411 Movies/TV Fact or Fiction: Is Ruby Rose the Right Choice For Batwoman?

Welcome back to 411 Movies Fact or Fiction! We’re back for another week of movie and television debates. This week, we have two of my favorite people in the Movies/TV zone in Bryan Kristopowitz and Wednesday Lee Friday. Let’s just jump in and see what they have to say, shall we?

Mile 22 will prove to be a forgettable action-thriller

Bryan Kristopowitz: FICTION. I usually don’t have all that much faith in director Peter Berg, but the previews for this have been intriguing, and with the presence of Rama from the The Raid movies, Iko Uwais, how could it be that bad? And I also have to hope against hope here that this turns out to be a solid action movie because Hollywood really doesn’t make solid action movies anymore. I also want this movie to work out so Berg and Wahlberg bring in Scott Adkins for the sequel. That should absolutely happen.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FACT. The trailers for this film are utterly generic and I bet I could predict the ending from watching. But fans don’t see films like this for a surprise ending. They’re about Mark Wahlberg kicking ass and taking the occasional name, with a hot girl from TV thrown in for visual appeal. I have to think Lauren Cohen can find better things to appear in than this. Mile 22 will no doubt be an ego stroke for gun-loving “patriots” and an explosion-and-chase-laden fluff for people who like their movies loud.

Ruby Rose will do a good job as Batwoman in The CW’s Arrowverse.

Bryan Kristopowitz: FACT. I don’t really see why she wouldn’t do a good job. She’s shown herself to be a solid actor before in stuff like John Wick: Chapter 2 and the last Resident Evil movie; she can act, she can do the necessary action, etc. So what’s the problem here? I’ve tried to follow/understand the vitriol levied against her since she was announced as Batwoman and I just don’t get it.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FACT. I actually think she’ll do a great job. We already know she has range and a compelling screen presence. Hearing that she’s been hounded off of Twitter by “fans” who don’t think she’s enough like the character to play her was depressing to say the least. I really hate that mindset, have ever since Eddie Redmayne was told he shouldn’t play Stephen Hawking because in real life, Eddie Redmayne can walk. I long for a time when being a great actor is all that’s needed to be cast, and when fans will wait until seeing the performance before screaming about why they hate it.

The Arrowverse has been building up their stock of strong women and gay characters (Alex Danvers on Supergirl, Thunder on Black Lightning, Sarah Lance on Legends of Tomorrow) and I predict that Batwoman will make a fine addition to that lineup.

Star Trek 4 should be a no-go if Chris Pine doesn’t sign on board.

Bryan Kristopowitz: FACT. The new Star Trek movies have been very hit or miss for me, but I do like the cast. Chris Pine has become a decent Captain Kirk (he isn’t the real Captain Kirk, but that’s okay). If Paramount wants to make another Star Trek that isn’t another reboot, why change the star midstream? Paramount should do whatever it takes to keep Pine on board and make more of an effort to get better writers and directors. That’s what the franchise really needs.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FICTION. I’ll be honest, Chris Pine is my least favorite of the Hollywood Chrises. I’ve never been a fan of his, and think he lacks the borderline absurd bravado that made us love Captain Kirk initially. The rest of the cast is compelling enough that there’s really no reason to fuss if Pine isn’t around. Quinto can certainly take command of a star ship. I don’t doubt that the box office will take a hit if he doesn’t appear. But I also wouldn’t cry if they stopped making Star Trek movies for the time being. We’ve already got a new Picard series coming. Frankly, The Orville is a better watch than most of the Star Trek stuff they’ve come out with in recent years.

SWITCH!

You’re intrigued by Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone revival for CBS All-Access.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FACT. Jordan Peele’s commitment to horror is well established. Horror was a common subject of spoofery on Key and Peele, and was always done with knowledge and respect for the genre. Get Out proved Peele to be a young Hitchcock with a splendid eye for suspense and a talent for revealing information at just the right moment. He has exactly the skill, background, and talent needed to (finally) give us a Twilight Zone update Serling would be proud of. I cannot wait!!

Bryan Kristopowitz: FACT. I’m always intrigued when someone wants to reboot/revive The Twilight Zone. Will the new The Twilight Zone try to mimic the tone of the original or will it “update” itself and become more like Tales from the Crypt, filled with nudity and gore and whatnot? That’s what streaming and premium cable is all about, nudity and swearing, right? And will we get new, original stories, or will we get remakes of original episodes? You just know The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street will get updated again. I also want to see “A Stop at Willoughby get remade. Peele did a great job with Get Out so it will be interesting to see if he can bring that kind of quality to the new show. And if he fails? We’ll always still have the awesome original.

The Academy Awards’ new “Best Popular Film” category will end up being a positive move for the awards show.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FICTION. A “best popular film” category is a transparent and desperate attempt to interest the general public in the Oscars. If people aren’t interested in watching rich, attractive people give each other awards, maybe televised award shows should die a dignified death.

We may hate to admit it, but people just don’t go see new dramas or comedy in the theatre anymore. When we pay $15 a ticket plus drinks and snacks, it’s because we want to see something that works best on the big screen. And that isn’t going to be Tom Hanks overcoming injustice or Meryl Streep falling in love. The Academy has long been trying to tell audiences what they should like rather than celebrating what they do. A single award for films that, by definition, won’t be in the best picture category feels like too little too late.

Bryan Kristopowitz: FICTION. I don’t see how it can be a positive, at least at the moment. Has the Academy even explained what “popular film” even means? Will the category be based on how much money a movie makes? And will it be based on the North American box office or will the international box office be the measuring stick? There are just too many unanswered questions at the moment for this news to be anything more than a bad, malformed idea.

With the Coven and Murder House storylines crossing over, American Horror Story: Apocalypse could easily be the show’s best season yet.

Wednesday Lee Friday: FACT. It’s no secret to 411Mania readers that I adore American Horror Story. Seeing the Murder House ghost rules applies to seasons three, five, and six was pretty amazing. The return of Michael Langdon promises to be, um…apocalyptic. The return of Jessica Lange will be even more so. Bringing her back to act is wonderful — but to direct? I’m beyond stoked.

As most fans will tell you, the constant resurrections in Coven lessened the impact of the many deaths. But that won’t be an issue in this season, I think. The world will be an even bigger mess than last season, and you just know Sarah Paulson will be instrumental in sorting it out.

Bryan Kristopowitz: FACT. I’m just going to say “fact” here because I don’t watch the show but most of the fan comments I’ve read about the news have been positive. And, when you consider that Ryan Murphy has managed to create a horror themed TV show that’s both a fan favorite and critically acclaimed among mainstream critics, the guy knows what he’s doing, so why would this next one fail?

And there you have it…the return of Movies/TV Fact or Fiction. Thanks to both Bryan and Wednesday for taking part and we’ll see you all next week!