The next Venom sequel officially has a director, and it’s someone quite familiar with the first two movies. Depending on how you felt about Let There Be Carnage, you’ll either be thrilled or disappointed to hear that Kelly Marcel will be directing Venom 3. Marcel previously had a screenplay credit on the first two films, and the upcoming sequel will mark her directorial debut next to Ferryman, also in pre-production. According to Deadline, Marcel will again work alongside Tom Hardy to craft the new script.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage had several issues. Woody Harrelson, who was the perfect choice for Cletus Kasady, felt stale, even though you can tell the actor was trying his best with the material he was given. Michelle Williams was there, but her character had nothing to do. Maybe she was contractually obligated to appear in the sequel, but her character of Anne Weying added nothing to the overall plot. Tom Hardy still brought his A-game, giving his version of Eddie Brock an air of strangeness that matches the situation he finds himself in.
Whether the shortcomings of Carnage were director Andy Serkis’s fault and how much of that burden fell on the script can be debated. Even the first Venom movie wasn’t a clever bit of cinema but delivered on the body horror front, and the dialog between Eddie and Venom was always entertaining. Is this enough to sustain a third film? Maybe if the villain is well executed, I guess.
Perhaps Marcel will bring a fresh take that makes good use of the symbiotic relationship between Eddie and his bloodthirsty passenger. Only time will tell. Who will be the next big bad, though? Scream, Phage, Agony, or Lasher? Or, take a chance and not pit Venom against yet another symbiote. Go all out and use The Jury and Knull in the same movie! They could even use this film to tie Venom further into the MCU with the Necrosword! Take a chance, ya’ll!
After another long stint of silence from Hasbro regarding the full-funded Ghostbusters Plasma Series Proton Pack campaign, the toy company finally threw another bone our way. You’d think Hasbro would be better at delivering updates and products in a timely fashion; then again, those of us who pre-ordered the ALIENS Pulse Rifle a year ago are still waiting, while people who purchased the NERF gun online via GameStop already have them in hand…
For all of Hasbro’s questionable customer service, at least the company gave us a better look at what should be arriving at our doors in Spring 2023. Ghostbusters News reports that Hasbro has uploaded an unboxing video, showing off the supposedly final packaging for the Proton Pack and the replica. The unboxing includes a look at the items that were part of the stretch goals and the actual Proton Pack replica.
The video shows us the two light and sound sequences the pack comes with: 1984 mode and Afterlife mode. I was worried about this because the cyclotron effect in Afterlife is pretty cool, but could a toy pull this off? The answer is “yes.” The rumble, sound, and lighting effects are impressive, but the steps needed to swap modes look tedious. The drawback is where Hasbro decided to stick the switch that activates them. Rather than hiding the toggle switch somewhere on the pack’s exterior, you have to remove the bumper and cyclotron housing to reach the necessary controls. At least the engineers put the volume control in an easily accessible location (the hand crank).
The video isn’t an in-depth look at what all the pack can do, so there may be even more features hidden away, similar to what was found on the particle thrower. The included hose also allows you to control some functions of the pack directly from the thrower. However, the video only shows us that the handheld device can turn the pack on and off. I’d assume the wand will allow you to change the cyclotron’s volume and intensity and hopefully trigger hidden goodies like the various stream types from Ghostbusters: The Video Game.
I noticed that the stickers are already on the pack, but a sheet of new 1984-era stickers is included. Does this mean those who want an original pack will have to put stickers over the Afterlife ones? That sucks. Another question I have is regarding the modifications to the pack. For example, are the extra cables and parts removable? That was one of the original selling points, but we’ve yet to see the HasLab crew show us a stripped-down Proton Pack that matches the original movie. Also absent from the unboxing is the hardware needed to fit the pack to an ALICE frame.
Check out the unboxing video below. Be warned; the fake enthusiasm is a bit cringy to watch.
Even in death, G4TV can’t avoid controversy. The now defunct reimagining of the classic gaming video game network posted one final image on its website that read “We stopped playing.”
This is in reference to its tagline as they were getting ready to relaunch — “We never stopped playing.”
Comcast has made short work of the carcass of G4TV. Within a few days of the shutdown, the cable giant has already put the $25 million, 60,000 sq. ft. Burbank studio up for sublease.
