Weird Mind News Room Episode 139: October 20th - 26th

 *Music that was born to run*

Well hello again to all of you fine wonderful people of all varying types and things you see yourselves as to the 139th edition of my weekly series of Weird Mind News Room where for this week as per usual we delve into what I see as a more quieter week then with last week as we delve on some new Releases, some possible trailers and a News Story or 2 but I am sure we will get into that all and we will do so now as we head into the week and talk about the usual affair of all things media.

New Releases may make a change

Movies

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

So the first of the new releases of this week in focus is taking us to the 3rd and presumed last of the biographical focused films of this month as we are heading back to the perspective to the career of a famous face in the music scene to where it may not be the full focus of their whole career but rather in the perspective that its the pinpoint moment where we will see how the career really took off and how this made them one of the the most well known names in the industry to this day as we have a film focused on the musician known as the Boss in the release of the new film of Springsteen: deliver me from nowhere. The film is set in the early 80s and will follow in the creation of Springsteen's 1982 album of Nebraska when he was a young musician on the cusp on global superstardom, while struggling to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past. Now reception on this new bio film is a bit more of a mixed response from the initial acclaim of the film festivals as while the looks of the character may not be similar, the performance of Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen has seen some strong appeal and acclaim and some see the appeal of the small focused elements of their career, though some expecting to chronicling the entire life and career of the artist from youth to now may be disappointed in the full outcome but it seems to maybe see some likes by the fans and entertain those unfamiliar, but if you want to check it out yourself then you can do so now in cinemas.

Chainsaw Man - The Movie: Reze Arc

The 2nd film of this week is another perspective on a project that I have not really given too much of a focus on in this genre area but we have the talk on another anime film adaptation as we see the focus of the man with a face that will create a violent and bloody outcome and the perspective of the appeal in the overall outcome as in this instance, the more recent anime has gotten a big screen release for themselves in the form of Chainsaw Man the Movie: Reze Arc. Being a follow on from the First season of the show and adapting vols. 5 and 6 of the Anime Manga, the film will follow the titular Chainsaw Man as he will face off in his most deadliest battle yet in a brutal war that is against demons, hunters and some secret enemies and figuring out the case of who is the girl for him in the process. Reception on this anime film seems to also be very well recieved with praise on its detailed and stylish animation, its action sequences and story making it another possible hit for the anime scene at this years box office after Demon Slayers big success last month and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can catch the dubbed or subbed versions of it in cinemas.

Sketch

The last of the films releasing for this week is with the focus of the contents of many a ones imagination can be something that can help in some strange or emotional times, but what if the case of the sense of the emotional images that one created to deal with these issues come to life and cause a frenzy is where the focus of this imagination may be one that could be something that spells disaster as we have the release of the new film known simply as Sketch. The film will see the outcome affects of where a young girl's sketchbook ends up falling into the waters of a Magic Pond that will soon see the designs of her chaotic based drawings come to life and cause chaos upon her town. As the town descends into chaos, it will be up to the small girl and her family to come together and stop the monsters that they had never meant to unleash. Reception on this film as of writing seems to be very well recieved with praise to some strong performances from the child / pre-teen performers and for having a good focus of a simple story with some well meaning messages on grief and healing and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can catch this film now in cinemas.

Video Games

Jurassic World Evolution 3

So going from films to games, we are taking a trip to the realm of the time of the past where these creatures roamed the earth to all the way in the present where it will be your own responsibility to play god and create a safe and strong living environment from the creatures of the prehistoric times, in a form of how they say Life finds a way as we have been given the release of the 3rd entry in this popular park management series with Jurassic world Evolution 3. Similar to the first 2 entries of the series, you will take control and manage your own distinct Jurassic World Themed Prehistoric Park where you will care and manage for up to 90 different species of Dinos and create it to your hearts content and also see you take part in a campaign with a focus of maintaining and resolving issues of similar parks around the globe. Reception on this 3rd entry of the series seems to be continuing the momenttum of well recieved reception of the series of games and seen with each new installment improving over issues the former entries had to one another and seen as another success to play and if you want to control your own form of the park, then you can play it now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (and likely a Switch 2 version in the future).

