Categories
Widget Image
Trending
Recent Posts
Entertaintment
Movies
Monday, Oct 19th, 2026
Widget Image
logo
mobile-logo
HomeStandard Blog Whole Post (Page 1072)
DCU

A new TV spot for The Flash highlighted more of the DCU film’s emotional story. 

Set to release on June 16, fans already know Barry Allen’s motives in The Flash stem from personal heartbreak. 

However, Warner Bros.‘ latest marketing for the Ezra Miller-led Multiversal film suggests Barry’s past isn’t The Flash‘s only tragedy, and audiences should prepare for an emotional, as well as Multiversal, ride. 

The Flash’s Emotional New Teaser 

In advertising the April 25 release of The Flash‘s second trailer, a new TV spot leaned into the film’s gut-wrenching scenes. 

Despite being a brief five-second teaser, it’s packed with a number of emotionally-charged moments, including a shot of Sasha Calle‘s Supergirl in mid-scream. 

The sound of Barry shouting, “No! Nobody dies!” culminates in a cut to the character, saying this to his alternate self. 

This is followed by a shot of Barry, seemingly in pain, as lightning courses through him. 

The full teaser can be seen below:

The Flash’s Tragic Tone

While prior marketing and promotion for The Flash have teased a high-stakes story and one that will challenge all members of the Multiversal DC cast, this new TV spot was different. 

Through the various shots and choices of dialogue, it communicated a heavier, more devastating tone. 

The teaser also seemed to be a sort of preparation, not only for the April 25 trailer but for what the film itself may have in store. 

The Flash has long been intended to be a sort of franchise reset, but with James Gunn and Peter Safran rebooting the DCU, the future of The Flash and the film’s cast of characters are in question. 

It will be interesting to see how and where the events of the film will leave its ensemble of characters and whether this story has a happy ending both on-screen and off. 

The Flash arrives in theaters on June 16.

Source link

0 Comments

Comics

Facing renewed competition from Microsoft and OpenAI, Google is reportedly “racing” to build an “all-new” AI-powered search engine. According to The New York Times, the company is in the early stages of creating a search service that will attempt to anticipate what you want from it in hopes of offering “a far more personalized experience.” The project has “no clear timetable.” However, knowing that Google is also developing a suite of new AI features for its existing search engine under the codename “Magi.”

Among the features Google is developing is a chatbot that can answer software engineering questions and generate code snippets. The company has also experimented with a feature that would allow people to search for music through a chatbot conversation. According to The Times, the company has assigned more than 160 employees to the redesign.

Other new additions “in various stages of development” include a Chrome feature dubbed “Searchalong.” It would allow a chatbot to scan the webpage you’re reading to offer contextual information. For example, if you were looking for a place to stay on Airbnb, you could ask the chatbot to tell you what to see and do near your planned accommodations. “GIFI” and “Tivoli Tutor,” another pair of experimental features, would allow users to prompt Google Image Search to generate images and converse with a chatbot to learn a new language. It’s worth noting many of these are features that Google has either demoed in the past or exist on other platforms like Duolingo. For instance, image generation is already available in Slides.

Google reportedly plans to announce Magi next month before introducing additional new features sometime in the fall. That timing suggests the project will make an appearance at I/O 2023. The company plans to offer Magi’s features to one million people in the US before expanding availability to 30 million users by the end of the year.

“We’ve been bringing AI to Google Search for years to not only dramatically improve the quality of our results, but also introduce entirely new ways to search, such as Lens and multisearch,” a Google spokesperson told Engadget when asked about the report. “We’ve done so in a responsible and helpful way that maintains the high bar we set for delivering quality information. Not every brainstorm deck or product idea leads to a launch, but as we’ve said before, we’re excited about bringing new AI-powered features to Search, and will share more details soon.”

Underscoring the importance of Magi for Google, Samsung reportedly told the company last month it was considering making Bing the default search on its devices. The declaration reportedly sent Google into a “panic.” The company’s search agreement with Samsung is worth approximately $3 billion annually. This year, its lucrative search agreement with Apple, the subject of frequent antitrust scrutiny, is also up for renewal.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.

Source link

0 Comments

Facing renewed competition from Microsoft and OpenAI,

Festivals

Calling all women and non-binary filmmakers! This grant is for you.

Spring has sprung, and filmmakers are ready to get back outdoors and film their latest projects. Whether you are in pre-production or in the midst of production, finding funding can be an ongoing stressful element that will always put some pressure on the process.

That is where grants come into play.

Right now, The Future of Film is Female wants to support women and non-binary filmmakers make their short films. Their mission is to support filmmakers early in their careers by offering grant programs for short films, unique programming, building a community where women are supporting women, and ensuring equal representation of BIWOC in the industry.

FOFIF 2023 Spring Grant

FOFIF announced their Spring 2023 submission cycle will be opening on April 17. They will be funding short films in pre-production or in production, and offer to support the chosen films during post-production with sound services from Heard City and color services from Nice Shoes.

Your project might be perfect for this grant if meet these qualifying factors:

  • For ALL women and non-binary directors
  • Preferably no more than 20 minutes
  • Non-U.S. films are considered
  • All genres accepted!

Right now, FOFIF is not currently considering funding episodic works or covering any festival submission fees. This is a grant to help you get your short film made.

If you are considering submitting a project that is pre-production, you must include samples of previous work.

To submit your project for the grant, follow this link and submit your short film project between April 17 and May 1, 2023. FOFIF will not be using FilmFreeway for this grant, so please, go to the site if you are interested.     

Source link

0 Comments

Calling all women and non-binary filmmakers!

Film

Renfield is hitting theaters soon and the world is excited to see Nic Cage’s take on Dracula. But up to now who are he best Dracula Actors?

W​ith Renfield hitting theaters soon, Dracula is once again on everyone’s mind. This time he’ll be played by everyone’s favorite eccentric actor Nic Cage. As soon as it was announced that he would be playing the Prince Of Darkness, fans were excited to see what he would bring to the role. How will he stack up against some of the best versions of the fanged Count? First, we must come up with our list of the Best Dracula Actors!

C​hristian Camargo – Penny Dreadful (2016)

W​hile Universal was trying to figure out how to create their Dark Universe, over on Showtime, Penny Dreadful was already doing a fantastic job beating them to the punch. The series pulled together literary versions of Frankenstein’s monster, the wolfman, Dorian Gray, and eventually Dracula himself. Christian Camargo played Dr. Alexander Sweet in Season Three, who begins to seduce Eva Green’s Vanessa Ives. It is revealed later that this doctor is, in fact, the Count himself, making him an unconventional addition to the Best Dracula Actors list. Carmargo brought out the seductive side of the vampire while later revealing just how deadly he could be.

Best Dracula Actors

His version of Dracula appeared in the kid’s film The Monster Squad but brought a lot of menace to the role. He appears in town with his other monster friends, looking for Van Helsing’s diary. Our group of young heroes crosses paths with him multiple times and only barely escape with their lives. Dracula has no problem using some dynamite to blow up their tree house and sees no problem with wanting a group of children killed. He was so terrifying in the role that child actor Ashley Bank legitimately screamed for her life during their face-to-face confrontation. Cage’s version in Renfield seems a little darker and funnier than this version, but Regehr scared a whole generation of movie fans. We would for sure list him as one of the best on-screen Dracula portrayals.

