Weird Mind News Room Episode 112: April 14th - 20th

 *Music from the walkman to survive the cordyceps*

Well Hello hello hello again to each and everyone of you wonderful wonderful people of the information Superhighway to the 112th edition of the weekly series of Weird Mind NEws Room (and in connection of the video version will be the 100th edition in video form) where this week like always, we will be delving into all of the new releases, the couple of trailers and some news stories in focus from this week, so lets not waste all the focus on introductions and lets get into talking on all things media for this week.

New releases looking for the light

Movies

Sinners

So on the first of the new releases for this week is one that has been hotly anticipated for a fair bit of time since it was announced to be in the works since early last year and it seems the case that with a star studded line up, an interesting time period and some hot talent behind the camera, it can make anything have some bite to it and bring some appeal of unsettling nature with their outcome as Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan are back together again for an all new film known simply as Sinners. The film will follow a pair of twin brothers (Jordan in both roles) as they return to their home town to begin their lives anew and look to leave their troubled pasts behind. However it seems like not is all peaceful and simple as once they do they will soon discover an even greater evil is waiting for them to welcome them back. Reception on this new title has seen nothing but critical acclaim with praise to its story, its setting, themes, action, horror and an all star cast with people seeing this as so far being many peoples film of the year and seeing Jordan deserving an Oscar for this performance and it seems Coogler is 3 for 3 in acclaim in projects and  for showing that classic filmmaking is still alive and if you want something to sink your teeth into then you can catch this new film out now in cinemas.

Warfare

We have another big release film for this week and in the basis of this one, while our first film of the week show some horrors that had a bit more of a supernatural element, this next one does provide a sense of horror but more in the focus perspective of more of a realism and horrors of conflict can be put on a person as former Navy Seal Ray Mendoza and from acclaimed writer and director of Alex Garland had brought the story of Mendoza's mission told from his Point of view in the all new A24 title of Warfare. The film will be telling a focus of Mendoza's experiences as a Navy seal during the height of the Iraq War in the mid 2000s with the focus being in the area of an re-enactment told from him ad the other platoon Member's testimonies of a dangerous period experience they faced on November 19th 2006 on the wake of the battle of Ramadi. Reception on this title has also garnered some critical acclaim as the film is praised for its more grounded and dark re-enactment from those that experienced those horrors and a strong retelling with the action and all star cast including the performances of Will Poulter, Joseph Quin, Kit Connor and many more and has also been seen as another best film of 2025 lists already and if you want to see the horrors yourself then you can also catch this film out now in cinemas.

TV Shows

The Last of Us Season 2

And for the last of the new releases of the week is the one thing I have been hotly anticipating (amongst now with those 2 new films) and the most hyped tv series for me this year that after a fantastic 1st season adaptation, we are heading back to a world overtaken in ruin and that in the case of being lost in the darkness that we will search for the light (even when the story this time around is a bit more grim) as After over 2 years of waiting, we now have seen the beginning of the 2nd season of the highly anticipated and acclaimed adaptation of The Last of Us. This new season will of course cover a portion of the highly praised but also hotly debated and controversial 2nd game that will see Joel and Ellie continue on a journey to survive in this post apocalyptical America but in the case where the 1st season and games theme was about love and hope, this new season will follow the reverse theme of Hate. Reception for this new season has also seen a lot of very positive reception so far with praise on its continuing story focus, with some slight new changes to provide new context and issue fixes, performances from established performers and some new ones including praise for Kaitlyn Dever's Abby and Isabela Merced's Dina so far, though some critiques have come up from some pacing issues, a few continuity error's and some performances feeling lacking and the stories season feeling a little unfinished (but given there is another season it is likely going to establish the rest of the story over more then one season), but if you want to catch this take on a story you may have played (or to watch others reactions to some of the big moments from the game) you can catch the first episode of the season on HBO Max in the US and Sky Atlantic or Now in the UK and Ireland, with a new episode releasing every Sunday Night / Monday Morning.

