I don’t think we need to worry about Deadpool 2 not being as funny as the original. 20th Century Fox has released the very first teaser trailer for Deadpool 2, which features Ryan Reynolds’ Merc doing a pretty impressive Bob Ross impersonation. Worry not, the teaser also gives us a brief look at the actual movie, including new footage of Deadpool, Domino, and Blind Al in action.
It’s great to see that Fox and Reynolds will work to create a marketing campaign that is equally as entertaining as the first films. If this is any indication of what’s to come, I can only imagine what the first official trailer will look like.
Watch the teaser below:
Possibly even funnier than the teaser itself, 20th Century Fox has revealed a hilarious synopsis for Deadpool 2, which crowns the infamous Merc as a disfigured cafeteria chef, a hot bartender, and the world’s best lover. Check out the synopsis below:
After surviving a near-fatal bovine attack, a disfigured cafeteria chef (Wade Wilson) struggles to fulfill his dream of becoming Mayberry’s hottest bartender while also learning to cope with his lost sense of taste. Searching to regain his spice for life, as well as a flux capacitor, Wade must battle ninjas, the yakuza, and a pack of sexually aggressive canines, as he journeys around the world to discover the importance of family, friendship, and flavor – finding a new taste for adventure and earning the coveted coffee mug title of World’s Best Lover.
UPDATE:After a good night’s rest and some time away from the film I have additional thoughts. Scroll to the bottom.
‘Justice League’ is the first DC Extended Universe film where the audience can smile for all the right reasons, and leave with a twinge of anticipation moving forward.
Is ‘Justice League’ a flawed film? Yes.
Does ‘Wonder Woman’ have a more cohesive story? Yes.
That being said, what ‘Justice League’ brings to the table is a complete philosophical change to the DCEU. As comic book fans, we have an understanding of what makes a good adaptation. For comic book films, it’s the little details and the nods to other characters that can elevate average superhero movie. It’s the comic book formula; the reader wants a complete story, but they want to be compelled to buy the next issue. The dire need to read the next issue right now is part of what makes the medium of comics great.
The same can be said for the Heroic Age of film. With ‘Justice League,’ 15-minutes into the movie I wanted to see ‘Justice League 2’, maybe even more. The plot is simple: put the Justice League together, defeat the powerful bad guy, and set up the further adventures. Snyder’s film (with a hefty assist from Joss Whedon) executes just about every place in the playbook. Just about.
You don’t even need to watch the first films to understand and enjoy ‘Justice League,’ (which some might see as a relief). It would be an injustice not to watch ‘Wonder Woman,’ but it isn’t required viewing. Warner Bros., Johns, and Whedon bring drastic changes to the DCEU here, and they economically bring a great deal of setup and payoff to the table time and time again.
‘Justice League Unlimited’ is the Standard in the comic book world when it comes to what it means to be a hero and part of a team.
‘Justice League’ feels like a two-part episode of ‘Justice League Unlimited,’ and that is the greatest compliment I could give.
Yeah, the film does have its flaws. Besides Wonder Woman, the costumes just don’t work. Ben Affleck looks like he’s wearing a muscle Bat Suit he bought from the Spirit Halloween store. The helmet on the Flash suit makes Ezra Miller look ridiculous in action. The Cyborg CGI is just a hot mess. Jason Momoa should have been shirtless throughout the entire movie, but they decided to put armor on him. ‘Project Runway’ would have cut the costume designer in week one. Yet, all the actors handled their characters well enough to where the costume issues didn’t take you out completely.
Steppenwolf looks so much better than Ares from ‘Wonder Woman,’ but it’s still a giant CGI monster that serves as a massive disconnect between the audience from the film. We get lost in the green-screen muck that plagues the palette of these movies.
The simple plot, bad costumes, and CGI mess aren’t enough to take away from the successful accomplishment: it’s entertaining. In football, they call this an ugly win. But a win is a win. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and Superman did just enough to make this the best DCEU film to date. The Dark Reign is over!
Update
The beginning of the film sets the tone of this “reboot.” The cellphone footage of kids interviewing Superman establishes right away that this is a film about hope, not darkness. Danny Elfman’s Batman theme connects ‘Justice League’ more to Tim Burrton’s ‘Batman’ than Snyder’s ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ Elfman’s score also connects the viewer to ‘Batman: The Animated Series.’ These are all good things.
There is also a tone of racism that mimics the current administration’s stance on immigration. This one scene reaffirms the need for heroes today, more than ever.
Civilians are mentioned and saved! Wonder Woman has a great opening scene defending innocent lives from a terrorist group in Paris. How Snyder and Whedon interpret, her power is simply incredible.
Ezra Miller and his facial expressions as The Flash are the highlights of the film. The is one aspect of the film where the actor, directors, and story are all on the same page.
