Flashgitz Presents Pokemanz

Disturbing and hilarious. Well I guess only hilarious if you like Pokemon, but I do so this was hilarious.

Us Versus Movies: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny

It's the podcast for the sequel you didn't ask for! Both myself and Kevin were pretty big fans of the original film so we took a chance on what became a Netflix exclusive (minus the budget support) and dived into a sequel that only brought back one character from the original cast and added Donnie Yen. Did it fly high in the bamboo this time around or fall into a waterfall? Also, Fuller House... its in there for some reason.

Previously on Us Versus Movies...

BLUEFIN TO SHOWCASE A COLORFUL VARIETY OF UNIQUE NEW COLLECTIBLES AT 2016 TOY FAIR

Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, returns to New York City this month for the 2016 American International Toy Fair, taking place February 13^th – 16^th at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in Manhattan. Bluefin will be located in Booth #4834.

Toy Fair is an annual industry event that is produced by the Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA), a not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in manufacturing and distributing toys and youth entertainment products to consumers. TIA’s more than 900 members account for approximately 90% of the annual U.S. domestic toy market of $22B. More details are available at: http://www.toyfairny.com.

During this year’s Toy Fair, Bluefin will showcase a variety of new and upcoming products set for release later this Spring and Summer. Many of these items will be available for pre-order during the show.

Bluefin is proud to expand its popular line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle products with a preview of the forthcoming new Tamashii Nations S.H. Figuarts Ninja Turtles Leonardo and Donatello figures. Set for release later this Summer, the new figures will be debuted specifically for the North American market.

Also on display will be the new Beast Kingdom Star Wars Egg Attack Star Wars Episode V: Millennium Falcon Floating Version and the Kids Logic Back to the Future II Floating DeLorean Car. These innovative products feature the iconic machines from Star Wars and Back to the Future II floating in mid-air atop a customized electromagnetic base.

Booth visitors also can catch the sixth installment of the Terada Mokei’s Architectural Model Series – a beautifully crafted and ingeniously designed construction set featuring a highly detailed 1:100 scale paper model of New York City.

Bluefin Products To Be Showcased At 2016 Toy Fair Include:

Tamashii Nations S.H. Figuarts Ninja Turtles - Leonardo and Donatello Figures ·

MSRP: $62.99ea · Available Summer 2016

Collectors will not want to miss what’s in store from S.H.Figuarts! The first-ever S.H.Figuarts versions of everyone’s favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming in classic animation colors! These new Tamashii Nations figures are being made specifically for the North American market and will be available for a limited time.

First to join the line-up is the leader and most pragmatic of the brothers - Leonardo. Strategic use of die-cast material is integrated for realism in the belt buckle and weight in the legs. The Leonardo set includes his iconic katana (x2), interchangeable head, interchangeable hands (x6), weapon holding parts, and manhole covers (x2).

Second to join the line-up is the brains and inventor of the brothers - Donatello. Strategic use of die-cast material is integrated for realism in the belt buckle and weight in the legs. The Donatello set includes his formidable staff, interchangeable head, interchangeable hands (x6), weapon holding parts, and a pizza.

Get your cowabunga on S.H.Figuarts style (and grab some pizza while you’re at it)!

Beast Kingdom Star Wars Egg Attack EA-020 STAR WARS Episode V: Millennium Falcon Floating Version · MSRP: $184.99 · Available May 2016

Beast Kingdom delivers the Egg Attack Star Wars Millennium Falcon Floating Version -- the world’s first floating Millennium Falcon! The innovative product uses electromagnetic attraction and repulsion to make the Millennium Falcon float on air! Pre-orders for this product, which ships in May 2016, will be available during Toy Fair.

To reproduce the iconic Corellian YT-1300 light space freighter, every detail of the Millennium Falcon was meticulously crafted, including the armor plating, AG-2G quad laser cannon, and sensor dish. The Millennium Falcon floating version is painted with high-quality metal coating, showcasing steel-like armor and battle damage. Each Egg Attack - EA-020 Star Wars Episode V Millennium Falcon Floating comes with a magnetic levitation Echo Base. A perfect item for the avid Star Wars collector or pop culture fan.

Kids Logic “Back to the Future” Floating DeLorean · MSRP: $224.99 ·

Available Spring 2016 (Estimated)

The famous DeLorean time machine as featured in Back to the Future Part II is offered in a high detail floating version officially licensed by Universal Studios. The 1/20 scale recreation of the car is about 8.6 inches in length and features 10 light-up LEDs, opening doors and removable, swappable wheels (two sets) for normal driving and flying scenes. Flame effect parts are also included along with 2 different bases – a magnetic floating base and a standard display base. A truly unique item!

Terada Mokei’s Architectural Model Series: No. 6 New York · MSRP: $14.95 ·

Available Now!

The sixth installment of the Architectural Model series features famous landmarks from the street corners of one of the world's most exciting cities. Created by Japanese architect Naoki Terada, these amazing 1:100 scaled paper models offer simple, charming snapshot of commonplace scenarios including children playing in a park, a cherry blossom viewing, patrons enjoying coffee at an outdoor café, the hubbub of activity in front of a New York subway and much more. Each model is packaged in single-colored sheets equipped with individually laser-cut parts, reminiscent of model die-cuts. This is a perfect compact items that also makes a thoughtful gift and can be included in greeting card envelope.

