If true, this is great news. Along with Nintendo’s modern consoles, it’s a smart business move to release a cheaper, retro console that will attract gamers who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s.
Do you buy into this rumor? If so, do you plan to pick up an SNES Mini? Sound off in the comments section below.
It’s almost time to set off on another adventure with Captain Jack Sparrow! Empire Magazine has revealed an awesome new look at Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales with an image showing Johnny Depp’s iconic Pirate alongside Geoffrey Rush who is once again returning as Captain Barbossa.
Check out the new image below!
The UK-based magazine also revealed a new interview with Joachim Rønning, in which the co-director discussed his love of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and bringing the franchise back to that standard of storytelling.
“I like all of the films in the franchise, but the first one is my first love, for me, it was important to come back to a character dynamic where it is about relatable, real people — some of the people are real, at least — then Jack Sparrow comes in and crashes the party. It was also very important to bring more comedy back in. I feel like they lost some of the humor. This is Buster Keaton on steroids.”
Now that sure does sound like something a lot of people will enjoy! A popular complaint of the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels is that a lot of the originality and comedy was lost, so it’s interesting and exciting to see that this creative team will attempt to hit refresh on the franchise and return this property to the swashbuckling adventure that made The Black Pearl a fun and exciting film. Certain members of the press were shown a cut of the film at CinemaCon, and early buzz seems to suggest that this is the best installment of the franchise since the first film.
Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) feels the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost sailors led by his old nemesis, the evil Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with a brilliant and beautiful astronomer and a headstrong young man in the British navy.
Pirates of the Caribbean lands in theaters on May 24, 2017!
While talking to press about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt was asked a question about Jurassic World 2. Here was the actor’s response.
“Aw man, J.A. Bayona? Do you know that filmmaker? He’s a remarkable filmmaker. If you haven’t seen The Impossible or A Monster Calls, I mean he’s really visually masterful. Deep emotions and suspense. I think it’s going to be a scarier version. A little bit darker and will continue to expand and carry the story forward in a way that is really unexpected and you wouldn’t have imagined.”
The original Jurassic World was a monster hit at the box office, and was generally well-liked among fans.
Joining Pratt in the movie is returnee Bryce Dallas Howard and newcomers Ted Levine, Geraldine Chapman, and Justice Smith.
“Come A Little Bit Closer” – Jay and the Americans
“Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang” – Silver
“Surrender” – Cheap Trick
“Father and Son” – Cat Stevens
“Flash Light” -Parliament
“Guardians Inferno” – The Sheepers featuring David Hasselhoff
Not surprisingly, the list has a ton of hits from the past, and will surely delight audiences as much as the first film’s music did.
“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, and will be released in theaters on May 5.
Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, the duo who previously directed Mississippi Grind and It’s Kind of A Funny Story, will helm Marvel Studios’ Captain Marvel, according to Variety.
Fleck and Boden were not on the original directors shortlist for the project, which included such names as Niki Caro, Jennifer Kent, Rebecca Thomas, Jennifer Yuh, and Lesli Linka Glatter.
Captain Marvel stars Brie Larson as the lead; it’s being written by Meg LeFauve and Nicole Perlman, who previously scripted Pixar’s Inside Out.
Are you looking forward to Captain Marvel? How do you feel about the directors? Comment below, let us know.
While this article speculates on the future of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, it also contains spoilers for seasons three and four. Proceed with caution.
Fans of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD have been through the ringer this year. Season three wiped out Hive, got Fitzsimmons together, and teased a major storyline featuring LMDs. The season finale gave little niblets of what was to come: Simmons planning a vacation! Fitz orchestrating a surprise! Daisy on the run! Definitely no return of Ward! Yet here we are. almost a year later and none of those teasers have paid off.
We Are Not Agents of Nothing. We are Agents of EVERYTHING!
Insensitive.
Season four kicked off on a completely tangential storyline when it introduced Ghost Rider/Robbie Reyes. Then, Fitzsimmons were separated. Twice. Fitz traveled to another dimension, taking Coulson and Robbie along with him. Daisy met Ghost Rider and started flirting with him months after her boyfriend simultaneously jettisoned himself into space and admitted he loved her. Coulson started hitting on May–also insensitively close to the loss of a loved one. Not until the show returned from its mid-season breakdid LMDs come up again in a seriousway. At this point, Fitzsimmons had given up on a quiet, domestic life together. Oh, and Ghost Rider sacrificed himself and went to hell.
