SDCC 2016 Thoughts #2

My second round of thoughts on the exciting news coming from San Diego Comic Con!

Lets start with that new The Walking Dead trailer for season 7 which you can see below:

Well considering it's three minutes long, it certainly didn't give anything away about last seasons frustrating cliffhanger. They are really going to milk the cow with this one aren't they. Not that they should give anything away now, but I am definitely in the camp who thinks the show should have revealed the death in the episode rather than making us wait 6 months when we will be less emotionally invested. Apart from that this trailer just featured a lot of zombie killings and some cool new characters. Now I have read the comic books and I can tell you now that I am surprised they are going forward with Ezekial's pet tiger, it kind of works in the comics but in terms of realism it's pushing the boat out a bit. Hopefully it will be great but I find the show to be a bit hit and miss nowadays so who knows how it could turn out. However the last season excelled when it followed the source material more closely so here's hoping that next season is great!

Now onto my favourite trailer of the day American Gods. This show is coming in early 2017 and will adapt Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name. For what many thought was an un-adaptable book, the trailer below looks very faithful!



Well that looks great! And if you're a fan of the books then you have to admit that the cast is pretty damn perfect. I can't wait to see how they pull of some of the weird and wonderful content from the books and I also can't wait to see the general public's reaction to it. If they pull it off then this could be a massive hit.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D also unveiled that Ghost Rider will be appearing in their season 4 with this teaser.


Now this Ghost Rider isn't going to be the Johnny Blaze that most know from the comics but lesser known character Robbie Reyes who has a car instead of a motorcycle.

And this is the car!

It will be interesting to see how the show incorporates the character into the story and just how much we see of him as we have to imagine that there will be a lot of CGI. Now the people who make the show have pulled of some very impressive shots before so I have faith in that department. Story wise though this latest season went from amazing to mediocre so hopefully they can pull something out of the bag.

Now for Comic Con tonight is the big night, this is when the big Studios like Marvel and Warner Brothers showcase their upcoming films so expect trailer and surprises galore. I personally want some Spider-Man: Homecoming casting news (i.e who the massive cast are playing!) and trailers for both Wonder Woman and Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2.

Not sure when the next post will be on as it's going to be a busy weekend for myself but be sure to check back at some point soon to hear my latest thoughts on the SDCC news! Until then here are some cool posters that have been released at the con.

Thanks for reading!

SDCC 2015 Thoughts #1

Another year, another San Diego Comic Con. Unfortunately I still haven't been able to make to the Con yet, but will still provide you with some of my thoughts on the news that has come out so far.

Lets start big with Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. No huge news came from Star War's first Hall H panel, but we did get treated to a very powerful and emotional behind the scenes video for the upcoming film. I feel this video did more than a trailer ever could, it created excitement by making you feel like something big is coming up and the people involved with bringing a huge part of my childhood back to life, are just excited as I am! Good move Star Wars, good move. Check it out below:

After the panel, fans were treated to a special concert and were escorted out of the building to witness the amazing soundtrack played live. Although this sounds amazing it did mean that Star Wars screwed over Kevin Smith, whose panel followed theirs, meaning he was left with a smaller crowd to witness the trailer for his new film Yoga Hosers. Hopefully the trailer will be released online soon! To tide us Smith fans over though, here's a picture of Kevin as one of the villains in his new film, a bratwurst...

The Walking Dead also released trailers for there new season at the con, as well as their spin off show Fear The Walking Dead. The trailer for season 6 looks good but is nothing special in my eyes. Fear The Walking Dead looks really good though! It's a lot different to the original series and I look forward to seeing what the creators do with show since they aren't constricted by the comic books. It looks a lot like World War Z to me as well. Check them out below:

That's it for now but make sure to check back tomorrow for more SDCC news, especially since we still have the Batman V Superman panel coming up, fingers crossed for a new trailer!

Thanks for reading!

GUEST POST: Atlanta & The Movies: How the South Secured Its Spot on the Silver Screen

Another guest post today, this one is from Ron Goldenberg on how Atlanta is becoming the new Hollywood for the American film industry.

Ron Goldenberg is the manager of Atlanta Lockmasters and loves sharing his love for Atlanta through blogging. Whether you need your car unlocked or a recommendation for an ATL restaurant or attraction, Ron is your man!

Read on and enjoy!

When you think of classic Hollywood cinema, most likely, images of L.A.’s Sunset Strip or NYC’s iconic skyline come to mind. However, within recent years, another up-and-coming city has been stealing the scene from these larger markets by redirecting the film industry’s focus down South. And, that city just happens to be Atlanta.

