Geekscape’s Reasons Not to Kill Yourself This Week 9/12/11

Here we are at another week of Geek Releases and I’m so glad you’re still with us. See? This article IS doing some good! Or maybe not. We haven’t exactly heard a lot from you. Maybe this week you should leave some comments and tell us what you’re looking forward to. It’d make us sleep better to know that you’re still there. In the meantime, here are the things we’re looking forward to to get us through the week:

Monday

Frank Angones – Geekscape Managing Editor

Thrilling Adventure Hour Podcast (Download HERE) – Mondays generally mean a return to the grind with very little in the way of releases.  But for me, Monday’s the day when some of my favorite podcasts drop. And frequently The Thrilling Adventure Hour Podcast is the cream of the crop.  Billed as “America’s favorite new-time podcast in the style of old-time radio,” Supernatural writers Ben Acker and Ben Blacker bring you a collection of 1930s-ish sci-fi and adventure serials with a decidedly modern sense of humor.  The show features such comedy nerd friendly names as Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show), Nathan Fillion (Firefly), John DiMaggio (Futurama), James Urbaniak (The Venture Bros.), along with a deep bench of impossibly hilarious regulars.  Marc Evan Jackson’s smarmy, self-involved Sparks Nevada, Marshall on Mars, is one of my favorite comic creations of the past ten years and makes me proud to be “from Earth.”  Delightfully off-the-wall recurring serials include “Beyond Belief” (Tompkins and Paget Brewster as a supernatural Nick and Nora Charles), The Cross-Time Adventures of Colonel Tick-Tock (following a Colonel from “Her Majesty’s Royal Chrono Patrol”), and Captain Laserbeam (think Batman ’66, if it was even more hilarious).  

Tuesday

Scott Alminiana – Eric Diaz Vouches For Him And So Far So Good

Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop on DVD & Blu-Ray – Like many people, I was caught up in the whole Tonight Show fiasco that saw O’Brien leave NBC and like many I am a supporter and fan of Coco. This documentary is something I’ve been looking forward to since I first heard about it, I’ve always wanted a peek inside the mind of a comedian.  Not only do I get to take a look behind the actual curtain but I get as well as the proverbial curtain at a big moment in Conan’s career and life. Deep stuff. That is all. (Ed. Note: “Proverbial Curtain” was the name of my avant garde improv troop in college.)

Molly Mahan – Trapped in a World of Her Own Creation

Thor on DVD and Blu-Ray – Because nothing gets me more excited than the God of Thunder eating pancakes and eggs at the local Denny’s in some small town in New Mexico.

Alexander Raymond – Geekscape’s Resident Monstar (Not a Typo!)

Citizen Kane on Blu-Ray – Arguably the best American film of all time. Directed by and starring Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is the tale of newspaper mogul Charles Foster Kane. Kane comes into wealth from poverty and the self-destructive life he lead trying to find the happiness he once had as a boy. This new Blu-Ray celebrates the 70th anniversary of Welles’ film with an all new digital transfer. One downside to this set is that a lot of the bonus features are holdovers from the last DVD release, but that’s why they are called “bonus”; the meat of the bone here is Welles’ movie. This box set does look like it does justice to the film with a nice package that includes a book of photos, lobby card reproductions and more. Even if you do have that previous DVD release, an upgrade on this movie is something to get excited about.

Dave Biscella – Geekscape’s Very Own Juggalo

Hesher on DVD & Blu-Ray – This movie had me interested and expecting a good time just by having Joseph Gordon-Levitt play a shirtless, stoner metal-head. Then they managed to make that character so much more than just that, mixed in great performances from Rainn Wilson and Natalie Portman, and  built it all around a great story about life, survival and moving on and ended up making it one of my favorite films of the year so far.  Definitely one I can watch over and over again.

Russell Sherman – Also Canadian

Ringer – Series Premiere (9 PM EST, The CW) – If I cared in the least bit about Sarah Michelle Geller, I’d be pretty stoked for to see Buffy’s triumphant return to TV. But she does nothing for me and I really don’t care about the premise for the show, a thriller in which Geller plays a young woman hiding from the mob who poses as her wealthy twin sister only to find herself involved in a deeper conspiracy.  Will I watch it?  Of course I will, just to see if she can escape her image of always being Buffy in my mind.

