Weird Mind News Room Episode 176: July 6th - 12th

 *How Far I'll go for the Music*

Well Hello to each and every single one of you nice and silly little people from the information Superhighway, my name of course is Sam and I will like to welcome you to another prepacked addition of Weird Mind News Room where we will be back for another week of talking on all forms of the new releases, trailers and News from the week of content that will all be found in one location, so lets us set sail from this intro and find out all of the focus on all things media for this week.

What can I say except New Releases

Movies

Moana Live Action

On the first of the new releases for this week will be bringing us back to the realm of the usual array of content from this studio that seems to contantly make a lot of these and this is in the realm of the Live Action remakes and while I can be the one to tolerate a few from being released a very long long time ago, this one will stretch the limit of how far they'll go in the time frame from animated version to Live action, cause this currently sits as the shortest window but it looks like we are back out to sea for this one as we have the release of the new Live action take from Disney with the new take on Moana. Now this is of course based on the film from 2016 that follows the titular character who is a Polynesian Princess who destines to travel across the vast oceans to see what lies beyond her home. Soon that chance come to pass when her home begins to show signs of decay and despair from the removal of the Heart of Te Fiti and will soon go on a journey to locate the Demi God Maui and restore the heart to its rightful place before the world turns to Ruin. Now reception on this remake has been hit with mixed to very underwhelming reception critics wise, but praised highly by Audience as while the performances of the leads have gotten some decent reception (especially the new live action take on the lead is praised) and some respect of the culture, the film has been critiqued on being too safe, too dull in colour, looking a little lacking in the redoing of the songs and the uncanny Valley approach of the visuals that makes it wonder if this was made with intention or if the Rock was hoping for a bit of a better box office after a few underperforming titles? I guess we will see what comes of it and if you want to see it for yourself then you can catch it now in cinemas.

Evil Dead Burn

On the 2nd of the films for this week we will be moving from the realm of Live Action to more in the basis of Horrors (unless some of the visuals of the first film may be more scary) but its a return to another series that will see the passing of curses, past traumas and legendary relics and a sinister book all coming to cause horrors and creatures that will lead to everything going up in flames as we have the release of the 6th entry of this popular Graphic Horror series with Evil Dead Burn. The new film will follow a woman who will look to seek comfort at her in-laws in their remote house after losing her husband in a tragic car accident. However, after the discovery of an ancient book, the family reunion will soon become a form of a hellish nightmare. Reception to this newest entry seems to be well recieved with praise on its graphic material, scares and performances with some critiques feeling it could be a little shorter and some visuals may be a little off but not too bad in general and still show there is some appeal in this series (which will be worth seeing it they keep it going with Wrath in 2 years) but if you are up for something a little more scary then you can catch this newest entry out now in cinemas.

Video Games

Assassins Creed IV Black Flag Resynced

On the side of the video games for this week, it seems with the focus of the big one for this week, we will be heading back out on the high seas where the initial first title this week focused about the restoring of a lost artifact, this will be more in the plundering of treasure, the sailing for adventure and a better life and to the battle and facing off against the long standing feud of adversaries and those that protect the innocent in the shadows as it will be mixing it with the golden age of Piracy as we have the release of the long rumoured entry return of Assassins Creed Black Flag Resynced. Now this is based on the 4th Numbered entry in the series from 2013 where you will once again take control of popular series character Edward Kenway as you become the captain of a crew and the Ship of the Jackdaw as you find treasure, cross paths with famous pirates like Blackbeard and defeat the long standing enemies of the Templars and look for a better way of life for you and your family. Reception on this new remake of the series has been very well recieved by both critics and audiences with praise on its visuals, story, characters, combat and exploration, though some critiques are leveled at some bugs, a few changes are missed and the combat and stealth while altered can be a little mixed to some in the outcome but it seems to have been a major success in the overall project and if you want to play it for yourself then you can play it now on PS5, XBOX Series X/S and PC (and likely can see a Switch 2 port coming later)

