Archives October 2020

CATCHING UP ON Paramount MOVIES- PART 1

Paramount

IT IS RARE FOR ME TO SEE A MOVIE WHEN IT’S STILL IN THEATERS BUT THANKS TO PARAMOUNT PICTURES I WAS ABLE TO CATCH UP ON SOME THAT I MISSED!

Recently the fine folks at Paramount Pictures (their home page is here) had sent me a code to some of the movies I missed so that I could share my thoughts on them with you. Part One discusses Overlord and Instant Family and Part Two focuses on Bumblebee and What Men Want! Part Three discussed Isn’t it Romantic, Pet Sematary and Wonder Park. Part Four discussed Rocketman, Addams Family/Addams Family Values Anniversary Edition, Light of My Life, Galaxy Quest Anniversary Steelbook, Crawl, Dora and the Lost City of Gold and Night Hunter! Part Five discussed Official Secrets, Playing With Fire, Shutter Island Anniversary Edition, A Quiet Place Steelbook, Gemini Man, Terminator Dark Fate and Beverly Hills Cop Triple pack! Part Six covered Like a Boss, Clueless 25th Anniversary Steelbook and The Hunt For Red October Anniversary Steelbook. Strap in and grab some popcorn and let’s get started! For our first segment of this series with NerdCultOnline we are resuming the series with a new numbering with Part 1 and discussing the classic film Airplane.

Paramount

Airplane 4k

The film follows Ted, a man who is afraid to fly, take over the plane and help it land when the pilots become sick. This film is a classic that I had honestly never seen before now and boy did I miss out! This film holds up under the 4k release and is worth the pickup, I would just advise that this release did not include a digital copy.

THANK YOU TO PARAMOUNT FOR SHARING THESE FILMS WITH US!

SO WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THESE FILMS FROM PARAMOUNT? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Red Mother #8, The Box is Open

Red Mother

Fear the many deceivers that have gone out into the world!” Trust not those who hide their true intentions! Save yourself by learning from the book of the Red Mother, chapter 8, verses 1-32!

Only a cult member or spy would have this much inside info, on which side does Jeremy Haun stand?
What about you Danny Luckert? Are you one of the converted, or are you a spy?

The official plot:

“Daisy always suspected that Leland Black had ulterior motives in hiring her, but when the truth finally comes out, Daisy could never have expected how far his reach goes. What does Leland have planned for Daisy-and what does it have to do with the Red Mother?”

BOOM!

This is not exactly how I remember things going down in this issue. Yes Leland is a bad dude…he’s involved in the puzzle box, so that’s a given. However, this solicitation makes it seem like Daisy has been investigating the cult and just found a major piece of the puzzle. She’s not and she hasn’t.

Red Mother
When your apartment building looks like this, it’s time to move!

My Impressions:

  • It’s all about the mystery: I just can’t NOT read this. When I see this in my sub box, it immediately goes to the top of my reading list.
  • Visuals (pun intended): Creepy both paranormally and psychologically. Perfect for the story. (Note that I didn’t say pretty.)
  • Addicting: Yes…who/what is this cult? What do they want? What is the creepy monster thing that Daisy keeps seeing? Why isn’t she questioning her own sanity? Do they still have her original eye? The list of questions really doesn’t end…
Your boyfriend was dragged away and killed…why are you not RUNNING AWAY?!?

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Daisy opens the puzzle box! (Think Hellraiser)
  • Even more people (all of them I think) are revealed to be part of the cult!

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

Alright, look…this is psychological horror, and it’s effective. It sucks you in! In the first issue, Daisy loses her boyfriend and her eye in a brutal attack (possibly supernatural). The rest is pure suspense and mystery. There’s no way you’re not going to want to know what comes next.

Winter is coming so Save Your Nuts

Save Your Nuts

In Save Your Nuts players control various animals in search of hording all of the nuts. Will your animal come out as king?

