Rian Johnson is set to direct Star Wars: Episode VIII which comes out on May 26, 2017 and it appears that Lucasfilm is close to casting a new female lead for the film.
Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Golden Globe nominee Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”) and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” star Olivia Cooke are considered the top contenders for the new female lead in Rian Johnson‘s “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” multiple individuals familiar with the casting situation told TheWrap.
Lucasfilm is still try to sign Benicio del Toro to play the villain in Episode VIII, the plot for this film still remains unknown. Star Wars fans believe this new female lead is Han Solo’s daughter as the old Star Wars history has been scrapped as a new timeline is being created with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Most anime fans are aware that there has been an increasing amount of anime released that features people being sucked into or trapped inside of a video game (usually an MMO). I remember being enthralled with .hack//SIGN in college, and recently we’ve had Sword Art Online, Log Horizon, and Overlord, with each giving us different aspects of the dilemma to focus on.
What fans might not be aware of is anime that takes on the theme of “real life video games”. These shows incorporate video games into the regular daily lives of the characters in some way or another. As always, I like to only recommend shows that are currently legally streaming to keep them accessible to most fans.
The world in which Accel World takes place is one where everyone can log on to a virtual network at any time due to implants in their brains. Haruyuki Arita, an overweight boy who is constantly bullied, eventually meets a beautiful girl named Kuroyukihime. She tells him about a game called Brain Burst which speeds up the brain’s cognitive processes to the point where it seems time has stopped, as well as augmenting reality. Players are “assigned” avatars that represent their mindscapes, and they fight each other with the goal of reaching level 10, which presumably will allow them to meet the game’s creator. There are numerous ways in which the game will uninstall from a person’s brain, in which case that person will forget about the game and cannot install it again.
Accel World was originally a series of light novels written by Reiki Kawahara, who also wrote the Sword Art Online series. There are similarities between the two and there has been debate on whether the shows are in the same universe, though there is no confirmation from the creator that this is the case.
I enjoyed the mechanics of how Brain Burst worked, from how it could affect reality to the execution of battle powers and how some are acquired and developed. I don’t think I’ve seen anything else quite like it. The action was fun to watch, the drama was tolerable, and the dub was decent enough.
Ryouta spends all his time playing a Btooom, a game in which you use sonar and various bombs to destroy your opponents. But little did he know that people can “nominate” others to be sent to an island to fight to the death in a real-life version of Btooom, and he is one of those drugged and dropped on the island. He must now fight for his life, find allies, and blow everyone else up.
This series doesn’t have anything new in particular to contribute to the high stakes games genre, and the end is unsatisfying for a show that only has a single season. But if you enjoy action, people getting blown up using video game mechanics, and not thinking too hard about what’s going on, Btooom! might be for you.
Is It Wrong to Try and Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Director: Yoshiki Yamakawa (Little Busters, Kill Me Baby) Animation Production: J.C. Staff (Food Wars, Golden Time, Revolutionary Girl Utena, too many more to count!) Streams on:Crunchyroll, Hulu AKA:DanMachi
Gods and Goddesses have given up some of their power in order to live on Earth. People who serve the Gods are called “familia” and are granted powers that basically work the same way as it would if you were in an MMO. Characters have levels and skills that can be developed. They enter a dungeon and kill monsters for loot, that they can sell or use to craft items. Goddesses can “check their stats” by performing a ritual using a symbol on the person’s back.
Bell Cranel is the only member of Hestia’s familia. He has no powers of note until he is almost killed by a minotaur that shouldn’t have been on a low-level floor of the dungeon. He is saved by Aiz Wallenstein, a warrior of some renown, and is instantly in awe and smitten. He vows to become as strong as she is so he is worthy of her company. This grants him a new skill that allows him to level up quickly, but Hestia chooses to keep it secret from him because it is based on his feelings.
