Tag: Henry Cavill

DC Comics, Movies, Streaming2 Comments

HBO Max to Release the Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’ After All

Keith Chow

What will DC stans tweet at Warner Bros., now that Zack Snyder’s Justice League has officially been announced as part of the HBO Max lineup in 2021?

In other news, HBO Max will be available to more cable subscribers — including Cox and Verizon — which means if you already have HBO, then you’ll also have it to the Max.

See the official Snyder Cut press release after the jump.

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DC Comics, Movies2 Comments

Please Cast Armie Hammer for Batman

Keith Chow

Over the last few days, movement on Matt Reeves’ Batman movie has gone into overdrive. First, Reeves finally shed some light on his take on the Bat mythos. Then, Warner Bros. finally set a release date for the movie — June 25, 2021. To top it all off, Ben Affleck himself set the record straight about his involvement in the project, essentially confirming his departure as Batman.

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Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies, Sports1 Comment

Hard NOC Life: Olivia Munn vs. Super Predator

Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Keith is joined by his DC TV Classics co-host Britney Monae to fill in for Shawn as they break down the week in Nerd Pop.

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Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies, Television

Hard NOC Life: #AsianAugust

Hard NOC Media

This week on Hard NOC Life, Laura Sirikul fills in for Shawn and joins Keith for another week in Nerd Pop and celebrate the beginning of “Asian August!”

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DC Comics, Movies2 Comments

The Red Capes Are Coming: A Batman v Superman Retrospective

Dennis R. Upkins

One year ago, history was made when Batman v Superman: Dawn of Wonder Woman Justice opened in theaters.

Why is this a cinematic milestone?

For the first time in history, the Man of Steel, the Caped Crusader, and the Amazon appeared together in a live action story. This is of monumental importance because not only are these iconic heroes the flagship franchises of DC Comics, they are also the cornerstones of western media and western culture.

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DC Comics, Recaps, Television1 Comment

NOC Recaps The Flash: Running on Sunshine

Christelle G.

In the penultimate episode of the season, Barry can’t stop the feeling that he’s invincible since the Speed Force told him that it loved him and read him a Night-Night book about a dinosaur. He’s got that sunshine pocket. Got that good soul in his feet.

Even #Metapocalypse 2016 won’t throw off his game. The metahuman army that rallied together when Zoom outed the “disappearance” of the Flash on broadcast TV. Barry swoops in — a little too late, in my opinion — to bail out the Central City Police because EVERYTHING IS LITERALLY ON FIRE. And did I spy Earth-2 Hawkpeople?

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DC Comics, Television4 Comments

Waiting for Superman: The Beginning of the End of Smallville

Keith Chow

Five years ago today, Smallville ended its historic ten-year run on The CW, fka The WB. At the time, it was the longest running genre series on-air and is still the longest running superhero series in television history. It’s hard to believe now, when superheroes have completely permeated popular culture, but Smallville’s popularity was a rarity in the early 2000s. The current incarnation of The CW — which after the acquisition of Supergirl from CBS should just rename itself DCTV — owes a great debt to the Superman origin story shepharded by Into the Badlands creators Al Gough and Miles Millar. (FYI, Craig Byrne, founder of Kryptonsite — the definitive Smallville destination on the internet, penned a must-read retrospective of the series at Collider).

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DC Comics, Movies19 Comments

Superman: Seeing Double (Standards)

Dennis R. Upkins

So last weekend Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hit theaters and proved to be a box office hit. For those who want my thoughts on the film, you can read about them here and here. As was the case with Man of Steel, it seems very fashionable to snark on BvS and the DC Cinematic Universe in general. My theory is that the Marvel films are shiny new toys by comparison to the DC franchises.

This isn’t to say that DC and parent company Warner Brothers are above critique. They aren’t. Neither is Marvel and parent company Disney. I both enjoy and take both companies to task for different reasons when it comes to their comics and films. However, not all of the major complaints have been as valid and they definitely illustrate a double standard at play when it comes to Superman specifically.

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DC Comics, Movies12 Comments

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Confirmation Bias

Brandon Easton

I’m examining Batman v Superman from the perspective of the ridiculous and (not) unprecedented fan “outrage” and critical overreaction.

