Season two of the Starz high seas drama, BLACK SAILS, is sailing along and series regulars Hannah New, Toby Stephens & more talk about where the trip will take them over the next few weeks. Plus Kevin Bigley and Kevin Daniels show us why the USA Network comedy SIRENS is scoring some pretty big laughs.
THE FOLLOWING returns to primetime TV in a few days, and Kevin Bacon joins us to talk about what makes the show’s third outing so drastically different.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @ThePointRadio.
Leonard Nimoy, best know to the world for his role as Mr. Spock in Star Trek, died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles from end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 83.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.
By sight, you know Jason Hervey as big brother Wayne from the classic WONDER YEARS, but in the decades since he’s been behind his desk helping create some exciting TV and movies projects. His latest is OUTLAW COUNTRY (premiering this week on WGN America), taking a unique reality look at both sides of the law in a small town. Jason fills us in on the show and more, plus we are on the set of the VH1 series HINDSIGHT. Time travel saga or soap opera? Stars Laura Ramsey and Craig Horner weigh in.
In a few days,we go to the set of the USA Network hit series SIRENS, plus a look at this season of BLACK SAILS from Starz. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @ThePointRadio.
The other afternoon, whilst sipping on a cool beverage and shooting the breeze with a comic book making cohort, I stumbled upon a most interesting What If scenario. You see, this pal of mine loathes Kevin Smith (of Jay and Silent Bob, and a dozen other ventures). Knowing this, I pressed:
“What would you do if Kevin Smith got a hold of your [Amazing Indie Book I’ve Plugged Before], and decided he just had to turn it into a film. Would you make a deal with him?”
A little bit of hemming and hawing later, the answer was a resounding yes – pending a considerable amount of money was put on the table, as well as some subsidiary rights. It ultimately got me to question myself: Would I put aside my integrity as an artist if it meant a more lucrative life? Well, as much as I’d love to be able to side with the staving artists of the world, I’m a fat dude who loves a good Faberge egg omelet far more than resting on a pile of unsold ideas.
It’s oftentimes the pipe dream of the indie creator, is it not? Certainly Banky and McNeil of Chasing Amy had courted selling out as means to better ends, and no one looked down on them much. The fact is that we barnacles on the S.S. Comics may enter into the endeavor or making pulp for the masses with nothing more than good intentions to entertain, but there’s only so long that one can sustain the hobby without lucrative backing.
As I’ve detailed time and again: each issue of my Samurnauts series represents roughly 250 work hours from concept to completion. Three guys working full time jobs and maintaining contact with loved ones – like our fiancés, wives, and kids – put in those hours. While there’s no greater feeling in the world than seeing a complete stranger plunk down his hard earned cash for my comic, there’s no bigger dream then being able to sustain a career actually making the next issue.
If there were to be a fly on the wall when Shuster and Siegel were pitching Superman, do you think they were contemplating points on the backend when they signed their names on the dotted line? I doubt it. They sold the rights for $130 and a contract to produce more material, to the tune of $150,000 a year for the pair. Superman, of course, went on to become a radio show, a newspaper strip, a cartoon, a television program, and countless cartons of collectable crap. The creators would end up suing DC and other respective owners for a fairer cut for the rest of their natural lives. The notion was clear from the start: putting food on the table will trump a stiff upper lip every time.
When an artist is given carte blanche to see their truest work come to fruition, I’ve no doubt it will always be better than had it been built by a focus group. But there’s a reason why DC and Marvel hire known names to helm their biggest titles. They’re not in the business to take leaps of faith. In the best cases, one could argue that a collaboration between art and commerce leaves the most people happy. See The Avengers. And when it goes wrong, well, funny enough, no one is exactly blaming Eastman and Laird over Bay’s Ninja Turtles now, are they.
The notion of selling out was always troublesome to me. The thing is, the Million Dollar Man was right: Everyone has a price. But there will always be those creations we hold nearest to our hearts and feel the need to protect. I believe for most of us indie creators, our ideas are always on the table for sale because we pride ourselves in the ability to create more where they came from. The hope is when we’re well off enough we can afford to give life to those new ideas without the slimy hand of an unwanted third party. Left to their own devices, Green Day became Foxboro Hot Tubs and without any focus groups to get in the way… ended up sounding like Green Day (from 1968).
So, I say unto all those amidst the Artist Alleyways! You are free and clear to seek that big payday without fear of repercussion. For you see… the artist that pays his bills, and lives to see another day has plenty of integrity in my book.
We knew she’d be back – Michelle Gomez said she’d be back, we just didn’t know how soon she’d be back. Well, now we know – Missy (AKA The Master) will make her return in the series premiere of Doctor Who later in 2015.