Riverdale's Jughead and Betty Revealed

Ugh... a Disney kid... blah. I don't know what I expected from this casting announcement... not this... definitely not this. From Archie Comics:

Following up on the news that The CW officially picked up the pilot episode for the live-action “Riverdale” TV series comes word that two of the most beloved characters in comics have been cast: Jughead Jones and Betty Cooper. Former Disney Channel star Cole Sprouse (The Sweet Life of Zack and Cody) will play Jughead Jones in the pilot, with Lili Reinhart (Surviving Jack) playing Betty Cooper. In the exclusive announcement, Deadline described Reinhart’s Betty as “sweet, studious, eager-to-please and wholesome, with a huge crush on her longtime best friend, Archie.”

Sprouse’s Jughead is described as “a heartthrob with a philosophical bent and former best friend of Archie Andrews.”

Expect more “Riverdale” casting news in the coming weeks.

The one-hour drama will be written by Archie Comics Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Warner Brothers Studios and Berlanti Productions and has been described as a subversive take on the classic Archie mythos. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Jon Goldwater, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa serve as executive producers.

The live-action series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica, and their friends, exploring small-town life and the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale’s wholesome facade. The show will focus on the eternal love triangle of Archie Andrews, girl-next-door Betty Cooper, and rich socialite Veronica Lodge, and will include the entire cast of characters from the comic books—including Archie’s rival, Reggie Mantle, and his slacker best friend, Jughead Jones.

Popular gay character Kevin Keller will also play a pivotal role. In addition to the core cast, “Riverdale” will introduce other characters from Archie Comics’ expansive library, including Josie and the Pussycats.

For more information about "Riverdale", visit the official Archie Comics website.

New BLEACH ANIME DOUBLE-FEATURE Home Media Set Debuts From VIZ Media

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor, publisher and licensor of anime and manga in North America, offers a special treat to anime aficionados and BLEACH fans as it announces the release of the BLEACH MOVIES: THE UNFORGIVEN DOUBLE FEATURE, a special home media edition. Set for retail release on February 16^th, this new DVD set contain BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK as well as BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE. The 2-disc set will carry an MSRP of $14.98 U.S. / $21.99 CAN and will feature dubbed English as well as subtitled audio tracks for both movies. Bonus features will include a production art gallery and movie trailers.

In BLEACH THE MOVIE: FADE TO BLACK, a strange disturbance in the World of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has been devastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, none of the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he's the one responsible for the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle in order to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!

Hell – a place where beings that have committed mortal sins during their lifetime are sent. It is a realm where even Soul Reapers are forbidden to interfere. In BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE, a group of vicious Sinners plots to escape from this eternal prison, they discover that Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki is the key to their freedom. The Sinners launch an attack and in the process kidnap Ichigo’s younger sister Yuzu and take her to Hell. With the help of a mysterious man named Kokuto, Ichigo and his friends must now travel into the depths of Hell to stop the Sinners and save Yuzu, unaware that their actions could bring Hell to the World of the Living.

The BLEACH animated films and TV series (distributed in North America by VIZ Media, rated ‘TV-14’) are based on a smash hit manga series created by Tite Kubo (also published in North America by VIZ Media, rated ‘T’ for Teens) that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow – a malevolent lost soul – Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

For more information on BLEACH manga and anime titles published by VIZ Media, please visit www.viz.com.

Film Tekkonkinkreet by STUDIO4℃ 10th anniversary from the theatrical release!

As a celebration of 10th anniversary since the theatrical release of the film “Tekkonkinkreet,” exciting events are coming up in Japan. Also a new artbook focusing on characters will be released WORLDWIDE on April 6^th!

<ABOUT EVENTS>

Event title: Tekkonkinkreet 10^th Anniversary Genga/ Key animation Exhibition (working title) Start date: April 6^th (For 2 months) Details: Exhibitions of key animations, image boards, character designs, background arts, and more Venue: Fukushima Sakura Yugakusha Coming-up events will be informed on the 10^th Anniversary Special Campaign page! (http://www.fun-and.studio4c.jp/index.php?page=project&mode=tekkon)

<ABOUT ARTBOOK: Characters>

The new artbook includes never-been-published materials, such as character designs, image boards, and key animations. Following the former two books, Tekkonkinkreet Film ARTBOOK Kuro (Black) side and Shiro (White) side, which included background arts and met with an enthusiastic reception, it is the third bullet for all animation fans! More sample images will be introduced here soon 

■ Release date: April 6^th (Shiro’s day)

■ Tekkonkinkreet Film ARTBOOK: Characters

B5 size, hardcover, 192 pages, 2,980 yen Contents: Character designs, image boards, key animations, and more. (Captions and texts are in Japanese.) ※ Details and contents are subject to change.

<10th Anniversary Special Campaign>

The ARTBOOK will be available prior to the release date on “STUDIO4℃FUN&” (www.fun-and.studio4c.jp) from TODAY (February 6^th) at 7:00 pm (JST) until April 5^th!

There are special advantages such as autographs of the director Michael Arias and the character designer & the supervising animation director Shojiro Nishimi (Limited 100), and hand-drawn key animations used in the movie!! Don’t miss the chance!

<ABOUT “Tekkonkinkreet”>

Based on the legendary comic by Taiyo Matusmoto, Tekkonkinkreet is the directorial debut of THE ANIMATRIX producer Michael Arias. Cutting-edge 3D-CG blends with old-fashioned hand drawn animation to create a movie of tremendous energy and momentum.

