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Showing posts with label comics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comics. Show all posts

Friday, November 1, 2024

FUTURE SHOCK! THE STORY OF 2000AD -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle



Originally posted on 5/24/17

 

The thing about "talking heads" documentaries is that you really have to be interested in the subject for it to work.  Although I'm a lifelong fan of older comics (the Bronze Age is pretty much my cut-off point), I never saw an issue of "2000AD" and so must depend on a compelling story and presentation for the documentary FUTURE SHOCK! THE STORY OF 2000AD (Severin Films, 2014) to be of any interest to me. 

Unfortunately, I found it to be bland at best.  One talking head after another take turns expounding on various aspects of the comic's history ranging from drawing and writing concerns, which I found somewhat diverting, to business and technical stuff that tends to veer into snooze territory.

These interview segments are augmented, rather sparsely, by snatches of artwork from the comic itself as well as clips of various movie projects inspired by it.  While this may suffice for viewers who are longtime "2000AD" readers, others will likely find themselves wishing for a more dynamic presentation. 


The comic itself, we learn, is a weekly sci-fi anthology created in the late 70s and featuring groundbreaking artwork and stories that challenge the social and political norms of its British audience with such characters as Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, Strontium Dog, Halo Jones, and the ABC Warriors.  Management and staff have changed over the years amidst much internal strife which we hear about at length, mainly from outspoken co-creator Pat Mills. 

Mills, in fact, is the film's key figure and whether you find him fascinating or insufferable will be a major factor in your reaction to FUTURE SHOCK!  He is, if anything, passionate about his baby--to hear him and his colleagues tell it, "2000AD" was the genesis of almost every major fad and/or movement in both sci-fi comics and films from the 70s onward. 

To an extent this is hardly deniable, as we're shown how the comic's main character, Judge Dredd, was a virtual blueprint for ROBOCOP, and the way Richard Stanley's cult classic HARDWARE seems to have "borrowed" much of its plot from one of their stories. 


Mills waxes especially resentful when recounting how the comic eventually became a jumping off point for British artists and writers hoping to get on at the big American companies such as DC and Marvel. And some of the talent we hear from definitely regard this as a dream come true, even though some claim eventual disenchantment. 

This leads to the usual chest-swelling by Mills and others about British superiority in comics, movies, and pretty much everything else, which I found off-putting--these guys don't realize how full of themselves they sound when complaining about how full of themselves Americans can be.

Also a bit heavy-handed are the nods toward social justice, of which they fancy themselves anti-establishment crusaders, and the inevitable charges by aspiring female comics artists that "2000AD" is a "boys' club." Which, quite understandably, it is.


The documentary picks up some steam in the second half when we learn about a new "Judge Dredd" movie with Karl Urban which seems poised to wipe away the memory of the earlier Sylvester Stallone travesty. 

Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison, Brian Bolland and Mike McMahon are among those chiming in during interview segments, as well as members of such heavy metal bands as Anthrax who have been influenced by the comic over the years. 

The Blu-ray from Severin Films is in 1080p full HD resolution with English 2.0 sound and subtitles.  Bonus features consist of:

EXTENDED SEQUENCES--
2000AD vs the USA
Dredd 2012 – True In Spirit
Judge Dredd Extended sequence
Cheap Entertainment – The appeal of comics

BEHIND THE STRIPS--
Bad Company – Peter Milligan
Future Shocks
Rogue Trooper – Dave Gibbons & Cam Kennedy
Slaine – Pat Mills
Strontium Dog – Carlos Ezquerra

PRODUCTION EXTRAS--
Art Blast – Jock & Henry Flint
Blooper Reel
Pat Mills Visits Kings Reach Tower
Soundtrack – Behind the Scenes
Festival Teaser Trailer
UK Release Trailer

EXTENDED INTERVIEWS--
Grant Morrison
Karen Berger
Pat Mills
Neil Gaiman
Dave Gibbons

Without the bonus supplements, we learn surprisingly little about what actually makes "2000AD" such a great comic save for passing glimpses of artwork and dialogue, and much about the behind-the-scenes business and personal conflicts.  This will be of interest to the comic's most ardent fans, but for me, watching FUTURE SHOCK! THE STORY OF 2000AD was a little like attending a lecture that I knew I'd be graded on later. 


 
Buy it at Severin Films

Release date: May 30, 2017




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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Get In On The Action With This Week's #BingeWatchWednesdays Guide!




Looking to go on a mission filled with adrenaline, sacrifice and the ultimate challenges? 

Well search no further as we have the perfect “action-animated” themed list to fulfill your needs, and take you on the adventures that you have been longing for!
 

Be the champion of the internet and share this week’s binge-watching guide on your sites and socials today from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. All titles are available to own at major digital retailers today; including iTunes, Amazon Prime, VUDU and GooglePlay!

#BingeWatchWednesdays


TOP PICK OF THE WEEK

Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge (R)

Based on the worldwide hit game created by Ed Boon & John Tobias, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge spotlights the once-in-a-generation tournament between the champions of Outworld and Earthrealm – a competition that will ultimately determine the fate of Earth and all its citizens. Lord Raiden, protector of Earthrealm, must gather the greatest fighters of his realm to defend it from the evil Shang Tsung in the battle to end all battles - Mortal Kombat!


Joel McHale (Community, The CW’s upcoming Stargirl) and Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) lead a stellar cast as the voices of Hollywood star-turned-fighter Johnny Cage and all-business warrior Sonya Blade, respectively. The voice cast also includes Jordan Rodrigues (Lady Bird, The Fosters) as Liu Kang, Patrick Seitz (Mortal Kombat X, Agrretsuko, Naruto: Shippuden) as Scorpion & Hanzo Hasashi, Steve Blum (Cowboy Bebop, Star Wars Rebels) as Sub-Zero, Artt Butler (Her, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as Shang Tsung, Darin De Paul (Overwatch, Fortnite) as Quan Chi, Robin Atkin Downes (The Strain, Batman: The Killing Joke) as Kano, David B. Mitchell (Mortal Kombat 11, World of Warcraft franchise) as Raiden, Ike Amadi (Mass Effect 3, Mortal Kombat 11) as Jax Briggs, Kevin Michael Richardson (Family Guy, The Simpsons) as Goro, Grey Griffin (The Loud House, Young Justice, Scooby-Doo franchise) as Kitana & Satoshi Hasashi, and Fred Tatasciore (Robot Chicken, Family Guy) as Demon Torturer.

Available on Digital now and coming to 4K Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on April 28, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is directed by Ethan Spaulding (Batman: Assault on Arkham, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis) from a script by Jeremy Adams (Supernatural, Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans) based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. Rick Morales (Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Batman vs. Two-Face) is Producer, and Jim Krieg (Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) is co-producer. Executive Producer is Sam Register. Ed Boon (NetherRealm Studios) is Creative Consultant.

In efforts to provide you even more entertainment – we have an exclusive clip from Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge that you can click on above! Will Jack get past the champion? Find out when you own the Digital today, and the Blu-ray Combo Pack next week!



MORE TITLES TO CONSIDER

Justice League Dark (R)
When innocent civilians begin committing unthinkable crimes across Metropolis, Gotham City and beyond, Batman must call upon mystical counterparts to eradicate this demonic threat to the planet. Enter Justice League Dark, reluctantly led by the Hellblazer himself, John Constantine. Like Batman, Constantine is a cunning, often cynical loner who is the best at his chosen profession – but quickly realizes the sinister forces plaguing the planet will require help from other supernatural alliances. Forming a new “league” with sorceress Zatanna, otherworldly Deadman, and Jason Blood and his powerful alter ego Etrigan the Demon, this team of Dark Arts specialists must unravel the mystery of Earth’s supernatural plague and contend with the rising, powerful villainous forces behind the siege – before it’s too late for all of mankind.


