Silicon Valley SN3 EP3 – ‘Meinertzhagen’s Haversack’

This week in Silicon Valley we see the OG Pied Piper staff stage a rebellion to overthrow Jack’s box idea and return to building the platform, meanwhile, Gilfoyle fields new job offers, Erlich creates the best analogy known to man and Dinesh makes the worst purchase of his life.

While Erlich was underutilised in the first half of the episode, only stealing popcorn and haunting the incubator, the second half shows why he is one of the best parts of the show, motivating the staff with the funniest analogy of the show. (which actually made sense, unlike Action Jack’s) “When George Washington founded a start-up we’ve come to know as these United States of America,” had me laughing , but when he compares the engineers to Washington’s “ride-or-die homeboys, Tommy Jefferson and Benny Franklin” I had to pause the episode. Judge is great at reminding you why a character is so great with only one line or moment in an episode.

Georgie W with the Ride-or-Die homeboys

 

Judge is also great at running jokes directed at smaller characters while also affecting the actor behind them, Kumail Nanjiani stated on Twitter that he had a chain just like Dinesh which subjected him to misery In High school. The chain jokes were funny enough to destroy the greatest plan that the gang has come up with.

The Meinertzhagen Haversack (Gesundheit) is the best plan that the gang has came up with in a long time, even though the skunkworks is wildly illegal, I was finally confident that they wouldn’t be caught and that they would finally come on top. Even with the minor setbacks in the plan, (Carla extorting them for $20,000) everything seemed to come together. The highlight being Erlich snapping Jian Yang away from the pizza like an actual dog. God I hate Jian Yang. The culmination of Richard, Dinesh, Jared and Gilfoyle walking from the elevator to Rick Ross’ ‘You Know it’ was one of the most badass moments in the show. Which is of course why Jared’s chain joke had to kill the plan right there.

The final step in the Meinertzhagen Haversack  is for the perpetrator to be caught in the act, distracting the opponent while the true plan takes place. That’s how the method took place when was first put into action in 1917 by  Richard Meinertzhagen and its how it took place when it was popularised in Oceans 119That lovely movie with Julia Roberts and 11 men). Hopefully that means the monumental fuck up on Richard’s part was all part of the plan and we’ll see the true plan next week to progress the story some more. However, if that isn’t the case, I’ll still accept the episode as the best in the season so far, with the common story of a midseason episode.

Overall, great episode. I really hope that it works out next week. Either with the fall being part of the plan or Richard bluffing like a pro to keep their jobs.

Follow me on Twitter @oliverwoodster

Fox Debuts Trailer For ’24: Legacy’

Fox finally released the debut trailer for the much anticipated sequel to their hit Television series, 24: Legacy.

The series will follow Corey Hawkins‘ (Straight Outta Compton) Eric Carter, an Army Ranger whose troubled past follows him home, placing him in the path of the largest potential Terrorist attack on US soil.

Joining him will be Miranda Otto‘s (Lord of the Rings, Homeland) Rebecca Ingram, former head of CTU and future First Lady alongside her husband Senator John Donovan (Jimmy Smits).

Although Fox have made it clear that this is not a reboot, confirming that 24 mainstay Kiefer Sutherland will not return as long-suffering CTU Agent Jack Bauer. They have left the door open for future series involving the character with Sutherland remaining connected to the show as a Producer.

So lets here your thoughts 24 fans. Sound off on Twitter and as always, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

‘Insidious: Chapter 4’ Announced

In a move that will surprise no-one, Blumhouse Productions have revealed the 4th Chapter in the Insidious horror franchise.

In an announcement via their website, the company revealed that the next film is in pre-production and scheduled for release on October 20, 2017.

Insidious Co-creator Leigh Whannell will step down from Directorial duties after helming the series 3rd sequel but will remain a writer on the upcoming film; The Taking of Deborah Logan director Adam Robitel will step up in his place.

Fan favourite Lin Shaye will also return as parapsychologist Elise Rainier alongside Co-creator James Wan (The Conjuring), Jason Blum (The Purge) and Oren Peli (Paranormal Activity), all of whom will once again produce the next chapter in the franchise.

