TV NEWS - Marvel animated series, Cuckoo commissioned and more

Marvel Universe

So the recent smash-hit film Avengers Assemble is getting it's own spin-off animated series which has all the same characters as the film with the added character of Falcon. He is said to be a little younger then the others and greener, adding an extra dimension to the team. This also aids the rumour that Falcon will be joining the film avengers sequel, maybe we will see him in Captain America 2.

There is also an up comming series called Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. This is all the hulk like characters from the marvel universe (apart from the Thing or Juggernaut and maybe some others I can't think of). The agents include Hulk, the Red Hulk, She Hulk (imaginative but has been around for +30 years), Skaar (the teenage barbarian Hulk) and A-Bomb (the Blue Hulk). I hope these characters have other reasons for being like hulk and don't all change if you try to kill them and stuff. This also seems a bit of a dysfunctional unit as Hulk can't actually control himself!!

BBC Three's Cuckoo Commissioned 

Greg Davies

This is a comedy set to be on BBC Three later this year. It is starring Greg Davies, Helen Baxendale and Andy Samberg. It will be in 6 parts, written by Robin French and Kieron Quirke and directed by Ben Taylor. The offical synopsis is: "When Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna (Helen Baxendale) collect their daughter (Tamla Kari) from the airport, they're horrified to learn that she's returned from her gap year with more than just a henna tattoo and braids in her hair. At the arrival gate, she promptly introduces them to her new husband, Cuckoo (Andy Samberg) - the squared-jawed, self-appointed spiritual ninja who is now their son-in-law. Cuckoo is every parent's worst nightmare - a slacker full of outlandish, New Age ideas. Ken and Lorna have no choice but to welcome him into their family home - and if every Englishman's home is his castle, then this hippie has stormed Ken's fortress and plundered everything, most unforgivably, his princess."

Joseph Gilgun

Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch has said that he would always find time to do Sherlock and said he is more than happy to carry on playing the role even when he's in his 50s. He is only 35. Its not like they are going to run out of story's with only 3 a year.

Misfits

I found this interview with Joseph Gilgun after he was nominated for BAFTA's, I found it very funny and he talks a bit about Misfits series 4. See it here. 


Star Wars Clone Wars Series 5 Trailer 

Kieron :O

MUSIC NEWS - Bieber Wins Award, While Green Day Make A Genuine Contribution To Music

I really have struggled to find any music news for this week, so I have got one important story for you, and have suffered in writing the other. See if you can guess which is which...

Bieber Wins Award For Over 100 Million Hits
Yeah, you read that right. Justin Bieber was given a "#VEVOCertified" award for getting over 100 Million hits across eight videos on Youtube. He wouldn't have this award if the total number of dislikes was taken away from the number of hits. Anyway, it's not a real award, it's got a hashtag in the title. If you really want to waste 2 minutes of your life watching some fans present him with the award, it's below.

Green Day Releases Album Trailer and Artwork
This year seems like the year for the big names of alternative music when it comes to new albums. Last week brought news of Muse's The 2nd Law and Killers' Battle Born. Now for the first of the upcoming Green Day trilogy!
So yeah, Green Day on Friday released this trailer for their upcoming album İUno! with a shot of the album art at the end. İUno! will be the first in a trilogy of albums: İUno!, İDos! and İTres!. The music sounds great, and I'm really looking forward to the 25th September.

Happy Birthday!
Also, a massive shout out from Crash Hub to Sir Paul McCartney whose birthday is today. Many happy returns!

Tom :)

TV EPISODE GUIDES - Sherlock Series 3

Will keep this updated every time we find out more so you can keep checking back. This guide was last updated 17/06/12.

Episode 1
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: Mark Gatiss
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
 - Will be loosely based on Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Empty House"
 - Rumours that it will include Sebastian Moran, who is the villain in the original story. In the books, Moran is Moriarty's right hand man.

Episode 2
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


Episode 3
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so for:
 - Steven Moffat has promised another shocking finale to the Series

TV EPISODE GUIDES - Doctor Who Series 7

We'll be updating this as soon as we find out more about the new series. Last updated 19/08/12.

Asylum of The Daleks
Directed by: Nick Hurran
Written by: Steven Moffat
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
Kidnapped by his oldest foe, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission - to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter... the Asylum. A planetary prison confining the most terrifying and insane of their kind, the Doctor and the Ponds must find an escape route. But with Amy and Rory’s relationship in meltdown, and an army of mad Daleks closing in, it is up to the Doctor to save their lives, as well as the Pond’s marriage.
 - Lots of Daleks
 - The biggest set ever used on Who
 - The episode is filmed in Spain
 - Rumours clam air date is 1st of September

Dinosaurs On A Spaceship
Directed by: Saul Metzstein
Written by: Chris Chibnall
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
An unmanned spaceship hurtles towards certain destruction - unless the Doctor can save it, and its impossible cargo... of dinosaurs! By his side a ragtag gang of adventurers; a big game hunter, an Egyptian Queen and a surprised member of the Pond family. But little does the Doctor know there is someone else onboard who will stop at nothing to keep hold of his precious, prehistoric cargo.
 - Episode 2 will have one of Steven Moffat's favourite titles
 - It will be linked to the relationship between Rory and his Dad (played by Mark Williams)
 - The episode will feature guest star Rupert Graves as Riddell. Graves said that Riddell is "a big game hunter...he's in Africa, and there's...kind of history behind him an the Doctor, although it's never fully explained what...he's there to help the Doctor."

