Nick Doll

JURASSIC WORLD Explored PART 1: Everything You Missed (Or Didn’t)

Posted on July 7, 2015February 17, 2017 by Nick Doll in Features, Jurassic World, Lists, Movies

I may have seen Jurassic World six times (I did… why lie?). With such a great number of repeat viewings comes great responsibility, including insight into new details/themes/symbols/”Easter Eggs,” producing more material to analyze and explore than in my original review for the Jurassic Park‘s best and most profitable (movie in the world?) sequel.

Some theories/ideas may be bullshit; some connections I make may seem forced or just “overthought.” I am also likely going to forget some of my deeper thoughts about the film as it is much easier to analyze every scene and moment when actually watching the movie. I’ll do my best to use my memory and cover all my observations.

Obviously… SPOILERS Abound!

Jurassic World is Meta… Man…

Writer/Director Colin Trevorrow has said Jurassic World the film is a metaphor for Jurassic World the theme park.

Universal Execs wanted more Jurassic Park (it was too for them hard to let their highest grossing franchise go extinct); they wanted it bigger, badder, scarier. So Trevorrow gave them a movie about InGen Execs pushing for a dinosaur that is bigger, badder, with more teeth; a metaphor for the film’s very existence. Like the events of the film, such an action could have “gone awry” in the wrong hands, but Trevorrow nailed it, bringing Universal their biggest movie… ever. And no one got eaten (that we know of).

“We Need More Teeth”

Obviously, the above line was important enough to the finale of Jurassic World that you likely remember it. Gray’s (Ty Simpkins) statement gives Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) the idea to release more teeth against Indominus Rex in the form of Jurassic Park‘s original T-Rex (more on in a future issue).

Even some of the Viral Marketing Materials included the statement, "More Teeth" — Even some of the Viral Marketing Materials included the statement, “More Teeth”

Teeth are a recurring image throughout the film (not literally, though there are a lot of shots of simply Indominus Rex’s mouth) starting in the 1st act when Gray and his brother Zach (Nick Robinson) board the ferry for Isla Nublar and Gray cannot help but discuss the carnivores and their “teeth” count in a Dino-obsessive one-sided discussion that would make young Tim from Jurassic Park proud.

If you listen for it, there are many conversations about teeth, including Claire’s description of what the public wants in the park’s “New Attraction,” Verizon Wireless presents Indominus Rex, and Dr. Henry Wu’s (BD Wong) talk with Mr. Simon Masrani (Irrffan Khan) about his newest “Asset.”

“You Are Not In Control!”

Just like Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) said 22 years ago to then InGen CEO John Hammond, “You never had control! That’s the illusion!”

So it is in Jurassic World, but it appears John Hammond never shared that wisdom with Mr. Simon Masrani, just the fact that he “spared no expense.” Control is often discussed in the film, but very rarely in terms of controlling the dinosaurs, rather in reference to which human is in control (a big miscalculation).

My favorite piece of irony involving the different characters vying for control comes during the scene where Claire sends in an ACU unit with “non-lethals.” Owen Grady (Chris Pratt!!!) makes the observation about the practically unarmed men, “Those men are going to die,” ordering them to get them out of there before the Indominus Rex rips them to shreds. Claire shouts at Owen, “You are not in control here!” The irony is, neither is she.

“Control” is passed around ending with InGen’s Isla Nublar division being taken over by the War Hawk Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio), from the control room to “the mission” involving putting the raptors that under Owen’s “control” to the test.

Of course, as Owen says himself earlier in the film, “It’s not about control with these animals, it’s about respect.” This makes him the only man to understand the fragility of the park’s ecosystem/security; a real Ian Malcolm want to be!

We’ve only scratched the surface of what is left to explore in Jurassic World. I’ve started a little obvious with the recurring imagery I’ve pointed out, so hopefully those looking for a more immersive experience will gleam more next post!

Or even for the common fan who just wants to know all the Easter Eggs from Jurassic Park… Welcome, to Jurassic World!

READ PART 2… NOW!!! Or later.

