Friday, March 30, 2018

Movie Review: Ready Player One


"As terrifying and as painful as reality can be its also the only place where you can get a decent meal because reality is real." - James Halliday (Creator of the OASIS)

This quote sums up the overall meaning of Ready Player One, and the influence it will carry with any generation whatsoever.

In Ready Player One, the world of 2045 is on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger.

Starting with the highlights of Ready Player One, anyone can see the massive amount of pop culture icons and references that were put on display in this movie whether it be from The Iron Giant, The Shining, or more obscure movies by today's standards such as Krull or The Last Starfighter. On another note, the sound editing and mixing for this movie were phenomenal! Just as the visuals for this movie were breathtaking as well! Steven Spielberg captured the visuals and imagination of video games better than any other director has in the past twenty years.


Now as far as storytelling goes, there's no doubt that Spielberg still has the magic touch. However, the script falls short in a lot of ways, whether it be the love story, the shallow characters and villain or even the plot at some points. I would like to point out that I didn't hate the changes from the book. Although I did feel like it could've been adapted much more accurately, which is my next complaint about Ready Player One.

The characters and the plot, while all are still accurate to the book, were lost in translation. They had the heart of the book, but none of the flesh. What I mean by that is you could tell the heart was there with those feelings of nostalgia and joy for the characters, but a lot of the motives and emotions for the characters is lost.

Overall, Ready Player One is great fun and a visual and auditory feast. While lacking in some story aspects, the movie makes up for them with a massive scale of pop culture references. I wasn't a huge fan of it the first time I watched it. I came to love it the second and third times, though.


Ready Player One is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence, bloody images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language. The only "partial nudity" I can think of is a scene showing the bare back of a girl. I don't even think they even showed an eight of her bottom. There is definitely some suggestive dancing, however.

Ready Player One was directed by Steven Spielberg. Zak Penn and Ernest Cline wrote the screenplay. It stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, and Simon Pegg. The movie runs 140 minutes.

8 / 10 stars.

(Review by Everett Shirey)


Movie Review: Ready Player One


"As terrifying and as painful as reality can be its also the only place where you can get a decent meal because reality is real." - James Halliday (Creator of the OASIS)

This quote sums up the overall meaning of Ready Player One, and the influence it will carry with any generation whatsoever.

In Ready Player One, the world of 2045 is on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger.

Starting with the highlights of Ready Player One, anyone can see the massive amount of pop culture icons and references that were put on display in this movie whether it be from The Iron Giant, The Shining, or more obscure movies by today's standards such as Krull or The Last Starfighter. On another note, the sound editing and mixing for this movie were phenomenal! Just as the visuals for this movie were breathtaking as well! Steven Spielberg captured the visuals and imagination of video games better than any other director has in the past twenty years.


Now as far as storytelling goes, there's no doubt that Spielberg still has the magic touch. However, the script falls short in a lot of ways, whether it be the love story, the shallow characters and villain or even the plot at some points. I would like to point out that I didn't hate the changes from the book. Although I did feel like it could've been adapted much more accurately, which is my next complaint about Ready Player One.

The characters and the plot, while all are still accurate to the book, were lost in translation. They had the heart of the book, but none of the flesh. What I mean by that is you could tell the heart was there with those feelings of nostalgia and joy for the characters, but a lot of the motives and emotions for the characters is lost.

Overall, Ready Player One is great fun and a visual and auditory feast. While lacking in some story aspects, the movie makes up for them with a massive scale of pop culture references. I wasn't a huge fan of it the first time I watched it. I came to love it the second and third times, though.


Ready Player One is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action violence, bloody images, some suggestive material, partial nudity and language. The only "partial nudity" I can think of is a scene showing the bare back of a girl. I don't even think they even showed an eight of her bottom. There is definitely some suggestive dancing, however.

Ready Player One was directed by Steven Spielberg. Zak Penn and Ernest Cline wrote the screenplay. It stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, and Simon Pegg. The movie runs 140 minutes.

