After a few teases, Marvel have announced the release of Black Panther: The Album, which will feature music from and inspired by the Ryan Coogler-directed Marvel Studios film of the same name. The compilation album will be curated and produced by Kendrick Lamar and Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.
“Marvel Studios’ Black Panther is amazing, from its cast to its director,” Lamar said via a press release.
“The magnitude of this film showcases a great marriage of art and culture. I’m truly honored to contribute my knowledge of producing sound and writing music alongside [director Ryan Coogler] and Marvel’s vision.” Along with the announcement, the first single from the album has also debuted. Check out “All The Stars” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA below, and let us know what you think.
Fans can stream the song and pre-order the album here. No release date has been given, but it’s likely to coincide with Black Panther’s theatrical release on February 16, 2018.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy have been in the background of comic book fans minds, until James Gunn took the whimsical band of misfits, and turned their property into one of the greatest super-hero films of all time. Since then, fans of the books, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and good movies in general have been clamoring to see more. Today they get their wish, ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol. 2’ got its debut trailer just a mere hours ago. Check the method.
With Assassin’s Creed right around the corner, yet another new clip has been released from the movie. This one focuses on a carriage chase, and if this is an indication of the sort of action we can expect, then this release really does stand a good chance of being the first truly great video game adaptation. An original story rather than a direct take on one of the games, the movie picks up with Callum Lynch in the present after he discovers he’s a descendant of the secret Assassins society through unlocked memories that allow him to relive the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. After gaining incredible knowledge and skills he’s poised to take on the oppressive Knights Templar in the present day. Set in the same world as the game, but just how closely tied to them it will be remains to be seen. Assassin’s Creed stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Ariane Labed, and is currently set to be released on December 21st, 2016.
Last week I was treated to a tour of Warner Brothers facilities by some folks who work there, and one of the greatest thing I got to see was an exclusive look at Wonder Woman. I wasn’t able to say anything about the footage I saw until this very morning when Warners released the first official trailer for the 2017 action film. Check out the trailer below.
The action-packed final trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is here, and it features plenty of exciting new footage from the Gareth Edwards-directed prequel. We get our first proper look at Mads Mikkelsen as Galen Erso, more of Forest Whitaker’s Saw Gerrera, and of course another glimpse of the returning man in black, Darth Vader.
The movie ‘Central Intelligence’ would at first glance, appear from it’s trailers to yet another run-of-the-mill buddy cop comedy featuring Kevin Hart’s character from Ride Along. Luckily this isn’t (exactly) the truth. The film has a consistent underlying message about the problem of adolescent bullying, the issues it leaves people with later in life, and the effects that simple kind acts can have on a person. This message is rather cleverly draped in a story about a disenfranchised overweight boy Robbie Weirdicht (Dwayne Johnson) and high school all star Calvin ‘The Golden Jet’ Joyner (Kevin Hart). The circumstances of their reuniting 20 years after high school is a bit contrived, but believable, due to a simple act of kindness committed by Joyner.
What ensues after they reunite is an interesting romp that sends Joyner ping ponging back and forth between the CIA and Dwayne’s character (who renamed himself Bob Stone shortly after high school.) Neither Joyner nor the audience knows exactly who to believe at any given time, and the supporting characters help move the story along quite nicely. All in all, the movie isn’t as “by the numbers” as one would expect, and much better of a picture than ‘Ride Along’ or its sequel.
When delving into specifics, the first thing to be noticed is “Fat Rob”, in the first two seconds, the CG effects that put The Rock’s face onto an amorphous adolescent body, seem a bit off, but quickly get better for the short amount of time they’re needed. Retrospectively, it’s difficult to tell weather Kevin Hart’s de-aging is done digitally or is just a result of him shaving off his facial hair, and good make up.
Aside from the look of the characters as their teenaged selves, their behavior two decades later is strangely indicative of who they were in the past. The film’s trailer makes The Rock’s “Bob Stone” seem like a well put together CIA warrior, when he’s actually still very much the odd, bumbling nerd he was in high school, just in a different physical frame. Johnson’s strangeness can be a bit off putting at times, but when balanced with Kevin Hart’s “dimmed down high school star” persona, it works quite well. There are quite a few moments that are unexpectedly funny due to the duo’s comedic chemistry.
