TRASH IN MY EYE Reviews

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Review: "AVATAR: The Way of Water" is Indeed Too Long, But it is Never Boring

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 1 of 2023 (No. 1890) by Leroy Douresseaux

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

Running time: 192 minutes (3 hours, 12 minutes)

MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and intense action, partial nudity and some strong language

DIRECTOR: James Cameron

WRITERS: James Cameron and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver; from a story by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, and Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno

PRODUCERS: James Cameron and Jon Landau

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Russell Carpenter (D.o.P.)

EDITORS: James Cameron, John Refoua, Stephen Rivkin, and David Brenner

COMPOSER: Simon Franglen

SCI-FI/FANTASY, ADVENTURE, DRAMA/WAR

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Jemaine Clement, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans Jr., Dileep Rao, and Matt Gerald

Avatar: The Way of Water is a 2022 science fiction-fantasy, action-adventure, drama and war film from director James Cameron. It is a direct sequel to the 2009 film, Avatar. In The Way of Water, the world of Pandora is under renewed threat from human invaders, forcing Na'vi Jake Sully to seek refuge for his family with a new tribe.

Avatar: The Way of Water opens on the habitable moon, Pandora (one of several moons orbiting a gas giant planet), a decade after the events of the original film. The former human who led the Na'vi fight that expelled the humans, Na'vi Jake Sulley (Sam Worthington), is now chief of the Na'vi “Omaticaya” clan. He raises a family with his mate, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), that includes sons, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo'ak (Britain Dalton); daughter, Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss); and two adopted children. They are a human boy named “Spider” (Jack Champion) and Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), a girl who was born from the inert avatar of Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), the late scientist who sided with Jake Sulley in his first battle with the humans.

However, to the dismay of the Na'vi, the human corporation, Resources Development Administration (RDA), has returned to Pandora. This time, RDA wants to prepare Pandora as a new home for humanity because the Earth is dying. RDA has even created new combatants, called “recombinants,” which are Na'vi avatars implanted with the minds and memories of human soldiers killed in the first conflict with the Na'vi. One of them is Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Jake and Neytiri's greatest human enemy and now leaders of the recombinants.

A year after the return, there is a confrontation between Jake's forces and Quaritch's forces. Jake realizes that the RDA has made him, as a former human soldier and traitor, the focus of their mission. To protect the Omaticaya clan, Jake and his family go into exile and retreat to the sea islands in hope of finding refuge with the “Metkayina” reef people. The family struggles to adjust to the new home, especially the children who are coming of age. And recombinant Quaritch and his squad are still hunting Jake, and they are willing to do anything to capture him.

When I reviewed the first Avatar film, I wrote that “Avatar is everything good that you have heard about it and more.” I can say the same for Avatar: The Way of Water, although I will not say it with the same intensity as other film critics and film reviewers. Some people seem to enter a kind of state of ecstasy when they talk about The Way of Water. I am not that crazy about it. Let us see how simply I can explain this.

When I first saw the original Avatar in theaters, I was blown away. It was like nothing that I'd ever seen before then. It was an epic science fiction film set on a strange new world, full of incredible creatures and environments. Plus, Avatar has a great group of villains in the form of the invading humans. However, as crazy as I was about it then, I have never watched the film in its entirety since. I can't make myself interested in even watching sections of the film.

Avatar: The Way of Water is full of wonderful new characters, new environments, and a strange new tribe, living in a water world of amazing creatures. I am impressed by how many intriguing new characters James Cameron and his co-writers have created for this film. But, as good as the film is, I am not “blown away” by it. I don't find it remotely as interesting as I found the first Avatar. However, like the first film, James Cameron does quite a bit of skewering of colonialism and militarism and of toxic wealth and capitalism.

Avatar: The Way of Water is a great, big science fiction epic full of fantastic visual special effects and CGI (computer-generated images). The motion-capture CGI that creates the Na'vi still makes the characters look and move awkwardly in some instances, but that does not ruin the characters. Also, despite what some are saying, I did not find the first two hours of this three-hour plus film boring. Yes, the last third of this movie is at least an hour of great, great action, but the first two hours also offer some thrilling and riveting action, engaging character drama, and eye-popping exploration of the reef world of the Metkayina.

Still, for me, the Avatar thrill left a long time ago, and Avatar: The Way of Water does not make it return. I think it is a really good film, but not a great film. But, hey, it might “blow you away,” dear readers.

7 of 10

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Sunday, January 1, 2023

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Friday, December 30, 2022

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from December 25th to 31st, 2022 - Update #8

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Variety: Colman and Raul Domingo could become the first married same-sex couple to be nominated for an Academy Award if their animated short film, "New Moon," earns an Oscar nomination on January 24, 2023.

