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FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM Is a Textbook Adventure (Review)

It’s dizzying to think 15 years have passed since the opening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and 19 since the debut of the J.K. Rowling novel that inspired it. Since then, the globe has gleefully embraced all things Harry Potter, including theatrical productions inspired by its wizarding world, the breadth of Pottermore, and a sprawling theme park. So it’s no surprise that Rowling and Warner Bros, who enjoyed gargantuan success with the eight-film franchise, would aspire to create a spinoff…or five.

I’ll admit, I thought basing a new string of adventures on the Rowling-penned fictional textbook Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them was a ludicrous idea that reeked of desperation. But I underestimated this author turned first-time screenwriter immensely. This sensational spinoff not only feels like a fresh angle on the magical world we think we know so well, but also takes into account how the young adults who first found these books and movies have grown, and may be craving something more sophisticated that they can share with their kids.

Academy Award-winner Eddie Redmayne stars as magizoologist Newt Scamander, an English wizard who’s been traveling the world, collecting magical creatures for conservation in his seemingly ordinary suitcase. The Hufflepuff who openly admits he annoys people has only begun drafting the tome that will decades later be a Hogwarts requirement. Here, he’s in his late twenties, awkward and–save for his eccentric animals–alone in New York, at the height of Jazz Age glamour and underground crime. Thankfully, fate–in the form of a gold-greedy rodent–introduces him to some American misfits: disgraced auror Porpetina Goldstein (a steely but intriguing Katherine Waterston), her telepathic sister Queenie (the daffy and delightful Alison Sudol), and a muggle baker named Jacob Kowalski (the outright hilarious Dan Fogler). Together this fetching foursome race about Manhattan rounding up the beasts who’ve snuck out of Scamander’s case, while investigating the deadly dark cloud causing chaos and threatening to out the secret society of American witches and wizards.

Punctuated with outlandish action sequences, cute creatures, and slapstick comedy, the chasing critters angle is deceptively simple stuff that is sure to tickle kids. But grown-ups won’t be immune to the charms of its easy humor and the dedicatedly detailed CGI creations who are granted an incredible authenticity from Redmayne and his co-stars’ earnest interactions. From there, Rowling slathers the story in the nostalgic sex appeal of the 1920s, setting scenes in goblin-run speakeasies, draping characters in gorgeous glad rags (designed by the incomparable Colleen Atwood), and marinating the whole affair in an old-Hollywood style flair, vibrant in whimsy, and complete with a warm and flirtatious romance between Fantastic Beast‘s sweet sex kitten Queenie and its lovable schmo Kowalski.

Where Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them loses its way is when it guns hard to set up those drama-driven sequels we’ve already been promised. Moody subplots about anti-witch factions and powerful muggle politicians feel so disjointed from the thrust of Scamander’s story that they’re nearly forgotten before they jut back into the finale. Likewise the good cop/goof cop chemistry that Waterston and Redmayne develop over the course of their quest is jangled in the last half-hour by an awkward attempt to make their connection romantic. In a world where anything is possible if feels forced and frustrating that a man and woman who spend any amount of time together just must fall in love. But most vexing is a certain “reveal” in the climax that earned no gasps but only groans from my audience. You’ll know it when you sneer it.

Still, stumbles aside, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them is enthralling, enchanting and joyful. Transporting the Harry Potter universe to 1920s America gives Rowling a new sandbox to explore. And long-time Harry Potter helmer David Yates knows just how to bring the spectacle and heart audiences have come to demand from the franchise. Redmayne, delivering a lopsided smile, affable mumble and gangly physicality, offers a distinctively different hero to hang our hopes on. But for all his quirks, Scamander never veers from adorable to obnoxious. Strong supporting turns–from Fogler, Waterston, Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell–combine with awe-striking visuals and imaginative action sequences to conjure a vibrant adventure full of wonder, surprises and fun.

4 out of 5 burritos. 

Image: Warner Bros.

But will there ever be another Harry Potter movie sequel?

Jared Leto and Margot Robbie Embrace the Crazy in New SUICIDE SQUAD Featurette

Throughout the entire production of Suicide Squad, Jared Leto reportedly refused to let his Joker break character. Now that the Suicide Squad is heading back to Blu-ray with a new edition, we’re finally getting a taste of what that was like for Leto’s co-stars and the crew of the film.

