The Walking Dead TV Episode 4 Review

The Walking Dead TV Episode 4

Review by Bill Bedlam

Episode 4, "Vatos" is the first episode that Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead, wrote for the television series, and man did he write a good one!

The episode itself is a major divergence from the original comic continuity, with the inclusion of a Hispanic gang who Rick and his group of survivors run across in their attempt to find Merle and retrieve the bag of guns Rick left behind in the first episode of The Walking Dead. As with the prior changes made to the show from the comic storyline, it didn't feel shoehorned in whatsoever, and although the concept of the "bad guys" who are really misunderstood good guys isn't anything new, its set-up is an important aspect of The Walking Dead's mythos in that you cannot take anybody you encounter for face value.

Also in this episode, we get to see more examples of how living in the zombie apocalypse can just play hell with a person's mental stability. We see Jim digging graves for no other reason than a combination of a bad dream and too much exposure to the sun, which ends up with Shane once again stepping in to take control of the situation. Thankfully for Jim, it ends much better for him than it did for Ed.

For those of you who have been waiting for a full-on zombie attack, wait no more! As the survivors are sitting down for a fresh fish dinner around the campfire, a group of walkers invade leaving carnage in their wake! We see the expected munching of wife-beater Ed and the surprisingly early demise of Amy. Amy's death came as a surprise to me, because it comes much sooner then it did in the comic, but it was great to be surprised yet again by the television series! Her death captures another important aspect of the comic, in which nobody is ever safe. NOBODY!

With only two more episodes left of the inaugural season, I'm dying to see where we will be left with the season finale. I have my guesses on where it could in contrast to the comics, but as we're seeing, anything can happen!

The Walking Dead TV Episode 3 Review

The Walking Dead TV Episode 3

Review by Bill Bedlam

Episode 3 of The Walking Dead, "Tell it to The Frogs", again reaffirms the greatness of the series with another massive increase in viewership! The phenom television series is spreading like a zombie epidemic, picking-up new watchers with every episode, and for those who have been in the know, it isn't a surprise.

Case in point, lets look at episode 3:

As I pointed-out in my review for The Walking Dead episode 2, I mentioned the difference in tone of the first two episodes. Where episode 1 was methodically paced and had chilling feel to it, episode 2 was more face paced and intense. With episode 3, we have yet another tone with an emotional roller coaster of human drama. Watching the reunion of Rick with his wife, Lori and their son, Carl was a perfect example of the compelling drama that drove the comic series for so many years. Where Rick and his family were awash with disbelief and joy, you see Shane being torn apart. Besides the shock of seeing that his partner and best friend Rick has "returned from the dead", he also has to come to grips with the relationship he was having with Lori and Carl coming to a crashing end.

The reunion is short lived as Merle's brother, Daryl (played by Norman Reedus of THE BOONDOCK SAINTS) returns to camp and the news of his brother's fate. Understandingly, Daryl lashes-out, and once Rick and Shane calm him down, Rick decides he must return to the city to not only rescue, Merle, but to retrieve the bag of guns, ammo and his walkie-talkie to contact Morgan and Dwayne who we last saw in episode 1. Merle, being the shiny ray of sunshine that he is, doesn't have many sympathizers at the camp supporting his rescue, but ultimately T-Dog's guilt gets the better of him and he volunteers for the mission. Rick also enlists Glen, since he knows the ins and outs of the city, and is their best bet to help ensure their return.

In episode 3 we also get a glimpse into the day to day life of the survivors in the camp, and how they are coping with life in a world with none of the comforts that they have grown accustomed to. We see the women have been designated for laundry duty while the men hunt, repair their vehicles, and keep watch. During one particular scene of the women down by a nearby lake, the ladies discuss some of the things they miss most, from their washing machines to their vibrators. And hey, who wouldn't miss their sex toys during the zombie apocalypse?

