Weird Mind News Room Episode 140: Oct 27th - Nov 2nd
*Music for the classic Youtube Horror Series*
Well Hello to you all, it is I, Sam, once again to talk about the many layers of all things media in the focus of Weird Mind News Room where this week we have a bit more of a substance cross everything from the many new releases, some trailers or so and a collection of News stories of varying types, so lets just jump into talking on all of it for all the new releases for this week.
New releases that are not on a focus of conspiracy
Movies
Bugonia
We start off the releases off this week with a new project that will be getting very strange, very weird and maybe even a little bit conspiratorial as we have the newest madcap project from the duo of Yorgos Lanthimos and lead star Emma Stone as we have the release of his new film of Bugonia. The film will follow 2 conspiracy obsessed young men who end up kidnapping the CEO of a major Company as they are convinced that they are actually an Alien who is intent on destroying the Earth and I am sure a lot of chaos will ensue. Reception to this new film from this filmmaker and star seems to be very well recieved and better recieved from both sides compared to his last film of Kinds of Kindness with praise to its concept, performances and for being the madcap ideas that this director is known for and could be another film of his that may appear in the award season circuit but if you want to see it for yourself then you can do so now in cinemas.
Shelby Oaks
The 2nd new release and last of the films is very well timed for the release of this week with it being the spooky season day and the concept and tone fits right into that day as well as the concept starting as some form of an old series on Youtube or possible ARG and who better to take a stab at the concept then with the debut of another YouTube as Chris Struckmann alongside producer Mike Flanagan delivers the new doc style horror with Shelby Oaks. The film follows the mystery of the disappearance of a young woman named Riley Brennan, who back in the 2000s hosted a YouTube channel with her friends known as the Paranormal Paranoids that saw them filming in various haunted locations before things took a grisly and mysterious turn when they investigated the Abandoned town of Shelby Oaks, Ohio, that sees Riley's 3 friends found Murdered and a tape left behind that shows Riley either being taken or killed by an unidentifiable man. This soon leads to Mia, Riley's Younger sister, believing with hope that she is still alive and has searched for her for about 12 years, when she comes across a 2nd tape that contains contents that convince Mia that something sinister is involved with Riley's Vanishing. Now initially garnering some decently recieved reception when first premiered a year ago, after the release, the film has seen a bit more of a mixed response that while praise has been given to Struckmann's first debut attempt and the tone and atmosphere and performances, the film does leave a lot to be desired in terms of loose threads not being fully addressed and feel it could be slightly longer with the film just coming in around 90 mins, but overall it may be a start to some film projects that may improve as time goes on and if you want to see this mystery unfold then you can check this one out as well in cinemas.
TV Shows
IT Welcome to Derry
Keeping things spooky and timing well into the next release is taking us back in time and in the world of a famous authors work that consist of unspeakable horrors, strange powerful lights and a shapeshifting being whos most common form is that of a scary clown as we are taking a dive back to more of an origin of the horrors of Derry with the release of the 1st season of It Welcome to Derry. The series will serve as a prequel to the 2 recent adaptations of the novel and set 27 years before the first chapter in 1962 and focus on a group of young kids who begin to sense the presence of an ancient evil, Specifically Pennywise, rising in the town and will explore more of the origins and deep history of the Town of Derry and the shapeshifting clown. Reception so far with this first season seems to be well recieved with praise on its performances, time setting, Atmosphere, social commentary and themes, though some issues seem to stem to some mixed elements of the plots or plotting being all over the place and some with the lack of an appearance by the clown to more of the latter half but I feel it makes sense to build up to them more then just overuse them and if you are up to floating around too then you can catch the first 2 episodes now on HBO Max in the States and Sky and Now in the UK and Ireland with a new episode releasing every Sunday Night / Monday Morning.
