This comes after the revelation of both sites being locations for PokéStops, where users can acquire items and train their Pokémon. As such, there is a profound concern users will disrespect these spaces for sake of the game.
The U.S. Holocaust Museum is attempting to get Niantic Games to remove the site from the Pokémon GO app. Though no word is out on if this is successful.
It is not too far a stretch of the imagination to see this becoming a problem for either site. Only four years ago did the Linday Stone incident spark heated debate regarding the treatment of Arlington by younger generations.
Having visited Arlington as a young man, I was appalled at how the cemetery was treated as an amusement park and not as a place of reverence and self-reflection.
Though the concept of the game is commendable, encouraging people to explore the world around them. Still, consideration for people lacking common sense is necessary. AAA is already telling people to not play the game while driving. Videos from Nerdist warn against walking into traffic for a pokémon. Imagining someone stepping over the grave of a fallen soldier is not without merit.
Hopefully this issue will reach a mutual decision between these sites and the game developer.
Sorry internet trolls, but Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters is an enjoyable summer movie. It’s not perfect – few comedies are – but it’s a fun and entertaining standalone flick. That alone is a refreshing change of pace considering most of the schlock audiences have been subjected to recently.
But what exactly is allowing the picture to exceed expectations? Let’s take a spoiler free look at the top five ingredients.
Kate McKinnon
There are a lot of good performances in Ghostbusters, but Kate McKinnon’s got actual applause. It didn’t come during the credits either; people started clapping in the middle of the movie.
McKinnon slays as Holtzmann, the zany engineer that builds the team’s gear. Granted she’s not always given the best jokes, but she still brings the laughs with unique deliveries. And she’s physically funny to top it off. The way she moves her face and body give her a dominant screen presence even when she has nothing to say.
SNL fans have known that McKinnon is brilliant for years already, and she’s about to get the national attention she deserves.
Feminism
When Ghostbusters was first announced, people made a huge deal about it being an all female team. Feig and his cowriter Katie Dippold absolutely own that concept, and they handle it in the perfect way.
They’ve made a film that’s empowering to women without actually drawing attention to gender. The Ghosbusters are just a team of smart, badass scientists who happen to be women. They don’t have to explain themselves to anyone, and they don’t have to prove themselves because they have vaginas. Plus they shamelessly make several “girl” jokes that any “male” comedy wouldn’t be afraid to make, and I personally respect the hell out of that.
Ghostbusters (1984) Easter Eggs
This film is busting at the seams with cameos, jokes, and visual references to the original Ghosbusters. They don’t all fit perfectly, and some actually feel forced in, but overall they still make for a fun viewing experience. You probably won’t catch them all your first time watching either, but keep a keen eye.
It’s hard to talk about these easter eggs without spoiling anything. Just trust that you’ll receive your fair share of fan service if you loved the original film.
Metahumor
Haters can rest easy knowing that the Ghostbusters filmmakers heard their vitriol. They heard loud and clear; they just don’t care.
There are a handful of moments in the movie where Feig and Dippold take direct aim at online commenters. The jokes are quick, subtle, and well deserved. This project got a lot of unwarranted hate from day one, so it’s laudable to see the artists fight back in a classy way.
I dare say that they ain’t afraid of no trolls.
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth plays the Ghostbuster’s receptionist Kevin, and he is painfully dumb. He’s the kind of stupid character that has the potential to ruin an otherwise good movie if used incorrectly. But Feig and Dippold play it smart and utilize Hemsworth just enough to make him funny without being tiresome. It’s a fine line, but they walk it as if they were Philippe Petit.
Some moviegoers will surely take issue with Kevin, and that’s their prerogative. He still provides solid comic relief while the more traditional comedians are playing straight.
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Ghostbusters hits theaters everywhere this Friday, July 15. Go see it!
