Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

I had a chance to read some excellent books this past week…let’s get cracking on them.

 
All Star Batman #6   
Written by Scott Snyder
Illustrated by Jock

I love Jock. I said it before and I’ll say it again: Jock is one of the best comic book artists out there.

Every book he’s on, he’s stellar. His illustrations are always new, always fresh, always amazing. It’s amazing and here he outdoes himself.

Batman travels to Alaska to confront Mr. Freeze as he attempts to extract the world’s oldest ice core and bring humanity to a new Ice Age!

I’ll tell you: I’m not the biggest fan of Mr. Freeze.

He’s always seemed kind of lame. Here, Snyder and Jock make him lethal and awesome. He’s terribly scary here.

Snyder is doing wonderful work recently. This is no exception.  And the art by Jock is awesome. Maybe his best work. Pick this up. This is two top flight creators at the top of their game.

RATING: A

 
The Flash #14
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico

Now this is more like it!

After a lackluster last few issues, Di Giandomenico is back on the art and all is right in the world! Williamson also amps up the story here with bringing back the Flash’s Rogues.

Central City is quiet…a little too quiet. Which means one thing: the Rogues are up to something, and only The Flash can stop them!

But first Barry Allen needs to track down his classic cadre of villains, who’ve vanished in advance of their greatest plan ever.

This is the way I want my Flash comic book to be.  It’s wonderful. The art and story work in tandem and it’s quite beautiful. It’s fast, and the adventure in it is pretty damn epic. Let’s keep this going!

RATING: A-

 
Deathstroke #10 
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Cary Nord

Man, this is a series that keeps getting better and better.

The previous issue was intense and awesome and then this comes along and it’s even more intense and awesome.

I hope Cary Nord does more DC work than this…it’s just phenomenal.

Slade and Wintergreen’s covert mission takes a stunning turn when they’re asked to protect the life of a man who has murdered thousands.

Meanwhile, Dr. Villain reveals the truth about Deathstroke’s powers!

This book was one of the best debuts of last year and it’s continuing to be so in the new year.  Deathstroke ranks as one of the best books currently being published.

I can’t wait to see more.

RATING: A

 
Detective Comics #948
Written by James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Ben Oliver

This book is one of the strong points of the DC Universe Rebirth. And while there is no Watchmen tie-in in this issue, it’s still strong nonetheless.

The writing has been great and gives us a strong first issue of a new storyline.

This special two-part interlude spotlights team leader Batwoman!

In the wake of the “Night of the Monster Men,” A.R.G.U.S. has built a secret research city around the corpse of the megamonster that collapsed in Gotham Harbor…creating Gotham City’s newest and most dangerous neighborhood, Monstertown!

The art by Ben Oliver is great! He is somebody who never could get that right book. Here, he excels. The art looks great.

This is a two part story. Pick it up. This issue was great. Let’s hope they keep on coming!

RATING: B+

 
Batgirl and the Birds of Prey #6 
Written by Julie and Shawna Benson
Illustrated by Roge Antonio

This book is consistent at the very least. The writing is strong enough…but the art is kind of lackluster. I wish there was a stronger  visual style on this. Antonio isn’t bad but it doesn’t thrill me like I think this book could.

“Who Is Oracle?” conclusion! The new Oracle has put the Birds in an untenable position—do what Oracle wants, or their whole lives get made public! So how do they turn the tables?

And now that Huntress has Fenice in her sights, can she pull the trigger?

She’s never hesitated to kill before…so why now?

It was a strong enough first arc. The writing by the Bensons is the selling point here. I would read anything they wrote as they are very good.  Let’s hope the next arc picks up!

RATING: B

 
Titans #7   
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Lee Weeks

At first, I wasn’t sure I would like this issue of Titans. Brett Booth wasn’t doing the art, and I really love his stuff. Then I found out Lee Weeks was the artist and by god I perked right up. Weeks is one of the best underused artists we have…and man is this issue good.

A new threat brings Wally West face to face with the Man of Steel, and the two recognize each other as kindred souls from another world.

Plus, the Titans set up their new Tower in New York City!

The story by Abnett is really great. This is one of the destined to be a classic issues in my opinion. It’s a great story, and a kind of “time out.”

The art of course is good.  And more Watchmen clues!  One hell of a way to start off the new year!

RATING: A

 
Red Hood and The Outlaws #6 
Written by Scott Lobdell
Illustrated by Dexter Soy

This book is an unexpected joy.

Lobdell is writing a fun book, month in and month out. This is another nice story. The art by Soy is also consistent from month to month. I’m enjoying it.

This books is the “Dark Trinity” conclusion! Black Mask and Red Hood go toe-to-toe beneath One Police Plaza, while above them Bizarro and Artemis clash in a battle of titanic proportion!

The art by Dexter Soy is very good here. He’s been great on the first six issues.

The two of them are quite the team. I hope they continue.  While this book isn’t the top of the reading list it’s certainly very good. A solid B book.

 
RATING: B

Suicide Squad #9
Written by Rob Williams and Si Spurrier
Illustrated by Riley Rossmo

Finally, a half decent issue of Suicide Squad!

While the writing is nothing special, the art certainly is.

Put Riley Rossmo on anything and I’ll read it. That’s certainly the case here.

The story is a Justice League Vs Suicide Squad tie in.

It shows the history of Task Force X. It’s a fairly standard story with hardly any real surprises.

The art though? Man, it’s superb.

Rossmo has a gift for making images you have not seen before. What a great job. He should have a regular DC gig at this long . He’s certainly earned it.

RATING: B

 
And the rest….
Gotham Academy: Second Semester #5 
Written by Karl Kerschl, Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan and Illustrated by Adam Archer
The Book of Gotham holds a truth that Olive Silverlock may not be ready for. When devastating secrets are revealed, Olive’s closest allies will be seen for what they truly are, and the fate of the Academy itself may hang in the balance.  Not a bad book overall.
RATING: B-

Earth 2 Society #20
Written by Dan Abnett and Illustrated by Vincente Cifuentes
The final fate of Earth storyline continues! This title isn’t half bad, but I get kind of lost. I should probably pick it up from the beginning. Still the story is decent and the art is good.
RATING: B-

Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps  #12
Written by Robert Venditti and Illustrated by Ethan Van Sciver
I’m not a fan of this title, but the art isn’t half bad. This is the final issue of this arc…I’m still waiting for a stronger Green Lantern. Let’s hope it comes soon.
RATING: B

New Superman # 7 
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Billy Tan
This is really a great little comic. The story is pretty fun and. The art is really the selling point here. Putting Billy Tan on this comic is a great choice. Let’s keep it going!
RATING: B+

Scooby: Apocalypse # 9 
Written by J.M Dematteis and Keith Giffen and Illustrated by Bill Reinhold and Ron Wagner
This is one of my least favorite books…mostly because the talent is so wasted. And now they have Wagner and Reinhold to bring down. Ugh. The art is good at least.
RATING: D+

The Lost Boys #4 
Written by Tim Seeley and Illustrated by Scott Godlewski
This should have been a fun series. It’s…okay. I wish there was more going on with it. The art isn’t bad. Spend your money on something else though.
RATING: C

Directed by Ben Affleck
Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, 
Jennifer Todd, Jennifer Davisson,
Screenplay by Ben Affleck
Based on Live by Night by Dennis Lehane
Starring Ben Affleck, Elle Fanning,
Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina,
Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper

In the days of Waze and Google Maps, it is always a surprise to find yourself held up during what should have been a quick trip from A to B.

