Tag: Reviews

MCDAVE’s Top 10 Films Of 2019!

by MCDave

Honorable Mentions: Parasite, Ready or Not, 1917, Long Shot, The Irishman, Fighting with My Family and Marriage Story

10. Knives Out

Rian Johnson follows up his polarizing Star Wars entry, The Last Jedi, with the clever and unpredictable whodunit film, Knives Out. When the acclaimed murder-mystery author, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), is found dead the morning after his 85th birthday party, eccentric Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) begins to question if this apparent suicide is actually murder. Knives Out boasts a fantastic ensemble and a terrific script that turns the traditional mystery on its side and provides a bold and fresh take on this classic genre.

9. Uncut Gems

Benny and Josh Safdie’s insanely intense thriller, Uncut Gems, was the last movie I saw this year and I also have a strong feeling it may be the most memorable. Adam Sandler stars as Howard Ratner, a jeweler in New York City whose reckless gambling habits have put him in deep with bookies all over the city. My blood pressure was through the roof while watching this film, an experience I’ll never forget. And it all builds to an explosive finale that will completely blow your mind. Adam Sandler is the star of the show here and he gives a career-best performance in one of the year’s most unforgettable movie-theater experiences. 

8. The Peanut Butter Falcon

There’s so much heart and soul poured into Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s SXSW hit, The Peanut Butter Falcon, it’s impossible not to enjoy the film. Zak is a twenty-something man with down syndrome who dreams of being a professional wrestler and is being held against his will at a state-run retirement home. After Zak breaks out of the facility, he runs into Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) and they go on a Mark Twain-esque journey to a wrestling camp in North Carolina. This buddy comedy goes far beyond its laughs and tells a truly human story that shouldn’t be missed. 

7. Avengers: Endgame

Marvel’s epic saga comes to a close in Endgame, a box office smash and massively-adored film that certainly needs no introduction. They get so much right by using a time travel story to take the audience on a journey back to signature moments in the MCU’s history, all while tying a beautiful bow on the first wave of Marvel’s Avengers. Key characters all had their swan songs properly handled and Endgame can easily be summed up with these two words; completely satisfying!

6. Ford v Ferrari

If there’s a problem with James Mangold’s full throttle historical drama, Ford v Ferrari, it’s that the film feels to formulaic and purposely sculpted into an Oscar contender. But still, inside all of that artificial exterior rests a gripping story and interesting characters that make this awards season contender a worthy competitor. The film follows car designer, Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), who’s summoned by Ford to make and build a car fast enough to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Ford v Ferrari unexpectedly morphs into an anti-establishment drama that really resonates well from that angle, and one that stands among 2019’s finest films.

5. The Two Popes

Much has been made about Netflix’s two big Oscar contenders, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, but I’ll go out on a limb and argue that their most recent release, The Two Popes, is actually better than both of them. Fernando Meirelles’ comedic fictional meeting between Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and then-Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), the current Popes Francis, is a true showcase for these two veteran actors. They put on an absolute display courtesy of Anthony McCarten’s brilliant screenplay, one that’s heavy in dialogue and substance all while keeping a comedic energy alive and well. It’s sad to know that the whole film is essentially fabricated, but it’s a wonderful way to pretend how history went down.

4. Once Upon a Time … In Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino continues his dominance with another example of robust characters, smooth dialogue and handfuls of iconic moments. Once Upon a Time travels back to 1969 Los Angeles, where washed-up TV actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stunt double, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), find themselves on the outside looking in at an industry they can hardly recognize. Thankfully, their neighbors are rising stars Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), so perhaps fate could intervene on Rick’s behalf. But as we all know, the Manson Family Cult has different plans in mind. Once Upon a Time comes with its lulls, but there’s enough strong acting, sharp direction and witty dialogue to carry you through the tough times and to the film’s epic, must-see conclusion.

3. Midsommar

Ari Aster amazed me with last year’s Hereditary and blew my mind even more with his latest work, Midsommar. The film follows a group of friends who travel to Sweden with a foreign classmate who wants them all to experience his community’s annual Midsommar festivities. But what begins as a silly and harmless event, slowly transforms into a hellish nightmare for these outsiders. Florence Pugh’s character drives the entire film and her tale of sweet seduction is masterfully captured by Aster. Midsommar is without a doubt a polarizing film, and one I wouldn’t recommend to everyone. The film runs long and with a simmering pace, but the detail and artistry behind every frame is truly magnificent and why I’m completely enamored by this young and brilliant filmmaker.

2. Joker

In the lead-up to its early October release, I just kept trying to temper my expectations for Todd Phillips’ Joker. Then word spread of an eight-minute standing ovation following its world premiere, and headlines about the film’s violence and disturbing look at mental illness turned Joker into 2019’s biggest cinematic spectacle. But through all of the hype and debate, Todd Phillips delivers a phenomenal piece of filmmaking. Everything begins and ends with Joaquin Phoenix’s hypnotic interpretation of the title character. Yet, even beyond his Oscar-bound performance, Joker boasts a meticulous script, stunning cinematography, and a perfectly constructed score from composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Full disclosure, there’s some ambiguity looming over the film, and I’ve convinced myself that I’m better off enjoying the experience rather than over-analyzing everything. Just sit back and enjoy this dark and gritty spiral into madness as one of the world’s greatest villains is born.

1. Jojo Rabbit

It’s surprising to look back and recognize how many strong films were released in 2019, but none had the same impact on me as Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. There’s a large faction of people who will simply refuse to watch the film because it pokes fun at the ridiculous nature of fanaticism with a backdrop set in Nazi Germany during the closing stages of World War II. Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a 10-year-old boy who dreams of being a great Nazi soldier and his most trusted companion is his imaginary friend, Adolph Hitler (played by Waititi). Jojo thinks he has a pretty good understanding of the world until the day he discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is harboring a Jewish teenager named Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie) and things begin to get a lot more complicated. There’s a beautiful story nestled inside of this relatively short (about an hour and 45 minutes) and briskly-paced dramatic satire. The two young actors, David and McKenzie, stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Academy Award Winner, Sam Rockwell, and the always great Scarlett Johansson. Jojo Rabbit is hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, and just about everything you could ever want in a movie.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Major Crimes’ Season 6 Premiere

by Alexandra Gallarza

The sixth and final season of TNT’s Major Crimes kicked off on Tuesday night. While there were no goblins or ghouls lurking around the squad room, there was plenty to be scared of.

The ‘Sanctuary City’ arc starts when three boys go missing from a school field trip. Each of them are considered critically missing for one reason or another. The need to find these boys is magnified when their personal lives begin to be investigated by the Major Crimes Division. It’s a race against the clock and by the end of first part of this story arc, the fate of one of these ‘St. Joseph’s Three’ is revealed.

The theme of this arc is Faith. Faith is tested when the boys, who are missing from a Catholic School, and the team wonders what makes it a Major Crime. A question that is answered week after week. The parents put their faith into the Major Crimes team to find their sons. The team puts their faith in each other to do their jobs and set their personal beliefs aside.

While the ‘Saint Joseph Three’ are the main focus of this first arc, the imminent return of serial killer Phillip Stroh, played by Billy Burke, is set into motion. In this week’s episode, Andrea Hobbs (Kathe Mazur), the Deputy District Attorney tells Sharon (Mary McDonnell) about a new pattern that has come to light. Hobbs proposes precautions that would keep Sharon’s adoptive son Rusty (Graham Patrick Martin), and other potential victim’s safe. Despite being the primary witness in the Stroh case, Rusty is apprehensive about the idea proposed and as Sharon tries to present the facts to him, the moment is interrupted with a break in the case.

Joining the cast and crew is Jessica Meraz, who plays Detective Camila Paige. Detective Page has transferred to Major Crimes after working with Assistant Chief Leo Mason (Leonard Roberts). Roberts is back as Leo Mason, the newly appointed Assistant Chief. While Roberts is not new, his character is new to the job. Roberts does an excellent job at showing the ups and downs that Mason has with the position.

Be sure to check out the next installment of Sanctuary City and to see what unfolds in the case of the ‘Saint Joseph Three.”

Major Crimes airs every Tuesday at 9EST/8CST on TNT. Take a look at the trailer for the season below.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ Vol. 2 By Akira Himekawa

by Natalie Kipper

We return to the Twilight Realm in the second volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa, published by VIZ Media. I loved the first volume and was very excited to get my paws on this one. Volume One left off at a pivotal point in the game, Link’s transformation into a wolf, and I wanted to see what happened next.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

I think those who have beaten the game that the manga was based on will appreciate the different points of view the manga offers. We get to see certain parts of the story from Zelda’s, Midna’s, and even Ilia’s perspectives. And I know that I have said this in my previous review but I love that Link talks! Through his dialogue, we see more into his backstory and personality. Gamers are used to Link being a silent protagonist and I found this change to be refreshing.

The plot in this volume moves at a steady pace. My single complaint with the previous book was that it took a while to get going, plot-wise. This is no longer an issue, thankfully.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

Beyond the intriguing story, Twilight Princess excels at its action scenes. It feels like you are playing out a battle in a game. I found myself holding my breath during Link’s fight with Diababa towards the end of the volume!

I can tell that that a lot of care was put into this series’ art. Every page oozes with detail, especially in the backgrounds and character’s clothing. The shading also does a great job of highlighting the contrast between Hyrule and the shadowy Twilight Realm.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

I am pleased to say that Volume Two of Twilight Princess continues to impress. The art suited the mood perfectly and the story kept me hooked. Like its predecessor, I give The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Volume Two a 5 out of 5. I can’t wait for the story to continue in volume three!

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: Build-A-Bear Workshop’s Squirtle Plush Set

by Natalie Kipper

When I first popped that Pokémon Blue cartridge into my Gameboy Color all those years ago, I chose the water-type Squirtle as my starter. So when I heard that Build-A-Bear Workshop was including this tiny turtle Pokémon in their line of customizable plushes, my hopes were set pretty high and for the most part, they were met.

One of the differences between Squirtle and the previous Pokémon plushes released by Build-A-Bear are the variety of textures found on the plush itself. Squirtle has three different textures on its body. The softest are the blue parts on its face, tail, and limbs. They are so fun to pet! The yellow part of the underside of the its shell (found on the plush’s front) feels almost like velvet. Finally the brown, backside of its shell is a cheap-feeling, rough material.

