Sunday, December 26, 2010

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

The Doctor (Matt Smith) pays us all a visit in between seasons in this year's Doctor Who Christmas special.
Photo Credit: BBC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Doctor Who'
2010 Christmas Special
"A Christmas Carol"

While America doesn't have the Christmas Day television culture that the British have (we tend to hit the movie theaters after dinner instead), the former colonies does have its share of 'Doctor Who' fans. With impatient folks wanting their 'Who' spoiler-free and as soon as their British cousins get a new episode, it makes sense that BBC America would air the newest Doctor Who Christmas special on the same day as it aired overseas. Also, if BBC America wants to retain viewers and not lose them to bittorrenting, this should become a regular practice, particularly when the next season kicks in.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

My Favorite Songs of 2010 - #10 - 6

By Paul Steven Brown

We've entered the Top Ten of my personal favorite songs of  2010. Here's #10 though #6:

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cultural Wormhole Presents: The Merc Report Episode 3

Spinning out of X-Nation, The Merc Report is your monthly review of the many Deadpool comic books published by Marvel Comics. This episode Corwin Crowl takes us through the Month in Merc for November 2010.

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: The Merc Report Episode 3

Reviewed this episode: Deadpool #29, Deadpool Corps #8, Deadpool Team Up #887, Deadpool Pulp #3 and Deadpool MAX #2.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Tron: Legacy

Flynn (Jeff Bridges) will no longer abide in Tron: Legacy.
Photo Credit: Disney
Review by Paul Steven Brown

Tron: Legacy
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Screenplay by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz
Starring Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, & Olivia Wilde

One's appreciation of Tron: Legacy will more than likely depend on one of two conditions: the viewer's nostalgia for the original film Tron from 1982 and/or the ability to just sit back and watch the pretty pictures. That's not to say that there isn't a story here, but it's a simple one that is dressed up with complicated details.

Friday, December 17, 2010

AKA Jessica Jones

By Paul Steven Brown

According to Variety, Marvel Television and ABC Studios is developing a television series based on former superhero turned detective Jessica Jones. It's slated for fall of 2011 for the big three network with Melissa Rosenberg as the head writer and executive producer. The source material will be the Marvel MAX comic book series that ran for about three years during the early half of the last decade called Alias, which was written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Michael Gaydos. Since there has already been a television series on ABC with that name, the title change to 'AKA Jessica Jones' is understandable.

My Favorite Songs of 2010 - #15 - 11

By Paul Steven Brown

Time for us to take a look at the better half of my 30 favorite songs of 2010. Here's #15 through #11.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Favorite Songs of 2010 - #20 - 16

By Paul Steven Brown

The list of my 30 favorite songs of 2010 continues. Keep in mind that numbering these songs in a countdown order is purely arbitrary. On any given day the sequence could change. Well, maybe not the top ten, but anyway...

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

My Favorite Songs of 2010 - #25 - 21

By Paul Steven Brown

The list continues...

These are the songs I listened to over and over again throughout the year or were the ones that dug themselves so deep into my subconscious, that I couldn't help but hear them in my head. I do not propose to be a music authority, but these are the songs I enjoyed the most in 2010.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

My Favorite Songs of 2010 - #30 - 26

By Paul Steven Brown

These are the songs I listened to over and over again throughout the year or were the ones that dug themselves so deep into my subconscious, that I couldn't help but hear them in my head. I do not propose to be a music authority, but these are the songs I enjoyed the most in 2010.

Your list may be very, very different.

And that's okay.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Fringe - "Marionette"

Olivia (Anna Torv) and Peter (Joshua Jackson) on the trail of an organ thief.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 9
"Marionette"

Going into this episode I was worried that after wrapping up an incredible eight-part arc, 'Fringe' would fall back into old patterns.  Luckily, my fears were unfounded and we got a compelling epilogue to the previous arc. While "Marionette" was a Monster of the Week episode, albeit a creepy and engaging one, it was well-adorned with very strong character moments throughout.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 7



Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: X-Nation Episode 7

In this installment of X-Nation, Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul travel back in time and dig through six issues from yesterday in Days of X-Men Past: Uncanny X-Men #398, Uncanny X-Men #399, X-Treme X-Men #5, X-Treme X-Men #6, New X-Men #117, and New X-Men #118.

