Get Your First Look At The CW’s Black Lightning Right Here

By

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March 29, 2017

Warner Bros Wednesday night, released the first image of Cress Williams as Black Lightning, the next DC Comics character to join their ever growing “Arrowverse” on The CW.

Black Lighting created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden in 1977, was the first African-American DC Super Hero to have his own stand-alone comic title. Jefferson Pierce made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with one daughter hell-bent on justice and the other a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend — Black Lightning.

Executive producer/writer/director Salim Akil had passionate words about the series.

“I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California. I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when BLACK LIGHTNING was created, and finally there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives. Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking…BLACK LIGHTNING will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power, and become our own Super Heroes,” said Akil.

Greg Berlanti, Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil and Sarah Schechter are executive producers of BLACK LIGHTNING, from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Salim Akil is directing the pilot from a script he wrote.

Are you excited for this series? Comment below.

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Netflix and Lagunitas: Binge Worthy Beers For Your Bender

By

Devon Kenney

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March 29, 2017

Netflix and Chill? OR Netflix and Lagunitas?

Netflix has become that thing that we all do. You know, take an entire weekend on the couch and binge watch the next hot series, or that show you’ve seen 1000 times. If you’re a beer drinker, you have your brew of choice sitting right next to you at all times. Which beers would be the best for your bender?

This is where the session beer comes in. The session, being that a beer that you can drink over a longer period of time due to the lack of ABVs, has Netflix written all over it. Sessions aren’t for everyone, but pretty much any beer with a low alcohol content works in this situation if you want to keep a light buzz.

Hoppy IPA

There are those who like to get drunk and watch, and for those folks, I recommend the India Pale Ale. They have a high ABV and are delightfully hoppy and full in flavor. For a great go-to IPA, Elysian Space Dust is a wonderful option. From Seattle, the 8.2% “totally nebular IPA’ is one that will take your taste buds out of this world.

Let’s say you want something fruity and girly to go with ‘Gilmore Girls.’ You aren’t a beer person, but drinking fruity drinks all day will give you a headache. Go for a cider or a fruity hefeweizen. Cider Boys has several ciders that taste like juice but aren’t so sugary you will die. Rory Gilmore would appreciate First Press, the apple cider that relates to her career.

Theme beers are a wonderful thing, in fact, pick a beer that represents the show you are watching right now. Choose a beer for each character and story line. You’ll have a magical line up of beers, and you won’t ever get bored!

What is your binge-worthy beer of choice?

Discuss in the comments!

Until next time beer snobs.

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‘Sunspring,’ Artificial Intelligence And The Rise Of The Screenwriting Machine

By

Ruben Diaz

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March 29, 2017

In Terminator 2, Skynet went active on August 29, 1997. That day, an artificial intelligence unleashed a series of attacks all over the world. A chain of events goes into motion that sees the fall of mankind at the hands of the machines. It also starts an action-packed time-travel story with plenty of plot holes, but that’s an article for another time. It’s 2017, so Sarah Connor did something right since we’re not currently being spanked around by Skynet’s machines, though, automation is destroying plenty of jobs. However, screenwriting seemed to have good job security. That is, until, August 8th, 2016, when a writing Skynet of sorts was born, and its name is Benjamin.

In 2016, filmmaker Oscar Sharp paired with AI Researcher, Ross Goodwin, to create a film for the 48 Hour Film Project in London. After creating the Long Short-Term Memory or LSTM, Sharp, Goodwin, and a cast that includes Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) sat back, patiently waiting for the printer to come alive and deliver a script.

writing-film-robot — Benjamin, the AI screenwriter in an interview. I’m serious.

Once the script was ready, cast and crew took to making the film and interpreting directions like “He is standing in the stars and sitting on the floor” to the best of their abilities.

The result is a movie that is best described as a surreal and creepy student film. But perhaps the most frightening part, though, is that the pic isn’t completely terrible. Now, when I say that, let’s be clear where I set the bar. Benjamin is artificial intelligence in its infancy. It is, at best, equivalent to a two-year-old with a learning disability. Benjamin is only the tippy tip of the AI iceberg. But I found Sunspring engaging and entertaining, almost in the way as Tim and Eric, Adventure Time, or even Family Guy; a kind of absurdist comedy. Sunspring is like a skit from a show that doesn’t — and probably shouldn’t — exist.

Artificial intelligence is on the rise, so it begs the question,
how much time do screenwriters have left?

AS IF PERMEATING THE UNIVERSE ITSELF, THE TERMINATOR 2 THEME BEGINS TO PLAY.

WATCH SUNSPRING

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Less Adventure Than You’d Think In ‘Adam Strange/Future Quest’ Annual #1

By

Anthony Wendel

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After the events of the DEATH OF HAWKMAN miniseries, Adam Strange is blasted through multiple dimensions only to land on Earth! There, instead of super-powered beings and legendary crime fighters, he encounters a boy adventurer and his scientist father—and they’re the only ones who can help him return home. Jonny Quest, Hadji, Dr. Quest and Race Bannon have a plan, but it’s going to involve a dangerous trek through Dino Boy’s Lost Valley of prehistoric threats!

