3 Things ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2’ Could Have Done Better

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June 2, 2016

**‘Ninja Turtles 2‘ Has Potential But Is Weighed Down By Too Many Characters**

There’s something about Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael that brings joy to their fans. Maybe it’s the fact they love pizza or kick-ass but even a messy film like ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out Of Shadows‘ has charm to it.

I’m not the target demographic for this Nickelodeon/Ninja Turtles movie but as a critic, I still have to point out the flaws. There is praises for the film like the wonderful characterizations & striking visual effects. I also appreciate the creators stopping all the unneeded nostalgia but ‘Ninja Turtles 2‘ still needs some work.

Below are three things the movie could’ve done to helped reach every demographic!

Bigger Action Sequences
-For a Michael Bay-produced film, I would expect grander action sequences. Aside from the awesome plane scene, the turtles mostly had lackluster encounters. With these live-action adaptions, you’d think you’d get constant fighting. Alas, there isn’t much fighting unless it’s between the brothers. What really let me down was the end fight; it was basically a re-hash from the previous film. Only Krang didn’t make the impact Shredder did. Tweak this fight and it would have changed so much.

Way Less Characters
-I find the characters in the ‘Ninja Turtles‘ universe to be interesting so it’s enjoyable to see a variety within the film. If only the new characters got some screen-time, it wouldn’t have felt like they were lost in the shuffle. The hockey-mask wearing vigilante Casey Jones played by Stephen Amell was reduced to almost nothing. The movie also had too many bad-guys. You couldn’t even invest in one of them. Between Be-bop/Rocksteady, Shredder, and Krang, there is too many lame threats.

Focus More On The Brother’s Relationship
-When forced fighting isn’t happening, the bond between the 4 turtles was so organic. All actors involved embody their characters. Noel Fisher as Mikey is a real standout. While Alan Ritchson’s Raphael gets stuck being just a brute, the orange turtle Mikey shows comedic chops and some heart. If we had more of them working together and being funny, the film would have been easier to get into it.

I’ll totally be there to see ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3‘, my only hope is the films can keep improving. The kids enjoy it but some of the “big kids” wanna have fun to.

Will you be seeing the Ninja Turtles this weekend?

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Bill Skarsgard OFFICIALLY Cast As Pennywise The Dancing Clown

By

Jamie DeCourley

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June 2, 2016

What a difference a couple hours and a planted rumor can make. Earlier today every major entertainment news outlet (even I) was reporting that actor Kirk Acevedo was currently doing makeup testing and auditioning for the role of Pennywise in the upcoming remake of Stephen King’s It. Well hold that thought, just hours later The Hollywood Reporter is confirming that actor Bill Skarsgård (Hemlock Grove, Divergent: Alliegant) is final negotiations with New Line for the role. Bill is the son of actor Stellan Skarsgard and the younger sibling of actor Alexander Skarsgard.

Two years ago True Detective show runner Cary Fukunaga quit the project due to creative differences almost completely killing the film. The actor cast at that time to play the dancing clown was Will Poulter. It became clear however that as Poulter’s career trajectory skyrocketed over the last 24 months, he most likely wouldn’t stay attached to the effect heavy role. Director Andrés Muschietti seems to have discovered his own vision of the demonic dancing clown in young Skarsgard.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the best selling Stephen King novel. That makes all this news about the film even more interesting as the titular monster is said in the book to return every 27 to 33 years to feed on human prey. The new film will be two parts with the first being slated for a September 8, 2017 theatrical release.

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A New Actor Is Auditioning To Play Pennywise in the ‘It’ remake.

By

Jamie DeCourley

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June 2, 2016

After years languishing in development hell the remake of Stephen King’s IT is about to start shooting. Two years ago True Detective show runner Cary Fukunaga quit the project due to creative differences almost completely killing the project. The actor cast at that time to play the dancing clown was Will Poulter. It became clear however that as Poulter’s career trajectory skyrocketed over the last 24 months, he most likely wouldn’t stay attached to the effect heavy role.

Now we have word from our friends at Bloody Disgusting that Poulter is officially out. In fact, they’ve also recently confirmed that character actor Kirk Acevedo is currently auditioning and undergoing makeup testing for the part. Acevedo is best known for his role as a hardened criminal in the classic HBO drama OZ. Acevedo is a veteran actor that has appeared in hundreds of both network and cable television shows. Recently he’s appeared in the SyFy series 12 Monkeys and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the best selling Stephen King novel. That makes all this news about the film even more interesting as the titular monster is said in the book to return every 27 to 33 years to feed on human prey. The new film will be two parts with the first being slated for a September 8, 2017 theatrical release.

