A little late but the beginning of September sucks anyways...
5. This Is Where I Leave You: The long and the short of this movie is that estranged siblings each dealing with their own demons come together after their father's funeral to honour his last wish, that his family spend a week together under the same roof. Featuring an amazing ensemble cast expect big laughs in serious situations.
Synopsis: The dramatic comedy "This is Where I Leave You" is directed by Shawn Levy, released by Warner Bros. and based on the hilarious and poignant best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey ("30 Rock"); and two-time Oscar (R) winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda ("Klute," "Coming Home," HBO's "The Newsroom")
4. Two Night Stand: In my book Miles Teller has more hits (21 & Over, Footloose, Rabbit Hole) than misses (Project X) but there's a lot I haven't watched yet but I'm excited to, including Two Night Stand. I'm all about the awkward love stories and just looking at the poster without the trailer tells us all we need to know, but the trailer has some great bits so watch that too, okay??
Synopsis:A no-strings-attached, online hook-up turns into a morning-after disaster for twenty-something New Yorkers Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller). When a paralyzing blizzard hits the city trapping them in Alec's cramped Brooklyn apartment, they are forced to get to know each other far beyond the confines of a typical one-night stand. Marking the directorial debut of Max Nichols, Two Night Stand is a sexy, romantic comedy about finding love in the digital age. The film also stars Jessica Szohr and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi).
3. Good People: Wait! What!? A James Franco movie I want to watch? The hell is this? And what about Kate Hudson what was the last thing I actually seen her in?? When was Bride Wars? Or did Fools Gold come first? Who cares. This movie looks exciting, and we've all thought about this scenario at one time or another.
Synopsis: Young American couple Tom and Anna Reed (James Franco and Kate Hudson) fall into severe debt while renovating Anna's family home in London. As the couple faces the loss of their dream to have a house and start a family, they discover that the tenant in the apartment below them has been murdered and he left behind a stash of cash-$400,000 worth. Though initially hesitant, Tom and Anna decide that the plan is simple: all they have to do is quietly take the money and use only what's necessary to get them out of debt. But when they start spending the money and can't seem to stop, they find themselves the target of a deadly adversary-the thief who stole it-and that's when very bad things start happening to good people.
2. The Equalizer: I realize Antoine Fuqua's movies arent for everyone but Training Day and last years Olympus Has Fallen were exciting and solid in the storytelling department and with Denzel leading I expect The Equalizer to do solid business if it avoids the good but not great reviews it has been getting at TIFF.
Synopsis: In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
1. Tusk: #WalrusYes the movement that got this film made. Kevin Smith movies aren't for everyone, especially when he steps outside his Jay and Silent Bob comfort zone but Red State was reasonably well received, myself included so why expect any different? In a small sample size the movie is 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. We'll just have to see what happen on Sept. 19 when it hits all the multiplexes... I know I'll be there.
Synopsis: Red State director Kevin Smith takes the helm for this horror film starring Justin Long as a podcaster who is targeted by a sadistic killer while attempting to land an interview with a misanthropic adventurer (Michael Parks). Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment co-star.
Honourable mentions: The Maze Runner, Walk Among The Tombstones, The Skeleton Twins, No No: A Dockumentary, The Guest
I'm not going to kid you all... Summer is just about over so we only have a couple weeks left to drive around windows down cranking out our favourite summer albums and for me summer means pop-punk all day, so here's my top 10 summer albums...
10. Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave
Every single one of us one has had one of "those" relationships. The kind where it doesn't end in heartfelt goodbyes, but rather vindictive emotions and thoughts revolving around the question of whether you could get away with strangling the person in question. It's inevitably going to happen at some point in your life. So when the delightful vocals of Patrick Stump begin Take This To Your Grave with "Light that smoke/ Yeah one for giving up on me/ And one just cause they'll kill you sooner than my expectations." It's known that at one point in your life, you'll relate to this record in some fashion. How good is it? Regardless if it’s just another pop record, it’s an incredible one. Everything is done perfectly on this record, from the right amount to production to the balance of hard hitting instruments and pop goodness. Sure, the lyrics are practically quotes from a brokenhearted boy’s diary, but they’re undoubtedly all things we’ve related to at one point and another; Pete Wentz is similar to Max Bemis in the way that he lets the listener know exactly how it is.
