Star Wars Millennium Falcon Book And Mega Model Review

When I was a boy I had the good fortune to have an older brother who was artistically inclined and could take toys and models and customize them with paints, lights and he also could repurpose old toys and create amazing things. He was and is brilliant at this. Around 1979 it was not uncommon to see booklets with punch out cardboard pieces that enabled a kid to build a refitted Starship Enterprise circa Star Trek: The Motion Picture or the Cygnus from Walt Disney's The Black Hole. These were fun rainy day products that for their time were quite extraordinary, but none of them hold a candle to the Star Wars Millennium Falcon And Mega Model  by Fun Studios International.

Basically for a low suggested retail price of about $17.99 in the U.S. or $23.99 in Canada, hobbyists ages 7 and up can build a big and detailed Millennium Falcon from high quality cardboard complete with moving parts and compartments that open up and feature explanations for what is inside.

The kit comes in protective plastic that one must carefully slip off to discover a hardcover book, which when opened has on one side a soft cover booklet containing information on the history of the Millennium Falcon from A New Hope through to The Force Awakens and briefly touched upon The Last Jedi as well and includes colorful photos and puzzles followed by the detailed instructions on how to build the Millennium Falcon circa the sequel trilogy of the Star Wars Saga.

For those not used to building something like this, the process can be intimidating with approximately 62 double sided high quality glossy and detailed flat pieces and must be folded fully and assembled with great care. I strongly urge parental supervision during the process. The completed product looks astonishingly good for what it is and is both light yet surprisingly solid to the touch. Each piece has a letter assigned to it in the instructions, but some pieces have the letters to the side and so be careful not to prematurely punch anything out and I cannot emphasize this enough, read and follow the instructions carefully.

When completed you should have a beautifully constructed cardboard replica of the Millennium Falcon and the book it came in should you want to display them together. Sadly once the model is built, there is not much else one can do with the hardcover book packaging. If it was a binder, it could be repurposed, but as is there is not much else to be done since the instructions, games and information booklet slips out too so you don't need the hardcover packaging and thus if you are short on space, you may end up sending it for recycling. 

That shortcoming aside and provided you have time to fully read and carefully assemble the model, Star Wars Millennium Falcon And Mega Model by Fun Studios International offers a fun challenge for Star Wars fans of all ages and is easy to recommend.

(C) Copyright 2018 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

VENOM Soundtrack Out October 5 || "Pedal to the Metal" Exclusively Streaming via Collider

 

Pre-Order VENOM (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) HERE

 

(September 26, 2018) - Sony Music announces the release of VENOM (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on October 5 with original music by three-time GRAMMY Award nominee Ludwig Göransson (Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, Creed, Atlanta). In advance of the soundtrack release, Collider is exclusively streaming "Pedal to the Metal", here: http://bit.ly/2Q6KwZx. Amongst an impressive resume of TV and film credits, Göransson is best known for his collaborative work with Donald Glover, producing records under the Childish Gambino pseudonym, including the critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY® Award-winning album Awaken, My Love!

 

One of Marvel's greatest and most complex characters takes center stage as Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) becomes the host for the alien symbiote Venom. As a journalist, Eddie has been trying to take down the notorious founder of the Life Foundation, genius Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed) - and that obsession ruined his career and his relationship with his girlfriend, Anne Weying (Michelle Williams). Upon investigating one of Drake's experiments, the alien Venom merges with Eddie's body, and he suddenly has incredible new superpowers, as well as the chance to do just about whatever he wants. Twisted, dark, unpredictable, and fueled by rage, Venom leaves Eddie wrestling to control dangerous abilities that he also finds empowering and intoxicating. As Eddie and Venom need each other to get what they're looking for, they become more and more intertwined - where does Eddie end and Venom begin?

 

"As a fan of the Venom comics - it was an intriguing challenge for me to write music for two incredibly explosive characters cohabiting one body," says Ludwig about the project.   "The challenge was in creating two separate identities at the beginning of the story that could later be interwoven and coalesced. For the Venom score I drew on my roots as a metal guitar player. I set out to redefine metal by contemporizing it with current production techniques and infusing it with the super power of the orchestra." 