SCANDAL - From Variety: Convicted/not convicted and disgraced comedian-actor, Bill Cosby, is apparently considering going on a comedy tour in 2023.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro: The winner of the 12/23 to 12/25/2022 weekend box office is "Avatar: The Way of Water" with an estimated gross of 56 million dollars.

From Deadline: "Avatar: The Way of Water" moves past the $300 million dollar mark at the domestic box office.

MUSIC - From Deadline: Walter Afanasieff, who co-wrote Mariah Carey's Christmas hit, "All I Want for Christmas is You," with Carey gives an asshole's version of the song's orgin.

OBITS:

From ABCNews: Broadcast journalist and television personality, Barbara Walters, has died at the age of 93, Friday, December 30, 2022. Walters became the first female anchor of a network evening news program when she became the co-anchor (with Harry Reasoner) of the ABC Evening News in 1973. Walters also created the long-running daytime talk show, "The View" in 1997. A three-time winner at the Daytime Emmy Awards, Walters retired in 2015.

From Deadline: Brazilian footballer/soccer player, Pelé, has died at the age of 82, Thursday, December 29, 2022. He is considered the greatest soccer player of all time and was one of the 20th century's most popular sports figures. During his career, Brazil won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, and 1970.

From TheSunUK: Italian director and screenwriter, Ruggero Deodato, has died at the age of 83, Thursday, December 29, 2022. Deodato was best known for the notorious horror film, "Cannibal Holocaust" (1980), which is seen as a precursor to such "found footage" films as "The Last Broadcast" (1998) and "The Blair Witch Project" (1999). His other famous or infamous films include ""Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man" and "The Last Cannibal World."

AWARDS:

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 23rd Annual Black Reel Awards have been announced. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "The Woman King" have tied for the lead in nominations with 14 apiece. The winners will be announced February 6, 2023.

From Deadline: The Black Film Critics Circle named "The Woman King" the "Best Film" of 2022.

From Deadline: The winners of the 2022 Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) Awards have been announced. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Tar" tie for "Best Picture" award.

From Deadline: The nominations for the 2023 / 80th annual Golden Globes Awards were announced today (Mon., Dec. 12th). "The Banshees of Inisherin" led the film field with eight nominations. ABC's "Abbot Elementary" lead the TV side with five nominations. The winners will be announced January 10, 2023.

From Deadline: The American Film Institute (AFI) has named its "AFI Awards Film" list of "Top 10 Films of 2022." The list includes "Avatar: The Way of Water," "Top Gun: Maverick," and "The Woman King."

From THR: The African-American Film Critics Association name "The Woman King" the "Best Film of 2022."

From Deadline: The nominations for the "2023 Critics Choice Awards" in the television categories have been announced. ABC's sitcom, "Abbot Elementary" leads the nominations. The winners will be announced Sunday, January 15, 2023 and broadcast on The CW.

From Variety: The 2022 / 88th Annual New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) Awards have been announced. Todd Field's "Tar" wins "Best Film" and "Best Actress" (Cate Blanchett). Keke Palmer wins "Best Supporting Actress" for her performance in "Nope."

From Deadline: "Everything Everywhere All at Once" wins the "Best Feature" award at the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards, one of two wins for the film.

From IndieWire: The nominations for the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. "Everything Everywhere All at Once" leads with eight nominations. The winners will be announced March 4th, 2023.

From Variety: The nominations for the 2022 / 32nd Annual Gotham Awards were announced a month ago. Todd Field's "Tar" leads with five nominations. The winners will be announced Monday, November 28th.

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BRITTNEY GRINER:

From CBSNews: WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from her Russian imprisonment in a one-for-one prisoner swap for notorious international arms dealer, Viktor Bout.

From NBCNews: Brittney Griner will enter a system of isolation, grueling labor and psychological torment when she is transferred to a penal colony, the successor to the infamous Russian gulag, to fulfill a nine-year sentence handed down Tuesday in Moscow, former prisoners and advocates said.

From NBCNews: A Russian court has rejected Brittney Griner's appeal of her nine-year prison sentence on (fake) drug charges.

From Reuters: Russia says that it is ready to talk prisoner swamp for Brittney Griner and U.S. Marine veteran Paul Whelan, but also scolds the U.S. Embassy.

From TheDailyBeast: Legendary NBA bad boy and champion (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls), Dennis Rodman claims that he has been given permission to go to Russia and help free imprisoned hostage, WNBA star, Brittney Griner.

From Vox: Vox's Jonathan Guyer talks the Brittney Griner case with Danielle Gilbert, a Dartmouth professor who is writing a book about states and rogue actors that take hostages.

