Comic Books, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 13, 2021

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL212245 ANGELS OF DEATH GN VOL 12 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.00

AUG211795 ANIMORPHS GN VOL 02 THE VISITOR (C: 0-1-0) $12.99

AUG211796 ANIMORPHS HC GN VOL 02 THE VISITOR (C: 0-1-0) $24.99

MAY212023 ASSASSINS CREED VALHALLA GN (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

AUG211551 ASYLUM OF HORRORS TP SGN ED VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

AUG211797 BABY SITTERS LITTLE SISTER GN BOXED SET #1 VOL 1-4 (C: 0-1-0 $43.96

MAY211162 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR ZANDAR #1 CENTURY ED VAR (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

AUG211429 BLACKS MYTH #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

AUG212093 BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS #7 CVR A HERVAS (MR) $3.99

AUG212094 BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS #7 CVR B GLASS (MR) $3.99

AUG212095 BLADE RUNNER ORIGINS #7 CVR C HACK (MR) $3.99

AUG211988 BROKEN SOULS BALLAD #4 $3.99

JUL212368 BY THE GRACE OF GODS GN VOL 03 (C: 1-1-1) $10.99

AUG212240 CALL OF THE NIGHT GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

MAY211161 CARSON OF VENUS FLAMES BEYOND LTD ED #1 AM EX CGC 9.8 ED (C: $125.00

AUG212254 CASE CLOSED GN VOL 80 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

AUG211607 CASUAL FLING TP (MR) $9.99

JUL219492 CHICKEN DEVIL #1 CVR C MASK VARIANT $4.99

AUG211498 CHILLING ADV OF SABRINA #9 CVR A  HACK (RES) (MR) $3.99

AUG211499 CHILLING ADV OF SABRINA #9 CVR B HACK (RES) (MR) $3.99

JUL211548 COOKIE & BROCCOLI GN VOL 01 READY FOR SCHOOL (C: 0-1-1) $7.99

JUL211549 COOKIE & BROCCOLI GN VOL 02 PLAY IT COOL (C: 0-1-1) $7.99

JUL211550 COOKIE & BROCCOLI HC GN VOL 02 PLAY IT COOL (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

AUG211561 DEAD LEGENDS TP VOL 02 (C: 0-1-0) $16.99

JUL212089 DEADBOX #2 CVR A TIESMA $3.99

JUL212090 DEADBOX #2 CVR B HOWELL $3.99

AUG211744 DF BATMAN #112 TYNION SGN (C: 0-1-2) $59.99

JUL211608 DF BLUE & GOLD #2 JURGENS SGN (C: 0-1-2) $39.00

MAY211429 DF NICE HOUSE ON LAKE #1 TYNION IV SGN (C: 0-1-2) $49.99

AUG211758 DF VENOM #35 200TH ISSUE LEE EXC (C: 0-1-2) $39.99

JUL211461 DJINN HUNTER #3 $3.99

JUN211847 DOCTOR WHO MISSY TP VOL 01 (MR) $17.99

AUG211991 ELECTRIC BLACK DARK CARAVAN #1 $3.99

APR212033 ENGINEWARD #12 CVR A EISMA $3.99

APR212034 ENGINEWARD #12 CVR B HICKMAN $3.99

AUG211598 ET-ER ONESHOT #1 CVR A ROBINSON $3.99

AUG211599 ET-ER ONESHOT #1 CVR B DEODATO JR $3.99

JUL211455 GODKILLER DLX HC BOOK 01 WALK AMONG US $39.99

AUG211993 GODS OF BRUTALITY #2 (OF 4) CVR A WELSER $3.99

JUN201481 GRIMM TALES OF TERROR BRIDGEWATER TRIANGLE TP (RES) $12.99

AUG212354 HAPPY KANAKOS KILLER LIFE GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

FEB211037 HATCHET VENGEANCE #3 BUZ REMARQUED ED (MR) (C: 1-0-0) $24.99

AUG211328 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR A DELLEDERA (MR) (C: 1-0- $3.99

AUG211329 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR B VASIL GEORGIEV (MR) (C: $3.99

AUG211330 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR C VINCENZO RICCARDI (MR) $3.99

AUG211331 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #2 CVR D MOY R (MR) (C: 1-0-0) $3.99

JUL212326 HIGH RISE INVASION GN VOL 10 (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $24.99

