A Possible THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Series Coming From Castlevania Producer

November 7, 2018

A possible The Legend of Zelda series could be adapted and the project is Link-ed (Get it? We’ll see ourselves out) to Castlevania producer, Adi Shankar.

According to The Wrap, the producer is in talks to produce a series alongside, what he stated was, an ‘iconic Japanese gaming company’. Your move, Nintendo.

Ever since IGN teased us 10 years ago with an April Fool’s Joke Trailer, Nintendo traditionalists and fans have been clamoring for a live-action Zelda series. Since then, there have been numerous attempts at lighting a fire in the powers-that-be to make a movie or television series, whether via online petitions or fan-made trailers. Considering that Shankar deals in animation, this could also be yet another animated series, one that could definitely rival the short-lived animated series, The Legend of Zelda, from 1987, which lasted just 13 episodes.

To further build on the speculation, Shankar posted, via his personal Instagram, ‘I can confirm that I’m working with an iconic Japanese gaming company to adapt one of their iconic video game series into a series. On Nov. 16 @ 1pm, I’m going to announce what it is. I love you all. Thank you for following me on this journey. Entertaining you guys continues to be a privilege.” His caption for the picture credited his work on Castlevania as to the reason for the opportunity.

Shankar and Co. just released the second season of Castlevania, which has been more widely-accepted than the shorter first season, with critics dubbing it an ‘incredible improvement’. He has been producing film and television since 2010. He also produced the awesome hip-hop inspired film, Bodied, in 2017, which tells the story of a graduate student that finds success, while also sparking outrage, when his interest in battle-rap as a thesis subject becomes a competitive obsession. He has also served such other amazing projects as, Dredd, A Walk Among the Tombstones, Machine Gun Preacher, Lone Survivor, all of which he was an executive producer on. He will also be producing the upcoming I Saw the Devil, which was previously announced.

Nintendo currently has a Super Mario Bros. animated film in the works, in conjunction with Illumination Entertainment, which was announced earlier this year (more about that HERE), so it would just make sense that the next in line is The Legend of Zelda, or at least we hope so. The game originally debuted in 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and has stretched out over 17-different sequels, across all of the studio’s consoles, including handheld systems, while one of its primary characters, Link, has appeared in numerous other fighting games as well.

The official announcement as to a possible The Legend of Zelda series, as previously stated, is coming on November 16. Whether it will be a live-action or animated series has yet to be seen, as well as to what network or streaming service it will be featured on, but we are on the edge of our seats in anticipation, nonetheless.

What do you think, are you excited for a The Legend of Zelda series? What other famous Nintendo video game series would you like to see adapted? Let us know in the comments section below.

***Update (as of 11/19): The series announced will be Devil May Cry, joining Castlevania in the ‘Bootleg Multiverse’ on Netflix. More information regarding the series can be read HERE.

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Review: THE GRINCH Adds Tons Of Laughs To Classic Tale

Anthony Composto - EIC

Illumination’s new Grinch film hits theaters this weekend, and it’s the same heartwarming story you love, with a lot more laughs.

The Grinch is directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. It’s written by Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow, based on the book by Dr. Seuss.

And – no surprises here – but this is the same, classic holiday story we’ve all known since childhood. The Grinch is a mean loner who lives high above Whoville and hates Christmas. One year, the curmudgeon decides he’s going to steal Christmas from the residents below.

However, one of the things that truly sells this flick is what they add to the tale. There are a few new characters and new plot details that flesh out the story somewhat and give fans of the old films something new to enjoy. In particular, Cindy Lou Who’s quest to meet Santa Claus provides not only a lot of laughs and a lot of heart, but it’s also the emotional core of the film while the Grinch does his thing.

Which brings us to the other thing that sells the movie – the laughs. There is a lot of humor in The Grinch; you’ll have a laugh every few minutes. It’s not dumb humor either, nor is it reminiscent of the Jim Carrey version. This team has infused their film with its own brand of humor, humor that works for both kids and adults.

