Yesterday, we got a few images from the upcoming IT remake. We’ve had a teaser or two. And now, a day before we should finally see the long-awaited trailer, we get a creepy poster.
Check it…
In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.
The color palette of this and the images yesterday are a welcome sight, because they aren’t bathed in blue and orange and the texture of the imagery is strong. This poster further whets my appetite.
Stay tuned for the IT trailer some time tomorrow, and the film will hit theaters September 8.
Restarting the Wizarding World with a prequel set some seventy years prior to the Harry Potter series might seem like a gamble. But with author J.K. Rowling assuming script duties and five-time Potter director David Yates returning to the helm, does Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them deliver? Let’s take a look.
The Film
Academy Award Winner Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, the Hogwarts exile who will eventually author a compendium of magical creatures and pioneer the discipline of magizoologist. But underneath that studious and seemingly absent minded demeanor, Scamander is a compassionate. Indeed, his true business in the United States is an errand of mercy. Unfortunately, Newt gets off the steamer from England and immediately finds himself in a deep mess as some of his creatures escape.
Visually, the film maintains a continuity with the Wizarding World director Yates inherited from directors Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuaron and Mike Newell. Simultaneous grounded and unreal; the de-saturated color palette, digital set extensions and costume design offer enough a storybook look for the fantastic to become credible. It also makes the completely CGI creatures in Newt’s suitcase blend more seamlessly into the live action photography.
Which is great as Newt’s quest to find his beloved creatures takes up most of the film’s runtime. He’s eventually joined by ex-Auror Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) and the No-Maj would-be baker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler). While the foursome is composed of adults, they capture some of the childlike qualities fondly remembered from the early Potter films. Fogler, in particular, embodies that as the first major Muggle character in Rowling’s Wizarding World. In discovering magic, his character literally wakes up to new possibilities; including a sweet, but chaste romance with Queenie.
One would be tempted to make Kowalski the central character, but the film lives or dies by Newt Scamander and it is hard to think of anyone else in the role except Eddie Redmayne – well, maybe Matt Smith. Scamander has a lot of the Eleventh Doctor about him, but Redmayne imbues what could be an Time Lord impression with pocketfuls of of his own irresistible charm.
Katherine Waterston could also easily lead the picture. As Tina, she’s both confident and kind of a mess; full of heart and instinct, but caught up by her passions. This dedication leads her to lose her job and follow Newt around to prove he’s unleashed a menace in New York. Eventually, the two find common ground and their friendship becomes one of the best aspects of the film.
Of course, no Potter film is without its flaws and in Fantastic Beasts case, its greatest weakness is the presumed call-forwards to potential sequels. The film begins with an attempt to establish a new Voldemort: the dark wizard Grindelwald. The character disappears for much of the film, but his presence is felt as tensions between the Wizarding World and the No-Maj escalate. We eventually learn via Colin Farrell’s admirable attempt to anchor this storyline that Grindelwald wants war to break out between the two factions. Sadly, it is so disconnected from the true charm of the film that when Scamander and company finally become part of the Grindelwald plot, the movie already feels like it has ended.
Oddly enough, Fantastic Beasts shares this flaw with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Special Features
Like the Potter series, one presumes Warner Bros. Home Video will eventually release an Ultimate Edition of the film. Consequently, this Blu-ray release feels light on bonus features. Much of it is built from Electronic Press Kit footage, but offers a few interesting tidbits about the thinking behind the movie: including how the fashions underscore the main four characters.
The most interesting featurette is Before Harry Potter: A New of Magic Begins!, a brief, but interesting look into how producer David Heyman got the band back together for the film. Rowling reveals that while she wanted to write the script, she hashed it out with Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves. Yates also reveals his own trepidation in returning to the Wizarding World and why he ultimately decided to return. The main four cast members also recollect meeting each other and Rowling for the first time. They maintain much of the chemistry they have as characters and it would be interesting to learn more about their experiences making the film in greater detail.
