2017 has the potential to be one of the biggest movie years in history. With three MCU movies, two DCEU films, multiple Stephen King pictures, and a new Star Wars on the way, the box office returns this year are sure to break records. While I’m looking forward to seeing all of the big tent-pole blockbusters that are on the way, there is no movie this year I’m looking forward to more than Justice League.
Samurai Jack partners with a deadly assassin in order to escape a gargantuan creature that has swallowed them whole.
In the fourth episode of Season Five, Jack and the last of the Daughters of Aku, Ashi find themselves stuck together. This interaction really helps to show a side of Jack which hasn’t been on display the entire season. For the most part Jack has been alone with his demons which are doing nothing but pushing him to the breaking point. Having Ashi around and watching them interact allows Jack to show some dry wit as he comments on the assassin. “You are very troubled.” Of course Jack is one to talk considering he has a Braveheart moment as he is covered in the blue blood of gigantic parasites he has no choice but to defeat to stay alive.
A lot of great art effects are employed in this episode. A flock of birds taunting Jack and calling him a murderer adds to the ways he can be tortured. There is also come striking and unique creature designs employed in this episode. Just when you think the art team is going to take a breather and not bring their A game, they show off some new trick. It’s becoming very obvious this entire season is going to be nothing but and the finest the creative team has to offer.
The fourth episode takes a familiar approach of two enemies having to stick together if they want to survive but takes it in a new direction. It looks like Ashi is going to be sticking around for a while. Good, seeing the more human side Jack is much more entertaining than watching him get tortured to the point he’s about to have a mental breakdown. Hopefully from here on out, Jack will have more moments to breath like he did at the very end of this episode.
At the Monsterpalooza 2017 convention, the cast & crew of ‘Cult of Chucky‘ delivered some much needed reassurance about the upcoming ‘Child’s Play‘ film. Director Don Mancini offered more plot details but also dished on what horror fans want to hear!
“The gore effects in this movie….this is definitly the goriest of all of the movies,” stated Manchini but he promised that wasn’t the original intention. He followed up with this, “[This] wasn’t something [we] set out to do, it just sort of turned out that way.”
After the franchise took a more comedic turn, 2013’s ‘Curse of Chucky‘ was the first step towards a much-needed reinvention. Now that Don Mancini and effects designer Tony Gardner confirmed a bit more gore, it continues pushing the films towards horror again.
(Fiona Dourif and Alex Vincent)Don Mancini also gave the audience of Monsterpalooza more plot information. Thankfully there is no twists spoiled but we know where the film starts. Following the events of ‘Curse of Chucky‘, Fiona Dourif’s (pictured above) Nica is blamed for all the murders caused by Chucky. “She was sent to a mental institution, and after four years of shock therapy and drugs, doctors have convinced her that Chucky was just a delusion and that she had actually murdered her entire family”, said Mancini. He added, “Then her doctor complicates matters by introducing into her group therapy sessions…a Chucky doll.”
‘Cult of Chucky‘ is a direct sequel to the 2013 release with the addition of Fiona Dourif’s Nica but it’s also connected to the other films. Alex Vincent (pictured above), who is known as Andy in the first two films, is part of the film. It’s said in the official synopsis that Andy comes to help Nica with his past Chucky experience. But in addition to Chucky, they also face the villainous Tiffany.
Playing Tiffany is the returning Jennifer Tilly (pictured below), known for her role in both ‘Bride of Chucky‘ and ‘Seed of Chucky‘. With her inclusion, will she lead a cult of people devoted to Chucky or if the film’s title is connected to something else? No word on if we will see the doll version of Tiffany in the film.
(Fiona Dourif, Alex Vincent, and Jennifer Tilly)The final bit of information about ‘Cult Of Chucky‘ that came Don Mancini was an odd comparison. Mancini called the film a “mind fuck, Chucky meets ‘Inception‘” and added the film will be slightly surreal.
‘Cult of Chucky‘ is set to be released this October through Universal Home Entertainment.
What do you think of all this production information?
Let me know in the comments below!
Here’s something a little different. Our British film and TV nut, and comic book virgin, is recording her first steps into the vibrant world of comics. Read on to find out the process for choosing her first book and her under-qualified but honest review.
