Movie Review: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Zack Snyder (Man of Steel) pits DC's two most iconic heroes against each other in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

A Week (or 2) of Entertainment - Issue 11

Well, last weekend was Memorial Day weekend, so I took the week off from writing this column.  I hope everyone had as pleasant a weekend as I did.  I will mention the stories from this past week and the week before still.  That being said, I may shorten my take on them since some will be quite old-hat by now.  Have a great week!


RIP Gordon Willis - Gordon Willis passed away at 82.  He was the cinematographer for one of the greatest trilogies out there.  The Godfather Trilogy.  With this, and many other great movies, his work will not soon be forgotton.


RIP Ann Davis - Just today the Brady Bunch's maid, Alice, passed away at 88.  Many generations grew up with Alice and the Bradys.  She even managed a cameo in the 1995 Brady Bunch Movie.


What's in a title? -  Apparently everything.  The Man of Steel follow-up has now gotten an official title of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  They managed to get the story down to a two part title.  First part of the movie will be Batman dukin' it out with Superman cause he finds him to be a threat.  Second half will be them coming to the conclusion that they are on the same side and find others to form the Justice League.  I am still totally on the fence about this new title.  I like it alright, but with the v instead of vs, and the word Justice, it makes it sound like this is going to be a courtroom drama.


Be in a movie! - Have you ever wanted a walk-on role in a Star Wars movie?  Who says no to that?  Well, here's your chance!  J.J. Abrams is auctioning off a chance to win a walk on role in episode VII.  For every $10 you donate to UNICEF's Innovation Labs you get one entry into the drawing.  There are also cool gifts and prizes you get at each donation level.  If you want to donate to a good cause, here's your chance at a win/win situation.


From Monsters to Aliens - Speaking of Star Wars, Gareth Edwards has been announced as the director for one of the as yet unspecified Star Wars spin-off movies.  Godzilla was not a perfect movie by any means, but I enjoyed it.  And between that and Monsters, I would like to keep an eye on this director.  Like they say, it can't be as bad as the prequels, right?


Shrinking Interest - Ant-Man, which was to be part of phase 3 of the Marvel movies has lost it's director.  After a bout of creative differences, Edgar Wright dropped out of the production.  This is one movie I've been really looking forward to since they announced him as the director.  I'm sure Marvel will step up and find the right director to replace him, but until then I'm a little saddened by this news.


Butterfly in the Sky - On a final note, here's a story that brings back a little faith in humanity.  LeVar Burton wants to bring Reading Rainbow back on the air.  He also wants to bring the Reading Rainbow program to poor schools for free.  That alone is good news to hear.  As much as I love movies and television, I am also just as in love with books.  I also have two young daughters and love to hear celebrities bring their voice to the encouragement of better education for our youth.  What makes this story even better is that Burton started a kickstarter campaign trying to raise a million dollars by July (a little over a month), and met his goal in less than 24 hours.


Until next time......Take a look.  It's in a book.


Weekend to 10 at the box office:
1 - Maleficent (new release) $70M
2 - X-Men: Days of Future Past $32.6M
3 - A Million Ways to Die in the West (new release) $17.1M
4 - Godzilla $12.2M
5 - Blended $8.4M
6 - Neighbors $7.7M
7 - The Amazing Spider-Man 2 $3.8M
8 - Million Dollar Arm $3.7M
9 - Chef $2M
10 - The Other Woman $1.4M

A Week of Entertainment - Issue 7

Well, it's been another week.  And you know what that means with Hollywood....more superheroes, remakes, sequels and WTF's.  On with the show.


Never Say Die - Well, it's only been 29 years now since we were graced with the masterpiece that is The Goonies.  So, naturally, that means that it's time for a sequel right?  Apparently Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner do.  It seems as if this has been greenlit.  Normally I'd be crying about them ruining my childhood yet again, but I'm over that.  If it's not good, I'll just go back to watching the original.  They can't take that away.  Looks like Spielberg has come up with a story, and if he and Richard Donner are involved (and possibly some of the original cast), then sign me up.  I'll give it chance.


Flash Aaah-aaaaaaaaaahh - In the realm of remakes, Flash Gordon is rocketing his way back into our lives.  Even as culty as the 1980 movie was, I think that this reboot sounds like a fine idea to me.  In the next few years we've got all sorts of other action sci-fi movies pew-pewing their way into the multiplex, with Star Wars, Star Trek, and even the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy.  It's just too bad Freddie Mercury is no longer around to give us another kick-ass theme song.


Ch ch ch ch, ah ah ah ah - Speaking of remakes following trends, the hockey-mask wearing, machete wielding killer is coming back....on the small screen.  This comes on the heels of other horror icons recently making their way to television with shows like "Hannibal" and "The Bates Motel".  And like these other shows it seems it may have a focus on the beginnings of the character.  There was a Friday the 13th show already back in the 80's that I'm sure no one really remembers.  It really had nothing to do with Jason Voorhies anyway.  This new series will not only deal with Jason, it will also bring back the famous Camp Crystal Lake locale.  I'm personally all for this, if done right.  I love the 80's and I love horror.  Put those together and it's even better.  So let's get Jason back to his roots (none of this Manhattan or space crap) and let camper body count begin.


