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  • TUDUM: ‘One Piece’ Segment May Have Teased a First Glimpse at the Series’ Score

    TUDUM: ‘One Piece’ Segment May Have Teased a First Glimpse at the Series’ Score

    TUDUM was quite the event for everything that Netflix has planned to release throughout the following months. Sadly, there was a noticeable absence of One Piece during the Global event as it seems they aren’t ready yet to release more information. Yet, there was at least a small tease during the TUDUM Japan segment that highlighted the series is still in production.

    Given how big One Piece is in Japan, it makes sense it would still get a reveal during that segment but it didn’t include any real news outside of highlighting its main cast once more. There is however a rather interesting score being used while showcasing some segments from the manga alongside the cast video that was released when they were initially confirmed to be playing the East Blue crew, as shared by @newworldartur.

    There’s something quite cheerful about this music and it would definitely seem like a fitting score for an adventure that Monkey D. Luffy would set out on. There hasn’t been an official confirmation of who exactly is involved with the score, but speculation online has hinted towards it being The Witcher‘s Sonya Belousova. The talented researchers from @OPLAfandom released their theory early in August and the composer has released a piece that almost sounds like it would perfectly fit into the franchise.

    It would’ve been great to get some details out of TUDUM but it was a project mostly focused on current projects that have at least a set release date with only a few teases of what’s to come. So, we can only speculate if the music piece used is from the actual work from this project or is simply something they’ve chosen cause it seemed fitting. Still, if it even is just a tease of the style of the theme we can expect, it definitely feels like a perfect choice for this pirate adventure.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Avatar’s Re-Release Pulls in Mighty $10M, Potentially Hinting at ‘Way of Water’s Performance

    ‘Avatar’s Re-Release Pulls in Mighty $10M, Potentially Hinting at ‘Way of Water’s Performance

    This weekend saw the re-release of James Cameron‘s original Avatar. Not only did it include new elements to better lead into the upcoming sequel The Way of Water, but it also acts as a reminder of one of the biggest releases in theaters many years ago. The film has managed to pull in $10M over the weekend landing in third place and with a higher box office than most of this year’s re-releases.

    Spider-Man: No Way Home was also a massive re-release a few months ago, it did so on around 4,000 theaters while Avatar managed to pull in its numbers on only 1,860. So, it’s looking quite good that Way of the Water is going to open massively worldwide. While it’s unclear if it’ll have the legs to pull off a $2 billion release window, there’s a decent chance at play here.

    As one might expect, the film that established the modern 3D boom also pulled in most of its money through that format. It’s no surprise, especially with Cameron‘s promise to bring a new era to that very technology with his upcoming sequels. It’s fascinating to see the reception to the film that has been coined as “forgotten” for quite some time and likely given the long breaks in-between re-releases. We’ll see if that momentum carries over throughout multiple sequels released every two years.

    Source: Twitter

  • REVIEW: ‘The Rings of Power’ – ‘Partings’ Has Hope on the Brain

    REVIEW: ‘The Rings of Power’ – ‘Partings’ Has Hope on the Brain

    “Of drink I have little
    And food I have less
    My strength tells me no
    But the path demands yes

    My legs are so short
    And the way is so long
    I’ve no rest nor comfort
    No comfort but song

    Sing to me, sing to me, lands far away
    Oh rise up and guide me this wandering day
    Please promise to find me this wandering day    “

    The Rings of Power begins its fifth episode, titled Partings, with a song sung by Megan Richards‘ Poppy Proudfellow. Called ‘This Wandering Day’, the tune is described in-universe as something Poppy’s mother once used to entertain herself whilst walking for days upon end with the other Harfoots. In the real world, however, the song comes across as much more than just a means of keeping the brain occupied. The lyrics, written by the maestro Bear McCreary, instead double as a metaphor for the theme of this week’s episode, and perhaps the entirety of the Lord of the Rings franchise – holding on to hope, even when all seems lost.