Liam Neeson has been busy kicking a lot of people’s ass and saving his movie children from bad guys over the last few years. Now, it seems he is going to help a bullied young boy find his way in this cruel world in the new trailer for A Monster Calls. This is one of those rare trailers that give me chills:
Here’s the synopsis:
A visually spectacular drama from acclaimed director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Impossible), based on the award-winning children’s fantasy novel. 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) attempts to deal with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a fantastical world of monsters and fairy tales that explore courage, loss, and faith.
It’s easy to compare this to Spielberg’s The BFG, what with the giant and CGI and all that. But A Monster Calls has very much a Never Ending Story vibe to me. Hopefully, it will be able to capture at least some of the magic from that 80s classic.
Recently there have been rumors that 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios have started preliminary talks about having shared custody over the X-Men and Fantastic Four properties – similar to what Sony and Marvel did with Spider-Man. The rumor was started by Matt Key, a producer on Kevin Smith’s Fatman on Batman podcast, saying “I’ve heard from a few of my sources, my little birds that Fox and Marvel have… kind of talked, but not really, but like there’s interest from Fox, like, ‘Ooh, y’know, what they did with Sony and Spider-Man is actually pretty cool, like, maybe…’ We’re years away from that ever possibly happening… but I think that’s what it would take… Fox joining hands with Marvel…”
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would naturally be excited to see some of Marvel’s most famous characters joining the series especially seeing how Fox royally screwed the Fantastic Four three times. It is also a huge bug-bare for Marvel not to have the rights to all their characters and the studio has been on a mission to regain them in any shape or form. Yet it would make little sense for the X-Men to join the MCU.
First and foremost the X-Men film series has mostly been successful for Fox, making nearly $4.37 Billion at the box office and averages a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Only one of the X-Men movies that is truly awful is X-Men Origins: Wolverine – plagued by production troubles, a studio head undermining its director and having embarrassing special effects for a major superhero film. Even at their worst, the X-Men movies have moments of merits, from the credit sequence and Liev Schreiber’s performance as Sabretooth in “Origins”. As a series, the X-Men has a devoted fanbase, and it would be against Fox’s interest to give up the rights to one of their most popular franchises.
Recently Youtube movie critic Bob “Moviebob” Chipman made a series videos complaining about the X-Men, saying that only X-Men: First Class and Deadpool are the only good ones. Yet his videos were filled in contradictions: he says in his video “The X-Men movies are not good” that the X-Men movies, along with the Ice Age and Alvin and the Chipmunks movies are Fox’s biggest cash cow, yet states in his X-Men: Apocalypse that Fox would make a deal with Marvel to share the X-Men rights. Moviebob also complains that the X-Men movies are dark and drag and disloyal to the comic-books and praises 1998’s Blade as the start of the modern superhero movie – ignore that the Blade movies disregarded most of its comic-book source. He also complained that the X-Men movies focused too much on Wolverine and Mystique at the expense of other characters, ignoring that ‘Days of Future Past’ was really Charles Xavier’s story, but a whole article could be written to counter Moviebob’s dubious points.
Fox’s X-Men series has scored a major win over the MCU with its portrayal of Quicksilver. Evan Peters’ version of the character has won much more plaudits as the speedster, being a confident and fun presence and his running scenes in “Days of Future Past” and “Apocalypse” were highlights in those movies. Peters’ version of Quicksilver also has the added weight of being Magneto’s illegitimate son, even if the master of magnetism is unaware of this. Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s version in Avengers: Age of Ultron was decent, he was overshadowed by his on-screen sister, having to act as the more measured one in the duo.
One of the biggest draws of the X-Men film series is the society and the world it has created, being a great canvass to explore themes of race, prejudice, and discrimination. There are many avenues for social commentary – the comics were a metaphor for the Civil Rights Movement and had evolved into looking at LGBT themes for the movies, i.e. Bobby coming out to his parents and the cure for mutation in “The Last Stand.” It could change again to look at other race issues affecting America and the rest of the world – immigration and Islamophobia. It is a rich world for any filmmaker to work with. The prequel series shows how the X-Men movies have been able to incorporate real historical events into the series.
The biggest problem that would face the X-Men joining the MCU is the huge plot-hole that could be raised. The MCU has established itself as a universe filled with men in power suits, people who have been mutated by scientific experiments gone wrong, robots and Gods from outer space are worshiped as heroes, so why would people who are born with super power be feared and have to fight for their rights? Why would mutants be seen as different to Spider-Man, Hulk, and Captain America?
Even in animation, the X-Men had little contact with other Marvel superheroes. In X-Men: The Animated Series the only appearances of other Marvel superheroes were Ms. Marvel who Rogue sucked her powers from – to the point she was placed in a coma, Wolverine teamed up Captain America during the Second World War and Spider-Man and War Machine made a cameo saving citizens while the Sun is getting sucked by M’Kraan Crystal. Wolverine and the X-Men had one episode where Wolverine is tasked by Nick Fury to stop the Hulk – an episode that was made as a sequel to the straight-to-DVD animated movie Hulk Vs. Wolverine and was a filler episode compared to the rest of the season where the X-Men have to stop Magneto and humanity going to war. X-Men: Evolution had even less contact with other Marvel characters – Captain America made a brief appearance in a World War Two flashback, and Nick Fury made a couple of appearances in his role as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Other cartoons in Marvel’s roster also had little reference to the X-Men. The 1980s cartoon Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends featured Iceman as a main character and the X-Men and their villains did occasionally appear and the Spider-Man: The Animated Series in the X-Men did appear in a two part special where Spider-Man meets Charles Xavier to find a way to stop his accelerated mutation that was turning him into a half-man spider creature, but ends up teaming up with the mutants to stop a mad scientist who turns into a monster. Despite this adventure, there was no mention of mutants existing in the series until Storm appeared in the ‘Secret Wars’ episodes.
The X-Men did not appear in other Marvel cartoons in the 90s like Iron Man, Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk despite the fact that they appeared in each other’s shows as other Marvel characters like Thor and Daredevil. Wolverine didn’t even appear in The Incredible Hulk despite the fact that his first comic book appearance was fighting the green anger monster.
For the X-Men to be introduced into MCU is either for the whole franchise to be rebooted which is highly unlikely considering how Marvel Studio has planned its future and how interconnected every character is. The other way would be making the mutant population small, being no more than a few thousand – this would explain why mutants are not on the public radar and some sort of big event that would justify humans to fears this new breed of humanity. However X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past already touched on mutants being underground and then being revealed to society and Captain America: Civil War showed a public and government backlash to unregulated superheroes. Introducing the X-Men into the MCU could lead to territory being retreated.
During promotion for the X-Men cast and crew have stated that would like to see the X-Men crossover with the MCU. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner stated this back in 2012 during an interview with CraveOnline, and Hugh Jackman had said he would be open to joining the MCU. These statements could be taken with a pinch of salt because of this is said partly to excite fans, partly to be diplomatic towards their rivals. Although it is unlikely that the current X-Men team would join the MCU let’s humor this idea – the only way possible is if the characters live in an alternative universe, and someone finds a way for either the MCU characters to enter into the X-Men world or vice versa. This scenario would be more likely to come from the MCU because of the extraordinary technology and magic devices in that world – while in the X-Men series, any outlandish form of sci-fi like time travel is explained, with mutant powers. The X-Men series has been Earth-bound, and it would be difficult to justify a crossover. However, Bryan Singer has stated that he would like to see the X-Men have a space adventure.
Marvel also have another property that is similar to X-Men, The Inhumans. The Inhumans are a breed of humans that were experimented on by the Kree alien race, giving them superpowers. The aim of the Kree was to see if they can speed up their own evolution and make a race of super-soldiers. However the experiments were abandoned and the Inhumans formed their own civilization and have only recently been discovered. The Inhumans were set to have their own movie, originally scheduled for a 2019 release, but has currently been shelved. They have appeared in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D so have been established in the MCU. When their existence is revealed to humanity they could be justified in fearing a race of advance superhumans that are right on their doorstep. It would be similar to the idea as one suggested involving mutants suddenly being revealed to humanity.
