Kirsten Dunst’s latest film, Woodshock, comes to us from a pair of female fashion designers transitioning to filmmaking: Kate and Laura Mulleavy. And this first trailer for Woodshock is disorienting and dense and, yes, quite stylish.
Check it out here:
The exquisite feature film debut of visionary fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte), Woodshock is a hypnotic exploration of isolation, paranoia, and grief that exists in a dream-world all its own. Kirsten Dunst stars as Theresa, a haunted young woman spiralling in the wake of profound loss, torn between her fractured emotional state and the reality-altering effects of a potent cannabinoid drug. Immersive, spellbinding, and sublime, Woodshock transcends genre to become a singularly thrilling cinematic experience that marks the arrival of the Mulleavy siblings as a major new voice in film.
I’m not sure how responsible it is for a movie to make cannabis the ultimate evil here, especially these days. Maybe it isn’t, but judging from the synopsis it is. Anyway, this looks like a fascinating visual experience, and it’s always nice to see Dunst challenging herself in work that pushes the boundaries.
Woodshock stars relative unknowns outside Kirsten Dunst, except for the inclusion of Lorelei Linklater, Richard’s daughter from Boyhood. There is no firm release date for this one yet, so stay tuned.
A recent set photo from Avengers: Infinity War discovered by MCU News & Tweets shows a connection to 2015’s Age of Ultron and this year’s Thor: Ragnarok.
The statue seen on set was present in Age of Ultron, when Thor has a vision of Heimdall warning him about the fall of Asgard and their descent into Hel, ruled by Hela, who will be a primary antagonist in the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok.
Obviously, nothing has been confirmed by Marvel, so where this fits into the story is still a rumor at this point. For all we know, the statue could be included in another one of Thor’s visions, and will have no real repercussions.
Well, what do you think? Will Thor: Ragnarok be the major tie-in to Avengers: Infinity War? Sound off with your predictions in the comments below.
Avengers: Infinity War stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson, Cobie Smulders, Elizabeth Olson, Jeremy Renner, Sebastian Stan, Peter Dinklage, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth, Karen Gillian, Bradley Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Paul Rudd, Josh Brolin, Paul Bettany, and Mark Ruffalo.
Although no official synopsis has been released at this point, we can safely assume that Avengers: Infinity War will follow a story that includes Thanos, with the Infinity Gauntlet, taking on the Avengers. A more detailed plot summary will be released as the film’s release date nears.
If you’ve seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, you witnessed the funny credits scene where Groot was portrayed as a teenager. Well, Funko caught onto the hype and decided to create a Pop! figure of the character.
For details on where you can get your hands on this latest Pop!, click here.
“Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.”
GotG Vol. 2 stars Chris Pratt as Star-Lord/Peter Quill, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, Michael Rooker as Yondu, Kurt Russel as Ego The Living Planet, Karen Gillian as Nebula, Dave Bautista as Drax, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, and Sylvester Stallone in a currently unknown role. The film is directed by James Gunn.
Erik Radvon is an independent writer, creator, and producer from Massachusetts. He’s a heart full of darkness and the ability to transport you to places you’ve never been. Radvon is a creative force to be reckoned with. His website showcases his journalism, games, blog, and comics. In this creator spotlight, we’ll be taking a look at his self-published comic books.
CRYPT ZERO
“Crypt Zero is an independently published comic book written and produced by Erik Radvon with art by Rob Croonenborghs and letters by Micah Myers. Spaceman-for-hire Commander Dal is sent to a remote planet on a scouting mission. He finds an ancient crypt and a whole lotta talking dead things. A pulpy sci-fi thriller in the classic EC Comics tradition.”
VOODOO BIRD
“Voodoo Bird is an independently published comic written and produced by Erik Radvon with art by Rob Croonenborghs and letters by Micah Myers. Inspired by the long-running Tharg’s Future Shocks segment found in British comic magazine 2000 A.D., this short story tells the tale of a hot new app that goes viral and becomes an instant global obsession…with a little help from ancient black magic. It’s Flappy Bird meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers!”
Comic books always function best with any sort of punk-rock aesthetic, both of these titles have it in spades. Erik Radvon has the capability of introducing you to a world that immediately grabs you and doesn’t let go until it’s finished with you.
Both books feature the same brilliant creative trio. Radvon’s classic sci-fi sensibility combines with a sharp sense of humor, delivering a satisfying comic reading experience. Crypt Zero and Voodoo Bird scratch the surface of the creative talent, here’s to hoping we’ll get more in the future!
You can purchase both titles at Radvon’s site, as well as check out his other work! As well as follow him on Twitter for wonderful pop culture insight and comic book talk!
