‘Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Ghost Rider Takes A TV Test Drive, But Has It Secured His Fate?

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September 21, 2016

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4 debuted last night, and the biggest item on the agenda was the first appearance of Ghost Rider on any television show. Ghost Rider has a history in cinema, though, and it is not pretty one. Depending on who you ask, prior to Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. picked him up for its fourth season, Ghost Rider was not much of a marketable commodity.

As this writer has pointed out in a prior Monkey’s Fighting Robots article, Ghost Rider’s two big screen debuts were mostly consider cinematic flops, before the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D pickup.

However, fan love and demand was still strong, as rumors of a Netflix show loomed, enter Marvel’s All-New Ghost Rider Robbie Reyes.

The irony of it all is that Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and All-New Ghost Rider both did not seem to have as much success as other show or characters. So, it is interesting to see them together, but how did Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4’s Ghost Rider turn out? Were the effects top-notch? Accurate portrayal? Was he merely used as menial plot device? Lets discuss.

The Ghost Riders Are-A-Changin’

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4’s first episode held more hints of Ghost Rider than the actual character(Granted, the show isn’t called Ghost Rider, but still). Ghost Rider was not fully seen until a little over halfway through the episode. He was portrayed as a serial killer by the A.O.S. character Quake, who was the only one who actually met the rider the whole time.

Robbie Reyes’ was conflicted like any rider before him, but he was not completely psychotic, and there was positive reverence of the Ghost Rider in Robbie’s neighborhood. Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. may be over playing the horror factor.

Robbie Reyes is obviously about ten or more years older, and Gabe is a little older too. These were not, it seems so far, to be the only changes from the titular comic book the All-New Ghost Rider hails from.

Robbie Reyes was unique in that his rider was not based on the “Spirit of Vengeance.” A Russian mobster that had a deeper web within the story, and connection to Reyes, was the possessing spirit. Though it wasn’t specifically spoken in the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode, the previews are name-dropping the “Spirit of Vengeance.”

Gone is Dr. Zabo and his super pills, and now there is some darker, ghost story that is the subplot of the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ghost Rider arc.

With not much more to go on, those are the differences, but has anything been brought over from the Marvel comic book he came from?

All-New Ghost Rider Plucked From The Old Comic book

His name is Robbie Reyes, he has a brother named Gabe, and he appears to also have some special needs. The car, the skull, and even the jacket look super cool, and are spot on from the All-New Ghost Rider‘s comic book. Anything more is yet to be seen in one of the next 21 episodes of Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Conclusion

The cool factor carried over into Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., and this Ghost Rider incarnation is certainly darker than the previous on-screen portrayals, but will it be enough to keep the Ghost Rider in the Marvel cinematic and TV universe? Only time and fan reaction will tell, but it is a serious take on the character with what seems to be a good actor.

The “All-New” comic book had a smaller following, so Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. might get away with some changes, but hopefully they won’t take too much license with an already shaky, troubled character. Though, it is only the first episode to contain the Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D Ghost Rider after all.

Also, the effects could use a little work on the skull, but it is still, over all…cool.

[Images Via ABC/Marvel Entertainment]

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I Watched The CBS ‘Training Day’ Pilot So You Don’t Have To

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 21, 2016

Let’s say you really liked Training Day. As you should. Antoine Fuqua’s crooked cop thriller is one of the very best entires in the subgenre, a masterclass in mounting tension and performances from both Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke that transcend their genre trappings. It’s a great film. So if you like it, congratulations, you have terrific taste.

Now let’s say you thought Training Day was fine, but you thought it might be better served if it were run through the CBS homogenizing process and dumped on society in a more generic and uninspired, serialized TV show. The film just wasn’t obvious enough for you, and you want more tone-deaf dialogue, more meaningless action, more preposterous developments at every turn.

If that’s your bag, have I got the show for you.