Teen Titans: The Judas Contract (PG-13)
Led by Starfire, the Teen Titans – Beast Boy, Raven, Blue Beetle, Robin and the just-returned Nightwing – have built a cohesive team in their never-ending battle against evil; but their newest teammate, the mysterious and powerful Terra, may be altering that dynamic. Meanwhile, an ancient evil, Brother Blood, has awakened, and familiar foe Deathstroke is lurking in the shadows – both waiting to pounce. Ultimately, the Teen Titans will need to battle their enemies and their own doubts to unite and overcome the malicious forces around them in this twisting tale of intrigue, adventure and deception.

Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay (R)
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay finds Amanda Waller’s top secret “Task Force X” – Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Killer Frost, Captain Boomerang, Harley Quinn and Copperhead – on a mission to retrieve a mystical object so powerful that they’re willing to risk their own lives to steal it. But the Suicide Squad isn’t the only group of villains seeking to possess the object. The race is on for the golden prize … and, to stay alive, second place isn’t an option.

Batman: Hush (PG-13)
An adaptation of the seminal DC classic tale, Batman: Hush centers on a shadowy new villain known only as Hush, who uses Gotham’s Rogues Gallery to destroy Batman’s crime-fighting career, as well as Bruce Wayne’s personal life – which has already been complicated by a relationship with Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman.


Batman: The Killing Joke (R)
Based on DC’s two-time Eisner Award winning graphic novel of the same name, Batman: The Killing Joke takes a journey into the dark psyche of the Clown Prince of Crime – from his humble beginnings as a struggling comedian to his fateful encounter with Batman that changes both of their lives forever. Years later, and now escaped from Arkham Asylum, The Joker devises a plan to prove that one bad day can make anyone as insane as he is – setting his sights on Commissioner Gordon. It’s up to the Dark Knight to put a stop to The Joker’s latest scheme and save one of Gotham City’s finest. Following a gripping prologue introducing Barbara Gordon’s heroic adventures alongside Batman as Batgirl, Batman: The Killing Joke stays true to the authentic tale that has held fans’ imaginations for nearly three decades – spotlighting the birth of a Super-Villain, the fortitude of a Super Hero and the punchline that will leave you speechless.

Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (R)

Inspired by the landmark one-shot Elseworlds tale by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight takes place at the turn of the century as America’s continued industrial revolution is to be showcased at a World’s Fair hosted by Gotham City. But while the world prepares to witness the glittery glory of Gotham’s technological advances, there is a killer loose in the city’s darkest shadows. Preying on the city’s women, this killer is as precise as he is cruel. As Police Commissioner James Gordon tries to calm the fears of Gotham’s citizens regarding the butcher called Jack the Ripper, the masked vigilante Batman enacts his own detective work – with the help of confident, capable Selina Kyle – to stop the Ripper’s murderous spree. Witness a world in flames as the notorious serial killer’s controlled savagery meets the calculated stealth of the Dark Knight.

Batman: Under the Red Hood (PG-13)
In Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman faces his ultimate challenge as the mysterious Red Hood takes Gotham City by firestorm. One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code. Killing is an option. And when The Joker falls in the balance between the two, hard truths are revealed and old wounds are reopened.

Batman: Assault on Arkham (PG-13)
Gotham is in great danger when the government assembles a group of villains — code named the Suicide Squad — and forces them to break into Arkham Asylum to retrieve top secret information stolen by the Riddler. Things take a turn for the worse when one of the Squad members (Harley Quinn) frees the Joker, who is intent on blowing up Arkham Asylum and Gotham City. Batman must use his super hero wits and strength to thwart the wicked plans of the Joker and the Suicide Squad.


Justice League: Gods and Monsters (PG-13)
Witness a divergent reality where the Justice League protects the planet – but answers to no one but themselves. Employing methods of intimidation and fear, this Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman deal brute force in the name of justice. From the creative genius of executive producer Bruce Timm and co-producer Alan Burnett comes an original story where the world’s greatest triumvirate of super heroes has distinctly different origins. Superman was not raised by the Kents in Smallville, the Caped Crusader is not Bruce Wayne, and Wonder Woman is not an Amazon warrior of Themyscira. They are as likely the world’s saviors as Earth’s despotic rulers. When a group of famed scientists experience untimely “accidents,” a government task force follows the trail of clues to the Justice League – but is there a more powerful player operating from the shadows? It’s a high stakes game of intrigue, mystery and action that asks the question: How do you serve justice to those above the law?

All photos are courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

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Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Porfle's Trivia Quiz: "BATMAN THE MOVIE" (1966) (video)




Before Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan made him a Dark Knight...

...Adam West's Batman was Gotham City's Caped Crusader.

Fighting crime with the help of his youthful ward, Robin...

...his 1966 film was a huge hit with Bat-fans everywhere.

But how much do you remember about it?

(Read our review of BATMAN: THE MOVIE)



Question: Who played Catwoman in the movie?

A. Julie Newmar
B. Eartha Kitt
C. Lee Meriwether
D. Barbara Feldon
E. Diana Rigg

Question: Bruce Wayne always slides down the ____ Batpole.

A. Left
B. Right


Question: Batman repels the shark with...what?

A. Anti-Shark Bat Blaster
B. Shark Repellant Bat Spray
C. His Batarang
D. Super-Sonic Bat Horn
E. Shark Tested Bat Net

Question: The villains plan to kill Batman with Penguin's...what?

A. Exploding Octopus
B. Electrical Eel
C. Acid Umbrella
D. Super Smoke Bomb
E. Shooting Gallery

Question: Batman exclaims "Some days you just can't..." What?

A. Handle an explosive situation
B. Defuse a problem
C. Save the world from itself
D. Avoid a big blow-up
E. Get rid of a bomb

Question: Who pushes Robin into the water during the final fight?

A. Joker
B. Riddler
C. Catwoman
D. Penguin
E. Bookworm

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!


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Wednesday, December 4, 2019

FAN EXPO Dallas Announces John Cleese Will Join Biggest Comic Event of the Year




FAN EXPO Dallas Announces John Cleese Will Join Biggest Comic Event of the Year


DALLAS, TX— FAN EXPO DALLAS – the largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event in Texas has announced the addition of John Cleese to the growing celebrity line-up for March 27-29, 2020 event at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas.

Cleese is famous for being a founding member of the famed Monty Python comedy troupe, the ensemble responsible for the surreal and groundbreaking sketch comedy series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” The group followed up on the show’s success with films such as “Monty Python’s Life of Brian” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

Cleese is also known for roles in series such as “Fawlty Towers,” and for films like “A Fish Called Wanda” and “Fierce Creatures” (he wrote the screenplay for both movies), “Time Bandits,” “Silverado,” and appearances in famed British franchises as James Bond and Harry Potter. Cleese is the recipient of the coveted Ernie Kovacs Award by Dallas VideoFest on December 4, 2019.

In addition to John Cleese, a ticket to the most epic weekend of the year will allow fans the chance to meet more of the most iconic names in entertainment and pop culture.


In a previous announcement, fans were invited to join the Fellowship of the Ring at FAN EXPO Dallas to celebrate the exclusive reunion of the Four Hobbits featuring Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin with stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd.

Other highlights throughout the event include celebrity Q&As that give fans the opportunity to spend some time getting to know their favorite celebrities — these will be scheduled throughout the weekend along with throwback Q&A’s and other specially ticketed events. More attractions and celebrity guests will be announced at the beginning of the year.

Tickets are on sale now, early bird pricing is available until January 15, 2020. For the first time, FAN EXPO Dallas is introducing a new ‘fan focused’ ticket policy for the 2020 shows allowing admission ticket refunds. For hours and information visit, www.fanexpodallas.com.