From ESPN: A Russian court sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison Thursday, Aug. 4th. Griner was arrested Feb. 17 for bringing cannabis into the country and pleaded guilty July 7, though the case continued under Russian law.

From ESPN: The Biden administration has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday.

From RSN: "Will Support From LeBron James, Joe Rogan, Kim Kardashian, and Other Celebrities Help Free Brittney Griner From a Russian Prison?" by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar via Substack

From ESPN: Detained WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty on Thursday to bringing hashish oil into Russia, telling a judge that she had done so "inadvertently" while asking the court for mercy.

From CBSSports: The Brittney Griner situation explained.

From RSN: According to The Washington Post Editorial Board: "Brittney Griner is a hostage, plain and simple."

Review: Pam Grier is Radiant in "JACKIE BROWN," Tarantino's Best (Maybe) Film

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 77 of 2022 (No. 1889) by Leroy Douresseaux

Jackie Brown (1997)

Running time: 154 minutes (2 hours, 34 minutes)

MPAA – R for strong language, some violence, drug use and sexuality

DIRECTOR: Quentin Tarantino

WRITER: Quentin Tarantino (based upon the novel by Elmore Leonard)

PRODUCER: Lawrence Bender

CINEMATOGRAPHER: Guillermo Navarro

EDITOR: Sally Menke

Academy Award nominee

DRAMA/CRIME

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Michael Bowen, Chris Tucker, LisaGay Hamilton, Tom Lister, Jr., Hattie Winston, Sid Haig, Aimee Graham, Tangie Ambrose, and T'Keyah Crystal Keymah

Jackie Brown is a 1997 drama and crime film from writer-director Quentin Tarantino. It is based on Elmore Leonard's 1992 novel, Rum Punch. Jackie Brown the movie focuses on a flight attendant who schemes with an aging bail bondsman in a bid to defeat both the ATF and her boss who smuggles guns into Mexico.

Jackie Brown introduces 44-year-old, Jackie Brown (Pam Grier), a flight attendant for the low-budget Mexican airline, Cabo Air. She smuggles money from Mexico into the United States for her (kind of) boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), a gun runner in Los Angeles. One day, Ordell's courier, Beaumont Livingston (Chris Tucker), is arrested, and he snitches about Ordell's business.

Acting on that information, LAPD Detective Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agent, Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton), intercept Jackie while she is returning with some of Ordell's cash, with a small bag of cocaine thrown in. Dargus and Nicolette use the cocaine to threaten Jackie with serious criminal charges and hard prison time.

Ordell hires bail bondsman, Max Cherry (Robert Forster), of Cherry Bail Bonds, to bail Jackie out of jail. Feeling trapped between Ordell and the law, Jackie conspires with Max to pretend to give both sides what they want – Ordell the money and the ATF Ordell. If this heist works, Jackie and Max will secure her future with half a million dollars of Ordell's money.

Jackie Brown is obviously writer-director Quentin Tarantino's ode to 1970s blaxploitation films. The film is also a star vehicle that Tarantino created for the actress playing the title role in Jackie Brown, the great Pam Grier. She starred in some of the most fondly remembered and popular blaxploitation films, most notably Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). The roles in those two films obviously inspired the role of “Jackie Brown,” although “Flower Child Coffin” a.k.a “Coffy” (of Coffy) and Foxy Brown are action heroes. Instead, Tarantino makes Jackie Brown a world-weary woman, not an action hero, but a working woman willing to take the action that will help her make her way in the world.

Grier plays Jackie Brown with subtlety and grace, making Jackie comfortable in her skin. Her sexiness is not forced, but radiates from her, buoyed by her confidence. Grier makes it seem quite genuine that Brown would one day finally have enough with getting the crappy end of the stick in life. Jackie takes a chance, and with nothing to lose, she works her magic. Grier also works her magic, and the audience can believe that she is going to pull off this implausible heist of Ordell's money and also trick the ATF and LAPD by giving them only some of what they want. Here, Grier gives the best performance of her career, and it is a shame that Hollywood has under-utilized her amazing talent and screen presence.

I have not seen enough of his performances to say that Max Cherry is actor Robert Forster's best performance of his career. Playing Max revitalized Forster's career, which was mostly stalled at the time. With charming stoicism, Forster perfectly plays the calm, wise, and a little weary, Max Cherry, one of the most perfect characters that Tarantino ever wrote. Forster also convinces us that he has so totally fallen for Jackie Brown that he is willing to do everything she wants even if it is everything that he should not do.

