Weird Mind News Room Episode 163: April 6th - 12th

 *Music that may be a little Diabolical*

Well Hello to all of you fine and very lovely people to the newest episode of the weekly series of Weird Mind News Room where for another week, we will be delving into the arrays of all forms of New Releases, Trailers and News that this week has to offer for many of us that you may or may not have known about, but lets not waste time on all that other array of intros and let us get into talking on all things media for this week.

You, me and New Releases

Movies

You, me and Tuscany

So for the first of the new releases for this week is taking us off on a nice sunny holiday to the European countryside where the ideals of being a stand in for someone can turn into a little more of a possible romance of all forms then expected as we have the release of the all new Romcom of You, Me and Tuscany. The film follows Anna (Halle Bailey), who impulsively jets off to Tuscany, Italy to stay at a strangers villa without permission. She is soon caught by the mother of the owners home and makes up a lie that she is the strangers Fiancée. Soon the lie will spiral a little out of control when she soon starts to fall for the stranger's handsome cousin (Renee Jean Page). Reception on this new romcom seems to be mixed to modestly recieved with praise on the performances, setting and location, though the likes of the plot is far from original and can be seen as the form of generic tropes, but if you are up for a little trip to the Italian Riviera, then you can catch this film out now in cinemas.

Undertone

For the 2nd film of this week is one in the realm of all forms of horror where we know we have seen the ideals of creatures in their presence in all forms that we can see, but in this case, this will mainly be done in the horrors of what we will hear instead, as its time for sound to spook the audience as we have the release of the all new horror from A24 known as Undertone. The film follows a Podcast host that would cover spooky content while moving back home to care for her dying mother. This starts to get unsettling when she is sent recordings of a pregnant couple's paranormal encounters, she soon realizes her story starts to parallel hers, with each tape played pushing her more towards madness. Reception on this new horror has been decently recieved with praise on the use of more sound based for the tone of horror of trying something different then the usual horrors we see, though the film may be a little more complex and confusing to wrap ones head around, but if you are up to listen for a possible good scare then you can also catch this film now in cinemas.

California Schemin'

The last film for this week is one in the focus of the ideals of some new biographical story and another from the highlands of the UK that may be a case that they may be a massive lie, but its the focus that they were the ones to fake it until they made it as we have the release of the directorial debut of actor James McAvoy with the release of California Schemin'. Based on the true story of the music duo of Silibil N' Brains of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, two lads from the town of Dundee who conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo, which saw them bag a deal with MTV and major success until the lie began to unravel. Reception on this new film has been very well recieved with praise on the performances, McAvoys direction and for the sense of an underdog story that can be seen as another of one of this years best films so far and if you want to see the story for yourself then you can catch this out now in cinemas.

TV Shows

The Boys Final Season

For the first of the TV Shows for this week, it looks like the beginning of the end was a lot more darker and could have a lot more dire consequences then expected and in a world where superheroes exist, this could have many diabolical outcomes and a lot of chaos could be unleashed as we have the release of the final 5th season to the popular series of The Boys. Coming off the event of Season 4 and Gen V Season 2, the world is now under the rule of Homelander's reign and are subjected to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie, MM and Frenchie have found themselves prisoners in a Freedom camp while Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming supe force and Kimiko is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher reappears ready and willing to use a virus to wipe out all supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It's time for the climax people, big stuff is gonna happen. Reception for this first season so far from the first few episodes seems to be well liked with some feeling its not overly a strong send off of a season but some still sees it as being a worthy send off in all forms of characters, action and dire outcomes that is showing its not pulling any punches and consequences for characters will occour and if you want to see how this all comes to a bloody end then you can catch the first 2 episodes now on Amazon Prime with a new episode releasing every Wednesday.

Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

For one bit of animation that we have for this week is once again taking us to the far reaches of a galaxy far far away and bring us back to the era of where it was a time of conflict and war and where we will see more of a rise to a powers member of the Sith and see his true power unleashed as we have the release of the all new animated series of Star War with Maul Shadow Lord. The series takes place about a year after the events of the Clone Wars, where we will follow the former Sith Lord of Darth Maul as he rebuilds his criminal syndicate and seeks out a new apprentice on the planet Janix during the reign of the Galactic empire. Reception on this new series has been very well recieved with praise on the more darker tone, character development, animation and action scenes and proving that Star Wars seems to be still working well in the animation scene and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can check this new series out now on Disney+

Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still unfair

For the last of the new releases for this week is bringing us back to the realm of a series that was seen as being a sense that no matter how old family can become, it will always have their issues and sense of disfunction no matter the age and how old anyone can become, as after 2 decades we are back to check in on the Wilkerson family as we have the release of the new limited series of Malcolm in the Middle: Lifes Still Unfair. almost 20 years after the original series ended, Malcolm now lives a happy life with his Daughter Leah and girlfriend Tristan, having distancing themselves from his family. However he will soon be forced back into the chaos when his parents Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th Wedding Anniversary party. Reception on this new limited series seems to be decently recieved with praise on the humour, heart and characters still having their charm even after 20 years, though some feel it needs to be slightly longer of a limited series and some of the writing and concepts can feel a little flat in some aspects. Now I watched this series myself and I enjoyed my time with it, its not perfect but with anything else, it could've been a lot worst and would not say no to another story with these characters again and if you want to check it out for yourself then you can catch the full 4 episodes now on Disney+ and Hulu.

Trailers that I see as non failures

The Devil Wears Prada 2

For the first of the trailers for this week is in the focus of one thing and one thing only and that is with fashion and needing to have your brand in check to know when to work it fierce and when to plan the attack in getting that design and style out there first and it will come down to these 4 icons to make it a success in an ever evolving world as we have the release of the final trailer for the upcoming film sequel to the Devil Wears Prada. Loosely based on the 2013 sequel novel, the film will see Andy (Anne Hathaway) returning to Runway as Miranda (Meryl Streep) navigates a new Media Landscape and Runway's position within it. They reconnect with another former assistant, Emily (Blunt), who is now the head of a luxury brand that possesses commercial Money that could mean Runway's survival. I can give the case of credit with this film is that it felt like the right time and the right material to give a focus of a new continuing story to the world established from the original and seeing how they will have to evolve in an ever changing world of fashion and in all honestly I would be surprised if this film does not go so elaborate on the outfit pieces that I feel could see some award season stuff for just mainly that if anything for it but I guess we will see on the outcome of this follow up and thankfully it is not too long away from release either as it will soon be time to hit the runway into cinemas from the 1st of May.

Rick and Morty Season 9

For the 2nd trailer of the week, we are heading over to the realm of animation and in this case it will be to the more adult side of animation as the sense of space, time and misadventure is about to become a lot more in your face and design in some strange and grotesque ways as it is time to return to the universe's smartest man and his prepubescents nephew for more adventures as we have the release of the trailer for the 9th season of Rick and Morty. This new series will of course continue on the many misadventures across space, time and dimensions for the drunken scientist, his hormonal nephew and the other members of his in-laws of the Smith family to keep the universe safe, all in the name of science. So it really has shown that over the years that this show has had it share of ups and downs that it was a quiet success back when it all began and has evolved in many ways that the outcome appeal has fluctuated from new head of writers, concepts and even voice actors and I do tend to tune in here and there when it comes around that it can vary by appeal but I will say that they can be enjoyable when it can or a bit extreme (I mean I don't need to mention on the weird family based stories (mainly a few in Seasons 5 and 6) but I am sure we will see what new misadventures this family will get up to when the new season drops on HBO max and adult swim from May 24th.

Punisher One Last Kill

For the 3rd trailer, we are heading over to the realm of the superheroes where for this specific character is not really more of a hero but more of one that will get the job done, no matter the consequence and is not afraid to get his hands dirty and bloody, but he may be trying to put this all behind him as frank castle is back again for an all new special presentation as we have the release of the trailer for the new Marvel special of Punisher: One Last Kill. This special will focus on Frank Castle set to try and hang up the killing and live a normal life that does not need a focus on revenge, but that does not fully last long as he is pulled back into the world of crime one last time to battle an unexpected conflict. So it has been a case that for a character like the Punisher, there is a sense that some are a bit more skeptical about the transition of the character from the gritty take from Netflix to over to a more toned down form from Disney, but so far from what I have seen about it all is that they have kept it still in the focus of going all out mature with the setting and I can see with this one is that its going to delve more into the realm of Frank's PTSD from his conflict and time in the war while the city is on the brink of collapse and from the brief glimpse it looks like it could be an interesting watch and concept that he helped develop and could be well worth a watch in due time and its not too long away from release either as the new special will be dropping onto Disney+ from the 12th of May.