Best On-Screen Dracula

I​n 1979, Werner Herzog remade the classic vampire tale, and in a twist of genius casting, put Klaus Kinski in the title role. His version of Dracula is more animalistic in its approach. He doesn’t seduce his victim but instead drinks from them in their sleep. His creepy look harkens back to the Max Schreck version but has even less humanity than that film put on display. With his giant lips and sharp teeth, he seems more like a leech than anything that can pass for human. Even though the performance from Kinski is completely strange (from Kinski? Go figure), it still is one of the best on-screen versions of Dracula. It’s probably safe to bet that Cage’s version in Renfield will take less inspiration from this one.

Best On-Screen Dracula

J​ack Palance – Dracula (1974)

W​ith the popularity of Dan Curtis’s series like Dark Shadows and his Kolchak TV movies, he decided to turn his attention to bringing Dracula to the small screen. He teamed up with his usual collaborator Richard Matheson to bring it to life. They cast Jack Palance, and he brings an edge of pathos to the character. In this version, he sees a woman that reminds him of his long-dead wife. We see a little more of the character’s humanity as he tries to find the one thing that used to make him happy. He’ll get it no matter who he has to kill.

Best On-Screen Dracula

T​his fictional take on the making of Nosferatu turns Max Schreck into an actual vampire. The director F. W. Murnau brings aboard this strange actor who suddenly seems too well-equipped to play the famed vampire. Dafoe disappears into the role of the strange creature. The interactions between him and the rest of the cast is fantastic to watch, and Murnau getting frustrated that he won’t stop killing the cast is great. A strange meta performance but still ranks as one of the best on-screen Dracula portrayals even if it’s by technicality.

Best On-Screen Dracula

I​ don’t think it will be a shock to say that Gary Oldman is an amazing actor. Francis Ford Coppola cast him as Dracula for his 1992 big-budget story version. They used some of the best state-of-the-art effects to transform Oldman during different stages of his rejuvenation. He starts out as a decrepit old man, and as he feeds, he ages backward until he becomes a spry young man. Oldman plays the character perfectly, and you can see how easily seductive he is. At the same turn, there is a danger underneath that seeps through onto the screen. Easy to see why he’s a contender for the best on-screen Dracula.

Best On-Screen Dracula

W​hen sound was first introduced to films, studios would sometimes make foreign language versions as well with different actors on the same sets and using the same costumes. For the 1931 Dracula, they shot the English version with Bela Lugosi during the day, and then another crew would come in to shoot the Spanish Language version at night.

When compared, Villarias’ version of the character isn’t quite as stiff as Lugosi’s. His expressions and movements were more free-flowing and set this version apart. This, along with making the female leads sexier due to less stringent film codes in other countries, made this version of the story stand out from its English counterpart. Some even like it better than the Todd Browning film that everyone knows. Should be interesting to see if it’s closer to Cage’s take on the character in Renfield.

Best On-Screen Dracula

M​ax Schreck – Nosferatu (1922)

E​ven if someone hasn’t seen this film they definitely know the look of Max Schreck in the film. It has transcended the film and lodged itself so completely in pop culture that a single image of the film is enough for people to recognize it. This silent film from Germany used light and shadow to give Schrek’s Count Orlok (we all know it’s really Dracula) such a commanding presence in the film. His look and mannerisms have given generations the creeps just by looking at him. The filmmakers were sued by Stoker’s estate and lost. All film copies were to be destroyed, but a few survived, which is good for history as this version of the character might just be the creepiest it has ever been.

Best On-Screen Dracula

W​hen Universal’s monster series began to grow long in the tooth (pun intended), they began to shift away from some of the classic monsters and move more into the atomic-age films that had started to become popular. Across the pond, Hammer Films decided to do their own version of these classic creatures. Christopher Lee was cast, and his take on Dracula was something audiences hadn’t seen up to that point.

His version was very proper and dignified, but once he went into his blood-lust, he became savage and unhinged. You were in trouble if you were unlucky enough to come across him at this stage. He bared his fangs and hissed while his eyes became bloodshot and unsettled. The switch almost happens instantly. You could be having a thoroughly normal conversation, but he would suddenly go into a rage, and there would be no way to calm him down until he was able to dine. A scary portrayal of the character for sure. Should be interesting to see if Cage borrows some of Lee’s intensity for Renfield.

Best On-Screen Dracula

B​ela Lugosi – Dracula (1931)

U​ntil the world finally turns to dust and escapes into the vacuum of space, no other actor will be as associated with the character of Dracula as Bela Lugosi. His slow walk and deep gaze became a stereotype for how the character was portrayed in every version afterward. His menacing stare and slow walk toward his victim became the stereotype for every characterization of Dracula. It will be interesting to see what Nic Cage took from this version in Renfield.

Even when Lugosi would return to the role in the Abbott and Costello movies, his presence was enough to send a chill down your spine even with all the comedy going on around him. The simple delivery of the line, “Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” is enough to send Lugosi to the Dracula hall of fame. Even with a smile on his face, the darkness in his performance is bone-chilling.

Who do you think is the best on-screen Dracula? Are you excited for Renfield? Let us know in the comments.

Source link

0 Comments

Renfield is hitting theaters soon and the

TV

While Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” live-action remake captivates audiences through its shiny and perfectly pink trailer, “Saturday Night Live” is putting a spotlight on the less glamorous, overburdened world of the American Girl Doll — disease, death, unpleasant history and all.

“People can’t stop talking about the trailer for the new ‘Barbie’ movie, but not all dolls live in a dream house,” the narrator says in the sketch’s opening. “Some are bigger, younger, sadder; some dolls are American Girls.”

As the trailer for the historically accurate flick introduces its struggling heroines, each sob story is worse than the other, from Samantha (Chloe Fineman) watching her parents die on a boat to Molly’s (Molly Kearney) father’s being a prisoner of war. The other dolls exchange nervous glances when Addy (Ego Nwodim), the only Black American Girl Doll, shares her own story: “That’s okay, I don’t know my birthday because I’m a runaway slave.”

“Do they have pink Corvettes? Nope. Or boyfriends? No way,” the narrator continues as the girls play in the only way they know, by scrubbing the floors and churning some butter. “Did all their family members die of vague old timey diseases? Absolutely.”

Despite their best efforts to have some fun — including a fashion show full of petticoats and the tea party of our nightmares — glimmers from the girls’ dark past resurface, with Josefina (Ana de Armas) saying, “the memory of my mama is slipping away,” while Kit (Sarah Sherman) coughs up blood before swiftly dying.

“These little girls are going through too much,” a review from the New York Times reads of the tonally mixed flick.

‘SNL': The First Warm Day of the Year Drives New York Crazy in Cold Open (Video)

As the American Girls embark on a journey from American Girl Land into the Modern World, the dolls set their sights on some very lofty goals.

“I’m going to stop World War II,” Molly exclaims while Josefina adds, “and I’m going to stop the Spanish American War!”

“I’m going to end cholera,” Kirsten (Heidi Gardner) declares before coming to an untimely demise herself.

You can watch the full clip above.

