New ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald’ Images Released

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December 6, 2017

Last month Warner Bros. debuted the first look at the cast of the upcoming Fantastic Beasts sequel and officially announced that the film is titled Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. Today, Entertainment Weekly has released two first-look images from the movie, one of which gives us an incredible look at the film’s hero, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), while the other delivers a behind-the-scenes look at Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law on set.

More – Breaking: FANTASTIC BEASTS 2 Title And First Look Revealed

In the first image, Redmayne’s Newt Scamander in what appears to be an underground sewer system, accompanied by his iconic suitcase. The character seems to be in a rather troubling situation, as his attention is firmly fixed on something off camera. Could the magizoologist/wizard be looking at a frightening new beast?

As for the second image, we get an amazing look at Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law behind-the-scenes of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, which is currently filming in London. Of course, Jude Law will be introduced in the second Fantastic Beasts movie as a younger interpretation of the infamous Albus Dumbledore, and while this doesn’t give us a new look at the actor in costume, it’s great to see these two getting along on set.

EW has also revealed an exciting interview with the film’s director David Yates, who briefly discusses the tone of the sequel. Yates who also directed four of the Harry Potter movies promises that the second instalment of the Fantastic Beasts franchise will “surprise” a lot of people and will have a significantly darker and grittier feel.

“The first film had a level of whimsy; the characters felt like children in grown-up bodies. In this movie, it gets grittier and more nuanced and detailed. It’s quite a romantic film, it’s a thriller, it’s quite an interesting combination of genres you rarely see together. I think it will surprise people.”

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald stars Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, and Claudia Kim. The film is scheduled for release on November 16, 2018.

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

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Five Favorite Films from 1979: The Year I Was Born

By

Kimberly Cook

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December 6, 2017

I went to my 20-year high school reunion last month. (When the hell did I get so old?) While I was flooded with nostalgia, I thought about how we’d rent VHS tapes at the local video store. These friends influenced my fascination with comic book movies, science fiction, comedy, action, and everything in between.

I learned at a fairly young age that some of the best movie franchises were born in 1979, as was I. These revolutionary franchises would change the world of cinema and stand the test of time by producing sequels, prequels, and reboots even today.

1. Alien

A perfect marriage of horror and science fiction, this flick has one of the most gruesome and famous special effect moments in cinematic history. The alien protruding from Kane’s chest stands out as one of the most recognizable moments in pop culture.

The spawn of three sequels, two prequels, a tie-in with another sci-fi classic Predator, books, comics, and video games makes this arguably one of the most successful movie franchises of all time.

2. Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Going from the television screen to the movie screen is never easy, and it was a bit of a rough transition for Star Trek. Drama with the development of the movie, script rewrites, and missed deadlines make it sound like the Solo: A Star Wars Story and Justice League nightmares we’re living today.

This film was able to kick off more successful Star Trek movies, and was consequently the necessary evil beginning. It definitely wasn’t the best of the series; I mean, come on… the villain is a cloud!

3. The Muppet Movie

Our favorite variety show puppets made their feature film debut with a cross-country trip filled with mishaps and giggles. Muppets are known for breaking the fourth wall, silly humor, human cameos, and catchy musical numbers all wrapped up in a family-friendly package.

The Muppets brought us seven more stand-alone flicks that bring the kid out in all of us. One of the first movies I ever remember going to see in a theater was Muppets Take Manhattan.

4. Rocky II

After the first movie ended in a draw, Rocky contemplates retirement, while Apollo wants a rematch. Filled with the struggles of money, fame, health, love, and family, it tugs at your heart strings. There’s enough action, though, to make it a film for everyone.

Rocky was solidified as a franchise with this film. Yes, it was a great sequel, but it left you wanting more. Stallone and crew would deliver. With seven movies under its belt and more to come, it doesn’t seem like anything can keep Mr. Balboa down.

5. Moonraker

James Bond pictures are timeless and stands as one of the highest continually-running movie franchises in history. While they focus on the one main character, they hold solid story lines that stand tall by themselves. And, let’s not forgot the traditional “Bond Girl” who always has a name that would make my grandmother blush.

Ok, so it’s probably the cheesiest out of all of the Bond films. But, the timing was understandable. The next movie was intended to be For Your Eyes Only, but the rise of the sci-fi phenomenon changed producers’ minds. Hence, Moonraker was shot instead.

Click here to see more great movies from 1979!

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Review: Clark Kent Becomes The Lord Of Apokolips In SUPERMAN #36

By

Jose "Jody" Cardona

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It’s been a very strange trip back to Apokolips. After Lex Luthor is kidnapped by Apokoliptians, Superman and his family are transported to the planet as well. While Superman is left with Lex, Lois ends up joining the Female Furies, evil warriors who served Darkseid faithfully. When the two protectors of Metropolis are about to be killed by Kalibak, the Furies swoop in to defend them, creating a divide in Apokolips’ forces. If this doesn’t feel like a civil war yet, an unexpected ally comes to help Superman and Lois: their son, Jon, with a pack of Hunger Dogs. How will this all end?

