Written by Emily Auskaps As the total solar eclipse of 2024 draws near, I have been reflecting on the incomparable experience I enjoyed in the path of totality during the 2017 total solar eclipse. I watched the August 21, 2017 eclipse from a campground on Casper Mountain, Wyoming. I was lucky enough to be invited to join a friend of mine who had the foresight to reserve the space well ahead of time and the camping equipment to keep us (relatively) comfortable. It was an exciting and incredibly rare chance to travel mere hours by car to be able to witness the majesty of a total solar eclipse directly on the center line of peak totality. Casper, Wyoming was an absolute zoo the entire time I was visiting for the eclipse. I was surprised and delighted by Casper, a place that felt distinctly unique to other parts of the state that I have visited. Approximately 1 million people flocked to Wyoming for that eclipse, and the city and its residents handled the influx marvelously. Nights in Casper leading up to the eclipse were like one giant block party. Nights in Casper were also a glorious chance to eat fresh food and to use the indoor plumbing of the restaurants we visited. I have never been so excited to wash my hands with actual running water. I could pretend otherwise, but who are we kidding… my enthusiasm for the outdoors dwindles substantially around bedtime. I have been camping a total of 3 times in my life, including for the eclipse. I tell you this to help illustrate how magical I found the eclipse itself: I even enjoyed camping for it. The actual total eclipse lasted a little over two minutes from where we observed it. It’s been years, but it seems we spent two to three hours enjoying the event in total. The clearing we were camping in became magical and otherworldly during that time. Someone much cleverer than I had prepared a spot-on playlist that included "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden and "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd that played during the morning while we waited. It does get nearly as dark as night during a total solar eclipse. It also got incredibly chilly, the degree of which quite surprised me, despite the fact that that time of day is usually quickly warming. The birds got eerily quiet around us. I found myself musing on what the very earliest humans must have thought was occurring during such a phenomena. It wouldn’t be hard to picture one fearing the end has come when night suddenly falls during the day and all the animals behave as though night has indeed arrived. Day soon returned to us, though, and thus began the mass exodus of revelers back to their homes. My friend, who was far, far wiser than I, waited around Casper most of the day and headed back closer to nightfall. I foolishly got myself stuck in an epic traffic jam on I-25 because I was desperate to get home to my dog. I do not remember how many extra hours it took. I mostly remember my panic when I came to a rise where I could see unmoving taillights stretching past the horizon. I began turning off my engine during the periods where we weren’t moving at all. I finally managed to get to Cheyenne gas station and discovered one, if not two grades of gasoline entirely empty, but I did manage to get enough to make it home. Again, I add this part of my experience because despite a stressful drive home that probably took twice as long as it should, I consider witnessing a total solar eclipse out in the serenity of nature one the very best experiences of my life, if not the best. It was the most spectacular natural event that I have ever witnessed, comparable to none. I would recommend the experience to everyone, although maybe not the camping.
0 Comments
Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner Now that we’ve survived the Holidays and firmly planted ourselves into 2024, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on one of my highlights for 2023. My first ever in person interview for Nerds That Geek (NTG). *YAY!!* Excited to say the least, I was lucky enough to meet with local Director, Producer, Writer, Filmmaker and creature feature creator extraordinaire, Hank Braxtan to discuss his latest project: Glowzies (2023). Braxtan, a military veteran, worked in Hollywood post honorable discharge for several years before returning to his Colorado roots. He now resides in Grand Junction with his wife and collaborator Arielle Brachfeld. Together, they operate Photonic Media – a professional filmmaking and photography company for film, television, and commercials all at the local level. *NICE!* Sitting at a hopping yet laid back downtown coffee shop in Grand Junction over Thanksgiving weekend, Hank and I bantered back and forth as we discussed not only Glowzies, but some of his other films, diversity in the industry, youth engagement in the arts, and more. Focusing on the film, let’s dive right in. Shot in Grand Junction and the surrounding area, Glowzies is a campy zombie-esque horror comedy that brings together a group of unlikely heroes forced to fight an unknown, and glowy (*LOL!!*) evil. A fun mix of newcomers and veteran actors, it’s based on the comic book Farway Canyon created by Steve Hillard and Dennis Nowlan who took their inspiration from the Climax Uranium Mill near Grand Junction. A perfect backdrop for a spooky yet silly and slimy flick! Not to mention, as reported by local KKCO 11 News, a large portion (70-75%) of the production and film crew were: “CMU and CMU Tech students and first time filmmakers.” *AWESOME!!* All of which fit nicely with Hank and Arielle’s vison of community and youth involvement in local filmmaking, and I LOVE IT!! Noting this was Hank’s first comic adaptation, I asked him to tell me what drew him to this particular comic. Explaining it fell into his lap when the creators reached out to him, Braxtan also touched on the fact that he gets inquiries like this all the time. Some good… some not. Stating: “Having worked in this industry as long as I have, I would say it’s probably 99% culture.” With Glowzies, getting a: “good vibe,” from the start, Hank further explained that his choices come from style and concept by explaining that: “I have to be able to see myself being good at making [the film].” Honesty is also important as he continued with: “I’m all about making an honest film, which means you need to make something you want to make and that speaks to you.” And because no one can truly predict what will be a hit or not, Hank says: “Just make what you want to see and then the people that share your tastes will find the honesty in it.” *WELL SAID!