"Bellflower" Creators Craft Indie Film Homage to Side Scrolling Video Games

Coatwolf Productions released the first teaser for their new film Chuck Hank and the San Diego Twins. The much-anticipated follow-up from the creators of the Sundance hit Bellflower is inspired by side-scrolling video games and 1980’s style action films.

The film is written and helmed by first time director, Jonathan Keevil and is the sophomore project from Coatwolf founder Evan Glodell who is producing the project and also playing the title character of Chuck Hank.  In addition to Glodell, the film also stars Keevil and Bellflower co-star Tyler Dawson who play the San Diego Twins.  Rounding out the cast is David Arquette (Scream), Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars), Michael Pare (Streets of Fire), Olivia Taylor Dudley (The Magicians) and legendary MMA fighters Don Frye and Josh Barnett.

Toy Fair 2017: Thinkway Continues Their 2 Million Minion March with Despicable Me 3

Toy Fair 2017 coverage continues with another update from Axel Manasco who risked his life wading into an ocean of little yellow people that could possibly turn cannibal at any moment!! We kid of course. There are no known cases of cannibalism among the Minions...or Minion on human ..chewing...that we know of. Thinkway's UK representatives put out quite the spread with Minions of every conceivable shape and size, from tiny blind bag figures to spinning wind-ups to action figures, talking plush, squishy plush...plushy squishy plush...dancing Minions, walking Minions and Minions on little stages you attach to other Despicable Me characters so they can dance around in unison to music!!! It is, indeed, a magical time. Of course this year's crop of lil yellow people centers around Despicable Me 3, so you'll find some new outfits, accessories and characters specific to the new film.

Freeform and Marvel Announce Cloak & Dagger TV Series

Freeform and Marvel today announced the cast and creative team for its highly anticipated series, “Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger,” a live-action adaptation of the popular Marvel comic.

“Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger” is a coming-of-age series based on the beloved comic book characters. Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson come from starkly different backgrounds, each growing up with a secret they never dared share with another soul. The series is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios. Joe Pokaski (“Underground,” “Heroes”) will serve as showrunner and executive producer; Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s head of Television and Jim Chory will also serve as executive producers. Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Love & Basketball”) is set to direct the first episode.

Toy Fair 2017: Marvel Select Guardians of the Galaxy Action Figures Landing Soon!

Since the current team was formed in 2008, the Guardians of the Galaxy have become some of the Marvel Universe’s most popular characters. Star-Lord, Drax, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Raccoon have stopped numerous intergalactic threats – and starred in their own feature film – but they have yet to appear in the long-running Marvel Select line of action figures, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Now, Marvel Shop, the Disney Store and Diamond Select Toys are proud to bring the full team to stores as four all-new action figure sets based on their comic book appearances!

Toy Fair 2017: Wonder Woman Readies for Retail Battles

Toy Fair 2017 coverage marches on with Wonder Woman movie merchandise from companies showing off innovative products a little beyond your normal, expected Barbie! We kicked things off with JAKKS' Big Figs around 10 days ago. Now we dive back into UK Toy Fair with Axel Manasco who scoured the show floor for Amazons and came back with the goods. LET'S GO TO WAR!!

Toy Fair 2017: Bandi's Power Rangers Legacy & Movie Toys

Back into the Toy Fair 2017 coverage with our bud M@ Hawkins as he dips into Bandai for the briefest of visits with their Power Rangers Legacy line, which as you know, makes Power Rangers fan's dreams come true. From Megazords to electronic prop replicas to limited edition action figures even the most die hard Marvel Legends fans have been popping for, Bandai have been killing it in the collector arena. UK Toy Fair's offerings were few, but fun! Let's take a look at what was on hand...

Toy Fair 2017: Funko's Beauty and the Beast Movie Pops

Yes yes yes...we just showed you 32 kabillion Funko products coming out in 2017. Yes, kabillion is a valid unit of measurement. Ask my friend's kids. Our Toy Fair 2017 coverage continues with a quick, closer look at Funko's Beauty and the Beast movie Pops, as seeing these products in person is often a deciding factor in buying for loads of people. Once again M@ Hawkins was on the scene to shoot super heroes and zombies and massive building chewing monsters....and begrudgingly snapped the pastel stuff for those that love it. THANKS M@!

Toy Fair 2017: McFarlane Color Tops Action Figures with Labyrinth, One Punch Man, Destiny & More

Back into the Toy Fair 2017 coverage with more killer McFarlane news from our friend M@ Hawkins! This time, we dive into McFarlane's return to the 7 inch, semi-posable action figure format they created so many years ago. We've only just begin getting our fix of Color Tops action figures and Mcfarlane has major plans unfolding in 2017 which reach into the worlds of TV, film, Anime, comic books and video games. Some of the items are extensions of lines we've seen shown at last year's big geek events, some are logical jumping off points from those licenses and some had us falling out of our chairs in surprise. Let's get into it!!

