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Geek Dad
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Batgirl #7: The Testament of Shiva
Batgirl #7 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: The first arc of this brilliant title was a high-octane action-adventure, as Cassandra Cain was forced to team up with her estranged mother to go up against an army of assassins. In the end, the two were put through the wringer and Cass confronted the toxic legacy her mother had passed down and ultimately decided to cut her off – only to have the choice taken out of her hands when Shiva sacrificed herself to allow Cass to escape. With Shiva presumed dead, Cass is left to explore her complex feelings for her mother – and delve deeper into her life, as Shiva has left behind a journal that turns back the clock. Back then, Shiva was a young girl in a nomadic family that was one step ahead of a maurauding army along with her mother, father – and sister, who played a key role in her origin. The two girls ultimately escaped an attack as their parents bought them enough time to get to safety – and that's where the story really begins. Phone call home. Via DC Comics. The two girls find their way to a mountain village, a place filled with wise men, medicine women – and martial arts masters. While her sister fits into the village and embraces life there, the girl who would be Shiva dedicates herself solely to fighting and becomes a master to defend the village. But their bond leads them to cross a pair of cruel bandits, which brings down hell on the village – with the bandit leader having a shocking tie to the characters. Depending on how this story plays out, this character could still be alive in the present day. Isaac Goodhart guest-stars on art this issue, and I can't say enough good things about his style. His work is almost painted in places, and his characters are wonderfully expressive. We're seeing this story of Shiva's origin for the first time through Cass' eyes, and that adds a lot of emotion to the fantastical tale as it unfolds in bloody and fast-paced fashion. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
The National
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
I'm a Scottish filmmaker. I'm sick of Hollywood being put first
I AM at a loss as to what Screen Scotland's actual function is. It certainly isn't interested in growing a sustainable industry in Scotland; there are just too many caveats and closed doors. The reluctance to support genre projects with clear commercial value is baffling. So much so I can only surmise that it is deliberate. Having read Screen Scotland's six-year plan cover to cover, it is clear the main goal is to attract Hollywood productions. History has shown us time and time again that Hollywood coming to Scotland is no more than a band-aid. You only have to look at the continuing wave of unemployment in the Scottish film and television industry following the last Hollywood boom that came in the form of the doomed Batgirl project. It should be Screen Scotland's mission and duty to do everything it can to support projects both foreign and domestic; to set up in Scotland in order to support our workers. Putting more focus on indigenous projects with clear commercial value would create far more jobs than the scraps regularly left for local crews by incoming productions. Ryan shooting at sundown in Iona (Image: Ryan Hendrick) A further measure that should be insisted on by Screen Scotland is that a minimum 50% of cast & crew, above and below the line should reside permanently in Scotland in order to qualify for public funding. Holyrood should even go one step further and introduce an additional local film tax incentive for productions that observe such a quota, but let's face facts; neither notion would ever be entertained. Even as our Irish neighbours introduce a new 20% tax incentive for non-scripted TV, we are reminded yet again that we are surrounded by nations from Canada to Ireland to Europe that have their own talent prioritised, whilst Scotland sits on its hands and waits for everyone to come and save us. Screen Scotland's indifference to all of the above makes it clear it is part of the problem rather than part of the solution. I have been flying this flag for almost 20 years, nothing has improved, if anything the situation has gotten worse. Local indie filmmakers are continually cast aside and looked down upon. Producers with multiple commercial successes being turned away and labelled 'inexperienced' is a clear and present display of Screen Scotland's ignorance and discrimination toward domestic grassroots filmmakers. READ MORE: BBC 'arrogance' towards Scottish talent must change, director says The final nail in the coffin for Scotland's film and TV industry is that the powers that be pretend to the rest of the world that everything is just fine and dandy. Whilst attending the Screen Summit at the BFI last year, I was astounded when a certain Scottish Producer and frequent recipient of Screen Scotland funding claimed whilst on stage: 'The the UK screen industry is a shit show, the BFI should follow Screen Scotland's approach, who