Latest news with #AvengersEndgame
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Horror blockbuster poster has sent fans crazy ahead of a huge new movie release
A strange film poster resembling a children's drawing has sent fans crazy, as speculation ramps up to new levels ahead of the release of Zach Creggar's new horror film Weapons Horror film fans have been going crazy after the release of one of the 'most interesting film posters of all time', sparking masses of speculation and hype around an upcoming blockbuster. There have been some incredible film posters over the years, whether it's the iconic Uma Thurman smoking a cigarette on the Pulp Fiction flyer or Marlon Brando in the background for The Godfather's striking promotion. A solid movie poster can make or break a film's promotion even lining walls in university halls for decades after its release. But one new film has caught the attention of cinephiles around the world for its distinctly unique take. With no floating head of the film's big star, no dramatic tagline or title, and no fancy graphics - you'd easily walk past this poster thinking it was something else entirely. Resembling a young children's drawing of their family, the new poster for Weapons shows an almost scrunched-up drawing of two parents labelled 'Mom' and 'Dad' and a young child in the middle labelled 'me'. While the poster seems completely innocent at first glance, when you learn about the film's plot, the poster takes on a much more sinister meaning. According to the trailer, the film follows the mysterious disappearance of a group of schoolchildren. At 2.17am all 17 children from Mrs Gandy's class woke up, stepped out onto the streets and walked away never to return. In the aftermath of their strange night-time walk their parents try to uncover the sinister truth behind their disappearance and bring them home for good. For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. Warner Bros gives only a brief explanation of what audiences can expect, they said: "When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanishes on the same night and at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance." Little else is known about what will play in cinemas, with many of the film's details being shrouded in mystery. Barbarian director Zach Creggar created even more mystery as he told Entertainment Weekly: 'I didn't have an outline. I didn't know what it was about. It was just like, let the movie show itself to me. I want to watch the movie as I'm writing it.' The film is set to star Avengers Endgame 's Josh Brolin and Ozark's Julia Garner along with appearances from Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan. Just weeks away from its release on August 8, fans have been crazy with anticipation with the bizarre poster only adding to its mystery. Taking to Reddit one user posted: "This film has some of the best marketing I've seen in recent years. If it sucks I'll be disappointed," while another added: "Honestly. One of the most interesting horror posters I've seen in years".
Geek Tyrant
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Preview Reactions Hail It as the Best MCU Movie Since AVENGERS
Marvel fans have been cautiously optimistic about The Fantastic Four: First Steps , but if early reactions out of Brazil are any indication, the MCU might finally have its groove back. During a recent international promo stop, Marvel Studios screened a 30-minute preview of First Steps—featuring key scenes from the film's first and second acts for fans and press, and the response was overwhelmingly positive, with some calling it Marvel's best outing since Avengers: Endgame . @mpmorales praised director Matt Shakman's take on Marvel's first family, calling the world-building 'incredible,' and describing the footage as 'a cool introduction to the quartet, their powers, and the looming threat of Silver Surfer.' Another viewer, @GoodNerd23, said: ' The Fantastic Four: First Steps might be the best Marvel movie post-Endgame. It feels a lot like The Incredibles , super fun, colorful, and different from other Marvel films. The Silver Surfer steals the show!' One of the more detailed takes came from @4FantasticoBRA, a Brazilian fan account that offered a heartfelt breakdown of what they saw: 'What was shown not only surprised genuinely moved me. The entire setting of this universe is unique. It's a great gift for the fans. It all starts with an intimacy we're not used to seeing in this type of movie. It feels like we're meeting a real family, with vulnerabilities, humor, affection, and purpose.' The praise didn't stop there. 'The dynamic between Reed and Sue is one of the highlights. We saw many scenes of the two together, and Vanessa and Pedro are in perfect sync, truly conveying the feeling of a couple that's been together for a long time. Their relationship shows, right from the start, that this movie goes far beyond just showcasing superpowers.' Ben and Johnny also got their moment to shine: 'Each has a very well-defined personality, and the chemistry between them works from the first moment. The jokes come at just the right time, and you know how it is: Johnny being Johnny!' The inclusion of baby Franklin Richards seems to play a pivotal emotional role: 'The plot has a family-oriented tone, and this becomes clear with the arrival of baby Franklin. This is pure Fantastic Four! They're not just facing a major threat: family bonds are at the heart of the story.' And the final moments of the preview left a strong impression: 'The final sequence of the preview I watched is one of those that makes the entire room hold its breath. The CGI? Flawless. And the buildup of danger feels real—you sense the weight of what's at stake.' This kind of enthusiastic response feels like a breath of fresh air for Marvel Studios, especially after a rocky year. Captain America: Brave New World landed with a thud, and Thunderbolts* while critically better received, struggled to gain momentum at the box office. The Fantastic Four: First Steps carries more weight than usual. Not only is it the formal introduction of Marvel's first family into the MCU, but it also leads directly into Avengers: Doomsday , set to hit theaters next December. The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters July 25, 2025. So far, things are looking good.
