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Tag Archives: DC Comics

Weeknd Scene: Super Digital

February 4, 2018 By in Film Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

February 3 / 18

Hello everyone! Short, but simple post. I mentioned that two films are coming to digital this month, right? Something to do with a dude with a hammer and a group of superheroes creating a team? One Marvel, the other DC…Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League are coming to digital.

 

THOR: RAGNAROK / February 20 DVD/Blu-Ray: March 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE / February 13  DVD/Blu-Ray: March 13

 

 

Both will be available on iTunes and VUDU. As of right now, you can pre-order one or both films. That was short but simple and to the point. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, be blessed.

 

 

Image source: AppleInsider, The HD Room, Cosmic Book News, Batman-News.com, & Geeks of Color
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Creative Close-Up: DC Extended Universe is Not Dead

January 29, 2018 By in Film Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

January 29 / 18

Question…Is the DC Extended Universe Dead? For some or most people yes, but for those like me, no. Not even. We eagerly waited for Justice League to hit theaters. We were giving the latest superhero film high hopes, but alas, that wasn’t’ the case.

I for one like the film. Don’t get me wrong, it had its share of great and funny moments. There were some scenes that we saw in the trailers didn’t make it to the film. Let’s not forget about Henry Cavill‘s CGI disastrous upper lip. My only complaint is how rushed the film was. Zack Snyder had to leave due to a personal tragedy, so Joss Wheadon finished where Snyder left off. Wheadon wrote the screenplay (along with Chris Terrio) for the film. With both director’s visions put together, what we got was a mess.

 

 

Justice League grossed $655 million worldwide, while domestically the total was $227 million. These figures are low. I would’ve expected more from both markets, but again, that’s not the case. According to Wikipedia, the film’s tone met a polarized reception. While some appreciated the lighter tone than previous DC films, others found it inconsistent. I felt the performances of all the cast were great. Then again, as I said before in my review of the film, Ben Affleck, although gave his best, I have a feeling he may not want to play the Dark Knight anytime soon.

According to another report I read by Chaim Gartenberg for The Verge, Warner Bros., and DC will minimize the interconnected DC Extended Universe for future films. Meaning that they will probably focus on stand-alone films. Wonder Woman was proof of that, but DC can do even more.

AS THE SAYING GOES…HASTE MAKES WASTE

Problem is that DC is playing catchup with Marvel. Marvel has been successful with how they handled their films. They took the time and energy to really build a roster of films that required a great deal of writing and character development. Meanwhile, DC rushed to get themselves noticed. Yes, it’s good to see what your competition is doing, but what worked for them, may not work for you. DC needs to stop worrying about Marvel is doing and focus on what they need to do. When I say focus, I mean they need to figure out what will work for them. How to create a franchise that will work for all is the task they need to focus on.

 

After the box office failure of Justice League, what’s next for DC?

 

DC’S NEXT STRATEGY

Wonder Woman is the only film that did well. Insanely well. What made the film successful? For one thing Patty Jenkins in the director’s chair, screenwriter Allen Heinberg, with Synder, Heinberg, and Jason Fuchs with writing the story, plus the strong and vulnerable performance from Gal Gadot, the film became a box office hit in all the right places. It gave a fresh direction to a heroine icon. I was really happy when Diana was introduced in Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Gadot has said, 

“for a long time, people didn’t know how to approach the story. When Patty and I had our creative conversations about the character, we realized that Diana can still be a normal woman, one with very high values, but still a woman. She can be sensitive. She is smart and independent and emotional. She can be confused. She can lose her confidence. She can have confidence. She is everything. She has a human heart.” Need I say more?

I think its’ safe to say that DC’s chances of getting this right are to focus on stand-alone films. Of course, they still have a few things to iron out. For example, The Flash. Loved Ezra Miller‘s take on Barry Allen. We now know that the film will be titled as Flashpoint. The script is ready, but there have been some hiccups, trying to find the right director for the project seemed almost impossible.  Seth Grahame-Smith was the first pick, then came Rick Famuiwa, but due to creative differences with the studio, both left the project. Just recently John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are in negotiations to direct. Let’s hope this turns out well. I can only hope the studio can step back and let these two guys, along with the screenwriters and story writer’s visions come to the screen. I can also hope that the film will come soon. If not 2019, maybe 2020. Maybe it’s time for Synder to remove himself from directing and focus more on storytelling and producing. That will be the best thing for the franchise.

