DC FanDome, the virtual comic-con specific to Warner Bros slate of IP related to DC Comics was created last year in response to SDCC being canceled (once again, thanks for ruining everything Covid!) is coming back for its second virtual convention. With so many things DC-related on deck, it’s no surprise that they have a bunch to reveal at the upcoming convention later eleven days from now.
With such upcoming projects like Dwayne Johnson’s Back Adam, Robert Pattinson’s introduction as the Caped Crusader in The Batman, Jason Momoa’s return as the king of the seas in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Ezra Miller in the big-screen multiverse-spanning rendition of The Flash, and of course the twenty million CW shows within the “Arrowverse,” there’s plenty to showcase at this year’s DC FanDome. DC Comics’ Twitter just posted a snippet of what’s to come at this year’s virtual con.
Given that massive lineup of cast members, we can expect to get some new news in regards to plenty of DC films and TV shows! Fans can check out the DC FanDome website on October 16, 2021 for all details about their favorite DC big and small screen properties. There’s bound to be some surprises!
It looks like James Gunn will be sticking around the DC Universe for a while. Despite The Suicide Squad failing to do much at the box office, which we can mostly blame on WB’s decision to open it on HBO Max as well, Gunn has confirmed he has another DCEU project in the works following his Peacemaker series.
Yes, I'm developing another DC project besides Peacemaker.
Gunn is perfect for the DCEU, in my opinion, and there are loads of characters that could he’d be great for. Some of which he’s already used in The Suicide Squad. Of course, speculation is that he’s doing a sequel to that film, but it could very well be something completely new. There’s been talk of WB wanting him to do a Superman movie, for instance.
Next up for Gunn is completing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which could be his last stint within the MCU for a while.
This is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s world, and we’re just living it. He’s more than just the creator of Hamilton and In the Heights at this point. Contributions to Disney’s Moana, Mary Poppins Returns, and even his work on the small screen in shows such as His Dark Materials have made Miranda a legit Hollywood power player. It was inevitable he’d turn his attention to directing, and his feature debut tick, tick…BOOM! is an adaptation of another smash musical hit from an acclaimed playwright, Jonathan Larson.
Starring Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Robin de Jesus (of the tremendous musical Camp, a must see), Alexandra Shipp, Bradley Whitford, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, and more, the autobiographical story centers on an aspiring Broadway composer in his 30s suffering an existential crisis as he struggles to achieve his dream while also dealing with matters of the heart.
The trailer is upbeat and suggests this will be a perfect showcase for Miranda as he steps behind the camera for the first time.
The Daredevil rumors just won’t quit. Speculation around Charlie Cox’s return to his Netflix role as the Man Without Fear, this time in the MCU, have been going around for months. Fans want it to happen, Cox wants it to happen even though he typically plays coy during interviews whether he’ll be part of Spider-Man: No Way Home as many suspect. Whether that truly happens, we’ll have to wait until this December to find out, although I would add the recent events in Venom: Let There Be Carnage add some fuel to the fire.
Another rumor has popped up via Daniel Richtman, so take it with a grain of salt. He says Cox and many actors from the Daredevil cast will return for a fourth season and soft reboot of the series. It would be the same characters, same performers, but a totally clean slate. This is pretty much the same as another story that has been around for some time.
Richtman, who seems to be on the Daredevil beat all of the sudden, also says there’s a chance Cox plays Matt Murdock in the upcoming Hawkeye series, as well as the Echo spinoff starring Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez, who in the comics originated the costumed vigilante Ronin.
Honestly, Daredevil has been rumored to show up in so many Marvel programs, including She-Hulk, that he might secretly be the most important character in all of the MCU and we don’t even know it!
Critics be damned, Sony and Marvel’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage ate up the box office this week with a pandemic record $90.1M. That beats the previous record held by Black Widow, and even surpasses the opening weekend of Venom in 2018. That’s not too bad, especially right now, and validates Sony’s constant shuffling of its release date to avoid a streaming release. If anything, this proves theaters are becoming more of a safe way to open major studio films. And considering that whopper of a post-credits, interest in future Sony Spider-Man related movies will go through the roof.
The other big movie opening this week was another sequel, The Addams Family 2, which debuted with a surprising $18M, despite also being available on digital for about $20. It’s still less than the $30M bow of 2019’s The Addams Family, which also featured Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, and Chloe Grace Moretz as the creepy and kooky clan in animated form.
3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings– $6M/$206.1M
Warner Bros.’ The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark was an offer audiences were able to refuse. The film made just $5M in over 3100 theaters, and I have to imagine a large part of the reason is its simultaneous release on HBO Max, and the ease of the show’s audience, who watched it on TV years ago, to enjoy it at home.