Oh, and then there’s the Grinch’s dog Max. Granted this is an animated film, and Max isn’t actually played by anyone, but he steals the show. Credit to Mosier and Cheney, as well as the animators, for making Max so lovable and fun to watch.

Cumberbatch’s Grinch is a more mellow, plain-speaking one. His performance isn’t as distinct or original as Carrey’s was, but it’s still good in its subtlety. Honestly, who really stands out among the voice cast is Kenan Thompson, supplying the same quick, comedic delivery he’s become famous for on SNL.

The animation is crisp, clean, and pretty to look at. There are a few moments where the “camera” is swooping around and things get a bit blurry and it might bug your eyes, but for the most part Illumination continues to prove themselves a worthy competitor of Disney/Pixar and Dreamworks.

The Grinch is a light, fun holiday movie that families will enjoy. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this weekend, take them to the flick. It’s got laughs and heartwarming moments, as well as some great lessons for the little ones to take home.

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Review: THE GRINCH May Have Too Big A Heart

Sean Boelman

The Grinch is the newest big-screen iteration of the classic Dr. Seuss tale, this time from Illumination Entertainment (the minds behind films such as Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing). You probably know the story already, but the movie is about a grumpy hermit who hatches a plot to ruin Christmas for a nearby town.

This film is certainly cute, and having quite a bit of nostalgia tied to the story — the book was published in 1957, the television special was released in 1966, and the Ron Howard live-action version was released in 2000 (meaning that multiple generations grew up on some of the story) — it is sure to have a big draw and its fair share of admirers.

However, even though it may look and sound like it, this is not the Grinch that we have all come to know and love. No, this is a brightly-colored kids’ movie that abandons some of the spirit of the original for the sake of creating a movie that is even more widely appealing. It feels like a shell of the original (and the live-action version, for that matter).

One of the biggest problems with the story is that it lacks the redemption arc. This story is all about redemption — Grinch’s heart was two sizes too small, but grew when he realized the meaning of Christmas. This movie does not do a good job of establishing that the Grinch was bad in the beginning. Yes, there has to be a “redeemable” quality in the beginning that allows the audience to sympathize with him; however, this film went too far, instead making it seem like he was already mostly good.

The movie also contains a lot of derivative humor. Seeing the Grinch wipeout again and again can only get so many laughs. Regardless, it is still somewhat amusing and will definitely please the younger target audience. The parts that stood out were those that were heavily ironic, subverting expectations. Many of these involved Max, the Grinch’s trusty canine companion. Max was the absolute highlight of the film, stealing the screen in almost every scene and serving as the most effective emotional focus.

The voice cast for this movie was surprisingly small, but that is likely a result of its heavy dependence on narration. The narration by Pharrell Williams does get old at times, but that has always been the case with these films. Benedict Cumberbatch does a good job as the title character, but he doesn’t really stand out. He captures the personality well and delivers the comedy with ease, but didn’t do anything to make the character his own. The only other two significant “names” in the supporting cast are Rashida Jones and Kenan Thompson. Jones was hard to recognize in her role, but was fine. Thompson had some of the funniest moments in the movie.

Illumination’s skills in animation are undeniable, though. They are quickly cementing themselves as one of the leaders in the field in terms of visuals. Even though their stories sometimes need more originality, their animation is always brilliant. This film is incredibly detailed, with a complete world being formed. It is fun to just look at some of the contraptions thought up by the animation team.

Overall, The Grinch wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t what it could have (or should have been). It looks great, but it fails to capture the spirit of the iconic source material, and as such, struggles to capture attention.

The Grinch opens in theaters November 9.

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Review: PROSPECT Doesn’t Quite Strike Sci-Fi Gold

Sean Boelman

Prospect is a new film written and directed by Christopher Caldwell and Zeek Earl from their short of the same name. It is about a teenage girl that travels to a remote moon with her father to prospect for rare gems, only for things to go south when they encounter a dangerous stranger in the woods.

