The Women Of Wakanda Could Be Getting Their Own Film!
2018 has been a great year for Marvel, and there’s only more to come.
Avengers Infinity War is killing the box office right now, and one of its characters may be getting a spin-off. Since Black Panther hit theaters fans have wanted a stand alone film based on the fierce female warriors of Wakanda.
During Cannes Film festival director Ryan Coogler was asked if he’d consider making such a film.
“Oh man. That would be amazing if the opportunity came up,” Coogler replied, according to Variety. “They did it in the comic-book version.”
Of course he couldn’t resist gushing over Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), and Letitia Wright (Shuri) and how well they played their characters.
“There’s a whole section of the film where T’Challa is out of the movie and you’re just following the women, That’s one of my favorite parts of the movie when I watched it, and I didn’t expect that.” These actresses, he added, “could easily carry their own movie.”
In an interview with Vulture, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige addressed rumors of an all female Avengers movie, saying a whole movie based around Nakia, Okoye, and Shuri can be made.
“I think it is a rumor, but the cool thing is that it’s showing there’s this hunger for that type of thing,” Gurira had told Ellen DeGeneres of those rumblings. “I know that the awesome Brie Larson is filming Captain Marvel as we speak, so these things are starting to happen, and I think it’s really exciting because it shows that yeah, of course, it’s time we start seeing the perspective of the story come exclusively from women.”
If it happens, It’ll be a while before a Black Panther spin off is made. Until then check out these upcoming films with female leads
Ant Man and the Wasp July 6, 2018 starring Evangeline Lilly (Wasp) and Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson March 6, 2019
Gwyneth Paltrow is about to receive the Tom Holland treatment. The actress may have accidentally revealed a major plot point for Avengers 4.
*Spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War
While being interviewed for the official Avengers: Infinity War Magazine, Paltrow let it slip that Pepper and fiance Tony Stark are going to have a child:
“Pepper and Tony have had a real long journey together. She obviously starts as his dutiful assistant, and then the relationship evolves, and now this decade later they’re married, and they have a child. Their relationship has evolved in all of the ways that great romances evolve.”
During the first act of Infinity War, Tony Stark tells Pepper that he had a dream that they had a child. She laughs him off after he implies that she may be pregnant before Doctor Strange appears to warn Tony of Thanos. That is all we see of her in the film meaning that we are going to see Tony and Pepper’s child in Avengers 4.
This news may give some validity to the rumor that Avengers 4 may feature a time jump from the end of Infinity War. If we were to travel several years in the future, it would seem like a natural progression that Tony and Pepper have a child. Especially following the horrific end of Infinity War, the couple would need some normalcy.
What would you like to see in Avengers 4? Let us know in the comments below!
Avengers: Infinity War is currently in theaters!
“As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.”
For decades, one of the most common cliches in horror movies and thrillers alike has been the startling revelation that “the call is coming from inside the house.” Indeed, the concept of being trapped in your home with someone who means to harm you is a universal fear that many films have used to great effect. Yet, even though it brings its own twist to that premise, Breaking In — the new film from director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) — fails to deliver a satisfying contribution to the pantheon of home invasion thrillers.
The film stars Gabrielle Union as Shaun Russell, who is heading to her deceased father’s expansive estate with her two children to prepare it for sale. Soon after their arrival, however, a gang of thieves appears. Unbeknownst to Shaun and her family, they are targeting a safe that purportedly contains $4 million cash. But when Shaun winds up locked out of the heavily fortified house, she must find a way to get her children safely out of the house and away from the criminals inside. Let the cat-and-mouse game begin.
Inverting the home invasion trope by having the hero locked out of the house rather than trapped inside it is an idea that very well could have held potential. Moreover, pinning the audiences’ hopes on a mother desperately fighting to protect her children gives Breaking In a sort of Taken meets Panic Room vibe, at least superficially, and justified the film’s Mother’s Day weekend release. Yet, as Breaking In progresses, it becomes clearer and clearer that McTeigue and his team have little interest in doing anything innovative or particularly exciting with the material.
It’s doesn’t take a film school degree to see that Breaking In is far more the product of commerce than art. Everything from the stock criminal characters (the loose cannon, the measured professional, the reluctant newcomer, etc.) to the pandering faux-empowerment subtext of a powerful woman standing her own against a quartet of men feels designed to play on the basest conventions. Add in the fact that the film features some poorly done ADR clearly designed to excise f-bombs (save for one, natch) to secure that commercially favorable PG-13 rating, and you’ll have some idea of the bundle of mediocrity that is Breaking In.