Full Trailer For A DEADLY ADOPTION: Lifetime Lets Will Ferrell and Kristin Wiig Mock Their “Movies”

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Nick Doll in Movies, Trailers, TV Shows

Will Ferrell has made some very interesting moves that differentiates him from the common comedic actor. The “Film” he and Kristin Wiig are starring in for Lifetime Network, A Deadly Adoption, continues Ferrell’s role as groundbreaking comedian.Like him or not, Ferrell has done some pretty original projects for lower pay he could make on a wide release film, starting with setting the standard for A-list actor internet videos with the creation of the Funny Or Die website where he debuted everyone’s favorite online video, The Landlord. He did Casa de mi Padre, a Spanish Novela where he spoke nothing but Spanish (Will Ferrell is not a Spanish speaker). He did a play on Broadway as George W. Bush… with a penis slide on his power-point. His show/role on Spoils of Babylon (watch it on Netflix! Worth it!) was an odd choice that really paid off. Hell, I think he was the 1st comedian I saw on Man Vs. Wild, getting help from Bear Grylls to survive in arctic conditions.

Tell me he doesn't look like modern day Christian Bale! — Tell me he doesn’t look like modern day Christian Bale!

Tangent – I think Christian Bale should play Grylls in a Lifetime original movie, because look at this guy! Grylls shares Bruce Wayne’s sullen face in The Dark Knight Rises.

Back On Topic – Making a parody of a Lifetime original movie, that the Lifetime Network WILL air on their channel is Ferrell’s latest clever endeavor (though I guess James Franco did a soap opera at the height of his fame, which is similar). Here is the synopsis from the Trailer’s description on Youtube:

Inspired by a true story, A Deadly Adoption is a high-stakes dramatic thriller about a successful couple (Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig) who house and care for a pregnant woman (Jessica Lowndes) during the final months of her pregnancy with the hope of adopting her unborn child.

I doubt it is based on a true story because it’s being done as a parody starring two comedians, but I wouldn’t put it past Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig to base their project on actual events for a larger joke.

Obviously, I don’t want to short change the hilarious Kristen Wiig will all my Will Ferrell talk… so… she’s in this movie! There.

Now, let’s watch the trailer for the Lifetime Original Movie, A Deadly Adoption.

Like Casa de mi Padre, it is interesting at this point to not know how seriously the actors take the drama. Is treating a silly Lifetime Movie true story(?) with deadly seriousness the joke? Will overacting lead to the laughs? Maybe the story is even more funny than it looks?

Whatever the case, I’m in!

A Deadly Adoption starring Will Ferell and Kristen Wiig airs June 20th on Lifetime. I bet you probably thought you’d never watch that channel. I know I never planned on it.

JURASSIC WORLD Review: This Ain’t Your Childhood’s JURASSIC PARK (But that can be a good thing!)

Posted on June 11, 2015April 6, 2016 by Nick Doll in Jurassic World, Movies, Reviews

Perhaps writer/director Colin Trevorrow put it best in a recent article: Jurassic World‘s very story is a commentary on its existence. Universal Execs wanted to revive their 2nd biggest film franchise (it used to be #1 but has been bested by the sheer number of Fast & Furious films); they wanted Jurassic Park again, only bigger, scarier, more action packed. So, Trevorrow made a film about greedy InGen executives wanting something bigger and more dangerous, resulting in Indominus Rex and the popular synopsis for any film: “things go awry.”

Does Jurassic World live up to its real life mirror? Is bigger, scarier, and more action packed, a film gone “awry,” disappointing fans the world over? Or have the Universal Execs outsmarted InGen’s, creating a new monster that is not dangerous to your Jurassic Park loving self?

I am happy to report, that though no film could ever top the intelligence, heart, and magic of 1993’s original Jurassic Park, Jurassic World is an incredibly worthy sequel; something The Lost World and Jurassic Park III could never manage.

The best way to sum up the movie is that I saw every scene and location I wanted to see! Indominus Rex wrecking havoc? Check! A little bit o’ T-Rex? Check! (Human) Siblings in peril? Check! Chris Pratt continuing to rock the summer blockbuster? Double Check!!!

Most importantly, are the scariest parts of Jurassic Park, the famed Velociraptors (sometimes in the kitchen), neutered pets for Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to control? Fuck no! This is by far the scariest and most vicious the famed raptors have been since 1993’s trip to Isla Nublar.

Jurassic World smartly builds on Jurassic Park with a few fun winks; not so much as to feel like a rehash or a misguided attempt to reference the original as much as possible.

It’s amazing to see that red flares are used to get the attention of the T-Rex to ensure he actually eats the goat at feeding time; Ian Malcolm taught old Rex flares mean tasty treats 22 years ago (it is, indeed, the very same T-Rex that provided the franchise’s best scene when he famously escaped his pen). The events of Jurassic Park are also referenced by the Lowery, played brilliantly by Jake Johnson. He wears a Jurassic Park shirt he found on Ebay for $150, which may or may not be in poor taste. He’s a Jurassic Park groupie in the same way Charlie Day played a “Kaiju groupie” in Pacific Rim. And a hero.