FAN EXPO HQ is one of the largest entertainment convention groups in in the world. Collectively, it hosts more than 500,000 fans annually at FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Canada, FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Vancouver, MEGACON Orlando, Toronto Comicon, Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo and Dallas Fan Days.


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Monday, October 14, 2019

The Best Of Otis! ("Superman", 1978) (video)




One of the highlights of 1978's "Superman"...

...is the performance of Ned Beatty...

...as Lex Luthor's bumbling henchman, Otis.

Who can forget "Otisburg"?


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!



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Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Marvel Studios Celebrates In-Home Release of "AVENGERS: ENDGAME" With the "We Love You 3000" Tour




MARVEL STUDIOS CELEBRATES THE IN-HOME RELEASE OF “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” WITH THE

“WE LOVE YOU 3000” TOUR

Nine cities and 3,000 giveaways to thank fans who’ve invested 11 years in the MCU!



In celebration of the in-home release of “Avengers: Endgame,” Marvel Studios and directors Anthony and Joe Russo have teamed up to launch the “We Love You 3000” Tour as a way to thank the fans who have invested so deeply in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), making it the single most successful franchise in film history.

Special guests from Marvel Studios and the MCU will visit nine U.S. cities — beginning in San Diego at Comic-Con International on July 20 and ending in Anaheim at D23 Expo 2019 the weekend of Aug. 23-25— greeting and treating fans at each tour stop.  A total of 3,000 MCU Funko Pop Vinyl Figures will be distributed to fans throughout the tour as well as additional giveaways ranging from exclusive “Avengers: Endgame” prints to McDonald’s vouchers for a free Happy Meal® plus an Avengers: Endgame Happy Meal toy to a MCU inspired sundaes and recipe cards courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s.

Best Buy will serve as the location for five “We Love You 3000” Tour stops, hosting in-store fan events to celebrate the nationwide release of Marvel Studios “Avengers: Endgame” on Blu-ray™ Aug. 13. Events will feature signings with Marvel Studios filmmakers and/or MCU talent; a special digital photo booth; specialty promotional giveaways, including MCU Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures and exclusive “Avengers: Endgame” prints; and much more.  Fans can also get their hands on the exclusive, limited edition "Avengers: Endgame” SteelBook and other collectable SteelBooks from the MCU at Best Buy stores across the country and on BestBuy.com.


For more information on what’s taking place in each market, visit www.Marvel.com/WeLoveYou3000.

Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #WeLoveYou3000.


FAN EVENTS/TOUR STOPS:

July 20          SAN DIEGO, Comic-Con International - Directors Anthony & Joe Russo, Writers Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely and a special guest from the MCU

July 30            EVERETT, WA, Funko HQ – to be announced

Aug. 8             SAN FRANCISCO, Giants vs. Phillies at Oracle Park - Directors Anthony & Joe Russo at the San Francisco Giants’ Marvel Night

Aug. 13           MIAMI, Best Buy store – to be announced  

Aug. 13           CHICAGO, Best Buy store - Directors Anthony & Joe Russo           

Aug. 13           TORRANCE, CA, Best Buy store – to be announced                                 

Aug. 14           MINNEAPOLIS, Best Buy store - Directors Anthony & Joe Russo 

Aug. 20           CLEVELAND, Best Buy store - Directors Anthony & Joe Russo

Aug. 23-25      ANAHEIM, CA, D23 Expo 2019- to be announced



ABOUT “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” IN-HOME RELEASE:

Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Endgame,” the climactic conclusion to an unprecedented, 11-year cinematic journey in which the Avengers take one final stand against Thanos, delivered the biggest opening weekend in history and is currently one of the highest-grossing films of all time. On July 30, Avengers fans around the world are invited to assemble once more for the in-home release of “Avengers: Endgame” on Digital in HD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere, followed by a physical release on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand beginning Aug. 13.


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Friday, June 28, 2019

Comic Con Showing "DARK SPECTER 2" -- Superhero Short Film




Superhero Short DARK SPECTER 2 To Be Featured At San Diego Comic-Con


It has been an incredible journey so far for the Dark Specter team. After racking up a slew of awards over the last year including four “Best Short Film” wins, Dark Specter 2 will be featured at Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival in San Diego this July.  The superhero short has been gaining praise for its unique take on the genre, combining action, comedy, and an original storyline.

The Dark Specter is an unlikely supervillain. Though he can throw fire from his arms, he’s not all powerful or accomplished. In fact, he’s unknown. A supervillain wannabe if you will. Mixing action with comedy, the story takes an interesting turn when we are shown the Dark Specter’s relationship with his mother. Nagging, but well-meaning, she is clearly suffering from the early stages of dementia. The Dark Specter is torn between his rise to infamy and caring for his loved one. Ah, the challenges of balancing the pursuit of dreams with reality.

WATCH THE TRAILER


Dark Specter 2 has already caught the attention of many. Indie Shorts Magazine called it “a brilliant take on the superhero genre, subverting the paradigm, well supported by a stellar cast and incredible writing.” At the Mindfield Film Festival in Albuquerque, they took home “Best Short Film,” “Best Actor” for Bruce Nachsin who plays the Dark Specter, and “Best Director” for Richard Tatum all in one day.  You can see a full list of awards and press here: http://www.darkspecter.com/media-press/

In May, Dark Specter 2 was released publicly on Facebook and was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. In has garnered over 38K views and it is still on the rise.  You can see the full film here: https://www.facebook.com/thedarkspecter/videos/418735552026551/


So where is all of this heading? Well, the goal is to turn Dark Specter into a full-length series and the team has been hard at work trying to make that happen. "It is an honor and a dream fulfilled to be featured as part of the Comic-Con Film Festival. I can't wait to be there with all you people who are fans of superhero fun. I hope to meet you and entertain you," says Bruce Nachsin creator of Dark Specter.

Dark Specter 2 is scheduled to be shown at Comic-Con  International Independent Film Festival in San Diego on Saturday, July 20th.  Dark Specter 2 will be part of the “Comics-Oriented” block which starts at 11:00 AM.  The Dark Specter team will be available to meet with fans and filmmakers who are interested in discussing the film.  A short panel discussion will take place following the showing.

The CCI-IFF takes place in the convention facility of the Marriott Marquis and Marina Hotel, next door to the Hall A side of the San Diego Convention Center.  The Film Festival room is Marriott Grand Ballroom 6, which is located on the second level of the building.  Look for signage onsite directing you to the screening room.

For more information on Dark Specter, visit http://www.darkspecter.com/.



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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Just Announced - "DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON" on Blu-ray & DVD September 24




Get Ready to Do Some Time!

"DC'S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON"

Time Jump to September 24, 2019 To Own the Blu-Ray™ and DVD

Exhilarating Extras Including All-New Featurette, Gag Reel & More Included on Blu-ray



BURBANK, CA (June 26, 2019) –The world’s most epic race against time continues as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Fourth Season on Blu-ray and DVD on September 24, 2019. Fans can get up to speed with all 16 captivating episodes from the fourth season, plus those that purchase a Blu-ray copy can enjoy timeless special features including an epic storytelling featurette, deleted scenes and a gag-reel. DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is The CW’s #3 show among Total Viewers, with over 1.8 million viewers tuning in weekly. ⃰

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Fourth Season is priced to own at $24.98 SRP for the DVD ($30.99 in Canada) and $29.98 SRP for the Blu-ray ($39.99 in Canada), which includes a Digital Copy (Available in the U.S.). DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Fourth Season is also available to own on Digital via purchase from digital retailers.

