First Look at Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in "Batman Vs. Superman"

The above image is of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (May 2016).  It was presented at a Comic-Con International 2014 panel on Saturday, July 26, 2014.  The film's director, Zack Snyder, was in attendance, as was Henry Cavill (Superman), Ben Affleck (Batman) and Gadot.  Snyder did not let the actors speak for fear of spilling secrets about the film.

"Avengers: Age of Ultron" Concept Art Poster: Hawkeye

Art by Ryan Meinerding.  Hawkeye is Jeremy Renner.

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"Avengers: Age of Ultron" Concept Art Poster - Quicksilver

Art by Ryan Meinerding.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as Quicksilver. [The character also appeared in X-Men: Days of the Future Past.]

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NBCUniversal's Universal Cable Productions Expands Comic Books-to-TV Development

Universal Cable Productions Expands Comic Book Development Roster with Three New All-Star Deals

Signs Renowned Graphic Novel Writer Warren Ellis To Develop His First Original TV Series; Options Horror Comic Book “Night Mary” And The Kickstarter, Breakout Hit “Five Ghosts”

Comic-Con 2014

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Comic-Con International 2014 #CCSD kicks off in San Diego, Universal Cable Productions (UCP) today announced three new deals that will bolster UCP’s genre library and generate excitement among comic book enthusiasts. UCP has signed award-winning graphic novel writer Warren Ellis (New York Times best-seller “Gun Machine”, and “Iron Man: Extremis” - the Marvel Comics graphic novel and basis for “Iron Man 3”) to develop Ellis’ first original TV series in collaboration with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (“The Walking Dead”, “Terminator”).

    “There are very few writers who have been able to so completely influence a medium as Warren has with comic books. I am very excited to be able to collaborate in bringing his unique vision to television for the first time”

Additionally, UCP and IDW Entertainment have optioned the horror comic book “Night Mary” with the intent to co-develop it as a live action TV series. UCP has also optioned the Kickstarter funded, breakout hit “Five Ghosts” written by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham from Black Mask Studios to develop it as an original TV series.

“We love genre at UCP and thankfully so do audiences. We've made it a priority to seek out great properties that will attract equally great creators to adapt them,” said Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President, Development, Universal Cable Productions. “From Warren’s dynamic plots and complex characters to the dark and suspenseful world of ‘Night Mary,’ and the creative mash-up of five literary icons in the cult hit ‘Five Ghosts,’ they are all provocative, distinctive and have the promise to be a whole lot of fun.”

Based on the acclaimed IDW Publishing property created by Rick Remender and Kieron Dwyer, “Night Mary” follows a young woman trained to be a lucid dreamer. Her father owns a sleep disorder clinic where she enters the dreams of his patients. When a patient is revealed to be a serial killer, she is placed in jeopardy as nightmares and reality become frighteningly intertwined. John Pogue (“The Quiet Ones”) has been tapped to write and direct the pilot. Ted Adams and David Ozer from IDW Entertainment and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion (“The Walking Dead”) will serve as executive producers along with John Pogue.

“Five Ghosts” is the stylish, pulpy adventure by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham that tells the story of a 1930s-era treasure hunter possessed by five literary ghosts (Merlin, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Musashi, and Dracula) whose unique abilities he can draw on during his adventures. “Five Ghosts” was funded on Kickstarter in 2012 and previewed at San Diego Comic Con that year when Matt Pizzolo (who would later co-found Black Mask Studios) shared his San Diego Comic Con table with then-unknown writer Frank Barbiere. “Five Ghosts” was picked up by Image Comics and premiered at Emerald City Comic Con becoming one of the breakout hits of 2013. UCP has optioned the TV series rights from Black Mask and has signed on Evan Daugherty (“Snow White And The Huntsmen”, “Divergent”) to write the pilot and serve as executive producer. Chris Bender and Jake Weiner from Benderspink (“Horrible Bosses 2”, “The Hangover”) will also serve as executive producers along with Jake Wagner as producer, and Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz as co-executive producers.

UCP’s currently untitled Warren Ellis project with Valhalla Entertainment marks the renowned writer’s first foray into television. "I've been strongly drawn to television over the last few years, and working with brilliant and determined collaborators like Gale and the UCP team, I'm delighted at the opportunity to add my voice to the new, novelistic TV form that's evolved so dramatically," said Ellis.

“There are very few writers who have been able to so completely influence a medium as Warren has with comic books. I am very excited to be able to collaborate in bringing his unique vision to television for the first time,” added Hurd.

Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE, currently in development at Microsoft, as well as the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN. The film RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. His GRAVEL books are in development for film at Legendary Pictures, with Tim Miller attached to direct. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. Warren Ellis is currently working on a non-fiction book about the future of the city for Farrar Straus Giroux. His newest publication is the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR, from FSG Originals. His next book will be the novella NORMAL, also from FSG, and his most recent comics project is TREES from Image Comics. A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.

About Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. UCP’s content library spans classics such as Emmy-award winning, “Monk,” and cult favorites “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Warehouse 13.” UCP’s programming can be seen across various networks, including: “Covert Affairs,” “Dig” (fall 2014), “Playing House,” “Royal Pains,” “Satisfaction” and “Suits” on USA Network; “Ascension” (fall 2014), “Defiance,” “Dominion,” and “12 Monkeys” (2015) on Syfy; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” (fall 2014) on Bravo; “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray; and “Side Effects” on Awesomeness TV/YouTube. Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.

About IDW Entertainment
IDW Entertainment launched in November 2013 to fund and develop film and television properties based on IDW's extensive catalog. The division is currently in development on a slate of properties including Chuck Dixon’s epic Winterworld, being developed with Xbox; V Wars by New York Times best-seller Jonathan Maberry with writer/executive producer Tim Schlattman (Dexter, Smallville); action packed comic series Pantheon with co-creator Michael Chiklis (The Shield); Life Undead, with showrunner Paul Zbyszewski (S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-O, Lost); and Brooklyn Animal Control, based on the darkly thrilling comic from writer/director J.T. Petty (Splinter Cell, Hellbenders). IDW also has several active theatrical projects in development: Lore, at Warner Bros. with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson set to star; World War Robot, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing at Disney and Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay; and Zombies vs. Robots, at Sony with Platinum Dunes and Circle of Confusion producing.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemo from the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.

About Black Mask Studios
Black Mask Studios (www.blackmaskstudios.com) is a publishing/production company that specializes in utilizing 'transmedia storytelling' to expand comic book creators' audiences across multiple media platforms. Launched in 2013 by musician/entrepreneur Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, ANTI- Records), writer/director and producer Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller, Occupy Comics, Wired Magazine's "World's Most Wired in Comics"), and comic book writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), the company's mandate is to bring comic book storytelling to new frontiers. Black Mask's initial slate included the political, not-for-profit Occupy Comics (founded by Pizzolo with Alan Moore, Charlie Adlard, Art Spiegelman, Molly Crabapple, Ben Templesmith, and dozens more), the animal-rescuing vigilantes story Liberator, Adam Egypt Mortimer and Darick Robertson's transreal, cyberpunk adventure Ballistic, and the multi-platform gangster odyssey 12 Reasons To Die by Ghostface Killah and RZA. Black Mask will unveil its Year 2 Slate at San Diego Comic Con in July 2014.