Hazbin Hotel Season 2
Well now salutations to you fair viewer as it has been a bit of time since we have been to this underworld where the last we experienced quite the ordeal of a conflict of the 2 forms of afterlife and while that may have settled and the scars still linger for some of them, a new one is rising up to try and take control themselves that I am sure will have some conflict, bloodshed and a few sing songs too as we are once again making a fine old reservation into the new and improved Hazbin Hotel. The new season will follow on from the end of the first season with the victory over the Angel's execution army with it proving itself to be a success for the hotel idea for Charlie and her friends as the new and improved Hotel is packed full of residents. Though it seems to Charlie's Dismay that the new Guests seek more of revenge instead of Redemption which goes against the plan of the hotel. This will see the Vee's trying to use this to capitalize on Hell's Instability and use the growing tensions with Heaven to their own advantage leading to a possible new war on the Horizon. Now reception on the format of a mediocre video podcast so far has seen some well recieved reception so far with praised aimed at the animation, the building of story, the catchy songs and some of the well established character dynamic balance with the favourites and new additions and I am sure will be something of a hell of a good time and if you want to pursue this venture over say listening to it by a radio broadcast then you can watch the first 2 new on that Prime location and then release 2 new episode every Wednesday.
Star Wars Outlaws Season 3
Then from the underworld to a galaxy Far Far away, we are delving into the many stories outside of the main saga story as we are once again going to the different parts of the universe for the release of the 3rd season of the popular series of Star Wars Visions. This of course will be a series of episodic stories that will tell unique stories in this universe from the likes of a Blind Padawan on a spiritual journey, a Smuggler's Dangerous Mission, some stories on the focus of the rebuilding of the Jedi Order, a Princess leading a rebellion against the empire and many many more to come from the galaxy far far away. Reception so far to this new season of stories seems to be a hit with critics, though a little more mixed with audiences but still so far liked enough with praise on some of the contained or continued stories of previous seasons, the unique styles of animation from different studios and companies and the appeal of other sagas and ideas out there across the world of the galaxies far far away and if you want to see what many studios and artists have to offer then you can catch this full season now on Disney+.
The Witcher Season 4
Then the last of the shows will see us toss a coin to the fellow bulky man with the long flowing white hair and the power weapons and powers, though it seems the main guy has had a little bit of a new look and change happen in between as we are returning to another realm of a game adaptation with the release on the 4th season based on the books and games of The Witcher. This new season will follow on from the shocking, continent - Altering events of the last season, it will Follow Geralt (Liam Hemsworth), Yennefer and Ciri as they are faced with traversing the war-ravanged continent and its many demons apart from each other. If they can embrace and lead the groups of Misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire - and finding one another again too. Now reception on this new season has seen a bit of a series low with a more mixed reception on the critics side, though audiences seems to be more in the low negatives with most issues possibly stemming to the sudden cast change from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth and the continued lack of adapting the series on the books its based on, though it seems some of the visuals or settings and some performances are still decently liked, but if its a case you want to continue the journey to the end then you can watch the new season now on Netflix.
Video Games
The Outer Worlds 2
Now on games we start with a journey into the realm of the cosmic scene for an adventure that is not straight forward, a bit more goofy and full of action, strange creatures, plenty of guns and a goofy moon based mascot as after a long wait since the unveiling, we have been given the release of the sequel to the Outer Worlds. Set as a standalone sequel to the original, its set in the Arcadia star system that is invaded by the megacorporation where you will take control of an Earth Directorate Agent, who will be tasked with uncovering the the source of some emerging rifts that threaten to destroy the colony amidst a factional war. Reception to this long awaited sequel seems to also be well recieved with praise to the gameplay, narrative, characters and worlds to explore, though some audiences and critics have mostly critiques initially on the price of the title for the amount of content and for some performance issues on PC, which seems to be the norm these days but overall seems like another success and if you want to play it for yourself then you can do so on PS5, Series X/S and PC.
Dragon Quest 1+2 HD 2D Remake
From the cosmos to taking a trip to the past in setting and title for the 2nd game of the week, it is time we return to the games that brought the series started and complete the story and trilogy that was born from it into a full complete roundabout way as we have finally seen the release of the HD 2D remakes of the original 2 entries of Dragons Quest. Being the remaining parts of the Erdrick trilogy, the first title will have take on a heroes tale as a descendant of the 3rd games protagonist that will see you rescue a princess from the clutches of the evil Dragonlord, with the 2nd game jumping ahead a century and playing the role of the Prince of Midenhall, who must go on a quest to defeat the evil wizard Hargon after they destroyed Moonbrooke castle. Reception on this double pack remakes like the 3rd game has been very well recieved with praised to the massive improved new features and visuals of the remakes while keeping what was loved of the titles all in check and capping a trilogy of beloved titles with great respect and if you are up for some new quests then you can do so now on PS5, Series X/S, Switch 1 and 2 and PC.
