“Gifted”: Evans is a superhero of an uncle in this engaging story

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Denise

” 3+3?  REALLY?  What kind of school is this?”

Nutshell: A sweet, simple tale of a little girl who is far from simple, but very sweet.  Director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) and an extremely talented cast elevate this trope-heavy tale, making it a extremely watchable slice-of-life story.  And I’m not just saying that because I fell in love with the one-eyed cat. Grade: A-

Story: “Quiet damaged hot guy” Frank (Chris Evans) tries to raise his crazy smart, crazy adorable niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) and give her a “normal” life outside of mathematical think tanks that could swallow her youthful joy whole.  But when his mother decides that Mary is destined for greatness, things start to get complex. Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: “Atomic Blonde” unleashes Charlize Theron

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Denise

Let’s continue the comic-book film trailers, shall we? With Atomic Blonde‘s new trailer, there’s New Order and Depeche Mode strike just the right late-80s vibe, and there’s plenty of John Wick-esque mayhem to keep action fans happy.  Though as much as I dig Kanye’s stuff, I was hoping for more straight-up Mode, and less sampling.  It is supposed to be 1989 in the film, after all.  Synopsis!

An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

I may feel differently once I finally dig into the graphic novel, but I hope not.  But right this minute? I’m digging this blend of action, tongue-in-cheek deadpan, and espionage thriller. I’m digging it a lot.

Atomic Blonde comes for you July 28th, 2017.

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TrailerWatch: “Thor: Ragnarok” gets cool…and comic. KEWL!

Posted on April 11, 2017 by Denise

And I mean “comic” in more than the ha-ha term.  Though there seems to be a lot more levity in Ragnarok than there’s been in prior films. Peep that helmet!  That’s the helm that launched a thousand cosplayers, my friends.

Why the tonal facelift? Well, I can only think of one reason; Ragnarok comes out in November, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters next month. So? I’m betting there’s an end-credits tidbit in GG2 with Thor running into our favorite band of interstellar misfits (and also Groot.) Placing my bets right this minute.

Check it: even the title font for Ragnarok is a trippy 70s flashback.  Remind you of anything? And hello Led Zep as the trailer soundtrack.  Could Star Lord’s musical predilections have rubbed off on the God of Thunder?  Only time will tell…

But right now, I’m just happy that Loki has finally washed his hair.  Dude, I know you’re the God of Chaos, but that doesn’t mean you have to walk around like every day’s the day before you get your shampoo on.  And with Thor’s new short ‘do, you’re the hair heir apparent.  Make him proud.

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TrailerWatch: “All Eyez on Me” extended trailer is just as riveting as Tupac himself

Posted on April 8, 2017 by Denise

The first time I saw a trailer for the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez on Me, I got chills. I sat in the theater with my mouth hanging open, as Demetrius Shipp Jr. embodied the late rapper. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Now this new trailer has even more harkbacks, with Biggie, Suge Knight, and an incredible message of empowerment and strength. If the movie is half as good as these trailers have been, I’m front and center, darlin’.

All Eyez on Me opens June 16th, 2017.

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Pony News: BronyCon brings Maddy Peters to Baltimare!

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Denise

Y’all – Y’ALL.  Scootaloo in tha house!  Okay, so it’s Maddy Peters – the lovely lady who voices Scootaloo – and she’ll be here in Baltimore for BronyCon.  But hello – Scootaloo in tha house!

Michelle Creber (aka Apple Bloom) was absolutely wonderful and amazing at last year’s BronyCon… Dare I hope?  Dare I even think?  I dare – I dare!  Can we wish upon a star and maybe see a Cutie Mark Crusaders gathering this year?  Who knows what BronyCon has in store, but either way, getting to see Maddy Peters and hear all about what it’s like to voice Rainbow Dash’s favorite sidekick will be a high point for me at this year’s shindig.  You too?  Uh, DUH.

Read all about it after the jump! Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The Promise”!

