This Video is Not in Reverse
This Video is Not in Reverse is not played in reverse and was filmed in one take.
Source: Mental_Floss.
Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #5 by Symons and Reynolds
The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.
Writer: Kel Symons
Art and Colors: Matthew Reynolds
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
MARCH OF THE GRENADIERS The crew of the Venture teams with a band of Chinese guerillas to rescue “comfort women” held captive by Japanese soldiers.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Excellent cover – one of Reynold’s best yet.
- Page 8 splash!
- The night scenes of battle — low contrast color throughout that make bright things pop [blood, explosions…]
- Great cliffhanger leading into issue 6.
The Bad:
- Being a Chinese pilot trying to get airborne.
- Winning a battle, being hailed a “savior” by villagers, heading back to the sub and meeting…
The Ugly:
- Still not a fan of the out of focus/blur effect on page 15.
The Mercenary Sea # 5 should appeal to all who old time action and adventure.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Houdini’s Lost Film, “The Grim Game” Restored and Premieres in March!
The Grim Game, a film once thought lost will premiere at the TCM Classic Film Festival in March.
The Grim Game, made in 1919 was Harry Houdini‘s first starring role and considered by many his best film. I look forward to see The Grim Game when it makes its fully restored way into rotation on the TCM network.
For the full story on the film and restoration, check out this piece at Deadline.com.
Z-View: Sherwood Texas #5 by Berryhill and Hillyard
Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.
Sherwood Texas #5
Writer: Shane Berryhill
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
John Prince and Rob Hood slug it out for the soul of Sherwood, Texas in the stunning conclusion to this tale of betrayal and revenge. You don’t want to miss the big finale of this smash-hit series!
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Andrew Robinson’s cover!
- Prince’s anger gets the best of him and his emotional swing is more realistic than one would expect.
- Page 13, Panel 2.
- The story has a satisfying wrap-up so that no sequel is needed but the groundwork is laid just in case.
The Bad:
- It doesn’t matter if you’re family if the Prince thinks you ripped him off.
- Being discovered as a “snitch” by the Prince.
- The Nobles luck because Loxley’s aim is so good.
- The framing of the covers was a cool idea, but I’d rather see more of Andrew Robinson’s art!
The Ugly:
- “Come on, Loxley, make it easy on –” “Charlie!”
Sherwood Texas #5
Rating:
I enjoyed the Sherwood, Texas mini-series enough that I’d pre-order a sequel or at least check out anything else that Berryhill and Hillyard do.
“The Strain” Season 2 Teaser
One of my must-see tv shows is The Strain on FX.
The Strain is based on the novels created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan and explores the idea of a vampire apocalypse.
Be advised: These are not your parent’s or your daughter’s vampires. They aren’t dark, brooding or romantic and they sure don’t sparkle.
Z-View: Sherwood Texas #4 by Berryhill and Hillyard
Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.
Sherwood Texas #4
Writer: Shane Berryhill
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
The battle moves south of the border as Hood goes into Mexico looking to thwart the Nobles at every turn. Back in Sherwood, John Prince is about to make a discovery that changes everything.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Berryhill comes up with a nice explanation of how Will is kept safe while recovering.
- Ann Willis is a great supporting character. “Remind me never to get on your bad side” – indeed.
- The Jesters taking the fight across the border.
The Bad:
- The casual way that Sheriff Hoyt shows he has tired of the interrogation. [So bad it could have been listed in “the good” section.]
The Ugly:
- Prince’s nephew’s situation… love the last panel of the book!
Sherwood Texas #4
Rating:
Coincidence? I Don’t Think So!
If you check the dates, you’ll find that they don’t match up, but the joke was too funny not to share.
Source: Bits & Pieces.
Eric Beetner Talks RumRunners, Writing Tips and More
If you don’t like Eric Beetner’s crime stories it just means you haven’t read one. Give The Devil Doesn’t Want Me, Dig Two Graves, A Bouquet of Bullets or any of Beetner’s other crime yarns a try and you’ll be sold.
Beetner also reviews crime novels from time to time and his reviews are short, entertaining and to the point. Beetner has turned me on to some really good crime novels.
Beetner is also the subject of a short but informative interview by S.W. Lauden where I learned about Rumrunners and few crime yarns Beetner is cooking up for us.
Sherwood Texas #3 by Berryhill and Hillyard
Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.
Sherwood Texas #3
Writer: Shane Berryhill
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
It’s time to go on the offensive! Rob Hood and the Jesters hatch a plan to rob John Prince and free the kidnapped Mexican girls he and the Nobles have forced into their sex-slave business. Meanwhile, Maria puts her life on the line for Hood, doing everything she can to bring justice to the men who murdered his father.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Andrew Robinson’s cover [shown above] is the best of the five issues.
