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| By Marshall Julius |
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| Image credit: The Strong National Museum Of Play |
Z2 Comics, the boutique graphic novel publisher of acclaimed graphic novels by Paul Pope, Harvey Pekar, Dean Haspiel and Miss Lasko-Gross, announced today a new line of creator owned periodical comic books.Read more »
The New York-based company will launch its periodical line in the fall of 2015 with three dynamic titles: the first creator owned comic book by BRAVEST WARRIORS comic book artist Ian McGinty, an international adventure caper by Paul Pope’s protege Chris Hunt, and the comic book debut by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver writer Will Tracy and co-writer Gabe Koplowitz. All Z2 Comics standard periodicals will be 32 pages and priced at $3.99; they will be distributed at comic book stores nationwide via Diamond and will be available digitally via ComiXology.
“There’s no house style to Z2 Comics, because our comics are spectacularly diverse,” said Z2 Comics Publisher Josh Frankel. “We have an all ages comic book chock full of demons and monsters about the eternal tension between a slacker son and his ambitious father who literally wants to take over the universe. There’s a world trotting caper full of sex, intrigue and adventure. And then there’s a hilarious fantasy story about an aspiring cartoonist who must avenge his father’s death.”
“Z2 Comics are wildly eclectic,” said Frankel. “What does a graphic novel from Paul Pope, Dean Haspiel or Miss Lasko Gross have in common with the periodicals announced today? They are exceptional works from exceptional creators and comics you’ll want to read.”
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| Reviewed by Caitlyn Thompson |
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| Review by Stefan Blitz |
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| I'd like to discuss the Forces of Geek Initiative... |
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| By Elizabeth Weitz |
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| By Erin Maxwell |
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| “This Is Our World Now… The World of The Electron And The Switch, The Beauty of The Baud.” – The Mentor, The Hacker’s Manifesto |
While practicing the tricks of the trade, a neophyte “hacker” accomplishes the nearly impossible: he hacks the highly secured computer at the Ellingson Mineral Corporation. But in doing so, he unknowingly taps into a high-tech embezzling scheme masked by a computer virus with the potential to destroy the world’s ecosystem! And when the young hacker and his pals are targeted for the crime, the group must launch a massive cyberspace attack—one that will hopefully clear their names and prevent ecological disaster.
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| 20th Century Fox / Released 6/9/15 |
A super-secret organization recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a dire global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. A phenomenal cast, including Academy Award Winners Colin Firth and Michael Caine and Oscar Nominee Samuel L. Jackson, leads this action-packed spy-thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class). Extras include featurettes and image galleries.
Last Word: The spy movie genre of late has gotten pretty grim. From the gritted teeth of Jason Bourne or 007 to the polite office politics of George Smiley to revenge obsessed Bryan Mills, being a secret agent doesn't seem like much fun. Unless, you're a Kingsman.
In one of cinema's most unique partnerships, comic book writer Mark Millar has teamed up with director Matthew Vaughn and screenwriter Jane Goldman for the second time to adapt one of Millar's properties to the silver screen.
The first collaboration, 2010's Kick-Ass, pondered what being a superhero would be like for the average teenager in the real world. Now the attention has turned to gentlemen spy. Scottish Millar is a bit of a P.T. Barnum of comics, playing the press with exaggerated hints of news. But there's a catch; He delivers.
So far several films based on his material have been released including Wanted, Kick-Ass 1 & 2, and Kingsman with upcoming projects including Nemesis to be directed by Joe Carnahan, Supercrooks with director Nacho Vigalando and Superior, potentially again with Vaughn. His work on the Ultimate X-Men and Ultimate Fantastic Four titles both heavily influenced the film versions and the rumor is that the third Wolverine film will be based on his Old Man Logan storyline.
What makes the partnership with Goldman and Vaughn interesting however is that they are often active on the screenplay while the comic is still being written, allowing for a unique collaboration and sometime cross-influence. As for an adaptation, there are some major changes in characters and motivation, but the all of the big strokes are there in the comic. Rereading the comic after seeing the film, I honestly think that that Vaughn and Goldman knocked it out of the park.