    The many plotlines of Partings all see their lead characters facing difficult choices. Robert Aramayo‘s Elrond must decide if he’s willing to break a personal oath for the sake of Elven kind, Nazanin Boniadi‘s Bronwyn is forced to watch as her people choose between the light and the dark, and the citizens of Númenor weigh the consequences of going to war. Yet, despite the dire stakes at hand in each story, the concept of a potentially brighter future looms larger than the tangible threats at hand. Thematically, it’s actually a welcome departure from the series’ previously doom-centric thought process. Partings feels like a lighter installment in the Rings of Power saga from the very get-go, which in turn makes it a bit easier to watch than the denser first quarter of the season.

    Of course, this doesn’t mean the episode is without it’s hardships. In a particularly action-packed sequence, Daniel Weyman‘s mysterious giant saves the Harfoots from a pack of monstrous wolves. In another, Joseph Mawle‘s Adar revels in making a villager kill a child to prove his newfound allegiance to Middle-earth’s darkest forces. This is, unfortunately, par for the course in J.R.R. Tolkien‘s land of fantasy. As Poppy’s song, and Markella Kavenagh‘s Nori Brandyfoot, explain, the path to peace is filled with perils, something true of both Middle-earth and the actual planet it was based on. Partings does a fantastic job of relaying this message to the audience. There will always be setbacks on the road to finding true happiness. A person who lets that stop them will never know the contentment they were hoping to find in the first place.

    That being said, the episode does also present a few problems for the series at large. One would think that with so much time to spend with the show’s vast collection of characters, fans would be able to care about more of them. Aside from a few standouts, many of the individuals getting screen time week-in and week-out are beginning to feel like they only exist to advance parts of the plot. The obvious leads of each arc are well-developed and fun to watch, but many of their smaller counterparts are beginning to mash together and become slightly forgettable. Hopefully, before the season ends, The Rings of Power will be able capitalize on a talented ensemble in the same way shows like Game of Thrones have done to capture audience’s attention.

    Until then, the series will likely continue to stand on its greatest strengths. As per usual, this week’s episode was gorgeous, and the effects were impeccable. A particularly memorable moment involved the origin of Middle-earth’s most precious metal, which was shown via striking slow-motion images and beautiful color contrast. Despite any problems one may have with the series, its thematic element is also undeniably riveting. It’s as rich as anything Tolkien wrote and as comforting to watch as anything Peter Jackson put to screen. For anyone who has yet to be hooked, take this week’s entry as a form of advice – the road may not be perfect, but maintain hope, and the finale might just pay everything off.

    At last comes their answer
    Through cold and through frost
    That not all who wonder or wander are lost
    No matter the sorrow
    No matter the cost
    That not all who wonder or wander are lost