Joshua Jackson – Geekscape Games Expert

bit.Trip Complete for Wii/ bit.Trip Saga for 3DS – There’s this crazy misconception that WiiWare doesn’t have anything worth playing on it. Luckily for those who might have missed out, the bit.Trip series from the download service are being sold in one neat retail package. For starving Wii and 3DS owners, (I know you’re out there) Wii gets bit.Trip Complete while 3DS gets bit.Trip saga, which includes the entire series of retro themed games. Now there’s no reason to miss out.

Shane O’Hare – Resident Bronie

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad for PC – The sequel to the intense military simulator, Red Orchestra 2 brings everything up to fucking 11. The new engine and graphics are pristine. They made the simulation aspect of the game way more intense and realistic; if you’re in a tank and decide to change positions you actually have to move your head and crawl around the inside of the tank. Crew members inside can die, and you’ll have to replace them as commander. With a single player centering around the German Nazis attack on Russian soil, it will be AMAZING to see how the game plays out while playing as the bad guys.

Dave Biscella – Still a Juggalo A Few Paragraphs Later
 

Polar Bear Club – “Clash Battle Guilt Pride” – Polar Bear Club is a band that sounds like what it would be like if Hot Water Music and Alkaline Trio had a kid that was still able to create their own sound. This is the third full-length album from a band that keeps getting better and better with every release.

Matt Kelly – Purveyor Of All That Is Shit

Primus- “Green Naugahyde” – I remember being in Elementary school when I saw the music video for Primus’ “Wyonna’s Big Brown Beaver” on MTV. A bizarre blend of metal and country (not to mention an eye catching video) lead to them becoming one of my all time favorite bands. After their underrated 1999 album Anti-Pop, Primus broke up. In recent years they released an EP (2003’s Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People) and played a few reunion shows. But Tuesday’s release of Green Naugahyde is their first full length album in over decade.  This fanboy couldn’t be more excited!

Noel Nocciolo – Geekscape Music Writer

Nick Lowe- “The Old Magic” – I am stoked.  I’ve been listening to the re-issue of “Labour Of Lust” pretty heavily since it’s re-release in March (I drooled over its sexiness here) His contribution of “Changing All Those Changes” to the (mostly beautiful, as a whole) “Rave On” tribute to Buddy Holly was A+.  New material from a consummate artist and instinctive producer is a treat. Nick Lowe will be joining Wilco on their North American tour and I’m heading to Nashville for both shows at the Ryman Auditorium in October.  Instant-Christmas for sure…and you’ll be hearing much more about Nick Lowe (and Wilco!) as this column continues.

Witney Seibold – Resident Old Man

Robert Altman’s “3 Women” – The Criterion Collection is, as we all know, a byword for consistently great home video releases, and, what with their relatively recent foray into the Blu-Ray market, we wiggly, snotty cineastes have had the wonderful chance to revisit, and in some cases, upgrade our collections. On Tuesday, one of the best American films of the 1970s (and that’s saying a lot) gets the Blu-Ray treatment, as “3 Women” hits stores in its deluxe two-disc edition. It’s Altman at his dreamiest, as he depicts a purgatory-like life for a pair of women (Shelley Duvall and Sissy Spacek) in a remote California spa, as they gossip, subtly berate one another, and, as in Bergman’s “Persona,” slowly begin to merge personalities. It’s sinister, cold, weird and awesome in an arthouse sort of way. It’ll be a good holdover from Criterion until their Halloween release of “Island of Lost Souls.” 

Wednesday

Mark Bovenzi – Lived With BigYanks Once

Daredevil #3

Why aren’t you reading this book? Seriously? Why not? Don’t you give me that excuse, your mother and I taught you better than that. I don’t care if you hate Daredevil or Matt Murdock or Foggy Nelson. You NEED to be reading this comic. YES! YOU! This is some of Mark Waid’s best work to date. And Paolo Rivera is completely re-inventing how comic panels and storytelling are done in a comic. I have never seen an artist channel Steve Ditko anymore then he has. Absolutely gorgeous storytelling and a riveting story as well. This isn’t the Daredevil book you think it is. This isn’t a dark, gritty crime book, No. It feels more like a 80’s throwback book to when Daredevil use to be fun and not depressed all the damn time. Not the campy 80’s comics that a lot of people hate, but a fun summer romp through a field of poppy’s. So put down the gun, get your ass to your local comic book store and instead of picking up 13 new DC relaunch books, try something that’s not your normal Marvel comic book.