AUG212323 KNIGHT OF ICE GN VOL 07 (RES) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

AUG212239 KOMI CANT COMMUNICATE GN VOL 15 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

JUL212007 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #1 (OF 4) CVR A PICOLO $3.99

JUL212008 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #1 (OF 4) CVR B GAME ART $3.99

JUL212009 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #1 (OF 4) CVR C LEONARDI $3.99

JUL212010 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #1 (OF 4) CVR D CHAM $3.99

JUL212011 LIFE IS STRANGE SETTLING DUST #1 (OF 4) CVR E WIJINGAARD $3.99

AUG211997 LUNAR LADIES #2 (OF 3) $3.99

JUL212335 MAGICAL GIRL SPECIAL OPS ASUKA GN VOL 12 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

AUG212242 MARVEL MEOW HC (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

JUL211875 MAX MEOW CAT CRUSADER GN VOL 03 PUGS FROM PLANET X (C: 0-1-0 $12.99

JUL211908 MIDNIGHT SKY TP $24.99

MAY211598 MOONCAKES COLL ED HC $24.99

AUG211769 NIGHT FISHER HC 15TH ANNV ED (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

APR212267 NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS MIRROR MOON #3 $3.99

AUG212013 NINJA SCOUTS #1 $3.99

AUG212134 NINJAK #4 CVR A DAGNINO $3.99

AUG212135 NINJAK #4 CVR B RODRIGUEZ $3.99

AUG212223 OTHERWORLDLY IZAKAYA NOBU TP VOL 08 $14.99

AUG211834 PAINTED TP (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

AUG212326 PERFECT WORLD GN VOL 08 (RES) (C: 0-1-0) $12.99

AUG212243 POKEMON ADV COLLECTORS ED GN VOL 10 $17.99

AUG212025 RECIDIVIST IV TP (RES) (C: 0-1-0) $19.95

AUG212244 REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING GN VOL 14 (C: 0-1-2) $9.99

JUL211819 RICK AND MORTY MR NIMBUS #1 CVR A LEE $4.99

JUL211820 RICK AND MORTY MR NIMBUS #1 CVR B HOBBES $4.99

AUG212177 RISE OF THE DJINN #1 (OF 3) CVR A PANTALENA $5.99

AUG212178 RISE OF THE DJINN #1 (OF 3) CVR B RIVEIRO $5.99

AUG211895 SALT MAGIC GN (C: 0-1-0) $14.99

AUG211896 SALT MAGIC HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $21.99

JUL211670 SCIENCE COMICS WHALES GN (C: 0-1-0) $12.99

JUL211671 SCIENCE COMICS WHALES HC GN (C: 0-1-0) $19.99

AUG211431 SECOND COMING ONLY BEGOTTEN SON #6 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

JUN211895 SHADOWMAN CLASSIC OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $99.99

MAY211597 SHEETS COLLECTORS ED HC $24.99

JUL212063 SIMON AND CHESTER HC GN VOL 02 SUPER SLEEPOVER (C: 0-1-0) $12.99

AUG211810 SOME STRANGE DISTURBANCES COLD WINTERS EVE ONE SHOT (MR) $7.99

JUN211180 SUPERBABES STARRING FEMFORCE #8 $5.95

JUL212122 SWIMMY AND THE VALLEY OF THE LAST SONG TP $19.99

AUG211600 TELEPATHS #2 (OF 6) $3.99

AUG212032 THUNDER & CLUCK YR HC GN BRAVE FRIEND LEADS WAY (C: 0-1-0) $17.99

MAY211891 TOILET BOUND HANAKO KUN GN VOL 10 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00

JUL211451 TOO TOUGH TO DIE AN AGING PUNX ANTHOLOGY (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $20.00

AUG212153 WASTED SPACE #24 CVR A SHERMAN (MR) $3.99

AUG212336 WAVE LISTEN TO ME GN VOL 07 (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

JUL218438 WE DONT KILL SPIDERS #1 (OF 3) 2ND PTG $3.99

JUL219419 WHITE #3 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99

MAY211296 WHITE #4 (MR) $3.99

AUG212154 WITCHBLOOD #7 CVR A STERLE $3.99

AUG212155 WITCHBLOOD #7 CVR B STERLE $3.99

AUG212156 WITCHBLOOD #7 CVR C YOSHITANI $3.99

JUL212351 WONDERCAT KYUU-CHAN GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1) $14.99

