by Jen

Fall is approaching - school is back in session (at least in the GGI’s neck of the woods), football season is kicking off, and this Geek Mom’s mind is turning towards the most important of upcoming events: the new fall TV shows!

Here are a few of the shows I’m most looking forward to in the coming months.

Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris (NBC) - I admit I’m a giddy fangirl when it comes to NPH, but even if you don’t share my love of him, you’ll want to check out this variety show based on the British hit Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.  The show will air on NBC on Tuesday nights beginning September 15.

Containment (CW) - The city of Atlanta is quarantined after a deadly epidemic breaks out.  Look for all the drama of The Walking Dead, but without the zombie resurrection bits - just chaos and heartbreak for those trapped inside the city.  Scheduled to air in midseason.

Minority Report (Fox) - A man haunted by the future and a cop haunted by her past join forces in this Fox show set ten years after the Tom Cruise film of the same name.  Meagan Good stars as the police detective helping Stark Sands, a precog, search for his missing twin brother, and along the way the two attempt to prevent the crimes he has foreseen.  Set to air on Mondays, the premiere is scheduled for September 21.

The Muppets (ABC) - By now we’ve all heard that Miss Piggy and Kermit decided to part ways, but I’m still looking forward to catching up with the entire Muppet crew once their show begins to air on ABC Tuesdays this fall!  The first episode is set for September 22 at 8pm.

Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) - Billing itself as both a spinoff and a prequel, the pilot for Fear the Walking Dead takes place during the early days of the zombie apocalypse - while Atlanta’s Rick Grimes is still in a coma.  Follow a new set of characters in a different setting as they try to figure out why people are suddenly attacking other people and even eating them.  Early reviews aren’t exactly glowing - Entertainment Weekly describes the show as “The Lethargic Person’s Guide to the Apocalypse” - but fans of the original will still want to check out the premiere, which will air August 23. 

So that’s what I’m looking forward to this fall - though some of my potential favorites won’t be lighting up the small screen until midseason, there is still plenty for me to geek about in the coming weeks!

by Lauren

Most of what I enjoyed about the movie was the cast. I kind of liked the younger college-age team for this rebooted origin story. The reckless scientific attitudes that cause their 'accident' is better suited to inexperienced scientists/students than an older professional team that should know better IMHO.

Miles Teller is really great as Reed Richards. The perfect blend of sincerity and audacity, with a humble warmth the character has lacked in previous movies. Kate Mara's Sue Storm is a bit aloof but charming, and self-assured in her intellect. The movie doesn't constantly sexualize her, as they did with Jessica Alba (which is still the worst casting in superhero movies ever.) I love Jaime Bell, his earnest friendship with Reed is moving - I just wish they had done more with him. Michael B. Jordan's Johnny Storm is a standout without chewing the scenery (like Chris Evans did) however I feel his character was the least developed.

Nowadays families are different - they come in every size, shape and configuration you can think of. Sometimes you make your own family with friends. For this to even be a debate is ridiculous and ignorant - and at no point did this get in the way of my enjoyment of the film. In fact, I think that the essence of 'family' was the whole point. /rant.

The film is SHORT. Maybe 90 minutes, and it felt like it. 

I felt like there were major scenes missing for no reason I can fathom. The beginning and middle are pretty solid, but the ending is incredibly rushed. All the character and relationship development is dropped in the third act for the big action finale. While the effects are excellent - I left with the feeling that the formation of 'team' in the end wasn't earned. In the end, it totally fell flat. In fact the last scene, to presumably set up a sequel, is laughably terrible.

Also - THERE IS NO MID OR AFTER CREDIT EASTER EGGS - so don't bother waiting.

All in all, the movie was good, but not great. The general sense I got from the people I spoke to leaving the theater was that it didn't live up to its considerable potential - that it was good, but was lacking in some essential quality - and I agree completely.

by Lauren

Last week, Netflix unveiled 13 episodes of the new animated series How to Train Your Dragon: Race to the Edge.

This series takes place before the events HTTYD:2, about 3 years after the end of the Cartoon Network series HTTYD: Defenders of Berk. Speaking of which, if you did not watch the two previous TV cartoon series, Riders of Berk and Defenders of Berk, you might be a little lost - the new show deals with characters and dragons that were featured exclusively on those series, and they do very little to catch up any new viewers on who they are.