Other featurettes look at some of the minor characters, creature design and creating a Magic-infused 1920s New York. The short segment on realizing the Bowtruckle via puppetry and CGI is definitely worth a look.
There is also a selection of deleted scenes, revealing extra shades to the characters: including Kowalski’s dismay as his No-Maj fiancée leaves him. Other clips present scenes in the film taking place in different locations or extended moments from the set pieces. On moment absolutely missing from the final film is the Goldstein sisters singing the Ilvermorny school song.
The Bottom Line
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a very charming extension of the Potter brand. While its attempt to set-up sequels feels forced, the four main characters establish themselves as a group worth visiting again and again. The special features have polish, but feel too much like advertising to offer a real in-depth look at the first in what will be a long line of Wizarding World films.
There’s a fine line between mitigating risks and playing it too safe. It’s a line the duo behind Sacramento’s Fountainhead Brewing Company has been walking since they first decided to get into the craft beer business.
“We both kept day jobs which was really a struggle,” Daniel Moffatt says. He and Mark Bojescu opened the brewery a year ago in April but kept their jobs in retail management. “So there was a little risk aversion in there because I can’t just walk away from a steady job with benefits.”
Empty crowler cans line the shelves behind the bar.
And it makes sense, both are married with kids, so there’s plenty of reason to be cautious. And it’s not like they didn’t take risks. Moffatt, for example, says he invested his retirement money into the business. Now, looking back they realize the biggest risk they took was playing it too safe with both of them keeping those second jobs.
“In retail especially, in the holiday and Christmas season, I was almost never here and I’m the only one who brews so it really took a hit on our menu,” Moffatt reflects.
How much of a hit? At one point, the brewery, which normally keeps at least 8 beers on tap, was down to three. “I never felt like we were at risk of failing, but my expectations were higher, and I knew his expectations were higher,” Moffatt says. “For our own goals, that’s what was disappointing.”
Even in early March Fountainhead was still catching up on its beer supply.
“I think our growth pace was definitely slowed down due to the double jobs and we could have grown at a more rapid rate if we were dedicated here from day one,” Bojescu adds.
The one thing that was never at risk, the support of their neighbors. “This neighborhood, Hollywood Park, has been awesome, they’ve been so supportive. They come out,” Daniel says. “We have a loyal customer base. Even in the rainy months, they come.”
So as they approach their first anniversary, their approach to running a brewery has changed. Moffatt has quit his retail job. His entire focus is now on brewing beer for Fountainhead and expanding the menu with two rotating experimental taps.
“I think our first year under our belt; we know what the expectation is: having Daniel here full-time to be dedicated to brewing full-time and giving him the capacity to do so,” Bojescu says.
“I’m doing it full time now and our main goal is to fill that menu up,” Moffatt says with the excitement of someone who’s done playing it too safe and is instead doing what he loves.
Fountainhead gets Flowing
Co-Owner Mark Bojescu serving up beer at the bar
Retail management was their jobs, but for Mark Bojescu and Daniel Moffatt, their dreams laid elsewhere.
“My goal, years ago, was to eventually open some kind of restaurant or bar and grill,” Bojescu says.
That’s all the budding homebrewer Moffatt needed to hear, “We were probably sitting around over a beer probably complaining about our jobs… and just jokingly I said if you open a restaurant I’ll brew your beer.”
That joke turned into serious business. Moffatt continued to brew at home, even converting his garage into a 26-gallow brewery. “It started to seem like we started to have some recipes we were pretty proud of and we started doing some of the math and some of the business planning.”
Plans for a restaurant fell away as they learned more about the challenges of permitting and instead their focus shifted to opening a brewery. One of the biggest challenges facing any budding brewery is finding a location. That wasn’t a problem for Fountainhead.
“My father was in the plans of retirement, he’s been in the mechanic industry and he had a building that he owned the last 20 years,” Bojescu says. “He said ‘hey, I got this building, what are your thoughts? Want to do something with it?’”