8 / 10 stars.

(Review by Everett Shirey)


Thursday, March 29, 2018

July Will See the Death of the Inhumans


"Marvel has released an illustration announcing a new miniseries by Donny Cates and Ariel Olivetti, Death of the Inhumans. Death of the Inhumans #1 is scheduled to be released this July. The series' length has not been announced."

Read more at Newsarama.


July Will See the Death of the Inhumans


"Marvel has released an illustration announcing a new miniseries by Donny Cates and Ariel Olivetti, Death of the Inhumans. Death of the Inhumans #1 is scheduled to be released this July. The series' length has not been announced."

Read more at Newsarama.


'Unrestored' 70MM Print Screenings Celebrate 50th Anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyssey


2001: A Space Odyssey is a movie you absolutely NEED to see in the theater on the big-screen. I saw it a few years back when the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX was doing a screening of it with Blade Runner: The Director's Cut and it was mind-blowing. I know it sounds like a cliche, but you really haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey until you've seen it on the silver screen.

WARNER BROS. PICTURES CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF STANLEY KUBRICK’S 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

‘Unrestored’ 70mm print of Kubrick’s landmark 1968 masterpiece to be released in select U.S. theatres, following world premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, introduced by filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Warner Bros. Pictures will debut an ‘unrestored’ 70mm print of the director’s groundbreaking science fiction epic at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. Widely considered among the greatest films of the 20th century, 2001: A Space Odyssey will return to select U.S. theatres in 70mm beginning May 18, 2018.


Set for Saturday, May 12, the world premiere will be held during the Cannes Classics section of the Festival, featuring an introduction by award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The screening will also be attended by members of Stanley Kubrick’s family, including his daughter, Katharina Kubrick, and longstanding producing partner and brother-in-law, Jan Harlan.

For the first time since the original release, this 70mm print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative. This is a true photochemical film recreation. There are no digital tricks, remastered effects, or revisionist edits.

This is the unrestored film that recreates the cinematic event audiences experienced 50 years ago.

A longtime admirer of the late American auteur, Nolan worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.


Christiane Kubrick said, “I’m delighted that 2001: A Space Odyssey will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honour it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, I would personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film.”

Nolan stated, “One of my earliest memories of cinema is seeing Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honour and a privilege.”

Nolan will also participate in a Cannes Masterclass, set for Sunday, May 13, during which he will discuss his highly acclaimed filmography and also share his passion for the singular work of Stanley Kubrick.


For this milestone anniversary, Warner Bros. will continue the celebration later this year when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time in 4K resolution with HDR. Also produced in close collaboration with Nolan, the home entertainment release will be available in the fall of 2018.

With 2001: A Space Odyssey, director Stanley Kubrick redefined the limits of filmmaking and cemented his legacy as one of the most revolutionary and influential film directors of all time. Originally released in 70mm Cinerama roadshow format on April 4, 1968, the film ignited the imaginations of critics and audiences alike and its impact continues to resonate to this day.


'Unrestored' 70MM Print Screenings Celebrate 50th Anniversary of 2001: A Space Odyssey


2001: A Space Odyssey is a movie you absolutely NEED to see in the theater on the big-screen. I saw it a few years back when the Paramount Theater in Austin, TX was doing a screening of it with Blade Runner: The Director's Cut and it was mind-blowing. I know it sounds like a cliche, but you really haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey until you've seen it on the silver screen.

WARNER BROS. PICTURES CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF STANLEY KUBRICK’S 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

‘Unrestored’ 70mm print of Kubrick’s landmark 1968 masterpiece to be released in select U.S. theatres, following world premiere at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, introduced by filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Warner Bros. Pictures will debut an ‘unrestored’ 70mm print of the director’s groundbreaking science fiction epic at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. Widely considered among the greatest films of the 20th century, 2001: A Space Odyssey will return to select U.S. theatres in 70mm beginning May 18, 2018.


