By: Alex Templar-MSTv contributor 4/10/15, will be remembered as the day Marvel finally placed a worthy contender against DC's superhero television dominance. That threat, known as Daredevil, has arrived - by way of Netflix. The new 13 episode series, "Daredevil" is produced by Marvel Studios; the same company responsible for "The Avengers," "Iron Man" "Agents of SHIELD," etc. But, this series serves as Marvel's first "actual" superhero television show within its growing "cinematic universe." Its fair to note that Daredevil is also Marvel's first live action, hit show since the "Incredible Hulk" aired from 1978 to 1988. (Agents of Shield is barely hanging on.) The 13 episodes of Daredevil are all available on the online service Netflix and tell the tale of Matt Murdock, a blind Hell's Kitchen lawyer (played by Charlie Cox) who fights crime at night with sonar/echolocation and ninja like powers. The series, much darker than Marvel's usual fare, was met with overwhelming acclaim and reviews. And visually, it could almost be called "Batman: Year One - a la Marvel" due to its vigilante, violent and outsider hero seeking to protect the crime ridden city he loves. Boasting some incredible visuals, excellent action sequences and fine acting on the part of the principals, Daredevil brings a multiplex theater experience to your small (?) computer or home theater screens. The series principal stars are: Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil: A blind lawyer with powers who goes out at night night to do very things to criminals. (Or just think blind Batman with powers and without money.) And Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin: A huge, violent and tortured businessman who wants to improve Hell's Kitchen by only his means. (Think Lex Luthor with the violent streak of the Joker) Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page: secretary and potential love interest for Matt and Foggy. And Elden Henson as Franklin "Foggy" Nelson: Matt''s best friend and law firm partner. And while this 13 episode serial does drag significantly at times, the overall experience of this new entry into the MCU is very welcome and one to relish.
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We're nearing the end of this new Fall television season with only a scarce few premiers left. And so far, all the hype made over the new show choices just hasn't been warranted. We've had the rehashes, the new concepts and the just plain idiotic on our screens since the season began last month. But also, with just a few times occurring, we've also had the brilliant and wonderful. We're sure you, our fellow viewer can agree with these statements. However, since the majority of us on the MSTv staff are opinionated, bossy and just plain intense TV junkies, we feel compelled to watch every new show and express our feelings about them - just really short, brutally honest and to the point. So, let's do a few to start, K? Ready to do this? Trust me, you'll probably get pissed off on some of our choices for "misses." 1) Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Bottom line: its rife with Marvel's trademarked, "I'm a flawed human, but will overcome" subtext. And as such, this just makes the episodes boring as hell. So unless something changes soon, you might wanna avoid this one. That is unless you want an hour nap in front of the TV. 2) Almost Human
Bottom line: Cop shows are a dime a dozen and this one really isn't bring anything new to the table. Its like Robocop without the cool armor and guns and no humanity, palling around with a guy. I just don't care, nor will I be watching. 3) Back in the Game
Bottom line: Do we need another feel-good show with lovable quirky characters? Hell no!! Pass!!!! 4) Betrayal
Bottom line: This show is well set for drama in intensity, but it doesn't seem to have longevity or a staying power. If this was a British drama, which sometimes only run for one season then out, I could give it a better recommendation. But, for what it is I can only say, "watch, enjoy and wait for its cancellation." 5) The Blacklist
Bottom line: I had better hopes for Hannibal last season. Plus, it was a better show all-around. Pass.. Think this is all? No, there's lots more to come so let us know yo By: Associated Press The FX network anthology series is shooting its third season in New Orleans and few details, aside from the names of its large, glamorous cast, have been made public. That changed, but just a little, at the TV Tour. Unveiled were character names for four cast members -- Angela Bassett will portray Marie Laveau, Kathy Bates will play Delphine LaLaurie, and Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson will play a mother and daughter named Fiona and Cordelia, respectively – and that the season will be about witches who migrated to New Orleans after suffering Salem-era unpleasantness. The story, Landgraf said, takes place in the present, with flashbacks. “It posits that, essentially, after Salem, the witches relocated to New Orleans, where they’ve been for a couple of hundred years,” he said. “There are different factions, and Angela Bassett is part of one. “The fun quotient is higher this year,” he said. “Last year wasn’t a lot of fun. Let’s put it that way. And maybe even year one wasn’t all that much