El Rey Network - Ride With Us

As you may know, I have a decent movie collection that I'm pretty proud of.  From horror (Scream Factory), to Kung Fu (Dragon Dynasty), to even some art house (Criterion Collection), I collect Blu-Rays and DVD's so I can watch the films I like to watch whenever I want.  Unfortunately, when I watch plain old television, I endlessly flip through hundreds of channels before I find something that I can tolerate to watch...  that was until now!

Robert Rodriguez has created a Television Network that suits my needs.  Mixing TV shows with cult followings and exploitation films, El Rey is a cable network programmed for people who like real entertainment.  As much as I love original series from FX and AMC, El Rey has tapped into something really special.  I no longer need to get up from my seat and pop in a Blu-Ray disc.  Instead, El Rey is showing the same movies I've spent years trying to find.

Talking to people I know, there's few who know about this channel because it's relatively new.  Since I don't really have advertising on this blog (although Tarantino Comics would be a terrific venue for El Rey), I'm going to present 5 things I really love about this network:

5)  Flying Five Finger One Armed Eight Pole Shaolin Exploding Death Touch Thursdays - I believe back in the day, TV channels had "Kung Fu Hours" as a part of their regular programming.  However, as time went on, pictures from The Shaw Brothers were no longer syndicated and they were hard to come across.  Luckily El Rey is providing us awesome movies such as The Flying Guillotine, Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, and Dirty Ho.  Although the dubbed dialogue can be corny (yet I love the aethstetic), the choreography and stories are highly entertaining.  You have to remember, these movies inspired Kill Bill!  So if you've never watched Kung Fu, remember Jennifer Aniston's excitement for these films in Office Space and take advantage of Thursday nights.

4)  Grindhouse Fridays -  Rodriguez has really embraced Grindhouse films ever since Planet Terror.  To share his passion, Rodriguez established Grindhouse Theatre to showcase awesome exploitation films.  One of the first movies shown on El Rey was Switchblade Sisters (a film from Tarantino's Rolling Thunder line).  From that moment on, I knew this channel meant business.  So if you like movies that exploit sex, action, kung fu, horror, and bizarre subject matter, El Rey is the place to be on Friday Nights. 

3)  Badass TV - When awesome movies aren't being played, El Rey is showing some awesome old TV shows.  Syndicated sitcoms like Friends or Seinfeld aren't shown on El Rey... instead we get shows with strong cult followings.  Representing the era of 70's exploitation, we get Starsky and Hutch.  To ensure we believe in the paranormal and question the unknown, we get to follow Mulder and Scully in the X-Files.  And to satisfy my long-time crush on Jessica Alba (sorry Angie), I get to watch her beat-up bad guys on Dark Angel.

2)  Original Programming - As much as I love movies, Television has a greater advantage of taking its time with a story.  Knowing Tarantino has created some interesting characters, Rodriguez flushed out the From Dusk Till Dawn universe by giving it an original series.  Although I'm ashamed to admit this, I was somewhat skeptical of this show.  But after watching the pilot, I was hooked.  I love the locations, the cinematography, and even the "cool" dialogue.  Mixing veterans like Don Johnson and Robert Patrick with new comers D.J. Cotrona and Zane Holtz (who play the infamous Gecko Brothers), we get a really awesome cast.  And as hard as it is to top Salma Hayek as Santanico, Eiza Gonzalez is a great match for someone who can mesmerize a crowd.   Having recently finished the first season, I can't wait to see what's  in store for us next season.  Thankfully, El Rey is in full pursuit with more original programming and coming out with Matador in July.


1)  The Director's Chair - One of the reasons I still buy Blu-Ray movies is for the special features.  Cable TV can't provide those audio commentaries and behind-the-scene featurettes I love so much.  Luckily, El Rey is there for the movie buffs and has recorded hour long interviews between Robert Rodriguez and well-known movie directors called The Director's Chair.  The first show featured John Carpenter - A true visionary and inspiration to anyone who loves film.  They discussed how he got into the business, shared stories about his movies, and answered questions from fellow directors to give insight about his unique film making process.  Other interviewees I'd love to see in The Director's Chair are Brian DePalma, William Friedkin, Stuart Gordon, and of course... Quentin Tarantino.  The Director's Chair is my favorite program happening on El Rey.

