Thursday, December 26, 2019

"Star Wars: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER" (Episode IX) - A Negromancer Link-O-Rama - Update #63

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REVIEW - From Patreon:  My review of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

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NEWS:

From Variety:  "The Rise of Skywalker" has the second-best Christmas Day box office ever, grossing 32 million dollars.  The best Christmas Day box office record is held by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with 49 million dollar.

From ComicBook:  All the cameos in "The Rise of Skywalker" you might have missed.

From IndieWire:  John Boyega says his character "Finn" was never going to tell "Rey" (played by Daisy Ridley) that he loves her.

From Yahoo:  What was Finn going to tell Rey?  J.J. tells us.

From Variety:  "The Rise of Skywalker" wins its opening weekend at the box office with an estimated gross of $175.5 million.

From YahooNews:  "The Rise of Skywalker" grosses $40 million in the U.S. and Canada during Thursday night preview showings.

From YahooMovies:  Late in "The Rise of Skywalker," two women kiss, marking the first on-screen lesbian kiss in "Star Wars" films.  Of course, some people are bothered... because they wanted Finn and Poe to kiss.

From Variety:  Catch some exclusive behind-the-scenes "The Return of Skywalker" video at Amazon.

From Deadline:  With the help of Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger helped facilitate a dying Star Wars fan's wish to see "The Rise of Skywalker."  The film was shown, via laptop, to a patient at Rowan's Hospice in Hampshire, England, this week.

From YahooGMA:   John Boyega a.k.a. "Finn" admits that it was his copy of "The Rise of Skywalker" script that ended up on eBay.

From Esquire:  Billy Dee Williams Explains What Lando Has Been Up to Since Return of the Jedi

From YahooMoviesUK:  The writers of "The Rise of Skywalker" took notes from "Star Wars" creator, George Lucas.

From Esquire:  The enduring intergalactic cool of Billy Dee Williams.

From ComicBook:  See the "Sith Troopers" in this photographic image in "Empire" magazines.

From TheWrap:  A real script for "The Rise of Skywalker" ended up on eBay after an actor left it under his bed where a cleaner found it.  Lucasfilm and Disney bought it.

From EW:  The magazine interviews "The Rise of Skywalker" director J.J. Abrams.

From YahooMoviesUK:  "The Rise of Skywalker" international poster debuts.

From YahooPeople:   J.J. Abrams says that the trailers of "The Rise of Skywalker" have only scratched the surface of the actual movie.

From Newsarama:  Disney/Lucasfilm has released 12 new characters posters from "The Rise of Skywalker."

From RollingStone:   Lucasfilm president, Kathleen Kennedy, talks about "The Rise of Skywalker" and the future of "Star Wars."

From CBR:  Colin Trevorrow ("Jurassic World") was originally going to direct "Star Wars IX," until he was fired.  However, he will reportedly get a "story by" credit on "The Rise of Skywalker."

From ScreenRant:  Before Carrie Fisher died, Princess Leia was going to the "the Last Jedi" in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From EW:  The site offers: "What we know about Emperor Palpatine — and how he could impact Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"

From Newsarama:  It is apparently official.  The final trailer for "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" will debut during halftime of ESPN's "Monday Night Football" on Monday, Oct. 21st.

From StarWarsNewsNet:  There is a news that the next trailer for "The Rise of Skywalker" will debut Monday, Oct. 21st during the halftime show of "Monday Night Football" on ESPN.  The game will feature the reigning Super Bowl champions New England Patriots at the New York Jets.

From TheWrap:  "The Wrap" says that it's weird that we don't know what "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is about.

From Newsarama:  A preview of "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance" from Marvel Comics on Oct. 9th.

From Inverse:   New "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" marketing may reveal spoilers.

New YahooMoviesUK:  New art about the "Knights of Ren" revealed.

From Newsarama:  StarWars.com introduces a new character for "The Rise of Skywalker," the tiny alien, "Babu Frik."

From Newsarama:  Disney announces the companies with which it will team up to promote "The Rise of Skywalker."

From EW:  At D23 Expo, Lucasfilm revealed a new poster for "The Rise of Skywalker."  New footage from the film was also revealed, but will still have to wait for the release of a full trailer.

From Inverse:  Apparently, the upcoming book, "Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi" reveals that only a "select few" Jedi know the secret of becoming a "Force Ghost."  Could this info have an effect on "The Rise of Skywalker."

From Esquire:  There is a new leak from "The Return of Skywalker" that appears to confirm Rey's origin.

From io9:   In a video for Wired, Daisy Ridley ("Rey") promises "one of the most epic" lightsaber battles in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From CBR:  "Jurassic World" director Colin Trevorrow was once slated to direct Star Wars Episode IX before he was fired.  In a recent interview, actress Daisy Ridley ("Rey") said Trevorrow's plans for the film were very different from what director J.J. Abrams presents in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From StarWars:  "The Rise of Skywalker" will introduce a new stormtrooper, "the Sith Trooper."  Sith Trooper merchandise will be available at next weeks San Diego Comic Con 2019.

From USAToday:  Daisy Ridley promises emotional ending to "Star Wars."

From YahooEntertainment:  Mark Hamill says that he is done with "Star Wars" after "The Rise of Skywalker," in which he will be a "Force ghost."

From VanityFair:  A New "Vanity Fair" article offers a wealth of set photos and images from "The Rise of Skywalker."

From Newsarama:  In a new "Vanity Fair" article, J.J. Abrams talks about going "renegade" in making "The Rise of Skywalker."