CBS has adapted Training Day for their Fall network slate, much like FOX has done with Lethal Weapon. Only this time, ya know, to mix things up, the crooked cop is a white guy and the trainee is African American. And that crooked white cop, in case you had fears of subtlety or the lack of scenery chewing, is none other than overacting savant Bill Paxton, who plays openly corrupt Frank Rourke. Paxton is doing his typical “hey, man, whatevs” work here. The fresh meat is Justin Cornwell, played by Kyle Craig. He’s fine I guess. He’s breathing.

But there’s a twist! You see, Kyle Craig is fresh off a preposterous baby-saving incident that kicks off the show, one of the most absurd sequences I have ever witnessed. It has to be seen to be believed – but you can turn it off after that. And in his newfound fame, Craig is recruited by his captain to go undercover. You see, in this new Training Day universe, the events of the film have happened. Alonzo Harris’s antics are yet another blemish on the LAPD and all of the cases he was involved with were thrown out, leaving the streets overrun with ethnic criminals of all shapes and sizes. Craig is tasked with making sure this sort of corruption nonsense doesn’t happen with Rourke, and we’re off and running.

There’s really no need to break down plot details and developments in this pilot. You can probably guess everything here since this is a CBS show, and CBS works really hard to make every one of their “crime” shows look and feel the exact same. Your grandpa will love it. There’s plenty of arbitrary violence and action on display, but it’s not too violent. There’s no blood, don’t be ridiculous. And there is plenty of bland dialogue to condescend viewers.

Kyle Craig’s wife, for example, lays everything out in the first three minutes of the show. He’s the love of her life, hopefully the mother of his children, he needs to be careful in all his endeavors. Oh, and Craig has a partial license plate on his wrist from the car responsible for his cop dad’s death. Not a tattoo, mind you, but apparently just a sharpie number that he has to keep retouching at times during the show. First of all, you couldn’t get a tattoo, dude? It’s not important enough for that? Also, it sure seems like after a few DAYS – let alone YEARS – since your father’s death, those digits would be seared into your head. But maybe he has short-term memory loss… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If you have that uncle who celebrates all the CBS shows… if he’s a fan of Blue Bloods or he can’t wait for the new season of CSI or NCIS: Milwaukee or whatever they have running these days, then absolutely point him in the direction of Training Day. It’s right in his wheelhouse. But if you (or your other, cooler uncle) has respect for the medium of crime drama storytelling, avoid this ridiculous show. Just go back and watch the movie. Hell, watch the movie every time the show comes on TV and you’ll be better off for it.

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‘Supergirl’ Season 2: New Trailer Spotlight On ‘Superman’

By

David Joseph

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September 21, 2016

Supergirl Season 2 is on its way with a new network, a more official tie to the DCTV Universe, and a new TV Superman, which is sported in this new trailer, according to Comicbook.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvzqZKYqQX0

Supergirl showrunners, and fans alike, seemed apprehensive about bringing her famous cousin Superman to the CBS/CW show. However, reports indicated over the summer that another Superman on-screen representation was heading to CW’s Supergirl Season 2.

The new Supergirl Season 2 teaser trailer does not reveal much, but it is one of the more significant looks at the newest Superman in action. Superman was never directly in the show so far, as producer Andrew Kreisberg explains just what has taken so long to bring him to CW’s DCTV Universe.

“There really isn’t anything we’ve asked for that was not given to us, you know? The show’s called Supergirl and it’s about Supergirl. It’s not like we’ve been jonesing to have Superman on it.We also didn’t want to…you know, if you’re going to cast Superman, you’ve got cast Superman right! Just like when you think about all the time and effort and energy that’s gone into finding the cinematic Superman over the last thirty years.”

In fact, Kreisberg and company did not really seem like they would or wanted to bring Superman into their Supergirl show, as evidenced by the remainder and conclusion of his statement.

“For us, Superman is more of an idea than it is a personification of the character, so we’re more than happy to have him backlit. We’re perfectly happy to have him swoop in, save Kara in Episode Three, because the real heart of the story is that she then kicks Reactron’s butt. She’s the one that takes him down, and that’s what much more important for us.”

Now that the idea is has stepped out from his backlit persona, it will be interesting for fans to see how the newest Superman is portrayed, and what his overall roll will be in the show.

