Tag: movies

Geekscape 557: Grae Drake Returns To Geekscape!

by Jonathan

Grae Drake is a host, journalist and film critic who has been featured on outlets like CNN, Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango… but first and foremost, Grae Drake is a friend! After first meeting Grae on a WonderCon press line who knows how many years ago, I knew that her specific brand of outspoken weird would be perfect for coming on the show. But it’s been too long and now we’re in the midst of a global pandemic! Grae returns to the show today to check in, catch us up on some news, share a cry about the lack of Comic Con in our lives this summer and more!

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MCDAVE’s Top 10 Films Of 2019!

by MCDave

Honorable Mentions: Parasite, Ready or Not, 1917, Long Shot, The Irishman, Fighting with My Family and Marriage Story

10. Knives Out

Rian Johnson follows up his polarizing Star Wars entry, The Last Jedi, with the clever and unpredictable whodunit film, Knives Out. When the acclaimed murder-mystery author, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), is found dead the morning after his 85th birthday party, eccentric Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) begins to question if this apparent suicide is actually murder. Knives Out boasts a fantastic ensemble and a terrific script that turns the traditional mystery on its side and provides a bold and fresh take on this classic genre.

9. Uncut Gems

Benny and Josh Safdie’s insanely intense thriller, Uncut Gems, was the last movie I saw this year and I also have a strong feeling it may be the most memorable. Adam Sandler stars as Howard Ratner, a jeweler in New York City whose reckless gambling habits have put him in deep with bookies all over the city. My blood pressure was through the roof while watching this film, an experience I’ll never forget. And it all builds to an explosive finale that will completely blow your mind. Adam Sandler is the star of the show here and he gives a career-best performance in one of the year’s most unforgettable movie-theater experiences. 

8. The Peanut Butter Falcon

There’s so much heart and soul poured into Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s SXSW hit, The Peanut Butter Falcon, it’s impossible not to enjoy the film. Zak is a twenty-something man with down syndrome who dreams of being a professional wrestler and is being held against his will at a state-run retirement home. After Zak breaks out of the facility, he runs into Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) and they go on a Mark Twain-esque journey to a wrestling camp in North Carolina. This buddy comedy goes far beyond its laughs and tells a truly human story that shouldn’t be missed. 

7. Avengers: Endgame

Marvel’s epic saga comes to a close in Endgame, a box office smash and massively-adored film that certainly needs no introduction. They get so much right by using a time travel story to take the audience on a journey back to signature moments in the MCU’s history, all while tying a beautiful bow on the first wave of Marvel’s Avengers. Key characters all had their swan songs properly handled and Endgame can easily be summed up with these two words; completely satisfying!

6. Ford v Ferrari

If there’s a problem with James Mangold’s full throttle historical drama, Ford v Ferrari, it’s that the film feels to formulaic and purposely sculpted into an Oscar contender. But still, inside all of that artificial exterior rests a gripping story and interesting characters that make this awards season contender a worthy competitor. The film follows car designer, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), who’s summoned by Ford to make and build a car fast enough to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Ford v Ferrari unexpectedly morphs into an anti-establishment drama that really resonates well from that angle, and one that stands among 2019’s finest films.

5. The Two Popes

Much has been made about Netflix’s two big Oscar contenders, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, but I’ll go out on a limb and argue that their most recent release, The Two Popes, is actually better than both of them. Fernando Meirelles’ comedic fictional meeting between Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and then-Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), the current Popes Francis, is a true showcase for these two veteran actors. They put on an absolute display courtesy of Anthony McCarten’s brilliant screenplay, one that’s heavy in dialogue and substance all while keeping a comedic energy alive and well. It’s sad to know that the whole film is essentially fabricated, but it’s a wonderful way to pretend how history went down.

4. Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino continues his dominance with another example of robust characters, smooth dialogue and handfuls of iconic moments. Once Upon a Time travels back to 1969 Los Angeles, where washed-up TV actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), find themselves on the outside looking in at an industry they can hardly recognize. Thankfully, their neighbors are rising stars Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), so perhaps fate could intervene on Rick’s behalf. But as we all know, the Manson Family Cult has different plans in mind. Once Upon a Time comes with its lulls, but there’s enough strong acting, sharp direction and witty dialogue to carry you through the tough times and to the film’s epic, must-see conclusion.

3. Midsommar

Ari Aster amazed me with last year’s Hereditary and blew my mind even more with his latest work, Midsommar. The film follows a group of friends who travel to Sweden with a foreign classmate who wants them all to experience his community’s annual Midsommar festivities. But what begins as a silly and harmless event, slowly transforms into a hellish nightmare for these outsiders. Florence Pugh’s character drives the entire film and her tale of sweet seduction is masterfully captured by Aster. Midsommar is without a doubt a polarizing film, and one I wouldn’t recommend to everyone. The film runs long and with a simmering pace, but the detail and artistry behind every frame is truly magnificent and why I’m completely enamored by this young and brilliant filmmaker.

2. Joker

In the lead-up to its early October release, I just kept trying to temper my expectations for Todd Phillips’ Joker. Then word spread of an eight-minute standing ovation following its world premiere, and headlines about the film’s violence and disturbing look at mental illness turned Joker into 2019’s biggest cinematic spectacle. But through all of the hype and debate, Todd Phillips delivers a phenomenal piece of filmmaking. Everything begins and ends with Joaquin Phoenix’s hypnotic interpretation of the title character. Yet, even beyond his Oscar-bound performance, Joker boasts a meticulous script, stunning cinematography, and a perfectly constructed score from composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Full disclosure, there’s some ambiguity looming over the film, and I’ve convinced myself that I’m better off enjoying the experience rather than over-analyzing everything. Just sit back and enjoy this dark and gritty spiral into madness as one of the world’s greatest villains is born.

1. Jojo Rabbit

It’s surprising to look back and recognize how many strong films were released in 2019, but none had the same impact on me as Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. There’s a large faction of people who will simply refuse to watch the film because it pokes fun at the ridiculous nature of fanaticism with a backdrop set in Nazi Germany during the closing stages of World War II. Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a 10-year-old boy who dreams of being a great Nazi soldier and his most trusted companion is his imaginary friend, Adolph Hitler (played by Waititi). Jojo thinks he has a pretty good understanding of the world until the day he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is harboring a Jewish teenager named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) and things begin to get a lot more complicated. There’s a beautiful story nestled inside of this relatively short (about an hour and 45 minutes) and briskly-paced dramatic satire. The two young actors, David and McKenzie, stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Academy Award Winner, Sam Rockwell, and the always great Scarlett Johansson. Jojo Rabbit is hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, and just about everything you could ever want in a movie.