Only Stephen King’s ‘IT’ Can Make A Ballon In A Sewer So Scary
During the MTV Movie & TV Awards, Warner Bros. released a clip from the upcoming remake of the classic horror project ‘IT‘. After having a trailer with “most online views in 24 hours“, there was some pressure to follow up with another compelling look.
Viewers just got that! The trailer includes a hilarious interaction between a few members of The Losers’ Club and they show a little more of Pennywise The Dancing Clown.
Check out the trailer below:
“Children start to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine. The neighborhood children unite together to face Pennywise, an evil clown whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.”
–IMDB.com
‘IT‘ is directed by Andrés Muschietti. The film is written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga and Gary Dauberman. Bill Skarsgård stars as Pennywise The Dancing Clown. Rest of the cast is made up of Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Nicholas Hamilton, and Jackson Robert Scott.
What do you think of the latest trailer for ‘IT‘? Could this be this year’s best horror film?
Hellboy will return to theaters after wandering development hell for the last five years. There is a catch however: it is a reboot.
According to creator Mike Mignola’s Facebook page and The Hollywood Reporter, talks are underway for Neil Marshall to direct Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen. Marshall may be familiar to Game of Thrones fans for realizing the Battle of the Blackwater. He also directed the season four episode, “The Watchers on the Wall.” His other credits include The Decent and Dog Soldiers.
Furthermore, talks are also underway to give the Right Hand of Doom to Stranger Things star David Harbour.
The announcement signals the end of the previous Hellboy film cycle from director Guillermo del Toro. Starring actor Ron Perlman, the two-film series ended on a cliffhanger. In Hellboy: The Golden Army, Hellboy and his team quit their jobs at the BPRD. Fans also left theaters with the possibility of H.B. becoming a father and finally facing his destiny. In the years since its 2008 release, Perlman and del Toro teased a resolution. Instead, the new script by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden and Mignola will reportedly reintroduce the characters in a new adventure.
Mignola first sketched the character in 1991. He made his first real appearance in 1993’s San Diego Comic-Con Comics #2. “Seed of Destruction,” the first Hellboy storyline, was published by Dark Horse Comics in 1994. Since that time, the character and his world expanded into spinoff series focusing on everything from the BPRD to Hellboy’s childhood hero Lobster Johnson. Miniseries and one-off releases also added depth, even as Hellboy’s journey took him to Hell itself.
Are you excited to see Hellboy return? Or are you disappointed that Perlman will never again chop a cigar and yell “crap!” in red makeup? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
The Secret of Spoons, the second episode of American Gods, introduces us to a number of key characters. While it may have pulled back on the mind-bending visuals of the premiere, the second episode intensifies the story and takes us further into the world of the Gods.
The Secret of Spoons kicks off with another ‘Coming to America’ sequence. This time, we encounter an African slaving ship on its way to America in 1697. The Africans, desperate and terrified, pray to Anansi, a deity of knowledge and wisdom, who usually takes the form of a spider. And boy, did he have some wise words to say.
In a disturbingly true speech about the centuries to come for these Africans and their descendants, Anansi (Orlando Jones) does not paint a pretty picture – to put it mildly. He makes their blood boil (because anger “Gets. Shit. Done.”) So much so that the men rise up and burn the ship that was forcibly taking them to a terrible fate.
Meanwhile, Shadow, seeking medical attention from the brutal attack at the hands of Technical Boy and his faceless minions, is quickly realizing that the world is nothing like what he previously thought it was. He’s pissed and demanding answers from Wednesday, who was slightly distracted by a beautiful blonde woman in his bed.
Wednesday assures Shadow that he has a plan, and doubles his pay. Still, he talks around the details of his plans.
Shadow returns to the home he shared with his dead wife, to pack it up and move on from the town. There he finds a box from the coroner’s office. Among other items, he finds Laura’s cell phone. Let’s just say he is not happy with what he sees.
After his things are packed up and shipped off, Wednesday, in not the most sentimental of words, tells him he’s only allowed to feel bad about his situation for so long. It’s time to get back to business.
Ricky Whittle continues to be fantastic as Shadow Moon. His voice and eyes and posture perfectly illustrate the weight of uncertainty he is experiencing. Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday is delightful, as always. Every word that comes out of his mouth feels completely natural. The episode takes the time to build upon their relationship as they continue their trek across America to Chicago for Wednesday’s next recruitment.
But first, Wednesday requests Shadow to pick up some gifts for the next Gods on his list. This is where we, and Shadow, are introduced to the new God Media (played brilliantly by Gillian Anderson), taking the form of Lucille Ball on TV. Media attempts to lure Shadow with an offer of better-paid work than Mr. Wednesday. Though Shadow refuses, he finds himself even more rattled by this world he is falling into.
Let’s not forget about Bilquis, who continues to regain her power from her sexual worshipers.