With harmony of STUDIO4°C’s skilled creators such as Hiroaki Ando (co-director), Shinji Kimura (art director), and Shojiro Nishimi (character designer and animation director), Tekkonkinkreet is a shining example of a high quality, no-compromise animation production of STUDIO4°C.

UK Techno masters Plaid's soundtrack helps bring Taiyo Matsumoto's profound, poetic work to vivid life. The main characters WHITE and BLACK were voiced by Kazuya Ninomiya from the Japanese popular singer group ARASHI and young performing actress Yu Aoi.

MAIN STAFF Director: Michael Arias Co-director: Hiroaki Ando Character Designer • Supervising Animation Director: Shojiro Nishimi Art Director: Shinji Kimura CGI Director: Takuma Sakamoto Animation Director: Chie Uratani Animation Director • Vehicle Designer: Masahiko Kubo Original Comic：Taiyo Matsumoto

CAST Black (Kuro) • Itachi: Kazunari Ninomiya White (Shiro): Yu Aoi Suzuki: Min Tanaka Kimura: Yusuke Iseya Chocola: Nao Omori Vanilla: Yoshinori Okada Sawada: Kankuro Kudo Hebi: Masahiro Motoki

VIZ Media's NARUTO Feature Film Catalog Launches On STEAM Digital Content Platform

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, brings the action and excitement of NARUTO to Steam, a leading interactive content delivery platform by software company, Valve Corporation. All 10 full-length feature films from the NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arcs are available (English dubbed) for purchase and rental on Steam in the U.S. and Canada, including:

• NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW
• NARUTO THE MOVIE: LEGEND OF THE STONE GELEL
• NARUTO THE MOVIE: GUARDIANS OF THE CRESCENT MOON KINGDOM
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE WILL OF FIRE
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: THE LOST TOWER
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BLOOD PRISON
• ROAD TO NINJA: NARUTO THE MOVIE
• THE LAST: NARUTO THE MOVIE

For a limited time only, a special promotional price will be available on the movies. Please visit http://store.steampowered.com/ to access these films.

“With its kinetic on-screen action and iconic characters, NARUTO has captivated millions of dedicated gamers and anime fans, and the movies are a wonderful complement to the content Steam offers its substantial user community,” says Brian Ige, Vice President, Animation. “We look forward to the future of this partnership.”

Steam is a leading content platform with thousands of titles and millions of members. Through Steam, fans can easily buy, play, share, modify, and build communities around Valve products as well as titles from other independent studios. Steam is available in 237 countries and 21 different languages. Since March 2015, Steam has also added more than 100 film titles, with more coming soon.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

VIZ Media is the North American master licensor for NARUTO and distributes the NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series and feature films as well as publishes the bestselling NARUTO manga series in print and digitally.

Additional information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

For more information on anime titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Review: Lucifer 1.2 – Lucifer, Stay. Good Devil

After enjoying the first episode I was curious to see how they would actually pair Lucifer and Chloe up so that they can continue to solve crimes together… the answer is not very thrilling. The episode is unfortunately a lot like most second episodes… rehash of the first. The reason being that pilot episodes are usually created in a bubble. They’re more standalone than jumping off points and so it’s usually pretty difficult to continue stories from the pilot when the second episode is filmed six months later and the entire direction of the show has changed. If you need any bigger proof of this just watch the first two episodes of Constantine as they abandon the entire premise of the show and recast a character. I know, I know… I’ve brought up Constantine again. Well… that’s because this show is a lot like Constantine in some ways. I fear that based on this episode that it might be heading towards cancellation like Constantine. Really the only thing saving it is that it’s a late season premiere and Fox hasn’t announced anything else coming down the line. That and Million Moms continues to give it great publicity by not shopping at places they don’t already shop at because “Lucifer” is the name of the show and god forbid kids watch it… what fucking kid wants to watch procedural TV shows based off a comic book they never read? I don’t know, but they’re a pretty cool fucking kid and their mom should back off.

In this episode we explore Chloe’s movie star past… in painstaking detail. We meet a Paparazzi she hates as he confesses to running someone off the road and getting them killed. The case is, who actually ran them off the road and if you pay attention you’ll figure it out before they do. Lucifer just tags along… that’s how he continues working with her. It works considering Chloe never checks in with a boss and is technically on Medical leave because Lucifer could save her life, but not heal her arm. At one point Chloe invites Lucifer to tag along because it’s easier than dealing with him just showing up. That was an actual exchange between them.

Maze and Amenadiel do the exact same thing and say practically the same lines.

Maze: “What are we doing here Lucifer? Why have you changed?

Amenadiel: “Go back to Hell Lucifer, there’s a balance… also, you’ve changed”

Wow, I hope in the third episode they remind us that Lucifer has changed and that he’s not being very devilish anymore… except for when he is. Tom Ellis isn’t perfect this go around either. Having Lucifer look at everyone and say, “Tell me your desires” is more like a pickup artist trying to land a date then it is an interesting story device. Try just having him look at them and adding a sound effect rather than boring us with the same line over and over. That and I will say that him sweet talking the desk officer, who just so happened to be a woman each time, was the biggest chunk of convenient writing I’ve witnessed since giving up on The Flash.

Let’s not forget Dan, who is the newest addition to the cast and has the lamest name. I mean Trixie and Chloe are nothing that grand, but fucking Dan? Why not shoot for the stars and call him Dante just to make it interesting. His character makes zero sense. He’s nice to his ex-wife and really he doesn’t come off like a bad guy making his character motivation strange. At least the previous Dan looked like a smug dickhead, new Dan just looks fishy.