‘SNL': Molly Kearney Condemns Anti-Trans Legislation: ‘We Are Making Trans Kids Grow Up Too Fast’ (Video)

Source link

0 Comments

While Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” live-action remake captivates

What to Watch

Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth in Sony Pictures ‘The Pope’s Exorcist.’

Oscar winner Russell Crowe is one of the most accomplished actors of his generation.

From his breakout roles in movies like ‘Romper Stomper’ and ‘L.A. Confidential,’ to his career making performances in ‘A Beautiful Mind’ and ‘Gladiator,’ Crowe as appeared in some of the most acclaimed films of the last 25 years.

In honor of his latest film, ‘The Pope’s Exorcist,’ which opens in theaters on April 14th, Moviefone is counting down the 25 best movies of Russell Crowe’s career.

Let’s begin!

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Though safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient queen (Sofia Boutella) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

The Mummy

“Welcome To A New World of Gods And Monsters”

55

PG-131 hr 50 minJun 9th, 2017

Showtimes & Tickets

After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Thor: Love and Thunder

When soldier Robin (Crowe) happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley (Douglas Hodge), he promises to return the man’s sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert’s identity; romances his widow, Marion (Cate Blanchett); and draws the ire of the town’s sheriff (Matthew Macfadyen) and King John’s (Danny Huston) henchman, Godfrey (Mark Strong).

Robin Hood

“Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions.”

64

PG-132 hr 20 minMay 14th, 2010

22. ‘Noah‘ (2014)

A man (Crowe) who suffers visions of an apocalyptic deluge takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.

Noah

“The end of the world is just the beginning.”

56

PG-132 hr 18 minMar 28th, 2014

In feudal China, a blacksmith (RZA) who makes weapons for a small village is put in the position where he must defend himself and his fellow villagers.

The Man with the Iron Fists

“You can’t spell Kung Fu without F and U!”

55

R1 hr 36 minNov 2nd, 2012

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

The Law Enforcement Technology Advancement Centre (LETAC) has developed SID (Crowe) version 6.7: a Sadistic, Intelligent, and Dangerous virtual reality entity which is synthesized from the personalities of more than 150 serial killers, and only one man can stop him.

Virtuosity

“Justice needs a new program.”

55

R1 hr 46 minAug 4th, 1995

Failed London banker Max Skinner (Crowe) inherits his uncle’s (Albert Finney) vineyard in Provence, where he spent many childhood holidays. Upon his arrival, he meets a woman (Marion Cotillard) from California who tells Max she is his long-lost cousin and that the property is hers.

A Good Year

“Everything matures… eventually.”

67

PG-131 hr 57 minNov 10th, 2006

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this earth. As a young man (Henry Cavill), he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

Man of Steel

“You will believe that a man can fly.”

66

PG-132 hr 23 minJun 14th, 2013

A married couple’s life is turned upside down when the wife (Elizabeth Banks) is accused of murdering her boss. Her husband John (Crowe) would spend the next few years trying to get her released, but there’s no evidence that negates the evidence against her. When the strain of being separated from her husband and son gets to her, John decides to find a way to break her out.

The Next Three Days

“What if you had 72 hours to save everything you live for?”

71

PG-132 hr 13 minNov 19th, 2010

The CIA’s hunt is on for the mastermind of a wave of terrorist attacks. Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the agency’s man on the ground, moving from place to place, scrambling to stay ahead of ever-shifting events. An eye in the sky – a satellite link – watches Ferris. At the other end of that real-time link is the CIA’s Ed Hoffman (Crowe), strategizing events from thousands of miles away. And as Ferris nears the target, he discovers trust can be just as dangerous as it is necessary for survival.

Body of Lies

“Trust no one. Deceive everyone.”

66

R2 hr 8 minOct 10th, 2008

Screen Media

Screen Media

A yearly high-stakes poker game between childhood friends turns into chaos when the tech billionaire host (Crowe) unveils an elaborate scheme to seek revenge for the ways they’ve betrayed him over the years. But as his plans unfold, a group of thieves hatch plans of their own breaking into the mansion thinking it is empty. The old friends quickly band together and the years of playing the game help them win their way through a night of terror.

Poker Face

In a broken city rife with injustice, ex-cop Billy Taggart (Mark Wahlberg) seeks redemption and revenge after being double-crossed and then framed by its most powerful figure, the mayor (Crowe). Billy’s relentless pursuit of justice, matched only by his streetwise toughness, makes him an unstoppable force – and the mayor’s worst nightmare.

Broken City

“Proof Can Be a Powerful Weapon.”

59

R1 hr 49 minJan 18th, 2013

Nazi skinheads in Melbourne take out their anger on local Vietnamese, who are seen as threatening racial purity. Finally the Vietnamese have had enough and confront the skinheads in an all-out confrontation, sending the skinheads running. A woman (Jacqueline McKenzie) who is prone to epileptic seizures joins the skins’ merry band, and helps them on their run from justice, but is her affliction also a sign of impurity?

Romper Stomper

“Give him smack in head special…”

66

Not Yet Rated1 hr 34 minJun 9th, 1993

An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) seeks redemption.

Les Misérables

“Fight. Dream. Hope. Love.”

73

PG-132 hr 38 minDec 25th, 2012

A mysterious woman (Sharon Stone) comes to compete in a quick-draw elimination tournament, in a town taken over by a notorious gunman (Gene Hackman).

The Quick and the Dead

“Think you are quick enough?”

65

R1 hr 47 minFeb 9th, 1995

Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

The true story of boxer Jim Braddock (Crowe) who, in the 1920s following his retirement, makes a surprise comeback in order to get him and his family out of a socially poor state.

Cinderella Man

“One man’s extraordinary fight to save the family he loved.”

75

PG-132 hr 24 minJun 2nd, 2005

Alice (Meg Ryan) hires a professional negotiator (Crowe) to obtain the release of her engineer husband (David Morse), who has been kidnapped by anti-government guerrillas in South America.

Proof of Life

61

R2 hr 15 minDec 8th, 2000

John Nash (Crowe) is a brilliant but asocial mathematician fighting schizophrenia. After he accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish.

A Beautiful Mind

“He saw the world in a way no one could have imagined.”

79

PG-132 hr 15 minDec 12th, 2001

After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain (Crowe) of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship’s thoughtful surgeon (Paul Bettany), his best friend.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

“The courage to do the impossible lies in the hearts of men.”

71

PG-132 hr 18 minNov 14th, 2003

Tells the true story of a 60 Minutes television series exposé of the tobacco industry, as seen through the eyes of a real tobacco executive, Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe).

The Insider

“Two men driven to tell the truth … whatever the cost.”

75

R2 hr 38 minOct 28th, 1999

Lionsgate

Lionsgate

In Arizona in the late 1800s, infamous outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) and his vicious gang of thieves and murderers have plagued the Southern Railroad. When Wade is captured, Civil War veteran Dan Evans (Christian Bale), struggling to survive on his drought-plagued ranch, volunteers to deliver him alive to the “3:10 to Yuma”, a train that will take the killer to trial.

3:10 to Yuma

“Time waits for one man.”

72

R2 hr 2 minSep 7th, 2007

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.

American Gangster

“There are two sides to the American dream”

76

NR2 hr 37 minNov 2nd, 2007

A private eye (Ryan Gosling) and a thug (Crowe) investigate the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles and uncovers a conspiracy.

