‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ brings comic book superhero to Netflix

‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ brings comic book superhero to Netflix

‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ brings comic book superhero to Netflix

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:36 PM PDT

'Marvel’s Daredevil' is the first of five Netflix original series to be rolled out by under a groundbreaking deal with Marvel Comics. — Reuters pic'Marvel's Daredevil' is the first of five Netflix original series to be rolled out by under a groundbreaking deal with Marvel Comics. — Reuters picSAN DIEGO, April 9 — From the pages of a comic book that first came out in the Sixties comes the latest superhero to score a comeback on American television.

"Marvel's Daredevil" is the first of five Netflix original series to be rolled out by under a groundbreaking deal with Marvel Comics.

Debuting tomorrow, it stars Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, a young, blind lawyer who morphs into a baton-wielding masked vigilante after dark.

Blessed with extrasensory powers, Murdock — alias Daredevil, "the man without fear" — embarks on a lone quest for justice in New York's mean streets.

Netflix is releasing all 13 episodes of "Daredevil" tomorrow, giving its 60 million US and foreign subscribers a binge-viewing option for the weekend.

The A-list heroes of The Avengers franchise have already become a multi-million dollar Hollywood phenomenon, now television executives are trawling Marvel's vast back catalog for less iconic but still fondly remembered characters.

Plans call for Netflix to roll out three additional series in the coming months, each pivoting around another Marvel character — Jessica "Jewel" Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

Ultimately, the superheroes will all come together as an dynamic crime-fighting foursome in a yet-to-be-name mini-series for the expanding video-on-demand service.

Shows adapted from comic books have been a highlight of the current US television season, from the Batman prequel "Gotham" on Fox to "The Flash" on The CW network.

On ABC, "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" and "Marvel's Agent Carter" each pull more than seven million viewers, Entertainment Weekly reports.

The Walt Disney Company owns both ABC and Marvel Comics, whose superhero roster includes Spider-Man, Thor and Captain America.

"Daredevil" first appeared in print in April 1964, co-created by Stan Lee, the American comic book icon who also conceived Hulk, Thor and Spider-Man.

Flopped as a film

In 2003 it was made into a motion picture so dismal that Ben Affleck, cast in the starring role, later called it "the only movie I actually regret."

Online trailers for the Netflix adaptation put Murdock/Daredevil in the Manhattan district of Hell's Kitchen, where the superhero was born and raised.

Never mind that the neighborhood today is achingly hip, chockablock with groovy nightspots and some of the most expensive housing in New York.

In "Daredevil" it reverts, albeit in 21st century guise, to its violent past as a haven for criminal gangs, a stone's throw from Broadway's glitter.

"I have to be the man this city needs," says Murdock early in the series. "I'm just trying to make my city a better place."

Early reviews are positive, with Entertainment Weekly calling "Daredevil" an adult-oriented saga "that doesn't seem like it was created to sell lunch boxes."

For Spencer Perry, writing on SuperHeroHype.com, "the framing and depiction of the city look exactly like a Daredevil comic come to life."

But he cautioned: "This isn't a big cartoon, so the punches are felt, the blood flows and sometimes body parts are severed... There's gore not found in any other Marvel production."

Starring alongside Cox, who played an Irish immigrant hitman on "Boardwalk Empire," are Deborah Ann Woll as Murdock's besotted secretary and Vincent D'Onofrio as the villainous Kingpin. — AFP

Wealthy Qataris splash out millions for ‘fancy’ number plates

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:32 PM PDT

Owning a distinct number plate has become a desirable status symbol for Qataris to publicly show off their wealth. ― AFP picOwning a distinct number plate has become a desirable status symbol for Qataris to publicly show off their wealth. ― AFP picDOHA, April 9 ― Super-rich Qataris are splashing out millions on "fancy" car number plates in an online auction run by a government department.

So far, more than 4.2 million Qatari riyals (RM3.99 million) has been pledged on just 24 separate and unique car registration numbers being auctioned by the interior ministry of the energy-rich state.

The bidding started on Tuesday afternoon and ends tomorrow night.

By Wednesday, the highest single bid was 460,000 riyals for the number plate 377773.

Bid prices are expected to increase over the course of tomorrow.

As in Dubai, owning a distinct number plate has become a desirable status symbol for Qataris to publicly show off their wealth.