Trailers to sink your teeth into

28 Years Later

The first of the trailers for this week was one that has been a long time wait for the years to pass to see how the effects of the world from a deadly virus has evolved and caused a change in society for one part of the world and after being teased this week with a small teaser that is as long as this trailer came to be, it is expected for the build as Garland makes a 2nd appearance this week with the collaboration with award winning director of Danny Boyle to bring an all new trailer for the long awaited upcoming sequel of 28 years later. The plot will show the audience that it has been almost 3 decades since the rage virus escaped from the biological weapons lab and will see many who have been living in a ruthlessly enforced Quarantine have found ways to exist, live and thrive amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway, but when one of the group leaves the island on a dangerous mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. If there is anything I can say about this films marketing of the trailers so far is that the marketing deserves a raise for their efforts cause they have really made it make sense and be kept so cryptic in their marketing and I think from what I have seen and shown, it is bringing the vibe and appeal the original duology and it gives some great strong early appeal from the unsettling nature, horror and a deep story that might be another hit and start a wave of some new story focus for a planned new trilogy, but we can see how this will come about and prepare for the horrors of the Rage when the film releases into cinemas from June 20th.

Eddington?

Speaking of films from directors that have a knack for some elements of twisted narratives and also elements of horror, after a bit of silence since their last film release about 2 years ago, Hereditary and Midsommar director of Ari Aster has appeared and will be making a return to the big screen to unleash his new film that will have big name stars and a twisted sense of humour and or horror, as we have recieved a small teaser for his all new upcoming 4th directed film that is known simply as Eddington. The film is set during the events of the recent Covid Pandemic, where it will see a stand off between a small town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and a mayor running for reelection (Pedro Pascal) and soon sparks a powder keg of chaos as soon neighbour is pitted against Neighbour in a place known as Eddington, New Mexico. So not much is really shown in the basis of the teaser but it gives an idea that while it may seem like a simple sense of a political thriller or debate of a small town issues, Knowing Aster's work in the past, I am sure there is going to be some level of deep psychological unhinged chaos that will either make you scared or unsettled and I am sure there will be an appeal from the outcome itself by its release. Now while I can't make too much of an opinion on this, It has peaked a bit of my interest and I am sure we will learn more about the film when it releases into cinemas from July 18th this year.

Thunderbolts*

I know for this next trailer may be pushing my rule for trailers with anything released 2 weeks before release will not get a focus until it comes out, but technically it just hit the deadline that I can talk about it as it is a case when the earth's mightiest heroes may have disbanded for the time being or are not returning their calls, it may have to be up to a group of heroes or anti-heroes to do the job that may to a level threat needed for that other team as we have recieved the final trailer for the upcoming MCU film title of Thunderbolts*. The film will follow a group of antiheroes getting themselves caught in a deadly trap set by Valentina Allegra De Fontaine and are forced into a very dangerous mission that could bring them redemption and be seen as real heroes if they work together as a team, if they do not try to kill one another in the process. So it is a case that over the last little while I have grown the appeal of this film itself that it looks to be more in the focus of being a more serious in tone but also having a bit of light humour with its narrative and I think for the likes of setting up some characters that are either favourites or haven't had much of a focus in recent appearances and could get some appeal and so far it has some hope of being great and the likes of what they have shown of the villain and his powers is actually a terrifying concept to think of being taken out by and I am for sure given my focus to checking this one out when the film releases in cinemas in just under 2 weeks time now on May 1st.

Life of Chuck

For the next of the trailers for this week is one that I have seen being a story from an author you would not expect as he is known for the likes of horror, thrillers or fantasy adventures, but in this rare case, there is a lot more to this authors bibliography, as we have the 2nd of the adaptations coming to us from the mind of Stephen King's novels and alongside directing auteur of Mike Flanagan with a trailer for the all new release of the life of chuck. The film is a collection of three separate stories linked to the life and biography of one Charles Krantz told in reverse, with beginning with his death and ending with his childhood of growing up in a haunted house, and while it is a case that he may be seen as just an ordinary man, he has great potential to being people together and change the world then he least expects it. So I had heard and seen a bit of a focus and marketing about it, mainly from the elements of the all star cast including Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillen, Mark Hamill, Cwiwetel Ejiofor, Mia Sara, Jacob Tremblay and many more and it gives off a sense of more of a feel good film and something to lift the spirits and show there is more to the world even when you may seem like an ordinary person amongst the crowd and from what I have heard from recent film festivals that it has a lot of appeal and may be a look into and its not too far off release as it will be heading into cinemas from August 22nd.