They’d get the keys to the building located in Sacramento’s Hollywood Park region in 2015. It would take a year of cleanup and renovations, including removing the car lift, before the transformation from mechanic shop to brewery would be complete.
“Construction took a long time, a lot of frustration and challenges that came our way and we looked at each other and said, ‘hey, we’re going to open this place, if it kills us.’ And it took a long time,” Bojescu says.
Fittingly on April Fool’s Day 2016, the one-time joke was reality and Fountainhead Brewery Opened its doors. Moffatt and Bojescu have been at the brewery every day since learning as they go.
“It’s easy to say let’s open this brewery up,” Bojescu says. “A lot of people talk about it. It’s tough, very difficult, a lot more than we even imagined.”
“You do get caught up in the weed and the day-to-day, if you just take a second…” Moffatt pauses turns to Bojescu and raises a glass. “Man cheers, we opened a brewery.”
What’s Next
Fountainhead Brewery is just entering its second year of operation but that doesn’t mean Moffatt and Bojescu aren’t already thinking well into the future.
“You can’t rest on your laurels. You can’t sit back,” Moffatt says, especially now that he’s brewing full-time. “What’s going to really set us apart is that kind of rotating experimental tap. We’ll always have our staples on here, but I’ll always be trying whatever I feel like that day.”
Growth is also on tap at Fountainhead. Moffatt and Bojescu are hoping to add more tanks and fermenters. And even thinking about what’s beyond the walls of their current taproom.
Fountainhead says one way they could grow is up. The high ceilings would allow for taller tanks.
“Obviously we have already talked about what is the next step? Do we need to look at another location? Do we need to have multiple taprooms or a production facility? These are all conversations we have all the time,” Moffatt says.
Another conversation that hasn’t gone away, Bojescu’s dream of opening a restaurant. “I’d love to see food in Fountainhead… I never sleep and I think about the full package, food and beer,” he says. “It’s definitely in the back of my mind; maybe the 5-year plan.”
In the meantime, the pair is preparing to distribute more of their beer. The focus will be on their Hollywood Park IPA and the Station 12 Belgian Blonde. They are the breweries most popular brews and the styles most in demand at restaurants and retailers.
Fountainhead will also focus on those experimental beers in hopes of offering a unique variety to the regulars and new visitors alike.
“They always want change, they always want new and so that’s something we want to provide,” Bojescu says.
The influence of… Ayn Rand?
The Huge banner hanging above the kettles.
So how did Moffatt and Bojescu come up with the name of their brewery?
“We wanted to be kind of the neighborhood watering hole, but we’re not going to call it ‘The Watering Hole’ but some kind of water theme or fountain theme, so the word ‘fountain’ came up pretty early,” Moffatt explains.
Even with a theme Moffatt says coming up with a name for their budding brewery was a challenge. That’s when he fell back on his time as an English Literature Major and the works of noted author and philosopher Ayn Rand.
“The Ayn Rand book, Fountainhead came up, and it was so simple. I just texted (Mark), ‘what about The Fountainhead?’ And he just said ‘yes’. It was that simple.” Moffatt says while the brewery carries the same name as Rand’s famous novel, that’s where theme ends.
As for the brewery’s lion head logo, he says that can be credited to a graphic designer friend. “He was super patient with us and giving us what we asked and he’s then he was like ‘hey this is what I worked on, on the side’ and I was like done!”
On April 21st, Netflix will be bringing us the hero we need with a new talk show hosted by the 90’s icon, Bily Nye (the science guy). The show will be titled Bill Nye Saves the World, and quite frankly…we need it.