Likewise, contrary to popular theories going into the film, InGen head Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan) isn’t a greedy man like John Hammond’s nephew in The Lost World, he is like Hammond himself, reminding us that though Hammond spared no expense (Masrani actually says that very line, crediting Hammond), the Park was always intended the be for everyone, not just for the rich. Masrani believes this should be the fun division of InGen, not necessarily the profitable one.

Of course, other InGen employees tend to disagree, starting with Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), day-to-day park manager who can’t make time to see her two nephews visiting Jurassic World (Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins) because she is obsessed with creating newer, scarier attractions for the profit of literal sponsorship (her vision is “Verizon Wireless Presents Indominus Rex”). Claire’s own greed puts extra lives at risk, with a scene reminiscent of Jaws featuring Claire refusing to evacuate the park because of the loss in profit and a second where she sends mercenaries/security to track Indominus Rex with non-lethal weaponry, because he is a mulit-million dollar “asset.” Of course, she comes around after the men are all slaughtered and she learns her own nephews are lost in the park.

Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins are the best kids the JP franchise has seen since Lex and Tim in the original film. They don’t ruin the danger of the movie by beating Velociraptors with gymnastics (The Lost World) or by surviving on an island by themselves for weeks (Jurassic Park III). They are closer to the original archetypes of scared siblings lost in the wild, though there is a moment where they are a little too smart and inventive for their own good.

Speaking of Jurassic Park archetypes, Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady is an interesting mash-up of Allan Grant and Muldoon. He isn’t given a ton to do, acting wise, but he brings life and charm in what could have been an overly stereotypical role. And of course he can handle action scenes like the best of them.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD. Skip the next paragraph if ye’ be afraid.

Like any good Zombie movie, what would a Jurassic Park film be without human villains? (Besides Jurassic Park III which is 100% rotten in my opinion.) Here we seem to have two, Dr. Henry Wu (BD Wong), the only returning cast member from any Jurassic Park film, and Vincent D’Onofrio (who is on fire this year with Run All Night, JW, Daredevil, and being cast in the remake of Magnificent Seven… with Chris Pratt) as Hoskins. Between the two of them (Hoskins’ exact role is unknown, is he just a military man, or a former military man who seems to run the shady side of the company?), InGen has begun to look more like The Amazing Spider-Man’s Oscorp. Hoskins has a dream of using Velociraptors to hunt down terrorists in caves, while being involved in some sort of hybrid program with Dr. Wu that goes deeper than Indominus Rex and may even be the strand used to build a sequel.

SPOILERS OVER… For Now.

Finally, let’s talk Dinos. You can tell CGI has come a long way in 22 years, from the new level of detail to classic Dinos like Gallimimus and Velociraptors, to the creation of a new dinosaur; Mr. Indominus Rex.

Indominus Rex avoids the pitfalls of the Spinosaurus, Universal’s bright(?) idea for a scarier dinosaur than T-Rex in Jurassic Park III. He’s bigger, smarter, etc, but he’s also… cooler? Is that the best descriptor? He really gets the best of all worlds, with a size bigger than T-Rex, useful arms for slinging humans into trees to kill them, and intelligence that may surpass the Velociraptor… as well as a bunch of other nifty feature I won’t spoil here. He gets all the scenes T-Rex got back in day, crushing a vehicle with kids in it and leaning close to Owen Grady, nostrils flaring and a mouthful of teeth opened just wide enough to get the point across.

Back to the Raptors… no one could ever hope to top Raptors in the kitchen, or that “Clever Girl” moment, but Jurassic World delivers the best Raptor thrills and scares since the 1st film. It’s great watching Owen train them like dolphins at the beginning, only having to test his Raptor whispering skills when a young paddock worker falls in with the dangerous, intelligent Dinos. But it gets better when greedy Hoskins finally gets what he wants and sets the Raptors free… leading to exactly what you would expect. MINOR MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD.

Before I wrap up this overly long review, I want to express my excitement about one element of the film I was hoping for going in. A look at the OG Jurassic Park buildings from 1993, reclaimed by the jungles of Isla Nublar. Revisiting the original Visitor Center (no pun intended) was a treat, especially the uncovering of a small part of a film-famous banner and the use of an Original “Jurassic Park” labeled Jeep.

