Well, look who finally showed up. Today, Disney+ announced that “Deadpool,” “Deadpool 2,” and “Logan” will arrive on the streaming service in the U.S. on July 22, giving fans access to more from the Marvel collection, all in one place.
This marks the first time the streaming service is offering R-rated movies.
“Deadpool” (2016): Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, DEADPOOL tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.
“Deadpool 2” (2018): Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (AKA. Deadpool), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg, Cable.
“Logan” (2017): In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
With the addition of these new titles, subscribers are invited to revisit their parental controls settings to ensure a viewing experience most suitable for them and their family.
The dedicated Marvel brand page on Disney+ already serves as home to the largest Marvel collection with hundreds of hours of movies and shows. View the streaming home of Marvel on Disney+ here:https://www.disneyplus.com/brand/marvel
Time to Make the Chimichangas
To celebrate the arrival of these films on Disney+, fans heading to San Diego Comic-Con can pick up a free mini chimichanga, a.k.a. Deadpool’s favorite word to say, while supplies last. Disney+’s Deadpool chimichanga truck will be available at Seaport Village at the corner of Kettner and S Embarcadero in San Diego from 12-5pm PT on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23.
A love story between a girl and a sea creature, a satire reflecting racial issues in today’s society, and two inspiring lessons of four weeks in 1940 during which Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history and one of the greatest suspense stories of all time where British and Allied troops, trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea, faced an impossible situation as the enemy closed in. Horror, fantasy, historical epic, comedy, drama… the motion pictures tales of 2017 had something for all.
Theater marquees were filled with familiar titles such as STAR WARS, INDEPENDENCE DAY, ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER, and KONG while Guardians, Superheroes and Wonder Women saved the day once again.
Cinema-goers were offered a fresh perspective on the parent-child bond, an insightful look as two giant newspapers expose a massive cover-up of government secrets, as well as a dark comic drama where a mother makes a bold move to solve her daughter’s murder.
As with every holiday season, critics groups are revealing their top 10 films of the year. Awards season is truly upon us.
Three hundred forty-one feature films are eligible for the 2017 Academy Awards in the Best Picture category. The St. Louis Film Critics Association announced as their best film of 2017 Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy romance, THE SHAPE OF WATER.
Tune in Sunday, March 4th for the 90th Oscars.
Here’s a look back at the motion pictures of the past twelve months.
WAMG presents the top ten films of 2017, along with our honorable mention and most awesome soundtrack.
Honorable Mention:
THE DISASTER ARTIST
Ironic that the creator of what many label the ‘worst film of all time’ gets one of the best Hollywood-themed biopics ever made about him. THE DISASTER ARTIST stands out as one successful outsider’s tribute to a failed kindred spirit. It’s the funniest film of 2017 and one of the best. (REVIEW)
Best Soundtrack:
BABY DRIVER
What might be the most astonishing feat but feels effortless, is the editing accompanied with each carefully selected song. The soundtrack, which runs the gamut from 60’s R&B like Carla Thomas, 70’s punk including The Damned, and a dash of modern hip-hop with Run the Jewels, is used throughout the film to coincide with the action, making the film the equivalent of an action movie musical. It’s one thing to listen to these songs, but it’s completely different watching how each drum beat and chord change matches perfectly with the film. (REVIEW)
10. COCO
After a trio of so-so features, Pixar breaks new ground with this visually stunning masterwork set “south of the border” and the Day of the Dead celebrations. An odd choice for “all ages” film animation, but this explores themes far beyond most “kiddie” flicks. Yes, the colors, from the after-life cities to the flourescent hybrid “spirit animals”, dazzle, but the movie’s real strength is its tribute to family legacies. And like the best of Pixar’s classic it packs a real emotional punch to the heart. (REVIEW)
9. DARKEST HOUR
Director Joe Wright reports, “Daytime meals for Winston would often be accompanied by a glass of white wine and/or scotch, and because of the hours he kept it was not unusual for him to hold meetings from his bed, or even from his bath. He’d dictate memos for the day from bed and receive visitors and talk about matters of state wearing his dressing gown and nightshirt.” This is only a partial glimpse into the man that saved the British Empire from almost certain invasion by the Nazis. This is what’s so great about DARKEST HOUR – establishing the character traits of the British Bulldog! He was the architect of the Operation Dynamo boat rescue at Dunkirk, where civilian crafts and everyday people were called upon to help get their countrymen home. One of best films on the eccentric PM, gloriously portrayed by Gary Oldman, it is a fine bookend to Christopher Nolan’s DUNKIRK. The other noteworthy performance is that of Dame Kristin Scott Thomas as Churchill’s wife, Clementine. Conveying class and distinction, intelligence and sharp wit, the Oscar nominated actress was the perfect match for Oldman on-screen. (REVIEW)
8. LOGAN
Photo Credit: James Mangold.
