The Reel Nerds find out if man is truly a walrus at heart.
The Story: One of Spider-Man’s most vicious foes, Morlun is traveling through multiple universes to kill all Spider-Men. Otto Octavius (The Superior Spider-Man) has learned this and is on a quest to recruit every Spider-Man to defeat him. Each issue of Edge is a one shot to introduce readers to these new Spider-Men, or in this case Spider-Woman. This issue was the most talked about since it was announced. Making Peter Parker’s first love the one who got bit by the spider and not Peter is intriguing plus add a sweet character design and Spidey fans take notice. However, could Spider-Woman live up to the hype? I can happily say that it absolutely does. In the story Gwen is in a band with Mary Jane and Glory Grant, but she is juggling the duties of being a crime fighter, a daughter, and a normal young woman. Jason Latour does an amazing job setting up this world in the very first pages. J. Jonah Jameson is his normal Spidey hating self, and Peter is dead. What makes this issue such a winner too is it isn’t just Gwen got bit instead of Peter so let’s phone the rest of the issue in. Gwen here is tough and whip smart, she also has to deal with her father, Police Captain George Stacy and his crusade against Spider-Woman for killing the Lizard, who happened to be Peter Parker!
The Art: Robbi Rodriguez’s art was the biggest selling point for this issue even before it was read, and it absolutely pops. Great pacing and easy to follow, your eyes are in for a treat. Rodriguez perfectly captures the tone of the book and draws a great looking Spider-Woman. Inker Rico Renzi helps make Rodriguez’s art stand out even more. A lot of times when you deal with different versions of comic universes some of the characters look silly, but here from The Lizard to The Rhino everything is this issue is just stellar.
The Verdict: From top to bottom this issue is Amazing. The story, the art and everything in between is winning. The only bummer is that this is a one shot. I would be happy to read the continuing story of Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman, hopefully the powers that be at Marvel realize the potential here and give us fans more. As a fan of never bringing Gwen Stacy back from the dead, I would be willing to make an exception to have this Gwen stay in the 616 universe, her character is so fresh and cool it would be fun to see her and Peter team up. Make sure you rush out a pick this book up, something tells me that maybe this was under ordered and when everyone learns how great this issue is it will sell out fast.
Cora and Michael stop by the show on their way to Seattle to chat about Let’s Be Cops.
The Film: Rick Grimes(Andrew Lincoln) and his band of survivors are thriving in The Prison. Rick has settled into his role as no longer being the leader but, on being a farmer. Rick’s son Carl(Chandler Riggs) feels his dad has gone soft, causing tension in their relationship. Maggie(Lauren Cohan) and Glenn(Steven Yeun) continue to have a strong relationship. Daryl(Norman Reedus) has settled into the role of the leader (view https://kurtuhlir.com/hire-to-speak/ to know how to become one). Of course in the world of The Walking Dead, nothing good can last for long. Carol(Melissa McBride) is teaching the children to defend themselves with weapons behind the back of Rick, but that’s the least of their worries as a new flu infects one of the survivors, who soon rises and infects everyone in the cell block. This is the strongest season top to bottom. I loved how a lot of the episodes focused on one or two characters allowing certain ones to have a chance at the spotlight. Lincoln is in top form yet again as Rick. When he realizes that the epidemic might be transmitted from the pigs he raised, he sacrifices them to remove Walkers from the fences around the prison. It’s like he is slitting his own throat, a powerful performance without speaking a word. Chandler Riggs continues to grow as an actor and he has some of the best moments in the season. However this season has two unlikely MVP’s. The first hands down is Melissa McBride as Carol. Once an abused woman, Carol has continued to be the character who has grown the most throughout the series. In the seasons best episode, “The Grove” McBride commands the screen with tender and intense readings. In another episode, “Indifference”, Rick takes Carol out on a run. He decides to leave her behind after he discovers she killed two people at the prison. Here McBride shines yet again, the way she talks to Rick is so to the point and strong, a huge change from season one. The other MVP is Emily Kinney as Beth. After the prison falls, Beth and Darryl are on the run. They seem like an unlikely match but it soon develop a strong bound, anchored by Kinney’s heartfelt and tender choices. All that and the usual shocking deaths, the return of the Governor, make this the strongest season from beginning to end.
