http://geeksofdoom.com Stuff by geeks, about geeks, for geeks. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:13:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/19/dvd-review-the-fourth-kind/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/19/dvd-review-the-fourth-kind/#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:54:16 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Elias KoteasMilla JovovichOlatunde OsunsanmiThe Fourth KindWill Patton http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=45816 The Fourth Kind
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi
Starring Milla Jovovich, Will Patton, Elias Koteas
Universal Home Entertainment
Released date: March 16, 2010

The Fourth Kind is the latest in a long line of sci-fi/suspense thriller. Dr. Abigail Tyler (Milla Jovovich) uncovers a curious link between several of her patients while videotaping their therapy sessions. Not only do each of the patients have trouble sleeping at night but when they do fall asleep, they both dream of the same white owl that haunts their dreams. As Abigail digs deeper into these dreams, she discovers these dreams could be linked to an alien encounter of the fourth kind.

While The Fourth Kind is definitely a watchable film, there is something about it that prevents me from fully enjoying the picture. It is not the acting that throws me off. All the actors in the film do a pretty good job, especially Jovovich. She shows a lot of range as a doctor and mother, which surprised even this humble writer. I am use to seeing Jovovich fighting a monster or a zombie, so it was a nice change of pace to see her hold a child instead of a sword. It is also not the directing or writing that throws me for a loop. Writer and director Olatunde Osunsanmi writes an entertaining script with some nice scares and dramatic moments. The direction of the film is also fine [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/19/dvd-review-the-fourth-kind/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/18/dvd-review-ben-10-alien-force-vol-3-4/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/18/dvd-review-ben-10-alien-force-vol-3-4/#comments Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:16:56 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Ashley JohnsonBen 10Duncan RouleauGreg CipesJoe CaseyJoe KellyMan of ActionSteven T. SeagleYuri Lowenthal http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=41642 Ben 10 Alien Force, Season
Vol. 3 DVD | Vol. 4 DVD
Created by Man of Action
Featuring the voices of Yuri Lowenthal, Ashley Johnson, Greg Cipes
Rated Y7
Warner Home Video

Ben 10 Alien Force Vol. 3 and 4 continues the journey of teenage hero Ben Tennyson, the bearer of the DNA changer Ominitrix. With his super powered cousin Gwen and Frienemy Kevin Levin, Ben continues on a mission to track down his Grandpa Max and fight off a new breed of alien invaders known only as the Highbreed. Volumes 3 and 4 collects the end of season one of the hit series and first five episodes of season two of the exciting kids cartoon.

Created by comic book alums Joe Kelly, Duncan Rouleau, Joe Casey, and Steven T. Seagle (AKA Man of Action Studios), each episode is pretty much a by the books cartoon geared toward young boys. The heroes encounter a problem. Ben uses the Omnitrix to turn into a new alien to combat said problem. Someone gets hurt or captured or both. Gwen and Kevin flirt in a family friendly way. Ben uses another alien to save the day. It is pretty much a rinse repeat process. [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/03/18/dvd-review-ben-10-alien-force-vol-3-4/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/16/comic-review-farscape-vol-1/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/16/comic-review-farscape-vol-1/#comments Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:28:50 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 BOOM! StudiosFarscapeKeith R A DecandidoRockne S O039BannonTommy Patterson http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=22585 Farscape, Vol. 1
The Beginning of the End of the Beginning
Story by Rockne S. O'Bannon
Script by Keith R.A Decandido
Art by Tommy Patterson
BOOM! Studios
Release Date: October 6, 2009

Farscape, the popular sci-fi channel series of the same name, has taken a page out of the book of many other canceled shows and begins anew in comic book form. Continuing right after the end of the Farscape movie, The Peace Keeper Wars, all seems quiet on living ship Moya and in John Crichton's life. He has a wife and kid, living in a peaceful bliss. Though in Crichton's life, peace and quiet never lasts long. Failing to seize the throne on his home planet Hyneria, Rygel and members of the Moya crew are taken hostage by his former subjects, leaving John and Aeryn to rescue them.