A growing plot thread that is developing is Shane's struggle with the return of Rick, and the fallout of his relationship with Lori and Carl. As mentioned earlier, when Rick returns Shane becomes a conflicted man. You see both the sheer shock and devastation underlying his happiness to see his best friend back from the grave. You almost wonder if he's happy at all? My answer is, "hell no". We see the night after Rick's return, Shane keeping watch... watching, Lori's tent that is. You can see him getting twisted-up inside with the thought of her laying with her husband once again.

Later on, back at the lake where the women are doing laundry, a confrontation between Lori and Shane reveals that Shane lied to Lori about Rick being dead, and she warns him to stay away from her and her family. Here is where the story deviates from the comic. In the comic, Shane never lied to Lori about Rick being dead. It was just assumed by both that he was. I feel that this is something of a slight cop-out for the character of Lori for the series. While it maintains the guilt she feels for being with Shane, it absolves her from taking responsibility for her actions, being able to blame in on Shane's deception. I don't think it will really take away from the story in the long run, but that little change to her character makes her more of a sympathetic character then she is in the comics and may alter some of her more choice moments from the comic.

After this scene, you can see Shane start to come apart even further. An incident breaks out at the aforementioned women at the lake with the one older woman and her abusive husband. Shane intervenes and succumbs to his rage, brutally beating the guy to a pulp. Andrea looks on knowing that something is seriously wrong with Shane, and wonders if this guy is quickly becoming a loose canon.

Have you noticed something about this review yet? If you're thinking, "This guy has hardly mentioned anything about the zombies", then my friend, you are correct. The episode really had only one zombie moment with a walker coming close to the camp, feasting on a deer carcass, and the group dispatching it accordingly. But that's the thing about The Walking Dead. Yes, it is a show about the zombie apocalypse and hordes of walkers looking for fresh meat to feast on, but they're more of a backdrop to the show, giving cause to the survivor's effect, than being the main antagonists. The real story is about the survivors and how they... well... survive. So, like in the comics, some issues deal with the survivors dealing with the zombies and some issues deal with the survivors dealing with each other. And that being done as well as it has been is the reason The Walking Dead is just so damn compelling!

The Walking Dead TV Episode 2 Review

Review by Bill Bedlam

If episode two (Guts) of The walking Dead has proven anything to us, it's that:

A. Alot of zombie mayhem and compelling story can be accomplished in just an hour.

B. With another high rating of viewership for the second episode, AMC gave the green light for a second season, which means The walking Dead is here to stay!

With episode two, we begin to see some real departure in the storyline from the comic. As in the comic, Rick is helped by Glen but in the show he meets-up with a group of survivors trapped in the city. Among the group of survivors is Andrea, who is somewhat older than her comic counterpart, T-Dog, and Merle, played by Michael Rooker. After an encounter between Rick and Merle to establish who is running the show, the group puts a plan together to escape the zombie horde who are quickly working their way into the building.

For me, this was the real test of how I would feel about the changes made to the story. In episode one, elements seemed to only be tweaked to flesh-out more aspects of the world of The walking Dead, where in episode two, events playing-out and the inclusion of new non-comic characters were much different than the comic. Again, everything felt very organic and made sense for the show. Each new aspect which venture off the path set in the comics didn't take away from the story at all. I can't see any fans of the comic taking issue with the changes, because it doesn't hurt the story, nor change the characters whatsoever. The inclusion of the many new survivors delights me to no end, not because I'm eager to learn their backstory or get to know them, but I know their inclusion is pretty much going to allow for some awesome zombie chomping!

One aspect I found interesting about the pacing of the second episode is how it was drastically different from the first. Where the first was chillingly tense and almost methodical in laying-out the story, the second was fast-paced and heartpounding! In the comic book, each issue can be completely different in tone with story elements ranging from the survivors dealing with each other and their relationships, adjusting to the the world they live in now, to full-on zombie mayhem! I feel if that pace is maintained in the show, it will give The walking Dead that uncertain uneasiness and keep viewers on their toes throughout the series.

