According to Entertainment Weekly, Freddy Krueger will be haunting your movie nightmares once again. New Line Cinema is in the early stages of development of a new Nightmare on Elm Street film. David Lee Johnson has been hired to pen an update version to the landmark horror franchise. This was attempted once before in 2010 with Jackie Earle Haley in the iconic role of Freddy Krueger. New Line has not reached a point where they are ready to make any casting announcements.
One Punch Man is one of, if not the, best looking manga I’ve ever seen. The detail, style, and zoom effect all work together to create this mind-blowing art.
Click on this… you will thank me
This GIF, and others like it, are just panels of the manga cropped and strung together,
Click this one too
Murata Yuusuke, the artist of One Punch Man, spends a crazy amount of time not only drawing these ridiculously detailed panels, but also lots of them, creating of the most readable, and GIF-able, manga out there.
And this one
One Punch Man has a unique history, because it wasn’t always this gorgeous (as seen in the cover photo), it was originally, and still is running as, a web comic by the artist ONE, and looked more like this.
The clever premise and hilarious writing caught the attention of Murata Yuusuke, of Eyeshield 21 fame, who began adapting it into manga.
Left: Manga, Right: Webcomic
Of course, the writing paired with that art caught the attention of animation production studio Madhouse, who has begun the task of animating this fantastic series.
Which leaves us here, with the first full trailer (the first was really just glorified text), while it isn’t as gorgeous as the manga, an impossible goal… really, it’s still really good-looking. With great music to boot.
The Voice cast is pretty great as well. Gray (From Fairy Tail)’s voice as Licenseless-Rider is perfect, literally perfect.
Hype continues to grow as the Fall Season October release date nears.
According to “Deadline Hollywood”, Fantastic Four which was tracking for a 40/50 million dollar weekend seems now destined for a lethargic box office gross of around 28 million dollars. It seems that reviews plus word of mouth is starting to have an impact on the film. Further complicating matters, Mission:Impossible-Rouge Nation is in a dead heat with the lackluster reboot and could very well take the top spot this weekend.
If you’re a fan of Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment’s original animated features, or if you have fond memories of the “Batman”, “Superman”, and “Justice League” animated series of the 1990’s and 2000’s, you’re going to really enjoy Justice League: Gods and Monsters. Exceptionally well conceived and written, it’s a standout entry in this series of direct-to-video animated movies, fueled by an intriguing “What if?” premise, fully-realized and superbly voice-acted characters, and a mystery plot that should keep you guessing until the end.
Set in an alternate universe, the superpowered beings known as “Superman”, “Batman”, and “Wonder Woman” and the “Justice League” they comprise are vastly different than the ones audiences and fans have come to know. They protect the world and its people, but they do so on their own terms, dealing with their enemies with extreme prejudice. This goateed, trenchcoat-sporting Superman (voiced by Benjamin Bratt), while he was raised on Earth by humble, impoverished parents and thus considers himself a champion of the weak and helpless, sees no need for a meek alter-ego and carries himself with an arrogance that’s literally written into his Kryptonian genetic heritage. The Batman of this world (Michael C. Hall, Showtime’s “Dexter“) is far more the nightmare monster of Gotham’s urban legends, a vampire-like creature whose powers and thirst for blood are the product of an experimental medical treatment gone wrong. And in perhaps the most radical difference, the red-haired, sword-wielding warrior known by Earth’s people as Wonder Woman (Tamara Taylor, TV’s “Bones“) isn’t from Earth at all, but from New Genesis, the world of the New Gods and the sister planet of Darkseid’s Apokalips.
