“The Dead Lands” Poster and Trailer
The Dead Lands has an Apocalypto feel to it and that’s a good thing. The green band trailer is below. After watching it, I’m on board.
Z-View: Men of Wrath #5 by Aaron and Garney
Men of Wrath is a five issue mini-series created by Jason Aaron & Ron Garney published by Marvel.
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Ron Garney
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
“Jason Aaron and Ron Garney pull no punches in this darkly magnetic read” – IGN “This is one messed up comic book that I took sheer delight in reading” – Comics Beat “These are talented creators telling a gut punching tale” – Comicosity Bear witness as JASON AARON (Southern Bastards, Original Sin) & RON GARNEY (Wolverine:Weapon X, Thor: God of Thunder) bring the story of the Raths to a bloody conclusion. It all started with some sheep. It won’t end until everyone is dead.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good
- Another nice cover!
- “There’s somethin’ else I sure hate to tell ya…” “Then don’t.”
- Love the last panel on page 10.
- Being smart enough to build your house to withstand bullets — you’re a killer after all.
- “Molotov cocktails. Shoulda done that first, ya morons.”
- Page 17 – panels 2 and 3 are sweet.
- Saying grace before a meal…
- Nice twist at the end of the scene in the hospital between Rath and his daughter-in-law.
- Final page is Rath true to form.
The Bad:
- Read the first bullet to “The Ugly” and then jump back to read the rest of this…. “Oh wait, … we’re already in a hospital.”
- Being the cop that shows Rath his son has been killed.
- Not knowing Rath is behind you with a gun to your head as you finish saying grace before a meal…
The Ugly:
- The opening splash. “Oh my God! Somebody get this man to a hospital!”
- Finding Rath’s bear trap when you’re on your way to kill him.
- When the last thing you see says “Front Towards Enemy.”
- What happens when Rath is behind you as you finish grace before a meal.
Men of Wrath #5 is for mature readers due to mature language and violence.
Rating:
Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked
On February 27, 2015, USAToday posted Every “Rocky” Movie, Ranked by Chris Chase.
For details check out the piece, but here are Chris’ rankings and mine. We differ quite a bit, but there’s nothing wrong with that.
|
Chris Chase
|
Craig Zablo
|
| 6. Rocky V | 6. Rocky V |
| 5. Rocky Balboa | 5. Rocky II |
| 4. Rocky II | 4. Rocky IV |
| 3. Rocky | 3. Rocky III |
| 2. Rocky III | 2. Rocky Balboa |
| 1. Rocky IV | 1. Rocky |
Grzegorz Domaradzki’s “First Blood” Limited Edition Prints
Grzegorz Domaradzki created the poster above and now Grey Matter Art under license from StudioCanal has announced new officially licensed, limited edition screen prints with two variant editions for Sylvester Stallone and First Blood fans.
For more information and to see the above poster and the variants in larger format check out Gotham News and Grey Matter Art.
Let’s “Take 5” with Dave Brubeck
I think on this lazy Sunday, we should take five with Dave Brubeck. While you listen why not check out Dave Brubeck: 5 Little Known Facts About the Take 5 Jazz Pianist?
Z-View: Shaft #3 by Walker and Evely
Shaft #3 is part of an on-going series published by Dynamite. Shaft created by Ernest Tidyman.
Writer: David F. Walker
Artist: Bilquis Evely
Colorist: Daniel Miwa
Cover Shown: Denys Cowan, Bill Sienkiewicz & Ivan Nunes
John Shaft didn’t go looking for trouble; it came looking for him, and in the process, a lot of people died. Devastated by the murder of a friend, Shaft wants answers and revenge-though not necessarily in that order. With vengeance on his mind and cold steel in his hand, Shaft finds himself caught up in a brewing gang war that threatens to consume the city. Everyone from the Mafia to the police wants Shaft to do their dirty work, but no one realizes that’s all part of his plan.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good:
- “This guy Shaft is a bad…” “Vic, What would Mama Anderozzi say if she heard you talkin’ like that?”
- “I’m going to regret this.”
- The construction site used to dispose of bodies.
The Bad:
- The cover isn’t as cool as the two previous [but not many rise to that level].
- Returning to Arletha’s apartment.
- Wedding nightmares.
- Compared to the first two issues Shaft #3 felt a little slow. I look forward to #4 kicking it back up a notch or two.
The Ugly:
- What they’ve done and what they do to Jimmy Style.
Shaft #3 should appeal to fans of the Shaft movies and is for mature audiences due to adult language.
Rating:
Norm Macdonald Takes Behind the Scenes for the SNL 40th Anniversary
Like millions of other viewers I enjoyed the recent Saturday Night Live anniversary special. Like any series that spans 40 years, SNL has had its ups and downs.
Truth be told, I haven’t watched SNL regularly for years… more like decades. But I sure tuned in to see the special.