Set for Saturday, May 12, the world premiere will be held during the Cannes Classics section of the Festival, featuring an introduction by award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan. The screening will also be attended by members of Stanley Kubrick’s family, including his daughter, Katharina Kubrick, and longstanding producing partner and brother-in-law, Jan Harlan.

For the first time since the original release, this 70mm print was struck from new printing elements made from the original camera negative. This is a true photochemical film recreation. There are no digital tricks, remastered effects, or revisionist edits.

This is the unrestored film that recreates the cinematic event audiences experienced 50 years ago.

A longtime admirer of the late American auteur, Nolan worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.


Christiane Kubrick said, “I’m delighted that 2001: A Space Odyssey will be reissued in 70mm, and that Cannes has chosen to honour it. If Stanley were alive today, we know he would be in admiration of the films of Christopher Nolan. And so, on behalf of Stanley’s family, I would personally like to thank Christopher for supporting his film.”

Nolan stated, “One of my earliest memories of cinema is seeing Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, in 70mm, at the Leicester Square Theatre in London with my father. The opportunity to be involved in recreating that experience for a new generation, and of introducing our new unrestored 70mm print of Kubrick’s masterpiece in all its analogue glory at the Cannes Film Festival is an honour and a privilege.”

Nolan will also participate in a Cannes Masterclass, set for Sunday, May 13, during which he will discuss his highly acclaimed filmography and also share his passion for the singular work of Stanley Kubrick.


For this milestone anniversary, Warner Bros. will continue the celebration later this year when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases 2001: A Space Odyssey for the first time in 4K resolution with HDR. Also produced in close collaboration with Nolan, the home entertainment release will be available in the fall of 2018.

With 2001: A Space Odyssey, director Stanley Kubrick redefined the limits of filmmaking and cemented his legacy as one of the most revolutionary and influential film directors of all time. Originally released in 70mm Cinerama roadshow format on April 4, 1968, the film ignited the imaginations of critics and audiences alike and its impact continues to resonate to this day.


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Twin Flicks Trip Video - Star Wars: The Last Jedi Steelbook + Blu-ray Haul


This is a highly requested trip video for Star Wars: The Last Jedi Best Buy Steelbook. They also go to Movie Trading Company. Most importantly, get an inside look at the packaging and interior of The Last Jedi Steelbook!





Twin Flicks Trip Video - Star Wars: The Last Jedi Steelbook + Blu-ray Haul


This is a highly requested trip video for Star Wars: The Last Jedi Best Buy Steelbook. They also go to Movie Trading Company. Most importantly, get an inside look at the packaging and interior of The Last Jedi Steelbook!





Home Entertainment Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi


The day all fans of a galaxy far, far away have been waiting for is here. Disney and Lucasfilm bring us the home entertainment release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Now we can watch the adventures of Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren anytime we want in the comfort of our own homes, cars, airplanes, or wherever else we so choose to.

I grew up on Star Wars. It's the first film that truly had an impact on me as a child. I was there in 1977 when it hit theaters and completely captured my imagination. So this review of the eighth episode of the Skywalker saga is coming from a longtime fan.

Luke Skywalker's peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey, a young woman who shows strong signs of the Force. Her desire to learn the ways of the Jedi forces Luke to make a decision that changes their lives forever. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren and General Hux lead the First Order in an all-out assault against Leia and the Resistance for supremacy of the galaxy in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

I found Star Wars: The Last Jedi to be a refreshing change of direction for George Lucas's space opera. Honestly, it feels like a direction the Maker himself would have taken. It's unconventional and, at times, unpredictable.


Writer / Director Rian Johnson did exactly what he had to do to push the Star Wars saga in a unique new direction. He exiled himself and explored each character and made a decision as to the way they would have reacted to the situations they were put in. The entire film is like a big slap in the face to fanboys who don't like any sort of massive changes in a galaxy far, far away.