IGN debuted a new behind-the-scenes video from the new Suicide Squad Extended Cut Blu-ray, which includes a shot of Leto addressing the crew as the Joker in-between shots. According to director David Ayer, Leto’s outbursts and decisions were “like pure entertainment for the crew.” Leto’s co-star, Margot Robbie also seemed to greatly enjoy playing against his Joker. “The Harley/Joker stuff was so unpredictable,” says Robbie in the clip. “Jared and I really didn’t do any rehearsal off-screen…It was perfect because then we would get in front of the camera, and I didn’t know what was going to happen and he didn’t know what was going to happen. I don’t think anyone really knew what was going to happen…That’s why those scenes were so electric, because they were so unpredictable.”

For his part, Leto expressed gratitude to Robbie for being such a willing participant in his simulated madness. “I was lucky in that I had a pretty phenomenal partner in this,” recalled Leto in the clip. “I was really lucky to work with her. Incredibly kind, incredibly patient, which you have to be with the Joker in the room.”

The Suicide Squad Extended Cut Blu-ray will be out on December 13, but if you just can’t wait, you can get it on Digital HD starting on Tuesday, November 15.

What did you think about the latest Suicide Squad video? Let us in on the joke in the comment section below!

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures/IGN

Here are all the easter eggs to look for once you get the Blu-ray:

The First Doctor is Delightful in New DOCTOR WHO/MR. MEN Preview

For over 45 years, the Mr. Men children’s books have been entertaining young readers around the world. Now, everyone’s favorite Time Lord is getting the Mr. Men treatment, all 12 of him!

Last month, BBC and the Sanrio Company revealed that Mr. Men author and illustrator, Adam Hargreaves will be releasing four Doctor Who themed Mr. Men books in spring 2017. Appropriately enough, one of the first books will focus on William Hartnell’s First Doctor, the man who kicked off the Doctor Who franchise in 1963.

Io9 has debuted the first look at Dr. First, which finds the First Doctor in a bit of a mood over the state of his TARDIS. And in a welcome return, the First Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan Foreman is there as well!

 

You can read the rest of the pages on io9, but we just had to include the fifth page here because the Mr. Men take on the Cybermen is too charming. And who knows? Maybe the Doctor is wrong, and they are on holiday!

That only makes us more eager to see how Hargreaves handles the Daleks, the Weaping Angels, the Silence, and more of the Doctor’s greatest enemies.

Hargreaves will also create Mr. Men books for the Fourth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor, and the Twelfth Doctor; which will be called Dr. Fourth, Dr. Eleventh, and Dr. Twelfth. There are plans to continue the series with books for the other eight primary Doctors, but it’s unclear if John Hurt’s War Doctor will also get his due.

What did you think about this preview? Feel free to be Mr. or Little Miss Chatty  in the comment section below!

Images: BBC/Sanrio

We could happily go for “Mr. Harkness” too.

Director David Yates Commits To All 5 FANTASTIC BEASTS Films

For nearly half a decade, director David Yates devoted himself to adapting J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books as he helmed the final four movies in the series. Now, Yates has made an even larger commitment to Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, which means that he won’t be leaving this magical world any time soon.

At the world premiere for Fantastic Beasts, Yates told The Hollywood Reporter that he was onboard to direct all four of the film’s recently announced sequels. “I love making films, and I’ve got a great team, all of whom are like family,” said Yates. “I only look at it movie to movie.”

Between both series, Yates will have directed nine films in the Potterverse by the time that the final Fantastic Beasts movie is released. Warner Bros. hasn’t officially scheduled the movies that far ahead, but it’s likely to be another run of five years or more.

One of the ways that Yates and Rowling have built up the anticipation for the Fantastic Beasts sequels has been with the reveal that Johnny Depp is playing Gellert Grindelwald, one of the legendary dark wizards who had close ties to fan favorite, Albus Dumbledore. Casting is currently underway for the younger Dumbledore, who will appear in the sequel.

While speaking with THR, Yates also hinted that Fantastic Beasts may be a darker film than fans expected; but he noted that the final draft added some lightness back to the script. “It was after that dark second draft that [Rowling] suddenly found the melody; then, she was away to the races. It was a struggle to keep up with her because she knew what it was: a balance between light and shade.”

We won’t have to wait long to see Fantastic Beasts in theaters, as it will be released next Friday, November 18.

Are you excited that Yates will direct all five Fantastic Beasts movies? Cast your spells in the comment section below!

