Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem Coming 8/18/15 to Blu-ray, DVD & Digital HD

The Dark Knight isn’t seeking tricks or treats when Gotham City’s most lethal villains take to the streets on Halloween night in the newest DC Comics animated film -Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem.  Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the original movie arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack and DVD on August 18, 2015 for a $19.98 SRP, and via Digital HD on August 4. It’s Halloween night in Gotham City and Scarecrow, Clayface, Silver Banshee and Solomon Grundy have hit the streets to stir up trouble! Batman is on the trail of the city’s spookiest villains while, further complicating matters, the clown prince of crime himself, The Joker, is ruling over this mysterious crew of misfit criminals. It’s up to the Dark Knight to stop this gruesome gang before they unleash “digital laughter,” a computer virus that’s part of a diabolical plan to jeopardize all of Gotham City’s vital technology. Batman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Nightwing and Red Robin must combine forces to battle these baddies and save the city.

The stellar voice cast features Roger Craig Smith (Batman: Arkham Origins) as Batman, Troy Baker (Batman: Assault on Arkham) as Joker, Khary Payton (Teen Titans Go!) as Cyborg, Chris Diamantopoulos (Episodes, Silicon Valley) as Green Arrow, Will Friedle (Batman Beyond, Boy Meets World) as Nightwing, Yuri Lowenthal (Ben 10) as Red Robin, Kari Wuhrer (Sharknado 2, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) as Silver Banshee, Fred Tatasciore (LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham) as Solomon Grundy, Brian T. Delaney (Mad, Halo 3 & 4) as Scarecrow, Dave B. Mitchell (World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor) as Clayface, Noel Fisher (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2) as Gogo Shoto, and Alastair Duncan (Mass Effect games, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) reprising his The Batman TV series role as Alfred.

Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem is produced and directed by Butch Lukic (Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts) from a script written by Heath Corson (Batman: Assault on Arkham). Executive Producer is Sam Register. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are Executive Producers.

Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem follows Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts as the second release in a series of films rooted in Mattel’s popular Batman Unlimited merchandise line. The films feature characters, vehicles, designs and color schemes brought to life within this enthralling toy collection.

“We are thrilled to release Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem on Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. Batman fans of all ages can enjoy the newest DC Comics animated adventure,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “This original movie will provide family-friendly action and electrifying plot twists, and keep viewers on their toes until the very end.”

Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem DVD contains the following special features:

• GOTHAM 2030: Designing a Future World – The artistic team responsible for bringing this future Gotham City to life will take you on an exploration of their creative process, from their earliest concept sketches through the final eye-popping landscapes. Welcome to a Gotham City of tomorrow!

• Ten shorts from the popular DC Nation collection, including “SHAZAM! Courage,” “SHAZAM! Wisdom,” “SHAZAM! Stamina,” “Green Arrow: Onomotopoeia-Bot,” “Green Arrow: Brick,” “Green Arrow: Cupid,” “Deadman: Deadman Catch,” “Animal Man vs. Captain Cold,” “Animal Man vs. Black Manta” and “Riddler: Riddle Me This!”

The Basics

Street Date: August 18, 2015 Order Due Date: July 14, 2015 Languages: English Audio: Dolby Stereo Color Run Time: Approx. 72 minutes Rating: NR

KUNG FU KILLER Is Coming To BD & DVD July 21st

Legendary Hong Kong action icon Donnie Yen (Ip Man trilogy, Hero) is back in top form with the bone-crunching, martial arts action thriller KUNG FU KILLER, debuting on Digital HD July 7, before hitting Blu-ray^™ and DVD July 21 from Well Go USA Entertainment. When a vicious serial killer targets top martial arts masters, convicted criminal and kung fu master Hahou (Donnie Yen) is the only one with the skills to stop him. Released from jail and into police custody, they soon have their doubts about Hahou’s true allegiance, causing Hahou to be hunted by an unstoppable killer (Wang Baoqiang) and the entire police force.  Louis Fan (Flying Swords of Dragon Gate), Wang Baoqiang (Iceman) and Charlie Yeung (Bangkok Dangerous) also star for Director Teddy Chen (Bodyguards & Assassins, The Accidental Spy) in the action-packed drama that won “Best Action Choreography” at the 2015 Hong Kong Film Awards. Bonus features onKUNG FU KILLER include a behind-the-scenes featurette that explores the making of some of the key sequences.

Synopsis:

A vicious killer stalks the streets of Hong Kong, methodically executing top martial arts competitors. Xia (Donnie Yen), a convicted killer and kung fu expert, offers to help police find the killer and put him behind bars – in return for his own freedom. The killer eludes them again and again, taunting the cops - and Xia, his new target - to discover his next moves. Xia refuses to play his lethal game…until the killer threatens the woman he loves most.

Bonus Features Include:

• Making of
  • Fight To The Top
  • The Spirit of Kung Fu
  • The Final Duel
  • Legendary Action Directors
• Trailer

KUNG FU KILLER has a runtime of approximately 101 minutes and is not rated. For more information, please visit www.wellgousa.com.

Blu-ray	DVD
Catalog #: WGU01635B	Catalog #: WGU01634D
UPC Code: 812491016350	UPC Code: 812491016343
Pre-Order Date: 6/16/15	Pre-Order Date: 6/16/15
SLP: $29.98	SLP: $24.98

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season Arrives July 28 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Delve into the mysterious trek of the Joestar family from the very beginning of the popular manga tale when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases the DVD and digital anime anthology, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season, on July 28, 2015. Featuring all 26 episodes on three DVDs, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season ($49.45 SRP) follows the enthralling, decades-spanning story of wealthy, young Jonathan Joestar and his adoptive brother Dio Brando, the latter of whom uses a mysterious stone mask to become a powerful vampire and further aid his attempt to gain control of the Joestar fortune.  The first season covers two distinct arcs set 50 years apart – “Phantom Blood” depicts the battle between Jonathan and Dio, while the future “Battle Tendency” focuses on Jonathan’s grandson Joseph’s pursuit of the mask’s creators, the Pillar Men.

Based on the monumentally popular manga series by internationally acclaimed author Hirohiko Araki, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season runs the full gamut of genres so prevalent in today’s pop culture: supernatural, adventure, comedy, horror, action and mystery. The series is also infused with pop culture references, particularly in the realm of American rock music, including a driving soundtrack that features the band Yes and their 1971 hit, “Roundabout.”

“Few manga series have risen to the level of popularity of this franchise, making it a true privilege to release this epic anime series on DVD and digital,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “The sheer scope of the first, multigenerational season of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: The Complete First Season, and this series’ unique place in the pop culture canon, makes this a ‘must-have’ for fans across the globe.”

The Basics

Street Date: July 28, 2015 Order Due Date: June 23, 2015 Languages: English Audio: Dolby Stereo Color Run Time: Approx. 624 minutes Rating:  NR

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

WB Animation Announces LEGO DC Super Heroes - Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom!