If you grew up in the 90’s, you remember Bill Nye from Bill Nye The Science Guy, an educational science based program that was shown both on TV, and in schools via VHS. Bill Nye isn’t just a 90’s star, however, and has managed to maintain true to his brand while evolving with the times. Somehow, scientist managed to do what most Disney and Nickelodeon stars couldn’t do: follow their audience into adulthood without a scandal. We went from watching Bill explain how our digestive system, to having him explain sex to us (here). It was almost like the first time you see your parents drink, but less weird. It was more like your cool aunt telling you how to smoke weed for the first time. Bill Nye has evolved into a stone. cold. savage. He takes on politicians, news anchors, and twitter trolls with the charisma, uniquen
ess, nerve, and talent of a sassy drag queen, and we live for it. He’s not afraid of the tough topics either. No more explaining helium, for Bill. For the past few years, he’s been vocal about his views, both personal and scientific, on topics such as global warming, abortion, government, creationism, etc. Not only has he now established himself as a scientific icon, but as a social and cultural one as well.
Bill Nye is so in demand, that Netflix gave him a talk show, because we wanted to see him on our screens again that bad. The talk show will feature guests from scientific authorities, to comedians and public figures, and will “refute anti-scientific claims that may be espoused by politicians, religious leaders, or titans of industry.” Topics for episodes include climate change, genetically modified food, vaccinations, and pressing social and political issues from a scientific stand point. Bill Nye will ultimately be saving the world, as the show is meant to open discussion and expose the public and average person to facts and knowledge they wouldn’t have an avenue to access otherwise. The lack of entertaining, and credible, informational programs has been high for some years. This has led to a huge gap between what scientists know, and what the general public knows-because obviously we aren’t going to look up science just for funsies. Nye hopes to use the show to bridge the gap, and assist in making us a more aware and knowledgeable society, while still making us laugh at the same time. Obviously, Nye isn’t the type of guy to sit at a desk with an empty coffee mug and talk to guests on an overpriced small sitting chair. The show is set to take place in a lab, and experiments will be involved, giving us the chance to relive all our science class feels.
Netflix released this official trailer for the series:
The series page is also up on Netflix, effectively teasing us painfully with smoke, and the same look of glee that I had when I found out he was getting a show.
Overall, the anticipation is literal death, but in a little less than a month Bill Nye will be back on the big screen, and in our hearts. He’ll be once again proving that science is cool, and there’s little to no doubt that the world will once again be chanting “Bill! Bill! Bill!”
Gotham may need a hero, but the world needs a Nye. #BillNye2k17
The Flash’s latest sinister speedster has remained a mystery. While we’ve learned the identity of his henchman, Dr. Alchemy, little is known about the “god” himself. There are a couple of theories out there about who Savitar could be. But one of the strongest choices seems to be the youngest speedster to hit the series. What if Wally West is the villainous Savitar?
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ‘THE FLASH’ S3 DISCUSSED BELOW
One of this season’s major plot points have been Wally becoming Kid Flash. He got his powers from Savitar, partially because of his jealousy of Barry and Jesse. Since then, he’s been getting faster and faster – faster than Barry, even. Keep in mind that being faster than Barry is the major trait of every primary Flash villain. The Flash tends to pull from pre-existing characters when making their villains, in the hopes of shocking fans. What could be more shocking than Barry’s sidekick turning on him?
Since getting his powers, Wally has butted heads with nearly everyone except for H.R. All of the previous evil speedsters have been people Barry trusted. It was Wells-Thawne in S1, and Garrick-Zolomon in S2. Wally’s been around for a little bit longer than either, lasting more than one season. But that makes for an understandable build-up, as The Flash has to continuously raise the stakes. Wally was introduced as an angsty street racer, who felt abandoned by the Wests. Barry also gave Wally one hell of an inferiority complex, playing into classic family drama. While the two have been friends for a while, it would make sense for this conflict to resurface with the arrival of Wally’s powers.
Don’t forget how Wally got his powers. Most every character in The Flash got powers through accelerator explosions or timeline rewrites. Wally was gifted his powers by Savitar, a man intent on taking down Barry Allen. Since coming to Earth-1, Savitar has given many people powers based on their role in Flashpoint. He was specifically giving powers to people who had beef with The Flash. Why would he give Barry’s protege his powers too? Because Wally would grow up to be someone else… SOMETHING else.
