"Godzilla vs. Kong" Crosses $350 Million in Global Box Office

“Godzilla vs. Kong” Continues to Dominate the Global Box Office, Amassing Over $350 Million in Its First Weeks

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the heels of its massive opening numbers, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Godzilla vs. Kong” continues to overtake the global box office, surpassing $350 million in just over two weeks, with numerous markets around the world still to open in the midst of the pandemic. The announcement was made today by Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.

Overall, the film has earned $357.8 million and counting. Domestically, the film has earned an impressive $69.5 million, with major markets continuing to widen their theater capacities and with much of Canada still working to safely open in more cities. Internationally, “Godzilla vs. Kong” has amassed a whopping $288.3 million, thanks in large part to moviegoers in China, where Legendary handled the film’s release, still driving the box office up, and outstanding results in Australia, Mexico, Russia, South East Asia and the Middle East, in particular.

The film is also available in the U.S. on HBO Max for another 19 days and has set viewership records on the platform.

Emmerich said, “We’re thrilled that ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ is bringing audiences back into theaters where they are open around the world, and also delivering for our HBO Max subscribers in their homes here in the U.S. It’s truly a pleasure for all of us at Warner Bros. and HBO Max to be able to thank and congratulate Adam, Legendary and the entire 'GvK' team on the great results for this terrific movie.”


About “Godzilla vs. Kong”:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes the long-awaited showdown between two icons in the epic adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong,” directed by Adam Wingard.

Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The initial confrontation between the two Titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, with Kyle Chandler and Demián Bichir.

Wingard directed from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein, story by Terry Rossio and Michael Dougherty & Zach Shields, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. The film was produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, Jon Jashni, Thomas Tull and Brian Rogers, with Jay Ashenfelter, Herbert W. Gains, Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira executive producing.

The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Ben Seresin, production designers Owen Paterson and Thomas S. Hammock, editor Josh Schaeffer, costume designer Ann Foley and visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin. The music is by Tom Holkenborg.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, A Film By Adam Wingard, “Godzilla vs. Kong.” The film is available in the U.S. on HBO Max in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos on supported devices for 31 days from theatrical release.

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Comics Review: NOCTERRA #2 is a Blast to Read

NOCTERRA #2
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Tony S. Daniels
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniels with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Clayton Henry with Alejandro Sanchez Rodriguez
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“FULL THROTTLE DARK”

Nocterra is a new comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniels.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” when the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night, for well over a decade.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative team.

Nocterra introduces Valentina “Val” Riggs – call sign “Sundog.”  She was in the fifth grade the day the “Big PM” occurred.  Any living organism left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours starts undergoing a biological transformation and changes into a monstrous version of itself, becoming something called a “Shade.”  This is happening to her brother, Emory “Em” Riggs.

Thirteen years later (“13 PM”), Val drives a big rig hauler, a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler known as the “Sundog Convoy.”  A skilled “ferryman” Val transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts, and now she has her most dangerous haul – a mysterious man and his granddaughter.

Nocterra #2 opens with Val remembering the early days of the “Big PM,” when her parents were lying to themselves.  Val believes in putting a fist through childish fantasies and through the lies people tell themselves.  So what will she do now that Em is infected, and his transformation into a Shade seems to be happening faster than it should?

Meanwhile, she forces the old man, Dr. Augustus McCray, to tell her the truth, or at least more, about the purpose of his journey.  Val also discovers that “Blacktop Bill,” someone thought to be no more than a ghost story, is chasing her.  What does he want?

THE LOWDOWN:  I enjoy Scott Snyder's creator-owned series more than I enjoy his recent work for DC Comics.  I find all that Dark Nights: Metal stuff mostly unreadable, but I enjoyed Wytches (2014-15).  I am usually happy to read a comic book drawn by Tony S. Daniels, going back to his early days writing and drawing creator-owned titles at Image, such as The Tenth.

I found Nocterra #1 to be a strong first issue because it offered so much background information about the story.  Snyder did keep a lot of secrets, but he gave readers a clear understanding of the basics when it came to Nocterra's lead character, the setting, and the plot.  Still, I wondered if the first issue was a fluke, but, now, I know that I had nothing to worry about.  Nocterra #2 is a fine example of pop comics storytelling, with riveting subplots, a poignant flashback, some important character development, and some wham-bam action.