The story, crafted by Farscape creator Rockne S. O'Bannon and writer Keith R.A Decandido, is set in continuity with the show and delivers the same type of story and characters that Farscape fans have come to know. The dialogue is funny, the action is quick. It is always nice to know that the creator of the show is so heavily involved in the comic. It gives the fans a sense that the property will be taken care of in its new format and that the story will be true to the show's sensibility, which it is [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/16/comic-review-farscape-vol-1/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/13/dvd-review-born/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/13/dvd-review-born/#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:58:31 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Alison BrieDenise CrosbyKane HodderLionsgate FilmsRichard Friedman http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=40122 Born
Directed by Richard Friedman
Starring Alison Brie, Denise Crosby, Kane Hodder
Lionsgate Films

When I was a very young lad, a very wise cartoon rabbit once said “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Now, perhaps it was because I was at an impressionable age or maybe it was because it came from the mouth of a talking rabbit, but I have taken this little piece of advice to heart. However, after watching Born, I think I might have to break this rule just one time.

Born is a horror-comedy film about virginal Sally who, after attending the funeral of her mother, is mysteriously pulled into the ground at the cemetery. When she comes out of the ground, she is suddenly pregnant. The unexpected little bundle of joy turns out to be a demon that is hell-bent on entering our realm and wrecking her life in the process.

There are many things wrong with this film. For one thing, while it is suppose to be a horror/comedy, it is neither very scary nor is it very funny. It tries too hard to be both and ends up, more often than not, striking out. I just sat there for an hour and a half just bored. Very bored. You know a movie is just really bad when two straight female characters hook up right in the middle of the movie for no apparent reason. Then one of the women’s unborn fetus kills the other woman (Don’t ask) [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/02/13/dvd-review-born/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/30/movie-review-edge-of-darkness/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/30/movie-review-edge-of-darkness/#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:14:15 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Danny HustonEdge Of DarknessMartin CampbellMel GibsonRay Winstone http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=40047 Edge of Darkness
Directed by Martin Campbell
Staring Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston
Rated R
Release date: January 29, 2010

It has been exactly eight years since Mel Gibson headlined his own movie (and if you guessed Signs, you get shiny bonus points) but that does not mean he hasn’t been in the spotlight. When he was not directing movies depicting Jesus’ death or Mayans, he was caught in one drunken scandal after another. Hollywood is a strange place though and everyone is one hit movie away from being a hot property again. Perhaps Edge of Darkness, a revenge story set in Boston, is just what he is looking for.

Gibson stars as grizzled cop Thomas Craven, a devoted single father to his little girl Emma (Bojana Novakovic). During a trip home to see Thomas, Emma is taken, shot and killed by a masked assailant right at his front door. Led to believe this act was committed by a criminal from his past, Thomas spirals into grief and madness knowing he had a hand in his little girl’s death. However, when evidence comes up that perhaps the killer was targeting Emma all along, Grief begets violence as Thomas does whatever it takes to uncover the whole truth [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/30/movie-review-edge-of-darkness/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/02/dvd-review-adult-swim-in-a-box/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/02/dvd-review-adult-swim-in-a-box/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:10:50 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Adult SwimAdult Swim In A BoxAqua Teen Hunger ForceCartoon NetworkMetalocalypseRobot ChickenSealab 2021 http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=36921 Adult Swim in a Box
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Volume 2 | Space Ghost Season 3 | Moral Oral Season 1 | Robot Chicken Season 2 | Metalocalypse Season 1 | Sealab Season 2
Animated
Cartoon Network
Release date: October 27, 2009

It is true what they say: Good things do come in small packages. Or in the case of Adult Swim in a Box, it comes in a small box. This new collection offers up full seasons of SeaLab 2021, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast, Metalocalypse, Robot Chicken, Moral Orel, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The set also comes with a nice bonus disc full of Adult Swim pilots never before seen until now. And with a price tag of $69.95 (and that's the list price; Amazon has it now for $50.49), it is hard to find anything wrong with a set like this but not impossible.