On the bright side, Union — who has been a welcome onscreen presence going back all the way to Bring It On — does what she can to emotionally ground the film and even has a few choice badass moments. As Shaun’s children, Ajiona Alexis and Seth Carr serve their purpose particularly well, turning in convincingly terrified performances. Billy Burke (sadly best known as Bella’s father in the Twilight films) finds the sly fun in his underwritten role as the leader of the gang who has infiltrated Shaun’s (or, really, Shaun’s father’s) home. Their battle of wits is the film’s driving force and, riddled with cliches as it is, still keeps the plot humming along.
Where Breaking In begins to break down is its flimsy and unimaginative story. The film mentions some critical elements of Shaun’s past and that of her father, but none of it really comes together or is fully explained. Instead, it unnecessarily weighs on the main narrative and overcomplicates with inconsequential backstory what could have been a straightforward B-movie thrill ride. Screenwriter Ryan Engle mostly accomplished just that with Liam Neeson vehicle The Commuter earlier this year, and it’s easy to see how Breaking In may have been shoddily assembled from a discarded script that Neeson rejected (notably, Engle also wrote the Neeson-led Non-Stop).
If all moviegoers are looking for is the kind of thriller that would pass for decent background noise on a lazy Sunday afternoon, then, by all means, the future TBS classic that is Breaking In might be a terrific post-dinner and drinks film to catch with your friends. After all, it’s only by experiencing the full range of cinematic experiences that one can appreciate what makes the great ones so unforgettable. To that end, Breaking In could be a sleeper box office hit and, if so, will at least bolster Union’s chances of another above-the-title lead role in a major studio project.
Offering little but superficial distraction, Breaking In isn’t even the best Mother’s Day film to see this weekend. When something as profound as Tully (which actually does speak to the vital role mothers play in our lives) is currently playing in theaters, an uninspired film that exploits the holiday with an on-the-nose tagline like “payback is a mother” is hardly a worthy film to take moms to. Then again, Breaking In knows its audience and plays into expectations at every turn. So casual moviegoers buying a ticket to this one probably already know more or less what they’re getting themselves into.
Have you seen Breaking In? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Chaos is the only word to describe the long-term deal Adult Swim established today with the creators of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon.
The creators released a creepy shower video announcing their return.
According to THR, Adult Swim ordered 70 new episodes of the hit cartoon show. Another 70 episodes will give Rick and Morty a 101 total and put the show into syndication status. The report describes the deal as “longterm” without any announced time frame.
The renewal order does not include a date for when these new episodes will start to air.
In other Rick and Morty news, Adult Swim is rolling out a multi-city pop-up tour with the Rickmobile starting May 17 in Atlanta and ends at San Diego Comic-Con in July.
In 1985, Linnea Quigley starred as Trash in the hit zombie film Return of the Living Dead, and since then she’s cemented herself as a queen of the screams in nearly 100 horror movies.
Back in 1985, Dan O’Bannon, the man who brought Alien to life in script form, directed a zombie film that looked like few others of the time. Return of the Living Dead was a horror-comedy with slick special effects, especially that of Tar Man, a grotesque member of the living dead who still looks impressive today, 34 years later. The film spawned four sequels and also introduced the world to zombies who wanted a more specific part of the human anatomy — brains.
Return of the Living Dead will flash across the big screen again this Friday from Popcorn Frights Film Festival at the kickoff event for their new location at the historic Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale. Linnea Quigley will be there to watch the film with the crowd, sign stuff, and giveaway stuff.
In leading up to the event, Monkeys Fighting Robots caught up with the Scream Queen to talk about playing Trash in Return of the Living Dead, her career in horror, and beyond.
What’s it been like being a star in so many cult classics like Return of the Living Dead, Creepazoids, and Silent Night, Deadly Night?
“It’s been great. So many people love these movies. I get invited to these big conventions all over the world. So many people. Tens of thousands of people. And they know the lines. They know so many details about these movies. It’s incredible.”
What do you remember about playing Trash?