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

It was only a year ago that we learned the plot details of movie 1…

Italian McDonald’s Adds Nutella Burger to Menu

Italy: culinary center of the world. Home to some of Earth’s most prized possessions: pizza, pasta, cooked cow tail. Wait, is that last one not enjoyed around the world? Doesn’t matter. The point is that when aliens come to Earth and ask us to produce one item that encapsulates what it means to be human, it’ll be Italian food. Now, Italy can add one more item to its menu: a burger made out of Nutella.

That’s right! The McRib may not always be on the menu, but the Sweety, which should probably be called the McNutella, will soon be coming to McDonald’s locations throughout Italy, as reported by WGN TV. McDonald’s Italian Facebook revealed the new burger, which literally (and I mean literally, not figuratively) looks like it’s Nutella smeared between two buns, this past Thursday with the caption “A soft sweetness has arrived that you will not be able to resist. Try Sweety with Nutella now: soft bread with a creamy, indulgent center!”

As of now, the post is sitting at just over 56K likes, 68K comments, and a whopping 82K shares, so somebody’s definitely excited for it.

The Sweety may just be two pieces of bread and some hazelnut spread, but we here at Nerdist would still probably order it if we ever found ourselves at an Italian McDonald’s. It has to be better than some of the other fast food sandwiches we’ve had in our lives, at least.

What do you think? Will you be flying to Italy just for this treat you ought to learn how to make at home? Let us know in the comments below!

Image: McDonald’s

Let Diamond Select Bring the Magic of DOCTOR STRANGE Into Your Home

The Marvel train is showing no signs of slowing down as they have another successful hit on their hands with Doctor Strange. Thanks to the good people over at Diamond Select Toys, you can get YOUR hands on Doctor Strange as well, and just in time for Christmas.

Posted on their Facebook page, Diamond has released the first photos of their seven-inch Doctor Strange figure, which will be available at retailers this December. It comes with a diorama base from the New York Sanctum, as well as interchangeable hands so the good Doctor can weave a multitude of spells. Oh, yeah, and it’s also adorned with an exact likeness of the movie’s star, Benedict Cumberbatch.

It looks like the Cloak of Levitation is connected to the figure, but it would have been cool if it came undone so we could create a scene where they are arguing or something.

While I am big supporter of Hot Toys when it comes to the detail they put into their figures, Diamond Select Toys are the perfect alternative for those figure fans that want the same amount of effort without the hurt on your bank account.

With the holidays starting only a few weeks from now, this figure is being released at the perfect time for the Master of the Mystic Arts fan in your life.

So what do you think? Will you be adding Doctor Strange to your figure collection? What other figures would you like to see down the road? Let me know on Twitter or Sling Ring down into the comments below.

Images: Diamond Select/Marvel Studios

How realistic is this figure? Watch the real-life Cumberbatch and compare.

Rami Malek is Delusional Again in BUSTER’S MAL HEART (AFI Fest Review)

And he thought E Corp was bad.

Mr. Robot star Rami Malek has even less of a lead on sanity than usual in Buster’s Mal Heart, as he inhabits at least three timelines. In one, he’s Jonah, a hotel concierge with an adorable young daughter and a kind wife, and ohmigod it’s heartbreaking because he doesn’t have them in the other timelines so something bad is probably going to happen. In another, he’s Buster, a mountain man who breaks into rich peoples’ empty holiday homes and calls in to talk radio raving about an oncoming apocalypse. In yet a third, he’s a Robinson Crusoe type in rags and dreadlocks, lying in a boat adrift, speaking Spanish and getting a leathery tan from the unflinching sun.

Did Jonah become Buster, or is there a far stranger explanation? An unnamed, paranoid man on the run (DJ Qualls, looking like he could be the BFG’s emo kid) asks Jonah for a room for the night, then starts plotting mini-thefts of guest jewelry with him. But his conspiracy theories prove alienating…at least until they also become contagious, possibly fueling the creation of Buster in some form or another.

Sarah Adina Smith’s accomplished second feature is worthy to stand alongside other “apocalypse maybe” thrillers like The Rapture, Take Shelter, and Bug, with Malek an appropriate successor to Michael Shannon as the soon-to-be typecast Crazy Guy Who Speaks Truth. Doom and disorientation are ominpresent, but like Jonah/Buster, you’ll want–nay, need–to press onward and discover the final revelation.