AUG211505 WORLD OF BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #9 $7.99

JUL212085 WORLD OF DARKNESS CRIMSON THAW #1 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99

JUL212086 WORLD OF DARKNESS CRIMSON THAW #1 CVR B HIXSON $3.99

JUL212282 WORLDS END HAREM GN VOL 12 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

MAGAZINES

AUG211692 COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1782 (NET) $PI

AUG211764 FANGORIA VOL 2 #13 (C: 0-1-1) $19.79

JUL211706 HEAVY METAL #310 CVR A CARPENTER (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $13.99

JUL211707 HEAVY METAL #310 CVR B CIAMPI (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $13.99

MAY211767 HOBBY JAPAN AUGUST 2021 (C: 1-1-2) $20.00

APR211986 MEGAMI JULY 2021 (C: 1-1-2) $20.00

AUG211701 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #44 (C: 0-1-1) $8.99

APR211987 NEWTYPE JULY 2021 (C: 1-1-2) $20.00

JUL211797 SCARY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #123 (C: 0-1-1) $10.95

AUG212164 VAMPIRESS CARMILLA #6 (MR) $5.95

BOOKS

AUG212102 ART NEIL GAIMAN & CHARLES VESS STARDUST HC (C: 0-1-1) $39.95

AUG212236 ART OF GEN LOCK HC (C: 0-1-2) $30.00

JUL212274 DEMON SWORD MASTER EXCALIBUR ACADEMY NOVEL SC VOL 04 (MR) (C $15.00

JUL212355 DISCIPLE OF LICH NOVEL SC VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

AUG211793 DISNEY ENCANTO LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK (C: 0-1-0) $5.99

JUN211655 GREEN HORNET HOW SWEET STING PROSE NOVEL SC (C: 0-1-2) $11.99

AUG212101 JAMES BOND NO TIME TO DIE MAKING OF THE FILM HC (RES) (C: 0- $50.00

JUL212269 LAST CRUSADE RISE NEW WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07 (C: 0-1-2) $15.00

JUL211810 MORE WHY HOW WHAT ART OF BROSMIND HC (C: 0-1-1) $39.50

AUG212378 REINCARNATED AS A SWORD LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09 (RES) (C: 0-1- $13.99

JUN211603 STAR WARS SECRETS OF THE SITH HC (C: 0-1-0) $24.99

AUG211680 STAR WARS VADER FAMILY SITHMAS HC (C: 1-0-0) $14.95

AUG211707 STAR WARS VISIONS HC RONIN (C: 0-1-0) $28.99

JUL212364 STRANGE ADVENTURE OF BROKE MERCENARY NOVEL SC VOL 02 (C: 0-1 $14.99

JUL212265 VILLAINESS TAMING THE FINAL BOSS NOVEL SC VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0- $15.00

AUG212113 WEENIE FEATURING FRANK & BEANS HC GN VOL 01 MAD ABOUT MEATLO $12.99

JUL211827 WITH GREAT POWER MARVELOUS STAN LEE YR HC (C: 0-1-0) $18.99

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DC Comics Shipping from Lunar Distributors for October 12, 2021

DC COMICS:

Batman ’89 #3 (Of 6) (Cover A Joe Quinones), $3.99
Batman ’89 #3 (Of 6) (Cover B Lee Weeks Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #7 (Of 12) (Cover A Dario Brizuela), $2.99
Batman Arkham Asylum The Deluxe Edition HC, $34.99
Batman The Audio Adventures Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Dave Johnson), $9.99
Batman The Audio Adventures Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), $10.99
Batman The Audio Adventures Special #1 (One Shot) (Cover C Tom Haskard Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman The Imposter #1 (Of 3) (Cover A Andrea Sorrentino), $5.99
Batman The Imposter #1 (Of 3) (Cover B Lee Bermejo), $5.99
Batman The Imposter #1 (Of 3) (Cover C Kaare Andrews), AR
Batman The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99
Batman Urban Legends #8 (Cover A Colleen Doran) (Fear State), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #8 (Cover B Khary Randolph) (Fear State), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #8 (Cover C Riccardo Federici) (Fear State), $7.99
Batwoman Omnibus HC, $99.99
Blue And Gold #3 (Of 8)(Cover A Ryan Sook), $3.99
Challenge Of The Super Sons #7 (Of 7) (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Challenge Of The Super Sons #7 (Of 7) (Cover B Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke By Christopher Priest Omnibus HC, $150.00
Flash Volume 15 Finish Line TP, $16.99
Future State Gotham #6 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Future State Gotham #6 (Cover B Rose Besch Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Hardware Season One #2 (Of 6) (Cover A Mateus Manhanini), $3.99
Hardware Season One #2 (Of 6) (Cover B TK Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Eat Bang Kill Tour #2 (Of 6) (Cover A Max Sarin), $3.99
Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Eat Bang Kill Tour #2 (Of 6) (Cover B Babs Tarr Card Stock Variant), $4.99
I Am Batman #2 (Cover A Olivier Coipel) (Fear State), $3.99
I Am Batman #2 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $4.99
Inferior Five TP, $16.99
Joker #8 (Cover A Guillem March), $5.99
Joker #8 (Cover B Jorge Molina), $5.99
Joker #8 (Cover C Acky Bright), $5.99
Joker #8 (Cover D James Stokoe), AR
Justice League Last Ride #6 (Of 7) (Cover A Darick Robertson), $3.99
Justice League Last Ride #6 (Of 7) (Cover B Michael Choi Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Pennyworth #3 (Of 7)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $3.99
Strange Adventures #12 (Of 12) (Cover A Mitch Gerads), $4.99
Strange Adventures #12 (Of 12) (Cover B Evan Doc Shaner), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #4 (Of 4) (Cover A Mikel Janin), $4.99
Superman And The Authority #4 (Of 4) (Cover B Yanick Paquette Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Titans United #2 (Of 7) (Cover A Jamal Campbell), $3.99
Titans United #2 (Of 7) (Cover B Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Wonder Woman #780 (Cover A Travis Moore), $4.99
Wonder Woman #780 (Cover B Becky Cloonan Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Wonder Woman By George Perez Volume 6 TP, $29.99
Wonder Woman The Adventures Of Young Diana Special #1 (One Shot), $9.99

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Comics Review: "JAMES BOND: Himeros #1" Hits You With Its Best Shot

JAMES BOND: HIMEROS #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Antonio Ruso
COLORS: Adriano Augusto
LETTERS: Social Myth Studios
EDITOR: Joe Rybandt
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Butch Guice; Francesco Francavilla;
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated T+

Based on the characters and stories created by Ian Fleming

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of Eon Productions' long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books, but Dynamite Entertainment has been steadily publishing James Bond comic books since early 2016.  Their latest James Bond comic book is James Bond: Himeros.  It is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn by Antonio Ruso; colored by Adriano Augusto; and lettered by Social Myth Studios.  In Himeros, 007 finds himself caught in a web of powerful people who will kill to keep their child sex trafficking secrets from coming to light.

James Bond: Himeros #1 opens in Her Majesty's Prison Belmarsh, London.  Richard Wilhelm is imprisoned there.  He is the billionaire financier infamous for trafficking underage children from various parts of the world to his secret island in the South Pacific.  Before long, he is dead, and while he was murdered, the public is told that he died by suicide.

At MI6, M has called Agent James Bond to find Wilhelm's right hand man, Sarah Richmond, and bring her to London before the people that killed her boss kill her.  However, Anton Bates, the man who ordered Wilhelm killed, is well-connected to very powerful people, and he hires the best killers...

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is James Bond: Himeros #1, which is one of several Dynamite James Bond comic books I've read.

I am a huge fan of Himeros' writer, Rodney Barnes, because of his supreme vampire comic book, Killadelphia; his tragically canceled Marvel Comics series, Falcon; and his young Lando Calrissian comic book, Star Wars: Lando.  Barnes is very good at creating comic book stories in which the characters face tremendous consequences and have a lot to lose.  Barnes' narratives are also fueled a sense of dread and of menace.