James Mangold has delivered an X-Men film unlike any that has come before it. After the initial shock of hearing the character use the f-word followed by the limb-severing visceral violence, what will hit the hardest for fans is witnessing Mangold slice open and get to the emotional core of this beloved character we have watched evolve for now eight films (nine if you count a brief cameo). LOGAN is a poetic journey that is about unexpectedly finding new life after giving up on cheating death. (REVIEW)
7. THE BIG SICK
A comedy that does not sound funny when you describe it, THE BIG SICK is a hilarious comedy that takes a potential tragedy, mixes it with cross-cultural romance and an American son coping with his Pakistani immigrant parents, to find a vein of unexpected comedy gold. Bitingly funny yet insightful, the story is partly based on the real life of comedian Kamail Nanjiani. THE BIG SICK has more twists than you can imagine, and a hilarious, jaw-dropping performance by a fierce Holly Hunter, in a tale that provokes hilarious laughs and deep thought on the meaning of love, family and the classic second-generation American tale. (REVIEW)
6. DUNKIRK
Sometimes when you have been through hell and back, there isn’t anything you can say to properly convey the emotions and the experience. Without saying much, Christopher Nolan tries to express the raw emotions of war by dropping the viewer into the scenario as opposed to explaining the how and the why of the situation. While some might be hoping for more from the story, perhaps Nolan is actually saying much more amid the cacophony of racing hearts, plane engines, bullet-riddled metal, and silent soldiers looking for hope as the waves and bombs crash against the beach. (REVIEW)
5. THE POST
Steven Spielberg delivers a fabulous film about the Nixon-era Pentagon Papers and the Washington Post’s 1973 decision to publish them, told as a gripping, intrigue-packed, period thriller, about freedom of the press and with a feminist undercurrent. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are outstanding as Washington Post owner Katherine Graham and editor Ben Bradlee, who defy the restraining order the Nixon administration placed on the New York Times to publish the secret papers about the Vietnam War that led to Watergate and Richard Nixon’s resignation. It is Spielberg’s best film in years.
4. GET OUT
This past February, Jordan Peele, half of a wildly successful cable TV comedy team, made his feature film solo writing and directing debut by taking movie audiences on a memorable journey to the “Sunken Place”. Originally promoted as a horror thriller, it turned out to be so much more, at times a rowdy comedy, but also a scathing satire on society that still has us talking today. And if you were fortunate enough to see it in a packed theatre, you know that Peele is an exciting new cinema voice. And I’ll bet he just breezes through the airport now thanks to this flick. (REVIEW)
3. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
With top-notch work from an imaginatively-assembled cast headed by Frances McDormand, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI combines sweet-natured cheer with twisted malice, and unspeakable grief with offbeat humor, all set against a familiar mid-Missouri backdrop. The result is a modern masterpiece. (REVIEW)
2. LADY BIRD
Just as with Jordan Peele’s GET OUT, this year we were stunned by the superb solo writing and directing debut of another actor, Greta Gerwig. She took the “coming of age”, “young person at a crossroad” comedy/drama and elevated it to a new level by giving us a throughly real, very complex main character. It helps that she’s brought to life by the exquisite Saoirse Ronan, who truly shines in the honest complicated relationship with her mother, played by the great Laurie Metcalf in a most memorable performance. It’s in those scenes that LADY BIRD takes flight and soars. (REVIEW)
Magical, evocative THE SHAPE OF WATER blends Cold War thriller, romance, and monster movie genres in director Guillermo Del Toro’s best film since PAN’S LABYRINTH. Cinematically and as entertainment, THE SHAPE OF WATER exceeds on all levels. There is fine acting by an excellent cast, a story that offers a thought-provoking twist on the monster genre, beautiful moody photography, magical visual effects, and brilliant direction. Sally Hawkins is amazing in the lead role, creating an appealing and mysterious character we fall in love with, all without speaking a word. (REVIEW)
Films we can’t wait to see in 2018: DEADPOOL 2, MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS, BLACK PANTHER, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, WINCHESTER, ANNIHILATION, DEATH WISH, A WRINKLE IN TIME, PACIFIC RIM UPRISING, READY PLAYER ONE, THE NEW MUTANTS, SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, INCREDIBLES 2, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, THE PREDATOR, VENOM, HALLOWEEN, CREED 2, FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, and Damien Chazelle’s FIRST MAN (the riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong. Stars Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy. October 2018).
