titan, witcher, immortal, survive, reverse, friend, revive and back from the dead.
Last Week in Pop Culture 007, transitional week of October-November 2018
I had so many things come out that deter me from finishing this earlier than I should have, but better late than never. Right?
As always, please do download my podcast for an auditory companion to this recap. This goes one for almost an hour because I spent the latter half mostly talking about the Immortal kerfuffle. Here is the rundown of the podcast.
Bare in mind that the podcast has some delineation since I based it on my blog rather than this particular entry, but rest assured that I cover most of the topics included here.
01. Andy Muschietti's next film: H.G. Wells' the Time Machine @ Attack on Titan adaptation?
After directing both It movies, which the followup can be assumed to be as successful as the surprised hit of the original, he is lining his next potential project, whether to be adapting the classic work by the science fiction master or adapting the immensely popular anime property? While the concept of the former will bring with it a long of time travel hijinks, the latter have the grand concept in leaving in a world with huge humanoid creatures with many intrigues and politics among the humanity that is admittedly more interesting to me when I read the mangas. The recent Japanese adaptations couldn't leave up to the originals, and can Andy do it for the Hollywood? The casting can be a bit more diverse as the characters are drawn with some of Japanese descent while others of European descent. Anyway, which one do you pick for Muschietti's to venture out after delving into horror territory?
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Finally it is greenlit! The director is still unknown but I'm looking forward to see how this project will go ...
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03. Hailee Steinfeld debuts single for Bumblebee, Back to Life
It might be just a pop song (rather a good in my humble opinion) but I want to highlight it here just to showcase how many actors out here are multitalented just like Hailee. She is following in the footsteps of Brie Larson really well. Speaking of which, her cover for Scott Pilgrim is still in my active playlist. A good song to listen to while jogging!
04. Diablo Immortal is an MMOARPG for (Android & iOS) by Blizzard & Chinese NetEase [2019]
You might have heard my prolonged reaction in my podcast above but let me reign in myself a bit here and just states that how it is revealed to the fans that did the most damage, with other companies that reveal their smartphone apps follow it up with right away with genuine news of their upcoming full fledged console/PC game but Activision Blizzard decided not to. The reception of the paying diehard fans onsite in BlizzCon speaks volume for itself, and when the developer thinks that they are viewing "mobile as a bad word" (the link to that interview is below), he fundamentally doesn't understand they are lashing out not to the concept of mobile games as a whole but rather how the business is handled with the microtransactions and pay-to-play model. Fearing how the Diablo franchise will be stained with this cheap cashgrab tactics is an understandable reaction which I hope the developers will acknowledge soon.
05. Dog anthology documentary series (Netflix) [November 16th]
Despite not having a dog of my own, I do have a beloved pet cat and understand the relationship between the human and the animal. This kinship will always touch me no matter the species and race involved and this series will do just that for me. I won't mind binging it when it comes out next Saturday.
06. First looks: Doom Patrol, Eve, Rambo & the Witcher
-Doom Patrol's members, the Chief, Robotman, Elasti-Girl, Negative Man and Beast Boy debut in Titans -
Just like how they did with the CW's Flarrowverse, they will introduce new characters in an existing series first before giving them their own 'spin-off' shows. What a time to be alive to see Doom Patrol being brought to life!
-Eve's first look, Jessica Chastain's action vehicle -
Just like Charlize Theron with Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde and Nicole Kidman with the upcoming Destroyer, it is time for this redhead to get her own solo action flick. I haven't personally watch her in more active roles such as this, so I'm eager to see the trailer for this film.
-Rambo V: the Last Blood first official image -
I've covered this before but this is the first official look of the titular character back in action. Are you going to tune in to this?
- the Witcher's Geralt of Rivia played by Henry Cavill first look -
Sure he doesn't have the signature scar and stubble that he is recognizable with but maybe this live action adaptation will pay closer attention to the books rather than the games. Or maybe this is at the beginning of his chapter and you will be joining him as journey through the lands and possibly gain the scar in the process, and the beards as well.
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07. MediEvil PS4 remake [2019]
Twenty years since its debut and thirteen from the last entry in the franchise, a PSP remake, it is only fitting for them to give it a next-gen makeover for newer generation to play and possibly go back to the original for a memory trip down the lane or just appreciate how far technology has advanced. Have you played the original before and will you be getting this new updated version?.
08. Overwatch's CGI short, Reunion
It is almost a tradition for Blizzard to release a related fully rendered CGI short to coincide with the announcement of a new character being introduced for the game Overwatch and this most recent one is no exception, although the focus is mainly on McCree that runs into the newest member, Ashe.
I want to reiterate how gorgeous these Overwatch videos are and if they ever take the next step to release a fully fledged CGI film, I will gladly watch in the theaters. I will keep highlighting their exceptional works every time they release one until they somehow reach an agreement with Pixar to do so. If only ...
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09. Penny Dreadful is finally renewed ... in a new setting with new characters.
No Eva Green, huh?
It is back, with a caveat though ... changing the location to America and focusing on local folklore and monsters. Whether or not these new players in this same universe could live up to the original cast and their portrayal of more universally known monsters, will you give this a chance when it is out? Do you think this is just a glorified reboot by using an established household name on a new separate premise?
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10. True Detective Season Three [January 13th, 2019]
The second season did not live up to the exceptional Cary Fukunaga's first season brainchild in more ways than one and although I still enjoy it despite how different it is, I understand the criticism which is why I am so looking forward to this third entry as they try to return to form with the dependable Mahershala Ali leading the fight. The time jump is back with a vengeance!
11. Watership Down is BBC's CGI adaptation of Richard Adams’ disturbing novel
Let's list down the talents, shall we: Rosamund Pike, Peter Capaldi, Gemma Chan, Taron Egerton, James McAvoy, Daniel Kaluuya, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley, John Boyega, Gemma Arterton, Olivia Colman, and Tom Wilkinson. I am impressed by how much prestige can be fit under one single project but I can't imagine what kind of tone and imagery this will lean on compared to the infamous 1978 animated interpretation. This will be aired for this Christmas (and then distributed by Netflix), but will it be family-friendly, or ...?
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Releasing the list will give us humanity the definite list of facts on how much we as a species have affected the flora and fauna whether directly or indirectly. I will some of them down here but I urge to if you have the time to download the official report here and give it a read.
60%
Populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians have, on average, declined by 60% between 1970 and 2014, the most recent year with available data.
50%
The Earth is estimated to have lost about half of its shallow water corals in the past 30 years.
20%
A fifth of the Amazon has disappeared in just 50 years.
$125 trillion
Globally, nature provides services worth around $125 trillion a year, while also helping ensure the supply of fresh air, clean water, food, energy, medicines, and much more.
They actually some ways you can help to fight for our world in our own way, from volunteering, adopt, measuring your footprint, and many others here.
There is an independent site that you can go year around to access the data portal of the Living Planet Index.
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~Fin~
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