Trailer-Ricky Stanicky

Amazon Prime has released the first trailer for Ricky Stanicky.

When three childhood best friends pull a prank gone wrong, they invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to get them out of trouble! Twenty years after creating this ‘friend,’ Dean, JT, and Wes (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Jermaine Fowler) still use the nonexistent Ricky as a handy alibi for their immature behavior. When their spouses and partners get suspicious and demand to finally meet the fabled Mr. Stanicky, the guilty trio decide to hire washed-up actor and raunchy celebrity impersonator “Rock Hard” Rod (John Cena) to bring him to life. But when Rod takes his role of a lifetime too far, they begin to wish they’d never invented Ricky in the first place. From director Peter Farrelly and featuring additional cast members including William H. Macy, Lex Scott Davis, and Anja Savcic.

Trailer-Barbie

Margot Robbie brings the iconic Barbie doll to life in the official trailer for Warner Bros.’ “Barbie”. The Oscar-nominated actress leads a star-studded cast that includes Ryan Gosling as Barbie’s love interest, Ken. But they’re not the only versions of the famous toy in the film – singer Dua Lipa appears as a mermaid Barbie, alongside upcoming Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa-alongside many other actors playing different iterations of the beloved doll.

While the first trailer teased a nod to Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”, it didn’t reveal much about the plot or characters. However, we now know that Barbie and Ken find themselves in the real world, grappling with the challenges of being more than just plastic toys. The film promises to explore the complexities of their new reality, while still delivering the fun and glamour that Barbie is known for.

“Barbie” will make open in cinemas on July 21st. Watch the full trailer below.

Film Review-Clerks III

Kevin Smith, the once-indie film-making prodigy, has made his name not just from the success of his debut film, Clerks, but also from the legendary tale of its creation. Back in 1993, Smith famously used multiple credit cards and raised $27,575 to produce a witty, dialogue-driven film in the off-hours of his day job at a New Jersey convenience store.

As a long-time fan of Clerks and its follow-up, Clerks II, I approached Smith’s latest film, Clerks III, with cautious optimism, hoping to witness a return to form. However, despite being marginally better than his previous outings such as Tusk and Yoga Hosers, it falls far short of expectations.

The film is a meta-comedy that heavily relies on references and recreations of scenes from the original, a hardly surprising fact. But the execution is lazy and uninspired, lacking the originality and charm of its predecessor. Instead of building upon the source material in any meaningful way, Smith seems content to rehash old gags and callbacks, a move that ultimately renders the film a lacklustre sequel.

It’s clear that Smith has made a deliberate decision to cater solely to his podcast subscribers, alienating everyone else in the process. The callbacks and references to the original may please hardcore fans, but the lack of fresh ideas makes the film feel like a missed opportunity.

While the original film was quotable and fresh, this one falls short in almost every way, failing to capture the magic of the original.

⭐️⭐️

Doctor Who heading to Disney+ internationally

The BBC announced today, that all future series of Doctor Who will stream on Disney+ internationally. The exclusive deal will give Disney+ the rights to air the legendary sci-fi series outside of the U.K. and Ireland.

The show returns next year, with three 60th-anniversary specials featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. New Doctor Ncuti Gatwa will take over at Christmas 2023.

Returning showrunner Russell T Davies said: “I love this show, and this is the best of both worlds – with the vision and joy of the BBC and Disney+ together we can launch the Tardis all around the planet, reaching a new generation of fans while keeping our traditional home firmly on the BBC in the U.K.,”

Charlotte Moore, BBC’s chief content officer, added: “We are thrilled to announce this exciting global partnership with Disney who is the perfect partner to bring this very British show to the rest of the world. Russell T Davies’ vision for ‘Doctor Who’ has always been out of this world and we are committed to ensuring that audiences across the globe get the opportunity to enjoy the Doctor’s epic adventures with the scale and ambition that they deserve. Joining forces with Disney will elevate the show to even greater heights and reach new audiences so it’s an extremely exciting time for fans in the U.K. and across the world.”

Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+, added: “We’re excited by the opportunity to bring new seasons of this beloved franchise exclusively to Disney+ and introduce the show to the next generation of audiences in more than 150 markets around the world. The series is a perfect addition to our ever-growing catalogue of global content that continues to make Disney+ the home for exceptional storytelling.”

The streaming deal will not affect the release of DVD and Blu-Ray box sets.

Episode 267: Toby Hadoke

Martyn chats with writer, actor, comedian and podcaster Toby Hadoke about his life and career.