The Walking Dead - "TS-19"

To avoid the undead, the cast of 'The Walking Dead' must now live together inside an elevator for all of eternity.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 6
"TS-19"

After last week's drastic divergence from the source material, I was feeling a bit pessimistic about the season finale of 'The Walking Dead'. Thankful it turned out to be a solid episode and one that didn't go down the path that I predicted. As a bonus, "TS-19" was the episode that made me finally relax and enjoy 'The Walking Dead' the television as it's own thing and to not worry about whether or not it will stray too far from the comic book series.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Fringe - "Entrada"

Peter (Joshua Jackson) sees a suspicious glow coming from the police van.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 8
"Entrada"

"Entrada" is an extremely satisfying conclusion to the most entertaining and ambitious story arc so far on 'Fringe'. The key to this success is due to the show writers finally going full-tilt boogie and embracing the madcap sci-fi core of the series and giving it a huge long kiss on the mouth. You can't half-ass a show like this, which was the problem 'Fringe' had during season two. There were way too many standalone episodes in an attempt to lure in new viewers or folks that normally watch shows with big mythologies. Science fiction is still a hard sell to a mainstream audience and no matter how good this type of show is, there is a large percentage of folks that will never give a show like 'Fringe' the time of day.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Resurgence"

Lt. Matthew Scott (Brian J. Smith) hunts for an escaped Chloe.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 10
"Resurgence"

Several of this season's plot threads come to a head in this mid-season finale. 1. Chloe's alien influenced metamorphosis. 2. Destiny's increased encounters with new alien races and ships. 3. Col. Telford's abandonment aboard the seed ship. 4. Destiny preparing Col. Young for a battle just like the ones that occurred in this episode. 5. Eli dealing (or not) with Ginn's death. 6. The crew's increased control over Destiny's systems. 7. Varro's continued feeling of uselessness and attempts to bond with T.J. It sounds like a lot, but most of these points tie neatly into one another.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Walking Dead - "Wildfire"

Andrea (Laurie Holden) mourns the death of her sister as Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) tries to comfort her.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 5
"Wildfire"

It's becoming harder and harder for me to separate my feelings about this show and those I have for the comic book series. I understand that as a television show, 'The Walking Dead' will handle events from the source material differently and at times add or subtract elements. The ending of "Wildfire" was a very big divergence from the original comic book series, and not in a way that I'm too excited about.

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 6


In this installment of X-Nation, Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul take a look at the latest X-Men news in the X-Buzz, and review November’s X-Books in the Month in X. They also make a special announcement about the Days of X-Men Past segment (plus they add one more to the blooper reel).

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: X-Nation Episode 6

Month in X: Wolverine #3, Daken: Dark Wolverine #3, X-23 #3, New Mutants Forever #4, X-Men Forever 2 #11, X-Men Forever 2 #12, X-Men: To Serve and Protect #1, X-Men #5, Generation Hope #1, X-Factor #211, X-Men: Legacy #242, Uncanny X-Force #2, Uncanny X-Men #530, New Mutants #19

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Visitation"

Col. Young (Louis Ferreira) questions Dr. Caine (Tygh Runyan) about his mysterious return.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 9
"Visitation"

I was not expecting "Visitation" to be my favorite episode of the the second season of 'Stargate Universe'. Caine and his preaching really got on my nerves last season when he and a few others decided to leave Destiny and stay on a lush planet in the appropriately named "Faith". However, my curiosity was piqued during TJ's dream journey back to Eden in the season premiere. It certainly opened the door that Caine and the others may be making a reappearance in some form or other.

Monday, November 22, 2010

The Walking Dead - "Vatos"

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) explains to the others why he needs to rescue Glenn.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 4
"Vatos"

"Vatos" is a bit of an odd episode. Rick, Gleen, T-Dog, and Daryl's venture back into Atlanta seemed complicated enough. Their goal was to find Merle and Rick's sack of guns, all the while avoiding getting chewed on by zombies. Then the Vatos show up.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) are on the run in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
Review by Paul Steven Brown

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Directed by David Yates
Screenplay by Steve Kloves based on the book written by J.K. Rowling
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

