Last year DC Comics started a new program titled, DC Talent Development Workshop, to train new artists into the company to maintain a competitive edge within the industry. Following the results of last year’s workshop, DC will be holding both an artist and writer’s workshop to build on what might be the newest method of cultivating new talent into the industry. This will focus on the DC Writer’s Workshop, since this is the newer of the two programs.
On DC’s news page, DC’s Co-Publisher, Jim Lee, said “Our goal is to identify and foster fresh, new voices, the new DC Talent Development Workshops will play a vital role in discovering and developing the next generation of comic talent.”
Credit: DC Comics
Among those who teaching these seminars include big names in DC’s employ, including Scott Snyder, Geoff Johns, and others. So those looking to get into the program will be given tutelage by some of the best writers in the field.
One of the key reasons for these new programs is to bring in voices that has not always been represented in DC’s brand of comic books. Efforts have been made to curb this problem and these programs have the potential to further what DC is doing in order to retain a competitive edge in the industry.
Credit: DC Comics
Of course with every opportunity there are many questions and concerns to consider as well:
How many slots are available for the program?
Will my stories be considered DC material?
How much artistic freedom will I be allowed during the seminars and even after potential employment?
Now many truly unknowns will be cultivated into the DC family?
How many in the program will have had previous connections to those already working at DC?
And possibly the most dreaded of fears:
How much will this cost me to just be in the program?
DC Writer’s Workshop obviously has a lot of sincerity in its mission and eventual goals, and so far there hasn’t been any blow back from anyone who has gone through the seminars for artists, successfully or other. Hopefully if anyone does put in their application to the workshop, the only true downside is the waiting period between their submission and the final decision.
As We Lose Another Iconic Artist, We Remember Prince’s Great Works
There was something about Prince that made him unlike anyone else. He mixed elements from David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, and Michael Jackson to create one of the most memorable characters in pop culture history. I’ve personally seen the film ‘Purple Rain‘ far more than the average 25-year old. The musician/actor/pioneer found a way to influence so many with his artistry. If it was his diva-like attitude or his scandalous persona, almost everyone has a favorite Prince memory. I can guarantee you that everyone has a favorite song from The Purple One.
Sit back and enjoy as we remember the best of Prince’s amazing tunes.
Honorable Mentions:
“Little Red Corvette“, “I Wanna Be Your Lover“, “I Would Die 4 U“, “Let’s Go Crazy”
5.”Batdance”
A surprise inclusion to many but this song scored Prince his 4th number one hit! Back when soundtracks and their songs were popular, Prince decided to do it better than everyone else…like he always did. Teaming up with Warner Bros. & Tim Burton, The Purple One joined forced with The Dark Knight as Prince created the soundtrack for 1989’s ‘Batman‘ film.
4.1999
When the new millennium was still a thing of the future, Prince was already celebrating like it was here. “1999” can be found on many party playlist; it’s a funky dance song that encapsulates all things that make Prince work. His wacky lyrics and grooving beat helped define his career; the world would never forget him after this.
3. When Doves Cry
This song is epic on every level. The lyrics tell a story, the guitar riffs are memorable, and his vocals are smooth. “When Doves Cry” is possibly one of the most powerful songs ever written; this is when Prince opens up about his twisted family life. This is a signature song for the artist. The music video is just as memorable as the song itself.
2. Kiss
Even people who listen to the most brutal metal music will still crack a smile when “Kiss” comes on. This infectious song is perfect to sing along to with your friends or dance in front of the mirror to. NME magazine even named “Kiss” the 4th greatest song of all time. From the film ‘Under The Cherry Moon‘, I’m sure you’ve been singing the chorus of this song since seeing it on this list.
1. Purple Rain
Could there be anything else? This is the icon at his very peak. “Purple Rain” is the title-track from the soundtrack and film that helped cement Prince as a true force. There is so much passion & emotion in this song. You can hear the pain in his voice as he pours his heart out during each verse. Also, this song reminds everyone that Prince is far more than just a wickedly wonderful singer; the man can shred a guitar like no other.
Robert Downey Jr. kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man back in 2008. Now, eight years and six films later, his place in the universe has been the subject of great debate. Between his age and monetary issues that he’s had with the studio, many reporters have speculated that Downey would be leaving the MCU once his contract is up. However, it looks like fans can look forward to at least one more film featuring his iconic Tony Stark.
The move is apparently in response to Spider-Man’s appearance in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War, in which Stark and Peter Parker develop a friendship or mentorship of some sort:
[Civil War] establishes a key relationship between Tony Stark/Iron Man and Parker and Homecoming will continue that thread.