Tony Daniels' art is not as subdued as it was in the first issue.  The storytelling surges, and even the character moments hop with kinetic energy.  Colorist Tomeu Morey is very important to this narrative, and his colors offer subtle shifts in nightmare world.

I won't hesitate this time.  Nocterra #2 makes me confident that this series is one to follow.  If you are budgeting, dear readers, drop something else to make sure you enter the world of Nocterra every chance you get.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniels will want to sample Nocterra.

A

[This comic book includes a four-page preview of “The Good Asian #1” by Pornsak Pichetshote and Alexandre Tefenkgi.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Comics Review: "GEIGER #1" is Interesting, but Doesn't Explode

GEIGER #1
IMAGE COMICS/Mad Ghost

STORY: Geoff Johns
ART: Gary Frank
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
EDITOR: Pat McCallum
COVER: Gary Frank
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Erik Larsen; Jason Fabok; Gary Frank
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Rated “T+/Teen Plus”

Geiger created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank

Geiger is a new comic book series from writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.  Published by Image Comics, Geiger is set on a dying Earth in the years after a nuclear war ravaged the planet.  Colorist Brad Anderson and letterer Rob Leigh complete the series' creative team.

Geiger #1 opens 20 years after the nuclear war known as the “Unknown War” ravaged the planet, turning Earth into a dying world.  In the state of Nevada, desperate outlaws battle for survival in a world of rapidly disappearing resources and supplies.  But there is still time for myths and legends.

In the wasteland that was Boulder, Nevada, there is man even the most fearsome avoid.  People have given him a multitude of nicknames:  Joe Glow, The Meltdown Man, the Monster of Boulder City, the One Who Walks Outside Without a Suit, the Walking Bomb, and the Man of Mass Destruction, to name a few.  But before the war, he was simply a man named Tariq Geiger.  So who or what is Geiger, now?

THE LOWDOWN:  As first issues go, Geiger #1 is mostly an introduction, kind of like a prologue.  This first issue introduces the title character, Geiger, giving readers a look at who he was in the past and a glance at who he is now.

Honestly, Geiger #1 isn't Geoff Johns or Gary Frank's best work, but it is intriguing.  One has to consider what they have done as a creative team, such as the recently acclaimed Doomsday Clock, a sequel (of sorts) to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' legendary comic book, Watchmen.  So Johns and Frank are not going to deliver “perfect ten” comic books every time they drop a new issue or graphic novel.

Frank's pencil art is rougher and less refined than his usual work, which is a good thing here.  It is as if Frank is letting readers now that Geiger isn't some superhero fast food or dessert.  Frank's compositions and graphical storytelling are edgy and bleak, and it all looks like he is indicating that he is embarking on something quite different from past works.  To go along with this, colorist Brad Anderson offers earthy tones instead of his usual bright superhero comics colors.

Writer Geoff Johns seems to be mixing genres in the creation of Geiger.  The post-apocalypse apparently has crime lords, mutants, and loners.  Geiger has elements that are similar to those found in Harlan Ellison's short story, “A Boy and His Dog” and in the Mad Max films.  There are probably elements from other fictions that I don't recognize, and future issues could reveal even more.  Letterer Rob Leigh keeps the pace nice and easy so that readers can slowly figure their way around Geiger.

Geiger intrigues me, but honestly, I am not sure that I would keep reading Geiger if I had to buy it.  But since I don't have to pay for it, I'll keep reading … for the time being.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Geoff Johns and Gary Frank will want to check out Geiger.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from April 1st to 10th, 2021 - Update #33

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

STREAMING - From THR:   Eddie Murphy's sequel film, "Coming 2 America," was Amazon's first streaming film to finish #1 on Nielsen's streaming rankings (for the week of March 1 to 7).  Now, it has become the first feature film from any of the four platforms that Nielsen monitors to repeat at #1 (March 8 to 14).

MOVIES - From WeGotThisCovered:   Rumors say that Robert Downey, Jr. is still trying to get troubled movie star, Johnny Depp, a part in Downey's third entry in his "Sherlock Holmes" franchise.

TELEVISION - From THR:  Tyler Perry is developing a new series, "Mabel" for Showtime.  "Mabel" will act as a prequel to Perry's "Madea" films as the new series will chronicle Madea's life going back to 1972.

