Shuff's General Chat Thread ... #73 - Talk about anything and everything...  

Exclusive: Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn Makes Her Bow

Here comes Suicide Squad’s mischief-maker

If you thought the Watchmen were messed up, get a load of Suicide Squad. Leading off Empire's rogues gallery of new covers was Jared Leto’s wild card, not a member of the squad but still the beating heartlessness at the core of David Ayer’s comic-book adaptation, and Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress. Now comes Margot Robbie's post-transformation Harley Quinn, the third newsstand star to adorn the new Suicide Squad issue.

A mischief-making case-study in how not to conduct therapy sessions, not only will she not improve the Joker’s mental equilibrium, her own psychological health will be sent spinning along the way. Along with her work attire. “When I got the role I started looking up Harley costumes online, with my mum sitting next to me,” Robbie tells Empire. “She was like, ‘My daughter is going to dress like a prostitute!' There are a lot of angry mothers out there!”

With apologies to Mrs Robbie, this image of a fully decked-out Quinn might cause a splutter or two back in Queensland. Like a heavily-armed riot grrl, she accessorises punk and street gang style with a non-MLB approved baseball bat and a sidearm the size of Liechtenstein. Note, too, the ‘Daddy’s Little Monster’ tee.

A property Ayer has termed “Comic-Book Movie 2.0”, Suicide Squad is not your common-or-garden superhero tear-up. This one, Ayer is at pains to explain in Empire’s on-set report, is something different. “You do a story about struggle and isolation and people who have been shit on, that suddenly get thrown this lifeline... that’s not so bad.” On the surface, at least, it seems like Robbie’s character is heading in the other direction, but she has demons that need exorcising too. Unfortunately, it’s the Joker doing the exorcising.

For a whole mess more on Suicide Squad, including unprecedented insights into what make these characters tick (literally, bearing in mind the nanobombs implanted into each of the squad), pick up one of these covers from your friendly local newsagent from Thursday, October 29.

this is gaining a lot of air time over in America at the moment / gone viral.



http://abcnews.go.com/US/south-carolina-cl...ory?id=34760031

Should have the new motorcycle in two weeks hopefully. f'king Suncorp dragging the 8 ball, will possibly going elsewhere for insurance on all my vehicles.

It's pretty funny bow some people get really angry when you say ls swap it. I commented on that new RX mazda and said get rid of the rotary and ls swap it. So much hate for a sarcastic comment

Would've been quicker to taser the bitch.

New bike is now being delivered next Saturday at 8:30am with some goodies added. Woooo Hoooo!

Hama super wash day. ��

watched MI5 today.. bloody great movie.. prob best one of them all.

New Star Trek Series Premieres January 2017

CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new Star Trek television series in January 2017. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.

The next chapter of the Star Trek franchise will also be distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms around the world by CBS Studios International.

The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. CBS All Access already offers every episode of all previous Star Trek television series.

The brand-new Star Trek will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new Star Trek TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films Star Trek (2009) with Roberto Orci, and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by J.J. Abrams.

The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and Heather Kadin will serve as executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the hit CBS television series Scorpion and Limitless, along with Kadin and Orci, and for Hawaii Five-0 with Orci.

Star Trek, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. The original Star Trek spawned a dozen feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a century later, the Star Trek television series are licensed on a variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the franchise still generates more than a billion social media impressions every month.

Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, the original Star Trek series debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons – a short run that belied the influence it would have for generations. The series also broke new ground in storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at topics including race relations, global politics and the environment.

“There is no better time to give Star Trek fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”

“This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run Star Trek series has gone before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media. “We’ve experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic Star Trek, and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series.”

“Every day, an episode of the Star Trek franchise is seen in almost every country in the world,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group. “We can’t wait to introduce Star Trek's next voyage on television to its vast global fan base.”

CBS All Access offers its customers more than 7,500 episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets. Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.

The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film Star Trek Beyond which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016.

Brisbane tow truck driver fist-fight caught on camera 3/39

A Brisbane tow truck driver has attacked a rival driver, leaving him with serious injuries and producing explosive dash-camera footage.

Ready Towing driver Jose Torrente received serious injuries in the fight, which allegedly began when a Harvey’s Towing Service contractor threw the first punch on the corner of Compton and Lexington Road, Underwood, last Thursday.

Footage appears to show the Harvey’s driver throwing three more punches, and finishing his attack with a sharp twist and elbow.

Mr Torrente, 51, has been unable to return to work since the attack.