Geekscape Reviews ‘Rambo: Last Blood’ In 4DX

by Josh Jackson

The first Rambo film was kind of a revelation for me. I didn’t jump on that bandwagon until late, so the only thing I knew about it was that it starred Sylvester Stallone mowing down bad guys with giant machine guns. When I finally got around to watching First Blood for myself, I was shocked to find how the franchise would eventually abandon the heart of the first movie and lean into the ultra violent stereotypes of war veterans that the original was trying to warn against. Nevertheless, the sequels were mindless fun if nothing else, and I expected no more from Last Blood, the latest in Stallone’s greatest hits tour after building up good will with audiences through the Creed films and to a lesser extent, 2008’s Rambo. But even with these lenient expectations, Last Blood ended up being pointless at best and disheartening at worst, with a bloody finale that fails to make up for the dreary bulk of the film.

Back to basics.

Some time between the fourth film and now, John Rambo seems to finally have found peace. Now living on his father’s ranch with its caretaker and her granddaughter, Gabriela, he’s spent the last 10 years as a surrogate father to the girl while handling the typical ranch chores. You know, training horses, tending to the land, building underground death tunnels… It seems like after so long, the combat veteran finally has his chance to live a simple life. That is until Gabriela tracks down her absentee father and decides to sneak away to Mexico for answers as to why he left, which goes about as well as one would think. When she ends up kidnapped by a cartel, it’s up to Rambo to use his expert tracking and combat skills to rescue the only family he has.

Don’t get me wrong. At no point would I consider Last Blood a good movie per se, but the first half definitely landed in the “so bad it’s good” category. The overly telegraphed foreshadowing held up by an incredibly campy script was only made better, (by which I mean worse), by the often dry performances by the actors. This was amplified by some hysterically strange cinematography that felt straight out of the made-for-Redbox bin, (just try not to laugh when Gabriela confronts her father). But again, Rambo hasn’t been a serious movie since its early 80’s debut, and the camp just made the wait for the eventual violence spree even more sweet. Aside from some gruesome stealth scenes leading up to the big rescue, the movie strays away from the action the series has become known for for most of its run time. But that’s okay, because the bag guys are established early as terrible people that you want to see punished, so when Rambo finally comes face to face with the gang, you know it’s about to go down.

Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Hugo Martinez, one of the few highlights and an expert at making you want to see his shit kicked in.

Except… It doesn’t. It’s impossible to illustrate how much of a downturn this movie takes without spoiling its biggest twists, so if you want to completely avoid spoilers, just know that you can shut off the movie half way through, fast forward to the last 20 minutes and know that it’s peaked. Being as vague as possible, Rambo, a character who’s known for his meticulous planning, puts himself in a position to completely fail. And fail he does, completely sucking the air out of an already thin film. Going from bad in a campy way to just bad, the joyless twist renders the rest of the movie pointless. We see Rambo films to see him mow through armies of bad guys, not go completely brain dead for the sake of the plot. When he finally gets his hands on the bad guys, there’s no reason to care. And the fact that it ultimately ends with the implication that there might be another film renders the “Last Blood” portion of the title as meaningless as the second half of Stallone’s latest.

Admittedly, the climactic action scene is fantastic, even if it’s too little too late. Viewing the film in 4DX made the scene come alive even more, feeling every explosion, gun shot and trap as it happened on screen. Serving as a mix of classic Rambo, Saw and Home Alone, watching the cartel mindlessly run to their deaths in so many creative ways helped the film deliver on its reputation of over-the-top action. At times, it was hard to tell how they were even killed, but it was so wild that I can’t knock it for that. Figuring out how it was playing out was part of the fun! Prior to the climax, there was some creative uses of the 4DX medium, such as scents curing breakfast or ranch scenes alongside the typical bumps while characters drove, but the effect didn’t stand out until the end where it made sure you felt everything the characters did in powerful ways.

Rambo and Gabriela (Yvette Monreal) having a moment.

It’s hard to recommend Rambo: Last Blood considering how much of a drag it is. By taking a hard turn from campy fun to a cynical, over-dramatic narrative, it makes it nearly impossible to find enjoyment from a film that was not that good to begin with. Even those who are just in it for the action are going to have to wait until the last 20 minutes to see that promised delivered, which doesn’t make up for the hour-plus before that. If you’re going to see it just for that, you might as well go all out with 4DX to distract yourself from the plot, but for those who wanted a proper sendoff for the character, what you’ll end up with is a pointless entry that fails at following up on the story focused original AND the action heavy sequels. If nothing else, it serves as an exercise showing how to use 80 minutes to advance absolutely nothing about this character. Rambo deserves better, but like Last Blood‘s finale, it might be too little too late.

Final Score: 2/5

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker D23 Special Look

by Alexandra Gallarza

What’s classified as the largest Disney fan event in the world, with guests coming from around the world to celebrate, the D23 Expo is a celebration. It celebrates the best of what we know to be Disney today. Everything from Marvel, to Pixar, Star Wars, new films, new television shows. There’s even stuff for the people who love to know about the theme parks, and merchandise. D23 Expo 2019 marked the sixth biennial Expo held in Anaheim.

Live music, food, entertainment happens all throughout the expo. What people are most excited for are the ‘E-ticket’ panels. One of them being a panel about all the upcoming movies for the next two years.

One of them being, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. With an introduction of the cast, new droids, fans were shown a special look of what is to come.

Comment below with your thoughts and comments. And remember, may the force be with you.

Geekscape Reviews ‘John Wick Chapter 3- Parabellum’ In 4DX

by Josh Jackson

In a sea of sequels, shared universes and decades old franchises often dominating the box office, the original ‘John Wick’ seemingly came out of nowhere to become a surprising success. Focusing on an over the top approach to the action genre that relied on creative fight choreography and unapologetic brutality rather than an overabundance of special effects, its charm was in its simplicity. Building on its predecessor, ‘John Wick 2’ exchanged some of the basics for a wealth of world building that broadened the scope of this world of assassins. Picking up immediately after the conclusion of the second film, ‘John Wick 3- Parabellum’ sees the legendary hitman in a state of vulnerability. With only an hour until a massive bounty is placed on his head, John sets to dig deep into his history in order to find a way to undo the hit on him before someone cashes in on his misfortune. Of course, he does this in some of the most violent and exciting ways possible.

Death by horse is just one of many ways Wick fights off his assailants.

Oftentimes, sequels do their best to get the audience caught up on the events of the previous films in case this is the first time experiencing the series. ‘John Wick Chapter 3’ is not one of them. Literally beginning immediately after John broke a cardinal rule among assassins for the sake of revenge at the conclusion of the second movie, it might be hard for new viewers to become fully involved in the events of the third considering how very few of the previously established details of this world are explained. With that said, if you’re fully caught up, (as you should be), what we get is the third chapter of what feels like one extended movie.