 

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, Columbia Pictures' Venom makes its way to North American theaters October 5, 2018. Based on the Marvel Comic, the screenplay was written by Jeff Pinkner & Scott Rosenberg and Kelly Marcel with the screen story by Pinkner & Rosenberg. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal. David Householter, Stan Lee, Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy, Edward Cheng and Howard Chen serve as executive producers. Scott Haze and Reid Scott also star.

 

About Ludwig Göransson:

Ludwig Göransson is a Los Angeles-based Swedish composer, producer and musician.  After earning his breakthrough assignment in 2009 on what would become the long-running sitcom Community, he concurrently worked on New Girl and Happy Endings, among other TV series.  During his time on Community, he also found work on feature films including the comedy We're the Millers and the biopic Fruitvale Station, both released in 2013.  Demonstrating his hands-on interest in genres beyond his screen work, Göransson collaborated with Community cast member Donald Glover on Glover's rap releases under the Childish Gambino pseudonym, including 2016's critically-acclaimed album Awaken, My Love!, which earned the rapper a GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the album's hit single "Redbone."  Göransson also started his own solo project under the name Ludovin, releasing the indie pop EP How to Find a Party in 2013 while finding time to collaborate with other recording artists, including HAIM, Chance the Rapper, Pell and more. Community ended its run in 2015, a year that saw Göransson's scoring work in the critically acclaimed Rocky franchise entry Creed. His third collaboration with director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan was for the score to the blockbuster superhero flick Black Panther, which arrived in 2018 and charted #1 on the Billboard World Music chart.

 

VENOM (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2018

TRACKLIST:

1. Space Exploration

2. Symbiotes Arrive

3. First Contact

4. Eddie's Blues

5. Run, Eddie, Run

6. What's Wrong with Me

7. Panic at the Bistro

8. Humans...Such Poor Design

9. Self Defense 

10. Pedal to the Metal

11. Eyes, Lungs, Pancreas

12. You Want Up?

13. Venom Rampage

14. Annie, I'm Scared

15. Parasite

16. Unexpected Ally

17. Battle on the Launch Pad

18. You Belong with Us

 

MGM AND WARNER BROS. RELEASE TRAILER II FOR CREED II

LEGACY. DESTINY. FAMILY.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures present

TRAILER II and a new poster for CREED II

The film, directed by Steven Caple Jr., stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson.

Trailer II

 YouTube

In Theaters Wednesday, November 21st

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family's past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what's worth fighting for, and discover that nothing's more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can't escape your history.

 

Genre: Drama

Release Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Director: Steven Caple Jr.

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, Andre Ward, Florian "The Big Nasty" Munteanu, Dolph Lundgren, Russell Hornsby

Writer: Sylvester Stallone

Producers: Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton, Sylvester Stallone

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Guy Riedel

Distributor: MGM, Warner Bros. Pictures

 

#Creed2

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Public Image Ltd: Fall Tour Kicks Off Tues., October 9 In New Orleans; Doc Film 'The Public Image Is Rotten' In U.S. Theaters Now

