Hey DC...THIS is how you run a panel...

So, yesterday I talked about the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice panel.

Meanwhile, over at the Avengers 2 panel...

...this happened:

(FYI - the panel began with RDJ throwing plastic roses to the audience, and giving one to each female cast member on the panel.)

Now, there's a full 27 minute video of the panel out there, but these six-ish minutes of pure joy sum it up.

I don't know what's better - Brolin's question, or RDJ's reaction to what he does...nope, I do. RDJ wins (but I keep wanting to tell him it's Tha-nos, not Thay-nos, but hey...he'd RDJ).

Hey DC/WB:

In. Your. Face.

BvS:DoJ (and Wonder Woman) at SDCC...

My understanding is that this is DC's second big "unified universe" movie.

That's a big deal, right? I would think so. Especially since...

...the duo trio showed up at SDCC.

BUT, if you haven't seen the clip yet, Zach Snyder walks onstage and talks for roughly five minutes and shows a "little bit" of footage before introducing Ben, Henry and (finally) Gal. Okay, fine. You'd think at that point everyone would grab a seat, shuffle up to the mikes and start talking shop and/or answering questions...

...wrong.

In true Sucker Punch style, the three of them walk on stage and pose for pics (including one with the moderator) before Zach tells everyone they're leaving. 

None of the actors say a word. Not. One. Word.

Bad Snyder...BAD Snyder!

Now, onto the good thing...

Unfortunately, there's stuff out there trashing Gal Godot's Wonder Woman, saying she's not "buff enough".

Ahem - 

Lynda Carter...Wonder Woman for a generation (or two)...never had that complaint.

Even in the books, Wonder Woman could bench press a Buick without looking like she could bench press a Buick.

Then there's talk about the costume. First of all - SWORD! Secondly - Gadot looks ready to kick Darkseid's ass. Plus - is that a lasso at her hip? I have no problem with her tiara, and the bracelet/arm-thingies look cool. Unfortunately, the biggest issue about this ensemble are the boots. Are they heels? Wedges? Should they be heels or wedges? 

This is a fair argument that I'm on the fence about. I agree that heels (along with long hair) are impractical in battle. The tiara takes care of the hair. As for the boots, at least they don't look like stilettos which is a good thing (sorry Nolan Catwoman). However, as a man I can appreciate the look of heels on a woman. So I'll say this: when it comes to posters and still shots, heels make sense. When I'm watching a movie or show where a woman's kicking ass (i.e. Serenity, Xena and AoS), I'm watching the fight...not the footgear...so practicality wins. At least she's not wearing a cape (which should and would be break-away, and be presented on film as such...). 

Now, a question about SDCC 2014...

...was DC even there?

Yes, there was a lot of stuff from their television department. A lot of stuff. Constantine, Flash, Arrow, Gotham. No question they showed up. As for comics, yeah - 

Batman had a birthday.

As for animation, I've heard and read nothing about anything coming. Not saying there isn't something, but if there is..?

Now for film, I'll give them credit...okay, big credit, for this:

a fantastic picture...but it's, well, just a picture!

They also had this...

...which was cool...

...but then there was a bunch of stuff about Warner Brothers' upcoming films. Not DC's, WB's.

uhh...WTF?

We didn't get confirmation of The Rock as Shazam...or if we did, it's been kept pretty quiet. And that schedule we were given last month of DC films through 2018? Remember that? 'Cause DC didn't.

And this is my biggest problem with DC in general: they're giving fans what they want...not what the fans want. Need proof? Look at the New 52. Did any of us ask for that? I really don't think so. I know I didn't. To paraphrase Tony, DC has been historically not awesome.

But I am still interested in seeing this film...whenever they get around to showing it.

Monday Movie Roundup

Hello all...

Lucy, the non-Avengers Scarlett Johansson film, took in the most moola over the weekend ($43.8 million).

Hercules, the non-DC character Dwayne Johnson film, took the second most moola ($29.8 million)...

...but didn't we already have a non-Marvel Hercules movie this year?

And So It Goes, the non-Ant-Man Michael Douglas movie, made $2.6 million.

Chef, the non-Marvel Studios Jon Favreau /Robert Downey Jr./Scarlett Johansson film, is up to $27.3 million.

X-Men: Days of Future Past, the non-Marvel Studios film, is up to $739.5 million.

And Snowpiercer, the non-Captain America Chris Evans film has made $85.5 million worldwide so far.

Not bad, but...

...thank you Marvel Studios. Thank you hard.

An Avengers 2 prediction...

Make note of the date and the time of this post.