Antonio Ruso's art and storytelling comes at the readers like lightning-quick punches, and Adriano Augusto colors capture the exotic settings and moods of traditional James Bond fiction.  “Himeros” is the Greek god of sexual desire, and after reading James Bond: Himeros #1, you will desire it, dear readers, and desire more.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of James Bond comic books will want to try James Bond: Himeros.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
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https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "NO TIME TO DIE," But Plenty of Time to Bore

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 60 of 2021 (No. 1798) by Leroy Douresseaux

No Time to Die (2021)
Running time:  163 minutes (2 hours, 43 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, brief strong language and some suggestive material
DIRECTOR:  Cary Joji Fukunaga
WRITERS:  Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge; from a story by Cary Joji Fukunaga and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (based on the characters created by Ian Fleming)
PRODUCERS:  Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Linus Sandgren (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Tom Smith and Elliot Graham
COMPOSER:  Hans Zimmer
SONG:  “No Time to Die,” sung by Billie Eilish; written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell

SPY/ACTION/ADVENTURE

Starring:  Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear, Billy Magnussen, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah, and Jeffrey Wright with Christoph Waltz

No Time to Day is a 2021 spy and action-adventure film from director Cary Joji Fukunaga.  It is the 25th entry in EON Productions' James Bond film franchise, and it is also the fifth and (supposedly) final film in which actor Daniel Craig portrays Bond.  In No Time to Die, James Bond is attempting to enjoy life after having left active service when an old friend asks him to help the CIA secure a dangerous new weapon.

No Time to Die finds former M16 agent, James Bond-007 (Daniel Craig), enjoying life after leaving active service with his lover, Dr. Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux).  While vacationing in Matera, Italy, Spectre assassins ambush Bond, and although he survives that attempt, he believes that he has been betrayed.  Bond blames Madeleine and leaves her.

Five years later, MI6 scientist, Valdo Obruchev (David Dencik), is kidnapped from an MI6 laboratory.  Obruchev was working on a bio-weapons project, “Project Heracles,” at the behest of Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), also known as “M,” the head of MI6.  In Jamaica, Bond's friend, CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), asks Bond to help him track Obruchev, but Bond refuses.  Later, Bond encounters Nomi (Lashana Lynch), the MI6 agent who has succeeded him as the new “007.”  After discovering more about “Project Heracles” via Nomi, Bond agrees to help Leiter find Obruchev.

Bond discovers that his old nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), the founder and head of the criminal syndicate, Spectre, is somehow involved with Obruchev.  However, the true mastermind behind Obruchev's activities is a mysterious terrorist leader (Rami Malek) on a mission of revenge and harboring plans to kill untold millions of people.

Of the previous Daniel Craig James Bond films:  Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015), the last two join No Time to Die to form some kind of Daniel Craig as James Bond life cycle.  When it comes to James Bond, I am not interested in s life story, origin tale, or death story of 007.  Craig is the first actor to play Bond who gets a swan song film.  All the other Bond actors did not get a goodbye movie; they simply left.

Although it has some good moments and some exceptional set pieces – in the form of extended action scenes – No Time to Die gets old and listless, especially after the action that takes place in Matera.  This film is also too long and too tired, especially wants the drama moves to Japan.  Even Daniel Craig, who is only 53-years-old, seems to be much older than he really his.  His body is tight, but his face is Beetlejuice.  It is as if everything about this film inadvertently says that both Craig and Bond are way past their expiration date.  In fact, both seem like spoiled milk.

No Time to Die has other problems.  Ray Fiennes, with his dour faced portrayal of “M,” only makes things seem more rundown.  Naomie Harris is utterly wasted as Eve Moneypenny.  Lashana Lynch cannot do much to save her utterly wasted and woefully underdeveloped character, Nomi, the new 007.  Jeffrey Wright seems like an out-of-gas old car as Felix Leiter.  As for Rami Malek: what could have been is so obvious in how much he gets out of so little.

On the other hand, Rory Kinnear brings some quiet energy as M's chief of staff, Bill Tanner.  As usual Ben Whishaw is top notch as “Q,” and I hope the Bond bosses bring him back in the next iteration of the franchise.  Also, Bill Magnussen provides an expected pretty boy, watermelon sugar rush as the bright-eyed CIA agent, Logan Ash.

In the final analysis, if I had to do it again, I would not go to a movie theater to see No Time to Die.  Don't get me wrong.  I am a huge James Bond fan and would see this movie anyway.  I will always find a lot to like even in Bond movies about which I have mixed feelings.  However, No Time to Die is the kind of Bond movie that I could have waited to see at home.  It is sad that Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond did not so much end as it simply petered out.

6 of 10
B

Friday, October 8, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 1st to 9th, 2021 - Update #26

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Deadline is confirming that actor Cillian Murphy will play J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's biopic, "Oppenheimer."  The film is due July 21, 2023.