Toby has been nominated for various awards for his stand up comedy.

Visit Toby’s website for full details about his projects.

Check out XS Malarkey.

Follow Toby on Twitter.

Bad Wilf Smartlink.

Our Doctor Who spin-off podcast, Running Down Corridors can be found here.

If you’d like to support the show, then please shop via our Amazon link. A small percentage goes our way, at no extra cost to you.

Twitter: Martyn, Sam, Gerrod, Pete

Instagram: Podcast, Martyn, Chris, Sam

Big Finish Review-Torchwood: The Black Knight

“The Black Knight,” a captivating audio production crafted by the talented writer Lizbeth Myles, takes listeners on a thrilling and thought-provoking journey. This audacious narrative ventures into the uncharted territory of British history, melding it with elements of science fiction and social commentary. Myles skillfully navigates the storyline, delving into the prevalent sexism of the era while concocting a tale filled with conspiracies, moral dilemmas, and devastating consequences reminiscent of the beloved series Torchwood.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of Britain’s fledgling space program, a period that aligns with the existence of Torchwood Soho. Here, we encounter the indomitable Professor Lynne Sharman, portrayed with unwavering conviction by the talented Safiyya Ingar. Lynne, a brilliant scientist reminiscent of the trailblazing women of Doctor Who’s late ’60s and early ’70s episodes, finds herself trapped in a world dominated by pompous and outrageously sexist men. They dismiss her groundbreaking rocket science and discourage her involvement in the realm of scientific discovery.

At the heart of this male-dominated landscape stands Sir Christopher Grey, impeccably brought to life by Russel Bentley’s performance, oozing condescension with every swig of port and puff of cigar smoke. As the gatekeeper of funding and government support for ambitious projects like Lynne’s Viola rocket, Grey embodies the epitome of sexism and bureaucracy. His resistance to Lynne’s aspirations adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, a battle not only against gender bias but against the mysteries and failures of the Viola itself.

The Viola, Lynne’s brainchild, possesses a troubled history. Previous unmanned launches have met fiery ends, just as they were about to escape Earth’s magnetosphere. Faced with mounting pressure and the impending abandonment of her project, Lynne seizes her last chance to prove herself by proposing a manned mission. Enter Freddie Talbot, a close friend of Lynne’s and a man seemingly possessed of the right qualities for the task at hand. Their fates intertwine as Lynne’s relentless pursuit of scientific truth collides with the enigmatic forces thwarting her rocketry dreams.

In a stunning and all-too-brief scene, Lizbeth Myles and Safiyya Ingar offer a character study of Lynne that is both powerful and nuanced. Lynne emerges as a brilliant scientist, guided not by ego but by a deep understanding of her craft. Her unyielding dedication to the pursuit of knowledge leads her to consider the possibility of external factors influencing her research, delving into the realm of real-world conspiracy theories. It is this scientific curiosity and open-mindedness that sets her apart, propelling the narrative forward as she unearths a shocking revelation.

“The Black Knight,” a term Lynne assigns to a mysterious asteroid, unveils a grand cosmic conspiracy. Lynne posits that this celestial entity, positioned as a cosmic sentinel, actively impedes humanity’s journey beyond the confines of Earth. Her discovery raises questions about our place in the universe and the delicate balance between protection and isolation. Is this alien presence safeguarding us from unknown perils, or are they safeguarding the universe from us? The audaciousness of these inquiries drives the plot to thrilling heights, with Lizbeth Myles expertly crafting a tapestry of intrigue, suspense, and awe-inspiring exploration.

Alongside the riveting narrative, “The Black Knight” boasts exceptional performances from its cast. Safiyya Ingar breathes life into the formidable Professor Lynne Sharman, infusing her with intelligence, resilience, and an unwavering determination to challenge the status quo. Samuel Barnett and Jacob Dudman bring their considerable talents to bear as Norton Folgate and Freddie Talbot.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Torchwood: The Black Knight is exclusively available to buy from the Big Finish website until 31 May 2022, and on general sale after this date.

Big Finish review-Torchwood Sonny

In just a few short years, Lizzie Hopley has cemented herself as one of the most consistent writers on the Big Finish roster. Returning to the Torchwood range for the first time since 2017, she gives us an interesting morality tale about care homes, loneliness, the treatment of elderly people and, the existential crisis of an AI.