Meanwhile at the Hall of Justice - The week of entertainment news just wouldn't be complete without some sort of Marvel or DC announcements.  This week DC pulls in that coveted spot.  It was announced earlier this week that on top of Superman vs. Batman movie including Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, they have now officially cast Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg.  This looks to be his first role in a motion picture, but he does come from live theatre experience.  If they cast anymore people in this film they may as well change the name of the movie to The Justice League, right?  But wait, that's where today's news comes in.  It was just announced that Zack Snyder has signed on to follow-up his second Superman movie with exactly that.  The roles of Wonder Woman and Cyborg will be smaller parts in the Superman/Batman movie, which will lead into his Justice League movie.  I'm personally excited for this.  It's been a long time coming.  There were definitely a lot of naysayers out there about Man of Steel, but I thought it was really good movie....so I'll just agree to disagree with the Man of Steel haters and hope that Snyder can do "justice" to these next couple of films.


Well, I think that does it for the week.  Now, on to face another Monday.  Have a fantastic week.


Until next time.......camp counselors beware!


Weekend to 10 at the box office:
1 - The Other Woman (new release) $24.7M
2 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier $16M
3 - Heaven is for Real $13.8M
4 - Rio 2 $13.7M
5 - Brick Mansions (new release) $9.6M
6 - Transcendence $4.1M
7 - The Quiet Ones (new release) $4M
8 - Bears $3.6M
9- Divergent $3.6M
10 - A Haunted House 2 $3.1M

A Week (or 2) of Entertainment - Issue 2

A little busy with a state pool tournament last weekend, so I took a week off from this.  I know, already faltering after one issue.  But anywho, here's a few of the stories from the past two weeks that I personally found interesting or worth noting.

Last week they revealed the new logo for Fox's upcoming show Gotham.  I personally like it.  It's got everything you need.  It's dark and gritty the way Gotham should be, it's got the searchlight which will be the future sight of the bat signal, and I love the callback to the old animated series with the blimps flying through the city.  The show will be the story of Gordan's (played by Ben McKenzie) rise from detective to police commissioner.  It will also address the rise of the various villains such as Penguin and Catwoman.  The only thing that worries me is the friendship that will evolve between Gordon and a young Bruce Wayne.  I don't think I really want it to fall mostly over to Bruce's story and turn into another Smallville.  Nothing wrong with Smallville, but I would just rather see Gordon's story.  By the way, do I get some sort of commission for this since I had this idea way back in 2008 as witnessed by the end of this blog?  Anyway, I'm looking forward to checking this show out.


Another show I need to catch up on now that the first season is on Netflix is Arrow.  I was only really semi-interested until they recently introduced a little character named Barry Allen.  Coming fresh off of Arrow, he's getting his own show and they have recently showed the first pic of the costume.

I'm not going to praise or diss the costume.  History shows that you just can't judge it til you see it in action.  I'm instead just going to say how excited I am to see a new Flash tv show come to the small screen.  Rumor even has it that Jonathan Wesley Shipp has some as yet unspecified role! (He played the flash in the short lived live action show from 1990)


Speeding right along we come to a clash of the titans.  As of right now May 6, 2016 is going to be a big day for fanboys.  It's the current release date for Batman vs. Superman AND Captain America 3. (I know, more superhero news....hey, it's what I like).  I know this release date is going to change for one of the two powerhouses, because let's face it.....money.  But, how cool would it be to have two superhero movies this big open on the same day?  That would be one heck of a double feature.  Of course you have Captain America who's third movie in the well established Marvel-verse I'm already excited for if CA 2 is near as good as early buzz says.  Then you have Batman and Superman together for the first time on the big screen.  I don't care who says they hated Man of Steel.  Good or bad, this next movie is going to be a can't miss event.  Make mine Marvel and DC.


And just a quick note.  It's rumored that Sebastian Stan has signed a 9 movie deal with Marvel.  I don't want to go into spoilers for people who don't read Captain America.  For those of you who have read Winter Soldier and beyond, put the pieces together with that.  I'm excited if it means what I think it means.


Getting away from superheroes, we have a new teaser trailer for Peanuts, coming in 2015.  Normally, I groan at the thought of classic characters like these getting a makeover for the 21st century.  But watch this trailer and tell me you don't get a warm nostalgic feeling when you hear that old familiar Peanuts music start to play.  Then we get the Snoopy laugh and the signature "Good grief".  It's a short teaser, but it already feels like they have the tone of the characters done right.  It makes me smile every time I watch it.  Here's to hoping.  If the movie flops, I guess we can always pull out the old classic holiday episodes.


Speaking of old properties getting new treatment, rumor has it Ghostbusters 3 is still a go.  Of course this movie has been in the rumor mill for so long it's basically a running joke.  I love the first, and yes, even the second movie, but this third is so late in coming that I have never really paid much heed to any of the rumors.  That and the recent passing of comedy icon Harold Ramis, have left me cold to the idea of a third movie.  Recent news has piqued my interest though.  Lord and Miller are now in talks to direct.  After what they did with a children's book, an old 80's undercover cop drama, and recently children's building blocks though, you now have my attention.  Good luck, and remember not to cross the streams.


On a final note, Jimmy Fallon had what I think may be my new favorite introduction for a guest on a talk show (not that I really had one before).  Check out the clip here.


As before, let me know what you think of any of these stories, or stories I may have missed that you found interesting.  Comment below.


Until next time.....who you gonna call?


Weekend Top 10 at the box office:
1 - Divergent (new release)  $56M
2 - Muppets Most Wanted (new release)  $16.5M
3 - Mr. Peabody & Sherman  $11.7M
4 - 300: Rise of An Empire  $8.6M
5 - God's Not Dead (new release)  $8.5M
6 - Need For Speed  $7.7M
7 - The Grand Budapest Hotel $6.7M
8 - Non-Stop  $6.3M
9 - The LEGO Movie  $4.1M
10 - Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club  $3.1M