JBL Reviews Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins

That’s right, true believers!  JBL is actually posting a review of Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, the film that dares to retell the cinematic origin of the the Joe’s most enigmatic team member from when it was first presented in 2009.  Our resident hack admin was able to go and catch a Thursday night screening of the film a week and a half ago as our local theater has finally reopened. 

Did this film take the character to new heights?  Was our trusty reviewed wow’ed to such an extent that it replaced Big Trouble in Little China as one of his favorite films? 

Check out the review for yourself and find out one Joe fan’s opinion…

JBL Reviews Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021)

Hasbro Cinematic Universe gets its Writer’s Room

Hasbro Cinematic Universe

The Hasbro Cinematic Universe is coming!

This afternoon media sites across the web received a press release with the official announcement of the formation of the Hasbro Cinematic Universe writer’s room.  Headed by Oscar-winning writer Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind), the group includes an incredibly talented collection of individuals whose credits range from film to television to comic books.

The Hasbro Cinematic Universe is getting real, people!

The full text of the press release is below: Continue reading

Can a Hasbro Cinematic Universe work?

Hasbro Cinematic Universe

A Hasbro Cinematic Universe is on the way, but can it actually work?

Earlier this week, the Hollywood Reporter dropped an exclusive bombshell on the G.I. Joe fan community– the announcement that Hasbro’s Allspark Studios and Paramount pictures were creating a “Hasbro Cinematic Universe” centered around five 1980’s brands.  This endeavor would blend the universes of G.I. Joe, M.A.S.K., the Micronauts, Visionaries, and ROM: the Spaceknight into one cohesive entity similar to what Marvel Studios has been doing for the past several years.

There’s only one small detail about this new shared universe— most of these properties have very little relation to each other.  Even worse, aside from G.I. Joe, most of these have been absent from toy shelves and popular culture since at least 1990.  Outside of some die-hard fan circles, the general public is generally now completely unfamiliar with most of these brands, as evidenced by this installment of Nerdist News hosted by Jessica Chobot:

Continue reading

Sam Smith Unveils Spectre Theme Song

James Bond 24 Spectre

British artist Sam Smith has unveiled the theme song to the next James Bond film Spectre.  The track is titled “Writing’s on the Wall.”

Yes, I realize that this has no direct connection to the world of G.I. Joe.  However, one of the privileges of owning your own website is that you get to talk about the topics that you find interesting and I’m a HUGE James Bond fan!

On this morning’s episode of NPR’s Morning Edition, Smith previewed “Writing’s on the Wall” and discussed his inspiration for the theme to the 24th installment in the world’s longest running franchise.

“I tried to put myself in the shoes of Bond,” Smith explains. “My music is a diary and it’s a recap of my life, and I wanted to bring that kind of honesty. In the lyrics — “How do I live, how do I breathe? / When you’re not here I’m suffocating” — I wanted a touch of vulnerability from Bond, where you see into his heart a little bit.”

The theme song came together in a whirlwhind demo session that lasted under thirty minutes.  In fact, the vocals in the final song were recorded during that initial session!  The song itself harkens back to some of the older ballads that have been a hallmark of the series with a powerful brassy intro and a soulful performance

You can preview the track using the embed below:

Spectre opens on October 26, 2015 in the United Kingdom and will debut in theaters worldwide on November 6.  For more information visit 007.com!

Ryan Reynolds unveils Deadpool movie costume!

Holy Hannah!  Ryan Reynolds just revealed the Deadpool movie costume!

Look, I get it– this is a G.I. Joe site and Deadpool is a Marvel Comics character.  However, on occasion I like to share some of my other geeky interests be it Jonny Quest, James Bond, or, in this case, my obsession with the Merc with a Mouth.  (Just look at how many cameos he makes in reviews around here!)

Deadpool movie costume

This costume is SPOT ON!  Seriously– this is jsut what I had hoped for but didn’t dare dream was possible!  Full-on fanboy nerd meltdown right now!  Plus, in typical Deadpool fashion it was revealed in as irreverent a fashion as possible!

It’s far too long until the movie comes out but be sure to follow @DeadpoolMovie on Twitter to stay abreast of the latest Deadpool movie news!

Just in case you’ve forgotten, here’s the leaked test footage that was responsible for the movie FINALLY receiving a green light!

The ‘Poolman crashes into theaters on February 16, 2016!   What do YOU think of this costume reveal?

Sharpshooter recreates G.I. Joe Retaliation trick shot

Remember this scene from G.I. Joe Retaliation?  You know– where Roadblock and Duke have a post-operation shooting contest to determine whether Roadblock takes his next promotion or if Duke babysits Marvin’s daughters?