SCANDAL - From THR:  The magazine and its website offer an article featuring tales of Hollywood and Broadway super-producer, Scott Rudin's abusive behavior towards his young assistants and other professionals. 

From Deadline:  Oscar-nominated producer Megan Ellison, who has worked with Scott Rudin says that his behavior is worst than what "The Hollywood Reporter" claims.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Rising stars Jorge Lendeborg Jr. and Tosin Cole are in negotiations to lead New Line’s reimagining of the 1990 cult comedy, "House Party," produced by LeBron James and Maverick Carter's The SpringHill Company. Award-winning music video director Calmatic will be helming in his feature debut.

SCANDAL - From YahooLATimes:   Zachary J. Horwitz, who is an actor under the name, Zachery Avery, was arrested on Tues., April 6th under the federal charge of operating a ponzi scheme.  Horwitz reportedly owes investors 227(!) million dollars.

DC COMICS TO MOVIE - From THR:   "Justice League" actor Ray Fisher gives a bombshell interview about his experiences with key figures in the making of the film, including acclaimed writer-director Joss Whedon.

From Vulture:  A history of allegations of abuse on the part of Joss Whedon.

COVID-19 - From Deadline:  California Gov. Gavin Newsom says that the state will be ending most COVID restrictions and will be "opening up" on June 15th, 2021.

From Deadline: Tyler Perry is reportedly going to end the COVID quarantine bubble at his studio in Atlanta because most of his crew has been vaccinated.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  The Baylor University Bears are the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Champions.  The Bears (28-2) beat the Gonzaga University Bulldogs (31-1) 86-70 in the men's championship game on Monday, April 5, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   Byron Allen's Allen Media Group owns the free-to-air TV network, "This TV."  Now, This TV has signed a distribution deal with eight major ABC-owned TV station subchannels in order to expand its reach.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:   30 years ago, actress Melanie Thandiwe Newton's name was misspelled in the credits of her first film, the Australian pic, "Flirting."  Since then, the world knows her as "Thandie Newton," but now she is reclaiming the "w" and she is Thandiwe Newton.  "Thandiew" is pronounced "tan-DEE-way."

LGBTQ - From YahooEntertainment:  Oscar-winning actress, Kate Winslet, says she knows many gay actors, especially young actors, who fear that coming out will derail their careeers.

SCANDAL - From Deadline:  Former movie studio boss and Oscar-winning producer, Harvey Weinstein, is appealing his New York state sex crime convictions, which landed him in prison for 23 years.  Meanwhile, on April 9th, there will be a hearing to extradite him to Los Angeles to face multiple sex crime charges.

MOVIES/STREAMING(?) - From WeGotThisCovered:  Paramount is reportedly developing a "Star Trek" project that is set only on Earth.

SAG AWARDS - From Variety:   If you care ... "Variety" is live-blogging / updating the 2021 / 27th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards with the announcement of the winners as they happen.

From THR:  "The Trial of the Chicago 7" tops the 2021 SAG Awards.

From THR:   Michael Keaton becomes the first actor to be part of three winning ensembles in the category of "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."  In addition to being a cast member of tonight's winner, "The Trial of the Chicago 7," Keaton was also a member of "Birdman" (2014) and "Spotlight" (2015), which both won "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture."

BOX OFFICE - From Variety:   The winner of the 4/2 to 4/4/2021 weekend box office is "Godzilla vs. Kong" with an estimated take of 32.2 million dollars. This is the best pandemic-era opening weekend.

From Deadline:  "Godzilla vs. Kong" earns an estimated 48.5 million dollars during its first five days at the domestic box office.

From Deadline:   Warner Bros./Legendary's "Godzilla vs. Kong" opened on Wed., March 31st, 2021 and had the biggest opening day since the COVID pandemic, 9.6 million dollars in domestic box office.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Emmy-winning actress Zendaya has been cast as "Lola Bunny" in "Space Jam: A New Legacy," the sequel to the 1996 film, "Space Jam," which starred Michael Jordan.  The film is due July 16, 2021.

MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:  Actor Edward Norton said that he got his breakthrough role, as a 19-year-old altar boy who kills a Catholic bishop in the 1996 film, "Primal Fear," when Leonardo DiCaprio passed on the role.  Norton would earn an Oscar nomination for the part.

