The Flickcast

WonderCon15 Review: ‘Batman vs. Robin’ Animated Film

Posted on April 11, 2015

As is quickly becoming a tradition, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation unveiled a new Batman movie at a world premiere event at WonderCon on April 3. Inspired by best-selling graphic novel, Batman: Court of Owls, Batman vs. Robin is an excellent addition to the ever expanding universe of DC’s original movies.

Picking up on three months after Son of Batman left off, Batman vs. Robin showcases the still tenuous relationship between Bruce and Damian Wayne as they each try to better fit into their respective roles as father and son. Being crime fighting partners is both a help and a hindrance to their relationship, especially when it seems like Batman can’t rely on Robin to put aside his League of Assassins tendencies. The duo are to the test when Talon, the enforcer for The Court of Owls, tries to lure Damian in as his new protégé while Gotham’s secret society also enacts a plan that could destroy the city.

The film boasts a strong voice cast, including the return of Jason O’Mara (Batman), Stuart Allan (Robin), and Sean Maher (Nightwing). Allan once again brings the perfect amount of petulance to Damian and Batman vs. Robin goes the distance to remind us Damian isn’t a child the way the previous Robins, including Dick Grayson, were.

He was born and raised with assassins. Nightwing even remarks to Batman about Damian, saying, “He’s just a 10-year-old boy.” But Batman gently corrects him. “No. He just looks like one.” The film drives this message home so well it doesn’t seem as impossible for a kid to face off with full grown adults, even Batman, and hold his own or come out ahead.

The Flickcast 284: Fury Road

Posted on April 8, 2015

Not to brag, but we’ve been on a roll. It’s already April and we’ve given you new episodes of The Flickcast each and every week without fail. That’s pretty good, especially if you knew how lazy we actually are. But that’s a topic for a whole show.

Instead, on this week’s episode, Chris and Joe discuss and debate a whole bunch of stuff including the new Mad Max: Fury Road trailer and movie, the genius of George Miller, new Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Agents of SHIELD, The Flash, Arrow, Furious 7, Joe’s annoyance with the term “Millennial” and a whole lot more. Yes, there’s even more. We just can’t help ourselves.

Picks this week include Chris’ pick of the animated movie Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Joe’s pick of the book Jiro Gastronomy.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship, or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+ or via email.

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‘The Last Ship’ Launches a New Season Two Trailer

Posted on April 6, 2015

Stars and the executive producers from TNT’s The Last Ship treated fans to an exclusive new trailer at WonderCon this weekend and unveiled key art for the upcoming second season. The show was basic cable’s #1 new series last year and TNT is hoping for a strong repeat with the new season as well.

Based on William Brinkley’s novel, The Last Ship chronicles the aftermath of a global catastrophe that nearly wipes out the world’s population. Captain Tom Chandler’s (Eric Dane) Navy destroyer was able to avoid the disaster, potentially making Chandler and his crew among the last humans on earth. In its first season, the show reached an average of 14.5 million viewers across all platforms.

At WonderCon, cast members Rhona Mitra, Adam Baldwin, Travis Van Winkle, Charles Parnell, Christina Elmore, John Pyper Ferguson, and Jocko Sims filled out the panel with executive producers and showrunners Hank Steinberg and Steven Kane and fellow EP, Jack Bender.

The Last Ship will begin its second season on Sunday, June 21, with a two-hour premiere at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

The Flickcast 283: Yet Another New Episode

Posted on April 1, 2015

Another week and another new episode of The Flickcast. Sorry for the generic title but we’re busy in Austin, TX (well at least Chris is) and didn’t have time to come up with anything clever this week. Next week for sure, though. Promise.

On this week’s episode, Chris and Joe discuss and debate a whole bunch of stuff that we could tell you about, but won’t. Sometimes, like now, it’s best just to let yourself be surprised. And it’s not even your birthday. You’re welcome.

Picks this week include Chris’ pick of the Starz series Black Sails and Joe’s pick of the movie Source Code.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship, or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+ or via email.

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The Flickcast 282: Why So Serious?

Posted on March 25, 2015

Another week and another new episode of The Flickcast. How do we keep it going? We just love doing the show, that’s all. We do it for the love.

On this week’s episode, Chris and Joe discuss and debate the new Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation trailer, the merits of self-aware computers, William Shatner’s birthday, the alternate ending of Interstellar, the Transporter reboot, the nature of art, the controversy over a Batgirl comic book cover and a whole lot more. It’s a big episode full of controversy, so be prepared!

Picks this week include Chris’ pick of the latest Punisher comic from Marvel and Joe’s pick of the Flash TV series on the CW.

As always, if you have comments, questions, critiques, offers of sponsorship, or whatever, feel free to hit us up in the comments, on Twitter, at Facebook, Google+ or via email.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | TuneIn | RSS

Movie Review: ‘The Gunman’

Posted on March 25, 2015

Sean Penn is a sniper working for a mercenary group in Africa. He assassinates a government official and must go into hiding, leaving behind his girlfriend (Jasmine Trinca) to be scooped up by fellow merc Javier Bardem. Years later, he’s back in Africa under a different name working for a humanitarian organization when a handful of assassins try to take him down. He investigates the source, meets up with the shady fellows from his past, and tries to reconnect with his former love.

This isn’t anything new – it’s okay action, your standard plot, lots of buffed-up Sean Penn showing he’s a killer who cares, and exotic locations. There’s little humor, not much suspense, a non-sequitur role for Bardem, but there’s also not much of a ham-fisted political message either. Nor is it on the level of director Pierre Morel’s earlier film Taken; it’s a hardy helping of American-cheese slices on semi-stale crackers – not an extravagant hors d’oeuvres, the cheese could be better, even generic sharp cheddar, and the crackers aren’t buttered, but it’s not spray cheese and wafers either. As a light snack before the real action movies arrive in a few months, it’s palatable.

New ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Ascendance’ DLC Trailer Arrives

Posted on March 24, 2015

As reliable as the turning of the earth, you can always count on DLC packs for games to come along and kick things up a notch (or two). In this case we’re talking about the latest DLC for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

The new DLC, called Ascendance, is the second DLC pack for COD:AW. It includes four Multiplayer maps, the OHM Multiplayer hybrid weapon and weapon variant, a new Exo Grapple playlist, as well as Exo Zombies Infection, part two of the Exo Zombies co-op experience. Yep, zombies.

Why are you not downloading this already? Well, sadly, you have to wait until March 31. But then, it is so on!

Check out the trailer afte the break.

Hey Gang, Here’s a New ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ TV Spot

Posted on March 19, 2015

What more can be said? The upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron looks amazing. We can’t wait for it to arrive. Until then, we keep getting cool trailers and more to keep everyone interested until the release.

As if that was needed at all. However, Marvel keeps releasing new promos, so we will keep bringing them to you. This time around it’s a new TV spot featuring the whole gang and a whole lot of action.

Pay particular attention to what Captain America can do with a motorcycle, other than just looking cool while riding it. You’ll enjoy it.

Check out the new spot after the break. Look for Avengers: Age of Ultron to hit theaters on May 1.