Kingsman: The Secret Service is terrifically entertaining. Vaughn has made the most fun James Bond film that we've seen since the early Roger Moore films; including all of the key elements, gorgeous women, gadgets, a maniacal villain poised to take over the world, terrific humor, an over the top sidekick for the bad guy and huge action set pieces. Taron Egerton plays Eggsy, the latest potential recruit for The Kingsman, a secret spy society led by Michael Caine. He's nominated by Colin Firth, who feels responsible for the death of Egsy's father, a Kingsman killed on his watch over a decade prior. Samuel L. Jackson is the lisping Tommy Hilfiger styled Richmond Valentine, a tech billionaire with plans to reimagine the world with the use of a deadly phone app.
The cast overall is phenomenal. Firth takes on the role of action hero with poise, grace and charm and Egerton is charming and holds his own against the ensemble of established stars (a group he's likely to join very soon). The script is crisp and keeps the action moving quickly and Vaughn impeccably balances the absurd with humor and tension. Kingsman is a very violent, very dark humored homage to the spy genre. Bring on the sequel.
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| Lionsgate / Released 6/9/15 |
Bianca's (Mae Whitman) universe turns upside down when she learns that her high school refers to her as a 'DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). Hoping to erase that label, she enlists the help of a charming jock (Robbie Amell) and her favorite teacher (Ken Jeong). Together they'll face the school's mean girl (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that we are all someone's DUFF... and that's totally fine. Extras include featurettes and extended gag reel.
Last Word: Mae Whitman's talents are on full display in The DUFF, an entertaining, albeit familiar teen film that owes more to Pygmalion, than the John Hughes oevure. The screenplay by Josh A. Cagan is predictable and servicable, but the ensemble, especially Whitman and co-star Amell elevate the material. Also, the film's adult cast (Allison Janey, Ken Jeong and Romany Malco) anchors the film with a sense of levity and honesty. The DUFF is a very entertaining teen comedy that is certain to appeal to viewers of all ages. Recommended.
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| Warner Bros. / Released 6/2/15 |
Nicky (Will Smith) is a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he's teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort, and he breaks it off. Three years later, Jess - now an accomplished femme fatale - shows up in Buenos Aires during the high-stakes race-car circuit, throwing Nicky off his game in the middle of his latest dangerous scheme. Extras include featurettes, deleted scenes and alternate opening.
Last Word: A sexy and mysterious conman takes on a gorgeous young woman as his intern. Formulaic shenanigans ensue. That’s Focus. As far as con artist films go, this one is satisfactory, but only just so. My qualms: The movie is overall fun and dapper in the moment, but I found it immediately forgettable upon completion. Characters and plot are thin and formulaic. Expository scenes of con-life and rules all play out by the end of the film. The twists and turns turn and twist but we all know the outcome before it happens.
I wasn’t convinced of any chemistry between Nicky (Will Smith) and Jess (Margot Robbie) either. It often looks as though they are about to break character and start giggling. Their back-stories are alluded to, but never expanded upon. Robbie’s character reaches for some depth initially by blurting out, “I’m a dyslexic foster kid.” It’s an awkward throw away line and her past is non-existent from that point on. I was also distracted by Smith’s voice – he’s got the Matthew McConaughey slow, rasp mumbling thing going on. Just makes him look tired. In contrast, Robbie is very energetic, occasionally shrill even. Her eyes are always filled with wonder, and she’s always shocked and amused and squealing when her co-star pulls one over her head. It’s cute. But it gets boring.
Supporting characters are fairly bland as well. The goofy sidekick gets some laughs, the hot bad guy smiles and slithers and gets angry. B.D. Wong makes an odd appearance. And he’s great, but that’s it. He was there and then he wasn’t. Directors/writers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa give us several scenes of witty banter, which are enjoyable, but not too clever. It’s disappointing in fact, because their script for Crazy Stupid Love was so hilarious and smart.