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD. --ANNOUNCE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION--   THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN -- NORTH AMERICAN FALL TOUR  18-CITY TREK TO LAUNCH  TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 IN NEW ORLEANS ALL TICKETS HERE   CAREER-SPANNING, NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM  ‘THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN’ NORTH AMERICAN THEATRICAL ROLLOUT UNDERWAY CURRENT CITIES AND SHOWTIMESHERE Public Image Ltd. (L-R) Lu Edmonds, Bruce Smith, John Lydon, Scott Firth. JOHN LYDON’s PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) will launch THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN: NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, to celebrate the 40thAnniversary of the pioneering group. On October 9, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD will kick off their North American headlining tour at The Civic Theatre in New Orleans and will visit 17 major cities including Atlanta, Washington, DC (SOLD OUT), Asbury Park (SOLD OUT), Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto (SOLD OUT), Detroit, Chicago Dallas, Austin, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco (10/31 and 11/1; 11/1SOLD OUT), Los Angeles (SOLD OUT) and the newly-added Santa Ana, CA show, before ending November 6 in Mexico City. All tickets for the fall tour are available at: pilofficial.com   JOHN LYDON, LU EDMONDS, SCOTT FIRTH and BRUCE SMITH continue as PUBLIC IMAGE LTD and remain the longest stable line-up in the band’s history. THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN:NORTH AMERICAN TOUR arrives on the heels of the band’s just wrapped headlining UK/Europe tour which included sold-out shows as well as festival performances and Japanese dates. The group’s worldwide tour in 2016 was regarded by many as the best performances the band have ever played; it followed the release of their 10th studio album ‘What The World Needs Now…’ (2015) and the critically-acclaimed ‘This is PiL’ (2012) which marked the band’s first album in 17 years. ‘What The World Needs Now’ peaked at number 29 in the official UK album charts and picked up fantastic acclaim worldwide from both the press and public. (The album also peaked at # 3 in the official UK indie charts and # 4 in the official UK vinyl charts).‘What The World Needs Now…’ was self-funded by PiL and released on their own label ‘PiL Official’via Cargo UK Distribution.    Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD’s music and vision has earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound, JOHN LYDON guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s ‘That What Is Not’. After a 17-year hiatus, LYDON reactivated PiL in 2009 by taking them back on the road worldwide.    Further happenings surrounding the 40thAnniversary of PUBLIC IMAGE LTD in 2018 include a career-spanning boxset and the theatrical release of a brand-new documentary film on the band titled THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN. Available now, The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart) is a 5CD/2DVD boxset package featuring the PiL Singles Collection (1978-2015), B-sides, Rarities and a Live concert from New York Ritz in July 1989. The DVD also includes PiLpromo videos + footage from the BBC's Top Of The Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test as well as two legendary full PUBLIC IMAGE LTD concerts.   THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN the newdocumentary film made its North American theatrical premiere on this past Friday (9/14) in New York City at The Metrograph. For all theatrical dates in North American cities, visit:https://thepublicimageisrotten.com. FromAbramorama and Verisimilitude, THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN film tells the story of music icon JOHN LYDON and his pioneering group PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) with a level of depth and intimacy never-before-seen. Loaded with electrifying archival performance and interview footage, THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN was directed by Tabbert Fiiller and produced by Verisimilitude’s Tyler Brodie and Hunter Gray as well as Phaedon Papadopoulosand Fiiller. The film features in-depth interviews with JOHN LYDON, former and current PUBLIC IMAGE LTD bandmates as well as Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ad-Rock (Beastie Boys) and Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) among others   PUBLIC IMAGE LTD is: John Lydon - After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd in 1978. Outside of PiL John has released several solo records and collaborations. He also brings quality TV to the masses and has recently released the autobiography ‘Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored’.    Lu Edmonds - Multi instrumentalist and former guitarist in The Damned, Lu joined PiL in 1986 recording and playing on the album ‘Happy?’ and co-writing the album ‘9’, adding yet another dimension to the PiL sound.    Bruce Smith - Drummer in The Pop Group and formerly of The Slits Bruce became percussionist for PiL in 1986 playing and recording on the albums ‘Happy?’ and ‘9’. Seen as a drumming virtuoso, Bruce brought his unique style into the fold.    Scott Firth - A bass player/multi instrumentalist that has collaborated and played with a variety of top musicians and bands including Steve Winwood, John Martyn and Elvis Costello.  PUBLIC IMAGE LTD: www.pilofficial.com |www.facebook.com/pilofficial |  www.youtube.com/pilofficial www.twitter.com/pilofficial (@pilofficial) |www.instagram.com/pilofficial     About ‘THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN’ film: The career-spanning, new music documentary on the band THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN fromAbramorama and Verisimilitude, tells the story of music icon John Lydon and his pioneering group PUBLIC IMAGE LTD (PiL) with a level of depth and intimacy never-before-seen. Following a sold-out screening at Camden London’s Odeon Cinema, the film is now in release across the United Kingdom and select European cities throughout the summer, followed by a North American theatrical tour which began September 14 at The Metrograph in New York City. Loaded with electrifying archival performance and interview footage, THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN was Directed by Tabbert Fiiller and produced by Verisimilitude’s Tyler Brodie and Hunter Gray as well as Phaedon Papadopoulosand Fiiller. The film features in-depth interviews with JOHN LYDON, former and current PUBLIC IMAGE LTD bandmates as well as Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Ad-Rock (Beastie Boys) and Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) among others.    THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN (2017 USA, 103 min-English) A Verisimilitude production, Directed by Tabbert Fiiller, Produced by Tyler Brodie, Hunter Gray, Phaedon Papadopoulos, Tabbert Fiiller, Executive Producers John Rambo Stevens, Cameron Brodie, Nick Shumaker, Director of Photography Yamit Shimonovitz, Editor Eric Pritchard, Music Supervision Dan Wilcox, Co-Producers Andrew Adair, Scotty Murphy, Associate Producers Andra Gordon, Kate West, Additional Cinematography Tobias Datum, Original Score Dave Wilder, Supervising Sound Editor Gabriel Reyna. An Abramorama global theatrical, digital and broadcast release. View the trailer: HERE.  About THE PUBLIC IMAGE IS ROTTEN (Songs from the Heart) boxset: Available now, the Public Image is Rotten (Songs from the Heart) Box Set features a staggering 5CD/2DVD set as well as a 6LP set. The box set includes the PiL Singles Collection (1978-2015), B-sides, Rarities and Radio Sessions, 12" Mixes, Unreleased Mixes and Tracks and a Live concert from New York Ritz in July 1989. The DVD includes PiL promo videos + footage from the BBC's Top Of The Pops and Old Grey Whistle Test. Just in case that isn't enough they've included two legendary live concerts, the first PiL's appearance at the Tallinn Rock Summer Festival in Estonia 1988 (still part of the USSR at the time) and the second from 2013's Enmore Theatre in Australia during the This is PiL tour. To pre-order The Public Image is Rotten (Songs from the Heart) Box Set go to https://pil.lnk.to/TPIIR.

“MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE” A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO THE BELOVED

“MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE”

A HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO THE BELOVED

CHILDREN’S TELEVISION SERIES 

Available on Digital September 3

Available on DVD October 2

Nominated for two Emmy Awards – Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special

and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program

Arlington, Va. – September 18, 2018 – PBS Distribution announces the release of “MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE” on Digital September 3 and on DVD October 2. “MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE,” is a celebrity-filled special that celebrates MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD, the pioneering PBS series that premiered nationally 50 years ago and became an iconic and enduring landmark in the world of children’s television and beyond. Cast members from the groundbreaking series share their personal perspectives and insights in this new program, which pays tribute to television’s longest-running children’s series, still broadcast on many PBS stations today. The program also features interviews with numerous celebrities who have been influenced and inspired by Fred Rogers, a modest man who always said, “I am not a teacher, I simply help children learn.” 

 

“MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE” will be available on Digital September 3 and on DVD ($19.99 SRP) October 2, 2018. The program has a run time of approximately 60 minutes. 

 

Michael Keaton, who worked as a stagehand and made appearances on the series in the 1970s, hosts the special. Judd Apatow, Joyce DiDonato, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Kratt, John Lithgow, Yo-Yo Ma and son Nicholas Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Silverman, Esperanza Spalding and Caroll Spinney reveal their favorite memories from MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD, while Joe Negri (“Handyman Negri”), David Newell (“Mr. McFeely”) and Joanne Rogers, Fred’s widow, share their personal stories. Also featured are performances from the archives by Tony Bennett, The Empire Brass Quintet, Hillary Hahn, Margaret Hamilton, 

Yo-Yo Ma and Nicholas, Wynton Marsalis, and Perlman. 

 

The nearly 900 episodes created by Fred Rogers encompass topics that resonate to this day with adults and children alike. Favorite segments, such as a visit with Koko the Gorilla, Big Bird’s appearance in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe as well as trips to the Crayola Factory and the Radio Flyer Wagon Company, are highlighted. 

 

“MISTER ROGERS: IT’S YOU I LIKE”is produced by JoAnn Young (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, Oscar Hammerstein: Out of My Dreams) and John Paulson (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala and A Raisin in the Sun Revisited). Ellen Doherty and Kevin Morrison of Fred Rogers Productions are executive producers.