Dispatch
And this last new release of the week, technically released last week but I seem to have forgotten on it and they have been dropping new episodes each week for the month and that will be the case of a world of heroes or powerful beings that may be known to save the world or destroy it, it will come down to some people or those behind the desk to make sure they are kept in check or find a way to be reformed as we have the release of the new comic style narrative choice episodic game of Dispatch. Seen as a form of Superhero office comedy, the game will have you take control of Robert Roberson (Aaron Paul), a former superhero known as Mecha Man, who takes the role of a job as a dispatcher for villains-turned-superheroes after his signature mecha suit is destroyed in battle and looks for a way to earn some funds for a new one. Reception on this episodic series so far seem to be very well recieved with praise to the story, narrative choices, performances from big name stars and a few familiar voices from YouTube and from the visual aesthetic with the many outcomes of the narrative getting people to come back for more and if you want to play it for yourself the first four episodes are available now on PS5 and PC with the remaining 4 releasing in 2 pairs of episodes over the next 2 Wednesdays.
Trailers that may give you a spook
Fackham Hall
We start on the trailers with a sense of a genre we are not overly given much on this era but it is in the focus of the comedy parody type genre as we have seen the likes of the comedy spoof for police wit Naked Gun and from comedies like Scary Movie, Airplane, Hot Shots and much more, this time we are taking the jab in the mix of the classy nature of those period piece dramas with a dash of a murder mystery title that has quite the specific but quirky innuendo as we got a first look trailer at the new comedy known as Fackham Hall. The film will follow a lovable pickpocket known as Eric Noone who moves into the English Manor of Fackham Hall where he will soon start a forbidden romance with Rose Davenport and also soon framed for murder, while he soon ends up in a rivalry with a man named Archibald who soon battles him for the purpose of Rose's Hand in marriage. At the same time, rivalries are spilling over in the Davenport family, led by Lord and Lady Davenport, as they also weather the epic failure of the wedding of their eldest daughter to her caddish cousin. I always enjoy when the likes of the attempt to a comedy or parody style film makes an attempt in something of varying styles from classic Cop shows, action films, taking the piss out of many genres or even one with a murder spree involving raunchy puppets, but the likes of the drama period setting of a Downton Abbey, Bridgerton or Peaky Blinders type setting feels ripe for the course to really take the jabbing at and from this trailer it did give me that sense of an appeal or some chuckles in there as well that I also experienced with this years Naked Gun so maybe this will be well worth a watch and its not long away for a trip for Fackham Hall with the film set for release in cinemas from December 5th.
Zootopia 2?
Next trailer is the only animated affair in footage as it will be seeing the Fur about to fly and things will be changing fuurrrrever as while we had the final main trailer, we have gotten one more international trailer for the upcoming sequel of Zootopia. The new film will be set about a week or 2 after the events of the original and will see Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde finding themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile (Key Huy Quan) who has arrived in Zootopia and turns the mammal Metropolis upside down in the process. To crack the case, Judy and Nick will have to go undercover and test the limit of their partnership to solve this mystery across the vast lands of this city and beyond before everything falls into chaos. I can say as time went on that I find the original and the world that it has created to be a fine piece of content from a decade ago and it still holds up with its likable characters, story concept and the message that it bestows in it and it seems with this follow up that it is looking to try and capture that tone once more and has an appeal of interesting characters in this new film as well as another mystery and good humoured jokes in it as well that in all sense of things is part of the collection of films for the end of the year I am the most excited for and I will be looking forward to checking this out when the film releases in under a months time on November 28th.
