TV RECAP: ‘Once Upon a Time’ Episode 220 – ‘The Evil Queen’

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  30 April 2013.

After weeks of focusing on the extended family of the Charmings, last week we got a great character study of Rumple/Gold. This Sunday we’re just a lucky to get a Regina centered episode.

We open with Hook tied up in the clock tower with Tamara and Owen/Greg (Oweg? Growen? Owengreg?). The charming swashbuckler is being offered a Bad Guy for Hire job. The pirate sees nothing in it for him saying smugly that he already killed Rumplestiltskin so his job’s done. Not so fast, they say. We get our one and only glimpse of the episode of Mr. Gold, looking very happy with racy Lacey on his arm.

Hook is less than pleased that his crocodile still lives and possibly that he’s now with a hot young woman who is turned on by his evilness. Oweg wants Hook to find his father, via Regina, and in return Hook will be given the duos power to defeat magical creatures. Do they mean the fancy TAZER?  Whatever it is, Hook agrees.

Speaking of the Mayor/Queen, she overhears the Charmings, who are discussing how to solve a problem like Regina. The answer is, apparently, lock her in Rumple’s old cell back in the Enchanted Forest. Regina isn’t having it. She decides to use the curse’s fail safe and destroy Storybrooke. Obviously.

Her first brilliant step in this plan is to tell everything to Henry who is at overjoyed that they’ll be going to the Enchanted Forest and then disgusted to hear that everyone else will die at the hands of his mom. Why did Regina think that Henry would be for this plan? Kudos to her for being honest, I guess. Or not, because after Henry tells her she’ll always be the villain, Regina wipes his memory of their conversation. Just what that kid needs, more chances to have a blank look on his face.

YouTube Will be Title Sponsor of VidCon 2013 and 2014

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  29 April 2013.

In a show of the strength of the online video community, it has been announced that YouTube will be a title sponsor of the online video conference, VidCon, for the next two years. The 2013 VidCon is expected to have more than 10,000 online video professionals, content creators and fans in attendance.

Since the event’s inception in 2010, YouTube has been a supporter and sponsor. While the specifics of their title sponsorship will be released closer to the event, it’s clear that the decision will give YouTube a strong presence both this year and in 2014.

“YouTube has been a long-term supporter of VidCon, and is, of course, the biggest company in online video,” said Hank Green, creator and cofounder of VidCon. “We're thrilled to have them as our title sponsor for the next two years and are grateful for their continued support of our efforts to create a compelling and productive experience for VidCon attendees.”

Noted as “the largest industry conference and fan extravaganza in the world for online video” VidCon is set for August 1-3, 2013, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Industry Day, which is geared toward professionals and the online video business, will be on August 1.

The second and third days will feature panel discussions, concerts, other performances, celebrity meet-ups, an expo hall and much more. Among the featured celebrities expected at VidCon 2013 are Charlie McDonnell (charlieissocoollike), Hank and John Green (vlogbrothers), Rhett and Link (Rhettandlink), Jenna Marbles (JennaMarbles), Dane Boedigheimer (Annoying Orange), and dozens of others.

Industry and community passes are available at www.vidcon.com.

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).

Coming Soon to the CW: Brad Bell and Jane Espenson's 'Husbands'

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  2 April 2013.

Brad Bell and Jane Espenson are a dynamite duo. The team has created the winning Web series, Husbands, which was recently picked up by the CW’s online content branch, CW Digital Studio.

In case you're not familiar, Husbands follows a gay actor (Bell) and a gay baseball player (Sean Hemeon) who wake up in Vegas married. Despite having only known each other for six weeks the two decide to go for it and that means dealing with moving in together, petty fights, cute make ups, and public scrutiny (and then some).

Not only will fans get to see existing episodes via CW but the network is also funding new episodes. Bell and Espenson, who also created Husbands: The Comic with Dark Horse, are excited to continue exploring the still very much newlywed relationship of baseball superstar Brady and outgoing actor Cheeks.