Check out our contributors individual picks for the year that was 2017.
Jim Batts
THE SHAPE OF WATER
COCO
LADY BIRD
THE POST
THE BIG SICK
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
PHANTOM THREAD
BRAD’S STATUS
GET OUT
Other Favorites: THE DISASTER ARTIST
Tom Stockman
DUNKIRK
THE DISASTER ARTIST
THE SHAPE OF WATER
COCO
BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99
KONG SKULL ISLAND
BRAD’S STATUS
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MO
LOGAN LUCKY
A DOG’S PURPOSE
Other Favorites: BLADE RUNNER 2049, MOTHER!, WIND RIVER, AMERICAN MADE
Cate Marquis
THE POST
THE SHAPE OF WATER
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI
BLADE RUNNER 2049
THE BIG SICK
DARKEST HOUR
GET OUT
LADY BIRD
A GHOST STORY
PHANTOM THREAD
Other Favorites: THE BEGUILED, LADY MACBETH, FACES PLACES, DUNKIRK, FLORIDA PROJECT
One of the reasons why many fall in love with comic books is because they have a history of focusing on people treated like outsiders. They tell stories about individuals who feel different – men and women simply trying to live a normal life while dealing with an intolerant world. With many of the superhero film adaptations, the approach to telling these stories has been wrong. You usually watch a superhero character that also has human characteristics… not the other way around. The focus is on the “super” difference, not on the idea that humanity is actually comprised of individuals with differences (some big, some small). It’s interesting how most superhero film adaptations get this confused.
LOGAN successfully corrects this by weaving humanity through the title character’s adamantium body. Wolverine has the unique power to miraculously heal himself within seconds. But now as an old man, Wolverine is less like the self-healing ferocious and agile beast he once was. He’s more like a man; a man made of flesh and blood and filled with pain and torment. You can see the sadness in his eyes. You can see the impact it has taken on his body. He resembles less of the superhero we’re used to seeing and more of the man he’s always been deep down.
James Mangold has delivered an X-Men film unlike any that has come before it. After the initial shock of hearing the character use the f-word on screen followed by the limb severing visceral violence, what will hit the hardest for fans is witnessing Mangold slice open and get to the emotional core of this beloved character we have watched evolve for now eight films (nine if you count a brief cameo). LOGAN is a poetic journey that is about unexpectedly finding new life after giving up on cheating death.
When Hugh Jackman announced he would be hanging up the claws for good with this depiction of “Old Man Logan,” there was excitement among fans for this direction but also an air of melancholy surrounding the project. While Mangold might not have done right by fans with his previous Wolverine solo outing, LOGAN delivers the excitement and emotion that fans anticipated. It’s a film that’s focused on the characters and their journeys without feeling the need to connect to an extended universe. Sure, there are nods for fans, but it’s not in the service to those callbacks or an overarching story.
The character that many fans will recognize and will quickly love is X-23 (though called Laura in the film). Played with ferocious conviction by Dafne Keen, the young character comes into the life of Logan at the wrong moment. Logan is having troubles of his own dealing with both his own health and that of the mentally ill Professor Xavier (once again, the phenomenal Patrick Stewart). The three head out on an unorthodox road trip of sorts after a group of mercenaries attempt to capture Laura.
Following in the footsteps of such classic pairings as the gunfighter and his son in EL TOPO and the LONE WOLF AND CUB series, LOGAN positions the character having to play father to a new young one while serving as a son and caretaker for his dying mentor. The struggles of this situation and the duo roles he must tackle becomes the centerpiece of the film. Cinematographer John Mathieson chooses to accentuate these relationships with tight camera shots, focusing in on the facial features and contemplative looks. Some of the camerawork is a little too close and intimate. Given the wide dusty landscape, Mathieson could’ve taken a note or two from John Ford and opened up the lens just a little bit more at times.