Together, the League looks down at the world that both reveres and fears them from the comfort of their tower high above Metropolis’s tallest skyscrapers, doing what they see fit to do to make the world a better place with little regard for what the world’s human authorities might have to say about it, while each pursuing their own individual agendas and pet-projects. That is, until some of the world’s greatest scientific minds start turning up brutally murdered in ways that suggest each of the Justice League’s individual powers and methods. As the evidence mounts and public opinion turns even further against them, they set out to uncover the mystery of who is out to frame them and make them targets of the very people they work to protect. That search for answers will lead them to uncover other mysteries regarding their own origins, as well as lead them into a fight their physical superiority never let them think for a moment they’d find themselves in: a battle for their own survival.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters marks the return of “Batman: The Animated Series” co-creator Bruce Timm to the DC Animated Universe after he stepped down from his position as DC Animation Supervisor in 2013. He teams up with his old partner in crime from the “Batman” and “Superman: The Animated Series” days, writer/producer Alan Burnett, to bring home on video what is without a doubt one of the finest features in this series in recent years, if not in its entire history. While it’s Timm’s signature visual style that might at first seem like this feature’s most appealing quality, what benefits it the most is that it’s an original story, as opposed to the entries in the series that are adapted from popular DC Comics print story arcs that often come off as simply watered-down and less compelling versions of their source material. Burnett’s screenplay for that original story shows once again his talents for storytelling and crafting compelling and sophisticated dialogue that sounds natural and organic to the film’s plot and tone. Too often of late, the scripts for these DC Original Animated Features have suffered from subpar writing that the film’s editors try to cover up or compensate for by devoting more screen time to action and explosions rather than dialogue and genuine characterization. If you had previously given up on going out of your way to watch these movies or add them to your collection because the level of writing has fallen off so precipitously, now’s the time to come back to the fold. Burnett’s work here will reward you for it.
In terms of voice acting, Justice League: Gods and Monsters features an impressive list of talent, led by Benjamin Bratt, who delivers very solid and believable work here as an edgier, more unsettling Superman, one capable of kindness and charm one second and ruthless, efficient death-dealing the next. Tamara Taylor arguably gets to have the most fun with her character, a Wonder Woman whose approach to flirtation and physical intimacy is as subtle as her approach to combat, while Michael C. Hall brings just the right dose of humanity to the voice of a Batman who no longer sees himself as human in what is the film’s deepest emotional story thread. Veteran character actors C. Thomas Howell and Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series) also deliver memorable work here voicing this universe’s Will Magnus and Lex Luthor, respectively. Overall, the ensemble, under the guidance of voice director Andrea Romano, delivers a performance that’s worthy of Burnett’s fine script, one that sets the bar high for future releases in this series.
Speaking of future releases, it’s important to note that of the extras included on the release of Justice League: Gods and Monsters, perhaps the most compelling is the featurette focused on the next entry in the series, Batman: Bad Blood, which is scheduled for a Fall 2015 release. A direct sequel to April 2015’s Batman vs. Robin, Batman: Bad Blood features what looks like an original story that will introduce Batwoman/Kate Kane to the DC Animated Universe for the first time, as well as feature Nightwing/Dick Grayson forced to take up the mantle of Batman after Bruce Wayne’s disappearance. The featurette includes numerous interviews with the film’s producers, director Jay Oliva, and its cast, and builds up what might prove to be a strong rebound from the disappointing Batman vs. Robin. Also, the “gift set” edition of this release comes with a Wonder Woman action figure in the style of the film, a must-have for collectors (see photo above). All in all, as long as you’re comfortable with a slightly more intense level of animated violence and suggestive content than you usually get in these releases, it’s a worthwhile package of home entertainment for the DC Comics fan in your household, and further proof that while what Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment is doing with their film adaptations may seem questionable, they still know what they’re doing when it comes to bringing their licenses home to the small screen.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters
Starring the voice talents of Benjamin Bratt, Michael C. Hall, Tamara Taylor, C. Thomas Howell, Jason Isaacs, and Richard Chamberlain. Directed by Sam Liu.
Running time: 76 minutes
Rated PG-13 for violence throughout and suggestive content including nudity
Warner Bros. is moving around Ben Affleck’s filming schedule according to Deadline.
