big with the TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel.

The fantasy series centers on the fight between old and new gods who have incorporated themselves into American life.

American Gods boasts an impressive cast that includes Gillian Anderson, Ian McShane, Kristin Chenoweth and Pablo Schreiber.

The Punisher (Netflix) – TBA

The Netflix-Marvel partnership continues to grow with a spinoff of the Daredevil series.

Jon Bernthal reprises his role as Frank Castles and is joined by Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page and Ben Barnes as Billy Russo.

Marvel’s Inhumans (ABC) – Fall

No much is known about the eight-episode live-action series set to premiere fall 2017.

The first two episodes will be released in IMAX theaters in September before moving to ABC.

The series will focus on the core characters from the Inhumans comic books including Black Bolt and other members of the Royal Family.

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‘Blue Beetle’ #4 Is Classic Comic Book Storytelling Of The Best Kind

By

Manuel Gomez

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December 30, 2016

High school, dating, parents, acne, figuring out what you’re going to do with your life after graduation… Let’s face it, it’s stressful being a teenager. The urge to fit in and live a normal life free of embarrassment is overwhelming. So it’s a fair bet that being targeted by an alien artifact that resembles a big bug to become a superhero known as Blue Beetle probably wasn’t high on Jaime Reyes’ playlist.

Blue Beetle #4
Story by Keith Giffen & Scott Kolins
Script by Keith Giffen
Art by Scott Kollins
Colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Writing

So here we finally get the Rebirth origin of Jaime Reyes, and it is perfect. Staying with the old school vibe this book has been putting out, the scene in question is a great example of a classic superhero scene. It’s mysterious, thrilling, and even a little creepy. Keith Giffen is invoking the classic Lee/Ditko Spider-Man, making a fun comic that is not without its moments of seriousness and even creepiness. There is even the beginning of a kind of Cronenberg “body horror” vibe going on with Jaime and the Beetle artifact that opens things up on a whole new level.

This issue also starts to dwell in the past of Ted Kord. We start to see what he was up to before he started mentoring Jaime. Ted was trying to become a superhero himself, and the brief scene with him brainstorming names is hysterical. It features great callbacks if you are a classic Blue Beetle fan. These are some great jokes (a Giffen trademark).

Art

Scott Kolins panel pace is still great. He knows exactly when to go small and when to go big, and always saves the splash page moments for effectiveness. His layouts and design are also standouts. In particular, the patterns and designs found behind the panels and borders. It’s a beautiful superhero book to look at. More than ever on this book, he is channeling Jack Kirby in the action scenes and psychedelic atmosphere present. And also for my money he draws the best Dr. Fate in years. The opening scene alone with Fate is worth the price of the book alone.

But don’t let that fool you as Kolins is also adept at drawing quiet scenes too. All the high school moments and teenage downtime scenes are just as good as the action stuff. He’s great at bringing out “acting” in his characters.

Coloring

Romulo Fajardo Jr. vibrant colors are a very integral part of this book. I can’t think of another book right now that buzzes with so much energy. As great as Scott Kolins is, it’s only when paired with the bright, pop-art pallet of Fajardo that the package is complete. These guys were made to be paired together. It’s the perfect example of artist complimenting each other and fusing to make something fantastic.

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of old-school superhero comics, then this is the book for you. I can’t think of another book on the stands right now that feels like this one (maybe Savage Dragon when it is at its best). With so many of DC’s Rebirth titles falling on the gloomier and darker side, it’s great to see the balance this comic brings. It’s most assuredly my favorite DCU title at the moment.

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The Potential Of ‘Midnight Task Force’: Reviewing Issues 1 & 2

By

Manuel Gomez

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December 29, 2016

Despite his crippling social anxieties, detective Aiden McCormick is the pride of the Detroit Police Department because of his superior investigational abilities. Haunted by the relics of his past, McCormick is tasked with finding the Flayer, a mysterious man responsible for a series of grisly murders occurring throughout the city. Each murder is accented by his gruesome calling card: a distinct triangle cut into the cheek of the victim and the gouging of their eyes. It’s only a matter of time before the Flayer attacks another innocent victim…

Midnight Task Force #1 & #2
Written by: Mark London
Art by: Alejandro Giraldo
Letters by: Andrew Zea

Writing

Issue one of Midnight Task Force opens with a scene straight out of horror movie, albeit one that takes place in 2055 (as a caption informs us on the first page). A young couple is assaulted in a parked car by an unseen attacker. The scene is quick and violent and soon we meet series protagonist Aiden McCromick. And it is here where the comic’s narrative starts to reveal itself. Writer Mark London is creating a cyberpunk noir in the vein of Blade Runner. Aiden even has the hardboiled narration and stand off-ish personality of classic noir detectives. It’s fun stuff, but not terribly original. Through a series of meetings with other characters, we are shown the extent of Aiden’s abilities, skills, and tools. Not only is he a genius in the Sherlock Holmes tradition, he is also not exactly sociable. The goggles he wears work as scanners and computers, storing and analyzing data. It’s at the end of issue one that we learn of a twist to the story that stands to make it a little different. I won’t spoil it for potential readers.

