Review of Batman v Superman

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice or BVS as I’ll call it for the rest of this review, is an enjoyable film and yes it does have its flaws and I will get to those momentarily but first let’s delve into the positives.

A big improvement was Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman he seemed more comfortable in the role this time around than he did in Man Of Steel. He also didn’t drop his American accent in BVS or at least not that I could tell. In my opinion, Cavill has the potential to be the best screen Superman since Christopher Reeve should this current franchise keep going as long as DC Entertainment and Warner Brothers have planned. Physically he looks the part, but he also carries himself in both roles – classically, I really can’t put it any other way.

Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, haters and skeptics can just sit down because his Caped Crusader was the closest I’ve seen in a live-action film to the comic book version of the character EVER. To me, he nailed it.

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince is a treat. I have to admit that in my mind Lynda Carter will always be Wonder Woman but Gadot’s performance as the character will certainly have a new generation of fans saying the same thing about her, I’m sure. Not only that, but Wonder Woman is a total bad ass in this film even more so than the big boys.

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, this one I doubted myself until I saw his whole performance. This take on the character fits right in with what someone would expect a quirky evil-genius would be like if they existed in today’s world. Thankfully, he’s not a real estate obsessed gangster in BVS but true archvillain who has the smarts to keep both Batman and Superman on their toes.

Visually, BVS is a masterpiece with a reference to iconic DC comic panels and covers in nearly every frame. The action sequences are quick, fast-paced and will definitely have you on the edge of your seat.

Now, about those flaws:
The main problem is that BVS can’t decide what type of film it wants to be, thanks to both multiple script rewrites and bad editing. The story just doesn’t flow and, at times, it seems like we’re being shown parts of 3 different DC movies poorly strung together. I wish I could go into more detail but that would mean spoiling the film.

Amy Adams as Lois Lane, while I adore this actress she simply doesn’t work as this character. Also, her and Cavill have zero chemistry together, even in one of the most emotional parts of the story it fell flat for me because of this reason.

The cameos of other DC Comics characters – Cyborg, Flash, and Aquaman seemed to be just thrown in at the last minute. None of these cameos add anything to the story.

Doomsday, its way too soon for this character and one comic story arc in particular to appear this early in the franchise. Especially when you’re trying to build a cinematic universe. This character should have been saved for a more direct Man of Steel sequel, possibly MOS 3. I will give away one spoiler, Doomsday does evolve into something that closely resembles the comic book version.

Bottom Line: The harsh reviews this film has received must be fueled by some twisted nerd love for the formula-tic, every hero has to have a quip, Disney brand and influenced Marvel movie. I do enjoy them but after eating some plain old chips for awhile, I start to crave a Dorito. Funny how the one thing fans feared is now the gold standard for superhero films.

Go see this film. Despite its flaws, it’s well worth the watch.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is now playing at theaters everywhere

Thoughts About C2E2 2016

The annual Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) occurred last weekend at the South Building in McCormick Place. Here are my thoughts about this year’s event.

As a whole, large scale conventions in the Midwest (especially those in the Chicagoland area) have lacked presence and support from well-known publishers – Marvel, Image, and DC – for the past two decades, however C2e2 is usually always the exception but this year was a huge disappointment for anyone expecting elaborate presentations from any of those companies. I guess the big two already know with both having blockbuster movies and comic event books on the horizon that they’re gonna get our money, right?

Sure, there were some MINOR announcements from Marvel about their upcoming Civil War II story arc but hardly noteworthy and every writer and artist in attendance that are currently/reportedly/assuming still in DC’s employ were mum about everything even general questions like, ‘Hey fill-in-the-name, what can fans expect in terms of overall tone when Rebirth is launched this June?’ The unanimous answer reply was, ‘You going to have to wait for WonderCon to get an answer.’ Image Comics in earlier years at C2E2 have had a huge booth that hawked their wares; t-shirts, figures, and comics but this year, instead, fans were treated to literally what appeared to be a 16 sq ft display.

It’s obvious that Funko gives a damn about their Midwest consumers.