[Editor’s note: At the request of AFI Fest, this review has been limited to capsule-length]

4 out of 5 Burritos

Image: Gamechanger Films/AFI Fest Publicity

New ELEKTRA Ongoing Series Coming From Marvel in 2017

Welcome comics fangirls and fanboys to your weekend edition of Comics Relief. To start things off this weekend, Marvel has released news about new series about to of the biggest players in Daredevil’s life—read on for all the details!

Marvel Announces New Elektra Ongoing Series

Marvel Comics‘ #1 badass assassin is heading west in a brand new ongoing series, the publisher announced on Friday. Marvel’s new Elektra book takes Daredevil‘s former love all the way to Las Vegas, Nevada. The new ongoing is being written by comic book newcomer Matt Owens, who began his Marvel Universe experience as one of the writers on Netflix’s Luke Cage, and illustrated by Alec Morgan.

Morgan told Marvel.com “when we find Elektra in this story she is trying to hide in plain sight. She’s running. From everything. Vegas is a place that is extremely unfamiliar to her so that makes it perfect for her to hide out. But much like New York, Vegas has a dark side. And Elektra may not be able to stay out of trouble for long.” The first villain for the new series is Arcade, the longtime X-Men foe who fits in perfect in a Vegas setting. Elektra #1, written by Matt Owens with art by Alec Morgan and featuring a cover by Elizabeth Torque, arrives in February 2017. You can see the cover art from the first issue above. [CBR]

Former Cover Artist Frank Cho says he’s Working on a New Wonder Woman Series

Former Wonder Woman cover artist Frank Cho left the title recently (reportedly after series writer Greg Rucka expressed dismay over what he considered Cho’s “cheescake” style of art, something he didn’t feel fit the character of Wonder Woman, due to her feminist leanings), but, according to Cho, that’s not gthe end of his association with the character. Although not confirmed by DC, in an interview with Fumettologica, he said “We’re in negotiation. It’s almost there, pretty much. Yeah, I mean, let’s be honest, it’s gonna happen. You know, I have a huge fan base and I have the story already written.” Hmm.

He added “DC recruited me to do the Wonder Woman covers originally and that didn’t work out because of the writer, but they want me back to Wonder Woman as soon as possible, as soon as the writer is gone.” With no current plans to leave the title, which has been selling very well for DC under Greg Rucka, it could be awhile before DC confirms this Frank Cho Wonder Woman comic book. (Or maybe, even, never!) For more on this, click on the following link: [Newsarama]

BOOM! Studios’ Kurt Russell Comics Lead October Sales

DC Comics lost their lead in terms of market share sales for the first time since June (when DC Rebirth launched to great sales success) this October. But the #1 book of the month wasn’t a Marvel book…it was BOOM! Studios‘ Big Trouble in Little China/Escape from New York #1. Because of Loot Crate’s half a million subscribers, it easily knocked Marvel’s new Champions series out of the #1 spot. Still, thanks to Champions #1, Marvel is now ahead of DC in terms of market share, but only just. For more on comics’ October 20016 sales, click on the following link: [Bleeding Cool]

The Man Who Killed Elektra Gets New Series with February’s Bullseye #1

Along with the new Elektra series, another member of Daredevil’s world is getting their own book next year. Debuting in February 2017, Bullseye will be written by Ed Brisson and feature art by Guillermo Sanna. The new book will put the spotlight on Marvel’s best known contract killer, who will be “attempting to maintain the balance between psychotic murderer and a cool and collected assassin while doing what he does best – killing anyone who happens to cross his path.”

Ed Brisson told Marvel.com “[The series] won’t change the Bullseye we see. He’s always going to be that same crazy dude who’s out to kill and isn’t going to be bothered about who’s in his way. We’re going to see a man who walks that balance between the two sides well. There is always going to be a very specific method to his madness.” You can see the cover art for Bullseye #1 by Dave Johnson above. The limited series arrives in February 2017. [CBR]

Vertigo’s Sheriff of Babylon Set For a “Season Two”

DC Comics sent out a cryptic teaser this week with the words “STAY TUNED.” It came along with the image above, which is advertising the “second season” of Tom King’s and Mitch Gerad’s critically acclaimed Vertigo series, Sheriff of Babylon. It also appears that the next season of the series may be exchanging “Babylon” for a new location, as the words “Babylon” are totally obscured. Any fans have guesses as to what it could be? You can see the promo art for the Vertigo series above. [Comics Beat]

Monsters Unleashed Gets Gwen Stacy Variant Covers

As part of the Monsters Unleashed crossover coming in next year (by the way, how appropriate is it now that a series called “Monsters Unleashed” is coming in January of 2017?), the publisher is releasing a new series of variant covers re-imagining Spidey’s original love Gwen Stacy as several different creatures, satiating apparently an unspoken desire among fanboys to see their favorite dead, tragic blonde girl as a kaiju. We live in strange times.