I’m used to second episodes being rehash of the first, but this was a bit too much. It’s not enough that I’ll give up on the show, but it leaves me to believe that there’s not a lot of faith in this show succeeding which is always a bad sign. It’s like, why should I get invested if the studio didn’t? Too bad it’s not like Gotham and they just let them fuck around and do whatever for two seasons.

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Score: 2/5

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Lucifer 1.2 – “Lucifer, Stay. Good Devil Director: Nathan Hope Writers: Tom Kapinos, Joe Henderson Airs Monday’s on Fox

Review: The Magicians 1.3 – Consequences of Advanced Spellcasting

SyFy marketed The Magicians wonderfully. They showed all the magic and fucking that the show had to offer in the teaser. Women floating in a skirt? Check. Floating while fucking? Check. A shirt being blown off a woman in a scene that turned out to be more rapey than sexy? Check. It was marketed wonderfully because it caught the attention of everyone looking for a Harry Potter fix, but with sex as the reviews the show quotes over and over tell us. So much so that they made it their tagline… I checked it out because I downloaded the SyFy app on my X-Box One and realized that there wasn’t shit to watch on SyFy anymore. I figured, well… let’s watch their one and only new show. It is Harry Potter with adults. It’s kind of sad in that way because the author of the books doesn’t outright acknowledge that, but he sure as shit doesn’t shy away from it. The actual premise is that it’s Harry Potter mixed with Narnia and it’s like a grad school course. Because you only get invited after college… and yet the show complains that the magicians don’t know enough and they don’t have enough time and wait… maybe if they were kids they would have had enough time! See what I’m getting at? Change the age, change the locations and keep the accents, but it’s still a Potter knockoff. Don’t worry, I actually think that knockoffs can be fun and enjoyable.

At any rate our main character is Quentin Coldwater, he’s the chosen one, but who the fuck knows why. It’s the typical, “I don’t actually do anything, I’m just told I’m special” type of chosen one story. He’s a dick. There’s nothing really to like about this guy because when he discovers magic he turns into a complete dick to his best friend Julia. Sure he had a crush on her and she dated his friend instead. Sure she told him to grow up when it came to the Narnia esque books (Fillory in this world). Sure she… wait, that’s all she did other than tell him she knew he was in a hospital for being mental. Also we’ve seen her perform more magic than him at this point in the show, but hey… chosen one.

The third episode sees their two worlds meet again. Julia has been practicing magic with a bunch of… I don’t know what the fuck to call them. Basically magicians that don’t get to go to school and have to steal their spells anyway they can and as we learn, that can include sexual favors if need be. As we saw at the end of the second episode, there’s a traitor in the midst at the school and Quentin and Eliot track down a stolen book and that leads them to Julia. Quentin and Julia have another unprovoked argument in which Quentin furthers Julia’s motivation of learning magic in spite of him.

As for the rest of the episode, they assign a magic discipline and we learn that Penny can transport himself with a thought (like Jumpers), and that the teacher lady that does nothing but drop her accent can do it too… with a car though. Penny is apparently really fucking powerful and yet not our main character or the chosen one. I kind of hope he dies so we don’t have to deal with his one emotion that he busts out for everything… confusangry, confused and angry at the same time.

Alice’s story is about her brother haunting a fountain. We learn what happened to him and it’s pretty fucking lame actually. He was doing too much magic and turned into nothing but magic. On the plus side, Alice won’t be releasing anything dangerous shit trying to find him since he’s gone-gone now. She’s leaving the school supposedly and frankly I don’t care because it’s obvious the she’ll be back and that her and Quentin are going to lose their rose petals together.

The endings of each episode are pretty awkward. This one has Alice leaving and Margo telling her, “I like challenges.” That’s how it ends. I said, “Booo” outload. Even with all my bashing there were some good parts, but really there needs to be better character development. Right now Elliot and Margo are the only characters I like and something tells me I shouldn’t actually like their snotty attitude that much. Otherwise more character development please. There’s been zero effort in that, they’re just throwing these characters into situations and frankly without getting to know them, I don’t give two shits who lives or dies. It’s better than most SyFy shows, but it needs work. Because it’s SyFy it’ll run five seasons before being cancelled so that they don’t have to pay for syndication.

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Score: 3/5

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The Magicians 1.3 – “Consequences of Advanced Spellcasting” Director: Scott Smith Writer: Henry Alonso Myers Airs Monday’s on SyFy

Review: Memento

Written by guest contributor Cameron Gallagher

Christopher Nolan is arguably the greatest director to premiere in the 21^st Century, and Memento is the original film that put him on the map. With an incredible pattern of storytelling, Memento is one of the most “brain-scrambling” movies I’ve seen.

Following a man who can’t remember what happened just moments before, we are spiraled into a journey of “half forwards” and “half backwards” storytelling as he tries to uncover the mystery of who killed his wife. It’s hard enough writing and telling a story forwards, especially that of a good and compelling story, but to do it forwards, and backwards at the same time is insane. So basically to try to explain it as best as I can, this film begins at its end, as well as beginning and works its way to a center point, uncovering the mystery. It sounds incredibly confusing, but it is actually quite easy to understand thanks to Christopher Nolan’s very wise choice to swap between black & white and color.