MUSIC - From Variety:   HYBE (formerly known as "Big Hit Entertainment"), the home of South Korean pop super-group, BTS, and Ithaca Holdings, which manages Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande (among others), have merged.

STREAMING - From Deadline:   Popular cast member, Rege-Jean Page, will not be returning for Season 2 at "Bridgerton."

MOVIES - From THR:   Actor Steven Yeun is in talks to join Oscar-winner Jordan Peele's upcoming thriller.  The title of the film has not been announced, but it is due July 2022.

MOVIES - From THR:  Anthony Ramos has apparently made a star turn in the upcoming film, "In the Heights."  Now, he is in final negotiations to be the lead in next installment of the "Transformers" film franchise.  Steve Caple, Jr., who directed "Creed II," is scheduled to direct the film.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:   CBS has officially picked up "CSI: Vegas," a sequel to the original series, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," for the upcoming TV season.  Original series stars, William Petersen and Jorja Fox, will return to join a new cast.

JAMES BOND - From Collider: How to Watch the James Bond Movies in Order (Chronologically and by Release Date)

OBITS:

From XXL:   The rapper, Earl Simmons, better known as "DMX," has died at the age of 50, Friday, April 9, 2021.  His debut LP, 1998's "It's Dark and Hell is Hot," debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 LP chart.  His first five LP would reach #1 and would be certified platinum.  DMX was also an actor and appeared in numerous films, including the 2001 hit, "Exit Wounds."

From Deadline:   The voice-over artist, Mark Elliot, has died at the age of 81, Saturday, April 3, 2021.  He was best known for his work with The Walt Disney Company doing voice-overs for Disney promos and trailers.

From Deadline:   The film and television actress, Gloria Henry, has died at the age of 98, Saturday, April 3, 2021.  Henry is best known for playing "Alice Mitchell," the mother of Dennis Mitchell in the former CBS sitcom, "Dennis the Menace" (1959-63).  She also appeared in numerous TV series, such as "Perry Mason," "The Thin Man," and "Dallas," to name a few.

Review: "MONSTER HUNTER" Offers Great Subterranean Monsters... Nothing Else

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 26 of 2021 (No. 1764) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Monster Hunter (2020)

Running time: 103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of creature action and violence throughout

DIRECTOR:  Paul W.S. Anderson

WRITER:  Paul W.S. Anderson (based on upon the Capcom's video game, Monster Hunter)

PRODUCERS:  Paul W.S. Anderson, Dennis Berardi, Jeremy Bolt, Robert Kulzer, and Martin Moszkowicz

CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Glen MacPherson (D.o.P)

EDITOR:  Doobie White

COMPOSER:  Paul Haslinger

FANTASY/ACTION

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Diego Boneta, Meagan Good, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung, Hirona Yamazaki, Jannick Schümann, Nanda Costa, Nic Rasenti, and Aaron Beelner (voice)

Monster Hunter is a 2020 fantasy action film from director Paul W. S. Anderson.  The film is based on Monster Hunter, the Capcom video game for the PlayStation 2.  Monster Hunter the film follows an Army Ranger transported to another world where she must fight monsters in order to survive.

Monster Hunter opens in “our world,” the world of humans, and introduces Captain Artemis (Milla Jovovich), who leads a U.S. Army Rangers unit that is working for the United Nations Joint Security Operations.  Artemis and her team:  Lincoln (Tip “T.I.” Harris), Marshall (Diego Boneta), Dash (Meagan Good), Steeler (Josh Helman), and Axe (Jin Au-Yeung) are searching for another U.N. security team that is missing.  A strange and sudden storm pulls the team into a portal that drops them into a desert-like region of the “New World.”  In this New World, humans share the world with a variety of large and savage monsters and strange beasts.

Once in the New World, Artemis and her team are attacked by “Diablos,” a horned subterranean monster that can not only walk on sand, but can also swim through the sand like it was water.  Soon, Artemis finds herself alone with a New World human, whom she names “Hunter” (Tony Jaa).  Artemis and Hunter grudgingly agree to cooperate in order to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Diablos.  But if they escape this monster, what else awaits them and how can Artemis get back to our world?

