“Bloodline” Review
Few news bits, but majority talk about this week’s Smallville.
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Nick Paramonte
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Nick Paramonte
Saturn Girl on Smallville
One the Legionnaires that will be popping up in 8xll is Saturn Girl. Casting has been confirmed, Alexz Johnson will play her.Not being familiar with this actress, I watched some clips on YouTube, of her starring roles. She’s decent, hopefully she’s better then the Plastique chick. But also that the other writers and producers of the show, give Geoff Johns some freedom to write the character with dignity, and not just another Maxima/Poison Ivy on a mission.
This is starting to form into an adaptation of “New Kids in Town” from Superman: TAS with Cosmic Boy, but without the inclusion of Chameleon Boy, cause of budget constraits, replaced with Brainiac 5. Wishfully thinking, yes but also coincided with what happened to Chloe last week.
Think about it, The Legion are coming to present day to warn Clark of an upcoming threat, maybe of Chloe’s turn, which I’d like to see but not be an entire monologue episode, they better fight some other threat and not just another FOTW.
But to also to tie this is item with Kara’s return tomorrow night, as speculation goes, that the producers could take the JLU route and have her not fitting in with Clark’s lifestyle and decides to leave with The Legion, if she appears if that’s the case to whatever happens in “Bloodline”.
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Nick Paramonte
Halloween ’08
The introduction to the first of many episodes every year, talking and about horror movies and monsters. We recorded off the cuff, with few notes of movies to talk about and a guest comes bring his views on the subject matter. -
Nick Paramonte
Rage of The Red Lanterns #1
Finished reading the latest issue of Final Crisis, The Beginning of The Red Lantern Corps and I have to say, good start to a hopefully good story leading up The Blackest Night.
As Rob told me before I started reading, it’s the only flame to burn in space, and their leader, Atrocious, right from get-go gains the ring, starts recruiting people of Satan’s planet, wants Sinestro and The Guardians’ heads on a plate.
Great splash page of the Yellow and Green Lanterns getting killed left and right, gets me everytime. At the end of the issue where Hal’s power starts decreasing from fire mouth blast, there was a miss usage of a word in the dialogue that I can’t put me finger on at the moment, but it’s there. The art is sometimes in and out, but still good regardless. Can’t wait to see the Blue Lanterns join the battle in issue 36 of GL.
Rating: 7 1/2.
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Nick Paramonte
Supernatural Thoughts
Last night’s episode, kinda saved the night from Smallville‘s overall disapointment.Another Halloween centric not as good as “Monster Movie” (which I’m still watching) or “Yellow Eyed Fever”. Basically a test that Dean succeeded and Sam failed by using his demon power. Brothers Divided is just getting started. I’d give it an average 7 score.
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Nick Paramonte
Smallville “Identity” Review
Write up of last night’s episode. Initially, I felt tremedous disappointment and a slight anger issue, that it was a giant tease and middle finger to me and anyone else who thought that this was the start of a secret identity, glasses or semi-costume, that went nowhere and ultimately meant nothing to Clark’s character, just another event of the day, or in this case, night.
Trying to be very generous here I’ll start with what I liked first. The Clois moments was one of the few things that keeped me on board to what was going on, especially after the events of “Committed”, Lois has alot on her mind, her feelings for Clark, to working to keep her mind off it, and now, in a future Lois Lane fashion wants an exclusive with Superdude.
Glad Jimmy was smart to put two and two together. Seemed to me that Clark and him were developing some sort of friendship.
Oliver’s back to being Green Arrow after the events in “Toxic”, always love him lecturing Boyscout, “Be a good thing to see you on the paper, it would force you to step up.” In the least, the producers didn’t drag the “doubting himself” storyline for too long.
Of course the highlight of this episode was Chloe’s Brainiac side officially taking over and frying Freak of the Week’s mind. Extremely interested to see what happens next.
Clark had no right to lecture Oliver, just because the lead character was being nothing more then a whiny little whip who cared about nothing more then the sake of “protecting his own identity”, as Oliver stated in “Rage”, which makes the point that Clark still hasn’t changed. Jimmy going back to the “not being honest” issue and another forgettable Meteorfreak.
As I’ve said before, the teases and anvils in this, really annoyed the hell out of me, including Lois’ “I’m destined for a man in tights and a cape” line, because of Clark’s lack of character developing by saying at the end, ironically enough “Not in this lifetime” was an insult from the producers saying “Yep, were still gonna drag it through the mud”, I’M GETTING TIRED OF THIS.
To complete the insult, Clark goes to Mercy like a baby and tells her he doesn’t what the story, which only increases more suspicion on him. It’s basically him asking for trouble. Biggest Big Dumb Alien moment yet.