Oddly enough, this movie’s biggest strength and biggest weakness are perhaps the same thing. This is a very ambitious science fiction film, especially given that it is independent. This ambition comes in the form of complex world-building and mythology. On one hand, this is wildly intriguing, with some of the ideas the story presents being thoroughly interesting. On the other hand, a lot of stuff is left unexplained, and as such, creates unresolved tension.

There are quite a few moments in the movie that are effectively suspenseful, but the most suspenseful moments ended up fizzling out, which was often disappointing. Instead, the film relied on shock value and sudden twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Sometimes this worked — a few scenes being particularly disturbing — other times, it failed to keep interest.

The movie also suffers from a lack of character development. The protagonist has a generic backstory, although she comes to her own over the course of the film. Her father is perhaps the most interesting character, the best scene being when he goes on a nostalgia trip that reveals quite a bit about his character. The mysterious stranger character is, well, mysterious. There isn’t a whole lot of development to be done for him.

That being said, the movie does some things extremely well. There are a few scenes that were unexpectedly absolutely captivating. The mining scenes are oddly interesting. They are hard to describe and something you’ll have to see for yourself to understand their appeal. Somehow, they are cool, weird, and disturbing — all at the same time.

The cast also does a great job in the film. Sophie Thatcher does a great job in her leading role. She is likable and strong, having a commanding presence throughout. Jay Duplass is very good in his supporting role, a dramatic turn. He does a great job of adding emotion and realism to a surreal movie. The true standout, though, is Pedro Pascal. Pascal’s performance is fantastic and haunting, making the character all the more menacing and effective.

Additionally, the film’s visuals were very good. The cinematography is nice, with some great framing and movements. The lighting and color scheme are a bit unusual, although they give the movie an old-timey western feel that works pretty well. The film also has some good CGI, especially that used to craft the futuristic world.

Overall, Prospect is an ambitious sci-fi movie, but that ambition didn’t always pay off. That being said, it has some great scenes and a wonderful cast. It is definitely worth a shot.

Prospect is now playing in select theaters and expands November 9.

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DEATH OF THE INHUMANS Comes To A Quiet Close

Brandon J. Griffin

Comic book superstar Donny Cates’ Death Of The Inhumans story comes to a close with issue #5. With it’s conclusion, a new era for Inhumans begins. One that isn’t trying to replace the X-Men anymore.

SPOILERS LIE AHEAD

Black Bolt and the remaining core members of the royal family, along with Beta Ray Bill, charge into the Kree stronghold to avenge their fallen family members. One final confrontation between Blackagar, Vox and his army where all of the Inhuman race is on the line.

Death Of The Inhumans had a lot of steam heading into it’s final chapter, unfortunately the ending fizzles out. The first half of this issue is on par with the rest of the series. It’s got dire stakes, desperate heroes, and a menacing threat. That isn’t the case with the second half.

Once the royal family begins it’s assault on Vox’s fortress, Black Bolt secludes himself and takes care of everything with one final scream. It’s all over in a mere three pages and then the issue ends. While it’s a well crafted issue, this finale is a major letdown.

I’m not going to pretend that I know what happens behind the scenes at the Marvel offices, I’m no “insider.” However I will share that in comparison to the other four issues, this felt rushed. It could’ve used another issue to flesh out the confrontation, or maybe even just a few more pages. Donny Cates hasn’t had a problem finishing stories in his other work, so one would assume there was an editorial influence on how this panned out.

That being said, Death Of The Inhumans completes it’s mission in course correcting the Inhumans corner of the Marvel universe. The finale may have been lackluster but the bigger picture implications are exactly what the characters and fans needed.

There’s also plenty to love about this issue. Donny Cates has a great handle on all of the royal family, their interactions as they prepare for battle are fantastic and heartfelt. The scene with Beta Ray Bill not understanding Inhuman sign language is truly hilarious and perfectly timed.

Artist Ariel Olivetti keeps your eyes well-fed throughout with some beautiful work. The sequencing for Black Bolt’s sign language to the rest of the group is phenomenal. Olivetti’s work with Black Bolt during this series has been the best since Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee’s Inhumans.

