All posts by Stephen Sanchez

TV

Camelot Review – Episode 10 ‘Reckoning’

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The Camelot finale is here finally, and I have to admit, after being disappointed with the last few episodes of the show before The Battle of Bardon Pass, this one paid off. A lot of things were tied up and there was a good set up for next season.

BUTTERFLIES!!!

As you may or may not know in the last episode, Arthur told his men to leave Bardon’s Pass and that he would hold it himself. The men agree, because let’s face it… Arthur is a wife stealing turd eater. Gawain tries to stay of course due to his promise to Merlin. What ensues with Arthur protecting Bardon’s Pass can only be likened to Home Alone, with men falling on trip wires onto stakes, and paint cans flying from atop stair ways into the enemy soldiers’ faces. Well not paint cans, but rocks tied to boards and shit like that. He holds his own for quite some time, but Excalibur is taken from him by one of Morgan’s men and delivered to her. Little does she know that Arthur escaped and pushed them back once again.

While Arthur is making his last stand, Morgan is hard at work turning the people of the realm against Merlin and Igraine, and taking Camelot away from her brother. When she receives Excalibur from her men, Morgan believes she has won, and presents it to the people. They then question who would rule now with Arthur gone. Morgan’s little nunnery buddy Sybil suggests that Morgan be the one and the people in the throne room agree, Morgan prepares for her coronation.

Arthur in the meantime is pulling a ‘medieval Jack Bauer’ on one of Morgan’s men that he captured during their unsuccessful raid, cutting his face up, and threatening to poke his eyeball out before he cracks and spills the beans. Arthur now knows that Morgan is behind the whole debacle at Bardon Pass.

It’s the patented ‘Jack Bauer Crazy Eye’…

The next morning Arthur makes what should be his last stand against Morgan’s men, and he does admirably even though he’s certainly doomed. And then (predictably) out of nowhere Leontes and the others show up to save the day. But in another predictable turn of events, as Arthur and his knights celebrate, Morgan’s Knight ‘Sir Jack Meoff’ attempts to shoot Arthur with an arrow. Leontes shows his true loyalty and honor by jumping in the way and taking the arrow through the chest for the man who boinked his wife.

As he dies he tells Arthur to take care of Guinevere in so many words. Sir Jack Meoff gets completely destroyed by Gawain with a mid air sword blow and two more after that. Suck it!

Before Morgan heads down to her coronation she fatally stabs Igraine, showing how evil and twisted her character is. I actually liked Igraine a lot, and I’m really bummed that Claire Forlani won’t be on the show anymore.

“SHEEEEEE-IT!” (Any THE WIRE fans out there?)

She definitely got the last laugh though by telling her killer that it was her who saved Morgan by sending her to the nunnery as a child, and even though Morgan refuses to believe it, you know she’ll be haunted by it forever. Arthur interrupts the coronation of Morgan with a slow clap. You gotta love the slow clap, it’s how I interrupt every event that I think is a complete farce too.

After Morgan’s treachery is revealed Sybil actually steps in and takes the blame for everything that has happened, including Igraine’s death afterward. Pretty ballsy on her part. I couldn’t figure out why she looked so disappointed when Morgan said she knew nothing about it though. Sybil’s execution was pretty grim, with only herself, her executioner Gawain and an empty grave.

Merlin watched in the distance, eerily stating “There is no God” as Sybil gets beheaded. I was satisfied with the ending to her character, because I honestly couldn’t stand her, but her endgame and main motives are still unclear to me.

HEYOOOOOO!

It isn’t the last we see of Sybil though: After Arthur strips Morgan of the Pendragon name and removes her castle from beneath his protection, Morgan asks Sybil for help at her grave and Sybil whispers in the wind about needing to give birth to a royal heir. Hmmmm….

