Ben Affleck appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to debut the latest trailer for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zack Snyder.
Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Diane Lane, Ezra Miller, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Michael Shannon, and Laurence Fishburne.
The film is set to open worldwide on March 25, 2016
Summary: The Commoner Club members learn about maid cafés, and take over the cafeteria in a practical exercise to learn more about what maid café maids do. When Sakimori learns of Kimito’s affinity for maids, she invites him to Hakua’s lab.
It’s Hakua’s turn to have an episode but not before the group tries recreate a maid cafe. This is where the humor really comes out in spades. The girls are freaked out over the concept of Moe as Aika cries, “As a normal human. I can’t do something so embarrassing.” The jokes are entertaining and refreshing, something this show hasn’t always displayed. Also, Reiko’s singing voice begins the house down in a most entertaining fashion. Encore!
Later, as the maids push Hakua and Kimito together, more humor comes out. Their antics as they push the pair together includes destroying dishes and straws so romantic situations are possible was very amusing. Where were these moments in the middle of the series when it started to drag?
Sadly, the “Hakua gets naked” gag is back and just won’t seem to go away. This is the one drawback with this show. It’s really hard to enjoy a joke which has such a central focus and a bit disturbing in nature. Why won’t the joke just die?
So, a comedy show is actually funny. Good it’s doing its job. Let’s hope they can keep this level of entertainment as they wind the show down in the last three episodes.
Welcome! The cover picture is of me, Bob, at the office of WHCS: Hunter College Radio! This is a preview of a very special project I’m taking on for the great Monkeys Fighting Robots. “Musicians of New York” will be a weekly to bi-weekly article focusing on indie musicians in a questionnaire type format who are usually, but not always, located in New York City. This particular piece will be my introduction to who I am by showing you what music I gravitate towards. It’s my opinion that music, especially indie, is one of the most powerful art forms because it reflects emotions through lyrics, melody, instrumentation, vibration, and energy. Also, I respect the process, collaboration, and dedication of it all. I find Pop music as catchy as the next person; however, there is something about the creative authenticity of music made from the heart instead of a business minded brian. Here are my top 12 songs, and how they’ve influenced me as they’ve carried me through life.
(WARNING: There may be cursing in the music).
Regret The Hour–“The Runaway” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkqltMPxoGY[/embedyt] Regret The Hour will be the first band interviewed for this article. They consist of brothers, Ben and Nate McCarthy, whom attend Hunter College, Anders Flemings, and Tim Emmerick. “The Runaway” is a song that captured me with its pain and sense of loss. What’s more impressive, is the fact it was written when they were in high school. Another self-recorded version of this song as over 94,000 views on youtube. More will be said on their foundation, and evolution as a rising indie rock band within a week.
Noah and the Whale-“L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGUEelmzxo[/embedyt] I found Noah and the Whale in 2011, as I was in between colleges looking for an escape of the drudgery of a convenience store clerk and recent romantic disappoints. They provided lyrics that eerily correlated with my life and an unique harmony of vocals and string instruments that gave me warmth. They recently broke up, but their music and messages are still helpful for me to this day.
Bon Iver-“Blood Bank” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-BZ0D92mtU[/embedyt] When I saw Bon Iver, in concert at Radio City Music Hall, the performance gave me chills. “Blood Bank” was the song that drew me into his discovery. It was the first song of his I understood lyrically, and the imagery within this song is beautiful. Justin Vernon, the lead singer, may no longer be longer consider indie, but that’s how he approaches music, not for fame, money, or awards, but for “the inherent reward of making songs”.
Guster-“One Man Wrecking Machine” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyw3Ew5LGw[/embedyt] It was incredibly difficult for me to pick just ONE Guster song. They probably aren’t consider indie either, but they aren’t exactly mainstream. Guster is an amazing band to see live, as they treat their fans extremely well. What I find so admirable about them, is the experimentation they exude in each album. Also, who can’t relate to being an one man wrecking machine at times! I find them incredibly catchy, and refreshing especially with their story-esque lyrics.
Trampled by Turtles-“Wait So Long” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGh-EvmZVCQ[/embedyt] I can’t lie, the name alone does it for me, but i’m also enamored with their songwriting and pace of play. This is a bluegrass band, that I just adore. It also helps that a lot of their songs are about struggle, sadness, depression, and so forth. I’m incredibly allured to material that delves into that subject, as you’ll see with the next couple of bands/songs.
Frightened Rabbit-“The Loneliness & The Scream” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Lf7mriehU[/embedyt] Much like Noah and the Whale, I discovered this band searching for help, for comfort, for hope, and they provided. This song in particular, felt like such a strong reflection of my mindset at the time. Their albums are so dark, and I used to cry in comfort knowing that their music spoke for me in a way. Also, the scottish accent in the vocals is fantastic.
Daughter-“Smother” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnkzvAXWV-0[/embedyt] There is something about music spurned on by pain that really gets me. I feel like I belong floating with it’s vocals. Daughter‘s music is ingeniously poetic. It’s breathtaking.