Like it is written on the DVD, this set is indeed a cash grab. The fine folks at Adult Swim have packed in six seasons' worth (around 20 hours) of content. This, along with the price tag, is a definite steal for any fan of Adult Swim who has not gotten the DVD sets for themselves or as a gift for a person who has not been properly introduced to the lunacy that is Adult Swim. My only big issue with the set is the lack of fluidity among the seasons [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2010/01/02/dvd-review-adult-swim-in-a-box/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/12/05/dvd-review-fear-itself-the-complete-first-season/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/12/05/dvd-review-fear-itself-the-complete-first-season/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:56:43 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=32282 Fear Itself: The Complete First Season
Directed by Ronnie Yu, John Landis, Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring Brandon Routh, Elizabeth Moss, Eric Roberts, Cynthia Watros, Wendell Pierce, Shiri Appleby, John Billingsley, Rachel Miner
Lionsgates Films
Released Date: September 15, 2009

Apparently, FDR was wrong. There are plenty of other things to fear than fear itself. This is what I gathered after sitting down and watching the first season of Fear Itself.

The concept itself is not new. Much like many of the anthologies before it, from The Twilight Zone to Tales From the Crypt, Fear Itself offers up hour long mini horror “movies” directed by some of today’s masters of suspense. As an added bonus, each episode features familiar stars, from both the big and small screen.

I wanted to like this series a lot. If you used your Wayback Machine, you would clearly see a little Jack Bauerstein sitting in his living room and watching reruns of The Outer Limits with Neil Patrick Harris in it. I wanted the series to work but for several reasons, the series misses its mark.

For one thing, the writing is not all that fantastic. Yes, there are indeed a handful of episodes that work very well in the hour long format but in general, most of the stories are tired and unoriginal [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/12/05/dvd-review-fear-itself-the-complete-first-season/feed/ 2 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/29/movie-review-ninja-assassin/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/29/movie-review-ninja-assassin/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:05:51 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 J Michael StraczynskiJames McTeigueMatthew SandNaomie HarrisNinja AssassinRainSho Kosugi http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=34336 Ninja Assassin
Directed by James McTeigue
Written by Matthew Sand and J Michael Straczynski
Starring Rain, Naomie Harris, Sho Kosugi
Rated R
Release Date: November 25, 2009

When I chose to review Ninja Assassin, I knew it would entertain me on some level just by the name alone. I mean, how can you mess up something like Ninja Assassin? Other than Hot Librarian or Free Wi-Fi, no two words in the English language have ever been more of a perfect fit for one another. Good or bad, it has to be fun to watch, at least on a primal, blood-letting level.

Raizo (Rain) is one angry ninja and who can blame him? First, he is kidnapped at a young age by the mysterious Ozunu Clan and trained to be a silent, death-dealing assassin for hire. Then, just when he decides to forgo killing a person at the request of his master, his clan turns their back on him and leaves him for dead. With revenge on his mind and the aid of a government agent (Naomie Harris), Raizo seeks to destroy his Clan and the Master who he once called family.

The story, written by Matthew Sand and J Michael Straczynski, provides an interesting dose of Japanese-style violence with the standard “lone wolf experiences love and loss” flashbacks into Raizo’s past. The fleshed out back-story is necessary for viewers who feel unfulfilled without one but is not needed. If you are watching a movie named Ninja Assassin, story and plot is not high on your list. Like this reviewer, you want to know if the movie delivers with their action sequences, and deliver it does, with bloody gusto [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/29/movie-review-ninja-assassin/feed/ 4 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/27/dvd-review-x-men-vol-1-4-marvel-dvd-comic-book-collection/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/27/dvd-review-x-men-vol-1-4-marvel-dvd-comic-book-collection/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:12:41 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 X-Men http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=19573 X-Men
Marvel DVD Comic Book Collection
Volume 1-4
Starring Norm Spencer, Cedric Smith, Cathal J. Dodd
Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Release Date: April 28, 2009

When I found out that the X-Men cartoons from 1992 were being put out on DVD, my nine-year-old self jumped out of my body and threatened me with bodily harm if I did not pick up this DVD. Fearing for my life and the risk of being beat up by a nine-year-old, I relented.