Have you ever wondered which animal can horde the most nuts? Traditionally you would think the squirrels would be masters of their nuts but Save Your Nuts, from Triple Scale Games, puts players in command of various creatures to steal all of the nuts. Each animal has it’s own boosts like stronger hits, more durability or more speed.

Each game my son would insist on changing animal types to keep the game fresh along with new maps to enjoy the full experience. There are dogs, wolves, turtles, raccoons, squirrels and armadillos. Wolves are the quicker option that is more durable and because I’ve always had an affinity for wolves so they were my go to. Each map offered new obstacles and new ways to screw over the competition. The power ups can be quite entertaining as well- its hilarious to watch a 12 year old fall over laughing when dropping toxic poop piles all over the ground.

Overall I found the game to be great fun when playing as a family but against the AI it is more frustrating than enjoyable.

Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus game review

Mechanicus

Adeptus Mechanicus troops face off against Necrons in this latest issometric Warhammer 40,000 tactics game from Bulwark Studios!

Feeling old? I know I am! Join the Adeptus Mechanicus today to replace your aging parts with tested machines! In Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus players take control of a small band of adepts in search of new technologies to exploit in the name of the Omnissiah. Borrowing from the classic Tactics format of game play, Bulwark Studios brings us a smooth foray into the world of Warhammer 40K and specifically that of the Adeptus Mechanicus and Necron tomb worlds.

Game play feels like those classic and oh so good tactics games, taking advantage of the simple mechanics to build an engaging game full of 40k lore, characters and models. The fact that the weapons effects and overall graphics are stunning is not to be looked over either!

The timing of this release though seems interesting as only a few months after the initial release the Indomitus boxset with the new Warhammer 40k edition was released. The two main factions were Necrons and Imperium of Man- Space Marines. The Space Marines are not quite the Adeptus Mechanicus but they fight for the same team and fight together often. The fact that this was first release some time prior on pc/steam leads me to believe this is more of a coincidence than anything else.

The Clock – a bioterror story from Top Cow Productions

The Clock

Matt Hawkins has returned with another thriller with The Clock, this time centered around weaponizing cancer!

Before Covid-19 was even on the horizon, before anyone knew it was even in the United States, Top Cow Productions shared the first issue of The Clock with us.  This was back in December of 2019. Being one of my favorite writers I devoured this first issue wanting more.

Now this is where things get eerie. Weeks before I read the first issue I had already come into contact with Covid and by this point was already sick. Approximately a week later I was hospitalized and spent over a month in the hospital. By then listening to the nurses speculate about what had kicked my ass and doing the same regarding Covid (which everyone still believed wasn’t here), one of them asked what would happen if someone weaponized the virus and targeted the United States. For days I thought about the implications of that and was reminded of that issue of The Clock.

The story follows Jack Davidson as he is trying to identify why some communities are hit by a viral cancer and others are not. By the end of the first issue his wife was killed by lung cancer, seemingly unrelated to his research. Naturally inquisitive Jack quickly asks too many questions and as a result becomes targeted by the villains of the story.

The story flows at a steady pace for the first three issues but seems to make a major leap in the story in issue four. Normally I love the four issue format of his books but felt the finale should have been fleshed out just a bit more before then, meaning one to two more issues in the story. As a whole it was a dark story that was well told, I just wanted a bit more.

West of Dead ~ A western isometric game

West of Dead

In West of Dead players work to remove the many outlaws from Purgatory, Wyoming by any means necessary.

West of Dead is the brainchild of Raw Fury, a studio known for “indie titles” with some cool concepts and a flair for the unique. You play as the deceased William Mason. Typically I play games with the volume low but when you have someone with real acting talent like Ron Pearlman then you need to turn that shit right up!

Mason’s character design was clearly inspired by Marvel’s Ghost Rider but with a wild west twist. Controls are easy to pick up, even without following the tutorial, and fit the world dynamically. The visuals were one of the best things about this game. It feels surreal, like the world is twisted by you rejecting the afterlife in search of punishing the outlaws. Tension is built up quickly as you step into each room to discover treasures, weapons or more often enemies who can use their own paranormal soldiers to fight you. You can easily pick it up and play it for hours or just a few short levels.

