Top 10 Nicolas Winding Refn Film
10. Cat People
9. Made Men
8. Wolf
7. The Question: The End
6. Crowley
5. The Question: Dark Tomorrow
4. Cecil
3. Kite
2. The Question
1. Excalibur
Friday, March 24, 2023
Top 10 Nicolas Winding Refn Films
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Now Showing: Made Men
Made Men
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Directed:Nicolas Winding Refn
Writer: Jimmy Ellis
Cast: Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Joe Pesci, Chazz Palmintieri, Tony Danza, Benicio del Toro, Moises Arias, Richard Cabral, Clayton Cardenas, Ricard Scarmaccio
Plot: Newspaper articles show up on the screen showing violent crimes happening throughout the city. The dates span over 20 years, with headlines such as, “Members of the Mexican Cartel hung from a bridge.”, “$500,000 dollars stolen from bank, believed to be Mafia.” And “Who are the Bloody Knucks?” The newspaper clippings show Mexican men hanging from a bridge with their throats sliced.
The final clipping shows that the Bloody Knucks have been arrested on a small bank robbery of all things. However they are charged with countless others. The next page reads that all 5 members are sentenced to 35 years. The next day of the newspaper’s headline reads, “Bloody Knucks not involved with Mafia?”
2018 – 35 years on from their prison sentence the five men are let free. The young men they once were are behind them. They all walk out together and greet each other at the gate. The oldest is, Benito “Thumb” Cerone (Harvey Keitel) is speaking with his younger cousin, Santo “Middle” Cerone (Steve Buscemi), he hugs and kisses him on both cheeks. Middle does the same back to him. The others, Milo “Index” Ciardi (Chazz Palmintieri), Grimaldo “Pointer” Andreoli (Tony Danza) and Vincent “Pinky” Scarlatta (Joe Pesci), all wonder over and greet Thumb and Middle. They all share a greeting kiss on the cheeks.
A black limousine show up and they get in. Riccardo Cucco (Ricardo Scarmarcio) is in the limo sitting opposite the men. He thanks them all for keeping their mouths shut while in prison about the way the mafia ran and still does run things. He says that his father would like to compensate the five men. He would like to give each of them $300,000 dollars each. He adds that the mafia has also bought 5 houses for them to live in, in Miami. The five of them like the sound of that and they tell him to thank Riccardo’s father. They are driven away.
2019 - The 5 men play poker at Thumb’s house. They all are drinking and laughing about the good old days, and how they never want to go back. Pinky adds that he never thought he would be retired. They play poker for a few more minutes with middle getting frustrated and going off his head at losing all his money.
The other 4 men leave the house and head home. Thumb walks over to get his nightly glass of whiskey, he has however run out due to, pointer’s drinking habits. He decides to go for a walk to buy some more, being an old man his steps are short. We follow him all the way to the liquor store where he talks to the lady on the checkout for a little while. He starts his short walk home until Santino Laguna (Moises Arias) jumps out in front of him, with a knife in hand. Thumb asks if he is sure he wants to do this and tries to talk him out of it, however 4 other men come out and surround him. They tell him to empty his pockets and start pushing him around. Thumb tries to swing a punch but is to slow in his old age. They push him some more and Laguna accidently stabs him.one thig rummages through the wallet and finds $200 dollars cash, they run, leaving the whiskey bottle smashed and Thumb bleeding out all over the sidewalk.
The other four knucks walk along the sidewalk laughing and joking until they come past a crime scene. Pinky overhears the name the police officers are saying to each other, Benito Cerone. He is shocked that somone would do this to him and tells the other three. They are all shocked and saddened. Middle wants to make sure so looks over the crime scene and sees Benito dead. He goes back to the knucks and says, “Whoever the F*** did this is going to F***ing pay.” They all head off to Pinky’s house.
Index toasts to Thumb. They turn the news on and it is revealed that Laguna has been arrested as the main suspect in the investigation. She also reveals that the court case will be in 2 weeks. They all look at each other sharing a knowing look.
Édgar Ocampo (Benicio Del Toro) sits on chair in his office counting his thousands of dollars. Luciano Moruga (Richard Cabral) runs into the office and frantically tells him that Ocampo’s cousin (Santino Laguna) has been arrested for murder. Ocampo nods and says he knows, he has it under control. He has them all under control.
A week later a funeral is held for Thumb. The only people in attendance is the Bloody Knucks. The bid farewell to their friend and leader. Ricardo Cucco shows up late and says that the mafia sends their condolences. He says that if there is anything they need the mafia will be able to give them as long as it’s nothing in the realm of violence. They cannot be linked back to the mafia.