DC Comics and LEGO^® fans can rejoice as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Entertainment and The LEGO^® Group release their next animated feature, LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! on Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on August 25, 2015. The Blu-ray^TM and DVD releases will include an exclusive Trickster LEGO^® Minifigure, while supplies last. LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! will be available on Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack for $24.98 SRP and on DVD for $19.98 SRP.  The Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet. Fans can also own LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! in Digital HD on August 11 via purchase from digital retailers.

Crime is on the run as the newly formed Justice League keeps Metropolis safe and this makes evil genius Lex Luthor very unhappy. Together with Black Manta, Sinestro and a gang of ruthless recruits, Lex builds his own league and declares them the Legion of Doom. With this super powered team of terror and a plan to attack the top-secret government site, Area 52, can Lex finally be on the verge of victory? Sound the “Trouble Alert” and get ready for the bricks to fly when Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League face off against the world’s greatest Super-Villains! It’s the next all-new original movie from LEGO® and DC Comics.

The cast of LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom!  features some of the top voiceover artists in the industry, led by Justice League heroes Troy Baker (Batman), Nolan North (Superman), Josh Keaton (Green Lantern), Khary Payton (Cyborg), James Arnold Taylor (The Flash) and Grey Griffin (Wonder Woman, Lois Lane). The Legion of Doom includes Mark Hamill (Trickster, Sinestro), John DiMaggio (Lex Luthor, Joker), Kevin Michael Richardson (Captain Cold, Gorilla Grodd, Black Manta), Tom Kenny (Penguin), Cree Summer (Cheetah) and Tony Todd (Darkseid). Dee Bradley Baker is both hero and villain as Martian Manhunter and Man-Bat.

LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! is directed by Rick Morales from a script by Jim Krieg. Sam Register. Jill Wilfert, Jason Cosler and Keith Malone are executive producers. Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are co-executive producers, and Brandon Vietti is supervising producer.

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is excited to release LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom!” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. “This is a wonderful addition to the LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes franchise.  The Justice League is facing off against the most formidable villains yet, resulting in an action-packed and hilarious film.”

LEGO^® DC Comics Super Heroes - Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom! Special Features include:

• Featurette - “Click, Zap, Boom! Creating the Sound Design” - This fun documentary goes behind the scenes with the talented sound design and foley team to explore how LEGO^® sounds are created live on stage and then edited into the final movie.

Trailer Time: Boring Ass Teaser For Ash vs. Evil Dead

Wow that was... boring. Don't get me wrong I'm hyped on this show. I have zero expectations for it which is the best possible thing for me, but that teaser was... boring. Are they trying to get my mom to watch it after Outlander or some shit? I'm still looking forward to the show, but I hope the marketing gets better or at the very least stays off my radar.

From Starz:

The STARZ Original series “Ash vs Evil Dead” is rolling out new teasers this week for the 10-episode first season of the half-hour series executive produced by Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert, Bruce Campbell, the original filmmakers of the franchise, and Craig DiGregorio who will serve as executive producer and showrunner.  “Ash vs Evil Dead,” which is currently in production in New Zealand, is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead and is set to premiere on STARZ in Fall 2015.

Campbell will be reprising his role as Ash, the stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last 30 years avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead.  When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons –personal and literal.  Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its “Evil” grip.

The cast is led by Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) in the role of Ash Williams, Lucy Lawless (“Salem,” “Spartacus”) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks, Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers)as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash’s loyal sidekick, Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past and Jill Marie Jones (“Sleepy Hollow”) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner.

Raimi is directing the first episode of “Ash vs Evil Dead” that he wrote with Ivan Raimi (Darkman, Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell), and Tom Spezialy (“Chuck,” “Reaper,” “Desperate Housewives”). Raimi will also serve as executive producer, with Rob Tapert (Evil Dead, “Spartacus,” Xena: Warrior Princess”) and Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, “Burn Notice”) along with Craig DiGregorio (“Workaholics,” “Chuck”) who will serve as executive producer/showrunner. Ivan Raimi will co-executive produce and Aaron Lam (“Spartacus”) and Chloe Smith (“Spartacus”) will serve as producers.

Spider-Man and Sabretooth Play Chess in Pawn Sacrifice

Just kidding, it's just the two actors that played Spider-Man and Sabretooth! Seriously though, I'm interested in this movie... call me a Bobby Fisher sucker.

In a gripping true story set during the height of the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire) finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire. Also starring Liev Schreiber and Peter Sarsgaard, PAWN SACRIFICE chronicles Fischer's terrifying struggles with genius and madness, and the rise and fall of a kid from Brooklyn who captured the imagination of the world.

Review: Arrow 3.23 - My Name Is Oliver Queen

The Arrow finale was, in a word, underwhelming. A lot gets resolved and settled, and it’s all well and good, but this episode wasn’t particularly exciting, especially as a season finale. Merlyn reveals to Team Arrow that he and Oliver have been planning this for a while, and that it had to look like Oliver betrayed them in order for Ra’s to trust him. This makes perfect sense and Team Arrow should probably have figured it out themselves, but they’re a bit too busy feeling actually betrayed. Elsewhere, Oliver reveals himself to Ra’s pretty immediately. Ra’s is heading to Starling to unleash the bioweapon- against which Team Arrow is already conveniently inoculated. He’s aiming not only for the city Oliver loves, but also for Damien Darhk, because another rushed subplot was exactly what this episode needed.

The final showdown between Ra’s and Oliver is also pretty underwhelming. They duel on a bridge while the SCPD looks on, a sniper waiting for a “clean shot.” The sniper’s kind enough to wait until Oliver and Ra’s hash it out; Ra’s gives Oliver his ring and his title, then dies. Oliver’s then shot by the sniper fellow and tumbles off the bridge, and it’s Felicity in the Atom suit who saves him. I’ll admit that bit was pretty sweet.

This episode had a few other good points. Barry makes a very brief appearance. Lance shows up for the first time in a couple episodes- I think it’s been at least three since we’ve seen him. Thea works the Arsenal suit, and even gets Oliver’s blessing to become yet another Starling City Mask. I enjoyed the little exchange where she says she’s considering going by Red Arrow and Oliver replies that he’s already told everyone to call her Speedy.

In the end, Oliver’s vigilante days are behind him; it’s time for him to leave Starling, and Felicity’s going with him. I know many are excited and/or relieved that they’ve finally gotten together, and I’d include myself in that, though I’m kind of amused that he’s still technically married to Nyssa. And as per their “deal,” Oliver gives the Demon’s Head ring and title to Merlyn, which can’t possibly go wrong.

Overall, the finale did well wrapping up all the loose ends, but that’s about it. Despite packing so much into one episode, it really dragged and did little to hold my interest.

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Score: 2/5

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Arrow 3.23 – “My Name Is Oliver Queen” Watch Arrow on the CW, Wednesdays at 8/7c.

