Tag: Ryan Gosling

SDCC 2022: Netflix’ ’The Gray Man’ Training Program Kicks Off SDCC With A Bang!

by Derek Kraneveldt

I’m so excited to be back in San Diego.

The spectacle of the convention itself, and the fact that it spills out through what feels like the entire Gaslamp District of San Diego, is simply baffling. The scale of SDCC is simply like no other event that I’ve ever had the privilege of being to, and as incredible as the exhibit hall, panels, and exclusives are, the offsite activations have to be my absolute favourite part of the SDCC experience (aside from seeing my Geekscape friends).

I wasn’t quite sure how offsites would look this year — without a convention for the past two years, would studios realize that they didn’t actually need them to build excitement for their upcoming projects? Would they be fearful of staffing issues (or sickness) and do things on a smaller scale to combat this? Would it be business as usual?

Before preview night opened on Wednesday, I had the fantastic opportunity to check out the huge offsite that Netflix built for their new star-studded Russo brother direction action thrilller, The Gray Man.

Interestingly enough, this offsite has been set up for a movie that drops in just a couple of days, rather than a property that’s still months away (or years, as it was with Prime Video’s Jack Ryan series, which popped up at SDCC for multiple conventions before it finally released). This should definitely help the film’s early numbers (not that a cast including folks like Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Billy Bob Thornton won’t) — I might be a pretty impressionable guy, but even just walking by the setup I was thinking that ”maybe we should check this out when we get back to the hotel tonight.”

The event is hard to miss, but for those in San Diego this week The Gray Man Training Program sits at the ABM Parking Lot at the corner of 1st Ave and Island Ave (this is where Prime Video was set up back in 2019 for The Boys, Carnival Row, and The Expanse). The offsite is open from Thursday, July 21 – Saturday, July 23 10am-7pm, and Sunday, July 24 from 11am-4pm.

The activation is a high-energy, interactive escape experience set on a tram car, inspired by the epic chase scene in the new Netflix Film The Gray Man. Once aboard the tram, fans will have to prove they have what it takes to become the next Gray Man in a test of skill, strength, and speed while transporting a top secret file to safety before the mercenaries catch up and the time runs out. The heart pounding mission will include various obstacles and special effects, and will culminate in a rooftop sprint as fans race against the clock to complete the mission. Fans will leave with a badass customized social takeaway that puts them at the center of their own action film.

Once you hit the front of the line, this is the start of the actual experience.

There was a decent lineup of press members present when I arrived at the activation. For those attending during the daytime, some umbrellas are set up to shield you from the San Diego sun. A giant display shows off the trailer for The Gray Man on repeat, and it’s loud enough that you’ll probably hear it if you’re pretty much anywhere close to the activation itself. Note that even for the press preview, this line took quite some time — attendees were completing the challenge one or two at a time, and took about two minutes once you actually began. Also, I’ve now memorized this trailer verbatim, as it’s the only thing that plays… over and over again.

Once you get closer to the actual activity, it looks pretty phenomenal. A life-sized crashed subway car greets you, complete with flying sparks and regular bursts of smoke. It’s a little tough to know exactly what you’ll do once it’s your turn, but it’s pretty clear that a ton of cash went into the activation, and that it’s going to be a damned good time.

Spoilers for the offsite activity ahead — you’ve been warned.

You finally hit the front of the line, and you’re sent in to be briefed by an agent. The agent tells you that they’re trying to determine who has what it takes to become the next Gray Man, and gives a brief overview of the challenges that you’ll be facing. You also receive a small metal necklace — one side has The Gray Man’s logo, while the other side has a pattern of sorts on it (I’m not quite sure at this point if the pattern is associated with the film, but I’d guess that it is).

Another agent then puts you into position at the end of the tram car, and instructs you to enter and get to work as fast as you possibly can once the door opens. Once you’re inside, you’re told to look for visual queues that will help you move on to the next area.

The first area was super easy and really took just a few seconds to solve. The second area however, really seems to require two people to have much success. I found instructions that I thought I was following, but then second-guessed myself when they wouldn’t work. Time ran out, and I failed this portion of the challenge (someone later confirmed that I was doing the right thing, but that it really took three hands to be able to fully solve it).

For the final portion of the activation, you end up on top of the tram car, and have to run across and insert your necklace into a briefcase of sorts to finish things up. A camera on a wire captures your run, and afterwards you can email yourself a cool video of your time on top of the tram.

Overall, the experience that Netflix crafted for The Grey Man was a very fun one. At the time of this writing, I don’t believe that Netflix is doing any sort of pre-registration to partake in the activation, and due to the one or two people nature of the experience itself, I’d anticipate lines to be long (well duh, it’s SDCC) and slow moving. In any case, if you have the time (or will be wandering the Gaslamp without a badge on one of the convention days), The Gray Man training program should definitely be on your to-do list.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: First Man

by MCDave

Caught in the midst of a time when truth no longer feels singular, America has brought forth a generation of skeptical individuals taught to question everything they’ve been told to believe. And what were once widely disregarded conspiracy theories, such as the legitimacy of the moon landing, have suddenly transformed into a more populist norm. Yet, no matter the resistance in which his film is sure to encounter, 2017’s Oscar-winning director, Damien Chazelle, mirrors a fearlessness to that of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong, the centerpiece of Chazelle’s latest Oscar-destined drama, First man. It’s an ambitious effort, one cloaked in raw emotion and an often dark tone that feels moons away from his previous achievement, La La Land. But still, Chazelle cements his elite directorial status with another sharply-captured and deeply personal experience.

First Man opens in 1961, where the United States continues to lag behind the Soviets in the race to space. Fast forward a few years and a uniquely qualified candidate, Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling), applies to NASA with hopes of joining their efforts in beating the Soviets to the moon. And as the space program slowly breaks through barriers in its seemingly impossible quest for reaching the lunar surface, the stakes get higher and higher, forcing these astronauts to risk everything in order to achieve the unimaginable.

Damien Chazelle’s already displayed a knack for greatness with his first pair of feature films, Best Picture Nominees Whiplash and La La Land. And while this latest work isn’t quite up to their level, it’s still a worthwhile film in its own right. First Man digs to the core of Armstrong and truly searches for the origins of his bravery and determination. It’s an intimate journey, one that becomes much easier thanks to Ryan Gosling’s heavyweight performance. It’s quiet but heavy, tempered but explosive, and everything you’d expect from a Best Actor Nominee, one that I clearly envision happening. Likewise, his onscreen counterpart Claire Foy delivers a meteoric turn as Armstrong’s bedrock of a wife. And unlike her internalizing husband, Foy’s character isn’t afraid to speak her mind and display her outspoken strength. She’s the one left sitting at home, worlds away, glued to her radio listening to NASA’s direct feed of Neil’s mission. Gloom and doom run rampant in First Man, so you shouldn’t expect a shiny or uplifting tale of heroism. Instead, Chazelle recognizes that for any great journey into the unknown sacrifices must be made, and the director dwells on this notion rather than turning a blind eye to it. This theme becomes a true staple of the film as First Man forces its audiences to remember the many people, in all facets of life, who gave everything for the greater good. And for that, Mr. Chazelle, we salute you.