First thing, let’s take a look at the phrase “confirmation bias.” Here’s the definition:

Confirmation bias, also called confirmatory bias or myside bias, is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one’s beliefs or hypotheses, while giving disproportionately less consideration to alternative possibilities.

Simply put, if people desperately wish to cling onto or believe in a certain conclusion, there’s nothing in the universe that can change their mind. They will not entertain — nor have the ability to entertain — anything that falls outside of their way of thinking.

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DC Comics, Movies4 Comments

There’s Nothing Heroic about Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Michel Buster

So here are my thoughts on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. I wanted to wait, but I couldn’t. Feel free to discuss and debate. I look forward to it.

This movie overall was… fine. A strong 7, perhaps add a 0.5. You could see where the studio rushed to cobble the Justice League together, and elude to the fact that, perhaps, there was once a Robin. I have to admit that Ben Affleck made a very good Batman. The Bat was brutal, and the fight scenes were enjoyable.

So, if you haven’t seen it, go ahead. If you have skittish children, keep them home. For a DC cinematic effort, it’s like most that have come before, with the sole exception that there was one that one “hero” on display. And that is where my issues lie.

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DC Comics, Movies2 Comments

Things Other Movies Did Better Than Batman v Superman

Keith Chow

I didn’t hate Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. I walked into the theater last night fully expecting to hate it. Two and a half hours later, I ended up merely not liking it. That’s progress, I guess?

That said, there were a couple things I actually liked (most having to do with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman) and I can’t deny that Ben Affleck looks like Batman (even though he sure doesn’t act like him). But the thing that distracted me throughout the movie was the fact that it contained a lot of elements that were executed better in other live action adaptations.

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DC Comics, Movies15 Comments

The Epic Failure of Batman v Superman

Edward Hong

Before I begin this review, I want you all to watch this clip from Man of Steel.

I remembered watching that scene from that film and actually yelling out loud how incredibly stupid and unnecessarily melodramatic that was.

That’s exactly how I felt after watching Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

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DC Comics, Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies

BLK x NOC Preview Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

The Nerds of Color

UPDATE: Part 2 of our BvS podcast crossover with BLKBOARD is available here!

We’re now only a few days away from the worldwide launch of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Before the movie comes out, this special edition of Hard NOC Life — also available on iTunes and Soundcloud — invites the founders of the new website and podcast BLKBOARD, Jermaine Dickerson and Michael Tré, to discuss the launch of the DC Cinematic Universe.

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DC Comics, Movies14 Comments

Guess We Don’t Need to See Batman v Superman Now

Keith Chow

Since when did Jimmy Kimmel Live become the go-to place for movie studios to drop their most anticipated trailers? It made sense before to have all-Marvel or all-Star Wars editions — Disney owns ABC, after all — but using Kimmel to reveal Warner/DC’s formal entry into the cinematic superhero wars was a surprise. Like, why not use The CW’s two-part Flarrow crossover1 to show off their big guns? Corporate synergy, remember? Still, like a proper nerd, I tuned in to Kimmel to see the latest tease for what will be the biggest movie of March 2016.

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DC Comics, Movies6 Comments

Man of Steel: A Retrospective

Dennis R. Upkins

Alanis Morissette’s hit track, “All I Really Want,” features one of my all-time favorite lyrics:

And I am fascinated by the spiritual man. I am humbled by his humble nature.

So this weekend I rewatched Man of Steel which still remains one of the most polarizing comic book films to date. The film is essentially a reboot of Superman’s origins much in the spirit of Batman Begins. As Kal-El learns of his origins and his purpose, he soon becomes tasked with protecting the planet from Zod and his invading army.

The verdict?

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DC Comics, Marvel, Movies2 Comments

With Great Power Comes Great Cynicism

Jamie

I take super heroes and the media surrounding them entirely too seriously. This is why I get so worked up over comics and movies. It doesn’t take much for me to launch into an hours-long tirade over the finer points of caped continuity. However, there is some method to my fanboy madness.

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DC Comics, Marvel, Movies11 Comments

Captain America vs. Iron Man vs. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of OMG, is This Really Happening?!

Keith Chow

That screeching sound you heard last night was the internet grinding to a halt when Variety broke the news: Robert Downey, Jr. was in final negotiations to star in Captain America 3, aka the movie that made the Justice League blink. Now you might be wondering, why is it still a Captain America movie if Robert Downey, Jr. is in it and not, say, Avengers 2.5? Well, I’m glad you asked!