We also get to see some more characterization of Rick, having him start pulling the group together, which foreshadows the man he becomes in the comic. As far as the rest of the comic originated characters, such as Glen, Andrea, Amy, Lori, Shane, and Dale, we get some more glimpse into the type of people they are, which will be more fleshed-out as we go on.

Finally, lets talk about the zombies. I've noticed that the ones that exist in the world of The walking Dead are different from each other based on their state of decay. Some of the fresher ones move and function alot better than their more rotten compatriots. First and foremost, non of them are quite "runner zombies" as we've seen in the DAWN OF THE DEAD remake, or the gun-toting and almost human reasoning as we've seen in LAND OF THE DEAD, but these zombies have basic tool and problem-solving skills on par with a chimp. They seem to be able to "remember" aspects of their past lives, such as how to turn a doorknob and climb a ladder, as well as know that a rock will help break a window all of which is all fine by me. I think that gives them the element of danger where the survivors will learn that simply hiding and waiting is not going to be an option for long once the zombies find them.

All in all, I'm really digging the show. With episode two, The walking Dead is still on the right track and has me glued to the TV from start to finish. As we go into episode 3, I'm interested in the reunion between Rick, Lori, Carl, and, Shane. From what we've seen of the relationship which Lori and Shane have been developing in Rick's absence, it should be bittersweet and lead to some serious tension among the survivors!

The Walking Dead TV Episode 1 Review

The Walking Dead Episode 1

Review by Bill Bedlam

So, were you one of the 5.3 million people to tuned-in to the premier of The Walking Dead on AMC? If you weren't (and you should hang your head in shame), you missed out on a historical moment in not only in the history of the zombie genre and comic book adaptions, but television as well!

Now you may say thats a bold statement, but I can back it up with ease.

First of all, any doubt of the show being faithful to its source material can be put to rest. From the opening scene of Rick's grisly encounter with a diminutive zombie, to his shoot-out with crazed gunmen, as well as his first venture into the city on horseback is like watching the comic come to life!

Although I knew exactly what was different from the comic, the changes were all very organic and enhanced story elements, rather than trying to "improve" on them like so many other comic adaptions in the past. Obviously, the creative team knows the old saying, "if it's not broken, don't mess with it".

I sit here now trying to figure-out where to start with this review, but it's almost impossible to pick out just one aspect of awesomeness. Do I begin with the gore and violence that go hand and hand with a zombie apocalypse? How about the spot-on characterization of Rick Grimes and Shane? Maybe I could talk about the brilliant tapestry of the world of The Walking Dead that really makes you think the zombie apocalypse could happen? Or how the terror and tension of just about the entire episode never gives you a moment to breathe? I could go on and on about any one of those for quite some time, but what stood-out to me about the episode most was that you are sucked in immediately, not only because it's a great story, but because you actually find yourself caring for these characters. Just like in the comic, Rick and the others are so very human and you easily relate to them. You sympathize with their struggles both physically and emotionally, while fearing for them with the constant threat of the ravenous undead lurking behind every corner!

This a great start for The Walking Dead. Although I try to avoid reading other reviews before I finish mine, the articles I have seen have been nothing but praise from critics and fans alike. This is a true testament to not only the phenomenal talent behind the show, but to the dedicated effort on AMC's part of marketing the hell out of the show before it's premiere.

AMC is streaming episode one on their site now, and it is also available on Hulu, in case you missed it. But really, you should have no excuse other than being in a coma if you did miss it, so get to that streaming video now so you're ready for episode two this Sunday.

To me, we're looking at a historic moment in zombie genre history! There have been plenty of movies, both good and bad over the years, but Kirkman's The Walking Dead weekly television series may be the greatest thing to happens to zombies since George Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD!

Well, thats it for this week's review. I'll be back next week with another for episode two!