[Images Courtesy of The CW]

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‘John Wick: Chapter Two’ Has Its First Badass Poster

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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September 21, 2016

John Wick: Chapter Two is still too far away, but thankfully we have a new poster to enjoy in the meantime.

This poster is also the first official look, or first image, or whatever… Point being, it’s badass in its simplicity and style. Check it out:

https://twitter.com/TheFilmStage/status/778640631203782660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Right to the point. John Wick is a beast, made clear by the gun in his right hand. But he’s also impeccably dressed as the tailor measuring his suit would point out. That black three-piece is impressive.

Very little is known about the direction of John Wick: Chapter Two. No synopsis, but we do know Chad Stahelski is back as director, and the supporting cast includes Bridget Moynahan, Ian McShane (!), Laurence Fishburne, Common, and John Leguizamo back in the fold.

February 10 cannot get here soon enough.

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New ‘Bad Santa 2’ Red Band Trailer Takes You To A New Low (NSFW)

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 21, 2016

Do you remember the days when the Christmas season started on Black Friday, me neither? Now BROAD GREEN PICTURES and MIRAMAX want to make Thanksgiving even darker with ‘Bad Santa 2’ hitting theaters on November 23.

Bill Bob Thorton returns as the worst Santa ever in the latest RED BAND trailer for the sequel.

‘Bad Santa 2’ returns Billy Bob Thornton to the screen as America’s favorite anti-hero, Willie Soke. Fueled by cheap whiskey, greed and hatred, Willie teams up once again with his angry little sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox), to knock off a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. Along for the ride is ‘the kid’ – chubby and cheery Thurman Merman (Brett Kelly), a 250-pound ray of sunshine who brings out Willie’s sliver of humanity.

Mommy issues arise when the pair are joined by Kathy Bates, as Willie’s horror story of a mother, Sunny Soke. A super butch super bitch, Sunny raises the bar for the gang’s ambitions, while somehow lowering the standards of criminal behavior. Willie is further burdened by lusting after the curvaceous and prim Diane, played by Christina Hendricks, the charity director with a heart of gold and libido of steel.

Mark Waters directs ‘Bad Santa 2’ from a screenplay by Johnny Rosenthal and Shauna Cross, based on characters by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa.

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Idris Elba To Return As ‘The Gunslinger’ For ‘The Dark Tower’ TV Series

By

Majeed Sayibu

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September 21, 2016

MRC and Sony Pictures, which is releasing The Dark Tower Live Action film starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey, have committed not just to financing a pilot but a full run of between 10 and 13 episodes, of a companion TV Show depending on how the scripts and story arcs develop, Entertainment Weekly reports. The Dark Tower show will begin shooting in 2017 with plans to premiere it in 2018, ideally, around the time the film becomes available on cable or streaming services. The Dark Tower movie (Starring Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey) will serve as a sequel of sorts to Stephen King’s novels as it tells the tale of Roland Deschain’s (Idris Elba) final journey to the the series’ titular structure.

While MRC has committed to making a full run of 10 – 13 episodes which will begin shooting in 2017. There’s no word on a distributor yet, although fans speculate it would end up on either a cable network like HBO or a streaming service like Netflix due to the adult nature of the material. On the other hand, shows like ABC’s Hannibal are proof that mature material could still be distributed by some of the larger network companies. Elba has signed on to appear alongside Tom Taylor (who will play Jake Chambers in the movie) as a framing device of sorts due to this show adapting Wizard and Glass, the book exploring Roland’s early years. As a result, a younger actor likely in his teens will be cast to play the younger Roland Deschain.

At the time of this report, no information has been release on whether Matthew McConaughey will be involved in the series, but given the Man in Black’s shapeshifting abilities, that may not be an issue and the character can be recast with a built in reason if McConaughey does not return in the series.

A gunslinger (Idris Elba) and an evil sorcerer (Matthew McConaughey) embark on a journey to reach a mystical tower that can save their decaying world. Produced by Ron Howard and Directed by Nikolaj Arcel, with a script co-written by Arcel and Akiva Goldsman set to be released by Sony Pictures on February 17th, 2017.