The overall lack of publisher prominence was certainly made up for by the presence of comic talent. My two examples shown below:

Art Baltazar of Aw Yeah! Comics

Legendary DC Comics Artist Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez

Bottom Line: Despite Reedpop continuing to put on one heck of a comic-con for the Chicagoland and the greater Midwest region which is accented by the tremendously courteous staff and volunteers at McCormick Place, this show and the fans who attend it deserve to be treated to bigger and more prominent interaction with most of their favorite comic book publishers and toy companies with exclusives announcements and merchandise because this is after all “The con Chicago needs. The con you deserve!”

C2e2 will happen again during 04/21/17 – 04/23/17  at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL

Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival Returns To Chicago August 18-21

Horror fans across the Midwest will again be treated to the best in genre film as Bruce Campbell’s Horror Film Festival returns to the Chicago area from August 18-21. The 3rd annual festivities will feature dozens of films including the U.S. and World Premieres of both features and shorts, special anniversary screenings, 35mm repertory screenings, and a variety of special guests. The festival will once again be held in conjunction with Wizard World Chicago, all under the guidance of the inimitable, one-of-a-kind host, Bruce Campbell.

Submissions are now open for both short and feature films; details and information on how to submit are available atwww.BCHFF.com .

“As the Festival enters its third year, we are more excited than ever,” said Campbell. “The number of quality films exploded last year and we hope to have the same type of growth in 2016. Our goal is to become the premiere destination for all things horror, so filmmakers submit your movies!"

In 2015, BCHFF featured the U.S. Premiere of Tales of Halloween , a 30th anniversary screening of Fright Night with writer/director Tom Holland , special guest Eli Roth, along with the Chicago premieres of He Never Died, Turbo Kid, Dude Bro Party Massacre III, and many more!

Further details on the program, guests, venues, and tickets will be announced at a later date.

About Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. (www.wizardworld.com ) produces comic cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched Wizard World Store ( www.shopwizardworld.com), CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™ (www.comicconbox.com), a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

The Wizard World 2016 schedule is available at: http://wizardworld.com/searchby/city/ 

Don't be a deadhead, check out the Alter Ego Geeks website to find the special someone you would want to take to your next convention!

Via Wizard World and Comics-X-Aminer

Review of The Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 10 - Next World: 3 Key Moments (Spoilers)

The second half of TWD season 6 has hit the run ground running with its two most recent episodes.
This week's installment, The Next World, while light on zombie-hordes gave fans some bittersweet satisfaction.

The story opens with a bit of a time jump from the last episode (a few months may have passed) as we learn that the town of Alexandria has been rebuilt and returned to its 'pseudo-Mayberry' peacefulness. Though I do appreciate the quality kills and mayhem this TV series continues to deliver, it was nice to see Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the gang enjoy near normalcy during the apocalypse for a change. Of course, this can mean only one thing in the world of TWD - the next loss the Alexandrians endure will be that much greater once the sh*t hits the fan again and we know it will.

Here are some of the key moments from The Next World:
1. The introduction of  Jesus/Paul Rovia (Tom Payne). Rick and Daryl (Norman Reedus) encounter this weirdly pleasant and somewhat shady survivor while going on a supply run.

How everything unfolds between the three characters will no doubt be one of the few funny moments in this series. While I won't spoil this sequence of events, all I can say is think Tom And Jerry but happening in a post-zombie apocalyptic world.

2. Deanna's fate revealed. While Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) were out in the woods they discover walker-Deanna (Tovah Feldshuh). Carl leads Deanna back closer to Alexandria. It turns out that Deanna's son, Spencer (Austin Nichols), is also out in those woods and Carl inadvertently leads Deanna to him.  With no other choice, Spencer gives his mother mercy by sticking a knife in the back of her head then buries her while Michonne (Danai Gurira) consoles him.

That evening Carl explains himself to Michonne and says that he intentionally drew walker-Deanna near Alexandria in hopes that she would be killed by someone who loved her. Carl then goes on to say that he would kill Michonne if she were to ever become a walker because he cares about her. Michonne responds in the only possible way by saying, "Me too."