The Walking Dead Comic and TV Series - What You Need to Know

Article by Bill Bedlam

Here we are, just a few days before the premiere of The Walking Dead television series on AMC, which debuts Halloween night at 10pm EST. For those of you who have lived in a cave for the past year, here's what you should, strike that, NEED know about The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead started-out as a black & white indie comic published by Image Comics and was created by series writer, Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Battle Pope, Brit, The Astounding Wolf-Man) in 2003. Originally, the art duties were handled by Tony Moore, but were taken over by current regular artist, Charlie Adlard, since issue #7.

The story revolves around lead character Rick Grimes, a small town police officer, his son, Carl, and an ever changing cast of survivors dealing with the trials and tribulations of life during The Zombie Apocalypse and the threats that come with it.

Kirkman has crafted one of the most compelling stories in comic history. His characterization of the human players and their relationships with each other and personal struggles are so intriguing, you almost forget that you're reading a comic about zombies. Don't be fooled though, the zombies are ever present and provide the element of danger and uncertainty that creates the uneasy and frightening backdrop to the series.

The success of The Walking Dead has truly been an example of a grassroots movement. In a day where superhero comics dominate the industry, mostly by the "Big Two" publishers Marvel and DC, The Walking Dead's meteoric rise in popularity has no other examples to compare to. The series has won numerous awards and nominations and continuously sells-out every issue to this day. Kirkman was made a partner of Image Comics and launched his own imprint, Skybound.

With all the success and buzz about the series it wasn't surprising that Hollywood would come a calling. Originally, Kirkman was approached by several movie studios offering deals to adapt the series into a feature length movie, but Kirkman held-out in hopes of an offer that would help ensure the integrity of the series.
Eventually, a deal was reached with televison network AMC to develop an adaption into a TV series.

Now having a home, AMC quickly attached critically acclaimed director Frank Darabont (THE MIST, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE GREEN MILE) as writer/director and an executive producer along with Gale Anne Hurd (THE TERMINATOR, ALIENS, THE ABYSS) and Robert Kirkman himself. The pedigree of The Walking Dead is expanded even further with veteran special effects and make-up master Gregory Nicotero (DAY OF THE DEAD EVIL DEAD II) leading the FX team.

With a powerhouse of behind-the-scenes talent secured, the on-screen talent was not far behind. The announcements came quickly with notable cast members, including Andrew Lincoln who's acting background consists of mostly European television and film roles as Rick Grimes, John Bernthal as Rick's partner, Shane, Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break) as Rick's wife, Lori, and Jeffrey DeMunn (THE MIST, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE GREEN MILE) as Dale.

Almost instantaneously after the news broke that The Walking Dead was being picked-up and developed for AMC, the buzz on the internet became more and more feverish with speculation and anticipation with every announcement.

Taking a page from the word-of-mouth movement that brought The Walking Dead comic such notoriety, AMC utilized viral campaigns on social networks like Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about the upcoming show, almost as quickly as a zombie outbreak!

AMC increased the frenzy among the media and fans alike with production stills of zombies for the show, blog videos of zombie actors attending "Zombie School", interviews with Kirkman and Darabont about their insight and passion for the series, and driving the fans rabid with video footage and trailers at both the San Diego Comic Convention and Spike TV's Scream awards.

Coming from such great source material, and having a creative team who not only has extensive experience in the Horror/Sci-Fi genre, but who are enthusiastic and care about the project, not to mention having the series creator as an executive producer, it seems like The Walking Dead is almost certain to be a hit with both fans old and new.

As a fan of The Walking Dead who was there from day one, I'm excited for the series premiere! It'll be nice to revisit how it all began, and will be interesting to see some new twists and turns that the show will introduce. So barricade the doors and windows, and stock-up on provisions and ammo, for the "Roamers" are coming and not everybody is going to get out alive!

Rick Takes Action in Latest THE WALKING DEAD Clip

In this latest clip from the upcoming comic book adaptation of THE WALKING DEAD, Rick shows he's already learned the mantra of any zombie apocalypse survivor - aim for the brain.

The 90 minute season premiere is set to air on AMC Halloween night at 10pm EST.