MAJOR 3RD ACT SPOILERS AHEAD. Skip to last paragraph if need be.

The finale is probably the most polarizing part of the film. Some people will love it, others may think it is cheesy. Let’s just say it’s T-Rex and the Raptor named Blue squaring off against Indominus Rex… even with an assist by the aquatic Mosasaurus. The fact these three work together to fight off the “monster” dinosaur that shouldn’t exist, could simply be “Life Finding A Way” (again, though technically all the dinosaurs are unnatural “monsters,” built from Dino AND Frog DNA – among other things) or it could be over-the-top action with little sense. For whatever the reason, just like in Jurassic Park,T-Rex does save the day in an almost Godzilla (2014) way; a monster simply bringing balance to the ecosystem and saving “mankind.” The last scene of the film even has the classic King of the Dinos (well, Queen, all the animals in Jurassic Park were supposed to be female) T-Rex, roaring over his domain of Isla Nublar from on high. Still, since the T-Rex only appears in the 3rd act (mostly…mostly), he remains a letdown, no scenes to rival the first film or even Lost World. At least his neck isn’t broken by a Spinosaurus in the 1st act like Jurassic Park III… * Shudder*

SPOILERS OVER

Like 99% of sequels, Jurassic World has moments that make you cringe or upset you because it doesn’t play close enough to the original film. But, overall, it is a fantastic film, not disappointing this Jurassic Park mega-fan (JP is in my top 5 favorite movies and JW is my most anticipated movie of the year), becoming the best Jurassic Park sequel to date (you know they want to make another, especially with the one loose thread involving Hoskins and Dr. Wu’s secret work), delivering every scene and dinosaur scare I expected to see.

Global JURASSIC WORLD Trailer Proves Raptors Are Still Dangerous! But Not As Smart As Indominus Rex

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Nick Doll in Jurassic World, Movies, Trailers

Okay, so there is a ton to discuss here, but I have to leave for work.

We get to see that, indeed, even though Chris Pratt’s Owen Grady is a “raptor whisperer,” Velociraptors are still willing to devour a man! And the park still has a T-Rex! And Dr. Wu! And we see how the Pterodactyls escape! Aaaaaaannnnnddddd…. everything is awesome (for the 3rd time for Chris Pratt)!

We do see a little more of Indominus Rex than I would have liked, but this look at her does not disappoint! Nor does the entire trailer!

Watch it now!

June 12th can’t come soon enough!

Zack Snyder Teases Two Stylistic Posters For BATMAN V SUPERMAN

Posted on April 20, 2015April 20, 2015 by Nick Doll in Batman, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, DC, Movies, Posters

On the eve of what was supposed to be the IMAX premiere of the trailer for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice (though it actually hit the web on Friday. Watch it now!), director Zack Snyder has released two really cool looking posters for the film, likely a prize that will be handed out at these IMAX screenings to make sure people will come and line-up even though they can watch the trailer at home.

Without further ado, here they are. And they are glorious.

I really dig this style. The Batman symbol ripped from Superman’s face really brings a Dark Knight vibe to the marketing; reminiscent of posters of Batman’s past.

So, show up Monday at one of those IMAX screenings of the trailer… and hopefully you’ll go home with something…

Two New Jurassic World Posters Emphasize The Small Layer of Security Between Man and Monster

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Nick Doll in Jurassic World, Movies, Posters

On Friday, director Colin Trevorrow released the first of 3 new posters for his upcoming summer blockbuster Jurassic World.

Here’s that 1st one from my earlier post as a refresher:

Now, take a look at Saturday’s poster.

These two posters certainly seem to have a common theme: there is literally a plate of glass (“security”) keeping visitors and employees, like Bryce Dallas Howard’s Dr. Claire Dearing, away from monsters that could devour a human in a single bite. The Indominus Rex snout in the first poster, and the majestic/terrifying Mosasaurus eating a shark in the other.

But don’t fear! Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and his Pride of Velociraptors are here!

A new trailer for Jurassic World premieres Monday online. Hopefully we get a bunch of exciting new images, without a clear shot spoiling the look of poor, misunderstood, Indominus Rex.

