Director James Gunn released the first movie poster and then teaser trailer to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Wednesday morning. The gang is all back including baby Groot.
“So the first Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 trailer will be coming in not too long, but we know how thirsty you guys are for a glimpse – so we put together this special sneak peak at #GotGVol2 for you,” Gunn posted to YouTube.
Watch the 86-second trailer:
https://youtu.be/AaY5r-L_gok
Below are the top ten images from the trailer plus a few more. The film was shot with RED’s WEAPON 8K Vista Vision Camera and you can see the difference.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ is written and directed by Gunn and stars Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell, and Pom Klementieff.
Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.
The Cosmic Heroes return to the big screen on May 5, 2017.
If you are familiar with the Pacific Northwest, you should know where Spokane, Washington is. No, it’s not Seattle, it doesn’t rain all the time, and the traffic isn’t nearly as bad. Spokane is in Eastern Washington. A good sized city, an up and coming movie hub, and it just so happens to be my hometown. Best part of Spokane? The beer. Just over the last five years or so, Craft Beer has really taken off in the area. New breweries are popping up all the time. So many in fact, that the “Ale Trail” has been born. Twelve breweries, a beer from each one, a stamp, and you have got yourself a grunt for going through all twelve. Unfortunately, it does cost extra to fill. My fiancé and I did it, in three days. You get as much time as you want.
No-Li Brewing was the first brewery in Spokane, born in 1993 under the name Northern Lights Brewery. In 2012, they opened the brewpub, sharing the love of beer and good food with all of the Spokanites.
No-Li was the first brewery I ever went to. After Lilac City Comic-con (formally known as Spokane Comic-con) I joined my artist Jeremy Whittington (I write comics too), and the awesome Stephen Sadoski, as well as other creators for an after party. We sat outside, and must I say. The outside view is what sets this place apart. I sat there, ate Mac and Cheese, drank beer with some of the coolest nerds I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Can you ask for anything better than good beer, delicious food, and a super cool atmosphere? Oh, what was that? Adirondack chairs and personal fire pits? They got those. Most importantly, the amazing view of the Spokane River.
I also had my first date with my fiancée right outside at No-Li.
Their beer is more on the hoppy side, even the lighter ones. If you love IPA’s you will be happy here. The most popular is by far “Born & Raised.” It’s an IPA and comes in at a 7.0% on the alc/vol. Even though I have the sweatshirt, it is not my favorite one of all.
Poser, weighing in at 4.8%, is a pale ale with citrus hops and delightfulness. This one takes the cake for me. Like I said, their beers run on the hoppy side, so for me, this is a tame IPA. IPA’s are one of my favorites, so it’s was easy to find something to drink here
I would say this place is a MUST if you are in Spokane. Beer of all types for all the snobs out there, fantastic food, and an excellent atmosphere.
Open for your beer and food pleasure every day from 11am-10pm.
I would highly suggest visiting in the late spring or a summer night. Sit outside. Outside does have a different food menu, however. If you are inside, get the mac and cheese. You will thank me.
Do yourself a favor, have a first, visit to No-Li Brewing.
Side note: All pictures in the article are from my personal collection. I gave credit to the one that was not my original.
Logan director James Mangold has revealed the first look at Hugh Jackman as an older Wolverine in Logan.
The image gives us a look at Hugh Jackman in his final Wolverine movie, and it looks like he’s been in a fair few fights since we last saw the character.
It’s clear from the image that the look of Wolverine on this movie is heavily influenced by the “Old Man Logan” storyline. This is just one of many images revealed recently, but just keep in mind that this is the last first image we’ll get of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
A trailer for Logan was recently classified, meaning we will likely get our first look at the film in the coming weeks. One thing is for sure, we are getting an older, meaner and maybe more vulnerable Wolverine. Recent reports have claimed that the film will take place in the future, where Wolverine’s healing abilities aren’t as useful as they have been in past movies, and there are fewer Mutants in the world.
Directed by James Mangold, the third Wolverine movie stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Merchant, Eriq La Salle and Elise Neal.
Logan is set to land in theaters on March 3, 2017.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is by far Tom Cruise’s least entertaining film in years.