Downey’s latest Marvel contract was for his appearances in Civil War and the two Avengers: Infinity War films. The report claims that this new appearance required additional negotiations and a “hefty” deal. It is currently unknown whether the deal involves subsequent Spider-Man films.
THR also points out that the casting further exemplifies Marvel Studios’ involvement in Sony’s standalone Spider-Man films:
But with Downey’s boarding, it appears that Marvel will continue to keep Spider-Man close not just creatively but also literally; Tony Stark/Iron Man appearing in Homecoming keeps the Sony’s movies strongly tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The friendship/mentorship between Iron Man and Spider-Man is pulled directly from the source material, most notable from 2006’s Civil War. However, that same series showed a parting of the ways between the two characters, so it will be interesting to see how the events of the Civil War movie will affect Robert Downey Jr.’s role in Homecoming.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is scheduled for release on July 7, 2017.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to grow. After months of speculation, the rumours are true. Iron Man is joining Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
The Hollywood Reporter confirms Robert Downey Junior will reprise his role as Tony Stark in Sony Pictures’ upcoming film. He will star alongside Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, and Zendaya.
This announcement marks the continued agreement between Marvel Studios and Sony over Spider-Man. The character will make his MCU debut next month in Captain America: Civil War.
While Sony retains film rights, Marvel is going to have creative input with the franchise. However, Spider-Man will be allowed to appear in Avengers films.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is scheduled for release on July 7, 2017.
Police are investigating a death at the estate of superstar Prince in Carvery County, Minn., the Carver County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday, according to a FOX 31 report.
“We are not releasing any information regarding the identity of the person who died until next of kin is notified,” spokesman Jason Kamerud said.
TMZ is reporting that Prince Rogers Nelson is the person that passed away at the estate.
When Batman v Superman was first teased and once it was finally released to the general public, one work within the DC catalogue was repeatedly referenced in having an influence in the look and feel of the movie, The Dark Knight Returns written and penciled by Frank Miller. The graphic novel helped to refine sequential art as a true literary format, returned Batman back to his dark and gritty roots, and made Frank Miller a legend within the comic book medium.
Credit: DC Comics
It is also famous for the climactic fight between the Dark Knight of Gotham and DC’s boy scout, Superman, the reverberations of that fight still influencing the latter’s image to this day.
A recent adaption of the limited series was released by DC, considered a very faithful adaptation of the source material. So much so that the film was originally split into two parts so as to include as much of the original story as possible. What many will enjoy from the story is that the confrontation between Superman and Batman has an organic progression. It isn’t forced to simply adhere a film’s timetable.
Credit: DC Comics
There is also the relationship between the two combatants, as the story takes place almost ten years after Batman last donned the cape and cowl. In their first and only real conversation in the series, it is heavily implied that Bruce’s retirement was more of a comprise with the government than it was his decision (aside from the influence Jason Todd’s death had on the decision.)
It is easy to see during the fight in the Dark Knight Returns that Superman does not want to fight Batman, several times during the scuffle Clark tried to talk Bruce down. Of course there is a mixture of naïveté and hubris in his statements, but it is apparent he is wanting to end the fight before either one is killed. There is a higher emotional investment in their relationship outside of BvS’s ‘they don’t trust each other’ arc.
Credit: DC Comics
And watching Clark try to tell Bruce about his heart starting to go into cardiac arrest is tragic. There is a greater emphasis on the relationship between these two figures and the consequences of their actions as the story unfolded. With the Dark Knight Returns being a major influence on BvS, this is definitely worth a look for those wanting to see what inspired the film and possibly surpass the recent major motion picture.
Joan Laurer, the WWE Superstar, known as Chyna, has died at the age of 45.
According to CNN, Police in Redondo Beach, California, confirm that Laurer was found dead in her apartment on Wednesday. Police say they were notified by a friend who went to check on her and found Laurer unresponsive. The cause of death is under investigation, but police say there are no signs of foul play.
“It is with deep sadness to inform you that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world, has passed away,” said a post on her website.
Matt Damon is back as Jason Bourne! It has been nine years since we last saw Bourne. Universal Pictures released the first trailer to ‘Jason Bourne’ early Thursday morning.
‘Jason Bourne’ is written and directed by Paul Greengrass. The film stars Damon, Julia Stiles, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, and Tommy Lee Jones.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War on the surface has quite a bit in common with its predecessor, 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman.
Stars Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Nick Frost, and Sam Clafin reprise their previous roles, while Cedric Nicholas-Troyan, who supervised visual effects on the original, takes over full directorial duties.