Ninja Gaiden 4

The 2nd game for this week is seeing us take the form of a figure that will blend into the shadows, move at quick speeds that before you even know it, may have sealed your fate by the hands of his many concealed weapons on hand and after many years of silence, this particular protector will return out of the shadows and fight for what's right as after over a decade since the last numbered title we have been given the release of the return of this popular series with Ninja Gaiden 4. Taking place after the events of the 3rd title, you play as Yakumo, a young Ninja from the Raven clan, who is tasked to stop the powers of the Rains of Darkrot curse that is devastating Tokyo with the way to stop the curse is to find the Dark Dragon, but his path will soon become more complicated by the emergence of the Divine Dragon Order, who are guarding the Dark Dragon seal and have an unlikely alliance with the Dark Dragon's Priestess of Seori. Soon with the assistance of original Protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, who opposed Yakumo's plan to ressurect the dragon, it will soon lead to a conflict that brings a sense of conflicting solutions to stop the curse. Now reception on this follow up seems to be well recieved across the platforms with praise on its story, its unique gameplay style that the series is well known for and the visuals and while I say some story beats may be a sense of confusion and may be some possible repetitive nature if stretched too long, I am sure this is a proper welcome form back to the classic series itself and if you want to play it for yourself then you can get it now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Once Upon a Katamari

As for the last of the titles that brings a new addition to a series that has been quiet for some time (with one other title confirmed this week being a re-release to consoles of the Plants Vs Zombies series) we ask the question of the ideals that what would you do in the situation if you were a tiny little prince that is given the control of a small sphere that may have some odd shaped and form to it and are tasked to go around rolling up all sorts of different things of different sizes, all to appease you giant father who is the presumed king of all the cosmos? Well I am sure you would do so if the likes of their actions caused something that needed to be fixed with random stuff as we are returning to the popular series that is very Japanese Coded in its humour and appeal with the release of Once upon a Katamari. In this game you will once again take control of the Prince and the son of the King of the Cosmos, as once again your father done a goof and destroyed the earth and the Stars and it will be your job to grab your Katamari ball and travel acrosss space and time in order to restore the stars and fix everything that you father seems to always cause. Now reception on this title seems to be similar to many entries in the series in some positive reception as the appeal of the series has returned, even after 14 years since the last new mainline title with praise on the visuals, gameplay and new settings to explore and if you want to play it for yourself then you can play it now on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 1 and 2 and PC.

Some.... Trailers to inspire

Troll 2

Initially I thought it was a week with no trailers but I stumbled across a pair and for this first ine I will need to give a bit of context as the film we're talking on here is also named after a film from a long while ago and is also known as one of the worst films ever made with an iconic quoted scene from that movie, but in this case its not the same film and is only in name only as we are heading back to Norway for the setting of our first film trailer where the effects of a sudden attack or emergence of a strange creature has begun to see the rebuilding of society but it looks like their was another and the only way to stop the creature is to fight back with another as we have the release of the trailer for the all new sequel of this monster film with Troll 2. Taking place after the original film, it will follow the original group of Nora, Andreas, Captain Holm and Kris, who find themselves facing off against a more dangerous Troll that has awakened in Norway. They must embark on a perilous mission to find answers in ancient history, gather new allies, and develop new weapons in order to stop the "Megatroll" before its path of destruction engulfs the country. Its interesting to think that over the many years of monster based films, the likes of Trolls is one species that don't seem to get much of a focus outside of the fantasy adaptations of things like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Narnia or ones that are more tiny, colourful and voiced by Justin Timberlake but the likes of the scale form that gives off a bit of a Monsterverse type film is always an interesting one. Now I heard that the original from 3 years ago was well recieved by Critics and a bit mixed from audiences but from the looks of this, it looks like a decent watch with really well done visuals of this giant mythical creatures and I may as well give this follow up and its original a watch and its not too long away for this either as the film will be releasing onto Netflix in just over a months time on December 1st.