Simulcast of God Eater on Daisuki.net World-Wide Starting From July 5

Anime Consortium Japan Inc., the Japanese company for official anime streaming, announced today that they will stream GOD EATER as simulcast starting from July 5, 2015 (SUN). Based on the videogame hit series by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the animation studio ufotable has adapted GOD EATER into an anime. Directed by Takayuki Hirao (Kara no Kyoukai 5: Mujun Rasen , Majokko Shimai no Yoyo to Nene). The anime adaptation of GOD EATER will be the 2nd co-production title for Anime Consortium Japan. The opening theme will be sung by OLDCODEX, who are known among anime fans for their songs they have contributed to titles like Kuroko’s Basket and Free!.

About GOD EATER:

The Far East, 2071.

The domain of the mad gods.

In the early 2050s, unknown life forms called “Oracle cells” begin their uncontrolled consumption of all life on Earth. Their ravenous appetite and remarkable adaptability earn them first dread, then awe, and finally the name “aragami”. In the face of an enemy completely immune to conventional weapons, urban civilization collapses, and each day humanity is driven further and further toward extinction.

One single ray of hope remains for humanity. Following the development of “God Arcs”—living weapons which incorporate Oracle cells—their wielders are organized into an elite force. In a world ravaged by mad gods, these “God Eaters” fight a desperate war...

GOD EATER will premiere on July 5 (JST) on Japanese television and as simulcast streaming on DAISUKI ( www.DAISUKI.net ) for free. The Streaming on DAISUKI will be offered world-wide (except for China & Japan).

Streaming area:  World-wide (except for China & Japan) Streaming start:  July 5 (JST)

STAFF:

Original work: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. Director/Director of audiography: Takayuki Hirao Character Design: Keita Shimizu Art Director： Masaru Yanaka Color Design: Emi Chiba Director of Photography： Kentaro Waki, Shigeji Matsuda CG Director: Masato Takizawa Editing: Tsuyoshi Imai Music production: Go Shiina Animation production: ufotable Opening theme: OLDCODEX

CAST:

Lenka Utsugi: Ryuichi Kijima Rindou Amamiya: Hiroaki Hirata Soma Shichsal: Kazuya Nakai Sakuya Tachibana: Sayaka Ohara Kota Fujiki: Daisuke Sakaguchi Alisa Ilyinichna Omela: Maaya Sakamoto

About the game series:

A “Dramatic Monster-Slaying Action” game series, featuring a rich, dramatic story and exhilarating high-speed action. Beginning with the February 2010 release of God Eater for PSP_®, enhanced in October 2010 as God Eater Burst (released in English as Gods Eater Burst), God Eater returned in November 2013 with God Eater 2 for PSP_® and PlayStation_®Vita before finally arriving on the big screen with God Eater 2 Rage Burst for PlayStation_®4 and PlayStation_®Vita in February 2015. With over three million units sold, the series celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2015 with its first television anime series.

Official website: http://www.godeater.jp/

About OLDCODEX:

Japanese rock band formed in 2009 with a unique combination of members: OLDCODEX consists of Ta_2 a.k.a Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Vocals) and YORKE., a painter known for his collaborations of art works and live events with various musicians and artists. Their sound is mainly a mix of rock, loud and dance elements, interwoven with art, making their works delightful in an auditory as well as a visible sense. They are also famous for their energetic concerts.

Official website: http://oldcodex.com/

About Anime Consortium Japan Inc.

Anime Consortium Japan Inc. was established on November 7, 2014. The new company was created to develop a platform that will provide streaming service of official Japanese anime content and operate an e-commerce site to offer anime character-related goods to overseas fans. The major shareholders are BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc., Cool Japan Fund Inc., ASATSU-DK INC., Aniplex Inc., TOEI ANIMATION Co., Ltd., SUNRISE Inc., TMS ENTERTAINMENT CO.LTD, NIHON AD SYSTEMS, INC. (NAS), and DENTSU INC. as of December 25, 2014. Anime Consortium Japan (ACJ) has merged with Daisuki and is taking over their business and remodeling and upgrading all services.

DAISUKI.net is currently streaming titles such as MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THE ORIGIN,SWORD ART ONLINE 2, M3 the dark metal, Persona 4 the Golden ANIMATION, KILL la KILL, SUSHI NINJA, and more. Visit http://www.daisuki.net to see the full selection of titles.

Not To Be Outdone By Supergirl, CW Reveals DC's Legends of Tomorrow Trailer

Well this happened... somehow it's worse than I imagined and I have a vivid imagination. I mean why the fuck is Arrow talking like he's the boss hog and revealing his identity to assholes he doesn't know? Why the fuck is the Flash talking like he has his shit in order when we see how far from the truth that is each and every week? Why the fuck are they standing on a rooftop waiting for Rip Hunter to make a flashy Doctor Who esc appearance? And have no doubt, his entire delivery (while still ten times better than everyone else's) was all Doctor Who inspired. And why the fuck is Brandon Routh reduced to bumbling idiot? He's a fucking billionaire genius right? This was beyond depressing and the fact that they're facing Vandal Savage and that Arrow and Flash will be on the show to some degree is just... even more depressing. It's like they took everything that was bad about Arrow and Flash and captured that magic in a bottle or a bag of shit.

The First Look of Supergirl on CBS Reminds Me Why She Sucks

First off, let me just say, hats off to CBS for not giving two shits about Supergirl. When I first saw the clip, I was shocked how execrable the experience was.  Then I remember that CBS didn't care about this show let alone "Supergirl". Then I was hit with a stale revaluation, not even DC cares about Supergirl. Have you ever read a Supergirl book, they're awful-- how about a fucked up origin that changes every time the book is relaunched, no direction or personality and no being a girl doesn't count, no quality rivals just hand me down Superman rogues. Basically she's nothing other than a D-list Superman that sits down when she pees. Look, ask anybody, I'm a fan of Supergirl but it's shame she's handled this way because she can tell stories that you can't tell with Superman. You'd figure with the push to get well written female centric protagonists in the forefront of comics, Kara would be towards the front of the pack, not hanging with Ambush Bug. CBS is pretty late to the comic book on television party and I'm pretty sure that they don't care. This first look was more than proof. I'm sure it will do okay numbers in the beginning because everyone has comic book show fever but in all reality, if Supergirl doesn't pull some procedural crime drama out of her ass she'll won't see a season 2. Because that network has 10 million CSI shows. Who am I kidding this thing is going to run for years.