Although we haven't seen any news recently, I'm highly anticipating Lucha Libre.  I've never seen a match in my life, but I believe the colors and theatrics will resonate with my tastes.

As I hope you can see, I'm truly a fan of the El Rey Network.  I'm a huge supporter of what it's trying to do and may even get myself some swag.  If my enthusiasm isn't enough to excite you, at least watch Rodriguez's own excitement here!  And for goodness sake, if you watch the promos, even Godzilla Rides With El Rey!

 

 

Top Five Countdown - Best Movies of 2013

Although my picks won't necessarily line up with the Oscars this Sunday, I wanted to share my Top 5 Favorite Films of 2013:

5.  Elysium - After watching 2009's District 9, I knew Neill Blomkamp was the next great sci-fi director... And thankfully, he didn't disappoint me!  Filled with social commentary, this futuristic tale mixes the grittiness of an apocalyptic earth with high octane action adventure.  I think this film was forgotten in the Oscar hype, but I'll continue to enjoy it after many re-watches.

4.  American Hustle - This was my first David O. Russell film.  I like Marky Mark and Jennifer Lawrence, but I needed a crime film to get me acquainted with director (I promise, I'll eventually visit The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook).  The plot is intriguing - When the FBI uses a conman to con politicians, how does the conman con his way out of the situation?  Complimented with "Scorsese-like" narrations, all of the actors are fantastic - Jeremy Renner is surprisingly likeable, Bradley Cooper is despised, Amy Adams is beautiful, and Jennifer Lawrence is purely wild.  However, it's Christian Bale's performance that made me love this movie - For a fat and grimy conman, he is the hero of the story and the man we root for.  On top of that, I'm once again amazed how he can transform his muscular abs to a chubby potbelly.

3.  Pacific Rim - For something that's not related to the King of the Monsters (meaning Godzilla for  you naysayers), this is the best Kaiju film in years.  Guillermo del Toro grips the attention of the audience with mind blowing effects showcasing gigantic monsters fighting enormous robots.  Although the story isn't an award winning script, the plot is still fun and serves it's purpose in this visually intense film.  I don't think this movie did as well as expected, but I'm hoping there's a Pacific Rim sequel in the future.

2.  The Wolf of Wall Street - Martin Scorsese is one of my favorite directors of all time.  Once again casting his "new De Niro," Scorsese proved he's the King of the Crime Drama... or should I say Jester of the Crime Comedy?  DiCaprio plays the resourceful stoke broker Jordan Belfort.  Although he's not really a good person,  he charms us by talking directly to the audience.  But unlike Goodfellas and Casino, this crime film has no murders or killings. Instead, it focuses on the dirty shenanigans that can happen in the corporate world of Wall Street.  Mixing sex and drugs with midget throwing and chest singing, this movie creates uncomfortable situations inducing laugh after laugh.  With a mesmerizing story and an extraordinary cast, this was easily one of my favorite movies of the year.

1.  Man of Steel - After Bryan Singer introduced Lois and Clark's love child, I had no interest in seeing another Superman film.  However, Warner Brothers changed my mind by putting Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan at the helm.  So why do I consider this the best movie of the year?  To start things off, choosing Henry Cavil to play Superman was a superb choice.  His physique truly captures the build and demeanor of the ultimate superhero.  Second, everybody knows the origin of Superman. Unlike The Amazing Spiderman which rehashes the hero's backstory at the very beginning of the movie, the Man of Steel perfectly sprinkles the Smallville scenes throughout the film to enhance emotion. Finally, the Man of Steel puts Action at the forefront.  Rather than focusing on how Clark is going to keep his identity a secret from Lois, he's battling robots and aliens. The visuals were stunning and the fight scenes were creative.  So for those of you who complained this film had too much action, realize Superman originated from ACTION COMICS!  I know I may be biased because I'm a comic book fan, but I can re-watch this movie over and over again.

