Did Tom Welling Just Tease His Next Film Project?

July 9, 2017July 9, 2017 / Daryn Kirscht / 2 Comments

Some might remember Tom Welling as Charlie Baker from the Steve Martin-led film, Cheaper By the Dozen, but most probably remember Welling’s portrayal of Clark Kent / Superman from the hit WB and CW series, Smallville. After the show’s 10-season run ended in 2011, he has only appeared in a handful of projects, including Parkland, Draft Day, and The Choice.
After The Choice debuted in February 2016, things have been mostly silent for Welling minus his St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital t-shirt campaign. He hasn’t been announced to be involved with any other projects for the past 17 months, but now we may have an indication of a new project he may appear in – with Welling’s Instagram as the direct source.
On July 7th, Welling posted the following picture onto Instagram (which has been screenshotted from an iPhone).

As you can see, he wrote “Back on set,” which is obviously a strong indication that he is filming something, but there is always a chance he might not be. As for what that project could be, your guess is as good as mine. I’m just happy that he might be involved with a new project. Let’s hope this is the beginning of his true comeback; he’s too talented of an actor not to.
Update: It has been brought to my attention that this picture is actually about Welling promoting Saddle Club with his girlfriend, Jessica Rose Lee. Sorry for the misinterpretation. It looks like we will have to wait longer to hear about any other potential projects.

Potential Justice League Storylines

June 14, 2016June 15, 2016 / Daryn Kirscht / 1 Comment

WARNING: There will be spoilers below for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. If you haven’t seen the film yet and don’t want to have it ruined, come back after you’ve seen it. If you haven’t seen it and don’t care about seeing major plot points, then that’s fine, too, I suppose!

Ever since the ballsy ending to BvS, there has been much controversy. It isn’t just about the ending, but that the ending was so unexpected and somber. Well, I guess it shouldn’t be shocking for comic-book fans. One of the highest-selling graphic novels of all-time was called The Death of Superman, in which Doomsday and Superman both die, but then some other events happen (discussed below).

Anyway, here are my theories for possible Justice League storylines.

#1: Injustice: Gods Among Us

This is most likely going to be a part of the film. It all depends on how much. Essentially, the Injustice storyline is based off of the Joker killing a pregnant Lois Lane, and Superman decides to exercise power in order to end all crime. Batman initially disapproves with Superman, but tensions skyrocket when Superman kills the Joker.

Also, in the comics, there has been war-like tension between Aquaman’s home down in Atlantis, and Wonder Woman’s humble abode in the Amazon. Batman v Superman writer Chris Terrio was also quoted saying he has done a lot of research for both of these heroes’ homes.

#2: Batman and Wonder Woman – Action/Adventure

We learned that Batman and Wonder Woman are going to find the other metahumans discovered in the e-mail file and form a group to serve up some justice. My theory is that they go around to each hero’s city and find them in an effort to help combat the threat Lex warned Bruce of (and the Flash cameo earlier). Maybe things are put into motion a little quicker by a new threat? Is it Superman? Is it the Amazon/Atlantis war? Brainiac? Darkseid?

#3: JL War

This animated movie from 2014 shows a plethora of superheroes eventually coming together to stop the evil force of Darkseid. To make this clear, Darkseid is very similar to Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Darkseid was created FIRST in the comics. This movie shows the origin of Cyborg and Shazam, as well as seeing great banter between Green Lantern, Flash, Batman, and Superman before taking on Darkseid.

There were many hints to this storyline in BvS. The box that helped create Cyborg (also seen in the deleted scene on YouTube titled “Communion”) is called a motherbox, or the “iPhones” of Darkseid’s home planet named Apocalypse. Also, Darkseid turns Superman evil for a small period of time, which was hinted at in a couple scenes of BvS. Could we see the Justice League teaming up to stop Steppenwolf (Darkseid’s army general in the picture above) from gathering all three motherboxes?

#4: The Death of Superman continuation

Obviously this was a part of the final act of BvS. This comic book (and eventually animated movie) is one of the most iconic of all-time.