The Nice Guys

“Private dicks”

71

R1 hr 56 minMay 20th, 2016

Three detectives (Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey) in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.

L.A. Confidential

“Everything is suspect… Everyone is for sale… And nothing is what it seems.”

78

R2 hr 18 minSep 19th, 1997

Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator' (Photo by Karine Weinberger/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

DreamWorks Pictures

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Crowe) is one of the Roman army’s most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus’ devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences.

Gladiator

“A Hero Will Rise.”

82

R2 hr 35 minMay 5th, 2000

 

Source link

0 Comments

Russell Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth in

Awards

In a virtual appearance today at Deadline’s Contenders TV, Better Call Saul‘s Bob Odenkirk reflected on the opportunity he had to work with screen legend Carol Burnett over the course of the Breaking Bad prequel’s final season.

“She’s just a great actress — completely connected, completely grounded, utterly with it. With somebody who’s a legend like that, someone who’s older, you worry if you’re going to have to work around them a little — and not at all,” the two-time Emmy winner shared. “She was utterly present, ready to rip it up. She knew her lines, she knew her part so well…It was a beautiful performance. She must get nominated now, come on.”

RELATED: Deadline Contenders Television 2023 Arrivals & Panels Gallery

Burnett’s character, Marion, is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, who meets the man we’ve known as both Slippin’ Jimmy McGill and Saul Goodman, while he’s living on the run and in disguise, using the alias Gene Takovic. While the pair at the start of Season 6 share a sweet moment or two, Marion eventually comes to suspect that something about Gene is not quite right.

RELATED: The Contenders TV – Deadline’s Full Coverage

Odenkirk was joined for today’s conversation on the 46x Emmy-nominated series by his co-star Rhea Seehorn, who appeared virtually, as well as co-creator, showrunner and executive producer Peter Gould, who joined moderator Dominic Patten in person at the DGA Theater. The show produced for AMC by Sony Pictures Television has, while flashing forward to track the life of Takovic, flashed back to examine how fledgling ABQ attorney McGill became the amoral con man and criminal representative Saul Goodman of Breaking Bad fame. Its final season concludes the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, tracking Jimmy, Saul and Gene, as well as Jimmy’s complex relationship with Kim (Seehorn), who is in the midst of her own existential crisis.

Over the course of the Contenders chat, Gould, Odenkirk and Seehorn also reflected on the interplay between their series and Breaking Bad, and how working on BCS may or may not have made them see the Bryan Cranston starrer in a new light. While Gould backed the notion that “without Saul Goodman, there would’ve been no Walter White,” Odenkirk had a different take. “I think that Walter White would’ve still been Walter White without Saul, he just wouldn’t have lived as long, obviously. He would’ve had a shorter run,” said the actor-producer. “[But] I think Breaking Bad is the mothership. That’s how I feel about it.”

RELATED: Contenders Television Continues Sunday: 20 Panels Showcasing Buzziest Shows Of Awards Season

Back in the Emmys race this season with a number of Season 6 episodes that didn’t air within last year’s eligibility window, Better Call Saul is co-created by Vince Gilligan and Gould. The pair are joined as EPs on the crime drama, also starring Patrick Fabian, by Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer and Michael Morris.

Check back Tuesday for the panel video.

Deadline Contenders Television is sponsored by Apple TV+, Coverfly, Eyepetizer, Final Draft, Los Siete Misterios, Michter’s, and Village Roadshow Entertainment. Partners include: Four Seasons Resort Maui, The American Pavilion, Julia Wong Designs and Pampring.

Source link

0 Comments

In a virtual appearance today at Deadline’s

Global

The Kamloops Blazers have a 2-0 edge in their best-of-seven series against the Portland Winterhawks, following a 5-0 win on home ice Saturday night.

Blazers captain and Kamloops native Logan Stankoven was virtually unstoppable in Game 2, scoring twice and adding three assists to help his club cruise to victory.

“It was just a good start from us,” Stankoven said postgame.

“We knew that we didn’t want a split, so Game 2 for us here and in front of the hometown crowd was big for us and it was nice to see our line contributing as well.”

Read more:

Saskatoon Blades eliminate Regina Pats in historic WHL playoff matchup

Caedan Bankier, Olen Zellweger and Daylan Kuefler also found the back of the twine on Saturday night, and while the score may appear lopsided, Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston gave credit to both teams for their compete level.

Story continues below advertisement

“For the most part really, really close, and guys kept working, kept at it and were able to break it open a little bit in the third,” said Blazers head coach Shaun Clouston.

Trending Now

The Blazers’ powerplay operated at 75 per cent, tallying three goals on four opportunities, while netminder Dylan Ernst stopped all 29 shots throw his way, capturing his third shutout of the postseason.

“Our power play was really good. Ernie made some big saves,” Clouston said.

Read more:

Penticton Vees take 2-0 series lead vs Wenatchee following commanding win

The Blazers managed to make the most out of home ice advantage, as they now head to Portland with a stranglehold on the series.

Games 3 and 4 in Portland get underway on Wednesday and Thursday, and if necessary, a Game 5 will be held in Kamloops on Saturday.

Source link

0 Comments

Descrease article font size Increase article font size The

Trending

According to reports, Shakira infuriated other parents when she and her children cut through a line that had been waiting for almost 90 minutes to enter a Halloween attraction.

The Hips Don’t Lie singer, who is 45 years old, allegedly skipped ahead of other families waiting in line for more than an hour to get on the Tower of Terror rollercoaster in Barcelona, according to several news agencies in Spain that made their claims over the weekend.

According to a local journalist who spoke with Socialité, Shakira and her two children, Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, and a security officer sneaked into the club without anyone noticing.

A journalist by the name of Silvia Taulés observed that Shakira didn’t bat an eye when people yelled at her for skipping them in line, even though she did so.

Which kind of behavior should she model for her children? The reporter went on to say more. This intelligent learning of how to skip ahead of the line teaches them to do so even when it’s not essential.

Taulés also posted photographs to Twitter showing the halftime performer from the Super Bowl at the venue with her children. Page Six has contacted Shakira’s representatives but has yet to receive a response from them.

The Colombian superstar is having a rough year because of her breakup and custody fight with Gerard Piqué, a player for Barcelona FC who she shares two children with. Piqué is 35 years old. The former couple issued a joint statement in June, saying, “We regret to confirm that we are splitting.”

At this time, we respectfully request privacy for the sake of our children, the protection of whom is our highest responsibility. I want to express my gratitude for your consideration and regard. The football player is currently dating Clara Chia Marti, a 23-year-old public affairs student.

Source link

0 Comments

According to reports, Shakira infuriated other parents

Tech

SAN FRANCISCO — The Russian government has become far more successful at manipulating social media and search engine rankings than previously known, boosting lies about Ukraine’s military and the side effects of vaccines with hundreds of thousands of fake online accounts, according to documents recently leaked on the chat app Discord.

The Russian operators of those accounts boast that they are detected by social networks only about 1 percent of the time, one document says.

That claim, described here for the first time, drew alarm from former government officials and experts inside and outside social media companies contacted for this article.

