<–GIVEAWAY!!!!

It’s that magical time, the time when The Original Gentlemen gather, plan the political structure of the entire world, and reap the financial harvest from it… No, wait, that’s the Bilderberg Group, sorry, wrong conspiratorial organization.

Ahem.

It’s that magical time, the time when The Original Gentlemen gather, plan the obsessive geek structure of the entire world, and … and … well, not end up reaping a financial harvest so much as nurse a hangover the next day. Hey, it’s all worth it to Chris, Beau and Martin so they come back for more, as often as time permits.

And hey, this week, you even get a special guest: Harris! For those not in ‘the know’, Harris is formerly a regular cast member on the old Spill.com show The League of Ordinary Gentlemen, as well as being widely known these days under his pseudonym, Dr. Nerdlove.

So the upshot of all this is, it’s time to register your questions for the guys because they are suiting up for action. Leave them here in the comments and we’ll get to as many as we can.

Full disclosure, I really liked 300 when it was released what seems like forever ago, but that enjoyment has not held up over the years. Nearly a decade has passed since Zack Snyder’s film and this sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire, just kinda seems like a desperate Hail Mary at the end of the game as the studio hopes and prays it catches on. The trailer that has made its way online kind of solidified my indifference towards it – you can view it in all its “glory” below.

The problems are evident almost immediately. You will see that the trailer chooses to only highlight Snyder as the producer and makes no mention of the director. Obviously the studio hopes to capitalize on Snyder’s recent success with Man of Steel and with the previous 300 film. The film was directed by Noam Murro, who has next to nothing in his credits so it seems apparent the studio simply picked someone they knew would not fight them on any creative decisions and that they could just set in front of a camera and say, “Do what Zack did.” And do like Zack he did, as you will see nothing but tons of CGI (extremely unsightly CGI for the most part) and slow motion around every turn.

It certainly does look slick, that much I can say for it. By all accounts, from my viewing of the trailer it could easily be one of the best looking theatrical releases that should have been direct to video you will see – even with the sketchy CGI. Lena Headey returns and leads a cast of names that I can’t make heads or tails of besides maybe one other recognizable name in Eva Green. Everyone else just looks like nameless faceless hunks of meat being lead to slaughter, which is evident by the heavy use of huge CGI set piece battles on land and sea.

Bright colors, good looking people with lots of muscle and expensive looking fake CGI does not a good movie make. Based on the trailer if this movie was a baby toy, it would provide endless hours of entertainment to the infantile, but in my opinion adults will just be bored by every recycled element that 300: Rise of an Empire is trying to pass as innovation let alone entertainment. However, since I’m not the speaker for the mass collective of geeks out there I could easily be alone in my feelings.

What are your thoughts on the trailer for 300: Rise of an Empire? Were you excited to see a sequel in the first place? How has 300 held up for you over the last eight years? Am I just not seeing the genius in this trailer? Sound off in the comments below!

Via: YouTube

I was never allowed to have video games growing up. Let that sink in for a minute. A geek with no access to video games. Rough right?

My mom was a firm believer in the “go outside and play” method of child rearing, and in most ways this was a great thing. I was usually right there with her. I mean who wants to stay inside and play with dolls when there is a perfectly good tree outside waiting to be climbed?

But the one thing that always seemed so unfair to me as a kid was her absolute refusal to let me have video games. (Turns out this was great practice for my teenage years when EVERYTHING would be unfair.) I didn’t have Nintendo. No Gameboy either, despite being as annoying as humanly possible on road trips in the hope that she’d buy me one to shut me up. There were a few computer games eventually, but they were educational so we all know that doesn’t really count. The only time I ever got to play video games was when I went to the babysitter’s after school. Occasionally the boys would get distracted by something else for a few minutes and I’d get to play Duck Hunt.