At Monkeys Fighting Robots we are a community of pop culture enthusiasts – nerds, if you like – each with our own area of speciality. Film, TV, comic books, anime and beer are the general umbrella categories which can be subdivided further to include Star Wars, The Walking Dead, DC Comics, Archie, wrestling, etc. Many in the team are jacks of all trades who know a little (or a lot) about everything, while a few know a vast amount about a single area and zero about anything else. Nada.
I fit squarely into the latter category when it comes to everything but film and TV. I have enjoyed a beer or three in the past and I have appreciated the odd superhero movie (Iron Man, The Dark Knight) , but comic books I have very little experience of besides their being a source text for, let’s face it, most of modern popular culture.
Before joining the team at Monkeys Fighting Robots, I had appreciated the artistic skill and presentation but never got swept up in what I had perceived to be a cult community of comic readers. Frankly, growing up in rural England there was no cultural imperative to get into any comics beyond the Beano, a weekly magazine for kids and a thoroughly British institution. Furthermore, I enjoyed the experience of reading fantasy and historic fiction, ripe with beautifully-written descriptions and being obliged to paint a picture of my own. For that reason, I was at no point drawn to reading comics or graphic novels in which the visuals were already dealt with; I would leave that to the filmmakers.
Ultimately, I was of the Harry Potter generation. Myself and those around me were ensconced in the magical world while Spider-Man and his friends were confined to lunch boxes and pyjamas. I knew very few, if any, people who were immersed in comic books besides what was shown in the cinema.
Comic book stores are about as common as sunny days in the UK, so visiting an seasoned enthusiast was never going to happen. I could have plucked randomly at a Marvel or DC Comic online, but instead I sought the guidance of Wesley Messer, a fellow MFR writer, who was only too happy to introduce a friend to the colorful world of comic books.
“Well here’s how we start the party: what do you dig? What stuff do you find interesting in movies, pop culture, what have you. Because in getting into comics, I find that asking questions and figuring out what people like is better than saying, “Hey try this this this this, and you’re like, “The hell…?” I like tailoring the experience, so to speak.”
So I let rip with all the films, TV shows and books that have illustrated my life in recent (and not so recent) years:
“I’ve always been more into fantasy than sci-fi, and even then, not too far into the supernatural. I discovered David Eddings’ Belgariad series before The Lord of the Rings, both of which are magical and have mystical beings, etc. but are almost more medieval historic fiction than some of the surreal stuff, including Game of Thrones, which I’ve dabbled in since.
Lately though, I’ve been more into detective, mystery, thriller. CSI:NY succeeded Harry Potter as my ‘thing’ when I reached my teens, and I’ve also absorbed nearly all of Sherlock Holmes and some of novelist James Patterson’s earlier work.
I tend to look for tortured characters in real-life scenarios in what I read and watch, I guess of a noir theme. If I were to splurge movies I’ve enjoyed: anything Danny Boyle, Fight Club, Drive, Memento, Sixth Sense, In Bruges, The Dark Knight (exception to the rule!), Master and Commander, LotR, Nightcrawler, Fargo… TV: I bloody loved Mr Robot, How to Get Away With Murder, and like I said, I’m actually really enjoying Riverdale.”
After chewing through my extensive summary of ‘what I dig’, Wesley offered a plethora of comics that might fit my preferences from the predictable police procedural to the downright bizarre. After much deliberation, I decided to go with one of his first suggestions:
“If I had to recommend anything comic-wise based off The Dark Knight, I would easily say Gotham Central. It focuses on the detectives of the Gotham PD, with elements of noir, detective work, and crazy supervillains all thrown in.”
So, my first experience of comic books proper would be through the detective-noir pages of Gotham Central, Book One: “In the Line of Duty”.
I’ll be honest, it took me a little while to fight through the demons of negative perception blocking my way to page one. Once I opened the book, however, it wasn’t long before I found myself investing in the characters and really starting to enjoy myself.