“That makeup. They tried so many ways to get it right. One version cracked, another would drip off. I remember this one time getting into a producer’s fancy new car and leaving white smears all over. I also remember being cold a lot. You know, zombie movies tend to shoot at night where it’s cold in California. We had a rain machine. So I was wet and cold for hours.”
Do you ever hear rumors of a remake?
“No, not really. I don’t think Return of the Living Dead is something you can remake. It just has a charm that comes from the time and the place it when it was made. I don’t think you can easily recreate that.”
What was your reaction the first time you watched Return of the Living Dead?
“I thought it was great. The Tar Man looked so fantastic. It was such a good looking film. Dan [O’Bannon] worked his butt off, we all did, and it showed.
Aside from about 100 films, you’ve written three books, and recorded two albums?
“I did. It’s been wild. You look back, and it’s like, whoa, I’ve done stuff. A lot of stuff. And it’s been great.
You do work for PETA as well?
“Yes, for a long time now. I’ve probably been involved with them since the late 80s.”
What’s next for you?
“I’m working on a few projects now. None of which I can talk about as of yet. But I look forward to when all that stuff is ready for people to enjoy.”
20th Century FOX dropped the first trailer to THE PREDATOR Thursday morning.
About the film: From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black’s explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.
The film is directed by Shane Black, from a script by Fred Dekker and Black, and stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey, and Yvonne Strahovski.
Netflix has done it again; Rick Moranis is confirmed to join Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas in Netflix’s SCTV comedy special, which is set for 2019. Now we have to wait! It’s going to be brutal.
To pass the time, watch the SCTV Office Christmas Party from 1981.
About the special: Martin Scorsese will direct the untitled Netflix original comedy special exploring the enduring legacy of Emmy-winning sketch comedy show SCTV.
The Canadian classic SCTV aired for six seasons between 1976 and 1984, quickly becoming one of pop culture’s touchstone comedies. The series’ stars include some of the most beloved and celebrated names in laughter, including the late John Candy and Harold Ramis.
Moranis starred alongside Dave Thomas in Strange Brew, based on the SCTV characters Canada’s most famous hosers, Bob and Doug McKenzie. This was Moranis’ feature film debut.
Sebastian Lelio’s adaptation of Naomi Alderman’s novel Disobedience is a scintillating tale of societal repression and the awakening one has when they are finally allowed to feel without judgment
While this is Lelio’s first English-language feature, it will likely go down as the best feature of his directorial career. Gloria and A Fantastic Woman indeed did receive their fair share of acclaim, but Disobediencereaches new heights based in part on the powerhouse performances given by Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams. The film’s triumph is how its narrative resonates with us all. Who among us hasn’t felt the need to be accepted at least once in our lives? Lelio’s film examines the crippling effects of living a lie and the freedom of being true to yourself.
The narrative centers on Ronit (Weisz), a photographer who receives word her father — a rabbi played by Anton Lesser — has passed away. Ronit is emotionally stunted, and rather than dealing with her grief head-on, she indulges in a mix of binge drinking, smoking and hooking-up in a bathroom stall. Quickly, she heads home to London where she’s greeted by Dovid (Alessandro Nivola), who was being groomed to take over for her father upon his retirement. He’s stunned to see Ronit leaving some suspicion about her past. The community is not very welcoming towards the rabbi’s daughter but is willing to allow her to pay respects. Alas, Ronit’s world is rocked when Dovid’s wife, Esti (McAdams), walks into the room. Esti and Ronit are initially presented as childhood friends, but it becomes apparent rather quickly that they are much more.
Weisz and McAdams are riveting together and exude such chemistry. It’s hard not to be wrapped up in the storyline. Ronit is the salvation Esti longs for. Both are part of a community which is dominated by religion and where people who know their role in it thrive. Weisz projects such confidence onscreen but, in the blink of an eye, can pivot into a vulnerable state. McAdams comes across as a tortured soul onscreen. She knows her role in the community is to be a dutiful wife tending to Dovid’s needs, but living up to these standards has left her dead inside. The True Detective alum makes excellent use of silence demonstrating this death.
Writers Sebastian Lelio and Rebecca Lenkiewicz have crafted a narrative which is incredibly nuanced and beautifully captures the crushing pressure of conformity. Dovid is on the verge of ascending into an influential role and has trouble understanding why Enit desires a different life. On the one hand, he’s a religious man and wants to show kindness, but he doesn’t want it to be at the expense of his life. McAdams’ character knows what she wants but also clings to the predictability of her life.