*Source: Nielsen National TV View, 2018-19 broadcast season to date (09/24/2018 – 03/17/2019), Live + 7 Day ratings; excluding repeats, specials, movies, sports, less than 3 telecasts

After defeating the demon Mallus by cuddling him to death last season, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow join John Constantine and Ava Sharpe’s Time Bureau to save their world – and their legacy – from magical creatures from myths, fairytales and legends who have escaped and infected history. As the Legends time-travel across historical events and encounter famous figures, they now have to contend with an added shot of magical craziness!

“Over the past four seasons, DC's Legends of Tomorrow has captivated audiences through its incredible action and impressive special effects,” said Rosemary Markson, WBHE Senior Vice President, Television Marketing. "We’re excited to release the Blu-ray – the only format with in-depth bonus content in addition to the 16 action-packed episodes from season four for the DC Fanboys and loyal series fanbase.”

With Blu-ray’s unsurpassed picture and sound, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray release will include 1080p Full HD Video with DTS-HD Master Audio for English 5.1. The 3-disc Blu-ray will feature a high-definition Blu-ray and a Digital Copy of all 16 episodes from season four (Available in the U.S.).

DC's Legends of Tomorrow stars Brandon Routh (Arrow, Superman Returns), Caity Lotz (Arrow, Mad Men), Maisie Richardson-Sellers (The Originals), Tala Ashe (The Flash, The Carrie Diaries), Jes Macallan (Mistresses, Shameless), Courtney Ford (Dexter, Supernatural, True Blood), and Ramona Young (Blockers Santa Clarita Diet), with Nick Zano (The Final Destination) and Dominic Purcell (Prison Break, The Flash), with a special appearance by Matt Ryan (Constantine) reprising his popular role as John Constantine.

Based on the DC characters, DC's Legends of Tomorrow is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Blindspot, Black Lightning, Riverdale), Phil Klemmer (Chuck, Political Animals), Keto Shimizu (Arrow), Grainne Godfree (The Flash, Arrow) and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, The Flash, Blindspot, Supergirl, Black Lightning, Riverdale).


BLU-RAY EXTRA CONTENT

    DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Legendary Storytelling
    Post Production Theater
    Gag Reel
    Deleted Scenes


16 ONE-HOUR EPISODES
1.   The Virgin Gary
2.   Witch Hunt
3.   Dancing Queen
4.   Wet Hot American Bummer
5.   Tagumo Attacks!!!
6.   Tender is the Nate
7.   Hell No, Dolly!
8.   Legends of To-Meow-Meow
9.   Lucha de Apuestas
10. The Getaway
11. Séance & Sensibility
12. The Eggplant, the Witch & the Wardrobe
13. Egg MacGuffin
14. Nip/Stuck
15. Terms of Service
16. Hey, World!

DIGITAL
The fourth season of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow is also currently available to own on Digital. Digital allows consumers to instantly stream and download all episodes to watch anywhere and anytime on their favorite devices. Digital is available from various retailers including iTunes, Amazon Video, PlayStation, Vudu, Xbox and others. A Digital Copy is also included with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs for redemption and cloud storage (Available in the U.S.).

BASICS
Street Date: September 24, 2019
Order Due Date: August 20, 2019
BD and DVD Presented in 16x9 widescreen format
Running Time: Feature: Approx 768 min
Enhanced Content: Approx 25 min (Blu-ray only)

DVD
Price: $24.98 SRP
4 DVD-9s
Audio – English (5.1)
Subtitles – ESDH

BLU-RAY
Price: $29.98 SRP
3 BD-50s
Audio –DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 – English
Subtitles – ESDH

CANADA

DVD
Price: $30.99 SRP
4 DVD-9s
Audio – English (5.1)
Subtitles – ESDH

BLU-RAY
Price: $39.99 SRP
3 BD-50s
Audio –DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 – English
Subtitles – ESDH

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

About DC
Home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), DC Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, DC is the creative unit charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia. DC works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC. 



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Friday, April 26, 2019

GEMR Selects the Top 10 Marvel Legends Figures Of All Time




GEMR SELECTS THE
TOP 10 MARVEL LEGENDS FIGURES
OF ALL TIME

Just in time for Avengers: Endgame


LOS ANGELES --  Gemr, the world’s #1 destination for fans to discover, display and connect, announced today its Top 10 Marvel Legends Figures list of all time and it’s not what you’d expect. The Gemr team selected figures that stand the test of time and look great in any collection. Some of the figures are older and hard to find and some are new enough that you can still get them for close to retail price…at least until the April 26th release of Avengers: Endgame.

A quick bit of toy history though before the list.  The Marvel Legends lines have been around for quite some time. When the line was started by Toybiz, they were the most articulated action figures you could buy. Their articulation had articulation, as Gemr likes to point out. From moving fingers to their articulated toes, they were works of art for their time. Then, like a hungry Blob, Hasbro consumed Toybiz and took over the line.  Over the years, both companies have produced some good (and some bad) figures.

Below is the Gemr’s Top 10 list.

10.  Toybiz Beast

According to Gemr, this is an old standby figure. One thing to remember when talking about it is that this figure is 10 years old, so there are going to be some things that are...lacking. The sculpt isn’t as detailed as many of the figures that are coming out now, but that’s perhaps mostly a technology thing. The fur detail doesn’t cover his entire body, and is sort of patchy instead. However, where the fuzz is lacking -- the articulation isn’t.  The articulation, right down to his fingers and toes, allowed fans to pose him in so many ways as to never get bored. He could be placed into a handstand, or a perfect crouch, without breaking a sweat. And where the fur was lacking, the face wasn’t. His head sculpt is still one of the most comic accurate you can buy. Sure, he looked a little weird with his mouth open, but that doesn’t even take points off.

9.  Spider Gwen (Absorbing Wave)
This was a really anticipated figure and we weren’t disappointed. Spider Gwen, or Spider-Woman in her universe, is a character all seem to really enjoy. She doesn’t come with a vast range of accessories, or any extra hands (we really wish she came with a few extra hands -- they gave so many to Ben Riley from the same line), but that doesn’t stop her from being one of our all-time favorite figures. Her sculpt and paint app are beautiful. Her articulation is on point, and it’s worth it to say she has the best non-cloth hood we’ve ever seen.  She comes with two different heads, one with the mask on and hood up, and one with her mask off and hood down. Despite the hood, the masked head doesn’t lose any articulation and actually has more range of motion than the unmasked head. The biggest complaint with the figure is actually the really neutral expression of the unmasked head. It feels like she lacks the distinctive personality of Gwen so it is recommended to display her with the masked head. A must for any fan.

8.  Deadpool (Juggernaut Wave)
If you’re looking for a high-quality Deadpool with pretty much every accessory ever -- this is the one you want. There are a couple of other excellent Deadpools out there (the Toybiz is another favorite), but for the value, this is the one. The modern suit looks really good, the Bucky/Cap body is perfect for Deadpool, and the masked face has a really great, slightly sassy expression. The second head, an unmasked face with a rather playful, but murderous grin, is also good. This sculpt and paint app are much better than some of the others. The articulation is fantastic as well, which means it’s not only nice to look at -- but fun to pose. Then, there are the accessories -- there are so many accessories! It comes with two swords, two pistols, a knife, a shotgun, an energy rifle, a rocket launcher (complete with removable boxing glove), and finally -- a taco. What’s even more amazing is that almost every single thing Deadpool comes with can be stored on his body! The swords sheath on his back, the rocket launcher pegs between them, the pistols have holsters, the knife goes in the boot, and the laser rifle and shotguns fit perfectly into his hands. The only thing left is the taco -- which is a crying shame. A taco holster would have been a nice addition. Alas, maybe next time.