My favorite parts were the scenes from the first years with the original cast and Celebrity Jeopardy, but even the stuff that wasn’t great was enjoyable.
Norm Macdonald sent out a series of tweets about preparations in the week leading up to the SNL 40th Special and they’re entertaining and informative. Thankfully the Gothamist pulled them all together for an easy read.
Z-View: The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian by Andy Weir is one of the most unique and enjoyable novels that I’ve read in years. Weir’s stranded [on Mars!] astronaut, Mark Watney, is intelligent, witty, and just enough of a wise guy.
I loved how real science was used. I loved how Weir widened the scope of the story to include not only the people on Earth [who’ve learned of Watney’s plight] but also the only astronauts in a position to attempt a rescue.
Rating:
Remembering Leonard Nimoy – RIP
Leonard Nimoy died today at the age of 83 from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although best known for his role as Spock [which spanned the Star Trek tv and movie series], Leonard Nimoy was not only an actor, but also a director, author, and photographer.
Had Mr. Nimoy only been known for his role as Spock, that would have been enough to merit a post in my blog. Spock as played by Leonard Nimoy was one of my first and longest-lasting heroes. I wasn’t alone in that thinking. I was able to convince my mom to let me have a Spock haircut, but thankfully, she drew the line when I asked for my ears to be made pointed.
After the original Star Trek series went off the air I continued to be a Leonard Nimoy fan enjoying his performances on new television shows and movies, and discovering his past performances in both media as well.
It’s cliché but true for many baby-boomers when we lost Leonard Nimoy, we also lost a big piece of our childhood.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Leonard Nimoy’s family, friends and fans.
“Over the Moon” is Perfect
I love everything about this short video, Over the Moon. Bet you will too, if you give it a look.
Source: io9.
Z-View: Bravo by Greg Rucka
I’m a huge fan of Greg Rucka. I really enjoyed Alpha and was hoping that Bravo would be as good or better. Alpha was an action-packed page turner and I was expecting more of the same.
Rucka shifted gears and created more of a psychological thriller with Bravo. It was slow-going for me. I kept waiting for the action.
Hate to rate Rucka’s work so low because he’s always been an author that greatly entertained… but Bravo just didn’t work for me. Your mileage, of course, may vary.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Timothy Olyphant Speaks about a Variety of Things
Debra Birnbaum, of Variety, caught up with Justified’s Timothy Olyphant for a short interview that’s worth a read.
If I didn’t know better, the answers sure sound like Raylan Givens speaking.
Z-View – Red: Eyes Only by Cully Hamner
Red: Eyes Only is part of a one-shot published by Wildstorm Comics.
- Writer: Cully Hamner
- Artist: Cully Hamner
- Colorist: Val Staples
- Cover Artist: Cully Hamner
Cully Hamner writes and draws the prequel to the Red mini-series that he co-created with Warren Ellis.
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good:
- Cully Hamner on the art and writing!
- Nice misdirection on page 2.
- Wanting to get out of “the business.”
- Silent but deadly page… when Paul Moses comes calling.
- The final line of the comic has a great payoff.
The Bad:
- Disowned by family because “You’re a murderer.”
- Finding out that getting out isn’t easy.
- “You’ll be assassinated, sir. Today.”
- “I have information!”
- “What…what… my God… What did I just do?”
The Ugly:
- Trapped in a moving elevator with an assassin.
- Thinking you always had a choice but finding out you were wrong.
Red: Eyes Only
Rating:
Z-View – Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4 by Niles and Mitten
Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4 is part of a four issue mini-series published by Dark Horse Comics / IDW Publishing.
- Writer: Steve Niles
- Artist: Christopher Mitten
- Colorist: Michelle Madsen
- Cover Artist: Justin Erickson
With Alice Blood in Eben’s hands, Cal will do anything—including using voodoo—to help fight the vampires. But that might not be enough as the ghouls and the vampires clash in an all-out brawl to the death—with Cal and Eben smack dab in the center.
Will it be Cal or Eben who survives?
*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***
The Good:
- Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten are worth the price of admission.
- “So he needs… What, brains?” “What good would that do, Officer?” “I don’t know I’m just trying to keep up here.”
- The body language of the detective willing to give some of his blood to [hopefully] save Cal.
- “Never felt better.”
- “What are you doing? Let me stop him.” “No… we stay.”
The Bad:
- “Blargh!”
- “Not enough.”
- “Enough talk! ATTAAAACK!”
- “They’ll be back.”
The Ugly:
- The Ugly starts on page one: “I’m right Fl–ere…”
- The Ghoul, er, bloodbath.
- Vampire attacking the fine folks on Sunset Blvd.
- SHRIP on page 18.
Criminal Macabre / The 30 Days of Night: Final Night #4
Rating:
