by A.J. Focht

Superheroes are taking back Saturday mornings. A few weeks ago, Cartoon Network announced they were doing a new block of programing called DC Nation that would feature the DC heroes. Now its Marvel’s turn for the kind of cartoon resurgence we’ve been waiting for ever since Disney bought them out. The mouse-eared company will be starting their own superhero programming block called Marvel Universe. It will provide exclusive Marvel content including series of The Avengers, Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor. They will also be doing a Spider-Man series based on the Ultimate Spider-Man line, but it will feature Peter Parker, not the new Miles Morales.

Thor 2 has seen a lot of trouble pre-production, but they’ve finally settled on a writer. Robert Rodat, whose previous credits include Saving Private Ryan, will be penning the sequel to the Marvel blockbuster. The script needs to be completed pretty soon as they plan to start filming this summer.

The live action Star Wars television series is not just a myth, and now it has a name. In a recent interview with IGN, Rick McCallum, producer and right-hand man of George Lucas himself, announced the working title for the series is Star Wars: Underworld. There is no sure date when it will launch; they are apparently waiting until they can economically produce it for $5 million an episode.

Star Trek 2 has added a new cast member in the form of Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch. While his exact role has not been named, it is widely considered he will be a new villain in the J.J. Abrams sequel.

There is a new face to Ash William from the Evil Dead series, and she looks nothing like Bruce Campbell. Lily Collins (The Blind Side) is the first official member to join the cast of the new incarnation, taking the lead role. Now, to be fair, she will not be Ash, her name will be Mia. She will however being playing a part very similar to that played by Campbell in the 1981 original. I hope her name is actually Michael or something of the like just as a throwback to Ashley (Ash) Williams.

While were thinking about zombies, is this a good time to mention that World War Z will be a trilogy. After a chorus of complaints about the first one taking place during the actual Zombie War and not after like the book does, this may be Paramount Pictures way of making up for that, or more likely just a way to capitalize on the fad. Either way, we can hope the second and third movie will do the book some justice where it looks like the first will fail.

AMC is on a roll with innovative programming like Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, and now they are bringing a mafia classic back to life. The company is producing a cable series based on the Martin Scorsese 1990 mobster classic, Goodfellas. To make the news even better, Nicholas Pileggi, writer of the movie and the original non-fiction book it was based on, Wiseguy, is set to co-write the series.

We have another classic being brought back to life, albeit in a different medium. After twenty-five years as a cult favorite, The Labyrinth will be getting a prequel in the form of a graphic novel. The long rumored project will explore the story of how Jareth, the guy played by David Bowie, comes to the Labyrinth for the first time.

Finally, just a friendly reminder to everyone wanting to attend San Diego Comic-Con 2012, they have changed their registration system. If you would like to register for a ticket to go, you first have to preregister for a Member ID. You can start this process now via the Comic-Con website. Just don’t get stuck being unable to snag a ticket the day they go on sale because you didn’t preregister.

By Fred Topel

Vincent D’Onofrio has been a memorable character actor for 25 years. The first role most people remember was Pvt. Pyle, the marine cadet driven insane by a drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket. From other dark roles like a serial killer in The Cell and a meth dealer in The Salton Sea to high comedy as a farmer possessed by an alien in Men in Black, D’Onofrio may be unrecognizable between roles, but is always distinct.

D’Onofrio moves behind the scenes as director with the horror musical Don’t Go In the Woods. That’s right, horror musical. The conventional slasher movie gets a twist when a band goes on a forest retreat to write songs, and breaks into song as they’re being chased by a killer.

Sam Bisbee and Bo Boddie wrote the music for the film and most of the actors are first timers, so if you like them you can’t see any of their previous work. I sort of fell in love with Kate O’Malley so it’s a bummer she hasn’t done anything else. D’Onofrio had previously directed a 30 minute short, but Woods is his feature debut.

On the phone from New York, D’Onofrio sounded as intense as I expected, and hoped he would be. Not intimidating, mind you. It was a friendly conversation, going into depth about his process on both sides of the camera, and touching on some of the filmography I love. Don’t Go In the Woods is now available for download on VOD, it opens in New York theaters Jan. 13 and comes to L.A. in February.

