In a bit of an old school touch, two new actors behind the makeup of three new characters from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story have been revealed by their inclusion on autographed trading cards produced by Topps, reports ComicBook.com. You can see the three characters below.
Lucasfilm/Topps (Photo via Comicbook.com)
Actor Paul Kasey plays mercenary “Edrio Two Tubes”. The British thespian has previously worked on Doctor Who and spin-offs The Sarah Jane Adventures . It’s also not his first Star Wars role, as Kasey played Ello Asty, the X-wing pilot whose name references an album by the Beastie Boys.
Kasey, also plays a second character in the film, a Mon Calamari named “Admiral Raddus”. A member of the same race as Admiral Ackbar, he is reported to be one of the Rebel Alliance leaders.
Lastly, there is a simian-looking alien named “Bistan” being played by Nick Kellington. A veteran of British children’s programs, Kellington played “Igglepiggle” on the kids series In the Night Garden. and Dipsy on the 2015 version of the infamous Teletubbies.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Mads Mikkelsen, Ben Mendelsohn, Alan Tudyk, Donny Yen, Valene Kane, Riz Ahmed, Genevieve O’Reilly, Jimmy Smits, James Earl Jones, and Forrest Whitaker. It tells the story of the rag-tag team who steal the famed plans for the first Death Star, an act that allows for its destruction by the rebels in Star Wars: A New Hope. It is directed by Gareth Edwards, from a screenplay written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will hit theaters on December 16, 2016.
‘The Wailing’ Delivers A Convoluted But Beautiful Murder Mystery.
Some of the most intelligent horror films have came from Korean cinema. From ‘Oldboy‘ to ‘I Saw The Devil‘, the list of amazing Korean horror goes on. I’ve been waiting for the next great movie and 2016’s ‘The Wailing‘ might be it.
Describing this film as weird is a disservice. Trying to retell the events of the film is not easy but the feelings toward it is unshakeable. ‘The Wailing‘ is about the arrival of a mysterious stranger who brings drastic change to a small village. There’s illness and murders popping up causing a mass panic. The investigating officer is then personally involved in this case when his daughter gets sick. Without giving much away, that is just the tip of the iceberg.
This movie is so refreshing. Dealing with clumsy American movies, the focused narrative in ‘The Wailing‘ is a welcomed change. Everything attempted in this movie succeeded. Any humorous moment landed and the scares were plentiful. But, it was the obscurity of the whole thing that stands out. Wrapping your head around this piece is challenging but that’s half the fun. You never fully understand but you also enjoy that because ‘The Wailing‘ remains so masterfully crafted even at its strangest.
Something that drew me in is how deeply rooted it is in ancient Asian mythology. Horror films in America usually follow the same mythology or stories just retold in different ways. Diving into different elements from this South Korean horror film allows me to be even more intrigued. But that doesn’t mean ‘The Wailing‘ skips out on any horror tropes; it just subverts them beyond your wildest expectations.
“Not everything that moves, breathes, and talks is alive.”
Il-Gwang (Jung-min Hwang)
This did exactly what a great film has to do it. It answered enough questions posed within the film but stills lets your mind wander after it’s over. Never during the long running time did I find get bored. The mystery is so bizarre and the film is so sharp that it draws you until credits roll. You’re satisfied but you want more. That’s how I knew ‘The Wailing‘ was near perfection.
Other than a few stand out acting performances, the praise falls to the great work behind the camera. Director Na Hong-jin and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo brought everything they could. Na Hong-jin has been doing great since his debut in 2008 with the year’s third biggest film and impressed Cannes this year with ‘The Wailing‘. The work with the camera and visuals that Hong-Kyung-pyo never had a wasted moment. He made everything count and it shows as the whole movie is beautiful even when it gets disgusting or disturbed.
Final Thoughts:
I’ve seen a lot of horror films from American cinemas this year but none of them come close to what ‘The Wailing‘ did. The perfect blend of surrealism, mystery, and horror is great but when it gets too bizarre like exorcisms AND zombies is when you fall in love. I recommend this to any genre fans.
The streak of amazing South Korean horror movies continues.
‘The Wailing‘ is available on streaming services like iTunes, Youtube, and Google Play. It stars Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, and Jun Kunimura.
The first two seasons of Daredevil on Netflix are packed with characters, storylines, and events from the DD comic lore; what’s missing, however, is the introduction of Bullseye. Daredevil actor Charlie Cox noticed the absense and talked about it in an interview via Screenrant.com.