The  so called “Gwensters Unleashed” variants will be for eight tie-in one-shots throughout January, February and March — each of which feature a story that ties into the “Monsters Unleashed” crossover. The official press release says “Marvel at the might of the terrible GOOGWEN! Cower in fear under the awesome terror that is GWENSTEROSO! Never before has there been a menace such as GWENGO the unconquerable!” You can see four of these covers in our gallery below, with more to come at a later date. [Newsarama]

Are you excited about this week’s comic offerings? Let us know in the comments below!

This Video Ranks the 10 Funniest Movie Moments Ever

The putting together of any kind of “best ever” list is probably going to make some people angry. It’s just the way it works. But if your intention is to just have some fun and foster some healthy debate, you can mitigate any anger by putting together a list of things that make us laugh. That way, even when we don’t agree with the rankings, we still get to have some fun, like with this list of funny movie moments.

We first came across this montage of the 10 funniest movie scenes at Slate, and it was made by the good folks at Cinefix. Beyond just including a lot of great comedic cinematic scenes (way more than just 10), they also tried to explain the different types of humor that make us laugh. That includes relief theory, which is explained by the psychology of Freud as a type of humor that “lets us blow off some steam.” There is also Plato and Aristotle’s superiority theory, which is when we laugh at fools. And finally there is incongruity theory, found in the teachings of Kant among others, which says humor comes from a mismatch between expectations and what really happens.

But that’s enough about why we laugh, let’s get to the funny part. So what made their list—a list literally no one in the world will agree with?

10 – When Harry Met Sally

9 – The Princess Bride

8 – Monty Python and the Holy Grail

7 – Spaceballs

6 – His Girl Friday

5 – Dr. Strangelove: Or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

4 – This Is Spinal Tap

3 – Bruce Almighty

2 – Office Space

1 – Duck Soup

Don’t worry, they alluded to numerous other movie scenes within their own video that I think are much funnier than what made the top 10, but that’s the beauty of this type of list. We might disagree, but we still get to laugh with it instead of yell about it.

So tell us, what do you think is the funniest scene in movie history? Tell us in the comments below.

Featured Image: MGM

Image: Embassy Pictures

We’ve done funny, now here’s scary — check out our list of 9 unintentionally horrifying movies

Cosplay Friday #189 – Gadget, Dragonzord, and More by Battlecat Cosplay

When you meet another cosplayer at a convention, you instantly know you have some things in common. You both enjoy creating and making, you both have suffered burns from hot glue guns, and you both like to express your passion for a given fandom or character by making costumes. Michel and Rob met at a convention while they were in costume, and now they’re engaged. Awww. Known as Battlecat Cosplay, they build and wear all sorts of awesome costumes. Like, for example, this Dragonzord.

Dragonzord (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) | Photo by DTJaaaam

They’re already dressing up their daughter, too! Callie–which, by the way, is their shortened version of Khaleesi–is wrapped up in material from a Rey cosplay Michel was already building. It’s good to start this Jedi business young.

Rey (The Force Awakens) | Photo by Katrina Serene Photography

The fun continues in the gallery below, so head on down there to look at more great costumes. You’ll find Robin and Gadget, Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Henchman and Riddler, and a cool take on Panthor. Then, you can keep up with more from Michel and Rob by following them on Facebook. I can’t wait to see how else they dress up Callie.

Do you cosplay or make photographs of cosplayers? Then I would really like to see your work so we can talk about highlighting you in a future Cosplay Friday gallery. If you’re interested, please go ahead and email me at alratcliffe@yahoo.com with hi-res photos you’d like me to feature. Be sure to provide credits for the cosplayers or photographers for each image because giving credit is good manners–bonus points if you include links to relevant Facebook pages or websites. Though I wish I knew all the geek things in the world, I don’t, so please let me know who or what is being cosplayed–I can usually figure it out, but I’ll take all the help I can get.

Images: Courtesy of Battlecat Cosplay