The BFG is a big-hearted, visually stunning fantasy film that lacks the emotional oomph to be a great fantasy film. By no means is this a condemnation. The BFG is a wholesome array of PG humor and fart jokes that will tickle the most cynical of preteens and illicit a chuckle from adults sitting in the audience. What’s impressive is how Steven Spielberg manages to strike a balance between the corny narrative and the colossal technical requirements required to pull off this adaptation.
For the fans of Roald Dahl’s source material, you can rest easy as this adaptation is remarkably faithful to the book. The film opens with a spunky orphan named Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) being abducted in the night by a gargantuan hooded figure who creeps around the streets of London. She’s whisked to a land of wonder and spectacle known as Giant Country. Sophie meets her abductor, and it’s none other than the BFG ( The Big Friendly Giant), a fearsome figure who’s as gentle as they come. The BFG is played – through the use of motion capture technology – by Academy-Award winner Mark Rylance (Bridge Of Spies). He’s made it his life’s mission to spread pleasant dreams to all the children throughout the world. Unfortunately, not all the Giants are as caring as The BFG. The nine other giants, including The Fleshlumpeater and The Meatdripper, would rather treat kids more like snacks than human beings.
The heart in this film radiates from Rylance’s portrayal of the title character. He portrays The BFG with such warmth and compassion that it’s hard not to smile when he’s on the screen. Rylance’s character exhibits a great deal of compassion towards Sophie, not only because of his concern for her well-being but he genuinely has her best interest at heart. One of my favorite moments was when The BFG stashed her away on his pirate ship because the other giants were close by. It might not seem like a significant moment, but it was huge because it was the first time that we saw The BFG treat Sophie as if she were his own daughter. He didn’t care that the giants would likely pummel him once they discovered his new companion, his only concern was the safety of young Sophie. It demonstrates true, honest, paternal love and attention.
The BFG is a visually superior film because of Spielberg’s attention to detail and ability to create wealthy/colorful new worlds. One of the biggest hurdles this movie has to overcome is finding a way to create actual giants using CGI, but in such away that isn’t too glossy or CGI-ish. They bypass any hurdles by paying the most attention to the actual facial expressions the giants make. These character’s personalities are found in their face, and they got it right. Rhrough facial recognition technology and CGI, they were able to not only create these incredibly detailed characters (you literally see every nook and cranny in the giants face) but have these characters convey a real genuine human emotion.
Giant Country is a marvel to behold. Spielberg strikes a balance between the lush green terrain the sparkle that seems to radiate from every corner of the giants home.
Where this film suffers is the lack of any emotional backbone. This is isn’t that surprising because the late Melissa Mathison’s adaptation of the story is very true to the source material. Dahl’s novel isn’t a story that packs much of a punch in the end. The book is a simple tale of the power of friendship and so is Spielberg’s adaptation. While the simplicity of the narrative shouldn’t sway from paying to see it this weekend, just go in with reasonable expectations. Not all films are meant to win Academy Awards; some are meant to teach a lesson and put a smile on the audience’s face.
It’s time for Rifftrax! Once again the trio of Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett delivered a night of entertainment filled with cheesy clips which they mocked relentlessly. This time they weren’t alone and were joined by their former cast members from the TV series Mystery Science Theater 3000. Attending the event was Joel Hodgson (The original creator), Jonah Ray (who will star in the new MST3K series, funded by Kickstarter), Mary Jo Pehl (Pearl Forrester), Bridget J. Nelson (Mr. B Natural), Frank Conniff (TV’s Frank), and Trace Beaulieu (Dr. Clayton Forrester). The cast took turns at the microphones and mocked different clips.
The Talking Car
First up was Nelson, Murphy, and Corbett ridiculing a safety video about how to look out for cars. The clip was from the late 60s and featured talking cars with cartoon faces. It was far from Pixar quality to say the least.
A Word To The Wives
Bridget J. Nelson and Mary Jo Pehl, took the stage and made light of a clip which was essential a commercial for Home Appliances. The film was made in 1955 and filled with the usually gender stereotype of the time such as men being unable to cook and women talking about little more than housework. It was easy for the pair to heckle how bland and boring the entire premise was.
More Dates For Kay
Next up was Conniff and Beaulieu who watched a clip about dating advice for young women, also made in the 1950s. Obviously the way to be popular was to be as outgoing as possible despite how it makes you look. In the words of Conniff “She’s writing her own riffs.”
Shake Hands With Danger
Stepping back up to the microphones, Nelson, Murphy, and Corbett teased at a favorite safety movie from their library. It was filled with its own catchphrase and theme song. You can listen to it below.
Barbers And Beauticians
Pairing the original host of MST3K with the new generation, Hodgson and Ray took to the podiums. If you thought the previous two films from the 1950s were dated, this one shows a guy smoking with his kid glued to his hip. Obviously they had a lot to go on.
Rifftrax 10th Anniversary Highlights
The evening not only served as a reunion for the MST3K cast but also helped to honor the 10 year anniversary of Rifftrax. The team presented a clip featuring some of their best material including some of their movie riffs like Twilight, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, and Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon and scenes from their live shows like Birdemic and Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. The selection was perfect and should be shown to anyone who wants to showcase to their friends the joys of riffing on movies.
Stamp Day For Superman
In a “Riffapalooza” the entire team went up and made from of a lost George Reeve’s Superman short. Superman must face the greatest challenge of his life: Showcasing the joys of collecting stamps to children.
Grass
The final clip of the night was another educational video looking at how much fun can be had with grass. The premise alone should have you smiling and the team was relentless on mocking this inane subject.
The event was a great night of comedy filled with laughs and memories of the show which started it all, Mystery Science Theater 3000. There will be an encore screening of the event on July 12th and you owe it to yourself to check it out. You will not be disappointed.
Tarzan, Edgar Rice Burrough’s classic lord of the jungle, returns to Africa and the big screen in The Legend of Tarzan, a thrilling, romantic adventure tale told with intelligence and verve. The film is full of sweeping, majestic camera shots capturing the primal beauty of its setting, as well as engaging action that avoids retelling the well-known origin story in favor of a new vision. It’s a reverent take on Burrough’s work, as well as other adaptations that have come since.
What’s it about?
The film opens with John Clayton III (Alexander Skarsgård), Lord Greystoke, having left Africa and the name “Tarzan” behind years before in order to carry on his family’s name and fortune in Victorian England. Lord Greystoke reluctantly accepts an invitation by King Leopold of Belgium to serve as a trade emissary on a trip to the Congo region of Africa, where the king wishes to show off good works his nation has undertaken for the people there.