Like Build-A-Bear’s Charmander set, Squirtle’s online exclusive bundle includes a sound box set inside one of its paws, under the Build-A-Bear patch. And like I said in my review of Charmander, they should have opted for the monster’s in-game sounds rather than those from the dubbed anime. They come out weird-sounding and not at all cute.

Fun fact: Squirtle’s tail props the plush upright quite well. Also, the rain slicker that is included with the online exclusive set is adorable and definitely my favorite item of Pokémon-themed clothing the store has released so far. It is brilliant that they chose to release it with a water-type, too!

The slicker is made of a pliable vinyl material, with Pokéballs printed all over it. It also features the Pokémon logo on one of the pockets.

The other clothing item included in the set was the Ultra Ball hoodie. This one is also available to purchase separately in stores. It didn’t have as much character as the rain slicker but I liked the soft feel of the jersey-like fabric.

Besides the creepy voice box, the only real issue I had with this plush was in the quality control department. I spotted two noticeable manufacturing errors that knocked my opinion of the plush down a notch.

This first mess-up was in the swirly part of the tail. It looks like the sewing machine got jammed, leading to a cluster of loose loops of thread. I don’t think it will effect the integrity of the seam but it is unsightly and I am concerned about it getting on the velcro from the toy’s outfits.

I spotted the second mistake as soon as I took my Squirtle out of its box. The embroidery around the left eye is sloppily done and has some stray stitching just below it. Of the two errors, it is the less irksome but it bothers me that they exist at all.

Every Squirtle purchased, whether online or in-store, comes with an exclusive Pokémon TCG promo card. While I don’t play the card game, I do appreciate the artwork and think it is a cool bonus for fans.

The online exclusive Squirtle set earns a 4 out of 5 rating. The design was well-done and I liked that the tail doubled as a stand. The only problems with were the disturbing voice box and manufacturing errors. Beyond that, this is a fun plush that I can see fans enjoying.

[This review is based on a sample provided by Build-A-Bear Workshop. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: ‘One-Punch Man’ Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack

by Natalie Kipper

The anime One-Punch Man was released on DVD and Blu-Ray recently, and I was given the chance to experience the show by way of the Blu-Ray/DVD combo set. I know that the series has many, many fans, but unfortunately, I am not one of them. I can see that the show has its merits, but it just didn’t grab me. I must not be the target audience or something.

The premise of One-Punch Man is promising enough. It follows the trials of Saitama, a man who became a hero for fun. After taking on a special training regimen, he became so strong that he could defeat any foe with a single hit.

©ONE, Yusuke Murata/SHUEISHA, Hero Association HQ

The show has a wealth of fight scenes and thankfully, they are well-animated. Unfortunately, outside of those scenes, the show was moderately plain. One-Punch Man is billed as an action/comedy, but the humor just falls flat despite the majority of the show attempting to prove it can get laughs. While it might just be a case of the humor being lost in translation, plenty of the jokes are visual, so I don’t think that is it.

©ONE, Yusuke Murata/SHUEISHA, Hero Association HQ

In my opinion, the show had a case of confused identity. I think if it focused solely on the action aspect, I would have liked it a whole lot more. The constant switching between serious and comedic tones was not only jarring but also after a while, a bit annoying.

I am sorry to say that in my book, One-Punch Man gets a 1 out of 5. I understand that despite my dislike for this series, it is much beloved by fans all around the world. I don’t know what I am not seeing that others found enjoyable.

Speaking of fans, the California-based punk rock band, Guns of Eden, liked the show so much that they created a musical tribute to it. You can view it below.

[This review is based on a sample provided by VIZ Media. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: Satoru Noda’s ‘Golden Kamuy’ Vol.1

by Natalie Kipper

Satoru Noda’s Golden Kamuy reminded me of one of those old American Westerns. The main character, Saichi “Immortal” Sugimoto is a veteran of the Russo-Japanese war,  trying to find a cache of gold that was hidden by a mysterious outlaw. He is joined by the young girl, Asirpa, a member of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people. The pair’s dynamic is fun to observe and brings a lot to the flavor of the manga.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

There is a plenty of action contained within these pages, much of which includes projectile weapons of some variety. Noda does a great job of mixing up the battle scenarios so each skirmish feels unique.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

One of the highlights for me was the focus on Ainu culture. Over the course of the first volume, Asirpa teaches Saichi about the equipment used for hunting, survival skills, and even cooking. The segment with Asirpa and Saichi cooking squirrel was particularly amusing. There is also use of Ainu words in some of the dialogue. It added a sense of authenticity to Asirpa’s character.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

The story so far is mostly set in the snowy mountains of Hokkaido and, after reading, I got the sense that the author must have had some experience surviving outdoor cold weather conditions. It wasn’t just the characters’ expressions (although those were fantastic – I got cold just looking at them!) but also the methods they used in various situations, like building an emergency fire for warmth. I don’t want to spoil how they went about starting the fire because it was brilliant.

The character art is relatively simple, with a clean look that is pleasing to the eye. It is in the landscapes and portrayal of animals that this artist really shines. The mother bear and cub that Saichi encounters early on are a perfect example of that.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

I give volume one of Golden Kamuy a solid 5 out of 5. The story and setting are one that aren’t usually touched upon in this entertainment form and Satoru Noda does a phenomenal job keeping the reader engaged. If you are looking for a great shōnen manga that doesn’t involve ninjas or alien warriors, I highly recommend you give Golden Kamuy a look.

GOLDEN KAMUY © 2014 by Satoru Noda/SHUEISHA Inc.

[This review is based on a sample provided by VIZ Media. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: ThinkGeek’s Reptar Back Buddy Backpack

by Natalie Kipper

I may have mainly grown up on Disney but that doesn’t mean I didn’t also occasionally enjoy other entertainment venues, like Nickelodeon, in my youth. And I know I am not alone. Those of us who watched the network’s cartoon Rugrats, in the 90’s are sure to be thrilled that the good people at ThinkGeek recently listed a store-exclusive Reptar Back Buddy Backpack ($39.99) on their site. Reptar the dinosaur was one of the the show’s made-up media icons, featured on cereal boxes and chocolate bars as well as in toy aisles and even his own ice skating show.

Here is the fantastic beast in all his backpack-y glory! Reptar measures 20 inches tall and 16 and a half inches long (including the tail). And there is no need for you to be concerned about the bag’s arm straps being too short. They are extendable enough to fit most adults, even larger ones.

Just in case you forgot which network was home to Reptar and his Rugrats friends, there was a colorful glossy tag attached to his left claw to remind you.

Here is a view of Reptar’s left side (the right side can be seen in the header image). This plush backpack is so downy soft that even the felt of his teeth are a tactile delight. Reptar’s “body” is ever-so-slightly under-stuffed, most likely to help accommodate the storage of more items. A bonus side effect of this is that he is super-squishy and a treat to hug. On the off chance you prefer your dinosaurs to be more tightly-stuffed, add some items into the zippered compartment in his back and you are good to go.

The blue spines on Reptar’s back are soft as well. I suspect that is why some of them have a tendency to flop over if left unattended. If you plan to wear this backpack in a busy place, like a con or a mall, be aware that the tail does extend outward and that is something that you should keep in mind when maneuvering down aisles or through crowds.

This is the position of the backpack’s straps. I didn’t have any problem with the straps getting twists while in use but after I have noticed it happening after a cuddling session or two. Thankfully, it can be easily remedied. The straps themselves are soft and non-abrasive – something I was concerned about when I saw the picture of them online.

A typical problem with plush backpacks are their lack of storage capacity. This issue is surprisingly nonexistent when it comes to the Reptar Backpack, however. The zippered compartment, found on the dinosaur’s back, opens wide and can hold a ton.

How much is “a ton?” Well, I successfully toted around an iPad Mini 2, wallet and keys, earbuds, infinity scarf, fingerless gloves, and sundries bag (which, as you can see, is about the same size as the iPad Mini 2 –  a smidgen bigger than 8 inches by five inches). Oh, and my iPhone S. That isn’t in the picture because I used it to take the photos for this review.

This backpack has only one flaw, albeit a minor one. After one day’s use, some of the paint on the zipper was already starting to wear off. This is purely cosmetic and hardly noticeable unless under intense scrutiny but still something that should be noted.

I had so much fun with this Reptar Back Buddy Backpack. I even received several compliments walking around with him (five in the span of one afternoon!). Plus, he is just a great travel buddy, even doubling as a cushion during waiting room visits. I award this wearable piece of nostalgia a 5 out of 5.

[This review is based on a sample provided by ThinkGeek. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Star Wars Even More Crochet’ By Lucy Collin

by Natalie Kipper

With Star Wars being all the rage, now is the perfect time to review Lucy Collin’s crochet kit, Star Wars Even More Crochet. The kit is a sequel of sorts to the popular Star Wars Crochet, which was released in 2015. And while the original kit was dedicated strictly to the classic trilogy, this new release features a mix of characters from the original films as well as those found in The Force Awakens.

The box containing the goods is quite fun by itself, with color photos of the amigurumi (crochet dolls) from the pattern book. Characters can be found not only on the front and back of the box but also two of the sides, giving it a festive air.

Found in the enclosed book are patterns for a Jawa, BB-8, Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, Kylo Ren, Obi-wan Kenobi, Lando Calrissian, Admiral Akbar, Nien Nunb, the four members of the Cantina band, and Greedo.

The kit includes the materials needed to make a Jawa and BB-8, even safety eyes and stuffing.

Sounds great, right? And it is, in theory. However, I encountered several issues with the yarn and the hook. For starters, two important things to keep in mind when crocheting amigurumi is that your gauge is tight enough to keep the stuffing from showing through and that the yarn weights are the same. I noticed right off that the weight for the black and brown yarns for the Jawa were different. I ended up using some yarn from my stash instead (both chosen were worsted weight).

Next off, the crochet hook provided was crooked when I took it out of the box (you can’t tell in the photo because it is facing up). And while the hook was still usable, I did find it very uncomfortable to hold after more than 20 minutes.