Geek Girl Authority
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Why Time Travel Is the Most Dangerous Power in the Marvel Universe
Time travel is the most unpredictable, dangerous, and morally challenging force among all the powers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), including telepathy, sorcery, and godlike strength. It has the power to alter whole timelines, deconstruct character arcs, and present contradictions that call into question the universe's basic logic. Fans were enthralled with the story possibilities that time travel offered in Avengers: Endgame, but it also opened a can of worms that still affects Marvel's narrative and may affect its cohesiveness in the future. Let's examine why, in spite of its brilliant storytelling, time travel is Marvel's most perilous weapon. It violates the cause-and-effect rules. By definition, time travel disrupts cause and effect, which is the cornerstone of narrative. Most stories have a chain of events. However, the rules completely change when characters have the ability to travel forward or backward in time. A sophisticated form of time travel based on multiverse theory was introduced in the MCU with Endgame, in which altering the past produces a divergent timeline rather than changing your own. In addition to avoiding the usual 'butterfly effect' problems, this allowed for an endless number of branches, each with its own reality. Until you realize that nothing is ever final, that sounds exciting. If time travel is an option, it doesn't really matter if characters die or universes collapse. The Narrative Stakes Are Undermined Time travel loses emotional impact when it is used frequently in a story. Although time travel technically made it possible, the finality of Natasha Romanoff's death on Vormir or Tony Stark's sacrifice is more poignant because they weren't undone. The danger here is obvious: as time travel becomes more accessible to characters such as Doctor Strange, Kang, or Loki, it runs the risk of depriving the audience of long-lasting consequences by making every dramatic turn seem like a decision that can be undone. Maintaining tension and emotional truth is crucial for a universe as vast as Marvel's, and time travel continuously jeopardizes that. The Loss of Agency in Characters The Time Variance Authority (TVA), an all-powerful bureaucratic body in charge of the 'holy timeline,' was first presented to us in Loki Season 1. Characters were suddenly following preset routes rather than making decisions based on their own free will. This exposes one of the MCU's most perilous concepts: what if nobody's choices matter at all? The elimination of variations by the TVA suggests a world where choice is a myth. A sobering revelation that takes away from the story's depth is that Loki, who is arguably one of the franchise's most independent characters, is informed that his mischievous actions were always intended to further a larger timeline. In this case, time travel not only complicates the plot but also runs the risk of depriving characters of their most compelling trait: free will. Paradoxes abound (and are rarely resolved). Paradoxes—logical inconsistencies that undermine the universe's internal coherence—are an inevitable part of time travel fiction. Despite the established rules that state this shouldn't be possible, Steve Rogers returns the Infinity Stones, travels back in time, and somehow finds himself reappearing as an elderly man in the timeline he left behind in Endgame. Did he invent a different reality? Did he return covertly to the main one? Marvel never gives a thorough explanation for this. The issue is that time travel leads to more plot holes the more it is used. A paradox is even embodied by Kang the Conqueror, who first appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Having seen every possible future, he asserts that he is the ultimate time manipulator. But he loses. How can he fail if he is genuinely omniscient? It Allows for an Infinite Number of Villains Time travel allows for multiple iterations of the same villain, as demonstrated by the Multiverse Saga. There are now several Lokis, several Kangs, and possibly several Doctor Stranges. Creatively, this is exciting, but narratively, it is risky. For example, Kang's number, not his individuality, is what makes him dangerous. Kang exists in multiple guises, each with distinct objectives, abilities, and moral standards, in contrast to Thanos, who was a single entity. This makes it more difficult to