GRADE: 4/5

For more reviews, movie lists and trailers visit MCDAVE’s host site

Geekscape Movie Reviews: ‘Blade Runner: 2049’

by MCDave

It was 35 years ago when Ridley Scott broke ground with his sci-fi classic Blade Runner. Trading action-packed thrills for a tempered and more cerebral science fiction endeavor helped make an impact on an entire generation of movie lovers. And if a sequel had to be done, what better filmmaker to take the reins than Arrival helmer Denis Villeneuve? Brandishing an intellectual screenplay and Villeneuve’s keen visionary mastery, Blade Runner 2049 has clearly been placed in the most worthy of hands.

Set thirty years after the original, Officer K (Ryan Gosling) is a new-hybrid of replicant Blade Runner, programmed to fully obey his human masters. But as he becomes assigned to a very delicate case, the mystery he’s supposed to solve slowly forces him to question his own existence. And with all of the answers belonging to former agent Deckard (Harrison Ford) who has gone into hiding for decades now, K must track down the legendary Blade Runner in order to finally unlock the truth to his cloudy past.

Much like Ridley Scott’s Alien franchise, Blade Runner 2049 finds a unique beauty in its ability to pose more questions than answers. But despite a frustrating ambiguity that’s assured to displease select audiences, Denis Villeneuve and company do an amazing job of expanding on the universe that Ridley Scott created 35 years ago. Taking the auteur’s classic idea of building compassion for the replicant population and transforming that into a core principal within the structure of this new examination, Villeneuve enlightens the viewer with fascinating psychological quandaries and thought-provoking introspection. Ryan Gosling offers a stellar lead performance that’s wonderfully complemented by a multitude of smaller, yet unbelievably effective, roles. And while Gosling undoubtedly hogs the film’s face time, not a single side character wastes a moment on screen. Don’t be fooled, though, Blade Runner 2049 comes with a fair share of criticisms. The film wallows in a sluggish and thrill-less delivery that snow-piles throughout an often painful 160-minute duration, and its uncharacteristically weak score with the great Hans Zimmer on board proves to be a bit of a disappointment. However, loyal and respectful fans of the original Blade Runner can look past these flaws and find solace in Denis Villeneuve’s originality and heady subtext that rival the work of its predecessor.

GRADE: 4/5

For more reviews, trailers and movie lists visit MCDAVE’s host site

Are Humans & Replicants Preparing For War In The Official ‘Blade Runner 2049’ Trailer?

by The_acz

It’s been a long time coming after the initial teaser, but we have finally been graced with a new trailer for Blade Runner 2049.

While the teaser didn’t give us much aside from Ryan Gosling meeting up with Harrison Ford, There is much more to dissect in this new trailer. First thing noticeable is that this movie looks absolutely beautiful. If you thought Ghost in the Shell was a beautiful film, it’s clear that just by looking at some of the sets that it was very inspired by the original Blade Runner. Second thing is that the film is possibly teasing the fact that Harrison Fords Deckard might in fact be a replicant  after seeing Goslings character wanting to ask him “some questions”.

Even if we previously thought it wouldn’t be possible, this trailer throws a curve ball or two. There’s much more to dissect including Jared Leto’s character and a possible war between humans and replicants. Check out the trailer below for all the Ridley Scott/Denis Villeneuve goodness. Have you seen the original Blade Runner? Tell us in the comments below!

‘Blade Runner 2049’ To Host Live Q & A With Cast

by AllieHanley

The sequel to one of the most applauded and well received science fiction movies of all time “Blade Runner,” has a sequel coming to theaters October 6 “Blade Runner 2049.” In front of the film, is an early promotional event on Facebook Monday, May 8 at 9 AM PST with the cast and director.

The live Q & A will include actors Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, and film director Denis Villeneuve on this link: Facebook Blade Runner 2049

The new film is set thirty years after the events of the first film with a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K (Ryan Gosling), who unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. K’s discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

For more info on the upcoming film click bladerunnermovie.com or follow on Twitter: @BladeRunner, Facebook: @BladeRunner2049, Instagram: @BladeRunnerMovie

https://youtu.be/GDscTTE-P-k

‘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.

Celebrate ‘La La Land’ Day With Festivities Across The City Of Stars!

by Josh Jackson

To commemorate the record breaking Golden Globe winning and almost Best Picture Oscar recipient La La Land‘s release on home media, April 25 will become La La Land Day across the city of stars.

Beginning with an official declaration by Mayor Eric Garcetti, screenwriter/director Damien Chazelle will be honored for his “extraordinary portrait of the city and its iconic locations”. Which makes sense when you consider that tourism has skyrocketed since the film’s release. Also on hand will be composer Justin Hurwitz, production designers David and Sandy Wasco, choreographer Mandy Moore and jewelry designer Kyle Chan. The festivities will be topped off with a live arial performance by the dance troop BANDALOOP.

Outside of the official declaration, special events will be held throughout the City of Stars. From dance lessons, set recreations, screenings and full recreations of Seb’s club from the film, both at the original location in Hermosa Beach to other Jazz clubs throughout the city, check out the full list of events below!

 

  • Grand Central Market will hold a La La Land dance lesson at 10am at 317 S. Broadway in downtown, and Sarita’s, the site of Mia and Sebastian’s first date will be featuring a La La Land photo op with the stools they sat on.
  • 3rd Street Dance will offer La La Land themed Dance Class at 7pm at their 8558 West 3rd St. location.
  • Kyle Chan Design will display the jewelry that Academy Award® Best Actress winner Emma Stone wears in the film at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Ste 114. The first three people to come in and buy La La Land jewelry will take home a Blu-ray of the film.
  • Brits in LA will host a “Brits in La La Land” Breakfast at Cecconis on “La La Land Day” and give away free breakfast to the first 20 people who share an image that best represents #LaLaLand to them and why.
  • The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising will have their final day of display of the La La Land costumes in their museum, along with the unveiling of the La La Land inspired costume design contest winner.
  • Inglewood Library will have a La La Land themed activities hour at 4pm for youth who want to express their creative side with La La Land activity sheets and coloring pages.

 

Jazz bars across the country will be transformed into “Seb’s” on April 25, for one night only, including Long Beach’s “The Blind Donkey” (149 Linden Ave), the original location for “Seb’s” in the film, featuring live music, themed drinks and a full size Seb’s neon sign.

 

Additional area taverns will also celebrate with La La Land themed nights featuring ‘enter to win’ boxes with Blu-rays offered as prizes.  Bars include:

  • Light House Café – 30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA
  • No Vacancy – 1727 N. Hudson Ave. Los Angeles, CA
  • Bar One – 12518 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood, CA

Far from a waste of a lovely night for sure. How will you be celebrating La La Land Day?

The film will be released for home media on April 25.

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!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: La La Land

by MCDave

This year’s 25th annual Philadelphia Film Festival opened in style with La La Land, one of these year’s finest achievements. Damien Chazelle follows up his highly regarded Best Picture Nominee, Whiplash, with this dazzling sophomore effort. Nostalgic and full of passion, the film pays its respects to old Hollywood all while providing a fresh vibe that will be difficult for any competitor to topple during the upcoming awards season. So if you’re in search of an early Best Picture frontrunner, look no further than La La Land.

Mia’s (Emma Stone) lifelong dream is to be a respected actress in Hollywood. But as the Nevada native experiences the ego-crushing defeat of Los Angeles’ cutthroat audition process, she falls for a Jazz pianist named Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) who hopes of one-day running a club of his own. And while this pair of starry-eyed romantics fall madly in love with each other, the weight of their relationship makes it difficult staying committed to their dreams.