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"Star Wars Rebles" and HitFix Invade San Diego Comic-Con International 2014

HitFix and Star Wars Rebels Kick Off Comic-Con

5TH annual event will celebrate the new animated Disney XD series

Comic-Con 2014

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HitFix (www.hitfix.com), the fastest-growing entertainment news brand in the US, is teaming up with Lucasfilm and Star Wars Rebels (www.starwars.com/rebels) to bring the Force to San Diego Comic-Con International Wednesday night.

    “The kick-off party has become so popular that our staff is asked about the event year-round. We are very pleased to partner on this year’s event with a show as highly anticipated as Star Wars Rebels.”

An annual Wednesday night tradition since 2009, HitFix began the kick-off event for members of the entertainment industry from around the world to catch up before the convention officially opens its doors on Thursday, July 24. Held at the Hotel Solamar in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, this is now one of the most anticipated events on the Comic-Con calendar.

“As HitFix has grown, so has our Comic-Con presence,” said Jen Sargent, HitFix CEO. “The kick-off party has become so popular that our staff is asked about the event year-round. We are very pleased to partner on this year’s event with a show as highly anticipated as Star Wars Rebels.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with HitFix at Comic-Con this year to kick off a variety of great activities and events for Star Wars Rebels,” said Lucasfilm’s EVP and Head of Production and Development, Tony To. “Star Wars has a long history with Comic-Con dating back to 1976, and we’re really excited to be carrying on that tradition with tonight’s Star Wars Rebels kick-off party.”

Star Wars Rebels is a new 3D animated adventure set in the era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. It debuts this Fall on Disney XD.

HitFix’s premier editorial team will once again cover Comic-Con from one corner of the San Diego Convention Center to another. Fans looking for breaking entertainment news on their favorite TV shows or movies should follow @HitFix on Twitter, like HitFix on Facebook and visit HitFix.com for the latest.

A special thanks to Star Wars Rebels licensees Turtle Beach, Jakks Pacific, Santa Cruz, and Rubies Costumes for supporting this exciting kick-off event!

About HitFix
HitFix is the fastest growing provider of authentic entertainment news and video on movies, music, TV and events, reaching one of the highest compositions of 18-to-34-year-old consumers in entertainment. With their influential editorial voice and engaging journalistic and video content, HitFix’s nationally recognized team drives consumer discovery, conversation and choices around what’s next in entertainment. HitFix delivers the influential content consumers want, and advertisers need, across millions of screens daily. Delivering 97 million monthly videos streams and driving the entertainment choices of 300 Million monthly viewers both in their home and on the go, HitFix is rapidly becoming The Entertainment Authority. Everywhere.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

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Happy 75th, Batman!

From Jim Lee via Twitter:

The 75th Anniversary of Batman Digital Comics Sale Kicks Off

DC Entertainment Celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Batman with Largest Digital Sale Ever

Just In Time For Batman Day And Comic-Con International: San Diego, 750 Batman Titles Available July 22-29 For Only $.99 Across All Digital Platforms

Comic-Con 2014

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of their ongoing celebration of Batman’s 75th anniversary, DC Entertainment (DCE) announced today that 750 Batman titles will be made available for digital download for $.99 each. For one week only beginning on July 22, fans can become immersed in the adventures of the world’s most popular Super Hero. The special sale coincides with “Batman Day” on July 23 and Comic-Con International: San Diego 2014 activities, which will also shine a spotlight on the iconic comic idol.

    “Now, thanks to this mammoth 75th anniversary sale DCE is making it easier than ever to collect an incredibly broad range of Batman’s best stories, at a price that doesn’t require a Bruce Wayne-sized budget.”

The largest English-language publisher and the leader in digital comics innovation, this marks a first-of-its-kind offer for DCE across all digital platforms including comiXology, Google Play, iBooks, Kindle Store and Nook Store. Key Batman titles and storylines featured in the sale include Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: No Man’s Land, Batman: Year One, Batman: Hush, Batman: The Court of the Owls, All Star Batman & Robbin the Boy Wonder and many, many more!

“Digital comics make it possible to get Batman anytime, anywhere and this sale is the perfect opportunity for fans to dive into the world of the Caped Crusader,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “Now, thanks to this mammoth 75th anniversary sale DCE is making it easier than ever to collect an incredibly broad range of Batman’s best stories, at a price that doesn’t require a Bruce Wayne-sized budget.”

To further mark its July 23rd Batman Day activities taking place at hundreds of comic book retailers nationwide, DCE will also launch a 24-hour eBook sale that day only across all digital partners – offering 10 essential Batman graphic novels for only $2.99 each.

For more information on DCE’s digital comic offerings, please visit www.readdcentertainment.com and all digital platforms. For the latest information including exclusive content celebrating Batman’s 75th anniversary, please visit www.batman75.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

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VIZ Media's "Perfect Square" Imprint Prepared to Delight at San Diego Comic-Con International 2014

VIZ MEDIA’S PERFECT SQUARE IMPRINT ANNOUNCES FUN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR

2014 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

All-Ages Imprint Celebrates The Launch Of CATBUG And The HELLO KITTY Brand’s 40th Anniversary With In-Booth Artist Appearances, Photo Opportunities, Advance Copies Of Forthcoming Titles And Much More At The Nation’s Largest Comics And Pop Culture Event

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, prepares to delight the young and young at heart with a variety of engaging activities, in-booth artists signings and other fun events presented by its Perfect Square imprint and aimed at fans of all ages at the 2014 Comic-Con International.

Comic-Con International is the nation’s biggest comic book, science fiction and pop culture event, and takes place July 23rd-27th at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813. Complete details on Comic-Con are available at: www.comic-con.org.

Perfect Square will present a range of activities and attractions each day throughout Comic-Con. Fans will also be able to purchase advance copies of several forthcoming Perfect Square titles ahead of their scheduled release dates later this summer. Notable titles that will be available during Comic-Con at the VIZ Media booth include BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG ($30.00) a special Comic-Con limited edition with foil-accented cover and gilded pages - only 250 made - don’t miss the chance to have it autographed by many of the CATBUG artists, including official Bravest Warriors comics artist Ian McGinty, Codename: Kids Next Door creator Mr. Warburton and Ben 10 Omniverse artists Jon Chad and Corin Howell (and more!) at exclusive in-booth signings; BRAVEST WARRIORS: CATBUG'S TREASURE BOOK ($13.00), a pictures-and-words journal, will be sold with a limited edition poster; HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40, a commemorative art book ($50.00) a special Comic-Con limited edition with foil-accented cover and gilded pages - only 250 copies printed - don’t miss the chance to have it signed by HELLO KITTY artists at the exclusive in-booth signing. Fans can also catch a variety of freebies and promo item giveaways throughout the convention along with manga samplers, posters, temporary tattoos, posters, postcards, buttons and more. Also don’t miss the return of the VIZ MEDIA convention tote bag, FREE with any purchase and available in four amazing colorful designs, including HELLO KITTY and UGLYDOLL!

Perfect Square Comic-Con Panels & Special Events:

Thursday July 24th

10:00AM & 4:00PM -UGLY DOLL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Drop by the VIZ Media booth for a photo with an UGLYDOLL pal!

