Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of August 9th to 15th, 2015 - Update #13

Support Leroy on Patreon.

NEWS:

From Deadline:  Lots of Pixar news at D23.

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From YahooTV:  AntennaTV is bringing Johnny Carson back to television starting January 1, 2016.

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From YahooMovies:  The first trailer of Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight.'

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From YahooMovies:  Entertainment Weekly has scoops from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

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From Variety:  The NWA music biopic could have a $40 million opening weekend.

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From THR:  Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese's next collabo will be an adaptation of "Devil in the White City."

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From SlashFilm:  Frank Grillo in, so script for "The Purge 3" will exist.

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From Patreon:  This is my review of the Josh Trank's Fantastic Four film.  I will post a slightly altered version on Negromancer when the film arrives on DVD/Blu-ray.

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From BoxOfficeMojo:  In its second week of release, "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" wins the 8/7 - 8/9/15 weekend box office with an estimated take of $29.4 million.  It also won its debut weekend.  In its debut, the Fantastic Four reboot film finished way under early estimates and was second with an estimated take of $26.2 million.

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From THR:  Despite resisting, Bill Murray has finally agreed to appear in Paul Feig's all-female Ghostbusters.


COMICS - Films and Books:

From io9:  Talks about the "Civil War" and "Doctor Strange" reveals they saw at D23.

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From Deadline:  "RED" movies series is coming to TV.  The movies were based on a comic book series.

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From YahooMovies:  Josh Trank and Miles Teller almost came to blows on the set of Fantastic Four reboot bomb.

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From SlashFilm:  Patrick Stewart confirms that he will have a significant role in "Wolverine 3."

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From YahooNews:  More bad news for Fantastic Four film.

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From CinemaBlend:  So maybe FOX did mess with Josh Trank's "Fantastic Four" set pieces.

VIZ Media's Opens "My Hero Academia"

How Does An Ordinary Teenager Get Noticed When He Lives In A World Where Everyone Else Is a Crime Fighting Superhero?

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the launch of creator Kouhei Horikoshi’s brainiac action manga (graphic novel) series – MY HERO ACADEMIA – now available.

MY HERO ACADEMIA is rated ‘T’ for Teens and print volumes carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN each. The series is also available digitally via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App and from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future English editions of MY HERO ACADEMIA, which is ongoing in Japan and also serialized in current digital issues of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP magazine, will be published bi-annually under VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless? Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but he hasn’t got an ounce of power in him. With no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes, his life is looking more and more like a dead end. Then an encounter with All Might, the greatest hero of them all, gives him a chance to change his destiny…

“MY HERO ACADEMIA has been thrilling readers of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and has become the single most requested new series for English publication from the magazine’s current roster,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “Readers will be in for a wild ride in this inventive new series that puts a fresh spin on the classic superhero concept. Join the action as a fateful encounter gives young Izuku Midoriya a chance to become part of the next generation of Heroes!”

MY HERO ACADEMIA creator Kouhei Horikoshi received a Tezuka Award Honorable Mention in 2006, and after publishing several short stories in Akamaru Jump, his first serialized work, Oumagadoki Doubutsuen, debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2010. BARRAGE, his second series in Weekly Shonen Jump, was released by VIZ Media; MY HERO ACADEMIA is his third series to appear in Japan in Weekly Shonen Jump.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is published digitally each week by VIZ Media and features the latest installments of some of the world’s most popular manga series released to English readers across North America on the same day as the magazine’s general print release in Japan. More info is available at: ShonenJump.VIZ.com.

In addition to the U.S. and Canada, WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is available to readers in the U.K., Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand at ShonenJump.VIZ.com and through the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App for iOS and Android devices.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit shonenjump.viz.com.

For more information on MY HERO ACADEMIA and manga titles from 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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Review: "Fear of a Black Hat" Has Fun with N.W.H.

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 165 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

Fear of a Black Hat (1994)
Running time:  88 minutes (1 hour, 28 minutes)
MPAA – R for pervasive strong language, and for sexuality
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Rusty Cundieff
PRODUCER:  Darin Scott
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  John Demps, Jr.
EDITOR:  Karen Horn

COMEDY/MUSIC

Starring:  Mark Christopher Lawrence, Larry B. Scott, Rusty Cundieff, Kasi Lemmons, Howie Gold, G. Smokey Campbell, Bobby Mardis, Brad Sanders, Faizon Love, and Kurt Loder

Fear of a Black Hat is a 1994 comedy and music film from writer-director, Rusty Cundieff.  The film is a mock documentary or “mockumentary.”  Fear of a Black Hat chronicles the rise and fall of a controversial hip-hop group, NWH, simultaneously examining the evolution of and the state of hip-hop music in America.

