Murphy's Multiverse

Blog

  • REVIEW: Netflix’s “All of Us Are Dead” Breathes New Life into the Zombie Genre

    REVIEW: Netflix’s “All of Us Are Dead” Breathes New Life into the Zombie Genre

    When it comes to zombie shows, The Walking Dead has clearly dominated the small screen for the past twelve years. Even now, as it readies for its final season, the series has launched multiple spinoffs and will soon have a series of films to go along with it. Yet, as the zombie genre appears to be dying, Netflix’s All of Us Are Dead looks ready to change the conversation.

    All of Us Are Dead is a series that focuses on a high school in Hyosan, Korea, Hyosan High School. After a mysterious virus is unleashed on the High School, the students — and the staff — must fight for survival. It’s easy to write a zombie story. It’s hard, however, to write one that manages to be exciting and retain a sense of humanity along the way. Netflix’s All of Us Are Dead proves there are still risks to be taken with the zombie genre. This isn’t merely a series of teens fighting the undead, it’s a series that ultimately focuses on the struggles of high school and growing up set against the backdrop of zombies. It tackles some of the most uncomfortable topics and doesn’t try to make viewers feel empathy for the terrible characters that inhabit the series.

    The series begins with an unsettling occurrence between a few students on a rainy night. What takes place between the students will kick off a series of events that’ll change the world forever. It’s a strong way to kickstart the series, one that will leave viewers curious as to where it is going and how it’ll become the zombie-infested series the trailer promises. The series isn’t looking to hold viewers’ hands going into the chaos. The ugly truths of the world – bullying, parental abuse, sexual harassment/assault and depression – are all tackled hands-on; there is no sugarcoating any of it. This is what kids of the world endure, so All of Us Are Dead isn’t going to make it easier to watch – what these kids go through before the outbreak becomes vital to who they become when the world falls to the dead.

    One of the most impressive bits of All of Us Are Dead is that it manages to balance a rather large ensemble cast successfully. Not only does the series have to establish this world for viewers, but it also needs to develop these characters for viewers. The fact that it manages to craft such rich stories for each character is fascinating. Yi-Hyun Cho as Nam-ra, Park Solomon as Lee Soo-hyuk, Ji-hu Park as On-jo and Chan-Young Yoon as Chung-san have some of the best character development. Among the impressive young cast, the four actors stand out, delivering some of the strongest performances within the series — especially Cho, whose Nam-ra becomes a favorite as the show progresses.

    One of the minor setbacks for All of Us Are Dead is that each episode ends on a massive cliffhanger. If you’re looking for a show to slow binge, perhaps this isn’t the series for you. If you’re looking for a title to devour over the weekend, however, All of Us Are Dead is ripe for the picking. It’s well-crafted, with each episode immediately leading into the other, ensuring the story remains tight and avoids having to craft filler stories between. This allows the writers to tell what is essentially a twelve-hour film of the human’s desire to survive at all costs. There are sacrifices, there are brutal deaths and there are careless mistakes, all of which will elicit strong reactions from viewers. It’s just entertaining television that’ll entrance its viewers with ease.

    Overall, All of Us Are Dead is a breath of fresh life in the zombie genre. It’s beautifully shot and features a stellar ensemble cast and a fantastic new take on zombies. It’s dark, it’s screwed-up, but it’s also a realistic approach to a fictional subject. For viewers looking for something new to binge, give this exciting zombie series a go. By the end, they’ll be desperate for a second season.

  • ‘Secret Invasion’ Set Video Shows [SPOILER] Working With Skrull Villain

    ‘Secret Invasion’ Set Video Shows [SPOILER] Working With Skrull Villain

    Filming on Marvel Studios Disney Plus streaming series Secret Invasion continued yesterday in Halifax, UK and, as has been the case, much of what went on was caught on camera. Twitter user @bishopluvbot was on the scene and captured dozens of pictures and videos of yesterday’s scenes, all taking place on the Piece Hall set. Most of the main cast of the series has been on set all week, including Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn and Cobie Smulders, who are back in their respective roles, and newcomers Emilia Clarke and Kingsley Ben-Adir, whose roles are unknown outside of vague descriptions.

    The above video captured a major explosion set during a scene being filmed on “National Unity Day” in the interior courtyard of Piece Hall. While it’s no surprise that Ben-Adir’s character, who is playing a Skrull and the main antagonist of the series, was involved in the explosion, another video does include a shocking revelation that may be considered a spoiler.