- Daniel Hillyard’s art gets better with each passing issue.
- “Are you confessing, LJ… or bragging?” “No difference when it’s the Nobles who I’ve sinned against.”
- “Well, well. Ain’t you the feisty one.” [And how that reverberates later in the issue.]
- “Time to cowgirl up, Maria Hoyt” and the next page.
The Bad:
- How a spilled drink can ruin a plan.
- “Dear God in Heaven! ******’s BEEN SHOT!”
The Ugly:
- The Nobles kidnapping girls for profit.
Sherwood Texas #3
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Isolated” – Very Cool Zombie Apocalypse Short
Like, Atropa, the short film I posted yesterday, I like everything about today’s short, Isolated, except that it ends too soon.
ISOLATED from Peak Pictures on Vimeo.
Source: io9.
Z-View: Sherwood, Texas #2 by Berryhill and Hillyard
Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.
Sherwood Texas #2
Writer: Shane Berryhill
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
ROB HOOD, shot and left for dead by members of the Nobles Motorcycle Club, has miraculously survived. After a year in hiding, Hood assumes the identity of a mysterious new member of the Jesters MC known only as “Loxley.” As Bike Week begins in Nottingham, Texas, the disguised Hood puts his plans for revenge into motion. Don’t miss the second installment of this bold re-imagining of the Robin Hood legend– only from 12-Gauge Comics!
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Andrew Robinson’s cover [shown above] is even better than last month’s.
- Daniel Hillyard’s art.
- Shane Berryhill story continues to update the Robin Hood mythos and add in a few twists.
The Bad:
- The prospect’s odds of making it out alive — he’s in deep.
- “Do you know who you’re stealing from?” Oh-oh!
The Ugly:
- The Princess.
Sherwood Texas #2
Rating:
“Atropa” – Off World Detective Discovers…
I really like everything about the short film Atropa except that it ends too soon.
Eli Sasich is a talent to watch.
ATROPA — Sci-fi Short from Eli Sasich on Vimeo
Source: FirstShowing.net.
Z-View: Sherwood, Texas #1 by Berryhill and Hillyard
Sherwood Texas is a five issue mini-series published by 12-Gauge Comics.
Sherwood Texas #1
Writer: Shane Berryhill
Artist: Daniel Hillyard
Colorist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Re-imagining the legend of Robin Hood as a modern day Spaghetti Western, SHERWOOD, TX is set inside the world of biker gangs, drug wars, human trafficking, and revenge.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Re-imagining Robin Hood as a modern day tale told through motorcycle gangs.
- Andrew Robinson provides the cover [shown above].
- Daniel Hillyard’s art has a Brian Stelfreeze vibe that works.
- “Well, well, Rob Hood, ain’t you the fiesty one.”
The Bad:
- Disrespecting the Nobles.
The Ugly:
- Breaking a pool cue on Little John and not phasing him.
- Shot twice and left for dead.
Sherwood Texas #1
Rating:
Want to Know Your Death Year and Reason You’ll Kick the Can?
According to the Death Year and Reason Predictor I’m going to live 105 years and die under mysterious circumstances.
I prefer to think that I am like Connor MacLeod from the original Highlander. You know, immortal and that I am in fact the guy in the statement, “There can only be one.” In 2063, I will just disappear…
Of course it could be that in 2063 someone will bump me off for reasons never known… or perhaps as 105-year-old I will just walk off like Kwai Chang Cain and never be seen again.
Z-View: Winter World #5 by Dixon and Giorello
Winter World created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino.
Winter World #4 published by IDW Publishing.
Writer: Chuck Dixon
Artist: Thomas Giorello
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Robbie Robbins
Great Jumping-on Point! Scully, Wynn and Rah-Rah are on foot without food or shelter in a brutal world where death stalks their every step. Their vehicle has been stolen by a mystery woman and killing cold, starvation, giant predators and a mountain range won’t stop them from getting it back! A new arc begins with the rich, illustrative artwork of Tomas Giorello! Bring your woolies, it’s going to be a long, cold winter!
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Thomas Giorello is an excellent choice for the artist for the next story arc.
- Rodriguez’s colors continue to complement the art.
- “Hate keeps Skitters warm.”
- Rah-rah is one brave badger.
- Pages 15, 19 and 20 especially shine.
The Bad:
- What toll collectors get instead of candy.
- What Scully finds instead of thieves and liars.
The Ugly:
- Scully’s situation.
Winter World #5 is for mature readers due to violence.
Rating:
