Pop Culture

Funko drops, trailer reveals, and panel buzz — Pop Culture brings you entertainment news and fandom updates from across the media universe.

  • Toronto cinema creates free series in response to U.S. travel ban

    A Canadian film community is taking a stand against U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban with a free film series that “celebrates the humanity and strength that resides in each one of us, and the human connection we all share.” The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema’s new program, “Ban This Series,” will screen films from and about people and cultures from the following countries affected by the Jan. 27 executive order: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

  • ‘Ghostbusters’ now taking calls in new trailer

    Since announcing an all-female cast reboot, Paul Feig‘s Ghostbusters movie has been on everyone’s radar. The director has “leaked” several photos from the set, giving fans their first glimpses of the team in uniform and their upgraded gadgets. But still, one never really knows what to expect when a classic franchise is given a makeover. Today some light was cast on the shadows with the release of the first, full-length trailer.

  • New tech gives stop-motion animation its Oscar moment

    Amidst all the glitz and glam of the celebrity-filled Academy Awards ceremony, it’s easy to overlook the transitory nod given to the Scientific and Technical Awards presented two weeks earlier. Affectionately regarded as “The Nerd Oscars,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences takes the opportunity to recognize accomplishments generally invisible to the average moviegoer. To be considered, the achievements must demonstrate a proven record of contributing significant value to the moviemaking process; as a result, they are not restricted to developments introduced in 2015. These honourees are the people and innovations that make it easier for filmmakers to create what you eventually see on the screen. Of the 10 recipients, it is interesting to note that a team is being acknowledged for their use of 3D colour printing.

  • Watch old faves on the big screen at Great Digital Film Fest

    The invention of television was considered a major threat to the film industry — why would people go to the theatre to watch a movie when they could be entertained in their own living rooms? But audiences kept going to cinemas because it’s not just about the content, but the experience. The same is true today. In spite of the endless amount of stories available for streaming on any number of devices, people still head to their local theatre to catch the latest big budget spectacle, awards-worthy performance or genre offering.

  • Film vs. Digital: Can there ever be a winner?

    Anyone can make a movie now. The rise of digital as a legitimate film medium and the availability of affordable, high-quality cameras have democratized the industry. A great story and relatively decent production values is all a picture needs to gain recognition — Sundance indie hit, Tangerine, was shot entirely on an iPhone. The manner by which it was shot has become irrelevant to audiences as the advances in technology have virtually eliminated any perceptible differences between film and digital productions. However the debate in Hollywood wages on with a handful of purists fighting to keep celluloid alive. The reality is the transition was rapid and today the majority of filmmaking no longer actually involves film.

  • Review: Sophia Loren steals attention in De Sica retrospective (Includes first-hand account)

    Women in Hollywood consistently find themselves trying to break out of pigeon-holes created by decades of playing stereotypes. Strong personalities like Katharine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis and Faye Dunaway were not afraid to play less traditional and less glamorous characters. Even today this dichotomy can be seen when comparing the roles of Bryce Dallas Howard and Charlize Theron in Jurassic World and Mad Max: Fury Road, respectively. But across the pond, it appears strong female performers were more revered for their talents. Actor/writer/director Vittorio De Sica was justifiably confident in putting Sophia Loren front and centre in his pictures, regardless of the subject matter. Her range spoke for itself.

  • Spider-Man re-casted for Sony, Marvel reboot

    It was announced earlier this year Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios would be teaming to reboot the Spider-Man franchise. Today, they made a joint announcement to reveal they’ve found their new web-slinger as well as the person who will be calling the shots behind the camera. Peter Parker will be played by Tom Holland and the yet-to-be-named new adventure will be directed by Jon Watts.

  • Exclusive deal accepts Bitcoin as payment for tickets to ‘Dope’

    For the first time, moviegoers will have the option of paying for their tickets online with the digital currency Bitcoin. An exclusive partnership between Open Road Films, MovieTickets.com and GoCoin will give people the option of using Bitcoin when purchasing tickets for Dope, which opens across the U.S. on June 19, 2015.

  • Legendary screen villain & horror icon Christopher Lee dies at 93

    Sir Christopher Lee never truly embraced his title as a “horror legend,” but it’s probably safe to transpose that to “screen legend” — a label to which no one could object. The prolific actor’s IMDB page lists 281 acting credits, including a film completed last year and another set for release in 2016. It’s for this reason that in spite of his advanced age, many people may view the 93-year-old’s death over the weekend as a surprise. Lee passed away after being admitted to hospital with respiratory difficulties and heart failure.

  • Star Wars announces new teaser trailer & Twitter emojis

    It’s been a while since a Star Wars Celebration has actually been able to hail a new addition to the franchise. But with the release of J.J. Abrams‘ Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens at the end of the year, this event was going to be special. Day one of the fan convention included a highly anticipated Q&A with Abrams; Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy; stars of the new film, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley; veterans of the original saga Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew and Anthony Daniels; as well as the team that created the film’s robots and a group of Stormtroopers.

  • The truth is ‘The X-Files’ are coming back

    After 13 years of looking to the skies, The X-Files fans are finally getting the answer for which they’ve been searching — Fox is bringing back the paranormal investigations show. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will be reprising their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully respectively, and creator Chris Carter is returning to develop the series.

  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt set to produce, star in ‘Fraggle Rock’ movie

    It will soon be time to “dance your cares away” with a live-action movie adaptation of the ‘80s TV series, Fraggle Rock. Joseph Gordon-Levitt confirmed this week he will be producing and starring in the film that has been in the works for at least a decade. But the young, talented actor’s attachment to the film definitely gives the current effort more credibility.