MUSIC/CELEBRITY - From Variety:  Dwayne Johnson enters the rap game via Tech N9ine's new single, "Face Off."

NETFLIX - From THR:  Netflix has ordered a spinoff of Fox's late sitcom, "That 70's Show."  Creators Bonnie and Terry Turner and original cast members, Kurtwood Smith (Red Forman) and Debra Jo Rupp (Kitty Forman), are back for "That 90's Show."

POLITICS/TELEVISION - From Reuters:   How AT&T helped build far-right One America News (OAN).

From RollingStone:  "Fox News and OAN Were Deeper in the Bag for Trump Than Anyone Realized."

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  The cable net, Food Network, is reportedly parting ways with one of its most famous faces, superstar chef Bobby Flay, who has been with the network for 27 years.

SCANDAL - From YahooNews:  Rachel Lindsay, the first black woman to star on ABC's "The Bachelorette," tells a crazy story about ESPN's tragic mulatto, Sage Steele.

STREAMING - From THR:   Spyglass is rebooting the classic 1987 horror film, "Hellraiser," with "The L Word: Generation Q" actress," Jamie Clayton playing the iconic villian, "Pinhead."  The movie will debut on Hulu in 2022.  Clive Barker, the creator of Hellraiser and of its source material, the novella, "The Hellbound Heart," is one of the film's producers.

ANIMATION - From Deadline:  FXX's long-running animated series, "Archer," said good-bye to one of its main characters, "Malory Archer," voiced by Jessica Walter, in the Season 12 finale.  Walter died March 24th of this year at the age of 80.

AMAZON - From Variety:  Amazon has licensed “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” from Sony Pictures Animation. The fourth (and final) installment in the blockbuster franchise will stream globally — excluding China — on Prime Video on Jan. 14, 2022. 

COVID-19 - From THR:   "Hollywood Battle Lines Emerge in Simmering Vaccine War." Without mandates to get a shot, some film and TV sets have been thrown into chaos as A-list holdouts have caused work stoppages while others say, “It’s not my place to police anyone.”

MOVIES - From THR:  On a recent episode of her talk show, "The Drew Barrymore Show," Drew talked about the infamous clash between her co-stars, Lucy Liu and Bill Murray, on the set of the 2000 "Charlie's Angels" film.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  Actor Robert Carlyle is set to reprise his role as "Francis Begbie," a character he made famous in the film, "Trainspotting" (1996).  Begbie will return in a six-part series that is an adaptation of author Irvine Welsh's 2016 novel, "The Blade Artist," a sequel to "Trainspotting," Welsh's 1993 novel that became the beloved 1996 British film.

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  The former NBC legal drama, "L.A. Law" (1984-86), has taken another step in making a comeback.  ABC has ordered a pilot for a sequel series, and original series star, Blair Underwood, returns as his character, "Jonathan Rollins," in addition to being an executive producer.

BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficePro:   The winner of the 10/1 to 10/3/21 weekend box office is "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" with an estimated take of 90.1 million dollars.

Negromancer:  My review of "Venom: Let There Be Carnage."

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NEWS - Truthout:  The United States Post Office (USPS) has started offering check-cashing services as part of a pilot program in four cities.  USPS customers are being given the opportunity to cash payroll or other types of checks, up to $500 in total, at single-branch post office locations in Washington, D.C., Falls Church, Virginia, Baltimore, Maryland, and the Bronx in New York City. 

ACADEMY AWARDS - From Deadline:   Will Packer has been named Producer of the 94th Annual Academy Awards, set for March 27, 2022.  Packer is a prolific producer of numerous films and TV projects including "Straight Outta Compton," "Ride Along," and "Girls Trip," to name a few.  He also produced the 2016, four-episode, remake of the television miniseries "Roots."

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  WarnerMedia has released the first teaser for "House of the Dragon," a spin-off from the Emmy-winning, "Game of Thrones."

COVID-19 - From YahooNews:   Trying to Make Sense of COVID's Mysterious 2-Month Cycle

MOVIES - From Deadline:  Universal has moved the Bluhouse horror flick, "The Black Phone," from Jan. 28th, 2021 to Feb. 4, 2022.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  Disney and Scarlett Johansson have settled their legal issues, and her projects with the studio are back on, including "Tower of Terror."  No terms of the settlement were made public, but Deadline estimates the multiple Oscar-nominated Johansson could get 40 million dollars.

