Happy Halloween, Clownfish TV readers! What better way to celebrate the year’s greatest holiday than with some Evil Dead news? Get ready for gallons of blood, Deadites, and gore galore when Evil Dead Rise hits theatres on April 21st, 2023. The Chin himself, Bruce Campbell, gave the world their first look at a new Deadite from the upcoming film.
Regarding the synopsis found on IMDB, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt. So, the following outline of the sequel’s plot may not be 100% accurate:
A twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.
The new film was shot in New Zealand. So, how did the Necronomicon end up there? Or is this a story about an ongoing outbreak of the undead, and we’re following a family trying to survive? Does this occur in the original films’ universe or the 2013 remake? Or is this part of the Ash vs Evil Dead series? When it comes to Evil Dead, you never know. The continuity is all over the place.
The Mist‘s Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan from Picnic at Hanging Rock will headline the cast. Evil Dead Rise is helmed by 50 States of Fright director Lee Cronin, while Campbell and the franchises creator Sam Raimi will act as executive producers. As of right now, the cast looks relatively small, meaning this film will probably keep in step with other Evil Dead features: tight, claustrophobic, and demoralizing to the characters. Whether or not the series’s previous heroes, Ash or Mia, will return to the film is unclear.
What are your hopes for this latest installment in the long-running ultra-gory franchise? An Ash cameo? Lots of dismemberment? Let us know in the comments section below.
HiDive announced that they will release their first ever original anime co-production known as ‘Giant Beasts of Ars.’ They are developing the film alongside DMM with Asahi Production handling the animation. Sentai Filmworks will eventually develop an English dub.
They said on their website, “HIDIVE revealed a long list of announcements to fans during its industry panel event at this year’s Anime Weekend Atlanta. This included the action -adventure series GIANT BEASTS OF ARS, an original anime and HIDIVE’s first ever co-production, which will premiere in January during the company’s Winter 2023 simulcast season.”
The movie is directed by Akira Oguro, written by Norimitsu Kaihō, and Ashito Ōyari is handling the character designs along with Hiroshi Shimizu and Masato Kato.
Hina Yomiya of ‘My Dress-Up Darlin’ voices Kuumi. The rest of the cast includes Toshiyuki Morikawa (Ascendance of a Bookworm), Hiromu Mineta (Star Wars: Visions), Yōko Hikasa (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?), and Yū Serizawa (Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside).
HiDive celebrated the movie production on social media:
Co-production GIANT BEASTS OF ARS and The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes movie top list of HIDIVE announcements at Anime Weekend Atlanta. Read more: https://t.co/sSPZuY9GaVpic.twitter.com/Nk4GqOWyx1
“The great beasts created the land, but humans stole it. Angered, the beasts began eating humans, who in turn called upon the gods to fight the beasts. In the age of the sword, heroes and mythology, giant beasts are hunted by humans for profit. Jiro, who makes his living hunting beasts, encounters Kuumi, who is being chased by someone, and in that moment decides to save her. As rumors spread regarding humanity and a mysterious experiment, together they seek to discover the world’s secrets.”
The music is composed by Shūji Katayama and Akinari Suzuki.
With less than 12 hours left, HasLab’s Engine of Vengence crowdfunding campaign looks like it will be short about four thousand backers. So Ghost Rider may be sucked back into the underworld with the rest of Hasbro’s failed crowdfunders unless a miracle happens in half a day.
When I first covered this story a few days after the campaign launched, more than 3k people had signed on. A month and a half later, that number increased by less than 2k people. As of writing this, there are 4,870 pre-orders, but 9,000 are needed. The effort ends tonight at 11:59 PM EDT.
What went wrong? Well, the stretch goals sucked. You’d unlock three Marvel Legends figures by getting the funding up to 12,000 people ($4,199,880). No add-ons for the car or accessories for Ghost Rider. Just three characters: Goblin Queen, Daimon Hellstrom, and Mephisto. Goblin Queen was tamed down from her early appearance in X-MEN comics. Daimon looked OK, but the very generic. Mephisto has a great head sculpt and was very bland otherwise.