The next scene involved Arthur, Guinevere and some major sex. I found myself hating the two characters even more during this scene, thinking how Leontes hasn’t even been in the ground that long and they’re just ready to move along! But then after Arthur is asleep and Guinevere’s nose starts to bleed you can see where this is going. After leaving the room we see that Morgan has shape shifted into Guinevere to become pregnant by Arthur. Sick-En-Ing! We’ll sure see Morgan le Fay by next season, and maybe little Mordred will be born by then. HOOOOOOO BOY!

Overall I give this episode a 4.5 out of 5 bears, if only for how much predictability was flying all over the place, but the execution was great and I was really caught off guard by the killing of Igraine.

I hope that now all of the set up and love triangle garbage is out of the way so we can focus on better things in the next season. I loved Camelot at the start and then it sort of sagged in the middle, but got back to greatness at the end. I have some high hopes for Season 2 and with any luck Starz will deliver!

COMICS/PRINT, Uncategorized

DC Nu: 52 Brand New #1’s – Superman

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Now that Batman and Green Lantern have had their respective number one titles and covers revealed, it’s time the Man of Steel had a chance to shine. It sucks in my opinion that Action Comics will be restarting at #1, but the good news (For me anyways) is that Grant Morrison will be taking on the writing duties for the last son of Krypton. If anyone has read All Star Superman, then seriously what is there to worry about? Here’s a quick series description from IGN:

Action Comics #1 by Grant Morrison and Rags Morales

‘A new era of DC Comics begins as the longest-running monthly comic of all time releases its first issue #1 since 1938.

This September, New York Times bestselling writer Grant Morrison (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN) joins with sensational artist Rags Morales to bring you tales of The Man of Tomorrow unlike any you’ve ever read before in ACTION COMICS #1. This momentous first issue will set in motion the history of the DC Universe as Superman defends a world that doesn’t trust their first Super Hero.

The first Action Comics #1 is now the most sought-after comic book of all time. This September, one of comics’ most imaginative storytellers will make history again in Grant Morrison and Rags Morales’ ACTION COMICS #1.’

Picture Courtesy of IGN

Defending a world that doesn’t trust him? Sounds like Supes should be joining the X-men to me. This seems like a cool take on the character, because I can’t remember the public in any Superman comic not liking him or being afraid of him… Except for that one guy named Lex Luthor.

Next up is Superman #1 and the description doesn’t really give us much to go on, but a few surprises are always good. There’s a bad ass picture accompanying it though:

Superman #1 by George Perez and Jesus Merino

‘What is Superman’s startling new status quo? How does it affect his friends, loved ones and his job at The Daily Planet? Find out in SUPERMAN #1, written by legendary comics creator George Perez (CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, NEW TEEN TITANS and WONDER WOMAN) and illustrated by Jesus Merino.’


Like I said, who knows where they’re going with this one. Honestly the picture reminds me a lot of Superman: Earth One, which looks to be the direction they’re heading with a lot of the new number 1’s as in younger versions of our heroes.

There’s plenty of more DCU reboots coming your way Grizzly Bombers, so stay tuned!

Movie News & Opinions

Chris Columbus Remaking Troll Hunter

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In what must be a huge surprise to everyone, an American filmmaker is remaking a foreign movie that was cool as hell. The Norwegian film ‘Troll Hunter’ follows a film crew in the Blair Witch/Cloverfield tradition across the Norwegian countryside in an effort to catch trolls on film. Sounds ridiculous I know, but the film seemed really awesome. Chris Columbus, who has directed two Harry Potter movies, will be acquiring the rights to remake the Troll Hunter movie for us American audiences according to Deadline:

Chris Columbus’ 1492 Pictures has partnered with CJ Entertainment & Media to acquire remake rights to the 2010 Andre Ovredal-directed Norwegian film Troll Hunter. Marc Haimes is set to write the script. Deal comes just as Magnolia opens the original Troll Hunter in the US and on VOD.

Now, I say “seemed” because I have seen the movie but I sure as hell don’t speak a lick of Norwegian. You can probably guess from what’s happening on screen as to what they’re saying but I still want to watch the movie dubbed or with subtitles. The trolls in this movie look both amazing and hideous in case you haven’t seen the trailer for it.

