The Merc With a Mouth Movie

Good evening and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Once again, I apologize for the unexpected and long hiatus. Work’s long hours have been killing me like Deadpool murders his enemies. Speaking of the Merc with the Mouth, today we receive a little treat from this year’s San Diego Comic Con. San Diego Comic Con is the Mecca of comics, anime, video games, geekery, literature, and cosplays. It’s located in the expensive majesty that is San Diego, California and is every geek’s version of Heaven.

The treat presented to us today was leaked film footage of The Merc with a Mouth Deadpool movie.  Deadpool is a Marvel superhero who has the regenerative ability, just like Wolverine. He is well versed with tons of weapons, is madly in love with Death, and has a tragic backstory. For years, fans have wanted a Deadpool movie since his role in X-men Origins: Wolverine.  Seeing Ryan Reynolds as the famous hero won fans’ hearts over, while crushing others. Following this part, Ryan voiced Deadpool in the Deadpool video game which turned out to be a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing for the plot, characters, and missions, but a curse due to its gameplay.

Now fans of Deadpool are eager to see how the famous superhero will slaughter across the screen while being unbelievably ridiculous.

What are you excited to see in the Deadpool movie?

The Revival of Harry Potter

Good evening all and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Just a few days ago, Diagon Alley opened to the public at Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. What better way to celebrate this occasion than reading a short story written by JK Rowling? Not just any short story, but a little update as to what the Harry Potter crew has been up to. The story was told in the voice of Rita Skeeter, the writer for a tabloid wizard newspaper. It was posted on Pottermore.com in the commentary of the Quidditch match between Brazil and Bulgaria. From what we’ve read, we’ve received the following information about the characters we know and love:

• Harry Potter is now in his mid-thirties with graying hair and a scar on his right cheek. The wound is from his job as an Auror. His wife, Ginny Weasley is a journalist reporting on the Quidditch World Cup for The Daily Prophet.
  
  
• Hermione and Ron are still married and have a son named Hugo and a daughter named Rose. Hermione is the deputy head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Ron now co-manages Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, a joke shop ran by his brother George who married Fred’s ex-girlfriend, Angela. Together, they have two children a son named Fred and a daughter named Roxanne.
  
  
• Neville Longbottom is now the Herbology teacher at Hogwarts. His wife, Hannah, is applying to be the Matron of Hogwarts and retrained herself as a Healer.
  
  
• Luna Lovegood married the grandson of a famous Magizoolist named Rolf Scamander. They have twin sons.
  
  
• Charlie Weasley is an unmarried dragon wrestler.
  
  
• Percy Weasley is the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation.
  
  
• Bill Weasley is scarred from an encounter with a werewolf, but still married to Fleur Delacour.
  
  
• Teddy Lupin and Bill and Fleur’s daughter, Victoire, have been seen together snogging, and being close to each other.

The short story caused Pottermore.com to crash on Tuesday morning with elation from fans, like myself, who grew up with the famous wizard.

What other characters would you like to get an update on from JK Rowling? 

HOLY POKEMON, BATMAN!

Good evening and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

This past week has been filled with tons of sneak peeks for the reboot of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. With every piece of news, my heart explodes with elation for this game, but what made me burst into a million fragments of joy was the return of the secret bases.

In the original Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon could be taught the move ‘Secret Power’. This ability would be able to detect secret rooms hidden within trees, rocks, bushes, and other places.  Once the player enters the secret room, you can customize it with plushies, pillows, tents, flags, rugs, and many accessories. However, since this game is a reboot, they’ve added a few adjustments to the bases. For example, you can turn your base into a gym with you as the gym leader. You can also play capture the flag with other base holders and share your base with the Street Pass. Your friends can also enter your base and battle with you. A new character entitled The Secret Base Master named Aarune will be tied in with the Secret Power and bases.

