In recent years there has been a massive resurgence of the collecting of VHS. There are art gallery displays, Facebook pages like Horror Vhs Collectors Unite and VHShitfest where groups of collectors can meet and show off their goods, as as well as just talk about the format they love.
Continue reading GB’s VHS Vault: Why It’s Awesome – A UK History
You may have seen her when she first appeared in Up in the Air, or maybe when she was in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Oh, please tell me you didn’t see her in any of the Twilight films. If you did, that’s unfortunate, but at least you know about her then. Anna Kendrick is one of those actresses you definitely want to remember so fifty years from now you can say to your grandkids, “I remember some of her first performances.” 
Recently, Kendrick’s name has buzzed about the geek world not just because of her voice talents lent to ParaNorman, but also because she is up for the lead female role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Both Imogen Poots and Felicity Jones are also being considered for this position; one of them will most likely be playing Peggy Carter’s niece, Sharon Carter, though this character has only been rumored and not confirmed. [Ed. Note – both of whom have starred opposite of Anton Yelchin; Poots in Fright Night and Jones in Like Crazy] 
Now that all the female lead choices have been revealed, the blood bath has already begun. Heated arguments about which actress should get the lead have already popped up all over the internet, with most being in Kendrick’s favor. Brendon Connelly of Bleeding Cool says, “If we’re thinking of the casting in a ‘credible’ way, with both creative and commercial integrity, I think Kendrick probably has the edge on most counts: she’s cut-yourself sharp, well-known and well liked, and has great acting chops” [BleedingCool].
Cinemablend agrees with Connelly’s analysis of the female lead. Though both Poots and Jones are British and have the upper-hand in the accent realm, Cinemblend believes we should “never rule out Kendrick, who snagged an Oscar nomination for her first major role in Up in the Air, and seems tenacious enough to tackle a natural British accent in no time” [Cinemablend].
Yet don’t be too sure, state many film, comic book, and geek fans. Many believe Kendrick is not right for the role, right down to her looks. One person commented on Cinemblend’s report that “Imogen Poots looks and sounds like a great actress to play Peggy Carter’s niece in Cap 2. She looks more like Hayley Atwell than either Anna Kendrick or Felicity Jones, and she’s much better looking than Kendrick or Jones.” Some argue that looks are not everything, but others have pointed out that Kendrick is plainly too young for the niece of a woman from the 1940s.
My thoughts? I have never seen Jones or Poots act before, but I have watched Kendrick, and I think she’s wonderful. Based solely on my previous impressions of her, I think she could pull off a British niece of Peggy Carter, but I do agree with those who have said she looks too young for the role. I would prefer to see a natural-born British woman who is slightly older steal the screen in The Winter Soldier, but I don’t want to make any judgement calls until I see Jones and Poots act, either in The Winter Soldier or otherwise.
In one of the many post-Avengers Marvel movies hitting theaters before 2015’s The Avengers 2, it’s possible that James Gunn will join Kenneth Branagh, Joe Johnston, Jon Favreau, and Louis Leterrier as the directors who made all the pre-Avengers movies possible. With Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn hopes to introduce a plethora of new characters to the franchise, like Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, with Thanos as a villain, a being audiences were only able to catch a glimpse of at the end of The Avengers.
With a somewhat obscure filmography as a director, Gunn will be another addition to the already unorthodox list of names chosen to direct the films. Gunn is known for writing and directing Slither and Super, while also writing the two live-action Scooby Doo movies as well as the Zack Snyder directed Dawn of the Dead remake. I’m a huge James Gunn fan, and after hearing this and the talks of an Edgar Wright-directed Ant-Man have me thinking that Marvel is going to go in a new direction. Previously considered for the job were Peyton Reed (Yes Man) and Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden (Half Nelson, It’s Kind of a Funny Story), but it was Gunn’s ability to blend horror and comedy that landed him the job. Serves him right, too. He’s been doing stuff way smarter and funnier than the traditional studio fare, and I hope his break into the mainstream is a successful one. 
And yes, I know, I’m not the biggest fan of the Marvel movies. Yes, I’m “that guy” who didn’t like The Avengers. And yes, even the people who claim they love me also call me an asshole on a regular basis due to this. Do I deserve it? Probably. But am I also excited with the new direction Marvel seems to be taking with its films now that it’s owned by Disney (who, surprisingly enough, makes the best action movies these days). [Ed. Note – No they don’t.] With Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Thor: The Dark World, Iron Man 3, and Nick Fury to hit theaters before The Avengers 2, I’m interested in seeing how this massive story line is extended even further. And by the way, I think the titles for the Captain America and Thor sequels are badass while Iron Man is stuck with a generic number title. What’s up with that? 
Guardians of the Galaxy is set to release on August 1st, 2014.
Back in mid-July, during CCI, we showed you the first 2 minutes of the season 7 premiere (if you haven’t seen it, click here!). As if that two minutes wasn’t exciting enough, I bring you, friends of the internet, the first full trailer from Showtime!
This trailer could not have been better in any way! I have been excited about season 7. I knew that Deb has now seen Dexter kill someone. I was sure, though, that the rest would remain a secret. I was sure that she’d never find out who he really is. And now? I have no idea what is going to happen… and I love it! Also, they used one of my favorite songs of all time “Change” by Deftones. This trailer makes it seem like season 7 is going to be dark. Season 6 made me really miss Dexter’s dark passenger. It appears that they have brought him back.