But the similarities more or less end there. Lighter in tone and lavish in style and visual splendor, The Huntsman: Winter’s War attempts to parlay levity and romance for the gravity and darkness that distinguished the first film.
The effort results in a slightly more enjoyable film, but also one that lacks in any emotional depth or complexity. It aims lower in terms of impact and appeal than the earlier film, with predictably mediocre results.
What’s it about?
The Huntsman: Winter’s War provides backstory for the titular Huntsman, Eric (Hemsworth) and evil Queen Ravenna (Theron). It turns out that the two were, in fact, connected long before Eric helped Snow White dethrone Ravenna in the earlier tale.
That connection is Freya (Emily Blunt), Ravenna’s younger sister. Years before Ravenna usurped Snow White’s kingdom, Freya stood by her sister’s side as she conquered other kings and their lands, content to live without magic and without power of her own.
A terrible betrayal awakens magic within her, a power over cold and ice that she uses to craft her kingdom far from Ravenna’s. To protect herself and impose her will and law upon her conquered lands, Freya takes children from their homes and raises them as “huntsmen.” She calls them her children, and upon those children there is but one inviolate law: “Do not ever love.”
From among those first conscripted child soldiers two rise to the very top: Eric and Sara (Jessica Chastain), whose skills with a bow and daggers make her even more formidable than Eric himself. The pair, however, breaks Queen Freya’s one cardinal rule, leading to a tragic confrontation that leaves Eric the broken drunkard audiences first met in Snow White and the Huntsman.
Flash-forward to after Ravenna’s defeat at the hands of Snow White, the Huntsman, and their brave followers. The evil queen’s magic mirror, which still held power enough to infect even Snow White’s purity of spirit, goes missing.
Through her trusted friend, Prince William (Sam Clafin, The Hunger Games series), she asks Eric to find the mirror and take it far from her kingdom, where it cannot harm anyone else. But Freya has learned of its disappearance as well, and seeks to make its power her own.
Thus Eric, along with jovial dwarf Nion (Nick Frost) and his sourpuss brother Gryff (Rob Brydon), finds himself forced to face his past in the form of Freya’s loyal huntsman army who all consider him a traitor, and another enemy from the past who stands revealed thanks to the power of the mirror.
Magnificent production, costume design
What stands out most about The Huntsman: Winter’s War by far is its visuals. From the resplendent, shimmering gowns and striking make-up adorning the film’s two powerful queens to the design of the film’s fortresses, forests, and non-human denizens, it’s a feast for the eyes in just about every frame.
All that optical splendor hardly comes as a surprise, considering the creative team at work here. Proceeding from director Cedric Nicholas-Troyan’s vision from the film, production designer Dominic Watkins, who worked on the first film, expands the fairy tale world beyond the dark forest that dominated Snow White and the Huntsman, and his work continues to impress.
Script, story fall short
Unfortunately, like so many other genre films where the eye candy and casting takes priority over telling a compelling story, The Huntsman: Winter’s War falls far short of its predecessor in terms of giving audiences thoughtful characterization and character-driven drama. The film beats you over the head with its predominant theme – how betrayal can lead to the hardening of even the kindest heart – and offers little else in terms of insight into why the principals do what they do.
As such, the production truly wastes the casting of Emily Blunt. As it dictates the Ice Queen be driven solely by that one sentiment, the script limits Blunt’s range of expression and emotion to a wooden performance that’s far below any expectations audiences may have from her previous work.
Hemsworth, Frost, and Chastain get to have far more fun, in comparison, and Theron once again chills as Ravenna, a role critics lauded as one of the few good things about Snow White and the Huntsman the first time around. But even their characterizations and story arcs are simplistic and far too predictable.
Yes, Hemsworth gets to smile a lot more this time and show some of the on-screen charisma that’s kept his star on the rise. However, the haunted, damaged Huntsman of the first film was a bit more interesting than the bright and cheery version audiences get here.
It doesn’t help that seemingly all the women in powerful roles in The Huntsman: Winter’s War seem driven by that tired “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” cliché. The first film, at least, wrote its female characters as driven by far more, and thus made them far more compelling.
Worth seeing?
Unless you were a die-hard fan of Snow White and the Huntsman and the news that The Huntsman: Winter’s War was on its way to theaters made you squee with delight, safe to say this film is one that can wait for a rental. It’s not terrible, by any means, but the complacency in the film’s writing leads to a mediocrity so profound that it begs the whole “why even bother with a sequel?” question.
In this case, some might answer, “So we can see Charlize Theron as the evil queen again?”
While that is a good answer, it’s simply not good enough.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt, Nick Frost, Sam Claflin, Rob Brydon and Jessica Chastain. Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan.