As you can already probably see, this film is lacking nothing in the story space. It is masterfully written by Christopher Nolan, and is honestly the most original film I probably have ever seen. Even though the story itself is very straight forward, the tricks Nolan uses in order for us to feel and think in certain ways really creates an intense and revolving story. I love how we feel like the main character, we learn things as he does, because he can’t remember them.

This film like all other Nolan films to follow is beautifully shot and acted. Guy Pierce absolutely nailed this role with the uneasy feeling of someone who seems to know everything, but is completely clueless, and the best part is not once did I ever feel as though I was taken out of the film and didn’t understand what the emotions where within his character, or really any characters, heads.

I don’t want to say much more, because this film is something you need to experience. What really bothers me is the word that this film will be remade in the coming years. Like very soon! And this is something I want to bring up because after reading the article about this film being remade, I was struck with not understanding why they would remake this film which is only 16 years old.  After reading an article on The Hollywood Reporter, the man behind it Monika Bacardi said…

“Memento is a masterpiece that leaves audiences guessing not just throughout the film, but long after as well, which is a testament to its daring approach. We intend to stay true to Christopher Nolan’s vision and deliver a memorable movie that is every bit as edgy, iconic and award-worthy as the original. It’s a big responsibility to deliver something that lives up to the mastery of the original, but we are extremely excited and motivated to bring this puzzle back to life and back into the minds of moviegoers.”

So wait a moment? Why would you remake something 16 years after its release, not being a franchise or re-boot friendly film like Batman, Superman, Friday the 13^th, yet want to stay true to the original… and puzzle people? That means the original has already ruined the puzzle and we will be getting the same film, but with maybe more explosions if Michael Bay gets ahold of it (joking, calm yourself). Well I hope this doesn’t happen, because it’s mainly just a waste of filmmaker’s time. Go watch the Nolan one and enjoy! Memento of course gets a 5/5, and maybe if Michael Bay directs the new one, they can pull in a solid 0.5/5 lol. Hope you enjoyed my rant, and go see it for yourself and tell me what you think!

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Score: 5/5

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Memento Director: Christopher Nolan Writer: Christopher Nolan Studio: Summit Entertainment Running Time: 113 Minutes Release Date: 9/5/00

Review: The Babadook

Written by guest contributor Cameron Gallagher

It’s rare that an independent horror film has enough traction to be considered one of the scariest films pf all time, and terrifying by the director of “The Exorcist”. But what is even more rare is a horror film with such traction that actually delivers on many levels, and The Babadook did this 100%! I consider myself a “Horror Fanatic” as well as “Horror Analyst” (sounds comical right?). But in all seriousness, I really like to break down horror films and try to find the best of the best. Films like The Conjuring and basically anything by James Wan has impressed me, but recently I have been very disappointed with horror films (other than the ones I mentioned) because they fail to have another plot within the horror film. Other than the “lets scare the crap out of you” plot (which isn’t even a plot). The Babadook succeeded incredibly in its attack at telling a disturbing story of a single mother with a troubled kid, and that is what makes this film so uncomfortable. It’s so believable and incredibly troubling.

The Babadook follows the story I just told you, but after the troubled kid finds a strange book telling the story of The Babadook, things around the house become even stranger. This movie has some incredible cinematography. Just very clever lighting and camera work to create suspense and unease during the film, but never once did it seem to overpower any part of the story, where it seemed too over the top or strange.

Let’s talk about The Babadook itself. Now this film was originally marketed as a “Creature Feature” but if your quick to look past it, you’ll end up with the same feeling after watching The Village (no, not that bad) but remember, although this is a horror about a creature, that is not the main point of the story. This is the story about the pain and suffering a family has when losing a loved one (father and husband in this case) Now with that being said, The Babadook is real! Make no mistake, this isn’t some M. Night fake out crap, but just remember that this is deeper than what it seems.

Let’s talk about the creature itself. It is quite honestly terrifying. It could be the scariest character and creature in cinema history. I just wish there was more of it. Granted, it was the perfect amount for the film, but it was terrifying. The Babadook was so surreal in the sense of its nature, body type, and even wardrobe. It had an almost fantasy vibe to it, but was the sound it made is by far the scariest sound any creature has ever made. If I ever answered the phone and heard “Ba-Ba-dook…DOok…DOOK!!” I would literally shit my pants!

This movie hit all of the high points for me, and even though the ending was weird and felt a little off in the scheme of things, I think it fit the way the film needed to end, and that’s why I give The Babadook a well-deserved 4/5. If that ending was a little better, and maybe a few scarier moments it would be a 5/5 for sure! Please go check it out and tell me what you think!

P.S. Buy the Cool Pop-Up Cover Blu-Ray Edition…it is an awesome movie, but the case is spectacular!

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Score: 4/5

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The Babadook Director: Jennifer Kent Writer: Jennifer Kent Studio: IFC Films/ Entertainment One Running Time: 94 Minutes Release Date: 1/17/14

"Justice League vs. Teen Titans" to Premiere at WonderCon

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and WonderCon will offer fans the first opportunity witness the animated clash between veteran super heroes and their youthful counterparts when "Justice League vs. Teen Titans," the latest DC Universe Original Movie, has its World Premiere at WonderCon during the March 25-27 weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The announcement is now live on the WonderCon website at http://www.comic-con.org/toucan/justice-league-vs-teen-titans-world-premiere-exclusively-wondercon-2016.