“Google and Meta and others are trying to stop this, and Russia is trying to get better. The figure that you are citing suggests that Russia is winning,” said Thomas Rid, a disinformation scholar and professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He added that the 1 percent claim was likely exaggerated or misleading.

The undated analysis of Russia’s effectiveness at boosting propaganda on Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram and other social media platforms cites activity in late 2022 and was apparently presented to U.S. military leaders in recent months. It is part of a trove of documents circulated in a Discord chatroom and obtained by The Washington Post. Air National Guard technician Jack Teixeira was charged Friday with taking and transmitting the classified papers, charges for which he faces 15 years in prison.

The revelations about Russia’s improved misinformation abilities come as Twitter owner Elon Musk and some Republicans in Congress have accused the federal government of colluding with the tech companies to suppress right-wing and independent views by painting too many accounts as Russian attempts at foreign influence. A board set up to coordinate U.S. government policy on disinformation was disbanded last year after questions were raised about its purpose and a coordinated campaign aimed at the person who had been selected to lead it.

Twitter employees also say they worry that Musk’s cutbacks have hurt the platform’s ability to fight influence operations. Propaganda campaigns and hate speech have increased since Musk took over the site in October, according to employees and outside researchers. Russian misinformation promoters even bought Musk’s new blue-check verifications.

Many of the 10 current and former intelligence and tech safety specialists interviewed for this article cautioned that the Russian agency whose claims helped form the basis for the leaked document may have exaggerated its success rate.

But even if Russia’s fake accounts escaped detection only 90 percent of the time instead of 99 percent, that would indicate Russia has become far more proficient at disseminating its views to unknowing consumers than in 2016, when it combined bot accounts with human propagandists and hacking to try to influence the course of the U.S. presidential election, the experts said.

“If I were the U.S. government, I would be taking this seriously but calmly,” said Ciaran Martin, former head of the United Kingdom’s cyberdefense agency. “I would be talking to the major platforms and saying, ‘Let’s have a look at this together to see what credence to give these claims.’”

“Don’t automatically equate activity with impact,” Martin said.

The Defense Department declined to comment. TikTok, Twitter and Telegram, all named in the document as targets of Russian information operations, did not respond to a request for comment.

In a statement, YouTube owner Google said, “We have a strong track record detecting and taking action against botnets. We are constantly monitoring and updating our safeguards.”

With the average internet user spending more than two hours daily on social media, the internet has become perhaps the leading venue for conversations on current events, culture and politics, raising the importance of influencing what is seen and said online. But little is known about how a specific piece of content gets shown to users. The big tech companies are secretive about the algorithms that drive their sites, while marketing companies and governments use influencers and automated tools to push messages of all kinds.

The possible presence of disguised propaganda has evoked widespread concern in recent months about TikTok, whose Chinese ownership has prompted proposed bans in Congress, and Twitter, whose former trust and safety chief Yoel Roth told Congress in February that the site still harbored thousands or hundreds of thousands of Russian bots.

The document offers a rare candid assessment by U.S. intelligence of Russian disinformation operations. The document indicates it was prepared by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Cyber Command and Europe Command, the organization that directs American military activities in Europe. It refers to signals intelligence, which includes eavesdropping, but does not cite sources for its conclusions.

It focuses on Russia’s Main Scientific Research Computing Center, also referred to as GlavNIVTs. The center performs work directly for the Russian presidential administration. It said the Russian network for running its disinformation campaign is known as Fabrika.

The center was working in late 2022 to improve the Fabrika network further, the analysis says, concluding that “The efforts will likely enhance Moscow’s ability to control its domestic information environment and promote pro-Russian narratives abroad.”

The analysis said Fabrika was succeeding even though Western sanctions against Russia and Russia’s own censorship of social media platforms inside the country had added difficulties.

“Bots view, ‘like,’ subscribe and repost content and manipulate view counts to move content up in search results and recommendation lists,” the summary says. It adds that in other cases, Fabrika sends content directly to ordinary and unsuspecting users after gleaning their details such as email addresses and phone numbers from databases.

The intelligence document says the Russian influence campaigns’ goals included demoralizing Ukrainians and exploiting divisions among Western allies.

After Russia’s 2016 efforts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election, social media companies stepped up their attempts to verify users, including through phone numbers. Russia responded, in at least one case, by buying SIM cards in bulk, which worked until companies spotted the pattern, employees said. The Russians have now turned to front companies that can acquire less detectable phone numbers, the document says.

A separate top-secret document from the same Discord trove summarized six specific influence campaigns that were operational or planned for later this year by a new Russian organization, the Center for Special Operations in Cyberspace. The new group is mainly targeting Ukraine’s regional allies, that document said.

Those campaigns included one designed to spread the idea that U.S. officials were hiding vaccine side effects, intended to stoke divisions in the West. Another campaign claimed that Ukraine’s Azov Brigade was acting punitively in the country’s eastern Donbas region.

Others, aimed at specific countries in the region, push the idea that Latvia, Lithuania and Poland want to send Ukrainian refugees back to fight; that Ukraine’s security service is recruiting U.N. employees to spy; and that Ukraine is using influence operations against Europe with help from NATO.

A final campaign is intended to reveal the identities of Ukraine’s information warriors — the people on the opposite side of a deepening propaganda war.

clarification

An earlier version of this story included a quote from Thomas Rid, a disinformation scholar and professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, without noting that he believed the 1 percent claim was likely exaggerated or misleading. That information has been added.

Source link

0 Comments

Comment on this storyCommentSAN FRANCISCO — The

Video

April showers bring May flowers, but Amazon Prime Video’s April slate of new movies contains some bright watches for any leftover rain. The “Judy Blume Forever” documentary arrives toward the end of the month, telling the author’s life story and highlighting the impact her writing made on literature and the world. The doc will precede “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” which releases in theaters at the end of the month.

 

George Clooney returns to a tropical setting alongside Julia Roberts in the 2022 romantic comedy “Ticket to Paradise,” and his earlier Hawaiian-set film “The Descendants” will be available too. “Bros” provides another rom-com option that landed on the streamer on April 4. And we’ve even got a pick for the whole family.

 

Here are our picks for seven of the best new movies to watch on Amazon Prime Video in April 2023:

Source link

0 Comments

April showers bring May flowers, but Amazon

Entertaintment

The inaugural American Music Honors awards show — a fundraiser for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University — launched Saturday night without two very important presenters in attendance: Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa.

Bob Santelli, the Archives’ executive director, broke the news that the Springsteens were both diagnosed with COVID-19 just hours after Springsteen took a final bow Friday night at the Prudential Center, wrapping the first part of his 2023 tour with the E Street Band.

“It broke our hearts around 6 a.m. this morning when I got a call that two of the most important people who were supposed to be here, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, unfortunately came down with COVID.”

While the news was met with silence in the crowd, host Jon Stewart lightened the mood, joking, “They’re alive. Don’t overreact. You can still see them in concert. They’re home sitting by the fire eating French onion soup.”

Despite his absence physically, Springsteen was feeling spry enough to tape two videos presenting awards to Darlene Love and fellow E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt.

Stewart joked that Springsteen “with COVID looks better than me,” adding that he appeared “eerily healthy.”

“Aren’t you supposed to have sniffles or something?” he said. “We shut down the world for a year and a half.”

Springsteen was supposed to receive a proclamation from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who was in attendance with his wife, Tammy. Murphy, who joked that some in the audience were hoping that he was the one with COVID, unveiled a proclamation declaring Sept. 23, 2023, Springsteen’s birthday, “Bruce Springsteen Day” in the Garden State.

“I can’t believe it’s taken this long,” Murphy said.

“It’s not a rest area, but it’s nice,” quipped Stewart, an obvious reference to the Jon Bon Jovi rest stop and others in New Jersey. “It’s not like taking a whiz to ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ but it’ll do,”

The evening was a celebration of rock and soul music, honoring Van Zandt, Love, Steve Earle and Sam Moore of Sam and Dave for their musical contributions and career. Presenters included E Street Band bassist Garry Tallent honoring Earle and Southside Johnny Lyon inducting Moore, with Van Zandt’s band, the Disciples of Soul, serving as the house band.

The joyful tone was set early as the Disciples of Soul performed a medley of songs associated with each artist, starting with Love’s “A Fine, Fine Boy” and the Sam and Dave hit “Soul Sister, Brown Sugar.” The short set included Earle’s “Hard-Core Troubadour” and Van Zandt’s “I Am a Patriot.”

Tallent inducted Earle, crediting him for his decision to move to Nashville.

“We’ve been around music as long as I’ve been, and if you’re lucky to come across an artist whose musical influences are so broad and whose understanding of the importance and meaning of music is so great that sometimes you just have to sit back and admire the genius — I play with basically one of those guys,” he said. “Steve Earle is one of those guys too.”

Earle, who performed his song “Copperhead Road” after accepting his award, said that although he has other awards — including not just three Grammys but a fleeting honor as the “fan of the game” on a Jumbotron at Yankee Stadium — this one meant “a lot to me because of the name over the door of the organization giving out this award.”

Springsteen wore a denim jacket and looked quite alert despite a late night in Newark the night before at a show where he performed for three hours and even did a shot with a fan from Avalon, NJ celebrating her 21st birthday. He saluted Love’s accomplishments and recounted how her relationship with Van Zandt and him dated back to seeing her perform in 1982 at a show where she sang his hit “Hungry Heart.”

“By that time, Darlene had become this mysterious figure in the music industry who had made this bunch of amazing records and was considered one of the best, if not the best, of all the ’60s singers, male or female — and then in the ’70s suddenly disappeared,” he said. “As fate would have it, Darlene leaves the business to become a housekeeper in the ’70s. I’m sure there’s something equally bizarre, unjust and impossible to imagine,” he added, though little comparable came to mind.

Love was overcome with emotion receiving her award, and celebrated by performing an uplifting version of “River Deep Mountain High” with the band.

“I said I was going to laugh for the first five minutes but now I’m going to try not to cry,” Love said. “I love you, Stevie, with all my heart. My husband loves you. You know, it’s hard. You never know what you have done for us. Because I had truly said goodbye to this business, because this is one of the hardest businesses you ever want to be in. You have to love it. You have to love people that don’t love you. You go the show and you say, why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? But it’s because of the gift that God has given me here and I truly intend to use it for the next 80.”

Lyon was reverential inducting Moore, recalling how he and Van Zandt were inspired to form the Asbury Jukes after watching Moore perform at a show in New Jersey.

“One of those moments in your life, you hear that first Sam and Dave record and you just go, ‘I wanna do that. That’s what I want to do,’” he said. “There’s not a lot I can say about Sam except that he is still teaching me.”

The 87-year-old Moore took the stage seated in a chair and lead the crowd through an uplifting and fun performance of the hit “I Thank You.”

Springsteen appeared again on video to honor his friend Van Zandt and his accomplishments in music and socially conscious efforts, including organizing “Artists Against Apartheid” for the “Sun City” record. Springsteen reminisced about the first time the two met as teenagers at the Hullabaloo Club in Middletown, NJ and ” I found a rock ‘n’ roll partner in crime forever.”

“Yes, we liked the same music, yes, we liked the same bands, and it was at one time we liked the same clothes,” he said, quoting his song from “Born in the USA,” “Bobby Jean.”

“He does look kind of healthy, doesn’t he? — son of a bitch,” Van Zandt joked, before giving a speech about his passion for music and his mission to preserve the legacy through his TeachRock initiative, a program also offered at Monmouth University.

“This is nice to have a home for Bruce’s archives, and we’ll talk about other things as well as teaching workshops and all the rest that’s going to come with this wonderful organization,” he said.

“We were the luckiest generation ever growing up in a renaissance. I define renaissance very simply by when the greatest art is being made, it’s when it’s also the most commercial, you are in the middle of a renaissance. And that was the ’60s,” he said. “Of course, we were taking it for granted at the time, thinking that this was normal. Of course, we soon realized that it was a very, very special time.”

Van Zandt explained that the TeachRock initiative expands the standard S.T.E.M. basic curriculum of science, technology, engineering and math and adds an “A” for Arts, therefore transforming it to what he described as “S.T.E.A.M.”

“You integrate the art into math, into engineering, and not as a separate entity, but actually part of that same discipline. And this is changing the way kids are starting to learn,” he said.

The evening was capped by Van Zandt taking the stage to perform the song “Bitter Fruit” with the Disciples of Soul, and a finale that called all four honorees to the stage with Lyon to perform “It’s Been a Long Time,” “Hungry Heart” with Love on lead vocals, “Soul Man,” “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” and “I Don’t Want to Go Home.”

The previous night at Prudential Center, Springsteen closed out the show by dedicating the night’s final song, an acoustic version of “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” to his nephew, Michael Shave. An online family obituary noted by Springsteen fans reported that Shave died at age 53 on Friday, although Springsteen did not mention the death as part of his dedication.

Source link

0 Comments

The inaugural American Music Honors awards show

MCU

A new rumor suggested that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is now changing his strategy when it comes to hiring behind-the-camera talent for the MCU.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe hired plenty of established talent in the past, it’s previously been successful in discovering lesser-known talents. The biggest example of this would be the Russo Brothers, who previously only directed sitcoms for television before going on to handle two of the biggest films of all time.

A more recent example would be WandaVision director Matt Shakman, who is now leading the charge on Fantastic Four. The hit Disney+ series’ showrunner, Jac Schaeffer, was even been hired again by Marvel Studios to be involved in two other projects.

Despite wins like those, however, Marvel Studios continues to struggle when it comes to the reception of many of its recent projects. This includes 2023’s Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, which was penned by Jeff Loveness, a talented writer with a limited filmography outside of Rick and Morty.

Now, a new report suggested that Marvel Studios might start veering away from hiring more unknown talent.

Kevin Feige Adjusting His Hiring Strategies?

Marvel

A new rumor from insider Jeff Sneider, while speaking on The Hot Mic, potentially revealed that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is looking to adjust how the company hires some of its biggest creatives.

Sneider noted how he was told that “Feige does want to hire more established talent behind the camera.”

Back in June 2022, sources told Deadline’s Justin Kroll that “after not having to worry about” watching over Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness every moment of its production, Feige was hoping for more of the same for Fantastic Four.

“Kevin [Feige] doesn’t want to oversee the entire shoot, and after not having to worry about that with [Sam] Raimi, he is very game to the same outcome with [the ‘Fantastic Four’‘s] shoot.”