I also think that Ordell Robbie is Samuel Jackson's best performance. Ordell is an example of what would become the stereotypical Samuel L. Jackson character – the menacing, bad-ass Black man who loves to shoot people and curse up a storm. However, Jackson makes Ordell a man full of angles and twists. He is coarse with a trashy sophistication; he is menacing, but sentimental in odd ways. He is not nearly as smart as he thinks he is, so he is ultimately a cheap hood with enough low-rent ambitions to make himself a doomed idiot.

Tarantino uses Grier, Forster, and Jackson's performances and those of several others (Robert De Niro, Bridget Fonda, and Michael Keaton) to give his usual style, wit, humor, and rapid-fire bravado traction and depth. Jackie Brown does not have the snappy banter nor the nonlinear antics of Tarantino's previous film, Pulp Fiction. Jackie Brown's narrative is a straight story, Tarantino's most substantive film to date. It may be an ode to blaxploitation and also a smooth heist film, but most of all, Jackie Brown is a character drama. With a superb soundtrack behind it (focusing on “The Delfonics” 1969 classic song, “Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”), Tarantino uses a slow pace to weave a delightful Los Angeles crime story about the criminal things people do when they are desperate … or in love.

I think that Quentin Tarantino and Pam Grier are a match made in cinematic heaven. 2022 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of Jackie Brown's original theatrical release (December 8, 1997). Jackie Brown has aged well, and for me, it gets better every time I watch it.

10 of 10

A+

Friday, December 30, 2022

NOTES:

1998 Academy Awards, USA: 1 nomination: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (Robert Forster)

1998 Golden Globes, USA: 2 nominations: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical” (Pam Grier) and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical” (Samuel L. Jackson)

1998 Image Awards (NAACP): 1 nominations: “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture” (Pam Grier)

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Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama 2022 - Update #94

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

Support Leroy on Patreon:

TRAILERS AND TEASERS:

From THR: New "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" trailer with more Namor and a closer look at a new Black Panther.

From Marvel: New trailer (5/24/2022) and poster for "Thor: Love & Thunder."

From MovieWeb: Here is the first teaser trailer for "Thor: Love & Thunder" (4/18/2022).

From YouTube: The first official trailer for "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" (2/13/2022)

From YouTube: First official trailer for Disney+/Marvel's "Moon Knight."

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MARVEL NEWS:

WAKANDA FOREVER - From NBCNews: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" actor Tenoch Huerta has been named as one of nine "breakthrough entertainers" of 2022 by the Associated Press. Huerta plays the character "Namor."

From GeeksofColor: Actors Tenoch Huerta and Mabel Cadena talk "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," representation and their hopes for a Namor movie in an interview with "Geeks of Color." Huerta plays "Namor" in the film, while Cadena plays "Namora."

BLADE - From THR: Yenn Demange, who directed the pilot for HBO's "Lovecraft Country," will reportedly direct Marvel Studios' "Blade" film. Emmy-nominated writer, Michael Starrbury ("When They See Us"), is reportedly the film's screenwriter.

WAKANDA FOREVER - From Variety: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" leads the domestic box office with an $180 million opening and a $300 million global opening.

From EW: Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o says that it was a dream come true to speak Spanish in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

From IndieWire: Director Ryan Coogler says that Warner Bros.' "Aquaman" paved the way for Namor in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

From Variety: Director Ryan Coogler talks about his future with Marvel and with the world of "Black Panther." Marvel boss Kevin Feige also talks about Coogler's future.

From Deadline: "Wakanda Forever" ticket pre-sales are 20 percent behind "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

IRONHEART - From CBR: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will lead directly into the Disney+ series, "Ironheart," which act as a sequel to Wakanda Forever, according to writer-producer Nate Moore.

WAKANDA FOREVER - From Inverse: Director Ryan Coogler talks about what was in the script for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" before the death of star Chadwick Boseman. For one thing, Coogler says it was "Endgame-centric."

WONDER MAN - From Variety: Emmy-winner Yahya Adbul-Mateen II (HBO's "Watchmen") is reportedly going to play the lead, "Simon Williams/Wonder Man" in Marvel Studios' Disney+ series, "Wonder Man."

VISION QUEST - From Deadline: The site is reporting that Marvel Studios is developing another "WandaVision" spinoff for Disney+. "Vision Quest" would focus on the Vision's quest to regain his memory and humanity and will star Paul Bettany.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - From THR: The teaser trailer for "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" features a surprise appearance by Kevin Bacon. The special, which arrives on Disney+ November 25th, will close out "Phase 4" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

HARRISON FORD - From Deadline: It is apparently official that Harrison Ford will replace the late William Hurt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe role of "General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross." He is scheduled to debut in the role in the 2024 film, "Captain America: The New World Order."

