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Movie News 07/23/17

Hello Everyone, and welcome back to your Movie News Email.

  Each week we count down the top 5 box office hits of the weekend, and bring you the news that we have learned from the past week.

  This week we find out if "Spider-Man: Homecoming" was able to recapture the top spot (as I predicted that it would.  Man, I hope I'm right.  I hate being wr......), we have some more news from D23, and we have some news coming out of San Diego Comic Con.  All this coming at you this week.  Enjoy.

 First off, we sadly have to add an "In Memorium" segment to this week's edition. 

John Heard, the man known mostly for his role as the father in the "Home Alone" movies has passed away at the age of 71.  John's other main role was that of a corrupt detective in "The Sopranos".

John was found dead at a California hotel where he was staying while recovering from a recent back surgery.  No cause of death has been reported at this time.

Rest Well, John.

  OK, to the box office.  We had 3 new movies hit the theatres this week, and, surprisingly, all three hit the top 5.  Well, that knocks one of my predictions out.   Let's see who took the number one spot.

  We start at number 5, and the first of our debut films.  I expected this one to hit the top 5, but I wasn't sure where it would land as I said this has the potential to be a new cult classic.

"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets took in just over 17 million dollars to take the first spot of our list.  A little disappointing for the film, but it really wasn't promoted as much as I thought it should have been. 

One of our members was going to see the film.  Hopefully we will get a review for next week's edition.

Taking the number 4 position is last week's number one movie.  "War For the Planet of the Apes" pulling in 20.4 million dollars, could not hold the top spot. (As predicted)

At number 3 we have "Spider-Man: Homecoming". (Damn, I was wr...-Not right.) Spidey took in another 22.1 million dollars to bring it's domestic gross over 251 million.  It will still be interesting to see what happens to it over the next couple of weeks.

At number 2, is the second of our debut films, and another not right prediction on my part.  I thought this film would not hit the top 5, but Queen Latifah's "Girl Trip" pulled in an impressive 30.3 million dollars and very handily snagged the number two position.  (Oh well, can't pick them all.  Congrats to the cast and crew)

And our new number one movie is one that I hoped would make the top 5, but am also a little surprised to see it hit number one, but I am glad it did.

The WWII historical drama from Christopher Nolan, "Dunkirk" easily took the number one position with 50.5 million dollars.

This one, I want to see.  I may not get a chance until it comes out on DVD, but it is one I will see.

If anyone has seen this one, or any of the other new releases, please let me know.  I would love to hear what you thought of it.

  So that's what happened this past weekend.  What's coming out next week?

Well, we have two movies opening in major markets next weekend.  And to be honest, I have no clue what they are going to do.  I suspect both will debut in the top 5, but I am not sure where they are going to land.

First up is the animated movie based on those little pictures we all (Or most of us) use in our texting.  "The Emoji Movie" stars the voices of Patrick Stewart, James Corden, Jennifer Coolidge, and Jake T. Austin.

The second of our new movies is "Atomic Blonde" and stars Charlize Theron and James McAvoy and is being touted as the first female James Bond.

I have seen trailers for both movies and I have to be honest.  Neither one excites me to go and pay $10.00 to see them, let alone $17.50 to see them in an IMAX theatre.

But if anyone gets to one of these and likes them, let me know.  I have been wr.... Not right a lot this week.  What's another couple times.

  So let's get to the news, and we have quite a bit to cover.  So let's not waste any time.

Here is what we have heard so far coming out of SDCC.

  FX's "Legion" creator, Noah Hawley confirmed that he is developing a movie for Fox centered around the Fantastic Four's number one villain, Doctor Doom.  The movie will not have the Fantastic Four in it, however.

Marvel's "Ant Man and the Wasp" added a new name to the project.  Janet Van Dyne, wife of Michael Douglas' Hank Pym, will be played by none other than Michelle Pfeiffer. 