Will Marvel Studios Adjust How It Picks Creatives?

Even if the rumored changes are true, it’s hard to believe that Marvel Studios would be completely against working with lesser established talent. Discovering those types of creatives has been a staple ever since the MCU was created—Marvel Studios wouldn’t completely turn its back on those options.

But it’s easy to see Marvel taking those bigger risks a little less often than before, especially when it comes to its more notable properties.

The company’s out-of-the-box creative choice to bring Chloé Zhao on board as the Eternals‘ director resulted in the MCU’s first rotten branded movie on Rotten Tomatoes.

Many fans believe that two new on-the-scene writers, Michael Waldron and Jeff Loveness, both of whom were involved with poorly received MCU projects, will be next in line to be replaced with more experienced and proven talent.

After all, the duo both have an upcoming Avengers movie to their name, and many fans don’t see it staying that way. This is especially true when it comes to Loveness and The Kang Dynasty, as the writer’s recent Quantumania film did not sit well with many.

Source link

0 Comments

DCU

Dragon Ball Z is a large franchise with a long story that can be challenging for some to follow. That’s why OVAs (Original Video Animations) are a great entry point for many enthusiasts who may need to become more familiar with the property. Dragon Ball Z OVAs are special in the hearts of fans. A collection of unparalleled talent directs all of these animated films. Only the best writers, directors, and designers made the cut to produce these movies. The key members of the DBZ team, people whose visual style defined the series in its most critical moments, are in charge of all these stories.


Takao Koyama leads the charge as the sole writer for all 13 OVAs. Visual designers like Minoru Maeda, Katsuyoshi Nakatruru, Tadayoshi Yamamuro, and Keisuke Masunaga pair their talents with directors such as Daisuke Nishio, Mitsuo Hashimoto, and Yoshihiro Ueda to bring to life some of the most stylized stories in the world of Dragon Ball Z. These films have no connection to the official canon of the series. You don’t have to worry about their placement in the timeline. However, some elements, such as Broly, have proven so popular that they have transitioned to the show’s canon.

These OVAs premiered in the direct market back in their native Japan. Dragon Ball Z arrived in North America in 1996, a decade after its debut in Japan. By that time, all of these OVAs were already produced. Many people were first exposed to these OVAs thanks to theatrical releases. The first three OVAs, The Dead Zone, The World’s Strongest, and The Tree of Might, had a tremendous cinematic run in the United States and Latin America, which helped to establish the large fandom DBZ enjoys to this day.

The following is a list of all these OVAs. Our ranking goes from worst to best based on two simple aspects: how good the story is and how great the animation looks. Remember that, although the OVAs don’t take place in the show’s canon, they have a loose continuity among them and a tiny thread of connectivity to events in the main show. We will not include the two TV specials Future Gohan and Bardock, Father of Goku. With that out of the way, on we go with our list.

13 Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)

Toei Company

The last film in the Broly trilogy is the weakest entry on the list. Directed by Yoshihiro Ueda, Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly follows Mr. Satan, Goten, and Trunks. When an old rival of “The World’s Greatest Champion” comes back to issue a challenge using bioengineered warriors, the kids team up with Android 18, who is extorting payment from Mr. Satan for letting him win the Budokai tournament that took place during the Majin Boo Saga.

The gang ends up fighting Bio-Broly, a clone of the original created by the mad scientist. Luckily for the kids, the bioengineered abomination is not as strong as the original, and they make quick work of him by using the fusion.

12 Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

Directed by Mitsuo Hashimoto, this OVA is the fourth entry in the series. Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug follows Gohan and Goku during a visit to Piccolo. They sense a strong extraterrestrial presence coming to Earth. Lord Slug has a similar design to a Namekian, but it’s never established to be one.

He can learn about the Dragon Balls thanks to his mental powers and manages to gather them and ask for eternal youth. He beats the heroes and begins terraforming the planet to turn it into a biological spaceship. The film is famous for teasing the Super Saiyan form, as Goku loses his sense of self to battle Lord Slug to defeat him.

11 Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

The second OVA in the series, Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest is directed by Daisuke Nishio. In this film, we follow Dr. Kochin, who gathers the Dragon Balls to free Dr. Wheelo from an ice prison. Gohan, Oolong, and Piccolo are on the case, but they are captured by the scientists’ warriors, who then hunt for the strongest warrior on Earth.

Related: Dragon Ball Z: The Anime That Shaped The Entire Millennial Generation

They manage to capture Master Roshi to test his mettle but defeat him. Goku arrives in the nick of time but also loses to the doctor who has brainwashed Piccolo. Seeing his father beat triggers Gohan’s inner rage, making Dr. Wheelo realize the kid is the world’s strongest warrior.

10 Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

Daisuke Nishio directed the seventh film. In Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!, we follow Goku and his friends as they unwind after the Android saga. Two more superpowered androids appear, informing the gang that Dr. Gero’s death activated an extermination protocol meant to wipe out the Saiyans for good.

It’s up to Goku, Trunks, Vegeta, and Piccolo to battle against the powerful Androids 14 and 15. After they are dispatched, Android 13 absorbs their cores and becomes the ultimate Android. Goku fights the foe to a standstill but only manages to defeat him after Piccolo and Vegeta give him more time to form a Spirit Bomb.

9 Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

The ninth OVA in the series is also the first where the main character is Gohan, right after defeating Cell. Directed by Yoshihiro Ueda, Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound follows the gang as they fight a heap of weak adversaries in an “Intergalactic Tournament” hosted by a wealthy family. The Z warriors join for the fun of it and the monetary prize. It’s all in good fun until the so-called “aliens” hired by the family turn out to be real intergalactic smugglers bent on conquering the universe.

Bojack and his team must defeat the Z warriors since they know they are the strongest warriors on Earth. Goku can only watch as all his friends fall in battle until he decides to break the rules and use teleportation to return to the real world and save Gohan, giving him the strength to power up to SSJ2 and finish Bojack once and for all.

8 Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon is the 13th film in the series and the last official Dragon Ball Z OVA. Directed by Mitsuo Hashimoto, the film follows Gohan and Videl as they encounter a man named Hoi, who goes on to present them with an enchanted music box that holds Tapion, a hero who is supposed to be their only chance to stop an approaching evil.

After freeing Tapion with the Dragon Balls, they discover half a demon named Hirudegarn is trapped inside him, who promptly begins attacking the city. Gohan, Videl, and other Z fighters can only defeat it once Tapion plays a tune on his ocarina to weaken and vanish it. Tapion shares his story and the origin of Hirudegarn with the Z fighters, who help defeat the monster and return Tapion to his planet, who in return gifts Trunks with his trademark sword before leaving.

7 Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

The series’ fifth entry is also the Cooler saga’s first part. Mitsuo Hashimoto directs Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge, which follows the story of Frieza’s older brother, Cooler. After watching Frieza destroy the Saiyan home world, he allows a space pod carrying Goku to escape to Earth.

Years later, Cooler seeks to reclaim his lost honor after Frieza’s defeat. Cooler ambushes Goku and his friends on Earth, where he severely wounds the Saiyan warrior. Gohan must retrieve a bag of magic beans to heal his father. With the help of Piccolo, the kid manages to fight back against Cooler’s henchmen and reach Goku, who manages to recover just in time to transform into a Super Saiyan and defeat Cooler once and for all.