The issues weren’t just in the stretch goals but in the car’s overall value and Ghost Rider figure. When we get down to it, you’re paying $349.99 for an unbranded Dodge knock-off with some lights and translucent orange parts. Similar toys have been done on that scale for less than $150. Much like the Rancor campaign, asking a premium price for a basic figure/vehicle isn’t going to draw in the masses.
How did the H.I.S.S. succeed with such a similar price tag? It was $299 but pulled in over triple the number of backers. It was also one of the few (if not first) 1:12 scale vehicles in the toy line—so many similarities. The play features were also close: lighting effects and swappable parts.
It could be brand recognition. G.I. Joe may be more popular than Ghost Rider, especially the Robbie Reyes version. I was unfamiliar with the new Spirit of Vengence until he popped up in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., whereas Cobra, the Joes, and the H.I.S.S. were part of an entire generation’s childhood.
The standard Pip-Boy 2000 Mark VI model kit has been sold out for some time, but Bethesda is finally giving Fallout fans a new chance to own a replica of the iconic wrist-worn gadget. The newly announced limited edition Pip-Boyswill come in three different themes, and the new variants come with a few upgrades the original lacked:
Each will feature a light-up display screen with a Malfunction Function™ and authentic Tap-to-Fix action™, as well as illuminated vacuum tubes.
It’s unclear if these are pre-assembled or arrive as a model kit, but what we know is that each model is $180 and will be very limited in availability:
Vault-Tec variant: 2,200 units
Sugar Bombs variant: 1,300 units
Enclave variant: 1,500 units
Expect these Pip-Boy 2000 Mark VIs to arrive in March.
Bethesda
Bethesda
Bethesda
Bethesda
If these Pip-Boys are the same as the original, then you’ll be able to upgrade specific components … if Bethesda ever restocks those times like the FM Radio Module. However, even if the additional parts never become available, modding the Pip-Boy is relatively easy, and there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to show you how to do it.
From the original Pip-Boy model’s product page:
Illuminate the display panel showing the Pip-Boy home screen by pressing the control unit button, and marvel as it realistically glows and flickers into life. Occasionally, however, it will falter and flicker off. When this occurs you’ll have to tap the display housing two or three times, in the most authentically vintage way, to coax the display panel back into life.
Constructed from a range of high quality engineering materials: ABS, aluminium, steel, and rubber, the Pip-Boy feels right on the arm and fits comfortably due to its robotically stitched fabric cuff. The pre-built Pip-Boy is also ready to be further enhanced with the Pip-Boy’s own special FM Radio and Sensor upgrade modules (where available) and is supplied with the tools needed for the upgrade procedure.
If these variants are similar to the original, you can expect a replica to arrive made of ABS, aluminum, steel, rubber, and fabric. In addition, the Pip-Boy comes with a removable holotape, a rotating radio dial, and a light-up screen.
I ask this question because our first-hand experience with Arcade1Up has been shaky at best. A few weeks ago, we discovered that the company was hiding important info about the censorship of NFL Blitz behind an FAQ, and retailers didn’t list this information on the product’s page. In addition, the $600 cabinet listed online scoreboards and multiplayer that was unavailable when the product launched, and as of today, we’ve not been able to start an online multiplayer game. Now the manufacture of retro video game arcade machines is asking for almost $1k for what seems like very minor upgrades.
So, when a “Pro” version of Killer Instinct was announced, I thought it had to feature a healthy array of improvements to warrant such a jump in price. However, the added features don’t appear to match the increased cost. One of the noticeable upgrades is the size. Where a typical cabinet is measured 22.5″ D x 18.75″ W x 60.75″ H, the “Pro” is now 23″ D x22.4″ W x 67.5″ H, without a riser.
Right now, theoriginal Killer Instinct cabinet is discounted to $399 (which is the fair price for most of these machines in reality). So, what does the extra $600 get you if you buy the “Pro Series” cab? Check out the list below:
Wifi Online Multiplayer
Flush Cabinet Design stands at 67.5″ Tall!