I always told myself that when I was a grownup I’d play games all the time to make up for this incredibly unfair gap in my childhood. Unfortunately, it turns out that it is really REALLY hard to learn how to play video games as an adult. I don’t understand what the buttons do. I don’t know how to make my character do what I want it to do. And now that the games (and the graphics) have gotten so fantastically complex, I am way out of my league. (My very basic MarioKart skills acquired in the dorms at Purdue can’t help me much with Grand Theft Auto.) I didn’t get to grow up along with the games like so many of my friends did. I’ve had people try to teach me, but I can’t blame them when their patience quickly wears thin and they just want to get on with their game.

Despite my complete incompetence as a gamer, I still love them. I can watch someone else play for hours. To me, watching a game can be a lot like watching a movie that makes a little more sense. I think we all have our movie watching moments (usually in horror movies of course) when we can’t believe that any idiot would ever actually open that door. In a gaming experience, we’re the idiot, so we don’t open the door. (Or if we must, we do so with a weapon ready to bash the crap out of whatever is hiding there.) It’s refreshing to able to influence a story and have it end the way you think it should.

Deep down, I know there are many very happy and well-adjusted people that aren’t gamers. And this would all be fine if I wasn’t a total geek in all other aspects of my life. I can go to a Con and hang in just about any conversation about movies or TV or comic books or graphic novels. And then, just when I finally feel like I’ve impressed my new friend and convinced them that I’m more than just another chick looking for an excuse to dress like a slutty character for the weekend, the conversation inevitably shifts to video games and I’m lost. Suddenly they are looking at me like I’m one of the girls that just spent hours in line for the Twilight panel. The shame!

So you see, though I WANT to be a gamer, I’m afraid it’s too late for me. There’s no escape from the state the cruel and unusual punishment of my childhood has left me in. I will spend the rest of my life smiling and nodding and pretending to understand why this new Xbox is such a big deal.

So readers, anyone else have a hole in your geekdom that you’re ashamed of? Maybe you can’t keep your Marvel and DC heroes straight? Or there’s a classic movie that you never admit you haven’t seen (or didn’t like)? Please tell me I’m not alone in my shame!

Author

Okay, so it says week 6, but think of this as week 5.2. A continuation of last weeks beginnings. This week we turn our attention to act 2 of our growing horror story.

Now, whilst we look to act 2 if you haven’t started writing or want to back to last week for act 1 then by all means do so. Think of these three weeks as combined. Linked by a membrane of story.

So once again using The Script Labs break down of sequences for ease, we look at act 2;

ACT II

SEQUENCE THREE – First Obstacle & Raising the Stakes

The first OBSTACLE to the central character is faced, and the beginning of the elimination of the alternatives begins, often a time where EXPOSITION left over from ACT I is brought out. Since our character is locked into the situation and can’t simply walk away, the stakes are higher – there is a lot more to lose.

SEQUENCE FOUR – First Culmination/Midpoint

A higher OBSTACLE, the principle of RISING ACTION is brought in and builds to the FIRST CULMINATION, which usually parallels the RESOLUTION of the film. If the story is a tragedy and our hero dies, then the first culmination (or midpoint) should be a low point for our character. If, however, our hero wins in the end of the film, then sequence four should end with him winning in some way.

SEQUENCE FIVE – Subplot & Rising Action

The SECOND ACT SAG can set in at this point if we don’t have a strong SUBPLOT to take the ball for a while. We still want RISING ACTION, but we’re not ready for the MAIN CULMINATIONyet.

SEQUENCE SIX – Main Culmination/End of Act Two

The build-up to the MAIN CULMINATION – back to the main story line with a vengeance. The highest obstacle, the last alternative, the highest or lowest moment and the end of our main tension come at this point. But we get the first inklings of the new tension that will carry us through the third act.

Note: Since most midpoints and endings are paralleled, the PLOT POINT at the end of act two is usually at a polar opposite of those points. So if our hero wins at the midpoint and at the end of the film, then he usually has hir lowest point here.

So get writing once again. Feel free to write as much as possible. The more detail, the better. For those wishing to send anything through email (celtx and final draft can be a drag for those who use it) feel free to send ANYTHING to chris-harrison@outloook.com or as always, put it in the comments section.

Finally, as always, collaborate and share. Good luck.