A Town Called Mercy
Directed by: Saul Metzstein
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
The Doctor gets a Stetson (and a gun!), and finds himself the reluctant Sheriff of a Western town under siege by a relentless cyborg, who goes by the name of the Gunslinger. But who is he and what does he want? The answer seems to lie with the mysterious, Kahler-Jex, an alien doctor (yes another one!) whose initial appearance is hiding a dark secret.
 - Also filmed in Spain


The Power Of Three
Directed by: Douglas Mackinnon
Written by: Chris Chibnall
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
 - Will include some very scary cubes. The episode used to be called "Cubed".
 - Will again feature Mark Williams as Rory's dad.
 - Will focus on the relationship between Amy and Rory before...

The Angels Of Manhattan
Directed by: Nick Hurran
Written by: Steven Moffat
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
 - Will feature River Song
 - Will feature Weeping Angles in New York
 - Will be the last episode for the Ponds
 - Moffat has promised that "not everyone get's out alive"
 - Expect lots of these :( on facebook, twitter etc.

Break

Episode 6
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: Steven Moffat
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far:
 - Christmas special
 - New companion! (who apparently is "kind of quicker than the Doctor")
- Set in Victorian Times

Break

Episode 7
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


Episode 8
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


The Crimson Horror
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: Mark Gatus
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
More Information

Episode 10
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


Episode 11
Directed by: Jamie Payne?
Written by: Neil Cross?
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a
What we know so far: 
 - Some sites have titled this "The Hider In The House".


Episode 12
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


Episode 13
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a


Episode 14
Directed by: t/b/a
Written by: t/b/a
Original Air Date: t/b/a
UK Viewers: t/b/a

TV EPISODE GUIDES - Primeval Series 5

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS


As with all our episode guides, this will be updated every time we hear something new about the series. This guide was last updated on the 16/6/12.
Plot synopsis' taken from cultfix.co.uk.

Episode 1
Directed by: Mark Everest
Written by: Chris Lang
Original Air Date: 24th May 2011
UK Viewers: 857,000
An underground creature brings chaos to the city, forcing the team to chase around the city to track down the movements of this vicious burrowing creature. When the creature strikes for the final time, the team find one of their own in mortal danger and fight to save their life.
See The Review Here.

Episode 2
Directed by: Robert Quinn
Written by: Steve Bailie
Original Air Date: 31st May 2011
UK Viewers: 761,000
When a nuclear submarine encounters an anomaly and Liopleurodon in the sea, the team are called aboard to help. They soon find themselves under attack once more, and get sucked through an anomaly, with Liopleurodons damaging the outside of the sub. The team must not only capture the panicked Eustreptospondylus aboard, but fix the sub exterior in order to get home.
See The Review Here.

Episode 3
Directed by: Robert Quinn
Written by: Paul Mousley & Gabbie Asher
Original Air Date: 7th June 2011
UK Viewers: 755,000
Following a displaced raptor through an anomaly, Matt ends up in Victorian London. Realising its to blame for several gruesome murders in the area, he tracks it down only to find Emily attempting to do exactly the same thing. Despite attempts from an angry mob and her own husband, Emily and Matt are forced through the anomaly with an angry raptor, where Emily is forced to make a tough decision about her future.
See The Review Here.

Episode 4
Directed by: Robert Quinn
Written by: Helen Raynor
Original Air Date: 14th June 2011
UK Viewers: 650,000
Philip and Connor secretly open an anomaly within the ARC, only to be invaded by a mass of scurrying future-beetles, who force the ARC into lockdown. The team have just moments to save the day before the ARC and the beetle threat is destroyed when Philip threatens to incinerate the building.
See The Review Here.

Episode 5
Directed by: Cilla Ware
Written by: Michael A. Walker
Original Air Date: 21st June 2011
UK Viewers: 477,000
With increasing numbers of anomalies running the ARC ragged, Matt realises his mission is coming to a climax and, determined to stop Philip, races to his machine. The team meanwhile are struggling to keep up with demand. When Philip escapes Connor's custody, the clock is ticking for them to stop him in his tracks.

Episode 6
Directed by: Cilla Ware
Written by: Steve Bailie & Adrian Hodges
Original Air Date: 28th June 2011
UK Viewers: 496,000
Connor has disappeared through Philip's anomaly, and Matt thinks that his mission is over - Philip has won, and seemingly, nothing has gone wrong. Matt has a decision to about what to do next - and jumps through the anomaly to save Connor only to find himself in a barren desert world, with Connor struggling in the immense heat and deadly sun's rays. It's a world we recognise from Matt's dreams. Worse still, coming towards them are a group of disgustingly mutated future predators, intent on causing some damage...