Friday July 25th

10:00AM & 1:00PM - CATBUG VOICE ACTOR SAM LAVAGNINO
In-Booth Signing & Personal Appearance
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Meet the voice of Catbug, the breakout star of YouTube hit Bravest Warriors, and receive a signed art card!

4:00pm – 5:00pm - BRAVEST WARRIORS ARTIST SIGNING
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Meet talented artists including Stu Livingston, Mr. Warburton, Ian McGinty, Jon Chad and Inori Fukuda Trant for their brand new book, a seek-and-find style artbook featuring Catbug, the breakout star of the YouTube smash-hit BRAVEST WARRIORS series and get your VIZ Media BRAVEST WARRIORS book or sampler signed!

Saturday July 26th

10:00AM – 11:00AM -HELLO KITTY PHOTO OP & ARTIST SIGNING
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Join Hello Kitty and a team of talented artists from the forthcoming HELLO KITTY: HELLO 40 commemorative art book including Eisner-Award winning team Art & Franco, Babymouse creators Jennifer and Matt Holm and Long Tail Kitty creator Lark Pien for a special signing and photo opportunity!

Sunday July 27th

10:00AM – 11:00AM - HELLO KITTY PHOTO OP & ARTIST SIGNING
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Join Hello Kitty and her artist friends for a special second signing and photo opportunity. Fans can meet artists including Brianne Drouhard, Stephanie Gonzaga, Martin Hsu, and Chynna Clugston Flores. Copies of the forthcoming HELLO KITTY: HELLO 40 art book will also be available for sale and fans can have it autographed by the appearing artists.

1:00PM – 2:00PM - HELLO KITTY ARTIST SIGNING
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Meet talented HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40 contributors Corin Howell, Susie Ghahremani, Debbie Huey and Jacob Chabot, and get your limited edition copy signed!

2:00PM – 3:00PM - PERFECT SQUARE PRESENTS – MAKING KIDS COMICS AWESOME
Panel Discussion Room 32AB
Bring your kids and join creators and editors from across the industry for a lively roundtable. What are the challenges of entertaining different age levels at the same time?  Kids can also try their hand at pitching ideas, and hear how the panelists would craft those ideas into real comics, during a one-of-a-kind interactive Q&A. Featuring as moderator writer Tom Pinchuk (MAX STEEL) and as panelists, writer/artist Katie Cook (My Little Pony), writer Jenni L. Holm (Baby Mouse), editor Shannon Watters (kaBOOM!, Adventure Time), editor Sarah Gaydos (IDW Kids Comics) and writer/editor Joel Enos (BEN 10, Perfect Square).

VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint focuses on delivering original comics, manga (graphic novels) and other children’s books with an emphasis on strong storytelling, eye-popping graphics, empowering themes, and a dash of irreverence, that captures the imagination of a whole new generation.

Additional information on titles published by Perfect Square is available at www.PerfectSquare.com.

For more information on other manga titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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CraveOnline Celebrates TNT's "The Last Ship" at San Diego Comic-Con International 2014

CraveOnline and TNT’s The Last Ship Storm Comic-Con by Sea with Exclusive Concert Event, Featuring MGMT and Grimes, on the USS Midway

Comic-Con 2014

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evolve Media’s CraveOnline Media (http://www.craveonline.com), the largest online male lifestyle publisher, announced today their all new Comic-Con activation aboard San Diego’s USS Midway: CraveOnline Conquers the Con, in conjunction with TNT’s The Last Ship. On Friday, July 25, select guests will board the Comic-Con-adjacent aircraft carrier to enjoy cocktails, games, and most notably, performances by MGMT and Grimes. This is CraveOnline’s third online/offline co-promotion with TNT, and the second to take place at Comic-Con.

    “Throughout the entire planning process, our goal was to build an event that would not only cater to CraveOnline’s massive music and entertainment audiences, but to create an unforgettable experience—one that would distance us from the usual distractions surrounding Comic-Con”

Upon boarding the USS Midway, guests will step into a fully branded entryway, immersing themselves into the world of The Last Ship—TNT’s hit new post-apocalyptic series about the crew of a Navy destroyer searching for the cure to a global pandemic. Guests will then head through the similarly themed Science Lab, where footage from the show can be viewed. From there, they can partake in the Laser Maze, a laser-tag style target practice meant to take down intruders who threaten the cure. For a select group, refuge can be found in the TNT-hosted VIP Hangar Bay Lounge. Meanwhile, all guests are invited to peruse the Loot Lounge for specialty cocktails—and to then head to the main deck to have their photo taken in front of real fighter jets.

The evening will culminate with an opening DJ set by Grimes, followed by an exclusive performance from the Grammy Award-winning group MGMT on the CraveOnline stage.

Readers at home can keep up with complete coverage of the event, along with all Comic-Con news, on CraveOnline.com—which will display branded takeovers by TNT’s The Last Ship.

“This party is the perfect way to celebrate TNT’s The Last Ship, this year's #1 cable series,” said Tricia Melton, Senior Vice President of Entertainment Marketing and Branding for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We're excited to be joining forces with CraveOnline for a truly unique event onboard a vessel that mirrors the program perfectly. This party is certain to be an experience unlike any other at Comic-Con.”

“Throughout the entire planning process, our goal was to build an event that would not only cater to CraveOnline’s massive music and entertainment audiences, but to create an unforgettable experience—one that would distance us from the usual distractions surrounding Comic-Con,” said John Keefer, General Manager of CraveOnline and Vice President of Evolve Media. “Securing the USS Midway was crucial to visually set us apart, while our loyal friends at TNT have made it easy—and fun—to create a fantastically immersive experience. Exclusive concert sets by MGMT and Grimes will provide an exhilarating ending to an extraordinary night.”

For complete coverage of Comic-Con, as well as photos and videos of the event, please visit: http://www.craveonline.com/hub/comic-con.

About TNT's The Last Ship
This summer, TNT is topping the charts with its new action-packed drama series The Last Ship, starring Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy) and executive-produced by blockbuster filmmaker Michael Bay (Transformers). Airing Sundays at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), The Last Ship ranks as basic cable's #1 new series so far this year. The show takes place in the midst of a global catastrophe that nearly decimates the world's population. Because of its positioning, the Navy destroyer U.S.S. Nathan James avoids falling victim to the devastating tragedy. But now the crew and its captain must confront the reality of their new existence in a world where they may be among the few remaining survivors.

Dane stars as Captain Tom Chandler, a career Navy man who is authoritative and decisive, but also fair and courageous. A born leader and a loving father and husband, Chandler is respected and loved by the men and women under his command. The Last Ship also stars Rhona Mitra (Strike Back) as Rachel Scott, a strong-willed, intelligent and fearless paleomicrobiologist assigned to the Nathan James to investigate the cause of billions of deaths worldwide. Adam Baldwin (Firefly, Chuck) is Slattery, the ship's second-in-command who worries deeply about his family and occasionally clashes with Dane's Captain Chandler over the best course of action. The series also stars Travis Van Winkle (Heart of Dixie), Charles Parnell (Pariah), Christina Elmore (Fruitvale Station), Sam Spruell (Snow White and The Huntsman) and Marissa Neitling (Leverage).