The dead are coming. Are you prepared? Spread the word!

NBC Returning to 1313 Mockingbird Lane?

It appears as if NBC may be planning to return to 1313 Mockingbird Lane those who inhabit the address - the one and only Munsters.

According to an article by Michael Ausiello NBC has ordered a pilot episode to bring the Munsters to a whole new generation, with Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller helming the project.

The reboot is being described as Modern Family meets True Blood but being on a network channel could limit how far they'd be able to push the content.

In addition to Fuller's name being attached, Guillermo del Toro is also rumored to be attached in a behind-the-scenes role.

No word yet when the pilot would see light of day.

Wonderfully Ominous THE WALKING DEAD Poster Rises

AMC has revealed a wonderfully ominous one sheet poster design to promote their upcoming adaptation of THE WALKING DEAD.

Based on the Image Comics publication of the same name, the series will chronicle the survival of a group of friends and strangers bound together during a zombie apocalypse.

The series premieres Halloween night at 10pm EST. Do you have your viewing party set up yet?

Spike TV's Scream Awards 2010 Nominees

Spike TV returns with their fifth annual Scream Awards, a genre-celebrating show honoring the best in horror, sci-fi, comics and television.

This year the show will be taped on October 16th in Los Angeles, and will be broadcast on Spike TV October 19th at 9pm EST.

Here's a selection of nominees from the better categories:

BEST HORROR MOVIE
The Crazies
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Paranormal Activity
Shutter Island
Thirst
Zombieland

BEST TV SHOW
"Dexter"
"Doctor Who"
"Lost"
"True Blood"
"V"

BEST HORROR ACTRESS
Julie Benz, "Dexter"
Emily Blunt, The Wolfman
Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist
Milla Jovovich, The Fourth Kind
Anna Paquin, "True Blood"
Emma Stone, Zombieland

BEST HORROR ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Woody Harrelson, Zombieland
Stephen Moyer, "True Blood"
Timothy Olyphant, The Crazies
Alexander Skarsgard, "True Blood"

BEST VILLAIN
Jackie Earle Haley as Freddy Krueger, A Nightmare on Elm Street
Stephen Lang as Col. Miles Quaritch, Avatar
Dieter Laser as Dr. Joseph Heiter, The Human Centipede (First Sequence)
John Lithgow as the Trinity Killer, "Dexter"
Terry O'Quinn as John Locke/Smoke Monster, "Lost"
Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko, Iron Man 2

MOST MEMORABLE MUTILATION
Body Dissolved by Hydrofluoric Acid, Saw VI
Forced to Cut Off Own Flesh and Arm, Saw VI
Heart Cut Out of Chest, Cut Up into Souffle, and Fed to People, "True Blood"
Scalped With a Hunting Knife, Inglourious Basterds
Surgically Transformed into Human Centipede, The Human Centipede (First Sequence)
Zombie Shot in the Mouth by Flare Gun, Survival of the Dead

Who do you think will win? What's missing from the list? Is this a true celebration or just another cash-in celebrity spectacle? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

You know what they really need to bring back? The Horror Hall of Fame awards. If you don't remember, this was an awards show that broadcast from 1990-1992 and honored both current and classic horror films and talent. Perhaps this opening sequence will awaken those recessed memories:

First Footage of THE WALKING DEAD Trailer

Here is the first look at the trailer for The Walking Dead, which originally debuted at the 2010 San Diego Comic Convention. The 90 minute series premiere, directed by Frank Darabont, will debut on AMC Halloween night at 10pm.

The Walking Dead television series is based on the comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics.




So, whose going to have themselves one hell of a viewing party?

KUNG FU KILLER Television Review

KUNG FU KILLER (2008)

In this two-part mini-series, an elderly Caucasian monk named White Crane (David Carradine) returns to his monastery after wandering the world for two decades to spend the rest of his days. But soon after he returns, an army battalion under the rule of criminal mastermind Khan sweeps into the monastery and systematically wipe out most of monks. White Crane vows to take revenge and soon finds himself in Shanghai, where he actually becomes the bodyguard of Khan in order to get close to him, and learns of Khan’s plan in creating a gas that will kill countless thousands.

