Clara Vs The Doctor

This morning I watched seven episodes of MASH for my Sunday recording of MASH 4077 Podcast. We're finishing up the fourth of this eleven seasons series. Luckily the podcast is still going strong as we still have seven more seasons to review.

I also watched the latest Doctor Who episode with my buddy Doug. Tonight was season eight, episode seven titled "Kill the Moon". In the near future, the Doctor and Clara find themselves on a space shuttle making a suicide mission to the Moon. Crash-landing on the lunar surface they find the most terrible things.

I have a love hate relationship with this episode. I enjoyed the story and Clara who's been amazing in the past seven episodes (this entire season). I especially like her "speech" at the end of the episode towards the Doctor, she had the best line this season so far "I'll slap you so hard you'll regenerate". But when it comes to the Doctor, it's a hit and miss for me this season and today's episode was a miss.. not only a miss but a huge miss, I hated the Doctor.

I enjoy Capaldi's portrayal of The Doctor. I guess my issue is more with the writing and how drastically his character has changed with this new incarnation. His crass treatment of a loyal companion is my biggest complaint. He no longer treats Clara like a friend and it sickens me. But after her blow up at the Doctor in this episode, it will be interesting to see if he treats her the same or changes his approach.

Star Wars Rebels - My Review

I watched the new Star Wars Rebels cartoon today. Though this new series is airing on Disney XD which I don't have they decided to air this Star Wars Rebel movie "Spark of the Rebellion" on all Disney channels so I was able to watch is on the Disney Channel.

Here's brief description of the new series. Set five years before the events of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, they introduces the crew of the Ghost, a band of rebels who fight against the Galactic Empire and who will one day help spark the rise of the Rebel Alliance.

As I mentioned it premiered as a 44 minute movie (2 episodes), Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion and the actually TV series will start October 13.

The movie primarily centers around fourteen year old orphan Ezra Bridger as he joins the crew of the Ghost and learns he can use the powers of the Force. Ezra and the crew - Order 66 survivor and former Padawan Kanan Jarrus, pilot Hera Syndulla, Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren, Lasat warrior Zeb Orrelios, and astromech droid Chopper - learn that Wookiee slaves are being taken by the Empire to the spice mines of Kessel and launch a mission to rescue them, all while being pursued by Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau. 

Now if you know me you know I was a HUGE Star Wars Clone Wars fan and was disappointed when Disney cancelled Clone Wars for this new series. Though I am a big Star Wars fan I didn't delve much into this new series, as I was kind of bitter because of the cancellation. I had a rough idea of what it was about and the characters but went into this new series not really knowing anything. 

Well if I said that I LOVED this movie/episodes 1&2 that would be an understatement, I watched the 44 minute movie four times today... in a row. When I watched it for the first time I was blown away, the storyline, the characters and the universe, all were AMAZING!!! Now I had some issues with the animation, especially the hair of the characters but I know that's just going to take some getting use to and to be honest after watching it several times it's not bothering me as much. I know that these characters and animation are influenced by the work of original Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie... which is pretty awesome. Clone Wars animation took some getting use to as well.

I didn't expect to like all the characters so quickly, Hera is my favorite of the group, there seems to be something going on between her and Kanan. She also feels like the "mother" figure of the group. Ezra is also a cool character and I look forward to seeing where his characters goes with the help of Jedi Kanan. Speaking of Kanan, he was part of my favorite scene of the episode. It's when Kanan reveals himself as a Jedi. As he stands and activates his lightsaber the original Star Wars theme starts to play... every time I see that scene it gives me chills and makes me smile from ear to ear like when I was seven and watching Stars Wars on the big screen.

I'm sure I'll be watching this episode a few more times before the next episode is released. I didn't expect to like Rebels as quickly as I did but I really am excited and can't wait to see more of this extremely exciting series.