Now we’re in the Framework which may as well be hell. We definitely don’t want THIS Fitz anywhere near Simmons. Daisy was reset to Skye. Everyone’s hailing HYDRA. And, because there is no god, Brett Dalton is back as Agent Grant Ward.
You would think, with all this fictional whiplash, that fans could at least get some real-world stability. However, as the show inches towards its season four finale, the network has not made a firm statement on season five. What is that about? From one super nerd to another, let me assure you– I have absolutely no idea.
Agents of Season Five?
Over the last few months, theories on this question have fluctuated wildly. First, fan favorite, costume designer Ann Foley left. Then hairdresser Shayna Sanford packed up her brushes. (Sanford assures fans she is not leaving, but her IMDB page lists Agents of SHIELD as a “2015-2017” run.)
“Trip Lives” by Ratscape on Deviantart.
Filming wrapped on the show earlier this week, and script supervisor Melanie Bradford shared pictures of the party on her Instagram. Everyone seems to be in high spirits, and Bradford even captioned one photo “Happy Hiatus!” So we’re coming back, just with as couple new crew members, right? RIGHT?
Hold on to your very confused hats. The last third of season four has pulled out all the stops. We’ve got “full dark, no stars” Fitz. We’ve got Madame Hydra. We’ve got May wrapping up her “cavalry” storyline from season one. We’ve got big bads going after Coulson’s head. We’ve got a redemption arc for Ward. And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve got fan faves returning in droves. (Of course, the onlything that could bring down the excitement over #triplives is the inevitable devastation when he disappearsonce more.)
Agents of SHIELD: The Farewell Tour
At the beginning of season four, ratings were dropping. Perhaps this no-holds-barred approach is a last ditch effort to pull those numbers up once more. Maybe that’s why the writers CLEARLY redesigned the season from its original LMD-centric storyline; show runners Jed and Maurissa Whedon perhaps knew this bonkers Framework would show off the best (and worst) in everyone. Or maybe they know this is the last shot they’ll get, so they’re pulling out all the stops with absolute reckless abandon. The show did move time slots from 9 to 10 pm this season, allowing it to go darker and sexier than ever before. And they certainly haven’t wasted that opportunity.
So which is it, ABC? Are we on a farewell tour leading up to Inhumans, or is this season just that good?
With all secrets revealed, Matt Trakker and the M.A.S.K. team take on Miles Mayhem and V.E.N.O.M. in a brutal final assault. With their first major victory in their sights, the M.A.S.K. team must remain vigilant as other powerful and unforeseen forces rise up from the darkness. New enemies are on the horizon and you must NOT miss what happens on the last page!
Writing
So the end of the first storyline of the new M.A.S.K. series arrives. It’s a pretty good wrap up, showcasing some good action and intriguing moments of drama. Also, the description is right about the ending. It really leaves the issue on a cliffhanger which sets up for an entirely new storyline.You will want issue six to come out after you are done reading it.
Writer Brandon Easton does like to insert a few corny jokes here there but it doesn’t detract from the overall story he is trying to tell. Only real downside is the series is still relying a bit much on the mythology of other IDW series. It’s time for this series to stretch its legs and bring in more of the original M.A.S.K. characters instead of making references to Transformers or G.I. Joe. With the first arc wrapped up, hopefully this can be the new focus moving forward.
Artwork
Tony Vargas on art and Jordi Escuin on colors is a winning combination. A wide display of effect work is used through the course of the issue. The flow of action is never interrupted and keeps the reader engrossed while reading. Also, points for all the scenes of detailed destruction. Michael Bay would be proud (take this as a compliment).
Conclusion
M.A.S.K. is proving to be another valuable addition to the IDW library. All it needs from here on is to show how it can stand on its own two feet without having to have a crossover ever other issue. Of course in this new continuity they are an offshoot of G.I. Joe, so this is going to be a bit difficult. Still, if anyone can do it, it’s this team.
Daredevil had his secret identity restored when Charles Soule’s series began last year. How it was reinstated has remained a mystery for readers. Daredevil #19 brings us one step closer to the full story as Matt Murdock and Purple Man play a deadly game.
***Spoilers Lie Ahead***
The Purple Man has a machine that combines his powers with those of the Purple Children. This gives him a significant power boost. One that allows him to toy with Daredevil’s head like never before.