However, that’s a minor complaint in a film that tells such a beautifully rich and fulfilling story. Although it most likely won’t see the award attention it deserves, Hugh Jackman pours everything he has into his swan song. It’s a brutal film, both physically and emotionally. Mangold has given Jackman fans a fond farewell, capped off with a closing shot that might be one of the most powerful images in the X-Men franchise.
In 2000, Bryan Singer ushered in a new era of the superhero film with X-MEN. It gave birth to the cinematic version of Wolverine. The character has served as a father figure to Rogue and others over the course of several films, but never has the idea been explored as explicitly as it is in LOGAN. Mangold shows us that children are thrown into this world. Adults are sometimes thrown into the role of parents. But it’s through unforeseen circumstances that you can find a new meaning to your life. You discover that differences can be a uniting force, and how that can be a theme we learn from when the focus isn’t on the capes but the people wearing them.
Toy Fair is an annual trade show where hundreds of toy companies get together to showcase their latest innovations for buyers and press. The following is a photo recap from the Mezco booth. To see the rest of our coverage, click HERE.
About 2 ½ years ago Mezco unveiled the One:12 Collective at Comic Con and the line has been rapidly growing ever since. Drawing from comics, film, and pop culture, these 6” scale figures are about the same size as the ones you will find from Hasbro at your local Toys R Us. However, these figures feature real fabric clothing, multiple heads/accessories, extreme articulation, and incredible detail. Basically they take the best qualities from high-end brands such as Hot Toys but shrink them down to half the size for a third of the price. Some of their licenses on display included DC Comics, Marvel, GHOSTBUSTERS, Popeye, EVIL DEAD, and STAR TREK.
In addition to quickly cornering the 6” scale figure market for adult collectors, Mezco also happens to be one of the leading companies for horror movie merch. They were responsible for the HELLRAISER Lament Configuration Rubiks cube that went viral last fall. Some of the highlights of their latest horror offerings include 15” Chucky & Tiffany figures, a scaled replica of ANNABELLE, an amazing Sam from TRICK R TREAT, and two adorable DAWN OF THE DEAD dolls.
You can find pics of their horror items and One:12 Collective figures below…
This week’s episode of our podcast WE ARE MOVIE GEEKS The Show is up! Hear WAMG’s Cate Marquis, Jim Batts and Tom Stockman talk movies. We’ll discuss the weekend box office and review LOGAN, GET OUT, A UNITED KINGDOM, COLLIDE, and BEFORE I FALL We’ll also talk about last night’s Academy Awards and we’ll pay tribute tot the late actor Bill Paxton.
20th Century Fox has released the first clip for LOGAN.
In the near future, a weary Logan’s (Hugh Jackman) attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces. Check out the first clip below.
In case you missed Sunday’s epic SuperBowl, watch the big game TV spot.
The movie also stars Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, introducing Dafne Keen.
Watch the final trailer director James Mangold’s LOGAN.
In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, and Dafne Keen, 20th Century will unleash LOGAN into cinemas on March 3, 2017.
LOGAN hits theaters everywhere on March 3, 2017! Check out the new trailer:
Set in the future of 2024, Logan and Professor Charles Xavier must cope with the loss of the X-Men when a corporation lead by Nathaniel Essex is destroying the world leaving it to destruction, with Logan’s healing abilities slowly fading away and Xavier’s Alzheimer’s forcing him to forget. Logan must defeat Nathaniel Essex with the help of a young girl named Laura Kinney, a female clone of Wolverine. LOGAN starsHugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, and Dafne Keen.
Last night at Ronnie’s 20 Cine, St. Louis welcomed both hometown and national stars of the new movie LOGAN, directed by 22 year old Kyle Lawrence. The film was shot primarily in St. Louis, even showcasing the Hi-Pointe Theater at the beginning of the film. Logan stars Leo Howard, known for his roles on Disney Channels Leo Little’s Big Show and had just returned from filming Conan, scheduled in 2011. He told WAMG that he will be playing the role of young Conan, but does not know if Schwarzenegger will be making a cameo in the film. The film also stars Patrick Probst, a St. Louis native as Logan’s older brother Tyler and BooBoo Stewart (who could not make the screening) as Tyler’s best friend Ben. BooBoo is best known for his role as Seth Clearwater in the Twilight Saga. Go show some love when it comes out next week. These kids worked really hard on this, and they have a great message to share. Now… on to the pictures!