Wesley had told me it was more police procedural than Batman super-story, and he was not wrong. My experience of Batman and Gotham is limited to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy (I have never watched Batfleck’s rendition), and I kept expecting or hoping that familiar names might pop up. A few did eventually, but it was the stylistic elements that transcended genre to color my reading. The comic’s noir style and moody spirit put me back in the Gotham of The Dark Knight with a bit of CSI:NY, Castle and Law and Order thrown in.
In the end, it took me very little time at all to get through all 245 pages of my very first proper comic book. We had one of those rare sunny days and I enjoyed a morning basking in bright rays and the work of Brubaker, Rucka and Lark.
With zero experience of comic books and only a passing interest in their rendering on film, mine is the last opinion anyone in their right mind should pay attention to. However, if you are also considering getting into comics, then the first impressions of another novice might just come in handy.
For someone whose favorite genre is noir, and whose relationship with super-heroes is under-developed, Gotham Central has been a very good place to begin. If you’re a fan of television detective dramas, you will feel very much at home in this version of Gotham, and indeed, it reads very much like a storyboard for TV or film. The only difference being that the ‘bad guys’ are a little more neurotic, a lot more dangerous and considerably more scientifically-advanced.
The story was a little clunky and hesitant at the start, but once it built up some momentum and made clear the motives and personalities of the G.C.P.D., it became far more ‘unputdownable’. The presumably long-serving, very well-established M.C.U. staff carry a distinct sense of frustration for their circumstances, but get on with their jobs anyway with a resolute determination.
If we were to link it up to The Dark Knight films again, Gotham Central: “In the Line of Duty”, falls a couple of decades after The Dark Knight Rises, and a handful of years following the retirement of Police Commissioner Jim Gordon (played by Gary Oldman in the films), who is honored in the early chapters. The detectives in the squad room constitute the last of the old guard personally selected by Gordon, whom they hold in very high regard. That said, their perception of the Batman does not align with their benefactor, at least as in the Nolan films. One of the key protagonists in this book, Detective Marcus Driver, is particularly scathing of the G.C.P.D.’s dependence on Batman to help them with cases they can’t solve.
One thing I would say is that, having seen screenshots of iconic comics, I was expecting slightly more detail and precision in the drawings. However, the quality is quite enough to show the emotions on the faces of the characters and to depict the mood of the stories. The best thing about this book though, is the dominance and power of strong female characters. Detectives Romy Chandler, Renee Montoya, and M.C.U. Captain Sawyer work opposite the bored, brash and old-fashioned men typical of police procedural drama.
I am left with far more than a desire to find out what happens next in Gotham. Having finally popped my cherry, no more a comic book virgin, my perception of the whole community has shifted from a faint and unfair prejudice, to a greater appreciation for the artistry and reading experience of these visual texts. It is a very different journey from reading prose, but it cannot be considered a lazy substitute for novels as I had once thought. These are two separate pastimes which now have my mutual respect.
Don’t forget to check out Wesley’s far better qualified, more in-depth, and significantly more experienced perspective on comics. Here’s a man who knows what he’s talking about.
Finally, what do you think I should read next? Put your recommendations in the comments.
While speaking to Comicbook.com at WonderCon, Warner Bros. producer James Tucker shared that WB is open to doing more R-rated DC animated films.
“It’s hard to say. I will say this, that they have said that if the content merits the R they’ll look into it, they’re open to it, which was not something that was a part of the landscape until recently. I like having that option because there’s certain things that you just can’t do without being a little edgy, without being a little more violent.”
It’s nice to have an option to use the R-rated, but that doesn’t mean the movie will be good. For example, last year, WB released an R-rated adaptation of The Killing Joke. I was so excited for it, especially because it was R-rated. Eventually, I saw it in theaters, and was thoroughly unimpressed. Its mature rating didn’t improve storytelling, character development, or anything like that – it seemed R for the sake of being R.
What DC properties should get the R-rated treatment in an animated movie? Comment below, let us know!
Our very own HR Wells, played by handsome Tom Cavanagh got to try on the director chair in ‘The Flash’. Cavanagh, known for his most famous role in the NBC show ‘Ed’, wanted to give directing a try. After the musical episode, we saw the stars singing abilities, and now Tom can share his talent behind the camera.
