torstenvblog

Live Action Sonic revealed

sonic live

A few days ago we got a look at what Sonic the Hedgehog is going to look like in his live action film debut? I can’t say I’m a big Sonic fan by any real stretch but I can say I never thought of him in live action; I’m a firm believer in certain characters in certain mediums should stay animated ( ex, the Cat in the Hat, Charlie Brown, Spryo the Dragon to name a few). What do I think? He isn’t nightmare fuel thankfully but looks strange to me. I guess he looks Ok but at the same time my brain keeps telling me this shouldn’t exist. I’m oddly curious how it will look in the trailer. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

X Men: Dark Phoenix trailer 3

I find it really weird how the marketing for this movie is going: there’s been delays, reshoots, we got one trailer months and months ago and weirdly we get two more full length trailers of original content within a week of each other.

As for the trailer itself, It looks Ok. I still can’t help but feel it’s X Men: The Last Stand reworked. Though I didn’t hate that movie as some did, after reading what I have in the original story, I feel they could’ve done better with setting it up. The Phoenix effects look better nice. Overall my feelings haven’t really changed since X Men: Dark Phoenix trailer 2 . May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles( DC Rebirth)

batman jokes and riddles

As a kid, Riddler was one of my favorite Batman villains, likely because of Jim Carey in Batman Forever . As I got older, I realized there was certainly more dangerous villains, but I always thought he deserved a darker incarnation on screen. I’m glad to say I got my wish with this book…

Batman has been haunted by a memory for years, a time he almost crossed the line, so he recounts the tale for his beloved Selina ( Catwoman) of the War of Jokes and Riddles. Edward Nigma, known to Gotham as the Riddler, is one of it’s greatest criminal masterminds and has been aiding the police in solving crimes they didn’t want the Bat involved. One night, in a bloody display, he escapes Arkham Asylum in search of Batman’s greatest foe, the Joker. Joker, who has lost the will to laugh, is in the midst of a rampage to find laughter again. Riddler makes a truce with Joker, for them to team up to kill Batman, to solve the ultimate riddle and tell the ultimate joke. As you would imagine, this partnership doesn’t last long and suddenly the criminal underworld of Gotham is divided, a gang war killing hundreds on the streets. the police can’t handle the madness and Batman finds himself unable to take both forces on himself. In the end, he’ll have to choose a side, but who do you side with?

First and foremost, Riddler steals the show for me here. He’s creepy and damn memorable with his riddle filled dialogue and his ruthless nature. This is the Riddler I’d love to see on screen. The story has a great character list that doesn’t get used much except for show, though Riddler does have a nice stroll with Poison Ivy and there is a epic sniper war between Deadshot and Deathstroke. The story isn’t bad but I felt disappointed, although it does pick up by the end. The art is fine but the character designs are more classic based and none really standing out. I was not a fan of Joker in the story, who just comes off as blah to me here. In the end, it’s not a bad story I suggest checking out if you like the Riddler and want a very villain based story, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Guardians of the Galaxy/ All New X Men: The Trial of Jean Grey

trial of Jean Grey

So, before we begin, let me pose a question that has been asked in fiction and is what got me to read this book: how far should you go to prosecute someone for something they haven’t committed yet? I love the All New X Men series, where the original 5 X Men go forward in time to stop a radical mutant movement while having to come to terms with there futures, whether it’s Iceman coming to terms with his sexuality, Beast discovering he’ll lose much of his physical humanity and it will eventually be his end, or in this case, Jean Grey finding out she will be the death of millions as the Dark Phoenix.

A console of planetary figureheads led by J-son of Spartax ( Star-lord’s real father; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) changed that hard). Earth has been put under a sort of quarantine because of the damage done to the universe as well as the amount of super-powered people there. The Guardians of the Galaxy have fought back and forth against this. The problem is, word gets out Grey is alive and well on Earth. This news sparks outrage amongst the others, especially Earth’s former ally Gladiator of the Shi’ar Empire who takes it upon himself, against everyone else’s wishes to have her captured and brought to trial and punished. A crew of mercs attack the X men and manage to capture her; the Guardians investigate thinking it was part of a plot from J-son Quill, showing up soon after Grey was captured. The X men and Guardians decide to free her, but it’s the Guardian’s allies, the Star-Jammers that wrecks Cyclops’s world- meeting his long lost father in space. Can the Guardians of the Galaxy and X men free Jean Grey and bring down a alien empire?