However, the invitation and trade mission are all part of an elaborate trap laid by Leopold’s proxy in the region, Léon Rom (Christoph Waltz). Rom intends to capture “Tarzan” and deliver him to an old enemy in return for diamonds to pay a mercenary army to seize complete control of the Congo and its mineral riches.
Rom’s initial efforts to capture Lord Greystoke run into a snag due to the presence of Lady Greystoke, Jane Porter Clayton (Margot Robbie), who refused to remain in England and accompanies her husband back to the land she also considers “home.” Rom then takes Jane hostage in order to lure Greystoke to his eventual death, forcing the British lord to abandon the trappings and civility of “John Clayton” in order to be the man he must in order to save his wife and all that he loves in Africa: Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle.
Script, direction stand apart
At first glance, The Legend of Tarzan may appear to be just another reboot, another typical big budget summer extravaganza high on big action and low on everything else. However, the film does stand apart from the usual fare thanks to a well-crafted story and script by Adam Cozad (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) and Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow). Cozad and Brewer deliver fully realized characters in their screenplay that should feel both familiar and evolved to anyone who knows the classic Tarzan story.
Director David Yates (the final four “Harry Potter” films) and cinematographer Henry Braham (The Golden Compass) also do a tremendous job in capturing the striking, untamed beauty of the natural world in which most of the film takes place. Yes, there’s a great deal of CGI at work in The Legend of Tarzan, and many of those jaw-dropping landscapes and panoramas were added later in the production. However, you’d never know it, just watching it all unfold, it’s that well executed.
Cast more than just comely
The cast in The Legend of Tarzan also delivers a solid effort, though most of the bigger names take on roles that don’t require much of a stretch.
As an on-screen couple bringing to life one of cinema’s oldest and most recognized romantic pairings, Skarsgård and Robbie display great chemistry as Tarzan and Jane. The film’s structure and setting requires above all that audiences buy into the powerful connection between the two, and in every scene they share that connection is electric. It helps that neither one of them is very hard on the eyes, but that’s just the beginning of what make this Tarzan-Jane pairing compelling.
It can be argued that the cast’s three Oscar-nominated members — Jackson, Hounsou, and Waltz — aren’t really pushed in their roles to play beyond type. Jackson, playing real-life American soldier-turned-activist George Washington Williams, is mostly relegated to comic relief duty. Waltz, meanwhile, once again plays an unfailingly polite, cultured, well-spoken and thoroughly despicable heavy, one more for his résumé.
Even Hounsou gets to do little more than glare as the tribal chieftain with a grudge against Tarzan. What these acclaimed performers do they of course do well, but audiences who’ve seen them at their best know they’re capable of far more.
Worth seeing?
Admittedly, due to the fact that it’s being released just a few months after Disney’s latest big screen Jungle Book adaptation, The Legend of Tarzan will most likely have to suffer from comparisons, and audiences’ appetite for another feral-child-grows-up jungle adventure may not be what they might have been any other year. Regardless of how different the two films are in terms of tone and story, the surface similarities are unavoidable.
However, taken on its own merits, you could do a lot worse than The Legend of Tarzan. In many ways, it’s good old-fashioned adventure entertainment in the mold of the original Tarzan serials. If you go in expecting that kind of entertainment, it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.
The Legend of Tarzan
Starring Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Djimon Hounsou, and Christoph Waltz. Directed by David Yates.
Running Time: 109 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, some sensuality and brief rude dialogue.
2oth Century Fox and Dreamworks released the new trailer for ‘Trolls’ Wednesday morning.
From the creators of Shrek comes the most smart, funny, irreverent animated comedy of the year, DreamWorks’ Trolls. This holiday season, enter a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant song on their lips, and the comedicly pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach.
You don’t hire Justin Timberlake unless he’s providing original music for the film.
‘Trolls’ stars the voice talent of Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Russell Brand, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, and Gwen Stefani.
The little guys and girls hit the theaters on November 4.
Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) breaks the record book with 21 shows coming to Comic-Con International: San Diego. The world’s leading comics and pop-culture convention will be dominated by WBTVG, with 13 returning shows and eight new series making their Comic-Con debut.
Series stars participating in all the Comic-Con action are fan favorites and new additions including Arrow’s Stephen Amell; The Flash’s Grant Gustin; Blindspot’s Sullivan Stapleton and Jaimie Alexander; DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’s Brandon Routh, Victor Garber, Caity Lotz; The Vampire Diaries’ Ian Somerhalder; Supernatural’s Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, Mark A. Sheppard; The Originals’ Joseph Morgan; Gotham’s Ben McKenzie; Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist; iZOMBIE’s Rose McIver; The 100’s Eliza Taylor; and Lucifer’s Tom Ellis — to name just a few — who will join producers to deliver the ultimate experience for fans, with screenings, panel sessions, free autograph signings and media appearances.
Comic-Con essentials The 100, Arrow, The Big Bang Theory, Blindspot, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Gotham, iZOMBIE, The Originals, Supergirl, Supernatural, Teen Titans Go! and The Vampire Diaries are all back in San Diego.
World-premiere screenings of complete pilot episodes of highly anticipated new WBTV series Riverdale, Powerless, People of Earth, Frequency and Time After Time on Preview Night, plus an advance look at a new episode of Teen Titans Go! and the debut of Justice League Action.
The Studio’s 2,400-square foot, multi-level booth will once again be a must-visit destination on the convention floor.
For additional info on the Studio’s plans for Comic-Con and for real-time updates during the convention, please follow us on Twitter at @warnerbrostv — official hashtag #WBSDCC — and visit http://comiccon.thewb.com.