“When they got married they’d known each other six weeks,” Espenson said. “This is a really new relationship. They haven’t celebrated each others’ birthdays yet.”

The fact that Husbands is popular is without question. The channel has over 25,000 subscribers and the episodes have garnered over 100,000, and in some cases 200,000, views. Seasons one and two have included guest appearances by Nathan Fillion, Joss Whedon, Mekhi Phifer, Jon Cryer, Felicia Day and more. Literary legend Neil Gaiman wrote the introduction for the comic. Popular may in fact be an understatement.

WC2013: David Tennant and Billie Piper Confirmed for 'Doctor Who' 50th Anniversary

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  31 March 2013.

It’s the news Whovians everywhere have been waiting for. The Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Rose (Billie Piper) will be return to Doctor Who for the 50th Anniversary. John Hurt is also slated to appear alongside current the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companion Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman).

This news comes as a surprise, though a very welcome one, to Doctor Who fans. As we reported only a few days ago, Steven Moffat himself was not confirming any details and just a week ago John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) confirmed he wouldn’t be involved in the anniversary. Tennant was last seen as the much beloved Tenth Doctor in 2010’s The End of Time, which was also the last time we saw Piper’s Rose.

No word yet on how Tennant, Piper, or Hurt will figure into the plot or how much of them we’ll be seeing. Filming for the 50th Anniversary does begin this week in the UK so hopefully we’ll have more details soon. Who else are you hoping to see in the anniversary special? Tell us in the comments.

WC2013: Robert Sean Leonard and Gloria Reuben Join 'Falling Skies' Season Three

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  29 March 2013.

There’s new life and new guest stars ahead for season three of TNT’s Falling Skies. Robert Sean Leonard and Gloria Reuben are both set to appear in the hit aliens vs. human drama, which returns for 13 episodes this summer.

The latest season kicks off seven months after the end of season two with Anne (Moon Bloodgood) giving birth to her and Tom’s (Noah Wyle) first child. The birth of the baby may single a calmer time for the 2nd Mass. As Seychelle Gabriel, who plays Lourdes, said, “The darkest moments are behind us.” That doesn’t mean fans won’t be seeing any more fights between our heroes at 2nd Mass and the mechs and Skitters.

“Straight out of the gate this season we have several very interesting storylines going on,” said Drew Roy, who plays Tom’s oldest son, Hal.  More heartbreak may be in store for Tom though as his son suffers the effect of the parasite that entered his ear at the end of season two. The “ear bug” as Roy calls it will affect Hal’s mind, eventually culminating in episode six. No word on what will happen exactly in that episode so fans will have to wait and see. The youngest Mason, Ben (Connor Jessup), will also return for season three.

As for the guest stars, Reuben will have multi-episode arc as Marina Perlata, who acts as an aide to Tom. Leonard’s obsessive yet gift scientist character, Roger Kadar, has the distinction to be known as “The Rat King” due to living underground with his pet rats.

Falling Skies will return this summer on TNT.

WC2013: 'Superman: Unbound' Review

Originally published on TheFlickcast.com.  30 March 2013.

As the premiere of the highly anticipated Man of Steel feature film with Henry Cavill draws closer every month (it’s set for June 2013), fans of Clark Kent and his alter ego can get geared up with Superman: Unbound. Coming out on DVD, for download and On Demand May 7, the DC animated feature pits Superman (Matt Bomer) against the formidable Brainiac (John Noble).

Based on the Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s Superman: Brainiac (2008), Unbound is an adventure that will please adults and kids, though it’s PG -13 rating is well earned thanks to the abundance of blood and guts, both human and alien. Bomer brings a steely quality to the Last Son of Krypton.

“I knew this was a character that people had a lot of preconceived notions about,” he said, and even legendary voice director Andrea Romano (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) admitted that Superman is always the hardest voice to cast. “He’s who we hope we could be,” Bomer said. “Our best self, the best version of us.”