DC on CW: Week in Review – Savitar Unmasked!

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May 8, 2017

This series will be a brief, semi-comedic review of the CW superhero shows. You can check out last week’s review post here, or see the tally of winners below. The only shows discussed will be ‘Arrow’, ‘Flash’, and ‘Supergirl’. There WILL be some spoilers discussed, so only look at the reviews you’re up to date on!

Supergirl, “Alex” (May 1)

Alex gets thrown into a SAW-type situation, as Kara realizes she’s not great at concealing her identity. Kara and Maggie get into a fight, where Maggie is right on ALL counts until she frees the terrorist’s dad. Why Kara was allowed into the interrogation of said terrorist dad is beyond me. And how did terrorist block Martian Manhunter’s mind-reading powers? Is that just a plot-convenient power? Also, why did Lena do NO background checks on her potential business partner? There’s a lot of logical holes in this episode, even for a show about a flying, lazer-eyed woman.

SCORE: 6.5/10 Elements

The Flash, “I Know Who You Are” (May 2)

Boy oh boy, did that Zoom reveal take FOREVER. Ah well, perhaps I’m just bitter my Savitar theory turned out to be false. Either way, at least this Deadpool-faced Barry Allen looks better than Emo Hair Barry. Tracy, a nice bit of fun, and HR flirting with her is even more fun. Cisco’s aversion to killing Caitlin is a great way to bond with Julian. Caitlin still being a bit nice is somewhat disappointing, as the heel-turn to Killer Frost was great. Joe’s love plot with Cecile was also rather bland. But overall, the progression of learning how to tackle Savitar is exciting.

SCORE: 7.5/10 Zoom Lattes

Arrow, “Underneath” (May 3)

The only thing Oliver is underneath is Felicity, if you know what I mean

Oliver and Felicity re-live former passions during Arrow‘s bottle episode. They have a good chat, working out their clashing moralities, while attempting an escape. It gets upstaged by John and Lyla’s more substantive chat, but they’re both strong conversations. And… uh… who else does stuff this episode? William, of course, has returned to the show, courtesy of Chase. Maybe by the time Oliver gets to William, he’ll have figured out if he’s still in love with Felicity or not.

SCORE: 7/10 Chin-Ups

WEEKLY WIN TALLY:

Arrow: 7 Weeks

Supergirl: 7 Weeks

The Flash: 5 Week

What show did you think won the week? Does Legends of Tomorrow take your vote? Do you think A.o.S. or Gotham outshines all the CW shows? Let us know in the comments below!

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Has Studio Ghibli Hurt Anime?

By

David Harada

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May 8, 2017

Studio Ghibli, the cornerstone of the Anime world in a sense. Having set anime in motion in the western world, it’s importance is undeniable. Yet as anime has grown throughout the years, has the presence of Studio Ghibli become detrimental?

Hurting the Industry

Before we start, I too enjoy Miyazaki’s movies. While it may not be all of them, I do agree that some are masterpieces while other have a bit to be desired. Yet with Studio Ghibli always taking the mainstage on the global scene, where does that leave other film studios?

While I have a strong preference for producers like Makoto Shinkai, he isn’t the only one who suffers from this overshadowing. Mamoru Hosoda has come up with stories that are above the caliber of what Studio Ghibli has been putting out. If you haven’t heard of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, or Wolf Children then my point is proven. I highly recommend these movies if you haven’t already seen them, as well as Bakemono no Ko, which I had just found out about too.

Not only has the overshadowing caused harm to these studios in a foreign market, so has their claim to fame. With Studio Ghibli’s The Red Turtle making it into Oscar contention this year, Shinkai’s Kimi no Na ha was snubbed as a result. Due to this Shinkai lost a large deal of free publicity as well at a chance of receiving an accolade.

Will Hayao Miyazaki ever retire?

Having come out of retirement recently, Miyazaki is back at it working on his new movie Boro the Caterpillar. Yet with this development, how does this affect the Ghibli Studios. As it stands, a majority of the films that Hayao Miyazaki has not been involved with have not done as well. In essence, the studio seems to have a heavy reliance on the work Miyazaki puts in, which may be a reason as to why he comes out of retirement so often. Yet with all of the reputation of Ghibli on Miyazaki’s shoulders, the Studio will never grow without him. In essence, every time Miyazaki leaves retirement, he hurts both his own studio as well as his body.

Studio Ghibli’s Legacy

Studio Ghibli has done more for the anime world than one can imagine. Yet as time goes on, it’s monopoly over the genre has kept smaller studios in the shadows stifling their progress. Whether it be the Miyazaki making new movies or Studio Ghibli getting the starring role, Ghibli steals the publicity. Am I saying for Studio Ghibli to step down? Without a doubt, no. Maybe even for a moment though, it can let others make their way in order to bask in the limelight.