Jordie Bellaire’s coloring sets the tone of the issue and heightens it during action sequences. Both Olivetti and Bellaire unleash an onslaught of emotion on the reader in what is a heavy and taxing journey for our heroes.

Death Of The Inhumans #5 suffers from the standard and pace set by the preceding issues. This is by no means a bad comic book; it’s gorgeous and one hell of a read. It just falls short in the end. It’s like some of those earlier Tom King Batman arcs where there was a ton of palpable build-up but the ending happens in the blink of an eye and doesn’t have the impact you were expecting.

As a whole, Death Of The Inhumans is the strongest story about the core royal family we’ve had in a long time. Royals and Black Bolt were both fantastic comic books, but they had Blackagar separated from the others. Donny Cates does a fine job getting the Inhumans back in space and in a good place once again. Now we can all put that weird era of Marvel trying to make them the X-Men behind us.

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INFINITY WARS #5 Reveals Our True Antagonist

Brandon J. Griffin

The cosmic crossover epic from writer Gerry Duggan continues. With multiple infinity stones, mashed-up heroes and unlikely team-ups; this easily digestible adventure is an absolute blast.

SPOILERS LIE AHEAD

Emma Frost, Ms. Marvel, Hulk, Ant-Man, Loki, and Kang investigate the circumstances of the soul stone and discover a way to stop Gamora. At their moment of triumph, Loki screws everyone over and pursues his own agenda. Meanwhile, Adam Warlock and the mashed-up heroes continue to fight the universe-eating Devondra.

Gerry Duggan is a talented, veteran comic book creator. Having him and fellow veteran Mike Deodato Jr. at the wheel of this cosmic crusade has kept it from becoming overly complicated. This could’ve easily been a convoluted and confusing plot that lost people right out of the gate. Instead, it’s presented in a perfectly crafted package ready for consumption by any comic book reader.

Gamora’s motivations for remaking the universe may be shaky, but it doesn’t detract from this highly entertaining tale. Infinity Wars has been tapping a similar vein to the cosmic Marvel stories of old. Underneath the action-packed surface is a love letter to those old stories by Gerry Duggan.

Marvel as a whole has been going a little overboard with the mash-up heroes lately, but within Infinity Wars it’s a lot of fun. They don’t really play a huge role in this story so far, their stories are being told in the tie-in issues. Adam Warlock’s realization that these people are not going to consent to being undone is a nice touch that will make our finale all the more complicated.

Duggan does a really great job with our main team of heroes figuring out how the duplicate infinity stones work and how they divvy them up. Deodato makes it clear and interesting why each of them got their respective stone.

The turn of Loki is something we all saw coming of course, but it was no less effective. He’s also been getting a lot of play recently across the line of Marvel’s comics, but Duggan deploys him in a classic fashion that we never tire of.

Deodato and colorist Frank Martin really turn it on once the stones begin getting used on Gamora. Each attack on “Requiem” is creative and different. When Loki trust-falls into a pile of rocks is a great sequence. Deodato has always thrived with bigger, bulkier characters so naturally all of the Hulk scenes are superb.

The reveal of Peet and “Art” at the end of the issue ramp-up excitement for the finale chapter. Whether you’re following the tie-in issue or not, Infinity Wars is an absolute blast that hearkens back to the glory days of cosmic Marvel stories.

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Review: BODIED Wins The Battle

Sean Boelman

Bodied is a new film produced by Eminem and directed by Joseph Kahn. It is about a progressive graduate student who begins to find success in the competitive battle rap arena after becoming obsessed with it as the subject of his thesis.

This movie certainly doesn’t pull back on its punches, and it benefits from that. The film is about an artform that is notorious for pushing the envelope of what is considered acceptable and what is considered taboo. As such, it pushes any boundaries it can, allowing for some great comedic moments. However, this also means that the movie is not for the easily offended.

It is quite easy to get absorbed in to the film, even if you don’t have any knowledge or experience of the subject matter. Since the protagonist is an outsider, audience members who feel like outsiders on the world are still able to connect to the movie. In doing so, the film is making its hard-hitting social and racial commentary more accessible to a wider audience.