It is a shame about the pack-ins because the book for the most part is great. The patterns were well-written and I did not encounter any errors. The only problem was the Techniques and Terminology section, which gives a rundown on the different stitches found in the patterns. I have been crocheting a long time and thankfully knew how to do all of the required stitches already but even I was confused by some of the diagrams used in that section. If you know what you are looking at, you eventually have a moment of “I see what you did there” but I can’t see it being of any help to someone unfamiliar with the techniques. I guess that is where Youtub comes to the rescue.

Here is my finished project, Martini the Jawa. He didn’t take long to make. I did have the split the crochet sessions into bits because my hand really did not like working with that bent hook. But all told, I estimate it took me between two to two and a half hours to finish. Not bad at all.

I am going to give the kit as a whole a 2 out of 5. For $24.99, it should come with usable supplies. The pattern book on its own earns a 4 out of 5. The patterns are relatively simple with a great blend of characters from the series’ past and present. The only problem was the not-helpful Techniques section. Other than that, it was super fun.

[This review is based on a sample provided by Thunder Bay Press. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess’ Vol. 1

by Natalie Kipper

I know many of you are up to your pointy ears immersing yourselves in the world of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but even when you take a breather, you can still stay connected to the history of the series with VIZ Media’s new manga, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess by Akira Himekawa. The first volume hit shelves March 14 but Geekscape was fortunate to get an early copy.

Truth be told, I never got very far in this entry in the series when it was on consoles (and what I did experience, I don’t really remember) so I was extra-excited to finally progress through the story. And what a story it is! If you played the game in either its Gamecube, Wii, or Wii U forms than the overall plot should be familiar but, guys, Link talks in the manga! That alone should be a reason to at least give it a look.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

If you are like me and did not experience the story prior to the manga, here is a brief run-down. The story opens on a mysterious kingdom, The Twilight Realm, and its ruler, the Twilight Princess Midna. After a cruel betrayal by the old Twilight Realm king’s advisor, Zant, the scene switches over to Link, who leads a peaceful life in the idyllic Ordon Village. A good portion of the first volume is dedicated to Link’s interactions with Ordon Village’s residents and does a great job of fleshing out Link as a character. The world of the Twilight Realm and that of Ordon Village only start to clash near the end of volume one.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo. ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

The art is drawn beautifully. I liked how the Twilight Realm had a lot of dark tones and shading while scenes in Ordon Village had a lighter palate. It helped set a contrast between the two locales. The art style is more realistic than previous Zelda manga which had a more cartoon-y vibe. Some of the monsters were a bit on the freaky side and there is graphic violence included (it isn’t awful but more than I was anticipating). I can see why this was rated “T for Teen.”

The one gripe that I can see some people having with this one is the pacing. If you were looking for an intense, action-heavy first volume, you find yourself slightly disappointed. There is plenty of action at the end but it isn’t consistent throughout. It personally didn’t bother me. It actually made it feel more like a video game somehow, with a slow build to the character heeding the call to be a hero.

TM & © 2017 Nintendo.
ZELDA NO DENSETSU TWILIGHT PRINCESS © 2016 Akira HIMEKAWA/SHOGAKUKAN

I loved this first volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and bestow unto it a 5 out of 5. If the rest of the manga is anything like this first book, I would say we have a real winner on our hands. Gamers and fantasy fans alike will find an thoroughly engrossing story and one that I look forward to continuing.

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition’ By Junji Ito

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

Master of horror, manga-ka Junji Ito, known for the manga series Uzumaki and Gyo, plies his trade once again with the haunting Tomie. This book is rated “T+” for Older Teens and with good reason. The stories contained within stick with you long after the book is closed.

tomie-review-page-119
© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

The chapters might be considered a series of separate incidents if not for Tomie’s appearance in all of them. And just who is Tomie? She is a young lady with the supernatural ability to charm men into a murderous rampage and, even though she is usually one of the victims, Tomie always comes back (and often in bizarre, almost nauseating, ways). Her ability to regenerate tends to lead to a sort of anxiety for the reader because even though a character may feel relief that Tomie is “dead,” we know better.

tomie-review-page-145
© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Ito’s art style lends itself to the well to the story. The images can be quite grotesque, as well they should be. Even the relatively “normal” scenes are a bit unsettling. I chalk it up to the expert use of light and shadow.

The English translation is superb. The dialogue is genuinely disconcerting. Just about every line feels weighted with a sense of foreboding. I appreciate the ability to carry over that emotion from language to language.

tomie-review-page-31
© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

I will be honest, Tomie isn’t the sort of book I would choose to read. Horror is not a genre I particularly care for. I do, however, acknowledge that this title does an excellent job of what it sets out to do: spook the reader. I am still legitimately freaked out from reading this. Between the art style, the well-done translation, and the overall creepiness of the stories themselves, Tomie is a horror fan’s dream (nightmare?) come true, earning it a 5 out of 5.

tomie-review-page-242
© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Junji Ito’s Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition releases December 20 in hardcover print for $34.99 as well as digitally on the Viz Manga app and Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores.

Geekscape Unboxes: November 2016’s Wizarding World Crate Presented By Loot Crate!

by Natalie Kipper

Thanks to our friends at Loot Crate, I was able to open a box that may very well be the closest thing that I will get to a Hogwarts admission letter: The Wizarding World Crate! This subscription box is packed with goodies inspired by the magical creations of J.K. Rowling, specifically Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. November 2016 marked the launch of this particular subscription series. Let’s have a look!

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As unassuming as the outside of the box is, there is still a hint of the magic within. In order to open the crate, you need to break a seal that reads “Muggle Worthy.” Pop open the hood and you are greeted with “I want to be a wizard” printed on the inside.

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Much like the posters found in the Loot Anime crates, there was a scroll included that detailed the items found within this shipment. I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that went into such a tiny part of the package. When you first find it, it is rolled up with a sticker “seal” on it. Touches like this add to the feel that this box truly came from another world.

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What is a wizard without their owl? Included in this crate was a Pigwidgeon Owl plush. He is soft and well-made. I also appreciated the Harry Potter-licensed tush tag. If you must know, I named mine Archimedes.

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Speaking of owls, also found within was a rather hefty keychain depicting a letter from Hogwarts (I guess I did get one, didn’t I?) and an owl. There is also leather tassel to make it all fancy-like. Flip the letter charm over and it has the Harry Potter logo.

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hit theaters this month so it makes sense that the majority of the items be related it. Perhaps the most eye-catching is the shirt, which has the front page from the wizard publication, The New York Ghost. The amount of detail put into the image is surprising. I could tell a lot of time went into the design.

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One of the fancier items was a MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) journal. The pages are unlined with gold leaf around the edges. The very last page has an interesting image that appears to be a map of the United States with spell hotspots. The picture reads “Real Time Hex Indicator.” This was a special touch that I felt added more authenticity to the item.

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If you have ever been to a convention (or a Hot Topic, for that matter), you know that Funko POP! figures are kind of a big deal to many collectors. In this box, you have a chance of getting one of five Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them POP!’s: Newt Scamander, Tina Goldstein, the Niffler, Albus Dumbledore, or Jacob Kowalski. My package included Tina Goldstein. I will note that paint job on mine got a little sloppy near the wand, with some of the skin tone color making on to the wand portion.

I actually think this is the least interesting of the items included in the crate. There isn’t much to POP!’s in terms of design and they can easily be found in other stores.

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The final item is the Bowtruckle lapel pin. The accessory depicts Newt Scamander’s Bowtruckle, Pickett, peeking out from a pocket, as it does in the new movie. The pin itself has a good weight to it and seems to be of good quality.

Loot Crate’s Wizarding World Crate surpassed my expectations. The thoughtful collection of items were fun to open and I loved that each part truly felt tied to J.K. Rowling’s works. I whole-heartedly recommend this crate to anyone looking for a touch of magic in their lives!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Reviews: Netflix’ ‘The Crown’

by Alexandra Gallarza

There is something mesmerizing about the Royal Family. They have not been strangers to the media of the 21st century and many people find them interesting. One can compare the First Family of the United States to the Royal Family. The difference is, the first family of the United States changes every four to eight years. The Monarch remains the same until the reigning Monarch passes away and the Crown is passed.

Netflix’s The Crown takes us through the years of 1947-1956. Despite knowing what happens next, the 10 episode series makes the audience wonder what exactly happens next. In a world of spoilers, this show was spoiled by history. Yet, that didn’t seem to matter in the way this show colored in the black and white history.

the-crown-netflixThere is always talk of chemistry between actors. Does it work? If it doesn’t, does it transpire on screen? For that of Matt Smith and Claire Foy, the relationship between Philip and Elizabeth, there is some strain. Their relationship is almost awkward to watch. But that awkwardness and strain is needed. At the beginning of the series, Elizabeth is 21 and Philip is 26 – a five year difference. What a lot of people don’t know is that Elizabeth was 13 when she first developed her crush on the Prince and it was her father who made her wait until her 21st birthday to marry.

Claire Foy brings an innocence to Elizabeth at the beginning of her reign and she slowly gets stronger, more sure, of herself as the years go on. Matt Smith brings the unhappiness of a husband who thinks his wife has become the Crown and all that comes with it instead of the woman he married. Clair Foy shows the struggle Elizabeth has from not getting swallowed by the rules of the Monarchy and tries to be herself. Together they have a very tumultuous relationship and it shows.

While more things could be said about the acting of the title characters of the show, many more things can be said about John Lithgow’s portrayal of Winston Churchill. From our history books, we know he was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice. In the portrayal by Lithgow, Winston Churchill seemed very much of a curmudgeon. Very unhappy with life. But that might have been age. He was 70 years old the second time he became Prime Minister. There are moments when you feel for Winston Churchill, despite what history has told us of him. One can even argue that Mr. Lithgow’s performance may reward him with an Emmy Nomination and possible win.