    The second video shows the aftermath of the explosion, with wounded extras leaving the site. A few seconds into the video, Clarke’s character can be seen walking away from the explosion and getting into a car with Ben-Adir’s villainous character. This obviously casts doubts on Clarke’s motivations in the series, as earlier in the week she was seen exchanging a hug with Maria Hill.

    Is Clarke a villain as well? Not much is known about her character, but she is known to be an “up and coming spy” who also has powers. Is she working with the Skrulls? Has she been simmed her? Given that the series is meant to be a paranoia-based thriller, it’s likely that fans will often be left wondering who is or is not a Skrull and what side anyone is on at any given moment. Seeing Clarke’s character working with Ben-Adir here is just the tip of the iceberg.

    Secret Invasion will stream on Disney Plus sometime before 2075.

  • ‘Mortal Kombat 12’ Seemingly Confirmed by Netherrealm Studios Staffer

    ‘Mortal Kombat 12’ Seemingly Confirmed by Netherrealm Studios Staffer

    It’s been dead silent within the violent realms of Mortal Kombat as we still haven’t heard anything from Netherrealm Studios regarding the future of the franchise. Support for the ultra-successful Mortal Kombat 11 ended some time ago and things have yet to officially materialize from the rumored Mortal Kombat 12 tidbits last December.

    Today, however, puts a pause on the Mortal Kombat drought fans have been going through as a Netherrealm Studios staffer may have unknowingly confirmed the 12th installment in the franchise. Senior production manager Jonathan Andersen (or Jandy as he’s known in the community) tweeted this innocuous image today but quickly deleted it.

    Any sane person would write this off as a neat look at a Netherrealm employee’s desk but an insane, obsessive fan like me would always think to zoom in on the periphery. Lo and behold, here’s what a zoomed-in image on Andersen’s monitor looks like.

    If that image is too blurry for you, it reads MK12_Mast… which could likely be a masthead for the game. One of the files next to it has the name Reptile on it as well.

    Could this be one of those intentional gags people have been known to pull to throw fans off? It could very well be. Fans of the MCU are well-versed in the faux leaks Tom Holland has been known to do. Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon himself frequently messes with fans online. An email that can be partially read from the image above addresses the confidentiality of the document which could be a tongue-in-cheek nod to this charade.

    However, there’s also no reason to stir the pot this deliberately. For one, it’s an unnecessary attempt to draw attention to a game that’s been stored under lock and key. For another, it’s hard to imagine that a Twitter stunt by one of the game’s senior designers would be approved by the execs over at Warner Bros. Tom Holland’s “leaks” are obvious and are explicitly played for the laughs while this is one meticulous and near-impossible to notice. This feels like a genuine fumble by a staffer.

  • ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Will Likely Happen Says James Gunn

    ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Will Likely Happen Says James Gunn

    What do you do if the first season of your show is the biggest streaming series currently? If you’re HBO Max, you’d make a second season happen ASAP. At least it seems that’s what the streaming service is doing for the aforementioned biggest show on TV right now, Peacemaker. According to James Gunn, “there’s a really good chance” that a second season happens.

    Besides the monstrous metrics this show has been ticking, Peacemaker happens to be a really well-written, heartfelt, and outrageously funny show. The show deserves a second season on that merit alone. Once more, Gunn has created a smash hit from a wildly unknown IP with a cast of characters that will surely endure as the years go by.

    Peacemaker is currently streaming on HBO Max. The latest episode, “Monkey Dory,” dropped earlier today, with our critic, Mary Maerz, calling it the best episode of the series to date. With three episodes left, here’s to hoping HBO Max announces a second season sooner rather than later.

    Source: Deadline

  • New ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off Show In Early Development at HBO Max

    New ‘The Suicide Squad’ Spin-Off Show In Early Development at HBO Max

    It looks like Peacemaker won’t be the only anti-hero getting his own live-action series on HBO Max. James Gunn has confirmed to sources at Deadline that he’s in the very early stages of developing another DC Comics-based series for the streaming service. It’s unknown what or who the show would center around, but Gunn did reveal that it would be another spin-off of his hit film The Suicide Squad. Deadline’s report clarifies that whatever the project is, it’s still a long way from officially happening. Nothing has been written or greenlit, but HBO Max is supposedly enthusiastic about Gunn‘s pitch.

    The Guardians of the Galaxy director didn’t drop much info in his short statement regarding the currently-unproduced series, saying only that it was being worked on:

    We’re working on something else now, another TV show that’s connected to that universe. I can’t quite say.

    James Gunn

    Peacemaker, the first Suicide Squad-adjacent project from Gunn, is currently the number one show in the world. It seems likely that this would be motivation enough for HBO to give their new premiere creative whatever he wants going down the line. Fans on social media have clamored for new shows based on the likes of Idris Elba‘s Bloodsport and Daniela Melchior‘s breakout character Ratcatcher 2, though knowing Gunn, they’re just as likely to get a whole series based around Nathan Fillion‘s The Detachable Kid. However, they should expect to remain in the dark for a little while longer until the director finishes his work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and its companion Holiday Special.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘WandaVision’, ‘Squid Game’, ‘Cobra Kai’ Nominated For Producers Guild Awards

    ‘WandaVision’, ‘Squid Game’, ‘Cobra Kai’ Nominated For Producers Guild Awards

    The nerds continue to rule the Earth, with a litany of their favorite shows gaining more and more awards recognition. A full list of nominees has been released for the upcoming Producers Guild Awards, which are set to be held on March. The list includes multiple fan-favorite projects from the last year, particularly within the realm of episodic television.

    For starters, Marvel Studios’ flagship Disney+ series WandaVision received a nomination in the ‘Limited and Anthology’ category, alongside critically acclaimed shows like Dopesick, The Underground Railroad, and The White Lotus.

    Surprise worldwide phenomenon Squid Game was nominated for the Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, as was fellow underdog Netflix sensation Cobra Kai. They join the likes of HBO’s Succession, AppleTV+’s Ted Lasso, and Paramount’s Yellowstone in contention for the honor. On the film side of things, Denis Villenueve‘s Dune managed to snag a nomination for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures.

    Noticeably missing from the list of nominees is Marvel and Sony’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is currently tearing through the box office at record speeds. The film has been campaigning for major recognition during the awards season, and it remains to be seen if it will get any when the Oscars finally come around. Until then, fans of high sci-fi and comic book adaptations can breathe easy knowing Hollywood may finally be giving them the nods they’ve always deserved.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Vampire Diaries’ Showrunners to Adapt Horror Comic ‘Dead Day’ For Peacock

    ‘Vampire Diaries’ Showrunners to Adapt Horror Comic ‘Dead Day’ For Peacock

    The visionaries behind the hit series Vampire Diaries are moving from one undead property to another. Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec are adapting the AfterShock comic Dead Day by Ryan Parrott and Evgeniy Bornyakov for the streaming service Peacock. The synopsis of the project is as follows:

    Based on the AfterShock comic book series created by Ryan Parrott, the show follows “an ensemble of characters as they navigate the annual ‘dead day,’ when for one night the dead come back to complete unfinished business — be that to celebrate a night back on earth or to torment the living.”

    Williamson and Plec are no strangers to TV, let alone the genre. Aside from creating Vampire Diaries and its spinoff The Originals, Williamson is responsible for the likes of the Scream franchise and Dawson’s Creek. Fans of the duo should be definitely looking out for this show as it’s very much in their wheelhouse.

    Source: TV Line

  • Ron Perlman Still Wants ‘Hellboy 3’ To Happen

    Ron Perlman Still Wants ‘Hellboy 3’ To Happen

    It has been nearly fourteen years since the release of Guillermo del Toro‘s last Hellboy movie, The Golden Army. In that time, several attempts have been made to continue the franchise with a third installment, but nothing has ever panned out. The series was eventually rebooted in 2019 with Neil Marshall‘s Hellboy, which was far less well-received and seemingly brought the idea of more live-action films to a sudden halt. Despite all of this, and maybe against his own better judgement, del Toro’s former leading man Ron Perlman is remaining all-in on the idea of a Hellboy 3.

    In a recent interview with Variety, the Sons of Anarchy star spoke about the potential of returning for another Hellboy project. While he admits he may have aged out of the role, he still thinks a third del Toro film is possible, and he very much still wants it to happen.

    Am I eager to do Hellboy 3? No, I’m 71 f—g years old. [But] we owe this to the fans, and we should give it to them because it would be an epic conclusion. So Guillermo, if you’re reading, I’m not done pounding you to get this f—g thing done.

    Ron Perlman

    If Lionsgate were to bite, it wouldn’t be the first time a franchise returned to it’s original creatives after a failed reboot attempt. Ghostbusters recently tried the same maneuver, with mixed results. However, an “Old Man Hellboy” story may have a better shot at success. David Harbour, who took over the title role from Perlman, has publicly stated his belief that the remake was received poorly because it could never live up to del Toro’s version of the character in audiences’ minds. While the acclaimed director may not be able to make a new Hellboy anytime soon, perhaps the pure fan loyalty will someday help a new project get off the ground.