 

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY Stranger-Than-Fiction Espionage Thriller Arrives on DVD & Digital October 2, 2018

PAUL RUDD, MARK STRONG, SIENNA MILLER AND JEFF DANIELS 

STAR IN THE GRIPPING TRUE STORY

 

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY

 

Stranger-Than-Fiction Espionage Thriller Arrives on DVD & Digital 

October 2, 2018

 

Paul Rudd stars as Moe Berg in the incredible true story of how a professional baseball player became a World War II spy.  A Jewish, Princeton-educated, multilingual catcher for the Boston Red Sox with a closely-guarded private life, the enigmatic Berg was already a man of mystery when, in 1944, the U.S. government's wartime intelligence agency enlisted his services. His mission: go behind enemy lines in Europe to assassinate the Nazi's chief nuclear scientist before the Germans develop an atomic bomb. Trading in his catcher's mitt for a trench coat, Berg must rely on his formidable, steel-trap intellect in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse—with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Jeff Daniels, Guy Pearce and Paul Giamatti costar in this remarkable slice of forgotten history.

 

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY is rated R for some sexuality, violence and language. The film will be available on DVD with deleted scenes or on Digital beginning October 2, 2018.

 

#  #  #

 

4th Nordic International Film Festival to be hosted by the popular comedian Al Pitcher

4^th Nordic International Film Festival to be hosted by the popular comedian Al Pitcher

 

The Nordic International Film Festival is now in its 4^th year. Due to popular demand and a higher number of film submissions, this year the festival has been expanded to 5 Days, making it the biggest Nordic festival outside of Europe.  The 4^th Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF) will be held from October 31^st – November 4^th at Scandinavia House in New York.

 

The festival is delighted to announce their host for 2018, comedian Al Pitcher who began his standup career in 1999, the same year he reached the ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ final and many other high profile competitions in the UK. Performing all around the world this well loved comedian has picked up numerous awards including Best Show at the Leicester Comedy Festival, Best Male Competition, the Swedish Standup Award, the People’s Choice Award and more. He performed at the incite only Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal alongside Eddie Izzard and Billy Connolly and in 2017, he premiered his latest show ‘Sweden Syndrome’ which he is currently touring around the world.

 

The Nordic International Film Festival (NIFF) celebrates Nordic and international films. They discover new and upcoming independent films as well as honoring great work from already established filmmakers. NIFF's programmers focus on finding diverse independent films with strong characters and storylines and encourage all filmmakers, regardless of ethnicity or religion. This exciting festival was founded by Johan Matton and Linnea Larsdotter.

 

“This way of introducing non-represented films as a festival to distribution companies is our way to help independent filmmakers obtain distribution for their films without having to pay for sales agent fees. As a festival, we have leverage to help the filmmakers though the distribution companies know we as a festival have watched hundreds of films and selectively introduces only, maybe, only 2-3 titles to the distribution company that we believe hold very high quality” – Johan Matton, Founder of Nordic International Film Festival.

 

The full line up will be announced on September 20^th.

 

 

http://www.nordicfilmfest.org

 

"STAR WARS SMUGGLER'S GUIDE DELUXE EDITION" COMING OCTOBER 30

STAR WARS™ SMUGGLER’S GUIDE: 

NOTES FROM THE UNDERWORLD (DELUXE EDITION)

Available October 30, 2018 exclusively through Amazon.com is STAR WARS™ SMUGGLER’S GUIDE: NOTES FROM THE UNDERWORLD. This is the sixth title in the successful deluxe Secrets of the Galaxy series which includes The Jedi Path, Book of Sith, The Bounty Hunter Code, Imperial Handbook, and The Rebel Files.

Recovered from a strong box on the Millennium Falcon, Star Wars™: Smuggler's Guide traces its own extraordinary journey through such notorious characters as Maz Kanata, Hondo Ohnaka, Dryden Vos, Lando Calrissian, and Han Solo. Explore previously unknown details about the underhanded dealings of the galaxy's underworld. 

The lengths to which the underworld will go for a legendary prize is unparalleled. What started as a simple logbook with a piece of valuable information was soon stolen, traded, and smuggled around the Outer Rim and shady ports. With each pirate, thief, gambler, and criminal who took possession of the book, new insight and details were added, creating the Smuggler's Guide—a coveted collection of hidden treasure locations, advice, and hard-earned data.

 

STAR WARS SMUGGLER’S GUIDE: NOTES FROM THE UNDERWORLD (DELUXE EDITION)

 Available October 30, 2018 exclusively at Amazon.com

$99.99 USD, $129.99 CAN

ISBN: 9780760362167

EPIC INK, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group