  DC now as the next movie slated after "Aquaman", and it is "Shazam".  David F Sandberg will direct. It was expected that either "The Flash" or the Joss Whedon "Batgirl" would be the next up, but since they are still in early development, it was decided that "Shazam" be next.  Shooting is expected to start in 2018 for a 2019 release.

  DC has also revealed it's lineup of movies as well.  No dates attached to them yet, but here is what they said is up and coming. It starts with Justice League, Aquaman, then Shazam.  After that it's "Suicide Squad 2", "The Batman", "Justice League Dark", "Batgirl", Green Lantern Corps", "The Flash: Flashpoint", and finally "Wonder Woman 2".  No word on "Gotham City Sirens", nor "Nightwing", but don't give up on them.  They're coming

  Hot off the heels of "Shazam", we have a couple of release dates from DC now.  They are:

Feb 14 2020

June 5 2020

  Now we don't know which movies are going to take those two spots, but more than likely it will be "Suicide Squad 2" and "The Batman"

  And who is going to play "The Batman"?  Well, Ben Affleck answered that question at SDCC.  He is.  Period.  That pretty much puts those rumors to rest.

  In a Facebook post, Todd McFarlane is writing and directing a new verson of "Spawn".  McFarlane created the character as his flagship title for the "Image" comic book company which he started. In the 1990's, McFarlane became the biggest name in comics art and storytelling with his work on Marvel's "Amazing Spider-Man, and the spinoff series "Spider-Man". 

  The Russo Brothers have announced that production has wrapped on the "Avengers: Infinity War".  The movie now moves into post production where voice overs, special effects, music, and editing takes over and cleans up the movie.

  Well, this next bit of news isn't movie related, but it is Star Wars related and it is just too cool not to talk about.

  Now we all know that Disney is creating a Star Wars land as part of the parks in both Florida and California.  Well, at D23 they named it.  "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge".  This will be a totally immersive experience.  When you enter the land, you are entering into the world of Star Wars.  You will first meet the rebels in a forested area, then as you enter the city, you will interact with the First Order, as well as bounty Hunters.  While in the park, what you decide has consequences.  One area you get to pilot a ship similar to the Millennium Falcon.  If you don't fly it well, the boss will not be happy, and when you go into one of the cantinas, you may find you have a bounty on you for damaging the ship.

  And the hotel resort that resides in the park will be completely Star Wars related.  All employees will be in character 100% of the time.  You check in, possibly get a costume, and interact with the role playing characters working there. 

It is set up to be in the style of being on a spaceship, so when you get to your room, you do not look out over the park, you have a screen that shows you being in space.  And from what I understand, you get to see yourself lifting off from the docking bay and going into space.

It's a two night stay, and a price tag of $1000.00 per person.  (I take donations, by the way). 

"Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" will span over 14 acres of land and is targeted for a 2019 opening.  Who's going?

  And coming out of SDCC, have we got a toy for you.  Well, maybe not for you, but for the kids.  From Radio Flyer, the makers of the metal red wagon, comes an actual scaled down replica of Luke's landspeeder.  Now this isn't a pedal car, but a motorized vehicle, similar to the Power Wheels. Not available yet, but I am sure it will be before Christmas. (When are they going to build one for adults???)

  Whew!!! Enough for you for this week.  Yeah, I think so too.  More and more information is coming out of SDCC, and will continue to do so all week long, and we will bring that news to you as we learn more of it.  But look for more trailers for "Black Panther", "Thor: Ragnarok", "Justice League", "The Inhumans", "Ready Player One", and many more to surface.  I have seen a few of these, and they look fantastic.  It's going to be a lot of fun.

  So that's it for this week.  A big thanks to everyone who has given me their thoughts on movies they have seen, or news they have heard.

I hope you had a good time reading this and enjoyed it.

  If you would like to receive the Movie News Email outside of the building, just drop me a line at

sierraandnevadacomics@gmail.com, and I will start emailing them to you from there.  If you have any information or reviews, you can also leave them for me there.  It's easier to get to than my regular email.