If I had one criticism about the second film, it was that it focused so much on exposition that the simplistic charm of the action from the first ‘John Wick’ was not as present. ‘John Wick 3′ finds a happy medium between the two, spending time expanding on John’s past through old associates played by Halle Berry and Anjelica Huston while finding a perfect balance between story and action in between. The film’s pacing is one of its strong points, never focusing on one aspect of the film for too long while keeping the audience on its toes. In that respect, it was fun to see the reprecussions that John’s actions have had not only on himself, but on the associates that helped him along the way. Returning characters played by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick all have expanded roles this time around, interacting with the world of assassins and the ruling High Table in ways we haven’t seen before. Yet, it’s Mark Dakascos’ as John’s main rival, Zero, who steals the show as the leader of a ninja clan who can be menacing in one scene, then laugh out loud hilarious in the next.

No action franchise is complete without a hall of mirrors fight.

More so than any one actor, the action scenes are still the star of the show. Just when you think these fights can’t get any more over the top, ‘John Wick Chapter 3′ consistently finds new ways to deliver. If the delivery of the promised pencil scene in the second film seemed incredible, John has so many more tricks up his sleeve. A horse, a book and a ball biting dog are just some of the creative ways that the hundreds of enemy assassins are taken down throughout the movie, with plenty of Wick’s trademark head shots to go around. Paying homage to Keanu Reeves’ past films, there are also plenty of winks and nods to his most popular work, showing how the fan service goes beyond the violence.

With a film that’s executed as well as this one was, it’s hard to find any glaring complaints. If there was one that I could find however, it’s how much time this movie spends setting up future events that are left as dangling threads by the time the credits roll. Much like the second film, an even wider scope is teased in terms of how much influence these assassins have on the world. For example, Said Taghmaoui’s Elder is shown briefly as someone of great influence, but that influence is hardly felt as he ultimately has no strong effect on the plot. Will we see him and the ever present High Table in future installments? Naturally, especially since the High Table’s presence has been so strong without ever being seen for two movies now. Yet, so much of the payoff isn’t resolved, making parts of the film feel inconsequential for the story being told in this particular chapter. Let’s hope the eventual delivery is worth the wait.

John Wick and dogs. Name a more iconic duo.

Experiencing John Wick is enough of a ride in and of itself, but watching it in 4DX promised to add to that. For those who are unfamiliar, 4DX is a film format, sometimes in 3D, where the theater itself moves and responds to the action on screen. Much like an interactive video ride like ‘Star Tours’ or ‘Transformers: The Ride’, each bump, gunshot, sharp turn and punch John takes is felt in the theater via rocking and moving seats. Hits in the back meant the seat would respond in kind, and scenes with water had light mist and rain coming down on the audience. This made for an even more exciting time, making it feel like the audience was in the movie at points. One problem though, is that the rides mentioned are about three to five minutes long. Will this experience hold up for a two hour film? That idea was exemplified by when the immersion was broken when the seats would sway when nothing was happening. The opening scenes when the camera would pan around landmarks or buildings, resulting in the seats rocking, was a glaring example. As the saying goes, less is more. With that said, 4DX was a great way to watch ‘John Wick’, but with the premium price tag and the chance that all the movement could distract from the film for the amount of time it’s active, this format feels more like an acquired taste. However, if you’re like me and love interactive rides, it’s definitely worth checking out. With a movie like ‘John Wick’ where there’s no shortage on action, you’ll be sure to get the most out of the experience.

On paper, ‘John Wick’ is a really basic concept. What makes the series so memorable however, is its complete willingness to lean into how over the top action movies can be and getting the most out of it. ‘John Wick Chapter 3’ knows exactly what it is and never tries to be anything more than an insane action movie. Yet, it manages to get more and more ambitious as the film progresses with its trademark violence and nearly mute hero. With plenty of setup to steer us towards the already announced fourth chapter, all of the beats it hits throughout are an absolute blast to watch. If you want to shut your brain off for two hours and watch an all-star cast fight off hundreds of goons in some of the most creative and violent ways possible, then there’s no better theater ticket to buy than one for this third film. At this point, it’s hard to imagine how much farther the envelope can be pushed. If ‘Chapter 3’ is anything to go by, it’ll be a high bar to clear.

FINAL SCORE: 4/5

MCDave’s Favorite Films Of 2017

by MCDave

Can you believe that 2017 is coming to a close? In just a few days we’ll abolish that dreaded seven for ten more years, and a cool, clean, sexy eight will take its place.

2017 was an incredible year for moviegoers, gamers, music enthusiasts, and media lovers of all sorts. With the year coming to an end, it’s time to begin talking about the best of the best.

Yesterday, Matt Kelly shared his favorite films. Today, it’s MCDave’s turn.

Please Note: I still haven’t seen Call Me By Your Name, Phantom Thread or The Post.

Honorable Mention: Wind River, Small Town Crime, Princess Cyd, The Disaster Artist, War for the Planet of the Apes, Wonder Woman and Blade Runner 2049.

10. T2 Trainspotting

As a fan of Danny Boyle’s 1996 original, I was eager and nervous to catch this sequel. Yet, Boyle and company refuse to disappoint with a humor-laced screenplay and a valiant return by all of its characters in a truly enjoyable experience that works as both a worthwhile sequel or a stand-alone entry.

9. Lady Bird

While my adoration for Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut is a far cry from the Best Picture claims from many critics, I still found the film to be an endearing teen dramedy. Powered by the wonderful onscreen efforts of Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird” tells a somewhat familiar coming-of-age story that stands out because of its key performances.

8. Stronger

This character study follows a victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing who struggles to go on after losing both of his legs. The film could have demanded cheap sentiment, but instead relies on superb acting from Jake Gyllenhaal and his onscreen girlfriend, played by Tatiana Maslany, to bring this sad and courageous tale to life.

7. Last Flag Flying

Richard Linklater delivers a somber, yet poignant, story of a Vietnam veteran (Steve Carell) who enlists the support of fellow servicemen (Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne) as he travels to claim the body of his Marine son during the Iraq war. The film relies on hystericslly outspoken humor from Cranston and a quiet warmth from Carell in order to touch on deeper themes of grief and patriorism.

6. Dunkirk

It’s truly amazing how certain filmmakers have the ability to transcend conventional storytelling in order to deliver a visual masterpiece. Christopher Nolan does just that with his World War II epic “Dunkirk”. It’s a fair criticism to harp on the film’s failure to adequately develop any of its characters, but the truth still remains that “Dunkirk” is one of the year’s most intense movie experiences thanks to Nolan’s keen direction and a world-class score from legend Hans Zimmer.