19″ LCD BOE Screen
HDMI video out for external monitor and streaming
Light-Up Marquee
Suzohapp Joysticks and Buttons
Twin Yamaha Speakers
Molded coin door with light-up coin slots for 1-2 player start.
Faux Metal Chrome Trim
Faux Metal Arcade1up Badge
Licensed Swivel Stool with Back Rest
Licensed Anti-fatigue mat included
Licensed Tin Sign 18″ x 24″
Aside from the sign, stool, and mat, most of these things should have been standard on these cabinets for a while now, considering Arcade1Up expects you to pay $500-$600 for basic models. Remember when they put coin slot stickers on the front of the machines and still asked you to spend half a grand?
Arcade1UP
Arcade1UP
Arcade1UP
Arcade1UP
There’s a reason we’re seeing steep discounts on these arcade cabinets now. They’re not worth the MSRP, and consumers have caught on. I’ve purchased and modified a few machines from Arcade1Up, and $100-$200 worth of upgrades fixes most of the built-in flaws, but the average consumer isn’t going to do that. These “Pro” features need to become standard on all products in the future, or we’ll continue to see 40%-50% discounts way more often.
What do you think of Arcade1Up? Let us know below.
Netflix has just announced that there will be a fourth season of their hit show ‘The Witcher.’ However Henry Cavill is no longer playing the main character Geralt of Rivia. Instead Liam Hemsworth is stepping into the role.
With the announcement Cavill offered this statement:
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4. In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”
To continue the niceties Hemsworth offered this statement about his casting as Geralt:
“As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
There has been no word as to why Henry Cavill is leaving the show. One has to wonder what the impact on viewership will be as many fans liked Henry Cavill as Geralt. They also appreciated that he was fan of the books and games himself, knowing and appreciating the lore.
However, since Hemsworth is saying that he too is a fan, perhaps that will also be evident in his portrayal of Geralt.
Season Three hasn’t been released yet, but Netflix must be confident enough in the project to announce Season Four with this change. Fans will still have opportunity to see more of Henry Cavill’s Geralt when the third installment airs summer 2023.
Will this change impact your desire for more Witcher past Season 3? Comment and let us know!
Claudio Biern Boyd, co-founder of animation studio BRB Internacional, as well as a writer, animator, distributor, and producer, has recently died at the age of 81 on Sunday October 16th. Biern is best known for creating animated shows such as Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds and The World of David the Ghome.
Biern was born in Palma de Malorca, Spain on November 21st, 1940. After earning his law degree and working in advertising, he founded BRB Internacional in 1972, starting it out as a sales distributor that licensed the Spanish rights to properties like The Pink Panther, Tom and Jerry, Pippi Longstocking, Maya and the Bee, and Vicky the Viking. In 1980, Boyd produced his first animated series called Ruy, the Little Cid. This would mark the first of many original animated series throughout his time at BRB Internacional. Thanks to his efforts to bring as much animation to the region as possible, he became considered as one of the fathers of Spanish and European animation, and eventually became known as the Spanish Walt Disney.
Ruy, the Little Cid, Episode 11 in English subtitles:
In 2021, Biern described what his childhood was like and what inspired him to create his own animated works later on: “I grew up in Spain, with no TV in my house. For Christmas and birthdays, my family would give me action adventure books by classic authors such as Emilio Salgari, Jules Verne and Alexandre Dumas. When I was 16, I fell in love with the film Around the World in 80 Days with David Niven and Shirley MacLaine. I was fascinated how they had brought the book to life within the constraints of the film.”
He revealed that once they set out to make their own cartoons, they teamed up with an established Japanese animation studio, non other than Nippon Animation. To prepare himself for this new venture, he went back to the books he grew up with as a child and thought about how to turn them into cartoons.
