300. Watchmen. Man of Steel. Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Army of The Dead. Zack Snyder’s resume is a check list of ground-breaking films, and his upcoming film Rebel Moon is next on the list.
Rebel Moon is an epic science-fantasy event decades in the making that follows the story of a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy. When threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival.
Described as Snyder’s most expansive world yet, the behind-the-scenes footage released thus far promises an epic story filled with amazing action and visuals when it hits Netflix on December 22, 2023. Now, Netflix and Diamond Select Toys have joined forces to create a line of incredible collectibles based on the film!
Beginning in late 2023/early 2024, DST will release a variety of Rebel Moon products, including 1/10 scale action figures, Gallery Diorama PVC sculptures, and Legends in 3D ½ scale busts. The first series of action figures, which will be offered for pre-order on September 22, will feature Jimmy (voiced by Anthony Hopkins) and Nemesis (played by Doona Bae), followed in Series 2 by Kora (played by Sofia Boutella).
“What we’ve seen of Zack Snyder’s vision for Rebel Moon is amazing,” said Diamond Select Toys president Chuck Terceira. “We love sci-fi here at DST, so it was a no-brainer for us to go after what is sure to be one of the hottest sci-fi films of the decade. Our motto is ‘The Best of All Worlds,’ and we’re always looking for new worlds to explore!”
About DST:
Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC, was founded in 1999 to create unique and exciting collectibles for children and adults alike, and with the acquisition of Art Asylum in 2007 and Gentle Giant Ltd. in 2019, they have become the premier source for pop-culture products. “DST” licenses a variety of entertainment properties from partners Netflix, Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Sega, Universal, Skybound and Sony Pictures. Products include action figures, Gallery Dioramas, Vinimates vinyl figures, Minimates figures, statues, busts and more. They are headquartered in Hunt Valley, MD. For more information, visit diamondselecttoys.com and gentlegiantltd.com.
Title: Terrifier Writer/ Director: Damien Leone Cast: Jenna Kanell, Samantha Scaffidi, David Howard Thorton, Catherine Corcoran, Pooya Mosheni Year: 2017 (Released in 2018) Min: 82
We start with a prologue, where pretty talk show host Monica Brown (Katie Maguire) is interviewing a horribly disfigured woman. This poor woman survived an attack by a killer named Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton). Art, himself, is actually watching the show from his TV set, while applying his makeup. After the show, Monica is in her dressing room talking on the phone. She makes some mean and bitchy comments about the victim, only to have said victim come in and gouge her eyes.
We then cut to, Halloween night, where two beautiful friends, drunk Dawn (Catherine Corcoran) and Tara (Jenna Kanell) are heading home after a clearly fun night. They soon encounter Art, who is carrying a large, black, plastic bag with him. Victoria is rightfully creeped out by him, but Dawn doesn't take it very seriously. When, they both head to a pizzeria for a bite to eat, the clown also walks in quickly there after. Dawn still finds it all rather funny and even takes a selfie with him. Soon after, he does something that is enough to get him kicked out of the eating establishment (we quickly learn that he left the bathroom covered in shit and piss!). The girls eventually go their own way.
Unbeknownst to them, the employee and the manager (whose decapitated head gets carved like a fucking jack-o-lantern!) of the pizza joint get slaughtered by Art. Meanwhile, their car's tire has been slashed. Tara thinks its the scary looking clown, but Dawn doesn't believe it is. Either way, they end up calling Tara's sister, Victoria (the lovely Samantha Scaffidi) to pick them up.
Tara needs to take a piss really badly, so she ends up going in a nearby building. Soon there after, Dawn hears on the radio about two people getting killed at the pizzeria that they just left by a clown! It soon dawns on her (pardon the pun) that Tara was right all along! It's too fucking late though, as Art is in the car. He soon turns his attention to Tara, and will do the same with Victoria when she finally arrives at the rat infested, dump of a building, where the majority of the remaining film will occur at.
Let's not mince words here, Terrifier is the best slasher movie since Hatchet II, hands down! This is 80's inspired splatter done right. It's brutal, uncompromising, and gory as fucking hell. The movie has been garnering strong word of mouth and reviews and is rapidly gaining an ever growing cult following, all of which it rightfully deserves.