5. I, Tonya

I was completely caught off-guard by Craig Gillespie’s riotous examination of notorious figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie). Told through the perspectives of various unreliable sources, this farce of a comedy throws away any hopes of trying to spark a revelation about the “incident” surrounding Harding and fellow competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, and instead devotes itself to telling a widely embellished and hilariously vulgar interpretation of the events.

4. The Big Sick

Kumail Nanjiani writes and stars in the year’s most heartfelt comedy. Where “The Big Sick” succeeds most is in its ability to operate as a comedy first and a drama second. There’s no shortage of laughs in this earnest tale of a Pakistani (Nanjiani) who secretly falls in love with a white woman (Zoe Kazan) as his parents try to arrange a marriage for him with someone that they approve. This laugh-out-loud tale of a modern-day forbidden love story really hits the mark.

3. Get Out

From the bizarre and creative mind of writer/director Jordan Peele comes one of the year’s most taut and interesting screenplays. Daniel Kaluuya stars as a lonely, mid 20s African American who travels with his Caucasian girlfriend’s rural estate to meet her parents for the first time. Yet, what begins as a bunch of peculiar exchanges, eventually turns into something far more insane. Rarely does a horror film (although it’s a rather timid one) immerse itself in a controversial political climate such as “Get Out”, and we should all be grateful it does.

2. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges” and “Seven Psychopaths”) delivers a timely dark comedy that culminates as one of the year’s finest offerings. Set in the rural south where a heartbroken mother (Frances McDormand) hasn’t heard from local law enforcement for seven months regarding the rape and murder of her daughter, so she purchases a trio of billboards to shine a light on their incompetence. With an ending that I’m sure will irk some moviegoers, although I found satisfaction in it, “Three Billboards” possesses an all-star cast and an insanely fun journey.

1. The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro’s beautifully-filmed conquest bridges science fiction, history and romance in the year’s most exceptional release. Sally Hawkins is masterful as a mute loner whose life changes forever when she encounters a strange and enchanting creature at the top-secret government facility where she works. “The Shape of Water” tackles some reminiscent ideas in a completely original manner, and allows for its brilliant ensemble to bring del Toro’s wildly imaginative tale to life. Lovely and enchanting, “The Shape of Water” steals your heart with its unconventional love story.

‘Black Panther’ Poster Released – Teaser Trailer to Follow!

by Courtney Dossett

The Black Panther peaked my interest in his debut in Captain America: Civil War,  and I am beyond excited for the Black Panther movie slated to come out next February. We got an unexpected look at the new poster for the movie this morning ahead of the release of the teaser trailer tonight.

Take a minute to savor that eye candy, we can wait.

 

Yes. Please. I’m not as familiar with the Marvel Universe as I could be, but I was instantly taken with Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal of the Black Panther; you could feel how close he was with his father, how much he cared about his country, his intense hatred for the Winter Soldier. This movie has a stunning cast (Lupita Nyong’o and Forest Whitaker to name a few!), and I can’t wait to see more about this movie tonight when the trailer drops (if you’re into sportsball, the trailer debuts at 6 PM PT during the NBA finals game).

 

What do you think about this poster? Let us know in the comments below!

 

‘La La Land’ And The Impact Of “What If”

by Josh Jackson

*WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE ENTIRE FILM AHEAD*

Now that La La Land is available for DVD, Blu Ray and 4K platforms, it seemed like an opportune time to wrap up my review on the film. But between the praise its received since release, the almost unattainable amount of hype it built up before Oscar season, and the many other sites that will surely do a fantastic job explaining how great the film and all of the special features are, (the making of the show stopping Another Day of Sun freeway number being a personal favorite), I doubt there’s anything I can say regarding the quality of the film that you haven’t heard a thousand times by now. I still can’t decide which movie I liked better among the Best Picture nominees between this and Hidden Figures, but Damien Chazelle’s ode to the musicals of decades past has stuck with me since I walked out of the theater months ago. When I’m asked about why I enjoyed this love letter to the dreamers of the world as much as I did, it always comes down to that ending.

Seb’s passion for Jazz becomes shared.

Detractors of the film have stated that everything ends up a little bit too perfect for Sebastian (Ryan Gossling) and Mia (Emma Stone), aspiring entertainers who are lost among the stars of Los Angeles. Trying to find a path to success, their love sets them on their respective paths to achieve their dreams. While they don’t end up together, Seb opens the Jazz club that he always dreamed of while Mia becomes a famous actress, giving each other one last nod of approval after what might be the last of their many chance encounters throughout the film. And to be honest, I can’t argue with that assessment! From a pure conflict resolution standpoint, the majority of the film focused primarily on their need to achieve their respective goals, and while they had to sacrifice their romance to do so, they both got where they wanted to be with relatively minor resistance.

But what makes the ending great is that it’s not the only right answer.

The viewer’s perspective shapes how they interpret the final ten minutes of what was a relatively straightforward story up until that point. After a brief time skip, we’re re-introduced to the characters in quick fashion, with Mia being a successful actress with a husband and daughter. It’s not until they wander into a club that turns out to be Sebastian’s dream bar that the film sets us up for that big turning point. During that vibrant “what if” scenario that the pair envision, we see what things could have been like if a few of their choices were different. An argument can be made that even this scenario still isn’t perfect, since it’s implied that Seb never gets his club. And yet, he seems perfectly happy being at Mia’s side, helping her achieve her big dreams.

What could have been

Which brings me to City of Stars, the popular duet that I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times by now. More specifically, one particular set of lyrics speak volumes. At this point in the film, Mia is hard at work writing a one woman show that Seb convinced her to put together as a way to avoid the humiliating auditioning process, since he fully believed that her enthusiasm would draw people to her rather than her having to essentially beg for work. On the other side, Seb has just joined a more pop oriented Jazz band that pays enough to help him support himself and Mia, but plays a style that he’s personally unhappy with. Far from ideal, especially on his side. Yet in the song, the pair sing,

I felt it from the first embrace I shared with you.

That now our dreams, they’ve finally come true.

Despite them being very far from where they want to be career wise, in this moment in time, they feel like their dreams have already been achieved by being with each other. Unfortunately for them, the pressure of being unhappy in the band and Mia’s show tanking leads to the pair splitting, but not before Seb gives Mia one last boost of encouragement by taking her to an audition that came about in response to her show. Once we see that Seb decided to name his club “Seb’s”, using the same name and design Mia suggested, instead of “Chicken on a Stick”, a name that he was 100% adamant about earlier in the film, it’s clear to see how Mia’s memory had become a driving force that ultimately pushed him to open his club.

