In some news that should please both Liam Neeson fans and Noir fans, the actor has signed on to play Philip Marlowe in an adaptation of Benjamin Black’s crime novel The Black-Eyed Blonde.
Here’s a brief background of the material from Variety:
Based on the book The Black-Eyed Blonde by Benjamin Black, the story follows the tough as nails private detective the early 1950s where Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and business is a little slow. That is until a beautiful blonde client comes in and asks Marlowe to find her ex-lover. He soon comes to find out that the ex-lover’s disappearance is just a part of bigger mystery and soon has Marlowe wrapped up with one of the more powerful families in Bay Cities who are willing to go to any length’s to protect their fortune.
This is noir, though, so the machinations of the plot and the twists and turns take a backseat to mood, aesthetics, and troubled characters. Neeson feels like a perfect fit for this world.
The Departed screenwriter William Monahan, who also directed London Boulevard, is set to direct The Black-Eyed Blonde. No news on the rest of the cast or the release date, so stay tuned.
Spider-Man’s first clone and the original Scarlet Spider is back in full swing! After returning as the new Jackal in The Clone Conspiracy, Ben Reilly is picking his old mantle back up in a new solo series.
Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider will be written and drawn by Spider-Man legends Peter David and Mark Bagley. Issue one hits shelves on April 26th. Check out the first official preview below!
This April, one of the most controversial characters in Marvel history returns to don the mask (and hoodie!) once more. Today, Marvel is pleased to present your first look inside BEN REILLY: THE SCARLET SPIDER #1 – the new series from New York Times Bestselling creators Peter David (Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099) and Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man, All-New X-Men)! That’s right, Ben Reilly is webslinging his way back into comic shops everywhere and he’s bringing two of the most accomplished & beloved Spider-Man creators of all-time with him! Only question is – will it be as a hero…or a villain? In the aftermath of The Clone Conspiracy, Ben Reilly has returned with a new lease on life. Not as Peter Parker’s clone – but as his own man. Will suiting up once more as the Scarlet Spider be enough to outrun his personal demons? All while being able to stay one step ahead of the man hunting him – Kaine Parker – the former Scarlet Spider?! More importantly, can you ever truly outrun your past? Find out as the iconic fan-favorite character returns to the fore once again in BEN REILLY: THE SCARLET SPIDER #1 – swinging into comic shops on April 26th!
Are you looking forward to this new series? Do you think Ben will return to the hero he once was, or is he past the point of no return? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
CBS announced this morning their latest recruitment for the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery – Rainn Wilson. What’s more, The Office star will portray the legendary intergalactic con man Harry Mudd from the original Star Trek series.
Wilson joins the stellar Discovery cast, which includes The Walking Dead’s Sonequa Martin-Green, Anthony Rapp, Doug Jones, Michelle Yeoh, and Jason Isaacs.
Harcourt Fenton “Harry” Mudd was originally played by Roger C. Carmel, and introduced in the first season of TOS. Carmel would go on to make another appearance in the second season, as well as in the animated series.
Star Trek: Discovery began production in January, and takes place about 10 years before Captain Kirk and Spock’s original five-year mission. The series will air exclusively on CBS All Access.
What do you think of the casting? Let us know in the comments!
As revealed at ComicBook.com, Valiant Entertainment and Chicago’s own Pipeworks Brewing Co. are proud to announce a brand-new, cosmos-spanning collaboration with X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE – a limited-edition beer release set to debut this April during C2E2 2017 and coming soon to select beer retailers in Illinois and New York! A portion of the proceeds from all sales of the X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE will benefit Hope for the Day, a Chicago-based suicide awareness non-profit dedicated to outreach, education, and prevention.
In the wake of the sold-out debut of Valiant’s epic new ongoing series from visionary creators Matt Kindt and Tomas Giorello, Valiant and Pipeworks have joined forces to create a delicious and delectable golden ale inspired by Aric of Dacia’s empire-toppling conquest of a hostile alien world. Forged by an alien army and bottled in battle, the only thing more powerful than X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE’s unstoppable hop aroma might be the ultra-powerful Shanhara armor itself…but you’ll have to do more than read the back of the bottle to find out!
