review
Reviews of the top geek movies, tv, and books in the industry.
Netflix's 'A Series of Unfortunate Events'
“I can’t believe it. After years of providing top-quality entertainment on demand, Netflix is risking its reputation and its success by associating itself with my dismaying and upsetting books.” — Lemony Snicket.
Marina Caitlin WattsPublished 7 years ago in GeeksMore Than Three Reasons 'Three' Was a Let-Down
Ted Dekker, the best-selling author of over seventeen novels including The Circle Trilogy, Adam, Blink of an Eye, Skin, Saint, House and Obessed, has been known primarily as a “writer for the movie generation”. His work moves at a breakneck speed, quickly jumping into the action as if his novels were specifically written for the silver screen. Dekker’s unique writing style and vivid imagination has cultivated a devoted following for his books over the years. Unfortunately, I do not see the same following falling for the monotony found in the film adaptation of THR3E. I truly had high hopes for this movie when I discovered it the other day. It was based on a novel that had received excellent reviews and had the producer power of Ralph Winter (X-MEN) behind it. So, when I settled in and hit “play” I was actually, even though I had never heard of the film before, expecting to be on the edge of my seat by the end. I was sitting on the edge of my seat by the end, but it was more because I was ready to hit the “eject” button instead.
Gabrielle FaustPublished 7 years ago in GeeksThe Good and Bad of the First Episode of Riverdale
Warning: Spoilers for the first episode of Riverdale below This is not the Archie Andrews we grew up with. There's a reason they decided to call the series Riverdale instead of Archie, this is not the happy fun teen we know from the comics. That being said, there are definitely elements from the comic that they made sure to keep in the show. As with any show, specifically those based on comics, there are people who are extremely divided on the first episode of Riverdale. Here's a list of the good and bad from the first episode. Keep in mind many shows shift dramatically from their pilot, so this episode is not necessarily indicative of how the series will turn out.
Jason SchwartzPublished 7 years ago in GeeksAbsolutely Nothing Recycled About Re-Cycle
The Hong Kong film masters the Pang Brothers have revolutionized modern horror cinema over the past decade. Their acclaimed movies such as THE EYE, which has been remade countless times within several different cultures by filmmakers desperate to recapture the pure terror of the original film, have transformed the way the horror industry approaches the development of new screenplays. Indeed the face of cinema as a whole, whether it be fantasy, science fiction or horror has been irrefutably altered as directors have attempted to mimic the edgy surreal effects the Pang Brothers use in their films to wreak havoc on the audience’s innate sense of fear. It is a style that is unmistakable and, though many may try, impossible to duplicate.
Gabrielle FaustPublished 7 years ago in Geeks'Patriots Day' Review
An all-star cast tells the action-packed story that is Patriots Day. Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, J. K. Simmons, and Michelle Monaghan, the film follows the lives of those effected by the bombings that took place on April 15, 2013 in Boston. From the police officers to the marathon runners, we see how this one day changed everything for so many.
Marina Caitlin WattsPublished 7 years ago in GeeksMel Brooks' 'High Anxiety' Is Still a Welcome Relief
Mel Brooks' filmmaking career has been a continual source of amazement and amusement for me. Highlighted in The Producers, the unique combination of sophisticated wit and Yiddish vaudeville that inhabit his brilliant comic mind materialized in Brooks’ brilliant yet often erratic films. The manic hilarity of the 2,000 year old man and the distinctly crazy sense of humor that established Brooks as a legendary comedy writer and presence transferred often in a visually shocking way. Mel Brooks' distinct method of transferring his madness into movies became his signature calling card.
Mike MavenfulPublished 7 years ago in GeeksLose No Sleep Over 'Lost Boys II: The Tribe'
When I think of the movies that influenced my nubile mind during the 80’s the campy horror flick LOST BOYS leaps to the foreground, fangs, feathered hair and all! There is a certain self-deprecating dark humor that 80’s horror movies have that current films of the same genre often have a hard time capturing. Perhaps it was the prevalence of neon colored spandex, vinyl and Max Headroom sunglasses or a residual Miami Vice spray paint and cocaine induced high that allowed director and actors the ability to laugh at themselves in just the right ways while poking repeated fun at the plasticized culture around them. Whatever it was, 80’s horror films are unmistakable treasures, defining symbols of the era’s cultural sharp attitude.
Gabrielle FaustPublished 7 years ago in GeeksBlacksad
Blacksad is the award winning series of Spanish/French graphic novels by artist Juanjo Guarnido and writer Juan Díaz Canales of a 1950's America where anthropomorphic animals take the place of humanity, starring the perpetually unemployed Private-eye and black cat named Blacksad and his weasel sidekick Weekly. Despite this major difference, the world has mostly followed a similar path to ours. WW2, the Manhattan Project, the Red Scare, the Civil Rights movement, the rise of the Klu Klux Klan, and the Beat Poet movement all occur as they did in our world, only with animals standing in for historical figures or certain social-political groups.
Joachim HeijndermansPublished 7 years ago in GeeksCraziest Series Finales of All Time
A few months ago I wrote an article about crazy Nickelodeon Facts. In the article, I mentioned how the Angry Beavers recorded a finale where Dag and Norb realized they were about to be cancelled and they proceeded to break the 4th wall. This had me wondering, is this the craziest thing we've ever seen from a series finale? Well I did some research and I discovered the answer is no, not even close. Now, when I say crazy moments, I don't mean how crazy the montage was at the end of Six Feet Under, even though that was, in my opinion, the greatest ending of any TV show. I mean crazy like having a children's show end with the main character about to be tortured...
Jason SchwartzPublished 7 years ago in Geeks'Hidden Figures' Review
Gender, race, and professional barriers are broken in Hidden Figures, a historical drama that tells the story of the women who majorly contributed to the mission of assisting John Glenn’s orbit around the earth, making him the first American astronaut to do so. Directed by Theodore Melfi (St. Vincent) and produced by several including Pharrell Williams, Hidden Figures is an upbeat and inspiring movie that will hopefully be included in the upcoming Academy nominations.
Marina Caitlin WattsPublished 7 years ago in GeeksSerpieri's 'Druuna'
In 1985, Italian comic book artist Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri made a splash with “Morbus Gravis”, a science fiction graphic novel and the first in what would be known as the “Druuna” series of erotic comics, named after its eponymous hero. Said series became a (notorious) example of well drawn European comic books, especially regarding its anatomy in the human characters, after which Serpieri was granted the unofficial title of “The Master of Ass” by his fans.
Joachim HeijndermansPublished 7 years ago in Geeks5 Films You Can See if You Wish to Live For a Very Long Time
This is the third article in an ongoing series about films you should watch if you are interested in immortality. You should read the first and second articles first if you haven't read them yet before you go any further.
Alejandro Guillú MendozaPublished 7 years ago in Geeks