The Last Ship is based on William Brinkley's popular novel and comes to TNT from Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and its partners, Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, whose credits include the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Bay, Fuller and Form serve as executive producers, along with showrunner Hank Steinberg (creator of Without a Trace, The Nine), Steven Kane (The Closer) and director Jack Bender (Lost).

About CraveOnline Media, LLC
CraveOnline (www.craveonline.com) is the #1 male lifestyle destination reaching men ages 18-34 featuring video, movies, TV, music, sports, games, cars, humor and more. As the largest male lifestyle publishing company, CraveOnline Media attracts over 26 million unique visitors per month. CraveOnline strives to get users the most up-to-date and coolest content on the web. For advertisers, CraveOnline produces custom, integrated media programs that leverage rich media, video, mobile and social in ways that allow the marketing message to be an uninterrupted part of the user experience. Recent brand advertisers include Schick, Wrigley, IKEA, Universal, LG, Nikon, Coke, Pepsi, Unilever. The company is based in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Toronto. CraveOnline is part of Evolve Media (www.evolvemediallc.com).

This is What VIZ Media Will Be Doing at San Diego Comic-Con International 2014

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES SHOW PROGRAMMING, PANEL EVENTS, SPECIAL GUESTS AND CONVENTION EXCLUSIVES FOR 2014 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

VIZ Media Hosts NARUTO Japanese Voice Actor And Offers A Weekend Of Collectable Giveaways, Convention Exclusive Items, Fun Booth Activities, Panel Discussions And Much More At The Nation’s Largest Comics And Pop Culture Event

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers a cornucopia of anime and manga delight to fans of all ages this year at the 2014 Comic-Con International. Attendees are invited to join a fun weekend in San Diego jam-packed with special events, in-booth giveaways, informative panel discussions, and other fun activities and convention exclusives.

Comic-Con International is the nation’s biggest comic book, science fiction and pop culture event, and takes place July 23rd-27th at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, CA. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 2813. Complete details on Comic-Con are available at: www.comic-con.org.

VIZ Media will host an array of panel discussions detailing a host of forthcoming releases, new acquisitions and other surprises from the company’s animation and publishing teams. Fans will not want to miss a very special appearance by Junko Takeuchi, the Japanese voice actress who provides the original voice for Naruto in the popular anime series. She will join the staff of VIZ Media’s WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP for a special panel discussion on NARUTO on Thursday, July 24th. Fans are also invited to attend the official SAILOR MOON panel, which will offer new information on the return of the legendary animated series to North America!

VIZ Media’s Booth 2813 on the Main Show Floor will be a continual hub of activity with special in-booth photo opportunities with an UGLYDOLL on Thursday, July 24th and everyone’s favorite cat-type robot from the future, DORAEMON, on Saturday July 25th. Fans can also catch freebies and promo item giveaways throughout the convention including posters, temporary tattoos, posters, postcards, buttons and more for popular series such as BLOOD LAD, DEADMAN WONDERLAND, SAILOR MOON and ONE-PUNCH MAN. And don’t miss the return of the VIZ MEDIA convention tote bag, FREE with any purchase, available in four amazing designs (while supplies last)!

Collectors also can browse an array of limited edition items and special convention exclusives that will be offered for sale in the VIZ Media booth throughout Comic-Con (while supplies last). Notable items include ONE PIECE Exclusive Replica Manga Art ($15.00); Limited Edition BRAVEST WARRIORS: THE SEARCH FOR CATBUG ($35.00), with foil-accented slipcover and gilded page edges only 250 made - don’t miss the chance to have it signed by the artists at the exclusive in-booth signing; BRAVEST WARRIORS: CATBUG'S TREASURE BOOK ($15.00); HELLO KITTY, HELLO 40 Commemorative Art Book (50.00) only 250 printed with foil-accented slipcover and gilded page edges - don’t miss the chance to have it signed by HELLO KITTY artists at the exclusive in-booth signing; exclusive Gecco NARUTO SHIPPUDEN figure ($150.00); and Cryptozoic’s NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Trading Card Game Presale ($50.00).

Also catch special advance pre-sales of several forthcoming new VIZ Media titles including FOOD WARS, Vol. 1 ($10.00), BLACK ROSE ALICE ($10.00) and THE ART OF PRINCESS MONOKOE ($35.00) ahead of their street date releases later this summer.  Don’t miss the latest WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Jump Pack ($20.00) that contains more than 100 pages of the world’s most popular featured series and a limited edition YU-GI-OH! card “Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Evening Twilight,” as well as a special bonus exclusive game mat free with purchase (while supplies last)!

VIZ Media Comic-Con Panels & Special Events:

Thursday July 24th

10:00AM and 4:00PM - UGLYDOLL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Drop by the VIZ Media booth for a photo with an UGLYDOLL pal!

10:00AM – 11:30AM - SHONEN JUMP PRESENTS: NARUTO
Room 8
NARUTO is one of the world’s most popular manga series, with over 60 best-selling volumes published. Get all the latest news and more at this super-sized panel, featuring guests from VIZ Media, Bandai Namco Games (Daisuke Koumoto, producer of the upcoming NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM REVOLUTION) and a special guest Junko Takeuchi, Japanese voice of Naruto!

4:00PM – 5:00PM - VIZ MEDIA PANEL
Room 7AB
Get the latest updates & exciting news from VIZ Media staff on your favorite manga and anime! There will be free manga for attendees (while supplies last)!

Friday July 25th

10:00AM – 1:00PM - CATBUG VOICE ACTOR SAM LAVAGNINO
In-Booth Signing & Personal Appearance
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Meet the voice of Catbug, the breakout star of YouTube hit Bravest Warriors, and get a signed art card!

10:00AM – 11:00AM - VIZ MEDIA ANIMATION PANEL Feat. NEON ALLEY
Room 25ABC
Find out all that's new and awesome with the VIZ Media animation team and the free streaming site Neon Alley! Bring all your anime questions because they will be there to answer them!

Saturday July 26th

12:30PM – 1:30PM - OFFICAL SAILOR MOON PANEL
Room 5AB
VIZ Media is releasing the complete classic SAILOR MOON series for the first time on Blu-ray and with an all-new English dub! Join members of the VIZ Media animation team and learn all about this legendary anime series!

12:30PM - DORAEMON PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
VIZ Media Booth #2813
Get a hug and take a picture with everyone’s favorite cat-type robot from the future, DORAEMON!

Sunday July 27th

2:00PM – 3:00PM - PERFECT SQUARE PRESENTS – MAKING KIDS COMICS AWESOME
Room 32AB
Bring your kids along, or just your inner child, and join an eclectic group of creators and editors for a lively roundtable that will get you laughing, learning and looking at the craft of all-ages comics in a whole new way!

Other Notable VIZ Media In-Booth Events:

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Deck Building Game Demo
Check the daily booth schedule for a chance to try out the new card game debuting from Cryptozoic at SDCC!

In-Booth Signing and Photo-Op: HELLO KITTY
Join Hello Kitty herself and graphic novel artists for a special signing and photo opportunity!

Saturday, July 26th 10AM: features Jenni Holm, Matt Holm, Art Baltazar, Franco Aureliani, Lark Pien

Sunday, July 27th at 10AM: features Brianne Drouhard, Stephanie Gonzaga, Martin Hsu, Chynna Clugston Flores, Susie Ghahremani

Jacob Chabot will also be available Sunday July 27th at 1PM!