9. The Ataris - So Long, Astoria
For a brief time back in 2003, The Ataris were huge. Their bouncy cover of Don Henley’s ‘The Boys of Summer’ was being delivered to the masses through radio stations across the country. It was the biggest hit the band had ever seen. The unbelievably catchy ‘In This Diary’ received some airplay as well, but not nearly as much as it should have. It’s obvious So Long Astoria isn’t just your average pop punk outing. Even though many songs are optimistic and full of energy, others prove to be rather poignant. Unfortunately there is some filler, but the album's sincerity makes up for it. Without a doubt, it’s the band’s catchiest and most personal record. Anybody looking to revisit their past can do so with So Long, Astoria. It’s an album that proves that being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up.
8. July - What We Signed Up For
If you’re looking for something new to the pop-punk world, this one is for you. The record will surely appeal to fans of acts like All Time Low and We Are The in Crowd. Upbeat guitars and pace-quickening drums fire off the title track before the bass kicks in with Devin Moody’s vocals. Immediately once the chorus hits, you know you’re in for a catchy ride with this record. “West Coast Pimpin’” begins rather somberly with the line “I’m afraid that I’ve become / Something less than what I was searching for.” Unexpectedly and in no time at all, a breezy synth pops in and your foot gets tapping along as the song now carries a hopeful feel while Moody sings, “I’m searching for something.” What We Signed Up For isn’t anything groundbreaking, it’s an incredibly great listen if you’re looking for some pop-punk to play in the sun.
7. Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue
Very few pop-punk albums have the ability to evoke a tangible emotional response. They typically thrive on speedy tempos, loud guitars, and catchy hooks to rope the listener in to a journey of lyrical clichés and rehashed musical ideas. That is why, from the moment I first heard Ocean Avenue, I was blown away. Yellowcard is not a band that will experiment on new frontiers, nor will they impress with complicated solos. They are actually as close to average as a band can come in terms of their raw ability, but that is also, to an extent, what makes Ocean Avenue so special. The album is a heartbreaking tale, told by average people for average people. It is depressed when you are depressed, it whines when you whine, and it becomes self-assured and confident when you realize that, just as you suspected in the beginning, everything will turn out alright.
6. City Lights - In It To Win It
City Lights produces a sound that reminds me of A Day To Remember’s pop-punk side, but also inhabits an easycore vibe with loud guitars, profuse breakdowns, and vocals reminiscent of Jeremy McKinnon. Homesick being one of my favorite records of all time, I heard vast similarities in the overall mood and tempo of the music. And if there was any way to wrap up adolescence into an album, then City Lights’ cleverly named debut, In It To Win It, does just that. Starting off with a baseball being hit with a bat and a crowd cheering, I could already feel the vibes of summer. It reminded me of the years of lore that I spent playing baseball as a child. As soon as October rolls around I won't be able to wait until next summer when I can once again blast this in the car driving around with the windows down and getting sun drenched.
5. All Time Low - Nothing Personal
When I blast Nothing Personal in my car and roll down the windows, I can’t help but think of the summer of 2002. It has what anyone wants in their pop-punk/rock – huge hooks, honest (if not cheesy) lyrics, and a fun attitude. All Time Low isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel here, so if you were a fan of their 2007 album, So Wrong, It’s Right, then you will have no troubles enjoying this, as Nothing Personal is a step-up. Opener “Weightless” packs a Tyson-sized punch, as the chorus soars behind Alex Gaskarth’s voice. Other pop-punk wish they could write hooks like the one on “Weightless,” and, as good as this hook is, it’s not the best one on this album. That would belong to the Butch Walker-produced single “Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t).” The song has Walker’s fingerprints all over it, as it is nearly impossible to get “oh-oh-oh/how was I supposed to know?” out of your head. As for me, I’m gonna put on an Atticus shirt and some Dickies and relive 2002.