Everything looked clear and straightforward when setting out, but suddenly the line on your GPS turns from green to red, the arrival time starts to creep up, and you find yourself crawling at a snail’s pace towards your destination.

The same interminable dragging plagues Live by Night, which languishes between shootouts due to a combination of slow pacing and safe choices that do nothing to push the story in a more dynamic direction.

The original novel, written by Daniel Lehane and adapted by Ben Affleck (who also produces, directs, and stars in the film) follows the life of reluctant mobster Joe Coughlin. As he moves deeper and deeper into the Prohibition Era crime world, the price of his lifestyle becomes higher and higher.

The movie starts in Boston, with Coughlin (Affleck) aligned with neither of the major ruling parties (Irish and Italian). Staying above the fray can only last so long, and he is soon recruited by his kinfolk to work for the Irish mob. This gives less than favorable outcomes and a vengeful Coughlin pivots to the Italians, leading their takeover of the bootlegging market in Florida.

Affleck did not take any chances with this screenplay and treats it with kid gloves when the film would have benefitted from heavier editing of several plots and more aggressive pacing. The sprawling multi-location storylines read more like individual chapters than seamless cinema, with what you’d imagine to be the last line on a page clearly emphasized as such.

The potential Live by Night had is constant, which may explain the heightened sense of disappointment. From the jump Ben Affleck has given us a beautiful film. The costuming and sets are rich with period details and establishing shots glide through appealing Floridian waterfront landscapes. The cinematography is nothing short of masterful. In many scenes the banter is clever and almost every sly joke lands perfectly. But there is simply too much of all of it, and a pervasive heaviness does nothing to help the time go by.

As a director he is able to get stirring performances from an already strong cast. Chris Messina, who gained 40 pounds for this role, is charmingly deplorable as sidekick Dion. His loud, greasy nature is a perfect foil to Coughlin’s cool charm and poise. Zoe Saldana is stunning as Graciela, the Afro-Cuban business partner turned love interest for Coughlin. She carries herself with a fierce sultry grace that draws the eye, but the softness in her intimate home life scenes show a lifestyle that could be, if only their gains had been through legal means. Coming out of a relatively quiet year, Elle Fanning gives one of the most memorable performances of the movie. She has always had a strong presence, but in this role Fanning emanates a preternatural focus that haunts her scenes. Sienna Miller and Chris Cooper are also joys to watch in their supporting parts. Ben Affleck plays his part convincingly enough as to not detract from the movie (unless he is attempting a Boston accent), but seems striving to achieve rather than excel.

As dizzying as the many threads are that make up the film, for the most part they are cohesive and you can see why Affleck was hesitant to remove them. Standing alone, the movie would not hurt from losing a storyline or two (or four), but perhaps it would not reflect Lehane’s novel as faithfully as Affleck has clearly set out to do. If you have the time and do not mind a particularly scenic route on the way to an end you may already know, Live by Night will reward you with a few engaging stops along the way.

Produced by Josh Gold, Jay Thames
Written by Kyle Lierman, Matt Ogens
Directed by Matt Ogens
Starring Jacob Lofland, Sophie Kennedy Clark,
Patrick Schwarzenegger, James Bloor

Sorta-kinda post-apocalyptic riff on Lord of the Flies, co-writer/director Matthew Ogens’ Go North sounded pretty cool on paper.

After a catastrophe that leaves (presumably) the nation with no living adults, a group of teens in a small community live by necessity (and, it soon becomes clear, by force) as a tight-knit group with rigid rules and routines.

The older kids – all jocks – rule the roost, making sure the younger kids attend the impromptu school, which teaches hunting and trapping, gardening and other survival trades.

The jocks also mete out punishment for rule-breaking, usually resulting in the offending party “walking The Line”, a euphemism for being forced out of the community and surviving by themselves in an unfamiliar area.

Our main protagonist, Josh, yearns to get out, and he wants the cute Jessie to join him. Unfortunately, Jessie is the younger sister of the head jock, Caleb, who isn’t about to let that happen.

I’m a sucker for post-apocalyptic flicks, from Mad Max: Fury Road to The Road to the undervalued Stakeland, so I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, Go North is mediocre through and through, with mostly weak acting and almost zero story thrust.

Jacob Lofland as Josh gives an adequate performance, but as written and performed, is surprisingly not especially relatable or interesting.

The Carol Lynley-esque Clark is a bright spot as Jessie, despite some moments and line readings that just don’t register (blame the dialogue and direction as well).

I was very curious to see Patrick Schwarzenegger as Caleb.  Yes, he’s the son of Arnold and Maria Shriver.  He’s got the look of the part, but he gives a remarkably dull performance, alas.  Perhaps he’ll grow into an able actor (after all, his dad was lousy in his first few roles; yes, I love me some Conan The Barbarian as much as anyone, but Arnie’s performance in that fun film is far from his best).

The main flaw in Go North is the pacing: glacial would be a charitable term. The acting, direction and writing are so devoid of urgency and passion that after a   while the whole film has the feel of a cast and crew just wanting to get the thing over with.

There are some mildly intriguing, chronological flashbacks to the start of the catastrophe that are sprinkled throughout. Unfortunately, the culmination of the flashbacks is a big, fat shrug.

Also, the cinematography is utterly uninspired, with useless drone shots that mostly just slow the film down even more. “Suspense” scenes are shot and directed in such a way as to suggest an experimental filmmaker attempting to make a misguided commentary by filming the scenes so as to render them as suspense-free as possible.

Combine these big problems with an incessant, obnoxious score and you’ve got the makings of a snooze fest.

This wasn’t the kind of bad movie that made me angry; it just was a dull, passionless disappointment.

Go North arrives today in limited theatrical release
and is available On Demand.

Many cultures and countries have legendary characters and heroes from their own mythology. There’s King Arthur for Britain, Siegfried for Germany, Cú Chulainn of Ireland, Hercules of Greece, and more. These figures are usually inspirational and symbolic heroes who represent the country and can act as its saviour or protector. They will be highly mythologised and exaggerated and can act as a source of pride for their nation.

For China though, their national hero is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. The Character first appeared in the novel Journey into the West in the 16th century. He has since gone onto be included in more many myths and legends, as well as adaptations. Born from a magic stone in the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Sun Wukong is a mischievous hero who possess great strength, agility and as well as magical items such as the Ruyi Jingu Bang staff that can grow to any size.