fun. This year is a drama, but there is a lot of humor, and we are embracing a kind of velocity and fun with the series this year. So it’s not the same as it was the last two years, but I think that it might be a little more welcoming to an audience.” In addition to themes of voodoo, witchcraft and New Orleans history, the season will embrace an overall theme of oppression toward disenfranchised subcultures, Minear said. “Some of the bigger themes this year are oppression of minorities of all kinds and, within that idea, the idea of minority groups going after each other and doing the work of the larger culture for the larger culture,” he said. “So while there is a very strong feminist theme that runs throughout ‘Coven’ this year, there’s also themes of race and themes of oppression. And there is a very strong theme of family and, specifically, mothers and daughters. Those are some of the things we’ll be exploring this year, along with laughs and scares and a few tears. The inevitable embrace of New Orleans clichés in screen depictions is always a concern for local viewers. Minear said it’s a concern for the production as well. “This year, it’s funny. I think the tone of New Orleans will affect the tone of the show. New Orleans has some darkness to it, but it’s not an earnest, serious city. I don’t think you’re going to get an earnest, serious show this year.” “We haven’t been going down those roads yet,” he said. “I mean, we are absolutely dipping into real things in New Orleans -- Marie Laveau and Madame LaLaurie and things like that. Just this week, we shot in a house that’s 150 years old. It was actually taken over by the Union Army during the Civil War. And the house still stands. You can’t beat that kind of verisimilitude when you are shooting. “A little bit,” Landgraf said. “It’s pretty dark. “No, we are not going to be playing up those (New Orleans clichés), because we play up horror clichés instead. There’s only room for so many clichés in an hour of television.” "I thought that it was a really interesting angle on the exploration of character." Given the main cast, I asked, is there humor in the piece? “A little bit,” Landgraf said. “It’s pretty dark.
Step up, Iron Man and get your ass whippin!
By: Kent B - MSTv Pacific Rim: a simple nondescript title for a new film, that in itself brings up thoughts of some crappy World War II movie. This would be considered the fiction.. However, the reality is that this killer new film of giant monsters versus robots will probably actualize the hopes of millions of fanboys and adults who grew up on Saturday morning and weekday cartoons. I mean really, how long have most of us been waiting for this type of film to emerge? Action packed trailers and write-ups have told us all we need to know to build up a rabid frenzy. We know that the new film involves giant robots called Jaegers, fighting equally giant monsters called Kaiju (Japanese for "strange beast") who've risen en mass from the ocean to kill humanity. Do we need to know any more?? Probably. Remember, just because its sounds good and is all shiny and pretty, doesn't mean it might still be a shiny pile of crap. All things media portray this film to be cool as hell, yet its concept is hardly new. In fact, its actually old hat to our Japanese cousins who consider big monsters and robots to be standard fare. But for us who grew up watching the likes of Voltron, Ultraman and even Power Rangers, for the slightly younger of us, this film is pure wish fulfillment. And that's exactly what Warner Bros. and Legendary Films are hoping will fuel its box-office receipt furor. Early reviews and trailers show that like "Man of Steel," Pacific Rim is very strong on the special effects and action. But, does the general story of this 200 million dollar investment, play as weak as the dubbed and Americanized versions of the classic giant monster Japanese fare of our youth? T These simple questions have some believing that those who are seeking a "good" version of this type film, might have to wait a little longer. These questions have also cast doubt on the film's earning potential as some are too strongly comparing Pacific Rim to Power Rangers kiddie fare or the Japanese sentai, kaiju and tokusatsu series of film and television. But, Warner Bros.and Legendary Pictures are confident in the capabilities of their new sci-fi action flick and have released all-new clips to serve as appetizers. The clips show various dramatic scenes between the actors and a very high intensity scene of monster versus robot action that ends with a finishing move that will make even the most jaded geek scream with delight. Warner Bros. has released a total of 4 new clips so far. And as they did with Man of Steel, a making of/behind the scenes featurette will be released this weekend or Monday. The studios are banking that these actions will whet the appetites of movie-goers as the same tactic was used to make Man of Steel more marketable. But like "Man of Steel" will the July 12th film release slightly disappoint much of its audience. Or will this classic flight of childhood fancy be nipping at the heels of last year's "The Avengers?" Enjoy the new clips below, but look at the 1st one and realize I'm rooting hard for this movie! Yeah, I know used the vehicle Voltron!! So what?!