Wednesday and Shadow make their way to Chicago, where they encounter the Zorya sisters (led by Cloris Leachman) and Czernobog (Peter Stormare), one of Wednesday’s former closest allies, who does not welcome him and Shadow with open arms. What follows is a dinner sequence and a game of checkers that is literally a matter of life and death. Czernobog delivers a chilling monologue, which viewers can expect from each God throughout the season. Shadow, overwhelmed with grief, topped with this deranged situation he finds himself in, bets on his own life. The odds were not in his favor, yet again.
The pacing in The Secret of Spoons is slightly better than The Bone Orchard, moving the story forward without too much stuffed in an hour, giving viewers time to catch their breath between the absurdity. Thus far, American Gods is proving to be one of the most visually dazzling, audacious, compelling shows on television. And we are just two episodes in.
Check out the Monkeys Fighting Robots review for American Gods episode 1, The Bone Orchard, here. And here is a preview of next week’s episode, Head Full of Snow:
What did you think of The Secret of Spoons? Let us know in the comments!
When Samurai Jack first aired on the Cartoon Network in August 2001, it was clear with the opening credits that something timeless and artful was taking place. Now nearing the end of its long awaited 5th season the timing feels just right. The previous four seasons aired from 2001 to 2004 and can now all be seen in their entirety from various streaming vendors. We now stand at the end of the story of the samurai who was aptly named Jack. The story of Jack is a common enough troupe. Like with most things it’s the execution that will make it legendary.
New to the Samurai
Jack is the son of a great king who had to face an ultimate evil named Aku. Soon Jack had to take up his father’s sword. After being thrown into a time portal by his nearly defeated ultimate evil foe, Jack arrives in a time where ‘Jack’ is the common vernacular for referencing the everyman. So fitting of his tale, he adopts the name Samurai Jack. For years Jack has sought to return to his actual time from his current dystopian time bending landscape in order to ‘undo the future that is Aku‘. This really set the stage for what was to come. A universe of untold time frame in an uncertain moral climate.
Hiatus
Unfortunately we were left by Jack when writer and director Genndy Tartakovsky took a hiatus from the show. In that time other projects were created including the acclaimed Star Wars: The Clone Wars series. The legendary Mako Iwamatsu, who was the voice actor for the big bad Aku passed away. Cartoon Network had not greenlighted another season. Then in an upswing much like the ones experienced when watching the show, the tide changed. Tartakovsky knew how he needed to end this story. A miraculously suitable replacement voice actor was found in Greg Baldwin. Cartoon Network was ready for a grittier reboot of an old favorite.
Visually
Very poetic is the visual explosion within the telling of Jack’s journey. Staging is reminiscent of Akira Kurosawa samurai movies with a slightly Fauvist style of color and landscape creation. All in all, such an enigmatic combination of style with a flare for Japan’s Edo art period translates the disjointed dystopian locales featured well. The seemingly two dimensional characters breathe with sharp expressions and angular lines. The battles pound as they move in rows, runs and circles.
Before
Samurai Jack episodes often embraced humor along with stylized art and difficult if not obvious morality choices. However it is the Aesop-esque story style that stuns the most. Jack has existed in a place of preserved even measured justice. The character knew no shades of grey for 4 seasons. Only the unending fight for what is right. This gave Jack time to only consider the journey to the next potential answer back home. Consequently, also meeting the mostly mechanical minions of Aku eager to stop him. Jack has been presented with almost Faustian circumstances and has usually, if sometimes a struggle, erred towards the most righteous path. Mostly despite how it deterred him from his purpose.
And Now
This has changed and now all Jack seems to see are shades of grey. Most are disparaging to him and him alone as his perceived failure has overtaken him. Incidentally Jack’s lasting influence on this evil prone world is brought to glaring light in Episode XCVII. As Ashi searches for Jack, she runs across many memorable characters who have been saved by Jack over the seasons. Her understanding of his importance to others becomes a shining reflection of the hero that he no longer sees himself to be. A contrast that finishing destroying the illusion of his evil that she was raised to believe.
This is epic canon. The morality of good is a classic style of tale. A great warrior must accomplish an inhuman task. While doing this he is blinded to the charity that has been given to all those in the path of him completing his quest. Humanity lost, purpose lost, it takes one conscribed to evil to see the light and aid him on the path back to righteousness.
The true beauty of Samurai Jack is it tells the story without taking away the viewer’s perception. So many sequences and segments over the years have been created with no dialogue. Sweeping poignant moments have been made that involve nothing more than movement, color, expressions and soft flowing music. It’s a show that has always understood the power of silence. But also the power of breaking it in a blood curdling yell. Then abruptly reclaiming that silence. That stunning contrast was once again captured so eloquently in Episode XCVIII as Jack makes tea while Ashi engages in a gruesome bloody battle to defend him at his most vulnerable. A scene so reminiscent of many of Jack’s battles of the past.