Barry has to travel to the future to meet with his future self to learn how to defeat Savitar. After Abra Kadabra came in, Barry realized the only way to change the future is to go to the future. Caitlin is Killer Frost, Wally is down in a wheelchair, and the lab has been blown up. With everything going on in the lab, is it a good idea for Barry to chance it and go to the future?
Barry (Grant Gustin) travels to the future to find out Savitar’s still unknown identity in the hopes of saving Iris (Candice Patton). Upon his arrival in 2024, Barry encounters future versions of his Team Flash friends, who, following the death of Iris, have become very different people, profoundly impacted by their showdown with Savitar. It will be up to Barry to infuse a sense of hope back into the team, as he proves to be hero his future friends have been waiting for. Meanwhile, back in 2017, the hunt for Killer Frost (Danielle Panabaker) continues. Tom Cavanagh directed the episode written by Carina Adly MacKenzie.
According to my source, this is a long awaited action packed episode. Besides Barry dealing with his ‘whiney future self.’ Can’t wait until we get to see what happens in this episode. We just have to wait a few weeks!
Check out this brand new episode of ‘The Flash’ on Tuesday, April 25th at 8/7c on The CW.
‘Legends Of Tomorrow’ wrapped up a stellar second season this week on the CW. The season as a whole was very strong and has shown that a team show can work with the right mix of characters. Executive Producer Phil Klemmer recently stated in an interview that the third season will have new characters. While nothing has been formally announced, it got us thinking about who we’d like to see join the Legends for their third season.
We’ve already discussed in detail why we think Buddy Baker deserves his own show. Joining the legends would be a good way for him to get his foot in the door. In the finale, Vixen stated that she would be leaving the team. Buddy would be an ideal replacement for her in terms of powers and temperament.
An Avatar of the Red, Buddy has similar powers to Vixen but doesn’t need a totem to activate them. He can do everything she can and more. As a family man, it would be interesting to watch how he fares aboard the waverider without his wife and children. This would give the writers a chance to bring aboard a more fatherly figure to look out for the team.
Trouble in Paradise?
If Vixen does decide to stay it would be interesting to see the chemistry between the two. In the Animal Man comics, Buddy and Vixen were drawn to each other romantically due to their connection to the Red. The two couldn’t help but have a secret dalliance, an act that caused Buddy to question his own moral compass and the effects his connection to the red had on him. This would be a good way to bring some new relationship drama for Nate and Amaya.
Animal Man and Green Arrow have also worked together in Justice League United. The two shared a strong bromance and a mutual respect. It would be nice to see the softer side of Oliver McQueen and a future crossover episode could highlight the fun these characters have when they’re interacting with each other. Especially after the rough year that Oliver has had.
The CW has already established both magic and Constantine in their universe. Adding Zatanna would be a stroke of genius. Especially as it’s been confirmed that Matt Ryan will be reprising his role of Constantine in the CW Seed animated series.
The daughter of Golden Age hero Giovanni “John” Zatara and adept at backward magic Zatanna is no stranger Constantine. The on again off again pair have a very murky history together. It would be fun to see this play out over the season. Alternatively having their history as a footnote in her life, it would be good to see a stronger mature Zatanna that has no time for Constantine. Both options leave the door open for Matt Ryan to appear in the show without having to be a regular feature.
Adding a magic user to Legends would bring an interesting skill set to the team and open the door for some interesting story lines. Who wouldn’t like to see White Canary and Zatanna in Salem during the witch trials? With a team who are heavily based in science, it would be interesting to mix it up with the supernatural.
Justice League Dark
As the leader of the Justice League Dark Zatanna isn’t lacking in power either. She is more than capable of holding her own when needed. Although the show has dealt with Damien Darhk, there is no shortage of magical characters that the producers could use for a third season villain. The Legends vs Felix Faust or Nick Necro would make for some captivating television. The magic side of the CW’s DCU has been seriously under-represented. With Constantine getting a CW Seed show and Zatanna appearing on Legends this would be a good way of showing that DC has a lot more to offer than superheroes.
Ted Kord would be a fun addition to the team due to the number of times Kord Industries has been mentioned through various shows. It would be great to watch him and Martin interacting together and another mature character on the team would be a good way to mix up the team dynamic.