In the story, Superman and Doomsday kill each other after a long, hard-fought battle in Metropolis, but Lex takes advantage of this. He made an evil clone of Superman, which the real Superman had to fight against when he came back from the dead by way of his Kryptonian technology. The best part: he came back with an awesome black and chrome suit.

#5: Crisis on Infinite Earths

This might be a stretch, but it’s possible. There was a part of the storyline that snuck into BvS. In the storyline, Flash goes back in time (or onto a different Earth for sweaties out there) to warn Batman of the future and that the world is dying.

In BvS, Flash arrives through a time portal to tell Bruce: “You were right about him,” and “It’s Lois, Lane Lane! She’s the key!” Although this is more likely to be be a part of either the Flash solo movie in 2018 to bring together the movie and television universe, I think DC wants to keep their TV-shows separate from their movies – especially after that Season 2 finale of The Flash television show.

The Verdict

Which one of these options is most likely? Well, probably a little bit of every option, but no one really knows. That’s a lie – Zack Snyder, Warner Bros, and the cast of Justice League already know. I’m just extremely enthralled and pumped for a live-action Justice League movie! What do you think will happen in the upcoming DC movies? Let me know!

Should you buy the Ultimate Edition of BvS?

May 29, 2016 / Daryn Kirscht / 2 Comments

In 2013 at the San Diego Comic-Con, Hall-H was filled with approximately 6,500 screaming fans dressed in costumes of their favorite heroes and villains. Warner Brothers had a surprise panel that saw Man of Steel director Zack Snyder walk across the stage and eventually announce (with the help of Harry Lennix) that the sequel would be Batman v Superman. Pretty crazy, right?

Fast forward to March 2016. Your local theater played the theatrical cut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (PG-13), and nationally garnered very mixed reactions and reviews from fans and critics alike. Overall, it has made quite the haul ($860 million worldwide), and has set up a great DC Universe for the big-screen for years to come.

What some people don’t know is that the DVD/Blu-Ray release of the movie in July will have an extended edition with an ADDITIONAL 30 MINUTES of deleted scenes not shown in the theatrical version – putting the film’s runtime at 3 hours and 1 minute. Plus, the ultimate edition will have OVER 2 HOURS of behind-the-scenes footage. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention – it’s rated R (sequences of violence).

That begs the question: should YOU buy the extended/ultimate edition of BvS? Well, it depends if you want to see the movie the filmmakers wanted you to see in the first place. Only mere months before entering movie theaters, the studio and Snyder decided to cut the film down in order to make more money and not detract fans that don’t want to sit through 3 hours of a movie without peeing and missing anything.

I’ve already pre-ordered it online, and I’m fascinated by the scenes that are mentioned to be in it. I think it will make the movie better. It should (hopefully) fill in some of the plot holes that critics had problems with and flesh-out the characters and their motivations more. It will also give a hint as for what’s to come in the future movies – like the roles of Jena Malone and Dan Amboyer (which I may already know).

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. I’m actually more surprised we didn’t get one with Man of Steel since Zack Snyder is so good at director’s cuts/extended editions. His director’s cut of Watchmen (another R-rated superhero movie from 2009) has actually been received much better than the original theatrical cut.

If you’re a fan of masterful soundtracks, solid villains, spectacular action and visuals, and thought-provoking subject matter that isn’t just for kids, then you will love this ultimate edition of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It has possibly the best on-screen Batman, the greatest, most powerful hero of all-time in Superman, and not to forget an incredible Wonder Woman too! At the very least, it’s an entertaining watch. Thanks for reading!

Reasons to See Batman v Superman

March 4, 2016 / Daryn Kirscht / Leave a comment

Prelude

2016 is a year full of action-packed superhero films, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is not only one of the most anticipated movies this year, but of all-time. Visionary director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) helms this film three years after the events in Man of Steel. BvS is now a cultural phenomenon, and the kind of movie that people usually seem to either love or hate. I won’t spoil it, but instead provide insight as to why this movie will be worth your time and money.