The animation is, of course, not as detailed as the feature films or even the CN shows, but most of the original cast voices are still on board, so it's forgivable. The plot lines for these 13 episodes vary wildly from the big over-arching stories (re-capturing Dagur The Deranged and discovering new islands/dragons with the 'Dragon Eye') to really random stand alone character studies of the more minor characters. So if you wanted more of the Twins, Fishlegs and Snotlout, you are in luck. 

Me? Not so much.

Their new clubhouse/island, Dragon's Edge, is pretty cool - but definitely keeps the action away from Berk, and focused mostly on the Riders.

My biggest problem with the series was episode 13, which was a random stand-alone about Snotlout's dragon finding a girlfriend. It seemed a strange place to end this part of the series when their are bigger stories going on. The two-parter with Dagur and Heather would have been a way better place to stop and leave you wanting more.

I know it sounds like I didn't like the series - which is totally not true, I guess I just hold the show and the characters in such high regard that I just wanted or expected MORE. If you are a fan of HTTYD, you should totally watch the show - if you wan to get into it fresh with this series, do your homework and watch the movies and older series first.

Here's a Kickstarter that Geek Girls of all kinds can get behind!  Two years ago, during the height of the "fake geek girl" craze, Terra Clarke Olsen decided she wanted to find a way to immortalize the uniqueness of geeky women of all types.  For the past year, she's been working with photographer Nate Watters to create a collection of photos featuring the diversity and longevity of geek girls in all walks of life, from fangirls to women in geeky industries.  

Olsen and Watters originally intended to create a photo exhibit, but realized they wanted their project to have greater reach - so the goal of the Kickstarter is to self-publish a photo book chock full of amazing images of geek girls with the things and places that they love.

Each photo was taken in the participant's home, and the book will contain a bio and quote from each woman photographed.  Essays and short stories by geek girls will also be featured in this fantastic tome.

Want to see more?  We know we do!  Click here to visit the Unicorn Project's Kickstarter page and make a donation - $30 or more will get you a copy of the book, and the incentives just get better from there!

Let’s fighting love!
-The Dungeon Dame

The main characters are Quade Danas and Roman Howell. Quade was banished from his pack for being gay even though he was a seer. Banishing a seer from a pack is like shooting yourself in the foot. A seer is considered to be a gift. A seer is stronger, can shift faster and has no issues with the pack following his commands. A seer alpha means peace for a pack. Quade goes into the military, and is involved with a man that ultimately betrays him by wanting a relationship with Quade and his best friend. This doesn’t work at all for Quade and he leaves. Enter Roman Howell’s mother who convinces Quade to come home with her to watch over her teenage son Roman. Roman is a teenager when he meets Quade for the first time. When Roman was 17 he had been in a horrific accident that should have killed him, and yet he survived. He survived with a multitiude of scars over most of his body, but he did survive. All through that time, Quade was there for him. When his friends were no longer around, Roman turned to Quade for friendship and advice. Quade helped Roman to accept who he was now, and how to live his life. Then at 21, another tragedy struck and Roman was orphaned. Both his parents died suddenly in an accident, and Roman was thrust in the spotlight. He had to learn to take over the family businesses that helped to support the entire town.  

The book opens after Roman and Quade have known each other over 11 years. Roman has decided that he is old enough to know what he wants, and what he wants is Quade. He knows the secret that Quade is keeping from him because he has seen him shift. Quade is trying to fight the feelings he is having for Roman and is searching for a potential suitable boyfriend for Roman. Roman ambushes Quade – tells him how he feels, that he knows Quade feels the same way and kisses him. Quade brings up every excuse possible. Roman surprises him by telling Quade he knows his secret. Quade is a jackal. Roman learns a little more about Quade’s history, but they are interrupted. Quade’s sister, Raisa, is at the house. Quade has had no contact with his family since he was kicked out of his pack. Raisa is there to ask for help. Before she gets to that, she reveals to Roman that Quade has bit him. Turns out Quade bit Roman when  he was a teenager in the hospital to save him. This is why he was able to survive and heal as much as he did. Raisa’s mate is in the hospital, and the alpha of the pack is sadistic evil SOB who wants to put Josie, Raisa’s daughter, on the street to make some money. The alpha has also taken protection money from all pack members and their businesses. Quade has the strength to stop it, but it means leaving Roman for a time, dealing with his family he hasn’t seen is so many years, and fighting an evil man. Quade also has to decide whether to complete the mating with Roman, and turn Roman into a jackal as well. I won’t reveal anymore except to say the reader will get a HEA (happily ever after).

I will say that I loved Quade and Roman’s relationship. From their interaction you knew that they had known each other for a while. Moving the relationship to the next step was obvious and easy. I also loved some of the secondary characters, and was hoping that they received their own book. Mary Calmes did write Fighting Instinct which is the story of Arman and Linus. I hope Mary continues this series. I loved both of these books, and I think you will enjoy them as well. 

Busy trapping bees in bubbles,
The Dungeon Dame

by Lauren

In the wake of the devastation to parts of New York after The Avengers, Hell’s Kitchen is left in ruin. Street gangs and shady corporate thugs band together under a mysterious leader for control of this forgotten and crime-ridden community. Out of the chaos, rumors of a masked vigilante hero protecting the people of Hell’s Kitchen spreads... 

OK - so it’s been two weeks since Netflix released the first in its new series of original Marvel dramas, Daredevil. If any of you follow us on Twitter (@geekgirlsinc), you know I tweeted each episode as I watched it, which was, unfortunately, not non-stop like I wanted.

 (Stupid life and responsibilities getting in the way of a perfectly good Binge…)

Actually it is a perfectly GREAT binge. I've been the girl harassing everyone I know to watch it, like some high school peer pressure drug pusher - but really, it is THAT good. Every person who watched it on recommendation was hooked in the first 10 minutes.  My husband and I watched the 13 episode season together (which is rare we both like a show) in 2-3 episode chunks - it took about a week.

Before I get into my thoughts on the show, let me say that it has been so overwhelmingly successful (second only to GoT in piracy) that they have already announced season two for 2016 - to air along with the already  planned “Defenders” series (AKA  Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist & The Defenders).

So on to the show - as spoiler free as I can…

I begin with a warning. This show is violent. It is brutal. You will look away from the screen, flinching from the rage and the bloody beatings – it is not for children. This is grown up comic book time - and I loved every minute of it. The dark and gloomy lighting and the harsh angle framing is straight out of Frank Miller’s Man Without Fear series in the 90s. The fight choreography is incredible. The long, cinematic single-shot takes are gorgeous and seamlessly woven into the action. So you may look away, but only for a moment - and then come right back for more.

The main characters over the series are able to develop into real 3-dimensional characters, without relying on stereotypical comic book tropes. The damsel in distress is no damsel and can handle herself. The comedic best friend is no coward or push-over. The reporter isn’t just an excuse for exposition. The villain isn’t just evil for evil sake; he has his own reasons and is the hero of his own story. The villain’s girlfriend isn’t just arm candy. I could go on…

The cast is spot-on amazing. Charlie Cox is so impressive here. Most people will tell you that 75% of acting is in the eyes.  He spends most of the series in an eye-less mask or behind red glasses and yet you feel his conviction, charm, regret, pain…  ALL the feels.  

Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk doesn’t appear until the end of episode 3, but he really does steal the entire series. His characterization is so vulnerable and awkward, almost child-like, which is harshly juxtaposed with his sudden acts rage and violence. He is clearly unhinged deep in his soul (and you get to see why) but truly believes he is doing the right thing. He is one of the most fully developed “villains” I've seen on any comic book series - or movie for that matter.

Deborah Ann Woll was always my favorite on True Blood. I was super stoked to see her in this series, and even more excited that her Karen Page was a complex, gutsy and strong female character that has depths we have only seen glimpses of. She is not “the girlfriend,” she is an investigator, a partner, a fierce friend, and a bit of a hero in her own right. I can’t wait to learn more about her in season 2.

Rounding out the main cast are scheming right-hand-man, Wesley (Toby Leonard Moore), mysterious, art-dealer love interest, Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer), savior nurse, Claire (Rosario Dawson, ), old-school reporter, Ben Urich (Vondie Curtis-Hall ) and best friend / law partner, Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson). These characters all get to have fantastic moments and drive the plot and the main three forward like an oncoming runaway train.

The rest you just need to see for yourself... Origin story flashbacks! There's a ninja. A blind assassin. Earnest courtroom speeches. Murder, mayhem, explosions! Bar-room bonding. College flashbacks with shaggy wigs. Abs...

... sorry got distracted.  It also has mysterious figures that will probably be important later...

Seriously. Watch it. Then take a break, watch some Orphan Black, some Game of Thrones and then binge watch it again this summer.

Have you watched it yet? What did you guys think?

Cheers!
-The Dungeon Dame

*whatever the Dungeon Dame found lying around