He travels to Heaven, hoping to gain spot among the gods but is given a lowly position. He would then challenge the gods and defeat the Army of Heaven’s 100,000 Celestial Warriors single-handedly, as well as Heaven’s other champions. Sun Wukong was then imprisoned for five-hundred years. He is freed by the monk Xuanzang who binds a magical headband onto the Monkey King to control him. The two would travel and have many adventures before he is granted Buddhahood for his noble deeds.

The character has become a pop culture icon in recent times and appeared in various places. One of the most famous adaptations is Dragon Ball, with the lead Son Goku being based on the Monkey King. The Japanese TV show Monkey was an adaption that found success in the UK. There have been countless version of the story in film, TV, stage and music, allowing him to be known across the world.

Video games have often featured Sun Wukong, especially in recent years. MOBAs such as Dota 2 and Smite have heroes based on him and there’s an entire online game based around the character in Asia. You can now even find a Monkey King themed slot, allowing you to see if Sun Wukong brings you any luck. He has also appeared in Pokémon in the form of Infernape and games such as Enslaved: Journey into the West and Capcom classic SonSon are based on the novel.

Sun Wukong and Journey into the West have become staples of storytelling and as time goes by and new mediums are invented, you can be sure the story of the Monkey King will be retold for new generations and in different ways.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers is a madcap car-racing series that takes the Sensational Six – Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Daisy and Donald – and their transforming vehicles on humorous high-spirited races around the globe along with hometown capers in Hot Dog Hills. The series premieres Sunday, January 15 at 9:00am in a simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

On Monday’s episode, “Agent Double-O-Goof” guest stars Frasier‘s Jane Leeves as the Queen of England and the very funny Peter Serafinowicz as Agent Chauncey Chips.

The episode, which airs at 12:30 PM EST  has everyone preparing for the Queen of England to come for tea, when Goofy is mistaken for a secret agent in charge of delivering a top-secret briefcase.

Serafinowicz is geek royalty, appearing on such cult tv series as Spaced, Black Books, Look Around You,  Little Britain, South Park, Parks and Recreation, Doctor Who and plays The Tick on the Amazon Prime reboot.  His film work includes being the voice of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, as well as many other appearances including Shaun of the Dead, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Mickey and the Roadster Racers premieres Sunday, January 15 at 9:00am in a simulcast on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.
The episode, “Agent Double-O-Goof” airs Monday, January 16th

When news of Bruce Lee’s sudden death breaks, an elite martial artist is enlisted to investigate the mysterious circumstances in the The Black Dragon’s Revenge, opening a can of whoop-ass on DVD and Blu-ray Jan. 31 from The Film Detective.

Restored in HD from the original 35mm negative, this action-packed thriller stars martial arts legends Ron “The Black Dragon” van Clief (Fist of Fear, Touch of Death) and Charles “The Latin Panther” Bonet (Death Promise) in a story of rival gangs searching for Bruce Lee’s lost “finger fighting” manual.

From the heyday of 1970s “Blaxploitation” and Kung Fu flicks, The Black Dragon’s Revenge boasts the crude dialog and cut-rate film techniques typical of those genres, but succeeds by having a legit bad ass like van Clief (nicknamed “The Black Dragon” by Lee himself) in the lead role. He’s a showstopper, ya dig?

Special features include: Original theatrical trailer, plus Bruce Lee Dubs, a humorous compilation where mentions of “Lee” were scratched out of the original negative for fear of rights violations.

The Black Dragon’s Revenge is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and Dolby Digital sound with closed captions.

Once upon a time, nudity on basic cable and naughty words during primetime was not only a no-no, but was enough to get your show banned from multiple airings. In some cases, these infractions could be as small as a little implied racism or a simple case of incest.

Obviously, this was way before the American Horror Story ever made it to the Emmys.

Here is a look at a few infamous episodes through different eras and why they stirred up controversy.

The 1960s

The Twilight Zone

“The Encounter” (Season 5, Episode 31 – 1964)
Why was it banned: Racism

Featuring a pre-Trek George Takei as a Japanese gardener who begins a long conversation with a WWII vet about war and race. Asian-Americans took offense to the way Takei portrayed the character of Arthur Takamori, and because of public outcry, the episode was pulled from rotation.

“It’s never been re-aired. It’s never enjoyed a re-run. And shucks darn, I missed out on my residuals on that one,” said Takei.

Can I watch it now?: Yep. It’s on Netflix and Hulu. It’s also part of the box set.

The 1970s

Hawaii Five-O

“Bored, She Hung Herself”  (Season 2, Episode 16 – 1970)
Why was it banned?: Suicide, dangerous yoga techniques

This “lost episode” features the accidental death of a young woman by strange hanging yoga techniques. On one particular tribute to Angelfire, it states that Joan Tyler (wife of showrunner Leonard Freeman) once mentioned that a viewer accidentally died in an attempt to re-enact the technique used on the show.

Can I watch it now?: Sure. It’s available on CBS All Access.

Maude

“Maude’s Dilemma”  (Season 1, Episode 9 – 1972)
Why was it banned?: Abortion

Bea Arthur’s feminist hero was the bane of Archie Bunker’s existence: an outspoken, working woman in a pantsuit. But in 1972, she became the center of controversy when the 47-year-old decided to end a her pregnancy by choice, a first for a primetime character. Maude’s abortion was never referred to again in any future episode, nor was the episode replayed in any rerun.

Can I watch it now?: Relive the controversy on Amazon today!

The 1980s

Married With Children

“I’ll See You In Court” (Season 3, Episode 10 – 1989)
Why was it banned: A disagreement over the content of the episode, which was about a sex tape, between the show’s producers and the network. As a result, the episode didn’t air again until 2002.

Honestly, as with most MWC episodes, the premise is a bit silly. The Bundys want to spice up their marriage, they check into a seedy motel, find a sex tape, accidentally make a sex tape, hijinks ensue. But it was the ‘80s, so this was all new ground.

Can I watch it now?: Sure. You can find it pretty easily most anywhere. It’s almost adorable in it’s ‘80s innocence.

The 1990s

Talespin

“Flying Dupes” (Season 1, Episode 65 – 1991)
Why was it banned?: Terrorism

OK, hold the phone. The adorable Jungle Book-inspired toon featuring Baloo as a pilot had a terrorism plot?

Yes. Yes, it did.

In this kid-friendly part of the Disney Afternoon, Baloo is unknowingly delivering a bomb. So…yeah. We can see why Disney was eager to yank this one from rotation.

Can I watch it now?: Check it out for yourself practically everywhere on Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Video and YouTube, just to name a few.

Tiny Toon Adventures

“One Beer” (Season 2, Episode 3 – 1991)
Why was it banned?: Cartoon characters drunk driving and dying. Chew on that for a sec.