**MAJOR SPOILERS!**

Story:

Two sides of Apokolips enter a war over the new lord of Apokolips, Lex Luthor, and the Kents are stuck in the center. This Apokoliptian civil war could have been an amazing story arc, but since it has been packed into this one issue, it’s confusing. You don’t know where which Apokoliptian stands as they each take turns attacking the Kents. By the end, you feel it’s less of a war with weight on whoever wins and more of your run of the mill comic fight. This doesn’t mean it’s terrible, but it ends up being underwhelming.

The characters have grown to act like themselves since the beginning of the arc and it shows here. Superman returns to acting like the beacon of hope, Lois stays a badass, and Lex is self-indulgent. It feels right to see the characters act like themselves after this journey. There is one character, however, that did act out of character. A character more important than even Superman: Apokolips itself.

The problematic ending:

While the storyline itself has had several downsides, the ending the story provides is impossible considering the history of Apokolips. Superman has the more dubious Apokoliptians, such as Granny Goodness and Kalibak, imprisoned before proceeding to release the slaves and having doctors begin to support them. As Superman leaves, it’s implied that Apokolips will enter an age of hope and prosperity. The problem is that we have seen this promise before in different stories and it NEVER HAPPENS. Apokolips is meant to be this dark place that can never be changed, despite the motives.

An example of this is seen in Superman: The Animated Series in the third season episode “Legacy” in the year 2000. The episode involves a battle between Superman and Darkseid, which the Man of Steel wins. He tells the slaves of Apokolips they are free, but they go and tend to Darkseid’s wounds as their master. Despite being free, they choose to be enslaved. The reason for this is because the Apokoliptians are used to the darkness of their world. The people of Apokolips will always go back to the way things are.

Art:

The art itself was actually pretty well done, but it had that same fault it has had since the first chapter. That’s right, the weird faces are back! While not as distracting as when they first appeared, there are still some bizarre facial expressions. The rest of the characters’ appearances were well done, with creative looks for Lois’ Fury armor and the Hunger Dogs.

Conclusion:

While not as bad as it could have been, the ending to the Imperius Lex storyline ends up failing to create a sense of change to the DC Universe. It feels as if DC just wanted the story of Lex becoming Lord of Apokolips to go away, but couldn’t think of a more epic way to accomplish it. Not the worst, but not the best, this story ends as it began: average.

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BATMAN #36 Focuses On The Most Epic Friendship In All Of Comics

By

Manuel Gomez

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Batman and Superman. They have fought side by side. They have fought each other. But are they friends? Bruce Wayne is now engaged and the question of how much that will affect his personal life might find it’s first answer in how the news is delivered to Clark Kent. It’s a situation that will force both men to question the nature of their relationship with each other, a situation that may also lead to the most epic double date in all DCU history.

Batman #36
‘Super Friends’ Part 1
Written by: Tom King
Art by: Clay Mann
Inks By: Clay Mann & Seth Mann
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Clayton Cowles

Writing

It’s been a while since I reviewed this title, but I never stopped reading it. However this issue was such a joy to read, I HAD to say a few words. Tom King has once again changed lanes to reveal yet another aspect of Bruce Wayne; the friend. Over the years, Superman has had a complicated relationship with Batman. Both men are polar opposites in a way, but their need to serve a greater good has always been common ground. What King does here is use that as a way to show us how these two iconic characters view each other. It’s a narrative tool that has been used before (specifically in Jeph Loeb’s Superman/Batman comic from years ago) but King adds a layer by bringing in Catwoman and Lois Lane into the mix. So now we have four relationships being explored, and all four characters get added dimensions. There is genuine chemistry among all of them, and it is just a pure joy to read. There are many moments that made me smile, with Lois Lane introducing herself to Catwoman with an awkward handshake being my favorite. But not only is this issue filled with moments like that, it’s also peppered with some solid action scenes. Again the feeling here is pure joy.

Art

Clay Mann and Seth Mann draw some great classic superhero images in this issue. Everything is clean and striking. But it is Jordie Bellaire’s colors that put the final seal on the package. The texture and palette help to ground the bombastic nature of the art, allowing some of the more subdued and quiet tones of the story to come through. It’s a nice balancing act and it works.

Clayton Cowles does some nice work with the lettering. There’s a subtle difference in everyone’s font in their word balloons and there are also some nice, classic comic book ‘sound effects’ too.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, this was one of the most enjoyable issues for me of the year. It may not be the most complex Batman story King has written, but it’s one that feels equally necessary to tell. Batman and Superman are two of the biggest icons in comics and exploring that relationship always makes for good storytelling.