Writer/ director Damien Leone has crafted a movie that doesn't simply play oving tribute to stalk and slash movies of their golden age but manages to surpass many of them. This is due to the fact that he doesn't have some cookie cutter bullshit that does the same tired shit over and over again. He also does not play it safe taking it to a far more extreme level than many of the weak ass Friday the 13th sequels and their ilk never had the guts to partake in.
Leone is also very apt at adding much tension and suspense. The pacing is fast and tense, resulting in a short running time that flies by. Most of the time when I watch a movie of this type I just sort of look at the screen and not much else. Watching this one, though, I was screaming at the screen and the characters, telling them to run, hide, fight back, whatever the scene dictated. I don't think there is a better sign that you have done a good job, then getting the audience to shout and be invested in what is happening onscreen.
To achieve this you need to care about the characters and for them to be played by a talented cast. The girls aren't just there to provide eye-candy, though they are certainly gorgeous. You actually don't want to see them die. Most of the cast are unknowns, save for the gorgeous Catherine (Return to Nuke 'Em High Vol. 1 & 2, Sociopathia) Corcoran, who is one of my personal favorite, current scream queens.
But, extra praise must be given to David Howard Thorton. He is perfectly terrifying as Art. Without saying a single word, he manages to be menacing and utterly bone-chilling. His creepy ass smile will fucking haunt you. And, for those of you who are scared of clowns, be prepared to clean the shit from your undies. Cause, Art manages to be more disturbing than Pennywise is on his best day.
Of course, it also helps that his look is unsettling to begin with. Also solid are the gore FX. Decapitation, slashings, stabbings, blood spurting gunshots, eye gouging, cannibalism, and bludgeonings hit the viewer with no mercy. Included in these acts is a snatch to head bisection that is more than likely the year's most memorable and shocking kill and probably one of the vicious kills by a psycho killer since the glory days of Lucio Fulci. Throw in a little bit of nudity, courtesy of Corcoran, and you have something that gives you everything you want and more.
Terrifier is a killer slasher movie and destined to become a modern, cult classic. The movie is brutal, vicious, and does not fuck around. It is also a shit load of fun and keeps you invested throughout its running time. Suspenseful directing and characters you actually give a flying fuck about played by a solid cast help things even further. And, here is hoping Art becomes the next big slasher villain, especially as how he is bought to life by Thorton. Distributed by horror website Bloody Disgusting, Terrifier is currently streaming on Amazon. It is an absolute must for those who like their throwback horror movies to be as uncompromising as possible.
As long promised, here are the pics of me as Punisher, all with other cosplayers, at last year's New York Comic Con. I did this particular cosplay on Saturday. It marked my second time at Comic Con in this cosplay, which I have also done at other cons and events. By now, he is second nature to me but is always a blast to pull off. Above you can see me with two of Marvel's other New York City crime fighters, Daredevil and Spider-Man! Kingpin and the other baddies better watch their asses!
I next teamed up with my fellow NetFlix heroes, Iron Fist, doggy Luke Cage, and Daredevil! These guys were really cool and did some great cosplaying. I freaking loved the fact that the dude doing Iron Fist dressed his way too cute Pomeranian as Luke Cage. You can see a better pic of them directly, below:
This gorgeous cosplayer did a truly excellent and sexy Catwoman cosplay!
The crossover of the year! "Punisher Vs. Aliens!" Actually, this would be awesome if it actually happened. Marvel and Darkhorse need to make this a comic-book reality!
Finding and posing with others doing Punisher cosplays is always. Especially when they are as truly amazing as the following two:
My friend Nelson D. Martinez did a gun toting vigilante cosplay of his own in DC's the Red Hood. He looked awesome and badass as fuck! Below you will see us with some other kick ass DC cosplayers:
Spider-Gwen and I ready to team-up and take down some bad guys! Awesome cosplay, by her, by the way!
As always, I had a blast being my favorite comic-book hero. I shall be bringing him back later this year for NYCC and maybe some other cons. We shall see. Until then, this concludes my coverage of last year's NYCC. Did any of you attend? Are you any of the cosplayers featured in this or any of the pics in links below? If so please leave a comment and let us know.
Title: Gerald's Game Director: Mike Flanagan Writers: Jeff Howard and Mike Flanagan, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, Carel Struyken, Kate Siegel, Chaira Aurelia Min: 103 Year: 2017
Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) and his beautiful wife, Jessie (Carla Gugino), try to save their flattering marriage by spending time at a remote vacation home. He handcuffs her to the bed, and begins a sex with her. It quickly segues into a rape fantasy. She is, understandably, uncomfortable and turned off , by this. This leads them to having an argument. He, soon, suffers a heart-attack and dies. She kicks off of her, and he lays lifeless on the floor. Thing is now, she is cuffed to the bed, unable to break free.