The four men are back at Pinky’s and are pissed off at the death. They don’t want to get back in the life of crime, but this Cuban gang needs to be taught a lesson. Index says that they live without honor, killing old men. They broke the code and they must be put back in line. They agree that they will go to the courthouse the day of the hearing.
They wait outside of the courthouse. Laguna comes out surrounded by other members of the gang. They decide to confront the gang. Middle swears at them and spits at their feet. The pointer while being held back by index tells the Cuban gang,” You think you know what a criminal is, you have no idea.” All while this is happening the Cubans laugh. The knucks walk away with middle holding his finger up to them.
A montage shot is shown of the knucks putting their brass knuckles on and getting guns, finally they all put their suits back on. They drink a glass of whiskey, “for thumb”.
They arrive at the same corner thumb was killed. Laguna is their dealing drugs. Pinky spots two spotters for him. He tells index and he says they must be taken out. However first he tells middle to go up the alleyway nearby, they will try to force him down there. Pinky and pointer take out the spotters. Laguna sees this and runs to the alley. He stops in his tracks when he sees middle standing there polishing his brass knucks and smiling. The rest of the knucks surround him. “For thumb”. The kid looks at index, middle taps him on the shoulder and hits him with the brass knucks. All 4 men lay into him. The middle grabs a cinder block and drops it onto his head. The four of them head off to pinky’s house for a game of poker.
Ocampo the Cuban kingpin is seen talking with members of his gang. They tell him that his cousin has been killed. He wonders who by and remembers what they old men said to his little cousin. He tells his men to find and hunt down the old bastards.
The knucks are having their game of poker. This scene goes unbroken for 3 minutes, they talk about thumb and their past and how they don’t want things to be repeated again. Just then they hear a speeding car drive past and the house is shot up with a machine gun. Pinky is shot in the arm. They stay down as they don’t have their guns on them to fight back. The car comes back again but this time throws a Molotov cocktail into the house. There is a gas line which index notices and he tells them to get out of the house. They shuffle out the back door and jump of the pier into the water as the house explodes.
Pointer tells everyone that he saw the number plate as the car drove past, he tells Index the number plate and he write sit down. Pinky rings up the mafia and asks them for a favour, to find where that car is now. After a minute they get the address. Before going there they stock up on firearms at middle’s house. “Let’s get these mother f***ers”.
They arrive at the house of the car, pointer carries a baseball bat and the other have their brass knuckles on. They break the door down and approach the lone man (Clayton Cardenas), pointer hits him over the head with the baseball bat as blood spills out. The man is whimpering and begs them to stop. Pinky riles up and demands to know where the other members of the gang that were in the car are. . He laughs at Pinky until middle hits him a few times with the knucks, with a bloody face he begs for them to let him live when he tells them, index shrugs his shoulders. He tells them the address of all of the crew. They knock him out with the bat and put him in the trunk of the car.
The knucks show up at one of the gang members houses and storm inside. The group from the car are all sitting around a table snorting cocaine. They see them come inside and reach for their guns but pointer hits one with the bat and the knucks shoot the other 3 in the arms. They proceed to beat them down with the knucks, until they are unconscious. Index thinks and tells the knucks they are going to do what they did back in the day. They all look at each other and smile.
Middle retrieves the body from the trunk of the car. Each member of the knucks gets a knife. They slit the throats of the Cubans and tie their hands together. They put two in their own car and steal one of the Cubans cars to fit the other three. They tell each other they will see them later.
On the news the next morning it is revealed that 5 men are hanging from a bridge with their throats slit. On their chests is a carving of a brass knuckle. Ocampo looks to Luciano Moruga and tells him to find out who did this. He says he already knows, it was the old bastards. Their bodies weren’t found they must still be alive.
The Bloody Knucks meet up at Middle’s house and talk about what will happen next. Index says that they will keep coming for them if they don’t end this war. They all agree that they must go for the head. They gear up and set out to Star Island.
Index steals a boat by hotwiring it. The crew head over to Star Island on the boat. They arrive on the shore and head straight to the mansion with the Cuban flag. They see one guard out the front and Middle stabs him in the throat 3 times, however the Cuban manages to get a gunshot off alerting the kingpin and everyone else.
The kingpin tells Moruga that the men are here and to go and kill them, no matter what. He agrees and takes other men with him. The knucks storm the mansion killing many Cubans, in gruesome ways, with their knucks, guns and bats. They reach Moruga and his lot of men. Hand to hand combat is too much for Middle going up a big man and he is choked to death, the other have their own lives to take care of now. Index goes slams bodies down all over the ground then stabbing them. He reaches Moruga but Moruga is too quick for him and slips under the swinging bat. Moruga repeatedly stabs Index in the ribs leaving him to die. Pinky and Pointer go crazy and start shooting all of the men. Pointer grabs the baseball bat and hits Moruga’s head until he is unrecognisable.
