Reviews – Page 28 – The Nerd Corps

Encyclopedia of Super

Posted on September 14, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of Jason Inman’s Super Soldiers

I suppose I should be proud to be the writer of ‘The Nerd Corps’ first book review on this site as I offer up my opinions on Jason Inman’s ‘Super Soldiers’ in this post. As an adult it has grown quite difficult to find time to read as my attention has turned from only school and books to a life full of dog walks, significant other dates, podcast recordings, movie watches and full-blown attention deficit disorder at times. I did my best to read this as quickly as I could and unfortunately that was over the span of a few months. So, to Jason and everyone else, I apologize in the time it took to write this review.

Starting off, let me introduce Jason Inman who you may have heard on the podcast twice as he graciously agreed to talk with myself and Raul for around an hour each time (Episodes 85 and 237 if you want to take a listen). Jason is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, an author of books (duh) and comics (Jupiter Jet, Science!, etc.), and quoting from his website jasoninman.com “a former host of DC All Access and a regular guest on Collider Movie Talk, Geek & Sundry, Collider Heroes, Screen Junkies, SourceFed, and Film HQ…Besides uploading weekly videos on his youtube channel, Jawiin, Jason has hosted his own podcast Geek History Lesson for over five years which was nominated for a Podcast Award”. These two aspects of Jason, that of a veteran and that of the encyclopedia of all things nerd, come into play with his book Super Soldiers which focuses on the comic book heroes and villains who served the United States military.

First, I must comment on the ease of reading I found with this book. Jason has the ability to condense a lot of history of these super powered figures into four to eight pages each. His inclusion of many of the lesser known heroes and villains such as Gravedigger, Isaiah Bradley, and Nuke along with various unfamiliar (to me at least) details of the more popular figures (Captain America, Punisher, etc.) helped keep my attention piqued as each chapter I was exploring the details of someone I didn’t know or finding out more about the heroes I had grown up with. Jason does not shy away from the controversial aspects of each character’s history either but delves right into their history, be it Batwoman’s sexuality during the peak of “don’t ask, don’t tell” or the mistreatment of Gravedigger and Isaiah Bradley due to being black men in a WWII America. Any comic book fan will want to run out and pick up the back issues of many of these character’s comics (I’m personally going to buy up as much of Gravedigger’s “Men of War” as I can find).

On top of all this, Jason includes his own military experiences helping to bridge that gap between comic book lore and reality. From speaking on the difficulty of transitioning back to civilian life, just like War Machine, to pranking his sergeant ala Beetle Bailey, he is able to compare and contrast the life of an enlisted soldier with these fictional stories of super powered (and sometimes not so superpowered aka Sgt. Rock) heroes.

This, in my humble opinion, is a must read for all fans of comics and comic book heroes. The amount of information contained within these 218 pages is astounding, so be sure to keep this close at hand when researching who came before Captain America or how Flash Thompson went from bully to hero. As Sir Francis Bacon coined once upon a time, “Knowledge is power” and as Super Soldiers goes, “Knowledge is Super Power”. YoungYoda out.

P.S. be sure to pick up Super Soldiers on Amazon and give a follow to Jason at the following: Twitter & Instagram- @Jawiin; Go listen to his podcast “Geek History Lesson” (@GHLPodcast) wherever you listen to podcasts.

IT Chapter 2: The Clown Returns With a Hit (Review)

Posted on September 8, 2019August 30, 2020 by Raúl Alejandro Mendoza in Reviews

IT Chapter Two is an impressive sequel to its predecessor that delivers on all cylinders from the establishing shot to the final credits.

We constantly talk about the state of horror in the industry, and how much the genre keeps evolving into a refreshed and insightful style of this incredible medium called filmmaking. For me, my very ignorant opinion on horror changed in 2017 with Andres Muschietti’s hit “IT (or known as IT Chapter One).” After being blown away by the coming of age/horror masterpiece by the Mama director in 2018, I would be blown away by another director in the name of Ari Aster with his directorial debut, Hereditary. Now in 2019, I am eagerly anticipating the conclusion of this story with IT Chapter Two and I can say that this is one that will be one I will be talking about for the rest of the year.

I don’t think I have been this nervous about a sequel to a reboot in a long while. Now to preface, I think what helped the most with this watch was that we recently watched its predecessor again. IT Chapter Two is a monumental achievement by Muschietti and his incredible cast and crew. The film delivers on everything it has riding on it some aspects being the direction, dynamics between the adult Losers, and underlying story of revisiting trauma.

