Hosted by Justin Kozisek, Arnie Carvalho, and Stuart Atkinson
The fly-kicking Lee Brothers were quick to mimic Mario’s leap from coin-ops and cartoons to a live-action feature film… and just as quick to fail. The 1994 action flick Double Dragon finds video game heroes Billy Lee (Party of Five heartthrob Scott Wolf) and Jimmy Lee (martial artist Mark Dacascos) scouring post-apocalyptic LA for the second half of a magic medallion. Will Justin, Arnie, and Stuart find their battle with Robert “T-1000” Patrick less tortuous than a repeated knee to the face? Listen now and find out.
This morning Toys ‘R’ Us announced their plans to close several of their stores. Other stores will become combined Toys ‘R’ Us/Babies ‘R’ Us locations.
Per court documents filed, the company may close as many as 182 stores as part of its bankruptcy reorganization process. That would be up to 20% of Toys ‘R’ Us’s US stores.
The full release from Toys ‘R’ Us’s CEO Dave Brandon is below.
I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of Toys”R”Us. As you may be aware, we launched a financial restructuring of our business last fall. As we begin the new year, I want to provide an update on our progress to date, as well as our plans for the future.
Our primary focus is on reimagining our business with you in mind. We want to make it easier for you to shop with us, whether online or in our stores. This past season, we were successful in accomplishing this objective for millions of customers. However, there were also far too many transactions where this wasn’t the case – due to our operational missteps. As the leader of this company, I want you to know that we can and will address the gaps in the experience that you may have had when shopping this holiday. My team is already hard at work to make the improvements necessary to ensure that we have the products you want, when, where and how you want them.
In addition to convenience, we also recognize that you want fair and competitive prices and it is our job to deliver on that expectation. We recently relaunched our price match program to give you greater confidence when buying from us, and in 2018 we are taking additional steps to ensure that we provide greater overall value to you and your family. We will do this through compelling promotions and by providing an improved loyalty program and a more personalized way of communicating with you – in email, online and social media.
The reinvention of our brands requires that we make tough decisions about our priorities and focus. To that end and following a top-to-bottom assessment of our business, we have decided to close a number of our U.S. stores. We also intend to convert a number of locations into co-branded Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores. The actions we are taking are necessary to give us the best chance to emerge from our bankruptcy proceedings as a more viable and competitive company that will provide the level of service and experience you should expect from a market leader.
We estimate store closing sales to begin in early February with the majority of locations closing in mid-April 2018. During this time, we welcome you to take full advantage of the deep discounts and deals available.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
We are open for business and ready to serve you. We will continue to operate stores in all major markets across the U.S. and around the world. And as always, you can also continue to shop online at www.toysrus.com and www.babiesrus.com.
We are honoring customer programs. Our customer, registry, credit, warranty and loyalty programs will continue as normal. We will continue to sell and accept gift cards as always.
While our store roster may be getting smaller, what is not changing is our desire or commitment to serving you. For the past 70 years, we have worked hard to earn your business and look forward to being champions of play and a best friend to parents everywhere for decades to come.
Thank you for your support and for choosing to shop with us.
No matter how far you run, the past will always catch up to you.
That is the tagline for Children of the Corn: Runaway — and the same could be said for this franchise.
Stephen King’s eponymous short story, originally published in a 1977 issue of Penthouse magazine, has now spawned ten movies–the first starring Linda Hamilton in 1984. The previous installment, Children of the Corn: Genesis was released by Dimension Films in 2011. Now it’s harvest time once more.
Children of the Corn: Runaway tells the story of young, pregnant Ruth, who escapes a murderous child cult in a small Midwestern town. She spends the next decade living anonymously in an attempt to spare her son the horrors that she experienced as a child. Ruth and her son end up in a small Oklahoma town, but something is following her. Now, she must confront this evil or lose her child.
The film is directed by John Gulager (Piranha 3DD, Feast) and written by Joel Soisson (Children of the Corn: Genesis, Dracula 2000Hellraiser: Judgment). It stars Marci Miller, Lynn Andrews, Mary Kathryn Bryant, and Jake Ryan Scott. (Bryant is also in Dimensions’ upcoming ).