The Atlanta skyline. You may recognize this from The Walking Dead season 1 poster. All the urban/city shots in the series are filmed in Atlanta where the series takes place.

This connection between flashy Tinsel Town and the simpler Peach State -- which has a thriving arts culture but isn’t exactly a mecca for commercialized entertainment -- has left many movie fans confused. Atlanta residents, in particular, are probably wondering: “Why our city? Why Georgia, in general? Why are A-list stars, like Will Ferrell or Jennifer Lawrence, filming right here in our backyard?”   

Well, to begin with, cutting costs plays a major role in why blockbuster directors and in-demand actors are suddenly relocating their projects to ATL. In 2008, Georgia legislators passed appealing tax credits for film and television production. Hollywood wasted no time responding to this incentive and, thus, the collaboration was born. In fact, during the 2014 fiscal year alone, studio executives spent an estimated $1.4 billion shooting big-budget movies -- like The Hunger Games -- and TV programs -- like The Walking Dead -- throughout metro-Atlanta.

This arrangement is mutually stimulating for both the Peach and Golden State economies, as increased jobs are being created for Georgia workers, and California’s sky-high entertainment expenditures are finally getting a break. Multiple production companies, such as Tyler Perry Studios and Pinewood Studios, have even been built in Atlanta or surrounding locales.     

And filmmakers do enjoy working in the city. Many have stated that the commute in Atlanta is much better compared to the deadly freeways of Los Angeles.

These examples are just a sampling of the many box office smashes that have turned ATL into an epic cinematic backdrop:    

• Dirty Grandpa, starring Zac Efron and Robert DeNiro, centers around a young soon-to-be-married man, who is manipulated into road-tripping to Florida with his laughably perverted grandfather. This movie was filmed in the Atlanta suburbs of Marietta, McDonough and Riverside, and on Tybee Island.
  
  
  
  
  
• The Accountant, starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick and J.K. Simmons, centers around a seemingly clean-cut accountant, who works at a prestigious financial firm by day but transforms into a nefarious assassin by night. This movie was filmed in downtown Atlanta, including the Georgia Tech campus.
  

• Captain America: Civil War, starring Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd and Jeremy Renner, picks up where Avengers: Age of Ultron left off and centers around a potentially catastrophic feud between superheroes, Captain America and Iron Man. This movie is currently being filmed in the metro-Atlanta area.
  

• Michelle Darnell, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell and Peter Dinklage, centers around the title character, a financial tycoon with questionable ethics, who is released from prison after serving time for an insider trading scheme and tries to subsequently rebrand herself as “America’s sweetheart.” This movie was filmed in various Atlanta neighborhoods, including Midtown and Buckhead.
  

• Guardians of the Galaxy 2, starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana and others to-be-announced, picks up where the highly successful Guardians of the Galaxy left off. Although Marvel has not yet disclosed any plot details, principal photography will reportedly be shot at Atlanta’s soon-to-open Pinewood Studios.
  

Finally, Atlanta is home to many student and indie filmmakers. Georgia State University and SCAD (Savannah School of Art & Design - Atlanta Campus) have many student filmmakers hoping to create something unique which they can present in their city. Whether this be at the High Museum of Art which presents short films regularly or the well known Atlanta Film Festival, expect to see the next Spielberg or Tarantino rise from the South’s Capital.

So, while currently many movies are being filmed in ATL are attempting to pass themselves off as taking place in NYC or other major cities, I predict that as this Southern city gains more notoriety, that we’ll be seeing more plots centered in Atlanta (like Ride Along starring Kevin Hart & Ice Cube and The Walking Dead series already have). Atlanta is truly an up & coming place for the film industry; it’s full of talent and promise, y’all.

Thanks for reading!

Ron Goldenberg

Sources:

http://www.myajc.com/news/business/la-studio-signs-on-for-gwinnett-film-complex/ng6yB/

http://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/whats-filming-now-alvin-and-the-chipmunks-4-michelle-darnell-being-mary-jane-plus-five-tv-pilots/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1860213/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140479/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3498820/?ref_=nv_sr_1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2702724/?ref_=nv_sr_1

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3896198/?ref_=nv_sr_2

SDCC 2014 Thoughts #2

Another day and a load more cool stuff coming out of San Diego Comic Con. This post features awesomeness from Interstellar, Avenger: Age of Ultron, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.