Welcome This End
The new season had several episodes that spent countless minutes in silence. This quiet letting the new reality of Jack’s solidarity truly set in. Jack is an island. The only voices he hears nightmares from remembering what has been lost. More than that in the quiet, the living voice of his new companion can be heard even more fiercely. Ashi brings an element to the tale that has always been missing, remise or ignored. Romantic love. She is in essence a true equal and quite possibly the missing piece to Jack completing his true quest.
No one is ignorant of common story themes. Evil always lives to fight another day. There must be more samurai to take up the blade. Every story teller worth their salt will tell you similar things. The story comes when its ready as it dictates and not when you want it or how you saw it. Because Samurai Jack has taken such time its story, its aesthetic will be rendered timeless and one of the grandest animated artistic adventures of our time. Catch up and don’t miss this end.
How would you like this tale to end? Leave comments below.
This latest episode allows Steven Universe to find a new bit of information and finally leads him to get an answer about what his mom wanted for him. Unfortunately it also goes to show just how desperate the poor kid is in his search. He’s one second away from doing A Beautiful Mind style room with writing all over the place.
Episodes like this help to showcase Steven’s growth as a character. No longer doing foolish actions like creating a living mascot costume or obsessing over a cheeseburger backpack. Now he’s trying to his best to research any possible clue he can to know more about his mother and what she really intended. It feels like more like what should be helping this late in the game instead of following a minor character like Onion around (Yes, I will keep referencing Onion Friends because it was so unnecessary). The series needs to make sure to not fall into the temptation of doing episodes which don’t serve a purpose and are just silly in nature. From here on, ones which focus on character development, world exploration, or moving the plot of the war with homeworld forward. It is possible to have a silly episode and focus on one of these themes but it has to be very well written.
In the end, the, Steven learns his mother loved him and wanted him just to be himself. It’s little victories like this is all Steven can hope for sometimes. He’s a kid fighting in a war against an alien threat. Still, once the chest hidden in Lion’s mane is opened it better contain something worthwhile. If it turned out to be something like the tape in this episode, the fans will be very depressed.
The first trailer for Spike TV’s new adaptation of “The Mist” by Stephen King was a slow and spooky affair. Whilst the first trailer went a long way in introducing both the setting and characters for the show. Destruction goes further and reveals the true horrors that lurk in “The Mist.” The second trailer, that has just been released called “Destruction” goes to show us the monsters that will be coming to our screens.
“A small town family is torn apart by a brutal crime. As they deal with the fallout, eerie mist rolls in, suddenly cutting them off from the rest of the world and, in some cases, each other. Family, friends and adversaries become strange bedfellows, battling the mysterious mist and its threats, fighting to maintain morality and sanity as the rules of society break down.”
“It’s coming”
The trailer begins with Nathalie Raven (Francis Conroy) in her garden as the birds start flying across the hills. The action speeds up from here as the audience is treated to a few flashes of the cast. Then Mist rolling over the hills and before the bloodshed begins.
Although shorter than the first trailer, Spike TV have used this opportunity to confirm that “The Mist” will not be short of monsters. Accompanied by atmospheric music there are shots of eyeless corpses, a bloodied woman being pulled into the mist and a tease of a much larger monster.
“Did you hear something?”
The action cuts to an upturned car, before more images of eyeless corpses, two hanging bodies and a lot of screaming. One stand out moment features someone with a moving bug tattoo on their back accompanied by Nathalie.
It’s hard to garner much from the one minute trailer. However, it’s refreshing to see that monsters will be front and center. The creature feature aspects of the 2007 movie were one of its main strengths. When dealing with beasts from another dimension it obviously allows for a high level of creativity when making new monsters. It seems that bugs will be making an appearance. There was also a shot of a winged man – is he the potential main non-human villain? Furthermore, why is he with Nathalie?
“Few Things are more beautiful than destruction.”
The trailer also shows more locations from the show. The action seems to be taking place in a hospital, a grocery store and some external mist filled shots. While little is known about the motivations of the characters, it is pointed out by Eva Copeland (Alyssa Sutherland) that taking away food and water will lead people to do bad things. It seems safe to say that the horrors in The Mist won’t be all our cast has to deal with.
The Mist premieres on Thursday, June 22, on Spike TV. Will you be tuning in?
Jack is the son of a great king who had to face an ultimate evil named Aku. Soon Jack had to take up his father’s sword. After being thrown into a time portal by his nearly defeated ultimate evil foe, Jack arrives in a time where ‘Jack’ is the common vernacular for referencing the everyman. So fitting of his tale, he adopts the name Samurai Jack. For years Jack has sought to return to his actual time from his current dystopian time bending landscape in order to ‘undo the future that is Aku‘. This really set the stage for what was to come. A universe of untold time frame in an uncertain moral climate.