The movie will be on VOD, DVD, and Blu-Ray March 13th. The Blu-Ray is priced at $21.99; the DVD at $19.98. All formats have only one special feature: a deleted scene
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Stuart Atkinson, and Justin Kozisek.
Pixelated plumbers Mario and Luigi spent a decade warping through various video games, cartoons, and comic books before finally arriving on the big screen as Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo in the 1993 live action adventure Super Mario Bros. Hosts Justin, Stuart, and Arnie dredge up this moldy oldie to assess whether Hollywood’s first attempt at adapting an arcade hit deserved to Bob-omb so badly. Devolve your lizard brain and listen to this super show now.
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Stuart Atkinson, and Marjorie Carvalho
The Creeper is changing his tune. “I Want To Hold Your Hand” might be a more appropriate theme song for the amputated monster as he circles back to the farmland where he lost a limb 23 years before, and tries to stop Meg Foster and a posse of orphaned vigilantes from finding his weak spot. But are Marjorie, Arnie, and Stuart more inclined to give the predator the finger for this final chapter of the Jeepers Creepers trilogy? Donate today and find out how well this long-delayed Victor Salva effort flies.
Per a Bloomberg article, Star Wars toy sales are down. Specifically adult collectors are still buying (but, judging by some “fan” sites, they’re complaining the entire time they shop); however, kids have less interest in the Star Wars toys.
The article states: “While ‘Star Wars’ was still the top-selling toy line during the nine-week holiday period, sales fell from 2016 and the brand lost its No. 1 position for the year…This was despite “Last Jedi” being the top-grossing film released in the U.S. last year “
The most telling quotes? “Adult collectors, who grew up with the brand, are still buying a lot of merchandise when the toys come out, but demand dies down afterward… That doesn’t bode well for Hasbro, which has the main “Star Wars” toy partnership, or Jakks Pacific Inc., which has a secondary license. ”
What do you think? Is the problem fatigue? Is a new movie per year too much? Is it the types of toys offered? Why do YOU think sales are down? Let us know in the comments!
In the tenth HELLRAISER film a new actor gets nailed with the starring role — Paul T. Taylor. In this video Taylor discusses his acting past, how he got the role, how the production went, and his hopes on how the new HELLRAISER: JUDGMENT is judged by fans!
Join Arnie and Paul now in this spoiler-free behind-the-scenes look at this upcoming Hellraiser film!
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Stuart Atkinson, and Justin Kozisek
The Now Playing Arcade is now open! Justin, Stuart, and Arnie are reviewing every movie based on a video game in a new retrospective that kicks off with The King Of Kong. Is this 2006 documentary about the heyday of coin-op machines (and the geeks who never stopped playing them) worth your quarters? Listen now and find out!
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Stuart Atkinson, and Justin Kozisek
Justin, Stuart, and Arnie have video games on the brain in 2018, starting with the 1989 family film The Wizard. Future rocker Jenny Lewis convinces TV star Fred Savage that his special needs half-brother Jimmy has the Nintendo skills to pay their bills. The trio hit the open road, hustling gamers in every arcade from Utah to Los Angeles. But will Jimmy get played by a bully in a Power Glove when he enters a high-stakes Super Mario 3 contest? Sign up todayto be a Now Playing Patron and find out!
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Stuart Atkinson, and Marjorie Carvalho
Fans of The Creeper didn’t have to wait 23 years to see the monster renew his hunt for body parts on the big screen. Jeepers Creepers 2 was quick to put a brokedown bus full of high school jocks and cheerleaders on the menu. But did the beast bite off more than it could chew when it snatched the son of psycho farmer Ray Wise? Donate Today to find out how Arnie, Marjorie, and Stuart see this sequel.
The 4k Blu-ray release will include HDR as well as Dolby Atmos audio.
The movie will also be part of the digital “Movies Anywhere” program where a digital copy purchased at a participating digital retailer will be available through all of the following platforms: Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes and Vudu
In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – and grapple with his silver-tongued adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the fierce warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and the eccentric Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum).