The violence broke out after Ready moved a white courier van that had been rear-ended by another vehicle.

As the Ready team prepared to transport the van, it’s alleged Harvey’s drivers became frustrated and one lashed out.

The dash-cam footage also shows another driver confronting Mr Torrente minutes after the first altercation, but the pair were quickly separated.

Finally, a Harvey’s truck is seen swerving around the intersection at speed and mounting the kerb.

Brisbane tow truck driver fist-fight caught on camera© Nine News Brisbane tow truck driver fist-fight caught on camera
Ready is supporting Mr Torrente as he recovers, and he has made a formal statement to Queensland police.

Harvey’s Towing Service has arrangements with a number of popular Queensland companies.

The company refused to comment today.

9NEWS understands official complaints have been lodged, and many in the industry are waiting to see what happens.

Other tow truck drivers have also told 9NEWS they would like an inquiry into the industry.

No charges have been laid and police investigations are ongoing.

Syfy Making Female-Led VAN HELSING TV Show

Continuing the trend of gender-swapped heroes, Syfy has acquired a female-led Van Helsing TV series that will focus on Vanessa Van Helsing, the daughter of the vampire hunting character who faced off against Dracula.

In this new interpretation, the central character is now a female, Vanessa Helsing, the next in a lineage of warriors who must lead mankind against a world controlled by vampires. When Vanessa is resurrected five years in the future, she learns vampires have taken over the world and that she possesses unique power over them. She is essentially humanity’s last hope to lead an offensive to take back what has been lost.
THR has the news, and they also report that the show is going to be run by an unlikely person: notable playwright Neil LaBute, who famously wrote and directed the remake of The Wicker Man that featured one of Nicolas Cage's most batsh*t-crazy performances. He released a statement commenting on the new show:

"I am extremely excited to be working with Syfy and Nomadic Pictures to create a unique, character-driven action series that will move the traditional vampire tropes into bold and unexpected new territories” LaBute said in a statement. “This is a wonderful chance for us to forge great stories and unforgettable characters and throw them into a world where the stakes – both dramatic and personal – are tremendously high."
No word yet on whether or not this will have any impact on the (and I swear this is real) long-gestating live-action film reboot that's supposed to star Tom Cruise.

Production will start in January and the 13-episode first season will debut in fall of 2016. I'm not well-versed in Dracula and vampire lore (and I never saw the Hugh Jackman-led Van Helsing film from 2004), so I'll leave this one to the true fans to discuss in the comment section. What do you think about a female-led Van Helsing series?

Australian Government to examine vehicle emissions standards and testing procedures

The Federal Government will launch a ministerial forum to examine vehicle emissions standards in Australia and vehicle testing procedures.

The ministerial forum will be chaired by major projects minister Paul Fletcher with the support of a working group and will examine issues including the implementation of Euro 6 emissions standards, fuel quality standards, fuel efficiency measures for light vehicles, and emissions testing arrangements.

The government will also examine measures such as incentives and standards to encourage the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles. The working group will report to the ministerial forum by June 30, 2016 on measures including ways to manage fuel quality standards and options for new measurement reporting standards for air pollutants, among other measures.

By March 31, 2017 the working group will issue a draft implementation plan for new measures, aligning with the government’s commitment to announce new measures to deliver Australia’s 2030 climate change targets. The government has previously set a goal of improving Australia’s energy productivity by 40 per cent by 2030, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions so that they are 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. “This ministerial forum will allow the minister for the environment Greg Hunt, the minister for resources, energy and Northern Australia Josh Frydenberg and myself to consult broadly with industry with the aim of reducing harmful emissions on Australian roads and in our cities from motor vehicles,” Fletcher said.

“Presently we do not have the same levels of smog pollution in Australia that other countries face. Nevertheless, we must work hard to keep our air clean and reduce CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change by ensuring our new vehicles meet world’s best standards.“Tough noxious emissions standards already ensure that air quality in Australian cities is good by international standards, but we are taking direct action on climate change through a range of initiatives. It is the Australian Government’s policy to harmonise our vehicle standards with international standards developed through the United Nations."

“We have recently adopted the United Nations based Euro 5 noxious emissions standards for light and heavy vehicles and are now considering the adoption of Euro 6. We are also working with other countries to improve the vehicle testing arrangements for noxious emissions.”

Australia is currently in an emissions regulation phase called Euro 5 Core, which is essentially a lighter version of Euro 5. The full Euro 5 emissions regulation is set to be introduced from November 2016, with Euro 6 to follow in July 2017.