Wilder Maker-“Relief” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3fR4zhB5aA[/embedyt] I know, I know, another depressing song, but I can’t help how impactful they are on me. Wilder Maker are a relatively new band based in Brooklyn. They are extremely indie at this point, but they did get a shoutout from Ryan Adamson instagram. There is no doubting their talent. Awesome, yet simple video too!
The National-“About Today” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r26VsCGCgb0[/embedyt] Have you picked up on my taste yet? Admittedly it’s very hipster, but what’s good is great! I came across this song from the movie Warrior, which is about MMA, a sport I couldn’t care less about, yet the song stood out to me. The National have created masterpieces of music, this just happens to be a small piece of their magnificence.
The War on Drugs-“Lost In the Dream” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59mDoc8vZj0[/embedyt] An extremely relevant song for anybody with crazy dreams, I know that I do and I struggle with understanding that everything I have envisioned may not be possible. This self-titled song of the album Lost In the Dream, explores that and depression, which is a consuming subject for me…shocker! The influences of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen are delightful, as well.
The Belle Brigade-“Losers” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-HLG7Dxec[/embedyt] I think this song was more upbeat, yes? Well, it doesn’t matter because this list rules anyway. This song has been my motto for awhile, and I love the dynamic of the brother/sister vocals. I believe I stumbled upon them from a performance on Conan, who is a comedic GOD! He also has great taste in music, so…
Creedence Clearwater Revival– “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93S_l0qZrXA[/embedyt] The song didn’t matter here. This band is superb, and if you don’t know who they are, I can’t help you. I saw John Fogerty, the voice behind the epicness, and was blown away further.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreaker-“The Waiting” [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg[/embedyt] Another musical hero. I picked “The Waiting” because it was the one song I missed when I saw him live. I’ll never forget that night.
I hope you all enjoyed this list. Don’t forget to check up on the interview with Regret the Hour!
Today, as many of you have probably seen, this weeks’ cover of “Entertainment Weekly” features Captain America: Civil War characters Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) Captain America (Chris Evans), and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). On the right hand side of the cover is the caption citing that Black Panther is “tall, powerful, with claws that a Real Housewife would envy”
What?
This is how “Entertainment Weekly” (a publication which has been around for quite some time and is seen as a leader in its coverage of the industry in the age of flagging print media) sees fit to present Black Panther?
Black Panther on his throne Photo: Marvel Comics
Let’s address the issues with the cover before getting to the article. Both Evans and Downey are unmasked while Boseman is not. Why is that? Is EW concerned that people won’t recognize Boseman alongside his co-stars? I don’t see how that could be considering Boseman starred as Jackie Robinson in the film 42, released in 2013, which was one of the years most critically acclaimed films. They also placed a ‘meow’ dialogue bubble above his head, while Evans and Downey stand in front looking very serious. The picture that EW is painting here is that Cap and Iron are to be taken seriously while Black Panther is not. It is safe to say while EW has a fairly large circulation, not everyone is going to take the time to read the article and will see the funny cat man standing behind them and dismiss Black Panther as a sidekick type. Hardly what the character and the actor portraying him, who will be featuring in his own solo film in February of 2018, seems to deserve.
So in two strokes, “Entertainment Weekly” has told everyone who may see their magazine that not only is Black Panther not worthy of showing his face along his co-stars, but that he is “less than” with derision that while attempting to be clever, comes off as outright derision.
Now the article is informative and fairly complimentary of T’Challa and his origins, but the first impression is what sticks with people and if the impression, before they even get to the article, is that this is a character that is not on the level of Captain America and Iron Man, that is poor form on the part of whoever put together this cover.
Contrary to what that cover may have you think, yes Black Panther does have claws, but know that they are claws that have never touched a pumpkin spice latte or a North Face vest.
Filmmaker Brian Rosenthal, who created the Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness fan film, just released the final trailer for Ash vs. Lobo and The DC Dead. The short will hit Youtube on December 25.
After narrowly escaping a zombie-infested NYC and a pack of bloodthirsty superheroes, Ash Williams finds himself suddenly transported to a whole new universe. Can he stop the supernatural apocalypse? Will he survive?
The short will feature Lobo, Ash, Gwen Stacey, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, and Batman.
Adam Driver talked with Rolling Stone about how he prepared for his role as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: the Force Awakens.
The goal, said Driver to Rolling Stone, was “to forget you’re in Star Wars and treat it like any other job that’s filled with moments and problems.” Such as delivering a speech to Darth Vader’s melted mask: “When someone sets the scene for you, it’s always very funny. The idea that in this reality, Darth Vader is real.” And now, one of the most promising actors of his generation has a large supply of dolls of himself. “I’m set for Christmas presents for the next 10 years,” Driver says.
The Rolling Stone article by Brian Hiatt is pretty amazing as the author interviews the cast of The Force Awakens as they prepare for the eruption of fans’ emotion on December 17. What works well is Hiatt’s ability to deconstruct a room so that you feel Mark Hamill is talking to you.