The Video: The Walking Dead looks stunning on Blu-Ray. Every frame on the screen pops with lots of detail and color. The blacks and blues are dark, and the blood is a gushy red. This is one of the best looking shows on Blu-Ray hands down.
The Audio: The Walking Dead once again has an amazing soundtrack. The music is one of the highlights this season, on top of Bear McCreary’s great original score this season is peppered with folk songs that fit the mood of the show. The sound effects are gruesome and the Walkers moans are terrifying as ever.
The Extras: Season 4 of The Walking Dead is loaded with some great features. There are some extended episodes(the best little bit is from episode 16, where in the broadcast version Rick says after being captured “They’re messing with the wrong people”. In the extended version he says “They’re fucking with the wrong people”). Eight informative featurettes ranging from the make-up process to the return of the Governor. Five episodes have commentaries. Plus a handful of deleted scenes, this is how Blu-Rays should be.
The Verdict: The Walking Dead continues to be an impressive show. Five years ago no one could’ve guessed that a horror black and white comic would become the highest rated show on TV. What makes it even more impressive is the makers of the show don’t rest on their success’ they continue to build on it. This season they took a chance by focusing on several of the supporting characters and in return they got some of the strongest episodes in the series. If you are the fan of the show it’s a no brainer purchase.
(This teaser was for the Oriental premiere Aug 10th. I’m including it just so you can see some footage. Ignore the screening info and pay attention to the poster below)
Of course I’m going to exploit my podcast to promote the screening of my 2014 48 Hour Film ‘The Diary of Anya Frank”!
August 3rd-5th, I embarked on my 5th 48 Hour Film Project. Back from the previous years were Adam Smith, Robert Tanaka, and Eileen Agosta, but because of all of our JCVDDV filming, we were tepid about participating in this year’s competition. It’s exhausting and we’re not as young as we used to be. Last year we busted our asses making the action comedy Thunderbolt but ultimately crossed the finish line a bit too late (the second time that’s happened). The film turned out really well and audiences enjoyed it, but because it was turned in late, it had NO chance of getting screened at the Esquire for the “Best Of” screening.
Thus, my number one priority as team leader this year was: TURN IT IN ON TIME, no matter how polished it was. Impressively, this year, we turned “The Diary of Anya Frank”, early, and in solid condition, and I actually slept twice throughout the weekend! Big thanks are deserved for my teammates Adam Smith, Eileen Agosta, Jami Haber, Kendra Buck, Nathan Westlake, and Robert Tanaka for making the weekend easy.
Last week I was informed that our film was one of 14 films from the 54 competing this year that was selected to screen September 18th, 7pm, at the Esquire Theater. Although our only goal each year is to make something cool with cool people, it’s also nice for those involved to feel some outside validation for donating their time and energy over an exhausting three day weekend. Not only is our film in the running for “Best Film”, but other awards are handed out on this night for things like “Best Actor/Actress”, “Best Writing”, “Best Use Of…”, etc., and it would be exciting to see anyone from our crew go home with one.
Of course, there are 13 other amazing films (they’re still choosing a 15th) in contention next Thursday that demand your attention and this why should get your tickets to the screening as soon as you can. THIS EVENT SELLS OUT! I highly encourage you to attend and support the films and purchase tickets well in advance.
You can purchase tickets online here: http://tickets.landmarktheatres.com/%28S%28f5xplgbkmjwoqdvdfopk1kvv%29%29/Ticketing.aspx?TheatreID=228&MovieID=14064&ShowDate=9%2F18%2F2014&ScheduleID=31052
It’s a guest overload as Zach leads another episode with appearances by Randy Turpin and Spencer Nova Kane and Shaughnessy McDaniel from The Stubby Shillelaghs stops by to promote their band’s new video, Gotham’s Finest all before reviewing Life of Crime.
Zach takes over as host as the nerds watch Boyhood.