It would be exciting to see the X-Men battle villains like Loki and Thanos and see Wolverine and Captain America team up to fight the Red Skull. It would also be a fantastic prospect to see MCU characters battle X-Men characters – just imagine the Hulk fighting Juggernaut or the Avengers face off against Magneto. However the only realistic way to see the X-Men and the rest of the Marvel characters in the same cinematic universe is if both franchises are rebooted at the same time, which is highly unlikely. At the moment the X-Men and the rest of the MCU are stronger apart rather than together.
From All-New Inhumans writer James Asmus and Planet of the Apes artist Carlos Magno.
Writing
This issue adds an interesting addition to the mythology behind Kong. He is usually simply portrayed as a monster locked away on a remote island without any attempt to try and explore the idea of there being more to his origin. The idea of a civilization which could not only communicate and control the Kongs, but also use them as gladiators for combat is very intriguing. This is a great concept and one which will be exciting to see explored more.
Writer James Asmus has introduced exactly what this franchise needed: he added new ideas which help flesh out the character of Kong. It would be interesting to read stories that take place before this issue and which would focus on more of these Kong fights (a prequel to a prequel, if you will). Maybe if enough people buy this series it will happen.
Artwork
The art is very detailed, complete with showcasing an ancient new culture but not presenting them as barbaric. Artist Carlos Magno finds ways to add intrigue details to make different members of the civilization look unique.
The only real problem with the book is how the Kongs look very similar other than a change in the color of their fur. This is a tiny complaint in an otherwise gorgeous book.
Conclusion
Unlike other comics tied into movies this one is essential reading. It helps to build on the new mythology which is being created for King Kong. Hopefully the rest of the series will be just as entertaining as this first issue.
In this recent video originally shared by Mark Hamill, Stormtroopers are seen dancing at the Star Wars: Episode VIII wrap party.
Star Wars Celebration is approaching quickly, so we’ll be getting some breaking news within the next few days; Rogue One, Episode VIII, and Han Solo will likely be the focus of the event, but rumors have been circulating for months now that point to information regarding an Obi-Wan Kenobi film.
Ghostbusters, the Melissa McCarthy-Kristen Wiig led remake of the 1984 classic comedy, more or less successfully balances honoring the past with establishing its own character and identity.
It’s certainly not a perfect film, and it’s not even a perfect remake. Not every gag and one-liner hits its mark, and the film’s funniest moments arguably are delivered by members of the supporting cast.
But between the bits that do work, memorable cameos from the cast of the original films, and dazzling special effects, Ghostbusters should do just enough right to satisfy all but the most ardent devotees to the original.
What’s it about?
The setup should sound familiar. Scientists and childhood friends Abby (McCarthy) and Erin (Wiig) team up with oddball engineer Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon) and NYC transit worker Patty (Leslie Jones) to answer the call when ghosts start popping up around the five boroughs.
At first, their work is discredited and ridiculed — they even draw celebrity paranormal debunkers to themselves as their efforts start to gain media attention. It’s not long, however, before all of New York witnesses the start of a supernatural apocalypse, and when stuff like that happens, well, who ya gonna call?
Back off, haters – it actually works
Director Paul Feig (Spy, Bridesmaids) brings Ghostbusters to the screen full of love and reverence for the original film that bowed in theaters over 30 years go. The script, which Feig wrote along with Katie Dippold (The Heat, TV’s “Parks and Recreation“) follows the same general plot outline that the ’84 film did, but allows plenty of room for the new characters in the film to establish themselves and their reasons for becoming “Ghostbusters.”
While McCarthy and Wiig topline the film’s cast, theirs are perhaps the least interesting and funny characters in the ensemble. It’s SNL standouts McKinnon and Jones who carry some of the film’s funniest moments, along with Chris Hemsworth, who steals just about every scene playing Kevin, the team’s good-natured but utterly useless receptionist.