The Terrific Ensemble Cast

The movie has a large, talented cast of actors that grant this film unprecedented credibility. Gal Gadot (Fast and Furious 6) adds the first big-screen portrayal of the most iconic female superheroine, Wonder Woman (who is getting her own movie next year). Meanwhile, Ben Affleck (The Town, Gone Girl) takes on a The Dark Knight Returns / Batman: The Animated Series version of the caped crusader, with Henry Cavill reprising his role as Clark Kent/Superman.

The much debated Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) is locked-in as the film’s main antagonist, billionaire Lex Luthor. He is publicly adored after helping rebuild Metropolis – while showcasing clear hatred for Superman as the end of human achievement. Other notable actors in the film include Jeremy Irons (The Lion King), Lauren Cohan (The Walking Dead), Callan Mulvey (300: Rise of an Empire), Amy Adams (American Hustle), Holly Hunter (The Incredibles), Scoot McNairy (Non-Stop), and an appearance by former Green Bay Packer halfback Ahman Green.

Brawling on the Big Screen

For the majority of this movie, we’ll see the two titans facing off. Many initially wondered why they are fighting each other. Batman sees Superman as an alien threat to mankind after the destructive battle in Metropolis during Man of Steel, and blames Superman. On the other hand, Superman sees Batman as a brutal vigilante – stating, “[Batman] thinks he’s above the law.” In essence, they are two sides of the same coin. Affleck recently stated in Empire Magazine, “Rather than just ‘Alien v Predator,’ where you have two monsters and they’re going to fight, you have two people who really, truly believe they are doing something heroic and necessary in their conflict.” Both the comic-con trailer and the final official trailer indicate this brawl (among other action sequences) will be a spectacle for the ages.

Soundtrack

Returning to compose the epic score is the collaboration of Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight) and Junkie XL (Mad Max: Fury Road, Deadpool). They both masterfully composed Man of Steel, and while Zimmer is doing most of the soundtrack again, Junkie XL will be taking on the new Batman theme. Four officially released 90-second samples can be found on YouTube and SoundCloud from their production company, WaterTower Music. Rumor also has it they will score the Zack Snyder directed Justice League: Part I due out in late 2017.

The Crew Behind the Cameras

BvS reunites Affleck with the film’s new writer, Chris Terrio, as they worked together closely on the critically-acclaimed film Argo, winning Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2013 Oscars. Terrio’s writing has been endlessly praised, especially for intellectual ideology, and most notably by Jesse Eisenberg, “[Terrio is] addressing geopolitics in this movie and not in a way that’s pretentious and esoteric.” Jeremy Irons has also been quoted saying the film, “[H]as an amazing screenplay. It’s a blockbuster written from the heart.” BvS is going to exude a dark, grounded tone while still embracing the lighter comic-book side of the mythology – delivering improved humor, characterization, and dialogue.

Dawn of the Justice League

At the end of the day, while Batman and Superman will be adversaries in this film, they can’t remain enemies forever. As the subtitle hints, there’s always a chance we might see other DC Comics superheroes (or villains) briefly appear. Ezra Miller (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Broadway actor Ray Fisher, and Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones) are destined for heroic cameos in the film, and in the case of a Doomsday scenario, perhaps a few cameos could help protect the people of Earth.

Final Thoughts

On Easter weekend, March 25, this huge Warner Brothers DC film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, will be remembered for decades, and in the best way possible.

My Top 5 Films of All-Time (and some Honorable Mentions)

June 10, 2015June 10, 2015 / Daryn Kirscht / Leave a comment

When it comes to the best movie ever, how on Earth can we decide on just one movie? There are so many good movies out there, especially now that we are in an age where special effects, known as CGI, can really boost (or bust) a film’s quality. After all, who doesn’t love seeing explosions, or flying with Superman? As much as I like that, I think the combination of great acting, script, and director is what really makes a movie great. Go look at the top movies IMDB has on their website. Pretty much all of them have all the things I previously mentioned. The following is a list of my favorites in order from bottom to top, so that way the best is saved for last, plus I’ll add a few that I’m really excited for in the future. But first, I feel as though I should list some honorable mentions. There were so many others I wanted to add, but if I chose that route I would end up with a book, so I’ll have it remain a short list. Keep in mind that these are films that I have seen before – I know there might be some others out there that might top one or two on my list, but I’m working on seeing them! Without further ado, here are my honorable mentions!