LLL d 12 _2353.NEF

From the opening number all the way to its monumental finale, La La Land consumes its viewers with an extraordinary combination of a wonderfully composed score, intricate choreography, towering performances and tastefully advanced direction. Damien Chazelle is beyond deserving for a Best Director nod as his immaculate vision comes to life on the big screen. Six years in the making, Chazelle and his composer, Justin Hurwitz, used this abundance of time and patience to hone their story and fine-tune the music. This precise attention to detail spills through each and every scene as La La Land serves as a testament to originality and a shining example of its own greatest storyline, devoted passion to achieving ones dreams.

lala2

Not only are the film’s direction and melodic score an absolute marvel, La La Land‘s lead co-stars are enchanting in their own right. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling offer a unique chemistry that breathes authenticity into their onscreen romance. The film can’t capture all of its engaging essence without a sharply convincing love story, and boy do they deliver! This magical romance is reminiscent of legendary cinematic duos such as Bogart and Bacall or Tracy and Hepburn, while they naturally fall in line as a contemporary equivalence. And although Emma Stone’s character is written with more depth and layers by comparison – which may be enough to tip the scales in her favor in this year’s Best Actress race – it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear Gosling’s name called as an Oscar finalist as well.

Hollywood adores movies about the industry and La La Land uses this cachet to mold together the aura of classic cinema with a vibrant and updated appeal. It’s challenging to identify a single glaring weakness within the film, making it destined for a justifiably successful awards season run. It’s important to note that musicals aren’t for everyone, but La La Land‘s transcends this generic label thanks to an infectious passion for the arts that makes you wish you could create something as everlasting as the film itself. Consequently, La La Land stands as one of 2016’s finest offerings and an clear-cut must-see effort from one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising filmmakers.

GRADE: 4.5/5

Check out other reviews, movie lists and trailers at MCDave’s host site

Blade Runner Sequel Is Now Named ‘Blade Runner 2049’

by Bigyanks

The long awaited sequel to ‘Blade Runner’ gets a title and a release date, now titled ‘Blade Runner 2049’ is set to be released next year October 6, 2017. The sequel will take place several decades after the 1982 original, and stars Ryan Gosling along with Harrison Ford, who will be reprising his role as Rick Deckard. The film is written by Hampton Fancher and Michael Green, and succeeds the initial story by Fancher and David Peoples based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Plot details have yet to be revealed.

blade-runner-2049

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Nice Guys

by MCDave

Considering Shane Black broke into the the industry as the writer of the 1987 buddy-cop comedy, Lethal Weapon, there’s no surprise that he’s returning to his roots for his third directorial effort, The Nice Guys. I’ve been on record speaking out against Black’s previous entry as the visionary behind Iron Man 3, but I’m thrilled to see him transitioning back to a place of comfort. Black first stepped behind the camera for 2005’s wildly acclaimed caper comedy, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and more than a decade has passed since, Yet, Black’s able to rediscover his winning formula with a new pair of leading stars, Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.

Set throughout 1970s Los Angeles, Jackson Healey (Crowe) is an enforcer who makes problems go away. And when a fearful young client named Amelia goes missing, Healey must team up with a binge-drinking private investigator named Hollard March (Gosling) to locate the girl. But as they dig deeper into the mystery, Healey and March become entangled with dangerous mobsters, porn stars and high-ranking government officials.

nice1

The Nice Guys stands as a refreshing new buddy comedy that delivers well-earned and cleverly crafted jokes. There is no shortage of laugh out loud moments, all of which solidify Shane Black’s latest film as a clear-cut winner. Gosling and Crowe have a natural chemistry that allows the humor to flow naturally. Their characters possess contrasting personalities that perfectly complement one another. Gosling as the clumsy and more unprofessional investigator, and Crowe as the brute muscle who operates under a strict unwritten code of the industry. In addition to a fine script that allows for the film’s talented leads to work their comedic magic, The Nice Guys has another surprising talent emerge from all of its splendor. Normally the overuse of a teenage character can be a hindrance to a movie, yet Black brilliantly incorporates newcomer Angourie Rice into the story. As Holland March’s daughter and voice of humanity in the film, Rice sets herself apart as a valuable asset. Each of these glowing attributes come together masterfully in one of 2016’s finest efforts.

nice2

Although the film’s laughter and light-heartedness keep a positive and energized tone throughout its duration, The Nice Guys does manage to struggle in a few key areas. The overall mystery of their case lacks depth and unpredictability. Furthermore, many of March and Healey’s big breaks are discovered by luck and sheer chance. Black’s work could have used a little more investigative wit to counterbalance all of the film’s accomplished comedy. And finally, The Nice Guys merely skims over any dramatic elements that it introduces. As a result, the film’s characters appear cartoon-ish and one dimensional. Perhaps a slightly deeper dive into their personal lives would have gone a long way. Instead, we’re left with a hysterical and effective caper comedy, but very little more.

Needless to say, Shane Black has another winner on his hands. Acceptable doses of action, mystery and hilariously scripted humor come together to deliver a wildly entertaining film. The Nice Guys doesn’t break any barriers or demand a place on the Mount Rushmore of buddy comedies, but it definitely makes for a worthwhile movie experience. If your in need of some genuine laughs and an engaging couple of hours at the movies, then you certainly won’t regret taking a chance on Shane Black’s latest entry.

GRADE: 4/5

Check out a list of Ryan Gosling’s Best Roles and other write-ups at MCDAVE’s host site

Dave Bautista Gets Cast in ‘Blade Runner’ Sequel!

by J.C. Marquez

The cast of Blade Runner 2 just added a ton of muscle this morning.

Alcon Entertainment has officially announced that Dave Bautista will join Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, and Robin Wright in Blade Runner 2, the official sequel to Ridley Scott’s iconic 1982 science fiction film.

Dave Bautista is better known from his role as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy, and he recently appeared in Spectre–the latest entry in the James Bond film franchise. Blade Runner 2 is set to begin principal photography this July and will be directed by Denis Villenevue (Sicaro, Prisoners) with Ridley Scott serving as executive producer.

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Actor Dave Bautista attends Marvel's "Guardians of The Galaxy" press line during Comic-Con International 2013 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 20: Actor Dave Bautista attends Marvel’s “Guardians of The Galaxy” press line during Comic-Con International 2013 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

There is a ton of secrecy behind the plot of Blade Runner 2, but the only thing we do know about the films story is that it will take place a number of decades after the events of the original film. Not much to go on (we know), but we will take anything we can get.

At this point, the cast looks solid, and with Ridley Scott involved in the project, fans have much to look forward to.

What kind of story would you like to see Blade Runner 2 head into? Sound off in the comments below!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Big Short

by MCDave

With every new 2015 cinematic release, insiders and prognosticators are seeking a standout film to swoop in and take over the Best Picture race. In steps Adam McKay’s potential contender, The Big Short, a star-studded examination of the United States’ economic meltdown following the 2008 housing market collapse. But in a bit of a twist, McKay isn’t known for his dramatic appeal. In fact, the director has built quite the reputation as a comedy guru following his synergetic film-partnership with Will Ferrell in collaborations such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers and The Other Guys. Yet, perhaps McKay’s humerus touch could be exactly the spark needed to jump-start this Oscar tailspin.

