FIRST LOOK: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Japan only theaters: Oct 16

Here’s another first for our FIRST LOOK: a film we’re looking at exclusive released in another country with no official release date in the United States announced. There is hope, though, so keep reading.

It’s currently the #1 film in Japan’s theaters.

Domestic box office sales for a film, prior to the pandemic, used to be a good indicator of performance. Studios and even movie theater chains base their results at least in strong part by domestic sales.

Since the market in the US has been severely handicapped by a wide variety of factors — theaters closing, uncertainty from moviegoers about returning, local government restrictions, etc — box office performance internationally is dramatically outperforming success in the United States.

Case in point, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. A movie that’s made over $100 million in its Japan only debut so far this month.

Currently, Demon Slayer has the biggest opening day and opening weekend at the [Japan’s] box office. The movie is already the highest-grossing flick of 2020 and even managed to top the global box office upon its opening. Now, fans are wondering if Demon Slayer can overtake Spirited Away and Your Name to become the highest-grossing anime movie to date.

Demon Slayer Movie Retains Number One Spot at Box Office

This release strategy is puzzling to me given our current times. I realize movies traditionally are released in foreign markets all the time and never appear in the United States. The thinking is that it won’t appear to a wide enough viewing audience in America. We’re a melting pot of moviegoers here, however. Yes, it might not be a large audience that’s pays to see films like these in America, but there are definitely interested moviegoers. Yes, especially in the middle of a pandemic.

Bring Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. to US theaters and other international markets ASAP. Bring all new foreign movies to American theaters, even if its only for a brief screening cycle.

I mean, seriously, we’re in a drought of new films in theaters — according to the theaters themselves — and the #1 theater chain in the world, AMC, isn’t showing this film everywhere that it can globally?

(I get it, they can’t .. it’s not been made available yet — and that’s dumb)

Official trailer:

Over 9.2 million views for the official trailer on YouTube — and yes, this is subtitled

Given it’s just the trailer, but this looks good. I’m a fan of anime, having covered some of it here at this site and interested in expanding that coverage. I’m not deeply immersed in the genre, but more than a casual fan and interested in watching more and digging deeper into the genre. Fortunately, some of this is being made available on streaming channels.

Kara might not be as interested in seeing this, but I’d reserve a ticket to watch this right now, if only it was playing in theaters.

A little digging around revealed this:

Aniplex of America and Funimation revealed at the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Panel at New York Comic Con 2020 that the highly anticipated Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train is headed to U.S. and Canadian theaters early 2021!

Demon Slayer – Mugen Train website

Can somebody please take a minute or two and explain the logic of delaying release in the US in the comments? (Artificial scarcity, maybe?) I get that this is based on a popular anime TV series in Japan and the film will obviously be met with the most familiarity and likely sell the best there, but why nor share that success worldwide immediately? Or at least within a few weeks or month of the exclusive release? Share it!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is available in Japan theaters only as of October 16, 2020 and scheduled for release in the United States and Canada in early 2021.

When will Harley Quinn Season 3 Arrive Plus More Poison Ivy Teased

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in the adult animated show Harley Quinn, season 3 is coming!

Harley Quinn Season 3 could — and probably should — have been greenlit back in April, but fortunately it was greenlit (see: Harley Quinn finally receives much deserved season three renewal and DCU will become comics only). There are several good shows that don’t get renewed.

Once renewed, the questions turn to: when will we be able to see it? Production on an animated series is a little easier than a live action movie, because you aren’t dealing with setting logistics and voice talent can be recorded remotely. It’s a little like a band making music in 2020 using Pro Tools. If you google it, you’ll find plenty of artists talking about how the way music is recorded has changed. It’s not in a studio.