Running Time: 114 minutes
Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence and some sensuality.
Last night, the Flash returned to Tuesday nights after yet another small hiatus and right back to where it left off. With Barry and Team Flash still seeking an end to their formidable foe, all eyes are set on one thing — to defeat Zoom.
Now, Harrison Wells had a good point. Almost like “why fix what isn’t broken” type of thought, why is Barry so focused on defeating Zoom when they are literally worlds apart and in no immediate danger of the worlds lapsing? Nonetheless, the focus for the Flash, as well as the episode as a whole, are centered around Zoom.
Since the start of this season, we were thrusted into this whole complicated story. Zoom emerges, Barry is faced yet again with a fast foe who eludes him, Barry has been beat up and down in two different Central Cities, but we have always had some question — who IS Zoom?
Now, the real identity question was answered only just a few episodes ago when “Jay” was actually revealed to be Hunter Zolomon after all and then we were really only curious as to how Zolomon became Zoom after all. Which is where last nights episode began. In the vintage camera filter that has accompanied the Earth-2 setting, we see a young Hunter Zolomon awake from his bed and hear banging downstairs and a woman yelling. In a strong comparison to Barry’s childhood and the night that Reverse Flash killed his mother, the only difference is that Hunter’s past takes a darker turn. His father, wearing what we can only assume to be Jay’s Flash helmet later on, is abusing his wife. He sees Hunter looking in on the scene, and does a crazy thing that not many would expect. He heads into the other room, reemerges with a pistol and shoots his mom right in front of his eyes. Now, not being an expert on the psyche of the mind, but I am sure that anything to that sort of a nature does in fact leave a mental strain, causing deep emotional and psychological problems that without any sort of real counseling, can cause a break in the mental spectrum.
Which is exactly what the show does.
We then see a young Hunter head to an orphanage and come to find out that nobody in his family wants him. A young boy who lost his parents, has nobody in the world who wants him and ends up becoming a much more darker person that nobody really could have anticipated. But, this episode takes a weird turn and not a good turn, but more of a very confusing and almost annoying way.
That way is as follows, forget Jay Garrick ever existed folks, because he never truly did.
With all the hype surrounding the multiverse and all the potential that it holds, our dream of seeing multiple Flash personalities now reverts back to one, for the time being. After much digging around and the discovery that Jay is actually Zoom, this episode takes its time to shove it all right back in our faces. The blue lightning, the sudden discovery that “Jay” told Caitlin that his doppelganger on Earth-1 was named Hunter Zolomon and the degenerative disease caused by the Velocity-6 all pointed back to Zoom. Instead, it was decided that Jay Garrick would actually just be a veil for Zolomon in a way to pull a Eobard Thawne and gain trust within the team and cure him or end up stealing Barry’s speed force. I’m sorry, but that just kind of blows a huge hole in all things Flash.
Now, I am not the writers of the show, so what I say has no bearing on this, but why would you take the name of one of the past Flashes and use it in the sense that he doesn’t actually exist, but just so happens to be a made up name by the main villain and even going so far as to use his likeness. A subtle nod, yes, but a fun one? No. Now I am not against the altering of source material, but this just seemed off.
To be honest, I get staying away from other Flashes because of the want to focus on the development of Barry, but come on, you have this blooming world and instead you go and pull that? There are a bunch of different routes to go with concealing the villains identity. Unless the plan is to introduce Jay sometime down the road, this was a small punch to the stomach for those who were ready to see two Flashes exist and hopefully team up against Zoom. Next, are we going to find out that Wally West is actually some random kid who manipulated Francine West and used Wally’s name just to get close to Joe and Iris? Kidding, of course.
In all reality, I hope it’s actually a ploy to hide the fact that Jay does actually exist and Zoom just stole the name. But, the origin story continues. Later on, we find out that Hunter goes on a killing spree and is convicted as a serial killer and it’s when the doctors at the mental asylum are performing electroshock therapy, it is conveniently at the time that Earth-2’s S.T.A.R. Labs explosion occurs, fusing speed powers with Hunter, creating Zoom. All aside my issues with some of the story, I do actually like the concept of a darker villain.
With all the focus on getting back to Earth-2, Barry is continuing to get faster, using the tachyon particles to increase his speed, we get a small sight of Keystone City, which, ironically, is the home to Jay Garrick. Barry is more powerful than ever, clocking four times his top speed, raising some suspicion early on that he might not have his power much longer, or at least, that was my suspicion. With an odd lack of metahumans (are they just all of a sudden not surfacing anymore?), Barry is consumed by the thought of Zoom wreaking havoc on Earth-2, and is adamant about bringing the fight to him.