Who ya gonna call? If Funko has their way, you’ll be dialing up more than a dozen new Pop Vinyl figures for Ghostbusters: Afterlife! As soon as we saw them in the trailer, it became obvious the mini Stay Puft marshmallow dudes were going to be a big merch mover, but this is ridiculous! They are so cute it’ll be tough not to be one…dammit, okay, to buy them all!You
There are multiple mini-Puft Pop! Vinyls to choose from here, and they’re all great. You’ve got one munching on a graham cracker, one pumping iron to get rid of those flabby arms, another dunking himself into hot chocolate in a bit of unexpected self harm, and another holding a slice of pizza bigger than he is! There are other mini-Pufts playing with fire, and because product placement is a thing, there’s a Wal-Mart exclusive with a set of headphones, and one for my favorite ice cream shop in the world, Baskin-Robbins! I’ve retired from Funko hunting (mostly) but as often as I’m there to get a scoop of Pralines and Creme, chances are I will come home with this mini-Puft, too.
Although there’s no Slimer figure yet, for now you can get his blue counterpart, Muncher! There are two versions, one normal and a Glow-in-the-Dark version, both have him carrying some unknown piece of equipment in his gut. It’s probably something the Ghostbusters did not want him to eat.
There are some actual people here, too, including some guy named Paul Rudd as Mr. Grooberson, holding a classic Ghostbusters trap. Good to see a Rudd Funko Pop that isn’t Ant-Man. There’s also Finn Wolfhard as Trevor, driving the Ecto-1, McKenna Grace rockin’ a proton pack as Phoebe, Celeste O’Connor as Lucky, and and Logan Kim as Podcast, carrying a remote trap controller.
Some of these are exclusives and you can find them at their respective retail stores. Most of them are available right now to preorder from Entertainment Earth. Any commission that we earn from purchases through our affiliate links goes back into the site. We are a small group and every little bit helps. Thank you so much for all of your support!
Going into SXSW and the film Witch Hunt, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was the film was directed by Elle Callahan, and I was impressed by her previous effort Head Count in 2019. But more than that, I knew that it starred one of my all-time favorites, Elizabeth Mitchell of Lost fame, and more importantly, Gideon Adlon, who had been terrific in Blockers and The Craft: Legacy by that point.
I wasn’t disappointed. Witch Hunt is basically a modern day take on the Salem Witch Trials. Witchcraft is real and exists in the world, but is outlawed by the government who hunt down magic users and execute them in public displays of power. Adlon plays Claire, who begins the film resenting the witches she sees being abused in the hallways at school, while her mother secretly shelters witches who need help. Claire begins to change her mind when she must help a young witch escape capture.
Adlon won me over here just as she has in everything else she’s done, and I was happy to have a chance to speak with her about Witch Hunt. We talked about the film’s message of tolerance and how important it is today. We also discussed how this film helped shape her performance in The Craft: Legacy, which was actually shot afterward. And of course, I had to ask her what it was like working alongside Mitchell.
Witch Hunt is in theaters and digital now. You can check out my review here and the interview below!
The Sopranos may have infamously ended on a cut to black, but the characters of HBO’s mob epic come roaring back into color with The Many Saints of Newark. Penned by series creator David Chase and directed by series vet Alan Taylor, the film is as filling as a plate of gabagool to fans of Tony Soprano and his unforgettable crew, so much so that they might be hungry for a second helping.
Billed as an origin story for young Tony Soprano, played primarily by the late James Gandolfini’s son Michael, The Many Saints of Newark is actually quite a bit more than that. Alessandro Nivola is at the center of it all as Dickie Moltisanti, a legendary figure on The Sopranos even though he never actually appeared. He was instrumental in Tony’s rise to power, and this story lays the groundwork for the man who would come to be the boss.
Chase knows these characters inside and out, and I’m doubtful anyone who wasn’t a fan of The Sopranos will get a lot of what’s going on. The film actually begins with the words of Dickie’s son Christopher, who constantly lived in his father’s shadow. The irony of having Christopher narrate a story about Tony, who would murder him years later, is meaningful because all of these characters are struggling with their sins. That includes Dickie, and we see that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Dickie is a hothead who constantly takes on more than he can chew, both in business and in love. He has no problem murdering those who get in his way, whether they are friend, foe, or even family. But at the same time, he’s fiercely loyal and protective of Tony, whose own father Johnny Soprano, doesn’t want his son in the family business.
The film is set during Newark’s racially-charged ’60s and ’70s, made worse by the rivalry between the Italian mob and the Black gangs who used to be their hired hands. Leslie Odom Jr. plays a significant part as Harold, who works for Dickie but has aspirations of his own. His role is perhaps the most complex of the entire film, as he goes from being just another hired goon for the mob, to getting swept up in the Black Power movement of the early ’70s and setting out to become his own boss. For much of this time, he and Dickie are friends but there’s a fundamental lack of respect that drives them apart and turns them into enemies.