Before her father’s death Elizabeth and Philip take a world tour and the sweeping shots of the countries they visit are extraordinary. There were elements that were used to make the scenery seem authentic. In partner ship with the scenery are the costumes. Period pieces are always difficult to make and seem authentic. These costumes are gorgeous – it is evident that a lot of attention was paid to detail and to the history in which these costumes needed to be placed.the-crown-season-2-770x433This season sets up a lot of history. Things one may not know. Things that need the watcher to Google and research on their own. There was a period of a few days when there was a toxic smoke that filled the air of London – many died and many survived – yet not many know about it. The same could be said for Elizabeth’s sister Margaret and her affair with a man who was much older than her. While Margaret wanted to marry this man, she couldn’t until a certain age and even then she wasn’t allowed to because of rules put in place with the Monarch. With a simple keystroke on Google, one would find that the pair did not marry and Margaret married someone else.

In a society of instant access to facts, historical pictures and shows are full of “spoilers”. The knowledge is there. It’s the actors and the talents of the director to bring out the surprises despite the historical backstory this brings.

As a whole, the season moved slowly. It was very much a set up season and set up the personalities of these characters and things that get the ball rolling. The Queen is the oldest reigning monarch, having reigned for about 65 years now and continues to rule at the age of 90. Watching this show, you know the little boy running around his mother is Charles and one day, he will be at the center of a media circus when his wife dies. And we know that he will have a son and his son will have a son – three generations of men who will take the Crown.

You can watch all 10 episodes on Netflix now. Netflix has a 6 season order that will take their audience into the Queen’s present life.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy’

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

Viz Media’s Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy is unlike any other title I have seen in their library. Written by Jiro Ono and Yoshikazu Ono, the book can be seen as a survey of the world of sushi as well as view into  Jiro Ono’s Tokyo, Japan-based restaurants, Sukiyabashi Jiro.

[Photo by Kenta Izumi] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
[Photo by Kenta Izumi] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
 

The majority of the pages are used for the “Omakase Tasting Menu,” in which each spread of pages is dedicated to a certain sushi. You can see two samples from this chapter below.

[Photo by Hiroshi Suga] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
[Photo by Hiroshi Suga] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
[Photo by Hiroshi Suga] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
[Photo by Hiroshi Suga] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
 

I loved the inclusion of the Japanese name for the sushi, both in Romaji and Hiragana. I think it might come in handy for ordering from Japanese menus. Each of the fish descriptions mentions when that particular one is available to order. For example, you will note that the Abalone is only in season from May to September whereas the Golden Cuttlefish is fine all year round.

The sushi descriptions for the sample pages put focus on how the restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, handles each particular type of sushi. And while some entries dedicated more time than others to this topic, it is always mentioned.

Perhaps the biggest draw for Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy isn’t so much the information contained within but the beautiful accompanying images. I was so hungry after reading this book. I have no clue how the photographer did it but they managed to perfectly capture all the alluring aspects of each particular dish.

 

[Photo by Kenta Izumi] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
[Photo by Kenta Izumi] SUSHI SUKIYABASHI JIRO: JIRO GASTRONOMY© 2014 Jiro ONO, Masuhiro YAMAMOTO/SHOGAKUKAN
 

The section on “How to Eat Sushi” was actually my favorite part. It was amusing to read as well as informative. Some of the descriptions, such as the one shown above (which I was particularly fond of), have a more lengthy description. Others are much more concise, about one short sentence.

The final section “Dining at Sukiyabashi Jiro” is very short, basically giving a rundown of what to expect when visiting their establishments. It was nice addition for people traveling to Japan who might want to eat there after staring at their food for so long. Thankfully, addresses to both locations as well as their business hours are also in this chapter.

Sushi: Jiro Gastronomy earns a tasty 5 out of 5. It isn’t the type of book I would normally read but it was informative, well-written, and dang if those pictures didn’t make me salivate.

Geekscape Games Reviews: Gurumin 3D

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure is a remake of a Playstation Portable title that was later remastered for Steam. Developed by Nihon Falcom and localized by Mastiff, the action-RPG was one of my most beloved game way back when it was first released. But after so many years, how does it hold up?

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Let’s start with the game’s world. As the young heroine Parin, your time is split between the world connected to Monster Village and the human-populated Tiese Town (actually it is more 80-20). The characters are charming as is the dialogue. There is English language voice-acting but it feels a tad stilted at times. Back in the PSP days when voice-acting was a big deal, just about anything would be impressive. By today’s standards, not so much.

Gurumin 3D‘s music is where I am most disappointed, though. To be clear, the soundtrack itself is superb, lighthearted and quirky. Unfortunately, every time you hit a load-screen (which happens on a relatively frequent basis), the sound stutters and crackles. It was jarring and took away from the experience. And while playing the game on mute is an option (and one that I choose most of the time), it still a shame. I contacted Mastiff about this issue and they did mention that:

If there is an opportunity to provide an update down the road perhaps it can be something that we can have the dev team look into.

 

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Levels mainly consist of platforming, relatively simple puzzles and fighting off baddies using your Legendary Drill. The locales vary but all contain charm and encourage you to explore your surroundings. Venture off the beaten path and you will be rewarded with extra challenges often resulting in treasure chests. Clearing these side areas are also key to getting a Master ranking for the level.

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As you progress through the game, Parin acquires drill parts that imbue her Legendary Drill with elemental properties, which is key to solving certain puzzles. Collecting her equipment (the catch-all category for accessories) was one of my big obsessions in the game. Some of the items can only be obtained by trading in gold medals earned by clearing a level with a Master ranking, which provided a big incentive to revisit previous areas. Not only are these items cute (I adore when equipment actually changes a character’s appearance) but their abilities add another level of strategy. For example, the Goggles mitigate water damage so wearing them during a level with water hazards is probably good idea. Thankfully, you can switch out equipment on the fly, either through the standard menu screen or through the 3DS touchscreen.

Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure gets a 4 out of 5. Even with the sound issues, I enjoyed this game. It is one of those titles that I consider “good, clean fun.”

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime September 2016 Box!

by Natalie Kipper

[This unboxing is based on a sample provided by Loot Crate.]

Loot Crate‘s Loot Anime subscription box line, created in partnership with Crunchyroll, is celebrating those that are more than human with September’s Crate. The theme is “Demi-Human” and looking at recent anime, there is a wealth of series to choose from. And as an added bonus, every item included is exclusive to Loot Anime.

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Here are the contents of the “Demi-Human” crate, five items total.

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Also included is a poster with themed art on side and item descriptions on the other. The poster stars Yume, the mascot of Loot Anime.

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The Loot Anime phone charm this month is a broken Yo-kai mask. It is reminiscent of Ichigo’s mask in Bleach, which is perfect because the series is also represented in this Crate.

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Next up is the first volume of One Punch Man, written by One and drawn by Yusuke Murata. While the manga itself isn’t an exclusive, the one from Loot Anime has an exclusive variant cover.

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The Bleach watch is the most impressive item in this shipment. Its quality was superb and it looks like a lot of care was put into designing it. The watch face uses the kanji for 3, 6, 9, and 12 instead of the actual numbers. Another cool detail was Ichigo’s Zangetsu sword replacing one of the watch’s hands.

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Twin Star Exorcists‘ heroes, Rokuro Enmado and Benio Adashino, are the stars of a super-soft shirt. The print reminds me of the ones from shirts sold at anime conventions in the early 2000’s.

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The final item is a standee keychain set from Tokyo Ghoul. The two characters included are Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima, drawn in a chibi style. The art is printed on some kind of hard plastic. Unfortunately, it is only on one-side. It is still nice and all but it would have been so much cooler if it had both front and back artwork.

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Those standees can be used to create a little diorama using the inside of the box. Unlike August’s Crate, there was no assembly recquired to bring out this box’s extra feature.

Loot Anime’s “Demi-Human” Crate is a winner in my eyes. Like last month, every item appears to be thoughtfully chosen. I was also pleased that all of the included items were some degree of an exclusive item.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime August 2016 Box!

by Natalie Kipper

Geekscape has partnered up with Loot Crate to bring you, dear readers, this unboxing of the August 2016 subscription box in the Loot Anime line, made in partnership with Crunchyroll. Befitting the end of the Summer season, the theme of this Crate is “Back to School.”LootAnimeSept16 pre-opening

For this unboxing, I was assisted by my plush cat, Rolo. And without further ado, let’s open this sucker up!

lootanimeSept16 inspecting the box

lootanimeSept16 the goodies inside

Who would believe that a normal-sized box held so much stuff? What’s more all of the enclosed goods were exclusive to the Crate! You’ll see what I mean in the next set of photos.

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lootanimeSept16 backside of poster

The first item was the poster containing the theme’s artwork. On it, we see the Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume (the girl with purple hair), enjoying a bento with her buddies during a break in the school room. Flip the poster over and you’ll see a break down of what is inside this month’s Crate. See all those “Exclusive” marks? Every single item is either made or available in some special capacity for subscribers.

lootanimeSept16 Utena bento box lootanimeSept16 Utena Bento Box compartments

The item I was most jazzed about finding inside my Crate was this Revolutionary Girl Utena bento box. This iconic item of Japanese culture is from A Crowded Coop. Look at all those compartments! It even came with chopsticks that fit within the box. I am in love with this thing.

lootanimeSept16 Persona 3 manga

Being a huge Persona fan, it is safe to say I was thrilled to get volume 1 of the new Persona 3 manga, published by Udon Entertainment. I will note that this manga will eventually be available outside the Crate; we just got first.

lootanimeSept16 fruits basket keychains

There were also a set of four Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. charms from Fruits Basket. Each character is wearing little cosplay caps bearing the animal they are possessed by (with the exception Tohru and her onigiri). From the left to right: Hatsuharu (cow), Yuki (rat), Tohru, and Kyo (cat). The figures themselves are very detailed and I was impressed with the paint job on the faces and uniforms.

lootanimeSept16 danganronpa tie boxlootanimeSept16 danganronpa tie

Next up was a tie themed to Danganronpa‘s Monokuma. This tie was very high-quality. Even the box impressed me, with different pictures of Monokuma on each side.

lootanimeSept16 modeling the tie

Here is the tie modeled by Rolo. Doesn’t he look classy?

lootanimeSept16 Digimon artprint bundle lootanimeSept16 digimon prints spread out

The Digimon Adventure Tri item in the bundle was a set of three prints. The prints were not big, each one a little bit bigger than a postcard.

lootanimeSept16 assassination classroom magnet board

There was also a magnetic message board featuring Koro-sensei from Assassination Classroom. The board has magnet strips on the back to secure it to a board as well as a stand to prop it up on a table or desk. The marker (with eraser on the cap) writes in white against  the black backdrop. The board comes with three magnets that let you give Koro-sensei different moods (there is also a standard image printed on the board itself).

lootanimeSept16 phone charm

The final item was a phone charm made in the image of mascot Yume’s school notebook. It has a earphone jack plug as well as a loop, giving you two methods of attaching it. The art style is cute and matches that on the inside of the box. Speaking of which…

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This Crate can be transformed into a desk (a rather cute one at that). The instructions say that all you need are scissors but I ended up using a small amount of tape in the end as well. The assembly was quick and easy.

