The sudden emergence of COVID-19 has completely reshaped 2020, and for film fans, the ramifications of the pandemic have been massive. Theaters remain closed, with movies originally scheduled for July now slipping into August, and the list of delayed titles continues to grow longer. 

Black Widow is one of the most high profile victims of the pandemic, with its release date shifted back from this past May to November (which was when we were supposed to be watching Eternals). 

We’ve already had what we assumed to be a final trailer for the Marvel Studios movie, but another has now been classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). It’s set to be 2 minutes and 38 seconds long, so it will be a full-blown look at Black Widow, and not just a lengthy TV spot. 

How much new footage Disney and Marvel Studios will want to show is hard to say, but another sneak peek is probably essential at this stage to remind moviegoers that Black Widow is on the way. As for when we’ll get to see this trailer, the fact that it’s been classified by the BBFC likely means it’s coming our way any day now… unless it’s being saved for when theaters re-open, that is.

We’ll have to wait and see, but expect to hear more on this soon. 

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Relic is set to be released on July 10th, and with the likes of Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo serving as producers alongside Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s Jake Gyllenhaal, there’s understandably a lot of buzz surrounding Natalie Erika James’s directorial debut. It’s not just those names which have brought it to people’s attention, though, as a critically acclaimed premiere at the Sundance Film Festival (before COVID-19 closed the world down) meant that this has been a horror movie to watch out for from day one. 

The premise of the film is simple, yet effective. When elderly mother Edna (Robyn Nevin) inexplicably vanishes, her daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) rush to their family’s decaying country home, finding clues of her increasing dementia scattered around the house in her absence. However, it’s once she returns with no explanation that things start getting weird, and what follows is a unique and memorable take on the classic haunted house trope.  

While Relic is a film that definitely falls into the category of “arthouse horror,” there are plenty of scares to be found, and a slow, suspenseful build to an edge of your seat final act. James has a good grasp on how to get the viewer invested, and while the lack of a classic horror movie monster or “MacGuffin” might stop it from reaching the same heights as other recent female-led horror outings (The Babadook springs to mind) in the eyes of some fans, there’s certainly plenty to talk about here. The final few minutes do get a little confusing, but ambiguity is often a big part of movies like this, and it’s an ending which makes sense for this story, particularly when the “big bad” isn’t necessarily a terrifying ghost or monster, but someone’s declining mental state. James tackles the subject of dementia in a lot of clever, impactful ways, with the deterioration of the house and changes in Edna’s appearance from scene to scene the most obvious examples. 

Robyn Nevin does a great job in that role, while Emily Mortimer (Kay) and Bella Heathcote (Sam) have heaps of chemistry, meaning buying into their mother/daughter relationship is extremely easy. As mentioned, the focus here is very much on this trio of women and the family dynamic they have, and Relic is frequently at its best exploring how the relationships between them differ (as well as how they deal with Edna’s harrowing battle with dementia).

James is clearly a talented filmmaker, though the suspense is occasionally lessened by cinematographer Charlie Sarroff’s often murky visuals. Relic also somewhat follows the expected horror movie patten of laying the groundwork for a final twenty minutes of big scares, but look beyond that, and it’s clear that it is a story with a lot to say. It’s neither the beginning of a franchise nor a horror classic, but as an opening chapter to what is clearly going to be an exciting and must-watch career for James, Relic works perfectly. 

Compelling, suspenseful, and downright terrifying in places, Relic is a movie with a lot to say, and establishes Natalie Erika James as a filmmaker to watch in future.
 

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Ahead of next week’s conclusion to the “Shiv” two-parter, The CW has released twelve new promotional stills from the following week’s installment, which will apparently shine a spotlight on Henry Jr. (Jake Austin Walker) as he makes a startling discovery about his father that could alter the course of his life.

Meanwhile, it looks like the team is going to disagree about who their next team member is going to be with Courtney (Brec Bassinger) making a suggestion that causes tensions to rise. Judging by the reaction, her choice will be more than likely Henry Jr., but it could also be Cameron Mahkent (Hunter Sansone).

