Netflix updated its social media icons on Facebook and Twitter last week. The change is to establish an identity on mobile as more and more viewers use their smartphones and tablets.
“We are introducing a new element into our branding with an N icon. The current Netflix logo will still remain, and the icon will start to be incorporated into our mobile apps along with other product integrations in the near future,” Netflix Statement to TNW.
What do you think of the new logo?
Netflix established in 1997, is an Internet television network with more than 81 million members in over 190 countries.
What little step back ‘Outcast’ took with episode three, ‘A Wrath Unseen’ takes a giant leap forward to progress the series.
The intrigue in Rome intensifies as Anderson discovers shocking information about someone close to him. Megan conceals a secret. – ‘Outcast’ A Wrath Unseen
The cat and mouse game between the demons and Reverend Anderson blindsides the man of the church. This episode provides back story on Megan and Kyle’s relationship and also establishes how messed up the town of Rome is. Chief Giles reminds us that animals have a better sense of who the demons are then the humans. Mark Holter did what any man would do to protect his family but at what cost.
Grace Zabriskie had the performance of the week as Mildred. She pulled all the right strings to pit the Reverend against his faith. Wrenn Schmidt also shined this episode as all the terrible memories of the past resurfaced in Donnie Hamel. Megan is forced in several directions as she tries to protect her family and Kyle.
Brent Spiner introduces his character Sidney to the Reverend and Kyle. To say this has been a slow burn to the evolution of Sidney would be a massive understatement. To keep the audience interested there needs to be more of a reveal of Sidney’s intentions.
Reg E. Cathey brings a charisma to Chief Giles, and the development of the unsolved case in the woods has progressed well. The back and forth between Giles and Ogden is interesting and gets your mind thinking about the mystery and who or what is involved. Charmin Lee, Rose Giles knows how to state the obvious about Rome, Georgia.
Director Julius Ramsay does an excellent job setting up the episode and then tying it all together in the final scene. ‘A Wrath Unseen’ had a Twilight Zone feel that builds a tremendous amount of angst leading into episode five.
Now that ‘Game of Thrones’ has ended, ‘Outcast’ could be the top show to watch this summer.
CW’s The Flash is one of the most popular superhero shows that the modern day has to offer. But before the Fastest Man Alive was running around in live-action, he was zipping around in glorious 2D animation. Scroll down to see the Top Five Animated Flash Appearances!
Everything below is currently available on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
“The Great Brain Robbery” – Justice League Unlimited
A freak accident swaps the minds of Wally West and Lex Luthor, stranding the Flash in a secret lair packed with supervillains. Wally has to think fast, playing the villain on the outside while remaining true to the hero fans know and love on the inside.
Meanwhile, Lex shows the League just how powerful the Flash could be if he didn’t have the moral strength to hold himself back.
“Bloodlines” – Young Justice
Bart Allen arrives at team headquarters out of thin air, claiming to be the Flash’s grandson from the future. An actual conflict unfolds, but the best part of this episode is watching the interactions between the four speedsters. The show gives each one a moment to shine and show why he’s unique, proving that there’s more to being a Flash than just running fast.
The Flashpoint Paradox
The Flashpoint Paradox is the only movie on this list. Barry Allen awakes in a world where his mother is alive, but society is on the brink of World War III.
Truthfully, this isn’t even one of the DCAU‘s better films; the animation is average and the writing comes off a tad overly expository. But it’s still a great Flash narrative at its core. It exemplifies what makes Barry such a good character, and it’s also just a fun, action-packed flick. Anything goes when dealing with alternate timelines.
“Coldhearted” – Young Justice
On his 16th birthday, Wally West wants nothing more than to team up with the Justice League alongside the rest of his friends. But he instead finds himself relegated to delivery boy, having to transport a donor heart across the country in a snow storm. Wally feels disappointed and left out, but in the end he learns that there’s more to being a hero than action and battles.
“Flash and Substance” – Justice League Unlimited
It’s Flash Appreciation Day in Central City, and Wally West is loving every minute of it. But unfortunately he can’t enjoy it for long, because the Rogues have decided to seize the opportunity and do away with their nemesis once and for all. Luckily, the Scarlet Speedster invited Batman and Orion to join in on his special day. Action ensues, and in the end the two brooding heroes have a much better understanding of why their fast friend “plays the fool.”
Also, any episode featuring the voice talents of Mark Hamill is a great episode.
Not Every Sequel Can Be ‘Empire Strikes Back’ Awesome
Most of the time, a sequel never lives up to the original. Audiences are used to that but there is some truly unnecessary sequels. So bad that they almost tarnish the reputation of the original. Below are some of the most unwarranted sequels ever.