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‘Star Trek Beyond’ Karl Urban Says Trailer shot Is In Film’s End

By

Jamie DeCourley

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June 2, 2016

During a recent conversation with IGN , Star Trek Beyond star Karl Urban revealed some interesting news. Apparently a clip from a key scene near the film’s finale was added to the second official trailer released by Paramount.

Urban talked for several minutes about Star Trek as a franchise, even professing his fondness for the first film entry, ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture‘.

“For the longest time I felt that it was too slow, but with age I’ve come to a great appreciation of it. I really love it. It’s still, you know, the essence of exploring the unknown. There’s great character dynamics, with Kirk being a little rusty, being out of the chair, feeling threatened by Decker, and McCoy really calling Kirk on his insecurity. You know, Spock returning from Vulcan not having achieved the Kolinahr and coming back to his calling and his friends, and having an agenda that’s outside of the mission, his own personal agenda. I mean, there was a lot of interesting stuff in there. And then V’ger itself, the concept of something, an Earth probe, that was sent out and has become self-aware. I just think it was a really fantastic Star Trek story.”

Given Urban’s love of the original movie it’s not shocking that he asked to have an Easter egg added to the end of Star Trek Beyond. The scene shows Urban looking similar to the way DeForest Kelley did when he first appeared in The Motion Picture with a heavy beard and wearing a large medallion. It’s a quick glance but it’s the background that reveals some possible new information. Here’s a look.

While everything else leads us to the crew are on the Yorktown space station (an outpost visited in Beyond ), the architecture in the background seems to imply they’ve returned to Earth. Possibly abandoning their remaining term of service after their battle with the villainous Krall.

Star Trek Beyond will be in theaters July 22.

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More Details Emerge on Johnny Depp Amber Heard Divorce

By

Jamie DeCourley

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June 2, 2016

It’s been a crazy year for Hollywood heavyweight Johnny Depp. First came the star’s rumble down under with Australian authorities. Depp and his then wife Amber Heard were accused of illegally bring their dogs into the country and even forging official customs documents.

Amber and Johnny were forced to make an awkward public apology wrapped inside a public service announcement. You can definitely see the two actors struggling to find to get through the horrible experience. See for yourself.

Unfortunately, things have only gotten worse for the former power couple. Late last week news circulated that Johnny’s mother had passed away on the very same day that Amber’s attorney officially filed for divorce. Now reports are coming out that Depp’s 15 month whirlwind marriage to Heard was decimated through a series of disturbing outburst of domestic violence. Below are pictures Amber claims were taken after one such attack.

Several text messages provided by Entertainment Today, claim to be from May 2014 and seem to show earlier instances of alleged violence before the couple were married. The following messages were sent from Depp’s personal assistant, a man named Stephen, to Heard.

Stephen: “Think he’s just texted you. He’s incredibly apologetic and knows that he has done wrong,”

Stephen : “He wants to get better now. He’s been very explicit about that this morning. Feel like we’re at a critical juncture.”

Stephen: “He was appalled when I told him he kicked you, he cried. It was disgusting. And he knows it.”

Heard: “He’s done this many times before. Tokyo, the island, London (remember that?!), and I always stay. Always believe he’s going to get better…And then every three or so month [sic], I’m in the exact same position.“

As a fan of both Johnny and Amber I know they will both move on to do many more great things in film. However, the leaked text infer that Depp probably suffers from some issues with substance abuse, if so let’s hope Johnny gets the help he needs soon.

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Upcoming Image Comics To Look Forward To

By

Anthony Composto - EIC

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June 2, 2016

If you haven’t started reading Image Comics yet, you’re truly missing out on something incredible. Image has been consistently putting out some of the best work that the industry has to offer, and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

The indie publisher recently came out with Image+, a magazine highlighting some of its latest and greatest creator owned books. We went ahead and compiled six of the most exciting upcoming titles below, but pick up either of the magazine’s first two issues for full previews!

A.D.

Creative team: Scott Snyder (W) & Jeff Lemire (A)
Scheduled release date: November 2016

A.D.: After Death is a highly anticipated book from the mind of Scott Snyder about a world that has cured death.

It’s a beautiful combination of the traditional comics format and prose. The technique generates a mesmerizing atmosphere, and further proves that comics and literature are not mutually exclusive.

Snyder describes the story as being “about bravery – emotional and artistic bravery.” Originally scheduled for a Fall 2015 release, A.D.: After Death is finally hitting stores in November.

The Black Monday Murders

Creative team: Jonathan Hickman (W) & Tomm Coker (A)
Scheduled release date: August 10

The Black Monday Murders refers to the stock market crash of 1987, but the story is much larger than just that one event. This neo-noir seeks out to show that the worlds of money and the occult are not that far apart.

In an interview with Image+, Hickman stated that TBMM is “basically a story about two people: The detective trying to solve [a] murder, and that case’s only surviving family member, who is neck-deep in the intersecting worlds of finance and magic.”