invest in a single solution or establish an emotional connection. It also raises the question of how to defeat someone who is constantly waiting in a different timeline as a different version of himself. It Provides Justification for Deus Ex Machina Moments Time travel can be used as a way to escape punishment. Instead of defeating Thanos in Infinity War, the Avengers reversed his victory by going back in time. Once, this is convincing. However, it turns into a lazy storytelling gimmick if used excessively. When you can just go back in time, why work harder in your training, think more clearly, or make more sacrifices? It's comparable to triggering 500 bonus spins in a high-stakes game right when the odds appear to be against you. Even though you might win big, you've altered the rules in the middle of the game. And that undermines victories and breaks immersion in storytelling. The most pernicious threat posed by time travel may not be cosmic in nature, but rather moral. Should you alter the past when you can? Knowing that stopping Hydra's infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. would alter the character of some heroes, would you go back and do it? If saving Tony Stark's parents meant erasing significant moments in Steve Rogers' storyline, would you do it? The terrible consequences of attempting to alter alternate timelines are depicted in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In one universe, Wanda mourns her lost children and weeps through others to reunite with them. Driven by trauma rather than justice, time travel and multiversal manipulation turn into instruments of selfishness. This is similar to real-life temptation in that the moral distinction between chance and manipulation becomes hazy when unlimited tries are offered, such as ' 500 free spins ' in a gaming context. This blurring puts the multiverse itself and its characters in jeopardy in the MCU. Conclusion: Unrestricted Power It is not because time travel is intrinsically evil that it is the most perilous power in the Marvel Universe. The reason for this is that it lacks inherent boundaries. You can match strength. It is possible to counteract magic. However, time? It is difficult to straighten once bent. Even the most loyal fans become perplexed, character arcs are diminished, and narrative coherence is broken. Time travel can enhance a story when used carefully. However, as a fundamental component of the MCU's Phase Four and beyond, it increasingly jeopardizes the clarity of the narrative and emotional investment. Stakes only matter if certain things are still impossible in a universe where anything is possible. The allure of time travel—the possibility that everything can be reversed, rewritten, or avoided—is what makes it dangerous. Furthermore, progress in fiction, as in real life, entails facing rather than avoiding consequences. Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: The Pitt's DANA EVANS RELATED: TV Review: IRONHEART
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Expert reveals conversation habits that make people instantly hate you - including how you take compliments
Many people are guilty of five common habits that will make others instantly dislike them, according to a video by YouTube channel Charisma on Command. One of these key habits people should avoid, according to the clip, is jumping on every opportunity to call praise or attention to themselves. The video claims that if people do find themselves the subject of praise, a great way to handle this is to spread that praise to others. To illustrate the point, the video highlighted an interview from several years ago with Brie Larson and Chris Hemsworth. While the actress is popular with many thanks to her dry humour and sense of irony - something the video narrator pointed out - he suggested that her communication during this interchange may not have read well with the audience. 'I want to make this clear, there are interviews that I can show you where Brie is extremely likeable,' the video was keen to stress. During the Entertainment Tonight interview, in which the actors were promoting the movie Avengers: Endgame. According to the video: 'Chris Hemsworth is talking up his stunt double, and he's putting himself down to do it. This is a nice common move for somebody who is kind of on top. 