Jackie Earle Haley’s Directorial Debut Shows Promise

By: Soren Scribner

  
     Friday night at Comicpalooza, I took an early screening of Jackie Earle Haley’s directorial debut, Criminal Activities. It centered on a group of four friends that came back together at a friend’s funeral. One of them had some inside information on a stock, but none of them had enough money to purchase the stock themselves. They ended up borrowing money to purchase it, but the stock crashed unexpectedly. That’s when they found out that the person they borrowed the money from was a member of the mob, and they were forced to kidnap someone for him in exchange for their debt. The person they were expected to kidnap was the nephew of the head of a rival family. 

     The story was actually really interesting, with twists and turns throughout the entire film. There were really hilarious moments that happened when you least expected, which resulted in an uproar of laughter. I am not going to put a rating on the film, as it was a very early screening. I expect that a lot of the problems I saw at the viewing will get cleaned up before its release in September. However, there may have actually been some problems with the equipment that was used to screen the film. In the end, if it gets cleaned up properly before the actual release, I would have happily paid to see it.
Notable Cast:

Michael Pitt- Funny Games, Finding Forrester, Seven Psychopaths

Dan Stevens- Downton Abbey, A Walk Among The Tombstones

Chris Abbott- Girls (TV Series)

Rob Brown- Finding Forrester, Coach Carter, Stop-Loss

Jackie Earle Haley- Bad News Bears Trilogy, Breaking Away, Little Children (Supporting Actor Nominee)

John Travolta – A Love Song For Bobby Long, White Man’s Burden

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Deadpool Movie Wrapped

By: JD Hardin

It’s official! The Deadpool movie has finished filming!

The biggest question on a lot of minds lately is, will we see Wolverine in Wade’s little adventure? It has been confirmed, but the studio has stated that it’s possible.

Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter thanking fans for there support. I’m not going to cheapen it, I’m just going to leave this here.

Don’t forget to like often, share often, and listen in to our Spreaker on Sunday nights.

TMNT + Sheamus and Gary?

By: JD Hardin

In the past 48 hours, pictures have been circulating of Gary Michael Anthony with a purple mohawk and a septum ring. That’s right, he will be playing Bebop in TMNT2. With our recent Q&A with Kevin Eastman (I know the video doesn’t show, rest assured, I’m working on it), I figured this is a perfect time for this news.

The news we’re bringing is his co-star, and Bebop’s partner in crime, Rocksteady. Pro wrestling star, Sheamus has been confirmed (unofficially) as the anthropomorphic rhinoceros. With the photos below circling, it may as well be official.

In regards to their on screen appearance, it has been confirmed that they will appear as human. It has been unofficially confirmed that they will undergo a mutation. This mutation has been rumored to render them as the anthropomorphic rhinoceros and warthog we all know and love

Set for a release date of June 3, 2016, filming is currently under way. Brian Tee will be reprising his role as the Shredder, and Megan Fox as April O’Neil. Its also been long confirmed that Stephen Amell (Arrow) will be donning a hockey mask and golf bag to be Casey Jones. Expect to see Judith Hoag with the bandana wearing crime fighters as well. Hoag played April O’Neil in the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. The Nerdery is all set for this one.

Don’t forget to like often, share often, and listen in to our Spreaker on Sunday nights.

Kevin Eastman

By: JD Hardin

Thirty years ago, the world fell in love with four black and white anthropomorphic turtles. The popularity of those turtles has grown exponentially and crossed international borders, creeds, religions, and generations. Kevin Eastman drew those four turtles with no real intent of creating a multimillion dollar success.

From humble beginnings to a global success, from poverty to riches, from black and white to computer animated. Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo have run the gamut. The TMNTs have spawned five films, three animated TV series, thousands of action figures, even a pen and paper RPG. In the mid to late nineties, the turtles all but faded from view. In past few years, Michael Bay has put new life into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with one film complete, and a sequel on its way.

During Comicpalooza, we had the privilege on sitting down with Kevin Eastman at a round table Q&A. He walked in and personally made sure he shook everyone’s hand and got each of our names before sitting down. The video below is what followed.
  

WHAT’S OUT WEDNESDAY

By: JD Hardin

It’s new comic book day, and things are mixed up this week. As usual, I will go over some of the interesting releases for the week. However, I’m going to take a good look at one of Top Cow’s offerings, Postal #4. Here at The Nerdery, we received an exclusive Comicpalooza variant on Friday. It’s available today at your local comic book store.

  
DC’s final issue of it’s Convergence main title, #8, drops today. The big thing from DC this week is an array of sneak peek issues. And let’s not forget another set of #2 tie-ins and Batman ’66 #23.

  
From Marvel this week, we are seeing awesome releases and number ones from Stan’s progeny. Inferno #1, Infinity Gauntlet #1, Inhumans: Attilan Rising #1, M.O.D.O.K. Assassin #1, Old Man Logan #1, and Uncanny Avengers: Ultron Forever #1. Let’s not forget there are two Secret Wars tie-ins out today; 2099 #1 and Journal #1.

  
Over the four days of Comicpalooza, we had the chance to speak with Matt Hawkins of Top Cow Productions, several times actually. His Postal #4 dropped today, and like I said, we’ve had our hands on it since Friday. This entire series is incredible. In true Hawkins style, this story comes out swinging with a very ritualistic style murder perpetrated by a priest no less. The scene is then turned on its ear.  Set in what seems to be small sleepy town, Postal falls into a cross between a mystery and a thriller comic. Murder, conspiracies, cover ups, crooked federal agents, this story has it all. #4 turns up the volume on everything. We were extremely excited to get the latest installment a few days early. The ending of #3 had us craving more. This is our CURRENT TOP RECOMMENDATION!!! Go and grab this while you can, you will not be disappointed.