After a two year hiatus, the rebooted Spider-Man is returning to take on a whole bunch of new threats for his second outing. Let’s join him by putting on our mechanical web shooters and blue & red underpants as we take a look at the trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

After the events of The Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is trying to get acclimated to his roles in life, both as the arachnid themed defender of New York City and as the boyfriend of his high school crush Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone). But Peter’s personal life has to take a back seat as a host of new villains have come out of the woodwork to endanger the lives of many a New Yorker, including Electro (Jamie Foxx), an electrical engineer at OsCorp turned electricity powered villain and The Rhino (Paul Giamatti), a Russian mobster with an apparent pension for giant robotic suits. However, as all of this goes on, Peter reconnects with his old friend Harry Osbourne (Dane DeHaan), who has returned to New York to take care of his ill father and OsCorp president Norman Osbourne (Chris Cooper), both of whom may have sinister intentions of their own. View the trailer below:

As one may be able to tell both from the description above and this trailer, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has A LOT of things going on. Parker’s personal life, two confirmed villains, introducing the Osbourne, a few hints at the likely presence of The Green Goblin, struggles to keep his relationship with Gwen afloat, etc. All of it seems a bit overwhelming, especially when introducing so many new villains and characters might end up putting the older characters’ development to the wayside. Unfortunately, the trailer seems to promote the idea that this Spider-Man flick will focus much more on the action than organic character development. And this is coming from someone who enjoyed the first Amazing Spider-Man, a film which many have argued wrecked the character of Peter Parker from the start of this reboot.

Now, I’m not saying there’s absolutely no forward momentum hinted within the trailer. I like the idea of exploring Peter’s father’s work for OsCorp, which is an improvement over the very small amount of information we previously had in the first film. The idea of Peter exploring his past sounds intriguing, but I still can’t help but shake the idea that it’ll be mostly put to the side in order to introduce all these other elements. There’s clearly a lot of Electro, whom puts his lighting powers and Emperor Palpatine-brand hoodie on full display as he reeks havoc on the city. There’s also a few brief shots of The Rhino on display, which mostly seems to be there to show off how much scenery Paul Giamatti can chew while trying to kill Spider-Man. So I wouldn’t be surprised if characters like Gwen and Aunt May were lost in the shuffle of explosions and character origins.

Then there’s the Osbournes. This is the first time this rebooted series has had deal with retooling a previously filmed villain and it seems as if they’re definitely changing things up… though whether or not it’s for the better is obviously up for debate. Given the shots in the trailer, it’s quite clear that Chris Cooper’s version of Norman won’t be the very animated slimy portrayal that Willem Dafoe displayed over a decade ago, to the point where he’s become a man on what looks to be his near deathbed. Now, while this is clearly trying to pick up on the whispers about Norman’s sickness that was mentioned in the previous film, it’s still disappointing to see the character be limited to bed rest.

Then there’s Harry, who’s apparently pre-existing friendship with Peter will probably be explored… at least until he becomes The Green Goblin, which is heavily implied through shots of him in the OsCorp suit riding a glider (and was revealed certain promotional material). Regardless of changing Harry into the first Goblin, the bigger issue at hand seems to be that they’ll likely rush Harry’s development in order to make him the Goblin, which might even tie into the theory that The Green Goblin will kill Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy in order to echo the death of Stacy from the landmark Spider-Man arc The Night Gwen Stacy Died. Given that we see a lot of Stacy in peril during the trailer, this wouldn’t surprise me. I just hope it doesn’t disappoint myself or any of the far more die hard Spider-Man comic fans out there by rushing such a monumental moment from the source material or even the death of a character in context of the film series.

But that’s just one man’s opinion. How do you feel about the trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2? Does it look like the superhero extravaganza that will kick off the summer of 2014 right or will it plummet to the ground like Peter with malfunctioning web shooters? Post your thoughts below!

Via YouTube

SAY WHAT!? I know what you’re thinking after reading that headline, “But the movie made almost no money when it was in theaters and how could a sequel be coming so quickly without any news on a sequel being filmed?” You’re correct, Dredd did not do gangbusters at the box office- to put it lightly- but it has however found quite the following since its DVD release. This unexpected surge in popularity since hitting DVD/Blu-ray led many to hope that a sequel would be given the green light and I guess those people did get their wish. One minor caveat: Dredd’s adventures will not continue on screen. The sequel is coming in comic book form.