There are some harem elements to this show that can get annoying, but because Hestia doesn’t go out of her way to turn Bell away from Aiz, I find it more tolerable. She knows that Bell’s feelings for Aiz are why he is able to be so strong, and she doesn’t want to ruin that for him. The other girls aren’t really as irritating (especially Aiz, who is oblivious to his feelings). The show does a great job highlighting the ups and downs of being in a familia and shows how Bell just tosses tradition aside and does things his own way. I hope more seasons are forthcoming.
The World God Only Knows
Director: Shigehito Takayanagi (Galaxy Angel A, Tokyo ESP, Kanamemo) Animation Production: Manglobe (Deadman Wonderland, Gangsta., Samurai Champloo, Samurai Flamenco ) Streams on:Crunchyroll, Hulu AKA:Kaminomi
Keima Katsuragi plays dating sims all day. He rejects real girls entirely, and can conquer any girl in any dating sim, calling himself the God of Conquest. When he unknowingly signs a contract with Hell, a demon named Elsie is sent to buddy up with him to capture “loose souls”. These are evil souls that escaped from hell. They live in people’s hearts, and in order to remove them Keima must take the loose soul’s place in the possessed person’s heart (Elsie claims a kiss is enough). Hell was apparently mistaken about Keima’s god-hood, not realizing he doesn’t conquer real girls.
If Keima breaks the contract, both he and Elsie will literally lose their heads, so he must make girls fall in love with him using the same tactics he does with video games by tripping “flags” depending on a girl’s personality. After a girl is kissed and the lost soul is captured, she forgets everything about the conquest, leaving Keima free to save the next girl.
And now for something completely different: instead of action-type games, we have a dating sim! I liked this in spite of it being a harem. It does seem a bit like a “monster of the week” type of deal, but there is an underlying storyline here as to why there are loose souls to begin with, so stick with it! There are three seasons, but you don’t get a satisfying ending unless you track down the manga because the last arc was not animated.
This series takes place in a school where each student has an avatar that has skills based on a student’s achievements and test score. Classes can pit their avatars against each other for things such as better classroom conditions and other privileges. Akihisa Yoshii is in Class F, the worst class. It happens to have some talented students in it due to extenuating circumstances. Akihisa is not one of these – he is an idiot who just happens to have a lot of skill with his avatar and a special item only idiots can use (because it’s broken). Class F decides their talented students deserve better school conditions and attempt to climb up in class ranking via avatar battles.
I only saw the first season of Baka and Test. It wasn’t a great show, but it was still one I binge-watched and enjoyed because at the time I needed something dumb to watch. I believe it was on Netflix and season 2 wasn’t available, and I’ll probably go back and watch season 2.
Honorable Mentions
Dragon Drive – Features a virtual reality game in which you raise a dragon and fight them against other dragons. As it turns out this “game” is actually connected to another world in need of saving, and only a special person can become a companion to a special dragon and save that world. It’s super cute, and also not streaming anywhere. I haven’t seen it since it released in 2002, and I wasn’t picky back then so I remember it fondly. Maybe it was hooey. Who knows?
The Gamer – Okay, okay. This isn’t an anime. This is a web manhwa (Korean manga) by Sung Sang-Young and Sang-Ah. It is about a boy named Han Jee-Han who suddenly develops an ability that allows him to experience life as a game. He can see power levels of different people, learn skills and upgrade stats depending on what he does (not just via fighting, but also things like reading books), and essentially makes him an “overpowered” character. He finds out there is a secret community of ability users. Some are decent people, and some are decidedly the biggest jerks ever. Han Jee-Han must “level up” not only to survive, but also to protect others.
Welcome to a new segment at MFR called Geekflix. Every month, we’ll take the time to look over the different shows and movies that will be arriving on Netflix and highlighting the ones that geeks and pop culture buffs alike need to check out and add their lists. Let’s see what’s arriving for September.
1. Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and the Punisher
Didn’t take the time to check out other Marvel anime series that came out? Don’t bother, they weren’t all that good. Still, this movie is shorter than watching a full series and has cameos by the different Marvel characters we know and love. Should hold a few people over while we wait for the latest Captain America: Civil War news. 2.Masters of the Universe
People worrying about future cartoon to live-action adaptations need only look at this train wreck and realize things couldn’t be much worse. Still, this film does have some things going for it, such as Dolph Lundgren and a young Courtney Cox. Might be more fun though to watch with friends and mock.
3. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – Season 1
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The first season of what was a big part of all of our childhoods is finally available at the push of a button. Turn it on and treat yourself to watching Fred Rogers put on a sweater and say “Hello Neighbor.”
4. The Rambo Trilogy
The ultimate action hero, actually started as a story of a guy who was dealing with PTSD after the Vietnam War. Still, the action in these original three (Sorry, no 2008 film) films is intense and reminds you why Sylvester Stallone is not a force to be taken lightly. Or at least why he deserves to be the leader of the team in the Expendables.
5. Sleepy Hollow
Remember a time when the idea of a Tim Burton and Johnny Depp movie was a sure thing and not hit or miss? Well, Sleepy Hollow will help remind you of that feeling and get you in the mood for Halloween. Not to mention the return of the Sleepy Hollow TV series. Also, Christopher Walken plays the Headless Horseman (before he loses his head) and brings that maniacal Walken intensity along with him.
6. Monster Squad
Ever had a group of friends you loved watching movies with? Ever thought that you and that group would be perfect to tangle with Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein’s Monster? No? Then turn on this movie instead and watch a bunch of prepubescents do it instead. Remember, “Wolfman’s got nards!”
7. Space Dandy – Season 2
Waiting for there to be some deep and meaningful payoff with this show that will some how make you question how you live your life? Sorry but it’s not coming, baby. Instead watch as Dandy goes on a date, partakes in a High School Musical, and plays in a band. Just a simple day in the life of a rare Alien Hunter.
8. The black List – Season 2
Need more James Spader after watching him try to take over the world in Avengers: Age of Ultron? Well, you’re in luck! The second season of the Blacklist, which some say is one of the best shows on TV, is now up. Take the time to binge watch so you can be ready for the new season.
9. Gotham – Season 1
Sick of there being too much Batman? Then watch the show where Batman is only a kid and Jim Gordon is doing everything he can to stay a good cop with corruption rampant. Also, high marks to Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney, and Robin Lord Taylor as the Penguin. With such an incredible cast you can’t help but want to watch more.
10. Walking Dead – Season 5
Need a refresher before the new season in October? Is Fear the Walking Dead just not cutting it? Then head on back to Terminus and remember why you enjoy this series so much. If you’re not up to season five yet then spend Labor Day and the rest of September catching up.
That’s it for this month. Stay tuned next month for the best geeky things to come out of Netflix.
The Rage of Bahamut universe, including the 12 episode, Mappa produced anime, Rage of Bahamut: Genesis, is getting another series adaptation. Titled ‘Rage of Bahamut: Manaria Friends‘ this series will adapt the “Manaria Maho Gakuin” event from the game (called “Mysteria Academy” in the English version) and features a new cast and seemingly different setting.
Which means no Favaro. FAVAAAROOOOO!!!!
The synopsis reads, “Mysteria Academy is a prestigious magic school that teaches magic without discrimination to the three factions (men, gods, demons), who usually engage in battle with each other. The anime will follow the two young women as students at the academy.” (Source) Said young women are, Anne, the honor student princess and Grea, a princess born from a dragon and a human, which I don’t even want to think about how that happened.
Nobuhiro Takenake, employee of the anime division of Cygames, has stated that this series is not related to the second season of Rage of Bahamut: Genesis, which also has been green-lit.
A much more straightforward adaptation in comparison to Genesis (which really only used the setting and general outline), it will be interesting to see just how much of the Bahamut universe holds up with its own stories.
The PV paints the show as a very generic magic-school anime, full of tropes and cliches ready to spring upon us. It’s unclear what studio is animating this series, and the art style doesn’t fit with the Genesis art style or even Mappa as a whole. It’s speculated this will be the debut work of the Cygames anime division, suggesting this is a newly born studio. The only release date given is sometime 2016.