Aside from Johnson and Hart, there are two or three surprise cameos in the film that the media screening enjoyed, and some well placed jokes that aren’t in the trailers. That being said however, the plot seems like it could take some well welcomed twists, and is blandly predictable at times. When big name actors show up for only two minutes and disappear again, you know they’ll return at some point later on in the film, making things fairly easy to predict. The most off putting attribute however, was an overtly obnoxious mindset that high school defines you.
The entire movie has a thematic hue suggesting that high school is the precipice on which your entire life will be determined, which (to any high schoolers reading this) is completely untrue. There are also a few action set pieces that are a bit off the mark. At one point Dwayne Johnson’s character places a bullet in exactly the right place with perfect accuracy, but has trouble shooting anyone throughout the rest of the film. The movie also harkens back to 1984’s ’16 Candles’ multiple times for comedic effect, but if you’ve never seen ’16 Candles’ those jokes would make no sense.
When everything is said and done, ‘Central Intelligence’ is a movie worth checking out if you have a free weekend, and definitely will be remembered when discussing the film credits of both Kevin Hart and Dwayne Johnson. Their on screen chemistry is reflective of their being friends in real life, and only adds to the strengths of the film. The film leans a bit on typical action tropes, but still delivers a solid message against the trend of bullying in schools, and doing whatever kinda acts you can to help someone in need. ‘Central Intelligence’ comes out in theaters this Friday the 17th in the U.S.
The Weinstein Company has brought online a new featurette for The Hateful Eight, the latest film from Academy Award-winning writer/director Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained, Inglorious Basterds, Pulp Fiction). In it, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker and his compatriots explain why they set out to shoot the western in glorious Ultra Panavision 70mm and project it on 70mm film for an exclusive two-week roadshow experience (with additional footage) this Christmas. Learn all about how everything old is new again below.
The Weinstein Company will release The Hateful Eight in select theaters on December 25, 2015 with an exclusive two-week roadshow opening in 70mm. Following the two-week engagement, the film will open with a digital theatrical release nationwide on January 8, 2016, while continuing to be shown in 70mm as well.
Christina Milian is gearing up to drop a new EP titled 4U, and today, the singer returns as she delivers her music video for “Do It” featuring her ex-boo Lil Wayne. Check the method.
Once again tonight, the good folks at the Weinstein Company invited me to a pre-screening of their latest release “No Escape”. The story centers around Owen Wilson, simply trying to get his family out of what he believes is a random bout of civil unrest in South East Asia. I’ll let you take a look at the trailer (if you haven’t seen it yet) before I delve into the spoiler free review.
So presuming you just took the two minutes to watch the trailer, you would assume you get the idea of the film. However, the first point I have to make is that the movie is a bit deeper than what the trailer would have you believe, which is refreshing. Long gone are the days where trailers would get you interested in a film, and instead you can see an entire movie in two minutes. ‘No Escape’ manages to entice audiences with the story without giving away all of the surprises it has in store. (If you think throwing a little girl off a building is the best the film has to offer, you’re quite wrong.) The movie is uncommonly tense, with an unrelenting pace that drives home the stakes and the stresses of this very real feeling, very terrifying situation. From the opening scene of the film, the severity of events to come is boldly apparent, and the depiction of characters is quite true to life. There is also a welcomed lack of typical film clichés, (If people are hiding, no one sneezes and accidentally alerts their pursuers) and there are a handful of moments that seem to go in a typical direction, and take a drastic turn.
All the characters in the movie behave as one might expect them to in the real world, especially Sterling Jerins and Claire Geare, (the two daughters), and their mother played by Lake Bell is a perfect balance of what someone would do, and what someone should do in the film’s context. Some may wonder if funny-man Owen Wilson would be properly suited for a movie like this, but rest assured his acting chops shine with a perfect balance of intensity, intelligence, and a bit of humor in the right spots (primarily the film’s first act). Owen Wilson isn’t some type of John McClane style, American action hero, he’s simply a man who has to do what is necessary to keep his family safe, and escape the situation they’ve been placed in. One of the best parts of the film however, is Pierce Brosnan. His brash, rude, wise cracking character Hammond seems to be an oddity at first, but later on in the film makes his importance known, and he delivers my favorite line of the film… “I’m going to head to a strip joint. I should put on my sweat pants…. so they know I mean business.”