BLADE - From THR: Marvel Studios has delayed the release of its "Blade" film from Nov. 2023 to Sept. 2024 in order to find a director and to develop the screenplay.

WAKANDA FOREVER - From Deadline: "Black Panther" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"" director Ryan Coogler says he almost quit "Wakanda Forever" and filmmaking after the death of "Black Panther" star, Chadwick Boseman.

AVENGERS - From Deadline: "Loki" and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer, Michael Waldron, will writer "Avengers: Secret Wars."

ARMOR WARS - From Variety: Marvel Studios' planned Disney+ series, "Armor Wars," is being redeveloped as a movie. Don Cheadle will remain as the film's leading, playing the character James "Rhodey" Rhodes a.k.a. "War Machine."

BLADE - From Variety: Bassam Tariq has quit as director of Marvel's planned 2023 "Blade" film. He will remain as an "executive producer."

WAKANDA FOREVER - From THR: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will have a running time of two hours and 41 minutes, 26 minutes longer than the original film. That will make it the second longest Marvel Studios film, behind "Avengers: Endgame" (2019), which was three hours and 1 minute long.

BLACK PANTHER - From Empire: Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige explains why they did not recast the role of T'Challa/Black Panther in the wake of star Chadwick Boseman's death. "It just felt like it was much too son to recast."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From Deadline: Sources tell "Deadline" that Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are writing Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four" film, which is scheduled for release late in 2024.

AVENGERS - From Deadline: Jeff Loveness, who recently wrote "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," will reportedly write "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," which is due May 2, 2025.

THUNDERBOLTS - From Variety: At D23, Marvel Studios reveals cast members of its July 2024 film, "Thunderbolts," which include Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, to name a few.

CHADWICK BOSEMAN - From THR: At Saturday's "Creative Arts Emmy," the late actor Chadwick Boseman posthumously won an Emmy Award. The late "Black Panther" star won in the "outstanding character voice-over performance" for his role as "Star-Lord T’Challa" in the “What If… T’Challa Became a Star-Lord?” episode of the Disney+ Marvel Studios animated series, "What If...?" This is Boseman's first Emmy nomination and win.

WONDER MAN - From Deadline: Oscar-winner Ben Kingsley played a character called "The Mandarin" in "Iron Man 3" (2013), but he turned out to be an actor named "Trevor Slattery," who appeared in "Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." Slattery is slated to return in the Marvel Studios Disney+ series, "Wonder Man."

FANTASTIC FOUR - From THR: The site is reporting that according to sources, Matt Shakman, the veteran TV director who directed "WandaVision" is in early talks to direct Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four" film, which is due in late 2024.

MARK RUFFALO - From Variety: Mark Ruffalo Defends Marvel Output: ‘You Get the Same Version’ of ‘Star Wars’ Every Time, But Not the MCU

AVENGERS - From THR: The site is reporting that Marvel Studios' "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who also directed "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."

SDCC - From IGN: This article has "everything announced at the Marvel Studios San Diego Comic-Con 2022 Panel."

SDCC - From Marvel: At Comic-Con, "Marvel Studios Animation Panel" reveals four upcoming Disnty+ animated series, "What If...?" (Season 2), "Marvel Zombies," "X-Men 97," and the surprise, "Spider-Man: Freshman Year." Plus, there was some info on the "I Am Groot" shorts.

From Polygon: What to expect from Marvel Studios' Saturday, July 23rd Comic-Con panel.

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BLACK PANTHER - From Deadline: Actor Daniel Kaluuya won't reprise his "Black Panther" role as "W'Kabi" in the sequel, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

PRIMETIME EMMYS - From Variety: Marvel Studios series: "Hawkeye," "Loki," "Moon Knight," and "What If..." pick up multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Eligible shows aired between June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022.

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER - From THR: "Thor: Love and Thunder" director Taika Waititi says that there won't be a "director's cut" of the film because he says that scenes are cut because "they suck."

MS MARVEL - From THR: "Ms. Marvel" director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy talks about the big twist in the next-to-last episode and about the part the real-world "partition of India" played in recent episodes.

CAPTAIN AMERICA 4 - From THR: Nigerian-American filmmaker, Julius Onah, will direct "Captain America 4," which will star Anthony Mackie as Captain America.

ECHO - From THR: Two actors from Netflix/Marvel's "Daredevil" will appear in the Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Echo." Charlie Cox ("Matt Murdoch/Daredevil") and Vincent D'Onofrio ("Wilson Fisk/Kingpin") will join the series that is due in 2023.

FUTURE - From THR: Actor Taron Egerton has met with Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, and Taron wants to be the new Wolverine.