"Justice League vs. Teen Titans" welcomes the Teen Titans to the ever-expanding canon of classic DC Comics characters within the DC Universe Original Movies. When Damian’s over-aggressive tendencies almost destroy a Justice League mission, he is sent to learn teamwork by training alongside the Teen Titans. However, adjusting Damian’s attitude turns out to be the least of the Teen Titans’ troubles as Raven’s satanic, world-conquering father Trigon begins an escape from his inter-dimensional prison. To complete his return, Trigon must have Raven’s assistance – and to accomplish his goal, he spreads his demonic forces across the globe, infiltrating the minds and bodies of the Justice League to do his bidding. To save the universe and prevent a literal hell on Earth, the Teen Titans must rescue – or defeat – the Justice League, and intern Trigon for all eternity.

The voice cast for Justice League vs. Teen Titans includes several actors reprising their recent Justice League roles – Jason O’Mara (Complications, Terra Nova) as Batman, Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan, Stand By Me) as Superman, Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Rent) as Wonder Woman, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as Cyborg and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs, Ugly Betty) as Flash. Sean Maher (Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) also returns as Nightwing, as does Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin) as Robin/Damian. Making their Teen Titans voiceover debuts are Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story, Wicked City) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy and Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire. Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Daredevil) takes the villainous center stage as Trigon.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Justice League vs. Teen Titans is directed by Sam Liu from a screenplay by Bryan Q. Miller and Alan Burnett based on a story by Miller. James Tucker is Supervising Producer. Burnett is also co-Producer. Sam Register is Executive Producer.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the film will be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on March 29, 2016 via Digital HD, and April 12, 2016 on Blu-Ray™ Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and DVD.

Review: Forever – The Complete Series

Forever can easily be summed up as a Sherlock Holmes style of story, if Sherlock was an immortal doctor that had learned all his deduction from years and years of experience. That is of course the big twist of this otherwise procedural show, the main character Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffudd) is essentially cursed to live forever. Whenever he dies he wakes up naked and in the nearest body of water. We’re introduced to this fact very quickly in the pilot episode as a train explodes and he winds up in the river. There are two possible answers to this immortality that the show introduces, but never ultimately has the opportunity to answer. The first is the pocket watch that Henry has had or found off and on throughout his life. I personally believe that this is the source of his immortality, but the show offers a second option later in the form of the gun that originally killed Henry. His immortality began on a slave ship heading to America. The ship is actually his families ship and this repugnant fact is addressed later when he finds out and wants no part of the family business.

In the modern timeline, Henry is a medical examiner. He’s forged modest papers to get the position in New York where he’s lived a great deal of his immortality. He’s not alone though, he has a son (played by Judd Hirsch) … who is not immortal. His son is also adopted as he and his wife took the baby post World War II. You see, there’s the interesting part of all this. Henry, has for the most part lead a normal life since World War II. He’s had a family and only married once. We later learn that his wife disappeared and her disappearance drove Henry mad for a time.

At any rate, Henry is the head medical examiner and of course he’s kind of a genius having absorbed more knowledge than most can in one life-time. He attracts the attention of a detective whose assumes they have an open and shut case only to have Henry proclaim murder. That becomes a familiar element of the procedural part of the show.

For a great deal of the episodes Henry doesn’t die. He just helps Jo (Alana De La Garza); his detective partner solves crimes. You have to suspend your disbelief here because the only other detective to bring a medical examiner along is iZombie and so that should tell you how ridiculous it is. I’m sure there’s some pretty basic rules in place as an officer that you don’t let medical examiners question your witnesses, but it becomes a running element of the show.

The adversary of the show is a very Moriarty character. They enter into Henry’s life after discovering he’s immortal like they are. Though Adam, as he likes to be called, has lived so long that he’s lost a lot of interest in humanity especially after being experimented on by Nazi scientists all throughout World War II. There is a very Holmes/Moriarty relationship between them though as they both understand what the other has gone through for the most part. They’ve both lived so many fake lives, but they’ve chosen different paths. Adam, turns out to have a great origin. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that it is a famous historical figure. It really set the stage for the possibility of other historical figures being introduced later in the series, but atlas… that won’t happen.

The final showdown with Adam had an outcome with great consequences. It wasn’t amazing because there was a lot of sloppy writing leading up to it, but the actual consequences of it made of an interesting predicament for later episodes in the show. Adam could potentially come back as an even crazier character and I really found that to be interesting and dangerous.

The show avoids the pitfall of making our two leads romantically involved or in this case interested, until nearly the end of the show. Then, almost as a desperate gasp for attention it begins developing a storyline between Henry and Jo. It’s unfortunate because they bonded over being without their spouses, Jo without her dead husband and Henry without his wife that disappeared and could be alive, but probably isn’t. That brings me to my next point in that the show never really finds itself.

From the beginning to the end it tries to figure out if it’s a procedural, if the leads will be romantically involved, if it’s going to rely on the flashbacks of Henry’s past, if it’s going to run his beginning timeline parallel with his present timeline. It never finds itself and it stops relying on Henry dying to allow him to have more interesting outcomes and instead opts for putting Jo in harm’s way to protect him. It was interesting one episode and then overkill any other time it was attempted thereafter.

The series also wastes a lot of time just being procedural. Here’s our murder of the week that doesn’t look like a murder, but Henry says it is and he’s never wrong. Henry’s story is slowly developed and we see a lot of flashbacks to his early immortal days that attempt to tie into the episode’s story or just peel back a layer of his personality. Personally, I grew to hate the flashbacks as they reminded me of Arrow and that wasn’t a good thing. They quickly became overused and forced feeling.