From IndieWire:  One of the international titles for "The Rise of Skywalker," specifically Hungarian could provide a hidden clue about the film.

From MakingStarWars:  Rumors say that Harrison Ford might return as Han Solo in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From IndieWire:  J.J Abrams talks about how George Lucas helped with the script for "The Rise of Skywalker."

From YahooMovies:  Apparently the appearance of actor Ian McDiarmid at Star Wars Celebration this weekend in Chicago confirms the return of "Emperor Palpatine" in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From Variety:  Star Wars IX has a title, "The Rise of Skywalker," and a teaser trailer.

From Newsarama:  "The Rise of Skywalker" image gallery.

From Variety:  Here is a first look at Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian in "The Rise of Skywalker."

From MakingStarWars: Star Wars: Episode IX retail poster and character sheets leak revealing names, ships, and more!

From Newsarama:  A possible leak of a poster for Episode IX?

From MakingStarWars:  Disney shareholders meeting yields more Episode IX rumors, including that attendees were shown clips from the film.

From Twitter:  J.J. Abrams announced that "Episode IX" has wrapped photography.

From MovieWeb:  Maybe only director J.J. Abrams knows the title of Episode IX.

From MakingStarWars:  What is the size of Lando Calrissian's role?

From io9:  A Reddit user who claims to be an extra on Episode IX claims that actress Naomi Ackie is playing Lando Calrissian's daughter, "Veranada (Vera) Calrissian.

From BleedingCool:  Anthony Daniels / C-3PO reveals via Twitter than today (Monday, Jan. 28th, 2019) was his last day filming on Episode IX.

From SlashFilm:  In the latest episode of /Film's "Star Wars Bits," they start the year with rumors, including a rumored titled for "Episode IX."  How does "Son of Darkness" sound?

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  First teaser trailer (April 12, 2019).

From YouTube:  "The Rise of Skywalker" footage shown at Disney D23 Expo 2019

From YouTube:  "The Rise of Skywalker" final official trailer - released Monday, October 21, 2019.

From Newsarama:  "The Rise of Skywalker" 30-second teaser, released Tuesday, November 19, 2019.

From EW:  The Knights of Ren assemble in new 30-second footage, released Sunday, November 24, 2019.

From IndieWire:  This 30-second spot emphasizes the conflict between Rey and Kylo Ren with John Williams' "Duel of the Fates" (from the score for "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace) playing in the background.

From ComicBook:   In this clip, General Leia Organa holds a lightsaber - Saturday, November 30, 2019.


Wednesday, December 25, 2019

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" Debuts at Top of Global Box Office

"Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" is a Powerful Force with $376.2 Million Global Debut

Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the epic conclusion to the nine-episode saga that began in 1977 with Star Wars: A New Hope, made a powerful debut this weekend. The film opened to $177.4 million domestically and $198.8 million internationally, for a global total of $376.2 million.

This marks the 12th biggest domestic debut of all time and the third biggest December opening ever. It is also the third biggest of opening of 2019, after only Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame and Disney’s The Lion King. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the seventh Disney release in 2019 to post an opening weekend over $100 million.

Internationally, The Rise of Skywalker was the No. 1 western film in nearly all markets and, in several, has the second or third highest opening weekend of 2019.

The Rise of Skywalker is enjoying positive reactions from audiences, who have driven the film to an 86 percent verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Tuesday, December 24, 2019

"Frozen 2" Crosses the Billion-Dollar Mark

"Frozen 2 Surpasses $1 Billion at Global Box Office

This weekend, Frozen 2 crossed the $1 billion threshold at the global box office and has become the third Walt Disney Animation Studios film to reach this incredible milestone.

The film opened on November 22, 2019 and set a global debut record for an animated film with a $358.4 million opening weekend. Frozen 2 held the top spot at the box office domestically and around the world for its first three weekends.

Domestically, Frozen 2 set a record for an animated opening outside of summer with $130.2 million and for the Thanksgiving period with $125 million in its second weekend.

Walt Disney Animation Studios released a featurette that celebrates the global impact Frozen 2 is on YouTube.

Frozen 2 received two Golden Globe® nominations: The film is among the nominees for Best Animated Feature Film, and the song “Into the Unknown,” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and performed in the movie by Idina Menzel, is nominated for Best Original Song—Motion Picture. Frozen 2 has also received two Critics’ Choice Award nominations and eight Annie Award nominations.

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Monday, December 23, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG191384    FAITHLESS TP (MR)    $17.99


Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190333    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
OCT190334    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
OCT190304    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR A REYNOLD    $3.99
OCT190305    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR B JOHNSON    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DC COMICS

SEP190564    DIAL H FOR HERO TP VOL 01 ENTER THE HEROVERSE    $16.99
FEB190586    HOUSE OF SECRETS THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $125.00
SEP190594    PROMETHEA THE DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02    $39.99
SEP190597    SUPERGIRL TP VOL 02 SINS OF THE CIRCLE    $16.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DYNAMITE

SEP191062    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR A ROYLE    $3.99
SEP191063    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR B CHANTLER    $3.99
SEP191064    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR C MARQUES    $3.99
SEP191065    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR D QUALANO    $3.99
SEP191066    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR E PHOTO    $3.99
OCT191289    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR A BRAGA    $3.99
OCT191290    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR B HACK    $3.99
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OCT191292    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR D PARENT    $3.99
OCT191293    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR E SANAPO    $3.99
OCT198338    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 SANAPO FOC BONUS VAR    $3.99