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I was thrilled all around with the contents of this month’s Loot Anime Crate. I think it did an excellent job of matching the theme while tying into current and classic anime titles. I also appreciated that some of the items were of a practical nature (that bento box, man).

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Arcade Review: Los Angeles – The One Up

by Matthew Morrell

Venturing back into Los Angeles is like willingly sliding down a water-slide without any running water; excruciatingly slow, uncomfortably hot, and often physically painful. Nevertheless, there was an Arcade that needed exploring. So, away we went…

Turning East on the 101, and exiting Woodman, you may pass by what at first glance looks like any other cocktail lounge on the Ventura Avenue. Look closely at the marquee however, you’ll see it perched above the entrance: a lone Space Invader.

If you’re smart, you’d have made this journey a little after seven in the evening where the lounge is only twenty-one and up. You may also need to make reservations ahead of time as the place can get awfully crowded. However, every inch of this space is used to the fullest.

"You have a lot more bar room if you just jam your living room into the ceiling."
“You have a lot more bar room if you just jam your living room into the ceiling.”

Artistically, The One Up exists in a space if Captain-N built built a Gypsy Den in Wonderland. Pretty to look at while sober, mildly disorienting depending on how long you’ve been at the bar.

In order of function, The One Up is decidedly a cocktail lounge that also has an arcade. That’s not necessarily a negative criticism mind you. The cocktails are excellent (try the Monkey’s Brew), with a selective wine and beer menu to match. Entrees are also expertly crafted, from the mouthwatering turkey meatballs to their unbelievably savory Hawaiian pulled pork sandwich. A refined and unique style and taste has clearly been cultivated at The One Up.

These sliders lasted about as long as I do playing Dark Souls: all of them were devoured in mere seconds.
These sliders lasted about as long as I do playing Dark Souls: all of them were devoured in mere seconds.

When you first step in, you’ll be asked how many in your party or if you have a reservation. If you intend on bringing a friend, definitely phone ahead. Seating is limited, but this does allow for a relaxed, intimate and cozy atmosphere.

So why a lounge first and arcade second? If you do your homework, you’ll find well over a hundred unique games. You read that right. It’s over a hundred. Also, they’re all free to play. You could be laying some serious hurt down in Mortal Kombat 4, all night long, for free… Unless you’re best friend is secretly a Mortal Kombat savant  and wrecks you.

"Oh, sorry, I totally didn't know that move would disembowel you." - A Liar
“Oh, sorry, I totally didn’t know that move would disembowel you.” – A Liar

At this point, the sheer number of free games makes The One Up certainly sound like an Arcade. And you would be right. With the house lights turned low, and bright neon pink accents illuminating the game room by all intents and purpose this place is an arcade. One can’t help but consider however that the games are in service of the overall style of the lounge, and not the main attraction.

"Pictured: zero arcade games."
“Pictured: zero arcade games.”

With a name like The One Up, it certainly suggests that this particular arcade is a cut above the rest. More games? Free games! Dress code! Every square inch of the place is tailor made to look like the coolest eighties hangout there ever was. They’re even playing The Last Starfighter (1984) on one of the flatscreens for Glob’s sake!

It does certainly depend on one’s perspective on what one needs in an arcade. If you’re looking for a comfortable lounge to take a date and enjoy pristine cocktails with a delicious entree’ or two, look no further than The One Up. If you’re looking for a place that wants to showcase as many original arcade cabinets they can cram into a room, perhaps this isn’t what you’re looking for.

It’s true that The One Up will surpass most every other lounge as the most stylish, and certainly nostalgic bar on the block. Their ability to have so many classic 8-bit games is also truly impressive. But, there’s something beyond quantity and style when a place is willing to jam dozens of refrigerator sized machines into their place to allow the games to speak for themselves.

Pictured: over 100 games in this one hallway.
Pictured: over 100 games in this one hallway.

When you visit The One Up, and this writer strongly urges you to do so, keep in mind that you’re getting the total package of equal parts bar, restaurant, lounge, and arcade. All things being equal though, the games aren’t any more or less than the whole; they’re part of the ensemble.

So leave the quarters at home, bring a date, and if you arm yourself with the right cocktail, get ready to have a merry night full of all the classic eighties feels.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘The Heiress And The Chauffeur’ Vol. 1 By Keiko Ishihara

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.]

Keiko Ishihara’s The Heiress and the Chauffeur, one of the newest series for Viz Media’s Shojo Beat line, is a love story set in Japan’s Taisho Period. It is a time when “new money” families begin to emerge in Japan. For Sayaka Yoshimura of one such family, like others before her, acceptance by society does not come easily.

Of course, Sayaka doesn’t seem to care a whit. She is mainly absorbed in dealing with her chauffeur and childhood acquaintance, Shinobu Narutaki. The young man is clearly smitten with her but being of a lower class, such a relationship would be forbidden. It is obvious through her actions that Sayaka reciprocates Narutaki’s feelings but isn’t entirely aware of them herself.

The first volume of a two-part series, this half spends most of its time  establishing relationships: Sayaka with her classmates, Narutaki with others of his rank, and of course, Sayaka with Narutaki. This is all well and good but there was not much progress in the story until chapter 3, the second to last chapter in the book (and my favorite, incidentally).

I hope things pick up in the second volume because it was still an enjoyable read. The art style is lovely and uses a lot of floral motifs in backgrounds and effects, which I somehow found fitting. The writing was also great. Each character felt like they had their own voice: Narutaki spoke more formally to members of higher stations; Sayaka spoke freely as you would expect from a young person of her social rank; and even side characters like Kazuko and Fumi had their own way of speaking.

Volume 1 also includes an adorable bonus story, “Luca and the Bandit.” I loved it! Not terribly long, the story follows a thief and two siblings. I can’t go into much detail without spoiling the ending but I will say the story’s inclusion added a great deal of value to the book in my eyes.

Fans of romantic manga or nonviolent period pieces should give The Heiress and the Chauffeur a look. With its excellent translation, pleasing visuals, and entertaining bonus story, I would give Volume 1 a rating of 4 out of 5.

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Ojousama no Untenshu © Keiko Ishihara 2011/HAKUSENSHA, Inc.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Blanc Et Noir’ By Takeshi Obata

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

VIZ Media recently released a limited edition art book, Blanc et Noir, featuring Takeshi Obata’s work. I can’t imagine many anime fans haven’t at least seen his art in passing. The artist is perhaps best known for Death Note but he also drew Bakuman and Hikaru no Go (my favorite of his series).

review - Blanc et Noir, Obata Takeshi 4

OBATA TAKESHI ILLUSTRATIONS -Blanc et Noir- © 2006 by Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA Inc.

 

With a title like Blanc et Noir, you can imagine that the images housed within are dark or sinister. But you would only be half-right. Yes, the majority of the pages are dedicated Death Note and its grim-looking cast but the rest of the (surprisingly heavy) book contains drawings from Hikaru no Go along with promo art from throughout Obata-san’s career and even some original works (see the image directly below.) One of the features are the author’s notes in the back, completely translated to English. The notes describe each page, including what series it is taken from, inspirations for the drawing, and other tidbits. I am glad they included this part as it adds a lot more depth to the pictures included.

review - Blanc et Noir, Obata Takeshi 2

OBATA TAKESHI ILLUSTRATIONS -Blanc et Noir- © 2006 by Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA Inc.

 

The quality of the book itself is impressive. The pages are large, as if you were holding a portfolio of thick posters. Some of the pages have a sort of film on them (which can be pulled away) or on a different textured paper (most are on a glossy-type page) to give certain images a different look The cover is a smooth matte black with a simple embossed silver emblem on the front. And the book is hefty! It has 132 pages of illustrations not to mention a four-page “How To Draw Section” and 12 pages of author’s notes.

review - Blanc et Noir, Obata Takeshi cover

OBATA TAKESHI ILLUSTRATIONS -Blanc et Noir- © 2006 by Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA Inc.

 

Included with Blanc et Noir are three lithographs from art also found in the book. Those and the book are housed within a sturdy, textured book sleeve. Only 10,000 of this title were printed.

The edition size plus the quality of the product would justify the $99.99 price tag for most collectors and fans of Obata-san.  Even if you aren’t familiar with his work, it still makes for a cool book to display on your coffee table (people still do that, right?) if you can fit it into your budget. The cost is really the only downside to an otherwise awesome art book.

I would give Takeshi Obata’s Blanc et Noir a 4.5 out of 5. The book itself is spectacular but the price is a barrier some fans may not be able to get past.

Saint Mort’s Nostalgia Nightmare – ‘Disturbing Behavior’ AND ‘Cherry Falls’ Blu-Rays

by Saintmort

It seems as though late 90’s teen slashers are the new hot topic over at Scream Factory, as this month they’re releasing not one but two forgotten gems of the genre.

Today they have released Disturbing Behavior on Blu-Ray. While far from my favorite of these slasher films, there’s still a few things to love in this movie –  specifically anything involving the two stoner characters.

DisturbingBehaviour

The movie is a pseudo remake of a Canadian film called Strange Behavior which I’d go ape-shit over if it was released on Blu-Ray by Scream Factory. Both films follow a small town where any students who are “free thinkers” are slowly transformed into ‘good kids’.

These good kids however tend to have weird laser eyes and slight murderous tendencies. The movie is fun but far from good. However the Blu-Ray is packed with enough fun additions (including a great commentary track) to make this worth adding to your movie collection.

However the better purchase is coming out next week with the release of the criminally underrated Cherry Falls.

CherryFalls

Cherry Falls is a slasher film and a parody of a slasher film at once. It’s very similar to Scream in that sense.