White Crane also meets up with Jane (Darryl Hannah), a singer from Brooklyn who is now the main attraction at a local bar, and whose brother coincidentally is the scientist who is being forced to work on Khan’s death gas. When Khan is finally ready to test his new gas, White Crane sees this as the moment to show his true allegiance, and strikes with vengeance in his heart and in his fists! Meanwhile, back at the monastery which is slowly being rebuilt, White Crane is about to discover that there is one in the shadows who has been thirsting for his own revenge.

Originally aired on Spike TV August 17th and 18th as part of the network’s Spike Guy Movies original programming umbrella, this made-for-TV mini-series reunites KILL BILL co-stars Carradine and Hannah for a martial arts revenge romp through early 20th century China. Though it has been dubbed a mini-series, each night’s broadcast feels very much likes its own movie, as if the original and the sequel were merely filmed back-to-back and subsequently broadcasted as such. There is no cliffhanger or “to be continued” at the end of Part One, which wraps itself up with a nice little bow before letting the credits role, while the opening of Part Two simply just starts like any other sequel.

David Carradine slips easily back into his controlled martial arts persona that made him a star in the seventies television series "Kung Fu" and later in KILL BILL, but try as he may, can’t quite summon the fully dynamic energy needed for such a performance, which can be forgiven to a point being as the man is pushing seventy-two years. Much of his dialogue feels like its been pulled from a fortune cookie, while his fight choreography is mostly reduced to him blocking an attacker’s strike, and then reacting with a punch. Carradine can still whip up some great screen charisma though, and he seem genuinely excited to be in the movie, while the movie is likewise genuinely excited to have him as a star.

However, the same can not be said for Darryl Hannah, who is in this purely for her connection to Carradine. Hannah has trouble getting through her songs and with her chiseled jaw line looks more like a drag queen during her nightclub dance numbers rather than the object of desire the character is supposed to be. Hannah looks bored half the time, and probably longs to be holding a sword again, rather than be transformed into a subplot device and a marketing ploy.

What the film may lack in the acting chops, including some questionable English speaking dialogue from the almost exclusively Chinese cast (we’ll just leave alone the fact that all the peasants inherently can speak fluent English) it more than makes up for in sheer devastation and literally bone-crushing violence. It is surprising just how much Spike TV lets through over the airwaves, cable or no cable. Under the choreography of Hero stuntman Feng Shi and Wang Jun Kang, limbs are severed, soldiers are beheaded and poor monks are blown up by the military’s cannons, with copious amounts of blood spraying everywhere. Carradine is of course given a few of most memorable blows, including a palm attack that forces a soldier’s spine out of their back.

KUNG FU KILLER, whose name recalls the rather generic retitling of many an English dubbed martial arts film throughout the seventies and eighties, is really geared toward this exact audience. It is not really meant as a slight towards them, but Spike TV knows their target demographic and this is nothing more than giving the masses what they want. It is certainly not an homage to this era, but there is the feeling that director Philip Spink is trying to recapture the energy of those Saturday afternoon television broadcasts. And on that note Spink just squeaks by with a success.

Goddammit! PREACHER Will Not Happen On HBO

A while back, Mark Steven Johnson let out early word that he was in talks with HBO to bring Garth Ennis' incredible and controversial comic book series Preacher to the small screen. The show would have turned each of the comics in the sixty issue series into a one hour episode. Unfortunately, that will no longer happen.

Johnson, who wrote both the DAREDEVIL and GHOST RIDER movie adaptations, told an audience Monday at The Continuum "we were budgeting and everything and it was getting really close to going...but the new head of HBO felt it was just too dark and too violent and too controversial. Which, of course, is kind of the point!" Johnson went on to explain that a compromise was discussed but eventually abandoned stating "it was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, nearly word for word. They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I've learned my lesson on that front and I won't do it again. So I'm afraid it's dead at HBO."