Helping a Friend & Guardians Blu-Ray Details

Today I started editing my next Alien Nation podcast when my buddy Doug gave me a call and asked if I could pick him up from the hospital. He had a minor heart attack a few days ago and was admitted. They did some minor surgery and he's good to go home. So I stopped editing and headed to the hospital, I picked him up and then we went to CVS to grab some meds for him. Once he was home I headed to Frys to get a SD card reader as mine went out this morning while I was trying to upload some raw media for my Alien Nation Podcast.

After Frys I headed home and using my new card reader uploaded the audio to my avid and started editing again. I worked for about two hours before I needed a break from the computer... I never went back to editing today.

In geek news... I was super excited when Marvel announced the release of Guardians of the Galaxy on DVD and Blu-ray this December. Now, they have announced a few more details about the additional content that will be found on the releases as well as the cover art. Set to be included on film's Blu-ray release are:

- Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
- Making-of Featurettes
- Exclusive Look at "Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron"
- Gag Reel
- Audio Commentary

Officially debuting on Blu-ray and DVD December 9. The film will also be available on Digital HD and Disney Movies on November 18.

Alien Nation & Telekinesis

Today my brother came over and we recorded two episodes of our Alien Nation: The Newcomers Podcast. We watched the 3rd TV movie, Millennium and then recorded our two podcasts. As always it's fun doing the podcast with my brother. It's instant chemistry and I think it comes across in our podcast nicely. Now I just have to edit the first podcast by Oct. 10th.. piece of cake.

I wanted to share a video with you guys. I saw this a while ago floating around Facebook when the new remake of Carrie was coming out... but never watched it. It looks like it's making the rounds again so I gave it a watch. This has to be one best prank videos ever. I don't know how I would react if this happened to me while I was at a coffee shop, but it would have been a freaky experience.

More Babylon 5

My buddy Robert and I continued our Babylon 5 first time viewing. We've been watching since July of 2013 so it's been over a year and a half. I think we got through the seven seasons of Buffy in less then a year but we can't seem to get through the five seasons and several TV Movies of Babylon 5 as quickly. We're defiantly moving at a slower pace and of recent have only been watching two episodes every few weeks. Hopefully will be able to speed up the process and finish this series before the end of the year.

I've talked it over with Robert and I think the next series we do will not be a sci fi or fantasy series but instead one of the best political dramas ever made, The West Wing. I've seen it all but Robert has never seen it.

Anyways back to Babylon 5, we started the night with Season 5 Episode 12 "The Ragged Edge"
Garibaldi travels to the Drazi homeworld to investigate attacks on Alliance shipping lanes. Partly due to his drinking, the assignment does not go smoothly. Londo Mollari and G'Kar return to Babylon 5 from Centauri Prime to discover that G'Kar has become a religious figure to his people, much to G'Kar's dismay.

I enjoyed this episode alot. I'm kind of bummed at what they have done to the once great Garibaldi. He truly screwed up this mission, I hope he seeks help before hitting rock bottom. My favorite part of this episode was the G'Kar storyline. He's definitely one of my favorite characters and to see him deny the roll of religious figure but by the end accept the calling and lead his people a better future... good stuff.

And the second episode of the night was Season 5 Episode 13 "The Corps is Mother, The Corps is Father". A day in the life of Alfred Bester, who starts his day in Psi Corps HQ, where he is well liked and respected. He gets an assignment to track down a rogue telepath, two recruits accompany him. They follow the telepath's trail to Babylon 5, where he isn't as popular. 

This was an interesting episode as it gave us an inside look at the Psi corps and how Bester is seen among his peers. It really felt like a brainwashing cult with all those "Obey" and other signs all over the walls. Just when you start to think Bester has a shred of decently he goes and douches it up big time... what a disappointment. 