This time around the Loser’s Club are played by Jessica Chastain (Beverly), James McAvoy (Bill), Bill Hader (Richie), Isiah Mustafa (Mike), Jay Ryan (Ben), James Ransone (Eddie), Andy Bean (Stanley), and of course the incredible Bill Skarsgard returns to deliver a goosebumps inducing performance as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The younger cast returns to portray themselves again with some accompanying de-aging technology (which by the way is pretty much unrecognizable). The adult cast works wonderfully together and it feels like the spirit of the Loser’s Club never leaves them. Some of my favorite dynamics were Beverly/Ben, Richie/Eddie, and Bill/Mike. Each of the components of the club help each other to form a bond in the film that you truly believe from beginning to end. This sequel never actually feels like a sequel even though it picks up 27 years after the events of Chapter One. We never lose sight of the things that made the first installment incredible even though the story is much more mature.

IT Chapter Two is not better or worse than Chapter One but it is just the right blend of what to expect from the film with some outstanding aspects. Andres Muschietti has provided us with a horror masterpiece that we will be keeping in conversation for years to come. Something tells me we will also be doing the same with this incredible director. I for one cannot wait to see what this incredible creative force will bring to his next directorial effort The Flash.

Another Shark Tale…But Different

Posted on September 7, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of ‘bad cgi sharks’

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a fan when it comes to the B-movie genre, especially when it is one which involves sharks. My eyes have been on the receiving end of too many badly acted, directed, and written scripts that have possibly dropped my IQ further than the copious amounts of alcohol I had consumed while day drinking in college. Sharknado to me is almost as bad as the plastic surgeon hired by Tara Reid and if you listened to my comments on “The Nerd Corps” podcast, then you know my disdain of ‘The Meg’, which I refused to watch. If I wanted to see Jason Statham punching and running from a large object, then I would just watch Hobbs and Shaw.

Where many of these movies falter is that they either don’t know they’re a horrible b-movie shark flick, or they do know it but bad acting and heavy-handed action sequences overpower the slight comedy sprinkled in (which, unfortunately, generally comes across as corny). ‘Bad CGI Sharks’ however has decided to flip this and instead of relying on overpriced action sequences, they instead inject a far more comedic approach, relying on the dialogue (comedic not character) and a brotherly love story to be their foundation (they also throw in a magic Italian director who has the power to basically do whatever the f*ck he wants, which is kind of cool and more believable than a payphone existing in 2019).

Through the film, I found myself caring about the brothers and their story. Matthew, being the more serious of the two, is made to deal with his estranged brother Jason who has basically downed 20 redbulls and is set free in Hollywood with his only dream being to make a Shark Movie they had written when they were eleven. The dynamic between their two personalities helped set the tone of the film as both must work together while being chased by floating 3-D monstrosities that continuously fail to render. Because of this, Matthew learns to open up more and have fun while Jason realizes that not everything in life is sunshine and rainbows (just most of everything). The brothers grow closer through each scene as they barely escape the pixelated jaws hunting them.

I must also bring up the infinite entertainment value brought on by the continuous (what I like to call) “under the radar” jokes. Those jokes which on paper probably aren’t seen as funny, but the dry humor and perfect delivery make me belly laugh into oblivion each time (Go watch Talladega Nights for more instances). The best example of this is when Matthew is speaking with his boss, saying how his brother is ruining his life, and catches a glimpse of the self-motivation poster his employer has tacked up behind her. He proceeds then to recite, “I want to learn…grow…and…suck…seed.” Now, many of these jokes are sprinkled throughout the film and their addition is a definite positive for any viewer who has the sense of humor of a prepubescent boy (which means me).

Bad CGI Sharks doesn’t shy away from what it is (hell, it’s the name of the movie) but barrels forward with low quality land?…hover? shark villains pushing our story along with a massive amount of comedic flare and a heart-warming journey. Jason Ellsworth, Matthew Ellsworth, and Matteo Molinari have created something rather unique in a genre filled with the rotting filet-o-fishes of shark movie pasts. Because of this, I’m giving Bad CGI Sharks a solid 8/10 rating. YoungYoda Out.