'And in this case, Hemsworth is clearly athletic and powerful and famous. So it's kind of him to take that trainer and put him above him, even if it means denigrating himself.' The narrator added: 'The charismatic move, the confident move, is to spread the praise. Don't worry so much if you're getting yours. When you give it freely, it comes back to you freely.' According to the video, in this situation, in contrast to her many interviews in which she has come across as very likeable, during this conversation, noted that she did all her own stunts thinking 'this is what everyone does'. While the narrator noted this may have been an ironic comment that didn't quite land with the audience, the situation deteriorated when Tom Cruise was highlighted as an actor who does their own stunts, and it was suggested that Brie could be the next Tom Cruise. She commented that she would rather be 'the first me, not the next Tom Cruise'. A number of viewers agreed with the point, and went on to share their own thoughts in the comments section of the video. One wrote: 'Constantly redirecting the conversation on yourself makes people not want to talk to you.' Meanwhile, others revealed that they found this type of advice useful as they often struggled with how to behave. One YouTube user said: 'Watching these videos always reminds me how hard social life is. Another said: 'As a person with Aspergers who doesn't know how to converse. I think this channel is really helpful.' Meanwhile, another offered a suggestion as to why behaviours can somehow come across differently than intended. They wrote: 'One thing I've noticed about popular, successful people is that they rarely if ever seem to be triggered in public anyway. My guess is they either had stable, loving childhoods or have done trauma work. If you have unresolved trauma certain social things can be massively distressing and will trigger a trauma response, which most people won't understand and will interpret negatively. Brie seems either triggered from past put downs/abuse/bullying or she's trying to be funny and it's falling flat.' The video listed a number of other habits than can be off putting to other people, and are therefore worth trying to avoid during interactions. A number of viewers commented on how it can be difficult to know how they are coming across in social situations Among them were reading negative intent in an ambiguous situation, or in other words, assuming that when a comment is made, it is designed to insult. However, the next point related to this, with the video pointing out that sometimes when a person responds to a comment in a way that appears they took it as an insult, they can actually be just trying to be sarcastic. The narrator pointed out that 'sarcasm requires a "tell" - and noted there could be cultural differences when it comes to how sarcasm is communicated. He explained: 'I know that British people are going to hate this recommendation, but at least in America, a good rule of thumb is that when you are being tongue in cheek, do not be flat in your delivery. '[This is] especially if a literal interpretation of what you're saying would make you sound like a jerk. 'Go over the top and change your tone, your gestures or your facial expressions. This helps people distinguish between normal conversation and a character that you are playing for the purpose of joke.' Moving on, he suggested that people should 'not try to win every moment of banter' if they don't want to risk coming across as unlikeable. When banter can start to feel like a fight, he said: 'Sometimes it is better to stop fighting. Don't try to win every laugh from the audience. Instead, go with the joke, even if it feels like you are the butt of that joke, and then amplify it, not taking this kind of insulting joke seriously. 'You diffuse its power, and you turn the crowd from laughing at you to laughing with you.' The final of the five behaviours that can make people dislike others handling compliments improperly. 'You should avoid responding to compliments with banter that are put downs in nature,' the video said. 'Instead, you can give a sincere thank you, emphasised perhaps with sustained eye contact or a touch [...] Alternatively, you can spin it back around to the other person and playfully find a way to give them back an even bigger compliment.. It concluded: 'Whatever you do, do not punish people when they give you compliments. Otherwise, they will not be so forthcoming. When in doubt, a sincere thank you and a smile or just to return a compliment will take you much farther.'
Digital Trends
31-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Did Avengers: Endgame ruin the MCU for good?
