Review: "Batman vs. Robin" Finds a Star in Nightwing

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 30 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Batman vs. Robin (2015) – Video
Running time:  80 minutes (1 hour, 20 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense action and violence, suggestive images and thematic elements
DIRECTOR:  Jay Oliva
WRITER:  J.M. DeMatteis (based on characters created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger; Marv Wolfman and George Perez; and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo)
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinsk
ANIMATION STUDIO:  The Answerstudio

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Jason O'Mara, Stuart Allan, Sean Maher, David McCallum, Jeremy Sisto, Robin Atkin Downes, Griffin Gluck, Grey Griffin, Kevin Conroy, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Andrea Romano

Batman vs. Robin is a 2015 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation.  It is the 22nd film in Warner's line of DC Universe original animated movies.  The film focuses DC Comics' dynamic duo, Batman and his ten-year-old son who is the current Robin.

Batman vs. Robin opens with Damian Wayne (Stuart Allan), the current Robin, racing to confront the monstrous child abductor, The Dollmaker (“Weird Al” Yankovic).  Damian's rash actions lead to a confrontation with his biological father, Bruce Wayne a.k.a. Batman (Jason O'Mara).  During the battle with The Dollmaker, Damian meets a mysterious costumed-figure named Talon (Jeremy Sisto), whose violent methods are similar to his own.

Back at Wayne Manor, there is tension, as Damian struggles to follow Bruce's strict rules, especially his no-killing rule when they are Batman and Robin.  Damian decides to meet Talon and learns of a secret society known as the Court of Owls.  Damian does not know that this group has an old and troubling connection to Bruce Wayne.

Batman vs. Robin is mildly entertaining.  I found the Wayne Manor battle royale that dominates this animated film's last act to be invigorating.  The rest of the film interested me only a little.  I found myself drawn to Nightwing/Dick Grayson (Sean Maher), a supporting character to the Batman and Robin family-strife act, and I have to admit that I would have found it difficult to watch this movie without Nightwing appearing in it.

Batman and the Damian Wayne Robin make an interesting dynamic, but it is better with Nightwing.  I think that I will remember Batman vs. Robin for Nightwing.

6 of 10
B

Friday, July 31, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: "Justice League: Throne of Atlantis" is a Tidal Wave of Fun

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 29 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015) – Video
Running time:  72 minutes (1 hour, 12 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout
DIRECTOR:  Ethan Spaulding   
WRITER:  Heath Corson (based on the comic book by Geoff Johns, Paul Pelletier, and Ivan Reis)
COMPOSER:  Frederik Wiedmann
EDITOR:  Christopher D. Lozinsk
ANIMATION STUDIO:  Moi Animation Studios

ANIMATION/SUPERHERO/ACTION/FANTASY

Starring:  (voices) Matt Lanter, Sumalee Montano, Sam Witwer, Jerry O'Connell, Jason O'Mara, Rosario Dawson, Nathan Fillion, Christopher Gorham, Shemar Moore, Sean Astin, Sirena Irwin, Matthew Yang King, Jay Johnson, and Larry Cedar

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is a 2015 straight-to-video animated superhero film from Warner Bros. Animation.  It is the 21st film in Warner's line of DC Universe original animated movies.  The film features DC Comics' top superhero team, the Justice League, with a focus on Aquaman.

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is loosely based on the 2012-13 comic book story line, “Throne of Atlantis.”  Written by Geoff Johns and drawn by artists Ivan Reis and Paul Pelletier, “Throne of Atlantis” was published in Justice League (2011) #15-17 and Aquaman (2011) #14-16.  Throne of Atlantis the animated film pits Aquaman against his half-brother for the throne of Atlantis, as the Justice League tries to stop a war between the humans on the surface and the people of underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis opens with a mysterious attack against the S.S. California, a United States Navy submarine, in the Marianas Trench.  The attack is the first salvo in a war that Orm (Sam Witwer), a prince of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, wishes to declare on the surface world.  His mother, Queen Atlanna (Sirena Irwin), seeks peace with the humans on the surface.  Atlanna sees her half-human/half-Atlantean son, Arthur Curry (Matt Lanter), as the key to this peace, and she sends a trusted warrior, Mera (Sumalee Montano), to protect Arthur and to inform him of his royal heritage.