Making matters worse, is a hungry, stray dog that has come in and lays on the floor, in the same bedroom. As her mind begins to fracture; haunting, deeply scarring, and horrific memories of her dad come to her. Which are further augmented by visions of a terrifying figure that comes and goes, in front of her.
Gerald's Game is a brilliant adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. I read the book many years ago in high school, and it immediately became one of my favorite novels of all time. I long wondered if they would ever make into a film. I wanted to see it happen, but I often feared if it ever got made they would fuck it up. I am happy to say that co-writer/ director Mike Flanagan has more delivered the goods. In fact, this one of the finest King movies ever made!
The film, itself, takes a smart approach to adopting a book that is heavy on being inside a character's head, and while having little action is undeniably intense. The result ing movie is a faithful adaptation that is truly frightening and is filled with white knuckle intensity.
Flanagan keeps upping the intensity and makes it all truly terrifying, in what is the most intense King movie since Cujo. It also manages to be very unnerving and disturbing. The theme of rape and abuse is a terrifying and lies in the undercurrent and in full visibility. The horrors of child abuse, representated in what is perhaps the most disturbing and chilling aspect of the book, is bought to life in a truly haunting flashback.
There is some violence and gore but not a lot. Up and until, one moment that is. This scene was hard for even me, to watch, and I consider myself a very hardcore fan. It is perfectly setup and realistically and delivers the stomach churning goods. You will know what scene it is when you see it!
In a piece like this acting is extremely important. And, it delivers in spades. Bruce Greenwood is excellent as a husband whose creep and control factor bubbles to the surface. The supporting cast is also flawless. But, it is Carla Gugino who delivers on all cylinders. I have been a fan of hers forever. Many times, she had been in sexpot roles, but here she proves she more than just that. This is not just her best performance, that I recall, but one of the finest in modern horror, period.
Gerald's Game is a masterpiece. It is scary and incredibly and unmercifully intense. Smart and with one of the finest female characters in recent horror history, she's portrayed by Gugino in way, that is deserving of much adulation, as well as awards. It is hard for me to tell you if it is better than the other great horror movie of the year (which also happens to be based on a King book), It. But, it may very well be. With movies like Oculus and Hush, Flanagan already made solid horror films. However, it is with Gerald's Game that he has truly joined the rack of the masters of horror. A Netflix exclusive, Gerald's Game just started streaming there this past weekend. Do not miss it, under any circumstance!
Title: The Devil's Candy Writer/ Director: Sean Byrne Cast: Ethan Embry, Shiri Appleby, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Kiara Glasco, Tony Amendola, Craig Nigh Year: 2015 (Released 2017)
Jesse Hellman (Ethan Embry) is a struggling artist, with an affinity for heavy metal music, which his young daughter Zooey (Kiara Glasco) also shares. The two of them, along with his wife Astrid (Shiri Appleby), move to a countryside house. They reluctantly choose it after the realtor tells them both that two deaths occurred in it. After the family settles in, Jesse begins to hear voices which inspire him to paint images that are nightmarish and hellish in nature. The worst part is that he shares these voices with Ray Smilie (Pruitt Taylor Vince).
Ray is a creepy overweight man who deals with the voices by playing loud music on his guitar and, also, by killing kids. One night he pays the family a visit and tells them that his parents died in the house. It doesn't take long for this creeper to take an interest in Zooey. In fact, the next day he gives her his flying V-guitar. Understandably, Jesse isn't very happy about any of this, and becomes vehemently angry. Although, Zooey does eventually manage to convince her dad to keep the admit ably awesome guitar. Jesse continues to get more consumed by the voices and paints continuously more horrific images. But, in the meantime, Ray is determined to kidnap and kill Zooey.
After Sean Byrne's feature film debut, the superlative The Loved Ones, how does his follow up film, The Devil's Candy fare? The answer is simple: it is one of this year's finest films, horror or otherwise. Creepy and wonderfully acted this movie is not just a great genre flick, but a loving letter to heavy metal music.