The only requirement for the list is the movie has to be the second in the franchise. It can’t be the third or fourth film in the series. Sorry, you won’t be seeing ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ on here.
“I don’t know about doing a sequel. I think you can retroactively damage a product by adding to it.”
–Simon Pegg
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)
-The film that inspired this list. Most of the box office is now filled with sequels or remakes or prequels. ‘Independence Day: Resurgence‘ is no different expect this direct sequel to the 96’ movie has been met with some deserved critical bashing.
Jaws 2 (1978)
-If Spielberg didn’t sign on to direct, you should’ve jumped ship from the start. The follow-up to the 1975 classic lost all the magic of the first film. The same can be said for ‘The Lost Word: Jurassic Park’ but ‘Jaws 2’ follows such a masterpiece.
Cars 2 (2011)
–Pixar thought they’d have similar sequel success to ‘Toy Story‘ but ‘Cars 2‘ flopped with critics and audiences. Lightning McQueen’s second story was sadly left in the dust. It’s become the worst scoring Disney/Pixar film on Rotten Tomatoes at 39%.
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
-Nothing says sellout like Wall Street. Trying to capitalize on the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, this unneeded sequel reeked of cash grab. ‘Money Never Sleeps‘ pairs a returning Michael Douglas and newbie Shia LaBeouf in a real snoozer.
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)
-‘Speed‘ got lucky. Fresh concept mixed with fun action made for a surprise blockbuster hit. But when Keanu turns down a script, you should second guess yourself. Everyone involved with ‘Speed 2‘ seemed to be working on cruise control.
The new full-length trailer for Morgan, the upcoming sci-fi horror thriller, looks and sounds like a combination of every “genetic human” thriller ever made. There’s even a character who calls this new killer girl “the next step in evolution.” Wow!
And this trailer also shows us just enough to put together the entire plot and structure of the movie. Here you go:
And the synopsis: “A corporate risk-management consultant has to decide and determine whether or not to terminate an artificial being’s life that was made in a laboratory environment.” Decide and determine.
The cast is impressive, with Paul Giamatti, Kate Mara, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Toby Jones playing stock characters in this Mad Libs sci-fi exercise. First-time director Luke Scott is at the helm, son of producer Ridley Scott.
Morgan will be in theaters September 2. No surprise there.
Paramount Pictures released the third trailer for ‘Star Trek Beyond’ featuring “Sledgehammer” by Rihanna.
The 2016 Summer Blockbuster Season has been very bland, to say the least. After ‘Captain America: Civil War’ it’s been a string of miss fires with ‘X-Men: Apocalypse,’ ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows,’ ‘Warcraft,’ and now ‘Independence Day Resurgence.’
Could ‘Star Trek Beyond’ which hits theaters on July 22 be the blockbuster we’ve been waiting for?
‘Star Trek Beyond,’ the next installment in Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry, returns with director Justin Lin at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In ‘Beyond,’ the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.
The film stars Idris Elba, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin.
Game of Thrones began its unlikely journey to TV’s paramount series with an encyclopedia of names, families, histories, battles, cities, etc. to explain to a mostly unknowing audience. To say it was inaccessible would have been a compliment to what David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were attempting to accomplish. They knew, like George R.R. Martin before them, that character was always key when grounding an audience in your fantastical world of dragons, faceless assassins and incest. We’re at the point in Game of Thrones where the field has become simplified. Yes, there are still hundreds of houses carrying thousands of years of political and social intrigue likely yet to be discovered but the world is still shrinking to manageable proportions. It needs to in order to feel intimate and physical and painful in the small bit of story yet to come. ‘The Winds of Winter’ tells us that we are finally at our destination. Winter is here and it’s time to act.
In ‘The Winds of Winter’, ceremony again takes the forefront as each character uses symbols to dress the parts of power in which they’ve been bestowed. After some time away, we are back in King’s Landing to see the trials of both Loras Tyrell and Cersei Lannister. Cersei dresses herself in a stunning black dress that’s very ill-fitting for a trial as King Tommen readies himself with his crown. After Loras repents for his sins and accepts a life in service of the Seven, The Faith Militant carve their sigil into his forehead. You’re nothing in the Seven Kingdoms unless you wear it on your body.