    Source: Variety

  • Tobey Maguire Reveals Why He Signed On For ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    Tobey Maguire Reveals Why He Signed On For ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’

    After relentless speculation, the biggest rumor of Spider-Man: No Way Home was confirmed when the film was actually released last month: both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield returned to reprise their roles as Peter Parker in the third installment of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise. While Garfield has been very open regarding his return, Maguire remained quiet since No Way Home’s release.

    Deadline, however, managed to get all three Spider-Men together for an interview, where Maguire finally opened up about his return. The actor explained how he came to sign on for No Way Home, and how he felt there was a “genuine intent” behind the decision to bring all three Spider-Men together on screen.

    In [a conversation with producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal], the intention, the kind of love and celebration of these movies and what it meant, I think, to Amy and Kevin was apparent…And to me, when artists or, you know, people who are steering the creative process have a kind of authentic, genuine intent of celebration and love, it just was so apparent in both of them, that, I don’t know, I just wanted to join that. And I’m a big fan of Tom and those movies and Andrew. So, it was definitely intriguing, but yes, I was also going, ‘well, what are we going to do? And that was a bit mysterious.

    Tobey Maguire

    Maguire is not the only Spider-Man actor to praise the others’ work with the character. Now that No Way Home is no longer a secret, we should start to learn more about the “surprise” returns of Maguire and Garfield considering Sony is eyeing an Academy Awards nomination for Best Picture for the film.

    Spider-Man: No Way Home is in theaters now.

    Source: Deadline

  • REVIEW: ‘Peacemaker’ Episode 5 – Monkey Dory

    REVIEW: ‘Peacemaker’ Episode 5 – Monkey Dory

    Peacemaker’s Episode 5 is the best episode to date. It is likely the funniest episode, and certainly best suited to drive the plot forward into the last three episodes. It tackles both the Auggie and Project Butterfly plotline, leans heavily on both light and dark humor, provides at least one or two “superhero moments,” and still has time for a little heart.

    Peacemaker is still in his own head about his life and identity as a mass murderer, continuing probably the greatest focus of the series. While he sinks to deeper mental and emotional lows, the episode shows him a potential way out through the power of friendship. Part of the brilliance of the characters’ dynamics is how everyone feels as if they operate on the same playing field, even if they shouldn’t. Economos and Peacemaker, for example, were one of the highlights of the episode as they passively sparred over how the former accidentally framed Peacemaker’s dad. While everyone on this small Task X squad seems as if they are one bad hair day away from a psychotic break, the moment they join forces under the umbrella of chainsaw-massacre-ing a super gorilla, positive things are possible. It’s a hard pivot to a dirty and psychologically unstable version of Paw Patrol, but they don’t call him Peacemaker for nothing.  

    While the show is generally entertaining as hell, it has noticeably lacked much of the gusto that’s come to be expected of most comic book properties with its action scenes. The series certainly isn’t devoid of it, and there is no reason this can’t be plenty successful with a “less is more” approach. Still, the premise begs for a little more. Luckily, the fifth episode does more than hint that it’s still connected with its over-the-top, violent roots. The entire sequence of the bottling facility is the series’ peak so far. Between Peacemaker shooting most of the heads off of unassuming yet butterflied civilians to the eventual boss-level super-gorilla chainsaw party, it doesn’t disappoint.

    The episode still has its flaws, which generally speak to Peacemaker as a whole. Adebayo is a strong character billed as, and given the screen time of, a co-lead in the series. Danielle Brooks really delivers for the character, but her background and family struggles are not particularly engrossing and, at times, feel like an additional weight to the clunky balance of plots. The Auggie plotline has been interesting as it adds to Peacemaker’s character but otherwise has felt a bit out of place next to Project Butterfly. The detectives that spend quite a lot of time working to keep notorious KKK-level supervillains off the streets just feel like they are around without offering much more. While exploring Peacemaker’s relationship with his father has a lot to offer, there is too much focus on Project Butterfly and the detectives rather than that actual arc for it to pay off fully. Similarly, Project Butterfly feels a bit watered down and lukewarm amongst the mix.

    For plenty of reasons, Episode 5 is the strongest episode yet of Peacemaker and a great kickoff into the final half of the series. It ends in a cliffhanger (or two) that propels the main plotline forward enough to keep Project Butterfly in the air. The humor is there, and the emotional components – while at times extremely corny this episode – are still performing. The weight of the somewhat incompatible plotlines seems to – for a lack of a better term – weigh Peacemaker down just a bit, it only shows signs of going up from here as this fifth episode continues the series’ streak of improving on the last.