It’s also a possibly fatal setback to the “Jack Reacher” series of films he launched with such surprising grit and verve back in 2012. Never Go Back lacks just about all of the previous film’s ingenuity, relying heavily on well-worn action film tropes and clichés.
Is it terrible? No, but it should prove a disappointment for those hoping for more of what the first film delivered.
What’s it about
This time, Reacher (Cruise) comes to the aid of his successor in the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command, Maj. Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders, Avengers: Age of Ultron). Turner faces treason charges following the deaths of two of her investigators and the discovery of evidence that implicates her in espionage.
Their poking around into Turner’s frame-up leads to them being tracked by an assassin (Patrick Heusinger) and also another mystery. A paternity suit leveled at Reacher claims he’s the father of 15-year-old Samantha (Danika Yarosh), a claim he denies, though he’s not entirely sure.
Naturally, Samantha’s possible connection to Reacher makes her a target, as well. Therefore, Reacher and Turner find they have no choice but to bring the willful, streetwise girl along for the ride.
Together, the trio work to unravel just why Turner’s agents were killed in the first place, while evading both the assassin and military police out to put Turner back in a cell. It’s a de facto family road trip, complete with a treasure hunt, some scenic locales, and lots of flying bullets.
Reacher-style action
One thing Jack Reacher: Never Go Back does do well is keep its own brand of action distinct from Cruise’s other well-known action series, the Mission: Impossible films. While those action vehicles feature flashier, more elaborate set pieces and labyrinthine plots, the Reacher films strive for a more grounded and gritty feel.
To that end, director Edward Zwick (Pawn Sacrifice, Blood Diamond) and stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood (Mission Imposible: Rogue Nation) keep stuntwork here smaller in scope. From the fights to the chases and gunplay, the goal seems to be visceral immediacy, rather than showiness.
The results aren’t bad, but fail to stand out when compared to the first film. Audiences watching may find themselves feeling as they did watching Jason Bourne back in July: entertained, but not wowed. After all, what they’re getting doesn’t build on what’s past – it’s just more of the same.
Too many clichés
Where Jack Reacher: Never Go Back goes off the reservation is in the plotting between the action beats. The first Reacher film worked, in part, because writer/director Christopher McQuarrie (Edge of Tomorrow, The Usual Suspects) stayed committed to the detective story aspect of Lee Child’s “Reacher” novels. The film took its time and let Reacher be an investigator first and an ass-kicker second.
Never Go Back, in comparison, packs its 118 minutes with more punching and shooting and relatively little detective work. Zwick is among three writers credited on the film, so he shares a measure of responsibility here. Though he’s been writing screenplays since the late 1970’s, Never Go Back is Zwick’s first crime thriller. The inexperience shows.
What’s worse is instead of screen time used for sleuthing, audiences get tired tropes. Awkward bonding time between Reacher and Samantha, an attempt at romantic tension between Reacher and Turner (no), and a climax to the action that’s telegraphed an hour into the film all add up to a surprisingly ham-handed storytelling effort.
Safe to say, if Cruise undertakes another Reacher project, best to ‘go back’ to McQuarrie. At least he knows how to construct a smart mystery thriller.
Worth seeing?
Finally, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back represents a stumble for Cruise, who seems to have a hiccup every two or three projects. His last two — Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and Edge of Tomorrow — helped him recover from the lackluster Oblivion. Prior to those, the first Reacher film and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol covered for disappointments like Rock of Ages and Knight and Day.
That said, for Cruise fans there may just be enough here to warrant a trip to the theater this weekend. For everyone else, safe to say Jack Reacher: Never Go Back can wait for home viewing. If anything, waiting to see it might preserve your good memories of the first film just a little longer.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
Starring Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge, Danika Yarosh, Patrick Heusinger, Holt McCallany, Robert Knepper. Directed by Edward Zwick.
Running Time: 118 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some bloody images, language and thematic elements.
James Gunn released the first teaser poster for ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2’ on the internet Wednesday morning.
‘Behold, the first ever look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 teaser poster!’ Gunn tweeted.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ is written and directed by Gunn and stars Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell, and Pom Klementieff.
The Cosmic Heroes return to the big screen on May 5, 2017.