Back in 2005 hedge fund manager Michael Burry (Christian Bale) recognized a dangerous trend in the United States housing market. And when he uses his full contractual authority to go against the wishes of his clients and bet against the power of the highly regarded banking system, word of his antics quietly spreads around Wall Street. While most insiders laugh off the possibility of a structural breakdown, other money managers and investors such as Mark Baum (Steve Carell), Jamie Shipley and Charlie Geller look beneath the surface of the markets and bravely follow in Burry’s footsteps.

bs1

Adam McKay deserves copious amounts of respect as he achieves the remarkable feat of transforming dull and monotonous source material into a laugh-filled and enjoyable affair. The Big Short succeeds on many levels and, at its finest moments, uses unorthodox narrative techniques to capture the audience’s attention and hold it firmly for two plus hours. Be on the lookout for hysterical cameos from rising star and Australian beauty Margot Robbie, Chef extraordinaire Anthony Bourdain and pop-sensation Selena Gomez, all of which cleverly address the film’s nauseating banking and mortgage lingo in a spry and comical way. Furthermore, Steve Carell follows up his Oscar nominated turn in Foxcatcher with another exceptional performance. His cynical character is highlighted perfectly through the constant back and forth with bank trader, Jared Vennett, played by a typically charismatic Ryan Gosling. But through all of these impressive turns, it’s Christian Bale’s supporting work that stands out as the most likely to land in the awards season discussion. All in all The Big Short is a winning drama benefiting from outside-the box storytelling, a sturdy comical undertone and fine acting from its entire cast.

bs2

However, despite all of the film’s glowing attributes and valiant attempts to withstand such boring source material, the inner workings of the financial and housing markets are an irrefutable turnoff. Industry verbiage and terminology prove to be inescapable as they bog down an otherwise hilarious screenplay and, to varying degrees, wear down the viewer. After repeatedly hearing phrases like “sub-prime mortgages” and “collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)” at nearly every turn for over two hours, disinterest inevitably settles in. Yet, just as The Big Short begins to test its audience’s patience, the movie’s self-aware director recognizes an urgency to wrap up the story. Hitting a wall is unavoidable, but McKay and company are still able to withstand the film’s own self-restricting limitations.

We all know a family or families impacted by the irresponsible actions of our banks and lenders during the economic collapse of 2008. The dark realities of this historical blunder are enough to warrant a dramatic retelling of such events. Adam McKay does an admirable job of oversimplifying a complicated situation and the result is an often hysterical and well-acted account of American greed. The Big Short is far from the Oscar frontrunner that many were desiring, but it’s still a journey worth taking.

GRADE: 4/5

Check out other work at MCDAVE’s host site

Ryan Gosling In Talks To Join ‘Blade Runner 2’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It still seems crazy to me that Blade Runner 2 is even happening, but today we learned just who may be starring alongside Harrison Ford.

Yep, hey girl himself, Ryan Gosling.

The upcoming sequel is set several decades after Blade Runner, and Ford will reprise his Rick Deckard role from the first film. Gosling’s potential character, as well as any story details for the feature, have not been revealed at this time.

Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green wrote the screenplay for this one, and Prisoners (which I loved) director Denis Villeneuve is set for the director’s chair.

I’m still hearing a lot of blowback about the fact that this film even exists, but I dug the Blade Runner world, and (naturally) have a perfectly healthy man-crush on Ryan Gosling, so why not jump back in?

In any case, you can take a look at the full press release below, and let us know if you’re looking forward to the film, which is set to start production next Summer.

Gosling

Ryan Gosling is in negotiations to star in Alcon Entertainment’s sequel to BLADE RUNNER, being directed by Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners) and executive produced by Ridley Scott.

 

Harrison Ford will co-star as Rick Deckard, the role he portrayed in the original directed by Scott.

 

Principal photography is set to start in summer of 2016. Hampton Fancher (co-writer of the original) and Michael Green have written the original screenplay based on an idea by Fancher and Scott.

 

The story takes place several decades after the conclusion of the 1982 original. Story details, as well as Gosling’s character, are not being revealed.

 

Gosling will be seen next in Shane Black’s The Nice Guys opposite Russell Crowe, and in Terrence Malick’s Weightless. He is currently in production starring opposite Christian Bale, Brad Pitt and Steve Carrell in The Big Short.

 

Villeneuve’s upcoming feature film Sicario, a drug-trafficking drama starring Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro from Black Label Media, has been recently announced in Competition at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Villeneuve previously worked with Kosove and Johnson as the director of Alcon’s critically acclaimed Prisoners.

 

Alcon Entertainment acquired the prequel and sequel film, television and ancillary franchise rights to the iconic science-fiction thriller BLADE RUNNER in 2011 from producers Bud Yorkin and Cynthia Sikes Yorkin, who will serve as producers on the sequel along Alcon Entertainment co-founders and co-CEO’s Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson.

 

Frank Giustra and Tim Gamble, CEO’s of Thunderbird Films, will serve as executive producers.

 

Among its many distinctions, BLADE RUNNER has been singled out as one of the greatest movies of all time by innumerable polls and media outlets, and overwhelmingly as the greatest science-fiction film of all time by a majority of genre publications.

 

Released by Warner Bros., BLADE RUNNER was adapted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples from Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and was directed by Ridley Scott following his landmark Alien.” The film was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Visual Effects, and Best Art Direction).

 

BLADE RUNNER was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1993 and is frequently taught in university courses. In 2007, it was named the 2nd most visually influential film of all time by the Visual Effects Society.

Shout! Factory’s ‘Young Hercules’ Complete DVD Set Coming June, Cover Released!

by Eric Francisco

Long before he captured your girlfriend’s/boyfriend’s heart in The Notebook and gave L.A.’s criminals joyrides in the critically-acclaimed neo-noir Drive, Ryan Gosling kicked ass on Saturday mornings as a young Hercules in, well, Young Hercules.

This morning, the wonderful purveyors of nostalgia known as Shout! Factory announced they will be releasing Young Hercules, the for-kids spin-off of the cult Hercules and Xena franchises that aired from 1998 to 1999 in a complete DVD set.

From the Shout! Factory official Tumblr:

tumblr_nkavbi3UrL1rgetbio1_500

Aired on the FOX Kids Network from September 1998 until May 1999 with a whopping fifty episodes of a sword-wielding Gosling, this cheesy delight of a fantasy series baffles me because Gosling’s rabid fanbase rarely talks about it. Ever.

But besides starring the number one choice of your significant other’s cheat list, the series was produced by The Evil Dead and Spider-Man director Sam Raimi (appropriate, since he was also behind Xena and Hercules) with special effects work done by the future Oscar-winner Weta Workshop. Alongside Gosling, the show also starred Dean O’Gorman (The Hobbit series) and Chris Conrad, who I think edits his own Wikipedia page.

Despite the outstanding lineage of the series, it often was second in the ratings to, believe it or not, Power Rangers.

Kudos to Shout! Factory for obtaining this series for release. I didn’t watch it too much as a kid, but I enjoyed it enough to might actually make a purchase. For my sister, at least. See this FOX Kids Magazine cover below? She tore it from my issue and hung it up on her locker when I was 8.

FoxKidsMagYHCover

Young Hercules: The Complete Series will be released June 23, 2015 on DVD for $24.99 from Shout! Factory. You can preorder it here.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Only God Forgives

by MCDave

Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn watched his career skyrocket after the critical success of his 2011 breakout film, Drive. While a small niche of fans have always been familiar with his unique style that’s present in earlier works such as the Pusher trilogy, Valhalla Rising and Bronson, Refn’s brand was placed front and center of the general public after his Best Director crown at the Cannes Film Festival. But love him or hate him, the filmmaker returns with another highly controversial and immensely polarizing piece of cinema in his latest work, Only God Forgives.