That also means no evil villain dudes… maybe a mean principal???
The PV is actually for the initial game event over a year ago, so it is possible that the actual anime will have its own style more akin to Genesis, and possibly animated by Mappa. But it’s all speculation at this point.
This is where the rubber hits the road, and we’ll see just how much the Genesis writers added to the Bahamut franchise, and whether it can hold up on its own.
If you were wondering if monster girls had different things they do on dates, then I have some bad news for you. You’re racist against monster girls, because they do the same things everyone else does on dates (well everyone is anime that is). And if you’re even somewhat of a veteran to shows like this you can basically telegraph this entire episode from beginning to end. And hey, that’s not a bad thing if the jokes hit home. But the jokes have to hit home or else it’s just plain boring.
Episode Summary
Kimihito is invited to go out on a date with Ms. Smith. And apparently Kimihito isn’t trusted at all by his housemates, because literally everyone secretly follows him to see whats up. They then one by one attempt to get closer and spy while having something go wrong in the most sexy way possible. But after Miia and Arachne are caught snooping it’s revealed that someone is threatening to kill Kimihito if he marries one of the monster girls.
So Smith decides that he should go out on dates with the girls to try to lure the culprit out with jealousy. So Miia and Mero accompany him to an aquarium, where Mero is super popular. They have a good time until Miia misreads the situation and leaves in a fit of jealousy. She then meets a fellow lizard person and they get chummy due to their similarities. He decides to take her out on a boat ride and ends up sexually assaulting her, trying to force himself on her. Kimihito comes to the rescue and crashes another swan boat into theres stopping anything too serious. Once out of the water it’s revealed that the Dragonewt (other lizard person) is a girl who just wanted a close friend in Miia, and hates men. She flies away but gets punished by Smith for going out without her home stay parent. The episode ends with them still wondering who sent the threat.
Episode Thoughts
So before the dates with monster girls we have the scenes with Kimihito going on a date with a plain old regular girl, Smith. This is probably the stronger part of the episode but there are a few things that sort of ruin it for me. Its the best because we get a lot of physical humor with Suu being basically clothes for the everyone. And of course Suu as clothes doesn’t really mix. They all end up doing very erotic scenes because Suu just can’t stop molesting someone for more than a few minutes. It’s also funny seeing them stumble around trying not to reveal that they’re monsters. Of course seeing someone reaping what they sew is always funny even when its monster girls.
And while these scenes are pretty sexy and funny to a point, the show just feels the need to throw in a bunch of gross men getting up close on the action and being all creepy about it every time. I know its in public and people are going to stare if your on the floor moaning and gyrating, but wouldn’t it have been better if it was like in When Harry met Sally when Meg Ryan is acting out her orgasm. That would have been hilarious. Like if mothers ran away with their children trying to keep them pure or something, or even an overt guy taking a picture nonchalantly and walking away. The gross guys are unneeded, we are already seeing something sexy, we don’t need these gross guys affirming that we should be aroused by it. They really missed an opportunity here for some creative humor, but instead just went and made it as tropey as possible.
As for the second half where Kimihito goes on a date with Miia and Mero, that has its own set of problems. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for going out on dates with monster girls. And to some degree it surely makes sense that it would happen eventually. But I think that it would have been better for Kimihito to decide that instead of using the letter as a plot device to get him to finally do it. He needs to show some agency but the show is basically saying its okay that he doesn’t because everything will work out for him anyway. It would have been better for his character if Kimihito decided for himself to go out on a date and after the fact receive the threatening letter. But I guess we need the main character to be as neutral as possible. So don’t worry Kimihito, sit back and let the plot decide what your actions will be.
As for the date itself, I guess the joke with Mero still set on her tragic love story is still pretty funny but I can see it wearing off really soon. We got one during the other half of the episode too, and every time the joke is just her talking about it. They need to come up with a better way to deliver this joke instead of just having Mero state it. Kind of like they did in the last episode with the Little Mermaid cutaway, that was pretty funny. And the whole situation of her being famous at the aquarium was pretty funny as well. Partly for it making so much sense and also the fact that Mero acts like its no big deal.