I had never heard of the Monster Hunter video game until I read a volume of the Monster Hunter manga adaptation that is published in English in North America by VIZ Media.  The main reason that I watched this Monster Hunter film is because of the husband-wife team of filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson and actress Milla Jovovich.  Jovovich was the star of the Resident Evil film series, and Anderson wrote and produced all six films in the series and directed four of them.  I am a fan of the Resident Evil series (which is also based on a videogame) overall, and I hoped that Anderson and Jovovich could create another fantasy-action movie series that I could enjoy.  I hoped...

I have mixed feelings about this Monster Hunter movie.  The visual effects, especially the CGI used to create the monsters and creatures of the New World are fantastic.  Diablos is a monster both fearsome and beautiful, and it could be the star of its own movie.  The spider-like Nerscyllas had my heart racing; they are creepy and bloodcurdling.  The dragon-like Rathalos is another great beast in the film and reminds me of the film version of the dragon, Smaug, that appeared in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit films.  Rathalos is also a CGI creation of exceptional beauty and awesomeness.

The action sequences are good, but they all seem to run a little long.  Killing the Monster Hunter monsters is like killing horror film villains, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees.  Every time, you knock them down, they pop up less than half a minute later.  I get that the monsters of Monster Hunter are supposed to be hard to destroy, but sometimes it seems as if the filmmakers are stretching it all past the point of credulity.

What really hurts Monster Hunter is the awful acting and crappy characters.  I can deal with bad acting in this kind of movie, but not characters this bad.  All the characters, even Artemis, are little more than props to be tossed around and chewed up by monsters.  I think that the reason I like Monster Hunter's monsters so much is because I prefer time with them rather than screen time with these wooden, personality-absent characters.  Making Milla Jovovich's Artemis and Tony Jaa's Hunter the center of this film was a mistake.  They don't have screen chemistry, and every moment that they are together screams that they are a mismatched pair.

The rating and grade that I am giving Monster Hunter is for the visual effects and production design.  It's too bad.  I wanted this to be the start of a film series, and should there be a sequel, the film studios and production companies involved will have to do a major overhaul of the characters and cast.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, March 7, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Comics Review: "THE SILVER COIN #1" is Money

THE SILVER COIN #1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Chip Zdarsky
ART: Michael Walsh
COLORS: Michael Walsh
LETTERS: Michael Walsh
EDITOR: Chris Hampton
COVER: Michael Walsh
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Tula Lotay; Maria Nguyen
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (April 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

The Silver Coin is created by Michael Walsh, Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Kelly Thompson, and Chip Zdarsky

“The Ticket”

The Silver Coin in a new horror comic book anthology and miniseries published by Image Comics.  It is the creation of artist Michael Walsh and writers Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Kelly Thompson, and Chip Zdarsky.  Each issue of this five-issue miniseries will tell a tale of terror that is set in a supernatural world in which the mysterious “Silver Coin” changes the lives of those who take possession of it.  The first issue is written by Zdarsky and drawn, colored, and lettered by Walsh.

The Silver Coin #1 (entitled “The Ticket”) opens in 1978.  Disco is at the height of its power over American pop culture.  Feeling that power is local rock band, the power trio, “Running Red.”  They currently have the seven o'clock spot at “The Dirty Eagle,” a rock club that now caters to the disco crowd.

Ryan, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Running Red, wants to be more than just the leader of a bar band living on the edge.  However, his band mates, bassist, Joe, and drummer, Ashley, seem happy just playing together.  One day, Ryan discovers a mysterious silver coin, and he begins using it as his guitar pick.  Before they know it, Running Red is no longer a failing rock band, but this sudden change of fortune comes with a cost – a hungry curse.

THE LOWDOWN:  I am a big fan of horror comic book anthologies, which includes, of course, the classic EC Comics titles.  However, I am also a fan of EC's comics inheritors, including Kitchen Sink Press's Death Rattle, DC Comics' Ghosts and House of Mystery, Warren Publishing's Creepy and Eerie, and Approbation Comics' Amour, to name a few.

The Silver Coin reminds me of DC and Warren's 1970s horror comics, especially because of Michael Walsh's ghostly coloring.  His ethereal compositions recall the late master of horror comics, Bernie Wrightson, and Walsh's storytelling is both efficient in its narrative and lavish in its presentation.  Even Walsh's lettering has a horrific lilt, as the fonts chronicle a creeping doom.