The Accountant, the Gavin O’Connor-directed film that Affleck stars in, has been pushed from its January 29, 2016 berth to open October 7, 2016. At the same time, Warner Bros has moved from October 7, 2016 to an undated 2017 berth for Live by Night, Affleck’s adaptation of the Dennis Lehane novel that he also plans to star in.
Den of Geeks is reporting that there has been an in house screening of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Warner Bros. is so impressed with Affleck’s performance they want to see a Batman trilogy instead on the one film that has been announced (Geoff Johns collaboration).
Are the schedule moves the beginning of the shuffle to make room for two additional Batman films?
Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice is written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.
The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.
Training Day is the latest in police/crime thrillers jumping from the big to the small screen. Director Antoine Fuqua is working with Jerry Bruckheimer to bring the adaptation of the 2001 cop thriller – which landed a Best Actor statue for Denzel Washington and a nomination for Ethan Hawke – to eager networks looking to sharpen their dramatic impact on the market.
Deadline reports that Will Beall, who has written a pitch for the Training Day series, is taking his work to the four big networks. Fuqua had the idea initially to bring the thriller to television, though moving Training Day away from the gritty freedom of cinema to the homogenized landscape of network drama feels curious. This is a film who’s TV offspring deserves a network with the freedom to push the envelope.
FX seems like a perfect landing spot, especially since they have another film-to-TV adaptation, Fargo, dominating the demo. Not to mention they used to run a little show called The Shield, which is clearly inspired by the story of crooked cops that was front and center in Training Day.
Alas, this version of Fuqua’s film seems to be destined to NBC or ABC. Just don’t let it land on CBS, whatever you do…
If you’re a New York Mets fan or a comic book fan, you have probably heard the team has given superhero nicknames to two of their talented young pitchers: Matt Harvey is known as the Dark Knight while Noah Syndergaard is referred to as Thor. But what about the rest of the squad?
Those guys must feel pretty left out so Monkeys Fighting Robots decided to find the right characters for the rest of the starting pitcher staff, as well as the some position players.
Meet the rest of the super powered Mets!
Curtis Granderson
From the leadoff position, Granderson is a player who has saved the Mets a few times this season by legging out a double when the game was on the line. His penchant for swiping an extra base when in need has earned him a speedy alter ego: The Flash
Daniel Murphy
The resident Irishman who was brought up as a professional hitter. It’s only fitting that he finds himself among the ranks of a galactic alliance that can smack you around thanks to the countless objects that emulate from their ring (hopefully Murphy gets a ring soon!): The Green Lantern
David Wright
For anyone who has been a fan of the Mets or followed David Wright may remember when he was Captain of his countries team in the World Baseball Classic. He’s also an incredible guy on and off the field which makes him truly live up to the Captain America monicker.
Yoenis Cespedes
He can do it all. He’s fast, strong, has a rocket of an arm from the outfield and even wears a shirt with a comic book style “BAM!” on it as an ode to his towering homeruns. Yoenis Cespedes truly is Superman.
Lucas Duda
Lucas Duda was almost invisible for two months, he had very pedestrian statistics. When the Mets traded for Kelly Johnson, Duda asked manager Terry Collins if he was going to take his job. “That’s up to you,” Terry said. One can only assume this angered Duda who proceeded to smash every single pitch that came his way. Lucas Duda is the Hulk. Duda Smash!
Wilmer Flores
Wilmer Flores got traded, continued to play through his emotions, only to find out after he had bared his soul that the deal was off. Flores has been a Met since he was 16 so it was understandable. It also reminds you of a mutant who was very emotional, talented, and had been living a life on the road from an early age. Wilmer Flores is Nightcrawler.
Michael Conforto
The youngest Met. Taken under the wing of some of the best that Gotham has had to offer. The Boy Wonder, Michael Conforto is Robin.