Everything that every crybaby fanboy or fangirl is complaining about I loved. Everything. Flying Leia; Luke throwing the lightsaber over his shoulder; Force Vision Luke; Snoke's demise; Rey's lack of important parentage; Rey's "unfounded" power in the Force; the Canto Bight sequence. The humor was all fine with me as well.

The only thing I was disappointed by was the way Captain Phasma was killed off. Here's a female character that really was built up to be so much more. I really thought that we would get something redeeming her uselessness in The Force Awakens, but we didn't. She went out like the punk she was.


Star Wars: The Last Jedi is about destroying the things we've come to hold dear and starting over from scratch. It's like when a farmer burns down his fields to make way for better growth. Sometimes you have to tear down the old to build up the new. That's exactly what Rian Johnson did with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He gave us the movie we NEEDED, not the one we wanted or expected as fanboys and fangirls.

The movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence. There are also a few uses of unnecessary profanity found in the film. Aside from burned-up Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars has always been about keeping the action and on-screen violence and gore family-friendly. That's not to say we don't see Kylo and Rey spear a few Praetorian Guards here and there and witness one body cut in half.

The Blu-ray version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is packed full of bonus material fans are going to love. A full-length documentary takes us behind-the-scenes of the movie and gives us the inside track on the journey of Luke Skywalker and the making of the film. Fourteen deleted scenes with optional commentary from Director / Writer Rian Johnson show us what was left on the cutting room floor. We get an alternate opening for the movie as well.


There are also scene breakdowns and a featurette showing Andy Serkis delivering his performance as Snoke. We get to see him in his motion-capture suit before he was given a digital makeover, which is something to behold. Rian Johnson provides audio commentary for the whole film, inviting us into the mind of the director and writer of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was directed and written by Rian Johnson. It stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. The running time for the movie is 152 minutes.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is available now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.


Home Entertainment Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi


The day all fans of a galaxy far, far away have been waiting for is here. Disney and Lucasfilm bring us the home entertainment release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Now we can watch the adventures of Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren anytime we want in the comfort of our own homes, cars, airplanes, or wherever else we so choose to.

I grew up on Star Wars. It's the first film that truly had an impact on me as a child. I was there in 1977 when it hit theaters and completely captured my imagination. So this review of the eighth episode of the Skywalker saga is coming from a longtime fan.

Luke Skywalker's peaceful and solitary existence gets upended when he encounters Rey, a young woman who shows strong signs of the Force. Her desire to learn the ways of the Jedi forces Luke to make a decision that changes their lives forever. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren and General Hux lead the First Order in an all-out assault against Leia and the Resistance for supremacy of the galaxy in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

I found Star Wars: The Last Jedi to be a refreshing change of direction for George Lucas's space opera. Honestly, it feels like a direction the Maker himself would have taken. It's unconventional and, at times, unpredictable.


Writer / Director Rian Johnson did exactly what he had to do to push the Star Wars saga in a unique new direction. He exiled himself and explored each character and made a decision as to the way they would have reacted to the situations they were put in. The entire film is like a big slap in the face to fanboys who don't like any sort of massive changes in a galaxy far, far away.

Everything that every crybaby fanboy or fangirl is complaining about I loved. Everything. Flying Leia; Luke throwing the lightsaber over his shoulder; Force Vision Luke; Snoke's demise; Rey's lack of important parentage; Rey's "unfounded" power in the Force; the Canto Bight sequence. The humor was all fine with me as well.

The only thing I was disappointed by was the way Captain Phasma was killed off. Here's a female character that really was built up to be so much more. I really thought that we would get something redeeming her uselessness in The Force Awakens, but we didn't. She went out like the punk she was.


Star Wars: The Last Jedi is about destroying the things we've come to hold dear and starting over from scratch. It's like when a farmer burns down his fields to make way for better growth. Sometimes you have to tear down the old to build up the new. That's exactly what Rian Johnson did with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. He gave us the movie we NEEDED, not the one we wanted or expected as fanboys and fangirls.

The movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence. There are also a few uses of unnecessary profanity found in the film. Aside from burned-up Anakin in Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars has always been about keeping the action and on-screen violence and gore family-friendly. That's not to say we don't see Kylo and Rey spear a few Praetorian Guards here and there and witness one body cut in half.

The Blu-ray version of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is packed full of bonus material fans are going to love. A full-length documentary takes us behind-the-scenes of the movie and gives us the inside track on the journey of Luke Skywalker and the making of the film. Fourteen deleted scenes with optional commentary from Director / Writer Rian Johnson show us what was left on the cutting room floor. We get an alternate opening for the movie as well.


There are also scene breakdowns and a featurette showing Andy Serkis delivering his performance as Snoke. We get to see him in his motion-capture suit before he was given a digital makeover, which is something to behold. Rian Johnson provides audio commentary for the whole film, inviting us into the mind of the director and writer of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was directed and written by Rian Johnson. It stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. The running time for the movie is 152 minutes.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is available now on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.


Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You in Daphne & Velma Trailer? [VIDEO]


The trailer for the latest chapter in the Scooby-Doo live-action movie series is here and is missing a few things. Fred and Shaggy are nowhere to be found. There's no Scrappy-Doo or Scooby-Dum. Most importantly, there's the lack of a certain canine crime fighter that's always been rather essential for a series or movie featuring the name Scooby-Doo in their title.

Some would argue that the title Daphne & Velma doesn't include Scooby-Doo's name anywhere, and I would agree. However, seeing these two characters by themselves solving mysteries without everyone's favorite talking Great Dane (I THINK that's what he's supposed to be) is rather odd.


In a day and age where EVERYTHING has to be updated and rebooted, it really comes as no surprise that the Scooby-Doo franchise would be on the shortlist to get the treatment. Combine that with a renewed sense of girl power, as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and other female-fronted films and TV shows, and you get Daphne & Velma. Put the lead characters in high school a few years before they meet the rest of the Mystery Incorporated Gang and you know what to expect here.

I've watched the trailer for Daphne & Velma a couple of times now and, quite honestly, it looks pretty bad. The acting and production seems to be on the level of a Nickelodeon afternoon show like iCarly or whatever the equivalent of that would be today. The story seems like it was recycled from two previous live-action Scooby-Doo movies - the first one and its prequel, The Mystery Begins. I am a huge Scooby-Doo fan and would love to see this whole thing work out, but I have my sincere doubts from what I'm seeing in this first look at the new movie.


Jeepers! Your favorite mystery solving teenagers are back in an all-new, live-action feature length movie! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Daphne & Velma on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD on May 22, 2018. The film stars Sarah Jeffery (Disney's Descendants: Wicked World) and Sarah Gilman (ABC's Last Man Standing), and is produced by Ashley Tisdale and Jennifer Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions.‬

Before their eventual team-up with Scooby and the gang, bright and optimistic Daphne and whip-smart and analytical Velma are both mystery-solving teens who are best friends but have only met online - until now. Daphne has just transferred to Velma's school, Ridge Valley High, an incredible tech-savvy institute with all the latest gadgets provided by the school's benefactor, tech billionaire Tobias Bloom. And while competition is fierce among the students for a coveted internship at Bloom Innovative, Daphne and Velma dig beyond all the gadgets and tech to investigate what is causing some of the brightest students in school to disappear - only to emerge again in a zombie-fied state.

Check out the trailer below.


Scooby-Doo, Where Are You in Daphne & Velma Trailer? [VIDEO]


The trailer for the latest chapter in the Scooby-Doo live-action movie series is here and is missing a few things. Fred and Shaggy are nowhere to be found. There's no Scrappy-Doo or Scooby-Dum. Most importantly, there's the lack of a certain canine crime fighter that's always been rather essential for a series or movie featuring the name Scooby-Doo in their title.