  • Pittsburgh’s Pain

    Pittsburgh’s Pain

    Vibe Check for this week? Pain. The Pittsburgh Steelers are actively choosing pain. There is a lot to be pleased with for most of the team. George Pickens looks uber-talented. Leal looks like a great find in round 3. Diontae Johnson has confirmed yet again he is a #1. The O-line has held up fairly well and looks solid, at least in pass protection. The defense, minus the cornerback position, seems to be humming. Well, at least until the offense has consecutive three and outs and they are gassed and simply cannot keep up with whatever team they are playing. This brings us to pain: the offense, specifically the QB spot.
    Blame will likely and fairly be laid at Matt Canada’s feet, two years in a row now this offense looks boring, predictable, and uninspiring. However, even if this offense is boring, predictable, and uninspiring it could still count for something. At its worst, it could still be valuable and important experience for their potential Franchise QB. The Steelers have already said they are not and will not use this mini-bye week as a chance to let Kenny start, but that is a mistake. We are wasting time. Mitch is the same guy he was in Chicago, maybe worse now. He rarely wants to make a big play, because of his fear of making a mistake. He takes no chances. The check-downs and dump-offs are at an all-time high. Mitch is giving us the Poorest version of Alex Smith. It isn’t fun, it’s painful. Even if we were to learn, that this is all on Canada and it’s his calls and encouragement to play this conservatively as Kenny plays, it will be worth the experience to Kenny.
    Mitch is a solid backup parading as a starting quarterback. He currently, and I can’t believe I am about to type this, is playing less exciting football than Joe Flacco, who is 106 years old. It’s boring to watch this team on offense. Not only is it boring, but it’s literally costing them games. If the opposing team scores 21 points unless the defense is going to score once or twice that lead feels insurmountable. The solution is likely to fire Canada and play Pickett. However, the most pressing issue now is to at least play Kenny. He needs to get used to the NFL speed. Knowing how Tomlin is an old-school guy, I can see this lasting until their actual bye week. So, buckle up Steeler fans. The Mitch train is going to be chugging down the track at a painfully slow pace for another several weeks. The choice for Tomlin is clear. Unfortunately, he seems to be choosing the wrong option.

  • RUMOR: She-Hulk May Return in ‘Captain America’ Sequel

    RUMOR: She-Hulk May Return in ‘Captain America’ Sequel

    Anthonie Mackie‘s Sam Wilson is about to face his biggest threat yet, as D23 came with the surprise announcement that Tim Blake Nelson is finally returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as The Leader in Captain America: New World Order. It’s definitely caught many off-guard that a Hulk-based villain would have a role in a Captain America sequel, but recent She-Hulk episodes have potentially started hinting at that development.

    Still, it doesn’t mean they might have direct ties, or at least that was the case until rumors started making the rounds. It seems that Geeks Worldwide’s KC Walsh‘s reaction to a post by @WorldWarHulkNew hinting at She-Hulk would return in the upcoming Wilson-focused sequel, highlighting that he first reported it.

    There is a chance that he is referring to the World War Hulk announcement, which he broke some time ago but it has been shared adding to the rumors. It seems they are hinting that the Captain America sequel will also act as a set-up for a World War Hulks adaptation but that project still hasn’t been officially announced. It could have one of the many empty spots on Marvel’s Phase 6 timeline.

    Of course, the potential addition of Jennifer Walters in that film also continues the theories that The Leader may have a central role in the Disney+ series. There has been teasing of that character in the latest episode and it would be a fitting introduction that builds up his role in the MCU.

    Source: Twitter via The Direct

  • RUMOR: New ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funkos to Include All 3 Spideys

    RUMOR: New ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Funkos to Include All 3 Spideys

    Sony probably was quite excited when they saw the hype surrounding the return of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man: No Way Home. They were fan favorites for a reason and if they didn’t have to keep it a secret, the marketing executives probably would’ve been quite happy to get merchandise ready just in time to bank on that hype. Yet, the wait was a long one for anything related to the two characters.

    Luckily, there’s a chance that Funko Pop collectors might be able to get their hands on Peter 2 and Peter 3, as @mariobros612TWT has shared that a new line of Funko’s from that film is going to get released. These will feature some exclusives but it does seem like all three Spider-Men are getting their own Funkos alongside Green Goblin with a pumpkin bomb.

    It’s hilarious that Ned Leeds is also getting his own Funko just for the few seconds the Cloak of Levitation helped him out, but it feels perfect for those that want something a little unexpected in their collection. It’s great to see some additional Funkos in production and if they had these planned for the initial premiere, they’d likely have leaked early on confirming the many rumors already making the rounds.

    Source: Twitter

  • TUDUM: Minnie Driver Joins ‘The Witcher’ Prequel Series as its Narrator

    TUDUM: Minnie Driver Joins ‘The Witcher’ Prequel Series as its Narrator

    The Witcher has become one of Netflix’s biggest series and has taken a comfortable position alongside series like Stranger Things, You, and more. During the TUDUM event, they offered a first look at the upcoming prequel series Blood Origin while also revealing that Minnie Driver has joined the cast as the series narrator and teases ties to the story of Geralt.