Abigail Ison (Allison a.k.a Hobbit Girl), Nicole Cummins (Carlie), and Colin Ritchie (Sebastian)
Emily Berry and Tin Schall (Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman)
Kyle Lawrence (Director, Producer, and Co-Writer)
Patrick Probst (Tyler Hoffman) and Christian Probst
Patrick Probst (Tyler Hoffman) and Christian Probst
Christian Probst
Patrick Probst
Leo Howard, Patrick Probst and Kyle Lawrence
Leo Howard
Patrick Probst, Kyle Lawrence, and Leo Howard
The Packed Theater at Ronnie’s Waiting For The Film
Q and A After the Film
Synopsis: “Logan” is a story about two teenage brothers, Tyler and Logan. Logan, the younger of the two, has got his mind set on a seemingly impossible project which turns out to be much harder than he could ever imagine. At the turn of an unexpected tragedy, the brothers’ relationship is altered forever and Tyler is challenged to do whatever it takes to see his little brother’s project succeed, even if that means risking it all.
Fox should be ashamed of themselves. Once again, Fox has gone and taken a big steaming pile of pooh on the floor and now, all I want to do is just rub Fox’s nose in it and yell, “Bad Fox, Bad! You’re a baaad Fox!”
In a spirit of full disclosure, I do have to confess up front that I am a bit biased towards this movie. I was a fan of Wolverine and the X-Men growing up and read the comic books. They were a large part of my childhood. So, when I say it feels like Fox went and took a big dump on my childhood, I actually do mean it from the bottom of my heart. With that said, I will attempt to speak my mind as clearly as possible and not rest solely on my past with the subject matter. However, it does and will factor heavily into my opinion of this movie.
As for the director, part of me wants to blame Gavin Hood and place a hex on his career, but I know that Mr. Hood has fought his own battles in the making of this movie. So, I am issuing a pardon to Mr. Hood and letting him slide on this one. On the other hand, I simply cannot allow myself to forgive the suits behind this debacle.
‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ at it’s core is not an entirely hopeless disaster. Even if I did not actually believe that, the overwhelming majority opinion of the audience exiting the movie last night was fair to positive. Considering this, I will admit that the movie had some cool scenes. I will also emphasize that I am NOT attempting to convince readers to pass on this movie. By all means, go see the film and decide for yourselves. All I’m saying is that there’s a good chance that ‘X-Men: Wolverine’ will end up on my Ten Worst Films of 2009 list.
The movie attempts to introduce Wolverine and his origins, beginning with him and Victor Creed as children. This portion is done well enough, as is the creative montage of the two characters fighting side by side through five wars during the opening credits. At this point, I still held hope for the movie being a success. After meeting Stryker, Wolverine and Victor join a special ops team and the story rolls along fine until Wolverine decides he has no interest in the killing of innocents and walks away. This is when the film gradually starts to fall apart.
Hugh Jackman is just fine as Logan/Wolverine, maintaining the same quality interpretation of my beloved superhero. Honestly, my only “minor issue” with Wolverine himself was that it seemed his claws were much more realistic looking in the X-Men movies than they are in this movie. Well, there’s that and then I wasn’t very pleased with how they chose to portray Wolverine’s initial adjustment to his new adamantium-laced claws. Wolverine comes off as a clumsy comic relief in the scene at the elderly couple’s home while fleeing Stryker.
Oh boy, now on to the rough stuff. I won’t bore the average reader by going as deep into the Wolverine lore as I would like to, but I’ll sum it up by saying this is a minimally accurate representation of Wolverine’s past and calling this an origin story is taking a huge creative license. Wolverine’s relationship with Silver Fox was done well enough, and I have to say the relationship and chemistry between Wolverine and Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth, even though he was never once referred to as such in this movie) was extremely well done. Liv Schreiber was actually great as Sabretooth (sorry, I can’t avoid using his true name) and captured the essence of what Sabretooth was becoming.
Let me give you a bit of advice… after seeing this movie, fast forward several years and realize Sabretooth has progressively become more of the animal, thriving on and craving the killing and losing his humanity at an exponential rate. Now, hit the pause button at the moment we are [re]introduced to Sabretooth in the ‘X-Men’ movies. Make more sense now?