Review: Arrow 3.22 - This Is Your Sword

Oliver is a big faker and I’m mad about it. Al Sah-him isn’t real and Oliver isn’t really gone. He and Merlyn have planned this since the beginning; Merlyn told Oliver what to expect with his transformation into the Heir, and Oliver used that information to trick Ra’s al Ghul, which is apparently a thing people are able to do. I personally was a bit disappointed by this. During the last episode I had the fleeting thought that Ollie was faking, but I dismissed it, thinking it was too easy. But I’ve been wrong before and I was wrong now. Merlyn’s got to convince Team Arrow that Oliver is still Oliver, and get them to stop Ra’s and Al Sah-him from unleashing the bioweapon. He enlists Tatsu’s help in convincing Team Arrow, which makes total sense, seeing as they have no idea who she is or what she means to Oliver. Merlyn, Felicity, Diggle, Laurel, Tatsu, and Ray make up an interesting but ineffective team; the episode ends with them imprisoned in Nanda Parbat and in capital t Trouble.

Thea goes to see Roy which is only worth mentioning because it looks like she’ll be taking on the Arsenal suit. So I guess this is goodbye to Roy for real? And maybe I’ll finally get that Thea action I’ve been waiting on for this entire season.

Al Sah-him and Nyssa get officially married and Oliver’s now Ibn al Ghul. I still have no idea what they’re aiming for here but I hope that when Oliver inevitably returns to Team Arrow, Nyssa goes with him. Another woman in the field would be great, plus she and Laurel supposedly have a strong friendship we’ve seen very little of, and she’d certainly bring a different perspective to the team. While we’re at it, I’m also cool with having Ray around a bit more. He brings some light-heartedness that the team could really use. I love Ollie but he can be a downer.

The season finale is next week and I’m looking forward to it, despite the messiness of the past couple of episodes. There’s a lot to be resolved and not all of it can be done in one episode. Diggle and Oliver’s friendship is shattered, and that won’t be easily mended. Felicity and Oliver have been will-they-won’t-they for far too long, and I can’t imagine the writers dragging that out any further than they already have, so hopefully that one will be resolved. And speaking of dragging things out, this episode was a prime example - I feel like I spent the entire episode waiting for it to start.

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Score: 3/5

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Arrow 3.22 – “This Is Your Sword” Watch Arrow on the CW, Wednesdays at 8/7c.

Group Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Well don’t say we didn’t give you time to see the movie because we did! That’s right, as is the tradition on the site when a new comic book movie is released we round up the gang and the interested parties give their thoughts and a score for the film. Today of course is the Avengers sequel, but you know what… there’s only like three of us on this thing… that might say more than the review. Here’s the synopsis:

The first Avengers film made like a billion dollars… they made a sequel by the same guy and with the same cast and added a few other characters and a new villain. Also there’s cameos… Do you like Marvel movies? Then you get the picture then.

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SAMANTHA: 4/5

So this movie was one of those movies that takes a while to settle in your head. Although I liked it while I was watching it, I loved it after thinking about it. It had a lot of good qualities that a superhero movie needed. Some qualities that stood out for me were The Vision, the huge plot backdrop, the teamwork, and of course Scarlet Witch.

Not being a big A.I. fan, I didn’t think I would like The Vision or that he would be in it that much... but both of those fragments are wrong. He is in it a lot more than expected and he rocked it! Right away, he just looks so freakin’ cool. Then he plays this very nonchalant guy that can totally rock a cape. Paul Bettany plays him perfectly and almost makes me wonder if he himself is a robot…?

Then this movie came across bigger than the last one. Maybe just because it was mostly New York that we focused on and Ultron is everywhere, but either way the plot was huge. It felt like a huge crossover event that Marvel didn’t screw up. Leading into Civil War seems like a good step after this colossal story line. The first movie just introduced the team, this movie showed that these dudes are really superheroes on a grand scale, and now we move to the struggles of the hero/human aspect.

The teamwork was spot on. Even when the group was fighting, it seemed like a legit group of people fighting. Nothing was forced. And the action scenes that involved teamwork, such as Thor hitting Cap’s shield, made the sequences so tight.

Scarlet Witch is the woman! Everything she does is intriguing. I think introducing some new Avengers spices things up, but no one will add more spice than her. This is the main reason why this movie was so great!

Since overall, I enjoyed the movie I will only say one line about the wrongs in this film. The opening fight scene was too CGI’ed and Thor randomly leaving to go swimming and then randomly coming back felt out of place.

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NICK: 4/5

I spent almost the whole two-and-a-half hour runtime of Age of Ultron holding my breath, waiting to be let down. The first Avengers movie felt like such lightning in a bottle, a first act executed so well in the solo films, and a stuck landing on the movie.

Luckily, Age of Ultron didn’t disappoint me.

The second installment in the Avengers franchise is as funny, if not funnier, than the first one. That serves it well in certain situations (like Rhodey trying to impress people with War Machine stories at a party), but other times it took me out of the movie. For example, given the trailers and literally any comic Ultron has ever been in, it was a little jarring to see him reacting to things so sarcastically (and the “I’ve Got No Strings” metaphor got beat to death). There’s internal logic behind it, but still, when your soulless A.I. villain rips a guy’s arm off and immediately does an “Ooooh, I’m so sorry, I think that’ll heal fine” reaction, it’s... weird. Not bad, not good; weird.

The one overwhelming thing I loved about Age of Ultron is its third act. After a couple hours of setting up future movies and introducing new characters and running the risk of getting kind of wander-y, the finale wraps up nicely. And if that whole sequence of the Avengers insisting that no civilians get hurt during their world-shattering final battle isn’t a huge fuck-you to Man of Steel, it still came off that way, and god bless you, Marvel, for making superhero movies where the superheroes save people.

I didn’t love this movie like I loved the first one. It did everything right, and the fight scenes were even more impressive, but it just didn’t fuck me up the way the first one did. Having said that, though, I have never been more hyped about Infinity War or Marvel’s Phase Three until this very moment, because holy crap you guys Infinity War is gonna rule.

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DUSTIN: 3/5

Ha! This guy right? I know some of you were thinking it. Here’s the thing about this movie… it is every bit a sequel from the first. In fact it feels so much like the first movie that you could basically watch them back to back and not be lost or confused and maybe even wonder if you weren’t just watching a four hour movie that took a bathroom break and came right back.

And that’s okay. Isn’t that what the comic books do? Therein lies what I don’t like about it and subsequently Marvel’s comic books as well… not a lot changed. And that’s because there’s no danger. None of these characters are going to die (sure one supposedly does) and so the danger and really the feeling of danger is completely lost on the viewer or in the case of the comics the reader. Every character is a franchise and so every character is protected. Oh and I define change as something other than adding new characters and anew threat, that’s pretty much given.

It was entertaining though and that’s all I could ask for. For those who hated it because of casting or story direction I say to you that you were expecting far too much and it’s far too late to be complaining about any such things. The creative process can’t be questioned after the fact. You can criticize it, but not question it. Two different things, trust me. And if you didn’t like Black Widow then you should try reading her in comic book format because Whedon at least attempted to develop the character more than Marvel has since the character was created. She’s a former assassin… not a lot going on there which is why she’s been dumped with Hawkeye so much… nothing going on there either.

