The UnPOP Podcast brings you their first holiday Krampusnacht extravaganza! The Shadow of St. Nick was good to the guys this year as we were fortunate enough to talk Krampus in the home of Michael Dougherty, the writer and director of that film as well as Trick ‘r Treat and screenwriter of the upcoming sequel to 2014’s Godzilla!
We’re also joined by Bill Farmer the voice of Disney’s Goofy and executive producer of our show and Austin’s life (he’s his father).
We’re rotten with bonuses in this episode as we get EXCLUSIVE detail that links the worlds of both Trick ‘r Treat and Krampus as well as audio from the lost Rankin/Bass classic “Rudolph’s Very Krampus Christmas”.
Enjoy and Happy Krampusnacht!
Have a topic you’d like to hear UnPOPPED? Send any comments/love/vitriol to unpopentertainment@gmail.com
The UnPOP Podcast is on iTunes! Check us out there!
We’re on Stitcher! Add us to your playlist and rate and review our show!
With another year of Anime concluding I have to reflect and realize that 2016 was probably one of the weakest in the 2010’s. I found most of the popular shows either not for me or plain bad. However I do think there has been a plethora of mediocre shows this year. A lot of 7/10, but not nearly enough favorite worthy shows like from 2015. As always though there will always be cream of the crop that is worth remembering and recommending once the year is over. Perhaps as time goes on my list for 2016 will chance but for now the best are as followed.
5. Planetarian (Chiisana Hoshi no Yume)
A five episode series that had more heart and character development than most of the popular shows this year, specifically Re;Zero. Follow along with the peppy robot Yumemi and Stoic Kuzuya as they repair a planetarium in the middle of a rain covered apocalypse. This show is very slow-moving and mythical with how it treats its themes and how its characters interact. Even though there’s only two characters, Yumemi and Kuzuya dealing out coming to terms with the end of the world is rather engaging. Yumemi’s building optimism which will be inevitably broken by the reality of the world is almost too much to bear for the invested viewer. And Kuzuya’s hopeful revelation through her ignorant optimism is enough to fill even the coldest heart with hope. I think we could use more Anime like this that aren’t afraid to push out the filler and just let the story be as long as it needs to be.
4. Konosuba -God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World
A fresh take on the trapped in a video game scenario. Konosuba gives us a more realistic approach of how an Otaku would fair if they were dropped in a magical world. They would fail, lead a less than heroic life and always be opposed to danger. While Konosuba deals almost entirely with cynicism, its characters have enough heart where you can just barely see rooting for them and hope for them to get better. Accompany that with twists on Anime and gaming stereotypes and you have enough jokes to endear even the most deplorable cast. Sometimes the humor doesn’t hit home and comes off as a little try-hard but the pace is fast enough to where even the worst joke can be brushed off by comedy gold. To top it off if you haven’t had enough a second season is just around the new year and I can’t wait.
3. Yuri!!! On Ice
A show that still proves that Madhouse can deliver an Anime original powerhouse. Follow the hardcore drama of two skaters who have both lost their way. Yuri, the failing skater who has had his self-esteem knocked into the dust after a humiliating season, and Victor, the champion who will take a risk on Yuri both romantically and professionally. The melodrama is real as these two men help each other figure out that what they need to be happy is each other, even if it isn’t easy. Probably one the most realistic and relatable love stories to come out this year. Added with some incredible skating animation and a thrilling pseudo sports plot will keep you invested on how these two men face the odds in both love and professional ice skating. The only shortcoming is that the supporting cast feels shoehorned in sometimes and the show sort of blows its emotional load too early. Yuri!!! On Ice should have taken a lesson from Planetarian and only been half its runtime. Also there’s plenty of gay politics if you’re into that sort of thing.
2. Amanchu!
The pinnacle of Iyashikei shows, Amanchu! delivers on the serene atmosphere while having intense feeling of love strung out through its twelve episodes. Not unlike a similar show this year Flying Witch, Amanchu! will mellow your soul in the happy on goings of these beautiful divers as they find love and themselves. Don’t be put off by the snail pace because this show has plenty to say about love, loss, growing up and accepting change. Not to mention some of the most attractive character designs I’ve seen in Anime ever. Our main character couple is defiantly one who you want to root for and at the end we get a satisfying beginning to where their relationship will go. it also shows the realistic joy of experiencing and falling in love with a hobby, making friends and sharing those things. Never has a show gotten me as wet as the characters in the show. A show about even if life knocks you down, good friends will always be there you pick you back up.
And the best show of the year is
Space Patrol Luluco
Finishing of the list with another unconventional show is the half-length Hiroyuki Imaishi love child. I’ve always loved how Imiashi can take the most mundane feeling like a middle schoolers love and make it so important and relatable. Space Patrol Luluco fits a zany premise and zany character and spirals them all into probably the most uplifting message of the year. You’re feelings are powerful enough to cross dimensions, no matter what anyone else says. And even though your feelings may be fleeting, they’re still important because they help make up who you are. Such great references and staple Imaishi framing and animation make Luluco the shining beacon of what the Medium of Anime can bring to the table. Also has one of the most surprising anime couples to root for I’ve seen in a while. Like it came out of nowhere but by golly did the show sell it to me. Luluco will sell you and entertaining experience with a ton of heart, literally. It’s definitely the best Anime this year had to offer.