The early 90’s saw two This is Spinal Tap-like parodies of hip hop culture.  The first to make it to the screen was the Chris Rock starrer, CB4, but the funnier of the two was Rusty Cundieff’s Fear of a Black Hat.  Anyone familiar with the culture of rap, especially the rap music and artists of the late 80’s and early 90’s, will find this satire and parody extremely entertaining.

Fear of a Black Hat begins when Nina Blackburn (Kasi Lemmons), a college graduate student, decides to do her thesis on a rap group.  She chooses Niggas with Hats, or N.W.H. as the subject of a documentary film.  Her film follows the vulgar trio:  Ice Cold (Rusty Cundieff), Tasty Taste (Larry B. Scott), and Tone Def (Mark Christopher Lawrence) from their underground success to their ride as one of the top hip hop acts to their obligatory break up and subsequent reunion.

The acting is mostly very good, and the parody is dead on.  Like some rap music and hip hop culture, Fear of a Black Hat is vulgar, rude, insipid, ridiculous, and very fun.  Cundieff is sly.  On one had this is not taken too seriously; on the other, he’s making a lot of pointed commentary about racism, bigotry, and opportunism, and he’s especially skewering how entertainers use violence and hate in crass attempts to gain attention, money, and fame.  Cundieff seemed to understand that rap was often just Black America doing a self-parody of urban African-American culture – the civil rights activism, self-hate, misogyny, bigotry, and violence to make a point and cash.  Not only do the costumes, settings, and characters reflect that, but also the songs by Cundieff and his songwriting collaborator, Larry Johnson, that really hit upon the culture.

Even people who don’t like hip hop or don’t know it could find Fear of a Black Hat uproarious; some of the stuff in here is just absolutely outrageous and can’t help but elicit laughs.  Those who remember the time period that Fear of a Black Hat reflects will laugh as well as feel a little sentimental, maybe even missing acts like N.W.A., Public Enemy, and Ice T, who represented for an invisible American subculture and showed it off to the world.

6 of 10
B

Updated:  Friday, August 14, 2015


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

"Mission: Impossible" Goes "Rogue Nation" on Worldwide Box Office

“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION” CROSSES THE $300 MILLION MARK AT THE GLOBAL BOX OFFICE

HOLLYWOOD, CA – “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION,” the fifth film in the blockbuster franchise, has crossed the $300 million milestone at the worldwide box office. The film has earned $118.5 million domestically, with an additional $184.6 million from overseas markets.

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION” debuted at #1 in North America and many international markets, grossing more than $150 million in its first week of release.

Internationally, the film’s success was bolstered by #1 openings in such major territories as Korea, UK, Mexico, Australia, Spain, Russia and Argentina, and achieved franchise-breaking numbers in India, Korea, UK, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Russia. International territories still to open include France, Brazil, and Italy. The film will release in China on September 8, in collaboration with partners Alibaba Pictures and China Movie Channel.

Paramount Pictures and Skydance present a Tom Cruise / Bad Robot Production, “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION.” With the IMF disbanded and Ethan (Tom Cruise) out in the cold, the team now faces off against a network of highly skilled special agents, the Syndicate. These highly trained operatives are hellbent on creating a new world order through an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with disavowed British agent Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who may or may not be a member of this rogue nation, as the group faces its most impossible mission yet. Starring Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris and Alec Baldwin.

The film is directed by Christopher McQuarrie, with a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie and story by Christopher McQuarrie and Drew Pearce. Based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. Produced by Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. Jake Myers is an executive producer.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Skydance
Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create elevated, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across platforms, including feature film, television, gaming and digital. Among Skydance’s blockbuster and award-winning feature films are True Grit, Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jack Reacher, World War Z and Terminator Genisys. Its upcoming feature film slate includes Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation in 2015 and Geostorm, Star Trek Beyond and the follow-up to Jack Reacher in 2016. Skydance Television’s Emmy nominated series are Grace and Frankie on Netflix and Manhattan on WGN America.

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New "Ultraman" Arrives from VIZ Media

VIZ MEDIA LAUNCHES THE NEW ULTRAMAN MANGA SERIES

Kinetic Superhero Action Series Updates The Iconic Japanese Sci-Fi Property For A Whole New Generation Of Manga Fans; Series To Launch In Print And Digitally

San Francisco, CA – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces the brand new ULTRAMAN sci-fi superhero action manga (graphic novel) series, which is set to debut in print and digitally on August 18th, 2015.

The series, written by Eiichi Shimizu with artwork by Tomohiro Shimoguchi, is inspired by the original classic Japanese superhero TV show that ran in the late 1960s and remains hugely popular in Japan as well as with international audiences. ULTRAMAN Vol. 1 is rated ‘T’ for Teens and will carry a print MSRP of $12.99 U.S. / $14.99 CAN. The series also launches digitally the same day via VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores. Future editions of ULTRAMAN will be published quarterly under the VIZ Signature imprint. In Japan, the series currently appears in Hero’s magazine.