Most in demand are those with fewer numbers ― most ordinary Qatari registration plates have six figures ― repeated digits, or those in sequence.

A previous auction for "fancy vehicle numbers" at the end of last year saw one driver bid a reported 200-million riyals for the number plate 333355. ― AFP-Relaxnews

‘Avengers’ director Joss Whedon tells fans not to wait until end of movie (VIDEO)

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:31 PM PDT

'Avengers' director Joss Whedon tells fans not to wait until end of movie (VIDEO)

HOLLYWOOD, April 9 — 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' director Joss Whedon has some advice for fans: don't stay until the end of the movie. — Cover Media

Co-stars Chris Hemsworth (left) and Chris Evans at a press presentation for the movie ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ during the 2014 Comic-Con International Convention in San Diego, California July 26, 2014. — Reuters picCo-stars Chris Hemsworth (left) and Chris Evans at a press presentation for the movie 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' during the 2014 Comic-Con International Convention in San Diego, California July 26, 2014. — Reuters pic

Cover Media Video: Don’t stay to the end of the ‘Avengers’ Movie

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:26 PM PDT

Duration: 0:57, Published 9 Apr 2015

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' director Joss Whedon has some advice for fans: don't stay until the end of the movie. — Cover Media

Dear Mr Policeman (An open letter to our Police Force) ― Amar-Singh HSS and Lim Swee-Im

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:23 PM PDT

Dear Mr Policeman (An open letter to our Police Force) ― Amar-Singh HSS and Lim Swee-Im

APRIL 9 ― Dear Mr Policeman you have achieved what you may have been ordered to do, you have succeeded in creating a police state. Do you really want a police state for our beloved Malaysia? Or would you rather not have a free democratic society which preserves fundamental human rights and freedoms?

Dear Mr Policeman when we see you, we now fear you. Fear that you will arrest us for speaking up about our beloved nation that we are trying to save. In many countries in the world, when you see a policeman you feel very safe. Now in Malaysia we feel afraid.

Dear Mr Policeman you are entasked with protecting our fundamental freedoms but are now found to be actively involved in curtailing them.

Dear Mr Policeman you are required to be independent, working for the public interest. But now you seem to be acting for repressive authorities.

Dear Mr Policeman you are a public civil servant, not a government servant. Please remember that your role is to act impartially, with justice and fairness. Your role is to support the public, not oppress them.

Dear Mr Policeman you work for civil society, you are not a religious force serving religious bodies. Your primary role is to protect and service the constitution of Malaysia, not enforce religious laws which are subject to our constitution.

We have some wonderful police in our neighbourhood. Some who have become friends because of the exemplary work they do to prevent crime by neighbourhood patrols. But these same persons' reputations are being damaged by the behaviour of police nationally. Never have the opinions of majority of the general public of the police force been this low or poor.

While we see many institutions in our nation decaying or crumbling, we hope and pray that our police force will regain its integrity and moral fibre. This can only be done by:

a.       serving justice and refusing to execute prejudiced/unjust instructions

b.      upholding basic human rights without fear or favour

c.       fighting the epidemic corruption that pervades our society

d.      treating all Malaysians equally

e.      and remembering that the people are the reason you are in service, not the government of the day.

Malaysia is a delightful diverse nation with many different people and, we the people, are able to live together and respect each other's views. It is import to remember that no single person or group should dictate how we live or what we think. Dear Mr Policeman you are, like us, daughters and sons of this nation we love. We appeal to you to treat all Malaysians with fairness and kindness.

* This is the view of the individual and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Malay Mail Online.

Fit-again Van Persie returns to full training

Posted: 08 Apr 2015 06:19 PM PDT

Robin Van Persie has not played for United since injuring his right ankle during a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City on February 21. ― File picRobin Van Persie has not played for United since injuring his right ankle during a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City on February 21. ― File picLONDON, April 9 ― Manchester United received a boost ahead of this weekend's Premier League derby with Manchester City when striker Robin van Persie returned to full training yesterday.

"Back to training with the group today," Van Persie wrote on his official Twitter account.

"Was a great session. Happy to be fit and able to play again. Looking forward to my next game!"

The 31-year-old Dutch international, scorer of 10 goals this season, has not played for United since injuring his right ankle during a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City on February 21.

During that time, United have won five consecutive league games, meaning they will go into Sunday's home game with City a point above their local rivals in third place. ― AFP