In an interview with IGN last year, Whannell teased possible ideas for Insidious: Chapter 4’s story, expressing that “I think it should go down that direction of following their adventures. [-] Elise, Specs and Tucker, they wander up the road, and it’s kind of like they are walking to their next adventure, so if I was writing it, that’s probably where I would want to go.“

For all your Film News & Reviews, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

 

Harley Quinn Movie Reportedly in Works

Suicide Squad hasn’t even made it’s theatre debut yet, but rumours have arisen of a Harley Quinn-centric movie in the works at Warner Bros., with Margot Robbie to reprise the role, as revealed by The Hollywood Reporter.

Margot Robbie, who currently holds the role in Suicide Squad, is reported to not only star as the character again, but produce as well. The movie also won’t just be a solo act – it’s rumoured to feature other female DC Comics stars, including Batgirl and Birds of Prey. Warner Bros. certainly isn’t commenting on this. The Hollywood Reporter also let on that a script is being written – it’s not confirmed who, but the writer is reportedly a woman.

With DC’s huge line up of popular and incredible heroines and villainesses, it would be one hell of a movie to present – and with it’s already large female fanbase, coupled with DC’s amazing “DC Superhero Girls” (a project involving a line of comics and products deliberately targeted to a young female fanbase, also rumoured to be partly Margot Robbie’s work) it’s an absolute no-brainer that this movie would be a massive success with Warner Bros., and fans should keep their eyes open for further news. Hopefully this isn’t an instance of too good to be true.

DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow SN1 EP15 – ‘Destiny’

When we last left our Legends, Rip had discovered, much to his chagrin, that the Head of the Time Council, Zaman Druce (Martin Donovan) is actually *gasp* in league with Vandal Savage. And so, by extension, are the rest of the Time Council. Ray, Martin, Kendra and Rory are in cells at the Vanishing point, Carter is medically out of it, and Sara and Snart are hiding somewhere in the WaveRider. Jax, meanwhile has been sent to 2016 on a one-way trip in the jumpship to reverse the aging effects of the Time Drive reboot.

The opening scene revisits the night in 2016 when Rip showed them the future that he wants to avoid, after he had forcibly rounded them all up. When they each leave to think about it (or not), Stein tries to convince Jefferson into the trip. He asks Jefferson to meet him in his office the next morning. Jefferson agrees and leaves. Future Jax asks Stein’s help to get him back to the Vanishing Point.

In the cells at the Vanishing Point Martin is dying, because he sent Jax back to 2016 to save his life. As we know, Stein and Jax must merge occasionally to keep their separate physical bodies coherent. Rory knows his worth to the Time Masters as Chronos, so he knows they will try to re-induct him. He survived his first induction by focusing on his need for vengeance against Snart and the team. Troopers enter the cell block and take Kendra away, while Rip is taken to Druce. Druce offers to release the others if Rip will help him to capture Snart and Sara. He shows Rip the invasion of the world by warlike beings from Thanagar in 2175. Apparently, without Savage uniting the world under one rule, all life is extinguished. Rip tells Druce that he is as mad as Savage if he thinks that Savage is the world’s only hope. Druce tells him that they have considered the time line carefully, and that there is no other hope. But he has something else to show Rip that may help to convince him.

Snart and Sara climb out from under the bridge floor where they have been hiding. Len wants Sara to get into the Captain’s chair and get them out of there, because he feels that the rest of the team is done for. Sara refuses. Snart pulls his cold gun on Sara. She tells him he is not the same cold-hearted bastard that she first met. She recalls how Len stopped her from killing Stein in Russia. Snart replies “Yeah, because you seemed to have a problem with being a killer. I, however, don’t.” She dares him to shoot her. Len hesitates just long enough for Gideon to contact them through the antiquated telephone sitting on the desk. Land line on a time ship, lol. Why not? She was able to upload herself into the latency core to avoid being wiped out. And she has come up with a plan.

Kendra wakes up restrained on the time ship that the Time Masters have given Savage. He tells her that Prince Khufu is on board in stasis. Savage has an appointment with destiny to keep in 2166.

Time Master Declan (Peter Bryant) has Rory strapped into the induction chair. He tells Rory that by the time they are done, temporal criminals and time pirates alike will tremble at the sound of his boot-steps. Mick retorts matter of factly “Well for your sake, you better hope that plan works, because if it doesn’t those boots are gonna crush your skull”.