It can be argued that this film is attempting to “whitesplain” the issues that plague African-Americans in American society today. However, the movie also uses the fact that the protagonist is an entitled white kid to its advantage, even poking fun at itself for using that device.

The film also contains a great deal of humor. Obviously, there are the insults that are a large part of battle rap, and those are quite funny. Even better, though, is the movie’s ability to use irony to create situations that are awkwardly humorous. This style lent itself to some of the best scenes in the film.

That being said, it still feels overlong. It is a two-hour long comedy, and that is a bit excessive. The beginning and end were both great. It was the middle that could have been trimmed down. There are a few scenes in which it seems like the film is spinning its wheels. If these were absent, it could have been much tighter.

There are also a few subplots that are unsatisfying. The main one involves the protagonist’s girlfriend. Her character is very annoying and the protagonist doesn’t seem to know it, which is annoying in itself. Although a few funny moments come out of their interactions, it doesn’t add enough to the movie to warrant confusion.

The film’s execution has mixed results too. It is built very much like a video, with rapid editing and lots of graphics superimposed onto the footage. To an extent, it is immersive, as that is the medium in which most people would discover battle rap. However, this also makes the movie feel slightly amateurish at times.

Overall, despite its flaws, Bodied is an enjoyable and interesting film. It is definitely different, but it is worth stepping outside of your comfort zone to give it a shot.

Bodied is now playing in select theaters and is available on YouTube Premium November 28.

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Episode 161: Review Grant Morrison’s THE GREEN LANTERN #1

Matthew Sardo

Welcome to the 161 episode of the Monkeys Fighting Robots podcast, this week we review THE GREEN LANTERN #1 by Grant Morrison. Assistant Editor, Manny Gomez calls in and talks with Matt about the bizarre nature of Morrison’s writing and the amazing art of Liam Sharp. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show.

Do you have a question for the show? Email robotsfightingmonkeys@gmail.com

Never heard of Matt Sardo?
For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.

Places you can find the show:
iTunes
Blog Talk Radio
Stitcher

Reviews are greatly appreciated – How to Rate and Review a Podcast in iTunes

About THE GREEN LANTERN #1:
Superstar writer Grant Morrison (Batman, All-Star Superman) returns to DC alongside red-hot artist Liam Sharp (The Brave and the Bold, Wonder Woman) to launch a new, ongoing series: THE GREEN LANTERN!

In this debut issue, when Earth’s space cop, Hal Jordan, encounters an alien hiding in plain sight, it sets off a chain of events that rocks the Green Lantern Corps—and quite possibly the Multiverse at large—to its very core. There’s an inter-galactic conspiracy afoot, as well as a traitor in the GL Corps’ ranks, so strap in for more mind-bending adventures in this masterpiece in the making.

Do you have THE GREEN LANTERN on your pull list? Comment below with your thoughts.

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“DOCTOR WHO” The Tsuranga Conundrum Review – A Visually Impressive, Frantic Episode

Kieran Freemantle

After the disappointment was “Arachnids in the UK” Doctor Who returns to form with a more exciting adventure in deep space – even some bizarre moments.

The Doctor and her companions get injured when salvaging a junk planet. A medical ship crew comes to their aid, and takes them to a space station. But the ship has a stowaway that’s causing damage and may destroy the ship from the inside out. It is up to The Doctor, her companions, the crew, and the patients to work together. They have to stop this creature, guide themselves to their destination and cure their ailments.

Back in Series 3, Chris Chibnall wrote the Doctor Who episode “42.” That episode described The Doctor putting a number of fires out at once. “The Tsuranga Conundrum” has a similar feel, making the episode energy as the Doctor faces a number of threats. “42” is often criticized by fans, and is not regarded as a classic episode. However, I thought it was perfectly entertaining and overly hated.

The best aspect of “The Tsuranga Conundrum” is its visuals. Like the episode “The Ghost Monument” “The Tsuranga Conundrum” shows a huge investment in the production values. Other modern Doctor Whos have episodes that show space travel to be dirty and gritty. Comparatively, “The Tsuranga Conundrum” ship is bright white, high tech and filled with touch screens. It looked like a futuristic Black Mirror episode.