To connect with WBTVG in the social space — including official Facebook pages and Twitter feeds for WBTVG series, talent and producers — check out the social media contacts page here: http://comiccon.thewb.com/wbtv-social-media-contacts/
SPECIAL SNEAK PEEK PILOT SCREENINGS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
6:00–10:00 p.m. Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue our annual Preview Night tradition, with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of five of the most highly anticipated series of the 2016–17 television season — Riverdale, Powerless, People of Earth, Frequency and Time After Time — as well as a brand new episode of Teen Titans Go! and the debut of Justice League Action. Ballroom 20
Riverdale: Things aren’t always what you expect in Riverdale. Based on the iconic characters from Archie Comics and produced by Berlanti Productions (The Flash, Supergirl, Blindspot, Everwood), this one-hour drama is a bold, subversive take on the surreality of small-town life. As a new school year begins, the town of Riverdale is reeling from the recent, tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom — and nothing feels the same. Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is still the all-American teen, but the summer’s events made him realize that he wants to pursue a career in music — and not follow in his dad’s footsteps — despite the sudden end of his forbidden relationship with Riverdale’s young music teacher, Ms. Grundy (Sarah Habel). Which means Archie doesn’t have anyone who will mentor him — certainly not singer Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), who is only focused on her band, the soon-to-be-world-famous Pussycats. It’s all weighing heavily on Archie’s mind — as is his fractured friendship with budding writer and fellow classmate Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is anxious to see her crush, Archie, after being away all summer, but she’s not quite ready to reveal her true feelings to him. And Betty’s nerves — which are hardly soothed by her overbearing mother, Alice (Mädchen Amick) — aren’t the only thing holding her back. When a new student, Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), arrives in town from New York with her mother Hermione (Marisol Nichols), there’s an undeniable spark between she and Archie, even though Veronica doesn’t want to risk her new friendship with Betty by making a play for Archie. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) — Riverdale’s Queen Bee is happy to stir up trouble amongst Archie, Betty, and Veronica, but Cheryl is keeping secrets of her own. What, exactly, is she hiding about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there are dangers in the shadows. Riverdale is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Blindspot), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Supergirl, Glee), Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Blindspot) and Jon Goldwater (Archie Comics). Riverdale premieres midseason on The CW. Become a fan of Riverdale on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CWRiverdale, and follow the show on Twitter at @CW_Riverdale.
Powerless: It’s a Super Hero’s world. We just live in it. As the first comedy series set in the DC Universe, Powerless is the story of Emily (Vanessa Hudgens – High School Musical), a young insurance adjuster specializing in regular-people coverage against damage caused when Super Heroes and Super Villains treat the city like their own personal battleground. Taking care of insurance needs one by one, Emily and her team of co-workers might not have any superpowers, but they are out to make a difference in people’s lives and prove that you don’t need to have powers to be powerful! From Warner Bros. Television and executive producer Ben Queen (Cars 2) and based on characters from DC, Powerless premieres midseason on NBC. Become a fan of Powerless on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NBCPowerless, and follow the show on Twitter at @NBCPowerless.
People of Earth: From Emmy® winners Conan O’Brien (Conan) and Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) and creator David Jenkins comes People of Earth, a half-hour single-camera comedy series about a support group for alien abductees. People of Earth centers on skeptical journalist Ozzie Graham (Wyatt Cenac – The Daily Show) who investigates the group to write about its members’ supposed alien encounters. The more he digs into their oddball claims, however, the more he realizes a semblance of truth to their stories and possibly even signs that point to his own alien abduction. The onetime outsider now finds himself a part of this eclectic group of misfits, all the while struggling with the idea of knowing that life could exist beyond our world. The series is executive produced by O’Brien, Daniels, Norm Hiscock (King of the Hill), Jeff Ross (Conan), David Kissinger (Eagleheart) and Larry Sullivan; Jenkins is co-executive producer. Produced by Conaco LLC in association with Warner Horizon Television, People of Earth is coming this fall to TBS.
Frequency: Based on the New Line feature film, Frequency is the story of a father and daughter who are supernaturally reunited two decades after his suspicious and untimely death. New York detective Raimy Sullivan was only seven when her father, undercover cop Frank Sullivan, abandoned his family in pursuit of a case that led not only to his family’s breakup, but also his eventual death undercover. Always believing her dad died in disgrace as a corrupt cop, Raimy set forth to surpass him in law enforcement, rising through the ranks to detective. But everything she knows changes when somehow Raimy and Frank connect — across two decades — over Frank’s vintage ham radio in the garage. Where once Frank was lost in the shadows of his undercover work in 1996, he has now miraculously been found by his now-grown daughter in 2016. As they forge a new relationship while working together in two time periods to close an unsolved serial murder investigation, their emotional connection transcends time to not only repair the broken bonds of their family, but also defy fate and change the course of destiny. From Lin Pictures in association with Warner Bros. Television, Frequency premieres Wednesday, October 5 at 9/8c on The CW. Jeremy Carver (Supernatural), Toby Emmerich (Frequency film), John Rickard (Horrible Bosses), Dan Lin (Sherlock Holmes films), Jennifer Gwartz (Veronica Mars) and Brad Anderson (Fringe) are executive producers. Become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/CWFrequency and follow the show on Twitter at @CWFrequency.
Time After Time: Using the 1979 novel and movie as a launching point, Time After Time chronicles the epic adventures of a young H.G. Wells. At the age of 28, the 19th century scholar has yet to publish any of his landmark science fiction novels, but his idealistic thinking and radical ideas have led him to actually create a time machine. When his longtime friend — the charismatic (and secretly psychopathic) Dr. John Stevenson, aka Jack the Ripper — finds himself cornered by the authorities at Wells’ London home, he escapes to present-day New York City using the time machine. Naturally, Wells follows, but instead of the Utopian society he imagined would be in the future, he finds a world more aligned to Stevenson’s temperament. Fortunately, Wells meets up with Jane Walker, an assistant curator at a museum staging an exhibition on Wells. As Wells and Jane come together, they will not only play a dangerous endgame with Stevenson, but also find themselves involved with the incredible characters and scenarios that inspired Wells’ War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The Island of Dr. Moreau and more. An epic love story charged with danger and adventure, Time After Time gives an unpredictable spin on the mythology of H.G. Wells by looking at the world of today through the eyes of yesterday. Based on the novel written by Karl Alexander and produced by Outerbanks Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television, Time After Time premieres midseason on ABC. Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries) and Marcos Siega (The Following) are executive producers. Become a fan of Time After Time on Facebook at com/TimeAfterTimeABC and follow the show on Twitter at @TimeAfterABC.
Teen Titans Go!: The Teen Titans are back at it again, in Teen Titans Go!, with all new comedic adventures both in and out of Titans Tower, and we’ll have you covered by screening a brand new episode. Based on characters from DC and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network.
Justice League Action: The world’s greatest Super Heroes return to television in Justice League Action, an all-new quarter-hour animated series. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman lead the DC Super Heroes against their most infamous foes in adventures packed with relentless thrills, fun and action. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Justice League Action is coming soon to Cartoon Network.