For those who are unfamiliar with this cartoon, X-Men debuted on the Fox Kids Network in late 1992, and was part of the Fox Saturday Morning line-up alongside another little unknown cartoon called Batman: The Animated Series. The cartoon featured the popular Marvel mutants, led by their mentor, Dr. Charles Xavier and their battles with the mutants hell-bent on destroying the world. This incarnation of X-Men was composed of members from the past (Cyclops, Jean Grey) and present (Wolverine, Gambit) teams.

Now, there were many things that I loved about this cartoon. For one thing, it was one of the only cartoons back then where one of the main character was an Asian person. That's right, the series featured newest X-Men recruit Jubilation Lee, aka Jubilee, quite prominently in the series. Being Asian myself, it was hard to find any person who was Asian on TV with such a prominent role and so seeing Jubilee front and center was certainly awesome [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/27/dvd-review-x-men-vol-1-4-marvel-dvd-comic-book-collection/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/25/video-game-review-singstar-queen/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/25/video-game-review-singstar-queen/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:51:20 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=32278 SingStar: Queen
Rated T for Teens
Playstation 3
Available Now

It is about time the SingStar franchise rocked out. Sure, this reviewer is not afraid to express his affection toward ABBA but a man needs some good old fashioned, tub-thumping music. So, when I heard SingStar was going devote a whole game to the awesome rock band Queen, I was floored. SingStar: Queen is a no-brainer to me. Queen songs are very popular. Even if you are not familiar with the band itself (and shame on you if you aren’t), the songs are easily recognizable. From "We are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" to "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen songs have been played in sports arenas, bars, and everything in between.

The game is pretty straight forward and can be played by any casual gamer. Players choose from a list of 25 Queen songs and, like with Guitar Hero, players just need to fill up the color bars that appear on the screen by singing the correct lyrics and pitch.

The best part about this game? The wide variety of songs present in the game for any Queen fan. There are classics like "We Will Rock You" and "Under Pressure", along with songs that are not as popular like "Fat Bottom Girls". My personal favorite song, "Don’t Stop Me Now", is also present in the game. Whether you are a fan of the band or not, you have to admit that each song is pretty catchy to sing to and entertaining on all levels [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/25/video-game-review-singstar-queen/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/07/dvd-review-the-secret-saturdays/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/07/dvd-review-the-secret-saturdays/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:51:54 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Cartoon NetworkCorey BurtonDiedrich BaderFred TatascioreJay StephensNicole SullivanPhil MorrisSam LernerSecret SaturdaysWill Friedle http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=30334 The Secret Saturdays
Volume 1-2
Created by Jay Stephens
Featuring the voices of Phil Morris, Nicole Sullivan, Diedrich Bader, Sam Lerner, Fred Tatasciore, Will Friedle, Corey Burton
Cartoon Network

The Cartoon Network’s The Secret Saturdays is a throwback cartoon that tips their hats off to various cartoons and genres of yesteryear. The cartoon focuses on the Saturday family, a team of crypto-zoologists (or scientists that search for strange creatures), as they go on adventures of exploration and various forms of daring-do. Along the way, they deal with their own rogue gallery of rival crypto-zoologists and various other supped up big baddies.