It’s Clobbering Time! Latest FANTASTIC 4 Trailer & Poster Continue to Excite

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Nick Doll in FANT4STIC, Marvel, Movies, Posters, Trailers

Everyone dismissed 2015’s reboot of Fantastic Four (or FANT4STIC) before we saw any footage. The first trailer changed that, giving us a much darker film than the original two films (starring Chris Evans as the Human Torch before his turn as Captain America). In fact, the trailer was chilling and dark in all the right ways.

Trailer #2 continues to intrigues me; the accident still looks horrific, as does the idea that Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Sue & Johnny Storm become lab rats after their accident. And then… we get a look at Doom! And really great shots of The Thing in action.

Watch it now!

Still dark and foreboding, at least the team decides their powers should be used to help people, making them heroes in this trailer, not just freaks after a trip to another dimension goes horribly wrong.

Check out these shots of the team using their powers!

And……. here’s Dr. Doom!

Finally, the 3rd and likely final poster for the film.

Fantastic Four rounds out summer with its release this August.

Batffleck Shines (In The Dark) In Full, HD Trailer for BATMAN V SUPERMAN

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Nick Doll in Batman, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, DC, Movies, Trailers

I just realized I’ve been calling Batman V Superman, “Justice Begins,”not ‘Dawn of Justice” in past posts. Whoops. It’s a lame subtitle anyway…

But what’s not lame? At all? The Batman heavy trailer for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice!

Watch it now!

I’m just gonna say it… Batman and all his wonderful toys have me so excited for this movie! Though we have no dialog in his own voice, Ben Affleck has at least nailed the haunted look of damaged Bruce Wayne. And I love, Love, LOVE the fact he is using a high tech voice modulator. He sounds scary, but not ridiculous.

I wonder if Kevin Smith is creaming his shorts… he proposed such a way to disguise Bruce Wayne’s voice before the film started shooting. Good call, Mr. Smith.

Superman is certainty vilified in this trailer, yet also held up like a God in several places.

Says Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor:

“We know better now, don’t we? Devils don’t come from Hell beneath us. No, they come from the sky.”

Alfred has some words of wisdom himself, though it sounds like it is more about Bruce than Superman, me thinks. Or even Lex Luthor.

“That’s how it starts. The fever. The rage. The feeling of powerlessness. That turns good men… cruel.”

And finally, synthesized Batman has a few words for the Man of Steel.

“Tell me, do you bleed? You will!”

The trailer draws heavily from the beloved Frank Miller graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns, which probably offers the best showdown between the two heroes in all of comic-dom.

And there are plenty of Easter Eggs to find! I saw a classy “?” gratified somewhere in that trailer…and let’s not forget we get looks at the Batwing and Batmobile!

March 2016 can’t come fast enough! I want to see Batman somehow kick Superman’s ass!

Yet Another AGE OF ULTRON TV Spot Gives Us New Footage… But Mostly War Machine!!!

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Nick Doll in Age of Ultron, Avengers, Marvel, MCU, Movies, Trailers

We’ve seen A LOT, I mean A LOT, A LOT, of Avengers: Age of Ultron footage. So much so, that I’ve stopped posting new scenes and extended because there is LITERALLY new material every day as we get closer and closer to the release of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ 2nd adventure. (The last clip I posted was of the already infamous Hulk Vs. Hulkbuster battle!)

Today’s TV Spot is notable and worth posting because, aside from the “Hammer Lifting Contest” clip, it’s our first look at Don Cheadle as War Machine, only this time he’s in the field, fighting Ultron drones alongside the rest of The Avengers!

Enjoy, and hope there is nothing more worth posting in these last two weeks of Marvel Studios’ media blitz.

I’m ready for daily Ant-Man material!

STAR WARS: BATTLEFRONT Complete Set of Original Screen Grabs

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Nick Doll in Original Screen Grabs, Star Wars, Video Games

I went through the entire trailer for the upcoming videogame Star Wars: Battlefront and captured a Galaxy of original screen grabs for you! Enjoy!

STAR WARS Keeps On Giving With 1st Trailer For STAR WARS:BATTLEFRONT VideoGame

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Nick Doll in Star Wars, Trailers, Video Games

Wow. First a killer movie trailer for The Force Awakens that seems to support the fact that this new film has that classic Star Wars feel, cultivated carefully by Master-Director J.J. Abrams, drops online. Now, a trailer for the new Xbox One/PS4/PC game, Star Wars: Battlefront looks like the Star Wars game to play after nearly a decade drought of great Star Wars games that don’t have “Lego” in the title.