Fantastic Four First Steps

The next trailer is another helping of superhero eatery as we are taking a trip back a few decades to meet a new team of heroes, the first family of ordinary people giving extraordinary powers who will now be given a chance to prove their worth when a danger of galactic cosmic proportions appears to threaten their home as also coming to us from Marvel, we have recieved an all new trailer for the upcoming MCU film take of Fantastic Four First Steps. The film will see us take a trip to an alternate 1960s era inspired New York in a more retro-futuristic setting as it will follow the Fantastic 4 teaming up to protect the world from the looming threat of the planet-devouring cosmic entity of Galactus and his herald of the Silver Surfer while also coming to terms with their new gifted powers and coming together as a new found family. To say that we have had a fair few takes on this iconic first family has been proven to be a wave of mixed opinion with some attempt of a duology in the mid 2000s that has its fans, and a 2015 take that is a lot more darker and is used for one specific meme, but from the looks of this take, it gives the vibe that they know and respect each other a lot more and feels like a proper team and family brought together and gives me a lot of hope and from what I have seen, it looks dare I say.... Fantastic (and no I am not saying it again Miles Teller) but I think it is giving me a vibe that Marvel may be back on the right track (even if people are complain about a female silver surfer even if its established in the comics and is a separate character to the male version) and I am looking forward to this films release and I am sure be worth a watch when it releases into cinemas from July 25th.

HIM

For the last of the film trailers for this week is with the focus of a film that the type of film focus and genre may not be the most appealing to me, but it mainly comes down to the name of the person in the producer as we have a new sports film horror on the way with the release of the first trailer for the new movie of HIM. The film follows a promising young up-and-coming football player (Tyriq Withers) who is invited to train at the isolated compound of a dynasty teams aging QB1. The legendary almost retired Quarterback (Marlon Wayans) will take his protégé on a blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power and pursuit of excellence at any cost. Now as I said I not one that has much of the appeal when it comes to films or projects based on sports but it has peaked my interested cause of the name of one Jordan Peele who is the producer of this film and from the looks of things, once his name appeared in the trailer, that flair of horrors and and messed up aesthetic of a thriller is where it really kicks off and from the looks of things it has some sense of going real deep and messy with its outcome and I am all for it and I feel will be worth a checking out when the film releases into cinemas from September 19th. 

Mario Kart World

Now on the basis of the only trailer for a game title for this week is one that has come from the announcement from a product that while it has its appeal, some outsider stuff affects it that little bit as this week we got what was essentially a long trailer game overview for the upcoming release of Mario Kart World. Now to give some idea of what to expect, it is the new addition of the popular series from Nintendo where you can choose to play as one of your favourite characters from the vast series and race to be the best with all new moves, powers ups and courses to race upon to prove to see who has what it takes to be the best. Now in this case there is a lot that was shown off from the new aspects of open world, driving to the next courses, the new modes of competition from racing to battle mode and a whole lot more new additions to the game and while it looks amazing and hype as all hell, there is still some lingering issues pertaining to the price to purchase the game (a statement still seen in most of the comments of these streams and videos) but it is still a case of a game that I will be buying and playing myself and it is not too long away as well as the game will be racing on the Switch 2 as a launch title from June 5th.

The Sandman season 2 (Final Season)

The final trailer that we have for this week is with a series that who's first outing that was a triumphant success and many excited for the story to continue, but it may have seen a bit of a damper on the appeal for some outside issues retaining to the creator as it is time to return to get some shut eye as we have the release of the trailer for the 2nd and final season of The Sandman. This season will see Dream having rebuilt his realm after his captivity for over a century, must soon have to face the fallout of his past actions, which include unresolved family tension and resurfaced old conflicts where he'll confront gods, monsters, and mortals, on a path of forgiveness fraught with twists and turns that may potentially cost him everything. Now I can definitely see the elements where the appeal and respect of the adaptation from the graphic novel is there and I am sure there is some that are still excited for its release, but I feel a part of this appeal may have been affected by the recent allegations made towards the original comic's creator of Neil Gaimon and his certain naughty misdeeds, but besides all of that I am not going to get into I am sure given they have enough story to tell from this project that we will see this work out and if you want to catch it yourself, it will be released onto Netflix in 2 volumes with Vol.1 Dropping July 3rd and Vol 2 on July 24th.

News of a varying opinion

Casting of a series that feels icky to talk on this week and one to find some clues later

So on the focus of this first story on a week that is a little quiet in terms of news stories, we have a focus of 2 casting announcements with one being a full update to some rumoured ones and one that was announced to be being made that has the confirmation of a returning star and in the case there is a bit of a mixed outcome of discussion to this weeks story but lets get to see what those castings are.