It would’ve been better, that in the closing, had a scene where Clark took Oliver’s blue suit and stored it away somewhere, that would’ve a better maybe, cause him just saying it means never.
If Doomsday killing him and Chloe’s turn to evil and demise doesn’t move BDA forward, nothing will. Half of this episode felt like Clark, then it turned into a Oliver Queen centric, Now I understand Rob’s meaning of having an extra character they don’t need. But in defense it meant something.
Rating: 5 1/2
The only thing I’m expecting from Kara’s return is alot of anger or resentment towards her cousin’s lack of locating her last season.
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Nick Paramonte
Tartakovsky on IM2
AICN claims that the creator/director of the well known cartoons of the 90’s, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Star Wars: Clone Wars (the first one, not the new series with the movie that was just a ploy) has been hired to storyboard the Iron Man sequel.And then he has the original IRON MAN film to draw from and he also has a pretty deep knowledge of Marvel. So, he is transitioning into live-action features, which I have no doubt in collaborating with him that he will. There’s a transition that he’s making that hopefully I could be helpful with and at the same time as I move from dialogue and character and story-driven filmmaking I’m able to understand the way to approach action in an interesting and elegant way. So, it’s been a very, very fun collaboration so far.
Will see how he does with live action, cause of course cartoons are different by comparisons. But as far action sequences, his laser and lightsaber battles (as scope goes) are top notch. My favorites being Asajj Ventress fighting Anakin Skywalker through the forests and then the climax in the ruins. Be interesting to see what he has in store for Shellhead.
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Nick Paramonte
Nick’s Top 7 Scariest Movie Moments
Since this is the week of Halloween, I’ve come up with my list of creepy scenes in film over the years.
1. The Fly (1958) – “Help Me.”
I Hate Bugs. Had a bad experience with a jellow jacket, once. The moments from this B-Movie are of course, Bug POV, but the one that stands out the most is the ending.
While some find it funny, it still gives me the creeps, don’t know what’s more disturbing, the human insect screaming or the spider about to eat it’s prey.
What I did find humorous is The Inspector has the rock in his hands ready to crush it, but then waits for the exact moment when the spider starts to devour the Manfly’s head. I understand he was horrified like Vincent Price was (who wouldn’t be?), But still too convenient with the rock being in front of his foot.
Even though I’ve watch this scene recently to confront my fears, I couldn’t sleep one night in my room, I slept on couch instead, and dosed off playing my Ipod.
2. Robocop (1987) – Murphy’s Death
One of those instincts where it’s so disturbing I have to leave the room, I know it’s fake, but still Peter Weller’s body parts being blow off by machine guns and then getting shot over and over again, to end it with a bullet to head.
Another from this film would be Boddicker’s man, Antonosky coming out the truck filled with toxic waste as a howling mutant and getting hit by a Red Forman’s car.
3. Darkman (1990) – Westlake’s Death
First, the mutilation of character actor Liam Neeson in Sam Rami’s first superhero film of his creation is both unsettling and humorous at the same time with Westlake’s over the top expressions of pain.
Second, the carnival scene where Darkman breaks some shlub’s fingers and the girlfriend’s imitation of the Nazi officer staring at The Ark in horror from Raiders.
4. The Fly (1986) – Vomit Drops
A different level of creepy then the original, Jeff Goldblum’s body falling apart or Gina Davis’ nightmare of giving birth to a maget doesn’t bother me as much, but seeing him puke up acid does.
Best quote comes where Goldblum starts whispering to himself, “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, perhaps she’ll die.” One of his few stand out roles, the other being Dr. Malcolm from Jurassic Park:
5. Elm Street 4:Â The Dream Master (1988) – The Roach Motel
A Freddy Krugger kill that got stuck in my mind. Another case of humans turning into insects, first Debbie’s arms snap, revealing giant roach arms, trapped into a big bug trap, to full on cockroach, then…Squash.
Dream Child was my favorite, mainly because of comic book artist, Mark transforms into his superhero creation. Then Freddy turns into a mix between Superman and Black Adam, and lastly the likeable, strong willed character, Alice.
6. American Werewolf in London (1981) – Transformation Scene
Werewolves are my favorite monsters, but in John Landis’ film, I wouldn’t want to be one, going through massive body shifts from the bones to the face. Plus the undead never resting or shutting the hell up.
I’ll go through Lon Chaney Jr.’s transformation any night of the full moon.
7. Wizard of Oz (1939) – The Wicked Witch
Didn’t make the top 3 but the ugly harlet from the west is included, beats Maleficent of Sleepy Beauty out the park.
What’s there to say. She scared every child (including me) giving us nightmares for years after. After the accident where Margaret Hamilton got burned when she disappears after the classic “I’ll get you my pretty” phrase, she definitely tapped into her darker side when she came back to work.
That’s the end of the list folks, have a safe and Happy Halloween.
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