Back to the “when” question. Harley Quinn showrunners Justin Halpern and Patrick Shoemacher are giving us some ideas in an interview of when possibly it could appear, and the answer is “optimistically” no early than a year or so from now: the end of 2021. Of course they won’t decide on release dates, that will be up to HBO Max. My guess is HBO Max will want that new content ASAP, so there aren’t a lot of reasons to speculate that it will be delayed that long into 2022, assuming the episodes are completed of course.

Now, let’s dig into what Season 3 will be about. The showrunners are teasing it will have (much) more to do with Poison Ivy.

“We spent two years digging into Harley, and Ivy was her own character, but her stories were told mostly in relation to Harley. So, I think in this third season, it’d be interesting to flip that, and dig deeper into Ivy and her life, and tell some stories through her point of view,” said Halpern. “So, we’re excited to be able to do that because it feels completely new—somewhere to go that we haven’t gone, that isn’t going to make the audience feel like, “We saw two seasons of that. What the f**k is this?””

Harley Quinn showrunners say we have quite a wait ahead for season 3

This seems like a creative direction to take the show. We want to learn more about what Harles and Ive will be up to. Are they going on a Gotham road trek? What will happen to the crew? So many questions to explore. Can we just fast forward to 2021 and 2022? Somebody get Marty McFly’s time traveling Delorean!

FIRST LOOK: Creepshow (Animated TV Special) – Shudder

Creepshow Season 1 is available on Shudder, Creepshow Season 2 is now filming

Some exciting horror-related news dropped 9/24 concerning the anthology Creepshow series at Shudder. The announcement came originally via a Shudder tweet which was promptly picked up by various news sources, including Bloody-disgusting further below.

Surprise! A @CreepshowTv animated special will premiere on Shudder on October 26.

Starring Kiefer Sutherland & Joey King, the special will feature two segments based on short stories by Stephen King & Joe Hill & is directed by Greg Nicotero. Part of our #61DaysofHalloween 🎃 pic.twitter.com/W9akryF55t

— Shudder (@Shudder) September 24, 2020

While we knew that Creepshow Season 2 filming was delayed due to the pandemic (it has since started filming in Atlanta), we didn’t know they were secretly working on a fully animated Creepshow TV special that will contain two stories from the Stephen King family in time for Halloween 2020!

Shudder details. “Though Greg Nicotero and his team are hard at work shooting season 2 (coming in 2021), they’ve crafted a fully animated Creepshow special for us just in time for Halloween, featuring two tales to die for: “Survivor Type,” based on the short story by Stephen King and adapted by Nicotero, stars Kiefer Sutherland (24, Designated Survivor) as a man determined to stay alive alone on a deserted island no matter what the cost. “Twittering from the Circus of the Dead,” based on the short story by Joe Hill and adapted by Melanie Dale, stars Joey King (The Kissing Booth, The Act) as a teen whose family road trip includes a visit to the gravest show on earth. (Also available on Shudder Canada, Shudder UK and Shudder ANZ).”

“Creepshow” Animated Special Coming to Shudder in October; Based on Stephen King and Joe Hill Tales! – Bloody Disgusting

Am not familiar with Joe Hill’s story, but am very familiar with “Survivor Type” from King’s collection, Skeleton Crew (an awesome name for a horror short story collection, btw).

Creeepshow showrunner Greg Nicotero has been trying to figure out how to adapt King’s “Survivor Type” on a budget for quite some time. This was the very first story King and Nicotero discussed being adapted. As it turns out King’s story “Gray Matter” was used instead for season one.

Nicotero says he realized very quickly that they couldn’t shoot the script in a way that would do it justice. “We couldn’t go to the beach to shoot, because we didn’t have the cash to do it,” he reveals. “So after a little bit of struggling back and forth, I went to my production team and just said, ‘Guys, we’re not going to be able to make this script right. I don’t want to shoot it on a lake and then digitally erase all of the trees, or shoot it in a parking lot with a blue screen behind it.’”