Julian (played by Ryan Gosling) and Billy are American-born drug-smuggling siblings living in the criminal underworld of Bangkok. But when Billy is brutally murdered through the oversight of a local police officer, their mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) arrives in town and demands that Julian seek vengeance for the death of his older brother.

only god 1

Writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn’s Only God Forgives is a perverse and depraved feature, one that alienates a large portion of any viewing audience. But despite the film’s ultra-violent approach and despicably uncomfortable sexual undertones, the Danish filmmaker’s most recent effort is both stylish and compelling. For all of its brutality and uncontrollable downward spiraling, Only God Forgives is exactly like the accident that unfolds before your eyes, but you can’t look away. There’s something dark and animalistic deep within humanity and Refn not only tries to capture that essence, he actually savors it. I applaud the director’s keen sense of wonder and the reckless ambition that drives him to make such a gritty and daring film. Because without filmmakers pushing the envelope and crossing boundaries, we’re left with nothing but summer blockbusters and mundane stories. If not for any other reason, Nicolas Winding Refn deserves a gratuitous amount of respect.

onlygod2

Truth be told, Only God Forgives is messy feature with a slew of shortcomings. For anyone who felt that Drive was too sluggish of a film with minimal dialogue and drawn-out sequences, Refn’s newest release takes those aspects to a whole other level. Doing so merely for dramatic effect, the end result is a poorly paced and unfulfilled viewing experience. Rather than dialing up the adrenaline and keeping the movie up-tempo, Refn resorts to long sustained shots that force Only God Forgives to unwind at a crawling pace. And while I’m usually not the type of person to harp on about excessive violence, Winding leaves nothing to the imagination with his show-all approach. Clearly the type of film meant for a select audience, Only God Forgives is certainly an acquired taste.

Highly regarded stars Ryan Gosling and Kristin Scott Thomas find themselves in the forefront of Nicolas Winding Refn’s latest piece of work. Although many will question their decisions to jump on board this revenge-filled tale of murder and sexual deviance, it’s these gifted performers who truly make Refn’s unconventional story come to life. While I emphatically suggest staying away from this film for a multitude of reasons, any avid fan of Refn’s previous stylish work may find a bright spot just like I did. But only if you can stomach it.

GRADE: 3.5/5

For other MCDAVE work, visit his host site Movie Reviews By Dave.

New Trailer Released For Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Only God Forgives’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Earlier this month we showed you the very first, rather red-band trailer for Nicolas Winding Refn’s follow up to 2011’s Drive, Only God Forgives.

If you liked the pairing of Refn’s amazing style and attention to detail, and Ryan Gosling’s cool, calm performance, you’re in for an absolute treat here, as the duo has teamed up again for this one.

It’s a great trailer for what looks to be a phenomenal movie. Watch it below, and let us know what you think! Only God Forgives hits theatres on July 19th.

Julian (Gosling) lives in exile in Bangkok where he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation. When Julian’s brother Billy is killed their mother, Jenna (Kristen Scott Thomas), arrives in the city. She wants revenge and forces Julian to find the killer. Julian’s contacts in the criminal underworld lead him directly to The Angel of Vengeance, a retired police officer who knows everything and who is both Judge and Punisher. Jenna demands that Julian kill The Angel of Vengeance, an act that will cost him dearly.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Place Beyond The Pines

by MCDave

Derek Cianfrance is an artist. The writer/director imposes a rare ambition that enables his lifelong passions to make it to the big screen. Cianfrance’s sophomore effort (but first real major motion picture release), Blue Valentine, was a project 12 years in the making. However, the director used the film as a platform to make his mark as a visionary filmmaker set on exploring the deepest, and sometimes darkest, depths of humanity. And as we saw with Blue Valentine, Cianfrance is no sucker for a happy ending. Instead, when making an impressive feature such as his latest release, The Place Beyond the Pines, the director demonstrates immense loyalty to the most important people around him, his characters. For example, when Cianfrance was looking for a financier and pitching his film, he was told to trim down his lofty 158 page script to 120. How did he respond? Cianfrance widened the margins and shrunk the text, never deleting a single word. Loyalty.

The Place Beyond the Pines is a three-chapter story following a multitude of characters. First, there’s the danger-seeking stunt motorcyclist named Luke Glanton (played by Ryan Gosling). Traveling from city to city as an entertainer, Glanton returns to Schenectady, NY for the first time in over a year only to discover that a one-night stand has turned him into an absentee father. Desperate to offer support and remain in his child’s life, Luke uses his unique set of skills to execute a few bank robberies in an attempt to provide for his son. Next up is the ambitious and youthful newbie police officer, Avery Cross (played by Bradley Cooper), whose world changes after he thwarts one of Glanton’s robberies. However, these men’s decisions have long-lasting effects on their children and loved ones, proving that life is never as black and white as it seems.

the-place-beyond-the-pines-image-1

Embodied by the impressive prolonged and uncut scene which begins the movie, The Place Beyond the Pines is a lengthy, but engrossing, effort from mastermind Derek Cianfrance. The writer/director delivers a grand story filled with harrowing subplots and sincere themes. And although the film fails to unravel with the smoothest of rides, The Place Beyond the Pines becomes a shining example of an entire feature being greater than the sum of its parts. Broken down and dissected on a microscopic level, Cianfrance’s latest work is faulty and imperfect. On the other hand, The Place Beyond the Pines measures up as a carefully-calculated piece of filmmaking that survives on sheer sincerity and realism. Like each and every one of us, Cianfrance’s characters are flawed human beings who face difficult choices in life. But no matter their intent, the consequences live on and effect everyone around them. The Place Beyond the Pines explores generational burdens with a brutal honesty and integrity that Cianfrance has clearly mastered in his brief career.

Despite the film’s grand intent, The Place Beyond the Pines is far from unblemished. Operating as a slow-churning three chapter story, each progressing chapter manages to be weaker than the last. Therefore, the feature begins with a solid hook revolving around Gosling’s affable character, but then it undoubtedly loses its flare as the running time begins to stockpile. Yet, to its benefit, Cianfrance generates a suspenseful conclusion that can end in only one of two ways. Perhaps the beauty of The Place Beyond the Pines is the fact that either ending would make for a fitting resolve to the story (although they’d be completely different in mood and purpose).

place beyond the pines 2

Derek Cianfrance has made his mark as a risk taker, all of which have paid off extremely well. Unfortunately, over the years, Hollywood has begun to rid itself of such filmmakers. Living in fear of financial repercussions and a lack of an artistic-appreciative audience that flocks to movie theatres nowadays, directors like Cianfrance are finding it difficult to make purposeful films. The Place Beyond the Pines is a challenging movie that’s wonderfully shot and wonderfully acted. Despite all of its shortcomings, it deserves to be lauded for its underlying themes of cause and effect as well as forgiveness. Far from the watered-down and superficial fluff that finds its way across screens all over America, The Place Beyond the Pines is a welcoming return to the art-form of storytelling.

GRADE: 4/5

For more work from MCDave visit his site at Movie Reviews By Dave

Watch The Red Band Trailer For Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Only God Forgives’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Nicolas Winding Refn is the fucking man.