While the episode is stuffed with plot, Chibnall and director Jennifer Perrott balances them all out. The new characters especially shine. Mabli (Lois Chimimba) worries about stepping up. General Cicero (Suzanne Packer) keeps her brother (Ben Bailey-Smith) in the dark about her condition, as a way of protecting him. Ronan (David Shields) has some serious fatherly doubts. All these new characters are really compelling.

The episode is female-centric and reverses gender roles. The Doctor, General Cicero, Mabli, and Yaz take charge of the ship, while Ryan and Graham are assistant midwives. This will probably trigger certain viewers, but they’d be upset no matter what. A legitimate criticism, however, is the role of Ronan as a pregnant parent. The episode only used for some cheap jokes, which stretches plausibility, even for Doctor Who. If Ronan were an alien, it would have been more acceptable.

“The Tsuranga Conundrum” has some little touches that added to the world building. Ronan was prepared to give up his baby because this time period is that brutal. This gives “The Tsuranga Conundrum” a connection to “The Ghost Monument,” where Angstrom says she grew up in poverty and warfare. It won’t be surprising if Chibnall looks deeper into this bleak future.

The new Doctor’s belligerent side comes out on the spaceship. It’s especially apparent when one of the ship’s medic takes her down a peg. It is strange to see, but it can be put down to The Doctor being injured and disorientated so not thinking straight. It is interesting to see Doctor Who explore all the sides of its character’s psyche.

“The Tsuranga Conundrum” has the air of the classic Twilight Zone episode “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” That episode also featured a creature destroying a plane and potentially killing everyone onboard. The creature, called a P’Ting is too cartoony and cutesy, coming across a bit like Nibbler from Futurama. That said, the concept of a crew with limited resourcing having to stop a nearly indestructible creature is solid.

“The Tsuranga Conundrum” has received quite a beating from some critics, and it’s far from vintage Doctor Who. But it’s still an improvement over last week’s episode, and it looks stunning.

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TRAILER: BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS Tells A Quirky Coen Brothers Story

Ruben Diaz

November 6, 2018

The Coen Brothers are back with another western only this time it’s not a gritty reimagining of a classic or a gritty modern take; instead, we get the Ballad of Buster Scruggs, an almost polar opposite journey into the genre. Ballad of Buster Scruggs already did its requisite small theatrical run and premieres on Netflix November 16 of 2018.

About Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Official Description: An anthology film comprised of six stories, each dealing with a different aspect of life in the Old West.

Ballad of Buster Scruggs looks like a happy hybrid of the Coen’s more grounded work and their more fanciful stuff like O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The cast is stellar, and you can rest assured that these directors know how to tell an interesting story. For Netflix, it’s another addition to the growing number of A-list directors who are working with the streaming service to create new content that’s otherwise drowned out by the endless barrage of blockbusters.

Ballad of Buster Scruggs features a cast that includes …

Tim Blake Nelson as Buster Scruggs
Willie Watson as The Kid
James Franco as Cowboy
Stephen Root as Teller
Liam Neeson as Impresario
Harry Melling as Artist
Zoe Kazan as Alice Longabaugh
Bill Heck as Billy Knapp
Tom Waits as Prospector
Tyne Daly as Lady
Brendan Gleeson as Irishman

Full disclosure, I’m a sucker for an anthology series, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs looks worth every single second. The trailer is filled with that Coen Brother energy and attitude. It seems zany and yet will undoubtedly be a lot more grounded in its humanistic story. That is the Coen Brothers way after all. And hey, if you already have Netflix, like millions of the rest of us, it’s yet another reason to pat yourself on the back for signing up for the streaming service that keeps on giving.

Did this trailer get you excited for Ballad of Buster Scruggs?
Leave your comments below!

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***SPOILERS LIE AHEAD***

***SPOILERS LIE AHEAD***

About Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Ballad of Buster Scruggs features a cast that includes …

SPOILERS LIE AHEAD

SPOILERS LIE AHEAD