* So… with established comradery and an interesting and new concept, Braxtan goes on to discuss that: “In the world of zombie movies, it would be cool to see something that’s a little bit different.” And different they are!! Awoken from deep within the mine, these creatures are a glowing radioactive mix of creepiness and comedy. “Quirky” is the word Hank used to describe said creatures and for him: “It made them feel like a Scooby-Doo monster.” Agreed Hank… AH-GREED!! Not yet available to the general public, Glowzies was given two 2023 premieres right here in Grand Junction at our very own historic Avalon Theatre. The first one in August – under Farway Canyon – was the largest turn out of its kind in the theatre’s history (*NICE*) and I was lucky enough to be there! It’s also worth mentioning that the previous Avalon record in this realm was held by another one of Braxtan’s films – Dragon Soldiers (Lionsgate; 2020). *HECK YEAH* The packed theatre buzzed with excitement and campy giggles ensued throughout the film with a standing ovation and a huge round of applause at the end. The energy was palpable, and bubbly and I LOVED IT!! Before moving to the meet and greet on the roof, which was awesome by the way… as a bonus, we were given a small panel at the end of the film. It’s here where Braxtan emphasized that this project held a special place in his heart. Asking him to elaborate on this thought during our interview, he discussed several areas surrounding having much more creative freedom than with most of his other projects. He loved that Hillard and Nowlan were very receptive to his ideas and often followed his lead throughout the filmmaking process. In particular, he mentioned that studios often want to rush the final product to get it out there and make money. Of course, Braxtan respects this process because after all, at the end of the day, making movies is a business. However, art can often get lost in the shuffle. Especially when the creator(s) have little say in how the final product looks. With Glowzies, Hank notes: “They [Hillard and Nowlan] were all about it from the beginning,” by discussing film festivals, wanting to take their time, and building word of mouth before selling the final product. This marked a new and much welcomed avenue for Hank. Voicing that as he continues to put his final stamp on the film with edits, adding the score, and more, Hillard and Nowlan: “have been super patient,” prompting Hank to feel the collaboration: “Has led to the best movie we could make under the circumstances.” And by its reception of the rough cut, I wholeheartedly agree. Since its local debut in August and November, the film was also featured in 2023 at the Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival (Dec 2023) and all the way in Spain at the Sitges International Film Festival (Oct. 2023). A first for such an honor, Braxtan attended the event and discussed that it was his biggest film festival to date. When asked what it was like taking this film all the way to Spain, stating it was: “sprawling and massive,” Hank was positively blown away by the experience. We continued to discuss Sitges and the fact that they often choose movies that: “Are really off the wall and like gory and violent.” However, Glowzies fell in the family friendly teen category which seemed to please Hank as he explained: “I just felt like considering the content, it just didn’t need to be violent. It didn’t need the blood and it didn’t need the foul language.” In full agreement, I think the overall campy feel of the film makes it family friendly indeed! Considering the movie is still in post-production, I followed up by asking when we can expect to see Glowzies available to the masses. Braxtan touched on many aspects of selling a film to a distributor, contract negotiations, final product edits, and more. Knowing that his film falls in the low budget category, he doesn’t expect any massive promotion and hopes we’ll see the film by spring of 2025, likely under a streaming platform. Though, he did mention that if everything falls into place, it would be great to see it released for the 2024 Halloween season. *FINGERS CROSSED* When looking at the filmmaking process overall, Hank articulated that: “Every movie is as good as it can be under the circumstances.” Though I’ve likely thought something similar in the past, it was refreshing to hear this from an actual filmmaker. Especially when we, as the consumer, spend SOOO MUCH time complaining about this or that when we truly have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Keeping with this same tone, a final thought from Braxtan: “Every artist… what we really want… and even if people don’t realize it, is that we’re always looking for validation. That you belong and that your art is real.” Again, something the audience should know but often forget in the midst of their own gripes and criticisms. We’d all do well to remember that those who truly love making movies often have constraints beyond their control and more often than not, their intended vision gets rather twisted by the time it hits theatres. It makes sense why Hank would express how special making Glowzies was. With less entanglements and more creative control, any artist would hold a project like that dear and it was a pleasure to see and hear this from the creator himself. In fact, as we parted, I pondered on these concepts for quite some time and may have even changed my critique style going forward. For low budget or blockbuster mania. All can suffer from the crippling weight of an industry more concerned with profit than art. On that note… I say… keep it up Hank!! Until next time, please enjoy some of my other NTG reviewed Hank Braxtan films: Dragon Soldiers (Lionsgate; 2020) Dead Zone (Tubi Originals; 2022) Written by John Edward Betancourt
One thing that fans of animation films can agree upon, is that Megamind remains a true favorite in the minds and hearts of so many. Simply because it was a refreshing and fun story that we all found something special within, and it is one we share with others as often as possible, because of how much fun it provides. But alas, for a long, long time… that movie has served as all there is to the story. One that could accomplish more if by chance a sequel or more was available and well, after all this time, we have arrived at the moment where the Megamind franchise has expanded at last, courtesy of Peacock.