Not Only Did ‘Ouija’ Improve From The First Film But It Told A Solid Story With Amazing Visuals
Many horror fans are turned off when they hear these words: PG-13 and Platinum Dunes. The first ‘Ouija‘ film released in 2014 was panned but made $103.6 million on a $5 million budget. In all honesty, the first film was the basic teen paranormal movie tossed out to make some money. But with the sequel, ‘Ouija: Origin Of Evil‘, it seems the filmmakers went into the project with a clear vision.
I’m not saying ‘Origin Of Evil‘ is totally original piece. But it does take a boring sub-genre and subvert expectations. Instead of just cashing in on the sequel/prequel chain, director Mike Flanagan (‘Oculus‘, ‘Hush‘) dove in head-first. Flanagan follows the original’s backstory, he also creates his own mythos There’s personality here. I’m happy to see a more focused story instead of Ouija board hijinks. You also get a sense of where Flanagan is as a director in horror. This year has had several paranormal horror films but this stands out. It’s less hollow than ‘The Conjuring 2‘ and more inspired than ‘Light’s Out‘.
It wasn’t just the directing that shined behind the camera. The cinematography fits in with the 1960’s setting so amazing well. There’s many “cigarette burns” throughout the film to make it feel like it’s shot on film. The amount of zooms used in the movie is ridiculous. I remember during film school, the cinematography instructors said zooms came off amateur and dated. Cinematographer Michael Fimognari must know that because the 60’s look was spot on. So many of the slow zooms that made you focus on the subject. Also there’s a large amount of background/foreground visual moments as well. So many scares come from the camera work in this.
“When you talk to the other side, you never know who will be listening.”
The other scares came from Doris played by Lulu Wilson. As far as kid actors in horror goes, she nails the creep factor. One of my favorite scenes with her is a talk she has with her sister’s boyfriend. Already messed with by dark forces, she goes on this rant about what it’s like to feel strangled. Going into great detail, young Doris terrifies her this poor guy. This scene has effective camera work & great acting from Wilson. Even when covered in effects to sell this ghost, she acts through it all and delivers when needed. That’s great because the other two women in the movie (Annalise Basso and Elizabeth Reaser) played rather generic characters. They never made it beyond their one dimensional characters and dived into the role like Wilson did with Doris.
I’m thankful the tight-knit story kept the focus on the family and didn’t stray too far. Like the previously mentioned ‘Conjuring 2‘, trying to tell multiple stories with too many scares leads to an underwhelming piece. ‘Origin Of Evil‘ slow burned its way to a well deserved thrilling climax. It was until the end that every scare was some in your face intensity. Tons of the horror in the movie is what almost happened. Then scares comes out of no where for a good surprise.
Final Thoughts:
I’m glad ‘Ouija: Origin Of Evil‘ embraced the gimmick fully and emerged themselves in this time period. The film is trying to sell 1967 horror and I am buying it. There’s something so campy and fun about this but doesn’t lack in the story department. With all that is happening, the movie remains focused and doesn’t try to juggle too much. Even when introducing outside characters other than main family, they were tangled into this mess in a organic nature.
‘Ouija: Origin Of Evil‘ is released in theaters on October 21st, 2016. The story is about a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance scam business and invite authentic evil into their home. It stars Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, and Annalise Basso.
A collector’s edition of The Force Awakens, out November 15th, includes some newly released deleted scenes, according to Entertainment Weekly. EW revealed after a sneak peek at the disc’s special features that one deleted scene confirms Unkar Plutt’s fate. Apparently Plutt has never heard the old Solo advice: “let the wookie win”.
Unkar Plutt Disarmed
The cinematic release of The Force Awakens leaves Plutt disgraced and without his stolen Falcon back on Jakku. But Abrams had some other justice planned for the bulbous alien, which was filmed but eventually cut. Plutt’s fate was left intact in the film’s novelization, so the deleted scene isn’t a surprise to those who read The Force Awakens.
The teaser clip cuts off just after Plutt insults Chewie while poking his injured arm. According to EW, the scene continues and “let’s just say, Chewbacca disarms him. We’re talking literally. Rip! Plorp! A limb goes flying and lands on the gambling table, earning a high-pitched scolding from Warwick Davis’ character Wollivan“.