THOR LOVE AND THUNDER - From Variety: Early reviews and reactions are in for "Thor: Love & Thunder," which is due July 8th.

KEVIN FEIGE - From GamesRadar: In an interview with "Total Film" magazine, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige says that the fate of "Phase 4" will be revealed in the "coming months."

WONDER MAN - From THR: Destin Daniel Cretton, the director of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," and Andrew Guest, a writer-producer of sitcoms "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "Community," are developing a TV series based on the Marvel Comics' character, "Wonder Man."

IRONHEART - From Deadline: The Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Ironheart," has begun filming and Manny Montana ("Good Girls") has joined the cast a series regular opposite the series star, Dominique Thorne.

THUNDERBOLTS - From Deadline: Marvel Studios has chosen Jake Schreier as the director for its top secret "Thunderbolts" movie project.

GotG VOL 3 - From Deadline: Daniela Melchior, who was a breakout star in director James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad" will have a small role in Gunn's "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3."

DAREDEVIL - From Variety: The site is reporting that Marvel Studios is moving forward with a Disney+ "Daredevil" series by hiring Matt Corman and Chris Ord to write and executive produce.

ECHO - From Marvel: Production has begun on the 2023 Disney+ Marvel Studios series, "Echo."

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS:

From ComicBook: Michael Waldron, the writer of "Doctor Strange 2," talks about the future of Stephen Strange.

From Variety: An article about why "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" should have been rated "R" by the MPA (formerly MPAA) instead of the "PG-13" rating it does have. [I'm not interested in this conversation, but you might be, dear readers.]

From THR: "Doctor Strange 2" has a $185 million domestic opening weekend and a $450 global opening at the box office.

From Variety: Every shocking cameo in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

From Variety: "Doctor Strange" star Elizabeth Olsen says that fellow Marvel star, Scarlett Johansson ("Black Widow"), taught her how to be a superhero.

From THR: Actors Benedict Wong ('Wong") and Xochitl Gomez ("America Chavez") discuss their onscreen partnership and off screen friendship in "Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness."

From Marvel: Marvel.com interviews "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" actress, Xochitl Gomez ("America Chavez").

From ComicBook: Marvel Studios executive, Victoria Alonso, speaks out about LGBTQ+ character, "America Chavez," from "Doctor Strange" in the wake of the film being banned in some backwards nations.

From WeGotThisCovered: Actress Xochitl Gomez reveals her shock at being cast as "America Chavez" in the upcoming "Doctor Strange" sequel.

From THR: Marvel Studios' upcoming blockbuster, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," has been banned in Saudi Arabia. Speculation is that it is because of the inclusion of an LGBTQ+ character, "America Chavez."

From WeGotThisCovered: Director Sam Raimi, best known for his "Spider-Man" trilogy and for his "Evil Dead" trilogy, says that "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" has "flavors of horror."

FUTURE - From Variety: Marvel Studios' "The Marvels" and "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" have switched release dates. The "Ant-Man" sequel will now move up to Feb. 17, 2023 and "The Marvels" will move back to July 28, 2023.

KEVIN FEIGE - From IGN: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige says that Marvel's leadership will have its first retreat in three years in order to plan out the next 10 years of Marvel films.

THOR LOVE & THUNDER - From TheDirect: Chris Hemsworth kicks off the promotion for "Thor: Love & Thunder" ahead of a trailer release.

DOCTOR STRANGE - From Deadline: Marvel Studios has released four new images from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

NOVA - From Deadline: The site exclusively reports that Marvel Studios is developing a project involving the character, Nova, with "Moon Knight" writer, Sabir Pirzada.

SECRET INVASION - From ThePlaylist: "Secret Invasion" star Samuel L. Jackson has apparently confirmed that Don Cheadle as "War Machine" and Martin Freeman as "Everett Ross" will appear in the series.

OBIT - From Deadline: Oscar-winning actor William Hurt has died at the age of 71. Hurt played Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Thaddeus Ross, in five films, beginning with "The Incredible Hulk" (2008) and most recently in "Black Widow" (2021). Hurt won a "Best Actor" Oscar for his performance in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (1985).

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL - From THR: Oscar-winning film composer Michael Giacchino is directing Marvel Studios' untitled Halloween special for Disney+.

DEADPOOL 3 - From Deadline: Shawn Levy is reportedly in negotiations to direct "Deadpool 3," which reunite him with his "Free Guy" star, Ryan Reynolds.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From ComicBook: Marvel Studios has revealed the "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" covers for "Empire Magazine."