Stranger Things Season 5
The next trailer will be seeing the case of the beginning of the end, the journey of a battle forming and the effects of the aftermath to everything presented will be set to turn the whole world uʍop ǝpᴉsdn, as we have gotten ourselves the trailer for the upcoming final (or at least final trailer for volume one of the final) season of Stranger Things. This final season will see the final battle of Hawkins as the rifts between the Real World and the Upside Down have opened, causing chaos and a Military Quarantine on the town where the gang will unite to fight Vecna who has gone missing since the end of the last season and his plans currently unknown which complicates the mission and will lead to them battling a darkness that looms that is more powerful then ever before. It has for a bit of time lately I have had a bit of a thought process of the mixed opinion to the whole series that while I love or enjoy the series a whole lot, I have seen the case of some of the issues brought up from previous rewatches that I kind of want to make a video on of some issues I have as well as an approach I feel maybe would've worked that little bit more, but in all sense of things I am sure can be a case that I am looking forward to seeing how this whole thing ends (and hopefully with the reported timejump of about 18 months in the series, it will help it slightly with the issue I have of them being way too old for the ages they are supposed to be at this point in the series) but I guess we'll see how much pain and emotions we may feel by release of Vol 1 on November 26th, Vol 2 on Christmas Day and the finale on Ney Years Eve or day.
Scream 7
And the last of the trailer for this week is focusing on the question of wondering if you like scary movies, like the ones with the iconic killer with the specific looking costume that seems to make a presence every few years with a mystery as to who is behind the mask that may be showing its signs of running out of ideas, well that is a little bit of what I see with the release of timing well for the spooky season week with the trailer for Scream 7. The film will be seeing the new form of the iconic Ghostface killer emerging in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all. So in my own personal opinion, I was one that was not much of a big fan or lover of the series as I have not seen many of the films besides maybe the original, the memes or discussions about Courtney Cox's hair in the 3rd film and saw the 5th one with a friend when that came out, but it has been a case that you see one of them you seen them all and its a case that this one has had a bit of a very messy development from cast leads being fired for their opinions on the ongoing conflict and some leaving in support, to them bringing back other characters from older films just spells a mess and one that I feel they show the entire film in this trailer or the case of a massive boycott movement online for this now, I will be surprised to see if the appeal and box office will triumph or the movement will work out but I guess we will see in this instance by the films release in cinemas from February 27th next year.
News to believe or distrust
the varying levels of releases or delays or change ups
SO we start this weeks array on news with the usual affair of rounding up of some announcements in release dates, updates and delays seen across the realm of Film and Tv. There is a planned focus to some game ones but that will be for the 2nd story of the week so lets delve into all the changes and dates.
So we start the news off for this week with a series of focus that the timing of this announcement lined up with the finale of the last one as it seems the trio of podcasting sleuths will be back once more as it was confirmed that a 6th Season to the popular murder mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building is on the way and it looks like this time the series is going for a bit more of an international approach as going off of the poster announcement, the trio will be jetting off to the UK for the new season as they solve the mystery of the death of the victim that appeared at their buildings doorstep who seemed to be investigating a mystery in London. Personally I was worried for a bit of time as the end of the most recent season nearly felt a bit of a finality with some of the characters from previous seasons all appearing in some form but it seems the mystery continues on and I am excited to see what a new setting will do as well as see who they get for this season and hopefully not overdo it as well but I guess we'll see on that end by its release sometime next year.
Next on the announcements of coming to us but has no set date but release window is coming to us in the form of an all new film announcement from those fine craftsmen and women and all others at Aardman animations as they announced this week that we have an all new film based on everyones favourite mischievous Sheep of Shaun as it was announced the 3rd film for this character in the form of The Beast of Mossy Bottom will be arriving onto our screens for the next Spooky season. Now its unclear if its going to be in cinemas like the first 2 films were or if it will be like the last Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run and just be a streaming release or on the BBC but either way I am excited to check it out when it does come along. I will be intrigued to see what the story will entail and we can get a better look at the monster too that is teased in the small announcement clip teaser but I am sure we will get more of an idea before its release next Halloween.
The next project in focus was in the perspective of the discussion of some confirmed dates with the first will be with an appointment has been made for your presence for a medical check up as it was announced this week as well that we have finally gotten the release date of the planned reboot to the popular series of Scrubs with the reboot now confirmed to be premiering on Feb 25th next year which seems like the series is coming along very well. This also confirms that a fair amount of the original cast members will be making some form of an appearance and I am sure people will be more open and happy with the original cast compared to the last season of the original that was more focused on an all new cast group that people could not attach to much. Now I am intrigued to see what the series will entail and what stories the characters have been up to since the series ended and I am sure we will get an idea of the series when a trailer makes a release in some point in the next few weeks but I am sure if we get an idea of that, I will cover it in a later episode.