Probably one of the more infamous toons of all time, Buster, Plucky and Hamton find a beer, get drunk, steal a cop car, go on a joy ride and die in an accident. Warner Bros. were shocked when parents called in after this episode aired.

The ‘90s were a troubling time for animation.

Can I watch it now?: After a long period of silence, the Hub finally aired this episode in 2013. It’s also available on the DVD set and on YouTube.

The X-Files

“Home” (Season 4, Episode 2 – 1996)
Why was it banned: Take your pick: incest, inbreeding, deformities and a good old fashioned baby burial to start off the episode right.

Probably one of the most memorable episodes of The X-Files the didn’t involve Scully and Mulder hooking up. The episode centered on the Peacock family, a pack of brothers/husbands and their mother/wife who carry on a long, long family tradition of keeping the bloodline “pure.” The disturbing episode kicks off with the burial of the latest Peacock member, an unnamed baby with so many birth defects it was difficult to identify as human.

Can I watch it now?: Yes. Both on Netflix and the DVD set, as well as the regular rotation of reruns once again, not to mention YouTube.

Seinfeld

“The Puerto Rican Day” (Season 9, Episode 20 – 1998)
Why was it banned?: Racial stereotypes and a bonus flag burning

Written by Larry David, episode features Kramer accidentally burning then stomping on a Puerto Rican flag, thus forcing NBC to apologize to viewers who were appalled by the net’s insensitivity. Thus to avoid future apologies, the Peacock yanked the episode from future repeats.

Can I watch it now?: Yes. It’s on both YouTube and on Hulu.

Boy Meets World

“Prom-ises, Prom-ises” (Season 5, Episode 22 – 1998)
Why was it banned?: Underage sex

Everyone’s favorite teen ‘90s couple Cory and Topanga wanted to bone on prom night, but they didn’t. Apparently, this was a bit too spicy for the Disney couple, who shelved the episode for a few decades.

Also banned for similar reasons: “The Truth About Honesty”

Can I watch it now?: Hell, yes. Now you can watch it everywhere. YouTube, Hulu, Amazon, iTunes…take your pic.

2000s

Masters of Horror

“Imprint” (Season 1, Episode 13 – 2006)
Why was it banned?: How much time do you have?

Directed by true master of Japanese horror Takashi Miike, best known for the hard-to-watch Audition and so-violent-it-borders-comedy Ichi the Killer, this hour-long is difficult to sit through for the more delicate natures. Even for a cable show.

The story of a man searching for a lost love is just a cover what a rabbit’s hole of dark depravity that the viewer will never see coming. Featuring ghastly torture, deformities, incest, rape and a hands-on abortion, Imprint will definitely leave its mark on you.

Can I watch it now?: Catch it on Amazon Video and iTunes…if you dare.

Hannibal

“Oeuf” (Season 1, Episode 4 – 2013)
Why was it banned: Timing.

The cannibal centric show was already doing a bang up job of making murder look beautiful, however this particular episode featuring children murdering families came on the heels of the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting. Considering the nature of national tragedy, a decision was made to yank the episode before it aired.

Can I watch it now?: Yes. This episode was always available, just not at that moment given the sensitivity of the time.

Academy Award nominee Casey Affleck delivers an unforgettable, Golden Globe-winning performance in the heartwarming, emotional, and powerful Manchester by the Sea, arriving on Digital HD February 7 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD and On Demand February 21 from Lionsgate. The award-winning 2016 Sundance Film Festival Official Entry follows Affleck’s character Lee, as he faces the ghosts of his past when he returns to his New England hometown to take care of his teenage nephew.

Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams, Emmy Award winner Kyle Chandler (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, “Friday Night Lights,” 2006), Gretchen Mol (3:10 to Yuma), and Lucas Hedges (Moonrise Kingdom) also star in the film, which was written and directed by Academy Award nominee Kenneth Lonergan. Critically acclaimed since its debut, the film was nominated for five Golden Globes, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor – Drama for Affleck, three Critics’ Choice Awards, including best actor for Affleck, as well as winning four National Board of Review awards including Best Picture. Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh with a 97% critic score, the Associated Press calls Manchester by the Sea “a masterpiece.”

Casey Affleck heads a powerhouse cast in this acclaimed and deeply moving film from award-winning writer-director Kenneth Lonergan. After a solitary Boston janitor (Affleck) unexpectedly becomes the sole guardian of his 16-year-old nephew, he must come to terms with a past that separated him from his wife (Michelle Williams) and his hometown, as uncle and nephew unite for an unforgettable journey of love, community, sacrifice, and hope.

The Manchester by the Sea home entertainment release special features include the featurette “Emotional Lives: Making Manchester by the Sea,” looking behind the scenes of the film, a conversation with director/writer Kenneth Lonergan, and deleted scenes. Manchester by the Sea will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.

BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES

• “Emotional Lives: The Making of Manchester by the Sea” Featurette
• A Conversation with Director/Writer Kenneth Lonergan
• Deleted Scenes

www.ownmanchesterbythesea.com
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Happy 2017, everyone.

I don’t quite know how happy the year will be, really. But with the arrival of December and January we find ourselves in another film industry award season, and the parade of prestige pictures in theaters.

And so, on a Sunday afternoon, I sat in a packed screening of Hidden Figures.

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, the film tells the true story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, pivotal women in NASA’s early history, and is based on the book of the same title by Margot Lee Shetterly. These women’s work as “human computers” enabled John Glenn’s historic spaceflight, among other achievements throughout their careers at the space agency.

In other words, this movie was packed with blerd bona fides and #BlackGirlMagic.

The film’s title rings with double meaning, of course. Johnson, and the all-black group of women who worked as human computers, were essentially erased from major histories of NASA. These hidden figures’ roles in history came up against racism and sexism. They’re never mentioned in The Right Stuff.

A story with black women at its center, Hidden Figures weaves in how these women handle the double yoke of racism and sexism.

The movie doesn’t quite escape some of the white hero stuff you’re used to in movies invoking black progress. The composite character of NASA Langley director Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) desegregates the restrooms by taking a sledgehammer to the Colored Women’s Restroom sign and taciturnly says, “Here at NASA we all pee the same color.”

But, seen another way, the aloof and single-minded Harrison also was enacting whatever means to deliver his ends. The mile-long roundtrip for Johnson made her bathroom breaks too long, when she should be working to send a man into space and return him to Earth alive. He didn’t care to pay attention, whether insulated by his own white privilege or mathematical single-mindedness.

We also get some finger-snapping moments such as Vaughan’s interaction with supervisor/racially biased roadblock Vivian Mitchell (Kirsten Dunst), another composite character. When Mitchell says she’s “got nothing against y’all” after again denying Vaughan (Spencer) a promotion to become NASA’s first black supervisor, Vaughan replies, “I know … that’s what you think.” This interaction, and its focus, is a far cry from a previous civil rights-era film Spencer worked in, The Help.

