Author: Rob

Kernel is affording Assassin’s Creed fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the highly anticipated movie release with exclusive film merchandise

Rob Leave a Comment

image

Kernel Engages Assassin’s Creed fans with exclusive limited-edition merchandise,  Behind-the-scenes first-looks at the upcoming Movie, Movie Tickets and More

image

Beginning today, March 9th at www.kernel.com/assassinscreed, Kernel is affording Assassin’s Creed fans the opportunity to immerse themselves in the highly anticipated movie release with exclusive film merchandise, one-of-a-kind experiences, revealing behind-the-scene sneak peeks and more.
 

image

Long before the Assassin’s Creed trailer premieres and nine months before the movie’s debut, Kernel’s is offering passionate fans of the franchise a first look of key elements from the film, including the hoodie and gauntlet worn by Callum Lynch’s/Aguilar (played by Michael Fassbender), limited-edition collectibles, apparel and accessories, the film script,advanced movie tickets, tickets to San Diego Comic Con and more.

image

To satisfy fans’ intense interest in their favorite entertainment franchises and characters, Kernel works directly with studios, filmmakers and distributors to give visibility to the entire creative process, from script to screen.  The Santa Monica-based company has redefined fan engagement with offers such as movie ticket pre orders, access to exclusive digital content, and customized VIP-experiences.  

Kernel co-founder Andy Martinez says: “We’ve curated bundles at all levels but the most important item included in each purchase is the ticket. That’s the shared piece that binds and connects all of us as Assassin’s Creed fans since the day we first plugged into the Animus and thought to ourselves,  ‘wow, this would make a great movie!’”

Part of what is unique about Kernel and this program is that it is a real honest-to-god collaboration between the movie Fox, Ubisoft, New Regency, and of course the product creators like TriForce and McFarlane whose contributions traditionally wouldn’t be surfaced until much later.

image

image

The Assassin’s Creed movie, based on Ubisoft’s best-selling franchise, stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.  The film premieres December 21, 2016 from Fox Filmed Entertainment and New Regency.  

 
Kernel’s Assassin’s Creed packages range from $15 to $1200. Once fans purchase a package, they’ll be treated to additional behind-the-scenes content, more exclusive movie merchandise and experiences that will continue to become available in the months leading up to the film’s release.

Some of the early items curated by Kernel include:

image

Spanish Crossbow from Ubi Workshop – Kernel Exclusive

Only available on Kernel, this 15th century crossbow is an exact 1:1 scale replica of the weapon featured in the Assassin’s Creed movie. Created by famed Hollywood weapon’s master Tim Wildgoose, the crossbow is 18” long and features scenes from Medieval Spain, as well as motifs from Assassin’s Creed lore. Handcrafted, numbered and limited to an edition size of 20, this piece is a worthy centerpiece of any Assassin’s Creed or movie prop collection. Comes with a signed letter of authenticity. This package also includes a ticket to see Assassin’s Creed in theaters, a digital copy of the script, and behind-the-scenes extras.  Priced at $1200.

image

TriForce Aguilar Premier Scale Statue

The officially licensed Assassin’s Creed: Aguilar Premier Scale Statue, masterfully sculpted, hand-finished and hand-painted to precision quality by the artisans at TriForce.  The limited-edition statue, crafted and cast in polystone, the most authentic on the market, portrays Aguilar posed on top of a 15th Century Spanish rooftop.  The package includes a ticket to see Assassin’s Creed in theaters, a digital copy of the script, and behind-the-scenes extras.  Priced at $500

image

Official Assassin’s Creed Hoodie – Kernel Exclusive

Only available on Kernel, Ubi Workshop’s hoodies offer fans an early look at Callum Lynch’s hoodie in the upcoming movie. The original costume was created by famed BAFTA nominated costume designer Sammy Sheldon Differ and worn by Michael Fassbender in his starring role. With its modern fit and unique hood, this unisex Hoodie is made from 100 percent polyester, features two side pockets, metal snap buttons embossed with Assassin’s Creed logo and a YKK zipper.  The packages includes a ticket to see Assassin’s Creed in theaters, a digital copy of the script, and behind-the-scenes extras. Priced at $100.

