The next chapter of Marvel's INHUMANS continues in IMAX

Marvel Studios has been going strong with their cinematic universe since launch of Iron Man in 2008. From the big screens to home screens, Marvel is not slowing down and continue to expand their presence by developing live-action entertainment from decades of comic book publications. Now get ready for their latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), THE INHUMANS!

Official Synopsis:

Marvel’s INHUMANS explores the never-before-told epic adventure of the Attilan Royal Family led by Black Bolt, the enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city. After the Royal Family of Inhumans is splintered by a military coup, they barely escape to Hawaii where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever. 

King of the Inhumans, Black Bolt played by Anson Mount.

Marvel's INHUMANS is an 8-part television series by Marvel Television & ABC Studios based on the comic book with the same name by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. It stars Anson Mount (Dollhouse) as Black Bolt, Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Maximus, Serinda Swan (Tron:Legacy) as Medusa, Eme Ikwuakor (Hawaii Five-O) as Gorgon, Isabelle Cornish (Home and Away) as Crystal, Ken Leung (Saw) as Karnak, Sonya Balmores (Hawaii Five-O) as Auran and Mike Moh (Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist) as Triton.

Inhumans royalty, Black Bolt (right) with his Queen, Medusa.

This is the first television series to be shot with IMAX cameras with the first 2 episodes being released early to IMAX cinemas. Fortunately for us in Malaysia, TGV Pictures will be bringing us the Pilot episodes for Marvel's Inhumans as they are meant to be seen in IMAX. TGV Cinemas' IMAX screens are located in 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity, Gurney Paragon Mall (Penang), Aeon Tebrau (Johor Bahru), and Vivacity Megamall (Kuching).

Ken Leung as Karnak.

It was announced by Marvel in 2011 that The Inhumans movie was in planning stages as part of Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe scheduled for release in November 2018. However, the film has since been taken off from Marvel's movie roster. Since then The Inhumans have been introduced during the second season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in 2014 as a major story arc in the television series whereby a key member of the principal cast was revealed as an Inhuman.

Daisy Johnson (Chole Bennet) as Inhuman Quake in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD

So who or what are exactly the Inhumans? Well, here's a brief comic book history lesson: Millions of years ago, during the Kree-Skrull War, the Kree race established a base on the planet Uranus, and during that time, they discovered sentient lifeforms on Earth, i.e. Homo Sapiens. They then took some humans for genetic experimentation, creating the Inhumans. After the war ended, the Kree left back to their home world, however, the remaining Inhumans created a society of their own.

The Inhumans in the comics led by Black Bolt (centre).

 

The Inhumans as introduced in Marvel's Agents of SHIELD contains a similar backstory involving the Kree (also seen the Guardians of the Galaxy movies). Here are core characters of the Attilan Royal Family in the MCU:

 

 

Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans. Black Bolt's power is his hypersonic voice. Even a single whisper can destroy a battleship, if he uses his full voice, it can destroy a planet which is why he is always silent to make sure he doesn't hurt the people around him. He communicateS with the help of his wife, Queen Medusa.

 

Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans and Black Bolt's wife. She serves as his interpreter. Her powers is the ability to articulate her hair which may be used like a weapon or protection.

 

Maximus, Black Bolt's younger brother. He holds a grudge towards his brother and wants to be the ruler of the Inhumans. Maximus is highly intelligent and in the comics has psionic powers but mentally unstable, granting him the nickname 'Maximus the Mad'. However it seems initially that Maximus in this live action series does not have powers and therefore forms the basis of disaffection between this brother Black Bolt.

 

Crystal, Medusa's younger sister. She is able to control and manipulate the four elements; Earth, Water, Fire and Air. 

 

Karnak, Black Bolt's cousin and close advisor. In the comics he is not an Inhuman buta skilled martial artist and is able to find any weak point on his enemies. In the TV series he seems to have an Inhuman power to "see the fault in all things".

 

Gorgon, Black Bolt's second cousin. He has hooves as legs and it can create destructive seismic waves with them. He serves as Black Bolt's bodyguard. 