The movie plays off the trope about having sex. In this movie instead of the killer attacking you for having sex, you get slashed for not having sex. When news spreads that the killer is only targeting virgins a group of high school students organize a pop-your-cherry party to save their own lives.

The film is funny, witty and packed full of great scares and laughs. I stumbled upon this once on TV and remembered enjoying it but thanks to Scream Factory you can enjoy every amazing moment of this film. Just like Disturbing Behavior it is packed with some great special features (including commentary, behind the scenes footage and even a copy of the original screenplay).

It’s absolutely a must-have for any serious horror fan.

Cherry Falls is now available for pre-order as well as the double feature release of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and “The Dunwich Horror”. Both films are available on March 29th.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘GOODNIGHT PUNPUN’ Vol.1 By Inio Asano

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

I admittedly don’t have much experience in the whole coming-of-age genre. But when it came time to review the first volume of Inio Asano’s GOODNIGHT PUNPUN, that didn’t seem to be much of a problem. This manga is completely unlike anything I have ever read. The story follows Punpun Punyama, a boy (who is portrayed as a cartoony bird) growing up in a dysfunctional household in Japan. Volume One covers elementary school life up until the beginning of the first year of middle school.

OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKANOYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

 

One of the first things you notice when reading is that, beyond Punpun and his family, every other character is drawn as a normal human. The one exception is God, who looks as though he may be a photograph of a afro-headed, bespectacled, smiling man. I can’t help feeling that there is a deeper meaning to that choice, perhaps to display a sort of hierarchy in Punpun’s reality. All the same, to see such a great contrast contained within a single page can be a bit jarring.


OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

 

The majority of Punpun’s interactions in Volume One are with his Mother’s younger brother and his classmates, specifically Harumin, Komatsu, Shimizu, and his crush, Aiko. The design for these characters is to be applauded because they all felt like real people with real flaws. Punpun’s uncle is definitely not ready to take care of a child and says thoughtless things at times. Shimizu is portrayed as having some hallucinatory mental disorder, in which he sees and hears things others do not and has delusions. His friends call him a “liar” and often disregard the things he says.  And Aiko? Well, without spoiling too much, let’s say she has a different view on life then most.


OYASUMI PUNPUN © 2007 Inio ASANO/SHOGAKUKAN

 

Whoever handled the English translation did a stellar job. Each line reads as though as if it was originally written is English. The dialogue maintains the nuance I expect was in the original. I will say I am dying to know what Punpun’s prayer, “Dear God, Dear God, Tinkle Hoy,” was in Japanese.

Is GOODNIGHT PUNPUN for everyone? No. The story is, at several points, very upsetting and because it takes place in a real world setting, it resonates more. It deals with some very heavy themes and situations.  However, if thought-provoking manga set in the real world is your jam, you can’t go wrong with GOODNIGHT PUNPUN.

Geekscape Comics: Weekend Reads!

by Karson

Welcome to Weekend Reads! It’s your little, weekly dose of comic book goodness that focuses on some aspect of my weekend reading!

This week, I didn’t find much to read.

The Reads:

Amazing Spider-Man (2015-) 009-000
Amazing Spider-Man #9 by Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli

Mockingbird (2016-) 001-000
Mockingbird #1 by Chelsea Cain and Kate Niemczyk

I’m still down on this book, honestly, I don’t even feel like composing a paragraph about Amazing Spider-Man so…
* It’s Spider-Man in space
* If you like Dan Slott, read Silver Surfer
* If you like Spider-Man, read Brian Michael Bendis’ Spider-Man
* If you’re a die-hard Spider-Man fan, you’ll probably find something to like in this book
* The art is excellentHere is my thought pattern when deciding to read Mockingbird…

 A comic based on The Hunger Games… wait, no… it’s that character in Agents of SHIELD… don’t really recognize the creative team… I’ll probably pass… wait, I don’t really have anything else to read… Ok, I’ll check it out.

Mockingbird has potential. The first issue is a whole lot of questions and not a lot of answers. We meet Barbara, who is required to attend weekly checkups at a local SHIELD medical facility to monitor the potential side effects of two experimental treatments she received. The writer, Cain brings a lot of humor to Barbara’s character but the story itself is all over the place. This book jumps from scene to scene leaving a lot of blanks in between that will be filled in during later issues. I think this is a gutsy move for a book that isn’t going to have a strong readership going into it. It makes it really hard to get into.

I’m a fan of Niemczyk’s use of colors throughout the book. A lot of the panels pop off the page but some of the faces and bodies she draws feel just a little off. I know this is probably weird to say, but all the characters have way too much blush…

And that is it for this week! If you’re looking for some solid pickups check out last week’s article, there are three awesome books there. Check in next week when I discuss…

* Power Man and Iron Fist #2
* Extraordinary X-Men #8
… and maybe something by a studio other than Marvel!

Geekscape Movie Reviews ‘The Boy And The Beast’

by Josh Jackson

As Mamoru Hosoda’s reputation has grown, so have the inevitable comparisons to Hayao Miyazaki’s legendary films. After The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and Wolf Children captured the hearts of audiences, showing that the reach of his work expanded farther than the typical anime fan. With The Boy And The Beast, Hosoda brings his unique brand of storytelling to a coming of age tale that takes us to the mystical land of the beasts, one where humans are never to step foot. But when an orphan from the human world meets an outcast from the beast realm, we are left with a touching story of how the connections we form have the ability to fill the holes in our hearts.

The Boy and The Beast

The Boy and the Beast introduces us to Ren, a young boy who resigns to a life on the streets after his mother passes away. With no contact with his estranged father and growing resentment in his heart, Ren finds an unlikely home at the side of Kumatetsu, a hot headed bear like beast who declares that the boy will be his new apprentice. Kumatetsu is one of two candidates to become the next lord of his kingdom, but his bad attitude has caused his peers to look down on him while favoring his rival, Iozen. In the hopes that taking in an apprentice will motivate him to work harder and break his bad habits, both Kumatetsu and Ren, (renamed Kyuta by his new master,) fill a void for each other despite their tumultuous relationship. But bringing a human into the Beast Kingdom has its own set of consequences, one that tests their already shaky bond in unimaginable ways.

Throughout the film, it’s this relationship that takes center stage. While neither character is the most likable when we first meet them, (a very intentional choice as you witness their growth in character,) it’s impossible not to root for them regardless when you consider the background each one comes from. We literally have every reason to cheer for Iozen over Kumatetsu considering the former is humble, and level headed despite his power, while Kumatetsu is an arrogant loudmouth who uses his bad attitude to hide the feeling that the lack of support that he gets from his peers really does get to him. As he builds a father/son bond through training Ren as his apprentice however, and watching the two characters emerge from their lonliness side by side is the true highlight of the film.

The Boy and The Beast

Yet, once the film gets to about the halfway point, the story takes a sudden turn, one that I felt wasn’t built up to nearly enough to justify the events taking place. Feeling as if there was a need to create a rift between the two protagonists when the first half of the film had so thoroughly built up their bond, I had a hard time believing that the characters could make the choices they did so easily. Once the story does get back on track during the climactic final battle between Iozen and Kumatetsu, the crap really hits the fan, but in the best way possible. This leads to the quick resolution to most of what was foreshadowed at the beginning of the story, but takes such a sudden shift in tone that it’s a bit jarring. Couple that with an abrupt, unsatisfying ending, and we’re left with a second act that’s hard to justify, and a third act that picks up on the action while feeling somewhat disjointed from the type of story it told up to that point. With that said, the final moments leading up to the sudden ending had me completely invested, rewarding me for the emotional investment that I had built with these characters over the short two hours since I had been introduced to them.

The Boy and The Beast

Naturally, it’s easier to get engrossed when this world of beasts comes to life through top notch visuals. Shown through some vividly produced animations that are easy to become engrossed in, taking in what you see on the screen is easy thanks to how well the 2D animation flows. This movie serves as a reminder of how not every movie needs to be full of 3D effects for it to be impressive, especially when the film suffers a bit during the handful of moments when 3D is used. Moving at a slower, less fluid pace, these few sections took me out of the story, reminding me of how much better those scenes could have been if the animators had stuck to 2D. Fortunately, the top notch English voice acting and emotional score more than make up for it, leaving the presentation on a high note.

The Boy and The Beast

As the credits rolled and I left the theater, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed The Boy and the Beast. Not knowing what to expect when I walked in, I walked out with a strong impression of the characters, their connections with each other, and their ultimate fates. The character growth and development takes center stage, even when the overall narrative takes some unrealistic turns given the little time these scenes had to develop, and the abrupt ending put a damper on the finale. Despite this, The Boy and the Beast stands up well against any of Hosoda’s other works, to the point where anime and non-anime fans alike will find something to love about this movie. If you’re a fan of all things Japan, if you want a sweet story to experience with the family, or you want to see some well animated action in between all the mushy stuff, then a weekend with Ren and Kumatetsu is a weekend well spent.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Mario And Luigi: Paper Jam’

by Natalie Kipper

Nintendo’s famous mustachioed plumber has headlined so many games, I wouldn’t be able to list them all in one or two breaths. A share of those titles are role-playing games and the latest addition, Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam for the Nintendo 3DS, attempts to build on its predecessors by making use of new in-game mechanics as well as hardware functionality.

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_JanRPG_SCRN_09

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_JanRPG_SCRN_07

The game’s plot focuses on the aftermath of the citizens from the world of Paper Mario (another fine RPG series, not counting Super Star) being spread higgledy-piggledy throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. This, as you might imagine, causes some issues. Two-dimensional duplicates of baddies like Bowser and Kamek now run amok. Thankfully, they are joined by Paper Mario, Paper Peach, more Paper Toads than you can shake a glue stick at.

Piranha_Smash

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_NovemberDirect_SCRN_02_bmp_jpgcopy

With Paper Mario on your team, you have control of three characters rather than the usual two. This is all well and good for the overworld; Paper Mario’s flat frame can be manipulated to get around many of the obstacles created by the terrain. But in battle, it feels like too much.