7.  MCU Gamora (Mantis Wave)
Now, Gemr was hesitant to put an MCU figure on this list, but all agreed this one needs to be here. The first Gamora was ‘meh’ at best -- maybe a wiggly hand gesture if we’re feeling generous. Thankfully for the fans, they kicked it up a notch with the Mantis Wave. Her articulation and sculpt are much better and is one of the many things that made her the standout of the wave. The accessories are really nice; you get an extended sword with nicely sculpted lines to show where it folds (much better than the last one), a folded sword, and her giant gun. These things are all fantastic -- great accessories can make a figure, after all. But for true critics, it’s the head sculpt. This Gamora has one of the closest resemblances to the on-screen character seen from Hasbro. The likeness alone makes it worth the purchase. The paint app is overall really nice, and the ombre of her hair is excellent. She looks awesome posed with the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy crew. Skip the older version -- this is the Gamora you want.

6.  Dark Phoenix (Toys-R-Us exclusive two pack)
Gemr suggests ignoring the Cyclops in this two pack because he’s not all that special, but Dark Phoenix is incredible -- and why fans need to pick up this pack. Never have you seen such a dangerous looking female sculpt in a Marvel Legends figure, and it makes most fans very happy. The paint is really great, and the one non-head accessory, the translucent fire phoenix, is perfect.  The three heads she comes with are what pushes this figure over the edge. Two of the heads are nice, but not enough to make this a must buy -- however, the third head makes this figure. This new sculpt is stellar. Her eyes are painted yellow, her lips black, and her hair is a beautiful translucent red which catches the light incredibly. She is really easy to pose, and her paint app steals the show. All these things add up to a must-have figure for any Legends Collection.

5.  Wolverine (Juggernaut Wave)
There are a few good Wolverine figures out there, and the Toy Biz Wolverine is an old favorite -- but Gemr believes this one is better. First things first, the Juggernaut Wave Wolverine’s accessories. Fans actually get interchangeable hands! The claws in and claws out hands give so many more posing options, and boy does this figure pose nicely. They also gave him a nice ab crunch, which opens up even more dynamic poses for display. There are a few complaints about this Wolverine, but they are more minor gripes (we’re collectors, after all -- there are always gripes). It would be nice if they had given him some hair. Wolverine is a hairy, hairy man, and they didn’t paint any hair on the arms or give him any stubble. They also could have been a bit cleaner on the mask paint app. Not all of the figures have the paint issue, but some do. Even with those minor annoyances, this is still by far the best Wolverine in the line. If it came with a snarling head, it would have been perfect.

4.  Archangel (Hit Monkey Wave)
This guy is actually a repaint of the SDCC Archangel they released, and no one at Gemr seemed to be bothered by that. The color is a little off from the comics, but honestly, it’s not bad. We think that the darker blue makes the metallic pink stand out better. We also think the metallic pink makes the figure ‘pop’ more. The head sculpt and paint are SO much better than anything previously released, which makes him a better fit in the line-up than the previous one (who had a bizarre face). The wings are incredibly sculpted and make him look great in any pose. They move enough that fans can set him on the ground or set him up on a peg stand for flying poses. The only comment is that they didn’t keep the metallic silver paint app of the SDCC exclusive. Though the SDCC wings flop around and fall off really easily, the color was so spot on. We get it -- they need to keep the con exclusives unique -- but that one change would have made this figure perfect.

3.  ToyBiz Nightcrawler
Despite being about a decade old, this Nightcrawler holds up really, really well. As mentioned before, the articulation on the Toybiz Marvel Legends lines are insane! Nightcrawler is another figure where the articulation isn’t a detriment. He has so many joints that it’s hard to keep track of them all, and it allows for some incredible posing. Not to mention that the sculpt is really, really good for the time it was released. The musculature isn’t outrageous, and it keeps him looking slim but still ready to throw down. His hands and feet are comic accurate, and the individual finger movement makes for natural posing.  Fans will want to play with it for hours. The variety of poses he can be put into is unrivaled. Then there is the head sculpt. While it isn’t the iconic Jim Lee version, it’s still amazing. He’s a little more chiseled than one might expect from Nightcrawler, but even so, all the wrinkles are perfectly crafted, and the hair is really well sculpted and painted. Even if this figure is a decade old -- hunt it down and pick it up. It’s worth every penny.

2.  Toy Biz BAF Sentinel
Gemr didn’t want to include any Build a Figures, mainly because they felt like they are in a class of their own. However, this one needs to be on the list of best Marvel Legends figures. It just has to. The sculpt on this is incredible. Every opening in the armor has incredible details on the wiring inside, and the metallic paint app is perfect. The whole look is so perfectly iconic, that it warranted being on the list. The paint, overall, is kind of sloppy -- but that isn’t a drawback. Usually, haphazard paint would upset fans, but the slapdash dry brushing makes the Sentinel look as if it’s been through hell. There are lots of dings, scuffs, and roughing up, which makes it look like this guy has been through combat and came out kicking. It comes with a pair of highly posable tentacles which hold up nicely -- though they take a little force to get in the holes on its palms. And at about 15” tall, it will dominate a X-Men display and make for an ominous presence on the shelf.

1.Pizza Spidey (Hobgoblin Wave)
Fans worldwide have strong feelings about Spider-Man. Like most Marvel fans, he’s one of Gemr’s favorite characters -- so standards for a figure are pretty high. There are quite a few of the different Spidey releases, but this is by far the favorite. He is as close to a perfect Spider-Man as you can get. Everything about the sculpt is excellent, and they went with the painted on webbing instead of the sculpted version -- it can make the figure look too chunky and take away from the figure itself. Not to mention that fans get a second head sculpt -- half unmasked. This was completely necessary and a great bonus for this figure. Then the hands -- you get so many hands! He comes with three sets: fists, thwip, and wall-crawler. All those hands lead to an abundance of poses and opportunities.  Most fans like to play with their figures and this one is great for that.

Pizza Spidey can actually do an unaided handstand on his wall-crawling hands, and there is the accessory that gives this iconic figure his name in collector circles. The slice of pepperoni pizza he comes with is sculpted as well as the figure, and sits really nicely in his hand. It wasn’t needed to make this the top Spidey figure -- but it definitely helps.

To celebrate the upcoming release of Avengers: Endgame, Gemr has set up a “Back Up Plan” Giveaway.  Fans can enter by signing up for the Gemr platform or app and joining the Marvel club. Additional entries can be gained by adding their own Marvel collection photos to their page. Deadline to enter is April 29, 2019.

ABOUT GEMR
Gemr is the leading platform for collectors to discover, display, discuss and buy & sell collectibles. With over 75 million collectors worldwide, Gemr offers a vertically integrated platform for all levels of collecting. Gemr currently has over 540,000 users and 537 unique clubs covering anime, comics, gaming, horror, sci-fi, sports and more. Visit Gemr at www.gemr.com or download the app to join the Gemr world. 


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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Motor and Armory Films Team For "THE DARK AGE" Comic Series




MOTOR AND ARMORY FILMS TEAM  FOR “THE DARK AGE” COMIC SERIES

Comic will make its debut during Free Comic Book Day on May 4th



Los Angeles, CA (March 26, 2019) - Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros (Arctic, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Mudbound) have teamed with Don Handfield (The Founder, Kill the Messenger) and his production company, Motor, on THE DARK AGE, a new comic book penned by Handfield.

With plans to adapt into a television series, Red 5 Comics (AFTERBURN, soon to be seen on the big screen starring Gerard Butler) will publish the comic, following the success of their collaboration on Handfield’s first comic series THE RIFT. The book features art by Leo Rodrigues, colors by Ringo-nominee Dijjo Lima and letters by Eisner-nominee DC Hopkins.