While I am definitely not the demographic for this cartoon, I must say that I actually enjoyed the cartoon a lot. I am a fan of mythical beasts like Bigfoot or The Loch Ness and I am glad to see an actual cartoon focused on it. The writing and overall tone of the series reminded me a lot of the old Hanna Barbera cartoons, mostly notably Johnny Quest. The creators also throw in a Fantastic Four vibe into the mix and that gels very nicely with the series as a whole (and with yours truly). There is definitely a lot of humor and action that is not family friendly but, I dare say it, adult friendly too [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/11/07/dvd-review-the-secret-saturdays/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/27/comic-review-swallow-me-whole/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/27/comic-review-swallow-me-whole/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:27:53 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Nate PowellSwallow Me WholeTop Shelf Productions http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=22478 Swallow Me Whole
Written and Drawn by Nate Powell
Top Shelf Productions
Release Date: October 29, 2008

I tried to write a nice little intro paragraph for Swallow Me Whole, but rather than write something flowery and overtly descriptive, I decided to just cut right to the chase. Swallow Me Whole is one graphic novel that you should pick up above all other comic books out there.

Written by Nate Powell , Swallow Me Whole tells the tale of two step-siblings, Ruth and Perry, and how each of them deals with growing up in the suburbs and with their similar mental diseases. Ruth thinks that the dead insects she collects are alive and Perry thinks the wizard on the top of his pen is talking to him and compelling him to draw. Relying on each other to keep one another sane, Ruth and Perry do the best they can to keep each other's demons in check and hope that there is light at the end of this rather dark tunnel.

I was not familiar with Nate Powell's work up until I read this but there is a reason that this won an Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Novel. It is a great read. The story is nicely paced and the dialogue is realistic. He also creates some nicely relatable characters in Ruth and Perry [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/27/comic-review-swallow-me-whole/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/25/movie-review-astro-boy/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/25/movie-review-astro-boy/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:55:22 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Astro BoyBill NighyDonald SutherlandFreddie HighmoreKristen BellNathan LaneNicolas Cage http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=31742 Astro Boy
Directed by David Bowers
Featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Kristen Bell, Freddie Highmore
Written by David Bowers and Timothy Harris
Release Date: October 23, 2009

I learned several things Saturday morning when I watched Astro Boy. For one thing, when watching a cartoon movie, one should expect a sea of crying, whispering, and gurgling children no matter what time the movie starts. Another thing I learned, and this one is pretty important for me, is that no matter how old I get, it is nice to know that I still can be affected by a cartoon that has heart.

Astro Boy, based on the popular Japanese anime Mighty Atom, tells the tale of Tobie Tenama (Freddie Highmore). Tobie is caught in a middle of dangerous science experiment conducted by his father Dr. Bill Tenama (Nicolas Cage) and is killed instantly. Dr. Tenama is devastated and in his sorrow, he creates an exact robotic copy of his boy. Thus, Astro Boy is born.

Now a fair warning to those who are familiar with the anime: I had no prior knowledge of the anime before I stepped into the movie [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/25/movie-review-astro-boy/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/20/dvd-review-robot-chicken-star-wars-episode-two/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/20/dvd-review-robot-chicken-star-wars-episode-two/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:55:21 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Billy Dee WilliamsCarrie FisherDonald FaisonGeorge LucasRobot ChickenSeth GreenStar Wars http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=28332 Robot Chicken: Star Wars - Episode II
Directed by Seth Green
Featuring the voices of Seth Green, Billy Dee Williams, Donald Faison, Carrie Fisher
Adult Swim

Some things in life just go really well together. Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Chocolate Chip and Mints are just some of the prime examples, but now you can add Robot Chicken and Star Wars into the mix as well. When the popular stop-motion series Robot Chicken decided to parody the mega popular Star Wars franchise the first time around, the reviews for the show was overwhelmingly positive. Even George Lucas approved so you can only imagine that it wouldn’t be long until the sequel Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II showed up.

Nothing has changed much since the first special. The folks at Robot Chicken, led by bite-sized star Seth Green, are still offering up their hilarious and often times, insane, fanboy interpretations of key moments in the Star Wars franchise. Ever wonder what happens to Boba Fett moments after he meets his fate in Return of the Jedi or what was going through the mind of Luke during his key battle with Darth Vader? All those questions are answered and even some random 'what if' scenarios are touched on in this funny special [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/20/dvd-review-robot-chicken-star-wars-episode-two/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/19/photo-parade-the-baltimore-comic-con/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/19/photo-parade-the-baltimore-comic-con/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:29:14 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Cliff ChiangComic-ConKhoi PhamLaura MartinMarc SilvestriTerry Moore http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=30890 Baltimore Comic-Con.