Overall if you enjoyed the first film there’s absolutely no reason for you not to enjoy this film. For me, well it’s just not special to see these characters on the screen anymore regardless of who they add to the roster because let’s be honest they’ll add every character they can.

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Writer/Director: Joss Whedon Studio: Disney/Marvel Studios Rating: PG-13 Run Time: 2 hrs 21 min. Release Date: 5/1/15

Group Review: Daredevil 1.13 – Daredevil

Well we were supposed to have this final review for Daredevil up a little bit ago, but things happen, schedules get busy and here we are. This is it, the final episode of Daredevil titled “Daredevil” so that things could be real confusing. Unlike our first episode review we only have a few reviewers that have had the time to blaze through the series so check out what they thought about the season one finale.

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NINA: 5/5

The Daredevil finale involved a lot of yelling on my end. And the faux-wrapping things up with twenty minutes left on the episode- solid way to stress out your viewers. There was so much I loved about this episode, and I had a really hard time coming up with things I didn’t like. When Leland died I knew we were in for a great finale, but this exceed my expectations.

The firefight on the bridge was the main source of my yelling uselessly at the screen. When Fisk started telling the Samaritan story I knew there’d be a rescue, but I didn’t expect it to be so bold or so blatant. Fisk managed to surprise me there.

I particularly loved that moment when Matt catches up to Fisk and it’s just Fisk darting away into the alley. Fisk was very much the cornered, wounded animal, and there was nothing intimidating about the way he ran. This big, hulking man looked a bit like a bug scurrying away. Fisk’s final, desperate attempts at beating Matt and getting out of there were reminiscent of Wesley’s “do you really think I’d put a loaded gun on the table.” They both got too cocky, they both underestimated the opponent, and they both put that loaded gun on the table within reach.

I don’t really have any negative comments about the episode. I got easily caught up in the action and drama of it, and I felt they wrapped up everything they needed to.

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NICK: 4/5

Marvel’s Daredevil certainly does go out with the bang that it’s been promising for the first twelve episodes. Villains are defeated, but at what cost to the heroes?

There’s a lot that happens in the finale, plot-wise, but thematically, there are only a few big sequences. Foggy, Matt and Karen finally mend fences (which feels a little too “Oh, look how easy that was, we’re all friends again” after a couple episodes of Foggy and Matt being super petty); Fisk finally finds out the traitor in his organization all along was actually the asshole with a snarky retort at every turn; and the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen gets a costume to become a symbol for the city.

I don’t think I need to say anything about how amazing Fisk and Vanessa’s storyline was in the show. They decided to come at Fisk from a whole different direction than he’s usually treated to in the comics, and they made him not only surprisingly evil and brutal, but surprisingly innocent and damaged. There were so many opportunities for him to die from his injuries or commit suicide by cop (or, for a real shakeup, the devil in Matt Murdock could have won him over and he could have killed Fisk), but putting him in front of a white wall to think about how alone he is... amazing.

The suit was the most polarizing aspect of the series, it seems. I personally dig it, even if it is couched in a sort of lazy Dark Knight-ish back half of the finale. From the moment Fisk starts biblically monologuing, he becomes more Kingpin and less Fisk, while Matt finally becomes a superhero. It’s the moment where the “realistic” world of the show touches the membrane where it meets the comics, and it definitely worked for me. I’m not huge on biblical monologues from villains, but D’Onofrio kills it.

I don’t think anyone’s surprised that I am 1000% psyched for next season. Now if I can just wait a whole year for it.

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DUSTIN: 3/5

I wanted to like this episode more. There’s a lot going on in the episode and I think there’s a decent amount of payoff for the overall season, but some of it comes too easily. The way they finally snag Fisk is extremely convenient and it all leads to a ridiculous mafia movie style montage with classic music playing over the imagery.

There is one really, really, bright spot in the entire episode and it’s not the final fight between Fisk and Daredevil. In fact that fight was the least satisfying battle of the entire season. No it was the bridge scene and Fisk’s monologue about himself. It was a bit long winded and I wish that they hadn’t cut to the goofy fuckers riding in the truck with him, but otherwise it was fantastic and completed his character development and journey. Everything about that bridge scene was baller as fuck.

My favorite thing had to be when Foggy completely moved on from Karen after saying one dickish thing and not attending a funeral because he was winning the fucking case against Fisk! It was kind of ridiculous that they even bothered building his interest in her just to throw it out the window the minute they could. Seriously they built it for ten episodes and killed it in two.

I did enjoy the last scene with Matt and Karen as it continued to give Karen’s character a lot of realism as she lived with her own actions. That was definitely one of the best things to come from the season. Oh and I hate the costume. It looked stupid and frankly the Ben Affleck suit looked way fucking better. In fact I’ve seen cosplay that looked better, but hey… I’m sure it’ll change by the next season.

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Daredevil 1.13 “Daredevil” Director/Writer: Steven S. DeKnight Distributor: Netflix, ABC Films, Marvel Studios Runtime: 60 Minutes Exclusively on Netflix

Review: The Flash 1.21 – Grodd Lives

I knew I was in for a long episode when Iris was narrating. Slate that, I actually thought I was watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy which isn’t much better. I knew Grodd (which thankfully you can’t hear me say wrong over and over) was going to be in this episode, I just didn’t know they were going to make it all about Iris at the same time. Here’s why… Iris is a terrible character.

I have yet to find anyone that disagrees with this. In fact my house hold which consists of me and two women all groaned at the sound of Iris’ voice and took turns telling Iris “fuck you” when she would say anything remotely selfish and stupid. Which is basically her throughout the entire episode.

I’m going to get the Grodd shit out of the way quick and hey spoilers if you care.

If you know anything about Grodd then you know his power set which made this episode actually pretty fucking boring for me. I knew that he was mind controlling General Eiling the minute I saw the character and while I don’t remember why he needs gold, I wasn’t surprised that he was going for it either. Grodd fucks with Barry and the team has to overcome the fact that they don’t have Dr. Wells and figure out how to beat Grodd… which they don’t really do. The CG on Grodd is actually pretty fucking good for a TV show which is why they’ll basically only use him in very small doses and we’re likely to see the same animation over and over. Basically Grodd has been sent to distract them so Wells/Reverse Flash can finish his shit and talk to Eddie a lot about how he’s a fucking failure and what was all that about knowing too much of the future again?

Really the bulk of the episode is spent with Iris who has figured out on her own that Barry is the Flash… finally. Which means that all of the main characters on the show now know his identity. Four or five sub-characters know his identity. All the main characters on Arrow know his identity and basically all the villains locked in the prison know his identity… so good for her.

She tests Barry to see if he’ll break and tell her, but when he doesn’t she shows up to STAR labs which still just lets anyone in and finds Cisco, Caitlin and Barry talking about their first Grodd encounter with Barry in the suit. After that is a series of selfish conversations on her part in which she asks why they lied to her, why they haven’t gotten back her boyfriend, why everyone knew but her and blah, blah, blah.