You can watch all 26 episodes of the original Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds series on BRB Internacional’s official Youtube Channel in their created Playlist here, in English language:
Biern went on to explain what led up to the creation of his widely beloved animated series Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds: “Our first project was Ruy, the Little Cid – based on the 11th-century Spanish hero. It was very successful, so I turned to Dumas’ Three Musketeers for my next inspiration. There was a lot of sword-fighting in the original story that we needed to soften for children, so we decided it would be more fun to use animals as the characters. I was living at the time with an American cocker spaniel called Sam, who was always wagging his tail. I thought: what could be better than a dog? So D’Artagnan, the fourth musteketeer, became Dogtanian. I bought two dog encyclopedias, placed them next to the Dumas book, and wrote the script. The main characters all became dogs, such as Dogtanian’s girlfriend Juliette, and the “Muskehounds” Arthos, Aramis and Porthos, and King Louis XIII, who was based on my dog Sam. The prime minister Cardinal Richelieu became an old fox, and we added some characters such as D’Artagnan’s sidekick Pip – a mouse. Milady, the devious spy, was a cat. I’ve never been fond of cats.”
Because of the huge success around the world, the next cartoon series became Around the World With Willy Fog, which also became a worldwide beloved series. This was followed by several other much loved animated series, including David the Gnome, The Untouchables of Elliot Mouse, and Fantaghiró.
You can watch all 26 episodes in English language through this playlist from BRB Internacional, of Around the World With Willy Fog:
Biern received more than 40 awards throughout his career, some of which includes the Cartoon Forum’s Tribute of Honor Award (2007), the President Macià Work Medal from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2011), the Biznaga de Oro at the Malaga Film Festival (2012), the Extraordinary Talent Award from the Spanish Television Academy (2017), and the Bronze Medal at the New York Int. Film and TV Festival for creating Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds.
You can watch the entire 26 episode series of the original David, the Gnome, The Untouchables of Elliot Mouse, and Fantaghiró in English language on BRB Internacional’s Youtube channel’s playlists here:
He was once asked in a 2021 youtube interview what he believed makes a hero. Using Dogtanian as an example, he replied with, “It depends on the story. Dogtanian is a hero who doesn’t know he is a hero.”
As a producer of cartoons, nobody knows my face, unlike if I was a big Hollywood producer. But when I give my name to make a restaurant reservation, or buy an airline ticket, or even when I was talking to the distributors in England for the new animated Dogtanian film – everyone starts singing the Dogtanian theme song at me. The same happens in Portugal, in France, in Italy. It’s unbelievable.
Claudio Biern Boyd
Did you ever watch any of the cartoons created under Claudio Biern Boyd? Will you be checking out some of the shows? If you are curious to see the other playlists of shows from BRB Internacional, click here.
Do you know what I think of when someone talks about Dungeons and Dragons? Transformers! OK, this line we’re looking at today isn’t officially connected to the Takara Tomy toys in any way, but it’s hard not to make the comparison. These are literally twenty-sided dice that transform into various D&D creatures! So how and why did this idea even come to pass?!
OK, I know why. The 2023 Honor Among Thieves movie needs merchandise; these toys are affordable filler figures. At $13.99 a pop, you can bring home transforming versions of the White Owlbear, a Beholder, a Black Dragon, and a Red Dragon. These figures are due to ship out in March. Oh, and Hasbro is again taking away your ability to display the actual product on yourself without opening the package. Yup, more windowless boxes.
Out of the lot, the Beholder is the only one that looks like it belongs in the world of D&D. If it were not for the branding, I’d have mistaken all the others for generic gimmick toys you’d find on the endcap at a Target. I get why they transform into d20s in a general sense, but as a play feature, it feels awkward. What is funny is that Hasbro specifically tells you not to use the toys as d20s in your game:
PLAY OR DISPLAY IN EITHER FORM: Just don’t use this d20 for your tabletop game!
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro
With Dicelings, now you can collect a whole new type D&D action figure: one that you can change from a giant d20 to a monster and back again!
What do you think of the new Dungeons and Dragons toys? Will you be buying up the entire collection of Dicelings? Let us know below.
Possibly the greatest character in Star Trek: Enterprise was Andorian commander Thy’lek Shran. The pink-skin-hating alien showed up multiple times during the show’s short run. Sometimes as a foe, sometimes as an unwilling ally. Several years after Enterprise ended, the tough-talking and brutal Andorian is finally getting an action figure worthy of his ego.