Crime 101

And for the 2nd trailer in focus for this week is giving us a bit more of a focus in the realm of a thriller, a focus on the basis of plans and heists and a focus to a project that I feel the timing release of the trailer is very coincidental to the likes of an event that took place a couple of days ago, but in this instance its more of the one many scheme of an elaborate system to take for themselves and how it will all come together in seeing who can one trust in every part of this as we have the release of a trailer for the all new crime thriller of Crime 101. The film will follow the workings of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) who is eying his final score, soon encounters a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) at her own crossroads. As their paths intertwine, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) trails them hoping to thwart the Multi-million dollar heist they are planning. I will say that I do like a sense of a heist film based projects as it feels like they come few and far between as of late and when you get some appealing ones like Baby Driver or Hell or High Water, it makes it work or by its tone that it could be something that could appeal overall and it seems from what I see as a bit of a MCU based collection of cast, it has some appeal that it could be an entertaining outcome overall and I would be interested in checking it out and its not too far off from release either as the film will be released into cinemas from February 13th. 

News of all genre taste

Stories of Humans against machines and some team ups, Ghosts of the Holidays, mazes and the Chief himself 

So similar in tone to last week, it was a case that it was another slow news week in media (most news I saw from me was overtaking by an Election in my country but I'm not getting into it on this channel and will say I appreciate the person that won the vote) but besides that I did find a bit of a selection of small hodge podge stories that I can bring up from announcements, roles and rumours and releases coming in some areas of media in focus, but lets dive right in and see what is on the selection of media new focus.

So we will start off with the first announcement and one that I am actually excited to see getting a follow up as a I feel a little bit in the case this film is slightly been overlooked or slept on but after dropping the first film back in 2021 we are getting a follow up to the Oscar nominated Sony film of Mitchells vs the Machines and I am all for it as I live this film. Now the film will be helmed and co-directed by Guillermo Martinez who was the head of story for the first film and JP Sans who was the co-director on this years Bad Guys Sequel (a film I also really enjoyed) will be taking on Directing Duties, and the film will be written by a collective known as the Molyneux sisters of Lizzie and Wendy, who were known for the series of The Great North and it is also being produced by the creative minds of Phil Lord and Chris Miller back from the first and I am all for it. Now as I mentioned I loved the first for its animation mixed media style, its characters (with Katie being a character I can relate to) and story that worked well with some appeal in humour and I am interested to see what will come of this follow up and what new dangerous tech will be up to this normal dysfunctional family will have to take on and I am all for seeing what is on the way. Now at the moment we have no idea of when we will expect this film to be released onto the streamer but in all regards, once I hear anything of a release date, I will provide it in a later episode.

Speaking of animation for the moment, we have the confirmation of another project taking a step into the realm of animation that while initially I thought it was replacing a plan in a film version, turns out to be both perspectives as it was announced this week that we are getting a new animated series crossover with the series of Transformers with Gi-Joe. The series was announced earlier this week to be in the works with Joe Henderson, known for Lucifer will be the writer and showrunner for the series and will likely be based on the comic line by Invincible creator Robert Kirkman. Now likely case is that this will be either connected or separate to the confirmed Live Action film crossover that was teased at the end of Rise of the Beasts in some form but I am sure it will be interesting to see the varying types and stories it will pull from the comics of each of them and which members of each team will be the main focus of the story but I am sure they will work it out as its developed. As of the moment, there is no plan release of when either is expected, as well as the case of which streaming service or network is planning to release and distribue the animated series but I am sure they will soon bid for the rights and if anything does change in the time being, I will provide it in a later episode.