A final goodbye

Now onto the ending itself. I personally feel that the movie is tragically cold with the abrupt way that it ends after showing us what could have been. Yes, they achieved their dreams, but there’s a cruel irony about being completely estranged from the person who enabled those dreams in the first place. Not only that, but over the course of the film, their dreams changed to simply wanting to be together. Having to sacrifice one dream that we watched grow and blossom as viewers for the sake of dreams that are achieved off screen really drives home how unfair it is. But the most lasting part of the ending is that it’s one that we can all relate to. Would our lives be better or worse if we handled those past circumstances differently? I have my dream career, but was it worth losing touch with the people who grew alongside me to achieve it? How can a person who was my biggest supporter become a stranger within the blink of an eye? And why can’t the people who enabled, encouraged and empowered us to be the best version of ourselves be by our side when the fruits of their labor finally comes to fruition? It’s not fair. Life rarely is. But like Seb and Mia, sometimes we have to nod, smile, and resume our lives with the circumstances we’re presently in.

So yes, I can’t argue that from one perspective, the film is pretty straightforward, with the characters getting everything they fought for from the beginning and more. I can’t even argue with someone who says the ending was happy since sometimes, we have to make sacrifices to win at this crazy game. Which is what makes the ending so beautiful. Depending on your own perspective, you can draw so many different conclusions from it. Yet for me, even with whatever success may come, I’m still wondering if it was worth it.

La La Land is now available on DVD, Blu Ray and 4K formats.

James Gunn Confirms He Will Write & Direct ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3″

by Courtney Dossett

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hasn’t even hit theatres yet , and James Gunn has already confirmed that he will be writing and directing Volume 3. In a Facebook post, Gunn said

 

“In the end, my love for Rocket, Groot, Gamora, Star-Lord, Yondu, Mantis, Drax, and Nebula – and some of the other forthcoming heroes – goes deeper than you guys can possibly imagine, and I feel they have more adventures to go on and things to learn about themselves and the wonderful and sometimes terrifying universe we all inhabit. And, like in both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, we will work on creating the story that goes beyond what you expect.”

 

The passion and dedication Gunn shows towards this project is why I believe the first movie did so well, and I’m excited to see how well Gunn lives up to the high expectations set forth by fans.

 

We also got a sneak peek at when the next Guardians installment will fit into the Marvel timeline:

 

“Much of what’s happened in the MCU for the past ten or so years has been leading, in a big way, to the Avengers’ Infinity War. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will happen after all that. It will conclude the story of this iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and help catapult both old and new Marvel characters into the next ten years and beyond. I will be working side-by-side with Kevin Feige and the gang to help design where these stories go, and make sure the future of the Marvel Cosmic Universe is as special and authentic and magical as what we have created so far.”

 

More Marvel storylines? The next ten years? Yes please!
What are your thoughts on James Gunn continuing his take on Guardians of the Galaxy? Let us know!

‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Trailer Is Spot On

by Courtney Dossett

Spider-man: Homecoming definitely looks like it’s going to be worth watching this summer.

I’ve been interested to see what Marvel was going to do with the Spiderman story after his cameo in Captain America: Civil War. The scenes with the young Spidey were hilarious as he switched between fangirling over the fact that he was SO CLOSE to the Avengers while simultaneously fighting them.

I’ve never seen a Spiderman movie that I actually liked. I always thought the Peter Parker they portrayed would be more likely to become a stalker or serial killer than a superhero. But Tom Holland comes across more as a cute, quirky, nerdy guy who just wants to become an Avenger. I also like the addition of Tony Stark (obviously played by Robert Downey Jr.) as a sort of surrogate uncle/mentor figure (although, I could just be happy to see RDJ on screen, and who can blame me?).
What do you think of this latest Spiderman reboot? Watch the trailer and tell us in the comments!

‘Baby Driver’ Cast, Film Style Make This Movie Stand Out

by Courtney Dossett

I’m not really into action movies, for me, after a while, they all seem the same. The same stunts, the same explosions, the same bad jokes, the same plot.

The plot for Baby Driver seems a little simplistic. Quirky, young guy with a weird name (Baby?) has a gift for driving fast, gets involved with some criminals. He meets a girl, falls in love, despite the warnings of his criminal cohorts (Jamie Foxx tells him “You catch feelings, you catch a bullet.”). Boy and girl now have to find a way out so they can be together. Not necessarily a fresh story.
But Baby Driver has caught my interest. It could be because it has two of my favorite actors in the line-up (Kevin Spacey and Jon Hamm, mmm yes PLEASE!). Or it could be the film style, which seems much different than the classic action movie (to me, anyway). The shots seem to be more artistic, and sometimes remind me more of a Wes Anderson movie, then Fast and Furious.

Either way, I’m ready to go see this movie when it comes out later this summer in August.

Check out the trailer for yourself below, let us know what you think!

 

Hayao Miyazaki Officially Out Of Retirement

by Courtney Dossett

Hayao Miyazaki, known to many in the states as the Walt Disney of Japan, is coming out of retirement. Miyazaki has created some of the most memorable movies of my life, including My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, Spirited Away, and my all time favorite, Howl’s Moving Castle.

The vast amount of detail in Howl’s bedroom is amazing (Howl’s Moving Castle, 2004)

His movies not only have gripping stories, often with strong female leads, but also interesting supporting characters, and are beautiful to look at. The amount of detail and care that goes into every scene is amazing, and I would argue, better than many modern American cartoons and movies.
I was very sad when Miyazaki announced his official retirement in 2013, a few years after the release of Ponyo. The announcement today of his work on a feature length film is one of the most exciting things I’ve heard from the movie world this year, and hopefully more details about this new project will come out soon – until then, we’ll just have to be content with the vague date of before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Crowdfund This: ‘Never Hike Alone’ A Friday The 13th Fan Film

by Shane O'Hare

Welcome back to another installment of Crowdfund This. Where we here at Geekscape share with you amazing and incredible crowdfunding campaigns that you need to see. This time around take a look at Never Hike Alone: A Friday The 13th Fan Film. Horror fans, take note!

Never Hike Alone is a 22-minute short film that follows the story of KYLE MCLEOD (Andrew Leighty), an avid backcountry hiker who, while on a solo backpacking trip, discovers the long lost remains of CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE. Ignoring the campfire ghost stories from his childhood, Kyle’s curious nature draws him in to see what is left of the camp since it was closed after the infamous 1980 Friday the 13th murders.