The mystery of the disappearing wife ends up being a great deal of the finale and it’s stretched far too thin. To the point that it kind of gets ridiculous. Especially when they tie it into another story element. At that point you really have to acknowledge the convenience of the writing to tie together two elements that really have no business being anywhere near each other.

The sad part is, I actually really enjoyed the show despite all my criticism. It’s my joy for it that made me so critical of it. I was disappointed when it was cancelled, but not entirely surprised. The show really needed to pick a path and stick to it, but instead opted to change at someone’s whim. I don’t know if it was the networks, the producers or the showrunner, but the first six episodes of the show are the tightest and most interesting. There’s several after that, that manage to be quite good, but after those first six is when the emphasis on just solving murders takes over and it began to look a bit like Bones which is not a compliment.

I would recommend the DVD set if you liked the show. It contains several deleted scenes for each episode and while I don’t know if they really add anything to the story, it’s at least an interesting add-on to give the one season solid replay value. I did in fact say DVD earlier because let’s be honest we don’t need every TV show on Blu-Ray. If you were a fan of the show, then it’s worth the purchase. If you never watched it, but you’re a fan of Elementary, Bones or hell even Highlander, then you might just enjoy this hidden gem you missed.

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Score: 3/5 (Show), 4/5 (DVD)

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Forever – The Complete Series Studio: Warner Brothers Price: $47.99 (Made To Order) Release Date: 1/19/16

OMAKASE ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION HATSUNE MIKU SUBSCRIPTION BOX WITH EXCLUSIVE PIAPRO CHARACTER ITEMS

OMAKASE, the subscription service that offers bimonthly boxes of curated merchandise, ad-free anime streaming and original digital comics and music, announces Hatsune Miku as the March 2016 OMAKASE theme. All of the Piapro Characters are being featured in a collection of 100% exclusive merchandise. OMAKASE and Crypton Future Media worked closely together to craft a mystery box of entirely original and exclusive items just for Hatsune Miku fans. In continuing with the critically-praised curation of its previous mystery boxes, OMAKASE designed merchandise from a fan perspective, crafting a box that itself becomes a journey and experience for fans. Merchandise will feature Hatsune Miku, the most popular of the Piapro Characters, and Kagamine Rin & Len, Megurine Luka, MEIKO and KAITO, ensuring something for everyone.

“Hatsune Miku represents a new movement in media and culture — both Japanese and global — that captures the imagination of people from all walks of life,” said Rob Pereyda, CEO of Viewster Inc. “We’re honored to be able to work with Crypton Future Media to bring about this very special offering of original items never before available anywhere else.”

Miku will hit the stage at concert halls across North America with Miku Expo 2016, and OMAKASE joins the celebration with Hatsune Miku gear including a new color version of the sought-after HappyMappy Hatsune Miku t-shirt, a unique multi-artist collaboration, and other exclusive collectibles and wearables.

Get more information and join OMAKASE at http://omakase.moe

VIZ Media Details New February Digital Anime Update

VIZ Media moves into February and continues to heat up the winter season for fans with the latest monthly digital anime content update. This month, audiences will be treated to the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN episodes straight from Japan in (subtitled) weekly simulcasts every Thursday. Also dive into the exclusive U.S. premiere of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS (Season 5). This is the first time this final climactic season of the original SAILOR MOON anime series has been officially available in the U.S. Enjoy 2 exciting subtitled episodes every week!

The interstellar SAILOR MOON action continues throughout February with all-new, English dubbed streamed episodes of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL every week. New dubbed content for the month is complemented by not-to-be-missed episodes for additional hit VIZ Media anime series such as HUNTER X HUNTER and RANMA ½.

New anime content for February includes:

HUNTER X HUNTER

• The supernatural action adventure of HUNTER X HUNTER Season 1 continues in February with Episodes 27-39 available to stream in their entirety featuring brand new subtitles that are true to VIZ Media’s original translations of the manga series by Yoshihiro Togashi.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

• The pulse-racing ninja action of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN continues all month with simulcasts every Thursday of the latest episodes straight from Japan.
• Don’t miss the simulcasts of Episode 447 on February 4^th, Episode 448 on February 11^th, followed by Episode 449 on February 18^th, and Episode 450 on February 25^th.

RANMA ½

• The hilarious hijinks of the classic anime martial arts adventure, RANMA ½, continues during February with the addition of Season 6, Episodes 116-138, available to stream now in their entirety with dubbed English dialogue!

SAILOR MOON

• Catch the streaming premiere of SAILOR MOON SAILOR STARS (Season 5) with 2 subtitled episodes every Monday.
• Episodes 175 & 176 are available now, followed by Episodes 177 & 178 on February 8^th, Episodes 179 & 180 on February 15^th and Episodes 181 & 182 on February 22^nd.

SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL

• Enjoy the all-new English dubbed streams of SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL throughout February with a brand new episode every Friday.
• SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL Season 1 action continues with Episode 13 FINAL BATTLE - REINCARNATION available to stream beginning February 5^th, followed by the beginning of the Black Moon Arc on February 12^th!

VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S. has over 4,200 subtitled and English dubbed episodes and movies from more than 37 series! VIZ Media’s streaming content also reaches an expansive on-demand U.S.-based audience on Hulu, which enables viewers to watch shows anytime, anywhere across devices including Xbox One, PlayStation^®4,Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices. A full list of Hulu -enabled devices can be found at http://www.hulu.com/plus/devices.