Some would argue that the title Daphne & Velma doesn't include Scooby-Doo's name anywhere, and I would agree. However, seeing these two characters by themselves solving mysteries without everyone's favorite talking Great Dane (I THINK that's what he's supposed to be) is rather odd.


In a day and age where EVERYTHING has to be updated and rebooted, it really comes as no surprise that the Scooby-Doo franchise would be on the shortlist to get the treatment. Combine that with a renewed sense of girl power, as seen in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and other female-fronted films and TV shows, and you get Daphne & Velma. Put the lead characters in high school a few years before they meet the rest of the Mystery Incorporated Gang and you know what to expect here.

I've watched the trailer for Daphne & Velma a couple of times now and, quite honestly, it looks pretty bad. The acting and production seems to be on the level of a Nickelodeon afternoon show like iCarly or whatever the equivalent of that would be today. The story seems like it was recycled from two previous live-action Scooby-Doo movies - the first one and its prequel, The Mystery Begins. I am a huge Scooby-Doo fan and would love to see this whole thing work out, but I have my sincere doubts from what I'm seeing in this first look at the new movie.


Jeepers! Your favorite mystery solving teenagers are back in an all-new, live-action feature length movie! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Daphne & Velma on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD on May 22, 2018. The film stars Sarah Jeffery (Disney's Descendants: Wicked World) and Sarah Gilman (ABC's Last Man Standing), and is produced by Ashley Tisdale and Jennifer Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions.‬

Before their eventual team-up with Scooby and the gang, bright and optimistic Daphne and whip-smart and analytical Velma are both mystery-solving teens who are best friends but have only met online - until now. Daphne has just transferred to Velma's school, Ridge Valley High, an incredible tech-savvy institute with all the latest gadgets provided by the school's benefactor, tech billionaire Tobias Bloom. And while competition is fierce among the students for a coveted internship at Bloom Innovative, Daphne and Velma dig beyond all the gadgets and tech to investigate what is causing some of the brightest students in school to disappear - only to emerge again in a zombie-fied state.

Check out the trailer below.


Steven Spielberg Talks the Growth of Special Effects Since Star Wars


"Over the last 50 years, Steven Spielberg has seen and done it all in Hollywood. From his early work in scripted television to some of the biggest blockbuster and award-winning movies of all-time. It’s because of this incredibly long string of pop-culture hits — Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. — that Spielberg was so ideally positioned as one of the few directors who could faithfully translate Ernest Cline’s pop-culture-driven Ready Player One novel to the big screen.

Spielberg talked with Variety about the experience of seeing the original Star Wars — by his close buddy George Lucas — during early post-production, and how it compares to his experience making Ready Player One."

Read more at LRM.

Steven Spielberg Talks the Growth of Special Effects Since Star Wars


"Over the last 50 years, Steven Spielberg has seen and done it all in Hollywood. From his early work in scripted television to some of the biggest blockbuster and award-winning movies of all-time. It’s because of this incredibly long string of pop-culture hits — Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, etc. — that Spielberg was so ideally positioned as one of the few directors who could faithfully translate Ernest Cline’s pop-culture-driven Ready Player One novel to the big screen.

Spielberg talked with Variety about the experience of seeing the original Star Wars — by his close buddy George Lucas — during early post-production, and how it compares to his experience making Ready Player One."

Read more at LRM.

Monday, March 26, 2018

Ready Player One Writer Zak Penn Bringing ROM to Life Onscreen


ROM The Spaceknight has had a crazy career as both a toy and comic book character. The action figure-type toy premiered in 1979 as the first of its kind for board game makers Parker Brothers. For all intents and purposes, it was a failure for the company at the time.

Marvel Comics was commissioned to help promote it through a monthly comic book series, which outlasted the actual toy. When Marvel lost the rights to use the ROM name and likeness, it began publishing comics under the name Spaceknights to continue its storyline. IDW Publishing recently picked up the rights to the character and publishes a new monthly series now. For some reason, I find ROM's history as a toy and comic book character fascinating and have researched it quite a bit.