Molly Mahan – Used To Draw Superheroes In Highschool

Batwoman #1! (no,that’s not a factorial, thank you) (DC Comics) – I’ve been waiting with bated breath for this since it was mentioned with Greg Rucka attached. Although I’m bummed that Rucka dropped out, I’m still extremely excited since I love JH Williams III’s art and am assuming his characterization of Batwoman/Kate Kane will be in the same vein as Rucka’s.

Eric Diaz – Geekscape Writer/DC Expert

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 9 #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 9 #1 comes out this week, and promises to take Buffy and her Scooby gang, now living in San Francisco, a bit more back to basics. After Slayer armies living in Scottish castles, trips to the future, and Buffy and vampire boyfriend Angel having cosmic marathon sex resulting in the birth of a new universe (which I kinda dug) let’s just say things got a bit outta hand in Season 8, story-wise. Now Joss Whedon promises to take things back a bit more to how things were when the series was it its peak, and I couldn’t be more happy to re-unite with old friends. Especially Spike. The creative team behind season 8, Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty, return along with new co-writer Andrew Chambliss.

Shane O’Hare – Possible Tea Party Member

Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games #1 (IDW Comics) – IDW has been putting out some great mini series lately, their PERFECT Rocketeer run being one of them. I’m not too sure how I feel about this. Guess I’ll know for sure when I pick it up. Their last one was about dinosaurs in Texas and it was a “meh” affair. Let’s see what this one turns up. It’s the most exciting book to come out this week.

Russell Sherman – The Person Still Watching Big Brother

Big Brother Finale (9:30, CBS) – First off, I’d like to offer an apology to the readers of Geekscape because I’m one of the people who keep watching these crappy reality programs so the studios keep making them.  I feel like I’m trapped in a circle of violence with these shows, I keep bending over and getting screwed by crappy shows just to watch the train wreck that is Rachel.  I doubt she’ll take it well when she doesn’t make it into the final two.  If she does make it, it’s likely she’ll win.  Now let the flaming begin (I guess I kind of got that covered though).

Thursday

Frank Angones – Geekscape Managing Editor Who Will Soon Have a Funnier Title Written For Him

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/ Archer Season Premieres (FX, 10 pm EST) – Some shows jump the shark.  After gaining 50 lbs. for the new season of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” co-creator Rob McElhenney can barely jump the curb.  Taking method acting to hilarious new depths, McElhenney, who also plays muscle-headed karate enthusiast Mac on the show, and crew have reenergized my excitement for the always solid show by opening up a whole new areas to explore through the now dangerously overweight “Fat Mac”.  Even more exciting is the premiere of the big three-part Archer event, “Heart of Archness,” which pairs H. Jon Benjamin’s narcissistic superspy with Patrick Warburton as a Nick Fury-ish pastiche in a pairing that I’ve dubbed “The Monsters of Bemused Understatement 2011.”

Tanya Tate – Puts Up With Alexander Raymond

Retro Action DC Super Heroes Green Lantern Kyle Rayer Matty Exclusive Figure – This is what I am excited about…finishing my Retro Action DC Super Heroes collection!  Kyle is the last figure to be released of the recently discontinued series. These are similar to the Mego figures of the 70’s, joyfully blurring the line between action figure and doll with their cloth outfits and (on Wonder Woman) rooted hair.  The line which consisted of Superfriend-ly versions of Superman, Aquaman, Batman, and Legion of Doom-ish Lex Luther, Captain Cold and Cheetah, ran five waves. I’ve been collecting these for a awhile and this Green Lantern will complete my collection. Kyle Rayner, the final figure, is a Matty Collector exclusive and is available via their website; http://www.mattycollector.com

Friday

Dave Biscella – Appears To Be Looking Forward To The Whole Week

Drive – It’s exciting enough that we get to see a badass Ryan Gosling for the first time since The Believer a decade ago, but when you also throw in Bryan Cranston, the eye candy of Carey Mulligan and Christina Hendricks and a badass Ron Perlman wanting to kill everybody, how could any dude not be excited for the badassness this will be? It also doesn’t hurt that it’s from the director of Bronson, which epitomizes a badass movie. (Ed. Note: Albert Brooks plays the main villain in this. WHO ARE YOU TO RESIST IT?)