My favorite Star Wars game ever is Star Wars: Rogue Leader (Rogue Squadron 2), a launch title for the Nintendo Gamecube (which actually arrived via Amazon a week before the Gamecube was released. Talk about a looooong week…). My 2nd favorite is PC’s RPG, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, from Bioware. And of course, I also have a soft spot for all three Super Star Wars titles that cover the OG trilogy as Super Nintendo sidescrollers.

But back in the day, Star Wars: Battlefront was quite the franchise as well; marrying the Battlefield mechanics with Star Wars characters, vehicles, and locales. It wasn’t perfect, but if the team behind this brand new Battlefront can nail the controls (like the perfect Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare Xbox One control scheme), then it sure looks like the best Star Wars game in about a decade.

Watch the glorious trailer now for NEW Star Wars: Battlefront! Battles from the Original Trilogy, now with pristine graphics!

Welcome back to Hoth, Mother Fuckers!

Besides Batman: Gotham Knight, Star Wars: Battlefront is the game to look forward to in 2015! If

If it comes out this year. Releasing it in December for the Holidays and when Force Awakens comes out is a no brainier. Or a missed opportunity.

Of course, a Star Wars: Battlefront sequel/expansion featuring The Force Awakens time period and ships is also a no brainier.

Whatever the case, Battlefront will live or die by the control scheme, as it’s obvious they have everything else down!

New JURASSIC WORLD Poster is 1st of 3: Trailer Coming Monday!

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Nick Doll in Jurassic World, Movies, Posters

Batman V Superman: Justice Begins Isn’t the only movie getting a new trailer this Monday.

The director of Jurassic World, Colin Trevorrow, has shared a new poster for said film, the 1st of what he promises will be three posters released throughout the day!

Not only that, but Jurassic World is getting a long overdue, 2nd Theatrical Trailer for the film on Monday! (We’ve had two TV Spot, but only one Trailer.)

Check out the 1st poster, with Bryce Dallas Howard’s character, Dr. Claire Dearing, facing the monstrous mouth of our new friend and the latest attraction at Jurassic World: Indominus Rex!

Wow, that Dino’s big!

Keep your eyes out for the next two trailers which I will hopefully post this afternoon!

And expect more and more gnarly trailers as the Summer Movie Season kicks off with Avengers: Age of Ultron, two weeks from today!

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD “LEGACY” Trailer Ties Hardy Back To Gibson

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Nick Doll in Mad Max: Fury Road, Movies, Trailers

One last trailer tonight, which is also a sort of “half-trailer,” with a little more new substance than today’s Batman V Superman: Justice Begins teaser, but less than provided by Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ second trailer.

The new trailer for Mad Max: Fury Road focuses on the franchise’s legacy, reaffirming promises that Fury Road is not a reboot, but a continuation of Max Rockatansky’s story of survival, whether he be played by Mel Gibson or Tom Hardy.

Here’s that “Trailer” titled, as one would have it, “Legacy.”

A wee bit of new footage there, and a little back-story and confirmation Mad Max films have always been this wacky for those who are new to the franchise. Sure, new Mad Max: Fury Road looks super stylized and beautiful while the old films have a dirty look, so there’s a bit of a prequel-Star Wars-films-not-looking-like-the-classic-stuff scenario going on here.

But why dwell on the past? Why can’t Fury Road top Road Warrior? Dream big, right?

BATMAN V SUPERMAN Teaser for the Teaser Trailer Gives You One Thing You Want To See

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Nick Doll in Batman, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, DC, Movies, Trailers

Okay, so Trailer number two today, for Batman V Superman: Justice Begins, (check out Trailer #1, the new Star Wars trailer here!) is so quick and content-less, that I’m slightly embarrassed to be sharing it here.

But it’s the tiny bit of content that is exciting! In this most teaserly of teaser trailers for a teaser trailer, you will see one amazing thing: a shot of Batman’s new, glorious cowl!

We’ve seen it pictured before (below), but seeing the suit through the lens of a camera, even if CGI’ed… is amazing. Here’s the original peek we got months upon months ago.

I didn’t notice the stitched together look of the new suit until this “teaser trailer,” but it is evident in the picture above when examined closely.I love this stitched together look which is simpler, less-armor, more-classic Batsuit that really hearkens more to the costume of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns than Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.

Its even go ‘dem short ears I love! And the nose is more human than past masks that gave Batman more of a mini-beak! (In the trailer at least; the original image below is more beaky.)