THE CRUNCH - Doctor Who 50th

Ealier this week, the current Doctor posted the above on Facebook. So we thought we'd answer. We've both decided on our three things we'd want to see when the show turn 50 next year...

Tom's List
1. Russell T Davies
No offence Steven Moffat, but since the takeover in 2010, Doctor Who just hasn't had the same feel it had following the 2005 re-boot. The traditional format has been messed around too much (this message also goes to the makers of the new James Bond movies). There's no denying that Moffat can write fantastic Who scripts - The Empty Child was the best episode in Series 1 - but he just hasn't recently. For a good celebratory episode next year, it needs to be at least co-written by Davies.

2. 2005 Daleks

Not the new corny Teletubby ones that look like free-bees out of a cereal packet. The really cool ones from the re-boot, the worn, "used-future" look. The slightly shorter ones that looked like they'd been pulled out of a chimney. The ones who had the supreme brains to create their own pig slaves and nearly re-create their entire race, not the new ones who got fooled by a jammy dodger. You get my drift.

3. The Master - As Played By John Simm
The Master is definately the best baddie we've had since 2005. John Simm pitched this part perfectly. And for some reason, he's only appeared in four episodes over the last six series' and the Daleks and Cybermen have been in...alot. This is the most important on the list, WE WANT THE MASTER!

Kieron's List
4. The Repeat 
The Doctor goes to a point and place from a previous doctor had to stop some big evil thing, the older the better. And tries not to get involved as he can't be seen by his old self or change his history. We see a classic villain from years ago run behind and around them. A twist could be added where the doctor accidentally screws it up and has to fix it before his old self finds out.

5. Dinosaurs Paradox

Cause a paradox where dinosaurs weren't made extinct and evolved to become the most intelegent species on earth meaning that humans never existed. However time rewrites itself meaning his companion fades into a more lizard like appearance. The new most intelligent species in the present day is much more advanced. Doctors companion doesn't know any different and the doctor has to convince her to help him write the problem. Or it could be that Silurians are these people.

6. TARDIS Damage
The TARDIS is damaged so it slows down and speeds up time randomly but not to the doctor or his companion. Shush this is the best picture I could find for slowing down time!


Tom & Kieron
7. Life On Being Sherlock Who
An Avengers like dream team with the best BBC characters: Sherlock, Hal, Tom and Alex, Gene Hunt and of course The Doctor. With Mycroft as the Nick Fury guy. Maybe The Doctor gets Gene from the past and he can see Alex because he has died loads!


And that's it for another week here at Crash Hub. Next week we will of course have all the usual. Also, over the weekend, we will be uploading episode guides of Primeval Series 5, Doctor Who Series 7 and Sherlock Series 3.
Tom :) and Kieron :O

FILM REVIEW - Prometheus (Spoiler-free)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: Jon Spaihts, Damon Lindelof
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green, Charlize Theron
Release Year: 2012
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror
Certificate: 15

When Ridley Scott announced that he planned to return to the world of Sci-Fi to create a prequel to his masterpiece Alien, naturally, everyone got very excited. And why wouldn't you? Alien defined science fiction/horror movies, and is regarded as a classic. Also, the Alien franchise needed redeeming after the terrible Alien vs Predator films.

Prometheus tells the story of a group of humans going to a distant planet to make contact with an alien race that may have created mankind. Unfortunately, the aliens turn out to be a little hostile...

Unsurprisingly, I went into Prometheus expecting a terrifying, gore-filled blood-bath. Surprisingly, Scott has offered us an intelligent, philosophical thriller with only hints of the expected horror-fest. If you want a "people-run-round-spaceship-and-get-killed-in-horrific-ways" film, you are much better off just watching Alien again. Only two deaths are particularly bad, and even they are nothing compared to John Hurt's stomach bug.

I don't see this as a bad thing though. Yes you kinda miss the mindless gut-ripping to begin with, but it is soon forgotten as you submerge yourself in the new, complex plot.

The acting on the whole is superb. Noomi Rapace more than fills the gap that is left for her by Signourney Weaver. It's worth mentioning that Elizabeth Shaw is nothing like Ripley of the original films and Rapace makes the new lead role her own and makes the whole film feel a bit more human. The other actor to take note of is Michael Fassbender as creepy android David. Fassbender's performance is flawless, and will leave you guessing right up until the end.

To begin with, the writing is as good as the acting. The film carries at a steady pace and Damon Lindelof's script moves from moments of high tension to moments of comedy quickly and with ease. There's a particularly quirky scene between Idris Elba's Yannick and Charlize Theron's Vickers that I found very funny. I won't spoil it for you though.

About half way through though, the writing becomes a bit clunky. The story starts to become predictable, and some of the "twists" are just annoying. The amount of unnecessary gore also increases. I'm not saying I'm squeamish, but there is on scene in particular that just seems over the top and verges on comedic. You should recognise the bit I'm talking about, but this review is spoiler-free.

Overall, I did enjoy the film, despite the poorly written second half. It's cinematic, very well acted and, above all, entertaining. Definately a fun way to pass two hours.

6/10


If you've seen Prometheus, let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Tom :)