Warner Bros. is slowly and surely setting their roster of more films to come. I really do think that standalone films can pull DC out of its funk make the franchise successful. The extended universe is not dead. They just need to fully put their time, focus, and effort on what they are doing.

Release dates for upcoming DC films:

Aquaman: December 21, 2018

Shazam: April 5, 2019

Wonder Woman: November 1, 2019

Cyborg: April 3, 2020

Image source: Flickering Myth, Nerdist, & Inverse

 

Best of 2017: Film

December 24, 2017 By in Film Tags: , , , , , , ,

December 23 / 17

Hello! Best of 2017 has come to a close and what better way to close it with the Best of Film. 2017 gave us what we needed in this department. The big blockbusters and the small indie hits. Here is the top ten…

 

 

Wonder Woman

 

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t seen it, including me!)

 

 

 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

 

 

 

Thor: Ragnarok

 

 

 

Kong: Skull Island

 

 

 

It

 

 

 

Annabell: Creation

 

 

 

Wind River

 

 

 

Justice League

 

 

 

Murder on the Orient Express

 

Spiderman: Homecoming and Alien Covenant are not on the list, but both these films did well for this year. Can’t wait to see what 2018 will bring.

 

 

Image source: Cinema Blend & Variety

 

 

Creative Close-Up: Why I Love DC & Marvel….

November 30, 2017 By in Creative Close-Up Tags: , , , , ,

November 30 / 17

With the third installment of Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League, Marvel, and DC are busy whipping up superhero films left and right….well, Marvel is. DC is just catching up. You have people who love DC, like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and then there are those who love Marvel, such as Captain America, Iron Man, Spiderman, and the Hulk. Me? I simply love both Marvel and DC. Yeah, I said it. Why? Well….

Both Have Created Complex Heroes

DC has their god-like superheroes with their fair share of problems. Let’s look at Superman. For at least the past several decades this Kryptonian has become the fixture your typical boy scout hero, with the power to destroy Earth, but he chooses to not to. Even though he’s forbidden to get involved with Earth’s affairs, he chooses to do the opposite. He wants to be the solution instead of the problem. While people embraced him, some have not. Even though he has his adoptive mother, Martha Kent and the love of his life, Lois Lane, he still feels alone. You have to remember this man is an alien from another planet, while just trying to do right in the world. Batman, Bruce Wayne, is just your average regular guy, well, a very wealthy guy I might add, who decides to fight crime in the city of Gotham. We all know how his parents died and who is responsible. I think he hasn’t fully healed from that tragedy in his life. It’s an open wound, almost a reminder of why he does the job anyway. Which reminds me of a scene from Justice League. How much longer can Bruce continue as the Dark Knight? He’s not like Superman or even Wonder Woman. Diana, Princess of Thymescra, knows the ways of the Amazons, but she also had to learn the world of men.

While DC has their complex heroes, Marvel has them also. Stephen Rodgers, the man behind Captain America is a man out of his time. He’s adjusting to a world different from the one he left behind. Like Superman, Rodgers is always up to the challenge to do the right thing. I always think that Rodgers is one of those guys who always have morals and sticks to them. That’s why people respect him. Bruce Banner, whose alter ego is the Hulk, is a man I have sympathy for. Banner, who was exposed to gamma rays during an experiment, becomes the Hulk in emotional distress or sometimes against his will. When you really think about it, the Hulk represents an almost dark psyche persona of Banner.

The thing is these heroes have their share of problems no matter how super or tough they are.

Both Have Crazy Cool Villains

With every protagonist, there is an antagonist. That is the staple of a great comic or graphic novel right? Both Marvel and DC have given us plenty of that. You got the Joker, Catwoman, Lex Luther, Thanos, Ultron, Loki….I can only say that these villains have reasons for what they do, but they are just as complex or more as the heroes.  You know their bad, but you want to root for them, well some of them. Lex Luther, that one foe of Superman…a man with a plan. He hates what Superman stands for yet, he’s intrigued by what makes the Man of Steel who he is. Joker, on the other hand, he’s just plain crazy. The polar opposite of Batman, both were created from tragic events. He’s unpredictable, almost one step ahead of the game and downright dangerous. You really don’t want to mess with him or his main squeeze Harley Quinn. Shes just as crazy as he his, a psychopath really, but she does have a heart, in her own crazy way.

Thor’s adoptive brother, Loki has issues…deep-seated issues, daddy issues. He craves love and attention. Magneto, a survivor of the horrors of Auschwitz and Nazi Germany, is willing to use force to protect mutant kind. Thanos, well he’s just dangerous and threatening. Sometimes you just can’t place a finger on to why these guys are just crazy cool. They just are. You do sympathize as to why they do the most despicable things. There is always a reason to the madness.