It can get overwhelming how much Chase packs into The Many Saints of Newark: adultery, murder, racism, and even the immigrant experience all have a major part to play. I could have seen this done as an HBO event series where everything could get its proper due, but at around two hours Chase accomplishes a lot. That includes showcasing a number of the key characters Sopranos fans know and love. Vera Farmiga, sporting a hilarious fake nose, kills it as Tony’s cruel, manipulative mother Liv who never misses a chance to shit on her son. Ray Liotta is terrific in a dual role as the flashy “Hollywood” Dick Moltisanti and the introspective “Sally” Moltisanti, the latter spouting Buddhist philosophy behind prison bars. You’ll also see younger versions of popular figures such as Paulie Walnuts (Billy Magnussen), Silvio (John Magaro), and Big Pussy (Samson Moeakiola). Look close and you’ll even spot a young Carmela, while Corey Stoll plays Uncle Junior with all of the awkward social graces and frustration Dominic Chianese so wonderfully brought to the role previously.
But the film really belongs to Nivola, who is not the first actor I would have thought to be anywhere near The Sopranos. He’s got the slick attitude and bravado of a born gangster with too much power, as well as the internal conflict that the people in this world all carry.
As far as Michael Gandolfini goes, he’s pitch-perfect playing young Tony and that’s not as much of a given as you might think. While he’s got his father’s voice, smile, and even the mannerisms, Michael manages to create a version of Tony that is his own. This Tony isn’t the man he would become years later; he’s still a kid for the most part. He still worships his mother and years for her love; he can be kind-hearted one minute and robbing an ice cream truck the next. He’s also got aspirations that clash with his family’s criminal empire. All of these things will be beaten out of him later on, but Tony’s not there yet and Michael’s performance reflects that.
The Many Saints of Newark is basically a must-see if you loved The Sopranos. I wish it hadn’t been promoted as a Tony Soprano movie because there’s so much more to it, but if that gets people to see it then it’s all worth it. As someone who watched every episode of every season but didn’t love it the way others did, this has made me want to revisit the show in a major way. Here’s hoping David Chase isn’t done with these characters, and that The Many Saints of Newark does well enough that he can come back to them soon.
What Breaks the Ice is a film about two girls who are from very different worlds. They form a deep and unlikely friendship in the summer of 1998 and set against the backdrop of when the world was consumed by the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Their fun and carefree days quickly turn cold as they find themselves at the center of a mysterious murder. The film takes a powerful look at female friendship and is challenged by an event that will forever change their lives.
Emily (Madelyn Cline, Outer Banks, Knives Out 2) is from a wealthy family and is vacationing with her family for the summer. Sammy (Sofia Hublitz, Ozark) is born and raised in the town for which the rich family’s vacation. The two instantly connect when it’s realized that they both have similar interests and can be real with each other. The girls are having the best summer of their lives until Sammy’s step brother, Travis (Joel Allen, The Purge) and his friends come around and beg the girls to go party. Sammy is reluctant to hang out with Travis however, Emily, who wants to lose her virginity, is eager to hang out with him. Sammy wants to have fun even though it’s clearly obvious that being around her step-brother is awkward and uncomfortable. Despite her reservations, she and Emily attend a local party. A lot of alcohol and drugs later, their night takes an unexpected turn for the worse.
Directed by Rebecca Eskreis, this coming-of-age film brings all the 90’s nostalgia feels of being a teenager in the 90’s. Even dawning a 90’s like trailer, What Breaks the Ice showcases the details of clothing styles right out of a Delia’s catalog, koosh balls, and choker necklaces. Cline and Hublitz have phenomenal chemistry that really captures the true essence of their on-screen friendship and turmoil. Their story is reminiscent of the epic novel, The Great Gatsby but the better written parts by Zelda Fitzgerald herself. There’s a sluggish and/or mellow mood that is steady and deeply reflective throughout the film. Although a decent story with obvious twists and turns, it comes across as a depressing drag. Not a bad film but is disappointing as it has no “wow” or stand out factor either. Starring Lukas Gage (The White Lotus), Catherine Curtin (Homeland), Aimee Mullins (Stranger Things), and Shakira Barrera (GLOW).
What Breaks The Ice releases in Theaters and on Digital October 1st.
Stallone promised that his very own cut, the Stallone Cut, of Rocky IV was being worked on. And you know what? Sly did not disappoint. MGM has announced the Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago Director’s Cut, and it will hit theaters for one night only on November 11th, followed by a digital release on November 12th.
So if you never got to see a star-spangled Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) get his head knocked off by Soviet brute Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren, who is quite Swedish) on the big screen, now’s your shot. You’ll also get to see the Italian Stallion travel into Soviet territory to get revenge, taking so many steroid-powered headshots he would be brain-rattled in Rocky V and all throughout the Creed movies.
Stallone’s version of the movie contains 40-minutes of footage that we’ve never seen before. That’s a lot of right hooks. Plus, those who attend the Fathom Events one-night-only screenings in select cities will be treated to a live Q&A with Stallone, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at the director’s cut.
For tickets and participating theaters, check out Fathom Events.