If all the rumors turn out to be true, the casting of Downey essentially confirms that the popular “Civil War” storyline from the comics is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe — a move that fans have been clamoring for ever since Stark and Cap almost came to blows in the first Avengers flick.

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Conventions, Hard N.O.C. Life

Stay Classy, San Diego Comic-Con

The Nerds of Color

Another year, and another San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone. In the wake of the annual ritual of nerds gathering in Southern California, the Hard N.O.C. Life crew convene to discuss the biggest announcements that emerged from the convention!

Joining Keith on the panel are Comics and Cosplay host Ian (@ComixNCosplay), ODU criminology prof Shawn, and nerdcore extraordinaire — and Comic-Con attendee — Random aka Mega Ran (@MegaRan).

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DC Comics, Movies7 Comments

Man of Steel 2 Should Have Just Stayed Untitled

Keith Chow

Remember how — despite all my trepidations — I started actually getting excited for the Man of Steel sequel I refuse to call Batman vs. Superman? It was just last week.

Well, that didn’t last long.

Seems like all the good will Warner Brothers engendered from their sneak peek at Ben Affleck under the cowl has been squandered away with the reveal of the dumbest superhero movie title in the history of dumb superhero movie titles.

That’s right, Man of Steel 2 is now, officially, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Ugh.

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Comics, DC Comics, Movies5 Comments

Top 15 DC Characters Jason Momoa Could Play in Man of Steel 2

The Nerds of Color

by J. Lamb and Jenn

Earlier today, Keith posted a strong plea for Jason Momoa — who is currently in negotiations to join the cast of Man of Steel 2 — to play the role of Lobo. Keith’s not alone; the internet rumour mill has been spinning full-force since yesterday’s announcement, with plenty of speculation about whom Momoa might play from Doomsday to, well… Doomsday.

After the jump, here are 15 other DC superheroes Jason Momoa could bring to life in Man of Steel 2.

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DC Comics, Movies38 Comments

The Conversation We Should Not Have About Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

J. Lamb (Snoopy Jenkins)

Gal GadotZack Snyder cast Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman for the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, thereby ending months of speculation about the possible portrayal of DC Comics’ oldest nod to feminist virtue and grrl power. Previously seen by American audiences in the recent Fast & Furious movies, Gal Gadot’s casting has been met with equal praise and derision. My initial response is hearty, heartfelt, and honest.

I told you so.

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DC Comics, Movies15 Comments

Nolan’s Batman Should Be in the Man of Steel Sequel

Keith Chow

Let me start by saying that this post is not intended to be a rant against Batfleck. I’m actually on board with the idea of Ben as Batman, so his fitness to be the new Dark Knight Detective is not what the headline of this article is implying. Instead, as the rumors continue to swirl about the Man of Steel sequel (I refuse to call it Batman vs. Superman because that’s just a dumb title — though these are even dumber), I keep feeling less and less inclined to be happy with the movie. It’s not the sequel we deserve, but it’s the one we’re getting right now. And this from someone who actually really sort of liked Man of Steel. 

Of course, all of the leaks and rumors that are currently flooding the tubes right now could all turn out to be massively wrong. But there was one report that surfaced last week that really made me reevaluate just what DC and Warner Bros. are trying to accomplish with this new, shared cinematic universe.

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DC Comics, Movies6 Comments

Tweets About Man of Steel on Blu-ray

Keith Chow

So Man of Steel was released on blu-ray and DVD today. As I do whenever a superhero movie is released on home video, I went to the store first thing in the morning and bought it.

Since dispersing special features across multiple retailers as store-exclusives is now standard practice, I had to make the tough decision of where to get my copy. Should I go with the Wal-Mart exclusive in steelbook packaging with 30+ minutes of additional extras? Or go with Target’s lenticular digi-book with a different set of special features (also 30+ minutes)?

So I did what any good fanboy would do. I bought both.

Full disclosure: unlike most of the fanboy intelligentsia, I really liked Man of Steel when it came out in June. While I agreed with some of the critiques — namely, the overindulgent third act — I thought the positives outweighed the negatives and was really excited about how Zack Snyder and company were going to follow up the events of this movie in a sequel or two. Now that we know the sequel is going to Gotham, I’m less enthralled with how they intend to follow through on what’s set up in Man of Steel.

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