The two-part episode, The Magician’s Apprentice and The Witch’s Familiar, is written by the show’s lead writer Steven Moffat, produced by Peter Bennett and directed by Hettie Macdonald (Blink, the Hugo Award-winning Doctor Who episode).
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 went live today as a Digital HD purchase with the physical DVD or Blu-ray and OnDemand editions coming March 6. To whet your appetite, Lionsgate has released two deleted scenes from the blockbuster, which sets the stage for the final installment, coming later this year.
“I’m not asking” features a tense exchange between President Snow and Peeta, highlighting Peeta’s experience as a prisoner of Panem, previously unseen to audiences in Mockingjay: Part 1.
“Face of a revolution” features a humorous scene with Effie and Katniss as she’s prepped (and primped) to become the Mockingjay.
SANTA MONICA, CA and VANCOUVER, BC, (January 22, 2015) – Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) global juggernaut The Hunger Games franchise continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 arriving on Digital HD February 17 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand Friday, March 6, the Company announced today.
Mockingjay – Part 1 became the highest-grossing domestic release of 2014 when it reached nearly $333.2 million at the domestic box office yesterday. The last two installments of The Hunger Games franchise (Catching Fire and Mockingjay – Part 1) have become the highest-grossing releases at the domestic box office each of the past two years, the first time in decades that a studio has scored back-to-back #1 films of the year and the first time ever for back-to-back sequels. Mockingjay – Part 1, which opens in China on February 8, has already grossed more than $700 million worldwide, bringing global box office for the franchise to over $2.2 billion.
“The number one theatrical release of 2014 is poised to become one of the biggest home entertainment events of 2015,” said Lionsgate Home Entertainment President Ron Schwartz and Lionsgate President of Worldwide Television & Digital Distribution Jim Packer. “With the film’s home entertainment rollout beginning on Digital HD next month and continuing on Blu-ray, DVD and on demand in March, we’re continuing to expand the portfolio of choices we offer to enrich the experience of our consumers.”
Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence leads an all-star cast in the battle for Panem in a spectacular sequel packed with five hours of extensive, must-see bonus materials including the two-hour behind-the-scenes documentary “The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay – Part 1.” Featuring never-before-seen interviews and on-set footage of the cast and crew, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the making of the film including the script adaptation, location scouting, set design – including physically creating the hovercraft – casting the new characters, and bringing District 13 to life.
Additional special features include “Straight from the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman,” deleted scenes, an audio commentary with director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson, as well as the “Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack” featurette, the music video for the Golden Globe®-nominated song “Yellow Flicker Beat” and a brand new sneak peek at The Divergent Series: Insurgent. The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 features an acclaimed cast including Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone with Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland reprising their original roles from The Hunger Games and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The impressive lineup is joined by five-time Academy Award® nominee Julianne Moore*, Mahershala Ali (Netflix’s “House of Cards”), Natalie Dormer (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Wes Chatham (The Help), Elden Henson (Jobs) and Evan Ross (Jeff, Who Lives at Home).
Based on the best-selling third novel of Suzanne Collins’ award-winning trilogy, with a screenplay by Peter Craig (The Town) and Danny Strong (Lee Daniels’ The Butler) and directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 reveals that the rebellion is growing. Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived and is recovering from the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell deep inside the bunkered catacombs of District 13. Separated from some of her closest allies and fearing for their safety in the Capitol, Katniss finally agrees to be the Mockingjay, the symbolic leader of the rebellion. Still uncertain as to whom she can trust, Katniss must help District 13 rise from the shadows, all the while knowing that President Snow has focused his hatred into a personal vendetta against her-and her loved ones.
*(Best Actress, Still Alice, 2014; Best Actress, Far From Heaven, 2002; Best Supporting Actress, The Hours, 2002; Best Actress, The End of the Affair, 1999; Best Actress, Boogie Nights, 1997)
DIGITAL HD SPECIAL FEATURES**·
“The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay – Part 1“: 8-part feature-length documentary·
“Straight From the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman” featurette
“Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack” featurette
“Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde music video
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
Sneak Peek of The Divergent Series: Insurgent
**Subject to change
BLU-RAY COMBO PACK SPECIAL FEATURES**·
“The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of Mockingjay – Part 1“: 8-part feature-length documentary·
“Straight From the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman” featurette
“Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack” featurette
“Yellow Flicker Beat” – Lorde music video
Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
Sneak Peek of The Divergent Series: Insurgent
**Subject to change
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES**·
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
This spring, let your imagination run free. Sci-fi fantasy and comic book fans will have the chance to embark on a unique journey beyond space, time and known worlds that await us when the highly celebrated live-action, sci-fi anthologyMETAL HURLANT CHRONICLES: THE COMPLETE SERIES debuts for the first time on Blu-ray™ and DVD on April 14, 2015from Shout! Factory.