BLACK PANTHER - From Deadline: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" director Ryan Coogler was handcuffed and briefly detained by Atlanta police at a bank on January 7, 2022 after a bank employee mistook his written request for a $12,000 cash withdrawal as a robbery attempt.

THE FUTURE - From GQUK: British "GQ" takes a look at upcoming Marvel Studios film and TV projects.

BLACK PANTHER - From BlackEnterprise: The 53rd NAACP Image Awards honored Ruth E. Carter with the Vanguard Award for Costume Design. This is the first time that the Image Awards have honored a costume designer. Carter is was Oscar-nominated for her work on "Malcolm X" (1992) and "Amistad" (1997). Carter on an "Best Costume Design" Oscar in 2019 for "Black Panther" (2018), the first African-American to win the award.

BLADE - From Deadline: The site is reporting that actor Aaron Pierre, who played rapper "Mid-Sized Sedan" in last year's "Old," will co-star in Marvel Studios' "Blade" film with star, Mahershala Ali.

LOKI - From Deadline: The site is reporting that Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead will direct a six-episode second season of the Disney+/Marvel Studios hit streaming series, "Loki."

SPIDER-MAN - From Deadline: "Spider-Man: No Way Home" passes "Avatar" at the all-time domestic box office.

MOON KNIGHT - From EmpireOnline: When it comes to the depiction of brutality in the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Moon Knight," Marvel president Kevin Feige says that they did not pull back.

IRONHEART - From Deadline: Sources say that actor Anthony Ramos ("In the Heights") is set for a key role in the Disney+/Marvel Studios series, "Ironheart," which will star Dominique Thorne as "Riri Williams/Ironheart." His character will reportedly appear in other Marvel productions.

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME - From THR: In an interview about his upcoming film, "Uncharted," and about "Spider-Man: No Way Home," Tom Holland also talks about the scene in "No Way Home" that made him, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire cry.

From THR: Charlie Cox, who played Matt Murdoch/Daredevil on Netflix/Marvel's "Daredevil," spills the secrets about his return in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and about a dinner with Andrew Garfield.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY - From Deadline: Writer-director James Gunn says that "Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3" will be the last time the current Guardians team is seen. The film is due May 5, 2023.

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 - From Variety: Sam Raimi, director of "Doctor Strange in the Madness of the Multiverse," says that "Marvel's been a great team to work with" and "I've been super-supported by the whole Marvel operations..."

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME - From Deadline: This link will take you to complete and revised final script for "Spider-Man: No Way Home" in PDF form. The title page reads "Serenity Now."

From Deadline: Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield unite again to talk about playing Spider-Man and why "No Way Home" was such an emotional experience.

From Variety: Jon Watts, director of "Spider-Man: No Way Home," talks more secrets about the film in an article that pushed for the film to get Oscar nominations.

MOON KNIGHT - EW: Gaspard Ulliel, the French actor who was set to star as "Anton Mogart / Midnight Man" in the Disney+ series, "Moon Knight," has died at the age of 37 after "suffering serious brain trauma" following a ski accident.

BLACK PANTHER 2 - From THR: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is ready to resume film because actress Letitia Wright ("Shuri") has recovered from the injury she suffered on set last August (2021).

From WeGotThisCovered: Actor Winston Duke has reportedly negotiated a "hefty" pay raise because his "Black Panther" character, "M'Baku," has a much expanded role in the sequel film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."

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MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (MCU):

Review: Iron Man (2008)

Review: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Review: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Review: Thor (2011)

Review: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Review: Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Review: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Review: Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Review: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Review: Ant-Man (2015)

Review: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Review: Doctor Strange (2016)

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

Review: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Review: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Review: Black Panther (2018)

Review: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Review: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Review: Captain Marvel (2019)

Review: Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Review: Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

Review: Black Widow (2021)

Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Review: Eternals (2021)

Review: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Review: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Review: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Review: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

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Click here for the 2021 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2020 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2019 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

Click here for the 2018 edition of "Marvel Studios Negromancer Link-o-Rama."

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Thursday, December 29, 2022

Comics Review: "KILLADELPHIA #26" - Let Them Blow Ya Mind

KILLADELPHIA #26

IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Rodney Barnes

LAYOUTS: Jason Shawn Alexander

PENCILS: Germán Erramouspe

INKS: Jason Shawn Alexander

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Marshall Dillon

EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello

COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jason Shawn Alexander (Spawn variant); Chris Visions

32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (December 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Killadelphia created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

“There's No Place Like Home” Part II: “No Woman, No Cry”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander. Published by Image Comics, it centers on a conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia. The series is currently written by Barnes and drawn by Alexander and Germán Erramouspe. Colorist Lee Loughridge and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr. and his father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr., a vampire! Father and son lead a ragtag team comprised of a medical examiner (Jose Padilla), werewolves, a witch, and a rebellious, but special young vampire (Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw”) in a bid to save Philly. Their adversary is a former First Lady, the vampire Abigail Adams.