 

The Best of Both

To sum it up, the world of DC and Marvel have created a universe that will continue to new generations of fans. DC fans, Marvel fans, or both. I’ve followed both from a very early age. Wonder Woman has always been my favorite so to see her on the big screen was a great thrill. I’m expecting the same for Captain Marvel.

Marvel has up the ante with the whole Cinematic Universe. Now that Avengers: Infinity War trailer has arrived, the expectations are high! We waited a good long while for this didn’t we? The solo films of Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, and Captain America gave us an introduction to the characters. I can’t wait to see Black Panther and let’s hope that Black Widow gets her own solo film. I don’t know how many more films Marvel has planned, but we’ll see how far they can go.

DC has a lot of catching up to do. I was very excited about Justice League. While I thorouly enjoyed the film, I was disappointed that some scenes were left out. If you’ve seen the trailer, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. I wanted to know a little more about the Flash and Cyborg, but I can only hope that a director’s cut will be available when it hits digital and Blu-Ray. Again, DC has some catching up do to. The DC Extended Universe still has some bugs, but I’m positive that we can still see some great storyline and character developments coming soon.

In my opinion, there is no such thing as DC vs Marvel. Nope, there is room for all.

 

 

 

Image source: Euro Palace

Weekend Scene: DC Writers Workshop 2017

August 19, 2017 By in Literature Tags: , , , ,

August 19 / 17

Found something for those who are diehard DC Comic people and who love to write….

Credit source: DC

DC is ushering in a new class of up-and-coming comic talent with the launch of the 2017 Writers Workshop program, led once again by bestselling writer Scott Snyder. The DC Talent Development team fielded more than a thousand entries again this year, selecting the best of the best among aspiring writers.

Members of the class of 2017 participating in the 13-week program include Sanya Anwar (1001), Ryan Cady (BIG MOOSE), Joey Esposito (PAWN SHOP, CAPTAIN ULTIMATE), Robert Jeffrey (ROUTE 3, RADIO FREE AMERIKA), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (LAST SONS OF AMERICA, WARLORDS OF APPALACHIA), and Magdalene Visaggio (KIM & KIM, QUANTUM TEENS ARE GO).

“We are entering the third year of this program and I’m proud to say this year’s class is another group of top notch, aspiring talent,” stated DC’s Vice President and Executive Editor of Young Reader and Talent Development, Bobbie Chase. “It’s heartening to see past Workshop participants receive regular work at DC and I have no doubt that Scott will empower this new class to be at the forefront of writing great stories for comics.”

Writers Workshop teacher Scott Snyder added, “Teaching this workshop has been one of the real highlights of my time at DC and I can’t wait to get started again. It’s an honor and thrill to work with such inspired and inspiring talent.”

DC’s Talent Development Workshop began with a pilot session in 2015, and since then the program has resulted in several participants receiving new assignments from DC editorial. For example, the upcoming mini-series BATMAN AND THE SIGNAL will be co-written by ’16 Writers Workshop graduate Tony Patrick, alongside his teacher, Scott Snyder, with art by the acclaimed Cully Hamner. Also, the latest edition of DC’s NEW TALENT SHOWCASE will be released in November and will feature stories from graduates of past DC Writers and Artists Workshops.

For more information visit the DC Talent Development Workshop website.

Just click on the link above to get all the info you need!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image credit: Talking Comics

 

Film Review: Wonder Woman

June 6, 2017 By in Film Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

June 5 / 17

Wonder Woman…..The amazing Amazon’s story is finally on the big screen and it was good….We follow Diana’s journey from her island home Themyscira, where her mother Hippolyta (Connie Nielson) is queen. For those of you who are true Wonder Woman fans, you know how this island paradise came to be. The Amazons were created by the gods of Mount Olympus to protect mankind from Ares, God of War. Diana wants to fight and be a great warrior, but her mother is against it, thinking that Ares is long dead and won’t return. Her aunt, General Antiope (Robin Wright) thinks the opposite and believes that her niece needs the training. By the time she’s a fully grown woman, Diana is already a warrior. Things get interesting when a plane crash-lands near the island. Diana saves the pilot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) from the wreckage, but is followed by the Germans. Diana is clearly willing to fight Trevor’s war, World War I that is, thinking it’s the Amazon’s responsibility to fight. She goes with Trevor into the world of man to fight in the Great War.