3. Richonne.  Fans of the show have been 'shipping these two about as much as they do  Daryl and Carol and it finally happened in this episode - Rick and Michonne are the new power couple of TWD. There was a telltale sign that things might have turned romantic between them at the beginning of the episode but it was very vague and easily meant to be overlooked by the viewer. At the conclusion of the story, Rick and Michonne are sitting on the couch talking about they're day to each other like an old married couple while watching Judith on the baby monitor. Rick hands over the only item he got from the supply run, a pack of breath mints, to Michonne and their hands slowly become clasped together, followed by this ...

Thankfully the natural chemistry between Lincoln and Gurira made this a believable performance of two people who progressed from friends to lovers. In most of other series with some others actors this would have seemed forced and rushed but that chemistry and their acting made it a pay-off moment for fans.


Bottom Line: I freely admit I was about to write off this show (to be saved for a binge watch) as the last season and the first half of this season seemed to be slow-paced and drawn out. Episode 9 and Epsiode 10 of season 6 definitely lured me back in the for the ride. BRING ON NEGAN!

How about you friends? What do you think of Richonne or any of the other events from this episode or season 6 in general? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Perhaps you may want to converse with other TWD fans outside of your usual means of social media. .As a suggestion, try Alter Ego Geeks social and dating community. Who knows the Ricks out there may find their Michonnes and Michonnes may find their Ricks. Don't forget to enter promo code: comicsxaminer for a FREE one year membership when you click HERE.

Deadpool Movie Review (Spoilers)

The highly-anticipated Deadpool movie opened this past weekend and while I'm not a fan of the character in the comics, the trailers and commercials for this film caught my interest enough to go see it at the theater.

The story centers around Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), a mercenary with a 'soft spot' for those in need and who appears to take jobs that are justifiable. Even his buddy, Weasel (T.J. Miller), at one point in the movie says to him, 'You're too warm-blooded for this business.
Along the way he meets Vanessa (Morena Baccarin)  who turns out to be the girl of his dreams  - actually she'd be the girl of anyone's dreams. Just when their life together appears to be going great, Wade gets diagnosed with cancer.
In a desperate attempt to save his own life, Wade agrees to be the subject of some experiments by which he is granted amazing healing powers strong enough to keep his cancer at bay, however, they leave him horribly disfigured and after a series of events he's left for dead.
Ever resourceful and purely resilient Wade becomes the masked Deadpool, feeling he is unable to return to his life and his girlfriend until he gets revenge on the man who performed the experiments on him named Ajax (Ed Skrein).

Folks, from what I know of Deadpool and the comic stories featuring him, this movie is possibly the most accurate depiction of any comic character on film since The Watchmen. The jokes are great (Who knew Colossus could be a great comedic character?), the action sequences are well-executed, and Deadpool's trademark breaking-the-fourth-wall (when a fictional character talks to the audience) is not overdone.
Most importantly and the reason I decided to share this review here is that the romance between Wade and Vanessa works with Reynolds and Baccarin having an almost natural chemistry onscreen. Many comic/action movies seemed to fall flat when it comes to romance between their two leads (Dark Knight Rises anyone?) and in Deadpool you actually care if these characters stay together at the film's finale.

Bottom Line: This movie is a must-see and if you've already seen it, see it again - that's how good this movie is. Just a heads up though, even though Deadpool is from the comics and bares the Marvel brand, this movie is not for kids. Deadpool is a definite hard R-rated film.

Find out what others may think about Deadpool and other comic-related stuff at Alter Ego Geeks. Feel free to visit and sign up here.

Tardis Or Tauntaun

This blog is a very personal one. You see a few years ago after my last relationship ended, and when I was ready, I had found myself 'out there' again. At the start of  my quest to find true love once more, I took a friend of mine's advice and really went after what I believe to be the best match for me.