Plutt certainly deserves this harsher fate, after treating Rey and her fellow scavengers like lesser life forms. Mocking Chewie for his injury certainly didn’t make him more likable, either. Plutt’s extended fate makes for a great bit of poetic justice, as well as a little easter egg for both classics fans and those who read the novelization.
Thecollector’s edition of Star Wars: The Force Awakens releases on November 15th, 2016. The new blu-ray will include additional special features and a 3D version of the film, available to consumers for the first time.
The Force Awakens continues the Star Wars franchise. The film stars Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Gwendolyn Christie (Captain Phasma), and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren). The cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Mark Hammil (Luke Skywalker), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2 consultant).
With Halloween almost upon us, the airwaves and cineplexes are filled with all manner of horror. Hell, even off season, the genre is back with a vengeance. So with comic books joining the ranks of popular media, horror has been lurking in the shadow of funny books as well. So here are five modern horror comics well worth your time. And I do mean modern, so as awesome as they are, Tales from The Crypt,Creepy, and Eerie are all purposely left out. Oh, and also a little-known juggernaut called The Walking Dead . As much as I do love that series, enough has been and continues to be written about it elsewhere.
Afterlife with Archie
Archie Comics has for a long time now been updating and adapting its comics for a new audience. The company has managed to keep the property not only relevant but actually pioneering as well. They have not only brought Archie and the gang into the modern world with a millennial take, but they also dragged Andrews and his crew into full-fledged horror. Afterlife With Archie, created by writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla could have been a done in one single issue or even fallen flat. Instead, it became a breakaway hit. The key was in not only treating the characters seriously but the situation as well. When a zombie outbreak (brought upon by an out of control resurrection spell cast by Sabrina, The Teenage Witch) comes to Riverdale, tragedy indeed does strike. Beloved and classic characters die, and others revert to having to do horrible things just to survive. The series also doesn’t skimp on gore, scares, and violence. Instead, it offers up truly disturbing moments (like Archie Andrew having to kill his father.) It’s actually shocking how good the book is. And the art by Francavilla is amazing, invoking the best of golden and silver age horror comics, while still feeling modern.
Hack/Slash
These days Tim Seeley is high up on DC Comic’s list of top writers. But the man made a name for himself on this title. The story follows Casey Hack, the ultimate final girl, who survived a brutal massacre by her own mother, a slasher named The Lunch Lady. Teaming up with a hulking masked man named Vlad, Casey travels the world hunting and killing maniacs. The comic does for slashers what Buffy did for vampires. It has even managed to cross over with other properties, bringing both Chucky from Child’s Play and Herbert West from the Re-Animator movies into its world. For fans of 80s knife-wielding killer movies, it’s a must read. And, as fun as it is, the book does create its own mythology and history, working as almost an analysis of the genre as well. It truly is a unique book.
Glitterbomb
This is the newest title on this list, having only two issues out as of this writing. However in that short time, writer Jim Zub (WAYWARD, Thunderbolts) and artist Djibril Morrissette-Phan hell of a Hollywood horror story. The comic follows Farah Durrante, a middle-aged actress on the never-ending search for her next job in a town that holds youth and beauty above all else. Paying homage and existing in the genre of movies like The Neon Demon and Black Swan, this comic takes the metaphorical demons that plague and are forced on young women in the entertainment industry, and turns them into something very real. The book is both disturbing in theme and story and is another great release from the already prolific Image Comics.
Outcast
I know I said in the intro I wouldn’t mention The Walking Dead, but creator Robert Kirkman’s other series is game. Outcast takes the genre of demon possession and turns it on his head. Kirkman, along with artist and co-creator Paul Azaceta, expands on the typical possession plot to build their own mythology around a man named Kyle Barnes, who has been plagued by demons his whole life. The twist is that it’s not Kyle who has been possessed, but those around him. To say more would ruin the book, and it’s really something you have to read for yourself. So strong was the story and hype of this title that Cinemax optioned and began production on a TV adaptation already a season in. But do yourself a favor and check out the comic first.