It is impossible to review this seventh Harry Potter film like a traditional standalone picture. The previous six films have been leading up to it and what was released this weekend is only the first half of a story that was cleaved into two films. There are a ton of characters that get little to no reintroduction. Going in, the audience is expected to have seen the other films or have read the books.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Fringe - "The Abducted"

Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) has a bad hair day and plays with needles.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 7
"The Abducted"

"The Abducted" is the penultimate episode of the current "Olivia Swap" arc that has been the driving force of the third season of 'Fringe'. We'll have to wait two weeks for the conclusion, due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, but eight episodes seems about the right length. This has been the best season of the series to date, and I'd hate to see the creators deflate its power by milking a strong idea too long.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Malice"

Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) attends to a restrained Dr. Park (Jennifer Spence).
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 8
"Malice"

Anger is a powerful emotion. If produced due to tragic events, it can cause someone to almost become a different person. With the death of Ginn and Amanda at the hands of Lucian Alliance creep, Simeon, We get to see some very unpleasant sides to Eli and Dr. Rush.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The Walking Dead - "Tell It to the Frogs"

Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) lays down a few new ground rules for Shane (Jon Bernthal) now that Rick is back.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 3
"Tell It to the Frogs"

Last week's episode of 'The Walking Dead' veered more towards what is expected and common for zombie movies. This week's "Tell It to the Frogs" brings the program back in line with the character drama strengths of the premiere. Other than the horde that was scratching at Merle Dixon's roof top door, the rest of the humans only had one zombie run-in back at camp. Most the episode dealt with Rick's reunion with his wife, Lori, and son, Carl, and the tension between the various personalities amongst the survivors. I love some intense zombie action, but 'The Walking Dead' is at its best when dealing with the living and their personal struggles in a world gone to hell.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Fringe - "6995 kHz"

Fauxlivia (Anna Torv) watches as the excavation crew uncovers something very important.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 6
"6995 kHz"

'Fringe' has been on freakin' fire this season and tonight's episode was a bit of a game-changer as far as the overall mythology is concerned. We've been told that The Machine that Walternate had Peter working on is a piece of "ancient technology". Now we have our first clue as to who created it. Apparently, there was a race of people that lived on Earth before humans, created or tapped into something called "The Vacuum", and were wiped out completely and thoroughly, since there is nary a trace of them anymore.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Stargate Universe - "The Greater Good"

Col. Young (Louis Ferriera) and Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) explore the second ship to cross Destiny's path this season.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 7
"The Greater Good"

Rant #1: Before I begin the actual review, I've got to comment on Syfy's awful spoiler problem. The spoiled a couple of things on 'Caprica' with the commercials and this problem seems to have infected 'Stargate Universe'. The ending of "The Greater Good" was an intense cliffhanger. Instead of waiting in anticipation for next Tuesday, the people that edited together the preview for the next episode completely gave away the resolution. Way to be sloppy, there Syfy.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Cultural Wormhole Presents: The Merc Report Episode 2


Spinning out of X-Nation, The Merc Report is your monthly review of the many Deadpool comic books published by Marvel Comics. This episode Corwin Crowl takes us through the Month in Merc for October 2010.

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: The Merc Report Episode 2

Reviewed this episode: Deadpool MAX #1, Deadpool Pulp #2, Deadpool Corps #7, Uncanny X-Force #1, Deadpool Team Up #888, and Deadpool #28.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Walking Dead - "Guts"

Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) make a run for it.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 2
"Guts"

I'm amazed at the level of gore that this show is getting away with even at 10 PM EST on basic cable. Zombies getting their brains blown out is one thing, but "Guts" took gross to a whole new level. I don't think I've ever seen anything as stomach-turning on HBO as the scene where Rick, Glenn and some other survivors chop up one of the undead so they can smear themselves with... well... guts. I almost shared Glenn's reaction to the situation.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Fringe - "Amber 31422"

Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel), Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), and Charlie Francis (Kirk Acevedo) go over a case with their superior Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick).
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 5
"Amber 31422"

One of the aspects of the third season of 'Fringe' that I've really enjoyed is the development of the Alt-Fringe world. Sure, the various historical differences are fun, but it's ways that day to day living is effected by the unique conditions and technology "over there" that I find the most compelling. Between things like the "Show Me" identification cards and abundance of public surveillance devices, there's clearly a more omni-present feel to that world's American police and military forces.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Trial and Error"

Sparks ignite between Eli (David Blue) and Ginn (Julie McNiven) as Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) watches on.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 6
"Trial and Error"

I apologize if I begin another 'Stargate Universe' review with a comparison to a Star Trek episode. However, unlike last week's "Cloverdale", the latest 'SGU' hour was really good and the comparison is a positive one. Even the title "Trial and Error" reminds me of the classic 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' repetitive reset episode "Cause and Effect". And like the Enterprise, the Destiny was the victim of multiple destructions.