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‘Justice League Dark’ Described As “Character Driven and Intimate”

By

Aric Sweeny

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May 8, 2017

Cinemablend caught up with Justice League Dark director Doug Liman to talk about his upcoming movie. Liman discussed why Justice League Dark is different from other comic book films we see today.

“I think people will be surprised how character driven and how intimate Justice League Dark is — in kind of a field of bloated comic book movies. We’ve found a way to do something that’s actually really personal and small, and that’s my goal. [My new movie] The Wall is about character. The scenario allows me to dive into what I think is… I just love people! I love putting people in crazy situations. For John Constantine, we have an amazing set-up for him for Justice League Dark that’s really human.”

Justice League Dark follows Constantine, Swamp Thing, Deadman, Zatanna and Etrigan the Demon. No casting announcements, or story details, have been released yet.

Are you looking forward to Justice League Dark? Comment below, let us know!

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Opening Weekend: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Brings In $145 Million

By

Aric Sweeny

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May 8, 2017

It’s officially summer movie season!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has grossed $145 Million domestically after its first weekend, with the film totalling $427.6 Million worldwide already.

The first Guardians brought in roughly $93 Million in its first domestic weekend, which means the sequel brought in over 50 percent more.

Have you contributed go Guardians‘ box office success? If so, what did you think of the movie? And if not, check out some of Monkeys Fighting Robots‘ reviews: Dewey’s, Will’s, Kieran’s, and Anthony’s.

“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.

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Every Ridley Scott Film, Ranked

By

Larry Taylor - Managing Editor

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May 8, 2017

This month’s Alien: Covenant marks Ridley Scott’s 24th feature film in what has been a long, influential, albeit uneven and sometimes flat out maddening career. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, Ridley Scott’s oeuvre is as inconsistent in quality as his late brother Tony’s was consistent in aesthetics and tone. He has his strengths – world building and managing epic scope – and his weaknesses – creating three-dimensional characters. These aspects aren’t always true, but they are more consistent than anything in his career.

Digging through Scott’s entire filmography, spanning epic classics and replacement-level thriller dreck, it was tough to try and rank some of the lesser works above the each other. But with careful viewing I began to disseminate just how much effort Scott was putting into his craft from movie to movie. It helped shape a list top heavy with older films and, unfortunately, a heap of Scott’s most recent work filling out the bottom of this list.

Here we go…

BackNext

1. Alien (1979)

What can be said about Scott’s second feature film that already hasn’t been covered ad nauseum? An amalgamation of a handful of science fiction classics, Scott and screenwriter Dan O’Bannon took previous ideations and spun them into something incredible, something horrifying, and something just about perfect.

Aside from H.R. Giger’s legendary creature creation of the xenomorph, Alien grabs the audience partly because of the characters. These are blue-collar space workers, not brilliant astronauts and scientists. Their everyday, workmanlike approach to the horrific infestation is an endearing aspect of the picture brought home by tremendous work from Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and the rest of the Nostromo crew.

Scott opts to keep the action guarded and lean into the claustrophobic mystery and jump scares which are still incredibly effective. The evolution of the creature helps the tension build, keeps the audience off balance, and allows for true catharsis once Weaver’s Ellen Ripley bests the beast. It remains Ridley Scott’s most powerful, complete film.

BackNext

‘Attack On Titan’ Delivers A Twist Poorly

By

Anthony Wendel

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SPOILER ALERT

A lot of revelations occur in this episode and not all of them are delivered in a proper manner. First up, Ymir isn’t dead, despite looking two seconds away from the grave last episode. Turns out she has the same type of fast regeneration Eren has. It’s convenient but at least it makes sense. Unlike the next big shocker.

The biggest surprise to come out of the entire season occurs but it feels very poorly written. The identity of both the Armored and Colossal Titans are revealed nonchalantly in casual conversation. Seriously it’s like, “Hey Eren, what should we do for dinner? Also, we’re the Titans which started the war on humanity. Want to come to our hometown?” Yes, after they tell him the truth, they ask if he wants to go to their home. It feels very off (I’m aware this is how it happened in the Manga as well, but it felt poorly executed there too) and so does Eren’s reaction. They flashback to a moment earlier where the team had suspicious of the pair being the Titans it is established this didn’t come out of left field for him. Eren already was told it was a possibility and when he gets confirmation this pair caused his world to be destroyed and his mom to be murdered, he doesn’t immediately fly into a rage? He should have been more emotional than what played out.

Hopefully this will be the lowest point of the second season of Attack On Titan. Yes, the revelation of the who the Titans were was a critical moment but it played out so undramatically, you find yourself shrugging it just like Eren. Luckily the next episode looks to have intense Titan on Titan action to make up for this one. Good, frankly it feels like some extreme violence would make many feel better.

Attack on Titan: Season Two is streaming on Crunchyroll.