Creepshow Showrunner Reveals “Lost” Stephen King Episode Details

Apparently the animated route was the way to get this project completed. No idea what the quality of the animation will be like (the first season animation segments received mixed reviews), but I remember reading the original graphic novel of the first movie. Great stuff. You can still find that out there on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions (recommended!).

If you’re looking for great horror graphic novels to read, Creepshow is recommended

Speaking of books, there is a new young adult paperback just released this month called Creepshow: The Taker. It’s not aimed at adults, so keep that in mind. Not sure if it a graphic novel either, so adult buyers beware. You can search Amazon and other booksellers to find if interested.

Back to the animated special we’re spotlighting in this post.

Also announced, Kiefer Sutherland, who’s last role in anything by Stephen King was playing Ace in Stand By Me, is the voice actor for the shipwrecked doctor in “Survivor Type.” Jack Bauer meets Stephen King, oh yeah. Joey King (no relation to Stephen King), the actress will be the voice actor for Joe Hill’s story.

If this special episode goes over well, maybe we’ll get a full season order of a Creepshow animated series from Shudder? I’d be interested in a full series. They can make animated episodes on a lower budget than live action, so why not? I remember reading that each episode of Star Trek The Animated Series (1973) were created on a budget of $75,000 per episode — and that included the voice actor fees. They can’t do it that inexpensively in 2020, but it shows the budgetary requirements, not to mention pandemic restrictions, favor animated productions.

Creepshow: The Animated TV Special will stream exclusively on Shudder on October 26, 2020.

Fox’s The X-Files: Alburquerque taking page from Star Trek: Lower Decks – will it be adult enough?

The X-Files ran from 1993-2018

While this might seem like the perfect topic for a FIRST LOOK, those are primarily reserved for films and TV that have been ordered, produced and are filming for release. That doesn’t apply with this project — yet — but it’s on the right track toward that end.

Adult animated series are a popular proposition in 2020 and Fox won’t be left out reminding they have deep roots — they’re behind The Simpsons after all. They are now working on an animated spinoff based on The X-Files that sounds like Star Trek: Lower Decks.

Fox is developing The X-Files: Albuquerque from Rocky Russo and Jeremy Sosenko, writers on Netflix’s animated comedy Paradise PD and Comedy Central’s Brickleberry. The new iteration is an animated series about an office full of misfit agents who investigate the X-Files cases too wacky, ridiculous or downright dopey for Mulder and Scully to bother with. They’re basically the X-Files’ B-team.

Fox Developing ‘The X-Files’ Animated Comedy Spin-Off – Deadline

The reason Lower Decks is being referenced is that show focuses on the unsung heroes, the red shirts, the B-squad. The problem I’ve had with that show is how they don’t go far enough. They pull back on the adult nature of the animated series. My feelings are if you’re going to spoof something and call it adult, then make it adult. That means give us some Heavy Metal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ style nudity, graphic language, adult situations. Basically, with the exception of nudity, we’re talking about Harley Quinn as a template.

Here’s what makes me think this X-Files animated show could be hopelessly neutered (and for the record, hope I’m wrong!). It’s one word that starts with a D. Fox is own by the biggest D that doesn’t end with a K, Disney. The same company owns Marvel, which is behind the very adult Deadpool, but we haven’t heard a new Deadpool announced.

Can Disney go adult? Yes, through Hulu (see: Hulu is the Adult/Mature Disney+, Just ask Hillary Duff). Would like to see Disney continue to use Hulu that way.

FIRST LOOK: Mike Tyson Mysteries (Animated TV Series) – Hulu

While we’re on the subject of Tyson lately (see: Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition fight needs more time — delayed until November 28). I’ve started watching Mike Tyson Mysteries adult animated series.

The first three seasons are available on Hulu, complete with a foul-mouthed pigeon voiced by Norm Mcdonald. This show is crazy — and I love the first few episodes watched so far. No surprise that it’s from Warner Bros, the same company behind DC Universe’s Harley Quinn.

