News Around the Net!
At last! The first trailer for Marvel’s upcoming Captain Marvel is here — and, no surprise, it looks great:
There’s a lot to enjoy and unpack there. Brie Larson seems great for the role, and I’m glad that Samuel Jackson’s Nick Fury looks to be a major part of the film. (I love the moment in which he takes off his glasses to reveal that he still has both eyes.) I loved the quick glimpse of what looks like the same communications device that Nick used in the final seconds of Infinity War. I think both versions of Carol Danvers’ super-hero suit (the blue/green Kree warrior version as well as the classic-looking red/blue/gold version) look fantastic. I’m super-excited that we’re finally getting Skrulls — those classic shape-shifting villains from the comics — in a Marvel movie (I assume the old lady Carol punches in the trailer is a Skrull). (Is it possible that a story-line in Marvel’s as-yet-unannounced Phase Four of movies will include an adaptation of the “Secret Invasion” story-line from the comics in which the shape-shifting Skrulls wreak havoc?) My heart sang at the pan down, at the beginning, to reveal the Blockbuster sign — what a clever way to clarify this film’s nineties-era setting! I can’t wait for this.
My Star Trek-loving self thoroughly enjoyed this tribute to 52 years of Trek at the 2018 Creative Arts Emmys. The speeches are OK, but it’s the skillfully-made clip package from 1:50 to 4:50 that made my heart sing. Click here to enjoy.
Jon Kasdan (co-writer of Solo, along with his father, Lawrence Kasdan), has posted to twitter an extensive series of 52 notes/comments on the film Solo on the eve of its release to DVD/blu-ray. This is fascinating reading for all Star Wars fans.
Speaking of Solo, this is a great interview with Sam Witwer, who voiced… well, to avoid spoilers, let’s just say he voiced a certain character on the animated Clone Wars and Rebels series who also appeared in the live-action Solo.
Since the start of the DVD era, I’ve been a big fan and a constant reader of Bill Hunt’s The Digital Bits website. His latest editorial, “HEY KIDS… BUYING MOVIES? BUY THEM ON DISC, NOT DIGITAL. HERE’S WHY…” is a great summation of something that seems so obvious to me as a collector, and yet I know many feel differently. It’s a great read.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Conan O’Brien’s late-night show, many of his former writers reminisce about their favorite moments from the history of the show in this fun article.
This is funny — nerdy fans have found a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it continuity error in The Simpsons’ otherwise-perfect sixth season. (Though someone in the comments provides a deft “no-prize” style explanation for the error!)
I enjoyed this interview with comic book author Brian Michael Bendis on the relaunch of his political series Scarlet with Alex Maleev.
This is a wonderful article about the great Dick Cavett, who I continue to find smart, funny and fascinating.
And speaking of late night talk show hosts, I quite enjoyed Rolling Stone’s recent very in-depth conversation with Stephen Colbert.
Jon Hamm as Batman? Yes please! (Though I know it’ll never happen.)
Finally for today, I’ll leave you with Film Critic Hulk’s deep dive into the moral and philosophic foundations of The Good Place, one of my very favorite currently-running TV shows. I can’t wait for season three to launch soon!