Burning Hot Trailers

Dune Messiah

So on the first of the trailers for this week will be delving into the realm of another look at the biggest films of this year and one of the last big blockbusters for this year in particular that has a lot of hype to it (to some, I will get to it) but in the case of how this film is titled is a little misleading and in all case will be more of the follow up story that will bring with it the planned epic conclusion of a massive trilogy adaption of one of the most well known books of all time as we have the release of the newest trailer for the 3rd entry of this adaption with what I label the right way of Dune Messiah. Based on the follow up novel of Messiah, the film will be set 17 years after Part 2 and will see Paul Atreides as a trapped Emperor, that despite ruling the universe, he is powerless to stop the bloody Jihad fought in his name and he faces a conspiracy to dispose him and must fight for the people of Arrakis and of the powerful substance of the Spice. So I made it a focus when the first trailer came out that I had my issues with this and my thoughts on the first 2 parts where I feel if anything they show great visual splendor and cinematography, but some elements just feel a little lacking (Part 1 had decent worldbuilding but some characters are underwhelming and Part 2 had some improvements but still a little overpraised in some form). I do want to like them and maybe its a case I need to watch the first 2 parts again of the overall story but maybe just from some elements of this and the naming makes it out like they are stretching out the first book even more. The biggest one for me as well is still that if there is a near 2 decade time jump that maybe it would make sense for a little bit of a recasting cause the leads still look like this is like 3 days later or so, but that may just be a nitpick on me. I am sure it will be worth watching and will check it out to see the end of the story but I may be leaning more towards another big blockbuster on that same week (that will be arriving with footage within the next 2 weeks) but I guess we will see this conclusion by its release on December 18th.

Avatar Aang the Last Airbender

On the 2nd of the trailers for this week, we will be delving into the realm and focus of all of the animation for this week and we will be given a focus to a title that has had quite the rollercoaster of development and news in this regards but we are returning to a world that initially was under the threat of a nation that controlled the element of fire but has now seen peace and prosperity for many years, but this concept may soon see a change that could cause that peace to end and will need to bring them back to save the world once more as we have finally gotten the trailer for the follow up film sequel of Avatar with Aang: The Last Airbender. Set 13 years after the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai and the end of the 100 year war, Aang will discover another surviving airbender named Tagah and learns about a powerful staff that could restore his culture. With the help of Katara, Sokka, Zuko and Toph, they embark on a global quest to find the relic before a group known as the Denied can claim it and upend the peace that they fought to achieve. So this title has had quite the journey from its concept that it started from the original creators leaving the Netflix Live action adaption and then creating a new studio after a boom in appeal after releasing on streaming and then the film had a 5 year journey to release and a few delays, a remove from the theatrical release (which is a dumb Move and should've been the approach) and then the unfortunate thing a few media pieces from this company had experienced in being leaked on Twitter and I feel it for them in this regards as from what I have seen on the title it looks really visually amazing and I am think that despite what some say about numbers I could see this getting some decent appeal for Box office and audience turnout but I am sure it will be worth a watch (and hopefully many will support over watching the leaked version) but I guess we will see by its release on Paramount+ (and hopefully a future cinema release) from July 25th.

Soulm8te 

The 3rd trailer for this week is another title that has had a bit of a journey from its initial release all the way to its new location as similar to the previous trailer this one also got dealt with removing from a release calendar and a shakeup of when this could come out but it looks like the plan for it all has been updated with the new features and updated modes and demand, with this being a planned case of something created for the means of companionship (and other..... things) may soon become a little bit dangerous from the feature of self discovery as we have the release of the trailer for the new mature based horror based on the world of M3gan with the trailer for Soulm8te. The film will see a man who acquires an adult android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. Soon however in an attempt to create a fully sentient partner, he inadvertently turn a harmless Love Bot into a deadly soulmate. So akin to the other film above this title also dealt with some shakeups but not to a level leaked fully online but rather losing a theatrical release as it was reported to not be the most well recieved from some early test screenings and it was a case this could've been a lost media film, but I feel from what I have seen from this trailer, its given a mix of last years companion with the concept that is a little like this years big original of Obsession and some other bits that I guess they will give it a chance to release and from what I can see from it, it could be a decent watch that may not be a gamechanger but I am sure it will find its audience of fans like the series this film is based from but I guess we will see by its release on digital forms from the 1st of August.