Brainwave (Ep# 109)

DADDY DEAREST — Tensions rise among the JSA members after Courtney (Brec Bassinger) suggests who she wants to recruit next to the team. Meanwhile, Barbara (Amy Smart) invites Jordan (Neil Jackson) and his family over for dinner, and Henry Jr. (Jake Austin Walker) makes a surprising discovery about his father. Luke Wilson, Yvette Monreal, Cameron Gellman, Anjelika Washington, Trae Romano, Christopher James Baker, Meg DeLacy and Hunter Sansone also star. Tamra Davis directed the episode written by Colleen McGuinness (#109). Original airdate 7/14/2020. 

The new DC UNIVERSE drama series DC’s STARGIRL follows high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore as she inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to stop the villains of the past. This new drama reimagines Stargirl and the very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America, in an unpredictable series that focuses on the character that started creator Geoff Johns’ career as a comic book writer when he created her in 1999, lovingly inspired by his late sister who was killed in a 1996 plane explosion.

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The second season of DC Universe’s Doom Patrol has been every bit as bizarre and unpredictable as the first, and one of the main reasons for that stems from the addition of Dorothy Spinner.

Niles Caulder’s daughter was actually introduced in the Season 1 finale, but actress Abigail Shapiro took over as the character for Season 2, and she’s already had a major impact on the rest of the team – and served as a conduit for terrifying new villain, The Candlemaker.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Shapiro about her role on the show, and she spoke to us about playing Dorothy, the challenges of working with the prosthetics needed to give her an ape-like appearance, the possibility of a third season, and more.

Doom Patrol is far from your typical superhero series… were you already a fan of the first season when you got the part of Dorothy Spinner, and was the show’s unique, eccentric tone something that drew you to the role?   

I did not know much about the show when I initially auditioned. After I got the callback, I started watching the first season and immediately fell in love with it. It is so unique not only for a superhero show, but also for any TV show. It has all of those very weird, WEIRD, hilarious moments that the show is known for, but it also explores the darker side of our humanity and really digs deep into these characters as imperfect humans.

It is a show anyone can relate to because of that. I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of this crazy, but also beautiful show. I finished the first season after I got the role and was thrilled that I would be playing Dorothy!

How did you find working with the prosthetics needed to transform into Dorothy?   

“It was so cool working with the prosthetics. I got to see myself completely transform. The makeup artists who did the prosthetic makeup every day, Derek and Eric Garcia (who are the most iconic twin-duo ever), were so talented, and I honestly felt honored that my face could serve as sort of a canvas for their art. I learned so much about prosthetic makeup throughout the process, and I have a whole new appreciation for it.

There were definitely some challenges though. Wearing the makeup after a while almost every day caused a lot of skin problems and was not the most comfortable. I built up a lot of stamina throughout filming, and it became less and less difficult as time went by. I’m so grateful for everyone on the makeup team who helped me take care of my skin. By the end of filming, my skin was nowhere near as bad as it was when I first started filming because we found the right skin products and routine.

Another challenge was that I also wore huge fake teeth so it was a bit difficult at first learning to speak with those and on top of that doing a British accent! I eventually got the hang of it. But it was such an amazing and unique experience getting to work with the prosthetics. I’m so grateful for it.”

Dorothy is clearly an innocent, kind hearted child, but she also has the potential to be a very destructive force. Without giving too much away, is that something that’s going to be touched upon later in the season? 

“Yes, it will definitely be touched on later this season! Not all of her imaginary friends are good, and because she does not have a lot of control over them, she has the potential to bring an end to the world. Their job, ultimately, is to protect her, but sometimes they don’t always do it in the best way. You all will be seeing more of the Candlemaker, that’s for sure.”

Some may not realize this, but you also played the young Niles Caulder in the Red Jack episode. It’s only a brief scene, but how did you find playing the father of your character when he was around Dorothy’s age? 

“That was so much fun! Everyone actually got to see my face, so that was cool! Now Tim needs to play Dorothy, haha.”

Honestly, with this show I’d say that’s a distinct possibility! We’re only a few episodes into Season 2, but have you heard anything about the possibility of a third season yet?

“I don’t know anything about another season right now, but I really hope there’s a season 3! That would be amazing!”

