Joss Whedon on the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Joss Whedon on the Marvel Cinematic Universe

He’s kind of like a kid in a candy store. It must be amazing to get to work on stuff that you’ve been a fan of since you were a little boy. What must that be like? And I love the line where he says, “I get to suggest stuff, and people actually listen — which is a new experience for me in Hollywood.” Don’t we know it.

Coulson Theories

Coulson Theories

TJ wraps up the week with a look back at the box office report — crazy enough, ‘Gravity’ has been the number one film for 3 weeks in a row. Can it pull off a fourth? We’ll see. Robin Williams is in talks for Night at the Museum 3’. In other news, ‘Night at the Museum 3’ is happening? Cool. Paul Greengrass responded to crew members and critics of his film ‘Captain Phillips’ that it was a white-wash job on the good captain. And a fine response it was. TJ has some theories about why Agent Coulson is still alive and active in Marvel’s TV Show ‘Agents of SHIELD’. Ben Kingsley is set to return to Marvel for an undisclosed project of some kind, presumably revising his role from ‘Iron Man 3’. ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes’ will begin production in 2014 — because apparently the production company behind it wants to commit suicide… Michael Arndt has departed ‘Star Wars VII’ as writer. TJ hopes this isn’t a bad sign. And of course, find out what’s new and what to see this weekend.

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Michael Arndt Departs ‘Star Wars VII’

Michael Arndt Departs ‘Star Wars VII’
Edward Davis - The Playlist

Celebrated Pixar scribe Michael Arndt (“Toy Story 3,” “Brave,” “Little Miss Sunshine”), who is known for a persuavsive screenwriting talk he made about the storytelling power of the “Star Wars” series is no longer writing the screenplay. According to breaking news by StarWars.com, Arndt has been replaced by Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams himself. Kasdan (who wrote “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return Of The Jedi”) of course, was hired to help out with ideas on “Episode VII” and also pen some of the “Star Wars” spin-off films (along with “X-Men” scribe Simon Kinberg).

Stink! I don’t like…

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Joss Whedon, Marvel, and the Future

Joss Whedon, Marvel, and the Future
Rob Keyes - ScreenRant

In addition to helming the next team-up event, Whedon is helping oversee all of the Phase Two movies leading up to it and crafting a live-action TV series (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), all of which are building up to The Avengers: Age of Ultron.

By design, Whedon’s therefore also laying the groundwork for Phase Three and beyond which begins with new superhero franchise Ant-Man in 2015 – but will he be involved with the lead-up to The Avengers 3?

At the press junket for Thor: The Dark World, our own Kofi Outlaw asked Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige about the future…

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For those seeking counsel: What To See This Weekend

For those seeking counsel: What To See This Weekend

We’ve only got one new film this weekend that looks good enough for me to mention. But the irony is I’m not currently planning to see it.

New This Weekend

The Counselor — R

I am not currently planning to see this film. Although it looks like it could be good, it also has been looking like it’s going to feature lots of sex and certainly some nudity and the like. The R rating has been given for, among other things, “strong sexual content.” I can’t for myself really justify seeing the film. And a couple of the previous films this summer have got me a bit gun shy on this front so I’m staying…

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Real World Computers

Real World Computers

TJ and Chad kick things off with a little bit of follow up on ‘Captain Phillips’ and Paul Greengrass’ response to accusations of the real life crew members. Then, after a several week hiatus, it’s a new edition of TrailerByte! (and much clapping and cheering ensued!). Trailers and clips includes the first trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ and offerings from ‘Thor: The Dark World’, ‘Ender’s Game’, the upcoming TV series staring Karl Urban: ‘Almost Human’, ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’, and one that looks really good: ‘The Book Thief’. This week’s primary review takes a look at Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Bruhl in ‘The Fifth Estate’. Both TJ and Chad were pretty disappointed with the film and mostly because of such a seriously squandered opportunity.

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First Trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

First Trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

Wow, so this is an entirely different flavor than the first film. I don’t know how I feel about that yet because I really liked the first Captain America film. And I’ve heard things about the direction this film is taking that have me somewhat concerned.

Still, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has done an outstanding job so far so I guess I’ll try not to be too worried. And some things about this trailer look really good, for sure.

Here’s the official synopsis followed by the trailer.

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”…

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‘The Book Thief’ International Trailer

‘The Book Thief’ International Trailer

As we move into Oscar season, we’re finally seeing something good in the theaters. The Book Thief is certainly in the “looking good” category. I want to see this film a lot! This film is based on the novel by Marcus Zusak and stars Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and relative newcomer Sophie Nélisse as Liesel Meminger — and if the trailers are any indication she looks like she’ll be fantastic.

Make no mistake, while this film can certainly be classified as a WWII film given the subject matter, this does not look like your ordinary fare. And we’ll be able to see for ourselves soon enough as the…

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2 More Clips for ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’

2 More Clips for ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’

It has been a fact of history that white men have oppressed the black people. It is a sad fact, but it is a fact none-the-less and is therefore worth talking about, worth making films about, worth bringing attention to. That doesn’t mean a bad film on the subject will get a pass from me, but this one looks like one of the good ones from what I can tell. Particularly good I think will be Idris Elba. If you don’t believe me, be sure to check out his speech in the second clip because it’s a fine bit of acting.

The film opens on November 29th.