4. New Found Glory - Self-Titled
What better way to relive 2002 then listening to some NFG? If there’s one band in the world of pop punk that absolutely shreds, it would have to be New Found Glory. For over fifteen years the Florida based act have been pumping out solid releases, New Found Glory are never better than when they’re firing on all cylinders and none of their albums are quite as lively as their self titled album. It’s an energetic pop punk album that takes hold of the listener and refuses to let go. The album really is relentless in the way it doesn’t let up on the energy levels. It’s one of the best pop punk albums of all time that I’d openly recommend to anybody, whether they’re a fan of the genre or not.
3. The Summer Set - Legendary
From opener Maybe Tonight, which is full of gripping hooks, gang vocals and a steady beat and possibly (lyrically anyways) the best song The Summer Set ever wrote, to the carnival-like Rescue; Legendary follows in the same party vibe that fans fell for on their first record. Lightning In A Bottle is the quintessential TSS song and is primed to get huge. Overall, Legendary is a re-introduction to the good ole party album, something that we have come to love about The Summer Set. So whether you’re keen on the pop-rock genre or not, like the second track on the album, Jukebox (Life Goes On), I suggest you put a quarter in the jukebox and sing along because as Barney Stinson would say, this album is legen… wait for it… dary.
2. Hit The Lights - Skip School, Start Fights
Skip School, Start Fights is so sweet that I may now need a dentist, but that’s a great feeling to have. I have spent every day of my life since I first hear Enema of The State listening and praising pop punk and their are few albums that hit the way this does. these guys have been around before All Time Low and yet are still working their way up, which is beyond wrong in my mind. They've had their share of problems, from losing a lead singer, to tour troubles, and every little thing in between, but they are able to sum it up and get it out of the way on, “Count It,” This simple introduction is started with beautiful piano and then met with a call to arms of sorts accompanying the piano with perfectly produced drums and great vocal harmonies. This is Hit The Lights telling the listener that they aren’t going anywhere and that what we’re about to hear is there statement of relevance.
1. The Starting Line - Say It Like You Mean It
Say it Like You Mean It kicked off soon after it’s 2002 released and established The Starting Line as a pop punk staple. Listeners couldn’t get over the catchy hooks, the relatable lyrics, and addicting melodies. Each track was like a story, with it’s own unfinished ending where the fans can fill in the blanks. At the time, the pop punk community needed music like this to solidify their feelings; to let them though that someone was there that understands. The pop punk/emo movement saw a lot of that at the time but the Starting Line was one of the few bands to break away from the typical mold and successfully experiment without losing the interest of their fans. Every track on this album screams summer which makes it my number 1 summer album.
Dark Horse has 2 miniseries launching this month with the Fire And Stone subtitle, they are Prometheus and Aliens. When the Prometheus never returned from her fateful journey to LV-223, the questions surrounding the origins of man went unanswered. Now a new team of explorers seeks to uncover the dark mystery that holds not only the fate of the original mission, but possibly their own damnation. In Aliens a vicious xenomorph outbreak is happening and terraforming engineer Derrick Russell leads a desperate group of survivors onto a rickety mining vessel. They hope to escape the creatures overrunning their colony -- but they'll face horrors both in space and on the strange planet they crash on. Best of all these series tie in with the Prometheus and Aliens films!
DC Comics: The Future's End
DC Comics will publish 41 stand-alone issues tying into The New 52: Futures End. In each of the one-shots, creators will put DC characters through a prospective five-year time jump that will give a sense for where the heroes might stand in that time. The world of Futures End is already starting to fall apart at its seams in five years, so it's distinctly possible that most of these stories will be pretty dire -- and as it is whenever time travel is involved, there can be some pretty big, surprising and even wacky ideas at play. Plus Booster Gold gets a one-shot! Trapped out of time on a world that defies reason, Booster Gold struggles to escape the fate that has held him and so many forgotten heroes captive!