Many thanks to Abigail for taking the time to speak to us. We look forward to seeing Dorothy’s intriguing arc play out as Season 2 of Doom Patrol continues.

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Along with Han Solo and Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker is one of the main heroes of the Star Wars Universe, and he goes from farmer to Rebel Alliance hero to Jedi Knight over the course of the original trilogy (the less said about what becomes of him in the sequels, the better). 

Appearing on Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo’s Pizza Film School to discuss The Empire Strikes Back, Mark Hamill reflected on a cut scene from A New Hope which sees the young Luke run into his old friend Biggs Darklighter, who has recently graduated from the Imperial Academy.

Hamill regrets that the scene was cut because he believes it shows Luke’s naivety and that he’s apolitical.

“The only reason that is interesting to me is that Luke has no political persuasion. He thinks it’s great he is in the Empire! Luke wants to be in the Empire if it will get him off the farm! So he is completely pure in that he is not politically motivated in any way, shape, or form.”

During their exchange, Biggs would tell Luke that he wasn’t planning to remain in the Empire, hence why he later shows up fighting for the Rebels. Hamill’s take on their meeting is definitely interesting, and shows just how different things could have gone for him had he not met Ben Kenobi.

What do you guys think?
 

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Joining HBO with The Last of Us and Showtime with Halo, Amazon Prime Video is getting into live-action video game adaptations, as it’s just been announced that the streaming service has enlisted Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy to develop a new television show based on Bethesda’s hit Fallout series.

In their official statement, Nolan and Joy said, “‘Fallout’ is one of the greatest game series of all time. Each chapter of this insanely imaginative story has cost us countless hours we could have spent with family and friends. So we’re incredibly excited to partner with Todd Howard and the rest of the brilliant lunatics at Bethesda to bring this massive, subversive, and darkly funny universe to life with Amazon Studios.”

Considering the Primetime Emmy-nominated couple are currently in the midst of their Westworld run, having completed three out of their planned six season story, and are in pre-production on a fellow Amazon series, The Peripheral, it’s uncertain when this potential series may actually roll cameras, but it’s likely to be a lot sooner than 2077.  

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Press Release

New York, NY— July 2, 2020 — Today, Marvel Entertainment announced three iconic franchises – ALIEN, PREDATOR, and ALIEN VS. PREDATOR – will be launching all-new stories with Marvel Comics starting in 2021! Revealed exclusively by IGN, the new comic series will feature new and classic characters from Earth and beyond to explore never-before-seen corners of both the Alien and Predator universes.

Following the debut of Alien in 1979 and Predator in 1987, the films built a cult following and expanded rapidly to include toys, games, novels, and comic books, eventually leading to 2004’s landmark crossover Alien vs. Predator. Marvel’s new stories will draw from all of these properties, building on decades of multimedia storytelling. Get a first look at next year’s deadly new chapter with spine-chilling cover art by David Finch!

“There’s nothing more thrilling than a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat, and Alien and Predator have delivered that time and time again!” C.B. Cebulski, Editor-in-Chief of Marvel, told IGN. “I can clearly remember where I was when I saw each of these modern masterpieces for the first time, and reveling in how both masterfully weave extraterrestrial dread and drama into some of the most iconic scenes we’ve ever seen on film. And it’s that legacy that we’re going to live up to!”

“The incredible legacies of both franchises offer some of the most compelling and exciting worldbuilding in all of science fiction,” said Marvel Editor Jake Thomas. “It is a thrill and an honor to be able to add to that mythology and continuity with all-new stories set within those universes.”

“Alien and Predator are the two of the most identifiable, iconic characters of all time, and I love them for that,” said Finch. “But mostly, it’s being fortunate enough to be a kid when they were new. I’ve seen every movie they’ve ever been in, and I cannot wait to see them wreaking havoc in the Marvel Universe. I drew my pictures of them with a massive smile on my face.”

“As a visual medium, comics are the perfect place to build on those moments, and we here at Marvel are honored to begin telling these stories for fans everywhere,” added Cebulski. “As our release schedule continues to return, we can’t wait to share more in the coming months!”

Details on upcoming ALIEN and PREDATOR comic book titles, collections, reprints, and creative teams will be shared at a later date.
 

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