 

Triton, Karnak's brother. He serves as the Inhuman's undercover operative. He has aquatic abilities and is able to breath underwater.

Plus, they have a GIANT pet dog, Lockjaw! And one with powers of its own, teleportation!
'

 

The royal family's teleporting pet dog, Lockjaw.

So far from the synopsis and trailer, it seems that Maximus plots to overthrow his brother for the throne of Attilan. Black Bolt and his allies have no choice but to escape and they teleport to Hawaii, USA. Hence beings "fish out of water" story of an Inhuman family adapting to our world. And will they be able to return to Attilan and regain the throne?

  

Marvel's Inhumans in TGV IMAX Cinemas on 31 August

At the time of this blog post, we do not yet have information on where Marvel's Inhumans will be aired in Malaysia after this movie debut. Stay tuned to your regular pay-TV channels for updates. For now, go watch the pilot of this latest Marvel series at TGV IMAX cinemas from 31^stAugust!
 

We captured some reactions from local Marvel fanboys immediately after screening of the Premiere for Marvel's Inhumans. Here's what they have to say:

Disclaimer: Inhumans, its characters and other trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.

Outpost Recon on YouTube Video now Talks on Geeky Films & TV

Greeting humans!

The Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) is now expanding our intel with video reviews of current geeky pop culture films and TV as well as scouting local events and unboxing collectibles. Our videos are hosted on YouTube under MySciFiFan Outpost and presented by our resident Vulcan cultural observer, Mr. Smock, with Malaysian Raymond Cool and other guests.

Mr Smock from Vulcan on mission here for cultural observations of human pop culture.

Subscribe to us on YouTube for instant notification of new videos or stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter channels under Outpost Productions.

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Movie & TV Reactions: 

Kingsman The Golden Circle

Marvel's The Inhumans (IMAX)

Game of Thrones Season 7 Finale

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TV Series Review: Netflix Marvel's The Defenders

Official Synopsis:

Marvel's The Defenders follows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal - to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.

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Movie Review: Netflix Death Note (2017)

Official Synopsis:

A high school student named, Light Turner, discovers a mysterious notebook that has the power to kill anyone whose name is written within its pages and launches a secret crusade to rid the world of criminals.

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Movie Review: GINTAMA live-action movie (2017)

Official Synopsis:

From beetle hunting to the search for the world’s deadliest sword… Who said life as a yorozuya is easy?

After the aliens, known as the Amanto 天人, invaded and conquered Edo Japan, a ban on swords is enforced and the samurai are treated with disdain. Gintoki Sakata (Shun Oguri 小栗旬), a former samurai once feared as the “White Demon” 白夜叉 in battle, now operates a yorozuya (odd jobs house) with his friends Shinpachi Shimura (Masaki Suda 菅田将晖) and Kagura (Kanna Hashimoto 桥本环奈).

One day, Gintoki receives a job request from a swordsmith to find a cursed sword known as the Benizakura  红樱. During his search, Gintoki traces the cursed sword to a notorious killer, Nizo “The Butcher” Okada (Hirofumi Arai 新井浩文). He discovers that Nizo is affiliated to his old comrade, Shinsuke Takasugi (Tsuyoshi Domoto 堂本刚), who is leading the extremist group Kiheitai (鬼兵队) to plot a coup d'état in the shadows. Will Gintoki and his band of unlikely heroes be able to stop Takasugi and restore peace to their home? 

With over 51 million copies sold in Japan alone, the long-awaited GINTAMA 银魂 live-action adaptation is finally arriving on the big screen. Directed by comic-action specialist Yuichi Fukuda 福田雄一 of the HK FORBIDDEN SUPERHERO series, the film features a star-studded cast that includes Shun Oguri小栗旬, Masaki Suda 菅田将晖 and Kanna Hashimoto 桥本环奈

Here's the Outpost Movie Recon 2 sen review of Gintama:

Gintama is now in showing in selected TGV Cinemas, which is also giving out a free movie poster for every 2 tickets purchased.