THURSDAY, JULY 21
10:15–11:15 a.m. Teen Titans Go!Video Presentation and Q&A— When there’s trouble, you know who to call…Teen Titans! When you want an awesome time at Comic-Con, you also know who to call…Teen Titans!!! Join a Titan-sized panel featuring producers Aaron Horvath (MAD) and Pete Michail (Space Racers) along with voice cast members Greg Cipes, Scott Menville,Khary Payton and Tara Strong for a screening and Q&A covering your favorite animated series. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Teen Titans Go! airs Thursdays at 6/5c on Cartoon Network. Teen Titans Go!: Season 3 Part 2 will be released on DVD on August 23. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeenTitansGo, and follow Cartoon Network on Twitter at @CartoonNetwork. Room 6DE
12:00–1:00 p.m. Justice League Action Video Presentation and Q&A — The world’s greatest Super Heroes return to television in Justice League Action, an all-new quarter-hour animated series. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman lead the DC Super Heroes against their most infamous foes in adventures packed with relentless thrills, fun and action. No need to wait for the good stuff to start; each 11-minute episode jumps in with lightning-paced action and heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes, are up to any challenge. Join producers Butch Lukic (Justice League), Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series) and voice cast members Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) and Diedrich Bader (Batman: The Brave and The Bold) for a Q&A and exclusive sneak peek at this highly anticipated new series. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Justice League Action is coming soon to Cartoon Network. Follow Cartoon Network on Twitter at @CartoonNetwork. Room 25ABC
FRIDAY, JULY 22
10:00–11:00 a.m. Inside The Big Bang TheoryWriters’ Room — Join The Big Bang Theory writers as they return to San Diego to take you inside the biggest moments of season nine and behind-the-scenes of TVs #1 comedy! From the wedding to the baby news to Shamy’s big night, find out what goes into making the hit series each week, and how the writers keep things fresh after more than 200 episodes! Join the show’s executive producers and writers as they take you inside the writers’ room for a lively discussion and special video presentation. From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory returns for season 10 on September 19, airing Mondays at 8/7c on CBS. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Ninth Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 13. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheBigBangTheory and follow the show on Twitter @BigBangTheory. Ballroom 20
12:30–1:30 p.m. The 100Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Following the climatic events of the season finale, join The 100 as the critically acclaimed series returns to San Diego for its annual appearance at Comic-Con. ALIE has been defeated, and The City of Light destroyed, but The 100’s victory is bittersweet as a new threat comes into focus. With the clock ticking and Earth’s radiation levels rising, our heroes must put aside their differences to save what remains of humanity. Will The 100 go quietly into that good night, or will they find hope and faith in each other, as they face their darkest chapter yet? Be among the first to find out what’s in store for season four. Join us for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars and producers. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Alloy Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television, The 100 returns midseason with all-new episodes on The CW. The 100: The Complete Third Season will be available on DVD on July 19. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CWThe100, and follow the show on Twitter at @CWThe100. Ballroom 20
2:00–2:30 p.m. People of EarthPilot Screening and Q&A — From Emmy® winners Conan O’Brien (Conan) and Greg Daniels (The Office), and creator David Jenkins comes People of Earth, a half-hour single-camera comedy series about a support group for alien abductees. Join series star Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), co-executive producer David Jenkins and executive producer Greg Daniels for a screening of the pilot episode followed by a Q&A. People of Earth centers on skeptical journalist Ozzie Graham (Cenac) who investigates a support group to write about its members’ supposed alien encounters. The more he digs into their oddball claims, however, the more he realizes a semblance of truth to their stories and, possibly, even signs that point to his own alien abduction. The onetime outsider now finds himself a part of this eclectic group of misfits, all the while struggling with the idea of knowing that life could exist beyond our world. Produced by Conaco in association with Warner Horizon Television, People of Earth is coming this fall to TBS. Room 6BCF
2:30–3:00 p.m. PowerlessPilot Screening and Q&A — It’s a Super Hero’s world. We just live in it. Join cast members Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Danny Pudi (Community), Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory) along with executive producer Ben Queen (A to Z) and executive producer/director Michael Patrick Jann (Reno 911) for a screening of the pilot episode and Q&A covering the first comedy series set in the DC universe. Powerless is the story of Emily (Hudgens), a young insurance adjuster specializing in regular-people coverage against damage caused when Super Heroes and Super Villains treat the city like their own personal battleground. Taking care of insurance needs one by one, Emily and her team of co-workers might not have any superpowers but they are out to make a difference in people’s lives and prove that you don’t need to have powers to be powerful! From Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from DC, Powerless premieres midseason on NBC. Become a fan of Powerless on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NBCPowerless, and follow the show on Twitter at @NBCPowerless. Room 6BCF
5:30–6:30 p.m. iZOMBIE Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Television’s only Zom-Com-Rom-Dram, returns to San Diego for their third appearance at Comic-Con. After experiencing the heart-pounding season two finale, be among the first to get the scoop on what’s in store for season three! Now that Clive is in the know about zombies, how will his dynamic with Liv change? With Ravi’s cure robbing Blaine of his memories, what will Major decide to do with his borrowed time? Will Peyton continue her efforts to take down crime lord, Mr. Boss? And will Vivian Stoll, new owner of Max Rager, succeed in making Seattle its zombie headquarters? Join us for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars as well as executive producers Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars) and Diane Ruggiero-Wright (Veronica Mars). From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Spondoolie Productions and Warner Bros. Television and based upon characters created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred for Vertigo from DC Entertainment, iZOMBIE returns midseason with all-new episodes on The CW. iZOMBIE: The Complete Second Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on July 12. Become a fan of iZombie on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cwizombie and follow the show on Twitter at @CWiZombie. Ballroom 20
SATURDAY, JULY 23
11:00–11:45 a.m. The Vampire DiariesSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — The cast and creative team behind The Vampire Diaries return to San Diego, for an exciting eighth appearance at Comic-Con! Series stars will join executive producers on stage for a video screening and Q&A session. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries returns Friday, October 21, at 8/7c on The CW, and The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Seventh Season will be released on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and DIGITAL HD on August 16. Become a fan of The Vampire Diaries on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries, and follow the show on Twitter at @cwtvd. Ballroom 20