Well, it seems that professional sharpshooter Kirsten Joy Weiss wanted to put the scene to a Mythbusters-style test and determine if it was possible to shoot out the flame from a candle.   Was she successful? Continue reading

Avengers Age of Ultron Trailer #3 Arrives!

Marvel Entertainment released the third and final trailer for the upcoming film Avengers Age of Ultron and it’s a doozy!  However, don’t just take my word for it:

Yes, I realize that this went live yesterday but a hard-hitting case of the flu knocked a certain site admin off of his game for the past 24 hours.

Wow… there’s a lot to digest in this short two minute eighteen second burst of Marvel goodness.  There’s plenty of creepy James Spader-voiced Ultron, some snippets of the two “Miracles” (because Fox has the rights to the term “mutants”) Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, some hits at a deepening relationship between Natasha Romanoff and Bruce Banner, and Tony Stark admitting that he created Ultron as a “suit of armor for the world.”

What?!!!

We’ve known for some time that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was going to play by its own rules in terms of continuity and events.  Changes such as Nick Fury having never served in World War 2 or the absence of Dr. Donald Blake were par for the course when it came to condensing decades of comic book history into two hour cinematic blocks.  However, it would seem that a major change is in store for Ant Man as Hank Pym is no longer the creator of Ultron.  In addition, this could be the VERY reason that Tony Stark and Steve Rogers come to blows in Captain America 3: Civil War.  (My money’s always on Cap, BTW.)

Regardless, May 1, 2015 cannot come soon enough for this Marvel fan!

Guardians of the Galaxy Showings Start TONIGHT!

Guardians of the Galaxy

One of the advantages of owning your own website is you can talk about whatever you want.  So, in taking a break from G.I. Joe for a moment, I’m here to talk about the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Early screenings for the film start tonight and this particular admin cannot wait!  Seriously, 7:00pm CST is so incredibly far away right now!

For those of you who have been living in a cave and haven’t heard of the Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s the latest installment in the insanely awesome Marvel Cinematic Universe.  However, instead of focusing on Earth where the action has been dominated by the Avengers, director James Gunn is taking the audience out into space and is following the actions of Star Lord, a human from earth who has no idea what his place in the universe is.  However, with the help of a talking gun-toting raccoon, a brawling tree with a heart of gold, a maniac bent on revenge, and the deadliest assassin in the galaxy, he’s about to confront his destiny head-on, all while jamming out to some 1970’s AM rock-n-roll. C’mon, what’s NOT to love?  It’s like Farscape with the budget of Star Wars!

The film’s based on the incarnation of the team that formed up in 2008 and promises to be one heck of a ride.  In fact, over at RottenTomatoes.com, the film’s rating (at the time I’m writing this) is holding steady at 91% fresh.  (6 “rotten” reviews out of a total of 67 posted thus far.)

So, if you’re tired of reading about the current state of G.I. Joe and want to “get away from it all”, check out the Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend.  I know I will.  (Possibly multiple times!)

You’re welcome…

G.I. Joe Retaliation Blind Master Review

G.I. Joe Retaliation Blind Master

Up until recently the Blind Master was one of the hardest figures to find at retail, being part of the Wave 4 assortment.  Based on the likeness of actor/musician RZA, the Blind Master proved to be a key figure in the film’s Arashikage story line.  Thankfully, the flood gates have opened and fans are able to find this figure at stores such at Toys R Us and Ross.

Was he worth the wait?  Or is he just another kitbashed movie figure used to pad out the line?  Will I be making a bunch of “Daredevil and Blind Master” gags in the review?

Hit the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!

G.I. Joe Retaliation Ultimate Flint Review!

ultimateflintteaser

The backlog of G.I. Joe Retaliation figures gets a bit smaller with the Ultimate Flint review!

In the film, Flint was portrayed as a brash, cocky, and headstrong member of the team who found himself tested when Cobra Commander’s brutal plan was put into action.  Some fans felt this didn’t jive with his portrayals in various media over the past 30 years while others found it to be spot-on with his early appearances in Larry Hama’s Marvel Comics run.  Regardless, wave 3.5 of the Retaliation line brought fans “Ultimate Flint”– a figure sporting a more movie-accurate deco and enough accessories to outfit a platoon.  Is this figure worth a purchase considering there was a Flint figure released just one wave earlier?

Check out the Ultimate Flint Review in the G.I. Joe Retaliation Review Index and find out one Joe fan’s opinion!