Decades ago, a being known as the Giant of Light joined together with Shin Hayata of the Science Special Search Party to save Earth from an invasion of terrifying monsters called Kaiju. Now, many years later, those dark days are fading into memory, and the world is at peace. But in the shadows a new threat is growing, a danger that can only be faced by a new kind of hero – a new kind of ULTRAMAN… Shinjiro is an ordinary teenager, but his father is the legendary Shin Hayata. When he learns that his father passed on the “Ultraman Factor” to him and that he possesses incredible powers, nothing will ever be the same again.

VIZ Media recently welcomed Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi for their first-ever professional appearance in the U.S. as official Guests of Honor at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.

“In Japan, Ultraman is something of a national symbol, an iconic superhero that is instantly recognizable and universally loved, and we’re excited to bring the brand new manga to a new generation of fans,” says Mike Montesa, Editor. “The series wonderfully updates the classic sci-fi property with cinematic action sequences and sleek character designs. Catch the exciting return of this legendary hero this summer!”

Eiichi Shimizu worked on the story, script and mechanical design for ULTRAMAN. Tomohiro Shimoguchi provided character design and art. Together, the two have formed a creative dream team to produce a number of works including ULTRAMAN (Hero’s) and Kurogane no Rainbareru (Linebarrels of Iron, Akita Shoten). In addition to comics, they have expanded their field of interest to include character designs for video games and action figures.

For more information on ULTRAMAN or manga titles 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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Remembering Michael Brown - One Year Later - #BlackLivesMatter - Update #3

On August 9th, 2014, the state of Missouri, using police officer Darren Wilson as its death weapon, murdered Michael Brown, Jr., an 18-year-old, unarmed young black man.  This killing occurred in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis.

It amazes me that a jury cannot give James Eagan Holmes the death penalty for killing 12 people (and wounding 70 others) at a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado in 2012.  However, the state can find it acceptable to kill an unarmed Black teen for (allegedly) bitch-slapping a cop.

After arresting Dylan Roof for killing 9 people in a South Carolina African-American church, the arresting officers took Roof to Burger King.  After being arrested in Waller County, Texas, Sandra Bland was given the trash bags she used to allegedly kill herself.

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A Mike Brown timeline from Yahoo News.

Michael Brown's family still mourning.

From YahooNews:  Roasted pig's head makes appearance at protest.

From YahooNews:  What it's like to be a Black cop in Ferguson.

From TheVox: The all-white Oath Keepers have shown up in Ferguson and they are openly well armed.  How would Ferguson police and St. Louis County police act if the Oath Keepers were Black and armed to the teeth, walking the streets of Ferguson.

From TheGuardian:  Pentagon taking back two military Humvees it once gave to Ferguson PD.

And just in time to remember this day comes news of another unarmed young black man, Christian Taylor, shot by a trainee doofus cop...

From MotherJones:  An interview with a civil rights activist who was at the front lines of the Ferguson protests.

From TheNation:  Youth movements to end White supremacy.

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Production Begins on Zach Braff's Remake of "Going in Style"

Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin to Headline Director Zach Braff’s Comedy “Going in Style”

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Production is now underway on location in New York City on the New Line Cinema comedy “Going in Style,” directed by Zach Braff (“Garden State”) and starring Oscar winners Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”), Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules,” “Hannah and Her Sisters”) and Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”).

Freeman, Caine and Arkin team up as lifelong buddies Willie, Joe and Al, who decide to buck retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow for the first time in their lives when their pension fund becomes a corporate casualty. Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, the three risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.

The film also stars two-time Oscar nominee Ann-Margret (“Tommy,” “Carnal Knowledge”) as Annie, a grocery cashier who’s been checking Al out in more ways than one; Peter Serafinowicz (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Joe’s former son-in-law, Murphy, whose pot clinic connections may finally prove useful; John Ortiz (“Silver Linings Playbook”) as Jesus, a man of unspecified credentials who agrees to show them the ropes; Joey King (“Wish I Was Here”) as Joe’s whip-smart granddaughter, Brooklyn; Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future” trilogy) as the guys’ lodge buddy, Milton; and Oscar nominee Matt Dillon (“Crash”) as FBI Agent Hamer.

Braff will direct from a screenplay by Theodore Melfi (“St. Vincent”), based on the film by Martin Brest.

“Going in Style” is being produced by Donald De Line (“The Italian Job”). The executive producers are Tony Bill, who was a producer on the 1979 film “Going in Style,” Jonathan McCoy, and Andrew Haas.

The creative filmmaking team includes Emmy-nominated director of photography Rodney Charters (“24”), production designer Anne Ross (“Lost in Translation”) and costume designer Gary Jones (“New Year’s Eve”).

Scheduled for release on May 6, 2016, the film is a New Line Cinema presentation of a De Line Pictures Production. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

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