Now I can go on and on about how great the convention was. I could say how awesome it was to meet Terry Moore, Steve Lieber, and Marc Silvestri. I tell you how nice it was to see Cliff Chiang, Khoi Pham, and JG Jones again. I could also tell you how great of an artist colorist Laura Martin is but why not show you guys in a series of photographs?

Enjoy! [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/10/19/photo-parade-the-baltimore-comic-con/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/30/comic-book-review-sleeper-vol-1-and-2/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/30/comic-book-review-sleeper-vol-1-and-2/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:26:58 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Ed BrubakerSean PhillipsSleeper http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=29690 Sleeper
Vol. 1: Out in the Cold
Vol. 2: All False Moves
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips
DC Comics/WildStorm

Back in 2001, a funny thing happened. Noir style comics got popular. Sure, they have been around for a pretty long time but I think it hit its peak once noir-esque style writers like Brian Bendis, Greg Rucka, and Darwyn Cooke started to make some engrossing pieces of comic book fiction. And with the popularity came the glut of noir comics, filled with morally ambiguous heroes and deadly femme fatales. Some were good but a lot were not great. The worst part of it all was that with so many books out there, a great book was bound to be lost in the fold. Sleeper by Ed Brubaker (Daredevil, Criminal) and Sean Phillips (Criminal, Marvel Zombies) was one such title.

Though it garnered a lot of critical acclaim, sales for this title was okay at best but because of solid following plus strong trade sales, the entire series is finally collected in two volumes. This writer could not be happy about the situation, though he does have some small nitpicky grips about the new editions [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/30/comic-book-review-sleeper-vol-1-and-2/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/19/comic-review-strangers-in-paradise-omnibus/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/19/comic-review-strangers-in-paradise-omnibus/#comments Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:10:27 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Abstract StudiosStrangers in ParadiseTerry Moore http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=27042 Strangers in Paradise Omnibus
Written and Drawn by Terry Moore
Abstract Studios
Release Date: 7/22/09 (San Diego Comic Con Exclusive); 9/2009 (Everywhere)

If you were one of the many people who attended the San Diego Comic-Con this year, hopefully you were smart enough to stop by Abstract Studio's booth and picked up a copy of the Strangers In Paradise Omnibus. The entire indie comic classic created by writer/artist Terry Moore is collected together in 2 volumes for the first time and made its unofficial debut at the Con and I was able to snag a copy with the help of GoD co-owner Dave3.

Strangers in Paradise is a romantic dramedy that centers around two best friends who have known each other since high school. Francine is the plus-sized shy one, who is unaware of just how special she really is. Katina (aka Katchoo) is the fiery outspoken artist, who is extremely loyal to and in love with Francine. The series follows their adult lives and their ever complicated relationship filled with men, women, guns, and of course, the Mafia.

If you are not familiar with the series, I must say that my summarization of the series does not do the book justice. It is a great read and provides the reader with a variety of emotions. I cannot think of a comic that has so many funny lines of dialogue and heartbreaking scenes all at once. The story, while mostly soap opera-esque, isn't afraid to tap into other types of genres as well. At any point in time, the comic shifts from a soap opera to a comedy, to a mystery, drama, and even action. It is a story that should entertain anyone who is interested in a great story. Above all else, thanks to the writing, you actually feel for these characters and relate to them. Don't be surprised if halfway into the story, you start actually thinking these characters are real [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/09/19/comic-review-strangers-in-paradise-omnibus/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/28/dvd-review-super-capers/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/28/dvd-review-super-capers/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:01:40 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Justin WhalinRyan GriggsRyan McPartlinSam LloydSuper Capers http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=24858 Super Capers
Directed by Ryan Griggs
Starring Justin Whalin, Sam Lloyd, Ryan McPartlin
Lions Gate Pictures
Release Date: July 21, 2009