They storm the office of Ocampo, who starts shooting at them both. He runs out of ammo and as he frantically tries to reload, Pinky and Pointer unload their guns into his body. The look at their brother lifeless and tears drip down their face, “this is the end of an era.’
Newspaper clippings appear again, showing the massacre at the Cuban mansion and the dead bodies hanging from the bridge. The in Memoriam section of the newspaper shows Santo “Middle” Cerone (12/13/1957 – 7/10/2019) and Benito “Index” Ciardi (5/19/1952 – 7/10/2019).
A photo of the 5 men after they get out of prison appears, they are all happy. Those who died disappear, showing only Pinky and Pointer left.
Release: The Saints
The Saints
Genre: Superhero/Action/Adventure
Director: Olivia Wilde
Writers: Jacob Jones & Chad Taylor
Cast: Meg Donnelly, Madeleine Madden, Maya Hawke, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jason Bateman, Maude Apatow
Budget: $80,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $39,348,209
Foreign Box Office: $46,380,294
Total Profit: -$72,390,844
Reaction: Looks like this project ended up a double-whammy of aspects working against it, being both an original and female-led superhero film. Not exactly the best way to start a new season, but hopefully most of the next 29 films work better at the box office.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
In Development
Eye of the Scarecrow: Lewis Pullman (Bastion, The Second Life of John Wilkes Booth), Justin Prentice (Red Farm, Uncharted 4) and John Lithgow (Oklahoma!, High Society) have signed on to join the Florence Pugh-led horror film, Eye of the Scarecrow. Written by Carl Flimmer, the film is being directed by Alexandre Aja.
The Monster Squad: Hannah Kepple (We Know Where You Live, "Cobra Kai"), Mason Thames ("Walker", The Black Phone), Tinsley Price (Nomad, The Hunt), Udo Kier (Nomad, Swan Song) and Keith L. Williams (The Nickel Boys, The Watsons Go to Birmingham) will fill out the non-monster cast of The Monster Squad. Thames and Williams will play the best friends of the main character played by August Maturo. Kepple will play Thames' older sister, Price will play Maturo's younger sister, and Kier will play an elderly German man who helps the kids translate Van Helsing's journal. Shawn Levy is directing the remake from a script by Walter McKnight.
The Invincible Iron Man: The latest Marvel Universe production, The Invincible Iron Man, has added Andre Holland (Kazaria, The Temptations), Anna Kendrick (Golden Girl, Bright Neon Lights), Constance Wu (Y: The Last Man, What We Were Promised), Tim Robbins (The Oil Slick, Velvet) and Debra Winger (Orchid, Kajillionaire) to its supporting cast. Holland will play Jim Rhodes, Kendrick will play Pepper Potts, Robbins and Winger will play Tony Stark's parents, while Wu's role is not revealed in the press reports. Jeremy Saulnier directs from a script by Chad Taylor and HG Hansen.
The Liberation of Evil: The latest horror project from writer Billy Cruder has added Jane Fonda (80 for Brady, Moving On), Blake Jenner (Misfit, Time Passages), Logan Miller (Happy Birthday, Columbine) and Kyle Gallner (The Mutation, Smile) to its ensemble cast. Amanda Seyfried leads the cast as an investigative journalist looking into a possible satanic cult. David Bruckner directs the film.
The Guest List: Brie Larson (Uncharted 4, The Wonder) and Austin Butler (Sunny Days, Elvis) are set to star in an adaptation of Lucy Foley's best-selling novel The Guest List. The film is set at a wedding celebration on a stormy island that goes deathly wrong. Larson and Butler will play the couple getting married. Milly Alcock ("Upright", "House of the Dragon") and Josh Segarra (Scream VI, Christmas on the Square) have also joined the project. Segarra will play one of Butler's best friends, while Alcock will play Larson's sister. Cathy Yan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dead Pigs) is set to direct the film from an adaptation by (Akin, Bunny).
Atlantis: Bloodline: Harris Dickinson (Atlantis, Hair), Timothee Chalamet (Tinseltown, Citizen), Saoirse Ronan (The Driftwood Populace, Queen Margot) and Natalia Dyer (Atlantis, Burial Rites) are all set to return for a sequel to the Season 21 DC Comics Universe film, Atlantis. They reprise their previous roles as Arthur Curry, Orm, Mera and Tula, respectively. David Michod (Atlantis, American Idiot) is back to direct, once again from a script by Jimmy Ellis (Nightwing, The Driftwood Populace).