Top Five Countdown - Most Anticipated Movies of December 2013

This year wasn't too bad for film, but 2013 is definitely ending with a bang!  Usually I wouldn't have the time to immerse myself in tons of new films, but luckily the Christmas season gives me two weeks off to spend at the multiplex.  However, if I'm only limited to see 5 films before New Years, these are going to be the lucky flicks to get my money:

5.  Anchorman 2 - The marketing campaign for this movie has been amazing.  Plus, we all know Will Ferrell is going to bring the funniest movie this year.  Besides Brick's green pants in front of the weather map, I can't wait for another epic News Team Battle Royale...

4.  American Hustle - Once again, we get to see Christian Bale transform his body from the Dark Knight into a sleazy, fat, and balding conman.  With semblance to GoodFellas, this 1970's set piece looks like a crime film right up my alley.  Featuring beautiful women (Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawerence), an intense plot line, and an amazing soundtrack, I believe David O. Russell is going to have another hit (even though I still haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook).

3.  Saving Mr. Banks - With the influence of Angie, I've been revisiting the magical world of Disney by rewatching many of the animated classics of my childhood.  Even though I'm not as familiar with Mary Poppins, I'm excited to see the history behind this ground breaking film.  As I'm delighted to see Tom Hanks playing Walt Disney, I'm even more excited to have at least one feel-good-movie during the holidays.

2.  Inside Llewyn Davis - Folk Music usually isn't a topic to keep my interest.  However, if it comes from the minds of the Coen Brothers, it's going to be a good film.  Bound to have some dark comedic elements, I'm excited to see where this movie goes.

1.  The Wolf of Wallstreet - I know for a fact this is going to be my favorite movie this year.  With Kanye West's Black Skinhead playing in the background, the first trailer is a mesmerizing stream of conscience: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Scorsese Monologue, New York City, Stacks of Cash, Fast Cars, Sex, Drugs, Booze, FBI Agents, Yachts, Pool Parties, Laundering Money, Marching Bands, Swinging Baseball Bats, Guns, Brawling, Monkeys, Swallowing Goldfish, and Flying Midgets.  After I unwrap some presents underneath the tree and eat some honey baked ham, I'm definitely seeing this movie Christmas Day!

So I do expect to see The Wolf of Wallstreet 5 times while it's in theatres.  However, I plan to fit some other honorable mentions including The Hobbit, 47 Ronin, Out of the Furnace, 12 Years a Slave, and The Secret Life of Mitty.  Keeping all of these movies in mind, stay tuned as I plan to give a listing of my favorite movies of the year.

Top 5 Countdown - My Favorite Things of 2011

As a little kid, adults always told me time goes by quicker the older you get. I thought they were liars, but believe it or not, they were telling me the truth. 2011 has proven to be nothing but a blur. Overall, I had a good year, but nothing spectacular really happened. I spent a lot of time at school working on two degrees, so I didn't get out much. And in the world of entertainment, I don't think there was anything breathtaking. However, there were a few pop culture gems I'd like to mention. So as my final post of the year, here is a Top 5 Countdown of My Favorite Things of 2011:

5. Batman for Best Comic Book of the Year: Comic Books have always been a huge part of my life, but I kind of got burnt out this year. It was a mixture of too many events, wasted space, escalating prices, and relocation of my comic shops. But with DC's company wide relaunch, I have much hope to get back into the game for 2012. I'm thinking about getting an iPad next year and reading all my comics digitally. However, one series I will always get the paper floppy is Batman. Thankfully the Dark Knight had a solid relaunch written by Scott Snyder. The art is fantastic, the story is solid, and the characters are interesting.

4. Wasting Light for Best Music Album of the Year: There was not a lot of rock music this year, so I spent a lot of time listening to The Lonely Island's silly hip-hop album - Turtleneck and Chain. Thankfully David Grohl and the Foo Fighters brought the awesome power of the guitar to the radio waves in their latest album. With enticing lyrics and riffs, the Foo Fighters brought us raw energy and sounds that could only produced from a garage. Even their hit Walk was featured in Thor.