The Gentlemen Season 2

The last of the trailers for this week will be bringing a focus to the level of class and business that could have a shady underbelly, but its all in the name of making a profit when possible, as we have a release of the trailer for the upcoming 2nd season of the tv series of The Gentlemen. Set a years after the events of Season one and of Eddie and Susie joining forces to work together in Eddies criminal underworld overseas. As they drive to expand their enterprise, the decisions Bobby is making seem to be increasingly unsound and now Eddie and Susie must decide whether to take action or risk losing it all, but unfettered ambition never ends well. It is a case that I feel of all of the titles and films made from Ritchie, this is one that I was not overly expecting but it seems there is a bit of an appeal to it all and while I have yet to get around to that first season, I am sure there is some interest to check it out when I have the time to do so but I am sure we will see of what the season will provide when it releases onto Netflix from September 3rd.

News to Resynch to

The Awards are back in the realm of Television with Emmys

So it is sort of that time of the year once more as while we are a little off the start of the season of all of those festivals and other things being in the focus, we do have one bit of news in the realm of awards, as this week we were given the official nominations list for this years Emmys and it seems there has been a fair amount of strong competition to go against in the ideals of seeing what has taken the industry by storm in its recognition of many fronts across the normal channels and streaming services and it will be intersting to see what has taken the top spot so lets delve into what has being the big surprises, nominees and snubs from this years television

So we will start on the nominations and there is quite a variety of choice but it looks like the title that has taken the big spot of nominations has been with the Hospital drama of the Pitt with the lead of 25 nominations and about half of them in the major categories including for Best Drama series and for a fair amount of performances for Noah Wyle and and many of the supporting roles and from what I have been told from those that have watched it and my parents as well it is a very addictive watch, so maybe I'll try and watch and hopefully its not overly graphic. coming in close behind in the 2nd spot and only short by 1 is with the final season  of Hacks getting 24 nominations and 7 Major categories including for best comedy series and for performances for Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder and Paul W. Downs and it really seems that even going for 5 seasons that it has proven itself as a strong bit of television and ended on a strong note compared to some other shows that seem to falter with the same amount of seasons. Coming in 3rd of nominations is with the series of Widow's Bay with 19 nominations and also in 7 major categories including for best Comedy, Performances of the Male leads and even in a few for writing and directing and while I am not overly familiar with this one I may give it a look. And then rounding out the top 5 nominations was the series of Pluribus with 18 nominations including best Drama and lead performance for Rhea Seehorn showing the case that Vince Gilligan can make some proper solid television even after the Breaking Bad series and then rounding the top 5 was the 2nd season of Beef with 16 nominations including best anthology series and for preformance and writing and I can say that its proven some strong solid top 5 for the television of the last half of 2025 and first half of this year. Now there is a few others in there that got some appeal from Spider-Noir and Fallout getting some buzz and nominations for Amazon with 11 and 9 Nominations respectively, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms still getting some praise with 9 nominations, The bear still getting some with 8 nominations but seems to be a lot lower then usual (but they will still have a chance for next years awards as well), the adaption of Margos Got Money Problems making bank with 8 nominations as well and the case that while they were taken off the air for nefarious means, it looks like the Late Show with Stephen Colbert got the last laugh with 9 nominations including for talk show, writing and variety. There was one that I was also happy to see get nominated and that was with Smiling Friends getting a nomination for Outstanding Animated Program and I think it was a focus to possibly the 2nd episode of the season but it could be for the full season overall and I am happy with that and the other big one I was happy with the nominations for was with the recent Muppet Show special from February that got 6 nominations for the Creative Arts Emmys including for best variety special, voice performance for Kermit, as well for writing and production and I hope with this appeal that it will garner a full series order cause we need more Muppets in this current time.