Issue two is really where the meat of the story begins, and where some originality begins to creep into this sci-fi tale. The dialog is much improved, and there are even some playful jabs at the noir template and at Aiden himself. It’s also where the mysterious voices inside Aiden’s head that were introduced in issue one are explained. One good bit is a pretty funny scene at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

Art

The art by Alejandro Giraldo was a bit static for me at first, but (like the writing) started to grow on me by issue two. The coloring improves immensely actually, and its neon color hues add a real layer atmosphere to the story. The character faces could use a little detail and work, but the setting and backgrounds are really nicely done. I feel like the art gets a bit better with every panel, trying to find its own style and pace along the way. There are some small details in issue two that are nice, like limbs and word balloons breaking panel borders. This shows me the artist is getting looser and more comfortable with what he is doing.

Conclusion

Midnight Task Force feels a bit like a work in progress. But there is potential here. Issue one was the weaker entry, as by issue two things were improving. If this trend continues, a good book will emerge. It’s also nice to see creators attempt new genres, especially as an independently produced comic book. If you like cyberpunk, give this a try.

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Director Patty Jenkins Discusses ‘Wonder Woman’ + New Image

By

Kieran McLean

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December 29, 2016

In a new interview with Empire Magazine, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins discusses everything from the WW1 setting of the film to the “beautiful and innocent” performance offered by actress Gal Gadot. The interview comes from a scanned copy of Empire’s latest issue available now.

“My approach was to focus on telling the story of mechanised war and how that would look to a god visiting our world for the first time. I wanted the audience to understand the horrors that a war of this scale makes possible, and how shocking that would be to someone who comes with a strong sense of honour and justice. She doesn’t realise yet just how senselessly dark the world can be.”

After an exciting introduction in Batman v Superman, Gal Gadot will reprise her role as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman and Patty Jenkins has only kind things to say about the actress:

“She is everything Diana is. Good, kind, strong admirable, funny, fun, beautiful and innocent, yet wise. She emanates the message of this movie because it comes so naturally to her.”

Wonder Woman won’t only be the first time we’ve seen the character on the big screen, it is also the biggest female-led superhero movie in cinematic history. With Wonder Woman as a female hero, there are certain personality traits and beliefs that Jenkins wants to portray, that we won’t perhaps get from Batman, Superman, and more male heroes.

“She’s vulnerable because of how deeply she cares, what motivates her is philosophical. She isn’t just taking out bad guys or fighting crime. She believes in goodness and love. She is fierce and willing to fight, but only to protect a better vision for mankind.”

Wonder Woman will tell the origin of the hero we first met in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Gal Gadot stars as Diana Prince a child of Themyscira who is drawn to protect the world of man during WW1. From everything Jenkins told Empire it certainly seems like Wonder Woman is in safe hands with Gal Gadot, and we should expect an exciting and emotional story from the DC Extended Universe.

The article from Empire also revealed a new look at Wonder Woman as she charges through the trenches of WW1. This looks to be from a moment we’ve seen several times in trailers, but from a different perspective

SOURCE: EMPIRE Magazine

“’Wonder Woman’ hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action-adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

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How ‘Star Wars’ Is Going To Handle The Death Of Carrie Fisher

By

Dewey Singleton - Film Critic

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December 29, 2016

The last 48 hours has been dominated by the sudden deaths of Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. This mother and daughter duo blazed a trail through Hollywood while each was leaving their mark that will last indefinitely. Reynolds showed that she could keep up with the likes of Gene Kelly on-screen while tackling each role with an abundance of enthusiasm. Fisher not only impacted the world of screenwriting (she helped punch-up such scripts as Hook and Lethal Weapon 3) but showed little girls across the world that they can be whatever they want to be (a princess or a general).However, with her untimely death comes a gigantic hole that needs to be filled in the Star Wars Universe. Let’s examine some of the options they have.