3. Drive for Film of the Year: I didn't see a lot of movies in theater this year. Once again, I think I have to blame school, but nothing remarkable caught my eye (except for my choice). Yes, I enjoyed Planet of the Apes and Captain America, but there was nothing of Tarantino caliber - except for one movie - Drive. Most will consider this an artsy film rather than exploitation, but if you watch the trailer, you can't help but rush out and see it (a trait of Grindhouse films). It's not a film for everyone and can be slow at times, but when the intensity builds, it explodes! Accompanied by an all-star cast, I never thought I'd say Ryan Gosling is kick-ass.

2. Sons of Anarchy for TV Show of the Year: I came to this show late in the game. But once I started, I quickly breezed through all the previous seasons and caught up with the current airings. Right now, I think Television is the most entertaining medium with shows like Breaking Bad, Dexter, American Horror Story, and Raising Hope. But if you've never seen Sons of Anarchy, go watch it - You will not be Disappointed!

1. Jimmy Fallon for Entertainer of the Year: I based this decision on the number one person I'd like to hang out with (besides the beautiful Jessica Alba). I chose Jimmy Fallon because he is just a fun guy. On Late Night, he plays games with his guests, the audience are highly entertained, and he is multi talented. Yeah, Kimmel is funny, but Fallon goes one step further by carrying a tune and acting. Jimmy's latest stints on Saturday Night Live were awesome (as host and Barry Gibb) and I hope to see him live one day.

2011 was cool, but I'm more excited for 2012. I can't wait for Django Unchained and The Dark Knight Rises. So in 2012, I'll be hard at work studying lasers and glass (and hope to do some traveling), but one of my resolutions is to blog more (especially with Tarantino Comic Covers). This year I had a total of 77 posts as opposed to 2010's 6 posts. Looks like an upward trend, so let's see if I can do it!

Top 5 Countdown - 2011 Black Friday MovieStop Specials

As we all know, the day after Thanksgiving is that infamous corporate holiday coined Black Friday. Two years ago I waited early in line for a 50 inch TV, but since then, I had no need to wake up before 3AM and fight others for some specials. Instead, I woke up around noon and went to my favorite store:

In case you never been to MovieStop (because I don't think they're as prevalent as GameStop), they're a store where you can buy and trade in for used or new movies. I know most of the time you can get better deals on Amazon, but sometimes it's just nice to browse real life shelves because you never know what hidden gems you can find. Also, Amazon doesn't have a hot female worker who has great taste in film and likes comic books...

Anyways, this Top 5 Countdown is featuring the best Blu-ray deals I scored at MovieStop for this year's Black Friday:

5. Muppets in Space - Not the best of the muppet films, but I couldn't beat the deal and had to support Kermit in some way since I didn't see his new film over the weekend.

4. Predators - This is the recent remake that came out about a year ago. I haven't watched it myself, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it with the Robert Rodriguez commentary.

3. Wonder Woman - In case you haven't seen any of the recent DCU Animated Films, you ought to check them out. Princess Diana doesn't get the credit she deserves, but this flick shows her some love.

2. The Exorcist - This really isn't in theme with the holiday season, but this is my scariest movie of all time. It comes with lots of features, unseen footage, and a couple versions of the film. I'm kind of excited to watch it with the commentaries and see if I can still get through it without covering my eyes.

1. North by Northwest - I've been meaning to get this one for a while, but I'm glad I waited because I got a great deal. It's been a while, but I'm super excited to watch this Carey Grant thriller and see what bonus features are included. As they come out, my goal is to get all of Hitchcock's films on Blu-ray, so this was the perfect one to start with!


So, if you have a MovieStop nearby, stop by and support them. Believe me, I enjoy internet shopping, but you don't always get the same experience and conversations like you would at a brick and mortar store.

Overall, I had a pretty good Thanksgiving eating too much food and goofing off. Sadly, I had to go back to work and school - meaning this will be my last post for at least a week until I finish finals and can enjoy the UCF Winter Break. I'll be back soon and can't wait to share a few more Tarantino Comics and review things in the entertainment world!

Top 5 Countdown - Most Anticipated TV Series of Fall 2011

I've been extremely busy as of late since I've been finishing one Master's Degree and starting another. My new degree is in Optics (lenses, lasers, light, etc..) and I'm enjoying it very much. However, it's taking a lot of my time reviewing things such as calculus and physics - Subjects I haven't touched since my freshman year of college.

When I'm not busy working or studying, the one thing keeping my sanity is ironically Television. I'd rather be watching movies and writing reviews, however TV shows are a quick escape from reality. So today's Top Five Countdown is a listing of my Most Anticipated Television Series of Fall 2011 (although most of them have already started):

5. American Horror Story - I don't know much about the premise, but I do love a good horror story. From the creators of Glee, I'm sure this show will have the same quirkiness minus the singing. Other than AMC, FX is making some of my favorite shows ranging from the dark humor of Wilfred to the grittiness of Justified. There's no doubt American Horror Story will be a hit.

4. Raising Hope - If you haven't watched this show, you are missing out on one of the best slapstick comedies. From the minds of My Name is Earl, it's about a boy who knocks up a serial killer and takes care of the baby after the mom has been captured and executed. Although this sounds pretty grim, this show is nothing but laugh-out-loud antics as this family takes care of baby Hope. Plus, it has Shannon Woodward, a foxy chick I truly adore...

3. The Office - If you ask what's my all-time favorite comedy, I'll answer "The Office." I'm sad to see Michael Scott leave Dunder Mifflin, but the rest of the cast is amazingly funny. With intelligently witty humor and a new boss, I am excited to see the new direction of this show.

2. Dexter - You have to love the show's concept: A Forensic Scientist who is a Serial Killer. This series has taken us for one wild ride and I'm sure it won't calm down anytime soon. I have no idea what this season has in store, but I'm temporarily subscribing to Showtime just so I can watch Michael C. Hall bring justice... or should I say death.

1. Sons of Anarchy - After quickly finishing 3 seasons in 3 weeks, I have found a new series which rivals my favorites of Breaking Bad and The Sopranos. I just can't get enough: It has a superb cast, awesome storytelling, and fantastic cinematography. As you watch this show, you must remember it's more than a gritty crime story - it's a family drama. I plan on writing more about SOA in the future, but right now, I can't wait to see what danger lies ahead for SAMCRO and how they'll deal with Danny Trejo and the Cartel.

After writing this post, I feel like a couch potato... but can you really blame me with such awesome stories to be watched ?!?!?!

Top Five Countdown - MegaCon 2011 Convention Sketches

It was extremely hard to get out of bed this morning after a fantastic weekend. However, I made it through a long day of work and started counting down the days until my next convention.

Although I've managed to return to a normal work schedule, I'm psyched about a few things that will keep me satisfied throughout the year. At MegaCon's DC Nation Panel, Geoff Johns announced he will be writing a new Aquaman series. His writing in Brightest Day has been enjoyable and I can't wait to see how he further develops the character within his own series. I also sat through a Robot Chicken Panel which showcased clips of upcoming episodes. This panel was particularly amusing as Geoff Johns was a special guest, sharing his experiences as an occasional writer for the show's animated sketches.

And speaking of sketches, today's Top Five Countdown is featuring my favorite commissioned artwork at MegaCon 2011 (excluding Tarantino Comics Covers because these are my favorites and they will all be showcased on this blog separately).

Please realize the following are not ranked in any particular order, just a single piece selected from each my sketchbooks:

5. Batman and Daredevil by Banky
4. Zorro by Ron Salas
3. The Immortal Iron Fist by Walter Ostlie
2. Stargirl by Amanda Rachels
1. Super Grover vs. Gonzo by Jason Flowers

These are only a few of the awesome commissions I received at MegaCon last weekend, so be sure check out the rest at comicartfans. I should have the rest posted in the linked gallery within the next week or so.

So stay tuned tomorrow as I will finally post the highly anticipated cover to Tarantino Comics #11!

Top Five Countdown - MegaCon 2011 Costumes

MegaCon has come and gone and now it's back to reality. I am super exhausted and not ready to go back to work. Regardless, I had a great time this year, meeting tons of people and making new friends.

When I go to comic cons, I'm primarily focused on artwork, however a huge component is cosplay. Attendees enjoy dressing up in suits you would never see outside the convention walls. It boggles my mind that people who have never been to a comic convention are aware that costuming goes on. My coworkers are always interested in the crazy outfits I saw, never about the sketches I obtained.

So to avoid getting grief for not taking pictures of people in costume this year, here's a Top Five Countdown of my Favorite Costumes of MegaCon 2011 (yes, I know, it's only females):

5. Supergirl - I give her credit since she has the abs to compliment the cape.
4. Silk Spectre - Although she doesn't quite have the bangs, this is a great interpretation of the Watchman character.
3. Black Swan - It wasn't Natalie Portman, but I was super excited to see someone in this costume!
2. Harley Quinn - I will always prefer the Bruce Timm version, but the Arkham Asylum version is hot!
1. Pikachu - I'm not really into Anime or Manga, but now I can see why my youngest brother likes Pokemon...

Stay tuned tomorrow as I wrap up my MegaCon experiences and feature some of the artwork I got commissioned.

Top Five Countdown - Best Jackass 3D Stunts

In most cases, the sight of feces, puke, and guys running around in whitey tighties make me look away in utter disgust. But the minute you mention Johnny Knocksville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, and Wee-Man, you've got me entranced!


In Jackass 3D, the glasses are pretty much useless. However, its stunts don't need any extra special effects to make them mind-blowing. Since this film features so many insane feats, I'm making this Movie Review a Top Five Countdown, listing my favorite exploits:

5. Jet Airplane: Try standing your ground behind a jet engine, much less peeing against it. The power of an engine turbine is extremely dangerous and these guys play in its current fearlessly.
4. Beehive Tetherball: At least a bear has fur when playing with bees...
3. Midgets in a Bar Fight: Imagine sitting down, enjoying a beer, and a bar fight of midgets erupts! Either you just witnessed the greatest sight ever or you're absolutely drunk.
2. Super Might Glue: This would have been my Number 1 if they got the stun gun to influence Wee-Man to separate from Preston!
1. The Ram Jam: For whatever reason, this stunt made me crack up the most! Steve-O got away, but the other guy had no chance against the ram's charge of fury.

The return of the "old man" acts are still amusing, but they're not as hilarious as in previous movies. It's ironic as you can tell the cast is getting older and they can't "perform" as they use to after years of their bodies taking a beating. However, Johnny and crew still have spirit and put on an entertaining show that reminds me of my teenage years (Even Tarantino puts Jackass 3D in his Top 20 movies of 2010).

So on Death List Five, Jackass 3D ranks #3.

Top Five Countdown - Best Catholic Movies

Let's face it - As pop culture nerds, we like to categorize things into lists. We want others to know what we consider is the best of the best or the worst of the worst. Great conversations and debates come to fruition by comparing lists. However, the greatest payoff is when we discover something new we never heard of. Being the nerd that I am, I want to share my lists with you, so I'm starting a new blog segment called Top Five Countdown.

Since today is Ash Wednesday, this Top Five Countdown is a little quirky. Being Catholic, I've always felt I was a part of something grand and Holy by celebrating the ancient traditions of Catholicism. Yes, Catholics sometimes get a bad rap for those corrupt priests who molest young altar boys. However, to counteract this misfortune, I'm going to prove why Catholics are so kick-ass in my Top Five Countdown of the Best Catholic Movies:

5. The Godfather Part III: This is probably the worst movie in the trilogy, but it is still fun to watch. Al Pacino is trying to legitimize his empire by working with the Vatican, but "When he thought he was out, they pulled him back in!"

4. The Blues Brothers: You may think this Rhythm and Blues band was raised by Baptists, but remember, their mission was to save the Catholic Orphanage they grew up in.

3. Dogma: Two evil angels may potentially destroy all of existence through some Holy Dogma. However, if the Church didn't make this proclamation, you wouldn't see Salma Hayek as the beautiful Serendipity...

2. The Exorcist: This is by far the scariest movie. And I don't care what you say, only Catholic priests know how to exorcise demons.

1. Machete: Cheech Marin is the ultimate priest! Armed with crucifixes, holy water, and shot guns, why wouldn't you want to be part of his congregation?

This is my disclaimer: This post was purely for fun. Religion can be hard to write about without hurting people's feelings. So I am truly sorry if I've offended anyone! Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed this new segment and look forward to my next Top Five Countdown!