Torchwood: Sonny follows fan-favourite Rhys (Kai Owen) as he enlists his mum, Brenda (Nerys Hughes) into helping Torchwood investigate a new fleet of robots, in a care home. At first, Brenda isn’t too pleased about this. But as time goes on, she becomes more and more dependent on her robot, named Sonny.

I had almost expected this to be a tale of robots taking over and attempting to enslave humanity. But Lizzie Hopley is so much smarter than that. She knows we’ve seen that trope a thousand times before. Instead of making us fear what robots could do to us, she makes us fear what robots could reveal about us.

Kai Owen, Nerys Hughes, and Steven Kynman are all terrific, and their relationships are convincing from the start. We all know Hughes is a particularly talented actress, but she absolutely shines in this audio. She portrays Brenda with such a raw vulnerability, that feels like an emotional gut-punch at times. There’s a wonderful complexity to Brenda, that I hope we get more of in the future. The supporting cast is also exceptionally strong, with Amerjit Deu, in particular, doing a fantastic job as Prudeep.

Sonny is not only a brilliantly comedic script, it’s also a deep exploration of what it means to feel isolated. Hopley manages to convey the monotony of being in a care home, without the story being boring. Lisa Bowerman’s direction is flawless and keeps the story going at exactly the right pace, this is all beautifully accompanied by Steve Wright’s soundtrack.

I’ve said it before, but I think it bears repeating. Torchwood on Big Finish is Torchwood at its absolute best.

Torchwood: Sonny is available to buy from the Big Finish website.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kevin Feige confirms Charlie Cox will stay on as Daredevil

Kevin Feige has announced that Charlie Cox will continue to play Daredevil, which will come as no surprise to Marvel fans who have been following various behind-the-scenes speculations and intriguing MCU leaks.

Charlie Cox recently said that he expects to still continue on in the role, one day.

Feige spoke very carefully, as he spoke to CineBlend:

“If you were to see Daredevil in upcoming things, Charlie Cox, yes, would be the actor playing Daredevil. Where we see that how we see that, when we see that, remains to be seen.”

Personally, I don’t think we’ll be waiting too long to see Matt Murdoch. After the events of Spider-Man: Far from home. Peter Parker is going to need a lawyer. Murdoch represented him in the comics, so an appearance in the upcoming Spider-Man: No way home just makes sense.

The reappearance of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin was also hinted at in a recent episode of Hawkeye.
In the same episode, Maya Lopez, AKA Echo, was introduced, a figure is known for her connections to Matt Murdock in Marvel Comics, and it’s been announced that Alaqua Cox will play Lopez in an Echo spin-off series that could easily include Daredevil and Kingpin.

Spider-Man: No way home is due for release in the UK, on the 15th of December.

Cobie Smulders to play Maria Hill in Secret Invasion

In Marvel’s Secret Invasion series, Cobie Smulders will reprise her role as Maria Hill in the MCU, and she will once again star opposite Samuel L. Jackson, who will be reprising his role as Nick Fury.

Smulders joins Ben Mendelsohn, Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Christopher McDonald, and Killian Scott.

The Disney+ series “centres around Fury and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) — who first met during the events of Captain Marvel — and a faction of shape-shifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years.”

Smulders has appeared in a number of Marvel films, including Spider-Man: Far From Home, Captain America: Civil War, and the Avengers films.

Source Deadline.

New Spider-Man trilogy in development

There has been a lot of speculation recently, including from Tom Holland himself – that Spider-Man: No Way Home, would be the end of his career as everyone’s favourite wall-crawler. The upcoming film does indeed mark the end of his current contract. However, according to producer Amy Pascal, this won’t be his last time suiting up, as there are already ideas in the works for a new trilogy.

Whilst talking to Fandango she said:

“This is not the last movie that we are going to make with Marvel or the last Spider-Man movie. We are getting ready to make the next Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland and Marvel. We’re thinking of this as three films, and now we’re going to go on to the next three. This is not the last of our MCU movies.”

This is wonderful news for fans who were worried about the companies splitting up, we came very close to seeing Tom Holland exit the MCU when the previous deal ended in 2019. However, both companies were soon able to reach an understanding of the continued use of the character.

Whilst it hasn’t been stated officially, I personally believe it was Sony that pushed Disney to open up the Marvel multiverse, so they could bring in characters from the Venomverse. It will be interesting to see how both companies utilise Peter Parker going forward. But one thing is for sure, Miles Morales will be the future for the franchise.

More from Pascal can be found here.

Spider-Man: No way home is out in the UK on the 15th of December.