DISNEY - From Deadline:  The Disney Channel favorite, "Raven's Home," has been renewed for a fifth season.  Actor Rondell Sheridan, who played Raven Baxter's father, "Victor Baxter," on the original series, "That's So Raven," will be one of the new series regulars.   However, the storyline moves to San Francisco and that results in the departure of several series regulars, Navia Robinson (Nia), Jason Maybaum (Levi), Sky Katz (Tess) and Anneliese van der Pol (Chelsea).

AMAZON - From THR:  Amazon is working on an update of the 1999 hit film, "Cruel Intentions," for its IMDb TV.

From THR:  Speaking of IMDb TV, the streamer is also interested in a greenlighting a second season of the cancelled ABC legal drama, "Rebel."  IMDb has the free streaming rights to the first season.

NFL - From Deadline:   Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem and Mary J. Blige will perform during the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show (Sun., Feb. 13th, 2022) at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.  The five artists have never before appeared together onstage, according to the official announcement of the show. Among them, they have 43 Grammys and 22 No. 1 albums on the Billboard charts.

TELEVISION - From GoodHousekeeping:    The sister cable networks, "Hallmark Channel" and "Hallmark Movies & Mysteries" are debuting a combined 41 movies across both networks this holiday season.  "Good Housekeeping" has posted Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" 2021 movie schedule and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries' "Miracles of Christmas" 2021 movie schedule.  Hallmark starts off with "You, Me & Christmas Tree" on Fri., Oct. 2nd.  HMM starts off with "Christmas in My Heart" on Sat., Oct. 23rd.

Warner Bros. Begins Filming "Wonka"

Filming Is Underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Wonka,” Directed by Paul King and Starring Timothée Chalamet in the Title Role

Chalamet leads a star-studded ensemble in an origin story that explores the vivid, mythical beginnings of the imaginative young inventor before he becomes the renowned scrumdiddlyumptious Mozart of chocolate

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Wonka,” with Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (upcoming “Dune,” “Call Me By Your Name”) in the titular role, under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Paul King (the “Paddington” films). Oscar-nominated producer David Heyman (“Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood”), who produced the “Harry Potter,” “Fantastic Beasts” and “Paddington” films; Luke Kelly, who produced the recent feature adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches as well as the upcoming “Matilda,” and Alexandra Derbyshire, who executive produced the “Paddington” films and the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion,” are producing “Wonka.” The film is based on characters by Roald Dahl, inspired especially by one of Dahl’s most beloved characters, Willy Wonka, and takes place before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Starring alongside Chalamet are Rowan Atkinson (the “Johnny English” and “Mr. Bean” films, “Love Actually”), Mathew Baynton (“The Wrong Mans,” “Ghosts”), Jim Carter (“Downton Abbey”), Oscar winner Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”), Tom Davis (“Paddington 2,” “King Gary”), Simon Farnaby (the “Paddington” films, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), Rich Fulcher (“Marriage Story,” “Disenchantment”), Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water,” the “Paddington” films, “Spencer”), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (“Paddington 2,” “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Mary Poppins Returns”), Paterson Joseph (“Vigil,” “Noughts + Crosses”), Emmy and Peabody Award winner Keegan-Michael Key (“The Prom,” “Schmigadoon”), Calah Lane (“The Day Shall Come”), Matt Lucas (“Paddington,” “Little Britain”), Colin O’Brien (“The Mothership”), Natasha Rothwell (“White Lotus,” “Insecure”), Rakhee Thakrar (“Sex Education,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral”) and Ellie White (“The Other One,” “The Windsors”).

King is directing from a screenplay he wrote with “Paddington 2” co-writer Simon Farnaby (with prior writers including Simon Rich, Simon Stephenson, Jeff Nathanson, and Steven Levenson). Michael Siegel and Rosie Alison are serving as executive producers. King’s behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Seamus McGarvey (“Anna Karenina,” “Atonement”); Oscar-nominated production designer Nathan Crowley (“Tenet,” “Dunkirk”); editor Mark Everson (the “Paddington” films); and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (the “Paddington” films, “Topsy-Turvy”). Neil Hannon of the band The Divine Comedy is writing original songs for the film.