That’s correct, rather than a big screen sequel to the 2012 film starring Karl Urban, Dredd: Underbelly will be published next month by 2000AD as a sequel storyline to the film. Underbelly will also be available for purchase for users who prefer to read their comics on Kindle, Nook and iPad devices. Another noteworthy piece of info regarding this release is that it will be 2000AD’s first ever U.S. release in comic book form.

2000AD is right up front with announcing this release as a means to capitalize on the growing awareness of Judge Dredd since the release of the film. Although a sequel in the form of a comic might not be what fans want, it at least keeps hope of a new film alive. There is currently no movement on a film sequel, but I’d say it’s at least a safe assumption that with the release of this new comic that, depending on it’s popularity, interest in a big screen adaptation could be revitalized.

I loved Dredd and as comic-ignorant (sadly) as I tend to be, I am really looking forward to checking out a continuation of the film’s story in any medium that I can. I too would probably prefer a sequel getting a green light, but I have quite a bit of confidence that we will see Judge Dredd on the big screen once again with Karl Urban reprising the role. However, I remain cautious about my hopes, lest I be made a fool and a Dredd sequel never comes to be.

What did you think of Dredd? Will you be purchasing Dredd: Underbelly? Are you still looking forward to a big screen sequel? Sound off below!

Via: THR

A rumor about the fate of the seventh film in the Fast & Furious franchise is now official. Universal is hitting the brakes on the production of Fast & Furious 7 after Paul Walker’s tragic death. The film has not been scrapped completely, but the production company as well as the cast, understandably want to put the film on hiatus in order to cope with the loss of their dear friend. It also will allow the studio to explore every option available to them in terms of how to proceed with the film in the wake of Walker’s untimely passing.

The sixth installment of the popular series is set to hit DVD and Blu-ray in the next week. Fast & Furious 6 has tallied a pretty hefty dollar amount in its life since release, so it is highly unlikely that the studio will abandon the series. Many stakeholders and fans view the delay as the best possible option and a necessary step, given how tragic Walker’s accident was. It has begged the question if the series will take more precautions in the future in regards to the insane stunts the films have become known for- even though the accident that took Walker’s life was not on set of the new film.

Walker was killed on December 2nd in a single vehicle accident from “traumatic” injuries sustained from the accident including severe burn injuries from the subsequent explosion from the car and resulting fire. The Fast & Furious franchise is known for its elaborate car chase sequences and daredevil stunts which are dangerous in almost any form, but the accident has undoubtedly cast a shadow on the safety of everyone involved. Safety issues as well as how to handle Brian O’Conner’s (Walker’s character from the franchise) departure from the central characters are likely going to be key talking points for the studio moving forward after this incident.

Universal plans to keep fans as up to date as possible in regard to if and when the production will kick back up, but for the time being they are focused on facilitating the healing process for family and friends of Walker. Keep your eyes peeled for news about Fast & Furious 7 as details become available.

What are your thoughts on the Fast & Furious franchise? How do you think the studio should proceed following Walker’s passing? Sound off below!

Via: Variety

I like to keep an eye on talent in wrestling promotions outside of the big two shows: WWE and TNA. For quite some time now, the one that has stood out the most is the current Ring of Honor world champion Adam Cole. This guy has stood up and made the world take notice. I just wonder if WWE and/or TNA have taken notice as well. If that’s the case, would it be in Cole’s best interest to make the jump, or would it be to his detriment?

I despise the term “total package” (which may stem from my loathing of Lex Luger), but Cole fits the bill. This guy has the look, not just of a superstar, but of a main event superstar. He has a complete repertoire, from a technical ground game to high flying when need be. Most importantly, he can work the microphone like no other, something rare in a post-CM Punk/Bryan Danielson/Samoa Joe Ring of Honor. Going over on Michael Elgin on September 20^th, in the finals of a sixteen man tournament gave just that little extra bit of legitimacy and gravitas to Cole’s win and was the right decision by the bookers/creative. But a question they all must ask, Cole included, where does he go from here?