Now what would push Wally to turn on Barry? Well, in ‘The Wrath of Savitar,’ Savitar said Barry had “trapped” him in the Speedforce. In the same episode, we see Wally yanked into the Speedforce, while Barry watches on in fear. It’s possible that, if Wally was feeling particularly bitter, he could see that as Barry’s fault. We haven’t seen Wally fully get over being stuck there, basically being tortured Because Barry didn’t save him, Wally was trapped for what could be an eternity. Don’t forget that the post-Flashpoint world is, in many ways, a darker timeline. Cisco’s brother had died, Caitlin struggled with being a villain, and Iris and Joe weren’t on good terms. It’s possible the new Wally isn’t just powerful, but bitter and vengeful.
This would explain why Savitar seems to spare two individuals from his wrath – Jesse and Wells. Looking back at Savitar’s comments, there are only two members of Team Flash who survive. Savitar said H.R. would live through the events Savitar has planned for the group. Then there’s the Savitar-Jesse interaction during ‘Into the Speedforce.’ Savitar says he has plans for Jesse – who, keep in mind, is Wally’s girlfriend. If Wally grows up to become Savitar, it would explain why he spares his mentor and girlfriend.
Though if Wally is Savitar, why would he kill Iris? Wally has never been as angry with his sister as he has with Barry or Joe. That being said, Wally has never been as close with Iris as he was in, say, Flashpoint. His problems with Joe carried over to Iris, especially when she interfered in his street racing days. Also, Wally’s hatred of Barry may overwhelm his love of Iris. We’ve seen a similar situation play out with Prometheus over in Arrow. So if Wally is driven to the point of becoming Savitar, it makes sense that Iris wouldn’t survive just because she’s family.
Keep in mind how important Wally’s time in the Speedforce was. Spending any amount of time in the Speedforce could drive a person mad. Barry had his powers for years before going into The Speedforce. Wally was thrown in against his will, taking on the punishment meant for the most sinister Speedster. We haven’t seen Wally make a full recovery, and he’s definitely full of fear. Not to mention that Savitar managed to get in Wally’s head before coming back from the Speedforce. That makes the perfect recipe for evildoers.
Now keep in mind, it’s probably not THE Wally – that is, the one we know. At the very least, Savitar would be some alternate future version of Wally West. One that was specifically born from Barry’s Flashpoint meddling, mind you. It would be a further illustration of how The Flash tends to repeat the same formula for villains. Reverse-Flash was Thawne posing as Harrison Wells. Hunter Zolomon used a… time remnant Jay Garrick? That bit is still kind of confusing. But Savitar is likely a bitter adult version of Wally West, who’s sworn to kill Barry for letting him be tortured.
Monkeys Fighting Robots is not the first site to make such a prediction. Nor is this the only theory around Savitar’s identity. Some have theorized that Savitar may be H.R. Wells, or a future version of Barry Allen. However, it seems less likely Barry’s time-travel nonsense would create a bitter Barry, as opposed to a bitter friend. Savitar stresses how he is a PRODUCT of Flash’s meddling, not a TRANSFORMATION. The “Future Flash” argument works for Wally, too – his name is Kid Flash, after all. And H.R. seems too much like a by-the-books comic relief character to turn heel as Savitar.
Who do YOU think Savitar is? Do you think it may be a future Barry? Could it be someone else, like Julian or Thawne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sony’s ‘Venom’ Needs A Spider-Man; Miles Morales Is The Only Fit!
Sony seems to finally be in a good place with their Spider-Man franchise. ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming‘ is getting positive buzz and the company recently announced they are launching a series of films based on Venom. They also announced the ‘Venom‘ movie will be separate from the existing Spider-Man films. Fans became outraged at the idea of Spider-Man not fighting Venom but this leaves the door open for something much more! With no Peter Parker in ‘Venom‘, can Miles Morales fill the void?