Check out TGV Pictures for their upcoming movies.

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Movie Review: The Hitman's Bodyguard

Official Synopsis:

The world's top protection agent is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world's most notorious hit men. The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their journey from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator who is out for blood.

This action comedy film stars Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool, Green Lantern) as bodyguard Michael Bryce and Samuel L Jackson (Avengers, Pulp Fiction) as hitman Darius Kincaid. The film is directed by Patrick Huges (The Expendables 3) and also features Gary Oldman, Elodie Yung, and Salma Hayek.

This movie was reviewed from on the Malaysian Movie Premiere, rated 18+ for presumably violence and profanity. Here's what Mr. Smock and Mr. Raymond had to say:

The Hitman's Bodyguard is now showing in Malaysian cinemas nationwide. Stay tuned to Rainfilm for their upcoming movies.

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Geek Recon:

Star Wars Force Friday II Midnight Launch
Scouted by Vulcan Jedi Smock

Unboxing of Hasbro Star Wars Poe Dameron electronic helmet
Reviewed by Mr Smock with King Yoong of Rebel Legion Malaysia Outpost

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Bookmark this blog as we continue to report on other recon and intel from the Malaysian geeky pop culture scene.

Video reviews up next:

• Star Trek Discovery series from Netflix
• Bladerunner 2049
• Thor Ragnarok
• Justice League

Disclaimer: Opinions by video presenters are their own and not necessarily representative of Outpost Productions.

The Emoji Movie: Thinking of a Career as an Emoji? Watch this Out-of-this-World Animated Film First!

This week from Sony Pictures Animation comes  The Emoji Movie. The studio has certainly served strange animation flicks before such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs in 2009 and its sequel in 2013. It has also blended animation with live-action in The Smurfs, an expected movie hit for 2011. Now The Emoji Movie may the studio's most bizarre animated film yet by presenting emojis as characters on an adventure through the digital world of a smartphone.

Official Synopsis:

The Emoji Movie unlocks the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone. Hidden within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone's user. In this world, each emoji has only one facial expression - except for Gene, an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become "normal" like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5 and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak. Together, they embark on an epic "app-venture" through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it's deleted forever.

The world of emojis inside smartphones.

The Emoji movie features the voice talents of T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Transformers 4) as lead protagonist Gene, a Meh emoji, Anna Faris (recently separated  from Chris Pratt) as Jailbreak, James Corden (The Late Late Show with James Corden) as Hi-5, and Maya Rudolph as Smiler.

Left to right: Gene (T.J. Miller), Hi-5 (James Corden), Jailbreak (Anna Faris)

T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Transformers 4) voices Gene, a Meh emoji with emotional issues.

Left to right: Poop (Sir Patrick Stewart), Smiler (Maya Rudolph)

Top-billed celebrity cameos include pop artist Christina Aguilera as Akiko Glitter, and Sir Patrick Stewart of X-Men / Star Trek renown as Poop (LOL!). In the world of sci-fi geek-dom, it's delightful to see Sir Patrick "loosen-up" in his late career taking on such role which would have been unimaginable of the Shakespearean actor during his days as Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek The Next Generation.

OMG, Sir Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek) is Poop Daddy!

Sir Patrick Stewart interview by Conan about being Poop Daddy.

In the context of being Poop Daddy on The Emoji Movie, our research on Sir Patrick came across this video from his sitcom series Blunt Talk which is particular hilarious in the context of this movie (watch & LOL!):

The Emoji Movie releases in Malaysian cinemas this week on 17 August 2017. Stay tuned to the latest movie updates on the official Facebook Page and website, as well as locally via Facebook for Sony Pictures Malaysia.

T.J. Miller with live emojis at a photocall during Cannes Film Festival. Photo - Reuters.