It’s also on VOD at this time so if you haven’t checked Troll Hunter out yet then I highly recommend it: just don’t watch the Norwegian only version. There isn’t any mention of production or release dates yet but as long as Columbus doesn’t make it some family friendly cheese-fest then I’m totally there to see an American version of Troll Hunter.

COMICS/PRINT, Uncategorized

DC Nu: 52 Brand New #1’s – Green Lantern

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In our first, and most recent round up of the soon to be rebooted 52 DC titles, my colleague Supascoot went over 12 of them (including Batman Inc. which had no cover yet), and now it is my pleasure to cover the next four, which sadly…. have no covers.

Starting in September there will be four new Green Lantern titles smashing into our collective faces, and they include the already talked about Red Lantern ongoing series that Geoff Johns teased us with a couple months back. Check out the creative teams and descriptions below thanks to Comic Alliance:

GREEN LANTERN #1

Geoff Johns has been charting the adventures of Hal Jordan and the GREEN LANTERN Corps since GREEN LANTERN: Rebirth, collaborating with such major artists as Ethan Van Sciver, Darwyn Cooke, Prentis Rollins, Marlo Alquiza and Mick Gray.

This fall, Johns reunites with artists Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy, as the series begins anew with GREEN LANTERN #1 with cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. Together they will continue to thrill readers and expand the Green Lantern mythos.

Change is coming. But set aside your fear. It’ll be worth the wait.


GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1

When deadly conflicts emerge across the universe, it’s up to Guy Gardner, John Stewart and an elite Green Lantern strike force to keep the peace.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #1 will be written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna. The cover to #1 is by Doug Mahnke and Christian Alamy.

GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1

Who are The New Guardians?

The power of Rage, Avarice, Fear, Will, Hope, Compassion and Love combine to be the most powerful (and colorful) team in the corps under the leadership of Kyle Rayner. Beware their power . . . and their volatility!

GREEN LANTERN: THE NEW GUARDIANS #1 will be written by Tony Bedard and illustrated with cover by Tyler Kirkham and Batt.

Hopefully it isn’t these creeps

RED LANTERNS #1

Going solo. Atrocitus and his Red Lantern Corps return in their own series, battling against injustice in the most bloody ways imaginable. This Lantern Corps takes no prisoners, they are judge, jury and executioners!

RED LANTERNS #1 will be written by Peter Milligan with art and cover by Ed Benes and Rob Hunter.

Obviously after Flashpoint and War of the Green Lanterns, there is going to be some major changes to the Green Lantern titles. And until the War of the Green Lanterns is finished and the reboot happens we won’t exactly know the status of all of our favorite lanterns, or what has changed with some of them, but these descriptions give us a little insight. Fans of all of the other emotional spectrum Corps rejoice and haters groan accordingly, because with a Red Lantern title the other Corps are here to stay.

It’s a given that Hal Jordan will be a Green Lantern still (right?), and it would appear that it’s business as usual for Guy and John Stewart. But Kyle Rayner will be leading a multi-colored ring team in the New Guardians title, so does that mean he will be a bearer of the green light or will he remain as a bearer of the blue light as he currently is in War of the Green Lanterns? Perhaps all of the entities that power the different Corps will inhabit Kyle and his new team of ‘Guardians’.

Of course we’ll know a little more once the covers for these new titles are released, and you can rest assured we will have them for you as soon as they hit the net!

COMICS/PRINT, Uncategorized

Marvel Comics Review: Fear Itself #3

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Another month and Fear Itself keeps on rolling! I have to admit, this story is moving by at break neck speed, with our heroes in disarray and still not fully realizing just what in the hell is going on. The Worthy are wreaking havoc all across the globe filling their ranks in this issue, Thor is still imprisoned (not for long) and it would appear we lose an Avenger by the end of this issue.