have done an incredible job revitalizing the film and tv industry in Scotland.' Slight paraphrasing, but that was essentially what they said. I nearly fell off my chair listening to this brazen fabrication and distortion of the facts. I can only assume those who regularly receive funding from Screen Scotland are happily complicit in this lie – after all, protecting their slice of a tiny pie is far more important than actual success. Gotta keep churning out those loss-making films to justify the overheads of their plush vanity offices. Ryan on set with Sylvester McCoy (Image: Ryan Hendrick) READ MORE: Culture Secretary to meet BBC in row over The Traitors Scottish spend Around 67% of our industry are unemployed and have been for nearly three years, many have been forced to leave the industry in order just to keep a roof over their heads. Yet productions are continuing to bring crew up from London, the public funders continue to roll out apprenticeship and training initiatives for jobs that do not exist. This industry requires on-the-job training. Stop with these ego-fuelled training workshops, support local projects and facilitate learning by experience. This insane spin that everything is fine up in Scotland must stop, the system needs a hard reset in order to effect real change. Again I fear it is all too late, the status-quo will not change, which leaves me to simply suggest to those pursuing a career in film and TV in Scotland; the harsh reality is that it's time for us to pack up our troubles, as we can't eat the scenery. Ryan Hendrick is an award-winning and Bafta-nominated film director, writer and producer.
The National
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scottish director warns grassroots film losing out to Hollywood
Ryan Hendrick, known for films Lost At Christmas and Mercy Falls, wrote about his concerns about the film industry in Scotland being geared towards attracting Hollywood projects. In a letter to Angus Robertson, published exclusively in The National, Hendrick said the reluctance to support homegrown projects with commercial value is 'baffling'. He has taken aim at Screen Scotland, a national body set up to support Scotland's film and TV industry, as being 'indifferent' to the problem. READ MORE: Criticising the body's six-year plan, Hendrick wrote: 'It is clear the main goal is to attract Hollywood productions. 'History has shown us time and time again that Hollywood coming to Scotland is no more than a band-aid. 'You only have to look at the continuing wave of unemployment in the Scottish film and television industry following the last Hollywood boom that came in the form of the doomed Batgirl project.' The 67-page strategic plan, published in March last year, stated that: "Economic growth remains a strategic priority, delivering many of the opportunities talented people need to realise their potential here in Scotland." Hendrick added that the priority should be to support workers in the industry and that Screen Scotland should insist a minimum of 50% of the crew working on any productions are based in Scotland. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) He also suggested a local film tax incentive for those productions who reach such a quota, but said he did not hold hopes that this 'would ever be entertained'. 'Screen Scotland's indifference to all of the above makes it clear it is part of the problem rather than part of the solution,' he wrote. 'I have been flying this flag for almost 20 years, nothing has improved, if anything the situation has gotten worse. READ MORE: No Other Land director says Oscar 'meant nothing' after Israeli attack 'Local indie filmmakers are continually cast aside and looked down upon. Producers with multiple commercial successes being turned away and labelled 'inexperienced' is a clear and present display of Screen Scotland's ignorance and discrimination toward domestic grassroots filmmakers.' Hendrick (below) then accused those who receive funding from Screen Scotland as being 'happily complicit' in pretending that everything in the industry is 'fine and dandy'. 'After all, protecting their slice of a tiny pie is far more important than actual success. Gotta keep churning out those loss-making films to justify the overheads of their plush vanity offices,' he wrote. (Image: Ryan Hendrick) The Scottish Government said the Culture Secretary would respond to Henrick in due course. 'Scotland's screen sector has experienced exceptional growth in recent years,' a spokesperson said. 'An estimated £617 million was spent on the production of film, TV and other audio-visual content in Scotland in 2021, up 55% compared to 2019, supporting nearly 11,000 full time equivalent jobs. 'We want to develop our creative economy further, creating job opportunities for all those that work in the sector in Scotland. 'That is why we have allocated an additional £2 million for Screen Scotland in this year's Budget. However, the decisions on funding of individual projects are rightly a matter for Screen Scotland and Scottish Ministers have no role in deciding how funds are disbursed, to protect the integrity of our creative industries.'