Batman V Superman: Justice Begins has been generous (though not nearly as generous as Marvel of late!) with official pictures of other key characters like Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), and even Aquaman (Jason Momoa). And let’s not forget Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg)!

Let’s look at those now, shall we?

I’ll wager you can tell which is which.

Today’s teaser was meant as an invitation from director Zack Snyder to see the first full, real Teaser Trailer at IMAX on Monday… if your state gets it…

The rest of us will hopefully get the full trailer online next week as well.

Until then, all we really have is dirty laundry.

Great Melted Vader’s Helmet! STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Trailer Gives Us Han and Chewie!

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Nick Doll in Movies, Star Wars, The Force Awakens, Trailers

Good God, ya’ll! We’ve got a plethera of “teaser” trailers today, but of all today’s goodness, the 2nd trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens takes the cake!

Let’s watch it before I spoil it.

Boom! A crashed Star Destroyer and X-Wing? Check!

Melted Vader helmet? Check!

Luke’s lineage, including perhaps a child of Leia? R2-D2 and Luke’s now fully metallic fake hand? Check for both.

Who’s that in charge of that battalion of Storm Troopers? Who runs The Empire Now?

Who’s the Sith looking fellow in the mask? His name is Kylo Ren, but who is the man, behind the mask?

And who is this incredibly important looking Storm Trooper?

Further Empire development since we last saw them… thirty years ago.

And why are Han Solo and Chewbacca finally home? Is it a homecoming on the Millennium Falcon, because that sure looks like her interior.

“Fast ship? You’ve never heard of the Millenium Falcon? It’s the ship that made the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs.”

Lot’s here to process, so let’s take a moment to enjoy it all… especially the first appearance of Han Solo and Chewbacca after so many decades!

The force looks strong with this one!

Can’t Wait Any Longer? Watch Hulk and Stark in Hulkbuster Battle For A Full 1 and 1/2 Minutes!

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Nick Doll in Age of Ultron, Avengers, Marvel, MCU, Movies, Trailers

We all want to see Avengers: Age of Ultron. We all want to see Hulk fight Tony Stark in the Hulkbuster.

So, why wait? Marvel has released a 90 second clip online of the most anticipated scene of the summer’s most anticipated film.

With that ability to call new pieces of the suit to replaced Hulk-smashed ones, Hulkbuster might be more equipped to handle Hulk than any of us expected! Lot’s of bashing each-other into buildings…

More Marvel Studios nirvana!

See the entire film when it hits our shores on May 1st!

Full Length ANT-MAN Trailer Is Pure Marvel Goodness

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Nick Doll in Ant-Man, Marvel, MCU, Movies, Trailers

The latest trailer for Marvel’s don’t-forget-we-have-another-movie-coming-after-Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man!

Here’s the trailer for Marvel Studios’ last film in their MCU Phase 2.

Yellowjacket sure looks awesome! I’m still down for this movie! Down like a clown, Charlie Brown!

Ant-Man crawls into theaters on July 17th.

New JURASSIC WORLD Clip Dampens Your Excitement

Posted on April 10, 2015April 10, 2015 by Nick Doll in Jurassic World, Movies, Trailers

Still without a 2nd Theatrical Trailer, Jurassic World has done most of its marketing in smaller doses through two excellent TV spots; the 1st from the Superbowl and the latter released only weeks ago.

Today we get a clip from the movie, but don’t get too excited. No dinos; Velociraptors, Indominous Rex or otherwise are present. Instead, we get a dialog scene with Bryce Dallas Howard as Dr. Claire Dearing and Chris Pratt as Velociraptor whisperer Owen Grady.

The scene feels a little stale, with too much by-the-book archetypes that caused Avengers: Age of Ultron director Joss Whedon to label the clip as “70’s era sexist.” This from the man who has Black Widow saying “I always clean up after you boys” whilst grabbing Capt.’s Shield off the street for him.

I’m never here to get political or what-not, so let’s get to the clip.

See what I mean? It just feels like a scene from any movie trying to establish a rebel of a character and the stuck-up scientist. It’s not the lack of dinosaurs that is disappointing, it’s the quality of the writing and even performance choices that have brought upon my first real doubts about my most anticipated movie of 2015.

Hopefully director Colin Trevorrow and his leads Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard bring their A-game to every other scene in June 12th’s Jurassic World. I know Indominus Rex will…

Jared Leto Gives Us A Sneak Peak of His Joker… KILLING JOKE Style!