The issue starts off with Captain America, Black Widow and Falcon attempting to evacuate all of the innocent bystanders from the capitol which is still under attack from Sin/Skadi and her Nazi Mech Suits. Cap takes on the duty of facing Skadi himself which is a pretty hardcore fight that starts and ends the issue.

As I said above, Thor is still imprisoned, until little Loki frees him and the Warriors Three plan to send him back to Earth. Apparently as the Serpent gains more followers through the use of fear, the more powerful he becomes as Earth is in turmoil. Odin of course has a simple solution: Destroy all life on Earth so the Serpent has no power and then confront him with the full force of Asgard. Thor as you might understand can’t allow that to stand. This time instead of another fight (Or Odin Ass-Whoopin’) Thor convinces his old man to send him back to Earth to stop the Serpent before Asgard burns Earth and it’s inhabitants. Game on!

Also, we are introduced to yet another of the Worthy. But this will be the last one as Ben Grimm aka The Thing attempts to move the hammer that fell on Yancy Street. The hammer transforms him into Angrir: Breaker of Souls, and he promptly unleashes his fury on Yancy Street and the Future Foundation.

Now to the pivotal point of the issue where Skadi/Sin and Captain America (Bucky) continue their fight from earlier. This time our current Cap doesn’t do very well as Skadi rips his bionic arm off and them finishes him with the handle of her hammer by shoving it through his chest. The issue ends with Black Widow holding him and Bucky Barnes telling her to warn everyone about the Serpent while he apparently passes with a gaping chest wound. Powerful stuff.

Overall I give the issue a four out of five bears. It had all the action I could ever want in a comic along with a shocking ending. I assumed that Bucky was going to step aside somehow with Steve Rogers once again taking up the shield before Marvel releases the First Avengers in theaters, but I had no idea it would happen over his dead body. The only thing lacking was the story in a way, because there is still so much “happening elsewhere” stuff going on in the issue. I really want to see more of the Serpent himself and for the heroes to actually know what is going on as the series enters the home stretch. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here and if we’ll be seeing anymore casualties by the end of it.

POP CULTURE

Scum of the Week – Bank of America

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In a time when homes are being foreclosed on left and right, and the big bad banks are taking advantage of people all over the place, it’s nice to finally see some irony launched their way. Bank of America wrongly tried to foreclose on a couple’s home in Florida, that they paid for in full, so the couple retaliated by… foreclosing on the bank itself. Check it out Yahoo! here:

In a modern-day evocation of David’s slingshot triumph over Goliath, a couple of foreclosed homeowners in Naples, Florida reportedly foreclosed on a Bank of America branch last week, their attorney actually having moving trucks pull up in front of a Naples branch to execute a foreclosure judgment against the bank.

What must have seemed to observers like a scene out of a parallel universe – you can see some video here – was actually the fair and logical conclusion to a situation which, the court had ruled, had an unfair and illogical start. In 2009, retired police officer Warren Nyerges and his wife, Maureen Collier, paid $165,000 cash for their 2,700 square foot home in the Golden Gate Estates subdivision, and never took a mortgage out on it. So imagine their surprise when, in Februrary of 2010, Bank of America initiated foreclosure proceedings against them. The Nyerges hired an attorney, Todd Allen, to defend them against the wrongful foreclosure, and the Bank eventually abandoned the matter.

But not before the Nyerges incurred $2,534 in attorney’s fees, which they requested informally from Bank of America multiple times before resorting to the courts, which ordered the bank to make the couple whole. When B of A still had not paid the judgment after five months of phone calls and letter writing by Allen and the Nyerges to the bank insisting that the court order be obeyed, Allen took the next step in the legal collection process, obtaining an order of foreclosure against the bank.

Now, I know that the banks aren’t necessarily evil but don’t expect me to take pity on them. They’re doing just fine. I guess they shouldn’t have taken so long to get these people their money back. Seriously? A five month delay in giving the money back? If only the banks were so forgiving. I’m sure this will create a precedent for banks in the future to make sure they have their shit together, or the scum sucking money lovers can get in line to be foreclosed on just like Bank of America!