Druce escorts Rip into the the ‘Holy of Holies’, the Oculus Chamber. The Oculus is the Time Master’s most powerful tool for looking into past, present and future. But it can also be used to manipulate time, as they see fit. The Captains know nothing of this tool because, well, ‘need to know’. Druce tells Rip that everything that has happened from the time he went rogue has all been according to plan. There is no such thing as free will, except here in the Vanishing Point. Rip is not convinced, as everything that he has done has been to save his family. No one controls him. Druce reveals that he and the Council ordered Savage to kill Rip’s family to spur Rip on. To give him purpose. To make him go rogue, so that he will be nudged in the correct direction. The words strike Rip like a hammer blow to the midsection. Druce invites Rip to see for himself. He makes contact with the Oculus, and sees that what Druce has said is true. Shockingly, he also sees Ray’s death. He is returned to the cells, a broken man.

In 2016, Stein and Jax are working to get the jumpship capable of getting back to the Vanishing Point. Stein is shocked that an auto mechanic knows more about it than a nuclear physicist, prompting Jax to say that he had forgotten how arrogant Stein was. Stein picks up on the past tense and, understandably concerned, wants to know what happens to him in the future. Jax, mindful of the dangers of future knowledge, can’t tell him. Stein asks who told him that, and Jax says “You did! Now why don’t you stop worrying about yourself, and get back to work instead of being an insufferable know-it-all!”.

Back in the induction chamber in the Vanishing Point, Time Master Declan apologizes for the pain of the induction. Modifications have been made, which can dig out the deepest rooted memories. Each time Rory says his name is Mick Rory he is zapped again, until finally we see something snap on Rory’s face and he tells Declan his name is Chronos. Declan orders his release and tells Chronos that he needs to hunt for Sara and Snart.
Sara and Len are busily booby-trapping the other time ships in the hangar.

In the cells, Ray is recapping their circumstance. Mick is being turned into Chronos, Stein is about to have a nuclear meltdown and the Captain thinks their future is already written. He calls them quitters, and reminds them that Sara and Len are still out there.

Sara and Snart, on the bridge of the WaveRider, are now waiting for Gideon to finish transferring herself back to the operating system and bring the time drive back online. Snart impatiently taps his pinky ring on a support. Sara wants to know why he wears it, so Len tells her that it is a souvenir of the first job that he and Rory pulled. 3 weeks of planning went south, and all he ended up with was this ring. So for him, it is a reminder that even the best laid plans can go sideways. Gideon announces that she is ready, and they strap in and pilot out of the hangar. A guard tells Druce that the WaveRider has time jumped. Druce orders all Captains to their ships to pursue. The pilots fire up their respective ships, and the booby traps kick in, which disables the ships and forces their AI’s to sing the old Captain and Tenille one-hit wonder. Off-key. Nice touch, Gideon!

Druce tells the prisoners that he has no use for them now, and orders the attendant guard to kill them. This guard tells Druce that the WaveRider has jumped to the present. The room shakes as Gideon opens fire on the Vanishing Point. Snart appears, and  knocks Druce out. A re-suited Chronos and Declan enter the cells, getting the drop on Snart. Len tells Mick to put it down. Declan tells Chronos to fire. Chronos says “sure thing”, and fires at Declan. Declan falls, and Mick says to Declan “If I recall, I made you a certain promise.” He walks over to Declan and stomps his skull. These boots were made for crushing not walking, apparently! Lol.
Len gets Stein into the med bay so that Gideon can help stabilize him. Rip tells Gideon to get them out of there, and Sara tells Gideon to punch it. And then realizes that she has perhaps overstepped. Rip is very okay with that, as Sara has proven to be quite adept at piloting the WaveRider. The Vanishing Point employs a tractor beam, Rory tries to tell them something about it, but is ignored. Rip and Ray try to disable it. They realize that they need to remotely tell it to turn off, and use Chronos’ OS to do so.

Back in 2016, Stein and Jax have completed the jump ship mods, and say their goodbyes. Stein apologizes for being an “insufferable know-it-all”, but Jax has come to learn that it is just Steins way of caring. Jax does tell Stein about the rufying, and that he will be pissed off about it, but that it will be the best decision he never made.