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REVIEW: ‘The Magnificent Seven’ Rip-Roarin’ Fun Despite Flawed Ensemble

By

Felix Albuerne

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September 21, 2016

The Magnificent Seven does a lot of things right in terms of delivering wild west-style fun. It’s beautifully shot, has a charismatic cast, and sprinkles just enough humor in and around the gunfights to keep things balanced.

That said, it could have been even better. Casting issues keep it from approaching the immortal heights reached by its namesake film.

Is it entertaining? Absolutely. Does it earn a place among the genre’s greats, or even among the best of some more recent western yarns? Not quite.

What’s it about

In the broadest of strokes, The Magnificent Seven‘s film story resembles the story from the classic 1960 Yul Brenner-Eli Wallach tale, and Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai before it. A frontier town terrorized by a robber baron and his army seek the help of hired fighters for their salvation.

This time, it’s a mining town that needs saving, and its strong-willed Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett, Hardcore Henry) who leaves town in search of men brave enough to help them.

Emma first finds bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), who for reasons of his own joins the cause. Chisolm then recruits gambler Josh Farraday (Chris Pratt), sharpshooter Goodnight Robicheaux (Ethan Hawke), tracker Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), knife man Billy Rocks (Byung-Hun Lee), outlaw Vasquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and Commanche warrior Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier), offering them the town’s reward for their help in facing what in effect is a suicide mission.

Chisolm’s band then undertakes preparing the town’s inhabitants to fight for what’s theirs. They have just days to get them ready, as their tormentor, the ruthless Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), learns of the town’s defiance and marshals all the gunfighters his wealth can buy in order to put down their rebellion.

Seven men against an army. Brave souls standing up for the weak in the face of tyranny. Warriors looking death in the eye with steely, squinty-eyed calm as it thunders down upon them.

Is there a more classic recipe for cinematic glory?

Fuqua knows badass

The Magnificent Seven is both director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington’s first foray into westerns. But it’s certainly not Fuqua’s first time around when it comes to delivering big-screen badassery.

The man knows how to sell characters who are people you just don’t mess with. That vision, that understanding of what makes a hero or a villain a ‘cool customer’ informs Fuqua’s vision of this film more than anything else. If you buy into what makes each of Chisolm’s men the right men for this job in this time and place, then the film works.

Not all of them, however, are the easiest sell. For as good as Washington, Hawke, and Sarsgaard are in their respective roles, Chris Pratt never really looks or sounds like he’s doing anything more than playing “Cowboys and Indians.” Tasked with being the silver-tongued, irreverent rogue of the group, Pratt’s line reads come off as leaden and off-key, like he’s trying too hard.

It’s not his fault, entirely. Contemporary “cool”, which Pratt has a sure handle on, doesn’t always translate to the Old West. Just ask Will Smith and Sharon Stone, whose own forays into the genre were hampered in part by the fact that they simply could not sound like they were products of that time and place.

Great stunts, cinematography, music

Of course, the great westerns of old also were memorable for their location photography and action scenes. In those areas, Fuqua demonstrates his love and knowledge of the genre with what he packs into The Magnificent Seven.

Cinematographer Mauro Fiore (The Equalizer) and production designer Derek Hill (Olympus Has Fallen) help Fuqua deliver a western worthy of comparison to the great “spaghetti westerns” of the past in terms of visuals. The effort at authenticity is everywhere in the production, and it pays off in terms of entertainment value.

Similarly, the thrilling action and special effects are of the “old school” variety, as well they should be. A Magnificent Seven remake filled with green screen and computer effects would be an insult — thankfully, Fuqua chose to go the more traditional route.

And what great western doesn’t have an iconic score? This Magnificent Seven benefits from the last work of the late, great composer James Horner, who died in 2015. Listen closely, and you’ll hear instrumentation and motifs Horner made distinctive in his scores for Legends of the Fall, The Mask of Zorro, and even Avatar. If you know Horner’s style, its unmistakable here, and it’s fun to enjoy it one last time.

Worth seeing?