Now Showing: The Saints
The Saints
Genre: Superhero/Action/Adventure
Director: Olivia Wilde
Writers: Jacob Jones & Chad Taylor
Cast: Meg Donnelly, Madeleine Madden, Maya Hawke, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jason Bateman, Maude Apatow
Plot: Alto City, USA. A bustling city built for the future...
Alto City University student Cynthia (Meg Donnelly) waits by a traffic stop when she is pushed aside by academic rival Ashley (Maude Apatow). Annoyed, Cynthia tells Ashley to watch where she’s going, only for Ashley to smirk, stating that straight A students get dibs before skipping off. Cynthia grumbles to herself as she crosses the street.
At the Alto City University track, cross country racer Leela (Madeleine Madden) runs a lap across her family’s track. She checks her time and frowns, unimpressed. 10.5 doesn’t get you a medal in the Olympics. Before she can start another lap, her friend Taylor (Maya Hawke) asks if she can practice something on her. Leela acquiesces, only to barely be lifted off her feet. Taylor pouts at not being strong only for Leela to assure her that she’ll get there with some time and patience. Taylor then invites her to her house later tonight for a showcase that her father, famed anthropologist Dr. Columbus (Jason Bateman) has organized. Leela accepts the offer.
In class, Cynthia looks on her phone that an ACU professor has found proof that the Scarlet Knight (Sacha Baron Cohen), once thought to be an Alzaban myth, is real only to be called on by her teacher for being on her phone before delivering the news of an exam they’re going to take. Cynthia stares at the piece of paper and picks up her pencil, closing her eyes and hoping for the best.
Two hours later, Cynthia runs off to a corner in the locker room to contemplate her potential failure when Ashley comes up to her to gloat. This time however, Cynthia gets the last laugh when she causes Ashley to trip over herself. She snickers as a flustered Ashley threatens to tell the school principal. Once Ashley is gone, Cynthia picks up her backpack and gets out her journal. She writes about what just happened before asking what the point of being a functioning member of society is if all you do is shut people out?
At Taylor’s house, Taylor anxiously waits for Leela when she gets a phone call. Unfortunately, Leela cannot make it. Her parents are going out and she’s been tasked with watching their son. Dejected, Taylor thanks her for explaining and hangs up. Taylor heads outside to see her father, who has become interested in a large meteor floating in the sky. Transfixed, Taylor asks her father if she can stay outside for a bit to check its trajectory, Columbus says she can, but to not take too long.
Leela and Cynthia also look outside, intrigued by the meteor’s trajectory. Inside Taylor’s house, Dr. Columbus gives a lecture regarding the myth of Mongolia’s most dangerous warrior, The Scarlett Knight. Before he can go far, the room shakes violently upon hearing a loud crashing noise.
Meanwhile, in the deserts of Alzaba:
A hand pops out from the sand, a disheveled man climbs up from the ground and begins to wander around. After traveling several miles, he comes across a small village. The man looks around, baffled by the phones, vehicles and houses that surround him. Overwhelmed, the man runs to an old, condemned house and stumbles into the bathroom. He stares at the mirror, asking what happened to his home.
Dr. Columbus checks to see if everyone is alright when he realizes his daughter Taylor is still outside. He rushes to the backyard where he spots Taylor, her telescope watch shattered as she lies unconscious.
Later that evening, Taylor wakes up in a hospital. The doctor tells her that the blast from the meteor knocked her out for a few hours but that it doesn’t seem to have hurt her. Still, the doctor recommends staying for the night in case there are lingering symptoms. The next morning, Taylor is free to go home. Taylor shakes the doctor’s hand, only to lift him off of his feet.
Taylor gets a call from Leela, telling her to come visit the track ASAP. When Taylor arrives, Leela looks freaked out as she hands Taylor her phone and instructs her to throw it as far as she can. Taylor shrugs but follows the instructions, throwing Leela’s phone the entire distance of the football field. Leela runs away, catches the phone before it falls, and returns to Taylor in a matter of seconds. They both look at each other astonished, Taylor at Leela’s speed and Leela at Taylor’s strength. The two hear some commotion going on in a dorm not far from them. Inside, Cynthia is loudly waking up a nightmare of herself being betrayed by someone. When her R.A. goes to check on her, Cynthia screams, causing a flash of light to knock the R.A. to the floor. Taylor and Leela see this happen and rush to assist them. Cynthia says she doesn’t feel too well and wonders if it had to do with the meteor the night before. Leela says that she and Taylor are feeling similar after effects and Taylor suggests they go see the smartest man she knows. They help Cynthia up and introduce themselves to her.
That afternoon, Dr. Columbus examines the three girls in his laboratory and researches yesterday’s meteor, stunned by a discovery. He tells the girls that last night’s meteor was the first of its kind to hit Earth in over 100,000 years. It’s name is “Potestas Aeterna”, the meteor of everlasting power. Legend has it that the meteor, and others like it, have the power to bring myths back to life and give any human being who was outside during its impact super powers.