The most significant and brightest tonal shift is the color of Superman’s suit. It’s only a slight difference, but that bright blue is iconic and inspirational.
Who knows, I might have more thoughts on film tomorrow. Stay tuned.
After you see ‘Justice League’ on the big screen, come back and leave your review in the comment section below. Thanks for reading!
Fleeting moments of entertainment in ‘Justice League’ can’t make up for a poorly constructed storyline and a lack of chemistry between Affleck and Gadot.
Summary
Our tale picks up following the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice with Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) actively recruiting other individuals with abilities to form an alliance. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) has joined Bruce in this endeavor as they both fear a greater enemy might be coming. They seek out Arthur Curry (Aquaman played by Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), and The Flash (Ezra Miller) in the hopes that this team of heroes can hold off any threat. However, when the enemy reveals himself to Steppenwolf (voiced by Ciarán Hinds) this proves to be too much for these five, and the one person who could help is deceased.
What Worked
Miller’s performance was one of the highlights in the film. His naive nature and continually being awestruck as he stood next to this band of heroes was at times entertaining.
Momoa stood out to me as well. He portrayed Aquaman with the perfect mix of bad ass and immaturity. At this point, Momoa’s character hasn’t ascended to the throne of Atlantis. However, he is set up to have quite a compelling storyline down the road.
Bringing in Danny Elfman was a great decision. He brought his unique sound to the film but still managed to mix in familiar scores like the one from Batman. Loved the upbeat tones he used anytime The Flash was using speed force.
What Didn’t Work
The way the writers brought back Superman was anti-climatic. His return should have been this memorable moment, but it ended up being forgettable.
The film’s narrative is a complete mess. Instead of being invested in who the villain is and the type of hell they wish to bring upon us all, it was another ho-hum moment. At times the film tended to skip from one story chunk to another without allowing the story to flow. Part of what made Wonder Woman so fantastic was how invested we were in Diana’s quest. A great story is one that builds and isn’t rushed.
Steppenwolf was a forgettable villain. Nothing memorable about him and this film needed a strong bad guy.
Why were Gotham and Metropolis bathed in dark colors? If there’s an uglier looking film in 2017, I would be surprised.
The use of slow motion during the fight sequence was way overused. Not every fight needs a slow-motion sequence.
There’s little chemistry between Affleck and Gadot in the film. Even during the film’s more heated moments, it appears they are going through the motions. While Gadot stole the show in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice it wasn’t in her interactions with Affleck which stood out.
Overall
While Justice League has moments where the film is entertaining, the poor writing and odd pacing of the film doomed the final product. If anyone in your family is a hardcore fan of DC comics, they might be willing to overlook these flaws. However, with the price of a movie ticket these days, investing in a film that’s this mediocre doesn’t seem to be a wise choice.
After a lot of rumors and speculation it appears as if the Super Mario Bros. will finally be returning to the big screen. For those who are unaware this is a very significant event. After the poor reception of the live action film in 1993, Nintendo has been very cautious about their properties getting film adaptations. Rumors have popped up over the years about The Legend of Zelda and Metroid getting adaptations but these did not come to light. With a new film announced, the adaptation has a lot of riding on it and fans are well aware if things don’t go right, it may be another two decades before another attempt is made.
With the new Super Mario Brothers movie, the film will have to make sure it doesn’t repeat the mistakes of its predecessor. Here are a few essential elements which need to take place in the upcoming adaptation which should help lead the film towards success.
Narrative
First off let’s talk about the story and plot. One of the biggest problems with a Super Mario Bros. movie is how much mythology the characters have to pull from. On top of the regular Super Mario Bros. games with their shear craziness and mayhem, the characters have also been Go-Karting, participated in the Olympics, and played every sport under the sun with their friends, rivals, and associates. The main concepts to stick to should include The Mushroom Kingdom, the fantastic creatures which populate it, and how it’s filled with fantastic items which allow the two plumbers from Brooklyn to do amazing feats. Speaking of Brooklyn…
One of the biggest problems with the first live action film was how it tried to tie everything back to reality. The film opened in Brooklyn and then spent the first third introducing the fantastic concepts from the games with a bizarre mixture of technology and magic. The new movie needs to open on Mario and Luigi already in the Mushroom Kingdom where flying turtles, bullets with eyes, and flying airships are the norm. A quick flashback showing how the brothers came to the kingdom can be shown but it shouldn’t be a major part of the film. They are plumbers from Brooklyn, they have to save the day, and this new world is full of magic. Keep it simple and move on.
The Characters
The movie needs to focus on four main characters: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. Trying to sandwich in anymore characters of major importance will distract from the plot. Sure the film can feature Toad, Toadette, and even Yoshi as long as they don’t take a lot of time to introduce them. It would also help if Bowser’s second in command were a Magikoopa to help keep the theme of magic constant in the film. The Koopa kids shouldn’t make an appearance (at least not more than a mention or cameo) as they will too many characters to the line up.