With all that said, for being such a feel-good Hollywood telling of this important story, and the quality and care with which it was done, my chief impression coming away from this film is one of rage.

Think of all the genius in this world snuffed out by racism and sexism’s designed, on purpose, dispossession and lack of opportunity. Hidden Figures opens in 1920s West Virginia, as an elementary school-age Katherine Johnson must move 120 miles to get her to adequate schooling for her prodigious talent with numbers.

Is there a cure for cancer locked away in the mind of a poor black child in Chicago? There might be.

Think of the repeated times in American history in which black wealth, black success, black towns, black people, were destroyed for the sake of preserving the racial status quo, such as the utter destruction of Greenwood, Oklahoma, in 1921.

Think about how jaw-droppingly amazing – and lucky – the few black folks who “made it” had to be. Think about how much more they had to do, all while still getting not as much for their trouble. I’ve lived those inequities, and I’m 50 years removed from the events of Hidden Figures.

Katherine Johnson, in the film’s big-Hollywood-speech moment, notes that the NASA dress code allows women only a string of pearls to wear, but the black workers aren’t paid enough to afford them. (That’s right: economic issues are identity politics, too.)

With all of this in mind, then, consider how insulting it then must be when those of us who somehow beat the odds are told we should be grateful. As if someone handed this to us and allowed us to have something. Hidden Figures even gives Dunst’s character, Mitchell, that classic line of white paternalism and supremacist thinking.

Hell, Dorothy Vaughan had to steal a book on computer programming from the library because the book wasn’t kept in the colored section. She had to steal a book her taxes paid for that library to own, but kept from her.

So excuse me if I get teary-eyed when John Glenn asks for the re-entry calculations to come only from Katherine Johnson.

Pardon me if I swell with pride when women in colored computers walk en masse to those new IBMs, a parade of relaxed hair and kitten heels, armed with the knowledge from that stolen library book on Fortran coding.

Console me during Glenn’s rocket launch, as I weep for my deceased father, who was in the Air Force and helped set up the Bermuda checkpoint.

And rage with me when Johnson steps into that all-male space of the classified Friendship 7 launch meetings, only to blow everyone away with her expertise – with answers those sexist cretins could have been had.

In just this one scene of Hidden Figures, we see sexism delay historic achievement and transformational social progress.

Kinda rhymes with our times of late, doesn’t it?

Your favorite characters from the hit HBO dramas Game of Thrones and True Blood have already been immortalized as Pop! Vinyl figures – and now it’s time for the dedicated staff at Pied Piper to have their moment in the spotlight. Funko and HBO Global Licensing are excited to announce a new line of Your favorite characters from the hit HBO dramas Game of Thrones and True Blood have already been immortalized as Pop! Vinyl figures – and now it’s time for the dedicated staff at Pied Piper to have their moment in the spotlight. Funko and HBO Global Licensing are excited to announce a new line of Silicon Valley Pop! Vinyl Figures, which will begin rolling out in February ahead of the Emmy-winning comedy series’ highly anticipated season 4 premiere.

The Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated series Silicon Valley takes a comic look at the modern-day epicenter of the high-tech gold rush, where the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. The Funko Pop! Vinyl series will include some of the most popular characters from the show, each standing 3.75” tall and presented in a window display box. The figures are Ages 17+.

Silicon Valley Pop! Vinyl Series

• Richard Hendricks, founder of the buzzy start-up Pied Piper
• Erlich Bachman, owner of the Hacker Hostel that serves as Pied Piper’s headquarters
• Dinesh Chugtai, a code writer at Pied Piper who often finds himself sparring with Gilfoyle
• Bertram Gilfoyle, a systems architect at Pied Piper who often finds himself sparring with Dinesh
• Jared Dunn, head of business development at Pied Piper

Funko products are available nationwide at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Toys R Us, Hot Topic, Target, Walmart, 7-Eleven, specialty toy retailers, and online at Amazon. Silicon Valley Funko Pop! Vinyl figures will also be available at the HBO Shop (store.HBO.com in the US; hboshopeu.com in the EU). ! Vinyl Figures, which will begin rolling out in February ahead of the Emmy-winning comedy series’ highly anticipated season 4 premiere.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana,” the sweeping story of a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring adventure to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of brave and tenacious Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, has dazzled both critics and audiences. The film earned a 95% critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes and the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office opening weekend. Now, “Moana” sets a new course, arriving to homes on Digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Feb. 21, and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on March 7.

Continuing the fun-filled adventure, families can continue their journey filled with hours of extensive and entertaining bonus offerings including: a new, hilarious mini-movie featuring Moana and Maui; an in-depth look at how the people, cultures and heritage of the Pacific Islands shaped the story of “Moana;” revealing Q&A with co-stars Auli‘i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson, and famed animation directors Ron Clements and John Musker; insider access to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foaʻi, the trio behind the film’s moving music; four mini-documentaries highlighting the movie’s groundbreaking effects; deleted scenes; a deleted song; hidden Easter Eggs; music video; “Inner Workings,” the theatrical short film directed by Leo Matsuda that spotlights the internal struggle between a man’s Brain and Heart; and much, much more.

“Moana” stars Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, Dwayne Johnson as the voice of Maui, Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones,” “Once Were Warriors,” “Six Days, Seven Nights”) as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Rachel House (“Whale Rider,” “Hunt for Wilderpeople,” “Eagle vs Shark,” “Boy,” “White Lies”) as Moana’s trusted Gramma Tala; and Nicole Scherzinger (Grammy®-nominated singer, West End’s “Cats”) as Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; Jemaine Clement (“The BFG,” “Despicable Me,” “Rio,” “Rio 2,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” Flight of the Conchords) voices Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab; and Alan Tudyk (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Big Hero 6”) lends his voice to stowaway rooster Heihei.

According to directors Ron Clements and John Musker, the story of “Moana” was inspired by the great explorers who masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. “Voyaging is a real source of pride for many Pacific Islanders, a part of their identity,” says Clements. Many experts believe that about 3,000 years ago, those deep-sea exploratory voyages halted for about a millennium before resuming. This rebirth of exploration sparked the filmmakers’ imaginations, and the heroine at the heart of the story. “The idea of a teenage girl who dreamed of becoming a navigator—considering the abilities of her ancestors—was so appealing,” explains Musker. Moana’s quest to become a wayfinder also serves as a journey of self-discovery, empowering her to find her own identity – a beautiful and powerful message for audiences of all ages and genders.