Another concept for the rebooted games is that you can now dress up your Pokemon. Coro Coro scans have revealed many styles that could be used in the game. Some of these styles are hard rock, madame (regal), doctor, masked, and idol, but I’m sure there will be more to come. With these new fashions, two things come to my mind: One, the return of the Pokemon contests from the original Ruby and Sapphire and two, Princess Gyarados. Because if there can be a princess version for the most brooding, famous DC hero of all time, why not have a princess version for Gyarados too? You can dress your Pokemon up in Pokemon Amie.

It has also been revealed that the Pokedex will look like a Gameboy Advance, which makes senses because that’s what the original games were released for. We’ve also seen the return of Brawly, Flannery, and other gym leaders from the original game. They too have received a slight makeover.

Lastly, we have been given a glimpse of one more Mega Evolution which is Mega Metagross. Metagross will achieve its Mega Evolution by using a Mega Brooch and will be used by someone in the Elite Four. There are rumors that many more Pokemon will receive a Mega Evolution. Personally, I hope Pokemon like Zangoose, Farfetch’d, Relicanth, and Dunsparce receive a Mega Evolution because they only have one stage. I’d like to see what the game development does with them and possibly expand them into incredible forces of power.

What would you like to see in the Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire remakes?

Holy Gringotts, Harry Potter!

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

HOLY GRINGOTTS, HARRY POTTER. This past week we have received inside looks to the new Harry Potter section of Universal Orlando. Last year we received Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, towering over our heads with wizardry delight. Now this year, we have Diagon Alley complete with Knockturn Alley. For those of you who don’t know, Diagon Alley is where Harry bought his items needed for Hogwarts.  Knockturn Alley is the darker part of Diagon Alley, which Harry stumbled into by way of Floo powder.

Here’s what has been revealed to us so far:

6. Interactive Wands

Wait a minute, couldn’t you already buy your own wand at Ollivander’s? Yes you could and still can. However, throughout Diagon Alley (and Hogsmeade as well) there are tiles with various markings on them. When you purchase an interactive wand ($45) at Ollivander’s, you may approach one of these tiles, recite the spell etched into them, and make the symbol with your wand. After you do this, something in a store front will be activated. For example, there is a tile with the marking and spell Repairo located in front of an opening. Using the wand, create the symbol, and chant the spell. Within minutes, you’ll see a suit if armor repair itself.

5. The Small Things

Sometimes the smallest things create the largest effects and this is no exception for Diagon Alley.  There are a slew of interactive talking shrunken heads that can be found on the Knight Bus and within Knockturn Alley. There are posters of a screaming Sirius Black and haunting Bellatrix Lestrange draped throughout the parks. Even Kreacher leers at you from the Grimmauld Place and the cast members speak in English accents.

There’s even a carriage that moves on its own, as if a thestral is tied to it, and impatiently waiting. In the Kings Cross train station, an animatronic of Hedwig watches you as you board the Hogwarts Express. Just before you see her, there’s a bell cart where if you peer through it, you’ll see people run through the wall of Platform 9 ¾. It’s the little things in this new section that add magic to the atmosphere and cause smiles to bloom.

4. Gringotts

Gringotts plays a huge role in Diagon Alley. Not only does it feature the new 3D spinning roller coaster, Escape from Gringotts, but it’s also the centerpiece of the new section complete with a fire breathing dragon.  Gringotts also houses Bank Notes which you can exchange with an interactive goblin not too far from the establishment.  The Bank Notes are wizard money that can be used in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

3. Restaurants

Diagon Alley has a Leaky Cauldron restaurant which looks dead on like the Leaky Cauldron on both the outside and inside. It features English foods like bangers and mash, fish and chips, and scotch eggs, though you can get sandwiches and salads there. Diagon Alley also features Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor, where there are tons of flavors inspired by English staples such as Earl Grey Tea, Orange Marmalade, and even Butterbeer. There’s also little snack stops to purchase drinks and other edibles. One of these stops is Eternelle’s Elixirs which allows customers to combine qualities such as ‘immortality’, ‘luck’, and many others to create a special, drinkable elixir. The combinations are endless and allow the guest to get creative in hopes of receiving something delicious. Another little stop is Fountain of Fair Fortune which serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks like Butter Beer and Amstel Light.