For earlier today, Peacock let it be known that Alan Schoolcraft and Brent Simons, who wrote the film we adore, are the executive producers of a new film, and a new series set in this universe (alongside Eric Fogel), and that we are super close to enjoying new Megamind stories. For March 1, 2024, will see Megamind vs. The Doom Syndicate, and Megamind Rules! debut on Peacock and what a treat that is going to be… as evidenced by the other gift that Peacock sent our way. Specifically, key art and a trailer for this mega-release, and since you’re eager to know what to expect from these new stories from a universe we love, here is that trailer, details on these releases and that key art, to help you prepare for the return of a beloved franchise, courtesy of Peacock. · Produced by DreamWorks Animation, new animated kids film MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE and series MEGAMIND RULES! both premiere on March 1, 2024, exclusively on Peacock. · MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE picks up in the moments following the events of the 2010 film, teeing up more adventures to come in the companion series MEGAMIND RULES! · The below actors will be starring in both the film and series: · Keith Ferguson (Robot Chicken, DuckTales) as “Megamind” · Laura Post (Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red) as “Roxanne Ritchi” · Josh Brener (Silicon Valley, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as “Ol’ Chum” · Maya Aoki Tuttle (Spidey and His Amazing Friends, Destiny 2) as “Keiko Morita” · Emily Tunon (Globos Negros) as “Lady Doppler” · Talon Warburton (Echo Base) as “Lord Nighty-Knight” · Scott Adsit (Big Hero 6, 30 Rock) as “Pierre Pressure” · Chris Sullivan (This Is Us, Presence) as “Behemoth” · Tony Hale (The Mysterious Benedict Society) as “Mel/Mr. Donut” · Jeanine Mason (Upload, Roswell, New Mexico) as “Christino Christo” · Adam Lambert (American Idol, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again) as “Machiavillain” · The new film and series are a follow-up to the 2010 DreamWorks Animation film, where Megamind goes from being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who’s learning on the job. · Return to the Megamind universe with the new film MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE, then keep the fun going with the new companion series MEGAMIND RULES! ABOUT MEGAMIND VS. THE DOOM SYNDICATE Megamind’s former villain team, The Doom Syndicate, has returned. Our newly crowned blue hero must now keep up evil appearances until he can assemble his friends (Roxanne, Ol’ Chum, and Keiko) to stop his former evil teammates from launching Metro City to the moon. ABOUT THE FILM Premiere Date: March 1, 2024 Executive Producers: Eric Fogel, Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Director: Eric Fogel Writers: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Co-Executive Producer: JD Ryznar Voice Cast: Keith Ferguson, Laura Post, Josh Brener, Maya Aoki Tuttle, Emily Tunon, Talon Warburton, Scott Adsit, Chris Sullivan, Tony Hale, Adam Lambert, Jeanine Mason, Michael Beattie, Eric Fogel, Todd Haberkorn, Eric Murphy, Joey Rudman, Roger Craig Smith Studio: DreamWorks Animation Format: Film, 83 minutes ABOUT MEGAMIND RULES! Megamind goes from being a supervillain and the scourge of Metro City to a superhero who's learning on the job. He'll be bringing the audience along for the ride, as Megamind's trusty brainbots will be recording everything, making him the world's first superhero influencer. ABOUT THE SERIES Premiere Date: March 1, 2024 Executive Producers: Eric Fogel, Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Co-Executive Producer: JD Ryznar Voice Cast: Keith Ferguson, Josh Brener, Laura Post, Maya Aoki Tuttle, Jeanine Mason, Adam Lambert, Talon Waburton, Chris Sullivan Developed for Television by: Alan Schoolcraft, Brent Simons Studio: DreamWorks Animation Format: 8 x 22-minute episodes Written by John Edward Betancourt This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. Truly there are few directors and writers out there that have managed to capture the zeitgeist of an era quite the way that George A. Romero was able to. For every single one of his films, spoke to a corner of the Human and American Condition that was of concern, and it did so in a manner that perfectly framed the problem and the concern, all while making the story/commentary timeless in nature. For we still examine the many messages and subtext he added to Night of the Living Dead, regarding civil rights and racism in America, and for that matter, Bruiser is a film that continues to grow in legend thanks to its powerful commentary on toxic masculinity in Modern America. But of course… of the many films he made, there is one that truly showcased his brilliance regarding his understanding our world… the iconic Dawn of the Dead. For that motion picture truly understood the 1970s and to a certain degree, the excess that awaited us in the 1980s to a tee, and it was put on display by way of a story that saw people fight for possession and control of a shopping mall as the world ended around them. Which is a powerful allegory regarding how we value things and how consumerism means the world to us, and the movie’s message remains so relevant that even in 2023, we can still find moments regarding that commentary that reflect our modern world. Yet what is truly incredible, is that this timeless feature, has suddenly become more relevant and real in recent years, courtesy of some baseline story structure that in a way, was more prophetic than any of us could have imagined. Because courtesy of the pandemic, this movie suddenly takes on new life and meaning. Because in many ways… it reflects everything we’ve just been through and that makes for an uncomfortable rewatch that points out… that the living dead in this story could have easily stood in for Covid as well, since everything that went wrong in our world, went wrong in this film. Which may seem to be a statement that is grabbing at straws, but the proof is in the pudding. Take for instance, the news broadcasts in the motion picture, especially the opening credits sequence. For that sequence and it's many intense moments… feel way too familiar. Courtesy of watching a medical professional be screamed at and over, and told he’s a buffoon by people who believe that facts, don’t matter, and that what he has to say is nothing more than manufactured lies and that the situation isn’t as bad as he’s making it out to be. Which is… everything we experienced from a television and social media standpoint in our own homes. For we watched medical professionals be ‘debunked’ and debased by so-called self-experts who literally knew nothing. They just thought they