Chip Zdarsky, one of the most clever and inventive mainstream comic book writers, offers a standalone story that is complete and delivers the brutal comeuppance of dealing with a cursed object in a single-issue.  Efficient beginning, informative middle, and shocking ending:  we get all this in 22 pages and not in six issues of padded storytelling.

If The Silver Coin #1 is any indication of what the remaining issues will offer, I feel very confident in highly recommending it.  And I want more.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic horror comic book anthologies will want to spend The Silver Coin.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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"Godzilla vs. Kong" Attacks the Worldwide Box Office

“GODZILLA VS. KONG” CRUSHES AT THE BOX OFFICE, CLOSING IN ON $300 MILLION WORLDWIDE IN ONLY 12 DAYS

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Riding the wave of a massive opening in international markets, including $137.1 million in China so far, “Godzilla vs. Kong” debuted this week in the U.S. in theaters and on HBO Max, taking in $48.5 million at the domestic box office over five days, pushing the Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures film close to the $300 million mark at the global box office in its 12th day in release. Legendary handled all aspects of the film’s release in China. The announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, Jeff Goldstein, and President of International Distribution, Andrew Cripps.

Despite the ongoing challenges in markets throughout the world due to the pandemic, the film has already earned a total of $285.4 million globally, thanks to record debuts both domestically and internationally, opening at number one in every major market in which it has been released, including the U.S., Australia, Mexico, Russia and the UAE. In the U.S., as market restrictions ease, the film has set several domestic records, including the largest number of locations at 3,064, the largest opening day at $9.6 million, the largest single day (Saturday) at $12.5 million, and the largest opening weekend, with $32.2 million, and a five-day cume of $48.5 million. Internationally, the film took in $76.1 million over the weekend, bringing the international total to $236.9 million.

Across the U.S., the film continues to perform strongly in Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Chicago and San Francisco. It also has much-anticipated openings to come in such key international markets as Japan, Brazil and much of Western Europe, when theaters open around the world and expand audience capacity as appropriate.

Goldstein stated, “Moviegoers have been waiting for an event film like ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ to arrive on the big screen and the numbers don’t lie—it’s clear that wherever audiences are ready to safely return to the theater, they have, and we’re thrilled with the results. And with the film’s A Cinema Score and being Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with an audience score of 93%, we look forward to sharing the movie with even more fans as theaters continue to open up around the U.S.”

Cripps added, “It’s no surprise that these two iconic Titans would lead the charge back to theaters around the world and even exceed expectations in such a massive way. With our incredible numbers in China leading the charge, and powerful openings in such markets as Australia, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, we’re looking forward to a robust theatrical run for ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ across the globe.”

Mary Parent, Legendary’s Vice Chairman of Global Production, noted, “The global reception to the theatrical release of this film is a positive sign for moviegoing as people continue to look towards entertainment in a post pandemic world. Congratulations to our director, cast and crew along with our partners at Warner and everybody who worked so hard on this film internally at Legendary as theaters begin to once again become a destination.”

“The HBO Max audience has spoken very clearly and loudly: they love this film and are watching it more than once,” said Andy Forssell, Executive Vice President and General Manager, WarnerMedia Direct-to-Consumer. “Comparing audience metrics in the first four days since its release, ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ had a larger viewing audience than any other film or show on HBO Max since launch.”


About “Godzilla vs. Kong”:
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes the long-awaited showdown between two icons in the epic adventure “Godzilla vs. Kong,” directed by Adam Wingard.

Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The initial confrontation between the two Titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

The film stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, with Kyle Chandler and Demián Bichir.

Wingard directed from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein, story by Terry Rossio and Michael Dougherty & Zach Shields, based on the character “Godzilla” owned and created by TOHO CO., LTD. The film was produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, Jon Jashni, Thomas Tull and Brian Rogers, with Jay Ashenfelter, Herbert W. Gains, Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira executive producing.

The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included director of photography Ben Seresin, production designers Owen Paterson and Thomas S. Hammock, editor Josh Schaeffer, costume designer Ann Foley and visual effects supervisor John “DJ” DesJardin. The music is by Tom Holkenborg.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Present a Legendary Pictures Production, A Film By Adam Wingard, “Godzilla vs. Kong.” The film is available in the U.S. on HBO Max in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos on supported devices for 31 days from theatrical release.

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