We are also blogging, at least I think we are.  Not really sure.  But go to Tumblr.com and search for Movie News Email.  Let me know if you find it so I know I am doing it right.

  Come back again next weekend for the next edition of your Movie News Email.

  See you then.

  So until next time,        “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars” - Kasey Kasum Rocky

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Movie News 07/17/17

Hello Everyone and welcome back to this week's edition of your Movie News Email.

Due to another "Technical Difficulty" (AHEM!!!), the news is coming out a day later.  Sorry for the inconvenience, and even though you probably know most of what we are going to go over, again, just act surprised when we get there.

This week, we rundown the top 5 box office movies, and we will see who won the number one spot.  Will it be "Spider-Man: Homecoming", or will "War For The Planet of the Apes" knock Spidey from the top spot. It's a battle royale between the two for supremacy at the box office. We also have some news to deliver, and we, sadly, say goodbye to a couple of greats.

It's the Movie News Email, and it begins....NOW!

First up we must go to our “In Memorium” segment.  This weekend we lost legendary director George Romero. George is best known for his “Night of the Living Dead”, and “Dawn of the Dead”.  Romero died from what is being called a brief but aggressive battle with Lung cancer.  He was 77. God Speed to the man who made zombies cool. Also lost to us this past weekend was Martin Landau.  Landau starred in the TV series "Mission: Impossible", and in the 70's starred in the Sci Fi show "Space: 1999". Martin died of "Unexpected Complications" at the young age of 89.  God Bless and Rest In Peace.

Now to the box office.

At number 5 this week, moving UP 3 places from number 8 is “The Big Sick”.  The romantic comedy starring Holly Hunter, Zoe Kazan, and Ray Romano took in 7.6 million dollars and knocked “Wonder Woman” out of the top 5. Falling one spot to number 4 is the action film “Baby Driver”.  The Kevin Spacey did a box office take of 8.75 million dollars. Coming in at number 3 with a weekend box office of just under 19 million dollars, is the hit animated film “Despicable Me 3”.  With this weekend, the Minions closes in on the 188 million dollar mark. Now to the top 2.  At number 2, falling out of the top spot, we have “Spider-Man: Homecoming”.  Now don’t feel too bad for the movie.  It pulled in another 45.2 million dollars and in just two weeks passed the 200 million mark. And our new number one movie, “War For The Planet of the Apes”.  Ceasar took the number one spot with 56.5 million dollars, and that makes it a close call with “Spider-Man”, as we thought it might be. But the Apes got it and congratulations to them.  Now it will be interesting to see who can take the top spot next weekend.

So what do we have coming out this coming weekend.

Well first up is Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Regina Hall get together to take a “Girl Trip”.  I suspect this will make the top 10, but with everything that’s out now, I don’t think it has the power to crack the top 5. The next two movies may, though I would suspect one of them won’t either. The one that I don’t think will make it, but should, is the Christopher Nolan film “Dunkirk”, which is the story of the battle between Allied forces and the Germans at Dunkirk, France during World War II. Previews for it look fantastic, but again, may not be strong enough to debut in the top 5. What I do think will be strong enough, and may actually turn out to be the next cult film is Luc Besson’s Sci Fi film “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”. Now I know one of our members will be seeing this one and I am hopeful of a review. But if anyone sees any of these films, please send me a review so I can add it to the News.  Thank you.

Now to the news.

In a major move, the BBC has announced today that Doctor Who will get it’s first female Doctor.  Jodie Whitaker will take over as the 13th Doctor after current Doctor, Peter Capaldi, enters the Tardis for the last time in the Christmas special.

At the Disney D23 Conference that went on this weekend, we got some new information about upcoming Disney movies. First up, it was announced that "Toy Story 4" will be released on June 21st of 2019. Also from Pixar we will see the return of The Incredibles.  Original cast members Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson were on hand and will returns to reprise their roles.