Read SuicideGirls’ exclusive interview with Vincent D’Onofrio on SuicideGirls.com.

by Jamila

Let’s be quite clear, I am not an objective reviewer here. Mike Doughty’s music stole my heart in the summer of 2003, when I borrowed a mix CD from my roommate to listen to in the car and track 8 was “The Only Answer” –– two minutes and 9 seconds of sheer heaven that I repeated about 6 times before grilling said roommate about who had created this incredible tidbit of music and how had I missed it before. I am such a biased Mike Doughty fan that I have the robot from the cover of Rockity Roll tattooed on my ankle. Okay, disclaimer taken care of.

Doughty’s latest album, Yes and Also Yes is the perfect mix of all of the little quirky styles his other albums showcased. Haughty Melodic (a.k.a. the masterwork), was folksy and acoustic and haunting, with bright spots of silliness (and is still my favorite of his albums, to this day). Golden Delicious was a bit more experimental and electronic, while also serving to put MD on the mainstream map, at least a little bit. That album’s redux of “27 Jennifers” was the first of his songs I ever heard on a regular radio station –– not counting Sirius or college radio, etc –– and I grinned until the last strains died out.

Yes and Also Yes has the earnest, sweet, hopeful simplicity of Haughty Melodic with a twist of the edginess and electronic embellishment that he used on Rockity Roll and Golden Delicious. The most glaring difference though? The naive trust, the little boy looking for love and happily ever after who was so present on Haughty Melodic, even in the sad songs about love gone bad like the glorious “Unsingable Name,” is startlingly absent on this album. These are songs written by a man who’s had his heart ripped out and stomped on and knows so well how to tell the story.

While this isn’t the first time his fragile heart had been broken, it was the last time it will happen like this. This is not an album to cry yourself to sleep to whilst it spins endlessly on repeat, it’s much subtler and far more seductive. The kind of songs that pretty much everyone who has lost their virginity will be able to relate to. The first single “Na Na Nothing” is about as close to a universal anthem of getting fucked over as it gets. And there are so many moments on this album that made me think, “Yeah, me too!”

And yet, despite the bitterness Doughty wisely lets seep into some of the tracks, that youthful, exuberant hope is still ever present. He continues on his path of growth and exudes a ready-to-learn attitude that makes him and his music so incredibly likeable. You never really know what you will get when you buy one of his albums, but so far, I haven’t been disappointed.

Verdict? Definitely worth buying. And also worth paying extra for overnight shipping. Yes, that does mean I was talking about actually purchasing the *gasp* CD. This is one to tangibly hold in your hands.

by Daniel Robert Epstein

Few would argue about the fact that Anthony Hopkins created one of the greatest villains in movie history with Hannibal Lecter. But since reprising that indelible role in the sequel Hannibal and the prequel Red Dragon, many have felt that Hopkins hasn’t stretched himself. All that will change when people see his portrayal of Burt Munro in The World’s Fastest Indian. Already a New Zealand legend, in 1967 Munro set off to test his bike at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. With all odds against him, he set a new speed record, which remains unbroken today.

Read our exclusive interview with Anthony Hopkins on SuicideGirls.com.

by Clio

Just two months after announcing Black Sabbath’s reformation, guitarist Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphocytes. According to the band’s official statement, “Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan — the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.” If you would like to send a get well message to Tony, please send one to getwelltony@black-sabbath.com

The four original members of Black Sabbath – OZZY OSBOURNE (vocals), TONY IOMMI (guitar), GEEZER BUTLER (bass) and BILL WARD (drums) – are currently working on their first record in 33 years together with producer Rick Rubin and will record in the UK rather than LA in the light of Tony’s recovery.