12:00–12:45 p.m. BlindspotSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — Following the shocking first season finale, join Blindspot as the # 1 new series on broadcast TV from the 2015–16 season returns to San Diego for its second appearance at Comic-Con! Sullivan Stapleton and Jaimie Alexander star in this one-hour action thriller from Berlanti Productions and Quinn’s House, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Stapleton stars as hardened FBI agent Kurt Weller, who is drawn into a complex conspiracy when a mysterious woman, with no memories of her past, is found in Times Square, her body completely covered in intricate cryptic tattoos. As Weller and his teammates at the FBI — Edgar Reade (Rob Brown), Tasha Zapata (Audrey Esparza) and the tech-savvy Patterson (Ashley Johnson) — begin to investigate the veritable road map of Jane Doe’s tattoos, they are drawn into a high-stakes underworld that twists and turns through a labyrinth of secrets and revelations — with the information exposing a larger conspiracy of crime, while bringing her closer to discovering the truth about her identity. Join us for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars Sullivan Stapleton, Jaimie Alexander, Rob Brown, Audrey Esparza, Ashley Johnson and writer/executive producer Martin Gero. Blindspot returns to NBC for its second season on September 14 at 10/9c, before moving to its regular time period of Wednesdays at 8/7c the following week. Blindspot: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray™ on August 2. Become a fan of Blindspot on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NBCBlindspot and follow the show on Twitter @NBCBlindspot. Indigo Ballroom
12:50–1:25 p.m.The OriginalsSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — The Originals returns for a fourth season with more supernatural intrigue, romance and bloodshed in The Big Easy. Join executive producers and series stars for a special video presentation followed by a Q&A. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with My So-Called Company, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Originals will air midseason on The CW. The Originals: The Complete Third Season will be released on Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 20. Become a fan of The Originals on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cworiginals and follow the show on Twitter at @cworiginals. Indigo Ballroom
1:30–2:05 p.m. LuciferSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — All Hell will break loose when Lucifer returns to heat things up in San Diego. Indulge your deepest desires and be among the first to get the scoop on what’s sure to be a devilishly fun second season! Join us for a sizzling sneak peek at season two, followed by a Q&A with series stars as well as executive producers Joe Henderson (White Collar) and Ildy Modrovich (CSI: Miami). From Jerry Bruckheimer Television in association with Warner Bros. Television and based upon characters created by Neal Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg for Vertigo from DC Entertainment, Lucifer returns September 19, airing Mondays 9/8c on FOX. Lucifer: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD on August 23. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LuciferonFOX, and follow the show on Twitter at @LuciferonFOX. Indigo Ballroom
2:10–3:00 p.m. GothamSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — Gotham’s origin story continues to unfold, and as the show enters its third season, the stakes will be higher than ever! Super Villains are continuing to push Gotham City toward the brink, and while Jim Gordon remains at the forefront of the fight against crime in this dangerously corrupt city, how far will he go to save Gotham? Throughout season two, Gordon’s moral compass wavered more than ever, creating both personal and professional dilemmas in his life as villains emerged from the city’s darkest places, including Arkham Asylum’s secret experimental lab, Indian Hill. Bruce Wayne also began to unravel some of Gotham City’s — and his family’s — deepest secrets, leading him to discover that Wayne Enterprises could be behind some very dangerous schemes poised to tear the city apart. Be among the first to see what’s in store for season three as Gotham returns to Comic-Con with a special video presentation, followed by a Q&A with series stars and producers. From Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from DC, Gotham returns September 19 with all-new episodes airing Mondays at 8/7c on FOX. Gotham: The Complete Second Season will be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on August 16. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GOTHAMonFOX, and follow the show on Twitter at @Gotham. Indigo Ballroom
3:30–4:15 p.m. Supergirl Special Video Presentation and Q&A —Supergirl will be returning for more supercharged adventures in the show’s new home on The CW this fall! Wondering who’s in that pod, or what will be bringing Superman to National City? Join the series’ cast and creative team for a special video presentation, followed by a Q&A where they’ll discuss these season two hot topics and more! From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from DC, Supergirl’s second season will premiere Monday, October 10, at 8/7c on The CW. Supergirl: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray™ on August 9. Follow the show on Twitter at @TheCWSupergirl. Ballroom 20
4:15–5:00 p.m. DC’s Legends of TomorrowSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — After saving the world — and all of time — from the immortal madman Vandal Savage, then bidding farewell to two of their fellow comrades, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, the Legends received an unexpected visit from a mysterious new ally, Rex Tyler, who tasked the team with a brand new mission. What that mission is, how the Justice Society of America will factor in and who will be aboard the Waverider when The CW’s Super Hero team-up series returns for its second season are questions that the cast and creative team will seek to answer when they descend upon San Diego for their second visit to Comic-Con. From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from DC, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow returns Thursday, October 13, at 8/7c on The CW. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete First Season will be released on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and Digital HD on August 23. Become a fan of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CWLegendsofTomorrow and follow the show on Twitter at @TheCW_Legends. Ballroom 20
5:00–5:45 p.m. The Flash Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Parallel universes…and doppelgangers…and man-sharks, oh my! The second season of The CW’s highest-rated series had more than its fair share of twists and turns, but none compared to Barry Allen’s jaw-dropping decision to go back in time and save his mother from his arch-nemesis, Reverse-Flash, a decision that called the entire timeline into question. But fear not, fans, you won’t have to wait until the fall to start getting answers to some of your most pressing questions, as the cast and creative team behind the show make their annual appearance at Comic-Con to begin giving fans insight into the show’s highly anticipated third season. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, and based on characters from DC, The Flash returns Tuesday, October 4, at 8/7c on The CW. The Flash: The Complete Second Season will be released on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and Digital HD on September 6. Become a fan of The Flash on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CWTheFlash and follow the show on Twitter at @CW_TheFlash. Ballroom 20
5:45–6:30 p.m. ArrowSpecial Video Presentation and Q&A — In the face of worldwide nuclear destruction at the hands of the maniacal mystic known as Damien Darhk, Oliver Queen (aka Green Arrow) united Star City with a message of hope that allowed him to vanquish the season four Big Bad once and for all. However, our heroes’ triumph came at a cost, and the future of Team Arrow was left hanging in the balance. Now, as the show takes aim on season five, Oliver will set out to save his city from a new threat — one which he personally created — as both the newly appointed Mayor of Star City and as the Green Arrow. Returning to San Diego Comic-Con for the fifth consecutive year, the cast and creators of the hit CW series will be on-hand for a lively conversation surrounding the upcoming season. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, and based on characters from DC, Arrow returns Wednesday, October 5, at 8/7c on The CW. Arrow: The Complete Fourth Season will be released on Blu-ray™ combo pack, DVD and Digital HD on August 30. Become a fan of Arrow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CWArrow and follow the show on Twitter at @CW_Arrow. Ballroom 20