The scenes with Kimihito and Miia alone are cute. Or at least they would have been if they weren’t just a montage of still shots. Sure after the montage they get some actual dialogue and get really close to kissing but Mero ends up interrupting them with fish facts. The cock tease isn’t funny at all but on the other hand, seeing Mero being a total fish nerd and not being able to help herself and spout out fish facts was pretty funny. So I’m torn about this scene.
Just like I’m torn about the part where Miia runs into the Dragonewt, where at this point Miia thinks she’s a guy. I’m perfectly okay with Miia leaving in a hissy fit because she’s jealous, that’s totally the way she would act. But I do sort of think its cheap to have it look like Miia is about to be raped by a guy and it turns out to be a girl. This misunderstanding of the Dragonewt’s gender is only there to anger the male viewers that Miia might be stolen away from the self insert protagonist. But in the end its okay because it was just a girl in the end. I do like Miia leaving and not wanting to put up with Kimihito’s indecisive shit anymore. I also like Kimihito giving her the necklace, at least that’s something… I guess. Maybe it really isn’t something and he’s just being a “nice guy” again. But I like to believe that he can see how much he’s hurting the girls by being so indecisive. And remember this is a comedy and this whole situation with the Dragonewt isn’t funny at all. Not even the reveal that she’s a girl is funny. Just a whole bunch of nothing being sexy and nothing being funny. Seriously Monster Girls, what were you thinking here?
So except for that last part with the Dragonewt the rest of the episode was alright. It only had about a couple really funny jokes. And the whole thing with the creepy guys really made the sexy scenes not as sexy anymore. But at least we got a really funny minute with Rachnera trying to get some dirt to blackmail Kimihito and Smith with. So that’s something. From the looks of the preview were going to get at least one more dating episode and I hope that they’ll handle it better and make it more unique. They need to make it feel more like dates with monster girls and not just dates with girls. So while this episode wasn’t really boring, it sure came close.
A stunt doubles job is never done. The stunt doubles for Batman, Joker and Harley Quinn were working hard last night on Suicide Squad.
Heroic Hollywood has a description of the scene being filmed in in Toronto, Canada.
“Batman breaks through the top of The Joker’s car, as The Joker and Harley Quinn sit inside. As the car goes plunging into the water, Batman repels off just in time.”
Suicide Squad is directed by Ayer and stars Will Smith as Deadshot, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Oscar winner Jared Leto as the Joker, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress.
The band of anti-heroes will be in theaters on August 5, 2016.
A Walk in the Woods is the kind of movie you always hope to find on a Sunday afternoon when you’re out with your folks and they want to go see a movie. With its cast of Hollywood icons, a clever script that generally plays to expectations, and lots of humor that neatly skirts the line between bawdy and profane, it’s a light, entertaining 104 minutes that certainly won’t enter your top 10 movie experiences of the year, but won’t end up being time and money you regret spending at the movies, either.
After attending a funeral for a family friend, travel book author Bill Bryson (Robert Redford), whose many works detailed journeys in dozens of different countries and exotic locales, makes a somewhat impromptu decision to tackle a uniquely American journey — the over-2,100 mile long Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. As one might imagine, the decision proves very alarming to Bill’s wife Catherine (Emma Thompson), who upon failing to dissuade Bill from undertaking a hike that thousands of hikers in top physical condition attempt each year and roughly only 10% actually finish insists that he at least not try to go it alone.
Finding a willing traveling companion for the trip proves difficult, however, until Bill gets a call from Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), an old friend from Bill’s youth in Iowa. Katz eagerly offers to join Bill on the hike, which is certainly surprising because a) prior to the call the two hadn’t spoken in decades; and b) the Katz Bill remembers was a raging alcoholic and philanderer who never once expressed an interest in traveling anywhere further than the neighborhood bar, much less into the wilderness. But with no other options and Catherine adamant, Bill accepts, and the following April the two begin their arduous northward from Springer Mountain, Georgia.
