Why I Almost Refused Point Blank to See Batman vs Superman

So you all probably heard the rumours last week. You know the rumour; about Justin Bieber being cast as Robin in the upcoming Batman vs Superman movie. It did send the internet into meltdown, after all. Even more so than when the internet found out that Ben Affleck would be playing Batman in the movie.

And yet, I somehow completely missed this rumour until someone asked me if there was any truth to the rumour.

I was devastated to hear that Bieber might be playing Robin in Batman vs Superman. I’m really looking forward to seeing it when it comes out in 2015. Bieber being in it would ruin it completely. I’m sorry to any Bieber fans reading this (yeah, I’m not really), but that kid is a tool, and doesn’t deserve any more work. Hell, he doesn’t even deserve to be famous, and I can’t wait for the next Boy Wonder (haha, get it?) to come along and replace him as the next hottest singing sensation for tweeny boppers across the world.

But enough of the Bieber bashing. I’m not really saying anything new other than he does not deserve more work that’ll increase his popularity (actually, would Bieber fans even be interested in the Batman vs Superman movie?).

The point is I was devastated to hear that Bieber could be playing Robin in the movie, and decided right then and there that there was absolutely no way in hell I would be seeing the movie. Ever. Krampus will start handing out treats to wicked children instead of tying them up in his sack and beating them before that ever happens. I’m also unsure how I completely missed that rumour. It is (or was) big news. I guess it’s become so natural for me to cover my ears shouting “Lalalalalalala!” whenever something Bieber related comes up that I don’t even notice I’m doing it anymore.

So yeah, for anyone else who somehow completely missed last week’s hottest rumour that sent the internet into meltdown, Bieber was said to be playing Robin in Batman vs Superman. Now you’re probably enraged and freaking out that the movie has been completely ruined before it even had a chance.

But a quick google search later, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief; turns out the rumour was nothing more than a hoax. I can see Batman vs Superman once again.

Phew!

I don’t know how everyone else reacted to this rumour. Like I said, I completely missed it until it had been confirmed to be a hoax. And, frankly, I didn’t care enough to find out whether people were for or against Bieber as Robin. Although I think it would be pretty obvious based on whether or not they like Bieber or not. But the important thing is that Batman vs Superman has dodged a serious bullet, and once again I’m so looking forward to seeing it in 2015.

Peace out!

Fox

Is Originality Dead in Hollywood?

I  don't know if you've noticed this but creativity seems to be dead in Hollywood, especially in the movie industry. 

You've probably noticed this. 

It isn't exactly that hard to miss. 

After all, everything released in cinemas in the last decade are adaptations of books/comics (apparently every single best seller must be converted into a movie, otherwise it's not really a best seller), or it's a sequel or a prequel to an already existing movie. There's even been a few remakes/reboots. 

Nothing too original in the top blockbusters of the last 13 years. I mean there's the odd completely original movie in there. But they're a rare thing. They're mostly just adaptations, sequels/prequels or reboots. And I'm getting sick of it. For a start, it's making me lazy: there really isn't point reading the book if it's going to end up on the big screen in a couple of years anyway. Or the movie turns out to be a massive let down, because the original was better or the original story was butchered in the adaptation (which I guess also fits into the whole "the original was better" argument). Don't even get me started on sequels. They're pretty much hit and miss, which is better than prequels, which usually suck. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving all the Marvel movies, and the latest Batman movies (but not superman. Never really been a Superman fan), and I am looking forward to seeing Catching Fire movie later this year (even if none of the tributes except Finnick look anything like I imagined them [anothet issue with adaptations]). And I'm also really looking forward to the Veronica Mars movie, and I really want Captain Planet to be made into a movie (if only so a whole new generation can experience the awesomeness of Captain Planet). 

But what I really want to see happening again is movies that aren't some kind of adaptation, sequel or prequel or a remake. You know, something that's vaguely original. 

Unfortunately, though, originality seems to have left mainstream culture these days. Although, I suppose that's a good thing for all those struggling indie writers. They're now getting more of a chance at success. Or, at least, they will once people start tiring of all of the unoriginal movies being presented in mainstream cinemas. 

Or maybe it's just me with this issue. Let me know what you think. 

Peace out!

Fox

Will There Be A Justice League 2015 Movie?

Ok so let me begin with something everyone already knows: the sequel for Man of Steel is set to go ahead before the actual Man of Steel has even been released. Old news. As is the news (it can't really be called news if it's news to no one) that Zach Snyder, Christopher Nolan and David Goyer will be returning with the sequel. 

This has sparked speculation about whether or not the Man of Steel sequel is a sign that there'll be a Justice League movie. A sign that DC Comics is going to follow in Marvel's footsteps and develop a movie franchise. After all, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman are some of the most famous superheroes around. 

Except there isn't too much online on whether or not there'll be a Justice League movie in the near future. Just a lot of speculation. As well as a little bit of heresay and conjecture (which are arguably the best kinds of evidence there is). Nothing solid. 

There being no Justice League movie seems just as likely as there being a movie. 

And then there was that announcement last week about the possibility of the Man of Steel sequel hitting the big screen as early as next year. That's certainly thrown some fuel into the speculation mill: why else announce a sequel before the original has even hit the big screen, especially in the such near future (did that make sense?)? 