At least one of the spaces marketed for sublease appears to be related to layoffs. Comcast earlier this month shut down its Burbank-based video game TV network G4, according to Deadline. Roughly $25 million had been invested into the livestream and broadcast studio space, according to a marketing flier. Comcast launched the channel in late fall 2021.
Yes, they spent $25 million to create a space that looks like a basement man cave.
With reckless spending like that, is it any wonder they folded as quickly as they did?
This likely isn’t game over just yet for the G4TV story. Once ex-employee NDAs are up, it’s likely that we’ll get a better picture of what actually went down behind the scenes.
G4TV’s $25 million ‘man cave’ studio in Burbank is being subleased by Comcast. (Image: CoStar)
[Source: Twitter]
It was only a matter of time until Super7 added Star Trek: The Next Generation to the Ultimates line of high-end action figures. The initial wave has a couple of core characters but makes the bold move to include Locutus and Guinan rather than Picard, Worf, or Yar. I guess if you included the core bridge crew right out of the gate, you wouldn’t come back for waves 2, 3, or 4.
Wave 1 includes Commander Riker, Guinan, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Locutus Of Borg. Each character comes with several accessories, except for Locutus. The Borgified Picard only has three interchangeable heads and an alternate left hand. Meanwhile, Data and Riker come with several accessories from various seasons of TNG. Hell, we even get Data’s cat, Spot! While Guinan feels like a weird choice for the first wave of figures, at least she comes with enough accessories for you to start building your own 10 Forward bar.
Each figure is priced at $55. Expect these toys to beam down during the Summer of 2023.
More Beastie Boys figures from Super7? Yes, please.
After announcing the ReAction Sabotage action figures, Super7 has released a 2-pack featuring 3.75″ tall versions of the Intergalactic Robot and Squid Monster. These two characters from the group’s 1998 album Hello Nasty never had official names. Screw it; it doesn’t matter. The set is pretty barebones, with the Squid Monster being the only one with an accessory. There are no tiny Beastie Boys figures, cars, or buildings.
The set is available now for $50. Collect this set along with Super7’s Toho ReAction Figures and let the absurdity flow.
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Critical Role is moving beyond streaming RPGs and into the world of action figures. I may not be a fan of CR, but these figures are pretty impressive. The blister cards are some of the best I’ve seen come out of Super7. It’s too bad all this is going towards such a niche as Critical Role. I’d love to see Game of Thrones figures or other fantasy properties get these highly detailed packaging die-cut cardbacks.
This initial wave consists of the following characters:
Beauregard Lionett
Yasha Nydoorin
Fjord Stone
Veth Brenatto
Caduceus Clay
Caleb Widogast
Jester Lavorre
Each figure is around 3.75″ tall and packed with an accessory. Unfortunately, these ReAction Figures are a bit pricier, coming in at $25 each of $175 for all seven.
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From a ragtag group of ne’er-do-wells to a united band of heroes, the Mighty Nein are ready for all manner of fantastic adventures!
For more info on Critical Role, check out the 38th episode of the group’s 3rd campaign below.
It’s been a couple of decades since I played a tabletop RPG, and I never thought there would be a market for people who want to watch others act out a fantasy adventure. Personally, it’s not my thing, but obviously, there’s an audience for it. So now, when will Critical Role start a Mechwarrior campaign?
While many tech companies has gotten on board with USB-C as a standard for power and data transfers, Apple has been the major holdout. Why use a connector you can get inexpensively anywhere when you can pay more for Apple’s proprietary cable? Well, that all may be coming to an end, at least in Europe.
According to PC Mag, the EU’s regulations regarding standardization have beaten Apple into submission. In order to continue to sell their products in Europe, Apple must ensure that the iPhone 16 (and maybe the 15) must with a USB-C port as standard. The change must be implemented before the end of 2024, but will the change finally be put in place in the rest of the markets?
Apple didn’t go out without sass, though. Apple’s Senior VP of Marketing, Greg Joswiak, said that moving towards USB-C as a standard for all electronics would cause “more electronic waste.” How? I don’t know. I have far fewer USB-C cables than frayed OEM Apple Lightning cables, that’s for sure.
Apple has always been a holdout when it comes to matching customer-friendly standards found in the competition. Remember, for the longest time, the iPhone and the media you purchased for it was locked to Apple software. So it was also odd to see major news outlets running defense for Apple in the past, saying that no other company could make a less-expensive lightning cable because of the technology found in the connector itself. Yes, really. I think it was a CNN article.