knew better, and we saw Fox News do something similar and much like in the film, not listening to the experts because some people didn’t like what they heard, only spread the virus further. Much like how the dead grew in number for the same reasons, and the eerie parallels to 2020 don’t end with that sequence. For one of the central themes of the film and of much of Romero’s Dead saga, is that the living dead take over the world because of humanity’s inability to work as a central unit, and through ignorance and political and personal nonsense. All of which has sparked debate over the years as to whether or not the dead could really take over in a real-world scenario and well, the pandemic proved… they would. Because the collective of humanity, couldn’t handle doing something as simple as wearing a mask or shutting down the world and its economies for a few weeks to simply stop the spread dead in its tracks. Instead, there were fights about personal rights, worries about the economy and religious freedoms over bringing down a common foe. Which gives a simple message about disarray through arrogance new gravity and meaning, since Romero correctly predicted that in a crisis… we cannot work together to resolve it. Yet while those elements alone are enough to give this film new life and new relevance after all these years, even its visuals… make this motion picture a perfect encapsulation of the pandemic. For seeing empty roads and an abandoned shopping mall… immediately harkens back to the lockdown days of the pandemic. Where the streets were as empty as could be, save for those essential souls and where businesses stood vacant and empty, just like the mall that was home to our heroes. And of course, their being huddled around televisions, radios, and any news source available serves as reminder of our time at home as well. Since we were glued to devices for good news and hope, and heck, even just seizing the mall and having people fight for it… reminds us of those days. Since people went the extra mile to hoard something as simple as toilet paper. All of which, are elements that truly gives this nearly fifty-year old horror feature, new life in the 21st Century. For now, it isn’t just about the power of consumerism and its evils… it really is about how humanity… has grown selfish enough to not work together toward common goals. And how we let agendas and policies from people that care little about us, rule our lives, and because of that… elements that shock us and threaten us… can win. For Covid won the day, plain and simple, and that makes this movie painfully real and equally as important. Since seeing our foolishness in action in a story about the end of the world at the hands of living death, can hopefully teach us to change our ways and work as one when the next crisis arrives. When Stories Get Real: How ‘Drops of God’ Offers Advice on Breaking Free of Generational Trauma7/12/2023 Written by John Edward Betancourt
There are a great many concepts that human beings cherish in this life. For instance, we are beings that believe deeply in the power of love and connection and that drives us to find a romantic partner that fills a special spot in our soul and friends that fill in the rest. Plus, we also cherish children and make sure we protect them and guide them in the hopes of having their generation lead us to a better tomorrow. But above all, what we cherish the most in this life, is tradition. Because every family out there and our species as a whole, harbors little quirks or big quirks that we pass down from generation to generation to keep alive memories and keep alive notions that would in fact, fade without such work, and we cherish these so much… that there are people out there that will push for them to stay alive and be passed down, even when they are negative in nature.
Which means that sadly… there is a dark side to the things that we cherish. Since we cherish love and relationships so much in this life that we will surround ourselves with the wrong people to be feel whole. And there are those who feel so pressured to be part of giving rise to the next generation, they’ll have a kid when they’re not ready or never wanted one in the first place and make life hard for that innocent kid and yes… there are traditions we take part in that are toxic and negative in nature and should stop, but don’t. But what’s truly fascinating and unfortunate about the darker side to the elements of life that we cherish, is that some of them have combined and given rise to subconscious traditions that cause more harm than good. Such as generational trauma. Where a child that grows up enduring unique abuse or is constantly exposed to negative emotions and toxic behaviors… imparts those same ugly elements upon their own children when they become a parent. Because sadly… those behaviors are all we know and we trust our parents to do the right thing and guide us the right way, so we accept that toxicity and treat it as a different kind of gospel and well… this is a concept we are only now really beginning to dive into and explore and understand from a scientific standpoint. Which means for countless generations this has existed and we’ve all taken part in it in some form or fashion and that does leave all of us wondering actively now… how do we break this cycle and this tradition so that we can start to remove the ugliest parts of humanity and really grow as a species. Well as it turns out, science is now working on that, and there are creative minds pondering upon how we remove it from our lives and believe it or not, Apple TV+ is host to a series that takes the time to explore how we can shatter Generational Trauma, and that makes Drops of God a supremely important series. For this is a story that really takes the time to explore every aspect of this problem. Since it establishes how it comes to life since we watch our main characters be subjected to it, and struggle with it as they grow older and try to get over it… only to fail when it returns to the forefront of their lives through the death of Alexandre Léger. For he makes sure to impart more trauma from beyond the grave upon Camille and Issei, and Issei even suffers from fresh bouts of it from his own parents. And while this aspect of the series does a phenomenal job of backing up the reality that this is something we accept and practice because it is all we know, it doesn’t take long for this story to really shine by pointing out how wrong this is and the pain and confusion it causes children and how it isn’t something parents can resort to. Instead, they need to be better, they need give their children the world and well… the show points out that the first step in breaking this cycle at any level is to recognize that