Now there was a few snubs at this event like usual and one of the big ones that many have felt that even if the last season wasn't the best deserved at least a nomination for was with the final season of the Boys and in particular with an Acting Nomination for Anthony Starr as Homelander and while I can see the case of the mixed appeal of the final season (I had no issue with the season) I can agree he at least deserved a nomination for the performance across the 5 seasons. Its the same case I have seen with 2 other performances with Only Murders Star Selena Gomez getting overlooked, as well as Steve Martin who usually gets the nominations each year for the shows seasons but I can understand the lack of those given it was a contest of big nominees as well that I can appreciate it still got 6 nominations. The other one everyone was surprised with the Snub was Sydney Sweeney with Euphoria, with the final season, even with its very underwhelming reception, garnering 7 nominations, with one big nomination for Zendaya's performance and in that case that one I feel makes the most sense given all I have seen from Sweeney's performance has been very little in actual acting and more of trying to be eye candy in every aspect (and I feel her performance in a lot of things boils down to that and I need to see her prove her acting capabilities). Some other big ones I have seen of the snubs were towards the lack of performance or series nominations for Stranger Things that while garnering 6 nominations in the technical show, failed to garner any best series or performance roles, but I feel they are lucky to get those technical ones, Jeremy Allen White was snubbed for the Bear, when he was nominated for the previous 3 seasons, and Half-Man walked away with One nomination for Richard Gadd, which seems like a major difference to the juggernaut that Baby Reindeer was 2 years ago but I guess some things work to others. But overall I see despite some snubs and surprises, it is a decent roll out of nominations across the shows and I will be interested to see what will with the big trophy come the live show in mid September.

But what do you make of the nominations, which ones do you see winning and what did you hope would be nominated? Let me know what you think down below.

A selection of change ups and other announcements

As for the 2nd of the stories for this week, we will be given the focus of the usual weekly serving of a hodge podge of stories with the focus to all of the different topics from the week from Studio Shakeups, project changes and some casting news as well, but let us delve into what was shown overall in the week of entertainment news.

So I will focus first on a bit of some unfortunate news in this case as we are talking a little more on the gaming industry as it feels such a major stark difference to how we were all excited for it all from the Summer Games Fest and studio showcases and directs giving us hope for the future as while we talked on my concerns with the Physical issues with GTA 6 and that it needs a proper disc version and then the case of Playstation's really unfavorable decision to stop Physical Disc production in 2028, it looks like we are turning to the other known big rival of this console wars as we are talking on Xbox, as while I could've mentioned some bits a little while ago on this, I waited until the day it was due to happen and then it all occoured on Monday this week as the big purge of Xbox has happened with over 3200 employees being laid off, with the first half happening immediately and the 2nd half happening gradually overtime and the outcome of 4 studios being under concern of closure of loss was revealed with them thankfully avoiding closure or games cancellation with 2 of the Compulsion Games (We Happy Few, South of Midnight) and Double Fine (Psychonauts, Brutal Legend, Keeper) will be going full independent again and then Ninja Theory (Nioh, Hellblade) and Undead Labs (State of Decay) will be possibly looking for buyers to keep them open. Now the ordeals of all of this can be a lot of a hassle and I can understand the case about all of those unfortunately being let go and this causing a lot of knock on affects for the studios like Bethesda, 343, Obsedian and ID software that I can fully understand the concern that Xbox is on its final legs. Now there is a sense for the reason is with the new head of Asha Sharma is looking to try and rebuild and provide importance of some beloved IPs for the console from Doom, Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Halo being mentioned (though the decision on Halo being given to Activision as an option will be a concern on the outcome) and I hope we will see some sense of fix from these IPS returning to their former glory, cheaper hardware for all and to give a reason for those to go back and Play Xbox in an industry that is all over the place and become inaccessible to many from price, internet and other means and hopefully will be fixed back to how it once was. Lets just hope in this case Nintendo doesn't pull anything bad and do more of the good like their recent push of giving a 10% increase to their employees salary, but knock on wood they keep it accessible but I guess we will see.

But speaking of other company based news, while there is a change up with a gaming studio, there seems to be a bidding war with some media studios as it looks like a popular location for reviews will be getting a focus to all forms of possibly buying as it seems there is a bidding war between Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount to purchase the rights of Letterboxd. Now the approach I don't see the ideals of as I think that Letterboxd is probably well off on their own in profit, especially in the users and new features of the film rental edition they added not too long ago and the concern is with at least 2 of them as I see Netflix making some form of a paid system thing for it now that it costs you a certain amount to post a certain amount of reviews a day and getting it seen more will cost a premium rate and then the case of Paramount it is the worry of the leadership warping it in the focus of some other forms of media in favor of some specific side (though I may be overthinking it but I would not be surprised). Sony hasn't caused concern yet but I still see overall that this does not appeal overall and is not needed but I am sure we will see what will come of this in due course. Now nothing has been made yet of ay front runner but once I hear anything new about this I will let you know in a later episode.