So this one was the one with all of the rumours that I have talked about for the last few weeks with one or 2 new additions and all confirmations, but also feels really icky to talk about this week for a particular and this of course has to do with the as I always say, unnecessary remake of Harry Potter as a TV show. So over the last little while we have had rumours about the cast of some of the professors with the only one that was confirmed for a bit of time was the casting of John Lithgow as Professor Dumbledore, but we have gotten at the beginning of this week the confirmation of 5 of the other cast members playing the professors in this new adaptation. These include Paapu Eiseadu officially confirmed as professor Snape, Nick Frost confirmed as Hagrid and Janet McTeer confirmed as Professor McGonagall confirming the rumoured ones, but we also got the confirmation of 2 more additions with Death of Stalin star Paul Whitehouse playing caretaker Argus Filch (who also has already been in a previous Harry Potter entry in the Prisoner of Askaban film) and Theatre actor Luke Thallon has been cast as quivering Professor Quirrell. Now its a case, it is not a bad selection of actors and actresses for the series but then again as I said already, this series feels unnecessary and after what happened earlier this week in the UK courts and from the opinions of the author and her response for the oppression of the people that are people and not some bullshit mindset that you have gotten from inhale so much mold growing in your house to have their twisted words and opinions, that sure some bits may be understandable as some I care about have seen but most other time is not ideal in opinion (and has also targeted another sexuality for no reason) that I really don't see the appeal of adapting it again and leaving it as it is with the films (as they did take out most of the more problematic story elements) but I am sure there is some that will still watch or observe with interest but I really don't see the appeal but I guess we'll see how it turns out by production starting soon and its release probably sometime next year.

But on the basis of this second announcement and casting is one that people were either surprised to see make a return or have been waiting for a follow up for a very long time and that was the announcement for a sequel series to the popular 1995 teen comedy and stage play of Clueless to be in the works and being distributed by Peacock. Now it was not the only news announcement as it was also confirmed that lead star Alicia Silverstone was set to return as the character of Cher with her last appearance of playing the character being recently as 2023 when she cameoed in a superbowl ad as her character. Now at the moment it is unclear as to what this series will entail from the original film, but with the original films writer and director as well as some from Gossip Girl and the new Freakier Friday in the development group, I am sure it could work out and probably see a lot more very loud and colourful outfits in the process as well, but once I do hear anything else I shall update in a later episode.

But I want to know your thoughts on the casting of the HP HBO series and is it really a necessary series and on your thoughts about a sequel series to Clueless with the main star coming back? Let me know what you think of it all down below.

A trip to the woods eventually, a return to the vast galaxy and a saving of a pet (but not its privates)

Our 2nd story for the week is heading in the more of the focus to some announcement with some release date unveilings, updates or possible delays and changes of some studios for these projects and I will be delving into those projects now as to tell what we can expect.

So the first we have an update to is with a project that is made by a studio that delves into the craft of Stop Motion like its filmmaker ally's of Aardman and their last film they have made was over 5 years ago now has been given an update this week, though it is a little bit of a damper news as it was announced that the new Laika film of Wildwood has been announced to be delayed out of this year into 2026. Now the reason for this delay is currently unclear but most case as it is such an ambitious title that it is taking its time to make it perfect and with it done in the delicate art of stop motion (I mean this film has been in development for over 15 years with this studio since 2011) and most case that director Travis Knight is also balancing some other projects with him busy filming the upcoming new adaptation of Masters of the Universe (which is probably still filming after this film has wrapped and just deep into post production currently). Now personally I can understand and respect the delay as the likes of Stop motion is a long and delicate process and I do enjoy this studios output so I will give its time and due process and I look forward to entering that deep wilderness when it comes out sometime next year.

So as of writing and recording this episode, there is a massive event going on in Japan for the franchise of Star Wars as its the annual celebration event that takes place in all different cities every year and in the most case of what was unveiled besides footage for the new Mandalorian film out next year and a confirmation of a new Animated series based on Darth Maul in 2026, we do have a confirmation of another project that was rumoured for a bit of time and on Friday we got a confirmation that Deadpool and Wolverine Director of Shawn Levy will be helming the next Star Wars film that is now titled Star Wars Starfighter and will also confirmed to be starring Ryan Gosling (there was initially talks for recent Oscar winning actress of Mikey Madison was also offered a role but has since declined the role which is fair enough). Now not much is know on this project but it is confirmed that this film will take place 5 years after the events of Rise of Skywalker putting this as the furthest out in the timeline of events but after that it is no clue. I am sure in the case as more development is made on the film and enters production later this year that we will get an idea but I am sure we will learn all about it by its now confirmed release date of May 28th 2027 (which just about coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Star Wars films release).