You’ll obviously laugh during Focus because Will Smith is Will Smith and he has great timing, charm, and delivery, but I expected more from the directors, especially since they put the film together so seamlessly. Focus is very aesthetically pleasing, rich with impeccable wardrobes, exquisitely fancy hotels, luxury cars, and gorgeous birds-eye views of New York City, New Orleans and Buenos Aires. The colors are vibrant, and the camera work is simultaneously seductive and exciting. Of course, as tribute to the film’s title, the shots tend to go in and out of focus at the beginning and end of most scenes. And while it may get repetitive, it works. Know that the movie is exactly what you’re expecting it be: a bunch of really attractive people stealing from the masses and are never even slightly remorseful about it. (– Caitlyn Thompson)
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| By Alex C Telander |
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| Review by Dean Galanis |
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| Includes All 10 Episodes from the Riveting First Season Plus Never-Before-Seen Bonus Content! |
From Damon Lindelof, the co-creator of the hit series Lost, and acclaimed Oscar-nominated novelist Tom Perrotta, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings the thought-provoking new HBO series The Leftovers to Blu-ray and DVD for the first time. Renewed for a second season,, this enticing new series captivated audiences with one of HBO’s strongest premieres of 2014.Read more »
The series averaged over 2.5 million total viewers and is the first Warner Bros. Television show ever to air on the HBO network. With the stellar starring cast of Justin Theroux (Mulholland Drive), Amy Brenneman (Private Practice), Christopher Eccelston (Thor: The Dark World), Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings films), Chris Zylka (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Margaret Qualley (Palo Alto), Carrie Coon (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), Emily Meade (Gimme Shelter), Amanda Warren (The Closer), Ann Dowd (Masters of Sex), Michael Gaston (The Mentalist), Max Carver (Desperate Housewives), Charlie Carver (Desperate Housewives) and Annie Q (Are We There Yet?), the series was created by Lindelof and Tom Perrotta (Little Children), with Lindelof, Perrotta, Peter Berg (Lone Survivor, Friday Night Lights) and Sarah Aubrey (Lone Survivor, Friday Night Lights) executive producing. The Leftovers: The Complete First Season from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on October 6, 2015 for $44.96 / $39.98 SRP.
Based on the 2011 bestselling novel by Perrotta, The Leftovers is seen primarily through the eyes of police chief Kevin Garvey, played by Justin Theroux, as he experiences life post “the Departure.” After what can only be explained as an instance similar to the biblical rapture, the people of Mapleton, New York, are suddenly shaken to their core as many of their loved ones disappear into thin air. With roughly 140 million people actively missing — 2% of the world’s population — the world starts to question everyone and everything. Will people turn to cynicism, paranoia, and cult-like fanaticism, in order to survive? The eerie and thought-provoking series leaves viewers riveted, second-guessing theories from episode to episode.
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| ...but you know, fewer selfies and less porn. |
Life has changed drastically for thunder buddies John (Mark Wahlberg), now a bachelor, and best pal Ted (Seth MacFarlane), now married to the woman (Jessica Barth) of his dreams. Problems arise when the couple decide to adopt a child, but the law declares Ted to be property and not a person. Angry and dejected, the lovably foulmouthed teddy bear must now seek legal help from a young lawyer (Amanda Seyfried) and a legendary, civil-rights attorney (Morgan Freeman) to get the justice he deserves.
"Alright, come on, let's sing the thunder song. When you hear the sound of thunder, don’t you get too scared. Just grab your thunder buddy and say these magic words: F*-k you thunder, you can suck my d*-k. You can’t get me thunder, cause you’re just God’s farts."
"Do you know what I'd like to do to her? Something I call a Dirty Fozzie."
"I f*-ked her with a parsnip last week. And a sold the parsnip to a family with four small children."Find out how to enter after the jump.