Audiences were then treated to cast memebers of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, as the director Rian Johnson came out on stage along with Daisy Ridley, Gwendoline Christie, Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern.  A Behind the Scenes clip followed thier panel. I have seen it, and it looks fantastic.  Go to youtube and search for "Star Wars:The Last Jedi Behind the Scenes" to watch the 3 minute clip. But rounding out the panel was the presentation for "Avengers: Infinity War".  All I can say is I sure wish I was there.  Here is how it went down. Kevin Feige, Marvel's genius Studio president, introduced Josh Brolin who will play Thanos, but then the others came walking out one by one, Dave Bautista (Drax), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Paul Bettany (Vision), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch).  But that's not all-Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange) came out alone with Tom Holland (Spider-Man). But where were the Avengers?  Well fear not-Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) and Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man) came out on stage followed by Joe Russo, one of the two directors. A teaser trailer was shown (Sorry, not available to us yet), and by that time, the crowd was in an uproar that was louder than a concert by AC/DC. (MAN-I WISH I WAS THERE)

Also in the news, we have learned that "Wonder Woman 2" will take place in the 1980's and the Amazon Princess will face off in Russia.  This places her smack dab in the middle of the cold war.  I kind of like this idea.  We got Wonder Woman in her first major adventure, we see her, now more experienced in "Batman V Superman", now we get to see a little bit of her in the middle of the two.  Now there is a rumor going around that Chris Pine will appear in the movie, reprising his role as Steve Trevor, so, of course, there are a plethora of explanations as to how this will occur.  But this could only be rumor brought on by fans, so take this one with a grain of salt. No word as to when production will begin, but you know we will tell you as soon as we find out.  (Can't wait)

In the world of Marvel, Sony announced 6 future dates for new Marvel related movies. Those dates are: June 7 2019 November 22 2019 March 13 2020 June 26 2020 October 2 2020 March 5 2021

Now they didn't announce what movies these dates relate to, but with San Diego Comic Con coming up, it is suspected that we will get those titles then.  Stay tuned.

We started getting TV teaser spots for the upcoming "Gifted" series. 

Samuel L. Jackson has been confirmed to be in the upcoming "Captain Marvel" film.  If you remember, at the end of "Captain America: Winter Soldier" Nick Fury went into seclusion.  This news might signal his return to active duty.

Bushmaster and Nightshade will make their debut appearances in season 2 of Netflix's "Luke Cage".  Mustafa Shakir will play Bushmaster, and Gabriel Dennis will play Nightshade.  Fans of the comics will know that Nightshade is Queen of the Werewolves, and Bushmaster is an antagonist that covets Luke's powers. And we have also learned that the premier episode of season 2 will be directed by Lucy Liu.  Definitely one to catch.

Oh, and rushing through last week's edition, I completely forgot to mention a little Easter Egg in "Spiderman: Homecoming".  In the movie (Spoiler Alert), Spiderman's A.I suit is named by Peter as "Karen".  Well, Karen is voiced by Jennifer Connelly.  Jennifer is married to Paul Bettany, who by the way voices "Jarvis" who is the A.I. voice of Iron Man's suit.  Just a cute little tidbit of information. There are other Easter Eggs in the movie, and maybe we will go over them next week when "Spider-Man: Homecoming" regains the number one spot.  (Don't believe me?  We'll see.)

OK, that should be enough for this week.  San Diego Comic Con kicks off with a Preview Night on Wednesday, and then the whole show goes into full gear Thursday through Sunday.  So we should have some really exciting news to deliver next week.  So, by all means, stay tuned.  And if anyone is planning on attending SDCC, Take me with you...please.

So join us next week for another edition of your Movie News Email.

Thank you for being here.  As always it's a blast, and I hope you enjoy it as well.

See you next week.

So until next time,        “Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars” - Kasey Kasum

Rocky