Apart from creating a massively high stress work environment for everyone involved. 

So while we're still without any kind of solid evidence (which are overrated) about there being a Justice League movie. 

But then, there's also the whole "there's already a team of superheroes" in Hollywood thing. Is there really room for another team that is very similar?

Yeah, ok based on Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down, there is room for two different superhero teams in Hollywood. Although (and this is just my personal belief) that would just be sad and a sure sign that creativity in Hollywood is dead. Really dead. 

But it turns out that there might have been a Justice League movie on the cards back in 2008 when a Wonder Woman movie almost hit the big screen. There's rumours that that movie was the precursor to a Justice League movie. But that never happened because, you know, the writer's strike, which is a shame because Megan Gale would've rocked as Wonder Woman. Don't get me wrong, the writer's strike was important and for a good reason, it just makes me sad when I read about all the awesome movies and TV programs that we missed out on as a result (I should just stop looking back in the past, I guess). 

And just think about it, if that Wonder Woman movie had've gone ahead it could've been the Justice League we all flocked to the cinemas to see past year. Or we could've flocked to the cinemas twice to see two different superhero teams save the world. *cough, cough* Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down! 

Peace out!

Fox

Sesame Street Is Actually a Hip Place

So I remember Luxo and Luxo Jr being on Sesame Street when I was a kid. I'm sure you do too. In case you're wondering, they're the living desk lamps Pixar use in some of their short films before the feature film. 

Yeah, you're with me now. You know who I'm talking about, and you remember them on Sesame Street. 

I don't know about you, but I was actually a little excited when I first saw them before seeing Toy Story (I'm sure that's the first Pixar movie with them I saw. But I'm going from memory, and my memory is shocking). Not that I ever admitted that I recognised Luxo and Luxo Jr from Sesame Street. At least I hope I didn't. That would've been a serious blow to my non existent cred in the school yard. 

But it turns out that those living desk lamps aren't the only characters to appear on Sesame Street. Hell, they're not even the first. 

I'm sure that this doesn't come as a surprise to most of you. Sesame Street was (still is?) a popular TV show. Even if it is aimed at toddlers. So it's no surprise that some famous characters have done cameos on the show. The fact that it's aimed at toddlers is also probably why I don't remember any of these famous cameos. Who remembers what they saw on TV as toddlers anyway. Plus these cameos were probably more for the parents forced to watch Sesame Street with their kids more than a subversive plot to get small kids to like certain pop culture icons before they're old enough to recognise these icons. 

The surprising thing is who some of these famous cameos include. Apart from Luxo and Luxo Jr, Pixar's living desk lamps, guests have included C-P3O and R2-D2, Batman and Superman, The Wicked Witch of the West (who apparently upset a lot of people with her appearance and use of witchcraft), Richie and The Fonz, right down to Max the Magician who is actually Gob Bluth (and yes, The Final Countdown is played when Max is introduced. That's how we know it's actually Gob Bluth). 

Like I've already said, I don't remember any of these famous character cameos. Although some of them were either before my time (I'm assuming that C-P3O and R2-D2 cameod around the time of a Star Wars movie release to cash in on the popularity), and Max the Magician aka Gob Bluth appeared on the street in 2008, which is well and truly after my time. But still, Sesame Street doesn't just cameo famous fictional characters. 

Some of these characters come from shows that aren't even aimed at toddlers! The cameos of these characters in particular have got to be for the benefit of the ever suffering parents, or that subversive plot to brainwash small kids into liking what we like plot I mentioned earlier. Or a combination of both (there's no reason why it can't be both). I mean, the superheroes were merely used to teach the kids about things like road safety and why the letter S is cool (which are forms of brainwashing).

Actual living and breathing celebrities also frequently appear on the street. You'd think that I'd remember a couple of celebrities appearing. After all, I still very clearly remember all of the Play School presenters from when I was a kid (I can't believe I made that admission. Forget I said that, ok).

I think ever since (or shortly after I started) school, I've always thought of Sesame Street as this super uncool little kids show, even though I was slightly jealous that the kids on the street appeared to have little to no adult supervision and did whatever they wanted (and they never strayed morally, which was also another reason why I thought of it as an uncool little kids show). And I did privately think it was cool that Pixar used those parent and child desk lamps (I confess that until tonight I didn't know their names, or that they even had names). But it turns out that Sesame Street is actually quite a hip and happening place (even if everyone is dreadfully dull and completely unflawed morally). 

But now enjoy some YouTube clips of some of these cameos I've mentioned, and see if you remember any of these. Or let me know if there's other famous fictional character cameos that I missed. I'd like to hear.

http://youtu.be/e9ajy13-v9c (Luxo and Luxo Jr)

http://youtu.be/qOdFrqaCKzA (C-3PO and R2-D2)

http://youtu.be/u2OAJj8llRY (Batman and Robin)

http://youtu.be/0_A863kF8cs (Superman)

http://youtu.be/weB3srg6o4c (Richie and The Fonz. I assume this clip was done for Sesame Street, as they're talking about why brushing your teeth is so important)

http://youtu.be/LsuvBrXcm0Q (Max the Magician/Gob Bluth)

Peace out,

Fox