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‘Wonder Woman’ – “Rise of the Warrior” [Final Trailer]

By

EJ Moreno

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May 7, 2017

Hype Is At An All-Time High For The Amazon Warrior Wonder Woman

With a little less than a month to go, viewers are finally getting a more detailed look at ‘Wonder Woman‘. The fourth film in the DC Extended Universe is burdened with a lot of pressure but with each look, the worries ease. The combination of director Patty Jenkins and lead Gal Gadot seems like a match made in heaven.

This final trailer also shows one of the film’s villains, which is Doctor Poison. Played by Elena Anaya, she’s another addition to an already strong female heavy project. Still seems puzzling there wasn’t more focus in the beloved Robin Wright though.

The film is directed by Patty Jenkins, with a screenplay by Allan Heinberg, from a story by Heinberg & Zack Snyder and Jason Fuchs. It stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, and Danny Huston.

Catch the Amazon warrior in theaters on June 2, 2017.

What do you think of the final trailer for ‘Wonder Woman‘?

Let me know in the comments below!

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Gal Gadot Debuts Action-Packed New ‘Wonder Woman’ Trailer

By

Aric Sweeny

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May 7, 2017

Gal Gadot brought the newest, and likely final, Wonder Woman trailer with her to the MTV Awards. Watch it below.

https://twitter.com/WonderWomanFilm/status/861387681887997952

What stands out about the footage to me is the amount of Chris Pine. While the other trailers featured him quite a bit, this one seemed to put more of a focus on his character, Steve Trevor.

“Wonder Woman hits movie theaters around the world next summer when Gal Gadot returns as the title character in the epic action adventure from director Patty Jenkins. Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.”

Wonder Woman stars Gal Gadot as the title character, Chris Pine, Robin Wright as Antiope, David Thewlis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Connie Nielsen, Ewen Bremner, and Lucy Davis.

The film hits theaters on June 2, 2017.

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MTV Drops New ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Clip

By

Aric Sweeny

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May 7, 2017

As we reported a few days ago, MTV has released a new clip from Spider-Man: Homecoming. The brief scene is an extended version of footage we’ve seen in the trailers, where Ned Leeds finds out that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

“You’re the Spiderman!” Here’s your first look at a brand new @SpiderManMovie clip, exclusively from the #MTVAwards airing right now! pic.twitter.com/KAUYYlXz6E

— MTV (@MTV) May 8, 2017

“You’re the Spiderman! Here’s your first look at a brand new @SpiderManMovie clip, exclusively from the #MTVAwards airing right now!”

Are you looking forward to the first Spidey movie to be set in the Marvel cinematic universe? Sound off in the comments below!

Spider-Man: Homecoming features Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Donald Glover, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau, Tyne Daly, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, and Hannibal Buress.

“A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.”

The movie hits theaters on July 7.

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First PV for ‘GUNDAM BUILD _EXTRA BATTLE PROJECT’ Raises Hype

By

Jahmssen Ruiz Castaneda

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May 7, 2017

GUNDAM BUILD _EXTRA BATTLE PROJECT

Earlier today the Japanese Sunrise YouTube account released a preview for a new Gundam show. Nothing was shown of the new show, and it instead focused on the history of Gundam Build Fighters. What we do know is that it is going to be called Gundam Build Extra Project.

Watch the trailer below.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=143_1XMoZqI[/embedyt]

Build Fighters summary

Gundam Build Fighters is a fan service focused show that focuses on Gunpla models that people use to compete in fighting tournaments.

The original

The first series focuses on a kid named Sei Iori who is great at building models but can’t pilot for the life of him. That’s when a mysterious boy named Reiji appears and becomes the pilot for Sei’s machines. The plot is decent but the show’s strength lies in the figurines. They are all variants from the other shows. We also get a bunch of cameos from central characters from the other different series. The fight scenes are beautiful and give us what we’ve always got and hoped for.

Gundam build fighters Kampfer Amazing shooting — This scene was so good I went and bought the model afterwards.

The sequel

The sequel named Gundam Build Fighters Try was not as good only because the main characters weren’t as interesting. The main suit was also an artifact passed down from Sei. This part suffers because it never gets out of the shadow of the first one. All its great points are taken directly from GBF. The fight scenes are also not as great.

Gundam build fighters try Gundam Transient standing in front of red moon — While it wasn’t my favorite, Try still had great moments like this.

The movie

A sequel to the second part named Gundam Build Fighters Try: Island Wars came out in August 2016. It was a television special that I consider a movie. This was the worst piece of the pack, only because it focused on the characters from Try and threw away what made the previous series so interesting: the various mobile suits and the call backs to the original.

All of them have an amazing soundtrack that you can listen to on any occasion.

I am looking forward to seeing what Gundam Build Extra Project is going to be about and whose story it will follow.

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