“It’s no secret, I’ve said it before and I get in trouble every time I say it, I’d like to see Bullseye make an appearance at some point. I think it’s a really interesting opportunity. Deborah Ann Woll obviously does not want Bullseye to show up for obvious reasons. Elodie Yung, who plays Elektra, doesn’t want Bullseye to show up either.”
The character is an integral part of Matt Murdock’s story and I surely hope he pops up in season three, and possibly even The Defenders.
See Cox as Daredevil next in 2017’s The Defenders.
“BOTTLED LIGHT” part one! The Green Lantern Corps may be back up and running, but how will they protect the universe with the Sinestro Corps as partners? Plus, what happened to Hal Jordan—and who can bring him back from beyond?
Writing
With the first arc of this series wrapped up, there is a lot of new material to address. Hal is missing, the Green Lantern Corps is united, and there are a few Sinestro Corps members who never really believed what Sinestro was serving up. It’s a lot to take in all at once but happens in a which flows nicely and doesn’t feel rushed.
Writer Robert Vendetti is on fire with this issue. On top of the impressive new storyline he has unfolding he also works to bring back some classic characters, have some great moments, and even bring back some individuals which have been lost for a while. For those thinking he wasn’t ready with a good follow up to the first storyline, you’ll find he knows exactly what he is doing.
Artwork
The sprawling visuals in this issue are very impressive. Ethan Van Sciver’s artwork mixed with Jason Wright’s colors is truly sight to behold. The best part of the issue comes from a particular two page spread which cannot be talked about in detail because doing so would diminish the overwhelming excellence which comes from seeing it first hand. It’s the kind of image you wish you could get a print of and be able to hang it on the wall.
Conclusion
This is just what the doctor ordered. A great issue about two factions coming together to stop a powerful force they wouldn’t be able to take down alone. A great analogy for two sides which may not see eye to eye but can become united under the idea of moving forward and working together for a better tomorrow. A lot of people could learn a lesson from the message in this issue and it may help to give everyone the ray of hope which is desperately needed right now.
Pizza and Beer are by far the best combo that I have found. Food of any kind and beer is always a win. My question is, why are there so many breweries that don’t serve food?
There are several answers to this question: food permits are hard to get, beer makers only want to make beer, a kitchen expensive, and no space. If you’re reading this, at one time or another you’ve had too much beer and not enough food. That is never a good time.
Some of my favorite breweries offer a wide variety of food; Tin Man Brewing Company and Bennidito’s Brewpub. You can have a whole meal with your beer, and the more you drink, the more you will eat.
My problem is I don’t go anywhere to have one beer, it’s unnatural. My other problem, being a lightweight is also a thing.
Back in 2014, my fiancé and I did the Ale Trail, which I mentioned in a previous article. We found ourselves in Idaho, in December, in the dark. I wasn’t familiar with the area, my fiancé from Indiana had no idea as well. We stumbled on to a brewery, and after a few drinks, we realized they had no food. And it turns out, most Idaho breweries don’t serve food. They did have a pizza menu from a takeout joint in town, which is responsible, but that would require waiting longer than we wanted to stay. We made do with our pretzels until the sobriety set in. At that moment, the realization hit that food in breweries should be a necessity. It would help people stay sober as they do battle with craft beers.
Food trucks are becoming more and more common these days, spotted outside of bars and breweries alike. I’ve also found there is always a delivery service that will cater to your munchie needs. Pizza Hut, Jimmy Johns, and even random Chinese places will suffice. Even ordering ahead car side to go at Red Robin, or Applebees would be a wonderful thing. Most breweries welcome outside food, but you always want to ask first.
What are your thoughts, are you a brewery purist or would you prefer some tasty treats while you enjoy your ice-cold brewski?
It has been an emotional day for the American voter. Whether you supported him or not, it is clear that the election of Donald Trump as America’s 45th President is a game-changer in the political world. Those who have been following the campaign that never seemed to end may be wondering what do with yourselves. You may be glad it’s over, but a part of you still yearns for the kind of political intrigue that has occupied are screens for the bones of a year. So, in recognition of this craving, we have prepared a list of the best political satire that TheSimpsons has to offer.
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Your choice is between an adulterous sloth of a mayor and a convicted felon. If this undesirable choice gives you a sense of deja vu, then the political battle between Diamond Joe Quimby and Robert Underdunk Terwilliger aka Sideshow Bob is the perfect catharsis for this election season. Years before South Park brought us the Giant Douche and the Turd Sandwich, the denizens of Springfield were learning about decision between the lesser of two evils. This gut-wretching parody of All the President’s Men, may be Sideshow Bob’s finest hour, though it may leave you wondering how two children always seem to thwart an evil genius’ plans. Featuring the wonderful one-off character of Birch Barlow; a Right-Wing pundit of the Rush Limbaugh vintage , this episode should be the first port of call for any politicos.