There is a fourth season that finished running earlier in February 2020, but that’s not available on Hulu yet as of this writing. For those with access to Adult Swim, reruns could be showing there. The first three seasons should keep interested viewers busy in the meantime.

Iron Mike needs to stay in the entertainment business!

The show has a fairly simple mystery premise and a lean run time of 11 minutes per episode. Mike checks his flock of pigeons and chooses a mystery to solve, then he goes out and solves it along with pigeon, the ghost friend and his adopted daughter.

Mike Tyson Mysteries – Season 1-3 (50 total episodes) are available for streaming on Hulu.

FIRST LOOK: Close Enough (TV Series 2020–) – HBO Max

It’s not often I read about major companies using gummy bears infused with cannabis to promote a new animated TV series.

Yes, really, serious.

According to various articles I’m reading, there’s some history behind this show having difficulty being published, that WarnerMedia — known has having a penchant for TV-MA content — picked up for HBO Max.

HBO Max is taking an unconventional approach to promoting its upcoming new series Close Enough. The streaming service is partnering with Sunderstorm’s Kanha to release limited edition cannabis infused edible gummies to celebrate the new animated series set to premiere on June 9th. The gummies feature strains inspired by each of the show’s four main adult characters and will be available at select California dispensaries as well as for delivery in California via Eaze while supplies last through the month of July. The unconventional campaign is one that SVP of Program Marketing at HBO Peter Sherman said feels “authentic” to the series.

HBO Max Releasing Cannabis-Infused Edible Gummies to Celebrate Close Enough Series

Ok, we’ve got plenty of background in that article about cannabis, but what is Close Enough the animated TV series about? IMDB:

A comedic look on a couple trying to face various challenges in their daily lives while trying to cope with their changes from 20s to 30s

Close Enough (TV Series 2020– ) – IMDb

Boring description. Trailer?

Can this fill the hole left in my adult animated heart by the finale of Season 2 of Harley Quinn? Um, not sure, but will definitely check out at least the first episode. Are you interested in watching this show? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Close Enough is available for streaming on HBO Thursday, July 9, 2020.

All 26 Harley Quinn Episodes Ranked and Reviewed from first two seasons

It’s been a fun, entertaining journey following, watching and reviewing weekly releases of episodes for every new Harley Quinn adult animated TV show on DC Universe.

Those reading have already seen the reviews and during season 1 I ranked the episodes each week. In season 2 I decided to wait until the season was over and rank them all at one time along with season 1, sharing the episodes I enjoyed best. There were no terrible episodes, but a few that I thought missed the mark and could be safely skipped and not miss much. Only 3 out of the 26 episodes are not recommended.

With 9 of 26 episodes (34.6%!) having 4.5 or 5 stars just shows the overall strength and entertainment value in this series. If you haven’t seen this show yet and have any interest in watching adult animated shows, make plans to do so. It packs a real punch in 22 minutes and was my favorite TV show of 2019 (just slightly ahead of The Mandalorian, which I also loved) and so far my #2 favorite of 2020 for season 2.