What we’re your favorites this year? Anything to make your favorites list, or just shows that surprised you on how good they were?
If you’re familiar with your sci-fi franchises, you’ll know that Laurence Fishburne and Keanu Reeves have a history together. The Matrix stars have gone their separate paths since the Wachowskis put their futuristic series to rest, but they’ll reunite again next year. Both are set to star in John Wick: Chapter Two, and a newly-released still highlights their impending reunion.
Granted, this photo isn’t the first time we’ve seen them together in this new action sequel, as the trailers have showcased the two actors together again on the screen. But now we’ve gotten a few more details regarding Fishburne’s relatively-unknown character. He’ll play the Bowery King of New York. Like the titular Wick, he likes his fair share of weapons and fine suits, which is seen in this new image. Other than that, this photo doesn’t provide a lot to discuss, but it did give Reeves a chance to talk with EW about his excitement towards working with Fishburne again.
It was so cool to have a chance to work with Laurence Fishburne again, with the history that we have professionally and personally. I ran into him, and he was saying that he was a fan of the first film, and was there anything in the second film. I said, ‘As a matter of fact there is!’ So, we sent him the project and he responded to the role. Lawrence is playing a character called the Bowery King. He is a leader of this underworld in New York City. He knows everything about everything and he helps John in his mission. It was cool to act with him again and hopefully people will enjoying seeing us reunited.
If this sequel is as well-received (and well-made) as the first one, there should be no problem about that, Keanu. Hopefully, John Wick: Chapter Two will treat these stars better than The Matrix sequels ultimately did. We’ll find out when it hits theaters on February 10, 2017.
Best Supporting Actor often times harbors the most fascinating, pivotal performances of the year. Sometimes there is an obvious frontrunner (Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men, for example), and other times a surprise winner comes out of nowhere (Jack Palance, City Slickers). Regardless of who wins, however, the supporting actor category always seems loaded with unforgettable work.
This year is no different, with a handful of greats vying for one of the five spots, and the winner looks to be a two-horse race between a newcomer and an old-hat Academy favorite.
Who doesn’t love Jeff Bridges? The Dude finally won an Oscar back in 2009 for his performance as a hangdog country singer in Crazy Heart, and he looks poised to grab what would be his seventh nomination for a near perfect turn in Hell or High Water, the surprise hit of 2016. Hot on his heels though is relative unknown Mahershala Ali. Ali plays Juan, the drug dealer with a soft spot for young Chiron (or Little) in Moonlight, and his empathetic role as a surrogate father figure seemingly sets the events of the entire film in motion.
Manchester by The Sea continues its momentum towards Oscar night, which means Lucas Hedges should certainly get a nomination for his role as Patrick, the fiery teenager who butts heads with Casey Affleck’s Lee, and is the heart of the entire story. That leaves two spots, for so many hopefuls.
The longest of long shots – though it shouldn’t be the case – is Ralph Fiennes for his brilliant turn in A Bigger Splash. It’s the sort of role Best Supporting Actor was made for. But the film is too far off the radar. Peter Sarsgaard is another outlier for his Bobby Kennedy portrayal in Jackie, as is Stephen Henderson in Fences. But they will most likely all be on the outside looking in at Dev Patel for Lion, and the surprise nomination of Issei Ogata for Silence. And don’t be surprised if Ogata – and Silence – picks up enough steam from now until Oscar night to sneak away with several unexpected statues.
Passengers may end up being one of those films sci-fi fans and collectors buy just to have.
They’ll buy it because the love the film’s leads from other films and their on-screen chemistry in this film.
They’ll buy it because the film’s visuals are of the quality that cinephiles crave to show off their high-end TVs.
But they won’t buy it for the film’s story. Sadly, the plot of Passengers fails to live up to its promise, and does a disservice to the fine work of cast and crew.
Is it terrible? Not entirely. But it’s not what it could have been, and that’s the ultimate disappointment.
What’s it about?
Mechanical engineer Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and writer Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) were just two of 5,000 passengers on a starship heading to a new life on a distant colony world. As the trip was set to take 120 years, they, like all the others, were “asleep” in a pod set to wake them four months before arrival.
The two, however, finds themselves in deep trouble when their pods wake them 90 years early. Unable to get back into hibernation, access the crew in their sleeping pods or contact anyone outside of the ship, they find themselves alone.
Very, very alone, potentially for the rest of their lives.
As they acclimate to their situation, the two strangers bond and begin a relationship. What looked like a terrible end to their lives starts to look more promising, thanks to love, laughter, and an enormous ship full of comforts they have all to themselves.