6 Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

A direct sequel to Cooler’s Revenge, the sixth entry in the series is directed by Daisuke Nishio. In Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler, a small gathering of the Z warriors is transported to New Namek. The planet is under attack by a sentient spaceship controlled by Cooler, who has returned, this time equipped with a metallic body. The team finds themselves overwhelmed by Cooler’s army. With his new powers and abilities, Cooler can regenerate his army as much as he wants.

This film is also the first to focus on Goku and Vegeta’s ongoing pairing to defeat a common enemy. After Cooler captures the pair and uses them to power his ship, they manage to overload all of Cooler’s system, making him self-destroy in the process.

5 Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)

DBZ_OVA_TM
Toei Animation

The third film in the saga, directed by Mitsuo Hashimoto, was the first Dragon Ball film to arrive in theaters in America and was marketed as Dragon Ball Z: The Movie. The story follows Gohan, Krillin, Bulma, and Oolong on a camping trip disrupted by a forest fire. The fire was caused by Saiyan space pirate, Turles, who wants to grow the Tree of Might on Earth. The tree grows while absorbing all life on the planet.

After using the Dragon Balls to restore the forest, Gohan befriends a dragon named Icarus. The Z fighters must team up to fight the threat but fail miserably. Goku saves the day after creating a Spirit Bomb by using the tree’s energy.

4 Dragon Ball Z: Broly — The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

The eighth OVA in the series introduced one of the most popular characters into Dragon Ball lore: Broly. Dragon Ball Z: Broly — The Legendary Super Saiyan begins with King Kai contacting Goku to warn him of a Saiyan-like force destroying the south galaxy. At the same time, Vegeta and Trunks are approached by Paragus, who states he has rebuilt Saiyan society on a new planet.

Related: Dragon Ball: 10 Dead Characters Who Were Never Wished Back to Life

When the whole gang travels with Paragus, they meet his son, Broly, who becomes agitated by the sole presence of Goku. Broly eventually loses his cool and attacks Goku revealing his identity as the Legendary Super Saiyan. The ensuing battle sees all the Z warriors fall one by one until they lend their last bit of energy to power up Goku and help him beat the warrior just by a flinch. Shigeyasu Yamauchi directs the film.

3 Dragon Ball Z: Broly — The Second Coming (1994)

DBZ_OVA_BR2
Toei Animation

In Dragon Ball Z: Broly — The Second Coming, the second chapter in the Broly trilogy, the story had a smaller scope than the first film, but it upped the ante by placing the conflict on Earth. Shigeyasu Yamauchi directs the movie.

It begins with Broly being discovered unconscious after escaping the comet that destroyed New Vegeta. Time moves forward seven years, and we see Goten, Trunks, and Videl gathering the Dragon Balls and helping a village deal with a shaman demanding a human sacrifice. Goten’s cries awaken Broly, who quickly defeats Videl and the boys before Gohan saves the day. The trio of Saiyan fights Broly, but they can’t match his power until Goten wishes for help with all his heart. The skies open, and one of the most epic moments in Dragon Ball history occurs.

2 Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)

Dragon Ball Z Ovas
Toei Company

In the second place of our ranking, we have one of the most absurd and funny OVAs ever created for the franchise, with equal parts of comedy and some of the most amazing animated fights in DBZ lore.

Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn, directed by Shigeyasu, begins when a teenage Oni gets distracted doing his chores. His mistake causes an explosion that transforms him into a massive, childlike monster with dimensional manipulation abilities who begins resurrecting the deceased. Goku and Pikkon investigate to find Janemba in hell. On Earth, Gohan, Videl, and the kids battle hordes of zombies, soldiers, and villains. Vegeta is granted his body to fight alongside Goku. Both decide to perform the fusion to end the conflict.

1 Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)

DBZ_OVA_DZ
Toei Animation

The best DBZ OVA keeps things simple. Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone is a prequel to the main show, and it has close ties to the Garlic Jr. Saga, a filler arc created for the TV show between the Cell and Majin Boo sagas. Daisuke Nishio directs the movie.

It begins with Piccolo training after his defeat at the 23rd Budokai Tournament when a group of unknown warriors suddenly ambushes him. Shortly after, Goku’s family is attacked by the same group, and Gohan is kidnaped. We discover Garlic Jr. is behind the attack to retrieve the four-star Dragon Ball from Gohan’s hat. Sensing Gohan’s immense power, he decides to make him his pupil instead of killing him. After Garlic Jr. wishes for immortality, Goku, Piccolo, and Kami fight him. The trio isn’t faring well until Gohan unleashes his latent power and traps Garlic Jr. in the Dead Zone he opened.

Source link

0 Comments

Dragon Ball Z is a large

Comics

American McGee has told fans to stop asking him about a new Alice game after the game designer claimed that EA had quashed his plans to make a third game in the cult series.

“The rights are very simple – EA owns Alice and they control it,” McGee said, responding to repeated questions about the series following his admission that EA had turned down the opportunity to make his planned third game in the series, Alice: Asylum.

“I’d really love it if people could stop asking me questions about Alice in general,” said McGee on his Patreon, which he had been using to crowdfund the pre-production of the game before his (ultimately unsuccessful) pitch to EA.

Notice: To display this embed please allow the use of Functional Cookies in Cookie Preferences.

“EA owns Alice and they control it,” he explained. “If you want to do something with the IP, you are free to do that – just like you are with all other IPs – but you get into trouble when you start trying to sell the stuff you create. Additional questions on this stuff should be directed at EA. I really want some space from Alice and questions related to it.”

McGee’s career started at id Software, where he was a level designer on numerous games in the Doom and Quake series.

After leaving id he joined Electronic Arts and became creative director of American McGee’s Alice, a dark and violent take on the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland novels released in 2000.

In McGee’s game, Alice’s family die in a house fire. Five years later, while lying comatose in a psychiatric clinic, Alice mentally returns to Wonderland, which has been made to look surreal and disfigured by her mind.

The 2011 sequel Alice: Madness Returns saw Alice discharged from the clinic and living in a home for mentally traumatised orphans. Continuing to suffer hallucinations of Wonderland, she enters it again to face a new evil and find out more about her past.

McGee concluded his statement on Patreon with a lengthy comment which he claims is his “final note” on the situation.

“I just want to restate that I understand how difficult this is for many of you,” he said. “I am feeling the same pain and anger as many of you. And I understand that in situations like these, we often ask ourselves ‘what can we do’ or ‘what could we have done differently’ in order to change the outcome.

“It’s tough to admit right now but ultimately, we’re going to need to accept that this decision and the situation, in general, is out of our control. We are not ‘giving up’ any more than a person who is hit by a bus is ‘giving up’.

“We did everything we could as a team and a group of fans to convince EA to let this next chapter happen. EA decided to kill the project and the possibility of any future for Alice. That decision is on them. But we can make a decision of our own – and it’s a strong decision to make – to move on. That is what we do have in our power.

“And it’s often one of the most difficult decisions to be made in situations like this. But it’s what we must do. So, I would ask that you join me in moving on. If you decide to stay back and continue fighting, that’s fine. That is your decision to make. I respect that. And I ask that you also respect my decision to move on. Thank you.”