Bonus features include*:

Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & Digital 3D/HD/SD:

• Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings” – With introduction by the filmmakers, is the story of the internal struggle between a man’s pragmatic, logical side and his free-spirited, adventurous half. Created by a small team at Walt Disney Animation Studios in a unique, fast-paced style that blends CG and traditional hand-drawn animation, the short explores the importance of finding balance in daily life.
• Maui Mini-Movie: “Gone Fishing” – When Maui decides it’s time to take charge of the ocean and catch his next meal, Moana must show him the error of his ways … with a little help from her friends!
• Voice of the Islands – An in-depth look at how Pacific Island people and cultures inspired the filmmakers to create the story of “Moana.”
• Things You Didn’t Know About …
  • Meet the stars of “Moana” in this dynamic Q&A featuring Dwayne Johnson, newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho, and famed animation directors Ron and John.
• Meet the musical team behind “Moana” in this fascinating Q&A featuring Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Island Fashion – Find out how costume designer Neysa Bové took on the unique challenge of creating costumes using materials and techniques native to the islands of Oceania.
• They Know the Way: Making the Music of “Moana” – Musicians Opetaia Foa‘I, Marc Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda take us on a personal journey through their involvement in the movie and how it changed their lives.
• Fishing for Easter Eggs – Dive deep into the ocean and fish for the Easter Eggs hidden by the animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• The Elements of … – This series of four mini-docs explores the technical achievements behind some of the ground-breaking effects used in the film.
  • Mini Maui – Meet “Mini Maui,” Maui’s tattoo sidekick. Animated by legendary hand-drawn animator Eric Goldberg, we explore how the 2D world collides with CG animation to bring the demigod’s tattoos to life.
• Water – In the movie, the ocean is a character. This piece explores how the water is given a personality, along with the technical feats of creating a believable ocean landscape farther than the eye can see.
• Lava – Te Kā is a creature made of lava, smoke and fire. This piece dives into the challenges of making an animated creature of massive scale brought to fiery life by character, technical and effects animators.
• Hair – One of the greatest technical achievements of the film was the animation of the beautiful, curly hair on Moana and Maui. Take a look at the hair-raising detail that goes into animating each strand, adding performance to the movie that has never been seen before.
• Deleted Song: “Warrior Face” – With introduction by songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Deleted Scenes – Ron and John introduce the following deleted scenes:  Race the Wind/Ties that Bind; Discussing Moana’s Future; Under the Sea; Grandmother’s Warning/Legend of Maui; Education of Moana; Father, Daughter, Boat; and Canoe Race.
• Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” – Performed by Alessia Cara.
• “How Far I’ll Go Around the World” – Multi-language reel of the song “How Far I’ll Go.”
• Audio Commentary – With directors Ron and John.

DVD:

• Theatrical Short Film: “Inner Workings,” Music Video: “How Far I’ll Go” and Audio Commentary

Facebook.com/DisneyMoana

Welcome back to Graphic Breakdown!

Here’s the reviews for Friday! Keep warm everyone!!

Rough Riders Volume 1  
Written by Adam L. Glass
Illustrated by Patrick Olliffe
Published by Aftershock Comics

Man, Joe Pruett and the gang over at Aftershock are certainly making a name for themselves these days. This book came along and I just finished reading it and honestly?

It’s awesome. Great creative team and great concept.

Led by a young Theodore Roosevelt, a motley crew of soon-to-be American legends must work together to solve a mystery that threatens life itself.

Harry Houdini — street magician and master of misdirection.

Annie Oakley — a washed-up entertainer, eager for a chance to prove herself in a real war.

Jack Johnson — an undefeated brawler and the son of ex-slaves, determined to get his shot at the heavyweight championship…

When a terrifying alien technology destroys the USS Maine, these unlikely allies set sail for bloody Cuba, into the heart of a brewing conflict, to wage a shadow war against the greatest threat mankind has ever known. Before they were famous, they were…ROUGH RIDERS.

Glass is a great writer and I loved his Suicide Squad. Here he outdoes himself and writes one hell of a compelling tale. Alongside him, Olliffe is one of comics’ most underrated artists. Here he excels. Pick this book up. It’s fresh, exciting, and just plain awesome.

RATING: A

Trump: The Complete Collection
Essential Kurtzman Volume Two HC
Written by Harvey Kurtzman
Illustrated by Will Elder
Published by Dark Horse Comics

This is a collection of Harvey Kurtzman’s dream magazine for Hugh Hefner and Playboy.

Issues one and two came out many moons ago and the third issue never made it to print, now it’s time for collect all of them together.
This is satire at it’s best. It has top talent (Mel Brooks!); Its funny and well done. Some of the joke may feel a bit dated but that’s part of the nostalgia and part of the joy.

The price tag may deter some. But this is a book full of history. Denis Kitchen has said of the book that it’s “like unearthing King Tut’s Tomb” and he’s not far off from that.

This is wonderful. I’m glad we got to see it in our lifetime. And it’s perfect in light of the inauguration next week.

RATING: A
Snow Day   
Written by Pierre Wazum
Illustrated by Aubin
Published by Humanoids Books

Man, Humanoids never fails to impress me. This book is something else. The writing is amazing and the art is very sharp. You can’t go wrong with these books. This is just nice.

An outsider sheriff struggles to find his place in an isolated, snow-covered town populated by a hard people who are set in their ways and don’t take too kindly to strangers.

It’s a place where folks mind their own business — however odd it may be — and do as they please.

That is, until the calm, quiet sheriff decides to do his job.

Pick up this book and read it. It’ll show you what the medium is capable of. This is just genius through and through.

RATING: A
By The Numbers 
Written by Laurent Rullier
Illustrated by Stanislas
Published by Humanoids Books

This book is another fabulous original entry from those Humanoids folks. And this one is purely awesome as well.

Take a peek at this one…it’s gorgeous and it’s really something.

The accidental adventures of Victor Levallois, a timid accountant that gets pulled into a life of danger.

It all started in 1948 when Victor was entrusted with an unusual errand: deliver a suitcase to the port of Marseilles.

But, when the suitcase is stolen, Victor finds himself bound for Saigon and the decadence, intrigue and adventure of a colonial war!

The story is great and the art is beautiful. This is a book you buy and make it a keepsake. It’s wonderful. Pick it up and enjoy time and again. It’s so worth it.

RATING: A

After eight successful seasons, Cartoon Network’s Emmy Award-winning hit series Regular Show, from creator and executive producer JG Quintel, will conclude with an ultimate intergalactic battle of good versus evil this weekend. Regular Show returns Saturday, Jan. 14 with back-to-back episodes beginning at 12 p.m. (ET/PT) with “Kill ‘Em with Kindness,” leading into the hour-long, out-of-this-world series finale premiering Monday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. (ET/PT).

In the episode “Kill ‘Em with Kindness,” Pops completes his training and begins to use his newfound strengths for good.