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_JanRPG_SCRN_01

In the Mario and Luigi series, battles are a very hands-on experience. Not only do you need to put in the correct button command when prompted on the screen (which buttons and such vary with each character) but you are expected to dodge/counter your enemies’ oncoming assaults. With just characters to manage, it was fine but with the addition of Paper Mario, keeping track of who is being targeted and when can be tough.

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_JanRPG_SCRN_08

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_NovemberDirect_SCRN_09_bmp_jpgcopy

One new part of battles I did enjoy was the additional of the Battle Cards. You gain access to your first set a few hours into the game. Using the cards during an enemy encounter can cause effects like damage to certain enemies, boosting stats, or even increasing the rewards your reap post-battle.

The Battle Cards are also where the amiibo functionality is. When you use a special card item and then scan a compatible amiibo, you are granted a special Battle Card unique to the character the amiibo is based on. These Battle Cards cannot be obtained any other way. What I thought was nifty was that those special Battle Cards are stored on the amiibo, not the game save, and you can unlock more than one Battle Card per amiibo (24 to be exact). Simply scanning your desired amiibo during a battle will allow you access to the Battle Cards stored on it. The icing on the cake are the illustrations on these special cards. I only saw Yoshi’s and Bowser’s but, judging from those two, I can tell you that the card contain images from the entire range of the character’s history (note the Yarn Yoshi from Yoshi’s Woolly World along with Yoshi’s Island illustrations in the screenshot above).

3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_NovemberDirect_SCRN_05_bmp_jpgcopy

Besides the issues with battles, the portions I liked the least were surrounding the giant papercraft. I can’t tell which part I disliked more: catching all those Paper Toads required to upgrade the thing or the actual battles. Actually, I take that back; it was the Toad part. Let’s take them one at a time. Rounding up the Paper Toads are set up as missions in the Lakitu Info Center. These quests are repetitive and just not fun. It would be one thing if they were “side quests” but they are obligatory.

And why do you need to collect a bunch of Paper Toads? To have them make these giant papercraft that your team fights with against Bowser’s own giant papercraft creation. They play like arena tank battles. Your attacks are charged by standing on a base and performing a little rhythm mini-game. Because that makes perfect sense. I don’t think I would have minded it as much as I did if they didn’t take so dang long. It takes several rounds to get to the Boss and even then, physical getting near the enemy takes a chunk of time. Papercraft Kamek’s teleporting especially drove me nuts.
3DS_MarioLuigiPJ_JanRPG_SCRN_03

I give Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam a 3/5. It had with potential but ultimately fell flat. It isn’t a bad game by any means, but it could have been awesome had they left certain features out.

Note: This review is based on a promotional copy of the game provided by Nintendo.

Geekscape Recaps: ‘The X-Files’ Miniseries Premiere (SPOILERS)

by Alexandra Gallarza

After the NFC Championship on Sunday, Fox finally aired the first installment of six, brand-new episodes of The X-Files. It’s been 14 long years since we’ve seen Fox Mulder and Dana Scully on our small screens.

THE X-FILES: L-R: Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully and David Duchovny as Fox Mulder. The next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY, marks the momentous return of the Emmy Award- and Golden Globe-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Ed Araquel/FOX
©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Ed Araquel/FOX

The episode begins with a recap of what The X-Files is, who Mulder and Scully are, what kind of work they did, and what the X-Files were before the division of the FBI was shut down. So, if you have never seen an episode of The X-Files ever in your life, it’s a nice little recap for you so you’re not lost at sea without a life raft.

A key piece of what makes The X-Files is the theme song. We get that. Another key piece is the title sequence, which a lot of people were worried would change due to the technological advances, older actors, new cases; but never fear folks, the title sequence is exactly the same. It still holds that magical mystery and wonder in which perfectly dictates the X-Files show as a whole.

Fox released a 21 minute mini-documentary which explains what the fans can expect from the new episodes. We’ll get our dose of monster of the week, we’ll get the humor episodes, and what the X-Files have become infamous for – their mythology episodes. We also will have some familiar faces such as Annabeth Gish returning and new faces such as Community‘s Joel McHale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgRUzEdPfHA

McHale plays Ted O’Malley, who is just as obsessed with the unexplained, if not possibly more, as Fox Mulder is. Mulder and Scully are called in to meet with this guy, by AD Skinner, who yes, is still at the FBI. O’Malley takes Mulder and Scully to the middle of quite literally nowhere, which Scully cracks – “Even Aliens can’t find this place.” There they meet a lovely woman named Sveta, played by Annet Mahendru, who, according to her Mulder met when she was a young girl, right after her first abduction.

Sveta was abducted by men, not aliens, boarded onto a ship where they scooped pieces of her stomach out. They impregnated her and then took her unborn baby from her. As she explained to Mulder, Scully, and O’Malley, she has pieces of memories, implants of other memories shielding what actually happened. Sound familiar X-Files fans? Scully listens to Sveta’s tale and as O’Malley explains it to Scully, she brushes him off, shuts him down because Dana Scully knows exactly what Sveta went through. Scully was abducted, had memories implanted for her to screen the actual going ons of what actually occurred during her abduction.

THE X-FILES: L-R: Guest star Annet Mahendru and Gillian Anderson. The next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). ©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Ed Araquel/FOX
©2016 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Ed Araquel/FOX

It is revealed that there is a possibility that Sveta has Alien DNA. In a lab, Scully draws blood from Sveta to test to see if the woman does in fact have Alien DNA in her. Sveta points out that Mulder and Scully once were a couple. Check. They have a son together. Check. Mulder has been depressed and Scully diagnosed him with said depression. Check and Check. How does Sveta know all this? She can read minds and move things. When she tells Scully that she has no idea what they did to Sveta, Scully tries to assure her that she does in fact know. It’s not until Sveta reads Dana’s mind, that she corrects her statement. Dana Scully does know.

O’Malley takes Mulder to an un-disclosed location where in the middle of what looks like an airplane hangar is an ARV, otherwise known as an Alien Replica Vehicle. They built it and are able to fly it using free energy. Technology they’ve had since the 1940’s. Another thing that tipped off the red flag of Fox Mulder, the fact that they were able to make it disappear and he witnessed it happening. In a quick series of events, right after O’Malley announces to the world that he knows Dana Scully, Sveta is on television saying O’Malley put words in her mouth, apologizes to anyone who she may have fooled, Scully checks O’Malley’s site and it’s been shut down. The building in which the ARV is being held, gets infiltrated by Men and blown with the ARV in it and the scientists working on it, still inside.

There were a few surprises at the end. 1. Sveta gets blown up in her car, by what looks like an alien space ship. 2. Scully re-ran the DNA from Sveta, compared it to her own and they BOTH have Alien DNA. 3. The cigarette smoking man is BACK. And while, yes, he did get blown up, he was brought back and his face and hands are obviously damaged. How did he get saved? No one knows. Will Sveta be saved in the same fashion?

So with that all in mind, what did you guys think? And be sure to catch the next few episodes every Monday night on Fox.

Geekscape Reviews: ThinkGeek-Exclusive Jumbo Drogon Plush Dragon

by Natalie Kipper

[Disclaimer: This is a review of a sample provided by ThinkGeek.]

ThinkGeek recently listed a store-exclusive jumbo plush of Game of Thrones‘ dragon, Drogon. Being a lover of all things plush, I was itching to get my hands on the beast.

Now, onto the review!

shydrogon

My Drogon is actually a uncharacteristically shy. So let’s start off with the a look at his tag.

frontoftag

backoftag

It is a standard tag as far as content but also relatively large. The tag’s size isn’t noticeable because it is dwarfed by the large size of the plush.

wingspan

wingdetail

Ah! It seems our scaly star is ready to begin. As you can see, Drogon has an impressive wingspan; 42 inches wide to be exact. The pose-able wires are in the scaly arm portions at the top of each wing (they also run as a skeletal system through the body, tail, and legs). The suede sections of the wings are soft to touch and not at all rough or stiff. The wings also have embroidered detail in the faux suede.

feetsies

His toes are where the plush seams are most visible but thankfully, they didn’t look bare or stressed. I am not concerned about the seams bursted or ripping in the future. I was pleased that little dragon claws are a different fabric rather than just painted on. Nice touch!

backview

Drogon’s back is lined with spines. This is the one area where I am slightly disappointed. Each of the spines are rough around the edges and unpleasant to the touch. Some of the smaller ones on the head also have a tendency lie flat.

facedetail

I was thoroughly impressed with Drogon’s face and mouth. Much like the case with his claws, Factory Entertainment (the manufacturer) shirked the cheap, easy route and avoided making the teeth out of single cutouts of felt. Drogon’s chompers are thick pieces of fabric sewn together, which is much sturdier and nicer to look at. And fun fact, you can stick part of your pinky in his nostrils (in other words, they are real little pockets). His detailed face is definitely my favorite feature.

drogonsideview

This plush is a pretty big guy. According to his listing, Drogon is 16 inches tall and 22 inches long, nose to tail. Is he big enough to match his price point ? Well, if you factor in the pose-ability, quality, and attention to detail along with the size, I would say yes.

While I don’t think many people would pay nearly 60 dollars for a dragon plush without having a deep connection to Game of Thrones, I will say that I personally love Drogon and would happily have shelled out the money for him.

You can purchase your own Game of Thrones Jumbo Drogon Plush Dragon at ThinkGeek [link] at the price of $59.99.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy Comic Edition Action Figure Set’

by Shane O'Hare

If you’re even a casual fan of Geekscape then The Guardians of The Galaxy should be a name you’re familiar with. HELL, they were arguably one of the most popular films of last year. So when Entertainment Earth announced that they had an exclusive edition of the Marvel Legends line of figures from Hasbro I JUMPED at the chance to check them out.

Overview

What you get in the box.
What you get in the box.

This is how things look when you open the box. The packaging is really high quality stuff, and you can easily display the collection without opening the box. I, on the other hand, always play with my toys so I popped the package open right away.

This is what is included with the collection:

  • The exclusive of the year!
  • All the Guardians of the Galaxy in one box set!
  • Groot, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Baby Groot in Pot!
  • First-ever comic book version of Groot!
  • 6-inch scale action figures feature amazing detail and astonishing articulation.