The forced standardization could mean Apple will cut back on the small things you expect to be included in a new iPhone. Expect the iPhone 16 to be a bare-bones affair. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple ditches the boxes altogether and ship customers the phones in little biodegradable plastic baggies.
It’s no secret that the best Simpsons characters are always the ones who make repeat guest appearances. Where would the long-running animated family sitcom be without Dr. Nick, McBain, and, of course, the fish-loving Troy McClure? Homer and Bart are fine, but I can quote more dialog from one of Phil Hartman’s characters than any of the main cast.
You may remember Hartman’s Troy McClure from such educational films as Fuzzy Bunny’s Guide To You-Know-What, Meat And You: Partners In Freedom, and Someone’s In The Kitchen With DNA. The faded celebrity turned pitchman is getting three action figures based on those classic clips, thanks to Super7. Each of Troy’s ReAction figures comes with a second figure from whatever informational film strip he appears in. Not a bad deal for $20 each.
It appears that the figures are available now. The set of three can be picked up for $60. So now, can we get Lionel Hutz figures based on his various jobs or mental states?
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When a sensitive topic needs to be addressed, there’s one man to call on, and that’s Troy McClure! This 3.75” scale articulated The Simpsons ReAction Figure of Troy McClure in “Fuzzy Bunny’s Guide to You-Know-What” features your favorite educational video host and also includes Fuzzy Bunny.
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This Troy McClure features him decked out in cowboy gear and accompanied by Jimmy.
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The Simpsons ReAction Figure of Troy McClure in “Someone’s in the Kitchen with DNA” features McClure wearing his protective hazmat suit and removable helmet, accompanied by Billy.
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Speaking of side characters or one-offs, there needs to be a ReAction Hank Scorpio figure. Sure, he’s getting his Ultimates figure sometime next year, but give us something a little more affordable.
Which characters from the Simpsons would you like to see in ReAction Figure form? Let us know below.
The journey of Rankin Bass Productions has ultimately come to an end. Jules Bass, the man who co-directed and co-produced many of the greatest animated Christmas shorts and movies of the 20th Century, has joined his creative partner Arthur Rankin Jr. in the great beyond. Variety reports that Jules’s passing was confirmed by publicist Jennifer Fisherman-Ruff. Bass had been at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, just about 30 miles North of NYC.
Jules Bass was 87. He and Arthur left behind decades of fond holiday memories for millions.
While the story of Rankin Bass Productions didn’t start with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, it did jump-start the popularity of the team’s particular brand of music and storytelling. Thanks to Bass and Rankin, every Christmas season is filled with familiar stop-motion and cartoon classics. From Rudolph’s tale, narrated by Burl Ives, to Jack Frost and Frosty the Snowman, it is impossible to go through the month of December without seeing what these two worked on.
Over the years, Jules and Arthur broke from the festive season to make other classics such as Mad Monster Party, The Last Unicorn, and a charming animated adaptation of The Hobbit. Each production had a style instantly recognizable, whether it be the songs or the character designs. In the case of hand-drawn animation, that was thanks to artists who went on to work for Studio Ghibli.
The last project Rankin and Bass worked on was an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. While it was not their strongest work, it had many of the hallmarks we’d expect from Rankin Bass Productions’ cel-animated films: catchy songs and unique character designs.
The works of Jules Bass will continue to live on as new generations discover Rudolph and the others. Even with all the cynicism surrounding the winter holidays nowadays, all that melts away with the familiar jingle jangle of a Rankin Bass song.
The ‘Avengers, X-Men, Eternals’ “Judgment Day” story arc is coming to an end and Strange Academy is now recruiting new students in Marvel’s Pull List. From the Marvel Universe to a galaxy far, far away, Marvel Comics is bringing us plenty of individual issues as well as some new collected editions with some plot lines coming to a close.
“Freshmen Year is almost over for the students of Strange Academy. From day one, people have wondered: who is the savior of Strange Academy, and who can bring it all down? Discover the answers starting with STRANGE ACADEMY: FINALS (2022) #1 by Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos. The future of Marvel Magic is going to be decided here, and it will take far more than the Sorcerer Supreme and his school if magic has a chance,” Marvel said on their website.
They added, “And that’s not the only Strange thing happening in this week’s comics! Clea and Wong have uncovered who is behind the zombie resurrections of the deceased heroes and villains. But they’re going to need all the help they can get in Jed MacKay and Marcelo Ferreira’s STRANGE (2022) #7, including from the Sorcerer Supreme of Death…the Harvestman!”