Leela is excited, finally getting an opportunity to be an actual superhero, but Taylor and Cynthia have their reservations. Can these powers be contained? Dr. Columbus says that as of now, he cannot confirm it. Until he knows for sure, he instructs the girls to continue living life as normally as possible.
The next day, the girls try to make the best of their newfound powers. While Leela’s speed makes her the talk of her cross country team and Taylor catches the eye of weightlifters, Cynthia struggles to keep her powers in check. This culminates when she comes across Ashley boasting about her A+ on their prior test. Cynthia tells her to leave her alone, only for Ashley to rub it in her face some more. Cynthia shoves her aside and walks off, angering Ashley.
Ashley follows Cynthia, attempting to get her to talk. Eventually, Ashley snaps and grabs Cynthia's right shoulder, causing her to create a force shield out of nowhere, slamming Ashley back first onto a wall. Shaken, Cynthia runs off, leaving Ashley on the floor, stunned.
Back in Alzaba:
The mysterious man is now at one of Alzaba main hubs when he spots a car approaching him. Horrified, he grabs his large sword and slashes the car in half, killing the driver in the process. A group of citizens look on in horror only for the man to run off. Hiding by an alleyway, the man takes a look to his left and finds he is nearby a building. He enters, baffled to find so many computers and phones about. A librarian asks if he needs assistance. He tells her that he doesn’t and walks up to the nearest computer. He stares at the keyboard, then at the computer screen before tapping his fingers on the keyboard. It doesn’t work. The man keeps trying, but he can’t get past the log-in screen. Furious, the man picks up the keyboard and smashes it on the computer, destroying both with his ungodly strength.
With everyone in the library horrified, the man gets on top of the table, declaring himself to be The Scarlett Knight (Dave Bautista), the mighty Alzaban warrior. He demands to know where he has been transported to. A nervous librarian tells him that it’s the year 2022 before noting that the legend is true. He mentions a professor named Dr. Columbus. Baffled, The Scarlett Knight requests contact with him.
Ashley and Cynthia sit inside the dean’s office, Ashley exclaiming that Cynthia has super powers and that she’s a danger to society, citing their prior interaction. The dean is unconvinced, and ultimately lets Cynthia go free. Ashley storms off in a huff, leaving Cynthia to wonder her plight.
That afternoon, outside a cafe, Cynthia vents her frustrations on the whole situation in her journal when a group of jocks peer over her writing and mock her ‘emo dribble', chipping away at her bit by bit until finally, Cynthia snaps, launching another force shield and shooting laser beams at her bullies. Seeing this, Leela and Taylor rush in to aid Cynthia until the jocks flee. Leela picks up the journal, only for an upset Cynthia to snatch it, saying that she didn’t need their help.
Leela and Taylor catch up to Cynthia in an attempt to get to know her better. Cynthia tells the two to buzz off. Leela closes her eyes, her mind telling her that Cynthia is hiding something. Leela tries to ask again but to no avail. Taylor takes a different approach, sitting by Cynthia and assuring her that they'll be alright. Especially if they work together.
Cynthia flatly states that she doesn’t do teams. Leela says that today could change that and proposes that the three meet here tomorrow so they know for sure. Despite her hesitation, Cynthia accepts the offer. Overjoyed, Taylor says that their team name should be ‘The Saints’, because they could stand for all that's good in the world. Leela and Cynthia agree, thus officially naming the trio.
That evening, Ashley attempts to uncover the mystery of Cynthia’s newfound powers to no avail. Frustrated, she lies on her bed and looks at the shelf of trophies and certificates on her wall. This gives her a newfound sense of confidence and she returns to work, typing out multiple phrases before she finds the phrase “Potestas Aeterna”. Here, she learns of its power and hatches a devious plan.
The next morning, Cynthia, Leela and Taylor all stand by the cafe. Cynthia looks around, bored out of her mind. She’s about to leave when Leela spots someone cackling away. The Saints rush up to the scene, Cynthia in disbelief when she sees Ashley dressed like a school teacher. Ashley calls herself ‘Straight A’, the smartest villain of Alto City. By luring The Saints towards her, she can now show them her master plan. Being smarter than them!
Unfortunately for Ashley, Cynthia, thanks to her super vision, finds a group of low-level crooks sneaking away from a local bank. The Saints assemble, flocking up to the thieves and promptly curbstomp them in a battle, ending with Taylor hurling the thieves towards a skyscraper. Angered, Ashley demands that The Saints pay attention. Leela tells Ashley that she needs to do a lot more to be a villain. The Saints walk off, leaving Ashley to stew in her own anger.