For those who don’t know, Miles Morales is Spider-Man in what Marvel dubbed “Ultimate Marvel“. Morales picked up the mantle of Spider-Man following the comic death of Peter Parker, a very bold move for the company. What also adds to the boldness of Miles Morales is the fact he is a Black Hispanic teenager. Following the initial shock of the character, Morales has gained the respect of many readers. There was even a petition years ago for the character to be Spider-Man in the Marc Webb films!
Another notable thing about Miles Morales as Spider-Man is when he faced off against Venom in Ultimate Marvel’s “Venom War” storyline. In the story, Morales faced off against Venom and eventually retired due to the death of his mother. This iconic story is something perfect for an R-rated film adaptation.
The fact that this is an alternative version of the Spider-Man universe on the big-screen feels like Ultimate Marvel so introducing Miles Morales almost feels nature. It also helps that Sony has announced an animated feature film for 2018 that will star Morales. That could be the best way to give the character a test-run.
Personally, the ‘Venom’ film doesn’t need a Spider-Man at all. If done right, the terrifying Symbiote could become the darkest anti-hero ever. The R rating and potential battles with Black Cat or Carnage lends itself to enough action. But the fan demands for Venom vs Spider-Man won’t allow that so why not use an untapped resource?
Let me know what you think about Miles Morales in the Venom film!
Let’s set the stage, shall we? The year was 1985. Hulkamania was just beginning to run wild, Tears For Fears ruled the airwaves, and those “Monsters of The Mid-Way” were getting ready to shuffle their way to a trailblazing year for Chicago sports. However, something just as monumental happened in the Windy City that February; Michael Phillip Curalli was born.
You’ll be spared the details, but the following is a list of flicks deemed by the author as amazing LEGENDARY. Keep in mind, Cinephiles, critical acclaim means NOTHING on this list. Just the thoughts and opinions of a borderline psycho… ENJOY!
Full disclosure: The thought crossed my mind to put the “Oscar rule” into effect to sneak this one on the list, because this is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. (Meaning if the movie comes out at some point in the calendar year it counts). Vintage Eddie Murphy here as he just eats up every scene like Joey Chestnut on July 4th. There is never a dull moment in this picture due to the amazing action scenes combined with the underrated quotability of this blockbuster. Alas, 84 is 84… dammit Billy!
This movie is flat-out fun and campy in the absolute perfect way. Every actor is having the time of their lives playing these off-the-wall characters. Clue does not have a weak link in its cast, but Tim Curry’s Wadsworth takes the taco, for my money. The Butler just seems one step ahead of everyone, and Curry let’s us in on the fun without showing his hand.
Why you ask? Well there is this. And this. Oh and while we are at it…
You get the picture. Let’s clean this up anyway!
Incase you missed it, Michael J. Fox was a pretty big deal in 1985. While we’ll eventually get to his other work, we would be remiss to just skim over this late-summer vehicle. It’s also my opinion that this movie doesn’t get the credit it deserves for attaching the obvious metaphor of high school and wolf transformation. Nobody connected the dots before this, and although one could argue Teen Wolf is absurd; that notion is exactly what makes the film enjoyable! Think about it? Wouldn’t you use your newly found superpowers to win high school basketball games, get laid, and become the most popular kid in school? Thought so..
With that said, there is no defending how terrible the basketball is here. Sure, even Hoosiers doesn’t age well at this point, but the premise of the movie is more believable than these “athletes.” Isn’t Chub like 40 in this flick? (He was 27.) However, Michael J Fox pretends to surf on top of a moving van to the Beach Boys… As a werewolf. Do we even have to talk more about this?
Extra Credit, kiddies: Bill Simmons wrote an amazingly fun comparison of Teen Wolf and Kobe Bryant in his Book of Basketball. Give it a read!
You want more than that? OK. How about we do an awesome movie check list?