IDW Publishing: Rot & Ruin
Brand new adventures set in the world of Rot & Ruin! Written by NY Times best-selling author and multiple Bram Stoker award-winner, Jonathan Maberry - writer of the breakout hit V-Wars, this all-new storyline continues events from the award-winning series of novels. In Rot & Ruin: Warrior Smart we meet Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong as they travel through the Sierra Nevada mountains just one faltering step ahead of zombie hordes and one giant leap behind the plane flying through the sky that set them on their journey of discovery. For those looking for something a little less horror-ry check out G.I. Joe which regroups with a new #1.
Image Comics: God Hates Image Comics
I don't mean that literally... I'm sure God has more important things to do, but with a title like God Hates Astronauts it makes you wonder... RYAN BROWNE’s (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, BEDLAM) farcical cult-sensation returns with a new story perfect for new readers! A NASA funded group of arrogant "super people" must stop a rash of farmers that have been using rocket-powered silos to launch themselves into outer space! As these Astro-Farmers fire themselves all over the galaxy, NASA must utilize their every resource (a guy with a ghost-cow head, a bunch of magic bears, and a Chicago cop with robot arms) to avoid an intergalactic incident!
Marvel Comics: Death Of Wolverine
The beginning of the end is now here … THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE!
THREE MONTHS TO DIE, the loss of Wolverine’s healing factor--all led to this, the single most important X-Men event of the decade. Logan has spent over a century being the best there is at what he does...but even the best fade away eventually. Over the years, Logan has been a warrior, a hero, a renegade, a samurai, a teacher—and so much more. But now, the greatest X-Men hero will play a role he’s never played before in this special weekly event brought to you by industry superstars Charles Soule and Steve McNiven. Issues 1 to 4 are released on a weekly basis through September and with Soule and his Marvel exclusive contract in hand this is a can't miss event.
Other Top Titles:
EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 (OF 5) Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Fabrice Sapolsky (A/CA) Richard Isanove
Estimated Release Date*: 9/10/2014
Description: SPIDER-MAN NOIR RETURNS! The Peter Parker of the 1930′s finds himself not only up against Mysterio, but knee-deep in the Spider-Man event of 2014!
NAMES #1 (OF 8)
Publisher: DC COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Peter Milligan (A) Leandro Fernandez (CA) Celia Calle
Estimated Release Date*: 9/3/2014
Description: New York City. Forty-year-old Kevin Walker is a successful trader. He’s incredibly rich. He has a young, sexy wife and a son he adores. He has everything. Until… The mysterious man known as the Surgeon walks into Kevin’s office. He takes a seat and tells Kevin to write a suicide note. Trembling but obedient, Kevin does what the Surgeon says. Then, at a word from this well-dressed figure, Kevin jumps out his window and falls fifty stories to his death. Thus begins THE NAMES, an 8-issue miniseries by writer Peter Milligan (HELLBLAZER, SKREEMER) and artist Leandro Fernandez (Wolverine, Punisher: Max). THE NAMES is a dark, contemporary thriller set in the world of Big Money: hedge funds, leveraged buyouts, market raids, flash crashes. High-end finance that can ruin entire economies, run by a cabal of the world’s richest (and sickest) people. Now, it’s up to Katya Walker – the beautiful and deadly wife of the late Kevin – to take on this hidden power structure and find out who killed her husband, and why. No matter what it takes. No matter who she has to kill. It’s The Wolf of Wall Street meets Kill Bill. And heaven help the 1%.
Yes I realize I'm really late on this but I spent the weekend at Fan Expo and thus I had no time to do a Sunday Special until today (Monday) and since I had no idea of what to put out I'm going to go with what I know best from my experience at Fan Expo. I spent the weekend working at the Big B Comics booth (Thursday - Sunday) selling graphic novels, I mostly dealt with the Marvel/DC stuff but I did help with the pack up so I did notice some other books that didn't really sell all that well. There were books that weren't selling that ended up picking up. Batman And Son, Nova: Origin and The Infinity Gauntlet are prime examples of this. But these 10 never really drummed up much interest...