Rumors of a movie adaptation, or hopefully a series given the massive scope of the comic books, are starting to once again rear their head, but will hopefully go to sleep before anyone catches a whiff. Maybe Showtime will pick up the slack? They could use a dark and edgy show.

FREAKAZOID SEASON ONE DVD Review

FREAKAZOID: Season One (1995)

With Tiny Toon Adventures and Animaniacs under his belt, Steven Spielberg set out complete his trifecta of “Presents” cartoons by executive producing Freakazoid in 1995. With initial concepts by Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, and using a hodgepodge of writers and voice actors from some of the best episodes of Animaniacs to flesh out the series, Freakazoid follows the life of Dexter Douglas and his titlular superhero alter-ego. As we learn from the Emmy Nominated theme song, Dexter Douglas is a nerd computer ace who went surfing on the internet and was zapped to cyberspace; he turned into the Freakazoid who is strong and super-quick and drives the villains crazy because he’s a lunatic. And that is about all the background you’ll get and need for this superhero.

Freakazoid is a superhero spoof that fires on all pistons as it lovingly pokes at the genre with incredibly witty dialogue and an inspiring array of supporting characters and villains. In addition, the show is very aware of itself, which works in the favor of its anarchic comedic styling. The show will often cut away to talk about tie-in merchandise that doesn’t really exist or how well a test audience liked a certain segment. And being that the cartoon was produced by Warner Bros, the show gets away with taking digs at DC Comics characters, which Time-Warner owns. Increasingly strange and obscure pop culture references also help to give the show its unique voice. How many kids shows can you name that will reference Ed Wood?

Read my full review at The DVD Lounge!

BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM Movie Review

BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (1993)

When Miss Andrea Beaumont returns to Gotham City after a ten-year absence, it throws Bruce Wayne’s world into upheaval. Bruce and Andrea were romantically involved just as Bruce was beginning his trial runs as a vigilante, and her presence brings back a flood of memories — both about the love that he lost and his earliest crime fighting adventures before he became the caped crusader. Bruce’s troubles become twofold, when a new masked entity in the city begins knocking off gangsters, and Batman takes the wrap.

Things go from bad to worse when an elderly crime boss turns to desperate measures and hires the Joker to kill Batman before he is murdered. Now, Batman must try to solve the mystery of the ghostly Phantasm while preventing anymore deaths, and at the same time subdue the psychotic antics of the Joker, who has taken up residence in the abandoned Worlds Fair exhibit. Meanwhile, as boy billionaire, Bruce must reconcile his feelings for Andrea.

Read my full review at Geeks of Doom!

THE KILL POINT Television Series Review

THE KILL POINT (2007)

It was supposed to be a lightning quick and perfect bank robbery, as five military veterans lead by the codenamed Mr. Wolf (John Leguizamo) assault a Pittsburgh bank, steal the millions of dollars that have just been delivered, and head off into the sunset in the waiting getaway car. But when variables beyond their control foil their plot, they are forced to hole up inside the bank with the terrified hostages. As S.W.A.T. take their positions and await further instructions, so do the curious crowd and media reports take theirs. Amidst this confusion is Horst Cali (Donnie Wahlberg), a top-ranked negotiator who has never lost a hostage.

Wolf and Cali begin a methodical back and forth conversation, as each try to outsmart the other and anticipate the next move. But Cali's slow and easy approach as he tries to get one hostage out at a time becomes foiled when the FBI are brought in to expedite the procedure with a harsh no-nonsense plan to break down Mr. Wolf. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh mayor Alan Beck (Tobin Bell), whose daughter is one of the hostages, takes his own risky and very dangerous approach to ending matters and getting his daughter out alive. As the hours roll into days, tension and exhaustion begin to take their toll on all involved, it is only a matter of time before someone makes a fatal mistake.

Read my full review on Geeks Of Doom and pick it up on Amazon now!