Epic Leading Role: Pee-Wee Herman FTW! [√]
Amazing Soundtrack: Tequila. [√]
Sweet Cameos: Tom Berenger. Phil Hartman. TWISTED SISTER [√]
Timeless Quotes: I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel. [√]
Iconic Director: Tim Burton (in his first feature none the less..) [√] Breakfast Machine: [√√√]
The defense rests. This opinion is not for sale FRANCIS!
How do you beat out Pee-Wee Herman? Huey Lewis, duh.
Let’s face it. Most of you have this movie at #1, and with good reason. Back to The Future is the perfect summer movie blockbuster. With a perfect mix of action, humor, star power, longevity, and catchy soundtrack this movie is cinematic equivalent of a 5-tool player.
Back to the Future hooks you right from the moment you hear that oh-so-sweet baritone of one Hugh Anthony Cregg III. Marty McFly is the every man underdog protagonist that subsequent films have based their archetypes on, and for good reason. The viewers are instantly reminded that Michael J Fox was the baddest dude in the land! Bro woke up late for school and his hair was perfect.. How on earth did he not bite it riding that skateboard on a truck, too? All of these thoughts, mind you, transpire within in the first 30 seconds of the movie!
Christopher Lloyd is the MVP of this film, though. Fox makes you root for Marty, but Doc Brown makes you care about all of this. From the time those damn Libyans attempt to murder “The Good Doctor” the viewer instantly gravitates to Lloyd. This really is his movie. Sure Michael J gets to invent Rock and Roll, but you leave the movie feeling good for Doc Brown.
EVERYONE LOVES THIS MOVIE!! Too bad it is not number one on my list…
Was there any doubt? Probably. This doesn’t change the fact that Rocky IV is a misunderstood classic. This movie was so important that Sylvester Stallone could not trust anyone else with the tasks of writing, directing, and starring in it. Rumor has it Sly even hand rolled the meat balls that they served in catering. That is not true at all, but you want to know what is true?
Rocky IV is no Citizen Kane, and nobody seems bothered by that. Not one person complains when Arnold fights an alien-killing machine in Predator, right? Now, imagine if you will, that the alien killing machine was really a 6’8 Russian whose right hand could snuff out a dwarf star with a single blow!
Ivan Drago kills Apollo Creed in the most horribly refereed sporting event of all time after a flashy performance by “The God Father of Soul” himself, JAMES BROWN. Does Rocky morn? You bet he does… In the most amazing way possible! Rocco, in one of the films 37 montages, drives his Lamborghini around town reassessing his existence on this very planet. When Rocky finishes there is only one logical conclusion. “The Italian Stallion” must travel to The Soviet Union to fight “Russian He-Man” on his home turf. A location where we are fairly certain his trainers are allowing Drago to pump himself with the super-soldier serum from Captain America. Balboa will also have to miss Christmas with his family, and receive no money for this fight, because this is the most heroic thing anyone has ever heard of!
Rocky IV does not take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it is undeniable that Rocco is a bigger superhero than all The Avengers combined! HE ENDED THE COLD WAR, FOR PETE’S SAKE!!!
Maybe one could argue that I got carried away here, but what do you want from me? I’ve seen this movie 98 times! Besides, you were all warned.. I am a little psycho.
*Special Thanks to IMDB for all the information used here*
In the latest episode of the FilmKind Podcast, Kieran discusses and reviews the action-packed new trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Does this look like it will be the best Spider-Man movie yet? Will we see the first great Marvel villain? Listen to the review and find out!
The FilmKind Podcast is an awesome new show discussing the latest movies and movie related content. With amazing weekly episodes and detailed reviews!
Listen To The FilmKind Podcast’s Review Of The Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer Below!
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.
Spider-Man: Homecoming stars Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Donald Glover, Laura Harrier, and Robert Downey Jr.
This morning at MFR is getting A24-centric this morning, as we now have the trailer for A Ghost Story. It says Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck, who are reuniting again with Ain’t Them Bodies Saints director David Lowery. It’s not what you think it is…
Here’s the trailer:
In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try and reconnect with his bereft wife.