2012 tour dates remain as follows:

May 18 – Moscow, Russia (Olimpiski)
May 20 – St. Petersburg, Russia (New Arena)
May 23 – Helsinki, Finland (Hartwall Arena)
May 25 – Stockholm, Sweden (Stadium)
May 29 – Bergen, Norway (Bergen Calling Festival)
May 31 – Oslo, Norway (Spektrum)
June 02 – Malmo, Sweden (Malmo Stadium)
June 04 – Dortmund, Germany (Westfalenhalle)
June 10 – Donnington, UK (Download Festival)
June 12 – Rotterdam, Holland (Ahoy)
June 15 – Bilbao, Spain (Azkena Rock Festival)
June 17 – Nantes, France (Hellfest Festival)
June 19 – Paris, France (Bercy)
June 22 – Dessel, Belgium (Graspop Metal Meeting)
June 24 – Milan, Italy (Gods of Metal Festival)

by Morgan

Hello again fellow nerds! It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed some games. I know, I blame Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for taking up a huge chunk of my free time. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been playing other games, and I’ve found some treasures.

1. Egress (PC / Free)

This is a pretty short game at about 30 minutes per playthrough, but it’s a gem. Evoking the mood of Duncan Jones’ movie Moon, this sci-fi point and click adventure puts you in the role of the captain of a 2-man space mission who has lost his crew-mate to mysterious, shadowy aliens. The plotline is engrossing and the art and music are well done, which both serve to make up for the slow transition scenes (many of which can be avoided by pressing ESC) and one very baffling puzzle. If you choose to play this interesting and unique free game, never fear if you get stuck on this particular puzzle: plenty of people have provided hints online.

2. Dark Meadow (iPhone & iPad / $5.99)

Imagine a slightly calmer Silent Hill run on the Unreal engine and you’ve got this game. When you start this your character will wake up in a creepy run down mental hospital, one of my favorite horror tropes, with a helpful stranger talking to you over the intercom system. You can then wander the halls searching for items and fighting creepy, mutant-like enemies and finding “safe” areas in which you can further unravel the story behind this sanitarium. Since your character never dies, but instead is transported back to their original room, this game decreases frustration, plus you get more background information from your intercom friend each time you awaken. The atmosphere and gameplay make this well worth its pricetag.

3. St. Mistu (iOS / $0.99)

On a completely different note, this cute and charming game is fantastic and is less than a dollar. You begin with a scene setting up the plot: a blind man is making pizza for himself, and realizes that he has run out of olives! Refusing to eat pizza without his favorite ingredient, he must get to the store. However, the world outside is full of obstacles, and you must show his guide log the best route to get him through each scene on his quest. The art is gorgeous and hand-drawn and the game strikes the perfect balance between cute and challenging. It’s also the perfect game to play on trips, as you can play it for five minutes or half an hour.

4. The Gamebook Adventures (iOS / $4.99 each)

I was introduced to these when the newest game in the city, Temple of the Spider God came out and the entire catalog of Gamebook Adventures went on sale. I snatched up three immediately under the assumption that if I loved playing Dungeons and Dragons I would enjoy these. I was right! They can best be described as “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories combined with classic dice-rolling RPG gameplay. Each is an interesting story set in an original world, and as you read through you are presented with options that alter the story as you go. You’ll also fight battles and gain achievements along the way. The stories are long and involved, and interesting enough that you will want to go back and replay them to find alternate paths. They’re excellent both for those familiar with adventure gameplay and great for someone looking for an introduction – like this little fella.

Related Posts:
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 7
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 6
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 5
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 4
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 3
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 2
Morgan’s Casual Game Recommendations: Pt 1

by Daniel Robert Epstein

Todd McFarlane is one of the most popular and controversial comic book creators ever. He established his popularity in the late ’80’s drawing Marvel superhero books such as The Incredible Hulk and The Amazing Spider-Man. Then in the early ’90’s, in a uproarious and unprecedented move, McFarlane and a few of the hottest Marvel creators stopped doing Marvel books and formed their own company, Image Comics.

Riding a new wave of popularity for comic books, Image rolled out book after book which broke records including McFarlane’’s Spawn, which for a time was the best selling independent comic book, shifting 1.2 million copies of the first issue. The popularity of Spawn created a whole industry for McFarlane with comic books, a movie, a hit cartoon, and a line of extremely popular toys. Now you can relive your more pimply days with the Spawn Collection Volume 1 which reprints issues #1-8, 11, & 12.

Read our exclusive interview with Todd McFarlane on SuicideGirls.com.