He’s had two amazing title defenses against Mark Briscoe and Roderick Strong and is slated to return to his old stomping grounds, PWG, to defend that title against Chris Hero. This is by far an internet fanboy’s dream match. But the call is bound to come soon, most likely from TNA first. Cole fits the mold of the majority of their long term workers (AJ Styles, Austin Aries, and Chris Sabin). He could easily fit into their X-Division, or even compete for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The WWE is a less likely potential employer, but not out of the question. Recent pushes to superstars like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Cody Rhodes, superstars that don’t fit the muscle-bound gladiator physique with which Vince McMahon has such an obsession, have been a breath of fresh air. Cole could easily slide in and make a splash in the mid-card and right out of the gate, score an Intercontinental or United States Championship win. This is being optimistic though. We have seen, time and time again, what happens to amazing talent when they get to the big two. Do names like Tazz, Perry Saturn, Ultimo Dragon, Matt Morgan or Colt Cabana ring any bells?

I wish nothing but success to Austin Jenkins (Cole’s real name). He’s clearly got all the tools to be a top star in any company he’s working for. Let’s just hope he hears that from upper management if he decides to make the jump to the big leagues. I’d hate for the more likely scenario to unfold. After six months time of being saddled with a crappy gimmick thought of by (un)creative, he’ll hear the most dreaded seven words that a professional wrestler can hear, “Best of luck with your future endeavors.”

Big news on the Man of Steel/Batman vs. Superman front! It has been reported Wonder Woman will indeed appear in the film and she has been cast. Actress, model, and former Israeli soldier Gal Gadot will portray the third member of DC Comics’ triumvirate in the character’s first movie appearance.

Gadot’s resume includes two films in the Fast and Furious franchise and two 2010 films, Knight and Day and Date Night. While her acting career is not particularly extensive, there is evidence to suggest she possesses the physicality required to adequately portray the Amazonian warrior princess. Gadot was born in Israel and joined the Israeli army, the Israeli Defense Forces, at 20 years old. Furthermore, she served as a sports trainer during her two-year term in the IDF. It is likely that her military experience contributed to her success in scoring this coveted role. Director Zack Snyder had this to say about Gadot’s selection:

Wonder Woman is arguably one of the most powerful female characters of all time and a fan favorite in the DC Universe. Not only is Gal an amazing actress, but she also has that magical quality that makes her perfect for the role. We look forward to audiences discovering Gal in the first feature film incarnation of this beloved character.

I have to hand it to Warner Bros., picking Gadot to portray Wonder Woman is a brilliant move. Executives have been wringing their hands and worrying about this character’s debut on the silver screen (a bit too much, in my opinion) for years. Gadot’s diverse and unorthodox background provides a number of attributes that safely account for any complaints or excuses that could hinder Woman Woman’s appearance in Batman vs. Superman.

I am especially pleased that they opted to pick someone who can fight and likely has some experience in an actual combat scenario over anything else. There are plenty of other actresses that have more experience than Gadot, but Wonder Woman’s penchant for combat and aptitude for warfare are among her most distinctive features. Given that this is her first appearance in a movie, it is important to emphasize Diana’s fighting prowess early on and demonstrate it well. WB was wise to look to the IDF, one of the fiercest armies in the entire world, for a battle-tested actress up to this task.

I can only hope that the material she has to work with allows her to succeed in the role. After all, Zack Snyder and David S. Goyer are still the creative engines behind this project and their previous efforts brought us Man of Steel, one DC’s most polarizing films. Pessimism aside, Gadot’s addition is the first piece of news that has me excited for this film. I didn’t know it, but she’s the Gadot I’ve been waiting for this entire time!

What say you, Us Nation? Does Gadot’s inclusion positively influence your expectations for Batman vs. Superman? Is there someone you believe would make a better choice? Let us know in the comments!

Via Deadline and Entertainment Weekly