Without having the accessibility of the breaches to transport between worlds, the team must find a way to open a door to the parallel planet. Despite the obvious burst in strength and speed, Wells is wholly against the idea, fearing the outcome of Zoom reentering Earth-1, Jesse is out in the world somewhere, hiding under the radar and that is all that Wells is focused on. Through trial and error, the team is out of ideas, the last being setting off a nuke near Central City’s power grid. Without a plan, the team begins talking about Cisco’s doppelganger and his ability to tap into the vibrations between worlds and manipulate them to emit blasts and other powers.
Without hesitation, Barry immediately spurs the idea of using Cisco to do the exact same thing. What obviously concerned Cisco was his hesitation to explore his powers, regardless of what he knows he is capable of. Nonetheless, he goes along with it. Using the goggles that Wells developed to wield the energy and begins to open a portal out of thin air. On the receiving end was a distraught Zoom, who immediately perks up when he realizes what is happening. This lasts only for a moment before Cisco breaks, refuses to proceed further and dips away. Unknown to his outburst, we discover that Cisco’s temptations to further his power is outweighed by his fear to the “dark side” and becoming “Darth Vader.”
Side note, I audibly laughed due to Disney owning the Star Wars universe, and also the Marvel universe.
Struggling to hone his skills for fear of becoming the evil part that he was face to face with on Earth-2 is enough reason to refrain, but it’s the assurance that Barry gives him that he will be there every step of the way that brings him back from the basement. With Cisco back in the game, it was time for the end game, defeat Zoom. Using the energy, Cisco opens the breach for Zoom to travel through, setting up a big game of cat and mouse through Central City.
Setting off, Barry out runs Zooms the whole way through, coming close, but ultimately pulling through. He leads Zoom back into the labs, in an open warehouse, ready to spring the trap. Zoom runs into the warehouse and is stopped in his tracks by familiar faces, once by a cutout of his father and the other by his mother. Shell shocked by the nightmarish scene, Barry manages to cuff him to the ground, seemingly capturing him. Barry goes through this whole I got you scenario, but Zoom thwarts him once more, going full “darkness” and vibing through the shackle and speeding off.
Doing what he does best, Zoom takes another prisoner, Wally West.
In another subplot, Wally and Joe are clearly getting better and better, developing a relationship as a father and son versus strangers with the same name. Wally brings laundry over one day, saying that he isn’t living on campus anymore because of costs and it goes over Joe’s head that he is hinting at wanting to move in. Joe says that he can help out financially, but it’s not until Barry reveals Wally’s intentions that Joe does a complete 180. Wally comes back later on to Joe offering him a room, further closing the gap between them and inching closer to a true relationship.
Realizing that Zoom has taken Wally, the obvious trade is proposed, Barry’s speed for Wally. Tormented by the keep his powers or return Joe’s son to him is one that seems like it would be a hard decision, but Barry wastes no time debating and instantly offers his force to Zoom. His goal is to protect the ones he loves, and he spared no time in doing that again. Through Cisco yet again, he uses the helmet to open communicates with Zoom that the deal is on, and he promptly delivers. With Wally in tow, they make the handoff. Using the device to tap into Barry’s speed force and drain it, he proceeds to do so and hands over his speed to Zoom, who shoots up on the literal speed and shows signs of massive power. Weakened by the sudden mortality and return to human form, Barry is blindsided by pure aggression, as Zoom attacks him. Caitlin pleads out to Zoom, claiming that he doesn’t have to do it. Their relationship is still in there, somewhere, and Zoom feels it.
Then, another eye-rolling thing happened, Zoom took Caitlin.
Just like that? Like, come on, it’s not even like they’re trying. It’s basically just a giant game of tag with Zoom, he just selects people to take hostage, and just does it.
Overall, this episode has some good points, but just seemed to fall short of anything resembling how the DC shows have operated this late into the season. There was some obvious drama, laced with just shrugging moments and “why?” moments. The lack of any real conflict is just simply causing this show to, ironically, slow down and a massive pace.
Obviously the bust out of Jay being real is the tipping point, but it’s the two hostages in a matter of 10 minutes that really just show a level of naivety. If I had my one change, I would have Zoom take Barry and have a more dramatic episode of the team attempting to find Barry or concoct a plan to boost his speed again and have a by dynamic playoff between Zoom and Barry. That simple change would have created an actual want to see what happens. Of course I want to know, but I wasn’t left with the craving for more, just a small curiosity how they open things up for the remaining episodes.
Side bar, Greg Berlanti has tweeted that viewers should keep watching regarding Jay Garrick, so fingers crossed I guess?