During a publicity stunt at the Cannes Film Festival in May, lead voice actor T.J. Miller parasailed in for a photocall (a media event to photograph movie features). However, after a safe landing he inadvertantly fell into the sea and thereafter remained soaked for the media event, much like the comedic elements expected in an animated film like The Emoji Movie. Whilst a wet T.J. Miller did not quite catch our attention in the news, it was the assortment of live emoji characters accompanying him during the photocall that really caught our eyes. From the publicity photos, there were at least 8 different Emoji Movie mascots sighted comprising Gene / Meh, Jailbreak, High-5, Cookie, Ice-Cream, Heart, Lips and Pizza, although Poop himself seemed missing. Read more about this Cannes photocall from Reuters.

Meet Gene and Poop here in Malaysia!

Locally we won't be seeing so many live emojis here but we have with good authority that Gene and Poop Daddy himself will be appearing for Meet & Greet sessions with fans at the following locales:

• Wednesday 16 August, 8.30pm @ GSC 1 Utama
• Friday, 18 August, 11.30am @ Sogo KL and 8.30pm @ GSC 1 Utama
• Saturday, 19 August, 3pm @ GSC IOI City Mall and 8.30pm @ GSC Midvalley Megamall
• Sunday, 20 August, 12.30pm @ GSC Midvalley Megamall and 3.30pm @ TGV KLCC
• Saturday, 26 August, 12pm & 3pm @ GSC Sunway Carnival, Seberang Jaya
• Sunday, 27 August, 1pm @ TGV 1 Utama and 4pm & 6pm @ TGV Sunway Velocity

And be careful hugging that Poop because well... you know what that emoji is meant to be!

For movie merchandise collectors, there are a bunch of Emoji Movie toys from McDonald’s® Happy Meals. For 5 weeks starting 3 August until 6 September 2017, two emoji plush characters will be available weekly:

• 3 - 9 August 2017: Gene 1 & Gene 2
• 10 - 16 August 2017: Dice & Jailbreak
• 17 - 23 August 2017: Hi-5 & Cat with Heart Eyes
• 24 - 30 September 2017: Monkey & Stop Sign
• 31 August - 6 September 2017: Frog & Slobbering Puppy

Each emoji comes with 2 expressions on each side of the plush. Grab em fast as per usual only available while stocks last.

Now for quirky fashion aficionados, Giamax has release limited edition handbags and other leather goods featuring The Emoji Movie. These official licensed movie merchandise was promoted at a Handbag Party last Saturday 12 August at Parkson Elite in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Check out photos of the handbags, purses and backpacks below and see what took placed at the Handbag Bag from Giamax's photo album on Facebook.

Limited Edition The Emoji Movie Giamax handbags and leather products.

 

These Giamax limited edition Emoji Movie merchandise is also available now at Sogo Kuala Lumpur at the ground floor Beauty Arcade until 28 August 2017. Make a minimum purchase of RM200 worth of these Giamax products and also take home a free lips emoji cushion.

Plus join Sogo's emoji lookalike contest on Facebook to stand a chance to win 1 of 5 Emoji Movie sling bags. To participate, contestants need to post a collage of 5 photos of  their impressions as emojis with a caption by 28 August 2017. Check full terms and conditions from their Facebook contest post.

Follow Giamax on Facebook for latest news on their Emoji Movie products, including the chance to win handbags every week from their Emoji Movie x Giamax  Facebook Photo Contest. To join, take a photo at their Photo Booth backdrop as selected retail locations then post to Facebook with the hashtags #giamaxemojimovie #giamaxhandbag. Check out their Facebook post for further instructions and full terms and conditions.

Over at GSC Cinemas Emoji Movie car stickers are being given out for every 2 movie tickets purchased. There are 2 designs issued randomly in selected cineplexes only. Check at GSC website to find out which locations to redeem this promo.

Finally TGV Cinemas is offering a Limited Edition Emoji Movie member card for their Movie Club. Cards may be collected upon sign-up over the counter (membership RM30) or existing members may swap their existing cards for a fee of RM5. Find out more directly from the TGV website.

Gene with Jailbreak and Hi-5 in tow begin their App-ventures on 17 August.

Some funny memes to LOL your day:

Disclaimer: The Emoji Movie and its trademarks are copyright to Sony Pictures Animation & their respective owners, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.