On the focus of the project news for this week, we will delve into an update to a project that was mentioned a little while ago whos recent update on the project is a bit of a disappointing news topic as it was reported this week that the planned tv series based on V for Vendetta has been dropped from HBO. Now the project was first announced in November last year and was being written by Pete Jackson (Somewhere Boy) and executive Produced by James Gunn and Peter Safran and it seemed like it had some hope in adapting the comics after a fan favourite film from 20 years ago and I feel it could expand it further but now it seems like the project in unclear and reports that they may be looking for a new adaption with a different writer. It is a shame that a concept like this has suffered something like this and I do hope that it will get a chance to see the light of day but I guess we will see in due time and if there is anything new I hear about this I will let you know in a later episode.

On the last of the project announcements, it seems another popular title from the bygone era will be getting a form of a return in some capacity with the title in focus being an unexpected one and I feel in some ways could be done well in the modern setting as it was announced this week that a planned reboot to the Film of Free Willy (and for the record that is not a porno) is in the works with the project being helmed by Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett and to be produced by the Russo Brothers. Now for those uninformed by the title, the focuses on a young boy named Jesse who works at a water park and becomes friends with a Killer Whale that seems to not be very co-operative with its trainers and through friendship and an elaborate plan will help Willy escape and where we get the iconic image of the whale jumping over the child. This I can see work in some form of being something that would show the concern and dangers of enclsoing these wild animal in habitats and force them in training to do tricks for tourists and all forms and the case about it being more in the dangers of doing so after the release of the documentary of Black Fish from 2013 that I am sure there will be a sense of reasoning for it. The other form could be that its a legacy sequel with Jesse coming back as a father or someone that knew of a similar situation in the past with another kid looking to try and do the same but I am sure we will see what comes of this concept and project down the line. Now for the moment, there is no word on the likes of when we will see this reboot, but once I hear anything I will let you know in a later episode.

Then for the likes of some casting announcements or updates, we have an update to a casting confirmation that was initially given a little while ago but it looks like some things have changed in the process as it looks like the newest season of American Horror Story has already seen the loss of one of its big new stars for the season and this comes in the form of Ariana Grande announced to be dropping out of this new season. The reason for her dropping out apparently has to do with the filming clashing with her planned eternal Sunshine tour that she is currently on and seemed to be an issue with her filming for the series, which I feel doesn't make a lot of sense given that she announced the tour in late August Last year, they announced her casting that December, they started filming in April and her tour was not until early June, so she could've in all sense of things probably have time to film or done all of her scenes first and then do the rest while she prepped for the tour from May but I guess there was more to it in general. Now it is unclear on the likes of who she would've been playing in this new season or what the season was about in general, but it couldn't be as bas as the last season with 2 of the 3 lead focused cast being a bad choice, but I am sure thy will have either morphed her story with another characters or rewrote the season in some form to write the character out and will likely appear in a future season but I guess we will get an idea of the season by its release in Late September.

The last of the casting news is not fully confirmed but there is some reports to this of it being a possibility but it seems that another powerful adversary will be making its presence known in the world of superheroes real soon and they may have found his voice as its reported that actor Jimmy Tatro is reportedly in talks to portray the character of Gorilla Grodd in the DCU and the upcoming planned Jimmy Olson series in development. I feel the concept of Grodd could be an interesting look to the series in general and I feel it will be interesting to see a new series with him as a focus instead of a minor focus in some other media, though I feel he would've fit with an appearance from an introduction with a Flash film but I am sure he could have a crossover with that scarlet speedster down the line. Now for the moment nothing has been made official and I am sure likely case is we will see what will come of this in due course, and if I hear anything about this I will let you know in a later episode of any confirmation.

But what do you make of these stories, do you see Xbox making a comeback or is all these layoffs and other forms going to put the nail in the coffin, do you think that Letterboxd should sell to one of those studios or stay as it is, will the V for Vendetta series survive or is it dead on arrival, will you check out this Free Willy Reboot, do you feel Ariana could've still appeared in AHS or will she return in a later season and what are your thoughts of the reported casting for Grodd or who do you see as the Gorilla King? Let me know your thoughts and choices down below in the comments.

And with all of that, this ends the 176th edition of Weird Mind News Room and I hope you enjoyed the ramblings as always 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 a later episode :)

Take care, keep being you, signing off

Sam H :)