Pipeworks Brewing Co.’s Kate Brankin said:
All of us at Pipeworks Brewing Co. are very excited to offer up a juicy, dry-hopped golden ale brewed in collaboration with Valiant Entertainment. The beer was made with Galaxy hops and a yeast that lends incredible tropical notes. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. This craft beer pairs excellently with a well-crafted story arc and beautiful artwork. And we’re proud that a portion of all proceeds from this collaboration will benefit Hope for the Day, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention and mental health education through self-expression platforms.
Featuring a label emblazoned with the artwork of Valiant-exclusive superstar Lewis LaRosa, Pipeworks’ brand-new beer creation will make its official debut on Friday, April 21st at the C2E2 2017: X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE RELEASE PARTY – from 7 to 11 pm CT at Chicago’s Cobra Lounge (235 N. Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607)!
Co-sponsored by Valiant Entertainment, Pipeworks Brewing Co., and Hope for the Day, the first 75 party-goers will receive a strictly limited X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 cover flat – a rare, unbound comic cover pulled directly from the printing press and signed by Valiant staff and creators!
Portions of the proceeds from the event’s $5 door charge and all pints of X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE poured will be donated to Hope for the Day, supporting their suicide prevention outreach and mental health education projects. RSVP online at Facebook or Eventbrite.
Hope for the Day Founder & CEO Jonny Boucher added:
Our team at Hope for the Day is beyond stoked to be working with Valiant Entertainment and the local beer legends Pipeworks Brewing on this release that celebrates the festive C2E2. It’s amazing to work with such great individuals on a project that is both creatively awesome and proactively breaking the silence around suicide and mental health.
Pipeworks Brewing Co.’s X-O MANOWAR GALACTIC GOLDEN ALE is a limited release and will be available in select Illinois and New York bottle shops. Find participating retailers and distributors via Pipeworks’ location page, or visit them directly Thursday through Saturday at the Pipeworks Brewing Co. Bottle Shop (3912 W Mclean Ave., Chicago, IL 60647).
Then: Witness history in the making on March 22nd in X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 – the first issue of the epic new ongoing series from New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (Divinity, Ninjak, Mind MGMT) and a rotating cast of powerhouse artists – including Tomas Giorello (4001 A.D.: War Mother, Bloodshot Reborn), Doug Braithwaite (Armor Hunters, Bloodshot U.S.A.), Clayton Crain (Rai, Carnage), Ryan Bodenheim (The Dying & The Dead), and Mico Suayan (Bloodshot Reborn) – that together will span the series’ first year in 2017 and beyond!
Born under the oppressive thumb of the Roman Empire, Aric of Dacia learned warfare at an early age. It was amid such violence that he was abducted by an alien race. Forced into slavery, he survived where others perished. His escape would come from bonding with a weapon of immeasurable power: the X-O Manowar armor. With it, he returned to Earth…only to find himself stranded in the modern day.
But that was a lifetime ago.
Now, far from home on a strange and primitive new world, Aric has begun a new life. Liberated from his past, he tends to his crops. Free from war. Free from violence. Free from the armor.
But the machinery of death marches his way once again. Conscripted into an alien army and thrown into an unforgiving conflict, the fury inside him finds voice as he is forced to embrace the armor once more. With it, he will decimate armies, topple empires and incite interplanetary warfare as he rises from soldier to general to emperor to visigoth. They wanted a weapon. He will give them war!
This spring, Matt Kindt and Tomas Giorello forge a new comic book legend for the 21st century as Earth’s most relentless warrior brings conquest to the stars, only in X-O MANOWAR (2017) #1 – on sale now!
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is almost upon us! And now original Kingsman comic (aka The Secret Service) creator, and very vocal social media presence, Mark Millar has Tweeted the poster for the upcoming film. Check it out below.
Anyone who ever dreamed of seeing Elton John, Channing Tatum and Colin Firth in an action movie together only has to wait 5 months! pic.twitter.com/kw3hIhXt8H
It’s a simple enough image, but it’s that cast that gets me excited. Who doesn’t want to see Elton John in an action movie? Plus Jeff Bridges! And Channing Tatum has quickly become a scene stealer in many of his projects.
The first film was such a great surprise, and we can only hope the sequel captures that again. Still no word on how Colin Firth’s Harry Hart character is back after getting killed, but that little bit of mystery is a huge part of the anticipation! What do you guys think? Leave your comments, thoughts and discuss below.