This has got me absolutely pumped! Not being a hardcore horror fan, Friday the 13th has always been my favorite horror franchise. With the announcement that the upcoming remake was cancelled by Paramount, Friday fans don’t really have much new content on the horizon.

Never Hike Alone aims to fill the void left by the feature film being shutdown, and they need your help!

The majority of principle filming has been completed. The team over at Womp Stomp Films just needs a little bit more to get the project finished.

For more information, and to peep some of their INCREDIBLE backer perks, check out the official KickStarter.

The 89th ‘Academy Award’ Nominee’s Are Here!

by Shane O'Hare

Mere weeks after cleaning house at the Golden Globes, La La Land is poised to do the same at this years Oscar’s. Currently tied for the record with 14 nominations. That’s incredible!

Take a look at the full list below.

The 89th Academy Awards air February 24th at 4 PM PST on ABC. They are hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

Best Picture

Arrival

Fences

Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Hidden Figures

La La Land

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

Best Actress

Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”

Ruth Negga, “Loving”

Natalie Portman, “Jackie”

Emma Stone, “La La Land”

Meryl Streep, “Florence Foster Jenkins”

Best Actor

Casey Affleck, “Manchester by The Sea”

Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”

Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”

Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”

Denzel Washington, “Fences”

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”

Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”

Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”

Dev Patel, “Lion”

Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis, “Fences”

Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”

Nicole Kidman, “Lion”

Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”

Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”

Best Director

Denis Villeneuve, “Arrival”

Mel Gibson, “Hacksaw Ridge”

Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”

Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”

Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”

Best Original Screenplay

“Hell or High Water”

“La La Land”

“The Lobster”

“Manchester by the Sea”

“20th Century Women”

Best Adapted Screenplay

“Arrival”

“Fences”

“Hidden Figures”

“Lion”

“Moonlight”

Cinematography

“Arrival”

“La La Land”

“Lion”

“Moonlight”

“Silence”

Best Documentary Short Subject

“Extremis”

“4.1 Miles”

“Joe’s Violin”

“Watani: My Homeland”

“The White Helmets”

Best Animated Feature

“Kubo and the Two Strings”

“Moana”

“My Life as a Zucchini”

“The Red Turtle”

“Zootopia”

Best Animated Short

“Blind Vaysha”

“Borrowed Time”

“Pear Cider and Cigarettes”

“Pearl”

“Piper”

Best Original Song

“Audition” — “La La Land”

“Can’t Stop the Feeling” — “Trolls”

“City of Stars” — “La La Land”

“The Empty Chair” — “Jim: The James Foley Story.”

“How Far I’ll Go” — “Moana”

Best Live Action Short

“Ennemis Interieurs”

“La Femme et le TGV”

“Silent Nights”

“Sing”

“Timecode”

Best Foreign Film

“Land of Mine”

“A Man Called Ove”

“The Salesman”

“Tanna”

“Toni Erdmann”

Best Sound Editing

“Arrival”

“Deepwater Horizon”

“Hacksaw Ridge”

“La La Land”

“Sully”

Best Sound Mixing

“Arrival”

“Hacksaw Ridge”

“La La Land”

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

“13 hours”

Best Film Editing

“Arrival”

“Hacksaw Ridge”

“Hell or High Water”

“La La Land”

“Moonlight”

Best Production Design

“Arrival”

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

“Hail, Caesar!”

“La La Land”

“Passengers”

Best Costume Design

“Allied”

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

“Florence Foster Jenkins”

“Jackie”

“La La Land”

Best Original Score

“Jackie”

“La La Land”

“Lion”

“Moonlight”

“Passengers”

VFX

“Deepwater Horizon”

“Dr. Strange”

“The Jungle Book”

“Kubo and the Two Strings”

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Best Makeup

“A Man Called Ove”

“Star Trek Beyond”

“Suicide Squad”

Best Documentary Feature

“Fire at Sea”

“I Am Not Your Negro”

“Life, Animated”

“OJ: Made in America:

“13th”

The Newest Trailer For ‘Logan’ Has Us Sold

by Shane O'Hare

Hot on the heels of Monday’s plot reveal; we have ourselves something truly incredible. Check out the latest trailer for Logan.

Personally I wasn’t totally on board with Logan. The first teaser trailer didn’t do it for me. It just felt like another X-Men movie, but with the added emotional hostage taking of Johnny Cash’s Hurt. Today’s trailer put me in the boots of Wolverine. I got invested in the characters, and for a trailer to do that means this film should be on point.

Logan is directed by James Mangold and stars Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, and Dafne Keen.

Catch it in theaters March 3rd.

The Wait Is Over! The ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Teaser Is Here

by Courtney Dossett

30 years after Blade Runner was released, the trailer for its sequel, Blade Runner 2049 made its debut today. I’ve seen enough to avoid all future trailers. I’m sold.

With Ryan Gosling playing opposite a returning Harrison Ford, even those who are unfamiliar with the original should stand up and take notice. The trailer has a the same feeling as the 1982 original, with an updated feel, and promises to be every bit as good.  The only disappointment here so far, is that we have to wait until October 2017 for the movie’s release.  Check out the trailer for yourself below, and let us know what you think in the comments!

We’ve Got This Years ‘Golden Globe’ Nominations & They’re Fantastic!

by Shane O'Hare

Every year the Golden Globes come and go, and every year a select few walk away with the fancy awards.

The list of nominee’s have officially been released, and the lineup is quite interesting! This is going to be an exciting award show. I personally hope to see  Deadpool walk away with a couple Globes.

The 75th Golden Globes air January 8th and is hosted by Jimmy Fallon (Editors Note: Can we have a drinking game for all his fake laughter/outbursts?).

Movies

Best Motion Picture, Drama
Hacksaw Ridge

Hell or High Water

Lion

Manchester by the Sea

Moonlight

Best Motion Picture, Musical, or Comedy
20th Century Women

Deadpool

Florence Foster Jenkins

La La Land

Sing Street

Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

Amy Adams, Arrival

Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane

Isabelle Huppert, Elle

Ruth Negga, Loving

Natalie Portman, Jackie

Best Performance By an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Annette Bening, 20th Century Women

Lily Collins, Rules Don’t Apply

Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen

Emma Stone, La La Land

Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea

Joel Edgerton, Loving

Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge

Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic

Denzel Washington, Fences

Best Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water

Simon Helberg, Florence Foster Jenkins

Dev Patel, Lion

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Best Performance by Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Viola Davis, Fences

Naomie Harris, Moonlight

Nicole Kidman, Lion

Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures

Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best Director, Motion Picture

Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals

Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge

Barry Jenkins, Moonlight

Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical, or Comedy

Colin Farrell, The Lobster

Ryan Gosling, La La Land

Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins

Jonah Hill, War Dogs

Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture
La La Land

Nocturnal Animals

Moonlight

Manchester by the Sea

Hell or High Water

Original Score, Motion Picture
Moonlight

La La Land

Arrival

Lion

Hidden Figures

Best Motion Picture, Animated
Kubo and the Two Strings

Moana

My Life as a Zucchini

Sing

Zootopia

Best Original Song, Motion Picture

“Can’t Stop the Feeling,” Trolls

“City of Stars,” La La Land

“Faith,” Sing

“Gold,” Gold

“How Far I’ll Go,” Moana

Best Motion Picture, Foreign Language
Divines

Elle

Neruda

The Salesman

Toni Erdmann

Television

Best Television Series, Drama
The Crown

Game of Thrones

Stranger Things

This Is Us

Westworld

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy
Atlanta

Blackish

Mozart in the Jungle

Transparent

Veep

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
American Crime

The Dresser

The Night Manager

The Night Of

The People v. O.J.: American Crime Story

Best Performance By an Actor in a Television Series, Drama

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Matthew Rhys, The Americans

Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Billy Bob Thornton, Goliath

Best Performance By an Actor in a Television Series, Musical, or Comedy

Anthony Anderson, Blackish

Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle

Donald Glover, Atlanta

Nick Nolte, Graves

Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Riz Ahmed, The Night Of

Bryan Cranston, All the Way

Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager

Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J.: American Crime Story

John Turturro, The Night Of

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J.: American Crime Story

Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager

John Lithgow, The Crown

Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

John Travolta, The People v. O.J.: American Crime Story

Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Drama

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander

Claire Foy, The Crown

Keri Russell, The Americans

Winona Ryder, Stranger Things

Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Olivia Coleman, The Night Manager

Lena Headey, Game of Thrones

Chrissy Metz, This Is Us

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

Thandie Newton, Westworld

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Felicity Huffman, American Crime

Riley Keough, The Girlfriend Experience

Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J.: American Crime Story

Charlotte Rampling, London Spy

Kerry Washington, Confirmation

Best Performance By an Actress in a Television Series, Musical, or Comedy

Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Sarah Jessica Parker, Divorce

Issa Rae, Insecure

Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

Tracee Ellis Ross, Blackish

And that’s it! What are you thoughts? Are there any nominees that you think should be dropped from the list; or any that should be added? Let us know!

‘Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE’ Comes To Theaters This January!

by Natalie Kipper

If you were a fan of Sailor Moon in the 90’s, you might remember Sailor Moon R: The Promise of the Rose, which was released on VHS back in the day. The Promise of the Rose is actually Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE and this January, select North American theaters will feature an HD remaster of the uncut version. I suspect it will be dubbed but am not positive. Adding to the excitement is the North American debut of the theatrical short, “Make Up! Sailor Guardians.”

Here is Viz Media’s teaser for the film:

Long before Mamoru found his destiny with Usagi, he gave a single rose in thanks to a lonely boy who helped him recover from the crash that claimed his parents. This long-forgotten friend, Fiore, has been searching the galaxy for a flower worthy of that sweet gesture long ago. The mysterious flower he finds is beautiful, but has a dark side- it has the power to take over planets. To make matters worse, the strange plant is tied to an ominous new asteroid near Earth! Faced with an enemy blooming out of control, It’s up to Sailor Moon and the Sailor Guardians to band together, stop the impending destruction and save Mamoru!

Information as to which theaters will be showing Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE have yet to be posted but it was noted that tickets go on sale soon. A special surprise gift will be given to ticket holders at the screenings (while supplies last, of course).

Watch the ‘Logan’ Sneak Peek Now!

by Alexandra Gallarza

Before anything, watch first.

Okay, now that you’ve seen it once or twice, may three or four times, what did you think? Does it look like a normal Marvel movie? It has the action, it has the characters – it’s going to be interesting. With little story detail attached, we can gain this – a girl, who is a mutant, will become what Logan is to Professor X. In a way, it looks like this movie will be passing the torch onto a new set of mutants, which is going to be awesome.

‘Logan’ is set to hit theaters March 3rd, 2017.

Sound off below on what you guys think.

Holy Crap! We’re Getting A ‘Toxic Avenger’ Remake

by Shane O'Hare

Its confirmed. Everything we grew up loving is getting remade!

Announced today, Sausage Party Co-Director Conrad Vernon will be taking the helm on a modern recreation of the cult Troma film The Toxic Avenger. Now don’t you worry horror fans, Troma co-founders Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz are on board with the project as executive producers. And knowing Lloyd, he isn’t going to let crap slide.

If you aren’t in the know, the original Toxic Avenger tells the story of a New Jersey teenager whose accidental tumble into a vat of toxic waste turns him into a mutant superhero.

No word on when production will start, but you can be sure we will be keeping a close eye on things. Expectthe guys over at Horror Movie Night to have an opinion on things.

The Truce Is Over: Take A Look At ‘Ash Vs. Evil Dead’s Second Season!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: We got our real first look at Ash vs. Evil Dead‘s upcoming second season in the too-gory-for-SDCC trailer released last month, and Starz today has debuted another look at what is sure to be one of the best series’ of the Fall.

This time around, that look comes in the form of a two-minute feature that tells us a little of what we can expect this time around, while also featuring some sweet, sweet interviews with cast and executives.

The second season roars back into action with Ash leaving his beloved Jacksonville and returning to his hometown of Elk Grove, Michigan. There, he confronts Ruby. The former enemies have to form an uneasy alliance as Elk Grove soon becomes the nucleus of evil.

Take a look at the video below, and let us know if you’re excited for the season!

The Second ‘Star Wars: Rogue One’ Trailer Has Us Breathless

by Shane O'Hare

The second trailer for this years Star Wars film, Rogue One, has just hit the internet. And it is FUCKING incredible. I think I am more excited for this than I was Episove VII. Check it out below.

This trailer is incredible. Director Gareth Edwards really knows how to make stuff feel MASSIVE on film. The music, produced by French composer Alexandre Desplat (Godzilla, Syriana, Argo), is OUTSTANDING. I honestly think this is going to do more than Episode VII. It feels more “real”.

Star Wars: Rogue One hits theaters this December 16th and stars  Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Jiang Wen, Donnie Yen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk and Jonathan Aris.

Willem Dafoe Cast In The Role Of Ryuk In ‘Death Note’ Live Action Adaptation

by Shane O'Hare

One of the best lunatics in film today, Willem Dafoe has just been cast as the voice to the  crazy and hollowed out Shinigami Ryuk in the English live action adaption of Death Note.