The events portrayed in “No Escape” never jump the bounds of reality, yet can be horrifying in spots (after you watch the film look at the photo below again, when you know who’s holding that gun.) Everything seems to be extremely well thought out. Even at the level of sound design, when a bullet whizzes past, and strikes a wall, it SOUNDS terrifying. The CGI in the film is minimal, and even when it is used, is barely noticeable. There are some ultra violent scenes, with people getting hacked to death with machetes, or run over by cars, or shot in the face, however, the point of those scenes isn’t for the gore, it’s to show the shockingly low level some humans can get to when they are forced to. The film does slip in a few places however, starting with the over use of “shaky cam”. Spots in the first act seemed to try a bit too hard to establish danger with shaking the camera to the point where I thought I was going to get a headache. There were also certain slow motion shots that seemed a little too long lasting, or just pointless all together. Also we see some type of an odd divorce sub-plot that doesn’t really go anywhere for some reason, and a few scenes ended with a quite predictable rescue of a character, while others were the total opposite, by seeing the family saved by things that seemed to come out of nowhere for no reason.
All in all thought, this is an amazing, real world, tension filled film that, despite a few leaps on geopolitical logic, is one you should see when it comes out on August 26th, (Sorry Vick, I got the release date mixed up). It’s nice to an exilerating story that isn’t a remake, or a reboot, or a sequel come to the big screen, and although the film is extremely graphic, it’s base in realism stands firm. The cast shines, and the balances of challenges, issues, themes, characters, and motivations all make perfect sense (which is hard to find in many modern films). I highly recommend ‘No Escape’ as your movie film for this weekend. It damn near makes me want to attend some type of survivalist training camp, just so I would know what to do if things ever went that south.
As previously reported, Dr. Dre has recorded an original soundtrack for the forthcoming N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton. According to the film’s director F. Gary Gray, the OST contains new music from Dre and features contributions from Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, among others. Now, in a interview with Philadelphia’s Power 99, Dre’s N.W.A. group mate Ice Cube has revealed the entire album will be dropping on August 1st. “It’s mega, it’s Dr. Dre, it’s what everybody’s been waiting for,” Ice Cube explained. “It’s definitely a dope record, and he’s dropping it all on the same day.” He also confirmed the soundtrack contains new music from N.W.A.
Ice Cube was also asked about reports that N.W.A. would be reuniting for a reunion tour with Eminem filling in for the late Eazy-E. While both Dre and Eminem have disputed their involvement, Ice Cube told Power 99 that “We’ve definitely been talking about it. It’s just really about promotors coming to the table and we put together something that works for everybody. It’s definitely, definitely possible.” Watch Ice Cube discuss Dre’s album and the possibility of N.W.A.’s possible reunion below.
Since early last year (2014) I’ve been “helping out” with some sound design aspects of Spectre, and since the original teaser trailer 2 months ago, I’ve loved seeing more compiled secenes of the film in action. Earlier today the full trailer was released, and it is amazing. There is a seeming return to Bond and Q discussing gadgets, (as well as an odd reference to Bond ‘disappearing’, which may be attributed to the coming departure of Sam Mendez from the franchise). However, this new trailer finally gives us some action, car chases, Christoph Waltz’s villain, Dave Butista, Daniel Craigh seemingly blowing up a building in Mexico, and Bond undressing Monica Bellucci. (Something I’ve wanted to do for some time now.) Check the method below, and go see ‘Spectre’ in November.
YG has been making waves in the music scene since 2009, and although some may have categorized him as a passing fad, his newest album ‘My Krazy Life’ solidifies him as an artist that’s here to stay. Having personally attended his listening party, I know first had how crazy his tours would be like. Fortunately for those who haven’t heard the album, or seen him in concert yet, Mr. G has put up the first episode of his touring adventures. Check the method below.