Super Capers tells the tale of superhero wannabe Ed Gruberman (Justin Whalin). When Ed’s parents are murdered by a mysterious assailant, he decides to dedicate his life to fighting crime despite the fact that he has no super powers whatsoever. After getting sued by a criminal he assaults, the judge orders Ed to join Super Capers, a group of bumbling superheroes in training. It is there that Ed’s adventures in crime fighting really begin and of course hilarity ensues.

Well, the hilarity would have ensued had the script been funny. For about an hour and a half, I sat there watching this movie with a blank expression on my face just wanting to laugh but not seeing anything on the screen to help me do that. The jokes were flat and just not funny, period.

Writer/Director Ryan Griggs strikes out twofold. First of all, he is one of those directors who likes to put himself into movies he's directing. Now this is all fine and dandy, I mean many directors put themselves into their films more times than you know [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/28/dvd-review-super-capers/feed/ 1 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/11/dvd-review-wolverine-and-the-x-men-vol2/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/11/dvd-review-wolverine-and-the-x-men-vol2/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:55:39 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 MarvelWolverineX-Men http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=24572 Wolverine and the X-Men
Vol. 2Deadly Enemies DVD
Starring Steve Blum, Jim Ward, Tom Kane
Marvel Animation/Lionsgate Films
Release date: July 21, 2009

When Wolverine and the X-Men first came onto the scene, I wasn’t exactly sure what to think. I never watched creators Craig Kyle and Christ Yost’s first cartoon X-Men: Evolution, but so many people enjoyed the series that I thought I give it a try and was pretty satisfied with the first batch of episodes and even wrote a review on the DVD release, titled Heroes Return. And since I did review the first volume, it was only fitting that I also review the newest volume Deadly Enemies.

For a quick recap of the series, think of this as yet another alternate X-Men Universe. In this version, a mysterious attack on the Xavier school has left Professor X in a coma and Jean Grey presumed dead. This event shakes the X-Men to the core and every member of the team goes their separate ways. Fast forward to one year later, with mutant hysteria and hatred at an all time high, it is up to Wolverine to reunite the team to prevent a future that could wipe out mutantkind permanently [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/11/dvd-review-wolverine-and-the-x-men-vol2/feed/ 0 http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/08/movie-review-gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra/ http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/08/movie-review-gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra/#comments Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:52:03 +0000 Jack Bauerstein83 Channing TatumDennis QuaidG.I. JoeG.I. Joe: The Rise of CobraGIJOEMarlon WayansRay ParkSienna MillerStephen Sommers http://geeksofdoom.com/?p=27027 G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Directed by Stephen Sommers
Starring Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Marlon Wayans, Dennis Quaid, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols
Rated PG-13
Release date: August 7, 2009

Like many children of the ’80s, I did watch the G.I. Joe cartoon. Don't ask me what I remember of it though. I watched so many cartoons back then that other than the Joe's "knowing is half the battle" segments, there is not much of it that I retained over the years. What I do know is that the cartoon was very popular way back when and it was only a matter of time before it got its big screen live-action debut. I mean, if Transformers and even Alvin and the Chipmunks can get that kind treatment, why can't G.I. Joe?

Based on the popular toy line and cartoon, G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra follows soldiers Duke (Channing Tatum) and Ripcord (Marlon Wayans). On a mission to transfer a deadly technological weapon, their convoy is ambushed by a terrorist group. Their collective behind is saved by an elite military led by General Hawk (Dennis Quaid), known as G.I. JOE. In memory of their fallen comrades, Duke and Ripcord team up with the JOEs to safely transport the weapons to their destination and in the process they come across the terrorist group COBRA [...]]]> http://geeksofdoom.com/2009/08/08/movie-review-gi-joe-the-rise-of-cobra/feed/ 7