MASH Podcast, Red Band Society & Ello

Today I released episode 88 of my MASH 4077 podcast. This is currently my most popular podcast getting over 60,000 downloads/listeners a month and its continuing to grow. If you're a MASH fan then take a listen & let me know what you think. Download and/or listen on itunes tinyurl.com/MASH4077itunes , listen on Stitcher Radio ow.ly/iZJIz or Listen, get direct download from our main website MASH4077Podcast.com

I watched Red Band Society S1 Episode 3 "Liar Liar Pants on Fire" Jory's mother returns from the "dead" and comes back into his life. Leo tries to reignite his feelings for Emma only to be put int he "friends zone". Nurse Jackson loses her patience with Kara and Dash tries to get everyone to hate Jory because he lied about his mother.

I'm still loving this series. I think something is up with Jory's mother, I don't trust her. I hope Leo and Jory can still be friends when Emma chooses Jory over Leo (which she is bound to do). Kara is a bitch and I hope her heart explodes and she dies (yeah that's harsh but she really is a horrible person). 

This series is still doing poorly in the rating, Fox ordered 13 episodes and will be lucky if they finish all 13 and air them. That's the best I can hope for when it comes to Fox ::cough:: Firefly ::cough::.

Thanks to my buddy Jared I was invited to join the beta version of a new social media called Ello. I really don't care to join another social media but I wanted to join to make sure I got my "handle" Geekyfanboy (which I did). Will see if it takes off and if it does then I'm ready to go.

Lots of TV Viewing

Happy National Podcast Day

Here is why it was created “National Podcast Day is dedicated to promoting podcasting worldwide through education and public engagement.”

There is National IPA Day, National Waffle Fries Day, National Pancake Day, and National pretty-much-anything-you-want Day. In the summer of 2013, Steve Lee (founder of NetCast Studio) heard a radio announcement for National Senior Citizens’ Day. Thinking that was pretty cool, it begged the question of why wasn’t there a day of celebration for podcasting. That’s when Steve said to himself “Let’s create National Podcast Day!” So the adventure began and a collective team of podcasters put their heads together to establish methods for podcasters and podcast listeners to raise awareness for this great entertainment and education medium. Let’s Start The Conversation! Got this info from HERE.

Lots of TV today... Scorpion, Downton Abbey, Outlander, Once Upon A Time & Agents of SHIELD.

Started with Scorpion S1 Ep2 "Single Point of Failure" The Scorpion team races to find who used a genetically targeted virus on four children, one of whom is the daughter of the governor. This case strikes close to home for Walter and Agent Gallo.

I'm continuing to enjoy this series, it continues to be fast paced and intense. Still enjoying all the characters and love that we are delving into their backgrounds. I like that each episode has a bit of heart to it. There is always this moment of sweetness, for this episode it was the entire last scene... so good. Still on my "must watch" list. I can't wait for episode three.

Next was Downton Abbey S5 Ep2 - Plans for the war memorial do not go as smoothly as hoped. Rose tries to get a wireless at Downton, while Mary goes to Liverpool for her weekend with Lord Gillingham. Edith wants to get more involved in baby Marigold's life and Baxter still refuses to reveal her whole story. Art historian Simon Bricker is a houseguest who seems to be interested in more than just the paintings at the Abbey.

Season five continues to move along. Nothing mind blowing...yet, but it just continues to be some amazing well written and well acted drama. I'm just loving it. We finally find out about Baxter but we don't know the entire truth. Edith has found a way to see her "daughter" more. And I'm worried about what Lady Mary is about to do, I hope it doesn't backfire in face.

Outlander S1 Ep8 "Both Sides Now" In 1945, Frank is losing hope that he will find Claire, just as she is delighting in her new marriage to Jamie in the past. Frank is finally ready to accept that Claire is lost to him, but finds himself at the standing stones one last time. Claire remembers her mission to return to the stones moments before she sees Craigh na Dun in the distance, and runs for them. She hears Frank calling for her, and for a moment he hears her as well. But Claire is captured by Black Jack Randall's men before she can touch any of the stones, and a despondent Frank leaves. Claire nearly talks her way out of being interrogated by Randall, but he turns the tables on her. Just as he is about to rape her at knifepoint, Jamie appears in the window.