In the biggest thinning of the crowd since The Red Wedding, Cersei’s long-telegraphed plot to burn down the High Sept in Wildfire came to brutal fruition. In operatic fashion, we’re led through Cersei’s endgame with a gorgeous piano score floating in and out of our characters’ heads as they come closer to their demise and victory. Taking down nearly the entire Tyrell family and The Faith Militant in one fell swoop* was both satisfying and excruciating. Margaery’s feigned alliance with The High Sparrow got her in this mess and The Sparrow will keep her in it until the bitter, fiery end.
*I will really miss Margaery on this show but she was always destined to lose to Cersei.
If only Cersei hadn’t overlooked the needs and thoughts of her own son, she’d still have one child left. King Tommen, a believer in the Faith because of his love for Margaery, sees the Sept burning in the distance and falls out of his window, ending his own life and reign. At the end of the episode, Cersei Lannister sits on the Iron Throne, wearing a brand new crown made for a brand new Queen. This has always been her goal. Her children, whom she loved more than anyone, were the only ones in her way and while she would have never directly harmed them, her selfish wants and needs ultimately led to the demise of them all. She got what she wanted in the end, but at what price?
Even Jaime Lannister, Cersei’s most trusted companion and lover seems frightened by this. Queen Cersei doesn’t have to backroom wheel and deal to see to her deeds like she once did. She’s the Queen. She does as she pleases. Game of Thrones has softened on Cersei as of late (Jaime as well) but this new power will be sure to remind us of the utter wretch of a human Cersei Lannister is. And now she has no children? Game effing on, here’s our villain for the rest of the series.
In the aftermath of The Battle of Winterfell, Jon Snow doesn’t want the part of Lord of Winterfell. After all, he is a bastard** and there is still one Stark out there to lay claim to the city and the North in Sansa. Sansa, though, is more than happy to give over claim to the realm to Jon and so is House Mormont*** and the rest of the North. In a purposefully reminiscent scene of Robb Stark’s “coronation” the houses of the North rally and exclaim Jon Snow as The King in the North. A blessing and a curse to be sure.
**Nope!
***Gosh darn it, give this girl an Emmy already.
Though is Jon really meant for this role? We finally learn what all book and conspiracy enthusiasts have thought for years in that R+L really does = J. This means that Rhaegar Targaryen fathered Jon Snow with Lyanna Stark. Jon is both a Stark and a Targaryen. What’s more, Jon has a sort of claim as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne in that Raeghar was the eldest son of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen. Viserys, who we saw properly killed back in season one would have been the next eldest which leaves Daenerys as the sole claim remaining of Aerys’ children. If Jon is believed to be the only remaining child of Rhaegar****, he could threaten claim to the Iron Throne and fight against Dany, not with her.
****Are we going to get Aegon? If so, his story has already changed. It feels to me like they’re cutting him entirely.
In cutting the field of players, Game of Thrones immediately makes everything more personal. These people we’ve come to love and understand will have to come to blows with one another. I almost wish there wasn’t an army of Whitewalkers descending upon Westeros because the show is more interesting when there is gray area. The Wights present an evil (much like Sauron) that everyone can and should rally against. As much as I love an undead battle royale, the stakes are immediately removed as we will likely be denied some of the pain of forcing characters to fight one another because of their flawed and skewed beliefs. Hopefully, we’ll still get a good portion of that before all is said and done.
Three years later, we’re finally rewarded a bit of comeuppance for the earth-shattering Red Wedding. Proving that she has learned from her time at The House of Black and White and is now a force to be reckoned with, Arya Stark makes a great surprise appearance at Walder Frey’s dinner table. Serving him Sweeney Todd-esque meat pies filled with pieces of his sons, Arya gives us the pleasure of slitting Walder’s throat from ear to ear. The knowing looks Arya (in disguise) gave Jaime also has me wondering what she may have been plotting for him?
Across the Narrow Sea, we’re brought to the point we’ve all been waiting for: Daenerys Targaryen traverses the water with her army and her dragons in tow, hellbent on taking back the Seven Kingdoms in her name. She leaves her lover and truly beloved, Daario Naharis in an honestly painful scene where we can see our Queen choosing her goals over her heart. Daario was a great match for Dany, but he isn’t her destiny and, frankly, I’m good with where Daario ends up. We understand Dany’s pain, or lack thereof, and Daario’s but the show must go on and there’s just no room for lover boy.
Tyrion also wears a sigil of his new, yet familiar role as Hand to the Queen. The look on Peter Dinklage’s face says it all as this time the honor is taken with proper weight in mind.