In-Booth Signing: BRAVEST WARRIORS
Meet the talented contributors for the brand new books based off of the YouTube smash-hit series and get your VIZ Media BRAVEST WARRIOR book or comic sampler signed!

Friday, July 25th at 4:00PM: features Stu Livingston, Tom Warburton, Jon Chad, Ian McGinty

Sunday, July 27th at 1:00PM: features Corin Howell and Inori Fukuda Trant,

In-Booth Signing: NARUTO Figure Sculptor Shin Tanabe
Thursday, July 24th & Friday July 25th at 2:30PM
Meet Gecco figure Sculptor Shin Tanabe, creator of the Comic-Con exclusive NARUTO SHIPPUDEN figure and get your limited edition figure signed!

RANMA ½ Plinko
Available Throughout Comic-Con
Try your luck at our RANMA ½ Plinko board for a chance to win a limited edition Comic-Con only RANMA ½ water bottle! Check the daily booth schedule for times to play!

For more information on VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.

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(Girl) Thor Drawn by Chris Samnee

Review: "Blue Jasmine" Filled with Superb Performances

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 35 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Blue Jasmine (2013)
Running time:  98 minutes (1 hour, 38 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for mature thematic material, language and sexual content
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Woody Allen
PRODUCERS:  Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, and Edward Walson
CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Javier Aguirresarobe
EDITOR:  Alisa Lepselter
Academy Award winner

DRAMA

Starring:  Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins, Alec Baldwin, Andrew Dice Clay, Bobby Cannavale, Louis C.K., Peter Sarsgaard, Daniel Jenks, Max Rutherford, Max Casella, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Alden Ehren

Blue Jasmine is a 2013 drama written and directed by Woody Allen.  The film follows a rich Manhattan socialite, fallen on hard times, who moves to San Francisco to live with her sister, with her troubles in tow.

Jasmine (Cate Blanchett) was a New York socialite, married to hugely successful real estate developer, Hal Francis (Alec Baldwin).  Jasmine, whose real name is Jeanette, leads a life of luxury and leisure, but Hal’s business is based on fraud.  After Hal is sent to prison, she loses everything (home, money, status, etc.).  Jasmine travels to San Francisco where she will move in with her sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins), a single mother of two boys, Matthew (Daniel) and Johnny (Max).

Jasmine’s arrival is an imposition, as Ginger had planned to allow her fiancé, Chili (Bobby Cannavale), to move in with her.  Hal’s fraudulent dealings also cost Ginger and her ex-husband, Augie (Andrew Dice Clay), a lot of money and financially ruined them.  Deeply troubled and in denial about the past, Jasmine looks fabulous, but her looks hide the fact that she isn’t bringing anything good to her new home.

Blue Jasmine is not only one of Woody Allen’s best screenplays of the last decade, but it also features some of his best characters ever.  In a way, their motivations and emotions are so obvious that they could be described as wearing their hearts on their sleeves.  On the other side of that, each character is also inscrutable, because what goes on inside their heads (thinking and thought processes) is largely a mystery.

Jeanette “Jasmine” Francis is the most inscrutable of all, and as Jasmine, Cate Blanchett gives what may be the best performance of her career.  That says a lot in a career full of incredible performances.  Jasmine is that rare instance when an actor brings to life a fully realized character that seems to devour everything that the actor is.  Blanchett also makes sure that there are no easy answers to Jasmine, who denies the past, but is inexorably trapped in it.

Sally Hawkins as Ginger manages to keep up with Blanchett, and in every scene that Ginger shares with Jasmine, Hawkins makes her character just as compelling.  Prepare to be surprised by the multi-dimensional performance by Andrew Dice Clay as Ginger’s ex-husband, Augie.  I was a huge fan of Clay when he was a blazing, red-hot, stand-up comic in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but his heartbreaking turn as the deeply wounded Augie is still a surprise to me.

I have read that some critics see Blue Jasmine as Woody Allen’s take on Tennessee William’s legendary play, A Streetcar Named Desire, as they share similar elements.  If this is true, Allen made Blue Jasmine worthy of being compared to the masterwork that is William’s play.  Even movie audiences who are not usually fans of Allen’s films should see the exceptional Blue Jasmine.

8 of 10
A

Friday, July 18, 2014

NOTES:
2014 Academy Awards, USA:  1 win: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” (Cate Blanchett); 2 nominations: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Sally Hawkins) and “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Woody Allen)

2014 Golden Globes, USA:  1 win: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Cate Blanchett); 1 nomination: “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Sally Hawkins)

2014 BAFTA Awards:  1 win: “Best Leading Actress” (Cate Blanchett); 2 nominations: “Best Original Screenplay” (Woody Allen) and “Best Supporting Actress” (Sally Hawkins)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: European Actors Shine in Woody Allen's "To Rome with Love"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 34 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

To Rome with Love (2012)
Running time:  112 minutes (1 hour, 52 minutes)
MPAA – R for some sexual references
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Woody Allen
PRODUCERS:  Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Faruk Alatan, and Giampaolo Letta
CINEMATOGRAPHERS:  Darius Khondji
EDITOR:  Alisa Lepselter

ROMANCE/COMEDY with elements of fantasy

Starring:  Woody Allen, Judy Davis, Flavio Parenti, Alison Pill, Fabio Armiliato, Alessandro Tiberi, Alessandra Mastronardi, Penelope Cruz, Antonio Albanese, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page, Alec Baldwin, and Roberto Benigni

To Rome with Love is a 2012 romantic comedy written and directed by Woody Allen.  Like other Allen films, To Rome with Love has magical realist elements.  To Rome with Love follows a small group of visitors and residents of Rome and focuses on their romances and adventures and the predicaments into which they get themselves.

To Rome with Love tells four unrelated stories.  Hayley (Alison Pill), an American tourist, falls in love with Italian pro bono lawyer and Rome resident, Michelangelo (Flavio Parenti), and they become engaged.  Hayley’s parents, Jerry and Phyllis (Woody Allen and Judy Davis), arrive in Rome to meet Michelangelo and his parents.  Jerry, a retired opera director, discovers that Michelangelo’s father, Giancarlo (Fabio Armiliato), has a wonderful operatic voice, so Jerry decides to make Giancarlo an opera star in spite of everyone’s protests against that.

Newlyweds Antonio (Alessandro Tiberi) and Milly (Alessandra Mastronardi) arrive in Rome from their rustic hometown.  They are supposed to meet Antonio’s well-connected and posh uncles who have lined up a fantastic job interview for him.  However, Antonio and Milly get separated.  Antonio is accidentally forced into an encounter with a gorgeous prostitute named Anna (Penelope Cruz).  Milly meets her favorite actor, Luchino “Luca” Salta (Antonio Albanese), who immediately begins to plot to have sex with the young wife.

John Foy (Alec Baldwin) is visiting Rome and meets Jack (Jesse Eisenberg), a young architecture student.  Jack lives with his girlfriend, Sally (Greta Gerwig).  Sally’s friend, Monica (Ellen Page), a pretentious young actress, arrives in Rome to visit them.  John warns Jack about falling in love with Monica…  Finally, ordinary business man, Leopold Pisanello (Roberto Benigni), suddenly gains an extraordinary life.