Harley Quinn All 26 Episodes Ranked & Reviewed

1. S1:E12 – Devil’s Snare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. S1:E1 – Til Death Do Us Part ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. S2:E8 – Inner (Para)Demons ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. S1:E7 – The Line ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
5. S2:E4 – Thawing Hearts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
6. S1:E11 – Harley Quinn Highway ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
7. S2:E12 – Lovers’ Quarrel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
8. S2:E9 – Bacherlorette ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
9. S1:E2 – A High Bar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
10. S1:E4 – Being Harley Quinn ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
11. S1:E13 – The Final Joke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (season 1 final episode)
12. S2:E2 – Riddle U ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
13. S2:E6 – All The Best Inmates Have Daddy Issues ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
14. S2:E13 – The Runaway Bridesmaid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (season 2 final episode)
15. S2:E1 – New Gotham ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
16. S1:E8 – L.O.D.R.S.V.P ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
17. S2:E3 – Trapped ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
18. S1:E5 – Finding Mr. Right ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
19. S1:E3 – So You Need a Crew ⭐️⭐️⭐️
20. S2:E7 – There’s No Place TO Go But Down ⭐️⭐️⭐️
21. S1:E9 – A Seat At The Table ⭐️⭐️⭐️
22. S2:E11 – A Fight Worth Fighting For ⭐️⭐️⭐️
23. S2:E10 – Dye Hard ⭐️⭐️⭐️
24. S1:E6 – You’re a Damn Good Cop, Jim Gordon ⭐️⭐️½
25. S1:E10 – Bensonhurst ⭐️⭐️
26. S2:E5 – Batman’s Back Man ⭐️⭐️

I suspect this show will be renewed for at least one more season (probably two) and rightly so.

Where it goes from the end of season 2 is already under discussion by the showrunners.

… you’ve been warned, SPOILERS ahead …

And if we’re lucky enough to get a Season 3, and we truly don’t know yet, but if we are we’re not going to walk it back. They’re a couple. Any stakes that we want to build into the season moving forward are not going to involve [the question of] “Will they be able to stay in a relationship?” They’re going to be a couple.

Would be interesting to see the dynamic of their relationship together as a couple explored. Also, what happens to Gotham now that the Justice League are back? Will Harley & Ivy continue to be villains or become heroes, helping the Justice League as they did a few times in the first two seasons.

TV SERIES Review: Harley Quinn S2E13 – The Runaway Bridesmaid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Season 2
DC Universe exclusive
June 26, 2020
Season 2 finale!

Episode 13 – “The Runaway Bridesmaid”

Here we arrive at wedding day and Harley, Riddler and Dr. Psycho are locked up in Arkham while the Justice League are being awarded medals for saving the city. Just as Commissioner Gordon believes he’s about to receive the key to the city, it’s awarded to someone else. Gordon is now committed to avenging this decision and proving he can take down Ivy’s wedding with some undercover cops.

Clayface and King Shark break Harley out so she can join the wedding where she’s still maid of honor. The Cobb Squad resists, but Harley is determined to save Ivy and Kite Man’s special day from Commissioner Gordon ruining the event.

Does Ivy marry Kite Man? Is Commissioner Gordon’s plan to lock up everybody successful? Will Clayface sing for his idol director Tim Burton?

These questions and more are answered on the season two finale of Harley Quinn.

Summary

Time and again this show has proved what can be done in 22 minutes. We’ve been consistently impressed with how much story, deep cut characters, side stories, adventures and action are jammed into this relatively short run time.

Unfortunately, — and this is the one episode not to have this happen — I think this finale episode comes off as a bit too rushed. It’s one of very few that this applies in the entire 26 episode run (13 episodes each season). There are just too many emotions, characters, subcharacters and plot arcs and story ideas that must be wrapped up and the comedy — the humor which is so well written — somewhat suffers.

That criticism aside, it was still a good episode.

It was fun and entertaining how they chose to close this show. If this is to be the last episode ever, and I hope it’s not, viewers are not left with some lame cliffhanger. For that reason alone I’m leaving this one as 4 stars, when I felt it was more a three-star episode comparing to so many others. Greedy perhaps, but I wanted to have a 5-star episode to close this amazing adult animated series, but that was probably asking for too much considering how much build-up. I’m OK with what we were left with, but if only they could have finished with a 2-part final episode.

Overall episode rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

TV SERIES Review: Harley Quinn S2E12 – Lovers’ Quarrel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Season 2
DC Universe exclusive
June 19, 2020

Episode 12 – “Lovers’ Quarrel”

Harley escapes from the mind-controlled Poison Ivy thanks to Kite Man flying over. He explains what happened to Ivy and that Ivy and his wedding is tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Dr. Psycho is focusing on killing the Justice League and Harley & team. Sy Borgman’s eye gives helpful info to Harley and Kite Man about an anti-mind control technology.