Favourite Qoute: “Oh my god, the Dead have risen and they are voting Republican”.
Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
In another case of life imitating art, the unlikely oligarch; Mr. Burns, runs for Governor following a scandal at the nuclear power plant. Homer and Marge come to odds as their chosen candidates clash. Much like the President-Elect, Mr. Burns soars in the polls in spite of the public’s initial repulsion. He even comes equipped with an all-too familiar desire to “to create a new and better world”. Yet, it is Blinky; the titular three-eyed which proves to be Burn’s undoing as the mutated fish proves to be a bitter pill to swallow.
Favourite Qoute: “This anonymous clan of slack-jawed troglodytes has cost me the election, and yet if I were to have them killed, I would be the one to go to jail. That’s Democracy for you.”
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
An essay contest on American Exceptionalism sees the Simpsons win a trip to the nation’s capital. Among the Washington elite, Lisa discovers the corrupt side of the US political system as a desperate struggle for the soul of America quickly ensures. The main reason to watch this one is for all of the cameos, President Bush makes his first in-universe appearance before his later role in Two Bad Neighbours. The almost fairy-tale like way in which the establishment react to restore a little girl’s faith in democracy. If only the system worked as well in real life. Favourite Qoute: “Oh Marge, cartoons don’t have any deep meaning. They’re just stupid drawings that give you a cheap laugh!”
Treehouse of Horror VII: Citizen Kang
The absurdity of America’s two-party system is lambasted in spectacular fashion as Kang and Kodos disguise themselves as Presidential candidates; Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. In retrospect, its amazing to think how much American political history I learned from The Simpsons as an Irish kid growing up in the nineties. How else would I know about the particulars of the 1996 election or the hilarity that was Senator Bob Dole? If anything this episode taught us all a powerful lesson, people would rather vote for grotesque aliens than a third-party candidate.
Favourite Qoute: “It matters not which one of us you vote for, either way your planet is doomed…DOOMED!”
Bart to the Future
It’s the episode that predicated the Donald’s rise to power as Bart stars in this flash-forward that sees Lisa Simpson ascend to the role of President. With the nation predictably bankrupt, the Simpsons siblings must negotiate with their creditors in order to avoid all-out financial chaos. Luckily, talking their way out of tough situations has always been their strong points. Of the many potential futures featured in the series, this one provides, if not the most realistic, then at least the most humorous ends for the Simpson family.
Favourite Qoute: “What happened to you China? You used to be cool.”
Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival’ starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker hits theaters this week. The film is sitting at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, but what did the crew at Monkeys Fighting Robots of the sci-fi drama
Matt and EJ try to wrap their collective minds around the film and why Villeneuve’s vision works so well.
Strap yourself in buckaroos! Episode 99 of the Monkeys Fighting Robots podcast is here.
Do you want to be our SUPER-FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.
Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show?
Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.
If you are looking to sponsor the podcast email matt@popaxiom.com as well.
About the Monkeys Fighting Robots Podcast:
A Gen Xer and a Millennial debate the latest topics in pop culture. One guy is a filmmaker and the other is a journalist, but both are nerds. We make your slowest days at work better. Hosts, Matthew Sardo and EJ Moreno.
Never heard of Matt Sardo? For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.
Who is EJ Moreno? Is he a trained physician? No. Is he a former Miss Universe contestant? Possibly. But what we know for sure is he’s a writer, filmmaker, and pop culture enthusiast. Since film school, EJ has written & directed several short films. He’s used his passion of filmmaking to become a movie critic for MonkeysFightingRobots.com.
Okay, it’s over folks. The most ridiculous presidential election in American history has finished, and the outcome has been very polarizing. But like everyone else I am pretty much done talking about it. In an effort to distract myself, and hopefully you readers out there, I came up with a list of the five worst fictional presidents in pop-culture. At least with THESE clowns, we can shut off the movie, close the book, or throw away the comic and be done with them! Here we go.
Lex Luthor
“Yes, it took two heat rays striking you simultaneously to fell you-But you have been comatose ever since. And a lot has happened during the interim.”