Fans who bring home the Ultimate Cinematic Universe Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital) of “Thor: Ragnarok” will experience all the thunderous action and lightning-fast wit in stunning 4K Ultra HD with next-generation high dynamic range (HDR) visuals and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features include deleted scenes; hilarious outtakes; an exclusive short: part three of the mockumentary “Team Thor,” retitled “Team Darryl” and featuring an eccentric new roommate; the evolution of MCU’s heroes culminating in “Avengers: Infinity War;” numerous making-of featurettes which explore the unique vision of director Taika Waititi; the story’s unstoppable women; the effortlessly charismatic Korg; the tyrannical leader of Sakaar, the Grandmaster; and the film’s comic-book origins; audio commentary by Waititi; and more.
Bonus features may vary by retailer, but there are disc and digital exclusive videos:
Blu-ray:
Director’s Introduction
Deleted/Extended Scenes – Deleted Scenes: The Sorcerer Supreme, Skurge Finds Heimdall & Hulk Chases Thor Through Sakaar and Extended Scenes: Thor Meets the Grandmaster, Stupid Avenger vs. Tiny Avenger & Grandmaster and Topaz
Gag Reel – Watch a collection of goofs, gaffes and pratfalls starring the cast
Exclusive Short/Team Darryl – Fresh off being unseated as the ruler of Sakaar, the Grandmaster makes his way to Earth to start a new life. It’s been over a year since Thor left Australia and Darryl has been struggling to pay his rent. Now Darryl needs a new roommate to help make the monthly payments. Unfortunately for Darryl, the Grandmaster was the only one who answered Darryl’s “Roommate Needed” ad and with no viable options, the Grandmaster moves in.
Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years – The Evolution of Heroes – Marvel’s universe is vast and transcends both time and space. We’ll examine the Cinematic Universe as a whole and revisit each of our heroes’ current location and their place in the current MCU timeline, as it all leads up to the one culminating event: “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor – “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi has brought his unique sensibility and sense of humor to the film in a great many ways but it is the evolution of Thor’s own sense of humor, which stands out the most in the new film. This piece explores the impact Chris Hemsworth has made on the development of his widely-loved character and celebrates the mighty cast and crew who reveal the fun and hard work that went into assembling Thor’s eccentric counterparts.
Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie – This piece explores the strong female characters in “Thor: Ragnarok,” their importance in the MCU, their incredible casting and their epic comic origins.
Finding Korg – A tongue-in-cheek interview with Taika on casting Korg. He describes the difficult search for just the right evolution of the character design, and the nuances of this instantly classic character in the MCU. This conversation will also delve into all the extraordinary visual effects that brought Korg, Sakaar and the worlds of “Thor: Ragnarok” to life.
Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown – Sakaar is the collection point for all lost and unloved things. This documentary will answer all known and unknown questions while also exploring the hard work and creativity that went into creating the look and feel of Sakaar. From design inspired by Jack Kirby’s classic artwork to the dedication of the visual development team to the awe-inspiring physical and digital production, you will see this distant world come alive.
Journey into Mystery – A deep dive story piece with the writers, director and producer Kevin Feige about the inspirations for “Thor: Ragnarok” within the comics. Most notably, the contest of champions limited series where the Grandmaster pitted our favorite heroes against one another as he does in the film. This piece also further explores Thor’s comic book origins and classic arcs through interviews with some of the most important comic creators, such as Walt Simonson and Jack Kirby.
8bit Scenes – Final Bridge Battle + Sakaar Spaceship Battle. Dive into these climactic sequences presented in retro video-game format.
Directors Commentary
Digital Exclusives:
Evolution of Thor and Hulk’s Bromance – We’ll examine this Super Hero friendship, which has spanned through several Marvel films. From their original Helicarrier fight match to the now iconic Hulk punch from Avengers 1, see how Marvel’s most powerful Super Heroes become the most extraordinary Super Hero buddies.