"As Ready Player One is poised to hit theaters, screenwriter Zak Penn has found a new gig: writing a ROM movie.

Paramount Pictures is hard up for franchises, and they’re turning to toys to save the day: the studio is working on bringing a Hasbro Cinematic Universe to life – yes, really – and a movie based on the ROM toy (and subsequent comic series) from the late 1970s is apparently an important piece of that puzzle."

Read more at /Film.


Ready Player One Writer Zak Penn Bringing ROM to Life Onscreen


ROM The Spaceknight has had a crazy career as both a toy and comic book character. The action figure-type toy premiered in 1979 as the first of its kind for board game makers Parker Brothers. For all intents and purposes, it was a failure for the company at the time.

Marvel Comics was commissioned to help promote it through a monthly comic book series, which outlasted the actual toy. When Marvel lost the rights to use the ROM name and likeness, it began publishing comics under the name Spaceknights to continue its storyline. IDW Publishing recently picked up the rights to the character and publishes a new monthly series now. For some reason, I find ROM's history as a toy and comic book character fascinating and have researched it quite a bit.

"As Ready Player One is poised to hit theaters, screenwriter Zak Penn has found a new gig: writing a ROM movie.

Paramount Pictures is hard up for franchises, and they’re turning to toys to save the day: the studio is working on bringing a Hasbro Cinematic Universe to life – yes, really – and a movie based on the ROM toy (and subsequent comic series) from the late 1970s is apparently an important piece of that puzzle."

Read more at /Film.


Hall of Justice Re-opens for Justice League and New Justice Teams


"Scott Snyder's Justice League will have its Hall of Justice, only accessible through a connection by Martian Manhunter - making it what the writer calls an "open and inclusive and mysterious" central hub of the DCU come 'New Justice.'

Speaking to Newsarama at WonderCon, Snyder described how the first spread of his new Justice League series with artist Jim Cheung has a description of this new version of the Hall of Justice."

Read more at Newsarama.


Hall of Justice Re-opens for Justice League and New Justice Teams


"Scott Snyder's Justice League will have its Hall of Justice, only accessible through a connection by Martian Manhunter - making it what the writer calls an "open and inclusive and mysterious" central hub of the DCU come 'New Justice.'

Speaking to Newsarama at WonderCon, Snyder described how the first spread of his new Justice League series with artist Jim Cheung has a description of this new version of the Hall of Justice."

Read more at Newsarama.


Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One Pushes Virtual Reality Products


"Steven Spielberg’s hotly anticipated “Ready Player One” will hit theaters on March 29. The film features characters who escape a dystopian future Ohio by plugging into an alternative universe using virtual reality headsets. With the movie already getting raves from those who saw it at South by Southwest, tech watchers are speculating that “Ready Player One” will give VR a lift in the real world."

Read more at Bloomberg.


Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One Pushes Virtual Reality Products


"Steven Spielberg’s hotly anticipated “Ready Player One” will hit theaters on March 29. The film features characters who escape a dystopian future Ohio by plugging into an alternative universe using virtual reality headsets. With the movie already getting raves from those who saw it at South by Southwest, tech watchers are speculating that “Ready Player One” will give VR a lift in the real world."

Read more at Bloomberg.


Comic Book Review: Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1


Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye kicks off its monthly run letting us know exactly what we're in for. It's full-on kooky intergalactic fun for a mature audience. The artwork is what really caught my attention, but that's not to say anything negative about the writing. Michael Avon Oeming's handiwork has a retro golden age flavor to it while still managing to feel fresh and relevant for today's comic book readers.