I had a lot of fun with this story and it’s a quick read. My favorite aspect was the interactions between the two teams, like Angel and Iceman being terrified of Groot or a quiet exchange between X-23 and Drax. The character roster and art work is pretty good and may I say the variant covers, which feature a member from each team paired together which are pretty epic. Good news for those who aren’t familiar with either series or it’s characters, there is a character sheet and two detailed synopses that bring you up to speed. The only drawback I have is there isn’t as much action as I would have liked to have seen and while it doesn’t make much sense, I would have loved a quick fight between the two. In the the end as I stated in my post 5 Marvel stories that hooked me and I’d say it’s worth checking out. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Hellboy 2019 trailer 2

So we got a legitimate Red Band R rated trailer for Hellboy 2019 and I’m actually pretty glad we have confirmation it’ll be R rated. I can’t tell you how much it pissed me off when Venom was made Pg-13; I feel the R rating does Hellboy it’s own identity. I like this trailer better but I still feel uneasy about the movie overall. Maybe it’s my attachment to the original Hellboy movies but I’m honestly worried we’re getting a R rated MCU movie. Time will tell but until then may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Final Destination 2

final destination 2

Final Destination failed to me as a horror movie in damn near every way, but damn did I laugh my ass off. I had had heard the series got more crazier and more convoluted as it continues, so with that notion I happily tuned into the sequel. So was my appetite for mayhem and WTF moments quenched?

A year after the fabled plane crash of Flight 180, a group of friends is going on a road trip. Kim, a sweet, pretty good girl has a vision on the road and sees a nasty, bloody pile up. She stalls the road, saving a group from there gory fate while being the sole survivor of her friends. As before, the survivors drop off in strange ways and Kim discovers the similar fates of Flight 180, searching for Clear, the now sole survivor and the only person that can help her. Can these survivors learn from the last groups mistakes and beat death together?

I have to say this was a fun watch. The effects are better, the deaths more convoluted, and there are more of them. I didn’t mind the characters so much this time around and overall I felt was better acted. I felt this movie didn’t try to take itself as seriously which helped. I don’t regard it as a horror in any sense, except for yet a always awesome cameo by Tony Todd. In the end, its a pretty fun movie with some cool kills but it’s kinda disposable. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

X Men: Dark Phoenix trailer 2

So to begin, I’m confused and must ask a question: wasn’t this movie supposed to be out already? If I’m not mistaken, X Men: Dark Phoenix trailer 1 said it was going to be released on Valentine’s Day of 2019. That can’t be a good sign…

As for the trailer itself, it is an improvement but I can’t help but still be wary of it. Phoenix does look pretty cool and Sophie Turner seems to have stepped up her game a bit as Jean/ Phoenix. I can’t help but feel we’re going to get a body count here as it’s Fox’s final X men movie while I’m pretty sure Mystique is done for in this movie. In the end I’m a little more invested in it but still weary. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

10 awesome black heroes in comics part 2

falcon cap

Does anyone remember when Falcon became the new Captain America? Has anyone heard the rumor of Michael B Jordan possibly being the new Superman in the DCEU? Continuing my list of awesome black heroes, in no particular order, let’s continue with our man above…

falcon 6. Falcon-

It’s rarer in comics than to see some closer friends in comics as Captain America and Falcon, a partner and confidant in this day and age. In time, Steve Rodgers would pass his mantle and shield over to his kind hearted friend who would do him proud. Characterized by him orange wings and his red googles, he’s the best wing mate Cap could ask for.

steel dc 7. Steel-

I’m going to be honest, the Steel movie was my intro to this character, weirdly after hearing to story of John Henry in school. After seeing the characters badass comic design and the fact he began with the good hearted attempt of carrying on Superman’s legacy, I was hooked. Armed with metal suit and his weaponized hammer, while not the Man of Steel, he’s a hell of a back up.

8. Luke Cage-

Luke Cage is a simple man with a simple purpose: clean up the streets of Harlem. He doesn’t need a costume, a mask, or fancy moniker. Luke Cage is a simple, down to earth guy who is almost indestructible and quite the bruiser. He’s a good example of redemption and a normal guy trying to help his community.