GWAR!!!!

By: Tonya Hardin

GWAR was among the slew of well-known and highly renowned celebrities that attended Comicpalooza this year. They’ve been around for over thirty years, and they still haven’t slowed down at all. They’ve released thirteen studio albums, two live albums, and countless music videos. They’ve even got their own beer, barbecue sauce, and e-liquids on the market.

Their genre of music has been appropriately referred to as “shock rock.” They undoubtedly know how to rock, and they are all about shock value. With their brutal sci-fi themed costumes, their hard-core metal style, and their vulgar, somewhat disturbing sense of humor, they never cease to amaze and entertain. They are that dirty little side of the mind that always seems to end up in the gutter. They are that train wreck you can’t keep from watching over and over again. They are GWAR!!!

Jimmy actually had the opportunity to interview a few members of the band this weekend, and as usual, they did not disappoint. They were in full character as the offensive, raunchy, hilarious heathens that they’ve always been. Over-the-top, yes. Larger than life, absolutely. But most of all, horribly inappropriate.
WARNING: NSFW, EXPLICIT LANGUAGE

Wait for it…… . . .

By:JD Hardin

So, I know on a weekend like this, we would normally be blasting articles left and right. We do apologize for the lack of coverage thus far.

We’ve been HARD at work covering Comicpalooza for all of you. Expect at least an article a day for the next week. We will also be bringing several videos with celebs, artists, and writers.

Thank you for your patience, and check back often.

Don’t forget to like often, share often, and listen in to our Spreaker on Sunday nights.

Coming Soon to The Nerdery

By: JD Hardin

We’ve been hard at work for all you fans out there. We have a lot going on behind the scenes to bring you more news, more reviews, and in better ways.

We will soon be on YouTube with our own channel. The current plan will give you interviews with people from the various industries that we cover. We would also like to give you a video podcast, and if feasible, a live video feed on Sunday nights.

Also coming, will be our own vape line thanks to Captain Jack’s E-lixers. All fluids will be hero or villain associated names and flavors. We have two flavors confirmed with much much more in R&D.

Manga is completely autonomous from traditional comic books, but is still a comic book. So, Chris will be getting his own section HERE for all our Manga fans.

We also are in development stages for a charity. This charity will give comics to children who are in need and well deserving. Everyone needs a hero.

There is much more that is being discussed. As things move along towards fruition, we will keep all of you informed on all of the details. We hope you’re as excited as we are for these expansions.

Don’t forget to like often, share often, and listen often.

Listen in Friday, May 22 at 6pm CST. We will be LIVE from Comicpalooza!

Mad Max: The Wasteland

By: JD Hardin

It took a few decades, but last Friday, I finally got to see our favorite Road Warrior on the big screen again. Launching Mel Gibson’s career, and setting a long held world record for cost to profit ratio, Mad Max revolutionized post-apocalyptic films. After years of trying for a fourth installment, and near a hundred scripts later, we find a result that was worth a long wait.

For those that follow our Facebook, we broke the news that Tom Hardy has indeed signed on for three more Mad Max movies. Today, we are confirming that even further.

George Miller, the mastermind behind all the Mad Max movies, has outright stated that the next script has already been written. He also said a novella has been written for the, currently unnamed, following sequel.

Were you paying attention there?
If you were, then you caught my insinuation that the next Mad Max movie has a name. That name will be (insert drum roll here)

Mad Max: The Wasteland

Ooooooh. Do you feel that? That’s cinema getting better right now.

I will personally be keeping my finger on the pulse of this one. As soon as I know, you’ll know.

Remember, like often, share often, and listen often.

We will be broadcasting LIVE Friday, May 22 at 6pm CST from Comicpalooza. Be sure to listen in!!!

What’s Out Wednesday

The sales numbers from April are in, and apparently, Marvel isn’t very happy. Of course, they have no reason to be. Of the top ten comics, Marvel held only four places with all four of their Star Wars titles. DC, however, held the other six places. This increased DC’s market share to 30.19%, compared to Marvel’s 34.15%. Granted, Marvel still retains the largest portion of the market. Their lead has greatly diminished. 

   
   Now the reason I’m writing all this is Marvel can feel the heat of competition, as evidences by their onslaught of releases so far this month. This week in particular we are bombarded with A-Force #1, Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars #1, Master of Kung-Fu #1, Battleworld #1, Spider-Verse #1, Planet Hulk #1, Daredevil #1, Ultimate End #1, and Uncanny Avengers: Ultron Forever #1. These are just the #1’s for this week, there are fourteen ongoing titles that are also being released today. For those of you hoping to get Uncanny X-Men #600, you’re going to have to wait a while. In true Marvel form, it has been pushed back.

   
 DC is sitting on the haunches of Convergence #7 and ten of its tie ins. However, to keep things interesting, Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #11 and Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman will be dropped to keep the pulse rates going. DC’s mature readers’ label, Vertigo, is releasing Mad Max: Fury Road: Nux & Immortan Joe #1. (Listen into our podcast for a review)

  
Image is giving us another issue of Spawn, Stray Bullets #4, The Tithe #2 (listen in for a review and interview with writer, Matt Hawkins), Trees #9, Satellite Sam #14, and so much more.
As always, there are more releases than I can list. So, get to your local comic book shop and get your fix. Don’t forget to like often, share often, and listen often. We will also be broadcasting LIVE from Comicpalooza Friday at 6pm CST.