To Rome with Love is a romantic, comic, and romantic comedy romp through Rome.  It is not by any means a great film, but this movie does have a kind a charm that I cannot explain.  The American actors are mostly stiff, but Allen does not give them particularly flexible characters.  There is, however, this one great moment when Alec Baldwin’s John gives Ellen Page’s Monica a fantastic death stare.  There is something potent, electric, and maybe even dangerous in this one stare that I wish the rest of the John-Jack-Sally-Monica storyline had.

On the opposite side, the European actors sparkle.  Allen gives them the best characters and also better subplots than he gives the Americans.  The Europeans get inside the shallow characters Allen gives them and make them less shallow and more attractive. One example of this is Antonio Albanese.  Bald at the top of his head and somewhat pudgy, Albanese makes Luca Salta an alluring, sexy man, which in turn makes the idea of Salta as a movie star convincing.

Penelope Cruz, who won a supporting actress Oscar for her performance in an earlier Woody Allen film (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), gives To Rome with Love’s best performance.  She deserved another supporting actor Oscar nomination (at least) for her work here.  When her Anna is onscreen, this film seems to sparkle with new energy because that is what Cruz does – enliven things.  She is an excellent actress and is also quite the spitfire.

I will recommend To Rome with Love to fans of both Woody Allen and Penelope Cruz.  It is not great, but it is worth seeing.

6 of 10
B

Tuesday, July 08, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" a Nice Ode to 1940s Era Films

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 255 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
Running time:  103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some sexual content
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Woody Allen
PRODUCER:  Letty Aronson
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Zhao Fei
EDITOR:  Alisa Lepselter

COMEDY/CRIME/MYSTERY/ROMANCE

Starring:  Woody Allen, Helen Hunt, Dan Aykroyd, Brian Markinson, Elizabeth Berkley, Wallace Shawn, Charlize Theron, David Ogden Stiers, and Carol Bayeux

The subject of this movie review is The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, a 2001 romance, crime-comedy and mystery film from writer-director Woody Allen.  The film follows an insurance investigator and an efficiency expert, both hypnotized into stealing jewels by a crooked hypnotist using a jade scorpion.

New York City – 1940:  C.W. Briggs (Woody Allen) is the top insurance investigator for North Coast Casualty and Fidelity of New York, and he is his boss, Chris Magruder’s (Dan Aykroyd) go-to-guy when it comes to solving the thefts of high value items that North Coast is insuring.  C.W. has also been sparring with the company’s latest hire, Betty Ann Fitzgerald (Helen Hunt), an efficiency expert with an eye on putting C.W. in his place.

At a dinner party, a crooked hypnotist named Voltan (David Ogden Stiers) uses a jeweled charm, the Jade Scorpion, to hypnotize C.W. and Betty Ann.  Soon, the combative co-workers are babbling like love struck kids.  Their colleagues think this is some kind of clever hypnosis gag, so no one realizes that Voltan has placed C.W. and Betty Ann under a post-hypnotic suggestion.  Voltan controls C.W. and makes the insurance investigator use his professional skills and inside information to steal a fortune in jewels from two prominent families that have insured their treasure with North Coast.  With the police after him for the robberies, will C.W. ever get a clue that he’s a hypnotized dupe?

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is Woody Allen’s delightful ode to movies from the 1940’s, like his delightful 1987 movie, Radio Days, was.  Jade is a nod to the light mystery films of the 40’s, but here, this material isn’t particularly strong, although the acting is quite good and gives the movie a sense of earnest fun.  The entire cast seems up to recreating both the style and ambience of 40’s era movies and the characters in them, and that’s a credit to Allen’s direction.

Helen Hunt is spicy as Betty Ann Fitzgerald, and she makes an excellent foil for Allen’s C.W. Briggs, who is the typical wisecracking character Allen plays in his comedies.  Charlize Theron glams it up to create the sexy, bold, and randy Laura Kensington, a character with an unfortunately too small part because she gives this flick a much-needed kick in the rear every time she’s on screen.  Brian Markinson, Elizabeth Berkley, and Wallace Shawn also add the right touches to their parts and add flavor to this film.

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion isn’t great Allen, nor is it anywhere nearly as good as Radio Days.  It’s a minor, but good Allen flick that will entertain Allen fans to one extent or another.

6 of 10
B

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Updated:  Monday, May 19, 2014

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

VIZ Media Announces New English Dub Cast for "Sailor Moon"

VIZ MEDIA UNVEILS NEW ENGLISH DUB CAST FOR THE LEGENDARY SAILOR MOON

Pre-Orders Available Soon For Season 1 Part 1 On Special Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, Coming November 11th

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, unveiled the brand new English voice cast for SAILOR MOON to a packed audience of enthusiastic fans at the 2014 Anime Expo in Los Angeles. The company also announced that preorders would be available soon for Blu-ray and DVD for the first home media release of the series that hits retailers on November 11th, making these sets an ideal purchase for the coming Holiday season.  

VIZ Media has licensed all 5 seasons of the original SAILOR MOON anime series (rated ‘TV-PG’), spanning 200 episodes, as well as all three feature films and specials. As part of the return of the series, VIZ Media is releasing SAILOR MOON , restored for the modern Blu-ray format, with its original un-cropped 4x3 aspect ratio using the original Japanese character names, story elements and relationships, but with an all-new, uncut English dub approved by the original creator, featuring a English voice cast consisting of fan favorites, seasoned talent and exciting new voices. The new production is produced by Jamie Simone and Rita Majkut, with Suzanne Goldish as Voice Director.

The New SAILOR MOON English Cast Includes:
Usagi Tsukino / Sailor Moon – Stephanie Sheh
Ami Mizuno / Sailor Mercury – Kate Higgins
Rei Hino / Sailor Mars – Christina Vee
Makoto Kino / Sailor Jupiter – Amanda Miller
Minako Aino / Sailor Venus – Cherami Leigh
Mamoru Chiba / Tuxedo Mask – Robbie Daymond

The SAILOR MOON Supporting Cast Includes:
Luna – Michelle Ruff
Artemis – Johnny Yong Bosch
Naru Osaka – Danielle Nicole
Gurio Umino – Ben Diskin
Ikuku Tsukino – Tara Platt
Kenji Tsukino – Keith Silverstein
Shingo Tsukino – Nicolas Roye
Queen Beryl – Cindy Robinson
Jadite – Todd Haberkom
Nephrite – Liam O’Brien
Zoicite – Lucien Dodge
Kunzite – Patrick Seitz

VIZ Media also thrills fans as it presents SAILOR MOON for the first time, uncut and re-mastered, on Blu-ray and DVD. Pre-orders are now available for Season One, Part 1 (Episodes 1-23) of SAILOR MOON in a special Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, as well as a Standard Edition DVD-only release. Watch our social media channels for coming information on how you can be among the first to secure your home media order for SAILOR MOON, which will debut on November 11th. Fans who preorder at RightStuf.com and select anime specialty retailers will receive a limited edition collectible memorial coin for Season One Part 1 (while supplies last), first in a series of 5 that features Usagi’s transformation brooch and iconic phrase! The coin is 1.5” diameter in size, and made from sturdy gold-tone metal.   