Bryne achieves the honor of being the scariest film of the year, by keeping much of what happens grounded in reality. While, there are supernatural elements, most of it is founded on very real fears that any parent would have. This is driven home by the character of Ray, as he is excellently portrayed by Pruitt Taylor Vince. He is so creepy that anytime he is onscreen there is an uneasy and unnerving feeling that immediately creeps under your skin. You truly fear for the safety of Zooey anytime she is in his presence. You see, unlike boogeymen like Freddy or Jason, he, for the most part, feels very much real.
Zooey is wonderfully bought to life by Kiara Glasco. She is a realistic and likable girl, that we immediately connect and care for. And, her relationship with her dad Jesse is at the heart of the movie. Ethan Embry is equally excellent in that role. Their love for heavy metal music, brings them closer and makes us metalheads connect with them. And, even if you are not a fan of the music, you will undoubtedly want to cheer for them.The cast is rounded out by the beautiful Shiri Appleby as the mom. I have long been a big fan of Ms. Appleby and as such always wanted to see her in a quality horror flick. I am glad to see that finally happen. Her acting is filled with pathos and heart adding to the loving and likable family quality at the core of the movie.
Bryne's love for heavy metal is a driving force in the film. The music plays a big part in the story and in the characters, as they talk about and show their love for the music (watch out for Metallica and Slayer T-shirts, as well as a Metallica bobble-head!). The soundtrack also rocks hard with blistering music from the aforementioned Metallica and Slayer, as well as Pantera and others.
The onscreen violence is realistic and graphic. Bloody squibs and bludgeoning are among some of the unnerving acts of violence that hit you the viewer. Sure the overall body count is kind of low, but when the movie hits, it fucking smashes. Byrne builds to a tense and violent climax, which will have you clenching your seat as your nails dig into it's handles. It all leads to an ending with a coda full of pathos.
The Devil's Candy is a another masterpiece from Byrne. Two movies into his career and he is already leaps and bounds ahead many of his contemporaries. This gets thrown around a lot, even by me, but he is truly part of the future of the genre. He has delivered what is without question the most frightening film of the year. Filled with excellent performances and strong character relationships, it stands head and shoulders above so much of the interchangeable and forgettable genre flicks that lumped on us. Its villain is one of the most unnerving and creepy bad guys seen in a horror film in years. The motion picture is topped off by a profound love of heavy metal music, including it's use in the killer soundtrack. In all, The Devil's Candy is a must see movie, and with it currently streaming on Netflix, there is little excuse for you not to.
10. Sally the Farmer's Daughter- Yet, another Farmer's Daughter. But, Sally was always my favorite of the three.
9. Ashley Cartier- Redhead rich, good girl Ashley Cartier was a frequent tag team partner to one of the companies' most popular girls, and future WWE star, Tina Ferrari. Ashley was classy, gorgeous, and a freaking redhead!! You gotta love redheads!
8. Broadway Rose- Broadway Rose was introduced later om in GLOW, to serve as Hollywood's new tag-team partner. She was also her ''cousin'' from NYC, hence the name and New York ''accent''. Breathtakingly, beautiful, had GLOW stayed around for more seasons, and had she been a part of those, she would surely have ranked higher, here.
7. Spanish Red- There weren't that many Latinas in GLOW, sadly, but thank God for Spanish Red! Sexy and beautiful, it was impossible to not be captivated by this muy caliente bad girl! Well, until she turned face towards the end of GLOW. Whether good or bad, she was definitely one of GLOW's best wrestlers!
6. Little Egypt- Holy crap! This tiny and sexy babe from "Alexandria, Egypt'' was, and still is (!), an incredibly beautiful babe. Her belly dance was HOT AF!
5. Colonel Ninotchka- The inspiration for Alison Brie's wrestling persona, Toya the Destroya, that her character chooses on the Netflix GLOW series, this beautiful and strong blonde baddie was one of my childhood crushes. The accent may have been fake, but it definitely contributed to my childhood/ early teen fantasies about Russian women. She was a great heel, and I also enjoyed her face turn. Even if I never understood why the face commentating put her character down, even after she had turned! Oh and that body of hers! Wow!
4. Vine- Hollywood's original tag team partner, Vine was a total babe! So good at being bad, she looked gorgeous and had a beautiful and captivating smile.
3. Tina Ferrari- Quite possibly the most popular of all the GLOW good girls, Tina Ferrari was probably the best wrestler in the company. In fact, she would go to become Ivory in the WWF/ WWE, one of the best and most beautiful women in ALL of wrestling. I absolutely loved her in GLOW and probably loved her even more in her later wrestling career. A legend and true beauty, she is also the only former GLOW wrestler that I ever met. And, I can honestly say that she is very sweet and gorgeous as hell, in person.