To clarify, I’m talking about the comic book version of Lex Luthor, not the motor-mouthed millennial played Jesse Eisenberg from Batman v. Superman. In the comics, specifically in the Our Worlds at War storyline, Luthor is Commander in Chief. As President, Luthor makes a backend deal with Brainiac, allows an alien probe to explode over Kansas killing thousands, and frames Bruce Wayne for murder. The guy was behind almost every major evil act in the DC Universe during the early 2000s. And after getting exposed by Superman and Batman, it’s safe to say Lex’s reelection campaign was put on hold.
Greg Stillson
“The missiles are flying. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!”
Martin Sheen has played the President twice. Most remember him as President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet from The West Wing. That character was awesome and does not deserve to be on this list. But it was his performance in David Cronenberg’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone that gets him on this. Sheen plays Greg Stillson, a U.S. senator, and presidential candidate. When Cristopher Walken’s character, Johnny Smith, uses his psychic ability to see Stillson’s future, he has a vision of the man leading the world into nuclear war. But even before that Stillson is a sleazy and sketchy guy. Definitely not a name to check on any ballot.
Gaius Baltar
“I cannot stay here too long before my machine friends will become nervous and do something rash.”
Ronald D. Moore’sBattlestar Galacticaremake was filled with questionable characters. But if the series has a “main villain” (at least for a while) it was Gaius Baltar, played by James Callis. Baltar not only is partially responsible for the eradication of the human race in the pilot episode, he does it to get a piece of Cylon ass. He also starts a cult and paints himself as a savior figure while building a harem of women he uses. He’s a total scumbag, and even though he (sort of) redeems himself by the series finale, he definitely caused much grief for the run of the show.
President Will Cooper
“It’s just a barrel. How bad can it hurt?”
Kevin James as a president is horrifying enough, but as Will Cooper in the movie Pixels, it’s just extra bad. It’s played for laughs, but he is obviously inept at his job. And yeah he helps save the day with Adam Sandler, but do we really want an everyday slob as the Prez? A guy whose claim to fame is being good at video games. I know a bunch of guys with that qualification, and as much as I like them, they would not get my vote on Election Day. And Pixels is just a flat out terrible movie, so pretty much EVERY character stinks.
President Camacho
“Shit. I know shit’s bad right now, with all that starving bullshit, and the dust storms, and we are running out of french fries and burrito coverings. But I got a solution.”
Idiocracy now seems like a vision from the true future and not a sadly overlooked movie. As played by Terry Crews, the character President Camacho is hysterical, but only because someone like that could never truly be president. Right? Anyway, Camacho is a ridiculous character in an equally ridiculous movie that makes us laugh at how much America and its leaders degrade. Good thing it’s all a farce and in no way a reflection of what could ever really happen.
So there you have it citizens, five guys that would have been horrible choices on any ballot. Who else do you think was a horrible fictitious president. Comment and discuss below. I’d love to read some of your ideas.
I had no idea what I was in for as I started into Occupy Avengers. Civil War II isn’t even over yet, but luckily for us, it doesn’t matter. Occupy Avengers begins as Clint Barton a.k.a Hawkeye is on a road trip across the country. In the aftermath of what happened with The Hulk, Clint is being hailed as a hero. He’s just not sure if he is one. Which leads us to Santa Rosa, New Mexico as our story begins as Clint might just be starting to figure out the next step. Turns out being an Avenger isn’t all cosmic battles and shiny costumes, there are many battles to fight on the ground. The ground level of the Marvel Universe is just as crazy as anything else. So sit back and relax as we dive further into Occupy Avengers #1.
Clint Barton’s Great Adventure Begins Now in Occupy Avengers!
Now if you are worried because you don’t know anything about Civil War II, you will be fine. David F. Walker gives you everything you need to know going into this. Within one page of Occupy Avengers, you will know everything you need for the story. It’s one of the smoothest recaps of a storyline I have seen in a while too. Walker is making a point to give you the background and then you are good to go.
The core concept of Occupy Avengers is to show a Hawkeye on the ground level of heroism. Ground level being with the people, and in turn meeting Sheriff Ortiz and Red Wolf in a diner. That’s when you learn of the Sweet Medicine Indian Reservation and what’s happening there. You learn of the contaminated water and why Clint is there. Of course with this chat, you learn that Mr. Barton’s road trip has been eventful before getting here.
That’s what I like about how Walker is building these characters. Ortiz is only in a small bit of the book, but I hope we see more of her as I liked her. Red Wolf is going to be great and it seems like he’ll be hanging around as the series goes on. I do enjoy Walker’s take on Clint; I love it in fact. Throughout the issue, Walker shows a Clint Barton looking for redemption for what happened with the Hulk. He’s not lost but definitely wondering if he’s a hero, a great examination of the character.
Just what makes a hero?