Filming in the UK, “Wonka” is set to open in theaters March 17, 2023 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Credits not final/subject to change

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Review: Entertaining "VENOM: Let There Be Carnage" Offers Some Crazy Love

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 59 of 2021 (No. 1797) by Leroy Douresseaux

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
Running time:  97 minutes (1 hour, 37 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language, disturbing material and suggestive references
DIRECTOR:  Andy Serkis
WRITERS:  Kelly Marcel; from a story by Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, Matt Tolmach, Tom Hardy, Kelly Marcel, and Hutch Parker
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robert Richardson (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Maryann Brandon and Stan Salfas
COMPOSER:  Marco Beltrami

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION

Starring:  Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Peggy Lu, Little Simz, Jack Bandeira, Olumide Olorunfemi, and Woody Harrelson

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a 2021 superhero fantasy-action film directed by Andy Serkis.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics super-villain/anti-hero characters, Eddie Brock/Venom, to which several comic book writers, artists, and editors contributed in the creation, most especially artist Todd McFarlane and writer David Michelinie.  This film is a direct sequel to the 2018 film, Venom, and it is also the second film in “Sony's Spider-Man Universe” series.  In Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie Brock and Venom face a new symbiote, a violent monster more powerful than Venom.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in “St. Estes Home for Unwanted Children,” circa 1996.  There, young Cletus Kasady (Jack Bandeira) watches helplessly as his love, young Frances Barrison (Olumide Olorunfemi), is taken away.  She will be placed at the “Ravencroft Institute,” where she will be experimented upon because of her special power, her ability to emit a sonic scream.

In the present day, police Detective Patrick Mulligan (Stephen Graham) contacts Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), who is attempting to revive his journalism career.  Mulligan asks Brock to speak to Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), now a serial killer who sits on death row and awaits execution.  Kasady refuses to talk to anyone other than Brock.  Kasady invites Brock to attend his execution, but Brock uses the visit to benefit himself.  Kasady sees Brock's actions as betrayal.

Meanwhile, Brock and the symbiote, Venom, have hit a wall in their relationship.  Each believes that the other does not really appreciate what he brings to the relationship.  Plus, Brock's ex-fiancée, Anne Weying (Michelle Williams), tells him that she is now engaged to Dr. Dan Lewis (Reid Scott).  This news and his cantankerous relationship with Venom lead Brock into being careless when he visits Kasady a second time, which leads to the creation of a monstrous new symbiote named “Carnage.”  Meanwhile, the adult Frances Barrison (Naomie Harris) is still imprisoned and, in her new identity as “Shriek, she still pines for her man, Cletus.

From what information I have gathered, the general consensus seems to be that the sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, is better than the first film, Venom.  As entertaining as I found the sequel, I think the original is the better film.  Yes, Venom: Let There Be Carnage has a lot going for it.  Its main cast:  Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, and Woody Harrelson have all received Academy Award nominations for their acting – Williams and Harrelson more than once.

Yes, the sequel's special effects are excellent.  It is quite an achievement to create multiple scenes featuring not one but two shape-shifting, morphing CGI characters.  Venom and Carnage transmute at the same speed and frequency with which the late actor and comic legend, Robin Williams, blabbed and babbled – every chance he got.

Yes, I will give Venom: Let There Be Carnage credit for attempting to be something more than just a superhero film.  [Venom considers himself a hero.]  The film offers themes related to romance, fractured relationships, troubled friendships, jealousy, unrequited love, and love triangles.  In fact, I have to credit Tom Hardy for sharing so much of what is essentially his film with another actor.  Much of this film is about the story of Woody Harrelson's character, Cletus Kasady.

However, the first film seemed more sure of its plots and story points.  As eye-popping as Carnage is in this sequel, I think the original film's human/symbiote villains, Carlton Drake (played by Riz Ahmed) and Riot, were … deliciously evil.  Carnage is needlessly homicidal, and the character takes away from the subtle notes that Woody Harrelson tries to play as Cletus Kasady.

So, in the end, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is entertaining and often funny.  The supporting characters get to play, even fifth wheel Dr. Dan, and I'm always happy to see Naomi Harris, who makes the most of her time as Shriek.  But Venom: Let There Be Carnage feels like a placeholder.  It is as if Sony Pictures offered this sequel in order to satisfy demand while it takes time to develop a really good follow-up to the original Venom, instead of this merely good one.

6 of 10
B

Tuesday, October 5, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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