The Amazing Digital Circus Episode 9

For the last trailer in focus for this week is one that I was a bit unsure on doing for the trailers or news but I may give a little bit of both for this one as it looks like with every adventure, glitch, AI and other means of a mess that this adventure in this strange world may all be coming to an end as we have the release of what I may see as the first trailer for the finale to the Amazing Digital Circus. Following the events of the conclusion of the previous episode, the circus is now dark and starting to fall apart and the cast is left with the traumas of their pasts to keep them company. As the prospect of eternity closes in around them, they will soon discover the truth and the history of the digital circus and will decide if they will come to terms with the truth that they will discover or will they choose.... the other option. So this has been a series that I would say that sure some will appeal to it back in the day, but it has taken off so much in the span of the last 2 years that this finale is a big event and so much so for the unveiling of some new reasons (that I will get to in the news) and I for one am not fully ready for this to end but I'm all in to deal with the trauma that the finale will provide and its not too long from release as well as the curtain will fall on the last act when it releases on YouTube and Netflix from the 19th of June (more on this later)

News that don't need no heroes for

Projects that kept us waiting, to fight aliens, to die another delay and some drama at the circus and courts

Now for the first of the 2 story sections for this week, this is one that I will be given a focus to on the likes of the usual Hodge Podge which will consist of some new additions to projects, announcements, changes of some release dates and even a bit of some possible legal drama in there as well but let us delve into what we have in this aspect of it all.

So While I said later for this first one, I may as well start with it cause we have some more new aspects to the finale of the Amazing Digital Circus that needs to be addressed and also some aid in some other aspect. Now I have already mentioned that we know of the release date for this episode for Mid June, which was confirmed from the conclusion of Episode 8 of the show about 3 weeks ago, but we have some extra bits of news for this with one, the finale is confirmed to be an hour long in length (so half of it will be some hot makeout session for Gangle and Zooble and Kinger defeating things with his amazing dance moves.....finally) but there is also a case that many will see it early, as it was confirmed after first initially leaking on Friday that the long rumoured Last Act will be released into cinemas and will combine the previous episode to make it a feature length experience. However, this is where the issue stands and where some assistance will be required as it is confirmed this special showing of the series will be happening 2 weeks early from the 4th - 7th of June, but its only confirmed right now in the US, Latin America, Canada and Japan (its not even listed in Glitch's home country of Australia) and it has caused quite the drama online since its announcement of people not being able to attend it or their country not screening it (like where I am in Ireland) and the worry of it being spoiled and many feel they should delay this screening to that weekend or push the finale up to release on the same day. Now there is a solution and Glitch has asked for places it is not showing to respectfully email the local cinemas to ask if they can screen it, which was a similar approach with Markiplier's film of Iron Lung that started with a small amount of cinemas in the US before it released worldwide on the same day and earned a massive profit, and results so far have been good (I myself have emailed 2 local cinemas chains and they have confirmed they are looking into it so here is hoping) but will have to be seen if they will make it happen. Now in the case that the film does not get released early in some locations then it is with a request that we do not spoil it for those until after its release on YouTube cause you spoil it then you are a dick. Now as things are, this is all we have on the concept for now, but if there is updates for any cinemas to release it, then I will provide it in a later episode.

For the 2nd story and the only focused announcement for this week is one that really kept us waiting huh? as after silence for I want to say the better half of a decade, we have finally gotten some new information and updates to the long in development film on Metal Gear Solid as it looks like some names are attached to direct as it was confirmed that Sony has picked up the license for this film adaption and hired Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein as the directors for this project, taking over from the original director of Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong Skull Island). Now the names of this duo may not be known by that name, but more from their previous work with them being the directors of last years Final Destination film so they may seem like they want to get a duo that can do suspense and story well for this project. Now the film has been in development for a bit of time and things went quiet with the last bit of news coming out about 2018-2019 with the casting of Oscar Isaac as Solid Snake, but even with that it is unclear if he is still set to play the role or if he will or has dropped out of the project but I guess we will find out in due time. Personally I am fine with seeing what they will do with the franchise and hopefully they will be ones that would respect and appreciate the source material and make it a proper title and love letter to this game series and am unsure if its going to be a new story or adapting one of the entries of the series but I guess we will find out. At the moment there is no word of when we will see this take on the film come about, but if there is any updates on this then I will provide that also in a later episode.