Visionary writer-director Guillaume Lubrano brings his faithful, well-crafted adaption of the world renowned comics anthology Métal Hurlant (also known internationally as ‘Heavy Metal’ Magazine) to live-action with a star-studded cast including Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), Scott Adkins (Expendables 2) Michael Biehn (Aliens), Kelly Brook (Piranha 3D), David Belle (Prince of Persia), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Joe Flanigan (Stargate: Atlantis), James Marsters (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Dominique Pinon (Alien: Resurrection), Michelle Ryan (Doctor Who) and Michael Jai White (Spawn).
The last fragment of a living planet, reduced to dust by the destructive madness of its habitants, is condemned to roam the universe for eternity, bringing suffering and deception to those who cross her path. That damned messenger is called: The Metal Hurlant. From 1960s cold war drama to distant future, fantasy to medieval, the live action sci-fi series METAL HURLANT CHRONICLES spans a wide range of self-contained stories linked together by an asteroid, called the METAL HURLANT, which passes close to the planet where each story is taking place, thereby changing the outcome.
And so another of the items on the world’s “This will never happen” list can be crossed off. Sony and Marvel Studios have come to an accord on the use of Spider-Man in proper Marvel films, and of other Marvel characters in upcoming Spider-movies.
While this initially sounds like a stellar win, I can see a number of ways that it won’t live up to the expectations of the fans.
Marvel hasn’t “gotten Spider-Man back” – This is very much a “two guys with half the map” scenario. A great deal of cooperation will have to occur between the companies, with permitted uses and appearances strictly defined. It seems much like the partnership between the various studios in the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit franchise, each hanging on to their piece for dear life to score a taste of that sweet profit stream.
BURBANK, CA (February 10, 2015) âBatman and his team of fellow heroes are tasked with taming an altogether different form of beasts in Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the latest animated DC Comics film to hit shelves from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment arrives May 12, 2015 on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD will include an exclusive Firebat figurine, while supplies last.
Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will be available on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack for $24.98 SRP and on DVD for $19.98 SRP. The Blu-rayTM Combo Pack includes a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet.* Fans can also own Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts in Digital HD on May 12 via purchase from digital retailers.
Another storm is brewing in Gotham and itâs not only raining cats and dogs but evil Cyber Animals! When the city is plagued by a slew of bizarre crimes committed by an animal-inspired villain squad known as the Animilitia â comprised of Silverback, Cheetah, Killer Croc and Man-Bat â Batman must swing into action to investigate. These animalistic villains bring new and exciting challenges for the hero of Gotham, and Batman must find a way to bring these criminal creatures to a halt! But could the Animilitia be working for powerful businessman Oswald Cobblepot a.k.a. The Penguin? How does The Penguinâs new invention of robotic Cyber Animals fit into the mix? In the end, itâll the combined forces of Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Nightwing and Red Robin to combat these Animal Instincts.
âWe are thrilled to release Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts, an action-packed DC Comics animated film that is created specifically for our younger fans,â said Mary Ellen Thomas, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Vice President, Family & Animation Marketing. âBatman is the worldâs most beloved Super Hero and this DC Comics release will provide family-friendly action and adventure for nonstop entertainment.â
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS
Batman Unlimited: Animal Instinctswill be available for streaming and download to watch anywhere in high definition and standard definition on their favorite devices from select digital retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Flixster, iTunes, PlayStation, Target Ticket, Vudu, Xbox and others. Starting May 12, Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts will also be available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.
In a superhero reunion, Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced a new deal with Marvel Studios that brings new Spider-Man movies into the Marvel cinematic universe.
The next Spider-Man film will hit theaters on July 28, 2017.
According to the announcement, Sony and Marvel will cast a new Spider-Man after Andrew Garfield starred in the last two films, “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” Tobey Maguire played Peter Parker in the previous three installments for Sony.
Sony will continue to distribute, finance, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man pics. They’ll work with Marvel, owned by Disney, on how to weave Spider-Man’s character into Marvel’s upcoming superhero films, which includes the popular franchise “The Avengers.”
I’d suspected this might happen when the info was leaked during the Sony hack, because Sony might need the money and boost very quickly. And lo and behold, here we are.
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And so another of the items on the world’s “This will never happen” list can be crossed off. Sony and Marvel Studios have come to an accord on the use of Spider-Man in proper Marvel films, and of other Marvel characters in upcoming Spider-movies.