echoing what our parents imparted upon us… is wrong. But it is more than just recognition that breaks the cycle, as evidenced by Camille and Issei’s journey. Since they take the time to confront their traumas and stand in front of them and acknowledge the pain it caused them… and resolve it. Resolve it in this instance by besting their father’s challenges and proving him wrong every step of the way, but that speaks as an allegory for how the rest of us can break the cycle. In that we too… should confront it, and heal from it, preferably with the help of a medical professional… but that we also most… carve a better path for ourselves mentally. One that separates us from the toxic past we know so we can embrace what could be. Which could involve cutting toxic family from our lives or it could involve forging our own path in life and ignoring our legacy and the nonsense that can sometimes come with that. But the important thing is… we recognize and change and embrace our agency over anything else. If anything, all of these elements make for a powerful journey. One that really does teach us plenty about generational trauma and offers some sound and simple ways to escape it, and it doesn’t hurt… that these lessons are buried beneath a story that ponders upon the wonder of wine and the majesty of finding our own path in life. Since that allows for the lesson to never be overwhelming, and that’s a big deal. since this is subject matter that can be quite heavy at times. But make no mistake about it, the message is never diluted, just handled with grace, and that only adds to the wonder of this series. One that speaks to a topic that remains taboo and offers us a great deal of powerful and uplifting messages as well. Such as how important it is to never let our past define us and to live in the present over anything else and enjoy that moment, because it will never come again, and you simply cannot go wrong with a story that takes the time to offer up those messages and offer us guidance regarding a problem that continues to plague humanity, when it shouldn’t. For with some effort… we could let go of our shadows and embrace our better angels and build that better tomorrow through kindness and understanding for the children we cherish. When Stories Get Real: A Look at the Portrayal of Toxicity & Trauma in ‘Steven Universe: The Movie’7/5/2023 Written by Shae Rufe Trauma is something that fascinates me and I feel the need to write about it as of late. You can blame a rewatch of Steven Universe: The Movie for this! So, snuggle in, grab some chocolate covered blueberries (they’re the literal best thing on the planet!), and take my hand as we go down this rabbit hole. Also, a standard warning as some of these topics can be triggering for anyone who’s been through trauma. If you’re also like me and kind of sensitive for certain topics, please give a look at DoesTheDogDie.com where you can search all media types for certain triggers. This site is amazing and helpful, and I highly recommend it as I use it quite often. So for those of you who don’t know about Steven Universe, you should definitely look it up and give it a watch. The movie has so many in-depth looks into abuse and abandonment and so much more. In that I wanted to focus on two key things today: Pink Diamond and the continuation of the abusive cycle, and Spinel’s toxicity. In the series we finally get to learn a lot about Pink Diamond and what she experienced from the other Diamonds. Pink was seen and treated as a child and even given a playmate to keep her out of Blue, Yellow, and White’s business. Pink is often left locked in a room after misbehaving, seen throwing tantrums, and even punches a mirror and cracks it. Pink is treated like an annoyance and an outcast by her fellow Diamonds just by being herself. Because of this blatant mistreatment, Pink is hyper aware of their disappointment to a detrimental level. Eventually White Diamond even takes away Pink’s Pearl and gives her own in return as well as a new friend, Spinel. Here’s where things get messed up. Yes, Pink is essentially abused by her family, and instead of breaking the cycle of abuse, she instead perpetuates it. Pink straight up abandons Spinel, goes to Earth, starts a rebellion and fakes her own death to start a full out war with her own family. In the meantime, she lies to those closest to her, leads Pearl on, and continuously hurts her. She allows Pearl the illusion of them being equals and yet continues to undermine that at every turn. And then, when it suits her, she leaves them all, leaving her son to pick up the pieces of all her unresolved issues. Pink manipulates and abuses those closest to her, much like the other Diamonds did to her. This cycle of abuse is only broken by Steven when he does the literal opposite of his mother. Steven is kind and empathetic instead of apathetic and cold. He genuinely cares for those around him and tries to make friends with everyone he comes across, even swaying enemies. And then you have Pink who quite literally threw her best friend away the second Spinel was inconvenient for her. Pink also did this to Bismuth as well. Only she went as far as to tell their mutual friends that Bismuth died in the war. Pink was just as selfish and cruel as the other Diamonds, and in some ways, she was a lot worse. In the flip side, you have Spinel. A character who is broken when we first meet her. A character who literally couldn’t cope with what happened and instead became just as toxic as the person who broke her. Spinel is quite toxic in many parts of the film. She even admits to wanting to kill Steven because she came to know him more. Her volatile attitude and actions are the product of the abuse and abandonment she endured. While many don’t see abandonment as a form of abuse, it absolutely is. Long lasting effects of abandonment bleed into the everyday lives of those who experience it. Sometimes it’s so detrimental it causes extreme mood swings, violent outbursts, and verbal abuse. All of which Spinel exhibits in the movie. She’s easily reverted back into that negative headspace and so anxious about being abandoned that she violently attacks Steven. The thought of being left again is so terrifying that she’d rather hurt him before he can hurt her. As far-fetched as this all is, these are things that happen in real life and to many people. Spinel not only reminded me a lot of myself, but she reminded me of one friend I had in particular. This friend was so damaged by her upbringing that she’d often project her own issues out onto me, and similar to Spinel, was quick to assume I was going to stop being her friend the second I’d ever stand up for myself. These are incredibly toxic behaviors, even if the person isn’t aware of