6:30 p.m.–7:20 p.m. Riverdale Pilot Screening and Q&A — Things aren’t always what you expect in Riverdale. Based on the iconic characters from Archie Comics and produced by Berlanti Productions (The Flash, Supergirl, Blindspot, Everwood), this one-hour drama is a bold, subversive take on the surreality of small-town life. As a new school year begins, the town of Riverdale is reeling from the recent, tragic death of high school golden boy Jason Blossom — and nothing feels the same. Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) is still the all-American teen, but the summer’s events made him realize that he wants to pursue a career in music — and not follow in his dad’s footsteps — despite the sudden end of his forbidden relationship with Riverdale’s young music teacher, Ms. Grundy (Sarah Habel). Which means Archie doesn’t have anyone who will mentor him — certainly not singer Josie McCoy (Ashleigh Murray), who is only focused on her band, the soon-to-be-world-famous Pussycats. It’s all weighing heavily on Archie’s mind — as is his fractured friendship with budding writer and fellow classmate Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Meanwhile, girl-next-door Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) is anxious to see her crush Archie after being away all summer, but she’s not quite ready to reveal her true feelings to him. And Betty’s nerves — which are hardly soothed by her overbearing mother, Alice (Mädchen Amick) — aren’t the only thing holding her back. When a new student, Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), arrives in town from New York with her mother Hermione (Marisol Nichols), there’s an undeniable spark between she and Archie, even though Veronica doesn’t want to risk her new friendship with Betty by making a play for Archie. And then there’s Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch)… Riverdale’s Queen Bee is happy to stir up trouble amongst Archie, Betty, and Veronica, but Cheryl is keeping secrets of her own. What, exactly, is she hiding about the mysterious death of her twin brother, Jason? Riverdale may look like a quiet, sleepy town, but there are dangers in the shadows. Riverdale makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the complete pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with series stars and executive producers. Riverdale is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Blindspot), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Supergirl, Glee), Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Blindspot) and Jon Goldwater (Archie Comics). Riverdale premieres midseason on The CW. Become a fan of Riverdale on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CWRiverdale, and follow the show on Twitter at @CW_Riverdale. Room 6BCF
7:25–8:15 p.m. FrequencyPilot Screening and Q&A — Based on the New Line feature film, Frequency is the story of a father and daughter who are supernaturally reunited two decades after his suspicious and untimely death. New York detective Raimy Sullivan was only 7 when her father, Frank Sullivan, an undercover cop, abandoned his family in pursuit of a case that led not only to his family’s breakup, but also his eventual death undercover. Always believing her dad died in disgrace as a corrupt cop, Raimy set forth to surpass him in law enforcement, rising through the ranks to detective. But everything she knows changes when somehow Raimy and Frank connect — across two decades — over Frank’s vintage ham radio in the garage. Where once Frank was lost in the shadows of his undercover work in 1996, he has now miraculously been found by his now-grown daughter in 2016. As they forge a new relationship while working together in two time periods to close an unsolved serial murder investigation, their emotional connection transcends time to not only repair the broken bonds of their family, but also defy fate and change the course of destiny. Frequency makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the complete pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with series stars Peyton List (The Tomorrow People, The Flash), Riley Smith (Nashville, The Messengers) and Mekhi Phifer (Torchwood, ER), along with executive producers Jeremy Carver (Supernatural, U.S. version of Being Human) and Jennifer Gwartz (Lethal Weapon, Veronica Mars). From Lin Pictures in association with Warner Bros. Television, Frequency premieres Wednesday, October 5, at 9/8c on The CW. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CWFrequency and follow the show on Twitter at @CWFrequency. Room 6BCF
8:20–9:15 p.m. Time After TimePilot Screening and Q&A — Using the 1979 novel and movie as a launching point, Time After Time chronicles the epic adventures of a young H.G. Wells. At the age of 28, the 19th century scholar has yet to publish any of his landmark science fiction novels, but his idealistic thinking and radical ideas have led him to actually create a time machine. When his longtime friend — the charismatic (and secretly psychopathic) Dr. John Stevenson, aka Jack the Ripper — finds himself cornered by the authorities at Wells’ London home, he escapes to present-day New York City using the time machine. Naturally, Wells follows, but instead of the Utopian society he imagined would be in the future, he finds a world more aligned to Stevenson’s temperament. Fortunately, Wells meets up with Jane Walker, an assistant curator at a museum staging an exhibition on H.G. Wells, the Father of Science Fiction. As Wells and Jane come together, they will not only play a dangerous endgame with Stevenson, but also find themselves involved with the incredible characters and scenarios that inspired Wells’ War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, The Island of Dr. Moreau and more. An epic love story charged with danger and adventure, Time After Time gives an unpredictable spin on the mythology of H.G. Wells by looking at the world of today through the eyes of yesterday. Time After Time makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the complete pilot episode, followed by a Q&A with executive producers Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Dawson’s Creek, The Following, Scream movies) and Marcos Siega (Blindspot, The Following, The Vampire Diaries, Dexter, Cold Case, Veronica Mars) and series stars Freddie Stroma (Harry Potter films, Pitch Perfect, Game of Thrones, 13 Hours, UnREAL) and Genesis Rodriguez (Identity Thief, Man on a Ledge, Entourage, Big Hero 6). Based on the novel written by Karl Alexander and produced by Outerbanks Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television, Time After Time premieres midseason on ABC. Become a fan of Time After Time on Facebook at facebook.com/TimeAfterTimeABC and follow the show on Twitter at @TimeAfterABC. Room 6BCF
SUNDAY, JULY 24
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Supernatural Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Join series stars Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th [2009]), Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine 3D), Misha Collins (Ringer) and Mark A. Sheppard (Battlestar Galactica), along with executive producers Robert Singer (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) and Andrew Dabb (Supernatural) in Hall H to answer questions from the audience about what’s in store for the 12th season of this exciting series! Fans will also be treated to an exclusive video presentation featuring series highlights, as well as a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Eleventh Season DVD and Blu-ray™ release on September 6. The 12th season of Supernatural will premiere October 13 in its new Thursday time period at 9/8c on The CW. The series is produced by Kripke Enterprises Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Supernatural and follow the show on Twitter at @cw_spn. Hall H
3:00–4:15 p.m. Animaniacs Live!— It’s time for Animaniacs…LIVE! Join the voice cast of the iconic animated series Animaniacs — Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille and Jess Harnell — along with series songwriter Randy Rogel for a zany, animany and totally insaney afternoon as they perform songs from the beloved cartoon. Animaniacs Live! will be coming to a city near you. For tour information, please visit www.animaniacslive.com.