Honorable Mentions

Captain Phillips (2013)

Captain Phillips really took me by surprise when I watched it for the first time. It was so intense! This movie really keeps you in suspense the entire time, Tom Hanks does a wonderful job as always in the lead role, and I promise you this movie is not a waste of your time! It is also based on a true story. Kevin Spacey is a notable producer for this film that was directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum) which delves into the horrible ship hijacking that these poor African kids are forced into doing, and tells the story of how perseverance, wisdom, and heart kept Rich Phillips alive.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

12 Years a Slave was another movie that made me feel sad and depressed throughout its entirety, and I loved it for that reason! The story unfolds with Solomon Northup, a free black man in New York, was kidnapped and forced into slavery down South. With twists and turns throughout the film, fantastic acting by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong’o, as well as producer Brad Pitt and directed by Steve McQueen (Shame) won Best Picture at the 2014 Oscars. Trust me, this movie didn’t win that award for no reason. Grab a kleenex or two and enjoy a masterpiece, also based on a true story.

Argo (2012)

Argo was really close to cracking my top five list. I almost want to go change it quick, but I figure if I do critics will slam me for showing too much favoritism for one of my favorite actor/directors, Ben Affleck, so I’ll just keep it among my honorable mentions. This is a really wonderful film, and won the 2013 Oscar’s Best Picture Award very deservingly so. The synopsis starts with a US Embassy in Iran being overtaken and how six members snuck away without being captured. They were safe at a Canadian-owned house there, but not for long. Then, CIA agent Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) puts together a fake film crew to go scout for locations to shoot a fake movie, while safely bringing the civilians back home (also based on the inspirationally-true story). This film has a star-studded cast in Ben Affleck (director/lead role), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), John Goodman (Monsters Inc), and screenplay by Chris Terrio, who re-wrote the script for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice from David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight trilogy), but we’ll get to that later. Overall it is a great movie, and I highly recommend it.

Star Wars trilogy (Episodes IV, V, VI)

I couldn’t decide between all three of the original George Lucas films, so I’m putting them all together collectively as a whole. Each movie gets better and continuously throws you for a loop, keeping you in the action despite being in a galaxy far, far away. The voice of James Earl Jones as Darth Vader, the progression of a hero in Mark Hamill portraying Luke Skywalker, and the kick-ass nature of Harrison Ford as Han Solo really drive the story forward. How about those special effects for being in the ’70s and ’80s? These are some of the most successful and critically-acclaimed films ever, check them out!

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie that takes you into the life of the young man Chris Gardner (Will Smth) struggling in life so far, and trying his very best to to improve not only his life, but providing the best care for his son. They are posed with some tough challenges, like Gardner’s job at a prestigious company doesn’t pay since it’s an intern job, where only one person will be hired for the position. A great storyline and some fantastic acting by Will Smith really delves deep into a theme of making the most out of life, and creating the best life for your family.

Man of Steel (2013)

Of all the films that are going to be mentioned, this one is my personal favorite. While it isn’t perfect, it’s one of the best superhero movies ever to hit the big screen. An origin story that’s directed by Zack Snyder (300), produced by Christopher Nolan (Interstellar) and written by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight) really puts Superman into a realistic world where he is an outcast because he is different. When he finally discovers where he is from, General Zod (Michael Shannon) and company show up to take Kal-El back, or else Earth will suffer the consequences. What happens next is for you to watch and discuss. An excellent cast, starring Henry Cavill (Immortals), Amy Adams (American Hustle), Russel Crowe (Gladiator, Noah), Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix), Diane Lane (Unfaithful, Hollywoodland), and Kevin Costner (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Field of Dreams), along with intense storytelling really enhance its credibility. Did I forget to mention how visually stunning it is? It’s worth a watch, no matter what you think of the ending, I guarantee it!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The second installment of the Captain America franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe really hits a home-run here. In my humble opinion, it’s the best Marvel movie ever produced, surpassing The Avengers, and especially its sequel, Avengers: Age of Ultron. As IMDB states, “As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with another super soldier: the black widow, to battle a new threat from an old history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.” This film is directed by the Russo brothers and stars Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), and Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers). A big improvement story-wise over the first movie, and includes a few small tid-bits from other Avengers that add a nice touch of comedy to it. Like I said, it’s the best Marvel movie yet!