Dev Ashby – Geekscape’s Cult Movie Expert

The Weird World of Blowfly – Its limited run actually doesn’t start in Los Angeles until next week (Sept. 23), but I’m nonetheless happy to hear that the bizarro music industry documentary The Weird World of Blowfly will be enjoying its Grande Premiere this week in New York on September 16.  The film chronicles the life and career of former funk/soul/R&B writer and producer Clarence Reid, cataloguing his heartbreaking and ongoing underappreciation (financial and otherwise) in the music industry, and more importantly, his weird Dolemite-esque stage persona “Blowfly,” a flamboyant, trash-talking performance artist who dresses like a gay Mexican wrestler and is credited by Ice-T and several other hip-hop notables interviewed for the project as “the original X-rated rapper.”  I love the ’70s, I love hip-hop, and I love weird people with extreme and outlandish creative visions to promote, so I anticipate a unique and memorable experience with this film.

Molly Mahan – We Knew It Was A Remake

Straw Dogs – I don’t know what it’s about, but Alexander Skarsgard and James Marsden star and I was lucky enough to be born with two X chromosomes. Actually, it’s a remake of the 1971 film of the same name and I’m a sucker for films about writers who find their breaking point and fight back. Writers with guns, yeaaah!

Saturday

Joshua Jackson – Is Really About to Suggest This

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season Premiere (9 AM EST, The Hub) – Seriously, any other answer besides the mother f-in season premiere My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the wrong one. So get ready to step away from the ledge, put the gun down and hide the pills you were planning on overdosing with, because after today, you’ll not only be 20% cooler, but you’ll be guarenteed to keep on smiling… FOREVER!

Stephen Prescott – Resident Doctor Who Expert

Doctor Who, “The God Complex” (9 PM EST, BBC America) – It goes without saying that I am excited every week that there is a new episode of “Doctor Who” and the next 3 weeks are the last episodes we’ll be getting until Christmas. This Saturday’s episode (9 pm est/pst on BBC America) is particularly exciting because it is the Toby Whithouse episode that I discussed with him at San Diego Comic-Con this year. Most fans think Whithouse is hit or miss with his episodes, but I’ve found him to be hit every time and that includes “Vampires in Venice.” This coming episode is called “The God Complex” and it is kind of “The Shining with a minotaur,” with the heroes trapped in a hotel where their worst nightmares are coming true. A little bit of speculation on my part but this is probably the episode where the bits from the fall trailer featuring the Weeping Angels and River Song with the eyepatch take place. I think we can expect an appearance from the Daleks as well.

Witney Seibold – Resident Old Man

John Carpenter Triple Bill – I, like you, remember when horror films used to be spookier. I also, probably like you, have a weakness for the films of John Carpenter. What better way to spend a Saturday night, then, than to trek on down to the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, plop down the reasonable ticket price, and marvel through a triple feature of the master’s grandest works (and one of his lesser films)? They’ll start with “The Thing,” move onto “In the Mouth of Madness” (still one of my favorites), and finish with the maligned by strangely loved “Prince of Darkness.” The show starts at 7:30 PM, and John Carpenter will be there in person. 

Sunday

Russell Sherman – Filled With Canadian Pride

Terry Fox Run – On a bit of a serious note *climbs onto a soap box* anybody who knows me on the forums knows this guy is one of my heroes if not my number 1 hero!  I truly believe he is the greatest Canadian, and he brought attention to cancer while it was still a taboo topic.  With a goal of raising $1 or every Canadian in 1980 he was going to run a marathon every day across Canada and started the Marathon of Hope.  If your city is participating in this event I highly recommend taking part, he was an amazing man and this year we honor his mum who died earlier this year.