Games

At last, after much anticipation, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is almost upon us. This month, Marvel’s original family makes their grand entrance into the MCU, with stars like Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby stepping into significant roles within the cosmos. The upcoming movie will mark the start of Phase 6 in the MCU and set the stage for “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” both of which will prominently feature the Fantastic Four as well.

Red Son” significantly deviates from that norm. It’s a captivating concept for a narrative, but it falters due to several factors.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but trace back James Cameron’s extraordinary filmmaking career to his groundbreaking work, “The Abyss.” This wasn’t just his fourth feature film, but a testament to his unique vision that even overshadowed his first credited feature, “Piranhas 2.”

“The Abyss” tells the gripping tale of a team embarking on a perilous deep-sea search and rescue mission for a nuclear sub, racing against time before it falls into Soviet hands or is swept away by a hurricane. The plot itself is captivating, but what truly sets this film apart is its roots in Cameron’s fascination with science fiction, weaving an intriguing mystery about the unknown terrors lurking beneath the sea’s surface.

“The Abyss” was not only critically acclaimed, earning four Academy Award nominations, but also received an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a remarkable feat given the film’s complex and challenging production process.

In the latest edition, just like every other book, you’ll find the popular SBS segment, where the creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, answers fan questions. SBS 112 is no different, offering a blend of amusing and strange queries. However, one question about the Roger Pirates catches our attention due to its insight. In his answer, Oda not only clarifies Scopper Gaban’s role in the crew, which is relevant given his current arc involvement, but also discloses crucial details about other key members of the Pirate King’s legendary crew. This provides a clearer picture of the powerful lineup that once sailed under Gol D. Roger.

Stan Lee, a prominent figure in the comic book world, has earned legendary status not only due to his significant contributions as an author and editor but also because he was a beloved presence in many fans’ favorite movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it’s important to note that Lee’s role in Marvel’s success might have been overstated. While he was crucial for Marvel, much of the actual creative work was done by others, particularly artists who followed what is known as the Marvel Method. In this approach, Lee provided general ideas and plot points, leaving the bulk of the storytelling to the artists. This misconception that Lee was the primary writer persists, but it’s essential to acknowledge the outstanding contributions made by writers like Jim Shooter, who is widely regarded as the author of Marvel’s best comics ever. Shooter, in my opinion, deserves more recognition and I’m tired of people underestimating his impact.

As a dedicated cinephile, I was thrilled to witness the seventh chapter in the Jurassic saga, titled “Jurassic World Rebirth,” grace the big screen on July 2nd. Despite receiving a B from CinemaScore and a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, and with no IMAX screens available, this film didn’t disappoint the eager audience waiting for the new Jurassic era, featuring the talents of Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali. In a statement, Universal Domestic Distribution Chief Jim Orr described “Jurassic World Rebirth” as “the perfect summer blockbuster… an epic, edge-of-your-seat adventure with an incredible cast, visually stunning direction, offering the best that the cinematic experience has to offer.

Since its debut on Peacock in March, “Wicked” has been a popular choice among viewers. However, this will soon change as the film is scheduled to leave the platform later in July. As of now, it can be found in the “Leaving Soon” section, and fans’ last chance to watch it (for the time being) will be on July 20th.

This week welcomes back an adored shonen series, a well-loved isekai resurfaces, a classic anime receives a new adaptation, and a hilarious seinen show is back at last. While it may not match the astonishing allure of the previous week, don’t overlook this week’s anime lineup – there are plenty of reasons to look forward to it!

Although it may seem like the Marvel Zombies universe sprang up independently, a darker truth lies beneath the festivities: it was actually introduced through the Fantastic Four. The chilling premise that a zombie outbreak is imminent, even affecting superheroes, has been a defining feature of the Marvel Zombies series since its inception in 2005 by the mastermind of the undead, Robert Kirkman. However, prior to Kirkman’s direct involvement, the first hints of zombies within the Marvel Universe were subtly introduced in Mark Millar and Greg Land’s Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) issues 21-23. It was only later that Kirkman added his signature style of gory zombie tales to the continuity with a subsequent standalone franchise.

As an enthusiastic fan, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll be treated to another chapter in the Ironheart saga during this upcoming phase. Whether it’s another season or a feature film, there’s certainly more story left untold about Riri Williams and her companions… and adversaries too! Spoiler alert for Ironheart!