The las of the film projects in focus that has gotten a bit of a perspective is one that has had a bit of a journey to get where we are but after some delay and wait, we have finally gotten a confirmation that the new R-Rated Sony animated film of Fixed has been given an official release date with the film dropping on Netflix from the 13th of August this year. Now the basis of the film is about a dog named Bull discovering that he will soon getting himself neutered in the morning so before he loses that piece of him he goes on a wild adventure with his buddies that will be full of chaos and romance and it sounds like it could have some appeal and may be a worthwhile funny story out of it all. Now the film has had a bit of a journey with it first being conceived back in 2009, getting full development by the end of the following decade and then was shopped around for a bit where initially was planned for release by Warner Bros before they decided to nearly cancel it for the usual array of tax write offs before it was recently acquired by Netflix and where it is now. Now I do hope that this will do well and that the people from Sony that worked on this adult animated comedy were treated a bit better then their other adult 3d animated film, but I know for sure that I will be checking this films release out when it drops later this summer. 

But I would like to know your thoughts on these announcements, when do you expect to see the new Laika film, will you be watching that new Star Wars Movie when it releases and are you interested in the new Sony R-rated animated film? Let me know what you think down below.

The man making Vengeance may be lost

So this last story is one that has me with a bit of a concern and also noticing a pattern of some issues stemming from one particular studio that I have mentioned in all 3 stories but this relates to some news and rumours coming in about the upcoming project that many people are anticipating for and that is with the upcoming adaptation of The Batman Part 2 from Matt Reeves. Now over the last little while we have been seeing the film getting a few delays from its initial late 2025 release with it now being aimed for a release of October 1st 2027, with some of the issues stemming to the likes of the script for the movie not being fully finished as of yet but there may be reasons for it. According to the sources, the reason for the delay is due to Reeves dealing with some personal matters that will not be discussed here as it is a private personal matter and its not been mentioned what that is online, but according to Youtuber and journalist Grace Randolph, it has been seen as a close situation to a "Chadwick Boseman situation" which was when the case that Boseman was secretly battling Colon Cancer while he was filming Black Panther and the last 2 Avengers films and its a case of maybe something close to what Reeves could be experiencing but it is not something to speculate. Now in all sense I do hope that he does take all the time he needs to heal and recover from this and when he is ready to come back and finish the story then I am all for it..... but it seems like Warner Bros may be thinking otherwise. According to some internal sources and from reliable insider Jeff Sneider, apparently Reeves may walk away from from the sequel if its a case that Warner decides to delay this sequel once more and it also comes to the affect that he has a deadline focus to have a script ready and to start filming by the end of this year, while working around the reporting case of Robert Pattinson being cast in next years Dune sequel which is giving a concern that Warner will make another dumb decision if they decide to do this as the case with Reeves stories is that he makes sure to really develop his characters and focus, which was seen with his original Batman film and before that the last 2 film in the reboot Planet of the Apes series of Dawn and War and that they should be supportive of their talent, let them get it made when they have it made to create their work and make another success instead of pressure them when they are at their lowest and just throw them away like it was nothing and just get someone else that will mess with the tone and focus of the first outing. Now at the moment this is all not fully confirmed and is just some rumoured speculation about some stuff but I do hope that if it is a case that Reeves gets all the time needed to recover and when ready to make another masterwork of a Batman story then I will be there to support it and that Warner should actually give a damn about their creatives making stuff for their studio as the studio of "original storytellers" you sure like to not give many a chance and just shelve it for tax write offs so I hope he will have its chance to continue that story.

But what do you think of this situation, do you see him possibly leaving this project or will he make it work in the end and if a change of director has to be done, who would you get as a focus for this follow up? Let me know what you think of it all down below and we can discuss it there.

And with all of that, this ends episode 112 of the weekly series of Weird Mind News Room and I do hope that you have enjoyed my ramblings for another week as always. Let me kniw your thoughts on all that was released or discussed this week down below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday doing many great things and I will see you all in the next episode :)

Take care, keep being you, signing off

Sam H :)