    Source: Tudum

  • REVIEW: ‘The Infernal Machine’

    REVIEW: ‘The Infernal Machine’

    A good psychological thriller can have audience members on the edge of their seat from the very beginning until the very end. The problem is, developing a good psychological thriller isn’t easy, especially when the story takes a bit to get going. The Infernal Machine isn’t a bad movie by any means, but it struggles to get going until well-beyond the midway point of the film.

    The Infernal Machine stars the always great Guy Pearce as author Bruce Cogburn. Following the success of his one and only novel, Cogburn becomes a recluse after a controversial event involving his novel, The Infernal Machine. He’s no longer interested in being known as the famous author, and despite pleas for a follow-up, Cogburn seems to have nothing left in his to write another title. In the beginning, it’s a bit unclear what the controversy is that surrounds his book, but that seems to take a backseat to what appears to be an obsessive fan. Day after day, packages and letters show up at Cogburn’s residence, even though only a handful of people close to him know where to find him. The obsessive fan isn’t shown, but their presence is felt throughout the film. On one hand, the decision to forgo showing the fan is a smart one. On the other hand, however, it makes the ending all the more frustrating as it becomes rushed.

    The movie is a slow burn. It’s in no rush to unravel truths and lies for audience members. Which wouldn’t be so bad, except it often feels like it is repeating itself. There are only so many times the film can focus on Cogburn in a telephone booth trying to reach the obsessive fan. It becomes tiresome after a while. It isn’t until Saul is introduced that the film seems to regain its footing. It’s frustrating because Pearce does deliver a hell of a performance. He captures the anxiety, fear and anger necessary to portray the role of Cogburn perfectly. But there’s only so much Pearce can do to carry an uneven story.

    Like most indie films, the cast of The Infernal Machine is a small one. Pearce is, per usual, a highlight. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Alice Eve or Alex Pettyfer. Eve isn’t necessarily bad, but her character often feels underdeveloped. While Pettyfer simply feels miscast. His scenes with Pearce are startling because Pearce manages to act circles around the young actor. He simply did not have the skills needed to play the role of Dwight Tufford. The role isn’t a large one, but the moments Pettyfer pops up on screen seem to drag the film down a notch. He’s just not captivating enough to play such a morally corrupt character.

    The ending is where The Infernal Machine shines. It’s a corrupt story that doesn’t shy away from ugly truths. Every moment of the third act is full of pulse-pounding moments. Is it perfect? No. Is it well-crafted? Yes. It’s only a shame the rest of the film couldn’t maintain this level of quality throughout.

    For those looking for an action-packed thriller, The Infernal Machine is probably not the right type of film. However, those looking for a slow-burn with a surprising twist ending? Well, The Infernal Machine is worth a watch.

  • TUDUM: First Look at Netflix’s ‘3-Body Problem’

    TUDUM: First Look at Netflix’s ‘3-Body Problem’

    Netflix has been quite hopeful to establish their new Stranger Things with some upcoming releases. Among them are their live-action adaptations of classic franchises One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The other big potential lies in the new series 3-Body Problem that has the Game of Thrones‘ showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss working with Alexander Woo to bring the book to life.

  • TUDUM: Netflix Offers First Look ‘Bridgerton’ Spinoff Focused on Queen Charlotte

    TUDUM: Netflix Offers First Look ‘Bridgerton’ Spinoff Focused on Queen Charlotte

    Bridgerton has become quite popular among Netflix’s many offerings, as Shonda Rhimes takes her usual writing style to offer something drenched in the Regency era of England, taking a look at the powerful family of the same now as they attempt to find love. During this year’s TUDUM event, they unveiled a first look at the recently announced Queen Charlotte spinoff simply titled Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.