I had decided that it is an imperative that this person is a fellow geek, a female who appreciates the same types of things as much as I do. In the past I've had some bad experiences when introducing a lady that I may have been interested in to my obsessions. For instance, after having a few dates with her,  I invited this woman over to my place, of course it's adorned with comic book posters and action figures, upon entering she looks around and says, 'It looks like Toys "R" Us threw up in here.' This was followed by, 'So you're like the Forty Year Old Virgin huh?' my response was, 'No I'm not like him at all because in that movie his collection was awe-inspiring and mine pales in comparison.' As you, dear reader, can imagine your humble narrator's evening did not go as anticipated.
At another time I was becoming seriously involved with someone and while not interested in any of it, she seemed to regard my hobbies as eccentrically endearing. I asked this woman if she wanted to go with me to one of the biggest comic-cons in the Midwest that year, she agreed, and 15 minutes into it she bolted back towards the main entrance and refused to go back in.
Now I must point out that I do make it a point to at least participate and try to appreciate any my past significant others' interests even if it wasn't not my cup of tea (sitting through a modern-day interpretation of Homer's Odyssey, complete with a jazz-scatting Cyclops for starters) so it'd be nice had any of them humored me.

There are plenty more examples dear reader and the bottom-line on all of them is that my romantic pursuits led to people who wanted to change me and make me into what their idea of an adult is.

Nevertheless, undeterred and ready, I hopped online then made my dating profile and, among other things, proudly proclaimed myself a geek, a man-child, and someone who'd eat ramen noodles for a month if it meant paying the bills but still procuring that must-have pricey collectible. I blatantly asserted my nerd fancy and definitely added to whomever may be interested that if they can understand that, I would be just as passionate about any potential relationship with them as I am with my hobbies.

Shortly after, I got a few messages in my inbox and one in particular caught my interest. This message simply said, 'Take a look at my profile and let me know if you want to talk some more.' I did check out this person's profile and as I read it, I was taken aback by the honesty and above all else these two requirements for any would-be suitor that stated, 'You must have a job and you must have your own mode of transportation, any mode will do be it Tardis or Tauntaun.' I chuckled but her message came across crystal clear and so did her interests in a way that admittedly was better than mine.
We chatted online and then met in person. There was no denying that the sparks were there but also more importantly we discussed just how true it is that only Siths think in absolutes. For the first time in my life I was having the types of conversations with someone who I was romantically interested in that I would usually have with just my friends. There it stuck me, possible romantic partners who also have the potential to be each other's best friends - that's the solid foundation for most long-term relationships. I can't tell you how refreshing it was to have a girlfriend say, 'You better buy that Catwoman figure because you don't want Batman to be lonely, right?' instead of what I was used to hearing in the past, 'You're going to spend your money on more of that crap? Don't you already have a Catwoman figure?' Or how awesome it was to show up at woman's place and see a vintage Star Wars toy collection prominently displayed in the living room.
Needless to say, this romance, this friendship, has turned into a marriage and the most fulfilling experience of my life.

Take from this blog post what you will, reader. Be yourself, more importantly don't be afraid to look for what is best for you in any relationship, don't mistake settling as compromise, and most importantly- get out there because opportunity does not knock on anyone's door.

Please visit Alter Ego Geeks by clicking here because your best friend may be out there waiting for you.

Rick Springfield's Awesome Star Wars Toy Collection!

 Actor/singer Rick Springfield is best known for his "woes about not breaking the bro-code" anthem, Jessie's Girl. However, Springfield's huge collection of vintage and modern Star Wars toys also makes him a legend among geeks.

"I've always been toy freak," Springfield confessed. The hardcore fan has a collection that includes everything from common Luke Skywalker figures to Turkish bootlegs and a "Blue Stars" model so rare that it fetches somewhere in the neighborhood of $12,000.

Check out this video from Rolling Stone where the rock icon gives us a glimpse at his most treasured possessions.

To paraphrase a certain Sith Lord, "Impressive, most impressive." We here at Alter Ego Geeks want to see your Star Wars collection so feel free to post pics of it in the comments section below. 

And don't forget friends, we also have a giveaway for a chance to own a one-of-a-kind Boba Fett rifle replica going on right now which you can find out all the details here.