The last of the projects that has gotten a set release date is the furthest one out but it does seem like it was bound to happen in some point as it was announced that Warner Bros is looking to strike gold once again with a new film based on a very popular brand, more specifically one of the top 10 most profitable media franchises in the world as it was announced that they are making a new animated film based on the popular character of Hello Kitty with the release of the project set for release on July 21st 2028. Now I feel it makes the most sense to have it as an animated project as it fits the tone more, but the other thing is that I am surprised that WB is down to making an animated project as they seem to be very against animation over the last while with a lack of animated releases and for their massive library of WB classics being wiped from HBO Max, but maybe they have a change of heart from some of the recent animated films from other studios making big monies at the box office or streaming but I guess we shall see. Now no plot details or casting confirmations as of yet, it will be seen as to what will be made of this project but I guess we'll see by its release in about 3 years time.
The last of the date changes is more in the only delay in film or tv that I have come across and for a bit of time, I forgot that this series was actually on the way for a bit of time but it was announced on Thursday that the planned series spin off of Hotel Transylvania, known simply as Motel Transylvania has been delayed by about 2 years to release now in 2027. Initially the series was set for release this year but it was probably a case that it was taken a lot longer to fully plan out and probably needed a bit more time for recording and animating it all so I can understand the delay on this approach and given Sony animation has really been making a lot more successful projects they probably want to make it better so any delay on it is fine. I am sure we will get an idea of the project in due time and once anything new comes about this I will provide it in a later episode.
But what do you make of these projects, are you excited for another season of only Murders, Will you watch the new Shaun the Sheep film, do you think the Scrubs reboot will work, will you check out a film on Hello Kitty and are you excited for it and will you think the delay for Motel Transylvania will do any good in the long term? Let me know what you think down below.
Gaming focused media announcements
As for the 2nd stories of the week is more of another round up of projects but this consist more of projects focused in the realm of the discussion on Video Game media from Project updates, delays and announcements as well but lets get into seeing what will consist of this weeks collection of stories
So this first one technically would've fit into either story as there is a bit of a update for one persons contract move but more on this is the focus of the project they are working on and this is to do with the creative known as Taylor Sheridan. The name may not be widely known to a lot but his content is as he is the creative behind many massively successful projects based on one created series of Yellowstone with many prequels and sequels made in the process and it seems he is not focusing on the western focus for this next project but rather, he is focusing more on the area of Modern Combat warfare as it was announced this week that Sheridan will be the writer of the upcoming film based on Call of Duty with the film being helmed by Peter Berg, known for projects like Deepwater Horizon, Patriots Day, Hancock and Battleship just to name a few and seems like it could work in the pairing to make something that has a great gritty tone in directing and well written narrative as well. This seemed to be a coincidence that this was announced as it was reported in discussion that Sheridan was planning to leave Paramount for Universal for a better fit contract, given the whole ordeal going on in that company lately of mass layoffs from the new head of the studio so I see the hesitation and will probably be the last thing he makes before he heads off to another studio. I will be intrigued to see what era or setting they will go with for this project but I guess we'll find out in due time and if anything new is reported I will add it in a later episode.
So the next of the focus is with the announcement of a new project adaptation heading to another streaming service and it seems things may get a little N.Sane as it was announced this week that a planned animated series based on the popular character of Crash Bandicoot is in the works with Netflix. Now this has been a case for a bit of time that the character was discussed to get some form of adaptation for many years and most of the time has always been in the realm of an animated series with 2 intiially planned back many years ago of one around the time of the original games release and the other around the early or mid 2010s. Now the only form of animated appearance he has had has been references in other animated shows and the other was an episode of a series based on the dormant Skylanders games where people were a little mixed on the character, given that he talked through the entire episode which will bring the question of wondering if like Link in the Zelda movie will talk or not, but I guess we will see what will come of this project. Now at the moment their is not confirmed series yet or set plan release on the streamer but I am sure some news will become apparent at some point and if anything does come about I will update in a later episode.