Back on the WaveRider, the team is discussing their next plan of action, the Oculus and the Time Masters’ manipulation of them. They try to figure out what they can do that will not be a manipulation, and decide to blow up the Oculus at the source. Snart voices his opinion. “This is madness.. I like it!” They set course for the Oculus Wellspring.

Ray has decided that since he is going to die, there is no point in keeping up with his diet, and so is gorging himself in the galley on sugary snacks. Rory joins him. He tells Ray that Time Masters do make mistakes. Ray says that he has to stop thinking about what may be part of the Time Masters’ plan, because the temporal implications are infinite. Rory agrees. “That’s why I don’t think”. He bites into a donut. Ray asks Rory how he managed to survive the induction process this time, Rory tells him that he focused on how royally screwed the team would be without him. He goes on to tell Ray that if he can survive not being turned back into Chronos, Ray can survive anything they throw at him. Then he adds “If you tell the team I actually care, I’ll shave your head!”.

Snart meanwhile is trying to apologize for holding Sara at gunpoint, but notes that he was apparently just following a script. Sara tells him that doesn’t excuse him for being a jerk. Snart agrees.  Sara feels responsible for everything she has done. Things that still keep her up at night. Snart tells her “It’s the things I didn’t do that keep me up at night. Maybe it’s being on this ship, travelling through time, I started to wonder what the future might hold for me…. And you…. And me and you”. Sara snorts “you wanna steal a kiss from me, Leonard? You better be one helluva thief!”.

Stein has been thinking about their plan. He thinks that they have a chance, however infinitesimal. He believes that the oculus is powered by a scaled down supernova contained at the bottom of the wellspring. Rip says that he and Dr. Palmer will deactivate the core containment which should create an anomalistic event. Mick looks somewhat confused, so Stein clarifies. “A very big explosion”. They exit the ship, only to be met by Druce and a platoon of Time Master Troopers, right on schedule. Rip tells him “For all your posturing, all your claims about doing what’s best for the time line, it all comes down to cold blooded murder”. Druce sneers “The difference between murder and execution is only a matter of authority. I have it. You don’t. Kill them”. The troopers are hit by laser fire from above. Jax is back! YAY! Stein and Jax merge to kick some temporal trooper ass. The three R’s enter the wellspring chamber, and Ray gets to work while Rip and Rory hold off the guards inside the chamber. Snart, Sara and Firestorm inflict major damage outside the chamber.

Flash to London, 2166. Kendra appeals to Savage to spare Rips’ wife and daughter, but Savage points out that cosmically speaking, it’s already done. He exits to keep his appointment with destiny.

Ray has removed his gloves and helmet to work on the containment more easily. Rip tells him that this is how he dies, but as long as it means that the team can work without Time Master influence, Ray accepts that. He discovers that there is a switch that needs to be held down in order to blow the containment field. He tells Rip and Rory to go. Rory knocks Ray out, and takes over holding down the failsafe. Rip shrinks Ray, puts him in his pocket and leaves. Snart wants to know where Rory is, and when Rip tells him, he races into the chamber. Rory tells him to get out of there, so Snart KO’s Rory, and takes over holding down the switch.

He tells Sara to get Rory out. Sara refuses, Snart says “just do it”. Sara plants a lingering kiss on Snart, right dead on the lips in front of God and everybody, and drags Rory and the heat and cold guns out.

Druce begs Snart to shut it down. Snart looks at him with those incredible blue eyes, and snarls “There are no strings on me”. Ka-BOOM!!

The mood is somber on the WaveRider. Ray tells Rory that Len was a hero, even though he wouldn’t want to be remembered that way. Sara tearfully agrees. Mick is in complete shock. Rip asks Gideon for a review of the timeline data, but because the Oculus has been destroyed, time is unmoored and there is no data. A review of news clippings from 2166 confirms that Rip’s wife and son are dead.

Rory, in the galley looking at Len’s pinky ring, is joined by Ray. Ray tries to comfort him, saying “From this point forward our actions are our own. We have free will. It means that Len didn’t die for nothing”. Rory tells Ray that he has killed Declan, Druce is dead and the Time Masters’ ship is destroyed, but he still feels a need to kill someone for Snart. Ray reminds him that Savage still has Kendra and Carter. Rory notes that he will do nicely.