Now the next focus is with some reports coming to us from a more then reliable insider source known as Daniel RPK and it has to do with a new addition to a series in general and it was reported by them earlier this week that we may be getting a new film based in the same world as the popular young adult novel series of The Maze Runner. Now this supposed new one will not be a continuation of the main trilogy that released over the 2010 but instead will be a separate story with a focus on new characters and setting that may be happening at the same time as the original series or in most case it could be the new sequel series that the author is working on getting an adaption known as the Maze Cutter. This is not the first time that reports of a new film has been known as there was talk back over a year ago that a new film or reboot of the series was already in talks at 20th Century Fox so unless it was evolved into a spin off or a sequel set decades into the future may be what they were getting at initially. Now for the moment it is just a rumour and nothing has been officially been announced as of yet but in all case, once I hear anything new or confirmed I will of course bring it up later.

Now on the only bit of casting based news that has not been fully set in stone yet but seems to be a casting confirmation is seeing the return of a famous face that has played a lot of familiar and iconic faces over the years and that is with the return of Johnny Depp into Hollywood films. The past decade has been a bit of a messy one of this actor, with the main focus that saw him disappear from project having to do with him being accused of abuse from a former partner and the very publicized trial that went in his favour and in that time most appearances was in the Fantastic Beasts sequel (before he was replaced in the 3rd one), a 5th Pirates movie (with reports of coming back for a 6th one) and for playing both a Journalist in one film and in a french film playing the role of Louie XV, but it seems he will be taking a return to Hollywood once more and will be portraying a famous character from a well adapted piece of literature as it is confirmed that Depp will be portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in a new take on A Christmas Carol that is being helmed by X Trilogy director Ti West. Personally I can see this working for Depp as he has played some odd and eccentric characters before from Willy Wonka, The Mad Hatter, Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and Jack Sparrow just to name a few and I feel he can transform himself well into a form of a famous old grouch from this iconic dickens story. Now its not the only confirmed Christmas Carol production in the works as Robert Eggers is also making his own take on the project that will see Scrroge being played by Wilem Dafoe and I feel if both release at the same time it will be an interesting perspective to see which one is seen as better and who plays the character better. Now as things right now there is no set confirmed date for these project, but once I hear anything about both I will provide this as well in a later episode.

As for the last of the news we have for the week, we got the announcement of something that for the last few weeks or so was seen as a sort of rumour, the reports of a possible release onto something that was seen as unlikely from a mascot of the time that was well known as for being on one specific figure most associated with the brand, but it seems that now from an announcement this week, they are finishing the fight for the first time on some new hardware as it was announced that we are getting an all new remake of the original Halo title known as Campaign Evolved and also with this announcement came the fact that we are seeing this release for the first time on Playstation (and likely case a little later on the Switch). Now this is a major move as for about 25 years now, Halo and the character of Master Chief had been a staple of Microsoft and Xbox hardware and while the likes of the series has seen better days with the series seeing more underwhelming appeal from the last 2 mainline games and the tv adaptation, this may see a case of some die hard Sony fans that saw some appeal with this franchise over the years finally getting a chance to experience this title and it will be interesting to compare and contrast from the versions on both consoles. Now we will have to wait for a little bit for this release as it will be set for sometime in 2026, but I am sure it will be well worth trying out with finishing this fight when it does.

But what do you make of all these stories, are you excited for a Mitchells vs the Machines sequel, Will you watch this new Transformers/GI Joe crossover series, do you think a new spin off/reboot/sequel of Maze Runner will work, do you see Depp playing a good Scrooge and will you be trying out the new Halo 1 remake on the PlayStation or other systems? Let me know what you think of it all down below in the comments.

And with all of that now, this brings us to the end of a more quieter week of Weird News Room but I still hope you enjoyed the ramblings of myself as always. But let me know your thoughts on all that was discussed this week down below and as always I hope you all stay being wonderful people and have a great day everyday and I will see you all in the next episode :)

Take Care, keep being you, signing off

Sam H :)