One part of the character examination I enjoyed is how Clint explains why he uses the Bow and Arrow. Walker makes a point to get you inside his head and it’s a joy to read. You get the humor of Clint and how earnest he is in wanting to help, and also how awesome he can be in a fight. It’s a genuine multi-faceted look that I cannot help but enjoy.
As Clint and Red Wolf learn more of what is happening with the Indian Reservation, this is where some low points kick in. Low point being the villains, they’re a little too generic for me. I know what they’re there for, they serve for more examination into Clint but, they could have been better. It’s so minor though as it pushes another old school Marvel villain to life, which will make the second issue interesting, to say the least. I did not see that villain coming into play with this story at all.
The ending had me curious about the next issue in a big way.
While the initial villains didn’t work for me, my goodness did it make for some gorgeous Carlos Pacheco pencils. Besides the slightly weak villain initially, that double page motorcycle chase rocked. My other favorite part was Red Wolf and his army of wolves, that was such a cool image, I loved it to pieces. The only weak part for me art wise was possibly the look of the villains, but that’s a mild complaint at best. Walker’s conversations were also a joy to behold and Pacheco enhanced it with some great expressions. I liked Walker giving Pacheco these great six panel pages to give the chat an almost cinematic look to it.
I also like the strong inks from Rafael Fonteriz, which really does help in strengthening Pacheco’s pencils. Sonia Oback’s coloring on this is beyond gorgeous. In the massive motorcycle chase, there’s a great use of shadows in the battle. It’s almost as if you’re in the thick of it with the bright lights illuminating and surrounding Barton. One particular favorite is when Clint is drawing his bow and it’s so subtle but great to see such wonderful usage of light and shadow. I like that.
Occupy Avengers is not just a well-written book but one with a great art team too.
Occupy Avengers has the potential from this issue to be a strong new series. It’s a new take on the idea of Avengers and Clint Barton is the perfect fit for this idea. Time will tell how this series develops but if this issue is any indication, this series is going to rock.
Cross-genre properties are always popular. Some, like space westerns or horror comedies, are everywhere; a new one pops up every few months. But others are more rare, and those are the ones that leave a greater impact when done right. It’s too early to tell what kind of impact Matt Kindt and David Rubin’s fantasy mystery Ether will have, but the first two issues show a ton of potential for greatness.
Ether is the story of Boone Dias, a scientist that travels between Earth and the magical realm of the Ether for research. Boone doesn’t believe in magic; he views it as unexplained science and seeks to make “order from the chaos.” But to residents of the Ether, Boone is much more. He’s their go-to detective, solving cases that seem unsolveable. So when the Ether’s head of security is found murdered, Boone is dragged in to help.
Be warned: Ether #1 is deceptively shallow. Most of the issue feels like a fun and somewhat campy romp without any real weight. And there’d be no problem with that; light and simple can make for a good read. But then the last few pages hit, and Kindt throws the curveball he’s been saving the whole game. It’s clear that he has a much deeper story to tell, and he carries that momentum straight into issue two.
Issue two spends much more time fleshing out its cast of characters. It still has all the fun and humor of the first issue, but it takes the time to dig into various backstories and show what makes certain players tick. Out of the first two issues, this is the one with more heart. It gives the readers a reason to care instead of just offering a fun ride. Kindt also opens up a world (or realm) of possibilities, as certain revelations bring into question everything that’s occurred so far.
David Rubin’s artwork is a consistent and mind bending tour de force through the first two issues. His spreads of the Ether are pinup worthy, and his colors breath life into this imaginary world. Maybe even more impressive though is how well he can transition to the bleak and grim reality of our world without missing a beat. Art is typically something that has to speak for itself. Rubin’s work doesn’t just speak volumes; it shouts them.
There are only a couple of gripes about this series so far, but they’re honestly negligible compared to all the good this series is offering. First, the dialogue can come off as inauthentic at times. But it seems like Kindt is going for a certain amount of camp, so this is easily excusable, and it actually adds to the humor. Also, the pacing feels a tad off; things can seem quick moving between panels, like there’s a transition missing. But neither of these “complaints” are severe enough to ruin an otherwise strong narrative.
The Bottom Line
Think Sherlock meets Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch could totally play Boone in an adaptation).
Ether has a little bit of something for everyone. It’s funny, it’s emotional, and – most important – it’s entertaining. Be sure to pick up issue one when it hits shelves next week (issue two is currently scheduled for December 21).
Sideshow Bob Roberts
Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
Treehouse of Horror VII: Citizen Kang
Bart to the Future