In the near future, every piece of workable metal on earth suddenly turns to worthless piles of rust and dust. With no technology, no guns, no computers, humanity reverts to a violent feudal system with each pocket of civilization ruled by knights of wood & plastic & concrete... This is the new DARK AGE.

The story begins with Ethen Riker, an archeology professor at Cornell, his pregnant wife, Helen and his daughter Jonnie, enjoying a quiet lunch at a campus cafe. When his stirring spoon, then the table, then the metal foundations of the building itself suddenly crumble, Ethen rushes his family outside to witness the world quite literally coming to end. We flash forward thirteen years post-metal as he struggles to protect his family in this new paleo-plastic world and unravel the dark mystery of why metal disappeared.

Handfield said, “THE DARK AGE was inspired by how dependent we as a society are on technology, computers and metal to survive and asking, 'what if' it all disappeared? I wanted to create a post-apocalyptic world that wasn't a radioactive wasteland, but more of a lush “World After People” where as a storyteller I could explore how cultures would crumble and reform based on primitive technologies. All of this of course wrapped inside a strong drama about a family trying to survive.”

Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros from Armory added: “We could not be more excited for our first foray into the comic universe. We have been talking to Don for a while about doing something in the comic book space.  We're very much looking forward to collaborating with him on THE DARK AGE and help build this universe from pen to screen.”

THE DARK AGE was one of a select number of titles chosen to have a preview of the comic given away at stores nationwide during Free Comic Book Day on May 4, 2019. Issue #1 of the actual comic series will launch in July, with both a regular and a variant cover -- just in time for Comic-Con 2019 in San Diego.

Armory Films slate includes: Joe Penna’s Arctic, starring Mads Mikkelsen, which is currently in theatres; The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia LaBeouf, Jon Bernthal, Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern, which received rave reviews and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award out of its SXSW premiere earlier this month; Dee Rees’ lauded feature Mudbound, starring Carey Mulligan and Garrett Hedlund; and Charlie Day’s directorial debut El Tonto starring Day, Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, which is currently in post-production.

Handfield, the co-creator of History Channel’s “Knightfall,” sold his first comic series, THE RIFT, to Amblin/Steven Spielberg, which was produced as an episode of the upcoming “Amazing Stories” reboot on Apple. His second comic series THE MALL was just optioned for television by Ivan Reitman’s Montecito Pictures.

Consulting on the book is archeology professor Dr. Bill Schindler; director of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland and the co-star of the National Geographic series, “The Great Human Race.”  As an experimental archaeologist, primitive technologist, and chef, his research and teaching revolve around a comprehensive understanding of prehistoric and traditional technologies as they relate to food acquisition, processing, storage, and consumption.  Also consulting on the project is Jay Handfield, PhD, Dr. John Lucas, MD, and PhD Candidate in Medieval Studies at Cornell University, Patrick Naeve.

Motor and Armory Films plan this as the first in a slate of comic books, to be penned by Handfield as well as additional writers to be announced.  Handfield is repped by The Cartel and Dale De La Torre of Jacobson, Russell, Saltz, Nassim & De La Torre.

ABOUT ARMORY:
Founded in 2013 by Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, Armory Films is a film finance and production company that creates, develops, produces, and finances high concept and commercially viable content. With the ability to finance projects from initial creative inception through production and release, Armory has amassed an impressive slate spanning numerous genres and styles, nurturing distinctive stories into groundbreaking films.

Armory recently wrapped production in Los Angeles on Charlie Day’s directorial debut El Tonto starring Day, Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, John Malkovich, Edie Falco, Jillian Bell, Ken Jeong, Adrien Brody, Ray Liotta and Travis Fimmel. They produced Joe Penna’s Arctic, starring Mads Mikkelsen which made its world premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival where it was acquired by Bleeker Street for North American distribution. The film released in the US on February 1, 2019.

They also produced and financed Dee Rees’ lauded feature Mudbound, starring Carey Mulligan and Garrett Hedlund, which rose to critical success since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017. After being acquired by Netflix, the film went on to receive a record breaking four Academy Award Nominations, making the film a milestone in Netflix’s history in the awards race.

Additional recent productions include: The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia LaBeouf, Jon Bernthal, Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern, which received rave reviews when it premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, and Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair’s latest horror/thriller Mom and Dad, which premiered in the midnight madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival.

ABOUT MOTOR
Motor is a content production company focused on Film, TV and the creation of Intellectual Property. On the film side, the company is producing Switched On at Focus with Emma Frost (White Queen) adapting the best-selling memoir by John Elder Robison, as well as the US remake of the #1 grossing horror film in Vietnam The Housemaid being adapted by Academy-Award winner Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious). 


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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Go Beyond the Big Screen for an Augmented Reality Experience Based on “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” – the Best Animated Feature Film




Sony Pictures Takes Augmented Reality Users “Into the Spider-Verse” With Mobile Web AR Experience 

8th Wall, Trigger and Amazon Web Services Bring Spider-Man™ to Life with Mobile Web AR Experience

LAS VEGAS — In anticipation of the nationwide release of Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, 8th Wall and Trigger today announced the launch of the film’s Mobile Web AR Experience. The immersive AR camera is built using 8th Wall Web and Amazon Sumerian technology running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and is designed to let users interact with Spider-Man in augmented reality (AR) where they can take pictures and share them with friends.

The Spider-Verse Web AR Experience, powered by 8th Wall Web and Amazon Sumerian technology and produced by Trigger, is designed to allow users to easily jump directly into Spider-Man’s AR world on any smartphone, without having to download an app.

“Spider-Man is a perfect match for AR not only because his acrobatic moves and iconic poses lend themselves well to the format, but because he’s one of the most relatable superheroes,” said Rose Phillips, SVP, Digital Marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We’re excited to collaborate with 8th Wall, Amazon Sumerian and Trigger on Spider-Verse Web AR Experience and bring it to all – and new – Spider-Man fans.”

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the creative minds behind The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street, bring their unique sensibilities to a fresh version of a different Spider-Man Universe, with a groundbreaking visual style that’s the first of its kind.  Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse introduces Brooklyn teen Miles Morales, and the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse, where anyone can wear the mask. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman from a screenplay by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman and story by Phil Lord, the producers are Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord & Christopher Miller and Christina Steinberg.

“The Spider-Verse Web AR Experience demonstrates how established brands can dramatically enrich their customer experiences and better engage with their fans,” said Erik Murphy-Chutorian, CEO at 8th Wall. “Augmented reality allows consumers to dive deeper into the worlds of their favorite products and characters. Sony Pictures has deepened and enriched the Spider-Man experience with the innovative work they’ve produced with Trigger and 8th Wall, and powered by AWS. It’s the perfect example of how AR for the web is the best new medium for brands to make their content come to life while increasing the accessibility and interactivity of their stories.”

"Spider-Man is in our DNA. My team has been a digital developer since the first Spider-Man film and Trigger has been developing AR for Spider-Man properties at Sony Pictures since 2014. We're excited to continue this longstanding collaboration with this experience for Spider-ManTM: Into the Spider-Verse,” says Jason Yim, CEO and Executive Creative Director for Trigger. “We believe Web AR is the final barrier for mass adoption of AR and we are honored to be part of the first large-scale web AR campaign with Sony Pictures, AWS, and 8th Wall as partners. Web AR will not only become the first entry to AR for most audiences, but it will build a foundation of behavior that will lift adoption in social, mobile and head mounted AR."

“Mobile Web AR is making possible for Sony Pictures to bring people into the world of Spider-Man and engage with the character like never before,” said Kyle Roche, General Manager, Amazon Sumerian, Amazon Web Services, Inc. “Using Amazon Sumerian, the teams at 8th Wall and Trigger were able to deliver an immersive browser based AR experience and do so without any specialized programming or 3D graphics expertise. Together with Sony Pictures, we’re changing the way fans experience their favorite web slinger.”