Matt Murdock is vulnerable, Purple Man forces him into a game called “The Worst Thing”. Matt must reveal what the worst possible thing he could do is. In a truly heroic moment, he reveals that his answer is “nothing”. Knowing there are people in danger, and having the power to save them, the worst thing Daredevil could do is nothing.
Daredevil has been one of the most consistently great comic books coming out of Marvel. Writer Charles Soule has time and time again proven how deeply he appreciates this character. The tortured core of what makes Matt Murdock the “Devil Of Hell’s Kitchen” has been the driving force behind this book’s effectiveness.
Soule has established a perfectly balanced tone for the character in these 19 issues. He’s developed Matt Murdock further along as a character, and done so without the restriction of having to be anything like the popular Netflix rendition. Not only was Daredevil’s identity been restored, but also his struggle. This issue, and series as a whole, effectively combines the darkest and lightest elements of the character into a satisfying experience.
It’s no easy task to come onto a book, especially after Mark Waid, and somehow undo the public reveal of a superhero’s identity. “The Purple” hasn’t reached its finale yet but already this has been a triumph where so many other writers have failed in the past.
The moments in Purple Man’s “illusion” are strong. Taking place in a bar filled with different Daredevils from Matt’s long history, it’s an effective plot device. It’s also an element that allowed the art team to really shine.
Series regular, Ron Garney, is absent from this issue. Marc Laming steps in and does a fine job for the most part. Laming breaths plenty of life into these characters, especially with Matt Murdock and Purple Man’s intimate conversations. Without being an imposing physical force, Purple Man effectively comes across with a clearly sinister appeal. Matt Milla’s colors are brilliant as always.
Laming makes the different Daredevils on display a lot of fun, giving each of them a distinct personality. The only exception being the current black costume we’re used to seeing Garney draw. It’s by no means a poor effort, it just pails in comparison to Garney’s flawless work.
Overall Daredevil #19 is another pleasing experience for readers. The series continues to be one of the strongest titles Marvel currently produces. Charles Soule deserves a lot more attention for this fantastic comic book.
Have you been reading Daredevil? How do you feel about Matt’s identity restoration? Let us know in the comments below!
Every now and then, a comic series comes along with a plot so outrageous and bizarre that readers have no choice but to check it out. That time has come once again in the form of Plastic from Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard, and Laura Martin. A comic that made Robert Kirkman himself say, “This is the weirdest shit I’ve ever read! I love it!”
Plastic is the story of a retired serial killer who’s found love. But while on vacation, his love is kidnapped and he’s put to work to earn her freedom. The disturbing twist? His love is a plastic blow-up doll.
Sometimes the best stories are those that take a tale as old as time and give it a weird twist. Plastic is a shining example of that. The whole “coming out of retirement to save your love” concept is old hat, but by making the love interest a blow-up doll, Wagner makes it feel wholly original. His story is dark and intriguing – as you’d expect a serial killer story to be – but it’s not without humor. It’s not a jokey, “laugh out loud” kind of humor either; the comedy is derived from the concept. Wagner has set up such an absurd situation that everything that happens in it is automatically funny when you think of the larger picture.
The protagonist, Edwyn (or Victor, according to his ID), is completely unpredictable. He’s unhinged, making it impossible for the reader to get in his head. Now, this takes away his relatability, which is usually essential in a central character, but it adds a layer of fun to his story. As a killer, he’s more of an antihero, if not a flat out villain archetype. If there’s one thing people love in their bad guys, it’s mystery.
With a story as dark and gritty as this one is, the art needs to be equally dark and gritty. The work by Hillyard and Martin fits the bill perfectly. Their visuals are gloriously violent and over-the-top, which again reads as hilarious when you remember this is all over a sex doll.
There are times however where Edwyn/Victor’s facial expressions just seem off. It’s a bit jarring, but no other characters suffer from the same fate. It appears that the creative team actually made this a conscious decision to make their protagonist feel even more disturbing and off-kilter, and it works in spades.
Plastic is weird. It’s absurd and it’s twisted. But it’s also good storytelling, and good storytelling deserves to be read. Be sure to pick this book up before it sells out!
You would think, with all this fictional whiplash, that fans could at least get some real-world stability. However, as the show inches towards its season four finale, the network has not made a firm statement on season five. What is that about? From one super nerd to another, let me assure you– I have absolutely no idea.
With a story as dark and gritty as this one is, the art needs to be equally dark and gritty. The work by Hillyard and Martin fits the bill perfectly. Their visuals are gloriously violent and over-the-top, which again reads as hilarious when you remember this is all over a sex doll.