EXO-6 has just announced Shran will be getting the 1:6 scale Museum Grade action figure treatment. Like other Star Trek characters who’ve come before him, Shran will feature several accessories, soft goods garments, and a portrait that captures his grimace perfectly. Shran’s price hovers at just around $250 after shipping. Like the other figures in the line, this is a premium collectible, and one of the few times one of Jeffrey Combs’s characters has gotten this sort of treatment. Pre-orders for Thy’lek Shran will be open until November 17th. The estimated ship date is in March 2023.
EXO-6
EXO-6
EXO-6
EXO-6
EXO-6
When Captain Archer was bumbling around the Alpha Quadrant without shields, a reliable transporter or the Prime Directive, one of his most frequently encountered frenemies was the Andorian Commander Shran. The Andorians had a beef with the Vulcans and Shran educated Archer that they might not be the best allies, but Shran and Archer’s alliance helped pave the way for the birth of the Federation. After playing many different roles on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Jeffrey Combs embodied the feisty little Andorian perfectly – giving him a sense of conniving intelligence that was balanced with a profound sense of honor.
Shran will come with the following parts and accessories:
Andorian Imperial Guard jumpsuit: Meticulously researched, this Imperial Guard uniform matches the pattern, and colors of the original costume recreated in 1:6 scale. A holster and two utility packs attach to the belt.
Boots: Plastic boots sculpted to match Andorian footwear.
Display Base: A hexagonal display base featuring the transporter pad will provide additional support for the figure.
Hands: Six hands to display the various accessories.
Andorian Plasma Rifle: The larger ground firearm used by the Imperial Guard.
Andorian Plasma Rifle: The larger ground firearm used by the Imperial Guard.
Andorian Plasma Pistol: A single-handed firearm that fits in a holster on the thigh.
Ushaan-tor (2): Andoria is an icy planet where miners use these deadly looking icepicks. They are also used in the Ushaan, a duel of honor.
Ushaan gauntlets (2): Worn in the Ushaan, these armored gauntlets bind the dueling opponents together through the connected hand and wrist armor.
Andorian communicator
During an interview a few years ago, I briefly talked with Jeffrey Combs about his time on various Star Trek shows.
While Elon Musk is busy cleaning house at Twitter, Tesla is dealing with a recall issue involving a product aimed at children. It would appear that the company’s child-size Cyberquad ATV is currently undergoing a major recall, according to PC Mag. The US Government claims the product does not meet specific safety standards regarding maximum tire pressure and the suspension system.
The Cyberquad fails to comply with the federal mandatory safety standard requirements for youth ATVs, including mechanical suspension and maximum tire pressure. Additionally, the Cyberquad lacks a CPSC-approved ATV action plan, which is required to manufacture, import, sell, or distribute ATVs. ATV action plans contain numerous safety requirements, such as rider training, dissemination of safety information, age recommendations, and other safety measures. These ATV safety standards are in place to reduce crash and injury hazards, preventing serious injury or death.
While the Cyberquad is designed to look like a Tesla machine, the ATV was made in connection with Radio Flyer. The company did power information about the recall on its official website. However, within the FAQ, it is revealed that Tesla’s role in creating the product only went so far as the company consulting “on the overall appearance of the product.” Thankfully, Radio Flyer offers a complete refund of the ATV’s $1,900 price tag.
Customers must remove the vehicle’s motor controller to get a refund and send it back to Radio Flyer. Unfortunately, this will leave Cyberquad owners with a disabled ATV frame and a lithium-ion battery that they will have to dispose of on their own.
According to an archived page for the product on Tesla’s website, the ATV had adjustable suspension, read disk brakes, and could reach up to 10 mph. The battery would allow up to 15 miles worth of travel and was aimed at kids eight years old and up. It looked like a cool little toy. But, considering our questionable safety standards back in the 1980s, was the ATV that dangerous? A couple of injuries were reported but was that due to user error or a flaw in the vehicle’s design?