Be part of the experience by visiting intothespiderverse-ar.com/


About Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse:
Columbia Pictures presents in association with Marvel an Avi Arad/Lord Miller/Pascal Pictures production a Sony Pictures Animation film, Spider-ManTM: Into the Spider-Verse. Featuring the voices of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Lily Tomlin, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn, with Nicolas Cage and Liev Schreiber. Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, the screenplay is by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman from a story by Phil Lord based on the Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Christina Steinberg. Stan Lee, Brian Michael Bendis and Will Allegra serve as executive producers.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE’s Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

About 8th Wall, Inc.
Founded in 2016, 8th Wall, Inc. helps developers redefine markets by using augmented reality to break down the walls between the physical and digital worlds. 8th Wall’s cross-platform solution lets developers build AR-enriched experiences in minutes and deploy them to more than 3.2 billion mobile devices. 8th Wall is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, please visit: 8thwall.com. Follow 8th Wall on Twitter @the8thWall.

About Trigger
Trigger, The Mixed Reality Agency ™, invents unrivaled mixed reality experiences for the world’s top brands including: Sony, AMC, Honda, Mattel, LEGO, the Spider-Man movie franchise, and recent Star Wars movies. From major marketing campaigns to powerful enterprise solutions, their work combines premiere content with the latest technology, blending physical and digital worlds in innovative yet measurable ways. Trigger has over 125,000 hours of development in AR/VR/XR and is a showcase developer for Vuforia and Google. Trigger is also a Snapchat Lens Studio Partner, preferred developer for Facebook and an early developer for Magic Leap.

About Amazon Sumerian
Amazon Sumerian is a browser-based authoring tool designed to create and run for the development and publishing of AR, VR and 3D applications. Using Amazon Sumerian, developers and designers can build immersive apps quickly and easily without requiring any specialized programming or 3D graphics expertise. Experiences built with Sumerian are designed to be embedded into a web page or be consumed on popular hardware such as Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, Google Daydream, and Lenovo Mirage as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. For more information, please visit aws.amazon.com/sumerian.


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Thursday, January 10, 2019

The Greatest Scene In Any Superman Movie: Rescuing Lois, "SUPERMAN" (1978) (video)




Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve) has moved from Smallville to Metropolis...

...and gotten a job as a reporter for The Daily Planet.

But he has yet to introduce himself to the world as Superman...
...until Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), on her way to cover a big story...
...finds herself in dire need of a super-rescue.

The result is a thrilling sequence which hits on all cylinders...
...charged with suspense, emotion, and even humor....

...and is quite likely the high point of any "Superman" movie ever made.

I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!




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Thursday, December 13, 2018

BLACK PANTHER Featurette "Welcome to Wakanda" -- Watch it HERE!



In "Welcome To Wakanda," the cast and crew of Black Panther discuss creating the world of Wakanda, and what making the film meant to them. 


Black Panther is director Ryan Coogler's take on a modern African hero and a utopian vision of what an uncolonized Africa might look like. The film explores the conflict between two powerful men, one African and one African-American, who are mirror images of each other, each grappling with his own history, home, and very identity.


When Prince T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) becomes king of the hidden, technologically advanced kingdom Wakanda, he is forced to defend his throne against rogue mercenary Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).


Wakanda is also alive with strong, intelligent women--from Wakanda's elite all-female security force, led by Okoye (Danai Gurira), to the international spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), to T'Challa's tech-savvy sister (Letitia Wright) and mother (Angela Bassett)--who are portrayed as equals to the men they protect and advise.



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Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Oscar winners Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis Celebrate 30 years of Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc.



SAN DIEGO COMC-CON PANEL 

OSCAR-WINNING VFX ARTISTS
TOM WOODRUFF, JR. & ALEC GILLIS OF

studioADI CELEBRATE 

30 YEARS OF MAKING PRACTICAL MONSTERS
FROM 'TREMORS' TO 'WELLWOOD'


Tom and Alec will be joined by 'Wellwood' producers/stars
Keisha Castle-Hughes (Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead),
Camille Balsamo, and  Reid Collums  (also the screenwriter),
as well as the film's director, Eliza Hooper.

San Diego, CA (July 18, 2018) For 30 years, Los Angeles based Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc. (studioADI) has been the premier Creature Effects studio in the motion picture business. studioADI was co-founded by the Academy Award winning duo of Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr. in 1988. The team has been responsible for three decades of iconic Creature Characters from the Alien and Predator franchises to the recent smash hit horror film IT, and their upcoming production Wellwood.

San Diego Comic-Con Panel:
Thursday July 19, 2018 5:30pm - 6:30pm, in Room 24ABC
Comic Con schedule and other info: http://sched.co/FQoR

Oscar winners Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis will host a panel discussion on their three decades as owners of Amalgamated Dynamics, Inc., one of the top Character Effects studios in the world. They will show a retrospective of their past work (the ALIEN franchise, XMEN: FIRST CLASS, STARSHIP TROOPERS) as well as their recent work (IT, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, BRIGHT). Plus COMIC-CON sneak peeks at upcoming projects including studioADI's WELLWOOD, a science fiction feature starring GAME OF THRONES' Keisha Castle-Hughes, Lance Nichols, Camille Balsamo and Reid Collums. Directed by Eliza Hooper. Written by Reid Collums.

Official website: www.studioADI.com
studioADI Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/studioADl
studioADI YouTube Channel (242,305 subscribers): 
https://www.youtube.com/user/studioADI
studioADI Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thestudioadi/
 
About studioADI

We are Academy Award winning creators of special characters and character effects. Calling upon a diverse range of talents and techniques, we create prosthetic make-ups, animatronic puppets, actor duplicates and replica animals. With over twenty-five years of professional experience, we bring "real" character effects to the set to interact with actors, lighting, and practical atmosphere. We pride ourselves on working with the industry's leading cgi companies to find the right balance of digital and practical effects. We continue to provide film-makers with realistic and economical character effects that best serve the story and the production.



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Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Marvel Studios' "BLACK PANTHER" Available Digitally Now and Blu-ray on May 15



THE MUST-OWN CULTURAL PHENOMENON
MARVEL STUDIOS’
“BLACK PANTHER”

AVAILABLE DIGITALLY NOW AND BLU-RAY ON MAY 15

Bring Wakanda Home With Extensive Bonus Features That Allow Viewers to Explore Deeper into The Wondrous World of Wakanda


Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” the highly celebrated story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), a young African prince who takes on the mantle of King and Super Hero, has thrilled and inspired generations of moviegoers around the globe.

Now, fans can bring home the phenomenon, packed with light-hearted fun, pulse-pounding action and a powerful message, and watch it over and over again, Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on May 8 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand on May 15.  With both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos immersive sound, 4k Ultra HD offers consumers a transformative viewing experience.


Through the 4K Cinematic Universe Edition of “Black Panther,” fans will experience the exhilarating adventure in stunning 4K Ultra HD with next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) visuals and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.

Never-before-seen extras feature commentary from director Ryan Coogler; deleted scenes; outtakes; and several making-of featurettes, which detail the Black Panther’s evolution, the remarkable women of Wakanda, the history of T’Challa’s proud nation, and the cosmic origin and technological applications of vibranium.

Also included are a roundtable discussion with “Black Panther” filmmakers and writers; a featurette tracing the countless connections between heroes, characters and storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and an exclusive sneak peek at “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” 



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Wednesday, January 10, 2018

THOR: RAGNAROK on Digital Feb 20 & Blu-ray March 6 -- See Trailer and Sneak Peek Here!