I absolutely loved 2011’s Drive. The movie was simply so stylish, so atmospheric, so well thought out that I found myself absolutely on the edge of my seat through its entirety, and absolutely wishing for more once it was done. And don’t forget about that soundtrack; today, even two years later, I start my journey to work every single morning with College/Electric Youth’s ‘A Real Hero’, and it never, ever gets old.

Refn and Ryan Gosling are teaming up again, this time for a film called Only God Forgives. Today, a red band trailer for the movie was released, and if you liked the phenomenal sounds and imagery in Drive, you’re in for a treat with this one.

Watch the trailer for Only God Forgives below, and let us know what you think. The movie hits theatres on July 19th.

Julian (Gosling) lives in exile in Bangkok where he runs a Thai boxing club as a front for the family’s drugs smuggling operation. When Julian’s brother Billy is killed their mother, Jenna (Kristen Scott Thomas), arrives in the city. She wants revenge and forces Julian to find the killer. Julian’s contacts in the criminal underworld lead him directly to The Angel of Vengeance, a retired police officer who knows everything and who is both Judge and Punisher. Jenna demands that Julian kill The Angel of Vengeance, an act that will cost him dearly.

‘The Place Beyond The Pines’ Gets A New Poster, 12 New Images

by Derek Kraneveldt

Focus Features today released a new poster and 12 new images for Derek Cianfrance’s upcoming drama, The Place Beyond the Pines. If you haven’t seen Derek’s previous film, 2010’s Blue Valentine, I implore you to do so, as the feature was one of the most heart wrenching, well written dramas that I’ve seen in years.

 

The Place Beyond the Pines hits theatres this Friday, March 29th, and stars Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Olga Meredez, and more! Check out the plethora of new images below, and let us know what you think! Haven’t seen the trailer? We’ve got you covered!

 

place-beyond-the-pines-bradley-cooper-11 place-beyond-the-pines-bradley-cooper-derek-cianfrance-set-photo place-beyond-the-pines-bradley-cooper-set-photo place-beyond-the-pines-bradley-cooper1 place-beyond-the-pines-dane-dehaan-emory-cohen place-beyond-the-pines-eva-mendes-set-photo place-beyond-the-pines-ryan-gosling-11 place-beyond-the-pines-ryan-gosling-eva-mendes1 place-beyond-the-pines-ryan-gosling-set-photo-1 place-beyond-the-pines-ryan-gosling-set-photo place-beyond-the-pines-ryan-gosling2 place-beyond-the-pines-set-photo-cianfrance-gosling-cooperthe-place-beyond-the-pines-poster1

 

Luke (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) is a high-wire motorcycle stunt performer who travels with the carnival from town to town. While passing through Schenectady in upstate New York, he tries to reconnect with a former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), only to learn that she has given birth to their son Jason in his absence. Luke decides to give up life on the road to try and provide for his newfound family by taking a job as a car mechanic. Noticing Luke’s ambition and talents, his employer Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) proposes to partner with Luke in a string of spectacular bank robberies – which will place Luke on the radar of ambitious rookie cop Avery Cross (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper).

 

Avery, who has to navigate a local police department ruled by the menacing and corrupt detective Deluca (Ray Liotta), is also struggling to balance his professional life with his family life, which includes his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) and their infant son AJ. The consequences of Avery’s confrontation with Luke will reverberate into the next generation. It is then that the two sons, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), must face their fateful, shared legacy.

‘The Place Beyond The Pines’ Gets 10 New Images!

by Derek Kraneveldt

The last time Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling got together, the end result was an absolutely heartbreaking drama about falling in love, and then falling apart. Blue Valentine (trailer here) was impressive as hell, but I can’t stress enough just how depressing it is: after initial viewing it stayed in my head for days, and I still think of it from time to time. It will break your freaking heart.

 

Cianfrance has a new film releasing next month (March 29th to be exact). Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper play characters who both seem to be good men, with one (of course) being on the wrong side of the law.

 

Focus Features today released 10 new images from the upcoming drama. The movie looks great, but seeing as my heart is still in need of mending after Blue Valentine, I’m not sure if I’m ready for another Cianfrance experience…

 

Who am I kidding, I’ll be seeing it as soon as I possible can. Check out the images (and trailer) below, and let us know what you think!

 

 

PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

 

Luke (Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling) is a high-wire motorcycle stunt performer who travels with the carnival from town to town. While passing through Schenectady in upstate New York, he tries to reconnect with a former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes), only to learn that she has given birth to their son Jason in his absence. Luke decides to give up life on the road to try and provide for his newfound family by taking a job as a car mechanic. Noticing Luke’s ambition and talents, his employer Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) proposes to partner with Luke in a string of spectacular bank robberies – which will place Luke on the radar of ambitious rookie cop Avery Cross (Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper).

 

Avery, who has to navigate a local police department ruled by the menacing and corrupt detective Deluca (Ray Liotta), is also struggling to balance his professional life with his family life, which includes his wife Jennifer (Rose Byrne) and their infant son AJ. The consequences of Avery’s confrontation with Luke will reverberate into the next generation. It is then that the two sons, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen), must face their fateful, shared legacy.

 

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Gangster Squad

by MCDave

We will always remember the tragic events that took place in Aurora, Colorado this past Summer. At a midnight showing of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, a gunman (who I refuse to sadistically glorify and identify by name) fired shots into a packed movie theatre killing 12 and injuring 58 others. For as horrific as the act was, the shooting also had its impact on Hollywood. Ruben Fleischer’s first trailer for Gangster Squad included an unforgettable clip with tommy guns firing throughout a movie theatre and, out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros. forced the director to re-shoot parts of his feature. Originally slated to hit theatres in September of 2012, Gangster Squad finally arrives in theatres four months later than scheduled. Despite the prolonged build up of anticipation, Fleischer’s third directorial effort never reaches expectations.

In post World War II Los Angeles, east coast mobster Mickey Cohen (played by Sean Penn) has transformed the city into a morally corrupt and dishonest haven for criminals. With most of local law enforcement in Cohen’s pocket, Chief Parker (played by Nick Nolte) turns to none other than Sgt. John O’Mara (played by Josh Brolin) to restore justice in Los Angeles. Through a carefully structured screening process, O’Mara gathers a group of specially skilled officers who put down their badges and go to war against Mickey Cohen’s crime syndicate.

Fleischer’s Gangster Squad plays out like a thoughtless and made-for-profit crime drama. Clearly picking and choosing from classic mob films of the past, Gangster Squad never truly develops its own identity. Predictable to a fault and overly formulaic, Fleischer swings and misses with this unimaginative and unoriginal effort. The characters lack depth, the script is virtually hollow and his star-studded cast is never given the appropriate platform to shine. For as reputable of an ensemble as he’s given, Fleischer fails to generate the performances you would hope for out of rising stars like Ryan Gosling, Michael Pena and Emma Stone. It almost feels like a waste of immense talent. When you start to piece together each of these shortcomings, you begin to recognize Gangster Squad for what it really is … a cash cow. Now, no one will ever know how much of the film needed to be altered after the tragic events in Aurora, Colorado, but clearly the new final product leaves much to be desired. Never breaking any ground in the often-loved mob genre, Gangster Squad is the second straight mediocre release (let’s not forget 30 Minutes or Less) from director Ruben Fleischer.

Although the feature clearly has its faults, Gangster Squad is by no means a disaster. To its benefit, the film is well paced and fluent enough to begin and end without a hiccup. The screenplay’s scarcity of substance and character development make for a fast-moving release. In addition to its smooth feel, Gangster Squad scrounges up just enough violence and action to satisfy any fan of mob movies. However, the rare memorable scene and “over before you know it” approach fails to make up for the film’s overabundance of cliche dialogue and regurgitated ideas.