In this sixth episode of Breaking Bad‘s final season, tensions are rising after last week’s episode, which ended with newcomer Todd (Jesse Plemons) killing a kid for the sake of the business. This episode opens with Mike, Walt, and Todd chemically decomposing the kid’s body and his bike, while Jesse waits outside, unable to bear the atrocities taking place. Todd comes out next to him and lights a cigarette as well, complaining about the smell that accompanies the process. Jesse punches Todd square in the face, and the opening credits roll.
It’s decided that Todd will be able to stay on the crew with close supervision, much to the dismay of Jesse who has always advocated for the safety of children, regardless of whether he knew them or not. From there, Mike and Jesse agree that they’re pulling out of the business. The heat on them has the potential to grow exponentially, and their already guilty conscience is getting worse by the minute. Of the 1000 gallons collected, with Mike and Jesse pulling out of the business they’re only able to give up 666 gallons to a former partner that Mike became acquainted with through Gus. The partner says that he wants the blue meth off the market and will only pay for the full 1000 gallons.
Despite hearing about Tony Scott’s death literally ten minutes before this episode aired I was still able to enjoy this episode of Breaking Bad very much. Like most of the previous episodes, this one hits the mark. There’s even an awesome scene with Saul in it! “Buyout” is everything one can want from an episode; all of the cast is given the best of the best material, there are a couple of great surprises, and there’s even a scene that I never thought would EVER happen. Yes, you know what I’m talking about. Walt, Skyler, and Jesse all having dinner together at the White household.
One of the most painfully awkward yet intensely engaging scenes of the entire episode was also the quietest. With almost no words, Skyler is able to reinforce her pure hatred of Walt in a way words can’t express. Jesse tries his best to keep tensions light, but his charm is no match for the burning feud between Walter and his wife. The episode ends with Walt promising Mike a way that he can get his cut of the deal while he gets to keep all the methlyamine to himself. Of course, as with every Breaking Bad episode, I was glued to the tv and when the: “Executive Producer: Vince Gilligan” credit came on-screen, I was about ready to scream at the TV, throw my angered fist in the air and ask “WHYYY?!” to the TV Gods. That, my friends, is quality entertainment at its finest.
5/5 Bears
Another week and here comes another Sith. Since we went with a Sith Lord from the most recent era of Star Wars lore, I thought this week we could go with one of the more ancient Darths. So don’t let his weird name scare you off, introducing:
Race: Humanoid Home Planet: Prakith
Claim to fame: Was able to master essence transfer and live for thousands of years.
Moment of Shame: Hiding for a thousand years and dying a few minutes after awakening.
Sith Affiliation: Andeddu stood apart from the other Sith Lords.
Darth Andeddu started out as just a mentioned Sith Lord in the Clone Wars era, the undercover Jedi Quinlan Vos using his lightsaber crystal for a time and his holocron gatekeeper showing up breifly. He became somewhat of a fan favorite, probably because of his silly name and not much information surrounding him. He showed up again in the Legacy Era Comics as Darth Krayt asked Andeddu’s holocron gatekeeper for the secret of essence transfer in order to stop his Yuzzahn Vong affliction from overtaking him.
Darth Andeddu lived thousands of years before the Legacy and Clone Wars eras. He was of the ancient Sith such as Karness Muur, Tulak Hord and Freedon Nadd, dabbling in Sith Sorcery in order to prolong life. The secret of immortality isn’t an uncommon thing with Sith and Andeddu was probably one of the most successful along with Karness Muur whom he developed many of his techniques from. Andeddu was a somewhat paranoid and cowardly Sith Lord, fleeing to his homeworld of Prakith for fear that the other Sith Lords were plotting to overthrow him for his knowledge and secret of sustaining life. He remained on Prakith until his body died and his own personal dark side cult “Malevolence” guarded his tomb until their master could return.
Talk to the hand Bitch!
Eventually Darth Krayt of the One Sith got ahold of Andeddu’s holocron and sent his right hand man Darth Wyyrlok to recover all of Andeddu’s knowledge on Prakith so he had more time to subjugate the galaxy under his rule. Wyyrlok’s quest boiled down to him having to face Andeddu one on one in the flesh after it was revealed that Andeddu’s holocron also held his essence in it and needed to be reunited with his body in order for him to be resurrected. After a pretty awesome yet short fight with Darth Wyyrlok, Andeddu is finally put to bed forever by the horned Sith Lord. Wyyrlok then plunders his remaining knowledge before departing Prakith and leaving Andeddu just as he feared for thousands of years…. dead by the hand of another Sith Lord who wanted his knowledge.
Andeddu may have been a coward, but he definitely had the right idea about survival and staying alive. He started off as menacing when he was finally resurrected and began his duel with Wyyrlok, but he was ultimately a coward as Wyyrlok pointed out before killing him. Definitely a knowledgeable Sith Lord, just not a very brave one.
Aaaaaaaaaand…. that’s Jenga.
Stay tuned next week for another installment of Know Your Sith!
Check out last week’s lucky contestant: Krow Your Sith!
Grizzly Bomb 