For the characters, let’s start with the man with the red hat. Mario over the years has essentially become not only Luigi’s but everyone’s big brother. The character needs to help carry the film by showcasing how everything in the Kingdom is strange and foreign but not unconquerable. A storyline about his height (as the games have always shown him to be shorter than a lot of the other characters) and how it doesn’t stop him from doing what he wants to do would serve as a great moral message for the younger audience.
Luigi through the old animated series and his Luigi Mansion games, has been showed to a lovable coward. He is willing to go on adventures and risk his life for others but he can’t do it without a high pitch scream every so often. He will serve as the film’s comic relief but he will also be the one the audience will have their eyes on to see what hijink he gets into.
Princess Peach, though she will no doubt be kidnaped by Bowser, needs to showcase she is more than the damsel in distress. She needs to be portrayed as an individual who is using her power and authority to help the little people. For the movie show her nursing her citizens back to health, helping to feed the starving, and definitively spell out how the Kingdom would be in terrible condition without her presence
Bowser is going to be tricky. He needs to have a perfect balance of evil and comical. He goes around in a flying airship, kidnapping royalty, and turning people into stone but make him too dark and it won’t feel like him at all. Also, he can’t simply be evil. A reason must be given for why he insists Peach will be an essential part of making his plan (whatever it is) a reality.
Conclusion
So those are some basic guidelines for the new Super Mario Brothers movie. If the person reading this is a member of the studio behind its creation, please don’t hesitate to contact us for input. Monkeys Fighting Robots is always happy to help ensure any geek property gets the proper attention it deserves.
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What would you like to see happen in a Super Mario Brothers movie? Leave a comment below and let us know.
There are many things about Quentin Tarantino that set him apart from other filmmakers; but somewhere on that list, depending on your priorities, is QT’s ability to re-route actors’ careers via crafty casting choices. Travolta, Robert Forster and, to an extent, Kurt Russell have been rejuvenated by the dude. Now it might be Tom Cruise’s turn.
According to Deadline, the stumbling former megastar is in talks to join Tarantino’s Charles Manson Movie That Is Not Really A Charles Manson Movie. He hasn’t agreed to anything, not even close, and the entire world surrounding the director’s ninth feature film are buzzing.
He is being wined and dined by studios all over Hollywood, studios eager to fill the void left by the Weinstein tragedy. Here’s how Deadline couched the news:
Tarantino has spoken with [Cruise] to play one of two lead male roles. He joins Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in that small circle, but it is entirely unclear if all three will be in the movie, or two of them, or any of them, because much of that comes down to making a deal and scheduling.
Yes, very early in the proceedings, but exciting for any fans of Tom Cruise who remember what he used to be; back when he was balancing interesting blockbusters and prestige dramas with great filmmakers (or combing the two with De Palma and Mission: Impossible). These days, he reads like a disinterested passenger in his own career. Even American Made, where he showed a legitimate heartbeat, was too slight to resurrect Captain Scientology.
It would be cool to see what Quentin Tarantino would do with Tom Cruise, or to see how Cruise might handle Tarantino’s prose. That’s most definitely outside his comfort zone… so, he should probably jump at the opportunity.
There have been talks for a Deadwood revival for many years. Budget concerns are what led to the show’s cancellation in 2006. Since then fans have wanted the show to return. TVLine says sources have confirmed that a movie is in the works.
No green light yet, but HBO is looking to start production Fall 2018
At the Television Critics Association summer press tour, HBO’s Programming President, Casey Bloys, confirmed the news,
“The one thing that I was concerned about was I wanted a script that would stand on its own [for Deadwood fans and non-fans],” he said.
“[Series creator] David [Milch] totally delivered on that, he continued.
“I think it’s a terrific script. If we can do it on a budget that makes sense for us, and if we can get the cast together, we’re inclined to do it.”
The series ran for 3 seasons and won 8 Emmy awards. It starred Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, John Hawkes, Molly Parker, and Brad Dourif.
Steven Soderbergh is always looking for ways to reinvent this wheel he has been a spoke in for almost three decades. Whether it’s distribution, marketing, or the filmmaking structure itself, Soderbergh is more willing to try new things than just about anyone else on his level.
So of course, in the most Steven Soderbergh move, the director secretly shot a horror movie on his iPhone. And it will be released in theaters this coming March. It’s called Unsane and it stars Juno Temple, Claire Foy, Jay Pharoah, Amy Irving, and Aimee Mullins, and Soderbergh will be distributing this one on his own like he did with Logan Lucky.