See below for full programming details:

Regular Show

Returns Saturday, Jan. 14 at 12 p.m. (ET/PT)

Hour-long series finale event begins Monday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. (ET/PT)

• Saturday, Jan. 14: “Kill ’Em with Kindness” – Pops wants to be friends with someone.
• Saturday, Jan. 14: “Meet the Seer” – The guys need to talk to someone smart.
• Monday, Jan. 16: “Cheer Up Pops” – The guys want to cheer up Pops.
• Monday, Jan. 16: “A Regular Show Epic Final Battle, Part 1” – An epic final battle begins.
• Monday, Jan. 16: “A Regular Show Epic Final Battle, Part 2” – An epic final battle comes to its dramatic conclusion, and the fate of the universe is decided.

Regular Show’s series finale features series regulars JG Quintel (Creator, Voice of Mordecai and High Five Ghost), William Salyers (Voice of Rigby), Sam Marin (Voice of Muscle Man, Benson and Pops), Mark Hamill (Voice of Skips) and guest stars Robert Englund (A Nightmare On Elm Street) as Anti-Pops.

Season 1 of Insecure, the “bright, cutting, funny” (USA Today) new HBO comedy series, is set to make its Home Entertainment debut on March 21, 2017. This series—created by, written by and starring Golden Globe nominee (Best Actress in a Comedy Series) Issa Rae (The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl) is a bold and honest depiction of a modern-day African-American woman and the everyday challenges she faces. Insecure: The Complete First Season will be available on Blu-ray and DVD (both with a free digital download copy) March 21, 2017, featuring all eight Season 1 episodes and bonus content, including an exclusive and extended look at the Insecure characters’ favorite reality show, “Conjugal Visits.”

Creator/writer/star Issa Rae brings her fresh voice to HBO with this painfully funny new comedy series, which follows best friends Issa (Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) as they navigate the tricky professional and personal terrain of Los Angeles, while facing the challenges of being two black women who defy all stereotypes. Insecure explores the black female experience in a subtle, witty and authentic way, as Issa and Molly stumble their way towards pulling their lives together, while trying their hardest to never settle for less. Heralded by critics as “the year’s best new comedy… engrossing, deeply relatable, hugely funny” (Buzzfeed), Insecure: The Complete First Season is not to be missed.

The series, written, created, and executive produced by Issa Rea, one of the “23 Funniest People in America” (Rolling Stone), is also executive produced by show runner Prentice Penny, and Grammy-winning director Melina Matsoukas, who helms three episodes of Insecure, as well as Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky  and Jonathan Berry . Along with Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji, series regulars include Jay Ellis (Lawrence) and Lisa Joyce (Frieda).

When innocent civilians begin committing unthinkable crimes across Metropolis, Gotham City and beyond, Batman must call upon mystical counterparts to eradicate this demonic threat to the planet. Enter Justice League Dark, reluctantly led by the Hellblazer himself, John Constantine. Like Batman, Constantine is a cunning, often cynical loner who is the best at his chosen profession – but quickly realizes the sinister forces plaguing the planet will require help from other supernatural alliances. Forming a new “league” with sorceress Zatanna, otherworldly Deadman, and Jason Blood and his powerful alter ego Etrigan the Demon, this team of Dark Arts specialists must unravel the mystery of Earth’s supernatural plague and contend with the rising, powerful villainous forces behind the siege – before it’s too late for all of mankind.

Actor Matt Ryan, who set the standard for the role of Constantine on the Warner Bros. live-action television series, returns to the role in animated form alongside Jason O’Mara (Terra Nova, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as Batman, Camilla Luddington (Grey’s Anatomy) as Zatanna, Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods) as Deadman, Ray Chase (Final Fantasy XV videogame) as Jason Blood/Etrigan, Roger R. Cross (24, Arrow) as John Stewart/Swamp Thing, Jeremy Davies (Justified, Constantine) as Ritchie Simpson, Rosario Dawson (Daredevil, Luke Cage, Sin City) as Wonder Woman, Jerry O’Connell (Stand By Me, Crossing Jordan) as Superman, Enrico Colantoni (Flashpoint, Veronica Mars) as Felix Faust, and Alfred Molina (The Da Vinci Code, Spider-Man 2) as Destiny.

Justice League Dark is directed by Jay Oliva (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns).  Story by J.M. DeMatteis and Ernie Altbacker (Green Lantern: The Animated Series) and teleplay by Ernie Altbacker.  Sam Register is Executive Producer.  Benjamin Melniker & Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight trilogy) are co-executive producers.  James Tucker (Batman Bad Blood, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders) is Supervising Producer.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment proudly presents the bi-coastal premieres of Justice League Dark, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Original Movies, at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills on January 23, 2017 and at the Director’s Guild of America in New York on February 2, 2017. Filmmakers and members of the voice cast will attend the event for red carpet media interviews and a post-screening panel discussion.

Matt Ryan (Constantine, The Halcyon), the voice of Constantine, and Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods), the voice of Deadman, will attend both the Los Angeles and New York premieres and take part in the panel discussions along with supervising producer James Tucker, director Jay Oliva and character designer Phil Bourassa. Ray Chase (Final Fantasy XV videogame), the voice of Jason Blood/Etrigan, joins the World Premiere festivities in Los Angeles. Additional talent participating at the two premieres will be announced as confirmed.

Both screenings will begin at 7:00 pm. The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is located at 465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. The Director’s Guild of America is located at 110 West 57th Street in New York City.

A limited number of free tickets are available to the general public. Please note that Justice League Dark is Rated R for “some disturbing violence.” Anyone under 17 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Fans wishing to receive free tickets to the Los Angeles event on January 23 must RSVP via email to JLDarkLA@gmail.com.

Fans wishing to receive free tickets to the New York event on February 2 must RSVP via email to JLDarkNY@gmail.com.

The body of all fan RSVP emails need ONLY include the (1) name of the entrant, (2) valid email address, and (3) name of the media outlet/website by which the entrant learned of the screening, and the number of tickets being requested (limit four per entry). Fans should keep their entry simple – here’s an example of exactly how the body of the RSVP email should appear:

Bruce Wayne
2 tickets
DarkKnight@gmail.com
Forcesofgeek.com

Tickets to the event will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis, and fans will be notified via email. 

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, Justice League Dark will be distributed February 7, 2017 by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-ray Deluxe Giftset (featuring an exclusive Constantine figurine), Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD. The film will be available to own on Digital HD starting January 24, 2017.

“Snatch,” Crackle’s new scripted original drama based loosely on the wildly popular movie of the same name, is set to premiere Thursday, March 16, it was announced today. The 10-episode, one-hour series stars Rupert Grint as the utterly posh, Charlie Cavendish. Best known as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise, Grint also serves as an executive producer.  In addition, the series stars an ensemble cast featuring Luke Pasqualino (“Skins”, “The Borgias”) as Albert Hill, Lucien Laviscount (“Scream Queens”, “Honeytrap”) as Billy Ayres, Dougray Scott (“Fear the Walking Dead,” “Doctor Who”) as Vic Hill, Phoebe Dynevor (“The Village,” “Dickensian) as Lotti Mott, Juliet Aubrey (The Infiltrator,” “Primeval”) as Lily Hill, and Ed Westwick (“Wicked City,” “Gossip Girl”), who guest stars as Sonny Castillo. The series is executive produced by Alex De Rakoff, who also serves as writer and showrunner.