Unable to create a unique identity, Ruben Fleischer’s Gangster Squad is sadly a letdown. With the blame falling mostly on the shoulders of its director and its screenwriter, Will Beall, even a talented crop of actors and actresses can’t resurrect this bland screenplay. If you’re looking for a superficial and action-filled movie experience, then Gangster Squad may be enough to satisfy your needs. Yet, if you’re looking for a never-before-seen addition to the mob genre, you won’t find it here. Mediocrity reigns supreme and becomes the perfect identifier for the squandered crime drama Gangster Squad. Be warned.

Grade: 2.5/5

Check out other work from MCDave at his website Movie Reviews By Dave

Ryan Gosling Will Not Appear In ‘Logan’s Run’

by Derek Kraneveldt

Variety’s Justin Kroll today announced the following unfortunate news via twitter:

Last we heard of the film (which is a remake of a 1976 novel adaptation), Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn was set to helm the project. I’m sure I wouldn’t be alone in saying that another collaboration between Refn and Gosling would have been simply wonderful.

I’m starting to wonder if the film ever will happen. For as long as I can remember the remake has been “in development” (Wikipedia says since 1990). There have been a number of big directors attached to the film over the years, such as Joel Silver and Bryan Singer before current helmer Refn.

I was a huge fan of the original film, and was quite excited for the prospect of a modern remake when I first heard about it (I believe I was around 12). Excitement has obviously wavered over the years, though it would of course be nice to see something come out of the project.

Ryan Gosling To Direct His First Film: ‘How To Catch A Monster’ Will Star Christina Hendricks

by Shane O'Hare

You read that right. Ryan Gosling, has shown us he can act fairly well, and now he will be trying to prove his writing and directing skills with the upcoming film “How to Catch a Monster”.

Described as “A fantasy noir meets suspenseful thriller”, it will take place in a vanishing city set in the modern day. The lead character, Billy (Hendricks), is a single mother who gets caught up in the dark underworld of the city while her son, Bones, finds a road to an underwater city. They both find themselves caught up in a mystery that they must solve in order to survive.

Filming is slated to start in Spring of 2013, no other info has been released but we will keep you up to date.

WB Moves ‘Gangster Squad’ From September To January

by Shawn Madden

Today Warner Bros. has confirmed that they will be moving Gangster Squad from September 7 to January 11, 2013. This comes after the recent shooting in Colorado in order to allow the filmmakers to excise a certain scene from movie that depicts the agents spraying machine-gun fire into a crowded movie theater from behind the screen.

They will be shooting an alternate murder spree scene that does not take place in a movie theater. They are hoping that the six months of breathing room will help return the focus to the L.A. mob storyline. Well, that and girls swooning over Ryan Gosling.

Source: Deadline

Why We Need An ‘Iron Fist’ Movie Next

by Shawn Madden

Ever since the success of ‘The Avengers’ Marvel Studios have been hard at work on their next projects and even giving us small hints at it. The most exciting of these to me comes from a quote from Kevin Fiege:

“And, we’ve got a lot of other characters we’re prepping and getting ready for film debuts: the world of martial arts…”

After reading that line right there any and every Marvel fan knew who he was talking about…Danny Rand aka Iron Fist. And this wasn’t the first time we had heard about them developing a Iron Fist movie. There has been talks as far as back as 2000 regarding making this film. Ray Park had been signed on to play with Kirk Wong (‘The Big Hit’) set to direct from a script written by John Turman. Production delays began from the start and pushed back all the way to 2003. Steve Carr (‘Next Friday’) replayed Kirk Wong as director and once again the film was placed on hold all the way until 2007. No news or talks about the movie surfaced again until 2009 when Marvel Studios first announced they were working on “creative ways to launch its lesser-known properties”.

The time wasn’t right then when comic movies were just filler but I think the time is right now. Comic book movies have become the summer blockbusters. They break records and fill seats better than most movies and I think we need a splash of something different. And I think that different would be an Iron Fist movie. A superhero movie that wouldn’t so much rely on gadgets or super powers but hand to hand combat…with super powers mixed in of course. And hey if you don’t trust me…Damon Lindelof agrees that it would make a cool movie.

Ed Brubaker and Matt Fractions run on The Immortal Iron Fist (which Brubaker won  an Eisner for in 2008) would be a great basis for a movie. You throw in a great cast with a good leading man, a good martial arts/action director and then slap that Marvel logo (after ‘The Avengers’ that logo alone is going to be a money maker for films) and you have the potential for making a great film that can be loved by not only comic fans but the general movie going audience.

So, who could handle a lead role in an Iron Fist film? I’ve picked four actors that I feel could definitely pull it off. But feel free to comment in the box below if you have some ideas of your own.

Ryan Phillipe

Ryan Gosling

Garrett Hedlund

Charlie Hunnam

I chose these actors due to their age range, knowledge in the department and drawing power. We need a good lead role that isn’t too huge but isn’t a nobody at the same time.

In order to keep the comic book movies coming we need to keep the movies and ideas fresh and keep the audiences Filling seats. We have yet to explore “the world of martial arts” and as not just a comic fan but a movie fan I can see this being something that will spark interest in the masses. As much as I would love to see ‘Ant-Man’ or ‘Guardians Of the Galaxy’ hit the screen over the next two years…my choice for the next Marvel project goes to Danny Rand…aka The Immortal Iron Fist.

Geekscape Roundtable: Fictional Characters We’d Bang… PART ONE!

by GeekscapeStaff

Yeah, that’s right. Part 1. This is such an in depth topic that it’s getting a sequel.

Everyone has a fictional character they’d bang, whether it’s someone from a movie, a comic, or a car insurance company. So the Geekscape staff put together their top 5 lists, High Fidelity style. We even got The Devastator’s Geoffrey Golden in on the action!

Molly ‘Mayhem’ Mahan

Rambo: I actually poised a similar question to my mother the other day (we have that kind of relationship), only it was “Rocky or Rambo?” She went with Rocky and I couldn’t disagree more. While I do love the Italian Stallion, few things get me going more than a man who knows how to wield a bow (It’s the Dinah Lance in me). I remember watching the fourth one (yes, with Old Man Stallone) and the minute he whipped out the compound bow and started laying waste to the enemy, I melted. Additionally, he’s a soldier who disdains the government and authority, but still accepts (or at least performs) his mission, meaning he knows how to follow orders even if he thinks it’s a little weird and will go out of his way to perform. Hardly sounds expendable in the bedroom to me, amiright? And don’t tell me that guy isn’t in some serious need of sexual healing. Bow chicka bow wow.

Ares, God of War: As played by the late-great Kevin Tod Smith on Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess (did you seriously think you’d get away with me not talking about Xena?). Though a complete and utter asshole on Herc, when the God of War showed up on Xena he was still a bastard, but a lovable one at that. I watched this show during my formative years, so the heat and passion between the two was always something I wanted for
myself, and at times seemed like the ideal. And he could be as sweet as a teddy bear at times, too, so he wasn’t all bad. I watched the show religiously during my formative years, so Ares became without a doubt the embodiment of what I found (and still find) sexy.

Tyrion Lannister: All the other fangirls can have their Jon Snows and Jaime Lannisters, I’ll go with the half-man who has proven time and time again that he knows what to do with a woman. Bonus: he doesn’t feel bad about it nor have incestuous leanings. That clever
tongue of his ain’t half bad either.