No Strings Attached

Posted on September 7, 2019August 30, 2020 by randomgerm101 in Reviews

A Review of ‘Free Solo’ (2018)

An imposing visage of vertical granite, El Capitan stands at a dizzying 3,000 feet. One of the most alluring vertical challenges within Yosemite National Park. Since 1905, there have been over thirty recorded fatalities (including experienced climbers). Though many had made it to the summit using equipment and rigging, none had done so free solo or, in simpler terms, without the use of ropes, harnesses, or protective equipment.

This is where “Free Solo,” the National Geographic documentary on the eight (8) year efforts of Alex Honnold to be the first to free solo El Capitan, begins. From the opening shots, the viewer is brought into a story where tension, along with adrenaline, continue to build. Directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, along with their crew, bring the audience behind the lens and into their shoes, possibly even more so than in those of Alex’s. With the camera crew being relatively safe from any real danger (thanks to proper training along with the necessary ropes, gear, and protective equipment), they are left with the discomfort and stomach-turning feeling of possibly watching, as well as recording, their friend fall to his death.

With a runtime of an hour and forty minutes, the film chooses in no way, shape, or form to slow down but bombards us with beautiful, anxiety inducing imagery. If this might be a documentary of a man falling to his death, then the counterbalance may be the awe that is Yosemite. The cinematography captured by Jimmy Chin, Clair Popkin, and Mikey Schaefer is almost beautiful enough to make us forget that we might be watching the prequel to someone’s demise.

However, our eyes become fixated on a man who appears to never be satisfied with his accomplishments, even if he succeeds in his next conquest. Continuously chasing that next thrill, he will push himself until he perishes and we are all allowed to ride shotgun in this narrative where the hero’s obsession might just be his undoing. In all honesty, this might be the only documentary to have ever increased my pulse rate.

Normal society would call Alex Honnold’s choices irrational as he willingly puts family and friends as secondaries in his quest for that next perfect climb. Others find him to be a hero and true adventurer, proving the human spirit (along with the human body) can vanquish what was deemed impossible for so long. For this reviewer, I will cling to the comfort of my couch where “Free Solo” receives a deserving 9.5/10. Go watch it while it’s still on Hulu. YoungYoda out.

When They See Us: The Realities of a Heartbreaking and Infuriating True Story

Posted on August 22, 2019August 30, 2020 by Raúl Alejandro Mendoza in Reviews

In Ava DuVernay’s recent Netflix Limited Series, she crafts a creative force to be consumed and analyzed for years to come.

CREDIT: Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

In Ava DuVernay’s recent work with Netflix she analyzes the story of The Exonerated 5 or as famously known as The Central Park 5. Ava’s masterful direction and incredible analysis of a heartbreaking and infuriating case leaves your jaw on the floor from the opening shot to the final credits.

The Exonerated 5 are played by Asante Black (teen)/Justin Cunningham (adult), Caleel Harris (teen)/Jovan Adepo (adult), Ethan Herisse (teen)/Chris Chalk (adult), Marquis Rodriguez (teen)/Freddy Miyares (adult), and Jharel Jermoe. The rest of the cast includes incredible performers such as Marsha Stephanie Blake, Kylie Burnbury, John Leguizamo, Niexy Nash, Suzzane Douglas, and Michael Kenneth Williams. Ava also reunites with the incredible Bradford Young who shot the whole show. The show also includes an incredible score by Kris Bowers and impeccable production design by Henry Dunn and Akin McKenzie.

When They See Us never fails to impress you, it is an incredibly crafted series that looks at the case of the “Central Park 5” who were wrongfully convicted for crimes that these boys did not commit. From the beginning until the end we are told the truth behind the case and how these five boys were robbed of a life because of a system that does not work for boys like them. Ava DuVernay’s incredible writing and direction creates an emotional packed mini series that brought me to tears multiple times. This art by Ava made me smile (every time Ray and his girlfriend embraced each other), cry (happened pretty much every episode), and want to scream at these prosecutors and politicians trying their hardest to make these boys not have a life after they are released.

You can tell with every frame on the screen and dialogue spoken that Ava poured every ounce of research on the case into this series. It is accompanied by some of the most impressive cinematography yet from Bradford Young. Hopefully this leads Ava to walk out of the Emmy’s with the awards that she so deserves. I have a feeling that just like the case we will be talking about this superlative piece of art by one of the best creatives working in the industry right now for ages to come.