 

image

McFarlane Toys Aguilar Hidden Blade – First Look!

Assassin’s Creed fans can bring the movie to life with McFarlane’s new screen-accurate Hidden Blade role-play item, offered as an exclusive first look only on Kernel. Used by Aguilar, the 15th century Assassin played by Michael Fassbender, the blade is highly detailed, intricately sculpted and true to the original design.  An early unpainted sculpt is currently shown on Kernel, giving  fans a rare glimpse of McFarlane’s creative process. The final product will be fully painted and functional, including a button-activated play-action and extending hidden blade. This package also includes a ticket to see Assassin’s Creed in theaters, a digital copy of the script, and behind-the-scenes extras. Priced at $60.

 

image

T-Shirt + Movie Ticket + Script

Live the Creed in this exclusive Assassin’s Creed movie T-shirt with the iconic words “Work in the dark to serve the light.” T-shirt is made of 100 percent pre-shrunk cotton and features a round neck and relax fit. This package also includes a ticket to see Assassin’s Creed in theaters, a digital copy of the script, and behind-the-scenes extras. Priced at $25.

image

Movie Ticket + Collector’s Watch + Script + Aguilar & Maria Temporary Tattoos – One Week Only!

Fans can arm themselves with everything needed to countdown to the Assassin’s Creed movie release, including a smooth printed LED Collector’s Assassin’s Creedwatch (with silicone band, digital readout, and month/year function), replicas of Aguilar and Maria’s tattoos as featured in the movie, an official digital copy of the script delivered on the day of the film’s release, and behind-the-scenes extras. Priced at $15, the special introductory package is available for one week only.  

 

image

Synopsis:

Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain.  Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day.  

 

image

Social handles:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/kernelfilms/

Kernel – @KernelFilms

Instagram – @KernelFilms

YouTube  – @KernelFilms

image

 

image

image

image

Movie review: Weaponized

Rob Leave a Comment

image

By Steven Biscotti

Weaponized, the latest film to be released by Cinedigm, “a leading independent content distributor”, released earlier this month on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital.  Starring Johnny Messner, the go to tough guy in action films of this genre, and sporting an impressive supporting cast of actors like Mickey Rourke and Tom Sizemore seems like just the kind of movie we’d see advertised theatrically.  Yet we have it available direct to the home video format.  Is the fast paced actioner quite the “white-knuckle, stunt-fueled film” that it’s hailed as?  Alternative Mindz gave it a watch and we have the word on whether or not you should check this one out!

The market for films like Weaponized is out there.  While for many that are excitedly counting down the days until the next major film release, it’s easy to overlook the likes of films like Weaponized.  Especially as one scans the new releases and sci-fi/action genre department at a store like Target.  Despite the class of movies that can sometimes go unnoticed and unspoken of, there are many solid entries out there that feature the talent we normally respond to.  Director Timothy Woodward Jr.’s Weaponized is just that kind of movie.  Quiet release yet it features a notable cast.  During the late 80’s and throughout the 90’s (and early 00’s), Tom Sizemore was the ultra cool tough guy on camera.  While he was never a leading man, he was surely one of the finest character actors in the business.  With roles in pictures like Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, and Pearl Harbor, it’s hard to recall a picture that Sizemore wasn’t in.  Yup, he was the undercover agent in Point Break and he fought that alien/creature/monster in Relic.  But sometime after the Michael Mann series Robbery Homicide Division, he fell off the map – for reasons we won’t go into here.  But, here we are in 2016, and Tom Sizemore is back and in a co-starring role inWeaponized.  Not to mention he’s also next to the likes of Mickey Rourke, a man who needs no introduction.  So, we have Sizemore and we have Rourke.  The cast of Timothy Woodward Jr.’s futuristic action film holds up, but what about the picture itself?

Weaponized takes place in the not too distant future.  After a series of terrorist attacks, one in which sees “a blatant attack” on the Pentagon, we learn of a private operation that allows soldiers to swap consciousness with a target, which allows American soldiers to combat terrorism in a more effective way.  However, we are talking about a sci-fi/action film and, of course, the military program is severely abused.  Johnny Messner’s homicide detective, named Walker, gets involved after an incident out in public and the rest is an hour and a half of reliable action that is both entertaining and a bit borrow some of other films.