2. Stores

The shops sell Harry Potter merchandise from Death Eater shirts to pranks from the Weasleys’ shop. Oh yes, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is there for all your tricking needs and it looks fabulous.  There’s also Borgin and Burkes found in Knockturn Alley, complete with all your Voldemort alliance gear.  Other shops scattered throughout the area are Magical Menagerie, Madam Malkin’s, Scribbulus, and Wiseacre’s Quality Quidditch. These stores sell a variety of objects ranging from clothing to Quidditch items.

1. The Hogwarts Express

In Hogsmeade, there was a stationary Hogwarts Express where you could take pictures. Now, you get to ride it. That’s right, you get the board the Hogwarts Express and make your journey to Hogwarts or Diagon Alley. The train ride is as magical as the books themselves. Climbing into the train, you seat yourself in a cabin, and wait for the whistle to sound your departure. When it does so, the windows will turn to screens showing fantastic images of the Harry Potter world. Even your cabin interior windows feature talking shadows of the famous trio we’ve come to know and love.

The new addition also offers entertainment from a band of witches crooning out mystical tunes and even a puppet show of “The Tale of Three Brothers” from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. So far the park has only opened for the press and has had a soft opening for the public. The park will open to everyone on July 8^th.

If you had enough money, what would you do first? 

In the Name of the Moon, I'll Watch You!

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Guess what’s coming in July? No not the 4^th, hotter weather, or even San Diego Comic Con. It’s something that most of us have been waiting two (twenty two years if you want to get technical) for: the return of Sailor Moon.

Sailor Moon is an anime that ran from 1992 to 1997 on the WB17 or channel 7 as I remember. The series focused on a school girl named Usagi and her friends who all received powers of various planets. Together, they teamed up as the Sailor Senshi to take on countless of evil villains, and meet others who inherited powers.

Since its finale in the late 90s, it has been rumored that there would be a reboot of the series. For many years, this was nothing more than gossip. However, the gossip is now truth that has excited tons of fans. With just days away from the premiere of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal on Hulu (for free!) and television, we have been exposed to mere glimpses of what is to come.

We were given a look at the new animation which appears to be based more on the manga style. Delicate faces, long limbs, detailed outfits, flowy hair; these features are heavily noted in the reboot.  The new intro is similar to that of the original, with the girls posing together, and shown in their normal state and Sailor Scout forms. Even the theme got a complete makeover to fit a more modern generation. No longer is it the simple beat with rhyming lyrics, but it’s a catchy Japanese pop melody.

Lastly, the transformation sequence was given a major update to keep in style with the current style of animation.  It’s eye catching and mystical, but with some changes to the outfit. The famous brooch is no longer the same as the original one Luna gave to Usagi , but rather is a reference to the manga brooch. Other accessories include the hair pins and even the earrings. The new transformation sequence is also a few minutes longer than the last one and much more dramatic.

With only nine hours away from the first episode of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, we can only hope that this new take on the anime classic is just as good if not better than the original.

What are you excited to see in this modern day version of Sailor Moon? Feel free to comment and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.

The Doctor and The Detective Return

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Folks, I’m sure you’re all aware of the popular show, Sherlock. Sherlock is about a modern day Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and John Watson (Martin Freeman) solving crimes like those Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about.  

Well, not too long ago something miraculous popped up in newsfeeds everywhere.  Sherlock will start filming a special and three new episodes in 2015. Everything will be finished and broadcasted in 2016. Moffat has given us a bit of insight into the filming, in which he claims that something will happen with Sherlock, and it is the last thing we’d expect. The dynamic duo are also set to enter deeper, darker waters in their upcoming adventures.