Fans of the genre and of the cast should flock to theaters this weekend to see The Magnificent Seven. While it has its flaws, certainly, it’s still tremendously entertaining.

Will it make you forget Brenner, McQueen, Wallach, Coburn, and Bronson? Not a chance, but that’s never Fuqua’s intent.

Consider this instead the director’s ode to the genre and the themes that made the original unforgettable. That way, you most likely won’t be disappointed.

The Magnificent Seven

Starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett, Matt Bomer and Peter Sarsgaard. Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Running Time: 132 minutes
Rated PG-13 for extended and intense sequences of Western violence, and for historical smoking, some language and suggestive material.

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Rob Leifeld Releases ‘Youngblood’ Script Online

By

Majeed Sayibu

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September 21, 2016

Comic creator Rob Leifeld (Image Comics, Deadpool) has taken to the internet to showcase a script treatment for his bestselling comic title, Youngblood, in celebration of the comics’ 25th year anniversary of the launch of both the aforementioned book and Image Comics. Leifeld notes that this is not an attempt to get excitement among the fans and lead to an accelerated production a la Deadpool as he’s not currently shopping it around to any studios.

It appears the film rights are now back with Liefeld after having been acquired by Reliance in 2009 for an intended live action adaptation which would have seen Brett Ratner at the helm. In a Facebook Post, Leifeld said,

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of the launch of Youngblood and Image Comics I am sharing unknown items and relics from its past. I loaded up my Youngblood screenplay available for download on my website. It’s not being shopped around, it’s for the fans and in all honesty it’s how I would launch the book if I had a do-over. Link to my website in my bio.”

The script can only be downloaded after a subscription to Leifeld’s newsletter is complete.

It remains to be seen, if this will create the same kind of buzz that the Deadpool test footage caused and whether or not this will lead to a live action adaptation of the character in the near future. Liefeld’s other famous character, Deadpool was severely butchered in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine and halted all plans for a spin off until a test footage was leaked to the public to glowing reviews and excitement from fans. This reaction led to a fast tracked production which led to the critical and commercial success that was Ryan Reynold’s Deadpool earlier this year, with a sequel currently in active development with plans to introduce Cable into the mix.

Youngblood is a creator-owned superhero title from Rob Liefeld which debuted in 1992 at Image Comics. At the time of its release, Youngblood #1 was the highest-selling independent comic book of all time, despite scathing reviews from critics. The series followed a government-sanctoned superhero team and how the general populace would truly react to the existence of superheroes.

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‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ Trailer Is Fully Smurfed

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 21, 2016

Sony Pictures Wednesday morning released the first teaser for the animated film ‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ due out next spring.

Synopsis:
In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ is directed by Kelly Asbury, from a screenplay by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon. The film stars Demi Lovato (Smurfette), Rainn Wilson (Gargamel), Joe Manganiello (Hefty), Jack McBrayer (Clumsy), Danny Pudi (Brainy), with Mandy Patinkin (Papa Smurf).

‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ is based on the characters and works of Peyo.

The Smurfs strike back on April 7, 2017.

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‘Game of Thrones’ – Sansa Stark The Wildcard In Season 7

By

Matthew Sardo

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September 21, 2016

Sophie Turner was at the 68th annual Emmy Awards on Sunday night and she had some interesting comments about the future of Sansa Stark and revealed that not everyone will survive till season eight. Which makes sense, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss loves to rip the hearts out of fans.

“You don’t really know what’s going on with her this season. We’re trying to figure out where her loyalties lie and you’re wondering if she is going to pull through and be a true Stark or not,” said Turner to Variety.

The young actress ended the red carpet interview with a cryptic message about season eight.

“We’ve got one more season…well, not all of us,” said Turner.

Season seven of ‘Game of Thrones’ returns to HBO in the summer of 2017.

‘Game of Thrones’ won 12 Emmys Sunday night, including Outstanding Drama Series; Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Miguel Sapochnik); Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss); Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More); Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series; Outstanding Costumes for a Period/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Movie; Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series; Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic); Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special; Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour); Outstanding Special Visual Effects; and Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series or Movie.

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