The trailer for this should be out soon, so come back to us here at Monkeys Fighting Robots for more news on this project as it becomes available.
What do you guys think? Leave your comments, thoughts and discuss below.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is scheduled for release on September 29th, 2017.
GKIDS and Fathom Events are teaming up to show six Studio Ghibli films in movie theaters this year. The event, titled “Studio Ghibli Fest 2017”, begins in June and ends in November.
Here’s the list of films coming back to theaters, and when they’ll be shown.
My Neighbor Totoro – June 25 & 26
Kiki’s Delivery Service – July 23 & 24
Castle In The Sky – August 27 & 28
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind – September 24 & 25
Spirited Away – October 29 & 30
Howl’s Moving Castle – November 26 & 27.
Tickets for the event go on sale April 28. If you’re eager to know exactly when they drop, sign up for Early Ticket Access via the official website.
Will you be checking out any of these classic Ghibli films in theaters? Comment below, let us know!
Here’s the simple truth with Inhumans Prime #1, it’s Marvel making their latest push for the Inhumans franchise. By golly, they want Inhumans to happen and they are going to make it happen. This issue is Marvel’s way of establishing the next line of comics for this franchise. Already this one-shot story has a lot to prove to get people onboard this line of books. Especially with a TV series on the way too. Al Ewing is one of Marvel’s best writers and even with his pedigree he is going to have a rough time to sell me and readers on this. So, enough of the introduction of fun and wonders. I cannot delay any further as I begin my adventure into Inhumans Prime #1.
Here is how we’re going to break down Inhumans Prime #1, we’re going to start out with is this thing friendly to a new reader?
Seriously is this comic friendly to a new reader?
This is a tough call. The ultimate story here is about the Inhumans figuring out how they fit in now. This explores the aspects of how the Inhumans are going to operate from now on, that’s a cool idea. If I was someone walking in off the street though, I’d be wondering what is happening here. Al Ewing breaks down many ideas and sets up a lot of the new concepts, yet making a connection to anything is rough. You get a cool battle scene to start with and a neat introduction or two, but it never gels together as much as you’d like. Yes, potentially a new reader could dive into this but it would be tough. Though there are some shining spots to the comic which I do definitely want to mention. It’s not all negativity here folks.
So what are the cool parts of this comic?
I would say the best aspects are the parts that play the smallest roles in the book. The potential setup for whatever Black Bolt is up to has potential. However this Maximus story plays out has a lot of potential too. There’s also a cool bit with one unlikely character that sets up many upon many cool ideas. I like the character of Captain Swain, she’s a lot of fun so wherever she shows up, I’m in. There is stuff to like here and I will be curious how the idea of royalty in the Inhumans sorts itself out. This could be interesting to see play out. There is stuff to definitely keep an eye on, I just wish that it could have had a more organized feel to it. I was supposed to be focusing on the cool parts but, man this comic is rough.
Well I guess that went well, what do you think about the art in Inhumans Prime?
Oh man, okay so I hemmed and hawed about this one. I saw the art team here and immediately I got curious. I saw Ryan Sook and I cheered because Sook doesn’t do interiors often and that’s cool. Then there’s a new or at least new to me artist here named Chris Allen. I’m not sure how the art duties were separated here but this was a mixed bag of tricks. For one thing there are talented inkers involved, Sook is an inker here along with Walden Wong and Keith Champagne. Paul Mounts is a strong colorist so on paper this shouldn’t be a bad looking comic. Sadly this becomes a mess of a comic art wise with shining moments here and there. Which is where I need to explain myself further as to why this is a mess.
I wish I could figure out how the art is divvied up here. Some of the art looks great, especially at the beginning. The double page splash with the Inhumans is beautiful for one thing. Most of the opening pages look amazing. Then as the comic rolls on the art gets a bit rougher. Expressions start looking weirder and it doesn’t work well at all. The inking and coloring does help but it only helps so much in hiding a rough looking set of pages. It’s one of the rougher looking books art wise I have dealt with from a big company in quite a long time. I’m trying not to be a jerk but I can’t help but notice the rough aspects of a comic. Especially when the rough parts hit me like a beam of light on a dark and stormy night.
Oh well, I guess that could have been worse. So is Inhumans Prime #1 worth grabbing?