So on one release announcement is seeing us head over to Nintendo for these last few projects and with the first is one that was expected to get a release, though some were expecting an all new title but on Thursday of this week, Nintendo came out with an announcement that a Switch 2 edition of Animal Crossing New Horizons is coming on the way on January 15th next year, with new elements such as improved graphics, mouse controls, New villager calling options and up to 12 players can now explore your island all at once. It was however not the only announcement as while it was initially seen as update 2.0 being the last one for the game, it also came with the announcement that a 3.0 update is on the way which will include a new Hotel led by Kapp'n and his family that will allow you to design and decorate many rooms of the hotel to the guests appeal and style, some new clothing options and items based on other Nintendo IPs and the addition of more storage space and islands to make in the dream realms are all apart of the new update. Now personally if it was just the Switch 2 edition announcement I would be annoyed as it doesn't feel like a lot to add to the title to warrant a Switch 2 upgrade price, but at least they made the 3.0 available for both versions and is free cause I feel it would be a lot more complaints then it already was. Personally I feel the Switch 2 upgrade should be free to those that already owned the game initially and those that never bought the Switch 1 edition can choose the 2 options if they own the new console. I guess we will see what will come of the new edition in due time and may be worth a trip back to your Island come next January or a case of waiting for an all new entry in the series but I guess we'll see by then.
From a release date announcement, to a release delay, it was also announced this week that the planned switch 2 Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring has been delayed out of this year and will now release sometime in 2026. Now the reason I can see for this is both the case that it has been quiet for the title and finding a good release over these next 2 months seems a bit of a challenge and the other reason is due to some performance fixing, as if you have been following along with reports out of some of the events this game has been demoed at, most issues seem to say that the performance of the game is very rough where while the game looks great and controls work well on the console, the game chugs heavily in the framerate and I feel FromSoftware will want to make sure it plays to its best performance on both Handheld and Tv mode for the game so any delay on it to fix makes total sense. I am sure in the process it will also find a proper good release with everything fixed but I am sure we will learn about that in due time and I will say by the next direct in about February may give us that but I guess we will see by then of any update on that.
Lastly this last piece is in the focus of some legal news update and that is with the continued lawsuit battle between Nintendo with the Pokémon Company and the Pokémon clone of Palworld. Now I believe I brought it up a while ago with the last Direct focused news episode that Nintendo had filed a new patent that was mainly aimed at Palworld to try and help in their lawsuit but it came off as very vague and many seen the lawsuit as being damaging to a lot more developers and creatives as it would affect them from making the patents on capturing and summoning items or characters in a game, a possible battle system thing and the likes of Mounting a creature or vehicle as the way some were reporting it made it seem like it would affect a lot more, but thankfully some went through the patent and made it that slightly more sensical overall (but still a little vaguely confusing). However it seem their has been an update to all of this as it was announced this week that the patent may have been dismissed as it was deemed to similar to other projects such as ARK and Monster Hunter which may be a case of it being either too vague and too broad. Now this could help in the defense for Palworlds developer Pocket Pair but I am sure some elements like character copies or other forms may affect it still but it is hard to say. I see personally its hard to say whos in the right as while Palworld looks and feels close to a copy of Pokémon, the bigger company also feels a little too power hungry and feels it has amplified a lot more since the change of management over the last few years, but I do hope that things can turn around and improve overall in both sides and get a bit more of a better balance of peace over hatred but I guess we will see if anything else comes about of this ongoing legal issue.
But what do you think of these gaming stories, do you think Sheridan and Berg will make a great COD film, would you watch an animated series on Crash Bandicoot and what animation style would you like to see it as, Will you be returning to animal crossing for the Switch 2 edition and new update, Will Elden Ring come out next year in a solid state and what do you see of the outcome of this ongoing lawsuit? Let me know what you think down below so we can discuss it all there.
And with all of that, this bring the end of the 140th edition of Weird Mind News Room and I do hope that you enjoyed the Rambles of a media man for another week. Let me know your thoughts on all that was discussed 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 :)
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