Juan Lagares
The Mets gold glove centerfielder, his catches are web gems nearly every night. If a ball is in his vicinity, count yourself out. Juan Laggers is your friendly neighborhood Spider Man.
Jacob DeGrom
He is the Mets ace. DeGrom had a historic All Star appearance striking out three batters on ten pitchers. He holds all the cards when he’s on the mound, and you don’t want him to start dealing because his stuff is explosive. For that reason, DeGrom is Gambit.
Bartolo Colon
There are a few that Bartolo Colon could be, but his experience is unquestioned. Although he has a demeanor that often invites laughs instead of intimidation, it’s no debate that Bartolo Colon is Beast on the mound.
Jonathon Niese
Outside of David Wright, Jonathan Niese is the longest tenured player on the Mets roster. When I think of this lefty I think of an underrated superhero who can always hold his own and has been there through it all. Jonathan Niese is Cyclops.
What do you think of the selections made? Let us know in the comments and shout out an identity for any other players that come to mind!
According to Deadline, FX has picked up Guillermo del Toro and Carlton Cuse’s The Strain for a third season. The series is based on the book trilogy by del Toro and Chuck Hogan.
The ratings have dropped in the second season. Last year The Strain’s season finale had 2.09 million viewers. This year the latest episode had 1.66 million viewers.
“Guillermo and Carlton have delivered two thrilling seasons of The Strain that are captivating and visually arresting, doing justice to the original novel trilogy and meeting fans’ high expectations in the process,” said FX’s Eric Schrier.
Written, directed and produced by Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie Pitt, By the Sea serves as her directorial follow-up to Universal Pictures’ epic Unbroken. The dramatic film stars Brad Pitt and Jolie Pitt, who are supported by an international ensemble led by Mélanie Laurent, Melvil Poupaud, Niels Arestrup and Richard Bohringer.
By the Sea follows an American writer named Roland (Pitt) and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie Pitt), who arrive in a tranquil and picturesque seaside resort in 1970s France, their marriage in apparent crisis. As they spend time with fellow travelers, including young newlyweds Lea (Laurent) and François (Poupaud), and village locals Michel (Arestrup) and Patrice (Bohringer), the couple begins to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives. In its style, and its treatment of themes of the human experience, By the Sea is inspired by European cinema and theater of the ’60s and ’70s. Jolie Pitt is joined behind the scenes by a key crew that includes cinematographer Christian Berger (The White Ribbon), who used his Cine Reflect Lighting System to shoot the film; production designer Jon Hutman (Unbroken); editor Patricia Rommel (The Lives of Others); and costume designer Ellen Mirojnick (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps). Pitt joins her in production duties, while Chris Brigham (Inception), Holly Goline-Sadowski (Unbroken) and Michael Vieira (Unbroken) serve as executive producers.
The Fantastic Four made $2.7 million Thursday night on 2,900 screens. The weekend expectations for the film are around $40 million.
FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
Set in contemporary New York, this retelling focuses on the Four before they become a team – when they were four young idealistic adventurers who make a headstrong leap into the unknown.
FANTASTIC FOUR focuses on the human drama of relatable characters that at first don’t perceive their new physical abilities as advantages, but as daunting, if not impossible, challenges.
FANTASTIC FOUR stars Miles Teller (“Whiplash”) as Reed Richards, Michael B. Jordan (“Fruitvale Station,” “Chronicle”) as Johnny Storm, Kate Mara (Netflix’s “House of Cards”) as Sue Storm, and Jamie Bell (“Billy Elliot,” AMC’s “Turn”) as Ben Grimm.
The film also stars Toby Kebbell (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) as Victor von Doom, a brilliant but rebellious computer programmer and Baxter Institute student; Reg E. Cathey (“House of Cards,” “The Wire”) as Dr. Franklin Storm, Johnny and Sue’s father; and Tim Blake Nelson (“O Brother, Where Art Thou?”) as an unscrupulous Baxter Institute board member.