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Attention DC Comics Editors: The Male Gaze In BATMAN #36 Is Brutal

By

Matthew Sardo

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December 6, 2017

Comic book writer Tom King pushed Batman into new territory with the engagement of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, but the lack of respect for Catwoman in Batman #36 proves the creative and editorial staff have some work to do.

If you read Batman #36 as a stand-alone issue, it’s not that obvious of a problem. Catwoman is just being Catwoman. But! If you read the previous issue where Selina fights Talia al Ghul, the conversation within the book about relationships was real and profound. Joëlle Jones’s artwork on the issue was brilliant with a strong focus on the eyes as the action unfolded. The heroes and villains looked the part but weren’t over-the-top in appearance. Selina and Talia have sex appeal in the form of Olympic athletes, not strippers about to take the main stage at Mons Venus.

Now, look at Clay Mann’s Catwoman.

From a different angle.

The two-page conversation in the Bat Cave between Batman and Catwoman is so male gaze centric it’s disruptive to the rest of the story. Every artist has a style, and as a fan of the medium, I want to every artist push the envelope as far as possible. This is not Mann’s fault; there is a whole creative staff on the book. Jaime S. Rich is the editor, with Maggie Howell assisting, Tom King wrote the script, Jordie Bellaire worked on colors. Someone on the staff needed to step up and say we can do better than this. We all come from different backgrounds and have different experiences. It’s okay to tap an artist on the shoulder and say, “a little less male gaze on this panel.” Having that conversation is how we grow.

Mann is an amazing artist and with Tom King and company, they put together a great book… except for two panels. If DC Comics believes that Catwoman is Batman’s equal, it needs to start treating her like an equal.

If you have an opinion about this conversation, comment below.

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Alex Proyas Agrees With Universe, Thinks Remaking THE CROW is a Bad Idea

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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December 6, 2017

Alex Proyas is just as fed up with the story of The Crow remake as you are.

The director of the original film, starring the late Brandon Lee in his final role – and the one that killed him after a prop gun malfunction – had some piping hot takes on the repeated attempts to resurrect The Crow for a new franchise. Proyas took to his Facebook page and posted this:

THE CROW would not be a movie worth “remaking” if it wasn’t for Brandon Lee. If it wasn’t for Brandon you may never have even heard of this poignant little underground comic. It is Brandon’s movie. I believe it is a special case where Hollywood should just let it remain a testament to a man’s immense talent and ultimate sacrifice – and not have others re-write that story or add to it. I know sequels were made, and TV shows, and what have you, but the notion of “rebooting” this story, and the original character – a character Brandon gave life to at too high a cost – seems wrong to me.

Please let this remain Brandon’s film.

It’s something I seriously doubt any Hollywood suit has thought about. The Crow means something to Alex Proyas, for better or worse, and it means something to him that Brandon Lee remains the final iteration of this character.

The Crow was no more than a middling success in the 90s, boosted by the tragedy surrounding it, but over the last 20 years it’s finally reached an elevated cult status for fans of the genre. These never ending threats from studios (the property now belongs to Sony, though that could change) to remake this movie are feeling more and more cynical as the next announcement come along.

Sometimes, the best thing to do is do nothing at all.

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YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE Trailer: Joaquin Phoenix is a Killer With a Cause

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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December 6, 2017

It is difficult to describe You Were Never Really Here, Lynne Ramsay’s new intense-looking thriller, in just a headline. Joaquin Phoenix plays a man suffering from PTSD and taking out said suffering in some brutal ways. But on the “bad guys” it seems.

This first trailer sinks its hooks into early on. See for yourself:

A traumatized veteran, unafraid of violence, tracks down missing girls for a living. When a job spins out of control, Joe’s nightmares overtake him as a conspiracy is uncovered leading to what may be his death trip or his awakening.

It looks incredible, at least to this reporter. The story very clearly travels into some of the darkest corners of the thriller genre. Add in Jonny Greenwood as the composer, and Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin) no doubt leaning in on the dread, and you have my money.

You Were Never Really Here was a hit at Cannes; Phoenix won best actor, and Ramsay won best screenplay (from a book by John Ames). Aside from Phoenix, the film stars Ekaterina Samsonov, the great character actor Alessandro Nivola (The Neon Demon), and a collection of relative unknowns. It opens April 6, and should be a real crowd pleaser.

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JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM Behind-The-Scenes Featurette Released

By

Kieran McLean

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December 6, 2017

As the world patiently awaits the first official trailer, Universal Pictures has dropped a behind-the-scenes featurette for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Giving us our best look yet at J.A. Bayona’s Jurassic World sequel, this featurette explores the history of the Jurassic Park movies and the new direction that J.A. Bayona is taking the iconic franchise.