Gal Gadot…ready for battle as the Amazon Princess.

 

Gal Gadot brings humor and humanity to the role as the 5,000-year-old Amazon. Danny Huston as the German General Erich Ludendorff, Elena Anaya as Doctor Poison, and the rest of the cast balanced out well with their performances.

 

Connie Nielson as Queen Hippolyta…Robin Wright as General Antiope.

 

Director Patty Jenkins brings a fresh perspective into the world of Wonder Woman. There are some touching moments in the film, especially between Gadot and Pine. We see a woman who is willing to do the right thing, but clearly, she has a lot to learn about how this world works. What I like with both DC and Marvel is that these heroes are not afraid to show who they truly are, even though they have their own share of flaws. You get that here with Wonder Woman. So do I think the film gives her story justice? Yeah, I me thinks it does.

 

Danny Huston as General Erich Ludendorff….Elena Anaya as Dr. Poison.

 

I also think that we finally get to see a solo female superhero film with all the bells and whistles that it deserves. Is it perfect? No, but I’m happy with how the film turned out and I can’t wait to see more about this cultural icon.

Wonder Woman: A+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featured images: Forbes, IGN.com, Wallpaper Abyss, Comic Book &

 

 

 

Shadow Spotlight: Jack Kirby

December 5, 2016 By in Art Tags: , , , , , ,

December 5 / 16

Hello and Good Morning! Again, since this month will be short, for the next few weeks, I will be cramming lots of things in. The late Jack Kirby is this month’s Shadow Spotlight.

With Captain America, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and the Hulk, Kirby is pretty much a comic legend. Not only with Marvel, but also DC.  I found a documentary film about the man. It’s a five-part documentary, but this will give an insight into who this man was and how much of an influence he was and still is to the comic book world.

 

 

 

 

 

You can go to this site, Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center to know more about Kirby’s work.

I hope you enjoyed this post. It was great to work on and I’m happy to see the results. Come back for more Wednesday. Enjoy your Monday, be blessed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featured images: comicbook.com

Shadowbox Review of Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice

April 4, 2016 By in Film Tags: , , , , , , , ,

April 4 / 16

Afternoon! Trust that the weekend has been kind to everyone. Of course you guys know that this is a film review, but don’t hold your breath too much. There won’t be a film review post all the time. I would need help with that department. I’m only doing films that interests me and DC and Marvel have whipped up films for a long while….mostly Marvel. DC has put Superman and Batman on the big screen, but there are doing some catching up in the DC Extended Universe. I finally saw Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Hero or threat?

 

Like a few or maybe more comic book die hards, I’ve been waiting to see this for quite some time. As most of you know, the critics have been pretty harsh with the film, but the box office numbers really did the talking.

Ok….the film starts off two years after Superman’s (Henry Cavill) battle with General Zod, which almost left the city of Metropolis in shambles. People were left hurt, angry, even helpless. Billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck)….who has fought crime in Gotham as Batman….feels Superman is a threat to humanity and Superman feels pretty much the same about Batman.

Affleck as Batman? Cool…..

 

Superman has become a controversial figure among the public….is he the protector of Earth or something worse? Enter Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), ceo of LexCorp, who has plans of his own. Finally we have Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, (Gal Gadot) an antiques dealer added to the mix.

Batman vs Superman has ticked the boxes for me, but why have them fighting among each other and did the whole thing make even a bit of sense? In a way no, but who didn’t want to see DC’s heavy weights fighting it out? What really got me hyped was Wonder Woman. After reading that she may or may not be on the big screen, she’s finally here and is a kick ass character on the screen. Gadot did a respectable job as Wonder Woman, even though people still think she’s wrong to play the iconic Amazon princess.

Finally!

 

When I heard that Affleck was cast as Batman, I thought ok…..did he have what it took to play the Dark Knight? My answer: yes. Cavill in my opinion is the perfect Superman and not because he has the body for it either. He may not be the Superman that we grew up with, but Cavill gives his unique spin and it fits well. Eisenberg’s psychotic, but smart take on Luther was whole another level. Two of great performances from Holly Hunter as Kentucky Senator June Finch and Jeremy Iron as Alfred were a welcome addition.

The plot was a bit topsy-turvy, but again the film didn’t fail me being a great comic book superhero movie.

 

 

Three against one…..

 

Enjoy the rest of your Monday and be always blessed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

featured & other photo cred: comingsoon.net, techtimes.com, gratistoto.com, movies.mostersandcritics.com, and designtaxi.com