Mathew Mchonuaghey and Christoper Nolan both made suprise appearnaces last night at SDCC, promoting their new film Interstellar. A trailer was shown but unfortunately it won't be online for a few weeks yet. Reports were all posotive though and I thought I would share a few interesting tidbits from screenrant.com who were at the panel:

-Nolan wants to create a realistic viewpoint from inside of a space craft to outer soace.
-The Movie is important noe because Nolan says we're at the "cusp" of space exploration.
-2001: A Space Odyssey is the Interstellar's inspiration - Nolan wants his film to be equally as ambitious.
- He joked about not listing everything that's influenced Interstellar to avoid people knowing what he's copying from.
-Nolan says the story is really about what it means to be human and our role in the universe. 

Alright, alright, alright...

More posters have been released for Avengers: Age of Ultron and soon enough we'll get the full image that they'll make up. The two latest feature Quicksilver, Hawkeye and more importanty, our first look at The Vision! I've also included a new still from the film which features Black Widow riding a Harley Davidson whilst sporting Captain America's shield.

Very, very cool. Joss Whedon has also been talking up the film and said in an interview said that there will be 'four prominent female roles' in it. So far we know Black Widow, Scarlet Witch and Maria Hill will feature in the sequel but who could the fourth be? Ms Marvel maybe? Who knows, all could be revealed in the next couple days.

In Game of Thrones new, several new cast member have been added to the show, including Jonathon Pryce who will be playing the High Sparrow in season 5. Take a look at the video below where the new cast reveal themselves.

The Walking Dead have released a trailer season 5 of their show. I am starting to get a little tired of this show but the new trailer looks promising and seems to take whats left of the group in a new direction. Take a look below:

That's it for today. Check back later for more news! 

Thanks for reading!

SDCC 2013 Thoughts #3

More news straight out of Comic Con from The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

So here's a 4 minute trailer for season 4 of The Walking Dead.

If you were like me then you were left disappointed at the end of season 3 of the show. However as they have strayed quite far away from the comics, it's anyones guess as to what could happen! Now the trailer gives you a bit of insight but leaves enough out to crave for more. It does also show some badass hammer action from fan favourite Tyreese who I cannot wait to see in action. The trailer looks promising and I just hope new showrunner Scott Gimple has thing back under control.

As Game of Thrones season 4 is so far off not much was released at the convention. However we did get to see a heartbreaking video of all we have lost on the show so far. If you haven't seen the show do not watch!!

Last of all more Spidey news! Now we haven't seen a trailer just of yet but here is a description of some of the footage shown to audiences at the panel.

Starts with the city. A truck coming down the street. Cops following. Truck plows through barricade. Spider-Man jumping on cop cars. Jumps onto the hood of the truck. Lets himself in. Cut to Peter arguing with his [Aunt May] about doing laundry. Back to the truck. Spider-Man flies down and saves someone. It's Max! Max says he's nobody. Spider-Man assures him that he's not a nobody. He's a somebody. Then he webs the trucker to the center of the street. Max watches Spider-Man in awe. He seems awkward and insecure. He wishes he was like Spider-Man. Gwen says she loves Peter Parker more than Spider-Man. Max climbs into a tube. Gets electrocuted and then falls into a tank full of something swimming. The tank bursts. Next time we see his face, it's glowing under a hood. "You will never be invisible again," Harry (pretty sure) tells him. Max says he wants people to feel what it feels like to live in his world. A world without power. We see him floating and zapping people with his hands. All the lights in Times Square go out and then everything explodes. Spider-Man catches a cop car just before it lands on someone.

Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=83673#gfMEB8ugRgD2KqbW.99 

Sounds awesome right! Fans were also treated to Andrew Garfield all dressed up and in character as Spider-Man addressing questions and talking about his recently considered sexuality. Here is a link to where you can see the video: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/comic-con/news/?a=83699

Last of all, fans were treated to the first full showing of the pilot to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D a spin off from the MArvel Cinematic Universe and all first reviews of the episode are extremely positive and exciting!

Check back later for more on SDCC!

Review of 2011

So 2012 (the ultimate year) is here and 2011 has passed away into the past. But was it a good year for films? Ask me this time last year I would have said yes but ask me now and I would say it wasn't as good as predicted but still pretty awesome. Here is my review of the year for all media types not just film but TV and music also. So since this is film blog we will start with my top 10 films of the year first!

