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.

Game of Thrones: Now that Winter is finally here, the Game for the Throne is coming to an End

Finally after 6 seasons of 60 episodes since 2011, Winter has finally come to Westeros. Granted in George R. R. Martin's fantasy world, seasons can last for years. And despite record viewership and Emmy awards, the storyline for A Song of Fire and Ice is set to conclude over a final 13 episodes, of which 7 comprising season 7 has started airing last week on 17 July (or 16 July US time). Season 8's last 6 episodes will be in 2018 or 2019 (of the wait!).

Game of Thrones Season 7 activation event in Sunway Pyramid, Blue Concourse.

As a treat for Malaysian fans celebrating the release of Season 7, HBO Asia and Astro held a Game of Thrones event in the popular Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall early this month. The key exhibit comprised a Pencil Micro-sculpture Exhibition by Russian scuptor Salavat Fidai. His art pieces are formed out of the graphite in pencils, or more commonly called pencil lead (although there is in fact no lead in pencils!).

16 pencil micro-sculptures showcasing elements from Game of Thrones.

Try to imagine how small these sculptors would be considering the slim graphite shaft encased in length of pencil wood. Yes, so small that the term micro is aptly appropriate and require magnifying glass to see the thematic details from Game of Thrones that Salavat Fidai has sculpted into 16 pencil art pieces. These include House sigils, the Iron Throne, the 3-eyed Raven, and more.

It's not poor eyesight, it's really that small!

The Iron Throne sculpted from pencil graphite.

The 3-eyed Raven, though spotting that 3rd eye is rather challenging.

For a better close-up look at these sculptors than could be captured by our cameras, check out articles by The Hive Asia And Says.com.

Don't get too comfortable as recent rulers on the Iron Throne have met with untimely deaths.

Of course no Game of Thrones event would be complete without the Iron Throne, and there is was open for fans to be King of Westeros for a minute and take home a souvenir photo.

Looked like a cake sculpture of Daenerys' dragon.

There were also various activities for event guests to be challenged for a chance to win Game of Thrones souvenirs. Eager fans would have to visit 6 stations at the event concourse and receive a stamp for participation. This included an archery range (Ygirtte's Challenge), a hand coordination exercise (Journey to the Throne), visiting various Astro counters, and posting self-photo on social media.

The passbook of upto 6 challenges to redeem free Game of Thrones loot.

Let arrows fly like Ygritte shooting at Jon Snow (ops!).

"Navigating" through Westeros requires hand-eye coordination.

Now that Winter is Here, beware the danger form the north. Indeed a pair of White Walkers appeared periodically but were less icy than expected, perhaps since Malaysia is always Summer!

The Night King (left) and a White Walker soldier. Wonder if they melt in tropical weather?

White Walker recruitment.

Game of Thrones Season 7 finally Premiered on Monday 17 July, 9am Malaysian time (16 July, 9pm US time. For true fans in Malaysia, HBO Asia hosted a Premiere Episode Viewing Party in TGV Cinemas that night. Thanks to a last minute invite from Sunway Pyramid, I got to join in on the festivities with fellow.... er, Thronies (Game of Thrones fans).

Expect fire and ice to clash this season on Game of Thrones.

Hosted in the Chillax lounge of the cinema, we were offered food worthy of a King's feast (always good in any event!). Everyone got their chance to be Kings and Queens on the Iron Throne for photo opportunities together with cosplayers of Daenerys Targaryen and Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish.

Daenerys Targaryen finally wins the Iron Throne with Littlefinger by her side and a pair of Sparrows.

"Engage!"... ops, sorry this isn't a Captain's Chair.

Thronies with a Maester's knowledge of Westeros and Essos were rewarded with official Game of Thrones merchandise from Trivia Quiz hosted by Malaysian TV persona Daphne Iking.

Event emcee Daphne Iking offering a Game of Thrones Monopoly for the Trivia Quiz.

A Maester's knowledge will score you Game of Thrones loot!

Party guests group photo before heading into the cinema hall. Looks like #TeamTargaryen.
Photo credit: HBO Asia.

Counting down to the Season Premiere screening, we were all ushered into the cinema hall and shown a recap of the Season 6 finale "The Winds of  Winter". The recap was well worth it as this season finale ended on such a high-note to really fuel the enthusiasm for Season 7, which had been eagerly awaited for over a year.

Revved up for Game of Thrones Season 7.

The Season 7 episode opening credits with Ramin Djawadi's iconic score were greeted with a collective cheer. "Dragonstone" kicked off with a masterful opening act continuing Arya Stark's journey and soliciting much applause from fans. The episode then visits all the remaining players that matter in the Game of Thrones. If you have yet to watch this episode, get to it NOW via Astro On Demand or Astro Go. If you have watched the episode already, it's still worthwhile to read-up on any of the online recaps to check that you haven't overlooked some detail in this expansive fantasy political world. Here's recap by EW.

Alissa Dania won an oversized Funko POP figurine for naming all 3 of Daenerys' dragons.

After the screening, another round of Trivia Quiz too place with Game of Thrones jacket, Funko POP and Monopoly set being given away. Thronies coming to the event in costume were then lined up for the camera and winners chosen to receive digital gadgets worth some significant nuggets of gold.

Can you identify all these Game of Thrones cosplay?

Winning the main prize for the Cosplay Contest was Saiful Imran (right) as an Unsullied Soldier. Since it's only cosplay his wife would be relieved that his nether regions remained intact.

No one left empty-handed either as all guests received a HBO goodie bag filled with Game of Thrones stationery, window stickers, cap and badges of the 3 remaining houses vying for the Iron Throne.

The last 3 Houses in the Game for the Iron Throne. Photo credit: Riez Forester.

#WhoWillWin the #GameofThrones ?

Game of Thrones now airs locally same time as US exclusively on HBO (Astro Ch 411/431) every Monday at 9am with repeats at 9pm. The series will also be streaming on On Demand and Astro GO.

Converse with fellow Malaysian Thronies on the Facebook at Malaysia Game of Thrones Fan Group and follow HBO Asia for such future events. For the latest behind-the-scenes news check out the official Making Game of Thrones blog.


Disclaimer: Game of Thrones and other trademarks are copyright George R. R. Martin and/or HBO, referenced here for fan service engagements without intent to infringe.