More – Here’s the Baffling Synopsis for JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM

Of course, the featurette also shows off some excellent looking new footage, including a few intense and undeniably scary moments for Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire and Chris Pratt’s Owen.

Watch the featurette below:

Directed by J.A. Bayona, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Daniella Pineda, B.D. Wong, Ted Levin, Toby Jones, and James Cromwell. The film will also see the return of Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm, who hasn’t appeared in the franchise for over 20 years.

“Directed by J.A. Bayona, the sequel — set several years after 2015’s billion-dollar smash Jurassic World — concerns a volcano on Isla Nublar that threatens the dinosaurs that had overrun the park at the end of the previous film. Who has the best shot at preventing the prehistoric beasts from becoming extinct (again)? That would be Chris Pratt’s dino trainer Owen Grady and Bryce Dallas Howard’s former park manager Claire Dearing.”

Are you excited for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom? Let us know in the comment section!

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THE NEW MUTANTS Film Gets A Stylish and Creepy New Poster

By

Manuel Gomez

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December 6, 2017

A new poster for the upcoming film adaptation of The New Mutants was released on Twitter yesterday. You can see the image below.

The only thing you have to fear… is yourself. #NewMutants pic.twitter.com/e1zkWcfuL6

— New Mutants (@NewMutantsFilm) December 5, 2017

The official synopsis describes:

Held in a secret facility against their will, five new mutants have to battle the dangers of their powers, as well as the sins of their past. They aren’t out to save the world — they’re just trying to save themselves.

The cast includes Maisie Williams as Wolfsbane, Anna Taylor-Joy as Magik, Charlie Heaton as Cannonball, and Henry Zaga as Sunspot. New Mutants is due out in theaters April 13, 2018.

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THE SHAPE OF WATER Review: An Eye Popping, Enchanting Tale

By

Dewey Singleton - Film Critic

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A powerful performance from Sally Hawkins and an incredible, engaging narrative help make The Shape Of Water a phenomenal film.

Summary

Our story centers around Eliza Esposito (Sally Hawkins), who lives in an apartment above a stylish movie theater. Even though Esposito is mute, her eyes and expressions show off her playful side. Most of her life is rote, but Hawkins character always seems to find solace in the simple things. At night she’s working on a janitorial crew at a government secret lab with friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer).

One night she’s taken aback by a delivery which ends up being an amphibian-like creature, one would have to suspect Guillermo Del Toro’s take on the Creature from The Black Lagoon, played by Doug Jones. They immediately start a bond over music, and her endless demonstrations of kindness win him over. Eventually, they fall for each other but danger lurks as a government agent – played by Michael Shannon at his sneering best – desires to dissect the very person that means the world to Eliza.

What Worked

Taking the storyline from The Creature From The Black Lagoon and tweaking it was a wonderful surprise. Often we see the cryptid as the pursuer but in this case, it’s Hawkins character.

Hawkins performance is marvelous. She exudes such compassion and kindness on screen. In Del Toro’s fairy tale, Esposito is the princess looking for her prince charming. While it’s easy to assume that the film is about our cryptid’s, but in reality, it’s about Eliza’s awakening. Her transformation from a woman whose life is dominated by routine and silence to a world full of love and possibility is the thread woven throughout this touching tale.

Del Toro and co-writer Vanessa Taylor have crafted a delicious tale that’s haunting yet exhilarating at the same time. This quite possibly could be the best-written piece of Del Toro’s career.

The film walks a fine line in the tone it seeks to set. At times we are treated to gruesome images of metaphorically rotting fingers on the hand of Shannon’s character, then we pivot to dazzling shots of Esposito embracing in the water with her newfound love.

The Shape Of Water delves deep into themes such as good vs evil and the impact of science. While good vs evil isn’t a foreign theme in any number of fairy tales, what was compelling is its commentary on science. Del Toro appears to be asking when does decency supersede science. Shannon’s character is brutally mauling the cryptid all in the interest of discovery. Is the possibility of finding something out scientifically enough to justify any action?

Dan Laustsen’s cinematography captures all the magic of the film’s gorgeous production design. Lausten’s use of a vibrant color palette accentuates the character’s surroundings as well.

Alexandre Desplat’s score is a revelation. His use of three different parts – the use of piano and what sounds like a harmonica gives it a spooky tone which eventually morphs into something special.

Overall

The Shape Of Water is easily one of the ten best films of 2017. Del Toro’s bold direction has a resulted in a tale that can resonate with anyone, in any situation. Hawkins will certainly be nominated for her performance as will Del Toro and Taylor for their writing. Anyone who is going to the theater this weekend should make this a priority.

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