Kill Or Be Killed

Creative team: Ed Brubaker (W), Sean Phillips (A), & Elizbeth Breitweiser (C)
Scheduled release date: August 3

Little is known about the latest project from Brubaker and Phillips, but the hype is real. Kill or be Killed is about a guy that needs to kill one person a month to survive. He uses the “opportunity” to rid the world of bad people, becoming both their judge and their executioner.

On the surface, the story is about how the protagonist deals with his situation, but it explores much more interesting concepts (“If you had to kill a bad person, who would you pick?”). How does one decide who deserves to live or die? Kill or be Killed seeks to answer that question and more.

Lake of Fire

Creative team: Nathan Fairbairn (W) & Matt Smith (A)
Scheduled release date: August 24

Lake of Fire takes place in 1220 AD during the Albigensian Crusade. A band of crusaders and a heretic bear witness to the crash landing of an alien ship, and all hell breaks loose. The best and simplest description comes from Fairbairn himself:

“This is a story about faith. It’s about how faith can elevate the human spirit and also lead it down some of the darkest paths imaginable. It’s about how faith provides easy and false answers to complex questions, and how those answers can nevertheless give us the courage to live without fear and, hopefully, to be our best selves.”

Snotgirl

Creative team: Bryan Lee O’Malley (W), Leslie Hung (A), & Mickey Quinn (C)
Scheduled release date: July 20, 2016

Have you ever acted differently than normal to make sure people like you?

Snotgirl stars Lottie Person, a fashion blogger and social media star with a seemingly perfect life. But Lottie has a secret: she has terrible allergies, and it’s not pretty.

That may sound kind of silly, but it’s actually shaping up to be a deeper story about the duality in the lives we all lead. And if the concept seems too gross for your liking, get over it. Because as Bryan Lee O’Malley says, “we are [all] snotgirls.”

Throwaways

Creative team: Caitlin Kittredge (W) & Steven Sanders (A)
Scheduled release date: July 6, 2016

Throwaways is a sci-fi thriller based in real world history. During the Cold War, the CIA attempted to use mind control for a more effective interrogation. This story by Caitlin Kittredge takes that concept, applies it to the Millennial generation, and throws in superpowers for good measure.

It’s a tale about conspiracies, spies, and identity. Kittredge describes it as “the bastard child of Scanners and The Bourne Identity,” so be sure to add it to your local pull list for an exciting read.

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Which title are you most excited for? Is there another upcoming book that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition’ Trailer Shows Some More Footage

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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June 2, 2016

If you thought Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice didn’t have enough in it, then you’re in luck. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition (that’s a mouthful) is releasing on bluray later this month, and it’s chock full of new footage and an R rating.

Here goes:

So there you have it, more. Perhaps this super ultimate major awesome R-rated cut will clear up some of the nonsensical scene transitions and complete lapses in logic. Many of the new scenes do appear to be minimal and informative, but there must also be a few more violent scenes to give it that elusive R rating Zack Snyder wanted all along.

Oh, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Ultimate Edition (seriously…) runs just a smudge over three hours. And it includes Jena Malone’s mystery character, who didn’t appear in the theatrical version at all. If you want an entire rundown of everything new, check this out. This could definitely help the overall aesthetic of the film, but it could also just make it worse. I’m not saying which I think it’ll do.

BvS:DoJUE will be released on Digital HD June 28, and the bluray combo pack will be a few weeks later, July 19. So we can keep discussing the film all summer I suppose.

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Review: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows’ Is Garbage

By

Kaitlyn Booth

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June 2, 2016

Title: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
Director: Dave Green
Summary: As Shredder joins forces with mad scientist Baxter Stockman and henchmen Bebop and Rocksteady to take over the world, the Turtles must confront an even greater nemesis: the notorious Krang.

I was a die hard Ninja Turtles fan as a kid. I loved Donatello, I loved the cartoon, I had a bunch of the toys and I remember the movies fondly. Looking back though, I’m not sure they entirely hold up. The movies, at least the first and second, are better but the cartoon is incredibly cheesy and nearly hard to watch. I love kids movies but I’m also a huge proponent that kids are much smarter than we give them credit for and they deserve good movies. If you’re making a kids movie that means you should try harder, not less. The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles left me with a migraine, and I wasn’t expecting anything better from this.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a disaster on every level where the only good thing I could think of is that the 3D this time didn’t give me a migraine.

When I say that the 3D didn’t give me a migraine and that is the only good thing to come out of this I’m being almost entirely serious. There was one moment where I laughed almost hysterically but it had nothing to do with the jokes that were on screen. It was when Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) has just created the infamous Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (Sheamus) announced that the reason they have transformed into animals is because we all have a latent animal in our genes. I can look past some really stupid science in movies (I’m a superhero fan, I kind of have to) but that was delivered with such reverence that I couldn’t help but laugh.