Using the remaining ships of the Masters and the ones brought to her by the Greyjoys, Dany, Tyrion and Varys all head back to Westeros to lay claim to what they believe is theirs. Game of Thrones spent six seasons getting us to the point where we can see these people return and the moment was as perfect as it could have been. Dothraki out of their element on water, Unsullied manning ships, Dragons flying overhead. The only thing missing was Cersei’s “Oh shit”, moment when she sees the vanguard on the horizon.
In my review for last week’s episode, I was happy with the fact that good won out over the bad for once in this show’s history. I correlated the show’s fortitude and decision to grant hope with the awful state of our current world and events. I don’t believe that we should be spoon-fed happy moments or endings because we deserve it. That doesn’t always make compelling storytelling. Here, it was deserved, earned and happened to come at a time when we needed it most in regard to our real world situation. Whatever happens from here on out, we can take heart knowing that a woman who frees slaves and rides a dragon is sailing to save the world. We can rest assured that a good man with a good heart has the backing of the North of Westeros. We can be comforted learning that a cynical imp has learned to believe and will do anything for what he knows is good and decent.
I can’t ask for anything more.
“This is your God now.” – Cersei Lannister
Show Notes:
How gorgeous was Old Town and The Citadel? This show has really put all its money on the screen and I loved every second of Sam and Gilly at this “new” place.
The look on the face of The Citadel’s “receptionist”. Gold.
Jon and Sansa are by no means safe and Sansa has learned the endgame of Littlefinger. Since it’s Jon and not Sansa controlling the armies of the North, his health can’t be guaranteed as long as that stands in front of Sansa being his Queen when he hopes to eventually take the Iron Throne for his own.
Maester Pycelle finally gets his comeuppance. Thank the Seven.
Are the Tyrells and the Sand Snakes now on Team Dany? Varys (and his seeming teleportation ability) seems to get both sides to favor Daenerys for the coming war.
Just how great was Davos’ scene finally ripping into Melisandre for Shireen’s murder? All this pent up aggression finally let loose and we feel for all parties! I do think it’s a bit silly for Jon to let Melisandre go but Jon has shown to not be the best tactician in Westeros.
Shout out for the costume design in this show. My god, I want to wear everything.
Check out my reviews of previous episodes of ‘Game of Thrones’:
Tons Of Strong Men On The ‘Game Of Thrones‘ Finale But The Women Were Really The Show-Stealers.
Another ‘Game Of Thrones‘ season has wrapped; the sixth was surely memorable. From the return of Jon Snow to King’s Landing exploding, there was so much to talk about. But at the center of all that drama were some of the most bad-ass women. This is most noticeable in the season finale. Each story, while featuring male characters, was backed by or influenced by the actions of a female character.
“Let the grown women speak”
–Olenna Tyrell
We had two tales of revenge of this evening. First, Cersei Lannister gets her long-awaited revenge but at a grave cost. Blowing up The High Sparrow, she then captures the woman who tortured her. She’s lost her children but has power. As she sits upon the Iron Throne, her brother Jamie finally sees her for the evil queen she is.
Secondly, Arya Stark’s ‘Kill Bill’ style hit-list got one name shorter. After a hilariously disgusting scene where she sneakily feeds Frey his sons, she then slits his throat.
Lady Mormont delivered a speech that shifted the entire mood of the North’s celebration dinner. Jon Snow is finally accepted as king due to Mormont’s kind words. In true of ‘Game Of Thrones‘ style, the scene had one more impactful moment. Sansa Stark was rejoicing with Snow until she noticed Littlefinger sulking. Will her declining his advances lead to more drama down the line?
And finishing the episode, Daenerys & her dragons set sail to conquer the seven kingdoms. Earlier we saw the Sand Snakes team up of a grieving Olenna Tyrell. Varys appears out of nowhere with an offer. Does this mean the two houses joined Daenerys on that fleet of ships she has? This season focused heavily on Jon Snow and the North’s growing army but Daenerys Targaryen has built quite the squad.
What did you think of Episode 10, the season 6 finale, of ‘Game Of Thrones‘?
Did you enjoy all the strong female characters?
After six seasons, “Game Of Thrones” continues to deliver twists and turns. Now, the HBO series passes George R.R Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels. Ergo, certain plot elements are modified or otherwise changed in the adapting process. As the latest season concludes, “The Winds of Winter” ups the ante for the surviving Westeros characters.