Inside the Columbus household, Dr. Columbus is busy working on a study when his phone begins to ring. He picks it up, the call coming from The Scarlett Knight, or rather, The Scarlett Knight holding a horrified man’s hand while shouting at the phone screen. He demands to know how Dr. Columbus managed to get a hold of these devices. Despite being unnerved, Dr. Columbus explains that many centuries have passed and that the world has changed. The Scarlett Knight refuses to believe it, claiming that humanity is misguided and needs a reminder of its primal instincts. He ‘demonstrates’ by repeatedly stabbing the phone and man’s hand with the sword.
Alarmed, Dr. Columbus rushes out of the laboratory and picks up another phone, urgently telling Taylor to come to the house at once. The Saints rush into Dr. Columbus’s laboratory, where he reveals that The Scarlett Knight has risen and may be planning something. As soon as he says that, the lights go off and on. Dr. Columbus admits to not being sure what powers the Knight has, but that they make him dangerous. Leela steps forward, proclaiming that The Saints can defeat him.
Leela and Taylor head off, leaving Cynthia and Dr. Columbus inside the laboratory. Seeing the conflicted expression on her face, Dr. Columbus asks Cynthia what’s wrong. Cynthia asks Dr. Columbus why she had to be roped into this. Dr. Columbus suggests that it may be fate that played the role. Cynthia isn’t sure, fearing that it’s further punishment for all that she’s done. Dr. Columbus tries to ask what happened only for Cynthia to stop him, claiming that she’s said too much.
Ashley paces back and forth, desperately asking herself how Cynthia and her friends could be so powerful when she gets an anonymous phone call. She hangs up, only for it to ring again. Irritated, Ashley answers, hearing The Scarlett Knight. He asks Ashley if she is aware of how technology works. Ashley says she does and the two have a back-and-forth conversation where Ashley delves into her hatred for Cynthia, and for The Scarlett Knight, his distate regarding technology.
After listening to the Scarlett Knight, Ashley makes a deal with him. She'll take him to the biggest source of technology in the world, Alto City. In return, she will offer him all the information he needs should anyone cross his path. Intrigued, The Scarlett Knight accepts her offer. Once their call ends, Ashley makes arrangements for The Scarlett Knight.
That evening, the amount of electronic disturbances in Alto City escalates. The next morning, during a town meeting, he sounds the alarm, claiming to have evidence regarding The Scarlett Knight's entrance to their home, only to be laughed off.
In the forests of Alto City National Park, Leela has organized a get together with Cynthia and Taylor, complete with hiking mountains and camping out. Throughout this, Cynthia seems to turn around regarding working with others, even helping Taylor tame a bear. The get-together is disrupted when Taylor gets a call from a distressed Dr. Columbus, who warns her that an attack from The Scarlett Knight is imminent, only for her phone to heat up and melt.
With this, The Saints head off in search of The Scarlett Knight. After a brief look around Alto City, Cynthia finds The Scarlett Knight standing about, slashing phones, watches and other devices with his sword. Cynthia debates whether or not to tell Taylor or Leela only to be spotted by The Scarlett Knight. With little alternative, Cynthia elects to fight.
Despite an initial flurry by Cynthia, she immediately finds herself outgunned by The Scarlett Knight, who, thanks to Ashley, understands all her powers. Despite this, Cynthia powers forward, telling The Scarlett Knight that he won't win. The knight cackles, swinging his sword and aiming right at the stomach. Cynthia dodges but her right arm clips the tip of his blade and she lets out a pained cry.
Taylor and Leela rush in, The Scarlett Knight standing triumphantly over Cynthia. In his words, a demonstration of what human order should be. He makes short work of them as well, standing on top of the trio and declaring himself the conqueror of Alto City. His next stop? The Alto City power grid. Then? The world.
Cynthia wakes up, realizing what happened. Leela and Taylor call out Cynthia for leaving them the way she did, only for Cynthia to explain her case. Taylor goes on the aggressive, mentioning how from day one, Cynthia has been against being in this group. The argument escalates until finally Taylor calls Cynthia a bitch. Cynthia snaps, yelling at Taylor that she doesn't know her, unintentionally creating a blast that sends Taylor hurtling towards a building. Leela rushes towards Taylor while a horrified Cynthia sees what she's done. When Leela tries to talk to Cynthia, she runs off, hiding her face in shame.
Around Alto City, The Scarlett Knight’s effect on technology is realized as multiple phones, clocks, appliances and even cars stop working correctly, all the while cracks are on the ground. The Scarlett Knight is frightened for a moment when the police track him down, putting down his sword. When he finds one officer trying to handcuff him, he throws him through the car windows.