SAILOR MOON Limited Edition Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Season One Part One · Available November 11 · Preorders Available Soon!

Special set contains 23 episodes on 3 Blu-ray discs and 3 DVDs that are packaged in a premium shimmery rainbow foil-accented chipboard box. Set also includes a collectable full-color 88-page SAILOR MOON booklet filled with art, character profiles, episode guides and more. Episodes are presented in 1080p High Definition with a 4x3 native aspect ratio, and English and Japanese stereo audio and available English subtitles; a ‘signs and songs’ subtitle track will also be included. An interactive art gallery along with an exclusive all-new behind the scenes footage and special SAILOR MOON convention panel footage and trailers are also included. Packaging art will be unveiled soon.  

SAILOR MOON Standard Edition DVD Set Season One Part One · Available November 11 · Preorders Available Soon!

Set features Season One, Part 1 (Episodes 1-23) on 3 DVDs offered in a full-color, elegant foil-accented O-card cover package. English and Japanese stereo audio is available, along with English subtitles and a ‘signs and songs’ subtitle track. Standard DVD set also includes an announcement convention reel. Packaging art will be unveiled soon. 

Also don’t miss brand new remastered episodes of SAILOR MOON, available now on Hulu and NeonAlley.com, VIZ Media’s consolidated online destination for FREE streaming anime content in the U.S.! Two new episodes (subtitled) debut each Monday.

The smash hit SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoko Takeuchi (published in North America by Kodansha). In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a cheerful 14-year-old schoolgirl who often finds herself in unwanted trouble. One day, she saves a talking cat named Luna from some mean kids, and her life is changed forever. Luna gives Usagi a magic brooch that transforms her into Sailor Moon, defender of love and justice! Now Usagi must work with Luna to find the other Sailor Guardians and the Moon Princess, whose Legendary Silver Crystal is Earth’s only hope against the dark forces of the evil Queen Beryl!    

Additional information on Neon Alley is available at: www.NeonAlley.com.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for July 13 to July 19, 2014 - Update #14

MOVIE NEWS:

From Variety:  Paramount Pictures has picked F. Javier Gutierrez to direct "The Ring 3."  No word on the return of Naomi Watts, the star of the The Ring and The Ring Part 2.

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From EW's InsideMovies:  An oral history of The Terminator, 30 years after its release.  Gwynne Watkins at Yahoo takes a look at that oral history.

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From THR:  What the critics are saying about Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel's Sex Tape.

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From CSMonitor:  Hit-Girl a/k/a Chloe Grace Moretz will provide the voice in the English-language version of the Japanese animated film, "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya."  Due in October of this year, the film is a production of Studio Ghibli and is directed by the studio's co-founder, Isao Takahata.

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From YahooFinance:  Rupert Mudoch wants HBO so badly that he's willing to buy TimeWarner to get it.  And it's also a bid to destroy Netflix.

-----------------
From Variety:  More on the Travis McGee movie with James Mangold directing and maybe with Christian Bale.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  Once upon a time, maybe 20 years ago, I read on of late author, John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee novels.  I loved it.  So I am somewhat exited to hear that 20th Century Fox is looking to bring the character to the big screen.  I am not that crazy about Christian Bale as McGee, as the actor is in early talks to play the character.  James Mangold as director?  He could do something good with this.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  ABC is extending its deal with Oscar-winning screenwriter, John Ridley (12 Years a Slave).

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From TheWrap:  Legendary will be at Comic-Con International 2014 to tease Guillermo del Toro's 2015 film, "Crimson Peak" about that "breathes, bleeds...and remembers."

-------------------
From TheWrap:  Did not know that the 1995 film, 12 Monkeys, is being adapted/re-imagined into a TV series for the Syfy channel.  I'm semi-interested.

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From CNBC:  Disney could rake in the cash for Guardians of the Galaxy.  I think that if this movie is a big hit, the people who were the decision makers at Sony, rumored to be interested in buying Marvel before Disney did, should be beaten by the stockholders.

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From eonline:  Yeah, she probably is a bitch and her mama, too!

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From WebProNews:  This leaked photo of a muzzled raptor from "Jurassic World" is making the rounds.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (20th Century Fox) wins the July 11-13, 2014 box office with an estimated domestic box office take of $73 million.  That is nearly $20 million better than 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes (which I loved).  I'm surprised because I wondered if larger number of people would want more Planet of the Apes this soon, if at all.

Meanwhile, North American box office was down from the same weekend in 2013, and is down as a whole from last year.

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From the BBC:  Lindsay Lohan promises to show up for work on time at the West End in London.

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COMIC BOOKS and COMIC BOOK MOVIE NEWS:

From EW's InsideMovies:  Wentworth Miller of "Prison Break" is the villain "Captain Cold" in The CW's Fall series, "The Flash."

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From EW Popwatch:  News on changes for the Avengers in Marvel Comics' "Avengers NOW" event.

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From EW Popwatch:  Marvel Comics is killing Wolverine, beginning this September.

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From Wall Street CheatSheet:  Six DC characters headed to the big screen.

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From Variety:  Deborah Ann Woll of "True Blood" will play Karen Page on Marvel/Netflix's "Daredevil" series.

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From TheBeat:  Heidi on the secret history of girls reading comics.

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From TheWrap:  New writers to polish "Ant-Man" screenplay.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  I was watching "The View" this morning when Whoopi Goldberg broke the news that Marvel's Thor, a male character, will become a female character.  THR has more details.

------------------
From ComicBookMovie:  Kate Mara, who will play Sue Storm a/k/a Invisible Woman, says that Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot will not be based on any existing Fantastic Four comic book story.

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From Hitfix:  Oh, and no "Hellboy 3."


TV NEWS:
Review of "The Strain" - TheHollywoodReporter (apparently the first few episodes).


OBITS:

From Variety:  Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning actress, Elaine Stritch, has died at the age of 89.


MISC:

From Yahoo:  The Hollywood Reporter magazine did a feature on the first former NFL star to come out as gay, David Kopay.  There are apparently plans to rerelease his best-selling memoir, The David Kopay Story (1977) .

From TheVillageVoice: an alternate history of rap and Hip-Hop.

Also from TheVillageVoice:  How Bob Marley became a "Legend."

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From TheHill:  President Obama stresses out the Secret Service

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From ThinkProgress via ReaderSupportedNews: How Deputy Erick Gelhaus got away with killing a child named Andy Lopez.  We knew this would happen, but Nick Flatow talks about how it happened.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  Radiohead to begin work on 9th album in September.  Last album was "The King of Limbs" in 2011.

Happy Birthday, Neil!

Hope you have a great day, and many, many, many more Happy Birthdays.