For the one piece of casting news, it looks like we are returning to the far reaches of the cosmos in the form and focus that in this case in space, no one will of course hear you scream as we have a new casting addition coming to the series of Alien and it is with Emmy winner and Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage. Now it seems he has been hopping across a vast array of different projects and genres since that series conclusion and it does seem like it will be interesting to see who he will portray from the likes of a possible head of the Weyland Yutani corporation or some other form of nefarious character, ally or even maybe an android, but as things stand it is unclear as to who he may be playing in this project. Now I am sure likely we will see the project come about for the 2nd season soon enough as I am sure they will be deep into developing the project and may even fix the major issues that many had from season 1, despite the positive reception it initially got, but I guess we will see by the showrunners current project but if there is any word on when a new season of this series occours I will provide it in a later episode.

This last story is one I haven't really talked on much in this regards of story but we have some news in the focus of the legal case news, but in this case celebrity lawsuit as we have surprisingly an update to the lawsuit that was raised between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Now I thought for the longest time that the likes of all of these trails and lawsuits were all done and dismissed months ago but it seems like there was a few that were still in the process of ongoing with essentially one that is still set to occour next Month. But it seems one of the other ones that Ms Lively had submitted against Baldoni in the focus to Sexual Harassment has been dropped earlier this week by the judge overall. Now in all sense of things I do not know too much on all of this trail but I have to wonder of what level of publicity will this trail have, cause it may be as small as the one that Gwenyth Paltrow had 2 years ago or as big as the most well known one of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard but I guess we will find out in due time. Now I am unsure of what the trail will entail and if its the case I get some updates, I may provide them in a later episode but I guess we will see in due time.

But what do you make of these stories, do you see The Amazing Digital Circus getting a worldwide cinema release and will you go to watch it when it does, do you see those directors making a solid Metal Gear Solid film and do you see Oscar Isaac still playing the role, who do you think Dinklage will play in the new Alien series and what do you think the outcome of this trial will be and did you even know that the trail was still happening? Let me know what you think of it all down below.

More concerning word of company infiltration

And for the 2nd of the stories in focus of the week is one that has not been discussed on this series for a bit of time and that was in the focus to the likes of some news in the realm of some company compromises as it seems 2 big studios in media have gotten themselves hacked by some unknown or specific groups with some unfortunate and uncertain outcomes to occour and I will want to address them here.

This first one is a bit of a big one, especially for the company that has been targeted as it was reported on Wednesday that Rockstar Games was hacked, with a group known as Shinyhunters holding them for ransome. This group essentially used a form of a SaaS monitoring tool for them to infiltrate and has garnered some content from the servers, which reportedly include information of their clients and players and may also leaked the planned marketing plan for the upcoming GTA 6 and have set a deadline for them to pay their demands by April 14th. Now this is not the first time that Rockstar had been breached by a hack as least we recall about 4-5 years ago was the massive breach that leaked thousands of early development clips and footage for the new entry of the series all before that title was unveiled properly in December 2023. This has also however seen a bit of speculation from people online feeling this could be an elaborate ruse for Rockstar to delay the game for a 3rd time from its planned November 2026 release but I am unsure of all of this. Most case more then likely we will see what the outcome is on Tuesday if they had paid their demands as Rockstar has acknowledged the whole ordeal but have specified that this does not affect their customers but it is hard to tell and if there is a case that something comes up I'll provide it in a later episode.

As for the other studio compromise, it looks like this is coming to us from an established production company of entertainment for younger audiences as it seems that Nickelodeon themselves were breached.... possibly, and it mainly has to do with one upcoming project in the pipeline and that is with the new animated sequel film of Avatar The Legend of Aang as according to sources, it seems someone was emailed the completed film to them in error and from that ordeal has seen the film leaked online. Now I am not fully sure if it was fully leaked but what I have seen is the case that their is a few clips of the film floating around online with all the main cast now grown into adults and with an all new voice cast playing the characters that has some a little mixed on but I am not sure if its the full thing. Now it seems that the person that has obtained the full film is calling out to the distributor of Paramount to actually start promoting and sharing something with this project as he has threatened if they don't and neglect it that he will livestream the full film on somewhere but it is unclear on what the outcome of it all will become and if the likes of Paramount will even acknowledge it at all but I am sure if there is any change to all of this I will provide it in a later episode as well.

But what do you make of these 2 stories, do you think the Rockstar one is genuine or an elaborate approach from the studio and do you see this Avatar Leak being fully released early or a simple mistake? Let me know what you think down below.

And with all of that, this brings us to the end of the 163rd edition of Weird Mind News Room and I hope you enjoyed the ramblings for another week. Let me know your thoughts on all that was discussed down below and as always you 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 :)