Daily Tribune
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Ed Sheeran wants to buy George Clooney's Batman costume Bang
Showbiz | Los Angeles Ed Sheeran is planning to splash out thousands to snap up George Clooney's original Batman costume. The 34-year-old singer treats himself to a piece of movie memorabilia every birthday and after previously buying Alicia Silverstone's Batgirl outfit from 1997's 'Batman and Robin', he's hoping to land her co-star's costume from his only outing as the Caped Crusader. Ed said on Alex Cooper's 'Call her Daddy' podcast: 'I'm trying to get the George Clooney Batman costume ... 'I bought the Alicia Silverstone Batwoman [outfit], so it would be matching.(sic)' The 'Azizam' hitmaker - who celebrated his birthday in February - previously splurged a huge amount on a 'Star Wars' replica. He said: 'I bought C-3PO. That was not cheap. I do it every birthday. I just buy one prop a year. 'It's the thing I look forward to. I think all year, 'What am I going to get?'' Ed's lavish estate features a lake, a chapel, and a pub, and a tunnel connecting his private boozer to his main home is where his movie memorabilia is housed. He said: 'In the tunnel, I built a listening room, and there's a cinema - it's less of a man cave and more of a man catacomb ... 'I collect movie props, too, so I've got all of that there. 'I'm a huge 'Hook' fan, so I bought Robin Williams' Pan costume and Julia Roberts' Tinker Bell costume.'
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ed Sheeran says he collects movie props — and would spend 6 figures to get George Clooney's Batman suit
Ed Sheeran collects movie props, he shared on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast this week. The "Bad Habits" singer said he owns "Hook" costumes, C-3PO from "Star Wars," and a Batgirl suit. Sheeran said he wanted George Clooney's "Batman & Robin" costume — and would pay six figures for it. Even the world's biggest pop stars have nerdy hobbies, Ed Sheeran revealed on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast this week. When he's not penning record-breaking songs or performing them to sold-out stadiums, the "Shivers" and "Shape of You" singer enjoys browsing online auctions and scooping up movie props. "I'm a huge 'Hook' fan, so I bought Robin Williams' Pan costume and Rufio's sword and then Julia Roberts' Tinkerbell costume," Sheeran said. Actor Dante Brasco plays Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys, in the Peter Pan sequel. The British singer-songwriter said those items cost less than six figures each, but he's spent that kind of money on props in the past. "I bought C-3PO. That was … not cheap," he said. Other props from the original "Star Wars: A New Hope" movie have sold for huge amounts in recent years, including two X-Wing starfighters that fetched about $2.4 million and $3.1 million each. Podcast host Alex Cooper asked Sheeran if he regretted spending so much. He replied emphatically that he did not. "I just buy one prop a year for my birthday," Sheeran said, adding that he looked forward to his annual purchase and thought all year about what he'd buy next. "I'm trying to get the George Clooney 'Batman costume," he said, noting "Batman & Robin" has a special draw for him as it's the first movie in the franchise he watched. Sheeran said he already owned the Batgirl costume worn by Alicia Silverstone in the movie, and he wanted a matching set. Cooper asked Sheeran how much he'd be willing to shell out for the Batman costume. "I would go up to six figures for it, I think … that's like history though, it's history." The costume in question appears to have sold at auction for $63,000 on March 26, an online listing shows. Sheeran didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Cooper also queried his eBay habit. Sheeran said he spent "a lot of time in hotel rooms," and music and movies were his "two passions." During their conversation, the former busker revealed that he'd purchased an old pub counter on eBay. He used it to convert a run-down barn on his property into a pub where he keeps his movie props and memorabilia such as signed footballs. Sheeran added that there's a tunnel connecting to the pub and he's built a cinema and listening room in it, so it's less of a ""man cave" than a "man catacombs." Read the original article on Business Insider