Again… fuck you Iris.

It really isn’t that she’s whinny, it’s that she sucks. The writers have butchered this character and actress Candice Patton really doesn’t do anything to spice up the role. She gives the same emotion the entire episode and it’s just very in-line with a lot of acting on the CW. And that sucks because other than Iris and Barry the rest of the cast can actually act… okay Eddie too, but I always forget to count that guy. I mean Caitlin definitely has a limited range, but when she’s in the range she does just fine. Iris has no range. She’s basically just fake happy or annoyingly stupid and selfish which the writer’s think means “upset.”

If you haven’t watched the episode yet pay close attention to how many times Iris walks into the main room at STAR labs and just finishes everyone’s sentence like she was listen to everything. One of the times she does this it’s impossible for her to even know what the fuck they’re talking about because she knows nothing about their operation which was extremely annoying.

But hey… at least she’s not the damsel right? I’m mean her boyfriend and father are damsels and then she’s pissed at everyone for not doing more to get them back and save them. It’s funny because she disses on her father for throwing himself into danger and yet she doesn’t say shit about Barry doing it because he’s fast… what? Again, everything she says or does in this episode is about her and how she’s hurt or has been wronged. Even when she gets her dad back she reminds Barry that they still need to get Eddie… Fuck you Iris.

Overall I called every twist about this episode. The General being a puppet. Grodd not doing anything and Barry and the team not actually stopping him. And the worst one, the worst one that I called was that Wells was actually right underneath them… because why wouldn’t he be. I’m scoring this episode a little higher just due to the CG on that gorilla, but otherwise it was a terrible episode that made me lose all faith in the show, especially now that they’ve adapted the system of the triple ending and added Iris to the team instead of just letting her be the annoying sub-character she was before. Lastly… when is someone going to stop them from using STAR labs? I mean… Wells technically owns it so… huh…

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Score: 2/5

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The Flash 1.21 – "Grodd Lives" The Flash airs Tuesdays 8/7 C

Daisuki.net Adds The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki chan and Triage X

Okay those are two pretty big pick-ups. Triage X hasn’t been great. There are a lot of problems, but I’ve kept watching it in the hope that it will get better. Now I don’t have to try as hard to watch it and that’s great because I do honestly enjoy Daisuki’s streaming service. The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki chan is another that I’ve really enjoyed this season. I’ve even been a little slower at watching them just so I could savor the series and not be furious when waiting for another episode. You can check out our review coverage for both by clicking the links and here’s more info on the series heading over to Daisuki.net. From Daisuki.net

Anime Consortium Japan Inc., the Japanese company for official anime streaming, announced today that they will add 2 new titles from the spring 2015 season which are broadcasting now on Japanese television: The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki chan and TRIAGE X.

About The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki chan:

The heroine this time is the “disappeared” Nagato!? Nagato...falls in love for the first time.

The heroine this time is the “disappeared” Nagato!? The popular manga by Puyo (The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan) is at last an anime!! Nagato...falls in love for the first time. This is.... a story about Yuki Nagato, a rather shy but ordinary girl.

Yuki Nagato, an ordinary high school student belonging to the literature club at North High, is a shy girl who has secret feelings for Kyon, also a member of the club. With the help of her best friend, Ryoko Asakura, she scrambles to hold a Christmas party at the clubroom, but.....!?

About TRIAGE X:

There is a secret organization whose purpose is to sort or "triage" the evils in the world that cannot be brought to justice! The evils are classified as malignant tumors and are removed from this world and shrouded in darkness.

That secret organization is called “Black Label”. Arashi Mikami, a 17-year old high school student, rises against great evil as a member of Black Label. The story is an account of the selections, determination and battle of a killer who’s only a high school boy.

Streaming of both titles will be available on DAISUKI ( www.DAISUKI.net ) and on the DAISUKI app (for iOS and Android) for free with English subtitles. The streaming quality will be 1080p HD for users with a free DAISUKI ID. The streaming area includes the United States and Canada.

The first episode of The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki chan will premiere on May 11 2015 at 11:00 (JST), while streaming of TRIAGE X will start on May 11 at 11:00 (JST). New episodes of both series will be added every other Monday.

Review: Arrow 3.21 - Al Sah-Him

Oliver is gone, Al Sah-him is in training, and Team Arrow is left reeling. Lyla gets some screentime, and Nyssa actually works with them this time. When Nyssa finds out Oliver’s gone to Nanda Parbat, she knows her time is up. We open with Al Sah-him’s training, and one of his first big tests. Diggle is brought before him and Al Sah-him must kill him, which he does easily. But it turns out it’s not Diggle, just some poor random guy; he’d seen Diggle because he’d been given a hallucinogen. This all makes perfect sense. Ra’s is such a character. Next up, Al Sah-him goes back to Starling to kill Nyssa, and Team Arrow is forced to accept that Oliver has truly been brainwashed. He is unrecognizable, and fairly terrifying.

After Al Sah-him’s first confrontation with Nyssa, he decides to “draw her out” by kidnapping Lyla. This is the point where Diggle knows Oliver is truly gone; they exchange Nyssa for Lyla, but they don’t go down without a fight. Before we find out whether Al Sah-him/Oliver was actually going to kill Diggle, he’s shot in the arm by Thea, of all people, and decides to quit while he’s ahead. The League has Nyssa, and that’s all they needed.

I haven’t talked much about the flashbacks because I think we’re all pretty sick of them, but they’re been building up to this episode. In the flashbacks we learn about the “alpha omega,” a bioweapon which can wreak havoc upon entire cities. Nyssa had it, Ra’s wanted it, and he got it. Now Al Sah-him’s next task is to unleash it on Starling City. There’s also the matter of Nyssa and Al Sah-him’s arranged marriage, meant to unite the families.

This episode was kind of a mess, and while I enjoyed Al Sah-him (evil Stephen Amell) well enough, it was lacking. The transition from Oliver to Al Sah-him was abrupt and made it hard for viewers to jump on board. It wasn’t even a transition so much as a switch. There’s a quick montage, but again, abrupt. Similarly, Nyssa and Laurel’s relationship has changed, and it also feels abrupt to the viewer because we didn’t see it progress. We didn’t necessarily need to check in with them every episode, but we could have used something to make that transition. Laurel’s grown fiercely attached to Nyssa in a very short amount of time, and it seems out of place.

This was a good episode for Diggle, not only as he got good screentime, but he carried a lot of the emotional weight. He and Felicity hold Team Arrow together, and when Lyla is taken he’s forced to acknowledge that his friend is really gone. I also loved the moment when Nyssa called out Laurel on her need to keep secrets from people, specifically secrets pertaining to them. I’ve said it before, I can’t stand that plot device, and since Lance is still freezing Laurel out, you’d think she had learned her lesson.