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Denise

I’ve been bingeing WWI documentaries and historical specials like crazy since I’ve been laid up.  Honestly; what I know about The Great War couldn’t fill a thimble.  (THANK YOU, Montgomery County Scools!)  So, when I was asked if I wanted to partner with the studio to give passes away for a film set in and around World War I, I jumped at it. Synopsis!

It is 1914. As the Great War looms, the mighty Ottoman Empire is crumbling. Constantinople, the once vibrant, multicultural capital on the shores of the Bosporus, is about to be consumed by chaos.

Michael Boghosian (Oscar Isaac), arrives in the cosmopolitan hub as a medical student determined to bring modern medicine back to Siroun, his ancestral village in Southern Turkey where Turkish Muslims and Armenian Christians have lived side by side for centuries. Photo-journalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale), has come here only partly to cover geo-politics. He is mesmerized by his love for Ana (Charlotte le Bon), an Armenian artist he has accompanied from Paris after the sudden death of her father.

When Michael meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between the two men. As the Turks form an alliance with Germany and the Empire turns violently against its own ethnic minorities, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to survive even as events threaten to overwhelm them.

Promises are made and promises are broken. The one promise that must be kept is to live on and tell the story.

The whole “Istanbul”/”Constantinople” re-naming has always been intriguing to me.  And let’s not even get started on Byzantium… Passe? Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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Con News: Awesome Con presents…Pride Alley! #LGBTQPride

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Denise

Awesome Con just keeps giving its fans – as well as their creators and guests – better and better things.  This time? A spotlight on “queer creators and fans”, as well as a way to consolidate LGBTQ ‘con stuff, so nobody has to miss a thing.  The DC area has an amazing, wonderful, awesome nerd community, and LGBTQ community.  So why not give to those that happen to share both types of awesomeness?  Right?  RIGHT!

And if you – yes, YOU – have any ideas, or want to participate in a Pride Alley table?  Give ’em a shout, why don’cha?

Read on for the full deets – and see you at Awesome Con!

Continue reading →

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Blu-ray Giveaway: “Split”!

Posted on April 3, 2017 by Denise

Did you see Split when it was in theaters?  Well, it was a delightful surprise; M. Night seems to be getting his groove back!  Haven’t seen it?  Or want to see it again (and again)?

Well, I’ve got you covered. I’ve got copies of Split, courtesy of Universal Pictures!  *flails arms like Kermit*  And I’m gonna make it rain Blu-rays y’all. Why?  Because it’s hitting stores on April 18th, is why.  So there.  Yeah.  Uh-huh y’all.

Ready to get your spooky Blu-ray on?  Let’s go! Continue reading →

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Con News: Baltimore Comic-Con’s “Spring Fling” welcomes Chris Ivy

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Denise

More info on BCC’s Spring Fling – and it looks like it’s gonna be pretty darn cool.

Chris Ivy has been doing great work on Army of Darkness, and has been inking up some great series, like Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Aliens vs. Predator vs. Terminator, and many, MANY more!

A big ol’ THANK YOU to the Hero Initiative for helping get Chris to the Fling! Read on for the full deets!

Continue reading →

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TrailerWatch: new trailer for “The Mummy” gives us more stunts, and more Princess Ahmanet!

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Denise

The Universal Monsters Shared Universe is ready to come at’cha with it’s first foray into shared-universe territory in decades with The Mummy. This second trailer shows that they’re not kidding around. They’re ready to bring it all to you, and scare you silly, even if they have to grab you by the lapel in order to do it.  Synopsis!

Tom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy.

Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.

From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.

I’m digging the modern day take, but right now this film feels a bit more like Tom Cruise Action Movie Number OMGHESDONESOMANY.  But the ZeroG behind-the-scenes featurette shows him grinning like a little kid on Christmas Day…and I can’t look away when Cruise gets excited about something.  Because I know that whatever it is, at least it’s gonna be a ton of fun. And also?  MONSTERS.

 

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