Another enjoyable episode, some of the newness has worn off a bit for me. The story is moving very slowly and at the beginning it really didn't bother me but this past episode I started to feel it. And then of course we have the ending and Claire almost getting rapped and then Jamie to her rescue as the screen goes black. And for people like me I know that this is the mid season finale and the remaining eight episodes of season one won't start airing until April 2015. Yes that's seven months... that's just crazy.

The new season of Once Upon A Time started, S4 Ep1 "A Tale of Two Sisters" Regina questions being "good" and turns to her imprisoned mirror mirror genie for help. Elsa comes to Storybrooke looking for her sister Anna. Belle and Rumple go on their honeymoom.

This is one series that I have been looking forward to seeing. Not because of the the whole "Frozen" storyline but because I really enjoy these characters and world. I enjoyed this episode but sad to see that Regina is slipping back into her evil ways. But then again I can't blame her as she just can't catch a break when it comes to love. I like the idea that she is going to try and go back in time and make the writer of the Fairytale book re-write that villains get happy endings, I have a feeling that will be the storyline for the second half of this season.

I liked the introduction of Elsa and Anna, enjoyed seeing Kristoff, Sven and Grandpappi. Some folks are complaining that ABC is just taking advantage of the success of Frozen and I agree. I think it's a smart move by the writers. I enjoy seeing the continuation of the Frozen story.

And the final show of the night I watched with my buddy Erik (via Skype) was Agents of SHIELD S2 Ep2 "Heavy Is the Head" Hunter gets captured by General Talbot. May goes after Creel and the

Obelisk. 

 

This episode picks up right were episode one left off. Lots of action as the team tries to stop Creel. I wasn't sure what Hunter was going to do. I mean I know he's part of the "regular" class so I assumed that he wouldn't take Talbot's deal and turn on the agents but when he shot May, Skye and Trip I wasn't sure what was going on. Still not sure he's a "good" guy but Coulson needs all able bodies to rebuild SHIELD. It was good to see Fitz helping the team again (though it was a struggle).

 

I'm continuing to enjoy Agent's of SHIELD,  I just wish more people were watching. Don't know if SHIELD will last this season... here's hoping!!

Tattoo Update, Simpson/Family Guy, Lucy & JCM Live

So it's been two weeks since I got my 4th tattoo. It has healed for the most part, the scabs are all gone as well as most of the itching. It's still a bit tender but I plan to book my next session soon so I can get it finished up and start planning for my fifth tattoo (It won't happen until next year). I took a picture of it this morning... still looks pretty good, healed quite nicely. I'm not looking forward to going back and having it finished as this one hurt the most. But I know it will be worth it all in the end.

My buddy Aaron crashed at my place last night after our Pathfinder session. So I made some biscuits and gravy for breakfast as we watched the new Family Guy episode and it's actually a crossover episode with The Simpsons. This is an hour long episode and the first (and possibly last) time The Simpson and Family Guy will crossover.

I think this was some of the funniest Family Guy and Simpsons that I have seen in a long time. Lots and lots of inside jokes, I liked how they teamed up everyone, Peter with Homer, Lois with Marge, Meg with Lisa and Stewie with Bart. The court scene when they put both versions of their characters together in the court room was priceless. I laughed through out the entire episode and of course the last ten minutes is one of the most EPIC battles of all time, Peter Vs. Homer fight scene (ala Chicken fight from Family Guy). They reference many times during the episode that this won't happen again but I really do hope they do another one of these. I know it did really well in the ratings and I'd love to see these two family go at it again in the future.. guess will just have to wait and see.

Aaron and I then went to the local "cheap" movie theater to see Lucy. Lucy is about a woman who is accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless, superhuman warrior evolved beyond human logic.