Except not everything is what it appears to be. There are reasons why they woke up the way they did, reasons that become a ticking time bomb threatening not only their bond, but also their survival.
Characters, setting well conceived
Passengers is visually striking from the start. Director Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) and production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas (Inception) conceive and deliver a beautiful yet believable vision of what long-term space travel and colonization might look like.
There’s also plenty of thought in the script regarding how a situation like this might affect people. The emotional and psychological effects of the scenario should be and are thought provoking.
In essence, the film attempts to prompt the question “What would you do?” in the minds of audiences. At least in the early going, it’s successful.
That success is due in no small measure to the film’s leads. Lawrence and Pratt create a very enjoyable on-screen chemistry together, but much of the script calls for them to deliver powerful emotional moments in solitude.
Pratt in particular is impressive in the film’s first act, delivering considerable emotional weight at times without any dialogue at all.
Plot doesn’t hold up
There’s a point in Passengers, however, when the ship runs aground. Arguably, from that point forward it feels like an entirely different film, going from character-driven drama to popcorn pot-boiler.
Perhaps screenwriter Jon Spaihts (Doctor Strange, Prometheus) wrote himself into a corner, or the film went through extensive re-writes and re-shoots. Or maybe what audiences get really is what cast and crew intended them to see.
Regardless, that end product, sunk as it is by an all-too-conventional climax and denouement, proves to be an utter letdown. Had the ending showed as much thought and creativity as the setup did, Passengers might have been a new modern sci-fi classic.
Worth seeing?
For genre fans and fans of Lawrence and Pratt, Passengers may make for decent entertainment, at least at the start. The performers don’t disappoint, even as the story around them inevitably does.
There’s also an argument to be made for seeing this film in theaters for its spectacle. Production design and visual effects here are top-notch, and would be best enjoyed on a big screen.
But if those things aren’t all that important to you, wait on Passengers until it’s a rental, or just skip it entirely. You’ll save yourself some disappointment.
Passengers
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, and Laurence Fishburne. Directed by Morten Tyldum.
Running Time: 114 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sexuality, nudity and action/peril.
Well, it seems as if dreams do come true as now the final product has been released. Han Solo: A Smuggler’s Tale tells the tale of Han (Costa) going a rescue mission to save Chewbacca from a bad guy played by actor Doug Jones. What was exceptional about this fan film is that Costa used the money raised not only to make the film but pay his film crew as well (he didn’t make a single penny off of this).
Check out the fan film below and tell us what you think in the comments
Several artists are paying tribute to the late Michael. Elton John took to Instagram to share his grief.
“I am in deep shock,” John writes. “I have lost a beloved friend – the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans.”
Damn, look at that 80s style hair!
In the 1980s, Michael and Andrew Ridgeley shot to fame as the pop duo Wham. The group have 25 million records and 12 million singles. They split in 1986 after five years together. While Ridgeley would leave the industry, Michael’s next act would soon begin.
Michael chose to launch a solo act with the Faith album, because he sought a grown-up image. In 1987, the title song hit the US charts at number one. To date, Faith has sales of over 25 million.
George Michael was one of a kind
For many fans, Michael is known for his upbeat pop sound. His career covers three decades and several hit songs. These include “Freedom”, “Careless Whisper”, and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”
Ridgely took to Twitter to pay respects to his friend. “Heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend Yog,” he writes. “Me, his loved ones, his friends, the world of music, the world at large. 4ever loved.”
The man who helped shape British pop will be missed.
The first image from Pixar’s next original film, Coco, has been released by Entertainment Weekly. Check it out below.
The director, Lee Unkrich, talked a little bit about his reaction to making the film.
“The day John Lasseter gave the thumbs up for this movie, I immediately felt this huge weight drop onto my shoulders because I knew that we were doing something different than we had ever made at the studio and that for the first time, we were going to have this enormous responsibility to do right by this culture and not lapse into stereotype or cliché.”
With the debut of Coco next November, can Pixar retain the level of greatness they held with properties like Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Inside Out?
“Coco follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who sets off a chain of events relating to a century-old mystery, leading to an extraordinary family reunion.”
It appears Santa is real and you asked for an ‘Alien: Covenant’ red band trailer for Christmas, I feel like that is just bit naughty.
Witness the Creation of Fear.
20th Century Fox has released the first trailer for ALIEN: COVENANT! Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with ALIEN: COVENANT, a new chapter in his groundbreaking ALIEN franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. Check out the trailer and film stills below!
‘Alien: Covenant’ is directed by Ridley Scott, and stars Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, and Benjamin Rigby.
Well, it seems as if dreams do come true as now the final product has been released. Han Solo: A Smuggler’s Tale tells the tale of Han (Costa) going a rescue mission to save Chewbacca from a bad guy played by actor Doug Jones. What was exceptional about this fan film is that Costa used the money raised not only to make the film but pay his 