That is the major problem with this movie. Perhaps if there was a single moment of self awareness throughout the entire production then maybe it could have been hilarious in a terrible way. However, everyone seems to be under the impression that they are making a good movie and everything ranges from grim and serious to fart humor and the juxtaposition was enough to give me whiplash. Were you excited about seeing Casey Jones (Stephen Amell) in this movie? He had hardly any real scenes and he only wears his famous hockey mask once. Bebop and Rocksteady were kind of cool to see rendered in live action, but much like everything else in this series they are so poorly designed I wasn’t entertained.

Director Dave Green doesn’t spin the camera around as much as Jonathan Liebesman did in the previous movie but there isn’t any interesting set pieces in this entire movie. The Turtle van shows up for one action scene and then they forget they have it. There is a pointless subplot about the turtles wanting to be human for some reason that doesn’t get much development. Do you remember in the first movie how they were fighting and needed to come together as a team? Congratulations, you have just watched most of this movie! Krang (Brad Garrett) is barely a villain and the one action scene with him in it is boring.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is yet another kids movie where we’re supposed to ignore plot problems or a terrible script because ‘it’s just a kids movie’, but I don’t buy that. In the age of superheroes and Marvel making movies with talking trees and raccoons there is no excuse for a movie this bad. Perhaps with a little effort the filmmakers could have made a decent movie instead of this dumpster fire rolling into theaters this weekend.

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‘The Conjuring 2’ – Here’s 3 More True Cases From The Warrens

By

Jamie DeCourley

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June 2, 2016

With the release of The Conjuring 2 only days away, let’s flesh out some of the Warren’s most frightening case files. Ed & Lorraine Warren spent more than four decades researching the paranormal and helping victims of supernatural phenomenon. Ed passed away in 2006 but, the feisty Lorraine is still going strong today. Here are three more times these champions of the unbelievable found themselves in situations more menacing than anyone could have ever imagined.

3. The Perron Family Poltergeist

In the Summer of 1971, the Warrens investigated the Harrisville, Rhode Island home of the Perron family. The century old structure was reportedly being haunted by an evil witch who had apparently lived there during the early part of the 19th century. According to Ed and Lorraine Warren, a woman named Bathsheba Sherman maliciously cursed the land. This may have led to a large majority of those who lived in the residence dying from various odd and often macabre circumstances.

2. The Smurl Haunting

In the Fall of 1974 Jack and Janet Smurl began noticing unexplainable occurrences throughout their West Pittson, Pennsylvania home. The couple claimed to have been tortured by for over a decade by a malicious and unrelenting demonic entity. Pushed to their psychological limit, the family contacted the Warrens in 1986. Ed, an experienced spiritualist, noted the force as being “remarkably powerful.” While many dispute the claims of those involved, Lorraine Warren alleges that she still has a large number of audiotapes containing chilling noises created by the demon.

1. The Lutz Family & The Amityville House.

Before The Conjuring in 2012, The Warrens were likely best known for their overall association with the 1976 Amityville case. In this instance, New York couple George and Kathy Lutz emphatically stated that their home was griped by a paranormal, and increasingly demonic presence. The force became so intense that it eventually drove them completely away from their dream home. Years later many critics and skeptics alike have written articles and even entire novels speculating about the possibility of a well-organized hoax. The maligned supernatural events were the basis of both a 1977 book The Amityville Horror and the 1979 and 2005 motion pictures of the same title. The picture above is probably the most famous spirit photo ever taken. It was snapped by a camera in the home that the DeFeo family were sadly murdered in just a few short years before.

That’s all for now Horror fans. Come find me on Facebook at The Horror Hound Hotel and follow me here for more exciting news and articles from the world of horror and beyond.

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‘Sicario’ Sequel Titled ‘Soldado’, Gets New Director

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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June 2, 2016

Unfortunately Denis Villeneuve cannot fit the Sicario sequel – now titled Soldado – into his increasingly busy schedule. So the reins have been handed over to Italian director Stefano Sollima, according to the excessive over at THR.

Jeremy Saulnier, fresh off the modest success of Green Room, was allegedly first in line to direct after Villeneuve moved on. That would have been incredible for sure, but let’s see what Sollima brings to the table. Sollima is best known for adapting Gomorrah for television, and has a handful of Italian films to his credit.

Soldado is the Spanish word for “soldier,” as this Sicario sequel will focus on the world of Benicia Del Toro. It’s uncertain whether we are moving forward of backwards in the life of Del Toro’s enigmatic mercenary. Either way seems like a fascinating direction to take with the character.

There is no release date for Soldado as of yet.

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