Additional information on VIZ Media’s streaming anime is available at: http://www.viz.com/anime/streaming/.

Trailer Time: Wynonna Earp

Well this marks IDW's first foray into TV/Movies and oh boy... does it look cheesy. It's a comedy... which I don't recall anything in the description of the comic being a comedy. Well comedy in the sense that everything on SyFy is trying to be like a Joss Wheadon show and never really successful at it. I'm down for checking out one episode, but really there's very little appeal here.

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Trailer Time: The Stare

This movie look fun. Not good, but fun. Here's the gist of the movie if you really need to know:

Former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano plays an assistant director at a TV station investigating the mysterious suicide of a troubled young man. Before he died, the victim claimed that something was watching him...

It looks like it'll make it's way State side since "The Stare" is the American title and when it does... expect it to make an appearance on Us Versus Movies.

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Trailer Time: Kubo and the Two Strings

First off... even with Matthew McConaughey this movie looks great. McC is no fucking voice actor though and ruins the only joke that could have been good. The rest of this animation... looks fucking amazing. I'm all in for this one and I hope that this style of animation does well in the box office so that we can see more of this great style.

DEMONIC FORCES PIT HEROES AGAINST HEROES IN JUSTICE LEAGUE vs. TEEN TITANS

The demonic forces of Trigon infiltrate the minds and bodies of the Justice League, turning the veteran super heroes against their youthful counterparts in the all-new DC Universe Original Movie, Justice League vs. Teen Titans. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the film will be available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on April 12, 2016 on Blu-Ray™ Deluxe Edition, Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and DVD. Order due date is March 8, 2016. Justice League vs. Teen Titans will be available on Blu-ray^TM Deluxe Edition for $29.96 SRP, Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack for $24.98 SRP, and DVD for $19.98 SRP.  The Blu-ray^TM Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet. The Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition will include all components of the Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack, along with an exclusive Robin figurine in a numbered, limited edition gift set. Fans can also own Justice League vs. Teen Titans in Digital HD on March 29, 2016 via purchase from digital retailers.

Justice League vs. Teen Titans welcomes the Teen Titans to the ever-expanding canon of classic DC Comics characters within the DC Universe Original Movies. When Damian’s over-aggressive tendencies almost destroy a Justice League mission, he is sent to learn teamwork by training alongside the Teen Titans. However, adjusting Damian’s attitude turns out to be the least of the Teen Titans’ troubles as Raven’s satanic, world-conquering father Trigon begins an escape from his inter-dimensional prison. To complete his return, Trigon must have Raven’s assistance – and to accomplish his goal, he spreads his demonic forces across the globe, infiltrating the minds and bodies of the Justice League to do his bidding. To save the universe and prevent a literal hell on Earth, the Teen Titans must rescue – or defeat – the Justice League, and intern Trigon for all eternity.

The voice cast for Justice League vs. Teen Titans includes several actors reprising their recent Justice League roles – Jason O’Mara (Complications, Terra Nova) as Batman, Jerry O’Connell (Crossing Jordan, Stand By Me) as Superman, Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Rent) as Wonder Woman, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as Cyborg and Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs, Ugly Betty) as Flash. Sean Maher (Firefly/Serenity, Batman: Bad Blood) also returns as Nightwing, as does Stuart Allan (Batman vs. Robin) as Robin/Damian. Making their Teen Titans voiceover debuts are Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story, Wicked City) as Raven, Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place, The Fosters) as Blue Beetle, Brandon Soo Hoo (Tropic Thunder, From Dusk Til Dawn: The Series) as Beast Boy and Kari Wahlgren (Phineas and Ferb, Legion of Superheroes) as Starfire. Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, Daredevil) takes the villainous center stage as Trigon.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, Justice League vs. Teen Titans is directed by Sam Liu from a screenplay by Bryan Q. Miller and Alan Burnett based on a story by Miller. James Tucker is Supervising Producer. Burnett is also co-Producer. Sam Register is Executive Producer.

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is thrilled to bring the Teen Titans into the fold of amazing characters within the DC Universe Original Movies,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE Vice President, TV Family, Animation Marketing. “This all-new film provides the Teen Titans with the perfect stage – alongside and against the Justice League – for a thrilling adventure that fans will truly enjoy.”

Justice League vs. Teen Titans – Enhanced Content

DVD

• An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie.

Blu-ray™ Combo Pack

• An exclusive sneak peek at the next DC Universe Original Movie.
• Featurette – “Growing Up Titan” – The Teen Titans have fascinated readers for over 50 years due in part to their stories of valor, as well as earning empathy with comic book readers during their own trials growing up into adulthood.  This documentary spotlights the importance of young voices in the DC Comics mythology, giving generations of readers a team of heroes that mirror their own life experiences.
• Featurette – “Heroes and Villains - Raven” – She is the daughter of one of DC Comics’ greatest villains, the demon Trigon.  Raven is a powerful telepath who uses her soul-self as a means for astral projection.  She is integral to the Teen Titans.  This documentary is her story.
• Featurette – “Heroes and Villains – Trigon – The most fearsome and evil opponent the Teen Titans have encountered is this inter-dimensional demon.  Trigon uses his immortality to shape worlds and exact his control.   This documentary introduces the character and how he raises the stakes for the Teen Titans.
• From the DC Comics Vault– Two Classic Episodes of DC Comics cartoons

Speedrun: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

Ah man... I wish they had released this sooner, I could have saved some money. #Accurate!