With smooth visuals, controls and game play that are appealing to players of all types it will bring you back wanting more.

The Dreaming: Waking Hours #2, “The Bard and the Bard” part 2

Dreaming

Behold the creator of dreams! He who both inspires and terrorizes you in the night. Heed the lessons from The Dreaming: Waking Hours, chapter 2, verses 1-32!

This is the word according to G. Willow Wilson.
As envisioned by the less than extensively experienced Nick Robles.

The official plot:

“New mother Lindy is trapped in the Dreaming, and the lovestruck nightmare Ruin is loose in the real world. Dream must put this situation right-but to do so, he’ll have to travel into the Black Chest where he keeps his most dangerous nightmares…and pull the answers right from the mouth of the unimaginable Endless Teeth!”

DC Black Label

Meanwhile, back in the Dreamcave! Actually, I’m glad to see Dream engaging in this personally. He’s the best part of the Dreaming, and was sorely missed in the last Dreaming series.

Dreaming
Thundercats! Hooooo!

My Impressions:

  • Most folks will not get the Shakespeare connection…which is a shame. It really does make this story better. Without it, Lindy’s sub-plot is likely going to be fairly boring.
  • Great use of varying art styles in the same book. I especially liked the painted settings inside the Box of Nightmares.
  • New Nightmares!!!! I’ve been dying to see more ever since the Corinthian.
  • Is my nostalgia showing?
Dreaming
Not as intimidating as the original version of Dream, but this version is growing on me.

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Dream (Morpheus)
  • Lucien the Librarian
  • Ruin
  • Jophiel
  • Lindy
  • Heather After

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

The Dreaming: Waking hours is really establishing itself as a continuation of the original Sandman series from the early 90’s. Definitely something stronger than a “spiritual successor.” Fans of the original really should give this new series a shot. If you somehow missed it, fear not, it’s being adapted into a Netflix series. Let us hope that it remains true to the original source material!

We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #1

dead

Blasphemy! Carving up the body of a god is nigh unforgivable! Witness the damning of a whole crew in We Only Find Them When They’re Dead, chapter 1, verses 1-32!

This is the scripture according to the “Immortal” Al Ewing!
As immortalized by Simone Di Meo!

The official plot:

“On the edge of space where humanity is harvesting the corpses of giant alien gods to survive. * No one has ever seen a living god, but Captain Malik is obsessed with being the first. * Captain Malik and the crew of the Vihaan II harvest the only resources that matter from the giant corpses of alien gods found on the edge of human space. While other autopsy ships race to salvage the meat, minerals, and metals that sustain the human race, Malik sees an opportunity to finally break free from this system. * But Malik’s obsession with the gods will push his crew into the darkest reaches of space, bringing them face to face with a threat unlike anything they’ve ever imagined – unless the rogue agent on their trail can stop them first…”

BOOM!

Now that’s just a LITTLE embellishment for the one issue that’s been printed. We may not get to all of this stuff in issue #1, but things do seem to be going this way.

dead
A giant body floating in space and the first thing you think of is chopping it up for parts?

My Impressions:

  • Interesting concept, harvesting giant bodies for resources. (I heard eye jelly was going for big bucks!) Throw in the competition with other salvagers over armor or certain body parts and you’ve got a great backdrop.
  • Artwork and Style: There is no two ways about it…there is a LOT going in in this space. Bright, bold and one of the most dynamic uses of irregular panels I’ve seen. It felt like watching an anime.
  • Will I be coming back: Totally, the premise and the teased character development has me hooked. We all know that first issues tend to get more care than later issues, but Ewing has a good reputation, so I’m hopeful.
dead
OMG they’re ALL rule breakers! Gasp!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Georges Malik (Captain)
  • Ella Hauer (Coroner)
  • Alice Wirth (Quartermaster)
  • Jason Hauer (Engineer)
  • Paula Richter (Officer on Duty)

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

When I read the solicitation for We Only Find Them When They’re Dead, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. What was a god? Why was it dead? Why were they harvesting it? The actual book delivered quite well. Semi-dystopian future. Abundant resources literally showing up out of nowhere. To top it off, there are already hints of murder, revenge and ambition. Yeah, I’m in!