BRING HOME ONE OF THE BIGGEST SUPER HERO MOVIE OF 2017


“THOR: RAGNAROK”


Strikes Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on Feb. 20 and 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ on March 6

 “The most fun you’ll ever have at a Marvel movie” -- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
 "One of the most entertaining blockbusters of the year” -- Clayton Davis, Awards Circuit

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 10, 2018 — Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” the God of Thunder’s third installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, electrified both audiences and critics alike reaching over $845M at the global box office. Now the colorful cosmic adventure, loaded with action, humor, drama and spectacle, bursts into homes Digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™, and Movies Anywhere, on Feb. 20 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On-Demand on March 6.

In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett).


But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – and grapple with his silver-tongued adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the fierce warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and the eccentric Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). 

Fans who bring home the Ultimate Cinematic Universe Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital) of “Thor: Ragnarok” will experience all the thunderous action and lightning-fast wit in stunning 4K Ultra HD with next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) visuals and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features include deleted scenes; hilarious outtakes; an exclusive short: part three of the mockumentary “Team Thor,” retitled “Team Darryl” and featuring an eccentric new roommate; the evolution of MCU’s heroes culminating in “Avengers: Infinity War;” numerous making-of featurettes which explore the unique vision of director Taika Waititi; the story’s unstoppable women; the effortlessly charismatic Korg; the tyrannical leader of Sakaar, the Grandmaster; and the film’s comic-book origins;  audio commentary by Waititi; and more.

WATCH THE TRAILER:



SEE A SNEAK PEEK:



BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer):

Blu-ray:

⦁ Director’s Introduction
⦁ Deleted/Extended Scenes - Deleted Scenes: The Sorcerer Supreme, Skurge Finds Heimdall & Hulk Chases Thor Through Sakaar and Extended Scenes: Thor Meets the Grandmaster, Stupid Avenger vs. Tiny Avenger & Grandmaster and Topaz
⦁ Gag Reel - Watch a collection of goofs, gaffes and pratfalls starring the cast
⦁ Exclusive Short/Team Darryl – Fresh off being unseated as the ruler of Sakaar, the Grandmaster makes his way to Earth to start a new life. It’s been over a year since Thor left Australia and Darryl has been struggling to pay his rent. Now Darryl needs a new roommate to help make the monthly payments. Unfortunately for Darryl, the Grandmaster was the only one who answered Darryl’s “Roommate Needed” ad and with no viable options, the Grandmaster moves in.
⦁ Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years - The Evolution of Heroes – Marvel’s universe is vast and transcends both time and space. We’ll examine the Cinematic Universe as a whole and revisit each of our heroes’ current location and their place in the current MCU timeline, as it all leads up to the one culminating event: “Avengers: Infinity War.”
⦁ Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor – “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi has brought his unique sensibility and sense of humor to the film in a great many ways but it is the evolution of Thor’s own sense of humor, which stands out the most in the new film. This piece explores the impact Chris Hemsworth has made on the development of his widely-loved character and celebrates the mighty cast and crew who reveal the fun and hard work that went into assembling Thor’s eccentric counterparts.
⦁ Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie – This piece explores the strong female characters in “Thor: Ragnarok,” their importance in the MCU, their incredible casting and their epic comic origins.
⦁ Finding Korg – A tongue-in-cheek interview with Taika on casting Korg. He describes the difficult search for just the right evolution of the character design, and the nuances of this instantly classic character in the MCU. This conversation will also delve into all the extraordinary visual effects that brought Korg, Sakaar and the worlds of “Thor: Ragnarok” to life.
⦁ Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown – Sakaar is the collection point for all lost and unloved things. This documentary will answer all known and unknown questions while also exploring the hard work and creativity that went into creating the look and feel of Sakaar. From design inspired by Jack Kirby’s classic artwork to the dedication of the visual development team to the awe-inspiring physical and digital production, you will see this distant world come alive.
⦁ Journey into Mystery – A deep dive story piece with the writers, director and producer Kevin Feige about the inspirations for “Thor: Ragnarok” within the comics. Most notably, the contest of champions limited series where the Grandmaster pitted our favorite heroes against one another as he does in the film. This piece also further explores Thor’s comic book origins and classic arcs through interviews with some of the most important comic creators, such as Walt Simonson and Jack Kirby.
⦁ 8bit Scenes - Final Bridge Battle + Sakaar Spaceship Battle. Dive into these climactic sequences presented in retro video-game format.
⦁ Directors Commentary


Digital Exclusives:

⦁ Evolution of Thor and Hulk’s Bromance – We’ll examine this Super Hero friendship, which has spanned through several Marvel films. From their original Helicarrier fight match to the now iconic Hulk punch from Avengers 1, see how Marvel’s most powerful Super Heroes become the most extraordinary Super Hero buddies.
⦁ Additional Deleted Scenes – Travel to Asgard & Race To The Wormhole

DISC SPECIFICATIONS (applies to film content only):

Product SKUs: Cinematic Universe Edition (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital), Digital HD/SD/4K UHD, DVD and On-Demand
Feature Run Time:   Approximately 130 minutes
Rating:      PG-13
Aspect Ratio:    2.39:1
Audio:                             UHD BD: English Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, English & Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD: English, Spanish & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Digital UHD: English Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Digital HD: English & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Languages/Subtitles:  UHD BD: English SDH, Spanish, French Canadian
Blu-ray: English SDH, Spanish, French Canadian
       DVD: English SDH & CC, Spanish, French Canadian
       Digital UHD: English CC, Spanish, French Canadian
       Digital HD: English CC, Spanish, French Canadian


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“THOR: RAGNAROK” CAST & CREW

“Thor: Ragnarok” features a star-studded cast that includes Chris Hemsworth (“Rush,” “In the Heart of the Sea”) who returns to the title role of the hammer-wielding hero of Asgard. He is joined by Golden Globe® winner Tom Hiddleston (“The Night Manager,” “Kong: Skull Island”) as Thor’s duplicitous adopted brother, Loki; two-time Oscar® winner Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine,” “Carol”) as the villainous Hela; Emmy® nominee and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (“Luther,” “Pacific Rim”) as the Asgardian sentry, Heimdall; Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel”) as the eccentric dictator, Grandmaster, ruler of Sakaar; Tessa Thompson (“Creed,” “Selma”) as the fierce warrior, Valkyrie; Karl Urban (“Star Trek” trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King”) as Skurge, one of Asgard’s  strongest warriors; three-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo (“Spotlight,” “The Kids Are All Right”), reprising his role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk from “The Avengers” and “The Avengers: Age of Ultron”; and Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins (“The Silence of the Lambs,” “Nixon” ) again portraying Odin, King of Asgard.
“Thor: Ragnarok” is directed by Taika Waititi and is from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Craig Kyle & Christopher L. Yost. Kevin Feige produces and is joined by executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee.
Waititi assembled a talented team behind the camera that included Oscar®-winning production designer Dan Hennah (“The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies) and production designer Ra Vincent (“What We Do in the Shadows”); six-time Goya Award-winning, BAFTA-nominated cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe, ASC (“Secretos del corazón,” “The Others”); film editor Joel Negron (“The Nice Guys,” “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon”) award-winning costume designer Mayes C. Rubeo (“Avatar,” “Apocalypto”); VFX supervisor Jake Morrison (Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man,” “Thor: The Dark World”) and composer Mark Mothersbaugh (“21 Jump Street,” “The Lego Movie”).

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT:
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. ©2018MARVEL

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!.

ABOUT MOVIES ANYWHERE (MA):
Movies Anywhere simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers.  Movies Anywhere brings together the movies from Sony Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film, The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Participating digital retailers at launch are Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu. Movies Anywhere offers a library of over 7,300 digital movies at launch, including new releases, and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can connect their Movies Anywhere account with participating digital retailers and enjoy their favorite digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices and popular browsers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere.

©2018 Disney
©2018 Marvel



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