Inspired by a real life heist in London, “Snatch,” centers on a group of twenty-something, up and coming hustlers who stumble upon a truck load of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The boys must quickly learn to navigate the treacherous waters of London’s underworld as rogue cops, gypsy fighters, international mobsters and local villains descend.

Snatch premieres Thursday, March 16th on Crackle

This March, DreamWorks Animation brings the best-selling children’s book by Caldecott Honor-winning author Marla Frazee to the big screen in the hilarious comedy The Boss Baby.

DreamWorks Animation and the director of Madagascar invite you to meet a most unusual baby.  He wears a suit and stars in the animated comedy, DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby.  The Boss Baby is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator; a wildly imaginative 7 year old named Tim.  With a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family, DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby is an authentic and broadly appealing original comedy for all ages.

The Art of The Boss Baby features a wide range of colorful development art, storyboards, and character sketches, as well as in-depth interviews with director Tom McGrath (the Madagascar franchise), producer Ramsey Naito (The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie), production designer David James (Mr. Peabody & Sherman), writer Michael McCullers (Austin Powers), plus key members of the storyboard, visual development, visual effects, CG animation, modeling, and layout departments.

The Art of The Boss Baby provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the art, design, and making of DreamWorks Animation’s newest film, and is sure to enthrall animation fans of all ages.

For more details, visit insighteditions.com

Jack Kirby’s drawing table

This series Comics Coach was based on a set of posts I had written a while ago on the topic of creating comics. I wanted them to be archived in one place for people to read, as I am often asked how to break into the industry and self-publish comic books.

In this final post, I’m going to give you the straightest talk you will ever get about creating comics.

I would say about 75% of the comic book fans I’ve met in my lifetime have wanted to also create their own comics. This seems like a natural thing; a healthy instinct. Rather than passively consuming all that media, they want to create something new. This is the way it should be, I think.

And now, more than ever before, there are resources for you to make those comics. Print on demand, crowdfunding, digital platforms, etc. Long gone are the days (it seems) that the Gatekeepers can stand in the way of your vision making it to the wider world.

But here is the thing to keep in mind, if you are looking to either break into the comics industry outright, or self-publish your own comics: you have a MASSIVE amount of competition. Because, as I’ve said, a good deal of comic fans seem to also want to create their own comics. And the comic book format has also been tapped by everyone from successful novelists to moviemakers as a cost-effective and visually powerful way to get their ideas across.

And then there are the tons of comics put out every week by established publishers—DC and Marvel alone puts out scores of them. Open up a Diamond Previews catalogue and just bask in the sheer numbers of product being pushed out.

But you don’t want to be a sell-out anyway (I mean, unless DC is really twisting your arm about that Red Bee project…then you might have to take the gig just to make them stop calling you)—you’re going the independent route. As I said, the Gatekeepers have lost their power, and you’re taking it to the People. And massive numbers of other people are also taking it to the People. But there is enough room for you all, certainly.

Here is the thing, though: if your main goal is to become wealthy off of making comics, forget it. If what is driving you the most in your pursuit to publish your own comics is to get rich, drop Comics immediately as a pursuit and go find an emerging technology to study instead.

Because the odds are, you will NOT become “rich.” Odds are you will NOT get that deal with Pixar. Odds are, you will not even make enough money to confidently quit your day job—even if you were working as a creator for DC, Marvel, etc.

If you are going to make comic books—or pursue any other artistic endeavor, for that matter—do it for the love of the craft. Enjoy the journey of creating something new, rather than focus on any grandiose materialist goals you might have. Because if you do not relish the Process of making comics, if the sheer joy of expressing yourself through the graphic medium doesn’t sustain you—I’m telling you right now, the Business is not going to do it for you.

This is all written not to discourage, but to get your priorities straight. If your priorities are not straight as you launch out on your project, you might not only be disappointed but possibly go legit depressed insane. And I’ve seen people go legit depressed insane over this, even losing their life savings in some instances over way too ambitious projects that don’t even make it past their first issue.

Ah, you might counter with: but how about all these independent creators who have made it? Who have those deals with major movie studios and whatnot? Who could afford to quit their day job? Who have successfully created a niche market of fans and followers for themselves? And what about those Ninja Turtles guys? And Scott Pilgrim???

Let’s take the rarest examples first. The Ninja Turtles guys. They go make this independent comic, it becomes widely popular and adapted to every medium, they are now millionaires.

They are the rarest example. It will most likely not be your own personal experience. I am not 100% saying that it couldn’t be you. But I’m 92.3% saying it won’t be you.

Then there are those who get that moderately successful graphic novel, so moderately successful that they perhaps get a book deal with a mid-list publisher to do more of them. Or the person who gets a movie option placed on their Image title. Or the person who gets the phone call from Marvel based on some webcomic they’ve done.

Most of these people still cannot confidently quit their day jobs to make ends meet. Some might be able to go down to part-time.

Then there is that cool successful indie comics pro you know, whose comic we all know, who always seems to have things going on and a devoted fan base. That person probably works his or her ass off, both on their own work and possibly “day job” type stuff to keep ends meet. That person probably travels to comic shows all year long and is on the Internet constantly to promote his or her work. That person either has a good grasp of how actual legit business and marketing works, or knows enough to hire someone who does. That person is most likely not fooling around.

This last category is who I urge you to strive to be, dear Comic Creator. That is a realistic goal. It will take a lot of work. It will take a lot of times when your spirits will only be buoyed by the love of the craft alone. But it is something attainable—assuming that your content is good.

And perhaps your content is GREAT. Perhaps you are a legit genius. Perhaps you are truly—and I say this without any sarcasm—an undiscovered Stan Lee or Grant Morrison.

And here is the final bit of straight talk I will give you about creating comics. There are many, many genius-level talents out there who will never have the spotlight. If you happen to make it far enough in the business, you will learn that some of the most consistently-hired people are the most mediocre talents—because this is Entertainment, not necessarily Art. And there are a bunch of other factors that will come into play.

And you will find all this out and it will absolutely break your heart & it will piss you off & will make you lose all your will to create and it’s so unfair & etc.

And then—then, you will either give up, or keep going.

The choice is yours. Why are you doing this? Why are you creating comics?

The answer is crucial. The “why” is crucial. And by understanding all this, you have about a 25-30% leg up on the rest of the competition—because a lot of people flat-out don’t want to hear this because it harshes their mellow and threatens to destroy their Comic-Con dreams of super-stardom. And the illusion is quite exhilarating, I understand that.

But are you going to go into this smart? Are you going to go into this emotionally prepared? Are you going to go into this for the right reasons?

Good luck, True Believer.