 

Entertainment Earth Exclusive! Your favorite heroes from Guardians of the Galaxy are here in 6-inch scale, with fantastic accessories and more firepower than you can shake a stick at! Bring home the exclusive of the year with this Guardians of the Galaxy Comic Edition Marvel Legends Action Figure Box Set from Hasbro that includes 5 awesome figures in costumes you won’t find anywhere else… and a bonus baby Groot. Plus, the fifth-panel display box lets you see all your figures and gear without having to open the box!
– Groot (8-inches tall!)
– Drax the Destroyer
– Gamora
– Star-Lord Peter Quill
– Rocket Raccoon
– Baby Groot in Pot

 

What isn’t listed is the tiny little Tesseract that is included, small oversight but still worth noting.

Review

I was really excited to get these suckers open. First thing I noticed after opening the box was how tough the packaging is. They were a bit tough to get out of the plastic, and Gamora lost her head! Luckily she has a spare. They really had collectors in mind with this release, they will last forever on your shelf still in the box. The whole shebang also comes in a thick cardboard outer sleeve, so if you ever have to ship them or move them you’re covered.

First figure I grabbed was Star Lord. I really enjoy this version of Star Lord over the onscreen representation. Just personal preference really, I get that Rocketeer vibe from it. AND YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH OF A ROCKETEER FAN I AM!

Everyone out to play!
Everyone out to play!

I immediately was impressed with the levels of articulation, as well as how well Hasbro was able to hide it. If anyone is familiar with Figuarts or Play Arts toys, then you’re understand what I am talking about. The articulation of these figures are EASILY on par with those two companies, who are easily consider the leaders in advanced articulation. Whoever at Hasbro that designed these toys needs to get a huge bonus, I honestly wasn’t expecting how well these came out.

The sculpts and paints on these are also top notch. No glaring painting errors jumped out at me, and the figures all feel very detailed. Production is also very high. No flashing or damaged molding, and the articulation was very tight. Perhaps a bit TOO tight, as I was posing some of the figures I felt like I would damage them. I think if you were going to play with these often, then they would “work in” a little bit.

The accessories all match the quality. No Dollar Store guns here!

I only have a few complaints, and they are mild. The articulation on Rocket and Groot are a bit limited. I feel like Groot should have a bit more movement in his chest and feet, but I can see why they went with what they had. Guy is a big ass tree! Rocket’s design doesn’t really lend for more than what we get. He twists at the torso, his tail is on a ball joint and his arms have all the normal joints. He’s my favorite figure out of the bunch. I love his expression! Gamora I felt could use some more R&D on her design. It could just be that her character might not lend itself to a 3D figure, but she just didn’t resonate with me. For the quality of everything else in the box, they could have matched her cape to the rest of the collection. It’s your normal “toy” fabric analogue. If I were to display the figures outside of the box, I’d leave this off personally.

Final Thoughts

I was REALLY impressed with the whole lot. The pros definitely outweigh the cons I have with this collection. These are aimed at older fans of the series/serious collectors, so you’re not going to give this to a kid under 10. I’d be happier to see the set come down a little in price, at $120 it’s just a bit on the high side.

I give the Entertainment Earth Guardians of The Galaxy Comic Edition Figure Collection a definite BUY. If you’re a fan of well made toys you owe it to yourself to snag yourself this set.

For more information on the Guardians of The Galaxy Comic Edition Figure Collection, head on over to Entertainment Earth to snag yourself the team!

Geekscape Comics Reviews: Grayson Vol. 1: Agents of Spyral

by Karson

As I sat down with my coffee and the trade of Grayson Vol. 1: Agents of Spyral I planned to read a couple issues and then go onto something else. That wasn’t quite what happened. I read the first issue then decided I would read the second, then the third… next thing I knew I was through all seven of them.

Dick Grayson, who is no longer Robin, Nightwing or even believed to be living anymore is recruited to become an agent for the shady organization called Spyral. However, it is clear by the end of the first issue that he is a double agent for Batman. The first issue also provides a great summary of Grayson’s history that both old and new fans of the character will appreciate. It serves to immediately connect readers with Grayson. If you aren’t one of the many fans who already love him, after reading a few issues of this you probably will be as Seeley and King do a great job of creating a character that is easy to admire and cheer for. Grayson is fun, positive and possesses a great sense of humor. However there are still plenty of moments where we see him struggling with decisions that he is forced to make on the job.

The book itself could be described in much the same way as Grayson; it’s fun and never takes itself too seriously. It is an easy book to read but still provides deep moral questions and concepts to study and discuss if you wanted to. With each issue the series seems to pick up steam. Seeley and King always seems to leave just enough unanswered questions in each issue to make you want to jump into the next one.

Janin’s provides great art throughout each issue. From the beginning he does an awesome job showing off Grayson’s acrobatic ability and finesse. During the books more powerful moments his art and ability to capture the character’s emotion on the page makes the moments all the more powerful. From the headquarters of Spyral to many different outdoors and cityscapes, the settings and the backgrounds are always gorgeous.

The only complaint I’d have about this trade is that it doesn’t end on much of a cliffhanger. Each issue left me wanting more except for the last one but maybe I was just getting tired of reading?

If you’re looking for something new to read be sure to checkout Grayson Vol. 1: Agents of Spyral when it hits shelves June 9th or pick up a few single issues now!

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Geekscape Comics Reviews: ‘The Valiant’

by Karson

Growing up my best friend and I use to play Iron Man and X-O Manowar in Heavy Metal on the Sega Saturn. I’ll be honest, I had no idea who this X-O Manowar guy was. I always wanted to play as Iron Man. Not that it mattered much, we would always become frustrated and never get farther than the first few levels. That was my first little taste of the Valiant Universe. Lemire (Green Arrow, Animal Man), Kindt (RAI, UNITY, Mind MGMT), and Rivera’s (Daredevil) The Valiant is my second. It was much more enjoyable.

The four part mini series is self contained so readers can pick it up and not be intimidated by continuity. I can think of no better marketing tool than this series to grow Valiant’s readership. It’s that good.

The premise is pretty straightforward. Since basically the beginning of time the Eternal Warrior has protected the Geomancers who are mystics that speak for the Earth. No matter how hard the Eternal Warrior tries the Immortal Enemy defeats him and kills the Geomancer plunging humanity into a dark age. The cycle continues a few times throughout the ages but this time the Eternal Warrior will have help from the Valiant super heroes.

Jeff Lemire and Matt Kindt’s writing is solid for most of the series. It’s paced great so you’ll definitely want to have all four issues on hand when you begin reading this one. The duo really shines during the moments that the two contrasting characters Kay (the geomancer) and Bloodshot (nanite-infused super soldier) are together. This is where you’ll find some of the series’ best moments. The only problem I had was the use of time travel in the beginning of the fourth issue brought the action and emotional climax to an abrupt halt. What came next more than made up for that though.

The end of this series will drastically shift the face of The Valiant universe. Like I said, I have no prior knowledge of it but even to me the events felt significant. This surely has something to do with how well each character is established in the beginning of the series. Each hero getting their own little defining moments and story lines. By the time the final issue rolled around I was connected to each of them.

The strongest part of this mini series is the handling of the villain; the Immortal Enemy. This may be one of the most sadistic and maniacal villains I’ve ever seen. As his name suggests, he is immortal. He shifts his appearance into what his opponent fears most; for our Geomancer it is the tuxedo and top hat wearing Mister Flay from a story her father use to read her, The Littlest Princess and the Twilight Kingdom. Perhaps the scariest imagery is when his face splits opens revealing the face of a demon-like creature inside. Paolo Rivera’s drawings create a villain that is sure to haunt you long after you finish the series.

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(Please don’t invade my dreams.)

Rivera does a great job with the art in the rest of the book as well. There are many instances where he is able to perfectly capture the emotion of a character with little to no words from Lemire and Kindt. From peaceful communities on the riverside, to giant action pieces Rivera masterfully handles it all. There is no other way to put it; this series is gorgeous.

This miniseries is great and definitely worth checking out. I won’t be surprised to see it on a few best of lists at the end of the year. Whether you’re looking to dive into the Valiant Universe for the first time or just for a great miniseries that you can read in an hour or two I’d highly recommend checking out The Valiant. The fourth and final issue hit shelves yesterday!

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Geekscape Comics Reviews: ‘Archie vs. Predator’ #1

by Karson

The Predator comes to Riverdale in the latest reinvention of the Archie Comics franchise. The first issue of Archie vs. Predator (AVP) is, for better or worse, exactly what you should expect.

Alex de Campi’s writing fits right into the Archie universe. The teenagers’ dialogue and behaviour feels spot on. She does a wonderful job of giving each character their own distinct charm and sense of humour. The issue is fun, and even downright silly at times. There were actually parts in this book that made me giggle out loud… yeah, I said giggle. When things start getting sketchy, Archie and crew behave like any teenagers would in a typical slasher movie, illogically. It feels alright for the most part, but there were a couple of instances where their reaction (or lack of one) are hard to accept. It’ll be interesting to see how the characters change when they become aware that they are being hunted by something that isn’t human.

Archie veteran Fernando Ruiz’s art shines throughout the entire issue. He does an excellent job of integrating the Predator into the Archie Universe. Making the Predator a cartoon does take away from its lethalness but you are quickly reminded of how vicious of a hunter the Predator can be. Ruiz’s ability to integrate violence into a universe that is not known for it will sure to be one of the high points of the series.

The first issue is much more Archie than it is Predator, so readers who were surprised by how much they enjoyed Afterlife with Archie might not have the same reaction to this. I felt Afterlife with Archie was able to open itself up a larger audience as it was a horror story that just happened to have the characters from Archie in it. So far this series feels like an Archie story that just happens to have the Predator in it. I fear this may alienate (no pun intended) readers; Archie fans will not enjoy it like they would the normal books and Predator fans won’t enjoy it because it’s too much Archie. However, there is a lot of fun to be had if you’re like me and just have a casual interest in both franchises.

What you see is what you get so far with AVP. If you hear Archie vs. Predator and think that it sounds fun, you’ll probably enjoy it. If it turns you off, this book probably isn’t for you. While I’m not clamouring for the second issue I am excited to see where the story goes. This could be the beginning of a very entertaining miniseries.

Archie vs. Predator #1 is on sale April 15th. Will it be on your pull list? Let us know in the comments below!

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