Savage re-enters the time ship, and tells Kendra not to weep for the dead. He tells the ship to connect him with Druce, but another time master tells him that Druce is dead. “We have lost the ability to manipulate time. You are beyond our aid, Mr. Savage. We cannot help you any longer”. The Time Master continues “Without the oculus, time is unmoored, events will no longer unfold as we have seen, or as we have engineered”. Kendra laughs at Savage. “Looks like your friends have cut you loose. How long do you think you can hold onto power without them backing you up?”. Savage admits “Not long, I’m afraid. But they have provided me with a timeship. I no longer need to rule the world, Chay’ara. I now have the ability to change it.”.

Fade to black.

OMG!!! Does this mean that my favorite character will no longer be part of the team? How is that even possible? Never fear, Ledgendaires, according to writer Greg Berlanti in an interview with Deadline, the premise of time travel means that we have not seen the last of my beloved Leonard Snart. Thank all the DC gods!
Stay tuned for the Season Finale – Legendary, airing on May 19th. Teaser trailer!

Favorite Moments:

• Rory keeping his promise to Declan. Off-screen Gore, but SO satisfying!
• Rory’s growing humanity.
• Any scene involving Sara and Snart.
• Snart, Snart, and SNART!! ‘Nuff said.

Make sure to check out the rest of the Skatronixxx team’s work at Skatronixxx.com.

Once Upon a Time SN5 E22 & E23 – The 2-Part Finale

SN5E22: Only You      

Written By:  Andrew Chambliss & David H. Goodman

Directed By:  Romeo Tirone

SN5E23: An Untold Story

Written By:  Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis

Directed By:  Dean Wright

I’m combining the two episodes into one review.  It seems only fair since ABC combined both episodes into one finale.

I was really relieved to be able to watch this finale.  You see, when it looked like they were going to kill off Hook, I said I’d never watch the show again if they didn’t figure out a way to get him out of the Underworld.  I’m so glad they did, otherwise I’m just stubborn enough to quit watching.

After the miraculous appearance of Hook in the cemetery, I must admit that I spent this whole two hours waiting for Robin to appear out of nowhere.  Sadly, I was disappointed.  Hook was no sooner back and in Emma’s arms though, before (thanks to Gold) he was jerked from her arms and sent to the Land of Untold Stories… along with The Charmings and Zelena.

The build up was slow going.  In fact, it took them two hours to kick us in the head with an enormous OMG moment… even if I saw it coming.  When they decided to give Regina the Dr. Jekyll antidote, I knew things were gonna go South.  It’s Psych 101 that you need all three (the Id, the Ego, and the Superego) to be in balance so that you stay… well … balanced.  Now, obviously I’m a writer not Sigmund Freud so I don’t know which one the Evil Queen is, but if I had to hazard a guess, I’d go with the Superego.  But, all psycho-babble aside, I knew this was gonna go bad for Charmings & Company.  I mean, didn’t you all see it going bad when Regina and Emma had to work with Gold?

Henry was such a big part of the show in earlier seasons, but he’s been on the shelf (so to speak) for a while now.  So, it was nice to see a Henry-centric episode for the first half of the finale.  After all, he’s the “reason” we have the show to begin with, right?  He’s our starry eyed dreamer that keeps us all believing in fairy tales.  And, in this episode he got a few jaded New Yorkers to believe too.

In these episodes, we were introduced to some new characters that will obviously play a big part in Season 6… or at least the first part of it.  The whole Untold Stories arc should be interesting.  Maybe we’ll see a lot of those stories that aren’t quite fairy tales, but still legend – wait for it – dary.  Oh, and it looks like next season we’re going to get a DRAGON!  *fingers crossed*.

Call me a dreamer, but I’m still holding out hope we’ll see Robin again.

Shut up, it can happen!

Orphan Black – Clone Club Awesomness!!

We are already halfway through season 4, so why not recap what we know so far!

Season 4 of Orphan Black is proving to be the most entertaining season yet (this comment could be due to the meh nature of the first half of season 3). A lot has happened during the first 5 episodes, therefore we do need a quick recap before the release of episode 6 this week (to which I will do a more detailed review).

Needless to say beware of spoilers, but a warning is still mandatory. With that done, on with the review!!