NOTE: Like a lot of things at Toy Fair, these images are of prototypes, mock ups and place holders for the actual toys, which will be completed further down the line.

Toy Fair 2017: McFarlane Construction Takes on Rick and Morty, South Park & Steven Universe

We're roaring along with Toy fair 2017 coverage and as we begin weaving in and out of the big shows, we are joined by more and more toy hunters collecting information and delivering images that will blow the top of your toy loving head off. Today, the hunter is M@ Hawkins and the prize is McFarlane's Construction Set lineup!

One observation before we dive into the eye candy; McFarlane launched their construction line with the notion that more detailed mini figures and accessories are what the construction toy aisle was lacking and approached their Walking Dead and Game of Thrones lines with that thinking. The Five Nights at Freddy's sets employed a more classic mini figure body, most likely in keeping with the style of the characters they are based on from the video game. As we move into 2017 product, it seems the more classic mini figure body is catching on, at least when cartoon characters are the focus. Only time will tell if McFarlane will continue using the more detailed, unposable mini figures for their sets based on human characters as they move forward.

Toy Fair 2017: Funko Makes Toys of EVERYTHING

Last week we unveiled toys from Kong: Skull Island. As we seemed to be a source for new toy news, someone on Twitter asked if anyone would be tackling several licenses he liked. One among them was Mr. Robot. We said it's not very likely. What we should have added was "except for Funko Pops!" When the world of plastics shuns your favorite movie, TV show, cartoon or pop culture icon, you can be sure Funko has looked long and hard at it and probably said "Yea, we can make that." Let's take a look at the MOUNTAIN of collectibles on tap for Funko moving into 2017!

Monster Trucks Reviewed

by Erich Gamache

Monster Trucks combines two obvious things boys love... Monsters and Trucks. I’m surprised no one did something like this earlier. Especially when you think back to the 90’s and how TV shows and toys combined almost anything to sell to kids…I’m looking at you Street Sharks.

Very quick synopsis, boy hates world, boy meets monster, evil oil company wants to cover up and kill monster, monster hides in truck, boy discovers monster can magically act like an engine and fun ensues.

Toy Fair 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 LEGO Sets, Action Figures & More

Back into the Toy Fair 2017 news with a pile of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 merchandise! We'll take a look at newly revealed LEGO sets (which may have mild spoilers, so be aware), and a slew of Hasbro upcoming releases like Animated Series action figures and role play toys and mighty Marvel Legends! Let's get into it...

We kick things off with LEGO's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 building set lineup. So far there are three sets heading to store shelves including:

76080 Ayesha's Revenge
76079 Ravager Attack
76081 The Milano vs the Abilisk

Pop Culture Shock Presents Street Fighter's Poison 1:4 Scale Statue

With her bondage cap, studded choker, riding crop and hand-cuffs, Poison is not the most subtle of characters. Her  exposed midriff, "Daisy Duke" shorts and trademark red high heels are not exactly practical for fighting, either.

 

But other characters can be subtle, and dress in sensible garb. Poison’s M.O. is attracting attention, and at that, no other Capcom character comes close.

 

First appearing in Street Fighter’s cousin franchise, Final Fight, she would cameo in the background of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 and other Street Fighter games before becoming playable in Street Fighter x Tekken. By then she had so intrigued fans that Capcom had no choice but to add her to the roster of an actual SF game, Ultra Street Fighter IV, where moves like her Poison Kiss made her insanely popular.

 

But what makes Poison truly unique is the question of her gender.

The Girl With All The Gifts Finally Coming Stateside

The unsettling, surprisingly original zombie-esque thriller The Girl With All the Gifts premiered in the UK last September, with only a full length trailer to hold us over stateside until the blessed day we'd be showered with awesome indie horror goodness. And so we waited....and waited some more. NOW, with 2017 comes the moment we finally get to watch this creeper, both at home and on the big screen as the film hits DirecTV January 26th and select theaters and On Demand February 24th.

The near future: humanity has been all but destroyed by a fungal disease that eradicates free will and turns its victims into flesh eating “hungries”. Only a small group of children seem immune to its effects. At an army base in rural England, this group of unique children are being studied and subjected to cruel experiments. But one little girl, Melanie, stands out from the rest.

Funko + Playmobil = Your New Addiction

Last year's Toy Fair news stirred up the single most surprising collaboration we've seen in a pretty long time. Playmobil, known far and wide for their amazingly intricate, yet adorably simplistic children's toy sets team with pop culture universe builders Funko for a new line of 6 inch Playmobil style figures that will be hard to resist, especially if you're a die hard fan of any of the properties they are launching with.

The line kicks off this February with Ghostbusters, Willy Wonka, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Doctor Who and Back to the Future. That last property may be the death of me. I'm not a massive fan of the movies, but there is some love, and there's something about the characters in that style that makes my inner, uncontrollable geek go berserk. I have a mighty need...