As Killadelphia #26 (“No Woman, No Cry”) opens, Anasi the Spider-God parlays with gods from many pantheons. How many can he convince that one of the four great demon lords, Corson, is preparing to conquer all the realms? Can he convince them of Corson's plot? Will they even give a f**k?

At the same time, Abigail Adams, who started the vampire fire, remembers her past: her childhood, how she meet John Adams, and how they became vampires. Meanwhile, after having killed a Sangster, General Toussaint Louverture and his Haitian army of monsters continue to slay vampires. And the General has his sights on another big prize … in the name of God, of course.

THE LOWDOWN: We are at the second chapter of Killadelphia's fifth story arc, “There's No Place Like Home.” Before this arc debuted, creators Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander warned readers that they were not prepared for what was coming in the arc.

I doubted. I mean I didn't doubt as hard as the Apostle Thomas. However, I believed that because I had been reading Killadelphia from the beginning, I had seen so much... So what could they possibly do that I would not expect? What could I see?

New pencil artist Germán Erramouspe and colorist Lee Loughridge have joined a creative team that continues to produces the “world's greatest vampire comics magazine.” Long time readers are being rewarded for sticking around, but I can say that those who have not yet joined should get started now so that they can eventually get current. Killadelphia just slays me.

So, yes, I have seen the previously unseen. I am seeing things … for which I was not prepared, as I was warned. I believe, and I am still not prepared for what is to come.

NOTE: Killadelphia #26 is also available in a “Noir Edition,” featuring black-and-white line art interiors.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.

A+

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

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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Comics Review: Artist Benjamin Dewey Slays in "VAMPIRELLA Mindwarp #3"

VAMPIRELLA MINDWARP VOLUME 1 #3

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jeff Parker

ART: Benjamin Dewey

COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly

LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry

EDITOR: Nate Cosby

COVER: Joseph Michael Linsner

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2022)

Rated Teen+

“The Feast”

Vampirella is a vampire and female superhero created by the late author and science fiction and horror expert, Forrest J Ackerman, and designed by comic book artist, Trina Robbins. Vampirella first appeared in Vampirella #1 (Sept. 1969), the debut issue of a black and white horror comics magazine from Warren Publishing. Writer-editor Archie Goodwin changed the character from a hostess of horror comics to a leading character in her own stories.

In 2010, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the character and has been publishing new Vampirella material since then. The latest is Vampirella Mindwarp Volume 1. This new series is written by Jeff Parker; drawn by Benjamin Dewey; colored by Dearbhla Kelly; and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry. The series follows a mad chase across time and space, as an aged sorceress tries to steal and inhabit Vampirella's body.

Vampirella Mindwarp Volume 1 #3 (“The Feast”) opens in 1969... because Baroness Liesel Gruzal attempted to possess Vampirella's body. The result was that Vampirella and the Baroness have been projected back into their bodies in the past. Now, Vampirella finds herself in the middle of a battle with Baron Vadim Gruzal, the Baroness' husband. Strange battles can yield strange bedfellows.

But what is the Baroness really up to? Vampirella and Ren, now in the body of Pendragon the Great, a popular magician of the 1930s and Vampirella's friend, have new allies: Adam Van Helsing and Ravashi, the young woman who is a mystic. They have tracked the Baroness to Bavaria, but can they get to her before Vampirella's enemies get to them?

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Vampirella Mindwarp Volume 1 #3, which is one of many Dynamite Vampirella comic books I have read.

Vampirella Mindwarp #1 surprised me. Writer Jeff Parker has made sure that the following issues are living up to that great opening chapter. Vampirella works best when she is surrounded by a stellar cast of supporting characters, and Parker has created a sterling group: the good, the bad, and the Vampirella. They make this story worth following back in time.

Benjamin Dewey's art is simply fantastic. The plot, the settings, the characters, the moods, the atmosphere: Dewey brings it all to life with a pop art sensibility that makes Mindwarp more than just another Vampirella comic book. His storytelling makes Vampirella: Mindwarp one of the best fantasy comic book series around – humorous, delightful, and mystical. Dearbhla Kelly's colors continue to make the pop art pop off the page, and Jeff Eckleberry's letters capture the crazy rhythm of this story.

Vampirella: Mindwarp #3 is a really good third issue, and it has an ending that will make me return for more. You should, also, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Vampirella comics will want to read Vampirella Mindwarp Volume 1.

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

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