2. Godiva- Dear God, how I ADORE Godiva! I was super in love with her as a kid. The blonde beauty had, in my humble opinion, the best body in GLOW. She was absolutely gorgeous, and STILL is (!), and that, albeit fake, British accent was HOT!! Plus, her gimmick was hot, naked, British girl on a horse! Seriously, how can one not love her?!
1. Hollywood- One of the most popular of all the GLOW girls, this sexy, bad girl from the ''streets'' of LA was one of my top crushes as a kid. Even though she was a heel she still did anti-drug PSAs, something the WWF sould certainly have not allowed their baddies to do. Anyway, getting back to what I said earlier, she was my dream girl and, at one point, was my favorite celeb babe. And, I know for a fact she was the dream girl of many other guys watching GLOW. Still to this very day, when I think of GLOW, she is one of the first girls to come to mind. For all these reasons, and more, she takes the top spot of this list!
I hope you guys enjoyed this list. And, be sure to check out the first half in the link below:
I would also love to know who your favorite GLOW girls were, and if there are any you think I should have ranked on this list. Let me know in the comment section, below.
With that being said, I hope you all have a HAPPY and safe 4TH OF JULY!
I, like many of you, am loving the Netflix GLOW series. Loosely based/ inspired by the classic 80s all female wrestling show, of the same name, the series is excellent. But, what of the its' inspiration? The actual GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) ran from on TV from 1986-1990. I watched it religiously as a kid. It played a big part of my life, not just as a wrestling, but even more as a boy reaching puberty. Here was a wrestling show that was filled with beautiful women. What 12 year old boy wouldn't be flipping out over that? Sure it was silly, campy, possibly sexist, and full of stereotypes, but it was so much fun! I missed it once it was gone.
Anyway, with everyone talking about the show, I figured I would give the lovely, make that the gorgeous, ladies of the show some much deserved love. Here is the first part of my two part of the 20 hottest ladies of GLOW!
20. Debbie Debutante- Beginning the countdown is one of half of the Cheerleaders. Debbie was blonde, hot, and, well, a cheerleader! Also, apparently, she had a tasty foot cause as will see in the match below, Spike of the Heavy Metal Sisters kept Debbie's toe in her mouth!
19. Amy the Farmer's Daughter- This farmer dude had lots of daughters. Amy is the first of them to make our list.
18. Tara the Southern Belle- This beautiful blonde was southern and classy. Sadly, she passed away from cancer. Fuck cancer!
17. California Doll- Tall, blonde, and beautiful, she truly embodied the all California girl!
16. Daisy- Daisy's gimmick is that was tall and had a flower drawn on her cheek. She also happened to be honest to god beautiful, with one of the prettiest faces in the company. She is one of the few girls in the company to make a turn, in this case from heel to face.
15. Tiffany Mellon- Tiffany Mellon was a rich, blonde, beauty from NYC. After GLOW, she would go on to become sexy porn star Tiffany Million! She is the only GLOW girl to become a hardcore, and renowned one at that, porn performer!
14. Americana- More than likely the inspiration for the wrestling gimmick of Liberty Bell in the aforementioned GLOW Netflix series, this all-American raven haired beauty defended the American way in GLOW. She also probably made Captain America, and everyone else, pay close attention to her!
13. Susie Spirit- I love cheerleaders. I love brunettes. So, it would be impossible for me, or most I would imagine, to not love this dark haired and perky cheeerleading good girl.
12. Major Tanya- She came into GLOW in season 3, as Colonel Ninotchka's tag team partner. And, remained so, until Ninotchka turned face. Then they feuded. Either way, she was blonde, beautiful, and had the mean, tough Russian babe gimmick down to the bone. She definitely contributed to my thing for Russian girls as a kid!
11. Jungle Woman- It sucks that Jungle Woman only lasted the first season cause she was one of the most beautiful women to ever be in the company. Had she stayed longer and had more of an impact on the company she may have ranked higher. Anyways, one of the most memorable things about her gimmick was that she came out with a male valet/ slave the Nature Boy! And, no I don't mean Ric Flair, or Buddy Rogers. I can honestly say that as a kid, I kinda wished I was her Nature Boy!