1. Recast Princess/General Leia

There is no way they are going to be able to pull this off. Carrie Fisher was Princess Leia and recasting her would lead to catastrophic results (The Star Wars universe might just riot)

2. CGI Princess/General Leia

Technology has finally reached a point where an actor can be dead and still make an appearance in a motion picture. In Furious 7, they used CGI technology to insert Paul Walker towards the end of the film as he had passed away close to the conclusion of the shoot. In Rogue One, Peter Cushing (who died 22 years ago) reprised his role as Grand Moff Tarkin through the magic of CGI. However, could Lucasfilm and Disney get away with having a CGI Princess/General Leia in Episode IX? The answer is no as she’s too iconic of character to resort to digital trickery for a whole film.

3.Do what the Hunger Games did.

When Phillip Seymour Hoffman passed away during the last weeks of filming Mocking Jay, director Francis Lawrence felt the only way to handle the loss was to tweak the script.

In Mockingjay Part 2, they ended up giving the remainder of his lines to Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and it ended up being a nice tribute to his character. I could see them working her into Episode IX in this manner. Perhaps she’s in hiding from the First Order and sends a message to our new band of heroes.

4. Princess/General Leia is going to have to be killed

In my opinion, this is the only logical way to handle Carrie Fisher’s untimely passing. Something tells me that this might be all a moot point in the end as we aren’t even sure she survived Star Wars Episode VIII. Remember, Leia has to be pretty upset that Kylo Ren (Ben Solo -her son) killed the love of her life. Something tells me she’s not going just to sit by and not seek out some retribution. What if Kylo and Leia have a similar encounter the way Han and Kylo did? Leia has to go out in a blaze of glory (just like Han did).

Now, let’s say she does survive Episode VIII, then in the narrative of Episode IX, she should face the same fate her adoptive parents did on Alderaan. Remember …..

To do anything other than that would signal to rest of the world that Carrie Fisher was replaceable and as you well know, she was the furthest from that.

What do you think will happen? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Gorilla Grodd Returning To ‘The Flash’ This Season

By

Manuel Gomez

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December 29, 2016

Everyone’s favorite telepathic animal supervillain, Gorilla Grodd, is returning on The CW’s The Flash.

Actor David Sobolov, who voices Grodd, confirmed his return this morning on Twitter.

Happy New Grodd! #Grodd comes back in 2017 on @CW_TheFlash ! More news soon when Warner Brothers unseals my lips. pic.twitter.com/14O8BFiBve

— David Sobolov (@volobos) December 29, 2016

When exactly Grodd returns to once again battle Team Flash remains to be seen. The last we saw of him, he was banished to Gorilla City in Earth 2. Perhaps Grodd will return with a simian army, adding yet another threat to the Savitar plagued Central City.

The Flash returns Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. The show stars Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin and Keiynan Lonsdale.

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Promotional Image From FX’s ‘Legion’ Released

By

Aric Sweeny

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December 29, 2016

A new teaser image from FX’s Legion has been released on Twitter. Check it out below.

The official Legion social media accounts have been dropping new images all throughout the last few weeks, gearing up for the series’ premiere on February 8, 2017.

“Legion follows David Haller, a troubled young man who may be more than human. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, David has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for years. But after a strange encounter with a fellow patient, he’s confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and visions might be real.”

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Debbie Reynolds Dies At 84 Just One Day After Her Daughter

By

Jonathan Bruce

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December 28, 2016

Debbie Reynolds is dead at the age of 84. Her death comes one day after the passing of her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

According to the New York Times, Reynolds fell ill from a stroke while discussing plans for Fisher’s funeral. Despite being taken to hospital, her death came later that day. Her son Todd Fisher confirmed the news.

“She’s now with Carrie and we’re all heartbroken,” says Fisher. He describes Fisher’s death as being “too much” for his late mother.

Apart from her son, Reynolds also leaves behind granddaughter Billie Lourd, who is an actress.

As an actress, Reynolds leaves a stellar body of work. She is best known for playing Kathy Selden in 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. In 1964, Reynolds earned an Oscar nod for the lead role in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She would reprise this part in the Broadway adaptation.

Debbie Reynolds Singin in the Rain — How can anyone not feel uplifted when they see this movie?

Her filmography includes Tammy and the Bachelor, Goodbye Charlie, and The Singing Nun. During the 1990s, she had a recurring role on Will & Grace as Debra Messing’s wild mom.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Reynolds’ family at this time.

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