Ghostbusters fans have had a rough ride over the years with a few good game releases, followed by a number of mediocre ones. And while the 2009 Ghostbusters game remains the spiritual continuation of the two classic movies, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed from IllFonic is an interesting approach to continuing the legacy of Ghostbusters for a new generation. Yet, it still manages to respect the old-school fans by giving a warm-hearted reverence to the franchise as a whole.
Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a first-person shooter that puts you in the Ghostbusters suit, wielding your own proton pack and ghost-catching equipment. The game’s story takes place after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but none of the characters from that movie make an appearance, nor are they mentioned. Ray and Winston are here, played by their original actors Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson respectively. The two of them guide players as they take on jobs busting ghosts and solving a mystery that unfolds over the course of the game.
The charm of Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is teaming up with three other players to bust ghosts in different locations. Anyone who grew up a Ghostbusters fan will know this is what everyone always wanted. You get to fire a proton pack, throw a trap to catch a ghost, use the P.K.E. meter to scan nearby areas and unlock new equipment to bust even more ghosts you encounter. It’s everything and more for Ghostbusters fans in the best way, both online with friends and offline solo.
The fan service is on full display here too. From collecting mold samples as Egon mentioned in the first movie, to collecting newspaper clippings of ghost sightings and discovering haunted artifacts for Ray. It’s a joy to see things like this. The story of the game progresses in Acts while you complete jobs online and offline. It’s not as interesting as playing single-player levels through a given story, but the approach falls in line with what would be going on for the Ghostbusters as the plot moves along.
And let’s not forget the firehouse with the Ecto-1. Being able to explore and move around the Ghostbusters firehouse at will is a great thing, even though what you do there is fairly limited. Luckily, you’re able to walk through and see every nook and cranny of the firehouse, including the containment unit where busted ghosts are deposited. Too bad we don’t get to drive the Ecto-1 as well. All of this sounds like a dream for any fan, but not everything is perfect.
There are some notable omissions that can’t be ignored. At no point in the game do you see Venkman, even though he is mentioned a few times during the game’s story. At the same time, Egon is obviously not present. Although, the ability to collect fungi is a very nice homage to the character and the late Harold Ramis who played him in the movies. There’s also no mention or appearance by Janine, the Ghostbusters secretary from the movies. So if you were hoping for any sort of cameo or mention of her, you’re going to be disappointed.
Luckily, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed makes up for some of this by mixing things up and allowing players to play as the ghosts. In the online multiplayer modes, players can take control of a ghost and haunt a location. This can be fun as you possess objects, scare nearby patrons, and even sabotage the Ghostbusters’ equipment while evading them. Playing as a ghost is a very different experience from being a Ghostbuster. It’s you against four other people in asymmetrical multiplayer action. Sliming players who venture off alone with your ghost attacks can be very funny and bring out your devious side.
But this also brings up one of the biggest problems with Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, and that’s balance. Ghost players have a far easier time scoring victories and evading capture against Ghostbuster players. While the Ghostbusters need to heavily rely on teamwork to catch a ghost, they also have to worry about multiple objectives in order to score a victory. Ghosts on the other hand need to bring up the haunting meter within the area, by haunting objects and scaring bystanders. How the game is balanced at launch, can lead to very one-sided and unbalanced games. Ghosts will probably earn more victories over Ghostbusters.
Ghosts are able to break out of the lock-ups from a proton pack very easily, especially if its only one or two Ghostbusters locking onto a target. Ghosts also have a very easy time damaging players with their attacks, as well as running away while regaining energy very fast. Ghostbuster players can stun ghosts using the P.K.E. meter shockwave, and other equipment to slow them down, but they will still have a significantly difficult time getting control of a situation. It’s not impossible, but still very difficult compared to what the ghosts have to do. With a few tweaks on both sides, multiplayer matches can feel fair to both Ghostbusters and the ghost players alike.
As far as being a successful take on the franchise, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed does a lot of things right. It definitely can benefit from some updates to the online multiplayer, especially on the ghost mechanics. If you wanted to see a well-done rendition of Ghostbusters in video game form, this is definitely a win. It may not be the greatest Ghostbusters game, but rest assured this game definitely came, saw, and kicked some ass.