Monday, November 1, 2010

The Walking Dead – “Days Gone Bye”

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up to a nightmare.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘The Walking Dead’
Season 1 – Episode 1
“Days Gone Bye”

I enter my viewing and reviewing of AMC’s newest series ‘The Walking Dead’ in an interesting predicament. I’ve been reading the series for a few years; not monthly, but I make sure to get the latest trade paperback collection the day it hits the shelves at my local comic book shop. Now, I face the challenge of reviewing episodes of a television series based on a comic that I’ve really grown to appreciate. To that end, I’m going to do my best to address ‘The Walking Dead’ in the context of the television series, with as little as possible reference to the comic book series.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 5


In this installment of X-Nation, Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul sift through the latest news in the X-Buzz, discuss October’s X-Books in the Month in X, and take a trip to yesterday with Days of X-Men Past.

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: X-Nation Episode 5

Month of X – October 2010
Wolverine #2, Daken: Dark Wolverine #2, X-23 #2, New Mutants Forever #3, X-Men Forever 2 #9, X-Men Forever 2 #10, X-Men #4, X-Men Vs. Vampires #2, Uncanny X-Force #1, New Mutants #18, X-Factor #210, Uncanny X-Men #529, X-Men: Legacy #241

Days of X-Men Past
X-Treme X-Men: Savage Land #1 – 4

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Caprica - "False Labor"

Polly Walker as Clarice Willow on 'Caprica'.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Caprica'
Season 1 - Episode 13
"False Labor"

Despite the directionless feeling that seems to hang over 'Caprica', I still enjoy the program when the writers decide to stabilize the focus on particular subplots. "False Labor" concentrates mainly on three that are some to the more interesting of the series so far. We had Sam's confrontation with the gun runners, Daniel's struggles with perfecting an Amanda avatar, and the real Amanda attempting to earn the trust of the Willow household so she can dig up STO info. I also doesn't hurt that none of them occur in New Cap City.

Stargate Universe - "Cloverdale"

Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) officiates over Chloe (Elyse Levesque) and Matthew's (Brian J. Smith) "wedding".
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 5
"Cloverdale"

This sort of episode has become a sci-fi staple: a member of the cast is injured and while unconscious, he or she has visions of another life where those familiar to them have been recast in various roles. One of my favorite takes on this ideas was a sixth season episode of 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' called "Far Beyond the Stars". Captain Sisko had visions that he was a science fiction writer in the 1950s where he worked along side other writers that had the same faces as his crew mates. Other than the fun factor of seeing this ensemble play other personalities and some without their usual alien prothstetics, the episode added depth to Sisko's struggles as the Emissary to the Prophets, and commented on racial attitudes of the mid-twentieth century.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Pathogen"

Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) tests to see the extent of alien influence on Chloe (Elyse Levesque)
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 4
"Pathogen"

Ug... another musical montage at the end of an episode of 'Stargate Universe'. As soon as the music started and the camera began cutting between various characters on the ship, I was cringing in anticipation of some vocals with lyrics that were too on the nose, again. Thankfully, it was only instrumental. Still, this is getting really, really, really old.

Caprica - "Things We Lock Away"

Lacy Rand (Magda Apanowicz) outside Sister Clarice's home.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Caprica'
Season 1 - Episode 12
"Things We Lock Away"

I'm trying hard to like 'Caprica', but it's not making it easy for me. I like it when sci-fi shows or movies try to break stereotype, but sometimes it feels like the creators of this show are trying a bit too hard. They are trying to instill a feeling of weight and importance, that it's predecessor 'Battlestar Galactica' had. It doesn't seem to be succeeding and episodes like "Things We Lock Away" do not help matters.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Rubicon - "You Never Can Win"

Will (James Badge Dale) and Truxton (Michael Christofer) finally have that important talk.
Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Rubicon'
Season 1 - Episode 13
"You Never Can Win"

As much as I really enjoyed this first (and hopefully not the last) season of 'Rubicon', I was disappointed in the handling of the episode's conclusion. Don't get me wrong, James Badge Dale and Michael Christofer were as excellent as always and the scene crackled with tension. However, we're left with both Will and Truxton knowing that the other knows about everything involving Atlas MacDowell and the Galvaston attack. Spangler walks away daring Will to go public. Fade to black.