9. War Machine-

Of all the characters on this list, War Machine maybe my personal favorite. Beside donning a customized Iron Man suit layered in every gun imaginable with a epic new paint job, I love the man beneath the armor. James Rhodes is Tony Stark’s voice of reason and loyal best friend who wants to defend his country. Honestly, I love old War Machine comics because unlike Stark, I related to Rhodes who was a normal guy facing some crazy ass Rambo level shit without relying on the suit as much as Stark. Plus, dude he’s friggin War Machine…

panther comics 10. Black Panther-

Of course I had to talk about King T’ Challa of Wakanda, legendary ruler and protector. With Black Panther winning Marvel it’s first ever Oscar this year, the character is relevant now more than ever. Not only is he a brilliant mind and one of the most humble characters in Marvel, he is one of the most dangerous hand to hand combatants as well being encased in a suit of pure Vibranium, making him virtually energy resistant and armed with gadgetry decades ahead of our technology, Panther deserves a well of respect as one of Marvel’s coolest characters…

I hope you all enjoyed my list for Black History month and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Final Destination

final destination

I hate to say it as a horror fan but I’m really damn late to the party here- like a decade and a half too late almost. I remember seeing the 5th movie in theaters and having a lot of fun with it but never really getting the chance to dive into the series until now. So how does this cult horror classic hold up almost 2 decades later?

Alex was a normal kid on his way to a end of the year field trip to France with his classmates. At first, he notices little things here and there that he takes as just pre-flight jitters. Suddenly, Alex has a terrible vision of the plane exploding and crashing killing all on board. Waking from the vision, seeing the scenarios identically, he throws a fit that gets him and handful of others off the plane. It does indeed go up and the passengers all die, except for them. With there lives in ruin, haunted by the tragedy, it doesn’t end there as circumstance takes over and the survivors begin dying one by one as death comes to collect what he was cheated from…

I know many have a soft spot for this series so I have to say I can’t see this as a horror movie. Dark horror comedy perhaps, but taking the plunge and calling it a serious horror movie is a leap not even Superman can jump. I laughed my ass off most of the movie, when I didn’t want the bully character to die or wasn’t guessing where the kill would come from. Tony Todd’s cameo is genuinely creepy and better than the movie deserves. The acting isn’t great but the effects aren’t bad to compensate. There are great ideas in here and a couple decent serious dramatic moments but nothing seems to really take off for me. Still, I had fun as a goofy sort of dorky kind of way. In the end, it comes down to what you are ultimately looking for, if you want a laugh and some interesting kills then Final Destination is a good pick. Want something genuinely scary, go somewhere else. May the gaming gods bring you glory..

10 awesome black heroes in comics, part 1

February is a huge month with Valentine’s day, my birthday, and of course Black History Month. Throughout comic history, we’ve had some truly great African American characters ranging from badasses, powerhouses, and leaders for us to look up to. So, in no particular order, here’s the first part of my shout out to these characters starting with…

1. Jon Stewart ( Green Lantern)-

Watching the classic Justice League cartoon as a kid, Stewart immediately was one of my favorites. A traumatized, stalwart Marine Corps sniper turned Lantern, he’s a man who kicks ass. My favorite stories of Blackest Night were his chapters where I became hooked. Attuned to more practical weaponry than Jordan, Gardner, or Ryner, he’s the badass human of the Corps.

blade comic 2 2. Blade-

Called the ” Daywalker” by his prey, Blade is the near perfect vampire killing machine. Half human, half vampire Blade has the strengths of the vampires without the weakness to sunlight. Famous for his epic martial arts and sword skills he strikes fear into vampire kind while silently battling his blood lust making Blade much more compelling than your average vampire hunter.

storm 3. Storm ( X men)-

For most of us, this iconic X men and weather witch needs no introduction. Ororo Munroe has a fascinating history from being worshiped as a goddess in native Kenya, a orphaned pickpocket, esteemed X men, and even married to the King of Wakanda, Black Panther, at one point. Storm has been been strong and compassionate on countless occasions. Either way, Storm is a force to be reckoned with…

cyborg unplugged 4. Cyborg-

Vic Stone, much like Blade, faces an internal fight to keep his humanity. While not struggling to refrain from becoming a monster, he struggles not to become a soulless machine. After what should have been a fatal accident, Vic became a subject of his genius father’s experiments in robotics ( and exposure to the Mother Box in some origins) becoming a living machine. With a high intellect consciously connected to the internet, a host of ever evolving cybernetic weaponry and a excited Boo yeah! Cyborg is a welcome member of the Teen Titans and JLA.

spawn comic 5. Spawn-

Here we finish part one with one of comic’s greatest anti-heroes and one of it’s darkest might I add. Al Simmons was a merc who, after being betrayed, is sent to hell and given a deal to lead hell’s army in exchange for revenge. Spawn betrays the devil and now fights everyone. With a huge host of weaponry and a unlimited supply of demonic powers, Spawn is cruel and relentless against the forces of Hell, heaven, and the wicked who stand in his way.

That was part 1 of 2 of my list and I hope you all enjoyed it. May the gaming gods bring you glory.