Joker / Harley: Criminal Sanity #5

Joker

Be sober-minded; be watchful! Your adversary prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour! Guard your soul as we discuss Joker / Harley: Criminal Sanity, chapter 5, verses 1-32!

These are their chronicles as witnessed by the talented Kami Garcia.
Translated from the word by Jason Badower.

The official plot:

“Dr. Harley Quinn has confronted horrific crime scenes created by a serial murderer who treats his work as high art. But when she is confronted by the killer himself, her life takes a drastic turn. Will she be able to return to the status quo, and simply help the GCPD to catch this killer? Or will the encounter change her forever?”

DC Black Label

This is not the Harley Quinn that you know. This is the hard nosed profiler working with the GCPD to investigate the Joker’s crimes. She’s tough and determined…there’s no way that the Joker is ever going to shake her. I hope…

Joker
The meeting of a lifetime.

My Impressions:

  • Black Label worthy material. This Joker isn’t crazy. He presents as calm, cool, artistic and scarier than any other Joker I’ve seen.
  • Beautiful artistry. Realistic, unexaggerated expression. Stark contrast of color with black and white.
  • Is it worth the magazine format? Oh, hell yes it is!
Joker
Have you ever seen a straw break a camel’s back??? I have.

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Harley Quinn
  • Joker
  • James Gordon

Bottom Line: 5 Stars!

This is the most realistic take on the Harley/Joker relationship I’ve ever seen. Harley is one tough woman, bent on proving herself as a profiler for the GCPD. Joker is one of the coldest serial killers there is. This, their first meeting, doesn’t disappoint and doesn’t fall into the therapist falls for her patient trope. [Editor’s Note: this is essentially an alternate timeline where Harley is helping the police, or we will find out in the end that this isn’t really the joker, only a copycat. Time will tell on this one.] There’s still time though…we’re only halfway through the series.

Wolverine #5, “BLOOD CLOCKS!”

Wolverine

Brothers and Sisters! There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, who intend to devour us in our sleep! Heed then, the warnings of Wolverine, chapter 5, verses 1-32!

This is the story as scribed by Benjamin Percy!
Given life on the page by Viktor Bogdanović!

The official plot:

“In the snowbound darkness of the north, Wolverine is the prisoner of Dracula. By forming an unlikely alliance, Logan fights back. Stakes, claws, tricked-out snowmobiles and wintry mayhem await you.”

Marvel Comics

Wolverine versus vampires…so yeah, Marvel’s description is on point. Meaning there’s not much of a plot…but it’s violent and pretty, so I bought it anyway.

Wolverine
That’s one helluva recruiting speech.

My Impressions:

  • Growl, snarl, snikt, stab! Nuff said!
  • Sorry Mr. Silvestri, I think Bogdanovic has elevated himself to my favorite Wolverine artist. There is no doubt that bold expressions and confident lines set a great tone for a book that’s basically “The Lost Boys” with a twist.
  • Crossover Dependency: Thankfully, none. Thus far the Wolverine title has kept itself mostly separate from the mega X-Men behemoth. Feel free to jump in any time.
Wolverine
Vampires! Come out to plaaaaaay!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Wolverine (Logan / James Howlett)
  • Omega Red (Arkady Gregorivich Rossovich)
  • Dracula (Vlad Tepes | Marvel)
  • Final page Fortnite crossover

Bottom Line: 3 Stars!

Pissed off Wolverine…you’ve got to love this! Good, bloody, wholesome violence. With vampires. There’s even a throwaway reason for them to have come after our favorite Canadian. Don’t you dare pretend you wanted some drama from this title!