Recently released, here is the official trailer for RocketJump: The Show, which premieres on Hulu Wednesday, December 2nd. RocketJump: The Show will be a documentary style series following the hit YouTube channel RocketJump, which boasts an impressive 7.6 million YouTube subscribers, in the creation of their VFX-heavy comedic shorts, that has featured with Key & Peele, Jon Favreau and Jimmy Kimmel.
The concept of RocketJump: The Show, is eight different comedic shorts ranging from westerns, a bus-flipping standoff between two studio execs and a fan fiction battle, involving a Sherlock and Dracula love scene, which debuted at NYCC 2015. Each of the comedic shorts will be accompanied by a BTS documentary about how they were made and the processes in which the team took, spanning from creation to execution.
For more from the RocketJump team themselves, you can check out my interview with the team at NYCC 2015, where they debuted some never before seen content at Comic Con.
Entertainment Weekly released their Captain America: Civil War cover this week, featuring Chris Evan, Robert Downey Jr., and Back Panther’s costume.
“In most of the movies, there’s no question who we should be siding with. We all agree Nazis are bad, aliens from space are bad. But this movie’s the first time where you really have two points of view. It becomes a question of morality and I don’t think [Cap] has ever been so uncertain with what right and wrong is,” Chris Evans tells Entertainment Weekly.
How come Black Panther wasn’t allowed to take his helmet off? Was Chadwick Boseman not available? Plus, the ‘meow’ and the ‘housewife’ comments are in poor taste as well.
T’Challa (Black Panther) is a brilliant tactician, strategist, and scientist. He is one of the most powerful men in the Marvel Universe. Somehow that doesn’t come across in the EW cover.
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, Captain America: Civil War picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off, as Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.
Starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Emily VanCamp, Daniel Brühl, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, and Martin Freeman.
Captain America: Civil War is set for release on May 6, 2016.
The holiday’s are the best time to take a break and think about the important things, like Anime… Okay maybe it’s not that important but it sure is something to do while escaping the cold and snow of winter. But if you’re like me, you like to watch a certain kind of show during the holiday season. So I’ve complied a list of shows that I think are most suitable for binging while you have free time for the holidays, or are just trying to escape the cold and snow. For the sake of not having to go out and buy any of these shows yourself, I’m keeping this list limited to streaming only. I also tried to scatter some fairly new shows in to keep the list fresh. So without further a do let’s get started.
Spice and Wolf
This show is really nice if you want to escape the cold weather. Follow Kraft Lawrence and Holo as they travel the lush countryside, bonding over business and falling in love. The tone of this show is very calm and soothing and fits with the bonding with the ones you love over the holidays. That’s why I think you should accompany Lawrence and Holo this holiday season.
You can find both seasons of Spice and Wolf, both subbed and dubbed on Funimation.com
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
During the holiday season is a time where we not only think about others but about ourselves. Where we are going with our lives and what we have planned for the new year. A time to think about dreams. So I’m recommending The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, a show that will motivate you to fulfill your dreams as well as give you some characters who are striving to fulfill theirs. It also has the extra bonus of having a special christmas arc in the middle, so if you time it right you can fit it right in with Christmas.
You can find The Pet Girl of Sakurasou streaming on Crunchyroll.com
Kanon
If you’re looking for a warm and fuzzy show that will give you all the good feelings, then Kanon is a clear choice. Sure it’s not the best thing Jun Maeda has made, but it fits the snow and winter theme pretty well and is a nice thing that you can turn your brain off to and just enjoy all the romance and moe girls.
You can find Kanon, both subbed and dubbed on Funimation.com
Kimi Ni Todoke
Some may refer to Kimi Ni Todoke as the greatest shoujo ever. But the reason its making the list besides, it’s a great show, is because it fits in with a lot of those lovey feelings you get around the holidays. Heck maybe seeing Sawako and Kazehaya beat around the bush for 25 episodes will give you the courage to ask that person you’ve been crushing on out for the holidays. It also has some snow and christmas episodes at the tail end of the show.
The only action oriented show on this list, I’m recommending Beyond the Boundary for its excellent delivery in tone. One of the few shows that puts Kyoto animations high budget into something other than moe girls doing cute things, Beyond the Boundary will keep you invested into every second of action. Its true strength however lies in the main characters as they come to know and understand each other, a lesson that fits well with the theme of christmas. Also the finale takes place in a cool snow land sort of space.
You can find Beyond the Boundary streaming on Crunchyroll.com
Kyousougiga
One of the biggest things you think about during the holidays is family, and Kyousougiga is all about family. It’s focus on trust, courage, sorrow and forgiveness all wrapped up in a unique and gorgeous looking show will make you appreciate your family even more this holiday season. A great watch not only for the holidays but for people who are bored of watching the same “copy paste” formula that anime sometimes falls in.
Another kingpin when it comes to romance shows, Toradora is a solid pick to watch the holiday season. Its characters are all likable and there’s enough dramatic weight to keep you invested into whats happening. A good show to maybe give you some perspective on your own love life if you’re in high school. It also deals with having the courage to ask for help when you need it and what happens when you keep your feelings bottled up inside. It also has the bonus of the entire second half taking place around christmas and winter.
You can find Toradora, both subbed and dubbed on Crunchyroll.com