Based on the groundbreakingly popular Manga/Anime series of the same name, the English live action adaptation will be directed by Adam Wingard and stars Nat Wolff, Margaret Qualley, Keith Stanfield, Paul Nakauchi and Shea Whigham. The film will debut on Netflix.

Death Note follows the story of a high school student (Nat Wolff) who finds a magical notebook that has the power to kill whomever is written in it. The book comes into his possession by the Shinigami Ryuk. What follows is a very tense story of murder and intrigue.

There is no official release date yet, but production has started!

I personally think that Dafoe’s casting is perfect for Ryuk. It’s a bummer he’s just providing voice, because frankly he’s the only actor in Hollywood that could pull off the look with no makeup.

I just pray they bring Maximum The Hormone in to provide the theme music!

SDCC 2016: The Crew Is Back! Check Out The ‘Trainspotting 2’ Teaser Trailer

by Shane O'Hare

Spud, Renton, Sick Boy and Begbie are all back in the sequel to the monumental cult classic, Trainspotting. Check out the trailer for T2 below.

We aren’t really getting much from this trailer, other than goosebumps of seeing the original cast back together.

Trainspotting was the 1996, Danny Boyle directed, dark comedy about a group of Heroin addicts getting by in the slummy areas of Edinburgh.

Nothing much to go on plot wise, T2 will be a continuation of the story from the original.

T2; Trainspsotting 2 hits US theaters February 10th, and UK theaters January 27th. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle.

SDCC 2016: Check Out The Trailer For ‘Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV’ Right Now!

by Shane O'Hare

The lead up to the release o Final Fantasy XV has been a doozy (we all just want the friggin game okay?). Little did we know that the accompanying film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV would be so awesome looking. Fresh off the Japanese theatrical release, is the jaw dropping trailer for the English version. Get hyped.

This just goes to show that Square Enix knows how to make gorgeous art. Watching this trailer I got some major nostalgia from when Advent Children released.

Kingsglaive story runs concurrently with the events of Final Fantasy XV, and follows the father of the games lead. The films main characters are from an elite guard known as the Kingsglaive. They are tasked with protecting the kingdom of Lucis from the attacking kingdom of Niflheim.

You can get your eyes on Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV in a few ways. It will be coming bundled with certain collectors edition of the game, available on the Playstation Store August 30th and will have a limited theatrical run.

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV stars Aaron Paul, Lena Headey, Sean Bean, Adrian Bouchet, Liam Mulvey and Andrea Tivadar.

SDCC 2016: Watch The ‘Too Gory For Comic-Con’ Trailer For ‘Ash Vs. Evil Dead’s Second Season!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Starz Ash Vs. Evil Dead is by far one of the goriest properties that I’ve seen on television.

It’s so gory, that apparently the just released red-band trailer for the series upcoming second season has been banned from San Diego Comic-Con.

Of course, the series itself has a rather large presence at the convention, including an offsite event, a signing, screening, and panel. Here’s the schedule:

“Ash vs Evil Dead” Autograph Session

Saturday, July 23rd at 2:00 PM – “Ash vs Evil Dead” Cabin at Petco Park Interactive Zone

“Ash vs Evil Dead” San Diego Comic-Con Panel

Saturday, July 23rd at 6:45 PM – Room 6A in the San Diego Convention Center

“Ash vs Evil Dead” World Premiere Screening of Season Two Premiere

Saturday, July 23rd at 10:00 PM – Room 6DE in the San Diego Convention Center

The second season roars back into action with Ash leaving his beloved Jacksonville and returning to his hometown of Elk Grove, Michigan. There, he confronts Ruby. The former enemies have to form an uneasy alliance as Elk Grove soon becomes the nucleus of evil.

Take a look at the trailer below, and be sure to let us know if you’re excited for the return of Ash.

SDCC 2016: These Character Posters For ‘Power Rangers’ Are Morphinominal!

by Shane O'Hare

The upcoming 2017 Power Rangers film is seriously shaping up to be amazing. Everything we’ve seen from it so far has quelled any and all worry us fans have for the reboot.

Today SABAN released five character posters for San Diego Comic Con, and they are totally fucking awesome. Check them out below!

Simple and clean, but they really get the point across. Our beloved heroes from our youth are BACK! And God dammit don’t they all look fucking attractive.

Be sure to keep and eye out here for more #sdcc2016 coverage!

SDCC ’16: ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ to Host VFX Panel!

by jake108

Along with a Thursday’s full schedule came along this VFX panel for the film, Alice Through the Looking Glass. For anyone who is at the least bit curious to see what goes into creating VFX for a film, this panel should be on your radar.

HALON SDCC 2016

Presented by HALON Entertainment, the panelists include the VFX team lead Tefft Smith II and VFX Editor Ed Marsh. you can read more about the panel, and what’s in store right here:

Leap into the journey through the VFX process of “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” Alice’s esteemed VFX team leads HALON Entertainment’s Tefft Smith II, and VFX Editor Ed W. Marsh, will lead the audience through scene building, shooting and the final VFX process by breaking down some of Underland’s most complex sequences. This panel will debut exclusive footage not seen in the theater. Won’t you join us?

Granted, for any SDCC attendee, each day is a constant battle of choosing what panel you’d like to see and what panel you’re more likely to get into.

Win Morisaki Join’s ‘Ready Player One’ Cast

by Shane O'Hare

Japanese actor turned singer, Win Morisaki, has just signed on to join the cast of the upcoming Steven Spielberg adaptation of Ready Player One.

Morisaki is a veteran of the Asian TV market. Guest starring on such shows as Kamen Rider W, Gokusen, and Gakko Ja Oshierarenai. He also has been in a myriad of Japanese films such as Gokusen: The Movie and The Movie Thriller Restaurant. He recently joined the pop band PrizmaX as the lead vocalist.

He is playing the role of Daito, a Japanese treasure hunter.

Ready Player One is set to hit theaters March 30th, 2018.

New ‘Warcraft’ Featurette Digs Into The Film’s Incredible Production Design!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It’s nearly here!

Duncan Jones highly anticipated Warcraft is just over two weeks away from theatres, and Legendary has just debuted a new featurette which digs into the film’s incredible production design.

The featurette shows off the importance of melding visual effects with real locations, and while we don’t know just how good Warcraft will be at this point, it’d be pretty tough to say that the film isn’t gorgeous.

In Warcraft, the peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilization faces a fearsome race of invaders: Orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonize another. As a portal opens to connect the two worlds, one army faces destruction and the other faces extinction. From opposing sides, two heroes are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their family, their people and their home.

Take a look at the video below, and be sure to let us know what you think! Warcraft hits theatres on June 10th!