With a genius level IQ, he would also be able to give The Atom a run for his money. With the four-part crossover bringing The Dominators into the CW Universe it would be a chance to see this side of the DCU explore. Despite forgoing the scarab that serves the 3rd Blue Beetle Jaime Reyes. Kord is often shown as having an affinity with alien technology. Something that could prove to be a valuable asset to the legends.
Whilst having no superpowers of his own, Kord relies on his brains and his tech. Admittedly this sounds a lot like The Atom but Blue Beetle is more than capable of holding his own in a fight. As a firm fan favorite, it’s his interactions with number four on the list that would help to separate him from Ray Palmer.
Hailing from the 25th Century Booster Gold has always held a special place in the hearts of comic fans. His overall story can be confusing at times due to his time jumping antics which means he would fit in nicely with the team. The fame hungry and glory loving Booster would make a brilliant addition and add some interesting tension with his son – the returning Rip Hunter.
Another character without any metahuman abilities Booster Gold uses technology from the future to showboat his way to glory. Aside from mixing up the team dynamic, having Booster on the team would be an interesting way to add to Rip Hunter’s story which at times felt very flat during season Two.
With strong links to the time masters, Booster Gold would give the show a chance to reintroduce the organization. Thus opening the door for a host of new stories in their third year.
Another magic character but with a difference. Much like Firestorm, Ertigan is the combination of two people. Jason Blood was a knight in the court of Camelot before being bonded to the Demon Etrigan by Merlin. With immortality at his disposal Jason Blood has spent a lifetime trying to control the rhyming monster within.
With the introduction of Camelot this season, adding Blood to the Legends would be another foothold in the magic side of the DCU. It would be interesting to watch the struggle of Blood Vs Etrigan. With Constantine on the CW Seed and Etrigan having a revival due to Justice League Dark animated movie; it makes sense to bring a semi-established magic user to the CW Universe.
Etrigan is commonly known for his brute strength. It would be fun to watch him interact with Heatwave. With Mick turning his back on Captain Cold in the finale, the two could form a strong bond over constantly being mistrusted by the team. With these two characters on the ship, it would be a good way to bring out another side of Heatwave.
What do you think of the list? Agree or Disagree? Who would YOU like to see on the roster? Comment below and let us know.
Grant Gustin (Barry Allen) and Tom Cavanagh (HR Wells) are making a short film. With the help of IndieGoGo, and you at home, we can make their dream a reality.
The pair are wanting to make a heist style film, called ‘Tom&Grant’. They are looking for $80,000 to cover the cost of all the post production fees, as well as the fees that Indiegogo requires. Being famous and having friends is great, but it can’t make you a quality film like they are wanting to produce.
Both Tom and Grant made a video for the project, which is quite entertaining. Filming right in Star Labs, making you feel right at home and apart of Team Flash.
TOM&GRANT is a HEIST. A bank job. And we want your company as we undergo the robbery. Here’s the thing, though: we need greenbacks, moolah, cash money, $$$. We need a l’il help fronting the capital to get the operation off the ground, see. After all, TOM&GRANT wouldn’t be thinkin’ about knocking off a bank if they had stacks of cash to make a short film.
Plans have been made to film when they have a short break from the show, before season end and they go home for hiatus. The hard part is only a four day window to film, but the pair is confident it can get done.
Cavanagh wrote and directed the film. It will also star Ellie Harvie and Betty Dubney.
You can find all the info at Indiegogo.com From the perk packages to exactly where your money is going.
Let’s help make this movie for our favorites on Team Flash!
Look for a new episode of ‘The Flash’ this Tuesday April 11th, at 8/7c on The CW.
ResurreXion is officially upon us. Marvel’s “rebirth” for their flagship mutant characters has begun and so far, so good. X-Men Prime set a precedent, calming the nerves of fans and setting the tone for all X-books going forward. The first ongoing series was released this week, X-Men: Gold is off to a good start.
***Spoilers Lie Ahead***
This book is aimed mostly at longtime fans, we who worship continuity. It’s led by Kitty Pryde and composed of other all-time favorite mutants. Gold will be the “classic” X-Men comic book reading experience of the bunch.