Top 5 Films of All-Time

Now that we’ve gone through my honorable mentions, which are pretty good films in terms of how they make you feel, and entail quality directing, acting, producing, and scripts. The list that follows is my top five films of all-time, here we go!

#5 – Forrest Gump (1994)

If you haven’t seen Forrest Gump, I highly encourage you to do so as soon as you possibly can. It is considered one of the best critically-acclaimed films ever, and has won six Oscars to prove it. Tom Hanks stars as the title character, who is not the most intelligent man on the planet, yet finds himself at many historic events. This theme of being able to accomplish whatever you want, no matter what circumstances you might face is an uplifting message that really hits home. But don’t leave out Jenny! She is the one woman who seems to get him, and the one woman who he really understands too, but she keeps eluding him. It’s a wonderful story written by Eric Roth (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and reunites Hanks with director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Cast Away).

#4 – The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

This epic movie closes the chapter on the Peter Jackson trilogy, and earned an 8.9 rating on IMDB. It’s also considered one of the best all-round films ever to hit the cinema. The synopsis is as follows: While Frodo and Sam continue to approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, unaware of the path Gollum is leading them on, the former Fellowship aid Rohan and Gondor in a great battle in the Pelennor Fields, Minas Turith, and the Black Gates as Sauron wages his last war against Middle-Earth. Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, and Viggo Mortensen, this fantasy action-packed adventure will leave you stunned. It won 11 Oscars- a great film!

#3 – The Dark Knight (2008)

These next three films can easily be interchanged, but in my #3 spot I have The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Heath Ledger (seen above, Brokeback Mountain), Aaron Eckhart (Battle Los Angeles, Olympus Has Fallen), Michael Caine (Inception, Interstellar), Maggie Gyllenhaal (White House Down), Morgan Freeman (Shawshank Redemption, Se7en), and Gary Oldman (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), the second installment of DC Comics’s biggest moneymaker brings us Christian Bale reprising his role as Batman facing off against the Joker, who is wreaking havoc on Gotham. With many twists and turns at unexpected moments, this film really keeps you on your toes until the credits. Many consider this the film that made comic book movies go mainstream in the world of cinema. Take a ride with Legendary Pictures’s psychological thriller that will leave you wanting more!

#2 – Good Will Hunting (1997)

This independent film from 1997 will capture your soul, and possibly your tears. This film sees the best of Robin Williams, and the beginning of fame for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Matt Damon, playing Will Hunting, is a janitor at M.I.T. and has a really special gift for math. Unfortunately, he has lived a rough life and needs help from a psychologist named Sean Maguire (Robin Williams). Of all the films on this list, this one might have the very best dialogue and characterization. It has a wonderfully-weaved, beautifully-timed dramedy aspect, and throws in some great themes and ideas to think about and let resonate. Good Will Hunting won two Oscars, and was nominated for Best Picture in 1998. Directed by Gus Van Sant, this movie hits it out of the park. Please watch it!

#1 – The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

My number one movie of all-time is The Shawshank Redemption. Have you ever watched a movie for 142 minutes and walk away feeling numb and not knowing what to do for the rest of the day? That was me after watching this 1994 film. It literally tears one’s soul out, put it back in, and tear it out again. The synopsis for this movie is how two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.Words have a tough time describing how Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins (Mystic River) aced their roles in this movie. Fun fact – it’s also Morgan Freeman’s favorite film that he has been a part of. With a big, surprise ending, this one is considered an American masterpiece. It’s a must-watch, hands down.

Films I Still Need to Watch / Most Anticipated

Now I’m going to move onto my next section of movies that I know are regarded as classics in American cinema that I still need to watch. I’m also going to include films that I’m very anxious for to come out in theaters.

The Godfather (1972)