Most of us Sherlockians are hoping for a variety of things including Wholock (Sherlock crossing over with Doctor Who), Johnlock (John and Sherlock getting together), and many other concepts.

Tying in with news of British television, not too long ago we have received our first glimpse into the new Doctor Who which will be airing on August 23^rd, 2014. Along with this premiere date, we have been given the plot of the first full episode with Capaldi as the Doctor. In the adventures of this new Doctor, the Doctor seems to have forgotten who he is. He lands in Victorian London with Clara, encounters the famous Paternoster gang, as well as Jack the Ripper, and the clockwork droids.

There are other rumors of what may happen this season such as a Robin Hood episode, a shrinking Tardis, the return of Danny Pink, the Daleks exterminating once more, the revealed mystery of Mrs. Delphox, and the Cybermen marching onto our screens yet again. There’s also rumor that this Doctor will be much darker and grittier than Matt or Christopher’s.

As a Whovian and Sherlockian, I’m entertaining the idea that there may be a Wholock. This is the season where the Doctor will be remembering himself, discovering himself, and who better to help him than Sherlock? After all, Moffat did say anything was possible, and that it would be something we’d least expect with Sherlock.

What do you think Moffat has in store? 

E3 2014: Get Ready to Play

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

E3 has blown our minds away this year and frankly, mine is somewhere in the Milky Way. With so much information on games, it’s made gamers pumped and geeks like myself, excited. So let’s get down to business and see what E3 has given us this year:

• A new Starfox game is in the works.

• The indie game, Destiny is a game like no other in which you play as an origami bird and fish. Your goal is to get these two together by matching patterns in various levels. This game will be released for the Playstation 4 sometime this year.

• Far Cry 4 exploded in E3, revealing settings and the new villain. We’ve also been shown screenshots and concept art.

• Dragon Age: Inquisition will be debuting on the PC, as well as older and newer systems on October 7^th, 2014. For this game we have seen characters that would be in our parties and the environment we would play in.

• Pac Man as well as the classic game screen have joined Super Smash Bros Brawl for Wii U and 2DS and 3DS. Lady Palutena will be stepping up to fight as well. You can also include your own Mii in the Brawl and customize him or her to how you please.

• Ubisoft refuses to make a female assassin a protagonist and has given us a glimpse of their new game: Assassin’s Creed: Unity. In this game there will be a four player co-op, giving you the chance to play with your friends. It will be available for the PC, Playstation 4, and Xbox One on October 28^th.

• A new Legend of Zelda game will be released next year on the Wii U. This September, Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors will premiere on the Wii U in which you can play as multiple characters such as Princess Zelda, Impa, Midna, Link, and many others. 

• Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U will come with the first Bayonetta game and include tons of Nintendo costumes you can dress the sexy heroine in.

• Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright will be released August 29^th, 2014 for the 3DS.

• Yoshi and Toad get their own games for the Wii U. Yoshi’s game will be Yoshi’s Woolly World, a game similar to Kirby’s Epic Yarn. Toad’s game will be Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker in which you treasure hunt in various levels.

• Speaking of Mario related games, Mario Maker is a game that will allow you to build your own levels. It’ll be premiering on the Wii U in the future.

• Little Big Planet 3 is getting a new game for the Playstation 4 this November. Sackboy is no longer alone; his friends Toggle, Oddsock, and Swoop are joining him to fight off the villain, Newton.

• Splatoon is a multi-shooter paint ball game that's sweeping the Nintendo world by storm. It will be released in 2015 for the Wii U. 

• Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be getting a sequel entitled Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris. This will be an Egyptian adventure where you fight alongside the gods Horus and Isis. There is no release date at the time, but it will be available for PC, Xbox One, and the Playstation 4.

These games have fellow gamers and geeks filled to the brim with elation. It’s only a matter of time before we can purchase them and when we do, it will start a new journey that will create tons of gaming memories.

Are you excited to play these games in the future? What one are you dying to get your hands on?