Its not long after that, of course, that things start to go awry. Detours, obnoxious know-it-all fellow hikers on the trail, inclement weather, gulag-like bunkhouses, hungry bears, and their own lack of physical conditioning are a just a few of the elements of misadventure that Bill and Katz find themselves forced to reckon with as they trudge step after step, mile after mile. On top of all that, they’ll have to deal with the invisible elephant in both their travel packs: the reasons why they fell out all those years ago, why the hell they’re both out there in the woods in the first place, and whether or not they can truly be the friends they were once again.
Based on the 1998 book by the real life Bill Bryson, “A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail”, the film A Walk in the Woods was originally envisioned by Redford (one of the film’s producers) years ago as a film he could do with his old friend, the late Paul Newman. While it may be fun to imagine what that film might have looked like, with Butch and Sundance reunited as old, out-of-shape guys trying to tackle an impossible journey that’s mostly in the middle of nowhere, it turns out that Nick Nolte is more than equal to the task of playing the disheveled and rascally Katz opposite Redford’s glib, straight-laced take on Bryson. Nolte gets the lions’ share of the laughs here, as Katz is clearly the less prepared and physically capable of the two to handle the trail, plus he’s the more inclined toward looking for trouble in order to make the pain of the trip worthwhile. In some instances, Nolte just delivering his lines is outright funny, as the man’s voice at this point isn’t just gravelly — it’s gravel, period.
Nolte doesn’t get all the funniest moments in the film, though. As Catherine, Emma Thompson gets plenty of good zingers in as she brings all her innate British practicality to bear on Bill’s chosen folly, but because it’s Emma Thompson and she’s so very good at her craft, the genuine affection and concern belying all the jokes is clear, palpable, and relatable. And director Ken Kwapnis (He’s Just Not That Into You, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), who in addition to his film directing work is well known for his part in adapting “The Office” for American TV, shows his skill with staging comedy as well as and managing talent throughout the film, so that everyone in the ensemble has an opportunity to get in on the fun. Kwapnis also delivers, with the help of cinematographer John Bailey (Big Miracle) some truly striking visuals of the Great Smoky Mountains and portions of the Appalachian Trail itself, giving the film a true “travelogue” feel.
If there are any negatives to be found in A Walk in the Woods, they’re due, in part, to the nature of the source material itself. The film at times feels episodic, like a collection of funny stories about a trip rather than a cohesive narrative, but that’s often what good travelogues are. Also, not all the gags and quips work — most of them do, but more than a few fall flat, which is a curious thing to say when just about everyone involved in this production is well versed in crafting and delivering this kind of irony-driven, grown-up humor. There isn’t a whole lot of depth here, either — nobody in this cast is doing any heavy lifting as far as dramatic performance is concerned, and so you’re not likely to hear this film mentioned when awards season rolls around. But these “faults” are all easily forgivable if all you’re looking for is a fun way to spend a few hours at the movies without having to deal with explosions, car chases, and blood and guts. Thanks to a very likable cast, this is a very likable film, one that should leave you smiling and talking about the funnier moments while on your way out the door.
You may even leave the film with a hankering to take a little nature walk yourself. If that is the case, though, just do your homework and know what you’re getting into first.
A Walk in the Woods
Starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Kristen Schaal, Nick Offerman with Mary Steenburgen and Emma Thompson. Directed by Ken Kwapis.
Running Time: 104 minutes
Rated R for language and some sexual references.
In 2006 Daniel Craig changed the face of the James Bond franchise with Casino Royal, Quantum of Solace came out in 2008 to mixed reviews and Craig returned to form in 2012 with Skyfall. Now in 2015, Spectre comes out in November and Bond fans are left to wonder what’s next for the franchise.
Craig now 47, talked to Esquire about whether or not his will return to the franchise for a fifth film.
“At this moment, no. I have a life and I’ve got to get on with it a bit. But we’ll see,” said Craig to Esquire about continuing on as Bond in the series. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. Honestly. I’m not trying to be coy. At the moment I can’t even conceive it.”