I was excited to see Thea in the field (finally!) but now that she knows Roy is still alive, it looks like she’s going after him, so it seems she won’t be joining Team Arrow just yet. And as ridiculous as it is, I’m looking forward to seeing the arranged marriage play out.

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Score: 3/5

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Arrow 3.21 – “Al Sah-Him” Watch Arrow on the CW, Wednesdays at 8/7c.

Heroes Take Center Stage at Machinima's Digital Content NewFront Presentation

Machinima’s debut at the Digital Content Newfronts was nothing short of “heroic.” The first global many2many programming service focused on fandom and gamer culture, Machinima unveiled a programming slate designed to elevate and celebrate a global community of gamer, comic and hero fans through the most innovative content on the Internet. Partnerships with Blue Ribbon Content and DC Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Clive Barker, Roberto Orci and Bunim/Murray Productions, along with some of Machinima’s leading creator talent, showcase Machinima’s commitment to developing content across all genres, formats and platforms. “Fandom and gaming engenders so much passion and engagement; it’s a cultural shift uniquely connecting with the most valuable millennials,” said Chad Gutstein, Machinima’s CEO.  “It’s this deep connection to our audience that has made Machinima the ninth largest video entertainment platform in the United States, and the second most watched programmer on YouTube.  With our new slate, we are reminding our fans and our clients of one very important fact: Machinima is back!”

Machinima’s programming slate includes:

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles Season 2

From visionary producer and animator Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series), Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles turns the DC Universe upside-down. In this dark, alternate world, telling the good guys from the bad guys is never easy: Superman is not the son of Jor-El, he’s the son of General Zod; Wonder Woman is not from peaceful Themyscira, but rather the warring nation of Ares; and Batman is more vampire-bat than man…and he’s not Bruce Wayne. It is unclear if our greatest heroes are here to protect us...or to rule us. With Season 1 set to launch in June, Machinima, Blue Ribbon Content and DC Entertainment have already begun development on Season 2, a 10-episode follow-up to the initial limited series.

DC’s Hero Project

Machinima, Blue Ribbon Content, and DC Entertainment are setting out to discover the next great creator for the world of DC Comics.  Eight contestants compete in elimination challenges todevelop a live-action short video based on their own interpretations of characters from DC Comics’ Starman comic book series. Well-known guest judges and celebrity special guests will join bestselling writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and a panel of esteemed judges to oversee the entire competition.

#4Hero

A modern adaptation of DC Comics’ cult-favorite classic “Dial H For Hero”, #4Hero is a live-action, VFX-heavy action-comedy about a young woman named Nellie Tribble who is quietly desperate to make her mark on the world, but wholly unprepared to do so. Nellie stumbles upon a life-altering smartphone app that allows her to instantly become a Super Hero for a short amount of time. The problem is her super powers are dictated by whatever is trending on social media at that moment, and they are always only semi-useful.

Clive Barker’s Creepy Pasta

For the first time, horror legend Clive Barker is stepping away from the creatures of his own imagination and entering into the world of Internet horror fan fiction, affectionately known as Creepy Pasta.  Starting with viral urban legends (e.g. Jeff the Killer, Slender Man and Ben Drowned), Clive Barker’s Creepy Pasta is an original series of live-action, blood-curdling short films.  These new tales will be curated and adapted by Barker from submissions obtained through the creepypasta community, and produced by Machinima to scare you to your core.

RoboCop

"Dead or alive, you're coming with me." OCP’s Security Concepts Division’s RoboCop program is back in an all-new, short-form limited web series, based on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1987 classic action film. RoboCop returns to Delta City where viewers ride along with the now standard-issue RoboCop officers as they respond to calls from dispatch. Tapping into current themes of the surveillance state, the series is shot from the first person point of view of the RoboCop officers’ heads up display, along with security cameras, dash-cams, and drones.

Happy Wheels

"Choose your inadequately prepared racer, and ignore severe consequences in your desperate search for victory!” - Happy Wheels

Machinima will bring audiences an all-new original animated series based on Jim Bonacci’s hit online game Happy Wheels and produced by BMP Digital, the digital division of Bunim/Murray Productions ('The Real World', 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians’). This must-see 10-episode short form series, which will feature fan-favorites such as Wheelchair Guy, Irresponsible Dad and Lawnmower Man, will expand upon the game that has more than 8 million players a month and showcase its notorious dark humor and penchant for blood and gore. Additionally, with over 3.1 billion video views amassed, BMP Digital is looking to leverage the voiceover talents of YouTube influencers such as Toby Turner (15.2M YouTube Subscribers, Cartoon Network’sThe High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange) and others who have made this game so iconic.

Jerome ASF’s The Baka Chronicles

Adding to the gaming fervor, Machinima's iconic Minecrafter Jerome ASF (3.6M YouTube Subscribers), will be teaming with N00b Adventure creator Jim Schwerfeger for an all-new series -The Baka Chronicles. Featuring Jerome ASF's most beloved character, Baka, the series follows two unlikely server admins who problem-solve the hilarious antics of griefers, trolls, and kids who wreak havoc across their favorite multiplayer Minecraft server. Little do our heroes realize this job is a massive headache.

High School 51

Created and produced by Roberto Orci (Transformers, Amazing Spider-Man 2, Star Trek, Sleepy Hollow, Lost, Fringe) and Legion of Creatives, and starring Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow,Tainted Love, Drumline, MADtv), High School 51 is as out of this world as the name implies.

Hidden away in the heart of Area 51, Dream Lake High School is filled with mind-blowing technology, top-secret government programs and a student body that is cool, quirky, attractive, and…well, alien.  No one from the outside has ever been allowed into the school and no human has ever attended...until now.

For 16-year old Alex Valencia, the first and only human ever to attend Dream Lake, high school is going to be tough. Fitting in will be one thing but his biggest challenge just might be saving the human race!

Returning Series

Additionally, Machinima is announcing the return of some of its most popular shows including AFK, Chasing The Cup, Realm, Battlefield Friends, Sanity Not Included, Deck Wars, and ETC.

Everything You Didn't Think You Needed To Know Before Seeing Avengers: Age of Ultron

Hey I know there are a lot of Marvel Cinematic Universe fans out there that don't read comics so I'm going to help you all out and tell you what you need to know before seeing Avengers: Age of Ultron for the fourth of fifth time this weekend. You're probably thinking, I know enough, I saw Guardians of the Galaxy and stayed until the end to see that duck guy that George Lucas once touched inappropriately with his cinematic hands, but really you don't know shit of what I'm about to tell you. Ready? You're not fucking ready. You're probably reading this on a phone in line to see it a second time because your old ass fell asleep during the midnight showing, but you couldn't admit it to your co-workers this morning so when they talked about spoilers you just let them. By the way no spoilers other than you really need to read this article before seeing the movie. Now you're ready.

Number 1

This is a hulk.

Don't ask where he gets those pants from, but let's just say America's obesity problem has him covered.