Oh, and then there are the cameos. Rest assured, OG Ghostbusters fans: the gang’s all here, even the late, great Harold Ramis, in moments that are sure to make you smile.
Impressive visual spectacle
The difference 32 years makes in terms of special effects technology is certainly evident in this new Ghostbusters. It’s important to note, however, that Feig as a director never lets all the digital spectacle — and there’s a considerable amount — overshadow his human cast. Unlike so many other would-be summer blockbusters with lots of money poured into computer-rendered eye candy, here the focus always remains squarely on the real people, and that’s a very good thing.
That said, the ghosts here, even fan-favorite Slimer, are truly impressive, and the mayhem on the streets of Times Square that dominates the film’s third act is a true treat for the eyes. It’s during that stretch that Slimer, along with a few other Ghosts of Ghostbusters Past, make their appearances, so once that train starts rolling, sit back and enjoy the nostalgia ride.
Worth seeing?
Forget all the purist ire this new Ghostbusters film stirred up when the first trailers debuted online months ago. All that bluster and hate just goes to show how much audiences who grew up with the original films and the 1986 cartoon series it inspired wanted a new installment, if there had to be one, to be good.
What Feig and his talented cast deliver in the 2016 Ghostbusters should quiet all that nonsense. Not every gag works, and it’s not as quotable as its hallowed predecessors, but it is fun, and it earns the right to carry on the brand into at least one inevitable sequel.
Ghostbusters
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Charles Dance, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Paul Feig.
Running Time: 116 minutes
Rated PG-13 for supernatural action and some crude humor.
There has been two lonely Sunday since the season finale of ‘Game of Thrones’, and HBO decided that was enough, and the cable network put together an Uncensored ‘Game of Thrones’ Beginner’s Guide narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.
“I didn’t know I needed this in my life… But I do,” said YouTube Commenter Antoine Cedric.
You should give HBO a round of applause for a creative viral marketing campaign to promote ‘Game of Thrones’ on iTunes.
‘Game of Thrones’ returns to HBO in late 2017 for its seventh season.
Who knew Ryan Gosling could be a wistful crooner? He appears to be just that in the new trailer for La La Land, the musical starring he and Emma Stone. Check out the trailer below, exclusively from Entertainment Weekly:
I’m not the biggest musical fan in the world, but whenever looks special it’s noticeable. La La Land looks like it cold be special.
Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Damien Chazelle, LA LA LAND tells the story of Mia [Emma Stone], an aspiring actress, and Sebastian [Ryan Gosling], a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.
As you can see in the synopsis and the beginning of the trailer, Whiplash director Damien Chazelle is at the helm. That’s enough to interest me right there. It also stars J.K. Simmons and Rosmarie de Witt, two more reasons to be optimistic.
La La Land opens December 2 in limited release, with wider release to follow later in the month.
Simon Pegg has some harsh words for some who’ve questioned the decision to reveal that Hikaru Sulu is gay in the upcoming Star Trek Beyond.
Actor John Cho revealed the decision to reporters last week. It stirred a bit of controversy when original series Sulu George Takei, said he felt the character should remain heterosexual.
Takei said he liked the inclusion of an LGBT character, but suggested that perhaps a new character should be created.
In a statement on simonpegg.net, Pegg acknowledged that Takei and those who agreed with him had valid concerns.
“What is heartening is that the vast majority of comments have never questioned the decision to include an LGBT character in Star Trek, just whether or not it should be existing characters or new ones,” Pegg wrote.
Negative responses
While the response to the film’s revelation has generally been positive — or at least neutral — some have seen it as agenda-driven. Conservative writer William Avitt, writing for The Blaze, said the decision was made “for the sake of forced diversity and pushing of social justice agendas.”
But Pegg has no patience for that kind of criticism.
“Those who have whined about the secret agenda of the liberal left, spreading ungodly perversions, through the eveil mouthpiece of homosexual Hollywood, can go f*ck themselves,” he wrote.
In a statement on