10. Thor
The god of thunder strikes in at number 10! The first of two Marvel movies last year and personally the least favourite of the two. Don't get me wrong it was a good film but lacked some of the brilliance of Captain America. But still got me super excited for The Avengers! And Chris Hemsworth is an awesome Thor! I must say it was hard decision between this and Rise of the Planet of the Apes which was also awesome!

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Personally not my favourite of the franchise but a pretty action packed finale. The whole world is now suffering from post Potter stress and for me I think it will kick in more this year when we don't get another one.

8. Captain America - The First Avenger
The star spangled man is number 8! Great film that works better then I thought it would, yes it's a bit cheesy but it's called Captain America! Though the the second half of the film feels a bit rushed it's still a great film!

7. Hugo
Yes it was a bit slow! And yes it probably wasn't a film that kids would rush to see but film buffs like myself loved Martin Scorsese's latest film! After all it revolves around the creation of film! And my god was the 3D incredible! Personally for me it was better then Avatar's 3D.

6. Source Code
Duncan Jones has done it again, the who made Moon has made another brilliant film! When I first heard of the film I didn't rush out to see it but when I finally saw it, it blew me away. Probably my most recommended film of the year! Everyone must see it!

5. Submarine
A film  I really wanted to see as soon as I heard about it. Funny man Richard Ayoadem directorial debut and what a cracker it was! Craig Roberts is a brilliant actor and the films wierdness and originality really makes it one of the best of the year! And the soundtrack is the best of the year also!

4. Crazy Stupid Love
One of the suprise hits of the year! Crazy Stupid Love is one of the funniest and heart felt movies of the year. Brilliant film with great acting from babe Ryan Gosling and funnyman Steve Carell.

3. 50/50
Who knew a comedy about cancer could be so heartfelt and emotional. A tough film to sell but there was no way it couldn't make it on this list! I'm still backing Joseph Gordon-Levitt for an Oscar!

2. X-Men First Class
I love superheroes and this is one of the best superhero films I have seen! The best of the series and Micheal Fassbender is one of the best actors around at the moment! So many 'YES!' moments it's unbelieveable!

1. Super 8

What can I say about this film? Truly an incredible experience that brought back to life the classic hits of E.T and Close Encounters and mashed them up into a new original movie! J.J Abrhams is making his name as one of Hollywoods greatest even more clear. What a Director! What a film! And the child acting was some of the best I have seen!

So that concludes my film list of 2011! But What about TV I hear you ask? Well actually thats my next list!

5. Bored to Death
This show is a smart comedy about the life of private detective Jonathon Ames. It is very funny and suprisingly emotional in places. Unfortuantly the show has recently been cancelled which make me very sad indeed.

4. Phsychoville
Not everyone will get this comedy as it is very wierd but for me it is extremely funny! Again it is one of those comedys that can be very on the edge but also quite emotional in places.

3. Boardwalk Empire

What a show. I love period gangstar movies and this is a show that mixes the best of them into one. It is very smart and very powerfull. Now nearing the end of its second season it truly is an epic!

2. Being Human
Another mixture of comedy and drama. One of the best shows on telly. Though I must add I am talking about the original UK version rather then the remake US one. Really is am ust see show that doesnt get enough attention. Not all vampires are vegieterians and glow in the sun! The show is returning this year for its 4th series though I ma optomistic as most of the main cast are leaving. I hope it still is great!

1. The Walking Dead
I didn't think I would be a fan of this show as I am not a big fan of the genre. But now after getting to the mid season finale of the second season it truly is one of the best shows ever made. Not so much about the zombies but more about the people and their journey in this harsh new reality. Very very powerful. The latest episode almost had me in tears!


So thats TV over and now for my faviroute music albums of 2011!

3. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
 A good album from one of the biggest bands around. Better then their last which I did not enjoy that much. Great album!

2. JAY Z & Kanye West - Watch The Throne
The collaberation album from heaven. Truly awesome as the rappers produce some of their best music yet. Not as good as Kanye's last album My Dark Twisted Fantasy but still very cool!

1. The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
A great first album for the band which has some great songs with some quite funny lyrics at times. My fav of the year! Check it out!

And that concludes my review of 2011. A good year for film! A great year for TV! An ok year for music! And as you know I already think 2012 will be the most awesome year yet and I hope I am not wrong! Keep following my blog as hopefully this year it will just get bigger and better! And remember With Great Powers Comes Great Responsibility!
Follow me on twitter! @SuperAlexMan