10. Batman: Earth One
This is a book that on Thursday I was shocked that we brought so little of (maybe 10... If that!) but yet we sold maybe 4? But with so much other classic Batman stories readily available at the table Earth One was looked over... Well maybe next year when part 2 is out they'll be more interest.
9. X-Men: Days Of Future Past
This is a book that I really didn't see sell once, similar to Earth One we had a small number (10ish) but it was at the opposite end of my table so I couldn't sell it really, but as you'll see a little later the books that look really old were a hard sell, especially the Marvel titles.
8. The Death Of Captain America
I can pinpoint why this didn't sell. The $40 price point was the highest on the table (apart from some of the omnibus') and there just isn't that much interest in Captain America to throw $40 on this when you can get the Winter Soldier collection for $30 or Civil War for $25.
7. Batman: Death Of The Family
This book probably moved some of the most units on this list (top 3 anyways) but we just had so many it became apparent early on it wouldn't sell. To our surprise a lot of people still didn't have Court Of Owls and City Of Owls so seeing the "Volume 3" scared people away without having read the first 2 volumes, Joker aside... People grabbed up The Killing Joke instead.
6. Rocket Raccoon And Groot: The Complete Collection
As I mentioned above the books that looked old didn't sell and this was no exception. We finally sold our first copy near closing on Sunday, luckily we had under 10 on our hands so that was enough to keep them out of the top 5.
5. Secret Wars
See the "Old books don't sell" line. We had a bunch of these and sold 2 early on but that was it.
4. The Batman: The Animated Series Harley Quinn books
Interest in these picked up Sunday and I was able to sell a couple of Mad Love and Volume 3 when Harley and Ivy move to Metropolis but Volume 1 (shown) and Volume 2 didn't sell and we probably had about 20 of each title going in so a lot of Harley Quinn went back to the store. People were looking for the current Harley which allowed Suicide Squad to sell well enough.
3. Marvel Zombies: Volume 2
Volume 1 didn't fly off the shelves, but it did enough (about 5 of 10 sold) but we went back with all 10 copies of Marvel Zombies volume 2. The $35 price point scared a lot of people off.
2. Scott Pilgrim (all volumes really)
I unfortunately had to put Pilgrim at #2, #1 didn't sell great (4 of 10) or so but the other 5 volumes didn't sell at all. I'm chalking this up to everyone already having these books since a number of people were asking about O'Malley's new book Seconds.
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics: The Works Volume 2
I'm sad to say that we didn't move one of these, it was odd to have volume 2 and no volume 1 but most people were looking for the current IDW series so I rightfully sent them elsewhere to find it instead of spending their money on this.
For those wondering these are the books that actually sold out that I remember:
Death Of The Family Omnibus (only had a couple of these)
Batman: Hush
Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again
Batman And Son
The Infinity Gauntlet
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2008) Volume 1
Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Avengers
The Flashpoint Paradox
The Flash: Rebirth
Justice League: Origin
Justice League: The Villain's Journey
Aquaman: The Trench
Aquaman: The Others
Aquaman: The Throne Of Atlantis
Suicide Squad: Volume 1
Age Of Ultron
Deadpool: Daniel Way Collection Volume 1
Deadpool: Daniel Way Collection Volume 2
Deadpool: Volume 1
Deadpool: Volume 3
Deadpool: Volume 5
Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe
Deadpool Kills Deadpool
A little late but the beginning of September sucks anyways...
Synopsis: The dramatic comedy "This is Where I Leave You" is directed by Shawn Levy, released by Warner Bros. and based on the hilarious and poignant best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey ("30 Rock"); and two-time Oscar (R) winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda ("Klute," "Coming Home," HBO's "The Newsroom")
Synopsis: In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