It isn’t hard to find fans of disappointed in the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises by FOX. What with the gross representation of cherished characters and story lines it isn’t too hard to see why. I’m still livid with how FOX made Cyclops a mopey romantic foil for Wolverine in the first X-Men movies.
Not cool, Fox. Not cool. And I’m leaving the whole Phoenix Force farce alone, though it appears they’re going to foul that up again. For whatever reason makes them make that decision.
Which is why many saw Marvel making their own films to be a blessing. Especially when the films found praise in portraying characters close to their comic book counterparts. One must only see the fiscal earnings of Marvel’s films compared to Sony’s and FOX’s to see why Marvel is faring better.
Sony, despite a semi-valiant effort to stem the inevitable, learned to share their rights to Spider-Man and seem poised to benefit greatly from the effort.
FOX…not so much.
Fantastic Four and X-Men: Apocalypse demonstrate this beyond a shadow of a doubt. After the Fantastic Four disaster rumors were soaring the film rights were going back to Marvel, though they were quickly squashed.
So with the last X-Men film failing expectations, rumors are once again flying about a FOX owned property returning to Marvel to some degree. Only in this case, this is there’s a producer making the initial statement.
Personally, I am hoping that Marvel gets their mutant back under their banner. Most of the characters need a massive overhaul in their cinematic depiction. Especially Rogue, I will never forgive FOX for that.
And with the exception of First Class, the films seem to focus on one character as a keystone for all others. As if the concept of a team movie is almost sinful. Which is mind boggling given the X-Men are a team.
If FOX is actually considering letting Marvel do work on the X-Men (and hopefully the Fantastic Four), there is a lot to hope to see in the collaboration. Course, if I was a betting man my money would be on FOX refusing to share anything.
Before I start this review, let me just mention that I hated, yes hated, the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The editing was sloppy, the writing was mediocre at best, the story was given no context, and the character motivations weren’t stressed enough. With that said, this new extended edition doesn’t get rid of the sloppy editing and writing, but it does add context to the story (specifically the Africa sequence), which in turn helps the story flow better.
We had heard that Warner Bros. executives got to see a screening of BvS late last year, which was followed by a standing ovation; I believe this is the cut they saw. It’s that much better. In the added thirty minutes of footage, we don’t get any new action sequences or major plot points, but what we do get is smaller character moments that help the film breathe a bit. For example, we see a few added scenes of Clark, not Superman, in Gotham City gathering information for a story Perry assigned him; it doesn’t sound like much, but in a film all about spectacle, action and another ‘end of the world’ type catastrophe, small character moments are what this film needed.
Lois Lane is much more of a complete character in this cut. In the theatrical version, Lois seemed to be there only to progress a plot point or further the impending feud between Bats, Supes, and Lex, whereas, in this one, she feels like an actual character. We see more of her being a reporter for the Daily Planet and her relationship with Clark, which eventually leads to the audience mourning with her more on a more personal level when Superman sacrifices himself to kill Doomsday.
Just like the theatrical cut, Wonder Woman is undoubtedly the best character in the movie, as Gal Gadot delivered her limited amount of lines with authenticity and killed it in the final fight with Doomsday.
While the extended edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice doesn’t fix the awful “MARTHA” plot point, Jesse Eisenberg’s joke of a performance, or the lousy script, it does make the story feel more complete with added context to the Africa scene and added personal character moments. If you didn’t like the original cut, I recommend that you check this new version out and judge it on its own merit.
Triggers huge attention grab Kiznaiver is finally over and love it or hate it, I’m pretty sure this is a show that everyone has feeling about it. Now my feelings, like always, are hard to pin down, especially since I just finished it up and its fresh in my mind. But I’ve been doing this long enough to where I already know where this show will end up for me down the road, and it’s not a good place to be. Still while we’re at the end of Triggers third full length series and I think there is some nice things to take away for this “polarizing” studio. I will try to articulate those thoughts without getting too off topic or ranty.
So to hit the easiest note first I want to talk about how this show looks. In short, amazing. The people working at Trigger must be very passionate for them to release something with this much care, consideration and quality. Through out the show there is never a drop in quality or aesthetic, and considering the detailed designs, this is quite a feat. The character movements are so fluid and every character has a distinct way that they move that is animated to fit their personality. This is usually something you only see in Kyoto Animation or UFOtable shows, so I’m glad Trigger is showing their talent. It’s nice to see them come such a long way from the mess of production that Kill La Kill was. (For the record while Kill La Kill may have some visual problems, most of it was aesthetic choice and worked regardless.) The shot composition was lovely and really helped nail whatever tone the show was trying to convey at the time, even if the writing didnt so well. I feel that if this is the new standard for Trigger then they have a bright future ahead of them. That is if they pick better writers.
Talking about Kiznaiver is sort of simple because when I have to think about what is bad, all I have to say is, “the writing”. Then anyone who has seen the show can immediately understand, or disagree with what I’m saying. Given that Kiznaiver is a show about teenagers feelings, its stand to reason that those certain types of viewers would be very invested in those feeling regardless. But still the writing is bad. I haven’t seen a lot of Mari Okada’s work, but the things I have seen (Anohana, Anthem of the Heart, Pet Girl of Sakurasou) are some of my favorite dramas. However she is a writer who has very distinct writing habits that tend to be a little mean, that accompanied by her inability to make her sci-fi writing work is one of Kiznaivers short comings.
We all knew from the very first episode that Kiznaiver could only end up being a story about empathy. That’s what it sets up with the Kizuna system and all the allegories that Noriko explains about the seven sins. The problem “starts” when the people are not ones you as a viewer want to empathize with. Almost everyone has this sort of mean spirit to their casual conversation, where it almost reminds me of Two and a Half Men, or Big Bang Theory (both shows that I despise). The causal conversation where characters learn about each other are almost always used against the person that is revealing something about themselves, and it’s almost always played for a laugh. You’re literally watching kids who are forced to be together all bully each other even though it doesn’t fit their personality and for what exactly? This is not how you write a story about empathy.