Meanwhile, the Justice League:  Superman (Jerry O'Connell), Wonder Woman (Rosario Dawson), Batman (Jason O'Mara), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Flash (Christopher Gorham), Shazam (Sean Astin), and Cyborg (Shemar Moore), does not really function as a unified group of superheroes protecting the world.  Only Cyborg has remained dedicated, but after he is attacked while investigating the attack on the S.S. California, he forces the issue with his erstwhile teammates.  Can the Justice League unite in time to defeat the plans of Orm and his partner, Black Manta?  Can Arthur Curry rise to the occasion and become the hero known as “Aquaman?”

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis is neither an exceptional “DC Universe” animated movie, nor is it a particularly special Justice League animated film.  Personally, there wasn't enough Batman in it to suit me, although, to be honest, most of the DC Comics animated films either star Batman or feature him in a prominent role.

Throne of Atlantis is entertaining, and I wouldn't have minded if the film lasted longer; of its 72 minutes of run time, barely 65 minutes features actual story and action.  This film's version of Atlantis is intriguing, but the movie doesn't reveal much about this underwater kingdom other than that its citizens are ready to kill surface dwellers with little provocation.  I must say that the creatures, armor, and machines of war for Atlantis are strikingly designed.  A longer film could have shown us more sides of Atlantis and not just the martial side.

Of note, Nathan Fillion delivers an uninspired voice performance as Green Lantern, but Shemar Moore shines as Cyborg.  I have to be honest with you, dear reader, I am always up for watching a DC Universe animated film, so Justice League: Throne of Atlantis pleased me and did leaving me wanting more, simply because it is fun to watch.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, July 12, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

First "Zoolander 2" Teaser Arrives

ZOOLANDER 2
WATCH THE NEW TEASER: https://youtu.be/09nTwccQTUA

Zoolander 2 is in theaters February 12, 2016!

https://www.facebook.com/ZoolanderMovie

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VIZ Media Announces More Titles for 2016

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES A TRIO OF EXCITING NEW MANGA AND ART BOOK ACQUISITIONS

GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, BLANC ET NOIR Art Book, And New Shojo Manga Series THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR Announced For Spring 2016 Release

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America continues to expand its extensive manga (graphic novel) catalog and gives fans and readers a sneak peek at a trio of notable new titles scheduled to launch during the Spring of 2016.

The company’s newest publishing acquisitions were detailed this past weekend at Otakon 2015, one of the biggest anime/pop culture conventions on the East Coast.

The forthcoming releases include the BLANC ET NOIR art book, a special high-end volume to be published under the Art of Shonen Jump imprint collecting the work of the famed manga artist Takeshi Obata (DEATH NOTE) and set to be released in a limited print run of only 10,000 copies. Also launching in the Spring of 2016 will be GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, a dark and edgy coming-of-age tale from the Eisner- and Harvey Award-nominated creator Inio Asano. Shojo manga fans also can look forward to the Spring 2016 debut of creator Keiko Ishihara’s series about a wealthy girl’s relationship with her handsome driver in THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR.

“These upcoming new VIZ Media titles are sure to become highlights for scores of manga fans next spring,” says Hope Donovan, Managing Editor. “From Takeshi Obata’s beautiful artwork presented in the lavish BLANC ET NOIR art book, to the teenage angst of GOODNIGHT PUNPUN and the romantic master-and-servant drama of THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR, these new releases each will take the reader on amazing journey!”

New Spring 2016 Acquisitions

GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, by Inio Asano · Rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers · Debuting Spring 2016

Meet Punpun Punyama. He’s an average kid in an average town. He wants to win a Nobel Prize and save the world. He wants to go far away with his true love. He wants to find some porn. But Punpun’s average life is about to unravel…

GOODNIGHT PUNPUN is an edgy, dark coming-of-age story from Inio Asano, the Eisner- and Harvey-nominated creator of SOLANIN, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD! (both published by VIZ Media) and Nijigahara Holograph. GOODNIGHT PUNPUN will be published quarterly under the VIZ Signature imprint.