After a year of multiverse-hopping and fighting in the Milk Wars, returning to a normal life of digging and cave-diving just isn’t the same for explorer Cave Carson. Sure, he’s got his podcast, family and that cybernetic eye, but reminiscing about times gone by isn’t the same as living. Luckily for Cave Carson and his daughter Chloe, they’re about to get sucked into an all-new adventure—literally—when they go spelunking in a black hole! But what’s caused this black hole to appear and what’s its connection to the intergalactic music sensation Star Adam?

As far as the rating for Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 is concerned, there are a couple f-bombs dropped. Honestly, that's about all I can think of right offhand that would merit this being recommended for mature audiences only. I don't really think Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye would appeal to younger readers anyway. It's a bit too dense and heady for your general superhero crowd. This would be perfect for Dune or Saga enthusiasts.


I would recommend Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 to those looking for something a bit more complex than your standard comic book fare. A good description for what to expect really is Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon mixed with Heavy Metal if you ate a handful of mushrooms beforehand. I've never ate mushrooms of that nature, but from seeing Young Guns it's what I would picture.

Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 was written by Jon Rivera. Art is provided by Michael Avon Oeming (Batman '66). The book is 32 pages long and came out March 21st, 2018.

Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 is available now in print and digital editions.


Comic Book Review: Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1


Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye kicks off its monthly run letting us know exactly what we're in for. It's full-on kooky intergalactic fun for a mature audience. The artwork is what really caught my attention, but that's not to say anything negative about the writing. Michael Avon Oeming's handiwork has a retro golden age flavor to it while still managing to feel fresh and relevant for today's comic book readers.

After a year of multiverse-hopping and fighting in the Milk Wars, returning to a normal life of digging and cave-diving just isn’t the same for explorer Cave Carson. Sure, he’s got his podcast, family and that cybernetic eye, but reminiscing about times gone by isn’t the same as living. Luckily for Cave Carson and his daughter Chloe, they’re about to get sucked into an all-new adventure—literally—when they go spelunking in a black hole! But what’s caused this black hole to appear and what’s its connection to the intergalactic music sensation Star Adam?

As far as the rating for Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 is concerned, there are a couple f-bombs dropped. Honestly, that's about all I can think of right offhand that would merit this being recommended for mature audiences only. I don't really think Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye would appeal to younger readers anyway. It's a bit too dense and heady for your general superhero crowd. This would be perfect for Dune or Saga enthusiasts.


I would recommend Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 to those looking for something a bit more complex than your standard comic book fare. A good description for what to expect really is Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon mixed with Heavy Metal if you ate a handful of mushrooms beforehand. I've never ate mushrooms of that nature, but from seeing Young Guns it's what I would picture.

Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 was written by Jon Rivera. Art is provided by Michael Avon Oeming (Batman '66). The book is 32 pages long and came out March 21st, 2018.

Cave Carson Has an Interstellar Eye #1 is available now in print and digital editions.


Thursday, March 22, 2018

Dynamite Releases The Green Hornet '66 Meets The Spirit Trade Paperback


I love The Spirit! Since first breaking open an old Spirit Archive a few years ago, I have been an avid fan of Will Eisner's comic book character. Any excuse to re-visit the world of Denny Colt is a good one to me. Dynamite has released the trade paperback for their latest crimefighting team-up with The Green Hornet '66 Meets The Spirit.

Another challenge for THE GREEN HORNET, his aide KATO, and their rolling arsenal, THE BLACK BEAUTY! On police records a wanted criminal, THE GREEN HORNET is really Britt Reid, owner/publisher of The Daily Sentinel. Reid and Kato have traveled to Central City to participate in the futuristic World's Fair, to get the skinny on the "Newspaper of Tomorrow," a device capable of predicting headlines before events happen! But isn't that a dangerous power for the press to wield... and say, who's that blue-suited skulker in the shadows?

Fred Van Lente wrote The Green Hornet '66 Meets The Spirit. Art is provided by Bob Q. It's 112 pages and rated Teen +.

You can get The Green Hornet '66 Meets The Spirit in paperback and digital editions right now.

Check out a preview of the book below.