An example from the show would be when everyone finds out that Yuta used to be a fat kid and that’s why he puts so much emphasis on looks. Immediately everyone starts judging him about how he wasn’t always a hot person, as if it somehow makes him uglier because he didn’t used to be hot. That’s not just mean, that’s horrible. Yet all these characters joke about it and even use it against him later, just as a referential jab. If someone keeps making jokes about something you worked at really hard and recovered from, and then tries to belittle you knowing that it’s a point of insecurity and shortcoming, they aren’t your friends. Kiznaiver doesn’t know how to handle having all these different personality types work together as friends so it decides that they all be cynical jerks to each other, that doesn’t work, bad writing. However when characters were shedding some real feeling about themselves and the emotion was being played for dramatic effect, the stuff Mari Okada is known for, I did feel some tears well up. But it was cheap tears that would only be felt by a moody teenager, or a giant empath like me. Most of these moments didn’t derive from conversation but characters screaming their thoughts/feelings into a crowd of characters. Meanwhile the other characters might as well have been viewers too, because the progression of these feelings, is well near to nothing. Someone screams, someone else acknowledges them, and then they move the fuck on. Because the story doesn’t care about these feelings, or at least it doesn’t care about anyone’s feelings except for a select few. Which is not what you do with an ensemble cast like what you have with Kiznaiver. The point of having such a diverse cast is to explore everyone, which sadly doesn’t happen. But you think it would right, given that it’s a show about “seven” people bound by their feelings? Nope, I guess some characters are just along for the ride. They’d rather spend their short runtime on reiterating the same sob story while focusing on bully humor.
The story, sadly enough, gets the same treatment as the characters, no consistency at all. The show grinds to a non progressive halt fairly soon and it puts them into situations that are not ripe for character building. That is until Honoka’s two episode arc. I don’t know how Mari Okada views homosexuality, but she needs to educate herself. She always writes gay characters as an anomaly and not as real people and there are two instances in this show. But lets focus on the Honaka’s flashback. The little development there is, still has the same mean spirit as the rest of the show. Characters constantly feel a certain way and behave the opposite for no reason. And it’s not like that these characters are “being real” or “in the moment”. It all is used to go, well nowhere.. But like I said before this arc doesn’t even matter. It has no bearing to the story and doesn’t even match with the formula. Honoka is the only character other than the main two who gets back story and development. And even then they throw her progression aside and she’s still as mean as ever. The only point her arc served was to deepen the bond between Kiznaivers so where they could feel emotional pain now. Not sure really how that’s possible but the show never explains it so I guess the Kizuna system is just a Macgufan for the show, right? Wrong, it quickly turns into the Kizuna system being the most important ill-explained plot point in the show that has the last three episodes wasted on it. And yet again the show seems to be trying to actively make it out to seem non empathetic, when that is the only way to make a story like the work. They go out of their way to explain that the situation was all random and an accident. The only one who actually feels any sort of empathy as the show explains is Noriko. But we don’t get to see it since she is taking medication to kill her emotions. Only at the last episode do we see Katsuhira show a little bit of empathy and he chocks it up to getting to know her. Are you kidding me, what we were suppose to take away from this show is that we learn to care about people as we get to know them? Really, thats your big revelation? I could see it being a revelation for him as a character, but thats seriously the revelation for the show. Noriko’s theme about letting go of pain in fear of people not caring doesn’t make any sense and I don’t think they put much thought into it to be honest. So when we are left with a show that is a mess thematically, narratively, and character wise, where exactly do I stand?
Even with its problems I never felt bored watching the show. Everything had a very good way of engaging you in its ideas, it’s just the ideas were half-baked and not that good. There were so many times where they could have changed just a few things and made something actually relatable and that meant something, but it never did. Sure the art was amazing but there are plenty of shows that I could watch to fill that void. Kiznaiver doesn’t really fit that emotional spot since Mari Okada herself has written better drama’s with better characters and everything. If not for the art I would say that you should give this show a hard pass. But part of me still thinks that it’s a show worth recommending, at least with a big asterisk. This show regrettably doesn’t fulfill what it sets out to try to do, but it still has enough things to where someone could learn a thing or two about anime as a whole from watching it. It’s a show to watch only if you’re in dire need of whatever Kiznaiver has to offer, because honestly it isn’t very much.
Tom Holland is back in the old-faithful red and blue underoos. The Spider suit appears to be the same as the one featured in ‘Captain America: Civil War.’ These photos from Looper are also pre-CGI, so who know what the suit will look when ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ hits theaters on July 7, 2017.
Jon Watts directs ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ starring Holland, Marisa Tomei as Aunt May, Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Martin Starr and Hannibal Buress.
There’s something strange going on in Puerto Rico, and the FBI wants it investigated! Egon Spengler joins Kylie Griffin and FBI Special Agent Mel Ortiz on the Isle of Enchantment to chase down a gruesome ghoul that could be even worse than it appears! A special stand-alone issue featuring the artwork of British phenom Rachael Stott (Star Trek, Doctor Who)!
Writing
The Ghostbusters continue their international trip. This time the group who stayed behind heads to Puerto Rico. There, the Ghostbusters’ FBI liaison Mel Ortiz gets a chance to shine and showcase just how her talents are invaluable to the team. It’s always a welcoming site to see character moments in a team book as it can sometime be difficult for them to shine without the assistance of the regular cast.
Egon also returns to action in this issue. After being put on the bench thanks to an injury, he is able to take the trip with Ortiz and Kylie. Unfortunately the entire issue is a side story and doesn’t help to move the main story of the miniseries forward.
Artwork
The art is eye catching but is hindered from its better moments. As always the detail work with the different ghosts really steal the show. In comparison though, some of the panels where it’s just the crew by themselves aren’t nearly as memorable. It’s nothing against Rachael Stott’s art as it’s just the sharp contrast which aids to make the ghosts be so impressive in their design. It can’t be helped – this effect can sometimes make the humans look less striking.
Conclusion
This issue offers good characters work but it’s still a side story. Of course with Stott as a guest artist, it really helps to sell it as such. Still, it doesn’t help with disproving the idea of this series being an excuse to send the team to international locations. It’s fun but the miniseries is half over and it’s weighing on more of an entertain experience than an integral read.
The heart in this film radiates from Rylance’s portrayal of the title character. He portrays The BFG with such warmth and compassion that it’s hard not to smile when he’s on the screen. Rylance’s character exhibits a great deal of compassion towards Sophie, not only because of his concern for her well-being but he genuinely has her best interest at heart. One of my favorite moments was when The BFG stashed her away on his pirate ship because the other giants were close by. It might not seem like a significant moment, but it was huge because it was the first time that we saw The BFG treat Sophie as if she were his own daughter. He didn’t care that the giants would likely pummel him once they discovered his new companion, his only concern was the safety of young Sophie. It demonstrates true, honest, paternal love and attention.