‘Assassin’s Creed’ Movie Will Spend More Time In The Present Day

Assassin’s Creed marks Ubisoft’s first foray into the cinematic landscape, taking their unique IP and transporting it onto the big screen – with help of Michael Fassbender’s Hollywood heft of course.

Although the debut trailer for the game adaptation hit-the-net last week. Fans have been left with questions regarding how much of the big-budget action will take place in the modern day vs the films 15th century past.

In a conversation with IGN, Executive Producer Pat Crowley revealed that 65% of the movie will exist in the present day as Fassbender’s convict Callum Lynch fights the nefarious forces of The Knights Templar. The other 35% will  take place in 15th Century Spain as Lynch projects his conscience into his ancestor Aguilar, via the Animus machine familiar to fans of the long-running game franchise.

“There are certain things that we absolutely want to respect in the game,” Crowley explained, “but we also want to bring new elements to the game […] This isn’t a video game that we’re making. We’re trying to make a cinematic experience, so there are new things that we have to introduce.”

In a post Marvel Cinematic World, it is understandable that Ubisoft would need to establish the present day in the this movie given the prospect of further sequels and possible spin-off’s featuring different heroes down the line. A situation that fans are more than accustomed too nine games in.

It will however be interesting to see how the filmmakers will get the balance right when Assassin’s Creed hit theatres December 21, 2016.

For all your Film News & Reviews, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

Michael B. Jordan Joins ‘Black Panther’ Cast

It’s been announced that Michael B. Jordan has officially joined the cast of Marvel’s Black Panther.

Jordan, known recently for his roles in Creed and Fantastic 4 (Marvel, once again rescuing the Johnny Storms!) hasn’t revealed his role yet, but a source has mentioned it could very well be a villain character.

Black Panther, due for release in 2018, will focus on the warrior king of Wakanda and his sudden ascension to the throne, and therefore the esteemed Black Panther mantle. Introduced to Marvel audiences in Captain America: Civil War, Chadwick Boseman will return as the lead role for the standalone feature, and will also star alongside Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Black Panther, being directed by Ryan Coogler, is due for release on February 16th 2018, with production scheduled to begin in 2017.

The Originals SN3 EP21 – ‘Give ‘Em Hell Kid’

SN3 EP21: Give ‘Em Hell Kid

Written By:  Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson

Directed By: Jeffery G. Hunt

OK.  The Vampire Diaries let me down.  So, I was hoping for a big Originals episode to make up for it.

They did NOT let me down.

I got home late on Friday night and had to watch this episode on the trusty DVR.  So, when I hit the play button, I said “Bring it, Mikaelsons.”  And, they did.

They soooooo did.

I knew there was going to be another Civil War in New Orleans after Davina died, and the first shots were fired in this episode.  If you want to avoid spoilers, don’t read any farther!

The whole “one by friend, one by family, and one by foe” prophecy finally makes sense.  It’s all one person… or vampire.  Marcel is the friend, the foe, and the family.  At least, that’s what Freya and Elijah saw when they watched the whole prophecy trailer play out.  And after seeing that, did anyone expect Elijah to react in any way other than he did?  I didn’t…. and yet, when he pulled out Marcel’s heart, I’m sure I had the same look on my face that Marcel did.  And, so did Lucy.  I was so stunned that I didn’t even remember to hit the fast forward button to rush through the commercials.  I just kept muttering “what did I just see?”  When I finally did hit a button, it wasn’t the fast forward one… I hit rewind.  I had to watch it again to fully let it sink in.

The goodbye scene with Davina and Kol was very sweet and sad all at the same time.  Wait, I’m a writer; I can do better than that.  It was bittersweet.  Yeah, that’s the word I was looking for.

We even got a Haylijah kiss in this episode.

But the thing that got me?  The very end when we learn that Marcel drank the win10 hybrid juice!  I kept saying, “Oh this is bad… this is very, very bad”.  Just how bad is it?  On a scale of 1 to Meghan Trainor …. this is Carly Rae Jepsen.  Yeah, that’s like a Spinal Tap 11, Readers.

This episode would’ve made one hell of a season finale…but we get that next week!  And, according to the scenes…. Rebekah’s back next week!!

Hey, TVD writers…THAT’S how you do a season finale!