that. I think at one point we’ve all been that toxic person in someone’s life and it’s okay to admit that. Nobody is perfect and a lot of times we often view toxic behaviors as normal when they’re not. It’s one thing if a toxic person realizes their unhealthy behavior and works to change it. It’s another entirely if they know they’re being toxic and they continue to do so. Similarly, I think Pink is extremely relatable to many as we’ve all had a person like her in our lives. Pink is a horrible person for a number of reasons, but she’s the worst because she never changes her behavior or sees that there is even anything wrong with it. Pink is the epitome of a toxic person and one who thinks their behavior is completely acceptable. The duality of these two within the show speaks to how complex issues create even more complex issues. Pink perpetuated her family’s behavior into others, never once changing it. While in the end Spinel breaks the cycle and moves to get better instead of worse. Spinel could have easily lived in what Pink left her in. She could have easily chosen to live in the toxic dysfunction. But she chose to move on and get better. Because while it never feels like it at the time, there is an out. It does get better. Spinel makes the choice to get better. While Pink made the choice to run and stay as she was. Growing and changing are a part of everyone’s lives. While we may never undo the traumas that have been done to us, we can move past them. They will always be a part of who we are, but they do not have to define us. I have had my own version of Pink Diamond in my life, and I have been all parts of Spinel. Having something in media that can connect with someone the way that I have connected to this show is really powerful. It’s nice to see this on the screen, speaking to people on a personal level. Written by John Edward Betancourt It really is quite amazing how far the podcast has come. For this type of show was once nothing more than fireside chats and unique shows you couldn’t find on the radio. But now… it is an entertainment juggernaut. The kind that has launched the careers of so many and given countless creatives a new outlet in which to grow and tell stories. To the point where even the biggest of names are getting into the game now to create and tell the tales they’ve always wanted to and well, it just so happens that another genre legend is about to create another incredible tale in the world of the podcast. For earlier today, Audible announced that it will be bringing the sci-fi/comedy, Third Eye, to its network as an Audible Original later this year… one from the mind of actor, producer, writer and streamer and overall geek legend, Felicia Day, and well… that is quite the epic and exciting announcement. Since Felicia always delivers and her latest story boats an incredible cast and an incredible plot and to give you an idea of how epic this story is going to be, and why it needs to be on our radar, here are all the details on Third Eye, courtesy of Audible. ‘Audible, Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, today announced a new scripted science-fiction comedy Third Eye, written and created by actor, producer, writer and streamer, Felicia Day (The Guild, Geek & Sundry) and featuring author Neil Gaiman (The Sandman) as The Narrator. Set to premiere on October 5, the Audible Original produced alongside Clamor, stars Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), LilyPichu (Offline TV), Wil Wheaton (Ready Player One), London Hughes (The Netflix Afterparty), Danny Pudi (Mythic Quest, Community), Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien), Hudson Yang (Fresh off the Boat), and Christopher Judge (God of War). Post-production for the Audible Original will be handled by Mumble Media, a worker-owned podcast production cooperative. Third Eye tells the story of Laurel (Felicia Day), a “Chosen One” wizard still grappling with the fallout of failing a decade earlier in her fight with the ultimate evil Tybus (Christopher Judge). Day will write and star in the project, as our heroine is forced to overcome her tattered reputation and self-loathing in order to save her friends, eventually uncovering shocking secrets on the way toward re-confronting old enemies. The series takes listeners on a comedic ride, with one-of-a-kind characters including Kate Chen (LilyPichu), a quirky, teenage human girl on a quest for knowledge about the supernatural world; Frank Fletcher (Sean Astin), a cranky, stubborn vampire; Robigus (Wil Wheaton), the local San Francisco enforcer for Tybus the Terrible and a constant thorn in the side for Laurel; and Sybil (London Hughes), an exiled Faerie princess in her 20s who exemplifies “hot mess.” With a storyline written as a love letter to the fantasy genre, listeners can expect an abundance of iconic geek and gaming culture Easter eggs cleverly woven throughout the series. “As my biggest passion project since ‘The Guild’, I am thrilled that Audible has allowed me to bring Third Eye to life in the exact way I've been imagining for years,” said Felicia Day. “I can't wait for fans to listen and fall in love with these characters as much as I have.” “Third Eye is a testament to Felicia Day’s unparalleled creativity, transporting listeners to a genre-bending universe of science-fiction blended with comedy,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios. “With a uniquely imaginative performance, Neil Gaiman headlines an outstanding cast comprised of genre royalty. Third Eye is sure to captivate audiences worldwide, and we're thrilled to add yet another exciting show to our growing collection of Audible originals.” This upcoming Audible Original joins an entertaining slate of original audio sci-fi and fantasy titles including Impact Winter, the fan-favorite post-apocalyptic drama created by Travis Beacham, that is set to launch two new installments, the #1 New York Times best-selling audio fiction The Sandman from Neil Gaiman, performed by James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen and a full cast and its highly anticipated sequels The Sandman: Act II; and The Sandman: Act III; Middlespace: The Rebels Attack, And Then The Other Side Attacks As Well, a quirky tale from Paul Lieberstein starring Will Forte; Upgrade Soul adapted from the critically-acclaimed science fiction graphic novel by author Ezra Claytan Daniels; The Dispatcher series from New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi and starring Zachary Quinto; Carnival Row set in the world of the Amazon Original series of the same name and created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria; and many more. Immerse yourself in this epic tale, exclusively from Audible and available starting October 5, visit www.audible.com/thirdeye. ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC. Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 800,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers.’ Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Audible Original, ‘The Space Within’. It is definitely safe to say, that stories that feature otherworldly contact between mankind and an alien species… have grown a touch stale in nature. Not because they’re bad, quite the contrary. Great effort goes into telling those stories and they are indeed compelling. But what makes them feel stale is the sheer fact that they all tend to follow fairly familiar formulas. For instance, a great deal of these stories either feature a friendly, and lighthearted encounter with an alien species, wherein humanity’s better angels are put on display to create some good feels. Or… the aliens in question are as evil as they come, and variants of that formula are the most common of all. Wherein they bring war to our planet and mankind must respond, or they terrorize communities by feeling the need to abduct as many people as possible before disappearing into the night sky. All of which is stuff we’ve seen before and doesn’t quite engage us or enthrall as it used to. But, as time rolls on and new forms of entertainment arrive, there are creative minds working to freshen up every type of story out there, including this one, as evidenced by the brand-new Audible Original series, The Space Within. For this story, the brainchild of Josh Fagin and Greg O’Connor, does indeed feature an encounter with an alien species, but it is how that is accomplished that matters most. Because… there are no lighthearted cute scenes here about phoning home. Nor is there an invasion and horrors untold. Just… a reveal that we are not alone and how that plays out… is simply amazing. For this is a supremely organic and human story, one that never once informs us of what is to come, nor does it foreshadow in a manner that makes things obvious. It is simply a story about people going about their lives, and dealing with some strange occurrences that transform into something so much more and that is a powerful way to draw us into this story and stun us. Since that creates a world that feels very much akin to our own, something that is reinforced the well-written nature of the characters, since they are fleshed out and complete and we are quite curious about them, and their struggles. Which allows for us to care about them and their well-being deeply, because they too are relatable, and that raises the stakes when the weird stuff starts coming into play, and the arrival of something else, is also quite refreshing. Since what lies in the shadows is mysterious, and fascinating, and sinister all at once, and it all feels… alien. Which is key because there should be no familiarity with something from the stars, it should be uncomfortable and weird and strange and leave us out of sorts. Which is accomplished here in a magnificent manner, one that evokes feelings of dread and wonder and fear, that only a handful of films in this genre have ever accomplished. That in turn allows for this story to basically offer up some grand homages to Fire in the Sky, and Communion, while forging its own path. Plus, it doesn’t hurt… that the cast here… is as stellar as it gets. Since you’ll find Jessica Chastain, Bobby Cannavale, Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist), Michael Stuhlbarg (Your Honor), Shea Whigham (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, Gaslit), Michael Shannon (George & Tammy) and Carmen Ejogo (True Detective) in this story and that... is an incredible roster. And really, all of these elements make this a worthwhile and incredible story. One that captivates you and surprises you, and most important of all… draws you deeply into a world where everything we’ve ever known is turned upside down and the best news of all… is you can enjoy this amazing Audible Original right now and we here at NTG hope you give it a listen. Simply because it is original and refreshing, and you can never go wrong with that. To listen to ‘The Space Within’, click here. To learn more about its genesis, check out our interview with series creators, Josh Fagin and Greg O’Connor.
Please enjoy this exclusive clip from The Space Within, a brand-new Audible Original that you can enjoy on Audible right now!
Written by John Edward Betancourt One particular aspect of podcasts and original audio content that is quite amazing, is the sheer fact that we are starting to enjoy full on franchises and multiple seasons of storytelling that are akin to what we enjoy on our television sets. In part because it speaks to how far podcasts have come, but what also makes this so incredible… is that it truly speaks to how vested we are in this format of storytelling now, and how excited we get over the prospect of once again being able to return to a particular universe for more storytelling. If anything, that magic is top of mind today, simply because… Audible made an announcement recently that reinforced that reality and will also… make fans of the Impact Winter franchise… quite happy. For we came to learn the release date for season two of this incredible show, and well, it turns out we don’t have to wait that long to enjoy the next chapter in this wildly popular saga. For season two will drop on Audible on July 13, 2023, and well… judging from how season one went, we are going to be in for another epic treat, and to help you understand how amazing season two is going to be, and to properly celebrate the wonder of this show’s growth, here are all the details on what you can expect from the next chapter in this saga, courtesy of Audible. ‘Audible Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, multiplatform content company Skybound Entertainment, and visionary media company Anonymous Content today announced the cast and premiere date for the second season of the epic post-apocalyptic drama, Impact Winter, debuting on July 13. At its launch in February 2022, Impact Winter was Audible Plus' #1 bestseller across all categories and the #1 Audible Original fiction bestseller in its debut week, in addition to taking the #3 fiction spot on Apple podcast charts. Following the incredible fan reception, Impact Winter’s third season has been officially greenlit. From executive producers of The Walking Dead and the writer of Pacific Rim, Audible's groundbreaking vampire-apocalypse series is back. Eight years after a cataclysmic comet impact blotted out the sun and triggered an endless winter in which vampires rule the Earth, two sisters — one training to fulfill her apparent destiny as humanity's savior, and the other finding purpose and