At King’s Landing, Cersei (Lena Headey) and company get ready for trial. The mood is somber, which makes the tolling bells seem appropriate. In the courtroom, Loras Tyrell confesses to all his crimes. He vows to renounce his titles before receiving his punishment. Tommen tries to leave his room, but Sir Gregor stops him from doing so. Back at the Sept, Margerary informs the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) that something is wrong, because Cersei has not arrived. She orders everyone to leave as the crowd attempts to flee. An explosion triggered beneath the Sept kills everyone in attendance as Cersei sips wine. Distraught over Margaery’s death, Tommen removes his crown and jumps off the balcony, killing himself. Cersei views her son’s body and decides on cremation.
Jaime can’t get over how Walder’s so full of himself
At the Twins, Walder Frey (David Bradley) toasts his allies in a feast after taking back Riverrun. Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) isn’t in a partying mood. Walder says fear is a great weapon, but Jaime is disgusted with his incompetence and leaves. Later, while dining alone, Walder wonders where his sons are. A disguised Arya (Maise Williams) reveals she baked them in a pie. She reveals her true identity and cuts his throat, avenging Robb Stark’s death at the Red Wedding. Another name has been crossed off Arya’s kill list.
Get thee from Winterfell, thou Red Woman.
In Winterfell, Jon (Kit Harington) and Melisandre (Carice van Houten) discuss his childhood. Suddenly, Sir Davos (Liam Cunningham) arrives to confront Melisandre about Shireen’s death. Melisandre admits her responsibility but says it was the only way. Although Davos calls for Melisandre’s execution, Jon orders her to leave, threatening to hang her if she returns. As the Red Woman departs, Sansa (Sophie Turner) admits she should have told Jon about Littlefinger. Saddened, Jon explains they need to trust each other more.
In Mereen, Daenarys (Emilia Clarke) tells Daario Naharis that he will not join her in Westeros. She needs alliances with people she can trust, but she can’t take a lover. They part of amicable terms. Later, Dany talks with Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) about their future plans. Tyrion tells her that she is now playing the Game of Thrones. Dany gives him a badge that names him “Hand of the Queen.” Later, they sail for Westeros with the dragons flying overhead.
Littlefinger (Aiden Gillen) meets with Sansa and says he wants to marry her. He has a vision of being on the Iron Throne with her by his side. However, Sansa refuses to consider the notion and leaves. Littlefinger says the North should unite under a legitimate Stark rather than a bastard.
Littlefinger’s got an idea, and it isn’t good.
Beyond the Wall, Benjen Stark leaves Bran (Isaac Hampstead-Wright) and Meera (Ellie Kendrick) in the forest. He explains the dead cannot pass through this region. Bran goes into the past and back to the Tower of Joy. Young Ned Stark enters the chamber to find his sister Lyanna covered in blood. She has given birth to an infant Jon and reveals the father is Rhaegar Targaryen. As she dies, Lyanna makes Ned promise to protect her son.
At Winterfell, the Northern families talk about what needs to be done. Many of them wish to head home and wait out the winter. However, Lyanna Mormomt (Bella Ramsey) calls them out and backs Jon’s bid for leadership. Slowly, the families come together and ask Jon for forgiveness in not supporting him earlier. With that, Jon is declared the King in the North. Meanwhile, Jaime arrives in King’s Landing to see Cersei become Queen and Protector of the Seven Kingdoms.
“Game of Thrones” succeeds in delivering another successful season. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B Weiss continue to surprise viewers with each episode. One can only imagine what Season Seven will bring.
June 28th, 1969 At Stonewall Changed LGBT History Forever
47 years since the riots that started the Gay Rights movement, President Barack Obama declares the Stonewall Inn. a national monument. Following the recent mass shooting tragedy at LGBT nightclub Pulse in Orlando, the gesture feels so kind. This is also one year after the Supreme Court made marriage equality legal.
To inform anyone who may have missed Roland Emmerich’s film about the subject, here’s what the riots entail. Around 3 a.m., New York gay club Stonewall Inn. was raided by police. Instead of the usual mayhem caused by the police, the patrons of the bar fought back. This led to bystanders joining in which started the riots against the New York police. Among the first to fight back was trans woman of color, Marsha P. Johnson. She is forever known as the queen who threw the first brick at Stonewall. The riots lasted for two nights. By the end of it, thousands of protesters stood up against the unfair treatment from the NYPD.
This landmark moment changed the LGBT community and shifted pop culture. A year after the original riots, gay pride parades began appearing all over the nation. That same year, ‘Midnight Cowboy’ starring Jon Voight as a gay hustler in New York won 3 Academy Awards. The effects of these riots at Stonewall were felt in film and TV. Not to mention society began embracing the LGBT community slowly.
Stonewall Inn. is the first US national landmark designated for a LGBT historic site.