The new film "Man of Steel" is an amazing movie to watch. Visually, it's spectacular to look at. The story is compelling as well. Not only does it recap the origin, but it shows more of life on Krypton than has ever been shown on film before, outside of the animated Superman films. I had a conversation with a friend about the movie and she mentioned that movies always stray a bit from the source material. To which I responded, which source material? Superman's origin story has remained relatively unchanged over the past 75+ years, but the details of that origin have changed drastically over the decades. So, do you use the original origin story from the 1930s & 40s? The revamped origin from the 50s & 60s? The Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths origin in 1986, which was also titled "Man of Steel"? The origin from the "Birthright" story in the early-2000s? Or the origin story from the New DC 52 from 2011? Well, regardless of the source material, this version of the Superman origin, I think, followed well the precedent set by "Batman Begins". Telling a linear story with non-linear elements, giving the audience the information needed to advance the story. No more, no less. It paces itself well, not lingering long in any one area of the story. This story begins, as any Superman origin should, with Kal El's birth on Krypton and the events that lead to Krypton's eventual destruction. As I mentioned before, "Man of Steel" goes further into life on Krypton than has ever been depicted outside of the comics and animated series. It shows Krypton as a vast space-faring civilization with a genetically-based caste system. The citizens of Krypton are bred into the roles they play in society. Scientist, warrior, worker, leader, priest, artist. These are the role predetermined for you at the moment of your conception on Krypton. Except for Kal El. Jor El & Lara decided that they would conceive Kal without his life being predetermined. "Krypton's first natural birth in centuries." The glimpse of Kryptonian society gives you an indication of what the antagonist of the film, General Zod, if fighting to preserve, flawed as it may seem to Kal El. We then see the escape of the infant Kal El in the rocket bound for Earth. This part of the story, for me, gets less and less plausible as the years go on and technology changes and we're able to track celestial objects on course for Earth. The landfall of Kal El's ship as depicted in the "Smallville" television series seems to make more sense than every other depiction I've seen to date. In "Smallville", the infant Kal El's ship arrives surrounded by fragments of the now dead Krypton. It seems to me that, in the 21st century, the ship would be more difficult to spot during a meteor shower that if it were just a lone craft falling to earth. If any government or military leader found a large enough chunk of meteor rock in the fields where the barrage fell, they would most likely be satisfied and not want to search forever for the lone object that just made landfall in a Kansas cornfield. This story, however, depicts the lone craft, and even makes mention of my concern when Jonathan Kent tells a teenaged Clark, "We expected someone from the government to come and take you away from us, but no one came." It makes me wonder how they'll address the presence of kryptonite in later films. We pick up with an adult Clark Kent as he wanders the world trying to find his place in it. With his powers growing every day, he lives as a drifter, never staying in one place long. Although his wanderlust seems to be leading him to a specific destination, if not a destiny. He eventually finds himself at a military encampment in the Arctic that has found a long-buried Kryptonian scout ship. He also has the first of his many encounters with Lois Lane over the course of the film. After Clark takes possession of the ship, he meets the A.I. shade of Jor El and learns of his Kryptonian heritage. As mentioned above, Kryptonian soldiers are born and bred to the protection and defense of Krypton, so General Zod was, I think, a great antagonist for this film, as opposed to going back to the the tired trope of bringing in Lex Luthor right outta the gate. Zod bridges the gap for Kal/Clark between what was lost on Krypton and, to an extent, why it should stay lost. All-in-all, "Man of Steel" works on every level. If you haven't seen it yet, add it to your to-watch list. |