Posted on April 10, 2015April 10, 2015 by Nick Doll in Batman, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, DC, Mad Max: Fury Road, Movies, Suicide Squad, Villains

Its been an entire day of 1st looks at comic book characters’ big screen counterparts. First, we got a full look at Vision from Avengers: Age of Ultron. Then, the Thing from FANT4STIC (Fantastic Four) and Yellowjacket from Ant-Man showed us their lovely mugs.

Now, we have our first look at Jared Leto, not going “Full-Joker,” but sporting green hair none-the-less and recreating a Joker image that will make any comic book fan cream their jeans.

I haven’t discussed DC’s other 2016 blockbuster Suicide Squad on the site yet, but the David Ayer directed film focusing on Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Leto as the always iconic Joker is basically coming together as the perfect opportunity to introduce Batman’s rogue gallery while the hero is busy in his own 2016 film: Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Here’s the film’s synopsis from IMDB,; obviously based on the comic of the same title:

“A secret government agency recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency.”

Without further ado, here is the first look at Jared Leto’s Joker from Suicide Squad!

See. He’s got the green hair! He’s doing the Killing Joke pose from the cover of the graphic novel (see below)! Otherwise… it still looks like Leto needs to go pale… full-pale. Gots to get some Joker makeup, son!

See? Just give the man some white make-up and some red lipstick and you’ve got the joker, baby! (And some gloves and a purple suit. He’ll need those too.)

Meanwhile, though the typical green color, Leto’s more modest haircut (compared to Heath Ledger’s Joker) does recall the Joker from the another beloved graphic novel: The Dark Knight Returns.

Though this picture comes from the animated film version of 'The Dark Knight Returns,' it is a great representation of The Joker's least wild hairdo. — Though this picture comes from the animated film version of ‘The Dark Knight Returns,’ it is a great representation of The Joker’s least wild hairdo.

My one wish for the DC Cinematic Universe’s Joker: No Scars!

Though Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger’s Joker sported horrific scars, Joker in the comics never has any, especially not in Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Just give Leto some white face paint and some lipstick and we’ll be off to the races!

Suicide Squad comes out in 2016 with Batman Vs. Superman: Justice Begins. DC has been just as generous with Marvel lately so expect to see a lot more of Leto’s Joker in the coming months. Meanwhile, that first Batman Vs Superman trailer is set to appear on May 15th’s Mad Max: Fury Road.

Enjoy all these Comic Book Cinematic Universes, kiddies. Before the bubble finally bursts.

Marvel Double Feature: 1st Official Looks At ANT-MAN’s Yellowjacket and FANT4STIC’s The Thing

Posted on April 10, 2015April 10, 2015 by Nick Doll in Ant-Man, FANT4STIC, Marvel, MCU, Movies, Villains

Following today’s full reveal of Avengers: Age of Ultron‘s Vision, we also have first looks at The Thing from this summer’s FANT4STIC (Fantasic Four) and the villainous Yellowjacket from Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man.

First, after only seeing him from behind in the trailer and poster for the film, heeeeeeeereeeee’s The Thing! (Courtesy of Empire Magazine)

Jamie Bell plays Ben Grimm and then the Thing; the later using CGI mo-cap technology used to create characters like The Hulk. Bell has quite a bit of mo-cap experience, playing the title character in Steven Spielberg’s CGI film The Adventures of Tintin.

Doesn’t that look better than Michael Chiklis’ rubber rock costume from 2005’s version of The Fantastic Four?

The answer is yes. Yes it does look better, Nick.

Before we move onto our first official look at Ant-Man‘s Yellowjacket, here are two new other stills of FANT4STIC from Empire Magazine.

These new pics continue the creepy Sci-fi/nearly-Horror vibe established in the trailer. A trailer that has turned one of my least favorite hero teams into a movie I can’t miss!

Now, without further ado, Entertainment Weekly has, in addition to their new Avengers: Age of Ultron cover, the first official look at Ant-Man’s nemesis, Yellowjacket.

Previously we had a drawing of Yellowjacket, but here he is in full live-action/CGI form!

Notice that he’s full sized, whilst our hero Ant-Man is throwing a very miniature punch.

The suit looks fantastic, similar enough to Ant-Man’s getup, while also brandishing those deadly Doc Ock-esque “arms.”

Marvel’s Ant-Man arrives July 17th, with Fox’s FANT4STIC following in August. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of marketing for both, especially with Avengers: Age of Ultron right around the corner!

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