I certainly wasn’t expecting this sort of movie when I clicked on the trailer. You see the A24 logo, A Ghost Story for the title, you think one thing and get another. But what we get instead of some haunted house tale looks to be an entirely new, cool, fascinating story about the endlessness of time? Whatever it is, I have been sold. This looks like a heavy tale.
A24 continues its consistent run of quality, low-key horror films with The Blackcoat’s Daughter. Oz Perkins’ unsettling, hypnotizing movie is a slow burn collage of countless other horror films, only it isn’t here to tell a recycled story; it uses familiarity as a means of misdirection.
The majority of the runtime, we are wound tight with dread, pulled in by the threatening score, kept intentionally off balance, always curious to the point of madness as the parallel stories unfold. The first involves Rose (Lucy Boynton) and Kat (Kiernan Shipka, Sally Draper from Mad Men), two boarding school teens whose parents mysteriously never made it to the school pick them up for winter break. With no real options, the headmaster leaves the two girls at the school under the thumb of two weird ass, curiously dressed nurses. At least I think they’re the nurses.
The second story is Joan’s, played by Emma Roberts. Joan is a drifter at a bus stop, one who catches the eye of Bill (James Remar), a good samaritan with a less enthused wife (Lauren Holly) along for the ride. Bill gives Joan a ride, and almost for the duration of the film, motives in this car remain muddled. Perkins’ direction never shows his hand too early, sometimes not at all. The ambiguity of people’s demeanor and motivation in both stories create an uneasy disorientation.
Things start happening, phones in hallways ring. Things go bump in the night. And I don’t want to spoil any part of the film so let’s leave the plot description here.
As these two storylines converge, The Blackcoat’s Daughter pivots between a dozen familiar tones and settings. Remnants of boarding school slasher films, the supernatural, haunted house films, and any number of atmospheric thrillers echo here, but they’re all used to keep us off balance while we put the puzzle together. The year isn’t given, but it definitely feels like we’re in the mid 90s; fitting that the film then reminds me of a young David Fincher. Perkins and cinematographer Julie Kirkwood use wide lenses and set shots where some young filmmakers would eagerly employ the handheld or shaky cam; it’s an aesthetically pleasing descent into madness.
Roberts does what Roberts does best, plays introverted and “troubled” as well as anyone her age. And Lucy Boynton is terrific at times as Rose. But it’s Shipka’s work as Kat that stands apart. In her limited screen time on Mad Men, Shipka proved the more mature angles of the show weren’t too big for her. Here, she pushes forward with that nervous energy and cold gaze she perfected as the put upon daughter in the show. She handles a challenging part with a sort of seasoned confidence rare in young actresses.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter isn’t without a few missteps. Characters have to make a few of those horror-movie decisions – investigating a noise, being too trustworthy, etc. – and even though part of the brilliance of the film is its ambiguity, it’s perhaps too open ended for its own good. The ends are just a little loose. But these are minor quibbles with a film that is another terrific genre entry from A24, the studio who brought us The Witch, Ex Machina, and Green Room (and pretty much everything else they do except Tusk).
comedians and public figures, and will “refute anti-scientific claims that may be espoused by politicians, religious leaders, or titans of industry.” Topics for episodes include climate change, genetically modified food, vaccinations, and pressing social and political issues from a scientific stand point. Bill Nye will ultimately be saving the world, as the show is meant to open discussion and expose the public and average person to facts and knowledge they wouldn’t have an avenue to access otherwise. The lack of entertaining, and credible, informational programs has been high for some years. This has led to a huge gap between what scientists know, and what the general public knows-because obviously we aren’t going to look up science just for funsies. Nye hopes to use the show to bridge the gap, and assist in making us a more aware and knowledgeable society, while still making us laugh at the same time. Obviously, Nye isn’t the type of guy to sit at a desk with an empty coffee mug and talk to guests on an overpriced small sitting chair. The show is set to take place in a lab, and experiments will be involved, giving us the chance to relive all our science class feels.