I haven't had the luxury of reading and learning everything that's been going on at SDCC (effin' work), and I've just gotten home from working this morning - where I admit I saw this:

and glanced at a headline about Joss Whedon mentioning four prominent female roles in Avengers 2.

Follow me through here. We know that AoS follows Marvel Studios' stuff, and since Avengers 2 isn't Guardians of the Galaxy 2, I'm sure Nebula and Gamora are out. We know Black Widow and Scarlet Witch are in, and Agent Carter is a big fat maybe, so here's my brilliant Avengers 2 theory...

...Mockingbird's gonna be in the film.

I'll go a step further and say that at some point (most likely in the third act), Hawkeye will lose his hearing (which, by the way, he did in the comics).

Start debate...now!

Once more into the pile we go...

What is it with releasing awesome Blu-rays in November?

Okay, so that's coming out in September...

...and that...

but still - Weird Al! UHF!

Not sure exactly when in November this is coming out, but if it's 11/11...

 ...it might have to wait it's turn.

And now, in the "I Wants It" pile...

...The 1960's Batman Series Box Set on Blu-ray!

HOLY SHEEPS#!T BATMAN!

Here's the thing though, it has a Suggested Retail Price of $269.97...

...

...um, yeah.

I might have to forgo the Hot Wheels replica Batmobile, the trading cards, the message from West himself (and photos from the show) and just get the seasons separately (with a SRP of $40), and I'm okay with that.

I mean...I did have the Hot Wheels Batmobile...back in the '70's...and the other Batmobile that was big enough to fit the old Mego action figures...

...don't judge...

But how could I not want this thing? (sigh) Now I've got another thing to save up for. November 11th (yes, that's right - 11/11) is the release date.

WTF Friday...7/25/2014

There's a lot going on this weekend that I'm sure I'll be talking about well into next week (effin' work),

but what I'm interested in right now are the newly-released art images from Avengers 2...

Now I'm looking at these fantastic images and one thing comes to mind:

Multiple Ultrons?

W...T...F...?

I get the whole "sequels must be bigger than the originals" thing, but the entirety of Marvel's Phase 2 has been one big downer. Tony lost his house, his Hall of Armor, even his chest RT. Thor lost both his parents and Asgard is now run by Loki. Steve lost his shield, his S.H.I.E.L.D., and best friend. The only upswing to Phase 2 (so far...) is Guardians of the Galaxy, which won't be out for another week.

One of the reasons Avengers did so well was that it ended with a win...and a tease of bigger things to come. If A2 becomes yet another Empire Strikes Back, with Ultrons running everything until Vision finally makes his first appearance in Season 3 of AoS when it starts four months later, so help me...I'm gonna lose my s#!t.

Hey Kevin...message for you: you don't need to make us want to see what happens next. We're hooked. We're gonna see what happens next, so stop depressing us with fallen heroes. I mean granted - it's not like villains are winning. Slattery's in prison (well...he was), and Mandarin's been stopped (kinda), and HYDRA's been exposed (but not stopped), Loki's out of the way (for now), and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s still around (just without Fury, and consisting of all of what? five members?) But this whole string of "down endings" has got...to...stop! Save the "oh, S#!T" moments for the end credit scenes, and give us victories. I can't stand another two+ years of movies where heroes get back up and dust themselves off. Let DC deal with that crap. I'll pay you. Really. But still...

In Marvel Studios I Trust

Who has the #1 album on Bilboard's 200 finally after all these years?

...This Guy!

I've been a fan of Weird Al's since I saw him perform "My Lasagna" live on some late-night show. I admit, there are some songs that are too far in left field even for me ("Waffle King" comes to mind), but his polka-compilations are pure genius. His parodies (like "I Wanna New Duck")? Genius. His self-described style-pieces (like "Dare to Be Stupid" - an original song that captures the essence of the Devo sound)? Genius. 

The man is a genius, and deserves this accomplishment. 

I've seen his "8 videos in 8 days" promoting this album, and while "Foil" is a perfect example of his humor, "Word Crimes" is the perfect example of his talent. The creative talent behind these videos deserve a lot of credit too.

So it you haven't yet, see the videos - available on his website, as well as YouTube. I also recommend his movie - UHF - which is no longer streamable on Netflix...the basterds!

Goood Morning SDCC!

It begins...

My one big fear about this specific convention is that when my wife and I finally have the money, time and resources to do this...it will be cancelled. Like Wallyworld in Vacation. My message to all who attend is this:

Have Fun, Be Safe, Be Smart, Eat, Sleep, Drink, Shower, Don't Spend too much, and Take Lots of Pictures and/or Videos...so people like me can live vicariously through you.