BLANC ET NOIR: TAKESHI OBATA ILLUSTRATIONS, by Takeshi Obata · Debuting Spring 2016

Takeshi Obata’s (DEATH NOTE, HIKARU NO GO, BAKUMAN, ALL YOU NEED IS KILL) long-awaited high-end art book will be released as a limited edition of 10,000 copies. This stunning book collects the bestselling artist’s work from 2001-2006 and includes illustrations from popular series such as DEATH NOTE and HIKARU NO GO (both published by VIZ Media). This gorgeous oversized art book is encased in a silver-stamped slipcase and stuffed with 132 pages of full-color artwork, several massive foldout posters, special papers and twelve pages of artist commentary including a “how to draw” section. It also includes three large double-sided laminated posters

THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR, by Keiko Ishihara · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Debuting Spring 2016

At an all-girls school during the turn-of-the-century Taisho Era of Japan, rumors swirl that heiress Sayaka Yoshimura is having a forbidden love affair with her chauffeur, Shinobu Narutaki! Sayaka scoffs at the rumors, but could a romance between master and servant actually be brewing? At just two volumes, this sweet and thrilling story is a wonderful jumping-on point for the budding romance manga fan.

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


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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A Negromancer August 2015

Well, let's get our August on... Welcome to Negromancer 2.0.  This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.

Support my work on Patreon.

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.

Wizard World Comic Con Columbus Announces Mike Tyson

Boxing Champion Mike Tyson to Attend Wizard World Comic Con Columbus on September 19-20

Youngest To Win Heavyweight Titles, International Boxing Hall of Famer to Appear at Greater Columbus Convention Center

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB:WIZD) has secured Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and a pop culture phenomenon, to attend Wizard World Comic Con Columbus on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2015.

“Iron Mike,” a member of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, has appeared in more than 25 movies and television shows, most notably The Hangover, Rocky Balboa and “Entourage.”

Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout, 12 of which were in the first round, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world at age 20. His 50-6 record (two no contests) included WBA, WBC and IBF titles.

Tyson will greet fans, sign autographs, pose for photo ops and participate on an interactive Q&A panel at the pop culture extravaganza, which is Wizard World’s fifth visit to the Greater Columbus Convention Center (the event was formerly known as Wizard World Ohio). The event will mark Tyson’s first Wizard World appearance.

Other notable celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Comic Con Columbus include:

    David Ramsey (“Arrow”)
    Dave Bautista (WWE® Superstar Batista™, Guardians of the Galaxy)
    Emily Kinney (“The Walking Dead”)
    Toby Kebbell (Fantastic Four, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes)
    Sonequa Martin-Green (“The Walking Dead”)
    Karl Yune (“Arrow”)
    Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid)
    Will Friedle (“Boy Meets World,” voice actor: “Kim Possible”)

Wizard World Comic Con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.

The 18th of 24 events currently scheduled on the 2015 Wizard World U.S. tour, Columbus show hours are Friday, September 18 from 3-8 p.m., Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, September 20 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Wizard World Comic Con Columbus is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.

For more on the 2015 Wizard World Comic Con Columbus, visit www.wizardworld.com/home-columbus.html.


About Wizard World
Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB:WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ:CIDM), and ComicConBox™, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The 2015 Wizard World Comic Con schedule is available here.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results or outcomes of Wizard World, Inc. may differ materially from those anticipated. Although Wizard World, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any such assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, Wizard World, Inc. can provide no assurance that any of the forward-looking statements contained in this letter will prove to be accurate.