The police swarm The Scarlett Knight for a moment only to be scared off when he snstches and destroys a walkie talkie. Before they can flee in the car, The Scarlett Knight tips the car over before sitting down, singing an old Mongolian folk song. The song hypnotizes the officers, their combined efforts destroying the car, now soldiers for his cause
Dr. Columbus hears a knocking sound and opens the door to find a tear-stricken Cynthia demanding that he make an antidote for her superpowers, storming towards his laboratory. Leela, Taylor and Dr. Columbus try to catch up to Cynthia, Leela explaining what happened. The three find Cynthia at the farthest right corner in the laboratory, softly crying. Leela tries to approach her, only for Cynthia to tell her to stay back. She doesn’t deserve to be with them. Dr. Columbus takes one look at Cynthia and recognizes she’s been hurting for a long time.
It’s there Cynthia finally breaks, long, pained sobs echoing out as Taylor and Leela sit by Cynthia. She tells them that they don't know what it's like to have no one by your side. Mom didn't care, daddy only cared about drinking, the kids at school? People she still has nightmares over to this day. It looked as if she'd finally start life anew when she got to college, but no matter what, she couldn't fit in with the others. So she stopped trying. Cynthia didn't choose this life, all she wanted was to be normal, and now she never will.
Taken aback by Cynthia's confession, Taylor expresses remorse, apologizing for her part in the fight. Leela speaks up, saying that the idea of normality is subjective. What one thinks is normal may be odd to someone else. The truth is, we're all human. We all have a story to tell and maybe one day, we can find a happy ending.
"But how?" Cynthia asks. Leela and Taylor offer to support Cynthia as much as possible, even helping her seek therapy. With tears in her eyes, Cynthia thanks them and the three embrace. The heartfelt moment is interrupted when they hear an explosion coming from outside. Cynthia looks outside and finds The Scarlett Knight on the pathway to the power grid. Leela orders the others to move out. If they hurry, they can stop The Scarlett Knight from causing any more havoc.
The Saints head outside, shocked to see that Alto City has been absolutely ravaged by The Scarlett Knight. Leela tells the three to split up and search for clues only for someone to tell them not to bother. The Saints turn around to see a smug Ashley standing by. She tells The Saints that The Scarlett Knight is almost at the power grid and that soon Alto City will be at his mercy. When asked how she knows, Ashley proudly admits to bringing The Scarlett Knight here, considering it karma for their actions.
This confession rewards Ashley with a laser straight to the face by Cynthia and a bear hug from Taylor. Leela demands directions to Alto City Power Grid, Ashley refusing to budge until Leela threatens to get officials involved. Her reputation at stake, Ashley says that it's several blocks to the north. With that, The Saints head off, leaving Ashley to question her fate.
The Scarlett Knight finally arrives at the power grid, demanding that a security guard give him the passcode to enter, only to smash the door open after the guard refuses. He bullrushes his way towards the main control room where he lays waste to anyone who dares challenge him. He picks up an axe, about to stab the control panel and cause a short circuit.
Before The Scarlett Knight can do so, he is greeted by the presence of The Saints. Intrigued by a 'round 2', the Knight gets out his sword and challenges them to a duel. Leela goes first, running circles around The Scarlett Knight. Taylor then takes the sword from him and bends it into an arch. The knight tries to save his sword but Cynthia shields Taylor from an attack.
The fight soon spills out of the main control room into the rest of the area, neither side able to put away the other. The Scarlett Knight throws all three aside, slamming them towards the wall. He storms up to them, asking when they will learn. Brute force and human instinct is superior compared to technological advances. Now all of Alto City will know this.
For a moment, all hope seems lost, until Cynthia comes up with an idea. She asks everyone in the room to give them some phones, claiming to have a plan. Inside the control room, The Scarlett Knight is poised to strike when he hears a snapshot. He turns around, blinded by flashing phone lights. The knight flees the room, only to spot Cynthia watching a video. She hands him some earplugs, shoving them in his ears. He is then stunned by a loud noise.
The knight slams the phone onto the floor and tries to escape, only for Taylor and Leela to block the door, bombarding him with Taylor Swift songs. Panicked, The Scarlett Knight begs for them to stop, surrendering to their will. The Saints come together, Cynthia telling him that he may be powerful, but he is also tired and old. Cynthia says that she used to fear the future herself, but thanks to Leela and Taylor, she now sees a path forward. She hopes that he'll realize this in the afterlife.
As the three heroines prepare a final attack, The Scarlett Knight lays down his sword, admitting that he was not meant to rule the modern world before a huge blast causes a massive explosion, killing The Scarlett Knight in the process. The Saints look around, noting the immense damage caused. Those who survived, however, do not care. The city has been saved. When asked who they are, Taylor introduces themselves are The Saints. Steel Dragon, Velocity and their leader, Fleur-de-Lis.