Writing

This really feels like one of those instances where the idea probably sounded better on paper. At least the planning process for it. Seems like it would match up perfectly. Adam Strange, the man from Earth lost amongst the stars, meeting with Jonny Quest, the kid cartoon adventurer. How could this go wrong? Very easily by the look of it.

It’s your standard crossover story. People meet, a misunderstanding occurs so someone is not trusting someone else, and come the last part of the book a team up takes place. The meeting itself makes perfect sense given the events of the main Future Quest comic. It’s the part about Adam Strange conveniently having amnesia which is the problem. All it really serves is to have him not be able to tell his backstory right away so Race can’t fully trust him.

Writers Marc Andreyko and Jeff Parker didn’t create the greatest epic adventure in this issue. Considering what they had to work with it’s actually surprising. This issue also features a preview for the new Top Cat series which has a Howard The Duck vibe to it. It was also the more interesting part of this annual.

Artwork

The art for the issue doesn’t help to pull the issue ahead either. Steve Lieber on art and Veronica Gandini on colors just don’t produce the same level of quality in this issue as the main Future Quest book does. There is an imbalance of character styles from panel to panel. Sometimes the characters are drawn in a comical and lighthearted style and other times they are rough and sharp like they are ready for action. This variation comes off more unsettling than it does entertaining.

Conclusion

For those of you who had high hopes for this book you are not rewarded. It’s the worst issue of Future Quest so far, and it’s unnecessary reading even for the most die hard Adam Strange fan. He’s just there for the ride and providing little else. Much like this annual dose as a whole.

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The First Trailer For Terrifying ‘IT’ Remake Is Finally Here! Brace Yourself!

By

EJ Moreno

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March 29, 2017

‘IT’ Returns To Scare An Entirely New Generation!

Just when you thought it was safe to like clowns again. After months of hype and plenty of teaser photos, we now have our first look at the ‘IT‘ remake. Stephen King’s most infamous clown has never looked this scary!

“In a small town of Derry, Maine, seven children come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.”

The film will be directed by Andrés Muschietti (‘Mama’) and written by Gary Dauberman, Chase Palmer, & Cary Joji Fukunaga. This is based on the hit novel by author Stephen King and was adapted in 1990 as a TV Mini-Series. In the TV Mini-Series, Tim Curry played the role of Pennywise The Dancing Clown.

2017’s ‘IT‘ stars Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, a role many were cautious to see re-done but the young actor is bringing something deeply scary to Pennywise. Leading “The Loser’s Club”, the kids who come to face-to-face with the clown, is Jaeden Lieberher.

Rounding out the cast is Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Nicholas Hamilton in supporting roles

It was also announced the film will be broken up in two parts. The first part being released this year and the second half yet to be announced. Splitting up the film will allow for more story to be told, following the mini-series.

What do you think of the first trailer for this film?

Let me know if you plan on checking out ‘IT’ when it’s released this year.

Look for Pennywise to haunt your theaters on September 8th, 2017!

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Review: 11 Reasons That Make ‘Booster Gold/Flintstones’ A Funny, Clever, And Meaningful Time Travel Tale

By

Manuel Gomez

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Booster Gold/Flintstones #1

“Booster Trouble”
Written by: Mark Russell
Art by: Rick Leonardi
Inks by: Scott Hana
Colors by: Steve Buccellato
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover by: Mike and Laura Allred

Today saw the release of the first wave of DC’s Superhero/Hanna-Barbera comics. And, like everyone else, I was a bit skeptical on this concept at first. But Booster Gold is one of my favorite characters, and The Flintstones is a classic property (whose recent DC relaunch has been met with much acclaim) so I jumped right into it, as it seemed like the best fit for me to check this idea out. I’m REALLY glad I did, because Booster Gold/Flintstones #1 was one of the most fun, clever, and smart comics I have read lately. It really takes what could have been a silly cash-grab concept and elevates it, all while keeping the humor you would expect in a concept like this. Read on to find out 11 things that make Booster Gold/Flintstones #1 a must read this week.

That Mike and Laura Allred cover! ‘Nuff said!
The Gotham City of 2472 (specifically the kid running around in the Joker mask).
“Holy Gygax!” (All hail Dungeons & Dragons)
The perfect balance of the seemingly light tone to make some very pointed and dark observations.
Rick Leonardi, Scott Hanna, and Steve Buccellato creating some crisp, clean, and beautiful art.
The bit with the ATM that has artificial intelligence.
The banter between Booster and Skeets (never gets old!)
The one-panel joke with the “Batman Security” guard on page 7 (check out his arm placement).
The reaction the Flintstone gang has to Booster and his personality.
Mark Russell actually created a tightly crafted, clever, meaningful and humorous time-travel story.
“It’s theology, you wouldn’t understand”

Don’t let the far out concept keep you from checking this book out. It’s a total breath of fresh air, and one of the funniest books I’ve read recently. Get on it now!

You can pick up Booster Gold/Flintstones at your local comic shop.