Jason Todd: Pre-boot, post-resurrection, and in the Hush black leather costume, please. The man’s got daddy issues, has died and come back, and is hell bent for vengeance. Don’t even try to tell me the sex wouldn’t be crazy awesome. Also, I think that random which patch of hair he had in that costume was cool, I don’t care how little sense it made, it was a neat aesthetic. Plus, banging one of the Robins (especially the one that has been the source of such angst in Bat-lore) just feels so awesomely perverse, I can’t help it.

Saotome Ranma from Ranma 1/2: Although a dude, he can change into a girl when hit with cold water. That must be experienced. Preferably by me.

Looking back on this collection, I realize that I may have some anger issues.

Dave Biscella

Dagger: I’m one of the few that LOVE Cloak & Dagger, so I figure that will give me an in. Plus I could use the line, ‘My addiction to you is one addiction you can’t cure.’

Ariel: She’s clearly pretty confident based on the way she dresses. She’s got beautiful red hair and a nice singing voice. Also, always wet.

Harley Quinn: It’d be like hooking up with a hot Juggalette without having to listen to ICP blare in the background.

Tinkerbell: Petite. Blonde. Looks good in green. Can fly. Can’t talk. Perfect mate.

Ryan Gosling in Drive: He won’t let anybody hurt me.

Ben Dunn

Mystique: The only correct answer to the “Which Fictional Character Would You Bang” question is Mystique. I include all incarnations of this blue skinned she-devil. Movies, comics, video games. The reason being that she can fulfill any sexual fantasy you have. Want to bang Kate Upton? Scarlett Johannson? Ros from Game of Thrones? She can be all of those! You would never have to look elsewhere again.

Echo (Dollhouse): Same reason as Mystique, only she gets to keep Eliza’s amazing body.

Jess (New Girl): Not only is she hot like Zooey Deschanel, but she’s super adorkable! Plus, it seems like she is up for whatever. Definitely couldn’t take her after a few days, so this would probably have to be a one nighter.

Alishia Bailey (Misfits): Her super power seems a bit redundant really, a super hot chick who’s power is to make you want to have sex with her? It’s like a delicious cake having the power to make you want to eat it. Stupid. That being said, I don’t care if I don’t remember it afterward, would still bang.

Thorn (Bone): She has curves in all the right places. Plus she hangs out with a bunch of white Smurf rip-offs, so I would probably be HUGE by comparison!

Editor’s Note: Matt Kelley has called shenanigans on Ben, citing the ‘wishing for infinite wishes’ rule for naming Mystique. This brings up a lot of ethical issues: what do you think, readers?

Eric Diaz

Will Hunting: The titular character of Gus Van Sant’s movie Good Will Hunting, and probably actor Matt Damon’s breakout role. Will Hunting is a rough around the edges, smart ass blue collar type, who is secretly hiding a genius level brain and a sensitive soul. Combined with Damon’s then baby face, floppy blonde hair and lips that look like they were put on this Earth to do one thing, it is all pretty much my own personal form of kryptonite.

Audrey Horne: For twenty years now, Sherilyn Fenn’s portrayal of Twin Peak’s black haired sex kitten in saddle shoes and pleated skirts Audrey Horne has been my go to answer for “if you had to go hetero for one night, who would it be?” My answer will always remain Audrey. Either sultrily smoking cigarettes in high school bathrooms, rolling her eyes at those around her and their small town ways, or causing trouble by going undercover in Canadian brothels, Audrey was always the very definition of sex bomb to
me. It is also possible I really just want to BE Audrey more than bang Audrey…. And that’s not a crime.

The Vampire Lestat: Possibly my favorite fictional character period, Anne Rice’s vampire protagonist is tall, blonde, and kind of a prick (all weaknesses of mine with men) but ultimately a noble soul when it counts. Ya know, except for the whole killing people thing. Instead of brooding about his vampiric condition, he mostly enjoys it and loves all the sensual new pleasures it brings him. Lestat is the prototype for vampires like Spike on Buffy and Eric Northman on True Blood. Although portrayed on screen twice-first by Tom Cruise in an admirable attempt, and later by Stuart Townsend in a movie I’d burn every reel of if I could, neither could come close to evoking the novel’s version of Lestat’s
ambiguous omni-sexual nature. It remains the novel version alone that really gets my juices flowing.

Aquaman: I’m talking classic Aquaman, with the orange shirt, clean shaven face, with the short hair and the big trident (the hippie look Aquaman was a big turn off. I hate long hair on guys most of the time). Why Aquaman? Why not? He’s muscular, super strong and rules 75% of the Earth. Also, he’s tall and blonde, and that’s been my type since I first saw Sam J. Jones in Flash Gordon as a young kid, and got excited for the first time down there. I should mention that runner up in the comic book category has gotta be Dick Grayson/Nightwing. I mean, he’s an acrobat. Do the math.

Chris Evans as Captain America: I’ve never been all that crazy about Cap in the comics, at least not enough to get turned on by him, by Chris Evans’ portrayal of the aw-shucks do gooder with a heart of gold trapped in a little guy’s scrawny body, who then gets turned into sex on a stick gets me going every damn time. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve paused that Blu ray in the scene where he emerges from the super soldier transformation all shirtless and sweaty and hot and…yeah, I’d better stop now. I will
admit, this entry is 50% “omg I really want have sex with Chris Evans” so I don’t know how much of that is him being Cap or not, but I figure I’d get less flack if I posted Chris Evans as Cap and not Chris Evans as Johnny Storm. Who I would also happily have sex with.

Shane O’Hare and Joshua Jackson

Rarity.
Rarity.
Rarity.
Rarity.
Sweetie Belle.

Special Guest Geoffrey Golden: A Girlfriend Approved Sex List

Let me preface this by saying that Amanda, my girlfriend and co-founder of our comedy magazine The Devastator, is not looking over my shoulder as I write this.

The only fictional characters I want to have sex with are ones that won’t make my beautiful, amazing girlfriend jealous. For example, Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons, a robot and not even a particularly attractive one at that (like, say, Lisa from Weird Science, who I definitely never fantasized about every day of 8th grade). Another robot I’d have sex with is Dot Matrix from Spaceballs, voiced by Joan Rivers, a trailblazing comedienne whose work I greatly respect.

Other characters I’d have sex with: Princess Fiona from Shrek, but only in ogre form, because I value inner beauty over outer beauty; the Librarian Ghost from Ghostbusters, assuming the physical contact we could make would be largely unpleasant; finally, Gaia from Captain Planet, who – according to Amanda – would be like having sex with a faint breeze. You know what, I’ll take it! On a related subject, do they make Captain Planet cockrings?

Some women do not want to read the phrase “Captain Planet cockrings” on a computer monitor.

Our culturally significant world changing discussion on cartoons we’d eff continues next week! BE THERE!

Ryan Gosling And Sean Penn Movie ‘Gangster Squad’ Releases First Trailer

by Scott Alminiana

The trailer for Gangster Squad has hit the web and it packs quite the punch. Looks like guys won’t mind if their girlfriends drag them to this Ryan Gosling flick. In fact, it may be the guys who will be dragging their girlfriends to this one. Here’s the synopsis for the film:

Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and–if he has his way–every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of  not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret …

Gangster Squad is directed by Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer and stars Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone and Sean Penn. No release date has been announced so stay tuned.