Additional Deleted Scenes – Travel to Asgard & Race To The Wormhole
DISC SPECIFICATIONS (applies to film content only):
Product SKUs: Cinematic Universe Edition (4K UHD+Blu-ray+Digital),Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray+DVD+Digital), Digital HD/SD/4K UHD, DVD and On-Demand
Feature Run Time: Approximately 130 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio:
UHD BD: English Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, English & Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus, French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray: English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD: English, Spanish & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Digital UHD: English Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Digital HD: English & French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital
Languages/Subtitles: UHD BD: English SDH, Spanish, French Canadian
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Marjorie Carvalho, and Stuart Atkinson
Before elderly psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) faced her mortality battling “Veilhead” in Insidious, she had to confront literal and figurative skeletons in her family closet. New prequel The Last Key shows the Spectral Sightings team going back to Elise’s childhood home and taking on “Keyface”, a demon who locks up your vocal cords and preys on your most violent thoughts. But can he silence criticisms that Arnie, Marjorie, and Stuart previously voiced about this franchise, and deliver an electrifying fourth chapter? Listen now and find out!
Lionsgate continues to breathe life into seemingly dead franchises. First Day of the Dead: Bloodline, now they bring us the first footage from Hellraiser: Judgment.
This new direct-to-video Hellraiser was filmed in 2016 but only recently completed post-production. It was written and directed by Gary J. Tunnicliffe, writer of Hellraiser: Revelations and make-up designer on the Hellraiser series since 1992’s Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Tunnicliffe had previously directed (and starred in) a Hellraiser “fan film” No More Souls which was included in Arrow Video’s recent box set (and can be seen on YouTube).
Hellraiser: Judgment appears to be based on Tunnicliffe’s existing Judgment script, which only reached 4% of its crowdfunding goal. Like Hellworld and Deader before it, this is (at least) the third Hellraiser film to be made from previously Pinhead-less ideas.
Judgment’s official synopsis is: “The dreaded Pinhead returns inthe next terrifying chapter of theclassic Hellraiser series.Three detectives trying to stop adiabolical serial killer are suckedinto a maze of otherworldly horror,where hellish denizens includingthe Auditor, the Assessor, and theJury await to pass judgment.”
Starring in the film is Randy Wayne (The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning) as David Carter, Damon Carney (“Jackson’s Henchman” in Logan) as Sean Carter, Rheagan Wallace (Malcolm in the Middle) as Allison Carter, and Paul T. Taylor (Super, Sin City) as Pinhead. Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare) is on board in the cameo role of “Landlady.” The movie is scheduled for release on DVD, Blu-ray, and Video on Demand February 13th. You can pre-order it now on Amazon.
The Blu-Ray, Digital HD, and DVD with all include bonus features of Deleted & Extended Scenes and a Gag Reel.
Lionsgate has announced their new Day of the Dead: Bloodline will be released on DVD and Blu-ray February 6.
The film is described as a “terrifying retelling of George A. Romero’s zombie horror classic” starring Jonathon Schaech (Prom Night, Ray Donovan) and Sophie Skelton (Another Mother’s Son, Outlander). Romero’s Day of the Dead was previously remade in a 2008 film starring Mena Suvari and Ving Rhames.
Bloodline is currently available for rent through Video on Demand. On February 6 it will be available to own on VOD as well as on physical media.
All versions of the movie will come with the featurette: Day of the Dead: Bloodline: Reviving Horror. The Blu-ray will be 1080p with 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio.
You can see the trailer for the new Romero Remake below–and Now Playing Podcast’s review will be coming in February! Stay tuned…
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Marjorie Carvalho, and Stuart Atkinson
Arnie, Marjorie, and Stuart have caught the scent of a new horror icon… The Creeper! And Jeepers, the lengths this supernatural scavenger will go to get some new eyes! Will road-tripping siblings Justin Long and Gina Phillips stay ahead of the monster truck driver and avoid a psychic’s dire vision of their future? And can the podcasters overlook the controversy that plagues writer-director Victor Salva? Donate Today and find out!
Hosted by Arnie Carvalho, Marjorie Carvalho, Daryl Whitlow, Andrew Harrison, Justin Kozisek, Curtis Stevenson, Steve Nixon, and Chris.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi has earned a billion dollars, is loved by critics, but also seems to divide fans online. Now the Star Wars Action News team comes together to give their reviews–and they’re divided as well. Join them to find out where the common ground lies, and their excitement for Solo in this new Star Wars Action News podcast!