The Social Blend podcast is back, and this week with a bit of a Geeks of Doom tang to it. Fellow Geeks of Doom contributor, and Associate Editor Hunter Camp aka MK2Fac3 joins us on the podcast this week – and we focus a lot on the latest details on Watchmen, Superman: The Man of Steel, Game of Thrones, and more.

Our first geek diversion in the show is looking at the new trailer for Iron Sky, which leads us into a whirlwind discussion of some of the work by Zack Snyder, including Sucker Punch and more. We debate the merits (or lack thereof) of the Before Watchmen prequel comic series from DC Comics.

Also we take a look at the latest news for Doctor Who Series 7, and the recent legal blues surrounding Ghost Rider.

Outside of our geek culture concentration, we also discuss some other news on the latest Social Blend, including Rick Santorum and the current Election news; and the recent passing of Whitney Houston.

The digital rental deal of the day over at Amazon today is Zack Snyder‘s Sucker Punch for only $.99.

This deal is valid only for today, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, until 11:59 PST. Once you activate the rental through Amazon’s Instant Demand service, you’ll have access to the movie for 48 hours. If you’re interested in purchasing the digital version, the cost is $14.99.

Also, if you’d like to own a physical copy of Sucker Punch, the Blu-ray/DVD Combo is $21.49; the Blu-ray is $18.99; and the DVD is $20.99. The Blu-ray and DVD versions are part of Amazon’s “Buy This DVD and Watch it Instantly” program “” you get the film as a FREE digital rental you can watch immediately when you purchase the physical copy.

Sucker Punch
Blu-ray | DVD | Video On Demand
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung
Warner Home Video
Release Date: June 28, 2011

Sucker Punch, a film from Zack Snyder, the visionary director of 300 and Watchmen, is an enigma. After 3 viewings of this film, I’m still not certain if I love it or hate it because, while it has plenty of flaws that would make any average movie crumble like the CGI sets of this movie’s fantasy-in-fantasy, it also has a lot of truly amazing surface level elements that have the ability to provide a real enjoyment of the film. And to appreciate this movie, I think you have to have the ability to enjoy it for what it is: A cheesecake, live-action adaptation of a burlesque poster for the movie Inception. Confused yet? Of course you are! So am I!

So let’s try to clear this up. Sucker Punch centers around the character of Baby Doll (Emily Browning), a girl who tries to kill her abusive stepfather while he is in the act of assaulting her sister. Unfortunately, during this attempted murder, Baby Doll accidentally kills her sister because she is a terrible shot, which is a theme that continues throughout the movie. After the accidental death, her stepfather sends her to a mental institution to cover up the accident and his actions, while also cheating Baby Doll out of her deceased mother’s fortune. The stepfather also makes a deal with the institution’s orderly, Blue (Oscar Isaac), to have Baby Doll lobotomized so that she can never contest her stepfather’s actions.

The MP3 album deal of the day over at Amazon today is the Sucker Punch: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for only $3.99.

The album comes with 9 songs from artists like Björk, Queen, and Skunk Anansie, as well as some of the actresses from the fantasy-action film. This download also comes with the Digital Booklet. See full track listing here below.

The soundtrack album is also available on CD for $9.99. The Zack Synder-direct film Sucker Punch is now out on Blu-ray/DVD Combo (with Digital Copy); Blu-ray; DVD; and Instant Video.

Sucker Punch
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Scott Glenn
Warner Brothers
Rated PG-13
Release date: March 25, 2011

Sucker Punch is the newest film from Zack Snyder, director of 300 and Watchmen, and it continues his string of visually arresting films. Snyder does not only direct adaptations of comic books (see Legend of the Guardians and Dawn of the Dead as the exceptions), but he is widely known for them, particularly with his involvement in the next Superman film. Sucker Punch is his first original screenplay though, so many were wondering what he would come up with himself. What he presents with Sucker Punch is a mix of unique genres that continues Snyder’s line of visually unique films, but has very little going on to make the viewer care about what’s happening.

Sucker Punch revolves around a young girl given the nickname of Baby Doll (Emily Browning). She is sent to an insane asylum by her stepfather in a plan to steal an inheritance that is rightfully hers. The stepfather plans to have Baby Doll lobotomized (by Jon Hamm who is becoming a master of big-screen cameos), but she plans to escape, with the help of some of the other inmates. Somehow, the plan involves the inmates taking a few necessary items, distracting the guards with some kind of dance that becomes a series of fantasy action sequences. And then Scott Glenn shows up as a wise old man relaying pointless platitudes. Trust me, explaining the plot makes my head hurt and exposes many of the movie’s flaws.