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New ‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ Trailer Coming Tomorrow – Teaser Released

By

Kieran McLean

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March 29, 2017

20th Century Fox has released a new teaser for Matt Reeves’ War For The Planet Of The Apes film announcing that the full trailer will land tomorrow.

The short teaser doesn’t reveal much but we do get a better idea of how big in scale this movie will be. This is the third chapter in the new Apes franchise and from the looks of this trailer, it will certainly be the biggest. Luckily we don’t have to wait very long to see the full-length trailer.

Watch the teaser below!

In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

War For The Planet Of The Apes stars Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller, Karin Konoval, Judy Greer and Terry Notary. The film lands in theaters on July 14, 2017!

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New ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ Trailer Released

By

Kieran McLean

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March 29, 2017

A new trailer has been released for Luc Besson’s upcoming space adventure, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. This is the second trailer to be released and teases what we can expect from the film in terms of the larger narrative. This trailer also does a great job of displaying Besson’s style and some of the spectacular visuals that are expected with the release of this film.

Watch the trailer below!

In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) maintain order throughout the universe for the government of the human territories. Under orders from their commander (Clive Owen), the duo embark on a mission to Alpha, an intergalactic city where diverse species share their technology and resources for the betterment of all. The ever-expanding metropolis is also home to sinister forces that jeopardize the future of mankind.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stars Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock, and Kris Wu. The film will land in theaters on July 21, 2017!

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‘Green Lantern/Space Ghost,’ A Golden Cosmic Partnership

By

Brandon J. Griffin

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March 29, 2017

DC’s Hanna-Barbera comic books have been fantastic for the most part. The curious collaboration continues to surprise people with quality reading. This week, they kick it into high gear with a number of crossovers. The Green Lantern/Space Ghost book ends up being a golden cosmic partnership.

Of the four crossover annuals, this one made the most sense on the surface. It easily could have been handled poorly, but writer James Tynion IV clearly cared about both characters and took full advantage.

While answering a mysterious transmission asking for help, Hal Jordan and Space Ghost cross paths in the search of space justice. After butting heads initially (duh), the two join forces to help liberate a planet full of oppressed dreamers. Before parting ways, the two heroes inspire the planet’s inhabitants to reach for the stars.

The final page of this story closes with “The Beginning.” I would have no problem with continuing adventures with these two cosmic heroes. Space Ghost and Hal Jordan riff off of each other effectively, building a strong chemistry in just one short story. Given how many portals Space Ghost has traveled through in Future Quest, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see these two space cops team-up again.

Green Lantern/Space Ghost is a lighthearted tale about what inspires us to achieve our goals. It’s about the human spirit, and how any obstacle can be conquered by working together. Space Ghost’s Batman-like demeanor meshes well with Hal’s wisecracking. Even when the book falls into comic book tropes, it’s brief and a lot of fun. What could have been an over-the-top cheese-fest ends up being a minimum eye roll experience.

The only factor keeping this from being a perfect crossover experience is the art. The photo-realistic approach was a curious one. It’s really effective and beautiful when they’re in space. Unfortunately once they touch down on the planet’s surface, things get ugly. The backgrounds do no favors for the characters in the forefront, in fact they overpower them in every panel.

The back-up story in all of these crossover annuals is to set up the next wave of DC’s Hanna-Barbera initiative. Ruff ‘N’ Ready is about a down-on-their-luck comedy duo during the golden age of television comedy. It’s a much different direction than the original cartoon.

It’s a funny, vulgar, and perverted story that visits a fun time in history. Much like Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, it’s a joy to put old school cartoon’s in adult situations, just much darker.

What did you think of Green Lantern/Space Ghost? How many of the ongoing DC/Hanna-Barbera titles have you read? Let us know in the comments below!

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New ‘Wonder Woman’ Images Show Diana & Steve Trevor

By

Kieran McLean

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March 29, 2017

Warner Bros. and DC Comics have released two new images from Wonder Woman. As you can see in the gallery below, the first image offers a new look at Gal Gadot’s Diana Prince and Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor. The relationship between these two characters is one of the most exciting aspects of the Wonder Woman movie and personally, I can’t wait to see how that develops when the film is released.

The second image again shows Diana and Steve but this time they’re having a few drinks and are joined by Ewen Bremner and Saïd Taghmaoui’s characters. We’re still not sure who these actors are portraying, however, Taghmaoui has previously stated that he will be playing a hero.

Check out the images below!

Before she was Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, Diana meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the massive conflict that’s raging in the outside world. Convinced that she can stop the threat, Diana leaves her home for the first time. Fighting alongside men in a war to end all wars, she finally discovers her full powers and true destiny.

Wonder Woman is directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Ewen Bremner, Lucy Davis, and Saïd Taghmaoui.

Wonder Woman lands in theaters on June 2, 2017!

Source: Batman-News

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Netflix and Chill? OR Netflix and Lagunitas?

Hoppy IPA

Artificial intelligence is on the rise, so it begs the question, how much time do screenwriters have left?

Writing

Artwork

Conclusion

‘IT’ Returns To Scare An Entirely New Generation!

Artificial intelligence is on the rise, so it begs the question,
how much time do screenwriters have left?