The Transformers franchise has been met with both incredible reviews, and serious doubt. However, one thing that’s indisputable are the box office numbers that anything with a Prime makes. With fan’s wavering at the end of the 3rd installment (Dark Of The Moon), a fresh transformation of this super lucrative machine was exactly what was needed. And with the debut of the first official trailer, we think all Transformers (film) fans have something to be very, very excited about. The trailer even somewhat explains the new character entries, and why the crew is no longer with Sam. Check the method below.
For anyone who remembers “Save the cheerleader, save the world.” we all have a new surprise to look forward to. Heroes will be back in 2015 as a 13 episode event titled ‘Heroes: Reborn’. There’s no word as to who (if anyone) from the original cast will be returning, but I’m sure with the massive fanbase the show had, that news will spread quickly when it’s released.
The ‘Planet Of The Apes’ franchise has ruled our Earth for the better part of 46 years. But the newest addition to the (recently rebooted) franchise seems to promise a darker, and more intense film than recent predecessors. Take a look at the first teaser trailer below.
The new Robocop trailer is out. In the film, the year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Their drones are winning American wars around the globe and now they want to bring this technology to the home front. Alex Murphy (Kinnaman) is a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit. After he is critically injured in the line of duty, OmniCorp utilizes their remarkable science of robotics to save Alex’s life. He returns to the streets of his beloved city with amazing new abilities, but with issues a regular man has never had to face before. The trailer even goes on to explain what some fans were worried about… Robocop’s new black suit, and why it was so vastly different from the original. Check it out below.
As the days approach to the release to ‘Thor: The Dark World’, fans have been waiting for a second look at this massively anticipated sequel. FINALLY, take a look at the brand new trailer below.
An advertising executive is kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement. When he is inexplicably released, he embarks on an obsessive mission to discover who orchestrated his punishment, only to find he is still trapped in a web of conspiracy and torment. Spike Lee’s newest adaptation of the story looks like something to be marveled at based on the newly released red-band trailer. Check the method below.
At the Marvel Studios panel in Hall H for this years ComicCon San Diego, writer/director Joss Whedon took to the stage to announce that the official title for the sequel to The Avengers will be Avengers: Age of Ultron. Whedon also revealed a brief logo teaser for the film. Age Of Ultron features favorites from the first “Avengers” film and new Marvel characters never before seen on the big screen. Avengers: Age of Ultron is slated to begin production in March 2014 and open in theaters on May 1, 2015.
With Juicy J’s major label debut solo album ‘Stay Trippy’ just a month away, the Taylor Gang affiliate links up with Wale and Trey Songz in his new video for his laetst single, “Bounce It.”
On Tuesday, Marvel’s Iron Man 3 became Disney’s fifth release to cross the $400 million mark at the domestic box office. The film, which has now earned over $1.2 billion and is the #5 film of all time globally, also recently passed Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and is currently the #6 film of all time at the international box office with more than $803 million. After achieving the second-biggest domestic opening in history with $174.1 million, Iron Man 3 crossed the $1 billion threshold globally in 23 days, making it Disney’s sixth billion-dollar and second highest-grossing release of all time, behind only Marvel’s The Avengers.
While doing the research on the box office gross of the latest Ironman film, I came across a small collection done by Marvel in 2010 for ‘Iron Man: Industrial Revolution’ put up by Juan Doe. Check the epic artwork.
During game five of the NBA Finals, Jay-Z aired a commercial announcing that on July 4, he’ll release a new album called Magna Carta Holy Grail, featuring collaborations from Pharrell, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, and Rick Rubin. JAY Z’s new album comes to Samsung Galaxy fans first. Be among the first million to download the app on June 24th and get the album free July 4th, three days before the rest of the world.
Opening in theaters on November 8, Thor: The Dark World continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save the world. “So when do we begin?”
Two of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer just got brand new trailers (on the same day). With shots of Kirk apologizing to his entire crew for pretty much getting them on the endangered species list, some interesting new views of Krypton, Pike giving Kirk some fatherly advice, and Kal El beating the crap out of Zod, both trailers are a must watch. Check them out.
DJ Storm's Blog 