It depends, if you really like the Inhumans you may like this a lot more. There is stuff to like here and I do plan on checking out the line as there are things within that have my attention. If you are only a casual fan though, you’ll probably want to skip this one. It’s not essential reading by any means as the books than spin out of this will work just as well on their own. I also hate not liking this more because I really do dig Al Ewing’s writing. Sadly though, everyone has an off day and this one just happened to miss more than hit. A shame but it doesn’t turn me off his writing, just didn’t work as well as I liked and that’s okay.
May as well wrap the Inhumans Prime adventure up now by golly. Oh what a ride indeed.
That was Inhumans Prime #1, it had some high spots and a whole lot of low spots. This was one of the tougher books for me to read in a long time. At least I can say that I gave it a go and hopefully the rest of the Inhumans line is better than this. It can’t help but be better than this.
Warning. Your connection to reality has suddenly quit. Now reconnecting. Stop whatever it is that you are doing and check out the trailer for Hulu’s new sci-fi/horror anthology series, Dimension 404.
“In the darkest depths of cyberspace, there is a lost dimension, home to wonders unseen, terrors unspeakable, and stories unlike any ever told.”
So says the eerie narrator (voiced by the one and only Mark Hamill). Each episode is self-contained, and will tell a story about an internet or technology-related terror. Going through the trailer, the great Patton Oswalt sets us up for something that is “going to suck.” But suck it did not, Mr. Oswalt. What follows for the next 75 seconds is a neon blast of old school scares and an array of familiar faces. Given the nature of these anthology series such as The Outer Limits, it will most likely not end well for these characters.
The show may hit a little too close to Black Mirror territory. However, Dimension 404 looks like it’s bringing much more popcorn fun and camp akin to an 80s sci-fi/horror flick than the hit British series.
Dimension 404 is produced by RocketJump, a digital studio founded in 2010 by Freddie Wong, Matthew Arnold, and Desmond Dolly. Their site has an impressive collection of original videos. Most notably, they are known for the action/comedy web series Video Game High School. The show takes place in a future where video gaming has become the world’s most popular sport, its best players are taken to stardom. The RocketJump team called Dimension 404 “the biggest project” they have undertaken to date – and for good reason.
Dimension 404 has a stellar cast including Lea Michele, Joel McHale, Patton Oswalt, Megan Mullaly, and Mark Hamill as the narrator. The first of the six hour-long episodes will stream on Hulu beginning, fittingly, on April 4 (4/04).
Will you set your streaming devices to Dimension 404 when it airs? Let us know in the comments!
The latest Marvel Cinematic Universe addition to Netflix was ‘Iron Fist,’ the consensus was ‘meh.’ But the nerd debate around the series was intense. With the release of the ‘Justice League’ trailer and a new ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ trailer the nerd rage runs high and Matt & EJ ask why?
Strap yourself in buckaroos! Episode 116 of the Monkeys Fighting Robots podcast is here.
Do you want to be our SUPER-FAN of the week? All you have to do is comment on this podcast to be eligible.
Do you have a question that you would like answered during the show? Email your questions to matt@popaxiom.com.
About the Monkeys Fighting Robots Podcast:
A Gen Xer and a Millennial debate the latest topics in pop culture. One guy is a filmmaker and the other is a journalist, but both are nerds. We make your slowest days at work better. Hosts, Matthew Sardo and EJ Moreno.
Never heard of Matt Sardo? For starters, he made the Kessel Run in less than 11 parsecs. Prior to that, he gave Doc Brown the idea for the flux capacitor and led the Resistance to victory over SkyNet – all while sipping a finely crafted IPA. As a radio host, he’s interviewed celebrities, athletes and everyone in between. He’s covered everything from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con.
Who’s EJ Moreno? Is he a trained physician? No. Is he a former Miss Universe contestant? Possibly. But what we know for sure is he’s a writer, filmmaker, and pop culture enthusiast. Since film school, EJ has written & directed several short films. He’s used his passion of filmmaking to become a movie critic for MonkeysFightingRobots.com.
Wrestlemania 24 is hands down one of the all-time best cards. That show had it all. A stellar Money in the Bank ladder match. Add in a legendary bout between Shawn Micheals and Ric Flair. Then an epic triple threat of Triple H, John Cena and Randy Orton. It ended in a classic of an Undertaker streak match versus Edge. Seeing as the WWE is making a return to Orlando 9 years later for Wrestlemania 33 they seem to like the chance for history to repeat itself.