Mad Men - "Tomorrowland"

Joan (Christina Hendricks) and Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) discuss their positions at SCDP.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Mad Men'
Season 4 - Episode 13
"Tomorrowland"

That was certainly sudden. However, looking back at season four as a whole, this did appear to be the end result Matthew Wiener had intended. Megan had been floating around the background for half the season until her key moment of comforting Sally. That was also the same episode that we learned that Dr. Faye wasn't good with children and had no real desire to change that matter.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fringe - "Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?"

Astrid (Jasika Nicole) and Walter (John Noble) explore the mysteries of the Massive Dynamic cafeteria.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 4
"Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep?"

One of the major tensions of Faux-livia hiding in plain site is the question of how far she would be willing to go to maintain her cover. She replaced our Olivia right as her relationship with Peter was beginning. Strangely enough, Faux-livia has had to partake of those first few dates of a blossoming romance for Olivia. Now Peter and Faux-livia are at the point where most couples would take it to the next level physically. The problem is that Faux-livia has a very solid and healthy relationship back on her world.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Caprica - "Retribution"

Sister Clarice (Polly Walker) on a particularly rainy day in Caprica City.
Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Caprica'
Season 1 - Episode 11
"Retribution"

The creators of 'Caprica' have openly admitted that they had to change gears on their original characterization of Sister Clarice. The original concept was to have her played more humorously, along the lines of  Gaius Baltar on 'Battlestar Galactica'. However, due to Clarice's dark associations and the calibar of actor that Polly Walker, this had to change and quickly. The second half of season one has seen a dramatic change towards proactiveness from the character.

Stargate Universe - "Awakening"

Sgt. Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) inspects the seed ship.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 3
"Awakening"

Enough with the musical montages already. The one at the end of the season premiere was understandable, because it gave us a glimpse of the new condition of the cast after the Lucian Alliance takeover had been undone. Also, I didn't care if the music was contemporary pop rather than scored, unlike a number of naysayers online. However, we're three episodes into the season and two have ended with a pop ballad montage. Even the second episode had a mini-montage with scored music as Col. Young cried into his moonshine near the end of the program. It's crossed into cliche and it didn't help matters that last night's montage song had lyrics that were too on the nose.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Rubicon - "Wayward Sons"

Will  (James Badge Dale) visits Katherine Rhumor.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Rubicon'
Season 1 - Episode 12
"Wayward Sons"

For the last eleven episodes, we've been introduced to and tracked the development of characters that have never appeared on the screen. Kateb, Tanaz, Boeck, and Popovich have been spectres in the background and the people of interest being investigated by Will team at API, all the while not actually appearing in a single episode. That is until now.

Cultural Wormhole Presents: The Merc Report Episode 1


Spinning out of X-Nation, The Merc Report is your monthly review of the many Deadpool comic books published by Marvel Comics. This episode Corwin Crowl takes us through the Month in Merc for September 2010.

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: The Merc Report Episode 1

Reviewed this episode: Deadpool Pulp #1, Deadpool #27, Deadpool Corps #6, Deadpool Team-Up #889, & Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War #4

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mad Men - "Blowing Smoke"

Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) and Bert Cooper (Robert Morse) as their empire slowly crumbles around them.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Mad Men'
Season 4 - Episode 12
"Blowing Smoke"

I know that there is one episode left in the season, but "Blowing Smoke" felt like a season finale. The episode ended with a feeling of uncertainty, yet with a direction more towards a positive outcome. Yes, SCDP is having to down-size, resulting in the firing of big chunk of the staff, but thanks to the partners ponying up some money, the bank has granted them a loan to keep the company afloat for another six months.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Fringe - "The Plateau"

Walternate (John Noble) over sees Olivia's progress at the Fringe Division headquarters 'over there'.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 3
"The Plateau"