That’s about all the information we have right now, other than Unsane will hit theaters March 23, 2018. The cast is an interesting mix; aside from former SNL impressions guru Pharoah here, the announced players are all female. Also any time Juno Temple is front and center of a film it’s worth noticing. She isn’t in nearly enough stuff, and she has the perfect look for horror cinema as either hero or villain.
This isn’t the first time a filmmaker has shot on an iPhone. Sean Baker turned his small street film Tangerine, shot exclusively on an iPhone, into a big(ger) budgeted drama with The Florida Project. The way this was done in secret with such a recognizable cast is a pretty sleek Soderbergh move. There is no more interesting auteur in the industry.
We’ll see what to make of Unsane when it arrives next spring.
Another day another Dwayne Johnson led movie. Via USA Today, we have our first look at the upcoming Rampage. Based on the 1980s arcade game, the film will see Johnson’s David Okoye take on a plethora of monsters.
Rampage joins the likes of Jumanji, Fast and Furious and G.I. Joe as franchises that task The Rock with bringing box office success and fun. The film will see Johnson team up with director Brad Peyton who directed him in the disaster film San Andreas.
To go along with the photos, Johnson let fans know that they should get excited to see their interpretation of the iconic game monsters:
“These monsters are relentless, and audiences are going to find that ride very exhilarating. As an actor in the movie, it’s fun and daunting. It’s 12- to 14-hour days of survival, and it’s not quiet survival either.”
He then discussed his love for movie monsters, something that may have enticed him to sign onto the film:
“As a character, I loved that position where I’m looking up and there’s nothing you can do but try to survive these three gigantic mutated monsters.”
Rampage stars Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Malin Åkerman, Joe Manganiello, Jake Lacy, Marley Shelton, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
The film will hit theaters April 20, 2018
Primatologist Davis Okoye (Johnson), a man who keeps people at a distance, shares an unshakable bond with George, the extraordinarily intelligent, silverback gorilla who has been in his care since birth. But a rogue genetic experiment gone awry mutates this gentle ape into a raging creature of enormous size. To make matters worse, it’s soon discovered there are other similarly altered animals. As these newly created alpha predators tear across North America, destroying everything in their path, Okoye teams with a discredited genetic engineer to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.
Recently, it was announced that Nintendo might be teaming up with Illumination Entertainment, the studio behind Minions, to create an animated Super Mario Bros. movie. As a lifelong Nintendo fan, I don’t see the point of this.
Now, from a business perspective, I totally get it. A Super Mario Bros. animated film has potential to make insane amount of money at the box office. However, as a fan, it annoys me that Nintendo has such a rich library of characters and neglects to use them for a film.
There are dozens of franchises that have better movie potential than Mario. Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Fire Emblem, and Xenoblade are all choices that have infinitely more to pull from. Super Mario Bros. is an incredible video game franchise, but that’s because it has continually stepped up its game.
Super Mario Odyssey is so well renowned because of its innovation within the series, along with its ability to let the player capture tons of new enemies. Additionally, its controls are incredibly fluid, making for an overall great experience. Narrative-wise, it is nothing special, and this is the fundamental problem when floating the idea of a Super Mario Bros. movie.
For a film to work, the characters and plot must be engaging, and whether fans like to admit it or not, that’s exactly where this franchise lacks. It’s constantly the damsel in distress story; Mario has to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. It works in the games because it takes a backseat to the fun gameplay. In a movie, the story and characters must be a point of emphasis. Given that this is where Mario is oftentimes unsuccessful, it makes me nervous that this is the film they’re working on first.
Video game movies already have a bad track record, and this news leads me to believe that the Super Mario Bros. movie will do nothing to break the trend.
Do you think this is a good idea, or would you rather see Nintendo make movies based off their other franchises? Comment below, let us know.
Jon Bernthal is quickly ascending the mountain of actors who immediately make everything better merely by their presence. Any time he appears, in whatever capacity, Bernthal lights up the screen with a sinister intensity that’s hard to imitate. He’s perfect for The Punisher, and he looks absolutely perfect in this Sweet Virginia trailer.
Sweet Virginia looks like a juicy, blood-soaked bit of pulpy noir storytelling, full of shadowy figures with even more shadowy motivations, gunplay, and gritty dialogue. Check out the trailer:
A former rodeo star, with a small time life, unknowingly starts a rapport with a young man who is responsible for the violence that has suddenly gripped his small town. Every character from his loved ones to his business patrons, plays a part in the unravelling of this community. Our aged hero must face his relationships of past and present to come up against this unpredictable predator.
Aside from Bernthal and Abbott, whose battle of wits and wills should be a sight to see for genre fans, Imogen Poots and the GREAT Rosemarie DeWitt also star in Sweet Virginia. It will hit VOD on November 17, just in time for you to roll right from The Punisher into this terrific-looking slice of pulp fiction.