Number 2

This is a Hulk-Buster.

Now you're probably like, why's everyone got to bust on Hulk? He said my favorite line from the last movie. I quoted the shit out of it and even made it a twitter meme. Well you know that guy that you're okay with at work, but you fucking know he snags shit from people's lunches because he spends all his money on booze and can't afford to live like an adult-- i.e. have money for food. Well the Hulk is kind of like that and Iron Man has had his Zingers snatched one too many times.

Number 3

This is a Quicksilver.

This is also a Quicksilver.

This one is in the movie.

This one stole your heart last summer for about five seconds and made you forget you were watching a Brian Singer X-Men movie.

This is Jubilee and Jean Grey in the 80s... it has nothing to do with this movie, but you can see the Marvel takes their movies seriously whereas Fox watched a bunch of those 90s gap commercials when they were feeling all nostalgic and decided they'd retcon that shit into the X-Men. Thanks Murdoch!

Number 4

This is the Scarlett Witch.

Last year she was married to Quicksilver.

No this one.

Now they're brother and sister... this is why Hollywood is weird and no one likes to touch anything when they go over to a star's house because it could have been used for some sexual act and purposely not cleaned so they can get a laugh out of you touching it...

Which isn't too far off from the comic book...

Number 5

This is a robot named Ultron.

He's a dick and he likes to keep track of his operating system.

This is a robot named Vision.

Let's be honest, he's kind of a dick too.

Sometimes they're brothers, sometimes they're father and son, but really they're always the shittiest thing about the Avengers.

Number 6

Everyone agrees there's not enough Black Widow merchandise and that she needs her own movie.

Everyone.

Why the fuck does Hulk need to tell Marvel this on Twitter? Doesn't he have their number?

Wait a minute... you're telling me that this super realistic toy that retails for just over $200's isn't for children... okay, we do have a problem.

Number 7

People hate odd-numbered lists and really you don't need to know jack about the movie before seeing it and if you miss the Easter Eggs while watching it then they weren't for you or someone on the internet will explain them in a list... Thanks for reading "Everything You Didn't Think You Needed To Know Before Seeing Avengers: Age of Ultron"

Trailer Time: Attack on Titan

I totally meant to post this sooner, but in case you haven't seen it... here's a subtitled version of the Attack on Titan live-action movie. It looks pretty damn good in my opinion even if it's clear they're not going to have younger versions of the actors. Honestly that's probably for the best since it will speed things up. I'm really curious to see the Titans in action though since the director is helming the next Godzilla film. Still haven't watched Attack on Titan? Well it's only twenty-six episodes and you can stream the thing legally damn near anywhere anime is shown so check it out. It drags in places, but overall it's definitely one of the best new anime properties in recent years.

Review: Daredevil 1.12 - The Ones We Leave Behind

Well, we thought we were in the darkness before, True Believers. Hell’s Kitchen was beating down our heroes relentlessly and there was nowhere to go but up, right? Right?

Clearly, if you’re still reading and keeping up with the series: very, very wrong. There’s plenty more down to go. We start by catching up with Karen, shaken by her actions at the end of the last episode, and going through some pretty typical behavior for a person who is clearly in shock. When she’s finally drunk herself to sleep, she has nightmares of Fisk in her apartment, attacking her for what she’s done. As she tries to come to terms with her own demons, she has to play middleman to the “mom and dad are fighting” dynamic of Matt and Foggy from the past couple episodes.

In the hospital, Vanessa wakes up (thank christ--she’s too good an actress to waste as a character in a coma for long), and tells Fisk he won’t be moving her; she’s happy right here. Fisk goes after the people who killed Wesley while Foggy tries to get his ex to look over evidence that her firm’s client, a one Mr. Wilson Fisk, might actually be an evil monster, and Matt manages to follow one of Madame Gao’s delivery guys to the warehouse where the heroin is packaged. He also manages to burn it down--score one for the good guys. Meanwhile, Ben Urich tries to get his piece about Fisk’s childhood published, and is let go from the Bulletin in the process. We get a brief moment to hope he will get whisked away to the Daily Bugle (because Spider-Man rights, guys), but instead, once again, all of our hopes and dreams come crashing down around us.

This episode is the first time that Matt gets to be Daredevil in a tangible way, as well. In previous episodes, he’s dangled men from rooftop edges, he’s gotten in awesome fights, and he’s been super Catholic. In this episode, he finally gets a sequence where he tracks someone by sound, runs over the rooftops to track them down, and then comes back to fuck their shit up. The technical aspects of the chase are incredibly well done, from the camera moves on the rooftops, to the way they chose to represent his super-hearing (soft focus with one man in sharp focus instead of the CGI radar sense is the way to go), and it’s just fun to see the guy jumping all over rooftops on the chase. It’s just this side of old-school, swashbuckling adventurer Daredevil.

The highlight of this episode is the really clever structural twist it plays on the audience. In the pre-credits scenes, we see Karen attacked in her home by Fisk. He shows up behind her, in the dark, waxes philosophic about the things she has taken from him, and just as he begins to assault her, she wakes up. It was all a dream, we laugh, as we sigh a little in relief. Fast forward forty-five minutes. Ben comes home from being fired from his job, intending to write a tell-all expose about Fisk. He pops open his bottle of whiskey and begins to type, just before Fisk shows up behind him, in the dark, waxes philosophic about the things Ben Urich has taken from him, and then he, in a fit of rage, strangles Ben Urich to death. Up until the end of this episode, I was waiting for the camera to cut back to Ben, asleep on his keyboard, or asleep in the chair in his wife’s hospital room.

Marvel’s Daredevil is not afraid to kill the characters who have been around for decades when it’s what the story calls for, and that is something that gives me great faith in it as a new television property. It is also the number one reason it breaks my heart. See you back here with all the rest of the gang for the final episode group review. Stay alive, kids.

Stray Observations:

• “It gets easier the more you do it” is a line that could have gotten laughs, but D’Onofrio’s delivery is haunting.
• “I think they call that loyalty, or something.” God bless you, Leland Owlsley.
• I am thoroughly humbled and disappointed with myself for not realizing until this episode that the symbol they stamped on the heroin at the end of the first episode was the Steel Serpent symbol--one of several Iron Fist teases in this episode.
• People apparently learn how to sneak up on each other professionally in Hell’s Kitchen.
• “Hardcore parkour!”
• Matt must go through like, at least 2 canes a day if he’s just throwing them away in alleys.
• “You sound like a whore.” “Well, I learned how to be one from you...dad!” is how that line should have played. Luckily, I’m not writing for this show.
• Madame Gao thoroughly does not play--apparently even Brubaker thinks she might be Crane Mother?

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Score: 5/5

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Daredevil 1.12 – “The Ones We Leave Behind” Director: Euros Lyn Writer: Douglas Petrie Distributor: Netflix, ABC Films, Marvel Studios Runtime: 60 Minutes Exclusively on Netflix