Review: 1940 "Pride and Prejudice" is Bubbly (Remembering Jane Austen)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 243 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux

Pride and Prejudice (1940) – B&W
Running time:  118 minutes (1 hour, 58 minutes)
DIRECTOR:  Robert Z. Leonard
WRITERS:  Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin (based upon Helen Jerome’s dramatization of Jane Austen’s novel)
PRODUCER:  Hunt Stromberg
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Karl Freund
EDITOR:  Robert Kern
COMPOSER:  Herbert Stothart
Academy Award winner

COMEDY/DRAMA/ROMANCE

Starring:  Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Rutherford, Frieda Inescort, Edmund Gwenn, Karen Morely, Heather Angel, Marsha Hunt, Bruce Lester, Edward Ashley, and Melville Cooper

The subject of this movie review is Pride and Prejudice, a 1940 comedy, drama, and romance from director Robert Z. Leonard (The Great Ziegfeld).  The film is based on Pride and Prejudice, the novel by Jane Austen that was first published in 1813.

However, the screenplay is adapted from Pride and Prejudice: A Sentimental Comedy Written in Three Acts.  This was a stage adaptation of Austen’s novel that was written by Helen Jerome and was played on Broadway in 1935.  Aldous Huxley, the English writer who is best known for his novel, Brave New World (1932), is one of this film’s two screenwriters.  The 1940 film also deviates from the novel, including a change in the time period in which the story takes place.

Status-conscious Mrs. Bennet (Mary Boland) is eager to marry her five daughters, while Mr. Bennet (Edmund Gwenn) would just love a peaceful home.  The Bennets however are middle class and “penniless,” so when two upper class men become interested in her eldest daughters, Elizabeth (Greer Garson) and Jane (Maureen O’Sullivan), a furious class war begins.

The strong-willed Elizabeth or Lizzy runs up against the proud and arrogant Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier), a man with a large fortune.  Jane falls for Charles Bingley (Bruce Lester), whose sister, Caroline (Frieda Inescort), holds the Bennets in disdain.  Although she continuously rebuffs her suitor, Lizzy can’t help but be attracted to the smoldering Darcy, even if she is prejudiced against his prideful ways.

Warner Bros.’s DVD box set of MGM literary adaptation, Motion Picture Masterpieces, offers many delights, and I’ve been waiting a long time for one in particular: Pride and Prejudice, MGM’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s much-loved (and much filmed) novel.  This version is largely unfaithful to Austen’s book (being as the movie is adapted from an adaptation of the original novel), but this is still highly entertaining.  The film is a comic romance and light drama, with Austen’s biting insults turned into witty banter fit for a comedy and romance.  Mannered melodrama also passes as dramatic turmoil and conflict.  Still, this lively movie almost makes one forget literary accuracies.  I found myself thrilling to the amusing twists, childish feuds, and slight class warfare, as I waited for the inevitable happy ending.

Greer Garson plays Lizzy Bennet as a strong and independent woman who can give both severe and playful rebukes.  Initially, Laurence Olivier’s Mr. Darcy comes across as supremely aloof.  That is before he turns the character more benign than petty, and Darcy’s off-putting aloofness becomes delightfully aloof.  Until the 1990’s, Olivier can be considered the supreme cinematic interpreter of an Austen male character.

Surprisingly, MGM, in a bid to keep Pride and Prejudice’s budget modest, reused many of the costumes Walter Plunkett designed for Gone with the Wind, so some of women of Pride and Prejudice look like Southern belles.  However, famed MGM designer Adrian created gowns for the film’s principals, and Gile Steele designed handsome and lavish suits for the men.  Pride and Prejudice won an Oscar for its art direction (for a black and white film), and the movie’s setting and backdrops represent the best of what MGM’s 1930’s-40’s dream factory could do when it came to production values.

So when such gorgeous production values are added to witty repartee, lovable characters, and bubbly comic romance, the viewer usually gets a winner and that is what Pride and Prejudice is – a winner and a personal favorite of mine.

7 of 10
A-

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Updated:  Friday, July 18, 2014

NOTES:
1941 Academy Awards, USA:  1 win: “Best Art Direction, Black-and-White” (Cedric Gibbons and Paul Groesse)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

REJECTED! Time Warner's Offical Statement Concerning 21st Century Fox

Time Warner Inc. Rejects Unsolicited Proposal from Twenty-First Century Fox

Board Confident in Time Warner Strategy to Continue Delivering Stockholder Value

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) today confirmed that it rejected a proposal from Twenty-First Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company for a combination of 1.531 of Twenty-First Century Fox Class A non-voting common shares and $32.42 in cash per share (the " Proposal").

The Time Warner Board, after consultation with its financial and legal advisors, determined that it was not in the best interests of Time Warner or its stockholders to accept the Proposal or to pursue any discussions with Twenty-First Century Fox. The Board is confident that continuing to execute its strategic plan will create significantly more value for the Company and its stockholders and is superior to any proposal that Twenty-First Century Fox is in a position to offer.

In making its determination, the Time Warner Board considered, among other things, that:

1.     The execution of Time Warner’s strategic plan will continue to drive significant and sustainable value for Time Warner stockholders;
2.     The unique value of Time Warner’s industry-leading businesses including its portfolio of networks and its film studio and television production business is only going to increase;
3.     There is significant risk and uncertainty as to the valuation of Twenty-First Century Fox’s non-voting stock and Twenty-First Century Fox’s ability to govern and manage a combination of the size and scale of Twenty-First Century Fox and Time Warner; and
4.     There are considerable strategic, operational, and regulatory risks to executing a combination with Twenty-First Century Fox.

Time Warner’s Board also noted the consistent track record of Time Warner’s proven management team in achieving superior returns as well as completing a series of transactions to unlock value in related businesses, including the separation of AOL, Time Warner Cable, and Time Inc. Under its strategic plan, Time Warner has delivered a total shareholder return of more than 150% since 2008, almost tripling the return of the S&P 500 over the same period, as management has pursued a disciplined approach to position the Company as a global leader in media and entertainment while managing its operations and capital structure to maximize shareholder returns.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Time Warner. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is acting as legal advisor to Time Warner.

ABOUT TIME WARNER INC.
Time Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with businesses in television networks and film and TV entertainment, uses its industry-leading operating scale and brands to create, package and deliver high-quality content worldwide on a multi-platform basis.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the operation of Time Warner businesses. More detailed information about these factors may be found in filings by Time Warner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Time Warner is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any such obligation, to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

FOX's Official Statement About its Attempted Merger with Time Warner

21st Century Fox Confirms Proposal to Combine with Time Warner Inc.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--21st Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) today issued the following statement confirming press reports that it made a proposal to combine with Time Warner Inc.:

“21st Century Fox can confirm that we made a formal proposal to Time Warner last month to combine the two companies. The Time Warner Board of Directors declined to pursue our proposal. We are not currently in any discussions with Time Warner."

About 21st Century Fox
21st Century Fox is the world's premier portfolio of cable, broadcast, film, pay TV and satellite assets spanning six continents across the globe. Reaching more than 1.5 billion subscribers in approximately 50 local languages every day, 21st Century Fox is home to a global portfolio of cable and broadcasting networks and properties, including FOX, FX, FXX, FXM, FS1, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX Sports, Fox Sports Network, National Geographic Channels, MundoFox, STAR India, 28 local television stations in the U.S. and more than 300 channels that comprise Fox International Channels; film studio Twentieth Century Fox Film; and television production studios Twentieth Century Fox Television and Shine Group. The Company also provides premium content to millions of subscribers through its pay-television services in Europe and Asia, including Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia and its equity interests in BSkyB and Tata Sky. For more information about 21st Century Fox, please visit www.21CF.com.