Timothy Woodward Jr.’s Weaponized isn’t a bad movie.  It’s just not terribly inspired.  The story by Sean Ryan feels like a sort of distant cousin to the far superior Universal Soldier.  If anything, Weaponized feels like a movie that should have starred Jean Claude Van Damme in the nineties, but for whatever reason, just never happened.  Weaponized is enjoyable and the action is steady, but the most intriguing aspect of the movie is found within its cast.  Tom Sizemore and Mickey Rourke are fun to watch and even though Johnny Messner is the go to tough guy, he does entertain us in a role that could have been played by many others.

Cinedigm does have a movie worth being discovered in Weaponized.  More films by Cinedigm should be recognized as it is a healthy and vital aspect of the movie-making business.  The cast and crew make up a movie that has as much put into it as many of the other films granted a larger release.  At the end of the day, people wrote, produced, and created a film – going far beyond a stage that so many could only dream of.  For that reason alone, Cinedigm should be applauded.

Alternative Mindz gives Weaponized two and a half stars.

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES GREENLIT FOR SECOND VOLUME

Rob Leave a Comment

image

DC SUPER HERO GIRLS GRAPHIC NOVEL SERIES GREENLIT FOR SECOND VOLUME

 

After increasing anticipation from fans about the upcoming original graphic novel DC Super Hero Girls: Finals Crisis, DC Entertainment announced today that volume two is not far behind!

 

DC Super Hero Girls: Finals Crisis is the first publishing product for the new superhero universe for girls from DC Entertainment, and will be available everywhere books are sold on July 5. To satisfy the excitement of fans, the publisher has greenlit a second volume, DC Super Hero Girls: Hits & Myths due out on November 2. Writer Shea Fontana and artist Yancey Labat will reprise their roles for the second volume.

 

While learning about The Odyssey in Mister Etrigan’s poetry class, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl and their friends go on their own Odyssey-inspired journey where they face off with a Cyclops, seek help from a Witch, and evade the Siren before journeying to the underworld. Can they help their teacher escape from Trigon’s prison and return home? Find out in DC Super Hero Girls: Hits & Myths. 

 

For a sneak peek of DC Super Hero Girls: Finals Crisis, pick up a copy of the first two chapters at your local comic book shop on Free Comic Book Day, May 7. 

DC Entertainment Reveals WonderCon 2016 Variant Covers

Rob Leave a Comment

image

WonderCon 2016 makes its debut Friday, March 25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and DC Entertainment wants you to get the first look at some of the exclusives premiering at the show!

 

image

On sale at the Graphitti Designs booth (South Hall, Booth #1403), these comics feature variant covers spotlighting some of DC Comics’ most popular titles, hottest artists and the highly anticipated feature film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Beginning Friday, DC Entertainment is excited to feature the following variant cover comic books for sale at WonderCon:

 

image

image

Co-written with Brian Azzarello with art by Andy Kubert and Klaus Janson, DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE pits Batman, Carrie Kelley, Superman and Wonder Woman against a renegade priest and his maniacal followers from the newly-restored city of Kandor! The first three issues will be available for sale during WonderCon, each with its own unique variant cover and selling for $15 each.

image

The issue #1 variant cover features art by Howard Porter (SUPERMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001). Issue #2 features cover art by Jill Thompson, while issue #3 includes a variant cover by Paul Pope. And if you’ve ever wanted your own one of a kind Dark Knight III cover from your favorite Bat-artist, then you’re in luck; DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE issue #1 will be available for $10, with a blank sketch cover you can take with you to artists’ alley!
 

image

Another series of exclusive variant covers celebrates the upcoming feature film BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE with variant covers for issues #50 of SUPERMAN, BATMAN AND WONDER WOMAN. Each sells for $10, and features a photo cover of each of the three principal actors in the film, Henry Cavill (Superman), Ben Affleck (Batman) and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman).

 

image

WonderCon 2016 takes place March 25-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. Stay up to date on all things DC Entertainment by downloading the all-new DC Entertainment app on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. And be sure and stop by the DC Entertainment booth in South Hall (#1602) to meet some of your favorite writers and artists!