Fatale
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are one of modern comic’s most legendary collaborators. Sleeper, Criminal, The Fade Out; these are just a few of the comics they have done together and everything is spectacular. Fatale is no different, and may just be the most unique book the duo has done. Following a mysterious, immortal woman named Josephine as she moves from era to era, falling in with questionable men, as she runs from a force she can barely explain. The book takes the concept of the femme fatale and creates an entire mythology around it. It’s a “high concept” that automatically connects many genres and stories together, giving it immediate richness. Throw in Lovecraftian Cthulhu cult worshippers, and a history of witches and you have something you truly have not read before.
Horror is a frustrating genre that rarely puts out anything unique. The few times it does put out something fresh, that idea will get forced into every scenario imaginable until the last shred of originality is long gone. One of the few cases where this didn’t happen was Final Destination. Released in 2000, the film followed a group of teenagers being killed off one by one after surviving a near death experience. Despite spawning four sequels, the idea itself never really popped up outside of that one franchise.
That was at least until this year’s Tell Me How I Die. The film follows a group of participants in a clinical trial as they start having visions of the future as a side effect of the drug they’re taking. While most of the participants have visions of minor events right before they happen, Anna (Virginia Gardner) starts having visions of the other participants dying gruesome deaths. As her visions start to come true, she decides to try to escape the hospital they are staying at.
That set-up is quite strong for a suspenseful horror flick, and for the most part the film delivers on that potential. The acting is strong throughout, and the movie provides some clever kills with its limited budget. On top of that, the film has a great score. Where the movie falls apart is when you try to give the internal logic of the story too much thought. The characters never seem to become aware of everything that’s going on, and struggle to become engaging people to follow as a result. This is especially the case during the film’s final third, where the viewer likely has a clear idea of where the story will go, with the characters still struggling to piece things together.
Despite its flaws, Tell Me How I Die is a capable horror flick that builds upon the Final Destination formula in interesting ways. The film delivers a clever flick with just enough creativity to keep you engaged throughout. While it would’ve been better served with a different final act, what is on screen is enough to entertain you from start to finish.
Sometimes passion projects do work out for artist. Gus Van Sant started working on ‘My Own Private Idaho‘ during the 70’s. It faced many re-writes and became inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry IV. The movie was finally released on October 18th, 1991. Starring Keanu Reeves and the late River Phoenix, ‘My Own Private Idaho‘ is a tragic piece of love and power.
“I love you, and you don’t pay me.”
-Mike (River Phoenix)
The story follows best friends, Scott and Mike, two hustlers on the streets of Portland. Tired of their lives, they both set out on a journey that tests their relationship. Scott (Keanu Reeves) is the rebel son of the mayor. His best friend Mike (River Phoenix) is a prostitute who suffers from narcolepsy. Under extreme circumstances, the disorder effects his life in dramatic ways. Scott is there for him but their friendship becomes strained after Mike confesses his love to him and Scott meets a beautiful Italian girl.
Keanu Reeves is a household name by now with films like ‘The Matrix‘ and ‘Bill And Ted‘. River Phoenix’s career was sadly cut short but pieces like this made his acting a standout. Phoenix brings a lot to the character and turns Mike into a progressive role in Queer Cinema. I would’ve loved to see him explore more transgressive and controversial roles like this. Same with Keanu Reeves. His character’s relationship with his father was inspired by Shakespeare’s Henry IV. ‘My Own Private Idaho’s‘ dynamic lead roles challenged what Reeves could do as an actor as well as Phoenix.
The other big standout performance from this movie was Gus Van Sant’s role from behind the camera. He, not only, crafted this story for decades but used such a surreal filmmaking style. This was an artist still trying to figure out how far they could push the boundaries and he pushed all the right ones. Van Sant has impressive later films like ‘Milk‘ and ‘Good Will Hunting‘ but this is an early hit. ‘My Own Private Idaho‘ is only his third film but he changed cinema and became one of the most prominent LGBT figures in Hollywood.
“The achievement of this film is that is wants to evoke that state of drifting need, and it does.”
-Roger Ebert (2000)
It’s amazing that a movie like this exist and to see it’s just as poignant as ever. Having a gay, poor, disabled, and troubled lead character like River Phoenix’s Mike is still almost unheard of today in movies. The way Gus Van Sant blends the acting with the cinematography or the editing is cinematic magic. Also, this is important to the gay community’s representation in this artistic medium.
‘My Own Private Idaho’ is an independent film masterpiece.
