Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice Trailer
With Marvel having opted out of this year’s San Diego comic con it conveniently cleared the way for DC to make a very big show of their ambitious efforts to rapidly launch their own cinematic universe with their 2016 Batman v Superman film. As expected this new three minute taster of the clash of superheroes gives fans a pretty big insight into exactly what’s actually in store.
As we already know the film sees Batman (now played by the famously chinned Ben Affleck) taking on the world’s supposed savior Superman, in the wake of the Metropolis devastating events of Man of Steel. The latest trailer reveals a bit more about exactly why the two heroes end up bitterly feuding in stylish capes. It also offers fans a first look at Gal Gadot in action as DC heroine Wonder Woman and Jesse Eisenberg going full on creepy evil genius to fawn over a big hunk of Kryptonite as Lex Luthor.
One specific nugget for comicbook fans is the very clear implication that the Joker has already dispatched Robin in this newly unified DC Cinematic universe. Affleck’s Batman literally asks how many good guys are left, whilst his Batman mournfully stares at a Robin suite with ‘Hahaha jokes on you batman’ scrawled across it.
The trailer also hints pretty clearly that the Dark Knight is able to literally fight the god like Man of Steel thanks to a Batsuite made from reverse engineered Kryptonian technology.
What remains to be seen is whether DC’s impatient attempts to cram in so many new characters and plot points will prove too much of a challenge for director Zack Snyder, especially given his track record for visually impressive but ultimately unsatisfying efforts.
Check out the trailer below:
Ennio Morricone Scores Trantino Western Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino has made little secret of his admiration for classic Sergio Leone westerns like The Good The Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon A Time In The West. Now the director claims to have made his lifelong dream a reality by securing the services of legendary composer Ennio Morricone to provide the score for his long delayed but much anticipated Django follow up Hateful Eight. The film stars many of Tarantino’s frequent collaborators such as Samuel L. Jackoson, Kurt Russell and Michael Madsen.
Check out the film’s new poster blow and our own early interview with star Madsen.
Star Wars The Force Awakens At Comic Con
Star Wars The Force Awakens predictably stole the show at San Diego Comic Con by unveiling it’s new and returning cast alongside previously unseen behind the scenes footage. It’s clear to everyone that the force is strong with this one and that it remains on track to break every box office record imaginable in the process of continuing the epic saga in the way it deserves!
Over a hundred pictures below:
Ted 2 Review
The Plot
Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg are back as everyone’s favourite Thunder Buddies. With a recently married Ted (MacFarlane) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) looking to become parents, Ted finds he has to prove he’s a person in a court of law with the help of lawyer Samantha (Amanda Seyfried).
The Good
Surprisingly enough, for a comedy Ted 2 works best in the non-comedic moments. Instead of focusing on the relationship between Wahlberg’s Johnny and Mila Kunis’ Lori (more on which later) Ted 2 makes the titular character the main driving force of the story and wraps it in a courtroom drama amongst the tirade of jokes. While it is indeed ridiculous, there is an interesting message about equality that MacFarlane tries to put forward which, though it becomes mostly suffocated by the constant jokes.
That’s not to say the jokes are all miss and no hit. One particular highlight comes in true MacFarlane style with a dark and twisted scene at an improv show in which Ted and Johnny try to cheer themselves up by suggesting some outrageous scenarios for the poor performers. The rest of the hits come few and far apart…
The Bad
A lot of the jokes featured are at the expense of references to other, more respected and funnier films. Not so subtle nods are made towards films like Jurassic Park, Planes Trains and Automobiles, and The Breakfast Club, all of which are focused on for far too long to simply satisfy the audience.
Then there are the cameos. The two main ones (for UK audiences at least) being Jay Leno and Liam Neeson. Both of which feel cheap and struggle to bring many giggles. Neeson’s is the biggest offender, again trying to reference his current gruff voiced action hero stereotype but spending too long on it.
On the subject of the previously mentioned relationship between Johnny and Lori, Mila Kunis is very noticeably missing from the cast in this sequel. Her absence is explained away in a throwaway comment about the two having split up six months earlier. With reports that Kunis didn’t return due to both her pregnancy and MacFarlane’s desire to keep the focus away from Johnny and Lori’s relationship this time round, it’s understandable, yet still somewhat disappointing to see her written off in one sentence.
And while MacFarlane tries to keep the focus on Ted for this sequel, inevitably a familiar face returns, giving the final act a horrible feeling of ‘been there done that’.
The Ugly Truth
While the film’s main story and attempt at serious subtext is interesting and clearly trying to feel different from its predecessor, Ted 2 ultimately fails due to a high number of jokes falling flat. The film can’t avoid falling back on bad habits and being reliant on overlong cameos and clunky references to other films. The low-bro novelty value of MacFarlane’s foul mouthed teddy bear may already have worn off.
Terminator Genisys Review
The Plot
Arnold Schwarzenneger returns to the Terminator franchise as John Connor (Jason Clarke) sends Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back to 1985 to save his mother, Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke). But when Reese arrives, it appears the past has been altered and Sarah Conner is not the vulnerable victim she is meant to be thanks to her guardian, the T100 (Schwarzenneger).
The Good
The fifth and latest installment in the Terminator franchise, now over 30 years old, is undoubtedly the biggest game changer yet. With the task of bringing back fan favourite Arnold Schwarzenneger to his role, writers Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier have found a suitable loophole in the form of alternate timelines It also gives them an opportunity to bring back Sarah Connor, this time in the form of Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke. Clarke is a worthy successor to Linda Hamilton, playing one of the most iconic heroines of the sci-fi genre and almost instantly proving she has what it takes to be just as badass.
In a plot that spans over thirty years, Terminator Genisys feels like a celebration of the franchise as it begins to head towards an ending that can finally put the ongoing battle with Skynet to rest.
The Bad
The fundamental laws of time travel are mixed up so consistently that it becomes pointless to even try to fit this latest instalment in with the rest of the franchise. Even James Cameron’s original story is mercilessly slaughtered to make way for new adventures.
The X-Men franchise recently used the concept of alternate timelines to reboot itself entirely, likewise Planet of The Apes went back to a re-imagined origin story to recapture dominance of the big screen. Terminator Genisys takes the same drastic action, sacrificing decades worth of history with little respect for the original films beyond borrowing a few famous lines. Despite these occasional nods to fans, things soon turn sour as the new script mercilessly hammers its way through the iconic franchise in order to provide an excuse for further storytelling.
It’s hard to say much more in regards to the story without treading into spoiler territory but let’s just help/warn you by saying, wait during the credits.
While Emilia Clarke and Schwarzenneger deliver credibly strong performances for the most part, the other new faces are less impressive playing familiar characters. Jason Clarke’s John Connor is completely ruined beyond all compare in a twist that, had it not been already revealed in the trailer, could have been shocking. Meanwhile Jai Courtney continues to make audiences wonder exactly why studios seem so determined to consistently cast him in major franchises.
The Ugly Truth
Terminator: Genisys could have been final nail in the coffin for the franchise but just like Skynet, feels like it is an unrelenting force which can never truly be destroyed. This exhausting experimenting with time travel will likely just leave you with a pounding headache from the horde of unanswerable questions it poses. Long term fans of the franchise will be glad to see Arnold back, but sad to see the past films so shameless butchered to make room for his long delayed return.
Review by Johnny Ellis