I wanted to see this movie when it first came out but for whatever reason never got around to it. From the trailers it looked to be very sci fi-ish. I'm a big fan of the main actress Scarlett Johansson and really enjoy Morgan Freedman's work. This is a really fast paced movie but it's not your typical action movie. There are alot of scientific and philosophical questions and theories. The editing of this movie was also very interesting with "old" footage cut between scenes or the 10%, 25% , 90% and so on cards that would show up from time to time to show her brain progress.

I don't think I understand everything that was going on but that didn't take away of the enjoyment I had of watching and going along for the ride. It brought up some interesting ideas about the human brain and human nature. I have no idea is any of the films theories are based on any real hypothesis but it was some interesting stuff.

I didn't like it as much as I though I would but it was still very entertaining. I don't think I'll be buying it on blu-ray but I wouldn't mind seeing it again. I give Lucy a solid B-

During the evening, Jes, Jen, Dallas and I went into Hollywood to The Mint to watch our friend Jason Charles Miller preform. He's an amazing singer and for the past few years he has moved into Country music. It was fairly short session, running about 40 minutes. He played some tunes that I had heard before and a few new ones that I really liked. If you get a second go like his page on Facebook HERE. And if you get a chance watch him live.. he's pretty awesome.

Oh and one more thing, if you know me well you know I've been looking for work for a while now, well today I booked a gig for six weeks. Post production supervisor for a pilot for CNN. It starts mid October and runs until Thanksgiving... woohoo!!!

Forever Review & Pathfinder Fun

Today I watched the first two episodes of a new ABC series called 'Forever'. Doctor Henry Morgan, New York City's star medical examiner, has a secret. He doesn't just study the dead to solve criminal cases, he does it to solve the mystery that has eluded him for 200 years—the answer to his own inexplicable immortality. This long life has given Henry remarkable observation skills which impresses his new partner Detective Jo Martinez, but piques her curiosity about who he is. Each week, a new case and their budding friendship will reveal layers of Henry's long and colorful past. Only his best friend and confidant, Abe knows Henry's secret.

I figured this was going to be your typical "procedural" cop drama with a geek twist and since I'm not really into procedural shows, though I'm not opposed to them, as I did enjoy the original CSI for many years. I put off watching the pilot and episode 2 (which aired on back to back days) for days. But in the end I figured I'd give it a chance and see if it would be something that I would like. I'm so glad I did. Yes it's a procedural show but the characters are interesting and fun. I'm intrigued by this Doctors storyline and why he is the way he is. I like the relationship between Henry and his confidant Abe and towards the end of the pilot you understand why he's so important to Henry... that part actually made me tear up. I plan to continue to watch this fun, kind of geeky procedural detective show and I'm glad I gave it a chance.

The majority of the day was spent at my bi-monthly D&D/Pathfinder session. We are closing in on the end of this adventure but still have a few more sessions to go. This session was hard, we had to make a deal with the evil Sorcerer that we just defeated in our last sessions battle. I really didn't want to make a deal or trust him but we had no choice. We had to get into the Shadow world so we could follow our friend Arethal, who disappeared for unknown reasons. So we ventured into the Shadow Realm and our first battle was against this Mastiffs. They took some doing but we did manage to kill them and continue our quest. Arethal is on some sort of mission and really doesn't have control over his own actions. We agree to help him complete it. We also find out that Ritha (who we didn't trust to begin with) is actually someone who was part of our group until she betrayed us, Sireen. She requested our help and it looks like will be helping her as well.

We make it back to the place where we fought off the Shadow creates a few sessions back. Not only were there more Shadow creators but there were two very powerful demons and I think everyone in the party took some major damage. Most of it is temporary. But it was a hard fight. At the end of the session we got out of the Shadow Realm and back to the castle only to get word that something has happen to the Queen.

Another fun session, we still have alot of players and with alot of people the side chats tends to happen more often and less focus on the game, which is a bummer but once again Dallas created a fun but somewhat tough adventure this time around. As we level up the foes become harder and harder. We only have one more session before our big LARPing Masquerade finale... can't wait!!