About Spectre: A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
Spectre is directed by Sam Mendes, and stars Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Naomie Harris, Stephanie Sigman, and Ben Whishaw as Q.
Kevin Feige can do no wrong in the eyes of some Marvel fans, but yesterday was a reminder that this is about money, power and big business.
Fiege has taken over the film division of Marvel and now directly reports to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn, wresting oversight of the film division away from Marvel Entertainment COO Ike Perlmutter, according to Deadline. Television and other Marvel endeavors remain under Perlmutter’s control.
Fiege was apparently frustrated with Perlmutter’s micromanaging, and brought his concerns to Disney CEO Bob Iger.
“Marvel Studios is taking the next logical step in its integration with The Walt Disney Studios, joining Pixar and Lucasfilm in centralizing many of its film-related functions in Burbank, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D’Esposito continuing to lead the Marvel Studios team reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn,” said a spokesperson for Disney.
Feige was named President of Marvel Studios in 2007, remaining in the job when the company was sold to Disney at the end of 2009. He has been the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe that has generated $8.9 billion since May of 2008.
Up next for Marvel Studios: Captain America: Civil War – May 6, 2016 Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016 Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – May 5, 2017 Untitled Spider-Man – July 28, 2017 Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017 Avengers: Infinity War Part I – May 4, 2018 Black Panther – July 6, 2018 Captain Marvel – November 2, 2018 Avengers: Infinity War Part II – May 3, 2019 Inhumans – July 12, 2019
In August and September, it’s often difficult to drag myself to screenings because, traditionally, the movies during this time of year are not the greatest. We often find ourselves counting down the days till October when Awards season ramps up, but sometimes you get surprised when you least expect it. This was the case when I went and saw Robert Redford and Nick Nolte in A Walk In The Woods. I went in expecting a movie akin to Grumpy Old Men on the Appalachian Trail and what I got was a surprisingly satisfying comedy.
A Walk in the Woods centers on Redford’s character, Bill Bryson, a travel writer who after attending the funeral of a family friend, decides that he’s going to attempt something unorthodox and hike the Appalachian Trail. In a frantic search for a friend to hike with, Bryson gets a phone call from an old buddy, Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), who agrees to accompany him on his journey. Katz is a recovering alcoholic who likes to live life on the edge and Bryson is a very conservative person, so what we have here is the embodiment of the “Odd Couple.” The chemistry that Nolte and Redford have on screen is unquestioned and it’s that chemistry that is the strength of this film. Their contrasts can appear like stereotypical archetypes, but their acting ability and charm bind this film together.
However, acting can only take you so far. A Walk in the Woods was lucky to have Bill Holderman on board to adapt the original book for the screen. Holderman understood that the essential element of success in Bill Bryson’s book was his hilarious anecdotes from the trail and this picture is full of them. It’s the chemistry plus the excellent adaptation by Holderman that produce what’s an enjoyable trip down the trail with these two old friends.
The Cinematography was a key element to this film’s success. From one scene to another, you get that small taste of Americana as Katz and Bryson plod down that Appalachian Trail. This whole trip down the trail is about experiencing the beauty around us and anything short of capturing that beauty would have been a major flaw on the Director Ken Kwapis’s part. If they had tried to produce these shots from locations other than from the Appalachian Trail, it would have deterred mightily from the film. The music was on point. It was the perfect accompaniment to fantastic cinematography, creating such a pleasant watching experience.
Ken Kwapis was a sensible choice for A Walk In The Woods. Kwapis employed his typical 2 shot technique allowing for movie to flow appropriately. Kwapis simplistic approach in the way he shot the picture allowed the two actors to be the focus of the film, and that’s the way it should have been.
What we have here is nothing short of a pleasant surprise to this critic. I’m not going to tell you that it’s the greatest movie that I’ve seen in 2015, but not all movies have to be great. Not all movies aspire to be as such. Sometimes, knowing that you will leave satisfied after paying to see a movie is more than enough reason to go