Director of Photography Danny Cohen uses darker tones to capture the rollercoaster of emotions which Disobedience brings. Cohen uses the camera to pan across Ronit and Esti, creating the illusion of someone following closely behind them. Composer Matthew Herbert’s score captures the sublime tones of the film which beautifully enhances the theme of the film.
Overall, Disobedience has a powerful message which indeed is applicable today. Lelio doesn’t seek to give this story a happy ending but does manage to show the impact love can have on us all.
Bayley’s not NXT Women’s Champion anymore. She lost to a newbie and can’t seem to get her hands back on that coveted belt. She’s viewed as a veteran in the NXT Women’s Division, and she thinks that means that she’s a has-been. She hasn’t made it to the main roster yet, and her disappointment and lack of self-confidence is starting to show. The crowd seems to think she’s on her way up, but Bayley isn’t convinced. Will she finally get her big break at Battleground?
Dennis Hopeless takes us through Bayley’s thoughts as she’s watching her dreams slip through her fingers. Her inner struggle is real, and Hopeless’s inner dialogue makes Bayley seem “a little doe-eyed.” His story makes a want so much more for Bayley.
BOOM! Studios – WWE #17
ART
For another month, Kendall Goode steps in to draw a few pages of this story. The different art is noticeable, and I tend to like Serg Acuna’s artwork on this book better. However, Goode’s oddly-shaped panels with an almost fish-eye-lens look to the action sequences from NXT TakeOver are fun and fast-paced, typical of an NXT match.
Doug Garbark’s color choices are perfect for this story. The pinks, purples, and pastel tones are fitting for the Bayley saga.
SIDE STORY
Asuka’s finally joining Team Red and is heading to RAW. Her debut is scheduled, and she’s ready to go. But first, a quick stop at the Performance Center puts her face to face with Tini Howard’s favorite superstar, Finn Balor. It was also a nice touch to have her mingle with Shield brothers Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins, with Roman Reigns tucked in the background. (For those who don’t follow WWE storylines, the Shield were the poster boys of the TLC Pay Per View until Reigns was sidelined with the mumps just days before the event.) Hyoenjin Kim’s artwork flawlessly captures the petite scowl of The Goddess Alexa Bliss and the grandeur of The Empress of Tomorrow.
CONCLUSION
Bayley’s story has come to an end, but really it’s just her beginning. She continues to do great things on the WWE main roster, and there ain’t no stoppin’ her now!
Boom! Studios imprint Archaia continues its record of creating comics based on the Jim Henson Company properties with the release of a new mini-series based on the popular 1980s show Fraggle Rock, and just in time to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Will this truly help to grab a new generation of fans?
Mokey isn’t acting like herself, and it has her friends worried. Can they find a way to reignite their friend’s love of art?
Writing
Growing up as a child in the 80s, there were some things which were unavoidable. One of those was Saturday morning programming. At one time or another, both the original series and animated cartoon version of Fraggle Rock ran and offered fans of the Muppets an enjoyable experience which was educational, but not as heavy-handed in its delivery as Sesame Street. Now, with the release of a comic based on the classic series, many are hopeful this will help new fans experience the joy which came from going down to Fraggle Rock. Does the book succeed?
Fans of the show have little to worry about. Writer Jared Cullum offers a charming short story which doesn’t take a lot of knowledge about the characters to enjoy. The reader need only sit back and relax to get into the swing of it all. It’s not a complicated story, but Fraggle Rock doesn’t need to be. All the series had to feature was fun creatures exploring a world and helping someone to learn a good lesson. This book delivers these elements and more in just a short amount of time.
Artwork
The art Jared Cullum creates for this issue is inspirational. The use of a watercolor art style is often hard to present properly in comics without the execution being a distraction. Here, Collum’s work shapes the world of Fraggle Rock almost like a fusion between the live-action and the animated series. It features a textured look which truly leaves a lasting impression.
The use of lettering by Mike Fiorentino helps to deliver an animated performance which makes the comic feel more like the Saturday Morning cartoon. The characters deliver lines which produce so much comedy; you can hear the joke resonate in your head after reading it.
Conclusion
This series is perfect for fans of the original series but not too complex it will turn off newcomers. If you are a Muppet fanatic, you owe it to yourself to check out this issue. Fraggle Rock will truly help you dance your cares away.