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman face off against mind-controlled Ivy (pictured top). Soon, Darkseid joins Dr. Psycho to watch his evil plan being hatched and to recover Harley.

Will Ivy be turned back by the anti-mind control device courtesy of “Soldering Man” (loved that line, hell yeah!)? Will the Justice League take down mind-control Ivy? Will Harley confront Ivy with feelings of love?

All these questions and more answered in episode #12.

Summary

Similar to the first season, the episode before the season finale is almost 100% pure action. We get to see the Justice League squaring off against a mind-controlled Ivy, Harley and Kite Man working together on a solution with the deceased Sy Borgman to save Ivy and Darkseid watching over the carnage. Yeah, this episode has it all.

I can’t believe we only get one more episode of this series. My guess as to where it leads? The final episode will revolve around Kite Man and Ivy’s wedding. Will they get married or will Harley and Ivy get together? It’s kind of a soap opera in very adult animated form. If you haven’t watched an episode of this show yet, give ones like this a try and see what you think.

Overall episode rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ 

TV SERIES Review: Harley Quinn S2E11 – A Fight Worth Fighting For ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Season 2
DC Universe exclusive
June 12, 2020

Episode 11 – “A Fight Worth Fighting For”

Frank The Plant does a brief, but unnecessary, recap narration of past events to bring current viewers to where we’re at in the story with Dr. Psycho commanding an army of parademons, Harley throwing Joker-bartender into the vat of green acid to bring him back from his amnesia.

Frank the Plant and his stoner roommate hashing out the past

Once returned, Joker finds out Harley has planted a bomb inside his head — going all Escape from New York Plisskin mode — and if he doesn’t cooperate with Harley she’ll blow him up. What she wants is Joker to tell him where the Queen of Fables book is so that she can release the trapped Justice League from an episode way back in season one.

Joker explains the book is with Bethany, the nurse who brought him back from the building collapse at the end of season one. He became all domesticated and Bethany is keeping the book.

Meanwhile, Poison Ivy and Kite Man are continuing the quest to prepare their wedding with parademons flying overhead wreaking havoc. Ivy is staying out of the fight, trying to not think about Harley and proceed with her wedding to Kite Man.

Harley and Joker visit Bethany to get the book and she throws it angrily into the clutches of a parademon. The book is swept away to the parademon nest. Joker and Harley must team up to storm the nest and fight for the book back.

A fight ensues and it seems like Harley and Joker might be overwhelmed …

Dr. Psycho cuts a deal with Darkseid that if he brings the head of Harley Quinn to Darkseid, the earth will be his.

Ivy has enough when a parademon wrecks her wedding dress and decides to take down Dr. Psycho and the parademons.

Will Harley and Joker escape the parademons nest? What is Ivy going to do? What does Batman — unmentioned to this point — have to do with any of this? Will the Justice League be freed from the Book of Fables?

These questions and more answered on episode #11.

Summary

This is one of those bridge the story episodes, with the high point being Joker-bartender losing his amnesia and teaming up with Harley, against his will, to retrieve the Book of Fables. Ivy is mostly sidelined again and the parademons are wrecking Gotham, again. Frank the Plant, great to see him return, but his appearance is mostly to tell viewers that have been following the story what we already know.

It seems like this would have been better split into multiple episodes rather than shoehorned into one frenzied 22 minute episode, but it’s all setup for the final two episodes, probably with a major cliffhanger at the end of episode 12, followed by the season conclusion.

Entertaining? Yes, but on the whole one of the weaker episodes of season two. The surprise at the end of this episode seemed more than a bit too convenient and easy, but we’ll see how that works out at the beginning of the episode 11. The show, even when it stumbles, is often still a lot of fun to watch. No exceptions here. Check this one out.

Overall episode rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️