her true self while protecting a group of survivors in her elder sibling's stead — are confronted with an inescapable truth: even if they succeed in fending off the biggest threat to humanity's future, they still have to face their fate. “The hit first season of Impact Winter combined extraordinary storytelling with the highest-quality production value and performances. We’re delighted to deliver two new seasons of this powerful series that has captivated audiences across the globe,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios. “With the addition of new characters and a similarly immersive soundscape, we are confident that this epic tale will continue to provide listeners with a uniquely entertaining experience.” Returning cast members include Holliday Grainger (CB Strike, My Cousin Rachel), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna), David Gyasi (The Diplomat, Interstellar), Caroline Ford (Carnival Row), Bella Ramsey (The Last of Us, Game of Thrones) and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) who will all be joined by newcomers Sacha Dhawan (Doctor Who, The Great), Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones, The Witch), Ellie Bamber (Willow), Danielle Galligan (Shadow and Bone) and Andrew Gower (Being Human, Outlander), amongst others. Skybound and Anonymous Content serve as co-studios on the project which is co-produced in collaboration with Cliff Roberts (The Midnight Sky). From Travis Beacham, the mind behind Carnival Row and Pacific Rim, season 2 of this ambitious series brings listeners a combination of masterful storytelling, incredible binaural audio, superb performances, and extraordinary world-building, to continue the immersive story that originally enchanted audiences in 2022. Revisit season 1 of Impact Winter, now on Audible: audible.com/ImpactWinter, and listen to season 2 of Impact Winter on Audible or wherever you get your podcasts, beginning July 13. In addition, Impact Winter S2 joins Audible’s growing catalog of Originals Audible members can listen to in immersive spatial audio with Dolby Atmos from the Audible app at no additional cost. Visit audible.com/dolbyatmos for more information. This upcoming Audible Original joins a powerful slate of original audio dramas including Audible’s first foray with Skybound Entertainment, the best-selling series Death By Unknown Event, narrated by Pamela Adlon; James Patterson’s The Coldest Case: A Black Book Audio Drama, a prequel to his #1 New York Times Bestseller The Black Book and performed by Aaron Paul; the #1 New York Times best-selling audio fiction The Sandman from Neil Gaiman, performed by James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Michael Sheen and a full cast; the highly anticipated sequels The Sandman: Act II; and The Sandman: Act III; The Dispatcher series from New York Times best-selling author John Scalzi; Carnival Row, set in the world of the Amazon Original series Carnival Row, created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria; and many more. About Audible, Inc. Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering global audiences a powerful way to enhance and enrich their lives through extraordinary content. Audible’s catalog includes more than 800,000 audio titles, including Audible Originals as well as audiobooks and podcasts from leading studios, print, audio and magazine publishers and world-renowned entertainers. About Skybound Entertainment Skybound is a company for creators. We're known for using the Wheel of Awesome to make cool stuff, no matter the platform. We place creators and their projects at the center of the wheel and work with them to keep the integrity of their vision as it becomes a comic, game, TV series, film, audio series, or all of the above. Skybound builds global franchises. We’ve been the home of The Walking Dead and Invincible since 2010 and are leaders in creating universes that become pop culture phenomena from our library of over 150 properties, including the emerging tentpole Impact Winter. Skybound is a force in games. We publish, produce and distribute video games across every genre, including the blockbuster The Walking Dead series and the BAFTA award-winning Before Your Eyes. Follow Skybound on Twitter (@Skybound), YouTube (Skybound), Facebook (@SkyboundEntertainment), Instagram (@skyboundent), Discord (Skybound), Reddit (Skybound), and at www.skybound.com. About Anonymous Content Anonymous Content is a visionary global media company that produces multi-platform premium content and boasts an exceptional client roster which includes many of the world’s most renowned and innovative directors, writers, and actors. The company’s award-winning Film & TV division encompasses many commercially successful and critically acclaimed works. Current Anonymous Content films include the recently released and critically acclaimed THE STRANGER (Netflix) starring Joel Edgerton, SWAN SONG (Apple TV+), WORTH (Netflix), STILLWATER (Focus Features) and THE MIDNIGHT SKY (Netflix) as well as the highly anticipated upcoming films, FOE (Amazon) starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre that is currently in post-production, and the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel THE NICKEL BOYS. The company is also behind the three-time Academy Award winning film THE REVENANT, Best Picture Academy Award winning film SPOTLIGHT, and Academy Award winning film for Best Original Screenplay, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. The company’s TV credits include the recently released SAINT X (Hulu) directed by Dee Rees, SHANTARAM (Apple TV+) starring Charlie Hunnam, THE LAST DAYS OF PTOLEMY GREY (Apple TV+) starring Samuel L. Jackson and Dominique Fishback, as well as the second season of RANDOM ACTS OF FLYNESS (HBO). Upcoming series include season four of TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO) starring Jodie Foster, TIME BANDITS (Apple TV+) from Taika Waititi, DISCLAIMER (Apple TV+) from Alfonso Cuarón, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline, and SAVANT (Apple TV+), starring Jessica Chastain. Anonymous Content has also produced many other award winning and critically acclaimed series including MR. ROBOT (USA Network), HOMECOMING (Amazon), 13 REASONS WHY (Netflix), DICKINSON (Apple TV+), HOME BEFORE DARK (Apple TV+), and DEFENDING JACOB (Apple TV+). Through its Commercial work, Anonymous Content is also the driving creative force behind countless leading global brands. In 2018, Anonymous Content created The Lab, a creative incubator designed to push the boundaries of how brands tell stories by engaging emerging filmmakers and diverse storytellers. For more information, visit www.anonymouscontent.com.’ |
Archives
April 2024
|