Marvel Studios seems ready to make a comeback with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars around the corner. As Doomsday is still in development with the Russo Brothers directing, one can only wonder what the filmmakers have in store for fans in 2026 with their next superhero crossover film. However, until Doomsday arrives, it is questionable whether the film can match the success that Avengers: Endgame achieved in 2019. Having garnered extraordinary reviews and nearly a record-breaking $2.8 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, Avengers: Endgame seemed to be the best movie that the MCU would ever produce. Since the film premiered, Marvel has struggled to recapture the magic that it presented in cinemas with their ongoing Multiverse Saga. While the MCU was never going to be the same after Endgame, it appears that this blockbuster phenomenon was the peak of a franchise now struggling to keep its footing. Recommended Videos Avengers: Endgame set an impossibly high bar for the MCU Following the many hit-or-miss movies and shows that came out after Endgame, it seems like Doomsday may not achieve the same level of hype from fans as the former movie. Critics have repeatedly described MCU films like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Deadpool & Wolverine, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Thunderbolts* as the best Marvel movie since Endgame, showing how it is now widely considered the gold standard for all MCU projects. However, whenever someone compares a new MCU film to Endgame, it seems to nullify all the positives about the many great post-Endgame movies. Avengers: Endgame shouldn't even be considered the top benchmark for the MCU, as the film isn't without its flaws. There are multiple plot holes, some fan service is forced, Hulk's character arc is rushed, and the jokes made about Thor's weight go too far. In many ways, Infinity War was arguably a superior film. Nevertheless, audiences had never seen a superhero blockbuster like Endgame before it came out, and it will be hard for the sequels to live up to everyone's expectations set by the Avengers' exciting fourth film. Endgame left a massive MCU without a clear roadmap The story for Endgame was the product of over ten years of buildup that began with 2008's Iron Man, with Thanos lurking in the shadows since 2012's The Avengers. After the extraordinary success of Endgame and the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, the MCU seemed to be going off in several different directions, with the studio unsure of what to do next. As Marvel was trying to create more and more content for audiences to enjoy in theaters and on streaming, it was still trying to figure out the plot for its next crossover event, not knowing how all these pieces would come together in the end. That isn't to say that Marvel Studios had the entire Infinity Saga planned out from the beginning. The Infinity Saga succeeded as Marvel focused on releasing one to three films each year, with critical and commercial failures becoming rare as they prioritized quality or quantity. However, as Marvel tried to keep the hype train rolling after Endgame with a steady supply of films and TV shows, the MCU seemed to lose its way as the studio focused on keeping people on board instead of setting up a clear destination, leading to several rushed and clunky stories. Marvel has trouble moving on from its original cast Due to the events of Avengers: Endgame, the film made it difficult for the MCU to move forward in a new direction. Specifically, the movie featured the heartbreaking deaths of Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff, as well as the disappearance of Steve Rogers. The legacies of these beloved heroes and the actors who played them have been hard to live up to in the post-Endgame era. Even with younger proteges like Peter Parker, Sam Wilson, and Yelena Belova standing tall on their own, the MCU is still struggling to fill the void left behind by some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Right now, it seems Marvel is still trying to capitalize on Robert Downey Jr.'s popularity as Iron Man by having him play Doctor Doom, replacing Kang the Conqueror as the main villain of the Multiverse Saga. This move invokes memories of Disney bringing Emperor Palpatine back as the villain of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker after the divisive reaction to The Last Jedi. While there will be more buildup for Doom's introduction with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel risks pulling a hasty course correction with legacy casting in order to bring the franchise back to its Endgame glory days. Overall, Avengers: Endgame didn't exactly ruin the MCU. While there have been some poor decisions with the franchise following the film's release, there have been several outstanding movies and shows that prove that Marvel still has it. While Avengers: Doomsday may not stick the landing and achieve the love and success garnered by Endgame, final judgment about the film can't be passed until it hits theaters.