In light of the significant uncertainties and risks inherent in the forward-looking statements included in this letter, such information should not be regarded as a representation by Wizard World, Inc. that its objectives or plans will be achieved. Included in these uncertainties and risks are, among other things, fluctuations in operating results, general economic conditions, uncertainty regarding the results of certain legal proceedings and competition. Forward-looking statements consist of statements other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "intend," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Because they are forward-looking, such statements should be evaluated in light of important risk factors and uncertainties. These risk factors and uncertainties are more fully described in Wizard World, Inc.'s most recent Annual and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading entitled "Risk Factors." Wizard World, Inc. does not undertake an obligation to update publicly any of its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Kodansha Advanced Media Announces Gallery Event in San Francisco

KODANSHA ADVANCED MEDIA ANNOUNCES KODANSHA COMICS MANGA GALLERY EVENT AT NEW DIGITAL GARAGE OFFICES IN SAN FRANCISCO

Subsidiary of Japan’s Largest Publisher Focuses On Digital Innovation At 2015 J-POP SUMMIT With Manga Technology Demos And Special Free Manga Gallery Exhibit At Digital Garage In S.F; Online Virtual Gallery Further Extends Manga Exhibit To Fans Everywhere

San Francisco, CA -- Kodansha Advanced Media, a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd., specializing in digital content delivery, invites manga and Japanese pop culture fans to celebrate the launch of a unique digital content venture with a special open house event – The Kodansha Comics Manga Gallery – at the company’s new San Francisco offices located at Digital Garage.

The Kodansha Comics Manga Gallery runs Friday, August 7th thru Sunday, August 9th, 2015 at the Digital Garage/DG717 complex located at 717 Market St., San Francisco, CA and is presented in conjunction with the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT, at which Kodansha will be a participant and sponsor. The Manga Gallery will be open from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day thru Sunday, August 9th and is FREE and open to the public to attend.

The Kodansha Manga Gallery will feature a dynamic collection of works by renowned manga artists/creators such as Katsuhiro Otomo (AKIRA), Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon), Hajime Isayama (Attack on Titan), Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail), Hitoshi Iwaaki (Parasyte), Shirow Masamune (The Ghost in the Shell) and many more!

For those unable to attend the physical exhibit in S.F., Kodansha also will present an Online Gallery featuring the artwork at kodanshacomics.com.

“The Kodansha Comics Manga Gallery is both a look back at the manga that have defined the medium and Kodansha as a publisher, as well as a look forward to new ways manga can be experienced,” says Alvin Lu, Kodansha Advanced Media’s General Manager. “We are looking forward to participating in the 2015 J-POP SUMMIT and offering attendees this special exhibition and an exciting look at the future of digital manga.”

Kodansha Advanced Media will participate in the J-POP SUMMIT’s “Interactive Pavilion,” a first-of-its-kind showcase of cutting edge Japanese technology and consumer product design, and will feature the following in coordination with its technology partners:

• Visitors to the Manga Gallery can interactively engage with the artwork using beacon app technology developed by Digital Garage.

• Attendees and manga fans at the Interactive Pavilion can catch a massive Colossal Titan display (from the hit series Attack on Titan) in person at Fort Mason Center. As part of the Kodansha display, J-POP SUMMIT attendees can capture Attack on Titan in a whole new way with RICOH's spherical THETA camera, which takes dynamic 360-degree photos.

• Experience a virtual reality comics reader through the publisher’s collaboration with FOVE, a Japanese company developing the world's first eye-tracking VR headset.

The J-POP SUMMIT is a massive annual Japanese pop culture event held each summer in San Francisco and features a colorful assortment of Japanese pop-influenced culture, fashion, pop art, live music, technology and travel exhibits, along with celebrity Guests of Honor, anime programming, cos-play and pop idol contests, and a wide assortment of vendors and other on-site attractions. The 2015 J-POP SUMMIT takes place on Saturday and Sunday August 8th & 9th at the historic Fort Mason Center in San Francisco’s Marina district. Tickets and additional information are available at: www.J-POP.com.


About Kodansha USA Publishing
Established in New York in 2008, Kodansha USA Publishing (KUP) is a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd., Japan’s largest publisher. KUP’s first works under the Kodansha Comics imprint were Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira and Masamune Shirow’s The Ghost in the Shell. KUP has expanded their catalog to include such titles as Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima, Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama, Shugo Chara by PEACH-PIT, and Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi. Kodansha Comics is distributed by Penguin Random House Publisher Services.

Established in San Francisco in late 2014, Kodansha Advanced Media is also a subsidiary of Kodansha Ltd., specializing in digital content delivery. Additional information available at: http://www.kodanshacomics.com.

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