Writer Marc Guggenheim wastes no time throwing this group into some old school X-action. The team faces off against Terrax, pokes fun at comic book deaths, and addresses their “adoring” public. Guggenheim does a nice job establishing the tone of this book. It’s very much about these mutants protecting a world full of people that hate and fear them again.
The X-Men aren’t staving off extinction of the mutant race, they’re not fighting Inhumans, and they’re not split down the middle. The narrative going forward will no longer be about survival, but about living their lives. Fighting oppression is no walk in the park, but it’s a hell of a lot more interesting than a forced war against the Inhumans.
Kitty had the school relocated to Central Park in X-Men Prime, the repercussions of that are explored immediately. “Gold Leader” has her hands full from day one as she’s also dealing with her longtime former lover (Colossus) being on the team. Relationships are established and explored among the whole team, setting up the future drama these characters will be facing.
This issue is a lot of fun. Action scenes were interesting and exciting, even exploring new power boundaries. The cultural impact of the mutants being front and center hits mainstream news, igniting debates and outrage. Even aside from Danger Room training and villain bashing, there’s even time for a classic baseball game.
Artist Ardian Syaf (despite subliminal messages) does a wonderful job breathing new life into these previously stale characters. Frank Martin’s colors also play a crucial part in making this X-Men experience feel more like home. There’s a little bit of everything that makes up a satisfying X-Men experience in this issue. It’s not overdone and it’s clearly not a rushed production. The book hits where it needs to.
In the cliffhanger for X-Men: Gold #1, the team comes face-to-face with a new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. A decision so obvious, but plays effectively regardless. Marvel was wise to release this book first, readers should feel slightly more reassured that ResurreXion is exactly what we asked for.
One of the most satisfying features of this issue is in back of it. There readers will find a recap of X-Men history as it pertains to these characters. Even if you’re a well read fan of mutant adventures, it’s fun to revisit the timeline. Below is the first page of the history lesson.
What did you think of X-Men: Gold #1? How confident are you in ResurreXion? Will Marvel deliver on their promise, winning unsatisfied X-Men fans back? Let us know in the comments below!
気になります！(Kini narimasu) Or “I’m curious” will be a phrase driven into your head after watching this anime. See if your curiosity peaks while trying to solve these fun mysteries in the anime Hyouka.
Oreki Houtarou has always been a part of the “go home early” club. With the motto “If I don’t have to do it, I won’t. If I have to do it, I’ll do it quick.” Oreki has always been keen on saving energy and being as lazy as possible. That is until his sister asks him a favor to join the old Classic’s club that she used to be a part of. Without Oreki the club would be disbanded therefore making his presence necessary. Yet upon entering the club room his fateful encounter with Chitanda Eru occurs leaving his peaceful life in the dust.
From a personal perspective Hyouka was a delightful experience that differs from the many other school based anime. The combination of a traditional school setting a chance to delve into the mystery genre, Hyouka is a refreshing break from the cliché High School drama.
Main character Oreki while somewhat lethargic, plays the Sherlockian role in a convincing manner leaving myself enticed throughout the series. Other characters such as Chitanda or 
Satoshi act as magnificent supports to aid him in their exploits.
While the series did have the potential to become a longer series it was cut off at 22 episodes. With other series such as Detective Conan has overshadowing it I can understand to some extent. However, the series was exciting yet calm drawing me in from the very start. While I wish it had continued I am content re-watching the series an extra two or three times.
Hyouka tries to combine a high level of mystery and the traditional school setting. To some degree it is efficiently integrated, but at the same time the level of mystery felt advanced. As if leaving out details only those within the anime could procure, Hyouka almost misses a trick. If the mysteries were simplified so that viewers have more time and information to decode the mysteries the series might have been more appealing.
Even though the series wasn’t perfect it was entertaining. Sometimes that is enough for me, and being able to do that in 22 episodes is always an extraordinary feat. Thanks to this I was able to appreciate the series and do recommend it as a fun mystery title.
If there are any anime you would like reviewed please comment below and if I haven’t watched it I will be sure to!