During the next few days, The Saints help Alto City rebuild its infrastructure, returning it to its former state. At the end of the week, a ceremony is held at city hall where the mayor deems The Saints heroes of Alto City and praises them for all they've done. That evening, the girls are inside Dr. Columbus's house, laughing at the TV screen when Dr. Columbus comes in, asking if anyone wants popcorn.
As Dr. Columbus prepares the popcorn, he tells them girls how proud he is of us. Cynthia glances at her new friends and admits she might get used to this whole superheroing thing. Leela does have one question. If the meteor's impact is global, does that mean there are other heroes and villains out there. Dr. Columbus imagines that there are. Taylor grins, saying that no matter who they are, they can't compare to The Saints. Leela and Cynthia toast to that and they resume watching their show.
Post Credits Scene: Ashley stares out the window in a state of fear. She puts on a coat and heads out for what may be her final walk as a free woman. She looks around the area until she comes across a suspicious looking person wearing red, white and blue. Ashley asks them what they're doing out in the wild only for them to take Ashley by the abdomen and carried to a car trunk. He slams the trunk with Ashley in it and picks up a walkie talkie.
"Madame Claire, consider subject E=MC2 liberated."
Sunday, March 19, 2023
LRF COMIC-CON (SEASON 26)
Round 2 - The Invincible Iron Man
The first comic book film of Season 26 will be Iron Man's entry into the studio's Marvel Universe, The Invincible Iron Man. It's already been announced that Jack Huston will play the title character alongside Denzel Washington as Nick Fury. For the film's comic con reveal, we have the poster for the film as well as a song from the film's soundtrack....
"Too Much Time On My Hands" - Styx
Round 3 - Atlantis: Bloodline
The first of nine sequels set for release in Season 26 will be Atlantis: Bloodline, the sequel to DC Comics Universe film Atlantis, based on the Aquaman character. Most of the same cast and crew is expected to return for this sequel, including stars like Harris Dickinson, Timothee Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan. For the film's Comic-Con entry, we have a first look at the film's poster and revamped logo.
Round 4 - Titans: Evil Incarnate
Just one round later, another DC Comics Universe sequel be released in the form of Titans: Evil Incarnate. No word yet on which cast members from the first film, Teen Titans, will return for this entry, but we do have word on one new hero and the villain. Raven will be part of the team in this entry, played by Joey King (Letter to Myself, Tenth Circle), while David O'Hara (Cold Pursuit, The Professor and the Madman) will play her father, Trigon the Demon - the film's villain.
Round 5 - Captain America
Glen Powell as Captain America was first teased during the post-credits sequence following Nomad last season, and know we know that he will be getting his own film in Season 26. Plot details are still under wraps, but we do at least have a first look at Powell as the titular character.
Round 8 - Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer
Based on the title of the film, it is expected that Keanu Reeves, John Krasinski, Sarah Gadon, Jack Reynor and Jason Segel will all be back as their Marvel Universe characters, but now we also know that Aksel Hennie is set to once again appear as the villainous Annihilus in the third film to feature the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer.
Round 9 - Green Lantern Corps: Sinestro War
The eighth highest grossing film in LRF history, Green Lantern Corps, is set to get a sequel in Season 26. Not much is known about the plot other than the title, Green Lantern Corps: Sinestro War. The poster, which will be posted as part of the panel below, indicates that Tom Cruise will be back as the main character, Hal Jordan.
Round 10 - The Hulk 2
The final film of Season 26 is set to be the sequel to the Mark Newton-penned Marvel Universe production, The Hulk. This entry will feature a new writer, with H.G. Hansen taking over the scripting duties. Most of the main players from the first film are expected to be back, but one new face for the film will be Jenny Slate (Care of Death, Pressing Luck) returning to the role of Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk after playing the role in a short-lived LRTV series and in a cameo appearance in The Black Cat Strikes Again!.
And that's a wrap on the Season 26 LRF Comic-Con! Season 26th will begin on March 22nd.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Writer Profile: H.G. Hansen
H.G. Hansen
Country of Origin / Nationality:
United States
Favorite of your own LRF films:
Dark Places
Favorite LRF film from another writer:
The Void
Favorite non-LRF films:
Dodgeball, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Big Short, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Donnie Darko
Favorite Movie Quote:
Mister Candie, normally I would say "Auf wiedersehen," but since what "auf wiedersehen" actually means is "'till I see you again", and since I never wish to see you again, to you, sir, I say goodbye!
LRF Database Page : https://lrfdatabase.weebly.com/hg-hansen.html
LRF Database Page : https://lrfdatabase.weebly.com/hg-hansen.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)