If there are any new viewers have started watching 'Fringe' starting with this season, then they're are probably wondering what the hell is going on. The confusion would be understandable if a newcomer didn't know anything about the two parallel worlds and the fact that most of the cast has a double on the other side. To make matters even more complicated, the two Olivias have been switched, with our Olivia now thinking she's actually Faux-livia. So, yeah, not very new viewer friendly.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Stargate Universe - "Aftermath"

Dr. Franklin (Mark Burgess) reappears to offer Dr. Rush some advice.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 2
"Aftermath"

When is Dr. Rush finally going to learn that keeping secrets is going to continue to make things worse for him and for those aboard Destiny. Even when one of his poor decisions results in the death of recurring character, he finds a way to rationalize his choice. He's holding on to as much information about the operation of Destiny as long as possible. This way he has some form of power over Col. Young. Rush even was able to unlock and power up the ship's bridge. But at what cost? Luckily, Destiny isn't going to make it easy for him.

Caprica - "Unvanquished"

Zoe Greystone (Alessandra Torresani) takes on some A Clockwork Orange rejects in the VR world.
Photo Credit: Syfy
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Caprica'
Season 1 - Episode 10
"Unvanquished"

The programmers at Syfy found it in their hearts to air the last half of the first season of 'Caprica' in the fall rather than having us wait until January. I've never understood Syfy's programming strategy. They've always broken up their shows' seasons in halves with a very long hiatus that can last up to half a year (see the final season of 'Battlestar Galactica'). It just seems like a momentum killer and a perfect accuse for view attrition.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Rubicon - "A Good Day's Work"

Truxton Spangler (Michael Cristofer) enjoys a glass of "the good stuff".
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Rubicon'
Season 1 - Episode 11
"A Good Day's Work"

The presence of Andy in Will's life has provided a voice for the idea that intelligence work is glamorous and action packed. What we've learned watching 'Rubicon' is that it can be slow and tedious, and in Will's case, the action is brutal and vicious. So, it's no surprise that when Andy makes a badly timed appearance at Will's apartment just hours after he had just killed a man in self-defense (and whose body was chopped up and removed), it makes sense that he doesn't want her around anymore.

Mad Men - "Chinese Wall"

Stan Rizzo (Jay R. Ferguson) and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) get ready to make a presentation.
Photo Credit: AMC
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Mad Men'
Season 4 - Episode 11
"Chinese Wall"

The future of SCDP is looking very uncertain at the moment. Roger's big secret about Lucky Strike came out via the grapevine and now the entire company has to scramble to find replacement accounts, while trying to reduce the fears of their other clients so they don't jump ship as well. Of course, this is also the perfect time for Baby Campbell to make her debut.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 4


Join Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul as they catch up on the latest X-Men news in the X-Buzz, take a look at the X-Books for September 2010 in the Month of X, and visit the stories from years ago in Days of X-Men Past.

Subscribe to the show: RSS Feed & iTunes
Download: X-Nation Episode 4

Month of X - September 2010: Wolverine: Road to Hell #1, Wolverine #1, Daken: Dark Wolverine #1, X-23 #1, X-Men #3, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants – Smoke & Blood #1, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants – X-Men vs. Vampires #1, Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #3, X-Force: Sex & Violence #3, New Mutants Forever #2, X-Men Forever 2 #7, X-Men Forever 2 #8, X-Factor #209, New Mutants #17, Uncanny X-Men #528, X-Men: Legacy #240

Days of X-Men Past: New X-Men 2001 Annual, Uncanny X-Men #397, X-Treme X-Men #4

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Fringe - "The Box"

Faux-livia (Anna Torv) lets Newton (Sebastian Roche) know who's the boss in this trans-dimensional operation.
Photo Credit: FOX
Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 2
"The Box"

While 'Fringe' can provide entertaining "Monster of the Week" episodes, it really clicks when the writers focus on characters and the show's mythology. Two episodes out of the gate and season three has been doing just that, and rather well, too. Last week's premiere was all about Olivia, who was alone and trapped in the other universe. This week we catch up with the rest of the cast, Peter, Walter, Broyles, Astrid, and even Nina Sharpe. Unbeknown to them, the Olivia (FOX refers to her as Bolivia, but I like Faux-livia) in their midst is actually the one from the other side.