24 Recap
After balling my eyes out at the moving ending of the match between Micheals and Flair, I fondly remember meeting the eyes of other wrestling fans and making the pledge. The pledge was uttered briefly in passing, and with vicious intent. “Taker loses, Orlando burns”. I hope something similar is going on to Roman Reigns’ detriment. I also recall standing in lines for Meet and Greets, Axxess, and Hall of Fame entry talking to people about what they hated about the card we paid premium package money to watch live. Its a common problem among wrestling fans. We’re never quite satisfied. Fickle is the spice and we put that ‘ish’ on everything.
The Truth
Truth is people are selling Wrestlemania 33 short, just as they did Wrestlemania 24. In no other form of entertainment is hindsight 20-20 like it is in wrestling. The issue is obvious. You can’t judge a performance till its done. Wrestling happens in the moment. Suspension moves in the rise and fall of the crowd. Greatness breathes in the instincts of the performers. It lives in the now at all times and the now constantly changes.
So let’s talk about this in the now. Wrestlemania 33 has legacy behind it like no other Wrestlemania in recent years. Interestingly enough it actually features an abundance of diversity in matches and performers. An unheard of aspect from the days of Wrestlemania 24. If someone told me 9 years ago that I’d see a repackaged ROH Kevin Steen as Kevin Owens facing US Champ Chris Jericho in a grudge match along with AJ Styles facing Shane McMahon at a Wrestlemania I’d suggest less time in the sun. However this reminds me that no one has ever accused wrestling fans of being clairvoyant no matter how much they claim to be in every online forum. Perspective is the key. This return to Orlando is a sign that it is important to look back at where we’ve been to appreciate how far we have come.
The Revolution is STILL at Hand
We have come so far that we have the still thriving Women’s revolution. This features the upgrade to being labeled superstars and not divas. Add to that the context which is a highly anticipated Fatal Four Way for the Raw Women’s title with the cream of the crop in Bayley, Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. Not to be out done, the Smackdown Woman’s champ Alexa Bliss is saying ‘come take it’ to all who dare to speak of it. That alone labels this as a legendary moment that will be talked about as wrestling hallowed ground for decades.
Unlike most of the more recent Wrestlemanias this is a ceremonial handing off by some of the biggest there is. There is a rite of passage happening here. As Wrestlemania 24 concluded many arcs, Wrestlemania 33 is planning on beginning many new ones. The next class of NXT upstarts that joined us last year are having their times right now. They are mixing it up rather well with seasoned talent. From the shape of this card there will be some substantial torch passing.
The Card
Goldberg and Brock Lesnar are the big names and the draw for obvious reasons. The match will most likely go down as previous ones have. Owens – Jericho will burn down the house. I have no doubt. Triple H and Rollins will be all that was ever intended in old versus new gunslinger style. It doesn’t get more brass than that. AJ Styles and Shane McMahon will leave everything out there. You know it, I know it. We will all be changed when its over. As I write this I feel that chill that goes along with those words. I expect to cringe and roar at the Tag Team Championship Triple Threat match. Keep your eyes on Big Cass. His time is coming very soon.
The only match I’m really not sure about what we may get is Dean Ambrose and Baron Corbin. The potential there is a teeming undercurrent that can possibly blow up or fizzle. I’m rooting for the first. Please don’t get me started on LOVING Maryse back in the ring with the bite that Nikki Bella returned with. For once it seems The Miz and Cena have to back lead the ladies. Neville and Austin Aries should show us something truly special. Undertaker and Roman Reigns is going to surprise. Whether for good or ill it will be talked about. I have an inkling of controversy kindling regarding a roaming healthy Finn Balor who has no match to pass his time. Whatever will he do!?!?
Did I Miss One?
Why no, I haven’t mentioned Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. As a matter of fact I won’t say anything about the match. That feud is speaking for itself. I can do no better than the two men engaged in it have done. The build has been a bit of legacy beauty that only people who watched their daddies can even appreciate. Barbarism and legacy coming together to attain the mastery level of “I can teach you no more,” done in a Randy Orton pose. The buzzards are weak with it. Gentlemen, on with the show.
What are your thoughts on this coming Wrestlemania 33 card? How does it compare to previous cards?
