Author: James Robert Shaw

Making a comeback.

Loki AKA @twhiddleston Recruits SDCC Goers #SDCC2013 #Thor2

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind Up Geek)

The Marvel panel owned the San Diego Comic Con 2013 according to many con attendees and here’s one of the main reasons why, the God known as Loki. With the flashing of the lights on Saturday, British actor and heart-throb Tom Hiddleston appeared on stage as the exile of Asgard. In front of a packed house of screaming fans in Hall H Hiddleston couldn’t help but smile at his welcoming. Like ones possessed con goers chanted the God’s name. Women screamed as he dispatched the Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige with the command “Stand back you mewling quim”.

But one could laugh at the best summing up of Loki’s appearance. As Executive Editorial Director at Marvel Digital Media Group, Ryan Penagos, put it “No, I’m sorry. Loki is here. @twhiddleston is just the vessel.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toPstPIcGnI&w=560&h=315]

 

With files from Desde Hollywood.

Voice of Animated Justice League Dies

DennisFarinaAccording to the confirmation of his publicist through the Associated Press, Dennis Farina, voice of Wildcat/Ted Grant from Warner Bros’/DC’s animated Justice League series and George O’Farrell from 1994’s Little Big League has passed away.

Lori De Waal said Farina died Monday morning in a Scottsdale, Arizona, hospital after suffering a blood clot in his lung. He was 69.

Born in Chicago on Feb 29, 1944, Farina was originally a police officer before he turned to acting in his late 30’s.

He is best known for playing Det. Joe Fontana on NBC’s hit television series “Law & Order” from 2004 – 2006. His more recent work was as Gus Demitriou in the HBO drama series “Luck”.

Farina is survived by three sons, Joe, Michael and Dennis Farina Jr..

Is DreamWorks Turbo Worth the Hype?

Here we meet Theo (Ryan Reynolds) a comparatively small gastropod who dreams big.

turbo-movie%202013%20posterJames Shaw: To be honest, I never expected much from DreamWorks Turbo. The premise is simple: the story takes place in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley of California (although I suspect the suburbia was North Hills). Here we meet Theo (Ryan Reynolds) a comparatively small gastropod who dreams big. He wants to live life in the fast lane like his idol Indianapolis 500 racer Guy Gagné (Bill Hader).

But working at the plant (of the garden variety) daily is slowing him down while his unimaginative brother Chet (Paul Giamatti) is holding him back. Things take a turn for the better when an accident makes Theo realize he’s halfway to his goal. But will a chance meeting with dreaming taco stand co-owner Tito (Michael Peña) help him finish his journey?

Ed Sum: I do not know, but in the teaser trailer, I can not help but liken this snail’s newfound abilities to that of some effects shot used in the Spider-Man movies. To see him affected in a microcellular level made me think of him maybe turning superhero. I am not surprised that the adage of with great power comes great responsibility gets played up in this film.

J: I wondered after Theo became the insect world’s version of the Flash, who is there left to race against? I thought Nascar. I was wrong…but close.

E: There’s actually competing against the speedster himself, but that is not going to happen. DreamWorks does have a good “track” record of putting out entertaining hits. I thought this film would belong on my list of movies to miss seeing, but I had to see this movie before I could believe in the impossible. Even before James and I went to the theatre, he admitted that the concept was ludicrous and it was not worth seeing. I wanted to see some light-hearted animated product and dragged him along. At least in that department, this film delivers.

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The Rise of the Guardians, A Movie and DVD review

A few ideas have been tossed out from the book version to make Rise of the Guardians work, and it shows.

Rise of the Guardians DVD CaseThe Rise of the Guardians (RotG) is an interesting legends to lore tale that turns characters like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny to superheroes. It’s not like Marvel Comic’s Avengers, but rather a stripped down version of X-Men. The CGI and cinematography are wonderful to behold, especially in high definition, but the story is all too familiar. It’s like watching a re-imagining of Peter Pan.

Jack Frost replaces the titular character of Pan, and Pitch Black aka the Boogeyman (or Nightmare King) is Hook. They have a relationship which can get forged if the two decide to mutually work together. While one story deals with eternal youth and all the irresponsibilities it can represent, the other looks at accepting the consequences of age and developing wisdom. These themes are loosely explored in RotG but the emphasis is on Frost and how well he can work in a team environment.

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Hot Toys from SDCC 2013

Sean Long has a great video from the San Diego Comic Con 2013. In it we get a look at some of the upcoming toys from Monsters University, Iron man, Predator, the Lone Ranger, Avengers and more.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c54Cl8Wp2io&w=560&h=315]

Scream…MMPR Legacy Collection From Shout Factory

By James Robert Shaw

I know it sounds too good to be true but Shout Factory is set to release the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Legacy: The First 20 Years on DVD. Now what does this mean for the collector? Mostly bragging rights to all your friends and if your friends don’t like MMPR, it definitely means you can annoy them to no end. And that to me is money well spent.

So let’s look at what we’re dealing with here. Reportedly, every episode from the original series to Power Rangers Megaforce will be included. That’s 98 disks including six discs of bonus footage and archive material. And it comes in the Power Rangers team leader’s helmet, the Red Ranger.

I have no idea of what is in the bonus material at this time but I’m hoping it’ll include commentary (or involvement) in part by at least some of the cast members from the various series. Right now Shout! Factory is at the San Diego Comic Con 2013 and accompanying them for in-booth signings is Selwyn Ward (Red Turbo Ranger, Power Rangers Turbo). Could Selwyn be involved in the DVD extras?

The collection will be released on December 3, 2013 and is available only through mail order via Shout Factory’s online store..

It’s a good thing DVD players are outfitted with a pause button or else I would experience a total lapse of self-preservation ala Everquest.

A first look at the collection can be found through Black Nerd Comedy’s Youtube video.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TukWNgxU58&w=560&h=315]