Travel Back In Time And Space To Relive The Best Comic-Con Moments

Originally published on PopWrapped.Tumblr.com.  24 July 2013.

Picking out the highlights from Comic-Con is like choosing a favorite Weasley: you love too many of them to pick just one. Still, I’ve done my best to give you a rundown of the most memorable moments.

Here we go.

As always, Hall H and Ballroom 20 played host to big name panels like Divergent, Veronica Mars, Game of Thrones, The Vampire Diaries, Psych, and Once Upon a Time. Tom Cruise, the X-Men: Days of Future Past cast, and Tom Hiddleston all made surprise appearances, the latter in full Loki costume.

The fervor for Hall H paid off for those not in the room as well. The typically packed Ballroom 20 had no line Friday afternoon. Fans walked into the “TV Guide Fan Favorites” panel that included, among others, Clark Gregg, Kristin Bauer, Danai Gurira, and Blair Underwood. Dark Horse’s Joss Whedon panel followed where the geek god took the stage solo to joke around and answer fan questions.

Earlier, those lucky enough to make the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel exploded with excitement when they were treated with a full screening of the first episode.

Get Thee to a Theater! Five Reasons to See ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  20 June 2013.

After opening in select theaters in LA, NY, and San Francisco, director Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing will open nationwide on Friday, June 21. We have already reviewed the film but just in case that wasn’t enough to convince you to seek out this delightful adaptation, here are five reasons Much Ado is worth your time and money.

1. You’ll understand Shakespeare (finally). If you are hesitating about Much Ado because you are concerned you will not keep up with the Bard’s prose, you are not alone. Dogberry himself (Nathan Fillion) at first refused the project and then tried to back out of it for this very reason. But then Fillion, like all of the other players, immersed himself in the language, the setting, and the character.

The cast did the hard work of studying the text and translating it so you don’t have to. They do an excellent job of adding movement and clarity to Shakespeare’s prose so even if you don’t know what someone is saying, you know what they mean.

2. It’s sexy. This is kind of a given. I mean, have you seen the cast?

Beyond the lineup of beautiful faces, the film features a fantastic sexual tension. Whedon, who is known for killing off beloved characters, found himself a bit bereft in this play so he decided to add some heat instead. “I don’t have any death," he joked. “I’ll add sex!” It is well placed in a play whose very title is an Elizabethan double entendre. There’s also a deep sensuality and romance that resonates particularly between Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof). Lingering looks and stolen kisses are just as sexy as private trysts.

Movie Review: Joss Whedon's 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  6 June 2013.

Much Ado About Nothing is Joss Whedon and William Shakespeare at their finest, and is certainly one of the most delightful films I have seen this year. Evoking the very best of a 40s screwball comedy, the entirely black-and-white picture has a superb mix of elegance and entertainment that will please all moviegoers, not just Elizabethan (and Whedon) fans. The film crackles with a palpable energy that draws you in to its hijinks and effortlessly makes you feel a part of the romance and drama.

From the start it is clear that this is not a typical modernization of Shakespeare. Whedon uses silence and body language to great effect so that we know the disappointing and hurtful past that lingers over the sharp-tongued Beatrice (Amy Acker) and smug Benedict (Alexis Denisof) before either even speaks. In truth the pair is too stubborn and snarky to admit any fondness for each other and so their friends conspire to bring them into “a mountain of affection.”

This witty, simmering love is contrasted by the young, innocent love shared by Hero (Jillian Morgese) and Claudio (Fran Kranz). Their impending nuptials are threatened by the villainous Don John (Sean Maher), who is played with the perfect blend of treachery and sexiness by Maher. Don John wants to wound the lovers but also destroy Hero’s father Leonato (Clark Gregg), who is hosting everyone at his manor home.

WC2013: Joss Whedon’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Looks Hilarious and Wonderful

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  10 April 2013.

Years before geek god Joss Whedon gave up his vacation to film his version of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, he held readings of the Bard’s plays at his house. The couple that read as Much Ado’s stubborn lovers, Beatrice and Benedict? Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof.

Now they are taking those backyard readings to the big screen as two of the stars of Whedon’s highly anticipated film. Exclusive clips shown as WonderCon 2013 have provided further insight into what audiences can expect from this black and white Much Ado that was shot in two weeks at Whedon’s home.

The plot is very much a commentary on romantic love and the expectations that are pushed onto single persons and couples. Beatrice and Benedict along with young-love couple, Hero (Jillian Morgese) and Claudio (Fran Kranz), are at the center of story. The first pair enjoy a relationship based on sarcastic, teasing banter while both proclaim their disdain for love/marriage. The young couple though is enraptured with one another and become a focal point for the wicked doings of antagonist Don John (Sean Maher).

Geek and Sundry’s ‘Written by a Kid’ Debuts with Joss Whedon

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  19 July 2012.

We'll be the first to admit that a YouTube series all about stories written by kids sounds both lame and ridiculous. Who would want to watch that? If the first episode, "Scary Smash," is any indicator, the answer is everyone.

Surprisingly awesome and hilarious, Written by a Kid features a child telling a story to two adults (writing and creative team Will Bowles and Josh Flaum). The kid's story is portrayed on-screen as he or she tells it through part animation and part live action. Airing exclusively on the YouTube channel Geek and Sundry, which was founded by Felicia Day (Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, Eureka, The Guild), Written by a Kid's episode "Scary Smash" was shown last week at San Diego Comic-Con to roaring applause. Of course, having Avengers director and all around geek god Joss Whedon star in your first episode doesn't hurt either. The series officially debuted on July 18 on YouTube and new episodes will be posted on Wednesdays.

Despite our initial skepticism, it turns out that with a perfect mix of fun, humor, and adorable childishness, Written by a Kid is good (and interesting)  for all ages. But don't just take our word for it. Check out "Scary Smash".